Life and Breath Part 20
Title: Life and Breath
Author: Pink Rabbit Productions
Fandom: Guiding Light
Pairing: Olivia/Natalia
2014
Date: 29 August, 2009
Rating: Personally, I'd call it an R, but some might consider it NC-17 at some point.
Disclaimer: The characters and situations belong to other folks far wealthier, more important (or at least with better lawyers), and hopefully more charitable and kinder than I. They include, but are not necessarily limited to CBS, Proctor and Gamble, and Telenext. The actual arrangement of words, however, remains my own as do any original characters. Meanwhile, there is likely to be all female romantic and sexual activity ahead, so if this is likely to get you, me, or anybody else arrested should you take a gander, please move along. Also, if you find that sort of thing offensive, you really probably shouldn't hang around anyplace I'm posting. Just sayin'....
Archiving: The Pink Rabbit Consortium
Spoilers: Some early scenes definitely, plus anything through the spa trip is fair game.
Timeline: Unlike some folks, I don't have an exact scene where this one takes off. However, it's definitely set after the spa trip, but before Rafe's release from the halfway house. Oh, and it's after Natalia admits she's in love with Olivia to Father Ray.
Earlier Parts: | Part 1 (Prologue) | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 |
Life and Breath
by Pink Rabbit Productions
Part 20
Neatly organized stacks of paper were spread all over Olivia's desk, each stack clipped together and topped by a page of handwritten notes and more than a few with scrawled comments and figures in the margins if one flipped through the pages. She also had a pad with several pages of questions for her lawyer, and another with questions for the Huntington rep, and a page of thoughts and ideas.
As was her wont, once she'd settled in to work, her mind had run a thousand miles a minute and she'd gone through it all surprisingly quickly.
Amazing how much better her concentration was without the distraction of perfectly curved legs, full breasts and lips that just begged to be kissed. As that thought went through Olivia's head, she heaved a happy sigh and drifted off into a pleasant fantasy that was only interrupted by a noisy ding from her computer as the email program notified her of a new arrival.
It was exactly what she was waiting for.
And what she was hoping for too.
Adolfo had outdone himself with the design. Elegant, simple, and utterly stunning.
She checked another task off her mental list as she composed a quick response, but didn't send it. Part of her wanted to just go ahead and make the order and surprise the woman she loved, but at another level, she desperately wanted to be certain the other woman was ready and approved. Nervousness and excess energy ramping her up until she was bouncing in her seat, she checked the rest of her email, grinning as she reached the last one in the stack.
Hey Sis,
Just a quick note to let you know that my old cell didn't survive Nepal (or more precisely, it didn't survive an intimate encounter with a rather moody yak).
Well, that explained why he hadn't returned any of her recent voice mails.
Being that it's easier these days to just buy a new one than to try and arrange to change numbers (or at least, that seems to be the case in the bazaar in Kathmandu), I thought you'd like my new number.
She couldn't hold back a sharp back of laughter as she read off the number.
415-555-4110. Yeah, I know, you're asking yourself, how does one get a San Fran number in Kathmandu. No idea, really. They had several other choices, but I figured this way Ava and I could almost be neighbors. I do love these "No Roaming" plans. Let me know if you've got any major news.
Love,
Sam
P.S. I've already sold the photos at the Everest Base Camp to one of the major tour companies, and National Geographic is interested in using some of my work for an essay on Nepal. Baby Bro's going big time.
Trust her little brother, she thought with a smile, then grabbed for the phone and quickly dialed the new number, smirking as a typically Sam-style voice mail message picked up almost instantly.
"Hello, this is Sam Spencer. You've reached my voice mail and provided my cell doesn't get eaten, dropped off a cliff, or blown up by radicals, I'll try and call you back when I'm once again somewhere that actually has a cell tower."
"Hey, baby brother," Olivia said, knowing he'd instantly pick up on her happy tone. "Give me a call when you can. I've got some news...all good." She paused, momentarily wondering if she should give him a clue, then unable to resist the urge to share at least a hint of the cause of her happiness. "I think I finally found what I've always been looking for...and I've never been happier." She was silent for a moment. "I never thought second chances could be real...at least for me...but I've gotten one. And I think even you'll approve...though you may be a bit surprised by the particulars." She paused for a brief second, then added, "Love you...talk to you soon."
"So should I be jealous?" a well known voice questioned.
Olivia spun to find Natalia standing in the doorway to her office, her dimpled smile making it clear she wasn't worried. "Not unless you think I'm illicitly lusting after my brother. I got an email from Sam...with yet another cell number." She rolled her eyes. "Apparently his last one got destroyed. There was something about a yak...and I'm not sure I want to know," she added, her sarcasm drawing a soft laugh from the woman in the doorway.
"You Spencers certainly have a flair for the dramatic," Natalia said as she closed the door in her wake and moved to stand in front of Olivia.
"Sammy even more than me, ironically enough," Olivia chuckled, catching Natalia's hands in her own and tugging her even closer. "I just wanted to let him know to call me when he can...that I've got good news."
"Really," Natalia drawled, her expression speculative. "Would that good news be anything I'd be interested in?"
"Mmm, well, there's a possible hotel deal in the works..." Olivia teased, purposely drawing things out.
Arched brows shot upward. "Anything else?" Natalia asked pointedly, stepping closer as Olivia hitched her hip against her desk and tugged lightly on their bound hands.
"Mmmm, Emma's getting bigger day by day...and Sam's a very proud uncle."
"Olivia," Natalia whined, partly joking but also a little nervous. Sam was Olivia's only family other than Emma and Ava and she adored him. His opinion would matter to her.
The older woman lifted a hand to smooth dark hair back from beloved features, her manner becoming more serious as she explained, "I told him that I'd finally found what I was looking for...that I've never been happier...and that I think he'll finally approve of my choice."
Relief flitted through mahogany eyes. "Did you really say all that?" Natalia whispered.
"Mmhm...meant it too," Olivia murmured seriously.
"Will he okay with this?" the younger woman questioned. From what she knew of Olivia's younger brother, it seemed likely, but at the same time, people could be unpredictable sometimes.
"You're sweet and kind and everything good," Olivia said with absolute sincerity. She brushed dark hair back from perfect features. "Sam will absolutely adore you." Then she ducked her head and leaned in to snatch the quickest and softest of kisses.
Where she would once have pulled back, Natalia angled her head to meet the delicate brush of velvet lips. And when Olivia would have retreated, she curled her fingers into the front of the other woman's blouse and tugged gently.
Green eyes snapped open, their expression questioning as soft lips just barely parted.
Without a word, Natalia smiled gently and tugged again.
And was rewarded by the return of silky heat and moving pressure.
Another tugging hint and a strong hand fitted itself to the curve of her waist and pulled firmly. They stepped closer, bodies dovetailing neatly, molding together as the kiss deepened. Raising a hand, Natalia slipped her fingers under the thick fall of Olivia's hair, teasing the back of her neck before using the loose grip to increase the pressure between them.
Her body suddenly on fire, not just because of the physical closeness, but because it was Natalia wanting and asking for more, Olivia felt like she was falling into the other woman, literally drowning in the feel and taste of her, senses swirling in the sweet, floral smell of her perfume, nerve endings quivering everywhere flesh brushed with even the lightest hint of contact. Moaning low in her throat, she tightened her hold, running on some deep, primal instinct as she thrilled to the shape and texture of the flesh molded to her own, tracked the gentle tremor of taut muscle and mentally mapped the subtle change as breathing slowed and breasts firmed.
Natalia groaned softly and slim hips rocked against the welcoming cradle of Olivia's pelvis, sending sharp jolts through both women with every tiny movement.
Tiny, white lights exploding behind her closed eyelids, Olivia felt strong fingers wind tightly into her hair with near-painful intensity, even as the hand at her collar found her shoulder and dug in, nails pressing through her silk blouse hard enough to leave shallow indentations in flesh. Sensations that normally would have made her wince only drove the passion harder and she spun, pulling Natalia with her to press the smaller woman the desk. Her breath coming hard and fast, she released velvety lips only to explore the graceful arch of a slender throat, leaving kiss-bruised flesh in her wake.
