Steamy Nights, Cool Lights

by K T Grant

  “Haven’t you ever heard don’t mix business with pleasure?” She had totally jumped the gun by mixing them herself.

  “It was just a suggestion.” The corner of his mouth lifted, allowing a groove to appear in his chin, the only type of lines on his face, other than the typical ones showing his age. He didn’t allow stress to control his life, unlike her.

  “It’s better if I concentrate on work, like you. Also, how do you know she’s gay?” Omar had great acumen when it came to people, so she wouldn’t be surprised if he figured out a person’s sexual orientation just by sharing a few minutes of conversation with them. Even her gaydar wasn’t that good, and she was gay!

  “Svana and I had some interesting conversations through email and on the phone. After a while, she admitted she’s gay, and I might have slipped your preference for women.”

  “Do other CEOs of multi-million dollar companies share such personal information about themselves and their family to one another?” She should be offended, but all her blustering wouldn’t change the past. Svana must have special powers for Omar to open up to her. But then again, she had seduced her very easily.

  “Svana and I are on equal footing. We both did our research on each other, investigations if you will, before we took the next step in our partnership,” he replied in the smooth, don’t-judge-me tone he used with people he wanted to prove wrong. “If you get to know her the way I have, you’ll understand.”

  Oh, I understand, more than you ever could. She had just hit the tip of the iceberg with Svana. His offer was appealing, but it was also scary. What if it all went bad?

  “I need time to think. It’s a lot to digest,” she said, checking her cell for the time. No messages of any sort.

  “I have time to convince you.” He gave her a shrewd grin. “When have I ever steered you wrong? Every suggestion or recommendation has helped you and brought you to this place.”

  “You have no problem being a cocky SOB,” she said fondly.

  “Damn straight I am.” He shifted to the edge of the couch. “This cocky SOB is going to harass Fabian. I need to bring him out of his funk so he’s at his best tomorrow.”

  “You better join him at the bar, then, because at the rate he’s drinking, he won’t be able to get out of bed tomorrow.” His gloomy expression made her feel horrible. She wanted to go to him and give him a hug, but it was probably for the best if they kept their distance.

  She wasn’t attending the meeting tomorrow with the Landvik people. She was taking the earliest flight possible out of Reykjavik. Her emotions were in a tailspin anyway, so she wouldn’t be much use. And with Svana so near, her mind would be on things not connected to the deal. Her mind would go to a place she didn’t want to acknowledge yet about her feelings for Svana.

  Omar shifted forward to stand. “It is getting late, and we have another big day tomorrow. How about we share one more drink since it appears no one at Landvik has accepted my invitation, and then turn in for the night?”

  “I think it’s best if I take a rain check and go back to my room.” She stood when Omar did. “Fabian may act as if everything is okay with us, but if I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t even want to see me, let alone share a drink.”

  “Let me hail you a cab,” Omar said, directing her to the hotel entrance.

  “I’m a big girl. I can get my own cab.” She rested her hand on his arm. “Go keep Fabian company. I’ll be okay.” Once she was on her home turf in LA, she would be okay. Omar would probably be upset at her for leaving, but she would deal with him back home. She kissed his cheek. “I don’t say it often, but I love you, big brother.”

  He surprised her by enclosing her in a hug. “The same goes for me.” His warm breath hit her ear, making her feel cared for. “I’m so proud of you and will even be more so when you accept my offer to be site manager here during the construction of the new hotel.”

  She playfully slapped him in the middle of his stomach as they broke apart. “You just had to slip that in there.” She rolled her eyes and began to move to the exit before she broke down and told him about her skipping town tomorrow.

  “You know how tenacious I can be. I won’t quit.” His confidence was displayed in the knowing smile and proud tilt of his chin.

  With one last eye roll, she waved and made her escape. While she waited outside, Omar approached Fabian who welcomed him to sit. Omar whispered something to Fabian and clapped him on the shoulder. He said something to make Fabian laugh then sat down next to him. The tension in her chest left as a big toothy grin encased Fabian’s face while he chatted with her brother.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Kennedy paid the driver and hurried out of the car toward the Marina hotel. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and clouds swirled in the dark sky. She had a feeling it would pour soon. When it did, she wanted to be in her room and on the phone booking her flight home tomorrow.

