Part 24 (2/2)
”But you have an upstairs.”
Judith looked down at Carmen's bare feet and kicked her own shoes off.
Carmen leaned over and picked them up, placing them on the third tier of a bookshelf in the hallway, next to her own. ”Don't ever leave your shoes there. You won't recognize them the next time you see them.” She shoved her hands in her pockets and led her across the foyer to an alcove that served as an entry to the guest bedroom, the guest bath and her office. ”If it makes you feel better about the s.p.a.ce, the office is the only part of this whole apartment that's mine. The rest belongs to Prissy.”
Carmen looked nervous, Judith thought.
Next, they entered the living room, which was dominated by an enormous leather sectional sofa. Across from that, a fire burned low in the gas log fireplace. From the small balcony, Carmen explained, she had a distant view of the lake across Lincoln Park.
From there they strolled into the master bedroom, which held a king-sized bed in rich mahogany, with a matching dresser and nightstands. The fireplace from the living room opened into this room as well. Carmen wrapped up the tour by showing off the master bath, with its marble shower and oval tub, and enormous custom-built closet.
”See what I mean about my closet reminding me of how you organized things at your place?”
Judith noted with irony that the closet was roughly one-third the size of her place. ”Would you like to hear again how jealous I am?” As she looked around, she gave in to the urge to yawn, covering her mouth. She always yawned after flying, her body's way of equalizing the pressure in her ears.
”You shouldn't be. Your apartment's perfect for you. This is 170 perfect for Prissy. See how the shelves keep things off the floor so she can't reach them. I highly recommend dogs with very short legs.”
Prissy had followed them from room to room, wagging her tail each time Carmen said her name.
”Let's go sit in the living room. Could I get you something to drink?”
”No, thank you.” Their words sounded so formal, not at all what she had expected after their good-bye kiss two weeks ago in New York. That should have gotten both of them past their insecurities. ”I'm glad I'm here, Carmen.”
”So am I.” They sat on the soft leather couch, where Prissy jumped between them, determined to disprove her reputation as unfriendly. ”Make that we. She's usually shy and neurotic around new people, but she's decided to be normal for a change.”
Carmen seemed determined to use Prissy as a buffer until her awkwardness dissipated. ”Maybe she thinks I'm somebody else.”
She laughed at Carmen's scolding look, and took her hand. It was their first physical contact since the hug when she first walked in.
”I think dogs are supposed to be smarter than people.”
”You mean smarter than your doorman? You should have seen the look on his face when I introduced myself.” She caught herself covering another yawn.
”Please don't say he called you Mrs. Nance.”
”No, but I think he was about to. You're going to have to show me a picture of Brooke so I can see for myself.”
”I will . . . but not tonight.” Carmen looked directly into her eyes for what seemed like the first time and said softly, ”I want tonight to be about you and me.”
”That sounds like a great idea.”
”But my plans for sweeping you off your feet with a candlelight dinner went all to h.e.l.l.”
Judith was dismayed by the look of genuine disappointment.
171.
”You swept me off my feet already, remember? And we agreed you didn't have to do that anymore.”
”I know. But this wasn't about impressing you with anything.
It was about me being romantic for a change instead of my usual h.o.r.n.y self.” Carmen's nervous demeanor had gone from casual to serious.
”I'm not sure you could get any more romantic than sitting here in front of a fire telling me tonight is about us.”
”That was kind of profound, wasn't it?” Carmen leaned closer, her lips poised to make contact. She hovered, sharing a breath. Finally, her mouth slid gently over Judith's. The kiss was sweet and tender, the kind that warmed from the inside out.
Something was wrong. This wasn't how they kissed. Where was the hunger? The heat?
As if confirming her worries, Carmen suddenly pulled away.
”You should get your rest tonight. I have a big day planned tomorrow.”
Rest? Judith hadn't come all the way to Chicago to rest. Was Carmen having second thoughts? That's all it could be. Why else would she be pulling back? ”You're going to kiss me like that and expect me to sleep?”
Carmen smiled and gave her a peck on the nose. ”You don't have to sleep alone unless you really want to.” Before she could respond, Carmen clarified, ”If you leave your door open, I guarantee Prissy will visit you in the night.”
”Fine, you go sleep with her. I'm trying to take the high road here,” Carmen said to Prissy as she prepared for bed. ”She thinks you're adorable.”
Judith had showered in the guest bath and was now blow-drying her hair.
If ever Carmen had needed a cold shower, it was tonight.
Restraint had never been her strong suit. All the excitement, the 172 antic.i.p.ation about taking Judith in her arms-and into her bed- had given way to something else the moment they hugged in the doorway. It wasn't as if her desire had just flown out the window.
She wanted Judith even more tonight than she had that first night in the hotel. The difference was that it mattered to her now what happened next, and she wasn't going to screw that up by pretending it was only about s.e.x.
”I can't be in love with her already,” she whispered. ”She'd think I was nuts.”
Though falling in love didn't seem to follow any sort of rational progression, at least for Carmen. She could remember the very instant her feelings for Brooke Healey had vaulted to that realm, and there hadn't been any logic to that either.
The hair dryer stopped and the bathroom door opened.
Judith was going to bed.
Carmen settled between her sheets and turned out the light, not feeling the least bit sleepy. Her head was full of questions.
What had happened at the front door to spin her insides out of control?
As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she noticed a faint glow of light in the living room, probably coming from Judith's room.
”She's waiting for you, Miss Priss.” She nudged the dog gently, but Prissy was already comfortable by her feet. ”Go on so you can report back. I want to know what she sleeps in.”
The living room suddenly flooded with light and a silhouette filled her doorway.
”Carmen?”
<script>