Chapter 13 - Take Your Time

Dani locked the clinic for the day and walked toward her car. She’d showered and changed for her trip to a gay-friendly bar in Savannah. Dancing always took her mind off things. Tonight, it would be Grace and the constant urge to see her again. Grace’s delicate handling of their dinner conversation about family and life desires had summoned things from her she hadn’t intended to share. Had she already given Grace the ammunition to hurt her?

With every mile toward Savannah, Dani became less excited about the night ahead. She struggled between going back to Pine Cone, finding Grace, and spending the night with her, and getting as far away as possible. Grace stirred desires Dani didn’t understand—taking a walk just to enjoy the scenery; sharing a drink on the B and B patio with a crazy parrot squawking in the background; attending a neighborhood cookout; sitting on the floor talking; kissing and more kissing, even if it didn’t lead to sex. Grace was seeping into her pores and slowly changing her from a loner to a more engaged person, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

She parked across the street from the club’s glass façade and shook her head to dislodge her unsettling feelings. Waiting for the line to clear, she scored the steady stream of women entering the club. A curvy redhead wearing an emerald-colored version of a little black dress caught her eye. She had great legs and her hair swung loose at her shoulders. She looked so much like Grace that Dani’s stomach clenched and she did a double take. It was Grace. And a butch blonde with spiked hair wearing black leather had her hand firmly in the small of Grace’s back ushering her into the club. The woman from Trip’s cookout, the same woman Grace had held and comforted.

Dani gripped the steering wheel with both hands, willing the image to disappear. She reached for the door handle, released it, started the car, and then turned it off again. She shouldn’t be here. Going after Grace or even watching her from a distance felt stalkerish but sitting in the parking lot waiting for her to come out again or leaving felt wrong too. She got out of the car, closed the door, and leaned against the side, weighing her options. A few minutes of dancing to let off some steam couldn’t hurt. She had just as much right to be here as Grace.

Dani bolted through the parking lot, flashed her ID, and hurried into the club, but the change in lighting from the outside temporarily blinded her. She stepped to the side, and when she could see clearly again, scanned the ultra-modern interior, the blue-lit bar, and large dance floor, but Grace and her escort had vanished. Dani’s chest tightened. What was happening to her? Grace had every right to date other women. So why was Dani so upset?

She moved to the bar and got a beer, refusing to think about what her erratic behavior meant. She was here for a diversion…and apparently so was Grace. Dani circled the club and stopped in the back with a view of the entire space. She downed her beer in a few gulps and ordered another from a passing waiter, the whole time surveying the interior for Grace. A couple of women made eye contact, but she quickly looked away, suddenly having no interest in her initial reason for coming here.

Then she spotted Grace in the middle of the dance floor a few inches from her date, moving to the rugged repetitive beat of DJ-blended dance music. Grace looked free, happy, and engaged in her surroundings, and Dani’s heartbeat faltered. The times she’d spent with Grace—sharing breakfast at the diner, talking on the street, discussing relationships, or kissing—she’d been totally focused on her. Dani ached for their closeness again, for the touch of Grace’s hand, the softness of her lips, her undivided attention. She’d blown her chance because of fear.

The music in the club changed from the teeth-rattling dance tune to a softer, more romantic one, and Dani’s stomach churned. Grace’s date stepped closer, slid her arm around Grace’s waist, and pulled their bodies together. Dani heated at the thought of dancing with Grace, feeling the press of her full breasts against her chest and the slide of Grace’s leg between her thighs. The image shattered as the blonde made the same moves, and Dani looked away. She’d pushed Grace into another woman’s arms and couldn’t bear to see and feel the results of her stupidity. Every stroke of the blonde’s hands over Grace’s body was like her own skin peeling off in layers.

She pushed off the wall and started toward them, her eyes totally focused on the lack of space between Grace and the blonde. Halfway across the dance floor, the sound of Grace’s laughter cut through the music, and Dani stopped. One of the blonde’s hands rested on Grace’s shoulder and the other at her waist. Grace was having a good time. She enjoyed the blonde touching her. Dani needed to be anywhere but here. She looked around for an escape route, but the crowd pushed in on her.

