Chapter Twenty-Three 3 page

“Hi,” Cam rose and walked around the table to sit next to Blair. “Okay?” She touched her fingertips briefly to Blair’s leg, then put her hand back in her lap.

“Sure.” Blair regarded her father. “I know there are some things we can’t talk about, but Cam is my partner. She almost died ten days ago. What more can you ask of her?”

Andrew Powell, in his early fifties but looking a decade younger, with thick wavy hair and blue eyes the exact color of Blair’s, regarded her with an expression that might have been sympathy or regret. “We need good people, Blair, especially now. And Cam is one of them.”

Blair shook her head. “How many times? Is there a quota on bullet holes? Concussions? Because she’s had her share. More than her share.”

“Blair,” Cam murmured. “Let’s hear what the president has to say.”

“I’m not talking to the president,” Blair retorted. “I’m talking to my father. That counts for something, doesn’t it, Dad? Just a little?”

“I’m your father,” the president said. “It means everything.”

“But you’re still going to ask her, aren’t you? For whatever job needs doing, no matter what it might cost.”

Andrew Powell shifted his gaze to Cam. “You can say no, no questions asked. No one will think less of you.”

Blair snorted. “That’s because the people giving the orders are sitting safe behind some desk somewhere. They don’t have the balls for anything else.”

Cam waited.

“Three weeks ago,” Powell said, “I established the Office of Homeland Security. I expect within a year the office will become a Cabinet department. We’re drawing from all sectors of domestic and foreign security to fill the critical positions.”

“Field posts or administrative?” Cam asked.

“Both.”

“Answering to whom?”

“For now, to the Director of Homeland Security—who answers to me.”

“Anti-terrorism?” Cam asked, very aware that she was interrogating the president, and he was allowing it. She wondered how much that had to do with her relationship with Blair. Quite a lot, she imagined.

“That and border security. Possibly Customs. We’ll work those things out as we finalize the Cabinet level responsibilities.”

“Why can’t the security agencies we already have handle anti-terrorism?” Blair asked. “The CIA, the FBI, the military security divisions. God, how many are there?”

“A lot, and that’s part of the problem,” the president said. “We obviously need to centralize and oversee intelligence gathering, analysis, projections—the whole thing. And we need to be able to respond with effective, organized force.”

Cam leaned forward. “On domestic soil?”

Powell’s face hardened. “If need be.”

“It’s going to take some doing to get the FBI, CIA, DOJ, and military intelligence to play together,” Cam observed.

“I know that. And time is something we don’t have.” He stood and walked to his desk, then returned to his seat with a thick folder. “We’re organizing a number of special teams immediately, drawing from personnel across security divisions. I’d like you to head one, Cam.”

“On behalf of the Secret Service?” Cam asked.

The president shook his head. “Obviously, all of this is for your ears only, but I expect we’ll move the Secret Service completely into Homeland Security within the next few months. I want you as one of the new deputy directors of the OHS.”

“In what capacity?” She quelled the quick surge of excitement. The balance of power within the intelligence community was shifting, and she was being offered a premier seat.

“Counterintelligence.”

Cam looked at Blair, and her focus instantly shifted from exhilaration to concern. Blair was pale, and the shadows beneath her eyes were back. “I can’t give you an answer right now, Mr. President. Blair and I need to talk.”

“I understand. Once you’ve decided, we can discuss specifics.”

“Thank you, sir,” Cam said, standing and extending her hand.

Powell rose to return the handshake. “I couldn’t discuss this with you beforehand, Blair. With either of you. It’s a matter of national security.”

“Of course,” Blair said dully. “It always is.”

Stark approached as Cam and Blair stepped into the lobby.

“We’ll be going directly to my apartment, Chief,” Cam said.

“Very well.” Stark murmured a few words into her radio. “The vehicle’s right outside.”

“Thank you.”

Blair was silent on the walk to the Suburban and remained that way for the cross-town ride. When they reached Cam’s building, Blair automatically took her position between Stark and Hara, with Cam and the third agent slightly behind her as they entered the lobby and crossed to the elevator.

“Hara, you’re on radio backup. Wozinski, you’ll take the lobby this shift.” Stark glanced at Blair. “Will you be going out this evening?”

“I don’t know,” Blair said as she stepped into the elevator ahead of Cam and Stark.

“You can reach me on my cell should you decide—”

“I know that.”

