Flights Of Passion

Chapter 9

Some sort of internal awareness brought Selene up out of the most peaceful slumber she could recall in years. She opened her eyes to find herself warmly embraced by a pair of strong, masculine arms. Oh, that feels nice. The clock on the bedside table read 4:48.

Oh, that feels nice.Ugh. That means it"s time to wake up and get moving. I don"t want to. She snuggled deeper into Brandon"s embrace. His breath moved the hairs on the back of her neck, inciting tingles that radiated out along her entire body. The days may be warm, but the nights are still chilly. I can feel the cold in the room. Her eyelids fluttered, and sleep crept upward, threatening to drag her back down again.

Ugh. That means it"s time to wake up and get moving. I don"t want to.The days may be warm, but the nights are still chilly. I can feel the cold in the room.If you don"t move, the alarm is going to go off in twelve minutes and scare the bejeebers out of you. Come on, Johansen. Get moving. Life goes on. Reluctantly wriggling out from under Brandon"s arm, she shuffled to the kitchen to brew coffee, warmed herself in a quick shower, and tossed on one of her brand-new work outfits.

If you don"t move, the alarm is going to go off in twelve minutes and scare the bejeebers out of you. Come on, Johansen. Get moving. Life goes on.Then, after combing out her long, white-blond hair, she settled down at the kitchen table a bowl of cereal and a cup of java, a novel cradled in one hand.

A few moments later, Brandon staggered out of the bedroom, looking sleepy, his short black hair ruffled. He kissed her forehead without a word and headed into the shower himself. She grinned. He"s so cute when he"s sleepy, and I never even noticed. The intimacy of living together goes far beyond stroking each other in bed. Even beyond the s*x we eventually plan to have. It"s the day-to-day things no one else knows. Small things, perhaps not even noticeable, that sink into our being and bind us together on a subconscious level.

He"s so cute when he"s sleepy, and I never even noticed. The intimacy of living together goes far beyond stroking each other in bed. Even beyond the s*x we eventually plan to have. It"s the day-to-day things no one else knows. Small things, perhaps not even noticeable, that sink into our being and bind us together on a subconscious level.Less than twenty minutes later, while Selene was tucking her dishes into the dishwasher, he entered, his wet hair combed into place, wearing black slacks and a white button-up shirt, with a colorful tie. The transformation into businessman left Selene blinking. She had rarely seen him dressed for work. He looks nice, but not as nice as when he only wears a pair of shorts. She handed him a cup of coffee, which he sipped gratefully, sinking onto the chair beside her. She poured herself a second cup and sat next to him, marveling that she could reach out one hand and grasp his, with the expectation that he would take the offer. He did, and a wave of unfocused affection radiated into her. That feels awfully nice. She squeezed his fingers gently. “Brandon, I need to be at work by seven, but my Mazda was totaled in the fire. Can you give me a ride, or should I call a patrol car to pick me up? Man, it"s weird not to have a car.”

He looks nice, but not as nice as when he only wears a pair of shortsThat feels awfully nice.“Are you sure you want to go to work today?” he asked, worry creating that tiny eleven between his eyes that she"d noticed before. Grooves appeared around his mouth.

All that for me? Wow. Selene smiled. Admit it, girl. You"re digging being babied. But all she said was, “Completely. You"re going to be gone, and there"s nothing I can do here that I can"t do from the station. I really want to get going on the rape case, so no one else has to suffer like that poor lady did. She"s still in the hospital.”

All that for me? Wow.Admit it, girl. You"re digging being babied.“I understand,” he replied, not giving an inch, “but are you sure you"re up to it?”

I should be exasperated by his pestering, but I"m not. “Yes. I can"t remember ever feeling so well-rested and happy. It should help balance the stress of the job. You"re good for me, Brand.”

I should be exasperated by his pestering, but I"m not.He kissed her temple. “Don"t call for a ride. I"ll drive you. I have a client coming in at eight, so that will give me a few minutes to get ready. What are your hours today?”

“I"m fortunate to have a pretty regular schedule of seven to four,” she said. “Unless there"s an emergency.”

His look told her he understood just how often emergencies popped up. “I"m done at five. Would it make sense for me to pick you up on the way home?”

She grinned wryly. He knows me far too well. “Only an hour late? How novel. Let"s try it. If I have to stay later, I"ll call you.”

He knows me far too well“Don"t stay later,” he urged. “You need to have a life outside of work, you know.”

My goodness, that outside life has suddenly gotten a lot more interesting. Instead of filing paperwork long into the evening, I could be at home kissing my boyfriend, and… She gulped, realizing what the night would bring. With burning cheeks, she said, “I"ll try.”

