Thursday, March 16
10:39 a.m.
Richmond Hill, Georgia
Rashida seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to predicting when she was about to receive bad news. The sound of her desk phone ringing set her nerves on edge. She reached for the handset with a sense of dread. The feeling was confirmed as soon as Jackie said, “We’ve got a problem. A big one.”
“What now?” Rashida checked the caller ID. Jackie was calling from her cell phone, not a land line. “Where are you?”
“Right now, I’m standing in the middle of City Market.”
The area was home to bars, restaurants, art galleries, and souvenir shops. Everything tourists could ask for in a two-block radius. Rashida doubted Jackie was on the hunt for a jar of peach barbecue sauce or the perfect painting.
“Something’s wrong with the elevator at HQ,” Jackie said. “Smoke is spewing out of it and the whole branch smells like burning oil. We’ve evacuated the building and called the fire department. Two customers passed out, and Megan is looking a little wobbly. I think Seaton is planning to send her home. If he isn’t, he should. She’s green around the gills and can barely stand up.”
“Is—” Destiny all right? Rashida cleared her throat. “Is everyone else okay?”
“I think so. The EMTs are checking them out now.”
“What about you?”
“My tongue tastes like I’ve been French kissing a used oil filter. Other than that, I’m just dandy.”
Rashida opened her Internet browser to see if the incident had made the local news. Nothing yet. She tapped out a quick instant message to Dan Parker. I need you. Now.
“Is the elevator on fire?” she asked.
“I don’t think so,” Jackie said. “I didn’t see any flames, but Destiny hustled everyone outside relatively quickly. She spotted the problem first and made sure we all hauled ass. Even if there isn’t a fire, the smell of burning oil is too powerful to dissipate anytime soon. I’m well clear of the scene and I can still smell it. The odor inside the building must be overpowering. We’ll need to get our cleaning crew onsite as soon as the fire officials give us the all clear so they can steam clean the carpets and scrub every surface.”
“It’s a good thing the branch is going to be closed tomorrow.”
In past years, the downtown branch opened for business until the parade started, closed when the festivities began, and reopened as soon as the last float made its way past Chippewa Square. The crowds had grown younger and more unruly over the years, however, forcing the branch’s doors to remain closed all day. Employees were given the option of taking a day off without pay or volunteering to work at another location. Most chose to join the citywide party.
“If the smell is as bad as you describe, there’s no way we’ll be able to reopen the branch today,” Rashida said.
“You needed me?”
Dan stuck his head in her office. He had been sorting through boxes of promotional items all morning. Bits of cardboard and Styrofoam packing peanuts clung to his short black hair. Add in his rumpled clothes, and he looked far from camera ready. That needed to change ASAP.
“One second, Jackie.” Rashida pressed the Hold button. “Dan, grab the spare shirt and tie you keep in your office. We have a shit storm downtown and you’re about to get some face time.”
“Let me get changed. Then you can tell me what I’m in for.”
She unmuted the phone. “Okay, Jackie, I’m back. Have Seaton coordinate with the other branch managers and send his employees to the other offices as needed so they can get their eight hours in. I need you to call our cleaning crew. Tell them to take as long as they need to get this sorted out. They have the rest of today, all day tomorrow, and the entire weekend to play with. Whatever it takes, I want the smell gone by the time we open the doors on Monday.”
“I thought you might say that. Seaton has already printed a sign to affix to the front door.”
“What does it say?”
“This location closed until further notice.”
“I don’t like the wording on that. The verbiage makes it sound like federal regulators have swooped in and slapped us with a cease and desist order. I’ll ask Dan to come up with something that won’t scare the shit out of our customers or give our competitors reason to think we’re vulnerable. He’ll be heading downtown soon to field any and all media inquiries. Ted’s off today and tomorrow so I’ll have to take the lead on this one. As soon as I free myself up here, I’ll come down and inspect the damage, get an update from emergency personnel, and call a team meeting to decide next steps. How many members of the executive team were in the office today?”
“Try none. They all started celebrating St. Patrick’s a day early.”
“Great. I have Dennis’s mobile number programmed in my cell. I’ll call him as soon as I get off the phone with you. He can update the directors as needed. I’ll send a company-wide e-mail letting everyone know there’s a situation downtown, we’re monitoring it, and will pass on more information as it becomes available. I almost forgot about IT. I need to get one of the tech geeks onsite, too, so they can see if any of the network wiring is fried. Have I forgotten anything else?”
