Irresistible Impulse

“Maybe this is a bad idea.”

Amira Jenkins halted in the middle of the hotel lobby, her eyes wide with anxiety. The large round glasses and worried expression on her face made her look a bit like a startled owl.

Latisha Hobbs took her cousin’s arm and propelled her across the gleaming tile floor, past the smiling concierge at the check-in desk, and toward their destination. “No. It’s a very good idea.”

Truth be told, Latisha would not have been at the Hotel Excelsior at all, if not for Amira. Speed dating was certainly not how she envisioned spending this Thursday evening. Dating in any form was not on her current agenda. Too many expectations, too much disappointment. Too much trouble all around.

Was she really that soured on men? Latisha shook her head. If she didn’t watch herself, she’d turn into one of those crazy cat ladies. And she didn’t even own a cat.

But Amira was looking for someone. Her long-time boyfriend had broken up with her months ago and only now was she willing to give dating another try. Too shy to come to the event all by herself, she’d asked her older cousin to tag along for moral support. And though Latisha didn’t see how anyone could find a soul mate after talking to a man for a few scant minutes, she didn’t want to let Amira down.

Oh, well, try anything once.

Who could tell? Maybe Amira would find her Prince Charming here.

And me? Will my Prince be here?

The voice in her head answered. Are you sure it’s a Prince you’re looking for?

****

That’s the last time I’ll ever make a sucker’s bet.

Tania Talcott tapped her foot impatiently on the plush red carpet under her feet. The Hotel Excelsior was actually one of the more impressive places in Summit, New York. But the Van Buren Room, with its muted gold walls and the impressive chandelier hanging from the ceiling, didn’t impress her at all. She would much rather have been in the cocktail lounge, sipping an overpriced fruity drink, instead of stuck here waiting for the speed dating to begin. To quote a popular comic strip character, good grief.

Last week, she and Andie Benedetto, her co-worker at the Summit Public Library, had been eating lunch in the break room. Tania’s lunch was a bag of cheese curls, a can of cherry cola, and a package of chocolate cupcakes.

Andie felt it her duty to lecture Tania on her unhealthy food choices. “You do know that stuff is nothing but empty calories, right?”

“Ummhmm,” Tania murmured agreeably, her mouth full of chocolate cake.

Andie’s meal was a carton of lemon yogurt and an apple. “I wonder if you could go a day without junk food.”

“Sure, I could. Just as easily as you could go without starving yourself.” Tania snagged a cheese curl and gave her friend a meaningful look. Andie flushed. She was uncomfortable with her generous curves and always dieting, though Tania thought she looked just fine.

“A day’s too easy, though,” Tania said breezily. “Let’s do a week. Bet you I can go a whole week without junk food if you can go a week eating more for lunch than some yogurt and a couple of celery sticks.”

Andie smiled. “What does the winner get?”

“Why, she gets to reek of moral superiority, of course.” Tania picked up the newspaper she’d been browsing and pointed to a small notice in the Around Town section. “And the loser has to attend this Spring Fling Speed Dating Extravaganza.”

Tania had secretly gloated at her cleverness. When Andie lost the bet and attended the speed-dating thingie, maybe she’d meet somebody who’d make her forget her loser boyfriend, Dumbass Douglas. Somebody who’d appreciate her, instead of treating her like wallpaper.

Tania lost the bet. She folded after three agonizing days of green salads and healthy snacks, brought low by the lure of barbecue potato chips.

Andie had been a gracious winner and carried not the slightest whiff of superiority. She even told Tania it wasn’t necessary to attend the speed dating event, but for Tania it was a matter of pride. She wasn’t a welcher.

So here she was, smack in the middle of this extravaganza. But where were the men?

****

“Where are all the men?” Amira asked in confusion.

Good question. Latisha glanced around the conference room. Women were seated at most of the small tables, which were set up in a circle around the room. But there were very few members of the opposite sex.

A brightly-dressed woman approached them, a professional smile pinned to her face. “Hi, there. Welcome to the Spring Fling Extravaganza. I’m Stacy Coolidge, the coordinator.”

“Uh…yes.” Amira’s steps faltered. “But shouldn’t there be more—”

“Oh, well,” the coordinator trilled. “Sometimes the numbers don’t work out exactly, but there’s no need to be concerned.” She leaned toward them in a confidential manner. “You only need one to make that special connection, am I right?” Her laughter held a note of desperation. Clearly, she had not expected such an unequal turn-out.

