Come Undone: Romance Stories Inspired by the Music of Duran Duran

by Kim Carmichael

  "Damn, what do you mean? How do you know about the salute? Were you there?" Maybe that was the missing piece of the puzzle. This mystery woman—he still didn't know her name—must have been at the scene of the accident.

  "Again, you must be patient." The warmth of her hand skimmed across his forehead and an image of his mother bending over his childhood sickbed sprang to mind. "Things will unfold as they're meant to, but you have a big part to play in making sure they do. Like I said if you have faith all dreams can come true."

  "At least tell me your name. Please?" If he had a name, it meant this whole event was tangible.

  "You can call me Quincy."

  "Is she going to be okay?" The pressing thought finally made it into audible form.

  "I don't have that information, but she's got a struggle ahead. That's why she needs you."

  "I don't understand."

  Quincy took a deep breath and blew it out slowly, as if she were doing some kind of yoga meditation. "She's pretty hurt, but she's strong."

  Whether he passed out for a second, he didn't know, but when he opened his eyes the next time, the room was empty. His head swam with Quincy's words and her strange hints. Tessa took center stage in his thoughts. The thought of that gorgeous face cut and bruised elicited a pain deeper than the headache from the accident.

  The memory of their encounter at the coffee shop washed over him. The wonder he felt when she came to his defense against the rude man remained the most powerful impression, after the salute of course. He drifted back into a fuzzy dream world, reliving the encounter.

  There she was, dressed in her teal and black business suit that revealed lots of leg to his view. In the dream however, the replay changed.

  When she handed him his iced mocha after the spill, he gave her a big smile. "Care to join me outside? I'd like to get to know my new superhero."

  Instead of rolling her eyes like he expected, she giggled. "I'd love to. Let me grab us a couple of muffins. Only have a few minutes though. I've got to get to work."

  "Same here. I'll get us a table." He wandered outside and chose a table with an umbrella, which would shield them from the intense desert sunshine. With great care he arranged the chairs so neither of them needed to stare into the sun. After a second's mental debate, he chose not to remove his glasses. It wouldn't make a difference since she'd already seen the heavy black rims. Though he only required them for distance, it was easier to wear them all the time.

  Once he settled in his seat, he waited for her, scanning his mind for something to talk about with the gorgeous creature who chose to spend a little time with him. It had been a while since he interacted with a perfect stranger, at least in real life. Online, he had no problem relating to various women in the virtual gaming community. Of course, they usually never got beyond the hints to unlock the next level.

  Just as he almost regretted making the suggestion to sit together, she arrived with the muffins. "I didn't know which you wanted, so I got an apple cinnamon and a chocolate chocolate chip. You can have whichever you want."

  The intent stare she gave the chocolate one, made his choice easy. "How did you know apple cinnamon was my favorite?"

  Her eyes widened and her brilliant smile made him wish he had a necklace or something to present in addition to the muffin, just to see what she might do. "Thank you." She sat back and took a sip of her coffee while looking him over. "What's most important to you?"

  "Wow, that's a big question for our first chat." Sure the surprise was visible on his face, he fidgeted with the paper on his muffin before coming up with an answer. "Cherish All Existence."

  Her mouth dropped open. "Quarkanians for eternity. Seriously? You want to 'barnstorm the unknown?'"

  Without further thought, he raised his fist to his ear and his heart tripped when she returned the Quarkanian salute. "You know the salute? I thought I was the only person in Vegas who watched, Quest Quarka. Even the guys at my tech firm don't know the salute.

  "I almost died when they canceled the show. It didn't run even six episodes." She pressed a fist to her chest as if in pain.

  "I know. I felt the same way. We were left without knowing if Commander Quilton would mate with Quessa or not. It was really cruel how the network canceled the show without letting them wrap up the story line."

  "Did you know there's going to be a con in Vegas next month?" Her tendency to bounce in her chair delighted him. She was almost beside herself with excitement. That alone told him she tried to live by the Quarkian code, to Cherish All Existence in the Now.