When the elevator doors opened, Stark checked the hall before allowing Blair to exit. There were only two apartments per floor with doors opening off each end of a spacious, carpeted foyer and small seating area. The short hallway and the alcove next to the elevator were empty.

Cam removed her keys from her pocket. “I’ll check the apartment, if you want to wait here with Ms. Powell.”

Blair made no objection, and when Cam emerged from the apartment a moment later and held the door open, Blair walked past her with no comment. Cam followed her inside and closed the door.

“Hungry?”

Blair glanced at her watch. “Diane should be here soon. Let’s wait.” She checked her phone, then pushed a button. “I’ll see where she is. We can order pizza.”

“Okay. Let me have your jacket.” Cam held out her hand for Blair’s leather blazer. She hung it in the closet next to her own, listening as Blair spoke with Diane.

“Where are you?...Do you need a ride? Are you sure?...Okay. See you soon.”

“She’s on the train?” Cam asked.

“Yes. She’ll be here in about an hour.”

Cam crossed the room, took Blair’s hand, and drew her to the sofa in front of the windows. “Let’s talk.”

Blair leaned against Cam’s shoulder. “Why? It never changes anything.”

“I didn’t see this coming,” Cam said. She eased her arm around Blair’s shoulders and drew Blair against her side. She leaned her cheek against Blair’s hair. “I didn’t give much thought to this homeland security business when I first heard about it. It’s going to be a huge bureaucratic snafu with all the security agencies struggling to protect their turf. That’s not my style.”

“My father wants you to head a special team.” Blair said. “That always means outside normal channels. That’s your style.”

“I admit that’s a little more appealing. I’ve never had a desk job. I don’t want one.”

“I know. You’re a field agent. But we’re not talking about chasing counterfeiters, Cam. Special teams for homeland security means terrorists. It means something dangerous.”

“Not necessarily. Most of the time special teams are assembled just because they’re more efficient at gathering information. It’s still mostly desk work.”

Blair tilted her head up. “That’s bullshit.”

Cam smiled. “We don’t know what your father wants me to do.”

“You can’t possibly think it’s a coincidence that Lucinda brought up Valerie Lawrence right before my father asked you to head up a special counterintelligence team. Do you?”

“No,” Cam said quietly. “I don’t.”

“My father can’t talk about those kinds of operations, but Lucinda can, which is why she met with us first.” Abruptly, Blair stood up, walked to the windows, and spoke with her back to Cam. “They want Valerie, and they’ll use me and my friendship with Diane if I let them. And they’ll use you, because you…” She raised her hand, then let it fall. “Because you were in love with her.”

Cam crossed to Blair and rested her hands on Blair’s shoulders, drawing her gently back until their bodies connected. “You know that’s not true. What happened between us was limited to a few disconnected hours. It had nothing to do with the rest of our lives. And I didn’t know she was a counterintelligence operative. Jesus, I thought she was a prostitute.”

“I know all that. And I know you had feelings for her. I’ve told you before, it’s okay.” Blair shrugged, her back still to Cam. “Well, mostly okay. Except now and then when I let myself notice how beautiful she is.”

Cam nuzzled Blair’s hair. “I was never in love with her.”

“She was special, though. She had to be, for you to care for her.” Blair half turned so she could see Cam’s face. “Do you trust her?”

“That’s part of what I’m going to have to decide. Because if I undertake this assignment, and it’s Valerie they want me to find, I have to know who I’m going after.”

Blair turned completely and threaded her arms around Cam’s waist. “If you take the assignment?”

“I won’t do it if you don’t want me to.”

Blair pulled away. “I hate when you do this.”

“Do what?”

“Make me be part of the decision. It was easier when you just did what you wanted. Then I could be angry with you for doing it.”

“You’re losing me.” Cam caught Blair’s hand again. “If I’ve learned anything about being with you, it’s that I’m supposed to talk about things with you. Don’t confuse me.”

Blair grabbed Cam’s shoulders, jerked her close, and kissed her. Hard. “How would you feel about me if I said no. I don’t want you to do it.”

“I love you.”

“I can’t stand worrying about you. I can’t take one more phone call telling me you’re hurt.”

“I won’t do it.”

“I want you to take a supervisory position in homeland security. You know how to run teams. You can do it without being on the street.”

“Okay.”

