Jerry smiled, happy to see her friend so secure in her relationship. “Good.”
The night ended shortly after that. Jane Anne didn’t speak to Jerry again the short time that they stayed at the bar.
Chapter 2
Kashena was lying on her bed, wearing a jog bra and sweat pants. It was mid-morning on a Saturday. Carrie was at school for a change, so it was nice and peaceful in the house. So peaceful that Kashena picked up on the slightest creak of the boards on her hardwood floors. She instantly knew someone was in the house.
Sitting up in a flash, her hand hovering near her holstered weapon on the nightstand, Kashena was shocked to see Linda standing in the doorway to her bedroom.
“Jesus!” Kashena exclaimed, moving her hand away from her gun and running it through her long blond hair. “Are you fucking nuts?”
“No,” Linda replied, grinning. “Just persistent as hell.”
“I’d call it being a pain in the ass, not to mention trespassing,” Kashena replied, her voice low.
“Ah, c’mon, babe,” Linda said, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder. “Stop playing games. You know you missed me, like I missed you.”
“I don’t recall missing you,” Kashena said, her tone serious.
Linda looked back at her for a few moments, then walked toward the bed.
“I think you did,” she said, her voice dropping an octave, her look meaningful.
“Don’t even start,” Kashena said, holding her hand up in a halting gesture.
“Why not?” Linda asked, her expression still seductive.
“I’m living with someone,” Kashena said.
Linda said nothing, toying with a lock of her hair. Finally, she nodded. Kashena thought it was acceptance of the situation. She thought wrong.
Linda moved to the bed and straddled Kashena’s hips. Before Kashena could react, Linda leaned down and kissed her on the lips, her hands cupping Kashena’s face. For a full minute, Kashena couldn’t even think—her mind was so blurred by the excitement of the kiss. Then suddenly she realized, this was Linda, and Linda always did this to her.
Putting her hands on Linda’s shoulders, Kashena set Linda away from her. Apparently Linda was ready for that, because she grabbed Kashena’s forearms, holding on to her.
“Kashie,” she said, her voice low and husky, “why are you fighting this? You know we’re meant for each other; you know we’re good with each other. Why are you avoiding me?”
Kashena looked at her for a full half-minute before answering. “Maybe it’s shit like the five hundred dollars of my money you walked off with last time you left,” she said sharply.
Linda took a deep breath. “I know, Kash, and I’m sorry I did that. I’ll pay you back.”
“With what? Your looks?” Kashena asked sarcastically.
“Damn, you’ve gotten really bitter lately, haven’t you?” Linda said, canting her head to the side.
Putting her hands on Kashena’s shoulders, she slid them downward, her thumbs brushing over Kashena’s nipples. Kashena gasped involuntarily, trying desperately to fight Linda’s effect on her.
“I think,” Linda said, her tone conversational, as her thumbs brushed back and forth, making Kashena shudder at the sensation, “that this little girl you’re living with isn’t as good as me.”
“Stop…” Kashena said, trying to will herself to make her stop, but even her voice held no real conviction.
“She doesn’t do you like I can, does she, Kash?” Linda asked, her lips moving to Kashena’s neck, her hand sliding lower.
“Linda… no…” Kashena said, a moan escaping her lips moments later.
“Mmm,” Linda murmured against her ear. “You need it, don’t you?”
“No…” Kashena said, her voice a moan.
Minutes later they were making love. Kashena had never been able to resist Linda when it came to sex. Linda was one of the very few women that had ever actually gotten Kashena to have an orgasm every time. It was something Linda knew, and used. She was an addiction, Kashena knew that.
Linda was right about Carrie. Carrie had never managed to satisfy Kashena the entire time they’d been together. It wasn’t that she hadn’t tried, she had, but Kashena knew that it took a lot, and most women just didn’t have either the stamina or the right touch. Linda did, in spades.
Afterwards, Kashena lay on her back, already disgusted with herself for her weakness. She’d thought for sure that this time she’d be able to resist Linda. She’d refused to see her for the entire week that Linda had been in town. Just when she thought she was finally conquering the addiction she had for the black-haired vixen, she was once again snared. And it felt like shit.
