Blurred Lines by KD Williamson (33 page)

“Yes. Yes, I would.” Nora didn’t hesitate.

“Good. I had a feelin’ you’d say that. Glad to have you back. Make sure you make an appointment to see me for continuity’s sake by the end of the week because I’m assumin’ you’ll be gracin’ these walls by tomorrow.”

“That’s highly likely,” Nora said breathlessly.

“Have a good day, Dr. Whitmore.”

“You too,” Nora murmured. Unfortunately, Dr. Gagne had already hung up.

Within seconds, Nora was calling Kelli. It was her first instinct to share the news with someone who thought she mattered. After the third ring, Kelli mumbled, “’Lo?”

The sound of Kelli’s sleepy rasp made her shiver. “I woke you.” Nora could hear the covers rustle.

“So? You’re allowed,” Kelli said, sounding more alert. “What’s up?”

“The hospital called.” As she said the words out loud, her excitement level shot upward.

“Yeah? And?”

“I can go back tomorrow if that’s what I want.” Nora smiled as she finished speaking.

“Ho-ly shit!”

”Yes, that’s exactly what I was thinking,” Nora said sarcastically.

Kelli chuckled. “Aren’t you about to explode? What am I saying? Of course you are.”

“I am, I suppose.” Nora felt tingly, and she suddenly had more energy than she knew what to do with.

“I wanna see it for myself. I’ll be there in about an hour.”

* * *

Usually, Kelli would have just walked in, but Nora didn’t think to unlock the door. So the ringing of the doorbell became a musical interlude. Nora rushed to stop it.

“I wasn’t finished, but hey.” Kelli greeted her with a smile.

Those few words, and Kelli’s proximity were all it took for her body to react. Nora felt sparks rake over her skin. She stepped back to allow Kelli room to enter.

Kelli moved forward and closed the distance between them. Without delay or permission, Kelli slipped a hand around Nora’s neck and tangled it in her hair. Before Nora could take another breath, Kelli took it from her completely. Kelli’s lips moved over her own gently like they had all the time in the world. The moment was profoundly sweet, and it shook her, bones and all.

Nora whimpered as the embrace ended. Her attention remained on Kelli’s kiss-swollen lips. She traced them with trembling fingertips. Electricity arced down Nora’s arm into her chest.

Finally, their gazes met. Kelli looked amused. She smiled. “So, that’s what it looks like.” Kelli cupped Nora’s cheek, and her thumb brushed over still-heated skin.

Nora leaned into the touch, but she was confused. She opened her mouth to ask for clarification.

Kelli laughed. “The conversation we had earlier? About you being all giddy?”

Nora’s face heated. She really had forgotten.

Kelli smirked. “Me kissing you does all that, huh?”

A smile tugged at Nora’s lips. “Maybe.”

Kelli kept them close. Nora wasn’t ready to end the embrace anyway.

“Mmm hmm, good to know.” Kelli cleared her throat. “I have an idea to run past you. Feel free to say no regardless. I know we had our little pre-celebration celebration, but there hasn’t really been a real one. Plus, I won the bet.”

“I’m aware. So, what do you want?”

Kelli’s answering chuckle sounded very dirty. It made Nora shudder. “I could write pages, but I’ll settle for dinner with my family Thursday. Well, tomorrow night. I know it’s short notice.”

Nora swallowed. Dinner. With the family. It was a huge step, and it meant labels, assumptions, and awkwardness. Could she do this? In the scope of all Kelli had done for her, dinner did not seem like much.

Nora felt the stiffness in Kelli’s muscles and saw the nervousness in her eyes. Her smirk dimmed. Nora had waited too long to give her answer. “Yes, I think I can do that.”

Kelli exhaled slowly. “Don’t do this out of some obligation to me. If you’re not ready—”

“I am. I’m ready.” Nora knew that, if she felt herself floating away during it all, Kelli would be her anchor.

* * *

The time was six-thirty, and most of Nora’s morning ablutions were complete.

A simple phone call had restored a vast piece of her existence. Without restraint, she smiled as she washed her now empty breakfast dishes. Smiling was frighteningly easy and commonplace. Her lips curled upward even more as she thought about Kelli. Before, Nora didn’t know what it was like to have someone in her corner, and now, she couldn’t imagine a time when there wasn’t. One thing she learned over the past few months was that Kelli McCabe was a force of nature. She radiated warmth and fiercely protected those she cared about, which in turn earned their loyalty. Reluctant at first, Nora had ultimately become a willing follower.