Blair squeezed Cam’s shoulders, felt the hard muscles ripple under her fingers. She flashed on an image of Cam naked, her body toned and tight. Her body scarred. Her body battle ready. She kissed her again, tasting the heat of her mouth, feeling the strength in her arms as they came around her and held her tightly. “I love you so much.”

“Blair.” Cam whispered, sliding her fingers down over Blair’s chest to cradle her breast. She kissed Blair’s throat as Blair’s nipple hardened against her palm. “I never want to hurt you.”

“I know,” Blair breathed, arching her back and exposing herself to Cam’s mouth, offering the vulnerable vessels in her neck to the glide of teeth and tongue. She covered Cam’s hand where it held her breast and pressed down, moaning at the ache of pleasure that shimmered through her. “Do what you have to do.”

Cam splayed her hand over Blair’s back and pulled Blair’s shirt from her jeans. She kissed down Blair’s throat to the hollow between her collarbones. “What are you saying?”

Blair leaned away and pulled off her top, then swiftly released her bra and dropped it to the floor. She arched her back, breasts lifting in invitation while she fumbled at her jeans. “Hurry. We don’t have much time.”

Swiftly, Cam pushed Blair down onto the wide leather sofa and knelt to pull off her boots. Grabbing the top of her jeans, she stripped the denim and silk away in one long wrenching pull until Blair was nude.

“Lie down,” Cam ordered. Easing between Blair’s legs, she braced an arm by Blair’s shoulders and kissed her. While she stroked inside Blair’s mouth, she cupped her sex. Blair was wet, swollen, already opening for her. Blair’s hands came into her hair and Cam slid into her. Blair jolted and cried out.

“I never want to hurt you,” Cam said desperately, her breath tearing from her chest as she pushed deeper.

“You aren’t. You can’t. Not when you lo—oh, god.” Blair gripped Cam’s forearm as Cam thrust between her legs. She drove her pelvis up to meet Cam plunging down, the pressure building, burning, blinding. “Cam, I…”

“Blair, Blair,” Cam groaned against Blair’s mouth. “Come, baby. Oh Jesus, please let me feel you come.”

“Oh now,” Blair cried, her nails digging into Cam’s arm. Her abdomen tightened and she jerked upright, clutching Cam as her orgasm spilled from her. “Hold me. Hold me. God, please hold me.”

Cam gripped Blair tightly and as Blair’s body sagged, she eased her back onto the sofa, shifting until she could lie beside Blair and hold her in her arms. “Okay? Baby, you okay?”

Blair pressed her face to Cam’s chest, listening to her heart thunder. “God. You make me come like nobody’s business.”

Laughing, Cam stroked her hair. “Is that right.”

“Mmm.” Blair stretched and eased her thigh between Cam’s legs. “You sound hoarse again. Is your throat okay?”

“Everything feels fabulous.”

Blair nudged Cam’s crotch. “How ’bout this?”

“Fabulously horny.”

“Thought so.” Blair gripped the button on Cam’s fly.

Cam stopped her. “Uh-uh. Not now. I’ll last.”

“Since when?”

“Since Diane’s going to be here any minute.”

“Darling,” Blair said in a reasonable voice. “I can make you come in under thirty seconds.”

Cam kissed Blair lightly. “That’s true. But I want you to take a lot longer.”

Blair sighed. “If that’s what you want, I suppose I can be patient.”

“So,” Cam shifted onto her back so that Blair lay partially upon her, “you want to explain what you said back then just as my mind was melting?”

Blair skimmed her hand back and forth over Cam’s chest. “I told you the truth. I don’t want you to be in danger. I want you to be safe.” She met Cam’s questioning gaze. “But I don’t want my love to keep you from being who you are. Or doing what you have to do. So you have to promise me, on your word of honor, that you won’t let anything happen to you. Swear it.”

“I swear,” Cam whispered, stroking Blair’s cheek. “I swear I will love you with my whole heart every day for the rest of my life.”

Blair blinked back tears. “That’s not what I asked.”

“I know. I’ll be careful.”

Blair settled down again and pressed her face to Cam’s neck. “So noted, Commander.”

Chapter Five

“There!” Diane Bleeker leaned forward over the front seat of the cab and pointed to a building on the right side of the street. “That’s it—1202.”

When the cabbie swerved toward the curb, a horn blared behind them, making Diane jump. She peered out the street-side window in time to see a black sedan rocket by. The cabdriver muttered an expletive as he parked and climbed out to retrieve Diane’s luggage from the trunk.

