Getting Lost Read online

  Phoebe smiled, warm and brilliantly. “Well, it works. I was beginning to wonder how you functioned on a daily basis.”

  Stella pressed on. “So, you’ll come?”

  “What about the group? They’ll demand your attention.”

  “I’ll ignore them if I’m faced with a greater demand.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “It’s not just their free night. It’s mine too, and if I want to spend it chatting with you, then I will.” She winked. “Plus, I know how to work the group. Ten, maybe fifteen minutes at the beginning of the evening, I’ll get round to all the different groups, and no one feels neglected. Trust me. You know I’ve done this loads of times.”

  “I don’t know anything about you, Stella. I really don’t fancy a late night.”

  “That’s okay.” Stella hoped she was wearing her down. “I’ll walk you back any time you want to leave.”

  “You’ll walk me back?” Phoebe laughed outright.

  Stella could feel herself blushing again. Damn it. “Yes, as a matter of fact. I’m asking you to accompany me for a drink, so of course I’ll walk you home.”

  Phoebe was nearly doubled over now, laughing. “You’ll walk me home?”

  “Why is that so funny?”

  Phoebe wiped tears from her eyes. “Because look at you. You’re hardly an imposing figure.”

  “I’m not walking you home to win any gallantry awards. I’m walking you home because it’s the appropriate thing to do.” Stella nodded once, indicating that was all that needed to be said on the subject.

  “Really?”

  Stella grinned. “I don’t want a late night either, and if I know I’m returning with you, I can fend off anyone else who has designs of accompanying the tour manager home.”

  “You have ways around everything, don’t you? You work the group so they’ll leave you alone and you hardly ever drink, but appear to. Do you always get your way?”

  “Mostly, but you and I both know that nothing is ever really as it seems. Is it?”

  Phoebe frowned, but it faded before they both turned their attention to the food in front of them, completing the meal in comfortable silence.

  With extra minutes up her sleeve, Stella had time to quickly dash across the road to the late night chemist and stock up on hydration supplements. She took the stairs to avoid the temperamental elevator, and had only descended one flight when a familiar hostile voice gained volume on the level below.

  “Don’t you dare talk to me about intimidation. You don’t know what intimidation is. You know nothing about me, yet you judge me. So, by all means be intimidated, or not. I don’t really care. But I warn you, don’t stand too close to me at a train station.”A door slammed and the bang echoed through the stairwell as footsteps rushed toward her. She had nowhere to go without looking suspiciously like she’d been listening, so her only option was to drag her phone from her pocket, grasp the door handle, and look like she had barely stepped into the stairwell. Within a moment, she was confronted with a breathless and tearful member of her group.

  Stella couldn’t remember her name, so pretended to end her call before gently squeezing the upset woman’s shoulder. “You okay, honey?”

  “Phoebe Lancaster is evil. Pure evil. Did you hear what she just said to me?”

  Stella was hopeless at lying under these circumstances, but finally remembered the woman’s name. “No, Anna. I’ve been on the phone. Is there a problem?”

  Anna inhaled deeply, swiping tears from her eyes. “Look, just keep her the hell away from me. That’s your job isn’t it? And I’ll be making a complaint to your office back in London. That woman should not be on this tour.” She brushed past Stella and continued up the stairs.

  In the foyer, Stella found Phoebe standing alone, as usual. She firmly grasped her elbow. “Walk with me, please.”

  “What?” Phoebe stood her ground.

  Stella glared and tightened her grip. “It’s not a request.”

  The moment they stepped onto the street, Phoebe dislodged her elbow. “Well?”

  “What happened just now with Anna, on the stairs?”

  Phoebe was controlling her anger rather well. “Oh, that? Why don’t you ask her?”

  “Because I’m asking you.” Stella marched up the adjacent alley, out of sight from the hotel entrance. Phoebe followed.

  “Don’t you dare judge me, Stella. She started it. I just—”

  Stella lowered her voice. “I know.”

  “—finished it.” Phoebe looked confused. “What?”

  “I’m not stupid. How did she bait you?”

