by Barrett
She gasped and held her breath. The majestic silhouette was everything she had imagined and more. The varnish was still a little tacky to touch, but it highlighted the tongue and groove carvings along the sides. The copper clad light fixture that adorned the top gleamed like the crown jewel. A single sheet of paper tacked to one of the side supports provided Roger’s instructions to illuminate the beacon.
From the base of the unit a coil of Romex cable stretched to her workbench and ended with a temporary plug.
Kirin ducked under the door just as Silke plugged it in.
A diffuse blue-white light fractured the darkness.
“Wow, that’s really impressive.” Kirin clapped her hands and smiled broadly. “Damn.”
Silke simply gaped. One by one, tears rolled down her cheeks. Incredible. She wiped her cheeks and gazed at Kirin. “Do you think he’ll like it?”
Kirin closed the distance and hugged her. “He’s going to be blown away. This is spectacular.”
Silke welcomed the tender embrace. It felt good to have her work appreciated. Rachel always treated her passion as a pointless hobby. “I’m not sure you can ever know how nice it is . . . sharing this moment—the completion of a big project.”
“This may sound crazy, but I kind of feel like we should be celebrating.” Kirin kissed her forehead.
“You’re right, we should. Would you mind running back to the house?” Silke asked. “Phillip said he left me a really nice bottle of wine to celebrate the closing on the house.”
“Perfect.”
They kissed, and their eyes locked in a brief acknowledgement and promise. Kirin turned and ducked under the door.
JUST AS PHILLIP said, a glittery plastic bag stood on the top shelf of the refrigerator. A card attached with the red ribbon read, “Congratulations.” After carefully removing the bottle from the bag, Kirin took two stemmed wine glasses over to the counter. As she twisted the corkscrew, she read the label. “2009 Caitlin’s Reserve Chardonnay. Looks pricy.”
She ducked under the rollup door in time to see Silke straddling a stepladder and leaning precariously to adjust something in the light fixture. The pose was amusing and somewhat provocative, considering her shorts lay at the foot of the ladder. Kirin smiled as she admired the taut leg muscles braced on the rungs of the ladder. Small muscles in her belly tightened as a fiery warmth filled her insides.
She set down the bottle and glasses on Silke’s workbench and gripped the back of the nearby drafting chair. “It looks like a beautiful bottle of wine.”
Silke paused and looked down with a quizzical expression. “Beautiful?”
The heat surged into her cheeks her. A nervous laugh spilled out. “Well, it is an attractive-looking bottle, but I was more distracted by your legs, and . . . well, you look sort of regal up there.”
The navy blue panties reminded her of Silke’s swimsuit. Was that really only twenty-four hours earlier? She could still picture Silke standing naked in the center of the boat with her teasing smile. She had somehow believed in that moment she would spend the rest of her life with this woman. She walked to the foot of the ladder as her heart pounded in her chest.
“Regal, huh? Do you think it’s the lighting or my indecent attire?” Silke’s eyes twinkled. “My shorts felt a little constrictive.”
“Yes. Perhaps it’s my powerful attraction to you that leaves me overwhelmed.” Kirin grabbed both sides of the ladder and took one step up.
Silke laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone climb a ladder for me.” She swung her leg over the top and took a step down.
Kirin put her hand on Silke’s calf and stroked her leg. The skin was warm and soft and sent tiny electrical shocks down her arm.
They stepped down until Kirin was on the ground with her hands on Silke’s waist. Silke leaned back, and Kirin encircled her waist and kissed the back of her neck.
“That feels nice. I love how gentle you are.” Silke took Kirin’s hands and pulled them tighter as she tipped her head to one side.
Kirin continued the kisses along her neck and under her ear as she inhaled the sweet scent of Silke’s skin, shampoo, and the vague scent of varnish. She closed her eyes as Silke’s back pressed against her chest. Desire made her dizzy.
Silke turned in her arms until they were facing and ran her fingers through Kirin’s hair. Her dark eyes were intense and her lips parted slightly. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt like this. I’d like it if you’d stay with me tonight.”
Kirin pressed her lips to Silke’s as she pulled her hips closer. Short kisses became longer kisses, and Silke groaned.
As her need grew more powerful, Kirin pulled back and took a deep breath. “I want you so badly right now . . . but I think we should slow down. We have all night, and I don’t want to rush you.” Her legs were trembling, and she took Silke’s hand. “I think we should have the wine, okay?”
Kirin poured two glasses, handed one to Silke, and they sat on her workbench, admiring the tall elegant beacon that illuminated the space. “What were you doing up on the ladder?”
“This wine is really delicious isn’t it?” Silke took another swallow and pointed to the light fixture. “I wanted to move the light sensor to what would be the south side of the fixture. I think it’ll be more sensitive. My client wasn’t sure, but I convinced him that the dusk to dawn light sensor would be valuable. He can override it if he wants to, but the light is shaded so it will not be glaring in his windows.”
“That makes sense. And you’re right, I really like this wine. Your brother has good taste.” Kirin tucked the hair behind Silke’s ear and brushed the back of her fingers along her cheek. She relished the intimacy she felt just being near. “Have you decided what you want to do with the house?”