“No, I think you’ve covered all the bases. Have I mentioned I love you when you’re in crisis mode?”
“No, but thanks.” Rashida enjoyed the last laugh she thought she’d have for several hours if not days. “I’ll see you as soon as I can.”
She hung up her desk phone and immediately picked up her cell. She needed to call Destiny to make sure she was unharmed.
The line rang once, twice, three times.
“Pick up. Pick up. Pick up,” Rashida chanted like a mantra as she chewed on a manicured nail.
“Hey, babe.” Destiny’s voice sounded strangely devoid of feeling. Was she in shock?
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Destiny said, but she didn’t sound very convincing. “I’m helping the cops with crowd control.”
“How bad is it down there?”
“It’s…bad.” Destiny’s voice broke as emotion finally crept into it.
Rashida held a hand over her heart, which ached with concern for the woman who had quickly come to mean so much to her. “I hear it could have been much worse if not for you. Thank you for acting so quickly.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Megan’s in pretty bad shape and several others don’t look so good, either.”
Rashida closed her eyes as she tried to imagine the scene. “I’ll be there as soon as I can. Stay safe. I love you.”
“I…” Destiny hesitated. It was probably hard for her to be circumspect with so many people around, but the hesitation was only brief. “I love you, too.”
After Destiny ended the call, Rashida took a moment to compose herself. How close had she come to losing someone she had just been fortunate enough to find?
After she got her emotions in check, she drafted a company-wide e-mail and read it twice. Dan returned to her office shortly after she hit Send. He had kept his khakis but traded his polo shirt for a dress shirt, tie, and blazer. He had also combed the debris out of his hair. He looked like a presidential candidate playing the Everyman role on the campaign trail.
“Don’t worry about calling Dennis,” he said after she’d shared all the information she had. “You need to concentrate on getting the branch back up and running. I’ll reach out to him and the rest of the executive management team while I’m driving downtown. Before I leave, I’ll create some signage that makes it clear the bank is still open despite the branch’s closure. Something along the lines of ‘The downtown branch of Low Country Savings Bank is closed temporarily due to a mechanical failure, but customers wishing to conduct business can visit any of our other locations. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your patience.’”
“Sounds good.”
“Great. I’ll list the customer service phone number in case anyone has any questions.”
“I’ll let the customer support team know they might experience an uptick in incoming calls. Make sure Seaton sends one of his employees here to provide the members of the call center with extra support.”
Dan made a notation on the leather-bound Day Planner spread across his lap. “I can do that.”
“I copied you on the e-mail I just sent. In case you haven’t read it yet, we’ll have an update call at nine tonight. Each member of the management team is invited to dial in to the conference line and hear the latest news.”
“Got it. I’ll see you down there?”
“Give me ten minutes and I’ll be right behind you.”
She answered a few of the questions she had received in response to her e-mail then shut her computer down. She was inputting the codes to forward any calls to her desk phone to her cell when Harry knocked on her door, a large manila envelope in her hand.
“This came for you via interoffice mail. Someone put it in my box by mistake. It looked important so I didn’t want to sit on it.”
She tossed the envelope on Rashida’s desk. The front of it read, Hand-Deliver to Rashida Ivey.
“The interns have been mixing up the mail a lot lately,” Rashida said. “This morning, I had four envelopes in my inbox and none of them were for me. Thanks for bringing me this. Whatever it is.”
She slipped the envelope into her bag without opening it. Whatever was inside could wait. She headed for the door.
“Do you have a minute?” Harry asked, blocking her path.
“Barely. I have to put out a fire downtown. Literally.”
“Yeah, I saw your e-mail. I’m still trying to figure out what happened.” Harry put her hands on her hips and stared at the floor as if the answers to her questions could be found on the tops of her dark gray stilettos. “The whole thing makes no sense. The elevator downtown is only a few years old. My father owns the company that provides the annual maintenance. This incident could be embarrassing if it blows back on him.”
“Depending on what the fire inspector says, I might be giving your father’s maintenance team a call.”
Rashida made sure to keep her voice neutral not judgmental. She didn’t want to alienate Harry when they’d only recently become close.
“I can see you’re in a hurry,” Harry said. “One quick thing before you go. I’ve been thinking about Martin’s offer.”
