In the Eyes of Love

by Sheri Livingston

  “A child from California after an earthquake. The debris at her feet is her home,” Shane explained, staring at the child’s tear-stained face.

  “Shane, do you go out very often?”

  Shane’s head whipped around, coming to face Rachel. “Um, no, not really. Why do you ask?”

  “Me and a few other friends are going out. I thought you might like to go with us.”

  Shane chuckled under her breath, “I’m a lesbian, Mrs. Watkins. I don’t think I’d go over too well in your kind of bar.”

  Rachel gasped beside her. A bright joker smile spread across her lips, “Well, then you have to come with us. We’re going to a gay bar.”

  “Will Morgan, with the sad eyes, be joining you?”

  A frown furrowed Rachel’s brow. “Why would you ask me that? Do you know Morgan?”

  “No, I don’t.” Shane hated that she’d spoken without thinking.

  “Then, what made you ask that?” Rachel’s eyes narrowed. “Morgan’s not just my co-worker. She’s my best friend.”

  Shane ran the toes of her tennis shoes across the floor, dragging circles, and turned her eyes back up to meet Rachel. “Tell me about her.”

  “Well, she’s the love of my life, aside from my hubby. She’s been with the same, um, woman since we were in high school. The bitch broke her heart into a million pieces, and well, Morgan can’t seem to find a way to put them back together.” Rachel shook her head as if she heard some horrible sound. “I can’t believe I just said that. I made her sound so sappy.” Rachel grinned up at Shane.

  “And this woman, the heart breaker, where is she now?”

  “Dawn? The bitch? Well, she was gone until lately. She’s started calling Morgan again, trying to turn up the heat.” Rachel snarled and tightened her lips, showing glossy white teeth. “She makes me sick. I’d like nothing better than to see Morgan tell her ass off. I’d be more than happy to do it for her, but it’s not my place.”

  “So, Morgan will be joining us tonight?” Shane couldn’t resist the urge to ask again, antsy with the fact that she could be near her.

  “Yes, she will.” Rachel’s eyes twinkled under the lighted sconces hanging over the painting. “Would you like to come with us? To meet Morgan?” A mischievous grin stole across Rachel’s mouth.

  “Yes. Yes, I would. But I think we need to talk first. There’s a lot you need to know.”

  Still grinning, Rachel followed Shane back down the hall.

  ———

  An hour later, Morgan stepped out of the shower refreshed and almost giddy about the night ahead of her. While adding more clothes to an already heaping pile on the floor, Morgan settled on a pair of low cut jeans to show off her flat stomach and belly ring. The belly ring was something Dawn had talked her into years ago. “It’s sexy as hell,” she’d said more times than Morgan could count after they’d left the body piercing parlor, her skin still red from the surgical needle’s puncture wound.

  Morgan added a cream-colored halter top with three tiny buttons that nestled between her breast, showing a delicate rib cage. She pulled the single loop over her head, then turned to peer in the full-length mirror fastened behind the closet door. Small cleavage, pushed up by the well-padded strapless bra, peered back at her through the refection. She sighed and walked back into the closet.

  Shoes weren’t really an issue since they were usually off her feet within minutes of entering the bar, something that used to entice Dawn. This gesture would not be geared toward her tonight, nor would the tight fitting outfit. She wanted thoughts of Dawn to cease. Anything to make her heart forget for even a few hours that it was no longer meshed together. And anything to make her friends not look at her like some freak of nature for being so deeply in love with a person whose first commitment was to herself. Tonight Morgan would show them she was back on the prowl.

  The phone rang and she quickly grabbed it up.

  “You ready?” Rachel yelled.

  “Yes, mother. Getting ready to dry my hair and throw my face on as we speak.”

  “Skimpy jeans?”

  “Yes, mother.”

  “Skimpy shirt?”

  “Yes, mother.”

  “Oh, baby! I think I might cry. You make your mother proud.”

  “Are you on your way to Joe’s?”

  Joe’s was a restaurant Morgan and Rachel started going to while Rachel was in college studying to be a journalist. Joe’s was a quiet little place where they quickly became regulars. He and his sweet wife, Angelica, made them feel like part of the family. They welcomed them every day with smiles meant for the dearest of friends or family. She’d come to think of them as her very own parents.

