“I’m supposed to be the strong one, the one helping you. I don’t like you seeing me like this, weak and pathetic.”
“Those are two words I would never use to describe you, and I never want to hear you say them again about yourself. Are we clear?”
Stephanie didn’t answer. She just nodded her acquiescence.
“Good. Now I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted. Let’s go to sleep and get some rest.”
“I was in such a rush to get here I didn’t pack a bag. I don’t have anything with me.”
“That’s okay, I’ll find something for you.” Meredith’s hand slipped into her own and drew her across the room toward the bedroom. “You allowed me to sleep with you when I was scared so now, I’m returning the favour. Besides, I sleep better when you’re next to me.”
†
The ringing of her phone woke Stephanie from her deep sleep. She opened her eyes, and when she realised she was snuggled within Meredith’s arms, she let out a contented sigh.
“Are you going to get that?” Meredith asked, her voice groggy with sleep. “Morning, by the way.”
“Good morning.”
She reluctantly slid out of Meredith’s arms, and as she swung her legs over the side of the bed to sit up she grabbed her mobile from the nightstand.
“It’s Joe.” Taking a deep breath, she accepted the call. “Hello.”
“I know we had a fight, but I didn’t think you were the type of person to blow off work. Where are you?”
Any thoughts of apologising to Joe went straight out of Stephanie’s mind. To even think that she would be in today after what happened two days ago was crazy. To start with, her hand was still in agony and she still couldn’t forget the words he had said.
“I’m in Bristol.”
“Bristol?”
She didn’t reply, waiting for Joe to connect the dots. It didn’t take him long.
“You’re with her? What the hell are you thinking?”
“I’m only going to say this once. Where I go and what I do and who I do it with is none of your business and I don’t want to discuss it.”
She could feel Meredith shift on the bed, the warmth she felt inside when she settled behind her, legs either side of hers, and arms encircling her waist, made her feel like she was home. Somehow over the last few months, Meredith had become her anchor, her touchstone, and nobody was going to take that away from her, not even Joe.
“Steph, we’ve been friends for years. I think I know you pretty well, and this isn’t right.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, but I have to do what I need to do.”
“Fine. Until you come to your senses you are not welcome in my home. Call me when that happens.”
The line disconnected, and she threw her phone back onto the nightstand. She bowed her head, a deep sadness sweeping through her. She wished it hadn’t come to this, but she was no more responsible for Joe’s actions than he was hers.
“What did he say?”
She didn’t answer for a few moments, collecting her thoughts. Finally, she looked up and tilted her head to the side to look at Meredith.
“I don’t suppose you know any good estate agents?”
Meredith looked at her confused. “Well, obviously I think I'm pretty good, but I don’t know any in York.”
Stephanie let out a chuckle. “It’s a good job I was talking about Bristol, then.”
Meredith shifted out from behind her and stood. Stephanie couldn’t help but admire how sexy she looked, standing there with her hands on her hips, wearing nothing but tight boxers and a pale-blue tank top. The bruises had healed months ago, but the scars were still visible on her body. They did not detract from the glorious vision in front of her. As if sensing Stephanie’s awareness of her, Meredith quickly moved to grab her nightgown from the back of the door.
Stephanie realised her mistake, Meredith probably thought she was staring at her in horror. Stephanie knew of all the injuries she had sustained from West, and the last time she had seen Meredith naked she had been covered with bruises and blood. Meredith didn’t know Stephanie thought her a wonder, a beauty to behold, not a victim.
Before Meredith could reach the door, Stephanie stood and got in her way. She held her by the shoulders, stopping her from passing, dipping her head to capture Meredith’s gaze with her own.
“Please don’t. You have nothing to hide from me. You’re beautiful.”
“No, I’m not. I’m hideous.”
“I have scars too. They don’t make you who you are.” She ran her hands down Meredith’s arms until she held her hands, ignoring the pain in her own hand. “Don’t you dare say that again! You’re beautiful inside and out, and anybody who doesn’t see that isn't worth your time.”
Meredith sagged against her, and nodding her head, she whispered, “Thank you. You make me believe that I am beautiful.”
“It’s because it’s true.”
Meredith took a step back from her and asked, “Why do you need an estate agent here?”
“Joe basically said to stay away from him until I come to my senses. He’s not happy I’m here so I’m guessing I need to find a new job. And considering I live at the same place as the gallery, I will need to find somewhere else to live.”
“So why here?”
Stephanie shook her head at Meredith’s question. Wasn’t it obvious?
“Because you’re here.”
“You can’t upend your whole life and move down here just because I live here.”
“I have no life up there. Apart from Joe and Fiona, I have no real friends. And now my job has gone and so has my home. I can think of no better reason to move here than you.” She walked up to Meredith and took her hands again. “I want to get to know you better. Trying to have any kind of relationship over technology isn’t enough. I want to be able to see you, have meals with you, talk over coffee. I can’t do any of that if I’m hundreds of miles away.”
