CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Two weeks later, to celebrate Alex’s birthday, their group had unanimously decided that it was high time for a night of dancing, of letting the tensions burn away under throbbing lights and loud music. It happened rarely, but when the mood struck they knew to grab the moment. On the night in question, they made plans to gather at a dance club and a little after nine that evening, four of them settled around a booth in the back with a view of the dance floor. Jamie arrived a little later than everyone else. Alex, her arm casually around Megan, was laughing at Madison when a stillness came over the group and Alex tensed, almost in anticipation. Then Lauren’s face split into a wide smile and she hurried to the door where Jamie stood hesitating.
"I’m so glad you decided to come."
Alex turned slowly and her smile was tentative as Jamie walked toward them. "Hi."
"Hi, yourself." Jamie bent down to hug her. "Happy birthday."
Alex’s grasp was tight, then she pulled away and looked into her friend’s eyes. I’ve missed you, she thought, but could not bring herself to say it out loud. Their eyes met as the rest of the group tried hard to pretend they weren’t staring at the former partners. The awkwardness between them was still there; the change in their friendship still hurt, but for tonight it would be pushed aside.
Someone ordered a round of drinks and the party took on a giddy feel.
"Where’s Darcy?" Jamie’s eyes searched the room.
Madison shrugged. "I think something blew up in the kitchen. She is running late and... Well, speaking of the devil…"
Something almost electric surged through the bar as Darcy stood framed in the doorway. She had worn her hair loose, and it flowed down to her back in a wild auburn mass; the crisp white shirt, faded jeans and tan suede boots were casually elegant. But there was something more to her, a sexual energy that just flowed from her as she strode to them, oblivious or not caring about the interest she was generating.
Jamie’s breath caught at the effect and she blinked once. Darcy’s eyes moved restlessly over the crowd until they settled on Jamie. When their eyes met, Jamie felt as if her entire body liquefied under the stare. "Jesus," she whispered, forcing herself to look away. She reached out with a trembling hand for her beer and took a long swallow. Her agitation was not lost on Lauren who sat beside her, watching them both thoughtfully.
***
Darcy had danced on and off the entire night with everyone except Jamie, who was trying hard to ignore her. But that was a difficult thing to do. Darcy danced with a wild, erotic abandon that made everyone who saw her want to get closer to the flame. When she crossed back to the table after another dance, Madison grinned up at her.
"You know, Stretch, you should try and bottle that stuff. It has the potency of Viagra."
Darcy shook her head at her. "Moron." Her eyes tried to catch Jamie’s, but again were unable to. Jamie was, it seems, particularly interested in her beer label. "Anyone need a drink?" Darcy asked. They all declined. Darcy turned and made her way through the crowd. She leaned casually against the bar and placed her order. A young androgynous brunette with a superbly toned body shifted closer to her. Their eyes met and Darcy smiled automatically.
Watching from the table, Jamie saw the maneuver and was vaguely irritated by it. She finished her drink with a gulp and stood up abruptly. "I need another." No one paid any attention to her and she crossed the dance floor, elbowing through the crowd until she got to the bar. She got there just in time to see the brunette put her hand on Darcy’s arm and lean in close to whisper something.
Darcy smiled and was about to decline the offer, when her eyes caught Jamie’s glare. An eyebrow shot up in question, but Jamie looked away. Darcy turned to the young woman and again smiled. "Thanks for the offer, perhaps some other time." Thus dismissing the brunette, Darcy grabbed her glass and moved to where Jamie stood waiting for her drink. Jamie tried to ignore her but Darcy’s bracketed both her arms on either side of her, effectively trapping her.
"Problem?"
Jamie shifted away from the lean body. "No. You?"
"No." Darcy shifted, closer testing them both. She grinned when Jamie shifted away again. The bartender placed the beer bottle in front of Jamie. Just as Jamie’s hand closed on it, Darcy’s hand encircled her wrist. Under her thumb Jamie’s pulse started to race.
"Come dance with me. You’re the only one I haven’t danced with."
Jamie resisted. "No thanks. I’m not in the mood. Why don’t you ask your young friend?" She nodded toward the brunette who was still staring at Darcy.
