Crossing Lines (Cops and Docs #2) (27 page)

Sean set his drink down. “Damn. So, she called you here to apologize?”

Kelli shrugged.

“Yeah, that has to be it. Mom has to know how much that hurt you,” Sean said. “This thing with Antony fucked us all up, one way or another.”

“Tell me about it.”

Sean sucked on his drink again. Kelli felt her mother come up behind her. She put her hand on Kelli’s shoulder, and Kelli tried really hard not to stiffen.

“You need anything else, baby?”

Sean looked up at their mother, but he didn’t smile. “Nah, not right now. I’ll go get it if I want something. I think the two of you need to talk.”

Carina took her hand away. “You’re right.” She sounded sad. “Will you come to my office, Kelli?”

Kelli snatched a chip off her brother’s plate and stood. Without a word, she followed her mother. They walked, side by side, toward the back. Every couple of seconds, Carina glanced at her.

“Go ahead, Mom. I’m listening. What did you wanna talk about?” They stopped in the hallway. Kelli turned to look at her.

Carina’s expression went from uncertain to thoughtful and back again. “I’m an ass. So, you come by it honestly.”

True story. Kelli almost smiled.

“You’re the last person I wanna hurt,” Carina said.

This was her mother. They shouldn’t have to go through all this. “I know you didn’t mean it. It’s fine. I’m fine.”

“No, just wait. You need to hear this, and I need to say it.”

Kelli leaned against the wall and quieted. It was the respectful thing to do.

“I’m sorry. I see all the things you do for us, even the little stuff. I just wanted you to know that.”

All of a sudden, Kelli found it hard to swallow. Sometimes, she hated all the emotional crap. She looked everywhere except her mother.

Carina grabbed Kelli’s hand and squeezed it. “Look at me, please.”

Kelli took a deep breath and met her mother’s gaze.

“I see them.”

Kelli nodded. She didn’t realize how much she needed to hear those words. Her eyes burned, but the tears didn’t come.

“The next time I see her, I’ll apologize to Nora, too. She didn’t deserve what she got.”

No, she didn’t. “Okay.”

“I know she’s not used to all this family drama. How is she?” Carina asked.

Kelli blushed and smiled. She couldn’t help herself.

Her mother chuckled and pressed her hands against Kelli’s heated face. “She’s doing good then, yeah?”

“Yeah, she is.”

“So, when are you gonna tell her you love her?”

Kelli’s mouth fell open. There was no point in asking how she knew.

Carina grinned.

The conversation had lightened up quite a bit and so did Kelli. She smirked and rolled her eyes. “I don’t know, Mom. When it seems like she’s ready to hear it, or when I can’t hold it in anymore. Whichever comes first?”

Carina patted Kelli on the cheek before stepping back. “You’re bursting at the seams already, baby.”

Maybe she was. Kelli was so okay with that.

“I’m missing a shipment of stuffed olives, so I need to chase it down. If you make a sandwich, make sure you clean up after yourself.”

“I will.”

Kelli’s phone chirped. She pulled it out of her pocket to see a text from her contact at the DEU.

One of the dealers that agreed to testify against Cole was found dead in his cell.

“Shit.” Kelli looked up to see her mother walking into her office. “Mom! Wait.” She was going to be here for a while, and when she got done telling Carina, she had to break the news to Sean. Maybe it was just a coincidence, but maybe Tony had the right idea all along.

* * *

Nora glanced up from the chart she was reading when someone bumped her shoulder. She looked to the left and Sean McCabe moved up beside her.

“Interesting reading?”

Nora smiled slightly. “Not especially. Just double-checking bloodwork.”

“Hmm, no note for you today, by the way. I saw you and just thought I’d stop and chat for a minute.”

Nora enjoyed the rush of heat to her face. “I have it already. Your sister stopped by to bring me lunch.” She stepped away from the nurses’ station and started walking down the hall.

Sean smirked and fell into step beside her. “She was in a better mood, I take it?”

Not as good as she was this morning. Nora almost smiled. “Exceedingly.”

“They had a good talk then. I didn’t hear any yelling when I left, but you never know about those two.”

Nora could only imagine. Kelli and her mother seemed so much alike. “Your mother apologized.”

“She owed her that.”

“Yes, I agree,” Nora said.

Sean touched her elbow. They stopped walking momentarily. “Speaking of working shit out, I’m glad you and Kel were able to. You mean something to her, and she was kinda broken for a while when you guys…well…you know.”

