Torch Song Chapter 14
In the end, she decided on a black miniskirt which revealed shapely legs in black tights. Lexy turned sideways in the full-length mirror and liked what she saw. She ran her hands down the cool, smooth leather that hugged her hips and smugly announced, "Tonight, sergeant, you will be the one checking out my arse."
Tess had already left for the theatre and Lexy had time to shower and primp in the empty flat, laughing at her almost adolescent desire to make a favorable impression on Sam. For a non-date, tonight's dinner at a small jazz club in Merchant City was turning into a first-rate production.
Sam wanted to be near enough to the City Centre police station in case she was needed so Lexy let her choose the spot. Lexy also didn't want to suggest a place that may have held special meaning for Sam and Cat. She was fighting enough ghosts already and meeting Sam on neutral ground would give them the chance to focus on each other rather than any painful memories.
Even though she had moved to Glasgow three years ago, Lexy had never found a steady girlfriend and hung out mostly at the city's major gay bars and discos. Sam was right. She had been a player. One of her darker secrets was meeting Frankie in just such a bar when she first came to town. It was over before it even began. A quick shag in a dingy hallway, both of them high on tequila shots and God knows what else. Damn, how she wished that never happened. What would that tawdry bit of news do to Sam? There was so much in her life that she wished never happened.
Now she finally had a reason to believe again, to hope in building a future with someone whom she could really love. Sam was beginning to trust, to pull herself up from the tragic aftermath of Cat's betrayal. Lexy knew how hard it was to start over, to reach out. She had no one for so long that she had come to expect just the one-night stands, the fleeting affairs.
After all, she was the product of damaged goods. "That Price woman, what a lost cause." The words still stung. Even as a child, she could see the contempt and pity in the neighbors' faces. Her mother had never managed to escape the scars, mental and physical, of her drunken husband's abuse. Time and again, she would allow him back into their lives, only to end up feeling his wrath …
The mobile rang and Lexy took a deep breath as she glanced at the caller ID. Time to shake off the disturbing thoughts. Tonight was supposed to be fun, she and Sam – no ghosts of the past.
"Hey you." Her voice wavered. God, I used to be such a tough-ass. I'm really losing my edge.
"Lex? You okay?" Sam detected the slight tremor.
"Hey, right as rain. I just dropped my mobile and was bending down to pick it up." While reliving my sad family history.
"Listen, I have to sign off on some unexpected paperwork so why don't we meet at the club instead of my picking you up? I made reservations so there won't be a problem."
Reservations? For a non-date? This was encouraging. Sam was making an effort.
"Great. I'll get there around seven and carefully explore the wine list whilst waiting for you."
"Hoping to find a voluptuous Bordeaux?" Sam's low voice seemed to draw out every suggestive syllable.
"DS Murray, I promise to select a full-bodied vintage, one which will definitely satisfy your demanding palette." Two can play this game!
"I think you are up to the task." She could feel Sam's smile in her words.
"Alright, then. 'Til tonight."
"'Bye, Lexy."
Lexy put the mobile in her bag, picked up a hairbrush, unpinned her quiff, and slowly brushed her long locks. Tonight, she was letting her hair down.
There was a three-piece combo onstage - piano, bass, drums. The entire room was bathed in blue light. A gleaming bar, all chrome and glass, anchored the corner opposite the stage and dance floor. Very sophisticated, very classy - not what she was expecting. Obviously there was much more to Sam than she had realized. The clientele were both gay and straight couples. They were a mostly young, professional crowd but not loud. Tables for two filled the room. Everyone seemed to be content with their own space whilst the band played smooth jazz riffs. Wow! Quite a change from country and pop. Lexy was so glad that she had gone for a more chic look: ankle boots with heels and a red, long-sleeved mohair sweater.
The hostess checked Sam's name from her list and led Lexy over to a somewhat secluded table in an alcove near the bandstand. Lex wondered if Sam had actually asked for such an intimate setting but then decided it was just a quirk of fate. After all, this was just an attempt to get better acquainted and Sam was not ready for dating. Right?
Sam had signed off on all the necessary work orders, including the assignments for the weekend's stakeouts. She was beginning to get that gut feeling which usually preceded a major breakthrough in a case. Her team had been working hard all week and they had narrowed their attention to two possible locations which could be harboring help for McFeddin as he'd try to leave the country. A reliable source finally came through with the tip that the drug lord was looking to make his getaway sometime in the next 24 to 72 hours. Sam and her officers would make sure that didn't happen.
