Desire Unleashed (2 page)

Liz dropped her suitcase by the bed as they chatted with an easy familiarity. Their friendship had started way back at school and spanned almost twenty years. Of course they’d had their ups and downs, but their relationship was solid and stood the test of time. Kathy guessed Liz was worried about her—she’d hinted as much the last time she’d phoned, forever asking if she was okay, if there was anything she’d needed, and generally just mother-henning her like the good friend she was—so this visit really shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

After treating Liz to the grand tour, Kathy shepherded her into the living room. “Have a seat,” she invited, indicating the sofa.

Liz flopped into the overstuffed faded couch and glanced around. “This is a cozy little apartment.”

Kathy heard the censure in her voice. “It’s clean, the building’s well maintained, and there’s a bus at the door. It suits me for the moment,” she defended.

“Well, I must say you look great. You’ve regained most of the weight you lost, but tell me Kathy, how are you really doing and be honest?”

Of the two girls, Kathy had always been the strong one, but her mother’s long illness and recent death had completely taken it out of her. Not that she resented the around-the-clock care, but after the funeral she needed to get away. Liz had tried to dissuade her from leaving at the time, arguing that she needed her friends close. But she’d felt stifled, and was determined to take a break from the norm, which would do her the world of good. Liz disagreed, but it hadn’t been her call to make.

“I’m doing fine,” she admitted. “Eating healthy and I’ve taken up running again. A bit lonely perhaps, but each day is a little easier.”

“Ian wanted me to say hi from him. He asks about you all the time. I think he’s still besotted.”

“Don’t even go there; you know I’m not interested.” Kathy stood and marched into the kitchen, picked up a knife from the bench, and finished peeling the potatoes she’d started earlier.

“You could do worse,” Liz said, traipsing after her. Kathy held her tongue. Ian was Liz’s friend after all—it was she who’d introduced them. Yes, she could do worse, but she wanted to do a whole lot better. She’d love to have a special someone in her life but there had to be chemistry.

“I know you’re lonely, so why not come home where you belong, to people who love and care about you, who…”

“Liz stop. There’s no point rehashing this. You know why I made my decision.” Her voice had an edge; she took a breath and softened her tone. “I’m going to fulfill my work contract, perhaps after that I’ll go home, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”

“Okay, okay, I get it. So what do you do for entertainment around here?”

Liz’s quick change of subject put Kathy on the spot. She thought about inventing some story that centered on the highlife, but Liz was astute and would call her bluff, so she settled on the truth, such as it was. “I’ve made two friends at work, Anne Marshall and Len Baker. We’ve been out for coffee a few times and last weekend we went to the movies together.”

“That’s it? You’re kidding me right? Two months here and that’s the sum total of your socializing? Well girl, that’s about to change, time you got yourself a life. Is there anywhere local we can go dancing?”

“Umm, yes, there’s a club close by that Anne and I have been meaning to visit, it’s supposed to be pretty good with a band most nights.”

“Sounds perfect, we’ll go tonight.”

Kathy had been looking forward to an easy night curled up in front of the box, watching old movies and munching popcorn. Now she’d have to change out of her sweats and dress up. She shouldn’t grumble though, Liz had come out of her way to cheer her up, so at the very least she owed her a night on the town.

“It’s a date then,” Kathy agreed, drumming up more enthusiasm than she felt.

The girls lingered over their meal then went to dress for their evening out.

“Wow, you look hot,” Kathy exclaimed, as Liz entered the room wearing a slinky short black dress and a pair of stilettos, quite a contrast to the austere business suit and pumps she’d just discarded. Studying her friend, it never ceased to amaze her how glamorous but impassive Liz was. She was the epitome of a hard-nosed lawyer by day but dressed in that little black outfit, she was simply stunning. A five-foot ten-inch dynamo with vibrant red hair and a wicked figure, heads turned whenever she walked by.

Kathy wanted to tell her it was high time she followed her own advice and find a special someone, but knowing the reaction that would bring, she refrained and spinning on the spot asked, “How do I look?”

“God, like you’ve just stepped out of a convent. Young, innocent, dare I say it… old fashioned.”