Amira turned to Latisha. “Maybe we shouldn’t—”

Latisha knew what her cousin was up to but wouldn’t allow her to lose her nerve and slink out. “No.” Her voice was firm. “We’re here. We’re staying.” She gave Amira a small nudge and an encouraging smile. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”

For her cousin’s sake, Latisha hoped she wasn’t lying.

****

Tania jiggled her leg restlessly and checked out the three guys who’d turned out for this affair. One was short and balding with wire-rimmed glasses. He looked like an orthodontist. But maybe he was great in the sack. Those geeky-looking guys could fool a girl.

The second guy was body-builder material, but he gave off a creepy vibe. He looked like the kind of guy who’d rather flex in front of a mirror than try to please the woman in his bed.

The third guy—hello, can we say gay? His carefully coiffed hair and too-perfect attire, as well as his mannerisms, set her gaydar clanging big time. Was he still in the closet or just kidding himself?

Not that Tania cared. Some of her best friends, etcetera, etcetera. Actually, she herself was etcetera, etcetera, at least some of the time. In fact, she seldom lacked for male or female companionship.

Tania enjoyed subverting the mild-mannered librarian stereotype. It was so stupid. As though a person couldn’t love books and sex. She’d never had a problem getting all the dates and all the sex she wanted. When she was younger, she’d wanted plenty. And it had all been great fun. But lately, the possibility of something less fleeting teased her. Could it be the wild, untamable Tania Talcott was looking for a permanent relationship?

Fat chance of finding one here.

Nah, tonight would be a bust. Not that she expected anything else. Until her gaze fell on the striking African American woman sitting a few seats away.

It was her.

Tania didn’t know her name, had only seen her once before. But she’d never forget the reaction she’d had to this beautiful woman.

She’d been out one Saturday, shopping and running errands, and stopped for a late lunch at the Eighth Moon Chinese Buffet. While reaching for some fried pork dumplings on the steam table, her arm brushed against someone’s reaching for the long beans.

“Sorry.” Looking up, she found herself mesmerized by a face with intelligent brown eyes, soft cocoa-colored skin, and full lips glossed with red lipstick. Gorgeous lips. Plump and soft-looking, as tempting as ripe raspberries.

The skin of Tania’s arm prickled with goosebumps and tingled from the woman’s touch. “Sorry.” Her tongue felt clumsy, her speech thick. “I’m such a klutz.”

The beautiful black woman smiled, and Tania’s insides turned liquid. “You shouldn’t talk about yourself that way.”

Tania stood there, unable to speak, as the woman gazed at her and opened her mouth as though to say more. Someone called out, diverting her attention, and the moment was gone.

“Excuse me,” she murmured, moving away. If she’d been alone, Tania might have made an utter fool of herself by approaching her, but the beauty joined a couple of friends already seated in a booth.

Tania couldn’t eat a bite. All she could do was steal surreptitious looks at the woman while those delicious greasy dumplings turned cold and gluey on her plate.

She’d returned to the Eighth Moon for lunch every day for three weeks, hoping to run into the lovely woman. No luck. And here she was, of all places.

Thank God for sucker’s bets.

God was really in her corner today, because there was an empty table right next to the object of her desire. But maybe not for long. A newcomer was heading straight for it. Oh hell, no. Tania grabbed her purse and raced to get there first.

“Sorry,” she puffed, out of breath, to the woman as she plunked her ass onto the seat. Then she pointed to the table she recently vacated. “There’s one over there.”

Ignoring the dirty look the other woman sent her way, Tania bestowed her most winning smile on her neighbor. “Hi. My name’s Tania.”

****

“So we’re not supposed to ask what anyone does for a living,” the lush redhead remarked.

Lush. That was the perfect adjective for Tania Talcott. Vivid was another. The tight raspberry-hued sweater hugging her curvaceous figure, her wavy auburn hair, the mischievous gleam in her brown eyes—no, not brown, cinnamon—all made a stirring combination.

Was she stirred? Latisha blinked. Was that why her heart thumped so hard in her chest and her palms felt slippery?

