The Brass Ring (19 page)

Jamie stepped back, noticing the young man’s demeanor had changed dramatically.  “I think the lady asked you to leave,” CC said firmly, her hand still gripping his arm.

“This is none of your business,” Simon spat out.

Jamie could see the intense look in CC eyes.  “Caitlin,” she said softly in an effort to diffuse the situation.  There was a twinkle in CC’s eyes as she turned towards the doctor.  “Dr. Fisher was just leaving.  You can let go of him now.”  CC’s lips curled into a snarl.

“Back off,” Simon snapped as he moved to push CC who then grabbed the young man by his throat.

“This is just great,” Jamie grumbled.  “Let him go.  The kid’s turning blue,” Jamie pleaded.

“Is he going to behave?”  CC asked, holding the struggling man up straight.  Simon was choking.

“Simon, if CC let’s you go, will you play nice?” Jamie inquired forcefully as CC lifted the man higher off the ground.  Simon nodded.  “Put him down,” Jamie instructed CC firmly.

“All right,” CC sighed as she dropped the man to the ground.  “Hi, honey.  I’m home.”  CC teased as Simon gasped for air and struggled to get to his feet.  Jamie shook her head as she stepped closer to CC.

“You . . ." Simon growled as he reached out for CC.  Jamie quickly stepped between the two.  Simon instantly backed down.  “Who in the hell is this creature?” he growled.

“I told you that I’m involved,” Jamie stated flatly.  Simon looked stunned as CC snorted triumphantly from behind her.  “Now go home.  I’ll be back from my vacation in a couple of days.  You and I are going to have long talk,” Jamie addressed him coldly.  The young doctor nodded mutely as he rubbed his throat.  He cast a cold stare at CC before stumbling off.

“You enjoyed doing that,” Jamie moaned as she turned to find CC smiling.

“Just a little.”  The policewoman beamed in delight.  “Who was that?”

“Long story,” Jamie groaned.  “Come in for some coffee and I’ll tell you.”  She ushered CC through the door.  Jamie was anxious to get inside so they could stop giving a show to the entire complex.

“You’re sleeping on the sofa?” CC inquired as Jamie closed the front door behind them.

“Meagan has my room while she’s staying here,” Jamie said softly, hoping that her sister wasn’t awake.

“That can’t be comfortable,” CC noted thoughtfully.

“It sucks,” Jamie agreed as she stretched her shoulders to alleviate some of the tension from her body.  “But Meagan is leaving soon so it’s not too bad.”

Jamie stared at the tall brunette whom seemed lost in thought.  “Jamie, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but you’re more than welcome to bunk with me,” CC offered in a sincere tone.   Jamie could only stare at CC in disbelief.  Certainly she hadn’t just said what she thought she said.  “I’m not trying to hit on you,” CC explained quickly.  “I just thought you’d be more comfortable in a bed.  We’ve slept in my bed before without anything happening.  And this way you could get some real sleep.”

“It would be nice not to be squished up on the sofa,” Jamie reasoned as she wondered if she could trust herself sleeping so close to CC.

“It’s settled then,” CC responded casually.

“I’ll just leave Meagan a note,” Jamie said absently as she padded off to get a pen and paper.

“Tell her to come over in the morning and the four of us can have breakfast together,” CC added with a warm smile.

“Okay,” Jamie answered her blankly, wondering if this was such a good idea.  Jamie wrote the note quickly and left it on the coffee table.  She grabbed her keys, wondering if she should bring anything else.  Realizing she had everything she needed, she followed CC out the door and locked up behind them.

As they entered CC’s home, Jamie still felt a little awkward.  “I’m going to take a shower then you can tell me about Doctor Feel Good,” CC said casually as she headed out of the room.  “Jamie, thanks for accepting the invite.  I’ll be honest.  I didn’t like the looks of that guy and I’ll feel better if you stayed here,” CC confessed in a shy tone.

“Thanks,” Jamie said with smile, feeling better about the situation.  She understood CC’s overprotective nature and it made her feel good knowing that her invitation was born from concern and not lust.  “Go take your shower and I’ll make us some tea.”

CC smiled in response and left the living room.  Jamie went into the kitchen, filled the kettle, and put it on the stove.  She couldn’t shake the feeling of how natural the simple act seemed.  She was going to brew tea and relax and talk with CC after each had experienced a long day.  Something felt so right about the moment.

A short while later they were sitting on the sofa sipping their tea while CC played with Emma.  “She is never going to sleep through the night if you keep waking her up when you come in,” Jamie noted as she watched the two of them giggling.

