“What’s wrong?” Dusty asked, leaning back for a better look at her.
“I’m so nervous.” She crossed her arms in front of her torso. “I don’t think I can do this.”
“Course you can.” Dusty bent forward and pulled on her shoe. “It’s just a Halloween party.”
Eve eyed her. “You know what I’m talking about.”
“I don’t have a clue.” Dusty tied the laces.
“It’s my first date.”
“You and Jeremy never went on a date? You just got married right after the introductions?”
Eve narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. “With a woman. With Sammi.”
Dusty laughed. “It’ll be fine. You’ll have a great time.” She reached for her other shoe. “I’ve never been on a date with a guy, but I’m sure a date with a woman is better.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.” Eve straightened and looked at Dusty.
“What, then?”
“What do I do? I don’t know what to do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well…how does it work with two women? I mean, who asks to dance, or who takes the lead? Or…who…initiates the kiss?” Eve’s face turned a deep red.
“Ah, that’s really what you want to know, isn’t it?” Dusty stood and tucked her orange Monster Mash T-shirt into her black jeans. “You want the old lip lock with Sammi.”
Eve exhaled in obvious exasperation. “Why can’t you ever just help me without making fun of me first?”
“I dunno. I think it’s a sickness.” Dusty crossed to the chair in the corner and picked up her costume. She held it up, letting the cloth sides hang down from the plastic frame while the narrow set of mini blinds remained pulled tight.
“What is that?” Eve asked.
“It’s my costume. C’mere and help me put it on.”
“Only if you help me.” Eve moved to where Dusty stood.
Dusty laughed. “Of course I’ll help you. Here, hold this.” She handed the frame to Eve and leaned over to stepped beneath it.
Eve pulled it away. “Without making fun of me anymore.”
“Yeah, yeah. Okay, no more making fun. It’s just that you make it so easy.” She lifted one of the cloth side panels and slipped underneath. She fitted the bicycle helmet attached to the frame onto her head, then buckled the strap beneath her chin and tightened the whole thing into place. She grinned at Eve.
Eve stared. “What the heck are you?” she asked, her forehead furrowed.
Dusty pulled the string on the mini blinds, lowering them to her waist. She peered out the opening she’d cut in the plastic slats. “I’m Boo Radley,” Dusty answered, laughing heartily. “You inspired me.”
Eve glared. “You said you wouldn’t make fun of me anymore.”
As she pulled the cord and raised the blinds again so she could see more clearly, Dusty grinned. “I thought you just meant about Sammi.”
Eve pivoted and took a step toward the bathroom door.
Dusty grabbed her arm. “Okay, I’m sorry,” she said in a rush. “What’s the problem again?”
Eve let out a long hiss and stomped her foot. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Look, if you want to kiss her, just kiss her. It’s not complicated. It doesn’t matter who takes the lead.”
Eve eyed her. “So, if a woman likes you and makes the first move, you’re okay with that?”
“Yeah. Why not?”
Eve studied Dusty for a long moment, then sighed. “I can’t really take you seriously with that thing on your head. Are you sure?”
Dusty put her hands on Eve’s shoulders. “Why did you ask me?”
“Because you go out with a lot of women. Because I thought you’d know.” Eve looked at her seriously. “Because you were right before.”
“Okay, then. Trust me. You’re making too big a deal out of this. You’ll know when it’s the right moment. Or if you don’t, Sammi will. And it’ll just happen. I’ve heard you in your room on the phone till all hours of the night. I doubt you were talking to your kids. You and Sammi have been building something even if you haven’t actually seen each other all that much. These things have their own movement, their own momentum. All you have to do is go along with it.” She felt Eve’s muscles relax in her grasp.
Eve’s features softened, and she ducked under the mini blinds and gave Dusty a tight hug. “Thank you.”
Dusty chuckled and returned the embrace.
“I like it better when you’re nice,” Eve said, drawing back.
“I’m not nice.” Dusty straightened the red feather on Eve’s headband. “Now, let’s go downstairs and see if Maggie and Tess need any help.”