My goodness, that outside life has suddenly gotten a lot more interesting. Instead of filing paperwork long into the evening, I could be at home kissing my boyfriend, and…Brandon helped himself to a bowl of cereal, and when he finished, Selene washed the dishes while he contemplated the contents of the freezer, eventually unwrapping some thin-cut pork chops and leaving them in the fridge to thaw. Then they climbed into Brandon"s pickup and drove to the station.

“What time is it?” Selene asked, popping her seatbelt and sliding along the bench seat to Brandon, curling her arms around his waist.

“Six fifty,” he replied, turning and cupping her face in one hand. He drew her toward him. Her belly fluttered in anticipation moments before his warm lips captured hers. Selene felt as though she were melting. The heat of her own desire, coupled with Brandon"s pouring through his fingertips into her skin, warmed her from the inside out.

“Hmmmm,” she hummed, shimmying closer. She released his lips, backed up and stared in wordless wonder into Brandon"s deep, dark eyes.

“Pretty lady,” he murmured.

Selene smiled. As one they moved back toward each other for another luscious embrace.

The seconds ticked away unnoticed, until Selene drew back with a gasp, whipping her head to the side to see the clock. “Crap. I have to go.”

“Remember. Five, Selene. Don"t be late,” he urged as she yanked the door open and jumped to the asphalt.

Pain radiated up her legs as the sensible ballet flats compressed against the hard surface. She rubbed one knee. Two minutes. Move your ass, Selene. Wasting not another minute, she hustled into the police station and managed to slip through the open door behind a coworker who had already been buzzed in. Selene power walked to the time clock, but she could feel the eyes on her from all around the room.

Two minutes. Move your ass, Selene.She punched in with only seconds to spare. This many years, and I"ve never been late. What a morning. Still feeling the warmth of Brandon"s lips on hers, a goofy smile spread across her face.

This many years, and I"ve never been late. What a morning.“Woo-hoo,” a male voice called. “What have you been up to, little sister?”

She turned and tried to glare at Tony, but before she could speak, another cop called out, “I think she"s been making out. We gonna have to kick someone"s ass?”

“Nah, let the girl have her fling. She deserves it.”

“What if it"s not a fling? I think Selene"s in looooove.”

“Okay,” Selene said loudly, “I"m only going to say this once. The man who brought me here yesterday is my boyfriend. His name is Brandon. I"m crazy about him, so please, no more comments. I"ll answer any legitimate questions later. Right now, I have a lot to do.”

It"s astonishing how much paperwork piles up over the weekend when you"re not on call, she thought, eying the messy mountain of sheets threatening to overflow her inbox. Then she clicked on her computer and sighed. Over a dozen interdepartmental emails. Selene banished the novelty of her new relationship and got right to work.

It"s astonishing how much paperwork piles up over the weekend when you"re not on callAfter a little while, Tony drifted over. “Hey, girl. Are you sure you want to be here today?”

Selene looked up in an email haze. “Of course. Why wouldn"t I?”

“Well, I mean, I saw you at the fire, and yesterday…”

“I"m fine,” she assured him. Goodness, the men in my life are intent on pestering me.

Goodness, the men in my life are intent on pestering me“But what about your boyfriend?”

She shot Tony a puzzled glance. “What about him? He"s at work.”

“He works?” Tony"s bushy eyebrows drew together, his forehead knotting in confusion.

“Are you serious, Tony?” Selene shot back, startled. “What kind of question is that? Of course, he works.”

“I don"t know, I just thought…” he stammered to a halt, a sheepish look on his face.

Oh, I know where he"s going with that, Selene realized, her rarely-incited temper flaring to life. “What, because he"s Native American?” she snapped.

Oh, I know where he"s going with that,Tony"s face went pale. His mouth opened and then closed

Selene gave him no chance to defend himself. “Don’t even think such things,” she snarled, chopping the air beside him with the side of her hand.

Tony shied away from the gesture as it neared the forearm he’d left bare when he"d rolled up his shirtsleeve.

Ignoring his discomfort, she continued her tirade in a rage-filled hiss. “Brand has a good job. He owns a home. He"s as middle class as they come, and even if he didn’t, even if he was unemployed and in poverty, would that make him less human? Less a man? How can someone who spends his days off volunteering at the homeless shelter even think such bullshit? Because you"re my friend, I"m going to pretend—once— you didn"t say that, but for heaven"s sake don"t do it again. Fast forward to the 21st century, please. Just because someone isn"t a WASP doesn"t make them some kind of vagrant. And let"s not forget what people used to say about Italians not that many years ago. Are you in the mob, Tony? No? Then shut the hell up about Brandon.”

They looked at each other in silence, and Selene could feel the heat creeping over her face as she realized what she"d just said to her friend. I"m not sorry. It"s not like me to be so harsh, but it’s important I stand up for what’s right.