  “We’re in the parking lot already, baby. Just waiting for you guys to get your slack asses down here. What the hell is taking so long?” she growled.

  “Come rescue me from this maniac.” Steve screamed into the phone.

  “Poor, Steve. Bless him for having the balls to marry you.”

  “Oh, shut up. He’s been blessed enough.” Rachel giggled. “Have you heard anything from Jay and Phil?”

  “I saw them about an hour ago, so they should be there any time. And, as for me, I’m dressed to kill and tonight baby, I’m looking for a piece of ass!” She laughed but didn’t feel like it.

  “Oh, my God! What happened to bring this on? … Did that bitch call you again? How much do I owe her?” she asked sarcastically.

  “Yes, she did call, but she’s got nothing to do with this. Like I told you, I’m ready to go on with my life, and tonight’s going to be that night. Morgan is back!” she said without any enthusiasm.

  “Well, whatever did it, I tip my hat to it. So hurry and get your sexy ass down here. I have someone I want you to meet.” The connection was lost. Another one of Rachel’s famous hang-ups.

  Morgan laid the receiver back in the cradle and returned to add the final touches to her hair and make-up. She chose to wear her hair down. The blonde strands would highlight her tanned shoulders.

  With hair and make-up complete she walked back into the living room, grabbed her purse, and glanced back at the cozy apartment. She hoped tonight would be the last time she looked at it through hazed eyes. Tomorrow when she opened them she prayed a new person would be there to share life with her. She pulled the door closed behind her.

  Chapter Six

  Shane entered the restaurant and spotted Rachel immediately with her bright eyes and cheerful face. Her radiant smile was enough to help relieve the anxiety of the night Shane had ahead of her.

  She followed Rachel to a long wooden table with more happy faces greeting her with steady gazes, standing to shake her hand. She liked Jay and Phil immediately. Their quirky demeanor was enough to ease her anxious feelings of meeting Morgan. She eased into a chair to wait for Morgan’s arrival and listened to their chatter.

  A few minutes later, Morgan entered the front doors. Shane’s nervousness spiraled while she watched Morgan approach a tiny woman. Her face brightened with the woman’s words, then frowned and turned to scan the room for her friends. She turned and headed in their direction while Shane held her breath.

  “Morgan! Morgan! Over here.” Rachel squealed with Morgan’s approach. “Oh my God! Look at you. Oh, the fun we’re gonna have tonight.”

  Shane and Morgan’s eyes briefly locked before Morgan turned and put her face right into Rachel’s.

  “I’m so going to kill you. You are such a dog. You actually told Angelica I was on the prowl?” Morgan pointed behind her, indicating the woman she’d just talked to. “I’m so going to put laxatives in your drinks tonight,” Morgan said, trying to hold back her laughter, a bright playful smile etched her lips. “She actually gave me a lecture on how to pick up women. And look at me.” Morgan pointed to herself. “I’m dressed like a slut and there she was telling me to not look easy.”

  “Oh. She’s so silly. I just told her that we were taking you out tonight for a few drinks.” Rachel looked over Morgan’s sh
oulder, an obvious indication she was lying. “Well, I might have mentioned that you were feeling better and starting to get over things, and well, that you might be ready to start looking again, but it was really not much.” Her lie thickened as her eyes dropped to her foot sliding circles on the tiled floor. She looked back up at Morgan with a sheepish grin.

  Rachel’s husband stood and hugged Morgan. “She’s lying, baby. She spilled her guts and yours along with it as soon as Angela said hi.” He grinned and kissed her on the cheek.

  Rachel swatted him on the ass. “You’re supposed to stick up for your wife, you know? Not rat her out. Some hubby you are.” She turned back to Rachel and fluttered her eyelashes. “Oh, come on, Morgan, you know how much she hated Dawn. I made her night. Give me a break.” A bright smile lit up her face.

  “Well, I think you look gorgeous, and you sure don’t look like any slut I’ve ever seen.” Shane couldn’t control her voice.

