Tropical Storm

Chapter Twenty-six

THE WHINE OF the alarm brought Dar out of her dream and into the waking reality of pre-dawn with a gasp. She reached out and slapped the clock, hushing it, then laid her head back onto the pillow and let her heart start to calm. Jesus. She blinked a few times, then glanced down at the blonde limpet attached snugly to her. It took a moment of getting used to. She’d been alone for so long, waking up in this warm tangle was a shock, albeit a pleasant one, she had to admit. She was on her back, and Kerry was tucked up against her right side, her head pillowed on Dar’s shoulder and a firm grip wound around her stomach. It seemed to be a favorite position of hers, Dar noted, as she watched Kerry’s breathing rise and fall with a steady rhythm.

Dar found a smile inching across her face as she softly fingered the bright hair cascading across her chest, tangling it idly in fascination. She loves me. The thought swirled around her mind, rinsing it clean of the fogginess of sleep. She actually said it. The others never had. Oh, they’d talked about sex, and commitment, but never looked right up at her and just told her…

Do you think it’s tacky of me? Dar savored the question with a little sigh.

No, I don’t think it was tacky. What would I have said… How would I have expressed that, if it had been up to me? She snorted in silent laughter . Like I could have. I was so scared she was gonna walk away from this. Dar cursed her own insecurity softly. I’m glad she had more guts than I have. And god, what she’s been through.

Now her anger stirred again, thinking of what Kerry had gone through.

Bastards. How could they do that to a kid? She shook her head a tiny bit. And that piece of shit bodyguard. She wondered if he’d just roughed Kerry up or… Her hands touched the soft skin on the blonde woman’s arm. Had he raped her?

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.

Dar paused, then finally nodded. “Yeah, must be all this extra rest I’m getting,” she deadpanned. “Haven’t had a damn headache in weeks.”

“Tcha, is good.” Maria smiled at her as Dar’s eyes rested on the dolphin sculpture.

“Yeah.” After a moment, Dar looked up again, a mildly bemused expression on her face. “Sure beats swallowing all those damn pills. Gave me a stomach ache.” She lightly rocked back in her chair as she heard the elevator door open. “Here comes trouble, if I’m not mistaken.”

Sharp, staccato heels could be heard on the tile before the security guard opened the door, and Michelle Graver stepped around him and in. She gazed around the office appreciatively and finally ended up letting her eyes rest on Dar, who was still leaning back in her chair, her hands folded in front of her.

“Hello, Dar.”

“Afternoon, Michelle. What brings you to these parts?” Dar inquired civilly. “Please, sit down.” She motioned to one of the padded seats before her desk. “What can I do for you?” The red-haired woman was dressed in a neat silk suit that clung to her frame, leaving little to the imagination—an outfit just a little too exotic to be strictly business and a little too sexy not to have a purpose.

“Well, the state tourism board’s meeting is this week. You know we’re a big part of that,” Michelle said, seating herself gracefully. “I had a few hours free tonight, I though I’d stop by and see if I could claim that raincheck.” Her eyes found Dar’s and a faint, fleeting smile crossed her lips. “If you’re not…busy.”

A faint warning bell sounded in Dar’s head. “I had nothing planned,” she replied cautiously. “Did you have someplace in mind you wanted to try?”

Idly, she toyed with the idea of telling the woman she had previous plans, then rejected the idea, deciding it would just postpone the inevitable. Might as well get the damn woman out of the way.

“Well, this is your end of the pond, Dar. Why don’t you suggest something?” Michelle crossed her legs and leaned against the arm of the chair, a predatory smile on her face. “Surely you know all the nice spots around here.”

The taller woman considered. “Where are you staying?”

The smile widened perceptibly. “The Hyatt, downtown,” she purred.

“Do you like seafood?” Dar asked politely.

“I love it,” Michelle replied.

Pale blue eyes regarded her warily. “All right, Monty’s down in the Grove is a good spot for that. I could pick you up—say at seven?”

She nodded. “That would be perfect. I can fill you in on the Tropical Storm 329

implementation plan, and we can…talk a little.” She stood up, having got what she wanted, and straightened her jacket neatly. “Room 1243.” She let her eyes linger on Dar’s body, then turned, moving across the carpet and pausing at the door. “Till then.” She slipped out, and Dar made a face.

“Is that going to ever be a waste of good crabs. On the other hand, maybe I can get one to bite her.” Dar sighed.

