Thief of Always

by Kim Baldwin

  *

  “It’s still a little early for dinner,” Kris said as they left Hofman’s building. “Most places don’t open until six.”

  “Would you like to walk a while?” Allegro suggested. “I’ve been in the country long enough to know you have to enjoy the sunshine while it lasts, because things could be very different in five minutes.”

  Kris laughed. “All right.”

  As if by tacit agreement, they avoided the busy shopping thoroughfares and requisite tourist stops, keeping to the quiet, picturesque streets along the canals. “The architecture is amazing,” Allegro said, pointing to the ornately carved gable atop the nearest building, which had been converted to private apartments. A black and white plate embedded in the brickwork told them the place dated back to 1483.

  “I never tire of walking the streets,” Kris agreed. “It’s a feast for the eyes, if you care to look for the details.”

  “Speaking of feast.” Allegro glanced at her watch. “Do you have a place in mind for dinner?”

  “We’re very close to Pasta e Basta,” Kris said. “Do you like Italian food and opera?”

  “Sounds great.”

  Pasta e Basta was in a red brick building on the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, a busy street lined with antique shops. A few steps down, past a cluster of potted greenery and a pair of stone columns, and it was as though they’d been transported into a sophisticated and cozily romantic restaurant in the heart of Venice. Allegro flashed back to Carnival, and her first glimpse of Kris in her purple ball gown. She recalled the porcelain perfection of her skin and the way people reacted to her smile. Kissing Kris’s neck had been more than just a distraction ploy. Allegro had been seduced by her beauty, propelling her inexorably forward. She’d almost resisted the temptation, but the sorrow she glimpsed in Kris’s eyes made her ache to erase that pain. When her lips found the delicate hollow at the base of Kris’s throat and Kris leaned into her in sweet surrender, Allegro nearly came undone. It had taken all her willpower to pull away, to keep her hands from exploring that soft skin and those enticing curves.

  The urge to touch Kris was no less strong now, and the ambience of the restaurant wasn’t helping. The lighting was subdued: a few chandeliers, muted sconces along the sides, and long tapered candles on each of the white linen tablecloths. Mural portraits in oil had been painted directly onto the crème-toned walls at the back, while other fine art in gilt frames, and tasteful Italian antiques completed the décor. The dramatic velvet draperies at the windows were the same deep scarlet as the comfortably padded seating. High-backed chairs and upholstered couches dated from the turn of the century.

  Rectangular tables in the center of the restaurant accommodated larger groups, while small round tables at the edges provided more private intimacy for couples seeking an evening of flirtation. They passed by the grand piano, and Allegro was surprised to see the man at the keyboard playing merrily away while diners served themselves from a buffet of appetizers nestled inside the instrument. A dozen large platters were filled with such delicacies as salmon, carpaccio, antipasto, caprese salad, and insalata di riso. The food was both enticing to the eyes and irresistible in its aromatic allure.

  The pianist had been playing Mozart as they arrived, but as they took their seats at a table for two near the bar, one of the waiters launched into an aria from La Traviata. his rich baritone filling the space and casting a hush over the patrons.

  “He’s really good. When you said opera, I didn’t think we’d hear it live,” Allegro said.

  “That’s one of the major draws of this place, besides the excellent food,” Kris replied softly. “Most of the servers are trained singers, and they also have professional vocalists on staff. They do everything—opera, jazz, pop, rock, you name it.”

  Over the next ninety minutes, they feasted on pasta and shared a bottle of Amarone, a dry red wine produced not far from Kris’s Venetian villa. Allegro was surprised to find they were so relaxed in each other’s company that when Kris asked how she liked her tagliatelle with grilled red snapper, she scooped some onto her fork and held it out. Kris smiled as her mouth closed around the offering. Soon they were sampling off each other’s plates without hesitation, laughing as they did so, like lovers long together. It was a small thing, but still a kind of familiar ease that had been lacking in Allegro’s brief affairs, and she delighted in every moment.

