Del looked at her with wide eyes, the words making her stomach clench with need. “Are you sure?” she asked, running her thumbs along the seam of Raelin’s bra.
Stepping so close to the blonde that she could feel the heat that was emanating from her, Rae smiled down at her, and just before she lowered her head to kiss her, she breathed. “I am.”
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Over the next several hours, Rae learned everything about the blonde’s body that she could. Like how if she blew a cooling breath against a damp nipple, would make it even harder and Del would gasp in pleasure. That lightly scraping her nails on the tender skin underneath her knees would make the blonde writhe. What she loved the most was when she curled her fingers against the tiny little ridges she found in Del’s core, and she suckled on the pulsating nub, that Delaney would scream out her name, with her body trembling and covered with sweat. It was only when Del begged her for release that Rae rose above her, only to lean down to whisper against her lips. “Cum for me.”
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Del blinked her eyes open, squinting at the early morning light filtering through the curtains. She was exhausted, but in the most wonderful way. Raelin had certainly been a quick learner, playing her body like a finely tuned instrument and she’d been a helpless quivering mess under her hands.
She lay there taking stock, her muscles aching, it’d been a while since she’d been put through paces like that, but it was the good kind of hurt. She was tired, but rested and most importantly happy. The kind of happy that makes everything else in the world not matter.
She tried to roll over, but a weight kept her in place. Glancing down she was met with nothing but dark hair as it lay haphazardly across her chest. She lifted a hand to run idly through Raelin’s silky hair, deciding to relax and wait for the brunette to wake. Settling down, she watched her girlfriend sleep, taking in the glow of sun-kissed skin, mind running over last night’s activities.
She felt her body begin to respond to the memories and let herself relive the emotions. Nothing in her life had prepared her for the intensity of the emotions that had run through her. Need, want, happiness, and most importantly love, had surged through her with fierceness that had nearly consumed her whole. By the time all was said and done, she was a trembling mess, unable to control her mind or body, begging Raelin to finally let her have the release she needed.
Feeling the rise and fall of Del’s chest, Rae could tell that her lover was awake and she turned her head slightly to place a kiss upon a nearby breast. “Good Morning, my love.”
Del purred her delight at Rae’s gentle kiss, lightly scratching Raelin’s scalp. “Mornin’ Darlin’. Sleep okay?”
Rising up so that she was once again over the blonde, the witch smiled. “I slept wonderfully. I dreamed about loving you all over again.” She dipped her head so that she could place a kiss against Del’s neck, sucking against the skin.
“Funny, I was sitting here thinking the same thing.” Catching the taller woman off guard, she playfully rolled them over in a reverse of their earlier positions. “Except, I was thinking more along the lines of having my way with you instead.” Just as she was leaning down to kiss those full lips, the shrill ring of her cell phone paused her, just as their lips came together.
Growling, Rae mumbled, “Whoever it is; needs to go away.”
Del chuckled sitting up, letting the sheet slide off, and headed for her discarded pants despite her state of undress, “Normally I’d agree with you, but given the situation, it might actually be important. Let me answer this and I’ll be right back over there.” Del finally found the phone and flipped it open. “Delacroix.”
“Ms. Delacroix, it’s Regina Kingsley...I was wondering why you haven’t gotten back in touch with me.”
“Mrs. Kingsley, yeah sorry about that. Sadly, there just hasn’t been much to report. I’ve found a few little things, but nothing noteworthy. I’ve been busy trying to get to the bottom of it and haven’t had time to get back to you,” Del responded, spitting out the lie effortlessly. There was no way she was going to risk Jenny’s health just yet, not until they knew what the Kingsleys involvement was.
“Well, I would think that you would at least check in every other day or so. I hear that you caused a bit of ruckus in town last evening. I’m sorry to hear that you are consorting with that witch Raelin. You be careful of that one Ms. Delacroix; she a devil worshiper, and we all know that they are into sacrifices.”