“Gee Liz, don’t hold back tell me what you really think.”

“Oh don’t go all sensitive on me, just wait here. I’ve got the perfect outfit to jazz you up.” Liz disappeared into her room and returned a few minutes later with a turquoise halter neck and a pair of white fitted pants she handed over. “Here, try these on.”

Kathy murmured her thanks and went to do just that. She was a different shape than Liz—shorter, fleshier—so the white pants looked as if they’d been spray-painted on. And the slinky top shimmered and clung to her curves like a second skin, unlike anything she’d ever owned. The outfit made a statement. Kathy gazed into the mirror and didn’t recognize her reflection. Her butt was firm and shapely, and the low cut top showed a hint of cleavage and a lot of promise. Her face erupted into a grin.

Twisting her hair into a French roll, Kathy secured it with a thick diamante clip, leaving wispy curls to frame her face. The upswept style and glamorous outfit made her feel sophisticated, chic. Sexy.

Kathy knew she was attractive in an understated kind of way. Liz always said she was wholesome, the kid-sister, girl-next-door type. The kind that brought out the protective instincts in men, but she thought this new image went a long way to altering that perception.

“So what do you think?” Kathy asked, hoping for a boost to her self-confidence as she pirouetted in the sitting room.

She wasn’t disappointed. Liz couldn’t hide her double take.

“You’ve got the wow factor happening; you sure look the part now. Put it out there and shake that booty girl and I tell you there will be hearts breaking tonight.”

Kathy giggled, she hadn’t felt this light-hearted in an age, but could she really
put it out there
as Liz suggested?

“Okay then, let’s get this show on the road.”

With a spring in her step and a giggle on her lips, Kathy gathered her purse and keys, doused the lights, and locked the apartment behind them.

* * * *

Sonny was impatient to hear her voice again, that sexy Southern drawl of hers was such a turn on. He’d been anticipating the moment when he’d hear her dulcet tones across the telephone wires all afternoon, so was royally pissed when the familiar click of the answering machine cut in.

He slammed down the handset. Damn, she should be home from work by now, so where the hell was she?

He crossed the short space to the kitchenette and lifted a beer from the refrigerator. He’d banked on her being home, counted on talking to her. He had no idea where she could be and that annoyed the hell out of him.

His imagination cranked up.

He threw his head back, drained the can, and then crushed it and, in a fit of temper, hurled it across the room where it landed with a tinny thud by the door.

“What to do, what to do?” he muttered, his anger gusting through him like a hurricane. As he paced the room, he swore a blue streak and wondered again where the hell she was.

Making a snap decision, he grabbed his car keys and stormed out the door, not bothering to lock it behind him.

Sonny parked across from Kathy’s apartment at sundown. Although the light was fading, he kept his dark glasses on and pulled the baseball cap lower over his forehead.

He’d arrived at her condo just in time to see her disappearing inside carrying an armful of groceries. His anger abated as quick as it had flared, and he congratulated himself on being one lucky son of a bitch. It was a safe bet she’d be there for the night, so he decided to chance it and grab a pizza from the local take-out, then come back and watch and wait for lights out. He had nothing better to do, and at least this way he’d be close to her.

Forty minutes later and munching on the last triangle of pizza, Sonny reminisced about the first time he’d seen her running along the beach. Damn she looked good in her sweats, it was evident she took pride in her appearance. Not every woman did that—take Lindy for example. But no, he didn’t want to think about Lindy now, that chapter of his life was over. Finished. Finito.

It was a long wait. The streets were quiet at this time of night; he filled in the time listening to the radio while he waited for her to douse the lights and turn-in. They went out at nine, earlier than he expected. He’d just switched on the ignition when Kathy emerged from the building, accompanied by the tall redhead he’d seen arrive earlier that evening. They were both dressed to kill and he didn’t like that. Not one damn bit. He didn’t want anyone leading his woman astray.

Sonny ripped off his baseball cap and threw it onto the passenger seat to join the sunglasses he’d discarded earlier. He hadn’t counted on this hiccup and was agitated when routine wasn’t adhered to. He snatched up the digital camera from the glove compartment and shoved it into his pocket. One never knew when the opportunity for memorabilia would arise. Latching onto his self-control, he closed the car door behind him with a faint click and tailed the women at a safe distance.