  But her plans came to a halt when she spotted Svana sitting in the lobby facing the doors. She stopped at the entrance, the sliding glass doors giving a loud swoosh as they closed. They watched each other.

  Svana moved first. She approached her like a wet dream come to life in her burgundy power suit. She had worn the ensemble at the office, but was far from exhausted or wilted from the long day. She looked fresh, like she was starting the day or ready for a hot date, with her hair and makeup perfect and fuck-me kitten heels that would make most men salivate.

  Svana approached her with intent. She shifted to the side as someone entered the building, but it didn’t stop Svana from reaching her.

  She jerked her arm back, but Svana claimed her hand. Resigned Svana wouldn’t release her, she lowered her arm.

  “How long have you been here waiting for me?”

  “Long enough.” A small puzzled frown appeared. “Just got back from your dinner with Omar and Fabian?”

  “Yes. We ate at their hotel. I would have stayed longer, but I’m tired.” She yawned.

  “Too tired to spend some quality time with your soon-to-be fiancé?” Svana said in a wooden voice at odds with the pressure from her hand.

  She cut off her fake yawn with a short cough. Svana wouldn’t quit until she got what she wanted, whether it was confirmation from Kennedy she’d ended things with Fabian, or wanted more private time in her hotel room to recreate the night they first met.

  “Fabian and I aren’t engaged. We never were. I told him after dinner we’re better off as friends.”

  “That must have gone over well with your brother.” Svana arched her brow in a way that reminded her of Omar.

  “Fabian and I talked alone. But I told Omar afterward. He’s fine with it.”

  “Good.” Svana nodded with satisfaction. “Speaking of talking, how about we go up to your room?”

  “If we go to my room, we won’t talk.” She hugged her arms to her chest, breaking the contact. “If you want to talk, we can sit here in the lobby.”

  Svana nudged her chin toward the doors behind them. “How about we go for a walk, then?”

  “It’s cold and going to rain any second. Why not stay here where it’s warm and dry?”

  “I want to show you something. Have you been to the Harpa? It’s the concert hall right down the road. It may still be open. We can go inside there and check it out.” It should have come across as an order from Svana, but it was more of a cajoling. The way the tip of her tongue flicked the corner of her mouth near her mole made her believe Svana was more nervous than she let on.

  She relented. It would probably be their last walk together. “Okay, but as soon as it starts raining, I’m back here and going to my room. Alone.”

  Svana’s face lit up. “Sure.” She grabbed Kennedy’s arm and tugged her outside.

  She allowed Svana to guide her along the main street. Despite the lateness of the hour, they passed more than a few people, most of whom said hello to both of them. Svana was so intent in reaching her destination she hurried, even in her heels. She strode to keep up, p
ulling on Svana to slow her down.

  “I take it you’re not interested in a leisurely stroll?” she joked as they passed a fence surrounding a large dirt hole and machinery near the end of the marina. The eyesore didn’t dim the beauty of the lit-up geometric-shaped glass structure known as the Harpa.

  Svana finally stopped, letting her get her fill. It was an architectural beauty, the span of the front filled with large squares of reflecting pools and various marble levels one could sit on. A few people roamed the area while others sat despite of the chilly temperature and the mist in the air.

  “It’s beautiful. I should take a picture.” Kennedy took out her cell to do just that.

  “How about a selfie?” Svana joked, and reached inside her coat.

  Involved in taking her picture, she didn’t realize Svana had moved behind her and placed her scarf around her neck.

  “Why are you giving me your scarf to wear? Don’t you need it?” She rubbed the pashmina, much more comfortable with her neck protected from the elements.

  “You’re shivering. I’m used to the cold.” Svana lifted the wool collar of her coat.

  Touched by her thoughtfulness, Kennedy pulled the scarf up to her chin. “Should we see if the Harpa is open?”

