The Target (29 page)

Sara moved back to the bed and sat down again. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her thighs, her hands clasped lightly together.

“What will you do now, Mother? Will you stay at the complex?”

“No. I doubt I’ll even go back there to pack.” She smiled. “I need someplace new, someplace where he’s never been. Perhaps Arthur might choose to accompany me. I haven’t been on my own in so many years, I don’t even know how to run a household.”

“I think Arthur will agree to go with you. He was very concerned about you. If not for him, the FBI probably wouldn’t have gotten down to the bunker.”

“Yes, Arthur and I do share a fondness. But what about you, darling? What will you do? Go back to your clinic and pretend none of this happened? Do you think your clientele will abandon you?”

“I don’t know. If it were any other women, I wouldn’t be surprised to have lawsuits pop up. But those ladies were tough as nails. We bonded as one. It was us against him. Of course the publicity will probably curb our enrollment awhile. Two shot, one killed. Can’t be good for business.”

“It wasn’t your fault. And it had nothing to do with your business. I doubt your clinic will suffer. But what about you? I wish you had someone, Sara. You’ve always been so picky about your dates.”

Sara laughed. “Picky?”

“I really liked that attorney you were seeing a couple of years ago. She was very attractive.”

Sara nodded. “Yes, she was. And we had absolutely nothing in common. Besides, she had political aspirations and I wanted no part of that.” Sara glanced at her mother quickly, then away. “But I … well, I have met someone.”

“You have? Why haven’t you told me?”

Sara stood and again walked to the window. “I just met her recently.” She turned around and shoved her hands into her pockets as she watched her mother. “She’s a detective. She pretended to be an injured hiker and she was sort of absorbed into our group.”

“What do you mean pretended?”

“It’s a complicated story. She thought the FBI had assigned her to watch me, when in fact it was just a ploy to get her to lead the sniper to me.”

“Oh my.”

“We became lovers.”

“Oh my.”

Sara smiled slightly. “I’m a little frightened by what I feel. I mean, there was an attraction between us long before the sniper showed himself. But I don’t know if what transpired after that was a result of the circumstances we were in or if it’s true, you know?”

“Oh, I see. You were in extreme danger and you reached out for her, is that it? You needed an emotional attachment of some sort and she was available?”

“I don’t know if that’s the case or not.” She walked back to the bed, meeting her mother’s eyes. “Is it possible to fall in love with someone so quickly?”

He mother smiled gently and reached to take her hand. “You think you might be in love with her?”

“She makes me laugh.” Sara smiled. “And she’s a storyteller. And she got my group of conservative women to strip naked—
twice
—and jump in hot springs.” Sara blushed. “And I took one look at her and nearly melted on the spot.”

“What about her, Sara? Have you talked about it?”

“No, we haven’t talked about it. We’re having dinner Saturday night. At my place,” she added.

“Then don’t try to analyze it, Sara. Just see where it goes. If it was just the circumstances, you’ll know soon enough.”

Sara nodded, remembering the way her body reacted when Jaime kissed her. No, she didn’t want it to be just the circumstances.

But how were they to get to know each other? After the close quarters they’d shared, after all they’d been through, she thought they were past the dating stage. And dinner? She didn’t want to have dinner. She wanted to get Jaime naked and make love with her. She blushed slightly, then turned away, but not before hearing the quiet laugh of her mother.

“Sara?”

“Hmm?”

“What’s her name?”

Sara smiled as she met her mother’s eyes. “Jaime.”

Jaime couldn’t believe her nervousness as she stood by her car.

Sara’s home was quite impressive, the quiet neighborhood landscaped with spruce trees and boulders, a view of the western mountains not marred by the cityscape at all. It was nice. And Jaime was still nervous.

She rubbed her damp palms together then stepped on the sidewalk, walking slowly to the front door. She didn’t know what to expect from Sara, maybe that’s why she was anxious. They’d talked on the phone nearly every day, but still, they’d not talked about
them
.

“Are you stalling?”

Jaime jumped, startled, as Sara stood at the door, holding it open. “Jesus, you about gave me a heart attack.” Jaime held her hand to her chest dramatically. “I hope you know CPR.”

