Beth nodded. “We’re not supposed to do it, but I’m happy to help out wherever I can. My wife and I don’t have any children, and she insists that she should be the one to provide for us. So, instead of working for money, I spend my time working to make the world a better place.”

  Cordy asked her questions, receiving prompt answers to each. When she reached the final question on her list, she steeled herself for the woman’s reaction.

  “Mrs. Faustino, I hate to breach such a delicate subject, but I have to ask. Can you tell me what happened to you sixteen years ago?”

  The color drained from Beth’s tanned face and her hands trembled. She swallowed several times and avoided Cordy’s scrutinizing gaze.

  “I, uh,” Beth licked her suddenly dry lips, “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Cordy offered the woman a look of apology. “Mrs. Faustino, please, I know this is difficult. This is between you and me. The only way I can ensure that you aren’t bothered again, is for you to tell me what happened to you.”

  Beth swallowed hard and swiped at the tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. She took a deep, bolstering breath before reliving the night that changed her life forever.

  ~ Chapter 5: July ~

  On Saturday, Cordy paced anxiously around the arrival gates at Portland International Airport. She’d arrived nearly an hour early, and was sure she’d paced a groove into the shiny tiles.

  Despite the need to identify The Confessor, Cordy’s mind was solely on Jenica. The past week had been sheer torture for Cordy, and as Saturday crept closer, she’d found herself incapable of focusing on the investigation.

  She’d managed to set up meetings with each of the women on her list who warranted a closer look, for the middle of the next week. She’d left the specific reason for the meetings out, informing the women that their names had come up as possible witnesses in a case she was working.

  Even Stormie had been given the same reasoning. Cordy hoped her gut was right, and Oakley wouldn’t feel the need to give her wife any information about the investigation.

  As the minutes crawled by, Cordy’s anticipation began to skyrocket. She’d spoken with Jenica a few times, but hearing her voice over the phone, or seeing her gorgeous face on video chat, wasn’t enough.

  Cordy’s entire being ached from missing her wife. Her heart, her soul, felt out of sorts when she awoke, alone, each morning. No matter how tired she was, Cordy’s body refused to shut down at night, preventing her from sleeping for more than an hour or two.

  She constantly checked the arrival board, praying that the plane would retain the on-time status. Cordy’s legs began to protest her constant motion, and she made her way over to the small coffee kiosk in the center of the lobby. She ordered a mocha latte and claimed a seat that allowed her an unobstructed view of the gates.

  As she sipped the steaming beverage, Cordy tried to occupy her frantic mind. She went over her homecoming plan again, checking off every detail, so the day would go off without a hitch. She’d deep cleaned the house, done all the laundry, and even washed and detailed Jenica’s car.

  Cordy, with the help of Nora, Gibson, Oakley, and Stormie, had painstakingly arranged red and pink rose petals along the path to the couple’s bedroom. While Nora and Stormie helped Cordy pick out the perfect romantic song, Gibson and Oakley arranged battery operated bluetooth candles around the bedroom. The candles flickered softly, giving off the gentle glow of real candles, without the fire hazard.

  Stormie, whom Cordy was beginning to suspect should have been working in the technology business, had paired both the candles and the stereo to Cordy’s iPhone. As soon as Cordy hit the button, the candles would turn on, and the music would play.

  Cordy was lost in thought, wondering if she’d remembered to close the curtains in their room, when someone stood in front of her, blocking her view. Not wanting to be rude, she simply leaned to the side and continued her mental check list.

  The bystander moved as well, once again blocking Cordy’s view. Cordy huffed, and allowed her gaze to focus on the person in front of her. Seated as she was, Cordy was eye-level with an amazing, and prominent, set of breasts. The dark red blouse was tight, straining against the soft, supple globes.

  That blouse looks familiar.

  Cordy’s heart rate soared, and she allowed her eyes to travel slowly upward. A gasp escaped her throat when her eyes landed on the rainbow-colored double-female symbol that was nestled atop the woman’s breathtaking cleavage.

  I know that necklace!

  Afraid her eyes were playing tricks on her, Cordy’s eyes shot up, locking onto the milk-chocolate doe eyes that never failed to make her weak in the knees.

  “You’re here!” she cried, launching out of her chair and wrapping her wife in a bone-crushing hug.

