Darkness United Page 8

  “So, what do you want tonight?” she heard Anna ask, her voice huskier than usual, and Lexi knew her wife was very turned on. Wanting to feel how wet she was for her, Lexi ran her hands along Anna's thighs. She felt the woman shiver with anticipation.

  “I want to touch you,” Lexi murmured, letting her fingers stroke over the woman's swollen lips. “I want to make you come.”

  Anna gasped. “Is that all?” she asked, slowly starting to rock her hips. “What about you?”

  Lexi felt her body burn in response to the movement and the sexy question. “Touch me too,” she answered in a breath feeling Anna respond by slipping over to lay beside her on the bed. There was a tug at Lexi's belt and then the

  button was unfastened and Anna slipped her hand inside Lexi's briefs. When Anna's fingers found her already aching clit, Lexi grit her teeth at the extreme pleasure. She was incredibly aroused already and loved how Anna could do that to her. In response, Lexi moved her own fingers against Anna. Her lover's breathing grew faster.

  “I don't know if I can concentrate,” Anna moaned, circling Lexi's clit with her fingers. In response, Lexi moved her own hand back and forth in Anna's wetness. The woman was swollen and ready. Unable to wait, Lexi slipped her fingers inside her.

  “Oh God,” she heard Anna whimper, while never stopping her own hand from stroking Lexi. The feeling of being inside Anna as she bucked her body against her plunging fingers while at the same time feeling Anna touch her was almost too much.

  “Jesus, Anna,” Lexi said as she tried to control her mounting excitement.

  It seemed impossible, after all of the times they had made love since finding each other again, that they could be so close so fast. But I am so ready, Lexi thought with another moan. She needed the release but wanted Anna to come with her. As if sensing what Lexi was feeling, Anna ground against her hand harder. “I won’t last much longer, Lexi,” she gasped as she stroked Lexi faster and faster. “I want to come with you. Please.”

  Those words were all Lexi needed. “Then do it,” she moaned, feeling the edge of the orgasm rising. Anna’s cry of release as her body clenched around Lexi’s fingers was all she needed to slip over. At the same time, she heard Anna call out her name and knew her wife’s pleasure was just as intense. As they melted into each other, Lexi had a fleeting thought that this birthday gift was the best of all.

  CHAPTER 13

  aura felt Sam's strong hands on her hips as she helped Lher up onto Honey's back. The gray mare held still and Laura appreciated the animal's patience. She only rode her once on the way home from the library when Sam brought her as a surprise. The trip went smooth, and Laura liked the sweet animal. As she settled into the saddle and patted the girl's shoulder, she was confident they were going to be perfect for each other. It was a good thing too, because Laura would be riding her every day for possibly up to a month while Sam and she explored around Portland.

  “Comfortable?” Sam asked.

  Laura smiled into the woman's handsome face.

  “Absolutely,” she reassured her.

  They both knew Laura would be a little saddle-sore the first couple of days, but it would pass soon enough if they did not overdo things right out of the gate. Sam gave her the supplest saddle she could find. Laura felt a pang of guilt at all Sam traded to make it possible for her to come along.

  The horse traders were generous in giving up the older mare, but it still cost Sam some of the best leather horse tack she made from deer hides over the last couple of months. Those always did well at the Saturday Farmers Market, but she was pretty much back to square one. I’ll just have to find a way to make it up to her on this trip, Laura resolved. Keep my eye out for something nice we can trade for in another town maybe. Then a blush rose up Laura’s cheeks as she considered other ways, she might be able to make it up to Sam. They were going to be totally alone for the first time since they met and the thought was a little

  thrilling. Anything could happen. A shiver of excitement went through Laura.

  Sam, who had just swung up onto Lester, apparently noticed. “Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked.

  Laura giggled. “Oh, I am so sure,” she said, and Sam looked surprised for a moment until a slow grin crossed her face. Laura had no doubt her lover had ideas about their days ahead alone, too. They stared into each other's eyes and Laura bit her lip wanting Sam. Then, Lester shifted as if saying “good grief, let’s go already” and the moment broke.

