by D. R. Bailey
“Productive meeting, I would say. I mean, at least we haven’t got people following us trying to murder us in our beds,” Bernadette joked.
“Don’t,” said Imogen seriously, “I have nightmares about stuff like that.”
“Do you? Do you really?” Bernadette looked concerned.
“I do. I have terrible dreams sometimes, and then D’Arcy comes and saves me,” Imogen laughed.
“Sounds like an analogy for your life.” Bernadette smiled.
“Oh… you mean D’Arcy has saved me?” Imogen thought about this for a while. “Well, you’re right I guess, she has in a way.”
“There you go.”
“Anyway, what are we to do next?”
“On the case?” Bernadette pursed her lips. “Maybe we should visit that depot, see what we can find, ask questions.”
“Stir things up you mean? Is it wise? What if they really are criminals?”
“In which case, we will soon find out.”
“I see where you going with this… you want to get Olivia involved.”
“Yes, because maybe they will uncover something to help us with the case.”
“And what if they incriminate Callum after all?”
“Then he’s been a very good liar.” Bernadette shrugged. “It’s worth the risk.”
“Good plan, I concur.”
“Should we take Micky with us? For protection?”
“Micky?”
“Well, he has been doing martial arts.”
Micky was their lead investigator. He was young and eager and had proven himself useful on some very important cases. Micky viewed Bernadette somewhat in the light of Wonder Woman, and she could do no wrong in his eyes. He would also do virtually anything she asked and follow her to the ends of the earth, such was his loyalty. He had come a cropper on a case not long ago and earned a black eye for his trouble. Bernadette was concerned and paid for him to do martial arts training, which apparently, he had taken to like a duck to water.
“I guess, but wouldn’t it be better if we looked more like vulnerable women?” Imogen suggested, “They might let something slip.”
“You think they are involved,” Bernadette said perceptively.
“I have a hunch.”
“I’ve a better idea. We can take Eve, she’s a martial arts expert too, they would never suspect.”
“OK, sounds fun.”
“Yes, I’ll tell her tonight and we can have lunch afterwards.”
“Good idea. Maybe I can get D’Arcy to buy us lunch at her favourite and very expensive restaurant,” Imogen giggled.
“You are bad, but OK, deal.”
“Great, I’d better get on with the prep work for the bail hearing.”
“Yes, and I hope you are still going to do what you said tonight?”
Bernadette fervently hoped Imogen would keep her word, as she privately felt Imogen did sometimes go too far with her girlfriend. She did not want Imogen to lose D’Arcy, who was the best thing in Imogen’s life as far as Bernadette was concerned. D’Arcy had brought stability and certainty and above all love. She didn’t want her friend to learn the other side of the coin, the pain of breaking up, ever.
“I will, I promise, I’m planning to ask her to come to the bedroom and then I’m going down on my knees, probably naked, to ask her to forgive me for being such a jealous cow,” Imogen said earnestly.
“Then I don’t see how she can resist,” Bernadette laughed.
“Me neither.”
Satisfied all would be well in that department at least, Bernadette returned to her desk until it was time to go home.
✽✽✽
Bernadette was in the act of hanging up her jacket when Eve came bowling into the hallway and flung herself into her arms.
“Oh, my goodness, what’s brought this on?” Bernadette said laughing after a lengthy and smouldering kiss.
“I just love having you around, and I’m happy you are home,” said Eve smiling.
“You’re wearing a bikini,” said Bernadette only just noticing this interesting fact.
“Yes, and that’s because we are having a little barbecue, outside, I mean, it’s quite warm and then we’re going to have a hot tub.”
“Are we?” Bernadette’s eyes lit up.
“Yes, we are, now go and get changed, I’ve left something upstairs for you, while I start cooking.”
“Sounds like fun,” said Bernadette starting off for the stairs.
“Don’t be long,” said Eve smacking her bottom playfully as she passed.
“Oh, you cheeky bitch,” Bernadette laughed.
