I felt like blubbering. Sophie had begged me to stay the night again, but I wanted to come home because I had hoped Anabel would come over. Now I was stuck in my crappy little loft all alone with nothing but my thoughts to keep me occupied. A mood starting to encompass me, I slugged into my bedroom and carefully placed my flag on top of the dresser. The tears began to build again, depression rocketing toward me and picking up speed.
A knock at the door filled me with me relief and I raced to answer it, hoping desperately it was who I wanted it to be. I ripped open the door to find her standing there with an overnight bag and I was suddenly elated. I grabbed her hand and yanked her inside, blathering like an idiot.
"I'm so glad you're here I tried calling you but there was no answer and I called the video store but they said…"
She covered my mouth with a hand and giggled. "Hush."
I grabbed her wrist and placed a kiss on her palm. "I missed you."
"I missed you too," she said, leaning forward to place a kiss on my cheek. "Can we close the door now? I'm freezing."
I reached an arm around her and flung the door closed. "Are you gonna stay the night?" I asked, knowing I sounded pathetically desperate, but unable to stop myself.
"If you'll have me."
I nodded enthusiastically.
She smiled. "Then I'm yours."
I bounced in place excitedly.
She laughed at me and gestured to the other room. "Let's go sit down, I bought you a present."
"A present?"
"Yep," she said, turning to saunter into the living room.
I followed after her happily, plopping down on the sofa beside her and looking at her eagerly.
She sat her bag on the coffee table and dug through it to produce a triangular shaped package wrapped in a pretty red paper. Presenting it to me with a curious expression.
I tore it open impatiently, coming to an abrupt halt and clasping a hand over my mouth. "Is this what I think it is?"
"I thought you might like it."
"I do," I croaked. "Very much."
"Would you like to put it inside?"
I was so touched I could only nod. She reached out and took it away from me, peeling the rest of the paper away carefully. "I'll get it ready it for you. Go on now."
I rose and traveled into my bedroom to stand before my dresser. Gently lifting my most cherished possession, I cradled it to my chest and carried it back into the living room. Anabel had it ready and I reverently placed my flag inside the beautiful glass display box. The waterworks started as soon as she clasped it shut, and I fell over and buried my head in her lap.
"Thank you so much," I whimpered. "It's a wonderful gift."
She stroked my hair. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you today."
"I understand. It was actually a pretty good day. We laughed a lot."
"You have a wonderful family, Maddie."
I sighed and rolled over on my back to look up at her. "Sophie told me you stayed with me all night."
A nod.
"Thank you. I know I wasn't very good company."
"You're very welcome."
I grinned. "I was afraid you were going to tell me not to thank you."
"Nah, even I wouldn't kick you when you're down."
"That's good to know."
She grinned. "You hungry?"
"I'm stuffed, Carla forced food on us all day. Are you? We can run out and get something."
"Nope, she fed me when I went back to look for you after work."
"Oh," I mumbled, not sure if I was comfortable with that. I was getting tired of being talked about.
"Don't worry," she said knowingly. "We just visited, you were barely mentioned."
I fought off a frown. "Will you tell me something?"
"What?"
"Am I really as easy to read as I'm beginning to think I am?"
"Only to people who love you."
I really wanted to ask her if she were one of those people, but I couldn't figure out how to phrase it fast enough.
"Can I ask you something now?"
"Okay. But you should know that I'm not in the mood to discuss all my personal failings."
She grinned. "But there's so many."
"Just ask your question," I said dryly.
"What's with you and Sophie?"
I froze. Of course, that only gave me away and I sighed. "Didn't Gus tell you?"
"No."
"What did Sophie say?"
"Like I know her well enough to ask."
I procrastinated. I really didn't want to discuss it since it seemed that I'd only very recently come to terms with it. "Can we talk about something else?"
"I think I'd rather talk about this," she said, an edge creeping into her voice. "Do you love her?"
I closed my eyes. "Of course, I do. She just didn't love me back. At least, not the way I wanted."
She was silent long enough that I opened my eyes and started to fidget.
"Do you still love her?"
I nodded and her expression darkened. "I'll always love her, but I'm no longer in love with her."
She seemed to relax a little. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Hmmm."
"Were you jealous?" I asked with a little grin, wanting to make light of what I perceived as a tense situation.
"Nah," she scoffed unconvincingly. "Was just wondering what was up."
I beamed a delighted smile. Finally, the tables had turned a little and I had one up on her. I intended to milk it. "Is that why you looked ready to claw my eyes out a second ago?"
"You're imagining things."
"Not going by the look on your face."
"Some detective you are, I've just got a little gas."
I laughed. "Big, fat liar."
She huffed and turned her face away. "Fine, I was a little jealous, you happy now?"
"Immensely," I said in my most imperious tone.
Her eyes flashed and I giggled deviously. Apparently, she didn't like being teased. A little muscle twitched along her jaw line and I felt my stomach flop over. My smile faded, the observation having kick started my libido. Oh, my my! Oh, hell yes! Ya got to put on that party dress!