"Olivia," Natalia exhaled the other woman's name, her tone making it part curse, part prayer. Tightening her grip on flesh and hair, she went willingly as Olivia pressed her backwards, reaching past her shoulder to shove papers, pens, and assorted other junk out of the way.
The work-related detritus tumbled over the other side of the desk to land on the carpet with muffled thuds and soft rattles.
Neither woman noticed.
Their world had coalesced down to love, want, heat, silky flesh, quivering muscle, velvet lips, and a thousand other tactile sensations and emotional reactions.
One hand braced on the desk top, the other fumbling with first of the delicate buttons that ran down the front of Natalia's blouse, Olivia sank hungry kisses into each newly revealed patch of flesh between whispered litanies of love and adoration. It wasn't exactly a bower of ivy and a bed of roses, but with hearts pounding and bodies throbbing, they were well past caring.
So much so that it took both women several seconds to realize someone was knocking-pounding really-on Olivia's office door.
"Whoever it is, they're fired," Olivia growled as her head came up and she glared at the door in question.
More pounding, then Greg's voice, barely loud enough to be heard through the door and faintly tremulous-the little weasel knew he was in serious danger, Olivia thought with some satisfaction. "Olivia...I...the front desk just received a message that you really need to see."
Still skewering the door with her gaze, Olivia felt Natalia's hand slip from her shoulder to her chest, no longer pulling desperately, but rather pushing lightly.
"Olivia," the younger woman gasped, sounding as though she'd run miles, "we can't...not here...not..." She shook her head dazedly, utterly overwhelmed by her own response. "Not the first time...not like this..."
"No," Olivia panted and used the hand braced on the desktop to push upright.
"Really, Olivia," Greg continued to call through the door. "It's about the Huntington deal...I think you want to take a look."
Consciously straightening herself, Olivia reached down and caught Natalia's hand to pull her upright, then resettled her blouse. "Just a sec'," she called out. A quick smoothing hand over her hair and a couple of redone buttons later, she flipped the lock and pulled the door open. "Sorry for making you wait, Greg," she said as smoothly as she could manage-which wasn't very. 40 grit sandpaper had a softer touch. "But Ms. Rivera and I were discussing a particularly tricky part of the negotiation...and we got so involved we didn't hear you." It sounded painfully lame even to her own ears and she half expected a bark of laughter from her events manager, but he didn't even twitch.
Instead, he put on his sweetest, puppy dog face and nodded as he thrust several sheets of paper her way. "This just came in on the fax machine at the front desk. I've already arranged a limousine and driver and the staff is moving reservations around to open up one of the better rooms for as long as it's needed."
Natalia stepped forward to peer over Olivia's shoulder, her tone a little worried as she questioned, "Who's coming in?"
Arched brows drew together into a frown. "The Huntington rep is arriving early...tonight," Olivia explained as she ran a hand over her hair and wound up massaging the back of her neck. She flashed a quick glance at Greg and noted his slight smirk before he hid it behind a wall of Bambi-like innocence. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention," she said pointedly and noted his faint preening motion as he stood waiting, despite what seemed to her like an obvious hint to leave. Apparently, it was going to take a stronger hint. "Greg, I'd appreciate it if you'd make sure the driver knows to go to the executive terminal...since they're coming in on a company jet. And also make sure there are fresh flowers and a VIP basket in the room when it's ready." And if that didn't work, she was getting out the clue-by-four. "Also, if you'd reserve the best table at the hotel restaurant for nine."
Greg's mouth pursed in annoyance at being left out of the important part of the discussion, but he ducked his head in acknowledgment. "Very well then." He did a neat turn on one heel. "I'll get to that." Then he paused in the doorway and turned back, a wickedly triumphant smile curving his mouth. "But before I go, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that you two really should try to coordinate your lipstick colors if you're going to have private...staff meetings." Brows high on his forehead, he flounced out, pulling the door shut behind himself.
Pivoting to face Natalia, Olivia's stomach did a little flip as she noted that Greg had a point. She liked her lipstick in shades of vermillion and crimson whereas Natalia favored pinks and plums. Blended together in a spotty patchwork on full lips, they clashed rather noticeably. She grinned a little wryly and reached out, running her thumb along Natalia's lower lip. "So much for any claims of being smudge proof."
Natalia mimicked her gesture with her thumb on Olivia's lips, running it slowly along the full curve of Olivia's lower lip. She heaved a soft sigh. "Does my lipstick look as bad as yours?"
Olivia's mouth twisted into a smirk. "Possibly a little worse." She let her hand drift lower, trailing gentle fingers down the path her lips had taken minutes before. It was easy enough to trace given the scattering of lip prints she'd left in fading shades of crimson that got lighter they moved lower. "I seem to have left quite a bit of my color elsewhere."
Natalia's hand snapped up to her neck as a ruddy blush stained her cheeks. "You mean..."
"Uh-huh." She offered a lopsided grin. "It looks good on you though," she teased gently.
At which point, the deeper meaning sank in. "Greg knows," the younger woman exhaled sharply.
"Yup," Olivia confirmed.
It was never a good sign when Olivia went monosyllabic. Natalia peered at the other woman for a long moment. Jack knew, that much was obvious from Evelyn's actions in church. Not surprising. Jack saw everything, but Greg? "They all know, don't they?" she said at last because there were lots of things that Greg was very good at. Noticing women, and particularly a romantic relationship between two women wasn't among his more prevalent skills. If he'd figured it out, everybody must have.
Olivia winced. "Yup."
More single syllables. Natalia considered Olivia's response for a moment. "They're betting on us, aren't they?" she asked after a beat. She'd worked for Olivia long enough to be aware of some of the staff's less appealing proclivities.
An arched eyebrow ticked upward. "Do you really want to know?" Olivia questioned.
Natalia drew breath to answer, then deflated ever so slightly. "Possibly not," she admitted, then heaved a soft sigh as she found herself drawn into a warm hug. She nosed into Olivia's shoulder and wrapped her arms tightly around the other woman, clinging to her strength, uncertain how she felt about this latest revelation.
Settling her cheek against Natalia's temple, Olivia just quietly held her for a long moment. "If it helps at all, according to Jack, the staff approves." She pressed a soft kiss to silky hair. "Apparently they think you've had a civilizing influence on me."
"I'm not sure makeout sessions on your desk count as civilizing," Natalia muttered as she felt her cheeks heat.
Olivia couldn't contain a soft snort. "If it distracts me from yelling at them, I'm sure they're in favor of it."
"Olivia," Natalia said very softly and with the tiniest hint of chiding in her tone. Then soft lips found hers and everything else was forgotten.
Until Olivia brought her hand around to Natalia's back, intending to pull her closer and the papers she was still clutching rattled noisily.
Bracing a hand on Olivia's chest, Natalia pulled back, her voice a ragged shadow of itself as she reminded the other woman, "Your...uh...the Huntington...deal."
"Yeah," the taller woman exhaled and shook herself in an effort to clear her head as she pulled her hand back and tried to focus on the latest problem delivered into her hands. She peered at the first page, barely comprehending what she was seeing through the distraction of sexual temptation.
"Is there a problem?" Natalia asked after a long moment.
Olivia looked up and felt her insides melt as she lost herself in worried brown eyes. "Yeah," she admitted without thinking, "I want to tackle you onto that desk and be extremely naughty." It was a joke. Mostly. Kinda. Well, not really.
She was rewarded by a deep blush and tiny laugh. "Olivia, I'm serious."
A quirked eyebrow suggested Natalia wasn't the only serious one with more eloquence than a dozen speeches.
However... "Olivia," Natalia said and tapped the papers in reminder.
A soft sigh, then another attempt at comprehending it all with a brain that was decidedly focused on other topics.
"Seriously," Natalia said softly, "is there a problem? Greg seemed a little rattled."
Olivia shrugged. "Their rep is coming in on a company jet," she explained as she looked at the third page in the stack and noted the flight manifest. "Which suggests they're sending someone with some clout." They didn't dig out the Lear for junior execs.
"Is that a problem?" Natalia questioned uncertainly.
Olivia shrugged as she continued rifling through the pages. "Could go either way," she admitted, then looked over. "Might mean they really want the deal enough to go the extra mile to get it..."
"Or?" Natalia prompted when Olivia didn't immediately continue.