She struggled to free herself from the mass of swaying bodies when a brunette shoved her way through the dancers, yelling and waving her arms, and headed straight toward Grace. Dani surged forward to get between them, but the tightly packed crowd pushed her back. The brunette shoved Grace and threw herself in the blonde’s arms and entwined their legs. The blonde seemed temporarily shocked but recovered quickly and gave Grace a what-can-I-do shrug. “Real classy, stud,” Dani said, trying again to get through the crowd, but was once more blocked. She danced around couples and finally made her way to the edge of the dance floor, but Grace was moving in the opposite direction.

And why shouldn’t Grace get as far away from her as possible? She was kind, compassionate, and totally knew what she wanted out of life and deserved a woman who could give it to her. Not Dani. At that moment, she hated her weakness. She gave Grace one last longing glance before slinking back to her dark corner.

* * *

“A little air, please?” Grace pulled out of Jay’s arms to put some space between them on the dance floor. “You asked me out as friends. I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Sorry, Grace. You just look so damn sexy in that dress. What do you expect?”

“A little respect, maybe?” Grace mumbled under her breath. She shouldn’t have agreed to go out with Jay before she’d gotten over Cynthia. Pity dates often ended badly. The only woman Grace wanted to be this close to rejected her. Why had she thought going out with another spurned soul would be a good idea?

“We could dance until daybreak. I love dancing, don’t you?” Jay yelled.

“Some of us have to work.” Grace wasn’t about to admit she had the next two days off or she wouldn’t be in the bar on a Wednesday night. She allowed Jay to twirl her around the small space they’d claimed as the song ended.

She scanned the congested dance wondering if Dani might be here, and praying she wasn’t with another woman. Hypocritical much? The parts of the club surrounding the lighted stage were dark and picking out anyone specific would be impossible, but that didn’t stop her from trying. What she’d do if she saw Dani wasn’t entirely clear.

Jay leaned closer and yelled, “Looking for someone special?”

“Not really, just looking.”

“She prefers another club. That’s why I chose this one.”

“Who?” Grace tried to sound uninterested, but her body tingled at the possibility of any information about Dani.

“Dr. Wingate.”

“Jay, really I—”

“You don’t have to pretend with me, Grace. I know what it’s like to want someone who doesn’t want you. Sucks.”

Grace shook her head and pretended she couldn’t hear, but the statement was one more of the stack of reasons she and Dani wouldn’t be together. Dani didn’t want her.

“So, are you seeing someone?” Jay asked a bit louder.

Grace shook her head, hoping to end the line of questions heading down a road she didn’t want to take.

“Do you think maybe you and me…”

“What?” She pointed to her ears and shook her head again. Jay didn’t need another rejection right now, and Grace didn’t want to deliver one.

“Love this song, don’t you?” Jay asked.

The music changed to a slow tune, and Grace groaned and looked toward the ceiling. “Why are you doing this to me?” She started to leave the dance floor, but Jay caught her hand and pulled her back.

“Stay. Please. Just one slow dance?”

“Jay, I don’t think—”

“Just one?” Jay offered her hand and slid her arm around Grace’s waist.

Grace let herself be pulled into Jay’s arms but said loudly enough to make sure Jay heard, “Only one. I don’t want you or anyone else getting the wrong idea.”

Jay nodded and led her in exaggerated dance moves, weaving between the other couples. She really was quite a good dancer, and in a few minutes, Grace relaxed and laughed at her flamboyant antics.

“Very smooth. I can see why you’re so popular with the girls.”

Jay’s genuine smile was worth Grace’s discomfort. “I do my best, Grace.”

The slow song was almost over when Grace spotted Cynthia elbowing through the crowd toward them. “Heads up, your ex is on her way.”

“Oh shit. I’m sorry for what’s about to happen, Grace. Cyn has a jealous streak.”

Jay’s satisfied grin indicated she wasn’t quite as sorry as she said. Grace stopped dancing and stared at her. “You knew she was going to be here?”

