Lilith - TI3 (9 page)

"She is a very interesting woman," she commented sipping her drink as she observed the crowd's reaction to the tall club owner.

"Yeah! If I didn't know you better, I'd be jealous," replied Dakota, watching the Illusionist's face with interest and perhaps a little insecurity.

Yemaya switched her gaze back to the journalist and smiled mischievously.

"You have nothing to worry about. I doubt if I have what it takes to handle her."

Spewing her drink onto the table, Dakota quickly wiped it up with what few napkins she had and looked around to see if anyone had noticed.

"You have got to be kidding!" she gasped, slightly breathless. "She may have the looks and the moves, but no one can satisfy a woman like you can! Trust me on this one!"

Laughing softly, Yemaya tipped her head slightly, acknowledging her lover's compliment.

"I am glad you think so."

Dakota grinned smugly.

"I know so! Hey, Cammie just came in!" she said looking at the silver haired woman who had just entered the room. Dressed in dark green slacks and a pale green blouse, she stood looking around as if searching for someone. When she spied Dakota, she waved and smiled. The journalist motioned for her to join them. At the same time, Agra showed up at the table with new drinks, including one for Cammie.

"Thanks," she said sitting next to Dakota and looking at Yemaya. "Hi, I'm Cammie."

"This is Yemaya," replied Dakota, not giving her partner a chance to respond.

When Cammie extended her hand, Yemaya had no choice but to shake it. She immediately became aware of a warmth flowing up her arm toward her shoulder and then down into her chest. For a moment she felt as if someone was pushing on her ribs trying to suffocate her. Releasing the grip, nonchalantly, the Illusionist sat back in her chair and picked up her drink as if nothing had happened.

"It is nice to meet you," she said
. Interesting
, she thought, resisting an urge to massage the area below her left breast or renew the contact.

"You too." Turning back to Dakota, Cammie smiled and winked. "She's a real babe."

"Yes, she is," replied Dakota, glancing at Yemaya and then shifting her attention back to Cammie. "So what have you been doing with yourself since we last met?"

"Last met? You make it sound like an eternity." Cammie laughed softly.

"Oh... yeah. For some reason it seems longer. I'm not sure why I said that. Sooo, what have you been doing with yourself since then?"

"You mean after you left? I helped close down the club and then met with a couple of young ladies later. I just sent them home a few hours ago."

"Two? You had a date with two women at one time?"

"It's not unusual. I have a lot of energy."

Yemaya could tell Cammie wasn't bragging but merely stating a fact. Had she been describing her latest meal, it wouldn't have sounded any different.

"I'll say. I barely have enough for this one," Dakota claimed, nodding her head toward Yemaya without looking at her.

Raising both eyebrows, Yemaya remained silent, sensing a subtle change in her lover.

"I find that hard to believe. I imagine you hold your own quite well," teased Cammie, giving the Illusionist a quick glance.

"Yeah, actually I do. She hasn't complained yet. You know I've never tried a threesome. It sounds likes fun. Doesn't it complicate things, though?"

"Not really. As long as you pick the right partners, it can be quite enjoyable. The trick is to make sure everyone is having a good time and to know whom to focus on. Too much attention on one might make the other jealous or cause her to lose interest. On the other hand, you have to let them be as assertive or as passive as they want. Personally I like the assertive ones best. It becomes a small battle of wills, then."

"Wow! Now I am intrigued. I bet you come out on top all the time, so to speak."

Cammie grinned but shook her head.

"Not always. I like top and bottom or the front or the back."

"Do you use any toys?"

Yemaya shifted slightly to get a better view of Dakota's face. The journalist may be a reporter, but her questions had nothing to do with
inquiring minds wanting to know
, at least as far as her job was concerned. This was a completely different person.
Her
Dakota would never be so bold or forward on this particular subject.

"Toys? You mean like vibrators or dildos?"

"Sure or anything else. I bet you’re into BDSM aren't you?" Dakota slid her chair next to Cammie and leaned closer in a conspiratorial manner. "It sounds exciting," she whispered.

"Well, it can be fun. I've done it a few times but only the basic stuff. Cuffs, restraints, dildos, things like that. If someone likes a little pain, I'm not opposed to acting the Dominatrix. Nothing extreme, though. It's not for everyone."

"Hey! Until I've tried it, I'll never know, now, will I? I've wanted to do a little experimentation but never had the nerve."

Yemaya had just taken a sip of wine when she heard Dakota's confession. It took all of her skills not to spit her drink out on the table. Instead, she swallowed hard and then coughed a little bit, trying to clear her windpipe. Cammie looked at her and frowned.

"You okay?"

"Oh, yes, sorry," Yemaya said, her voice slightly husky from the burning in her throat. "Just... inhaled at the wrong time."

"She's fine," interrupted Dakota, making it sound unimportant. "Now, about those toys and things. I'd really like to hear more about them. Perhaps you could show them to me sometime. Give me a little insight into how they work... or some instructions."

Wiggling her eyebrows, the journalist's expression was almost comical but Yemaya wasn't amused.

"Well... ummm... sure. If Yemaya, here, doesn't mind."

"Oh she won't mind. She's not into that sort of thing, but who knows. Maybe I can get her interested with a little coaching. You know, work my own magic on her. Anyway, I'd sure like it if we could get together. I bet we have a lot to offer each other."