"Who?" Darcy followed Jamie’s motion. "I’d rather dance with you. Why won’t you? Are you afraid?"
"What? Don’t be ridiculous." There was a challenge in Darcy’s look that had Jamie wanting to grab a fistful of clothing to drag her close and assuage her craving. "Oh, for crying it out loud! Have it your way."
Jamie marched to the dance floor ahead of her. The gods would not, of course, cooperate, and as soon as she hit the middle of the floor, the music changed. The tempo slowed, the lights dimmed, and the dancers quickly paired themselves off. Darcy looked at her, arrogance in the way her eyebrow rose that set Jamie’s teeth on edge. She would not back down now.
They moved closer, arms loosely holding each other, and started to slowly shift with the music. Jamie could smell the light fragrance that seemed so much a part of Darcy. Seduced by it, as if it had a will of its own, Jamie’s body leaned in closer. She felt rather than saw Darcy’s swift intake of breath. So, she is not as cool and calm as she pretends to be. That pleased Jamie. In a way, testing herself as much as Darcy, she pressed closer until they were hip to hip, until a hard thigh rubbed against a muscled leg. Their feet now barely moving, they swayed in place.
Darcy’s long fingers reflexively pressed her closer, and she felt her nipples harden at the feel of Jamie’s body against hers. She was sure that Jamie must be able to feel them.
Jamie could feel Darcy’s heart beating against hers, quick now, and not too steady. Her eyes closed, and for a moment she let herself enjoy the sensations dancing along her spine as she felt Darcy pull her closer. Jamie had held Darcy this close before, but tonight everything felt different. Where before there had been comfort, now there was heat. Jamie wanted to smile, to make some light, easy comment. But she couldn’t push the words out; her throat was locked. The way Darcy was looking at her now- as if Jamie was the only woman she had ever seen or ever wanted to see - made her forget that the dance was supposed to be a gesture of friendship.
When Jamie’s hand drifted up to curl against her neck, Darcy groaned. At the sound, Jamie smiled, pleased.
Madison, watching from the table, turned back to the group. "Weird as this all is, ten bucks says they do it tonight."
Alex turned with a frown and studied the swaying couple. She shook her head. "I say they don’t make it out of the parking lot. I say they do it in the car."
Lauren, who had been watching them for a while, grinned. "They are both stubborn ladies. I say it won’t happen tonight."
Megan frowned at them and wondered briefly if that was why things had been awkward between Alex and Jamie. "I can’t believe you’re betting on them doing it or not. Since when is this even a possibility? What have I been missing?"
Madison shrugged at her with a grin. "Look at them. They are practically engulfed in flames. It’s bizarre to see it between the two of them, but there it is. One can’t ignore the scientific evidence." The smile she directed at Lauren was slow and easy. "Besides, anything is possible."
Megan turned and looked. Sure enough, the way the two were dancing had even her feeling the heat. She shifted with a sigh and then slapped a twenty on the table. "I say they kiss here tonight."
Unaware of the interest they were garnering, Jamie and Darcy continued to torture themselves as they moved against each other. Maybe it was wrong, but it didn’t seem to matter as they glided across the floor. Jamie didn’t even try to think, never attempted to reason, as she pressed her mouth along the curve of Darcy’s neck.
Darcy almost whimpered at the feel of Jamie’s mouth on her skin, her control threatening to slip. Darcy shifted back slightly and they stared at each other, oblivious to the couples bumping into them as they stopped dancing. The blue of Darcy’s eyes seem to deepen and she inched closer. "James, I..."
Just as quickly, the tempo changed again, the lights brightened, and the mood was shattered. They pulled away reluctantly, eyes still locked. Something shifted inside of Darcy. A yearning so huge that it left her trembling as she stared at Jamie. I have to get out of here or I’ll make a fool of myself, she thought, and without another word left the dance floor. She crossed back to her friends and grabbed her jacket, hoping to sneak away without anyone noticing.
"Going somewhere?" Alex smirked.
Darcy frowned at her. "Yeah. I got to go close up the bar." It was a lie, but the only thing she could think of.
