Stories by Kiera Dellacroix

by Dellacroix, Kiera

  Piper began to place gentle kisses on Bailey's mouth, slowly releasing her grip as she felt the hand on her breast become more confident. She groaned softly when she felt fingers tenderly rub over her nipple, gasping pleasurably when Bailey's other hand suddenly rose to knead her other breast. She halted her kisses and arched her back to give free reign to Bailey's explorations, closing her eyes and breathing heavily when she felt both hands cup her and run thumbs back and forth over her nipples. Suddenly, one hand was gone and the other stopped moving altogether. She opened her eyes and watched as Bailey clinically examined one of her own breasts and repeated the action on her with the hand still under her shirt. She found this action to be incredibly erotic but acknowledged it as an act of curiosity, so she patiently waited for the experiment to conclude. Bailey abruptly dropped the hand from her own breast and looked at her.

  "Touch me."

  "Gladly," Piper whispered and gently brought a hand up to cup Bailey's breast as she leaned forward to again capture her mouth. She felt her tense stiffly but she slowly relaxed and Piper smiled when she felt the nipple harden. She gently kneaded her palm over the erect nipple and softly pinched it between her fingers. Bailey gasped loudly and hurriedly broke contact.

  "I'm sorry, but I need to go," she said hastily.

  "It's alright," Piper said sympathetically and slowly rose from her lap until she was standing before her.

  "I'm sorry," Bailey said with an apologetic expression.

  "I understand, Bailey," she said soothingly as she tucked her blouse back in. "Trust me when I say it gets easier. We can do that again whenever you want."

  "Really?" Bailey asked shyly her eyes studying the floor.

  "Really," Piper said getting her purse from behind her desk. "Come here, I got lipstick on you."

  Bailey got up from the couch and quickly readjusted her own clothes before she dutifully sat in one of the chairs and let Piper clean the lipstick from her mouth with a Kleenex. When she was done, Piper produced a brush and affectionately straightened her hair for her.

  "There, all set," Piper said cheerily. "You really are beautiful, you know?"

  "Thank you," Bailey said with a blush.

  "Now, if you're done ravishing me, I should get back to work," Piper said teasingly and smiled when Bailey's blush deepened.

  Bailey stood up and took a few seconds to compose herself. "Piper… uh… I'm very glad that you've come into my life," she started slowly and finished rapidly. "I'll be back at five," she said hurriedly and fled the office as casually as she could.

  Piper beamed a brilliant smile at the fleeing back and as soon the door closed behind her, she launched herself face first into the sofa and groaned, her body humming with desire for the inexperienced woman. Uninvited, the memory of another woman and another time intruded upon the happy moments of just a few seconds ago.

  "You don't mean that, Piper," Lisa said condescendingly.

  "Yes, I do," she said honestly. "I deserve better than you."

  "Piper…" Lisa started, the smug tones she had been using conspicuously absent from her voice. "… I made a mistake…"

  "No, you made several," she interrupted and watched as the confidence that was as much a part of Lisa's appearance as the breath she took began to waver ever so slightly.

  "What do I need to do to fix this?" Lisa finally asked.

  "There's nothing you can do, it's over," she said determinedly.

  "But I love you," Lisa said quietly.

  With that she got angry. "Don't you dare say that to me," she said hotly. "I don't think you even know what those words mean."

  "Do you?" Lisa shot back in challenge.

  "I know they don't apply to you or to myself in regards to you," she said bluntly.

  "You're just upset, we can work this out," Lisa said assuredly.

  "Well, you're right about one thing, I am upset," she admitted. "I'm upset with me for allowing myself to hope for all the things I know now I won't be sharing with you."

  "Jesus Christ, Piper," Lisa exclaimed loudly. "I made a mistake. That doesn't mean I don't love you."

  "I don't think you know what love is," she said calmly. "Maybe I don't know either, but I do know that as long as I'm with you, I'll never find out."

  "If not me, who?" Lisa demanded. "Is there someone else?"