She allowed her thoughts to become sensual, prurient. Nora’s body responded accordingly with a slight shiver. Of course she’d known attraction before, but at this level, the pull seemed fathomless. It would be easy to lapse into a sexual relationship with Kelli; however, she had no desire to treat her like all the others. The air heated around them when they were close, and a glance from Kelli only sharpened her appetite for more. Unfortunately, when they were apart, Nora’s brain took over, which gave her too much time to think and rationalize reasons to back away. Thankfully, that voice was now a whisper.

So very much had changed, and all those changes were walking into the hospital with her. What was that going to be like? She brushed a nervous hand over the jacket of her gray Armani pantsuit. Her attire was over the top, but provided her the level of professionalism she needed as a buffer for whatever awaited her at the hospital. A string of butterflies tumbled around in her stomach. Nora glanced at her watch, and frowned. It was past seven o’clock. She was going to be late her first day back, and it was all Kelli McCabe’s fault. Instead of being frustrated, Nora smiled.

As she made it to the front door, her cell phone chirped. Nora fished it out of her COACH handbag. She continued smiling when she saw the caller ID.

“Good morning,” Nora murmured.

Kelli groaned. “I’m not really up, but since I might have to start waking up at this ungodly hour again in a few days, I thought I’d practice.”

“Thoughtful.”

“Yes, I know.” The amusement in Kelli’s voice was obvious. “Nervous?”

“A little,” Nora answered. The words rushed out of her. It felt good to be able to talk to someone about it.

“You don’t have anything to worry about, you know?”

“Maybe,” Nora said.

“You’re not stressing over the wonder twins are you?”

Nora waited. She would get an explanation soon enough.

Kelli’s initial sigh turned into a chuckle. “They were probably two of the lamest superheroes in creation. Seemed to fit Rader and Fuller.”

“No, I doubt they’ll show up at the hospital, and if they do, I’m sure I’ll have no problem—”

“I’m sure you could deal with them, but I’m gonna ask anyway,” Kelli interrupted. “Maybe I’ll see you later? I have PT, and I need to see Travis.”

Nora smiled even though no one was there to see it. “Okay.”

“Knock ’em dead.”

Nora chuckled. “That’s not preferred.”

She could almost hear Kelli’s eyes roll. “You know what I mean.”

“I do. Thank you.”

“Trust me. You’re very welcome.” Kelli’s voice lowered an octave. The words were drawn out teasingly.

Nora felt a tingle as goosebumps prickled her skin. “Kelli…” Nora had no idea what to say.

“What?”

She heard Kelli shifting in bed but continued to say nothing.

“It’s okay.”

For a second, Nora closed her eyes. She wasn’t sure what “it” encompassed. Their relationship? The mess that just ended? Her constantly changing emotions? Regardless, Kelli’s reassurance eased her somewhat. “Is it?”

“Yeah.”

* * *

Kelli sat in a chair in the far corner of the room. She tucked her hands underneath her thighs to keep them to her damn self. Kelli gritted her teeth as she watched Travis struggle. She wanted to help him. Hell, she would carry him on her back if she needed to, but learning to walk again was something
he
needed to do. Knowing all that didn’t keep the ache out of her chest. Travis was covered in sweat, and his face was all screwed up in obvious pain. But the determined glint in his eye was a thing of beauty. He took two more steps forward.

Dan, the physical therapist, offered encouragement. “I know it hurts. That means you’re doing it right.”

Travis groaned. “I want to but…I need to stop.” His chest heaved as he fought for breath.

“Two more steps, and then I’ll rub you down.”

Travis chuckled then wheezed. “That’s not an incentive.

Dan laughed. “Good. Keep that sense of humor.”

The conversation made Kelli think. She reached deep into her bag of tricks and pulled something out of her ass that was sure to catch his attention. “Saw Williams naked.”

The room was so quiet the words could have echoed.

Travis looked at her. “Say what?”

“You heard me. Naked and swinging in the wind.”

“Ew, was it with your mom? You woulda told me about that by now.”

Kelli bit the side of her cheek. “Disgusting, now you’ve gone too far,” She deadpanned.

“And we’re done! Good job Gerry,” Dan announced.

Travis looked confused. “Wha?”

“You made it,” Dan said.

Travis glanced at the physical therapist. Then, his gaze moved to Kelli. His thanks shined in his eyes. “Bitch.”