Linda lay on her side, her hand caressing Kashena’s now bare stomach. She reveled in the feeling of power she had at that moment. She had known that she needed to force the issue with Kashena. On the phone Kashena had sounded so different, so cold. Linda was afraid she’d truly lost her hold on Kashena. She hadn’t. Kashena was hers, and she would always be hers.
In her heart, Linda felt that Kashena was her soul mate. The problem was, Kashena was very stable and responsible. It was something that was comforting for a while, but at times it became constricting. That’s when she had to get out. She knew Kashena didn’t understand it, but apparently she didn’t mind it too much. When she came back, Kashena took her in, every time. The sex with Kashena was always the best. No one was as good as Kashena.
Kashena didn’t realize she’d dozed off until she heard the uttered “What the fuck?” from the doorway.
She started awake, recognizing Carrie’s voice. Sitting up, she realized where she was and what had happened. She instantly felt like shit. Carrie had caught her in bed with another woman. Jesus!
“Carrie…” she began, unable to form any way of explaining her actions.
Carrie held up her hand and gave her an icy look. “Don’t!” she exclaimed, her eyes on Linda, who sat up, her expression arrogant. “Who the fuck are you?” Carrie asked viciously.
“I’m the person whose spot you’ve been filling for the past few months,” Linda said, her tone confident.
“Linda, shut up,” Kashena snapped, not in the mood to deal with a catfight.
She’d pulled her sweats and shirt on. Standing, she moved toward Carrie. Carrie backed up against the door, staring up at Kashena. Her hands were up between them, as if to ward Kashena off.
“Carrie,” Kashena said softly, “I’m sorry…”
Carrie shook her head. “No, I’m sorry,” she said, looking near tears.
“Carrie, please…” Kashena moved to hold the girl, feeling like hell.
Carrie’s arms came up again, blocking her from doing so. Kashena dropped her arms, stepping back. Carrie looked up at her, then lashed out with her open hand and slapped her.
“I hate you for this,” she said softly.
Turning, Carrie walked out of the bedroom, leaving the house in tears. Kashena leaned against the wall, her head back against it, her eyes closed. It wasn’t that she loved Carrie, she didn’t, but the girl had been with her all this time. This wasn’t how she wanted to end things. It wasn’t right.
Linda watched the scene from the bed, wise enough to stay out of it after Kashena had told her to. In truth, she felt fully vindicated in what she’d said. Carrie wasn’t meant for Kashena—Linda was. All Carrie had been was filler. The sooner the girl realized that, the better off she’d be. No one could be to Kashena what she was—that was just fact.
“Kash…” Linda began.
Kashena shook her head. “Don’t say anything right now,” she said seriously.
“What’s wrong?” Linda asked, thinking the scene had gone fairly smoothly.
Kashena looked at Linda, her face disbelieving. “I just became the asshole I never wanted to be.”
With that, Kashena walked out of the bedroom. Walking through the house, she picked up her cigars and strode out to her backyard, lighting a thin cigar the mome
nt she got outside.
Linda got up from the bed, pulling on her shirt and nothing else. Walking out onto the back deck of the house, she saw Kashena sitting at the edge smoking. Standing and watching her for a while, Linda realized how much she really had missed Kashena.
The woman was so damned beautiful, with her long straight blond hair reaching halfway down her back and her deep blue eyes. She had the proud bone structure of her Indian heritage, but the lean strength of a warrior woman. Muscle cut against Kashena’s rich gold-colored skin, flexed when she lifted her cigar to her lips, rippled across her back.
It excited Linda no end to know that Kashena could kill with her fingers, fight any man and win. To know that Kashena could and would protect her, because she loved her. It was a major high to have such an effect on a woman like that, to have her under her control. Linda knew she had the power to get Kashena to do anything. Maybe she’d stay this time; maybe she’d finally get Kashena to beg.
