Chapter 22

"HEY, JESS. Come on in." Kim stepped back to allow Jess inside.

Some of the day's tension melted away at the warm, welcoming smile on Kim's face. It never ceased to amaze Jess how a simple smile from Kim could have such an effect on her. Kim's damp hair made it apparent that she had not only had time to change but to shower as well.

"Sorry for holding up your dinner. Traffic was a mess with the rain." The storm that had been threatening all day had finally let loose just as Jess left the hospital.

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you got here safe and sound." Kim led her to an already set table. "Let's eat." She quickly pulled the food containers from the oven and poured the wine.

Companionable silence held as both women concentrated on the meal.

As Jess pushed her chair back from the table, a contented sigh escaped her lips. "Thanks. That hit the spot." This was the first meal she had shared with Kim at her condo. Most of the time they went out to eat. Any other time spent together was at Jess's home because of Thor. Kim's complex did not allow pets — not even visiting ones.

"Hardly a gourmet meal, just some takeout Chinese." Kim smiled from across the table. "But you're welcome nonetheless."

The lack of conversation during dinner had been a relief. It gave her a little time to decompress before she had to face telling Kim about Brian's father. She was not looking forward to once again being the bearer of bad news. It was hard enough at work dealing with a patient's family when delivering distressing news. At least with strangers she was able to keep an emotional distance. She didn't seem to be able to close off her feelings anymore where Kim was concerned. And if she was honest with herself — she didn't want to.

"Ready to tell me now?" Kim asked, startling Jess out of her thoughts.

Ah, shit. Jess found it disconcerting just how good Kim had become at reading her. She briefly considered dissembling. A single glance at Kim's open expression promptly quashed that idea. Still, Jess wasn't quite ready to face the inevitable. Picking up her wine glass, she asked, "Could I have a refill?"

Kim opened her mouth, then closed it. She rose from her chair and took Jess's glass from her hand. "Sure." A few steps took Kim into the kitchen area.

Jess gathered up the cardboard containers that held the remains of their dinner.

After refilling Jess's glass, Kim held it out to her. She motioned with her free hand toward the living room. "Have a seat. I'll take care of this."

"Thanks," Jess said as she accepted her wine. She set the glass on the table. "You got dinner. Least I can do is help you clean up."

"That's okay. Relax. It'll just take me a minute to toss these plates in the dishwasher." Kim set the plates on the kitchen counter before turning back to Jess. "Besides, my kitchen isn't meant for two people."

A glance over at the narrow kitchen bracketed by a stove and sink on one side and a refrigerator and cabinets on the other confirmed Kim's contention. Jess smiled. "Okay. I see your point."

A gust of wind rattled the glass patio door.

"Storm is really picking up," Jess said.

"Yeah, it's getting cold and damp in here." Kim shivered. She scrubbed her hands up and down her goose bump covered arms.

Jess's gaze followed the path of Kim's hands and inadvertently grazed her chest. The sight of Kim's taut nipples poking through her T-shirt momentarily froze Jess in place. The chilly room suddenly seemed much warmer. She swallowed heavily. God... she's not wearing a bra. She immediately berated herself for the thought. You're here to comfort her, not ogle her. Jess jerked her gaze back where it belonged. Thankfully, Kim did not seem to have noticed her wandering eyes.

"Tell you what you can do. Would you turn on the gas fireplace? There's a wall switch next to the sliding glass door," Kim said.

Looking across the room at the fireplace tucked in the corner, Jess was easily able to spot the switch in question. "Sure." Kim's condo consisted of a large room that encompassed the living room, dining nook, and kitchen. Although Jess had never seen either room, she knew the short hallway off the living room led to a bedroom and a bath.

"That's the only thing I don't like about this place," Kim said as she finished cleaning up the remnants of their dinner. "A single electric wall heater is the only other source of heat besides the fireplace." Kim laughed. "And you know me — I hate being cold."

Jess snorted as she flipped the switch. "No kidding." The flames leaped to life. The way Kim reacted to the cool, rainy December weather you would have thought she was the native Californian — not Jess. She walked back toward Kim. "I don't know how you ever survived Michigan."

Kim looked up and her expression darkened for just a moment. "I don't know how I did either."