Madison broke away from nibbling on Lauren’s neck. "What’s this about you leaving?"
Now everyone was staring at her. Darcy almost snarled. "I’ve got to go, you guys. I’ll catch you later." She could sense their amusement and had a sneaking suspicion that it was at her expense. She fled, leaving Jamie staring after her.
Jamie’s eyes met Lauren’s, who smiled encouragingly. Jamie shrugged and took a sip of her drink. Inside, she was angry, frustrated, hot and bothered. The damn fool.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
A couple of hours later, Jamie walked into the café and it was as if Darcy sensed her. She turned and their eyes locked. Darcy felt her heart stutter at the look in Jamie’s eyes. The grey eyes had shifted to slate, and her look was smoldering. Jamie slowly walked to her without breaking eye contact.
"Why is it that you always seem to run away from me?"
"What? You’re crazy. I don’t run away." Darcy forced herself to look away.
"No? Then why didn’t you say goodbye tonight?"
"I was running late." Even to her ears it sounded lame.
Jamie studied her with a faint smile. "You know, I think I just figured it all out tonight. You’re afraid."
"Give me a fucking break." Darcy ignored her as she continued to count the receipts. Inside she was shaking.
Jamie smiled. "Yeah, that’s your answer for everything. And yet...you were watching me tonight, the way I was watching you."
Darcy slammed the cash register shut. "I don’t know what you’re talking about. I might have looked at you once or twice."
"Wanting me. The way I was wanting you. And more. There’s more than the wanting between us."
Darcy’s mouth would have fallen open if she hadn’t been so busy sneering. "Please. You’ll embarrass yourself. There’s nothing…" Too busy sneering, Darcy hadn’t noticed how close Jamie was. She gasped when Jamie’s mouth crushed down on hers. Hungrily their mouths moved together, and Darcy groaned as she felt the tip of Jamie’s tongue savor her lips. Emotions funneled from one to the other, then merged in a torrent of need.
"If it was just this, just the heat, you wouldn’t be so scared," Jamie told her, pulling away out of breath.
"I’m not afraid." If only it were so simple, Darcy thought as desire grew. But she knew instinctively that once begun it wouldn’t be simple, not for either of them.
"Sooner or later, Darcy, we will have to deal with it." Satisfied that she had made her point, Jamie turned and started toward the door. Darcy stood staring at her, stung by her words. Her control, too long held, snapped with a very loud crack. It was as if a switch had been flicked on. She tossed the receipts aside and with long strides ate up the space between them. She slapped her right hand against the door Jamie was opening, slamming it shut.
Startled, Jamie turned and her eyes met the suddenly fierce blue. She knew to be momentarily alarmed. Darcy’s mouth closed on hers, her tongue stroking deep, tasting the wet heat within. Earlier, when they’d first kissed, Jamie had sensed the volcano inside of Darcy. Now as it erupted around her, she was rocked by the power, the dark violence of it. Jamie’s hands grabbed at Darcy, pulling the long length of her close. The heat, the scent of the woman swam into her senses until she was steeped in the sensations, and Jamie knew that she had lost control. So this is what drives people to mad, desperate acts, she thought as their tongue tangled.
Darcy forced herself to pull away. "Are you sure?" she whispered.
"No. But if we don’t do something soon, I will combust on the spot and my head will explode."
That pulled a smile from Darcy. Their fingers intertwined and silently they made their way upstairs. Inside the apartment, Darcy turned to Jamie and gave a shaky laugh. "Fuck, I’m nervous."
Jamie smiled at her. "You too? My legs are shaking."
"If you want to change your mind..." Darcy offered, suddenly shy.
Jamie studied her, then had to smile. What a pair we are. "Darcy, I can honestly say that I have never wanted anyone so badly in my entire life. I’m weak with wanting you. I have no idea where it has come from, but if you don’t touch me soon I won’t be responsible for my actions."
"What if it alters our friendship?" Darcy asked as she stepped closer. "Maybe neither of us is ready for that."
"It already has. I look at you and want to tear off your clothes. Not necessarily a feeling that should exist between friends, you think?"
