Data Capture

by Jesse J. Thoma

  “Hello, this is Dr. Golden.”

  “Quinn, hello, it’s Albert Castellano. I hope you are well.”

  What Quinn wanted to say was, the mayor of LA was corrupt, she felt like throwing up, and her level of wellness depended a lot on what he had to say, but instead she answered, “Fine, thank you. And you?” She needed Jessica’s moral support, and she was visiting Jose in the garage. Jose’s shop was connected to Holt’s office, and she’d only have to be outside for a couple of steps. She looked cautiously out the door and darted out. She was in Jose’s shop in three quick bounds.

  “Wonderful. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you about the faculty position. We had a candidate interviewing from overseas, and the time change was a nightmare for scheduling. I don’t really enjoy interviews over videoconference, but sometimes it’s the only way.”

  For God’s sake, get to the point. She forced out some benign agreeable statements she hoped wouldn’t prolong his chatter. No one else was in the garage. Jessica and Jose must have gone out for lunch. She wished Jessica were there to hold her hand.

  “I wasn’t really calling to talk to you about videoconferencing, obviously. A formal offer will be forthcoming, but I know you probably have people banging down your door. We don’t want to lose the opportunity to have a brilliant young scientist like you join our team, Dr. Golden. I’m calling to extend a formal offer to work at the University of Providence. I know the relocation to Providence would be quite an adjustment, but the city has a lot to offer.”

  Quinn jumped in the air and flipped the antenna on a car Jose had the engine out of. It gave a celebratory “thwap” as it snapped back in response. He’d just offered her a dream job, and it was in Lola’s city. We don’t have to move. She thought about the fact that Providence already felt like home. How could it not when Lola lived here and she’d met such wonderful people? She couldn’t wait to tell everyone. Jessica would be thrilled. She leaned against the car while she finished her call.

  Despite her excitement, she did the professional thing and told Dr. Castellano how much she appreciated the offer and would look over the formal proposal when it arrived later that afternoon. She promised him she wouldn’t accept anything else without talking to him first. It was very nice to be so desired professionally.

  She turned around to head back to Holt’s side of the building when two men came up behind her. They jostled her out the big rolling door where cars drove in before she was able to fully process what was happening. One of the men tried to grab her arm. The hairs stood up on the back of her neck.

  Lola doesn’t know where you are. You have to fight this like she would.

  She swatted his hand away and swung her arm wildly. It connected with the first man’s face. She didn’t see where. Then she kicked him in the leg. He groaned. She turned to the second man and kicked out. She was aiming for his shin but missed. She ended up hitting him square in the nuts.

  He gurgled something unintelligible and went down. Quinn ran. The first man wasn’t incapacitated and pursued. Quinn tried to get to Jose’s shop, but she was cut off. He held out his arms to keep her from running past, his smile menacing. Quinn turned and ran down the alley, knowing he was right behind her. She still had her phone in her hand. She tried to unlock it unsuccessfully. Voice recognition didn’t work. Apparently, it didn’t understand panting panic. She considered throwing her phone at the man chasing her, but then Max wouldn’t have any way of tracking her.

  The panic button!

  Quinn slid her screen and activated the panic button. When Max had gotten everyone equipped with new phones, she’d insisted Quinn and Jessica get the same software upgrades the rest of Holt’s crew had.

  Quinn saw a fast food restaurant up ahead. If she could make it, there’d be people. Hopefully, diners would take note of a kidnapping if she made a big enough fuss.

  But Quinn didn’t make it to the restaurant before Lola screeched to the curb on her motorcycle. Lola leapt off and landed in a fighting stance, her body in front of Quinn, protecting her. Quinn peered around Lola and saw the man scurrying off. She noticed he was limping badly, which she wasn’t sorry about in the least.

  Lola turned back to Quinn. She ran her hands up and down Quinn’s arms. She wasn’t wearing a helmet so her hair was wild around her face. There was fear in her eyes and she looked over every part of Quinn, probably checking for injuries.

  “What happened?” Lola asked.

