Side Effects

by VK Powell

  “Out front.” She needed to stay away from Neela Sahjani. Maybe the spring air would erode the layer of discomfort that thinking about her had created.

  *

  “Good morning, det—Bex. Riding solo today?” Neela was relieved not to see Jordan. After her liaison with Liz the night before and the images of Jordan that had brought her most satisfying orgasm in memory, she didn’t need to come face to face with the object of her fantasy quite so soon.

  “She’s outside cooling off. I think you got her worked up.”

  Neela dropped her briefcase and nearly toppled her coffee over on the day’s schedule. “Sorry?”

  “I think your little race down I-40 got her adrenaline pumping. She’s a speed freak, especially on her motorcycle, but in the absence of that, any careening projectile will do.”

  “I see.” Neela tried to erase a picture of Jordan Bishop aroused and astride a motorcycle pulsing between her thighs. Too late. She sat down before her legs failed. “How can I help you this morning, Bex?”

  “I don’t mean to be indelicate.”

  “But you’re going to anyway.”

  “Occupational hazard. The surveillance team from last night noted you didn’t get home until almost midnight…and someone else was in your house during that time. I really hate to pry, but if we don’t know your normal routines—people, places, and so on—we can’t properly protect you.”

  Neela rose and walked to the window overlooking the athletic field. How much of her life should she share? Was anything sacred? When she glanced toward the track, she saw a lone figure sprinting along the outside lane—Jordan. She’d recognize her lean, androgynous frame and striking white hair in a mob, but alone in a field she was an arresting sight. A short-sleeved blue T-shirt stretched tightly over back and shoulder muscles shaped by hours of physical effort. As Jordan’s powerful legs and arms propelled her faster, Neela’s breath hung in her throat like the first time she’d seen her.

  “That’s her way of letting off steam,” Bex said.

  Neela started. She’d been too engrossed to notice Bex walking up behind her. “Is it a frequent thing?”

  “Not for some time, so I’m actually glad to see her worked up about something, even if I don’t know what it is.”

  Neela watched Jordan more closely as she made another turn around the track. A red rash ran down her left arm, and her gait slightly favored that side. “What happened to her arm?”

  “She was riding last night and ditched her bike to avoid a dog.”

  “Really?” The Jordan Bishop she’d seen so far gave the impression she wouldn’t brake for a person, much less a dog. Her curiosity was piqued. But why would a woman who was rude, volatile, and so seemingly opposite her on every spectrum interest her?

  “Why’s she so intense?” Neela had no right to pry, but if her life was being splayed open to these people, a little reciprocity didn’t seem out of line.

  “Can’t really say. I mean I could, but she’s my best friend as well as my work partner, so it doesn’t seem right.”

  “I understand. I’m having trouble coming to terms with the violation of my own privacy. Guess I should know better. Forgive me.” Neela forced herself away from the window and returned to her desk. “You asked about my home situation. I live with another woman. She’s there most of the time. As far as my other activities, I do research at NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine several nights a week.”

  “Any particular type of research? Just curious.”

  “Stem cells and their potential on various diseases and types of injuries. Right now we’re working on spinal-cord injuries in dogs and cats.”

  “Impressive.” Bex shifted uncomfortably in her seat and flipped a couple of pages in her notebook.

  “Ask your questions, detective.”

  “What about your personal life—husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, exes? Anywhere you might be spending the night? We’d need to provide coverage.”

  “No.” Bex looked surprised, and Neela smiled. “I told you I live with another woman. I spend my nights at home.” She didn’t mention Liz because she seldom spent the night at her place. She might have to suspend their liaisons entirely until this unpleasantness blew over.

  “Right. Can you think of anyone who might have a grudge against you, personal or professional?”

  “I’ve been in administration for several years, pretty low-key. Life consists of my work here, research, and family, quite stable but not exactly exhilarating. No disgruntled employees or jilted lovers. I’m not aware of anyone who would want to threaten or harm me.”

