In Plain Sight

by Sherryl Hancock

  Memphis grasped at the sheets as Kieran’s mouth moved over her ass and then lower. She groaned loudly as Kieran’s tongue touched her, crying out as it moved over her so sensually that there was no holding back the orgasm that was on her immediately. She cried out over and over as waves of ecstasy rolled over her. Kieran moved back up her, sliding her hand between them, her finger starting to do as Memphis had to her.

  Memphis tensed immediately. “No!” she gasped.

  Kieran kissed Memphis’ shoulder, touching her, caressing, pressing her body against hers until she could feel Memphis responding again. This time when she moved her fingers against Memphis’ wetness, she didn’t try to penetrate her. Within minutes they were both coming again.

  “Jesus, that chick passed this up?” Memphis asked as she reached up and behind her to touch Kieran’s back.

  Kieran leaned down, kissing Memphis’ shoulder again as Memphis ran her hand through her long hair, grasping a handful to pull Kieran’s head down to hers as she twisted around to kiss her.

  “Who says she passed?” Kieran said as she lay next to Memphis.

  “You passed on her?” Memphis sounded surprised.

  “I told you, I realized something tonight,” Kieran said, smiling.

  “And what is that?”

  “That I only want to be with you, sexually.”

  Memphis looked back at her, surprised indeed. “Why?”

  “Because no one else is ever going to do to my body what you do.”

  “How do you know that if you’ve never tried anyone else?” Memphis levered herself up on her elbow to look down at Kieran speculatively.

  “Memphis, no one has ever made me feel this good. Only you’ve done that, and I just think that it’s what I want right now… all I want right now.”

  “But you know how I am, about relationships and stuff.”

  “Yes, I do know that. And I still consider us that friends with benefits thing… I just don’t want benefits with anyone but you.”

  Memphis looked back at her, obviously not sure what to say.

  “Think about this,” Kieran said. “It isn’t like I’m going to find a relationship on this tour, right?”

  “Probably not.”

  “Okay, so for this tour, at least, I only plan to have sex with you,” Kieran said, her tone so matter-of-fact it had Memphis grinning.

  “Okay,” Memphis said, nodding. “I think that’s reasonable.”

  “Good, because I wasn’t asking you,” Kieran said feistily.

  Memphis grinned. “I see.”

  “Good.”

  They had their break the next day. Remington had invited them to come with her and Wynter to New York and stay at her apartment. The four of them got on a plane that morning and flew to the city. When Remington led them into the apartment, Memphis and Kieran literally stood staring, dumbstruck, at the view of Central Park that Remington had from the entire wall of windows from her dining room to her living room. They were seventeen floors up and the view was amazing.

  The room they were in was long, loft-style with windows along its entire length. There was a dining room to the left, then a sitting area, and what looked like another living room to the far right. There was even a built-in bookcase that ran the length of the windows, just beneath them.

  “Holy crap, Remi,” Memphis said reverently.

  “Yeah…” Kieran nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly.

  Remington grinned. “You had about the same reaction to the place, didn’t ya, babe?” she said to Wynter.

  “Yes. Yes, I did,” Wynter said, smiling and hugging Remington. “Little did I know this was nothing…”

  Memphis looked back over at Remington, blinking a couple of times. “This is nothing? Compared to what?”

  Wynter smiled. “You should see where she grew up in Kentucky.” She winked up at Remington. “I’m gonna take stock of what you’ve got here and get some stuff ordered.”

  “Okay, babe,” Remington said, smiling. “If I can peel these two off the windows, I’ll show them the guest room.”

  “Good luck with that,” Wynter said, chuckling.

  Remington stood watching the other two women, smiling indulgently. She knew the apartment was impressive; it was why she’d bought it in the first place. She’d wanted a true home in New York that she felt represented the city, and she thought this apartment did.

  “Do I even want to know how much a place like this costs?” Memphis said, grinning.

  “Twenty-four,” Remington said simply.

  Memphis blinked a couple of times. “As in million?” she asked, her tone reflecting her awe.