Instead of his words making her uncomfortable, all Nora felt was warmth. “I am too.”

“You’re good for her, and what’s good for one McCabe…” Sean smiled.

“Yes, the trickle-down theory.”

His face lit up even more. “You remembered.”

“I did.”

“You know, it’s good that we run into each other here, and of course I’m gonna see you at dinners. But, we should hang sometimes. If that’s okay? I would like to get to know you better.”

Nora stared at him for a second. She let the words sink in and settle pleasantly. “I’m still not going to be your personal beer shopper.”

Sean blinked and tilted his head to the side. Then, he laughed. “’Course not…then you’d have to do it for Travis too. He gets jealous, and when Tony gets out…” He paused and his expression turned sad. Somehow, he was still smiling. “Let’s stick to juice for him.”

Nora nodded and tried to decipher her feelings. Sean obviously considered her to be a fixture in their lives. Were there levels of happiness? Because she felt as if she was extremely high on the spectrum at the moment.

They stopped in front of Travis’s door, and before Nora knew what was happening, Sean pulled her into a hug. She was startled, but she didn’t stiffen. As if it were natural for her, Nora returned the gesture. She looked over his shoulder to see Travis’s surprised expression. He rolled his eyes and twirled a finger at the side of his head.

Nora had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. These were some very strange people, but they were hers now.

“Thanks for being there for her,” Sean said.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Nora meant it.

CHAPTER 18

Nora painted her lips slowly and with a practiced hand. She leaned in closer to the mirror to check that the rest of her makeup was flawless. This wasn’t her bathroom, so the lighting was all wrong.

“Holy shit.”

Nora looked toward the doorway where Kelli stood. Her hair was wild and standing up in the oddest angles. Her sleepwear was rumpled, and part of it was on backward. Kelli’s eyes were at half-mast. She was barely awake, but her gaze cleared quickly.

Nora grinned and went back to her morning routine. “What?”

“You do this every morning, and I’ve been missing it?” Kelli’s voice went up an octave. “How in fuck’s sake did that happen?”

“I’m usually working out when you get up, even when I’m here.” Nora felt Kelli’s gaze raking over her body, which was hidden minutely by lacy green panties and a matching bra.

“Well, damn, I’ve been missing out.”

Nora chuckled as she completed the finishing touches. Sudden warmth blanketed her from behind. Nora leaned into it. She tilted her head to the right, as Kelli brushed her long blond tresses to the side to leave a kiss on her shoulder.

Kelli’s hands slid over her stomach. They lingered, and Nora’s muscles jumped and twisted in reaction. The rush of heat that inevitably accompanied Kelli’s touch enveloped her. The fire started in earnest when Kelli’s hands traveled upward with definite purpose, leaving a smoldering trail behind. Nora’s nipples tightened in response.

Nora peered in the mirror. She enjoyed the contrast of darker skin against her paleness, but it was the look in Kelli’s eyes that made her breath catch. She was wanted…needed…in ways she had never imagined. Kelli’s fingertips inched underneath her bra.

Nora moaned. It had only been a few hours earlier when she’d received a similar caress. “Kelli…we just—”

“Again,” Kelli whispered hotly into Nora’s ear.

* * *

Nora pulled charts from the nurses’ station. She scanned the first one to make sure it had the most recent bloodwork and other preliminaries. Her usual single-minded approach to medicine had been absent all week, and today was no exception. It was fortunate that, earlier in the week, she had pushed her first scheduled surgery for today back several hours to handle Travis’s discharge. Nora needed the time to gather herself. Regardless, she was utterly fascinated by the continued happiness that infused her, and it was all Kelli’s fault. Nora smiled.

Something had shifted between them. Kelli’s touch had always been raw, hungry. Now, there was a tenderness that made Nora ache. Several times lately, she’d caught Kelli staring at her with the softest look in her eyes. It threw Nora off balance and left her so very needy. It was a wonder she could function at all, but she wouldn’t dare change a thing. Nora bit her bottom lip to keep her smile a little more contained as she continued to flip through the chart.

“Ahem!”

Startled, she glanced up. Susan smirked at her. She really had the strangest timing.

“Where were you?”

Nora looked away to hide the oncoming flush. “I’ve been standing here for the past ten minutes.”

“You know what I mean, and it’s been more like twenty since I got here. I’ve been standing behind the desk the whole time. That chart wasn’t 
that
 thick.” Susan sounded very amused.

