Pushing Up Daisies (6 page)

He found the sandal fifty feet from the wreck and carried it back to Sarah. She was helping Daisy stuff two backpacks with weapons, ammo, bottles of water, MREs, a med kit and some tools. When House saw the tools, he lifted one eyebrow.

Daisy shrugged. “You never know what we might need.”

“Did you find the satellite phone?”

Daisy held up a crushed phone. “The laptop and the com equipment were in the cockpit.”

“We still have our chips. They'll find us.”

Daisy and House were both equipped with tiny chips beneath their skin for ease in locating them after exactly a crash like this.

“They won't send a bird out until after dark,” she said. “We need to lay up until then anyway. It's too frigging hot to travel.”

“You two get going. I have to take care of the helicopter.”

“What?” Sarah said.

“Policy, we blow any wrecked birds. House will take care of it.”

“Why?”

“We never leave anything for the enemy. Who knows what they could use this for…propaganda photos, parts for their own equipment, anything. So we destroy it.”

Sarah waited a good distance away. When the bird went up, House loped into view. “You guys ready?”

Daisy and Sarah nodded. “We're good,” Daisy said. “Let's hit it.”

House grunted as he shouldered one pack. Daisy hefted the second and they started out. Daisy kept her M-4 across her arms. House wore two pistols on his belt and a huge K-Bar in a sheath built into his body armor. They were as ready as they could be.

“Do I get a gun?” Sarah asked. “I can shoot. My father taught me.”

House dived into his pack and emerged with another pistol belt, this one with a Walther PPS in the holster. He wrapped it around her waist and cinched it tightly. She was very slender. Ten inches of belt strap dangled. He whipped his K-Bar out and sliced the end off with one swipe.

She expertly ejected the clip, checked it was full and slapped it back into the pistol. “What's this tape on the handle for?”

“It's grip tape. Helps you hold onto it if it gets slippery.”

“For sweat?”

“Nope, blood.”

She shuddered delicately. “Well then, okay, thanks.”

Being this close to her, he smelled her fear, dried sweat, and a subtle coconut and floral scent. As a werewolf, all his senses were heightened. She stirred something inside him. Her bravery in the face of danger was admirable. She stood in front of him in a torn dress and sandals, her shoulders back, her mouth quivering with a half-smile.

“This was all my fault,” she said with a sigh. “I don't know how I can live with it. You lost your men because of me. That poor blond guy and the black man.” Tears filled her eyes and spilled over. “How can I live with this?”

He patted her awkwardly. “You have to. No choice. We all have something on our backs. Don't make their sacrifice in vain. Live and move on. Don't let the bad guys win.”

She sucked in a long breath. “I won't.”

Sarah's heart was weighed down with guilt. All those men had died trying to save her. Where were Freidrick and Coop? If they'd died, it was her fault. How could she live with this and go on? Her head drooped as she walked; the guilt a weight pushing her down.

They hiked for thirty minutes over rough ground. It was tough in her sandals. They were stout, but designed for beach and walking on concrete. They crossed two dry riverbeds. Daisy held her arm and helped her down the steep sides. House marched ahead, setting a hard pace. He constantly scanned the sky, sometimes turning to gaze into the distance behind them.

“The Somalis won't come across the border, will they?” Daisy asked.

“I don't think Al Shebab recognizes borders,” he growled.

They found the cave. It was little more than a hole in a red, rock face about seven feet high. The hole opened under a small ledge about two feet off the ground. They had to duck to enter. Sarah took one look behind and couldn't see the smoking ruins of the wrecked helicopter. She gratefully dived into the shade offered by the cave.

Inside, Daisy pulled a plastic mat out of one of the packs and spread it out in a corner. “Sit on this,” she said to Sarah.

Sarah allowed Daisy to help her drop to the floor of the cave. Her gaze met Daisy's and something passed between them. Her thoughts drifted to Eloise Lefavre's hand on Hillary Wilkins' thigh. Warmth spread through her and she looked away from Daisy's intensity. Daisy was gay.

House set up a watch post at the entrance and Daisy sat next to Sarah. She opened an MRE, stuck the food pouch into the bag and a horrible smell rose from the sizzling contents. Sarah wrinkled her nose and Daisy laughed.

