Preamble Binds
Dinner had been a somber event. Blair had excused herself and headed to the carport to collect her car - a convertible, 1976 vintage Porsche. It was candy apple red, tan leather interior with gold trim.
She had entrusted the keys to Admuir every Tuesday to take it to his shop and give it a thorough and detailed polishing and cleaning.
While driving it around town, she loved the attention it brought her. Many onlookers not only admired the car, but also the beauty driving it.
Blair smiled to herself as she peeled out of the mansion's cobblestone driveway and onto the road that led to the main highway. The motor was smooth and hummed and she closed her eyes for a second, absorbing the feel of it.
She had put the top down - the wind whipping through her hair. She lifted the blonde tresses from her neck and let the air cool her damp skin; letting the strands fall through her fingers, tickling her palms, before shaking out her mane.
Blair put her sunglasses on, and then drove at a steady pace through the country side toward the city. The stress of the day had caught up with her and she just wanted to escape for a while.
Nearing the city she stopped at a red light; taking the opprotunity to check her text messages. "Nothing…nothing…ah…" She'd found the one she was looking for and smiled, then sent a brief reply back.
She checked her reflection in the rear view mirror and fluffed her now slightly disheveled hair. A fresh coat of lipstick was applied as she turned on the radio; the channel already set to her favorite contemporary jazz station. She hummed along to the familiar tune as she felt herself unwind, and relaxed as the car glided through the streets.
There were still quite a few cars about, but traffic had lightened up considerably since rush hour.
A little while later Blair entered Manhattan and headed to the Upper East Side…
"You want to tell us how the heck you can survive in that thing and in this heat, Jo?" Natalie pointed to the leather bomber jacket carefully folded on the seat beside Jo.
Dinner had gone well enough for the longtime friends. They'd covered various subjects, including Jo's job, Tootie's latest show and Natalie's lagging career.
Natalie was working on a stalk of celery. She bit off a piece and gagged a little. She hated it, but it was part of her new Mediterranean diet. All through dinner her will power had been tested by sitting in the Italian café with dinner companions who had insisted on ordering two of its best dishes, and now dessert.
Natalie had ordered the soup of the day and salad.
"Jo?"
"Yeah, sorry." The brunette tapped her phone screen then set it on the table. "…you know, it keeps the sun off my back." She stated simply then started to dig into her chocolate fudge sundae cake.
Tootie's brow creased. "You could die from heat exhaustion." She eyed the brunette as she devoured her dessert.
Jo hummed at the taste then swallowed. "Guy's, it's not as bad as it looks." Picking up the jacket, she opened it. "It's perforated…see?" She turned it around.
Natalie bit off a stalk. Sure enough… the little tiny holes were visible only when close up. "Huh, would you look at that!" she crunched.
"Yeah… well just something I picked up in LA when I first got there." Jo refolded the jacket and placed it beside her. "Some little shop that sells kind of weird but useful stuff. It's hot most of the time and I got tired of getting sunburn on my back." She explained. "Besides, I like the way I look in it. It's loose and comfortable. The fact that it's perforated helps circulate the air. It's great for when I'm sitting still in traffic."
Natalie and Tootie both nodded their heads in understanding.
Jo's phone pinged again and two sets of eyes watched as the brunette picked up the device and examined the screen.
Jo tapped it a few times. "It's work." She gave them an apologetic look. "They keep badgering me for feedback." She let out a nervous chuckle.
Tootie smirked. "Don't tell me they have you working on weekends now. Jo you just moved back!"
Jo shook her head. "It's just my boss. I'm not going in until Monday." She eased back down in the booth seat and lopped off another piece of oozing chocolaty cake, then moved it around in the melted ice cream before eating it.
Natalie groaned at the sight then sighed. "Before I forget Jo, we're doing this every third week of the month…usually Friday… six pm."
By this she meant all of them getting together and catching up. Jo swallowed then took a sip of ginger ale. "What if I can't make it?"
"Well if you have a good excuse, we'll let you slide. But now that you're back in the city, I'm sure you'll be prompt." Tootie grinned at the brunette.
Jo considered that for a moment. "You know… I can understand today, but what about Blair dropping off the face of the earth?" She wiped her mouth with a napkin and gazed expectantly at her two dinner companions.
