Beth swallowed as Penny's words sank in and resonated with her. Everything the woman said sounded so true. So perfect. Like it was everything she'd known all along, even if she couldn't quite remember it. She offered Penny a smile, releasing the woman to go and check on the dancer with the problem. Beth turned back to the bar and stared up at the television. The news report had moved on to something else, an update on the affairs of diseases in Africa that the world was struggling to contain.
She sighed. Everything was falling apart. The world was filled with chaos. Not just her own life, but everyone's. Disease, terrorism, corruption, drugs, taxes, and a few dozen other problems she couldn't imagine. And she was going to be able to watch it all happen while she existed outside of it. Her and Penny, her immortal companion.
Something flashed on her left, drawing her attention. Her eyes narrowed, there was nothing shiny on the two people that stood near the bar, but they looked different. Clearer maybe? No, brighter. Something about them drew her to them and made her ignore the people around the couple.
The man wore an suit that looked expensive. It was tailored to fit his body and give him a presence that made him stand out in the room. Salt and pepper hair rested atop a face that looked chiseled and ready for anything. His eyes searched the room while the woman beside him, a trophy wife-style blond in a dress that had more curves than a two snakes wrestling each other, turned and looked straight at Beth.
The blond tugged on the man's hand and nodded at Beth. His eyes locked with hers and Beth found herself staring back. She had to remind herself to breathe as he smiled and revealed gleaming teeth. They weren't as perfect and white as Penny's, but they were close.
"Hi there, are these seats taken?" the man asked her.
Beth's eyes widened. She hadn't even realized they'd walked up to stand next to her at the bar. She shook her head to clear it and said, "Yes. I mean no. One is."
"Which one?" he asked and then paused. "Pardon me, how rude! This is Tiffany and I'm Hunter. We're celebrating Tiffany's recovery from a nasty bug that she picked up. Wasn't sure she was going to make it, but she's one tough bitch."
Tiffany laughed, flashing her teeth and glancing at him with a sparkle in her eye that seemed possessive and dangerous. "I am a bitch, but I'm your bitch," she confirmed.
Beth fought back a gag as she watched them. Hunter smiled at the outrageous blond and turned back to Beth. "Care to join us? I'd love to get you a drink?"
"What? No, I'm not thirsty. Thanks," Beth fumbled. "I'm just—"
Penny swept in beside her and laid her hand on the small of her back. "Is everything okay?"
"Penny!" Hunter said. "I was hoping you'd be here. I was telling my girlfriend about you and she wanted to meet you."
"You know these two?" Beth asked.
Penny tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. "You were here a while ago. Before Christmas?"
Hunter's smile was magnetic. "I'm impressed. Tell me, how are things with your brother?"
"Fine," Penny answered in a neutral tone. "Can I show you to a table?"
"We were thinking of sitting at the bar," Tiffany said. She extended her hand to Penny, "I'm Tiffany. Hunter was right, there's something about you that takes my breath away."
"You have no idea," Beth mumbled under her breath. Both of them laughed at her private joke, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.
"My partner and I are going over some job details," Penny said. "I'll show you a table and arrange for someone to take good care of you."
"Your partner?" Hunter asked.
"Yes," Penny said without giving anything away. She stepped between Beth and Hunter and gestured towards the tables towards the back. "Shall we?"
Hunter watched Penny and nodded. Tiffany's eyes dropped and checked out Beth from her new heels all the way up her stocking clad legs, skirt, and new corseted top. She smiled, baring her teeth and then winking before she turned and followed Hunter.
Beth watched her hips sway as they wound through the growing crowd in the club. Her dress probably cost a thousand bucks and consisted of enough fabric to cost about two dollars. She had the kind of body Beth had fantasized about. Firm and sensual and perfect. Beth jerked her eyes away but not before she caught the blond tossing her hair over her shoulder and glancing back at her.
"What the fuck?" Beth whispered.
"You all right, hon?" Candy asked as she turned from grabbing a bottle of liquor off the shelf.