  That was enough to shut Morgan up. She turned and met Shane’s eyes. A trickle of goose bumps ran the length of Shane’s spine. She rose and pulled an empty chair out for Morgan. While never taking her eyes away, Morgan slowly walked in the direction she was being summoned to sit as if enchanted.

  “Morgan, I’d like for you to meet someone.” Morgan’s gaze fell away from Shane and drifted toward Rachel. “Morgan, meet Shane. Shane Oglesby. This is our mystery lady,” she added, showing every single tooth.

  Morgan’s expression went from confusion to pure delight. She swung her head around in Shane’s direction and threw out her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Shane.” Shane watched delicate fingers protrude in her direction and found hers moving on their own accord toward velvet skin. “The pleasure’s all mine, Morgan. I’m just as pleased to meet you.”

  “As you know, I work with Rachel at Strut. We’re pleased to have you as our customer, and it’s so nice to finally put a face to the voice.”

  Shane’s fingers slid into Morgan’s outstretched hand. She felt a sizzle run through her fingers when their skin touched.

  Heavenly. The word tossed around inside Shane’s head. She looked into those mesmerizing eyes. Her attraction to Morgan was more powerful than she imagined. “Man. I’m getting hot just watching this scene. If you guys don’t stop now, I’ll be forced to take Phil right back home and have my way with him,” Jay said from his chair across the table, goosing Phil in the side.

  Shane couldn’t tear her eyes from Morgan’s. A flapping butterfly coursed through her stomach. She released Morgan’s hand and watched a blush crawl along her cheeks. “And even the blood crawling to your ears is sexy.”

  Shane’s skin prickled. She forced her gaze away from Morgan’s soft-featured face and sat down with a thump, knees weak.

  “Okay, you two. I wasn’t kidding.” Jay pursed his lips at them. Morgan slid into her chair.

  The waitress sauntered over to take their orders, and then quickly walked away.

  “So, what brought you to Atlanta, Georgia of all places?” Morgan asked, turning to look at her.

  “My brother. He’s lived here since my father died. Vernon Oglesby, in case you don’t know.” Her gaze was glued to every portion of Morgan’s face, memorizing every laugh line, every speckle of color in her eyes. “And he invited me to come here to live with him and his wife. Things weren’t going so great in California, so I packed up and came here.” She let her gaze fall away from Morgan with remembrance of her lost love, the reason her love was lost.

  “I’m sorry to hear that, but glad you made it here. We’re excited to feature your new pieces next month. Your artwork is beautiful.” Morgan gave her a bright smile. “I found a few interesting pieces on the Internet.”

  “Thank you. I don’t hold a candle to my father, but he was proud of my work and that’s what made me open Shamrock, to sort of continue his legacy.” Shane’s eyes climbed up to meet Morgan’s, her breath caught in her throat. “What piece did you find interesting?”

  “Actually, it was a child, crying, standing in the middle of debris.” Shane’s eyes automatically drifted to Rachel, remembering their conversation over that particular piece.

  “Shane, what part of California are you from?” Phil’s question cut the tension between them.

  “Palm Springs.” She turned toward Phil. Jay was picking lint from Phil’s shirt, oblivious to anyone else around him.

  “Are you a football buff, by chance?” Steve asked.

  “Oh, God. Don’t get him started on football.” Rachel growled but gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

  Shane grinned. “Die hard Raider fan.”

  “Did you leave anyone behind when you left?” Phil asked. Shane smiled when he caught a swift kick from Morgan under the table. “Sorry, wasn’t being nosy. Well, yes, I was being nosy.” He leaned forward to rub his leg, squinting at Morgan.

  “No. I didn’t leave anyone behind.” Her eyes drifted back to the table, unable to look at him while she told her lie, knowing she left Shelby’s ghost along with secrets.

  Their dinner arrived to break the aura that formed around them. While they ate, Jay talked about his customers from the pet store, Phil talked about the new piece he was working on, Steve talked about the pro football team he played for, and Rachel talked about remodeling a room in her house. Shane and Morgan sat and listened.

  Shane thought of her own life and how screwed up things were, how things had been since the accident. She willed herself to put her past where it should be … in the past. She couldn’t change what she’d done to her true love, but she could move forward from here, with someone new, someone who didn’t know her past.

