Limelight (6 page)

"What were you thinking?" she said again, much softer this time.

"I…  I don’t know, really," Layla cried in a whisper.  "I feel hopeless, Tara.  I don't know what to do anymore.  All I want is you.  But mountains stand between us.  So I just, I just…  I wanted to go to the place he goes to…  The place where nothing matters.  Then maybe I wouldn't hurt so fucking much."

Tears flooded Tara's cheeks as well.  She crushed Layla against her in a powerful embrace and stroked her hair lovingly.  "Don't ever do that again, Layla.  Please.  Promise me."

When Layla didn't answer, only continued to cry, Tara backed away from her just enough to tip her chin up and force her to meet her gaze.  "Promise me," she softly demanded.  "Layla.  Please!"

Layla still didn't answer.  All she could do was cry.  So, there, at the feet of Seth St. John, Tara closed her mouth over Layla's.  They clung to each other and kissed for what seemed like eternity.  Both their tears slowed and the kiss lingered on.  They did not stop until both of them felt some sense of peace.

"Tara," Layla said, when she finally caught her breath.  "I'm going to leave him."

Tara smiled and caressed Layla's face.  "I love you, Layla," she whispered.

"I love you too."

***

The band played another show the following night.  It was a benefit concert at a black tie affair.  There was something alluring about delivering their performance to the rich and sophisticated crowd in a huge and posh venue.  With a drummer and keyboardist, so furious they both contemplated quitting, a secret smoldering love affair, and a front man spinning out, they gave an enthralling, emotion fueled show.  Layla watched Tara rock and writhe, and Tara watched Layla's sultry seductiveness, and for the life of one show, all of their troubles were gone.

But once the benefit was over, the crowd had gone home, and all the songs had been sung, reality came crashing back in.  Everybody decided to go their separate ways for the night, leaving Layla alone with Seth.  All for different reasons, the rest of Victim Unknown hoped that Layla would take the time to try and get her asshole husband in check.  Tara left her with one long, meaningful stare.  Her eyes were filled with pleading when she said goodnight.

Seth and Layla returned to their hotel room.  He immediately excused himself to the bathroom and was gone for over a half hour.  She used the time to change into sweat pants and a t-shirt and bitterly thought that at least he wasn't shooting up in front of her for once.  She climbed into bed, hoping to be asleep before he came out.

However, he stalked out soon after she turned out the lights.  She heard some rustling and thumping as he noisily put away his drug paraphernalia and then disrobed.  She heard a tell-tale clink when his belt buckle dropped to the floor.  Her heart accelerated.  She kept her eyes tightly closed, hoping he would leave her alone.

Seth yanked back the covers and climbed into bed.  He reached around her and yanked her back against him.  It had been ages since he'd touched her and her entire body responded by becoming painfully tense.  She felt his erection against the small over her back and felt sick.

"Seth, no," she said softly.  He pulled and pawed at her clothes, trying to work his hands under her shirt.  Anxiety crawled through her and she began to squirm and swat at his hands.  She desperately wanted him to stop touching her, but also desperately feared angering him.

Her words did nothing to slow him down, and in one fluid motion, he rolled her onto her back and climbed on top of her to better position himself to remove her clothing.  She began struggling significantly harder, hitting his hands away from her.  "Stop, get off me, Seth," she said louder.  Again he seemed not to hear her and continued yanking at her clothes. 

With the strength that sometimes comes from an unhinged level of fear, Layla bucked her hips and shoved him.  Finally, his eyes cleared as he realized she was serious and he rolled off her.  Layla scrambled out of the bed, sobbing so hard she felt like she would vomit.  She made several steps toward the door as he followed suit and leapt from the bed.

"What's your deal?" he snarled.

"Seth," Layla said, her words spilling out in a rush she seemed unable to control.  "I want a divorce."

Seth's face fell and his mouth dropped open.  For a moment, he stood in the dark, blinking at her without saying a word.  A tiny beacon of hope lit up inside her as his shoulders slumped and all the fight seemed to leave him.  She saw a glimpse of the boy she'd once loved.  The one who would never hurt her. 

