Chapter Five

Veronica

 

I smiled to myself as we strolled, knowing the purchase I’d made included the very lingerie set Cass had stared at. I knew her size and the assistant had fetched them from the storeroom without Cass realizing. I’d seen this set in the catalog and was pleased with myself for knowing her tastes and how those tastes matched my own.

It had been years since I’d been to Brighton pier. I also wanted to try the new i360 tower. I knew from the way Cass had fucked me against the window on the twentieth floor that neither of us had a fear of heights. A flush of heat rushed through me at the memory.

We wandered around the pier and played on the slot machines, which seemed so much more complicated than they’d been when I was young. I said as much.

“Anyone would think you were ancient,” Cass replied, laughing. I loved her laugh.

“I am beyond thirty,” I admitted. “Though only just.”

“Me too and so what? Enough, pet. I was promised fish and chips. There’s a place over there and we can find a bench. I can’t remember the last time I ate food wrapped in newspaper while sitting outside.”

The smell of the battered cod and chips brought back memories of those few times Mum had treated us to a chippy tea with fish. A lot of it had been scraps, those little pieces of greasy batter rescued from the huge vats of oil used for frying. A couple of fat seagulls landed on the wooden boards in front of us, hoping to capture a stray chip. It could be dangerous eating out.

“Ha’way with you,” Cass said, waving her arms.

I stared at her. “Are you a Geordie?” I asked.

“I am, pet,” she said, grinning broadly. “I gave myself away. Bugger! I worked hard to get rid of my true voice, but it comes out sometimes. I was born in Newcastle but got moved around the system. My foster parents moved south for my father’s work when I was a teenager, and I was encouraged to lose the accent so kids didn’t make fun of me in school.”

“It must have been hard,” I said. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to—you know, how you ended up in foster care.” But I want to know.

She took a deep breath and stared out to sea. “I never knew my father. I’m not sure my mother did either. She was a drug addict. No doubt some bloke she thought was her boyfriend had got her hooked. She’d managed to keep mostly clean while she was pregnant with me, but it didn’t last. There were always more men ready to tempt her back.”

Had her early experiences put her off men?

“My mother got caught shoplifting when I was five. Social services took one look at where we lived and took me into care. At first, I was in a group home. After that, I had a few foster places, then this older couple took me on when I was ten. They were nice enough and at least encouraged me in school, but I wasn’t their child. I did well and was about to start my A levels when they were killed in a car crash. Some drunk driver doing nearly a hundred miles an hour plowed into them. I decided there and then to take control over my life in every way I could. Social services found me a room in a shared house, then I found a job in an office.”

Bloody hell. “Did you ever see your mother again?” I asked.

“No, but I discovered later she’d been found dead from an overdose. They didn’t know if it was an accident or not.” Cass grasped the bench either side of her thighs. My heart ached for her. My childhood hadn’t been easy, but I’d had a mum who loved me and worked three jobs for me and Theresa. I still had her. Cass leaned her head on my shoulder despite being surrounded by others, a gesture somehow more intimate than anything we’d done. I stroked her hand. I struggled to find words that wouldn’t sound patronizing.

“I expect you’re curious to know how I got to the States,” she said.

“You don’t have to tell me,” I said, though Cass was right—I was curious.

“The simple answer is I followed my boss. Shelley Howden was going places, but she had a secret life as well. A couple of years after I moved to London, I became her PA. We’d met at a club which catered for a certain clientele, and let’s say I made sure I took care of all her needs. I couldn’t believe my luck when she took me with her to New York. There I was, living in this huge city, like someone from a film. As you know, I was still working for her when I met you. I fancied you straight away and was determined to get to know you better. Shelley and I had an amicable, but non-exclusive, arrangement. As long as I was available for her, I could be with whoever I wanted. That I was good at my job was a bonus as far as she was concerned.”

I hated the thought of her with someone else, but I’d guessed as much. “But you came back here.”

“Shelley found the love of her life, got married and had a baby last year. No place for me then, so I decided to come home. Let’s say she gave me a generous severance. I had enough to buy somewhere small in London and still have some savings.” She skewered a few chips and ate them. “You know, I can’t remember the last time I had chips like these.” She gazed out to sea then along the promenade. “It’s beautiful here. I might investigate the costs of commuting. Imagine being able to sit on the beach every day. I love London, but the air here has a special quality to it.”

