Eden's Garden, page 4
“Guide me, please.”
She directed me, using various ways of meowing and pawing to indicate directions. Only when things became complicated like multi-lane merges did she resort to human words. Her voice, raised to a slightly higher pitch, sent a jolt of squee through me every time she spoke. Adorable didn’t describe it, and I could easily picture snuggling her while she wore little black cat ears and a jingly collar.
Traffic in downtown Norfolk didn’t end up being as thick as I expected. We arrived at the promised parking lot, and since there were still a few hours yet, managed to pick Cami’s perfect spot. She trilled with excitement as we pulled into the slot and her eyes roved over the boats hanging out nearby.
“Do you like boating?” I asked.
Her head swung up and down vigorously before she paused and shook it just as hard. I chuckled at the antics.
“Okay, so is that a yes or a no?”
Her brow furrowed for a moment, and I could tell she was trying to piece together how to portray her feelings in kitty. When she failed to reach an acceptable method, she spoke. “I like watching the water. Sometimes I like splashing in it. But I don’t like to swim. Water scares me. Super bad.”
“What about swimming pools?” I unbuckled my seatbelt as we spoke.
“Uh uh. Sharks.”
I shot a surprised look at her face and realized she wasn’t joking. If she really did have cat ears right now, they’d be laid back judging from her expression. “Got it. No swimming dates. But beach visits are fine.”
“Meow.” She gave a firm nod.
At that, we got out. I followed her lead as we walked around downtown. A few intelligent vendors set up shop on the streets, ready to take advantage of the crowds that would come to see the fireworks. Already, vehicles pulled in and groups of people meandered around. Most of them seemed to be heading closer to the tunnel that connected Norfolk to Portsmouth.
We picked up a couple of hot dogs and soft drinks, along with bags of chips from one vendor, then grabbed cotton candy from another. While eating, and among the growing crowd, Camilla re-emerged. It left me wondering which one came first. Camilla the Calm, or Cami the Cat. Who represented escapism for my new friend that could swing from fun-loving and adorable to mature caretaker in two seconds flat?
Dusk fell quickly, and we made our way back to the parking lot. My jaw almost dropped at the amount of vehicles that filled the once empty space. True, almost half the rows remained empty, but a flux of people certainly knew about this spot.
We approached my SUV, and I popped the trunk. I’d parked with my rear facing the water, so we could perch on the edge of the back and watch in comfort. “I hope the trunk door doesn’t obscure our view,” I said as we clambered into the back.
“Mew!” Wide, excited grey-blue eyes stared at me.
Boom!
She jerked at the loud sound of a firework being shot, but her face fell slack with awe as a red, white, and blue flare of lights filled the sky in a spectacular display. The sizzle as they trickled downward like a flower in bloom filled my own gut with excitement.
“I’ve always loved fireworks.”
“Prrrrr.” Cami pawed at my lap and gazed up at me, her eyes pleading.
“What’s up, pretty girl? Do you want in my lap?” I asked, opening my arms to invite her in.
She let out a happy mrrr and shuffled sideways until her head rested on my thigh. Without thinking, my hand dropped to her shoulder and I stroked her arm in gentle, soft pets.
“Is this okay?” I leaned down to whisper in her ear after another boom resounded through the air like thunder.
“Yes, Mistress.” She snuggled deeper, if possible, moving only to arch up into my touch as I pet her arm then moved to stroking her head.
We sat like that, closed off in our own little world of beautiful fire flowers that danced in the sky and wondrous thunder that thudded through our chests. Or maybe that was just my heart.
Chapter Six
I checked my watch and fought the anxiety that began to niggle in my stomach. So far, Maya ran thirty minutes late. Either that, or she’d decided to no-show me. I would give it fifteen more minutes, then call her. How I proceeded after that would depend on her answer, if she did answer. Whether her lateness came from a free spirit attitude or a Brat testing her limits remained to be seen as well. Fortunately, the coffee shop she’d asked me to meet her at didn’t seem to mind my continued patronage. A half-drunk cup of coffee and a slice of chocolate loaf sat next to me on the table in testament to my patronage.
