“Her hands are all over her,” Leefe said under her breath. It wasn’t any of her business, but she didn’t like the possessive way the woman touched Clary. She frowned at the reflection of the red and white beer sign in her coffee, replaying the last few minutes. Neither she nor Clary had moved; they simply stared at each other.
Chapter Eight
Felice downshifted her little sports car and swerved into Maureen’s driveway. Releasing her death grip on the car’s arm rest, Clary caught her breath, and got out as fast as possible.
“Thanks for tonight.” Clary tried to get the keys out of her pocket, but Felice was too quick and caught her against the door. All night, Felice had found ways to touch her, especially those steamy kisses below deck. Now Felice trapped her with her body and kissed her roughly. Undecided, Clary didn’t move, but the warm, wet kisses trailing their way up her neck and across her jaw felt pretty good. Maybe her body was making a comeback. It certainly was warming up. Felice let up, stopped for a breath, and just that quick, Clary’s mind hit a dead end. She dropped her arms to her side.
“I’m sorry—”
“No bells or whistles?” Felice’s breath was hot against Clary’s face, and her leg was firmly between Clary’s thighs.
Clary’s mind tripped over itself. What was wrong with her? Felice definitely felt like the best thing in the world. Her body gave a half-hearted throb when a hand slid under her bra. She inhaled sharply, knees sagging, and groaned.
“Can’t do this…” Clary mumbled as hands traced her ribs and hips.
“No? Then I’m doing it wrong.” Felice shoved her legs further apart. “Help me here.”
“No, yes.” Her voice stumbled. “Felice…” She gasped as a warm mouth slid across her breast, and she was pushed painfully against the door again. Fingers slid inside her shorts, headed down, and Clary grabbed her hand. “Stop,” she said.
“Come on,” Felice said hoarsely, still trying to kiss her, but Clary turned her head.
“I can’t,” Clary whispered miserably.
“Yes, you can. Relax and enjoy. It’ll get you past that woman, I promise.”
Clary froze. Her mind shoved her body aside, and she pushed Felice away. “What would you know about that woman or what I’ve just lived through? As good as you feel, and you do, sex won’t settle it.” She adjusted her bra and underwear.
Felice searched Clary’s eyes for a moment and shook her head. “You’re wrong,” she said and backed away. “I’ll be back next month, and we will try this again.” She got into her car, navigated down the driveway, and left with a slight squeal of tires in the darkness.
Bracing her hands on her knees, Clary took a long, uneven breath. God, talk about your drive-by shootings. She made her way inside on shaky legs and slammed her keys on the kitchen table with a little scream of frustration. “Just kill me now,” she said and started toward the bathroom. The deck curtains moved in a light breeze, low music played somewhere, and she saw that the doors were open.
She edged forward and peeked outside. The music came from an iPod on the table next to two bottles of pills and a bottle of water. Leefe was curled on the lounge, asleep.
Clary squinted at her for a moment and then ducked back into the kitchen. She got some ice and whiskey together, took the brown blanket off of the boot box, and covered Leefe. Finally, she sank into the chair next to the lounge.
“What the hell,” she whispered, rubbing her eyes with shaky fingers. To add to the night’s drama and confusion, Felice had been partially on track. Her body was mildly aroused. She gave a little snort. I am pathetic. She looked at Leefe, a world away from Felice, remembering scanning the steps to the restaurant, and staring directly into Leefe’s eyes, or it felt as if she was. Everything had faded away around her, even the voices. Eyes closed, she leaned back, waiting for the ache to go away. Damn, she was tired of being sad.
“Clary?”
Clary wiped her eyes and coughed to cover the moment. She hadn’t even noticed that the music had stopped.
“I wore out before I could walk the rest of the way to my house, so I stopped here.” Leefe struggled to a sitting position.
“When I saw you downtown, I wondered why you were out again. Were you doing something for the police?”
“No, not tonight. I didn’t want to cook so I went out for a meal. I’d stopped at Linda’s bar to rest when I saw you. I should have stayed home.” Leefe stretched carefully. “No matter what’s going on in my life, the minute I step inside Maureen’s house, everything settles.”
