Too Close to Touch (22 page)

Gretchen had pressed herself close to Kylie in order to be heard and Kylie could feel the heat emanating from both their bodies, mingling thickly in the air. “Thanks for the drink,” she said, holding up her glass.

She grimaced with embarrassment when she realized it was empty.

Gretchen chuckled and motioned to Christy as they stood in slightly awkward silence while they waited for another drink. The pounding bass beat of the music stopped abruptly and a slow number began. To Kylie’s alarmed delight, Gretchen held out her hand.

“Dance with me?”

If she hadn’t been drinking, Kylie might have been able to summon up the strength to refuse. She might have politely declined. She might even have snorted a laugh in Gretchen’s face. As it was, though, she was powerless…against Gretchen’s eyes, her voice, against the small, strong hand hovering, waiting to lead her to the dance ß oor. She didn’t hesitate at all. She put her hand in Gretchen’s, trying not to swoon at the warmth, the solidity of her grip, and allowed herself to be escorted toward a far corner of the small dance ß oor. The zone was dimly lit and occasionally slashed with red and blue light, ideal for keeping a low proÞ le.

Kylie paid no attention to the fact that Jori barely noticed them.

She paid no attention to the look of concerned annoyance that Mick shot in their direction. Her eyes were lowered, watching nothing else but the sway of Gretchen’s slim hips, the rolling of her behind as she strolled ahead.

They were very nearly the same height again, Kylie’s sandals and Gretchen’s ankle boots with the heel working in their favor. When Gretchen turned to face her, Kylie swallowed. She felt suddenly submerged in Gretchen’s presence, as if Gretchen’s physical hold on her was the only thing keeping her from drowning. Gretchen lifted their joined hands and nestled them to her chest; Kylie could feel the softness of the white shirt and the steady beating of Gretchen’s heart beneath it.

The exposed skin of her back tingled unbearably as Gretchen slid her other hand into position, her thumb rubbing small, lazy circles.

When Gretchen tightened her arm and gently pulled their bodies closer together, Kylie was barely able to stiß e the gasp that forced itself

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TOO CLOSE TO TOUCH

from her parted lips. Her heart was pounding, and Gretchen’s mouth was but three inches from hers. She rested her own hand on Gretchen’s shoulder, feeling possessive and possessed in equal measure. Like she belonged there.

I never want to leave this spot. Ever.

They swayed together easily, comfortably, barely even registering what song was playing. Kylie had thought she had so much to say to Gretchen, but she couldn’t seem to Þ nd her voice and then she didn’t want to. She was afraid of breaking the spell. She wanted to stay like this forever, swaying in Gretchen’s arms, held tightly and feeling protected.

For that moment, there was no job, no rules or ethics. There was only the two of them and the heat surrounding them.

Gretchen’s eyes hadn’t left Kylie’s lips since they began moving to the music and it took every ounce of strength Kylie had to prevent herself from leaning forward a hair, from pushing her own mouth into Gretchen’s, but she promised herself she’d let Gretchen make the move.

She was in no hurry to end up in the same state of embarrassment she’d experienced on Thursday night at the ofÞ ce. From the look on Gretchen’s face…the hooded eyes, the parted lips, the tongue darting out to moisten them…Kylie suspected she wouldn’t have to wait long.

“Hey, break it up,” Jori said playfully, startling them both so much that they actually jumped. “I’ve got somebody I want you to meet.”

It was only as Jori was dragging Gretchen away by the arm that Kylie noticed the music had changed; the slow song was gone and the pumping bass beat was back. She followed Gretchen’s retreating form, noticed the apologetic grimace that crossed her face, and blew out a frustrated breath. Gretchen and Jori disappeared into a large group of people at the end of the bar. Kylie headed to the other end where her drink and Mick were waiting. Her vision blurred slightly and she realized she was drunker than she originally thought. And God was she turned on.
Damn you, Gretchen.

“That was interesting,” Mick commented, a gleam of irritation shining in her eye.

“What was?” Kylie slugged back half her drink, glad Mick was driving.

“That dance.” Mick narrowed her eyes as Kylie Þ nished the rest of her drink. “Easy there, Ky. You’re going to have a hell of a headache in the morning.”

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GEORGIA BEERS

“Whatever.” Kylie watched across the bar as Gretchen smiled politely at the handful of people surrounding her and Jori. Jori’s arm was draped over her shoulders again and it made Kylie grind her teeth.

She laid down a Þ ve for the drink Christy brought her, not paying any attention to Mick’s silent direction to Christy that she’d had enough.