“You sound like Stevie.”  CC smirked as she continued to play with the infant.  “Doesn’t she?” CC questioned her cooing niece.  “So tell me about the guy on your front steps,” CC inquired.

“He’s one of the med students,” Jamie explained nonchalantly.  “Simon Fisher.  He’s had this crush on me,” Jamie continued in a dismissive tone.  “I ignored it at first, but lately he’s been stepping over the line.  I tried being nice and then I tried being firm.  I told him I wasn’t interested and I’m also his advisor so it would be inappropriate to interact socially.  I even told him that I’m seeing someone.”  She groaned in disgust.

“He seems to be a bit slow on the uptake,” CC said thoughtfully.  “He didn’t know that you’re gay?”

“No,” Jamie sighed as she rolled her eyes.  “I know that some of the nurses told him that he was barking up the wrong tree.  I don’t understand him.  I’ve been very up front about my lack of interest.  I can’t believe he showed up at my house.”

“None of this sounds very good,” CC said in a serious tone.  “I don’t want to alarm you but something about him makes me nervous.”

“Don’t worry,” Jamie responded as she rubbed CC’s shoulder gently.

“Hmm.”  CC grimaced.

“You probably scared him off.”  Jamie chuckled.  “No,” she said quickly as Emma reached for CC’s teacup.  “I’ll take these into the kitchen,” the blonde offered as she collected their cups.

“Thanks,” CC responded.

Jamie rinsed their cups and then took a moment to brush her bangs out of her eyes and straighten her T-shirt and sweatpants.  She rolled her eyes at her actions.  She was enjoying their comfortable conversation.  Still, sitting so close to CC who was clad in a pair of boxer shorts and a tank top, was wreaking havoc with her libido.  “How am I going to share a bed with this woman?” she whimpered before reentering the living room.

Stevie had appeared and was cradling Emma as she chastised her sister for waking her daughter.  “Told you so,” Jamie taunted CC.

“Hey James,” Stevie greeted her with a smile.  “I hear you’re going to be crashing here.”

“Yeah, if you don’t mind,” Jamie said, feeling a slight degree of tension from Stevie.

“No problem,” Stevie responded sincerely as she cast a cautioning look at the doctor.

“I’m beat.”  CC yawned as she stood.  “I’m heading to bed.”

Jamie was about to follow her when she caught Stevie giving her a slight nod.  “I’ll be there in moment,” Jamie said softly.

“I meant it, Jamie,” Stevie addressed her after CC had left the room.  “It’s not a problem.  It’s just that you two seem to have a real issue when it comes to taking things slowly.”

“I know,” Jamie conceded.  “I’m not going to hurt your sister.  I promise.”

“Jamie, I really like you,” Stevie continued.  “I know I’ve been giving you a hard time, but my sister means the world to me.  Honestly I would love to see the two of you work things out.”

“Really?” Jamie said in surprise.

“Really.”  Stevie chuckled.  “I just think maybe you need to get to know one another in the vertical position first.”

“I’m trying,” Jamie said with relief.  “Goodnight, Stevie,” she said as she touched the brunette’s arm gently.

“Goodnight, James,” Stevie said brightly.

Jamie entered CC’s bedroom to find the brunette still awake.  She closed the door behind her and climbed into bed.  “My sister giving you a hard time again?” CC inquired with concern.

“You can’t really blame her.”  Jamie yawned as she tried to distance herself from CC’s warm and inviting body.  “It’s not like you and I haven’t said the same things.”

“I know,” CC grumbled as she clicked off the lamp on the nightstand.  “It’s just so annoying coming from my kid sister.”

Jamie chuckled lightly as she clung to the edge of the bed.  “You know I invited you to stay here so you’d be more comfortable,” CC said dryly.  “I’m not going to ravish you if you move a little closer.”

“How do you know I won’t ravish you?” Jamie taunted CC as she rolled over on her side so she could look at her.  Even in the darkness she could see CC’s crystal blue eyes staring back at her.

“Goodnight, James,” CC said softly, ignoring Jamie’s comment.

“Goodnight, Caitlin,” Jamie said softly in response as she unconsciously leaned in closer and placed a soft kiss on CC’s lips.  Jamie hadn’t realized what she was doing until she felt CC’s lips pressed against her own.

