The Doc, page 10
“Katherine would be pleased,” Alex replied when she told her. “This is her place, I’m just a guest here.”
With a couple sips of wine, a weighted red served at room temperature, and her host’s direct but gentle instructions to do so, Sam began to relax. Melting on the inside, more like. Part of it, she knew, was simply due to natural defrost following the bike ride. The other part had to do with Alex.
“We’ll be careful with the drink since you’re on your bike tonight,” she said. And again, as if she were the one in charge.
“Yes, no problem,” Sam nodded.
“Not going to be too icy to ride later on?”
“No, I think it should be just fine.”
Alex clinked her glass against hers with a smile of approval.
“To us, then, Samah. And to making new friends.”
∞∞∞
When Alex inquired a bit more, Sam revealed that she’d wanted a bike since she was ten years old.
“I asked my mother for one and she said I had to wait until I was at least eighteen.” A chuckle. “Sounded like an eternity for me at the time… I guess she thought I’d forget about it.”
“But you got a bike at eighteen?”
“Yep! Right on the day.”
Alex nodded, watching her smile and her black eyes sparkle in the flames from the fire. She was wearing those jeans again, which looked almost painted on. Silk black shirt as well, with the top buttons open. And that blazing smile.
“Determined,” Alex said. “I like that. So, would you?”
“Would I what?”
Asking after a split-second pause and with a quickening in her eyes. Paying attention, for sure. Alex was also watching her attentively, and feeling the usual primal reaction inside of her as she attempted to tease her way under her skin. She knew it was happening. She could see it. It was so plainly obvious with Sam, so interesting to watch. Was she even aware of it?
“Let me ride your baby,” she clarified in reply.
“Mm… Maybe.”
Clearly a bit worried at the idea though, and Alex nudged her leg gently with her foot.
“Hey. It’s okay to tell me no.”
“I thought we were just talking.”
“No, you didn’t. And I never just talk.”
“Alright. Got it.”
Sam nodded, a slow smile dancing on her lips. Often, when in conversation with random people, Alex toned down her vibe. Not many could take her intensity when she allowed it to flow full force. She was not at that point yet, just flirting with it to see what would happen. Her guest was smiling and looking relaxed. Not spooked at all and, in fact, she seemed to welcome this kind of talk. Alex kept her eyes on her face, feeling at ease too, even as her focus increased.
“I find that people often speak without being connected to their words,” Sam stated. “Blurting out random programing on auto-pilot.”
“Disconnected and unaware,” Alex agreed. “Asleep.”
“That’s right.”
“And?”
“Nothing. It’s just nice to hear you say that you never just talk. I like that.”
Obviously, she was a good listener, as well. Using her own words, playing with her in conversation. It was nice, indeed, to talk to someone on her level.
“Have you heard of Gurdjieff’s work?” Alex asked.
“No… Who?”
“American mystic. He studied and wrote extensively about this stuff that you’re talking about.”
“You think I sound like a mystic?”
“A little bit. Anyway, doesn’t matter. Carry on.”
Another quick smile, and Sam simply shrugged.
“That’s all the mystic I have in me tonight.”
“Fair enough. But keep talking.”
“Okay… Anything specific you want me to talk about?”
“Choose anything you like,” Alex smiled. “Just do it now.”
Definitely unusual conversation and, now, she’d pushed far enough to trigger the question she wanted.
“Why?” Sam inquired.
“Because I said so.”
And there it was… That special glint in her eyes which Alex had been looking for. Hoping to see. An amused smile as well, and the sexy cop looked away for a moment. Blushing. Alex held her breath. She’s so fucking gorgeous.
“Sam,” she snapped.
Because, hey… She was leading this game. Couldn’t afford to get lost in those inky black eyes as they shot back to her face, no matter how tempting. Sam regained control. Well; of herself, at least. And Alex waited as she looked at her, a single eyebrow arched in almost-challenge.
“What are you doing, Alex?”
“Playing with you, of course. Do you mind?”
“Um… No.”
“But?” Alex prompted gently.
“No but.” Another light shrug, no looking away this time. “I kinda like it. Like the way you are.”
Alex liked that she liked it. Immensely. And to hear her say it... She suppressed a shiver. The thrill of a first encounter was always great. The excitement of discovery… She thrived on that, too. To begin to learn and appreciate the complexities of another human being… Even better. And the thought of being able to get under the skin of this particular one made her almost forget to breathe in anticipation. Alex was dying to find out what would make her twitch. Blush even more, smile again, and forget her words.
“Good,” she nodded.
She had not been entirely sure of how she would feel when Sam showed up at her place. She knew it might end up as just a regular evening, and fair enough if it did. She had prepared herself for that. But now she felt a connection, real and tangible between them, and she wanted a lot more. That crazy urge she had to dominate was both scary and wonderful at the same time. Only frightening, she suspected, because it had been such a long time since she felt this way. Three whole years during which she was rarely tempted to allow her true personality to shine… Let alone act on it with a woman of flesh and blood! She wondered if Sam could sense it, that insane attraction she felt toward her. In terms of who was having the most impact on the other at this precise moment, Alex knew it was no contest. Sam held all the power, currently. With a bit of luck, it might change in her favor pretty quickly. Alex wanted… Indeed, she craved more from her and their evening together. But unless Sam gave her consent, a full ‘Fuck, yeah!’, nothing else would happen and this play would stop. Knowing this, too, was actually a turn-on. It meant that Alex would have to work to conquer. She would need to chase, to charm, and eventually, to subdue. It was all part of the game, and Sam had just given her a clue that she might want the same thing. What is it that you like? Alex was dying to ask. To hear her say it, too. But was it too soon? She resolved to take her time. I need to take it slow for me too…
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
“You mean, for food?” Sam chuckled.