  Phoebe echoed Stella’s words. “Bait me?” She shook her head and began to pace. “I haven’t let anyone suck me in like that for years.”

  Stella figured as much. “Why now?” Phoebe continued to pace, her mind appearing elsewhere. Stella caught her wrist. “Phoebe? Why now?”

  They stood only a short distance apart, Phoebe staring down into Stella’s eyes. “I don’t know. I let my guard down. I was looking forward to our night out, and I guess I just wasn’t expecting a confrontation. That girl was out of line. She told me to stick to the lift and stay out of her way. I didn’t mean that stuff about the train. I had nothing to do with what happened to Pippy.”

  “I see.”

  “I wasn’t following her.”

  Stella moved to entangle her fingers gently through Phoebe’s. “I don’t want you giving the head office any reason to remove you from this tour.”

  Phoebe nodded, eyes down.

  “Look at me, Phoebe.” Stella gently shook their hands. “Please?”

  After a long moment, Phoebe’s eyes locked on hers. Stella smiled. “You’ll want to kiss me soon. When you do, don’t fight it.” She released their touch and returned to the hotel foyer to assemble the troops. Phoebe silently followed.

  *

  Matt’s flirting was insatiable; Stella had met her match. Phoebe was sitting this dance out, and Stella was beginning to wish she’d done the same. It was one thing for a single man to pay her so much attention, but Belinda was right there, dancing with them. With absolutely no alcohol in her system, Stella’s senses were heightened by sobriety. The only person she wanted invading her personal space was Phoebe, and she was slouched at the bar wearing an unreadable expression, observing Stella’s every move.

  As the dance floor became crowded and personal space became impossible, Matt slid an arm around Stella’s waist, drawing her close. This was the sort of dancing that usually preceded sex, and it caught Stella off guard. Although keen not to offend Matt, Stella attempted to dance away from his solid grip. After all, his actions were inappropriate given he was on holiday with his wife. Her vague moves were met with resistance, although not from Matt. Behind her, sliding right into her backside, was Belinda. Over her head she watched as the pair eyed each other seductively. She became an unwilling participant in their dirty dancing sandwich.

  Stella was in the process of formulating a plan to extricate herself when a soft yet strong hand gripped hers and dragged her away. “You looked like you needed rescuing. Sorry if you were enjoying that.” Phoebe released her grip. Outside the pub the air felt moist. Rain was on the way.

  “Enjoying it? Are you kidding? He had a hard-on.” Stella shivered at the thought. “Christ, I hate that.”

  “Happen often?”

  “More often than you’d think.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. You are very tempting.” Phoebe flashed a smile. “I think the attraction is there for both of them.”

  Stella looked toward the sky. A storm was brewing. “I’d prefer any attention I attract to come from elsewhere.”

  A firm arm gripped her waist from behind. “There’s something about you, Stella,” whispered Phoebe in her ear before gentle lips brushed her nape.

  Before Stella could respond, a deafening thunderclap filled the air, and lightning illuminated the sky, causing them both to jump. Rain began to fall in sheets and the moisture bu
ilding in her pants was instantly forgotten.

  “Come on,” yelled Phoebe over the deafening rain. “Let’s make a run for it.”

  Rapidly, the streets thinned of people, and Phoebe led Stella at a steady pace toward the hotel. Although her legs were considerably shorter than Phoebe’s, she kept in step, successfully dodging puddles and leaping over strong streams of water that accumulated and travelled at speed down the street gutters. As they passed a section of covered market stalls near the hotel, they both jumped at a crashing noise. Stella swung around, but the rain was so heavy, all she saw was a bin rocking back and forth on its side. A shadow disappeared behind a green canvas cover that was secured to a trestle table.

  “Did you see that?” Phoebe yelled.

  Stella stopped to analyse the situation. The heavy rain on the tin roof was amplified and deafening. All up, there were approximately fifteen covered tables. In the daytime, the stalls sold fruit and local produce. They were usually a welcoming sight, and Stella had purchased from the vendors on many occasions.

