Free Bouncing by Jaime Maddox Page A

thought.
    “Bogie!” Sal yelled. “Calm down!”
    Brit heard a chorus of voices yelling at the little dog who so bravely came to meet her. She approached the patio slowly and pushed her sunglasses up on her forehead as she knelt to allow the wriggling pooch to sniff her hand.
    “Hello, you ferocious beast. I’m sure you scare away all the bad guys with that bark,” she told him as she scratched the fur behind his neck.
    “His AKC papers claim he’s a pure Yorkie, but we’re convinced he’s really part Doberman.” Brit looked up to find a woman smiling at her. Beside her, Sal watched Brit playing with her dog. As she started to rise, Brit stopped her.
    “Don’t get up for me, please.”
    Sal ignored her. “Britain, this is my partner, Sue,” she said, and walked across the patio to pull Brit into her second hug of the day.
    Brit nodded and smiled. “Hi, Sue.”
    “Welcome,” Sue replied, and she started to stand but sat back down when Brit made the suggestion.
    Brit followed Sal across the patio. The house was a sprawling one-story of glass and stone, and the patio was massive, with two levels looking out at Rehoboth Bay. Brit exchanged pleasantries and was about to inquire about Bogie’s name when a sliding-glass door opened and a woman stepped through.
    Bright blue eyes met hers and held for a moment before Brit forced herself to look away to study the rest of the picture. The woman’s blond hair was cut short and fell in loose waves around a perfect, oval face. High cheekbones, a chiseled nose, and full red lips completed the picture. She wore a ribbed white tank top that hugged her lean body and outlined her generous breasts, and flattered the toned arms and shoulders. Navy-blue cargo shorts hugged the long legs that drew Brit’s eyes all the way down to the tops of her running shoes. Brit was five-nine, and she guessed Alex must be at least three inches taller than her.
    Over the years, Sal had mentioned Alex Dalton a number of times. And Brit had heard of Alex even before meeting Sal. They’d grown up in neighboring counties, but Alex was the star senior heading off to college when Brit was a timid high-school freshman just breaking in, and the two of them had never faced each other on the court. The local news station’s coverage included both areas though, and Brit had seen Alex on television enough times to recognize her.
    If Alex noticed Brit’s appraisal, she did nothing to acknowledge it. Instead, she gracefully carried an ice bucket of beverages to the patio table. As she set it down, Sal pulled back from her and turned toward Alex. “Britain Dodge, I’d like you to meet Alex Dalton.” Spreading her arms as if conducting a symphony, Sal looked from one woman to the other, smiling.
    With two easy strides, Alex stood before Brit and locked those brilliant eyes into hers as she offered her hand. Brit cleared her throat as she extended her own, surprised at the slight tremor that coursed through her entire being, lucky to find the outstretched hand while her eyes were glued to Alex’s. The firm grip with which Alex shook her hand broke the trance, and Brit turned her attention to the fingers she suspected could be broken. In spite of the pain, she managed to squeeze back.
    “It’s nice to finally meet you.” Alex smiled, and if Brit was off balance from the vision of Alex, the reaction her smile caused was downright dangerous.
    It took a second to find her voice in the clutter of her brain. She cleared her throat. “Yes. You, too.”
    Alex found herself falling into the warm pool of Brit’s eyes. They were wide and welcoming, and she couldn’t help herself. They seemed to capture Alex and suck her in, causing vertigo that made her reach for the chair to steady herself.
    “Would you like a drink?” she asked, trying to make conversation.
    “I’m good right now, thanks,” Brit said, and took a seat where Sal indicated.
    “So, I hear we’re going to work together.” Alex set the