KERRY PUSHED HER door open and ducked inside, putting down the bags of groceries and kicking the wooden panel shut behind her. A glance at the clock told her it was well past ten, and she exhaled, having spent the night doing all the errands she could possibly think of. Or make up, for that matter, anything to keep her mind off where Dar was, and who she was with.

“Jealousy is not a fun emotion,” she informed her fish. “Don’t let anyone fool you, Scully. It sucks.” Trudging into the kitchen, she put the bags down, setting the cold stuff down by the refrigerator. “Not that I’m worried mind you, I know Dar doesn’t like her.”

Scully and Mulder blew bubbles.

“No, really, she doesn’t. She was making the funniest jokes about her on the way out, though I think that was mostly to make me feel better.” She gave the fish a wry look. “I was trying really hard to not come off as a green-eyed monster, but of course that’s really tough for me, given the fact that I already have green eyes. You know what I mean?”

Mulder blew a bubble. Scully inched up and smacked him on the lips.

“Ooo, I can think of about seven million Internet fans that would kill for that sight.”

The Lone Gunmen darted around as she crossed over and sprinkled a little food in the tank. She leaned against the edge, peering down at them. “It’s business, guys. Nothing personal.” She sighed. “But I can’t help wanting to pull her little red eyebrows out and feed them to her with a plunger.” She half wished Dar had simply turned down the meeting, even though she knew her boss had a responsibility to maintain good relations with their newest account. Does it have to be that kind of relations, though? Kerry felt a little sick every time she thought of Michelle, and her fancy hotel, and her exotic figure.

It was a horrible, helpless feeling, and she briefly considered just putting everything away, and going to sleep. It would be over in the morning. Right?

“Shit, come on, Kerry, get a grip. Dar turned down a dinner with her for a romp in the park with you just a few weeks ago. She couldn’t avoid this. The woman pranced into her office and practically forced her into it,” she told herself. Right?

With a sigh, she went back into the kitchen and put everything away, including the milk and chocolate syrup she’d found herself getting wholly without conscious thought. Then she changed, and sat down on the couch, letting her fingers drift over the fabric and remembering Monday. Was it only three days ago? It felt longer. The clock ticked in the silence, and she could hear the soft hum of the aquarium’s tank motor. The phone’s ringing startled her, and she jumped, then got up and went over to it. “Hello?”

“Kerry, I’m glad I caught you,” her mother’s voice sounded from the 330 Melissa Good receiver. “You’re hardly ever home these days, dear. I’ve been trying you since Tuesday.”

Mmm-hmm. Better see about call forwarding. Kerry winced. “Sorry. I, um…I was working late yesterday, then I went to the gym…and we went out after that.”

“Oh? You joined a gym?” Her mother’s voice sounded wary.

“It’s a special deal through our company,” Kerry told her. “A whole bunch of us did it. I’m taking some aerobics, and wall climbing, and…a little self-defense class.” She laughed faintly. “It’s a lot of fun.”

A moment’s silence. “Well, I’m very surprised you got involved in something like that when you’re leaving, Kerry,” her mother stated disapprovingly. “That’s not like you.”

Kerry took a deep, deep breath. “Mother, let’s be sensible, all right? I can’t just give up this job and come home just because of an accident. It’s silly.” Briefly, she wished Dar was there, needing the taller woman’s comforting presence. “I’m doing great here, it’s such a good opportunity.”

“Don’t be foolish,” her mother snapped. “Your father told you, you’re coming home. And let’s not hear any talk about that, Kerrison, it’s all arranged.”

It was almost as though she could feel warm hands resting on her shoulders, and a close presence behind her as she stood a little straighter. “No, I’m not, and if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine, Mother. But I have every intention of staying here,” Kerry told her steadily. “I have friends here, and a great job. I’m not ready to give that up.”

Kerry could feel the frozen silence emanating through the line. “We’ll see what your father has to say about that,” the voice replied angrily. “I can’t believe I’m hearing this from you. Of all the ungrateful things! Living there has given you horrible ideas, and it’s the best reason I can see for bringing you home.”

It hurt. “I’m sorry you feel that way, Mother. I don’t mean any disrespect to you, or to Daddy, but you have to understand that…” The line went dead.

Kerry sighed and hung it up, letting it drop on the table with a dull thud.

“Great. Just freaking, one hundred percent, doesn’t-that-bite-the-big-one, piece of crap, great.” Like her stomach hadn’t hurt enough already. Kerry sat down and cradled her head in her hands.