Oh, yes. Definitely on the same page, and warming up to it, by the sound of this. Alex smiled in reply.
“Yes,” she said. “For now.”
CHAPTER
14
It could not be the wine after just a couple of sips… But Sam was feeling drunk. She was aware of it, too. And definitely not naïve. She knew perfectly well the sort of game that was being played here. So far, the knowledge that this was happening was having a weird effect on her brain. She felt both relaxed and wired. Hyper-aware, in the zone. But in a nice way. Normally, it was because of danger. An imminent threat or a potentially lethal situation, like the other night with the hostage taker and his wife. When lives depended on her, including her own. But now, she was unafraid. Just delightfully and incredibly switched-on, every sense attuned to the woman who sat next to her. It was, Sam realized, no less than an altered state of consciousness. But again, she was not drunk, not on drugs, not anything other than really, really, into Alex Delcourt. And the woman knew it, for sure. She settled them there for a moment. Stopped winding her up so much. Sam was not entirely sure whether to be grateful or disappointed. As it was, she suspected that she had no choice in the matter.
“Let’s eat,” Alex declared.
She served her the best damn lasagna Sam had ever tasted, along with delicately-spiced garlic bread. She talked about other things, easy topics, including her passion for speed.
“Cars, motorbikes, boats, helicopters... You name it, I’m into it. I love that stuff.”
“You fly, too?”
“Yes, it’s one of my favorite things. When I was just starting out as a doctor, I considered a career as a bush pilot. Medic/pilot, that is. Somewhere far. Remote and wild. Why are you grinning, Sam?”
“Uh…” Sam chuckled at the sudden, sharp question. “I just have no trouble picturing you as what you describe. Grinning in approval, I suppose.”
And pleasure. Definitely.
“Thanks.” Alex’s blue eyes sparkled and she squeezed her wrist in reaction. “I went a different way in the end.”
The touch was only fleeting, warm, over too soon.
“Was that a good move?” Sam inquired.
She was determined to keep the conversation flowing. Also, she felt genuinely curious about the woman. Alex was into fast things; she liked talented people. Women, the driven kind, both fierce and successful. She seemed to be all that too, and more.
“Oh, yes. It was a calculated move, of course.”
Of course… She said that a lot, an invitation to agree.
“I enjoyed doing research and teaching too much to give it up. So, I prioritized that side of things and continued flying as a hobby. Best of both worlds.”
Yet, a shadow passed across her face. Almost imperceptible, but Sam noticed. Years of study and practice in her chosen career had made her almost unnaturally good at noticing even the most subtle cues. Reading people was one of her best skills.
“Are you okay?” she inquired.
“Yes, fine.” Alex shrugged, a touch impatiently to be said. “Just might be time for a career change, that’s all. Might give that bush pilot thing a go, one of these days.”
Temper running close to the surface. Eyes burning. She was intense. Hot-blooded. And for sure, that was attractive too.
“But that’s not really what you want,” Sam reflected.
“And how do you know that?”
“I can tell. Read it in your eyes.”
Natural impatience shifted back to appreciation. A touch of laughter twinkled in Alex’s eyes too, and this probably directed at her own self.
“Mm,” she smiled. “Yes, I forgot who I was talking to here for a moment. Chief of police... Cunning detective.”
Sam shook her head, amused.
“The first one, yes.”
“Don’t be so modest. I’m good at assessing people too, you know.”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“So, Chief.”
“Yes?”
“I’m curious. How long have you been a cop?”
“Fifteen years. In charge of the district for the last two.”
“And you like that,” Alex nodded. “Being in charge.”
Making a statement, not really asking, and Sam gave a light shrug in reply.
“I enjoy the work. I have a good team. It’s what matters.”
“How do you handle the pressures of your career during a mad global pandemic?”
“Carefully.”
Alex made a rolling motion with her index finger.
“And I don’t take any of it personally,” Sam added. “I agree with you, it’s been a crazy couple of years. Best not to dwell on the insanity too much, and just get on with the job.”
“Very wise. I suppose it’s a high-pressure career at the best of times.”
“It can be. Similar to yours, I assume.”
“True. And as you know, I’ve had to face extra pressure recently.”
Sam nodded, picking up on the tightening of her lips. This, she perceived, was a feeler. Perhaps unconscious, but a feeler all the same.
“The media are cruel,” she replied. “People too, sometimes. Personally, I never form an opinion out of a bunch of screaming headlines. Just so you know.”
She spied a flash of relief on Alex’s face, but it was here one second and gone the next.