  Bex started to respond, but the door of Neela’s office burst open and Jordan strode in.

  “Are you about finished?” She looked at her watch, and Neela noted the huge Tag Heuer that dwarfed her small wrist. Sweat beaded Jordan’s forehead, and her T-shirt clung to her compact breasts like plastic wrap. “I wanted to test the cameras.”

  Neela’s mouth dried and she licked her lips. “G—good morning, detective.”

  “Morning.” She didn’t look at Neela but watched as Bex repositioned the cameras.

  “I see your manners haven’t improved since yesterday.” What was there about this woman that rubbed her the wrong way? Rubbing. Oh, God. The image from last night flashed through her mind again. Her fantasy stood in front of her—hot, sweaty, and looking so edible that Neela ached. She’d never responded to a woman this viscerally.

  Jordan swirled her leather jacket off her shoulder and pulled it on. “Sorry?” The word sounded like a question instead of an apology. She zipped the jacket and then tapped her fingers against the side of her thigh as her eyes roamed from Neela’s three-inch heels to the top of her head and back down before finally meeting her gaze. Neela warmed as though a hot sun had broken through the window, but Jordan seemed unfazed.

  “Yeah, well, let’s test those cameras,” Bex said.

  Before Neela composed herself enough to speak, they were gone and she clung to her desk for support. “Wait.” She ran down the hall after them. “Wait.” She was within arm’s reach of Jordan when a heel snagged on the carpet and she stumbled forward. Jordan turned just in time to stop her from taking a nosedive into the worn, stained carpet.

  When Jordan’s arms encircled her, the liquefaction she’d felt between her legs seconds ago spread throughout her body. I can’t breathe. She’d expected this woman’s touch to be cold and stiff, but as she stood supported against her, Neela felt only warmth and strength. Jordan held her as if she were weightless, and the muscles beneath Neela’s fingers rippled with energy. “I’m so sorry. Low-bid government carpet.”

  “Or three-inch heels.” For a second Neela caught a glimpse of humor in Jordan’s eyes before the frosty barrier slid back into place. “Something you needed?”

  You. She shook her head and formed her words before daring to speak. “I wanted to ask if these cameras are audio as well as video. Certain things need to remain private.”

  “I certainly hope so.” Jordan released her and slowly pulled away. Neela was tempted to stumble again just to feel Jordan’s arms around her once more.

  “Are you okay?” She nodded, and Bex cupped her elbow and walked her back to the office. “They’re just video.”

  “Great. Thanks.” Why didn’t Bex’s soft touch have the same effect on her as Jordan’s? If she was having some kind of hormonal spike, surely any woman would do. Her reasoning sounded weak, but after tangling with Jordan, she was too exhausted to examine her reaction further.

  As she settled back in her chair, she sent up a silent prayer that she wouldn’t see Jordan Bishop too often. She wasn’t sure her heart or her body could stand the intensity. Why was she suddenly attracted—and she was definitely attracted—to a woman who conveyed more hostility than warmth and terrified her on so many levels? Even if her life wasn’t a complicated mass of responsibilities and deadlines, Jordan would be the last woman she should be interested in.

  Neela tried to
ignore the blinking red camera light from the corner of her office and the gnawing feeling that her life was about to change. She pulled up the governor’s latest internal email. Nothing new from on high, at least nothing His Holiness deemed worthy to share with the masses.

  “Ready for the morning dish?” Rosemary popped her head into the office with two fresh cups of coffee. Her unruly mass of gray hair on top of her pencil-thin body made her resemble a very adorable scrub brush.

  “More than. You always know exactly what I need.”

  “You’re easy. You’re a coffee slut.”

  “And you’re a lifesaver, Rose.”

  “That’s not what I hear. Rumor has it that particular job goes to a tall, gorgeous, slightly dangerous-looking cop roaming the building. There’s a line of women, straight and lesbian, primping in the restroom as we speak. Care to comment?” Rosemary pulled her swivel chair up to the desk and caged Neela’s legs between hers.