"This doesn't mean I don't want us to play music together, or still be friends, Seth.  Best friends!" she said sweetly, hopefully, sincerely.  "I mean that!  I never want to lose you.  But, our marriage is over."

They stood staring into each other's eyes for such a long, silent time, joy began to blossom in her.  He understood.  Things weren't going to be nearly as difficult as she'd feared.  She felt unbelievably happy and resolved that no matter what; she would remain his friend and help him get the help he needed.

But then, Seth launched across the room.

He snatched Layla by the throat and the velocity of his advance slammed her against the wall hard enough to knock the breath from her.  Her head cracked against a picture frame and everything became wavy.  She struggled to hold on to consciousness and he squeezed her neck.

She choked and clawed at his fingers as he continued to increase the pressure.  He placed his face nose to nose with hers and bared his teeth in a snarl of blind fury.  His black eyes raped her. 

"The only fucking way you're getting out of this marriage is in a coffin, cunt," he spat.  That was all she heard before she blacked out.  He unhanded her and she crumpled lifelessly to the floor.

***

Layla woke with the unsettling feeling that time had passed without having any idea how much.

She lay on the carpet, struggling to get her bearings in the eerie quiet.  It was still pitch black in the room, so she assumed it was still night time.  She struggled against an ugly pounding in her head and heaved herself up to a seated position on the floor.  After another moment, she stood up, on wobbly legs.  She crept around the hotel room, first checking the bed, and then the bathroom.  Once she realized Seth was gone, she sprang into action.  She rushed to grab her room key and then fled the room.

Rushing down the hallway, she fought through the fog over her mind to recall Tara's room number.  Horribly afraid of running into Seth, she halted at the door she thought belonged to Tara and dearly hoped she was right. 

It took several rounds of rapping on the door before a bleary eyed, messy haired Tara finally swung open the door.

"Lay!" she exclaimed, ushering her friend inside.  Instantly wide awake, Tara wore an expression of dark anticipation.  "What happened?" she asked evenly, as she shut the door and locked them inside.

Layla blustered inside and took a seat on Tara's bed, where the tears consumed her once more.  Tara dropped to her knees before Layla so she could peer up into her face.

"Layla, please!  Tell me what happened!" she demanded, her voice thick with concern.

"He…  He choked me out."

Tara gasped and fell back onto her bottom.  She stared up at Layla.  Her face darkened and tears sprang to her eyes.  "Wh- What?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"I told him I wanted a divorce, and he attacked me."  She went on to repeat to Tara the vulgar threat that Seth had made.  "He choked me til I passed out, and then, I woke up alone."

Tara slowly lifted herself off the floor to a standing position.  Murderous rage was written all over her face.

"Listen," Layla begged, crying harder.  "Do not go crazy, Tara.  I didn't even tell him anything about…  Us…  Me…  My feelings.  He tried to have sex with me, I fought him off, and said I wanted out, and this is how he responded."  She took a deep, shuddering breath, feeling physically ill again.  "It was so much worse than I even imagined.  Worse than an embarrassing divorce.  Worse than breaking up the band.  I can't even imagine what he'd do if he knew about us, Tara.  He…  He might kill me."

For a long time all the women could do was stare at each other.  Then Tara burst into tears and collapsed onto the bed next to Layla.

"Oh, baby, shhhh," Layla cooed, sweeping Tara into her arms.  She cried harder as well, feeling her friend's gut wrenching sobs against her own body.  "I'm so sorry, Tara.  I should never have said a word.  Should never have dragged you into this.  I'm so sorry.  I'll leave you alone.  I won't bother you about being together anymore until…  Until I can figure out what to do."  Though it broke her heart to admit, Layla knew Tara had been absolutely correct not to engage in any sort of affair.

Except, that just then, Tara pushed Layla back on the bed and fell on top of her.  She pressed her lips to Layla's and desperately plied and kneaded them. 

"Oh god," Layla murmured against the crush of Tara's kiss.  She threw her arms around Tara and drew her as close as she could get her. 

