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by S. W. Andersen

  “Good. Then no more talking.”

  ***

  Four weeks of domestic bliss had flown by. Their talk had done wonders for their relationship and Kara felt they were stronger than ever. But the last few days had become more and more tense. For the first time in her adult life, she was experiencing what it was like to be so passionate about a person that she couldn’t stand to be away from them. It was a new experience, yes, but she was embracing the warmth and feeling of wholeness that came with being in a committed relationship—especially a relationship with a woman she literally could devour every time she laid eyes on her. The problem was, they had been apart so often lately that her heart and her libido were giving her fits. She had no fear of losing Sierra, but she missed the hell out of her.

  She laid on the bed with the newest issue of The Journal of Chiropractic Medicine hoping to read up on the newest research studies, but she couldn’t focus—not with Sierra moping around the bedroom tossing things into her suitcase.

  “What’s the matter, Hon?” Kara asked, knowing good and well what the problem was.

  The block of European races Nicole had scheduled were upon them and neither were looking forward to three solid weeks apart. Kara had made a decision though—a tough one given how dedicated she was to her work—but she hoped it was the right one for their relationship. Too much time together could be as bad as too much apart. She might still have been learning to navigate the whole relationship thing, but Kara felt good about their path so far—even if she still couldn’t believe she had taken the leap.

  Sierra shrugged and tried to dismiss her behavior, “It’s silly.”

  Kara set her magazine down and scooted to the edge of the bed. She took Sierra’s hand and pulled her brooding girlfriend to stand between her legs, her hands finding purchase on Sierra’s hips as she gazed up lovingly. “You can tell me anything. What is it?”

  Her eyes took a trip around the room before settling on Kara’s and then Sierra replied, “I just hate being away from you.” She quickly cast her gaze aside, embarrassed at her confession, even though it hadn’t been the first time she had uttered those words. It was clear she was worried she would upset Kara.

  Kara smiled. Sierra was so adorable when she was vulnerable. That tough exterior she worked so hard to keep always crumbled so easily around her. “That’s not silly at all, Sierra. I love you and I would rather be with you than without you too. You know that.” She leaned her head against Sierra’s stomach and breathed in her orange musk perfume. “You should look at your itinerary. Nicole has gone all out this time. You’ll have a great trip.”

  Sierra shook her head. “Not right now. I want to spend time with you without the reminder.”

  “I think you should look at it now, so we can spend the rest of the evening together.”

  “Fine,” Sierra relented in a huff and stomped off to her dresser. She tore the envelope open and scanned the itinerary. “Yeah, looks great,” she muttered unimpressed and glanced at Kara, who pointed at the page, telling her to continue.

  Kara’s legs bounced with excitement, as if she were once again a little girl on Christmas morning awaiting her first present. When Sierra flipped to the second page, her eyes slowly grew wider. She looked up with that cute furrowed brow that appeared whenever she was confused. “Kara, why are...?” Words escaped her as realization struck. “Does this mean…? What about work?”

  Kara nodded, her eyes shining bright like stars on a clear, dark night. “Yes, I’m coming with you. I figured I could use a vacation before I dive back into work full-time. I hope that’s all right.”

  “Are you kidding? It is so much more than all right. It’s perfect.”

  Sierra wasted no time pulling Kara up and crashing their lips together in a heated exchange. The kisses were hard, but passionate, reassuring Kara that three weeks away from work to support the woman she loved was not a bad idea at all.

  CHAPTER THRITY-FIVE

  On the cusp of Sierra’s first championship, all she needed was a tenth-place finish or better to secure the title. Five long months of travel and competition all came down to this run. Awaiting their respective turns, Ronni and Sierra idly chatted while another rider sped down the track.

  “I’m proud of you, Wiley. I mean, I’m going to try like hell to beat you today, but I’m so proud of the work you’ve put in this season and I will be right there to celebrate when you pull this off.”

  “Shhh! I don’t want to jinx it, you know. I’m trying to stay loose, but it’s so close. I’m afraid I’m going to choke,” Sierra confessed in an unusual moment of vulnerability.

  “Stop talking nonsense. You attack that course like you always do. Don’t hold nothing back, cause that’s when things go wrong. You do that and you’ll ride off into the sunset today with a title and a hot doctor.” Ronni laughed and threw her hands up. “Who says you can’t have it all?”

  Sierra scooted her bike alongside to give her best friend a hug. “Have I ever told you how much I love you?”

  “Yes, but I’d prefer you show me with bikes or food.”

  Sierra chuckled and freed Ronni from her embrace. It was nearly go time. “Of course you would. You know what? After I win, I’m going to propose.”

  The idea of making that forever commitment to Kara made her giddy with excitement. Combined with the nerves of the race, it was a miracle she could even string together a thought. The final ride of the season would be a tough one in her current state of mind. She needed to calm down.

  First things first—win the title.

  “For real?” Ronni perked up, her eyes popping wide at the news. “Awesome! We are going to give you the best wedding and bachelorette party ever! I’m the maid of honor, right?”

  “You know it.”

  The guy at the starting gate called for Sierra. One last ride for all the marbles. That thought alone sent her nerves into high gear. Her legs weakened and her head spun. She swore she’d pass out before getting her bike in the gate.

  “You’re up. Go kick some ass, Wiley.” Ronni slapped her on the back in a vote of confidence.

