“Uh-huh,” Sydney said.
Alex smiled to herself when she noticed Sydney following her back up the walkway to the front door. Alex took a few steps into the front room and put the case down, then turned back to the door. Sydney closed the door behind her. Neither said a word as they stepped into each other’s arms and kissed.
“How is it possible I can miss you this much when we were together just a couple nights ago?” Alex said when their lips finally separated.
Sydney smiled. “I know, I feel the same way.” She forced herself to pull away. “But we have to be on our way. I’m not being late to my first meeting with your best friend.” She put her keys in Alex’s hand. “You drive.”
“Your car?”
“Yes.”
“Uh, okay.” Alex briefly wondered about the value of the vehicle she was about to drive. Perhaps ninety percent of her annual salary? The thought was forgotten as they pulled away from the curb and she was quickly intoxicated with the power and agility of the German machine.
They drove the few miles to Sal and Tiffany’s town home, pulling up to park at the curb in front. Alex followed Sydney to the trunk and watched her remove first a bottle of wine—Chardonnay, she presumed without seeing the label—then a six-pack of Sam Adam’s Light.
“I wasn’t sure exactly what I should bring,” Sydney said, handing the six-pack to Alex. “So I brought a variety.” Sydney then reached back into the trunk and retrieved a bouquet of seasonal flowers.
“You really didn’t have to bring anything,” Alex said as she took the beer. “Sal and Tiff are really down to earth and informal.”
“They’re your friends,” Sydney replied as Alex reached past her to close the trunk. “And it’s important that I make a good impression.” This was added with a sincere smile as Sydney proceeded up the sidewalk toward the front door.
Alex wondered why that statement struck her as important, but it was. Again she was forced to admit that the way her friends felt about her dates had not been important to her in a long time. Not because her friends’ opinions weren’t valuable to her, but because she knew the dates were most frequently short term flings with no chance of lasting longer than a few weeks.
“Hello, ladies.” Tiffany’s zealous greeting from the front porch broke Alex’s thought process. “You must be Sydney.” Tiff displayed her normal bubbly personality, hugging Sydney in welcome, not waiting for
Alex’s introduction.
“Syd, this is Tiffany,” Alex said with a smile.
“Hi, Tiffany. It’s great to finally meet you,” Sydney said as she presented the bottle of wine and flowers.
“And this is Sal.”
“Hi, Sal. You definitely look familiar. Aren’t you one of the ones who tries to keep this one out of trouble at work?” Sydney shook his hand while nodding toward Alex.
“Yes, ma’am,” Sal said with a smile. “I try and usually fail.” Sal appeared equally welcoming, but Alex could tell by the look in his eyes that her best friend still held reservations.
The four of them had an enjoyable afternoon, with Sal and Alex manning the grill as Tiffany prepared a variety of salad, side dishes and dessert. The afternoon was cool but bright and they ate on the patio in the backyard. As the sun set on the horizon Alex and Sal stood in the backyard sipping beers and playing with Sal’s dog, Maestro, an excitable Labrador mix.
“I know how you feel about this, about Sydney,” Alex said quietly. “I appreciate how good you’re being toward her despite all that.”
“Hey, it’s like I told you before,” he said. “I’m not saying she’s out to burn you or take advantage of you. From the looks I see her giving you I think she’s genuinely, uh, interested in you.” Sal smiled before continuing. “I’m just not sure even she knows exactly what her intentions are, where she intends to go with this, or how far. Remember, from everything we know this is all new to her. She may get to a point where she freaks out and takes the easy road back to the socially acceptable life of heterosexuality. She’s what, thirty-something? That’s a long time to go before a self-discovery like this.” All Alex could do was nod, the same thoughts had flashed through her mind on more than one occasion. “I want you to be happy, but just be careful. That’s all I’m gonna say,” Sal added.
SYDNEY THOROUGHLY ENJOYED the afternoon. She found Sal and Tiffany fun and accepting and extremely pleasant company. She and Tiffany quickly bonded and they now sat in comfortable padded deck chairs, sipping coffee.
