She took a moment to make sure at least two of the windows where cracked open for Thor. Her mind made up, Jess climbed out of the truck, flowers in hand. She leaned back inside and met Thor's eyes. "I'll be right back. Thor. Stay. Watch," she said before closing the door.
* * *
A fire blazed in the fireplace. The logs crackled and popped. Kim sighed when warmth crept back into her chilled limbs. The morning sunshine had given way to clouds. Another storm loomed on the horizon.
Kim kicked off her shoes. She pulled her legs up onto the couch and tucked them under her. She had grown quite comfortable in Jess's home.
Thor was stretched out in front of the fire like a huge furry rug.
"Hot chocolate as promised," Jess said, returning from the kitchen. "Hope you like it with marshmallows."
Looking up, she smiled. "Yes, I do. Thanks." She accepted the mug Jess offered.
Jess settled onto the couch next to her.
I could get used to this.
A sense of contentment filled Kim as she sipped her chocolate.
It had been a very long time since a woman made her feel as special as Jess had today.
It still amazed her that she had not realized Jess had feelings for her beyond friendship until recently. Maybe it was because she still did not trust her own judgment after Anna, who was admittedly the last in a long line of mistakes. Or maybe it was the fact that Jess was so good at hiding her feelings.
Either way, Kim was very glad that things had turned out the way they did. She had a wonderful friendship with Jess that could only make their growing relationship stronger. With the deepening of her relationship with Jess old fears had surfaced, but Kim refused to give in to them. Not everyone you let yourself care about will lie to you. This time will be different. I know it will.
Kim turned sideways so she was facing Jess. Her knees pressed against Jess's thigh. "I can't believe it's almost Christmas. Less than three weeks to go." She bounced a little in place. "Are you going to put up a tree?"
Jess's gaze darted away from Kim for a moment. "Since I work on Christmas, I don't put up a tree."
"So you've always covered on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?" Kim had been dismayed to find out that Jess planned to work back to back twelve-hour shifts. She had hoped they could spend at least part of the holiday together.
"I always volunteered to work the holidays when I was an attending. Now that I'm head of the department, I feel if I provide a good example, it will encourage other single doctors to do the same. I know most people celebrate the holidays but I've always believed that staff with young children should get Christmas Day off. Same with the residents. The ones with children get excused from the duty schedule — if at all possible."
Ernest blue eyes met Kim's. "This is the first year I've ever wished I didn't have to work."
Kim fought to hide her surprise. I can't believe you admitted that to me. "I wish we could spend the holidays together, but I understand." She rubbed her hand over Jess's shoulder. "I think it's a wonderful thing you're doing. Christmas is such a special time for families, especially those with young kids."
Jess's face went dark. With a shake of her head, Jess's expression cleared. "Thank you for understanding."
That wasn't a happy memory. Does her family give her a hard time?
"Do you celebrate beforehand with Sam?" Kim knew that Jess was going to San Diego tomorrow to go Christmas shopping with her sister.
"Oh yeah. We celebrate. Sam wouldn't have it any other way." Jess laughed. "She loves Christmas. But we usually don't get together until the weekend after Christmas." An indulgent smile spread across Jess's face. "I'm sure she already has a tree up and her apartment decorated."
"So does she go home to your family on Christmas Day?" Kim asked.
"No. Sam volunteers to work both days of the holiday as well. She feels the same way I do about that."
"How about you? I didn't see a tree at your place either." Jess's brows furrowed. "Or have you changed your mind about going home for Christmas?"
Her mother had called and tried to guilt her in to coming home. One Christmas with her mother shoving eligible men at her every chance she got had been enough to remind Kim why she never went home for the holidays. Even if it meant spending Christmas alone, she would not go back to Michigan.
"No. Definitely not," Kim said, unable to keep the bitter tone from her voice. That wasn't the only reason she wouldn't go home for Christmas. She refused to let her mother taint what were some of the best memories of her father. Despite the painful emotions thinking of him stirred, his love of Christmas and everything associated with it was something she had chosen to keep alive.
Kim laughed, trying to lighten the mood. "Fair warning. I'm with the 'you have to have a tree for it to really feel like Christmas' camp." Come on, ask her. "I've been meaning to ask you if you'd be interested in going with me to pick one out."
Jess smiled. "Sure. I'd like that. It would be fun."
Go all the way. Ask her for what you really want but have been too chicken to ask. "And decorate it... if you wanted."
"Really?" Jess's eyes sparkled and her face lit up.
So maybe it isn't just Sam who loves Christmas. I don't know just how, but I'm going to make this special for you. "Of course. How can Santa bring you presents without a tree to put them under?"
Jess grinned. "Now you sound like Sam."
"Well, then obviously, she's a very smart woman." Kim laughed.
"Um..." Jess lowered her gaze. She picked at the seam of a couch cushion before finally looking up. "Would you like to meet her sometime?"
Kim's jaw dropped. This is huge. She had wondered if Jess would ever feel comfortable enough to introduce her to Sam. It wasn't hard to see how nervous Jess was about making the invitation. Help her out.
"I'd like to meet your sister." She put her hand on Jess's leg. "Whenever you're ready."
"She wants to meet you too," Jess said.
She's talked to her sister about me? It had not occurred to Kim that Jess would talk about her. Other than the fact that Sam was a police officer, up until today Jess had told her next to nothing about her sister. What has she told her? About Memorial? Or just that we're friends?
When the muscles under her hand tensed, Kim was pulled out of her musings. She looked down at her hand, surprised to find herself stroking Jess's thigh.
She started to pull away only to be stopped by Jess sliding her own hand over and entwining their fingers.
Passion-darkened silvery-blue eyes met hers.
Arousal shot through Kim at the look of want on Jess's face. Kim leaned forward to claim Jess's lips.
Jess met her halfway.
Her tongue slid into Jess's mouth. Mm, I could kiss her all day.
The kiss deepened as Jess's tongue wrestled with hers.
Breathlessly, they broke apart.
Kim pressed her forehead against Jess's collarbone. "You are such a good kisser," she said, trying to catch her breath.
"You're not so bad yourself."
"Not so bad." Kim lifted her head to mock scowl at Jess. "What kind of compliment is that?"
"A not so bad one?" Jess laughed.
She poked Jess in the side. "I'll show you not so bad."
A little half smirk twisted Jess's lips.
Kim swooped in and captured Jess's lips in a searing kiss.
She smiled into the kiss when Jess moaned. Oh yeah. Much better. Kim rose up on her knees and pressed their breasts together. Her long held yearning to touch Jess would no longer be denied.
Jess's arms wrapped around her waist.
Using her dominant position, she pressed Jess back on the couch as she continued to kiss her hungrily. Kim groaned into the kiss when she settled firmly on top of Jess.