Rashida grimaced. She and Harry hadn’t had a chance to talk since their conference call with Martin the day before. She wanted to get Harry’s take on Martin’s proposal, but she didn’t have the time to get into it now. She needed to get on the road. The discussion surrounding the subject Harry broached would be anything but quick.
“I want you to know I’ve got your back.” Harry gripped her arm. Rashida could see the sincerity in her eyes. Feel it in her voice. “If I’m forced to choose sides, I’m on your team. My parents have guided the bank this far, but you’re the right person to take it the rest of the way. When they had a chance to join forces with a regional bank and stretch our footprint from Florida to North Carolina, they chose to listen to Dennis instead of me and spurned the offer. The deal could have made everyone millions. You and I see eye-to-eye. With you at the helm, forget regional. We could go national. Maybe even worldwide.”
Rashida was flabbergasted. Harry was essentially handing her the keys to the family car and trusting her not to drive it over a cliff. “I don’t know what to say.”
Harry grinned. “Don’t say anything. Go keep our headquarters from blowing up. We’ll talk later.” She turned to leave, but Rashida called her back.
“Harry?” Rashida lowered her voice. “I know deposit compliance like the back of my hand, but I’m not nearly as well-versed on the lending side of things as you are. If we’re going make a move, I’ll need your help.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll teach you everything you need to know.”
Rashida tried not to get mixed up in other people’s family drama, but her curiosity got the best of her. “What did your mother say when you told her about the investors?”
“I haven’t told her yet. Should make for some interesting conversation around the dinner table at the next family get-together, don’t you think?” Harry’s grin grew wider, giving her a distinctly shark-like appearance. “Speaking of get-togethers, Jared and I are having a few friends over for a St. Pat’s party tomorrow night. Join us. And feel free to bring a friend. Preferably an attractive one. We might be getting into some seventies-style key-swapping before the end of the night.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it. I may still be babysitting the cleaning crew. I’m sure we’ll post a guard outside the building all night tonight, preferably a police officer in uniform, but I want to make sure nothing hinky happens inside. I feel an all-nighter coming on. Maybe two or three.”
“If you need help monitoring the goings-on at the branch, give me a call. My babysitting skills are a bit rusty, but I’m willing to pull them out of mothballs for the greater good. I’m busy tonight, though. Cameron and I are having dinner at The Pink House.” Harry’s one-night stand had lasted several days longer than Rashida had expected. “How does tomorrow morning sound?”
“It sounds perfect.” Rashida stuck out her hand. “Thanks, Harry. For everything.”
Harry gave her hand a firm shake. “Don’t mention it. See you tomorrow night?”
“Fingers crossed. After the week I’ve had, the thought of sitting on your boat dock watching the sun set holds great appeal.” Having a sexual partner chosen at random from a bowl of car keys, however, did not.
Harry clapped her on the back. “I’ll be sure to save you a chair.”
Rashida drove downtown, parked her car in the bank’s lot, and made her way on foot through a maze of emergency vehicles parked haphazardly in front of Low Country Savings’ headquarters. A powerful chemical smell assaulted her nose when she drew near. She held her hand over her face to filter the intense aroma.
A cadre of firefighters wearing respirators and reflective suits streamed in and out of the bank’s open doors. Curious onlookers gathered behind bright yellow police tape listened attentively as Dan gave an on-camera interview with one of the local TV stations.
“There was no structural damage to the building,” Rashida heard him say. “Both it and customers’ deposits are safe. We were forced to evacuate because of a malfunctioning elevator. The motor ran all night, heating the oil inside to temperatures in excess of five hundred degrees. Two customers and at least one employee were sickened by the fumes. The customers have already been treated and released; the employee is still being evaluated. If not for the actions of another bank employee, today’s outcome could have been much worse. As soon as the oil cools, it will be removed and safely disposed of. The branch will be professionally cleaned and open for business on Monday morning.”
“And all those businesses needing money for the St. Patrick’s Day weekend?” the reporter asked.
“They will be free to visit any of our other convenient locations.”
Another thing for Rashida to worry about. If the vault doors were closed and the time lock set to remain secure until Monday morning, they wouldn’t be able to access the money inside. Where would they find the extra cash to replenish the other branches’ overtaxed supply? By Friday, the coffers downtown would be bulging, the others bare. If the bank was forced to buy money from another institution, they’d run the risk of buying bad PR as well. Hopefully, some of their commercial customers would be making cash deposits to offset the increase in withdrawals. Otherwise, they were screwed.