Tania’s lipstick matched the color of her sweater. Those full lips curved in an impish smile, as though she welcomed Latisha’s perusal.

Latisha cleared her throat. “Those are the rules.” She tried for a matter-of-fact tone to hide her nerves. “It’s too easy to make snap judgments based on a person’s profession.”

“Uh-huh.” Tania glanced down at the card in her hand. “And we score the people we meet based on…”

“On anything that attracts you. Personality, intelligence, humor. Whatever strikes a spark.”

“Right.” Tania’s gaze captured hers. “What sparks with you?”

You do, Latisha almost said. She quickly looked away and began rummaging through her large shoulder bag. “Oh, lots of things.” What was going on with her? She hadn’t reacted to another woman this way since… “I wrote some questions out on cards. They’re in here somewhere.”

“That would make quite the weapon,” Tania joked, referring to the overstuffed purse.

“That’s true. I don’t know why I carry so much in it.”

“You like to be prepared.”

Latisha’s mouth hitched up in a grin. “You’ve got me there.”

“Don’t you know how much fun it is to be spontaneous?” The purr in Tania’s voice made Latisha’s pulse spike.

Not knowing how to respond, Latisha continued digging through the purse, evading the redhead’s piercing gaze. She was normally someone who faced things head on. So why the evasion?

You know why.

At last she located the index cards, jammed at the bottom of her bag. To reach them, she removed a paperback and set it on the table.

“Oh, I loved that book,” Tania exclaimed.

Latisha’s heart bumped. “You’ve read it?”

“Several times. It’s one of my favorites.”

Latisha felt an immediate affinity for this woman who re-read her favorite books, something she liked to do as well. She held the index cards up with a flourish. “Ta da!”

“Your questions.” Tania’s lips curved in a playful grin. “Ask me some.”

“Ask you?”

“For practice. You like to be prepared, right?” Tania inclined her head to the three males in attendance, still several tables away. “It looks like we have plenty of time.”

****

Latisha had a beautiful mouth. Tania couldn’t help but think so, even as said mouth pursed in disapproval when Tania admitted that her favorite food was bacon cheeseburgers.

“Real greasy ones,” Tania went on. “You know, when it soaks right through the bun.”

Latisha laughed even as she gave a little shudder. “I hate to think what they’re doing to your arteries.”

Tania shrugged. “We all gotta go sometime, right? And what a way to go. It’s like dying in the middle of making love. What could be better?” Her heart thumped, quickening at the image of making love with this woman. Kissing that luscious mouth. Running her fingers over soft brown skin.

Latisha glanced away, as though she’d read Tania’s thoughts. “What indeed?” she murmured.

“Are you a doctor or something? You’re very concerned about people’s arteries.”

Latisha’s brows lifted, and she gave Tania a teasing look of warning. “We’re not supposed to talk about professions, remember?”

“That’s right. My bad.” But she wanted every crumb of information she could gather about Latisha. Tisha. She’d already started thinking of her that way.

But Latisha’s playful smile and shrug seemed to say, oh, what the hell? “I’m a nurse.”

A nurse. Tania could see it. Everything about Tisha gave off that calm, in-control vibe. She would keep a cool head in a crisis. Her dress tonight was classy yet understated—a knee-length navy floral skirt, an ivory silk blouse, and pair of neutral pumps. As good as she looked, Tania’s mouth watered when she flashed to an image of Tisha in a crisp white uniform. She pressed her thighs together as a crackle of lust zapped through her. You can take my temperature anytime. “Cool. So, what’s yours?”

“Excuse me?”

Tania leaned closer. “What’s your favorite food?” She remembered the long beans at the Chinese restaurant. “I’ll bet it’s something disgustingly healthy, like tofu or—”

Latisha rolled her eyes. “It’s embarrassing.”

Oh, now this was interesting. “What? What is?”

“Peanut butter and marshmallow crème sandwiches on soft white bread.”

Tania laughed in delight. “Oh, that doesn’t sound much good for the arteries, either.”

“Well, I don’t eat them very often. When I was little, my mother made them for me whenever I was sick and stayed home from school. They were a special treat. Every once in a while, I get a craving and just can’t help myself. I have to have a peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich.”

“It’s like recapturing the past,” Tania heard herself say.