  Stella felt exposed and the danger, if any, was unknown. She tugged Phoebe into a squatting position, hopefully out of sight. Just when she’d convinced herself that hiding in a deserted market was a ridiculous notion, wet, sloshing footsteps scuffled behind them. They both heard it and snapped their heads around searching for the source, but Stella saw nothing. Then, two tables away, to their left, a definite shadow darted in front of the streetlight, and clear as day, the silhouette of a person emerged before them. Two scary silhouettes in as many nights and Stella was beginning to wonder if she was jinxed.

  They scrambled back on their hands and knees to crouch beside a wooden crate. Another bin crashed to the ground at the northern end of the marketplace, and Phoebe’s arm encircled Stella in a protective hold.

  If it weren’t for her growing fear and the unpredictability of the situation, Stella would have gladly melted into the embrace. One strong arm encircled her entire waist, while the other gripped her hand, holding it to her chest. But there was no room in her emotions to enjoy the closeness. Were they hiding from someone just like them; caught in a rainstorm on their way home, or was it something sinister?

  Rain lashed down, and lightning lit up the sky like a nightclub strobe. Although she didn’t want to look, Stella peered around the corner in the direction of the noise. Again, a silhouette danced from one side to the other. Christ-all-fucking-mighty! The shadow appeared to close in. Every time it revealed itself, it had crept nearer. This wasn’t someone lost or seeking shelter.

  “Someone’s there!” Stella screamed before Phoebe’s hand clasped tightly over her mouth.

  “Shh,” whispered Phoebe, directly into Stella’s ear.

  Logic told Stella she should have been frightened, terrified even, as her head was forced back onto Phoebe’s shoulder by the pressure on her mouth, but it was confusing. She was more frightened of the situation than she was of Phoebe.

  Stella calculated that their only option was to make a run for it and pointed to the shelter of a shop doorway across the road. Phoebe nodded, released her grip on Stella, and together they ran.

  In the shelter of the doorway, Phoebe yet again protected Stella, as if in her arms was where Stella belonged. This time Phoebe pushed her to the corner and used her body as protection, one hand behind her back grasping Stella’s.

  Stella’s view of the marketplace was obscured. From her cramped corner, she could see Phoebe scan back and forth. Stella pushed her forward, determined to gain her own view. Her eyes, now completely adjusted to the dim streetlight, scanned the length of the marketplace. Other than flapping canvas, she could detect no movement.

  “Can you see anything?” Stella asked.

  “Nope. Not a thing.”

  Stella felt Phoebe relax.

  “Let’s give it a minute. I think we’re safe here,” said Phoebe.

  As quickly as the storm had swirled up and become menacing, the rain subsided to a mere steady drizzle and the wind died down.

  “Was I seeing things when I saw something? Someone?” Stella moved from behind Phoebe but refused to release her hand.

  Phoebe sighed. “No, I saw it, too.” Phoebe scanned the area before pulling Stella out of the doorway, along the street toward the hotel. “Opportunistic, premeditated, or pure coincidence?”

  “Pardon?” Stella hurried to keep up with Phoebe’s long strides.

  “We perceived danger. If, for argument sake, that danger was real, then was it opportunistic—he was in the right place at the right time—or was it premeditated—we were in the right place at the right time—well, for him, anyway.”

  Stella was beginning to understand. “And if there was no danger, it was purely coincidental, right?”

  “Right.” Phoebe ushered her through the hotel foyer and into the lift. “What’s your gut tell you?”

  Stella looked down at herself, grinning at the puddle her dripping clothes were creating on the floor. “My gut tells me I need to get dry.” The lift door creaked open, and Stella realised their rooms were in opposite directions. “Minibar?” she quickly suggested.

  Phoebe hesitated. “I don’t know. It’s been a long day.”

  Stella swiftly closed the distance between them. “I’ll only lie awake all night going over this in my head. I’d rather dissect it with you.” She reached up to wipe away a series of drips running down Phoebe’s cheek. “I’m not ready to say good night to you yet.”

  Phoebe remained undecided.

  “Minibar, bath robes, hot shower, and I can have the hotel dry our clothes overnight.” Stella smiled. “Come on. Surely that’s an offer you can’t refuse.”