  "No. Really? I hadn't heard. I gave up on the internet boards because nothing ever seemed to happen outside of the UK unless it was possibly New York or L.A."

  "Quilton and Quessa are supposed to attend, along with Qui'inci and..."

  As she rattled off all the main characters from his favorite sci-fi show, he studied her. While he had attempted to take the premise of the show's slogan to heart, he rarely achieved the lift of being fully present in the moment. The woman in front of him seemed to reach that state almost naturally.

  Without warning she groaned, and held a hand to her head. "Ow."

  "What's wrong?" Attuned to her emotions, he almost felt a throbbing in his head and instinctively reached for her hand. It felt cool to his touch, but vibrant. He couldn't resist running his thumb over her smooth skin.

  "I'm not sure, just an awful headache. It's nothing to worry about though." Her face relaxed, but then she winced. "And it was starting out to be a wonderful day. If this headache keeps up, it will go sour real fast."

  "Maybe you should take something."

  The lines furrowed in her forehead disappeared. "I think it's gone for the moment. But thanks." She covered his hand. "You've got a kind soul, but I knew a fellow Quarky must be awesome, right?" Her grin brought a heat to his face, and other parts.

  "This is going to sound wild, but honestly, it's from the quintessence of my breath." He paused, but when she nodded at the Quarkanian reference, he continued. "What if we both call in to our jobs and take the day to explore this, whatever this might be or become."

  Before he finished his sentence she stood and held her hand out to him. "Let's go."

  Chapter Three

  YANCY DEBATED ABOUT taking Tessa for a walk on a beach at the lake, to just be with her. The water’s gentle rhythm in time to the universe would provide the music for them to bond, but one more time, the gorgeous woman surprised him.

  "I'll drive. Your place or mine?"

  "My house is just around the corner. Take the exit around the back." While impressed she'd invite him to her home, for a strange reason he wouldn't admit to himself, he wanted to see her response to his. It was a test several women had failed. Fine, he needed to see how much nerd she could accept—that and Quark was a good judge of character.

  Along the way they exchanged names.

  "Tessa," he repeated, relishing in the way it rolled off his tongue. The name and the woman seemed so familiar in some ways and wonderfully unknown in others. A few short minutes later they pulled into the driveway to his two-story home. He'd picked up a good deal on it during the height of the Great Recession. The bonus was that it had an oversize yard, which gave privacy.

  After unlocking the front door, he stepped inside, ready for a furry assault. Yancy might have to run interference, but when Quark came barreling out from the direction of the kitchen, his toenails clicking on the tile floor, he skidded to a stop and placed his butt on the floor in a perfect sitting position. What the hell? The dog was behaving himself, as if he'd been trained. Of course, he and the dog both knew Yancy didn't have the discipline to suffer through obedience classes for either him or the monster black lab mix.

  Tessa dropped to her knees, putting herself in harm's way of either a threatening growl or being licked to death. "Hello." Her voice remained even, not the little baby talk that women often used when talking to puppies. The tone was friendly, but she didn't move. Neither did Quark.

/>   "That's beyond odd." He couldn't get over the dog's behavior.

  She didn't move, just kept her attention on the canine. "What's his name?"

  "Quark."

  "I should have known." One of her hands rose, fist closed toward the dog, but just out of his reach. "It's great to meet you, Quark."

  Only then did Quark's tail move, thumping against the floor, but he waited.

  Never in his entire life had he seen such an encounter. The dog didn't bark, or yip, or bound toward her, instead he remained stationary seemingly as enthralled by the curvy creature as his owner.

  "It's okay," she said, but Yancy wasn't quite sure if she was talking to him or his dog.

  Quark tilted his head, his ears perked. Finally, he slid forward so that he was laying on all fours. His head dipped under her palm. For the first time he was jealous of the dog. He wanted her hand to caress him, for her fingernails to comb through his hair. Before another minute passed, the dog rolled over on his back inviting a tummy rub.

