Студопедия

Главная страница Случайная страница

Разделы сайта

АвтомобилиАстрономияБиологияГеографияДом и садДругие языкиДругоеИнформатикаИсторияКультураЛитератураЛогикаМатематикаМедицинаМеталлургияМеханикаОбразованиеОхрана трудаПедагогикаПолитикаПравоПсихологияРелигияРиторикаСоциологияСпортСтроительствоТехнологияТуризмФизикаФилософияФинансыХимияЧерчениеЭкологияЭкономикаЭлектроника






CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT. Jake stopped to brief the two officers who were parked across the street from Nicole's building






Jake stopped to brief the two officers who were parked across the street from Nicole's building. She realized it was more for show than anything. If their guy decided to make a move in Nicole's office, eight floors up, there was little these two could do about it.

Catherine motioned her inside when she stuck her head in. " She's still with her last appointment."

Jake nodded. " I'm a little early."

Catherine glanced once at Nicole's door, then back at Jake. " She was shook up last night, huh? "

" Yeah. I don't blame her. You should have seen her bedroom."

" Dead roses? "

Jake nodded. " Any letters today? "

" Not a one."

Jake cocked her head, watching Catherine. " How do you go home? "

" What do you mean? "

" Do you take the same route every day? "

" Well, yes."

" Park in the same place? "

" Yes."

Jake raised an eyebrow. " Well, stop it."

" You think I might be in danger? "

" I don't want to scare you, Catherine, but you've got to think about the possibility."

Catherine shook her head. " I can't believe that someone would want to get back at Dr. Westbrook that badly that they'd resort to all this."

" I've seen so much shit out there, nothing surprises me anymore. So, take a different route home tonight, and park someplace else tomorrow. Deal? "

" Okay. But, I've told my husband about all this, you know. He actually wants me to quit. And I've had this job longer than I've had him."

" I take it you haven't told Nicole this? "

" No. I'm not going to quit. Besides, not that I'm blowing my own horn or anything, but Nicole would be lost without me."

Jake walked closer, perching on the edge of Catherine's desk. " So, what do you know about this woman she was out with last night? " Jake asked quietly.

Catherine smiled. " Cheryl Logan, some hotshot surgeon. She's a friend of Irene, who is a friend of Nicole's."

" Blind date? "

" Yeah."

" Well, trust me, they weren't right for each other."

" No? "

" Not at all."

" And you know this how? "

Jake smiled and leaned forward, causing Catherine to lean back. " Now Catherine, we both know that Nicole told you about our encounter in the mountains."

Catherine nodded. " She told me."

Jake wiggled her eyebrows. " What all did she tell you? "

" Enough to make me blush, thank you."

Jake laughed then tried to stifle it as Nicole's door opened, and Nicole walked out with a young woman. She wasn't quite able to wipe the smile from her face as her eyes met Nicole's. She nodded once. " Doctor."

" Detective, " Nicole greeted, as she moved past her. " Rachel, see you next week." When the outer office door closed, Nicole turned back to stare at first Catherine, then Jake. " Up to no good? "

" Just chatting, " Jake said, shoving off Catherine's desk. " Got a minute for me? "

" Of course."

Jake turned and winked at Catherine before following Nicole into her office and closing the door behind her. Nicole leaned casually against her desk, and they watched one another. Jake much preferred Nicole's look today. Black slacks and a burgundy blouse beat the hell out of the power suits she usually wore.

Nicole waited patiently as Jake's eyes traveled over her body. She felt the involuntary reaction she always felt when Jake looked at her that way--difficulty breathing and the constant rapid pulse that seemed to mock her. Jake must think it was safe here, with Catherine just outside. But last night, when Nicole had innocently kissed her on the cheek, she'd not missed Jake's quick intake of breath, or her sudden withdrawal.

" You look nice, " Jake finally said.

Nicole swallowed before speaking. " Thank you."

Jake took a step closer. " The husband checked out. He's not our guy."