Diane handed him a ten after he’d set her suitcases on the sidewalk outside Cam’s building. The door opened as she hauled her luggage toward it, and she smiled in recognition at the burly blond who stood just inside. Agent Wozinski made some linebackers look small.

“Hi, Greg.”

“Ms. Bleeker.”

Diane shook her head. She’d given up trying to get him to call her Diane even though she’d once spent a week with Blair and had seen him every day during that time. In the fifteen years that she’d been friends with Blair, she’d grown used to the presence of security agents. But it had never been like this. So many, keeping such a close watch. She was surprised that Blair didn’t break out more often. She would have.

“Okay to go up?” she asked.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll call up and announce you.”

“It’s 501, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

The elevator was efficient, and Diane suspected that she arrived outside Cam’s door seconds after Wozinski called. When she rang the bell, Blair immediately answered.

“Hi.” Blair pulled her into a hug. “I’m so glad you came.”

Diane hugged her back, surprised at the intensity of Blair’s embrace. She leaned back, her arms clasped loosely around Blair’s waist, and studied her. Blair looked more rested than when she’d seen her ten days ago, but she could hardly look worse than she had the day after both Cam and Renée had been injured. Still, there was something in Blair’s eyes that telegraphed worry. Worry and...regret?

“Are you okay?” Diane looked past Blair into the expansive living room beyond. Cam, who stood behind a small bar tucked into the far corner of the room, nodded in greeting. As usual, Diane could tell nothing from her expression. She waved and returned her attention to Blair. “Did Lucinda give you a terrible task?”

“The usual,” Blair said, trying to inject lightness into her tone. “I don’t have all the details yet.” She grasped the larger of Diane’s suitcases. “Come on, let me show you where the guest room is.”

Diane hesitated. “Are you sure? I can stay at a hotel and give you two some privacy. I don’t need to stay here.”

Blair shook her head. “No, I want you to stay here.” She followed the direction of Diane’s gaze. “Cam is fine with it. Really.” She laughed without much humor. “And God knows, we’re used to having people around all the time. At least with you, it’s by choice.”

“You’re sure?” Diane realized that she really wanted to stay with Blair. She’d been lonely almost beyond bearing in a city still in the throes of grief.

“Positive.” Blair took Diane’s free hand and tugged her into the apartment. “So this is the living room, bathroom’s over there, and the guest room is down this hallway.” She nodded to the opposite side of the living room. “Our bedroom is over there.”

Diane glanced back over her shoulder as she followed Blair. “Well, hell, I won’t even be able to listen.”

Blair laughed. “Like you haven’t heard it all before. Well, at least me.”

“That’s true,” Diane said as they both set her luggage down in the guest room. “But we were sixteen.”

“Cam is opening some wine.” Blair took in Diane’s dark brown Tahari pantsuit and ivory silk shell. “Why don’t you change into something sloppy and comfortable and join us in the living room. We ordered pizza.”

“God, that sounds fabulous.” Diane removed her raincoat and draped it over the chair that sat in front of a narrow writing desk, kicked off her Jimmy Choos, and flopped backwards onto the bed. She patted the space beside her as she curled on her side. “Stay for a minute first.”

Blair climbed onto the bed and propped her head in the palm of her hand, facing Diane. As usual, Diane looked beautiful. Her shoulder length hair was more gold than Blair’s honeyed tones, and nearly straight, framing a dramatic oval face with ice blue eyes. Katherine Hepburn in blond. “I feel like we’re back in prep school.”

“Sometimes I wish we were.” Diane smiled wanly. She looked tired. Who didn’t? Her eyes grew distant. “No, on second thought, maybe not. Because if we went back, I’d still be trying to seduce you, and you’d still be breaking my heart.”

“As I recall,” Blair said fondly, “you did seduce me.”

“I dragged you into bed when you were stoned. Plus, you’d been coming on to me all night, so that doesn’t count.” Diane laughed at the memory. “It was good sex though, wasn’t it?”

“We were fifteen. Of course it was.” Blair sighed. “I do love you, you know.”

“I know.” Diane stroked Blair’s arm. “So what’s wrong?”

