A Celtic Knot

by Corman, Ana

  Catherine slowly moved upward into Olivia’s outstretched arms. She buried her face in the softness of Olivia’s neck and felt her arms completely encircle her. She watched Olivia’s chest heave with each breath and finally settle to a peaceful rhythm. She wished to keep this moment between them forever.

  “That was incredible,” Olivia said finally.

  Catherine raised her head and touched her lips to Olivia’s. “I’ve dreamed of this moment with you. But I never dreamed it could be this beautiful.”

  “Sweetheart, you and I are only beginning to create something beautiful,” Olivia said as she tasted herself on her lover’s lips for the first time.

  Catherine eased herself over Olivia and kissed her with slow, gentle, caressing kisses. She straddled her thighs and traced her tongue down the smooth skin of her neck and into the recess of her collarbone

  Olivia held her tight against her. She thrust upward against her parted thighs and indulged in the sight of them so intimately entwined.

  Catherine leaned in closer and teasingly touched her lips to Olivia’s. She basked in Olivia’s frustrated groan as she outlined her upper lip with the tip of her tongue and eased away.

  Olivia glared at her with half-open eyes. “If you’re trying to toy with me, I hope you’re prepared to deal with the consequences of your actions.” The challenging look in Catherine’s sky blue eyes was all Olivia needed. She eased herself up into a sitting position, then gripped Catherine’s hips and pulled her in tight on her lap.

  Catherine raised herself up on her knees and held Olivia’s shoulders. “You turn me on, Dr. Carrington.” Catherine eased her tongue between Olivia’s swollen lips as she felt her lover’s fingers skim across her bottom and dip into her wetness.

  Catherine closed her eyes and thrust herself rhythmically onto Olivia’s hand, driving her fingers higher and deeper. She felt the caress of Olivia’s thumb as she fought to hold on to this moment before it shot her from the tenuous ledge of wondrous rapture.

  Olivia watched in awe as Catherine threw her head back and basked in erotic bliss, then slowed her rhythm and thrust one final time. Undulating spasms gripped Olivia’s fingers as Catherine cried out her astonishing release.

  Olivia slipped her fingers out slowly and eased Catherine back onto the bed, securely in her arms.

  “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Catherine said.

  Olivia kissed the top of her head. “I’m right there with you, darling.”

  Catherine watched her long eyelashes rest peacefully against her smooth skin. “Have I emptied your mind enough to interest your tummy in a chicken salad?”

  Olivia peeked through a half open eye. “Can we eat in bed?”

  Catherine eased over her and gently nipped at her shoulder. “I thought we already did.”

  Catherine and Olivia sat on the balcony, entwined on a lounge chair, looking out across the twinkling grounds of the Coronado to the moonlit Pacific.

  Olivia sighed. “I never would have thought both my heart and my belly could be so full at the same time.”

  “Mmmm.”

  Olivia glanced at her lover. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

  Catherine hesitated a moment then turned to meet Olivia’s eyes. “I have something to ask you.”

  “Of course.”

  “I talked to Alexis about letting me spend some time with Kayla.”

  At the mention of Alexis’ name, Olivia’s heart lurched slightly.

  “She agreed. But I wouldn’t want to do it unless you felt okay about it.”

  Olivia battled a moment with her emotions. She hadn’t wanted Alexis to intrude on this night. But this wasn’t about Alexis, she told herself. It was about Kayla. It was about a little girl Catherine loved.

  “Catherine, that’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you. And once you feel Kayla’s ready, I’d love it if the three of us could spend time together, too.”

  Catherine’s face lit up. “Do you really mean that? Because that’s all I’ve been able to envision, since Kayla came back into my life—the three of us together—but I wasn’t sure you’d feel comfortable with it.”

  “Of course I do. She’s important to you, Catherine. I’d love to get to know this little girl you love so much. Besides, it’ll give me a chance to whip her for being so mean to me.”

  Catherine laughed. “Give her a chance to apologize before you decided if she needs a good whipping.”

  “If you insist.”

  Catherine leaned closer and touched her lips to Olivia’s. “You’re even more amazing than I thought.”