Del rolled her eyes, her hand landing on her hip, despite the woman on the other end of the line being unable to see her. “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind. I’ll remember to check in more often Mrs. Kingsley. Is there anything else I can do for you? I’ve got things to look into and the sooner I can get to it, the sooner I can find your granddaughter.”
“No, I just expect to hear from you more frequently from now on. I am the client remember. Good-bye.”
Del snapped the phone shut, muttering under her breath, “Client my ass.” She was about to turn back to the bed when her phone rang again. She took one look at the caller id and opened the phone so she could jab the silence button. Finally returning to the bed, she dumped the phone on the nightstand. “No one calls me, ever, and the one day I want to be left alone, they won’t go away,” she huffed.
Lying on her side with her head propped up by her fist; Rae smiled at the sight of her naked lover all upset. “Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are when you’re angry?”
Del felt the flush from her toes all the way to her ears. “No, because the only people around to see me angry are the ones on the wrong side of my badge. Now, let me in, it’s chilly,” she whined, sliding under the sheets, immediately seeking the warmth of the other woman. “Jenny will probably be up soon,” she muttered, as she curled into Rae’s front. “And I hate to think of the glares I’m going to get from Rori.”
“You shouldn’t have hung up on poor Jasper. I’m sure that he wants an update too.” Rae let her hands wander over the silky smooth body nestled into hers. “Since you’ve come back to bed though, there are some things that I’d like to go over again.”
Del pulled back with a frown, “You too? Raelin you already know everything that I do. What more could you possibly want to know?”
Leaning down to nuzzle a sensitive spot under Del’s ear, Rae murmured, “I want to make sure that I remember what to do to make you scream my name.”
Del’s head tilted of its own accord, encouraging the brunette to continue. “Well, if you want some extra credit, then who am I to deny you.” She toyed with the buttons on Raelin’s shirt. “As adorable as you look in just this shirt, I’d really like to feel your skin against mine this time,” she continued softly.
“I think I’d...” Whatever else the witch was going to say was interrupted by a thump coming from down stairs.
Out of instinct, Del reached to the nightstand for her gun, and muttered an empathic curse or two when she remembered it was locked in the Jeep. She quickly got out of bed, listening for more thumps as she quickly pulled on her slacks and shirt, buttoning it haphazardly. She looked at Raelin. “Stay here,” she got halfway to the door when she paused. “Wait. You should be able to tell if strangers were here, can’t you?”
“Why do you think that I’m still in bed? It’s just Rori reminding me that breakfast is late and he’s hungry.” The brunette grinned as she got out of bed to pull on her jeans that somehow had remained at the end of the bed all night. “So yes, you are going to get glared at. At least you don’t have to listen to him complain.”
Del let out a forlorn sigh, running her fingers through her hair to at least make it presentable. “But I was enjoying myself before all the interruptions. Can’t we just, I don’t know,” she started, sauntering over to the brunette, resting her hands on her hips to pull her closer. “Feed him, and then come back up here and not leave again until dinner? Or, ever for that matter?”
Unbuttoning Del’s shirt, Rae smiled as she looked at the treasure
s hidden underneath. “We can discuss it,” she chuckled as Del started to pout as she rebuttoned it. “You had missed a couple.”
“Fine, you got off easy. Next time though, you are mine Ms. Montrose,” she leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss to the full lips of her girlfriend.
Keeping the blonde right where she wanted her, Rae deepened the kiss and only broke away when they needed to breathe. “I’m yours already Ms. Delacroix.”
“Good to know. Now let’s go feed Rori before he decides to use me as a scratching post. Do you mind if I go get a change of clothes from the guest room? I put all of my stuff in there yesterday.”
“Gee thanks. Leaving me to face Rori all on my own.” Rae was laughing as she opened the door and skidded to a stop.
“I thought that she was howling at the moon last night and that you had forgotten all about me.” The gray cat was sitting directly in front of Rae’s door, trying to use his best sad eyes.
Rae put a hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh. “I’m sorry about being late for breakfast. We were just coming down.”
