by Donna Jay
“Roll over.”
Too tired to argue, Simone did as she was told. Nadia massaged her shoulders, digging her thumb into a knot. God, that felt good.
Simone groaned, surprised at how tight her muscles were. But then again, she had been strung up for the last…?
“What time is it?” she asked, her voice muffled by the pillow.
“Five.”
“Really?” She turned to look at the clock but it was fuzzy without her glasses on. “We’ve been at it for an hour?”
The bed shook with Nadia’s laughter. “At it? Are we twelve?”
“You know what I meant.” Simone scooted over, and Nadia flopped down beside her. She reached for the blankets.
“Cold?” Nadia asked.
“A little. You know, like when you cool off after going for a run.”
“Yeah, like when cool air hits sweat-damp skin.”
“Ew.” Simone ran an arm across her sweaty forehead. Damn, she must look a sight. Auburn hair plastered to her head.
“Shall we shower?” Nadia slid off the bed, hand outstretched.
“Oh, so you trust yourself enough to shower with me now?”
“Who says I’m done?”
Lord help me.
Smiling, Simone followed Nadia, a willing victim led to slaughter.
Chapter 16
Nadia
Over the next few days, work and the gym occupied Nadia’s time. The temptation to see Simone every night was all-consuming, but she refused to rush things. By Thursday, she was going out of her mind. She had to see her.
Simone hadn’t pushed to see Nadia either, but that wasn’t her style. When they’d parted ways Monday morning, Simone had said ‘Call me?’ It had been phrased as a question, her eyes full of hope, the ball left in Nadia’s court.
They messaged each other every day, frequently, and talked briefly on Tuesday night.
Leaving her staff to run the store, Nadia stepped outside. The sun was high in the sky. A gentle breeze carried a hint of summer, and a lady with a very round belly was heading her way.
“Do you sell maternity bras?”
“We do.” Nadia smiled. “Far wall on the right, Shelley will help you out.”
“Thank you.” The woman cupped her belly as if the baby might fall out.
Nadia’s mind drifted to Helen and the kids as she punched in Simone’s number. She couldn’t wait to see them on the weekend.
“Hello?” Simone answered on the second ring.
“Hey. Do you want children?” Where the hell did that come from? So much for taking things slow.
“Wow, you don’t beat around the bush, do you.” There was a smile in Simone’s voice.
Nadia smacked her forehead. “Sorry, that just popped out.”
“Unlike babies.”
“True.” Basking in the warmth of the sun on her face, Nadia paced the footpath from her store to the shoe shop next door and back again. “How’s your day going?”
“Good. It’s such a relief not to have to process the wages anymore. I actually managed to get away from my desk for lunch, and I spent some time on the shop floor.”
“That’s wonderful,” Nadia said, loving how proud Simone sounded.
Other than the first time she’d told Simone she refused to date someone married to their job, Nadia hadn’t mentioned it again.
The changes Simone had made of her own accord spoke volumes. Simone was as taken by Nadia as Nadia was by her.
“So, I take it you’re free tonight?”
“Nope.”
Her heart sank.
“I’m rather expensive.”
“Ha, ha, you had me for a minute there. Is the Chevrolet Restaurant expensive enough for your tastes, my lady?”
“That will be perfectly fine,” Simone spoke with a plum in her mouth.
“How does six sound?”
“Perfect.” There was a brief hesitation before Simone added, “I’ve missed you.”
“Me too.” Nadia’s heart ached with joy. “Don’t be late.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
***
Shortly before six, Nadia paid the cab driver and stepped out onto the pavement. The night was crisp and clear but would cool off well before they left the restaurant. At least daylight savings was just around the corner.
Where the hell had September gone?
Since meeting Simone, the month had flown by. Speak of the devil. Nadia’s insides lit up like Christmas when she saw her pull into a parking space.
She climbed out of the car, pushed the key fob, and dropped the keys into her bag. Her handbag was as elegant as the woman swinging it by the handles.