Darcy might have chuckled, if she could have found the breath for it. But her lungs were clogged and her head had already started to reel. Where had this feeling been all of her life? How much more had she missed?
Darcy’s hand closed against the back of Jamie’s head and pulled it close. They stared at each other for what seemed like forever, noses almost touching. Then Darcy bridged the gap and kissed her, her mouth impossibly soft against Jamie’s.
"Oh my God, your mouth drives me insane," Jamie groaned as her lips parted and she pressed harder against Darcy. She swallowed Darcy’s smile as she took the lead, and their mouths toyed and savored the sensations of lips against lips. Darcy’s hand brushed against the soft curve of Jamie’s breast and felt the nipple strain against the material. Jamie’s breath caught in her throat. This is Darcy kissing me, touching me, she thought with wonder, then her mind emptied as Darcy pulled her shirt from the waistband of her jeans, ripping it free from the buttons in her haste for her hands could finally touch skin. When Darcy’s thumb stroked the hardening bud of her nipple, Jamie almost cried out. She had never felt such want, almost a physical ache.
"Darcy...Darcy I need to feel you," she whispered urgently. Darcy stared at her and then with a low growl, so quickly that Jamie had no time to react, she lifted her into her arms. Jamie wrapped her long legs around Darcy’s waist and her mouth was hot and urgent as it closed on Darcy’s. "Hurry," Jamie whispered. Darcy stumbled down the hallway to her bedroom and to the bed, and threw her down. Jamie laughed at the crazed, wild look in the blue eyes, her body already ready, tugging off her shirt as Darcy dragged her own up. Divested of their clothing, breath ragged, they stared at each other. Whatever shock there was, was on both sides.
Darcy stood looking down at her, a suddenly sober look on her face. "You are breathtaking."
Jamie smiled at her as her eyes filled with the vision in front of her. The tall, auburn haired woman was stunning, her toned body awe-inspiring. "And you look like all of the fantasies I have ever had."
Darcy knelt above her and slowly fitted her lean hips snugly between Jamie’s accepting legs. As they rocked against each other, their eyes locked. The heat was now a slowly spreading flame, the earlier frenzy quieting to a gentle pulsing. Their mouths met again and again. Darcy gently bit down on Jamie’s lower lip, sucking on it, drawing a quiet moan from the blonde.
Greedy hands stroked her back and gripped her rear, pulling her closer. Jamie’s knee gently nudged Darcy’s legs apart and she gasped when she felt Darcy’s wetness against her thigh. Jamie’s hands caressed and stroked and heated the skin above her, then one index finger found the silky wetness.
Feeling her body shudder at the soft touch, Darcy groaned, "Feel what you do to me."
Jamie’s finger gathered more of the wetness. "I did this? Christ, you feel so good."
Darcy shifted slightly so that her mouth could savor the tender skin of Jamie’s shoulders. She was at once familiar and not. Jamie’s scent was familiar, but the taste and texture of her skin was different, unknown. When Darcy’s tongue swirled around a hard nipple, she heard Jamie’s quiet moan bubble up from deep inside. The sound was new and sent need coursing through Darcy. A need to hear more, to feel and taste more. Moved by that need, there was reverence in the way her mouth and hands caressed Jamie’s body. Finding with her mouth what pleased Jamie, her ears attuned to every change of breath - the quiet catch when she nibbled, the low moan when her fingers stroked. When her mouth finally closed wet and hot on a nipple, Jamie’s body arched into the touch.
"Darcy..." Jamie groaned, an urgent whisper in her head. Not yet. Not yet. She’d never been more aware of herself, nor more distanced from rational thought.
Forcing herself to go slow, Darcy sat back, looking down at Jamie as her fingers trailed along the curve of a perfect breast. "Jesus, James, you are absolutely beautiful."
The hunger in her eyes sent a fresh wave of arousal spinning through Jamie. Jamie’s fingertip traced the tattoo on Darcy’s hipbone, just above the panty line. "What’s this?"
"That’s my dragon; he guards the gates." She closed her eyes as Jamie’s thumb stroked her tattoo, the touch tantalizing. "Will I be allowed through?" Jamie whispered as her fingers traced soft circles that inched closer to the heat.
