We stood in the middle of the living room and held each other. Rosetti rested her chin on my head. I could hear her heart pounding in her chest and wondered if she could feel the intensity of mine.

"You know you're the one that got me through this," Rosetti said, lifting my face toward hers. Her dark brown gaze captured mine. "All those long hours on the stakeout, the only thing that kept going through my mind was what we never got to say to each other and what we never got to finish." Rosetti pulled me close. Her soft lips touched mine, tentative at first, then with a passion that took us both to new heights. Her probing tongue sent spirals of ecstasy through me.

"Wait...wait..." I pulled back and stepped out of our embrace.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't want to mess this up." I tried to think rationally through the haze of lust. "I don't want to ruin what we have together and I don't want to lose you."

Rosetti looked at me, confused. "What are you talking about, Mina?"

"What if we're not meant to be? What if we're supposed to be just friends and by pursuing this we end up destroying everything we had? I did that once before..."

"I'm not Regan. I know who I am and I know what I want and I'm not going anywhere," Rosetti said. "I've wanted to be with you from the very beginning. From the day we met, when I first brought my mother to the nursing home, I thought you were the most beautiful, smart, most compassionate woman I'd ever met. I've never wanted to be with someone as much as I want to be with you." Rosetti lifted her hand to my face, gently stroking my cheek. "But I knew when we met, you had a lot of unfinished business, so I never acted on my feelings. I knew it wasn't the right time. But this feels different, this feels right."

I nodded. "Me too," I said, surrendering to the undeniable desire that burned inside me.

Rosetti pulled me into her arms again. "Does this feel like 'just friends' to you?" Rosetti pressed her lips to mine again, this time caressing my mouth more than just kissing. Her hands gently explored the soft swells of breasts over my scrub shirt. My knees went weak and my body removed all doubt. This felt right indeed.

Rosetti lifted my shirt over my head and gazed down at me with a look I had never seen before. "You are so beautiful," she whispered as she smoothed her hands lightly over my shoulders and down my bare and trembling arms.

I wanted Rosetti to touch me everywhere. I ached with need for her hands to release the passion that had built up for so long.

Rosetti reached around with one hand and expertly released the hook on my bra, freeing my breasts. A low moan escaped my lips when she bent down and engulfed each rosy tip into her mouth, sucking gently at first, then tugging on my taut nipples with her teeth. The sensation sent a direct message to my clitoris, causing it to swell and twitch in response.

Breathing rapidly with excitement, I reached down to undo the button on Rosetti's jeans. With one trembling hand, I deftly fumbled for the zipper and lowered it. The sound of her zipper going down fueled the fire of the passion that was building between us. A low growl came from Rosetti's chest as I dipped my hand into the front of her jeans and found her in the same warm, wet state I was in.

"We better move this to the bedroom," Rosetti said, her voice a gravelly whisper. She scooped me into her arms and carried me into the bedroom. She laid me on the bed, then tugged off my scrub pants and soaking wet panties and tossed them aside. I pulled Rosetti's T-shirt off over her head and was surprised to find her naked beneath it. I reached up and cupped her voluptuous breasts in my hands and kissed them, lingering over her nipples. She let out a low moan and pulled away just long enough to slide out of her jeans. She pulled them down over her legs and stepped out of them, kicking them into the corner.

Rosetti lowered her body over mine. Our bodies fit perfectly together as we melted into one. Her firm thigh muscles pressed into my warm, swollen flesh. Our rhythmic breathing came in deep soul-drenching drafts as Rosetti braced herself with her arms on either side of my shoulders and thrust gently in answer to the rise of my hips. She bent down and kissed my swollen sensitive nipples, sending me closer and closer to the edge. My body stiffened, catching me by surprise as waves of ecstasy throbbed through me. The pleasure was pure and explosive.

Rosetti straddled my stomach now, and I could feel the hot wetness our passion had produced. Her hips bucked as she moved faster and faster toward orgasm. Rosetti shuddered and collapsed on top of me. I pulled her close, never wanting to let her go.

We lay in each other's arms; peace and contentment swirled all around us. Before succumbing to the numbed sleep of a satisfied lover, I said a little prayer, thanking God for bringing Rosetti safely back to me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE.

The smell of bacon frying wafted into the bedroom before I could get my eyes open.

