by Erin Wade
“Of sound mind,” Dawn translated. “Look at you, using medical terms, Warden.”
Val chortled then added, “I just want you to know what you’re dealing with. I saw her name on your visitors log.”
“She’s a friend,” Dawn said. “She saved me from being raped my second night here. I owe her.”
“Then you owe her tremendous gratitude,” Val reluctantly agreed. “But once a drug addict, always a drug addict.”
Dawn was furious. “You have no idea the hell she has gone through the last two years, Warden. How many times she was raped and beaten. How she was . . . . And all under your watch.”
Disgust wrenched Val’s face. “I had no idea. I—”
“We should go,” Dawn muttered as she signaled the waitress.
##
Dawn tried to forget Val’s words. Tried to tell herself that Niki was perfect. She tried to revive the elation she had felt at the prospect of spending a weekend with the redhead. But that niggling little sentence kept haunting her. You know she has some mental problems. Warden Davis could certainly suck the joy out of one’s life.
Chapter 26
Niki glared at her bedside clock, daring it to flip past midnight. Like most things in her life, she didn’t intimidate it. It flipped to 12:01 a.m. then 12:02, and Dawn didn’t call.
Maybe the call this afternoon was the only one she could get away with today. Maybe she had an emergency in the hospital.
Dear God, please let Dawn call me, Niki prayed.
As if answering her prayers, the phone rang.
“Dawn! Oh God, Dawn. I was so afraid you wouldn’t call me tonight. I was—”
“I love you,” Dawn blurted. “I love you, Niki Sears.”
“Thank God,” Niki sobbed. “I love you so much, Dawn. You have no idea how much I love you.” Niki couldn’t stop the tears running down her cheeks.
“Are you crying, baby?”
“Maybe.” Niki sniffed. “I miss you so much.”
“I miss you too, honey. Listen, I’m going to catch a cab from the prison to my home. I’ll call you when I’m on my way, so you can meet me at the house. We can go in together.
“I’ll call Jacey and have her leave the door between the garage and the house unlocked. There’s a keypad to open the garage so we can get in.”
“I’m dying to see you.” Niki giggled around a sniffle.
“I know. I feel the same way. Is there anything you’d like to do while I’m out? A movie or a musical or—”
“I don’t want to leave the house,” Niki said. “I’ll buy groceries so we can cook at home.”
“At home.” Dawn sighed. “I like the sound of that.”
##
Val had their coffee waiting when Dawn entered her office. “I’m sorry I’m a few minutes late. I ran by the hospital to check on our heart patient. She’s doing well.”
“It’s okay,” Val said, passing her the cream. “I asked the two women who ran the self-defense school to meet with us this morning. The guards are on their way up with them.”
Two women tall muscular women entered the office. Val offered them coffee. The two exchanged glances and then eagerly reached for the cups.
“Oh my, Warden, this is definitely the nectar of the gods,” the brunette said after her first sip of coffee. “I’m Gloria, and this is Lynn.”
“Have we done something wrong?” Lynn said.
Val tried to put them at ease. “No, not at all. You’re model inmates. Dr. Fairchild and I have invited you here today to discuss a project we want to undertake.”
As Val talked, the women became more excited. “Well, what do you think?” she concluded.
“We’d love to do it,” they chorused.
“It’s desperately needed,” Gloria enthused. “You know criminals with guns don’t go after others with guns. They go after the ones who are unarmed. It’s the same with bullies. They don’t attack those who can defend themselves.”
Val pushed a pen and pad toward them. “Give me a list of what you need, and I mean everything. Spare nothing. I want a state-of-the-art training center. I’ll have it all delivered and set up next week.”
Before the two inmates could get started, Val’s intercom buzzed, and Lillian announced that their appointment was waiting. “Why don’t you sit in the waiting room and make your list. Take your time,” Val added.
The morning flew by and lunch was delivered to Val’s office. Lillian brought in a twelve-page list of equipment and paraphernalia needed for the self-defense center. Val perused the list and passed it to Dawn.
“This is exciting.” Val hugged herself. “I feel that I’m finally accomplishing something.”
