The Brass Ring (35 page)

"A little shaken but hearing your voice really helps," Jamie responded softly.

"Max is on his way," CC explained.

"Oh?" Jamie responded and CC could hear the disappointment in the blonde’s voice.

"I’m sorry, baby, but because of us I have to stay away this time," CC explained. Her own heart was breaking at not being able to be there for her lover. "I’m doing everything I can to put this behind us," she promised.

"I know," Jamie responded confidently. "I was just a little . . ."

"I know," CC responded as she caressed the telephone.

"Did I tell you that I dropped my cookie?" Jamie added brightly. CC laughed, knowing that her lover was trying to ease the tension. "You laugh?" Jamie scoffed. "It was chocolate chip."

"You’ll have to explain that one to me when you get home." CC chuckled as she collected herself.

"Thanks," Jamie added softly. "I feel safer just by hearing your voice."

After CC ended the telephone call she looked at the clock again.
‘Jamie might feel better but I sure as hell don’t,’
her inner voice grumbled. She was about to call Jamie back just to hear her voice one more time when the desk sergeant informed her that Saul, aka Romeo, had arrived. She had the sergeant show the little bugger to the interview room while she grabbed Larry Sorensen to join her.

"Why do you need a baby sitter?" Sorensen grumbled as he tried to finish his sandwich on the way to the interview room.

"Just do," CC responded curtly.

"So what did he do?" Sorensen asked as he took another bite.

"Got a blow job," CC casually quipped as she opened the door and Sorensen choked on his sandwich.

"So Saul, how are you?" CC inquired with a feral grin as she took a seat next to the brooding young man. "I’m going to tape this interview and Detective Sorensen is going to keep us company," she explained as she turned on the recorder and motioned to the detective who’d finally managed to spit out the remnants of his sandwich.

"Look, haven’t you people done enough?" Saul spat out. "I lost my job; my father works in the cardiology department and heard why I was fired. I didn’t see anything and I don’t have anything else to say," he sneered in challenge.

"This punk got a blow job?" Sorensen asked in amazement. "What did ya do - pay for it, kid?"

"That’s it." Saul’s voice cracked as he stood.

"Not so fast." CC stood to her full height so she could tower over the young man who still had acne and looked barely old enough to shave. "Saul, I’m really sorry you lost your job and embarrassed your daddy," she spat out sarcastically. "But not as sorry as I am that a woman died because the killer knew that he could get by you."

Saul swallowed hard as he slumped back down into his chair, his frightened eyes staring up at CC. "You’ve done this before, haven’t you?" CC asked in an icy tone that scared even Sorensen.

"Yes," Saul squeaked.

"How often?" CC pressed.

"Whenever I work the late shift," Saul squeaked once again.

"You always shut the video off?" CC continued, still hovering over the man.

"Well yeah," Saul replied as if it was a silly question.

"Did you pay the girl?" CC continued.

"What?" Saul responded indignantly. "She’s my girlfriend."

"We need her name and address," CC informed him.

"But . . ." he began to protest.

"No buts," CC cut him off. "A woman is dead. She’d be alive today if you’d only done your job," she pushed, not revealing that in fact two women were dead because Saul couldn’t keep it in his pants. So far very few people at the hospital knew about Ellen and she wanted to keep it that way.

CC slapped a legal pad of paper and a pen down in front of the frightened youth. "Start writing and while you’re writing you can tell us who entered the garage just before you shut the video down as well as everyone you can remember from the time the tape was off."

"There was that ferret-faced doctor who’s always real snotty to me," Saul quavered as he scribbled furiously.

"Name?" CC pushed him.

"I don’t know," Saul whined. "But I’ve seen him before; he always tries to watch when Shelia and I are together at work."

"Who else?" CC urged him on.

"Sandra Bernstein. I know her; she’s real nice," Saul babbled on. "And Ellen something, she’s a nurse in pediatrics, I think. I didn’t see anyone else. But I was . . . err . . . busy."

"Thank you, Saul," she added in a patronizing tone.

By the time she’d finished with Saul, Max had returned and they compared notes. The note was at the lab and was nondescript. Jamie seemed fine and agreed not to go anywhere in or out of the hospital alone. Later CC made a quick stop before hurrying home. She smiled when she opened the door and found Jamie sitting on the couch waiting for her. She held up the white bag she’d stopped for and Jamie smiled.

"Pepperidge Farm soft baked chocolate chunk." Jamie sniffed. "You’re too good to me."