As she moved behind Kashena, Linda saw her tense. Ignoring the tension Kashena was exuding, Linda sat down behind her, her legs on either side of Kashena’s hips. She slid her hands up Kashena’s chest from behind and laid her face against Kashena’s back. She felt Kashena suck her breath in with a great deal of satisfaction. Kashena was hers, always had been, always would be. No one could change that.
***
Kana sat in her Navigator, smoking and watching people walk by. She saw Palani and Jerry emerge from the airport terminal. Getting out of the Navigator, she tossed her cigarette away, blowing smoke out in a long stream as she opened the back and walked toward her girlfriend. Leaning down and kissing Palani on the lips, she took her suitcase from her, then reached for Jerry’s.
“Thanks, Kana,” Jerry said, looking surprised.
“Get in,” Kana told the two women. “It’s cold out here and the heat is on in the car.”
Jerry and Palani complied. Kana put their luggage in the back and closed up the car. As she got in, an officer walked up.
“You know you can’t stay parked out here,” he said, his tone authoritative.
Kana held up her badge and lit another cigarette.
“Oh, sorry, ma’am,” the officer said, inclining his head.
“No problem,” Kana said, getting into the Navigator and starting it up.
“I’m sorry it’s so late, babe,” Palani said. “The sky phones weren’t working, and things at the airport in New York were crazy when we got on the plane.”
“It’s okay, hon,” Kana said. “I was awake anyway.”
“Still…” Palani said. “Having to stay dressed and everything…”
“It’s okay,” Kana repeated.
“But definitely thanks for this, Kana,” Jerry said from the back seat.
“You’re welcome, Jerry,” Kana said.
“I missed you so much,” Palani said, taking Kana’s free hand and squeezing it.
“I missed you too, babe,” Kana said, smiling over at her. “How was the shoot?”
“It was okay. Freezing, but okay,” Palani said.
When they got to the apartment Jerry shared Jane Anne, Kana got out. She opened the back and to Jerry’s surprise gestured for her to precede her. Kana carried Jerry’s suitcase up three flights of stairs and deposited it at her door. She waited politely while Jerry unlocked the door, letting herself into the apartment.
“Thanks again, Kana,” Jerry said warmly, reaching up to hug Kana quickly.
Kana was surprised by the hug, but put her arms around the slight blonde and hugged her back.
“You’re welcome,” she said, smiling.
Back in the Navigator, Kana looked over at Palani.
“So why wasn’t Jane Anne there to pick Jerry up?”
Palani grimaced. “They’re fighting again.”
Kana shook her head as she put the vehicle into gear. “They fight more than anything these days.”
“I know,” Palani said, sounding worried. “I don’t know what I’d do if we fought like that.”
Kana grinned. “Babygirl, if we fought like that, we wouldn’t be together. It’s as simple as that.”
Palani looked over at her with wide eyes.
“Babe,” Kana said, her tone explanatory, “I deal with enough stress at work. I won’t do it in my personal life too.”
Palani nodded, understanding what Kana was saying. She’d just been surprised by Kana’s comment.
“You’re right,” Palani said. “I wouldn’t want to do that either. I’m just glad we rarely fight.”
It was true. Since they’d gotten back together, their fights had been very few and very minor.
Once home, Palani did some of her unpacking while Kana lay on the bed. Palani glanced over and saw Kana watching her.
“What?” she asked with a grin.
Kana shook her head. “Nothing,” she said, grinning too. “I just like watching you move.”
“Oh really?” Palani moved to the bed.
“Oh yeah…” Kana said, smiling as she sat up.
Palani leaned over and kissed Kana on the lips. Kana’s hands were on her hips immediately, lifting her off her feet and setting Palani down on her lap.
“Mmm…” Palani moaned as Kana’s hands removed her shirt.
Things between them were getting heated when the phone rang.
Kana growled, even as she reached for the phone. She was on call 24/7.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Kana…”
“Jerry?” Kana queried, hardly able to identify the voice—she was crying.
“Yes,” Jerry said softly. “Can I talk to Palani?”
“Sure,” Kana said, giving Palani a long look as she handed her the phone.