Jay’s face turned a deep shade of red that was visible even under the changing dance lights. “Maybe?”

“Seriously?”

“Turnabout is fair play, right?”

Grace started to object, but she’d used Jay as a teaser to get a rise out of Dani at Trip’s party. “Fair point.” She nudged Jay toward the approaching Cynthia. “Don’t worry about me. If you love her, work it out. I’ll get a ride home.” She barely got the words out before Cynthia shoved her away and wrapped her arms and legs around Jay.

“Get your mitts off my lover. She’s spoken for.”

Raising her hands, Grace backed up. “We’re just dancing.”

She waited a few seconds to make sure Jay was okay and then followed the path Cynthia had made through the crowd toward the bar, dancers closing the space behind her as she moved. She edged between two men at the long counter, ordered a glass of merlot, and left it on the bar while she watched Jay and Cynthia dance. They appeared to be very much in love but looks were deceiving. She thought she’d seen a look of love or at least deep affection in Dani’s eyes. Maybe it was time to let go of that dream. She was ready to settle down, and Dani wasn’t at the same place in her life.

She turned back to her merlot, took a sip, and searched the room for someone she knew to get a ride home. The romantic music changed again to a pounding bass, and the erotic dances of arousal and intimacy morphed into movements of vitality and urgency. Grace swayed to the beat and slowly sipped her wine for several more minutes before deciding to order an Uber.

“Can I get you another drink?” a man next to her asked.

“No thanks, I’m good.”

“Would you like to dance?”

Grace shook her head and suddenly felt dizzy and nauseous. The walls of the club vibrated and seemed to contract and expand. She couldn’t make out faces or even body shapes. When she tried to grab the bar for support, her arms felt weighted and dropped back to her sides. Her legs shook and threatened to give way. “Wha’s long wif me?” Her words slurred.

The man who’d offered her a drink put his arm around her waist. “Why don’t you let me take you home? You don’t look well.”

Grace was vaguely aware of sinking toward the floor. She tried to stop the fall but instead felt strong arms around her. She struggled, but someone picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. She pounded on the muscled back. “Lemme go.” A blast of hot, sticky air. Buckled in a seat belt. Total darkness.

* * *

Dani searched for a nearby hospital on her phone while Grace mumbled and struggled against her seat belt. Dani’s hand ached so badly she could barely hold her phone. It didn’t feel broken, but she hoped the guy’s nose she punched was. He’d been groping an obviously incapacitated Grace, and Dani hit him without thinking twice.

“Not dunk…drunk.” Grace’s words were slow and garbled.

“Grace, you’re going to be okay now.”

“Need hep…help.”

“I know, babe. I’m helping you. I’m taking you to a hospital.”

“No! No hos—pital. Damn. Who you?”

She cupped Grace’s hand where it rested in her lap. “It’s Dani.”

“Dani?” Grace stared at her hard as if trying to remember who she was but her eyes were glassy and unfocused.

“Yes, I’m going to take care of you. Please, let’s go by the hospital for a checkup. I don’t know what he put in your drink.”

Grace shook her head vigorously and then grabbed the sides as if regretting the intense motion. “Wadder…jus’ water.”

Dani placed a bottle of water with a straw between Grace’s hands in her lap. “The good thing is, you’re still conscious, mostly, and you’re making more sense than I’d expect. Drink lots of water.”

Grace probably didn’t understand a word, but Dani felt better saying them. She had to believe Grace would be okay. She couldn’t live with any other outcome. When she’d seen the man dragging Grace toward the front door, her whole world shifted. Grace was all that mattered.

“Only two dink…drinks.” Grace leaned forward over the bottle and wrapped her lips around the straw, but some of the water ran down her chin. She turned her head slightly and stared as if unsure of what she was seeing. “Dani?”

“Yeah, babe.” Dani pulled a napkin from the console and dabbed at Grace’s wet chin. “Keep drinking.”

