CHAPTER 26

 YEMAYA SAT LISTENING to her brother describe his trip to New Zealand, one of his favorite places. Of course, anyplace was his favorite as long as Reymone was with him. Having just gotten back from a three-month stay with his lover, Raidon was unusually animated.

Reymone sat on the armrest of the oversized chair, his right arm draped casually over his partner’s shoulders. Unconsciously, he played with the dark curls resting beneath his hand.

“It was amazing. The mountains were covered in snow. Reymone and I were trapped in a blizzard. If we hadn’t found the cabin, I’m sure we’d have frozen to death.”

Reymone laughed. “Yeah, but not before I’d had my way with you,” he teased. “I can just see it. The rescuers tramping up the mountainside and tripping over our cold hard bodies. Now who, I wonder, would be on top?”

Slapping Reymone’s thigh, Raidon admonished him. “Reymone, apologize! Dakota isn’t used to such rudeness.”

Laughing, Dakota assured them she had heard worse. “After all, I’m a journalist. You really can’t believe I’m that innocent, Raidon.”

“That’s not the point. There is rarely a good excuse for crude humor when ladies are present.”

“Thank you, but I think Dakota and I will agree there are no ladies here.” Yemaya smirked. “Besides, I am sure if we were in the same situation, we would definitely warm ourselves the same way or at least in a similar fashion. Would you not agree, sweetie?” she asked, ruffling Dakota’s short blond hair.

“Oh, absolutely! What a way to go, too!”

“There you go, Raidon. Two very enlightened young women.” Reymone clapped his hands together happily.

Sighing, Raidon knew he was outnumbered. “So where are you off to now, sister?” he asked, deciding to change the subject.

“Back to the States.”

“Didn’t you get just return from there?”

“Yes, after the AIDS benefit. We had hoped to spend a little more time here, but Dakota has important business to finish. Her ex-boss wants to try to woo her back to the dark side.”

       Looking somewhat confused, Raidon glanced at Dakota. “Dark side?”

“Yemaya just means he wants to hire me back.”

“I would think you’d like a break from that by now,” Raidon said. “After all, you’ve had enough excitement on the dark side to last a lifetime.”

“And how! Still, I’m a journalist. I can’t keep mooching off of Yemaya, you know.”

 “So while Little Sister here renews her career, what will you be doing for entertainment?” Raidon asked Yemaya. Are you still thinking of retiring?”

Oh, shit! Reymone thought, noticing the glare directed at his lover. She hasn’t told Dakota yet.

Realizing that it would be useless to change the subject now, Yemaya sighed faintly. “I will be working on my next show. Danny wants me to do another tour. I think this may be my last, though.”

Yemaya glanced toward Dakota. This wasn’t the way she had wanted to break the news to her and now felt guilty about Dakota learning in such a manner.

Surprised, Dakota wasn’t sure what to say. Deciding the moment wasn’t right, she remained silent.

Raidon immediately realized it wasn’t a good time to pursue his sister’s revelation. Nudging Reymone to move, he stood and took his lover’s hand.

“I’m tired. If you will excuse us, I think we’ll call it a night. The journey home was long and we’re rather tired.”

“Good idea, luv,” Reymone piped in. “Until tomorrow, ladies. Sweet dreams.”

Bowing slightly, both men left, leaving the women alone.

“When did you make that decision?”

Shrugging, Yemaya didn’t answer immediately. She had played with the idea of retiring for almost a year. There was once a time when the adrenaline rush of the illusion gave meaning to her life, but she had eventually grown weary of the lonely nights in her hotel rooms. After meeting Dakota, she wanted more.

“I have been thinking about it for a while,” she finally replied.

“How long is a while? Before you met me or after?”

“Does it matter?”

“I think so, especially if it’s because of me. Is it?”

“Yes and no. I was considering retiring before we met but had not decided when. I want us to be together.”

“We are together.”

“I know.” Yemaya sighed. “But sometimes I think my work interferes with our lives, even endangers yours. Now you are thinking of going back to work full time, and it would mean long periods apart. Just the thought seems unbearable.”

“Listen. My life has had its bad moments long before we met. Meeting you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, but if you give up what you love out of fear or to accommodate me, neither of us will be happy.”

“I know.”

“Besides, what happened to me becoming your personal assistant?”

“I thought you wanted to pursue your journalistic nature.”

“I think I can handle both. I have many skills, you know?”

“Where have I heard that before?” Yemaya asked, rolling her eyes dramatically.

Before Dakota could respond, the phone rang. Looking at the clock on the mantle, Yemaya frowned.