I got up and wandered in the direction of the smell only to find Rosetti standing at the stove, naked except for a "Kiss the Cook" apron that hung around her neck and a spatula in hand.

"Nice outfit," I said, slapping Rosetti's naked backside, which peeked out of her apron.

"Hey, I didn't think you were awake yet," she said as two slices of toast popped up from the toaster. "I was going to serve you breakfast in bed."

"You can still do that." I turned to go back into the bedroom.

"Hey." Rosetti grabbed my arm before I got away. She tugged her apron forward so I could see its message. She pulled me close and kissed me, stirring feelings that had been asleep only a few hours.

"If you keep that up, we'll never leave this apartment."

Rosetti smiled.

I climbed back in to bed. A warm glow of calm and satisfaction flowed through me. I couldn't remember the last time I felt this much at peace. Rosetti came into the bedroom carrying a tray with two plates piled high with bacon, eggs, and toast, along with two steaming mugs of hot coffee and a perfect red rose in a crystal bud vase. My stomach growled with hunger.

"Smells delicious," I said as Rosetti set the tray between us. "Where did you get all this food?"

"I slipped out to the Giant Eagle downtown. It's open all night," Rosetti said, taking a bite of toast and sipping her coffee. "You know, if you expect me to stick around, you might want to keep your refrigerator better stocked."

"Yes, Sergeant," I said, saluting her. "Heaven knows I wouldn't want you to starve."

Rosetti nodded in appreciation as she crunched her toast.

I looked across the breakfast tray at her and still had difficulty grasping the changes in our relationship.

"What are you thinking?" Rosetti asked as she stabbed at her scrambled eggs.

"I just can't believe you're here...that we're here, like this."

"How do you feel about that?"

"I'm...I'm ecstatic...I never thought I'd ever feel this happy."

"Me too. I can't believe that after all this time, we ended up here. I feel like the luckiest person on earth." Rosetti leaned over and kissed me. Her kiss was slow and sweet and tasted like coffee.

After breakfast, Rosetti and I lounged in bed. It had been so long since I'd wanted to do this with someone. My usual instinct to bolt seemed gone for good.

I lay in Rosetti's arms as the bright October morning sun warmed the bedroom.

"So what's been happening since I've been gone?" Rosetti asked.

"I got to visit with Teresa while you were away," I said, recalling how good it was to spend time with Rosetti's mom.

"I was going to stop over at the nursing home last night, but it was so late, I knew she'd be asleep. If it's okay with you, I'd like to stop over there later. It feels like I haven't seen her in a month."

"Sure. It'll be great to see her again and I'm sure she'll be excited to see you."

I couldn't help thinking about what Sonny said to me the night before about Pam and Rosetti. Would this be an appropriate time to ask Rosetti about it? I surely didn't want to spoil the mood, but I figured now was as good a time as any.

"Hey, Ro. Can I ask you something?"

Rosetti shifted her position in bed. My head rested on her chest and I could hear her strong steady heartbeat. "Okay. What?"

"There's been a rumor going around that you and Pam Grier were more than friends. Is that true?"

Rosetti looked down at me. The expression on her face was of total surprise. "Where did you hear that?"

"Sonny, the bartender from the bar."

"When did you see him?"

"Last night after work. I was too keyed up to go home, so I stopped for a beer. He asked me how you were doing since he hadn't seen you in a while. He mentioned Pam. He said you and her used to hang out at the bar sometimes. He also said he thought she had feelings for you. Is that true?"

Rosetti shook her head. "No, we were just friends. Pam had a girlfriend. Her name is Jenny. She's a firefighter for the city. "Let's see...they were together at least five years or so."

"I didn't even know Pam was gay."

"Yes, Pam was gay, but very, very closeted. No one in her family knew. It was sad because when Pam died, Jenny came to the funeral, but she couldn't take part in it the way a straight officer's wife or girlfriend would. Just because you're in a relationship with someone doesn't give you any rights. No rights to be with Pam, no rights to grieve openly for her."

"She was at Pam's funeral?" I tried to remember seeing anyone who would have set off my gaydar.

"Yes, she was there, but you wouldn't have known it. I didn't see her myself, but I hear she came with some of the other firefighters from her precinct. I'm sure to everyone there, she appeared to be just another friend or coworker of Pam's, when in fact she was so much more."