  “I left your office and went to Jose’s shop while I took my phone call. I just wanted to see Jessica. When I headed back, two guys tried to force me out the door. I kicked one hard enough in the crotch to bring him down, and then I tried to get back, but I couldn’t. The other one was chasing me. Then I remembered the panic button.” Quinn pointed to the man moving quickly away.

  Lola repeated the information, seemingly to no one, then cocked her head like she was listening. She must have noticed Quinn’s puzzlement because she pointed to her ear and mouthed “earpiece.”

  “I’m getting her out of here. You want us back at the shop?”

  Lola handed Quinn a helmet, tied her own hair back in a tight bun, and flicked at her own ear.

  “Where’s yours?” Quinn asked. She didn’t like the idea of Lola riding without a helmet.

  “Not required for the driver,” Lola said. “I usually wear one, but I left in a hurry. I’ll be careful. It’s not far.”

  They straddled the bike and Lola roared from the curb. Quinn expected to return to the office and the rest of Lola’s crew, but she hung a left and took them in an entirely different direction, to a part of town Quinn hadn’t been.

  Lola pulled into the parking lot of what looked like an old warehouse. The neighborhood was a little rough around the edges, but Quinn trusted Lola. She would follow her anywhere she led, even into a weird looking building in a less than gentrified area.

  The main entrance wasn’t much to look at either, but once they were inside, Quinn was impressed. The industrial roots had been completely renovated. The front desk attendant greeted Lola by name.

  Lola took Quinn’s hand and led her down the hall. They took the stairs to the third floor. There were numbered doors along the hallway, and Quinn realized it was an apartment building. A beautiful one. Lola let them into 3C.

  The space was a loft with an open floor plan. The kitchen was updated, and everything was brand new. Quinn walked over to the floor to ceiling windows on one wall and looked up. The ceiling had to be twenty feet high. They were high enough to see downtown Providence and college hill. It was spectacular.

  She turned back and examined the rest of the loft more closely. There was one armchair pulled up in front of the gas fireplace and a folding table. Other than that, there was no furniture in the entire space.

  “What is this place?”

  “Somewhere safe,” Lola said. “Holt didn’t want us going back to the office until she had a chance to talk to those guys.

  “So I didn’t overreact?” Quinn felt the fear returning. She also felt foolish for leaving the office and requiring rescue.

  “No. God no. That’s what the panic button is for. No one should ever lay a hand on you. If they do, you should always feel free to push the panic button or call me. We’ll all show up and explain our feelings on how you should be treated.”

  “I only saw you,” Quinn said. “Who else was there?”

  “Moose and Holt. But they’re ghosts when they want to be. I was on rescue duty so I could be splashy.”

  “I’m sorry they’re in danger now. Those guys were CMCs weren’t they? I shouldn’t have left the office. I didn’t think it would be risky to walk over to see Jessica. That was dumb.” Quinn couldn’t believe she’d almost been kidnapped and that now Holt and Moose were heading off into danger. She thought of Isabelle and what she must be feeling.

  “You didn’t do anything wrong,” Lola said as if reading her mind. “It’s only a couple of steps to Jose’s shop.”


  “Oh my God, are Jessica and Jose okay? What were those two doing over there?”

  “They’re fine. They were eating lunch in the back office, but the fact that the bad guys were there and we didn’t know is concerning. Holt is going to worry herself into an ulcer over that. The office is secure, but Jose argued he needed to run his business without it looking like the New England crime families were having some repair work done. You should’ve been able to walk over and see the Little Chihuahua. Next time though, let me know where you’re going so I can walk with you. Then I won’t have to come flying in to the rescue.”

  “I liked it,” Quinn said. She traced a finger down Lola’s neck and along her collarbone. “How many ladies can phone for their very own superhero to come to the rescue?”

  “Oh, I’m not sure I qualify,” Lola said. She stepped forward slowly, forcing Quinn back.

  “I think every superhero would say that to protect their secret identity.” Quinn took another step back and bumped into the kitchen counter. Lola stepped forward again and pinned her there, their bodies pressed together. Lola felt so good and strong and solid when once again everything else felt so chaotic.

  Lola ran her fingers through Quinn’s hair and dipped her head to kiss just below her ear. As she did, she whispered, “Only one way to find out.”