It had been a challenging but productive week. Sam had immersed herself in police work with a new fervor, renewed confidence. She had Lexy to thank for most of that. What a difference a week had made. What a difference Lexy was making in her life. The anger over Cat had now settled into a subdued ache. Moments of panic had been replaced with moments of pure pleasure, laughter … Lexy. What a jolt of connection she had felt last Friday night when their lips first met. The morning after, it all seemed so wrong. She didn't want to drag Lexy into the undercurrent of her despair. But Lexy was persistent. She could not be pushed away. She didn't even ask for anything in return.
Something had shifted; something good had happened. She sensed that Lexy felt the same. They had found something worthwhile in each other, a safe harbor. Sam owed her so much.
The Blue Note had gotten rave reviews from Ryder. He and Josie had been there several weeks ago when the club opened. Sam and Ryder shared an avid interest in jazz which they did not discuss with their colleagues. League bowling, darts, pub crawling and footie scores were usually the main attractions that held the department together. Sam laughed to herself as she remembered Lexy asking about her iPod playlist. She had quite a collection of jazz classics and was not sure if Lexy appreciated the different artists, but would definitely find out tonight. Ryder said the house band cut quite a groove.
Sam could tell how very much Lexy wanted to go out with her. Choosing a jazz club would make Sam feel more relaxed, take some of the stress out of the whole thing. Lexy said "no pressure"; if only the butterflies in Sam's stomach would now cooperate!
There was enough time for a quick trip to the flat. She changed into a crisp pale-blue shirt and suddenly had the urge to go into her dresser, find a sleek black tie and drape it around her open collar. She usually wore waistcoats but decided to add a gray sport coat instead. Her black trousers and brogues completed the outfit. The whole ensemble was a step above casual but not too stiff or formal. She released the band at the back of her hair and finger combed her mane on the way out the door. This is not a date.
The wine list was impressive. The waiter convinced Lexy to try a French Malbec, insisting that it would rival any Bordeaux on the menu. The musicians were playing a nice mix of slow and up-tempo songs. She sipped her wine and glanced at the couples on the dance floor. She and Sam had never danced. Well, they had, in a group, that very first night they met at Rubie's. Sam had some good moves and seemed to be enjoying herself much more than Cat. Lexy remembered making eye contact once or twice as they all clapped and gyrated to the disco beat. That, however, was not really dancing. Dancing was what was happening here on the dance floor … slow, sexy movements to slow, sexy music. Yes, she and Sam had never danced.
Lexy was on her second glass of wine. The female pianist had a sultry voice and was singing about love gone bad. Great. Lexy hoped the song would end before Sam arrived. Why did the really good songs always dwell on regret and longing? Life's miserable moments seemed to provide the best inspiration. Lexy was glad she wasn't a song writer.
She must have been daydreaming, or this second glass of wine was starting to affect her because, suddenly, she found herself staring into Sam's face. Musicians obviously were taking a break, dance floor deserted. Whoa! Easy on the wine tasting, doctor.
Sam was looking down at her and seemed amused. "Earth to Dr. Price. Were you having a senior moment?" She nodded to the wineglass in Lexy's hand. "I see you started without me."
"Yes, this is a Malbec, with a hint of plum, blackberry, and violet." Lexy raised her glass in salute.
"No wet carpet?" Sam was seating herself and looking for the waiter.
"Nah, just a trace of wet dog." Lexy didn't miss a beat. She also didn't miss how unbelievably sexy Sam looked, and finished her second glass of wine in one gulp.
The waiter arrived, but before he could speak, Sam requested a bottle of "whatever the lady is having."
"Sam! I thought you would want to discuss the wine list, try some other labels. Just because I agreed to the waiter's suggestion …"
Sam winked. "You are so suggestible. But I trust your first choice. I think we should concentrate more on the food. I'm starving." Their eyes met and held on Sam's final statement.
Lexy felt the heat crawling up her neck. Sod it, why did I wear a long-sleeved sweater?
They ordered the Crab Claws as an appetizer. Lexy was finding that, now on her third glass of this delightful wine, she didn't much care what delicacy was placed before her. Sam insisted on the crabs because they were in season and she liked fresh seafood. Lexy was fixated on the slim black tie which added a certain mystique to Sam's attire.
"You look like a dick."
Sam snorted into her first glass of wine. "What?!"
Lexy tried to make her case. "A dick. A private eye. I've never seen you looking so, so … dickish. The coat and tie add a lot to your …" Oh, hell, what am I trying to say?
