by Mj Williamz
“No. I’m serious. I’m proud of you for keeping up the good work.”
“Thanks. It’s a good thing I love food, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is. Now go sit on the couch and I’ll get the dishes washed. Then we can finish the movie.”
“I’ll come help with the dishes. We’ll do them together.”
Ronnie’s heart soared. It would be just like old times. Why couldn’t Lana see that? Surely she had to feel something for Ronnie, right?
They got the dishes in the dishwasher and the leftovers put away. Ronnie grabbed another beer and followed Lana to the living room. As was the norm, Ronnie sat at the far end of the couch to avoid any temptation.
They started the movie again, and Ronnie saw Lana’s eyelids getting heavy.
“You want to rest your head in my lap?” she said.
“That would be great.”
She laid her head in Ronnie’s lap, and Ronnie stroked her hair, driving herself crazy in the process. Soon Lana’s breathing evened out and she emitted the soft snores that told Ronnie she was asleep.
Ronnie tried to concentrate on the movie, but all she could think about was Lana’s soft hair that she continued to stroke. It was like silk, and Ronnie stroked it carefully so as not to touch the bandages on Lana’s face and neck.
She remembered the feel of her silky hair as Lana used to kiss down her body. She remembered how soft it was when it tickled her inner thighs. She adjusted herself on the couch. That line of thinking wasn’t safe. She needed to get a grip on her thoughts that were running rampant in a very dangerous direction.
The movie ended and Lana was still asleep. Ronnie turned off the DVD player and switched the television over to regular viewing. She flipped through the channels until she found a baseball game. She settled back again to watch it.
Lana finally began to stir. She sat up and looked over at Ronnie, who looked so handsome sitting there.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“I don’t know. A couple of hours maybe.”
“I’m so sorry. You must think I’m a terrible hostess.”
“No. I think you need your rest. Besides, it was kind of nice having you sleep on me.”
“You say the sweetest things.”
“I say the truth.”
“Oh, Ronnie. I hope you’re not still holding out hope we’re going to get back together. That can’t happen.”
“Yes, if you must know, I am holding out hope. I don’t understand why it can’t happen.”
“You deserve a complete woman, a beautiful woman. Not one with half her face burned off.”
“That doesn’t bother me. And if it bothers you so much, why don’t you have plastic surgery?”
“I plan to. But that’s down the road. Not in the near future. So I’ll stay a freak for a while.”
“Baby, you’re not a freak. You’re a beautiful woman.”
She heard Ronnie’s words and wanted to believe them. She loved her so much and wished beyond measure they could be together and things could be back to normal. Dare she hope?
“Don’t do this, Ronnie.”
“Why not? Tell me you don’t still love me.”
“That’s just it,” Lana said. “I do still love you. I love you too much to saddle you with a freak of nature.”
“You’re not a freak of nature.” Ronnie spoke in a soft tone. “You’re gorgeous, baby. Inside and out.”
Lana’s eyes teared up.
“Don’t cry, baby.”
“I wish I could see myself as you see me. But I can’t. I’m deformed.”
“No. You have some burns. They’ll heal. You’ll heal. And I want to be here with you through that process.”
If only it were that simple.
“I can’t ask that of you, Ronnie.”
“You’re not asking. I’m volunteering. Don’t you see that?”
Ronnie moved closer to Lana on the couch. She reached out and wiped away an errant tear. Lana took Ronnie’s hand and pressed it against her face. She turned ever so slightly and kissed Ronnie’s palm.
She knew she was playing with fire, but she couldn’t help it. Ronnie was making her feel things she shouldn’t be feeling. Her resolve was weakening. She knew she needed to be strong, but she was faltering. She wanted so much to have a life with Ronnie.
“I should change my gauze,” Lana said. “It got a little wet.”
“Can I help?”
“No, but you can wait here for me.”
“Okay. I’ll do that.”
Lana felt Ronnie’s absence like the removal of a warm blanket. But she did what she had to do and took care of her gauze. It didn’t take long, and soon she was sitting next to Ronnie on the couch.