I"m not sorry. It"s not like me to be so harsh, but it’s important I stand up for what’s right.Tony"s face turned sheepish in. “Delete comment. My bad. Let me try again. What does he do?”

She accepted the apology with a nod. “He"s a career counselor. When I realized that I wasn"t cut out for counseling myself, he"s the one who gave me a personality assessment and suggested I try law enforcement.”

Tony"s eyes widened. “You"ve known him a while, haven"t you?”

“My whole adult life. Longer than I"ve known you.”

“And wanted him the whole time, huh?” Tony"s tone and expression had turned sympathetic, not teasing.

Selene sighed. “Yes. The whole time.”

“Well, then, good for you, girl.” He balled up a fist and pressed it gently against the sleeve of her blouse. “It"s great when your dreams come true. You deserve it. He"d better be good to you, though, or he"s going to answer to an awful lot of people.”

“He treats me like a queen,” she replied, letting her mind wander for a brief moment to the astonishing sensation of being held close in Brandon"s arms.

Tony caught the flash of dreamy contentment, and his teasing grin returned.

Knowing she needed to change the subject quickly, Selene said, “Are there any new suspects on that rape case?”

“What do you want to go with this pork chops,” Brandon called in through the window from the backyard.

A waft of succulent smoke set Selene"s mouth watering. “Salad would be nice,” she replied. “Do you mind if I make it?”

“Sure you"re up to it?” he asked. “I"m used to making whole meals on my own.”

“I know,” she called back, “but I don"t mind. If you don"t either—if you"re not too territorial about the kitchen—I"d like to move dinner along. Honestly, I"m starving.” Hmmm. Starving? How long has it been since I can recall feeling hungry, rather than just being aware that it"s time to eat?

Hmmm. Starving? How long has it been since I can recall feeling hungry, rather than just being aware that it"s time to eat?“Make yourself at home, Selene,” Brandon replied. In the background, his oversized metal spatula scraped on the grates of the grill.

Selene got right to work hunting down a cutting board and retrieving a head of lettuce from the refrigerator. Looks perfect. Paired with cucumber, tomato and a bottle of vinaigrette, they should go a long way to cut the richness of the pork.

Looks perfect. Paired with cucumber, tomato and a bottle of vinaigrette, they should go a long way to cut the richness of the pork.A few minutes later, just as she was grating carrot into a bowl, Brandon bustled into the kitchen, a plate balanced on one hand.

“That was quick,” Selene commented.

“The chops are thin,” he replied. He set the plate on the counter and started digging in the cabinet below, eventually producing a box of foil, which he used to wrap the plate. “These need to rest a few minutes,” he informed her. “Can you pop that salad in the fridge?”

Selene complied, though the aroma of grilled meat tortured her. “Can we get out of here? It smells too good.”

“Sure,” he agreed. Casually grabbing her hand, he led her through the door into the living room and urged her to a seat on the couch, where he laced his fingers through hers and set them on his knee. “How does it work?” he asked.

“What?” Selene asked, distracted by the intense, surprising attraction she could still feel pouring into her.

“Your gift. I know it has something to do with touch, but what, specifically? Do you see people"s thoughts anytime there"s skin-to-skin contact?”

“Oh, that. I haven"t explained this to anyone in years.” She grinned. Makes sense to do it now though. He needs to know. “It"s not any touch. Only if your hands touch my skin. When we… when we kiss, I don"t see anything. If your elbow or knee touched mine, nothing would happen. I have no idea why the hands matter, but they do.”

Makes sense to do it now though. He needs to know.“Hmmm,” he replied, clearly pondering. Then, he took his free hand and cupped her cheek.

Can you feel this? Can you hear it? he thought.

Can you feel this? Can you hear it?Can you feel this? Can you hear it?“Clear as day,” she replied.

And now? He captured her lips in a tender kiss, all while pouring an intense… something into her with both hands.

And now?And now?“Oh, yes,” she breathed.” Leaning in, she captured his lips again.

The wordless sensation, whatever it was, had such power, Selene forgot her hunger. Forgot the constant litany of chatter that normally ran unchecked in the back of her mind. As his tongue slid against hers, she even forgot to feel startled or insecure. In the heat of Brandon"s desire, something frozen in Selene"s heart began to thaw.

“Dad?” The front door banged open and Maggie bustled in, carrying a large white box. “Selene, are you still here? I brought you some…oh s**t!”

shit“Actually, Maggie,” Brandon replied mildly, still clutching Selene, “I don"t intend to let her go anywhere.” Ever again, his mind added.

Ever again,Ever againSelene gasped, both from the surprise of the interruption and from the unexpected declaration.

