by Lydia Rose
Kim began to clean up the dining room table when Nadine joined her in the cleanup. Once everything was put away, Nadine walked toward the foyer. “You don’t have to leave,” Kim said quietly.
“Are you sure?” Nadine asked uncertain whether staying was a smart thing to do. She remembered the kiss and didn’t know if she wanted another or not. Who are you kidding?
“Yes. Please sit down. We can watch a movie or something.” Kim watched as Nadine sat on the corner cushion on the couch. She now grinned and took the middle cushion next to her. Nadine leaned away and looked at her.
“Do you want me to move?”
“If I say yes, you’ll only pout,” Nadine answered chuckling.
Kim moved her rear to get comfortable on the cushion. “You know me so well already.”
“Well? I don’t think I know a darn thing about you. I meet this woman who I thinks works at a pantry and then find out she is so generous to donate her time. Then I think she has no money and I walk into this place,” she said waving her arms. “I don’t care if you got this at a good price, this is a new home in a great neighborhood. I don’t know if you’re selling drugs or robbing banks.” Nadine turned to Kim. “Again, I say I don’t know anything about you.”
Kim sighed audibly. “You talk about money because of the type of job you have. I just don’t care to tell people my personal finances.” Again, the sigh escaped. “You would be surprised how people’s feelings change for you when they find out about your personal finances.” Kim turned to face Nadine. “I can assure you that I am doing nothing that is illegal. All I ask is that you trust me. Can you do that?” Kim took Nadine’s hands. “Please.”
Nadine stared at the blue eyes that shimmered with tears. “If you weren’t so generous with your time or shown me nothing but kindness, I’m not sure I could.” She lifted their hands and kissed Kim’s knuckles. “I will trust you.”
“Thank you,” she said leaning forward and kissed Nadine with such tenderness. She now sat back and picked up the remote until Nadine’s hand rested on her own.
“I’ve thought about nothing else since we kissed and now you’ve given me a second one to think about.” She turned on the cushion. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Nadine took a deep breath. “When you are my age, I’ll be forty-seven.”
“It’s just a number, Nadine.”
“Yes, a number that is very high.”
“You said you’d trust me. I like you a whole lot, Nadine. If you’re willing to take this adventure with me, I think it will be worth it.”
Nadine nodded and leaned toward Kim. “Can we seal that promise with a kiss?”
Kim smiled and leaned closer until their lips touched again.
CHAPTER 10
Nadine left Kim’s home that night with swollen lips from the kissing they had done. Neither woman allowed their kisses to progress to something more. It was as if Kim sensed that Nadine wasn’t ready for that yet. She rode the elevator up to her office still thinking about Saturday night. They shared a phone call on Sunday, but Kim was at the pantry most of the day. Nadine realized that she would have to find an excuse to spend more time with Kim without her thinking she was needy.
At lunchtime, Nadine rode the elevator to the ground floor. She was walking toward the exit when she saw Kim walking toward her. In her hand was a cane and she limped. “Kim,” she called out as she approached, “what happened?” It had only been one day since they saw one another.
“It’s nothing,” she said leaning on the cane. “Had a little trouble at the pantry yesterday.”
“Someone did this to you?” Nadine asked shocked. Her hand came out and squeezed her arm.
“I got pushed and ended up knocking into something.”
“Oh, Kim. Are you sure you are okay?”
“Yeah, it’s just a bruise. Nothing broken.”
Nadine now realized that Kim was standing in her building. “Were you coming to see if I was free for lunch?”
“Uh, no.”
“Then what are you doing here?” Nadine asked not understanding.
“I have an appointment in the building,” she answered not looking at Nadine.
“With whom?” Then she realized it wasn’t her business. “I’m sorry. It is none of my business.”
“My accountants are in this building,” she said moving out of the way of people trying to leave the building.
“Accountants?” Then it dawned on Nadine. “My father’s company?”
