Wasted Heart (Special Edition), page 11
“Looks like we’ve got more than money laundering on this guy, wouldn’t you say?”
I nodded as I glanced at the spreadsheet on my computer screen. Evidence of extortion as well as illegal gambling kept nice and tidy on the worksheet. This screen alone could bring down three people in the organization.
“The FBI is trying to get the accountant to flip on the head cheese. That’ll be a nice addition to what we already have here and our experts. Say, have you met Jake’s replacement yet?” What looked like a leer skittered across his face. “Agent Bridie, more than half the reason I wanted on this case.”
I resisted rolling my eyes, but it was difficult. Roger’s married, and Elise and I were dating, well, sort of. As much as four chance meetings, two resulting in kisses, can be labeled dating. What if she didn’t think of it that way? We’d spent a short evening making out on her couch and a couple of stolen kisses the next day. Did that really make her interested enough for a relationship?
“Have you met her?” His wide mouth now slid more to one side, coupled with the furrowed brow, obviously wondering if I’d suddenly lost my hearing.
“She testified for the Squire case.”
“I was a little nervous when they said Jake wasn’t coming back, but I’ve actually worked with her before. She single-handedly brought down a guy who’d been convincing underage teens to meet up with him over the internet. Traced his connection and busted him with an elaborate set up. I watched her interrogation. She’s fierce. It was like she could read the perv’s mind. He crumbled, confessed, and agreed to a deal near max. Easiest case I’ve ever had.”
“When was this?” I let my curiosity flare.
“Two years ago. She had a bunch of high profile cases till she took over for Jake. Don’t know why, but if it means she’s around our office more, that’s not a bad thing.”
No, it wasn’t. I didn’t like that he thought so, too, but that’s an insecurity I could live with if it meant I got to see her at work every once in a while.
“Want to hit Von’s for lunch? I could use a break.”
A break wasn’t really what we needed, but I also didn’t want to alienate Roger. He’d been pretty good about being second chair on this case, especially when I explained the process of tracking bank accounts and tracing files. I think it dawned on him that he was out of his specialty on this kind of case.
With a nod, I stood and followed Roger out. At the lobby, I invited Mary, who looked like she desperately needed a break from the ringing phone, and Randall, another attorney I liked, to join us. Roger could be a little intense all on his own. When we hit the ground floor, we piled off the elevator and ran smack into Elise with two other people. But all I saw was Elise.
Her eyes grew large at my appearance and her smile, immediate and private. Oh my, I liked that smile. It assured me I wasn’t crazy about the whole possible relationship thing. Roger stole the attention to introduce everyone around, having worked with both of Elise’s colleagues in the past. He and Randall started discussing another case with one of the agents, while Mary and the other agent chatted about where some big shoe sale. Elise crooked her finger in my arm and nonchalantly moved us a few feet away while their attention was diverted.
“I’m glad I ran into you. I was going to call you later.” Her eyes shined brightly. “Friday’s the holiday for the Fourth, are you working?”
“No.” The first three-day weekend in Seattle I’d planned to enjoy.
“Good, because I realized we haven’t really had an official date yet. So, would you like to go out with me on Thursday night?”
A real date. My heart sped up at the prospect, and I loved that she asked me. “Yes.”
She let out a nervous breath as the group was breaking up then graced me with a dazzling smile. “Pick me up at seven?”
“See you then.” I returned her smile and watched her step around me to join her group as they got onto an elevator. I would bet money my smile was silly wide, but I didn’t care. Seattle lesbian with a date.
Chapter 13
As I stepped out of my car at Elise’s, I could barely feel the warmth of the evening air. Goosebumps spread rapidly up and down my arms covered only by a sheer shirt. The bare skin visible under the maroon see-through fabric tipped my nervousness.
