A Wish Upon a Star

by Jeannie Levig

  Leslie pulled the rocking chair up, as she always did, and began to read.

  Erica stood behind her, running her fingers through Leslie’s hair.

  Leslie could barely concentrate. Between Erica’s gentle caress, the high of her emotions from the proposal, and the surreal quality of having an engagement ring on her finger, her mind was spinning and her body thrumming. Mercifully, by the middle of Where the Wild Things Are, Siena dropped off to sleep.

  “That didn’t take long,” Erica whispered.

  “No,” Leslie said, tipping her head into Erica’s touch. “But I don’t want to move. I don’t want you to stop.”

  Erica leaned down and nuzzled her ear. “I’ll start again. I promise.”

  When they reached their bedroom, Erica crossed to the French doors and opened them. A cool evening breeze drifted in, and she lifted her hair up off her neck.

  Leslie moved behind her and kissed her nape.

  Erica sighed.

  “That was quite the surprise tonight.” Leslie rested her hands on Erica’s hips and pressed against her backside.

  “I can’t believe Siena blurted it out like that.” Erica turned and draped her arms around Leslie’s shoulders. “I had it all planned out for tomorrow night, with mac and cheese to symbolize our first dinner together and everything.”

  Leslie chuckled and lightly kissed Erica’s lips. “Did you really think she wouldn’t spill it?”

  “She kept my birthday party and her song a secret.” Erica tightened her hold and let out a quiet moan when Leslie inched up the skirt of her dress and cupped her ass.

  “She was sedated and on pain meds that whole week,” Leslie said. Then she lost her train of thought. “I want to make love to you.”

  Without a word, Erica eased away and slipped the straps of her dress off her shoulders, then let the garment slide down her body to the floor.

  Leslie heated, and arousal pooled between her thighs. She took Erica by the hand and led her to their bed. As she lowered herself to the mattress, Erica moved with her. She lay back against the pillows, and Erica cuddled against her. In the months they’d been together, they’d grown to know each other well. They knew each other’s thoughts, finished each other’s sentences, moved in sync like professional dancers even if, as now, all they were doing was holding one another. And still, Leslie knew there was so much more to learn and to share.

  “I’m going to make you happy, Erica.” She felt Erica’s lips curve into a smile against her neck.

  “You already have.”

  Leslie gazed out at the night sky and reveled in how happy she was. She tightened her embrace. “Look outside,” she said, tracing a pattern over Erica’s back. “There are a lot of stars out tonight. Make a wish?”

  Erica smiled. “I have you in my life, in our bed, and in my arms. I have our baby sleeping peacefully down the hall. I have our sweet, amazing dog watching over her while we make love. I think maybe all my wishes have already come true. But you never know. Maybe we can come up with a few together.”

  About the Author

  Jeannie Levig is an award-winning author of lesbian fiction and a proud and happy member of the Bold Strokes Books family. Her debut novel, Threads of the Heart, and her romantic intrigue, Into Thin Air, both won Goldie Awards from the Golden Crown Literary Society, and her contemporary romance, Embracing the Dawn, won a Rainbow Award and was a Goldie finalist.

  Raised by an English teacher, Jeannie has always been surrounded by literature and novels and learned to love reading at an early age. She tried her hand at writing fiction for the first time under the loving encouragement of her eighth grade English teacher and graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in English. She is deeply committed to her spiritual path and community, her family and friends, and to writing the best stories possible to share with her readers.

  She loves writing, reading, movies and lives in Central California.

  Visit Jeannie at her website, JeannieLevig.com, or send her an email to Jeannie@JeannieLevig.com. She’d love to hear from you. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

  Books Available from Bold Strokes Books

  A Wish Upon a Star by Jeannie Levig. Erica Cooper has learned to depend on only herself, but when her new neighbor, Leslie Raymond, befriends Erica’s special needs daughter, the walls protecting her heart threaten to crumble. (978-1-163555-274-4)

  Answering the Call by Ali Vali. Detective Sept Savoie returns to the streets of New Orleans, as do the dead bodies from ritualistic killings, and she does everything in her power to bring them to justice while trying to keep her partner, Keegan Blanchard, safe. (978-1-163555-050-4)

  Breaking Down Her Walls by Erin Zak. Could a love worth staying for be the key to breaking down Julia Finch’s walls? (978-1-63555-369-7)

  Exit Plans for Teenage Freaks by ’Nathan Burgoine. Cole always has a plan—especially for escaping his small-town reputation as “that kid who was kidnapped when he was four”—but when he teleports to a museum, it’s time to face facts: it’s possible he’s a total freak after all. (978-1-163555-098-6)

  Flight to the Horizon by Julie Tizard. Airline Captain Kerri Sullivan and flight attendant Janine Case struggle to survive an emergency water landing and overcome dark secrets to give love a chance to fly. (978-1-163555-331-4)

  Friends Without Benefits by Dena Blake. When Dex Putman gets the woman she thought she always wanted, she soon wonders if it’s really love after all. (978-1-163555-349-9)

  Invalid Evidence by Stevie Mikayne. Private Investigator Jil Kidd is called away to investigate a possible killer whale, just when her partner Jess needs her most. (978-1-163555-307-9)

  Pursuit of Happiness by Carsen Taite. When attorney Stevie Palmer’s client reveals a scandal that could derail Senator Meredith Mitchell’s presidential bid, their chance at love may be collateral damage. (978-1-163555-044-3)

