Playing in Shadow Read online

  Trent noticed what Juliet had her head resting on. “You’re sleeping on my new Atari sweatshirt?”

  “It smells like you and I needed you. I was pretty much out like a light after snuggling into it.”

  Trent had to smile. She’d worry about the creases in her clothing later. She was all for placating Juliet’s moods while the pregnancy hormones did their worst. She helped Juliet sit up and then onto her feet.

  “Your baby is draining my energy today,” Juliet complained half-heartedly.

  “If we’re having a girl maybe she’s a little succubus.” Trent studiously ignored the look she could feel directed her way. “And again with it being my kid when it’s not being good.” She pressed a light kiss to Juliet’s hair.

  “Your baby made me break and enter into your gaming room because we both missed you desperately.”

  Her not so innocent look made Trent chuckle. “God help me, I don’t stand a chance against two of you.”

  “We’ll try not to gang up on you too much,” Juliet promised.

  Trent looked down at her snuggled tightly under her arm. “Now why don’t I believe that for one minute?”

  “Because you know you’ll be wrapped around this baby’s finger as much as you are wrapped around mine.”

  Truer words had never been spoken, Trent admitted to herself. “I like the sound of that.”

  “The baby wants pizza.”

  Trent groaned. “Really? Again? I swear this kid must have some of me in it. Though it can get through more pizza than even I can stomach lately.”

  “Extra cheese, some olives, and tell them not to hold back on the sauce this time.”

  “Yes, Newt, the only fetus food connoisseur I know.” She winced as Juliet poked her in her side. “Extra sauce for Mommy, got it!”

  *

  “I saved you a doughnut seeing as I skipped out on our lunch date. Which I apologize for.”

  At the sound of Scarlet’s voice, Bryce lowered her trowel. She was grateful for the excuse to stop for a moment. She rubbed at her shoulder, wincing as the muscles ached from her holding up her hawk for too long.

  “Put that down and come take a quick break with me before it’s time to go home for the night.” Scarlet shook the bag in her hand. “Otherwise I’m eating this last treat and you can go without.”

  Bryce smiled at Scarlet’s tone. “Listen to you. You’re already sounding like the boss.” She climbed down her stepladder and only when she was at the bottom did she catch Scarlet’s disgruntled face. “I was teasing.”

  Scarlet slumped against the wall. Her pout made her look like a petulant little child. Bryce found it adorable. She tugged Scarlet into her arms and held her close. She ran her hands across Scarlet’s tense shoulders, smoothing and soothing her. Scarlet snuggled in closer.

  “For the second day running I had to tell Dad I didn’t come back to step right into a management position. I told him his pressuring me wasn’t going to make me take up the reins any quicker or make me change my mind. And buying me lunch doesn’t sweeten the deal any further either.”

  Bryce kept silent. She let Scarlet vent.

  “He’s got this grand vision in his head of me just taking everything on now that I’m home. I told him I wasn’t ready, would probably never be ready, and that I have dreams of my own I want to follow.”

  “Your photography.”

  “Yes. Why can you see that and he can’t?” Scarlet shifted in Bryce’s arms to look at her.

  Even in her low-heeled work boots, Scarlet was still taller than Bryce. Bryce loved how Scarlet curled into her arms. She made Bryce feel ten feet tall how she adjusted to fit so well.

  “He’s going to end up pushing me away.”

  Bryce felt a chill run through her frame. No, not when I’ve just found you. “Then you need to explain that to him. Tell him when and only when you are ready will you take over the business. If you ever do at all. Until then you have your own life to lead. He has to realize that.”

  “I have photographs to take, pictures to paint, plasterers to plunder.” Scarlet tipped Bryce’s chin up for a kiss. Her tongue slipped past Bryce’s lips to deepen it.

  Bryce groaned at the torturous teasing Scarlet subjected her to. When Scarlet pulled back for air, Bryce grinned lazily at her.