  Sam chuckled. “Guess that means it is time to go,” she said as she turned Lester away from the house. Honey instinctively followed suit without Laura having to do a thing. This is going to be too easy, she thought as she noticed Alice waiting at the start of the driveway. She stood beside the forever parked Honda Pilot the older woman once drove before gas ran out.

  “You two be careful,” she said as Sam and Laura drew closer. “Watch out for each other.”

  Laura smiled. “We will, Alice.”

  “And we won't be gone too long. I promise,” Sam added.

  Alice just nodded and waved to them as they passed to start their adventure.

  WATCHING MEG OUT OF the corner of her eye as the woman steered the ship, Grace grit her teeth and tried to tamp down her ever-constant feeling of attraction to the captain.

  As frustrating as she found the woman, there was chemistry Grace could not deny. It did not help that Meg cut a sexy, commanding form as she controlled the large vessel.

  Grace's eyes ran over the woman's body and the muscles flexed in Meg's forearms as she sailed the Wind Dancer over

  the tricky sandbar at the mouth of the Columbia River. The sight sent an unwelcome tug of arousal through her.

  Damn it, she thought and puffed out a frustrated breath.

  This must stop.

  Forcing herself to refocus, Grace watched the horizon.

  Even though the maps in Meg’s office marked the transition from the Pacific Ocean to the river as dangerous, Grace was not afraid. Her confidence in Meg’s skill grew over the short course of their trip. Everything about Meg was impressive, it was as simple as that. Which is one of the reasons I need to send her on her way, Grace thought. If Astoria was in decent shape at all, she would have Meg deliver her and her squad onto the shore, then, Grace would relieve the woman of her commitment. It would look bad when Grace reported back to command in Aberdeen, but she would worry about those details later. She could commandeer a different ship in Astoria and nothing much would be lost. And I will never see Captain Meg O’Grady again. For some reason, the thought did not make her feel better.

  “Boats off the starboard side!” Grace heard one of Meg's crew call out. Not entirely sure which side was starboard, she glanced at Meg. The woman was looking to the right, so she followed her gaze. In the distance, not far past the great Astoria bridge, she picked out a half dozen smaller sailboats. Grace could not tell for sure at a distance, but it appeared they were using nets to fish. Not unlike we were in Aberdeen, she thought, taking it as an excellent sign. Maybe Astoria has its act together. They would know soon enough as the ship sailed into the Columbia River and headed straight for the town's riverfront.

  Suddenly, Meg was beside her and Grace glanced over to see Jimmy had taken the wheel now that the hardest part of the navigation was done. She held out a pair of binoculars to Grace. “Take a look,” she said and paused as Grace took the glasses to scan the city. Even though Astoria clearly took damage from some event or another, she was impressed

  with how orderly things seemed. She lowered the binoculars.

  “So, what do you make of things?” Meg asked her as Grace handed the glasses back. Their fingers brushed and Grace stiffened from the jolt of heat. The woman beside her did not seem to notice and it was all the more conviction Grace needed. The attraction was entirely one-sided making it more preposterous. Yes, she thought. If Astoria is half as organized as it first appears, Meg needs to go. Soon. “I think it looks to be surviving better than my command estimate
d,” she answered. “Which means this could be messy when I have to relocate the residents.” She saw Meg raise her eyebrows.

  “You're not serious?” she asked, and Grace gave her a look far cooler than she felt. The mission bothered her too, but there was nothing she could do about it.

  “Orders are orders,” she explained but knew there was little chance of making Meg understand. “I just hope whoever is in charge is reasonable.”

  WITH HER HANDS ON HER hips, Taylor stood on Astoria’s marina and watched the large schooner come to a slow stop in the distance. There was no way she could clearly make out who was onboard from where she stood, but she took some comfort from the lack of any appearance of aggression. No weapons I can see, she thought while waiting impatiently for one of her deputies to return with binoculars. She was riding a patrol when word reached her a large ship was coming up the river. Riding straight to the shoreline, Taylor had not thought to go get anything. She became frustrated for possibly overreacting. This boat's arrival could be a good thing.

