Blurred lines by kd will.., p.30
Blurred Lines by KD Williamson, page 30
As she entered the PT room, Nora spotted Kelli and Dan talking and laughing. The physical therapist nodded in her direction. Kelli turned, and the smile that graced her face was dazzling. All of Nora’s thought processes scattered, and her heart started to race. Amazing what one look could do. She had no idea what her expression held, but Kelli’s eyes darkened. Nora’s stomach tensed in reaction.
Dan cleared his throat. “Well, good to have you back, Dr. Whitmore.”
Nora briefly met his gaze. “Thank you.”
Kelli moved toward her. She stopped when they were mere inches apart, demanding all of Nora’s attention.
“Hey, not that I don’t love it, but what are you doing here?” She reached out, intent on touching Nora. At the last second, her hand fell away.
If Dan wasn’t there, Nora would have allowed the caress. She needed it. “It’s your last day. I wanted to show my support,” Nora told her.
“That it is. You came to give me a…sendoff?” Kelli asked teasingly.
Only Kelli McCabe could make a seemingly harmless word salacious. Amused, Nora grinned. “Maybe.”
“Mmm, did you get my note?” Kelli asked. Their bodies brushed. Nora felt hot and cold at the same time.
“I did,” Nora answered. She resisted the urge to close the small gap between them....just barely.
A door closed. Nora glanced around the room only to find that they were alone. It momentarily diffused the haze forming between them.
“That’s sweet of you to come here. I know you need to keep us separate from the hospital.” Obviously unable to help herself, Kelli trailed a finger down Nora’s forearm.
And that was all it took for sparks to ignite. Nora melted inside, and Kelli looked as though she would pounce at any minute. The air charged around them.
“I loved the way you looked at me when you first walked in,” Kelli whispered in Nora’s ear. Having Kelli so close sent tiny pinpricks of sensation throughout her body that settled with a jolt between her legs.
Nora’s mouth went dry. “How did I—”
“Like you were completely rattled. I’m the only one that’s ever done that to you.” It was far from a question. Kelli said it with confidence. “I’m so fucking proud of that.” Kelli’s lips grazed her cheek.
“Yes,” Nora said even though no question was asked. Yes, she wanted Kelli to touch her, and yes, being next to her eclipsed everything else. Her insides whorled violently. She turned toward the sound of Kelli’s voice. Their lips made soft contact. Nora’s breath caught and escaped as a whimper.
Kelli stepped away and ended the exchange before it really had a chance to start. Her chest heaved. Kelli was stiff, tense, and her eyes held enough heat to set the room ablaze. “I don’t think you have any idea how much I want you right now.”
That was far from the truth. Nora knew because she wanted Kelli too. She could feel it circling between them like a desire-laden feedback loop.
A man coughed and cleared his throat.
They both turned to see Dan. He scratched the back of his neck and gave them a sheepish grin. “I’m sorry. I hate to interrupt—”
The sound of Nora’s pager stopped his apology. Shaken, she nodded in his general direction before leaving the room. How on earth could she want Kelli more than she did before? This was going to take some getting used to.
“Don’t be mad.” Kelli had followed her. Nora knew she would. She turned toward her.
“I didn’t mean to start anything back there. You just…do something to me,” Kelli said.
Nora whispered, “I’m not upset believe me, but I do have to go. I’m sorry.”
“I know. It meant a lot, you coming down here.”
Nora stepped closer and grasped Kelli’s hand. She held on tightly. She searched for the right words to go with her actions. “You give…you just give, and I want to make sure I’m giving back. I need to be there for you”
“Nora, you are. I don’t need—”
“I can’t stop thinking about you either, and I don’t want to. If my actions haven’t been enough, I want to make sure you know that.”
Kelli’s smile was even more radiant than it was a few minutes earlier.
* * *
Kelli flexed her bicep and made a fist. The feeling was returning to her arm after the blood pressure cuff was removed. She looked at her family doctor hopefully.
“Your blood pressure is a little high.”
Kelli chuckled. Being around a woman like Nora would certainly keep it up there. “Still?” Kelli fidgeted. Her paper gown rasped against the protective tissue covering the examination table. Thank God this was her last doctor’s visit. She was tired as hell of being poked and prodded in these little rooms.
Dr. Emily Rainer stared and waited.
“Sorry, private joke,” Kelli said.
“Mmm hmm.” The doctor notated something in the chart. “Well, considering what you’ve been through, you’ve healed quickly. There is excellent mobility in your leg. According to the latest scans, there is minimal scarring in your lung. Let’s chalk it up to clean living and you being relatively young.”
Kelli smirked. “Gee, thanks.”
Dr. Rainer smiled, making the heavy lines around her eyes crinkle. “You’re welcome, smartass.”
“Mmm, I didn’t think I’d see you. I expected the nurse practitioner for something like this.”
