Blurred lines, p.27
Blurred Lines, page 27
part #1 of Cops and Docs Series
Dan, the physical therapist, offered encouragement. “I know it hurts. That means you’re doing it right.”
Travis groaned. “I want to but…I need to stop.” His chest heaved as he fought for breath.
“Two more steps, and then I’ll rub you down.”
Travis chuckled then wheezed. “That’s not an incentive.
Dan laughed. “Good. Keep that sense of humor.”
The conversation made Kelli think. She reached deep into her bag of tricks and pulled something out of her ass that was sure to catch his attention. “Saw Williams naked.”
The room was so quiet the words could have echoed.
Travis looked at her. “Say what?”
“You heard me. Naked and swinging in the wind.”
“Ew, was it with your mom? You woulda told me about that by now.”
Kelli bit the side of her cheek. “Disgusting, now you’ve gone too far,” She deadpanned.
“And we’re done! Good job Gerry,” Dan announced.
Travis looked confused. “Wha?”
“You made it,” Dan said.
Travis glanced at the physical therapist. Then, his gaze moved to Kelli. His thanks shined in his eyes. “Bitch.”
Kelli laughed. “Next time think about him chasing you. It might help.”
His grimace curled into a slight grin. “You’re still a bitch.”
Kelli nodded. “I know.”
* * *
Later, Kelli didn’t even break a sweat in her own PT session. She tried not to think about the differences in her and Travis’s experiences as she walked deeper into the ICU. Kelli looked around in hopes to getting a glimpse of Nora. She hadn’t seen her yet, but the place wasn’t that damn big. When she got close to Travis’s door, she heard laughter and recognized her brother’s voice right away.
Sean smiled at her as she walked in. Kelli quirked an eyebrow in greeting. He rolled his eyes.
“Looks like she’s almost back to normal. Gotta love the strong, silent types,” Sean said just to fuck with her.
“Silent? Who the fuck are you talking about?” Travis chimed in.
“Me. I don’t run my mouth half as much as you two.” Kelli pulled up a chair and straddled it.
“Maybe we’re just in touch with our feminine sides,” Sean countered.
“Fuck that. I’m a metrosexual,” Travis muttered.
“Isn’t that the same thing?” Kelli asked.
Sean’s expression turned thoughtful. “So, what does that make you?”
“A woman,” Kelli answered.
Travis and Sean burst into laughter. “I’m calling bullshit!” Sean added.
“Careful.” Kelli growled even though she was enjoying herself. She had to keep her little brother on his toes.
“I’m not scared of y—”
Kelli glared.
“Well, not really.” Sean cleared his throat.
Travis snickered.
“What am I, then?” Kelli asked.
“Butch,” Travis answered. “I think I’m gonna start calling you Serpico.”
Sean doubled over in his chair, squealing like a little girl.
Kelli rolled her eyes. “Fuck the both of you, and how do you even know who that is? That movie is older than you.”
“It’s a classic cop movie. Of course I know what it is,” Travis answered.
“Really? That’s the best you can do? That’s your comeback?” Sean glanced at her. His face was still red from laughing.
“Give me time. It’ll come,” Kelli said.
“Dr. Whitmore must have you tied in all kinds of knots. You’re losing your touch, partner,” Travis said.
Kelli stared at him. He had no idea.
“Ooooh. Trust me when I say that you don’t scare me at all,” Travis said.
Kelli turned her gaze to her brother. “You better not be an ass tonight.”
His face was all scrunched up when he looked at her. “What? Why?”
“Because Nora’s coming to dinner.”
Sean’s eyes widened. “No shit? You’ve never invited anybody over for family dinner.”
Kelli sniffed and shrugged her shoulders. “First time for everything.” He didn’t need to know how deep she had fallen into Nora. “I’m sure she’s nervous about it, so be on your best behavior, or I’ll yank your underwear so far up your crotch you’ll be tasting your own piss.”
Travis snorted. “Damn, that’s what I call abusive.”
