CHAPTER 16

Jane has never kissed a girl before. Walking through the precinct all she can think about is Maura's lips against hers. The ghost of her touch has Jane in its thrall so much so that when Caitlyn stops to wave to her Jane walks straight into her. Her cheeks flush as she fumbles for words. Caitlyn throws on her effortlessly charming smile and cocks an eyebrow.

"Thinking about tonight, are you Jane?"

Jane's eyebrows jump up. All she can hear is night. Last night. "Uhh..." Jane is not a woman who stares at other women completely at a loss for words. But Caitlyn Lance has one button too many undone for a place of work and her hips curve up just right enough to make bite her tongue and her eyes gleam in their confidence without a shred of cocky arrogance and she is poised and she is beautiful and if Jane were not still thinking about ravaging the skin of another woman she would be tempted to take Caitlyn into an empty closet or an office with doors and satiate that throbbing at her center.

"Jane?" Caitlyn waves a hand in front of her snapping Jane back to the hallway.

"Yeah, of course. Robber. 8?"

"It's a date."

Jane flushes yet again, but says nothing this time. Caitlyn walks away making sure Jane's eyes follow her.

Eight p.m. arrives much too soon for Jane's liking and she still has not finished her paperwork for the day. She can't bring herself to go down to see Maura so instead she closes the files that have been sitting unattended on her desk for the past few hours and heads over to freshen up before her meeting with Caitlyn. Jane is still wary of calling it a date, but she knows what it is. She thinks her Ma might know too judging by the way she keeps pushing Caitlyn and her together at the café.

Jane sits at the bar waiting for Caitlyn to arrive. It takes Caitlyn two beers to get there. Her breathing is heavy as if she ran over, but she looks flawless as ever and Jane wonders if she has a type. Brilliant, witty, breath taking women who are sharp dressers. Caitlyn could not be more different that Maura and yet Jane keeps drawing up the similarities.

Caitlyn has another button undone and Jane does her best not to look, but her eyes make their way down there every now and again.

"Sorry. I got caught up."

"It's fine. You're just going to have to catch up quick." Jane holds up her empty bottle.

"Won't be a problem." Caitlyn flashes a smile ordering a round.

Jane is still in her standard work outfit, but the moment Caitlyn takes off her coat, her ensemble transforms into the center of attention. And yet again Jane is in the company of a woman who shines so easily.

They move to a booth and Caitlyn carries the conversation making Jane feel like she can talk about anything and everything and they do. Caitlyn brushes her leg against Jane's and reaches for her hand. She throws in exaggerated wink. She smiles. She laughs. And she is perfect. Jane toys with the other woman's fingers smiling back. It is only then that she realizes that she has not romantically clicked this well with anyone in a long time, if ever.

Caitlyn laughs when Jane narrates a story about Tommy and then counters with one of her own. They go back and forth until Jane gets up to go to the bathroom. Caitlyn follows. It is unexpected when it happens, but Jane makes no move to stop Caitlyn's arms coming around her waist and her mouth coming closer until their lips meet.

The way Caitlyn's lips feel against her own, she thinks she could get used to this. She has met men before who kiss with passion, working hard to show off technique, but Caitlyn doesn't assert her dominance. She kisses like she could keep doing this, keep giving Jane the room to lead, but also slowly pushing her up against the wall, her hands low on her waist. There is no beard, no stubble, just the redhead's smooth skin and soft hands cupping her face. The seconds have turned into minutes and Caitlyn's hands move down to undo the buttons of Jane's shirt. And suddenly it feels like she is back to being fifteen years old behind the bleachers at school with Jimmy Chambers. The hair at the back of her neck instantly stand stark with her heart thumping harder. Except unlike Jimmy she doesn't have to shove off Caitlyn, the other woman just pulls away.

"Hey, you alright?"

It takes Jane a minute to gather herself. "Yeah. Sorry I've just never done this" Jane shrugs, "with another woman."

"We don't have to go any further."

Jane nods and just like that Caitlyn turns to the mirror to straighten her shirt.

"Come on," she holds the door open for Jane, "let me buy you a drink."

It feels easy with her. Jane smiles as Caitlyn takes her hand into her own and lets the door close behind them. This is definitely a date.

The loud bustling of the place is jarring against the quiet of the ladies room. Jane pulls out a barstool and gestures for Caitlyn to sit down. She smiles and settles down. Jane pulls out the barstool next to her and calls out to for two beers.

"The lady is buying tonight."

Caitlyn chuckles.

"You know that kiss didn't tell me you've never been with a woman before."

Jane shrugs as a blush creeps up her cheeks. "What can I say, Lance, I'm just that good."

Caitlyn's hand brushes her thigh and it is then that Jane notices a certain medical examiner glaring at her date. She instantly stiffens drawing Caitlyn's eye to the subject of her attention.

"Isn't that Dr. Isles?"

"Yeah."

"You should go say hi."

Jane raises her eyebrows.

"I'll still be here. I wouldn't count on your drink to do the same." She inches her fingers towards Jane's bottle.

In any other situation she would have found this woman charming, but Maura had caught her eye and quickly turned away her attention and the bottom of Jane's gut had fallen out.

Jane stops a few paces short of the table at which Maura is toying with her salad. She waits for the other woman to give her her attention when Maura makes no motion to she takes a deep breath and moves closer in. "Hey. I didn't see you there."

"Jane, hello. It's rude to leave your date."

She motions to Caitlyn and redhead waves at the pair.

"Do you want to join us?"

"Oh no." Maura says faster than Jane can blink. "Actually I think I've had enough social contact for the day." She lifts her purse and gets off the chair. "I'll see you at home, Jane."

Jane nods letting her rush past her without another word. She heads back to the woman waiting for her at the bar slightly dazed.

"Everything alright?"

"Yeah." Jane smiles. "I have a beautiful date. Everything is fantastic."

Caitlyn blushes.

"Speaking of beautiful. I know this spectacular view just around the block that you have to see."

Jane finishes the last of the drink and gets up.

"Lead the way."

Sorry if I've missed out a couple of proof reading errors. Hope you enjoyed it :)