Jamie pulled back slightly, startled at how natural her actions had felt.  CC cupped her face with her hands and brought Jamie’s face down to her.  Jamie felt CC’s breath teasing her skin as she leaned into her touch.  CC reclaimed her lips gently.  Slowly mouths parted and tongues began to explore the warmth of the other’s mouth.  Jamie felt the spark of desire ignite within as her body pressed against CC’s.

Jamie smiled down at CC as the kiss ended blissfully.  She lowered her body so she could rest her head against CC’s chest and smiled as CC wrapped her arms around her to hold her close.  She still felt aroused by the contact, but she felt something else as well - she felt loved.  She drifted off to sleep as she listened to the steady beating of CC’s heart.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

C
C STIRRED SLIGHTLY IN her sleep as she felt another person’s warmth covering her body. The tall brunette moaned as she became aware of the sensual feeling of her nipple being teased while a firm thigh pressed against her aching center. CC kept her eyes shut firmly, not wanting the dream to end. It felt so real. A gentle breath caressed her breast making her body tremble in pleasure; her eyes flew open. The sensations grew stronger as she felt her left nipple being teased.

Looking down she saw Jamie lying across her body. CC’s top had been pushed up and a sleeping Jamie was rolling and pinching her nipple. The blonde’s firm thigh pressed against CC’s heated center. "I’m in hell," CC grumbled as she tried to move away from the blonde’s pleasurable touch.

Jamie whimpered as she pressed herself more tightly against CC’s body. CC’s breathing was becoming ragged as Jamie squirmed around on top of her. CC’s mind and body engaged in an active battle of wills. It felt so very good to hold Jamie, and the blonde’s gentle touch was driving her insane with desire. Yet making love again before they had a chance to work things out between them would be the wrong thing to do.

CC clenched her thighs as she prayed for the persistent aching to cease. She lifted her body slightly in hopes of making her escape. Unfortunately the movement allowed the slumbering doctor to capture CC’s breast in her mouth. Jamie began to suckle eagerly. CC found herself reeling from the sensation as her fingers laced around the back of Jamie’s head.

CC’s body took control as she pressed Jamie closer to her and arched her back, giving more of herself to her former lover. She pulled Jamie’s body closer as she fell back down onto the mattress. The movement awakened the doctor; green eyes fluttered open in surprise. Jamie’s face turned red as she lifted herself away from CC’s chest. Her movement caused her thigh to press harder against the policewoman’s center. "Sorry," Jamie blurted out as CC groaned.

Jamie was still straddling CC as the brunette gasped for air. CC’s body was a quivering mass of arousal as Jamie moved slightly against her. "CC, I’m sorry," Jamie said softly as CC lowered her top to cover her breast. CC couldn’t speak; she could only lie there trembling. Jamie started laughing. CC, who was still trying to breath normally, just looked up in despair. Jamie quickly clamped her hand over her mouth.

CC growled as she watched Jamie’s body shaking from the stifled laughter. "This isn’t funny," she managed to utter in a shaky tone. She watched in discomfort as Jamie bit down on her lip, trying to conceal her merriment. Jamie shifted slightly and once again her leg brushed CC’s throbbing clit. CC’s head rolled to the side as her body burned from the touch.

"Oh God," Jamie moaned from above her. CC’s eyes fluttered shut, knowing that Jamie could now feel her wetness.

"Caitlin," Jamie said sweetly as she reached down and ran her fingers along CC’s jaw line.

CC’s lips quivered in anticipation as she found herself lost in the pool of jade staring down at her. "I know that look," CC said in a breathy tone. "Jamie, we can’t."

"Why?" Jamie whimpered in dismay as her chest heaved and her eyes twinkled. "We can," Jamie asserted as her fingers continued their torturous trail along CC’s chiseled features.

"I know we can," CC responded weakly as she leaned into Jamie’s touch. "We shouldn’t."

"I know that look you’re giving me, Caitlin," Jamie continued in a husky tone. "You have the same look in your eyes that you had years ago when you were fighting against what our bodies wanted. You don’t have to do the honorable thing. You need this. I can feel how much you want this." Jamie swayed her hips against CC’s body, effectively conveying her message.

CC’s will power was crumbling as her body arched against Jamie’s. "What is it about you that drives me to the point of insanity?" Jamie uttered softly. "From the first moment I saw you I lost control."

"I gave you a speeding ticket," CC responded as she relaxed into Jamie’s touch. Jamie laughed lightly. Both women were lost in the memory of that fateful afternoon.

"And then later that night you still asked me to dance after I made a complete fool out of myself," Jamie said lightly, her hands drifting from CC’s face and down her body.