“Well if she hadn’t kept you up all night, perhaps you wouldn’t have slept so late. I told you she was trouble.” His tail twitched in amusement, and he glared playfully at Del as she moved out the door, all but running into the guest room to retrieve her clothes.
Shaking her head, the brunette headed downstairs with the cat in tow. “She didn’t keep me up all night Rori.” She stopped and grinned at the feline before they walked into the kitchen. “I kept her up all night.”
Hopping onto the counter as she made his breakfast he let his tongue hang out, showing his distaste. “I really didn’t need to know Raelin. Just get me some breakfast and I’ll try to pretend I never heard that.”
Taking out a salmon filet, Raelin started breaking it up into a bowl. “You’re the one who said you heard her howling...as smart as you are, you should have realized that you didn’t hear me.”
“Raelin, please. I love you child truly, but there are just some things I don’t need to hear. How about a sound ward next time?”
“Be nice Rori. Here’s your breakfast.” Rae set the bowl on Rori’s bench and turned to the blonde, pulling her into a hug. “And what can I get you to eat?”
Del quirked an eyebrow and flashed a crooked grin. “I can think of a thing or two, but for now, whatever you’re in the mood to cook is fine with me.” She looked down and saw the cat nibbling on his food. “Morning Rori.”
“I’ll keep that in mind for later. Scrambled eggs, toast and country ham? How does that sound to you?” Rae leaned down to capture Del’s lips in a kiss.
Letting the kiss linger, Del only pulled away when air became an issue. “Well, it will do in place of what I really want. Now let me help you cook so we don’t traumatize your poor familiar any more than we have to.”
“No, that’s okay. Why don’t you go and check on Jenny? Tell her that I’ll fix her some eggs for her if she thinks they will stay down.” Rae patted her lover on her butt.
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Del laughed as she left the room, noticing Rori following behind. She knocked quietly on the room’s door before she entered, and sat next to the girl on the bed. “Hey, have you been up long?”
“No, I woke up a little bit ago, and actually made it the bathroom on my own. Whatever Rae did yesterday really worked.” Pulling the sheet tighter around her, the younger woman quietly asked. “Have you talked with my mom?”
“I have, she’s very worried about you. She told me you got into Julliard. That’s very impressive,” Del responded gently, hoping the young woman would open up on her own and she wouldn’t have to press her.
Hanging her head, Jenny gave the blonde a weak smile. “Yeah, if I hadn’t gotten so upset about knowing who my father is, I wouldn’t be in this mess right now. Mom has been the best mom she could be, and I just let everything...all the townies get to me.”
“Don’t think for one minute that this is your fault. You didn’t ask for this to happen and you certainly didn’t do anything wrong,” Del said firmly, but kindly. There was no way she was going to allow this woman to blame herself. “Rae’s making some breakfast if you think you can hold down some scrambled eggs. You think you might be up for telling us what happened today?”
“I just got mad that mom wouldn’t tell me who my father is so I stormed out of the house. I wasn’t even paying attention to where I was going when I found myself walking through the woods and came upon a van with some men pushing a couple of women into the back,” she said quietly.
Rori jumped up on the bed and settled down in Jenny’s lap.
“It’s okay Rori...I need to tell.” Jenny looked at Del. “No, I can’t hear him like Rae does. Cats pick up on emotions, so I figured he thought I needed a hug.”
“He’s a very smart man. You’re being very brave Jenny; you can tell me whatever you need to, whenever you can. Anything you tell me is going to help me take apart whatever operation they’ve got going here, and lock them all up for a very long time. We’ll make sure no one else gets hurt,” she replied, gently patting the young woman’s knee.
Jenny smiled at Del’s referring of Rori as a man. “You just scored big. Anyway, when I saw what they were doing, I tried to duck out of sight, but I made some kind of noise and they found me. They took me up to a camp and put us into individual rooms with cots and a window that was high up on the wall. I was there a couple of days when I heard one of the men say that they needed one more girl and they would have enough for a shipment. I made up my mind to get out of there that night so when one of the men opened my door to feed me, I pushed him down and got away. When I saw where I was, I thought that I could make it here to Rae’s but I collapsed as I got to the tree line. I thought I was done for but she found me and brought me here.”