Isometrics didn’t help in releasing any tension on my way along the slate path, so I resorted to a cleansing breath before knocking on Elise’s door. In the few moments it took before I heard any footsteps, I had plenty of time to second guess my choice of black woven pinstripe slacks that gripped my hips and flattered my rear before hanging in a straight line to show about an inch of the heel on my boots. Maybe I should have worn a skirt, but I didn’t have a skirt that went as well with the slinky camisole and shirt. Plus, I’m not crazy about skirts.
Unless they’re on Elise. She opened the door with a broad smile, elation in her eyes and another outfit designed specifically for her. The silk A-line skirt in white with swirls of black showed off her well toned legs. The delicate spaghetti strap top in hues of green and black drew my eyes to the barely raised mole directly center of her sternum before I took in the rest of her skin along her clavicle and shoulders.
“Wow! You look incredible.” The thought tumbled out audibly before I could form an actual greeting.
Her smile turned into a soft laugh. “Hi. You’re looking great yourself. Ready?” She reached to her left and came back with a leather coat and her purse.
“Sounds like you’ve got something specific planned.” I managed to step back without falling over, suddenly having trouble with my equilibrium.
“I do. Did you bring a jacket with you? I’ve got one you can wear if not.” She hesitated before locking her door.
“In the car. Why do we need jackets?” Not that I was protesting. My entire body started shivering the moment her door opened.
“You’ll see.” She turned back from locking her door and surprised me with a close hug. Her arms crossed over my back, hands grasping my sides, pulling me into her. My, she felt good.
“We’re not going hiking or parasailing or something active that’s going to make me wish I’d worn different shoes, are we?” I joked to distract her from seeing how much her hug affected me.
She looked down at my footwear with a grin. “Nice boots. Come on, grab your jacket.”
“We’re not driving? What are we doing? I mean, really?” I wasn’t entirely comfortable being in the dark in any situation, especially dates. Unlocking the driver side door, I pushed the seat forward, and lunged in for my black mid-thigh trench on the back seat.
Elise stood an inch away from me when I resurfaced with the jacket. She replied to my question in an assuring tone, “You’re going to give up responsibility for the comfort of the evening. Leave that to me.”
All of the breath pushed out of my lungs as Elise guessed my worst fear in any social situation. I’ll own being a control freak, but I only apply that to myself. Controlling others is fruitless. She must have picked up on the look of panic that crossed my face, because the next thing I know, I’m pressed up against my car and her lips are caressing mine. How had I managed to endure life for thirty-two years without her kiss?
She ended the kiss with a whisper, “Trust me.”
As if under a spell, I nodded my consent. Only a touch of relief flushed through me with her words. Now my nervousness centered on the fact that she seemed as perfect as any human can be, and I didn’t like to think about how I’d measure up. She stepped back and held her hand out for mine. Automatically, I grasped it like a lifeline and fell into step beside her.
After we’d walked several blocks closer to the waterfront, Elise asked, “I bet you’ve not been on a ferry since moving here, have you?”
“A ferry ride? Perfect.” Knowing our plans eased my nerves a touch.
She took us through the terminal and onto the ferry. Before we’d completed a lap of the passenger deck, the ferry started forward on our way to an unknown destination. Had I been a true Washingtonian I’d probably know where we were headed, but so far, this whole loss of responsibility was working out well.
We stood on the outdoor deck at the front of the ferry and watched the waves crash against the hull as it sliced rapidly through Puget Sound. Elise pointed to the left where porpoises jumped in half circles out of the water and seals poked their heads through the dark blue-green sea. The ferry system should really think about selling sight-seeing tickets instead of just passenger fares. They’d make a killing.
“May I know where we’re headed?”
“Dinner in Kingston. It’s a cute little peninsula town, but mostly I wanted you to see all this.” She spread her arm toward the vast waterscape and mountainous regions surrounding us.
“I thought Lake Union was a nice view, but this is such a treat. Thank you so much.”
“Have I told you how much I like that you’re polite?”
I scoffed in jest, “Are you mocking me?”
“No. Not many people are these days. You just thanked me like I’d created this view for you. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that your politeness makes her feel special?”