Cammie was at a loss as to how to respond to the journalist's advances. Looking toward the Illusionist for help, she gave a slight shrug as if wanting some cue on how to proceed. At that point, Yemaya decided the conversation had gone about as far as it should. Whatever had come over Dakota, she was definitely going to regret this conversation later.

"I think you might have embarrassed Cammie, Dakota."

"Oh, come on! If she can handle two women at one time she can obviously handle me."

"Well, we should head back to the apartment. Tomorrow is going to be busy."

"I know... but what's the hurry? Tonight I feel like having some fun. You go on back if you want. I'm sure Cammie doesn't mind keeping me company. I can
interview
her." Dakota grinned almost slyly.

"I think not. We only have one car, remember?"

"So, I'll take a cab."

"Dakota, it has been a long day for both of us and I am sure Cammie probably has things to..."

"I'm not going anywhere!" Dakota declared, becoming irritated.

Yemaya sighed, not wanting things to progress into an argument.

"Alright, we will stay until you are ready to leave."

"Listen, Yemaya. I don't need a babysitter. You just said you want to go... go! Right, Cammie?"

"Sorry but I'm not getting involved in this one," Cammie said feeling uncomfortable. "Look, I need to talk to Agra and then make a few calls. I'll catch you another time."

Getting up, she quickly walked to the bar and began talking to the bartender.

"Now look what you've done!" Dakota said, angrily. Slamming her hand on the table, she stood up and glared at Yemaya, ignoring the curious glances she was attracting. "You chased her away and now she's with another woman!"

Storming from the room, she ignored the giggles coming from several of the customers. Yemaya, however, didn't. Icy blue eyes stared coldly at the offenders causing them to shift nervously in their chairs and then fiddle with their drinks. At the end of the bar, Lilith watched the scenario and smirked. The Illusionist was a force to be reckoned with.

"Wow," Yemaya muttered under her breath, not sure what had just happened. Pulling a few dollars from her pocket, she slowly got up to leave when she saw Cammie walking toward her.

"Hey! I'm sorry about this. I should have known better, but I thought you two had a stronger connection."

"Connection?"

"I don’t mean that like it sounds. Listen. You need to go after her and make sure she's okay. She's not going to like herself in the next few minutes. Can you meet me tomorrow for a little while? I'll explain everything then."

"I look forward to it! I can be here around five."

"That works for me. Take it easy on her. It's not her fault," Cammie said, sounding mysterious. "Later."

The air outside was chilly. Dakota was leaning against the Jeep, her arms crossed and one foot moving back and forth as she made half circles with her toe. Glancing up at the sound of Yemaya's approach, she quickly shifted her gaze back to her toe.

"Are you alright?"

Dakota nodded but didn't say anything.

"I take it that is what you were trying to describe to me yesterday."

"Yeah," Dakota mumbled.

Wanting to make eye contact, Yemaya bent her knees slightly and leaned down to look into Dakota's eyes. When the journalist refused to look at her, she reached out and gently lifted her chin with her hand.

"Listen, honey, I have no idea what happened in there, but I know that the Dakota in there is not you."

"I'm not so sure. I can't imagine why I would act like that or treat you so horribly."

"You did not treat me horribly, but I have to admit I was fascinated by the change in your personality. It definitely was a revelation."

"I can imagine!"

Pulling Dakota into her arms, she held her firmly, trying to reassure her lover she was okay with what had happened.

"How about we go back to the hotel? Cammie asked to meet with me tomorrow. I think she wants to talk about this. Apparently this has happened before. Would you like to go with me?"

"I don't think so. Tonight was rather humbling and if she has this type of effect on me every time I'm around her, I don't think I want to see her again."

"Are you sure about this? Sometimes it is better to face our demons." Yemaya had no clue about how close to the truth she was.

Torn between a desire to find out what exactly had happened and feeling embarrassed about her behavior, Dakota hesitated.

"I... I don’t think so. Not yet, anyway. I need time to think." Dakota said, dropping her eyes to avoid looking at Yemaya.

Lifting Dakota’s chin, Yemaya leaned down and gently kissed her on the lips.

"Try not to over think this. Let me see what Cammie has to say before you beat up on yourself too much, okay?"

Dakota sighed and nodded but Yemaya could tell her words did little to comfort her.

"It’s just that... well, I feel so awful... like I betrayed you somehow."

"Well, how about you reserve your guilt until we find out what she has to say? As for it being humbling, I think it was a learning experience for both of us. Come on, now. A good night's sleep will go a long way to putting everything into perspective."

S
ITTING AT THE far end of the bar, Lilith watched the two women conversing quietly in the secluded corner. Tall and dark, Yemaya was stunning. Her pale blue eyes reminded the owner of crystal ice. Even Lilith felt the faint stirrings of lust in her groin just looking at the woman... and she had seen thousands of truly beautiful women in her lifetime. Few, however, made her ache sexually. This one did! It was obvious, though, that Dakota held the Illusionist’s heart. There was a time when the challenge of taking what wasn’t hers would have been enough incentive for Lilith but she no longer enjoyed the thrill of such a hunt. The Illusionist's darkness was a different matter. It brought back memories she preferred not to think about, reminding her of someone she had pushed from her life long ago. Why he would be interested in Yemaya aroused Lilith’s curiosity and she was determined to get an answer if for no other reason than to thwart her ex’s plans.