Turning Tables (WeHo Book 3)

by Sherryl D. Hancock

  Jericho jumped slightly, then dropped her arms to her sides. It almost physically hurt Zoey to see the devastation on Jericho’s face at that moment.

  “What’s wrong?” Zoey repeated the question.

  Jericho didn’t look at her, she was staring up at the ceiling, she blinked slowly a couple of times like she was in a daze.

  “She filed,” Jericho said simply, her voice hoarse.

  Zoey grimaced, knowing exactly what Jericho meant, Kelly had filed for divorce.

  “I’m so sorry,” Zoey said softly.

  Jericho shook her head, her look disbelieving, “I’m so stupid…” she said, her voice reflecting the devastation on her face.

  “You’re not stupid,” Zoey said, “You love her.”

  Jericho gave a short laugh, “Yeah, and maybe that’s why I’m stupid.”

  “Stop saying that,” Zoey said, her voice stronger.

  For the first time since Zoey had walked into the room, Jericho looked at her. Zoey felt tears sting the back of her eyes at the sight of utter devastation in Jericho’s blue eyes.

  Jericho’s brain registered the look of sympathy in Zoey’s eyes, somehow it made her feel worse. Giving a shout of frustration, Jericho pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes. That’s when Zoey saw the blood on her hand.

  “What happened?!” Zoey exclaimed, reaching out to touch Jericho’s hand.

  Jericho glanced at her hand then shrugged, “Stucco walls, versus metal siding, forgot I was in California for a minute.”

  “Oh my God!” Zoey exclaimed, getting up off the bed.

  Jericho watched her walk into the master bathroom then heard her rummaging around in one of the cabinets.

  “What’re you doing?” Jericho called to her.

  “Looking for hydrogen peroxide!” Zoey called back, “You have got to be the most unorganized person on the planet when it comes to first aide in the home!”

  Jericho found herself chuckling at the inanity of the situation, and the adorable way that Zoey was handling it. A minute later Zoey came striding back into the bedroom with cotton balls and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide she’d finally located.

  Jericho regarded her with a slight grin on her face.

  “What do you intend to do with all that?” Jericho asked her.

  “I intend to clean that hand up, Director, now sit up.” Zoey ordered.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Jericho muttered, still grinning.

  She moved to sit up, leaning against the headboard of the bed, as Zoey pulled out a few cotton balls and put peroxide on them.

  Zoey looked at her expectantly, when Jericho didn’t respond, she put her hand out imperiously.

  “Give me your hand,” she said, her tone authoritative.

  Jericho chuckled, as she put her hand out to Zoey.

  Zoey started dabbing the bleeding knuckles with the cotton balls, Jericho winced and yanked her hand away.

  “Give that back!” Zoey ordered.

  “It’s fine,” Jericho said, holding her hand out to the side away from Zoey.

  “It needs to be cleaned,” Zoey said, her voice serious.

  “It’s fine,” Jericho repeated.

  Zoey narrowed her eyes at Jericho, “It’s not fine, you cut it up on dirty stucco on the outside of your house, now give me your hand…”

  Jericho laughed outright this time shaking her head.

  Zoey blew her breath out in a loud sigh, “Give me your hand,” she said again.

  Jericho gave her an obstinate look, “No.”

  “Oh my God, give me your hand you big baby!” Zoey said, starting to grin now too.

  Jericho chuckled, moving her hand to give it back to Zoey. Zoey continued to clean it, apologizing every time Jericho winced. Once the cuts were cleaned, Zoey wrapped a bandage around it. By the time she was done, their heads were only inches apart, so when Zoey looked up to tell Jericho it was done, she was staring right up into those oh so blue eyes.

  “Thank you,” Jericho said, her voice soft and so very close.

  “You’re welcome,” Zoey replied, her voice a whisper.

  Without another word, Jericho leaned in, her lips taking possession of Zoey’s softly at first, and then again stronger. Zoey moaned against her lips, and that had every nerve in Jericho’s body screaming instantly. Sliding her hand around Zoey’s waist, Jericho dragged her closer, her lips never leaving the smaller girl’s lips. The kiss intensified further when Zoey slid her hands up Jericho’s chest, to wrap her arms around Jericho’s neck.