  Remington grinned, nodding.

  “I’m livin’ the wrong life,” Memphis said, shaking her head.

  Remington laughed. “Come on, let me show you the guest room.”

  The guest room was no less impressive, with built-in shelving and bookcases and dressers under the three walls of windows. The room was decorated like much of the apartment, in earth tones, nothing too bright—the view from the windows was enough of a wow factor.

  “The bathroom is right down here,” Remington said, pointing to the left of the room. “The master has its own, so you have this one to yourselves. I’ll leave you to get settled.”

  Kieran pulled out her and Memphis’ toiletry bags and took them into the bathroom, staring around her in awe. Even the bathroom was luxurious, nicely appointed with a large steam shower with a built-in bench, all covered in rich brown marble. The fixtures were dark copper and beautiful. Kieran had never been anywhere so luxurious before; she was ever amazed at the new experiences she was having in America.

  Walking back into the bedroom, she was surprised to find Memphis sitting up on one of the ledges at the windows. She had her knees up to her chest, her arms resting on her knees casually, her back against the bookcase to the side, looking out at Grand Central Park. Kieran stood watching her, looking at how her white-blond hair fell across her forehead. Her ever-present headphones were already in her ears, her head moving to the beat of some song. She looked like the consummate rebel, with her faded blue skinny jeans, black leather tennis shoes, black T-shirt, and tattered jean vest, her rainbow tattoo on display.

  It was a hard picture to resist. Memphis just had an air of complete openness about her, and sometimes that made a person want to know everything about her. Kieran knew that wasn’t something that would happen though. Memphis also had a way of closing everyone out, of going into herself completely, just like she was at that moment.

  To Kieran’s surprise, however, when Memphis glanced over at her, she smiled and pulled her headphones out of her ears.

  “Come here,” she said, holding out her hand.

  Kieran walked over, put her hand in Memphis’ and stepped up on the footstool below where Memphis sat. Memphis pulled her up with her, putting Kieran’s body between her legs and her back to her chest, with her arms either side of her. Memphis nuzzled Kieran’s neck as she pointed down at the park below.

  “Isn’t that the most beautiful view you’ve ever seen?” Memphis asked.

  Kieran put her head against Memphis’ shoulder, glancing up at her. “Second most beautiful view,” she said, leaning up to kiss her neck. “The first was a moment ago, when I walked in to see you sitting up here.”

  Memphis looked down at her, her blue eyes so bright in the afternoon sun, it was breathtaking. She leaned down to kiss her, bringing her arm across her chest to hold her closer. When their lips parted, Kieran leaned her head back against Memphis’ shoulder and looked out over the park. Memphis rested her head against the bookcase behind them, turning to kiss the side of Kieran’s head, still holding her across the chest.

  Remington found them there a half hour later. She couldn’t help but be moved by the picture they made, both staring out the window. Wynter walked up, seeing that Remington was leaning against the door jamb to the guest bedroom. She glanced in the direction Remington was looking and smiled. Memphis and Kieran m
ade such a beautiful couple. Kieran’s long sandy-brown hair was in a long braid to the side of her head and down her chest. Her lavender sweater looked so soft against Memphis’ tattered jean vest; it was a contrast, as the two women were. Memphis had the wild look, while Kieran had the reserved feminine look; it set them apart, but also seemed to go together.

  As if she suddenly felt observed, Memphis turned her head and saw Wynter and Remington standing in the doorway. Kieran noticed the movement and looked in the same direction.

  “I see you’re enjoying the view,” Remington said, smiling.

  “It’s pretty incredible,” Memphis said.

  “I was just going to ask if you guys wanted to do dinner in the City and hit the club, or if you wanted to order in and hang out here.”

  Memphis glanced down at Kieran. “I dunno about you, but I’m kind of dusted right now. What do you think?”

  “I think staying in tonight would be lovely,” Kieran said, smiling.

  “Cool, we can go out tomorrow night. Fridays are usually better anyway.”

