by Kim Baldwin
“There’s always a but. You can’t even answer a simple question.”
A big group of people began to push past them and Switch tried to get out of their way, but the hallway was too narrow. Before she knew it, she was pressing Ariadne against the wall. “I’m sorry.” She pushed her hands against the wall so she wouldn’t crush Ariadne. “I can’t move.” Switch was abruptly pushed even closer against Ariadne, until their faces were only an inch or two apart.
Ariadne moaned.
“I’m sorry, did I hurt you?” Switch asked.
“No.” Ariadne whispered. “I…uh…”
Switch felt Ariadne’s breath on her neck. She shivered involuntarily and closed her eyes to clear her head, to distance herself from the enticing vision of those lips, too near her own. She was breathing so fast she was getting light-headed. “I’m…I…you’re…” Switch stopped mumbling when she felt Ariadne’s lips caress hers.
Soft, so soft, and so wet. This time, Switch couldn’t hold back. She pulled Ariadne into her and took her mouth with the same slow rhythm.
“What’s your real name?” Ariadne mumbled against Switch’s lips.
“Alex…my full name is Alexandra.” Switch slurred her words and took Ariadne’s mouth again. She felt Ariadne begin to buckle and grabbed her ass to pull her harder against her.
Both moaned at the feel of the other. Ariadne bit Switch’s lower lip, then licked it. “I could kiss you for days.”
“You’re driving me crazy,” Switch managed to say and opened Ariadne’s mouth with her tongue to taste her. They were shaking so much it was ridiculous. Switch had to break the kiss or come in her pants. “I…”
“Do you want me, Alex?” Ariadne asked provocatively.
“So much.”
“Good.” Ariadne pushed Switch away. “Now you know what it feels like,” she said, breathing hard, “to screw with people’s feelings.”
Switch had never landed harder in her life. She stared in disbelief as Ariadne straightened her dress.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” Melina said from behind them.
Chapter Eighteen
Near Colorado Springs, Colorado
Cass checked the caller ID and sighed. “Here we go again,” she grumbled to herself before she answered. It wasn’t that she minded talking with Pierce. She quite enjoyed it, actually, but his constant asking about Jack in roundabout ways had started to get old. “I thought you guys talked it out,” she said right away.
“Good evening, Cassady,” Pierce replied.
“Jack told me she enjoyed your get-together yesterday.”
“Really?” Pierce sounded jovial. “I’m very happy to hear that. She’s difficult to figure out.”
“Not if you know her. She would’ve left five minutes after your arrival, otherwise. You know Jack doesn’t do anything for the sake of appearances.”
He chuckled. “She’s certainly no diplomatic guru.”
“Can I ask her to call you back when she gets in?”
“Where is she?” The tone of his voice changed instantly from cheery to concerned.
“She mentioned something about getting her car looked at. Something about the headlights and a stop after at the grocery store.”
“How long has she been gone?”
“What’s going on?”
“How long?” he repeated.
“A couple of hours.” The sudden change in his demeanor was making her anxious, too. “What’s going on, Monty?”
“I…I warned her about TQ when we met.”
“What about TQ?” Cass’s heart boomed at the mention of The Broker. It had taken months for Jack to fully recover from the beatings TQ’s goons had inflicted on her.
Pierce told her what Allegro had overheard. “I’m afraid she might do something stupid.”
“Then why did you tell her?” Cass was upset with him and didn’t care if he knew it.
“Because I need her to be careful. That deranged witch is capable of anything, and both of you need to be aware that she’s not letting go.”
“This is never going to stop, is it?” she asked. “It’s like some evil force can’t stand that we’re together. Ever since I met her, it’s been nothing but abductions, serial killers, mad scientists, and—”
“Always something, I know.”
“Trouble follows her everywhere, and if it doesn’t, she goes looking for it.”
“She was trying to protect you when she gave herself up to Rothschild.”
