Jane had only been on the bike for five minutes when Maura entered the gym along with one of the physical coaches and Samantha, one of their players who had been injured since before Jane joined the team. Jane knew it was a chance that Maura would stop by their mandatory workouts, but she had not prepared for the fashionable doctor in workout clothes. How the blue tank top clung to every curve was something Jane immediately wished she hadn't seen. There was no way she'd be able to focus if she had to be around that smooth skin that just begged to be touched.
Don't look, don't look, don't look…
It was easier said than done. Maura had time to make eye contact and smile before Jane somehow managed to look away. And then the minutes started to slow down. Maura and the physical coach got Samantha working with some weights not too far away, and Jane had a perfect view to the doctor. She watched as the duo supervised Samantha, occasionally correcting her and asking questions. And more than once did the doctor catch Jane watching her. Jane lowered her head after the third time and closed her eyes.
Laughter made her look up again. The doctor and the coach were laughing about something, and Jane's eyes were drawn to Maura's smile. She studied the dimple, how the eyes seemed full of life, the way the doctor pushed some strands of hair behind her ear. And when Maura caught Jane's eyes and smiled, Jane realized she was smiling herself. She tore her eyes away from Maura and stared down at her bike's computer screen. Only three minutes had passed and Jane understood she was far beyond the point of help.
Jane didn't bother to hide the yawn and Heather laughed next to her. It was way too early to be up and especially for breakfast, at least according to Jane's definition. But sharing a room with Heather on their road trips included an early start. And Jane didn't really mind. They had become good friends and always had a lot of fun.
"Hang in there, Rizzoli, just two more games on the road before Christmas" Heather teased.
Jane rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Yeah. I can hardly wait!" she teased back.
They were interrupted by someone approaching them, and Jane looked up to see Maura putting down her tray across Jane.
"Good morning, girls. May I join you?"
"Yeah, of course doctor Isles" Heather smiled quickly.
"Morning doc" Jane greeted and tried to stifle a yawn as Maura sat down.
"Tired, Jane?"
"Yeah, too early for me…" she nodded.
Maura just smiled and took a careful sip of her coffee.
Jane drifted off as Heather and Maura started chatting, and without her permission, her eyes slowly made it to the doctor. Even early in the morning she looked stunning; hair pulled perfectly in a loose ponytail, skin so smooth that Jane was certain it would be like touching velvet. Her gaze trailed down to the gray simple, but elegant sweater when Jane realized she was staring again. She quickly looked down at her cereal that had turned soggy and pushed it aside.
They were talking about the game for the following day when Heather asked for Jane's thoughts about the team they were up against. Jane offered her thoughts, and Maura watched her intently every second. It made Jane slightly uncomfortable, almost nervous, until she looked back at the doctor. Maura wasn't just looking at her, she was studying Jane's lips. Jane couldn't help herself and wet her lips with her tongue in a swift move. It caused Maura to flinch and quickly divert her gaze, and Jane smiled.
Playing With Fire
Jane Rizzoli is on fire these days. She added another goal in Boston's win over San Francisco tonight, extending her scoring streak to three games. She now has five goals in the last three games and seems to thrive on the first line.
"It's an honor to get to play on the first line, the goals are just a bonus for me. But it feels good to score again and win the games, I feel like I'm contributing. The last three wins have meant a lot for the moral and the mood in our group, and it definitely gives us a boost. We want to give our best in the remaining games and finish off strong before the holidays."
The Devils are facing the Los Angeles Suns on Friday before they return back to Boston for the last two games before Christmas. Rizzoli will face her old team Denver in the last game, a game she's looking forward to.
"The last game before Christmas is always special, no matter where you play. We're almost halfway in the season, and it gives us an idea of where we're at and will end up. Of course this is extra special for me, but it's also a chance for us as a team to redeem ourselves after that horrible game in Denver. That was not a game we're proud of, at all, and we're going to give everything we've got to make the game a good game for our fans. They deserve that win."