“It’s been a long time since she’s had someone she actually wanted to introduce to us,” Tiffany said.
Sydney broke her gaze from Alex and turned to look at Tiffany with a question in her eyes.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Tiff continued. “It’s not as if our Alex has been without social company. She’s not a nun.” This added with an affectionate smile. “But you’re different for her, special. You should know that.
“I know Alex seems like she’s unbreakable,” Tiffany said. “But I assure you she’s not. They don’t talk about it,” she nodded toward the two standing in the yard playing with the dog. “But something happened years ago before I came along. Alex got hurt somehow in a relationship and she’s never really recovered. They think I don’t know, but every once in a while I pick up things that are said, or unsaid. I’m sure Sal is sworn to secrecy, and Lord knows Alex would never knowingly reveal a vulnerability or weakness.” She took a deep breath.
“Alex is like a sister to Sal—” she was interrupted by yelling and growling from the yard and they both looked to see Alex lying on the ground wrestling with Maestro like an eight-year-old as Sal stood over them egging them on. “And I can’t help but love the silly oaf.” She turned to look Sydney in the eye. “You seem to be good for Alex. I haven’t seen her happy like this, excited about a relationship with anyone, in a long time. This could be a huge step forward for her, or a gigantic step back.” Silence hung between them for a few minutes. “I don’t ever want to see her hurt the way I think she was hurt back then.”
Sydney was silent for a few moments. She didn’t take Tiffany’s words as a threat in any way, but accepted them as a statement of a loving friend who was looking out for Alex’s best interest. If anything, it warmed her to know that Alex was the kind of person who could foster such strong loyalty and concern from those closest to her. Sydney was also strangely drawn to Tiffany, sensing she could speak openly with this woman she had just met, that this was the beginning of what could be a wonderful friendship.
“I know you must have reservations about me. I’m sure Alex has revealed my background, or lack thereof.” Both women smiled at Sydney’s careful terminology. “But I’ve never felt this way about anyone, man or woman. It’s so powerful, so all consuming and it all happened so fast. I care about Alex, deeply. None of us may know where this is going to go, but I assure you, the last thing in the world I would ever knowingly do is hurt her.”
“I GUESS YOU need the grand tour, huh?” Alex asked as she unlocked her front door and held it open for Sydney.
“Sure, I’d love to take the tour.”
“It’s going to be a short one.” Alex closed and locked the door behind them. “You can probably fit my entire house into one or two rooms at your place.”
They entered into a small but tidy two bedroom, two-bathroom bungalow.
“Well, this is obviously the kitchen,” she said a couple minutes later as she handed Sydney a mug of coffee. “I gutted it and rebuilt it a couple years ago. Then did the same thing to each of the bathrooms last year.”
“Very impressive,” Sydney said. She ran her hand across the granite counter top, noting the color variations blended nicely with the dark walnut cabinets. The walls were the color of a creamy hot cocoa and gave everything a warm homey feel.
Alex led her back out to the living room and Sydney took the time to take in the comfortable setting. It was outfitted with a plush couch and recliner positioned to enjoy either the stone fireplace or the large, wall mou
nted flat screen television. A short entertainment shelving system was situated under the television and Sydney noted several framed photographs displayed there. One was Alex and Sal in uniform, obviously taken years prior.
“That was taken the day we graduated from the Academy,” Alex said.
“You look so young. Both of you.” Sydney’s eye traveled to the next photo, which captured Alex and Tiffany smiling together at the camera. They were dressed in shorts and t-shirts and looked very relaxed. Sydney could see a body of water in the background. “Where was this taken?” she asked, pointing to the second photo.
“Sal took that while we were camping at Lake Havasu this past summer.”
Sydney followed Alex down a short hallway.
“Guest bedroom,” Alex said, pointing to a neatly maintained room off the hallway. Sydney noted the desk and a small love seat sized sofa. “I use it more as an office, but the sofa folds out to a bed whenever it’s needed. That’s the guest bathroom.” She pointed directly across the hallway at a spotless full bathroom. They continued on to the end of the hallway, passing a laundry closet containing a stackable washer and dryer.