“But what if it doesn’t work out? What if we’re both not ready for this?”
“We’ll just have to make sure that it does work. Even if we can only be friends, I’d be happy. I need you in my life in whatever capacity you’re comfortable with.”
She could see Meredith thinking over what she had said, and when a giant smile lit up her face, Stephanie knew she had her answer.
“We better get dressed and head to the office. We have some house hunting to do.” Meredith turned away but quickly looked back. “Can you afford this?”
“I have some savings, it’s fine.”
“Places aren’t cheap down here.”
What Meredith didn’t know was that Stephanie had received a trust fund from her mother’s estate when she turned twenty-one. She hadn’t spent a penny of it over the years as she felt wrong about spending money that came because her mother had died. She thought now was as good a time as any to make an investment in her future. Hopefully a future with Meredith.
“Get dressed,” Stephanie said, a grin on her face.
Chapter Seventeen
Meredith and Stephanie stood together in Meredith’s kitchen, chopping vegetables they had bought from the local shop for their dinner. They had had a hectic day driving around some of the housing properties that Meredith had on her books. She wasn’t lying when she said her clients were all high-end. Many times, Meredith caught the look of awe from Stephanie as she wandered around some of the homes. She was beginning to think they would never find something Stephanie would be comfortable purchasing when they pulled up to a three-bedroom cottage in the countryside that sat on two acres of land. Stephanie had fallen in love with it straight away. It sat high up on a hill and overlooked nothing but farmland and trees. She had commented on how it matched her need for privacy and how the views were breath-taking.
“Are you sure you can afford the cottage?” Meredith asked as she placed carrots in the steamer. Stephanie had yet to mention her budget for buying the property and Meredith was concerned it was
higher than she could afford.
“I told you, I have some savings.”
Meredith put on her best stern look, hoping to get an honest answer. It must have worked as she watched Stephanie let out a deep breath and turn to face her, resting her backside against the countertop.
“When my mum died, her life insurance was put into a trust fund for me to have when I turned twenty-one. I haven’t spent any.” Stephanie briefly closed her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t know why, but I never felt right about spending it. I think my mum would be pleased I’m investing it in the property.” She glanced up into Meredith’s eyes. “And my future.”
Meredith couldn’t miss the look of pure adoration directed her way. Things between them were moving quickly, and she had to constantly fight the need to wrap herself up in Stephanie’s arms. She needed to be sure this was the right thing for them both. Considering Stephanie was upending her whole life to be near Meredith, it was a lot of pressure on her to make this work.
“It’s okay,” Stephanie said. “As I said, I’m happy just being your friend. You don’t need to worry about any of this.”
“Since when did you become a mind reader?”
“It’s one of many superpowers.”
Meredith got lost in her eyes and couldn’t fight the magnetic pull. She closed the distance between them, intent on kissing those gorgeous lips. She could see Stephanie’s cheeks flush. She obviously knew Meredith’s intentions. Less than six inches separated them and just as Meredith went on her tiptoes to close the gap, her mobile rang.
“Shit.” She pulled away quickly and ran into the living room to grab her phone off the couch. “Hi, Dad,” she said, once she connected the call.
“Hello, sweetie. Your mum wanted me to check up on you. Make sure you’re okay. We’ve not heard from you for a while and you know how we worry.”
Meredith berated herself. She hadn’t realised how her daily calls turning into no communication in two weeks would upset them. Of course, it would. The last time they hadn’t heard from her, she had been kidnapped.
“I’m so sorry, Dad. Things have been a little crazy the last few weeks.”
“It’s okay. We know you have your own life down there, we just need to make sure you’re okay.”
Meredith took a seat in her comfortable armchair and watched Stephanie in the kitchen, still chopping vegetables. She was chopping with more force than necessary, her frustration at being interrupted clearly visible.
Meredith debated whether to tell her dad about Stephanie and decided she had nothing to hide. Surely, he would understand. He was her dad after all.
“I do need to tell you guys something.”
“Hang on. Let me put you on speaker and get your mother.”
The phone rustled with the sounds of her father moving around, and then she heard her mother.
“Hi, Mum.”
“It’s good to hear your voice. How are you?”
“I’m fine. Listen, I was just telling Dad, I need to speak with you about something.”
“What is it, dear?” her father asked.
She took a deep breath, and whilst focusing on Stephanie’s back, she said, “I've met someone. She’s become really special to me and I think I may be falling in love with her.”
Stephanie’s head whipped around, a slow smile blossoming on her face. She put the knife down and walked over to where Meredith was sitting. She held out her hand and Meredith took it as Stephanie knelt in front of her.
“What about Kathleen?” her father asked.
She watched as Stephanie’s gaze hardened. She moved the phone from her ear and whispered, “It’s okay.” Stephanie visibly relaxed. Meredith was humbled to know she had the strength to calm Stephanie just as Stephanie calmed her when she needed it.