Sean rolled his eyes. “I’ll try.” He glanced at the door and shushed them.
“What’s wro—” Kelli turned to see what caught his attention. Nora stood in the doorway. Their gazes met. Kelli felt like all the oxygen was sucked out of her lungs all at once. She swallowed and stood. Even in purple scrubs, Kelli found it hard as hell to look away. So, she didn’t bother. Nora walked toward them.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Nora said. Her gaze stayed on Kelli.
“You didn’t. We were just being stupid,” Sean said.
Nora glanced his way for a second before finding Kelli again. It was getting kind of hard to breathe. Dammit how could she be this whipped already?
“Nice to have you back, Dr. Whitmore.” Travis waved to get her attention.
Finally, Nora’s eyes strayed for more than a second. She smiled slightly in Travis’s direction. “Thank you. It’s the reason I stopped by actually, to thank you for releasing your records. I’m sure Kelli’s told you that it helped tremendously.”
“You’re welcome. It was the least I could do. It wasn’t much. You had Serp—”
Kelli looked at him and tried to sew his lips shut with her thoughts.
Travis just grinned. “Kelli…in your corner, after all.”
Nora nodded and began backing away.
Before she could stop herself, Kelli took several steps in her direction. There was a flash of something in Nora’s eyes. Whatever it was sent a red hot bolt of heat right to the pit of Kelli’s stomach. It took everything Kelli had not to pounce on her like some sex-starved teenage boy.
“Later?” Kelli croaked.
“Yes,” Nora whispered. She turned and left the room.
Kelli stared at the empty space. She expected to see smoke. Or something.
“Holy fuck. I couldn’t breathe for a second,” Sean muttered.
“For real. Me either,” Travis agreed.
Kelli ignored their comments and went back to her chair and sank into it. They were staring at her. Kelli took a deep breath and prepared herself. They were going to tease the piss out of her. She just knew it.
“Jesus Christ, I want somebody to look at me like that,” Sean said instead.
Kelli glanced at him.
He held up his hands in surrender. “I’m not kidding.”
Kelli looked at Travis.
He shrugged. “Just remember to wrap up your junk.”
Kelli rolled her eyes.
“So moving on to something just as uncomfortable. Heard you saw Williams naked? When the hell was this? Better yet, where was it?” Sean asked.
Kelli grinned. “I was just kidding. You really think I could look him in the eye after that?”
Travis snorted. “I knew it, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.”
“True,” Kelli agreed. She was a little less wound up now that Nora was gone, but she put those feelings on the back burner to let them simmer. Perfect time to change the subject. “I might be on desk duty starting Monday. I’ll know for sure by tomorrow.”
Travis’s eyebrows shot upward. “No shit?”
Kelli looked him in the eyes. He seemed sad, but he smiled anyway. “No shit,” she repeated.
“Williams better be watching your back when you get out in the field, right?” Travis asked. His words were firm.
Kelli smirked. “Yeah, he is.”
“Good, knowing some newbie was on your ass would probably keep me up at night.”
“Me too.” Kelli nodded.
* * *
Kelli was a woman on a mission—a very urgent one. She’d wanted other women before, but not like this. Some switch had been activated, with the dial set on Nora. Kelli headed straight for the nurses’ station and tapped the desk until someone paid attention.
“Do you know where Dr. Whitmore went?”
“No, I didn’t even see her. She probably just took the elevator back down to her office.” One of the nurse’s answered.
“Where’s that?”
“Three floors down.”
Kelli nodded her head in thanks.
Minutes later, the elevator opened, and Kelli pushed her way past the crowd of people. She looked down one end of the hall and then the other. There were too damn many doors, and she didn’t have the patience right now to peek into every one. Kelli took out her cellphone. It rang twice.
“Where are you?” Kelli didn’t even give Nora a chance to say hello.
“In my office,” Nora answered.
“Poke your head out.”
“You're...” Nora paused. “Okay,” she finished breathlessly.
