Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
PRESENT DAY
Yvonne stood in the elevator at the Kansas City Police Department headquarters building. It seemed like her insides were vibrating, and her stomach was in knots. How can I be anxious and exhilarated at the same time?
She stole a glance at Suzie and the gorgeous wedding cake they had made and mentally went back three days prior.
“Yvonne, I have Suzie Carmichael on the phone for you.” Tante Wilma held out the portable phone.
Yvonne rubbed her hands dry on the top of her blue jeans. “Hi, Suzie. How much do I owe you for the dishes?”
“What?” Suzie’s voice rose at the end of the word. “No. We told you we didn’t expect you to pay for those. Broken dishes are part of running a restaurant.”
Yes, she’d said so after the party, and when Yvonne had tried to refuse the pay, she’d insisted she take it.
“Hmm, okay. So, why are you calling, then?”
“Friends of ours are having an impromptu wedding. Sonja and I are giving them a big wedding cake, but we’re short-staffed again. Could you help?”
“Umm, probably I can. I need to check with Tante Wilma. What do you need done and when do you need me?”
It turned out Suzie needed help with making and delivering the cake. Yvonne enjoyed the preparations, but what had been the icing on the cake hadn’t been icing at all—but the top decoration.
When Suzie had produced them, Yvonne had sucked in a breath. “Cuffs?” Yvonne blurted.
Suzie’s face colored red. “Yes, Paula and Jackson are—umm, they’re police detectives.”
Yvonne crossed her arms as she connected all the puzzle pieces. “If that’s the reason, then why are you blushing?”
“It’s… it’s hot in here.” Suzie didn’t sound convincing.
A tingling sensation started on her scalp and moved down the back of her neck and upper spine.
“Sorry to be so direct, but do you happen to belong to a BDSM group?” Yvonne’s heart pounded so hard Suzie could probably hear it.
“I don’t want to put my nose in your business, but I was in the lifestyle in the Netherlands, and I miss it. ”
Suzie’s mouth fell open. “You were?”
Yvonne nodded.
“In that case, you have to come to Club Indigo for the party after the wedding!”
The elevator halted with a jerk and jarred Yvonne out of her memories. As the doors slid open, she straightened her shirt and faced the exit.
With the doors completely open, she had a clear view of a big space with men and women.
No one paid attention to her and Suzie, their focus trained on the blond man and confident woman Yvonne had admired at the party.
Suzie’s friends, Jackson and Paula? Yvonne caught the end of the man’s words.
“…so we can have this celebration.” She wasn’t sure why people laughed, but he continued.
“Sorry, but we couldn’t manage champagne during the workday.
” More laughter erupted before he stated, “We have a few technical details to take care of, and then the festivities will commence. We would like all of you to witness our wedding. As you can see, there will be cake.”
All attention turned on Suzie, her, and the cake, and Yvonne hoped she wouldn’t trip or do something else stupid.
As Jackson led Paula toward a closed door, the room erupted in activities. At least a six men—half of them in uniform, the rest in street clothes—moved the desks around to create a makeshift aisle. With the room prepared, they helped Suzie and Yvonne set up for the reception.
With cake and cutlery in place, Suzie turned away. “I’m getting the bouquets for the bride and the maid of honor. Be right back.”
“Sure.” Yvonne folded her hands in front of her.
A statuesque woman approached, and Yvonne couldn’t break her stare.
She had beautiful auburn hair and the most stunning green eyes Yvonne had ever seen.
The woman caught Yvonne’s gaze and held her captive as she drew near.
Goosebumps erupted on Yvonne’s arms, but she wasn’t cold—she was hot like she was running a fever.
Yvonne became acutely aware of the woman’s scent—a hint of lavender with something fresh and citrusy.
To her embarrassment, she could also smell her own arousal.
Yvonne had never been this turned on by a woman before.
She had to lock her knees to keep from dropping to them.
The moment vanished when Suzie interrupted them. “All ready to go?”
Yvonne barely paid attention to the ceremony.
She was half-focused on the gorgeous redheaded woman, who stood tall and proud next to the bride and groom, and the rest of her mind on the night ahead.
In a few hours, she would be at a BDSM club.
She couldn’t wait to see Club Indigo and meet the lifestylers there.