"Yeah well . . ." CC grumbled.

Jamie smiled sweetly at her and took the bag of cookies as she kissed CC tenderly on the cheek. "Let’s go to bed," Jamie whispered softly in the policewoman’s ear as she took her by the hand. CC was sporting a goofy grin as her lover led her into the bedroom.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

J
AMIE LED HER lover into the tiny bedroom, never wanting to release her hand. "I need to take a shower, darling," CC whispered softly in the darkness.

"Then I’ll just have to join you," Jamie responded in a breathy tone as she turned and snuggled up against her tall lover. "Because I just can’t seem to let go of you." She sighed deeply as she felt CC’s hand caressing her back in a reassuring manner. "Sorry. With everything that’s going on I’m feeling a little clingy tonight."

"Ssh," CC said in a voice just above a whisper as she placed a gentle kiss on the top of Jamie’s head. "I’m feeling a little clingy myself. I just really need to shower before we go to bed," CC explained as she tightened her embrace.

"Let’s go then," Jamie concluded with a sly smile. CC parted her lips to speak. Jamie quickly silenced her lover by pressing her fingers gently against CC’s lips. "We’ll just have to be quiet so we don’t wake up Stevie or Emma. Quiet can be very nice sometimes," Jamie added seductively. She smiled as her lover’s amazing blue eyes widened. Jamie couldn’t see well enough in the dark but she was quite certain her lover was blushing.

Without a word Jamie led CC out of the bedroom and to the downstairs bathroom. CC leaned against the sink and watched the young doctor’s every move. Jamie slid open the glass door and turned on the water. She allowed it to run so it could reach the appropriate temperature. Then she turned to her awaiting lover.

CC gave her a curious glance as Jamie slowly closed the distance between them. Jamie ran her hands along CC’s broad shoulders and down her long arms. The brunette seemed to melt into her touch, giving herself over to Jamie’s exploration. Jamie took her time as she ran her small hands back up CC’s arms and then across her chest. She allowed her hands to soak up the feel of CC’s soft cotton shirt as she cupped her firm full breasts.

Jamie allowed her fingers and the palms of her hands to continue caressing her lover’s breasts as CC’s breathing grew heavier and her nipples hardened from the blonde’s touch. "I love the way your body responds to me," Jamie said softly as she placed tender kisses along CC’s neck and her hands continued their exploration. CC moaned softly in response.

Jamie nuzzled her face in CC’s long silky tresses. She loved the feel of her lover’s hair caressing her skin and could lose herself in it for an eternity. The whimper CC released alerted her that her lover needed more attention. Jamie reluctantly pulled her face out of CC’s hair and released her tender hold on her breasts. As the bathroom filled with steam, she slowly began to unbutton CC’s blouse.

Jamie allowed her fingertips to graze CC’s bronzed skin but never touched her where her need demanded. CC seemed completely willing to allow Jamie to set the pace. And tonight Jamie needed to take things slowly. The blonde could feel her own breathing become erratic as she removed CC’s blouse, allowing it to fall onto the floor.

Jamie ran her fingertips along the bare skin of CC’s shoulders while she lowered the straps of the woman’s bra. Jamie’s eyes were firmly fixed on watching the rise and fall of CC’s chest; she trailed her fingers along the brunette’s bra until she found the clasp in the back. With a swift motion Jamie released it and allowed the white lacy undergarment to hang loosely around her lover’s body.

The heat was rising in the small bathroom as the steam created a mist around them. Jamie removed the taller woman’s bra, allowing her fingers to once again caress her lover’s skin. She tossed the garment onto the floor and then cupped her lover’s breasts. She licked her lips as her hands wallowed in the feel of them. She explored the curve and weight of CC’s breasts without touching her erect nipples.

Jamie fought off the temptation to suckle CC’s nipples until her lover exploded in ecstasy. She watched her lover’s breathing becoming more erratic; her own breathing mirrored her lover’s. Her hands drifted down CC’s ribs and felt the curve of her body. Jamie caressed the brunette’s firm abdomen as CC released soft demanding moans.

As Jamie began to unzip CC’s slacks, the taller woman kicked of her shoes. Jamie lowered the pants down CC’s body, feeling every inch of exposed flesh in her path. She was kneeling before CC as she assisted in the removal of the brunette’s slacks and socks. Jamie’s hands slowly explored CC’s endless legs, feeling the muscles twitching from her touch. She rested her head against her lover’s quivering stomach as her fingers glided along CC’s thighs.