  They ordered Chinese food and had a nice meal in the dining room just as the lights of New York started to come on, giving them a beautiful view. Then the four of them sat on the large, comfortable sectional in the far sitting area, watching movies. Remington sat with her back in the corner of the sectional, one leg up on the couch, the other in front of her on the floor. Wynter sat with her back to Remington’s chest, her head resting in the hollow of Remington’s shoulder. Remington’s right arm was wrapped around Wynter’s waist from behind, her left arm alternating between the back of the sectional and around Wynter’s shoulders.

  Memphis lay with her head resting on a pillow, and Kieran, who’d started out sitting on the floor in front of Memphis, ended up lying in front of her on the sectional, her head on Memphis’ outstretched right arm. Memphis had her left arm around Kieran’s waist.

  It was a nice, comfortable night for all of them.

  The next morning, Remington invited Memphis to go with her to the gym. Memphis agreed, especially when Wynter told her it was where Remington had started her training to become an MMA fighter. Memphis was shocked by the lava-orange Porsche 911 that the valet drove up.

  “What model is this?” she asked, reverently running her hand down the side of the car, her eyes wide.

  “It’s a 911 GT3 RS,” Remington said, grinning.

  “I think I’m in love,” Memphis breathed.

  “Wanna drive?” Remington tossed Memphis the keys.

  Memphis caught them and looked back at Remington in awe. “Are you serious?”

  Remington smiled. “Yep.”

  Memphis started to grin. “You asked for it…”

  Inside the car, Memphis stared worshipfully at the gauges, then she pulled out her phone. “Okay, give me an address,” she said.

  Remington grinned. “It’s in the navigation. Just hit Jack’s.”

  “Navigation… nice.” Memphis pushed the button.

  Minutes later she was in complete heaven.

  When they pulled into the alleyway behind the gym, Memphis looked around. They were in New Jersey, and she was feeling a bit out of place. Remington took her bag out of the trunk and led Memphis into the gym.

  “Heya, Remi!” called the owner, Jack. “Good to see ya!”

  He walked over, eyeing Memphis curiously, then looked at Remington. “Uh,” he said, “what happened to the hot one?” Then he grimaced, looking at Memphis. “Sorry, no offense.”

  Memphis grinned. “It’s cool. I think Wynter’s pretty hot too.”

  Remington shook her head. “Wynter’s back at the apartment. Jack, this is Memphis. She’s a friend of mine. Memphis, this is Jack—he owns the place.”

  “Ah,” Jack said, grinning. “Good to meet you.” He nodded to Memphis.

  “You too.”

  Jack looked at the girl. With her black workout pants, her black tennis shoes, and her light blue hoodie, the hood up over her head, she didn’t look like she weighed a hundred pounds soaking wet.

  “You working out?” he asked Memphis.

  Memphis grinned, shrugging. “Yeah, if it’s okay.”

  “Course!” Jack smiled. “The more the merrier.”

  A few minutes later, Memphis was warmed up and ready to learn a few things from Remington. They started with the bag. First Remington wrapped Memphis’ hands to protect them, showing Memphis how to do it for herself.

  “Now, the important thing here is don’t tense up,” Remington said. “If you keep your muscles loose you’re gonna be faster, and fast is what you want to be in any fight.”

  Memphis nodded.

  “Okay, hit it,” Remington said, standing behind the bag and holding it.

  Memphis threw her first punch, and Remington was surprised by the power behind it.

  “Good,” she said. “Now give me ten in a row. Stay loose.”

  Memphis did what she was told.

  “Good, good,” Remington said. “Now I want you to try doing the same thing, but move around.”

  Memphis looked at her, puzzled. “What do you mean?”

  Remington moved around the bag and demonstrated, moving her feet and shifting as she threw punches. Memphis watched, nodding.

  “See, when you move,” Remington said, “you create angles on your punches, and that gives them more power. Don’t stand still—you need to move, okay? You need to be able to move so you can avoid your opponent easier.”

  After a while, they switched punches, going for hooks. Eventually Memphis told Remington she needed to rest for a few.