"She's been busy being a Warner remember?" Natalie said offhandedly. "Besides I've talked to her. We had lunch last week."
Jo lifted a brow. "Really?"
"Yeah." Tootie answered. She noticed the questioning look on Jo's face. "We've all at least heard from her, right?" She looked around the table.
Jo put her fork down. "Not really…" She cleared her voice.
Natalie smirked. "Well, you're the only one that's been out of the loop, Jo. You can't really blame Blair for not being able to call you up for a quick lunch." She pointed out.
Jo shook her head. "No. It's not that…" She paused. "I haven't talked to Blair in almost a year."
Two sets of eyebrows shot up in question, then furrowed in confusion.
"You're kidding right?" Tootie looked skeptically at her longtime friend.
"No. I'm not kidding." Jo stated a little defensively. "Anybody want to tell me why?" She felt agitated.
"Well, for starters, you have been a little hard to get in touch with, Jo." Natalie informed. She pinned Jo with a look. "Color me shocked when you finally reached out and touched someone last week to inform me you were moving back to the city."
Jo made a resigned face. It was a fair remark. "Well… I'm just glad JTI finally opened an office here," She explained. "And yeah, I jumped at the chance when they offered a few of us to move to the new office. They said I would be a good fit. Besides, I missed you guys, my family… and, yeah, even Blair," she added with a little laugh, then went back to eating the last of her cake.
"Did she at least try to call you?" Tootie asked.
Jo looked up at the question. "Not that I know of. The last time I talked to Blair was maybe… nine months ago."
Tootie and Natalie exchanged puzzled looks.
"Huh. Last week when we met for lunch she said she'd talked to you recently." Natalie offered. "I asked her how you were doing and she said fine then changed the subject. I figured you two had one of your arguments and dropped it," she shrugged.
Jo's eyes narrowed. "Well she lied. Every time I've called her it's gone straight to voicemail." She lowered her eyes to her plate moving the melted ice cream around with her fork. "She must have fifty messages from me," Jo said. "I gave up about two months ago. I figured I'd see you guys anyway when I got back and got all settled in." She flashed a weak smile.
"I'm glad you did Jo. We've all been busy with our career's but we really missed you." Natalie said.
Tootie nodded her head in agreement and gave Jo a warm smile. "I'm sure Blair will be glad to see you too," she added.
Jo lifted a skeptical brow. "Time will tell," she scoffed. "Besides… she's probably concentrating on more important things right now." No doubt bossing people around… her favorite sport, she mused.
"Hmm…" Tootie tapped her lip gently with her fork in thought. "I wonder what's going on at Warner Textiles now that her uncle's deceased."
"They're probably restructuring." Jo said, drinking the last of her ginger ale, crunching the ice.
"You know what Nat?" Tootie's eyes widened with realization. "This might be the break you've been looking for; a chance to do a story on Blair! I bet things are probably a little shook up over there."
Natalie considered that for a moment only to feel a little bemused. "I wish… Harris is a hard sell. He's never considered me for covering anything of substance, Toot."
"Yeah, but you know Blair personally," Tootie reiterated. "Sell that to him and see if he'll bite."
Natalie chuckled. Tootie was notoriously optimistic. "What… tell him I can get an inside scoop because I know the niece? Yeah right. Tootie he already has reporters assigned to the corporate sector. Besides, he keeps reminding me I'm a cub reporter."
Natalie bit the last of her celery and made a face… it was more bitter than the last bite. She threw the remaining stalk on her plate, then took a long drink of ice water.
"Oh well… I mean…" Tootie shrugged indifferently. "You could at least mention that you know Blair and could get him some inside scoop. It'll be good for your self esteem to stand up to the guy." She said trying to sound upbeat.
Natalie set her glass down and gave Tootie an incredulous look. "What. Are you my life coach now? My boss turns a deaf ear to my every suggestion!"
Tootie stared, then slowly blinked annoyed eyes at the cub reporter. "It was just a suggestion!"
"Yeah, well your suggestions could get me fired!" Natalie moved to pick up another piece of celery then thought better of it. "Inside scoop…" she muttered, frustrated.
Tootie opened her mouth then snapped it closed. "That's it! You're going off this diet!" She waved an angry finger at Natalie.
