Page 48 of Rookie Days

“Yeah.” Ellie greeted her with a frown and an impatient huff. “It’s morning now.”

She appeared stone cold sober and clearly annoyed about something. Her expression made Janet want to kiss a smile back on her gorgeous lips, and turn these smoldering eyes to glaze.

“Drink?” She raised a finger at the bartender.

Ellie nodded.

“Heineken, please.”

Janet watched her settle a hip on a nearby stool and lean her elbow on the bar. She noted once again the ease with which Elliemoved, and a definite air of confrontation about her.Well.Janet smiled.This should be fun.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in here before,” she stated.

“No, I’ve been here.” Ellie took a long swallow of her beer, ignoring the glass and drinking straight from the bottle. “I don’t make a habit of it.”

“Yes, I know. So, what brings you by now? You seem a little tense, perhaps that’s the reason.”

The degree to which Janet wanted to know annoyed her. If Ellie confessed that she’d come in to find someone to relax with, she’d be really pissed off. Of course, it was not her style… And Janet knew it. All the same, Ellie was here now, looking like she could conquer any woman of her choice at the arch of a sizzling eyebrow. Surely, it had to be a little bit tempting…?

“I was working,” she offered brusquely. “Ended up in front of here, thought I’d come in for a beer before heading home.”

“Working at night?” Janet frowned. “On your own, without a partner?”

“Why, are you worried?”

“Well… I might be, depending on what kind of work you were doing.”

Ellie did not enlighten her about that. Instead, she threw the question back in a roundabout way.

“What has me worried is finding you here on your own tonight. Whatever made you think it was a good idea is beyond me.”

Janet had to fight a couple of reactions at once. Annoyance at being spoken to this way, as if Ellie had any right to comment or judge. And another rush of raging attraction. She had only ever considered submitting to another woman a couple of times in her life, and concluded after experimentation that it was not her thing. Janet had been fully convinced that she did not have a shred of submissive in her. But now, Ellie’s cool tone andunapologetic eyes had her wondering again.My gosh...It was astounding. Outrageous. New and never dreamed of, for sure! Unwilling to let Ellie detect even a whiff of what was on her mind, she just threw her a smirk from behind her glass of wine.

“I’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn that I come to this bar often, Detective,” she drawled. “I find it relaxing, especially after a challenging day in the OR. Why would it not be a good idea?”

Ellie leaned forward and close, to hit her with a devastating reminder.

“Because a guy who likes to rape and kill women is out on the street.” She held her gaze fiercely. “That’s why.”

Immediately, Janet went cold inside at the thought of Bryn. She set her glass down, because her hand suddenly shook, and turned from the rest of the room. Elbows on the counter, both hands over her mouth, she exhaled long and deep.Oh, Bryn…Feeling dizzy as well, she squeezed her eyes tightly shut. And then almost shivered, as a pair of warm hands settled on her shoulders. Ellie had moved to stand behind her. Her touch was infinitely gentle, in contrast with her earlier words.

“Janet,” she murmured. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” Janet opened her eyes, got her breath under control.Keep it together, dammit!“Yes, I’m fine.”

“I’m sorry, I was too blunt.”

“No. No, you were perfectly right.” Janet turned to face her, noted the concern in her eyes. “I didn’t think, I suppose. This is a lesbian bar, a female space. I never thought I wouldn’t be safe in here.”

“Mmm.” Ellie never broke eye contact. “I guess in here is not so bad. But I’m not happy about you being on your own.”

chapter 16

Ellie sat down, closer, and kept one hand on her shoulder. With a brief but no less grateful smile, Janet acknowledged the gesture of comfort. She clasped her fingers, drew them to rest on her lap. It occurred to Ellie that it was nice to hold, and be held in return. Especially by this woman here.

“You said you had a challenging day?” she prompted. “If you want to talk about it, I’m here. If not, it’s okay too.”

Again, she observed a touch of surprise in Janet’s dark eyes and a glint of pleasure at the offer. Sadness, too... The reason for it soon became obvious.

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