Sara smiled. “I know mouth-to-mouth exceptionally well.”

Jaime’s heart literally skipped a beat as their eyes met. She didn’t know which frightened her more. The uncertainty of their relationship or the look in Sara’s eyes.

“Need me to show you?” Sara teased.

“Yes, please.”

Sara’s smile faded as she drew Jaime to her, their mouths meeting slowly, tenderly, reacquainting themselves after a week’s absence. Sara’s body did what it always did when Jaime kissed her.

It melted.

Jaime pulled away while she still could, before her hands finished their journey to Sara’s breasts. Her heart pounded in her ears and she tried to catch her breath.

“I love the way you kiss me,” Sara whispered.

Jaime met her eyes. “I missed you.”

Sara nodded. “I missed you too.”

“I was a little afraid,” Jaime admitted.

Sara nodded again. “Me too.”

Jaime smiled. “Good. Glad we got that out of the way.”

Sara laughed. “Come inside. I don’t need to give the neighbors anything more to talk about.”

“Why? Do you often kiss strange women on your doorstep?”

Jaime asked as she followed Sara.

“Are you strange, sweetheart?”

Jaime stumbled, the endearment causing her heart to miss a beat. “Sara?”

Sara stopped and turned, her own heart jumping wildly in her chest as she met the intense stare from Jaime.

“Hmm?”

Jaime swallowed nervously. “Would it be terribly forward of me to … well to suggest that we delay … delay dinner?”

Sara felt her heart race, pounding in her chest, nearly choking the breath from her. She walked closer to Jaime, her hand sliding up Jaime’s stomach, resting between her breasts.

“You want to make love?” she whispered.

“Yes, please,” Jaime breathed.

Sara closed her eyes for a second, then moved her hand a few inches to cup Jaime’s breast.

“Me too.”

Jaime moaned as Sara’s hand squeezed her breast then she bent her head, capturing Sara’s mouth. Their kisses were no longer gentle. Tongues battled frantically as hands touched flesh. Jaime was pleasantly surprised to find no bra in her way.

“Do you have any idea what you do to me?” Sara murmured against Jaime’s mouth. “I swear, I lose all control when you touch me.”

Sara moved away and stripped off her shirt, exposing her breasts to Jaime’s greedy eyes. Without a word, she took Jaime’s hand and led her up the five steps to the split-level and into her bedroom. She didn’t bother with the covers. She drew Jaime to the bed, her hands shoving between her legs, cupping her through her jeans. She wanted her. She couldn’t control this wild hunger she had. She had ached with it all week. She wanted her now and her fingers were frantic as they shoved inside her jeans. Her tongue pushed against Jaime’s and she moaned when she felt her flesh, hot and wet to her touch.

Jaime lay back, sensing Sara’s need for her. She unbuttoned her jeans, giving Sara room. Her legs parted, ready for her.

Sara plunged inside of her, deep and hard, and Jaime surged up to meet her, her hips undulating against Sara’s fingers. Sara pulled out, sliding through her wetness, moving over her like silk and she stroked her faster and faster until she felt Jaime arch hard against her fingers. She captured Jaime’s mouth, catching the scream as Jaime climaxed.

Perspiration dampened her brow and she closed her eyes, shocked by her need, shocked by her aggressiveness. She let her head rest on Jaime’s chest, smiling as she realized they were both still mostly clothed.

“I wanted you,” she murmured. “I swear, I have ached for you.”

Jaime rolled them over, pinning Sara beneath her. Her knees spread Sara’s thighs, their jeans rubbing together as they strained to get close.

“You have no idea what ache is,” Jaime whispered.

Jaime knelt between Sara’s legs, her fingers quickly working to unbutton Sara’s jeans. She pulled them down, then struggled to kick her own off as Sara worked the buttons on Jaime’s shirt. They were a tangled mess and Sara laughed in frustration.

“Christ, can you get naked already?”

“I’m trying. God, I’m trying,” Jaime said, finally freeing her buttons and tossing the shirt on the floor. She paused, her eyes finding Sara’s. Soft, gentle smiles formed, then Sara slowly reached out, her fingers brushing Jaime’s nipple.