A slow nod appeared. “Yes.”
Now she wondered why her father didn’t say anything when she had dinner with her parents. “Then I had better let you get to it,” Nadine said moving toward the doorway.
“You’re angry,” Kim said to the back of Nadine’s head.
“No. You’ve asked me to trust you and I’m trying my best.” She moved to open the door. “Stop by my office when you are done. I’m just going to grab a sandwich. Can I get you one?”
“I’ve eaten already, but thanks.” Kim watched as Nadine left the building without another word.
Nadine walked back to her desk and opened the bag with her sandwich. Arlene stepped into her office. “Should I give you half an hour to eat?”
Nadine’s head nodded up and down. “But a friend may be stopping by. Let her in, please.”
“Her, huh?” Eve took a seat. “Is this the woman you told me about?”
Nadine’s mouth was full so she nodded again.
Before Arlene could say anything else, Kim knocked on the open door. “Am I interrupting?”
“Not at all. You can come in,” she said as she went to the doorway and closed the door.
Nadine wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Your meeting didn’t take long.”
“No, I just had to sign some papers.” Kim watched as Nadine motioned for her to sit. “Nice office,” she said looking at the pristine furniture.
“Thank you. When you spend as much time here as I do at home, it has to be comfortable.” Nadine looked at the cane. “Did you press charges?”
“No. The woman was upset because she was trying to feed four children on one box of food.”
Nadine stared at Kim. “I’m sure you gave her some money even after she pushed you.” Kim blushed and shrugged. “You are an easy touch Kim Bailey.” Kim began to open her mouth, but Nadine held up her hand. “But incredibly kind and generous.” Kim shrugged again. “Don’t try to deny it. I may not know a lot about you, but that much I know.”
“Thank you,” Kim said blushing again. “The woman was desperate.”
“I hope my dad has told you that you can set up a charity to donate money to people. At least this way you can get the tax deduction.”
Kim grinned. “He’s mentioned it before.”
“You can’t keep buying food for the pantry and giving away cash to people without thought.”
“Nadine, I have plenty of money. I’m not hurting myself by being generous.”
Nadine smiled. This was the first time that Kim mentioned money to her. “Thank you for telling me that. I know you don’t like talking about money, but I will make sure you are protected.”
“Your dad has done a great job with me. He’s very sincere and kind.”
“Yes, he is,” Nadine said smiling proudly. “I learned from the best in my business.”
“So, we’re okay?” Kim asked bashfully.
“We’re great, Kim.” Nadine now got up and walked around her desk until she was standing in front of her. Her arms went to the arms of the chair before she gently kissed her mouth. “You are too good to be true.”
“I’m not, but I’m glad you think so. I know you are going to be tired by the time you get home, but can I see you tonight? I can bring dinner.”
“Yes, I will be tired,” Nadine grinned. “I would like very much if you came over.”
“What can I pick up for dinner?”
“I just had a sandwich so how about a pizza?”
“Are you s
ure you don’t want something better? I was going to make a turkey meatloaf with Marcella gravy, mashed potatoes. Do you like glazed carrots?”
“Yes, and I’m drooling already thinking about that meal.” Nadine moved back to her desk and reached into the top drawer. “How about you make it at my place so you don’t have to cart everything over?” The key to her apartment was in her hand.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“What time will you be home?”
“Six o’clock.” Nadine handed her the keys and stole another kiss. “If something comes up, I’ll call you.”
“See you later.” Kim went through the door wearing a wide smile. Nadine’s secretary stopped her from leaving.
“You look happier leaving than you did coming in,” Arlene said to Kim.
Kim grinned. “She makes me happy.”
“I can see that,” Arlene said chuckling. She was now knocking on Nadine’s door.
“Come in, Arlene,” Nadine called out knowing who was on the other side of the door.
Arlene opened the door and looked at her boss’s face. “Just wanted to see if you were wearing the same smile as she was.” She bent toward Nadine. “Yeah, it’s about the same.”