  "Yes!" she hissed. "There's someone out there right now, someone who needs me. Someone who wants me and who completes me. Someone who would give their life for me as I would them. Someone who would give me their heart, their devotion. Someone who would know that as long as I was still breathing that the gift of their love would be cherished above all other concerns, earthly or otherwise."

  "My God, Piper," Lisa said shaking her head. "What you just described is a fairy tale."

  "For you maybe," she said indifferently. "But I know in my heart that person is out there right now waiting for me, and you know what, Lisa?"

  Lisa flung her arms the air in exasperation. "What?"

  "I'll be waiting too," she said meeting her eyes. "Without you."

  "And there it is," Piper said out loud rolling over and covering her face with a sofa pillow. "She's the one, Pippy," she mumbled into the cushion.

  --------

  Bailey stopped by her office to retrieve her teddy bear and proceeded quickly to the elevator. When she entered her flat, she made a beeline for the bedroom and threw herself onto the bed. She rolled over on to her side and snuggled the teddy to her chest tightly.

  Please, don't let her leave me," she prayed to no one in particular.

  --------

  Bob Spicher looked around the room and saw a lot of tired faces, yet the one that should be present was missing. In fact, no one had seen Terry since his explosion yesterday afternoon. He wished the situation would resolve itself, he was already tired of staying in the building and he missed his wife. Discreetly, he studied the faces around him and he surmised that he wasn't the only who felt that way. He turned in his chair at the sound of someone entering and was a little relieved to see that it was Terry, although the man looked like hammered shit.

  "Good morning," Terry said as he took a seat in his chair. "Updates?"

  "Cameron left the building last night at 6:45pm and after a stop at a liquor store, proceeded again to the residence of Piper Tate. She remained at that location until 1:47am before she returned home. No movement since," Bob reported.

  "I see, anything else?" Terry asked.

  "Not at this time," Bob answered.

  "Alright, let's reconvene on Monday unless something breaks," Terry said getting up from his chair and walking silently out of the room.

  As soon as he left all faces turned looks in Bob's direction.

  "That was quick," Keith commented.

  Bob could only shrug his shoulders. "Anyone got anything else to add at this time?"

  "Robards arriving tomorrow?" Keith asked.

  "Yes, early. All non-surveillance people have been told to check in with him," Bob said.

  "Has he been briefed?"

  "Limitedly. As soon as we set up shop on Wednesday, he'll brief all of our people in the field," Bob answered and the room grew silent for several minutes. "Alright then, let's call it a day."

  --------

  Bailey stirred from the light sleep she had fallen into when her cell phone rang. She twisted around on the bed until she could get the phone out of her pocket.

  "Cameron."

  "Miss Cameron, this is Marta. I've found five potential candidates for the position you asked about earlier."

  "Great, any of them make it out here today?'' she asked.

  "Two can be here this afternoon the others can't make it until next week."

  "That's fine. Would you get with Piper so she can fit the interviews into her schedule today?"

  "Yes, I'll give her a call now."

  "Thank you, Marta," Bailey said and hung up.

  She put the phone on her nightstand and stared at the ceiling for severa
l minutes before she again rolled over and fell asleep.

  Martin had thoroughly investigated the library and was intrigued to find an enormous assortment of music on CD. Being a music aficionado himself, he was impressed beyond words at the size and selection that Bailey possessed. After perusing her collection for several happy hours, he noted with a touch of humor that she owned not one country music selection. Her tastes very much mirrored his own and he had fallen asleep with the stereo on several hours ago. He awoke to the persistent foot that was periodically nudging his leg and was slightly startled to find Bailey sitting across from him.

  "Uhm… hello," he said a little groggily.

  "How's your hand, Mr. Satterfield?" she asked politely.

  "Still hurts, but seems to be healing," he said honestly.

  "Good, I'm going out but I wanted to give you this," she said handing him a cell phone and a charger.

  "What's this for?" he asked curiously.

  "Keep it with you. If it rings, be prepared to get your things together."

  "Has something happened?" he asked alarmed.

  "No, and I don't expect anything to happen in the very near future, but I wanted you to be prepared just in case."

  "Alright," he said cautiously. "Thank you."

