“Besides giving them plenty of ammunition for jokes, no, doesn’t seem like it. She’s not the first betty to walk the course.”
“Good, because I’m more relaxed with her here and you’d be surprised at her insight into the biomechanics of riding.”
“Yeah. I’ll have to chat her up about that…like never.” Ronni chuckled. “Just don’t biff while you’re busy staring at her ass. They’ll be no saving you from that shame, Wiley.” Ronni slapped a laughing Sierra on the back and nodded to Kara. “Now, go get your girl and let’s get this party started. This boulder garden is going to be an ass-kicker.” Ronni sighed and shook her head.
“I’m on it. Catch ya in a few.” Sierra trotted over to Kara, who had moseyed over to the starting gate, and scooped her into her arms. She kissed her hard and then whispered, “You are so irresistible when you use those big words.”
“Like centrifugal force?” Kara asked with one brow slightly arched.
“Just like that,” Sierra replied with darkening eyes.
“You should be focused on the course, not me.” The gleam in Kara’s eyes said otherwise and her smile silenced the last vestiges of protest as she loosely draped her arms around Sierra’s neck. “But I do like that you find me distracting.” Her fingers sifted through Sierra’s hair as she pulled her down for a long, slow kiss.
“Oh, gross over there. Can’t you two act professional for ten minutes?” Camryn hissed with her usual smugness.
Sierra flipped her the bird and took Kara by the hand, leading her down the course. Kara ate up every piece of strategy Sierra revealed and Sierra loved the little peeks into Kara’s life—like when she explained how each activity had its own set of skills and that watching an athlete use every bit of their body’s intelligence was like a symphony she could never get her fill of.
Little shared moments like these were the building blocks of something big for them. This had been the most fun and informative course walk ever and Sierra was glad they had both had the chance for greater insight into one another’s lives—especially since they would be taking the leap and living together soon. Once again, Sierra was struck with the feeling that she was on the cusp of a monumental year.
***
As promised, Kara was up early on race day to prepare breakfast for the crew. She kissed Sierra on the cheek before rolling out of bed, slipping into her sweats, and heading to the kitchen. Knowing how much Ronni could eat, she was sure to make more than usual. When the last cake was flipped onto the heaping stack, she set aside two plates, one for Leo and one for herself, complete with fruit, syrup, and bacon—because protein provided a more stable energy source than carbs—then covered the rest for the best friend duo to devour.
With plates in hand, she pushed open the front door to leave, but Sierra caught her before she could get away.
“Hey. You didn’t think you could slip away without a proper good morning kiss, did you?”
“I hoped not, but I didn’t want to wake you,” Kara said. Her eyes immediately fell to Sierra’s mouth.
Sierra noticed and couldn’t help but tease as she slowly licked her lips and smiled. Leaning in, she pressed her hands to the wall on either side of Kara’s head, trapping her in between. “Good morning, my love,” she breathed soft and low, then captured Kara’s lips with a delicate kiss. She desperately wanted to leave her girlfriend weak in the knees, but with her holding a plate in each hand, she reeled in her desire.
“Mmm, good morning to you,” Kara mumbled, her eyes still closed.
“Thank you for this, Kara. I’ll see you soon.” Sierra kissed her again, slowly, thoroughly.
“You’re welcome.” Kara’s eyes fluttered open as a soft smile curled her lips.
That was Sierra’s favorite smile, because the green in her eyes would soften and the golden flecks shimmered like the sun.
“You’ll most definitely see me soon, Ms. Cody.” With one more kiss for luck, Kara headed out, shooing away Ronni’s hawk-like advances as she passed.
“Is this heaven? Did I die?” Ronni was practically drooling as she walked through the door.
“Kara is a domestic goddess. She knows how much you love her pancakes too, so she made you all you could eat—or so she hopes. I’m supposed to let her know if she met your quota.”
“Me thinks I’m in love. If you aren’t going to marry her soon, I may do it,” she joked as she helped herself to her first plate.