"Or they might think I'll be so blown over by a fancy title that I'll miss some detail and they'll take me to the cleaners." She shrugged. "They generally have a good reputation, but they didn't get to be one of the largest resort companies in the world by playing nice all the time."
Natalia absorbed that bit of news with a worried look. "So what's the plan?" she asked after a beat.
Olivia shrugged. "Dinner at the hotel...listen to the pitch...there are some appealing elements about the proposal, but some things I'm not comfortable with as well." Another shrug. "I'd like you to come along if possible." Natalia wasn't always as skilled when it came to the business end of things, but she was smart and picked up on emotional cues more accurately.
"Of course," Natalia assured her instantly.
"In fact, if you wouldn't mind, could you just plan on spending the night here?" She held up a hand in a halting motion, not giving Natalia time to refuse. "Your own room," she stressed. "But the meeting's likely to run late...and I may want to discuss things afterward...and I admit, I don't want to have to worry about you going back to an empty house alone, late at night."
Despite any temptation to point out just how many times she'd gone home late and alone when living in Chicago, it felt so good to have someone actually worrying about her, that Natalia only nodded. She toyed idly with the front of Olivia's blouse. "I can go home during my lunch break and pack a bag..."
"Or you could hit the boutique and guest services and get everything you need that way," Olivia suggested as she lightly massaged the small of Natalia's back.
"The boutique?" Natalia yelped, visions of enormous price tags dancing in her head. "Olivia, that would cost a fortune." Even if she just picked up fresh underwear for the next day.
Full lips twisted into a smirk. "Natalia," she said gently, "I own the boutique...you get a pretty good discount that way."
"Yes, but-"
Olivia snatched a quick kiss to end the argument, then grinned as she pulled away. "And you can borrow something to sleep in from me." She didn't pause to let herself consider how silly it was that she found that idea exciting even if it was just an old t-shirt and pair of sweats. "And if you have any other arguments, I'll come up with something to counter them, so just be a good girl and go get whatever you need plus something nice for tonight."
Dark brows drew into a frown as Natalia struggled to decide whether to be annoyed with the other woman's high-handedness or flattered that she wanted her there so much. "You can be very frustrating," she exhaled after a long moment.
Olivia offered a puckish smile. "Downright maddening I'm told," she said agreeably.
"Oh, you think you're so cute," Natalia grumbled, though she was smiling as she said it.
"Kinda...yeah," Olivia admitted. "And what's more," she confided as she leaned close, "unless I'm mistaken, you think I'm kinda cute too."
Her heart doing a dozen different gymnastic maneuvers in her chest, Natalia was tempted to tease and play and stretch the game out, then Olivia smiled and every synapse in her brain promptly went on the fritz. "Kinda...yeah," she admitted in a rush as she flashed her own winning smile.
The Mark II heart in Olivia's chest threatened to implode right then and there. "That's good," she exhaled as she ducked her head, her mouth no more than a hand's width from Natalia's. "Because I think you're about the most gorgeous thing on the planet." All she had to do was close an inch or so of empty space and their mouths would be bonded again and probably their bodies in fairly short order. And then the desk would start sounding really good and-
Damn.
Forcing out a sharp breath, Olivia pulled back fractionally. Natalia was absolutely right. The top of the desk in her office was no place for this, not when the world still had king-sized beds, silk sheets, and candles that could be lit by the dozen. "So...uh..." she changed the subject with forced cheer, "...how did the Rafe thing go?"
Natalia blinked, momentarily confused. "I...ahm..." she glanced at the bared desk top, then back at Olivia who just shook her head ever so slightly. "Oh," she whispered as she realized what the other woman was doing, pulling back from the brink, rather than pressing forward. "Rafe," she exhaled a moment later. She shook herself gently in an effort to clear away the passion-induced cobwebs. "It went okay...not great, but better than it could have." She loved her son, but she wasn't unrealistic about his ability to pout and throw hissy fits when displeased.
Setting the papers in her hand aside, Olivia leaned back, hip hitched against the edge of her desk, arms loosely folded across her chest. "Did you tell him?"
A quick head shake. "About our relationship? No." She reached out, brushing a few stray hairs off Olivia's forehead as she felt the other woman retreat slightly. "At least not...the exact nature of it...but I did tell him that you're family and that I love you." She took a deep breath and released it to ease some of the tension. "And that we've agreed you and Emma should move back into the farmhouse... permanently."
Surprise showed in green eyes. As much as she'd hoped for that, Olivia hadn't really allowed herself to dream. "How did he react?" she asked hesitantly, faintly appalled by how much her future happiness rested in a the hands of a sullen, resentful teen who tended to think of her as the devil on earth. And the really grating part was that it wasn't even the first time that had happened.
Natalia correctly read Olivia's worries and reached out to gently cup her hand along the side of the taller woman's face, her thumb moving lightly against the curve of her cheekbone. She hoped her expression reassured and soothed a few fears. It could be hard to tell with Olivia sometimes. For someone so out there with her emotions, she could be remarkably good at concealing them when she wanted to be. "He wasn't thrilled," she admitted and saw the flash of hurt and fear in green eyes. "But we kept talking," she added pointedly. "I tried to make him understand how very much you mean to me...at least as much as I think he can handle for the moment...and asked for some mutual respect. He said he'd try."
"Okay," Olivia said cautiously, not quite certain how to read Natalia's tone. "You all right?" she asked gently after a long moment of uncomfortable silence.
Even knowing the temptations driving them both, Natalia couldn't resist the need for comfort and drew closer to Olivia, smoothing her hands along the breadth of her shoulders. "I am now," she sighed, amazed by the way just being with the other woman boosted her confidence. "And even if Rafe has some problems, I think he heard me and he'll come around."
"I'm glad." Her touch impossibly tender, Olivia brushed dark hair off Natalia's brow, stroking slowly. "He loves you...and we'll help him." She exhaled a relieved sigh as she felt the weight of Natalia's forehead rest against her shoulder. "We're all going to be okay," she whispered near a delicate ear.
"Keep telling me that whenever I get scared," Natalia pleaded. Just the sound of Olivia's voice somehow made things easier.
"All day, every day if you need me to."
"Oh, I need you," Natalia breathed, the rich timbre of her voice giving the simple declaration a thousand different meanings all bundled into a very few little syllables.
Green eyes rolled ceilingward as Olivia consciously resisted the temptation to explore a few dozen of those meanings in careful detail, silk sheets or no silk sheets. Desks had their appeal too. And really, she wasn't meant for celibacy, though if anything was ever going to get her into heaven, it seemed to her like resisting the sweet call of the body pressed intimately to her own ought to do the trick. Gah, what had she done to deserve this kind of punishment?
Okay, so there were one or two reasons, but the hit man had only been meant to scare Ava and she'd thought she was protecting Emma at the time. And as for that little affair with Alan-
Best just not to go there, she reminded herself as she cut the list off before it really got started. Because if she let herself pause to consider all the reasons she was nowhere good enough for Natalia, she was going to wind up pushing the other woman away for her own good, and given that they'd already done that and it hadn't worked out at all well, best to just stay on the present course.
"...Olivia..."
Olivia blinked rapidly as she abruptly realized that Natalia had leaned back enough to peer up at her and was saying her name, possibly not for the first time judging by her expression. "Sorry," she apologized quickly, one hand rising to indicate her head. "I got a little lost in my thoughts."
Natalia's smile suggested she possessed some notion of just what those thoughts might entail. She opted not to go into it though. "I was just wondering if now is a good time to arrange my room for tonight and get whatever I need."
Still shaking herself free of her musings, Olivia shook her head. "Actually, if you could just wait one..." she trailed off uncertainly, then tried again. "I have a question." This had all seemed so right and natural when she'd started and suddenly she found herself nervous and seriously wondering if she'd stepped over some major boundaries.
"Olivia?" Natalia inquired, just the sound of her voice enough to shatter the brief mental paralysis.
"I...uh..." Olivia made a small gesture toward her computer, then tried again. "I sorta took it upon myself to contact a jeweler," she explained hesitantly, suddenly very uneasy about her decision, but well into it with no way out, "about...y'know...rings."
"Really?" Natalia exhaled.