  Seascape by Karis Walsh. Marine biologist Tess Hansen returns to Washington’s isolated northern coast where she struggles to adjust to small-town living while courting an endowment for her orca research center from Brittany James. (978-1-163555-079-5)

  Second in Command by VK Powell. Jazz Perry’s life is disrupted and her career jeopardized when she becomes personally involved with the case of an abandoned child and the child’s competent but strict social worker, Emory Blake. (978-1-163555-185-3)

  Taking Chances by Erin McKenzie. When Valerie Cruz and Paige Wellington clash over what’s in the best interest of the children in Valerie’s care, the children may be the ones who teach them it’s worth taking chances for love. (978-1-163555-209-6)

  All of Me by Emily Smith. When chief surgical resident Galen Burgess meets her new intern, Rowan Duncan, she may finally discover that doing what you’ve always done will only give you what you’ve always had. (978-1-163555-321-5)

  As the Crow Flies by Karen F. Williams. Romance seems to be blooming all around, but problems arise when a restless ghost emerges from the ether to roam the dark corners of this haunting tale. (978-1-163555-285-0)

  Both Ways by Ileandra Young. SPEAR agent Danika Karson races to protect the city from a supernatural threat and must rely on the woman she’s trained to despise: Rayne, an achingly beautiful vampire. (978-1-163555-298-0)

  Calendar Girl by Georgia Beers. Forced to work together, Addison Fairchild and Kate Cooper discover that opposites really do attract. (978-1-163555-333-8)

  Lovebirds by Lisa Moreau. Two women from different worlds collide in a small California mountain town, each with a mission that doesn’t include falling in love. (978-1-163555-213-3)

  Media Darling by Fiona Riley. Can Hollywood bad girl Emerson and reluctant celebrity gossip reporter Hayley work together to make each other’s dreams come true? Or will Emerson’s secrets ruin not one career, but two? (978-1-163555-278-2)

  Stroke of Fate by Renee Roman. Can Sean Moore live up to her reputation and save Jade Rivers from the stalker determined to end Jade’s career and, ultimately, her lif
e? (978-1-163555-162-4)

  The Rise of the Resistance by Jackie D. The soul of America has been lost for almost a century. A few people may be the difference between a phoenix rising to save the masses or permanent destruction. (978-1-163555-259-1)

  The Sex Therapist Next Door by Meghan O’Brien. At the intersection of sex and intimacy, anything is possible. Even love. (978-1-163555-296-6)

  Unexpected Lightning by Cass Sellars. Lightning strikes once more when Sydney and Parker fight a dangerous stranger who threatens the peace they both desperately want. (978-1-163555-276-8)

  Unforgettable by Elle Spencer. When one night changes a lifetime… Two romance novellas from best-selling author Elle Spencer. (978-1-63555-429-8)

  Against All Odds by Kris Bryant, Maggie Cummings, M. Ullrich. Peyton and Tory escaped death once, but will they survive when Bradley’s determined to make his kill rate one hundred percent? (978-1-163555-193-8)

  Autumn’s Light by Aurora Rey. Casual hookups aren’t supposed to include romantic dinners and meeting the family. Can Mat Pero see beyond the heartbreak that led her to keep her worlds so separate, and will Graham Connor be waiting if she does? (978-1-163555-272-0)

  Breaking the Rules by Larkin Rose. When Virginia and Carmen are thrown together by an embarrassing mistake they find out their stubborn determination isn’t so heroic after all. (978-1-163555-261-4)

  Broad Awakening by Mickey Brent. In the sequel to Underwater Vibes, Hélène and Sylvie find ruts in their road to eternal bliss. (978-1-163555-270-6)

  Broken Vows by MJ Williamz. Sister Mary Margaret must reconcile her divided heart or risk losing a love that just might be heaven sent. (978-1-163555-022-1)

  Flesh and Gold by Ann Aptaker. Havana, 1952, where art thief and smuggler Cantor Gold dodges gangland bullets and mobsters’ schemes while she searches Havana’ s steamy Red Light district for her kidnapped love. (978-1-163555-153-2)

  Isle of Broken Years by Jane Fletcher. Spanish noblewoman Catalina de Valasco is in peril, even before the pirates holding her for ransom sail into seas destined to become known as the Bermuda Triangle. (978-1-163555-175-4)

  Love Like This by Melissa Brayden. Hadley Cooper and Spencer Adair set out to take the fashion world by storm. If only they knew their hearts were about to be taken. (978-1-163555-018-4)

  Secrets On the Clock by Nicole Disney. Jenna and Danielle love their jobs helping endangered children, but that might not be enough to stop them from breaking the rules by falling in love. (978-1-163555-292-8)

  Unexpected Partners by Michelle Larkin. Dr. Chloe Maddox tries desperately to deny her attraction for Detective Dana Blake as they flee from a serial killer who’s hunting them both. (978-1-163555-203-4)

  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)

  Death Checks In by David S. Pederson. Despite Heath’s promises to Alan to not get involved, Heath can’t resist investigating a shopkeeper’s murder in Chicago, which dashes their plans for a romantic weekend getaway. (978-1-163555-329-1)

  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 Emmett McCabe and Sydney Stevens are forced to work together, especially when past attractions won’t stay buried. (978-1-163555-231-7)

  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 non-stop sparring forces her to face her ultimate challenge—a chance at love. (978-1-63555-217-1)

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