Love's Masquerade

by Radclyffe

  Auden. First-name basis. Well, it’s not like that’s a surprise.

  Hays almost didn’t reply. But she had to. What had happened the morning before was a warning she couldn’t deny. She might be out of time, and there were things left undone.

  -----Reply-----

  From: Rune@HeartLand.com

  Sent: Monday March 24, 6:38 AM

  To: thaneCutlass@CutlassFic.com

  Subject: re: Business

  Thane-

  I’ll send what I’ve done so far for Eros later today. I’m not promising I’ll let it stand for the anthology, but you should have a look at it.

  There are some things we need to discuss face-to-face. I’ll email you later this week, and maybe we can get together on Saturday in Philadelphia. I’m not completely certain I’ll be able to make it next weekend, but I’ll try.

  I’ll be off-line intermittently during the week, so don’t worry if it takes me a while to get back to you.

  Rune

  Hays clicked Send before she could change her mind. She had tried for so long to keep her writing, that most private part of her life—of herself—untouched by the vagaries and inconsistencies and small betrayals of daily life. But she couldn’t any longer. Thane deserved to know, after all they had been to one another. And if Thane is dating Auden, she’ll find out soon anyway...Thane and Auden...

  She couldn’t deal with that thought, not today, not after the previous evening with Auden, or the morning. But there were truths she had to face now—her world was getting smaller and her secrets too difficult to keep.

  Auden picked up the receiver on the first ring. “Hello?...Hi.” She turned her back to Gayle, who was stretched out on the sofa cradling a cup that held the last of their morning coffee. “How are you? Good, that’s good...We’re waiting to see if we can get a cab...No, that’s not necessary. Really...I...all right, of course. Thank you.”

  When she put down the phone, she found Gayle regarding her with a questioning look. “That was Hays. She said there’ll be a limo here in an hour to take us home.”

  “Ooh, I do like that woman. Besides being drop-dead gorgeous, she makes things happen.”

  “Yes,” Auden replied, thinking that Hays had sounded even more reserved than usual.

  “Speaking of making things happen,” Gayle continued as she sat up and put her coffee cup down on the room-service cart, “what’s going on with you and her?”

  “Nothing is going on,” Auden replied, leaning against the desk.

  “Huh. Do you want it to?” Gayle’s voice was soft, her eyes kind.

  Auden hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, I do. Very much.”

  “Does she know?”

  Auden shook her head.

  “Letting a woman know you’re interested is generally a good first step, Aud.”

  As they spoke, they both gathered the odds and ends of their personal belongings scattered about the room.

  “How?” Auden asked. “How do I do that?”

  Gayle laughed. “It’s a matter of style, I guess.”

  “I don’t have any kind of style.”

  “Oh yes, you do.” Gayle took Auden’s arm and turned her friend to face her. “You’re honest and straightforward and sincere.”

  “Wonderful.” Auden made a face. “I sound like a Girl Scout.”

  “So?”

  “Not very sexy.”

  “You really don’t know, do you?” Gayle commented with a note of awe in her voice.

  “What?” Auden placed her folded clothes into a plastic bag with the hotel logo on it.

  How goddamned sexy you are. Gayle sighed. “How sexy trust can be. Listen, honey, when the time is right, and you’ll know when that is, just tell her how you feel.”

  “You make it sound so easy,” Auden said wistfully.

  “Uh-uh. It isn’t. It’s the hardest thing in the world, laying yourself open like that, but I can’t see you doing it any other way.”

  Auden pictured Hays falling asleep beside her and felt again how right that moment had seemed. She wondered if she’d really be brave enough to take the chance, if ever the right time came.

  Abel Pritchard, Auden, Gayle, and Hays sat in uneasy silence throughout the fifteen-block ride from the hotel to Auden and Gayle’s street. Even in a Hummer limo, a ridiculous lumbering monstrosity of urban chic transportation, it had taken forty-five minutes to navigate the narrow unplowed streets, many of which were blocked by abandoned cars or impassable drifts. The vehicle couldn’t maneuver down the single lane of St. James Place, so it just stopped in the middle of the cross street to allow Auden and Gayle to climb out.

