by T. L. Hayes
Steve’s embrace made her smile, as did the picture Steve had just created for her in her mind. Her father had been a teddy bear too, once. She remembered when she was small enough to sit on his shoulders. He would put her up there saying, “Climb up on me so you can be closer to the stars.” She would eagerly run to him and be lifted up, and it felt so high. Her little legs would go around his neck and he would take her hands in his. Then he would proceed to tell her and her mother stories about the stars, most of which she couldn’t remember from that time. But since he often retold the same stories, she eventually learned them all, and later, after she was old enough to read and understand books, she would add to his stories with stories of her own. Once he had asked her how she knew so much, and she had replied, “I learned from the best.”
A tear escaped her and she tried to surreptitiously wipe it away, but Steve noticed her movement.
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry. I should have realized. No more stories.” Steve tightened her arms around Lou and kissed her on top of her head, cupping her cheek in her hand.
“No, that’s okay. I like hearing them. And that was a happy memory. I promise.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, baby, I’m sure. I’ve worked hard over the years to hold on to them. I don’t want to forget that I did once have a good father. It wasn’t his fault what happened to him, but he chose to not seek help for it. I don’t want to be like him in that regard.” Lou leaned back out of Steve’s embrace a bit so she could look up at her. “I mean, I’m proud to have his tenacity when it comes to certain things. And I credit my career to him, in part. If he hadn’t taught me all about different weapons and such, who knows where my love of theater would have taken me. Probably just writing.” Steve was smiling at her and she realized she was babbling, so she decided to say only one more thing on the subject. “I’m going to get help for my past trauma.”
“I’m glad.”
Lou slipped a leg over Steve’s and looked up at her with a smile. “And I want a future with you, soldier. One that doesn’t involve anger and violence.”
“Couldn’t agree more.”
“But that doesn’t mean tickling’s off the table.” Lou rolled on top of Steve and began tickling her sides and anywhere else she could reach.
Steve squealed but quickly got the upper hand and rolled Lou on her back. Their tickles quickly turned to playful kisses, and Steve’s tie got thrown to the floor. Just as Lou was in the process of playfully biting her on the neck, Steve pulled back with a note of surprised comprehension in her voice, “Sirius! The Dog Star! That’s why Rowling named him that!”
Lou burst out laughing. “You are such a dork.”
“What? It just came to me.”
“Uh-huh.”
“It did!”
With a smile on her face, Lou replied, “Je t’aime, tu dork.”
Steve growled low in her throat. “Ah, Lou, French!” Steve took hold of Lou’s hand and began to kiss up Lou’s arm, which just made Lou giggle more.
When Steve’s kisses reached Lou’s lips, their mutual giggles subsided. Lou put her arms around Steve’s neck and met her lips with hers for a soft, sweet kiss.
About the Author
T.L. Hayes (http://TLHayesweb.com) is just your typical overeducated, underemployed dyke in the process of starting new journeys. She has held many jobs, including customer service agent, housekeeper, and poll-taker. None of them has been as satisfying as writing, especially writing stories with predominantly gay characters. She holds master’s degrees in English and educational studies, and an incredible amount of student loan debt. She has recently moved back to her home state of Illinois and is enjoying all four seasons again.
Books Available From Bold Strokes Books
A Fighting Chance by T. L. Hayes. Will Lou be able to come to terms with her past to give love a fighting chance? (978-1-163555-257-7)
Chosen by Brey Willows. When the choice is adapt or die, can love save us all? (978-1-163555-110-5)
Gnarled Hollow by Charlotte Greene. After they are invited to study a secluded nineteenth-century estate, a former English professor and a group of historians discover that they will have to fight against the unknown if they have any hope of staying alive. (978-1-163555-235-5)
Jacob’s Grace by C.P. Rowlands. Captain Tag Becket wants to keep her head down and her past behind her, but her feelings for AJ’s second-in-command, Grace Fields, makes keeping secrets next to impossible. (978-1-163555-187-7)
On the Fly by PJ Trebelhorn. Hockey player Courtney Abbott is content with her solitary life until visiting concert violinist Lana Caruso makes her second-guess everything she always thought she wanted. (978-1-163555-255-3)
Passionate Rivals by Radclyffe. Professional rivalry and long-simmering passions create a combustible combination when Emmet McCabe and Sydney Stevens are forced to work together, especially when past attractions won’t stay buried. (978-1-63555-231-7)
Proxima Five by Missouri Vaun. When geologist Leah Warren crash-lands on a preindustrial planet and is claimed by its tyrant, Tiago, will clan warrior Keegan’s love for Leah give her the strength to defeat him? (978-1-163555-122-8)
Racing Hearts by Dena Blake. When you cross a hot-tempered race car mechanic with a reckless cop, the result can only be spontaneous combustion. (978-1-163555-251-5)
Shadowboxer by Jessica L. Webb. Jordan McAddie is prepared to keep her street kids safe from a dangerous underground protest group, but she isn’t prepared for her first love to walk back into her life. (978-1-163555-267-6)