  The entertainment continued throughout their meal, each of the wait staff taking a turn. Operatic arias were followed by Broadway musical numbers and pop tunes. When their darkly handsome waiter brought their tiramisu and cappuccinos, he launched into a romantic ballad in Italian, serenading both of them in a clear tenor.

  Allegro was so absorbed in Kris—in the way the candlelight enhanced the golden tones in her hair and made her eyes sparkle—that she paid no attention to what the man was singing. His voice seemed to put Kris into a dreamy state, and Allegro couldn’t help but stare at her. She looked so exquisitely lovely right then, Allegro very much wanted to kiss her.

  “Do you speak any Italian?” Kris asked.

  “I’m afraid not,” Allegro lied, trying not to stare at Kris’s lips. “How about you?”

  “Yes. We have…had a house in Venice for years. I visited as a child, and moved there when I was eighteen.” A hint of smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as Kris reminisced, making her even more beautiful. But her eyes were sad, just like they’d been that Carnival night. “I love Italy, especially Venice.”

  Something vulnerable in her expression made Allegro ache inside. “Do you still go back a lot?”

  “I recently had to put it up for sale. We need the money since father left us with so much debt.” Kris’s voice sounded more melodic than any serenade they’d heard that night.

  “Why don’t you translate some of the song for me?” Allegro asked.

  “What’s the point?” The smile faded and Kris sighed. “It’s Italian, and like most Italian songs, it’s about love and drama.” She leaned toward Allegro, never breaking eye contact. “When we met the first time, your face was hidden in the shadows of the night. All I could see, all I can still remember, is the smile on your lips before you kissed me. It left me breathless. I regret not that a stranger made me feel that way, I regret that you left.”

  As the words registered in her mind, transporting her back to Venice, Allegro tried to hide her shock. “What?” It came out as a croak.

  “The song.” Kris gave her an odd look. “You asked me to translate it.”

  Relief poured through Allegro, making her almost dizzy. Of course her Italian was fluent, but she’d been so lost in Kris that she hadn’t registered a word of the song. “Of course. Yes, love and drama.”

  She tore her gaze away, pretending a sudden interest in the nearest painting. It was an eighteenth-century portrait of a nude woman reclining on a divan, which didn’t help her current state one bit. Silence fell between them as Allegro struggled to free herself from the memory of her lips against Kris’s neck. She wondered if Kris remembered that kiss with the same unfulfilled longing she felt, and couldn’t resist asking, “Has a stranger ever kissed you breathless in the dark, someone you never knew, and never saw again?”

  “Yes,” Kris said wistfully. “An Italian woman. And as a matter of fact, not that long ago.”

  “You don’t say.” Allegro hoped she sounded more nonchalant than she felt.

  “In Venice, the night before I left the house for good,” Kris said. “She never kissed me on the mouth, but it was still…unforgettable.”

  Allegro warmed from within until she realized that leaving such an indelible impression was possibly a disadvantage. How could she compete with a mysterious stranger who had bestowed an “unforgettable” kiss? Her next words were out of her mouth before she could arrive at a strategy. “Would you like to meet her again?”

  “Why, what for?” Kris asked. “She apparently wasn’t interested in more, and I’m done feeling needy. How about you? Have yo
u ever shared an exciting kiss with someone you never saw again?”

  Allegro smiled. “I’ve recently shared a very exciting kiss with a beautiful woman, but I get to see her every day.” Kris blushed and looked away, giving Allegro the confirmation she needed. Perhaps she could compete with herself, after all. She faked a sigh. “Looks like I’m alone in that sentiment.”

  “I can be just as evasive as you.”

  “Why would you want to be evasive?”

  “Because you frustrate me.” Kris sounded more confused than annoyed. “Why can’t you answer simple questions?”

  A brief silence fell between them as they finished their cappuccinos. Finally Allegro folded her arms across her chest and said, “Okay. Go ahead, ask me something. Anything.”