Sierra took three cakes and covered them with syrup, shaking her head at the pile of food on Ronni’s plate. “I’ve been thinking about that, Ron. I’m finally ready for forever and I want it to be with Kara.”
Ronni nearly choked. She hurriedly sipped her orange juice to wash the food down, then cleared her throat. “Shit, Sierra. That’s intense. I mean…” She stared blankly at the table as she processed the news. “I think you guys are great together—although a bit gross sometimes with all the touchy-feely—but damn…I’ve never heard you talk about marriage in all the years I’ve known you.”
“I know. I guess I never thought it would happen to me, but I did have the dream growing up. The one of spending forever with someone you loved more than anything. Wearing a beautiful dress and walking down the aisle.”
“When are you going to ask her?” Shoveling another bite into her mouth, Ronni watched with rapt attention as Sierra contemplated her answer.
“I don’t know yet, but I know it’s her. I hate when we’re apart and I can’t get enough of her when we’re together. I don’t want to be with anyone else.”
“So whipped." Ronni laughed and punched her in the arm.
A giant, toothy smile graced Sierra’s face. She didn’t care if she looked every bit the lovesick fool she was, she loved Kara and Kara loved her. That was all that mattered. “Call it what you want, but I’m finally happy, Ron. Really, truly, happy.”
“Wiley, my friend, that’s all I ever want for you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Several weeks and umpteen houses later, Kara and Sierra had settled on a rustic A-frame with a small yard, two bedrooms, and an office for Kara, twenty minutes outside of Bend. The large front window overlooked the mountains and bike trails were within riding distance. Add in the hardwood floors, an open floor plan, and a fireplace near the window and they instantly agreed that they’d found their new home.
Unfortunately, moving mid-season had been less than ideal. Though they had recruited every one of their friends to help, there was still painting and unpacking to be done. Kara had been more than busy opening her new clinic, but pushed herself to work on the house while Sierra was away.
Every time Sierra returned from a race, she was amazed at how much progress had been made—a truth that saddened her since she couldn’t be as involved as she wanted. Sierra honestly had no idea how Kara did it all. Heck, she could hardly manage to get her clothes out of her suitcase between races.
As she walked up the steps and slipped her key into the lock, she tingled with anticipation at seeing how much closer they were to making their house a home. The sensation spread lower, warming her in a way that only Kara could. Her girlfriend was on the other side of the door and of all the things she was excited about, seeing Kara was at the top of her list. Being away had begun to take its toll. She felt disconnected and it was infiltrating her psyche. She knew her fears were irrational, but she had been powerless to silence them. But she was home now and she was sure holding Kara again would solve everything.
“Honey, I’m home,” Sierra called out as she walked through the door. She never thought it would feel so great to say those words. Her smile pulled into a frown when she received no answer, but the distant sound of music summoned her to the back bedroom. Along the way, she made note of the deep gray walls with white trim in the living room and the light blue of their bedroom that reminded her of the sky. Everything had been done just as they’d discussed. Kara was nothing if not meticulous.
She smiled at the thought of waking up tomo
rrow in a completed bedroom with Kara in her arms, unlike the last time, when paint cans and half-empty boxes littered their room. Her smile exploded when she found Kara dancing to a bubbly pop song while unpacking the guest room. Sierra leaned against the doorframe and watched with wonder and amusement. Kara had no idea how adorable she was and would argue whenever Sierra told her such a thing. Resisting the urge to run over and scoop her up was a lesson in self-discipline.
It was nearly a full minute before Kara turned around and nearly tumbled over the box in fright. “Holy shit! You scared me!”
Laughing heartily at her blushing girlfriend, Sierra readily moved in to wrap her up in a tight hug. “Sorry, but it was too good to interrupt.”
Kara scrunched her face and dipped her head in embarrassment for a beat and then glanced up through her lashes. A soft smile appeared. “I missed you.”