“A little late for calls,” she grumbled softly, picking up the receiver. “Lysanne residence.”

“Yemaya?”

“Constance?”

“Yes. I’m sorry to disturb you at this hour, but I thought you and Dakota needed to know— Ramus is dead.”

Yemaya was surprised at the news but more so at the regret in the woman’s voice.

“So soon? I thought his immune system would be able to fight the virus for decades,” she replied, placing her hand over the phone and mouthing the information to Dakota.

“It would have. He was killed.”

“Killed? Was it an accident?”

“No. Someone got to him. I don’t know much more than that, other than Ekimmu just called me with the news. She’s concerned it may be an attack on our people.”

“When did this happen?”

“An hour or so ago. I’m not sure.”

“Did she say how she learned this?”

By now, Dakota had placed her head against Yemaya’s and was listening to the conversation.

“No, but I have my suspicions. Anyway, the reason for my call was to ask if you and Dakota had any plans involving a trip to the States. Ekimmu booked a flight for tomorrow, and I’m worried she may get into something more than she can handle. Anyone able to capture Ramus would be a grave threat to her also.”

“I agree. We will finish our business here tomorrow and charter a plane. Please give her the details while I make a few calls.”

“Thank you. I know this doesn’t have anything to do with you two, but Ekimmu is important to our people.”

“She is important to all of us. We will talk with you later.”

Handing the phone to Dakota, Yemaya left the room to make arrangements for their departure.

“Hey, Constance,”

“Hello, Dakota. How are you?”

“Fine. I’m sorry about Ramus, although I’m not sure why. He wasn’t a very nice person.”

The chuckle on the other end of the phone made her smile.

“Such tact, child, and no, he wasn’t, but he was one of our oldest, and as flawed as he was, he still had a certain charm.”

“I’ll take your word for it. Personally, I found him creepy.”

“With good reason. Anyway, I appreciate the two of you going over to check on Ekimmu.”

“Not a problem. I like her. She seems nice, not to mention she is one of yours. That alone would make us want to help.”

“Thank you. I’ll let you go now. I have a few more calls to make before I book my own flight.”

“You’re going, too? It might be dangerous. Why not let us see what’s happening and we’ll call you?” Dakota offered, fearful that the trip would be too stressful for the older woman.

“I may be old, my dear, but not that old. Stress is the least of my worries.”

“How did you... oh, never mind. Between you and Yemaya, I’m beginning to think everyone but me reads minds.”

“Not everyone. Just a few,” Constance said. Dakota couldn’t tell if she was serious or joking.

“Uh-huh. Look, give me the details and I’ll let you know where we’ll be staying once we get there. You make sure you don’t overdo. I’d be pretty mad if something happened to you and, well, I have connections, you know. I’ll have you haunted all through the afterlife.”

“Somehow I believe you would. Now here’s what Ekimmu said, and where she’ll be.”

Quickly writing down the details, Dakota motioned to Yemaya, who had returned and was standing quietly next to her. Pointing to the paper, she circled the words New Orleans. Nodding, Yemaya again left. By the time she finished chartering a flight, Dakota had said her farewells to Constance.

“Everything is arranged. We leave the day after tomorrow.”

“I don’t like this,” Dakota confessed. “Ramus may have been sick, but he was a powerful man. For him to have somehow been killed means he was either very weak or his assailant was very cunning.”

“I hope he was weak,” Yemaya said. “Otherwise, whoever it was is extremely dangerous.”

 

*  *  *

Yemaya and Dakota arrived in the States three days later. The charter jet had made stops in Paris and New York before continuing on to its final destination. During their overnight stay in New York City, Yemaya contacted Sonny Marino, her promotion agent.

“Sonny, I need you to contact the crew and put together a quick program for me for New Orleans.”

“How quick are we talking about?”

“Three weeks. Four max.”

“Three weeks! Are you crazy?” Sonny sat up in his chair. “I’m not sure I can even get a location, let alone the advertising out in that short a time.”

“I will send you the details for the show. Use whatever resources you need no matter what the cost. Just get it done.”

“What about rehearsals and the props?”

“Use the props from the last tour. The choreography and music will be easy enough for the crew to perform after a week of practice. Have Suzanne add three or four routines from our past shows as fillers and tell her to call everyone in for refresher courses. I expect them to be in New Orleans within the week. In the meantime, I’ll be there tomorrow and do what I can to help.”

“You’re going to owe me big-time if I pull this off,” Sonny vowed.