* * * *

The night was balmy—stars twinkled like jewels in the inky sky, a perfect night, a magical night … a great night for a stroll. The girls agreed to walk the short distance to the club. Ten minutes after setting out, Shenanigans came into view. They could hear the band playing a rendition of Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” the minute they’d rounded the corner.

It was still rather early, the place wouldn’t start to fill up until later, so they had no trouble getting in—Liz was vivacious as she made small talk with the doorman, who was without a doubt quite taken with her charms. She had that effect on men; they fell like ten pins. Kathy had seen it many times before, but Liz was impervious to the impact her beguiling smile had on the opposite sex.

The music was a good deal louder inside. The band was belting out another dynamic tune that straight away put the pair into party mode as they looked around with interest for somewhere to sit. Although the lighting was dim, it wasn’t so dark they couldn’t see—the bar was well lit and cast a muted glow over the rest of the room.

A collection of tables and chairs were scattered on the floor. Some were occupied by couples, but most were taken up with same sex groups of three or more, who were out on the prowl, looking for love or just a good time.

Kathy and Liz skirted the dance floor, weaving a path toward the back of the room, where a number of tables stood vacant. They settled into their seats and ordered a margarita each from the attending waiter, and then Liz caught Kathy up on all the hometown gossip.

Liz’s younger sister had become engaged and was planning a flashy wedding.

“You’ll come back for that of course, the family will be crushed if you don’t,” Liz said, lifting her drink for a taste.

“Wow, that’s fantastic news. Of course I’ll be there.” Kathy beamed. She hadn’t realized Rachel’s relationship was that serious and was over the moon for her. Then her face collapsed into a whimsical expression.

“Oh, p-lease.” Liz groaned. “Trash that thought.”

“What thought?”

“Don’t play the innocent with me. I know you too well and I know what you’re thinking, so don’t even try to deny it,” Liz’s tone held more than a hint of disgust.

Kathy squirmed. She wanted to be a modern woman, self-assured and sophisticated, but deep down, she guessed she was just an old fashioned girl at heart with old-fashioned values when it came to sex and marriage. Liz always teased her to join the twenty-first century and rolled her eyes now as she dared her to contradict.

“Okay, okay,” she said, folding under her scrutiny. “I wish it was me marrying the man of my dreams. There, I’ve admitted it. I know I’m a freak, but I can’t help it. I want to be a wife and mother more than anything, it’s what I long for so sue me.”

“Then don’t just sit there whining, do something about it.”

“Like what?”

“Like I said before, put yourself out there.”

“Flirting doesn’t come easy to me.”

“Well at least stop scowling, you’ll frighten off any potentials. Flash those pearly whites instead, so they at least know you’re interested.”

Kathy bared her teeth. “How’s this?”

“Be serious.”

Kathy smiled prettily. “So, has Rachel set a date yet?”

“Nothing official, but she’s hoping in six months. You know, Ian will be there too.”

Kathy’s eyes clouded—what Liz was about to say next was a no-brainer—and she sent her a warning glare that was promptly ignored.

“He still moons over you like a lovesick calf, it’s pathetic. When he heard I was coming to visit, he made me promise to put in a good word for him and I’m a girl of my word so here goes.” Liz took a breath. “He’s a nice guy and he’s keen on you. You could do a lot worse you know, he’s loyal, hardworking…”

“Blah, blah, blah. Just because I want to get married doesn’t mean I’d settle for any Tom, Dick, or Ian. There’s no spark between us. Never was really. I just wish
he’d
get the message. It’s not like we were ever a hot item, more like a one sided affair. I know he’s your friend, but to be frank, on the few occasions we did date, Ian was so pedantic it was starting to bug me. He’d obsess over every little thing, even his tie if it was off center. It was driving me crazy. And before I left town he got even weirder, following me around like a stray puppy. I’d look over my shoulder and hey presto, there he’d be. It was creepy.” She finished with a shudder.

“Nonsense, Ian was in all probability just concerned and wanted things to be perfect… he truly is just a sweetie.”