  Kris took her time coming up with the right query. “What was your most memorable Christmas present as a child?”

  Allegro was used to thinking on her feet. On the job and in her private life, she served up the answers that got her what she needed. But she never expected such a sensitive, innocent question, and it took her completely by surprise. She could say it was some ball or doll, but that didn’t feel right. Not now, with Kris. “I never got any Christmas presents as a child.” She looked away.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken for granted that—”

  “Hey, it’s no big deal. What do you say we go for a walk and get some fresh air?” Allegro motioned for the waiter.

  “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  Kris leaned forward and took her hand, looking deep into her eyes. What Allegro saw in that intent gaze was something she’d rarely seen before. True compassion. A human connection that affected her more than she thought possible. She had to look away to compose herself.

  “Don’t worry about it, I’m fine.” She stood quickly. “Let’s go find a place where I can collect on that dance.”

  The response felt inadequate and she hated feeling so ill-equipped to cope with the situation. But the EOO had never taught her how to deal with sincere emotion.

  *

  Night had fallen, but the skies remained clear. They kept to the side streets along the canals, admiring the curved strings of lights on the bridges and the reflections of the houselights in the placid water. It had gotten colder with the setting of the sun, and normally she despised the cold, but Allegro was so completely distracted by her beautiful companion she barely noticed the chill. She did think to keep an eye on her surroundings for any sign of someone following them, but the only people around were couples, gay and straight, many arm in arm. The romantic atmosphere was contagious, and when they paused to watch a boat go by, Kris slid her hand through the crook of Allegro’s elbow, and it seemed the most natural thing in the world. They stood there for a long time, not moving, as though neither wanted to break the closeness.

  “I promised you a dance,” Allegro said at last. “Do you know a good place?”

  “Café Sappho is popular and it’s close by, on the Rokin,” Kris suggested. “It’s very crowded on weekends, but tonight shouldn’t be too bad. The deejay plays good music and they change the artwork every month to spotlight some young new artist, which is always quite fun to see.”

  “Lead the way.”

  They set off again, arms still linked. Kris led them on a route that passed by the bridge where they’d kissed. At the same spot where they’d lingered before, she tugged at Allegro’s sleeve. “Do you mind if we stop here for a moment?”

  “Not at all.” The lavender of Kris’s perfume filled Allegro’s nostrils. “I have very fond recollections of this bridge. Do you think about that night at all?”

  “Why don’t you refresh my memory?” Kris released her arm and turned to face her.

  The amber light from the street lamp played across her delicate features, masking the expression in her eyes and drawing Allegro’s gaze to the deep shadow beneath her slightly parted lips. Their first kiss, two nights ago, had been fierce, born of necessity, or that was how Allegro justified it. She’d needed to silence Kris, not seduce her. But Kris’s heated response had stoked an inferno and the flames still hadn’t died down. This time, Allegro’s lips danced over Kris’s so lightly, it was the barest of touches at first. She withdrew a few inches, and they breathed the same air. Allegro lifted one hand to Kris’s cheek and leaned in to kiss her again, caressing her lips with her tongue, so sweetly and gently that Kris moaned.

  “More?” Allegro whispered.

  “Yes.” Kris whispered back, and her soft breath sent a shudder of arousal through Allegro. “Much more,” she added, as she slowly kissed her way to the base of Allegro’s throat, then began to trace an agonizingly slow trail of kisses upward, back toward her mouth.

  Allegro couldn’t wait for the slow torture to reach its conclusion. She cupped Kris’s jaw in her hand and brought her face up until their lips met. It was an unhurried and exquisitely delicate kiss. Almost chaste, were it not for the growing throb that stirred low in her abdomen.

  “You’re driving me crazy,” Kris whispered, breathing hard.

  Allegro smiled her cockiest grin. “Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

  “Just shut up for once and kiss me.” The mischief and longing in Kris’s eyes were irresistible.