Rashida scanned the growing crowd but didn’t see any of the branch’s employees. Her eyes finally settled on a triage area that had been set up on Jefferson Street. The employees, Destiny included, were crowded around the back of an ambulance. Megan Connelly, the head teller, lay on a stretcher. An oxygen mask covered her ashen face. Two burly EMTs lifted the stretcher into the back of the ambulance and closed the door.
Rashida joined the crowd. “What’s going on?”
“Megan had an asthma attack,” Seaton said. “The paramedics gave her a breathing treatment, but it didn’t work. Her airway’s still clogged. They’re going to take her to the hospital for further evaluation. Her husband said he’d meet us there. I want to go with her to make sure she’s all right, but the branch is my responsibility, too.”
He ran his hands through his sandy blond hair, suddenly looking much older than his twenty-three years.
“I’ll look out for the branch,” Rashida said. “Go take care of your employee.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. Go.”
“Thanks, Miss Ivey.”
Most of the other employees soon left to head to the branch on Mall Boulevard, where empty office spaces waited their arrival. One headed to the Operations Center in Richmond Hill to help man the phone lines. After Dan moved on to his next round of interviews, only Destiny and Jackie remained.
“You two look none the worse for wear,” Rashida said gratefully.
Jackie blew out a weary breath. “Looks can be deceiving.”
“I feel like I’ve been fighting oil fires in the Gulf,” Destiny said. “I probably smell like it, too.”
Rashida was just glad to see she was still in one piece. She gave her arm a quick squeeze. “Do you need a break?”
Jackie answered for her. “We can sleep when we’re dead. Until then, duty calls.”
“What happened?” Rashida asked as they crossed the blocked-off street.
“I’ll defer to Destiny on that one.”
“I was doing my job when I felt the temperature in the lobby begin to rise.” Destiny’s voice was calm. She seemed completely in her element. She wasn’t made for this job. She was born for it. “At first I thought the A/C unit was on the fritz. Then I smelled the oil heating up and saw smoke billowing out of the elevator. I pulled the fire alarm and began an orderly evacuation of the building. I only wish I’d acted faster. If I had, Megan wouldn’t be on her way to the hospital, and none of the customers would have been affected.”
“You acted as quickly as you could,” Rashida said. “You couldn’t have anticipated the situation would deteriorate so rapidly. If you could predict the future, I’d ask you to buy me a lottery ticket.” She ducked under the caution tape and showed her business card to the police officer guarding the bank’s front door. “The three of us are bank employees. We need to speak with someone about what happened here today.”
“Inspector Kirby,” Jackie added. “Is he still on the scene?”
“He’s inside. You can go in if you like, but you might need one of these.” The officer handed each of them a paper face mask.
Rashida stretched the attached rubber band behind her head, positioned the mask over her face, and followed Jackie inside. The thin paper shield did little to filter the noxious odor permeating the bank’s lobby. The smell worsened the closer they got to the elevator, the doors of which were propped open. Wisps of bluish-gray smoke curled toward the ceiling, which already sported a telltale stain.
“Have you called the cleaning crew?” Rashida asked.
Jackie nodded. “They’re standing by waiting for the scene to be released.”
She flagged down a fiftyish man with thinning salt-and-pepper hair. His position and last name were printed in large block letters on the back of his windbreaker. He held a walkie-talkie in one hand, a note-filled clipboard in the other. Jackie provided introductions.
“Bert Kirby, Rashida Ivey. Rashida is in charge of the bank’s retail operations.”
Bert tucked the clipboard under his left arm and stuck out his hand. “A pleasure, ma’am. I’ll get right to it. The building’s safe. There’s no risk of fire. The residual smoke you see in the elevator is from the oil, which is starting to cool but is still too hot to handle. By tomorrow morning, it should be safe to remove. Do you have someone to do that for you?”
“We’ve outsourced maintenance on the elevator to a local company.” Rashida purposely avoided mentioning the company’s name so she could keep Harry’s father out of the news as long as possible. “I’ll arrange to have members of their team remove the oil and repair the motor.”
“I’ve already talked to them,” Jackie said. “Harry called and lit a fire under them, pardon the pun. They’ve offered to come in tomorrow and make the repairs for free.”
“When did she do that?”
