Edie tugged at Skye’s hair until she leaned back. Skye’s eyes were hazy, tortured, intense.
“I know you can be gentle,” Edie said. “But you don’t have to be.” Edie kissed her slowly, drawing Skye’s tongue into her mouth and sucking before biting down and releasing her. She leaned back again, sliding one hand into Skye’s slick, short hair and cupping her face with the other. “You are enough for me, Skye Kenny. And I promise you will never, ever be too much.”
When Skye leaned in to kiss Edie again, Edie felt her full force, maybe for the very first time. Her gravitational pull had been unleashed and Edie had no time to marvel at her strength, but only be overwhelmed. Edie drew Skye against her, insinuating a hand between them, needing to feel the centre of Skye’s desire.
Skye groaned but made room between them, dropping her head to Edie’s shoulder as Edie dipped her finger down over her stomach and touched the dark curls between Skye’s thighs. Skye thrust against Edie’s fingers, and Edie felt light-headed with the power she had over Skye. She didn’t want to torture her by drawing it out or teasing; she just wanted Skye to feel everything. The rhythm of Skye’s thrusts increased as Edie drew wet heat around and over Skye’s hard clit, taking her closer and closer.
Suddenly Skye moved away and dropped to her knees, her mouth on Edie’s stomach. Edie wasn’t sure she could take this. Her whole body trembled, she was so close to coming, needing to feel her own release, already so closely tied to Skye’s. So close. When Skye kissed her inner thigh, she sagged. Skye spread her legs and pinned her to the wall with her upper body and held her hips. She traced Edie with her tongue, sucking her slick flesh until Edie could not hold back the rising tide. There was only release, there was only Skye and her own shuddering body, there was only their combined force that burned away everything but the continuous waves that rocked them, released them, fused them.
Edie slowly came back to awareness, sensing the sound of the shower, her own hand cradling Skye’s head against her abdomen, their synchronized breath. And the sense that something was newly created. When Skye turned her head and looked up at Edie, she felt a certainty and a connection she had never had in her entire life. This woman, this life, was all she needed.
Skye’s smile was as warm and easy as she stood, embracing Edie lightly and kissing her gently. Edie knew she felt it, too. They’d have time to put words to it, but they weren’t necessary right now. Everything they had in this moment was enough. And with Skye’s arms around her, Edie knew it would always be.
Epilogue
Edie piled cookies onto a tin-stamped platter she found in the community church kitchen and listened to Dr. Wallace greet the group’s newest participant. Edie made a mental note to sit with the young woman tonight. She was finally starting to find her rhythm in this group, walking the line between participant and mentor. These Thursday nights weren’t always easy, but she finally trusted the momentum of her own recovery. Always moving forward, despite some slow days. In six weeks, she’d be back teaching at the university. It was only one course for the fall semester, but it was a start.
Edie stole a cookie from the platter, and then she began the task of making coffee. The newly repaired downstairs kitchen had no temperamental coffee percolators, so Edie shoved in a coffee filter and began counting the scoops of coffee grinds.
Hands on her hips and a soft kiss to the back of her neck startled Edie out of her task.
“Hey,” she complained, catching one of Skye’s hands and drawing it around her waist. “You made me lose count.”
“Nine,” Skye said. “And sorry.”
Edie continued filling the filter with coffee, smiling at Skye’s whispered count in her ear. Edie elbowed her lightly in the ribs and Skye laughed and backed off.
“I can make coffee on my own, Major Kenny,” Edie said.
She plugged in the coffee perc and hit the switch. Then she looked at Skye, who had hopped up on the opposite counter. The tan on her face, neck, and arms were evidence of their time spent at Basher’s cottage over the summer. There had been a constant parade of guests: Adelah, JC and her kids, Edie’s niece and nephew, and even Faina once she’d been released from the hospital. It had been joyful and busy and exactly what they’d needed.
But they’d also had some days and nights completely on their own. They’d had time together to swim and run and cook. They talked for hours, sharing a beer on the deck. They had long moments of silence, Edie curled into Skye’s lap in front of the fire on the wet sand beach. Edie smiled at the memory of Skye’s fierce determination to both fit in the hammock. Edie had laughed so hard her stomach muscles had ached. They made love in the early morning, Skye’s energy enough for both of them. They’d slept, Skye’s protective presence enough to ease any of Edie’s early nightmares. One cold spring night under the stars, Edie had told Skye she loved her. She thought she’d never seen Skye look so happy as she accepted the words for the gift and the truth that they were. Then she’d returned the words and kissed Edie with a promise Edie knew she would never break.
“Where did you go, Edie Black?” Skye said gently, calling her back.
Edie shook her head lightly and smiled. She crossed the kitchen and hopped on the counter beside Skye.
“I’m mentally already at the cottage,” Edie said, leaning into Skye.
“Tomorrow,” Skye said. “The Jeep’s all packed. I’ve got a meeting in the morning, but then we’ll head out before traffic gets too bad.”
Edie could not possibly describe the happiness these easy moments brought.
“And I’m taking Faina to a doctor’s appointment and then we’re going out for coffee.”
Skye stiffened slightly, then took Edie’s hand.
“What is it?” Edie said.
“I have some news. JC called me as I was walking here tonight. Do you want to hear it from me or wait until you see Faina tomorrow?”
“Now, please.”
“The three-month extension was approved on medical grounds, but then Faina is being deported back to the UK on November 17.”
