Dani closed her notebook.
“You workin’ on patient stuff?”
“No.” Dani looked away. “I was making a list.” She recapped her pen. “It’s important, so I wanted to do it the old-fashioned way.”
“I really regret not puttin’ a TV in here, especially since I’m stuck for a while.” Rebecca tried to stave off a coughing fit, but she didn’t succeed. It only lasted for a few seconds. She sucked in a breath. “Readin’ your grocery list would be interestin’.”
Dani’s face flushed. “That’s not what it is.”
“Don’t care what it is.”
“Becca…”
“Please?” God, she sounded pitiful. She hated being sick.
Dani met her gaze. Her eyes were wide and panicked. Her face was redder than it had been a second ago.
“If it’s that personal, then—” Rebecca suddenly felt like an ass.
“It is, but I was trying to wait until you felt better before talking to you about it.”
“I wanna talk now.”
Dani opened her notebook. She glanced at Rebecca and released a shaky breath before looking down. “Call her everyday no matter how busy I get.” Dani cleared her throat. “Call her and let her know I’m going to be late as soon as I find out. Switch with someone once a month so I’ll have at least thirty-six hours or more to spend with her all at once. Take her to Samuel L. Jackson’s movies as soon as they open. Meet her friends because they’re family…” Dani read on.
Rebecca couldn’t breathe, and it had nothing to do with her being sick. For a minute, she didn’t think any of this was real, which made it all the more powerful. To know that Dani was trying and making plans were actions that spoke a hell of lot louder than any words, but Rebecca was greedy. She wanted it all.
“That’s all I have so far.”
Their eyes met, and even with Dani’s stupid mask on, Rebecca was mesmerized by what she saw. Sadness, happiness, and fear. Rebecca opened her mouth to speak, but thought better of it. She needed to wait and let Dani have her say. Tiredness tugged at her, but she beat it back. Her energy level was a little better tonight, but not by much.
“You were right. I knew I hurt you. I didn’t know how much until you left, and I wasn’t ready to face it. I don’t want to do that to you again. I don’t want you to do it to me. If we try this…” Dani sucked in a breath. “Whatever this… Whatever we turn into, I want to be present for it. I need to be. It can’t be like it was before.”
Rebecca nodded.
“You deserve better. We deserve better.”
She nodded some more and started to cough. Seconds later, Dani was on the bed rubbing her back. When it was over, Rebecca turned to look at her.
Dani’s chest heaved, and her eyes were shiny. “I’m scared and nervous, but this is bigger than all that.” She waved a gloved hand between them. “Can you please say something now?”
Rebecca said the first thing to come to mind. “I really wish I could kiss you right now.”
Dani made a sound. It was somewhere between a sob and a laugh. She moved closer, wrapping her arms around Rebecca from behind.
Some missing piece slid home for Rebecca and locked itself in place. She caressed Dani’s forearms. Feeling goosebumps rise made her smile. Not wanting to but knowing she had to, Rebecca untangled herself. “Contagious,” she whispered. “But I won’t be in four days.”
“Four more days.” Dani’s eyes burned her.
“Then I can touch you the way I want.” The air around them flared to life with all kinds of heat. Smothering the energy between them was no longer an option. It was time to let it rage.
Dani swallowed. It was loud. “Yes.”
Yes. That word was Rebecca’s favorite. Right behind the phrase, “I want to be present.”
Chapter 27
As she walked away from the nurses station, Dani’s pocket vibrated. She fished out her phone to see Becca’s name flashing back at her. Despite a pang of concern, she smiled as she answered, “What are you doing up? It’s almost three a.m.”
“Couldn’t sleep.” Becca shifted around in bed, rustling the covers. “You got a minute?”
Dani made her way down the hall toward the on-call rooms. “I can give you more than that.”
“I know you’re busy.”
“I am, but it’s you. And even though it’s been a week since you got sick, you’re not at a hundred percent yet.” It was amazing how those words just fell from Dani’s lips.
“I’m fine. The Delsym works wonders for my cough. I got a lot done today, and I’m definitely going to work on Monday.”
