Ready or Not (17 page)

“You are. You love them.”

“I do love them, but no one’s ever called me cute before.”

Hope gestured at Mallory with a chip. “That’s because you’re always trying to be in charge. And you’re kinda good at it, so I’m going to imagine fewer people see the cute in the midst of the respect they have for you. But it’s there, the cute is. Trust me.”

“I guess I’ll have to,” Mallory said in amusement. And that’s when Hope noticed what Mallory did not. The tiny dot of sour cream on Mallory’s lower lip.

“Do you know what else makes you cute?” Hope asked. Mallory shook her head. Unable to help herself, Hope reached across the island and gently ran her thumb across Mallory’s lower lip, then placed her own thumb in her own mouth, tasting the sour cream.

Mallory stared at her, seemingly struck. She’d been caught off guard by the contact, that much was clear, but the gaze they shared now had the temperature in the room climbing.

“Shall we get to work?” Hope asked quietly, her eyes never leaving Mallory’s.

“Hmmm? Oh. Yeah. Let me grab my—” As she stood to retrieve whatever it was she was after, Hope stepped out of the way to allow her to pass, just as Mallory attempted to sidestep Hope in the same direction, leaving them once again face-to-face. “Sorry,” Mallory said.

Hope shook her head. “My fault.” A sideways step in the opposite direction produced a similar result, and Hope caught Mallory by the shoulders as she stepped forward, colliding into her. “Whoa.”

Mallory raised her eyes to Hope’s. They were ridiculously close now, and Hope could smell the vanilla that, to her, was becoming so very Mallory. She was also now hyperawar of the fact that all she wanted to do was slide her hands into that dark hair, grip gently, pull Mallory in, and explore the rest of her.

“I’ll grab my proposal,” Mallory said and slid effectively from her grasp. Hope blinked and gave her head a little shake in an attempt to pull herself out of it. Work. Right. That’s what they were here for. She could totally work, just as soon as her body stopped humming and she erased images of Mallory hot and ready to go.

Mallory retrieved a leather-bound portfolio from her attaché in the corner and took a seat on the couch. “Before I walk you through the proposals, do you have anything major scheduled at Showplace on Thursday?”

Hope joined her on the couch. “Just regular traffic, why?”

“I’d like to bring in a potential client for drinks. The owners of Big Top Theatres.”

Hope’s interest was piqued. “The movie place?”

“Exactly. And I was wondering if you could do something special for them. Maybe a special drink for us all to try—all on me, of course. Maybe pull out something that could wow them and make them remember Showplace down the line. The thing is, these guys are the hot ticket in town right now and really influential. They would make a great ally if they happened to like the place.”

Hope’s mind was already on the move, thinking of all the cocktail possibilities she could go with. She had an entire journal full of options to choose from. “Tell me about them.”

“Think successful, energetic males with a high preoccupation with movies and having a good time.”

Hope nodded. “My kind of guys. You’re on. I’ll see what I can put together.”

“Perfect. Now look over these proposals and see what you think.”

Mallory watched as Hope perused the outline of services she’d handed her. As the look of concentration crossed her face, Mallory sat back and studied her until she finally couldn’t take it anymore. Quite simply, she found herself captivated. “You bite your lip when you’re thoughtful.”

“No, I don’t,” Hope said, releasing her lip without taking her eyes off the page.

“Okay. But you just did, so there’s that.”

That earned a smile and Hope turned her focus to Mallory. “And you go barefoot when you’re at home alone.”

“Yeah. So?”

“It’s kind of sexy is all,” Hope said with a shrug.

“You think that’s sexy?” Mallory asked, feeling a series of tingles move through her at the compliment. She wasn’t sure what it was about Hope that flipped her switch, but it happened every damn time they were together.

“Yeah.” Hope said, nodding. “You without shoes is killer. There’s something laid-back and relaxed about it that I love on you.” And then she returned to the contemplative examination of the proposal and damn it if Mallory didn’t regret ever handing it to her.

“Hope?” she said, deciding to take control of what she wanted.

“Mmm-hmm.”

“I’m not sure how you’re feeling, but I’m not feeling much like working.” Nope. No, she wasn’t.

“Is that so?” Hope asked, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “What
do
you feel like doing?”