It was not lost on Jess that Kim wasn't referring to the weather. Two quick steps brought her to Kim's side. She gave Kim's shoulder an understanding squeeze. "Come on." Jess picked up both their wine glasses. "Let's go warm up by the fire."

A smile reappeared on Kim's face.

Together they moved toward the fireplace.

Kim detoured to grab two large couch cushions off the back of the couch. She laid them on the carpet in front of the fireplace. Sinking down to the floor, she stretched out on her side and used the cushion to support her upper body.

Jess smiled down at Kim. She handed Kim her wine glass, then carefully set her own glass down on the narrow fireplace hearth. Jess lay down opposite Kim, using the second cushion.

"Ah, this is more like it," Kim said. A contented sigh left her lips as her eyes slid closed.

Jess allowed herself the guilty pleasure of letting her gaze roam Kim's beautiful profile. Barely resisting the urge to reach out and touch, Jess rolled onto her stomach and faced the fire. She blew out a breath as the serenity of the moment washed away some of the stress of her day. I needed this. Normally after a day like today, Jess would have worked out until she was ready to drop. This is so much better. Surprise rippled through her that the thought of another person being the source of her sense of comfort did not scare her as it would have in the past. But then, Kim isn't like anyone I've ever known. That thought in and of itself was oddly soothing.

A comfortable silence prevailed as they enjoyed their wine. The fireplace, while small, put out a relaxing heat.

The peaceful interlude was broken when Kim audibly blew out a breath.

Jess rolled onto her side and faced Kim.

"I hate to even bring this up... but it's not going to go away by ignoring it." Kim tugged at her ponytail. "What happened with the detective? How about Brian's dad — was there any news about him?"

It was Jess's turn to sigh. She really did not want to have this conversation. "The detective wanted to clear up some things so she could close the case. Once I was able to convince her I didn't have anything to add, that was the end of it." Tell her the rest and get it over with. "I spoke to Craig Peterson before I left and asked about the father." Jess raked her hand through her hair.

By the look on Kim's face, she knew what was coming.

Jess forced herself to say the words anyway. "He never made it off the table. I'm sorry."

Kim's expression crumbled. "My God. It's all just so hard to believe. First, Brian, now this." Tears sprang into her eyes. "Their whole family gone in six months."

Jess tried to make sense of what Kim was saying. Her confusion must have shown on her face.

"That's why Brian was in my group. He was having trouble dealing with his mother's death." A smattering of tears leaked out. "I only saw him for a couple of sessions before Dr. Kapoor took over, but I thought I was getting through to him."

"I'm sure you did everything you could."

Looking away, Kim focused her gaze on the fireplace log. "Not enough," she said, sorrow evident in her tone.

A sense of helplessness flowed over Jess in the face of Kim's pain. Not knowing what to say to make her feel better, Jess offered comfort the only way she could. She wrapped Kim in her arms and drew her against her chest in a body-hugging embrace. The feel of Kim trembling made her heart ache. She placed a lingering kiss on Kim's forehead.

Kim raised her head. Tears glistened on her cheeks.

Wanting nothing more than to ease her pain, Jess began to kiss away Kim's tears. She feathered her cheeks with touches as soft as a butterfly's. A soft whimper from Kim drew Jess's gaze to her mouth. Jess's insides clenched at the sight of the parted, inviting lips. Without a thought to the consequences, Jess pressed her lips to Kim's.

Surging forward, Kim tried to deepen the contact.

A groan was wrenched from deep in Jess's chest. Her tongue slipped out to lick Kim's bottom lip, silently urging her to open to her.

When Kim's lips opened and readily accepted her inside, Jess moaned into her mouth. So soft. So sweet.

The need for air finally caused them to part.

With Kim's lips no longer on hers, Jess's passion-hazed thought process began to clear. Reality hit like a dash of cold water in the face. What the hell's the matter with you? You can't do this.

Jess started to pull away only to be stopped by Kim's hand clutching at her shirt, trying to draw her close again.

"No. Don't. Don't stop," Kim said.

Their gazes locked.

Long repressed need and yearning burned in the depths of Kim's brilliant blue eyes. The sight struck Jess like a physical blow. Her body thrummed. She moved forward, then stopped, her lips scant inches from Kim's. A small part of her resisted still. There's no going back after this.