Latisha blinked at her as though surprised by the comment. “You’re right. My mother passed a year ago, but any time I eat one of those things, it’s like being with her again.”

Latisha’s eyes clouded. It was clear she still ached from the loss of her mother. Tania fell into a respectful silence, allowing Latisha time to relive a few of those precious memories, then placed her hand over Tisha’s. “I’m sorry about your mom.”

Latisha glanced down at Tania’s hand and only slowly drew her own away. “Thank you.” She cleared her throat. “All right. Next question. What’s your favorite television show?”

A no-brainer. “The Honeymooners.”

Latisha’s eyebrows winged up. “Seriously?”

Tania leaned back in her chair and grinned. “You don’t approve.”

“That bus driver’s terrible, always threatening to send his wife to Mars.”

“To the moon. Oh, I know it’s not politically correct. But he’s just a big mouth,” Tania laughed. Big mouths didn’t bother her—hell, she was quite the mouth herself. “He never hurt Alice, never touched her on the show. Deep down, he knew she was always right. She was his rock, and he couldn’t make it without her. They always ended the show in a lip lock.”

And man, would she like to end this evening in a liplock with Latisha. Her lips tingled as if they’d already been kissed.

In another minute or two, the bell would ring, signaling the men to rise and move to the next table in the circle. The muscle-bound guy, mirror man, would claim the next seven minutes of her time. But she didn’t want to waste a second on him. Not when she could be getting to know Tisha better.

Her empty score card fluttered to the floor. She didn’t need to write anything down. Latisha’s score was a big fat ten, an A double-plus, in every category—beauty, personality, and intelligence.

But how would she rate Tania?

Only one way to find out.

She leaned forward again. “Listen, I’m having more fun with you than I’d have with any man here. Why don’t we just ditch this and go to the bar for a drink. Or get something to eat. There’s a Chinese place down the block. You like Chinese.”

****

You like Chinese.

Recognition flashed in Latisha’s brain. She’d had a niggling feeling of déjà vu, as though she’d seen Tania somewhere before. And of course. Of course she had. At the Eighth Moon Buffet.

They’d bumped against each other while filling plates. As soon as Latisha looked into Tania’s lovely face, a surge of heat rose through her. Heat that had nothing to do with the steam table.

Tania had spoken, said something about being clumsy, and Latisha had replied. But she couldn’t remember now what she’d said. A buzz had filled her ears and her legs felt unsteady as she’d headed back to the table she shared with Amira and their friend Carol. Her entire body vibrated with awareness, a response she’d only experienced once before.

When she’d been with Danielle.

So why did she only now recognize Tania from that Saturday? Maybe because she’d tried to push the memory away, just as she’d done with memories of Danni.

But now the floodgates were open. She wanted to go with Tania, just as she’d wanted to return to the Eighth Moon a few months ago. Hoping to see the pretty redhead there again. She’d lost her courage, though, especially when she remembered how things ended with Danielle. She’d decided it was best to put the encounter out of her mind for good, let it fade away.

Which it almost had, until today.

Would she let fear win again?

“Let’s go.” The words burst from her lips. The bell rang and she stood just as a heavily-muscled man reached Tania’s table.

The redhead stood and shrugged apologetically. “Sorry.”

He turned to Latisha in confusion.

She shook her head, feeling just a twinge of guilt. “Sorry.” Swinging her purse over her shoulder, she accompanied Tania out of the room.

They found a table in the cocktail lounge and ordered a couple of drinks that Tania insisted on paying for. As they chatted and laughed Latisha again felt that sensation vibrate through her body, that combination of nerves and sexual longing. She was light-headed with anticipation and weak with fear.

Of course, the alcohol didn’t help. But as Tania shared some funny stories about her experiences working with the public, all Latisha could think about was leaning forward and pressing her lips to Tania’s pink mouth.

Don’t go there.

Tania grew blurry as Danielle’s face floated in front of her. “I’m not in love with you.” The words echoed in her memory.

Tania’s voice brought her back to the present. “Latisha? You all right?”

“Excuse me.” Latisha stood so abruptly she bumped the table and made the glasses jiggle. “I need to use the bathroom.”

“Is everything okay?” Tania’s eyes were wide with concern. “These drinks are delish, but they pack a pretty good kick.”

“I’m not drunk.”