  “Christ, you’re good at that,” she said, pulling Scarlet back down to take the initiative and kiss the satisfied smug look from Scarlet’s beautiful face. She slipped a leg between Scarlet’s, felt the surprised gasp that was breathed into her mouth. Scarlet began to rock against Bryce’s thigh, riding her in a steady rhythm. In answer to Scarlet’s sensuous movements, the warmth Bryce could feel against her jeans caused her own need to flare. Each press of Scarlet’s thigh against Bryce’s crotch made arousal pool between her legs. The short sting of teeth nipping at her questing tongue made Bryce pull Scarlet tighter on her leg in retaliation. The shudder that ran through Scarlet’s body was payment enough. Scarlet’s hands drifted beneath Bryce’s T-shirt, clutching at her back. She held on tightly as their rocking began to grow desperate. Bryce’s hands were stuffed firmly in the back pockets of Scarlet’s jeans, cupping her buttocks and holding her in place.

  “Hey, Scarlet? You still in here? Have you asked—Oh!” Monica’s sudden entrance skidded to a halt as she barged in on them.

  Bryce pulled back, her face flaming at being caught. Scarlet wouldn’t let her escape her hold, but she did step back with a barely disguised look of frustration coloring her own features.

  Monica shook her head at them both. “It’s a good thing I wasn’t your dad. You’d have been taking over the business sooner than you expected. The way you two were entwined you’d have given him a heart attack on the spot.”

  Ignoring Monica, Scarlet instead set to gently wiping her lipstick off Bryce’s face.

  “I came to check if you’d asked Bryce to join us at the concert next weekend. But I see your tongue was too busy down her throat for you to be talking about such mundane matters.”

  Bryce had to laugh at Monica’s teasing bluntness.

  “Actually, it was her tongue doing scandalous things to my tonsils,” Scarlet retorted. “Thank you for the reminder, Monica.” She turned her attention back to Bryce as if they hadn’t just been interrupted dry humping in the workplace. “I want you to come to a concert being held at our local club.” She again rubbed at Bryce’s face with the pad of her thumb. “You can see me in something other than my work attire.”

  “You forget I’ve seen you in your party clothes. You looked out of this world.”

  “You called me an angel,” Scarlet said softly.

  “You looked like one.”

  “Okaaay,” Monica drawled, breaking in on their moment. “My job here is done. Though I recommend if you two are going to continue with your shenanigans you might want to close the door next time.” She backed out of the doorway. “It’s a good thing I didn’t have Juliet to send on this errand. You two would have sent her into premature labor.” She waved at them. “Go get a room. Preferably one that doesn’t smell of wet plaster.”

  Bryce listened to the sound of her footsteps disappearing down the stairs. “Shenanigans?” she asked Scarlet who burst into laughter. “So much for us conducting ourselves in a professional manner.”

  “You were the one who shoved her leg between mine and started my engine running.” Scarlet shifted in her jeans. “God, you left me so wet—”

  “Okay,” Bryce cut in, all too aware of how uncomfortable her own underwear was becoming. She took a deliberate step back. “Fuck, you are dangerous to be around.”

  Scarlet stepped forward, deliberately foiling Bryce’s movements. “You love the fact I’m dangerous.”

  Bryce was finding she loved everything about Scarlet. However, she held up a warning hand. “No more shenanigans on work time.” The pout she received did nothing to calm Bryce’s blood down. It just made her want to kiss it right off Scarlet’s face. She did exactly that. Leaving Sc
arlet looking dazed, Bryce stepped well away. “Now give me my doughnut.”

  Scarlet snorted at her. She deliberately swung her hips as she went to retrieve the bag and held it just out of Bryce’s reach. “Haven’t you tasted enough sugar, Bryce?” She licked her lips and Bryce felt her stomach clench in reaction.

  She took the bag from Scarlet and pulled out a doughnut covered in frosting. “You saved me my favorite one.” Bryce took a big bite out of the pastry. She hummed her pleasure at the sweet treat. She hummed even louder when Scarlet’s lips latched on to her own and her tongue flicked out to capture any remaining frosting. The doughnut forgotten, Bryce found it all too easy to succumb to Scarlet’s kisses.

  “So, about this concert…” Scarlet finally drew back and brushed her hand down Bryce’s chest. “I know you’re not comfortable with social settings, but this is different. It’s music and dancing and everyone’s eyes are on the stage. You don’t have to dress up for the occasion. You can come straight to my place, and we’ll just walk to the venue. It’s literally just down the block.” Her hand slipped to rest over the zipper of Bryce’s jeans, and she rubbed a little harder. “Monica is spending that weekend at Elton’s so if you’d like to stay over you could. You’d be more than welcome.”