“Feel better?” Ronnie said.
“I do.”
“Good.”
Ronnie must have felt emboldened as slipped her arm around Lana. Lana, rather than pulling away, leaned into her. Ronnie placed a tender, tentative kiss on the top of her head. Lana raised her head and looked into Ronnie’s eyes. She saw love there. Love like she’d seen before. Ronnie dipped her head and tasted Lana’s lips.
Lana surprised herself by kissing her back. It was soft, questioning, but it was a kiss nonetheless. Ronnie seemed to want to try for more but didn’t. She pulled away, but Lana pressed into her and kissed her again.
The kiss was more powerful this time, and Lana ran her tongue along Ronnie’s lips. Ronnie opened her mouth and welcomed her in. Their kiss intensified, as did Lana’s need. She had denied herself for so long. Was it possible for them to be a couple? She hoped so. She hoped she wasn’t making a grave mistake. She knew if she didn’t break it off soon, she’d want more than she was ready to ask for. So, she broke off the kiss.
“That was nice,” she said.
“Yes, it was. I want more. Why did you stop?” Ronnie said.
“Because it’s making me want more. And I don’t know that I can ask that of you.”
“We’ll figure that out. I’ve told you, I’ll give you everything. For now, please kiss me again.”
Lana couldn’t have been happier. She kissed Ronnie again and eased back on the couch. Ronnie climbed on top of her and kissed her with everything she had. And Lana kissed her back in kind. Ronnie started grinding into Lana, and that’s when she stopped kissing her.
Lana looked up at Ronnie’s face just inches from hers and tried to remember why she’d wanted to block this loving woman from her life. None of the logic she’d been using stood up now. All that mattered was that she wanted Ronnie. In a big way.
“Don’t get up,” she said.
But Ronnie was already sitting a little way away from her on the couch. Lana sat up herself.
“What are you doing?” Lana said.
“I think I’d better get going.”
“Ronnie, please don’t. Please stay with me.”
“I don’t want to be a one-night stand, Lana. I need to know that if I stay, we’re back together.”
Lana looked at Ronnie, unable to believe her ears. How could they not be back together? Did Ronnie think Lana kissed just anybody like that?
“What?” Ronnie said. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I don’t kiss random women like that,” Lana said.
“I didn’t think you did.”
“I mean, please, Ronnie. Please, let’s get back together.”
“Are you sure? You’re ready to accept me back?”
“I am. Please, Ronnie.”
Ronnie closed the distance between them again and kissed Lana passionately. Lana grew lightheaded from the kiss. But she needed more. She had to have more. She pulled away from Ronnie and took her hand. She led her down the hall to her bedroom.
“God, I hope you’re sure about this,” Ronnie said.
“Please. No more doubting. Just make love to me.”
Ronnie carefully took Lana’s shirt over her head. She unhooked her bra and took her breasts in her hands. Lana groaned as
Ronnie’s thumbs played over her nipples. She was sending direct shockwaves to her nerve center, which Lana could feel swell by the second.
Ronnie undid Lana’s shorts and pulled them down. Lana sat on the bed and allowed Ronnie to take them off. Next came her thong, which Ronnie peeled off with her teeth. Lana was on fire. Her need was all-consuming. She needed Ronnie to take her. And soon.
Lana sat on the edge of the bed and Ronnie knelt before her.
“My God, you’re beautiful,” she said.
She leaned in and ran her tongue over the length of Lana. She slid her fingers inside and ran her tongue over Lana’s clit. It took no time for Lana to feel her world burst into a million tiny pieces. She lay back as she floated back to earth.
“You need to get undressed,” Lana finally said.
Ronnie stripped out of her clothes and lay on the bed with Lana.
“Dear God, how I’ve missed you,” Lana said.
“I’ve missed you, too, baby.”
Lana skimmed her hand over Ronnie’s body, allowing it to stop to caress one and then the other breast. She smiled to herself when she felt her nipples respond. Lana kissed Ronnie hard, and Ronnie allowed her tongue to make its way into Lana’s mouth. Lana’s breath caught at the sensation. She loved the feel of Ronnie’s tongue dancing with hers, but still she wanted, no craved, more.
