They both stilled, panting. Olivia trailed her fingers down Jaime’s back.
“Are you spent?” Olivia asked, her tone carrying a clear challenge. “We could take a nap if you need a break.”
Jaime’s head snapped up, and she glared at Olivia. “Are you calling me old?”
“I’d never.” Olivia smiled. “This encounter seems to have taken a lot out of you.”
“You’re the worst.” Jaime grumbled, but her eyes held amusement. “I was actually thinking…we could switch?”
Olivia’s smile dropped as her heart picked up its pace.
“You like the idea?”
“Yes,” Olivia breathed. “Let’s switch.”
Olivia stared at her phone, blinking rapidly as her stomach continued its freefall. She knew their honeymoon period over the last three months couldn’t last and they’d arrive at a more sober place, their professions and personalities making no other outcome possible.
She sighed.
Since that incredible evening and night at the fair, they’d continued their meetings, now set up via text message with dates, times, and places. Most of theirdatesended faster and faster inside various hotel rooms.
At this point, Olivia must have stayed in every four-star hotel in downtown Atlanta and surrounding areas. She’d once offered going back to her place, but Jaime had already booked a hotel for that particular day, and after, Olivia never brought it up again.
She still didn’t know where Jaime lived, aside from it being close toneverending pages.
They talked, too. It wasn’t just sex—though it wasa lotof sex—but unease sometimes gnawed at the corner of her consciousness.
She missed their outings to just attend an event or hang out in a café or bookstore. Then again, she knew who she was dealing with, and afraid to rock the boat, Olivia remained silent.
However, after the most recent email from her boss, transferring Lydia Cain’scase to her, she’d need to talk as Jaime, who was assigned to be the judge in the case.
Making a snap decision, Olivia texted Jaime, asking her to meet and sending her the date and address of a hotel.
Jaime replied immediately with a thumbs-up emoji. God, she dreaded this discussion, but it had to happen. She had three days to prepare what she’d say.
By the time Saturday rolled around, Olivia checked in early, preferring to settle in the room instead of pacing in her house, waiting for the time to leave.
When Jaime knocked a while later, Olivia released a trembling sigh and opened the door, allowing Jaime to pull her close and kiss her.
“What made you choose this hotel?”
Olivia shrugged. “I wanted something…new.”Free from more pleasant memories.
“Fair enough.” Jaime placed a lingering kiss against Olivia’s temple. “Can I interest you in taking a shower with me?”
Olivia closed her eyes, leaning into the touch. She inhaled deeply, finding solace in Jaime’s signature scent before pulling back. “I need to talk to you.”
Jaime stepped back. “About?”
“It’s not bad, well, it doesn’t have to be.”
“Your face says otherwise.”
Olivia’s gaze found the floor.
“Did you find someone else and need to end things?”
“What?” Olivia’s head snapped up. “No! I just… I got an email earlier this week from my boss. She wants me to take over the Cain case.”