“While you were on your way here. She asked me not to say anything, but I thought it deserved a mention.”
I guess she meant it when she said she had my back.
“Ladies, it sounds like you’ve got everything under control,” Bert said. “As soon as we’re done, I’ll take my men and get out of your hair.”
After the fire department personnel vacated the scene, the members of the cleaning crew took their places. Karl Gibson, the owner of Top Flite Cleaning Services, walked through the lobby before inspecting the upper and lower floors. When he returned to the lobby, he ran a finger through the oily film coating the walls and wiped the thick sludge on his worn jeans.
“Getting rid of this is going to take some elbow grease. I can scrub the walls, floors, and counters tonight. I can also put down some deodorizer to soak up some of the smell in the carpets, but this place isn’t going to smell minty fresh until you get rid of that oil.”
“How long do you think it will take?”
Karl took another look around. “Five, six hours tonight. Another seven or eight after the oil’s gone.”
Rashida thought for a moment. “It’s almost one thirty. I want you and your team to grab a late lunch and meet me back here in an hour. I’ll stay with you while you do the first round of cleaning. If you finish by nine, I can mention your efforts during tonight’s update call. Someone will be here tomorrow to repair the elevator and remove and replace the oil in the motor. I have no idea how long that will take, so let’s plan on having your team come in on Saturday to do the deep cleaning on the furniture and carpets. I’ll drop by on Sunday to see if there’s anything we need to follow up on in order to be ready to open for business on Monday.”
“I can do a walk-through before church or after.”
“Let’s wait until after. If there’s anything that needs to be done, I’ll want you to get on it right away.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m going to wrap my mitts around a burger and some fries. I’ll see you in an hour.”
Outside, Rashida removed her mask and took a deep breath of fresh air. Her head was already beginning to hurt from the fumes. By tonight, she’d probably have a full-blown migraine. She rubbed her temples to ease the pain.
“Are you okay?” Destiny asked with a frown.
Rashida patted her arm when all she wanted to do was give her a hug. “I should be asking you that question.”
“It takes more than a little bit of smoke to bring me down.”
Despite her strong stance, Destiny seemed ready to fall apart. Her stormy eyes betrayed her swirling emotions. Rashida felt handcuffed. She couldn’t comfort Destiny the way she wanted without causing undue suspicion, but she couldn’t bear to see her in so much turmoil.
This work day couldn’t end fast enough. She couldn’t wait until she and Destiny were alone and could stop pretending they were nothing more than co-workers. Today she had come close to losing someone for whom she had begun to care deeply. The thought frightened her more than the fear of discovery.
“Who are you going to get to sit with the maintenance crew tomorrow?” Jackie asked. “I have to march in the parade, most of the branch employees are scheduled to be off, and you’re supposed to shadow the new teller in the Springfield branch to make sure she doesn’t feel overwhelmed on her first day in the field.”
“Harry said she might be able to. If she backs out, hopefully, someone else will step up during the conference call tonight to take her place. If not, I’ll have the head teller play mother hen instead of me and I’ll stay with the maintenance guys.”
“Do you want me to arrange security for tonight?”
“I’ll stay with her,” Destiny said.
“You should go home,” Rashida said. “You’ve had a trying day.”
“So have you. I don’t see you going anywhere.”
Destiny’s voice was filled with challenge, but her eyes radiated only concern. Rashida backed down. Besides, Destiny’s plan worked to her benefit as well. She didn’t plan on letting her out of her sight any time soon.
“Then it’s settled. Destiny and I will take first shift. I’ll come back on Saturday and Sunday and I’ll ask for volunteers for Friday during tonight’s update call. Not that I expect to have any takers,” she added under her breath.
“Maybe someone will surprise you,” Destiny said.
“Maybe,” Jackie said, “but I’m not holding my breath. I’m late for a meeting. Do you want me to pick you up something to eat before I go?”
“Olin from IT will be here any second. By the time he makes sure the network is secure, Karl and his team should be back. I’ll eat later.”
“That’s what you always say. Take care of her, Destiny. I can’t trust her to do the job herself.”
“You can count on me, Mrs. Williams.”
“How are you?” Rashida asked after Jackie left.
Destiny looked exhausted. Her face was filled with strain. Her usually pristine uniform was covered in soot and reeked of burned oil.
“Are you okay? Be honest. Do you need to go to the hospital to get checked out?”
