In the space of those five seconds, Kimberly felt dizzy and disoriented. Although she could not focus on any single thought or feeling, she knew one thing for certain, she did not want this sweet kiss to end. She moved her tongue against Taryn's lips, slowly, almost cautiously as she tried to measure her response.
Taryn felt Kimberly's pulse pounding and throbbing in her throat as they kissed. Her neck was exposed, the soft white skin seeming to beg for Taryn's lips, her mouth. She pulled away when she felt Kimberly's tongue pressing against her lips. Careful, she warned herself. It would be so easy to take her right here and right now – to show her that it was she who would make the first move. Kimberly's place was to follow and obey. But it was too soon. Far too soon to begin the process of taming this woman who had yet to realize she needed and wanted someone of the same sex in bed beside her, a woman who knew how to render her powerless and fill her with a longing so deep she would do anything to fulfill it.
Visions of Kimberly with her boyfriend crept into the scenario.
When Taryn envisioned Kimberly with Mark, the image drew her warrior instincts out. Her nostrils flared and she thought of his penis inside Kimberly's mouth, her cunt, and her ass. Suddenly she was angry with Kimberly for being so foolish and timid, for giving herself to Mark in any way, time or place he wanted her. Excitement giving way to fury, she knew she must leave before she lost control. She stood and told Kimberly, "I'll send someone to help you bath. I think you'll find everything you need in the closet." She was halfway through the door when Kimberly called out to her.
"Taryn."
"Yes?"
"I didn't bring any clothes. If you could arrange for someone to take me home, I'll wait and take a shower there."
"Take you home?" Taryn said in a voice colored with disbelief.
She dismissed Kimberly's statement as one not worthy of a response.
"Laurie and Susan got your sizes when they undressed you last evening," Taryn told her. "They went shopping this morning and purchased a few things for you. If you don't find their choices to your liking, let me know. I can always send Taylor to your home to pick something up for you." Noting the puzzled expression on Kimberly's face, she told her, "We want our guests to be comfortable, no matter how long or short their stay." She started into the hallway once more.
"Taryn, wait!" Kimberly called out. She searched for something to say – anything that would make her stay a little longer while she debated what to do.
"Yes?"
"I … I appreciate your hospitality, but I can't stay here," she finally blurted. "I've work to do this weekend. Besides, if last night is any indication of the excursions you offer, I'm not so certain I want to partake of your services." A part of her hoped that Taryn would come back and explain to her what last night meant, to give her some explanation that would assuage her fear and convince her to stay. She was visibly surprised by Taryn's response.
Taryn laughed and told her, "It's up to you. I will tell you one thing. Your friend Pat is the purveyor of our services. She wanted to give you something special to celebrate your promotion to … vice-president, I believe? Anyway, I promised her we wouldn't tell you until after you'd rested and spent the night here. She was afraid you'd leave without giving us a chance to show you what we have to offer."
She paused and shrugged her shoulders as if indifferent to Kimberly's choice of whether to go or to stay.
So I was right all along, Kimberly mused. She paused and turned her eyes away from Taryn's steady gaze. This excursion, if she dared call it that, was rocking the very foundation upon which her life was based. Somehow, she knew that everything she'd ever believed or hoped for would be challenged if she allowed herself to go through with this. Could she survive the earthquake and continue her life as she'd planned it?
Sensing her hesitancy, Taryn walked back across the room. She took Kimberly's hand and pressed the open palm against her lips. Her temper had calmed, allowing her to be playful and gentle with this woman who looked at her so expectantly. With her tongue, she traced the line from Kimberly's palm to her forefinger. "Why not do it?" she asked. "Live dangerously for once, Kimberly." Taryn kissed each of her fingertips, then leaned down and kissed her softly on the cheek.
"Think about it," she whispered. "There's no need to make a hasty decision."
As swiftly as she'd appeared, Taryn was gone. Kimberly laid full length on the bed. She ran her hand over the spot where Taryn had been sitting. What's happening to me? she wondered. Everything she'd ever dreamed of or planned in her life now seemed to be challenged. "I'm not a homosexual," she whispered to herself. "Yet, why do I feel this way? What is it about this woman that makes my heart race and my bosom ache?" Lost, frightened and uncertain what to do, Kimberly closed her eyes and fell into a restless slumber.
Chapter Seven
Satisfied that her guest was not going anywhere for the time being, Taryn returned to the dining room. She noticed Lisa was gone, and so were Laurie and Susan. She walked over and sat down beside Taylor.
"Looks like you've been abandoned," she said.
Taylor stared at the single rose sitting in the center of the table. "I should get to work myself," she said, her voice a shaky whisper.
Amused with her young protege, Taryn stood and pulled Taylor up beside her. "Come," she said. "I need to go downtown and run a couple of errands. I'd like you to drive, if you would." She gave Taylor a questioning look, implying that the choice was hers to make.
"Yes, I'll be glad to take you," Taylor replied. "When do you want to leave?"
"Let me change into something a little warmer and I'll meet you out front. Say fifteen minutes?"
Taylor nodded. "I'll be there," she replied. She watched as Taryn strode down the hall to her private quarters. She left the dining room and made her way to the garage. It was several degrees warmer inside the heated garage than it was outside. She started the Bentley that Taryn preferred for winter outings. When it had warmed sufficiently, she drove to the front of the house and waited for her.
Taryn chose her outfit very carefully. She wanted her appearance to say it all. First, she selected pants, black leather with a lace-up fly.
Next, she chose a shirt, a cotton Henley that she knew would fit nicely underneath her leather jacket. She smiled at herself in the mirror.
"Okay, Mark, let's see what you have to say when a tough dyke claims your girlfriend." Her black leather boots were polished to perfection, the silver tips shiny and pointed. Zipping her jacket, she hurried out to meet Taylor.
Taylor eyed Taryn's outfit and wondered what she might possibly be up to. Knowing better than to ask, she sat quietly while Taryn settled in the back seat. Although she liked to be chauffeured sometimes, Taryn refused to let anyone open a door for her. Taylor had learned to sit patiently, waiting. When Taryn finally gave her the go-ahead to leave, Taylor asked, "Where are we going?"
"I have a visit to make," she replied.
The twinkle in her eyes hinted that this would be no ordinary outing. "What's the address?" Taylor asked very politely.
"The office of Sands, Kaufman and Nord," Taryn informed her.
Taylor smiled, for she recognized the name immediately. It was the law firm where Mark worked. Making a quick reference to the street locator on the dashboard, she requested directions.
Traffic was unusually light, so it didn't take long to drive downtown. Taylor was thankful for the calm because Taryn seemed very edgy. Taylor likened her to a frisky colt ready to bolt out of the stable at the first opportunity. There was so much tension inside the car that Taylor breathed a sigh of relief when they arrived and Taryn got out.