  Allegro took another quick glance around before moving in to give her a proper kiss. This time there was nothing slow or gentle about it. Locked in each other’s arms, they pushed together urgently. The ferocity of that first kiss couldn’t match the intensity of this one. Kris’s mouth yielded in sweet surrender. Their tongues stroked wetly, and Allegro’s heartbeat doubled. Kris sucked hard, taking Allegro’s tongue deeper into her mouth. The throbbing in her belly became a painful need. She cursed the layers of clothes between them and pulled back long enough to finish unbuttoning Kris’s coat, so she could thrust a muscled thigh between her legs. Kris groaned into her mouth as they kissed again.

  Suddenly, the sound of applause broke the silence, and they parted to find a long, glass-topped tour boat full of passengers below them, about to cross under the bridge. Most of the tourists were on their feet, staring up and smiling at them. There was more applause, and a beefy man wearing a New York Yankees jacket yelled, “Get a room!”

  As the boat disappeared, Kris straightened her coat. “You still owe me a dance.”

  “Is that what you want?” Allegro tried to keep the disappointment from her voice, unsuccessfully.

  Kris smiled and gave her another kiss, but all too briefly. “For now. I want this night to last as long as possible.”

  The disappointment was gone, as quickly as it had arrived. Allegro grinned and took Kris’s arm. “Then dance we shall.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Because it was a weeknight, Café Sappho was only about half full and the proprietors had opted for quieter music and candlelight instead of the usual disco ball and bright spots. In other words, it was perfect for the mood Kris was in. If they were going to dance, she wanted it to be body to body, picking up where they’d left off at the bridge. Angie’s kisses had inflamed her, almost dangerously so. She felt delightfully out of control and she wanted to stay that way as long as possible. It had been tempting to go right from the bridge to bed, but there was a lot to be said for the sense of anticipation that had been building between them all night.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” Angie said as she surveyed the room. There were tables to the left and right, and built-in padded seating along the walls. The bar was farther back.

  “I’ve had enough alcohol,” Kris replied, taking her by the hand and leading her toward the dance floor in the rear. “What I haven’t had enough of is your body against mine.”

  They dropped their coats at the nearest table and joined a dozen other couples. The ballad that came on as they reached for each other, “You Give Me Something,” seemed almost too perfect for their first slow dance together. James Morrison’s soulful lyrics made her realize how hard she was falling for Angie, and how empty her life
had been before they met. She wanted to believe that Angie felt the same way, and it seemed so, from her tight embrace. They danced, not speaking. The next song was another slow one, Dana Owens singing “If I Had You.”

  Kris wrapped her arms around Angie’s neck, and Angie’s hands, which had been caressing her back, slid down and began to massage her ass. As they swayed to the music, they found a natural rhythm together, their bodies perfectly in sync. One slow song followed another, and they made no move to leave the dance floor, their caresses and gyrations getting bolder with each number. Kris entwined her fingers in Angie’s hair, and when she looked up into those half-lidded, caramel eyes, she saw the arousal burning there. This time, she was the one who initiated the kiss. Slow and sensual, like the music. Angie’s hands gripped her ass even harder as she slipped her thigh between Kris’s legs again and sent her heartbeat fluttering. Dizzy with desire, she rocked even closer until the pressure building between her legs was unbearable. Much more, and she might come right there on the dance floor.

  “I think you should take me home,” she whispered in Angie’s ear.

  There was no hesitation whatsoever in Angie’s reply. “Let’s go.”

  They grabbed their coats and headed back toward the Audi, parked several blocks from the bar. The streets were nearly empty of pedestrians and bikes, and Kris glanced at her watch, surprised at how much time had passed while they’d been lost together dancing. It was well after midnight and the trams had stopped, so they had to walk the distance. Angie placed an arm around Kris’s shoulder, and they strolled slowly along, leaning in to each other, not speaking at first, just enjoying the beautiful evening.