A genuine yowl from the cat on stage singing “What’s New Pussycat?” drew Dusty’s attention back to the party where she still watched Eve and Sammi across the room.
Their knees were pressed together.
While she talked, Sammi gazed at Eve and tucked several loose strands of hair behind Eve’s ear. She lowered her hand, resting it on Eve’s stockinged thigh.
Eve laughed at whatever Sammi had said and glanced in Dusty’s direction.
Dusty winked at her, then remembering she couldn’t be seen behind the blinds, she gave a slight lift of her beer in salute to Eve.
Eve smiled and returned her attention to Sammi.
Out of the corner of her eye, Dusty saw Tess step into the doorway with a tray of food and motion to her.
She grinned. The sight of Tess, even frazzled from her hurried work in the kitchen, with locks of her hair falling from her braid around her shining face, and spots from dropped or splattered food staining her blouse, quickened Dusty’s heartbeat. She knew she had to do something about this. She either needed to get over her feelings for Tess or tell her about them and see what happened. She made her way through the partiers to where Tess stood. “Can I take that?”
Tess laughed. “I love your costume,” she said, handing the hors d’oeuvres to Dusty in answer to the question. “You’ve done a great job transforming yourself into a modern day Boo Radley.”
Dusty felt herself blush behind the blinds, grateful for her invisibility. To Kill A Mockingbird was the first book she borrowed from Tess, and really she’d done so only to have an excuse to knock on Tess’s door one rainy afternoon. She’d read it, though, and she’d loved it—and, in the process, she’d remembered how much she’d liked to read as a kid. Ever since, she’d continued borrowing Tess’s novels and enjoyed not only the stories but the feel of something that belonged to Tess in her hands. “Thanks,” she said. “I liked your idea about the mini blinds instead of just cloth curtains.”
Tess smiled. “Will you make the rounds with the tray and tell everyone the rest of the buffet is in the dining room?”
“Sure.” Dusty set her beer bottle on the nearby table and adjusted her grip on the tray.
“Thank you. I need to go change clothes.” Tess crossed the entryway and hurried up the stairs.
Dusty watched, not wanting to take her eyes off Tess’s backside. Then, breaking the trance, she turned and offered the nearest group of women fresh canapés. After making the rounds through both rooms and seeing everyone begin to gather in the dining room, she returned the empty tray to the kitchen and left it on the counter. She took a discreet position back in the entryway where the doors to the two living rooms met. The evening had a different feel to her than the Halloween parties in the past. Everyone else seemed to be having a great time, but she didn’t feel all that festive. Something seemed to be hanging in the air.
A movement at the top of the stairs caught her attention, and she looked up. She forgot to breathe. Arousal ignited in every cell of her body.
Dressed as an Egyptian queen, Tess stood on the top step, gazing down at her. A slinky gown accentuated the lush body beneath that she knew so well. Dusty took in the deep plunge neckline of the black bodice and the high split of the gold silk skirt. A cape, fastened at her throat and wrists w
ith black satin bands, fluttered like wings as Tess descended the stairs, reminding Dusty of the beautiful statue of an ibis she’d seen at Rebecca’s house. Scores of colored beads and rhinestones cascading from the headpiece mingled with Tess’s thick, dark hair that draped freely around her neck and shoulders.
She stopped in front of Dusty and spread her arms, opening the cape so the sequins flickered in the light like shimmering flames. “How do I look?”
Oh, my God. She swallowed. “Gorgeous,” she managed, her voice low with desire.
Tess smiled. She peered into the opening in front of Dusty’s eyes. “Thank you.” She squeezed Dusty’s arm. “I’m going to go spell Maggie so she can change, too.”
Dusty made a sound that wasn’t quite a word and watched Tess round the corner. She definitely had to do something. Maybe she’d talk to Tess tonight after the party. No, not maybe. She would.
As she began to regain her composure, she heard the front door open behind her and high heels on the wood floor. She turned and froze.