THE RESTAURANT WAS about three quarters full, and the soft clink of silverware warred with low, buzzing conversation as Dar cocked her head, absorbing the story Michelle was telling her about some problem they’d had with their mainframes. It was sad; Dar had figured out what the problem was ten minutes prior, but she saw no percentage in giving Michelle a freebie, considering her network people had been frustrated over it for a week. “You could contract us to send an analyst out there,” she offered with a frank smile.

Michelle toyed with her fork and peered at her over lashes dusted lightly with a faint golden tinge. “You mean you can’t solve it off the top of your head? Why, Dar, I’m disappointed.”

Dar briefly considered responding with a smart remark about services Tropical Storm 331

and paying for them, then she merely smiled. “Oh, I can’t solve everyone’s problems, but I’m sure one of our engineers could fix you right up.” She took a sip of the champagne Michelle had insisted on, then speared a piece of salmon and glanced outside. The marina the restaurant bordered was full of winking lights, boats traveling in and out and docked. There was a party in full swing on one, with bearded men in denim shorts and women in halter tops trading beers. She fought the urge to loosen her own buttoned collar, and sighed inwardly. “I heard from infrastructure, your circuits are in.”

“Well, that’s good news.” Michelle apparently decided to give up on her prodding. “Took them long enough,” she sniped.

Two weeks for a major T3 circuit wasn’t long, but Dar refused to dispute that. “Problem was your demarc, actually, the telco people tell me it took them six days to get access to the switch room.” She gave Michelle a pleasant look.

“Makes it a little tough to complete the circuit if you can’t get into the facilities.”

“We’re very serious about security,” she responded with a tight-lipped smile. “Just like you are, we don’t let people wander about our buildings anonymously.”

Dar laughed. “Come on, Michelle, two Southern Bell technicians in uniform with their famous truck. How anonymous is that?” She nibbled another piece of salmon as she gazed innocently at the shorter woman, who was neatly decimating a plateful of stuffed shrimp.

Graver didn’t answer for a moment as she swallowed. “Anyone can pick up one of those stupid-looking white helmets and a shirt. We don’t take chances,” she informed Dar. “So, tell me, Dar, I’m curious; what makes someone as experienced as you pick a rank novice as an assistant?”

It came from around the corner, and hit unexpectedly. But Dar hadn’t spent years in the boardroom refining her reactions for nothing. She took a forkful of baked potato and considered the question seriously. Why, Michelle?

Because she’s a babe, and I fell head over heels in love with her at pretty much first sight, of course. No, no, Dar, can’t tell the weeble that. “Well, she was part of an account we consolidated not long ago, and I thought she had some good potential, so I took a chance on her,” she answered evenly. “It paid off. She sent your intranet people some mail telling them how to do a better job securing your network, considering she was able to tap right into your master routers past your firewall.” Another forkful of potatoes followed, and she chewed innocently as Michelle apparently swallowed something the wrong way and hastily took a sip of water. “She’s good, and a fast learner. Why?”

“Just asking.” Michelle cleared her throat. “Actually, she was quite impressive. She’s Roger Stuart’s daughter?”

Dar nodded. “Mmm-hmm.”

Michelle smirked. “That was clever of you. He’s not a friend of your company’s,” she purred. “I sense an ulterior motive here.”

Sure you do, it’s just not the one you’re thinking of, Michelle. “Not really.

Though that might turn out to be an asset,” Dar answered dismissively.

“I’m sure she has many…assets.” Michelle smiled at her. “But enough about her. Tell me more about yourself, Dar.”

It feels like the dinner’s lasted three weeks, Dar reflected as they finally left 332 Melissa Good the restaurant into the cool night air. She took in a breath of it, then stepped forward as the valet brought the Lexus around. She waited for Michelle to settle herself, then she slid into the driver’s side, moving the seat back a little to accommodate her inches.

“Nice.” Michelle ran a finger over the leather surface. “Not quite what I pictured you driving, but nice.”

Dar bit back an answer and started the car. “Thanks, I like it.” She put the Lexus in gear and turned right out onto Bayshore Drive, heading back to pick up the highway and return Michelle to her hotel.

She knew what Michelle was gunning for. That much had been obvious from the moment she’d picked up the shorter woman, when she’d made a point of fingering Dar’s jacket and complimenting her perfume. And she obviously felt that Dar was going to be a willing participant. God knew, she had before, and with less attractive people than Michelle Graver, who was good-looking, experienced, very sensual, and certainly more worldly than the sweetly uncertain Kerry.