She put the phone back to her ear. “I’ve spoken to Kath and we both agreed it’s over. She’s having a hard time with this and we’re not the same people we were before I was taken. We’re both okay with it.”
“Well, who is this new person?”
This was going to be the hard part. Taking all the strength she could find from Stephanie, she said, “Do you remember I told you about a woman who was in the same room as me when I was taken?”
“Yes,” her parents replied at the same time.
“Well, her name is Stephanie and we have become really close in the last three months. We’ve talked quite a lot and gotten to know each other and find we both want to see where this can go.”
The line remained silent and she started to panic. Perhaps this was a bad idea. Perhaps they’d react the same way Joe had. Her mother was the first to recover.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes.”
“Then I guess we can’t wait to meet her.”
Meredith dropped the phone as tears burst forth from her eyes. Stephanie handed it back to her whilst pulling her into a hug.
“Thank you, Mum, for saying that,” she said over Stephanie's shoulder.
“For Heaven’s sake, dear. What did you expect us to say?”
“I don’t know. I guess I was worried you might think I’m crazy.”
“We've always thought that, but we love you anyway,” her father quipped. “Sweetheart, people find love in all sorts of places. Who are we to question how and when that happens, as long as it happens, and you’re happy. That’s all we want.”
Stephanie pulled back and wiped the tears away from Meredith’s cheeks with her sleeves.
“Thanks, Dad. You have no idea how much that means to me.”
“We love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Well, we’ll leave you to your evening. We have reservations at a new steakhouse in Manhattan. Apparently, the chef is Michelin starred.”
“Okay. I’ll call you on the weekend.”
Meredith disconnected the call and slumped back into the chair. She glanced shyly at Stephanie, who had an unreadable look on her face.
“You okay?”
Stephanie nodded.
“I guess you heard all that.”
She nodded again.
“What is it?” Meredith asked.
“Did you mean it?”
“The falling in love part?”
A nod.
“Yes.”
Stephanie nodded one more time, stood up, and strode into the kitchen. She began prepping the rest of their dinner.
Meredith was at a loss. She had thought Stephanie would be overjoyed at her declaration. Well, yeah, she didn’t exactly declare her undying love, but it was a start, wasn’t it? Wasn’t this everything Stephanie had hoped for? Hadn’t she said she wanted to see where things could go with them?
Deciding the only way to answer her own questions was to confront Stephanie, Meredith stood and walked into the kitchen. Stephanie’s back was toward her, her movements jerky and tense.
“What’s going on? Steph?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
“Well, you don’t look fine.” Meredith reached her hand out and gently laid it on her shoulder. “Talk to me.”
Stephanie slowly turned around with a smile on her face, but with tears on her cheeks.
“I had no idea how hearing those words could make me so damn happy. I always thought no one would ever love me like that, and now it’s not just some strange emotion I can’t understand. It’s real, and I just feel so...lucky.”
Meredith closed the distance between them and hugged her tightly. “It’s real and all true. I’m falling in love with you.”
Stephanie pulled back and ever so slowly lowered her mouth to hers. All of Meredith’s thoughts left her in that one instant. She opened her mouth fully and allowed Stephanie’s tongue to tenderly touch her own. Never had she felt such a swell of passion and desire. She grabbed hold of Stephanie’s shirt and pulled her in tighter, their kiss growing hungrier by the second.
After a few minutes of exploring and acquainting their mouths with each other, Meredith pulle
d back.
“That was...”
“Amazing,” Stephanie finished. “Jesus, Mare. I thought my head was going to explode.”
Meredith shook her head and slumped against Stephanie’s strong chest. Yes, it was amazing, and it confirmed for her that the attraction she was feeling was real. It didn’t matter how they met, they had, and it was up to them what happened from now.
“I guess we need to finish dinner,” Meredith said.
“Yes, in a minute. I want to kiss you again.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
†
Dinner had finished an hour ago and now they were sitting opposite each other on the floor, either side of the coffee table, playing poker. It had been a pleasant meal between them, sharing gentle touching of hands and shy looks. Stephanie hadn’t said much whilst eating and Meredith could tell she was lost in thought. This was a new development for both of them, one Meredith wasn’t expecting to happen, at least not for a while. The more time they spent together, the more Meredith knew how much she had grown fond of Stephanie. She was done procrastinating about the situation of how they met, and she decided to listen to her dad’s words. It didn’t matter how they met, only that they had.
Meredith looked up at Stephanie and gently squeezed her thigh under the table where her hand rested just above her knee. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I'm good.” Stephanie checked on her turn to bet and so did Meredith. Once the cards were face-up Stephanie let out a laugh. “You’re really bad at this, aren’t you?”
Meredith groaned, and said, “I swear to God you’re cheating.”
“Nah, I’ve just played a lot of games in my time.”
Meredith took note of the faraway look in Stephanie’s eyes and asked again, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
After Dark Page 13