“Don't worry, it's not the food that stinks. It's the chemicals heating it.”

She handed Sarah the heated pouch. “Sorry, all we got are the ham steaks. We're out of chili mac, but you get Skittles.”

Sarah picked at the food. It was hot but tasted weird. She ended up with the bag of Skittles. While she munched on candy, Daisy ate Sarah's food and her own. House walked into the cave, sat down and heated himself one.

The three of them sat in the cave as the sun slowly set. The temperature in the cave dropped and Sarah began shivering. They had no blankets. House stood up. “Keep her warm. I'm gonna check the area.”

He tossed Daisy the M-4. “Don't fall asleep.”

Daisy snagged it in mid-air. “I won't.”

House ducked as he slipped under the low entrance and was gone. Daisy moved close to Sarah and put one arm around her shoulders. She used that arm to pull Sarah close to her. “You need some of my warmth. It's gonna get colder.”

“Why did he leave?”

“He's upset. He just won't say. He was close to Gopher. And House has this personal promise to all the members of his team. He never leaves anyone behind.”

“He couldn't help it. They were dead.”

“It doesn't matter. House will go back. You can count on it.” Daisy stared out the opening. “If we ever get out of here.”

Sarah leaned against Daisy's solid body. The woman had zero body fat. The plates of Daisy's armor were hard under her head. Every time she moved, she bumped them. “Your armor is hard.”

Daisy lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “Want me to take it off?”

Sarah felt something race through her. She'd never had sex with another person, never wanted to. Daisy lowered her hand and gently stroked Sarah's side very close to her breast. “You're a virgin, aren't you?”

“Is it so obvious?”

Daisy smiled and shrugged. “I'm a woman. I can tell.”

“You like women, don't you?”

Daisy moved her hand so it touched the side of Sarah's breast. “I love women. I've never been with a man voluntarily.”

“What does that mean?”

“I was a kid in a very bad part of L.A. My mom had to work all the time.” Daisy stopped and took a deep breath. “No girl gets out of the barrio with her virginity intact.”

Sarah touched Daisy's face. “I'm so sorry. Is Daisy your real name or something like House?”

Daisy nodded. “Daisy is a call sign as in Daisy Duke or pushing up daisies. My real name is Alexandra Lopez.”

“What was Gopher's real name?”

Daisy's face stiffened. “Why do you want to know?”

“I want to remember him by his real name. He seemed like a nice guy.”

“His name is Jason Poole.” She thought for a moment and then smiled. “And as far as guys go, I guess he was a good one.”

“What about House?”

“House is special.” Daisy leaned close, her face inches from Sarah's. She smelled of sweat and some kind of soap and deodorant. Her hair was pulled into a braid down her back. She'd taken the baseball cap off. Her eyes were amber, almost yellow. Sarah shivered with strange emotions.

When Daisy kissed her, she responded in a way she'd never done with a man. Daisy's lips were soft and full. Sarah opened her mouth and allowed Daisy to lick the inside of her lips and touch their tongues together. It was the lightest touch, just a flutter of contact. Sarah couldn't help herself. She moaned in Daisy's mouth.

Daisy moved her hand from the side of Sarah's breast to cup it. She thumbed the nipple through the bra and Sarah squirmed.

“We shouldn't,” Daisy mumbled, but her hand was already touching Sarah's thigh, sliding under the loose dress, and moving higher. She kissed Sarah's cheek, her throat, and her collar bone as she stroked the silky flesh.

Sarah's head fell back as she thrust her aching nipple against the teasing fingers. What was wrong with her? Her legs opened and Daisy slipped her hand under the edge of Sarah's panties. This was wrong and she didn't care. Her breathing was rapid, her pulse raced and her heart hammered in her chest. The warmth between her legs had turned into a raging inferno of need. She wanted Daisy to touch her there, to put out the fire with her fingers.

Daisy knew what they were doing would piss off House. She was supposed to be guarding the girl not ravishing her. But Sarah wanted it. She was willing, more than willing. Her legs were open and her moans were an invitation to explore further.

Sarah pushed at the armored vest. “Take it off,” she breathed.