Kerry had said, with a warm hand on her arm as they parted in the parking lot. “Dar, have fun. Don’t hold back if you don’t want to.” She’d even smiled. So that was all right, right? Kerry understood it was just business…that she really didn’t like Michelle. It was just…part of the job.

Kerry understood. It wasn’t like it meant anything, and it would be a quick, relatively enjoyable time. Michelle would leave happy, and no harm would be done. Dar pulled up in front of the Hyatt and put the Lexus in Park, half turning towards Michelle as the shorter woman eyed her with warm speculation. “Here we are.”

A smile started on Michelle’s face. “You coming up?” Her voice was low and sure. “I’d love to continue our conversation.”

Dar drew breath to answer, then jumped as her cell phone rang. She pulled it out and flipped it open, giving Michelle an apologetic look. “Yeah?”

“Dar, it’s Mark. We’ve got a big problem,” the MIS chief’s voice burred in her ear.

It was the perfect excuse. It got her off the hook and didn’t leave the interestedly watching Michelle feeling rejected. “Hang on, Mark.” She muted the phone and turned to the shorter woman. “Much as I appreciate the offer, Michelle, and I do, I’m afraid I have to decline.”

A perfectly shaped red eyebrow curved up. “Problems?” She indicated the phone.

Dar met her eyes. “No, but I’m involved with someone, and it’s just not my style.” Damn, that felt good to say. She sighed inwardly as Michelle’s face stiffened into a hidden fury. “And, frankly, you’re not my type.” The door slammed behind her, and Dar leaned back, knowing she’d just caused herself a whole pile of trouble. Amazing how incredibly good that felt. “Okay, Mark, what do we have?” She put the Lexus in gear and pulled away from the towering brown building.

KERRY BARELY MADE it in the door as the phone rang for the fourth time, her skates slipping on the entryway tile and sending her lunging across Tropical Storm 333

the room. “Jesus!” she yelped as her sweat-drenched body hit the side of the couch, and she grabbed the ringing instrument. “Yow!” She landed on her butt and lost the phone, then scrambled after it, capturing it finally. “Hello?”

she growled into it, trying to catch her breath.

A pause. “Hi.” A low, vibrant voice answered her, a touch quizzically.

Every ounce of tension suddenly drained out of Kerry, leaving her limp as a damp, warm dishrag on the floor. “Hey, sorry.” In the background, she could hear music faintly playing; other than that, it was very quiet where Dar was. She glanced at her watch. Eleven. Hmm. Her spirits rose from the dumpster. Guess things didn’t work out. She felt a smile pull at her lips. What a shame.

“You all right?” Dar inquired gently.

“I’m drenched, exhausted, pissed off, and now I have a sore butt,” Kerry replied. “Other than that, I’m great. How about you? How did dinner go?”

A soft chuckle. “Lousy. I think I may have blown a very important client relationship right to hell.” The executive sighed. “Why are you pissed off, not to mention drenched and exhausted?”

Kerry crossed her weighted down ankles and regarded the white popcorn ceiling. “Oh…well, I was skating,” she explained. “My mother called. I kind of broke the news to her that I wasn’t moving back there. She hung up on me.”

“Ah,” Dar murmured. “Sorry.”

“I’m not,” Kerry replied. “But it really pissed me off, and I…” She hesitated. Was already tied in knots. No, she doesn’t need to know that. “I decided to work off some energy skating.”

“Mmm, I see. You sound tired,” Dar commented. “I should, um, let you get some sleep.”

A momentary silence fell. Kerry rolled over and cradled the phone against her ear. “Where are you?”

A soft clucking noise then Dar let out a chuckle. “Outside in your parking lot,” she admitted.

“Dar!” Kerry felt a laugh bubble up, and her bad mood vanished. “Get in here. Jesus, don’t be goofy. You can help me up. I think I broke my butt.”

Through the half open door she heard the solid sound of the car door closing, then the soft, rhythmic footsteps she recognized as Dar’s. She turned and watched as the door pushed open, and the dark head poked inquisitively in.

“Hi.” She waggled a skate-covered foot at the taller woman.

Dar put her hands on her hips and gazed down at her, a faint, playful smile pulling at her lips. “You always go roller skating half naked?” she inquired, blinking appreciatively at the brief shorts and cutoff shirt. “You might coax me into trying it in that case.”