“Jenny, what you’ve told me is a big help. I will do my best to put them all away. I know you are probably tired of talking about it, but I’m going to come back later and ask you to write down what you told me. Is that okay?”
The young woman nodded her head, as she stroked the cat in her lap. “Yeah, I can do that.”
“Good, last question. If I showed you pictures of the men who took you, do you think you would recognize them?”
Jenny’s head snapped up and she glared at the blonde. “I’ll do you one better. If you get me a pad and a pencil, I’ll sketch them.”
Del smiled at the younger woman. “A woman of many talents I see. I can get those for you, but not until after you’ve eaten and rested a bit. You might think you feel great, but you do too much too soon and you’ll pay for it. Trust me; I’ve been in your state or worse enough times to know. Now, you think you can keep some eggs down?”
Nodding her head, Jenny started to get out of bed. “Yeah, but let me go wash my face first.”
“Whoa now, take it easy. You want a hand or do you think you’re okay?”
“I’ll help her,” Rae walked in with a small plate of eggs with a slice of toast. “I figured that she might want to stay in bed and eat. Morning Jenn.”
“Morning Raelin. Thanks for the help, I feel much better than I did yesterday.” Jenny allowed Raelin to help her clean up.
After helping the young woman back into bed, Rae fixed a bed tray and got it in front of her. “I have chicory coffee or juice; your choice.”
“Juice please. I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited about eggs in my life. Raelin makes the best soup around, but after nearly a week, some variety is nice.”
Del chuckled from her spot leaning against the doorframe. “Just be thankful it’s not hospital food.”
“Yeah, besides I don’t think that you would have been able to keep anything else down.” Turning to the blonde in the doorway, Rae asked her to go get Jenny her juice.
Once they were alone, Rae placed her hand over Jenny’s head wound, and concentrated. “How do your ribs feel?”
“So much better than they did yesterday. It hurts like the dicken
s, but at least I can breathe again. I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me and now Delaney too,” she paused a moment. “So now that we are alone, are you two an official item or something? Don’t think I don’t notice the way you look at her.”
Rae had the grace to blush. “Well, like I said yesterday, we’re trying to go slow, but our hearts seem to be in charge.”
Jenny laughed taking a few bites of her breakfast. “You can tell. Your smile, it reaches your eyes now. I used to worry about you sometimes, about who would keep you company when I left for school. Now that I know Del will be around to keep you happy, I don’t need to worry so much.”
The smile dimmed a bit. “I don’t know if she will stay after this is over Jenny. I know that I love her, but I just don’t know.”
“Have you talked to her about it?” Jenny asked, concern clouding her features.
Shaking her head, Raelin quietly answered. “Not yet. I want to though. I’m just...I’m scared that if I ask her to stay, she’ll bolt, and I don’t want to ruin what we have right now. We are already moving so fast.” Bowing her head, she all but whispered, “Is that bad of me?”
Jenny shook her head. “I think you’ve been through enough in your life and you deserve your own happiness. Just don’t put it off too long Raelin. I don’t want to see you hurt. Has she told you how she feels at all?”
Rae’s smile returned and her eyes sparkled. “She told me that she loves me. I’ve never had anyone ever say that to me before.”
Jenny smiled and reached out to squeeze Raelin’s hand. “I’m really happy for you. Plus she’s gorgeous. Hold on to that one,” she winked.
“It’s a good thing that you’re straight or I would worry about you stealing her from me.” The brunette joked with her friend.
“I don’t know what I am yet...no one has tripped my switch yet,” Jenny joked.
“What’s this about stealing?” Del asked entering the room. She walked over, and placed the glass of juice on the tray in front of Jenny. “Sorry that took so long, phone call. Seems like everyone and their mother is looking for me today,” she explained, standing next to Raelin.
Insight Page 15