“No, I’m fine. Worry about the ones who need your concern more than I do.” Destiny must have heard the edge that crept into her voice because she turned immediately apologetic. “I’m sorry,” she said with a heavy sigh. “This is new for me.”
Rashida smiled at the realization she wasn’t the only one who was having to make adjustments in order to be in this relationship.
“I’m not used to having people care about me.”
Rashida drew her into her arms and kissed her cheek, not caring who might be watching. “Get used to it.”
Karl and his team returned promptly at two thirty. They worked nonstop until a quarter to nine, when they finally put away their brushes, mops, and assorted cleaning supplies. Though the smell in the basement floor had returned to normal, the odor in the lobby and upper floor had only marginally improved. The acrid scent of burned oil overrode that of artificial lemon. The combination made Rashida’s headache worse.
“Ready to go?” Destiny kept a wary eye on the front door. The vault was secure, but the perimeter alarm had not yet been set. If someone forced his way inside, the alarm company wouldn’t be alerted unless Destiny or Rashida manually depressed one of the many silent alarm buttons located in the teller windows and under the branch manager’s and the accounts representatives’ desks.
“I’ll dial into the conference call on my way home and switch to a land line when I get there.”
“I’ll pick up dinner. What would you like?”
“Something I can eat while I’m sitting in a bubble bath with you.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
The husky tone of Destiny’s voice made Rashida forget all about her headache.
She set the alarm and headed to her car. She waited for everyone to get dialed in, then began the conference call by asking Seaton to provide an update on Megan’s condition.
“I’m happy to report she finally began responding to medication around six. Ian took her home. When I talked to him a few minutes ago, he said she had a big dinner and is resting comfortably. She’s going to be okay.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Rashida didn’t want to risk losing her cell phone signal in the elevator so she sat in her car outside her apartment building for the duration of the call. She updated everyone on the state of the branch and was pleasantly surprised to hear Harry follow through on her offer to sit with the maintenance crew while they repaired the elevator on Friday.
“If they get started by seven, I should be free to leave by early afternoon. I’ll miss part of the parade, but I’ll have plenty of time to partake in the rest of the weekend’s festivities. Besides, it’s my father’s company. I feel partially responsible. The least I can do is make sure his screw-up gets fixed.”
“Thanks for your determination to see this through,” Rashida said. “Good job, everyone. I’ll send an e-mail to each member of the recovery team summarizing what we discussed tonight. I’ll send a separate one to all employees letting them know we’re still on track to reopen on Monday.”
“I think I speak for everyone when I say you’ve done enough for one day,” Dan said. “I’ll handle the communications. Why don’t you call it a night?”
“With pleasure.”
Rashida ended the call and wearily crossed the parking lot. Destiny was waiting for her outside her door, a box of pizza and a six-pack of beer in her hands.
“Hungry?”
“Starving. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
She unlocked the door and turned on the lights. Destiny followed her inside.
Destiny placed the pizza and beer on the coffee table. “How did the update call go?”
“Better than expected. Megan’s doctors say she’s going to be fine and Harry offered to supervise the repair team, which frees me up to tackle the regularly-scheduled items on my agenda.”
“Do you have to be quite so dedicated?” Destiny held Rashida’s face in her hands, finally breaking the grip that work had held on her for most of the day. “Why don’t you sleep late tomorrow? Or, better yet, why don’t you take the day off? You deserve it after all the hours you put in today.”
“You won’t get an argument from me.”
“So you’ll do it?”
Rashida rested her hands on Destiny’s wrists. “I wish I could, but I have to go in. We’re stretched too thin. No one else is available.”
Destiny ducked her head to force Rashida to look her in the eye. “I have several more hours to convince you to change your mind.”
Rashida smiled wearily. “I can’t wait for you to try.”
Desperately needing to decompress, she left her bags in the foyer, tossed her keys on the counter, and headed to the bathroom.
A fabric shower curtain covered with screen-printed cherry blossoms circled the old-fashioned clawfoot bathtub. Rashida drew the curtain aside, turned on the water, and spun the taps. Hot water rushed out of the faucet. She poured in a capful of coconut-scented bubble bath and waited for the tub to fill.
She began to undress. Her clothes smelled like burned oil. She was tempted to toss the outfit into the trash instead of the dry-cleaning pile. She weighed the price of a cleaning bill against the cost of a new suit and opted to go with the lower amount.
