Terrors of the High Seas

Chapter

Ten

THE RESTAURANT WAS charming; the sunset was gorgeous; the food was interesting and very tasty; and she was sitting across from what was definitely the best looking woman in the place.

Kerry lifted her glass of wine and raised it in Dar’s direction, then took a sip of it, savoring the slightly spicy, sweet taste. There is really no more one could ask for, is there? “Great choice.”

Dar lifted her own glass, touched its rim to Kerry’s, and smiled.

“Nice place, but it’s the company that counts.”

Kerry accepted the compliment with a smile, then rested her wrists on the table and looked around. According to the menu, the building had once been a sugar mill overlooking the water. Parts of the structure still remained, and they’d cleverly fashioned the restaurant into it. The food was a mixture of Caribbean and American, and Kerry had just finished a bowl of extremely spicy shrimp gumbo. Dar had elected to try a Caribbean fruit mixture rather than soup, and they’d split a bottle of Chardonnay while they waited for the main course.

Kerry leaned back, enjoying the breeze as it brushed across her bare shoulders. There was a gently fluttering candle on the table, and she could smell the warm scent of the wax as it melted, which added to the atmosphere. A steel drum band was perched on a patio nearby, playing softly, and all around her a mixture of lilting accents wove in and out of the music.

She noticed that the guests were mostly just couples. There were very few families, and those that were there had older children. Most of the couples were traditional, but Kerry spotted at least two other sets of women and three other sets of men seated together, and she felt comfortable in the place. Even with the fact that Dar kept tweaking her toes under the table.

Kerry snuck a glance at her tablemate, who was studying the driftwood salt and pepper shakers, curiously turning them in her fingers. Dar wore her hair loose, and her brightly colored cotton shift clung to her body, very nicely outlining its muscular grace.

The shift was pretty, but God, Kerry had to admit, it was so not 102 Melissa Good Dar. It was like putting a racehorse in a tutu.

Dar chose that moment to look up, and their eyes met. Dar’s face creased into a grin as she put the shaker down. “Something wrong?”

“Not a damn thing.” Kerry rested her chin on her fist. “That sunset is indescribable,” she added dreamily. “You think it’s this nice in Hawaii?”

“Hmm.” Dar regarded the spectacle. “I don’t know. I’ve never actually been there except on a layover on the way out to Micronesia. We’ll have to go find out,” she said. “I want to see a volcano up close.”

“You’re on,” Kerry said. “How about mid-February?”

“Valentine’s Day on Maui?” Dar chuckled. “Sure.”

Kerry made a mental note to nose around for some reservations when they got home. Their waitress appeared at that moment and set down a tray with wisps of steam rising from it. She watched as a plate was set in front of her, containing a sizzling piece of broiled fish propped up with prawns half the size of their puppy Chino and drizzled with a tangy, citrusy sauce. “Ooh. Thanks.”

The waitress set down a side plate of vegetables. “You’re very welcome.” She smiled at Kerry, then took Dar’s plate from the serving tray and set it in front of her. “Anything else for you ladies?”

Dar inspected her surf and turf—a filet mignon nestled next to a lobster tail. “Nope. Not right now,” she said. “Thanks.” She picked up her fork and knife, separated the two items around the island of whipped yams, and started to cut the filet into pieces.

“This looks great.”

“Smells great, too.” Kerry craned her neck to see. “What is that sauce?”

“Pineapple and coconut rum.” Dar dipped a square of meat into it and then offered it to Kerry, who neatly took it off the end of her fork.

“Mm,” Kerry mumbled approvingly. “I’ll try that next time.”

She offered a taste of her fish in return, which Dar accepted.

“Tastes like Mandarin oranges,” Dar commented. “Nice.”

Kerry had taken one bite of her fish when her attention was captured by a couple who was just entering the restaurant. “Yrch.”

She caught Dar’s eye and indicated the door. Christen and Juan Carlos had just stepped in, and were being greeted by the host.

“There goes the neighborhood.” Dar nibbled a bit of her filet.

“Wonder if she paid for that dress by the inch.”

Christen was wearing an outfit of gold chain, which barely covered her tanned and very fit body from mid-thigh to chest. The outfit had gaps in the sides, and a jeweled belt hung below her navel. Juan complemented her in a gold silk shirt, a matte black silk Terrors of the High Seas 103

jacket, and leather pants.