“Not really. I’m really more comfortable in my studio, but it’s not set up for full-time occupancy. We haven’t really made any long-term decisions. I told him to go ahead and rent it for a few months while I’m in Belize. I think after I have some time away I’ll be able to think more clearly.” Silke put down her glass, linked her arm through Kirin’s, interlaced their fingers, and snuggled closer. “Right now, I just want to concentrate on being with you.” She leaned closer, and their lips met.
Kirin closed her eyes and lost herself in the soft lips and sweet taste of the wine. Silke cupped her face and kissed her more forcefully. The heat and the wine made Kirin’s need undeniable, and she yielded to the scorching passion. Kissing became sparring until Silke pulled back, panting, and yanked the tee shirt over her head.
She slipped off the workbench and stood between Kirin’s knees. “Take your shirt off.”
Kirin reached over her head, yanked the polo shirt up, and tossed it on the floor. Her pulse raced, and she gulped a deep breath. The fire in her belly had become an ache.
Silke wedged closer and gently kissed the skin between Kirin’s breasts, sending a shiver down Kirin’s spine. Kirin closed her eyes, helpless as Silke cupped each breast with her hot hands. She felt the warm breath through the fabric of her bra before the soft lips touched her.
Silke ran the tip of her tongue below Kirin’s ear. “I want to show you all the things that make me happy. I want to delight you and tease you. I want you to scream with joy, and then I want you to make love to me.”
Silke’s voice was hoarse and her eyes dark. Kirin heard the whimper escape from her own throat. A trickle of sweat ran down her side and her legs quivered.
“Come upstairs with me—I’ll turn on the fan. It’ll be cooler,” Silke whispered.
Kirin slid off the bench into Silke’s arms and into a searing kiss.
Chapter Fifty
THE SOFT LIGHT from the magnificent lighthouse reflected off the high ceiling and through the cracks of the half wall in the loft. The only sound was the rhythmic whump-whump of the ancient attic exhaust fan. A faint breeze ruffled across the goose bumps on Kirin’s back and thighs.
Silke stripped off her bra and panties and pulled
the spread off the bed. The dim light cast her in a seductive glow that accentuated the curve of her hips and the softness of her breasts.
Kirin pressed her hand against her heart to stave off the ache she felt as she looked at Silke. “From the first moment I really saw you in the funny oriental hotel I think I knew that this moment would come.”
Silke smiled. “I know this isn’t the most romantic place in the world, but it means so much to me because I feel safe here. I want to it share with you and only you. Will you let me?”
Kirin nodded.
Silke unhooked Kirin’s bra and let it drop to the floor. She trailed her fingers across both breasts and down to unfasten the shorts. Kirin’s breathing became shallow and fast as she stepped out of her shorts and underwear.
“Your body is wonderful,” Silke whispered as she ran her hands over Kirin shoulders, chest, and hips. “Please . . .” She pulled Kirin closer to the bed and motioned for her to lie down.
Silke straddled her hips and leaned forward until their breasts brushed.
A wave of dizziness passed, and Kirin pulled Silke’s mouth to hers.
Silke’s strong and gentle fingers explored and caressed every tender spot of skin on Kirin’s sensitive primed body. Her mouth explored and probed until Kirin felt mindless and shimmered with an almost exquisite pain. She bit back a scream, and Silke pressed their damp tingling flesh together.
“I did warn you,” Silke said with a breathy whisper.
Kirin caught her breath and laughed. “Yes, you did. Lord, have mercy.”
Silke leaned up on one elbow then kissed Kirin’s cheek. “I’ve wanted to do that for so long, I wanted . . . to take the time to really make love to you . . . the way I wanted.”
“I’ve wanted the same thing for so long, but it just wasn’t right . . . and then, well you were frightened.” Kirin pulled Silke close and kissed her gently. Her green eyes twinkled in the pale light.
Silke held Kirin’s face between her hands. “Please understand, in my heart I always knew you would never hurt me. It was really a reflex. Let’s rest a little, and then let’s make love again and again . . .”
Kirin silenced her with a kiss, a deep, slow delicious kiss.
FIRST LIGHT FILTERED through the large industrial skylight. It was just enough to trigger the light sensor, which dimmed the newly installed beacon sensor. Silke pulled the loose sheet up over her chest and stretched her arms and legs. The morning dampness chilled her, but the delicious fatigue she felt made her smile.
A night of love had been just the tonic to dispel her anxiety. She could see that Kirin and Rachel were polar opposites. She had no reason to be fearful now. The old wounds would be slow to heal—especially the memory of the physical pain.
I’m not sure if this sparkling sensation in my chest is hope or joy. Silke couldn’t decide, but it was lovely. She smiled and stretched her arms above her head. She almost felt reborn with the kind of peace and contentment that came only with an open heart. Her love for Kirin had grown slowly and steadily into something solid. She draped her hand across Kirin’s chest and felt the reassuring pulsing of her heart.
