Chapter 7
“I’m sorry, Snuffles,” Flash said in an empathetic tone, “but you have to stay here.” She sat on the couch with her fluffy little Havanese, barely able to see the dog’s mournful eyes beneath the abundance of hair.
Groomers tomorrow. She took the pup’s adorable face between her palms. Snuffles’ pink tongue darted out to lick her hand.
“You’ve had your dinner and been for your walk.
Here,” she said and picked up the remote control.
She pushed a few buttons. “I’ll put on your dog program.
You like watching those.” Soothing tones accompanied images of dogs running in slow motion, their tails wagging and faces happy. Snuffles whined.
“Next time, Athena will come over here, and then you won’t have to stay alone.
You’re a big girl now. You can stay here until I come back in the morning.
” After a last pat, Flash stood, opened a cabinet, and pulled out a big treat.
“Here you go, sweetie. Wait for it.” She held the treat up as the eager dog focused on it, front paws gripping the sofa, her tail wagging like a fountain.
Flash moved the treat in front of Snuffles’ mouth, and she took it.
“That’s a good girl. Mommy will be back in the morning.” She kissed Snuffles on the head, but by then she was chowing down on a fresh chewy, no longer forlorn over her human’s imminent departure.
Flash wiggled into her black leather motorcycle jacket and grabbed her helmet from its hook near the door. She glanced back and smiled as Snuffles lay content on the couch, chewing away on her treat, while the dogs romped to peaceful music.
In terms of size, her loft was comparable to Athena’s apartment, though the layout made it feel much roomier.
There was the well-lived-in primary space, with the old bricks of the former warehouse forming a long wall opposite the many windows overlooking her neighborhood.
Here, the living room, kitchen, and dining room opened to one another, with no barriers between them.
Flash had carved out a small desk space for gaming with her computer and 26-inch monitor.
Beyond lay a storage closet, a full bathroom, and her bedroom.
While Athena’s city place had two bedrooms, all the rooms were compact, almost claustrophobic.
The only appeal it had for Flash was Athena—and the silk sheets she kept on her bed.
Calling no more attention to leaving, she stepped into the hallway and locked the door.
Snuffles will be fine, she thought. She’s stayed alone overnight before.
Under the zip-up protective jacket, Flash wore a pinstriped button-up shirt, a blue jean vest, black cargo pants, and boots.
Athena had said it wasn’t a fancy restaurant, so no need for dress clothes—not that Flash had many.
She pulled gloves from her jacket pockets and waited until she’d buckled on her helmet before sliding her hands into them.
The building provided covered spaces for motorcycles, and several others were parked alongside her red-and-black Harley-Davidson Sportster.
She threw a leg over, turned the key, and kick-started it.
Anticipation thrummed through her, dancing to the bike’s vibrations as she drove to meet the woman she’d fallen for. Two weeks had been too long.
When Flash found the door locked and no one answered, she took out the key Athena had given her and let herself in. It gave her a little rush knowing the hot, imposing agent had granted her access to her apartment. But that was a trifle. It was access to her guarded heart that Flash truly valued.
She flicked on the lights. The condo might look bland, like a staging set a realtor might throw together before showing it for sale, but every inch smelled like Athena.
Flash smiled as she breathed it in. She laid her helmet and gloves on the dinette table.
It was so spotless, Flash wondered if it’d ever been used.
She unzipped her jacket and relaxed on the sofa, picturing Athena lying with her head in her lap as she combed her fingers through her silky dark hair.
Flash had been happy to take things slow at first. Lately, however, a longing for something more stirred within her.
She loved that Athena never tried to steal her independence or pressure her to move in together, as some older women Flash dated had done.
But staring at thirty, just a year away, she felt it was time for a change, time for something lasting.
She didn’t doubt that she loved Athena and finally believed she loved her too. So, what comes next?
The door opening almost startled Flash, jerking her from her thoughts.
She rose, turning to see the most gorgeous creature God ever created glide in.
Athena wore one of her queen-commander’s suits, her luscious tresses pinned up in a French pleat, her legs stretching from skirt hem to designer heels. Flash’s heart fluttered.