  Remington grinned. “Okay. So you’re good if I spar for a bit?”

  Memphis nodded, using a towel to wipe her face.

  Remington climbed into the ring, rolling her shoulders, moving around, stretching her neck. The guy who climbed in with her was twice her size. Memphis walked over to watch the sparring match. As always, she was impressed with Remington’s abilities. She watched as Remington moved around the ring, throwing punches, catching her opponent over and over again. Fortunately the guy was wearing protective headgear.

  At one point, Remington did a spinning roundhouse kick that would have caught her opponent in the head, but she pulled back just in time, her foot stopping an inch away. The guy held up his hand then, and Remington backed off.

  “Show me how to do that,” Memphis said, climbing into the ring as the man climbed out.

  Remington grinned, nodding. “Well, first, do you know how to do a roundhouse?”

  “Unless it’s music…”

  “That’s a no,” Remington said, laughing. “Okay, so first let me teach you that.”

  “Okay.”

  “Right, back to martial arts. So you want a starting stance, a good base. It’s called a kokutsu dachi, basically a back stance. Okay, turn this way. Now, drop that back foot—I want about seventy percent of your weight on your back leg… Yeah, just like that.” Remington nodded. “Okay. Now, slowly, I want you to bring your knee up in front of you. I want you to hit my hand with your knee.” She held her hand up flat, palm down, at just below Memphis’ chest.

  Memphis did as Remington instructed, touching her knee to Remington’s hand.

  “Okay, good. Now this time I want you to bring your knee up, and pivot on your left foot,” Remington said, demonstrating.

  Memphis did as she was told, utterly focused.

  “Good. Now, last thing, you’re gonna do a snap kick.”

  “A what?”

  Remington demonstrated slowly, bringing her knee up, pivoting, and extending her leg from her knee, kicking upward.

  Memphis nodded, doing the same.

  “Perfect!” Remington said, smiling. “Now I want to see you do that all together. Hold on—the important thing here is that you keep your body upright. Do not lean back. If you lean back, you’ll lose your center, and it’s way too easy to put you off balance and knock you over.” She turned and clapped her hands at one of the guys watching, then h
eld out her hands.

  The man tossed her a couple of pads. Remington put them on her hands, holding them up and out.

  “Okay, I want you to hit here,” Remington said, indicating the right pad. “And if you kick me in the face, I’m gonna let you deal with Wynter,” she said with a grin.

  “No pressure,” Memphis said with a grin of her own.

  “Okay, focus and put the power into the snap kick.”

  Memphis nodded, dropping into her stance like she’d been doing it her entire life. She lifted her knee, pivoted, and kicked, once again surprising Remington with her power.

  Remington nodded. “Good, now give me nine more. Focus. Put your power… right here.”

  Memphis did the kicks, and Remington found it necessary to shake her hand out a little bit from the impacts.

  “Nice,” she said, smiling and nodding.

  “Now teach me the rest,” Memphis said, her blue eyes wide with anticipation.

  Remington chuckled. “Okay, this gets a little tricky…”

  “Show it to me again,” Memphis said, wanting to see how Remington did the kick.

  Remington repeated it, slowing her movements down so Memphis could see them clearly.

  “So you gotta step into it, spin to the right, pick up your knee, whip around, and kick,” Remington said as she demonstrated.

  Memphis mimicked her movements slowly.

  “Remember,” Remington said, “keep your body upright. Don’t lean back—you want to be forward, so when you come down you’re ready to fight again. Got it?”

  Memphis nodded.

  “Alright,” Remington said, holding up the pads again. “Show me.”

  Memphis settled into her stance. Remington could see her reviewing the move in her head. Suddenly she spun and kicked, hitting the pad high. Remington pulled her head back, Memphis’ foot hit so far up.

  “Close,” Remington said, grinning. “One more time. Don’t forget to control your kick. You get it too high, and your opponent can grab your foot and shove you back. And trust me, that’s gonna hurt like hell. So control it—I want it right here.” She touched the middle of the pad.