With the soft light of dawn seeping in around the edges of the curtains, Taylor slowly opened her eyes. Her mouth curved instantly at the sight of Vicki's blonde hair sprawled across her shoulder and chest. She could feel the weight and warmth of Vicki's leg pinning her own. As the pull of sleep released her mind, flashes of the previous night danced in her head. Before she could give it any more thought, Vicki stirred. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't," she purred as she stretched her body. "You looked deep in thought."

"Yes. I suppose I was." She smiled and shifted her shoulder to allow Vicki to get more comfortable.

Vicki kissed Taylor's bare shoulder before relaxing her head on it. She made lazy circles with her finger on Taylor's abs. "I had a night of passionate sex with an incredible woman and I'd like to think she was deep in thought about me."

Taylor fought a moan. That one finger was driving her crazy. "You were the first person I thought of when I awoke." Taylor smiled. ""You're even more beautiful asleep on me."

Vicki shivered at hearing Taylor's words. "You think so?"

Taylor tightened her hold, pulling the small body closer. "Cold?"

"Yes and no." She chuckled at the confused look on Taylor's face. "Where is my chemise?"

Taylor's smile was a bit shy. "Devoured."

Vicki's brow rose as a slow smile appeared. "Really?"

Taylor looked suddenly uncomfortable. "I'm sorry. I got a little…ah…carried away."

Vicki flattened her palm on Taylor's abs moving slowly downward. "If I recall, you weren't the only one. Besides, there are other ways to get warm."

Taylor's eyes shuddered closed as a moan escaped her throat.

Vicki's hand was halted by a knock at the door.

They looked at each other and smiled sheepishly. Taylor shrugged her shoulders and rolled out of the warm bed in search of something to cover her nakedness.

When Taylor opened the door, Chris had a childish grin on her face. Taylor was instantly scared, thinking Chris was up to no good and was going to embarrass her in front of Vicki. She quickly slipped into the hall and closed the bedroom door. "What's up, Chris?"

Chris tilted her head toward the bedroom. "Apparently not the two of you."

Taylor looked away and groaned. "Did you come up here to give me a hard time about this?"

Chris was enjoying watching Taylor squirm, but suddenly remembered the reason for summoning her. "No." She smiled. "I'm sorry for…uh…disturbing-"

Taylor smirked. "I get it, Chris. Why have you got me in the hall?"

She leaned toward Taylor and spoke in a low voice. "The Senator is on the phone."

"What?"

"You heard me. The Senator is on the phone."

Taylor's squeaked out, "Right now? He's on the phone, right now?"

"Damn, Cross! Getting laid affected your hearing? Yes, he is waiting on the phone, right now."

Taylor sighed deeply. "All right. I'll let her know. As soon as she gets dressed she'll be down." She started to walk away, then turned back. "Maybe you should tell him that she'll call him right back. What do you think?"

It wasn't often that anyone got to see Taylor Cross nervous or out of sorts and Chris was finding it difficult not to burst with laughter. Chris reached out quickly and grabbed Taylor's forearm to stop her from walking off again. "I think you need to calm down and listen to me."

Taylor took a deep breath. "You're right. I'm listening."

Chris couldn't pass up the opportunity for one more taunt. "Do me a favor, friend. The next time you decide to sleep with a Senator's straight daughter, do it in someone else's house. Not mine."

Taylor started walking away and Chris laughed heartily.

"Wait, Taylor. That's not all." She cleared her throat and stopped laughing. "You're going to love this. He doesn't want to speak to his daughter. He wants to talk to you."

Taylor turned and rushed back to Chris. She felt like a teenager who had just been caught by the girl's father while making out on the couch. "You're messing with me, right? You're joking? Tell me you're joking." She stood stiff with tension hoping Chris would let her off the hook.

Chris stifled a laugh. "No, Taylor. I would be lying to you if I said I wasn't enjoying this, but it is not my doing. I'm serious when I tell you he is waiting on the phone for you."

"Does he know she's here?"

"I don't know." Taylor's impatient looked prompted Chris to say more. "He didn't ask." She shrugged and smiled. "I didn't tell."

Taylor hung her head and rubbed the base of her neck, where most of her tension had lodged. "Damn!"

Chris patted Taylor on top of the head like you would a pouting child. "I'll let him know that the call will be returned ASAP."

Taylor turned toward the bedroom with slumped shoulders. "Thanks."

As she opened the door she realized that the call from the senator had had the same effect as a cold shower. "Double damn!"

