by Carsen Taite
“I don’t mind moving out of the tub if you can figure out a way to do it without breaking contact.” Tray turned her head so she was half facing Ainsley. “You were amazing. Can we do it again?”
The praise and question were so simple and earnest, Ainsley laughed and matched Tray’s tone. “Please, let’s! But on dry ground.” Tray started to get out of the tub, but Ainsley tightened the hold around her waist. “Wait a sec.”
“I thought you were done with bath bubbles.”
“For now, but I’m not done with you.” She tugged her even closer and rested her chin on Tray’s shoulder. “Can we talk about last night?”
Greer stiffened. She’d been foolish to think she wouldn’t have to answer for her aggressive display of control. Obviously her actions hadn’t driven Ainsley completely away—otherwise she wouldn’t be pressed up again her naked body—but apparently it was time for ground rules to be set. She braced herself for the specifics. “Sure.”
Ainsley took a deep breath. She hoped broaching the subject while they were naked and dripping wet would minimize the chance Tray would bolt. “Something scared you last night. Severely. I realize you don’t know me very well, but I wanted to let you know if you need someone to talk to, or even if you just need someone to listen, I’m here and I’m willing.” Ainsley released her grip and waited. Would her words scare the skittish Tray off? Chances were good. Hell, she was scaring herself. Second chances and tender conversations were not part of her usual skill set when it came to romantic encounters. As she waited for Tray’s response, she realized how much she wanted Tray to confide in her, as if her decision to disclose was a litmus test for whatever might come next between them. Contemplating a future of any kind was another new development.
Greer wasn’t used to her sexual partners asking questions outside the realm of what other celebrities she knew or the size of her bank accounts. She didn’t have a gauge for how much she should share, or even could share without revealing her well-guarded identity. She wanted to tell Ainsley everything, but caution tempered her response. “That guy who came toward us last night?” Ainsley nodded. “He reminded me of someone. Someone who threatened me once. I freaked out.” Ainsley’s arms circled back around her, squeezing gently. “I’m sorry for how I behaved.” Greer felt a tinge of guilt for her less than forthright disclosure. She opened her mouth to add more, but Ainsley reached around, tilted her head back, and delivered a mouthwatering kiss.
Ainsley sensed Tray’s story was skinny on detail, but she didn’t want to push the point at the risk of pushing her away. They would have plenty of time to get to know each other better. Right now, she wanted to continue what they started in the bath. She rolled over Tray’s smaller body, stood, and pulled Tray to her. “Come on, I’ll stick close.” Ainsley pulled a robe from the nearby rack and offered it to Tray, hoping she would decline to put it on. She was amazed at the beautiful body standing before her and was grateful the increased intimacy of this encounter gave her the opportunity to appreciate Tray’s beauty. Baggy jeans and sweatshirts didn’t do Tray’s lithe frame justice. She obviously worked out enough to be fit, but not enough to create definition where soft curves were more attractive. Ainsley stared until she felt Tray start to squirm. She murmured, “I’m sorry,” and looked away to give her a moment of privacy. Ainsley stepped out of the tub and started to towel herself dry when she was interrupted by a tap on the shoulder. She met Tray’s gentle gaze. “May I have a towel instead? I don’t think I’m quite ready to cover up.” Ainsley smiled at the words. She grabbed another towel, but instead of giving it to Tray, she handled the task herself, lightly brushing the soft towel over every inch of Tray’s lovely body. Within moments, the towel was on the floor and they were rubbing against each other, glad to be rid of any barrier between their flaming skin.
Ainsley led Tray to the bed and gently pushed her down. She took her place on top, but was careful to set a gentle tone. Ainsley wanted Tray’s arousal to spiral slowly this time, and she planned to wind herself within it. But the sensation of their skin touching, every inch from head to toe, foiled her plan to protract their pleasure. Ainsley slid down from hungry lips to swollen breasts. Tray reacted by rising up from the bed, seeking the lost contact. She didn’t have to wait long. Ainsley took first one taut nipple in her mouth and then the other. Her tongue lashed between Tray’s breasts as she bucked her wet center between Tray’s open legs.
