Susan X. Meagher - The Legacy

by Susan X Meagher

  Toni had been completely honest with her, and she had assured Toni that she wanted nothing more than casual sex. She reasoned that millions of years of evolution hadn’t been able to eliminate the human instinct to control and own a sex partner. The odds were not good at having the process sped up so she was over it by the end of the evening, but there was no harm in hoping.

  ***

  At nine o’clock, Noel heard a sharp ping on her window. She ignored the first sound, but there were several more. She got up and walked over to it and, when she pulled the curtains aside, saw a grinning Toni looking at her. “Are you throwing rocks at my window?”

  “I had to,” she said. “Rocks don’t make any noise when you throw them against the screen.”

  “I do have a front door, you know.”

  “I know, but then I’d have to walk through the whole house and your guests might see me.”

  Noel folded her arms and leaned on the window sill. “And you’re afraid for your reputation?”

  “No. Yours. Mine’s ruined.”

  “So you’re protecting me and my guests?”

  “I’m looking out for myself, too. This way, if you don’t want to see me, you can just tell me to get lost and your guests won’t see me crying.”

  Resting her chin on her hand, Noel gazed at Toni through the screen. “Likely. That’s very likely. So, what can I do for you?”

  It looked as though Toni were having a seizure. Her expression flipped between her usual cocky confidence and a look that Noel hadn’t seen her exhibit often. If she had to guess, she would have said it was vulnerability. But that didn’t make any sense. Maybe the darkness or the screen obscured her expression. “Uhm, after I talked to you this afternoon, you sounded like you might like to…you know…get together. I thought it was still early enough…” It wasn’t the screen. Toni really did look touchingly vulnerable.

  Dozens of feelings surged through Noel. Toni was either coming over after a quickie with Heidi or she hadn’t gotten lucky. Either way, Noel felt like sloppy seconds. But there was something so endearing, something so childlike and innocent about the look Toni was giving her that she had an overwhelming desire to kiss her.

  “Do I have to pull you in through the window?”

  A luminous smile bloomed on Toni’s handsome face. “Get into something more comfortable and I’ll sneak in the back door.”

  “I’m plenty comfortable right now,” Noel called out, hearing Toni’s satisfied chuckle.

  ***

  Toni knocked lightly on the interior door and poked her head into Noel’s apartment. “I just realized that this feels odd to me.” She walked all the way in and looked around, her eyes scanning the whole place. “It looks very different, even though I can tell you didn’t change all that much.”

  “I put a lot of things away. I like a pretty modern, uncluttered living space.” She didn’t add that it was disconcerting to be surrounded by mementos from every deep water port in the world. “Are you okay being here?”

  Toni sat down on the sofa looking a little like a woman who was shopping at a furniture store. She bounced up and down a couple of times and said, “Yeah, I think so. I was never in Max’s bed, so that might be a good place to start.” She grinned her semi-lecherous smile.

  Noel walked over to her and extended a hand. Toni took it, but instead of accepting assistance in rising, she pulled Noel onto her lap. “I like to have you here,” she said nuzzling her mouth against Noel’s neck

  “I like to be here.” They started to kiss, soft and gentle, more tender with each other than they had been before.

  Previously, they’d treated each other like they were in heat, but this time it was a relaxed, destinationless journey. It took a while for them to progress, but as soon as Toni started to unbutton Noel’s blouse, Noel returned the favor. Soon they were rubbing their bare breasts against each other, both giggling from the sensation. Noel needed to be naked, so she stood up and Toni happily helped her achieve that state. A few seconds later things started to heat up, and they wound up almost wrestling for dominance on the bed.

  Noel worked out a lot, and was in good shape. But Toni could toss her around like a toy, and did so. In a matter of moments, Noel was on her back, Toni’s head between her legs and Noel’s heels sliding up and down the planes of Toni’s strong back.

