by Lois Kay
Sam chuckled, watching the sliding doors close behind Gerald. “That went really well.” She turned to Jody. “And what a nice surprise. What happened for you to take him and come see me?”
“Apparently, Ger is very perceptive or I’m an open book. Either way, he noticed there was something going on, so I decided to tell him.” Jody said. “Or rather, show him.”
Sam laughed. “I can’t believe how grown up he is. The last time I saw him he was, what, sixteen?” She turned to Jody and the expression on her face turned serious. “How are you holding up? Are they giving you a hard time?”
“It's not too bad,” Jody answered. “Matt's a bit cranky, but I had expected that anyway. Mom and the others were happy to see me though. Matt will eventually come around, he usually does. He's just worried Dad will get stressed out when he knows I'm there. And stress is something he needs to avoid.”
Sam leaned against the car. She had her hands stuffed deep inside her pockets, afraid she would pull Jody into a hug if she didn't confine them. Her eyes roamed over Jody, who was standing so close, she could feel the warmth of her skin. With her eyes half closed she breathed in Jody's scent, remembering with hedonistic pleasure how the smaller body had fit into her arms and the comfort and peace she had experienced by holding her. Sam shook her head like she was chasing away an annoying fly. “Um...maybe you should go back inside,” she suggested. “Before your family starts wondering where you went off to.”
Jody studied Sam for a moment, but then a smile appeared. “Are you trying to get rid of me?” She stepped closer to Sam until their bodies were almost touching. The darkness couldn't hide the clenching of teeth and the working of the muscles in Sam's jaw and Jody could see she was chewing her bottom lip.
“Of course not,” Sam replied with difficulty. She was now trapped between the car and Jody's body.
“That’s good.” Jody’s voice almost sounded like a purr. “I was getting worried.” Without warning she leaned forward, reached up and pressed her lips against Sam's. For a split-second Sam was frozen to the spot, but much to her credit she recovered with an amazing speed. Before Jody knew what was happening Sam's arms were around her, doing what they had been aching to do all night, pulling the other woman to her, holding her tight. The only thing Jody could do, after unleashing this powerful reaction, was holding on for dear life. Although Jody was the initiator, Sam quickly took control, putting her mouth to good use, probing lips that still tasted so comfortably familiar, even after eight years. It felt so good, her heart ached and a small whimper escaped when Jody's lips parted, inviting her in. The tip of her tongue followed the soft, silky folds of Jody's lips and slowly found its way inside. Two hands on the back of her head pinned her in place. Sam's tongue met Jody's halfway and they began a sensual dance.
Jody could feel Sam's hands sliding down her back, until they reached her hips, pulling her even closer. A strong thigh smoothly found its way between her legs and instinctively Jody responded to the movement of Sam's body. After long minutes, they simply had to come up for air and when they finally did, they were both breathing hard.
Jody’s body was tingling all over and deep down inside her belly, she could feel her arousal building. But it was not the right place, nor the right time. “Sam,” she gasped. “We have to stop.”
Sam's lips traveled up to Jody's ear, teasing the lobe with the tip of her tongue, before nibbling her way down to her collarbone. She knew Jody was right, but her body was on fire and she only knew one way to extinguish it. With a lot of effort, Sam regained her self-control. She was still holding Jody in her arms, but her touches changed in intensity, until she was lightly stroking the other woman's back. She buried her face in disheveled, long tresses of ginger-colored hair and breathed in deeply. Gradually, her heart rate returned to normal.
Jody felt the arms that had been holding her so tight relax and with a sigh she let her head rest against Sam's chest. The longing subsided, until there was only a dull, distant throbbing left.
“I'm sorry, Jody,” Sam finally spoke. “I didn't mean for this to happen.” She paused and Jody felt a little chuckle. “Actually, to be honest, I did, but not here and not like this. I think I went a little overboard.”
“Don't apologize, Sam. It’s not like I didn’t want this to happen.” Jody kissed Sam’s cheek. “I should have known I was playing with fire. Heaven knows I've always been extremely responsive to your touch. I should have remembered before challenging you like that.” She raised her head from its comfortable spot and glanced up, seeing Sam look down at her with a mischievous glint in her eyes. It made her smile and in response a full grin appeared.