Maggie blinked a couple of times. “This is a joke, right?”

“No, Maggie, it"s not,” Selene said softly.

“But…no, it can"t be,” Maggie stuttered. “Dad, you"re supposed to go out with someone your own age, not one of my friends! Selene is too young for you. You can"t be together, not the two of you. No way. What the hell are you thinking?” Her words grew louder and faster with each passing second.

“She"s not as young as you are, Maggie,” Brandon pointed out.

Maggie was having none of it. She nailed her father and best friend with a furious glare. “She"s still too young for you! This must be some kind of sick trophy thing.”

“That"s not true,” Selene said. Her stomach fluttered, and her face burned. “I"m no trophy. We… we care for each other, Maggie. Don"t you want that for your dad? For me?”

After an internal battle for calm raged across Maggie’s face, she responded with, “Well, yes, but not with each other. This freaking sucks. I don"t believe it. I just don"t believe it. How could you two do this to me?” Her voice broke.

Selene"s heart clenched.

“Maggie,” Brandon said, “we"re not doing anything to you. This really doesn"t have anything to do with you.” He sounded surprisingly calm amid the turmoil.

“Nothing to do with me? I catch my dad making out with my best friend, and you say it has nothing to do with me?” she shrieked.

“Maggie please, can"t you try to accept this? You know how much he means to me.” Selene left the warmth of Brandon"s embrace to touch her friend"s sleeve.

Maggie jerked away. “You must just be sooooo happy, Selene. You"ve wanted him for years. How can you be so selfish?” Her eyes narrowed. “Did you sleep with him?”

Oh, Lord, not that question. “What do you mean by sleep with?” Selene stalled.

Oh, Lord, not that question.“Don"t be stupid, Selene. Did you f**k my dad?”

“Maggie Elizabeth!” Brandon scolded.

“Answer the question,” she demanded, unmoved by her father"s stern tone.

“No, Maggie, I"m didn"t,” Selene said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Not yet.”

“Yet?”

“I don"t think it will be long.” Selene blushed and looked away. “And I did sleep with him—in the same bed—last night.”

“Well, this is just lovely.” Maggie turned to Brandon. “I can"t believe you would choose her over me!”

“That"s not true. I haven"t chosen anyone over you. You"re my daughter. You always will be. Selene is my girlfriend. There isn"t an either-or here.”

Tears prickled in the corners of Selene"s eyes. Ragged breaths clawed at her chest. How can he still be so calm, so reasonable?

How can he still be so calm, so reasonable?“Yes, there is! If you"re seeing HER,” Maggie stabbed an angry finger in Selene"s direction, “You sure won"t be seeing much of me. And you, Selene.” She turned on her friend with a glower so aggressive, Selene felt it like a physical blow. She stepped back involuntarily as Maggie continued. “I thought you were my friend! Turns out you were just after my dad.”

“Maggie, that"s enough,” Brandon snapped. “You"re way out of line, young lady.”

“I"m not twelve, Dad,” Maggie sneered. Maggie’s biceps flexed, making the bag she was holding crackle. “Are you going to send me to my room next, so you can be alone with her?”

“No,” Selene protested, not wanting to hear what either of them might come up with next. “No…”

“Selene.” Brandon squeezed her hand, noticing her distress. “Selene, it"s okay.”

“It"s not okay,” Maggie shouted. “I came to see if you were recovering after the fire, and to offer my apartment until you can get back on your feet, and this is what I find? No, just no.”

“Maggie, calm down,” Brandon snapped.

“Calm down, he says. Calm down. I"ll give you calm.” She dropped a grocery bag to the floor. A boar bristle hairbrush, a bunch of scrunchies and a pretty headband spilled out. “You know what? Since you found what you needed to replace me, have fun. I"ll be around… or not.” She wheeled and darted out of the door, slamming it with such force, the window vibrated.

“Oh, God. What have we done?” Selene whispered.

“Nothing,” Brandon replied. “We haven"t done anything, Selene. She"ll get over it. She always did want to direct my life, and it annoys her that she can"t.”

.“Brand, she"s legitimately upset,” Selene pointed out to him.

“That may be, but she"s also being ridiculous. I think, once she settles down, she"ll see that us being together actually makes it easier for her. Now, listen,” he lifted his hand and ran his fingers through her hair, making her tingle all over, “let"s try to let this go. We haven"t harmed my daughter. All we did was discover an important truth about ourselves. She may not like it, but she doesn"t get a vote. She"s grown and living her life. I finally get to do the same. She"ll come around and all will be well. You"ll see.”

Selene bit her lip, her eager appetite banished by the emotional scene. “I hope you"re right,” she told him. “I wouldn"t want to lose you… but I don"t want to lose her either.”