Stephanie did not move to pick up the mess at first because she was so captivated by the striking difference this one act of rebellion had on the submissive girl. Grettel did not look like the same young woman she’d met when she arrived earlier that day. She appeared strong and confident, with an edge of feistiness to her that was unexpected. Stephanie watched as the girl fingered the single straw, holding onto it as a memento of the day. Stephanie knelt not to clean up, but to do the same, carefully choosing a straw that stood erect in the pile of fallen soldiers and placing it in her pocket, as well.
“Oh, the mess!” Grettel exclaimed, snapping out of her reverie and falling to her knees to scoop up the straws in handfuls.
Just like that, the timid girl was back, but Stephanie felt privileged that she was one of the few people in the world who got to see the girl step out boldly for once in her life, if only for a moment.
“That was incredible!” Stephanie squealed as she hurriedly gripped the straws and stashed them back in their place. She moved quickly because the look on Grettel’s face suggested she may succumb to a panic attack at any moment for all the chaos she caused. “Really, amazing! I mean, I don’t really know you, but I’m so proud of you! Who knows? I may follow in your footsteps and kick the stilts out from one of those clowns on Peace Day after all!”
Her giddy grin made Grettel grimace. “No! Don’t do that!” she insisted before she realized that Stephanie was joking. She looked down sheepishly, making sure they’d retrieved all of the straws.
What their searching eyes failed to notice were two rebellious straws hiding underneath the island in the center of the kitchen, waiting for the proper time to escape out into the world.
Chapter Twenty-One
Elle’s Spontaneous Combustion
The bar was packed so tightly that the outdoor area was a relief for the overflow. The evening was a bit colder than most would have preferred, but at the very least, it kept jackets clutched over the bare arms of the scantily clad Femreaux that frequented the place in search of a drink, a dance and possibly a date for the evening.
Joe had a contractor come in that afternoon. The Vemreaux fit the sound system and jukebox with speakers that piped the music to the outdoor dining area. Everyone was impressed with the clarity of the sound. Elle could hear every song perfectly as more and more brandishes were dropped into the slot. Tunes that were much harsher than the government-approved ones brought out the drinker and dancer in nearly every Vemreaux in attendance.
It was almost nine o’clock when Elle noticed the very important Secretary Graham Anders and his one-man entourage walk from their black car slowly toward her, each step taken methodically and purposefully in the direction of the waitress. Just like his posters that hung in shop windows to announce his many accomplishments, Secretary Graham’s smile appeared forced.
The wave of fear that echoed up through her spine like an electric shock was quickly suppressed before it shown in the eyes that caught his. Amidst the many tables that demanded her attention, Elle paused to nod at him, acknowledging the official’s presence. Attempting to ignore him as he walked straight toward her was a wasted effort. Wherever else she tried to look, she found her eyes being drawn back to him in his expensive, hand-crafted black suit with gold trim.
“Eloise Louise Anders?” Secretary Graham inquired when he reached her.
A few diners looked up in surprise, whispering with both fear and excitement that it looked like a Wayward might get taken in for either testing, or for incarceration.
“Sir,” Elle responded briefly, the busyness of the night not allowing for lengthy conversations. “You can sit anywhere that’s open out here, or you can wait for a table inside.”
Each movement she made down to wiping off one of the few vacated tables was watched by the two as they mentally took notes of everything she did. “May we speak to your owner, Eloise Louise Anders?” Secretary Graham asked evenly.
“My owner isn’t here, but Baird speaks for him when he’s gone. He’s inside at the bar.” Her thumb jerked over her shoulder toward the diner behind her. Flashing them a parting smile that suggested more levity than she felt at the moment, she turned her back on them to tend to a not-so-patiently waiting table. Being referred to as “excuse me” or “waitress” did nothing to bolster her self-esteem. She took it all in stride though, knowing that soon enough, the testing would be over, and she could stop the training and the covering for Blue.
