God help him if he did and I ever meet him. Dar shivered a little at the dark pulse of energy that ran through her. It was a wild, violent streak she didn’t often let herself feel, but she knew it was there, and what her temper would lead her to if she wasn’t careful.
Looking down at the pale, innocent face nestled against her skin, she knew being careful wasn’t something she did naturally. Good-natured as her father had been with her, and with children of all ages—still, that part she knew she’d gotten from him. This protective instinct for those she cared for wasn’t something she could ignore.
Kerry chose that moment to stir, mumbling a bit into Dar’s chest before she lifted her head and peered up in the gloom, her eyes finding Dar’s. “It’s dark,” she pointed out, stifling a yawn. “Did you realize that?”
“Uh huh,” her bedmate agreed. “It sure is. Best time for running.” Even 326 Melissa Good in the dim light she could see the pale eyebrows lift in disapproval. “I usually get up at this time.”
Kerry gave her an incredulous look. “Dar, you’re not seriously considering running around out there in the dark, are you? You’re hurt,” she protested.
“No I’m not, I’m fine, it doesn’t hurt a bit this morning.” She took a deep breath to demonstrate. “See?” It was a little tender, but the night’s sleep had helped a lot, and she really did feel much better. “I generally run about, um, ten miles in the morning.”
Kerry propped up her head on her hand and regarded the taller woman thoughtfully. “That’s disgusting,” she commented, then she slipped a hand between the buttons on Dar’s shirt and let her fingers run over the smooth skin. The heat from the previous night had subsided and the bruise didn’t seem to be causing its victim much pain after all. “Hmm, doesn’t feel as swollen. I guess you’re right.”
Dar blinked a few times, enjoying the friendly touch of Kerry’s fingers, now moving in idle circles against her skin. It relaxed her, she realized, and she found herself stifling a yawn in reaction. “Mmm, stop that. You’re putting me to sleep,” she complained wryly.
“Oh, really?” Kerry mused with a tiny smirk. “Well, well, well…look at you. This is better than a hypnotist with a swinging pocket watch.” She made her circles wider and bit her lip in amusement as the blue eyes dimly visible in the pre-dawn light slid shut. “C’mon, Dar, let it go. Even if you feel fine, you took quite a jolt last night,” Kerry told her reasonably.
“Yeah, it’s not every night I get painted in chocolate,” Dar murmured, the corners of her mouth twitching. “Certainly was a shock to my system all right.”
“That was not what I meant, and you know it.” Kerry chuckled. “Give yourself a break, Dar, we’ve got a long day today. That delegation from Pittsburgh is in at ten,” she coaxed, grinning impishly when there wasn’t an immediate argument. “Besides, I’m really comfortable.” She eased closer, feeling the light pressure of Dar’s hand against her back.
“Arrrggg … Only for a little while,” Dar grumbled, surrendering.
“How about daylight, hmm? That sound good?” Kerry countered, not stopping her petting for a moment.
No answer, and Kerry smiled at the deep, even breathing. She settled back down contentedly and exhaled. So this is what being in love feels like. She looked out the window, at the stars still vivid in the southern sky. I like it, she decided as she closed her eyes.
Last night had been a big surprise. She knew she hadn’t had any intention of bringing up what Colleen referred to as the big “L” word, not last night, not until she had some clue as to how Dar felt, but… But... she’d gotten an inkling, even without any words on the taller woman’s part. It hadn’t taken a telephone psychic to pick up Dar’s nervousness or the intensity of her feelings. Kerry opened her eyes and gazed up at the taller woman’s face. For someone so in control, you sure don’t have a handle on the mushy stuff, do you? She let her lids slide shut again, glad she’d told Dar about her family. Her reaction had been gratifying, to say the least. Kerry let the sleepiness start to take her Tropical Storm 327
back over, closing her eyes more tightly and sucking in a breath full of clean linen and her bedmate. Then she opened them again. Jesus, Kerry, you have a lover. Can you imagine that? Green orbs glanced around the room, then fell on Dar’s face, peacefully asleep. Nice to know you have better taste than the President. She stifled a faint laugh. And if I didn’t have a reason to stay here before, I certainly do now.
She thought a moment about what Dar had said the previous night. Had she really meant what she’d said, about finding things out about her father?
Or was it just bravado talking, Dar’s apparent desire to defuse her worry about what he might do to her, to them? Was Dar just a talker? Kerry suddenly remembered Brady’s phone conversation with Dar during the takeover of Associated and also the night she’d been carjacked, and she had to admit to herself that there was something real and a little dangerous about her new lover. Just like there was something real and dangerous about her father.
Kerry slowly let her held breath out, knowing she’d come to a point where she’d have to put her money on one or the other, and she didn’t truly know what the odds were in the possible directions her life could take. Ah, well. She put her head back down and closed her eyes. I’ll find out soon enough.
THE PHONE BUZZED. “Yeah?” Dar punched the speaker button and kept on typing, her eyes flicking across the spreadsheet intently. “What is it?”
“Dar, security at the desk just called up, someone to see you,” Maria’s voice informed her. “Is…Michelle Graver?”
Oh crap. Dar mentally reviewed her options. Major client, probably in town for a short visit, probably wanted to finally corner her into that dinner.
Oh crap. “Sure, have her escorted up.” She sighed aggrievedly. Just what she needed after a day like today. Two presentation sessions, a half dozen arguments, one really nasty situation solved by mostly sheer cussedness on her part… Damn, I was looking forward to leaving. She keyed a popup message.
I’m in trouble, Michelle’s here.
She clicked Send, then went back to her spreadsheet for a moment.
You could take her to Shorty’s for dinner. Bet she’d look good in ketchup.
Dar chuckled to herself at Kerry’s prompt response. Shorty’s was the local barbeque hangout, off US 1 near Dadeland. It served great ribs, and she actually was partial to their food, but “rustic” as a term didn’t quite do it justice. At least they’d put air conditioning in a few years back and didn’t depend on only screening to keep the bugs out.
Might as well just take her to McDonalds.
She sent that reply, then glanced up as the door opened to reveal Maria’s round form. “Oh, thought you were her.”
“No, no.” Maria walked over and handed her a file folder. “Is the contract 328 Melissa Good for the new utilities account in New York.”
“Thanks.” Dar smiled at her and took the folder, putting it on her desk and leaning back as she saved the spreadsheet. “Well, that’s done—the first quarter projections for infrastructure growth. We’re going to get slaughtered if we don’t buy up more facilities.” She stretched and cracked her neck, then put her hands behind her head and let out a satisfied sigh.
Maria watched her. “You feel good, no?” she asked, mildly amazed at the visible difference in her boss.