Olivia couldn't decide what that tone meant, so she opted to plow ahead. "I didn't order anything," she said quickly, "or make any decisions. I just called Adolfo and told him what I needed...and maybe a little about you...and to email me some designs."
"And did he?" the younger woman questioned.
Olivia nodded, then reached over and moved her mouse to kick off the screen saver. Drawing in a deep breath, she stepped aside so Natalia could see the images Adolfo had emailed.
The younger woman froze, just staring for a long moment.
"If you hate them, it's not a problem," Olivia said when the silence seemed to stretch on forever. She rested a hand on a slender shoulder, the contact soothing her shattered nerves.
"No," Natalia denied instantly and reached up to wrap her fingers around Olivia's hand. "They're beautiful. Are those diamonds? They look blue," whispered as she leaned closer, peering at the mocked up photo.
"They are blue," Olivia whispered through a relieved sigh as she stepped closer. Relief turned to full out joy as she felt Natalia lean back against her invitingly. No way she'd do that if she was upset. "Blue diamonds...they're flawless...very rare...a matched set cut from the same stone..." She wrapped her arms around her love, leaning close to her ear as the smaller woman melted into her hold. "It formed over millions of years...compressed..." her voice dropped low and she felt a tiny shudder ripple through the woman in her arms, "...heated...made one..." She nuzzled silky hair. "They should be kept together, don't you think?"
"Mmhm," Natalia agreed through a moan. Only Olivia Spencer could turn a commentary on how diamonds were made into erotica.
"So you approve?" Olivia whispered, her breath teasing Natalia's ear and sending delicate shivers down the smaller woman's spine.
In so many ways, Natalia thought as she reached up and back, fingers slipping into silky hair and holding on. "I shouldn't ask about the cost, should I?"
"Mm, no," Olivia confirmed. "The only thing that matters is whether or not you like them."
Tamping down any temptation to fall back into old habits and simply refuse out of hand, Natalia did a slow turn, resting her palms lightly on Olivia's chest as she peered at the other woman. "They're beautiful," she breathed, blinking away the threat of tears. "I wish I could afford-"
"Shhh, no," Olivia interrupted, laying a gentle finger over full lips. "That's not important when balanced against the things you could afford...like bringing me back to life when I was fighting you every step of the way...and loving my child and being a mother to her..." her voice dropped low, throbbing with intense emotion, "...and making me believe and trust again...teaching me how to really love..." She shook her head, eyes glittering with unshed tears. "So if the rings are right...are beautiful...and symbolic...and even remotely express how I feel about you, they'd be cheap at twice the price when stacked up against who you are and the things you've brought into my life."
Natalia had no idea how to reply to that. It was too much. No one in her life had ever made her feel this way, not only the intensity of love and desire, but the certainty of loyalty and devotion. That it should come with this woman, with her past and their shared experiences was almost beyond comprehension and yet it was the most right and most real thing in her life. Swallowing hard, she ducked her head, throat too tight to allow any hope of speech and closed her eyes tightly against the burning threat of tears.
"I'm sorry," Olivia stammered uncertainly, panic in her eyes over what seemed like a very bad response. "I wasn't...I don't...you weren't supposed to cry," she exhaled helplessly. It had all seemed to be going perfectly there for a moment, and then suddenly, not so much.
Curling her fingers tightly into the front of Olivia's blouse, Natalia hauled her close and arched up, lips blindly finding the softness of the other woman's mouth. The kiss was quick and hard with nothing of the erotic, but every emotion imaginable. "I love you," she whispered as their lips parted, "more than I..." She trailed off, then marshaled herself and tried again. "More than I ever knew was even possible."
On the verge of dissolving, Olivia managed a watery smile as the terror that had momentarily threatened to swamp her happiness took flight, leaving her jelly-legged and shaking. "So you like the rings?" she questioned raggedly after a long beat.
"I love the rings," Natalia confirmed, sinking into the arms that pulled her close and held on tightly.
They stayed like that for a long time, still in that phase of love where simply holding and being together fills a part of the soul and makes lovers feel complete.
Finally, Natalia pulled back a little to peer up at the woman holding her so tenderly. "I really should go get some things together if I'm going to spend the night," she said softly, though if she was honest, she was loathe to relinquish the safe haven of Olivia's arms.
Green eyes rolled ceilingward as Greg's news came rushing back. "And I really should make some more notes if I'm going to be dealing with a business meeting tonight." Olivia dropped a soft kiss onto Natalia's forehead. She glanced over her shoulder at her not-so-neatly cleared desk with a smirk. "And I should probably clean that up."
Natalia's dark gaze danced over the semi-cleared surface of the desk and a ruddy blush stained her cheeks as she had a flashing memory of how it had gotten that way.
Olivia gestured to Natalia. "And you should probably...ahm...y'know, clean up your...ah...lipstick," she reminded the other woman in a halting, faintly embarrassed stammer which didn't sound at all like herself. "And also the...uh..." she gestured to her own throat in reminder of the faded crimson prints that ran down the side of Natalia's neck and dusted over the ridge of her collar bone. "You might want to do something about that."
A few minutes later, makeup removed and repaired, Natalia finally slipped out.
Mouth curved in a dazed smile, Olivia shook her head slowly, not quite able to believe how things had come out, and clicked send on the email to Adolfo. With luck they'd be in her hands before the end of the week.
"Finally," she whispered to no one in particular, "things are on the right track..."
* * * * * *
Originally built sometime during the 70s when kitsch had been all the rage, the exterior of the Wayfarer's Inn in upstate New York had originally been designed to resemble an old fashioned sailing ship. Time however had shredded the remains of sails, flags and rigging and chipped patches of cement away from the chicken wire frame that enclosed a rather boring inner core. In its long and varied life, it had housed assorted bars, one comedy club, and a failed attempt at dinner theater before settling into its final life some twelve years before as a noticeably downscale men's club that advertised, "Live Nude Girls," on the rather tattered, unevenly hung sign that dangled below the front awning.
The place made Frank Cooper's skin crawl with barely suppressed revulsion from the moment he pulled into the parking lot and the sensation only intensified as he stepped inside. Even though it was barely eleven, there were already a half a dozen men watching the stage and the rather haggard looking stripper as they nursed cheap beer and cheaper dreams and pretended the dark shadows hid all the things they didn't want to see.
And when Frank found Marino, he met a man perfectly adapted to his environment: short, blunt faced, with meaty hands, sausage fingers and an expression that was permanently twisted into a wanton leer.
Frank already had the crime report from the local police. The theft was long past the statute of limitations, but it would still work to show the D.A. a pattern of behavior and he'd seen the lawyers sneak information on old cases into court enough times to know how valuable the data could be.
Mostly though, it wasn't about court cases or conviction. It was about his need to know just how delusional he'd been in thinking Natalia Rivera loved him.
And how delusional Olivia Spencer was in thinking Natalia could love her.
Which was why it was a perverse relief when Marino peered momentarily at the photo Frank showed him, mouth twisting into a knowing smirk. "Yeah, that's her." He leered appreciatively. "Still hot as hell, looks like." He turned a calculating look Frank's way. "You oughta have a little fun with her when you get her locked up. Betcha could get a quickie if she thought it'd get her out of a jam."
"Just write it down and sign it," Frank snarled as he shoved a notepad at the guy. It would count for anything in a court of law, but maybe it would satisfy the D.A. and end any need for further contact with the sleazy bastard.
"Sure. Whatever ya want," Marino agreed with a shrug.
Twenty minutes later, Frank stumbled out of the murky atmosphere of the bar and back into clear sunlight and clean air to haul, long dragging breaths into his lungs as he fought a surging wave of nausea.
He had what he needed. Not enough proof to hang her in court, but enough to know she was nothing but pretty paint hiding a rotted soul. Just a lie masquerading as human. He hit the autodial on his phone. It went to voicemail on the second ring. "It was her," he said simply, then clicked off only moments before his stomach kicked and rolled and he vomited the spare contents onto the bar's front walkway.
Not that it hadn't been inundated with far worse over its tawdry lifetime.
He straightened slowly, his movements staggered and weak like the very old or the very sick.
Except his illness wasn't bodily pain. It went down the his very soul.
But at least now he knew the cure.