“I guess how you do at Mark’s this afternoon will help you see if that’s possible.”
“Mmm, maybe. You comin’ over after work?”
“I was planning on going home to get a few hours’ sleep.”
“You can sleep here.” Becca’s tone was suggestive but light.
Dani tried to push away a flash of doubt to make room for the shiver Becca’s words caused. Maybe all of this was just for sex. She closed her eyes, knowing that didn’t make sense, but something still lingered inside her. “This is too easy. Us, I mean. That doesn’t scare you?”
“Things don’t have to be hard. You know that, right? I take it as a good sign. Means we’re not forcin’ the issue. It’s natural… We’re natural.”
Becca sounded so sure. She wanted, needed, to believe her. “I know, and I hear you.”
“You don’t sound irritated to hear from me.”
“Wait. What?” Dani wanted to understand where Becca was coming from with that statement.
“I mean when we were together before. Sometimes when I called, you sounded aggravated.”
“I did?”
“Yeah, but I could tell you were happy to hear from me today. You were smilin’.”
Dani smiled once more. “Maybe.”
“There it is again. So, what does Peppermint Patti think about us?” Becca asked.
“I won’t see her until next week. She’s on vacation.”
“You made some pretty big choices.”
“I did, and despite me being a little wishy washy they felt…feel right.” Dani had to slam that point home. “I’m about to make another one right now.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ll come over after work.”
“Well, good. You have three bedrooms to choose from.”
“Including yours, huh?” Dani asked playfully.
“Oh yeah.” Becca cleared her throat. “Trust me, I’m not tryin’ to charm you into it, but maybe touchin’ you, bein’ inside you, will get rid of those doubts and convince that part of you that we really do feel right.”
Dani bit her bottom lip. “Is that right?”
“Yeah, maybe that’s why you wouldn’t let me touch you before.”
She let the words seep into her. “You could be right.” Dani looked down at her lap. “I’m sorr—”
“I know you are, but I think about it all the time. The way you just…mmm. I couldn’t have said no even if I wanted to. Sex between us has always been good, but that was next level.”
Dani’s stomach clenched as heat invaded her. She licked suddenly dry lips. “Yes.”
Becca exhaled noisily. “Yes, what?”
“Becca.” Dani’s nipples hardened to tingling points.
“You gonna answer me?” Becca’s tone was soft, deep, and raspy.
The door to the on-call room burst open. Two people laughed as they almost fell inside.
“Excuse me?” Dani said loudly, as though it wasn’t her fault that she hadn’t locked the door.
“Oh God, sorry!” They backed away quickly.
Becca chuckled. “Whatever room you decide to pick, I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“You’
ll probably be sleeping.” Saying those words didn’t squash Dani’s level of excitement.
“You know where the spare key is. Wake me up. ”
The warm touch fluttering underneath her T-shirt and over her stomach jolted Dani awake. “Wha…?
“Told you to wake me,” Becca whispered directly into Dani’s ear, which resulted in a hard shiver.
Becca’s hand skimmed the edges of Dani’s pajama pants before shifting upward again between her breasts. Dani whimpered. “You needed your rest for Mark’s party.”
“Maybe. Is that why you didn’t come to my room?” Becca covered a breast, kneading it firmly before pulling at Dani’s nipple.
Dani hissed and arched into the touch. “Becca.”
She bit into Dani’s shoulder, causing a massive chain reaction of sensations that settled firmly between Dani’s legs.
Becca tugged at her T-shirt, inching it upward. Dani wrestled to be free of it. When Becca pressed against her, Dani moaned hoarsely and then froze at the feel of Becca naked against her.
“We can stop.” Becca’s breathing was ragged, but she kissed Dani’s ear gently. Then she slowly removed her hand.
Dani grabbed her arm. “I want this.” She did, but Dani had no idea if her mind was going to rebel on her when her body was at its most pliant.
