by Radclyffe
“Dusty. You’ll get your good clothes dirty. Hold on a second.” Deo pulled a navy blue bandanna from her back pocket and wiped off the window seat. “There.”
“Thank you.” Nita flushed at the attention. “The gardens are going to need work.”
“If you want a professional landscaper, I can suggest someone. Pia is really good too, if you just want ideas.”
“I’ll ask Pia when I get ready.”
“So…do you want to take a look at the roof?” Deo asked.
Nita tilted her head back against the wall. “Not really. Whatever you’re doing up there, I’m sure it’s what needs to be done.”
Deo grinned. “Trusting.”
“About some things.” Nita studied Deo’s face. “How are you doing?”
“I’m happy with the way things are coming along. No big surprises yet.”
“I didn’t mean the house.”
Deo shifted and looked out the window. “I’m fine.”
“You look tired.”
“I shouldn’t go out to play on work nights.”
Nita pushed aside the fleeting image of Deo in bed with a woman. “Did you get into trouble or do you always have a police escort home?”
“One drink too many. It’s a small town, and the police really do serve as well as protect.”
“I’m glad.” Nita knew she shouldn’t push, but from the way Deo’s hand was balled into a fist and the rigid way she held her body, she was more than tired. She was hurting. “Is it because you told me about your brother?”
“What?” Deo asked in a raspy voice.
“The reason that you’re so upset?”
Deo looked down at Nita, her eyes too shuttered for Nita to read. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Nita stood up. Deo was very close, just inches away. Her legs trembled and it was hard to catch a breath. “We don’t have to talk about it.” She skimmed Deo’s forearm with her fingers. “Perhaps with Pia. If you talk about it, a little bit, whenever you can, after a while it might not hurt so much.”
“There are better remedies,” Deo said darkly.
“Drinking only works for an hour or two, and the payback is hell.” Nita smiled tremulously as something raw and dangerous surfaced in Deo’s eyes. A wave of heat engulfed her, and she made no move to escape.
“This works every time.” Deo grasped Nita by the shoulders and kissed her, pushing her back until she was pressed against the wall with Deo’s weight upon her.
Nita wrapped both arms around Deo’s shoulders and opened to her, absorbing her hunger through every pore. Her body ignited and she moaned. Deo caressed her breasts as she delved inside her mouth and Nita shuddered. She wanted Deo inside, so badly she was ready to beg. Fill me, I’m starving. So hungry. So empty.
Deo broke the kiss and buried her face in Nita’s hair. “Nita. I’m going crazy for you. It’s nuts.”
“I know,” Nita gasped. “Maybe we just need to burn it out of our systems.” She slid her hand down Deo’s back and cupped Deo’s ass, pulling her hard into the vee between her legs. The jolt of pressure was exhilarating. “I can’t stop thinking of you inside me.”
Deo groaned. “Let’s go to my place. Now. If I don’t touch you I’m going to end up punching walls.”
Nita grabbed Deo’s hand and pressed it between her legs. “Touch me now.”
“Nita,” Deo gasped. She kissed Nita’s neck, her jaw, her mouth. “We can’t. Not here.”
“Just a second. Only take a second,” Nita urged, opening the waistband of her slacks. “God, I need you.”
“Nita…wait.” Deo shivered, her lips against Nita’s ear. “I want more than a two minute fuck.”
Sylvia’s voice sliced through her mind. Let me touch you, baby. It’ll only take a second. Let me make you come. You know I love a fast fuck.
“Oh my God,” Nita whispered. Sylvia pushing her against the wall in the stairwell, her hand inside her scrubs, inside her, thrusting deep, fast, until she was coming, coming and crying and wanting more. Sylvia taking her in a frenzy after they’d been forced to spend the evening pretending they were mere acquaintances. Sylvia had taught her that the hunger was all there was, and a moment’s satisfaction was all she would ever have. “My God, I can’t do this again.”
Nita pulled away, needing to brace one arm against the wall to steady herself. She couldn’t look at Deo. “Please. Give me a minute. Just…please go.”
“Not until you tell me what’s wrong.”