  ***

  Much later Noel lay on her belly, legs hanging over the end of the bed. Toni sat on the floor between those dangling legs, her head pillowed on Noel’s ass. Her last orgasm had knocked the air from her lungs, and it took a long time for Noel to collect herself enough to say, “Priceless. That was ridiculously good.”

  There was a beat, then Toni put her hands on the backs of Noel’s thighs and groggily said, “Wow, I think I was asleep.” She kissed the soft flesh right in front of her and got to her feet. Gallantly, she tumbled Noel onto her side, then swooped her legs onto the bed. “I could have easily passed out on the floor.” She gently patted Noel’s ass then grabbed her clothes and headed for the bathroom, saying, “I had a fantastic time. Call me when you want to get together again.”

  Wounded, Noel didn’t comment. She couldn’t figure out why Toni didn’t want to sleep over, but she clearly didn’t. It seemed like such a conundrum to her. When they were actually in bed, Toni was loving and affectionate. But once the sex was over, she didn’t treat Noel any differently than she did any of her other friends. Noel didn’t have to remind herself that might be because Toni was fucking all of her other friends.

  ***

  They fell into a pattern of seeing each other two to three times a week. Toni usually dropped by The Sandpiper or she sought Noel out somewhere and suggested that Noel come to her house. They never made plans in advance, and they never went anywhere together. If they met at Jackie’s, Toni would whisper an invitation and leave before Noel did, then she’d wait for her on the road to her house.

  When they were together, Noel felt fantastic. Toni was complimentary and made her feel more beautiful and sexier than she had in years. Honestly, Noel felt better about her body and her lovemaking than she ever had. Janet could’ve learned a thing or thirty from Toni when it came to complimenting and encouraging a lover. And Noel tried her best to do the same for Toni. They got along amazingly well, and pleased each other thoroughly. But it was clear to Noel that Toni didn’t want it to go any further on any level. She didn’t even want to sleep together, so they never did.

  ***

  One Wednesday night in late July, Noel was walking home from dinner when someone whistled and she saw Roxy waving at her. She stopped and Roxy said, “You’re not going home this early, are you?”

  “As a matter of fact, I was.”

  “Come have some fun.” Roxy grasped Noel’s hand with both of her own and started to tug her. “Come to Jackie’s and let me buy you a drink.”

  It was early, and Noel had at least an hour before she should get to bed, so she accepted. They went into the bar together and saw Toni, whose head swiveled so quickly in their direction that it must have hurt. Her surprised look was quickly hidden, though, and she greeted both of them warmly.

  “What’s going on?” Toni asked.

  Roxy flipped her hand, pointing at Noel with her thumb. “I saw our newest innkeeper going home this early. I twisted her arm to make her stay up.”

  Toni’s frown evaporated, and she smiled at Noel, quickly looking her up and down. “You look too nice to go home. When you go to all that trouble you should stay out and enjoy all of the attention you must get.”

  Roxy nodded and Noel felt like she was being judged at the county fair. “She looks great, doesn’t she?” Roxy asked.

  “She always does,” Toni said. “I think Noel and Heidi are the best looking women in town. Don’t you, Jackie?”

  “No question,” Jackie said, grinning at Noel who was now blushing

  “I haven’t seen you around a lot, Toni,” Roxy said. “How’s the fishing?”

  “You fis
h?” Noel asked.

  “Roxy’s being funny,” Toni said. “She’s referring to our summer visitors, and whether I’ve hooked any of them.” Toni gave Roxy a half smile and said, “I’ve been working a lot. Not much time for fun.”

  “Since when do you rank anything higher than having fun?” Roxy shook her head. “I think you’re holding out on us. What do you think, Noel?”

  Noel gave Toni a long, assessing look. She nodded slowly, adding a sly smile. “I’m almost sure she’s holding out on us. I think our friend likes to keep her secrets.”