Jane made sure she had her key with her before she closed the door to the hotel room. She walked down the hallway and turned the corner to the elevators. Maura was standing there, waiting for the elevator, and Jane had to part her lips in order to breathe. Dressed in black jeans, high black boots and a leather jacket, the doctor looked incredible sexy. Jane couldn't help herself and whistled. "Wow, you look nice! Looks like you're ready for a night on the town."
Maura turned and smiled softly. "Thank you. Just going out to dinner with an old friend of mine."
Jane stopped next to her and slowly inhaled the perfume that quickly surrounded her. "Lucky friend…" she blurted out. The elevator doors opened and saved her from the awkward moment she had steered herself towards. Jane saw the elevator was empty and let the doctor enter first. An idea was starting to form in her head and she smiled for herself and pushed the button for the lobby. She took a few steps backwards, moving so close to the doctor that their arms were touching and then just stood there staring at the doors in front of them.
None of them said a word and Jane made sure their arms kept touching. Maura took a slow and deep breath, causing her arm to press gently against Jane, which did not go unnoticed by Jane. The doors opened in front of them and the sounds of the lobby filled the small space. Maura stepped out first, and Jane enjoyed the view as best as she could. Heather and some of the girls were waiting for her, and Jane tore her eyes away from the doctor's backside. "Enjoy your dinner" she smiled as they parted ways. Maura turned to her with an unrecognizable look in her eyes, and Jane's smile faded.
She had definitely started something, but wasn't really sure what that something was.
"Jane!"
She looked up for a split second, trying to keep her focus on the puck and everyone around her. Heather had called out her name and was now tapping her stick on the ice. Jane was almost behind the goal and didn't really have time to think. It was a part of the game she loved, not being able to figure out what you're gonna do until you do it. In a quick move she moved her stick in front of the puck and backhanded it towards Heather, hoping it would make it to her. A second later she heard the swoosh of the puck as it flew by the goalie. Four girls in white jerseys let out screams of joy and Jane laughed as she skated towards Heather who was quickly surrounded by her team mates. They cheered and Jane gave Heather a playful punch on the arm. "What the hell, are you trying to be the top scorer of the team, or what?"
"It's your fault! You keep feeding me all these opportunities on a fucking silver platter!" Heather laughed.
They slowly broke apart and skated towards the bench where they bumped fists with the rest of the girls before stepping off the ice. For the second time in the game, Heather had scored after a pass from Jane, and the coach was more than happy. He gave them both a solid pat on the back. "Nice play girls!"
Jane had a huge smile on her face, and as she sat down she glanced at the doctor further down the bench. The doctor smiled softly back.
When Jane approached the elevators in the lobby later that night, she laughed for herself when she saw Maura standing there along with three strangers. Jane walked up to her without a word, and once again she breathed in the exhilarating perfume. Maura looked at her and smiled. "Great game tonight."
Jane just nodded. She didn't even return the gaze, she just stared at the doors until they opened. Maybe it was the change of scenery, or her success on the ice, it could even be the upcoming break, but Jane felt more relaxed and more herself than she had in a long time. So when they reached the third floor and even more people got in, Jane found herself in the corner grinning, with Maura right in front of her. She breathed in slowly as she looked down Maura's body. Her arms were bare, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, and Jane swallowed.
Had it been three weeks ago, she would've hesitated.
But her arm was a step ahead of her head, reaching out until her fingers made contact with the naked skin in front of her. Maura's breath hitched as Jane's fingers moved slowly down the length of her arm. Or maybe it was Jane's breath that hitched, she wasn't sure. It didn't matter, because she saw the way Maura exhaled nervously. Jane withdrew her hand and shoved her hands in her pocket as the elevator stopped on their floor. As they stepped off, Jane stopped for a moment, wondering what she was supposed to do now. But Maura walked away without ever looking back, and Jane realized she didn't have to worry.