“You are,” Dawn said proudly.
##
Val heaved a sigh of relief. “That’s the last one. Now all I have to do is compile the information and present it to the DA Monday morning. Let’s go somewhere nice for dinner and celebrate.”
Dawn tamped down the rising fear that tightened her chest. Surely Val hadn’t forgotten her promise of a weekend pass.
“I’ll have to take a raincheck,” she said, trying to smile nonchalantly. “My mother has invited the entire family for dinner tonight. Everyone is excited that I have a weekend pass.”
“Oh, yes. I . . . I’ll drive you to your mother’s home,” Val said. “I’d like to meet your family.”
Dawn scowled. “You’ve met them. All of them were at my trial. You remember, the one where you condemned me to this place?”
A tinge of regret stabbed Val in the chest. She’d forgotten that Dawn’s incarceration was her fault. She’d forgotten Dawn was a prisoner.
“I have a ride,” Dawn continued. “You can get started on your report.”
“I’ll need to sign you out,” Val said, trying her best not to pout. “I’m not going to put a tracking device on you. I trust you’ll return Sunday by six.”
“I will,” Dawn promised, trying to hide her desire to leave. “I’m ready to go if you’ll sign me out now. My ride will be here any minute.”
Val signed an official-looking document and handed it to Dawn. “Keep this with you at all times. It’s your weekend pass. You’ll need to show it at the gate to leave and return.”
Dawn folded the paper and slipped it into the cup of her bra. “Lucky paper,” Val mumbled under her breath.
Chapter 27
Niki was sitting on the porch swing with her overnight bag and a sack of groceries when the taxi pulled up in front of Dawn’s home. She flew down the sidewalk and hugged the blonde from behind as Dawn paid the cab driver.
Dawn turned in Niki’s arms and hugged her tightly. “No kissing until we get inside,” she warned. Niki giggled and snuggled closer.
The garage keypad worked perfectly. They stepped into the garage and closed the door. Niki slid her arms around Dawn’s neck and pulled her head down until their lips met.
Nothing in the world compared to holding Niki in her arms. Dawn reveled in the softness of the other woman. Niki nipped Dawn’s bottom lip with her teeth and then pressed her firm, sweet mouth against Dawn’s. “Oh dear Lord,” Dawn whispered before pulling Niki’s lips against hers again.
Niki tentatively slipped the tip of her tongue between Dawn’s lips and ran it along Dawn’s top teeth before slipping farther into her mouth. She waited for a response, and Dawn didn’t disappoint. Her tongue engaged Niki’s in the sweetest caresses Niki had ever known. Dawn’s hand caught Niki’s hair and pulled her closer, as their kiss swept both into an endless tide of passion.
“I should show you the house,” Dawn mumbled against swollen lips.
“Yes,” Niki whispered before losing herself in another kiss. “But we need to get the groceries and my weekender from the porch swing.”
##
Dawn carried the groceries and held Niki’s hand as she led her from the garage into the kitchen. “What a perfect kitchen,” Niki squealed. “This is a chef’s kitchen.” She set her weekender on the fl
oor.
“Did I mention I love to cook?” Dawn pulled the redhead into her arms and hugged her tightly. “I can’t get over how good you feel.”
“It only gets better,” Niki said. “Let me put a few things in the fridge, and then you can show me the rest of the house.” They walked through the living room, breakfast room, and dining room.
“What’s down that hall?”
“My bedroom,” Dawn whispered, as if the room might disappear any minute. “Do you want to . . .” Dawn gulped. “Are you ready to—?”
“Yes.” Niki laced her fingers through Dawn’s. “Yes, darling.”
##
“I want to shower,” Dawn said as she looked around the room she had sorely missed. “I want to wash that place off me before I touch you.”
Niki nodded. “I still take several showers a day,” she confided. “I can’t get the grime of prison off my skin. It’s getting better though.”
Niki followed Dawn into the bathroom. “I don’t want to let you out of my sight,” she confessed. “I just want to look at you.”
“Why don’t you get ready for bed while I shower?” Dawn said, still shy about undressing in front of Niki.
“Okay, but hurry.”