I didn’t comment. We sat in silence for a while, eating, people-watching, letting the sun warm our skin. The beach had filled up with excited families. Some brave souls had even ventured into the sea. I was reminded of the day Mum had taken Theresa and I to Whitstable. I’d always loved the beach. We’d packed our bathers and buckets and spades, dug holes and made castles. Perhaps I’d investigate property here. A tiny dream blossomed of me and Cass being able to sit on a balcony together, sipping drinks at the end of a day. I’d had enough of being by myself. Could we be more?

“Have you finished?” she asked, standing.

“Yes.” I handed her my rubbish and watched her stroll to the bin.

“So, what else do you have planned for us,” she asked.

“Are you still good with heights?” Her grin told me she got the reference. I’d hoped some day we might get to repeat the experience.

“Color me intrigued,” she said, now smirking. “What do you have in mind?”

I turned and pointed to the i360. “I thought we might get a better view from there.”

“I’m game if you are, though it might be rather too public for repeats. I mean, I know you like living dangerously but…”

I closed the distance between us. “Only with you,” I whispered in her ear. “Only with you.”

The attraction was busy when we got there, and I was glad I’d bought our tickets online. We grabbed a quick drink in the café at the bottom while waiting for the pod to return to the ground.

“It looks high,” Cass said. “I think it might be higher than the twenty-second floor.” Her wink did things to my insides. I’d never been in love, but in the last week it was as if I’d turned on a tap or unblocked a sink. I smiled to myself. Not the best of analogies. I’d never set my imagination alight, allowed my daydreams to roam free or believed there might be a future with someone else in it. Now, when I gazed at Cass, a whole host of possibilities opened. Not like a can of worms, but like a favorite book I loved to dip into over and over again, one I’d never part with. A tap on my arm broke my train of thought.

“I don’t know what you were thinking, but you had a smile on your face. The pod is here.”

“So it is.” I took her hand and pulled her forward, not caring about anyone else. She didn’t pull away. Soon we rose and turned slowly through three hundred and sixty degrees. I clutched at Cass. “It’s making me dizzy.”

“Let’s sit.” Cass took my arm and guided me to the seating.

“Wow,” I said. The English Channel stretched one way. We could see ships passing through the busiest piece of water in the world. In the other direction lay Brighton and the south coast.

“I wonder exactly how far you can see,” Cass said. “Those are the South Downs, aren’t they?”

“The website said you can see to the Isle of Wight on clear days. Can’t see to France though. When I was young, we went on a week-long school trip to North Wales. Mum worked so hard to pay for me. I remember one of the boys asking if we could see France when we visited the Welsh zoo. I hope his geography improved.”

“I went on a few one-day school trips. There was one to Edinburgh. We went to the castle. Scared me shitless when the canon went off. I’ve always loved castles.”

“Then you’ll enjoy the wedding next week,” I said, grinning.” I forgot to mention the wedding is at Lever Castle.” I let the information sink in.

Cass stared at me. “The one with the moat and the towers at each corner?”

“Yep. And we’ll be staying there overnight in one of the castle bedrooms.”

“Oh my God. That must be costing a fortune.” She covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry, how crass of me.” Her cheeks gained a rosy hue.

“You know, I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen you blush. But don’t worry, they can afford it. Theresa’s sold over a million books.”

I watched Cass’ face as the penny dropped. “Wait a minute. There was a big article online about a celebrity wedding at a castle. Nooooo. Really? Are you kidding me? Is your sister Tess fforbes-Smith, the crime writer? I’m reading her latest now.”

I’d noticed. “That’s her, though we still call her Theresa because it annoys her.”

“Aren’t they making her first novel into a movie?” Her hand clutched my arm.

“They are,” I agreed.

“And isn’t she marrying Marty Attis, the England footballer, in what’s been described as the wedding of the year?”

I nodded. “She is, and we’re going.”

“I need a drink.” Cass held out her hand. “Look at me. I’m shaking.” I’d never seen her less than confident.

“They’re just people,” I said. “My mum did well with her girls. She’ll be weeping buckets on the day, and with me bringing you as well…”

“Your family won’t mind? You are out and everything, aren’t you? I don’t want us to be a distraction.”