“Not even close,” I replied, amazed that she didn’t seem to be joking. Most people who’ve commented on it feel that politeness masks authenticity. My grandmother, who taught me manners, would have taken them over her knee with that observation.
Elise flipped her head to the side to move the hair that had blown into her face. The movement stole my breath. She glanced at me seriously. “Well, you do, and it’s a wonderful gift to give.”
I bit down on the “thank you” I’d usually say at this point because it seemed redundant given our discussion. She was doing that perfect thing again, and I fought the urge to do something stupid to frustrate or annoy her. That was self-destructive Virginia A.J. not hopeful Seattle Austy. “That’s the best compliment anyone has ever given me. Thank you, Elise.”
She smiled blissfully, nodded once, and placed a hand over mine on the railing. Once we docked at Kingston, we departed with the rest of the walk-on passengers and walked the length of the Northwest style frontier buildings in town before looping back to the restaurant.
Dinner came and went, but I hardly remembered the taste. She was as easy to talk to as my long-time friends from Virginia. Not one awkward moment all dinner or on the ferry ride and walk back home. Unprecedented triumph, wow!
When we approached her house, the streetlights showed only my car in her driveway. “Is Scott at another party tonight?”
“He went down to Portland to visit one of our other cousins. He wanted to show off his car and hang out with Darren’s kids. There’s some sort of fireworks deal on Saturday night.”
“He’s gone for the weekend?” My eyebrows shot up.
“I tried to tell him the fireworks here are pretty hard to pass up, but like I said, he’ll use any excuse to drive and show off that car.” She stopped abruptly when I hesitated by the door of my car. I’d been so sure that Scott would be home, I didn’t think we’d have the opportunity for more than a dinner date tonight. She tugged on my hand. “Come inside?”
Feeling like I could skip after her, I contained my jubilation because I didn’t know what her invitation meant. Desire flashed through me, but she could just be asking me in for coffee. Once inside, she slipped out of her coat and showed off all that tempting skin. My right hand darted up, following my brain’s instinct to touch her, but I slammed it back to my hip as she went behind me to help me out of my coat.
“Let me check the messages to make sure he made it okay.” She guided us to the kitchen where her answering machine reported in Scott’s voice that he’d hit Portland in good time. “Would you like some coffee or tea?” she asked when she’d listened to the other two messages waiting for her. Both relatives, both asking how she was handling dealing with Scott.
Marveling at her calmness, my body fought the tormenting ache at not being able to touch her. I clenched my hands against my sides. “Whatever you’re having.”
She turned to face me squarely. Two heartbeats passed before she closed the distance between us and crushed her body against mine. Her mouth kissed me fully as her hands roamed my back. It felt like gravity was released in the room and only her hands kept me from floating up in the air. Stepping a leg in between hers, I mashed my pelvis into her hips and felt the length of her body touching mine.
Not knowing how long I could stay upright, I mumbled against her mouth, “Bedroom?”
She tried stepping us back across the living room in our kissing embrace, but a few stumbles forced us apart. Taking my hand, she led us toward the closed door off the living room. Her master bedroom was spacious and comfortable, but more importantly, had a bed. She turned and sat on the edge, drawing me to her as I took her face in my hands to kiss her again.
She edged backward as I crawled up over her. I took a moment to enjoy the sight of her stretched out before me. After more than a year’s absence from sex, I’d forgotten how much I liked this view. Settling down against her, my mouth began to explore the soft skin on her neck and down along her clavicle. With my right hand, I felt along her hip up to the bare skin of her abdomen. My fingers slipped under her shirt and inched upward. Elise stiffened so suddenly her face jolted, pushing my mouth from hers. I used my elbow to prop myself up and looked down at her now frightened green eyes.
Thinking I’d misread everything, I asked tentatively, “You’re not ready?” Moisture formed in her eyes as she looked away for a moment. My body hummed with wanting, but I forced myself to say, “There’s no rush.”