“I never said—”

She had to get away. “Excuse me.”

She brushed past a waitress with a tray of drinks and several others in her rush to the Ladies’ Room. Once there, she washed her hands and patted her cheeks with a damp paper towel, trying to collect herself.

A wash of embarrassment poured over her as she thought of how she’d run from poor Tania. But it was only from herself she was running. She prided herself on facing issues head on. But this issue, this part of herself, was something she’d avoided for a long time.

“I’m marrying Jackson.” Danielle’s voice was firm, but her tone was expressionless, her eyes empty. She resembled an automaton who’d been programmed to say those words. A robot. Or one of those pod-people from that old sci-fi movie.

Latisha was so stunned that the announcement barely penetrated her mind. She couldn’t think. All she could do was react. “No. You can’t. I’m in love with you.”

“No, you’re not. And I don’t love you. I love Jackson. You and I were just, we were just experimenting.”

How could Danni say that her feelings weren’t real? “A year and a half is not an experiment. It’s a relationship.” As the numbness receded, pain filled the void, pain unlike anything Latisha had ever known. She wrapped her arms around herself to hold it in. Hold herself together.

Danielle shook her head. “You knew Jackson and I were engaged, that we’d get married after graduation—”

“And you kept telling me you’d break it off when the right time came.” She and Danni had been lovers since their junior year of college, but always on the low. Latisha hated living a lie, but Danielle was frightened of her parents’ reaction to her “lifestyle.” She was terrified they’d disown her, refuse to continue funding her education. “You told me you’d only gotten engaged to make your families happy—”

“That’s not true.” Danielle cut her off sharply.

Tears burned Latisha’s eyes. “Danni, you know it’s true. You can’t do this. It’s not fair to us or to him.”

“Next month we’ll graduate. Jackson and I will move in together. He’ll join his father’s business, I’ll get a job teaching, and we’ll start planning our wedding.” Danielle blinked, her eyes as lifeless as a doll’s. She spoke the lines as though she’d memorized them. Without emotion. “I don’t love you.”

The bathroom door opened, and Tania entered. “Tisha, I was worried…”

Latisha turned away to grab another paper towel. “No need. I’m fine.”

“Have you been crying?”

“Of course not.”

Tania stepped closer. “Yes, you have.” She gently cupped Latisha’s face and turned it toward her. At Tania’s touch, a thrill zinged through Latisha. Her lips tingled, her nipples bunched.

“You are crying.” Taking the paper towel, Tania carefully blotted the wet tracks on Latisha’s cheeks. Their gazes met, and the crumpled wad of paper fell from Tania’s hand into the sink. Latisha’s heart hammered as Tania drew her close and claimed her lips in a kiss.

Tania’s lips were sweet and fruity like her mai tai. Delicious. She smelled delicious, too, her scent light and flowery. Latisha sighed as all the tension flowed out of her, and she sank into the embrace.

Tania moved in closer, pressing her full breasts against Latisha. Tania’s own nipples were hard. She sighed as her mouth opened, and her tongue flicked Latisha’s lips, teasing them apart. With a moan, Latisha surrendered and welcomed Tania’s seduction.

Their tongues caressed sinuously. Tania slid her hand up Latisha’s waist and cupped her breast, brushed her thumb over the beaded nipple. Latisha’s knees wobbled as the sensation streaked straight to her clit. Tania’s kiss had awakened something in her that had lain dormant for years.

As they kissed, Latisha felt the edge of the counter against her ass and hitched herself up until she was sitting on it. Her skirt had worked its way up her thighs, nearly to the lacy tops of her thigh high stockings.

They broke the embrace, both of them breathing hard. Their gazes locked as Tania lightly caressed her knee, smoothed her hand up Latisha’s thigh. Another spark of need crackled through Latisha. Her pussy was creamy and moist, her panties wet. Tania’s face was flushed, her lips full with arousal.

“Tisha.” As Tania softly spoke her name, there was a question in her gaze. Do you want this?

She did. It had been so long…so long since she’d been touched. Since she’d had an orgasm not delivered by her own hand.

“Yes.” She took Tania’s hand and placed it to the juncture of her thighs, over her panties. Tania groaned and swooped in to kiss her hungrily. As their lips and tongues melded, Tania flicked and played with Latisha’s hard, needy clit. The sense of urgency, the knowledge that anyone could walk in on them, fired Latisha’s desire even more.

