Janine heard a door squeak and awoke instantly, alert and afraid, her heart pounding. She searched for a weapon, ready to fight.
“Hey, Janine. It’s me, Kerri.”
“Kerri?”
“Yes. I wanted to check on you. Lieutenant Morris told me you weren’t feeling well. How are you?”
Kerri stepped into a cone of light, illuminating her beautiful smile. Janine sat up and reached for her, opening her arms wide. Kerri sat on the edge of the metal bed, pulling Janine into a tight hug. They held each other for a long minute.
Kerri caressed her back, and the tears of relief came. This time she didn’t try to hold them back. Kerri held her, and rocked her, and said nothing as Janine shuddered into Kerri’s uniform jacket.
After she caught her breath, Kerri murmured into her ear, “We’re all right. We’re safe. I’ve got you.” Kerri repeated her reassurances softly until Janine pulled her head up.
“I’m okay now. Thank you. Oh, look. I’ve made a mess of your jacket.” Janine touched a big smear of makeup.
“What? My jacket’s dirty? Well, you’ll be getting a cleaning bill for that, miss.”
“Oh, yeah? Just look at my uniform dress. It’s in tatters. You owe me a new uniform.”
“I guess we’re even, then. I’m starving. Let’s go find some food.”
They lurched through the corridors of the ship, holding on to the handrails because of the rough seas, and found the noisy mess hall. It was a compact, utilitarian room packed with her passengers, all of them stuffing their faces. As Kerri and Janine got in line for the food, the noise level in the room lowered to dead quiet. Mr. Shapiro, who was discussing something with a group of passengers crowded around his table, glared at them and stopped talking. Janine was very conscious of being stared at, which was another uncomfortable feeling from her past. Panic started to rise in her throat.
“Kerri, let’s come back later, when it’s less crowded.”
“No. We’re both hungry, and we need to eat. They can just make room for us.” Janine heard an edge of anger in Kerri’s voice. The thought of Kerri unleashing a torrent of anger against their passengers made her shiver.
“Please, Kerri. I don’t feel comfortable here. Let’s go.” Janine stopped, unmovable.
“All right. We’ll leave and try again later.”
Lieutenant Morris came up to them. “Oh, here you are. The skipper told me to find you and take you to her quarters. Please follow me.”
He led them to a relatively quiet part of the ship, up a deck, then down a corridor ending at a door with “Lt. Cmdr. Stacey Gentry” on it.
“Oh, good. You’re here. Come on in.” Stacey opened her door for them. “It’s not too big, but it’s all we have left. There’s a single bed over here, and the chair lays flat into another bed. There are sheets and towels on the desk. I left you both some clean dungarees, and this is the only stateroom with a private head. I’m also sending some food up for you, so enjoy, ladies.”
Stacey pulled the door closed behind her and was gone in a flash.
Janine sat down in the chair, and Kerri maneuvered to the bed.
“I can’t believe she gave us her room. This crew is amazing.” Kerri looked around the tidy space.
“Do you mind if I shower first? This is the dirtiest I’ve ever been.”
“Go right ahead. I’ll just rest my eyes for a minute while you’re in the shower.” Kerri lay back on the bed and immediately started snoring.
Janine took the longest, hottest shower of her life. When she returned to the room, Kerri was dead asleep. She took a moment to stare at Kerri’s smooth face, with only a few lines across her forehead. A couple of strands of gray at her temples stood out in her otherwise dark, silky hair. Her face is beautiful when she’s relaxed in sleep.
She would let Kerri rest on the bed and, hopefully, sleep through the night. She carefully removed Kerri’s shoes, then draped a blanket over her.
Janine wolfed down a ham-and-cheese sandwich, a chocolate-pudding cup, and another big bottle of water. She reclined the chair and made it up as a single bed.
“Well, it’s more comfortable than the 767 crew bunk,” she said to herself and looked over at Kerri. “Sleep well, my captain.”
Janine pulled the blanket over her shoulder and muttered the silent prayer she said every night. Please, God, keep Molly safe, and no dreams for me. Amen.
* * *
Kerri felt something next to her. “Move over.”
“What?” Kerri’s head was throbbing, and she was disoriented.
“Move over, Kerri. I’m freezing.”
Kerri complied, rolled onto her side, and pressed herself against the wall. Janine snuggled in next to her, pressing her backside into Kerri’s lap. Oh, my.
Janine took Kerri’s hand in hers and pulled Kerri’s arm across her body.
Kerri didn’t resist, because she really liked it, but she was confused. Everything Janine had told her about Molly, her ex-husband, and her refusal to return her calls didn’t match up with Janine’s actions now.
Maybe she really is cold and only wants to be close to stay warm. But it didn’t feel that way to Kerri. Janine sought out Kerri to touch her, to physically connect with her. Kerri’s desire for Janine was probably misplaced, as it had been before. Janine was very clear that she didn’t care for a relationship, or even a date, with anyone. Kerri resisted the urge to pull her closer, even though she craved her. She wouldn’t make any unwanted overtures. They both needed sleep, so Kerri kept her arm around Janine’s waist, enjoying the feel of her body, and let herself fall back asleep. If anything happened between them, Janine would have to make the first move.