She looked stunning in a red sequined dress. The V-neck showed off a hint of cleavage, and a side split revealed a hint of creamy thigh. Her silver high heels were elegant and made her legs look fantastic.
Simone gave her a knowing look. “Are you undressing me with your eyes?”
“Always.” Nadia stole a kiss. “You look amazing.”
“You look pretty spectacular yourself.” Simone eyed her up and down.
“Thank you.” Although Nadia appreciated the compliment, the simple black dress she wore couldn’t hold a candle to Simone’s stunning outfit.
“Shall we?” Nadia held out her arm and Simone slid her hand through the gap.
The double doors parted and they stepped inside. Nadia blinked hard, letting her eyes adjust to the dim lighting.
Neon lights lit up the bar to their left, and a door to their right announced the restaurant. Their reservation wasn’t until six-thirty, which meant they had half an hour to relax before perusing menus.
“What would you like to drink?” Nadia led the way to the bar.
“I’d kill for a glass of wine.”
“Hard day?”
“Every day’s a hard day. But I don’t want to talk about work.” Simone fished around in her handbag and pulled out a twenty.
“Uh-uh.” Nadia shook her head. “Tonight’s on me.”
“But—”
Nadia narrowed her eyes, arms folded across her chest, lips pursed.
“Thank you,” Simone said graciously, putting her money away.
“You’re welcome.” After ordering a glass of wine for Simone and a brandy for herself, Nadia led the way to a small sofa tucked in the corner.
They sunk into the cushions, sighing in unison. Soft jazz filtered through wall-mounted speakers, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
“I wish my couch was half as comfortable.” Nadia ran her hand over the plush, blue velvet.
A cheeky glint sparkled in Simone’s eyes. “From memory, it was pretty comfortable.”
“Was that before or after you were pinned beneath me?” Nadia toed off her shoe and ran a foot along the inside of Simone’s calf.
Static electricity sparked between them making them both jump.
“Shit.” Simone clutched her chest. “You’re electric today.”
“Comes from being powerful.”
“Is that right?” Simone placed her wine glass on the table, all smiles and sparkling blue eyes.
“Have you ever had an electric shock?” Nadia asked.
“Hard limit.” Simone held her fingers in a cross, eyes wide. “Not going there.”
“Huh?” Nadia frowned, thoughts of the first time an electric fence had bit her vanishing in a cloud of confusion.
“Erotic electrostimulation,” Simone said, pulling a face as if she’d tasted something bad.
She looked so adorable, Nadia would’ve laughed if the situation wasn’t so serious. And, she had to admit, she was impressed Simone knew what electrostimulation was.
But the question was, how did she know? “Please don’t tell me Renee—”
“No, never, but we googled it once.” Simone shivered.
“To put your mind at ease, I will never introduce you to anything that involves blood, needles, or electricity.”
“Or candles.” Si
mone’s smile was back.
“Wax play can be fun if done right.”
With a dismissive shrug, Simone picked up her glass. “I’ll take your word for it.”
“Have you ever been zapped by an electric fence?” Nadia asked.
“Nope. You?”
“Yep, and if electrostimulation is anything like my experience, you can be doubly sure it’s something I’ll never embrace.”
“Oh, tell me more.” Simone leaned back in the booth.
Nadia swallowed a mouthful of brandy, savouring the taste. “I was ten years old. Darrin and I went with Uncle Jim to check on some cattle. Darrin was busy playing with Buster, their dog. Uncle Jim put his boot on the single wire and stepped over. I asked him if the fence was electric and he said no. I wasn’t as big as him—”
“Of course not, you were a kid,” Simone said, hanging onto Nadia’s every word.
“Since I couldn’t get my leg on the wire to stand on and hop over, I clutched it with both hands.” The memory made her shudder. “I was straddling the wire fence before my body registered it was electric.”
Oh, the pain, the shock, the humiliation.
Jim’s grin had been so wide, she’d remained stoic on the outside while dying on the inside. They never spoke of it, and she wondered if he remembered something she would never forget.
