The Academy: Detective Stories - Part I

Chapter 23. Mind Games

When the sky turned gray in the early hours, Jackie opened her eyes. Elisa sat on her bed in her nightgown, gazing out the window. Jackie wrapped herself in a blanket and sat up, feeling her head spin.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" Jackie asked, her voice hoarse.

Elisa turned to her. "I was thinking."

"All night?" Jackie questioned.

Elisa nodded.

Jackie leaned against the wall, her heart burning in her chest as she continued to stare at the woman she loved.

Elisa turned her face back to the window, the sounds of the first carriages filling the street. Some farmers were likely hurrying to set up their goods on a trade street. Jackie noticed a teacup on her nightstand and realized it was filled with her favorite mint tea. Elisa must have prepared it for her, and Jackie was quite thirsty. She drank it down to the bottom.

Elisa watched her with sadness in her beautiful dark-blue eyes.

"What were you thinking about?" Jackie inquired, placing the empty cup on the nightstand.

Elisa sighed. "Of you."

Her heart sank. Elisa seemed to be toying with her like a cat with a silly mouse. "Tell me."

"I don't want to talk about it."

Jackie squeezed her blanket tightly in her hands, her knuckles turning almost white. It was enough. She stood up. "Then let's play another game."

Elisa raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

Jackie sat on her bed in front of her. "We won't talk, we'll show instead."

"Didn't we have enough charades last night?" Elisa retorted.

Instead of answering, Jackie continued to tease her. "Are you afraid of something?"

Elisa sneered. "No!"

"Then let's do it." Jackie raised her hand.

She moved closer and clapped her palm. "Fine!"

Jackie looked into Elisa's eyes, smiling. It was incredibly easy to engage her. Now, she needed to be careful not to scare her away.

"Who goes first?" Elisa asked.

"You. Ask any question, and I'll answer without words," Jackie challenged.

"Ok." Elisa paused, then asked, "How drunk are you right now?"

Jackie raised her hand and put her thumb to her index finger, then slowly moved them apart until there was an inch between them.

"Really?" Elisa narrowed her eyes.

Jackie smiled and made it two inches. They burst out laughing.

"Okay, my turn," Jackie said once their laughter subsided.

Elisa's eyes sparkled. "Go ahead."

"How badly do you want me?" Jackie asked, looking at her without blinking. Elisa Palmer, she thought, brave with men and damn scared with women. Who knew what was going on in her mysterious head?

They were supposed to leave for summer training the next day, and Jackie wouldn't see Elisa for three months. But in that moment, they were here and now, sitting in front of each other. Jackie felt like she was on the edge, anticipating Elisa pushing her away. She was prepared to hear the ugly truth and face rejection, as she couldn't bear the weight of her desire any longer.