* * *
Janine nestled against Kerri and tried to relax for the first time in a very long while. She’d lost the ability to sleep soundly when she was with Ryan. She’d trained herself to be a very light sleeper around him because he was either drunk, or high, most of the time, and because of his constant demand for bizarre, violent sex after they were married.
Now she was exhausted but couldn’t sleep. Every time she drifted off, the trauma lurked just under the surface, waiting to get her. She knew what was happening with her mind but was helpless to stop it. Conjuring up the image of her kind therapist, Christine, she tried to recite the mantra she’d learned: “I am a free person. He can’t hurt me anymore. I did not cause this. I am loved.”
The words that had been a beam of light during her darkest moments seemed to fail her this time. She knew her fear from the raft ordeal was triggering her previous PTSD, but her usual coping mechanisms weren’t enough. The only thing she could hang on to was Kerri.
Despite everything they’d been through, she still trusted Kerri with her life. Kerri would protect her, no matter what.
“Am I keeping you awake? I can move to the chair.” Kerri’s voice sounded husky with sleep.
“No. You’re not keeping me awake, and I prefer you right here.” She pulled Kerri’s arm tighter around her.
“You’re tossing and turning, and I thought I was disturbing you.”
“I’m having trouble getting to sleep. It’s just the old demons again. Sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. We both just went through hell. I could call sick bay and see if they have any sleeping pills, if you want?”
“No, thanks. I can’t take any of that stuff, and neither should you. The first thing they’re going to do when we step off this boat is drug test us.”
“You’re right about that. Does anything help you? Hot chocolate? That always works for me.”
“Sounds nice, but I’ll just try my breathing exercises. If I’m bothering you, I’ll go back to the chair.”
“You’re fine right here.” Kerri snuggled closer. “How about a back rub? That might help you relax and go to sleep.”
“A back rub? Really? That has to be the oldest line in the book.” Janine couldn’t help but laugh. “Is that how you got the nickname ‘Don Juanita,’ with lines like that?”
“I’m only talking about a therapeutic back rub. No strings attached. I promise.”
“Sure. Why not? I’m too tired to fight.” Janine pulled her shirttail out of her dungaree pants and rolled over so she lay facedown.
“Sorry. I don’t have any oil.”
Kerri slipped off her jacket, turned onto her side, and slid her hand slowly under Janine’s shirt. After making small, light circles at Janine’s waist with just her fingertips, she moved up her spine. Janine exhaled and tried to focus only on the lines Kerri was drawing on her skin. Her touch was soft and gentle, and a vision of skiers making snow trails on a virgin slope came to mind. The tightness in her shoulders started to release.
“Your neck and shoulder muscles are as hard as rocks. Would you like me to try to loosen those spasms? I’ll have to press harder, so is that okay?” Kerri’s voice was as soothing as her hands.
“Yes. Please do.”
As Kerri’s strong hands squeezed and massaged her tight muscles, Janine couldn’t stop the small moans emerging from deep within her throat. Kerri’s hands were magical as she kneaded the sore spots. Tingles ran down her spine from the firm yet soft strokes across her back. The anxiety from earlier disappeared, as did her fear of the dark.
Janine continued to lie on the bed soaking up tenderness coming through Kerri’s fingers. She would lie there and let Kerri touch her as long as she could. She thought of their first back rub, when Janine was sunburned after their snorkeling trip. Kerri had been so gentle and kind on that occasion, and that experience had led to their first kiss on the flight deck. That was so yummy.
She melted into Kerri’s caresses across her back. Her lips tingled with the memory of Kerri’s velvet-soft lips opening for her. She wanted more kisses like that, a lot more. The heat of desire rose up from somewhere deep within her, and she didn’t fight it this time. She let her hips gyrate against Kerri’s lap.
“Um, Janine, are you trying to tell me something? Or am I misreading things?”
“You’re not misreading anything. It feels so good to have you touch me.”
The desire in Janine’s belly was now a consuming fire she could no longer ignore. She slowly rolled toward Kerri, gazed into her eyes, then reached for Kerri’s face with her hands and pulled her down to kiss her. Kerri’s lips were just as soft and luscious as she remembered. Janine opened her mouth for more. The tip of Kerri’s tongue danced across her lower lip, then slowly entered her hungry mouth. Their kisses grew more fervent.
One of Kerri’s hands was still beneath Janine’s shirt, and she moved it up along the side of Janine’s ribs. She realized what Kerri’s target was and was eager to feel Kerri’s hand on her breast. She wrapped her arms around Kerri’s shoulders and pulled her on top. The weight of Kerri’s body pressing against her own made Janine swoon. They fit together like puzzle pieces. Kerri continued to kiss her with more intensity as she moved her hand over Janine’s breast.
“Oh, my God, that feels amazing,” Janine murmured.
Kerri pressed her thigh between Janine’s legs, and Janine kissed her harder.