Destiny joined her in the bathroom and handed her a beer. “You look like you needed a drink.”
“What I need is to get you naked.”
Destiny’s tie was loosely knotted around her neck. Rashida pulled it off and unbuttoned her shirt. Then she unbuckled her belt.
“Are you trying to take advantage of me, Miss Ivey?” Destiny asked when her pants hit the floor.
“In every possible way.”
Rashida cupped Destiny’s ass in her hands and drew her closer. Their breasts met and compressed. Rashida felt a rush of warmth on her thighs. If she had her way, the river would soon turn into a raging tide. Destiny, however, had other ideas.
“Eat this.” Destiny shoved a slice of pizza in her mouth. “Jackie asked me to take care of you, remember?”
Rashida swallowed a bite of pepperoni pizza and held up the remaining slice. “I didn’t think this is what you had in mind when you agreed to do so.”
“It isn’t. That comes later. Here’s a preview.”
Destiny kissed her long and hard.
“If that’s a preview, I can’t wait to see the entire show.”
Destiny climbed into the tub first. Rashida climbed in second and nestled between Destiny’s spread legs. Destiny’s breasts pressed against her back. Her stomach nestled against the curve of her ass.
Destiny set her bottle of beer next to the pizza box on the floor. She slid her hands down Rashida’s body. Over her shoulders. Down her sides. Her arms circled Rashida’s waist. She kissed the nape of her neck, her teeth nipping at the soft skin.
“I love you,” she whispered as Rashida’s head lolled on her shoulder. Her palms slid down Rashida’s slick skin. Her fingers grazed the neatly trimmed triangle of hair at the apex of Rashida’s thighs. Then they found the pool of wetness that had gathered between her legs.
Rashida’s body tensed, anticipating the first touch. Destiny obliged her, one hand sliding over her turgid clit, the other teasing a firm nipple. Rashida moved against Destiny’s hands as her fingers gripped the tops of Destiny’s thighs. She arched her back, lost in sensation.
Destiny reached lower. Slipped one finger inside. Rashida groaned in approval. Destiny spread her legs, bracing for the impact of the coming storm. She held Rashida as she rose higher and higher. Whispering her name, Rashida crested. The muscles lining her smooth walls gripped Destiny’s fingers, drawing them deeper inside. But she wasn’t done. She came again and again until she finally—eventually—stilled Destiny’s hand.
“Your turn,” she whispered hoarsely.
She grabbed a bar of lemongrass soap and lathered a washcloth. She twirled a finger in the air, signaling for Destiny to turn and face the wall. She slowly rubbed the washcloth over Destiny’s skin. She started just under her hairline, moved down her neck, then across her shoulders. Destiny shuddered when Rashida squeezed the washcloth, sending a stream of soapy water trickling down her back.
Rashida soaped the cloth again, then reached around to rub it over Destiny’s breasts, covering one then the other with warm, silky lather. Destiny gasped when the rough cotton cloth brushed against her sensitive nipples. Rashida squeezed the excess water from the cloth and set it aside. Rubbing the soap between her palms, she lathered her hands. Then she slowly massaged Destiny’s shoulders, arms, and back. Destiny’s tense muscles immediately turned to jelly.
“Turn around,” Rashida said. “I want to watch you come.”
Destiny faced her.
Rashida slowly slid her hand down Destiny’s leg and pulled it toward her, hooking the back of Destiny’s knee around her waist. She slipped her hand between their bodies. Her fingers moved across Destiny’s clit as soft as a whisper. As gentle as a stolen kiss. She slowly increased the pressure until Destiny bit her shoulder to keep from crying out.
“Tell me what you want and it’s yours,” Rashida said.
“All I want is you. Nothing else. You’re all I need.”
Rashida’s fingers continued to dance against Destiny’s clit. Up the hood, down to the bundle of nerves at the tip.
“Tell me when.”
“Now. Now, baby, now.”
Rashida thrust three fingers inside.
Destiny threw her head back, howling in release. The sound echoed off the porcelain-tiled walls.
Home, Rashida thought as she and Destiny sat wordlessly holding each other in the roiling water. Being with her is like coming home.
When she had invited Destiny into her bed, she hadn’t expected to invite her into her heart as well. But there was no denying Destiny had set up residence there. Her feet were on the coffee table, her clothes were in the closet, her favorite food in the refrigerator. Destiny’s heart was her home.