She kissed down Ronnie’s cheek to her neck. She sucked and nipped her way down to her chest and finally, stopped briefly to suck her nipples. She sucked them in as far as she could, then ran her tongue over them.
Ronnie moaned her pleasure. But Lana was just getting started. She continued to kiss down Ronnie’s body until she came to where her legs met. She made herself comfortable as she kissed up each inner thigh in turn. Ronnie’s legs quivered at the kisses. Lana licked the whole area between Ronnie’s legs. She delved her tongue as deep as it would go inside of her and lapped at the juices flowing there.
Ronnie moved all over the bed, urging Lana on. Lana needed no encouragement. She licked her way to Ronnie’s slick clit and took it between her lips. She flicked its tip with her tongue, and soon Ronnie was crying out as Lana took her to one orgasm after another.
Lana kissed her way back up Ronnie’s body until she kissed her on her mouth.
“You are so wonderful,” she said.
“So are you, baby. So are you.”
They fell asleep, and when Lana woke up the next morning it was to Ronnie’s hand playing between her legs.
“Good morning,” Lana said.
“Good morning, my love.”
Ronnie’s talented fingers coaxed Lana to climax again and again. When she protested she didn’t have any more inside her, they decided to shower together since Ronnie had to get ready for work.
“Are you sure I won’t be a distraction?” Lana said.
“I’m counting on it.”
Lana laughed. Her shower was much smaller than Ronnie’s, but they both fit, and Lana was soon running lathered hands all over Ronnie’s body. She slid them between her legs and stroked deep inside her. Ronnie leaned against the wall to maintain balance. Lana slid her fingers over her clit and Ronnie cried out.
Ronnie dropped to her knees and buried her tongue inside Lana. Lana closed her eyes and reveled in the sensations she was creating. When she felt Ronnie’s tongue on her clit, she grabbed Ronnie by the shoulders and arched into her, riding wave after wave of orgasm.
They got out of the shower and dried each other off. Ronnie was careful and tender when drying Lana’s burns.
“I can’t believe they don’t disgust you,” Lana said.
“Would you stop saying that? You have an injury. It’ll heal. I love you, baby. No part of you is going to disgust me.”
“You really do love me, don’t you?” Lana said.
“I do.”
“I love you, too.”
“That’s a good thing, because you’re never getting rid of me.”
“Good. Because I never want to.”
They made coffee and sat together drinking it.
“So, what do you plan to do today?” Ronnie said.
“Well, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take some things over to your house. I prefer staying there than here.”
“That sounds great.”
Ronnie took her house key off her ring and handed it to Lana.
“You know,” Ronnie said. “We should consider consolidating houses for real.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’d like you to move in with me. Not just temporarily, but permanently.”
“Do you mean that?”
“I do.”
“Oh, Ronnie, let’s do that. I’d love to move in with you for real.”
“Great. Today, at least move some of your stuff, and then tonight we’ll decide how to consolidate our households.”
Lana moved into her arms and kissed her firmly on the mouth. Ronnie wrapped her arms around her and pressed her against her. Lana was breathing heavily when the kiss ended.
“Are you sure you have to go to work?” Lana said.
“Unfortunately. But don’t worry. I’ll be home tonight and we’ll talk about our future.”
“I love knowing my future includes you, Ronnie.”
“So do I, baby. So do I.”
About the Author
MJ Williamz was raised on California’s central coast, which she left at age seventeen to pursue an education. She graduated from Chico State, and it was in Chico that she rediscovered her love of writing. It wasn’t until she moved to Portland, however, that her writing really took off, with the publication of her first short story in 2003.
