I Remember

by Julie Cannon

  She couldn’t hold back any longer, nor did she want to. “Fuck me, EJ!”

  Dana staggered off the patio and into her bed, the cool sheets warming under her hot body. Her hands retraced the intimate encounter as she screamed into the darkness. “Fuck me, Emery!”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “One last thing,” Emery said before her staff meeting ended a few weeks later. “Adam will be sending each of you your invitation to the annual holiday get-together. The usual suspects, members of the board and some key customers, and a few others. My house, as usual, Saturday, December first, sevenish. Everyone is a plus one.” She looked around the table, saving Dana for last. “Just give Adam your RSVP by Thanksgiving.”

  “Jack, are you going fishing over Christmas again this year?” the man to Emery’s left asked as she gathered up her papers. Emery saw Dana’s eyes darken.

  EJ found Dee standing in line at the concierge desk. She had been looking for her everywhere after discovering her side of the bed empty. She missed waking up with Dee in her arms, and that surprised her. Normally she was the one to get up and go home before dawn, or if the woman was at her house she was up, showered, and dressed before she woke. It was a clear signal that the encounter was over and they were to each go their own way. However, waking with Dee was nice.

  Dee wore khaki cargo shorts, a blue tank top, and tennis shoes. A pair of black sunglasses was perched on top of the brim of a white cap. She was, in a word, hot. She looked fit and very athletic, and EJ suspected she was capable of doing just about anything she set her mind to. The woman behind Dee started making conversation with her, and even though EJ was too far away to hear what they were saying, her movements said they were talking about the brochure in Dee’s hands.

  EJ inhaled sharply and felt what could only be described as a pang of jealousy. WTF? She had never been jealous and had absolutely no reason to start now. She and Dee had agreed to a cruise fling, and to EJ that meant just the two of them, also known as exclusivity. What if Dee didn’t think the same? Would EJ end the fling? She didn’t like to share and was going to have to decide what to do if Dee did.

  She was debating her next move when a stunning redhead in a too-tight shirt and way-too-short shorts sidled up next to the woman talking to Dee. She put her arm around her and planted what looked like a very sloppy, intimate kiss on her mouth. Dee turned away politely and returned to reading her brochure. EJ breathed again when she realized the woman no longer was a threat. How childish was that, she thought as she walked over to where Dee stood.

  “Plans for the day?” she asked over Dee’s left shoulder. Dee leaned back into her, the touch of their bodies sending a spark of desire through her. She lifted her hands and placed them on Dee’s waist. The pamphlet shook slightly in Dee’s hands.

  “As a matter of fact, I have reservations to go fishing.”

  “Fishing? As in guts-on-a-hook fishing?” she asked, surprised.

  “Is there any other kind?” Dee replied.

  “I suppose not, at least not in this context. Do you fish?” Somehow they both had stayed away from personal questions, but she didn’t think this fell into that line of questions. And she wanted to know.

  “As often as I can,” Dana replied. “Do you?”

  “I’ve been a time or two but never in open water. I just never had the opportunity.”

  The line moved closer to the desk as the women ahead of them received the information they needed from the concierge. EJ’s crotch throbbed at the rubbing of their bodies together as they moved a few steps forward. She wanted to toss the brochure into the nearest trash and drag Dee back to her cabin. She smiled at the thought.

  “What are you smiling about?” Dee asked, turning her head slightly and giving EJ access to her neck, which she immediately took advantage of.

  “How much I’d like to drag you back to my cabin, but if I remember correctly you would probably beat me there.” She nibbled on the soft skin below Dee’s left ear. Dee shuddered against her then stepped away.

  “You’re right, I probably would,” Dee said with a seductive smile that sent her pulse into overdrive. But we have all night and all day tomorrow for that, and today I’m going fishing.”

  Dee was right. The ship would be leaving at seven thirty this evening and sail for the next thirty-six hours until they arrived in Bonaire.

  “I must be losing my touch,” she said, teasing.