Beth sighed. "Actually, no. I'm tired and feeling like crap. Can you tell Penny I'm—"
Candy held up a hand. "You two just meet?"
Beth nodded. "I guess so. A little over a week now."
Candy nodded. "Whatever you're doing, keep it up. She's been acting funny. Good funny. Like she's excited about something. If you're that something, then it's good for her."
Beth turned to see Penny talking to the couple at a distant table. "Really?"
"Oh yeah. The way she's been looking at you? Phew, I'm not into girls but to have someone as cool as Penny into me that much? I'd switch teams in a blink of an eye!"
Beth blinked and licked her lips. "Um, I don't know what to say."
Candy smiled. "Just me sticking my nose in where it's not wanted. Take it or leave it. I've been here almost a year and from what I've heard, she's never been into anyone before."
Beth nodded. "Thanks. I'll, um, I'll keep that in mind."
Candy smiled and walked back to where she was making a round of drinks for a waitress.
Beth watched her and then turned, wondering if Penny was coming back. She had so many questions, but she didn't know what they were or how she felt. Just because someone else thought Penny was the shit didn't mean she had to think that. Sure, she liked her. She was nice, if a little scary. But she wasn't what Beth wanted. There was something missing. Not missing with Penny, with her. Something inside of her didn't feel right and she wasn't sure how to fix it.
Penny walked between the tables, moving so gracefully on her heels Beth knew she couldn't be human. She'd suspected it before, but now she knew. She smirked and saw Penny tilt her head and smile back at her. Beth gasped, she hadn't intended to be misunderstood, she was laughing at her own private joke. Still, Penny did look happy and excited.
"Told you," Candy hissed from behind her. "She's one hell of a catch."
Beth didn't bother turning around, she could hear the bartender moving back and forth. She ignored Candy's ironic words and watched Penny approach. Tonight she was dressed like the other waitresses, with a white blouse halter top that was only buttoned at the bottom. A short pleated skirt with a tartan pattern and tall white socks completed the outfit. In place of the shorter heeled mary janes the rest of the waitress wore, Penny's added another two inches to her height.
"Sorry about that," Penny said as she walked up. She raised an eyebrow. "What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Beth tried to look away but couldn't. "I'm sorry. You look nice like that. Cute."
"Cute?"
"Oh my god! Okay, sexy. Is that better?"
"Thank you," Penny said with a grin. She glanced back over her shoulder at Hunter and Tiffany. "Do me a favor though, stay away from them."
Beth frowned. "Why?"
"You didn't notice?"
"Notice, notice what?" Beth asked. She frowned and tried to figure out what she meant, but thinking hard made her head hurt. "They seemed different. Brighter or something, but that's all."
Penny frowned and reached out to brush her fingers against the side of Beth's face. "Are you feeling all right?"
"Not really," Beth admitted. "Everything aches and it's getting hard to think. Feels like there's a fog in my head."
Penny nodded. "Come on, let's get you upstairs to bed."
Beth turned her head and caught Candy looking away and moving towards the far end of the bar. She started to turn back when Candy's hand slid along the bar and she saw her thumb flip up for a quick second. Beth fought back the smile and t
urned back to Penny. "Bed sounds good, I'm wiped out."
"Come then, I'll take you up," Penny offered her hand.
"I can head up there, as long as the security guards lets me in."
Penny took her hand and gently pulled her off the chair. "I have a private elevator," she told her.
"Oh!" Beth said, too surprised to groan when her legs had to support her. Penny spun around her and pressed her hand against the small of her back again to support her, he skirt flaring out as she moved.
"I've got you," Penny breathed.
Beth turned her head and looked at her. She closed her lips and offered a smile. Penny did have her, and it looked like she didn't have a choice about except whether she liked it or not. The jury was still out on the verdict, but she couldn't help feeling drawn to the older— much older— woman. "Thank you," Beth admitted. "My legs are kind of shaky."