  Suddenly, the lights on the lower level dimmed and people exited the building, two security guards closing the doors behind them.

  “Too late to go inside,” Svana said, disappointment apparent in her tone. “Maybe tomorrow?”

  Kennedy pretended to view the structure. This time tomorrow, she would be home.

  Svana remained behind Kennedy. She didn’t ease back into her embrace like she longed to do. Instead, she stood stiff in the cold air, waiting for Svana to speak first.

  “My dream was…is to sing on stage at the Harpa,” Svana announced.

  At the stark yearning in her voice, Kennedy faced her. Svana rolled her bottom lip between her front teeth and exhaled hard enough through her nose that her misty breath rose overhead. She looked troubled, and Kennedy didn’t think it was because of the weather.

  “If your parents or older brother hadn’t died, you would have continued your music and had the opportunity to perform here?”

  “Not unless I had switched to singing opera or show tunes.” Svana quirked her lips. “But things have changed, and at the end of October there’s a huge concert planned with some of the biggest names currently on the scene, all women. It’s a one-night affair.”

  “That sounds great. Who’s in the lineup?” Maybe she would be back here by then and able to go to the concert.

  “Corrine Simone is taking a break from her residency at a casino in New Jersey. Billie Layne and Ivy Falls also signed on.” Svana mentioned five more big names. The female performers were mainly pop and rock, but of all ages.

  “No headliner?” she asked, hunching her face into the warm scarf.

  Svana tilted back her head and stared up at the sky. A drop of rain landed on her cheek and rolled down her throat. She shivered. Kennedy lifted her arms to embrace her but stopped when Svana shifted away and guilt appeared on her face.

  “I’m the headliner. That’s why I wanted to show you the Harpa and tell you that.”

  “What?” Kennedy flinched as a few drops of rain hit her head.

  Svana’s attention lay on Kennedy, or it could have been behind her. Her eyes were unfocused, her body tight with strain. “I want to be honest with you since I haven’t been from the start. Other than my brother and Vala, no one else knows I’m returning to music. My first album comes out in April, and I’ll start touring in June, ending with the performance at the Harpa.”

  “But how can you do all that and still run a company?” Kennedy asked, amazed by the news.

  “I have confidence in Konrad and Vala to help me run things.”

  She shook her head as she digested what Svana told her. “What about your uncle? Omar doesn’t know?”

  “My uncle has decided to retire.” The bite in Svana’s voice was at odds with the range of emotions on her face. “It doesn’t concern Omar—”

  “It doesn’t concern Omar?” She let out a garbled laugh. “But you don’t have a problem telling me.”

  Svana muttered something under her breath and combed her fingers through her hair, damp from the increasing rain. Kennedy was going to recommend they find shelter, but Svana caught her by the arms and lowered her face as if to kiss her.

  “I’m telling you because I care for you, and I didn’t want you to be upset when you hear the news about me in the coming weeks.” She dug her fingers in deep enough that Kennedy felt her trembling.

  “Should I expect more bombshells from you?” She sucked in a tight breath as a horrible thought came to her. “Is this going to ruin the deal we have with your company? Will Segal be hurt by this?”

  “No. Segal won’t bear the brunt of my announcement, or Landvik. If it did, I wouldn’t be Marella again. I won’t have my family’s legacy ruined because I want to continue my dream.” She slid her hands up to Kennedy’s shoulders. “There’s also something else I must tell you. No one, not even Konrad knows.”

  “What?” she asked on a hushed whisper, braced for the worst.

  “I’ve been writing songs under the name SM Vick ever since I left the music scene.

  Her mouth dropped as recognition of the name hit her. She might not know all the important players in the current music scene, but she knew SM Vick. Pretty much the entire world did.

  “You’re the mysterious songwriter who has almost as many hits as Diane Warren!” She covered her mouth, hopping up and down. “Get the fuck out of here!”

  Svana smiled. “I’m also going to announce I’m SM Vick. Two for the price of one shock and awe.”