  Dee stepped closer and pressed a much-too-quick kiss on her lips. “Trust me, Ms. Connor. I find your touch nothing less than spectacular. But don’t tempt me. I want to go fishing,” Dee said again.

  She lifted her hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, you win. I’ll leave you alone. For now,” she added for clarification. “Mind if I just keep you company?”

  “As long as that’s all you do, just keep me company.” Dee pointed at her. “No smooth words, passionate looks, nibbles, or touches. I mean it.” Dee was trying to sound serious.

  It thrilled her to know that Dee was as affected by their time together as she was. From what she’d said it wouldn’t take much persuasion to get her right back in bed, or on the counter, the couch, or up against the wall with her fingers buried inside her. She exhaled deeply. She needed to stop thinking like this or it would be a long day. A very long day.

  “I’ll behave,” she said. When it was Dee’s turn at the counter EJ said, “I’ll give you some privacy. I’m going to get a paper. Meet me over there?” She pointed to a large fountain not far from where they stood.

  EJ sat on the bench across from the fountain and was reading the front page when something dropped in her lap. She looked up and Dee was standing in front of her, with a mischievous grin. She picked up the envelope. “What’s this?”

  “Open it and find out.”

  She opened the flap and a ticket fell into her hands.

  “I thought you might like to go.”

  She looked up at Dee, surprised. “This is a ticket,” she said, immediately feeling stupid for stating the obvious.

  “I don’t know what you do for a living, EJ, and I don’t want to know, but you must be somebody important because you’re pretty smart.”

  Her heart jumped this time, due to Dee’s reference to her job. What if she did know who she was? Would it make a difference? Would she be attracted to the power she had as the CEO of a Fortune 1000 company? Would she find it sexy and a turn-on to bed her? Would she be like the others?

  “EJ?”

  Dee was standing in front of her looking worried. “Sorry, I’d love to go. Thanks for thinking of me.” She pulled herself out of her five-second funk. She stood up and kissed Dee. “You know, I wasn’t fishing for an invitation,” she said, raising her eyebrows à la Groucho Marx. She was rewarded by Dee’s smile.

  “That’s good because this is a catch-and-release trip.” Dee paused. “You know, bait the hook, the fish strikes, enjoy the thrill of catching it, take a few pictures to memorialize the adventure, then let it go.” Dee paused again. “Seems to fit, doesn’t it?”

  Dee held her eyes for several seconds. Her analogy was crystal clear. That was exactly what they were doing with their cruise fling. This was Dee restating their agreement after hours of sex, and EJ’s opportunity to do the same. She didn’t know why she was hesitating. That was exactly what she wanted, and she’d brought it up in the first place. She was in no place to and had no desire to have anything other than an uncomplicated, undemanding affair. They were only a few days into the cruise, and in less than three weeks, she’d be back at her desk with no time for any distractions. So why hadn’t she readily agreed?

  Dee must have taken her silence for agreement because she said, “The launch leaves in an hour and you’ve got to get ready.”

  EJ had never been on a fishing boat large enough to hold ten other anglers. Rob, the captain, made everyone feel welcome and comfortable as soon as they got on board. The safety demonstration over, they were fitted with their rods and he turned the boat into the
open water.

  It wasn’t long before Dee had a hit. She settled into the specially made chair, buckled herself in, and put her feet on the blocks. According to Captain Rob it could take several hours or more of reeling and maneuvering the big fish until it was close enough to be netted and brought into the boat.

  EJ watched Dee, completely spellbound by her physical strength. She had been in the chair for over two hours and was covered with sweat. Her arms were tan from the sun, the muscles standing out from the strain of fighting the fish. The way she rocked the long pole back and forth and spun the reel was smooth and sensuous. Even though her hair was in a ponytail pulled through the back of the cap, several strands had escaped and were blowing in the breeze. Her sunglasses that had hidden her eyes from EJ’s view were on her red nose. Her face was set in concentration and determination; she was completely focused. Finally the fish was in the net and the two deck hands were hoisting it aboard.