“I can’t.”
“Christ, you were just begging me to fuck you. What happened?”
“I came to my senses.”
Deo grit her teeth. She wanted to grab Nita and shake her, or kiss her until she went soft and hot in her arms again. “Bullshit. What happened? Do what again? Is this about her?” When Nita didn’t answer, Deo’s head pounded with anger and the remnants of raging lust. “Jesus, what the fuck did she do to you?”
Nita shook her head. “It wasn’t her. It was me. I let her.”
“Let her do what? Teach you a minute was all you could have?”
“A minute is all I want.”
“Fuck that. That was all she was willing to give you.” Deo cupped Nita’s chin in her hand and forced Nita to look at her. “I don’t mind a quick, hard fuck. In fact, every time I see you that’s exactly what I want.” She rubbed her thumb over Nita’s mouth. “But it’s going to take more than that to burn you out of my head. All night, remember? That’s the deal. That’s what I want.”
“One night?” Nita whispered, closing her slacks with trembling hands.
Deo kissed her. Long enough and hard enough to bring back the need, then she eased away. “That’s what I said.”
Nita’s body ached. Sylvia’s face, her voice, the touch of her hands shimmered through her memory. When she met Deo’s intense eyes, the heat seared the other images away. “Touch me. Touch me so I know it’s you.”
“I’ll make sure you know who it is,” Deo murmured. Then she cupped Nita’s face in her palms and kissed her again, slowly, deeply, tracing her forehead, her cheekbones, her jaw with the tips of her fingers. She caressed her until Nita relaxed against her body, her frenzy turned to yearning. “That’s better. Now remember that.”
Nita rested her cheek against Deo’s shoulder as her heart pounded wildly against Deo’s breast. “I will.”
“Good. What time do you get off work tonight?”
“With luck, seven.”
“I’ll be there.”
Chapter Eighteen
Nita pushed open the examining room door and smiled at Joey Torres, her heart lurching just a little at her first glimpse of the dark eyes and rakish grin that were so like Deo’s. She nodded to Pia, who leaned against one end of the examining table. “Hi Joey. You must really rate, having your physical therapist come with you to get your sutures out.”
Pia ruffled Joey’s hair. “He’s a big baby, and since my mother is tied up, I promised I’d come hold his hand.”
“She’s lying,” Joey protested. “She just doesn’t trust me to tell her your decision about when I can go back to work.”
“It’s not me!” Pia objected. “It’s Deo!”
“Yeah, and you always side with her!”
“Mmm hmm,” Nita said, half listening to the sibling banter as she released the Velcro straps on Joey’s splint. The door opened behind her, and she glanced over her shoulder, expecting to see Sally. She hesitated for just a second, Joey’s hand cradled in hers. Deo stepped a few feet into the room and slid both hands into the pockets of her work pants. She appeared the slightest bit uneasy.
“Yo, Deo,” Joey said. “Just in time!”
“Oh good, I was afraid I’d missed the party.” For all her bantering tone, Deo regarded Nita seriously. “Randy said I could come back. Is that okay?”
“It’s fine.” Nita shifted slightly so Deo was out of her field of vision and refocused on Joey’s hand. She couldn’t quite concentrate when Deo wa
s in sight. “The incisions look excellent. We’ll get your sutures out, but you’re still not ready to go without the splint.”
Behind her, Deo groaned. “So he still needs to sit around on his ass doing paperwork?”
Nita smiled but didn’t look at her. “I’m afraid so.”
“What a deal,” Deo muttered.
“Joey,” Nita said, “do you want to lie down while I remove the sutures?”
“Nah, I’m fine.”
While Nita removed Joey’s sutures, she discussed his therapy plan with Pia. The entire time she worked, she was aware of Deo peering over her shoulder. Every now and then, warm breath wafted across the side of her neck, and by the time she finished, her entire body tingled.
“There you go,” Nita said. “Let me see you in a month, Joey. Keep up the program that Pia outlines for you, and I think we’ll be able to get you into a smaller splint then. Pia, are you good with that timing?”