“If I thought you incapable of this, I would replace you,” Yemaya stated cooly.

“You couldn’t find anyone better than me and you know it.” He laughed. “Now since I have such a gargantuan task ahead of me, let me get to work. I’ll call you in a few days with an update.”

“Thanks. I know you can do it.”

“Yeah, right. When this is over with, I expect an explanation.” Not that that will ever happen, he thought, shaking his head.

“Bye, Sonny.”

Hanging up the phone, Yemaya turned to Dakota, who had been unpacking the overnight bags.

“You think he can do it?” Dakota asked.

“Sonny is a miracle worker,” Yemaya said. “If I had any doubts about his abilities, I would find someone else.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that,” Yemaya said matter-of-factly.

“Can you really discard someone so quickly?”

“Some I can. I would never get rid of Sonny. I would simply find something else for him to do. He is an old friend, as well as my promoter. Now as to other people, I know of one person I would never discard.”

Wiggling her eyebrows, Yemaya walked over and nudged Dakota backward until she was lying flat on the bed. Straddling her hips with her legs, she placed her hands on each side of Dakota’s face and leaned down, her lips inches from Dakota’s.

“And who might that be?”

“Oh, I think you know.” Yemaya grinned smugly.

“Prove it.”

“Gladly. You know the next few weeks are going to be extremely busy. We may not get much time for this,” Yemaya whispered, her warm breath caressing Dakota’s cheek.

“I think we can manage to work some playtime into our schedule.”

“Well, just in case, I think tonight I should make sure you have something to think about for a while.” Yemaya grinned broadly.

Straightening up, she pulled her sweater over her head and tossed it aside. Then reaching down, she pulled Dakota’s T-shirt off and threw it on her sweater. Neither was wearing a bra. Dakota tipped her head sideways, admiring the view.

“Mmm. Nice,” she murmured, running her fingers gently over the right breast.

Yemaya caught her breath as she felt the light tickle. Stomach muscles rippled as her skin turned pebbly from the goose bumps. Slowly, she lowered herself onto her lover. The heat of her body as she rubbed it against Dakota’s brought a groan from Dakota.

Breathing rapidly, Dakota started to say something, but Yemaya stopped her with a hot, searing kiss. Wrapping her arms around Yemaya, Dakota pulled her tightly against her, her hands roaming across the bare skin of Yemaya’s back and buttocks.

Reluctantly, they separated as the need for air overcame an unquenchable passion. Gasping for breath, the two could only stare into each other’s eyes, unable to speak for fear words would trivialize the depths of their love. Finally, Yemaya lowered her lips to Dakota’s ear and whispered, her voice low, husky, seductive. “I need to taste you.”

Dakota squirmed as the words flowed through her. Invisible hands caressed her mind and body, making her shudder. Every time they made love, Dakota felt as if it were their first moments together; the wonder and passion overwhelmed her, and she never doubted Yemaya felt the same. Hearing her lover’s voice, its deep huskiness describing the most intimate act possible, was almost painful as her heart beat heavily inside her chest.

A slight nod was all that was needed for Yemaya to slide down Dakota’s body. Removing her slacks and panties, she pushed them away and ran her hands slowly up Dakota’s legs, dragging her nails lightly across the skin. Dakota shifted her right leg, making room for Yemaya to nestle her own body between them. Sliding her arms under Dakota’s thighs, Yemaya pulled her forward and slipped her shoulders beneath the bent knees. Lowering her head, she inhaled the warm scent of her lover.

“You make me hungry,” she growled.

“Hun..hungry?”

Smiling smugly, Yemaya nodded. “Verry,” she purred, lowering her head to rest it on Dakota’s thighs. Running her finger up the left thigh, she brushed the golden hair with her fingertips. “And a natural blond, too,” she teased, her voice lowering to that natural husky, seductive tone that turned Dakota’s whole body warm and pliant. It craved her touch, needed it as if its very existence was dependent on Yemaya for sustenance.

Arching her back, Dakota groaned, unable to voice her needs, not that she needed to. Yemaya knew exactly what her lover wanted. Separating the lips, she flicked her tongue across the warm, wet inner skin tasting its salty muskiness.

For several hours, Yemaya worked her magic, taking Dakota on a journey of infinite pleasure and complete exhaustion.

Afterward, she pulled her lover into her arms and closed her eyes. Drifting into a peaceful slumber, she barely caught the faint whisper. “I love you so much, Yemaya.” Too tired to realize the words were unspoken, she smiled and nestled under the blankets with Dakota cradled against her chest.