As she gathered up orders to turn into Baird and the kitchen, her trepidation changed into curiosity as her eyes fell upon the Secretary of the Militia for the Americas speaking to Baird privately over the bar. Baird was nodding stiffly, as if he did not really want to say yes to the men, but for some reason had to. Elle wondered idly what Baird’s world would be like if he permitted a voice to his own opinions in public. She was surprised when Baird took a business card from the Secretary and abandoned the bar to disappear into the kitchen. Her prying eyes being what they were, Elle decided her orders needed to be personally handed to the cooks, so she entered the kitchen a few steps behind him.
The phone was already pressed to the side of Baird’s grim face as he muttered a rushed message into the mouthpiece. She thought she heard her name and decided to put her tables on hold for the moment and wait for an explanation. She hadn’t eaten in a while, so she took a bite of the sandwich Grettel made for her that she’d only been able to nibble on once in the past two hours.
Once Baird pressed the red button to end the call, his eyes fell on hers. The mixture of dread and resolve was an odd wash on his face, and she did not know what to make of it. “What’s going on?” Elle inquired through her masticated food.
Baird did not answer at first, but only stared. Elle’s unease grew as he sifted through the words he wanted to say, choosing carefully the ones he was required to. “The Secretary of the Militia for the Americas is out at the bar right now.”
“I know. I saw him walk in.”
“Well, he just told me that he’s here for the testing. They’ll collect you tonight and take you with them to Capital City. They’ll bring you back tomorrow before your next shift.” He glanced down at the phone in his hand. “I just have to get the okay from Joe first, who never picks up when I call.”
Elle froze with her bite of sandwich still in her mouth as she processed his words with a wave of nausea.
Grettel gasped, while Stephanie did not understand what was going on.
Without looking at any of the women, Baird spoke. “Stephanie, would you mind taking a break for a few minutes? I need to talk with the girls real quick.”
Stephanie obliged, glancing once more at Grettel for an explanation before exiting out the back door.
When Elle still didn’t make any move to reply, Baird tried to soothe her. “The way Secretary Graham was talking, I think they’re going to try to test the ‘won’t rest until the tyranny is put to an end’ part by making sure that you don’t sleep. Why else would they show up with no warning and take you all night? They’d probably keep you all week if you weren’t owned by Joe. I’m thinking the ones that still live in The Way’ll be kept and observed the whole time.”
“But Baird, I do sleep! And after a day like today, I’ll need to sleep a lot!” As soon as she broke her silence, the words started flowing out of her quickly. She rejected the rest of her sandwich and placed the plate on the counter. Grettel ran over to Elle and hugged her fiercely, trembling for her friend.
With more grace than he usually cared to access, Baird moved to Elle and lifted her hand, detaching Grettel and pulling Elle to him. This contact was very different. The trepidation in his eyes made his arms wrap not around her shoulders, as they usually did during the infrequent times he’d been forced to show affection. Instead, they draped around her waist. The ease with which he held her as he ran his thumb up and down her spine slowly relaxed her posture. He smiled as an involuntary shudder ripped through her.
The apprehension in Bair
d gave way to a gentler tone than his usual gruff cadence. “Grettel, will you stand outside the door for a minute and keep Blue and Steve out? We need some time.”
Grettel’s mouth fell open, but she quickly obeyed, braving her dread of being in such close contact with the Vemreaux to give Elle her long-awaited moment.
As soon as the door shut behind her, his face moved forward to place his cheek to Elle’s, rubbing the rough stubble against her smooth cheek.
Elle’s breath came in short bursts as her mind raced to verify that this was, in fact, happening. That she hadn’t grown so tired waiting for him to make a move that she was hallucinating the contact. Her fingers rose from her side and brushed across the back of his neck to give him the green light for anything else he wanted to do.