Jamie tilted her head back and began to run her fingers along the elastic waistband of CC’s panties. She smiled at the adorable underwear that had little blue smurfs on them. She almost laughed at the sight as she thought that it was adults like CC that kept novelty companies in business. Jamie kissed the taut muscles of CC’s stomach as she began to lower the underwear. The scent of her lover’s arousal filled her senses as Jamie pressed her body into CC’s long legs.

Jamie rubbed her breasts against the brunette’s firm thighs. She moaned as her nipples hardened through her nightshirt. Needing to feel more contact, Jamie quickly pulled off her top. She ran the hard buds across CC’s thighs as she lowered her panties slowly down her legs. Once free from her lover’s body, Jamie cast the underwear aside and once again ran her breasts up along CC’s legs.

She could see the glistening signs of her lover’s desire as she blew a warm breath through her dark curls. "Don’t come," Jamie whispered before she parted her lover’s swollen nether lips. CC growled in frustration as Jamie dipped her tongue in her lover’s wetness. Jamie’s tongue licked slowly along CC’s lips, drinking in her desire. CC clutched the edge of the sink while Jamie’s tongue flickered across her throbbing clit.

Jamie suckled CC’s clit in the warmth of her mouth. She grazed her teeth across the aching nub while she caressed her backside. CC’s thighs parted, inviting Jamie to explore her more deeply. Jamie suckled her harder as her hand massaged the firm flesh of her firm backside. As she felt CC’s body trembling against her, the blonde retreated and stood beside her frustrated lover. Jamie kissed the brunette deeply, allowing her to taste her own wetness on Jamie’s lips.

The blonde opened the shower door and tested the temperature of the water. After a quick adjustment she urged CC to enter the shower. Jamie stood just outside the glass door and watched CC immerse herself in the water. The sight of water dripping off CC’s long beautiful body made her body quiver with desire. Once, years ago when they were dating the first time, Jamie had caught sight of a younger CC in the shower and almost exploded from the beauty she saw.

Now, over a decade later, Jamie felt the same stirrings of passion for CC. The brunette looked at her as she ran soapy hands over her body. Jamie watched as those strong hands lathered every inch of CC’s body. She leaned back and watched each swirl of the bubbling lather that covered her lover. Jamie’s hand slipped beneath the waistband of her sweatpants.

Jamie moaned as her own wetness painted her fingers. Her emerald eyes were firmly fixed on the soft movements of CC’s hands while the blonde teased her own aching clit. She gasped as CC stepped under the spray of water and the lather ran down her body. Jamie’s hips swayed urgently as she touched herself while CC began to wash her hair. By the time CC was rinsing the shampoo out of her long raven tresses, Jamie’s hips were thrusting wildly.

She was panting as her hand slipped out of the warm wetness. She was close to the edge but wanted to climax with CC’s body pressed against her own. She tugged off her sweatpants and threw them aside. Jamie stepped into the shower and closed the door behind her. She pressed her naked body against CC and ran her hands along her lover’s wet naked flesh as the water beat down upon them.

CC turned and wrapped Jamie in her arms; their lips were soon locked in a fiery kiss as their bodies melted together. Not even a drop of water separated them as Jamie felt the cool tile wall pressing against her back. Each pressed a firm thigh against the other’s aching mound. The kiss ended with both women gasping for air as they rode against the other’s firm thigh. CC began to suckle Jamie’s neck as the blonde clutched the taller woman’s backside.

They thrust against one another urgently as their breasts pressed together. Jamie’s body was on fire as they swayed together, each matching the other’s frantic rhythm until they cried out. They clung to each other as their bodies trembled. Finally, each exhaled a heavy breath and they stepped back under the warm water and began to bathe one another, lingering on the more interesting body parts. Jamie once again found herself pressed against the shower wall and she wrapped her legs around CC’s body. Her lover held her up with one arm while the other slipped between their bodies.

Jamie thrust against CC’s body as her lover entered her. The blonde’s hips rocked wildly as CC’s fingers plunged in and out of her wetness. She muffled her cries as she climaxed against her lover’s touch. They shared lingering kisses before returning to the task of actually getting clean. Drying each other off almost led to them returning to the shower, but since the water had already turned cold the couple climbed into bed. Jamie released a happy sigh as she snuggled her naked body against CC’s. "I love you," she whispered as sleep claimed her.