Darcy was trembling, and wasn’t ready to tremble. The blue eyes deepened in color, flashed fire. "Jamie, I need to taste you. I need to see you come."
Jamie groaned at the words, unbelievably turned on. Her hands grabbed at Darcy’s shoulders and pulled her back down.
Darcy traced a finger over her, watching her face in the moonlight as Jamie’s eyes closed and her lips trembled on a groan. And when Darcy slid her tongue inside her, into the hot, wet velvet of her, Jamie arched up, crying out, "Oh my God, Darcy. Oh my God."
It drove Darcy mad. Pressing her face into the wet silk, Darcy sent her flying. It burst into Jamie, sent her hurtling helplessly. Darcy pressed her tongue flat and felt the muscles contract against it. She held it there and watched Jamie shatter. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
Unable to stop the tremors that coursed through her, Jamie gulped once, twice, trying to stop herself from falling apart. Because as she peaked, she knew with absolute clarity that she was in love with Darcy. Her body was a mass of aching, of joy, with the sharp edge of her discovery slicing through her like a bolt of light. Her hands pulled Darcy close. "Come here. Jesus, come here." Darcy settled her long frame over her, her mouth impossibly soft against Jamie’s jaw line, on her mouth. The ripe scent of passion covered both of them so that their skin was slick and hot. Jamie started to move under her and Darcy followed her lead as their eyes met.
They tumbled to the edge together, unhurried as their mouths met then retreated and their bodies set the tempo. Have I ever been affected by anyone like this before? Darcy wondered as she clung to that slippery line of control. This wild, painful pleasure, once tasted would never be forgotten, would always be craved. Jamie’s legs wrapped around her and pushed up against her. Darcy gasped as at the same time Jamie’s fingers slid deep into her. They kept their eyes on each other as they moved at an almost lazy pace that spread pleasure. Darcy buried her face against Jamie’s throat as the heat spread.
Jamie couldn’t say how long they moved together —minutes, hours. But Jamie would never forget how Darcy’s eyes opened and stared into hers as the auburn haired woman tumbled over.
"Jamie..." It was said helplessly, on a half sob, as Darcy let herself fly.
***
The buzzing persisted, and with a groan Jamie grabbed at the noise. "’Lo."
"Darcy?" Lauren’s voice was uncertain.
"No."
"Jamie?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, hi. It’s Lauren. Is Darcy there?"
"Mmmhmm." Jamie passed the phone to Darcy who lay sprawled next to her.
"Yeah?"
"Darcy is everything okay? You left so quickly last night."
"I’m fine. Everything’s fine." She hissed when she felt Jamie’s fingers stroke her.
"I...I gotta go Lauren. I’ll call you later." Darcy hung up, then threw the telephone on the floor. She turned to Jamie, who started to laugh at the look on Darcy’s face.
"Problem?"
"You drive me crazy, Jamie. Absolutely, mind blowing crazy."
"Good." Jamie smiled, feeling smug. Her eyes widened in shock when with one quick move Darcy had her tongue buried so deep inside of her that Jamie thought Darcy could touch her heart. Jamie cried out as the orgasm slammed into her with such force she screamed out. "My God! What the hell are you doing to me?" Jamie whispered shakily as she was finally able to focus.
Darcy took Jamie’s hand and placed it between her legs where her wetness coated Jamie’s fingers. "Same thing you do to me," she whispered hoarsely.
Bemused Lauren hung up the telephone. Madison looked up from the newspaper as the silence stretched. "Everything okay?"
"I think I owe you ten dollars."
***
A few hours later, Darcy went downstairs to check on the bar, leaving a sleeping Jamie behind. She was also madly hoping to sweet talk her chef into making a special breakfast order for them. She opened the door that led into the café and stepped into her past.
"Baby!" Maggie Murphy threw open her arms.
Sluggish with shock, Darcy was unable to move before they wrapped around her like chains. Trapped, she was assaulted with impressions. Too much perfume that didn’t quite cover the smell of stale smoke and vodka, the bony form honed down by years of hard living.