Kerri surprised her when she broke their kiss. “Are you sure you want this?”
“I’m not sure of anything right now. I just want to keep kissing you.”
Kerri answered her with more passionate kisses, and then she started to unbutton and remove Janine’s blue dungaree shirt. Janine was a little scared, but excited, and Kerri’s strong hands squeezing her breasts as she kissed her made Janine feel like she was floating on air. It had been so long since anyone had caressed her breasts with tenderness. She was hungry for more, and she wanted to taste Kerri’s flesh.
“Take your shirt off.”
Kerri quickly removed her uniform shirt and bra, revealing perfect, medium-sized breasts with hardened peaks. Janine lowered her head to taste the tempting nipples. She sucked a dark-mauve tip into her mouth and swirled her tongue all around it. The sound of Kerri’s moans made Janine throb inside. She caressed Kerri’s breasts as she feasted on them.
Kerri emitted a deep sound and pressed her breasts farther into Janine’s mouth. Janine devoured her and wanted so much more.
A sharp rap at the door interrupted their passion. “Captain Sullivan?”
“Yes?” Kerri answered curtly.
“It’s Lieutenant Morris. The skipper needs to see you in her office. I’m supposed to escort you. I’ll wait outside the door until you’re ready.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant. I’ll be right there.” Kerri grumbled her reply, clearly unhappy at having to leave. “I’m so sorry. I’ll come back as soon as I can.”
Kerri threw on her clothes, then came over to Janine. “I’d like to continue where we left off, if that’s okay.” She gave Janine a dazzling smile.
“Of course. Me too.”
They shared a sweet kiss one more time, and then Kerri left.
After Janine heard the door latch, the scent of Kerri’s skin lingered, and she pulled a pillow next to her breasts, wishing it were Kerri.
* * *
Friday, May 9
Kerri was very uncomfortable as she quickly marched to the skipper’s office. Her arousal made her very sensitive, and her uniform slacks were rubbing. “Ow.”
“Are you all right, ma’am?”
“Yes. I’m fine. Just tired.”
Damn it…I bet my neck and face are bright red too. Stacey Gentry will know exactly what we’ve been up to. Oh, well, she’s probably jealous.
“Here you go, ma’am. Have a nice day.” Lieutenant Morris did an about-face and was off.
Stacey opened her door before Kerri even knocked.
“Kerri, come in, please. Why don’t you sit on the couch with me? Would you like a drink?”
“I didn’t think alcohol was allowed on navy ships. And, yes, I’d love one.”
Stacey pulled out a bottle of Jameson whiskey from her lower desk drawer, then joined her on the couch.
“I need to tell you something, and I wish I didn’t have to. But you’re on my ship now, and you’re my responsibility.”
Kerri’s insides tightened, like she was ready for a blow.
“Go ahead, Skipper.”
“I’ve heard scuttlebutt on the ship about your passengers.”
“What do you mean?”
“A David Shapiro, from Los Angeles, has been approaching all the other passengers about starting a class-action lawsuit against your airline, and against you personally.”
That news didn’t surprise Kerri. He’d been a thorn in her side since they first ditched the airplane.
“Thanks for telling me. I’ll talk to him later and straighten everything out. I had to pull my gun on him in the raft, and he’s pissed at me about it. I’ll apologize and promise him substantial compensation from my company.”
“It’s not just that. He got a satellite phone from one of the researchers and called the press.”
“Well, I was kind of expecting that too. Not too many people survive a water landing, so I’m sure the news media will be interested. Thank you for filling me in. I appreciate the heads-up.”
“Anytime, Kerri. I checked your service record and saw you had a very distinguished air force career, as did your father. I just didn’t want you walking into a buzz saw.”
“Thanks, Stacey.”
“Oh, by the way, my yeoman will pick up your uniform, and Janine’s, and clean them up. They look pretty bad. He can’t work magic, but he can improve their appearance.”
Kerri let out a big sigh of relief. Being called into the commander’s office was never pleasant, but she was happy she’d made a new friend in Stacey.
She entered the skipper’s cabin as quietly as she could.
“Kerri? Is that you?”
“Yes. It’s me.”
“Come over here.” Janine opened her arms and made room on the bed, then flipped on the light. “What did the skipper want?”
“She told me Mr. Shapiro is trying to organize the passengers into suing me and that he’d alerted the press about it.”
“That piece of crap. And I was so nice to him.”
“Well, at least we’re around to tell the truth. I’m not surprised. We did an amazing job of dealing with multiple emergencies—ditching the plane and keeping our passengers alive in a raft for days. I think we’ll be fine.”
Kerri’s stomach growled.
“You never got any food, did you?”
“I guess not. I think I’ll clean up and change clothes. Then maybe we can go get something to eat.”
The gentle touching from before was gone, like a clearing fog. Kerri had to push her romantic hopes for a morning alone with Janine to the back of her mind. There would be an investigation, a thorough and comprehensive examination of every aspect of her flying career, and of her entire life. Oh, crap.