Tania slid her lips to Latisha’s cheek, then down her throat to the open collar of her blouse. With her free hand, she cupped Latisha’s breast and pinched her nipple. Red-hot sparks shot through her. “Yes. Oh.”

Latisha’s thighs stiffened as her need stretched to the breaking point. Her breath caught when Tania’s fingers slipped beneath the elastic of her panties to stroke the tiny kernel of flesh. The climax that had shimmered in the distance suddenly crashed over her, and Latisha came in a delicious rush of warmth. Contractions pulsed through her, her nipples tightened, her lips tingled. Prickles raced to the palms of her hands and the soles of her feet.

She burrowed her face against Tania’s neck, breathing in her floral scent. “Ohh…”

As she came back to earth, Latisha felt Tania’s soft lips pressed to her moist hairline. Then she was aware of being wedged inelegantly next to the sink, the counter cold underneath her ass, her skirt bunched almost to her waist. What was she doing? What had she done?

Then she remembered Danni and went cold. She couldn’t go down this road again. “No.”

“No?” Tania drew back in surprise.

“This is not…no.” She shook her head, pushed herself off the counter, and righted her skirt. She straightened the rest of her clothing, trying to avoid looking at her guilty reflection in the mirror. Trying not to see the hurt in Tania’s face. “I have to go. I have to get back to my cousin. I’m sorry.” She edged past Tania and almost bumped into a woman coming through the door.

****

What the hell just happened?

Tania felt dizzy with bewilderment. I know she was feeling me. What did I do wrong?

Finding Tisha in tears, Tania had given in to the impulse to kiss her and make it better. Had she pressured Latisha into something she hadn’t wanted? But she told me yes. And I know she enjoyed it. So there had to be another reason why Tisha had suddenly freaked out. Why had she been crying?

Flooded with self-doubt, Tania knew only one thing. She had to find Latisha and make sure she was all right.

They almost collided in the lobby, as Tania headed toward the Van Buren Room and Latisha hurried out of it.

“Amira’s not there.” Tisha’s expression was taut with worry. “The coordinator said she left in a hurry.”

“Maybe she took a bathroom break—”

“She left at least twenty minutes ago. She wouldn’t have taken that long.”

“Could she have gone home?”

Latisha huffed in frustration. “She would have told me.”

“Well, try calling her.”

Latisha gave Tania a do-you-think-I’m-stupid look. “I’ve tried, and there’s no answer. I have no idea where she is. I don’t know what I was thinking, leaving her alone. I never should have let you talk me into—”

“Wait a minute.” Tania’s eyes bulged as her head filled with steam. She took Latisha’s arm and practically marched her behind a stout pillar where they wouldn’t be seen. “You just hold on. First of all, I didn’t talk you into anything. I invited you for a drink and you agreed. Secondly, your cousin is not a child. She’s a grown woman. If she chose to leave that BS dating thing, that’s on her. Not you, and certainly not me.”

Latisha glanced away, her face turning dark with embarrassment. When Tania calmed a bit, she spoke again, her voice softer. “Let’s not even pretend we don’t know what this is about. If I came on too strong before, I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” Latisha’s gaze flitted around the lobby, landing everywhere but Tania. “But it was a mistake.”

Tisha’s refusal to look her in the face told Tania everything she needed to know. You’re lying, she wanted to say. Instead, she took a deep steadying breath. It wasn’t her job to force anyone to confront her sexuality. “All right. But let’s just get one thing straight, so to speak. You kissed me back.”

She might even have reminded Tisha how she’d encouraged Tania to touch her. But Latisha looked so unhappy that Tania didn’t have the heart to embarrass her more.

Latisha, still avoiding Tania’s gaze, refused to answer.

Tania released a deep sigh of sadness. “You know it’s true.” She gripped the handle of her purse so tightly, her fingers went numb. “But I guess there’s nothing more to say.”

“No.”

Damn it. Tania ground her teeth and turned away. With anyone else she’d have blown up, lost her shit for sure. But she just couldn’t bring herself to do that with Tisha.

She should be angry. Anger would have protected her from the sickening sense of disappointment and loss flooding her. Now what? Head home and spend the rest of the night feeling sorry for herself?

