by Oliva Lucas
Sophie propped her head up on one arm as she looked to Bella and traced her finger across her lips. Her voice soft and tender. “How did you get so beautiful?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” Bella gently caressed her cheek.
They eventually drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms as the fire popped and sizzled behind them in its final dance. They made love long into the night, with each touch sparking another round of arousal and every union seemingly deepening their connection. It had been an unforgettable night. One for the ages. And there was no going back now.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Bella walked in holding two steaming cups of coffee.
“Hey you.” Sophie smiled sleepily. “I was wondering where you ran off to.”
Bella handed Sophie a mug. She leaned in and gently kissed her, before sitting on the bed. “I woke up early and didn’t want to wake you so I fed the horses and had a shower.”
“You are the best.” Sophie cupped her hands around the mug, and took a sip as she looked to Bella. “I thought you would’ve slept like a baby after last night. Clearly I didn’t wear you out enough.” Sophie kissed the top of Bella’s shoulder.
Bella put her mug on the bedside table, and crawled up beside her with a delicious ache in her thighs. “Last night was incredible. You were incredible. My body feels like it ran a marathon.” Bella giggled as she ran her hand over Sophie’s hair. “You know we may need to replace that rug. Think we did some damage to it.”
Sophie burst out laughing. “Mmm highly likely. What a night.” She let out a deep breath and looked into Bella’s dark eyes. “Thank you by the way.”
“What for?”
“For everything. This has been a whirlwind ride for me. I never thought that I could be this happy.” Sophie’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“You’re welcome.” A cheekiness started to creep up into Bella’s eyes. “You know, you are my favorite neighbor. By far.”
“Hey!” Sophie grabbed at her playfully. “I should hope so or you would be in big trouble.” She then raised a single eyebrow. “Speaking of which, you know that you are completely overdressed for bed.”
“Is that so?” Bella felt her eyes twinkle.
“Uh huh. It’s against the rules.”
“Are these Sophie’s rules?”
“Mmm hmm they are pretty strict, you know.” Sophie started to unbutton her jeans, and rolled on top of Bella. She didn’t know what was going on but felt insatiable once more as a knowing warmth stirred between her legs.
Bella placed her hand’s on Sophie’s hips. “You realize we haven’t had sex in a bed yet? That’s almost criminal.”
“Correct.” Sophie started to grind up against her leg. “What are you going to do about it then?”
“This.” Sophie screamed out as Bella flipped her over and pulled the covers of their head.
They were going to be late arriving home.
Very late indeed.
◆◆◆
They had planned on arriving home mid-afternoon but a few distractions and a few kama sutra moves later meant they arrived early evening. Neither of them could wipe the smiles off their faces. Sophie felt closer than ever to Bella. They had bonded in every possible way, and in every possible direction.
Her heart was full, and she was head over heels in love with the most gorgeous human she had ever met. She couldn’t help but thank her lucky stars that the universe had brought them together in the most wonderful, spine-tingling way possible. She had also come to a profound realization that had only taken her thirty years to fully grasp.
Love didn’t have a meaning until you met a person who defined it.
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
“Okay, you ready?” Bella grabbed Sophies hand, and interlaced their fingers.
Sophie smiled. “Let’s do this.” She was nervous, but there was denying her feelings anymore and she was proud to be holding hands with such a beautiful woman.
No one knew why Leah chose to hold the annual block party on the twelfth of June each year but she insisted. It seemed as random as Leah.
They could hear chatter from downstairs as they walked down the stairs hand in hand.
When Leah looked across to them, her jaw almost fell to the floor. Her eyes fixated on their hands, then darted frenetically from Bella to Sophie, and then back again. “What the actual fuck is going on around here?”
Jack turned hearing the commotion, and smiled when he saw them. He called out as he walked over. “When did this happen?”
“It’s been happening for a while.” Bella turned to Sophie, and smiled.
Jack piped up. “I can’t keep up with you ladies.”
Leah’s mouth was still ajar. Her mind was clearly in a spin. “But I saw you two last week, and you were barely speaking.”
“A lot has happened since then.”
“Sophie, did you turn gay?”
Sophie smiled and rolled her eyes. So, so predictable.
“So, this block party has turned into a coming out party?” Abbie popped her head out from nowhere, leaning over Leah’s shoulder.
Bella suddenly had the urge to protect Sophie from the circling pack of wolves. There was a lot of light hearted ribbing going on and she hoped that Sophie didn’t take it too personally. She gave her hand a little squeeze.
Leah eyed them suspiciously. “Well I should’ve known. Too many dopey stare offs between the two of you. Like some freaking soap opera.”
Leah turned her attention to Sophie. “You know Sophie, this one has had something for you since day dot. Okay maybe not day dot. She didn’t like you then. But after that, when you almost knocked her out. Well, this is actually great news. I don’t have to deal with sooky la-la pining over you anymore.”