Nicole only nodded.

" So, I want you to stay with me again tonight, " Jake said quietly as she took another step closer.

Nicole nodded, but was unable to speak. Jake's eyes held her, and she labored to breathe normally.

Jake told herself she was playing with fire, but her body wouldn't listen. Something about being in Nicole's presence did that to her, made her forget all about that line she vowed she'd not cross. Even then, she was still confident she could control this desire she had to take Nicole in her arms and taste her lips again. But she hadn't counted on Nicole giving in as well. The rise and fall of Nicole's chest, the rapid pulse in her throat, and the blue, blue eyes that bored into Jake completely shattered her resolve.

Nicole wasn't certain how it happened. In the next instant, her mouth was claimed by Jake, and she opened willingly to her, her arms sliding over Jake's shoulders to pull her closer. There was nothing gentle about their kisses, and Nicole groaned loudly when Jake's tongue found its way into her mouth. She felt her body trying to mold itself to Jake's hard frame, and she let it. Their hips pressed together intimately, and Nicole just barely resisted opening her thighs to straddle Jake's leg. She could not, however, control her hands as they cupped Jake's breasts.

Jake came to her senses, pulling away from Nicole and holding her at arm's length while she tried to catch her breath. She had been only seconds away from ripping open Nicole's blouse. You're on a case. You're on a goddamn case!

" I'm sorry. But I've wanted to do that since I saw you again, " Jake whispered.

" I know, " Nicole murmured. " Me, too." She's a cop. Not your type, not your type. She moved behind her desk, putting some space between them as she tried to get herself under control again. " So, you want me to just come by your place after I'm done here? " Nicole asked, her voice still husky with desire.

Jake shoved her hands in her pockets, angry with herself for losing control, still able to feel Nicole's hands on her breasts. So, she cleared her throat and took a deep breath, finally able to meet Nicole's eyes again. " I'd really feel better if you'd let me pick you up."

" That would mean you'd have to bring me back here in the morning."

" I don't mind."

Nicole leaned her elbows on her desk, watching Jake. " We can't do this indefinitely, Jake. I have to eventually go back to my house."

Jake shook her head. " Not until this is over with." She walked closer to Nicole's desk again, feeling the need to apologize. " Look, about that..."

" It's not like I tried to stop you, Jake." Jake may not be her type, but Lord, the woman could kiss. " It's not like I didn't... touch you, " Nicole whispered.

So, it was like that, was it? They could be in really big trouble, Jake knew. Tonight, alone... who would stop?

" What time should I pick you up? "

Nicole looked at her cluttered desk, knowing on a normal day she'd be here until well after seven. She knew Jake would never go for that. " Whenever you're done for the day, just come by."

" Rick and I have an appointment with the ME in" --Jake looked at her watch--" fifteen minutes. It'll be after five before I get back here."

" When Catherine leaves, I'll be sure and lock up."

Jake nodded, then stopped at the door. " Nicole, about the stalker? "

" Yes? "

" Do you remember when it was? "

" It was summer. Late July, but I don't remember the exact date."

" Six years ago? "

Nicole nodded. " It was six years this summer."

" And you called 911? "

" What's this about? "

" Nothing. I just wanted to follow up on it. It's no big deal."

Nicole picked up a pen and twirled it in her hands. " Yes, I called 911. They sent two police cars out."

" Two units responded? "

" Jake, why all the questions? "

Jake sighed, wondering what it all meant. " I can't find anything in the system."

" What do you mean? "

" There was no hit on your name, no hit on your address."

" But..."

" We'll talk about it tonight. I've got to meet Rick."

Jake left quietly, leaving Nicole staring at the closed door, wondering how her life suddenly became so complicated.

 






© 2023 :: MyLektsii.ru :: Мои Лекции
Все материалы представленные на сайте исключительно с целью ознакомления читателями и не преследуют коммерческих целей или нарушение авторских прав.
Копирование текстов разрешено только с указанием индексируемой ссылки на источник.