  “Maybe it is a good thing?” Jackie said as if reading her thoughts. “What if the government finally got their act together and sent in some help?” Taylor took a deep breath and held it while she considered Jackie’s words. Anything was possible. She would feel better when whoever was running things on the ship made an appearance. Turning to say as much to Jackie, she noticed movement on the water.

  A dinghy was being lowered, and people were getting into it.

  Her concern rising again, Taylor was thankful when a deputy arrived with binoculars for her at last.

  “Thanks,” she said, taking them to study what was happening at the side of the ship. A wave of relief washed over her when she saw the strangers wore US Army uniforms. Wait. Are they even military police? she wondered with amazement. Things could not be better, and she exhaled slowly.

  “Well don't leave me in suspense,” Jackie said sounding a hint frustrated. Taylor lowered the glasses and smiled at her.

  “They are military,” she said. “Army MPs from the looks of it.” This evoked a raised eyebrow from the woman.

  “As in MPs, like you were an MP?” she asked sounding a bit more relieved herself.

  Taylor nodded. “The same,” she said as she watched the squad row closer. “Let's go say hello.” Starting toward the end of the dock, Jackie walked with her.

  “Well, maybe you know them,” she said, and Taylor snorted a laugh. There were thousands of MPs in the army.

  Knowing any of these arrivals were impossible odds. But then, hasn’t this all been a bit impossible? she wondered, reaching the edge of the dock. As she did, her question was answered. The woman at the helm of the boat approaching did, in fact, look familiar. Very familiar. Christ, is that Grace Hamilton? Staring, Taylor met the woman’s eyes and saw surprise cross her face in return, but then she quickly recovered when the dinghy stopped beside Taylor and Jackie.

  Not sure what else to do, Taylor reached to help the woman out. A major now, she thought, noting the leaf on the woman's shoulders, while remembering Grace as only a beautiful, young, fresh-faced second lieutenant when they met. Now that was a very long time ago.

  As soon as Grace was standing, Taylor came to attention and saluted. It was not necessary as she was a civilian, but showing respect died hard. The major returned it without hesitation and then gave her a slow smile. “You running the show, Sergeant Barnes?” she asked. “Somehow, I should have known when I saw things were so organized.”

  Taylor returned the smile before noticing the way Jackie was turning her head back and forth between them while trying to decipher what was happening. “Wait,” Jackie said.

  “You two really do know each other?”

  Taylor looked at her and nodded. “We served a tour together in Iraq,” she answered. “A long time ago. Jackie, may I present Major Grace Hamilton.”

  Jackie’s eyes narrowed. “I see,” was all she said.

  CHAPTER 14

  ears of business experience taught Jackie many things, Ybut one of the most important was to never react when someone threw you a curve. Learning this new arrival, this Major Hamilton, and Taylor knew each other was just such a curve. It could mean nothing, she thought, but intuition was telling her otherwise. And, of course, the major is beautiful and feminine in a way even her uniform cannot hide.

  Regardless, Jackie put on a welcoming smile and extended her hand. “A pleasure to meet you, Major,” she said. “I’m Jackie Scott, the city’s general manager. Welcome to Astoria.” She glanced around realizing the mayor, Greg Orion, had yet to arrive even though she sent someone for him the minute a ship was spotted coming in. No doubt he is stealing a nap somewhere. It was something she would worry about later.

  Grace accepted Jackie’s hand and smiled. “Thank you, Ms. Scott,” she said. “I have to say I am already impressed at the condition of Astoria.” Jackie watched the woman glance around and she realized a large number of townspeople had come down to the docks to see who had arrived. This no doubt was spreading from household to household like wildfire. Maybe I should take this all inside, she thought. Until we know the major’s agenda. She glanced at the sky and saw dark clouds forming. Not to mention it looks like another storm is coming. Jackie was about to suggest as much when Greg Orion arrived at last.