  Thirty-Six

  CATHERINE LAID HER VELVET GREEN DRESS across the bed of the light-filled room that she was starting to think of as her own. She and Olivia had been together every night since the Coronado, alternating houses. Wednesday night they’d stayed at Olivia’s, and Catherine had spent two happy hours reading in this room after Olivia left early for work, the light pouring in the east-facing windows. On Thursday they’d spent a wonderful, cozy night at Catherine’s, leaving Catherine deeply happy. She’d also been happy to come back last night to Carriage House Lane, to sit around the fire with Echo and Zoë. She still didn’t know how the issue of two homes would resolve, but she was too content to let it worry her.

  Wearing only her lacy black bra and matching panties, she walked back across the hall and into the bathroom as Olivia finished blow-drying her hair.

  Olivia turned and smiled, a look of longing in her eyes. “You’d better put on more than that, darling, if you expect me to get moving here.”

  Catherine moved closer and dipped her fingers just beneath the waistband of Olivia’s bikini panties. “Do you think my mother would be upset if we didn’t show up for the celebration today?”

  Olivia gathered her close and floated her hands across her tight bottom. “I think your mother would disown us if we didn’t show up, so you better get dressed and stop distracting me.”

  Catherine touched the tip of her tongue to Olivia’s upper lip. “You’re right. We probably should get going. We have enough time to stop by my place and drop off our bags on the way, if you like.”

  Olivia moved her hands up Catherine’s smooth back and along her ribs. She brushed her lips along her cheek. “I vote for spending those extra fifteen minutes just holding you and tasting your delicious skin.”

  Catherine arched her neck and sighed with deep pleasure. “I second that vote.”

  The sultry, lilting harmonies of three Irish sisters filled the air as Olivia and Catherine walked into the bookstore. The coffee shop was filled to capacity as everyone crammed in to listen to the songs of a distant land.

  Olivia leaned in close to Catherine’s ear. “This is amazing.”

  “It truly is. The O’Hara sisters have such beautiful voices. They always draw a huge crowd.”

  Olivia skimmed the soft pad of her thumb across her smooth cheek. “Darling, you really know how to throw a party.”

  Catherine touched her wrist. “To be here with you and the people we love means so much to me.”

  Olivia touched her lips to Catherine’s. “Happy St. Patrick’s Day, my love.”

  Catherine’s eyes filled with tears as she slipped into Olivia’s embrace.

  “Speaking of the people we love, Ruth and Dana are waving at us,” Olivia said. She gripped Catherine’s hand and they made their way across the room to the two beautiful middle-aged women.

  Olivia tapped the button on Ruth’s lapel and laughed. “This is perfect for you. ‘I’m not Irish, but kiss me anyway’ Guaranteed you’ll get a ton of mileage from that.”

  Dana placed a shiny beaded shamrock necklace around Olivia’s neck. “I have one for you, too.” She slipped her fingers beneath the lapel of Olivia’s jacket and secured a green pin with white lettering that read, “Kiss me, my girlfriend’s Irish.”

  Catherine beamed. “Perfect.” She looked at the crowd around them. “Where’s everybody?”

  Dana leaned closer to be
heard over the music. “Laura’s running around trying to keep up with the customers. Kevin’s entrenched in a beanbag in the children’s section with Amanda and Sean. Zoë and Echo just left to go to the bathroom, and Brady and Austin are listening to the harpist. The last time I saw Maya she was perched atop the grandfather clock glaring at the crowd.”

  Dana heard a young voice shout her name. She turned as Kayla rushed into her arms.

  Dana hugged the little girl tight. “Kayla! Oh sweetie, I’ve missed you so much.”

  Kayla kissed her cheek and leaned back. “I’ve missed you too, Dana.”

  “Look how much you’ve grown!”

  Kayla smiled. “I’m almost as tall as my mom’s shoulder.” She grew more somber. “I’m so glad you’re not sick anymore.”