"That's terrible." I pulled Rosetti close. I was afraid that the same thing may happen to us someday.

"I haven't seen Jenny since Pam died. Maybe we should look her up and invite her over sometime. You can never have too many friends at a time like this," Rosetti said.

"Yes, that sounds like great idea."

"Speaking of friends, did you hear any more from Regan while I was away?"

My body stiffened. I wondered if Rosetti would pick up my tension. I knew I had to tell her about my affair with Regan. I was scared to death I would lose her forever once I told her. But I had to take that chance. If we had any chance of making our relationship work, I had to get this out in the open so we could deal with it and put it behind us once and for all. I owed her this much and so much more.

"Yes, quite a bit actually."

"Oh?" Rosetti said, curiosity steeped in her voice.

I sat up and sat cross-legged. "Ro, I don't know how to say this."

Rosetti sat up, as well, all concern tinged with trepidation.

I looked down, guilt making it difficult for me to maintain eye contact with her. I averted my gaze.

"Ro...while you were gone, Regan and I...got together." I glanced up at Rosetti, testing the waters.

"I see." Her voice was calm and even.

"I think it was something I had to do...do you know what I'm saying?"

Rosetti was silent.

"I know this is hard for you to hear, but-"

"But what?" Rosetti interrupted. "Damn it, Mina, I thought you were done with that. You even told me that you were over her. If you hadn't, I wouldn't have-"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Of all the people in the world, I don't want to hurt you. I'm just..." Hot tears leaked out of the corners of my eyes. "I'm just sorry, Ro. I don't want to ruin this...I don't want to lose you."

Rosetti sat up at the side of the bed with her back to me. A sound of frustration escaped her lips.

I hated myself. My heart ached for her. I knew she felt betrayed. And I couldn't argue with her. I had betrayed her.

"If you and she got back together, what are you doing here with me then?"

"Regan and I are not back together. I ended it. I told Regan that being with her was not what I wanted."

"Really?" Rosetti said. She didn't seem to believe me. "So when did you end it?"

I paused for a moment, knowing that the answer was going to sound bad, but it was the truth and the truth was all I had. "Last night." I braced myself for Rosetti's retort.

"Last night! Jesus, Mina, what did you do, fuck her, then jump into bed with me?" Rosetti's accusing gaze was on me. I felt the sting of her comment, but that wasn't the worst of it. I could not answer her because what she said was true.

"First you tell me you don't have feelings for her, then you tell me you're still sleeping with her? I don't know, Mina, I don't know what to believe." Rosetti jammed her hands into her hair and scrubbed her scalp.

"I'm so sorry. But you have to believe me that Regan and I are through. I know you feel betrayed, and I know you'll have trouble trusting me...but I don't want to lose you...I don't want to lose us. It's taken us too long to get here. I don't want to ruin that. You're the one I want to be with. It was because of you that I ended it."

"I don't know...I need some time to think." She got up from the bed and wrapped the sheet around her to hide her nakedness. "I'm going to take a shower." She left the bedroom.

I heard the bathroom door close behind her and my heart cracked open. When Rosetti turned on the water, I picked up the breakfast tray and carried it to the kitchen. As I squirted dish soap into the sink, the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Is this Mina Caselli?" a voice on the other end asked.

"Yes, this is Mina."

"This is Karen Brenner for St. Michael the Archangel Nursing Home. I'm calling about Teresa Rosetti. You're listed as one of her emergency contacts. I tried to reach her daughter, but I couldn't."

"What is it? Is Teresa okay?" I felt my heart sink and feared the worst.

"She's had a stroke."

"Oh, God...is she? Where is she?"

"She's on her way to CityHospital. The ambulance just left."

"All right," I said. "I'm a resident at City. I'll notify her daughter and bring her with me to the hospital. Thank you for calling."

My knees shook as I paced back and forth in the kitchen trying to decide the best way to tell Rosetti that Teresa was gravely ill and that she may lose her. I heard the water shut off in the bathroom and knew I was running out of time. The bathroom door opened. Rosetti stepped out wrapped in a towel.

"Rosetti, I'm afraid I have some bad news."

"Now what?" Rosetti asked, studying my face, fear and anxiety flashed in her eyes.