Tropical Storm - DK1 (56 page)

“But I’ll be okay. I never thought I’d…” She paused, thinking hard. “Dar, I really like you.”

“Well, I kinda hoped so.” Dar gave her a wistful little smile. “I kinda hoped it wasn’t just that you thought it would be good for your career.” She maintained a half joking air, but there was pain behind the statement.

Kerry heard it and gently touched her cheek. “You didn’t really think that, did you?”

Dar dropped her gaze to the sheets and traced a little design there. She shrugged. “It’s happened before.” she acknowledged quietly.

God, if I could find the person who did that, I’d take a cocktail fork and poke them
so full of holes…
Kerry exhaled. “That’s not what I’m about,” she said. “That’s not…” Dar wouldn’t meet her eyes. “I’d rather you fire me right now than have you think that.” She paused. “In fact, I’m not going to give you the option, I’m resigning.”

Startled blue eyes lifted. “Kerry, wait! That’s not what I…”

“I mean it,” Kerry stated quietly. “I can easily get a job working for Colleen’s bank.” She started to scramble out of bed, visibly upset. “I am not going to have you thinking the only reason I…”

“Kerry…”

“No!” Kerry replied sharply. “Is that really what…Jesus Christ.” She headed for the door, anger in the set of her body.

Dar somehow managed to intercept her, catching her gently by the shoulders and turning her around. “Hey.” Kerry was shaking, and she could see the beginnings of tears in her eyes. “Wait a minute.” A pause. “Please.”

The blonde stilled and just looked at her. “That’s not what I thought about you. If it was, I never would have gone this far again.” It was a stark, blunt statement. “Believe me.” She felt the tension relax in Kerry’s shoulders. “I don’t want you to go. I don’t want you to quit. I finally found someone I can
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trust, who can take some of this job off my shoulders. If I lose that now, I…”

Dar sighed. “It won’t be good.”

Kerry blew out a breath and put out a tentative hand, stroking the soft skin on the taller woman’s belly. “This complicates everything.” She fell silent for a long moment while Dar merely waited. “I’d rather lose my job than…”

she paused awkwardly, “…than lose you.” Kerry focused her gaze on Dar’s collarbone. “Jesus, you must think that sounds so damn naïve.”

Dar gently put her arms around her and pulled her close. “No,” Her voice was very quiet. “Not at all.” It was, she knew, a big risk. But Dar had always followed her instincts, and her instincts were telling her Kerry could be trusted, despite what had happened before, despite the odds against it. “We’ll work things out. It’ll be okay, Kerry. I promise. It’ll be okay.”

Kerry let her forehead fall forward to rest against Dar’s shoulder. She really didn’t want to leave the company. She really didn’t want to leave Dar, sensing that the executive truly wanted her to stay. “Okay.” She looked up in the dim light, seeing Dar’s features barely outlined as lines of gold and silver, and the splash of crystal that were her eyes. “I’ll try.”

She tilted her head as Dar bent her neck and kissed her, welcoming the soft brush of her lips and the tingle as their bodies moved together. It was so incredible. She’d never expected it to feel like this, not the deep and wild hunger that robbed her of breath and dignity and made her want to rub up against Dar like a cat in heat. The taller woman’s hands slowly moved down her sides and around her back, and she uttered a soft moan against Dar’s lips.

Echoed by its twin, as the dark-haired woman stepped back a little, and stroked the side of her face.

Dar sighed regretfully. “We keep this up, and I’m not gonna make it into work.”

Kerry patted her arm and gave her a wry look. “Uh, yeah. I think I could use a shower myself.” She grimaced. “A cold shower,” she muttered as an afterthought.

Dar chuckled and gave her a light kiss on the top of her head. “Go on, I’ll let myself out. See you in the office?”

“You bet.” Kerry nodded. “I’ll bring
pastelitos
.” She grinned at the way Dar’s eyes lit up, then the executive winked and padded out of the room, the light from the street lamp sliding in shadows over her naked form. Kerry turned the shower on and let it run. Even over the sound of the water, she heard Dar slip her clothes on, then the soft click as the front door closed.

“Whoa.” Kerry leaned against the washbasin and gazed soberly at her reflection. Surely it was the same person who had looked back at her the previous morning—the same almost babyish, slightly rounded face, the same green eyes. Then why did she feel so different?

