"Good idea. I'll call up to psych and see if he's available," Kim said.
The moment the door closed behind Kim, Jess began berating herself. Damn, what the hell is the matter with you? Some psycho almost hurts Kim and you get all aroused by holding her in your arms. Arousal soared anew at just the memory of Kim's body pressed against her and her arm pressed into Kim's breasts. I've got to get this under control. This has got to stop.
CHAPTER 8
JESS PULLED INTO a parking space at her sister's apartment complex. The two sisters saw each other frequently. More often than not, she made the trip from Los Angeles to San Diego to visit her younger sister, Sam.
Originally, she had told Sam that she wouldn't be coming down to attend her softball game today. Jess had planned to spend the weekend working on an article she was submitting to an emergency medicine journal. After the events at work yesterday, as well as a sleepless night, she had changed her mind.
Now that she was here, she was having second thoughts. Jess scrubbed her hands across her face. You know she's going to know something's up the minute she sees you. Despite their four-year age difference, she and Sam had been very close growing up. They had remained so into adulthood. Her sister was the only person in the world who could read her easily. Kim did a pretty good job the day you offered to share your office with her. Jess grimaced. Kim was the last person she wanted to think about right now.
Going to Sam's game is just what you need. Watch some good softball and forget your troubles. Jess reached over and grabbed her duffle bag off the passenger seat.
She glanced into the rearview mirror. "Are you ready to go see Sam?" she asked her patiently waiting passenger. She laughed at the loud woo woo that immediately issued from the back of her Durango. Turning in her seat, she reached back and patted Thor, her Great Dane. "That's my good boy. Let's go."
Jess unloaded Thor and they headed for Sam's front door. She used her key to let them in, knowing Sam was more than likely still asleep.
"Go lay down," she said, pointing to the large dog bed in the corner of the living room. Once Thor was settled, she quietly walked down the hall to look in on Sam.
Peering into Sam's room, she was surprised to find it empty. Where the heck is she at, Jess glanced at her watch, five o'clock in the morning? Hope she didn't get called back into work. Due to Sam's profession, Jess always worried about her. She sighed. Nothing to do but wait for her.
Fatigue tugged at Jess. She refused to give in to the thought of sleep. During what little sleep she had managed to get last night, her dreams had been filled with disjointed images of Kim. She shook her head sharply as if she could dislodge the unsettling thoughts and feelings. Coffee. I just need some coffee.
Jess headed for Sam's kitchen.
She had just started to make coffee when she heard Thor's welcoming woof. Jess stuck her head out of the kitchen doorway in time to see Sam stagger back against the front door under the onslaught of Thor's welcome.
Thor stood up and put his paws on Sam's shoulders.
Jess shook her head as she made her way to the pair. "Hey, Sam."
"Now this is a welcome home." Sam wrapped her arms around the big dog and grinned at her. "I wasn't expecting you guys, or I would've been here."
Jess eyed her sister and her dog. "What happened to no jumping up? He does this to a stranger and someone could get hurt."
Sam looked suitably contrite. "Thor. Off."
Thor obediently dropped to the ground.
"Sorry." Sam pulled Jess into a one-armed hug.
Jess returned the hug. "I know he's never even tried to jump on anyone else like he does us, but I don't want to take a chance. He's such a big dog."
"No, you're right. I promise we'll be good. Won't we, big guy?" Sam said as she leaned down and hugged the big dog.
Thor woofed as if in agreement, making both sisters laugh.
As they moved back toward the living room, Jess asked, "Did you get called in to work?"
Sam shook her head and grinned. "Nope."
Jess took a closer look at Sam, noticing her rumpled clothing for the first time. Her short, dark hair was equally mussed. "When what —" Jess broke off when a little half smirk appeared on Sam's face and her blue eyes sparkled. She laughed when the clue bus arrived. "I thought you said you weren't going to see Gina anymore 'cause she was getting too clingy. Have a change of heart?"
Sam flopped down onto the couch. "Nah. I haven't seen her in over a month. She wanted a full-time girlfriend. I have no intention of getting tied down to one woman." Sam wiggled her eyebrows and grinned. "There are so many beautiful women out there and so little time to enjoy them."
Jess shoved at Sam's shoulder, knocking her over. "You're a dog, Samantha McKenna," she said as she joined her on the couch. Sam seemed to have an inborn aversion to commitment. Just the mention of the word made her twitch.
Sam pulled herself upright and scowled at Jess. "I am not. If I pretended to be something I'm not and led these women on... Well, then I'd be a dog. I'm nothing if not honest about my intentions.... Or lack of them."
Jess shook her head. Sam would never change. She had never dated anyone seriously. Like you're any different, her more cynical side quickly noted. I am too. I'd love to be seriously involved with someone. I'm just realistic enough to know it's not going to happen... not to someone like me. Jess pushed aside the depressing thoughts.
"So who's the latest?"
"Marina." Sam rubbed her hands together. "Picture: long black hair like silk, dark mesmerizing eyes, warm brown skin, and top it all off with a buff body. That's Marina." Sam wiped imaginary sweat from her brow. "And get her out of those blues and she is one sizzling hot Latina lady."
"Blues? She's a cop?"
"Yeah, she transferred in from another precinct a few weeks ago."
Jess shifted uncomfortably, her thoughts going to her situation with Kim. "Are you sure this is such a great idea? Gina at least worked in a different precinct. What if things go bad?"
Sam's expression turned serious. "Life can go bad, Jess. You know what I face every day as a cop. I could leave for work tomorrow and never come home again."
"Jesus, Sam. Don't say that!" The possibility of Sam being injured or even killed in the line of duty was something Jess tried very hard not to think about.
"It's the truth. So in my view, breaking things off with a woman is the least of my worries, even if we do work together." Sam shrugged. "Besides, it's not that kind of thing. We're just friends with fringe benefits."
A resigned sigh slipped from Jess's lips. While Sam was an avowed bachelor and loved playing the field, Jess had been involved with relatively few women. Although they both loved women, they had very different attitudes about relationships and sex. Maybe that's 'cause there is one thing you've never told her about. Jess ruthlessly slammed the door shut on those memories.
"Just seems like you're buying trouble." Jess could see Sam was getting exasperated with her. She gripped Sam's forearm and gave it a firm squeeze. "I'm just worried about you."
Sam sighed. "I know. Don't worry. I've got it under control."
That was wishful thinking. The very public meltdown of her relationship with Myra proved that. "But don't you think —"
"Come on, Jess," Sam said, cutting her off. "Enough already. Marina and I both know it's important to keep our personal life private."
Tension filled the room.