by Lyn Gardner
Kate’s mouth went dry as she gazed into Brodie’s eyes. She became lost in the chocolate brown as she struggled to speak the truth, and when she couldn’t find the courage, Kate shrugged. “It’s up to you.”
Brodie inwardly sighed again. She didn’t want to hold Kate in her arms and feel that delicious body pressed against hers if it was only make-believe. She didn’t want to smell her perfume unless she could nuzzle close to breathe deeply the scent, and she didn’t want to detect the hint of Cabernet on Kate’s breath if she couldn’t taste it as well. As each hour had passed, Brodie’s hunger for Kate had grown stronger, and she knew she was a hairsbreadth away from losing control, so leaving it up to her was like hanging the keys to Fort Knox right outside the vault.
“Well, whaz taking you so long?” Harrison said, looking back and forth between the two women. “Cat’s got your dancing feet?”
Kate waited for a moment or two before taking matters into her own hands. Since Harrison wasn’t backing down and Brodie had lost the ability to make a decision, Kate made it for her. “Come on, sweetheart,” she said, taking Brodie’s hand. “The sooner we dance, the sooner we can get him home.”
“Thaz my girl!” Harrison shouted, followed by a thunderous clap of his hands. “Now, I’m gonna get meself another drink, and you two girlies have fun.”
Brodie scowled as she watched her father weave his way to the bar. “I’m sorry. He’s beyond pissed.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” Kate said. “It’s his birthday, and he’s celebrating. We’ve both been there.”
“Yeah, I suppose.”
“Shall we?” Kate asked as she squeezed Brodie’s hand.
With the party winding down, the lights had dimmed, and the music had slowed. Only four couples remained on the dance floor, and as they reached the center of the room, Brodie gave in to her emotions and pulled Kate close. With their arms around each other, they moved to the music, and one dance turned into two and then into three. Neither noticed as one by one, the other couples left the dance floor until the music stopped, and the hall went quiet.
Without words, they knew it was time to leave, but as Kate started to walk away, the last song for the evening began to play.
If it hadn’t been for Harper, Brodie wouldn’t have known the song. She had always preferred new music. Synthesized with catchy lyrics holding within their words the energy of the day, they were forever changing as genres were added, and new artists were discovered. Harper, on the other hand, adored the ballads of old, and in their time together, Brodie had been forced to listen to more than her fair share of smooth, simple, and soppy melodies. None had caught her interest, the lyrics oozing with love undying and adoration bordering on the ridiculous, but then again, Brodie had never been in love before, and now she was. Now, this song made sense. Now, the lyrics spoke to her heart because, like the songwriter, Brodie was totally and unequivocally in love with a lady in red.
“Not yet,” she said softly as she pulled Kate back into her arms. “Just one more.”
With no resistance, Kate said not a word as she allowed herself to be led back onto the dance floor, and under dim lights, they began to dance.
Kate melted into Brodie, and resting her head on Brodie’s shoulder, she closed her eyes. It was as if she was on a cloud far above the world, far away from doubts and worries and fears. Kate didn’t want to think. She didn’t want to consider tomorrow or the next day or the day after that. Kate only wanted for this moment in time to remain for a little while longer. They were two, yet they were one, and Kate felt safe and warm and loved.
Brodie lowered her head, placing her cheek gently against Kate’s head, and when she heard the woman’s sigh, Brodie’s soul liquefied. The last chord played, and as they began to separate, Brodie gave in to her feelings and placed a soft kiss upon Kate’s lips.
Kate had barely opened her eyes when they fluttered closed again. She knew what was about to happen when Brodie threaded her fingers through her hair, and Kate didn’t have the strength or the desire to stop her.
At first, Brodie’s lips barely brushed Kate’s, but when she was met with no resistance, Brodie kissed her again. She applied a hint more pressure, and as she savored the flavor of Kate’s full lips, Brodie’s body began to pulse. Again they separated, and again, their lips touched, and this time, Brodie ran the tip of her tongue across Kate’s lips, craving what lay inside.
From a place Kate didn’t know she possessed was born a moan. Hungry and lustful, it rose in her throat, and then just as quickly, it was swallowed up by a gasp. A gasp of shock. A gasp of denial. A gasp of shame, the force of it caused Kate to take a step backward, and as she locked eyes with Brodie, the veins in Kate’s temples announced themselves.
In an instant, the reality of what she had done came crashing down on Brodie. “Christ, I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
Kate’s hands turned into fists. “You’re right. You shouldn’t have, and this party is bloody over.”
Chapter Twelve
“You cannot be serious.”
“Sorry, Ethan. Plans change.”
“Yeah, I get that, but it’s raining its arse off. Hell, it took us over an hour just to get back home, so you’re going to be driving all bloody night. And if you think I’m going to stand here and let you leave—”
“It’s not up to you,” Brodie said, glaring at her brother. “Kate has to get back to work, and that’s that.”
“Jesus, Brodie. Can’t you wait until morning? They’re already reporting roads flooding out and…and what about Dad?”
Brodie peered into the lounge to see her father still happily snoring away on the sofa. “What about him?”
“You’re going to leave without saying goodbye?”