Palani talked to Jerry for a few minutes, telling her to stay where she was. She hung up, reaching for her shirt.
“What’s going on?” Kana asked, knowing something had happened just from Palani’s side of the conversation.
“Jane Anne hit her,” Palani said, sounding worried. “She’s at a coffee shop down in PB. I’m going to go get her.”
“Like hell you are,” Kana said, getting up. “Where’s she at? I’ll go get her.”
“Kana…” Palani said, not wanting to put Kana out any further that night.
“Palani, PB isn’t a place I want you in at night, okay? I’ll go get her and bring her here.”
Palani stared back at Kana, feeling her heart swell. Kana could always be counted on when someone needed her. It was one of the things Palani loved most about her.
Twenty minutes later, Kana walked into the coffee shop where Jerry sat huddled in a booth. Jerry wore no makeup, and she was dressed in sweat pants and a T-shirt. Still she looked tragically beautiful. Kana, dressed in black jeans, a white shirt, black boots, and her long black leather jacket, her hair flowing down to almost her waist, was quite a contrast. Kana walked over to Jerry and stood next to her table
“Jerry,” she said quietly.
Jerry’s head snapped up, her eyes indicating surprise.
“Kana?” she said tearfully.
Kana held out her hand to Jerry. Jerry took it, letting Kana gently pull her out of the booth. She was surprised when Kana pulled her into her arms and hugged her gently.
“Where’s Palani?” Jerry asked.
“At home,” Kana said. “I’m taking you there.”
“To your house?” Jerry asked as she let Kana lead her outside.
When they got to Kana’s Navigator parked just outside, Kana turned and looked down at Jerry.
“You’re our friend, Jerry,” Kana said. “You need us, and we’re going to be here for you.”
Jerry’s eyes filled with tears as she nodded.
Twenty minutes later, Kana walked into her and Palani’s house, leading Jerry. Palani was there immediately, taking Jerry to the living room and sitting her down on the couch. Kana left them alone to talk, going into her and Palani’s bedroom and changing her clothes. Palani found her lying on their b
ed two hours later.
“How’s Jerry?” Kana asked as Palani climbed into bed with her, laying her head on Kana’s chest.
“She’s sleeping,” Palani said. “She’s really worn out.”
“Did she say what happened?”
“That she and Jane Anne were fighting again, and that Jane was drinking. Things got heated. Jane Anne hit her.”
Kana drew a deep breath, shaking her head. “It’s not good that she’s moved up to violence.”
“I know,” Palani said. She was silent for a while, then glanced up at Kana. “K? Is it okay if I let her stay for a little bit?”
Kana looked down at Palani. “Of course it’s okay, babe.”
Palani smiled up at her. “Jerry was really surprised to see you at the café.”
“Why?” Kana asked
“Because she thinks that you think we’re all about drama.”
“Who’s we?”
“Models,” Palani answered.
Kana shook her head. “I don’t categorize anyone by their profession.”
Palani smiled softly. “I love you,” she said.
Kana pulled her up, kissing her lips. Minutes later they were making love as quietly as possible. Hours later they were lying asleep. Palani lay on her back; Kana lay on her stomach, her arm across Palani’s chest, her leg thrown over Palani’s. It was a striking picture that they made. Palani so delicate and classically beautiful, and Kana with her long dark hair, strong, proud features, and her skin darker than Palani’s. Kana had her head bowed slightly so her lips were at the hollow of Palani’s neck.
There was a white sheet over them, but only half covering them. Kana’s lean muscled back and shoulders were bare, as well as one tawny muscular leg, a complete contrast to Palani’s smooth, delicately shaped leg next to it. Jerry couldn’t help but stare at them. She’d awoken in a strange house and had wandered to where she thought the bathroom was. The door was ajar—she’d opened it but saw that it was their bedroom. She’d been mesmerized by the sight of Kana and Palani. She’d just realized what she was doing and was turning to go when Palani stirred slightly and opened her eyes, widening them when she saw Jerry standing there looking at them.
Darkness Past Page 4
