Flirting With Danger

by Jade Winters

  Locating her bag on the floor by the door she dug her hand in and withdrew it.

  She leant against the door and closed her eyes. There was only one person who it could be. ‘Yes, Dad?’

  ‘Please don’t associate me with that man.’ Her mother’s high pitched voice pierced her ear.

  ‘Oh, Mum. I’m sorry I thought you were Dad,’ she said apologetically when she realised her blunder.

  ‘Obviously,’ came the sharp retort. ‘What’s going on with you?’

  For some reason she found it easier to lie to her mother. ‘Nothing.’

  Keri started undressing. Slipping out of her jacket first. Then her jeans. The thought of a hot shower and early night beckoned. Helen was draining the life out of her. Not that I’m complaining but still.

  ‘That seems about right.’ Her mother was still talking. ‘You said you were covering a story about the missing girl.’

  Naked, Keri grabbed a towel from the wardrobe and headed into the bathroom. ‘I am.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘And what?’

  ‘Where’s the story? I’ve been looking at your Twitter and Facebook. There’s no updates.’

  Keri plunged her fingers into a bowl of cotton wool and withdrew one. She dabbed make-up remover on it and proceeded to wipe away the blusher from her cheeks. ‘I broke the news that she’s pregnant. Did you miss that?’

  ‘And what have you been doing since? Your dad sent you there, didn’t he?’

  Keri stopped. Staring in the mirror, her eyes widened. ‘Why would he do that?’

  ‘You tell me.’

  She resumed removing her make-up. ‘I’m just about to jump in the shower. Can we talk later?’

  ‘Where are you staying?’

  ‘At a bed and breakfast.’

  ‘Where? What’s it called?’ she asked.

  Keri sighed. This was typical of her mother. Wanting to know her whereabouts, to make sure she was safe. No doubt as soon as she told her, the first thing she’d do would be to look it up on TripAdvisor.

  ‘At Glenview B&B. Can I go now?’

  ‘Okay. Speak soon.’

  Keri put the phone on the side. She suddenly thought about Astrid again. This time it was nothing to do with a story. It was her own comment about what would happen when they returned to Manchester. Was it possible Astrid really hadn’t given leaving Grasmere much thought? Ever since Keri had opened up to Helen, she had thought of nothing else. Helen had completely bamboozled her mind with the level of support and compassion she’d given her. It was like a new person had taken over her body. She wanted to be with Helen all the time. Her need for her was all-consuming. Keri knew it wouldn’t be easy to pack up and leave without a backward glance. She thought Helen would have jumped at the chance to be weekend lovers, given how intense she was. But to her shock, Helen had politely declined. She wasn’t interested in a part-time relationship. Helen had given it to her straight. Keri either committed fully or when she left it was over between them.

  That’s why Keri had decided not to stay over at Helen’s that night.

  She needed to be alone.

  She had a lot of thinking to do.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Callie checked her watch. Fifteen minutes had passed but there was no sign of Astrid. Is she still in the shower? Should I go and check and see if she’s okay? She decided against it. She would finish up dinner and set the table. By the time the food was ready and Astrid was still a no show, Callie decided to knock on her bedroom door. When there was no answer, fearing Astrid had slipped and hurt herself, Callie went inside. She could see the bathroom light was on from beneath the bathroom door and she heard the shower running. Firmly, she knocked but there was no answer so she knocked again a little louder.

  ‘Astrid,’ she called and immediately a loud bang resonated throughout the room. Fearing the worst, Callie pushed the door open and remained frozen to the spot. Astrid stood naked in the shower making no attempt to cover herself. Water streamed down her body. Her nipples were erect, just waiting for Callie to take them in her mouth. Callie swallowed, unable to speak. The heat rose in her cheeks.

  Looking at Astrid naked sent a million butterflies colliding throughout Callie’s body. Her senses spun seeing the heat in Astrid’s eyes and her teasing smile as she opened the shower door and reached out for the towel.

  Water droplets cast a sheen on Astrid’s tanned skin,

  God, Callie thought, I want to lick her all over. She wanted to savour the taste of Astrid under her tongue.

  ‘Callie?’

  ‘Uh huh,’ she said, the word more a whisper, but in the quiet room, it sounded like a thunderclap.