Eve skipped off into the kitchen, while Bernadette went up to change. Eve had laid out a black bikini top and bottom which when put on left little to the imagination. Bernadette slid her feet into a pair of black flip-flop sandals and picked up the gaily coloured towel which was also on the bed.
“Fuck, you look so deliciously hot,” said Eve admiringly, when Bernadette ventured out onto the patio. Eve was cooking an assortment of pork loin, sausages, and various vegetables such as aubergine and peppers. There was a salad sitting in a bowl, and two glasses of sparkling rosé.
“Thank you, and so do you.” Bernadette smiled and ran her fingers lightly down her fiancée’s back.
“Don’t, I won’t be able to finish cooking if you do,” Eve laughed.
Bernadette picked up her glass and sat down at their outdoor table to watch her. Eve was barefoot and wearing a white leatherette bikini with gold fittings.
“Have you been shopping?” Bernadette enquired, taking a sip of her wine.
“Maybe, why do you ask?” Eve shot her a sly glance.
“I’ve never seen that before and nor have I seen this before,” Bernadette said meaning her own.
“You’re always telling me to spend money, and well, I was saving these as a surprise…” Eve sounded suddenly guilty.
“Oh, don’t… I love it that you’ve got them, I love them, I was just teasing you, darling.”
“Do you really? Like them?” Eve asked her shyly, turning over the food on the grill.
“Yes, I do, of course, I do.”
“But it was a bit naughty don’t you think?” Eve said with a meaningful look.
“Was it?” Bernadette replied at once and then realised Eve’s intention, “Oh well, yes perhaps it was.”
“So, shouldn’t it go on the list?”
“If you feel it ought to then…”
“I do,” said Eve firmly. She was pushing Bernadette most definitely in the direction of a Shibari session and Bernadette knew it.
“Then it will.”
“On the fridge, where I can see it?”
“Yes, of course, most definitely, I don’t want you forgetting your misbehaviour,” said Bernadette with a smile.
It was amusing to her, how in a way Eve orchestrated the whole thing. Bernadette played the game, but Eve was really the mistress of the game. When she wanted something, she made sure she got it. Bernadette could only admire her for it.
“OK.” Eve returned to her cooking and shortly served it up. She ladled out some salad to go with the barbecued food and put it down on the table. There were various sauces also available. Bernadette put some sweet chilli sauce and mayonnaise on her plate. She took a bite of her food.
“Delicious, I love it,” she said.
“I’m glad,” said Eve sitting next to her and picking up her food to eat with her fingers.
“Oh, are we doing it this way?” Bernadette asked with a grin.
“Yes, of course, apart from the salad, how else should you eat it? So much better when you do things with your fingers, don’t you think?” Eve shot her a saucy smile.
“Witch!” Bernadette picked up her pork chop and proceeded to copy her fiancée.
“Tell me about your day,” said Eve.
“We saw Callum…” Bernadette proceeded to relate the events includ
ing the worrying incident when they were followed, in between bites of her food.
“I’m glad it wasn’t anyone bad,” said Eve when she’d heard the whole.
“So am I, we were both very worried at first.”
“Well, just anyone dare to lay a hand on you, or Imogen, they will have me to deal with!” said Eve darkly.
“Thank you, darling, and with that in mind, I’ve a proposition for you tomorrow.”
“Oh?”
“Will you come and be our bodyguard?”
“What?” Eve laughed a little nervously.
Bernadette explained the intended visit to the transport depot and how it might be prudent to have her with them.
“I mean you did such a great job in the court that time, so I thought…”
Eve pushed away her empty plate and took a sip of her wine.
“Of course, I will, my sweetheart. I’d like nothing better. I get to spend the day with you or some of it, and I get to protect you.”
“Good, it’s settled, come with me to work tomorrow.”
“Oh, now I’m really looking forward to it.” Eve smiled.
“Bring your art stuff, you can do some work in my office, and then you don’t have to go home. Apparently, Imogen is to persuade D’Arcy to take us all to lunch.”
“Ooh, nice.”