Kelli hung up. Her nerves were practically sizzling with anticipation. To the left near the end of the hallway, Nora stood. Kelli didn’t wait. She moved toward Nora like the devil was chasing her.
Kelli stopped in the doorway. They stared at each other, and it was as if someone lit a match. Kelli’s insides were actually burning. Nora stepped back, but she only allowed a small space for entry. Kelli brushed past her, and the temperature shot up another ten degrees.
Nora had barely closed the door when Kelli pushed her against it. Kelli couldn’t breathe, and she loved the fact that Nora’s chest was heaving too.
“Hey,” Kelli said, her voice a deep burr. Her mouth hovered over Nora’s.
Nora licked her lips. “Hello again.”
Their bodies lined up perfectly torso to hip, but it wasn’t enough. Kelli was starting to think being inside this woman’s skin wouldn’t be close enough. She stretched the moment between them further. It was getting downright painful.
Nora whimpered, and Kelli wasn’t sure what the hell for. She was the one that was dying.
“Don’t.” Nora whispered, but she didn’t push Kelli away.
What. The. Actual. Fuck? Surely, she didn’t hear her right. “Uh…what?”
Nora tightened her arms around Kelli’s neck, and her fingertips played with the hairs on the back of her head.
Kelli shivered. “Don’t touch me like that if you don’t want me to—”
“I do, but it can’t…be here. I need to be able to function. It’s my first day back—”
Kelli got it. “Okay, I understand. You need to be on your toes, not distracted.” Nora’s words should have cooled her off, but knowing that she had that kind of effect on Nora just made her hotter.
Nora continued to look at her. Her expression was hungry but soft as well. “I knew you would.”
“Yeah, but you have to stop looking at me like that, or you’re gonna make me out to be a liar because I won’t be able to promise shit.”
Nora gasped and nodded. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back against the door. The movement put a little distance between them. Kelli looked down the see the slight line of Nora’s cleavage. She looked farther still, and she saw Nora’s hardened nipples poking against her scrub top.
Sweet merciful God. Hot lava. It was as if hot lava was seeping through her body. She couldn’t be good all the time. She just couldn’t, goddammit. Kelli wanted to touch skin, but she would take what she could get. Kelli dragged her thumb across Nora’s right nipple.
The most amazing thing happened.
Nora cried out and arched toward her.
Breathing… She just wasn’t going to be able to do it around Nora. Kelli covered Nora’s breast with her hand and squeezed.
“Kel—”
Kelli trailed her lips across Nora’s cheek and whispered in her ear. “I’m here.”
“Please.” Nora pleaded. She covered Kelli’s hand with her own.
That word possibly meant so many different things. Please kiss me. Please fuck me. Please don’t ever leave me. Who was she kidding? She knew what it meant, but sooner or later something had to give. All patience aside, she was damn near ready to explode. Somehow, Kelli was able to step back. “God,” she whispered and tried to catch her breath.
When Nora opened her eyes. They were dark. “I’m sorry,” Nora mumbled.
“I get it. Really. Just…for future reference, my desk will never be off limits.”
Nora blinked. Then, she laughed.
Kelli watched for a few seconds and smirked.
Nora stopped laughing but her gaze held wonder. “What’s happening between us?”
Kelli had questions of her own. She certainly didn’t have answers for that one, so she went with the explanation that seemed to fit. “It’s complic—”
“No.” Nora interrupted. “I meant that I know that much.” She paused. “You don’t know either.”
“No, not really, but I think for now, that’s okay.” Kelli moved forward. She reached out and swiped her thumb over Nora’s cheek before leaning in to kiss her forehead. She kept her lips pressed there, just enjoying the hell out of the contact. “Have a good first day and don’t let the worries pile up about tonight. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay, please do.”
That word…that word out of Nora’s mouth was going to do all kinds of crazy things to Kelli from now on. She was kind of looking forward to it.
