Jet Blue (WeHo Book 5) Page 9

  “I’ll try,” Jet said. “But I’ll probably need to be drunk.”

  “I can arrange that,” Ashley said, grinning.

  “Can you?” Jet asked, grinning too.

  “Mmm Hmm,” Ashley murmured, moving to slide her arms around Jet’s waist, kissing her again, her lips demanding.

  Jet groaned, even as Ashley deepened the kiss.

  “Babe, I’m filthy…” Jet murmured against Ashley’s lips, her voice affected all the same.

  “I don’t care,” Ashley said, her hands pulling Jet’s tank top out of her jeans and taking it off.

  Jet reached over, setting the bottle of beer down and grabbing a rag to do her best to wipe off her hands, her lips never leaving Ashley’s. Ashley’s hands were grasping at Jet’s waist, trying to pull her back.

  “Patience…” Jet murmured.

  “Uh-uh,” Ashley said, smiling as she moved her lips down Jet’s neck.

  Jet’s hands slid around Ashley’s body then, pulling her close, her hands making quick work of Ashley’s top, her lips taking possession of Ashley’s again. Ashley moaned against her lips as Jet reached over closing the hood of the Mustang. She lifted Ashley up to sit her on the hood, moving to stand between Ashley’s leg, her lips more intense on Ashley’s.

  Jet made love to her on the hood of the car, and Ashley enjoyed every second of it.

  There was no denying that Jet was beyond exciting as a lover, but Ashley also felt like Jet was a source of strength for her, she hoped that Jet would let her be that for her as well.

  Later that night they went out with the girls again and Jet indulged in a lot of shots of her favorite tequila.

  “Someone get her keys,” Jericho said as they watched Jet walk over to the bar to order another drink.

  “Got ’em,” Ashley said, smiling.

  “Good girl…” Skyler said, from beside her.

  “Not that I can drive that car,” Ashley said, grinning.

  “I can,” Quinn said, grinning.

  “Me too,” Skyler said.

  “I volunteer!” Cat added.

  “Love to!” Kashena agreed.

  Ashley laughed, shaking her head. “We’ll have to figure something out, she won’t leave it in the lot.”

  “That would be blasphemy,” Skyler said, shaking her head.

  “She’d trust you with it,” Devin told Skyler.

  “Yeah,” Kashena said, nodding her head.

  “Then I guess I win,” Skyler said, smiling widely.

  “Hate you,” Quinn said, her eyes sparkling humorously.

  “Who hates who?” Jet asked, walking up and handing Ashley her wine, another bottle of beer in her hand.

  “I’m driving you two home tonight,” Skyler informed Jet.

  “Uh…” Jet said, looking confused.

  Skyler simply clinked the bottle of beer she had with Jet’s, her look inarguable.

  “Ma’am, yes, ma’am…” Jet said, grinning.

  Skyler nodded.

  Skyler enjoyed the feel of the Maserati, but took it easy because Devin was following her in her 370Z and she knew if she pushed the speed too much she’d hear about it later.

  “Come on…” Jet goaded from the passenger’s seat. “Gun it.”

  “You’re gonna get my ass beat,” Skyler said, as she accelerated, the car responding beautifully. “Oh my God…” Skyler muttered reverently.

  Jet laughed, knowing exactly what Skyler meant. They both loved cars, speed and power; it was one of their many bonds.

  Ashley watched from the backseat, she easily sensed how close Jet and Skyler were. She knew that Skyler was about six years older than Jet, and it was obvious that Skyler was protective of the younger woman. She wanted to know more about them.

  After Skyler and Devin left them at the house, Jet took a beer out of the refrigerator and walked out into the backyard to smoke, turning on the stereo as she did. Ashley walked out after her, moving to sit in the chair next to her.

  Jet glanced over at her, blinking slowly, a slight grin on her face.

  “Go ahead,” she said, “ask whatever you want.”

  Ashley smiled softly. “How close were you and Skyler?”

  “Over there?” Jet asked.

  “Yeah,” Ashley said, nodding.

  Jet took a deep drag on her cigarette, blowing the smoke out a few moments later, her look considering.