“Do I really want to know what you're thinking right now?” Jody asked. The look in Sam’s eyes made her heart skip a beat.
Sam laughed. “Probably not. It's about being responsive.”
Jody felt her cheeks grow warm up and was grateful for the darkness that hid it from Sam's view. She swallowed hard and mentally braced herself. “Spill it.”
“Well,” Sam drawled, “Once upon a time, not that long ago, fairy tale wise, that is, two girls were lying in the paddock, gazing at the stars, until their eyes met and,” Sam's voice lost its teasing tone and filled with warmth. “...they kissed. It was their first kiss, but it was passionate. And before they knew what was happening, they were in each other’s arms and—”
Jody’s could feel her face grow even warmer. “You knew?” she asked. “Geez, Sam, that's embarrassing. I didn't know that, you never told me you knew.”
“I guess I wasn't feeling comfortable enough to bring up the subject.” Sam smiled and caressed Jody's cheek with the back of her hand. “I was pleased though, happy to be the one who could do that to you.” She paused. “To be honest, I was pretty proud of myself,” she said with a laugh.
Jody shook her head. “Look at us. After being separated for eight years, the third day after we meet again, we nearly make out in the parking lot of a hospital in the middle of the night and end up talking about previous, serious make out sessions. I feel we’re skipping a few milestones.”
“Orgasms,” Sam friendly corrected.
“Well, that has got something to do with making out, doesn't it?”
“Not necessarily.” Sam smiled. “We weren't exactly making love in that paddock, but that didn't prevent you from—”
“Okay, okay, you win.” Jody laughed. She raised raising her hands in defeat. “You’re right, we didn't, that's true. In fact, we never have,” she said wistfully.
“Not that I didn't want to. Heaven knows my hormones were on a rampage back then,” Sam said. “I always thought we’d have plenty of time to grow into deepening our relationship, and I wanted it to be very special.”
Jody looked up to see the tenderness in Sam's eyes and she smiled, following the outline of a cheekbone with the tip of a finger. “As it should be,” she answered. She felt a pang of regret when she thought about her brief relationship with Megan.
Sam saw Jody’s face cloud over and her forehead crease into a frown. With the pad of her thumb she tried to stroke it away, but was only partially successful. “Don't do this to yourself, Jody.” Her reproach was gentle. “We both have done things that wouldn't have happened, if we'd stayed together. And it hurts to realize it all could have been different, but we are here now and I’m so grateful for having you back. I feel so incredibly fortunate.”
When the crease in Jody's forehead disappeared, Sam pulled her in for a hug. She enjoyed their closeness and nourished the warmth of their bond. They stood like that for a long time, until Jody untangled herself from Sam's arms and cast a look of regret at the hospital entrance.
“I have to go back,” she said. “Not that I want to, but they must be wondering where I am. Are you alright, just sitting here by yourself? Do you want me to get you something to eat or drink?”
“I have a bottle of water and after the meal Megan and Sarah provided I don’t think I need to eat for another two days.
I'll be fine, don't worry,” Sam replied. “I'll go back to my laptop and look through some more files. It's interesting and I'll tell you about it later. Okay?”
“I’ll see you later, then. I’ll send Lucy out in a while, to check up on you. Bye Sam.” Jody stood on her toes, gave Sam a kiss on the cheek and quickly turned around, before ending up in an overheated embrace again.
Sam's eyes followed her back inside. She was filled with hope and wonder and long after Jody had left, she was still there, standing very still, carefully thinking about her future.
* * *
It was the last shelf he was searching. Methodically, he grabbed one book at the time, shaking it ferociously, like a cat toying with its prey. Nothing surface and frustrated he threw the book on the growing pile in the middle of the room. At first, he had been using his knife to cut open the covers and see if anything was hidden inside, but after a while he gave up.