* * *
Alone for some time, Nora found herself staring at the far wall as she felt the first stirrings of anxiety. She took a deep breath to center herself. After several more, she noticed a difference. She peered down at the chart. It was the last one. Nora was officially caught up on her patients. It was a relief to know that they all fared well in her absence. Life in the hospital went on without her, it seemed. This should have given her pause, yet Nora knew she was just one cog in a well-oiled machine. She was an important piece, but just a piece nonetheless.
Nora skimmed the chart and looked over vitals and nurses reports. She finished it in record time. Her stomach fluttered. So far this morning, she had managed to avoid nearly everyone. When she arrived, she had made a beeline for the records room to get what she needed. Nora wasn’t sure if it was fear that facilitated this behavior or just a need to re-acclimate herself. She stood. No more delays, even though some of them had been rather stimulating. Time to make rounds.
She waited in front of the elevator. When it opened, the car was full of hospital personnel. Nora was aware of their stares. Instead of being malicious, her co-workers merely looked curious. There were no grumbles or whispers, and this was a welcome relief. When the elevator stopped at her floor, Nora gently pushed past the remaining people. She walked quickly and carried herself with confidence and purpose. Residents teemed around the nurses’ station, peering at the white board.
The sound of her name wafted toward her as she moved closer.
“Ah, shit. Dr. Whitmore is back.”
The statement actually brought a smile to her face. She wasn’t sure why. It remained when she called out particular names. “Drs. Crowder, Simpson, Ford, and Willows, you are with me.”
They stared at her slack-jawed.
Annoyance unfurled. Instead of expressing it, Nora asked, “Will any of you have a problem with being on my service today?”
They continued to stare as if she was one of those pod people Kelli made reference to from time to time. Nora almost laughed, but that would have been completely inappropriate. Her smile did feel bigger, however. Obviously, this was not the Dr. Whitmore they were expecting.
“Speak up, please,” Nora said.
Mumbling started. Then, one by one they moved closer.
“Thank you.”
Dr. Crowder looked stricken.
Was she really never cordial? Nora felt more at ease with herself than she ever had. She was stunned by this, and everyone else seemed to be as well, judging by the way they were staring at her.
Nora cleared her throat. “Follow me.”
As she passed the nurses’ station, Nora heard snatches of conversation.
“Maybe she’s sick.”
“Nah, something’s changed.”
That nurse was right, but more than ever, Nora felt like she was home. If she could conquer this, dinner with Kelli’s family would be simple.
* * *
Kelli maneuvered the car into the next lane so she could reach the exit going toward Beacon Hill. She glanced over at Nora for probably the hundredth time in the past twenty minutes. She looked nice in her blue skirt and strappy heels. Those legs she was convinced went on forever, but that wasn’t why she was staring. Kelli saw a smile curl Nora’s lips.
“I’m fine.”
“I can see that. Then, why the hell am I a mess?” Kelli asked.
“Because you’ve never done this before?” Nora smiled.
“Neither have you.” Kelli reminded her.
“Rader just tried to destroy my life. Dinner with your family doesn’t make me nearly as nervous.”
For whatever reason, Nora’s admission made Kelli feel better. “Okay, I can work with that.”
“What an odd thing to say.”
“Did you ever hear me claim to be normal?” Kelli chuckled.
“Well…no.”
“There you have it, then.” Kelli took a deep breath as another wave of nerves hit.
“I see.”
She had to warn Nora. Sean turned into a teenager when they were at home together, and her mother…well, her mother was going to put her on the hot seat no matter what Kelli said or did. Maybe this wasn’t the best of ideas. Nora wasn’t ready. Hell, Kelli wasn’t ready.
“I can feel you panicking from over here,” Nora said.
Kelli turned so damn fast she almost wrenched her neck. “I can’t help it. I know them. I know what they are capable of.” She swallowed and got to the heart of the matter. “I thought it was important for you to get to know them and vice versa, but now that it’s happening, I just don’t want them to scare you away.”