  “It’s different over there,” Jet said, her tone solemn. “There’s none of this day-to-day shit that gets in the way. You do your work, your missions, your jobs and when you have downtime you spend it the best way you can. Some people have people at home that they talk to, write, text, whatever. Sky and I had each other.”

  Ashley nodded. “So it wasn’t just sex.”

  “It’s never just sex,” Jet said, her look sentimental. “We were friends, we hung out, we drank, we talked, we laughed. Sometimes we hung out with her crew. They all knew she was gay, so it was comfortable and easy.”

  “How long were you two together?” Ashley asked.

  Jet blew her breath out, reaching for another cigarette and lighting it. “About two years,” she said, her look pensive.

  “What changed?” Ashley asked.

  Jet smiled sadly. “Skyler’s Blackhawk went down, two of her crew were killed, and she and Jams were taken prisoner.”

  “Oh my God,” Ashley said, not having expected that answer.

  “I went out of my mind trying to help plan a rescue, but Skyler got them out. She was shot and injured from the crash…” Jet’s voice trailed off as her throat clogged with tears at the memory of hearing what had happened.

  Her hands shook as she lifted the cigarette to her mouth again. Ashley saw it and grimaced.

  “But she got them back to her base.” Jet said, her voice gruff with emotion. “I saw her once before they transferred her Stateside to recover… She was already gone.”

  Tears sprang to Ashley’s eyes at the last words. It was obvious how much the incident had affected Jet, and it broke Ashley’s heart to see it so clearly on her face.

  Jet saw the tears in Ashley’s eyes and leaned forward to touch her cheek in gratitude for her empathy.

  “Were you able to keep in touch?” Ashley asked, hopeful.

  Jet exhaled in a short humorless laugh. “It was the last time I talked to her until about seven months ago when I joined LA IMPACT and saw her at a party at my boss’ house.”

  Ashley looked back at Jet shocked. “That must have been surprising.”

  “It was,” Jet said, “but I was past it by then.”

  “Past it?” Ashley asked.

  “It didn’t hurt anymore,” Jet said honestly.

  Ashley shook her head, knowing that she wouldn’t have been as easy going about things as Jet seemed to be.

  “But does it now?” Ashley asked, her look probing.

  Jet smiled softly, her eyes downcast. “It has its moments.”

  Her answer was completely honest, and Jet knew that the alcohol in her veins was leaving her wide open and she was betting herself that she’d regret it later.

  Ashley nodded having sensed a lot more hurt in Jet’s voice than she was letting on.

  “Do you want to tell me about the tattoo?” Ashley asked gently.

  Jet chewed at her lip, her look brooding. “Not sure,” she said quietly.

  Ashley looked back at Jet, her looked pained. “I don’t want to push you,” Ashley said, her tone still tender.

  She could tell that Jet was being more open with her than she wanted to be. She was afraid that if she took advantage of that, Jet would resent it later when she was sober.

  Jet’s eyes searched hers for a long moment. Ashley felt like she was looking for deception on her part. She made a point of looking back at Jet, letting her see whatever she needed to in order to feel more comfortable.

  Finally, Jet nodded, and moving to stand, she held her hand out to Ashley. Ashley took it without hesitation. Jet led her into the hou
se and up to her bedroom. There Jet turned on her music low, then turned to Ashley.

  They stood a few feet apart. Jet lifted her hand and crooked her index finger at Ashley, her look mischievous, her light green eyes intent. Ashley bit her lip as she took a couple of steps to close the distance between them.

  Jet proceeded to slowly remove every article of clothing Ashley had on, then she turned her to face the full length mirror that hung on the bedroom door. Standing behind her, Jet’s eyes were on hers in the mirror as her hands touched her sensually.

  “This…” Jet said, her voice a sultry whisper right next to Ashley’s ear, “is and incredible body,” she said, as she slid her hand up Ashley’s side and kissed the crook of her neck. “And with this, you can get anything you want, from anyone you want.” Her light green eyes stared deep into Ashley’s in the mirror.

  Jet’s hands continued to touch Ashley’s body, making her writhe.

  “When you want something…” Jet said, her voice husky with desire. Her hands moved to Ashley’s hips, pulling her back against her sharply, her arm sliding around Ashley’s waist to hold her there. “You use this body to take it,” she said, her mouth moving over Ashley’s skin.