  Sierra did make it into the gate and surprised herself with a relaxed focus as she settled into her pre-run routine. Deep breaths lowered her heart rate and strengthened her legs. Visualization dialed her in to every obstacle she was about to conquer.

  At the buzzer, she was off, speeding down the mountain with quiet confidence and the rush of adrenaline she looked forward to every ride. There was no longer a fear of failure. Everything in her life had come together and it carried through into her run, finishing with a second-place time.

  Letting out an exhilarating yell as she skidded to a stop, Kara, Nicole, Leo, and her team of sponsors swarmed her in congratulations. Searching and finding her girlfriend’s hand in the crowd, she pulled Kara in and hugged her so tight she could hardly catch a breath.

  “I did it. Oh my god, I did it! I love you, Kara,” Sierra cried, overcome with the emotion of her victory and the relief of all of her fears and anxieties falling away.

  She wasn’t the only one crying. Kara brushed away tears of her own as she said, “I am so proud of you. I love you too,” and offered Sierra a prize of her own in the form of an enthusiastic kiss.

  Once again Sierra thought she might pass out as Kara’s tongue teased her own.

  It was over all too soon as Ronni came roaring across the finish line. She dropped her bike and hopped on Sierra’s back as she hooted and hollered in celebration. “I told you! Did I not?”

  “You did.” Sierra laughed, releasing Kara to protect her from Ronni’s exuberance. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you guys—all of you.” She made eye contact with each and every person in their circle before ending on Kara.

  Camryn had won the race, but Sierra paid her zero attention on the podium. She had claimed her first championship and gotten the girl—Camryn could suck it.

  Once the race winner photos were finished, they swapped places for the
year-end standings, where Sierra climbed into the top spot. Her breath caught as the reality of the moment settled in and a tear rolled free to trail down her cheek. Ronni gave her a high five and a knowing wink from second place.

  No sooner had the podium cleared than Sierra called Kara up for a photo. She shook her head no, but Sierra insisted and Nicole shoved her up the stairs. Taking her place beside Sierra, they indulged in several photos, then Kara tried to escape. Her retreat was thwarted, however, by Sierra on bended knee with a black velvet box in hand. The crowd fell silent as all eyes settled on them.

  Sierra had no doubt what the answer would be, yet asking the question was proving far more difficult than imagined. Her stomach twisting with nerves and her heart trying to break through her chest weren’t helping any.

  Kara stood in shock, glancing quickly to their duo of smiling best friends, before her hands moved involuntarily to cover her mouth. “Sierra?” she choked out the question.

  Clearing her throat and mustering the courage to finally speak, Sierra reached for and claimed Kara’s hand in her own as she fought back the tears that threatened to deny her words. “Doctor Kara Davies,” she began, her voice trembling. “I am so completely in love with you. I thank the powers that be every day for making me hit that tree. That was the single best day of my life, because that was the day I met you. Since then, my life has been more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined, and it’s all because of you. I dread every second we’re apart and I want nothing more than to have you by my side until that final finish line is crossed. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

  Peeling back the top of the velvet box with a shaky hand, Sierra revealed a shimmering diamond encrusted band. Kara had been stunned silent, but the love in her eyes confirmed everything Sierra had believed to be true. Still, she needed to hear the words. Until they were spoken, nothing was a sure bet and she would never jump to a conclusion in a moment of such consequence. Her heart teetered on the edge, unknowing if it would soar or shatter, as the milliseconds ticked by at a brutal pace.

  Finally, Kara’s head nodded and that billion-watt smile lit her face from ear to ear. Her heart had answered the question before her brain could even form words, rescuing Sierra from the misery of an uncertain future and thrusting her into a world of unimaginable joy.

  “Yes, Sierra. Yes to crossing the finish line with you.”

  Sierra swiftly slid the ring onto her fiancé’s hand and jumped to her feet. Her arms wrapped Kara into their own private cocoon, drowning out the applause surrounding them until the only sound was their two hearts beating as one.

  Gazing into the eyes she loved to lose herself in, Sierra framed Kara’s face in her palms and placed a chaste kiss upon her lips. It was rare that she was truly in the moment, but this was one time where she wanted to remember every little detail. The light coconut scent of Kara’s skin cream. The softness of her lips on her own. The peppermint lip gloss that tingled long after their lips had parted. The erratic thud in her chest that left no mistaking her feelings for the woman in her arms.

  Kara brushed Sierra’s bangs from her eyes, then cupped her cheek and said, “This has been quite the day. Guess it’s all downhill from here, huh?” With an amused laugh, she let her arms fall loosely over Sierra’s shoulders.

  “Maybe, but with you by my side, it will be one epic ride.”

  The End

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  This is the fourth novel by S.W. Andersen. Having been raised by her mother, a strong female character in her own right, she has always been attracted to stories that depict independent, capable, determined women. While life tends to surround us with negativity, she prefers to fill it with happily ever after’s.

  S.W. has spent a large part of her life around horses and rodeos and has always had an affinity for the cowgirl lifestyle. Her love of the mountains and westerns were the driving forces behind her Sarah Sawyer western series. When she isn’t working, she enjoys outdoors activities and traveling with her wife, Dianna. They share their ten acres in rural Florida with a rambunctious crew of two dogs, four cats and two horses.