She once again nearly choked on the two large swallows she took as she watched across the bar. Then she did choke on the third and everything in her stomach threatened to heave up onto the surface in front of her as Jori caught hold of Gretchen and kissed her on the mouth.

Kylie’s world was spinning. Setting down her drink, she turned to Mick and gripped her arm tightly. “Take me home.”

“What? Now?”

“Take. Me. Home.”

Mick’s green eyes suddenly Þ lled with concern as she saw the tears welling up in Kylie’s.

“Please, Mick?” She could hardly focus. All she could think about was getting out before she burst into humiliating sobs.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

v

After Kylie’s third attempt at getting the key into the lock, Mick took the keys from her and slid the correct one home. She pushed the door open and stood aside, letting Kylie enter ahead of her. Shaking her head, she followed her into the living room. Kylie rarely drank enough to get this drunk; she was quite careful about it because she tended to be self-conscious about the Irish stereotype. She only drank in excess when she was upset.

“What’s going on?” Mick asked gently.

Kylie hadn’t turned any lights on. Only the glow from the streetlights outside shining through the open living room windows made it possible for them to see one another, both bathed in a soft orangey glow. She stepped close to Mick.

“Hug me?”

“You got it.” There was nothing Mick could deny her best friend, especially when she used that soft, pleading, feminine voice. She wrapped her arms around Kylie and pulled her close, resting her chin

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TOO CLOSE TO TOUCH

on the top of the blond head and trying not to feel anything beyond the closeness of their friendship.

Kylie rubbed her cheek against Mick’s chest, feeling protected by the strong, muscled arms holding her. It wasn’t quite the same feeling of protection she’d gotten from Gretchen, but… Shaking that thought angrily away, she looked up at Mick. “Kiss me.”

Mick blinked at her, clearly taken aback. “What?”

“I said kiss me. Now.” Kylie grabbed the back of Mick’s head and pulled her down.

“Ky, what the—” Mick’s protests were silenced when Kylie’s lips met hers. She grabbed Kylie’s forearms, fully intending to withdraw, but Kylie’s lips were so soft, so sweet, so insistent. There was nothing she could do, no way to resist.

Mick moved her hands to either side of Kylie’s face and kissed her back, tenderly at Þ rst, tentatively, exploringly. It wasn’t long before she couldn’t refuse the desire to taste Kylie’s mouth more fully and she expertly slid her tongue into the warmth that waited for her. Kylie moaned and pushed her body more Þ rmly against Mick’s taller one.

There was no sound but the soft smacking of their lips.

Maybe it was the ß ashback of Kylie and Gretchen dancing earlier.

Maybe it was Kylie’s sudden change in behavior. Maybe it was that the current situation was bordering on a wish coming true and Mick was a skeptic. Whatever the reason, Mick suddenly wrenched her mouth from Kylie’s, breathing raggedly, her heart pounding in her ears.

“Wait. Ky, wait. What are you doing?”

Kylie pulled at Mick’s head, her arms still wrapped around Mick’s neck. “Mick. Just kiss me. Please? Just…” Their mouths met again and this time, Kylie pushed
her
tongue into Mick’s mouth.

Mick whimpered, feeling completely ambushed. The sweetness of Kylie’s mouth, the intensity of her desire, made it hard for her to put up any kind of a Þ ght. She’d dreamed of this, of kissing Kylie, of being wanted by Kylie. She’d fantasized endlessly, had masturbated to just this scenario countless times. And now it was happening. And it was so wrong.

She pulled away again, making sure to hold Kylie at arms’ length.

“Kylie. Wait. Please. Just…wait.”

“I don’t want to wait,” Kylie pleaded. Even in the dark, Mick could

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GEORGIA BEERS

tell she was inebriated and out of focus. Mick reached for the lamp on the nearby end table, but Kylie stopped her, tugging at her arm. “No!

No, leave the lights off. Please. Leave them off and kiss me again.”

And at that moment, things were suddenly, painfully clear to Mick.

She ß ashed again on Kylie and Gretchen dancing; she ß ashed on Jori kissing Gretchen and Kylie’s immediately reaction of ß ight. She swallowed hard, allowing the anger seeping in to push the hurt out…at least for the time being.

“This is about Gretchen, isn’t it?” It was more a statement than a question.

The combination of expressions on Kylie’s face told Mick she was trying hard to pretend that Mick hadn’t hit the nail on the head, but she was too drunk to pull it off.

