Never Let Me Go Page 3

  “Next week.”

  “So I can keep you out for an extra-long lunch today?” Katherine asked with a laugh and then saw the look on Mary’s face. She patted Mary’s hand. “Don’t worry, I won’t keep you long.” They pulled over to the curb and they both got out of the cab.

  “Congresswoman Willow. Lovely to see you again,” the hostess said to her as she led them to a table in a secluded area of the restaurant.

  “Thank you, Lucy. It’s good to see you too.”

  “We have your favorite as our special today,” Lucy said handing them each a menu.

  “I knew I picked the right day to come here,” Katherine said with a smile.

  When Lucy walked away, Mary leaned over her opened menu. “What is your favorite?”

  “Philly cheesesteak sandwich,” Katherine answered smiling.

  Mary giggled. “I thought you might say foie gras or escargot.”

  “Is that how you see me?” Katherine asked leaning forward.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it as an insult.” Mary pointed to Katherine’s outfit. “You seem like you grew up eating expensive meals.”

  Katherine’s laugh startled Mary. “Mary, I grew up in a poor area of Philadelphia. My parents were middle class. My dad worked in a factory all his life until the plant closed. Now he works in a grocery store.”

  “I’m sorry, Katherine. My father is a farmer who doesn’t even own the farm,” she said lowering her eyes.

  “Coming from a hard working family is nothing to be ashamed about. When I came to DC I didn’t have anything to my name except a law degree. It’s taken me a long time to get where I am today.”

  “Then I congratulate you for doing so well,” Mary said smiling at her.

  Kathrine now pointed to her outfit. “I’ve become a clothes horse. I guess from having hand-me-downs when I was a kid.”

  “So you have an older sister. Any brothers?”

  Katherine shook her head as she bit into her sandwich. “No brothers. Just two sisters. I’m in the middle.”

  “Me too, but in between a brother and sister,” Mary said as she lowered her cheesesteak sandwich. “Are you close to your sisters?”

  “I haven’t seen them in a while. My parents and I don’t see eye to eye anymore.”

  Mary chuckled. “That’s another thing we have in common.”

  “Thomas told me that you came from a religious family.” Katherine saw Mary raise her eyebrow. “Mine are very religious too. Almost fanatical.”

  “Yes, we don’t see eye to eye on many things,” Mary finally said.

  “So are you seeing anyone since you moved here?” Katherine asked and then saw Mary’s face turn red. “I’m sorry. That was out of line for me to ask you that question.” She waved her hand in the air. “Forget I asked.”

  Mary wiped her mouth and took a drink of her soda. “I just started seeing someone. It’s too new to even comment about.”

  “If you are wondering about me, it’s been a long time since I went out with anyone.”

  “Why? You are a gorgeous woman.” As soon as the words left Mary’s mouth, she wanted to swallow them. She knew her face must be beet red. “I’m sorry. I’m making assumptions again. Please forgive me.”

  “Nothing to forgive and thank you for the compliment,” Katherine said wearing a big smile. “Would you excuse me while I freshen up?”

  Mary nodded and watched Katherine walk away. Now she began to berate herself. Are we counting how many times you put your foot in your mouth today? You had to call her gorgeous on top of everything else you said. Mary was still berating herself when Katherine returned with fresh lipstick.

  “Are you ready or would you like something else?” Katherine asked as she reached for her coat.

  “What about the check?” Mary asked also standing.

  “I have a tab here.” Katherine put her hand in the small of Mary’s back and led her to the front of the restaurant before she realized where her hand was. As the door opened, she dropped her hand and hailed another cab.

  Back at work, Katherine said, “Thanks for not making me eat alone today.”

  “Thank you for buying me lunch, Katherine.” Mary turned toward her office. “Have a good day.”

  “You too, Mary.”

  CHAPTER 6

  Mary walked into Roxie’s and peeked into the dining room. Not seeing Carol, she waited by the front door.

  “I’m sorry I’m late,” Carol said as she breezed through the door. “Traffic is horrendous today.”