The roar of a motorcycle filtered through the glass panes of the shop as it pulled up to a parking space. I watched the biker dismount, admiring the way their jeans clung to their frame. A thick black helmet decorated with vivid green flames encased their face, but the pert breasts in a lowcut shirt left little doubt as to gender. When she removed her protective gear, I smiled at the sight of Maya. It didn’t surprise me at all she rode a motorcycle. If anything, the sleek bike suited her.
She walked into the shop, gaze flicking around until it settled on me. Her stride never hesitated as she crossed the space and flopped on the chair across from me. “Sup?”
“You’re late.” I kept my tone light, but knew I needed to bring it to task before it became an acceptable habit.
My date stared at the floor a moment, face clouding. “Yeah. Sorry about that. Got tagged for overtime at work. Got here as soon as I could.”
“Next time, at least send me a text, yeah?” I softened my voice to let her know I forgave her tardiness.
“Can’t.” Her shoulders rolled as she straightened up. “No phones in the shipyard. Stupid ass military rules, but what can ya do about ‘em?”
I tilted my head. “You work in the shipyard? What section?”
A smug smile lifted her lips and a glint appeared in her eyes. “Welding. Anything the boys can do, I can do better.”
Ah, that explained why I hadn’t seen her. My work kept me in the administration offices. Unlike her, I could take my phone with me, but I knew they frowned on it in certain high security areas. It spoke well for her that she managed that kind of clearance as a civilian worker. It meant that, despite her somewhat combative attitude, she was trustworthy.
“You gonna eat that?” She pointed at the untouched slice of chocolate loaf. When I shook my head, she snagged it. “Thanks. Haven’t had shit to eat today.”
“Speaking of today, you’d written that you wanted to meet here which seemed kind of tame for you. Why’d you pick something so…normal?”
At my words, she choked, turning red. Silent laughter shook her shoulders as she covered her mouth to shield the bite she’d taken. Amusement at catching her off guard swept over me, and I waited until she composed herself before cocking an eyebrow.
“Well, y’know. I dunno what you like. I figured we’d do normal shit and see where the wind took us.” Her eyebrows waggled, indicating a sexual undertone.
I tapped my finger against my jaw, searching for a way to take advantage of this. If I didn’t jump in and grab the reins, I lost a key opportunity to earn her respect as a dominant. Problem was, she was right. We didn’t quite know each other well enough to schedule predictably enjoyable outings. However…
My gaze flicked to her motorcycle, then back to her. The jacket she wore covered her arms, but a sneaking suspicion worked its way into my brain. Her gaze turned wary as I smiled in a way that I knew could be described as wicked.
“I have two tattoos, Maya. Do you have any?”
The puzzled expression she shot me didn’t stop her from peeling off her jacket. “Yeah, I got a few.” As soon as the material slipped away, she turned her arms, revealing a grim reaper on one arm, and an intricate hourglass on the other. “I want to get more, but work keeps me so busy, by the time I’m home all I wanna do is crash, y’know? If I’m not working or sleeping, I’m helping Wynny with shit or hanging with her.”
“There’s a tattoo expo in Hampton today. Wanna go?”
Maya performed a double take, and her expression warred between excited and incredulous. “What, now?”
“Yeah.” I stood up, using my body language to show my commitment. “Why not.”
“Let me move my bike to the parking lot first.” She crammed the rest of the loaf in her mouth, and grinned at me. Her full cheeks made her look like a hamster.
I followed her out the door, then climbed into my SUV as she started her bike up. The sound brought back memories of my childhood, and I envied the familiar way she handled the bike. My dad took me on rides a lot growing up, but I never learned how to drive one myself. Since my lifestyle didn’t allow me to lug a motorcycle around with ease, I never tried to take classes or get my license. Moments like these, I regretted that decision.
As she parked her bike, I pulled up beside her. Maya opened the backdoor and tossed her helmet and jacket on the seat before closing it and joining me up front. Within minutes we were merging onto the interstate and headed for Hampton. Quiet lulled between us, and she pulled a pack of gum out of her pocket.