  "You're welcome," she said and stood.

  "You look nice, where ya headed this evening?" he said and smiled when she frowned slightly.

  "Would you believe that I'm going country dancing?" she said distastefully and he chuckled.

  "That's about the last thing I thought you'd say."

  "Me too," she admitted but smiled. "Have a good night, Mr. Satterfield."

  Martin waited until she was out of earshot and whispered. "Be careful, Bailey."

  VI

  She's got a light around her,

  And everywhere she goes,

  A million dreams of love surround her.

  - B. Joel

  Bailey exited the elevator and repeated the route she had taken to Piper's office earlier in the day. She nodded politely to the people that she passed and was surprised to find an attractive black woman that she guessed was in her late thirties or early forties sitting at the assistant's desk in front of Piper's office. The woman saw her approach and rose from her chair.

  "Miss Cameron, I'm Debra Womack," she said extending her hand and Bailey shook it politely.

  "It's nice to meet you, Debra," she said formally. "Is Piper in?"

  "Yes, she's expecting you. She told me to tell you to go on in."

  "Thank you," Bailey said and rounded the desk to enter Piper's office.

  Piper looked up from the computer when the door opened and she smiled brightly at Bailey. She was dressed in her customary black, but wore a vest with a Celtic knot pattern in silver embroidery on the front.

  "Howdy, you look great," she said.

  "Thanks," Bailey said with a shy look to the floor.

  "Give me a sec to finish this up and we can be on our way," Piper said as she returned her attention back to the computer.

  "Okay," Bailey said agreeably and sat down in a chair. "I see you already found someone to your liking."

  Piper looked up confusedly for a second. "Oh, you mean Debra?"

  "Yes."

  "Yeah, the first one was a bit of a battleaxe. But Debra is sweet and has a lot of experience, she seems perfect. She won't let anyone push her around either."

  "Great," Bailey said. "Did you let Marta know not to bother sending out the others?"

  "Yep," Piper said and stopped what she was doing to level a look at Bailey. "I know Thanksgiving isn't an Irish holiday, but it's coming up next week."

  "Yes, it is," Bailey said suspiciously.

  Piper took a deep breath. "Do you have any plans for it?" she asked nervously.

  "No," Bailey said with narrowed eyes. "Why do I get the feeling that you've something up your sleeve?"

  "Well, I'm supposed to go home and I'd like you to come with me," Piper said quickly.

  Bailey's eyes widened and she sat quietly until Piper couldn't take it any more and came around the desk to seat herself in the chair across from her. "Please," she pleaded.

  "Uhm… I'm not sure I'm ready for that, Piper," Bailey said quietly.

  "My family will love you, Bailey," Piper said soothingly. "I don't want you to be alone on the holiday."

  Bailey thought hard, it was obviously important to Piper and she didn't want to disappoint her. "How long?"

  "Leave Thursday, come back on Sunday," Piper answered readily.

  "Where do we stay?"

  "At my parent's house."

  "Is that okay with them?"

  "I'm sure they'll be thrilled that I'm finally bringing someone home," Piper said with a touch of sarcasm. "But if you say yes, I'll call them tonight."

  "I dunno, Piper," Bailey said uncertainly. "I wouldn't know how to act."

  "Just be yourself," Piper said.

  "How do you plan on getting there?"

  "I thought we'd fly," Piper said with an emphasis on the ‘we'.

  "Alright," Bailey said reluctantly drawing out the word. "But I have to make the travel arrangements," she added hastily.

  "Deal," Piper said in delight, hopping from her seat. She gave Bailey a quick peck on the cheek and walked around the desk to sit back in her chair. "I'll call my Mom tonight, she'll be excited," she said happily as she logged off the computer.

  Bailey sat very still and wondered worriedly if she had made the right decision. Raising her eyes to look at Piper happily smiling behind her desk, she knew that she had chosen correctly.

  Piper tapped the speakerphone. "Debra?"

  "Yes."

  "I'm leaving for the day, I'll see you on Monday."

  "Alright, Piper. Have a good weekend."