“Hah hah hah.” Kerry stuck her tongue out. “No, I don’t, but everything else is in the laundry. For some reason, I hadn’t gotten around to doing it this week.” A pause. “Yet.”

Dar tossed her jacket down and joined Kerry on the floor, stretching out on her side and propping her head up on one hand. She’d traded her suit for a pair of jeans and a cotton shirt, and she looked relaxed and faintly disheveled.

Just how Kerry liked her. She smiled. “So…is Michelle going to send Uncle Scrooge after you or something?”

334 Melissa Good Dar shrugged. “She might, I’ll have to see. I’d better send a note down to the account team for them and warn them she’s probably going to be a bitch on wheels to them.” She fell silent and regarded the keys in her hand. “It’s too bad, but…”

Kerry rolled over and faced her. “But what? Dar, forgive me for saying this, but she’s a pig.” The blonde woman’s brows knit. “She was chasing after you like some…some…”

“Horny guy?” Dar inquired with a wry twist of her lips. “Maybe it’s the short woman syndrome I keep hearing about.”

“Hey!” Kerry gave her a look. “Short people don’t have syndromes!” she protested. “We’re just always pissed off because we can’t reach kitchen cabinets.”

Dar laughed easily. “Well, you’re taller than she is.”

Kerry considered. “Yeah, I am, come to think about it. I knew there was something I liked about her.”

“You’re a lot prettier than she is, too,” the taller woman continued, her voice gentling. “On the outside and certainly on the inside.”

Her companion blushed and glanced down. “Thanks,” she replied softly.

“I’m glad you think that.”

Dar studied her for a moment. “Your mom was kind of rough, huh?” She reached out and covered Kerry’s hand with her own. “Sorry you had to go through that, I know it’s tough.”

Kerry looked at the hand over hers, and let her fingers explore its surface a bit. “Dar, I wasn’t going to say this but…you know, one of the things that is so bad between me and my parents is that we never communicate, and I don’t want to start off that way with you.” She looked up. “I’m really glad you didn’t go with her tonight. It was really bothering me.”

The blue eyes blinked. “It was?” The words were soft. “I’m glad you told me that.” Dar lifted their joined hands and brushed her lips against them. “I was kind of…surprised when you told me to go ahead. It made me feel…” She stopped and shook her head. “Kind of disappointed,” she admitted.

“Oh.” Kerry thought about that. “Really?”

Dar nodded. “Really.”

“Hmm. I…” Kerry bit her lip. “I didn’t think I should get all…um, like

‘don’t you touch her!’ I mean, we could end up on Jerry Springer or something.”

A sly grin edged Dar’s lips. “Kerry, lemme tell you something, I would have paid good, hard cash to see you smack her hands. Next time someone forces me to go out, you’re coming with me.” Dar paused a beat and then asked, “So, what happened with your mother?” She met the startled green eyes. “You hate talking about your family, don’t you?”

Kerry sighed. “Yeah, I do.” She gave Dar a wry look. “I wish I could just forget I had them sometimes.”

The phone rang, and Kerry almost jumped out of her skin since it was resting on her stomach. “Jesus.” She picked it up and pressed the answer button. “Hello?”

“Hi, sis.” Her sister Angela’s voice sounded halfway between nervous and amused.

Tropical Storm 335

“Oh, hi, Angela.” She mouthed ‘my sister’ at Dar. “Let me guess, I’m the topic of conversation tonight.”

Dar rolled over and pillowed her head on Kerry’s belly, her eyes on the smaller woman’s face.

“Oh my god, Ker, what in the name of the Lord did you do to them?

Mom’s about having a litter of kittens in the middle of the kitchen. You’re not pregnant, are you?”

Dar lifted her head, and poked the surface she was resting on, making Kerry giggle softly. “Nope,” she whispered.

“No.” Kerry reached down and tickled Dar’s nose. “I’m just happy where I am and don’t want to come back to Michigan. Is that a crime?” She exhaled.

“Good grief, Angie, I’ve got this great job and all my friends. The stupid airplane was an accident, for crying out loud.”

A sigh could be heard over the phone. “Ker, it’s not funny, okay. Dad’s already talking about things. Be careful, okay? You know how he gets.”

Kerry felt a familiar jolt of fear grab her chest. “Yeah, I know,” she answered softly. “How are things with you? “

“All right,” her sister answered quietly. “Same old, same old. Richard’s out with his friends. I’m here. You know how it goes.” She paused. “I miss having you around. But honestly, Ker, I don’t blame you for staying away.”