“Yes.”
“Anyway, working in your office gives me plenty of chances to misbehave,” Eve said with a pout.
“What are you like? A one-track mind!”
“You love it though.”
“I do, and I love you, now what about that hot tub?” said Bernadette having finished off her salad for which she used cutlery. She drew the line at eating it with her fingers, and Eve had not done so either.
“Yes, let’s jump in, I’ve had it going for an hour or so, it should be nice and hot.”
They moved over to the hot tub which they had installed some time ago. Now the weather was better, Bernadette was happy they could use it more often. It was also strategically placed in a secluded position and more recently they had put screening around it to hide it from prying eyes.
This had another benefit as both women once behind the screens shed their bikinis and stepped into the water buck naked. Bernadette put their glasses on the side of the tub and lay back relaxing in the steaming water.
“Oh God, that’s lovely, so warm and nice,” she said closing her eyes.
“Isn’t it just,” Eve murmured moving up close.
After a few moments, Bernadette felt Eve’s lips on hers which were wet from Eve having ducked her head under the water. She kept her eyes closed and enjoyed the sensations of the kiss. Eve’s arms enveloped her body and she felt her hands caressing her under the water. It felt nice, tingly. She lay back her head as Eve kissed her neck and cheeks, content to let her take lead. Eve’s fingers were circling her nipples hardening them nicely and then one hand strayed down between Bernadette’s legs.
“Oh God,” Bernadette breathed softly, “That’s so good, it’s so good… mmm…”
Eve was kissing her all the while, her finger at work sending shivers through Bernadette.
“Oh… fuck… oh God… don’t stop… don’t… mmm… yes…” Bernadette whispered.
“Sit up, darling, on the edge,” Eve whispered back.
“What?”
“Sit up.”
Bernadette opened her eyes, and saw Eve looking into them with urgent desire. Bernadette slid up onto the side of the hot tub and Eve buried her head between Bernadette’s legs.
“Oh my God!” Bernadette gasped at the insistent flicking of her tongue, “Fuck… oh… Eve… oh… oh…”
The slick wetness of her skin and the whole situation of doing this out of doors made it seem so horny and somehow daring. It ramped up her arousal rate by as many degrees as the hot tub was warm.
“Fuck… oh… fuck… fuck… fuck… my God… oh my God…” Eve’s tongue was relentless, pushing the crest of the wave closer and closer, until finally, it broke. The climax washed through Bernadette’s body and she tensed with pleasure. “Oh… my… God… my God… oh… oh… oh… Eve… ohh,” she cried, it was almost a full throated scream but she managed to control mindful of the neighbours who even if they could not see her, might well have heard her. Her toes curled, then uncurled and she went limp, slipping back into the inviting water into her fiancée’s embrace.
“I love you.” Eve was kissing her. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too…” Bernadette whispered, “Let me…”
She was anxious to reciprocate, but Eve stopped her. “Soon, let’s have a little spa first.” She smiled and turned on the bubbles while still holding fast to Bernadette. In these times after they had made love, everything seemed right with the world, and their bond seemed completely unbreakable. Bernadette closed her eyes once more and let the soothing bubbles lull her into a soporific state, with Eve’s head next to hers, and a smile on her face.
Chapter Three
The alarm woke up Bernadette, bars of sunlight were sliding through the gaps in the blinds.
“Time to get up, darling,” she said reaching across to Eve. They often slept holding each other but Eve had turned away in the night. Eve sleepily turned over and slid into her arms.
“Mmm, do we have to?” she murmured.
“Yes, my love, we do, and you’re being my bodyguard today, remember?”
Eve’s eyes flew open. “Oh! Oh, yes.”
“Come on then sleepyhead, come and shower with me.”
The shower took a little longer than anticipated because Eve, predictably, became frisky. Bernadette ended up pressed against the glass while Eve’s fingers went to work. Bernadette screamed loudly as she climaxed much to Eve’s satisfaction.
“Get yourself dry, honey, I’ll get our clothes ready,” Eve told her.