Clary shuffled through what Jesse had told her, trying to reveal as little as possible. “Jesse said you manage the city’s day care, Southside.”
“I love it, and those kids are something. No matter what’s going on, if you give them food, something to drink, and a hug, they’re set, at least for a while.” She wrapped the blanket around herself. “But we wash them too, and have their eyes, ears, and teeth checked.”
“Do you know about the special classes this summer, over at Breakers?”
“What classes?” Leefe reached for her water.
“They’re teaching twelve-year-olds, and a lot of them are from your day care.”
“You mean summer school?”
“Sort of. It’s a two month program geared to specific learning problems. Would you be interested in weighing in, if it’s one of the kids from Southside? Any information you could give us would be appreciated.”
“You’d want my opinion of a student?” Leefe frowned a little. She ran her hands through her hair, shook it back into place, and curled against the armrest.
“Right. Information or opinion.” Caught by Leefe’s graceful move, Clary’s body accelerated a little. Was everything going to be a little sexy tonight?
“I’d be glad to help, depending on my schedule,” Leefe said.
Clary nodded and searched for another safe topic. “Jesse said you work with silver.”
“I picked that up in high school, then college. I have a little workbench at my place where I make bracelets, necklaces, small things. Someday, if I ever have enough money, I’ll expand. Wait—” Leefe tossed the blanket aside and went inside, returning with a square sheet of aluminum foil. “This is something else I do.” She began to work the foil in her hands.
“You and I went through school here around the same time.”
“Are we about the same age? I think I’m thirty-eight, but I’m not sure. Do you know about the Ellis family, the people who adopted me?” Leefe said offhand.
“A little,” Clary said, watching the clever fingers in front of her.
“I don’t have a clue where they are, and don’t care.” She looked at Clary. “I liked the way you talked about your parents, the hardwired-thing.” Leefe went back to the foil in her hands. “What are they like?”
“Weird, actually,” Clary said with a laugh. “I call them old hippies. I was born on the road, between one political cause and another. They finally settled in South Port because of my grandmother and Aunt Maureen and began teaching. I have a sister, Ellen, born here. She’s younger than me, and lives with her husband and family in California. Mostly I look like Mom, who looks like Aunt Mo, but my eyes look like Dad’s. I couldn’t deny them if I wanted to.”
“You just smiled. I was right. You like them.” Leefe smiled at Clary.
“I love them better than breathing. It’s like anything else when you’re young. Something you take for granted, never think about, and—” She stopped suddenly, acutely aware of what she’d just said, something Leefe had never had.
Leefe only nodded, silently turning the foil in her hands, and then she completely changed the subject. “I asked Jesse if she thought you’d consider posing for my art class at the community center.” Her face was a little shy, but her gaze didn’t waver.
Clary felt her jaw drop. “You mean…in front of people?”
“Right, so they can draw you. Just sketches.”
No one had ever asked
her anything remotely like that, and Clary was at a loss for words. “Could I get back to you?”
“You didn’t laugh,” Leefe said and stood. “Jesse laughed when I told her I was going to ask you. Here,” she said and handed the piece of foil to Clary.
“Oh.” It was a little fox. “It’s beautiful.” Clary held it up for a better look in the faint light from the kitchen and the moonlight.
“I like this one. It’s my first memory, but I couldn’t tell you where I was or how I saw it.”
Pleased, and without thinking, Clary hugged her, planted a thank-you kiss on Leefe’s forehead, and then found it hard to let go. It froze her for a second until Leefe stepped away.
“What time is it?”
“Not a clue.”
“I’d better get home. Glad you like the fox.” Leefe put on her jacket, shoved her things into a pocket, and picked up the blanket.
Clary hadn’t moved. “I’ll get in touch with you about Piper’s classes. I’ll have to clear it with her first.”
Leefe nodded. “Okay, and let me know about the art class.”
