Louise bent low to pick another garment from the ironing basket, her well-toned backside straining against her shorts, and Caro felt her breath quickening, surprised that she had never realised that ironing could be such an incredibly erotic activity. Lost in a haze of domestic lust, she suddenly realised that Louise had stopped ironing and was instead looking at her with a questioning grin.
“Um, sorry, what did you say?” she asked, trying to collect herself.
“I said, if you don’t stop looking at me like that, we are both going to burst into flames.”
Caro smiled at her through half-closed eyes. “Well,” she said huskily, “you do create a certain type of picture in my mind.”
Turning the iron off, Louise made her way slowly towards her. “Oh, yes?” she whispered, slowly positioning herself over Caro, who was lying back on the couch. “And what kind of a picture would that be exactly?”
Caro reached for her, ran her hands along Louise’s back. She licked a single bead of sweat that was rolling down Louise’s neck, and felt her nipples harden behind the damp shirt.
“An incredibly sexy one,” she purred. “I think you should give up your day job and just stay home and iron.”
Louise raised an eyebrow. “I think both of us know that’s never going to happen. However,” she moved her hips slowly against her lover, “if you ask me nicely, I am sure I can be persuaded to iron when the need arises.”
Rolling Louise onto the couch next to her, Caro traced her fingers over her abdomen then slowly into her shorts, running her fingers through the mound of short hair. Feeling Louise’s immediate response to her explorations, she teased with light strokes, marvelling at her rapidly changing breathing pattern. Louise’s lips finally claimed her, her tongue urging Caro to explore deeper, searching for release.
“Talking of need arising,” Louise growled, breaking the kiss, feeling Caro’s excitement rising to match her own.
Caro’s strokes became harder and faster, their bodies matching each other in a sensual synchronicity that was as natural as breathing. Feeling the pressure mounting, Caro kissed Louise hard as both women tumbled into an orgasm that left them limp and gasping, holding each other so closely it felt as though their skin was merging.
Caro could feel Louise’s heart pounding against her own chest and felt contentment wash over her. There were times when they were both so busy that they barely saw each other from one end of the day to the next. She was so grateful that, despite their demanding schedules, their connection always grounded them. No matter what chaos surrounded them, a simple look or touch could immediately bring them back to each other.
Louise stirred in Caro’s arms. “I love you,” she murmured sleepily.
Caro kissed her gently. “I love you too, honey. Always have, always will.”
Finally, Louise sat up, stretched, then rested her arms across Caro’s shoulders, holding her close. “You know, I realised again the other day when I was going through the photographic and video presentation, that I couldn’t have created OWL’s Haven if you hadn’t come back home from America when I asked you to.”
Caro ran her fingers through Louise’s hair. “We were always a good pair. Even before I left I knew that. I think we both needed to spread our wings. My years working in the States allowed for that.”
Louise smiled, remembering her call to Caro, after years apart, asking her to come home to help oversee the construction of OWL’s Haven. She trusted Caro more than anyone and knew she was the one person who could manage such an important and ambitious project.
“I still remember you in muddy work boots, giving hell to tardy builders and inefficient council inspectors. Watching you working your magic was what made me realise I had never stopped loving you. I had just buried it for a while.”
Caro smiled. “Well, it took time, but I’m so glad you made that phone call. I realised, too, that I was still in love with you. Still am.” Caro leant in for a gentle kiss. “I think we can now agree that if we could survive the drama of creating OWL’s Haven, then we can survive anything.”
Louise stretched again, causing her T-shirt shirt to ride up further and expose her taut abdomen. Caro’s expression grew lustful, and Louise laughed.
“Oh, don’t even think about it. I need a shower, a cup of coffee and food, in that order.”
Caro pretended to pout. “Spoil sport.”
Louise pulled her up for a quick kiss on the lips. “I didn’t say no. I just said not now. Let’s get cleaned up, refuelled and see where the night takes us.”
CHAPTER 31
Meg woke to the sounds of cheering outside her bedroom window. Unable to decipher what the noise was, she sat up, inadvertently moving the sheet and revealing Allie’s naked body. A rush of emotions swirled through her as she watched her lover sleeping. Love, tenderness, lust. Oh, my heaven, she thought. Lust like she had never experienced. Meg had never been shy about sex; she’d had lovers all over the world, but none had ever touched her heart. When the time had come for her to move on, she had always been able to walk away with no regrets. The passion that she and Allie had shared over the past weeks, though, had been building over a lifetime, and the knowledge that they would continue to build on this love filled her with extraordinary joy.
As if aware of Meg’s scrutiny, Allie stretched and opened her eyes. Hearing the renewed round of cheering, her eyes widened as she and Meg looked at each other in surprise.
“The vote!” they both exclaimed at the same time.
“Damn, where’s the bloody remote?” Meg swore, looking around. As Allie swept back the coverlet, the elusive control fell to the floor, where Meg scrambled for it.
On the television, they were greeted by the scene of thousands of rainbow covered supporters gathered outside Parliament House in Canberra. The ticker tape running along the bottom of the screen announced the news that the Australian government had passed the Same Sex Marriage Bill.