Tara feverishly ran her hands over Layla's body through the bulky fabric of her unbecoming night ware.  Layla moaned against her mouth as she finally realized her dream of having Tara's hands on her.  "Yes," she sighed.  "Yes, please…"

Tara pulled back and lifted herself, straddling Layla's abdomen.  She wore a black silky robe that had fallen open to reveal that she had nothing on underneath.  Layla reveled at the sight of Tara's flawless tan skin, large round breasts, and perfectly cut abdomen that formed a V of neatly trimmed blonde hair at her center.  "Oh my god," Layla breathed.  Tara's breasts heaved with the rise and fall of her labored breathing.

"Is this what you want, Layla?"

Layla nodded quickly, daring to reach up to place her hands on Tara's hips.

"I don't want to wait anymore.  And I don't know what to do either," Tara whispered sadly, running her fingers delicately over Layla's hands.  Layla nodded again.  With that signal of agreement and approval, Tara bent slightly to run her hands under Layla's shirt.  Layla arched her back as Tara's hands made contact and climbed up her stomach, then ribs, and finally had their way with her breasts.

"Just for tonight, my love, we'll feel better," Tara breathed.

She let her own robe fall, and then she slowly undressed Layla.  The two women perched on their knees facing each other.  Layla felt practically mindless with desire.  She felt her own wet heat, and the familiar threat of release she'd only felt once before, already.  She shivered in the night air as Tara ran her fingers delicately up and down Layla's arms.

"I'm scared," Layla whispered.

Tara nodded.  "I know.  I can tell."  She leaned in to kiss Layla again and then drew back.  "Just do what feels natural.  Trust what feels good."  She reached for Layla's hand and drew it to her own hot center.  Layla moaned as she felt the soft folds of her, the dampness.  Tara guided Layla's finger over a slight nub nestled within her crevices of skin and then showed her how to move it for just a second before removing her own hand.  Layla smiled as Tara dropped her head back and moaned.  "That's good," she sighed.  "Just like that."  Tara fondled Layla's breasts while Layla continued just what she'd been shown.  Tara let it go on just long enough to feel close, and to watch Layla squirm with her own desire.  Then, with a low chuckle, Tara took hold of Layla's hips and spun her around.

She gently pushed Layla down onto all fours and came up behind her.  Rubbing her breasts against Layla's back, she reached around her front and familiarized herself with all of this woman she'd craved so severely.  She massaged her breasts until Layla shimmied and sighed.  She nestled Layla's ass against her own hips, and rotated slightly.  Then, still reaching around her, Tara reached between her legs and began to explore Layla's heat.

"Oh, fuck me," Layla moaned, a tremor racing down her own body and then coursing through Tara's.  Tara skillfully found Layla's clit with her right hand and moved her fingers back and forth over it, just slightly harder than extremely gently.  Layla began to buck and rock against her hand, and with her other arm, Tara held her firmly against her.  Layla's breaths came in sharp short bursts and Tara felt her tremble violently.  When she knew Layla was very near the end, she stopped abruptly and released her.

The momentary let down was such a shock, Layla collapsed onto her stomach with a pitiful whimper.  But Tara quickly took her by the hips and dragged her bottom up by hiking her back onto her knees.

"Keep your head down, baby," Tara demanded quietly.  Without waiting for a response, she spread Layla from behind and began lapping her clit eagerly.

"Oh. My. God," Layla moaned into the mattress.  Her desire was like a living being in the room as Tara swirled, flicked and licked.  It was such a potent thing that Tara could feel her own climax mounting.  She reached between her own legs without pausing in the magic she worked on Layla, and inserted two fingers inside herself.  She thrust her tongue inside Layla and began rocking in and out of her, even as she banged herself.  When Layla turned her head against the mattress and caught a glimpse of Tara, she knew she couldn't control herself much longer.

She jerked away suddenly and pushed Tara onto her back on the bed.  Tara yelped with the intensity of the sudden change but was completely inviting as Layla positioned herself backwards over her face.