  “Me, too, Kayla. I feel very blessed to be healthy again.” Dana brushed the hair away from the dark purple bruise on Kayla’s forehead, noticing Alexis standing warily to the side. “I was so scared when I heard about your accident. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m much better. My headache’s gone, but I have to be careful when I brush my hair, ‘cause I always manage to bump my bruise.”

  “That must hurt. I’m so glad you’re here with us again.”

  “Me, too. I was so happy when Catherine came to see me in the hospital. Mama says things happen for a reason and I think my bus accident was supposed to bring us all together again.”

  “I wish it didn’t have to happen that way, Kayla, but I do believe you were always meant to be a part of our lives.”

  Dana turned and put her hand on Olivia’s shoulder. “Olivia, I believe you’ve met Kayla but not her mother. This is Alexis. Alexis, Olivia.”

  Alexis nodded and extended her hand. “I guessed as much. It’s good to meet you.”

  Olivia hesitated a moment. “I’m glad to meet you, too. Kayla means so much to Catherine.”

  Kayla looked up at Olivia a little shyly. “I’m sorry I was mean at the hospital.”

  Olivia smiled broadly at the little girl. “And I completely forgive you. A hospital room is an awful place to meet someone new.”

  Happiness washed through Catherine, seeing the two of them together. “Kayla, neither you or your mom have met Dr. Ruth Ratcliff. She’s the doctor who took care of my mom’s breast cancer and she’s a very special friend of ours.”

  Alexis cautiously approached. “Hello, Dr. Ratcliff.”

  Ruth formally shook her hand. “Hello, Alexis.” She turned to Kayla. “Hello, Kayla. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you from Catherine and Dana. They both love you very much.”

  “I love them very much, too. Thank you for taking care of Dana. I was really worried about her.”

  “It was my pleasure to take care of Dana. She’s very special to me as well, and I’m just as thrilled as you are that she’s a breast-cancer survivor.”

  Olivia reached for Kayla’s hand. “Come on, Kayla. Amanda and Sean are waiting for you in the children’s section. They’re excited about seeing you again. And Catherine bought these amazing beanbag chairs that just about swallow you up when you sit in them. Let’s go check it out.”

  Kayla gripped Olivia’s hand and looked up at her mother. “Is it okay if I go with Olivia, Mom?”

  “Of course. I’ll come join you in a minute.”

  As Olivia and Kayla walked away hand in hand, Catherine noticed Laura making her way through the customers. She joined the group and gave Alexis a look of sheer disgust. “You’ve got a lot of balls stepping back into our house, Alexis, after the way you hurt Catherine.”

  Catherine touched Laura’s arm. “Please, Laura. Don’t. Not here. Not now.”

  “I’m not going to make a big scene. You’ve had this out with her, but your mom and I’ve never had the chance. I know I promised to be civil so I’ll just say this once and be done with it.”

  Laura turned to Alexis. “What you took from her has been given back to her tenfold. You’ll never hurt her again because you’ll never get close enough. I’ll make sure of that. The only reason you’re standing here today is because of your daughter. It certainly isn’t because of any of us wanting you back in our lives. You’ve been given a second chance, Alexis. Try not to screw it up this time. I’ll be watching your every move. You’ll never get away with being the hateful bitch you were two years ago. Do you understand me?”

  Alexis stood ramrod stiff. “I understand.”

  “Good.” Laura turned to Catherine. “I had to get that off my chest so please don’t be angry with me. Now, I have a customer on the phone regarding a special order he placed with you. He says he needs to speak to you.”

  Catherine took her hand and turned to include the others. “Laura had every right to say what she needed to say. But now I want to ask all of you to give us the opportunity to have Kayla back in our lives without any more conflict. Let’s bury the past and start again.”

  Laura grunted. “Fine. I don’t want to make things difficult for you, so I’ll behave. Just make sure she does the same.”

  Catherine smiled. “That’s a deal. Lets go talk to our customer.” Catherine turned to her mother. “While I’m gone, please be nice. I don’t want any bloodshed in the bookstore. Alexis has been kind enough to bring Kayla to share in our celebration.”

  Dana glanced at Alexis. “It’s my bookstore, too. I can splatter a little blood if I want to.”