  “You can say that.” She stared in wonder. “How do you do it all?”

  “I just have.” Svana shrugged and cupped the side of her face. “The hardest part for the past two decades was keeping it a secret while I built Landvik into the successful company it is today, to protect Konrad. I wanted to give him as much of a normal life as I could. I couldn’t be an international singing sensation without uprooting his life, or leaving him here with my uncle who is far from a good role model or caring guardian.” She brought her palm up to cup the other side of Kennedy’s face. “I’m lucky to have kept my connections who still want my work and the songs I wrote. They helped keep me in anonymity. Now is the time for Madame M to rise again, along with her other alias, SM Vick.”

  “Why now?” She drew Svana in for warmth as the rain increased.

  “It was time, and the rumors were increasing about my identity. If I didn’t come forward, I would have been forced out. I wanted to do it on my own terms.”

  “Just like your telling me now is on your own terms?” She shivered and hugged Svana close.

  “Yes, but there are some things I can’t control, like my feelings for you.” She rubbed her nose on Kennedy’s then lowered her mouth for a kiss.

  She received her kiss and sighed. It was sweet and slow, with just enough pressure to make her want more. But then a loud boom of thunder ripped through the night’s sky, and rain poured down on them in earnest.

  Svana stopped the kiss, but kept her lips on Kennedy’s. “We better go inside before we get sick. Want to run back to your hotel?”

  She grabbed Svana’s hand, giddy. “We won’t stop until we get to my room.”

  Svana took her mouth in a firm kiss, and then, slipping off her heels, dashed to the hotel with Kennedy by her side.

  ***

  Kennedy waited until the water in the shower was hot enough and steam filled the bathroom. Svana stood behind her naked, kissing Kennedy’s nape and shoulders. Their drenched clothes lay on tables and chairs near the heater to dry them. She held her hand in the shower to feel the temperature of the water.

  But her internal temperature rose, along with her lust, as Svana cupped her breasts from behind and plucked her nipples, giving them a careful twist that caused
a liquid jolt in her pussy.

  “You’re making me wetter than I already am.” She took Svana’s hand and set it on the curls hiding her pulsating heat.

  Svana cupped Kennedy’s cunt, making her rise onto her toes. “I want you drenched, dripping, and panting. Now, let’s get in the shower so I can fuck you.”

  “Hmmm, water play.” She rocked on Svana’s fingers.

  “I enjoy some kinkiness with my sex, but golden showers are definitely not one of them.”

  “I’m afraid to ask what is.” She whimpered from the loss as Svana stopped finger fucking her to push her under the spray.

  “I’ll tell you later. I don’t want to ruin the mood.” Svana grasped her ass. As the warm water fell over them, she claimed Kennedy’s mouth in a possessive kiss.

  She ran her hands down Svana’s back and over her ass, grabbing each globe as Svana ate at her mouth. She lost all reason along with her breath. She backed Svana against the tiles and inserted her knee between her legs, rubbing her pussy with the intent to make her come.

  Svana’s breath hitched, and she bit down on Kennedy’s lip, rolling her tongue along the inside of her cheek, scraping the tip of her barbell piercing near the roof of her mouth. Kennedy groaned and broke the kiss, panting and huffing. Her entire mouth tingled, along with her breasts and vagina, pulsing and throbbing with need.

  But she didn’t want a fast fuck. She wanted to take things slow and steady, to remember this night when she—

  “Hey.” Svana cupped her face, and stared through the misty haze of the shower. “Stay with me.”

  “I am with you.” She lifted Svana’s arm and kissed her script tattoo. “Tonight, we’re here together.”

  The smoothness in Svana’s forehead vanished and lines appeared as she examined Kennedy’s face. She then lowered her hand to Kennedy’s tattoo on her hip and outlined the ink with her fingernails. Kennedy locked her legs together, seized with lust from Svana’s.

  “Tonight is to feel alive, to enjoy each other’s company.” Svana traced the side of her face, and then lower, stopping above her breast and laying her palm there while caressing her tattoo. “To make love.”