"I noticed," Penny said with a smile. "Come on, behind the bar and back through the office."
Beth walked with her and then stepped away after a few steps when she felt she could manage on her own. They made it to the office before Beth paused to lean against the wall and catch her breath. "Penny? You called me your partner out there."
Penny turned from the door at the back of the office and studied her. "I chose my words carefully," she said.
"But we're not, um, partners."
"Technically, you're right," Penny admitted.
Beth snorted. "Technically? Um, realistically too."
"After you die we will be. I've already drawn up the paperwork."
Beth stared at her. "You've done what?"
"Everything I have is owned by a living trust," she explained. "It's much easier than arranging inheritance every forty years or so. I just assign new people to the trust to manage it. Elizabeth Stenger is presumed dead as of last night's fire. Elizabeth Adams, on the other hand, is alive and well in the system. She has a degree in business administration from U of M and has accepted a position to manage certain aspects of the trust, including Paradise Lost."
"I— you— oh my god!"
"Don't worry, as you learn more and adapt I'll show you additional holdings I have and make sure you have access to those as well," Penny continued.
"Penny— stop!" Beth gasped. She shook her head and felt the room spinning around her. "I'm dead?"
"Presumed dead," Penny said. She shrugged. "Burned up in the fire. Your old life is gone, Beth. No matter what happens to you, you can never go back. That's why I had to stop you earlier."
"Oh my god," Beth repeated. Her stomach twisted and she took a staggering step forward. Penny caught her and held her up. "I don't feel good," Beth mumbled.
Penny swept her up in her arms as though she was lifting a pillow. She carried her through the back door and down a short hallway to a door at the end of the hall. Beth tried to pick up her head but the walls and ceiling were spinning in opposite directions of her stomach. She turned and pressed her face against Penny's chest, closing her eyes to try and help her focus.
The door slid open a moment later and Penny stepped in. "Hang in there, Pet," Penny whispered.
Beth groaned as the elevator surged upward. Her stomach dropped and she had to struggle to breathe. She fought the nausea and won as the elevator slowed to a halt so fast that she felt weightless in Penny's arms. The door slid open and Penny stepped out into the hallway that Beth had nearly blinded herself in.
"Bed? Or are you feeling ill again?"
"I don't know," Beth whimpered. The pinches in her stomach helped her decide. "Bathroom," she moaned.
Penny moved down the hallway, her heels striking the wood floor with each step. Beth dared to look around the large bedroom that Penny moved through, glimpsing an enormous four poster bed and antique decorations that seemed luxurious. The walls were smooth, any windows having long been removed.
They moved into a side room with a master bath complete with a large tile shower stall and a Jacuzzi tub that looked more like a small swimming pool. Beth felt an urge to go for a swim until a fresh twist inside her brought her mind back to her troubles.
Penny balanced her with one arm and one thigh while she slipped Beth's heels off and set them on the counter. She lowered her to the floor but never took her hands off of the weakened woman. "The toilet is behind you," Penny advised.
Beth trembled and looked at her. She winced as a fresh burning sensation knifed through her belly. When she caught her breath she asked, "Are you going to watch?"
Penny frowned. "Are you okay? I don't want you to fall."
"No," Beth hissed through another cramp. "But I'll be fine."
Penny hesitated and then nodded. "I'll be outside. Call if you need me."
Beth nodded and waited until Penny turned away before reaching down and pushing her skirt and underwear over her hips. She glanced up at the door and saw it was still wide open. She wanted privacy, but the pressure built in her belly and demanded release. She dropped, nearly falling back in her rush to land on the stool.
The emotional relief of making it to the bathroom was gone an instant later.
Chapter 8
Beth's lungs were on fire. She wheezed and rolled over in bed, curling up and covering her chest with her hands. She blinked her eyes open and saw blurry dark hair and pale skin inches from her. She gasped in a breath, lighting a new fire in her chest, and scrambled back until she fell off the edge of the bed and hit the floor on her shoulder and back.