  “I’ve only been here a few minutes.” Carol took Mary’s arm and led her to the dining area.

  “So how was your week?” Carol asked smiling.

  “No complaints,” Mary answered returning the smile.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever met a person that doesn’t complain about their job.”

  “I like my job.”

  “I know you do, but even I complain and I like my job too.”

  They placed their order and continued their conversation. Carol told Mary that she would be going out of town next week. “I’m going to miss seeing you.”

  “You can always call me.”

  “I will,” Carol said reaching for Mary’s hand. “Would you like to go back to my place after lunch? Or we can go to yours if you prefer.”

  “I don’t live alone. I wouldn’t feel comfortable entertaining company in Thomas’ place.”

  “Thomas?” Carol asked raising an eyebrow.

  “He’s my friend. We’ve been friends since third grade,” Mary said laughing.

  “Good. You had me worried there for a moment.”

  “I love Thomas, but I’m not in love with him. I’ve never been with a man,” Mary lowered her eyes, “in that way.”

  Carol’s face suddenly brightened. “You live with Thomas Kelly?”

  “Yes. He’s my boss.”

  “Have you told him about us?” Mary nodded. “He must have told you to stay away from me,” she said as if it was the funniest thing in the world.

  Mary shrugged an answer not wanting to admit to Carol what Thomas had said. If this was a mistake, she would know soon enough.

  Carol’s smile glowed. “So my place?”

  “Yes.”

  The moment they walked in the door to Carol’s apartment, they were all over each other. Clothes dropped to the floor before they hurried off to the bedroom. Hands and mouths were everywhere as each woman fought for dominance. “Let me,” Carol pleaded. Mary’s response was to relax and let Carol have her way. She watched with wide eyes as Carol kissed her way down her body. When she got in between Mary’s legs, she grinned before she began to make her body lift off the bed.

  It didn’t take Mary long before she felt the first spasms of her orgasm. The two women were so hot for each other, slow wouldn’t happen anytime soon. “Yes,” Mary moaned out as she came.

  “I am far from done, Mary. You came much too quickly.” Her tongue went back to her clit as two of her fingers entered Mary.

  Again her orgasm came quickly. Mary didn’t know if it was the experience that Carol had or it had just been too long since she made love. “I can’t, Carol. I’m too sensitive,” she said reaching for Carol’s arms.

  “How long has it been for you?” Carol asked as she crawled into Mary’s arms.

  “Too long.” She turned her head and kissed Carol’s mouth. “Can I have my turn now?”

  “Oh yeah,” Carol said as she laid on her back.

  Mary didn’t think she was as experienced as the older woman under her, but her screams of delight told Mary she was doing something right.

  “Stop, please stop,” Carol moaned out. “Rest.”

  They laid in each other’s arms and fell asleep. When they awoke, they spent the rest of the night making love. Mary awoke in the morning to find herself alone in bed, but could smell the coffee and breakfast being made in the kitchen. She got out of bed and went into the bathroom. On the counter was a towel, a new toothbrush and a ro
be.

  The bathroom door opened as Carol came into the bathroom carrying a tray of food. “Good morning, sweetheart.”

  “Good morning,” Mary mumbled slightly embarrassed. A blush appeared on her face.

  “Aw, don’t go shy on me,” Carol said with a giggle. “After last night and what we did, there is nothing to be shy about.”

  “I know, but this is new for me.”

  “New, how?”

  “Spending the whole night with someone and waking up in their home.”

  “Oh.” Carol understood and stopped teasing. “Come have something to eat. I thought you might be starved since we never had dinner last night.”

  Mary sat down on the bed and crossed her legs. Carol sat on the other side of the tray. “Did you make this?”

  “If I did, you wouldn’t want to eat it.” Carol’s hand caressed Mary’s face. “Pat made it so it’s safe to eat.”