“Someone forget to tell them they weren’t visiting New York?”

Kerry leaned over and murmured, “Last time I saw clothes like that was out on South Beach at that TV chef’s opening night.”

The newcomers were led to a prime table near the edge of the open air seating. As Christen sat down, she spotted Dar and Kerry across the room. She put a hand on Juan Carlos’ arm, then made her way over.

“Yip, yip yippee yahooey.” Dar rolled her eyes, then assumed a cordially neutral expression as the woman neared. “Evening.”

“Why, hello! Imagine bumping into you two here,” Christen greeted them. “Visiting, or…staying here?”

“We’re staying here,” Kerry answered smoothly. “Did you just get in?”

“Last night,” Christen replied with a smile. “Isn’t it great?

What a beautiful spot.” She leaned on the balustrade next to them, the gold chains in her outfit clinking gently. “I’m glad we bumped into you again; I was afraid we’d lost you when you disappeared from the docks. You didn’t get caught out in the weather, did you?”

Dar answered that one. “Just went on a cruise. We got back late.”

“Really?” Christen was watching Dar closely. “Listen, some friends of ours ran into trouble out west of that little island. You didn’t happen to see them out there, did you?”

Dar’s ice blue eyes chilled and shaded. “Friends of yours?” she asked softly. “No. We didn’t see anyone in trouble last night.”

Recognizing the change in Dar’s demeanor, Kerry kept quiet.

“Oh. Well,” Christen replied. “I really didn’t get the whole story, but they think someone might have run them aground. But that wouldn’t have been really friendly, now would it?”

“Depends on what they were doing to make someone want to do that.” Dar looked her right in the eye, suddenly projecting an air of surprisingly dark menace all out of character with her gaudy print dress.

They fenced for a moment, then Christen laughed a touch uncomfortably. “Well, who knows? Maybe they were mistaken, or…knowing them, they goofed in the navigation and are just trying to cover it up.” She backed off a step. “Anyway, we’ll see you around. Maybe we can do lunch?”

“Sure.” Dar let the word roll off her tongue, keeping her eyes pinned on the smaller woman. “Anytime.”

Christen beat a hasty retreat. Dar kept up her testy glower for a moment, then relaxed, hiking an eyebrow at the attentively watching Kerry. “Well?”

“You get a ten from the American judge.” Kerry held up her napkin, peeking behind her to see Christen and Juan in close 104 Melissa Good consultation, complete with uneasy looks in their general direction.

“You know, Dar, for someone who’s dressed like a passion fruit sundae, you really can scare the pooters out of people.”

Dar snickered, then shook her head. “I shouldn’t laugh. That probably wasn’t funny.” She eyed the two newcomers.

“You don’t seriously think those goons’ll try to find us, do you?” Kerry asked. “I mean, for running them aground. They were chasing us, Dar.”

“I don’t know.” Dar sliced off a bit of her filet and ate it. “Let me get back to you after I have a chance to check out what Mark sent.”

“Okay.” Kerry went back to her dinner. She was a little surprised at how unworried she was about this new wrinkle. In fact, she felt more intrigued than frightened. Maybe she was turning into a little bit of a risk taker. She took in a forkful of the fish, enjoying the half-sweet, half-tangy taste, then washed the mouthful down with a long sip of wine. “Dar?”

“Hm?” Dar looked up from her task of decimating her lobster tail.

“You think this is dangerous?”

Dar paused, folded her hands, and rested her chin on them.

“Dangerous?” she asked. “I think we bumped into some folks who are used to getting their own way.”

“Mm.” Kerry nodded.

“They shot flares at us last night,” Dar went on seriously, “not bullets.”

Ah. That is very, very true. “Shot them off the sides, too,” Kerry realized. “So you think they’re overbearing, obnoxious bullies, but only willing to go so far to achieve their goals?”

“Exactly.” Dar went back to her plate with a satisfied look.

“Unfortunately for them,” she looked up from her dinner, “they’re up against an equally overbearing, obnoxious bully who won’t stop until she gets what she wants.” She winked. “And I want a nice, peaceful vacation.”

Kerry cocked her head and thought about that. “I don’t think you’re overbearing and obnoxious, and you’re definitely not a bully,” she finally stated positively. “But I do agree they’ve bitten off more than they can chew with us.” She gave a brisk nod, then bit into a prawn and ruthlessly ripped it from its shell.

