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“Thank you,” she murmured and stepped into her arms.

The move was unexpected, but it also seemed incredibly easy. Pretty much like the most natural thing in the world to happen at this stage. Anyway, Kim did it before Cody had time to react. Her fingers on her cheek had felt so damn good… Cody absorbed this. She was almost sorry the touch did not last a bit longer. But now, a full embrace... She stiffened a bit, in surprise more than anything else, when Kim leaned into her. And soon realized that she was on fire everywhere they came into contact. The hug was both exciting and grounding at the same time. Again, without thinking, Cody tightened her hold. When Kim responded in kind, she was thrilled. And when these hot fingers came to rest at the back of her neck, on naked skin, she closed her eyes. Exhaled deep and slow.Wow…It had taken her a long time, following the death of her girlfriend, to feel like having sexagain. Being intimate with another woman took her a couple of years, and even then, something always felt like it was missing from every encounter. Now, for the first time since Emma, Cody took real pleasure in being in the arms of another woman. Her heart jolted at the realization. She felt it begin to race. Before emotions could flood and maybe get the better of her, she pulled back. Kim met her gaze, looking in equal parts settled and questioning. They stared at each other in total silence for a little while.

“Okay?” Cody murmured eventually.

“Yes.” Kim nodded, once again reaching to touch her cheek. Her golden eyes flashed at the renewed contact, but she quickly dropped her hand. “Ah… Sorry, I—”

“What’s the matter now?”

“Nothing.”

“Come on, Kim.”

“No, really. It’s… There’s something different about you, that’s all.”

“In a good way?”

“Yes,” Kim answered after another brief silence. “In a good way, for sure.”

As another customer walked in and glanced toward them, she took a step back and let go.Different, yeah,Cody reflected.Tell me about it.

“I’m not really sure what just happened,” she admitted.

Kim flashed a thoughtful but reassuring smile.

“Neither am I,” she mused. “But it’s okay.”

chapter 10

Quinn parked in her usual spot at the station. She walked in via the back door, also as per her habit, and walked briskly along the corridor that lined the admin wing. Lia still had a desk in there that she used from time to time. Not today, though, and Quinn did not stop to say hello to anyone else. Not in the mood for chit-chat. She strode right past the office of the chief administrator with its open door and kept going. Or tried to, when an urgent voice sounded behind her.

“Hold it! Lieutenant Wesley.”

Quinn barely glanced over her shoulder. “Hi, Demi. Sorry, gotta go—”

“Stop right there.” Demi Adjimitrios, who compensated for her short height with lots of character and a bright personality, pinned her with a sharply assessing look from behind her wire-rimmed glasses.

“I’m due in Wilson’s office in five minutes,” Quinn advised.

“Good, then you’ve got time to chat with me first. And don’t you roll your eyes,” Demi warned even without looking, rightly anticipating her reaction. She took her wrist and pulled her into her office. There, with the door closed, her eyes flashed full of concern and a hint of indignation. “What the hell, Quinn? Is it true?”

“If you’re talking about my suspension, yes, it is.”

“No way! Has everybody lost their goddamn mind?”

Wisely, since it would cost her to disagree, Quinn just gave a silent shrug in answer.

“This is nuts!” Demi went on. “Oh, for goodness’ sake! I just had an amazing long weekend with Carole and Luke. Total bliss, but now I come back to this crap. What—”

“Are Luke and Car both well?” Quinn interrupted and was pleased to watch her friend’s face light up at the mention of her wife and young son.

“Very well, thanks.” Demi grinned as she relaxed. “We had a cracking time in the mountains. Luke learned to kayak on the lake. Carole and I tried paragliding, which was awesome once I started breathing again.”

“Oh, yeah,” Quinn nodded. “It sure helps.”

.“We went on really good hikes, enjoyed lovely food, and had a fire at the cabin every evening. Next time, you and Lia should come with us.”

“Good idea.”