"What? Why?!" Natalie shouted.
"Because it makes no sense and you're in a bad mood all the time!" Tootie crossed her arms with a huff. "I don't even know why you're on the damn thing anyway, you look just fine." She flicked her eyes over Natalie before rolling them.
The reporter sighed heavily. "I've told you this before Tootie, it's for stamina! I have to be able to go out into the field at a moment's notice!"
"And eating twigs and leaves gives you stamina?!" Tootie snapped.
"No, it gives me energy! I get gassy when I eat carbs, you know this!" Natalie stated, leaning toward Tootie to make her point.
Jo chuckled, watching them. She had missed her friends back and forth banter. Her phone sounded again and she glanced at the screen, deciding to answer it this time.
"Polniaczek…uh huh …ok… when?… sure…ok, no problem." She ended the call. "Guy's I'm sorry, I really have to go and check this out." Jo gave them a remorseful look.
"I thought you said you didn't have to go in until Monday?" Tootie questioned.
Jo reached under the table and picked up her helmet from the floor. "I just need to look over a few things their sending to me. My laptop's at the apartment," she supplied. "I have a program I'm working on and I need additional information, you know… boring stuff." She waved it off then got up from the booth.
"Slave driver." Natalie muttered.
Jo cracked a grin. "More like trying to meet a deadline unfortunately." She pulled out several bills from her jean's pocket and threw them on the table.
"Don't forget we're doing lunch next week, Jo." Tootie reminded. "I'm showing you where my next play is taking place."
Jo shifted her helmet to her other arm, grabbing her check from the table. "I wouldn't miss it." She smiled at her friend.
"Be careful going out." Natalie lifted her leg, showing off the now dried mud her shoe was encased in.
Jo gazed at the spectacle. She tried to suppress a grin. "Not a problem. I came in through the back remember?"
"Lucky you," Natalie made a face at Tootie who rolled her eyes back at her best friend.
"See you guys later." Jo waved, then went to the cashier to pay her bill. She made her way through the kitchen toward the back door and nodded a "thanks" to the owner, Geno, then exited the café.
Unlocking her bike and starting the motor she checked her phone, noticing a new voicemail.
She tapped the number and listened. Smirking, Jo returned the call. "Hey…yeah…Tootie and Natalie…no they don't suspect anything. I covered. Don't worry about it…ok… I'll be there in a few…" Stuffing the phone in her jean pocket, Jo revved the motor then secured her helmet on her head.
She released the break and backed the bike up, looking behind her as she cleared the alley and threw the gear in to drive. She swung out into the street, noting the lighter traffic. Good. The sun was just starting to graze the tops of the buildings, casting streams of rays onto the street. It was getting cooler, though not much more than a very warm draft – Jo settled into a steady pace…
"I can't believe no celebrities tonight." Natalie looked around the café, her eyes stopping, before squinting at a man in the far corner of the place. "Travolta?"
Tootie turned to see what her friend was looking at. She smirked. "Impersonator."
Natalie raised a brow. "Really? He's good…looks just like him," she mused.
Tootie shook her head, chuckling. "Yeah, when he was in Pulp Fiction Nat."
"Oh," Natalie laughed a bit embarrassed. "Well, I'm going over to Mom's after I leave here. She's having problems with the cable again."
"Tell her to get satellite. It'll change her life," Tootie stated. They had both paid their separate bills by credit card earlier; their dishes had been cleared.
"She hates satellite more than cable…" Natalie responded.
Tootie rolled her eyes as they moved to exit the booth. Her foot hit something on the floor under the table, and she bent to pick it up. "Oh, no…"
Natalie looked as her friend lifted the offending object. Oh man. "Jo forgot her jacket."
"I'll call her. Maybe we can swing by her place and drop it off." Tootie retrieved her phone from her purse and tapped in Jo's number. A faint ringing noise sounded.
Natalie paused. "Did you hear that?" She asked.
"Yeah," Tootie ended the call then tried the number again; this time they both listened closely.
"It's coming from Jo's jacket. Tootie, she left her phone!" Natalie stated the obvious.
Tootie turned the jacket around as it rang - finally finding the pocket that contained Jo's phone. It was in one of the inside breast pockets. She pulled it out. "I thought Jo's phone was bigger than this." She turned the device around in her hand.