  Catherine glared at her mother. “Ruth, I’m counting on you to keep the peace. I’ll be right back.”

  They all watched Catherine and Laura walk away.

  Alexis took a deep breath. “It was a mistake coming here.”

  Dana shook her head. “You didn’t think for one minute that we would pretend that the pain you caused Catherine never happened.”

  Alexis faced Dana. “I guess I hoped we could all let go of the past, as Catherine requested.”

  “Well, you’re wrong again, Alexis.”

  Alexis tightened her grip on her purse strap. “I talked this out with Catherine, Dana. I don’t know what more I can say to you.”

  “There isn’t anything you could possibly say to rectify what you did to my daughter. You never deserved her. Luckily, she somehow managed to survive everything we put her through, and is stronger and wiser.”

  “You’re right, Dana. I never deserved Catherine. I truly loved her, but she chose to be there for you instead of me, and I couldn’t deal with that.”

  “I understand that my breast cancer was difficult for all of us, but I never imagined that you would use it as an excuse for your own selfishness.”

  Ruth put her hand on Dana’s arm. “I think this is the point where I step in to keep the peace.”

  Dana took a breath. “If it were my choice I’d never want to see your face again. But Catherine is a much better person than I am, and she’s found a woman who loves her far more than you ever could have. She wants to rebuild a relationship with Kayla while she’s building her life with Olivia. I respect and admire that. From this moment on, I’ll be civil to you because I too adore your daughter. But I’m only going to tell you this once. Don’t you ever hurt my daughter again. Have I made myself perfectly clear?”

  “Crystal clear. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to join my daughter.”

  Ruth shook her head as Alexis walked away. “Wow. I think that’s the first time I’ve really seen your fiery Irish temper. You had me scared.”

  “Maternal instincts bring it out in me.” Dana sighed. “Maybe I was too hard on her. I felt responsible for a very long time for what happened between her and Catherine. They were fine until my cancer.”

  “Don’t even say that. You’re in no way responsible for what Alexis did. And Catherine’s right, it’s time to put the past behind us. Your daughter’s future looks wonderful right now. Yours does as well. And I never, never, would have wished breast cancer on someone as beautiful, generous, and honorable as you, but I’m deeply grateful you came into my life.”

  Th
ey looked into each other’s eyes for several long moments before Ruth broke the spell. “Now, let’s head to where the harpist is playing. Then I want to get a front row seat for those Irish dancers you hired.”

  Dana didn’t like the grin on Ruth’s face one bit. “Behave yourself, Dr. Ratcliff, or you might just see that tough side of me again.”

  Ruth took her hand and guided her forward. “Promises, promises.”

  Thirty-Seven

  CATHERINE UNLOCKED HER FRONT DOOR and Stepped aside. Olivia wheeled her suitcase into the foyer as Catherine turned the lights on and shed her jacket.

  Olivia stepped down into the sunken living room. She dropped into the overstuffed beige suede couch and leaned her head back, sighing with pleasure. “I love your house, Catherine. Every time we come here I just want to snuggle into this couch with you forever.”

  Catherine slipped in beside her. “With our busy lives, I’m just grateful to steal whatever moments we can to snuggle.” She laid her head on Olivia’s shoulder. “Are you tired, baby?”

  “Not tired, just overwhelmed. Please tell me right now if every St. Patrick’s Day will be like this, because I don’t know how many more I can survive.”

  Catherine slipped her hand into the opening at Olivia’s blouse. “Did O’Sullivan’s do you in?”

  “Oh, my God. I’ve never been in such a high-spirited restaurant in my life.”

  “But then again you’ve never been to an Irish pub on St. Patrick’s Day.”

  “This is very true. Can you believe I lived thirty-six years without anyone expecting me to drink green beer like it’s water?”

  “Wasn’t it so much fun, darling?”

  Olivia slipped her hand along Catherine’s neck and deep into her hair. “It was more fun than I’ve had in a really long time and completely overwhelming, but that’s just how my life has been since the moment you stepped into it. Over the past several years I’ve had so little time for pleasure. You bring that to my life with a vengeance. That’s truly a gift you give me.”