  Yancy let out a breath he wasn't aware he'd been holding. Quark was a true barometer of any person's character. The last time he ignored Quark's reservations about a colleague, the man ended up stealing a proprietary software program Yancy developed for a client to pass off as his own creation. The same thing happened the last couple of dates he brought home. Granted, neither woman was one he would have asked out for a second date, but the dog's instincts were unparalleled. About a year ago he’d dated a woman for a couple of months and thought it might turn into something. Quark never warmed up to her, would yap at her every time she entered a room, and not in a friendly greeting way. The dog would never attack someone, but he became quite territorial about his owner and his space. He'd been about to ask her to take the relationship to the next level when, without warning, she dumped him in favor of some jock she met at a concert.

  Even with people he approved of, Quark never acted this mellow. With his partner and best friend, Trevor, the dog jumped on him the second he entered the house, and tried to get him to wrestle with him.

  "Quark, thanks for allowing me into your home." After a final scratch of the dog's tummy she stood. "He's happy here, and something tells me I will be too." She entered the living room and circled, observing all the little details that made up his home.

  He waited for the judgment.

  Command central took up most of his living room. It was work and play space, an extra-large computer monitor took center stage, flanked by two smaller screens. The two chairs in front of the large desk were used whenever Trevor or an employee came over to work. He spent plenty of time gaming with Trevor there too. The corner made up his personal relaxation area. Done up in a simplistic Asian motif, it was bordered by tall bamboo plants and featured a black loveseat and black and white nature prints on the wall.

  "Do you play as hard as you work?" She ran a hand along the desk.

  "Sometimes, though I admit, work has taken first place for a while now." Slow down, he reminded himself. He longed to tell her he wanted her to change that aspect of his life. Too soon. What happened to barnstorming the unknown? "Uh--"

  "Me too, on the work, but I totally want to change that. Calling in today is a first step, maybe for both of us?" She kicked off her heels and moved toward the loveseat. Then in a similar action to what she used with Quark, she held her hand out and waited.

  He liked to think he was smarter than the dog. At least he moved faster. Entwining his fingers in hers, he sank beside her and drew her toward him. Careful to embrace the moment, he didn't crush her to him. He slid an arm around her shoulders and slipped a finger under her chin to position her mouth.

  Her nostrils flared just the slightest, and he accepted the invitation. The kiss started soft. He caressed her lips with his, moving over them, tasting the chocolate mixed with coffee and the undertones of distinct flavors belonging only to Tessa. Her mouth opened and he deepened the kiss, exploring her with his tongue. He massaged her neck before letting his hand lower to her breasts. His destination strained toward him, begging for his touch. Her little whimpers urged him to continue.

  Though they were still covered by her suit, he palmed her breasts, grazing over her nipples.

  Without further urging, she unbuttoned the jacket and guided his hand to her breasts.

  Coming up for breath, he leaned in to see the treasures she offered. Creamy skin peeked out from the wine colored bra. He pinched a nipple and then the other. The actions elicited a groan. Instead of using his particular talent for unhooking the bra with one hand, he nuzzled her neck, drawing little designs with his tongue over the place where her heartbeat pulsed.

  Her breathing sped up, definitely a good sign. "Hm. Yancy?"

  So filled with the sounds of her pleasure, he almost didn't recognize his name. "Yes?" His murmur didn't preclude his search for more of her fabulous responses.

  "Where's the bedroom?" The words came between shallow gasps for air.

  Again, rather than asking for clarification, he chose to go with the flow. “We have time.” When she went to remove the rest of her clothing, he stilled her hand. "Let me. I want to 'cherish your existence.'"

  With measured strokes, he glided his fingers down her collarbone and her head dropped back. He followed the caress with a trail of kisses.