  “Holy shit,” Dee said. The exhaustion in her voice contrasted sharply with the look of radiance on her face.

  EJ caught her breath when she looked at Dee. She was tired, the signs apparent at the way her arms hung limply at her sides, but she looked like she could go another hour with the big fish. The look of accomplishment on her face was breathtaking.

  “It’s got to be at least six feet long,” Dee said excitedly as the deck hand reached for his tape measure. “It’s an Atlantic blue marlin.”

  “My God, it’s beautiful,” she said, both about the fish and Dee. It had been exciting watching Dee alternately fight and finesse the fish until it gave up the battle. It was one of the most exciting, arousing things she had ever witnessed.

  “Six feet, eight inches,” the deck hand said in a harsh accent.

  “Wow,” Dee said, clearly amazed.

  “Let’s get a couple of pictures before we toss him back,” Captain Rob said.

  EJ handed him Dee’s camera and took several pictures with her own as well. These pictures might be the only ones she would have of Dee, and they would reflect her personality, guts, and beauty all in one shot.

  *

  Emery’s house was stunning. It wasn’t the largest on the block, far from it, but the subtle, unpretentious design made it warm and inviting. As Dana followed the directions that came with her invitation she estimated the houses in the neighborhood had to be at least six or seven thousand square feet, if not substantially more. Each was on what looked like an acre, the lawns lush and meticulously landscaped even at this time of the year.

  The valet opened her door and offered his hand to help her out. She thanked him, as it was difficult to maneuver in and out of her low-slung Lexus in the dress she had finally decided to wear tonight. He was polite enough not to ogle her legs as she slid out of the driver’s seat, but the way he clenched his jaw showed it was work. She reminded herself to give him a generous tip for his professionalism.

  The door opened a few seconds after she rang the bell, her hands moist with perspiration. She was nervous and for an instant had debated whether to even come. But unless she was desperately ill, not attending was not an option.

  Adam surprised her by opening the door. He took her wrap and purse and passed them off to a waiting woman, who disappeared into the room next to the foyer.

  “Dana, you look sensational,” he said, lightly holding her wrists and lifting her arms out to her sides. “That dress is gorgeous and I shouldn’t say this but I can because I’m a gay guy and there is nothing remotely sexual in my comment but you look absolutely stunning.” Adam said all that in one big breath.

  She had debated for hours whether to shop for a new dress for the party. She had several that would have been more than appropriate for the professional/personal gathering this evening obviously was. She could have worn her blue Vera Wang or her classic Chanel, but Lauren had insisted she buy something “stunning, yet professional.”

  She had chosen a black V-neck wrap dress from Anne Klein’s fall collection. Made of a blended wool-and-spandex fabric, the simple, yet elegant lines complemented her shape without being provocative. The dress had a high neckline in the back, capped sleeves, and wrapped around like a robe, but the strategic ties and snaps, and the alligator belt with a brilliant silver buckle at her waist, held it all together. The front was cut low enough to be attractive but didn’t show any cleavage. This was a business gathering, after all. Her classic black patent-leather pumps had a slightly higher heel than what she wore at the office. The hemline separated in the front, curving slightly upward. All in all a very classic, elegant look.

  “Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself in your tuxedo. Armani?” she asked.

  “Is there any other?” Adam took her arm and led her into the room to where the other guests were mingling. She glanced around the room and saw many of her coworkers, familiar faces she recognized, and a few complete strangers. Everyone was in their festive best, with diamonds and black tie abundant.

  Adam excused himself to answer the door again and Dana accepted a glass of wine from the waiter. As she sipped the warm liquid she immediately spotted Emery talking with a group of white-haired men, one of which was the senior senator from Maine. Emery was animated and friendly with the men, completely at ease with Senator Marshall, one of the most powerful men in the country. Marshall controlled the defense-budget’s purse strings and ultimately Martin Engineering contracts.

