Part 3 (1/2)

”I know you do, and I love you for it, but believe me when I say I'm fine. To tell you the truth, I'm actually looking forward to a change of scenery.” Rheyna reached over and pulled the envelope out from beneath the keys. She raised the flap and pulled out the contents. She looked at the copy of her new California driver's license. ”This isn't too bad. At least they let me keep my first name, and I'm only twenty-eight.”

Laura snorted. ”In your dreams, you're twenty-eight. How old are you, anyway?”

Rheyna tossed her the driver's license. ”Thirty-five and holding with a birthday coming up in May, smart a.s.s.”

Laura did a mock salute and curled her upper lip, doing her best Elvis impersonation and said, ”Thank'ya, thank'ya very much. I'll be here all week.”

Rheyna shook her head and laughed. ”You're just not right. That's all there is to it.”

Laura glanced at the driver's license. ”That's not too bad, considering what name they could've given you. What's left?” she asked.

Rheyna skimmed through the other doc.u.ments. ”A college transcript from Oklahoma University for a B.A.S. in Photography and a Chequotah, Oklahoma police report showing that I was arrested as a juvenile for petty theft and vandalism.” Rheyna felt the color drain from her face.

Laura must have seen it, too. ”What is it? What's wrong?” Laura asked, taking the papers from Rheyna's hand. She looked at the doc.u.ments and shook her head. ”You know these aren't real,” she said, throwing her arms around Rheyna's shoulders.

”I know, but it's still a little unnerving.” Rheyna gathered up all the doc.u.ments and photos. ”I think I've seen enough,” she said and walked over to the fireplace. She knelt down on one knee, slid open the screen and tossed all the items into the fire. It didn't take long for the dancing flames to turn the papers into a pile of ashes. She thought about her parents and decided to give them a call before she left on her flight.

”I can't believe how late it is,” Laura said as the cuckoo bird above the mantle signaled that it was midnight.

Rheyna closed the fire screen and turned to look at her. ”I know, and I still have to pack.”

Laura stood and brushed off her slacks. ”And I have to go home and break the news to Stacie. I have a feeling she's not going to be too happy with me.”

”If I know Stacie, she'll be up waiting for you and she'll handle it just fine,” Rheyna said as she walked Laura to the door. ”Thank you, and be safe driving home,” she said, leaning forward to hug Laura.

”You're welcome, and I will. You have a safe flight and I'll talk to you sometime tomorrow night.”

Rheyna watched her back out of the driveway. She stood there looking out the window for a good fifteen minutes before heading upstairs. Her thoughts turned to Anthony Castrucci, and she unconsciously s.h.i.+vered. She pushed the uneasy feeling out of her mind, thinking she would try to get a couple hours' sleep before packing her clothes.

Laura locked the door and turned off the lamp on the end table. She tiptoed down the hall to the bedroom. She tossed her coat across the back of a chair and unb.u.t.toned her blouse.

”Hey, baby, I was hoping you'd still be up.”

Stacie sat up and stretched her arms over her head. She tried to stifle a yawn. ”You know I have trouble sleeping without you next to me.”

Laura pulled a t-s.h.i.+rt over her head and hopped on the bed beside her. ”About that-you may have to get used to it for awhile.”

Stacie frowned. ”You have a new a.s.signment, don't you?”

Laura nodded. ”I leave tomorrow afternoon.”

”How long will you be gone?”

”I'm not sure. It could be a couple weeks, or it could be a couple months. It all depends on how long the operation drags out.”

Stacie wrapped her arms around the top of her knees and laid her head against them. ”I don't want you to go.”

Laura reached over and pulled Stacie down on top of her. ”Oh, sweetheart. I don't want you to be sad.” Laura ran her fingers through the long red curls flowing down Stacie's back. ”I'll come home every couple of weeks for a night or two, if I can manage the time. I promise.”

”Is it dangerous?” Stacie managed to ask as Laura began trailing kisses along the side of her neck.

”You know-”

”I know you can't talk about your cases,” Stacie interrupted. ”I just want to know if you'll be in any danger. You know how I tend to worry.”

”Yes, it could be dangerous,” Laura answered honestly.

Stacie's body tensed. She held Laura at arm's length to look her directly in the eyes.

”Sweetheart, I'll be there in a support position only.” Laura squeezed her arms tight around Stacie's waist. ”The real danger will be with Rheyna.”

Stacie rolled over and leaned on her elbow. ”Rheyna's on this a.s.signment, too?”

”Yes, and I'm sorry honey, but I can't give you any more details.”

”I hate this part of your job.”

”I know you do and I hate this part myself.”

”Can you at least tell me where you'll be?”

”I'll be in California.”

”You tell Rheyna I said to be careful.”

”I will. Now, come over here,” Laura said, pulling Stacie down beside her. ”I might not get to see you for awhile,” she said, and then her mouth hungrily claimed Stacie's soft lips. Laura slowly made her way down to Stacie's breast. Stacie s.h.i.+vered as Laura's tongue made circling motions around her nipple before consuming it in her mouth.

”Don't think ... think this makes up for you leaving,” Stacie managed to say, her breath catching in her throat.

”No, but it's a good start,” she whispered against Stacie's skin. Laura slowly made her way down her lover's body. G.o.d, how I love the smell, the taste of this woman, she thought as she kissed the inside of Stacie's thigh. She rubbed her cheek over the small tuft of hair, savoring the scent. Stacie moaned as Laura's tongue gently licked along the sides of her c.l.i.toris.

Stacie gripped the sheets with both hands. ”You're slowly killing me, you know?”

”Am I?” Laura moaned as she explored the soft wetness now surrounding her fingers. Stacie's hips began to move against her fingers with slow, deliberate thrusts.

”Oh, G.o.d,” Stacey groaned as Laura's soft, hot mouth paralyzed her. Without thought, her legs spread wider. Laura could feel Stacie growing harder with each tantalizing lick. She tightened her arms around Stacie's legs and drank in her lover's sweetness. Stacie reached down and ran her fingers through Laura's hair, holding her close as she began to climax, her back arching, her body shaking to the core.

Stacie fell back on the bed breathless, her chest heaving up and down until finally she pushed Laura away. ”No more, baby, no more.”

Laura laid her head against Stacie's wet belly and tried to calm her own uneven heartbeat. Like an aftershock, she felt Stacie's hips raise slightly, thrust forward and tighten before finally relaxing. She clamped her own legs together in an attempt to quiet the overwhelming ache settling in her groin.

After a few minutes, Stacie sat up and leaned forward. She reached down and grabbed the top of Laura's t-s.h.i.+rt. With one fluid motion, she pulled it over Laura's head and tossed it on the floor. ”Jesus, Laura, I'm thinking you should go away more often.”

Laura's voice was husky with desire. ”I wouldn't go that far.”