  “Seriously, Rose, you’re worse than my gay friends with your gossip. If I hadn’t known you and Wayne for twenty years, I’d swear you batted for our team.”

  “If that yummy thing you fell all over is an option, I might be persuaded. But from where I’m standing it looked like you had her all wrapped up.” She poked her in the side and did the hand fan like they were still in high school.

  “Since we’re on the subject of my protection detail, are you the one who notified the police about the threatening notes?” Rosemary fiddled with her smart phone and didn’t answer immediately. “Rose?”

  “I was worried about you, especially after what happened to Ed. I couldn’t live with myself if someone hurt you and I hadn’t done anything about it. Forgive me?”

  “Don’t I always, but it’s really a waste of their time. And what’s with this close-proximity briefing?” She indicated the scant distance between them.

  “Just wanted to check your body temperature after your close encounter with Dracula’s cousin. I’ve never seen you so flustered, not even for redheaded Doctor Blackmon. Do I need to alert the fire department or maybe the paramedics?”

  “Shush.” She pointed toward the camera but remembered Jordan and Bex couldn’t hear them—thank God. “Very funny. Back off and give me the bad news for the day.”

  Rosemary cupped Neela’s elbow and waited for her to look up from the computer. “You know I’m kidding, right? I just want you to be happy, really happy.”

  Neela hugged her and let the sincerity of Rose’s words sink in. Would she even know what happiness felt like if it came along? She recognized passion from across the athletic field, but true happiness was another matter entirely. “I know.”

  “Okay, boss.” Rosemary rolled her chair back and scrolled on her phone. “Nothing new regarding our staff conference the other day. Everything’s quiet, which is always a worry. I’m not sure if that means nothing is happening or we’re just not hearing about it.”

  “All we can do is wait and keep doing our jobs. Stay on top of our projects and make sure nothing falls through the cracks. I want our folks working like superstars. If the new man wants to get rid of us, he’ll have to dig deeper than performance issues.”

  “Our folks are on board with that.”

  “But I still worry about them. Most of our employees have families to support. It’s always bothered me how newly elected officials conduct a firing sweep like they’re cleaning house, without regard for the people behind the jobs.”

  “You don’t understand it because you’re not morally bankrupt like some politicians.”

  “Thanks, honey, but that won’t help much if the powers that be decide we have to go.”

  “Don’t worry so much about what hasn’t happened yet. You’ve got enough on your plate. Anything else for me?” Rose gathered her tablet and phone and had bent to give Neela a hug when the office door swung open.

  “No, honey. What the—” Jordan Bishop stood framed in the doorway with a scowl across her beautiful face that looked almost painful. “Do you ever knock?”

  Without answering, she glared at Rosemary and crossed to the camera. “Got a glitch. Picture’s gone.”

  Rosemary smiled at Neela and started toward the door. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

  “Rose, no.” But Rosemary was already closing the door behind her. Great. She was in a confined space with a woman who exuded so much sexual energy she found it hard to breathe. “I’m trying to work here.” Her voice sounded dry and scratchy.

  “So am I. I have to see you.”

  In another context those words would’ve had her horizontal in seconds. She was practically there now. She straightened in her chair. “Would you please knock in the future before barging in? The governor could be in here…or anyone.”

  “So I noticed.” Jordan pulled a chair from beside her desk and stepped up to reach the camera. “Pretty chummy with your assistant, aren’t you?”

  Neela was out of her chair before Jordan finished the sentence. “My relationship with my assistant or anyone else is none of your business.” Hands planted firmly on her hips, she looked up to confront Jordan and was perfectly eye-to-crotch level. Seriously? Give me a break with this woman. Jordan’s normal height was daunting enough, but this was like David and Goliath. “Come down here, this instant.” She sounded like a scolding parent, but to her amazement Jordan complied. And she wished she hadn’t. They were entirely too close.

  “Yes?”