  Would Morgan be able to look her in the eyes if she knew the deep dark secret Shane harbored? Would she run screaming from the room if she knew she was sitting beside a murderer?

  She listened while Morgan’s friends talked about their lives. She listened to the quietness of Morgan, understanding completely what it was like to have a broken heart and to lose someone you loved and needed more than life itself.

  She watched a smile break across Morgan’s face at something Phil said. Shane felt completely at ease with Morgan’s friends. They rose to leave and Shane quickly went behind Morgan to pull out her chair. She towered a few inches over Morgan. An uncontrollable urge to lean down and clamp her mouth around those perfect lips pushed at Shane. She shoved the thought aside and allowed Morgan to drift past her, watching that well rounded ass sway toward the front door.

  “Did you drive?” Shane asked Morgan, her voice but a whisper, while they walked across the parking lot.

  “Yes, I did.” Morgan eyed her friends warily.

  “Then let me drive you over to the bar. You won’t want to drive after drinking.”

  Without another word, Shane stopped beside a huge Ford truck and opened the door. Morgan took one last glance at her friends. Shane followed her gaze. Rachel’s face bore that of Cupid at work while she cuddled against Steve. Jay’s teeth were gripped on his thumb, showing he totally approved of Shane. Phil’s eyes were glued on Jay’s crotch.

  ———

  Morgan entered the bar, enthusiasm mixed with a little dread. She was still unsure if she could go through with prowling for a woman, especially now that one particular woman was giving her so much attention before she even got to the bar. She’d been with Dawn since she graduated from high school, ten years to be exact, and never had to live the life of women on the hunt for companions. She had Dawn, and there was no need to look for anyone else. This was going to be harder than she thought.

  The drive over had been a quiet one. Even in the wide cabin of the truck, their bodies had been too close. Morgan watched as a Shane reached for the radio dial, turning up the sound of the hip hop beat. She could almost feel those fingers trail a heated path between her breasts, stopping long enough to tease a sensitized nipple, pink and erect. She imagined the same fingers sliding down her stomach while a wet tongue probed over her hardened nipple. Her lips parted in her fanta
sy, matching the ones in reality. When she thought of those thick fingers sliding between her legs, she gasped. She turned to meet Shane’s eyes, watching her with curiosity. In the second it took her to clear her throat, a smile slid across Shane’s lips.

  She eyed Shane and felt a jolt of lightning bite at her gut.

  They walked to the tables near the bar where Phil and Jay were greeting everyone with hugs and squeals as if they hadn’t seen each other in years. Men! Gay men at that! Such drama queens. And they loved it. The more drama, the happier they were.

  “All right, Morgan. This is your night. What can I start you out getting drunk on?” Rachel asked, awakening Morgan from her stare on Shane’s profile.

  “You can start by coming to the bathroom with me.” Morgan gave her a look that said she better follow. Morgan excused them and towed Rachel toward the bathroom.

  She pushed open the door and walked through, finding two women leaning against the counter, obviously needing a motel, and walked past them to a more secluded area of the bathroom. She turned to Rachel. “Okay, give it up. Why the hell is Shane Oglesby here?” Morgan turned to Rachel.

  Rachel shrugged. “As soon as I laid eyes on her, I thought of you. She’s gorgeous and a lesbian. She didn’t have one problem telling me.” Her hazel eyes sparkled with mischief.

  “You still didn’t answer my damn question. Why the hell is she here?”

  “Because you’re back in the game and I thought I’d help. There! Happy?”

  “What?!” Morgan screamed. “What the hell did you tell her?”

  “I didn’t tell her anything, just invited her to come out with us.” Rachel’s eyes told Morgan there was more to the story than that.

  “You’re lying, Rachel. I can see it all over your face. What did you tell her?”

  “I told her the truth, dammit!” Rachel stomped her foot and dropped her gaze to the floor. “I told her you were single, available, and broken-hearted. There!”

  Morgan stood in awe. So that was the reason Shane was so flirty. Rachel had just told this scrumptious woman that she was easy prey. How stupid could Rachel be? And why couldn’t she keep her damn mouth shut?