* * * * * *
TBC
Author: Pink Rabbit Productions
Fandom: Guiding Light
Pairing: Olivia/Natalia
2014
Date: 29 August, 2009
Rating: Personally, I'd call it an R, but some might consider it NC-17 at some point.
Disclaimer: The characters and situations belong to other folks far wealthier, more important (or at least with better lawyers), and hopefully more charitable and kinder than I. They include, but are not necessarily limited to CBS, Proctor and Gamble, and Telenext. The actual arrangement of words, however, remains my own as do any original characters. Meanwhile, there is likely to be all female romantic and sexual activity ahead, so if this is likely to get you, me, or anybody else arrested should you take a gander, please move along. Also, if you find that sort of thing offensive, you really probably shouldn't hang around anyplace I'm posting. Just sayin'....
Archiving: The Pink Rabbit Consortium
Spoilers: Some early scenes definitely, plus anything through the spa trip is fair game.
Timeline: Unlike some folks, I don't have an exact scene where this one takes off. However, it's definitely set after the spa trip, but before Rafe's release from the halfway house. Oh, and it's after Natalia admits she's in love with Olivia to Father Ray.
Earlier Parts: | Part 1 (Prologue) | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 |
Life and Breath
by Pink Rabbit Productions
Part 20
Neatly organized stacks of paper were spread all over Olivia's desk, each stack clipped together and topped by a page of handwritten notes and more than a few with scrawled comments and figures in the margins if one flipped through the pages. She also had a pad with several pages of questions for her lawyer, and another with questions for the Huntington rep, and a page of thoughts and ideas.
As was her wont, once she'd settled in to work, her mind had run a thousand miles a minute and she'd gone through it all surprisingly quickly.
Amazing how much better her concentration was without the distraction of perfectly curved legs, full breasts and lips that just begged to be kissed. As that thought went through Olivia's head, she heaved a happy sigh and drifted off into a pleasant fantasy that was only interrupted by a noisy ding from her computer as the email program notified her of a new arrival.
It was exactly what she was waiting for.
And what she was hoping for too.
Adolfo had outdone himself with the design. Elegant, simple, and utterly stunning.
She checked another task off her mental list as she composed a quick response, but didn't send it. Part of her wanted to just go ahead and make the order and surprise the woman she loved, but at another level, she desperately wanted to be certain the other woman was ready and approved. Nervousness and excess energy ramping her up until she was bouncing in her seat, she checked the rest of her email, grinning as she reached the last one in the stack.
Hey Sis,
Just a quick note to let you know that my old cell didn't survive Nepal (or more precisely, it didn't survive an intimate encounter with a rather moody yak).
Well, that explained why he hadn't returned any of her recent voice mails.
Being that it's easier these days to just buy a new one than to try and arrange to change numbers (or at least, that seems to be the case in the bazaar in Kathmandu), I thought you'd like my new number.
She couldn't hold back a sharp back of laughter as she read off the number.
415-555-4110. Yeah, I know, you're asking yourself, how does one get a San Fran number in Kathmandu. No idea, really. They had several other choices, but I figured this way Ava and I could almost be neighbors. I do love these "No Roaming" plans. Let me know if you've got any major news.
Love,
Sam
P.S. I've already sold the photos at the Everest Base Camp to one of the major tour companies, and National Geographic is interested in using some of my work for an essay on Nepal. Baby Bro's going big time.
Trust her little brother, she thought with a smile, then grabbed for the phone and quickly dialed the new number, smirking as a typically Sam-style voice mail message picked up almost instantly.
"Hello, this is Sam Spencer. You've reached my voice mail and provided my cell doesn't get eaten, dropped off a cliff, or blown up by radicals, I'll try and call you back when I'm once again somewhere that actually has a cell tower."
"Hey, baby brother," Olivia said, knowing he'd instantly pick up on her happy tone. "Give me a call when you can. I've got some news...all good." She paused, momentarily wondering if she should give him a clue, then unable to resist the urge to share at least a hint of the cause of her happiness. "I think I finally found what I've always been looking for...and I've never been happier." She was silent for a moment. "I never thought second chances could be real...at least for me...but I've gotten one. And I think even you'll approve...though you may be a bit surprised by the particulars." She paused for a brief second, then added, "Love you...talk to you soon."
"So should I be jealous?" a well known voice questioned.
Olivia spun to find Natalia standing in the doorway to her office, her dimpled smile making it clear she wasn't worried. "Not unless you think I'm illicitly lusting after my brother. I got an email from Sam...with yet another cell number." She rolled her eyes. "Apparently his last one got destroyed. There was something about a yak...and I'm not sure I want to know," she added, her sarcasm drawing a soft laugh from the woman in the doorway.
"You Spencers certainly have a flair for the dramatic," Natalia said as she closed the door in her wake and moved to stand in front of Olivia.
"Sammy even more than me, ironically enough," Olivia chuckled, catching Natalia's hands in her own and tugging her even closer. "I just wanted to let him know to call me when he can...that I've got good news."
"Really," Natalia drawled, her expression speculative. "Would that good news be anything I'd be interested in?"
"Mmm, well, there's a possible hotel deal in the works..." Olivia teased, purposely drawing things out.
Arched brows shot upward. "Anything else?" Natalia asked pointedly, stepping closer as Olivia hitched her hip against her desk and tugged lightly on their bound hands.
"Mmmm, Emma's getting bigger day by day...and Sam's a very proud uncle."
"Olivia," Natalia whined, partly joking but also a little nervous. Sam was Olivia's only family other than Emma and Ava and she adored him. His opinion would matter to her.
The older woman lifted a hand to smooth dark hair back from beloved features, her manner becoming more serious as she explained, "I told him that I'd finally found what I was looking for...that I've never been happier...and that I think he'll finally approve of my choice."
Relief flitted through mahogany eyes. "Did you really say all that?" Natalia whispered.
"Mmhm...meant it too," Olivia murmured seriously.
"Will he okay with this?" the younger woman questioned. From what she knew of Olivia's younger brother, it seemed likely, but at the same time, people could be unpredictable sometimes.
"You're sweet and kind and everything good," Olivia said with absolute sincerity. She brushed dark hair back from perfect features. "Sam will absolutely adore you." Then she ducked her head and leaned in to snatch the quickest and softest of kisses.
Where she would once have pulled back, Natalia angled her head to meet the delicate brush of velvet lips. And when Olivia would have retreated, she curled her fingers into the front of the other woman's blouse and tugged gently.
Green eyes snapped open, their expression questioning as soft lips just barely parted.
Without a word, Natalia smiled gently and tugged again.
And was rewarded by the return of silky heat and moving pressure.
Another tugging hint and a strong hand fitted itself to the curve of her waist and pulled firmly. They stepped closer, bodies dovetailing neatly, molding together as the kiss deepened. Raising a hand, Natalia slipped her fingers under the thick fall of Olivia's hair, teasing the back of her neck before using the loose grip to increase the pressure between them.
Her body suddenly on fire, not just because of the physical closeness, but because it was Natalia wanting and asking for more, Olivia felt like she was falling into the other woman, literally drowning in the feel and taste of her, senses swirling in the sweet, floral smell of her perfume, nerve endings quivering everywhere flesh brushed with even the lightest hint of contact. Moaning low in her throat, she tightened her hold, running on some deep, primal instinct as she thrilled to the shape and texture of the flesh molded to her own, tracked the gentle tremor of taut muscle and mentally mapped the subtle change as breathing slowed and breasts firmed.
Natalia groaned softly and slim hips rocked against the welcoming cradle of Olivia's pelvis, sending sharp jolts through both women with every tiny movement.
Tiny, white lights exploding behind her closed eyelids, Olivia felt strong fingers wind tightly into her hair with near-painful intensity, even as the hand at her collar found her shoulder and dug in, nails pressing through her silk blouse hard enough to leave shallow indentations in flesh. Sensations that normally would have made her wince only drove the passion harder and she spun, pulling Natalia with her to press the smaller woman the desk. Her breath coming hard and fast, she released velvety lips only to explore the graceful arch of a slender throat, leaving kiss-bruised flesh in her wake.