  "Thanks, you too," Piper said cheerily and disconnected.

  "You ready?" Piper asked with a look at Bailey.

  "Yeah," Bailey said.

  "Let's go," Piper said rising from her chair to put on her jacket and to collect her purse.

  As they walked together toward the elevator, Bailey was keenly aware of several lingering glances shot in their direction and idly wondered if having made an appearance twice in one day would add material to the rumor mill. Not that she cared on her own behalf, but it might end up affecting Piper and that would be totally unacceptable. She decided to let the subject pass when she glanced sideways at her companion and noted that the woman seemed totally oblivious to anything out of the ordinary.

  As soon as they entered the elevator Piper curled an arm under Bailey's and beamed a smile in her direction. "Nancy dropped me off this morning on her way to the airport, so my car is at home."

  "Okay," Bailey said slowly noting the expectant look directed at her.

  "So do I get to drive?" Piper asked sweetly.

  "Sure," Bailey chuckled.

  The elevator opened and Piper let go of her arm, following her through the lobby to the private door that led to her garage, where she produced a keycard to gain entrance, leading her down a short hall and through another door before they descended a short flight of steps into the garage.

  Piper looked around curiously, noting the presence of another car in the garage.

  "Is that what I think it is?" she asked walking over for a closer examination. "My brother would try and steal you away from me just for your cars. What year is this?"

  "1970," Bailey answered.

  "A GTO Judge with a 455 Super Duty," Piper drooled, running her hands down the fender. "Can we take this one?" she asked hopefully.

  "If you'd like," Bailey said with a smile as Piper nodded vigorously.

  "What's with you and rare black muscle cars?" she asked curiously.

  Bailey shrugged and tossed her the keys.

  "Let's rumble," Piper said happily as she got in behind the wheel.

  Bailey sat down in the passenger seat and hit the remote for the garage door. As soon as Piper backed out, she closed the door and put on
her seat belt, smiling at Piper who was bouncing in her seat excitedly.

  "Can we abstain from ludicrous speed this time?"

  Piper sighed. "Killjoy," she said with a pout. "Why don't you drive this one?"

  "I do from time to time, but the Barracuda is my favorite."

  "Hmmm," Piper grunted as she navigated the car through the parking garage and onto the street.

  "You disagree?" Bailey asked.

  "I'd have to engage ludicrous speed to make up my mind," Piper said with a smile.

  "Oh, alright," Bailey gave in. "But you have to wait until we're out of traffic."

  "Heh, heh, heh," Piper cackled.

  --------

  "Zack, what the fuck are you doing?" Russell asked when the car started and began to follow the GTO.

  "I'm keeping our target under surveillance, scabby," Zack said condescendingly.

  "That's not her car."

  "Sure it is, didn't you read the dossier, scabby?" Zack said. "She has several cars registered to her. One of which is a 1970 Pontiac GTO."

  "Would you please stop calling me that?" Russell asked angrily.

  "Sure, whatever you want, scabby," Zack said smiling. "If you took off the Band-Aid it would heal faster."

  "Just shut up, we're in enough trouble as it is." Russell sulked.

  "True, but I think it was worth every second of the ass chewing we got this morning," Zack said happily.

  "I'm glad you think so," Russell said tenderly probing his bandaged nose.

  He yelped in pain a second later when Zack accelerated hard enough to force him to painfully poke his wounded extremity.

  "What the fuck?" he yelled.

  "Shit," Zack said as their target suddenly squealed away in the distance, slowing gradually when he saw the GTO coming to a stop for a red light. "Sorry, she's just fucking around."

  "This is ridiculous, she could lose us anytime she wants," Russell whined.

  "True," Zack agreed.

  "I don't see why they just don't move on her," Russell wondered aloud.

  "Russell, I hope this ordeal just ends peacefully. My spirit guide tells me that a confrontation with that woman would be extraordinarily bad."

  "Why do you say that?" Russell asked curiously.

  "Just a feeling I have."

  "Hmmm," Russell grunted thoughtfully. "That reminds me, her and that redhead are obviously a couple, why haven't you mentioned that in your reports?"