Page 20 of Phoenix Rising

Lucinda gasped and tried to pull Becky into another kiss. Becky avoided the doctor's mouth butkissed up her neck, her hand slightly rocking against Lucinda's wet panties. Becky wanted to unravel her piece by piece. She wanted Lucinda to feel fucking defenseless and solely rely on Becky to tell her which way was up.

"Becky." Lucinda sighed, her eyes heavy. "Becky, please."

Becky's mouth found Lucinda's through their haze of lust. She tasted like sugar and bitter coffee. Hell, was this what cocaine felt like? Lucinda wrapped her arms around Becky's neck, rocking her pelvis against Becky's hand.

Becky's blood sizzled, and her heartbeat hammered in her chest as she kissed across Lucinda's neckline, the other woman humming against her mouth. Becky wanted to get on her knees and make Lucinda keep saying her name around those sweet sounds. She wanted her begging,pleading-

A knock broke their fervor. "Chief! We're back. I got your report." Carter's voice called.

Shit.

Lucinda just about jumped out of her skin, yanking down her dress so hard Becky was scared she might rip it.

Becky cleared her throat. "One second, Carter.I'm on a call." She pulled her hands from Lucinda and gently tugged her off the desk.

Lucinda hurriedly readjusted the neck of her dress. Becky smoothed Lucinda's hair before motioning for her to sit on the other side of her desk.

When they were both situated, Becky said, "Enter."

Carter strode in with Ember following behind her. "Chief. Oh, Dr. Everett, you're still here."

Lucinda stood quickly. "I was just leaving." She dared not look in Becky's direction. "Chief Thompson, I'll see you Friday." She left without another word, her heels flying across the hardwood floors.

Carter didn't think anything of it. "Civilian, cardiac arrest. He's fine. At the hospital as we speak."

"Thank you, Captain. Dismissed." Becky tapped her fingers against the desk as Carter slipped out.

Becky looked up to see Ember's smug grin as she sidled into the office. "What?"

"Oh, nothing," Ember sang. "I just like that new lipstick color you're wearing."

"I'm not—" Becky stopped and wiped hermouth, finding the remnants of Lucinda's pink makeup. "Thank you.”

She could smell the sharp scent of Lucinda’s sex on her hand.

"I didn't know you wore lipstick. What color is that?"

"I don't know. I just picked it up at the drugstore." Becky didn't meet Ember's eyes.

"Uh-huh," Ember said skeptically. "What were you and the doctor talking about?"

"Just discussing the new emergency protocols." Becky shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Make muchheadway?” Ember grinned.

Becky tried to keep her face stony. "We talked a bit. Should get more work done later this week."

"Sure, sure." Ember nodded, folding her hands behind her back. "I never noticed how much we have in common, Mom."

"Chief."

Her daughter ignored the comment.

"A little bit stubborn, utterly hilarious." Ember side-eyed her mother. "Got a thing for hot femme doctors."

"Out, Ember." Becky rubbed her temples.

"I mean?—"

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