  Jenica chuckled and returned the embrace with equal force. “I’ve missed you,” she murmured through a lump in her throat.

  Cordy released Jenica, and reached out to cup the woman’s face. “I can’t even articulate how much I’ve missed you, Jenica,” she whispered, her eyes misting as she leaned in and pressed a kiss to Jenica’s lips.

  The kiss was passionate, but tentative, almost as if Cordy were afraid Jenica’s lips would turn out to be nothing more than her mind playing tricks on her.

  “I’m here now,” Jenica whispered, her lips brushing Cordy’s as she spoke. Cordy’s heart slammed against her chest as her wife read her mind.

  Cordy pulled away from her wife’s sensuous mouth, but kept her hands in place, her thumbs gently caressing Jenica’s cheek bones. Jenica smiled and rested her hands on Cordy’s hips. They stayed as they were, gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes, until a small child bumped into Jenica’s back, forcing her against Cordy’s chest.

  Arousal, stronger than any she’d felt before, surged through Cordy like a wildfire in a windstorm. Her nipples hardened painfully, and her center ached with desire.

  “Are you ready to go home?” she asked, her voice deep and husky as her heart beat in time with the thrum in her center.

  Jenica’s eyes darkened, and she caught her bottom lip between her teeth as she nodded. Cordy grabbed the rolling suitcase beside her wife, and took the woman’s hand. As if they were racing toward destiny, the couple pushed through the throng of people.

  “I hope you don’t have any plans for today,” Jenica said seductively, as Cordy tossed the luggage into the back, and slid behind the wheel.

  “I was going to go out with the guys and grab a beer,” Cordy teased, “once I drop you off at home. I should be back by dinner.”

  Jenica’s hand snaked over to rest on Cordy’s thigh, as Cordy maneuvered the car onto the highway. “Aww, too bad,” she said dejectedly, “I was hoping to get a few minutes of your time today.”

  Cordy shrugged, but her body was acutely aware of Jenica’s wandering hand. When a perfectly manicured fingernail flicked against the seam of her jeans, Cordy’s breath lodged in her lungs.

  “I could probably spare a few minutes,” she moaned, jerking the wheel to keep them in their lane. If Jenica kept touching her, they were going to end up in a hospital bed, instead of their own.

  “Good girl,” Jenica whispered, leaning across the center console to flick her tongue over Cordy’s ear.

  ***

  Two torturous hours later, Cordy pulled the car into the driveway, bolting from her seat in a hurry to open Jenica’s door.

  Jenica giggled at Cordy’s chivalry. Cordy was forever opening doors and pulling out chairs for her wife. She slid her hand into Cordy’s, allowing herself to be fairly dragged toward the door. Cordy fumbled with her keys, dropping Jenica’s hand to steady her own, and finally managed to get the key in the lock.

  Turning to face her beloved, Cordy took both of Jenica’s hands in her own, and led the woman inside. Once over the threshold, Jenica kicked the door closed and pulled Cordy to her, crushing their lips together in an ardent kiss.

  Inside her pocket, Cordy pressed the volume-up button on her phone, which had been previously set to trigger the romantic music and candles. A soft, instrumental melody floated down the hall, setting the pace as their tongues danced.

  When they finally separated, out of desperation for air, Jenica’s ears perked and she smiled at her wife.

  “That’s the first time I can remember your lips heralding music,” she teased lightly, her breasts heaving as she caught her breath.

  Cordy smirked and encircled Jenica’s waist, turning the woman toward the hall. “Look down,” she whispered, nuzzling behind Jenica’s ear.

  Jenica shivered and looked at the floor, her heart pounding with love when she caught sight of the petal pathway.

  “You’re such a romantic,” she whispered, her hands covering Cordy’s around her waist.

  “Anything to make you see how much you mean to me, Jenica, I mean that,” Cordy whispered honestly, guiding her wife toward their bedroom.

  Jenica’s hand snaked over her shoulder and curled in Cordy’s hair. She tipped her head to the side, offering the tender flesh of her throat to Cordy.

  Cordy didn’t hesitate, but did slow their trek, as she gently brushed her lips over Jenica’s skin. She moaned as she nibbled, her tongue flicking lightly against Jenica’s pulse.

  “I can’t believe how amazing your skin tastes,” Cordy whispered, as the couple entered their bedroom.