“Considering you probably won’t need an appointment for a while, I thought I’d take over today.”
“Okay, so what’s the verdict?” Kelli held her breath. Dammit she wanted this. It would be shit if she had to wait after setting her sights on Monday.
“I’m releasing you to desk duty. A week tops. I see no reason to keep you out of the field any longer than that.”
Kelli grinned. “Wooo. I was sure you were gonna say two.”
Dr. Rainer pursed her lips and looked at Kelli teasingly. “I still can, you know.”
Kelli held up a hand in surrender. “No, no that’s fine. Let’s go with your first instinct.”
Dr. Rainer laughed. “Good, now how’s your family?”
“Mom’s still working her ass off. I’m sure she hasn’t been in to see you for a while.”
“You might be surprised.” The doctor smiled.
“Good to know,” Kelli said.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Uh-huh, and Sean is well…Sean. Antony—” Kelli stopped and shot some positive vibes into the universe. It had better fucking listen. No matter how they left things, he was still her brother. “He’s in rehab.”
Dr. Rainer sighed and patted Kelli’s knee. “Yeah, third time isn’t it?”
“Something like that.” Kelli answered. “Travis is up doing PT now. Six months, a year tops. I’m sure of it. I know you don’t know him, but—”
She squeezed Kelli’s knee before pulling away. “Family is relative. Anything else interesting going on?” Dr. Rainer looked at her expectantly.
Kelli glared. “I don’t believe that’s part of the exam.”
The doctor smirked. “I’ve known you for a long time, Kelli. Your mother longer. I can ask whatever the hell I want.”
Kelli laughed. “So, Mom has been here, and she’s been running her mouth.”
“I didn’t say that. To confirm anything would be a HIPAA violation.” Emily Rainer grinned.
Kelli continued to glare.
“A doctor, huh?”
Groaning, Kelli covered her face with her hands.
“That sounds like something interesting,” Dr. Rainer said.
“There are way too many fingers in my pie.” Kelli folded her arms over her chest.
Dr. Rainer snorted. “Was that a lesbian joke?”
“Oh God.”
“She must be something to make you blush like that.”
“It’s called embarrassment,” Kelli snarked.
“It’s called people who care looking out for you,” Dr. Rainer said gently, the teasing tone still coloring her voice.
Feeling properly admonished, Kelli met the doctor’s gaze. “Yeah, I know.”
They stared at each other for a few seconds. The doctor continued to look at her expectantly.
Amused, Kelli bit her bottom lip to keep from smirking.
“You’re not going to tell me anything are y—”
“Nope.” Kelli interrupted.
“Fine. I at least know she’s pretty.”
Kelli softened. That really wasn’t a strong enough word. She felt blood rush to her face. “She’s…” Her mouth opened but nothing else came out.
“Is she now?”
Kelli nodded.
Dr. Rainer chuckled. “I’ll leave you to get dressed.”
Kelli pulled her shirt over her head and smiled. No woman had ever made her speechless before, but she was starting to think it was a good thing.
* * *
Kelli fiddled with the holster on her belt to make sure it was secure. It felt good to wear it again, even though she was going to be sitting at a damn desk all day. The Glock was heavy on her hip, but Kelli had always liked the weight of it. She was dressed to sit on her ass in jeans and a button down shirt. Kelli glanced in the mirror. Her hair was perfect—not in the way, just how she liked it. She was ready to go. She picked up her towel and threw it toward the open hamper. It went in, for the most part. Kelli shrugged.
She reached for the door and opened it slowly. Damn thing had a tendency to creak, and Kelli didn’t want to wake Nora. They’d been up half the night, and it wasn’t just sex. They talked and laughed. Kelli smiled just thinking about it. She could get used to things being all comfortable and domestic. Anyway, she was up way too early, but she couldn’t help herself. She was fucking excited. Yeah, she had desk duty. She would still be in the thick of things where she could hear the guys grouse about their cases and their wives, and feel the excitement when a perp was collared. Some of the guys would welcome her back warmly with a pat on the back and others didn’t give a fuck.
There had better not be balloons and shit on her desk.
Kelli stepped into her bedroom and glanced at the bed. Damn thing was empty. So there was probably a naked Nora running around.
No, not probably. There was a naked Nora running around. That sounded way better than the coffee she was now smelling. Kelli went in search of both. When she got to the living room, she could tell Nora was nowhere near naked, but maybe later. She had on one of Kelli’s T-shirts—Metallica, Master of Puppets. “I was trying to be quiet. It’s not time for you to get up yet.”
“I don’t think it’s time for you to get up either.” Nora yawned and brought a cup to her lips.
“Well…no, but early bird and all that shit.” Kelli paused and grinned. “Plus, I’m excited as hell.”
“Obviously.” Nora smiled. “I made coffee.”
“Obviously,” Kelli said. This was a nice gesture, and it made her feel all fuzzy inside. “You didn’t have to get up or anything.”