And through it all seeped her own dark dread.
"I was just on my way up. The nice man at the bar said I might still find you there. Why, I’m so glad to catch you." The voice was a bright bubble that bounced and jerked in the air. "Let me just look at you. I swear you get prettier every time I see you. Baby, I just have to sit down a minute and catch my breath. I’m just so excited to see you, I can hardly stand it."
She talked too fast, Darcy noted, her eyes and smile were too bright. She was drunk or high again.
"Look what you have done with this place!" Maggie dropped into a chair. "I just love it. Suits you, baby. It sure does suit you."
At fifty-four, Maggie’s faced showed the wear from too much liquor, too many pills and too much of life’s disappointments.
Darcy stepped around her and behind the bar. "What do you want?"
"Why, to see you, of course." Maggie let out a small laugh that grated. "What a thing to ask; can’t a mother want to see her only child every once in a while?"
Disgust rolled through her and Darcy clung to it. Better disgust than the despair that crept along just beneath it. "I have to work."
"Oh now, you can take a little while for your own mother. After all, you own the place. I’m so proud of you honey, all grown up and running your own business. Doing so well for yourself, too," she continued as she looked around the room.
Darcy caught the look and the calculation in it. It tightened her chest, and stiffened her spine. "I told you the last time you called, it was the last time. You won’t get any more money from me."
"Why do want to hurt my feelings like that?" Maggie widened her eyes as they filled with tears. "I just want to visit my little girl."
"I’m not your little girl," Darcy said dully. "Yours in particular."
"Don’t be mean, honey, after I’ve come all this way from New York to see you. I know I haven’t been a good mother to you, baby, but I’m going to make it up." Maggie jumped up and crossed to the bar. "I made some mistakes, I know I did." Maggie’s voice rang with apology, with regret. The tears flowed. "You got to understand, I was just so young when you came along. I didn’t have a clue."
"You’ve used that one up."
Maggie dug into her black purse, pulled a tissue. "Why you want to be so hard on your mother? Why you wanna hurt my heart? People make mistakes."
"You don’t have a heart. And you’re not my mother. You just gave birth to me that’s all."
Sorrow drained away as fast as it had been summoned. "Carried you inside of me for nine months, didn’t I?"
"And left me within a year."
"I was seventeen."
It was that, the sad fact of it that had caused Darcy to make room, time and time again, in her heart. Until her heart had simply calcified from the blows. "You haven’t been seventeen in quite a while. Neither have I. I’m not going to waste my time arguing about it. I have to work, and you have to go."
"But, baby." Panicked, Maggie shifted back to the teary, choked voice. "You’ve got to give me a chance to make things right. I’m going to get me a job. I can work for you a while, won’t that be fun? It will give us a chance to catch up. To learn to be friends."
"No, you won’t work for me, and no, you can’t stay here. I made that mistake four years ago and you stole from me. I don’t repeat my mistakes."
"I was sick back then. I don’t drink anymore. I swear. You can’t just turn me out." She held her hands, palms up, in a gesture of pleading. "I’ve been sick, real sick and had to get some medication. Those damn doctors cost a lot. I can’t afford health insurance. I’m broke."
Darcy looked at her mother, seeing in the bloated features a resemblance that fed her disgust. She had been pretty once. Resigned, Darcy walked to the cash register and counted out fifty dollars. She tried to ignore the pull to the heart. "Here." She stuffed it into her mother’s hand. "Take this, get on a bus back to New York or ride it as far as this takes you. Don’t come back here again. There’s no place for you here."
"You can’t be so mean to me, baby. You can’t be so cold."
"Yes, I can." Darcy walked to the door and opened it and stepped aside, she then turned to her mother. "It’s in the blood. Take the fifty. It’s all you are going to get. And get out, or I swear to God, I’ll throw you out."
Maggie marched to the door. The money had already disappeared into her purse. She stopped, gave Darcy one last look. "I never wanted you, you know."
She knew. "Then we’re even. I never wanted you, either." She shut the door in her mother’s face. Then flipped the locks, sat down on the floor and started to cry.