by Ronica Black
“I don’t either,” Kassandra said. “It’s so freeing. And I love the way the desert smells in the early morning.”
Jayden pulled her close. “Well, you know, you can experience that any time you want. Every morning if you want.”
They’d talked about moving in together before, but Jayden didn’t push, and Kassandra appreciated that. She had just put in her notice with her job, and big changes were starting soon. She wasn’t sure if she could handle another just yet. But the thought of living with Jayden, of waking up next to her every morning…she loved that thought. She loved how it made her heat from the inside out.
“Maybe soon,” she said, causing Jayden to smile. “After all, I need a big wall to hang that painting Billy did for me.”
“True.”
They walked on, hiking through the back of the property. Every once in a while, Dax would trot back to make sure they were still there, then he’d return to the front. Jayden just laughed and shook her head. “Ever the protector,” she said.
“He reminds me of you,” Kassandra said. “He makes me feel loved, safe.”
Jayden smiled. “I always want you to feel that way.”
“I do. Every day now.”
Jayden squeezed her and kissed her softly. The teens all groaned.
“Get a room!”
Kassandra laughed and her cheeks burned with embarrassment. Next to her, Tony ran up and grabbed her hand. He was beaming and he’d apparently just run full-sprint from the office.
“Guess what?” he said. “Guess freaking what?”
Kassandra had no idea, but by the look on his face, she knew it was good.
“What?”
“I got into that school. The special one. The trade school.”
Kassandra and Jayden stopped. “Really?” He’d been wanting this for weeks now. “Tony, that’s great!”
“I know, I know. I can learn engines, Ms. H. Be a real mechanic. Actually do something instead of sit in the learning center. I’m gonna be somebody.”
Kassandra hugged him and held him tight. “You already are, Tony. You already are.” She pulled away and wiped a tear from his cheek. “Are you still going to work here?”
“I can on weekends. My fosters don’t want the long drive from the school to here during the week.”
Kassandra looked to Jayden, who shrugged. “Fine by me. Go for it, kid.”
Tony hopped up and down. “I gotta go tell Gus and Billy.” He took off toward the head of the group.
“He sure is happy,” Jayden said.
“Yes, he is.”
“And that makes you happy,” Jayden said.
“Yes, it does.”
“Does he know you called in a reference?”
“No. And he doesn’t know you did either.”
Jayden smiled. “He’ll thrive there.”
“I think so, too.”
Jayden kissed her neck. “Know what makes me happy?”
Kassandra blushed again as they walked pressed to one another. “I have some idea.”
“Yeah?”
“Uh-huh. It involves sneaking off to the house.”
“Mmm, yes. What do you say?”
Kassandra stared off into the setting sun and the plumes of bursting pink and purple. “Only if I get to do you.”
Jayden laughed. “No way.”
Kassandra shrugged. “Okay then, I’m happy walking.” She was addicted to Jayden’s taste, the feel of her flesh under her tongue, the hot slickness she loved to lap. And when she came beneath her, in her mouth, it was nothing short of earth-shattering. How had she lived so long without knowing, without loving?
Jayden groaned. “Fine. But it’s my turn later.”
Kassandra smiled, pleased with her short victory. “Okay then.”
Jayden yanked on her hand and they hurried to the house. The teens laughed beyond them and some of them whistled.
“We’re just checking on things,” Kassandra called out. But they knew better, and every single one of them seemed more than happy with the blooming relationship.
Jayden tugged on her again, and Kassandra ran after her up the steps to the door. She looked behind them at the setting sun and took a moment to thank her lucky stars. She had a wonderful, beautiful life. A life she could’ve never imagined.
And it had all started with a few life-altering words.
I want to read the book of your life. From page one until infinity.
About the Author
Ronica Black lives in the desert Southwest with her menagerie of animals and her menagerie of art. When she’s not writing, she’s still creating, whether that be drawing, painting, or woodworking. She loves long walks into the sunset, rescuing animals, anything pertaining to art, and spending time with those she loves. When she can, she enjoys returning to her roots in North Carolina, where she can sit on the front porch with her family, catch up on all the gossip, and enjoy a nice cold Cheerwine.