"Please," Kim whispered, her breath brushing Jess's lips. "I need this..." She guided Jess's hand to her breast. "I need you."

Jess's heart answered the call. Her resistance was blown away like a wisp of smoke on the wind. She dipped her head and reclaimed Kim's lips.

Electricity sizzled between them as long restrained passions flared.

Kim clung to Jess as if trying to merge their bodies into one.

"Easy." Jess pressed forward, and guided Kim onto her back.

A throaty groan of protest tumbled from Kim's lips when Jess removed her hand from her breast.

"I'll take care of you," Jess whispered into Kim's ear. She tasted the skin of Kim's neck before making her way down to the hollow of her throat. She placed a kiss on the delicate spot, feeling the thump of Kim's pulse beneath her lips.

As she moved back to Kim's lips, her hand slid down to pull Kim's T-shirt from her sweats. Warm, soft skin met her fingers. Jess slid her hand up and gently caressed the underside of Kim's bare breast.

Kim whimpered and clutched at Jess's arm.

Pulling herself away from Kim's sweet mouth was an exercise in willpower. Jess moved down, needing to see what she was touching. Her breath caught. So perfect. She reverently stroked the soft, pliant flesh in her hand, then leaned down to lave the enticing nipple with her tongue.

Kim's hand came up and cupped the back of Jess's head, urging her closer to her breast.

When Jess took the now rock-hard nipple into her mouth and began to suckle, Kim's back arched.

"Yes. Just like that." Kim moaned.

Alternating between each breast, Jess lavished them with equal attention. Her arousal soared. She had wanted this for so long. Being able to touch Kim's silken skin and caress her beautiful body was beyond anything Jess had dared imagine. An insistent inner voice intruded. But what are you going to do when she wants to make love to you?

Jess ruthlessly thrust the thought aside, banishing it from her mind. Nothing was going to spoil this moment with Kim.

Leaving Kim's breasts, she shifted to lay claim to her mouth once again. When she felt the press of Kim's tongue against her lips, Jess groaned. She opened willingly for the welcome invader. Their tongues wrestled together in an erotic dance.

Panting for air, Jess pulled back. She met Kim's gaze and fell into eyes gone indigo with arousal. Keeping her gaze locked with Kim's, Jess slid her hand down Kim's firm abdomen and into her sweats. She fondled the baby soft skin of Kim's lower belly before moving down to her heat. Oh, God. Jess moaned as her fingers slipped into the soaking wet folds waiting for her. Her own hips jerked against Kim's side. Jess fought the rising tide. This wasn't about her.

Kim hissed through her teeth. "Yes." Her hips bucked sharply.

Jess's fingers dipped low, then back up, drawing the abundant moisture with her. She used just the tip of her fingers to stroke across Kim's engorged clit, matching her rhythm to the rocking of Kim's hips. She savored the sight of Kim's impending climax. "So beautiful," Jess whispered.

Kim's eyes slammed shut and an inarticulate cry was torn from her throat. Her back arched as she released. With her climax came the tears, pouring down her face in a torrent.

Oh, sweetheart. After gently removing her fingers from their warm haven, Jess drew Kim against her chest.

Kim pressed her face into Jess's breasts. She wrapped her arm around Jess's back and clung to her.

Jess placed a tender kiss on the crown of Kim's head. "Shh... it's okay. I've got you." While Jess still felt a bit helpless in the face of Kim's tears, she knew the powerful physical and emotional release was what Kim needed. She ran her hand up and down Kim's back in languid strokes. "Let it all out."

Slowly Kim's tears trailed off and she relaxed against Jess's body.

Jess continued to gently rub Kim's back. It took her a few minutes to realize Kim had fallen asleep. She debated with herself the wisdom of waking her up and sending her to bed. The hell with that. She reveled in the feeling of Kim nestled in her arms. She wasn't about to give that up any sooner than she had to. Jess shifted them into a more comfortable position.

Kim murmured in her sleep and snuggled closer but didn't wake.

Jess closed her eyes but knew she wouldn't fall asleep. She was never able to sleep with anyone touching her. I just want to enjoy this for a little while longer, then I'll wake her up.