“I know…I know.”
“I would’ve done the same,” he said.
“Knowing she got her genetic defects from you is not consolatory. If she gets in trouble again, I don’t know what I’m going…” Cass stopped when she heard the door shut.
“Honey, I’m home,” Jack sang out.
“She just walked in,” Cass told Pierce, and sighed in relief. “Where have you been?” she said sharply to Jack when she entered the living room.
“Did I forget to mention?” Jack shrugged. “It was my weekly visit to my other girlfriend. The one who looks happy when I come home.”
“Funny, real funny,” Cass replied, smiling. “Anyway, Monty is worried about you and it rubbed off.”
“Worried?” Jack asked, her face the picture of clueless innocence. “Why?”
“So, anyway…” Cass returned to Pierce, who’d been silent. “She’s back.”
“I heard. Does she seem all right?”
She studied Jack, who was humming some tune as she carried groceries from the car to the kitchen. “She seems fine.” Cass relaxed. “Her usual ‘I’m headed to the kitchen to burn or break something.’”
“She needs a real job,” he said. “She’s too overqualified to be a domestic princess.”
“I know, but every time I broach the topic she waves it off or storms out of the room. And frankly, I can’t picture her doing a nine-to-five.”
“Of course not. She needs to do what she loves. Something other than guiding runaways.”
“She’ll figure it out.” Cass had to believe Jack would come up with something fulfilling, because she feared the eventual consequences on both Jack and their relationship if she didn’t. Jack’s less than satisfying day-to-day existence was starting to show. She was moody and bored, and it often felt like she was trying to pick a fight just for the hell of it. Jack needed to get out, find something to make her feel important. She wasn’t interested in making friends, and Landis—the only one she did have—was unavailable most of the time, either away on a job or busy taking care of her partner, Heather, and Heather’s sick brother. “I hope sooner than later.”
“I have a proposition,” Monty said. “But I don’t think our relationship is ready for that discussion.”
“Not if it concerns the EOO.” The organization was usually the catalyst for any disagreement between her and Jack. Jack had tried every way possible to convince her to give up her job; she’d never understand why Cass still felt committed to the organization, even after having endured two life-threatening abductions in a row. And Cass, for her part, couldn’t stop trying to bridge the gap between her partner and father, despite their fractured history.
“Well…keep an eye on her,” Pierce said.
“I always do. Do you want to speak to her?”
“No. I’ve worried you both enough. Just say hi. I’ll catch her later.”
Cass hung up and walked to the kitchen. “Monty was concerned after updating you about TQ.”
Jack turned to face her. “Is that why you’re upset?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Jack put the milk in the fridge and walked up to her. “Because I’m done living in fear. We need a break from all this paranoia, and talking about her would just screw things up. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been enjoying our normal life.”
“Me, too.” Cass softened. “But I need to know if someone’s a threat to you.”
Jack cradled Cass’s face in her hand
s. “Cass, our address and names are unlisted, and we’re both very capable of dealing with threats. I’m not going to sit around biting my nails in fear and hiding away because of TQ, or any TQ for that matter. We deserve a normal life.”
Cass knew exactly what Jack meant. It had taken them too long and they’d had to fight too hard to get where they were, and she didn’t want to go back to living in dread, either. “I know,” she finally said. “But we need to be careful, that’s all.”
“That’s all, indeed.” Jack kissed her.
“I gotta say, you’re taking this very well.”
Jack shrugged. “I’m just tired of running from and after fucking idiots. I’m not thirty anymore.”
“So you’re not going to do anything stupid?”
“I can’t promise that,” Jack replied seriously. “I mean, look what happened to the frying pan.” Two days earlier, she’d thoroughly blackened Cass’s favorite frying pan and set off all their smoke alarms when she decided to cook them a stir-fry dish.
Cass smacked her on the butt. “You know what I mean.”
“I love it when you spank me.”
“Jack.” Cass waited.