Well, okay, so it was the first time she’d ever made love to a woman. And if she had to pick a first, Dar certainly was a good one. She was experienced, but gentle, passionate yet playful. So it was a great experience.
Then why are
my knees shaking? Why does it feel like butterflies are clustered inside my stomach?

She thought of Dar and felt a fierce blast of emotion grab her, making her lean forward in surprise.
What in the hell is going on with me?

“C’mon, Kerrison, get your act together and take a shower. You’ve got 270
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work to do.” She sighed, trudging toward the gently steaming water, shocked to find herself seriously considering not getting in it to avoid washing away Dar’s lingering scent. “Good grief.” She sighed and forced herself forward. “I think I’m losing my mind.”

DAR LEANED BACK in her seat and closed her eyes as the warm sunlight poured in her window. She was showered and dressed, and on the ferry heading over to the mainland, only a few minutes later than she usually was.
Not bad.
“Morning, Maria.”

“
Buenos días
, Dar,” her secretary’s voice answered. “I have a note here from Mr. Draefus. Is there a report you were supposed to send to him last night?”

Oh shit
. Dar almost slapped her forehead in dismay. “I have it here, I’m…still reviewing it, Maria.” She unzipped her laptop case and booted the machine. “I had some problems with some of the…uh, he has some…” Her eyes flicked over the report as the ferry made the long, slow turn into the dock. “Yeah, he has some addendums here that don’t make sense. “

“I’ll tell him that you’re not done with it yet,” Maria told her. “Okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll send it over when I get in and dock.” Dar skimmed the rest of the report. “Uh, I have a set of statistics I need copied for my nine o’clock.

They’re in my outbox. Can you take care of that?”

“Surely,” her secretary assured her.

“Okay, thanks. I’ve gotta get off the ferry here,” Dar mumbled, as she shifted gears and started the car forward. “I’ll see you in a few minutes, Maria.”

“Drive carefully, Dar,” Maria said as usual. “There are crazy people out there.”

Uh huh
. Dar maneuvered the Lexus off the ferry and out onto the street, turning left onto the causeway, silently berating herself for forgetting Duk’s report. “C’mon, Dar, snap out of it. You’ve got a division to run here.” She shook her head.

The short drive gave her time to focus her thoughts, and by the time she pulled into the parking lot, she’d managed to put her mind to the problems of the day, and set aside the distracting wonder of the night before. Almost.

She ran her fingers through her dark hair as she entered the offices, crossing to the elevators in time to join Duks as he held the door for her.

“Morning, Duks.” She gave him a quick look. “I’ve got some issues with that report. I’ll copy you on them when I get in.”

“Fair enough.” Duks leaned back against the elevator wall. “Be careful in that meeting this morning. I hear José has some tricks up his sleeve. He’s trying to push those government accounts to lower the margin on them.”

Dar snorted softly. “Someday he’ll learn quantity doesn’t do crap for you 272
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if you don’t make money on it.” She shifted her laptop. “He didn’t learn from that Olympics fiasco?”

Duks sighed and shook his head. “Not hardly. Hey, listen, Mariana thought she’d get together a few folks for an evening out at Monty’s this Friday. You interested?”

Dar glanced at him, slightly puzzled. Usually Mariana did her own group announcements. “Um, I don’t think I have plans. Sure, tell her to drop me a note when she finalizes.”

“Okay,” Duks agreed amiably. “She thought she’d ask Mark Polenti, Barbara and… Hey, she did mention… You think Kerry would be interested?”

Ah.
Dar managed to restrict her reaction to a faint shrug. “How would I know? Ask her. She never claimed a seafood allergy or a fear of the ocean, so…”“Will do,” the Finance VP assured her. “Mariana says she’s a nice kid.

After all, she tolerates you, so she’d probably make a fun addition to the group.”

Dar chuckled dryly. “I’m sure she’ll be flattered to be asked.” She held the door open for Duks to go out before her.

“Well, Mariana wanted to be sure…that you wouldn’t mind first. After all, you have to work with her. You might not want to spend off hours with the kid.”

She almost—almost—burst into helpless laughter. “Ah, what’s one night?” she managed to get out, biting off a grin. “Nah, she’s fine. She’s got some good ideas, and speaks her mind. Nice change.”