“Well, I’ll see you next week, I guess,” Kerry replied. “If they don’t lock me out of the house, that is. Maybe they’ll settle down by then.”

“I doubt it, but I’ll be glad to see you anyway. If they give you a hard time, you can stay with us,” Angela advised her. “How are things with you?

You find anyone…um, I mean…well, you know.”

Kerry knew. “Yes.” She twined her fingers with Dar’s. “I did find someone, as a matter of fact.”

“Ah.” Angela sighed. “So this doesn’t really have anything to do with your job, does it?”

Kerry laughed softly. “In a way, it does,” she admitted. “I’ll tell you about it when I get there. It’s a long story.”

“Bring pictures,” her sister advised her. “I want to make sure my sister isn’t running around with some crazy Latin goat-sacrificer.”

Dar’s eyes grew round as she listened, and she lifted her head in outrage.

“Goat-sacrificer?” she mouthed.

“Shhh.” Kerry put a hand on her lips. “No on both counts, Angie,” she assured her. “Honest.”

An awkward pause. “Are you alone?” Angela asked hesitantly.

Kerry let a breath trickle out of her lungs. “No.”

“Oh.” It came out awkwardly. “Well, I should let you go then. You must be…busy.”

Blue eyes and green met and dropped. “I just got back from skating, actually.” Kerry cleared her throat. “We’re just sitting around talking. But listen, keep an ear on the folks for me, okay? I’d rather know if I’m going to walk into Hell next week.”

Angela sighed. “Okay, I can do that. You take care of yourself, Kerry, okay?”

“I will. You too, Angie. See you next week.” Her sister told her. “ ’Night.”

336 Melissa Good She hung up, and let the phone rest on the floor. “My sister.”

Dar chewed on that. “She seems nice. You sure you two aren’t foundlings?”

Kerry snorted softly. “It’s crossed my mind, believe me.” She reached down and ran her fingers through Dar’s dark hair. “Want some chocolate milk? Some followed me home from the store today.”

“Sure.” The taller woman stood and extended a hand down to her.

“C’mon, I think the Crocodile Lover is on.” She grabbed Kerry’s arm and pulled her upright, smiling as the skates brought her smaller companion a good two inches higher than usual. “Mmm, nice positioning.” She leaned forward a little and kissed the waiting lips, feeling Kerry’s hands slip down and come to rest against her belt.

“Oh, great…” Kerry enjoyed herself, hooking her fingers in the loops and pulling herself closer. “I’m destined to be stuck on skates for the rest of my life.” Dar’s arms closed around her, and she gladly let her body relax against her companions.

“Goat-sacrificer? What kind of stories have you been telling your sister?”

Dar breathed in her ear. “You haven’t been scaring her with that stuff about Santeria and the Chupacabra, have you?”

Kerry let her head rest against Dar’s shoulder. “No, she’s been watching reruns of Miami Vice on cable again.” There was a pause while they both silently absorbed each other. “What are you doing for Thanksgiving?” she asked unexpectedly.

“You could invite me home with you,” Dar teased, watching a wistful look cross Kerry’s face. “I’m invited up to Gerald Easton’s house. He’s been a good friend, and sort of an uncle to me since I was a kid.”

Kerry patted her gently. “Good, I’m glad. I hated to think of you being all by yourself. That’s in Washington, right?”

Dar nodded. “Maryland, actually, just over the border. He’s promised me leaves other than green ones, and the chance of a little snow.”

“Mmm.” Kerry nibbled her jaw. “You’re taking your cell phone, right?”

Dar leaned back and studied her seriously. “If you get into trouble with your folks, you call me, Kerry. I’ll be there, okay?” She paused. “Cell phone, oh shit, that reminds me, I need to log in. Mark conveniently interrupted me as I was dropping Michelle off and told me we had a security breach.”

“Yikes!” Kerry sat down on the couch and started unstrapping her skates.

“Did he catch them?”

“Yeah. But they shot off a packet into the network, he was tracing it when he talked to me. He was going to route it and find out where it came from.”

“Help yourself.” Kerry motioned towards her desk. “I’ll get some milk and cookies.” She got up and leaned on Dar’s back, watching her start up sessions. “And turn on the crocodile dude.” She got a gentle, insistent kiss for that, and closed her eyes as Dar half turned to continue the pressure . Bite me, Michelle. I hope you spend the whole night with your pillow and a breadstick. The night was definitely looking up.