“I’ll call him tomorrow.”
“Brodie—”
“Enough!” Brodie said, doing her best to keep her voice down. A second later, her anger ebbed as she saw her brother’s sandbagged expression. “Look, I’m sorry. I know we were supposed to stay until tomorrow, but Dad’s passed out, James is busy playing on his phone, and you and Lucy have the kids to tend to. I’m a good driver, and I’ll take it slowly, so stop worrying. Kate has a job to do, and she needs to get back to it.”
***
They had been in the car for over an hour, and just like Ethan had predicted, they hadn’t gotten far. The storm had grown worse—much worse—and even with the wipers on full and going well below the speed limit, Brodie could barely see the road. Other than when Kate demanded to go back to London, not a word had been spoken between them. Brodie hadn’t dared turn up the radio, fearing a love song would play, so the sounds of the storm had kept her company. The thunder had started shortly after they had left the house, and now it seemed never-ending. One rumble after another had followed them from Bournemouth, and bolts of lightning continued to split the sky, bringing with them deafening cracks that seemed to shake the car.
For a while, Brodie appreciated the cacophony, for it helped to drown out her thoughts, but now the monotonous clamor of Mother Nature’s fury was beginning to get on Brodie’s nerves. She opened the window a smidge, and the storm intruded instantly, its volume intensifying as cold, damp air flowed through the crack.
“What are you doing?”
Brodie gave Kate a half-glance. “Oh…um…I just wanted some fresh air. Thought maybe I’d have a fag. That is, unless you mind?”
“Sounds counterproductive, if you ask me,” Kate said, folding her arms.
Brodie sighed and rolled up the window.
“Do whatever you want,” Kate snapped. “I don’t care.”
Brodie opened the window again, and as she reached for her lighter, a blinding, jagged bolt of lightning splintered the sky. She winced at the brightness, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kate flinch. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Have your bloody fag already.”
“Kate, look, I’m sor—”
/> “I came down here so you could enjoy time with your family,” Kate said, shooting Brodie a look. “I agreed to pose as your partner, not become it! You had no fucking right to do what you did. None, Brodie. None!”
“I didn’t mean—”
“It doesn’t matter what you meant. It happened. Now, do us both a bloody favor and just get us back to London so we can both get on with our real lives. Can you do that?”
The next sound Brodie heard was Kate sucking in a quick breath as the front tire of the car hit a pothole and sent them veering off the edge of the road.
“Shit,” Brodie blurted, and fighting to regain control, it seemed like forever before she finally managed to get all four tires back on the asphalt. “Christ, I could have done without that. Are you okay?” When Kate didn’t answer, Brodie looked over and saw that the woman’s eyes were bulging, and she was clutching the seat belt as if holding on for dear life. “Kate, are you all right?”
“Yes. I’m…um…I’m…I’m just a bit on edge.”
The trembling in Kate’s voice wasn’t lost on Brodie, and she glanced at Kate again. “You don’t like storms, do you?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Brodie had to strain to hear Kate’s reply, and she frowned. “Why didn’t you say something? I could have easily found a hotel in Bournemouth for the night.”
“I don’t mind the rain. I’m just not a fan of lightning and thunder.”
“I’m a little surprised a copper like you would be afraid—”
“It’s a childhood phobia. Okay? You satisfied? I don’t like thunder and lightning. Never have. Probably never will. No big deal.”
“On the drive up, I thought you said you didn’t have any phobias?”
Kate relaxed her grip on the shoulder belt, but her jaw remained taut. “You know what? If it’s all the same to you, how about you just keep your eyes on the road and don’t concern yourself with me. Okay?”
Brodie huffed out a breath. “Have it your way.”
Kate stared out the window. Angry with Brodie, angry with herself, and angry at the world, her rage had carried her this far, yet the storm was rapidly diluting her fury. Her vision obscured by that which she could not face, Kate had been blinded to the danger she’d put them by demanding to go home tonight. Kate sunk in her seat. She could now add yet another mistake to her ever-growing list.
Ten minutes passed without a word between them until Kate broke the silence. “There’s a car coming at us,” she said, staring at the lights up ahead.
“Yeah, I see it.”
“Doesn’t he look a little too much in the center?” Kate said, stiffening in her seat.
“A bit,” Brodie said, her focus solely on the lights. “I’ll slow down.”
Brodie lifted her foot off the accelerator, and as the car crept along the highway, she kept her eyes on the headlights approaching her.
“Brodie, he’s in the middle of the road!”
“Bloody hell!”
Brodie swerved to the other side of the road a split-second before the headlights went whizzing past, and hitting the brakes, the Jaguar came to a stop in the grass along the edge of the highway. “Holy Mother of God,” Brodie said, slamming her hands against the steering wheel. “What a fucking idiot.”
Mindless of the storm growing even stronger around them, over a minute passed while Brodie got her nerves under control. Finally, slouching in her seat, she looked over at her passenger. “Kate, I’m sorry. I know you want to get home, but this is shit. We can’t keep driving in it, and I know you hate me, but are you really willing to die because of it? Talk about counterproductive.”