Kirin was curved around a pillow, snoring softly. Silke gently stroked a curl near her face. I’m so glad I found you.
They would need to make changes in their lives, compromises, and sacrifices. But more than any other time in her life, Silke felt ready and filled with anticipation. And today, she already had a mental list of to dos. She had to arrange for the installation of the sculpture with Roger then send a note to Diane for details and travel. She had to talk to Phillip.
Her first and most important priority was an appointment with her eye doctor.
KIRIN FUMBLED WITH the door keys to her condo. Leaving Silke so early that morning had been almost impossible. She laughed when she thought about how desperately she wanted to accept her invitation to roll around naked all day.
The dawn drive along the lakeshore allowed her to gradually re-enter the work-a-day world and still hold on to the glorious afterglow. She was aware that half-a-dozen messages waited on her cell phone, none of them as important as the memory of the woman in her arms all night. Sleep deprived and a little sore, she knew she could sort things out once she had coffee and was far enough away from temptation.
A small box on the kitchen counter held her mail, a small package, a bottle of aloe, and a note from Melissa.
I hope the weekend was fun. Since you NEVER remember to use sunscreen, the aloe should help. :)
Kirin laughed. “Thanks, Melissa. Ben Gay would have been more appropriate.”
She left her bag by the counter and filled the coffeemaker. As the coffee brewed, she scrolled through the messages on her phone. The most recent was from Silke and it was simply a heart symbol. Silly, but it still caused a pleasant twinge in her chest. There were two from Melissa, one from her brother, and three from her editor.
Crap. Deep breath. For three blissful days, she hadn’t thought about her editor, her publisher, or the precarious state of her job. She took the fresh coffee and went to her desk where she booted up her computer. As expected, Esther had left a detailed e-mail. Even though it was a bit rambling, essentially, Nathan had asked that she come to New York sooner than later.
After a quick reply, she started booking reservations. A small ache reminded her of Silke and having to leave town so quickly. Hopefully, she’d stay busy with her project.
She found a room at the small hotel near the publisher’s office where she usually stayed, typed in her information and credit card number, and waited for confirmation. Surely, meeting with Nathan and his publisher friend wouldn’t take more than a day or two. She read the airline schedule and booked for a round-trip ticket. Hell, why couldn’t they do this by phone or Skype? She couldn’t imagine anything that they couldn’t do online. Not Nathan. Oh no. He was old fashioned and enjoyed his face-to-face meetings.
That should settle Esther down, she thought as she added her itinerary to Esther’s e-mail and hit send. She knew there’d be a response momentarily. Quickly, she typed a text message for Silke.
I miss you already.
She did her laundry, then repacked, and laid down on the couch for a much-needed nap.
A familiar knock at her door interrupted a dream. She didn’t even attempt to get up. The key in the lock confirmed it was Melissa.
“Yoo hoo, it’s me. Are you up?” Melissa bumped the door shut with her hip, smiled, and held up a waxed bag and a tray with two coffee cups. “I had to take Steffi to the airport and on the way back I came by to see if you were home yet. Since your car was out front, I just ran around the block to the doughnut shop.” She set everything down on the coffee table, shifted Kirin’s knees out of the way, and sat down next to her.
Kirin shook her head. “How thoughtful of you. Please make yourself at home.”
Melissa opened the bag. “I got your favorite—cream filled chocolate covered.”
Unable to resist, Kirin took the peace offering. “Thank you.”
She still resented the fact that Melissa fluctuated wildly between her passion for junk food and her holier-than-thou health food regimens . . . and her weight never varied.
Melissa peeled the lid off both cups and handed one to Kirin. “So how was your weekend? Did you go see your folks or did you finagle your way out of it?”
“I did go because it was their fiftieth wedding anniversary. It was very nice, and they said to say hello if I saw you.” Kirin blew on the steaming cup of coffee. “How was your weekend?”
“It was fun. We went up north because Riz threw a party for Melanie’s birthday. She turned thirty-three, isn’t that sweet. It was fun.”
“Who all was there?” Wait. What happened to the lovely Tina she had recently met?
“Oh, you know the usual suspects. Hey, did you hear about Lissa and Rachel?”
The hair on the back of her neck stood up, and Kirin put her cup on the table. “No. Who are they again?” She knew perfectl
y well who Rachel was, but couldn’t place Lissa.
“Lissa Nyland works with the Riz at Harley. She’s in HR. And Rachel—I’m not sure what her last name is—was there for the Fourth of July party with the pretty woman you gave a ride to.”
“The dark-haired woman, I remember.” Tension tightened her muscles. She busied herself, unfolding napkins to wipe her fingers. Of course, she remembered Rachel, and not kindly.
“Weellll, it seems that Lissa was none too happy with Rachel—her new girlfriend—when she found out about her screwing around with some other girl in Chicago.” Melissa turned to Kirin and lowered her voice in a very conspiratorial manner. “She suspected something was going on and checked Rachel’s cell phone for text messages. Sure enough, there were hundreds of them. I guess all those business trips were a different kind of business.