Daisy complied. Under it, she wore a skin-tight, black T-shirt. Sarah pushed it up. The rack Daisy was so famous for was stuffed into a sports bra. Sarah slid her hand under the elastic and found Daisy's nipple. She pinched it softly and Daisy threw caution to the wind.
To hell with House.

She slipped the T-shirt off and pulled Sarah's dress over her head. Her white skin glowed in the moonlight with bikini tan lines. She wore plain white panties and a plain white bra. Daisy reached behind her and unsnapped it, pulling it off in one smooth move. Her white breasts had plump, pink nipples. Just looking at them made Daisy's breath catch in her throat. She wanted her dildo so she could fuck Sarah's brains out. She wanted to hear Sarah's screams of pleasure as she lay under her.

Daisy lifted both breasts in her hands and caressed them. “You have beautiful breasts.”

Sarah's chest heaved with passion. “Take off your bra.”

Daisy grinned and pulled the sports bra over her head. Her heavy breasts thrust forward with erect, dark-red nipples. Sarah reached for them, touching them tentatively at first, then with more authority. Daisy put her head back and enjoyed the sensation of having her breasts touched while she stroked Sarah's nipples, pinching and tweaking the points.

“I don't know what to do,” Sarah said in a throaty whisper.

Daisy leaned forward and kissed her, the passionate kiss deeper than any she could remember. “Lean back,” she said when she ended the kiss.

She helped Sarah lie back on the mat. For a moment, Daisy paused to enjoy looking at Sarah lying there waiting for her caresses, then she pulled those sensible underpants off. Sarah was virtually hairless. Her mound was swollen and the lips were open and bright pink.

“I want to look at it,” she whispered.

Sarah nodded. “You are looking at it.”

Daisy grabbed the flashlight. “No, I really want to look at it.”

Sarah gasped. “Okay,” she finally breathed.

Panting with need, squirting with excitement, Daisy switched on the light and shined the beam on Sarah's pussy. In the light, it glowed bright pinkish red. Daisy opened the lips with two fingers and shined the light inside. Sarah moaned. “I don't know what's happening to me.”

Her clit was pulsing. Daisy knew what was happening. Sarah was seconds away from climaxing. She slipped a finger into the wet opening and Sarah lifted her hips. “Please,” she begged.

Daisy's breathing was deep and erratic. She was close to coming and her pants were still on. She glanced at Sarah's face. Her eyes were closed and her nostrils expanded. Her lips were parted. She moistened them with the flick of a tongue. Daisy picked Sarah's hips up by grabbing both cheeks of her ass. Sarah's legs fell open and Daisy buried her face in the moist, fragrant flesh.

Sarah's moans of pleasure became louder and louder until she gasped and grabbed Daisy's hair. She fell back on the mat panting and moaning. “Oh my god, what just happened?”

Daisy wasn't in the mood to listen. She dropped her khakis and black-lace, thong undies to her knees. With the light shining on Sarah's open pussy, she masturbated. She couldn't take the excitement even one more minute. Sarah lifted her head and watched. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Daisy's fingers buried in her shaved mound. “I could do that,” she whispered. “I want to.”

“Can't wait,” Daisy gasped as her orgasm rocked her. “You got me so freaking hot.”

While the spasms subsided, she knelt between Sarah's legs. The realization of how wrong this entire action was with Sarah rushed over her. House would be more than pissed. “We shouldn't have,” she said tossing Sarah her panties. “We could have been attacked. I don't know what came over me. Get dressed.”

She pulled her underwear and her khakis up and searched for her bra.

“Your breasts are a lot prettier than mine,” Sarah said as she put her bra on. “I could look at them for hours.”

“That all depends on what turns you on,” Daisy said. She pulled her T-shirt on and shrugged the armor back into place. “I like yours better.”

Daisy picked up Sarah's dress to help her put it on, when she felt a hard object in the pocket. “What's in your pocket? It feels hard.”

Sarah's eyes flew open. “Oh my gosh, I forgot.” She took the dress and put her hand into the pocket. She hesitated. “I found this in the tomb right before the pirates attacked. I never even looked at it closely.”

She pulled a small golden object out of the pocket and held it clutched in her hand. “My friends died for this.” Tears filled her eyes.