  “Are you implying I might find a spandex suit under this enticing wardrobe?” Quinn said, tugging at Lola’s shirt.

  Lola lifted Quinn onto the kitchen counter effortlessly and kissed her. Quinn wrapped her legs around Lola’s waist, pulling her tight. Lola deepened the kiss and moved her hands to Quinn’s ass and squeezed. Quinn moaned and ground her center against Lola’s abdomen.

  She pulled at Lola’s shirt and got it off with minimal interruption to their kissing. She didn’t find a super suit, but nearly naked Lola was more than enough.

  “Oh my God,” Quinn said. “You just keep getting better. Take off your bra, then undress me.”

  Lola’s eyes flared. Quinn could tell she was enjoying the power dynamic. She had the first time they met. Quinn did too. She liked that Lola let her be in control, when Lola was in charge in so many other ways. She was throbbing and Lola hadn’t even touched her yet.

  Slowly, Lola unclasped her bra and let it fall to the floor. That almost undid Quinn’s resolve. Lola’s breasts were tight and perfect. She ached to touch them, but Lola was working on her clothes and wouldn’t let her hands wander. Maybe the power dynamic wasn’t as one-sided as she thought. Quinn liked this too.

  Lola lifted Quinn’s shirt and discarded it, then did the same for her bra. She feathered kisses along her collarbones and down her chest. Lola circled her nipples but didn’t give them any attention. Quinn gripped the countertop to keep her hands still.

  Much too quickly for Quinn’s liking, Lola moved back up and kissed her again. Then she unbuttoned Quinn’s jeans, gently laid her flat on the counter, and finished undressing her. Quinn tried to sit up off the cold granite, but Lola held her gently in place. She pulled her closer to the edge and rested one of Quinn’s legs on her shoulders. Lola dipped her head and stroked her tongue along Quinn’s clit. Quinn moaned loudly.

  That seemed all the encouragement Lola needed. She sucked Quinn’s clit into her mouth, nearly sending Quinn over the edge, then let go, stood up, and scooped Quinn off the counter and carried her to the living room.

  “Sorry, there isn’t a bed,” Lola said. “But I have this.” Lola flicked on the fireplace and kicked out a blanket in front of it, over the plush rug. She laid Quinn down carefully and was about to join her when Quinn stopped her.

  “No pants allowed on my blanket.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Lola said and made short work of the rest of her clothes.

  Quinn enjoyed the view. Lola’s body was spectacular. She was muscled and strong, but so beautifully feminine. She looked like she could bench press a car in the morning and walk a catwalk in the evening.

  “You’re beautiful,” Quinn said.

  “That’s my line,” Lola said. “But I’m glad you like what you see. It’s all yours.”

  She kissed her again, and this time Quinn wasn’t shy about letting her hands wander. Lola moved on top of her and her leg slid between Quinn’s. Lola kept a steady pressure as they kissed, bringing Quinn higher.

  Quinn felt drunk with pleasure. Being with Lola, touching her, was intoxicating. She grabbed Lola’s ass and demanded more. Lola resisted and rolled off of her, smoothing her hand down Quinn’s stomach and making small, teasing circles just above the apex of her thighs. She lowered her mouth to Quinn’s chest and traced first one nipple, then the other before sucking one into her mouth.

  Pleasure shot through Quinn. She wanted Lola everywhere. How could one woman make her feel so much? She knotted her fingers in Lola’s hair and held her tightly to her breast. Lola switched her attentions to the other nipple and moved her hand lower, just teasing her clit. Quinn wasn’t sure how much more she could take. She was aching for release, but loving the buildup. Lola had her on razor’s edge, touching her just enough to hint at release and then backing away.

  “I need you,” Quinn said when Lola removed all pressure from her center once more.

  Lola moved back up Quinn’s body and reclaimed her mouth. Their kiss was fierce and hungry. She rolled them so Quinn was on top, straddling Lola’s hips.

  “Take what you need,” Lola said. She moved her hand lower and slipped two fingers into Quinn, rubbing her clit with her thumb.

