“You’re sure?” Sydney leaned up on her elbow beside Alex, leaving the fingers of her other hand entwined with Alex’s.
“Of course,” Alex said, rubbing her back reassuringly. “It’s not just about, you know, sex. I enjoy being close to you. Thank you for that.”
“No,” Sydney whispered. “Thank you.” Sydney leaned down and kissed Alex. She worked her kisses down Alex’s jaw to her neck. She pushed herself up and rolled her body fully on top of Alex, propping herself up and looking down at her with a slight smile on her face.
Alex was a little surprised to see the lust in Sydney’s eyes as she gazed down at her. Before she could say a word Sydney’s lips covered hers once again. She felt Sydney’s tongue demanding entry and her lips parted. “Syd?” Alex struggled to say, her brain barely retaining that last responsible thought as her head was thrown back against the pillow, exposing her neck more fully to her partner. “Your work? Time?”
“Don’t worry,” Sydney said between nips of Alex’s neck and earlobe. “Plenty of time. It’s Saturday, silly.” Her lips met Alex’s once again as her hand found the bottom of Alex’s shirt and made its way underneath as both women surrendered to the passion.
AN HOUR LATER Sydney rolled over to find bright sun streaming through the windows and turned in bed to find Alex lying beside her, sleeping once again. She reached out and ran her finger along Alex’s forehead, moving an errant lock of hair. She saw the slight scar that still remained at the edge of Alex’s eyebrow and smiled to herself as she rose, deciding to let Alex sleep while she took her shower.
When Sydney got out of the shower a short time later, she pulled a short silk robe over her naked form and walked out into the bedroom. She glanced again at the form still lying in the bed. Just then Alex opened her eyes.
“Good morning, beautiful,” Alex said.
“Good morning...again.” Sydney stepped forward, closing the distance between them and sat on the edge of the bed.
“I’m sorry I fell asleep again,” Alex said. “Have you been up long?”
“Only long enough to jump in the shower. I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”
Alex looked over at the clock beside the bed. She was startled at the hour and almost sat up in bed. “Oh wait, Saturday, right?”
Sydney nodded. “You want to jump in the shower while I think about making us some breakfast?”
Alex nodded. “I’ll be down soon.” Alex leaned over and gave her a lingering kiss, then got up and made her way into the bathroom. Sydney watched her go, struck again by her physical attraction to the strong broad back and tight butt as it walked away from her. Then she proceeded down the spiral staircase toward the kitchen below.
ALEX STOOD FACING the wall under the shower head, leaning into the stream of hot water as it cascaded against the top of her head and shoulders and down her back. As she reached for the soap on the shelf beside her she heard the shower door click open behind her and turned to look over her shoulder. Sydney stood in the open glass doorway. Alex was speechless as she watched the robe slip from Sydney’s shoulders revealing her fully naked form beneath.
Sydney stepped into the shower and Alex’s breath caught at the nearness of their bodies. Without saying a word Sydney reached around and took the soap from Alex and began lathering her back.
“I thought you were going to make breakfast,” Alex said when she was able to speak. “And I thought you already took a shower.”
“I believe I said I was going to think about making breakfast. So I thought about it and decided to do something else instead. And as for the shower, two is always better than one.” Sydney put the soap back on the shelf and began massaging Alex’s back with both hands, soon moving them to the sides of her ribcage and around to the front of her body. Her hands moved gradually upwards.
When Sydney’s soapy hands brushed her breast, Alex could barely contain herself. She turned quickly to face Sydney, no longer able to keep from touching her. Alex pulled Sydney into her and their chests met, skin on skin, damp and warm. Their mouths quickly found one another and the kiss was aggressive, demanding. Alex pulled Sydney toward her, pushing her thigh between Sydney’s legs. Sydney gasped and began to move in a rhythm against her. Alex was confidant the warmth and wetness there was not entirely because of the shower.
Sydney forced her tongue into Alex’s mouth, probing and demanding contact. Then she broke away and threw her head back, moaning and increasing her tempo.
This friction, coupled with Sydney’s moans of ecstasy, drove Alex to climax along with her lover. Sydney shuddered and her body went limp. She collapsed against Alex, who with her own sexual release found it a challenge to keep them both upright. They stood for several minutes in each other’s arms under the falling water, slowly recovering.
Sydney eventually pulled back and looked into Alex’s eyes. Alex leaned down and kissed her, gently, passionately, a tender contradiction to the feelings of aggressive sexual desperation they had shared just moments earlier.
“I guess I should go make breakfast now,” Sydney said after the kiss ended. Alex could only grin as she watched Sydney exit and dry off, wrapping a towel around herself and retrieving her robe, looking back at Alex with a smile as she left the bathroom.
Chapter Fourteen
ALEX SPENT MOST of the next week in a bit of a haze. Her squad was back to working primarily afternoons and into the nights. She found it difficult at times to keep her mind off of Sydney. They spoke several times a day on the phone and would frequently text one another. Her emotions were almost juvenile, but Sydney seemed to be responding with the same youthful enthusiasm.