“So beautiful,” she whispered.

Jaime took Sara’s hand, bringing the fingers to her mouth. She kissed them softly, her tongue wetting them. She felt Sara tremble.

“Let me love you.”

Sara nodded numbly, lying back and pulling Jaime to her. She spread her legs, then moaned quietly as Jaime settled between them. Her eyes drifted closed as Jaime’s soft mouth moved across her throat, finally finding her lips. As always, Jaime’s kisses simply rendered her powerless. Their mouths moved together, tongues slowly, lightly caressing. Sara nearly whimpered when Jaime pulled away, her mouth going again to her throat, gently nibbling at the pulse that pounded there. Sara held her close and brushed her fingers through Jaime’s hair, guiding Jaime to her breast.

Jaime’s mouth covered her, her tongue raking lightly across the swollen nipple. Sara moaned and Jaime bit down gently.

“God, Jaime,” she breathed, arching her hips against Jaime’s thigh.

Jaime released her nipple and found her mouth again. Kisses no longer gentle, their mouths fought for control. Jaime moved her hand between them, sliding down Sara’s body, seeking and finding the wetness she knew would greet her. Her knee forced Sara’s thighs apart and she entered her, watching Sara’s face as it transformed in pleasure, her own eyes finally sliding shut as Sara enveloped her.

“Jaime … please,” Sara whispered, her hips moving, meeting each thrust of Jaime’s hand. “Please … your mouth. I want your mouth to take me.” She was so near orgasm but she simply
craved
the feel of Jaime’s mouth—and tongue—upon her. Her hips slowed and she urged Jaime downward.

Jaime let her fingers slip from Sara. Their eyes met and Jaime watched Sara’s turn from blue to green, watched as she still struggled to catch her breath.

“Please,” Sara whispered again.

As their eyes held, Jaime felt a connection with Sara that she’d never experienced with another person before. A connection so strong and pure, it nearly stopped her heart. She nodded weakly, her hands already pushing Sara’s legs apart. She was trembling as she gathered Sara to her, her hands cupping Sara’s hips, bringing her to her mouth. She groaned when she tasted her and her mouth opened, moving over Sara’s hard clit, sucking it into her mouth.

Her tongue swirled over it, back and forth, trying to hold on as Sara’s hips bucked against her face.

Sara foolishly thought she was in control, thought she could set the pace but she lost all power over her body. She knew she was nearly delirious, knew her mouth was opened as she struggled to draw breath, knew her hips were moving wildly against Jaime’s hot mouth but surrender was all she could do. With her head flung back and her fists grasping the comforter, she held on while Jaime nearly devoured her like a starving woman. Jaime’s shoulders pushed against her, driving her legs apart, moving her farther up the bed with the force of her desire.

Sara could take no more. She felt as if she were drowning, sinking into blackness, her orgasm building like a tidal wave. A kaleidoscope of colors nearly blinded her as she came, but still, Jaime’s mouth held her, continuing her assault on her as wave after wave rammed into Sara, causing her to call out Jaime’s name again and again.

Sara’s body finally gave way and she lay limply on the bed. Only then did Jaime’s mouth leave her.

“I thought my body was going to explode,” Sara murmured.

“Actually explode.” She rolled her head to the side as Jaime moved up beside her. “That’s never happened to me before.”

Jaime’s hand was trembling as she reached over to touch Sara’s face, her fingers moving lightly against her skin.

“What’s wrong?” Sara asked. “You’re shaking.”

“I don’t know,” Jaime said quietly. “I feel kind of strange,” she admitted.

Sara sat up, watching Jaime. “Strange?” She took Jaime’s hand and kissed it, then brought it to her breast, smiling as Jaime’s fingers surrounded it. “No, not strange. I would just say nice.”

Jaime cocked her head. “Nice?”

Sara nodded. “Yeah. Falling in love feels nice. Doesn’t it?”

Their eyes held and Jaime forgot to breathe. Then she smiled, her eyes never leaving Sara’s.

“Falling in love … yeah, it feels really, really nice.”

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