Part 24

Andy is still not sure how fast they manage to leave Miranda's London condo, catch a taxi a few streets away, and now they're at Luton airport, where Miranda has arranged for a private jet. Torn between trying to act casual about this extravagant way of traveling and wanting to ask where the hell Miranda has stowed this amount of money, Andy just keeps in the background for now.

"We're in luck. Not only do they have a jet ready to embark to Geneva in two hours, but we're also able to share it with some representatives of some IT company that apparently like sharing the expense. That way our names are not at the top of the contract." Miranda looks pleased as she adjusts her scarf. "You're looking a little pale. Hungry?"

Andy shakes her head and wishes she hadn't. She is actually quite dizzy, but not from a sugar-low. "Things are moving fast." And she was also trembling inside in a highly unpleasant way—and had been ever since they read through the damn Amaranthine Law.

"Well, we have two hours to kill. Let's go to the VIP lounge and find a quiet corner. I'm traveling under the name Moira Parker and that woman is quite well off."

"I guessed as much," Andy mutters as she follows Miranda through the part of security where nobody has to wait in line, and they're whisked through in minutes. The VIP lounge is nice and the sitting areas arranged to create privacy for work and rest. Dividers provide protection from prying eyes, and Andy sits down on a plush couch after pulling off her coat.

A host shows up and Miranda orders some snacks and hot tea. When he returns with a tray, she tips him and asks for privacy. The tip must've been good because the young man looks like he's ready to post armed guards to accommodate Miranda.

Miranda sits down next to Andy and takes her hand. "You're cold. Come here." Wrapping an arm around Andy, Miranda takes their discarded coats and cover them both. "London can be damp and raw this time of year."

Andy knows this is only part of the explanation. Her shivers are more likely a reaction to everything going on. She suspects Miranda is well aware of this, but if she doesn't want to speak about this upfront, then Andy's not going to bring it up. "Yes. Damp and raw." Andy can hear the hollowness in her voice and obviously, Miranda can too, because she hugs Andy closer.

"Why don't you have some tea? The cucumber sandwiches look all right. And there are scones with jam and clotted cream. Very British." Miranda tips Andy's head back by placing a curled ringer under her chin. "Please." She kisses Andy lightly.

Yeah. Perhaps something to eat will help steady her. It's ridiculous to be this taken aback, even if her entire view of the world, and, God knows, lifetime expectancies in general, has thrown her off her game. Secretly pinching her thigh through the jeans, Andy winces at the pain but manages to sit up and peruse the tray. She pours them tea, pleased to see that she's not shaking on the outside, at least.

It's amazing how food can, at least temporarily, settle you. Nutrition, warmth from within from the tea, and Miranda, who doesn't remove her arm around Andy's shoulders, all contribute to her feeling more like herself. And with that, the questions begin popping out.

"Moira Parker? Is that to keep the same initials?" Andy whispers the words after swallowing the last of half a scone and licks her lips to catch errant traces of clotted cream.

"Exactly that." Miranda finishes off her mug of tea. "Having personalized luggage and other items etc." She keeps her voice barely audible. "After a while, you learn these things."

Anything to make things easier, if there was such a thing when it came to Miranda's life. "Why Geneva?" Andy realizes how shaken she must have been since this morning. Normally, these would have been the first words out of her mouth.

"Iris died in Suisse alps. My plan is to find out what happened to her, exactly. Perhaps we can do that from Geneva, otherwise, we'll rent a car and go there. Sound doable?"

Andy isn't sure, but she's seen Miranda pull strings several times now, so why doubt this plan? "Unless the stalker or stalkers have figured out your new alias, it sounds doable. We could start at the main library in Geneva."

"Yes. Agreed." Miranda leans back after checking the time on her phone. "We have another hour before our flight. I'll set the alarm on my cell. We'll need our strength later."

Andy doesn't hesitate but scoots closer and places her left hand on Miranda's thigh. No matter what, she is going to keep the pain the future held like the sword of Damocles over her head, at bay. Knowing that Miranda, who lives and breathes the Amaranthine Law, is eventually going to withdraw, perhaps vanish completely, from Andy's life, is beside the point right now. Andy isn't going to let that discourage her from grabbing every single moment of closeness, and yes, happiness, that she feels when she's close to Miranda. She turns her head toward Miranda and presses her lips against that soft, creamy skin, just below her earlobe.

Miranda sighs and puts her hand on top of Andy's. "Andrea."

Andy doesn't care where they are or the risk that the host might appear at any time to remove their tray, she slides her hand up another few inches and kisses a trail along Miranda's jawline until she finds her mouth.

Miranda is waiting for her. Her lips parted, her eyes half-closed, she studies Andy with fire burning in her blue eyes. Andy squeezes the inside of Miranda's thigh and the heat under the fabric of Miranda's pants, makes her close the distance between their lips. This is what Andy wants, this unrestrained, passion-filled caressing of lips and tongues. That together with the heat between Miranda's thighs, is dangerous.

Slowly, Andy tries to take the fiery touches down a notch, but it's damn near impossible when she can feel Miranda having the same struggles.

"You are evil," Miranda wheezes against Andy's lips. "Doing this here. In public. Is evil."

"You may have a point," Andy whispers and pulls back enough to avoid the risk of self-combustion on her part. "To my defense, we ignited more violently than I thought possible."

"We did." Miranda runs a hand over her face. "And until we're actually alone, now we know better."

Andy gapes, but then promptly closes her mouth. Does Miranda really mean that she is ready to let Andy that close when they are alone next time? They are already hurting because of their non-existent future, because of that 'law', and so far they've there's only been kissing and some caresses. Is Miranda prepared for how it will feel after they make love?

Despite her bravado only a moment ago, Andy isn't sure she'll survive such an emotional hit-and-run.

xxxxx

Continued in part 25