“What is it about her? Huh?” Mick stepped closer to Kylie, who seemed to shrink a bit. “Why her?”

“I don’t know.” Kylie’s voice was just above a whisper.

“Did you Þ gure if you left the lights off, you could pretend I was her?”

Kylie’s silence was answer enough.

“Fine.” Mick grabbed Kylie’s face in her hands and held her Þ rmly, hissing, “Is this what you want?”

She crushed their mouths together, thrusting forcefully into Kylie’s as she held her prisoner. Kylie tried to escape by stepping back, but Mick followed and there was a loud crash as Kylie’s backside hit the table against the wall and the framed pictures on it fell ß at.

Kylie struggled feebly, pushing against Mick’s chest, Þ ghting not only Mick, but the growing excitement burning in her belly. She’d had way too much to drink, and Mick was much stronger than she was, and before she knew it, her butt was on the table, her back against the wall, her arms crossed in an X and pinned over her head by one of Mick’s large, strong hands. Mick stood between her spread knees, and Kylie felt surrounded. Mick’s size difference had always made her feel sheltered and safe. Now she felt trapped, caught. The combination of fright and arousal scared her even more.

“Is this what you want?” Mick snarled again, her mouth close to Kylie’s ear. “Do you want her to fuck you right here on this table?

Hmm?”

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TOO CLOSE TO TOUCH

The comment angered Kylie, but she groaned as Mick’s large hand closed over one breast and squeezed. Mick’s mouth trailed a hot, wet path down the side of Kylie’s neck where she bit and nipped the sensitive skin there, alternately using her teeth and tongue as she listened to the change of pace in Kylie breathing. Grasping a handful of Kylie’s shirt, Mick yanked hard and the buttons popped, the shirt suddenly falling open, revealing heaving breasts held lovingly in black lace.

“She doesn’t deserve you,” Mick murmured, covering the lace with one hand and kneading Þ rmly, Þ rst one breast, then the other. “She doesn’t deserve these.
I
do.”

Kylie struggled against the hand that pinioned her, the disparaging comment about Gretchen, and her own helpless arousal. Her bracelets jangled against each other as she tried to free her hands. Mick’s Þ ngers zeroed in on her rapidly tightening nipples and captured one through the fabric of the bra. Kylie knocked the back of her head into the wall, her groans of aroused protest swallowed by Mick’s mouth as it covered hers once more.

Mick’s head swam. The stimulation of touching Kylie’s body had eclipsed her anger, though that anger was still very present. Kylie’s warped view of Gretchen Kaiser made her crazy and she wanted nothing more than to open Kylie’s eyes.
Why can’t you see me?
She didn’t realize right away that she was voicing her thoughts aloud. She was only aware of Kylie’s body heat, of her sweet-smelling skin, of her slim wrists, of her pliant, sensitive breast, of her meager attempts to resist.

“She doesn’t deserve you,” Mick repeated, trailing her mouth around Kylie’s neck and throat. “Why do you think she does? What do you see in her? She doesn’t care about you. If she did, would she have been kissing Jori tonight? Why can’t you see what’s right in front of your face?”

“Mick,” Kylie whispered, her voice strained. “Stop it.”

“I’m right here.
I
am
right here
,” Mick insisted, nipping at Kylie’s collarbone as she slid her hand around behind and skillfully unfastened Kylie’s bra.

“Stop.” Kylie squeezed her eyes shut, her internal battle raging, her mind sobering quickly.

“I’d do anything for you, Kylie Jane. Don’t you know that?” Mick

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GEORGIA BEERS

slipped her hand under the fabric that now hung loosely over Kylie’s breasts and caught one bare handful of ß esh, groaning at the warm, honeyed feel of it. “Oh, God. Anything.”

Kylie twisted her hands in another attempt to free them, but Mick held tightly and dipped her head lower. Catching a nipple between her lips, Mick sucked gently, then more Þ rmly. Kylie gasped.

“Mick…”

Mick switched to the other breast, giving equal time. Kylie squirmed, heat shooting through her body like an electric jolt from her breasts to her groin.

“I’d treat you like a queen,” Mick whispered. She let her free hand travel down Kylie’s bare side and around over her smooth, quivering stomach. When she pressed it determinedly into Kylie’s crotch, Kylie whimpered. “God, you’re so wet. I can feel it through your jeans.” She moved the heel of her hand in a slow, circular motion, grinding against Kylie and keeping her held Þ rmly against the wall. “See? See how good it can be between us? Gretchen can’t do this to you.”