Victoria Fontaine stood before her in a black velvet and lace vampire costume, the skirt slit all the way to the hip and a high, stand-up collar framing her sleek, dark blond hair. At another time, in another place, Dusty would’ve found the vision seductive and maybe irresistible, but she hated this woman. For the old Dusty, that might not even have mattered, but now…
“Good evening,” Victoria said with a bright smile. “Am I in the right place? Is this the home of Addison Rae-McInnis?”
Dusty hardened. All traces of the warmth and emotion from her encounter with Tess vanished. “It’s the home of Addison and Maggie Rae-McInnis. What are you doing here?”
Victoria arched an eyebrow and laughed. “I would have thought a party would have a more inviting greeter.” She eyed Dusty. “But then I doubt you’re one of our hostesses. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?” she asked with mocking formality.
Dusty pulled the cord that raised the blinds and glared at Victoria.
“Oh, it’s you.” Victoria turned away and ran her gaze over the many occupants of the main living room. “What was your name?”
Dusty stepped in front of her, blocking her view, but mainly concealing her from either Addison or Maggie if they happened to be close. “I asked you what you’re doing here. What the hell are you doing in Maggie’s house?”
“I’m here to celebrate All Hallows’ Eve, same as you, I suppose.” Victoria fluttered her lashes. “Well, maybe not the same as you. After all, we all have our own ways of celebrating, don’t we?”
“And you’re here to celebrate with some bloodsucking?”
Victoria smiled and flicked her gaze down Dusty’s torso. “And you’re celebrating…how?”
“I thought vampires had to be invited in.”
“I was invited. By sweet Maggie herself.” Victoria’s civility evaporated. “Now get out of my way unless you’d like me to create a scene that would require an explanation of your rude behavior.”
Dusty hesitated. The bitch had her. The last thing Dusty wanted was for anything about Victoria to need to be explained in the presence of Maggie. She wasn’t sure if anything had actually happened yet between Addison and this viper, though she suspected it had. Over the past two weeks, Addison had worked late a number of times, and the previous weekend she’d been unreachable the whole time Maggie had been with Pete and Ricardo. “Leave Addison alone,” Dusty said. “I’m sure you can find someone else to play with.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m here by invitation to enjoy a party.” Victoria stepped around Dusty. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Dusty sighed. She remembered comparing herself to this woman, but she’d never been this calculating, this deliberate. Did that matter? Was carelessness any better than callousness? She watched with a sense of dread as Victoria began to mingle.
*
Eve felt Sammi’s hand slip around her own as they moved through the crowd of women and out the open sliding glass door. Her heartbeat quickened and she suppressed a burgeoning smile. She thrilled at the touch of Sammi’s soft skin but didn’t want to seem like an inexperienced schoolgirl. After all, she’d held hands before, been on dates, kissed, made love, all of it—she was an adult—just never with a woman. But, wow, did this feel different. She’d never been this excited at a mere touch, at the mere thought of a touch. Was she crazy? She laced her fingers between Sammi’s.
Sammi grinned. “It’s nice out here,” she said, inhaling a deep breath. “I needed some air.”
Eve looked up at the clear night sky and then turned to Sammi. “Would you like something else to drink?”
“Sure.” Sammi smiled at her. “But a break from wine. Maybe just water.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.” As she crossed the patio, Eve considered that a bottle of water had been her and Sammi’s first exchange a couple of weeks earlier at the park, and the connection they began that day had only deepened with their phone calls and a play date with the kids. She hoped Dusty was right, that the next step she wanted so much—their first kiss—would happen just as naturally. She returned from the ice chest outside the kitchen door and handed the water to Sammi.
Their fingers brushed again.
Eve’s stomach fluttered. “I thought we could share,” she said, realizing she sounded a little shy, and it felt like the boldest thing she’d ever said.
Sammi smiled. “I’d love to.” She unscrewed the cap and handed the bottle back to Eve. “You first.”
Eve took a swallow.
Sammi watched her. Then, with her eyes still on Eve, she took a drink of her own. “Your lips taste good,” she said with a wink.
Eve felt herself blush. “And you’re a flirt, but I like it.”
“If you like that, you’ll love my other talents.”