“I’ll try to go slow, but Dani, I don’t know if…” Becca pulled her arm away and grasped Dani by the hips, thrusting against her from behind. Becca whimpered, and the sound, along with her movements, cut through Dani, leaving her fiercely aroused.
She reached back, grabbing Becca’s ass and encouraging the urgent movement. Her breathing stuttered as Becca increased the force of her thrusts.
Becca pulled at the waist of her pajama bottoms. “Can I take them off?”
For some reason, Becca asking permission was the sexiest thing she’d ever heard. “Yes.”
Leisurely, Becca pulled the pants down her hips. Dani wiggled in an effort to move them lower. Becca’s breath washed over her face, and she turned toward it. She reached back, tangling a hand in Becca’s hair, and pulled her forward.
Their lips met, and everything else was forgotten. Becca’s kiss was desperate, thirsty, and utterly messy. Becca moaned into her mouth when their tongues touched. Her hand slid between Dani’s thighs, cupping her, and Dani’s sense of urgency careened upward. She pushed at her remaining clothing and kicked them away from her legs.
Feeling Becca completely naked against her made Dani cry out. She ripped her mouth away and tried to breathe. Becca’s hands squeezed teasingly, and in one smooth motion, she was back at Dani’s breast, tugging and pulling on her nipple.
“Becca! Fuck!” She slammed her eyes closed and tried her best to hold on as jagged light flashed behind her eyelids.
So much for slow, but Dani was more than okay with it.
“Hands and knees.” Becca whispered the words in Dani’s ear.
Her world tilted, and she nearly fell off it. Dani needed to see her and look her in the eyes. She turned over on her back. When their gazes met, Dani knew for a fact that Becca had been right. Her doubts were invalid.
Becca looked at her as if her world had shifted too. Her eyes were dark and so full of awe. Her face was flushed. Her mouth swollen and wet.
Dani reached up, trailing her fingertips down Becca’s cheek. Becca closed her eyes, following the touch, and when she opened them, Dani had already reared up, pulling her into a kiss that made everything right side up again.
Minutes later, Becca ended the kiss and pressed her forehead into Dani’s. Then she scooted back, giving Dani room to move. Finally, Dani did as she was told. She trembled on the inside, but it traveled outward quickly. Becca obviously had plans, and she was sure it involved leaving her a quivering mess.
Dani turned her head to the side and wrapped her arms around a pillow. The rest of her body was held up by her knees. She spread them as wide as she could. For a second, there was nothing, no touch and hardly any sound over her own ragged breathing. Had she dreamt it all? It wouldn’t be the first time. Maybe Becca had gotten into her head somehow and saw what she wanted, needed.
Becca’s hands slid over the curve of her ass.
Dani gasped.
Her hands moved downward, parting Dani’s cheeks and pulling her open. Her thumbs brushed against Dani’s swollen labia. Her body bucked, and something inside her snapped. She reached between her own legs, rubbing her clit furiously.
“Please! Becc—”
Before she could finish, Becca moaned as her fingers sank into Dani.
Dani screamed. One, two, three deep, twisting thrusts, and her body was ripping itself apart. Becca’s arm wrapped around her torso, bringing them together from behind. Dani’s hips undulated wildly as orgasm rolled through her. “Don’t stop. Oh, God!”
Becca listened.
Rebecca could still taste herself on Dani’s tongue. She sucked on it, and Dani’s hips twitched. Rebecca walked her hands down Dani’s back and grasped her hips, urging Dani into a soft grind. Gasping, Dani whispered, “I can’t.”
She squeezed Dani’s ass and thrusted harder.
“Jesus!” Dani’s gasp became a moan.
“I did again. So can you, and I’m the one recoverin’.”
“I know,” Dani whined. “But I just need to sleep for a little while. Maybe we’ll have time before Mark’s. What time is it?”
Rebecca reached toward the nightstand for the phone she’d brought with her. “Ugh, we have to leave in about two hours.”
Dani whimpered and pushed playfully at Rebecca’s shoulder.
She chuckled. “That leaves you with an hour and half. We can be fashionably late.”