He had already searched the kitchen, the guestroom and the bedroom. He had opened every drawer, emptying its contents on the floor, occasionally stepping on it, or kicking it out of his way. Frustrated, he had even sliced the mattresses, feeling inside for a small item. But he had come up emptyhanded. The living room was his last hope and he already felt the hot breath of his employer in his neck. He continued his search and stuck his knife into the leather of the couch. Frustrated, he ripped off shreds of fabric, peering inside and reaching underneath it. Still, he didn’t find anything. Desperately, his eyes scanned the room, looking for something, anything he might have missed, when his cellphone buzzed. Once. Twice. Quiet.
“Bloody hell,” he cursed. He kicked away some books and hurried toward the front door. He cautiously opened it, peering into the hall. The sound of two pairs of footsteps nearly made his heart stop and he pulled the door close. He frantically looked around for a place to hide. He didn't have much time. He positioned himself behind the door. His knife was clutched in his hand and he was waiting.
* * *
“I'm so tired I could go to sleep standing in a corner.” Jody yawned, hiding her face behind a hand. “I want to go to bed and stay there until the until the end of the day. I can't believe it's nearly three-thirty already.” Jody chuckled. “Again. How late did we go to bed yesterday?”
Sam's hand on the small of her back prevented her from walking into the door of the elevator and she could hear a soft laugh. “Keep them open for a few more minutes, honey,” Sam teased. “I'm sure you don't want a nasty bump on your head.” The term of endearment had slipped out so naturally, Sam wasn’t even aware she had used it. But Jody had heard it loud and clear and her heart skipped a beat.
They had left the hospital about an hour earlier, after Jody had made sure her mother was taken care of. Dr. Parks had told them her father would make a full recovery and after Joan spent a few minutes with her husband, they all went home. Gerald went with his mother and two youngest siblings, promising Jody he would stop by the next day. Lucy had dropped off Jody and Sam, declining her sister's offer to sleep at her place.
“It’s alright, Pea,” she had smiled, winking at Sam. “I know you're tired now, but I can hardly imagine you’d want me around in the morning. Maybe you and Sam can...um...go... through...some files together?”
Jody had stuck out her tongue and signaled her sister to stop at the corner of the street. “We can walk those last few hundred meters. Thanks, Lucy.” She had kissed her sister’s cheek and had stepped out of the car, closely followed by Sam. A noisy honk and a little wave and Lucy had disappeared around the corner, leaving the two of them alone. Leisurely, they had walked toward Jody's apartment, hand in hand.
“Where are your keys?” Sam’s voice broke through Jody’s sleepy brain and she reached into the satchel that was slung over her shoulder. She handed Sam the keychain, because if it had been up to her, she would have happily fallen asleep on her own doorstep.
Sam inserted the key in the lock and turned it to the right. It didn't work. She tried it again and suddenly realized the door was unlocked. She was about to turn to Jody to ask her if she was sure she had locked the door before they left, when she could feel goosebumps erupt across her body. The hairs on the back of her neck rose. All fatigue left her body. She couldn't explain it, but she knew something was wrong. She grabbed Jody's wrist and pulled her behind her. “Stay there,” Sam whispered. “No matter what, stay behind me.”
The urgency in Sam’s voice was like a cold shower. Jody's eyes widened and she was about to ask a question, when Sam's hand covered her mouth. A pair of fully alert blue eyes penetrated her sleepy ones and the expression on Sam's face was deadly serious.
Jody nodded, blinking rapidly to clear her eyes from sleep. She watched Sam reach for the doorknob and Jody clenched her hands into fists. Sam turned the knob and swung the door open. Immediately, a large form leapt for her. Instead of shrinking back, Sam stepped forward, extending her left leg in a fierce kick. Her adversary obviously hadn't expected that move. He took the full blow in his stomach, grunting loudly, but kept on moving toward her. He raised a hand that was holding a knife. Sam had regained her balance, making sure Jody was still behind her. She reached for the weapon, but it was already coming down.
“Jody, watch out.”