  Mary wasn’t sure how she felt about someone else in the house knowing what they had done and what they would probably do again. She picked up her coffee cup and drank the black coffee. Mary watched as Carol ate her eggs and bacon quickly. “I guess you were starved,” Mary said pointing at the empty plate. “Would you like to finish mine?”

  “You’re not going to eat it all?”

  “I’m not fond of a big breakfast,” Mary said with a shrug.

  “Okay. I’ll know that for next time.” Carol switched their plates and finished off the rest of Mary’s food. Then she pushed the tray to the side and flopped back onto the bed. “That was good.” Her hands went under her head. “I know I have to take a shower and meet with Senator Harkins, but I just don’t want to move.”

  Mary leaned over and kissed Carol’s lips softly. “You go take your shower and I’ll get out of here.”

  “You don’t have to rush off.” Carol gave Mary another kiss.

  “I know, but I’ve got things to do today too.” Mary began to get dressed. “Will you call me next week?”

  “I will, darling.” Carol now had her arms wrapped around Mary’s waist. “You feel so good,” she said against Mary’s naked back. “I’ll be back next Saturday. Maybe we could do this again?”

  “I’d like that,” Mary answered with a smile as she pulled up her jeans.

  Carol walked toward the master bathroom. “Good bye, Mary. Thank you,” she said with a wink before she closed the door.

  Mary left the apartment without running into Pat and for this she was thrilled. She thought that they would talk this morning. Maybe make love again, but Carol had dismissed her. She didn’t do it insensitively, but it was still a dismissal. Now she wondered if Thomas had been right about Carol.

  CHAPTER 7

  All week, Mary waited for Carol to call her. She knew she must be busy, but she hoped for at least one call. Carol called her Friday night. “Hello.”

  “Hi, sweetie, I’m back. Did you miss me?”

  “I thought you were going to call me,” Mary said trying to keep the neediness out of her voice.

  “I am calling you.”

  “I thought earlier in the week you would have called.”

  “I’m sorry, sweetie, but my schedule has been non-stop.”

  “I know. I’m sorry for sounding so needy.”

  “I’m sorry too. I should have called you when I got back to the hotel, but I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “Let’s not argue. So are you back in town?”

  “I am. I decided to come home tonight so I could see you tomorrow. Will you come over? I’ll have Pat make us lunch.” Carol could feel Mary’s hesitation. “Would you feel more comfortable if I sent Pat home after she prepared the meal?”

  “Yes,” Mary said softly.

  “Pat doesn’t have a problem with the women that I bring here, but I’ll send her home before you get here.”

  The women ate lunch and brought the dishes into the kitchen before they walked toward the bedroom. Carol didn’t even bother to get dressed and all she had on was a skimpy robe. Their love making was again quick and feverish. As Carol began to fall asleep, Mary laid there awake thinking. Today Carol was more interested in being satisfied than worrying about her. It hit Mary at that moment what Thomas was talking about. There would be no going out to dinner or seeing a movie or show. Mary was here to be Carol’s plaything and nothing more. Mary wasn’t looking for serious, but she was looking for a relationship and Carol wasn’t the one for that. She slowly got out of bed so as not to wake Carol and carried her clothes into the bathroom. Before she left the apartment, she wrote Carol a note.

  Sorry that I left without saying good bye. I have things to do tomorrow and I couldn’t spend the night. Mary.

  She left the note on the empty pillow and didn’t worry about what Carol would think when she awoke and found she was alone. Mary hailed a cab and went back to the apartment.

  When the phone rang the following morning, Mary let the machine pick up. The message was as she expected:

  I’m sorry you left, sweetie. I thought we could spend the day in bed together. Call me when you get a chance.

  Mary knew she couldn’t ignore Carol’s calls for too long so the following evening she picked up the phone. “Hello.”

  “Hi, sweetie. Is something wrong?”

  Mary took a breath. “I think you and I are very different, Carol. I believe it would be best if we didn’t see each other again.”

  “Why? I thought we were having a good time.”

  “We were, but I’m looking for something more.”

  “I understand, Mary. I’m sorry, but I don’t do relationships.”