“Hey,” she said, taking another beat to gaze at the total package that was Athena Bouvier. “Took you long enough.”
Athena closed the door and laid her purse beside Flash’s helmet. “Like you’ve never been late.”
Flash crossed to her—not a mad dash, but a confident swagger. Athena’s hazel eyes gleamed, hiding nothing, even as she pressed her lips together to bridle a grin. At once, they grabbed each other in a tight embrace. “I missed you,” Flash breathed, inhaling her essence.
“God, I missed you too.” Athena’s kisses brushed along Flash’s cheek. She pulled back to claim her lips, red with painted color, minty fresh and addicting. Her hands roamed Athena’s back, feeling the fine texture of her blazer. She wanted them on skin.
After a moment, Athena edged away slightly. “I was at the chemical plant today, where you fought that fire. I saw how close it came to the barrels. Flash, if those had been compromised—”
“I know,” Flash said gently.
“And I know that fire was par for the course, that you’ve been in more dangerous situations.”
Fear pricked Flash’s chest. “Can you handle it? I mean, sometimes you get shot at. Did you in Laredo?”
“Not this time,” Athena answered, “and yes, I can handle it, because I know how good you are at what you do, because I’m just so lucky to be here, you holding me, wanting me … sometimes I wonder if it’s real.”
Flash glowed, answering with another kiss. “I’m the lucky one, goddess of war and wisdom.”
Athena cracked a smile, peering into her eyes with a look that laid Flash’s soul bare.
“I love you, Flash. Does it kill me a little to know you could be ripped from my arms any day? You bet. But I’d rather have you here for tonight and as many tomorrows as possible than throw away the best thing in my life.
Besides, plenty of firefighters live to ripe old ages. ”
Flash’s lips twitched, and she cocked her head.
“I’ve heard the same about FBI agents. I love you too, sweetie.
Now,” she said, letting her arms fall and taking a step back.
“I’m starved, in more ways than one. And the sooner we eat dinner, the sooner we get dessert.
” She wiggled her brows at Athena suggestively and watched her blush.
“I just need to get changed.”
“I can help!” Flash volunteered.
Athena laughed and shook her head. “I know where that’ll get us.
I’ll be quick. You look nice. No, you look amazing.
” She rifled her fingers through Flash’s short flip of blue hair that stood up from the brown fade over her ears.
Then Athena caught her behind the neck and pulled her into another kiss. “I’ll be very quick.”
The steakhouse was a popular spot that Flash and Athena both enjoyed, and, with its median prices, Flash didn’t have to worry about grabbing the check when it arrived.
She’d come to terms with the reality that her girlfriend was rolling in money, but she wasn’t about to sit back and take advantage of it.
She would treat her the same as any other woman, like now, offering her the choice seat at the table and pulling out her chair.
The irresistible scent of sizzling steaks on the grill, zesty sauce, and steaming vegetables wafted through the air, accompanied by a mellow tune that wove through the patrons’ chatter. Flash’s stomach growled.
The dining area was nearly full, busy enough to feel lively without becoming chaotic. Their hostess passed them menus, setting ice water before them, and said a server would be by soon to take their orders. Flash watched Athena peruse her menu, no doubt calculating every nutritional choice.
“Tell me about Laredo,” she said, “and what you were up to all day.”
“Mostly, I coordinated field units on long stakeouts with electronic surveillance and deep IT tracking,” she said. “After two weeks, we had all we needed to make the arrests. No fireworks involved.”
She summarized her interviews and those her team reported on during the late afternoon debrief. None of the environmental groups appeared capable of organizing a sophisticated bombing, though a few members remained worth investigating.
“I arranged interviews with Gulf Allied CEO Charles Whitmore and CEO Amanda Kerrington of Lone Star Industrial, their leading competitor, for Monday,” Athena said as she wrapped up.
Flash eyed her curiously. “Why would a dude set a bomb that would damage his own property? A few employees got killed.”
“Indeed,” Athena replied, setting her menu aside.