Sam took a step back, simultaneously turning her body to the side, trying to avoid being stabbed. She could feel the sharp, cold steel slit the fabric that was covering her left shoulder. However, the expected stab of pain didn't come and she lashed out with her right hand, hitting the man square on his nose. He let out a groan and instinctively grabbed his face. It gave Sam the opportunity to kick the knife out of his other hand. It flew through the air, hit the marble floor of the hallway at full speed, slid and kept spinning until it connected with the door of the elevator. Using only one arm, the man slammed Sam into the wall with full force, putting all his weight behind it. It knocked the wind out of her and for a moment she lost focus. When she gasped for breath, she gave her opponent the opportunity to run to the stairs. He almost broke down the door, nearly going through it and disappeared out of sight.
Sam was holding her side, panting, still out of breath, when Jody came up beside her. Her eyes were filled with fear. With shaking hands, she grabbed Sam's arm, searching for injuries. Her eyes widened in alarm when she saw the tear in the light blue cotton fabric. The ragged edges were stained with blood.
“Sam, you're hurt.” Jody gingerly touched the affected shoulder, afraid to cause any pain.
“I’m fine,” Sam breathed. She was still holding on to her ribs. “Jody, please call the police.”
“I'll call when I've taken you inside, Sam. I need to have a look at that cut, it's bleeding.”
“Jody, call them...now,” Sam replied sounding impatient. She knew the intruder probably wasn't just another burglar and for the first time she realized this whole thing with The Reef, might be bigger than she had anticipated.
“Sam, listen to me.” Jody’s voice was shaky, but determined. “Did you have a good look at that guy? No? Neither did I. Do you think he will be patiently waiting for the police to show up? Get real, Sam. He's long gone. Two more minutes won't matter. Now, “she raised her hand, silencing Sam, who was about to object. “You can either come inside with me and then call the police, or you can stay here, sulking. It's your choice.”
Sam was truly amazed. She knew Jody could be stubborn if she put her mind to it, but she had never heard her talk like that before, not to her anyway. For a few moments, their eyes fought a silent duel, but Sam lost. Jody's gaze was unwavering and Sam knew she would not give in.
“Fine,” Sam muttered. “Let’s go inside. But don’t touch anything.” She followed Jody toward the entrance of the apartment, where she automatically switched on the light, but Sam bumped into her when she stopped moving. In a reflex, she grabbed Jody around the waist and froze when she saw the devastation in front of her. The floor was scattered with books, some in one piece, but a lot of them cut open. The couch was systematic
ally cut up, leather shreds ripped off and thrown on the floor. The plants near the window were on the floor, pulled out of their pots. The soil was scattered across the rug, the plants carelessly flung into the corner, their roots sticking up, like tiny tentacles, desperately reaching out for something to hold on to.
The doors of the bedrooms were wide open and it was clear the entire apartment had been ravaged. Pieces of the comforter that had once covered the bed, were lying near the bathroom door and the contents of Jody’s wardrobe was scattered across the floor, trampled on and torn.
A sob from Jody brought Sam back to reality. Without saying a word, she reached inside Jody's purse to get hold of the cellphone and dialed a number from memory. Her blood had run cold when she first saw the destruction of Jody’s apartment. Now she felt rage built up inside. Sam didn't think she had ever been that angry. Jody's apartment had been destroyed, so deliberately and so methodically that it left no doubt whether it had been done with a specific reason.
“Inspector Wong? It’s Sam Stevens. I’m sorry to call you at this hour. The other day you gave me your card, after the fire at The Reef. I’m in Jody McDonnell’s apartment, she's the assistant manager of The Reef...yeah, that's right. Someone broke in and trashed the place. No, we met him when he came out—” Sam let out a humorless laugh. “No, he was in too much of a hurry, I might have broken his nose though...Alright...yes, of course...we'll be waiting outside the apartment, we won't touch anything...okay, we’ll see you shortly. Thank you.”
Sam switched off the phone and glanced at Jody, who was still looking around with total disbelief. She put her right arm around her shoulders and gently pulled her away in the direction of the front door. Jody didn't object, she was too bewildered to react. Outside, she led Jody to a bench near the elevator and made her sit down. With a determined look, she used the phone again.