“I’m aware of that. Can’t I just do something for you sometimes?” Nora asked softly.
Kelli was just a regular fucking Casanova. She walked toward Nora, took the coffee cup from her, and pulled her close. “Yeah, you can. I really wasn’t trying to be an ungrateful ass, I’m just not used to having somebody around who wants to take care of me.”
Nora’s eyes widened. “And I am?”
Kelli smirked. “Huh, you have a point.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that.” Nora smiled in return.
Kelli leaned in and brushed her lips. Nora’s smile widened. Kelli could feel it. She pulled back. “Thank you for the coffee and the send-off. But—” Kelli paused for effect.
“But what?”
Kelli grinned. “It woulda been better if you were naked.”
Nora blinked. Then, she laughed.
* * *
Kelli pushed her way through the crowded elevator to get to the number pad, only to see that her floor was already lit up. She glanced around to check for familiar faces. There were some staring right at her.
“Holy fuck! The bitch is back.”
Two men, one burly and rough looking, the other tall with the disposition of a scarecrow, elbowed their way toward her. Kelli got her pats on the back.
“And a good morning to you too,” she said.
“Williams didn’t say a damn thing. If I’d known you were coming back today, I woulda baked you a damn cake,” the scarecrow told her with a straight face.
Kelli smirked. “Uh-huh.”
He smiled and it didn’t help his ass at all. “Welcome back. We do lunch orders at ten-thirty.”
Kelli glared.
Finn, the burly one, shouldered his partner. “Nice little reunion and all, but we need to stop and talk to somebody in DEU. Remember?”
“Oh shit, yeah.” Coleman said. “Our floor is coming then. Since that’s your old stomping ground, McCabe, I’ll let everybody know you’re back.”
The elevator opened.
“Later.” Coleman nodded as they exited.
Kelli nodded right back. Two more floors to go for her. She thought about Williams. He knew she wouldn’t want any pomp and circumstance. Kelli was lucky to have him as a friend and a temporary partner. The elevator dinged. She glanced up at the red numbers. This was her floor. Kelli walked out into the hallway. She stopped and looked into the squad room. It was everything that she remembered. Several detectives were front and center already. Some sat at their desks pecking at their computers. Others stood in front of an evidence board going over their findings. Only a select few had commandeered the overall computer system and peered up at the large monitor that lowered from the ceiling. And there was that smell—aftershave and burnt coffee. Kelli stood there and took it all in. A couple months ago, she was fighting to stay alive, and her life was fractured, broken. The pieces were coming together…Tony, Nora, Travis, and now this. For once, shit was damn near perfect.
Someone swatted her on the back, nearly sending her ass over teakettle.
“You waiting for a goddamn parade or something?” Williams asked.
Kelli glanced over her shoulder at him and smirked. “Fuck you, old man.”
Williams snorted. “Good to have you back, McCabe.”
###
EXCERPT
Crossing Lines
by KD Williamson
Kelli watched Taylor’s car disappear further up the road. After a few more seconds, she turned back toward the door. When she opened it. Nora was there. The soft look in her eyes made Kelli’s heart turn over in her chest. “I’m not sure if we need to watch out for her or not, but I didn’t want her to ruin—”
Nora interrupted her with a kiss.
Kelli smiled and pulled Nora closer to deepen the caress. Slowly, they parted.
“I can go smack around a few more people if that’s what it gets me,” Kelli said teasingly.
Nora grinned and whispered, “Dinner’s ready.”
“Mmm, don’t know if it’s gonna be this tasty,” Kelli mumbled and nibbled on Nora’s neck.
Nora laughed even as she turned her head to the side to give greater access. “Did you just say—”
Kelli groaned and steered them toward the kitchen. At least she could help with plating…maybe. “Yes, I did. Who knew I was so goddamned corny?” What was next poetry? Maybe a dirty limerick?
“It’s not the first time, but I won’t complain,” Nora said.
“Good to know. What’s for dinner? Because that smell—”
“Flank steak with chimichurri sauce, fingerling potatoes, and honey glazed carrots.”
“I have no idea what a chimi-what’s-it is but you had me at steak and potatoes.”
“I knew I would.”
Nora had her even if she’d made gruel.
About KD Williamson
KD is a Southerner and a former nomad, taking up residence in the Mid-West, east coast, and New Orleans over the years. She is also a Hurricane Katrina survivor. Displaced to the mountains of North Carolina, she found her way back to New Orleans, where she lives with her partner of ten years and the strangest dogs and cats in existence.
KD enjoys all things geek, from video games to super heroes. She is a veteran in the mental health field working with children and their families for over ten years. She found that she had a talent for writing as a teenager, and through fits and starts, fostered it over the years.
CONNECT WITH THIS AUTHOR:
Blog: kdwilliamsonfiction.wordpress.com/
E-Mail: Williamson_kd@yahoo.com
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