Demons are Forever
Page 35
“Can we stay here tonight?”
“You bet.”
Cass perked up, excited. “What a wonderful surprise.”
“The surprise is yet to be revealed,” she replied as she turned onto a narrow side street.
“You’re killing me, Jack.”
She pulled up to the curb outside Celeste’s small house. “We’re here.”
“How quaint. Is this where we’re staying?”
“No. Come on, I want you to meet someone.” She got out and ran to the other side to open the door for her.
They walked to the door hand in hand and Jack knocked.
Celeste opened the door and smiled. “Right on time for lunch. Hello.” She extended her hand to Cass. “I’m Celeste.”
Cass shook hands. “Hi, I’m Cass.” She looked from Jack, to Celeste, and back again. “My God. You two—”
“Cass, this is my mother.” Jack put her arm around Cass’s shoulder. “Celeste, this is who I love more than myself.”
Epilogue
Boston
Two months later
Landis never imagined herself living in a house with a white picket fence and friendly neighbors, but here she was, and loving every minute of it. She’d sold her bachelor loft in the city and moved into the suburban four-bedroom only a week ago, but the split-level fit like a Glock, and she felt like she’d been here all her life.
No one who knew her well would believe the change. Her monotone, minimalistic and spotless environment had been replaced by warm, earthy colors, occasional clutter, and sentimental décor— framed photographs, mostly. Most significant, there were no clocks, aside from the one on her wrist, which she wore only when she was out.
She was in her study working on her next novel when the news came on, so she took a break to watch. The whole world was abuzz about the election of the first American woman president, and Landis had to admit she was quite psyched. Today was the day they intended to verify the result of two months of recounts that the guy who finished second had demanded.
Once she learned they would indeed have a female in the oval office, she switched off the TV and stopped at the display case with her collection. She smiled as she delicately ran her finger over the rare 1972 “Make a Face” PEZ dispenser Heather had gifted her, then returned to Landor. She was so absorbed in her work she jumped when she heard the main entry door shut.
A few seconds later, she felt hands run from her shoulders to her chest, hugging her tight. She spun in her chair and pulled Heather onto her lap. “I missed you.” She kissed Heather meaningfully.
“Have you been drawing since I left this morning?”
“More or less. I have a deadline, beautiful.” Landis kissed her neck. “How was your day?”
“You mean aside from the pandemonium because of the first woman president?” Heather smiled. “How cool is that?”
“Not as cool as having you come home to me. So how was it at work?”
“It was great.” Heather beamed. “This design house is so progressive, and they’re really interested in my ideas. I can’t believe it.”
“I can. You’re very talented.”
Heather was wearing a V-neck sweater that displayed her enticing cleavage. Landis kissed the spot between her breasts.
Heather caressed her neck and bent to kiss her. “I still can’t believe we’re…here,” she said when they came up for air. “This isn’t what I had in mind when you mentioned relocation.”
“If you’re not happy with the arrangement…”
Heather laughed. “I’ve never been more happy.”
“Neither have I.”
They both turned when someone knocked on the door.
“Is it safe?” Adam stood in the open doorway in his robe. “I can come back later if it’s a bad time.”
“The answer will still be the same.” She sighed. “You are not allowed to peek at the drawings.”
“Aw, man.” Adam stuck out his lower lip in a pout, then exaggerated his frustration by dragging his feet down the hall back to his room. “You can’t just tease a guy like that,” he called out before he shut his door.
“Have you been teasing him?” Heather asked, ruffling her hair.
“I told him the tables were going to turn on Landor, and nothing more.”
“Oh?” Heather lifted an eyebrow. “Do I get more?”
“Let’s say…Emily will succumb to temptations and get in trouble.”
“I see.” Heather looked away. “And the demon saves her from the danger.”
“Of course.”
Heather blew out a breath. “Does Emily ever get to save the demon from danger?”
“Better yet.” Landis kissed her. “Emily gets to save the demon from himself.”
About the Authors
Kim Baldwin has been a writer for three decades, following up 20 years as an Emmy-winning network news executive with a second vocation penning lesbian fiction. In addition to her Elite Operatives collaborative efforts with Xenia Alexiou, she has published seven solo novels with Bold Strokes Books: Hunter’s Pursuit, Force of Nature, Whitewater Rendezvous, Flight Risk, Focus of Desire, Breaking the Ice, and High Impact. She is a 2011 Lambda Literary Award finalist, seven-time Golden Crown Literary Society finalist—winning twice in Romantic Suspense, a 2010 Independent Publisher Book Award Silver Medalist, a 2010 Rainbow Award for Excellence recipient, six-time Lesbian Fiction Readers’ Choice Award winner, and the recipient of an Alice B. Reader Appreciation Award for her body of work. In 2010, she recorded an audiobook of Breaking the Ice. She has also contributed short stories to six BSB anthologies: The Lambda Literary Award-winning Stolen Moments: Erotic Interludes 2, Lessons in Love: Erotic Interludes 3, IPPY and GCLS Award-winning Extreme Passions: Erotic Interludes 4, Road Games: Erotic Interludes 5, a 2008 Independent Publishers Award Gold Medalist, Romantic Interludes 1: Discovery and Romantic Interludes 2: Secrets. She lives in the north woods of Michigan. Her Web site is www.kimbaldwin.com and she can be reached at baldwinkim@gmail.com.