“I can’t even begin to imagine,” Simone said. “Did you go ape-shit at your uncle?”
“No, I didn’t give him the satisfaction.”
“Ever the badass.” Simone’s smile was infectious.
“I wouldn’t go that far, but staying on the farm I had to toughen up. And that was nothing compared to the time Megan and I took the four-wheeler for a spin...and crashed.”
“Did you get in trouble?”
“Don’t you mean did I get hurt,” Nadia asked playfully.
“And that.” Simone tipped her glass.
“The motorbike survived, but we were black and blue. We hid our injuries and never said a word. When Uncle Jim discovered the front forks of the bike were bent, Darrin got in the shit.”
“No way!” Simone bit her lip. “Did you come clean?”
“Nope, Megan and I figured he picked on us enough, he could take one for the team. But that’s enough about me. What was your childhood like?”
“Nothing exciting like yours.”
“Come on, there must be something. Playing with Barbie’s, making Ken and Barbie do the horizontal mambo.”
“For the record, I never had Barbie’s, and I’ve known I was gay before I knew I was gay.”
Laughing, Nadia shook her head. “How can you know something before you know it?”
“You know, like in your gut before you even acknowledge it, or know it’s a thing.” She finger-quoted the word.
“So gay is a thing.” Nadia mimicked her actions.
“It most certainly is, and I’ve got a thing for people with the thing.” Simone waggled her eyebrows, and they burst out laughing.
“But there’s something I still haven’t figured out.”
“Oh, really. Do tell.” Nadia drained the last of her drink. She felt high, intoxicated by this wonderful woman lighting up her life.
In the past, the women Nadia had dated had been hard work. Constantly seeking her approval. She didn’t mind that in the bedroom, but outside of the bedroom she wanted a woman with her own mind. A woman who could give her a run for her money. She wanted Simone.
“So, what were you doing masquerading as a cleaner?” Simone asked.
Damn, and there it was.
Should she be honest and swear Simone to secrecy or dance around the question? After all, Helen’s job was at stake.
“I wasn’t masquerading, I was cleaning.” Not a lie.
“And seducing me?”
“That too,” Nadia replied.
“How does this honesty thing work?” Simone motioned between them. “You want me to be straight up but you can just duck and dive like a boxer?”
“Nice analogy.” It was a lame attempt at dodging the question, but it made Simone smile.
Nadia’s cell rang and they stared at it like a minute timer signalling the end of their date. Simone nailed her with a look as if daring her to answer it.
Challenge accepted, Nadia flicked her phone to silent mode. Whoever was calling could leave a message or call back later.
Her phone vibrated bouncing around on the table. They both stared at it until it stopped. Doing her best to ignore it, Nadia wiped the condensation off her glass with a paper napkin and casually dropped it on top of her phone.
There. Out of sight, out of mind. No more ducking and diving. It was time to answer Simone’s question.
“My friend Helen—”
The glow of her phone under the napkin drew her attention. Fuck it. Someone needed her.
“Excuse me.” She snatched up her phone and swiped the screen. Two missed calls from Mandy, Helen’s babysitter, and two text messages.
Call me, please.
It’s urgent.
Panic gripped Nadia’s insides. What the fuck was going on?
“Is everything all right?” Simone asked, concern knitting her brows.
“No. Sorry, I have to take this.” She hit redial, and Mandy picked up immediately. The sound that greeted her could only be described as pandemonium. Kids crying. Mandy’s words tumbling over each other.
“Slow down, I can’t understand you,” Nadia said, trying to remain calm.
“Blake, he’s having trouble breathing.”
Okay, Nadia could do this. She blew out a breath. “Take him to the bathroom, turn the shower to hot. The steam will help clear his airways.”
“I tried. Oh my God, his lips are blue.” She sounded hysterical. “I can’t get hold of Helen, I’m freaking the fuck out.”