“Don’t you have any work to do?” Nadine asked pointing with her finger.
“I’m going.” Arlene began to sing, “Kim and Nadine up in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G.”
“Close my door and go away.”
CHAPTER 11
Kim carried the groceries into Nadine’s apartment. She hoped that she had all the tools she would need to cook this meal. Putting the bags down on the counter, she began to look in the cabinets. “Perfect,” she said taking out a pot and frying pan.
By the time Nadine walked in the apartment door, the meal was almost done. “Hi, honey, I’m home.”
Kim met her near the door with a resounding kiss. “Why don’t you change your clothes, dinner is just about ready.”
“Do I have time for a quick shower?”
“Can I join you?” Kim asked with a smirk.
“Then I will never get to taste that wonderful food you’ve made. It smells like heaven in here.”
“Okay. I know when I’m not wanted.”
Nadine turned Kim around and said, “You are wanted, Kim. Trust me when I say that.” She left for her bedroom before she dragged Kim with her.
When Kim heard the bathroom door open, she knew Nadine was almost ready and began making their plates. She had to use all her willpower to keep herself in the kitchen and not follow Nadine into the bedroom. She appeared a few minutes later dressed similarly to the morning she stopped by with breakfast. “I love you in your jacket and skirt, but I really prefer you dressed like this.”
“Why thank you, ma’am,” she said bowing before she took her seat. “You say the sweetest things to me.”
“You deserve it.” She lifted the wine bottle. “Wine?” Kim asked before she poured the wine.
“Please.” Nadine’s head went down to her plate and sniffed. “This smells absolutely divine.”
“Taste it first, Nadine. It might smell better than it tastes.” Kim took her seat next to her.
“Oh, Kim,” Nadine said as she had her first taste, “I love this.”
“Thanks.”
Kim shooed Nadine out of the kitchen to the living room while she cleaned up. “I can help.”
“Go relax. I’m not working tomorrow.”
Nadine sat there on the couch with the television tuned to MSNBC and tried to concentrate on what the person was saying, but her mind was in the kitchen instead. Nadine kept waiting for the other shoe to drop as far as Kim was concerned, but so far, her instincts were wrong.
Kim walked into the room and slid into the cushion so her body rested against Nadine’s side. “Can I get you anything else?”
“I couldn’t eat or drink another thing.” Nadine lifted her arm and wrapped it around Kim’s shoulder. This position had Kim’s head resting against her braless chest. “Comfy?” she asked.
“Your boobs make a nice pillow,” Kim answered looking up at Nadine. Her right hand now rested across Nadine’s stomach. “I could fall asleep easily like this.”
“Not before I get a kiss.”
“Did I forget to do that when you came in?” Kim asked with a slight giggle.
“No, but I’d like another.”
“You can have a thousand kisses.” She turned her body until she was facing Nadine’s front. Her left hand reached up and pulled Nadine down to her mouth.
Kisses turned into a tongue dance. Nadine’s arms pulled Kim closer and closer to her body. “I could kiss you all night,” Nadine said when they broke away breathless. Her fingers went to her lips. “Has anyone ever told you what a great kisser you are?”
Kim smiled. “No.”
“You are the best I’ve ever had, Kim.” Her fingers were back on her lips again. “You make me want to crawl into your body for just one more kiss.”
“Now who’s saying sweet things,” she said grinning.
“I can’t let you be the only one to be so sweet.” Nadine dropped her head again until their lips were touching again. Kim’s hand was in her hair and their bodies pressed tightly to each other. Nadine could feel her nipples grow harder and harder with each kiss. She knew it wouldn’t take much to take her over the edge if she would just let herself go. She pulled away from Kim’s mouth and looked at the dark blue eyes that were filled with passion. “Do you want to move this to the bedroom?”
“Soon,” Kim said moving off Nadine’s body.