  Quinn bit down on Lola’s neck. Lola groaned in pleasure and started moving her fingers in a steady rhythm. Quinn rode Lola’s fingers, her pleasure building rapidly. So good. Fuck, it’s so good.

  She came in a wave of ecstasy.

  Lola tried to roll them again, but Quinn stopped her. She eased off of Lola’s fingers and slid down Lola’s body. She paid brief attention to her breasts, she would be back to those soon, but right now, she wanted Lola to feel what she was feeling.

  Quinn slid farther down until she was between Lola’s legs. She kissed Lola’s inner thighs and carefully parted her. Quinn flicked her tongue along Lola’s length. Lola whimpered at the soft touch. That was all Quinn needed.

  She stroked with her tongue until she heard Lola’s breathing become erratic and she knew she was close. She reached up and took one rock hard nipple between her fingers, teasing it, then the other. Lola arched off the blanket under her, but Quinn pushed her back down.

  Quinn moved her hand back down Lola’s body and slipped two fingers inside her, matching the rhythm of her mouth. Lola came in her mouth with a cry. She removed her fingers slowly and wriggled up Lola’s body so she was draped over her. Lola held her tightly.

  “I love you,” Quinn said.

  Lola had been making lazy circles on Quinn’s back, but she stopped abruptly. Quinn hadn’t meant to tell Lola how she felt, but it had slipped out. It was also true, and now that she’d said it once, she wanted to tell Lola again and again. Hopefully, Lola wouldn’t mind.

  Lola flipped Quinn onto her back and pinned her hands above her head. “You love me?”

  “I do,” Quinn said.

  “You, Dr. Quinn Golden, love me, high school dropout?” Lola kissed her nose.

  “Yes, I love you,” Quinn said. Lola’s smile was contagious and Quinn stole kisses every few words.

  “The genius neuroscientist loves the unrefined bounty hunter?”

  “I’ll argue with your labeling, but yes,” Quinn said. They were both laughing.

  “And how would you describe us?” Lola asked.

  “The lab rat loves the gym rat,” Quinn said. “Or the science nerd loves the superhero.” She ran her hands along the muscles in Lola’s back. My superhero.

  “Whatever I am,” Lola said. “I love you too.”

  “Let’s move in here,” Quinn said. “We won’t have to worry about waking up George.”

  “There’s no furniture here,” Lola said.

  “But it’s your ap
artment, right?” Quinn had noticed the way the woman at the front desk greeted Lola. And the armchair was a match for the one in Lola’s studio apartment in Holt’s attic.

  “It was going to be,” Lola said. She looked sad.

  “Tell me.”

  “When I was going to keep George, I realized I couldn’t do it in the attic apartment. So I asked Holt to get me one of these places. After I decided not to keep him and things went sideways with our case, I didn’t feel right moving in here. It didn’t seem like I should be rewarded for screwing up.”

  Quinn gave Lola a disapproving look.

  “I know, I know. Holt kept the apartment for me in case I changed my mind, but as you can see, I’ve not really done much to make it a home. I should probably give it up so someone else can really use it.” She rolled off Quinn onto her back and stared at the fire. Quinn followed her. Now she was on top.

  “Hold on to it a little longer,” Quinn said. “If UPVD comes through, it would be nice to not be living with Holt and Isabelle on my first day of work.” Although she had a verbal offer, Quinn wanted to see the formal offer in writing before she told Lola. She knew how much it would mean to Lola to be able to stay in Providence, and she didn’t want to get her hopes up only to have a quirk in the contract derail the entire thing. It was only until tomorrow morning. Any longer and she would tell her.

  Quinn lay awake in Lola’s arms long after Lola fell asleep. She looked around the loft and tried to picture making a life in the space. It was remarkably easy. The loft was gorgeous. Unfortunately, she could also see anxiety and stress hiding in the nooks and crannies. She knew staying in Providence and loving Lola meant agreeing to living with worry and fear as well. But she didn’t have a choice. Loving Lola wasn’t a choice. It was part of her. Whatever Lola decided about her future, Quinn would support her, just as Lola had proven she would support Quinn. Isabelle had made her peace with Holt’s job, which meant she was a perfect case study. Quinn would do whatever research was necessary. Lola was worth it.