They had promised to get together again Friday evening and Alex found it difficult to wait. She’d hoped to meet with Sydney sooner, but Sydney had to attend an event on behalf of her office that Thursday evening.
As it so happened, Alex was soon roped into a similarly unpleasant work commitment. Not feeling confident at the networking skills that higher management tended to engage in, she generally hated the occasional social and political events that her position and assignment required of her. Alex’s lieutenant had received this particular invitation but due to a family emergency was now unable to attend. So, at the last minute Alex was asked to fill in as the representative for their task force. She went prepared to be bored by the highly political environment, but knew it was important for good community relations and interaction.
Tonight’s event was a recognition dinner for outstanding volunteerism in the community and couldn’t be avoided. It was sponsored by various charitable organizations throughout the downtown area and one of them had purchased a table and presented invitations to several senior members of Alex’s division as well as the commanding officer. Other tables included various additional officials from city and county agencies and elected officials and prominent members of the business community.
The crowd was growing outside the ballroom at the Bonaventure Hotel as they waited to enter the function. Alex was hot and somewhat uncomfortable in her Class A uniform which included a long sleeved wool uniform and tie, freshly polished leather gear and boots, and her various department and military ribbons. She wondered how long she would have to stay past the dinner hour before she could escape without being judged impolite.
Would anyone even notice if I snuck out?
She was standing off to the side, against the wall at the edge of the crowd in the atrium area outside the ballroom. A small part of her was wondering if Sydney’s event would prove more entertaining for her than this one likely would for her. Then she looked across the concourse and her heart stopped for just a moment as she saw the specific focus of her thoughts and desires standing near the middle of the room. By chance her prayers were answered—this was the same event Sydney had been required to attend.
Alex gazed at the woman she’d been thinking about to distraction over the past several days. Sydney looked gorgeous in a black cocktail dress. Her brown hair hung loose across her sho
ulders and even with the conservative neckline and three-quarter length sleeves the woman screamed sexy in a very classy way. She was by far one of the most attractive, if not the most attractive, women in the room.
Sydney was locked in conversation with someone Alex believed she recognized as a field deputy to one of the city council members. Alex slid behind a large decorative planter containing trees and statuary taller than she. From there she watched Sydney, trying to determine if she looked truly engaged or if she was as bored as Alex was. Her answer came when the council deputy looked down briefly to pull a business card from an interior jacket pocket. Sydney very distinctly looked around her as if searching for an avenue of escape or an excuse to depart. Alex smiled as she moved farther behind the planter and pulled out her cell phone.
SYDNEY PASTED A polite smile back on her face when the council deputy drew the business card from his pocket and handed it to her. The man had engaged in not so subtle flirting with her when she first arrived for the evening and had somehow tracked her down again. She was finding it more and more difficult to put up with his arrogance and was desperately hoping for an interruption.
“Here’s my card,” he said. “Just give me a call or an email and we’ll hook up and discuss our council office plan for gang intervention. The District Attorney’s office will have to be engaged and I’m in the position to ensure you’re on the leading edge of it. This is going to be big politically. It will be a benefit to the career of anyone involved. I can take you to dinner sometime soon and we’ll discuss it.”
At that moment Sydney was thankful to hear her cell phone chime indicating an incoming message. “I’m sorry,” she said before she even looked at the display. “I’m expecting an update on a warrant service. I’m going to have to take this. It was very nice talking to you.” Sydney turned and walked away before he had a chance to respond. She looked at the cell phone view screen and smiled.
I’m watching you
Moments later her phone chimed again.
You look fantastic.
Sydney moved to the edge of the large hallway outside the ballroom, scanning the crowd in search of Alex, a frustrated smile on her face.
ALEX WAS HIDDEN from view in a darkened area of the concourse, still largely concealed behind the decorative bushes. Sydney was walking almost directly toward her, and finally stopped less than ten feet away, still scanning the crowd.
Where are you?
Sydney’s text reply appeared. Alex read the response then pocketed the phone. She watched Sydney unknowingly drift nearer, now actually leaning on the corner of the large rectangular planter that Alex stood behind.
Alex leaned toward Sydney’s ear. “I’m right here,” she whispered, placing her hands gently on Sydney’s hips from behind.
Sydney almost jumped at the close contact, then turned with a smile. Alex smiled back and watched Sydney’s gaze travel over her dress uniform.
“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” Sydney said.
“Neither did I,” Alex replied. “Last minute stand in for my lieutenant.” Alex hands were still on Sydney’s hips, and she glanced over Sydney’s shoulders to scan the area. No one seemed to be looking in their direction so she gently pulled Sydney toward her.
“Now I’m thinking maybe this thing won’t be quite so boring after all,” Alex said.
Sydney brought a hand up to rest against Alex’s chest and allowed herself to be pulled closer. Sydney ran her fingers along the several rows of military ribbons mounted below Alex’s badge and there was no doubt in Alex’s mind this would be a much better evening than she had originally thought.