“I’m on the way.” She ended the call. Nadia was out of her seat and halfway to the door before Simone caught up.
Shit fuck shit. She didn’t have her car.
“What’s going on?” Simone looked as worried as Nadia felt.
“You wanted to know what I was doing at KB Incorporated that night. Well, you’re about to find out. I need a lift to my best mates.” They dashed to Simone’s car, high heels clacking loudly on the pavement. “Her kid’s sick, he has croup, but this sounds worse.”
“Where’s your friend?”
“Working. She normally leaves her phone on in case the sitter needs her. Here.” Nadia held out a hand for Simone’s keys.
“I can drive.”
“Nope, I’m going to be breaking speed limits, better I lose my licence than you.”
Simone refused to hand them over. “And if you get pulled over for speed—”
“We get a personal escort.”
“Fine, but I’m driving. Keep trying your friend, she needs to know what’s going on.”
After five unanswered calls, Nadia phoned Mandy back. “How is he?”
“Not good.”
A cacophony of raspy breathing, hacking coughs and sobs, pierced Nadia’s heart. She would die for those kids.
“Try to stay calm,” Nadia said as her own anxiety grew. “We’re almost there.” She hung up and phoned Helen again. “Come on, come on, pick up.”
The phone clicked just when she thought it was going to voicemail.
Helen’s voice came down the line. “Hey, bitch.”
The light ahead turned yellow. Nadia peered at Simone, urging her to keep going. She closed her eyes and jumped it. A driver sat on his horn but they made it through safely.
“Don’t panic.” Not the best way to start a conversation, but Nadia didn’t have the luxury of time on her side. “Blake’s not well, you need to get home now.”
“What do you mean?” Confusion laced Helen’s words.
“I don’t know, but Mandy’s freaking out. It must be bad.”
The phone went dead and Nadia cursed herself for not being a little more subtle. When it came to her kids, Helen woul
dn’t think twice about breaking speed limits. If she had a car crash on the way, Nadia would never forgive herself.
Simone reached over and squeezed her hand. “It’s going to be okay, we’re nearly there.”
Unable to speak around the lump of emotion clogging her throat, Nadia nodded. It had to be okay. Blake had to be okay.
“Up here. Yellow house on the left.”
Simone cut her eyes sideways. “The one with the busted fence?”
“Yes. Park on the front lawn.”
Before the car came to a complete stop, Nadia was out. She bolted up the driveway, barely even registering Caleb had left his bike out again.
Not bothering to knock, she pushed open the door. Caleb and Hayley ran to her, tears streaming down their cheeks.
She scooped Hayley up. “Shh, it’s okay, baby.”
When Simone stepped up behind her, she handed over Hayley and picked up Caleb. “You okay, big guy?”
“No. Blake’s sick, and Mandy’s crying.” He burrowed into her neck. “I’m scared Na-na.”
“It’s okay, sweetie. I’m here now. This is my friend Simone; she’s going to look after you while I check on Blake.”
Simone’s eyes went big, then she smiled at the kids. “Hi, what’s your name?”
“Caleb.”
She held out a hand, and the second Nadia set him on his feet he took it.
“Do you like books?” Simone asked.
He nodded, wiping snot and tears on the sleeve of his pyjamas.
Mouthing thank you to Simone, Nadia ran for the bathroom.
A siren sounded in the distance, the loud wailing growing nearer. Help was on the way, and none too soon by the look of it. Mandy was on the floor soothing Blake, silent tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Hey,” Nadia said softly.
The second Blake heard her voice he looked up. The sight of his hair plastered to his forehead, chest heaving as he fought for breath, ripped Nadia’s heart to shreds.
She plucked him out of Mandy’s lap. “You did good.”
Mandy shook her head, lips trembling. “Will he be okay?”
“He will.” Nadia nodded, wishing she could make it all okay.
Blue and red lights flashed across the bathroom window. Thank Christ for that. “An ambulance’s here.” She squeezed Mandy’s hand. “You did the right thing.”