I rose to place a kiss on her neck and lingered there lovingly. She pretended to ignore me, not ready to give up her sulk. I moved to her lips, but she moved her face away in childish protest. My fingers sought out the buttons of her blouse and her hands came up to stop me.
"What are you doing?"
"I want you."
"I'm not in the mood."
"Let me work on that."
"How?"
"What do you want?"
She was caving, I could tell. I mean, who could resist me?
"What are you willing to do?"
"Anything."
"Like what?"
"Tell me what you want. I won't say no."
"You tell me."
I thought fast. "I'll model for you."
"Really?"
"Uh huh."
"In your thong?"
"If you like."
"You've been wearing it for almost two days. It could model for me without you."
Ouch! "I have another one."
"What color?"
"White."
"Nah, white doesn't do it for me."
"Help me out here."
"You're the seductress."
"It's my first time."
She gave me an odd look. "What?"
"It's my first time."
"For what?"
"Being the seductress."
"You're kidding me?"
"Nope."
"My God, you really have been spoiled."
I flopped back into her lap in frustration. "You're killing me."
"I told you I wasn't in the mood."
I sat up and took an empty space on the couch. Was it possible that I wasn't the chick magnet I thought I was? No, that just couldn't be it. Something else had to be going on here. I stared a
t her confusedly, wanting an explanation.
She readjusted her blouse and reached for the remote, clicking on the TV and ignoring me completely.
I gaped at her in astonishment, a tantrum gaining momentum. What the fuck was this? Not only had I been fuckin' rejected, I'd been shot right out of the fuckin' saddle. It wasn't every fucking day I threw myself at someone. In fact, I'd never thrown myself at fucking anyone. What sort of Mickey fucking fuckity fuck fuck Mouse game was she playing?
Mere seconds away from pitching a fit, a blast of awareness washed over me and I eyed her carefully. I was being manipulated. It had all been way too deliberate. I'd be the first one to admit that I could at times, be pretty damn dense, but if there was one thing I wasn't, it was a fool. It didn't make me angry that she was playing me for one, I was always angry. She made me mad.
"Anabel?"
She turned an inquiring look in my direction. "Yes?"
"I changed my mind."
"About what?"
"I think now would be a perfect time to discuss my personal failings."
"Oh? Why?"
"I dunno, I just fuckin' feel like it."
"Please don't use…"
"I'm going to use that word anytime I want and if you slap me again, I'll slap you back," I interrupted, rising to my feet and seating myself on the coffee table directly in front of her.
"I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, probably more than I should've because it's left me feeling generally confused. Be that as it may, I don't like to be manipulated, Annie. I already know enough about myself to realize I have problems. I don't like to have them pointed out to me, because odds are, I'm already well aware of them. Some I don't care about and some I'm trying to work on, but they're my problems and I don't want you to fix them. However, if it'll make you feel better, or if you're just curious, I'll let you in on what I've figured about myself."
She just stared at me.
"I am spoiled. I've been fortunate enough to have people in my life that would, and have, gone to great lengths to protect me, love me, and tolerate me. I've really never been denied but one thing, and that was Sophie. I was in love with her for so long that it took almost a decade for me to put it behind me. "
I paused and took a deep breath.
"I'm selfish because I've only had myself to deal with for far too long. I'm cynical because I give a shit and far too many don't. I'm hateful because like everybody, I'm a hypocrite. But unlike most, I realize it and I don't like it. I'm rude because some people don't understand anything else. And I'm mean because until I met you, I hadn't been laid in over three years. I won't bother to tell you how long it was before that."
She gave me a chuckle and a little grin.
"It feels right when I'm with you, Annie. I'd very much like this to work, but don't take a therapeutic approach with me. Take me as I am or don't take me at all."
She chewed on her lip, her face thoughtful. "Well, when you put it that way, I guess I'll have to take you," she said slowly. "But… I have conditions of my own."
"Yes?"
"Take a shower first."
I blinked. "What?"
"You're right. Fuck the shower."
She surged off the couch and tackled me from the coffee table in a blur, both of us landing on the floor in a tangle of arms and legs. Damn but the chick could move when she wanted to! Fingers labored rabidly at my waist, unclasping my belt, pulling it off with a flourish, and then tossing it away wantonly. I looked up at her with undisguised fascination. What was with the bizarre need to knock me to floor before mating? It struck me as a lot like being clubbed over the head and dragged back to the cave. I mean really, all she had to do was say the word and I would've happily moon walked nude into the bedroom and performed a half gainer on to the mattress.
My train of thought whispered away as my shirt fell open and my bra was pulled up over my boobs. She fell upon them with an urgent zeal, and it was soon impossible for me to think about anything. Well, almost anything…Heh, heh, heh.
Part Three
I
The appealing aroma of brewing coffee prompted me to open my eyes and I rose to sit on the edge of the bed. I let out a yawn that stretched my molars and stood to frolic naked into the bathroom. Life was good. Or at least, it was as good as it could be without Gus. I had a fantastic, if not a little strange, lover and I was completely sated. Thoughts of her overcame me as I sat upon the throne, and I suspected greatly that I had much more than just a lover. I was afraid to let myself hope.