“I was just thinking that very same thing,” Sydney said quietly, with more than a little seduction in her voice.
Alex looked over her shoulder once again and noticed they were virtually alone in the hallway, everyone else having entered the main ballroom. Her eyes came back to Sydney’s lips and her breath caught. She fought the urge to drag Sydney towards the closest dark corner and finally dragged her eyes back to meet Sydney’s. She found Sydney smiling at her as if she knew exactly what she’d been thinking. “We’d better stop or we’ll never make it in to dinner,” Alex said. She took a small step back. “What table are you at?”
“Table nine,” Sydney said. “You?”
“Fourteen.”
“Hmm. I’ll be watching you.” With that Sydney turned and walked toward the doorway, looking back briefly to give Alex a blatantly seductive smile. Alex caught her breath and paused, leaning on the planter for a few moments before she regained her composure sufficiently to proceed into the room with some semblance of professionalism.
Alex entered the ballroom shortly after Sydney and walked through the room, pausing at several tables where various citizens, officials and fellow officers caught her attention. She shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with several people. Alex’s gaze passed over the tables and she quickly located Sydney. Their eyes met and each of them smiled. Alex located table fourteen and was able to choose a seat positioned to face table nine. Her seat placed Sydney clearly within her view. The director of a local Business Improvement District, the organization who had sponsored the table, greeted Alex. After being introduced to the rest of the table, a waiter placed the salad in front of her and the dinner presentation began.
A FEW TABLES away, Sydney was having a hard time keeping her mind on the various polite conversations that took place around her. Her gaze kept drifting to a specific occupant at table fourteen. When the dinner service finished Sydney became aware of her cell phone vibrating within the clutch purse on her lap. She carefully removed the device and looked at the view screen, while she held the phone out of view below the edge of the table.
You’re distracting me.
The text from Alex said. Then another text seconds later.
You really do look incredible.
Sydney tried to appear casual when she looked at Alex seated several tables away. Alex gave her a barely concealed smile and a wink. Moments later Sydney felt her phone vibrate once again.
That’s not my favorite outfit on you, but its close.
Sydney smiled and sent a response.
And what would be your favorite outfit?
Absolutely nothing...as in you, wearing absolutely nothing.
Then another few seconds later came another text.
Wearing nothing and lying beneath me.
Sydney almost gasped audibly and a tingle went through her body. She took a deep breath before looking up. Alex leaned back casually in her chair and sipped at her coffee. But when her eyes met Sydney’s there was no denying the mutual desire that passed between them. Sydney finally forced herself to look away. She tried to look casual and controlled when she reached out to add sugar and stir her own coffee, but she couldn’t seem to keep her hand from shaking.
When she looked up again she saw Alex get to her feet and leave her table, exiting the ballroom. Simultaneously, her cell phone vibrated once again.
Follow me
Without hesitation Sydney excused herself from the table. She exited the ballroom into the concourse area and paused to look around. Seeing no one she preceded down the concourse, thinking perhaps Alex had headed for the ladies’ room. When she passed an alcove leading to the now closed hotel management offices, strong arms reached out and pulled her into the dimly lit nook. Sydney was swept into a comfortable embrace and Alex’s lips found hers for a quick but passionate kiss. Sydney’s arms automatically encircled Alex’s neck.
“God, I’ve been waiting all week to be able to do that again,” Alex whispered when their lips parted.
“It’s driving me crazy being in the same room but not next to you,” Sydney said.
Alex nodded. “I know,” she said. “How quickly can we get out of here?”
Sydney laughed. “We have to stay for the awards. That’s the whole point of the evening.”
“At least tell me you’ll come home with me,” Alex whispered.
&
nbsp; “Yes, I’ll come home with you.” Sydney leaned in and kissed Alex briefly. “Now come on, we have to get back inside before we’re missed.” Sydney pulled away, giving Alex’s hand one more squeeze before she released it and walked back down the concourse toward the ballroom.
ALEX WAITED SEVERAL moments, allowing Sydney to return to her seat before following her into the ballroom, taking her seat just as the awards presentations began. As the evening proceeded Alex wondered if anyone else at the table had figured out how unengaged she was. She and Sydney continued to exchange increasingly flirtatious glances and subtle smiles.
As the last presentation ended and the master of ceremonies thanked everyone for coming, Alex was on her feet and giving her regards to her table mates. She gradually made her way to the ballroom doors, talking sporadically with various people as the rest of the occupants filtered out into the concourse. She was briefly sidetracked again by her deputy chief and had to engage in polite conversation as he introduced her to several other significant downtown business owners.
When she was able to extricate herself, Alex drifted toward the wall then turned to view the atrium lobby, searching for Sydney. She located her in the midst of the crowd making her way in Alex’s direction but pausing occasionally to speak with a few people. Her eyes broke away from Sydney and came in contact with Lieutenant John Ramos as he gazed back at her. The Lieutenant’s gaze left hers and panned over to Sydney, then back to Alex, now with a look of barely concealed contempt.
White Roses Calling Page 19