“Good to hear.” Duks gave her a nod. “See you for lunch?”

Dar gave a half shrug. “Depends on how long-winded José is.” She gave her friend a little wave as she exited the elevator. “I’ll call you when I get out.”

When she reached her suite, she opened the outer door and slipped inside.

“Hello, Maria.”

The short woman glanced up from the phone call she was on and waved, then held out a sheaf of papers in silence. Dar walked over and took them, then continued into her office. She closed the door behind her and moved across the carpet, stopping as she glanced at her desk. Centered on the top of it was a small plate containing several pastries, neatly arranged, along with a covered cup. Dar felt a smile shape her lips as she continued on around the desk and sat down, flipped on her desktop and put down her laptop case. She selected a pastry and bit into it with pleasure. It was still warm, and she enjoyed the taste, along with the sweet coffee in the cup. As soon as her computer finished coming up, she clicked on the corporate instant messaging software she hardly ever used, and keyed in Kerry’s network address
.

Thanks for the pastries. How’d you know which ones I like?
She typed in, and hit enter. After a few more bites, the response came back.

Easy. I picked the unhealthiest ones I could find
.

Dar chuckled wryly.

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Good guess
,
she sent back. They’re great.

She clicked on her mail, then sent Duks back a copy of his report with a few notes. After a few minutes of review, and the rest of the pastries, she got another message.

I’m heading out to the MTC. Anything you need taken care of first?

Nope. Good luck and have fun, Dar sent back. If

you’re back around lunch, drop by.

She set down the papers Maria had given to her and started reviewing them, circling things in a bright purple pen that the sales managers had learned to detest with a deep and abiding passion. The phone buzzed. “Yes?”

“Dar, General Easton on
numero dos
.”

She glanced at the phone, then punched the button. “Hello, Gerry.”

“Hellloooooo, Dar.” The general’s robust voice came through the phone.

“Just wanted you to know, that flight was pure negligence. A pity, but nothing to do with you, my friend.”

Dar nodded quietly to herself. “Wanted to make sure it was all right, Ger.

Senator Stuart’s daughter was on the flight as well, and he had some concerns in that regard.”

A low whistle. “Wow. Intelligence didn’t pick that up at all.

Howinthehell did you know about it?”

“It wasn’t that hard, she’s my assistant,” Dar told him dryly. She circled another discrepancy with her pen and chuckled to herself. It was going to be an enjoyable meeting.

Easton laughed. “And here you had me marveling at your damn comprehensive detail orientation. That’s rich, you hired that bastard’s kid?

Politically nice, Dar, very nice.” His voice was approving. “Never hurts to have a friend up on Mount Olympus.”

Oh yes, he’d looovvvvee me.
Dar bit her lip to keep from smiling.
Hello,
Senator Conservative-as-grass-grows-up from Michigan. I’m dating your daughter.

Nice ta meet ya. Whoops, watch that ground there as you fall over, it’s a little hard.

“Yeah, well, that wasn’t a consideration, but I do have to keep it in mind.”

Easton chuckled. “Whatever you say. Listen, you up for a visit over Turkey Day? I’ve got an extra spot at the table with your name on it.”

Dar hesitated, playing with her pen. Kerry would, she knew, be home in Michigan over that whole weekend. The thought of staying alone in her condo was suddenly very unappealing. “Gerry, I’d like that,” she replied quietly.

“Thanks.”

His smile could be heard through the phone. “Fantastic! I’ll tell the wife.

She’ll be thrilled.” He paused. “And so will my kid. See you Wednesday night?”

“Sure,” Dar agreed. “I’ll make the arrangements. Thanks again, Gerry.”

He hung up, and she sat back, considering. Kerry’s family was going to put a lot of pressure on her when she was home, Dar reasoned, though the younger woman had been very reluctant to discuss her family with Dar.
Well,
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Washington is a lot closer to Michigan than Miami is. Just in case.
She pushed the intercom. “Maria?”

“
Si
?”

“I need a plane ticket to Washington National the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, coming back that Sunday.”

“
Ay
, it’s late for that, Dar. One ticket?”

Dark brows drew together.
What an odd question.
“Yes, one ticket. General Easton invited me out there for the holidays. I know it’s going to be pricey.

Just do the best you can.”