  Ashley moaned loudly, her hands grasping at Jet’s arm that encircled her, her head back on Jet’s shoulder. Jet reached over, turning the music up on the stereo and proceeded to make love to Ashely until she screamed over and over again.

  Picking up the remote for the stereo, and putting it between her teeth, Jet picked Ashley up in her arms and carried her to the bed. Using the remote to turn the stereo down a bit then setting it aside, Jet smiled down at Ashley who was watching her with heat in her eyes.

  Climbing onto the bed, still fully clothed in jeans, boots and a black collared shirt, Jet began kissing Ashley again. It was a long, long night and neither of them slept until the wee hours of the morning.

  Three days later, Jet was at work, and was sitting out on the patio smoking. She was listening to music on her phone, and had her back to the double doors, so she didn’t hear them open.

  “Heads up, Jet Fire,” Sebastian said from behind her.

  Jet turned her head, and was shocked to see Midnight Chevalier standing there looking at her. She immediately dropped her cigarette, stubbing it out with a booted foot as she turned toward the Attorney General.

  Even at over fifty years old, Midnight Chevalier was a beautiful woman with long strawberry-blond hair and gold-green eyes, perfectly smooth skin and an enviable petite body. She was also known to be extremely dynamic and considered by many to be the best Attorney General California had ever had. She was what was considered a ‘cops cop.’ She had grown up in law enforcement, moving through the ranks of San Diego PD to become it’s youngest chief and then being asked to run for Attorney General to become the State’s “top cop.” It was impossible to be a woman in law enforcement and not know who Midnight Chevalier was.

  Jet inclined her head respectfully to Midnight. “Good morning, ma’am,” she said, praying she didn’t sound like a complete idiot.

  Midnight narrowed her eyes slightly at Jet, she’d heard a lot from Kashena about this one. Kashena considered Jet Mathews her best asset in her unit, and with her experience and abilities, Jet was proving to be just that. Jet had developed more confidential informant sources single-handedly in six months than the entire unit had in the two years previous. The girl had a gift. And, from what Midnight had been told, a problem.

  “Call me Midnight, Officer Mathews,” Midnight said, moving to sit down, gesturing for Jet to do the same.

  “Then call me Jet,” Jet said, grinning, glancing at Sebastian who nodded to her.

  “I understand you’re itching to go to the Middle East,” Midnight said.

  “Back to the Middle East,” Sebastian put in, moving to sit in another chair.

  Midnight nodded, her eyes still on Jet. “Tell me why,” she said then.

  Jet took a deep breath, expelling it slowly. “Because a Shia family over there saved my life and I now believe them to be in mortal danger.”

  “You were wounded?” Midnight asked.

  “Yes, I was hit with an IED blast that should have killed me,” Jet said, seeing Sebastian grimace.

  Midnight’s eyes flickered with empathy, nodding again. “And this family saved you?”

  “Yes, at a huge risk to their own safety.”

  “What do you mean?” Midnight asked.

  “They’re Shia,” Jet said and immediately heard Sebastian suck his breath in.

  Midnight glanced at Sebastian seeing his reaction, then looking back at Jet.

  “What does that mean?” Midnight asked, her look pointed.

  “Sorry, ma’am,” Jet said, grimacing. “In this particular region there are two religions that are violently adversarial; there is the Shia, or what are commonly known as Shiites and there are Sunni. The Sunni are the majority and are usually the rulers of the area and they use any excuse they can to execute Shia. By taking in an American soldier and saving my life, this family put themselves at great risk.”

  “How long ago was this?” Midnight asked.

  “Just over a year ago,” Jet said.

  “So why now?” Midnight asked.

  “Well, it isn’t just now,” Jet said. “I’ve been trying to get back there since ISIS took over the region. I just haven’t been successful yet.”

  “What changed with ISIS?” Midnight asked.

  “The ISIL would at least need an excuse to kill Shia, ISIS doesn’t bother,” Jet said.

  Midnight grimaced. “How can you be sure they haven’t already been killed?” she asked, her tone gentle this time.