  At first Dana wondered if there was any conflict-of-interest issue with Senator Marshall attending the Martin Engineering holiday gathering. His attendance as well as the presence of the several other congressmen and senators Dana recognized could be misconstrued. But she trusted Emery’s judgment, as well as the fact that three of the government auditors that had offices down the hall from hers were standing by the fireplace keeping an eye on everyone.

  Her casual perusal of the room was interrupted when someone to her left said, “Dana, good to see you.” It was Jack and a woman she guessed was his wife.

  “Jack, good to see you too tonight,” she replied politely. She hated small talk but had gotten pretty good at it, enough to survive.

  He introduced his wife, who said with an appreciative glance, “I love your dress.”

  “Thank you, yours as well,” Dana said, more from habit than actually liking the red sequined dress on the overly large woman. She commented on Jack’s tuxedo. “Jack, you clean up pretty good.”

  “I hate these things,” he replied, tugging on his too-tight collar. It was definitely a last-year-and-twenty-pounds-ago shirt. “Thank God, Emery is more prone to khakis than formal at the office.” He chuckled a little before adding, “I sure am glad I’m not intimidated, because Emery looks better in her tuxedo than most of the men in this room.”

  She had to agree and remembered the first time she saw Emery looking as strikingly attractive as she did tonight.

  The event was the captain’s dinner, the invitation specifying the evening wear as black tie. However, EJ’s was royal blue, accentuating her deep-olive complexion. When Dee had opened her cabin door to EJ’s knock she was stunned by how handsome EJ was in formal wear.

  Tonight was no exception. Instinctively Dana knew it was the same suit and she flushed all over when she remembered unbuttoning the vest and everything underneath it.

  Emery had almost exhausted the suitable topics for conversation when Adam rescued her. “Excuse me, Ms. Barrett, but another guest has arrived. She’s talking to Jack and his wife.”

  She already knew it was Dana, without turning around. She seemed to instinctively know where Dana was whenever she was close and feel her hollow absence when she wasn’t. She held her breath to see if Dana had in fact brought a “plus one.”

  She remained cautiously optimistic when she saw that Dana was alone. Her date could be anywhere, but as she approached Dana she didn’t care.

  Dana looked stunning in her dress, the neckline not low enough to be inappropriate but too high for what she wanted to see on Dana. Her hair was u
p in a classic French braid, giving her an aura of elegant sophistication. Her hair, dress, and makeup were perfect, and she couldn’t take her eyes off her as she approached.

  “Dana, thank you for coming.” Her voice cracked. Her throat was dry, her hands were shaking, and the rest of her body was going haywire as well.

  “I told her it was an annual event that people anticipated for weeks and talked about for months.” Jack’s comments jarred Emery back to the reality that she and Dana were not alone in this big room.

  “Tell Adam, it’s his thing. I just sign the check,” she said, more casually than she felt. She had to work hard to keep her eyes from drifting to the vee in Dana’s dress or at the slit in the front. She absolutely could not do that here with these people.

  “Then I’ll thank you for the invitation and him for how much I’m enjoying myself,” Dana said lightly. “Nice suit,” Dana said, looking at her before turning her attention back to the others. “Jack, you forgot to add that in addition to looking quite dapper tonight, Emery is extremely humble as well.”

  She couldn’t breathe. Those were the exact words Dana had used to compliment her at the captain’s dinner. And she remembered exactly how her body had trembled in anticipation as Dana slowly removed her clothes. Emery couldn’t help but touch a button on the vest, her nerves a mess. Her eyes met Dana’s and she knew Dana remembered too. Her knees threatened to collapse and she was slow to respond.

  “Yeah, well, enough of the flattery contest. I have guests to attend to, and you have food to eat and alcohol to drink.” Somehow she was able to step away. “Please, everyone, enjoy yourself. I’ll catch up with you all later.”

  She had an almost-full glass of wine in her hand and finished it in one swallow. She knew she shouldn’t drink that fast, but she needed something to smack some sense into her. With Dana looking like that and her memories intruding in this important night, it would be a long night indeed.

  *