Ronica is a two- time Golden Literary Society winner and a three-time finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards.
Other Ronica Black Titles Available Via Amazon
Books Available From Bold Strokes Books
Change in Time by Robyn Nyx. Working in the past is hell on your future. The Extractor series: Book Two. (978-162639-880-1)
Love After Hours by Radclyffe. When Gina Antonelli agrees to renovate Carrie Longmire’s new house, she doesn’t welcome Carrie’s overtures at friendship or her own unexpected attraction. A Rivers Community Novel. (978-163555-090-0)
Nantucket Rose by CF Frizzell. Maggie Jordan can’t wait to convert a historic Nantucket home into a B&B, but doesn’t expect to fall for mariner Ellis Chilton, who has more claim to the house than Maggie realizes. (978-163555-056-6)
Picture Perfect by Lisa Moreau. Falling in love wasn’t supposed to be part of the stakes for Olive and Gabby, rival photographers in the competition of a lifetime. (978-162639-975-4)
Set the Stage by Karis Walsh. Actress Emilie Danvers takes the stage again in Ashland, Oregon, little realizing that landscaper Arden Philips is about to offer her a very personal romantic lead role. (978-163555-087-0)
Strike a Match by Fiona Riley. When their attempts at matchmaking fizzle out, firefighter Sasha and reluctant millionairess Abby find themselves turning to each other to strike a perfect match. (978-162639-999-0)
The Price of Cash by Ashley Bartlett. Cash Braddock is doing her best to keep her business afloat, stay out of jail, and avoid Detective Kallen. It’s not working. (978-162639-708-8)
Under Her Wing by Ronica Black. At Angel’s Wings Rescue, dogs are usually the ones saved, but when quiet Kassandra Haden meets outspoken owner Jayden Beaumont, the two stubborn women just might end up saving each other. (978-163555-077-1)
Underwater Vibes by Mickey Brent. When Hélène, a translator in Brussels, Belgium, meets Sylvie, a young Greek photographer and swim coach, unsettling feelings hijack Hélène’s mind and body—even her poems. (978-163555-002-3)
A Date to Die by Anne Laughlin. Someone is killing people close to Detective Kay Adler, who must look to her own troubled past for a suspect. There she finds more than one person seeking revenge against her. (978-163555-023-8)
Captured Soul by Laydin Michaels. Can Kadence Munroe save the woman she loves from a twisted killer, or will she lose her to a collector of souls? (978-162639-915-0)
Dawn’s New Day by TJ Thomas. Can Dawn Oliver and Cam Cooper, two women who have loved and lost, open their hearts to love again? (978-163555-072-6)
Definite Possibility by Maggie Cummings. Sam Miller is just out for good times, but Lucy Weston makes her realize happily ever after is a definite possibility. (978-162639-909-9)
Eyes Like Those by Melissa Brayden. Isabel Chase and Taylor Andrews struggle between love and ambition from the writers’ room on one of Hollywood’s hottest TV shows. (978-163555-012-2)
Heart’s Orders by Jaycie Morrison. Helen Tucker and Tee Owens escape hardscrabble lives to careers in the Women’s
Army Corps, but more than their hearts are at risk as friendship blossoms into love. (978-163555-073-3)
Hiding Out by Kay Bigelow. Treat Dandridge is unaware that her life is in danger from the murderer who is hunting the woman she’s falling in love with, Mickey Heiden. (978-162639-983-9)
Omnipotence Enough by Sophia Kell Hagin. Can the tiny tool that abducted war veteran Jamie Gwynmorgan accidentally acquires help her escape an unknown enemy to reclaim her stolen life and the woman she deeply loves? (978-163555-037-5)
Lessons in Desire by MJ Williamz. Can a summer love stand a four-month hiatus and still burn hot? (978-163555-019-1)
