Fated

Part 11

Taylor lounged casually in the corner, a relaxed smile playing on her lips. Gone were the tight knots in her stomach, replaced by confidence. She watched, now amused, as admirers flocked around Jade, their efforts to charm met with polite but distant smiles. Taylor saw the humor in it all now instead of the desire to tear them apart, knowing none of these advances would ever go anywhere.

The party buzzed around them. Laughter and chatter, punctuated by the soft melodies drifting from hidden speakers, filled the place. Taylor and Jade moved like celestial bodies, drawn into an inevitable orbit. They were never too close to collide, yet never distant enough to lose sight of each other. Their exchanged glances were fleeting but charged, electric currents in the air.

Their interactions were subtle. A touch of a hand here, a quick brush of bodies as one navigated past the other. Each contact sent a thrill through Taylor.

As the clock hands swept past midnight, the room began to empty, its energy dimming with each departing guest. In the quiet aftermath, Taylor and Jade found themselves alone. Kristen, oblivious to the world, snored softly on the opposite couch.

"I should leave too," Taylor announced, her voice tinged with reluctance as she rose from her seat.

"It's late. Why don't I drop you off?" Jade suggested, stepping closer with a casual grace.

Taylor's gaze lingered on Jade, a sparkle of amusement in her eyes. "You do realize I have a driver and security? I'm hardly venturing out alone," she teased, her tone light.

Jade sighed, running a hand through her short raven hair that was beginning to grow. "I know, but I like driving and would love to drop you off. Security can follow behind. It's pretty late. No one would know if I take one of my discreet cars."

Taylor considered the offer, her mind racing with the possibilities. Spending more time with Jade, even for a brief car ride, held an undeniable appeal.

"Alright," Taylor agreed, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "But only because you asked so nicely."

Jade beamed at her, following her as they took the elevator to the private garage. Which, in hindsight, was a terrible idea, both of them alone in an enclosed space after having such an emotional relationship-affirming conversation. As soon as the elevator doors closed, they turned to each other like moths to a flame, unable to stand on opposite ends as they should have.

The distance between their bodies closed to a hair breath, the elevator quickly filling with the intoxicating scent of both their scents combining. It made Taylor's brain foggy. Jade trailed a finger on the two temporary golded stars tattoos just above her breasts, her touch leaving a burning path in their wake.

"Have I told you how hot these look?" Jade said, her voice low and husky; those damn eyes stared at her as if wanting to devour her.

For a moment, Taylor was sure Jade was going to kiss her. She could feel it with the charged air between them. Jade was standing so close to her with her lips slightly parted in invitation, but before either of them could move to close the distance between them, the elevator doors opened, making them step back, reality creeping in.

Taylor watched as Jade closed her eyes, taking deep breaths as she visibly tried to control herself. When her eyes opened, they were no longer as dark.

"Miss Swift, Miss Storm," Greg was there watching them with a slight smirk. Taylor resisted the urge to flip him off. He was one of the few people who knew everything she did perils of his job, and while Greg always maintained his professionalism, he had been around long enough that Taylor could tell when he silently making fun of her, and from the look Jade gave James, he was the same.