“And my bedroom,” Alex said. She pushed the door open revealing a decent sized master bedroom. A queen sized bed was centered along one wall along with two bedside tables and lamps. A dresser was along the opposite side, centered between two windows. On the wall between the windows was a flat screen television, not quite as large as the one in the living room. Sydney walked through the room and looked into the attached bathroom.
“Wow. You rebuilt this as well?” Sydney asked as she took in the large walk in shower and twin vanity.
“Yep, that was my final summer project last year. I practiced on the spare bathroom first.”
“It’s beautiful. I love the travertine,” Sydney said, indicating tile utilized on the floor and within the shower.
She then followed Alex out through the French doors onto the rear patio. Alex showed her the fire pit she had installed recently in the small patio and backyard.
“Well, Sergeant, if this cop thing doesn’t work out for you, it looks like you could always pick up construction or building of some kind.”
Alex shrugged. “I like staying busy. And I like working with my hands.”
They soon wandered back to the kitchen and continued talking casually as they leaned on the central island counter finishing their coffee. After gazing into Sydney’s eyes for several seconds, Alex removed the coffee mug from her hands and placed it on the counter beside her own. She leaned in close to Sydney, their bodies touching.
“Have we sufficiently satisfied the rules of decorum and civility?” Alex asked. “Because right now I can’t really think of much more than getting you into my bed.”
Sydney nodded.
Alex took her by the hand and silently led her from the kitchen down the hallway to her bedroom.
SYDNEY AWOKE WITH the pleasant sensation of Alex’s body pressed to her back and Alex nuzzling her neck just behind her ear. She smiled and pressed back into Alex’s body as they spooned together.
“I like waking up with my arms around you,” Alex said, pulling her closer.
“Mmm, and I like waking up with your arms around me.” Sydney rolled over in her embrace until they were facing one another, kissing Alex lightly. “What are the plans for today?”
Alex closed her eyes briefly as Sydney swept the hair away from her forehead. “Anything you want.”
“Well,” Sydney said, smiling. “I think I’m beginning to know you well enough to figure what you would like.”
“Oh, really?”
“You usually get in a workout in the mornings, don’t you?” Sydney asked.
Alex nodded. “But that’s no big deal,” she said. “I’d prefer to spend the time with—”
Sydney’s fingers stopped her words. “I’d say you got a bit of workout in last night.”
Alex blushed. “True,” she said after a moment. “And it was a very enjoyable workout. Not quite my norm, but very enjoyable.”
“Then let’s go to the gym and get you your normal workout,” Sydney said.
“You want to go with me?” Alex said, a little surprised but judging by the smile quite enamored with the idea.
“If you don’t mind.”
“Sure,” Alex said with enthusiasm. “I can probably get you a guest pass.”
“Not necessary,” Sydney said. She rolled out of bed and started dressing. “I saw the membership card in your truck. I belong to the same gym. There’s one in Hollywood just down the hill from my house.”
“Hmm, isn’t that handy.”
An hour later they were both well into their respective workouts at the gym a couple miles from Alex’s house. Alex concentrated mainly on the heavier dumbbells and barbells and worked almost exclusively within the free weight area that few women ventured into. Sydney’s routine, on the other hand, consisted mainly of the machines out on the main floor.
As Sydney finished a set of leg curls on one of the machines she overheard a conversation between three young women loitering nearby.
“Hey, Vicky,” one voice said. “Isn’t that the cop you’ve got the hots for in the weight room?”
“Where?” came the voice in reply.
“Right there, sitting on the bench near the dumbbell rack. The one in the blue shirt, right?”
“Oh, yeah. That’s her all right.”
Sydney glanced up between the machines and recognized the woman as the same law clerk who had been flirting with Alex at the courthouse. She looked toward the weight room and confirmed that Alex was indeed sitting on one of the work out benches near the dumbbell rack. As Sydney watched, Alex got up and retrieved two thirty-five pound dumbbells and began a set of standing bicep curls.
“God, she’s hot.” Vicky’s statement invaded Sydney’s mind, which had coincidentally been thinking very similar thoughts at that moment.