Dani gave her a bleary eyed stare. “You’re going to let me sleep?”
Rebecca brushed sweat soaked strands of dark hair off Dani’s forehead. “Promise.”
Dani gave a goofy smile. “When we get back, we can go for round fifty-seven.” She flopped over to the empty side of the bed.
Pushing up on her elbow, Rebecca looked down at Dani and snorted. Dani’s eyes were already closing. She studied her, comparing the way this Dani looked spent to the one she’d known years ago. There was no competition. In their core, the women were the same, but the layers were different.
Rebecca let go of the past. With all she had in her life now, it was as easy as breathing. She took a deep breath and promptly started to cough.
Dani’s eyes popped open.
Rebecca laughed.
Dani groaned and turned away from her, but she didn’t resist when Rebecca pulled her into her arms.
Seeing Rick drive up just as they were getting out of her car, Rebecca waved as he and Sandra closed their car doors and turned toward them. She stopped waving. “What the hell?”
Dani bent over laughing. Rebecca continued to stare at Rick as he walked closer. His eyes were bright with amusement. Sandra reached out a hand introducing herself. “I’m Sandra, by the way. Don’t ask me anything about what he’s doing because I don’t know.” She nodded in Dani’s direction as Rebecca shook Sandra’s hand.
“I’m Rebecca. Nice to finally meet you.” She glanced at Sandra, but her gaze gravitated back to Rick. “Why do you have that stupid mask on?”
Rick shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d recognize me otherwise.”
Dani laughed even harder.
“Why do you have to be so extra?” Rebecca glared, but she was finding it hard to keep a straight face, especially with Dani cackling away in her ear.
Rick took off his face mask. His smile was huge. “I like to keep things interestin’.”
Sandra sighed and rolled her eyes. Regardless of her slight coldness toward Dani, Rebecca liked her already.
“Well, you’re gonna fit right in with these guys,” Rebecca said.
“
Sooo, you’re sayin’ I should keep the mask?”
Rebecca snatched it out of Rick’s hand. Dani snorted. Rick stared at them, especially at their linked hands. He smirked. “Don’t y’all look fresh like daisies. Hope y’all didn’t scare poor Peyton too much.”
She pressed her lips together, but her smile broke through. “Shut up. We’re late.” Rebecca glanced at Dani. She couldn’t help herself. The happiness in her eyes overtook the exhaustion she could see there as well. Apparently, the feeling was as contagious as her flu had been. It seeped through her cell by cell.
Without warning, Dani leaned forward and kissed her.
“Awww, God, I’m glad to see that, but I’m tellin’ you, we need to contact Shonda. We could make her a rich woman.”
Rebecca walked toward Mark’s porch. “She’s already rich,” she called over her shoulder.
“Richer. You know what I meant.”
She didn’t respond, choosing to ring the doorbell instead. A few seconds later, it opened and Emmet enveloped Rebecca in a hug, along with the smell of Axe body spray. She stood stiffly at first but then raised her arm, hugging him back. Just as quickly as the embrace started, it ended. Emmet moved away. “Hey! It’s been weird without you. Feeling better?”
Rebecca cleared her throat. “Hey, Emmet. Yeah, I am.”
His smile was big, goofy and one hundred percent genuine. “Oh, sorry, I wasn’t trying to be rude. I’m Emmet. Nice to meet you.”
Dani stepped closer to Rebecca again and accepted his handshake. “You too. I’m Dani.”
Rebecca wrapped her arm around Dani’s waist. “You gonna let us in?”
Emmet’s eyes widened. “You’re gay?” He smiled again.
Her mouth twitched. “Bisexual.” Rebecca aimed her thumb over her shoulder. “That asshole back there is Rick, and the woman is his lovely girlfriend Sandra.”
Emmet waved and moved aside, letting everybody in.
The smells of home hit her square in the face—cooking food, air freshener, and cleaning products. Rebecca headed straight for the kitchen, pulling Dani along with her. Feeling Dani’s eyes on her, she met her gaze. “What?” she asked softly.
Drawing the Line Page 27