The words “me too” had barely made it from Sierra’s mouth before Kara’s lips were on hers, humming her happiness as their tongues met in a needy kiss.
Getting her fill of Kara was impossible, but the need for oxygen won out, forcing their lips to part. Sierra looked around the room as she fought to catch her breath. Pulling Kara’s body close, she admired the earthy tones of deep brown and blue. In awe of the woman in her arms, Sierra placed a kiss to Kara’s hair and said, “Wow! You’ve been a busy girl.”
“You know me. I have a hard time sitting still. Since the office isn’t in full swing yet, I found other ways to keep busy.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to help more.”
Kara shrugged at her own poor planning, then looked up and met Sierra’s regret-filled eyes. “Well, that’s what I get for wanting to do it mid-season. How are you feeling?”
The race hadn’t gone as well as she would have liked, but she couldn’t complain. Her season was going extremely well. “I’m a bit sore from that spill I took in qualifying, but finishing fourth helped ease my bruised ego.”
“Good to know. I can’t do too much about your ego, but I can help you with your other aches and pains.”
“I think you’re my good luck charm.”
They were busy people and couldn’t be together all the time—she understood that—but the emptiness without Kara sapped the extra energy and enthusiasm she had become accustomed to having. The last two week stretch had been miserable and even Ronni had commented that Sierra needed a little “extra special doctoring” to keep her on track. Maybe, just maybe, she could convince Kara to travel to the next race.
Not wanting to be clingy, but desperate to recover their intimate connection, she asked, “What would it take to get you to come with me next weekend?”
“Oh, Honey,” Kara deflated and pressed her hand to Sierra’s cheek as if hoping to soften the blow. “I wish I could, but I’m speaking at a Sports Chiropractic Symposium in Vancouver.”
Disappointment quickly shifted to agitation and Sierra’s body tensed. A cold front had moved in, chasing their warmth away. Removing Kara’s arms, Sierra stepped free and stomped to the opposite end of the room, doing her best to not say something stupid. Words were not her forte. She was a reactive person and no matter how hard she tried to tame that part of her, it always found a way to push its way to the front. “Kara, I’m worried.”
“About?” Her girlfriend’s forehead creased in concern and confusion, obviously still spinning from the sudden change in mood.
“Worried that I’ll lose you to your career like Jamie did.” Why couldn’t she just shut up? The second the words left her mouth, she knew she had been an ass. If she hadn’t already figured it out herself, the death glare she received from Kara would have made it abundantly clear. “I don’t want to lose you. I can’t lose you.” That was the truth and she hoped it would help soothe the anger brewing in Kara’s eyes.
Rather than getting into a fight, Kara retreated into the solitude of a persona Sierra hadn’t seen in months and she berated herself for being the reason behind its resurrection. Gone was the smile and spark that set Sierra’s heart aflutter. The happy, easy going woman who had existed mere seconds ago, had reverted to the cold mask of professionalism she had donned early in their relationship.
“I’m sorry you feel that way, Sierra.” Her jaw may have been steeled, but Kara revealed her fragility with the tremble in her words.
Kara’s tone was flat, emotionless, and it hurt. Boy, did it hurt. Sierra wished like hell that she could take it all back, but it was too late for that.
“I thought I’d done more than enough to prove my love for you. You’re right. I have chosen my career over my heart time and again, because no one had ever stolen my heart away. Until you.” Kara sighed and ran her hand through her hair, seeming to ponder whether she wanted to walk out or finish speaking her peace.
Avoiding Sierra’s eyes, she crossed her arms over her chest and hugged herself as she continued, “You’re the only person I have ever left work early for, much less taken time off for. Never before had I had to worry about thoughts of another person consuming me while at work. Until you. Now, I find myself counting the minutes until I can see you again. I hate it and I love it. And I love you, Sierra. You make me feel things I never imagined—that I never even cared to imagine—I was capable of feeling for another person.”