“I promise.” Jack kissed her on the nose. “Nothing stupid.”
*
“And?” Joanne asked expectantly as Monty hung up the phone.
“Sounds like she’s keeping a cool head for once, at least for the time being,” he replied as he rejoined her on the couch. “And now Cassady will be keeping a close eye on her. I’m sure she’ll let us know immediately if Jaclyn decides to do anything.”
“We should take Cass off active reserve for a while,” Joanne said, referring to the list of available agents they could call upon when new assignments arose. It was updated daily and usually only exempted ops already in the field, those just back from a long or grueling mission, and those recovering from injuries.
“Agreed.” He put his arm around her and pulled her close. “I’ll tell David,” he said, “but not right now.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m much too comfortable to worry any more about business unless the phone rings.”
Since his recent heart issues and high blood pressure had surfaced, Joanne had insisted he scale back some on his responsibilities. Work more normal hours whenever possible and spend more time relaxing. At first, he balked at the idea. His job had consumed his life for all of his life.
But he couldn’t deny her anything, and now he wondered why he’d ever hesitated. Their cozy home was a sanctuary, and their relationship had fulfilled him in ways he never imagined possible. He was only sorry he’d waited so long to tell her how much he loved her. He regretted all those wasted years that he could never get back.
For many months, he’d toyed with the idea of proposing. The whole organization knew about their involvement, anyway, and laughed at the long-standing rule against fraternization among ops. What stopped me? he wondered as Joanne put her head on his shoulder and sighed contentedly.
Jaclyn, he realized. He wanted her to be there if he married Joanne, and she wasn’t anywhere near ready to fully acknowledge and accept him as her father, though their recent meeting had given him hope that she might, in time.
“What shall we do this evening, my love?” he asked. “Whatever you like.”
“I like this,” she quietly replied, and snuggled closer.
Chapter Nineteen
Santorini Island, Greece
Ariadne knocked repeatedly on Melina’s door but got no response from within. Her friend had stormed out of the club after she’d seen Ariadne and Alex kiss, and although she’d run after her to talk, Melina obviously had no interest in listening. Ariadne had glimpsed her getting in a cab, so she took the next one, a couple of minutes later.
She’d assumed Melina had gone back to the hotel, but maybe she was wrong. She tried the door handle, and when that didn’t work, she headed to the reception desk. The guy on duty told her Ms. Pappas had picked up her keycard fifteen minutes earlier, so Ariadne went back to Melina’s room and tried again.
“Open up. I know you’re in there.” She kept her voice low so she wouldn’t create a public scene. “I know you picked up your key a few minutes ago.”
Silence.
Ariadne knocked again. “Let me explain. Just give me a few minutes to tell you what happened.”
Just then, Natasa and Jo showed up in the hallway.
“What’s the deal?” Natasa looked grumpy. “Your bodyguard told us you guys ran off, and let me tell you, right now, he’s not too happy.”
“Where’s Melina?” Jo asked.
“In her room. She won’t open the door.”
“Shit, what happened? Is she okay?” Jo asked.
“She’s upset.”
“Why?” Natasa eyed her suspiciously. “What did you do?”
“What makes you think it’s her fault?” Jo asked her.
“Because she’d never shut Ariadne out. Melina always talks to her.” Natasa pointed at Ariadne.
“Well, I think you’re jumping to—”
“Natasa’s right,” Ariadne said. “It’s my fault.”
“What happened?” Jo approached her, concern etched on her face. “You guys never fight.”
“I hurt her feelings, but…I didn’t mean to.”
Natasa put her hands on her hips. “What did you do?”
Melina threw open the door. “She kissed the one guy she knows I find interesting enough to want to get to know.”
Jo and Natasa both looked at Ariadne with shocked expressions.
“You kissed a guy?” Jo asked loudly.
“Well, fuck me,” Natasa whispered.