“Oh my God!” Allie shouted in wonder.
“They’ve damn well gone and passed it,” Meg added in disbelief.
Hugging each other, the two women sat up in bed and watched the details unfold on the screen.
Suddenly there was the sound of banging on Meg’s front door.
“Hey, you two love birds, get out here. There’s a party happening,” a voice called.
Quickly putting on a robe, Meg stuck her head out the window to see Pat, Daphne, Bella and several other women outside her cottage, all with glasses of champagne in their hands.
“We’ll be right out, just give us a minute,” she called.
“Don’t make us come in and get you,” warned Pat with a laugh.
Twenty minutes later, Meg and Allie joined the growing group partying outside on the street. Everyone was laughing as the realisation that the vote had finally been won began to hit home.
“So what happened to you two?” Daphne asked with feigned innocence, handing them each a glass of champagne. “I thought you were coming to watch the vote with us. Did you get a better offer?”
Sparrow poked Daphne in the arm. “Stop teasing them. You’ve made Allie blush.”
Allie smiled and took a sip of champagne. “Meg was tired and I thought it would be better for her to lie down, and then I thought I’d lie down too, just to keep her company. Suddenly, we realised we weren’t quite as tired as we thought. Besides, Casey was apparently insistent that Meg get enough exercise, so I decided I would do whatever I could to make sure she followed those instructions. What’s a woman to do?” Allie asked, shrugging innocently.
“Whoa, too much information,” cried Daphne, putting her hands over her ears, while the other women roared with laughter.
“Teach you to try and embarrass her,” Meg smugly retorted.
Catching sight of Leslie’s T-shirt, Daphne stared incredulously. “Where on earth did you find that?”
“Why do you ask, Daphne? Do you have a sweet tooth?” Leslie asked with a wink.
“I’m pleading diabetes,” Daphne replied, throwing up her hands and laughing.
As the group continued to tease Leslie, Daphne turned to Pat. “So, now that it’s legal, are you going to marry Bella?”
Pat watched Bella chatting to one of the other residents. “If she’ll have me,” she declared simply. “What about you and Sparrow?”
Daphne frowned. “Well, it’s early days yet, but I’m not really the marrying kind. I mean, I don’t need to marry her to prove how much I love her. What we have is between ourselves. However, just because I don’t choose to marry, doesn’t mean I still shouldn’t have the right to if I want to.”
As the crowd grew, the partying moved to the clubhouse, until one by one, the residents called it a night. Waving goodnight to Pat and Bella, Allie and Meg returned home.
“Well that was some celebration,” Meg declared with a yawn, shedding her clothes and falling into bed.
“I know. I’m so tired I can barely think. I don’t remember when I last danced so much. I think I might have put my back out.” Allie winced.
As Meg watched Allie undress and climb naked into bed, tiredness battled with her libido. “If I were twenty years younger…” she murmured sleepily.
Turning off the bedside lamp, Allie gathered Meg into her arms, kissing her forehead.
“I bet you say that to all the girls,” she whispered.
CHAPTER 32
Bella was working on a watercolour painting outside in their pergola when Pat came home from her walk.
“Look who I found outside our front door,” she announced.
Hearing the uncertainty in her voice, Bella turned quickly to see Pat standing with Jenny Wilcox. Bella saw the sudden fear that she felt reflected in her lover’s eyes. They had been waiting for the final results of Bella’s follow up tests, the results that would tell her whether or not she had beaten the cancer. The last seven months had been a roller coaster ride for them both, and they desperately wanted to believe it had been successful, as the alternative was something neither wanted to contemplate.
Putting her paintbrush down and moving away from her easel, Bella motioned for Jenny to sit down. Pat quickly moved to stand by Bella.
“I wanted to come and see you both in person.” Jenny smiled. “I always believe that giving good news is the best possible way to start the day. I have to say that yours is the best news I can possibly give.” She took a deep breath. “Bella, your results are in and all indications are that the tumour has gone.”
Bella stood and threw her arms around Pat. The two women held one another as their tears flowed. Eventually, Bella released her hold on Pat and turned to Jenny. Opening her arms, she indicated for her to join them. The three women embraced, silently acknowledging their shared joy and relief.
“Thank you,” Bella whispered through her tears. “Thank you for looking after me so well, for everything you did for both of us while I was sick. I was so lucky to have you as my doctor.”
“Bella’s right, we couldn’t have done this without you,” Pat added huskily.
Jenny laughed, wiping her eyes. “No, Bella, the determination that you showed, and the support that Pat gave you while you were fighting this damned awful disease, is what beat this. You’re two remarkable women and I’m just so incredibly happy that it’s ended so well.”
Still stunned, Bella sat down, pulling Pat onto the seat next to her. “So what’s next? Do I still need to continue having regular tests?”
“Well, in light of your past history, it would be advisable to have a check-up every six months. I’ll make sure I schedule that into my diary, but for now, just go and enjoy life. I see lots of celebration in your future,” Jenny said, laughing as she picked up her bag and made her way to the front door. “Are you happy to tell Louise and Caro, or would you like me to do it?”
