Page 80 of Playing For Keeps
Dori gets up from her seat and moves next to Melanie. “Oh, this will be fun. Tell me what you’re wanting.”
I try to get settled, but the pain from my gunshot wound iswreaking havoc on me. I keep gasping and shifting around when I get zapped with sharp bolts of searing misery all over the right side of my torso.
Dori peers over at me when I grunt from the throbbing in my chest. “Jami, what’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing.” Just as I say it, another shattering slice of pain swipes across my shoulder.
I grimace and shut my eyes, waiting for it to pass.
“Okay, where are your painkillers?” Dori starts to get up.
“Sit down. I’ve got them in my pocket. I’ll take one as soon as they bring us something to drink.”
As if on cue, the flight attendant brings us our water.
She places them on the table between where they’re sitting and where I am. “We should be leaving soon, so we ask you stay buckled up for takeoff. I’ll come by once it’s safe to move around and get your dinner order.”
“I’m starving.” Melanie smiles at the attendant. “Can we get a snack while we wait?”
“Sure. We have some hummus and crackers or a fruit and vegetable tray with dipping sauces. Do either of those sound good?”
“Can we have both?” Melanie asks.
“Of course. We need to take off first, and then I’ll bring them to you.” The attendant disappears.
I’m already digging into my pill container while Dori warily focuses on me. I lift the medicine and show it to her.
“Don’t worry. I’m taking them right now.” I pop them in my mouth and swallow them along with half my glass of water.
She nods and gives Melanie her attention. Once we take off and the snacks are laid out, the painkillers take effect. My eyelids grow heavy, and I nod off within minutes.
Dori’s soft, pouty lips brush against mine. I tangle my fingers in her hair to pull her closer without opening my eyes. Making love to her is all I want.
“Temptress, climb on me.”
“Babe, we’re landing now. You need to wake up,” she whispers.
I pry my eyes open and try to place where I am. “Whoa. I thought we were at home in bed.”
“Soon enough.” She smiles as she sits beside me and buckles up.
I force myself upright and prepare for landing. It’s dark outside, but the Miami lights twinkle brightly, promising an exuberant nightlife below.
“Jami, look how beautiful it is. Wow, it’s prettier than I thought it would be.” Dori squeezes my forearm as she peers out the window.
“Just wait until you see your place,” Melanie sing-songs.
Dori twists back to me, clapping her hands. “I can’t wait to see where we’re going to start our life together.”
My chest swells. “Hearing you say that makes me excited to show you. I hope you like it.”
“We could live in a studio, and I’d be happy.” She kisses me on the cheek.
Melanie scoffs. “It’s no studio apartment. Think Hunter’s place, but twice the size.”
My stomach drops as Dori’s eyes round to the size of the moon.
She whips in my direction. “You can’t be serious. You didn’t get us something that big, did you?”