“They were all over each other,” Melina shouted. “Practically fucking in public.”
“No!” Both women gasped.
“Can I talk to you in private?” Ariadne had never seen Melina more hurt and angry.
“What for? A blow-by-blow account of how and why?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not interested.”
“You should be,” Ariadne said, “because it’s not what you think.”
“Please tell me she’s not going to say she tripped and her tongue landed in Alex’s mouth,” Natasa said to Jo.
“Shut up and let her speak,” Jo replied.
“Look, I’m very sorry you had to see that,” Ariadne told Melina. “But I can explain. It’s definitely worth five minutes of your time.”
“Let her inside,” Jo said. “She owes you an explanation.”
“I think they should talk it out right here.” Natasa moved closer. “All of us need to know how a sworn lesbian stole your boyfriend.”
“I didn’t steal anything,” Ariadne said, exasperated. “And certainly not a boyfriend.”
“It was a matter of time.” Melina scowled. “That is, until you decided to experiment with dick.”
“You’re so wrong.”
“Tell me how I’m wrong, Ariadne.” Melina was close to tears. “Because I know what I saw.”
“What you saw was…” Ariadne couldn’t finish. She wanted to tell her everything, blurt it all out, but some invisible force held her back.
“Screw the idiot,” Natasa said. “You deserve better than—”
“It’s not him I’m upset with, or disappointed in.” Melina looked at Ariadne. “It just makes me sick to my stomach that my best friend betrayed me.”
Jo cleared her throat. “Well, in all fairness, he didn’t exactly throw himself at you, and he pretty much kept his distance. If you ask me, it was rather clear he was into Ariadne from day one.”
“Seriously?” Natasa turned on Jo. “Are you set on making her feel worse, or are you just challenged in some way?”
“Neither,” Jo replied quietly. “I’m just being fair.”
Ariadne wanted to scream, to tell them to shut up, because they had no idea what was going on. “Melina, Jo’s right. He’s really not worth it. What I did…it was wrong, and…I don’t know why I let it happen. It was stup
id, selfish, and insensitive.”
“Yes, it was.” Melina said, still quite angry.
“I needed to prove something to Alex. He made it clear the other day that he was interested, and I guess I needed to defend my sexuality by proving him wrong.”
“And?” Melina asked. “Did you?”
“Does it matter?”
Melina looked defeated. “No, I guess it doesn’t.”
“You’re not going to let a guy come between you,” Jo said.
“And a hairless one at that,” Natasa added. “I tell ya, there’s something fishy about a guy who feels the need to shave.”
All of them laughed, lightening the mood.
Ariadne turned to Melina. “I’m really sorry. I never meant to hurt your feelings.”
Melina shrugged. “I know. It’s just that you’re so young and beautiful and I’m…I see myself getting older every day. The prospect of getting serious with an attractive, younger guy blinded me. I figured he’d look cute on my shoulder.”
Jo rolled her eyes.
“Like a hairless wrap,” Natasa said.
“Let it go, already.”
“Can’t. Any guy who shaves more than I do must be a douche.”
“You never answered.” Melina tapped her finger on the door. “How was it?”
Ariadne blushed at the memory. “You mean…”
“Yes, yes, she means the kiss,” Natasa said. “She’s not asking about the cab drive here.”
“She liked it.” Jo smiled smugly. “I can tell.”
“I knew it,” Melina said. “I was sure he’d be a hell of a kisser.”
Ariadne tried to keep her expression neutral. Her friends knew her so well she’d get caught lying if she so much as twitched. She focused on the spot between Melina’s brows. “I never said that.”
“The fact that you didn’t say how much it sucked is enough,” Jo insisted.
“Does that make you strai…does that make her straight?” Natasa asked Melina and Jo.
“No,” Ariadne blurted. “The kiss sucked, and…and I’ll never be attracted to guys.”
“Hmm.” Natasa crossed her arms. “Denial is one of the three steps to—”