Grace took a few more sips, rested her head against the seat, and closed her eyes. She needed a thorough exam by a doctor along with a tox screen but adamantly refused. What if Dani took her anyway? Would being drugged by a stranger in a bar affect Grace’s job? Should she at least tell Mary Jane? How about Trip and Clay? Grace deserved the best care, but her friends weren’t here. She had to decide what was best for the woman she…the thought froze in her mind as she pulled up to Grace’s cottage.

When Dani stopped her car, Grace was still out. Her breathing was steady, not labored or shallow, and her skin tone was good. She simply looked like a sleeping beauty, resting after an evening of dancing. But some asshole had tried to take advantage of Grace, and Dani would find out who he was and deal with him further after she took care of Grace.

As she considered her next move, her headlights cast Grace’s cottage in a ball of light. “We’re home, Grace.” Home. Her growing bond with Grace could hurt her deeply, and she’d taken the coward’s way out. She’d run from this place panicked the other night, but now she couldn’t wait to get Grace inside and shut out the world.

She riffled through Grace’s purse, found her house keys, and once again lifted Grace over her shoulder to carry her into the cottage. Making her way through the space with one free hand, she switched on a lamp in the bedroom, threw back the covers, and eased Grace down onto the mattress. Now what? Grace’s emerald dress fit her so beautifully, but she needed to be out of it to rest properly.

Dani had plenty of experience getting women out of their dresses, but not while they were unconscious. She’d fantasized undressing Grace the first time and how exciting it would be, but now her heart ached for Grace’s health and her pulse raced with anger that someone had harmed her.

She moved behind Grace and straddled her on the bed, grabbed the hem of her dress in both hands, and worked it up her body—past her shapely thighs, to the edge of her black undergarment, beyond the top of the bikini brief, across her bellybutton, and under her breasts.

“What’s happ’ning?” Grace mumbled.

“You’re okay, Grace. I’ve got you. Can you raise your arms for me?”

Grace tried to comply, her arms reaching only shoulder height, but it was enough for Dani to slide the dress off. She threw it to the floor, eased from behind Grace, and lowered her head onto the pillow. Her nearly nude body showed no signs of injury, so Dani leaned over and placed a single kiss on her forehead and covered her. “Sleep now, Gracie. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Dani pulled an upholstered chair from the living room to Grace’s bedside and placed two bottles of water on the nightstand. She retrieved a blanket from the hope chest at the end of Grace’s bed, took her shoes off, and tucked her feet under the edge of the mattress. She’d be nearby if Grace called out or tried to get up. When she woke, Dani would discuss with her what happened next—about Mary Jane, her friends, a doctor, the police, and the two of them.

“D—Dani?”

Grace’s voice was scratchy and deep, a sound Dani associated with painful dryness. She must’ve fallen asleep because when she pulled her feet from beneath the mattress, the muscles behind her knees felt tight and sore from the uncomfortable position. “I’m here.”

Grace swallowed hard, winced, and reached for the water on the nightstand.

“Let me.” Dani held the bottle close and brought the straw to Grace’s lips.

“Why are you here?” She drank deeply and a relieved moan escaped her lips. “So good.” She glanced at the bedside lamp and then out the window. “What time is it?”

“Almost daybreak.”

“Thursday?”

“Yes.”

Grace tried to sit up. “What happened?”

Dani eased her back in bed and pulled another pillow to prop her up. “Don’t you remember?”

“I remember you saying you’d see me around and running out of here.”

“I was hoping you’d forgotten that part. I’m really sorry.”

“I can’t forget. So, why are you here, Dani? You’re freaking me out a little.”

“We were at a club in Savannah.”

“Together?” Grace frowned and looked around as if nothing Dani said made sense.

“No. I went alone. You were with some vertically challenged blond butch.”

“Jay. So how did we get here, and where is Jay?” She grabbed the sides of her head. “I feel seriously hung-over.”

Dani stuffed her hands in her jeans pockets and rocked back and forth. “Don’t you think we should save this conversation until you feel better?”

Grace placed her hands beside her on the bed and breathed like she was hyperventilating. “If you’d stop rocking, I’d be fine.” She sounded harsh, but she searched Dani’s face with a pleading look. “Sorry. I don’t mean to snap. I just need answers.”