Beth grunted and lay panting. After forcing herself to take shorter and shallower breaths to ease the pain she started working on tugging her legs out of the blankets. They were still up on the bed and wound up in the sheets.
With Penelope.
"Oh my god," Beth wheezed. She reached up and tugged on the sheets until she could work her feet free. She collapsed on the rug under the bed. She was spent. Fresh out of bed and she was too exhausted to even stand up.
Beth's belly twisted, sending tendrils of ice and fire up into her back and shoulders. "Not again," she hissed. Her stomach had different intentions.
Beth rolled onto her hands and knees, summoning strength she didn't think she had. She crawled into the on suite bathroom and made it to the toilet before pulling herself up onto it. She clutched her arms across her stomach and leaned forward, air whistling through her clenched teeth as she felt her muscles quiver and force her to endure her latest living nightmare.
Beth stared down at her belly. It wasn't just diarrhea this time, she felt like was having her period. She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. "This can't be happening," she sobbed. She buried her face in her hands and shuddered while her body voided the parts it no longer needed.
By the time the hot flashes and cold chills passed she felt empty and miserable. She was done. For now, if not forever. She looked at the tile floor and wondered how comfortable it would be. Maybe, if she fell forward, she could hit her head and knock herself out. Or crack her skull open and end it all.
She took in a deeper breath. At some point while her stomach was ripping itself apart her chest stopped hurting. Beth shook her head. She wanted to die right now, but soon she'd be different. Better. Unstoppable. The woman that had held her and comforted her while she shivered herself to sleep. She was strong, beautiful, rich, and powerful. Candy was right, she was a catch. And she wanted Beth, but Beth wasn't sure if she wanted Penny.
Beth shook her head. She felt like she was on a reality TV show. Too much drama and stupidity and it was all in her head. She groaned and turned to look at the massive shower. Travertine tile, dual showerheads, and a rain head in the middle of the ceiling promised a healing experience. But first she had to get off the stool.
Beth cleaned herself as best she could and rose on trembling legs. She looked into the bowl and reached out to hold herself steady. The water was murky and red, but she could make out a few irregular shapes inside of it. She felt her stomach twinge, not like she had to go to the bathroom again, but like she might throw up.
<
br /> She flushed it down and turned away, blinking her eyes and breathing to fight the urge to puke. It wouldn't do any good, she hadn't eaten in a couple of days. All she had to look forward to would be dry heaving and a lot more agony.
Beth turned to the shower. Maybe salvation wasn't waiting for her but cleanliness would be the next best thing. The water was set to cold but when she reached in it felt the same as it always did, room temperature. She sighed and left it before stepping under the rain head and letting the water work its way through her hair and over her body.
Without the luxury of feeling the heat from the water seeping into her muscles, or in this case the cold at least chilling her, Beth hurried through the cleansing ritual. She stepped out of the shower and reached for a towel. Drying herself took almost as long as the shower did, she was running out of steam.
Beth shuffled out of the bathroom and back into the master bedroom she'd shared with Penny. Her benefactor was resting on the bed, the sheets pulled askew and revealing her arm and one breast. Beth remembered Penny taking her clothes off to get into bed with her the night before— morning, really— but at the time she didn't care. She'd been exhausted and sick.
Did she care now? She was just as exhausted. The thought of sleeping with a woman, even a naked one, didn't bother her as much as she thought it would. There was something about it, a memory she couldn't quite place. She'd done it before, or something like it. Not with Penny, but with someone else. Was that what Penny meant when she told her that she'd experimented before?
Beth sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. She needed to catch her breath and gather her strength. The towel pulled against her but she ignored it. She was too exhausted to fight it. She leaned forward, her elbows going to her thighs, and cupped her face in her hands.
"Elizabeth? Sweetie?"
Beth jerked her head up and looked around. It felt later. She turned and saw Penny sitting behind her with the sheets lying rumpled around her hip.. She could feel Penny's hand pressing against her towel on her lower back.
Forever Kiss Page 5