“One victim was a federal inspector who was probably about to cite them for more EPA violations, and the company wouldn’t be able to weasel their way out this time, if the Gen Z leader of the Green Resistance is to be believed.
A lot of records were destroyed, and you saw the shape of the facility.
The fire delays all that, and it’s possible Whitmore could use the insurance money to make the bare minimum of upgrades. ”
Flash narrowed her eyes. “Doesn’t that Whitmore guy have more money than most small countries? Why can’t he just bring everything up to code?”
Athena frowned and unrolled the silverware from her napkin.
“The plant manager portrays him as a real tightwad. He’s so arrogant that when Karen called to arrange our interview, he refused to come to town, even to meet at his corporate office.
His assistant said that Mr. Whitmore is working from home next week, and, if I want to talk to him, I’ll have to drive out to his ranch.
His plant gets attacked, and he can’t even be bothered to assist in the investigation to catch those responsible.
So, I’m seeing Ms. Kerrington at her top-floor office at 9:00 Monday morning, and then Bach and I have to drive over an hour to get to Redstone Ranch.
I looked up pictures of the place—puts the Ewings’ Southfork to shame.
I sure wish I had a reason to arrest him, but his lawyers would have my hide. ”
“Bach again, eh?”
Athena sipped her water, and the waiter arrived to take their orders. “I’ll have the six-ounce prime rib, no bread, garlic mashed potatoes, and a garden salad with vinaigrette dressing, please.”
Flash beamed at her. She loved how brusque and authoritative Athena was, yet always respectful when dealing with the staff. She may well tear CEO Whitmore to shreds, but she’d say please and thank you if she ran across his housekeeper.
Flash passed her menu, which she’d never opened, to the server. “And I’ll have the ribeye, medium, with a baked potato and garlic green beans.”
“And to drink?”
“Iced tea,” they both said at once. Flash added, “Unsweet for me and add lemon. Sweetie, do you want an appetizer? The calamari here is divine.”
“Sure, why not? You’ll eat most of it anyway.”
“I’ll have your tea and appetizer right out.” The young man hurried away.
“And what have you been up to?” Athena asked, her full attention settling on Flash. The heat of her gaze sent a pulse through Flash, making her wish dinner was over. “Things going alright with your new promotion?”
“Trying to get used to being in charge of my friends,” she admitted.
“It’s odd. Just the usual traffic accidents, fires, medical emergencies, and such.
Gulf Allied Chemicals, the other day, was probably the most dangerous call in a while.
Oh, and Assistant Chief Velasquez came by to see me and offer words of encouragement. I think she likes me.”
Radiating pride shone on Flash’s face as she locked eyes with Athena.
“Well.” Athena lifted a brow and reached for Flash’s hand on the table. “Impressive, Lieutenant. It always helps to have someone with rank on your side. I’ve met her before, a very accomplished woman.”
“Yeah, I know, right? And she came to see me, said I was doing a good job.”
“But you aren’t convinced?” Her fingers traced over Flash’s hand until Flash grabbed them.
Shrugging, she said, “Sometimes. You know how doubt can creep in at the most inopportune moments.”
“I do,” Athena said. “But you don’t need to doubt yourself. Just stay steady. I’m sure the assistant chief wouldn’t lie to you. She has nothing to gain by it.”
“I suppose.” Flash blushed, the warmth from Athena’s hand filling her.
“You know,” she proposed, lowering her voice as she caressed the hand in hers, “if it wasn’t for the fact that steak is best fresh and reheating ruins it, I’d suggest we take dinner to go so I can get you out of those clothes. Your body is the banquet I crave.”
The most adorable blush reddened Athena’s cheeks. A vein beat in her neck. She moistened her lips, her words husky. “You know I aim to please. Soon, dear. I want all of you.”
Their food came. Flash and Athena talked about movies, music, and the Winter Olympic Games that had just gotten underway. They agreed, debated, and laughed. It was wonderful. Still, the biggest thrill raced through Flash as they got into the sleek blue Lexus to head back to Athena’s place.