Baird had long pictured this moment, and as he kissed her cheek to gear up for what they both wanted, he savored the softness of her creamy skin. He whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her and causing goosebumps to erupt down her arms. “Do you want something to think about tonight to keep you from falling asleep?” He moved his hand to the back of her hip.
Of all the times Elle had imagined him making his move on her, she always had some witty reply that served as their foreplay. In the reality of being awake and finally in his arms, Elle could scarcely remember her own name as he breathed onto her skin so seductively. Her brain pushed out a muddled sound of affirmation that her mouth garbled.
That was all that Baird needed. Years of unrequited sexual tension came to a climax as his kiss moved to her chin, his fingers tracing her throat, and then finally, at long last, to her patient lips.
Heat washed through them both like a warm river current, never calming as it continued to stir and crash in waves over their bodies. Elle’s lips parted to allow more of the kiss to invade her senses. Her mind flitted so fast over the sensation that she found coherent thought impossible. She let out a soft moan, drawing a throaty rumble from Baird as he deepened the kiss. With no practice, their lips moved in mashed synchronicity. The urgency of their years spent abstaining from such pleasure finally came to an explosive end.
Baird kissed Elle over and over, doing justice to the many times he’d seen himself take her in his strong arms and press her beautiful body to his. She bent to his will easily, molding her limbs around him in ways he wanted, but would never ask for. Her fingers traced the back of his neck, his jaw, his shoulder and his waist. It was as if they had a mind of their own.
Each stroke of Elle’s hand brought a grateful kiss that Baird couldn’t rein in. It was when he pulled away from her mouth to lay urgent kisses on her throat that words found her. “I love you, Baird,” Elle whispered with so much emotion that Baird had to close his eyes.
He wished she hadn’t said it, but there it was, out in the open air, threatening to choke the life out of him as his lips touched on her collarbone. Too many responses rushed past him, making it difficult to pick out the right one. He knew what she wanted to hear, but it simply wasn’t in his nature to say it. Instead, he went for the most he could give her, which was a huge leap for him. “You know you’re the only one I want.”
This was clearly not an “I love you”, but Elle made do, glad that the kiss did not end with him shutting down on her because of her admission in the moment of weakness.
Baird brought his lips back to hers before she could say anything else that would push him in deeper than he was ready to go. “Tonight,” he began, changing the subject, “when you’re in Capital City…” Baird blessed her mouth urgently again and again, building up the passion a second time. “I want you to think about how good and bad we are together.” His lips muffled any response she could make. “I want you to think about how much I want you.” His hand grabbed her hip and squeezed, drawing a yelp from her. “How much I’ve always wanted you.” Over and over they drank from each other’s fervor, relishing the taste of such closeness and closure from years of attraction.
With the punch of a gong, the phone in Baird’s pocket rang. A frustrated growl expelled from Baird as the never-ending duties of his life tapped him on the shoulder. Before he spoke, he ran his hand over his face to regain some semblance of composure, and let his fingers rest on the back of his neck.
“Yes, sir?” he answered.
Elle touched her fingers to her lips and closed her eyes as she savored the sensation of his lips tasting hers. Taking a step back, she leaned against the countertop to steady herself until she could trust her legs to stop shaking. As Baird mumbled into the phone one- or two-word answers, Elle tried to convince herself that this was not just another of her plentiful daydreams. Baird had really kissed her.
Before he even hung up, his left forearm decided that it had been far too long without her and pulled her forward into a one-armed embrace as he spoke with his owner. When the presence of Joe was gone from the room, Baird leaned in, gently this time, and placed a barely-there kiss on her malleable lips.
“Joe gave you the okay to go with them. He just got off the phone with Secretary Anders to make sure he sends you back in the morning before your next shift. Joe wished you luck.” There were too many words to say without breaking them up with another kiss.
His finger curled under her chin and lifted it slightly to place another light command to her willing lips. “You can leave with them after we close up. Joe said that they’ll just have to wait.” He brushed his lips back and forth across hers slowly without landing on them and stopping to savor another kiss.