Although Dawn wanted to linger under the hot water, basking in the scent of her favorite shampoo and soap, she was anxious to hold Niki.
After her shower, Dawn slipped into her terry cloth robe and opened the door. The only light in the bedroom was a small night-light on her bedside table. She quietly walked to her side of the bed. “Are you awake?”
“Yes.” Niki lifted the covers so Dawn could drop her robe and slide into bed. “Oh God, you smell divine.” She snuggled into Dawn.
Dawn inhaled deeply. “As do you. I love that fragrance.” The scent of Niki, her warm softness, the sweet sounds she made—all combined to set Dawn on fire.
Niki raised on her elbow and studied the face of the woman she’d loved from the moment she saw her. She leaned down and pressed her lips gently against Dawn’s. She moved her free hand up Dawn’s side and caressed her full, firm breast.
Dawn gasped when Niki touched her nipple. Niki deepened their kiss as she moved to straddle the blonde. “Is this okay?”
“Yes,” Dawn whispered. “Yes.”
Niki paid homage to Dawn’s perfect body, touching her, kissing her, holding her. She caressed Dawn’s left breast as she lavished attention on the right breast with her tongue and lips.
“Oh dear God,” Dawn moaned. “Do something for heaven’s sake. Do something.”
“What do you want me to do?” Niki whispered in her ear, aware that her hot breath on Dawn’s ear was another stimulant.
“Whatever you want,” Dawn begged. “Please. Do whatever you want.”
##
Niki fell onto the bed, breathing heavily. “Let me catch my breath,” she gasped as Dawn rolled onto her side and pulled the smaller woman in her arms.
“I just want to hold you.” Dawn kissed her cheek and neck. “Just hold you.”
Niki pushed further into Dawn’s arms, touching every inch of skin she could. Dawn felt even better than Niki had imagined. She was a goddess. “I don’t know why God decided to have mercy on me and send you to me, but I will live my life being worthy of his gift,” Niki murmured to her sleeping lover.
Chapter 28
Dawn was certain she was dreaming. She was in her comfortable bed with sheets and a cloud-like duvet. Best of all, Niki was snuggled into her arms, her head nestled on Dawn’s shoulder and her arm across Dawn’s waist. Dawn moved slightly and realized Niki’s leg was also thrown across her.
She froze when she realized how satiated she felt, how good Niki felt in her arms. She was in bed with Niki.
“Please don’t tell me you’re having morning-after regrets,” Niki mumbled.
“Heavens no.” Dawn giggled. “I was just thinking that no one has ever made love to me like that. You’re incredible, Niki Sears.”
“Umm, I’m glad you enjoyed it as much as I did.”
“I think I left you hanging,” Dawn whispered. “I fell asleep. The best sleep I’ve had in . . . ever!”
“My greatest joy is to please you,” Niki whispered into her ear.
“Then you must be ecstatic,” Dawn teased as she trailed her fingers down Niki’s back. She slipped her arm further under Niki and pulled the smaller woman on top of her.
“My favorite place in the world,” Niki said as she kissed the lips that had haunted her dreams.
Dawn gripped Niki firmly as she ran her hands down her back to her buttocks and cupped her cheeks. Niki began to grind against her. “I’m not sure what to do,” Dawn confessed. “I’ve never been with a woman before.”
“Did you like the things I did to you?” Niki asked.
Dawn couldn’t stop the heatwave that ran from her core to her face. “More than anything,” she whispered.
“Then do that to me.”
##
The afternoon sun was peeking through the curtains when the two untangled themselves from the sheets. Dawn reclined against the headboard. “Is this the point where we smoke a cigarette?” she said, grinning.
“Umm . . . or make sandwiches.” Niki laughed as she stretched. “Must we put clothes on to go into the kitchen?”
“Jacey might wander through,” Dawn tittered. “It would be best if we weren’t naked.”
“Lay with me a few minutes longer.” Niki lay across the bed and put her head in Dawn’s lap.
“Always,” Dawn promised.
“I thought I knew all there was to know about sex,” Niki said softly, “but I knew nothing about love. No one has ever touched me like you do or held me like I might break. No one has ever been gentle with me. No one in my entire life has every made me feel loved the way you do.”