  “Can you make it?” Hays asked with a frown, stepping out into the snow with no concern for her dress shoes. Auden and Gayle had purchased rain covers from the hotel gift shop in some hopes of protecting theirs.

  “We’ll be fine,” Auden assured her. It was clear from the look on Hays’s face that she intended to come with them. Although Hays seemed fine, Auden found her a little too flushed. She has a fever.

  Gayle plowed a few feet ahead, purposely leaving Auden and Hays alone.

  “Will you call?” Auden hadn’t intended to ask, but suddenly faced with the prospect of not seeing Hays for days, she couldn’t stop herself.

  “If I can,” Hays murmured. “You’ll e-mail or leave a message, if you need...anything?”

  “Yes, all right.” Auden knew she had to go. Hays wore only her suit jacket, and she was starting to shiver. “Please, take care of yourself.”

  A simple request. One she’d heard so many times in the last months. For the first time, Hays considered it seriously. “Yes. I’ll do that.”

  They regarded one another silently for another moment, gusts of snow swirling from the drifts around them.

  “You should go, Hays.”

  “I know.” She didn’t move.

  Auden smiled softly, touched Hays’s uncovered hand with her own bare fingers, then turned resolutely away. When she joined Gayle and looked back, the oversized vehicle had already started off down the street.

  “You okay?” Gayle linked her arm through Auden’s.

  “Just sad.”

  “How come?”

  Together, they forged a narrow path through the three feet of untouched snow.

  “I feel as if I’ll never see her again.”

  Gayle was quiet for a long time. Finally, she said, “Sure you will.”

  Auden glanced at her, struck by something she’d never heard in Gayle’s voice before. Uncertainty. She didn’t ask about its source, because she had a feeling it was a question that Gayle would not be able to answer.

  Gayle stopped by Auden’s apartment at five p.m. before leaving for her shift. “God, what I wouldn’t give to have that Hummer right now.”

  “How are you going to get to the hospital?”

  “I’m walking to the Market Street El, and then I’ll catch the Broad Street subway to Temple. The stop is right in front of the hospital. It should be okay.”

  “Call me later?” Auden had changed into a flannel shirt and baggy, threadbare jeans. “I’ll be up. I’ve got plenty to read.”

  Gayle, in jeans and work boots, leaned against the doorway with her hands in the pockets of her leather jacket. “Anything good?”

  “I think so. Different anyway. I’m still working on Rune Dyre’s Dark Passions.”

  “Ooh, that is so hot. I wish I were staying home all nice and cozy reading that, instead of shlepping off into the snow. Of course, after meeting Thane, I think I might reread one of hers.” Gayle grinned. “Spending time with her puts a whole new light on the subject.”

  “You think so?” Auden asked, intrigued.

  “Oh yeah. Now when I read one of her books, I’ll be able to imagine her in the characters.”

  “In the characters? Or in bed?”

  “Jeez, that’s kinda personal, Aud.” When Auden merely snorted, Gayle said, “It would be hard not to see her in the story, don’
t you think?”

  “Do you think she’s writing herself then?”

  Gayle looked pensive. “Maybe not entirely. She is as smooth and sexy as any of her characters, but in the flesh, she’s a little more...sensitive. In fact, she has a shy streak I never would have expected. That’s pretty sexy in itself.”

  “You think pretty much everything about Thane is sexy,” Auden jibed.

  “Yeah, well. Maybe.” Gayle shrugged good-naturedly. “Ah well, enjoy Dark Passions while I’m off working away. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Night. Be careful.”

  Alone in her living room, Auden started a log burning in the fireplace and curled up in the old leather armchair with a glass of wine. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to read. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Hays. How Hays’s mouth had felt when they’d kissed, how Hays had looked falling asleep, how Hays had sounded when they’d said goodbye.

  Auden’s eyes turned to the pages, and as she read, she fell prey to the power of Rune Dyre’s magic.