No. What she really wanted was to head back to the lounge and have two or three more cocktails. But since she had to drive, that was not going to happen. Unless the bar offered virgin mai tais.

****

Latisha’s chest throbbed with guilt while her mind whirled with confusion. She’d lied. She had kissed Tania back, had wanted Tania to touch her. Had even encouraged it. But she couldn’t admit it, not even to herself when confronted.

Tania was the first woman who’d touched her sexually since she and Danni broke up. Oh, she hadn’t been celibate all this time. She’d dated men, gone to bed with some of them, and it had been…nice. Nothing more. With Tania, it had been fireworks, skyrockets, waves crashing on the shore, every movie cliché and then some. It had been amazing. Her body was still feeling the aftershocks.

Not only had she hurt Tania, but worse, she’d blamed her for Amira’s sudden disappearance. Amira was grown. Tania told the truth about that, too.

She couldn’t bear to think of the pain on Tania’s face when they’d parted, so instead she focused on locating Amira. One thing at a time. Once she found her cousin, there would be plenty of time for guilt and regret. She’d had a second chance today and played the fool. There’d be no third chance.

She hurried through the lobby out the front door. Maybe Amira had gone to her car? She held her coat closed as a cold gust of wind tried to rip it from her—a perfect example of upstate New York weather on the first day of Spring.

A young man in a down parka approached her. “Do you have your ticket, miss?”

She turned toward him. “No. Actually, I was wondering if—”

“Latisha.” Amira emerged from behind a stone column, a plastic thermos cup cradled in her hands.

“What happened to you?” Latisha’s voice was shriller than she intended as a spark of anger flashed through her. “I was looking everywhere.”

“I’m sorry.” But Amira didn’t look sorry in the least. She looked loopy, her lips curved in a dreamy smile.

“What are you drinking?” Latisha demanded.

Amira blinked. “Hot chocolate.” She directed a tender glance at the young parking valet. “Carlos shared it with me.”

Carlos flushed and smiled back, looking pretty loopy himself. Latisha realized she was in the presence of love at first sight.

She turned back to her cousin. “What made you come out here?”

Amira grimaced. “That muscle bound dude inside. He came to my table and at first he seemed all right, but then he started talking about all the,” her voice sank to a whisper, “positions he’d like to get me in. He was really gross.”

Righteous anger blazed through Latisha. “You should have reported him.”

“I didn’t know what to do. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, so I just ran out here. Carlos saw how upset I was. He’s such a gentleman.” She sent another loving look his way. “He calmed me down, and we started talking. He shared his cocoa with me.”

Oh God, the girl’s gone. Well, she could do a lot worse than the kind-hearted Carlos.

The valet was speaking to another customer when Amira pulled her aside.

“He’s a full time college student,” she confided. “He works here nights and weekends to help pay for school. He’s cute, don’t you think?” Amira’s round face glowed with happiness. “He asked for my number and said he’d call.”

So Amira had found her prince after all. So what if he wore a valet’s uniform instead of a golden crown?

She smiled and patted Amira’s arm. “If I head home now, will you be all right here with Carlos?”

Amira nodded. “I’m going to stay and finish my cocoa. He said he’ll see me to my car.”

Latisha headed down the walk toward the parking garage, trying to feel happy for her cousin. Well, at least one of us got lucky.

She frowned. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. You got lucky, too, but you had to mess it up.

****

Tania’s non-alcoholic cocktail did nothing to improve her mood. Her emotions were a stew of anger and disappointment as she stalked into the parking garage to get her car.

I know she wanted me. I’m not crazy.

She didn’t go around putting the moves on women who were strictly dickly. So why was Latisha gas-lighting her?

Maybe she’s like that gay guy at the speed-dating. She just can’t face who she really is.

Shit. Tania’s anger dissolved into sadness. What a loss for both of them.

If she hadn’t been lost in her thoughts, she’d have seen the guy approach. She looked up and there he was, right in front of her. A kid, really, barely out of his teens, skinny and pimple-faced with a huge Adam’s apple that bobbed jerkily up and down.

“Uh, excuse me, miss.” Even his voice sounded young, thin and reedy. “Do you know the time?”