Natalie furrowed her brow. "Huh. I could've sworn she had her phone with her when she left." She eyed the device. "Let me see that."
Tootie gave the phone over to Natalie. It was smaller than the one Jo was using earlier. "She probably has two phones… one for work." Natalie examined it a little closer. She tapped the screen noting it was locked. She gave it back to Tootie who put it back in the jacket pocket.
"She hasn't called us, so I doubt she realizes she left it," Tootie said.
Natalie nodded, then made a decision. "Let's tell Geno we're bringing it to her in case she calls the café."
Tootie agreed. "Good idea."
Tootie and Natalie exited the café and hailed a cab. They gave the cabby the address and headed for Jo's apartment.
"…this is good." A lazy hand lifted out of the bubbly hot water, then gentle fingertips slowly smoothed over the soft surface of a long elegant neck; drifting down to rest on a collarbone. "Mmm…"
Half lidded eyes drifted closed as the warm water of the Jacuzzi tub hummed. A low current flowed around the body it contained. Blair had meticulously pinned her hair up, then wrapped it in a silk scarf, careful not to get one strand wet. She stretched her legs out and sighed. The day had taken its toll and now it was time to relax and unwind before tomorrow's activities.
Tomorrow.
She didn't want to think about it. Not now…not tonight.
Blair reached for her phone that sat on the edge of the tub, thank goodness it was waterproof, and checked the time. Better get dressed. She sat up feeling the cool air wafting around the bathroom. The air conditioner was working overtime to keep the top floor cool. She shivered as her nipples tightened at the change in temperature.
She toweled off then moved down the hall to her bedroom, nakedly padding her way over to the large walk in closet. She decided on a silky pink ensemble – camisole top and long silk evening pants. She slipped on dainty, yet comfortable, one inch heeled slippers.
Blair combed through then fluffed her hair. She put a light amount of makeup on her eyes and cheeks before applying her favorite brand of perfume behind her ears. She then blotted on shimmering lipstick and glanced at herself in the mirror. Not bad…
She made her way down the hall which led to an expansive and elegant living room. The large penthouse afforded her a panoramic view of the city via floor to ceiling windows - from the spacious kitchen to the living room.
She paused for a moment enjoying the view. The young executive loved the scenic expanse of being above the city. She felt a quiet sense of peace… it was almost therapeutic. There was a sliding glass door that led out to the balcony where she would sometimes sit for hours, just reading or meditating. The noise and pollution of the city were a non-factor that high up.
She went to the kitchen and retrieved two long stemmed wine glasses, then moved to the living room and set them on the coffee table beside the bucket of chilled wine she had arranged earlier.
The intercom sounded and Blair made her way, rather eagerly, to the door to answer it.
"On."
The small screen on the device showed the face of a slightly graying concierge who was in the lobby.
"Yes, William?"
"Miss Warner, your guest has arrived."
"Thank you William. Please show her up."
"As you wish Miss Warner."
"End." Blair cleared her voice. A wave of excitement washed over her. She tossed her hair into place one last time and smoothed her outfit with nervous hands.
A few moments later, a light tap sounded on the door. Blair calmed herself, taking a deep breath to steady her rapid heartbeat, then casually opened the door.
She was greeted by a dubious smile. Appreciative eyes flicked over Blair's figure. "Well aren't you a sight."
The brunette woman on the other side drawled the words with a wide toothy smile. She noticed Blair's creeping blush and chuckled as she caught the sharp intake of breath from the blonde executive.
Blair smiled as she gestured for her guest to enter the penthouse. "How have you been?" she asked, relieved she was able to keep her nerves from affecting her voice. She led the woman to the couch.
"Well… and you?" A dark eyebrow lifted in question as Blair sat on the opposite side of the couch.
"I… I'm fine," Blair swallowed thickly. She rubbed her hands together in her lap, glancing at the woman and noting she was sitting casually. A leg crossed at the knee with one arm slung across the back of the couch… it was almost predatory.
She looks… really good… Blair let her mind drift for a moment. The woman wore a dark gray pantsuit with just enough cleavage for…
"Blair."
Brown eyes snapped to those of her guest. "Hmm?"
A chuckle was followed by a knowing smile. "I'm not going to bite." The woman purred.