Her eyes fluttered shut again as she enjoyed his teasing caress.
“What am I going to do without you?” The last kiss he laid on her lips was so tender that a whimper escaped her mouth as he pulled away. Her tough resolve had forsaken her, leaving her a puddle of lovey goo that could barely keep its eyes open.
Unable to keep the cocky grin from taking over, Baird patted her cheek twice in satisfaction. “Don’t you leave without saying goodbye, Elle.” With that, Baird left her to gather her bearings in the privacy of the abandoned kitchen.
Chapter Twenty-Two
One Night Away
The night rushed by, and all too soon the Secretary and his assistant were ushering Elle out of the bar. With her game face fixed firmly in place, Elle marched out of the building in desperate need of a shower and sleep. Baird knew that she would not receive either.
Steve sat down to count his tips, but Baird leaned the chair forward. “Get up and clean or get out. You’re not getting paid an hourly wage on top of those tips to count your money.”
Steve grumbled, but muffled the more offensive words due to Baird’s menacing presence. Baird frowned when Steve still had not made a decision. “I’ll make it simple for you. Get out. Tomorrow when you decide to come to work, make sure it’s on time.”
“Whatever,” Steve mumbled as he left the building.
All through their cleanup of the diner, Baird tried not to notice Grettel’s and even Blue’s knowing looks regarding the advance he finally made with Elle. “Would you two stop it?” He forced the frown to pronounce itself more prominently on his features.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Blue said as she lifted the chairs to sit atop the tables. “Then again, I might know something about a blonde Wayward who burst into flames in the kitchen.” She caught the rag that he threw at her head. “Rumors. I’m sure it’s not true.”
Grettel giggled, breaking Baird out of his false pout. “I bet she stays awake all night for sure,” the small brunette supposed happily. “Good timing.” Taking in Baird’s scolding smile, she grinned at him before skipping back into the kitchen to help Stephanie put the clean dishes away.
Baird’s face fell once he did not have to pretend for Grettel anymore. It barely registered with him that his sister moved before he felt her hand on his.
“Hey.” Blue spoke in a soothing tone with eyes that held too much understanding. “She’ll be fine.”
“You act like I’m worried. I’m okay.”
> “You act like I don’t know when you’re putting on a front,” she countered. “You raised us right. She’ll be fine.” Blue watched her brother try to appear unaffected. “Baird, it’s just one night away from us. Have some faith in yourself. You’re a good teacher.”
Guilt crept in over his shoulder like an eight-legged nuisance when his conscience reminded him that Blue could not date or get romantically involved with anyone. Yet here he was, callously making out with a woman in the kitchen.
“I shouldn’ta kissed her,” he admitted.
“Maybe the dumbest thing you’ve said all year.”
Baird looked up at his sister in mild surprise at her attitude. “If you can’t be with anyone, I shouldn’t either. It’s not right.”
“Who do you imagine I’d ever get involved with?” Blue sighed. “Look, kiss or no kiss, you’ve been with Elle for like, a decade. I’m glad for you.” She glanced down at the rag in her hand. “Do you think I want to die knowing my brother’s a chicken?” Baird opened his mouth to protest, but Blue held up her hand. “I want to see you happy with Elle. Do us all a favor and just go for it.”
“You don’t know anything about it,” he sulked, sour at being told such wise words from someone with no experience in the matter.
Blue’s voice was steady and quiet. “I know everything about you, Baird. Raising me tears you apart, bit by bit, day by day. I’m not an idiot. You’ve made too many sacrifices.” She ran her hand through her wavy hair that was the same color as her brother’s. “Elle? She’s the one who can put you back together after I’m gone. Of course, that’s only if you can learn to let her. You’ve always been a little bit slow with that sort of thing.”
She moved away from him to put three meters of distance between them. The two continued cleaning up the dining area together, enjoying a few moments of silence.
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