Page 61

“Here.” Gladys scribbled something on a Post-it note and handed it to her. “This is a lovely store on Howard Street that my daughter and I often go to for special occasions. Very chic, and the service is excellent.” She grinned. “It’s always an experience. Ask for Janine; tell her I sent you.”

This, coming from her stylish and always impeccably put-together secretary, was a nice tip. It would save her from wandering around looking for an appropriate place, Kim thought, and she thanked her with a smile.

“I could do with an experience, actually.”

“Of course.” Gladys nodded as if she had been waiting a long time for this fact to occur to her finally. “You work hard enough to deserve a little pampering every once in a while. Ms. Reed—Kim,” she corrected. “I hope you have a lovely time at the store and a wonderful evening tonight.”

“Thank you, Gladys, you’re very kind.” On impulse, Kim gave her a quick hug.

She felt lighter as she headed into town, like a kid who had just learned that her teacher was off ill for the day and was granted the freedom to do as she pleased. She went straight to the store and found Janine. As advertised, the shopping assistant was the perfect embodiment of‘chic’, warmth, and expertise. Kim accepted the glass of wine she offered her and gave the woman free rein to advise on the best choice of outfit. She did spend a small fortune on her new clothes, but the joy she found in the exercise was worth every penny. Kim would not hesitate to describe it, in fact, as a very healing and cathartic experience. In the end, she settled on a body-hugging dress from Dior: white, hitting at mid-thigh, with deep-red rose imprints all over it. She also opted for a pair of Jimmy Choo with pointed toes, stiletto heels, and a delicate crystal chain around the ankle.

“Exquisite!” Janine declared. “You have such beautifully toned legs; you should definitely wear shoes to highlight them. These were made in Italy, by the way. Limited edition.”

It was a screaming indulgence, Kim decided. Spending $650 on a pair of shoes struck her as entirely frivolous and decadent. Then again, it was not every day you met the woman of your life, and Kim knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Cody was. Minimal make-up and creole earrings completed the look. When her date arrived, Kim saw that Cody seemed to have dressed up for the occasion too. Tonight she wore black leather trousers fitted to her slender figure, polished ankle boots, and a white linen shirt open to reveal a flash of tantalizing skin underneath. With her blond-hair attractively tousled, giving her a youthful and mischievous vibe, she looked amazing. Judging from the hungry look in her eyes as she slowly took her in, Kim’s choice of outfit was a winner as well. One thing was not right, though, and Kim immediately reached for her.

chapter 20

“What is this?”

“Uh? Oh, that.” Cody covered her hand with hers as Kim laid it on the side of her face. “Just a little makeup gone wrong.”

She certainly did not need any makeup to highlight her gorgeous lashes, and Kim had a pretty good idea of what must have happened.

“You got hurt this morning. During the arrest?”

“Yes, my face got in the way of a sharp elbow.”

“Did you see a doctor?”

“Nah.” As Cody chuckled, Kim observed an attractive line of heat blossom across her cheeks. “It’s not serious enough for that. I’m just sorry I look a bit like a failed bouncer for our first date.”

“Don’t say that. You look amazing, even with a black eye. Especially as I know this was sustained in the line of duty, taking a killer off the streets. Why are you blushing?”

Kim did not add that she looked deliciously sheepish doing so, and she stepped into her to wrap both arms around her neck. Waited.

“Well,” Cody grinned. “It’s nice that you care.”

“I do care. And worry.”

“You shouldn’t worry, but… yeah.” Cody’s color deepened as she admitted it. “A little bit is okay, I guess. It feels…”

“What?”

“Very nice.”

Heat flashed across her eyes, the raw kind that hinted at long-suppressed feelings and emotional fatigue. Kim recognized some of her own struggles in her gaze.

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?” she prompted.Since you let someone care enough to worry a little, since you had that connection, a woman to hold you when it gets tough.She knew she did not need to say it out loud.

“Yeah.” Cody’s expression confirmed she got it all. “Same for you, right?”

“Same for me.” Kim kissed her deep and slow and ran her fingers through her hair the way Cody told her she liked. It was a thrill to pull back and see that her bright eyes had gone hazy with desire. “Hey, Detective.”

“Hey, Counselor,” Cody grinned.

“Things are developing very fast between us.”

“I’ve noticed, yes.”