Dar merely chuckled and shook her head.

A SURPRISE WAS waiting for them when they got back to their room. Kerry warily eyed the basket of flowers and shot Dar a look.

“You’re the only person I’d welcome getting these from, but I’m guessing they’re not from you.”

Terrors of the High Seas 105

Dar regarded the floral intrusion. “No.” She searched the arrangement for a card. “For one thing, I know what kind of flowers you like,” she said. “Tulips not being among them. Ah.” She plucked a small square of cardboard from amid the greenery and held it to her forehead as she closed her eyes in psychic concentration. “The answer is…Bob.” She handed the card over without looking at it.

Kerry sighed, took the card and peeked at it. “Can we rent you out to the Psychic Hotline?”

Dar shook her head. “Ker, you’re just going to have to tell him straight out to back off, you’re taken,” she advised wryly. “He’s one of those guys who can’t picture two women together and think anything other than ‘lunch.’”

“Yeah, I know.” Kerry laughed helplessly as she removed the basket to the table near the door and plopped down onto the bed. “I figured while we were docking the boat, my referring to you as my partner and saying this was our delayed honeymoon would have clued him in, but I guess not.”

Dar slid down beside her and plucked the card from Kerry’s fingers, tossing it over her shoulder as she found something much more interesting to concentrate on. “Know what I like about these bawdy excuses for cut-up tablecloths?”

“Tch.” Kerry smoothed her hand over Dar’s hip. “You look cute in it,” she protested. “But no, what?”

Dar closed her teeth around one of the ties holding Kerry’s wrap closed and tugged on it, pulling it loose. “They come off easy.” She peeled back one edge, exposing Kerry’s chest, then went for the lower tie. She pulled it slowly, her eyes tracking up Kerry’s body to meet her eyes. “See?”

Kerry felt Dar’s hair brush against her thighs as she undid the fastening and laid her body bare to the soft breeze coming in from the window. She eased up onto her elbows, watching Dar’s back arch as she prowled her way on up. “Sweetheart?” Kerry murmured.

“Yeees?” Dar rested her chin against Kerry’s navel.

“I would love to spend the next few hours being ravished by you, but don’t you think we should pick up Mark’s stuff first?”

Dar sighed, a rush of very warm air that caused goose bumps to rise across Kerry’s breasts. “No,” she growled softly. “But…” She slid all the way up Kerry’s body, bringing a rush of raw sensuality with her, then dipped her head to capture Kerry’s lips for a long moment. “I guess we have to.”

As Dar lifted herself up and off the bed, Kerry regretted having said a word. She exhaled and rolled over, then stood and trotted after her taller partner as she went to the briefcase tucked between the dresser and the wall. She waited for Dar to unlock the top, then 106 Melissa Good slid her arms around her partner and started playing with the strings on Dar’s shift as she pulled out the laptop and put it on the table.

Dar glanced over her shoulder. “Thought you wanted me to set this up.”

“I’m helping.” Kerry untangled a cable and plugged it in, still with her arms around Dar’s body.

“Ah.” Dar booted the laptop and flipped up its cellular antenna. “Thought we weren’t bringing this.”

“Yeah, I know.” Kerry poked her head under Dar’s left arm, watching the screen. “But I figured if something catastrophic did happen, and the office needed us, we’d have to have this to do anything about it.”

“Good thought.”

“And if they called us for something stupid, we could toss it overboard and make Mark get you a new one in that snazzy blue color you like so much.” Kerry found another string to tug on, and Dar’s shift fell as open as hers was. “Ooh… nice desktop.”

“I could put this one on.” Dar casually clicked a few keys and replaced her peaceful forest scene with one of Kerry on the beach.

Naked.

“EEEK!” Kerry slapped at the mouse pointer. “Get that outta there, Dar!”

“Heh.” Dar relented and switched back to the forest. “You’re so cute.” She started the laptop into its dial-up routine. “Now,” she turned around and gathered Kerry into her arms, “before I was so rudely interrupted by logic, where was I?”

Kerry pressed her body against Dar’s. “Here, I think.” She wound a hand around Dar’s neck and was about to kiss her when a knock sounded at the door. Kerry paused, looked at her partner, then at the door in visible outrage. “What the heck?”