  “Oh, Cordy,” Jenica gasped, her eyes roaming over the gently flickering candles on the headboard, window sill, and end tables. Her heart hammered in her chest at the thought of how much energy Cordy had put into her homecoming.

  Cordy stopped at the bed, and turned Jenica to face her. “I love you,” she murmured, before lowering her lips to capture her wife’s in a slow, thorough kiss.

  Passion burned in Cordy’s belly; a deep, pleasant blaze that spread to every nerve ending. Eager heat radiated from Jenica’s body, scorching Cordy’s fingertips wherever they trailed.

  “Make love to me, Cordy,” Jenica begged breathlessly, as she gripped Cordy’s hips and pulled her closer.

  Cordy’s determination to go slow fled, like water down a drain. She growled, deep in her throat, and moved quickly to rid Jenica of her burdensome clothing. She didn’t bother with the buttons on the blouse, or with the clasp on the front of her black, strapless bra. Instead, she ruined both in her haste.

  Jenica hissed when Cordy lowered her head and sucked a straining, chocolate-tipped nipple into her mouth. Cordy’s tongue swirled and flicked, her teeth scraping and biting. Her hands roamed, one massaging Jenica’s other breast, while her free hand kneaded Jenica’s ass.

  “Cordy, I’m going to fall.” Jenica’s knees threatened to buckle, when Cordy’s teeth clamped onto her nipple and tugged.

  Cordy lifted her head, and met Jenica’s eyes. Silently, their eyes locked on one another, Cordy lowered her wife onto the bed.

  “I need to taste you,” Cordy said, parting Jenica’s legs with her knee.

  Jenica nodded and bit her lip, arching her body to follow the path Cordy’s fingers were traveling. Cordy smiled, her eyes taking in the way Jenica moved. Her wife’s actions exuded desire and lust, offering the redhead a glimpse of just how much her touch had been missed.

  Cordy pulled the zipper down the side of Jenica’s skirt, and swiftly relieved her of the rest of her clothing.

  “Oh, fuck.” Cordy inhaled sharply when her eyes lit on Jenica’s engorged, throbbing pussy.

  “I’ve missed you,” Jenica said, her voice low and promising.

  “I can see that,” Cordy whispered in awe. She couldn’t recall a time when Jenica looked so close to orgasm, from simple foreplay. She eased herself to her knees, ready and eager to worship at the temple of Jenica’s need.

  Cordy wrapped her arms around Jenica’s thighs, and tugged softly, urging her closer to the edge of the bed. She kissed the inside of one thigh, then the other, before using her fingers to spread her wife.

  As her clit was exposed to the cool air of the room, Jenica let out a long, loud moan that shot straight through Cordy.

  “Sweetheart,” Jenica panted, “don’t play. If you don’t hurry, I’ll end up finishing without you.”

  Cordy narrowed her eyes and pressed her tongue to the tip of Jenica’s clit. She flicked her tongue and her eyes danced when Jenica’s head tipped back and her hips shot up. Unable to resist Jenica’s pleas any longer, Cordy sucked Jenica’s clit into her mouth.

  “Cordy!” Jenica’s cry echoed off the walls, her accent melodious in Cordy’s ears.

  Cordy’s tongue worked frantically, flicking, swiping, and lapping as she urged her wife toward climax. Within minutes, Jenica’s muscles began to tighten, and her hand snaked into Cordy’s hair, holding her in place as Jenica’s hips began to buck.

  Cordy released Jenica’s clit, and slipped her tongue inside. She darted in and out quickly, stopping only to drag her tongue upward, from Jenica’s entrance to her clit. Jenica’s breathing became erratic, and she pulled Cordy closer still, riding her face hard.

  Cordy sucked air through her nose and flicked her tongue faster, determined to meet Jenica’s frantic pace. The succulent thighs surrounding her head tightened, causing stars to burst before Cordy’s eyes.

  “Cordy!” Jenica screamed again, her body rigid as an orgasm, like none she’d ever experienced before, threatened to tear the air from her lungs.

  Cordy’s mind reeled as she watched her wife in the throes of passion. She had to keep her going. She never wanted to see that look of pure, unadulterated ecstasy leave Jenica’s face. As soon as Jenica’s thighs began to loosen, Cordy slowed her oral ministrations, and quickly pushed two fingers inside.