“Other…things,” Mallory said, as her gaze dropped decidedly to Hope’s mouth. It’s not like she could have helped it. And really, what was the point of hiding that? Because ever since Hope had graced the doorway of her apartment, she found herself moving steadily from the want to the need column, and it was probably time she spoke up about that. They were both consenting adults, after all.

Hope set the portfolio on the coffee table. “Maybe you should show me.”

Accepting the invitation, Mallory pushed herself up on her arms, across the small space between them on the couch, and hovered just short of Hope’s mouth, enjoying the anticipation, because God, it was good. This vibration of electricity between them was off the charts. But Hope didn’t seem up for the wait and pulled Mallory’s face to hers and sank into a kiss that, to Mallory, felt like water to her thirst. In reaction to the warmth and wonder of Hope’s very talented mouth, her whole body ignited. She wrapped her arms around Hope’s neck as they eased backward onto the couch, Mallory on top, a position she rather liked.

“God, you feel so good,” Hope managed as they shifted into each other. Her hands moved down the sides of Mallory’s body as they continued to kiss with an abandon Mallory had never quite experienced before. Something about Hope made her completely let go.

And Hope could really kiss.

Mallory couldn’t remember another human kissing her as thoroughly as Hope did, and it made her wonder how thoroughly she did other things. The thought alone had her hot and pressing her breasts into Hope’s, who responded by cupping her ass, pulling her in firmly, eliciting a gasp from Mallory.

She closed her eyes and let the sensations tumble over her, acutely aware now that this wasn’t nearly enough. As if reading her mind, Hope eased Mallory onto her side so they lay face-to-face in a tangle of lips and tongues. And then Hope’s hands were under Mallory’s shirt, and the warm touch moved up her stomach, her ribs, to her breasts. God. With both hands, Hope palmed them through her bra, pulling a moan from Mallory that she couldn’t hold back. A jolt of something potent shot lower, between her legs, as Hope massaged, fondled, and played with her breasts. Their hips moved in a subtle rhythm now, and she trailed kisses down Hope’s chin to her neck where she licked, kissed, and sucked. But then Hope pushed up her bra and proceeded to explore her breasts further, free of barriers. Her breasts had always been incredibly sensitive, and this kind of attention sent her into overdrive.

“I love this T-shirt,” Hope whispered in her ear. “But I need to take it off you now.” Mallory nodded, words not readily available. But before Hope had the chance, her pocket vibrated. “Sorry,” Hope said, pulling the phone out. “Let me turn this off.” But she stilled when she glanced at the readout and sat up.

Mallory ran a hand through her hair, grappling to assemble a logical sentence. “You can take it. Go ahead.”

Hope passed her an apologetic smile and walked into the kitchen. Her heart sank at the readout. While she’d been prepared to see the bar calling, she’d also been prepared to let Teddy handle it. However, the call came from the county, and she had a sinking feeling she knew what it was about. “This is Hope,” she said upon answering.

“Hey, kid sister.” Hope closed her eyes at the disappointment that flooded her senses at Kara’s voice. Her fears had come true.

“Say you’re not locked up right now.”

She heard Kara sigh. “Wrong place. Wrong time. This one was not on me.”

“Sure it wasn’t. And now you want my help?” God, Hope didn’t want to do this again.

“I’ll pay you back. I actually have the cash this time. Started doing part-time work at a diner downtown. I get paid on Saturday, but if I don’t get out of here, I’ll lose my job.”

Hope blew out a breath and stared at the ceiling as she weighed her options. She could let her sister sit in jail. After all, she’d washed her hands of Kara after the last time. But somehow that just didn’t seem in her realm of capability. Screw-up or not, this was her sister she was talking about, who’d been where she’d been. Who helped get her through the more difficult days of their growing-up years. Who’d threatened the boy who’d thrown rocks at her on the playground. She couldn’t live with herself if she turned her back on Kara now. “What’s the charge?”

“Obstruction of justice.”

“You lied to the cops?”

“I’m not a snitch, Hope. And I’m also not up for getting my face smashed in.”

Hope had no idea what kind of scenario Kara was referencing, and honestly, she wasn’t sure she wanted to. “Fine. I’m on my way.”

“You’re the best, kiddo.”