  She got the fire going easily and settled herself into a comfortable leather chair. She was amazed at how relaxed she felt, and how unconcerned she was at being there. For once, she didn’t have to do anything. She liked the change.

  Kyle came in quietly and handed her a glass. “Brandy okay?”

  Nodding silently, Dane took the heavy glass filled with dark, swirling liquid. Kyle settled herself in front of Dane on a large cushion on the floor, her back lightly resting against Dane’s knee.

  Auden looked up automatically at the sound of a log falling in the fireplace, absently watching the sparks dance to their death. Barely aware of the interruption, she shifted, curled her legs closer beneath her, and returned to read from the beginning of the scene.

  Auden got the fire going easily and settled herself into a comfortable leather chair. She was amazed at how relaxed she felt, and how unconcerned she was at being there. For once, she didn’t have to do anything. She liked the change.

  Hays came in quietly and handed her a glass. “Brandy okay?”

  Nodding silently, Auden took the heavy glass filled with dark, swirling liquid. Hays settled in front of her on a large cushion on the floor, her back lightly resting against Auden’s knee.

  “As soon as I unwind a little, I’ll fix us some food. Hope you like simple cooking,” Hays said as she stretched her legs toward the warmth of the fire.

  “No rush.” Auden looked down at Hays’s face in profile. The dancing flames made little changing patterns of shadow across her boldly planed face, blending softly into the waves of her tousled hair. “I like the fire.”

  Hays nodded and settled a little more firmly against Auden’s leg. “I’m glad you came.”

  “Are you?” Auden murmured, mesmerized by the reddish glow of the fire and the warmth of Hays’s back against her leg.

  “Uh-huh.” Hays reached up and curled an arm softly over Auden’s thigh.

  Auden stretched her legs a little and Hays pushed closer, her head coming to rest gently against Auden’s inner thigh. Auden reached down almost without thinking and curled her fingers softly into Hays’s thick hair, then leaned her head back against the worn leather and closed her eyes. She might have drifted for a while in the soothing heat from the fire and the warmth of Hays’s body against her. She was startled to feel a soft caress on her neck, and when she opened her eyes, she found Hays kneeling upright between her legs, looking down at her.

  “Did I wake you?”

  Auden smiled, not moving. “Wasn’t sleeping. Just drifting.”

  “Good.” Hays smiled gently then also. “Close your eyes again.”

  Auden did as Hays requested, feeling as if she were hypnotized. Hays’s hands gently traced her face and throat, warming her wherever they touched. When Hays leaned forward as she stroked Auden’s face, the heat from Hays’s body penetrated the denim covering Auden’s thighs. Auden stopped herself from reaching out to draw Hays closer. So exquisite was the slow rise of her desire, she didn’t want to hurry. Still, when Hays tugged Auden’s shirt free and gently loosened the buttons over her breasts, Auden couldn’t prevent herself from sliding her hands along Hays’s hips to pull her near. Auden wanted, needed, more of her. She opened her eyes to see Hays’s gaze upon her, cloudy with desire.

  Smiling slightly, Hays shook her head. “Uh-uh. Keep your eyes closed.”

  Auden stared at her for an instant, knowing her need must show clearly in her face. Not caring that Hays could see how much she wanted her, she did as she was bidden. She wouldn’t have done it for anyone else. There was no one she trusted that much.

  Gently, Hays pushed the shirt down Auden’s shoulders, tethering her arms in the tightly stretched sleeves. Auden knew she could free herself if she tried, but the effect of being restrained was not unwelcome. She wanted to be hers.

  “Ohh.” Auden moaned as Hays brought her lips softly to an exposed breast. Auden’s head grew light as Hays’s tongue ignited the sensitive skin of her nipple. She arched her back as she tried to push more of herself against the warm mouth. Even as Hays’s lips worked her nipples, Auden felt a hand pull open the buttons on her jeans. She lay quiet, holding her breath, as Hays slipped an arm under her to push down her clothing. The warmth of the fire caressed Auden’s bare thighs as Hays once again lay gently down upon her.