The dynamic had changed drastically from the night before. She had no doubt they had both received pleasure from their raw encounter, but now it was clear they both craved the tender intimacy they were about to share. Through the night they shared power, giving and receiving, with equal measure. Ainsley reveled in it, but even as she realized they now knew how to evoke each other’s pleasure, she realized there was so much more to Tray. She wanted to know it all.
*
“Well, look the prodigal daughter makes another return. Need something?” Drew was sitting at the kitchen table as Greer tried to tiptoe into the house Saturday morning. Any thoughts she might have been able to slip in unnoticed went up in smoke.
“Why are you always in such a rotten mood?”
“Want a list?” Drew started ticking off her reasons. “My dad has cancer, our family business now belongs to a bunch of heartless corporate hacks, and I spend my days explaining my life’s work to a dragon lady from the big city who thinks we all live in the sticks. Meanwhile, my cousin drops in for a visit, which consists of her borrowing rides and money, coming home whenever the hell she feels like it, and not lifting one finger to help out.”
Greer hadn’t realized the level of Drew’s frustration with her. She was too busy basking in the glow of the wonderful time she’d spent with Ainsley to appreciate the strain of her very presence on her already stressed-out cousin. “I’m sorry. I could arrange for you to have some help around here. You know, to clean the house and help Clayton get to his appointments.” As she spoke, she saw Drew get apoplectic, but she didn’t have a clue what she had said wrong. “What?”
“Is money your solution to everything?”
“Geez, chill out. I was only offering to help.”
“Where did you spend the last two nights?”
Greer was thrown by the subject change. “What?”
“How did you get home? I waited for you yesterday, but you never showed up.”
Greer had completely forgotten she had told Drew she would let her know if she needed a ride home after Zozobra Thursday night. No wonder Drew was so angry. “Sorry, I stayed with a friend. She gave me a ride home.”
“Maybe you should move in with your friend permanently, and leave us alone.” With her pronouncement, Drew huffed her way out of the room.
“Bitch.” Greer made sure the word was soft enough not to cause her to turn around. Her empathy for Drew vanished. She was in no mood for anyone to rain on her parade. Her goal for the day was to rest up and figure out a way to get back to town in the morning for brunch with Ainsley. She reflected on Drew’s words and wondered why she should have to bum rides and money. Everything she could ever want was only a phone call away. She dialed the number from memory.
“Rick, thanks for the money.” She waited a beat before continuing. “I need a car.” She listened to him harangue about how she needed to stay put before she cut in. “I’m not leaving the area, but this isn’t Chicago where I can get a cab at every corner. I’m tired of relying on my relatives every time I need something from the store. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but have someone deliver a car out here today. Understood?”
As much as Rick liked to manage her life, they both knew Greer’s money and fame meant she was the boss. He had ditched the rest of his clients years ago and hitched his wagon to her rising star. Every dime he made was a piece of her action, and ultimately, she ruled his life, not the other way around. Rarely did she exercise her veto power, so she was sure he understood she expected him to give in to her demand.
“Car
. Today. No problem. Anything else?”
She could almost hear him holding his breath and she waited through the silence. “No. Wait, yes. Send me a cell phone. I pitched mine. Also, can you tell me how much longer you think I need to hang out here? I seem to be wearing out my welcome pretty quickly. Besides, it’s cramping my style to act like I’m someone I’m not.”
“Another week ought to do it.”
Greer wondered how long Ainsley’s work would keep her in town. If she was going to be around, another week might not seem so long, especially not if she could come and go as she pleased. “Great. Thanks, Rick.”
“Don’t I always look out for your best interests?”
*
“You look beat.”
“Thanks, Paul.”
“Hard night?”
“Not exactly.” Ainsley worked hard to mask the appearance of the dreamy smile she had seen in the mirror that morning. The night had been both hard and soft by turns. All in a good way.