“How do you deal with personal stress, Sam?”
“I spend time with my brother and his family. My nephew just turned five. He’s great. Also, I hit the gym every day. And I go out on my bike. A lot.”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah… Simple, but it works for me.”
Alex laughed, looking fully relaxed once again.
“You’re the grounded type. We do have a lot in common, I feel.”
“Well, it’s like you said the other day, Alex: my team, and the people who need us during an emergency, wouldn’t be too impressed if the chief of police freaked out every time the heat is on.”
Alex gave her a lingering, quietly assessing look. Getting a little warmer in here now, Sam reflected. The only question was, when would her host decide to turn up the heat again?
“Are you single?”
Oh, okay… Maybe soon, then.
“Of course,” Sam chuckled, using her favorite catch phrase on her.
Alex narrowed her eyes.
“Meaning?” she insisted.
“That I would not be here otherwise.”
“Why? What’s wrong with dinner and getting to know each other?”
“You know what I mean.”
Eyes brighter than ever, Alex continued to smile.
“Mm. Maybe, I do...” And then, she surprised her by taking her hand, just as Sam was reaching for her glass of wine. “Ah, ah... No.”
No? Puzzled, Sam met her eyes.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“You’re not allowed.”
This was no thoughtful reminder of taking it easy with the wine. Sam had not even had a full glass. She was eating, as well. Perfectly under her own and legal limits. With anyone else, her reaction to that patronizing remark would have been instant. She would have grabbed the bottle and drunk straight from it. Just because she could, hey! For a joke, and to make a point. But now, these simple words that Alex spoke, ‘You’re not allowed’, acted as a powerful trigger. All Sam could do was watch herself freeze in reaction. An unconscious response, for sure. Alex Delcourt had told her no, and the effect on her brain cells was nothing short of spectacular. She felt her blood start to race. Her ability to think shut down. Any objection drained out of her mind at a dizzying speed, and a spike of arousal in between her legs almost made her gasp. Meanwhile, Alex placed a glass of water in front of her. Acting all nice and cool, as if she really had no idea of the effect that she was having on her.
“Feeling alright, my dear?” she inquired.
Condescending, smug… Serious. Okay, it’s on. Sam frowned at the water, struggled some more to get her brain in gear, and managed what she hoped was an appropriately wry smirk.
“Yeah, thanks,” she said.
“Don’t like it? Next time, take an Uber.”
“Uber’s not my style.”
“Tough.” Alex chuckled and leaned forward to look her in the eye. “Don’t argue with me. Okay?”
It was not a feeler this time, but a fucking test. Sam held her gaze, all the while feeling herself getting short of breath and her cheeks heating up almost unbearably. Staring into the barrel of a loaded gun, standing on top of Mont Blanc at dawn, racing her bike at 150kph… None of it came close to the rush of adrenalin that this gave her. She would have been hard-pressed to explain it, especially when Alex grabbed her chin and tilted her head up. Jesus!
“Asked you a question,” the doctor prompted.
In that instant, in the blink of an eye, Sam’s entire universe shifted. She felt something unlock on the inside, followed by a rushing release. She’d have struggled to describe it accurately, and the feeling was too strong to resist. She kept her eyes locked onto Alex’s deep blue ones. She noticed searing heat across her own face, too, like a sudden fever. And she gave in.
“Yes,” she murmured. “Okay.”
∞∞∞
Alex did not know what to expect, playing this game cold with a woman who was at least as much, if not more, powerful than she was. She could sense it in her, steely strength and character. Not one to be messed with. At the same time, Alex could not help it. She wanted to mess with Chief Recco. Big time. Sam had already indicated that it might be fine with her earlier remark. Hungry? For food? Sure, she might not be up for the full alternative menu, but... Alex reached for her. Not at all a planned or rational move. She was just feeling, reacting. Flying blind, although guided by sure instinct. Her strength was not the only thing that she could sense in her guest. There was a resonance there as well, a link between the two of them. Something deep, in tune with her own need. Even so, Alex was prepared for an intense reaction when she touched her. Fair to assume that the police officer did not allow people to just grab her for no reason, eh. Of course, she did not anticipate a punch in the face; not quite, but perhaps some push-back. What she received instead was wonderful. That hazy, far-away look… Sure confirmation that Sam was slipping into a submissive state. Alex had been privileged enough to observe it countless times before with plenty of other women. She always enjoyed witnessing it, and especially now. With Sam, it was one of the more intense shifts. Alex watched her pupils widen and her eyelids begin to close. Sam started to lower her head, as if pushed by an invisible force. It was obviously a struggle to keep her eyes open. Beautiful… Alex resisted the impulse to brush her thumb across her lips, to touch her mouth, to get even closer. Too soon. As it was, just her initial move may prove too much for Sam. She spoke again, mainly to bring her back.
“Asked you a question.”
“Yes… Okay.”
Alex stared, astonished. Yes? Coming out of her daze, Sam seemed to notice her surprise. She flashed the kind of smile that made Alex want to grab her by the neck and kiss her long, deep, and hard. Until she had her moaning, back in that lovely trance. She loved to see that look in a woman’s eyes, knowing that she was the cause of it.
