Free Paid in Full by Ann Roberts

was much more. Jealousy swept over her. “Extremely close friends,” she concluded.
    “Yes, but just friends,” Ari answered, sensing she needed to explain further. “Bob and I were never lovers. Our love is different.”
    “Because you owe him?” Molly asked, thinking back to the last thing Ari had said that afternoon: Have you ever owed a debt you never thought you could repay?
    “Maybe,” Ari said slowly, “this is my chance to pay him back.” Ari hoped Molly realized the full implications of her sentence. She wouldn’t back down, and she wouldn’t stay out of the investigation, short of being arrested.
    “Please be careful,” Molly said.
    Touched by the sentiment, Ari gently rested her hand over Molly’s. When she made no effort to remove it, the detective’s eyes widened at the sight.
    “Is this all right?” Ari asked, smiling shyly. “You look a little shocked.”
    Her eyes still frozen to the spot, Molly answered, “I didn’t think you held hands with women.”
    Ari smiled. “Well, I enjoy it, but it’s been a while.” She stroked Molly’s large hands and long fingers. For a fleeting moment, she imagined them deep inside her.
    Molly sat there, too petrified to return the gesture. Somehow, in the midst of a murder investigation, they had wound up together, looking at the stars and listening to jazz. Molly didn’t have planned dates that went this well.
    The chaise was so comfortable. She leaned back, concentrating on Ari’s caress. Her hand was like silk and Molly imagined the rest of Ari’s body would be just as smooth and soft.
    She brought Ari’s hand to her lips, kissing each fingertip lightly. Ari smiled, and that was all the encouragement Molly needed. She pulled Ari on top of her, and stared into her green eyes. Ari bent to kiss her mouth, but Molly shook her head no. “Not yet,” she whispered. “I just want to touch you right now. I want to know every part of you.” Molly reached underneath Ari’s T-shirt and caressed her back, a sensation that gave Ari goose pimples. She wore no bra and her hardened nipples stood erect against the fabric. Ari stared into Molly’s twinkling eyes, made bluer by the moonlight. Her gaze fell to her chest and Molly’s agile hands, moving slowly under the shirt, her thumbs teasing Ari’s nipples. Ari moaned. Molly pushed Ari down on her back and let her hands slide down Ari’s abdomen. She made slow circles around Ari’s navel, her fingertips barely making contact with the cool flesh. Unable to stand anymore, Ari unbuttoned her shorts, but Molly clasped her hands together and brought them to her lips. “No.” Ari gave Molly a look of frustration, but nodded. Molly’s gaze wandered to Ari’s calves. Like every other part of her body, her legs were muscular, and Molly took her time feeling each curve. She worked her way up to Ari’s creamy white inner thighs, one of Molly’s favorite parts of the female body. Here, she would not use her hands. She brought her lips to Ari’s skin. Ari gasped as Molly’s kisses drew closer to her center, and when the detective’s tongue started working its way under her panties, she gasped.
    Suddenly Molly blinked. “Did I fall asleep?”
    “Only for a few minutes.” Ari’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “You must have been having some dream. You looked entirely satisfied.”
    Molly’s face turned beet red. “God, I’m sorry,” she said, standing up abruptly. “You invite me over and I’m snoring on your lounge.” She shuffled her feet, not meeting Ari’s gaze. “I should go.” Ari tried to protest, but Molly’s eyes were riveted to the front door, her exit from embarrassment. With her hand safely on the knob, she finally turned to Ari, expecting the beautiful woman to be angry or upset, but Ari simply touched her cheek.
    “You need some rest,” Ari whispered, her breath smelling of mint.
    They were inches apart, Molly keenly aware of the electricity between them and unable to believe it