“Hotel better be on fire,” Dar muttered, then raised her voice.

“Yeah?”

There was a moment of silence, then a voice answered,

“H…hello? I’m looking for Kerry?”

Kerry fell forward against Dar’s chest and shook her head.

“Bob.”

“Bob,” Dar repeated. “You stay here. I’m gonna bob Bob.” Dar headed for the door with determined strides.

“Ah…bu…bu…Dar!” Kerry scuttled after her, grabbed hold of her loose shift, and pulled her to a halt. “Whoa!”

Dar turned, her eyebrows lifting in outraged question.

Kerry tied the shift closed. “Blind eunuchs have it tough in the job market, sweetie,” she whispered. “Let me handle him, okay?”

She adjusted her own dress and slipped ahead of Dar, grasped the door handle, and turned it. “Yes?” She leaned on the jamb, opening Terrors of the High Seas 107

the door just wide enough to make eye contact.

“Kerry! Great, I found you.” Bob beamed. “Can I come in?”

Kerry got her thoughts in order and assumed one of her more no-nonsense expressions. “Bob, it’s late. Is there something you need? We’re pretty tired.” She tried not to hear the low, vibrant growl that was buzzing the air behind her.

“I was hoping we could talk,” Bob explained shyly.

Okay, Ker, Dar’s right. Polite ain’t cutting it this time. “About what?” Kerry asked.

The hallway was empty, though Bob glanced to either side just to be certain. He put his hands in his pockets and managed an almost engaging expression. “Look, I know we barely know each other…”

“Grrooowwwwll!”

Kerry felt Dar move closer, and the heat of her body warmed Kerry’s back. “That’s right,” she answered Bob. “We don’t.”

“But I was thinking maybe we could see each other a few times, you know… I think you’re a really—”

“Bob.” Kerry opened the door a little wider and straightened, holding both hands out in a stopping motion. “Hold it.”

“No, I know you’re really modest, but I think—”

“Bob!” Kerry’s voice lifted.

He peered at her anxiously. “Yeah?”

“Thank you, but I have a significant other,” Kerry stated firmly. “One that I’m very attached to.”

“Rowwwrrrll.” Dar’s growl turned to a purr.

Bob took a breath and gave her a determined look. “I figured you had a boyfriend, but I really think we can get to know each other better, after all—”

“Bob.” Kerry sighed. “I don’t have a boyfriend.” She spoke slowly, enunciating carefully, “I told you before—I have a partner.”

His brows contracted in puzzlement. “A partner?”

Dar’s patience, never really extensive, snapped. She poked her head above Kerry’s as she raised a hand over Kerry’s shoulder.

“That would be me.”

Bob looked from one of them to the other, his head cocking to one side in patent confusion.

Kerry turned and looked at Dar. “See what happens when you eat too much Wonder Bread?” she asked, then turned back. “Bob, Dar and I are lovers,” she painstakingly clarified for him. “We’re gay. Am I making a connection here?”

Very slowly, comprehension dawned. “Oh,” Bob finally murmured, turning a deep, brick red. “Sorry. I didn’t…um…”

Kerry felt a little sorry for him. “It’s okay.”

“Okay, well then, have a good night. I’m sorry,” Bob babbled, backing away. “Sorry.” He escaped down the hallway, almost 108 Melissa Good crashing into the corner in his haste to get out of sight.

“Mmph.” Dar watched the last of him vanish and issued a satisfied grunt. “What an analog mindset.”

Kerry nudged her backwards and shut the door. “Aw, he’s not that bad. He meant well, Dar.”

“No he didn’t,” Dar objected. “Kerry, did you hear what he said after you told him you had an SO? He didn’t care! What a creep!”

Kerry chewed the inside of her lip. “Ew. Yeah,” she admitted.

“That was pretty scuzzy.”

Dar shook her head and ambled over to where the laptop had finished downloading. She picked it up and took it to the bed, then rid herself of her shift and settled on the covers, stretching her naked body out as she studied the screen. After a second, she glanced up over the LCD and crooked a finger at Kerry. “C’mere.”

Kerry put thoughts of Bob and his scuzziness out of her mind, removed her own clothing, and joined Dar in bed, snuggling up next to her lover. “What did he send?”

“Look.” Dar pointed. They read together in silence, tanned faces outlined in the light of the screen.