“And what talents are those?”
“Well,” Sammi said in a conspiratorial tone, “I make a mean bowl of oatmeal, and I can sing ‘American Pie’ all the way through.”
“‘American Pie?’ Really?”
“Yep. I know all the words.”
Eve giggled. “Actually, that is impressive. That’s a really long song.”
Sammi laughed. “Would you like to sit down somewhere?”
“That’d be nice.”
They glanced around, taking in the occupied seats of all the patio furniture and extra chairs Maggie had set out then turned back to one another.
Sammi cocked her head and held out one hand toward the lawn. “Madam, would you care to join me on the grass?”
Eve giggled again. She had to stop that. “Lead the way.” She followed Sammi to the far side of the yard and watched her take off her vest and spread it out on the ground.
“It’s not an overcoat, but it’s the best I have right now.”
Eve sat on it and drew up her knees.
Sammi stared down at her, a soft smile shaping her lips. “I feel like I’ve waited so long for you.”
Eve gazed up at her. “What do you mean?”
Sammi lowered herself to the ground. “Okay, I’m just going to say this.” She inhaled deeply. “Three years ago, when I first came out and ended my marriage, I met Rebecca and all the girls in our group. I did some dating and some experimenting…” She paused and blushed. “You know?” Hesitation showed in her eyes.
“Of course.” She didn’t, really, but she could imagine.
“But even though I felt the excitement of being with women for the first time, I never felt any kind of real connection with anyone. It really upset me.” Sammi looked down at the water bottle. “But all along, Rebecca kept telling me to be patient. That someone was on her way and it would be worth the wait.”
Eve hoped she was right about where she thought this was going. She could tell that it was important to Sammi to be able to share her feelings, so she sat quietly, listening. She let her gaze travel down the curve of Sammi’s neck, imagining the caress of the soft flesh if it could’ve been her fi
ngertips or her lips making the journey.
“I hope this doesn’t scare you, but I think I’ve been waiting for you.” She looked at Eve, her expression genuine and nervous.
Eve’s breath caught.
“Does it?” Sammi asked.
Not sure she could speak, Eve shook her head. It was only a little lie.
“I know this is all new for you, but I want to kiss you so bad.” Sammi’s voice was a mere whisper. “I know I should wait and let you—”
“No, don’t.” Eve heated with desire.
“Okay, I’m sorry.” Sammi started to turn away.
Eve touched her cheek. “I mean, don’t wait.”
“Are you sure?”
Eve’s heart pounded. She shifted her gaze from Sammi’s eyes to her mouth.
The subtle movement seemed to be all the yes Sammi needed. She leaned in and feathered her lips across Eve’s.
Eve gasped. Her lips were so soft, so sensuous. Arousal stirred deep in her center.
Sammi kissed her again, this time more certain, less restrained. Her mouth moved against Eve’s. “You feel so right,” she said, taking Eve into her arms.
Her hand still on Sammi’s face, Eve stroked the smooth skin then combed her fingers into Sammi’s hair. She sighed at the silken touch on her palm. She felt the gentle probe of Sammi’s tongue parting her lips and opened to receive it.
The kiss deepened.
Need flared in Eve’s body, engulfing every cell. She’d never felt so aroused. She slipped her arms around Sammi’s neck and pressed against her. Sammi’s breasts cushioned hers. For a moment, she lost all control. She kissed Sammi hard, demandingly.
Sammi moaned. She tightened her embrace and with an urgent thrust, found Eve’s tongue with her own.
Eve’s desire throbbed between her thighs, and her nipples ached as they grew harder with each passing second. She answered Sammi’s moan with one of her own.
A peal of laughter from across the yard broke into Eve’s awareness, reminding her where she was. She didn’t want to stop, didn’t want to let Sammi go, but if she didn’t, who knew what would happen. Unless Sammi showed more control than Eve’s libido was displaying, she’d have an embarrassing explanation to give Maggie and Addison as to how and why her first sexual experience with a woman became a party game. Reluctantly, she eased back, breaking the kiss. She gasped for air.
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