"Olivia," Natalia exhaled the other woman's name, her tone making it part curse, part prayer. Tightening her grip on flesh and hair, she went willingly as Olivia pressed her backwards, reaching past her shoulder to shove papers, pens, and assorted other junk out of the way.
The work-related detritus tumbled over the other side of the desk to land on the carpet with muffled thuds and soft rattles.
Neither woman noticed.
Their world had coalesced down to love, want, heat, silky flesh, quivering muscle, velvet lips, and a thousand other tactile sensations and emotional reactions.
One hand braced on the desk top, the other fumbling with first of the delicate buttons that ran down the front of Natalia's blouse, Olivia sank hungry kisses into each newly revealed patch of flesh between whispered litanies of love and adoration. It wasn't exactly a bower of ivy and a bed of roses, but with hearts pounding and bodies throbbing, they were well past caring.
So much so that it took both women several seconds to realize someone was knocking-pounding really-on Olivia's office door.
"Whoever it is, they're fired," Olivia growled as her head came up and she glared at the door in question.
More pounding, then Greg's voice, barely loud enough to be heard through the door and faintly tremulous-the little weasel knew he was in serious danger, Olivia thought with some satisfaction. "Olivia...I...the front desk just received a message that you really need to see."
Still skewering the door with her gaze, Olivia felt Natalia's hand slip from her shoulder to her chest, no longer pulling desperately, but rather pushing lightly.
"Olivia," the younger woman gasped, sounding as though she'd run miles, "we can't...not here...not..." She shook her head dazedly, utterly overwhelmed by her own response. "Not the first time...not like this..."
"No," Olivia panted and used the hand braced on the desktop to push upright.
"Really, Olivia," Greg continued to call through the door. "It's about the Huntington deal...I think you want to take a look."
Consciously straightening herself, Olivia reached down and caught Natalia's hand to pull her upright, then resettled her blouse. "Just a sec'," she called out. A quick smoothing hand over her hair and a couple of redone buttons later, she flipped the lock and pulled the door open. "Sorry for making you wait, Greg," she said as smoothly as she could manage-which wasn't very. 40 grit sandpaper had a softer touch. "But Ms. Rivera and I were discussing a particularly tricky part of the negotiation...and we got so involved we didn't hear you." It sounded painfully lame even to her own ears and she half expected a bark of laughter from her events manager, but he didn't even twitch.
Instead, he put on his sweetest, puppy dog face and nodded as he thrust several sheets of paper her way. "This just came in on the fax machine at the front desk. I've already arranged a limousine and driver and the staff is moving reservations around to open up one of the better rooms for as long as it's needed."
Natalia stepped forward to peer over Olivia's shoulder, her tone a little worried as she questioned, "Who's coming in?"
Arched brows drew together into a frown. "The Huntington rep is arriving early...tonight," Olivia explained as she ran a hand over her hair and wound up massaging the back of her neck. She flashed a quick glance at Greg and noted his slight smirk before he hid it behind a wall of Bambi-like innocence. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention," she said pointedly and noted his faint preening motion as he stood waiting, despite what seemed to her like an obvious hint to leave. Apparently, it was going to take a stronger hint. "Greg, I'd appreciate it if you'd make sure the driver knows to go to the executive terminal...since they're coming in on a company jet. And also make sure there are fresh flowers and a VIP basket in the room when it's ready." And if that didn't work, she was getting out the clue-by-four. "Also, if you'd reserve the best table at the hotel restaurant for nine."
Greg's mouth pursed in annoyance at being left out of the important part of the discussion, but he ducked his head in acknowledgment. "Very well then." He did a neat turn on one heel. "I'll get to that." Then he paused in the doorway and turned back, a wickedly triumphant smile curving his mouth. "But before I go, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that you two really should try to coordinate your lipstick colors if you're going to have private...staff meetings." Brows high on his forehead, he flounced out, pulling the door shut behind himself.
Pivoting to face Natalia, Olivia's stomach did a little flip as she noted that Greg had a point. She liked her lipstick in shades of vermillion and crimson whereas Natalia favored pinks and plums. Blended together in a spotty patchwork on full lips, they clashed rather noticeably. She grinned a little wryly and reached out, running her thumb along Natalia's lower lip. "So much for any claims of being smudge proof."
Natalia mimicked her gesture with her thumb on Olivia's lips, running it slowly along the full curve of Olivia's lower lip. She heaved a soft sigh. "Does my lipstick look as bad as yours?"
Olivia's mouth twisted into a smirk. "Possibly a little worse." She let her hand drift lower, trailing gentle fingers down the path her lips had taken minutes before. It was easy enough to trace given the scattering of lip prints she'd left in fading shades of crimson that got lighter they moved lower. "I seem to have left quite a bit of my color elsewhere."
Natalia's hand snapped up to her neck as a ruddy blush stained her cheeks. "You mean..."
"Uh-huh." She offered a lopsided grin. "It looks good on you though," she teased gently.
At which point, the deeper meaning sank in. "Greg knows," the younger woman exhaled sharply.
"Yup," Olivia confirmed.
It was never a good sign when Olivia went monosyllabic. Natalia peered at the other woman for a long moment. Jack knew, that much was obvious from Evelyn's actions in church. Not surprising. Jack saw everything, but Greg? "They all know, don't they?" she said at last because there were lots of things that Greg was very good at. Noticing women, and particularly a romantic relationship between two women wasn't among his more prevalent skills. If he'd figured it out, everybody must have.
Olivia winced. "Yup."
More single syllables. Natalia considered Olivia's response for a moment. "They're betting on us, aren't they?" she asked after a beat. She'd worked for Olivia long enough to be aware of some of the staff's less appealing proclivities.
An arched eyebrow ticked upward. "Do you really want to know?" Olivia questioned.
Natalia drew breath to answer, then deflated ever so slightly. "Possibly not," she admitted, then heaved a soft sigh as she found herself drawn into a warm hug. She nosed into Olivia's shoulder and wrapped her arms tightly around the other woman, clinging to her strength, uncertain how she felt about this latest revelation.
Settling her cheek against Natalia's temple, Olivia just quietly held her for a long moment. "If it helps at all, according to Jack, the staff approves." She pressed a soft kiss to silky hair. "Apparently they think you've had a civilizing influence on me."
"I'm not sure makeout sessions on your desk count as civilizing," Natalia muttered as she felt her cheeks heat.
Olivia couldn't contain a soft snort. "If it distracts me from yelling at them, I'm sure they're in favor of it."
"Olivia," Natalia said very softly and with the tiniest hint of chiding in her tone. Then soft lips found hers and everything else was forgotten.
Until Olivia brought her hand around to Natalia's back, intending to pull her closer and the papers she was still clutching rattled noisily.
Bracing a hand on Olivia's chest, Natalia pulled back, her voice a ragged shadow of itself as she reminded the other woman, "Your...uh...the Huntington...deal."
"Yeah," the taller woman exhaled and shook herself in an effort to clear her head as she pulled her hand back and tried to focus on the latest problem delivered into her hands. She peered at the first page, barely comprehending what she was seeing through the distraction of sexual temptation.
"Is there a problem?" Natalia asked after a long moment.
Olivia looked up and felt her insides melt as she lost herself in worried brown eyes. "Yeah," she admitted without thinking, "I want to tackle you onto that desk and be extremely naughty." It was a joke. Mostly. Kinda. Well, not really.
She was rewarded by a deep blush and tiny laugh. "Olivia, I'm serious."
A quirked eyebrow suggested Natalia wasn't the only serious one with more eloquence than a dozen speeches.
However... "Olivia," Natalia said and tapped the papers in reminder.
A soft sigh, then another attempt at comprehending it all with a brain that was decidedly focused on other topics.
"Seriously," Natalia said softly, "is there a problem? Greg seemed a little rattled."
Olivia shrugged. "Their rep is coming in on a company jet," she explained as she looked at the third page in the stack and noted the flight manifest. "Which suggests they're sending someone with some clout." They didn't dig out the Lear for junior execs.
"Is that a problem?" Natalia questioned uncertainly.
Olivia shrugged as she continued rifling through the pages. "Could go either way," she admitted, then looked over. "Might mean they really want the deal enough to go the extra mile to get it..."
"Or?" Natalia prompted when Olivia didn't immediately continue.