What just happened? “Later?” Nadine asked almost desperate.
“Soon.” Kim sat up on the couch. “I should let you get some rest for work tomorrow.”
“You’re leaving?” Nadine couldn’t believe her ears. She wanted to ask what she had done wrong, but was afraid of what the answer might be. She walked Kim to the door.
Kim pulled her into a fierce hug. “Thanks for sharing dinner with me.”
“Thank you for making dinner,” she said laughing.
Kim moved closer and kissed her deeply. “Soon.”
Nadine just nodded and watched Kim leave the apartment. Once she guessed Kim was out of earshot, she let out a frustrated sigh. “Soon. When the hell is soon?” Nadine felt as though she needed another shower. A very cold shower.
Kim drove away from Nadine’s apartment in perpetual arousal. It was so hard for her to leave Nadine in that condition, but she had to be sure that when they had sex it would be more than that. She had gone to bed too soon with women in the past and the relationship fizzled and died a quick death. She didn’t want to make that mistake with Nadine. Her heart was all in and she wanted to make sure Nadine felt the same way.
CHAPTER 12
Nadine knew her father was always the first one in the office so she got off on his floor before she went up to her own office. “Hi, Dad,” she said when she found him in the kitchen getting coffee.
“Hi, sweetheart. This is a nice surprise. I know you aren’t here for the coffee because your office has better coffee,” he said with a smile.
Nadine held up her Starbuck’s coffee. “Not always, Dad.”
“Kim told me she met you in the lobby the other day.”
“You were keeping secrets from your daughter,” she said with a grin.
“You know I never talk about my clients and if you are here to pump me for information, I can’t tell you anything.” He walked toward his office with Nadine on his heels.
“I’m not asking for information, Dad. I came by to say I may have been wrong about her.”
Joe looked at his daughter’s face as he took a seat. “Are you two dating?”
“Yes.”
“And the age thing?”
“I’m still worried about that but she seems so sincere with me.” Nadine took a breath. “I’m so confused.”
“Nadine, Kim is a sweetheart. Trust me when I tell you that she isn’t a phony.
I’ve known her for two years now and what you see is the real Kim.”
“You wouldn’t be upset that I’m dating someone so much younger than me?”
“No, sweetie. If you both care for each other, that’s all that matters.” Joe’s smile was wide. “I couldn’t be happier.”
*
Nadine couldn’t wait to get home and soak in a bubble bath. She hadn’t heard from Kim all day and wondered what was going on. She had just slipped into the tub when her phone rang. “Hello, Amber.”
“Hey, Nadine. How is it going?”
“Better now that I am soaking in the bathtub.”
“Is Kim with you?” Amber asked raising her voice.
“If she was, I wouldn’t have picked up the phone,” she said with a loud laugh.
“So, you two are…?” Amber waited for Nadine to finish the sentence.
“Dating.”
“I knew it. I could see the way she looks at you. Cheryl and I are crazy about her.”
“Yeah.”
“Why don’t you seem so happy?”
“I just don’t know, Amber.”
“You don’t know? What is wrong with you? How many of your past girlfriends made dinner for you and your friends?” Amber didn’t give her a chance to answer. “I’ll tell you. None. N-O-N-E.”
Nadine laughed. “She is very sweet to me.”
“You better marry that girl before you scare her away.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I can’t even get her into my bed.” Once the words left her mouth, she regretted it.
“What do you mean?”
“We were kissing last night and I asked her to bed and she turned me down.”
“Why?”
“I have no idea. She told me soon,” Nadine sighed. “Amber, she said soon.” She lowered her voice. “If she had put her hand between my legs, I would have come. Instead she left.”
“Now you’re worried that she’s not attracted to you?”
“Yeah,” she said softly.
“I know what she is doing. I’ve heard a few close friends tell me this. Kim is waiting to make sure you are serious. That you’re in love with her first.”