  “That’s always been true,” Roxy said. “Toni never gives you any good dish. I have to catch her red-handed to know who she’s going out with.” Roxy turned on her barstool and looked at Noel long enough to make her slightly uncomfortable. “Let’s give people in town something to talk about. The last time I asked, you said you’d take a rain check. How about dinner tomorrow night?”

  Noel felt trapped. She was sure Toni was going out, or more likely, staying in with other people, so she knew she didn’t have to be monogamous for her sake. But Roxy was a little too aggressive for her. Nonetheless, she had told her she’d take a rain check and she didn’t want to be rude. She shrugged her shoulders and said, “Okay. What time would you like to meet?”

  “Whenever you like. I usually quit work at around five and by six I’m presentable.”

  “Then let’s make it six-thirty.”

  “Great. Let’s go to The Seafarer.”

  Noel’s eyebrows rose. “That’s a little expensive for my blood.”

  “I asked you out. It’s my treat.”

  Now Noel felt trapped. She was willing to go out and discuss real estate, but she didn’t want Roxy to get the wrong idea. She also didn’t want to make a big deal about this in front of the others. So she said, “I know it’s early, but I should get home. I’ve got some things to take care of. Walk me out?” she said to Roxy. Roxy got up and Noel patted Toni on the shoulder. “See you,” she said, earning a lackluster nod.

  ***

  As Roxy and Noel walked out, Jackie took a look at Toni. If she hadn’t known her better she would have worried that Toni was going to follow them out and pop Roxy a good one. But Toni wasn’t that kind of person. She kept her anger and her disappointments to herself, something that Jackie thought often didn’t serve her very well. Jackie poured a fresh beer and handed it to Toni. “The one you had was getting warm,” she said when Toni looked up, startled.

  “Oh, it’s fine. I should probably go home.”

  “Are you feeling okay? You look a little down.” She stood right in front of Toni and lowered her voice so no one else in the bar would hear. “How are you doin’? I know how hard it’s been for you to lose Max. Do you have anyone to talk to? You know…anyone you can trust?”

  “You can’t replace people like Max,” she said, wistfully. “I wish you could.”

  ***

  When Roxy and Noel got outside, Noel took a breath, and said, “I want to make sure we’re on the same page. I’d love to talk, but I don’t think it should be a date.”

  “Why not?” Roxy asked, bluntly.

  “I just got out of a long relationship, and I’m not ready to get into another one.”

  “Neither am I,” Roxy said, her eyes wide. “But that’s no reason not to go out. We could have fun together.”

  Smiling at her honesty, Noel said, “I’m sure we could. But that’s not what I’m looking for right now. I’d like to have more friends, though. So why don’t we go someplace inexpensive and talk about real estate.”

  “Fine,” Roxy said, looking down and kicking at the street like a disappointed child. “But don’t tell Toni that you didn’t bite. I’ve got a reputation.”

  Laughing, Noel said, “You certainly do. And I think it’s well deserved.”

  Part Eight

  The first week of August was unseasonably hot and humid. That Friday night, Noel was at Toni’s house, and their rambunctious activities didn’t do anything to cool the temperature. Noel was lying on her back, trying to catch her breath while Toni lay beside her and drew patterns on her damp belly.

  “I’m getting bored with Rehoboth,” Toni said. “I need a change of scenery. Want to go someplace?”

  Noel thought she was hearing things. Toni was actually asking her to go somewhere! “Sure. When and where?”

  Toni appeared to consider her choices for mere seconds. “Atlantic City. Tomorrow. If you can get Barbara to watch The Sandpiper, we could stay overnight.” She sat up, grinning with excitement. “Are you in?”

  To satisfy that endearing, innocent smile Noel would’ve closed The Sandpiper down for the weekend. “I’m in.”

  “Excellent!” Toni jumped out of bed, seemingly full of energy. “I’m gonna take a cold shower and change the sheets so I can sleep. I want to be at my best.”

  Reluctantly, Noel got out of bed and stood there awkwardly for a minute. Then she put her clothes on and poked her head into the bathroom to say goodbye. “I’ll let you know if I can find a babysitter.”