Kara uncrossed her arms and shoved her hands into her pockets. “But as much as I feel for you and as much as I love to be with you, I am not going to give up who I am or what I love to do to spend every minute with you. I love my work. I love helping people live a better quality of life or perform better through my adjustments and research. While I’m sorry our schedules conflict, I will not apologize for it. I refuse to. And if this is going to be a problem, we should probably reconsider our relationship right now.” As she finished, she looked Sierra dead in the eyes with unwavering determination, her jaw clenched tight.
There was no room for negotiation. An ultimatum had been issued and Sierra would undoubtedly concede. She had messed up questioning Kara’s commitment and needed to make amends fast. Her legs moved with great haste as she strode across the room and stopped a foot from Kara. She wanted to reach out to her, to hold her close. Her arm moved Kara’s direction, but pulled back when clear thought prevailed. Now was not the time.
“I’m so sorry. I am. You’re right. I know you’ve stepped out of your comfort zone with me and that so much has changed in you. I can see it, feel it, and I love you more for it. I will never be grateful enough that you chose me. It’s just...I have never been so happy in my life and I guess deep down, I am afraid it won’t last. My being away and you being so busy…I felt like you were slipping away. I…” Her shimmering golden eyes begged for forgiveness. She was ready to get down on her knees if she had to. “It was stupid. I’m sorry.”
“I had that fear for a little while too.” Looking to the ceiling, Kara inhaled a deep, labored breath.
The statement caught Sierra by complete surprise, but also set her at ease. She was not alone in her doubts and fears. “Yeah? You don’t now?”
“No,” she replied definitively and shook her head.
What had occurred that would make the ever-cautious Dr. Davies so sure when it came to their relationship? She had to know. “What changed?”
“You slapped the shit out of Harley.” Laughter followed and Kara relaxed her posture. “Believe me, Sierra, we would not have gotten this far if I was going to choose work over you. I would’ve pissed you off months ago.” She smiled lightly, a gesture Sierra mirrored in return.
“My default setting is work. It’s as much of a passion as a defense mechanism, but with you...” She sighed hard and reached for Sierra’s hand. “With you, I find myself wanting to run to you, instead of away. So, I know what we have is real and lasting, even if we have some work to do.”
Kara stood before her so open and honest, exposing her raw truth in a way Sierra had never seen before and it struck her in the chest like a lightning bolt. Looking down at their fingers entwined, Si
erra allowed the words to envelop her like a warm embrace. The sting of tears defied her will and spilled over. “That is the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me.”
“Give me time and I’ll come up with many more,” Kara said, her eyes full of mirth and undeniable love.
“All my time is yours, Kara. I’m sorry. So, so, sorry. I…” Sierra didn’t know what else to say. She just wanted them to go back to their happy bubble. Was that too much to hope for?
“Shhh, Honey. I know. Look at me, please,” Kara requested, her voice soft and comforting.
Tilting her head up, Sierra wiped away her tears and met Kara’s loving gaze.
“You love me, right?”
“God, so much. I really do.”
“And I love you, so much.” Kara smiled and tugged her closer. “You are forgiven.”
The tension that had held her body hostage for the last many minutes was banished by the pardon. A deep, honest, smile rose from the ashes. “Thank you.” She would never be able to say that enough.
“I think we have a better understanding of one another now, how about you?”
“I believe so.”
“Good. Anything else you would like to discuss?”
Sierra searched her memory. She hadn’t really had any complaints. Today had been the result of her own insecurities. The last thing she wanted was to upset the peace they had just reached, but it seemed like this was the time for communicating, so she thought long and hard before coming up empty. She shook her head. “I don’t think so, no.”
Accepting her answer, Kara nodded. She stepped forward as she pulled Sierra in, bringing them breast to breast. Her free hand found its way into Sierra’s dark hair, her fingers weaving their way through the long locks. With heavy-lidded eyes, Kara leaned in and ghosted her lips across Sierra’s, but fell just short of a full kiss. Their breaths, shallow from the anticipation of releasing their pent-up desire, intermingled.
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