“So far. If anything changes, I’ll let you know.” Pia slung her arm around Joey’s shoulder and kissed his cheek. “You were so brave.”
“Cut it out,” he complained, but he was grinning.
Pia laughed. “Come on, I’ll take you for ice cream.”
Deo snorted. “Is he going to get a balloon, too?”
“When you stop at the desk to make your next appointment,” Nita said gravely, “Randy will give you a lollipop.”
“Cool,” Joey said, jumping down from the table.
“Be sure to bring him back to work,” Deo grumbled to Pia. “We’ve still got plenty of ordering for him to do.”
“Don’t worry, boss,” Pia said, patting Deo’s cheek. “I’ll deliver him in an hour or so.”
Nita straightened after finishing her chart note and discovered that the room was empty except for Deo. The door to the hall was closed and they were alone. Deo watched her from a foot away, the expression in her dark eyes even more intense than usual. Reflexively, Nita took a step back and her hips bumped into the examining table. “I didn’t expect you.”
“I know.” Deo stepped closer. “How’s your day going?”
“All right. Fine. Busy.”
“Mine too. Except I can’t concentrate because I keep thinking about kissing you.”
Nita held the chart up between them, feeling the beginnings of panic. “Don’t touch me.”
“Why not?” Deo asked, her voice low and husky.
“Because I’m working and I can’t do this here.”
“Do what?” Deo frowned.
“We can’t…” Nita glanced at the door. It wasn’t locked. “Anyone can come in. I can’t.”
“Nita, it’s okay.” Deo eased back. “I just wanted to see you. I’m not going to try anything.”
“I’m sorry. I just…” Nita grasped Deo’s hand. “I’m glad to see you.”
“Remember what I told you this morning—what I think about every time I see you?”
Nita nodded. I have nothing against a quick, hard fuck. In fact, every time I see you that’s what I want.
“Just because I want my hands on you doesn’t mean I’m going to force you,” Deo said.
“You wouldn’t be forcing me,” Nita whispered. Deo’s hand was hot, so hot. She could feel Deo’s fingers brushing over her breasts, twisting her nipples, teasing between her thighs. She ached and her breath shuddered in her chest. She wouldn’t say no. “You wouldn’t have to.”
“But it’s not what you want, is it?”
“No. Not here.”
“I know.” Deo freed her fingers from Nita’s grip. “I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”
“You haven’t.” Nita smiled shakily. She couldn’t pretend that Deo’s interest, her attraction, didn’t feel good. It did. It felt wonderful. “I’m glad you came by. I’m glad you wanted to see me.”
Deo grinned. “Good. So, I’ll be back at seven. I’m taking you to dinner.”
“Are you?”
“Yes. I know this little restaurant. Very private, great food. You’ll like it.”
“Pretty sure of yourself.”
“About some things.” For a moment, Deo looked uncertain. “I will see you tonight, right?”
“Yes.” When Deo started to turn away, Nita grabbed her hand again and stopped her. Then she kissed her. She had wanted to kiss her since the instant she’d seen her, but she had been afraid. Afraid of where it would lead. Afraid of losing control. Afraid of the wanting overpowering her reason. But Deo hadn’t pushed her, and now she wasn’t afraid. Deo’s lips were soft and warm, her tongue a gentle sigh in Nita’s mouth. Desire blossomed full and rich in her depths, and she welcomed it. Far sooner than she wanted, she drew away. “See you at seven.”
“Hell, Nita. If I think about that while I’m up on the roof, I’ll fall off.” Deo’s chest rose and fell rapidly and her eyes glittered with arousal.
Nita tapped Deo’s chest with one finger. “Then don’t think about it.”
“Yeah, right. I won’t breathe, either.”
Laughing, Nita pushed her toward the door. “Go. Stop distracting me.”
Deo opened the door, then grinned over her shoulder. “Don’t lie. You like it, right?”
Maybe, Nita thought, maybe I do. Shaking her head, she pointed to the hallway. “Go.”
With a laugh, Deo disappeared.
*
Deo wiped the sweat from her face with the bottom of her T-shirt, then clambered down the scaffold and headed around the side of the house into the front yard. Pia and Joey ambled toward her from the street.