Blair noticed she was patting the couch cushion, indicating the rather large space between them. She let out a nervous breath. "Wine?"
The woman took in a breath, disappointed. "Maybe half a glass." She said as she watched Blair abruptly stand to grab the chilled wine bottle from the ice bucket.
"You smell incredible," she added, partly hoping to diffuse some of the tension, but meaning every bit of it.
Blair smiled at the compliment as she licked dry lips and uncorked the bottle. She poured two glasses of the vintage libation. She could feel the woman's eyes on her and tried to ignore the fact that her hands were shaking. Oh God…get a grip!
She closed her eyes momentarily before turning around. "Here you are," she smiled.
She handed the woman her glass, then decided to walk over to the windows looking out over the city. The sun was starting to set just a little.
Before she could take a sip, Blair felt warm fingers slowly pry the glass from her hand. She almost protested, but thought the better of it as she looked back and gazed into knowing eyes.
She let it happen…all of it. The arms that encircled her waist from behind, the breath she felt on her neck as the woman spoke.
"You're running from me."
Her voice was low and throaty, and Blair could feel herself melt at the sensations. She allowed her head to recline back onto the strong shoulder she found there. Her companion was at least an inch taller than she was. It was a good fit. They stood like that for a moment, facing the city, taking in the view… and each other.
"I'm just… it's been a long day and…oh," Strong fingers massaged stiff shoulders, digging in then smoothing the muscles with a rhythmic pace. Blair bit her lip to keep from crying out at the wonderful feeling of tension leaving her body.
"You are really good at that." Her voice was tight, and she let out a sigh. Her eyes were half lidded as she let the ministrations go on for as long as her companion wanted them to.
The woman smiled. "Why thank you. I aim to please." She paused in thought. "I heard about your uncle. I'm really sor…"
"Shhh…" Blair turned slightly and placed a finger on soft lips. "I, I really don't want to talk about that right now… if that's ok with you." Blair lifted her eyes to meet the woman's in silent demand.
The woman nodded and gave Blair a crooked smile. "No problem."
She continued to massage Blair's shoulders noting the soft sounds of appreciation from the beautiful woman. She paused for a moment, to make up her mind, and then slid her arms around a slim waist; resting her hands gently on Blair's stomach.
Blair let herself be held, allowing the warmth of the woman behind her to envelope her. Her senses were reeling with awareness as fingertips smoothed tiny circles on her stomach. It felt good. She sighed throatily, cracking a lazy smile.
Soft lips then found their way to an earlobe, gently sucking on the flesh there.
"Oh…" The lips moved further down, finding the expanse of a nicely toned neck. A warm hand threaded through Blair's hair, gently moving it to the side, as a few nips caused the blonde to preen her neck to allow more access.
"Oh… that's...Ohh…" She clamped down on a rapidly approaching moan. Lips and tongue softly licked and slowly sucked up and down the soft expanse of her neck. She let out a guttural cry. "Oh God..."
The woman turned Blair in her arms. Her eyes were focused on the lips in front of her. She moved slowly, watching the blonde woman as her breathing became more labored. The brunette closed her eyes… their lips a hair's breath away from connecting.
Then she felt hands on her chest gently pushing...
"I…I…" Blair turned her head not allowing the contact. "I'm sorry…"
The brunette let out a sound of frustration. She tried not to let it show as brown eyes flashed her a look of apology almost immediately.
"Hey it's ok." The woman cleared her throat as she watched Blair reach over to retrieve her glass of wine from the table and take a big gulp.
Blair swallowed then regarded the woman in front of her. Bright eyes, and a long dark mane of hair that framed a cute face. She liked her… a lot. She caught the disappointed look on the woman's face before she plastered on a smile.
Blair put her glass down and extended a hand to her companion.
The woman looked at the offered hand, then up into eyes that held a look of mischief mixed with desire. Her eyes twinkled back at the blonde, as their fingertips lightly joined each other.
Blair turned as she pulled the woman with her. They made their way down the hall; and she put a slight sway in her hips as she sensed eyes on her backside. Once they arrived at the bedroom door, Blair turned and faced the brunette. She had her full attention. "I just want you to hold me for a while."
It was stated with such finality that all the poor woman could do was nod in acceptance as she was pulled into the dark room.