  Bryce’s breath stuttered in her chest as Scarlet pressed harder into her crotch. “If you ‘pack’ accordingly, I’m sure we could have a fun weekend together.”

  Bryce got that message loud and clear. Excitement jangled through every nerve. “How did you…?”

  Scarlet squeezed Bryce gently. “You have a certain swagger to your walk. I can’t help but think you put that to good use when you’re wearing the right kind of gear. We’ll have all weekend to play if you’re open to that.”

  Bryce was amazed by how well Scarlet could read her. She loved to use a strap-on but very rarely found someone who was willing to let her use it without it becoming a gender issue. To have Scarlet bring it up was more than Bryce could have ever dreamed of. “How about we just skip the concert altogether?”

  “I would love to, but I’m taking the publicity shots for the band that evening. Believe me, I’d be more than happy spending that time in your arms while we make some sweet music all our own.” She squeezed Bryce again one more time.

  Her eyes all but rolling into the back of her head, Bryce let out a pained groan and then a disappointed huff as Scarlet pulled her hand away.

  “It’s home time, Donovan. Time for you to down tools. If it were up to me, I’d take you home with me now, but I have a nursery to start work on and a standing date with the two mommies-to-be.” She gave Bryce a hopeful look. “Do you want to come with me?”

  Bryce nearly said yes, anything to stay near Scarlet and the life she radiated. Instead, she shook her head. “I don’t want to distract you from your work. We’ve just proved that we can’t be trusted in a small room together. You need to get that nursery sorted, otherwise the baby will be here before you’ve done your first brushstroke.” She pressed a kiss to Scarlet’s lips.

  “I’ll bring breakfast tomorrow,” Scarlet said with a resigned sigh.

  “I like extra frosting on my treats.” She shook her head at the way Scarlet’s eyes lit up.

  “I’ll bear that in mind for next weekend too.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  After being informed that the concert didn’t start until late, Bryce had plenty of time that evening to leave work, get home, shower, and change her clothes. She’d chosen a pair of black jeans teamed with a charcoal gray shirt. She’d be the most underdressed there but knew she couldn’t compete with what she expected to see. She was nervous about being out of her comfort zone again. Work was fine; everyone knew her and had seen her scar. Her hair was helping to hide some of the damage now that it was growing back. Bryce really didn’t want to go out, but she wanted to spend time with Scarlet. So that meant being sociable, no matter how difficult that was.

  Bryce had packed a small bag for her stay over at Scarlet’s. It consisted of a few T-shirts, clean underwear, toiletries, and a brand new cock and harness she had bought specifically for Scarlet. It had been a long time since Bryce had had the opportunity to use one. She’d lingered sometime over the multitude of toys she’d found online until she felt confident in her choice. Now, making sure it was safely packed away gave Bryce a frisson of excitement that was swiftly turning into need. She needed Scarlet. Bryce hadn’t slept properly again since leaving Scarlet’s bed. The short naps she’d managed to take in the past week had been dream filled and stressful. She wondered if Scarlet would hold her again and chase the nightmares away.

  “Maybe I’ll just get lucky and she’ll fuck me into unconsciousness,” Bryce muttered to herself with a grin. She had the feeling Scarlet wasn’t going to be the kind of bed partner to just lie back and take it all.

  She honestly couldn’t wait.

  Bryce left before the images flashing in her head made her have to do something to take the edge off. The steady thrum of arousal warmed her skin as Bryce waited in line for a bus. The journey didn’t take long with Bryce’s imagination keeping her occupied. Her excitement for the evening added speed to her feet, and she was soon knocking at the apartment door, eager for the weekend to begin.

  Monica waved her in. Bryce faltered in her steps when she took in Monica’s striking look.

  “What?” Monica asked at Bryce’s silence.

  “You look amazing.”

  “I forget you’ve only seen me in my landscape gear.” Monica struck a dramatic pose. “This, my dear, is the real me.”