"Or they might think I'll be so blown over by a fancy title that I'll miss some detail and they'll take me to the cleaners." She shrugged. "They generally have a good reputation, but they didn't get to be one of the largest resort companies in the world by playing nice all the time."
Natalia absorbed that bit of news with a worried look. "So what's the plan?" she asked after a beat.
Olivia shrugged. "Dinner at the hotel...listen to the pitch...there are some appealing elements about the proposal, but some things I'm not comfortable with as well." Another shrug. "I'd like you to come along if possible." Natalia wasn't always as skilled when it came to the business end of things, but she was smart and picked up on emotional cues more accurately.
"Of course," Natalia assured her instantly.
"In fact, if you wouldn't mind, could you just plan on spending the night here?" She held up a hand in a halting motion, not giving Natalia time to refuse. "Your own room," she stressed. "But the meeting's likely to run late...and I may want to discuss things afterward...and I admit, I don't want to have to worry about you going back to an empty house alone, late at night."
Despite any temptation to point out just how many times she'd gone home late and alone when living in Chicago, it felt so good to have someone actually worrying about her, that Natalia only nodded. She toyed idly with the front of Olivia's blouse. "I can go home during my lunch break and pack a bag..."
"Or you could hit the boutique and guest services and get everything you need that way," Olivia suggested as she lightly massaged the small of Natalia's back.
"The boutique?" Natalia yelped, visions of enormous price tags dancing in her head. "Olivia, that would cost a fortune." Even if she just picked up fresh underwear for the next day.
Full lips twisted into a smirk. "Natalia," she said gently, "I own the boutique...you get a pretty good discount that way."
"Yes, but-"
Olivia snatched a quick kiss to end the argument, then grinned as she pulled away. "And you can borrow something to sleep in from me." She didn't pause to let herself consider how silly it was that she found that idea exciting even if it was just an old t-shirt and pair of sweats. "And if you have any other arguments, I'll come up with something to counter them, so just be a good girl and go get whatever you need plus something nice for tonight."
Dark brows drew into a frown as Natalia struggled to decide whether to be annoyed with the other woman's high-handedness or flattered that she wanted her there so much. "You can be very frustrating," she exhaled after a long moment.
Olivia offered a puckish smile. "Downright maddening I'm told," she said agreeably.
"Oh, you think you're so cute," Natalia grumbled, though she was smiling as she said it.
"Kinda...yeah," Olivia admitted. "And what's more," she confided as she leaned close, "unless I'm mistaken, you think I'm kinda cute too."
Her heart doing a dozen different gymnastic maneuvers in her chest, Natalia was tempted to tease and play and stretch the game out, then Olivia smiled and every synapse in her brain promptly went on the fritz. "Kinda...yeah," she admitted in a rush as she flashed her own winning smile.
The Mark II heart in Olivia's chest threatened to implode right then and there. "That's good," she exhaled as she ducked her head, her mouth no more than a hand's width from Natalia's. "Because I think you're about the most gorgeous thing on the planet." All she had to do was close an inch or so of empty space and their mouths would be bonded again and probably their bodies in fairly short order. And then the desk would start sounding really good and-
Damn.
Forcing out a sharp breath, Olivia pulled back fractionally. Natalia was absolutely right. The top of the desk in her office was no place for this, not when the world still had king-sized beds, silk sheets, and candles that could be lit by the dozen. "So...uh..." she changed the subject with forced cheer, "...how did the Rafe thing go?"
Natalia blinked, momentarily confused. "I...ahm..." she glanced at the bared desk top, then back at Olivia who just shook her head ever so slightly. "Oh," she whispered as she realized what the other woman was doing, pulling back from the brink, rather than pressing forward. "Rafe," she exhaled a moment later. She shook herself gently in an effort to clear away the passion-induced cobwebs. "It went okay...not great, but better than it could have." She loved her son, but she wasn't unrealistic about his ability to pout and throw hissy fits when displeased.
Setting the papers in her hand aside, Olivia leaned back, hip hitched against the edge of her desk, arms loosely folded across her chest. "Did you tell him?"
A quick head shake. "About our relationship? No." She reached out, brushing a few stray hairs off Olivia's forehead as she felt the other woman retreat slightly. "At least not...the exact nature of it...but I did tell him that you're family and that I love you." She took a deep breath and released it to ease some of the tension. "And that we've agreed you and Emma should move back into the farmhouse... permanently."
Surprise showed in green eyes. As much as she'd hoped for that, Olivia hadn't really allowed herself to dream. "How did he react?" she asked hesitantly, faintly appalled by how much her future happiness rested in a the hands of a sullen, resentful teen who tended to think of her as the devil on earth. And the really grating part was that it wasn't even the first time that had happened.
Natalia correctly read Olivia's worries and reached out to gently cup her hand along the side of the taller woman's face, her thumb moving lightly against the curve of her cheekbone. She hoped her expression reassured and soothed a few fears. It could be hard to tell with Olivia sometimes. For someone so out there with her emotions, she could be remarkably good at concealing them when she wanted to be. "He wasn't thrilled," she admitted and saw the flash of hurt and fear in green eyes. "But we kept talking," she added pointedly. "I tried to make him understand how very much you mean to me...at least as much as I think he can handle for the moment...and asked for some mutual respect. He said he'd try."
"Okay," Olivia said cautiously, not quite certain how to read Natalia's tone. "You all right?" she asked gently after a long moment of uncomfortable silence.
Even knowing the temptations driving them both, Natalia couldn't resist the need for comfort and drew closer to Olivia, smoothing her hands along the breadth of her shoulders. "I am now," she sighed, amazed by the way just being with the other woman boosted her confidence. "And even if Rafe has some problems, I think he heard me and he'll come around."
"I'm glad." Her touch impossibly tender, Olivia brushed dark hair off Natalia's brow, stroking slowly. "He loves you...and we'll help him." She exhaled a relieved sigh as she felt the weight of Natalia's forehead rest against her shoulder. "We're all going to be okay," she whispered near a delicate ear.
"Keep telling me that whenever I get scared," Natalia pleaded. Just the sound of Olivia's voice somehow made things easier.
"All day, every day if you need me to."
"Oh, I need you," Natalia breathed, the rich timbre of her voice giving the simple declaration a thousand different meanings all bundled into a very few little syllables.
Green eyes rolled ceilingward as Olivia consciously resisted the temptation to explore a few dozen of those meanings in careful detail, silk sheets or no silk sheets. Desks had their appeal too. And really, she wasn't meant for celibacy, though if anything was ever going to get her into heaven, it seemed to her like resisting the sweet call of the body pressed intimately to her own ought to do the trick. Gah, what had she done to deserve this kind of punishment?
Okay, so there were one or two reasons, but the hit man had only been meant to scare Ava and she'd thought she was protecting Emma at the time. And as for that little affair with Alan-
Best just not to go there, she reminded herself as she cut the list off before it really got started. Because if she let herself pause to consider all the reasons she was nowhere good enough for Natalia, she was going to wind up pushing the other woman away for her own good, and given that they'd already done that and it hadn't worked out at all well, best to just stay on the present course.
"...Olivia..."
Olivia blinked rapidly as she abruptly realized that Natalia had leaned back enough to peer up at her and was saying her name, possibly not for the first time judging by her expression. "Sorry," she apologized quickly, one hand rising to indicate her head. "I got a little lost in my thoughts."
Natalia's smile suggested she possessed some notion of just what those thoughts might entail. She opted not to go into it though. "I was just wondering if now is a good time to arrange my room for tonight and get whatever I need."
Still shaking herself free of her musings, Olivia shook her head. "Actually, if you could just wait one..." she trailed off uncertainly, then tried again. "I have a question." This had all seemed so right and natural when she'd started and suddenly she found herself nervous and seriously wondering if she'd stepped over some major boundaries.
"Olivia?" Natalia inquired, just the sound of her voice enough to shatter the brief mental paralysis.
"I...uh..." Olivia made a small gesture toward her computer, then tried again. "I sorta took it upon myself to contact a jeweler," she explained hesitantly, suddenly very uneasy about her decision, but well into it with no way out, "about...y'know...rings."
"Really?" Natalia exhaled.