  She shrugged the jacket off her shoulders, which allowed him access to her bra. The scalloped lace revealed more than it concealed, but it teased him with more. Giving in to the urge, he unfastened her bra and it fell, uncovering two gorgeous globes of flesh tipped with hardened nipples. He lowered his mouth to one peak, while fondling the other with his fingers.

  Her hands combed through his hair and pressed him closer. As if he were suckling for his last nourishment, he drew her nipple into his mouth, first one and then the other, alternating until she nudged his shoulders. "If you keep that up we won't need a bed."

  At her encouraging tone, he unbuttoned her skirt and slid the zipper down. She stepped out of the garment and stood naked except for her matching lace panties. In one motion he knelt before her, grazing her full hips and kissing her on each pelvic bone. The heat and scent of her enticed him and he pushed her panties down.

  "I need you." Evidently not one to wait for the man to lead, she reached for his hand and brought it to the V between her legs. Her need unveiled itself in the form of the moisture he found there.

  "I'm going to show you that beds are overrated." When her brow crinkled, he explained. "I've done some research on this topic and have been dying to try it with someone."

  Her eyes widened and she moistened her lips. "Well, let's get to experimenting then." The huskiness in her voice managed to take his arousal to another level.

  He sat her on the loveseat. Next, he kissed the ripe center waiting for his attentions and draped her legs over his shoulders. He lapped at the wetness he found there, paying particular attention to her clit.

  Tessa's fingers found his head and held him against her. Her whimpers grew into moans. "Yes, right there. Don't stop." Her active participation urged him on and seemed to have an immediate connection to his erection, which hardened further.

  Halting was the last thing he planned to do. He pressed a knuckle on one side of her clit allowing sensations of the hard bone to contrast with his soft tongue. When her moans increased, he inserted a finger into her wet core. He thrust upward.

  Her thighs trembled. "Oh."

  His focus remained on her pleasure. Tonguing her clit, he sucked gently, and flicked over it.

  "I'm almost there."

  That was his signal to stand. From his wallet he retrieved a condom, then shed his clothes before guiding her to the arm of the loveseat. "Sit here and lay back on your shoulders." Placing his hands on her hips to hold her steady, he waited until she was in position before nudging her legs open. For a long moment he studied her resplendent curves, her erect nipples and her hair. Loosed from their exertions, it fanned out red brown against the couch.

  "Please
. I can't wait to feel you inside me."

  He lifted her legs around his waist. "Me either. The moment is ours." Unable to delay one more second, he entered her, and her warm wetness surrounded him. Cautious at first, in order to increase her arousal he kept his rhythm fast and shallow, gradually increasing his thrusts until he was buried deep. "Cross your ankles." His order came out between his grunts. When she obeyed, her muscles tightened around his cock. Every thought fled his mind except the need to take her with him into the unknown.

  "Ah!" Her small sound was the first indication her climax was near. "Yes. Now."

  Her body trembled. The little quakes sent him over the edge on a groan of ecstasy.

  "Oh, my god, what a head rush." She reached for him. "That was amazing. I've never, I don't know, but it's never been that intense. Ever."

  He didn't withdraw immediately, instead waiting until they both caught their breaths before he assisted her to sit on the couch arm.

  The slight blush on her cheeks charmed him. He brushed a kiss over each one before feasting once more on her lips. "You're amazing."

  Long moments later, he raised his head.

  Only then did Quark approach them. He nudged his head under Tessa's hand. She scratched it.

  "Go lay down, boy," he ordered.

  After a couple heavy thumps of his tail, the dog shot him a look. If dogs could wink, Yancy guessed that's exactly what he would be doing.

  "Now, I can think of a few things we can do to break the bed in," he said.

  Her laughter vibrated through him. "That sparkles."

  The constant Quarkanian references added to the tingles still shooting through him. They amplified when she wrapped her arms around him. Joy rumbled through him. He boosted her into his arms and carried her up to the bedroom. Yancy swore he would remember the feeling for the rest of time. In that moment, cherish all existence in the now became substantial.