  Bryce had never seen Monica like this. Her jet-black hair hung straight, framing her face. Her eye makeup was bold, highlighting her eyes. She wore a black leather corset, the panels brought together in place by crisscrossed laces. Her skirt seemed to be made from endless black lace, heavily patterned with roses. It fell to calf length, revealing Monica’s heavily buckled boots.

  “So? What do you think?” Monica asked, giving her a twirl and making her skirt fan out around her.

  Bryce smiled. “I think Elton’s an incredibly lucky man. You look fantastic.”

  “Reevaluating your vision on Goths, Bryce?” Monica asked.

  “I’m recognizing beauty however it’s packaged.”

  Monica clapped her hands. “Oh, you’re a keeper!” She grasped Bryce’s shoulders and spun her around to face the bedrooms. “Wait until you feast your eyes on Scarlet.” She turned Bryce back around again. “Keep in mind that she’s needed at the concert in an official photographer capacity so no closing that door and not coming out once you lay eyes on her!” With that warning, Monica spun Bryce around again and pushed her toward Scarlet’s bedroom.

  Bryce knocked tentatively, inexplicably nervous as to what Scarlet was going to look like. She remembered all too well how beautiful Scarlet had looked the first time she’d seen her in her finery. Her very own dark angel, a celestial beauty with flaming red hair. Bryce had wanted to touch her then; now she could. Her second knock was more confident.

  “Come in.”

  Bryce stepped inside and saw Scarlet standing by the bed. Bryce turned back around. “I’m sorry. I thought you were dressed.”

  Scarlet’s laughter made her risk a look over her shoulder.

  “I am dressed. I’ve just got to get my boots on and I’m ready to roll.”

  Bryce turned around and took Scarlet in from the top of her bright red hair flowing around her shoulders to the tip of her black stocking encased toes. Like Monica, she wore a black corset, her ample cleavage blatantly on display. The black material hugged Scarlet’s creamy pale flesh. Bryce looked up to Scarlet’s face and found bright red lips curved in a smile at her distracted gaze.

  “Do I meet with your approval?”

  The corset clung lovingly to the contours of Scarlet’s curves. Bryce’s gaze dropped lower to where folds of pleated silk fell from Scarlet’s hips to fall into a train behind her. The front was what had caused Bryce’s consternation.
There was no front to the skirt. A small ruffle of silk was the only thing that hid the top of Scarlet’s legs. Everything else was unashamedly on show. Black stocking tops flashed a tantalizing strip of Scarlet’s pale thigh. Under Bryce’s silent perusal, Scarlet got into a pair of thigh-high boots. The sound of the zipper was loud in the room as Scarlet added the final touch to her clothing. Lethal heels added even more inches to Scarlet’s height as the shiny black leather hugged her legs like a second skin.

  “Bryce?” Scarlet’s voice broke Bryce out of her stunned silence.

  “You’re so beautiful,” Bryce said, barely able to take her eyes off her. She stared as Scarlet added ornate silver jewelry around her neck and on her fingers. She sauntered over to Bryce, obviously delighting in the dazed look she was displaying. With nails painted black with stark white tips, Scarlet scored a line down Bryce’s chest.

  Bryce shivered at the trail left through the fabric of her shirt. Scarlet’s perfume intoxicated her. All she could see and hear was Scarlet, and it gave her a peace she hadn’t felt in months.

  Scarlet groaned from deep inside her chest. “Don’t look at me like that with those bedroom eyes of yours.” She leaned down and stopped tantalizingly short of completing a kiss. “Take your hat off.”

  Bryce tossed it aside. She felt Scarlet’s breath tickle across her lips. “I want to fuck you while you wear nothing but those boots,” she said. She reached out to make patterns on the naked flesh between a stocking and the lace-edged panties hidden by the swaths of silk. She could feel Scarlet tremble at each touch.

  “You can fuck me any way you wish.” Scarlet leaned in to Bryce and stole a swift kiss. “But you need to stop where your fingers are leading because I need steady hands to operate my camera tonight.”

  Reluctantly, Bryce removed her hand and instead reached up to pull Scarlet in for another kiss.

  “Break it up in there, you two!” Monica called from outside the door. “Time to go!”