She glanced at her wrist. “Yeah, it’s—” Even as she spoke she knew she was in trouble. Her skin prickled with dread. What kind of idiot walks by herself at night in a fucking parking garage?

The kid lunged for her purse, and Tania clung to it, first from instinct and then out of pure rage.

****

No third chance. Latisha hugged her coat close and shivered in the cold wind as she hurried toward the parking garage.

Her steps slowed. Wait a minute. She knew Tania’s full name. Knew she worked at the public library. There was no reason she couldn’t go there, on neutral turf, and at least apologize face-to-face.

Her heart fluttered in her throat as she pictured Tania’s face, her mischievous smile.

And that’s all you want, Latisha, to offer an apology? Girl, please.

Of course not. She wanted more than Tania’s forgiveness. Wanted…

She stepped into the enclosure lined with cars. It was well-lit enough for her to glimpse the red hair of the tall woman several yards ahead of her. Latisha opened her mouth to call Tania’s name when a man darted out of nowhere. Latisha couldn’t hear what he said, but a moment later, he grabbed Tania’s purse.

She didn’t let it go. Latisha stood open-mouthed in shock as Tania scuffled with the mugger, screaming every curse word Latisha had ever heard and a few new ones. The mugger’s eyes bugged as he tangled with the banshee over her purse.

Latisha unfroze and raced toward them, screaming “Stop!”

A voice whirled in her memory. That would make a good weapon.

Her chest burned as she reached them, as she swung her shoulder bag and smacked the man square in the head. The bag exploded and the mugger went down like a sack of dirty laundry.

“Son of a bitch!” Tania tried to kick him, but Latisha snatched her back.

“Are you crazy? Run!”

The mugger must have thought she was yelling at him. He staggered to his feet and stumbled off.

Latisha held Tania’s arm to keep her from chasing him. “He’s getting away,” the redhead yowled.

“Have you lost your mind?” Latisha grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a shake. “Why did you fight him? He could have hurt you!”

“He’s just a scrawny little bastard. I could’ve kicked his ass—”

“He could have had a gun. He could have—” Latisha grabbed Tania and kissed her, hard at first, out of fear and anger, then more gently as warmth spread through her.

Last time, Tania had made the first move, but this time, Latisha needed to take the upper hand. She had to show Tania how sorry she was. Had to prove to her that she was in it for real.

Now, without guilt or fear, she savored Tania’s lips. They were pillowy, fruity and sweet, still tasting of mai tai. Their lips opened simultaneously, their tongues gliding together. The easy warmth Latisha felt instantly ignited to a wildfire. Her breasts grew so full and achy that the only way to soothe them was to press them to Tania’s. Her pussy wept with need.

She broke away, not to reject Tania but to catch her breath. The kiss left her woozy. “Are you all right?”

Tania looked pretty unsteady herself. “I’m fine. I—” She glanced around at the contents of Latisha’s purse scattered everywhere. The bag itself sagged on the garage floor like a fallen prizefighter. “All your stuff. Let me help.”

Silently they gathered what they could. Latisha slid the purse strap up her shoulder as Tania handed her the paperback book. “You saved me.”

Latisha’s mouth quirked. “No. You were going to kick his ass, remember?” Her smile faded as she remembered what she needed to say. “Tania. What happened before? I’m sorry.”

Tania’s russet brows flew up her forehead, then lowered ominously. “Sorry about what happened? Or—”

“Sorry that I hurt you.” But it wasn’t enough. “That I lied about it being a mistake. That I lied to both of us.”

Tania’s features softened and warmth filled her cinnamon-colored eyes. “I’m glad you’re not lying anymore.”

Latisha flushed. “I found Amira, by the way. She’s head over heels for a parking attendant named Carlos.”

“Good for her.” Tania grinned. “Then I’m not the only one who fell in love today.”

“Love?” Latisha’s heart gave a bump.

“Who’d have thought? And I didn’t even want to be here tonight. So now that you don’t have to worry about your cousin, how about you follow me back to my place? We can have a little wine, you can ask me some more questions…anything you want.” She smiled. “I promise I won’t hold anything back.”

Latisha’s lips curved. “And we’ll just see where things go?”

“Well, I told you I like to be spontaneous.”

Latisha’s entire body tingled at the treats promised in Tania’s smile. “Spontaneity is starting to sound very good to me.”