  Even in heels Neela was still shorter than Jordan, but she refused to be intimidated. After the way Jordan had treated her, she should order her out of her office once and for all. She hadn’t asked for this situation and certainly didn’t believe she needed protection—and if she did, it was most likely from Jordan Bishop. The energy between them was almost tangible, and she couldn’t walk away without understanding the dynamic. “You obviously have a problem with me. Are you able to put it aside until this unfortunate situation is resolved?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Neela had expected another smart-ass remark, not something that sounded like an honest, almost contrite answer. “Can you tell me what’s going on?”

  “I’m trying to fix the camera.”

  Neela tried again. “I mean with us.”

  “Stop talking.”

  She should stop. Whatever was going on with Jordan was none of her business, but she couldn’t deny she wanted to know more about her. Was it her raw sex appeal, the pain she saw in her eyes, or just Neela’s savior complex that made her keep pushing? “In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t take orders very well. When you held, or caught, me earlier, you seemed sad. Is it something I’ve done?”

  “Please, stop.”

  “Why are you so rude and—”

  “I just can’t be around you…you remind me…I mean…forget it.”

  Pain shadowed Jordan’s eyes and Neela was captivated. She slid her arm around Jordan’s waist, pulled her firmly against her, and, without a word, kissed her. Jordan’s lips were so soft and hot and wet that she melted into them and opened herself to Jordan’s probing tongue. Her skin dampened with a sheen of pleasure sweat, and arousal trickled between her legs. While Neela’s mind urged her to run, her hunger surged and swelled. As Jordan kissed her, the irrationality of her actions disappeared, and all she felt was this single perfect moment. She was plummeting out of control when Jordan pulled away and left her gasping for air.

  “That was so wrong.” Jordan stared at her for an instant, her eyes full of fire and regret, before she sprinted from the room.

  Neela dropped into the chair Jordan had vacated and stared after her. “Oh, God. What have I done?”

  Chapter Four

  Bex met Jordan halfway back to the car. “You’re really on the edge, aren’t you? We’re on the job. This is her place of business. Do I need to go on?”

  “Hey, I didn’t kiss her first.”

  “But you didn’t back off.”

  “Would you?”

  Bex grabbed her arms an
d made her look at her. “From where I’m standing, that was just reckless.” Bex paused, trying to understand. “Why do you suppose she did that?”

  “She wanted to?” Jordan was desperate to change the subject because she didn’t understand why she’d responded so passionately to the kiss. Neela had been too close, asking too many questions, calm and relaxed, and acting like she cared. The energy inside Jordan spiraled and she had no time to count or breathe, no way to control it. And the look in Neela’s eyes had been like an invitation, almost a plea—to reach out, to connect.

  “My chances just went up in smoke. Why did you have to kiss her back?”

  “She wouldn’t stop asking questions I couldn’t answer. It was the only way to shut her up.” Jordan paced in front of the car, unable to settle. What she’d thought might be a stop button on a sound bite had turned into something entirely different.

  “What kind of questions?” Bex asked.

  “Why I dislike her, why I’m rude to her, why I’m sad, blah, blah, blah.”

  “Oh, you mean emotional questions? Questions normal people ask? Questions designed to help people get to know each other? Those kinds of questions?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, I think you succeeded in shutting her up because she’s been sitting in that chair since you left without saying a word. This is a dangerous game you’re playing, Jordan, on more than one level.” Bex counted on her fingers. “She’s work, she’s with someone, she’s at least ten years older, and you’re not really interested.”

  “It just happened, okay? It doesn’t mean anything. I’m going to check out the protestors at the capitol. You can handle this, right?” Without waiting for a response, Jordan jogged away.

  “You’re running all the way to the capitol building?”

  “It’s only two miles, Bex. I’ve got my cell, and I’ll be back before she leaves for the day.” Jordan hoped running would clear her mind and help her figure out what had just happened. When Rosemary had come into Neela’s office, she’d watched their interaction, and the more she watched, the more rattled she’d become.