A ghost of a grin appeared on Kate’s face. “Maybe we should turn around?”
“We don’t have to. There’s a town up ahead. I’ve been through it dozens of times, and I know they have a few B&Bs. Is that okay with you?”
“Yes, of course. Anything to get out of this.”
“All right then,” Brodie said, checking her mirrors before pulling back onto the road. “We’ll just take it slow and easy.”
***
“Any luck?” Kate asked as Brodie rushed to climb back into the car.
“No, we aren’t alone. This storm has stranded lots of people, and everyone’s filled up.”
“Brodie, if the problem is two rooms, it’s only for one night and—”
“Kate, look at me. I’m soaked to the bone. Trust me, if they had a wardrobe I could have booked for the night, I would have.”
Once they arrived in the town, Brodie had managed to find three bed-and-breakfasts. Each time, she was the one to run through the storm only to return a few minutes later with the same results. There were no rooms, and the rain wasn’t supposed to ease up until the morning. If Brodie had been alone, she would have found a safe place to park and wait it out, but with each boom of thunder and bolt of lightning, Kate had curled further and further into her seat.
“So, what now?” Kate said, watching as Brodie put the car in gear.
“There’s one more down the street,” Brodie said, pulling away from the curb. “So, cross your fingers.”
Fifteen minutes later, Brodie clambered back into the car and slammed the door behind her.
“Well?” Kate said.
“Now I know how Joseph and Mary felt.”
“You have got to be kidding.”
“Nope. Four rooms, all occupied,” Brodie said as she started the car.
“Shit.”
“Look, the bloke inside said there’s another place down the road a bit. The landlines are down, and the storm is wreaking havoc with mobiles so he couldn’t call them. He said it’s definitely not a five-star, but since they’re off the beaten path, he thinks they’d have a room.”
“What do we have to lose?”
“My thoughts exactly.”
***
Brodie climbed back into the car, placing a paper bag between them before smiling at Kate as she dropped three keys into her hand.
“Oh, my God, they had a room?” Kate said, looking at the keys. “Wait. You got us three rooms?”
“No, one’s for the entrance. The other two are for the rooms.”
“So…should I ask? What’s it like?”
“The geezer had a three-day-old beard and a big old stogy sticking out of his mouth, but he guaranteed me they were clean. And quite frankly, Kate, even if they weren’t, it’s better than driving around in this shit.”
“All right,” Kate said, pocketing the keys. “What’s in the bag?”
“Oh, some candles. He said the power has been going off and on for hours. We might need them.”
“Okay,” Kate said, and a second later, she hunched her shoulders when the sky lit up again. “So, where do we go from here?”
“The entrance is on the side. He said I could park in the alley.”
Brodie guided her car down the narrow path alongside the building, getting as close to the entry as she could before turning off the engine. “You get the door. I’ll get the bags.”
“Don’t bother. I can get my own bag,” Kate said, reaching for the door handle.
“Jesus Christ, woman, could you give me a break?” Brodie growled. “I get that you hate me, okay? I get it, but I’m not being chivalrous. I’m already soaked to the bone, and there’s no need for both of us to catch pneumonia. Now, can you please put your bloody bruised dignity to the side for just one minute and go open the door, or would you rather just sit here and argue about it all night long?”
Kate gave Brodie the evil eye before opening the door, and jumping out, she slammed it behind her before making a mad dash to the stoop.
The hostel was nothing more than the end unit of a row home that had been converted to guest rooms on one side and the owner’s living space on the other. It wasn’t deserving of any stars, and Brodie couldn’t have cared less. All she wanted was to change her clothes, have a bed on which to sleep, and put as much distance between her and Kate as possible.
The alleyway was acting like a funnel, and the minuscule roof over the door offered Kate little protection from the onslaught. Wind and rain whipped pummeled her as she fumbled to get the key into the lock, and when she finally stumbled inside, Kate was soaked to the skin.
While water dripped off her useless raincoat and puddled on the floor, Kate took in her minimal surroundings, lit by a single naked bulb on the ceiling. The walls hadn’t been painted in years, the once-white surface now grimy and gray, and the linoleum covering the floor had peeled in several spots. Kate shrugged. At least it had a roof.
Brodie used her foot to slam the door closed, and putting down the luggage, she grimaced. “I hope the rooms look better than this.”
“That makes two of us.”
“Only one way to find out,” Brodie said, picking up her suitcase. “You’ve got the keys. Choose a room.”
Kate looked at the keys and handing Brodie the fob labeled Two, Kate grabbed her suitcase and headed to the door with a crooked number one nailed to its surface.
Brodie unlocked her room, and feeling around the doorframe, she found the switch and flipped it on just as Kate called out from behind her.
“Hey, I don’t know about yours, but mine’s not that bad.”
Brodie had to agree. While the hallway was a bit seedy, her room appeared to be clean and neat. Sparsely furnished, it held only a bed, a nightstand, a small dresser, and an upholstered chair, and as she stepped inside, she noticed a tiny door to her left. Going over, Brodie discovered an equally tiny bathroom. The porcelain on the fixtures was permanently stained, and the chrome on the faucets was pitted and dull, but for one night, it was doable.