  “Hello, hello,” he exclaimed as he hurried to join them.

  “Here at last. Took you long enough.” Jackie watched Grace

  quickly appraise Greg. After a moment, she glanced at Taylor, who gave a slight shrug.

  “Astoria's mayor,” she said, and Grace gave a subtle nod, clearly seeing through Greg's blustery approach. Jackie gave the major a point for being a good read of character, although could have done without the eye contact with Taylor. Yes, definitely an old connection there, she thought.

  The question was how deep and how significant. Jackie admitted to herself, she never contemplated Taylor being with someone else before her. But of course, she would have. She’s confident, considerate, and sexy. Jackie was already looking forward to getting Taylor alone and finding out just how much history there was between the two of them.

  At that moment, Greg reached them and rather than put out a hand, he moved in to embrace Grace as if she was a long-lost friend. The major looked so shocked, Jackie had to stifle a laugh. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to see you,”

  Greg said finally stepping back from the hug. “I have been telling my constituents the government would never abandon us.” The major raised an eyebrow at the word

  “constituents” but made no comment.

  Instead, she nodded. “The Army’s new mission is to assist all survivors,” she answered, sounding a little too vague for Jackie’s liking. Getting them all away from the wide-open ears of Astoria’s citizens seemed even more important.

  “Greg, how about we move this to city hall?” she suggested. “The major’s people can relax in the conference room while we use my office?”

  Greg clapped his hands excitedly. “Wonderful idea,” he agreed. “Major, if you will follow me.”

  WHILE GRACE WAITED with Taylor and Greg Orion for Jackie to return, the mayor prattled on about his excitement over her arrival. Grace kept her answers to any of his questions vague. She knew without being told the man was not the person who would be making the decisions. Jackie went to make a request and Grace was using the time to strategize.

  After seeing the structure of command in the city, there was no way she was going to jump right into explaining her primary objective for arriving at Astoria. She already knew Taylor Barnes was no nonsense from their tour together, but Jackie Scott appeared just as formidable. Plus, Grace already picked up a bit of hostility there. She had yet to put her finger on why exactly. Maybe doesn’t like the military? she thought but quickly dismissed it. She was apparently okay with Taylor. Then an idea occurred to her. Perhaps Taylor’s previous military connection to me is the problem? Glancing at the ex-MP, she could not help wonder if t
he glamorous woman Jackie and the confident soldier were together. They would make a striking couple. Well, if so, good for Taylor.

  Their affair had been short, and a bad idea from the start.

  Aside from the fraternization policy they violated, not to mention the anti-gay stance of the military at that point, they just never clicked. Great sex, lukewarm everything else. Unbidden, the image of Meg rose in Grace's mind.

  Would the sex be great? she wondered because the chemistry was incredible. God, what am I thinking about that for? She clenched her teeth in frustration and was glad when Jackie returned.

  Whisking through the door, Jackie moved confidently behind her desk and sat. The woman clasped her hands together and leaned forward. “Okay, so Major, to what do we owe the pleasure?” she asked.

  Greg waved a hand.

  “You have to ask?” he said starting to pace. “Clearly the government is restoring order!” He whirled on Grace. “When will the power be back on?”

  Before Grace could form any kind of answer, Jackie interrupted.

  “Greg, please,” she said. “Sit down. Let’s take this one thing at a time.” The mayor frowned not unlike a spoiled child in Grace’s opinion, but he did sit.

  Jackie returned her attention to Grace. “He does have a good question though,” she said. “What is going on with the electricity?”

  Grace paused and saw all eyes on her. She expected this question and cleared her throat. “There are some places with power again,” she answered. “But it is very few and very sporadic.” She saw Taylor, who she knew was quietly assessing the situation, shift in her chair.

  “When you say sporadic, is this blackout localized? Or international?” Taylor asked, and Grace knew exactly what Taylor's concern was based on her question. If countries other than the United States had power back on, the US