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wanting to shelter the girl s vulnerability, shield it from the world so
it couldn t hurt her anymore. She kissed the muscle surrounding that
vein, as a knight s armor might be blessed.
 So& I guess you d go out with me again.
Rosalind smothered a chuckle against the skin of Taryn s throat.
 Maybe. Are you asking me out? Rosalind said, pleased with the
language. She hadn t been asked out since high school. It had a nice
symmetry to it, going through her second adolescence, discovering
sex, finding out new things about herself every five minutes, and being
asked out in an awkward, charming way. The fact that she was all but
sharing the blood in her veins with this girl already made it seem silly.
Would she go out with her? Taryn would be lucky to pry her off in order
to change clothes.
 Rosalind, would you be my girl? I know, you are a woman, not a
girl, but& you know what I mean, Taryn said, biting off the words.
 Going steady? I don t know. It s such a big step. We ve only
been on one date. I don t even know your last name&  Rosalind said,
raising her head from Taryn s shoulder.
" 106 "
Of Drag Kings & the Wheel of Fate
 Cullen.
 I need to think about it, Rosalind said primly.
 What, you need references? I can provide them, Taryn said in a
dangerous tone. Rosalind gave ground, not wanting to hear about the
number of references Taryn might be able to provide.
 All right, she said into the lapel of Taryn s suit coat. Taryn didn t
seem to hear her.
 I know I m younger than you, and I don t have the education you
have, and& this is all new for you. But I ll be good to you, Rosalind.
Give me a chance. Taryn s voice was defensive, rising into anger.
Rosalind put her fingers over Taryn s lips.  You didn t hear me,
baby. I said yes.
 You did?
 Yes, I did. I love you. Of course I ll be your girl. Go out with you.
However you want to say it. I ll make you a part of my life and become
a part of yours. Fair enough?
 Careful. I ll get used to your saying things like that to me.
Rosalind cupped the back of Taryn s neck. She could feel the heat
from it singeing her palm, but she didn t flinch away. It was only the
heat of Taryn s blood, a heat she knew she could take.  I think you ll
have to. I m not going to be able to stop.
Music started up, spilling over the ledge. Rosalind s head perked
up. She tilted it, listening. She tried, Lord knows she did, not to give
in, not to let the hilarity win, but the short film had been planted in her
brain by Joe. She saw the kitchen, saw Taryn, in her boxers& Rosalind
grabbed the lapels of Taryn s coat, burying her face in the drag king s
chest. Her shoulders shook from the effort of trying to restrain herself,
but it only made it worse.
Taryn stood like a post, letting the hysterical woman cling to her
and laugh herself sick.  What s so funny?
Rosalind mumbled something that might have been Billy Ray
Cyrus.
  Achy Breaky Heart sends you into hysterics? Just wait until
they play the Macarena.
Rosalind collapsed again into her jacket, helpless with laughter.
Taryn shrugged.
There was a jangle of chain, a rush of footsteps. A dark form
bounded out of the trees and headed right for them. Taryn pushed
" 107 "
SUSAN SMITH
Rosalind behind her and balanced on her toes, instinctively. It was
a dog, Taryn saw, when it danced through the light coming from the
reception. A chocolate Labrador, springing and cavorting around
them, wriggling with pure happiness. In its mouth it had a huge stick,
and it grinned crazily around it. The dog ran forward, nosed Taryn s
outstretched hand, wagging its tail frantically.
 He just wants to show you his stick. A voice came out of the
darkness between the trees. Taryn looked and saw a black wool coat,
short brown hair, glasses, and a broad, handsome face. The woman
looked at Taryn, her eyes staying a few seconds longer than necessary.
A small smile appeared, out of nowhere, and she nodded. She whistled,
and the dog exploded away from Taryn, back to her side.  Sorry to
interrupt. She walked off down the path around the lake, taking the
stick from the dog s mouth and throwing it for him.  C mon, Grizzly.
 Good thing you were there to protect me, Rosalind said, from
behind Taryn s shoulder.
Muscles still twitching from the fighting instinct, Taryn flexed her
arms.  Hey, if that had been a Dalmatian, I d have had him. She turned
and faced Rosalind, holding out her arm.  Come home with me?
Rosalind raised her head and smiled, letting that be her answer.
" 108 "
Of Drag Kings & the Wheel of Fate
CHAPTER SIX
osalind drove very carefully on the way back to 34 Mariner,
Rconvinced that Taryn s hand resting lazily on her thigh was
not a very good idea. Oh, it was a good idea for her thigh, which
enthusiastically endorsed the slow caress of Taryn s fingertips, but her
brain had sense enough to recognize when her body wasn t anywhere
near engaged in driving. When Taryn s fingers dipped to her inner thigh,
Rosalind drew in a sharp breath and swerved hard to the right, nearly
clipping a parking meter.
 If you keep that up, I ll owe the City of Buffalo a fortune to
replace all the meters I m going to plow over.
Taryn grinned and kept her hand right were it was. Rosalind filed
that away under Taryn Response: Can t refuse a challenge. It was
infuriating and very enticing. It kept Rosalind completely distracted as
she turned down Mariner. Her mind cavorted about, seeking a way to
divert the girl without actually putting her off. If she could manage to
park before that motion made her jump into Taryn s lap&
 I got a call from my brother today. He s going to be in town [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]