“Want some?”
I shook my head. “Nah. I’ve got to be the only person in the world who hates bubble gum. I don’t mind if other people chew it, but I don’t care for it.”
She shrugged before popping a stick in her mouth. “Keeps me from smoking. I used to kill a pack of smokes a day, but Wynny made me quit. She said if I died from lung cancer, she’d be losing her only family. That shit hit me where it counts, y’know? Gum helps when I need something to do.”
“It sounds like you and Wynn are close.”
“She’s my bestie for restie. We served together. Met in boot, then got stuck on the same unit. ‘Cept she damn near died and I didn’t.” Maya trailed off, falling silent, and I let it go, filing that information away for later. It didn’t take a psychiatrist to see she suffered major guilt judging from that last statement, and it explained why she fiercely protected the shy blonde.
The ten minute drive to our destination passed with only the GPS speaking. When we pulled into the convention center parking lot, my passenger visibly perked out of her sullen shell. Several parking spots remained open, and we found one without effort. Groups of people wandered to and from the door, indicating that the expo remained busy.
“This is my jam, man. I’m totally stoked. I’ve never got to go before.” Maya slid out of the SUV with all the excitement of a child at Christmas.
“Why not?” I asked once I joined her.
Her customary shrug rolled her shoulders. “I dunno. Just never did. Wynny doesn’t like crowds, and if I wasn’t working, I didn’t want to leave her to go by myself.”
“Makes sense.”
We walked across the parking lot, and the energy coming off her grew with each step. Her genuine pleasure at being here pleased me, but also reassured me that I’d made the right choice suggesting this. When I saw it cross my news feed as a nearby event, it piqued my interest for personal reasons. I hadn’t lied when I told her I sported tattoos of my own, though neither neared the size nor intricacy of the ones decorating her arms.
I paid for both of us once we got inside, and as we entered into the main event, the hustle and bustle hit us full blast. Booths and tables and displays filled the interior of the center. Crowds of people milled about, some watching tattoo artists work, others examining wares, and still more walked around, simply enjoying the company of like-minded individuals. Most of the tattoos visible put mine to shame, but Maya’s fit right in.
“Whoa, nice reaper,” a young guy who appeared barely eighteen said as he walked by.
“Thanks!” She beamed at the genuine compliment, and I took a moment to enjoy her like this. None of her guarded, snarky attitude spilled forth. For now, a woman caught up in the joy of the experience stood before me, and she positively glowed. It made her gorgeous in a way I couldn’t explain, but I drank it in, taking my own pleasure in knowing I’d helped make it happen.
As we wandered around, we pointed out different tattoos that we liked and hit up some food vendors. The atmosphere almost mimicked that of a carnival, sans the screaming, wild kids, though some people did bring their children. Somewhere, a muffled voice boomed through a microphone as they performed a presentation.
We drew to a stop in front of a booth that sold leather-looking items adorned with studs or motorcycle motifs and brands. Maya glanced at the section next to us where a tattoo artist sat sketching out a piece of art for an interested client. “You ever wanna get more ink?”
I nodded. “Yes, but I’m not sure what I’d want to get. And I’m too practical to be one of those people that walks into a shop and points at a random tat and gets it. I want my tattoos to have deeper meanings, and that forces me to require so much forethought, I end up never choosing.”
“I get that. Mine, I got after the military. He reminds me that one stupid random flu is the only reason I’m still alive or not hurt real bad like Wynny. He keeps that knowledge real, that Death just does his own thing whenever he feels like it.” She pointed at her reaper, then switched to holding out her arm with the hourglass. “And this reminds me I only have so much time left, so I gotta live it. Can’t get stuck in my head. Your time’s up when it’s up. It don’t matter how hard you play or low you lay.”
“That makes sense.” I ran my finger over a scar that nearly blended in to the hourglass on her left forearm. “Looks like you tried to play with Death at one point, though.”