Paul shoved her with his hip. “You must have a woman in every city. You make it seem so easy. Any tips for a good-looking gentleman like myself?”
Ainsley knew Paul was teasing, but she couldn’t help but be offended at the implication. She had opened or transitioned seven properties for the Steel company in various cities, and Paul had been on the team for five of those. She had no doubt he was right, despite the fast pace of these working trips, she always managed to find time for extracurricular activity on the road. It was the perfect arrangement. She got to spend a couple of weeks playing with a complete stranger and both of them knew the terms. All play, no strings. She didn’t keep in touch with any of these women, not even in the event she might return to their home cities. There were plenty of women in the world; if she came back, she’d meet new ones.
So why did she even care to know more about Tray? Ainsley would be back in Chicago soon, and she certainly wouldn’t be returning to this outpost. Maybe that was the problem. If Tray was from Chicago, perhaps Ainsley had a latent fear she would see her there in the future, thereby ruining her no repeat out-of-town-fuck rule. She shrugged. Deep inside, she knew that wasn’t the issue. She had no problem keeping even in-town dates at a distance since her work was the only relationship to which she was willing to commit. Tray was different because she didn’t want to share. Ainsley was skilled at fending off a companion’s desire to go deeper, to get to know each other beyond the bounds of what pleased their bodies. Now the roles were reversed and, though physically satisfied, she found herself wanting more of an emotional connection.
“Are you ignoring me?” Paul huffed.
“I guess I am,” Ainsley said. “You don’t need to go trolling around for dates. Stay focused on your work.”
Paul gave her a knowing look. “Are you talking to me, or to yourself?”
Ainsley silently cursed him for knowing her too well.
*
“Uncle Clayton, aren’t you hungry?” Greer paused with the large bowl of mashed potatoes in her hand. She never ate like this. She would have to stop eating like a cow if she was going to fit into any of her clothes when she got home. Wherever home was. Funny, she had closets loaded with clothing in every house she owned, and here she was, dressed in Drew’s cast-offs. She couldn’t wait for the promised car to be delivered so she could do some shopping. So far her disguise seemed to be working. She’d been into town twice and no one recognized her on either occasion. Of course, she spent the majority of one of those trips in Ainsley’s bed. Who was going to see her there? Greer felt the blush creep up her neck and brushed away thoughts of Ainsley, nude.
“Dad had chemo this morning. If you’d take the time to learn anything about his condition, you’d know he’s feeling the aftereffects right about now.”
Clayton placed a hand on Drew’s arm. “Drew, honey. Try to get along with your cousin. You hardly ever see her. All you’ve done is fight since she got here.”
“Not my fault she never comes around. We’re way too backwoods for Miss Bigshot Rock Star to visit.” Drew seemed to notice Clayton’s increasing discomfort. “Sorry, Dad.” Flashing a hard look at Greer, she softened her tone. “I’m sorry. I’m frustrated. This transition has been harder than I thought it would be.”
“But things are working out well, right?” Clayton’s tone told everyone at the table what he needed the answer to be.
“Sure, Dad. After we get through the adjustments, everything will be okay.” She paused. “Most of the people from Steel are nice and understand we don’t always do things at a big-city pace, but the manager of the team is…well, she’s unreasonable most of the time.”
“She’ll come around,” Clayton said.
The doorbell rang and they stared at each other. They weren’t in the kind of neighborhood where people dropped in to say hello. Greer, on the other hand, practically leapt from the table in her excitement. “I think I know who it is, or what anyway.” Without further explanation, she ran to the front door and yanked it open.
“Ms. Davis?”
“Um, who’s asking?” Greer was disconcerted at the use of her real name. She hadn’t expected Rick to give the delivery service any information about who they were there to see.
“Mr. Seavers sent me. I have a delivery for you.”
Those welcome words whisked away any uncertainty. Greer stepped outside and smiled at the sight of the sleek black Corvette Z06 sitting in the driveway. Perfect. “Where do I sign?”