Olivia couldn't decide what that tone meant, so she opted to plow ahead. "I didn't order anything," she said quickly, "or make any decisions. I just called Adolfo and told him what I needed...and maybe a little about you...and to email me some designs."
"And did he?" the younger woman questioned.
Olivia nodded, then reached over and moved her mouse to kick off the screen saver. Drawing in a deep breath, she stepped aside so Natalia could see the images Adolfo had emailed.
The younger woman froze, just staring for a long moment.
"If you hate them, it's not a problem," Olivia said when the silence seemed to stretch on forever. She rested a hand on a slender shoulder, the contact soothing her shattered nerves.
"No," Natalia denied instantly and reached up to wrap her fingers around Olivia's hand. "They're beautiful. Are those diamonds? They look blue," whispered as she leaned closer, peering at the mocked up photo.
"They are blue," Olivia whispered through a relieved sigh as she stepped closer. Relief turned to full out joy as she felt Natalia lean back against her invitingly. No way she'd do that if she was upset. "Blue diamonds...they're flawless...very rare...a matched set cut from the same stone..." She wrapped her arms around her love, leaning close to her ear as the smaller woman melted into her hold. "It formed over millions of years...compressed..." her voice dropped low and she felt a tiny shudder ripple through the woman in her arms, "...heated...made one..." She nuzzled silky hair. "They should be kept together, don't you think?"
"Mmhm," Natalia agreed through a moan. Only Olivia Spencer could turn a commentary on how diamonds were made into erotica.
"So you approve?" Olivia whispered, her breath teasing Natalia's ear and sending delicate shivers down the smaller woman's spine.
In so many ways, Natalia thought as she reached up and back, fingers slipping into silky hair and holding on. "I shouldn't ask about the cost, should I?"
"Mm, no," Olivia confirmed. "The only thing that matters is whether or not you like them."
Tamping down any temptation to fall back into old habits and simply refuse out of hand, Natalia did a slow turn, resting her palms lightly on Olivia's chest as she peered at the other woman. "They're beautiful," she breathed, blinking away the threat of tears. "I wish I could afford-"
"Shhh, no," Olivia interrupted, laying a gentle finger over full lips. "That's not important when balanced against the things you could afford...like bringing me back to life when I was fighting you every step of the way...and loving my child and being a mother to her..." her voice dropped low, throbbing with intense emotion, "...and making me believe and trust again...teaching me how to really love..." She shook her head, eyes glittering with unshed tears. "So if the rings are right...are beautiful...and symbolic...and even remotely express how I feel about you, they'd be cheap at twice the price when stacked up against who you are and the things you've brought into my life."
Natalia had no idea how to reply to that. It was too much. No one in her life had ever made her feel this way, not only the intensity of love and desire, but the certainty of loyalty and devotion. That it should come with this woman, with her past and their shared experiences was almost beyond comprehension and yet it was the most right and most real thing in her life. Swallowing hard, she ducked her head, throat too tight to allow any hope of speech and closed her eyes tightly against the burning threat of tears.
"I'm sorry," Olivia stammered uncertainly, panic in her eyes over what seemed like a very bad response. "I wasn't...I don't...you weren't supposed to cry," she exhaled helplessly. It had all seemed to be going perfectly there for a moment, and then suddenly, not so much.
Curling her fingers tightly into the front of Olivia's blouse, Natalia hauled her close and arched up, lips blindly finding the softness of the other woman's mouth. The kiss was quick and hard with nothing of the erotic, but every emotion imaginable. "I love you," she whispered as their lips parted, "more than I..." She trailed off, then marshaled herself and tried again. "More than I ever knew was even possible."
On the verge of dissolving, Olivia managed a watery smile as the terror that had momentarily threatened to swamp her happiness took flight, leaving her jelly-legged and shaking. "So you like the rings?" she questioned raggedly after a long beat.
"I love the rings," Natalia confirmed, sinking into the arms that pulled her close and held on tightly.
They stayed like that for a long time, still in that phase of love where simply holding and being together fills a part of the soul and makes lovers feel complete.
Finally, Natalia pulled back a little to peer up at the woman holding her so tenderly. "I really should go get some things together if I'm going to spend the night," she said softly, though if she was honest, she was loathe to relinquish the safe haven of Olivia's arms.
Green eyes rolled ceilingward as Greg's news came rushing back. "And I really should make some more notes if I'm going to be dealing with a business meeting tonight." Olivia dropped a soft kiss onto Natalia's forehead. She glanced over her shoulder at her not-so-neatly cleared desk with a smirk. "And I should probably clean that up."
Natalia's dark gaze danced over the semi-cleared surface of the desk and a ruddy blush stained her cheeks as she had a flashing memory of how it had gotten that way.
Olivia gestured to Natalia. "And you should probably...ahm...y'know, clean up your...ah...lipstick," she reminded the other woman in a halting, faintly embarrassed stammer which didn't sound at all like herself. "And also the...uh..." she gestured to her own throat in reminder of the faded crimson prints that ran down the side of Natalia's neck and dusted over the ridge of her collar bone. "You might want to do something about that."
A few minutes later, makeup removed and repaired, Natalia finally slipped out.
Mouth curved in a dazed smile, Olivia shook her head slowly, not quite able to believe how things had come out, and clicked send on the email to Adolfo. With luck they'd be in her hands before the end of the week.
"Finally," she whispered to no one in particular, "things are on the right track..."
* * * * * *
Originally built sometime during the 70s when kitsch had been all the rage, the exterior of the Wayfarer's Inn in upstate New York had originally been designed to resemble an old fashioned sailing ship. Time however had shredded the remains of sails, flags and rigging and chipped patches of cement away from the chicken wire frame that enclosed a rather boring inner core. In its long and varied life, it had housed assorted bars, one comedy club, and a failed attempt at dinner theater before settling into its final life some twelve years before as a noticeably downscale men's club that advertised, "Live Nude Girls," on the rather tattered, unevenly hung sign that dangled below the front awning.
The place made Frank Cooper's skin crawl with barely suppressed revulsion from the moment he pulled into the parking lot and the sensation only intensified as he stepped inside. Even though it was barely eleven, there were already a half a dozen men watching the stage and the rather haggard looking stripper as they nursed cheap beer and cheaper dreams and pretended the dark shadows hid all the things they didn't want to see.
And when Frank found Marino, he met a man perfectly adapted to his environment: short, blunt faced, with meaty hands, sausage fingers and an expression that was permanently twisted into a wanton leer.
Frank already had the crime report from the local police. The theft was long past the statute of limitations, but it would still work to show the D.A. a pattern of behavior and he'd seen the lawyers sneak information on old cases into court enough times to know how valuable the data could be.
Mostly though, it wasn't about court cases or conviction. It was about his need to know just how delusional he'd been in thinking Natalia Rivera loved him.
And how delusional Olivia Spencer was in thinking Natalia could love her.
Which was why it was a perverse relief when Marino peered momentarily at the photo Frank showed him, mouth twisting into a knowing smirk. "Yeah, that's her." He leered appreciatively. "Still hot as hell, looks like." He turned a calculating look Frank's way. "You oughta have a little fun with her when you get her locked up. Betcha could get a quickie if she thought it'd get her out of a jam."
"Just write it down and sign it," Frank snarled as he shoved a notepad at the guy. It would count for anything in a court of law, but maybe it would satisfy the D.A. and end any need for further contact with the sleazy bastard.
"Sure. Whatever ya want," Marino agreed with a shrug.
Twenty minutes later, Frank stumbled out of the murky atmosphere of the bar and back into clear sunlight and clean air to haul, long dragging breaths into his lungs as he fought a surging wave of nausea.
He had what he needed. Not enough proof to hang her in court, but enough to know she was nothing but pretty paint hiding a rotted soul. Just a lie masquerading as human. He hit the autodial on his phone. It went to voicemail on the second ring. "It was her," he said simply, then clicked off only moments before his stomach kicked and rolled and he vomited the spare contents onto the bar's front walkway.
Not that it hadn't been inundated with far worse over its tawdry lifetime.
He straightened slowly, his movements staggered and weak like the very old or the very sick.
Except his illness wasn't bodily pain. It went down the his very soul.
But at least now he knew the cure.
* * * * * *
TBC