  “If you can’t, we’ll just come back tomorrow. But I’d rather stay over.”

  As Noel walked out of the house, she wondered why Toni would want to stay overnight in Atlantic City when she never wanted to in Delaware. Noel laughed ruefully, thinking that Toni might want separate rooms.

  ***

  Even though she tried hard, Noel couldn’t find a last-minute babysitter. Toni was a little disappointed, but she didn’t let that ruin her excitement. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll be there in a little over two hours. We can hang out, gamble, have dinner, and be back in time for you to get enough rest to get up tomorrow morning. You’re still into it, aren’t you?”

  “Absolutely. I’ll be ready to go by ten.”

  ***

  They took off in Toni’s viper red truck and were soon crossing into New Jersey on the car ferry. There was a beautifully cool breeze that made their hair fly around when they stood at the railing of the ferry. “I love being on a boat, don’t you?” Toni asked.

  “Yeah, I do. I don’t have a lot of experience, though. We aren’t boat people.”

  “We’re more car people too, but we had friends and relatives who had boats. I love to go wake boarding and waterskiing.”

  “That’s pretty energetic for me. I like to lie on the beach and read.”

  Surprising Noel, Toni took her finger and ran it along Noel’s cheek bones, and along her jaw. The look on her face was one of rabid interest. “You never lie on the beach. That’s why your skin is so pretty. You should compare how you look with somebody like poor Roxy. She’s younger than I am, but the sun has thrashed her.”

  “Yikes! I thought she was older than me.”

  “No, she’s thirty-eight. I keep bugging her to wear sunblock and a hat, but she won’t.”

  Noel looked out at the ocean, relishing the fresh air. She almost gasped when Toni put an arm around her and cuddled up close. “You don’t mind, do you?” Toni asked. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

  “I’m very comfortable. And you’re very pretty,” she said, looking at Toni’s lovely, symmetrical features.

  It looked as though Toni were a little embarrassed when she changed the subject. “Do you like to gamble?”

  “I teach in the Baltimore public schools. Every day is a gamble.” Noel laughed, showing that she was teasing. “My dad loves to play poker, and he taught all of us when we were young. I haven’t been to many casinos, but I can hold my own.”

  “What do you play?”

  “Five-card stud, seven-card stud. I can play Texas Hold ’Em, but that’s not my favorite.”

  “Why not?”

  “It’s too popular. They make it look easy on TV, and everyone thinks they can play. Of course, that’s a good way to take money from patsies.” She laughed evilly, and Toni squeezed her, resting her head on Noel’s shoulder.

  “We’re gonna have fun. I can just tell.”

 
***

  Being inside at the casino was a relief. There were large sections that were non-smoking, and the air conditioning was on full blast. Getting out of the heat was very nice after the past few days, and both of them had a lot of energy.

  They split up, with Toni going to play slot machines while Noel found a poker table that had low-limit five-card stud. “I’ll be right here, so come find me when you get bored,” Noel said.

  “Or when I go broke, which usually doesn’t take too long.”

  “Either way. I’ll be here.”

  Toni tilted her head and kissed Noel. It wasn’t a terribly romantic kiss, but it made Noel tingle all the way to her toes. She watched Toni walk away and the sway of her hips nearly made her swoon.

  ***

  About an hour later, Toni came up behind Noel and put a hand on her shoulder. Noel looked up and grinned. “I hope you’re not ready to leave.”

  Toni crouched down and whispered, “I assume that all of those chips means that you’re doing well?”

  “I am. But as soon as my luck starts to turn, I’m done. Do you mind if I hang in for a while?”

  “Not at all. I’m starving, so I’m gonna go to that big buffet. I’ll be in there chowing down.”

  “Cool. I’ll call your cell when I’m done.”

  Before she got up, Toni kissed her cheek. “Good luck.”

  ***