Hope clicked off and turned around to find Mallory watching her with interest from the couch. She’d straightened her shirt and smoothed her hair, which was a damn shame. “I cannot believe I’m about to say this, but I have to go. Family stuff.”

Mallory stood. “Is everything okay?”

Hope had a choice here. She could be purposefully vague or tell Mallory the truth. Mallory, who came from the world of the straight and narrow, where people were honest and forthright and made good life decisions. “It will be.” She moved to Mallory and took her hand. “Thank you for tonight. The nachos were out of this world and the…” Hope gestured to the couch, not sure how to categorize the heat-laden path they were headed down just moments before.

Mallory smiled. “Really fantastic make-out session?”

“Understatement.” She touched Mallory’s cheek. “And if I didn’t have a semi-emergency to tend to, you’d be wearing a lot less about now.” The color hit Mallory’s cheeks almost instantly, and Hope, once again, cursed the poor timing of the call.

“I can’t believe you just said that to me, and you’re now about to walk out the door.” Mallory went up on her toes and placed a slow kiss on Hope’s lips before taking a step back.

“I can’t either,” Hope said and closed her eyes as Mallory stepped from her grasp, the loss immediate. “I think we need to have a business meeting again sometime. And soon.”

“Me too,” Mallory said. Hope headed reluctantly for the door. “Hope?” Mallory asked. She turned back. “You can talk to me, you know. I’m here.”

The words landed, and as a result, Hope had a lump in her throat she didn’t know what to do with. Because it was nice to hear that from someone, that they cared enough to offer their support. Especially someone with Mallory’s character. “Thanks. Maybe sometime we could do that.” And she wondered if there would ever be such an opportunity. She gestured to the door. “I better go.”

As she made her way to the D train, Hope reflected on the events of the amazing evening with Mallory. She smiled at the memory of their playful banter, the to-die-for nachos, and then lingered on what had almost happened between them on the fancy couch.

And then more acutely,
what had
.

Her body reacted with staggering intensity at just the memory of Mallory all soft and warm alongside her. The little sounds she’d made in response to Hope’s touch. Yet, a part of her wasn’t comfortable letting Mallory all the way in or telling her the details of why she had to leave. It was an interesting tightrope to walk, to want more from someone that you really weren’t willing to let in.

Well, at least, not yet.

She took Kara home with her that night and watched as she fell right to sleep on the couch. She’d said very little about the arrest and, other than thanking Hope for her bail, hadn’t said much at all. She leaned against the kitchen counter and watched her sister sleep, taking in how peaceful she looked, how even her breathing. Her gaze moved across Kara’s face and she was reminded of how odd it felt to look so much like a person on the outside, but have so little in common underneath. Kara was a good person but unwilling to do the things it took to pull herself out of the life they’d been born into.

Her sister stirred then and slowly opened her eyes. “Hey,” Kara whispered to Hope. “Whatcha doin’?”

Hope lifted a shoulder. “Just thinking.”

Kara stayed silent for a moment, then reached out her hand for Hope. “Do you remember that time when we snuck into the YMCA’s pool before we knew how to swim?”

Hope nodded, accepted Kara’s hand, and sat on the couch alongside her. “Of course.”

“You told me to stay out of the water, that it was dangerous, but I didn’t listen.” Kara shook her head. “You
told
me it was dangerous, but I jumped in anyway and would have drowned if you hadn’t run for help.”

“You’d have done the same for me,” Hope said, remembering how terrifying it had been when her sister slipped beneath the water’s surface and she hadn’t been able to reach her. She’d run as fast as her legs would carry her, panicked beyond anything she’d ever felt before.

“Of course I would have,” Kara said. “But you never did stupid stuff like that.” Her eyes filled and she looked up at Hope. “Why can’t I stop jumping in pools, Hope? I don’t get it. What’s wrong with me?”

It was heartbreaking to see Kara so lost. Vulnerable. “Look at me,” Hope said. “Tell me the truth. How long have you been clean?” Kara’s drug problem had started in their mid-teens and she’d never really recovered.

“I wasn’t lying before. It’s been three and a half months. I’m not going to say that I’ll never touch the stuff again, because you wouldn’t believe me anyway. But I’m trying, Hope.” And in that moment, Hope knew she was telling the truth.

“Then what’s with all the trouble? Why were you arrested?”