Her expression clouded for a moment as she bit her lip. “They said they didn’t know if Wynny was gonna make it. And damn near everyone else I knew was dead. I was supposed to be there too, but I was in sickbay with a lame ass flu. I felt like shit. Felt like it shoulda been me, not them. I fucked myself up real good, hoping to join ‘em. Therapist said it’s called survivor’s guilt. They gave me a discharge after they shrinked me for a few months. Got an early out, but at least it was honorable. Now, I stay alive ‘cause it wouldn’t be fair to Wynny or me if I died.”
“Sounds like you both have been through Hell. I’m glad you both watch each other’s backs so well,” I said.
At this, she smiled, and her former cockiness returned. “Yeah. She’s my girl.”
We finished walking through the remainder of the event without saying much more. Her candor at admitting she’d tried to commit suicide surprised me, but with her blunt personality, I shouldn’t have expected differently. Her absolute dedication to her best friend spoke volumes for the huge heart she kept hidden below that bristled surface. When Maya loved, she loved without limits.
“Ready to go?” I asked as circled back around to the entrance.
She nodded, and as we left, she slipped an arm through my, linking us together. “You know, Mistress, you’re pretty cool. I think we could make a go of it and see where the cards lay when it’s all said and done.”
I chuckled and gave her arm a pat with my free hand. “You ain’t so bad yourself. Keep it up and I might let you help me pick my next tattoo.”
Maya grinned at me with a playful gleam in her eyes. “Just you wait, I’ll talk you into a little black heart on your ass cheek.”
“Only if you get a matching one,” I joked back, and we both cracked up.
Chapter Seven
The gentle ambience of the restaurant lulled me as I contemplated the menu, wine glass in hand. A glass of ice water sat nearby, droplets beading on the sides despite the air conditioning. I took a sip of wine, then stilled as a figure pulled out the seat across from me.
"Hello, Eden." Rhett's baritone floated across the table as he smiled at me.
I placed my drink on the coaster as I returned his smile. "Hey there, Rhett. How are things?"
His shoulders rolled in a soft shrug. "The usual. Are you sure you're okay with our arrangement? It's almost a month."
The question made me chuckle. "It's just a car. I'm going to park it in my garage and try to remember to start it weekly. You aren't leaving me in charge of a baby."
"She's my baby," he grumbled as he lifted a menu. "I just want to be sure you still don't mind car sitting while I'm out on a workup."
A waitress appeared and I waited for Rhett's reaction when she stopped at our table. If I remembered correctly, it was the same woman he'd stared at during our munch a few weeks ago.
"Hello, my name's Tiffany and I'll be your waitress today. What can I--Oh, hi, Rhett." Her face blossomed into a broad, welcoming smile.
"Hi, Tiffany. I'd like a glass of ice water, please." To my surprise, he didn't stumble over himself nor did he act shocked to see her.
"Okay, I'll get that right out for you and let you have a moment to look over the menu." She tucked her ordering pad into her apron and waltzed off.
I leaned forward and looked him straight in the eye as I whispered, "You knew she was going to be here."
The corner of his mouth twitched in a dead giveaway that his next words contained some form of half-truths. "I knew she worked here, but didn't know she would be here today."
"Lies," I hissed, then sat upright and composed myself as she brought his water over.
"What can I get you two?" she chirped sweetly. I fought a chuckle as she eyed me, assessing who I was and how Rhett and I knew each other.
We put in our orders and she sashed away again with noticeable extra hip movements. Rhett watched her go, and once she disappeared around a corner, he sighed.
"Okay, so I did know she would be here. I didn't know if we would get her as our waitress," he finally admitted.
I picked up my wine as I cocked a brow. "You need to spill on that situation, 'cause from where I'm sitting, it's looking a tad wonky."
His mouth formed a thin line, and the fun-loving boyish demeanor disappeared. Before me sat Rhett the Dom, and if I wasn't such a raging lesbian, he'd perk my interest. When I first met him, I'd doubted his ability to be dominant. He seemed responsible enough, but his easygoing nature made it hard to envision him demonstrating the firmness most subs desired. Our group leader asked me to sponsor and train him as a favor. I never asked how they met, and once I saw Rhett in action, I didn't care.