“Short version. You were dancing with the butch blonde. A brunette busted in. You went to the bar for a drink. A guy slipped something in your wine and tried to leave with you. I stopped him and brought you home.”

Grace stared, her eyebrows scrunched together as if she was trying to recall even a snippet of Dani’s story, but then she shook her head. “Nope, I got nothing. So…I was drugged?”

“I’m pretty sure.”

“Do you know who did it?”

“No.”

Grace pulled the sheets out and looked down at her body. “Did you undress me?”

Dani nodded.

For the first time since she’d woken up, Grace studied Dani closely. “Your eyelids are heavy. You’ve got black circles under your eyes. And your clothes are a wrinkled mess. How long have you been here, watching over me?”

“A while.”

“You saved me from a really bad situation.”

Dani shrugged.

“You brought me home. Undressed me. Put me in bed. And stayed with me. All night?”

“You needed me.” Dani glanced down at the floor and then back at Grace, her face burning, her heart aching to say the words she’d been thinking since she brought Grace home. “And I liked being needed.” The truth of her statement hit Dani full force.

Grace reached out, and Dani took her hand without hesitation. She settled lightly beside Grace on the bed and traced her knuckles with her thumb.

“Thank you, Dani. I don’t want to think about what would’ve happened if you hadn’t stepped in. I can never repay you.”

“It’s not necessary. I care about you, Grace. Really care.” Grace appreciated being taken care of, and Dani liked doing it. Was this what a relationship felt like? Give and take? Sharing? Looking after each other in good times and bad?

Grace stroked the side of her face and let her fingers linger near her lips. “Maybe we should talk about what that means sometime.”

“Maybe we should just do something about it,” Dani said and grinned. “Woman of action, remember?”

“We need to talk, Dani, but when I’m a bit more coherent.”

She wanted to tell Grace exactly how she felt, but now wasn’t the right time. When she finally said those words, she wanted Grace fully conscious and able to understand what she meant. “You should think about going to the hospital for a blood test. When we catch this guy, you’ll need evidence that you had drugs in your system.”

“Did you see him put something in my drink?” Grace gave her a skeptical look.

“No, but it had to be him because he tried to make you leave with him.”

“Why not someone else close by?” Grace was playing cop, throwing out all the options, and Dani found it both impressive and totally frustrating.

Dani shrugged, and Grace said, “You make a good point, but the law is very specific about those type of charges. We don’t have a case.”

“Damn it, Grace, I still think you should let me take you to the hospital.”

“No way.”

“But don’t you have to go to work tomorrow?”

“Took a couple of days off. Good thing too. All I need is more sleep and lots of water to flush that crap out of my body.” Her eyelids were slowly drooping.

Dani stood and picked up her boots. “Then I guess I better let you get to it.”

Grace’s expression shifted, her eyes large, scared looking. “I have no right to ask anything after what you’ve already done, but would you please stay with me? I don’t want to be alone after
what happened. I’m still groggy and a bit rattled by the whole situation.”

Dani grinned and dropped her boots beside the bed. “Do you snore?”

Grace play slapped her on the arm. “What a horrible thing to ask a Southern lady. Of course not.”

“Then push over. I’m coming in.” Dani set the alarm on her phone so she wouldn’t be late for work, shucked her shirt over her head without unbuttoning it, and peeled off her jeans leaving only boxers and a sports bra. “This okay?”

“I’d prefer skin, but under the circumstances that’s perfect. Get in.” Grace flung the covers back and patted the bed beside her. “You need sleep.”

Dani snuggled under the covers but kept a respectable distance from Grace. If she touched her, she’d never be able to stop. “I’m not sure I can sleep like this.”

“Give me your hand.” Dani complied, and Grace pulled it across her body, bringing Dani’s head to rest on her shoulder. “How about now?”

“This is great. I might be able to…” Dani yawned. “You’re so…warm. Nice.” Grace fit perfectly against her, and Dani felt a tingling of arousal, but it diverted to her heart instead of lower. She sighed, and Grace kissed the top of her head and said something about a shero. For the first time in Dani’s life, the woman beside her felt like forever.