Vicki was lying on her stomach cuddling Taylor's pillow. "That doesn't sound good. Bad news?"

Taylor made a quick decision not to tell Vicki about the call from her father. Not yet. "I just have to return an important call."

Vicki rolled over to look at her. "When?"

"Now." Taylor heaved a sigh. "It's very important."

Vicki climbed out of the bed still naked and strolled to Taylor, smiling at the reaction she was receiving. "Now, huh?"

Taylor's throat went dry as her eyes took in the vision approaching. This woman and her father were playing tug of war with her libido. The daughter was definitely winning. Taylor couldn't find words to answer, but she willingly embraced the smaller woman as arms wrapped around her neck.

Vicki placed a small kiss on Taylor's chest, at the opening of the robe, before pulling on Taylor's neck. "Do you have time for a good morning kiss?"

Taylor lowered her head in response.

Vicki started the kiss slow and sweet. As her tongue requested entrance, her fingers dipped beneath the robe's lapels loosing the tie. Her soft small hands traveled slowly across Taylor's upper chest, skimmed down her sides and came to rest on her hips. She smiled against Taylor's mouth as she felt Taylor's body tremble and heard her low growl. "Good morning, Detective."

Taylor felt a violet shiver run through her body as she opened her eyes. "Good morning." She pulled Vicki more firmly against her trying to take some of the edge off her arousal. "You are way too good at that."

Vicki smiled. "I'm glad you think so." She pulled herself from Taylor's embrace and moved smoothly to the pile of clothing on the floor, allowing a slow sway to her hips. "You have a call to return." She turned and tilted her head with a playful smile on her face. "Right, Detective?"

Taylor shook her head and released a shuddering breath. "Uh…Phone call?"

Vicki bent over to pick up the clothing and carried them to the bed. She could see how easy it was going to be to play with Taylor. She kept her voice even and her back turned. "Yes. You have a very important call to return. Isn't that what you said?"

Taylor caught onto the game the supposedly inexperienced woman was playing. She stood in silence and gazed at Vicki. She chose to enjoy Vicki's obvious confidence in her nakedness, while allowing the silence to force Vicki to look at her.

Vicki could feel the heat of Taylor's gaze and the added silence was too much. She turned slowly. "Stop that."

Taylor angled her head. "What?"

"Staring at me." "Why"

"Because you have an important call to return." She smiled and blushed slightly. "But your eyes say different." She left the forgotten clothing on the bed and went to Taylor. "And if you keep looking at me that way your important call might have to be postponed."

Taylor knew that she had just succeeded in turning the tables. She skimmed her hands slowly down Vicki's body as her lips met the pulse point on her neck. "Postponed?"

Vicki closed her eyes when goose bumps spread over her body. "I think this game just got turned around on me."

Taylor smiled before skimming her teeth lightly across a soft bare shoulder. "You think?"

Vicki's pulse doubled. "God, yes."

Taylor growled at the sound of ringing coming from the pile of discarded clothes on the floor.

Vicki sighed and opened her eyes slowly. She wrapped her fingers around Taylor's wrist to stop her from moving away. "What is that?"

"My cell," she said with regret. She kissed Vicki lightly on the lips before turning to the clothing to dig her cell out of the pocket of her slacks.

Vicki started dressing as she watched Taylor fight the slacks for her phone.

"Cross."

Vicki was unable to swallow a giggle at Taylor's short, harsh tone.

Taylor's eyes widened and she rushed to cover the mouth piece of the phone. She silently prayed that the senator didn't hear his daughter giggling.

Vicki fell silent and stepped forward when she saw the change in Taylor's expression.

"No, sir, it's not a bad time. Yes, Senator, she is with me. One moment, sir." She quickly handed the phone to Vicki.

Vicki mouthed the word 'sorry' as she accepted the phone.

Taylor gathered up her outfit from the night before and raced to the adjoining bathroom. She wanted to give Vicki some privacy and take a moment herself to clear her head. She took her time getting dressed, dreading the outcome of the call. She cursed herself for her behavior. She had known that Vicki was escorted to the party by her father. She groaned loudly as the image of her own parent enjoying the party popped into her mind. She was still groaning when she heard a soft knocking accompanied of by Vicki's voice. "Taylor, are you all right?"

"Yeah," she answered as she opened the door.

"I'm sorry, Taylor. I can't believe he called your cell. He was just worried because I didn't call anyone to let them know I wasn't returning home last night."