“So when are you going to get her to go out with you?” asked one of Vicky’s friends.
“Better still, when are you going to get her into your bed?” asked the third woman with a giggle. “Come on, you keep talking about it.”
“I’ve been workin’ it,” Vicky said. “I haven’t seen her in a while. But now that we’ve run into each other...”
Sydney saw the two friends smile as they watched Vicky wander toward the free weight room. Sydney’s eyes also followed her progress and a fire began to burn in her. She was practically on autopilot as she picked up her towel to follow the woman.
ALEX FINISHED HER last repetition and moved forward to re-rack the dumbbells when she felt a presence beside her. She looked over to see Vicky standing next to her, smiling.
“Lookin’ good, Alex, as usual,” Vicky said. She moved closer.
“Uh. Hi, Vicky,” Alex said. She stepped back as she immediately felt a little uncomfortable with the invasion of her personal space. Vicky again stepped closer, putting her hand on Alex’s arm, her breast brushing against Alex’s bicep.
“I was wondering—” Vicky started to say, only to be interrupted.
“Hey, hon,” Sydney said, approaching from the other side and putting her hand intimately on Alex’s back. “About ready to go?”
Alex smiled in relief. “Yeah.” She turned back to Vicky. “Nice to see you,” she said. “Have a good workout.”
Vicky gave a weak smile to Alex, then looked at Sydney who gave a smile that in no way reached her eyes.
Sydney pulled Alex down for a fiery kiss that lasted several seconds.
When they broke apart Sydney remained leaning into Alex.
“Wow,” Alex said quietly. “Uh, Syd, you do know we’re not at the West Hollywood gym, right?”
“Uh-huh,” Sydney replied, fire still burning in her eyes. “Tell me something, sport. Is she still looking.”
Alex was momentarily confused, then caught on. She surreptitiously glanced around, her eyes pausing momentarily on Vicky, then coming back down t
o Sydney. Alex’s eyes were now dancing with amusement.
“Uh-huh, both she and her friends.”
“Good. She better get the clue and back off. What a bitch.”
Alex almost laughed out loud at Sydney’s exclamation.
“Uh, Syd? Would you like me to stand still so you can pee on me, thereby marking your territory?”
“Don’t tempt me.” Sydney said with an amused smile. “Come on, you.” She grabbed a fistful of the front of Alex’s t-shirt as she pulled her to the door.
“YOU WANT TO jump in the shower first?” Alex asked as she pulled into her driveway several minutes later.
“No, that’s okay. You jump in,” Sydney said, though Alex thought she caught a mischievous look in her eyes as she climbed out of the truck. She couldn’t help but notice the smoldering look that remained in Sydney’s eyes as she headed toward the bathroom. She bent down over Sydney who was seated on the end of the bed, taking off her shoes.
“Don’t worry, babe.” Alex gently kissed Sydney’s cheek. “She’s got nothing on you.” Alex leaned over, kissing the other cheek, then straightened up and headed into the bathroom.
She was rinsing the shampoo out of her hair when the shower door slid open and a naked Sydney stepped in. Sydney pushed Alex against the wall of the shower, leaning into her and trapping her in a passionate kiss. When she pulled away Alex was speechless as Sydney simply leaned back and put her head under the nozzle, then lathered her hair with shampoo. She looked at Alex.
“Make this fast,” she said. “I’ve got plans for you, sport.”
Alex had never before experienced being turned on by a mere look, but she was now. Sydney never said a word, and never touched Alex as they finished their shower together. But the looks she directed at Alex’s body spoke wonders. And Sydney wasted no time when they were done.
Alex was standing beside the bed and hadn’t even finished drying off when Sydney came out of the bathroom and pulled Alex’s towel from her grasp. She reached up, grabbing fistfuls of hair at the back of Alex’s head, bringing her down for a forceful kiss. Sydney’s tongue demanded entry, which Alex immediately surrendered. When Alex reached up with her hands to caress Sydney’s towel wrapped torso, Sydney broke the kiss and grabbed Alex’s hands in each of her own, pushing them away from her body.
White Roses Calling Page 16