“Hold on. You don’t feel well, and my car’s right here.” The back door closed just as she locked the deck doors. “Crap. I scared her away.” She placed the little fox carefully on the counter and then went out the back door. Leefe had just disappeared.
She turned to the garage, talking to herself. Jesse had laughed about her posing in front of a class? Wait, had Leefe meant posing nude?
*
Leefe walked as fast as her sore body allowed, taking the shortcut to the jetties and her house. What a night. No, what a week, but she felt a nice little bump of happiness inside. That hug had felt good, and it’d been all she could do to pull out of Clary’s warm arms.
She wove through the long grass to her favorite dune. The moon anchored slightly to the southeast, and she checked off stars as she settled down into the sand, shivering in the cool air.
Clary had been genuinely pleased with the origami. Pleased enough to hold and kiss her. Well, it was just a quick thank-you, not a real kiss. There’d been some trembling in that hug and Clary had looked a little mussed up and teary.
Leefe propped up on her elbows, her back to the sand. Last spring, when Howard McCardle had hired her to work with the police, she’d been happy for the extra money. Then, in the fall, Maureen had taken her under her wing, and Jesse had barged into her life, all protective of Maureen for some odd reason. Since Jesse was part of Howard’s team, they had to speak to each other, something Leefe could live without. Jesse was often like Kaye, with that strange South Port indifferent arrogance, the attitude that Zip fought.
Car lights cut through the moonlight on the road. Leefe saw Clary walk the short distance to her house, and heard her knock on her door. After a few moments of silence, Clary started up the path toward Leefe.
“You took the shortcut, didn’t you?” Clary said when she stood before her.
“I always do,” Leefe said.
“Jesse said to be careful out here at night. I was worried.”
“Sit with me a while.” Leefe patted the sand beside her. “You remind me of Maureen.”
“That’s a compliment. Thank you.” Clary scooped up a handful of sand and turned, her eyes reflecting the moonlight.
“I sit up here at night a lot, weather allowing.”
Clary scanned the water in front of them. “I know the town’s changed, but the lake feels the same. I used to sit on the beach like we are now, right over there, and I’ve always liked your house.” Clary reached across her, pointing at a spot up the beach, her body faintly brushing Leefe’s face. Leefe’s elbows gave out, leaving her flat on the sand with a tiny groan. Clary went to all fours above her.
“Are you all right? I should have gotten over here and checked on you.”
“I’m okay. Come to dinner sometime when I feel better. I’m a fair cook, and I’ll show you around the inside of the house.” Leefe stared at the body above her, heart racing critically, and dug her fingers into the sand to keep them still.
“I wasn’t hinting, but your house gets the award for the best weather vane on the beach, the crow.” Clary hovered above her with an odd expression. Suddenly she stood, brushing sand off her shorts. “I only wanted to make sure you were safe. We’ll talk again, and remind me if I can bring anything for the meal. We could raid Aunt Maureen’s garden. The early peas ought to be ready soon, but the asparagus is ready now. Deal?” She held out a hand.
“Deal,” Leefe said and took Clary’s hand to stand, and they set off for the road below. Following, Leefe watched the feminine shoulders and graceful legs that didn’t miss a step. Smooth and lovely in the moonlight, Clary did gleam. “Do you have a number, or should I call the house?”
“Let’s trade numbers,” Clary said and held up her phone. “Seriously, call if you need anything, and get some rest. I’ll drive you anywhere.”
Laughter echoed across the water and they both turned toward the sound. A boat as big as Zip’s had anchored out on the lake. There were more yells and splashes.
“It’s late, and too cold to swim,” Leefe said.
“I used to do that, years ago, but I wouldn’t now.”
Leefe took a chance and stepped closer. “What happened to you tonight? Were you crying?”
“What?” Clary opened her car door and turned to her.
“You looked upset when I woke up at Maureen’s.”
“It was nothing,” Clary said and got into her car.
Leefe waited until the headlights disappeared before she unlocked her front door. Cold, she undressed in the bathroom and hurried into a pair of sweatpants and a long-sleeved T-shirt. Every movement made her body hurt.