The young man handed her a clipboard and then tore off a receipt. She waved it away. “Send it to Mr. Seavers.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He handed her the keys and a bulky envelope that contained her new cell phone.
Greer watched him walk to a waiting Jeep and step inside. She waited until the Jeep was headed down the driveway before opening the door of her shiny new prize. Even in the evening dusk, she could tell it was brand new. As she slid into the driver’s seat, she saw a flash of light in the nearby trees. Glancing overhead, she could tell it was a clear night, but it wasn’t unusual in the desert for there to be a lightning show even with no rain in sight. The smell of new leather drew her attention away from the weather. Greer turned the key and relished the roar of the engine. Greer had several cars at her various residences, but she rarely had the opportunity to drive any of them. She couldn’t wait to pick Ainsley up in the morning. They would drive to Taos for brunch. This baby was too sweet not to share. Morning couldn’t come soon enough.
Chapter Twelve
“Go away!” Ainsley shouted from the bed. She was determined to catch the last few minutes of sleep before getting ready for brunch with Tray. She thought spending the night alone would allow plenty of time for recharging, but in reality she had tossed and turned, frustrated by the absence of a certain redhead. The memory of the morning before sparked a smile and she rose to answer the door.
“What on earth is so important?”
Paul pushed his way into the room and ordered, “Sit down.”
Ainsley stared at him. “What in the hell’s the matter with you? Shouldn’t you be at the hotel?”
“Sit.” His tone brooked no argument. Ainsley sat. “Look at this.” Paul shoved the thick Sunday newspaper into her hand and jabbed at the front page.
*
“Good morning, everyone.” Greer was so excited about what the day might hold, she didn’t notice at first that no one in the family returned her greeting. She grabbed a mug of coffee and joined them at the table. She had no intention of eating, but she could be social for a few minutes before heading out to pick up Ainsley in her new toy.
Clayton spoke first. “Greer, honey, I don’t think you’re going to want to go into town today.”
“Sure I am, Uncle Clayton.” She flashed a smile that faded fast as she took in the newspaper someone had left covering her place at the table. “What…what…where did this come from?”
“Usually a high school kid delivers it.”
Greer was too dumbstruck to rise t
o Drew’s sarcasm. “Is this today’s paper?” Without waiting for an answer, she hefted the large volume. There were actually two papers stacked in front of her, the Santa Fe New Mexican and the Albuquerque Journal. She placed them side by side and stared at the front page of each. She went numb.
“When were you going to tell me you’re fucking my new boss?”
“Language!” Aunt Ellen finally contributed to the conversation.
Drew’s profanity was so jarring, used as it was in front of her parents, it took Greer a moment to process the content of her question. “Your boss?”
“Dragon Lady, a.k.a. Ainsley Faraday.”
“Ainsley is your boss?” Greer knew her questions were focused in the wrong direction. Who really cares if Ainsley is Drew’s superior? Greer realized she hadn’t asked a single question about the hotel since Drew told her about the takeover. She hadn’t even been to visit, which was fairly unusual since she’d spent many a summer doing odd jobs around the Lancer Hotel.
“What are you going to do about this?” Drew pointed at the papers in front of Greer. Drew was angry, and Greer knew her reasons included more than the mere revelation Greer was doing Ainsley Faraday. Drew had warned her not to draw attention to herself. She didn’t want paparazzi around the ranch. Hell, for once Greer agreed with her. She’d gone to great pains to hide out here; the last thing she wanted was to be cornered here in the sticks with none of her usual buffers to protect her from the prying eyes of reporters.
Greer looked at the front page of the Sunday edition of the Santa Fe New Mexican. The photos were grainy, but she was unmistakably in both of them, kissing Ainsley the night of Zozobra in one, and climbing into her new Vette in the other. The headlines dispelled all doubt.
LOCAL STAR COMES HOME, FINDS NEW LOVE IN THE CITY