  They kissed for what seemed like hours, Jericho’s hands at Zoey’s back, pressing her ever closer, grasping at the shirt she wore, sliding up into her hair, grasping the back of her neck. Zoey could not believe the incredible sensations coursing through her entire body. Jericho’s lips on hers were so strong, pressing, softening, pressing again, her mouth hot and so sensual on her lips, it was an incredibly erotic feeling.

  When Jericho finally grasped the bottom of the t-shirt Zoey wore, pulling it up and parting their lips long enough to let the material pass between them, Zoey thought she was going to die from all the heat being generated by her very core. Her hands grasped at Jericho’s shoulders, and she cried out as Jericho’s thumbs brushed up over hard nipples. When Jericho’s lips left her, to kiss her throat, her thumbs still thrumming against her nipples through her bra, Zoey’s body felt like it exploded into a million pieces. She cried out over and over again, grasping Jericho’s arms desperately as she rocked against her.

  But Jericho didn’t stop there, her fingers deftly unclasp the back of Zoey’s bra, sliding it off and tossing it aside in one deft movement. Jericho slid her hands up Zoey’s bare back drawing her closer again, her lips reclaiming Zoey’s, kissing her deeply, her tongue sliding between Zoey’s lips, making her moan again. Jericho’s hands slid down to the waist of the jeans that Zoey wore, unbuttoning them and sliding the zipper down, then sliding them down. Zoey moved to get out of the pants, taking her underwear off at the same time. Jericho pulled her back, her hands sliding under her bare thighs, spreading her legs so that she straddled Jericho’s hips. Zoey gasped at the feel of her bare skin against the material of the jean shorts Jericho wore, it was incredibly erotic. This was only heightened by the feel of Jericho’s hands, still on her thighs, back down past her ass and touching her ever closer to her core. Zoey grasped Jericho’s shoulders again her nails digging into tanned skin as one hand reached the heat and wetness between her legs.

  Zoey was sure she was going to be hoarse from screaming so much, and wondered if the neighbors were going to call the police. She was beyond truly caring though, she was in complete ecstasy, everything Jericho did only excited her further. After the third body racking orgasm, she leaned against Jericho, breathing heavily, then she raised her head and did something she’d been dying to do for weeks. She reached up pulling out the ponytail holder in Jericho’s hair. Black silken strands fell around Jericho’s shoulders, reaching an inch past them.

  “Oh my God…” Zoey breathed, her eyes widening at how incredibly beautiful Jericho’s hair was.

  Jericho’s lips curled in a grin, her blue eyes still heated, she leaned into kiss Zoey again. Zoey, emboldened by her first move, slid her hands down, pulling at the bottom of the tank top Jericho wore. Jericho obliged by reaching up to pull the tank top off, tossing it aside. Zoey bit her lip, her eyes scanning the expanse of skin that was exposed, even if Jericho still wore the black jog bra, it was a very hot sight to behold.

  Then Jericho was kissing her again, moving to lay her back crossways on the bed, covering her body with her own, and pressing her hips against Zoey’s body. Zoey was coming again in minutes. She watched as Jericho moved downward, and moved to stand, removing her shorts and the jog bra, then climbing back onto the bed. Zoey was sure she was going to explode this time when skin met skin, Jericho’s kiss was more demanding this time, and it built impossibly more heat between them. Zoey’s hands slid down Jericho’s back, pulling at her, wanting to
touch her. Jericho looked down at her, her blue eyes searching.

  “I want to touch you,” Zoey said, her breathing heavy.

  Jericho grinned, moving her hips again against her and making her gasp, then lowering her head to take a hard nipple in her mouth. Zoey was screaming in pleasure again, and pulling at Jericho’s hips, grinding her closer. As Zoey shuddered, trying to regain control of her breathing and her own body, Jericho moved to lay on her side, pulling Zoey to her side. Zoey lay with her head on Jericho’s chest, her hand on Jericho’s stomach.

  When Zoey had finally recovered, she levered herself up on her elbow, looking down at Jericho, who lay looking up at the ceiling, looking fairly sated, even though she hadn’t had an orgasm yet. Zoey wondered at that.

  “You look awfully satisfied…” Zoey said, her voice still effected by multiple orgasms.