Nora glared and snapped the chart shut before adding it to the stack she planned on taking.

“Well…I guess you told me,” Susan said. “But don’t think I haven’t noticed how distracted you’ve been this week.”

“That’s impossible. I haven’t seen you since Wednesday.”

“I have eyes everywhere,” Susan said.

Nora stared for a few seconds as realization struck. “Patricia.”

“Yep, Patricia. She told me that you forgot your playlist…twice.”

Nora scoffed teasingly. “Well…she’s officially off my team, and it was just mista—”

“Twice.” Susan held up two fingers. “Not to mention, I overheard some of the residents talking about how you’ve been practically glowing.”

Nora’s face heated even more. It was the truth. She had been more agreeable than usual.

“Detective got your tongue?”

Nora picked up the pile of charts. There was no way she was going to take on that question. “Isn’t it about time for Mrs. Lawson’s bath?”

Susan’s eyes widened, but that didn’t keep her from grinning. “That was low; I’m an RN. I supervise the bath, but that’s not for another hour.” She leaned forward. “She does, right? You can tell me.” Her gaze suddenly went from playful to inquisitive.

Nora glared. “Haven’t you asked me that before?”

“Well, not exactly, but sort of,” Susan said.

“And what was my answer then?”

“Some smartass reply.”

“Let’s stick with that,” Nora said with a smile. She backed away from the desk. “After your sponge bath, I’m free for a quick lunch.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

Nora nodded and turned.

“One more thing before you leave?”

Nora stopped and looked over her shoulder. “Yes?”

Susan’s smile brightened. “The whole love thing…works for you.”

Everything slowed except for Nora’s heart. “Wh-what?”

Susan’s expression dimmed a little. “You okay? You just went really pale.”

Nora opened her mouth to speak once more. Nothing came out. Susan came around the desk and grabbed Nora by the forearm. “Come with me.”

Less than a minute later, Nora found herself standing in the middle of one of the on-call rooms. Her heartbeat roared in her ears, and her thoughts were scattered.

“Sit.” Susan pointed at a chair.

Nora complied without a word. She accepted the cup that was placed in her hands.

“Drink up.”

Again, Nora did as she was told. The cold liquid trickled down her throat, soothing it. She pressed the cool cup against her cheek and neck. Nora closed her eyes as her life slid into place. Then, everything made sense.

“Better now?” Susan asked.

The question had a very simple answer. “Yes.”

“Good. That wasn’t a panic attack like before was it?”

Nora shook her head.

“So, I’m right?”

“Yes, I think so.”

Susan sat down beside her, threw an arm over her shoulder, and grinned. “Next time you guys are able to come out with us, we’ve got a lot of teasing to catch up on. Because…hot damn.”

Nora leaned into the embrace. There was no fear and no worry, but Nora knew she had come full circle. However, where she ended was so much better than where she’d started. “You took the words right out of my mouth.”

* * *

Nora elbowed her way inside the crowded elevator. Conversations went on around her. There was laughter and a baby crying. She heard everything, but it all seemed so surreal. Her pulse points vibrated as her heartbeat continued to thump wildly. Blood rushed to her extremities, making her fingertips tingle and her face hot. Nora took three deep breaths in hopes of relaxing, even a little.

It didn’t help.

Susan’s words echoed in her head.
The whole love thing…works for you.

The elevator stopped and opened on the fifth floor. Nora shuffled forward, but stopped moving without fully realizing it. The need to be near Kelli right now was overwhelming. But what should she say? How was she supposed to act? Things like this didn’t happen to her every day. In fact, love was completely new to her. Or was it? She’d felt this way for Kelli for a while, and now she had a name for it.

A loud buzz filled the area as the elevator’s alarm sounded.

“Lady! Are you getting off or what?”

Startled, Nora glanced at the disgruntled man standing next to her. “Yes, I’m sorry.”

Nora stepped out into the hallway. Her thoughts whirled, and the last few months flashed before her. She cycled through moments with Kelli and landed on ones that had the most impact—Kelli’s offer of friendship, Kelli and the deposition, their first kiss, the first time they made love. The way she felt was the culmination of all those events, but she had no idea what to do with the information. Her emotions were bubbling over. She wasn’t likely to scream “I love you” from the rafters. Well…she didn’t think she would. That wasn’t really appropriate during a patient discharge. Nora realized that she’d stopped moving again, and that simply would not do.