“Two hours,” Deo said. “You can eat a lot ice cream in two hours.”
“Oh, stop being such a tyrant,” Pia said. “I got him back in plenty of time to do all the paperwork you need. Besides, it’s my mother’s birthday party this weekend and we had to pick out a present.”
“The list of the paint and drywall we need is in the kitchen,” Deo said to Joey. “We have to get the orders faxed out today.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” Joey said, giving a mock salute. He dodged as Deo tried to swat him and hurried off laughing.
“You’re coming to the party, right?” Pia said.
Deo looked away.
“You have to.”
“I know.” Deo sighed. “I’ll stop by for a few minutes, okay?”
“My mother adores you, and she’ll be heartbroken if you don’t come. My father will keep an eye on how much your father’s drinking. It will be okay.” Pia slid an arm around Deo’s waist. “And I need you there. Otherwise, I’ll drown in testosterone.”
Deo laughed. “What about KT? Won’t she be there?”
“She’s going to try, but she’s on call the night before, and sometimes she doesn’t get out when she expects to. Besides,” Pia nudged Deo’s hip with hers, “KT makes my bones melt, but she rates right up there with my brothers on the macho scale. She’ll probably spend the afternoon talking sports with Joey and Antonio.”
“What do you think I’m going to be doing? Discussing floral arrangements?”
“At least I can count on you to hang with me.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll come.”
“You can always bring a date.”
Deo rolled her eyes. “Yeah right.”
“Still seeing Allie?”
“Not that way. We’re friends, that’s it.” Knowing where the conversation was headed, Deo tried to extricate herself from Pia’s grasp. “Look, I have to get back to work.”
“Uh-huh,” Pia said, grabbing the bottom of Deo’s T-shirt and twisting it in her hand. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing. Not a thing.”
“You looked just like this when you were up to your eyebrows in Calley O’Reilly a week before she was supposed to marry Jimmy Jones. You didn’t want me to know you were fooling with her because you knew I’d kick your ass.”
“She was a dyke,” Deo protested. “She didn’t marry him, did she? And now she has a pregnant wife and so does Jimmy. It all worked out just fin
e.”
“That’s not the point. Jimmy wanted to kill you.” Pia dragged Deo over to the porch and pulled her down onto the steps “You couldn’t hide the good stuff from me then, and you still can’t. Who is she?”
Deo wanted to say no one, because technically it was true. She and Nita hadn’t slept together and they certainly weren’t dating. But denying her didn’t feel right. “I’m sort of in the middle of this…thing, right now. It’s just temporary.”
Pia frowned. “A temporary thing. Define thing.”
“Jesus, Pia. Gimme a break, will you. I have to go back to work.”
“You’re the boss. You should be sitting in a lounge chair under a tree telling the boys what to do. You can spare me fifteen minutes.” Pia rested her hand on Deo’s leg. “You look like shit, by the way. What’s going on?”
“I just had a rough night.” Deo stared hard at a sliver of blue water that was visible between two houses across the street. By day, the harbor looked beautiful, by night, its dark surface reflected her tormented memories. “I told Nita about Gabe, and it kind of twisted me up. That’s all.”
Pia took Deo’s hand and drew it into her lap. “You told Nita.”
“Yeah.”
“You’re seeing Nita?”
“Not exactly,” Deo said quietly.
“Sleeping with her?”
“Not exactly.”
“What does that mean? Heavy petting?”
Deo laughed. “We kind of have this thing.”
“You said that already, sweetie. Your vocabulary is a little lacking today.”
“I can’t get her out of my head, and if I don’t get her into bed soon I’m going to do more than fall off the roof.”
Pia squeezed Deo’s hand. “I thought there was something when I saw the way she looked at you this afternoon.”
“What way?” Deo studied Pia intently.
“When you first walked in she got really still, for just a second, and looked at you…how should I say this. Like she wanted to swallow you whole.”
Deo groaned.
“How long has this thing been going on?”
“I don’t know. I think maybe since the first time I saw her.”