I began pulling back my hand which rested against the start of her rib cage, but one of hers grasped my wrist to keep it there. She turned her head back to look at me and said, “I want this, believe me. It’s just been a long time, and…”
She hesitated so long I had to speak. “For me, too. Tell me what you’re worried about.”
“My accident,” she whispered then glanced at the placement of my hand. “I have scars.”
“Do they hurt when they’re touched?”
A truncated sob left her mouth, but her eyes told me she was gratefully pleased by my question. When she regained her breath, she replied, “No, but they aren’t pretty. No one’s ever reacted well. They expect my body to be…to look…like my face.”
I pulled my hand away from hers to cradle her face. “I’m sorry that anyone hurt you like that.” I kissed the tear that slipped down the side of her temple. “You’re very beautiful, and it has little to do with how you look.”
“Are you inside my head?” she breathed out in relief.
“A little taste of what you’ve been doing to me for weeks.” I brought my knees up around her left thigh then sat back on my haunches. I pulled Elise up with me, kissed her startled face, and yanked us off the bed. “Let me see you. Please.”
She nodded her consent. My hands slid up her sides, taking her shirt with them. I found her eyes after the shirt cleared her head and waited for the fear to leave them. When I was sure, I slowly scanned from her eyes down her long neck to that precisely centered mole, taking in the tempting black bra and along her flat stomach. What made her so perfect were the three crescent shaped, dark pink scars near her side where something from that tree must have punched through the skin. Without those scars, she’d be inhuman in her perfection.
“My hip, too,” she admitted quietly.
Lifting my gaze, I caught her eyes to convey my certainty. I worked the side zipper of her shirt and let it fall to the ground. She wore those sexy, boy style briefs in black lace, hiding her hip. I pulled her a step toward me, out of her shoes and the pooling of her skirt then took a knee in front of her. My hands drifted up her athletic legs, caressing her full ass before my fingers curled under the band of her underwear and slowly slid them down her legs. I made her step out of them before I brought my eyes up to her left hip. Rough ridges blistered the side of her hip down to the start of her thigh, like she’d been dragged across something coarse. Just below the crest of her hip bone, a jagged, deep purple scar ran down the seam of her pelvis surrounded by white raised specks where the skin held stitches at one time. I wanted to cry for how much pain this must have been for her, but I didn’t want to risk that she’d misinterpret my anguish.
My eyes drifted across her firm belly, reveling in the trimmed triangle of brown curls, and over to the other hip that jutted splendidly untarnished. I pressed my lips against the serrated line of purple, feeling her tremble in my arms while kissing up the long, fierce scar and over to the rough skin on her hip.
“You’re beautiful, Elise. All of you.” I spoke to the scar then stood up to take her in my arms and kiss her mouth. She gave me a blissful smile when I finished the kiss and unhooked her bra. Her breasts, a little more than a handful, brushed taut nipples up against me.
“Thank you.” Her breath came a little more rapidly now. “Your turn.” She started to undress me, kissing down my neck as she unbuttoned my shirt. I helped to undo my pants and slide them down my legs while her hands brushed my shirt off. The camisole came off in a hurry, and her lips stayed attached to the hollow of my throat as her hands expertly unhooked my bra. Her eyes dropped down to take in my freed breasts, and she knelt to take off my boots before slipping my panties off in agonizing slowness. “So very lovely,” she whispered when she stood up and pressed me back against the bed.
Her warm skin slid against mine as she settled on top of me. Her nipples dragged in a tantalizing dance across my breasts while her lips pulled at my neck. The sensation was so erotic I forgot that I usually like to work first. When her hands began to massage and rub and tweak and caress, I could hardly catch my breath. My senses returned when her mouth relinquished its spot on my neck for a moment, and I used the opportunity to try to roll her over so I could pleasure her.
She resisted my maneuver as only someone trained in criminal detainment could. “Remember the deal?” Her eyes twinkled as she raised her head to stare at me. “You’re relinquishing control tonight.”