  The denim of Hays’s jeans was rough against Auden’s skin, and as Hays insinuated herself more firmly between Auden’s legs, Auden gasped at the contact of the material against her swollen flesh. She couldn’t prevent herself from pressing closer, seeking even more contact. A cry escaped her, and Hays quickly pulled away, breaking the exquisitely tormenting pressure.

  “What is it?” Hays gasped.

  “Oh God, Hays, don’t stop.” She needed Hays’s touch; more, she needed Hays to release her. When she started to lift her head, Hays held her back with one hand firmly in the hair at the base of her neck.

  “Wait, Auden—wait,” Hays whispered as she carefully slipped her free hand between Auden’s legs.

  Auden cried out again, strangling on her own desire, as Hays’s fingers, feather light, stroked her, drawing Auden’s passion forth in a flood upon her hand.

  “I can’t. Oh, please, I can’t.” Auden moaned, her hips writhing, urgently seeking to bring Hays inside. Auden’s breath caught in her throat as Hays entered her fully, the weight of Hays’s body bearing down upon her. She sought Hays’s kiss hungrily, and Hays filled her mouth as deeply as she filled her body. Auden clung to her as both mind and body exploded.

  When Auden’s breathing quieted and her body ceased to quiver, Hays gently slipped free, drawing forth another soft moan. She rested her head on Auden’s chest and sighed contentedly. Auden pulled her arms free of the shirt sleeves and held Hays tightly, keeping her warm, keeping her safe. They lay together wordlessly until long after the fire had burned down.

  With a start, Auden blinked unfocused eyes and looked around in confusion, stunned to find herself alone. She stared in confusion at the book in her hands, expecting the warmth of a woman. Gasping, she fixed on what she had just read. Kyle and Dane. Kyle and Dane. Not Hays and...

  Shivering, she stared across the room at the dying embers. She was chilled, but her skin was hot, her blood racing. She held the pages in trembling hands. It had been so very real, and it was so very clear what she wanted. What she needed.

  “Oh my God,” she whispered. “Hays.”

  Gayle climbed the stairs out of the subway tunnel and made her way toward the emergency room entrance of Temple University Hospital. There were few people out and even fewer vehicles. The Hummer limo that slid to a stop across the street in the emergency room turnaround would have been impossible to miss, even if she hadn’t recognized it. Gayle stopped and watched as the rear door opened and two people stepped out. Abel Pritchard carried a suitcase. Haydon Palmer had a slim briefcase in her right hand. Gayle waited until they made their way inside the hospital. Hays deserved her privacy.
<
br />   “Oh, Auden. Honey. Please don’t fall for her.”

  As she made her way through the snow, Gayle tried to pretend it was possible to dictate matters of the heart.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The first few days of the workweek were hectic, and Auden was grateful for the distraction. It was impossible for her not to wonder where Hays was and if she was all right. Still, her schedule was crowded with last-minute interviews for Destiny’s few unfilled positions, meetings with new division members, and manuscript reviews. She had only intermittent moments free to worry.

  Late Thursday morning, Liz Nixon appeared at her open office door, a big grin on her face. “Reporting for duty, ma’am.”

  Smiling as well, Auden got up from behind her desk and came around to greet Liz. She gestured to the sitting area off to one side. “Sit down. It’s great to see you.”

  “It’s great to get started. I’ve got some ideas.”

  “I certainly hoped that you would.” Auden reached for one of the pads of paper lying on the coffee table in front of them, settled it on her knees, and took the pen from her shirt pocket. “Is it something you want to get into now, or would you rather wait for a time when I can get the other members of the division together?”

  “Some of it should wait until we can talk to everyone, including Hays, I would imagine. For now, though, I wanted to remind you that the next big convention is coming up in just a little over two weeks.”

  “Yes, I know. The one in New York.”

  “And we’re going to be there, right?”

  “Yes. Once you’re fairly settled, I thought I’d let you and your people handle the promotional aspects. I want to be there, of course.” She hesitated. “I’m not sure if Hays or Pritchard will be interested. I’ll check on that.”

  “I think we need to do more than just hand out media packets. I think we need to show up with a new Destiny publication.”