Sam sniffed her wine and took another sip. "This is pretty powerful stuff. Did you consume the first two glasses on an empty stomach?"
Lexy giggled. "Believe me, I know how to control my liquor." Somewhere, in the recesses of her mind, a warning bell began to ring.
Sam, on the other hand, did not seem overly concerned and continued to tease her slightly inebriated companion. "So you think I'm butch, huh?"
Lexy took a long, loving gaze and replied, "You are the finest example of law enforcement I have ever seen. Dick or no dick."
Now it was Sam's turn to feel the heat travel up her collar.
The Crab Claws arrived in all their splendor. As methodical as she was when cooking at home, Sam prepared her utensils and carefully began cracking and pulling the crab meat from its shell. Lexy was fascinated with the determination on Sam's face.
"Sam. Would you just open all the crabs? I'd rather not get any squirting juice on my sweater."
"My pleasure. You do know that the best meat is the hardest to reach. We have to suck the claws once I'm done."
Lexy's glass of wine spilled on the linen tablecloth. She was on her fourth glass and now convinced that she was having an out-of-body experience. That's it for the wine. I'm drinking mineral water the rest of the night.
The attentive waiter rushed over to blot the stain and Sam continued attacking the crabs. Soon, both she and Lexy were dipping the crabmeat into the melted butter and smiling broadly. Sam speared the final piece and leaned over the table to place it gently into Lexy's mouth. She then began sucking the crab claws without even realizing that her love of seafood was wreaking havoc on Lexy's libido. Lexy, on the other hand, was convinced that she did, indeed, die and go to heaven. Definitely an out-of-body experience.
By the time their main course was served, the jazz combo had returned to the bandstand and were playing swing classics. Sam's face was aglow as she watched the musicians work their magic.
God, she loves music! This is so good for her. I think I can learn to love jazz too.
Sam turned back to Lexy and declared, "Ryder was spot on. This trio is excellent. I've missed live music."
Lexy asked, "Do you play?"
Sam seemed wistful. "No, not anymore. I took guitar lessons when I was a kid. Seems that I put it aside once I was busy catching criminals and upholding the law."
"How did you get into jazz?"
"My dad, oddly enough. He started me off on his Smithsonian Collection and then I began listening to jazz radio stations. Couldn't get enough of it - all styles, really. And the ladies who sang the blues, the torch songs, just tore me up. I wish I could sing like that."
"Wait 'til you hear the pianist. She sang a few before you got here."
As if on cue, the upbeat tempo came to an end and the bass player started a slow, throbbing four-beat rhythm which was soon embellished by the deep, resonant voice of the pianist. A torch song? Luckily, no one was leaving anyone. The singer just wanted a "Sunday Kind of Love". Nice. Lexy found herself caught up in the lyrics. They really spoke to her.
Sam watched the candlelight on their table envelop Lexy's face as she seemed entranced by the music and the dancers on the floor. She had never seen a more beautiful sight. Lexy was so unguarded, so lovely. Sam was torn between her new feelings for Lexy and her unresolved feelings for Cat. She could feel herself slipping, the edges of panic trying to slide back into her life.
"Lexy." She hated to break her partner's reverie, but she knew that they had to leave.
Lexy glanced at Sam and saw that she was in distress. "Stay calm. We can ride this out. Let's get you outside." As the song ended, Lexy called the waiter over, told him there was a medical emergency, that he should finalize the bill and she would meet him at the bar in five minutes to make payment. Sam was already walking quickly to the exit.
Dammit! Sam leaned against the brick wall, willing herself to concentrate on her deep breathing, angry at herself for this setback.
She was hooked as soon as she saw Lexy in that red sweater, her hair flowing freely around her face. She had never seen her so relaxed, so stunning. And her slightly tipsy state only added to the charm. The wine and the dinner were fab. It was the music. The music was her undoing. She wanted nothing more than to take Lexy in her arms and dance the night away. But, suddenly, she remembered how Cat felt in her arms. How they often danced to the seductive strains of Sam's jazz classics, lingering in each other's arms, finally leading each other into the bedroom …
An arm went around her shoulder. Lexy's concerned face was peering into hers. "It's alright, Sam. It's going to take some time. I'm not giving up on you, on us."
"Etta James."
Lexy was totally confused.
"It's a jazz standard. 'Sunday Kind of Love.' Etta James has one of the best covers." Sam touched Lexy's warm cheek. "It's part of my collection. Someday, I'll play it for you … and we'll dance."