Blair shook her head. She couldn’t tell Diane about the situation with Valerie, not until she’d had time to talk to Cam some more. Not until she’d had a chance to decide what she’d do if Cam sided with Lucinda and her father. Her mind rebelled at the possibility, because she wasn’t sure what she would do if she had to fight everyone she cared about. She wasn’t sure she could stand being at odds with Cam over something like this.

“God, you look sad, honey.” Diane slid her hand to the back of Blair’s neck and massaged her gently. “Is something wrong with Cam? Is she in trouble over what happened at the compound?”

“No,” Blair said quickly. “I’m just tired. And the last thing I wanted was to be dragged back here.”

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on? Because I’m probably the only person in the world besides Cam who can tell when you’re upset and trying not to show it.”

“I will,” Blair said, realizing there was no point in denying what Diane already knew. “As soon as I can.”

Diane sat up and slipped off her jacket, then laid it on the bed beside her. “Do you think Cam can find out where Valerie is?”

Blair caught her breath, glad that Diane wasn’t looking at her. She took an extra second to be sure her voice was steady. “I don’t know. Why?”

Diane stood, unbuttoned her slacks, and slipped them off. Wearing just her blouse and panties, she opened her suitcase and lifted out a pair of soft, faded jeans. She pulled them on and zipped them, then lifted off the shell and placed it with her suit. “Because I thought I’d hear from her by now, and I haven’t. And I don’t know how to go about finding her.”

“Maybe it would be better if you didn’t find her,” Blair said carefully.

“You mean you think her disappearing act was just her way of dumping me?” Diane donned a pale blue cotton shirt and buttoned it, turning partially away from the bed so that Blair wouldn’t see her hands shaking. She knew what Blair was trying to say, and she had considered that obvious explanation every day since Valerie had vanished one morning before dawn. They’d had an affair and now it was over and she was a fool not to simply accept it. “You think I should just let her go?”

“I don’t know, Diane,” Blair said gently. “But it’s complicated with Valerie. There’s no way of knowing if she left because she wanted to or because she had to. But either way, she left without explaining, so I can’t imagine she wants you to go looking for her.”

“She did call me.” Diane referred to the brief call the morning that Valerie had disappeared. The morning of the raid on the mountain stronghold of a group of paramilitary fanatics. “That must mean something. If she was...moving on, why call?”

Blair agreed, but was afraid to say so. She wasn’t sure it was safe for Diane to have anything to do with Valerie now. Not when it seemed like half the country was looking for her. “You know she’s an agent, and the whole national security system is in an uproar now. It’s going to take time for everything to settle down. Weeks. Months maybe.”

“I don’t want to wait months to talk to her. To see her again.” Diane turned her back and walked to the window. She wrapped her arms around herself. “I miss her. God, I miss her.”

“Oh, hey,” Blair said, hating the pain in Diane’s voice. She scrambled off the bed and crossed to Diane, hugging her from behind.

“Maybe Cam could just get a message to her from me. Just so she knows—” Diane struggled with tears. “Just so she knows I haven’t given up.”

“I’ll do what I can,” Blair whispered.

Diane leaned back in Blair’s arms and rested her cheek against Blair’s. “Thanks.”

Blair held her tightly, wondering what she’d just promised. And how she could keep her word to one woman she loved without betraying another.

The elevator jerked to a stop and Paula opened her eyes. For a few dizzying seconds, she wasn’t sure where she was. Two women and a man, all in business suits, stood talking to her left, ignoring her as she leaned against the wall in the corner. She blinked at the number panel. 10^th floor. A glossy picture of a restaurant on the far wall advertised the Veranda at the Wyndham Washington, DC. She was at the hotel where the team stayed when on temporary assignment in the Capitol. She remembered Hara dropping her off out front before he took the Suburban around to a special reserved parking slot. Then what?

Jesus, was it possible she’d fallen asleep standing up?

“Excuse me.” Flushing with embarrassment, she pushed away from the wall and jumped between the elevator doors as they started to close. Some Secret Service agent. She’d completely lost track of her surroundings. It didn’t matter that she wasn’t on duty. It was her job to be observant.

She slid the plastic card key from her pocket as she strode quickly down the hallway, hoping to leave her discomfiture behind. She let herself into room 1020. It was dark and still inside, and for an instant, she thought she was in the wrong place.

“Renée?” Unconsciously, she swept her blazer back and rested her hand on the grip of the Sig Sauer holstered on her right hip. “Babe?”

“I’m here,” Renée Savard replied.