  Laughing, Astrid walked out of the shower and took the towel from the rail.

  Swallowing down the ball of nervousness, Callie said, ‘Sorry, I’m …’

  Astrid squeezed her hand, ‘Nervous?’

  She gave Astrid a wry smile, ‘That’s an understatement.’

  ‘Why?’ Astrid asked, not even bothering to cover herself with the towel. She stood there naked. Unabashed. Causing a storm in Callie’s body.

  Callie tilted her head and looked at Astrid with incredulity. ‘You really don’t see it, do you?’

  Astrid scrunched her brow, ‘See what?’

  Callie put her hand on Astrid’s cheek, ‘How beautiful and amazing you are … I mean, I’ve had a crush on you since I first laid eyes on you—’

  Astrid looked at her in disbelief, ‘You had a crush on me from the beginning? What— how? I mean, I thought you hated me!’

  ‘Does this look like hate?’ Callie said tugging on Astrid’s hand and leading her to the bed.

  Astrid sat on the bed and Callie gazed down and cupped her face with her hands, without another word, she dipped down for a kiss.

  The feel of Astrid’s soft lips against her own was enough to short-circuit her thoughts. Everything fled, all her insecurities, all her fears, all her uncertainty. It all narrowed down to the pair of lips and the woman they belonged to.

  Like that day when they first really connected on the fell, something inside Callie burst through. She leant into Astrid, their breaths mingling as she deepened the kiss. Slipping her arms around Astrid’s waist, she let her hands skim her back. Astrid’s lean muscles tensed as her fingers fluttered by.

  Then Astrid moaned into their joined lips and Callie lost the little reason left inside her.

  She needed this woman.

  Now.

  Callie gently pushed down, letting Astrid fall backwards. Callie pulled her lips away for a moment to taste Astrid. Part of her remembered all the daydreams, the sensual fantasies featuring this very woman and all the amazing things they did in her mind.

  Callie wanted them all. Now and forever.

  Savouring the soft skin, she kissed and sucked. Underneath her, she felt Astrid shift and Callie fell on the bed next to her. Astrid rolled on top of her, those perfect small breasts and nipples calling to her.

  Callie groaned at the sight.

  Tears pricked and burnt Callie’s eyes, a swell of emotion bubbled around her. Reaching out, she touched Astrid’s face, her long hair spilling like a curtain around them.

  Pushing up, she captured Astrid’s lips again.

  ‘I— love you, want you so bad,’ Callie muttered on Astrid’s lips.

  ‘Me too.’

  Astrid’s hands tore at Callie’s clothing.

  Her lips traced Callie’s lines, then finally dived into Callie’s essence, savouring her.

  Never had Callie experienced such ecstasy, as she did with Astrid.

  Astrid’s fingers soon found their way to Callie’s core. Her mouth now on Callie’s nipple.

  The combination burnt through Callie.

  Her own mouth suckled on Astrid’s neck. Her own hands gripping and flexing. Touching everything. Feeling everywhere.

  Then she felt them joined. Both their hands, fingers, pleasuring one another. Driving them both to the brink.

>   Higher and higher they rose, until like breaking through a shell, they shattered into a million pieces.

  Floating down, together, into each other.

  For a moment neither of them spoke. The pulsing aftershocks of their bliss humming between their trembling bodies.

  Astrid giggled, rearranging herself next to Callie and drawing her into her arms.

  ‘Don’t know how we’re going to top that.’

  Callie laughed and gave her a tired kiss, ‘Oh, I think we can figure something out. We’ve got all night.’

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Astrid opened her eyes to look up at the high ceiling, she was lying on her back in the bed. It took her a few seconds to remind herself where she was. Life is weird, she thought, here I am sleeping in the same bed with a woman, who a few days ago could barely stand the sight of me. Or so she wanted me to believe. She counted the spotlights unconsciously. It had always been a habit with her—counting things—now she did it without thinking and it had almost become a compulsion. Astrid’s concentration was interrupted by loud sounds. Baffled, she couldn’t differentiate between the two noises. Was it an ambulance or a police siren? Jerking into a sitting position, she realised with a start it was both.