Even fully anticipating this result, knowing the Canadian government had no other choice but to deport a person residing unlawfully in this country, did not make the news any easier. Edie let out a long, shaky breath.
Skye sat silently and rubbed her thumb over Edie’s hand in a calming, repetitive motion. Edie met Skye’s concerned look.
“Okay?” Skye said.
“Yeah. I know Faina’s immigration liaison is setting her up with contacts and services in the UK. I know she’s strong. I know there’s part of her that’s excited about starting this new life. But she’s on her own. I hate that.”
Skye leaned in and kissed Edie’s temple. “I know. But there’s technology. You two can see each other every day if you want. We’ll make sure of that.”
Edie leaned her head against Skye’s shoulder and drew from her unlimited strength. They sat quietly and listened to the coffee percolator burble in the background.
Moments later, Dr. Wallace entered the kitchen.
“My favourite couple,” she announced, smiling broadly. She picked up the tray of cookies. “I believe we may be facing a mutiny unless we get the cookies out there. So I’m going to take these out and trust you love birds to bring the coffee when it’s ready.”
Edie laughed as Dr. Wallace swept out of the kitchen. Skye hopped off the counter and pulled Edie down with her.
“I should get set up upstairs, as well,” Skye said. “We’ll head home together after group?”
Edie stretched up and stole a quick kiss before Skye could escape. The yellow-green of Skye’s eyes danced. Edie knew she could not love this woman more.
“Yes,” Edie said. “We’ll head home together.”
About the Author
Jessica L. Webb spends her professional days working with educators to find the why behind the challenging behaviors of the students they support. Limitless curiosity about the motivations and intentions of human b
ehavior is also a huge part of what drives her to write stories and understand the complexities of her characters and their actions. When she’s not working or writing, Jessica is spending time with her wife and daughter, usually planning where they will travel next. Jessica can be found most often on her favorite spot on the couch with a book and a cup of tea.
Books Available From Bold Strokes Books
Canvas for Love by Charlotte Greene. When ghosts from Amelia’s past threaten to undermine their relationship, Chloé must navigate the greatest romance of her life without losing sight of who she is. (978-1-62639-944-0)
Heart Stop by Radclyffe. Two women, one with a damaged body, the other a damaged spirit, challenge each other to dare to live again. (978-1-62639-899-3)
Repercussions by Jessica L. Webb. Someone planted information in Edie Black’s brain and now they want it back, but with the protection of shy former soldier Skye Kenny, Edie has a chance at life and love. (978-1-62639-925-9)
Spark by Catherine Friend. Jamie’s life is turned upside down when her consciousness travels back to 1560 and lands in the body of one of Queen Elizabeth I’s ladies-in-waiting…or has she totally lost her grip on reality? (978-1-62639-930-3)
Taking Sides by Kathleen Knowles. When passion and politics collide, can love survive? (978-1-62639-876-4)
Thorns of the Past by Gun Brooke. Former cop Darcy Flynn’s heart broke when her career on the force ended in disgrace, but perhaps saving Sabrina Hawk’s life will mend it in more ways than one. (978-1-62639-857-3)
You Make Me Tremble by Karis Walsh. Seismologist Casey Radnor comes to the San Juan Islands to study an earthquake but finds her heart shaken by passion when she meets animal rescuer Iris Mallery. (978-1-62639-901-3)
Complications by MJ Williamz. Two women battle for the heart of one. (978-1-62639-769-9)
Crossing the Wide Forever by Missouri Vaun. As Cody Walsh and Lillie Ellis face the perils of the untamed West, they discover that love’s uncharted frontier isn’t for the weak in spirit or the faint of heart. (978-1-62639-851-1)
Fake It till You Make It by M. Ullrich. Lies will lead to trouble, but can they lead to love? (978-1-62639-923-5)
Girls Next Door, edited by Sandy Lowe and Stacia Seaman. Best-selling romance authors tell it from the heart—sexy, romantic stories of falling for the girls next door. (978-1-62639-916-7)
Pursuit by Jackie D. The pursuit of the most dangerous terrorist in America will crack the lines of friendship and love, and not everyone will make it out from under the weight of duty and service. (978-1-62639-903-7)
The Practitioner by Ronica Black. Sometimes love comes calling whether you’re ready for it or not. (978-1-62639-948-8)
Unlikely Match by Fiona Riley. When an ambitious PR exec and her super-rich coding geek-girl client fall in love, they learn that giving something up may be the only way to have everything. (978-1-62639-891-7)
Where Love Leads by Erin McKenzie. A high school counselor and the mom of her new student bond in support of the troubled girl, never expecting deeper feelings to emerge, testing the boundaries of their relationship. (978-1-62639-991-4)
Forsaken Trust by Meredith Doench. When four women are murdered, Agent Luce Hansen must regain trust in her most valuable investigative tool—herself—to catch the killer. (978-1-62639-737-8)
Letter of the Law by Carsen Taite. Will federal prosecutor Bianca Cruz take a chance at love with horse breeder Jade Vargas, whose dark family ties threaten everything Bianca has worked to protect—including her child? (978-1-62639-750-7)
New Life by Jan Gayle. Trigena and Karrie are having a baby, but the stress of becoming a mother and the impact on their relationship might be too much for Trigena. (978-1-62639-878-8)
Royal Rebel by Jenny Frame. Charity director Lennox King sees through the party-girl image Princess Roza has cultivated, but will Lennox’s past indiscretions and Roza’s responsibilities make their love impossible? (978-1-62639-893-1)
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