Kelli laughed. “Next time think about him chasing you. It might help.”

His grimace curled into a slight grin. “You’re still a bitch.”

Kelli nodded. “I know.”

* * *

Later, Kelli didn’t even break a sweat in her own PT session. She tried not to think about the differences in her and Travis’s experiences as she walked deeper into the ICU. Kelli looked around in hopes to getting a glimpse of Nora. She hadn’t seen her yet, but the place wasn’t that damn big. When she got close to Travis’s door, she heard laughter and recognized her brother’s voice right away.

Sean smiled at her as she walked in. Kelli quirked an eyebrow in greeting. He rolled his eyes.

“Looks like she’s almost back to normal. Gotta love the strong, silent types,” Sean said just to fuck with her.

“Silent? Who the fuck are you talking about?” Travis chimed in.

“Me. I don’t run my mouth half as much as you two.” Kelli pulled up a chair and straddled it.

“Maybe we’re just in touch with our feminine sides,” Sean countered.

“Fuck that. I’m a metrosexual,” Travis muttered.

“Isn’t that the same thing?” Kelli asked.

Sean’s expression turned thoughtful. “So, what does that make you?”

“A woman,” Kelli answered.

Travis and Sean burst into laughter. “I’m calling bullshit!” Sean added.

“Careful.” Kelli growled even though she was enjoying herself. She had to keep her little brother on his toes.

“I’m not scared of y—”

Kelli glared.

“Well, not really.” Sean cleared his throat.

Travis snickered.

“What am I, then?” Kelli asked.

“Butch,” Travis answered. “I think I’m gonna start calling you Serpico.”

Sean doubled over in his chair, squealing like a little girl.

Kelli rolled her eyes. “Fuck the both of you, and how do you even know who that is? That movie is older than you.”

“It’s a classic cop movie. Of course I know what it is,” Travis answered.

“Really? That’s the best you can do? That’s your comeback?” Sean glanced at her. His face was still red from laughing.

“Give me time. It’ll come,” Kelli said.

“Dr. Whitmore must have you tied in all kinds of knots. You’re losing your touch, partner,” Travis said.

Kelli stared at him. He had no idea.

“Ooooh. Trust me when I say that you don’t scare me at all,” Travis said.

Kelli turned her gaze to her brother. “You better not be an ass tonight.”

His face was all scrunched up when he looked at her. “What? Why?”

“Because Nora’s coming to dinner.”

Sean’s eyes widened. “No shit? You’ve never invited anybody over for family dinner.”

Kelli sniffed and shrugged her shoulders. “First time for everything.” He didn’t need to know how deep she had fallen into Nora. “I’m sure she’s nervous about it, so be on your best behavior, or I’ll yank your underwear so far up your crotch you’ll be tasting your own piss.”

Travis snorted. “Damn, that’s what I call abusive.”

Sean rolled his eyes. “I’ll try.” He glanced at the door and shushed them.

“What’s wro—” Kelli turned to see what caught his attention. Nora stood in the doorway. Their gazes met. Kelli felt like all the oxygen was sucked out of her lungs all at once. She swallowed and stood. Even in purple scrubs, Kelli found it hard as hell to look away. So, she didn’t bother. Nora walked toward them.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Nora said. Her gaze stayed on Kelli.

“You didn’t. We were just being stupid,” Sean said.

Nora glanced his way for a second before finding Kelli again. It was getting kind of hard to breathe. Dammit how could she be this whipped already?

“Nice to have you back, Dr. Whitmore.” Travis waved to get her attention.

Finally, Nora’s eyes strayed for more than a second. She smiled slightly in Travis’s direction. “Thank you. It’s the reason I stopped by actually, to thank you for releasing your records. I’m sure Kelli’s told you that it helped tremendously.”

“You’re welcome. It was the least I could do. It wasn’t much. You had Serp—”

Kelli looked at him and tried to sew his lips shut with her thoughts.

Travis just grinned. “Kelli…in your corner, after all.”

Nora nodded and began backing away.

Before she could stop herself, Kelli took several steps in her direction. There was a flash of something in Nora’s eyes. Whatever it was sent a red hot bolt of heat right to the pit of Kelli’s stomach. It took everything Kelli had not to pounce on her like some sex-starved teenage boy.

“Later?” Kelli croaked.

“Yes,” Nora whispered. She turned and left the room.

Kelli stared at the empty space. She expected to see smoke. Or something.