Page 58 of Rookie Days

Ellie had opted for tried-and-trusted takeaway pizza, Italian style, and a bottle of wine instead of Heineken. She set all that aside now and turned to Janet with gently opened arms. She did not want to presume what may be needed in this moment, and also felt strangely shy. But Janet stepped into her arms without a second’s hesitation, confirming it had been the correct gesture to offer. She sounded intent, too.

“Thank you for coming.”

“Of course. It’s great to see you.”

Ellie wrapped her arms around her waist and instantly felt herself being held in return. The ease of this connection, and the warmth of the embrace, were outstanding. When Janet brushed her fingers along the back of her neck, stroking gently, it made her spine tingle.

“We can relax now. Do it with me.”

Ellie closed her eyes. Oh, yeah, it was easy. Janet smelled of sweet shampoo, as if she had just stepped out of the shower. She was warm, strong, but also at ease in her arms, yes. Ellie pressed her lips in a soft kiss under her jaw and was rewarded to feel her shiver in reaction. She instantly wanted to do it again. And a lot more.

“Skin,” she murmured.

“What?”

Janet tilted her head back to catch her gaze, with both arms still locked around her neck and a softly expectant smile on her lips. Not letting go, and it was Ellie’s turn to quiver at how good this felt.

“I don’t know what I’m doing,” she whispered.

“And?” Janet prompted in reply. “Disclaimers, we did last time, hey?”

“Uh… Yeah.” Ellie chuckled, feeling deliciously defenseless and surprisingly aroused at the demanding comeback. Janet was smiling. Ignoring the nervous butterflies in her stomach, Ellie stepped through that open door without giving herself time to reflect. “I can’t stop thinking about you. I’m ready to put skin in the game.”

Janet remained stunningly and frustratingly silent, staring so intently that Ellie felt her skin burn. After several seconds of sizzling scrutiny, she attempted to confirm.

“Forget what I said about not knowing what I’m doing. I do know. I’m sure of it. I want to kiss you again, Janet. I want to be with you. I can—”

Her sentence ended on a startled‘Umph’when Janet finally reacted, not with words of her own but by capturing her mouth with a fierce kiss which was even hotter than her previous stare. If Ellie had any conviction of being the one in control before, she would have realized now that it was only pure illusion. Had she been able to form a coherent thought, that is. She was long pastthat stage already. Her back was firmly pressed against the door. Janet had both hands in her hair, fingers fisted tightly, keeping her in place and directing the kiss the way she wanted it. Every cell in Ellie’s body screamed in welcome and arousal. And it felt like Janet did, absolutely, want her. Her lips were silky soft, her mouth greedy. Also, this was no frantic fumbling; she sure knew how to kiss. She did it thoroughly. Perfectly. Took her on a trip, definitely.

“Oh, Ellie…” Relaxing her fingers as she pulled back, Janet cupped her cheeks in her hands and flashed her a heated smile. “Thank you for the things you said.”

“Hmm…” Damn, it was hard to think!

Janet winked, as if she knew.

“Are you alright? I’ve been wanting to kiss you like that for such a long time.”

“Yeah?” Ellie swallowed, her head still swimming. “Was it okay for you?”

“Okay?” Janet chuckled. “Oh, babe, you have no idea!”

“Show me, then. Kiss me again. Just like that.”

???

Ellie showing up at her door with that hungry look in her eyes, which she obviously was not aware of, was like a breath of fresh air after a long day struggling underground. Janet may not have had a personal relationship with the latest victim, but Mary-Ann Jackson was still a woman; one she shared a working universe, and a deep calling to heal and ease the suffering of others, with. Quinn had been open with her. Made her promise not to reveal her source, but she was honest about the level of threat that they were facing.

“Tell your colleagues,” she advised. “Everyone needs to be aware and alert until we catch this killer. Don’t go out on your own, stay in pairs. I’ve spoken to site security here, but that goesfor when you’re out of the hospital as well. Let’s not make it easy for this guy to grab someone else.”

Janet had immense faith in her friend and the team that she led. The dark circles under Ellie’s eyes, which had not been there before, were further proof, if Janet did not already know, of how committed she was to bringing the violence to a stop.

“If I kiss you again, I might not want to stop doing it,” she warned her gently. “And other things, too...”

Ellie brushed warm fingers under the loose t-shirt that she wore over a pair of yoga pants, bringing on the sort of reaction that Janet thought may well be past her at this point in her life. But the simple touch, fingertips grazing the side of her ribs and settling possessively over her hips, had her tingling all over.

“I won’t ask you to stop, Jan,” Ellie murmured.

Again, Janet cupped her face. Light and tender as a feather, she brushed her thumbs over her eyebrows and lids. Ellie closed her eyes. Her lips parted on a sigh.Gosh… Could she look more beautiful and desirable in that instant? Janet kissed her again, nice and soft, triggering a slow smile. She took her by the hand, tugged her gently forward.

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