“Stop worrying. I may have mentioned I might be bringing someone, and they’re dying to meet you.” I took a deep breath. “And I’ve never brought anyone home before.”

“Okay. That’s…umm…intimidating, but nice.”

The pod started to descend. For the rest of the afternoon, we strolled along the beach then returned to the hotel. We decided on dinner out and to try a local nightclub.

“We need some dance practice,” Cass insisted. Her usual composure was back. “And I’m looking forward to getting close and personal with you on the dance floor.”

I couldn’t wait.

 

* * * *

 

Some hours later, at a club, we’d danced for over an hour and I needed to sit. I leaned into Cass. “It’s so loud and crowded,” I complained. She grinned and moved nearer.

“All the better to get close to you.” She wrapped her arms around me from behind, brushing her hands across my breasts. I automatically glanced in all directions, only to find no one appeared to care what two thirty-year-old women did on the dance floor. The place we’d chosen was recommended for its diverse clientele, and there were certainly more interesting people to look at than us. My feet ached. I was definitely out of practice.

“I’m all sweaty,” I said, wiping my brow. Cass kissed the nape of my neck.

“I know. You’re such a gorgeous mixture of citrus and you. Makes me long to taste you.” She licked the spot just below my hairline, as I’d chosen to wear my hair up this evening.

“Oh God, Cass. The things you do to me.” One kiss, one lick had me aching. She grabbed my hand and dragged me through the crowd to a small booth in a dark corner. “I’ll get us a drink,” she said.

While she was gone, I watched the crowd. The music was from a mixture of times, but it all had the same driving beat. My sister had chosen something less pounding for her wedding, but then they could afford to hire someone who currently rode high in the charts, seeing as he was a friend. Cass reappeared with two glasses and sat close to me. I gulped down the cool liquid rather too quickly and burped. Cass placed a hand on my thigh.

“Now, about those things I do to you?” she said, walking her fingers over the cotton culottes I’d chosen to wear teamed with a sleeveless cotton top. I might not have been the height of fashion… Oh. Cass had found her way under my top, lifted the waistband of my culottes and started stroking my skin. I knew where this was heading and put my hand over hers.

“We can’t,” I said, shifting in my seat.

“No one will see or hear,” she whispered. “Not with the music playing.”

She knew me too well, knew what turned me on and pressed my buttons, and knew I loved danger, within limits. The idea of being caught, of being daring and naughty, fed my adventurous side. I moved my legs apart. No one would see her movements under the table of the booth. She let her fingers trail circles over my stomach then twirled my pubic hair, pulling slightly. I never shaved, believing women should have hair, even if sometimes a person did swallow some. She slipped a couple of fingers lower, pushing between the folds until she hit my clit. She faced me now, stuck out her tongue and ran the tip across my lips with her back to the dance floor. I shivered.

“Oh yes,” I breathed. I could see all the people moving while she rubbed. Being in public like this—seen but not seen—turned me on as much as her actions.

“You’re so wet,” Cass said. “I wish I could get on my knees under the table and eat you out. It wouldn’t be my first time under a desk.” But not with me. Still, just the thought had me squirming on the pleather seats.

“Can you imagine me between your thighs while you took a meeting? My tongue licking you, my lips sucking on your clit while you had to maintain control?”

I kissed her to stop her talking. She rubbed harder and that familiar feeling of something gathering, desperate for release, grew stronger. I breathed in and held each breath, waiting again and again as I thought I was finally there, then wasn’t.

“Come on, pet. Come for me. Come with all these people in the room.”

“At last,” I gasped. The contractions hit me hard. She caught me in another kiss, and I panted and cried into her, clutching at her with both hands, until I could stand no more and shook my head. She stopped and removed her hand before leaning back beside me. Nothing had changed. No one stared. The music continued. People danced. Cass lifted her fingers to her mouth and sucked on them. Shit. Would I ever get enough of this woman?

I let my breathing subside then swallowed what was left of my drink. I needed to freshen up. “I have to find the ladies,” I said.

She grinned at me then winked. “Why don’t we get a taxi out of here instead and take this back to the hotel, my pet? You can wait. It won’t take long then it’s time for my turn.”