Taylor pressed her fingers against her closed eyes, then ran the same hand through her hair. "I'm sure he was worried. He escorts you to a party where you disappear for the better part of eight hours." She walked around Vicki to pace the bedroom. "I don't even know where my mother is. Whether she got home safely or not." With each word her frustration with herself grew. "For Christ's sake, Vicki, we're in someone else's home."

Apology could be seen in Vicki's eyes, but would not pass her lips. Instead, she crossed to Taylor, ran her hand down Taylor's arm and linked their fingers together. "I won't apologize for last night, Taylor. I wanted it." With visions of the night before playing in her mind, she ran a finger slowly across Taylor's bottom lip. "I wanted you."

Taylor's eyes slid shut at the gentle touch to her lip. She had her own visions of the night before distracting her at the moment. She had a strong feeling that Victoria Roberts was going to be the best thing or the worst thing that had happened to her in a long time. Without opening her eyes she said, "I wanted it." She opened her eyes, with a small laugh. "I've wanted you almost since our first unfortunate meeting."

Vicki laughed out of embarrassment, remembering the first time they laid eyes on each other. "That is good to know. I thought I was going to jail that day, but I wasn't going to give you the satisfaction of knowing that." She was silent for a moment, thinking of the many unpleasant encounters. "I don't know what came over me, but every time I saw you, something would come alive in me that I couldn't control."

Taylor raised her brows. "And now?"

Vicki couldn't help but laugh, but this time a blush accompanied her laugh. "Seems your presence still causes me to become physical."

Taylor smiled at the obvious joke. "Does this mean that you won't continue to try to slap me in the future?"

She wrapped her arms around Taylor's neck, rising slightly on her toes. With Taylor's lips a breath away, she whispered, "I promise nothing."

The kiss started gentle, but quickly turned into a battle for control when Taylor put her hands on Vicki's hips. Taylor couldn't stop a moan as her tongue was sucked into a determined, sweet mouth. The moan encouraged Vicki to prolong the kiss with the hope of eliciting more of Taylor's sensual sounds.

Taylor broke the kiss, but didn't open her eyes. She willed her racing blood to slow and her pounding heart to calm.

Vicki watched Taylor's face through half-lidded eyes with a self-satisfied smile on her face. "Problem, Detective?"

"No, no problem." She opened her eyes slowly. "You look very pleased with yourself, Ms. Roberts."

"Deservedly so from the looks of you."

Taylor smiled. "If I recall, this is exactly what got us into to the situation we find ourselves this morning."

Vicki had completely forgotten about the call from her father. "Yes, I agree." She backed away from Taylor. "My father sent a car to pick me up. It seems I forgot about a lunch engagement that I agreed to attend with him today."

"Then I guess you need to clean up a bit." Taylor gestured to the bathroom. "If you have time, you can shower. There are a couple of new toothbrushes in the cabinet, behind the mirror."

Vicki hesitated suddenly shy. "Will you be going back to Redding today?"

"Yes. I didn't have any intention of staying the night." The statement reminded Taylor that she needed to find out her mother's whereabouts. "I should check on my mother."

"Of course." Vicki combed her fingers through her hair. "I left my purse downstairs and there are a few things in it that would come in handy right now."

Taylor laughed, watching Vicki try to tame her mane of hair. "I'll bring it up."

"Thanks."

Vicki let out a long quiet breath after watching Taylor leave the room.

After retrieving Vicki's purse, Taylor decided to head to the kitchen for two cups of coffee before returning to Vicki. When she entered the kitchen three amused faces greeted her. Her mother stood and kissed her cheek. "Good morning, dear."

Guilt covered Taylor's face. "Morning." She looked at Chris and Jennifer before turning back to her mother. Her appearance let Taylor know that she had spent the night in Chris's home, as well. She was wearing a pair of loose purple sweats and a white cotton shirt, too large for her frame, that hung low on her shoulder. She wasn't wearing any make-up and her hair was still damp from her shower. She looked younger than her fifty-four years. "About last night, I'm sorry."

The older woman smiled. "It's quite all right, dear." She glanced at Chris. "Chris took good care of me after you left the party. At first I thought work had called you away, but she informed me that you…were otherwise engaged."

Taylor glared at Chris as she spoke in an even tone for her mother's benefit. "I'm sure she did. That was kind of her."

Chris sipped her coffee, but couldn't hide her laughing eyes as she looked back at Taylor over the rim.

Jennifer cleared her throat. "How about some coffee, Taylor?"