  Jericho looked at her and grinned, “I made you sound like that,” she said, her voice husky, “How could I not be?”

  “Uh…” Zoey said, “you didn’t…” her voice trailed off as Jericho grinned.

  “In all your adventures in bi-sexuality, I take it you’ve never slept with a butch before,” Jericho said.

  “No,” Zoey said shaking her head.

  Jericho nodded, “We usually prefer to give, not receive.”

  “Wait, what?” Zoey asked, causing Jericho to grin. “You don’t orgasm?”

  Jericho chuckled, “I’m not saying that,” she said, “I’m just saying it’s not the priority to me.”

  Zoey looked down at her, trying to quantify that in her head. Then she shook her head.

  “What?” Jericho asked.

  “And they think that butch women just want to be men,” Zoey said, her tone indicating how stupid she thought that was.

  Jericho laughed, “Yeah,” she said, “What they don’t get is the difference between butch lesbians and men is that butches like to give, men just want to take.”

  “Well, that’s true of all the men I’ve been with,” Zoey said, grimacing.

  In one swift move, Jericho moved to put Zoey under her, her blue eyes staring down into Zoey’s seriously, “Let’s get one thing clear,” she said, her voice completely serious suddenly, “While you’re sleeping with me,” she said, her eyes searching Zoey’s, “You won’t be sleeping with anyone else, women or especially men. Do you understand?”

  Zoey looked back at Jericho, knowing that she was very serious, and feeling the thrill go through her at the possessive tone in her voice. She couldn’t even formulate a reply because her mouth had gone dry.

  “Zoey, tell me you understand me.” Jericho said, her voice all director at the moment.

  Zoey nodded still flustered.

  “Say it,” Jericho said, her mouth at Zoey’s lips sensually.

  “Only you, I understand,” Zoey breathed.

  She was rewarded with yet another round of love making. This time, however Zoey got back a little of her own. She pushed Jericho against the bed, pressing her body against her, over her. Then she moved over her, kissing and sucking, finally sliding her body down, causing Jericho to grasp her hair as she orgasmed mightily. Zoey knew she’d never get that sound out of her mind and that it would always excite her no matter how long she lived.

  Later Jericho sat outside in her back yard, smoking. She had the music on and she heard Quinn’s voice “Jerich, you over there?”

  Jericho grinned shaking her head, “No, I’m a burglar that paused for a smoke,” she said.

  Quinn came up over the wall, hopping down and walking over to pull up a chair.

  “What ya doin’ home?” Quinn asked, then glanced at Jericho’s face and then at her neck where there was a very definite mark. “Oh holy shit!” Quinn said, flicking the mark with her thumb and forefinger.

  Jericho laughed, trying to duck away.

  “It’s about fuckin’ time,” Quinn said, grinning, glancing back at the house, “Where’s she at?”

  “In there,” Jericho said, “Keep your voice down.”

  “So…” Quinn began, her voice trailing off.

  Jericho didn’t say anything, she just grinned and inclined her head.

  “Alright then!” Quinn said, “Good on ya!”

  “Shut up!” Jericho said laughing again, “Jesus!”

  Quinn was smiling from ear to ear. She’d been hoping that Jericho was interested in the pretty little Zoey, but Jericho wasn’t one to talk, so she wasn’t sure.

  “I thought you said she was bi,” Quinn said then.

  “Well, she isn’t anymore,” Jericho practically growled, making Quinn widen her eyes. “Now get outta here, before she comes out,” Jericho said, nodding toward Xandy and Quinn’s house.

  “You got it,” Quinn said, holding her hand up.

  Jericho slapped and clasp her hand, grinning.

  As Quinn left, Zoey came outside.

  “Okay I emailed Sally to let her know we wouldn’t be in…” Zoey said, sitting down across from Jericho.

  Jericho grinned at the way Zoey blushed.

  “So speaking of work,” Zoey said, her tone hesitant, “What happens now, with that?”

  “With what?” Jericho asked, blowing smoke out. “You don’t work for me.”

  “I know, but–“

  “There’s no ‘but’, Zoey,” Jericho said, her look pointed, “You don’t work for me, so there’s no problem.”

  “But if I did work for you, there would be?” Zoey asked.

  “If you did work for me you’d never have seen the inside of my bedroom,” Jericho said, her tone sure.