  She grabbed her phone as she slid naked out of bed. Something must have happened. She was sure of it. Callie stirred, her legs entwined with the rumpled sheets.

  ‘Hey, where you going?’ she said groggily.

  ‘Can’t you hear the sirens?’ Astrid said as she pulled her t-shirt over her head.

  Callie sat up. Instantly awake. ‘Oh my God, you don’t think …’

  ‘I don’t know, but there’s only one way to find out.’

  Callie scrambled out of bed and was fully dressed before Astrid put on her boots.

  Neither women spoke as they rushed out the front door and into Callie’s Jeep. She handed Astrid her phone. ‘Can you call Roxy’s number for me please and put it on loud speaker?’

  Astrid scrolled down the line of contacts until she found Roxy’s number and pressed it.

  The phone rang. No answer. Finally, it went to voicemail.

  ‘Try it again, please.’

  Astrid did so with the same result.

  ‘What about Robert?’

  ‘He doesn’t have a phone. He’s a complete technophobe.’

  ‘I’d forget about going to their place,’ Astrid said as a police car whizzed past them. ‘Follow the police.’

  Callie pressed her foot down on the accelerator and took after the wailing car in front of them.

  ‘They’ve found her, haven’t they?’ Callie said.

  ‘We don’t know that yet. It could be anything.’ Astrid checked her newsfeed. Nothing so far. She would be the first to break the story if it was Lexi—found dead or alive.

  Astrid heard Callie’s sob as they approached a gravel car park. Police cars and a mountain rescue van were strewn across it. Callie swerved the car then brought it to an abrupt halt at the side of the road.

  ‘Robert and Roxy are here.’ Tears streamed down her face. ‘They must have found Lexi.’

  Astrid followed her gaze and stopped on Roxy sobbing profusely in Robert’s arms. A police officer stood close by them. The air was muted bar the screaming coming from Roxy. Nobody else made a sound as they moved in different directions, carrying out different duties. Police officers kept the growing onlookers at bay.

  ‘Oh, Christ,’ Astrid muttered. It was almost as if she could feel Callie’s pain sitting inches away from her. Hear the silent scream in her mind. The terror. Disbelief. Sadness.

  Astrid watched Callie. The tension in her jawline. Tears welling in her eyes. Trembling hands gripping the steering wheel until they turned a ghostly white.

  Astrid could see she was gearing herself to face the inevitable. The sombre mood in the air wasn’t that of a ‘miracle that Lexi had been found hurt but alive’. It was one of great sadness. That a young girl’s light had been blown out before she’d been given the chance to live a full life.

  Before Astrid spoke, Callie jumped out of the car. Astrid followed suit, and walked at Callie’s side. An arm resting reassuringly at her waist. For this moment in time Astrid wasn’t a reporter. She was Callie’s support.

  ‘Roxy,’ Callie said, as she walked gingerly towards them.

  Astrid could feel the hesitation in Callie’s step.

  Roxy kept her face buried against Roberts’ chest, but his cheeks were dripping with tears.

  ‘Is it …’ Callie’s words trailed off.

  ‘They found my baby.’ Robert choked. ‘They found my baby.’

  ‘Is she?’

  ‘Yes, she’s dead,’ Roxy wailed, banging her small fists against her legs. ‘She’s dead … dead … oh my God ….’

  Their grief was raw. Unadulterated. Astrid instinctively put her hand to her heart. It felt as if it would explode through her jacket if she didn’t hold it in place. What could she say? To Robert. Roxy. What level of comfort could she offer them? None. All that was left to do was stand by mutely. Watch them lose themselves in their grief.

  The scene left her feeling emotionally drained and incredibly weary.

  Astrid had to report it. She just had to. She moved away from Callie and took out her phone, discreetly snapping a shot of the scene. She felt like a bitch, but it was her job to report on the news whether she liked it or not. Astrid sent the picture with a text to Ross telling him Lexi had been found and that her parents were on the scene. He would have to write the copy if he wanted to break the news straight away, she didn’t have time. She needed to be there for Callie.

  Out of the blue, Roxy said something that startled her. ‘Take a picture of us. Show the world our pain.’