Paula felt on the wall for the switch, then hesitated. “Can I turn on the light?”

“Just a second.”

Paula heard the squeak of springs, then the bedside lamp came on. Renée, still in the clothes she had traveled in, lay on top of the covers on the queen sized bed. Renée’s holstered service weapon rested on the bedside table next to a prescription medicine bottle. Paula’s stomach tightened, but she forced a smile as she crossed the room and leaned down to kiss her lover. She brushed her hand over Renée’s cheek.

“Taking a nap?”

“Trying to.”

Paula settled gingerly on the side of the bed and tapped the immobilizer encircling Renée’s leg. “Is your knee bothering you?”

“It’s fine,” Renée said sharply, then just as quickly caught Paula’s hand as Paula started to get up. “I’m sorry. Yeah, it’s a little bit sore.” She gestured toward the medicine bottle on the table. “I’m trying not to take those things, but my whole body aches from not being able to move around much. This fucking immobilizer—” She trailed off, looking disgusted. “Christ, you’ve been on your feet working since dawn, and I’m complaining.”

Renée closed her eyes and turned her head away.

“Since I’m here now and can wait on you,” Paula said lightly as she released the Velcro straps on the stiff wraparound brace, “why don’t we take this off. The doctor didn’t say you couldn’t bend your knee, just that you couldn’t weight-bear. No wonder it hurts, being squeezed in this thing for hours. You want me to lock up your weapon, too?”

“You should. I was going to wait until you got here to set the combination on the safe.”

“I’ll take care of it in a minute,” Paula said, enormously relieved. She should know better than to think Renée would even consider…she couldn’t even complete the thought. Unexpectedly, she felt tears prick at her eyes and she blinked hard, her jaws clamped tight.

“What?” Renée studied her through narrowed eyes.

“Nothing,” Paula said hoarsely. “Just tired.”

Renée glanced from Paula to the bedside table, and she breathed in sharply. “You didn’t think? Oh, sweetie, never.”

“I know,” Paula said, cradling Renée’s hand in both of hers. “I know. Just for a minute there, when I walked in, it all felt so strange. Then I saw—” she shook her head. “Everything is changing so fast, sometimes I just feel confused.”

“Where’s Blair?”

“At the commander’s,” Paula said, unconcerned by the apparent switch in topic. Nothing happened in her life, or for the last few months, in Renée’s, until what really mattered was squared away. And that was Blair Powell’s security. “She should be in for the night. Greg is there now, and Hara will take the overnight watch. I’ll pick her up in the morning, unless she calls to tell me she’s going out.”

“Good. Secure our weapons and change into something comfortable. Then, come lie down with me.”

“Should I order us something to eat?”

Renée carefully drew her legs up and pulled the covers aside. She opened her jeans and started to push them down over her hips. “In a little while.”

“Okay.” Paula picked up Renée’s weapon and unholstered her own. She crossed to the closet and, after setting the combination on the in-room safe, stored them away. Then she closed the drapes, stripped down, and folded her clothes over the arm of the reading chair in front of the windows. “I could probably use a shower.”

“Let’s talk for a second. Then we can order dinner and shower while we wait for it to get here.”

Paula lifted the covers and slid into bed. She turned on her side and kissed Renée softly. “I missed you today.” Carefully, she slid her arm around Renée’s shoulders and eased onto her back with Renée in her arms.

“What’s going on with Blair needing to come back here, do you know?” Renée rested her cheek against Paula’s breasts with a sigh.

Paula hesitated. It was an innocent enough question, but she felt protective of Blair in a way she hadn’t before, even though she had been prepared to protect her at the cost of her own life for more than a year.

“Never mind,” Renée said flatly into the silence. “That was out of line.”

“No,” Paula said. “It wasn’t. You’ve been part of the team in one way or another for months.”

“But?”

Paula sighed. “I’m not sure.”

Renée kissed the soft, smooth skin of Paula’s breast. “It’s different, being her security chief, isn’t it?”

“You know, I owe you an apology,” Paula whispered.

“What?” Renée raised her head, her expression concerned. “What are you talking about?”

“I never asked you how you felt about me accepting this assignment. I’m sorry.”

Renée inched away and leaned on her elbow, trailing the fingers of her other hand absently up and down Paula’s stomach. “Sweetie, you got a promotion that you deserved. I’m really proud of you. Don’t you know that? Because if I didn’t let you know that—”

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 667