Dawn traced the scar on Niki’s cheek. “No one could possibly love you as I do.” Dawn leaned down and tasted the sweetest lips in the world.
##
“It feels so good to put on my own clothes,” Dawn said as she pulled up a pair of jeans and fastened them. “I’ve lost weight as the fed’s guest.”
“You look great. You looked soft the first time I saw you. Now you’re more toned.” Niki ran her hands from Dawn’s shoulders down her firm back muscles. “Umm, woman, you are really buff.”
Dawn laughed out loud. “I am a lot stronger. You are too.”
“I joined a fitness club and go to karate once a week, Niki admitted. “I never again want to be that weakling you first met in prison.”
Dawn turned and slowly pulled Niki into her arms. “You’re nothing like you were when we met. You’ve come a long way, honey, and I’m so proud of you.”
“Yes, I remember you wouldn’t even shake hands with me.” Niki pretended to pout. “You were afraid to touch me.”
“That has certainly changed,” Dawn said, hugging her tighter. “Now I can’t keep my hands off you.”
“We’ve both come a long way.” Niki tiptoed to kiss her.
Suddenly, a beeping sound filled the room. “What’s that?” Niki jerked around to face the bedroom door.
“Relax, baby, it’s just the alarm. It’ll stop when disarmed. Jacey’s home. Come on, I want her to meet you.”
##
“Jacey,” Dawn called out as they walked down the hallway. “I’m home. I want to let you know I’m here so I don’t scare you.” She continued in a loud voice as they entered the kitchen.
“Dawn! Girl, when did you get out?” Jacey grabbed her best friend in a bear hug. Her eyes opened wide when she saw Niki over Dawn’s shoulder. “Wow! You must be Niki. You never said she was a knockout!”
Niki smiled and nodded at the warm reception from Dawn’s best friend.
“Is she?” Dawn teased. “I hadn’t noticed.”
She pulled Niki closer and made the formal introductions. “Niki Sears meet Jacey Talland.
“I’m not out,” Dawn explained. “I’m on a weekend pass. I
wanted to introduce you and Niki and help her get settled in.”
“I won’t get in your way,” Niki explained. “I’m finishing nursing school, so I’m in classes all day, and Dawn said you work nights.”
“Yeah. I have Wednesday and Thursday off, so we’ll rarely see each other. I will be nice to have someone else in this big house even if I don’t see you everyday.”
“We’re making sandwiches for dinner,” Niki said. “Would you like one?”
Jacey nodded. “You talked me into it. This calls for a celebration. I’ll uncork a bottle of wine.”
“I brought cold drinks,” Niki noted. “I honestly prefer Dr. Pepper.”
“Same here,” Dawn said, smiling at Niki.
“Who am I to spoil a party?” Jacey crowed. “Dr. Pepper for everyone. I don’t like wine anyway.”
The three women visited over their sandwiches and chips. Niki learned that Jacey was the head nurse over the night shift at Dawn’s old hospital.
“Do you remember Gloria Putter?” Jacey asked.
Dawn shook her head.
“The tall bleached blonde,” Jacey said. “Everyone called her Gloria Puts-out-a-lot.”
A light came on in Dawn’s eyes. “I do remember her. I’m surprised some doctor’s wife hasn’t killed her.”
“Are you ready for this?” Jacey howled with laughter. “Richard married her.”
“Richard? My Richard?” Dawn gasped.
“Yeah, the jerk that sent you to prison.” Jacey sobered. “You’ll be free in six months, and that stupid bastard will live in hell for the rest of his life.”
Niki watched Dawn to see if she was upset. When the blonde caught her eye and smiled, Niki knew everything was okay.
“I know this is going to sound weird, with you being in prison and all,” Jacey said, studying Dawn, “but you’ve never looked better. You’re so . . . so luminescent. I’ve never seen you look so happy. You look like you just got laid.”
Dawn couldn’t stop the blush that raced from her chest to the top of her head nor the grin that spread across her lips.
Jacey broke the silence. “My God! I don’t believe it. You two. You’re—”