  Phoebe simply nodded.

  *

  Stella watched, lazing back on the bed, marvelling at Phoebe’s lean and exquisite body. She was a voyeur, staring at Phoebe relaxing under the stream of hot water, the shower door wide open. My God, you’re beautiful. Get on with it.

  Phoebe finally came to her. She tugged at Stella’s T-shirt, eventually slipping it over her head. “Let me make you feel better.”

  After the night they’d had, Stella could think of no reason to argue and her desire was so strong, she would be lucky to form words regardless. She watched as Phoebe slowly and sensually slid on top of her. Stella needed tending to, needed to feed the hunger that surged through her body, culminating in a knot of passion, slowly creeping down from the pit of her stomach to the throb building momentum between her legs. Stella adored the silky touch of Phoebe’s naked body, the curves, the soft, lightly tanned skin, and the scent; she adored Phoebe’s powdery clean aroma that lingered on her skin and in her hair.

  “God, I need this.” Stella caressed Phoebe’s supple breasts, kissing her until their mouths met. “I need you to fill me.”

  With an unexplained familiarity, Phoebe’s hand explored between Stella’s legs, moving to part them. “Shh, just relax.” She glided her fingers through Stella’s wetness and moaned at her obvious arousal before circling her clitoris and withdrawing altogether. Their mouths met again.

  “Phoebe, please,” groaned Stella through the kiss, raising her hips, encouraging her hand back to her desire. She wanted Phoebe to take her. Take her in mind and body and make her forget the world beyond the four walls that enclosed them. “Phoebe, I’m begging you, please. I’ll explode.” Stella became light-headed, convinced her veins were forcing every last drop of precious blood to her groin.

  Undeterred, Phoebe took one nipple in her mouth and began gently caressing the other. Stella writhed, beginning to comprehend the fine line between agony and ecstasy. In rhythm to Stella’s increased breathing, verging on panting, Phoebe increased the intensity of her caresses pushing Stella to the brink.

  “Please, I want to come,” urged Stella.

  “No, when I’m ready.”

  “I need this.”

  “I know you do.” Phoebe wouldn’t give in.

  “Oh, God, Phoebe, I can’t take it anymore.”

/>   “You can and you will.” Phoebe’s tone was so loving, so gentle. She released Stella’s nipple after one last long, deep suck, then leaned up and filled Stella’s waiting mouth with her tongue, her fingers finally seeking out where Stella so longed to be touched.

  “Oh, God. I can’t last.”

  “Not yet.” In one swift motion, Phoebe entered her and withdrew again. Stella edged even closer to orgasm. “You’re so beautiful. When you come, you come for me.”

  “I will. I promise. Please, just let me.”

  Stella opened her eyes to see Phoebe relish the power, and she wondered how long she could deny her. She didn’t have to wait long, Phoebe slid down her body, licking the inside of her thigh. As Stella clawed at the sheets, Phoebe’s tongue circled her clitoris.

  “Inside me, please.”

  “Wait.” Phoebe’s tongue dipped briefly inside before resuming her assault on Stella’s swelling clitoris.

  Stella had been pushed as far as she could physically and emotionally go and just when ecstasy was on the verge of becoming unbearable, Phoebe entered her with one finger, withdrew it and re-entered with two. She moved inside Stella deeper and faster.

  Stella was convinced she no longer had use of her arms and legs. Her entire focus was on what Phoebe was so deftly accomplishing between her legs. The intensity was increased when Phoebe added a third finger. Stella was only seconds away from climax when Phoebe used her whole body to increase the momentum on the thrusting movement.

  Phoebe thrust deeply, rocking the bed and sliding Stella upward with every thrust. “Come for me. Come now, baby.”

  The third finger worked like magic and Stella found the release she had longed for. Her orgasm exploded with a show of light behind her eyes. The muscles still surrounding Phoebe’s fingers contracted and relaxed, but the heat inside her tingled down her legs and up through her stomach.

  “You’re mine when you come.” Phoebe smiled triumphantly.

  “God. I can’t argue with that.”