  “I know Carol and that’s okay. I enjoyed the time we had together.”

  “If you ever change your mind, you know how to reach me.”

  “Goodbye, Carol.”

  “Goodbye, Mary.”

  Thomas was looking at her when she got off the phone. “I’m sorry, Mary.”

  “You warned me, Thomas. It was my own fault.”

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “You’ll find someone that will love you the way you deserved to be loved.”

  “I hope so, Thomas. I hope so.”

  *

  Thomas announced the following day that he was having lunch with Katherine Willow. “Try to keep my schedule open from noon until around one thirty.”

  “Sure, no problem, Thomas.”

  Katherine Willow breezed into the office just before noon. “Congresswoman,” Mary greeted with a smile.

  “Ms. Rogers,” Katherine said wearing a wide smile.

  “He’s on the phone right now.”

  “That’s okay. I can talk to you while I wait,” Katherine said taking a seat in front of Mary.

  “You hoping for another steak sandwich today?”

  “Not today. Today I feel like soup and a salad.” Katherine leaned over Mary’s desk. “I’ve been pigging out too much lately.”

  Mary’s attention was to the skin showing on Katherine’s chest thinking her body looked fine from here. “Too many political dinners?”

  “No,” Katherine laughed, “just zoning out in front of the TV.”

  “They have a great gym in this building,” Mary said watching Katherine stand up straight.

  “Do you use it?”

  “Three nights a week,” she said with a nod.

  “I’ll have to check it out. What nights do you go?”

  “Tuesday, Thursday and most Fridays.”

  “Is that how you spend a Friday night?” Mary shrugged. “Well, we will have to do something about that.”

  Thomas came out of his office. “Kate. Let’s go, I am starving.”

  Katherine winked at Mary. “You are always hungry you big lug.”

  “Politics works up a big appetite for me.” Thomas turned to Mary. “Can I bring you something back?”

  “No thanks, Thomas. I’m having lunch with Arlene today.”

  “Don’t keep my secretary away from her job too long, Mary.” Again she winked
.

  “Mary?” Thomas asked. “She is the most dedicated woman I know. Mary will be back at her desk before her lunch hour is over.”

  Mary began to blush at Thomas’ compliment. “Let’s get out of here before you faint from starvation.” Katherine smiled at Mary before she walked out the door.

  “That woman is so gorgeous,” Mary said to the empty office.

  Once their order was placed, Katherine said, “Your secretary didn’t seem her normal cheerful self today.”

  Thomas lowered his eyes. “I know.”

  “What happened?”

  “I shouldn’t speak about her personal life.”

  “Who would I tell?” Katherine asked tilting her head

  “She just broke up with someone.”

  “Already?” Katherine asked shocked.

  “What do you mean already?” Thomas said leaning toward her.

  “I took Mary to lunch a few weeks ago when you were out of town. Arlene had plans with her boyfriend and you weren’t around.” She shrugged. “So I asked Mary.”

  “She told you about her?” Thomas asked without Katherine catching the pronoun he used.

  “All she said was that she had started seeing someone, but it was too soon to even comment.”

  “Oh,” Thomas said. “At least she ended it before she got too hurt. It seems the snake wasn’t interested in a relationship.” He lowered his voice, “Other than a sexual one.”

  “That’s too bad. She is such a nice woman.” Thomas said nothing more about it and Katherine thought this guy must be a fool. Mary was beautiful, smart and funny. Who wouldn’t want to have a relationship with her?

  *

  Mary was using the treadmill when Katherine walked into the gym. She looked around seeing Mary was the only one in there. Mary was wearing a pair of earplugs and oblivious to the fact that she just entered the room. Katherine went into the locker room, changed and got onto the treadmill next to her. They were both walking at a fast pace for at least ten minutes before Mary turned her head. “Katherine,” she said pulling an earphone out of her ear.

  “Yes, it’s me.” Katherine pointed to the earplugs. “What are you listening to? You didn’t even notice when I walked in.”