The Tattered Lands by Barbara Ann Wright. As Vandra and Lilani strive to make peace, they slowly fall in love. With mistrust and murder surrounding them, only their faith in each other can keep their plan to save the world from falling apart. (978-1-163555-108-2)
Captive by Donna K. Ford. To escape a human trafficking ring, Greyson Cooper and Olivia Danner become players in a game of deceit and violence. Will their love stand a chance? (978-1-63555-215-7)
Crossing the Line by CF Frizzell. The Mob discovers a nemesis within its ranks, and in the ultimate retaliation, draws Stick McLaughlin from anonymity by threatening everything she holds dear. (978-1-63555-161-7)
Love’s Verdict by Carsen Taite. Attorneys Landon Holt and Carly Pachett want the exact same thing: the only open partnership spot at their prestigious criminal defense firm. But will they compromise their careers for love? (978-1-63555-042-9)
Precipice of Doubt by Mardi Alexander & Laurie Eichler. Can Cole Jameson resist her attraction to her boss, veterinarian Jodi Bowman, or will she risk a workplace romance and her heart? (978-1-63555-128-0)
Savage Horizons by CJ Birch. Captain Jordan Kellow’s feelings for Lt. Ali Ash have her past and future colliding, setting in motion a series of events that strands her crew in an unknown galaxy thousands of light years from home. (978-1-63555-250-8)
Secrets of the Last Castle by A. Rose Mathieu. When Elizabeth Campbell represents a young man accused of murdering an elderly woman, her investigation leads to an abandoned plantation that reveals many dark Southern secrets. (978-1-63555-240-9)
Take Your Time by VK Powell. A neurotic parrot brings police officer Grace Booker and temporary veterinarian Dr. Dani Wingate together in the tiny town of Pine Cone, but their unexpected attraction keeps the sparks flying. (978-1-63555-130-3)
The Last Seduction by Ronica Black. When you allow true love to elude you once and you desperately regret it, are you brave enough to grab it when it comes around again? (978-1-63555-211-9)
The Shape of You by Georgia Beers. Rebecca McCall doesn’t play it safe, but when sexy Spencer Thompson joins her workout class, their nonstop sparring forces her to face her ultimate challenge—a chance at love. (978-1-63555-217-1)
Exposed by MJ Williamz. The closet is no place to live if you want to find true love. (978-1-62639-989-1)
Force of Fire: Toujours a Vous by Ali Vali. Immortals Kendal and Piper welcome their new child and celebrate the defeat of an old
enemy, but another ancient evil is about to awaken deep in the jungles of Costa Rica. (978-1-63555-047-4)
Landing Zone by Erin Dutton. Can a career veteran finally discover a love stronger than even her pride? (978-1-63555-199-0)
Love at Last Call by M. Ullrich. Is balancing business, friendship, and love more than any willing woman can handle? (978-1-63555-197-6)
Pleasure Cruise by Yolanda Wallace. Spencer Collins and Amy Donovan have few things in common, but a Caribbean cruise offers both women an unexpected chance to face one of their greatest fears: falling in love. (978-1-63555-219-5)
Running Off Radar by MB Austin. Maji’s plans to win Rose back are interrupted when work intrudes, and duty calls her to help a SEAL team stop a Russian mobster from harvesting gold from the bottom of Sitka Sound. (978-1-63555-152-5)
Shadow of the Phoenix by Rebecca Harwell. In the final battle for the fate of Storm’s Quarry, even Nadya’s and Shay’s powers may not be enough. (978-1-63555-181-5)
Take a Chance by D. Jackson Leigh. There’s hardly a woman within fifty miles of Pine Cone that veterinarian Trip Beaumont can’t charm, except for the irritating new cop, Jamie Grant, who keeps leaving parking tickets on her truck. (978-1-63555-118-1)
Death in Time by Robyn Nyx. Working in the past is hell on your future. (978-1-63555-053-5)
The Outcasts by Alexa Black. Spacebus driver Sue Jones is running from her past. When she crash-lands on a faraway world, the Outcast Kara might be her chance for redemption. (978-1-63555-242-3)
Alias by Cari Hunter. A car crash leaves a woman with no memory and no identity. Together with Detective Bronwen Pryce, she fights to uncover a truth that might just kill them both. (978-1-63555-221-8)
Hers to Protect by Nicole Disney. Ex–high school sweethearts Kaia and Adrienne will have to see past their differences and survive the vengeance of a brutal gang if they want to be together. (978-1-63555-229-4)
Perfect Little Worlds by Clifford Mae Henderson. Lucy can’t hold the secret any longer. Twenty-six years ago, her sister did the unthinkable. (978-1-63555-164-8)
Room Service by Fiona Riley. Interior designer Olivia likes stability, but when work brings footloose Savannah into her world and into a new city every month, Olivia must decide if what makes her comfortable is what makes her happy. (978-1-63555-120-4)
Sparks Like Ours by Melissa Brayden. Professional surfers Gia Malone and Elle Britton can’t deny their chemistry on and off the beach. But only one can win… (978-1-63555-016-0)
Take My Hand by Missouri Vaun. River Hemsworth arrives in Georgia intent on escaping quickly, but when she crashes her Mercedes into the Clip ’n Curl, sexy Clay Cahill ends up rescuing more than her car. (978-1-63555-104-4)
The Last Time I Saw Her by Kathleen Knowles. Lane Hudson only has twelve days to win back Alison’s heart. That is, if she can gather the courage to try. (978-1-63555-067-2)
Wayworn Lovers by Gun Brooke. Will agoraphobic composer Giselle Bonnaire and Tierney Edwards, a wandering soul who can’t remain in one place for long, trust in the passionate love destiny hands them? (978-1-62639-995-2)
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