Taylor was grateful for the interruption. "Thank you, but I can get it."

Jennifer rose, ignoring Taylor's comment. "Visit with your mother. I'll get it."

Taylor only smiled and took the empty chair next to her mother.

The older woman could see how uncomfortable her daughter was with the conversation, but couldn't help being a little curious about this new woman that had suddenly appeared in her life. She reached for Taylor's hand and gave it a sympathetic squeeze as she glanced at everyone quickly before speaking. "I know this is bad timing, Taylor, but I wasn't aware that you were seeing anyone."

Surprised by the statement, Taylor blew out a breath. "I'm not…I mean I wasn't." She blew out another breath in frustration. "We've known each other a short period of time, but it's difficult to explain."

Jennifer set a cup of coffee in front her. "Taylor, will Ms. Roberts be down for a cup?" She laid a hand on Taylor's shoulder and glared at her girlfriend when Chris almost spewed coffee all over the table with an uncontrollable snicker. Jennifer rushed on, hoping to defer her girlfriend's full blown laughter. "Or if you know how she takes her coffee I can make a cup for you to take up."

Taylor let her head fall on the table and mumbled, "Will this nightmare ever end?" When all three women burst out in laughter, Taylor's head bolted up. "What is so funny about this?"

Her mother calmed first. "You're clearly embarrassed, Taylor, and it so suits you this morning." She couldn't contain her laughter to say more, but patted her Taylor's hand, hoping to take the sting out of it.

Taylor turned to Jennifer.

Jennifer covered her mouth and tried to control her laughter. "It's just an awkward situation, Taylor." She shrugged her shoulders. "One that happens to be very amusing at the moment."

Everyone's laughter raised a notch.

Taylor shook her head and turned her narrowed eyes to Chris. "Well?"

Chris raised her hand and shook her head. "Oh, no." She took a breath to stop laughing. "You don't want my list of reasons why this is so funny. Especially with your mother present."

Taylor opened her mouth to argue, but didn't see the point. She glanced at all three with a child's pout before getting up to make a fresh cup of coffee for herself and a cup for Vicki. On her way out she paused beside her mother. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Take your time, dear."

She rolled her eyes at her mother's innocent smile as she turned to exit the kitchen. She could hear Jennifer and Chris mumbling while she spoke with her mother, so she wasn't surprised when Chris appeared at her side.

"Have you returned the senator's call, Taylor?"

That Taylor was holding two cups of coffee and had Vicki's purse tucked under her arm was the only reason she didn't attempt to remove the smirk from Chris's face. "I never got the chance. He called my cell."

Chris exploded with laughter. "Oh, this is too good."

Taylor stopped walking and stepped toward Chris. "I'm so glad you find this so amusing. If it weren't for you and Jennifer insisting that I attend these damned parties I wouldn't be in this predicament."

Chris sobered a bit. "I see your point, Taylor." She stifled a laugh. "I invite you to a party so you can let your mother slip your mind. Have sex with a senator's daughter. A straight woman, I might add." She took one of the cups from Taylor and started toward the stairs. "And let's not forget about receiving phone calls from the senator of California."

Having the simple truth stated in Chris's comical tone broke through the tension and Taylor found herself laughing. "God, what a mess."

"It could have been worse." At Taylor's shocked expression, Chris smiled. "The senator could have gone in search of his daughter last night."

Taylor groaned.

Chris became serious. "I was surprised to see him here last night."

"Why is that?"

"When we sent out the invitations, we received a few apology cards stating their regrets and one reason or another why they were unable to attend. The senator's family was among them."

Taylor put it in the back of her mind with the intention of questioning Vicki about it.

When they arrived at the bedroom door, Taylor paused. "Thanks for taking care of mother. I owe you one."

Chris handed her the cup of coffee. "You know better than that." She turned the knob on the bedroom door since Taylor's hands were full. "Take your time. We'll see you downstairs."

Vicki spotted the coffee as soon as Taylor entered the room. She took the offered cup. "Bless you. Maybe I'll be a little more alert when I face my father."

As Taylor turned away, she mumbled, "Better you than me."

Vicki laughed. "It's just a little embarrassing since he seems to know why I didn't return to the party."

Taylor remembered what Chris told her. "It's my understanding that Mrs. Owens received an apology that your family would not be able to attend the Gavalas Vineyards anniversary celebration."

Vicki's cup of coffee paused at her lips as she searched for a reasonable reply.

Continued…