Xenia Alexiou lives in Greece. An avid reader and knowledge junkie, she likes to travel all over the globe and take pictures of the wonderful and interesting people that represent different cultures. Trying to see the world through their eyes has been her most challenging yet rewarding pursuit so far. These travels have inspired countless stories and it’s these stories that she has decided to write about. Demons are Forever is her fifth novel, following Dying to Live, Missing Lynx, Thief of Always, and Lethal Affairs. She is a Lambda Literary finalist and has received Honorable Mention for the Rainbow awards, has won two Golden Crown Literary Society Awards and five Lesbian Fiction Readers’ Choice Awards. Xenia is currently at work on the sixth book in the Elite Operatives Series. For more information, go to her Web site at www.xeniaalexiou.com, or contact her at xeniaalexiou007@gmail.com.
Lethal Affairs and Thief of Always have been translated into Dutch and Russian. In 2010, Dubbel Doelwit (Lethal Affairs) won second place among Dutch readers in their vote for best all-time Lesbian International (translated) book.
Books Available from Bold Strokes Books
Night Hunt by L.L. Raand. When dormant powers ignite, the wolf Were pack is thrown into violent upheaval, and Sylvan’s pregnant mate is at the center of the turmoil. A Midnight Hunters novel. (978-1-60282-647-2)
Demons are Forever by Kim Baldwin and Xenia Alexiou. Elite Operative Landis “Chase” Coolidge enlists the help of high-class call girl Heather Snyder to track down a kidnapped colleague embroiled in a global black market organ-harvesting ring. (978-1-60282-648-9)
Runaway by Anne Laughlin. When Jan Roberts is hired to find a teenager who has run away to live with a group of anti-government survivalists, she’s forced to return to the life she escaped when she was a teenager herself. (978-1-60282-649-6)
Women of the Dark Streets: Lesbian Paranormal edited by Radclyffe and Stacia Seaman. Erotic tales of the supernatural—a world of vampires, werewolves, witches, ghosts, and demons—
by the authors of Bold Strokes Books. (978-1-60282-651-9)
Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bright by Justine Saracen. Love does not conquer all, but when all of Europe is on fire, it’s better than going to hell alone. (978-1-60282-652-6)
Haunting Whispers by VK Powell. Detective Rae Butler faces two challenges: a serial attacker who targets attractive women, and Audrey Everhart, a compelling woman who knows too much about the case and offers too little—professionally and personally. (978-1-60282-593-2)
Wholehearted by Ronica Black. When therapist Madison Clark and attorney Grace Hollings are forced together to help Grace’s troubled nephew at Madison’s healing ranch, worlds and hearts collide. (978-1-60282-594-9)
Fugitives of Love by Lisa Girolami. Artist Sinclair Grady has an unspeakable secret, but the only chance she has for love with gallery owner Brenna Wright is to reveal the secret and face the potentially devastating consequences. (978-1-60282-595-6)
Worth the Risk by Karis Walsh. Investment analyst Jamie Callahan and Grand Prix show jumper Kaitlyn Brown are willing to risk it all in their careers—can they face a greater challenge and take a chance on love? (978-1-60282-587-1)
Bloody Claws by Winter Pennington. In the midst of aiding the police, Preternatural Private Investigator Kassandra Lyall finally finds herself at serious odds with Sheila Morris, the local werewolf pack’s Alpha female, when Sheila abuses someone Kassandra has sworn to protect. (978-1-60282-588-8)
Awake Unto Me by Kathleen Knowles. In turn of the century San Francisco, two young women fight for love in a world where women are often invisible and passion is the privilege of the powerful. (978-1-60282-589-5)
Initiation by Desire by MJ Williamz. Jaded Sue and innocent Tulley find forbidden love and passion within the inhibiting confines of a sorority house filled with nosy sisters. (978-1-60282-590-1)
me@you.com by K.E. Payne. Is it possible to fall in love with someone you’ve never met? Imogen Summers thinks so because it’s happened to her. (978-1-60282-592-5)
High Impact by Kim Baldwin. Thrill seeker Emery Lawson and Adventure Outfitter Pasha Dunn learn you can never truly appreciate what’s important and what you’re capable of until faced with a sudden and stark reminder of your own mortality. (978-1-60282-580-2)
Snowbound by Cari Hunter. “The policewoman got shot and she’s bleeding everywhere. Get someone here in one hour or I’m going to put her out of her misery.” It’s an ultimatum that will forever change the lives of police officer Sam Lucas and Dr. Kate Myles. (978-1-60282-581-9)
Rescue Me by Julie Cannon. Tyler Logan reluctantly agrees to pose as the girlfriend of her in-the-closet gay BFF at his company’s annual retreat, but she didn’t count on falling for Kristin, the boss’s wife. (978-1-60282-582-6)
Franky Gets Real by Mel Bossa. A four day getaway. Five childhood friends. Five shattering confessions…and a forgotten love unearthed. (978-1-60282-585-7)
Sheltering Dunes by Radclyffe. The seventh in the award-winning Provincetown Tales. The pasts, presents, and futures of three women collide in a single moment that will alter all their lives forever. (978-1-60282-573-4)