I had finished my shower and was brushing my teeth when she popped into the bathroom with my ringing cell phone.
Noting my current state of unavailability, she grinned. "Want me to get it?"
I shrugged and gave her a nod.
"Hello. Oh, hi Billy!" she exclaimed happily, wandering out of the room.
Instantly regretting having let her answer it, I hurriedly completed my task and rushed into the bedroom to find it empty. I jumped into some panties and a half shirt and wandered out into the living room. I found her busily chatting away while she reclined on the sofa with her legs dangling over the arm. It was kinda cute so I swallowed my annoyance and padded over to sit down next to her.
"Oops, here she is," she giggled. "I'll let ya talk to her. Bye, Billy."
She extended the phone toward me with an amused expression and I barely restrained myself from snatching it out of her hand irritably.
"Yes, Billy?" I said dryly.
I was met with a low, sinister chuckle.
I rolled my eyes and waited as Anabel scooted over, situating her head in my lap.
"Has it been a good morning?" he asked finally. "Or was it a better evening?"
"Both were pleasant…until now."
He snickered. "I'll bet."
"Uh huh. What's up?"
"Tish Binkowski's birth certificate is an excellent forgery."
"Shit. Anything on her fingerprints?"
"Nobody's bitten. I think it's a long shot anyone will."
"You're probably right."
"Yep. Did you get anything from Merchant?"
"Not yet, but he has a lead for me. I'll give him a call today."
"Alright, I gotta run. Lemme know the scoop."
"Okay, talk to you soon."
"Have yourself a… pleasant… morning."
"Bye, Billy."
I hung up with a grumble and dropped my attention to the head in my lap. She had messily tied all of her hair up on the top of her head, the coif resulting in a look that made her resemble a five and half foot tall palm tree. It was pretty damn adorable.
"Good morning."
"Hiya, Maddie," she said brightly, turning in my lap to kiss my bare belly. "Whatcha want for breakfast?"
"Coffee and cigarettes."
She scrunched up her face. "Yuck. How about fried taters and eggs instead since it's the only thing in the house to eat?"
"You don't have to work today?"
"I do this evening. Traded so I could spend some time with you today."
I grinned.
She started to chew on my belly, getting a giggle out of me. "Stop that."
She paused and looked up at me with a look of devotion that it damn near made me gulp. "I'll cook if you promise to run around in your undies all morning."
"Deal."
"How do you like your eggs?"
"With broken yokes or scrambled."
"Okie dokey," she said, rolling out of my lap and sauntering toward the kitchen. I watched her go with a raised eyebrow. She had the sweetest little ass.
"Why's it so hot in here?"
"Look out the window."
I got up and strolled over to see a late winter snow and from the look of it, a pretty heavy one. Driving around was going to be for shit. The thought sparked my curiosity and I looked up and down the street, but the only car in sight was my own.
"Where's your car?"
"I don't have a car, Maddie."
"Huh?"
<
br /> "I grew up in the city, never learned how to drive."
I turned an unhappy look in her direction. "You've been taking a cab all this time?"
"Sometimes," she replied. "Joey dropped me off last night."
"Why didn't I know you didn't have a car?"
She shrugged. "You never asked."
It occurred to me then that there was a lot I didn't know about her. I traveled over and took a stool in front of the counter.
"Tell me about yourself, Annie."
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything."
She looked at me with a happy smile and I felt a powerful twinge of guilt. "Really?"
"Really. I should've asked long before now."
She shrugged a little disappointedly. "You've had a lot on your plate."
"That's no excuse."
"I'm glad we agree," she said coyly, strolling over to dump a knife and a few potatoes in front of me. "Peel those while we talk."
"Okay, but can I have a cup of that coffee too?"
"Sure."
I smiled and kicked my feet a little, confused when they encountered resistance. I cast a glance at the floor and noticed the box of DiCarlo files. I was positive that I'd left them scattered all over the kitchen counter, someone had boxed them back up.
"Annie, did you pick up my files?"
"Hmmm?" she asked, turning a look over her shoulder.
"My files, I left them out and now they're all packed away."
"Oh yeah, they were all over the counter so I put them back in the box," she said dismissively.
"Did you read them?"
She shrugged. "None of my business."
I drummed my fingers on the counter, fairly confident that she could've cared less. Why would she give a shit about a long dead mobster?
"What are you working on anyway, Maddie?" she asked as she deposited a mug in front of me and I immediately got the shakes for a smoke.
"Be back in a sec," I said, hopping up in search of my jacket.
I didn't see it in the living room so I headed for the bedroom closet. I scowled when I got there and couldn't find it. Turning to leave, I paused upon catching sight of a garbage bag drooping from one of my hangers; I peeked inside and found my jacket. I could only assume Anabel had done it and I was baffled as to why. As I tore it off and rummaged through the pockets, my heart suddenly thumped in my chest, realization dawning on me. She had said my jacket smelled like cigarettes and had covered it so my other clothes wouldn't smell too. My whole body started tingling and emotion flooded through me, leaving me covered from head to toe in gooseflesh.
Stories by Kiera Dellacroix Page 93