  “But…” Zoey said.

  Jericho grinned, shaking her head, “I don’t sleep with people I work with or who work for me.”

  “But you work with me,” Zoey pointed out.

  “No, you aren’t an employee of the Department of Justice,” Jericho said.

  Zoey canted her head slightly, “Is that why you were always saying that?”

  “I don’t get into relationships with coworkers,” Jericho repeated, nodding.

  “Relationships?” Zoey asked.

  Jericho stilled for a moment, turning her head slightly to look Zoey in the eyes, “I also don’t sleep with people I’m not in a relationship with.”

  Zoey’s eyes widened at the way she said it, and she had no idea how to respond. Jericho’s eyes narrowed as she blew smoke out. Moving to sit back in her chair and stretching out her legs in contrived casualness, Jericho tilted her head looking at her still.

  “Since you didn’t know that about me,” she said, her tone even, “I’ll give you a pass.”

  “Wait, what?” Zoey said, shocked by what Jericho had just said.

  It was then that she saw the chill in Jericho’s eyes, getting up she stepped over, moving to straddle Jericho’s outstretched legs, taking the cigarette out of her hand and stubbing it out. She then leaned down to kiss Jericho’s lips deeply.

  Pulling back she looked down into Jericho’s eyes, “I want to be in a relationship with you,” she said, her eyes searching Jericho’s, “I want to be with you, all the way.”

  In one smooth motion, Jericho leaned forward, capturing her lips, lifting her up as she moved to stand and carried her back into the house, making love to her again. Zoey had never felt so desired in her entire life and she held on tight to the woman that made her feel that way.

  The next day they were driving into the office when Jericho’s phone rang. They’d never managed to get the Bluetooth hooked up, so she put her ear piece in and answered the phone. Zoey could see it was Sally.

  “Tehrani,” Jericho answered, “Yeah, we’re on our way in… What? When!?” She exclaimed, glancing over at Zoey, then nodding “Okay, who’s headed there? Okay, yeah, good, send him, we’re about five minutes out. Get the files out, we need to know where we’re at here. We need to get as much as we can get, have the SAC on hold when I get there. Okay, okay, good, okay I’ll be there.”

  With that she hung up, looking over at Zoey agai
n, blowing her breath out.

  “Our day just got a lot longer,” she said, looking grim.

  “What happened?” Zoey asked.

  “We lost an agent,” she said, shaking her head, “Up in Sacramento.”

  “Oh my god! What happened, do you know yet?” Zoey asked.

  “No, shit, I gotta call Midnight,” Jericho did, reaching for her phone.

  “I’ll dial her,” Zoey said, holding up her hand, “You drive.”

  Jericho grinned, nodding her head.

  A minute later Midnight picked up.

  “Night, it’s me, we got an agent down,” she said her tone no nonsense, she winced as apparently Midnight reacted to the news, “I know, we got the AC headed up there now. Okay, okay, yeah, we’ll be there in a minute. Okay… You got it.”

  She hung up as she pulled into the parking garage. When she turned off the car, she looked over at Zoey, leaning over and kissing her softly on the lips.

  Pulling back she looked into Zoey’s eyes, smiling, “Just in case I forget to do it later,” she said by way of explanation.

  Their day was beyond hectic. At one point, they’d gotten into the car to drive down to the Attorney General’s office to meet with Midnight, on the way Jericho’s phone rang. She picked it up.

  “Tehrani,” she said, then looked perplexed, “Yeah, we know, we’ve been…. No we know that… No, Sacramento, not San Fran…” As Zoey watched, all the color drained from Jericho’s face. Jericho glanced behind her and yanked the wheel, stopping on the side of the freeway. “Please tell me you’re kidding,” she said then, her tone deadly serious, she closed her eyes slowly, shaking her head. “Oh God…” she breathed.

  Zoey reached over, touching her hand. Jericho grabbed her hand and held it tightly.

  Jericho breathed heavily for a few moments, trying to regain her mental balance, “Yeah, I’m here,” she said to the person on the phone, “Are you telling me it’s another female agent?” she asked, raising her head slowly, a look of unreality crossing her face. “Okay, yeah, send me the details, we’ll work it too.” She hung up a minute later.