  Automatically, Astrid snapped a shot, careful to exclude Callie. She pressed send. Within seconds Ross replied congratulating her. It made her feel sick to her stomach. A young girl was dead and he thought congratulations were in order. What the hell am I doing with my life? It was the first time she was ashamed to be a journalist.

  Astrid stood in a daze as more reporters arrived on the scene, like a bunch of sharks scenting blood. There was a continuous clamour of men and women shouting, punctuated by the sirens of yet more police cars arriving. Roxy and Robert were ushered into a police car before anyone else could take their picture.

  Swollen red eyes stared back at her. Tears fell endlessly down Callie’s cheeks.

  Her hoarse voice struggled with the words. ‘Do you want a lift back to Elaine’s?’

  ‘I’d rather be with you,’ Astrid said gently.

  Callie dropped her gaze to the ground. Sniffing. Coughing. Struggling to hold it together. Her words were disjointed. ‘I’m going … to Roxy’s … Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.’

  Astrid pulled her into an embrace. Never wanting to let her go. To protect her from this sometimes cruel and hateful world. She buried her face in her neck. ‘How can I not worry?’

  ‘Ahem … Ahem.’

  Realising someone was vying for their attention, Astrid looked up. Keri. The last person she wanted to lay eyes on.

  ‘I take it they found the body?’ she said as if she was enquiring about the weather that day.

  Astrid was absolutely aghast. What the fuck is it with this woman? It was unbelievable how detached Keri was. That she could show up to a scene where a girl had been found dead and not have an ounce of empathy. ‘Jesus, Keri, get a heart will you.’

  ‘I’ve got to go. I’ll see you later.’ Callie pulled away from Astrid’s arms. She sidestepped Keri and slowly walked in the direction of her Jeep. Her head bowed. Her shoulders shuddering.

  ‘Something I said?’

  ‘You really don’t have a soul do you?’

  ‘Jesus, I only asked a question. I take it that’s a yes then? It’s Lexi Palmer?’

  Ross would have already updated the news website, so it didn’t matter if she shared what she knew with Keri. ‘Yes, the body they found belongs to Lexi
.’

  ‘Poor kid.’ She looked genuinely sorry, and Astrid felt bad for being so harsh. In the midst of death, Astrid realised nothing mattered in the end. The bickering, the falling out, it was all pointless.

  ‘Did she fall?’ Keri enquired. Her eyes traced the movement of officers behind them.

  ‘That I don’t know yet. I’m sure there will be a press conference.’

  ‘So there’s nothing to do until then.’ Keri tugged at Astrid’s arm. ‘Come on, I’ll give you a lift back to the B&B. Elaine said I could use the kitchen to make breakfast as she’s not going to be around.’

  Keri’s right. There’s nothing left to do. Callie was gone. Ross had the story. No more searching. Wondering. Worrying.

  ‘Why not?’ Astrid said miserably.

  ‘That’s my girl.’

  ‘I agreed to breakfast, Keri, nothing more.’

  ‘So you keep saying. Anyone would think you were trying to convince yourself more than me,’ she said winking as she walked off.

  Half an hour later, Elaine’s kitchen was a hub of activity. Astrid fried eggs and bacon while, Keri made coffee and toast. She was glad to have something to take her mind off Lexi. All she could do was hope that her death had been quick and painless. The thought of Lexi being alive but hurt on that fell filled her with sadness.

  ‘Look at us, like an old married couple,’ Keri said interrupting her thoughts.

  Astrid shook her head as she placed eggs on two plates. ‘You’re joking, aren’t you? We wouldn’t last a week.’

  ‘Yeah, you’re right,’ Keri said buttering the toast. ‘Besides I’ve met someone.’

  Astrid turned to look at her with raised eyebrows. ‘You don’t waste any time.’

  ‘Says you!’ Keri bit a chunk out of a piece of toast and chewed thoughtfully. ‘Just out of interest have you actually had a girlfriend? One that lasted more than a night?’

  Astrid had to think hard on that one. The answer shocked her when she realised she hadn’t.

  ‘I’m twenty-five not fifty. I’m hardly at the age where I want to settle down.’

  ‘Even with Snowflake? Does the poor girl know yet?’ She moved across the room, plate in hand and put it on the table. ‘I bet she’s already making wedding plans and choosing the names for your future kids.’