  “I can’t,” Jet said. “I’ve reached out to all of my contacts in the region and Raqqa is completely dark.”

  “So, you have no idea if they’re even alive, but you’re willing to risk your life to check?” Midnight asked, her tone concerned.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Jet said.

  “Why?” Midnight asked, knowing there was more than Jet was saying.

  Jet didn’t answer for a long moment, glancing at Sebastian who narrowed his eyes slightly, then nodded. Jet looked back at Midnight then.

  “Because there’s a young woman,” she said. “She’s the one that took care of me and if the Sunni get ahold of her they’ll kill her, slowly and horrifically.”

  Midnight swallowed convulsively, but nodded, understanding the impetus now. She put her hand on the table in front of her, her look intent.

  “I don’t know what I can do,” Midnight said, “but I will do everything that I can to help you.”

  Jet blew her breath out, blinking slowly. She looked at Midnight. “Thank you,” she said, her tone full of gratitude.

  Midnight nodded, moving to stand.

  “I’ll be in touch,” Midnight said, extending her hand to Jet.

  Jet stood, taking Midnight’s hand, shaking it as she nodded her head.

  Midnight turned and left. Jet looked at Sebastian who now stood when Midnight did. He curled his lips in a sardonic grin, his eyes on her.

  “If anyone can help you, it’s Midnight,” Sebastian said, his tone strong.

  Jet nodded, “Any help is something,” she said.

  “That it is,” Sebastian said, winking at her. “Catch you later,” he said as he walked back into the building.

  Jet stared after him, feeling the starting of hope in her heart.

  Just hang on guys… she thought, closing her eyes and sending that thought over 7,500 miles.

  Jet woke with a groan, besides the ever present pain in her chest, her back was now in a huge knot, and most likely from the jolt she’d taken over a week earlier in the blast.

  “What is it?” Fadiyah asked, moving to stand to look down at her patient.

  “I need to turn over,” Jet said, gritting her teeth.

  They’d gotten less formal over the last week, chatting occasionally about minor things. Jet was much more comfortable with her so di
dn’t have a hard time asserting herself at this point.

  Fadiyah shook her head. “You are still healing, it is not good.”

  Jet blew her breath out, her face contorted in pain. “I can’t stay like this,” she said, gasping as she tried to shift.

  “Then please let me help you,” Fadiyah said, her tone both motherly and nurse-like.

  “Getting that tone down pretty good now…” Jet said, grinning, even as Fadiyah gave her a narrowed look.

  Fadiyah stepped closer to the bed and put one hand on Jet’s shoulder and the other on her hip, gripping to try and help her roll.

  Jet started to move, but Fadiyah lost her grip quickly. She tried to recover by grabbing at the material of the BDUs that Jet wore. Instead, however, Jet ended up falling back onto her back again, taking Fadiyah with her due to her tenuous grip on the BDU material. They ended up face to face with Fadiyah leaning over her.

  Jet stared up at Fadiyah for a long moment, her eyes slightly widened, but they narrowed as she remembered where she was and who she was staring at this closely.

  Even so she couldn’t resist saying, “God your eyes are beautiful…”

  She’d been thinking it for days, ever since Fadiyah had taken off her veil, but she hadn’t said it until now. Now she wondered if she was stupid for having done so, but Fadiyah smiled softly.

  “So are yours,” she said quietly.

  They looked at each other for another few seconds, and Jet knew she needed to break the tableau lest she do something incredibly stupid like kiss the girl.

  “How about you let me do this?” she asked then, grinning.

  Fadiyah immediately pressed her lips together in a playful dirty look. “Fine!” she said, moving to stand. “Al'amirkiuwn dayimaan 'an tafeal al'ashya' dhatiha…” she muttered, saying in Arabic that Americans always had to do things for themselves.

  “Damned right,” Jet said, grinning.

  Fadiyah opened her mouth in shock. “I thought you were still learning Arabic,” she said, her tone accusatory.

  “Learning to speak it, honey, not learning to understand it,” Jet said, her grin wide.

  Fadiyah made a disgusted noise in the back of her throat, and rolled her eyes, which had Jet laughing. Then she gave Jet a quizzical look.