She’d make a hundred little foxes to see Clary’s beautiful smile, but she was positive she’d seen tears in Clary’s eyes earlier. Maybe it was what Jesse had mentioned, the rough times. For the first time, she’d seen another side of Clary.
Chapter Nine
Her back was a little stiff and Clary eased down on the deck steps. Felice had been none-too-gentle, shoving her against the house last night, and it was still on her mind when she woke. She’d indulged in a long soak in the tub. Last night had been a lot more than her lack of response. Felice had reminded her of Robin. No one loved intense flirting and fast, rough sex with lots of playthings more than Robin.
The only time they’d argued over sex was the last time. Exhausted after a twelve-hour day at school, Clary had only needed sleep, but Robin wanted to try out a new toy. She’d relented, and afterward, she’d rolled off, tossed the strap-on to the floor, and pulled Robin close. Robin had muttered the word uninspired but, tired beyond thinking, Clary had fallen asleep immediately. The next day, Robin had repeated it loud and clear, and then, weeks later, they were gone.
Clary had lost track of how many times she’d discussed that night with her therapist.
She glanced over her shoulder at the lounge with a little tug at her heart. Leefe calmed her last night, and that hug had been nice. Then later, she’d felt so alive and free, sitting on the sand with her and the stars and the water.
With a deep breath, she stood and walked barefoot through the dewy grass. The flowers hadn’t changed much, except for new sunny lilies and different shrubs in the corner. Maureen used common flowers, something Clary always liked. Her arrangement and care made them stand out. Several years ago, the university had given Maureen the title of Master Gardener, thrilling her aunt. Her parents had even flown home for a celebration, but she’d missed it because of school. Wrapped in her thoughts, she stared at the flowers and then blinked.
“I’ll be darned. Trillium,” she said, going to her knees in front of some blue hydrangeas. The plants were scattered throughout the beds. She bent into the smell of fresh earth and pulled a few weeds. Aunt Maureen had planted them when Sharon had graduated from college, not that Sharon had noticed. Trillium was a wild flower and hard to grow. Just like Sharon.
“C
lary.” Piper walked across the yard toward her. “My parents are coming for dinner tonight. Could I have a cutting of Maureen’s flowers, maybe the lilies? Ours aren’t quite ready.” Piper pointed at the flowers in the corner. “I need some long stems for the arrangement.”
“Take what you need.” Clary handed her the shears. “Your parents are in town?”
Piper cut some flowers and stood. “They’re good people, but…” She took a deep breath. “Mom isn’t happy that I live with a woman. Dad’s fine with it all, as long as I’m happy.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Clary took the flowers for her. “Let’s put these in water.”
“There’s something else I should have told you, but can you keep it between us?”
“Jesse always says it’d take a foreign army to torture information out of me. Let’s have some coffee and sit on the deck.” Clary placed the flowers in a small bucket and filled it with water. “I’ll make coffee,” she said. Waiting in the kitchen, she saw Aunt Mo’s blanket hanging over the kitchen chair and refolded it, catching a scent. The faint fragrance had been there when she hugged Leefe last night. It was lavender, old-fashioned and sweet.
Piper was leaning against the railing, staring out at the flowers. “Did you ever see a prettier backyard?”
“I like the blue spruce against the fence, like guards against the enemy. See the asparagus in front? It’s ready. Want some?”
“I love the stuff. Got any favorite recipes?”
“My mother’s, and you’ll like it.” Clary set the cups on the table. Piper looked jittery and unsettled. “What else should you have told me?”
“Last year, early summer, I put a lot of pressure on Jesse about a baby.” Piper glanced at Clary and then looked away.
“Are you serious? How did that work out?”
“Not very well,” Piper said, still standing at the rail. “We fought all summer, and then this thing with Sharon suddenly came up in the fall. Some of her problems now are my fault. Jesse’s in no shape to have a baby in the house, but I truly would like to get pregnant, have a baby, maybe two. I’ve gone through all the tests with the doctor, and I can do it.”
Hardwired Page 7