MJ is the author of seventeen books, including three Goldie Award winners. She has also had over thirty short stories published, most of them erotica with a few romances and a few horrors thrown in for good measure. She lives in Houston with her wife, fellow author Laydin Michaels, and their fur babies. You can find her on Facebook or reach her at [email protected]
Books Available from Bold Strokes Books
Dangerous Curves by Larkin Rose. When love waits at the finish line, dangerous curves are a risk worth taking. (978-1-63555-353-6)
Love to the Rescue by Radclyffe. Can two people who share a past really be strangers? (978-1-62639-973-0)
Love’s Portrait by Anna Larner. When museum curator Molly Goode and benefactor Georgina Wright uncover a portrait’s secret, public and private truths are exposed, and their deepening love hangs in the balance. (978-1-63555-057-3)
Model Behavior by MJ Williamz. Can one woman’s instability shatter a new couple’s dreams of happiness? (978-1-63555-379-6)
Pretending in Paradise by M. Ullrich. When travelwisdom.com assigns PR specialist Caroline Beckett and travel blogger Emma Morgan to cover a hot new couples retreat, they’re forced to fake a relationship to secure a reservation. (978-1-63555-399-4)
Recipe for Love by Aurora Rey. Hannah Little doesn’t have much use for fancy chefs or fancy restaurants, but when New York City chef Drew Davis comes to town, their attraction just might be a recipe for love. (978-1-63555-367-3)
Survivor’s Guilt and Other Stories by Greg Herren. Award-winning author Greg Herren’s short stories are finally pulled together into a single collection, including the Macavity Award nominated title story and the first-ever Chanse MacLeod short story. (978-1-63555-413-7)
The House by Eden Darry. After a vicious assault, Sadie, Fin, and their family retreat to a house they think is the perfect place to start over, until they realize not all is as it seems. (978-1-63555-395-6)
Uninvited by Jane C. Esther. When Aerin McLeary’s body becomes host for an alien intent on invading Earth, she must work with researcher Olivia Ando to uncover the truth and save humankind. (978-1-63555-282-9)
Comrade Cowgirl by Yolanda Wallace. When cattle rancher Laramie Bowman accepts a lucrative job offer far from home, will her heart end up getting lost in translation? (978-1-63555-375-8)
Double Vision by Elli
e Hart. When her cell phone rings, Giselle Cutler answers it—and finds herself speaking to a dead woman. (978-1-63555-385-7)
Inheritors of Chaos by Barbara Ann Wright. As factions splinter and reunite, will anyone survive the final showdown between gods and mortals on an alien world? (978-1-63555-294-2)
Love on Lavender Lane by Karis Walsh. Accompanied by the buzz of honeybees and the scent of lavender, Paige and Kassidy must find a way to compromise on their approach to business if they want to save Lavender Lane Farm—and find a way to make room for love along the way. (978-1-63555-286-7)
Spinning Tales by Brey Willows. When the fairy tale begins to unravel and villains are on the loose, will Maggie and Kody be able to spin a new tale? (978-1-63555-314-7)
The Do-Over by Georgia Beers. Bella Hunt has made a good life for herself and put the past behind her. But when the bane of her high school existence shows up for Bella’s class on conflict resolution, the last thing they expect is to fall in love. (978-1-63555-393-2)
What Happens When by Samantha Boyette. For Molly Kennan, senior year is already an epic disaster, and falling for mysterious waitress Zia is about to make life a whole lot worse. (978-1-63555-408-3)
Wooing the Farmer by Jenny Frame. When fiercely independent modern socialite Penelope Huntingdon-Stewart and traditional country farmer Sam McQuade meet, trusting their hearts is harder than it looks. (978-1-63555-381-9)
A Chapter on Love by Laney Webber. When Jannika and Lee reunite, their instant connection feels like a gift, but neither is ready for a second chance at love. Will they finally get on the same page when it comes to love? (978-1-63555-366-6)
Drawing Down the Mist by Sheri Lewis Wohl. Everyone thinks Grand Duchess Maria Romanova died in 1918. They were almost right. (978-1-63555-341-3)
Listen by Kris Bryant. Lily Croft is inexplicably drawn to Hope D’Marco but will she have the courage to confront the consequences of her past and present colliding? (978-1-63555-318-5)