“Would you mind if we did it? It’ll be a wonderful chance for us to thank them for all they have done for us as well. We have so many people to thank and so many reasons to be grateful,” Bella replied as she opened the door.
Waving goodbye to Jenny, Bella closed the door, then wrapped Pat in her arms. They stood holding each other, sobbing, finally able to let go. After several minutes, Pat gently kissed the top of Bella’s head.
“I can’t believe it’s over,” Bella said, looking up at Pat. “The longer we had to wait, the more worried I became. Although I hoped with all my heart for a second chance, I knew the odds weren’t good. It feels like we’ve been given a new life.”
“Yes, I guess in a way we have,” Pat agreed softly, wiping Bella’s tears.
“You have a new me.”
“Nah, I’ll take the old one. She was always the woman for me,” Pat murmured, continuing to stroke Bella’s face. “In fact, now it’s legal, I would like to officially keep you for the rest of our lives.”
Bella smiled at Pat. “Cara, of course… Oh.” She stopped as the meaning of Pat’s words sank in. “Do you mean you…you want to marry me?”
“I’ve wanted to marry you from the first moment I saw you.” Taking both of Bella’s hands in hers, Pat carefully lowered herself down to one knee. “Bella Patricia Fiorisi, will you do me the incredible honour of marrying me, becoming my wife and making me possibly the happiest woman on earth?”
“Oh, Pat, of course I’ll marry you!” Bella laughed through her tears. Her attempt to help her lover stand resulted in Bella ending unceremoniously on the floor and both women dissolving into peals of joyful laughter.
“Oh, good Lord, we may have to call someone to help us up,” Bella gasped when she was finally able to speak.
“Or we could take advantage of the situation and stay right where we are,” Pat suggested, sliding her fingers inside Bella’s blouse.
Bella’s answering kiss was the only reply Pat needed.
CHAPTER 33
Meg and Allie walked up the flagstone front steps of Gabby’s, Berry’s premiere four-star restaurant, lit up in all its evening glory. Allie again admired the gracious old homestead in which the restaurant was housed. Jasmine and wisteria vines graced the wide veranda, and through the open windows came the soft sounds of music and laughter.
“This is such a gorgeous venue,” Allie sighed, taking Meg’s arm as they walked inside. “I just love coming here.”
“It also helps that it’s one of the only restaurants that serves meals as marvellous as yours,” Meg replied, squeezing Allie’s arm.
Meg and Allie were greeted warmly by the staff, who directed them to one of the elegant private dining rooms. Taking glasses of champagne as they entered, they made their way over to a small cluster of women standing by the open windows.
“Good evening, everyone,” Allie greeted Sparrow, Daphne, Louise and Caro. “What are you discussing so intently?”
“Hello, you two,” Caro smiled. “We are just wondering if anyone has any idea of why Pat and Bella have invited us all to dinner?”
“Meg and I just got the invitation the other day. Pat called in and apologised for the short notice, but stressed that it was really important that we turn up. Apart from that, she refused to say anything.” Allie scanned the room. “Judging by the number of residents here, though, whatever the reason, it must be big.”
“Well, an opportunity to come to this wonderful restaurant with our friends was too good for us to turn down,” Sparrow declared excitedly. “It is such a treat to see everyone dressed up.”
“I had to try and find something decent to wear,” laughed Daphne. “The only things I seem to have these days are shorts, jeans and cargo pants.”
“Well, there is certainly lots of colour
and movement here tonight and everyone looks very elegant,” Louise remarked.
“Allie!” Turning at the sound of her name, Allie found herself enveloped in a hug from Pat. “Thank you all so much for coming.”
Allie laughed. “A surprise invitation to our favourite restaurant with all our friends? How on earth could we possibly say no to that? It’s what you call a lay down…damn, what’s the word?” she asked, turning to Meg.
“Misere.” Meg smiled.
“Yes, that’s it. Anyway,” she indicated their group, “we’re also extremely curious as to why we are all here.”
Pat laughed. “Everything will be revealed in time, you just have to be patient.”
A gentle gong interrupted the conversation.
Pat turned. “I believe that is the request for everyone to take their seats so that dinner can be served. Enjoy yourselves, and Bella and I will catch up with you later.”
Watching Pat walk away, Allie turned to the others. “Well, I guess we are just going to have to wait and see.”
“So, I believe that you and Meg have moved in together?” Daphne asked as their main course plates were being cleared.
Allie beamed. “Yes, a couple of weeks ago.”
“It seemed ridiculous for us to have separate houses, so we decided that since my place is bigger, Allie should move in with me,” Meg said gently, laying her hand on Allie’s. “I’m still getting used to believing that we have the rest of our lives together.”
“Well, cheers to you both,” Caro said, raising her glass. “It might have taken a while, but in the end, love won out!”
Acknowledging the toast, Meg fixed Daphne and Sparrow with a piercing stare and asked innocently, “So, when are you two moving in together?”
Daphne coloured, looking at Sparrow. “Oh…well…”
The sound of a tinkling bell interrupted their conversation and drew their attention to the centre table, where Bella was seated with Pat standing behind, her hands on Bella’s shoulders.
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