“But I didn’t do you,” Bernadette complained.
“It’ll keep, I promise, you don’t always have to, I’m happy I made you scream.” Eve smiled.
“God, did I ever.”
“You did, indeed,” Eve laughed.
By the time Bernadette came out of the bathroom, Eve had laid out a black suit with trousers and a very light pink shirt for Bernadette. She was already dressed in a similar outfit with pink canvas trainers. For Bernadette, she had laid out thong sandals with heel straps which would stay on if she had to run. Bernadette preferred sandals, strappy and high, but sometimes she had to wear court style shoes as it was more appropriate. She tied Bernadette’s hair into a French plait and did her makeup. Once this was completed, Eve took her fiancée’s hand and led her downstairs to the kitchen.
“I’m looking forward to today,” said Eve busying herself about the stove, making scrambled eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes and bacon. She popped a couple of slices of wholemeal bread into the toaster.
“I am too, but I’m not sure what we might be walking into,” Bernadette said doubtfully.
“I am ready,” Eve said assuming a defensive stance.
“Impressive.”
“I should teach you some moves,” Eve replied getting back to her cooking, “It might come in handy. We could do some when we’re training.”
They did not train every day, unlike when Bernadette was dieting. Eve insisted they did physical training three times a week. Hopefully, they would soon be converting the outbuilding at the end of the garden, and this would become a mini gymnasium. Eve was looking forward to it. Bernadette wasn’t sure but she went along with it for her fiancée. Bernadette enjoyed the physical exercise although she complained quite vociferously when doing it, to Eve’s amusement.
“Sure, if you want to.”
“I do,” said Eve putting a plate of scrambled eggs on toast, mushrooms, bacon and tomatoes across the counter, followed by Bernadette’s cup of coffee.
“Thank you, darling. Where would I be without you?” said Bernadette gratefully digging
into the food. “Delicious as always.”
“My pleasure, and you would be up the creek without a paddle, and nobody to have sex with in the shower,” said Eve with a giggle, sitting down next to her.
They ate their food chatting amiably about the prospects for the day. While Eve was putting the plates away in the dishwasher, Bernadette walked very deliberately up to the fridge. She knew Eve was watching her as she wrote something on a magnetic pad which was attached to the front. The top of the list was headed “Miss Behaviour”.
Eve came and looked over her shoulder, there was one item on the list, “Frivolous spending”.
“I shouldn’t be putting this on here,” said Bernadette, “I don’t want you to stop doing that.”
“Oh, you should, but I won’t… I’ve got a taste for it now.”
“That’s good, there’s not enough on the list right now, though,” Bernadette told her with a cheeky smile.
“Oh? How many do I have to have?”
“At least five, I would say.”
“Shouldn’t be too much of a problem,” Eve said with a playful grin.
“Come on, get your things, we have to go,” Bernadette laughed.
“OK, my sweetheart.”
Eve almost skipped out of the room, and Bernadette mused at the pleasure it afforded her to watch her fiancée’s enjoyment at even the smallest things. Eve was so wise in many ways, and so youthful in others. Eve was younger than Bernadette which had initially worried her, like many other things had in the beginning, but now she barely gave it a thought. She felt secure in their relationship. This was new, it took some getting used to. Her previous love, Rebecca had betrayed her over and over again, and then cut her to the quick by leaving her. She was still healing under Eve’s ministrations.
Bernadette went into the hallway to find Eve waiting with a large portfolio case containing a sketch pad and materials.
“Come on then, shall we go?” Bernadette said.
“I still want my goodbye kiss,” Eve said tilting up her head.
“But I’m not leaving, you’re coming with me.”
“I don’t care, now kiss me!” Eve commanded.
“OK.” Bernadette took her in her arms and let Eve’s lips gently form against hers. They were soft pliable, and they felt as if they were on fire. The sparks were going off in her head, and for those few moments, she was lost, utterly. Eve had woven a spell which she renewed every day, particularly with the goodbye kiss.