  Jenica gasped and released Cordy’s hair, to curl her fingers into her own. “Oh, Cordy, more,” Jenica pleaded, as the pleasure began to coil again.

  Cordy obliged, her hand pumping rapidly, her fingers pressing deeper and deeper. She lifted her head to get a better view of Jenica’s face, as the woman thrashed wildly on the bed.

  “That’s it, baby,” she whispered urgently, her own orgasm looming dangerously close, “Come for me, Jenica.”

  Jenica’s hands tightened in her hair, and her body practically levitated off the bed, when her muscles began to contract.

  Cordy felt the constriction around her fingers and sucked in a breath. Her clit began to twitch against the cotton of her panties, and she squeezed her thighs together, determined to stave off her impending climax.

  This time, when Jenica’s voice reverberated through the room, Cordy’s body betrayed her. Her own cry mingled with Jenica’s, a symphony of passion playing just for them. Jenica bolted upright and gripped the front of Cordy’s shirt, pulling her roughly to Jenica’s lips.

  “I love tasting myself on you,” Jenica said, her tongue tracing Cordy’s lips as they kissed.

  Cordy sighed deeply, taking a moment to absorb the love and devotion that radiated from her wife.

  “That was intense,” Jenica said, when their lips parted.

  Cordy grinned and shifted to her side, pulling Jenica to her. “It was,” she admitted, kissing Jenica’s nose, “I thought I might lose my hand.”

  Jenica giggled and squeezed Cordy’s breast, rolling the nipple between her fingers. Cordy sucked in a breath and felt herself begin to throb once more. Jenica smiled lasciviously and shifted, pinning Cordy on her back.

  She straddled Cordy’s belly, and leaned down to brush her lips over her wife’s. “It’s your turn, toku aroha,” she whispered, flicking her tongue over Cordy’s lips.

  Cordy purred and let her hands sneak up Jenica’s torso, squeezing the plump, passion-tightened breasts.

  “What makes you think I’m in the mood?” she teased, a sappy smirk on her face.

  Jenica sat upright and inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with the scent of the room. When she exhaled, Jenica’s eyes met Cordy’s, and she slid one hand behind her, to tap against Cordy’s crotch.

  “I can smell your desire, Cordy,” she said, her voice dripping with intent, “You wouldn’t want to deprive me of it, now would you?”

  Cordy’s body shuddered, and her eyes nearly rolled into the back of her head. When Jenica pressed against her need, Cordy shook her head and arched her hips.

  “Never, baby,” she panted, “it’s all yours.”

  Jenica smiled triumphantly, and crawled off Cordy’s belly, to claim her wife’s earlier position. “I couldn’t ask for a greater gift,” she promised.

  ~ Chapter 6: July ~

  “Well, you look rested,” Gibson said, as Cordy sauntered into the bullpen, “I take it Jenica’s homecoming was a success?”

  Cordy offered her partner a radiant smile.

  “I can tell,” Gibson chuckled, “your clothes look like you actually tried.”

  Cordy looked down at her outfit, her smile never faltering. “You know, Gibs,” she said, dropping into her chair, “As much fun as the weekend was, I don’t think I could ever do that again.”

  “You missed her too much, didn’t you?” Gibson asked compassionately.

  Cordy nodded. “That’s true. Every day she was gone, it was like a piece of me was dying. But, that’s not what I meant.”

  Gibson tilted his head inquisitively.

  “I was talking about the homecoming,” she chuckled with a wink, “We stayed in bed all weekend. I didn’t even realize it was Monday, until Jenica got up to get ready for work. As devoted as I am to my wife, as much as I love making love to her, I just don’t think I can do that again. She wore me the hell out.”

  Gibson barked out a hearty laugh. “Only you would complain about your wife wearing you out with sex.”

  Cordy tossed a pen across the desks. “Hey, I’m not the only one who complains. Wasn’t it you, who bitched about Nora going all nympho on Valentine’s Day?”

  A blush crept over Gibson’s face, and he suddenly found his paperwork very interesting. “So, um, when are your interviews?”

  Cordy laughed at the topic change, but decided to let her friend off the hook. “Not until Wednesday,” she replied as she turned on her computer, “I’m going to start running them today. Do you know if the others have made any progress?”