Hot Blade Cold Blood
A/N This story is purely a work of fiction, no copyright infringement is intended. The Characters of Maura Isles and Jane Rizzoli are creations of author Tess Gerritsen. Having said that, hang on.
Where were they heading? It had been at least 15 minutes since the last sign telling them they were heading East on I-24. Maura folded the map and returned it to the console between the driver and passenger seats. She turned to glance at the profile of the woman driving. At 5'10" all lean muscle, Detective Jane Rizzoli was as commanding as she was beautiful. How in the world had the two of them gotten so close? Maura could still remember the first day Jane had strode into the autopsy suite. Had she really thought Jane arrogant and unapproachable? Maura wet her coral tinted lips and braved the storm she knew was coming. "Jane, I think we should have stayed on Interstate 24."
"Maura, for the 10th time, we aren't lost. I've been to Nashville before and we are still on the interstate." Though she tried to sound self assured and in control, Jane knew Maura was right they were lost. Where in the hell was Johnny Cash Memorial Parkway and how had she gotten on it? Last thing she knew they were on I-24 headed to Nashville where they were guest speakers at a conference being held at Vanderbilt University. Maura was the keynote speaker and Jane was the beginning speaker. They were scheduled to speak to about a hundred medical students at the prestigious university. One of the worst cases either had ever tackled. Jane mentally smacked her forehead. Maura had shifted position and the Michael Kors skirt covering her athletic legs had inched up another couple of inches. She had been so focused on the tan skin showing, she had pretty much let the car drive itself. They had obviously taken an exit. Now to find out which one and how to get back on track. She shook her head in self recrimination. She really had to stop thinking about Maura as girlfriend material. They were friends. Good friends. Best friends.
Exit after exit flew past as Jane let her foot press harder on the gas pedal. She kept looking for a sign telling her how to get back to I-24. All she saw were unfamiliar exits. And to make matters worse, Maura had removed her jacket and the top two buttons of her silk Donna Karan blouse were open and inviting. Maura folded her hands in her lap and fought to keep quiet. She knew Jane was struggling with something but not at the point of being able to discuss it.
Maura gripped her hands in her lap and tried not to focus on the soft capable hands gripping the steering wheel. Had she made a mistake in booking a suite opposed to two separate rooms? Sure they had spent several nights in each others beds, but...Something had shifted in their dynamic. This was a whole different relationship. One she wasn't sure either of them were prepared to face. They were friends. Maybe she should tell Jane to pull into a gas station and ask for directions? She needed time to process this new level of, what intimacy? Not a good idea to pick a fight. Emotions were too high and she wasn't ready to face this new frontier just yet. Maybe she had missed something on the map. Unfolding the Tennessee map again, she focused on the various colored lines crossing the state. Heat flooded her entire system as she felt Jane capture her hand and join their fingers.
"Sorry, didn't mean to snap at you. The interstates in TN get a little strange. You have 24, 40 and 65 all kinda jumbled together going into and out of Nashville. There's an exit coming up, I'll stop for gas and we can both look at the map."
"Great, I could use a cold water." Maura flashed deep dimples that she knew Jane couldn't resist. While she was getting her water, she would also be asking for directions to get them to The Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville. This was just a small detour.
"Fuck me raw!"
"Excuse me?" The startled clerk squeaked. Why were all the freaks out tonight? First the drunk trying to use poker chips to buy beer, then the couple making out in the bathroom. Now some wired junkie freaking out.
"What?" Hate flew from glowing green eyes. Angie pinned the girl with a hard look and threw a five on the counter. "Keep the change," Uncaring that she had just paid $5 for a 20oz soda and small bag of chips, she picked up her purchases and followed the tall brunette into the parking lot. Under her breath she muttered, "Where one of these cunts go, the other is close by."
Jackpot. Sitting in a black Cadillac drinking a bottle of water was the person she hated most in the world. Maura Isles, Chief Medical Examiner. And her dark haired companion, lapdog Detective Jane Rizzoli of the Boston Police. Why were these two bitches in her city? No matter, it was icing on the cake that her prey had delivered themselves to her. "No problem at all, ladies." Angie sneered. "You just saved me a trip back to Boston." She unlocked the door of her Honda Ridgeline and settled behind the wheel. "Where do you two think you are going?"