Bella grimaced. “Leah…”
“Oh, got it. Leah shush.” Leah pursed her lips together.
“Pining over me?” Sophie giggled as she looked to Bella’s embarrassed face, before nudging her with her hip.
“She doesn’t know what she is talking about. She is just babbling.”
“Hmmm.” Leah smirked. “So, are you guys official then?”
Bella shuffled nervously. “Well… we are seeing…”
Sophie cut her off. “Yes Leah, she is my girlfriend.”
“Well wonders never cease!” Leah clapped her hands together.
“Come on then, the two of you. Give aunty Leah a hug.” She held out her arms and embraced the two of them warmly.
“I want a hug from you two lovebirds as well!” Abbie exclaimed as she rushed over and hugged them both.
Leah sighed and turned to Sophie. “I probably need to apologize to you Sophie for being a little too harsh.”
“It’s okay.” Sophie said. “I probably needed a bit of a roasting.”
“Well as long as you know, it was only coming from a good place.” Leah touched Bella’s arm. “I love this little nugget of goodness.”
Abbie handed Bella and Sophie each a glass of wine.
“Well I think a toast is in order, don’t you?” Leah turned and yelled out. “Right, everybody gather round!”
Bella rolled her eyes. “Oh Leah. So unnecessary,” she said under her breath, as Sophie giggled. Bella knew this would be painful.
“Raise your glasses everyone. Just want to congratulate my girl Bella for finally meeting her Miss Right. Let’s toast to the happy couple who fell in love by tapping good night through their wall. May you have a beautiful union and beautiful babies!”
Bella cringed. Leah’s speech was horrendous and she noted never ever to allow her to speak at her wedding.
Bella took a final moment to breathe as she turned to watch Sophie. The woman who had captivated her every part of her being. She never imagined a love like theirs existed and now couldn’t imagine her life without it. Maybe, just maybe, she had found her forever person after all.
EPILOGUE
Six months later
“What is this?” Sophie
held up Bella’s moon boot in the air. “Why on earth are you keeping this?”
“Hey! That’s staying.” Bella said emphatically as she walked over. “For sentimental reasons.”
“Trying to remember our brutal introduction?”
“Yes. You literally knocked me off of my feet. Plus, it’s the first love note you ever left me.” She traced the little love heart with her finger. “How could I ever throw this out?”
Sophie laughed. “Well I hope my love letters have evolved since then.”
“Yes.” Bella wrapped her arms around Sophie’s neck, and dreamily stared into her eyes. “Every day has been amazing with you.”
Last month, Sophie had made an offer on the apartment she was renting and the owner had accepted. Sophie and Bella had decided they that no longer wanted to be neighbors and wanted to move in together like grown-ups.
They had submitted plans to the county, which had been approved and were going to merge the two properties into one large two-bedroom apartment. They obviously needed to reconfigure and renovate, but this was going to be a labor of love and they were excited.
“We are here!” Leah announced as she stood in the doorway with Jack. They were each armed with a massive sledgehammer and kitted out in neon orange, high visibility safety vests. “Ready to rock and roll ladies?”
Sophie and Bella threw each other a knowing look and laughed.
“You guys look ridiculous. Bit of overkill with the outfits?” chided Bella.
Leah gasped dramatically. “Hey, we like to go all out! We are dressed for the occasion, unlike some…”
Everyone laughed.
“You girls ready?” asked Jack as he rubbed his hands together.
Bella and Sophie exchanged glances.
“I think so. Let’s do this,” said Bella.
They walked over to them and each took hold of a sledge hammer.
“I brought some hard hats for you guys. Probably a good idea given how clumsy you both are.” Leah held out a hat in each hand as they all sniggered.
“Thanks Leah.” They strapped on their hats and walked over to the wall.
“This is a momentous day for us, you know.” Bella touched the wall one last time. “No more double tapping good night.” She looked across sadly to Sophie. Her big brown eyes filled with emotion.
“No more keeping us apart.” Sophie smiled. “Goodbye wall.”
Bella stepped back. “Ready?”
Sophie nodded. “On the count of three then.”
They all started to count down. “ONE, TWO, THREE!”
Bella and Sophie swung their sledgehammers into the wall. After a few consecutive swings, light from the other apartment started to peek through a small gap, as the wall started to crumble and fall to the floor.
They both paused as they put their sledgehammers down. Sophie looked to Bella, reaching out for her hand and squeezing it in hers.
And just like that, their relationship had moved to the next level.
Bella beamed as she cradled Sophie's face with her hands. "Welcome to our new home honey."
About The Author
Olivia Lucas
Olivia lives with her partner in Sydney, Australia with their fur baby. She loves the outdoors and traveling and is a true romantic who believes that there is nothing more powerful than love.
Books By This Author
When There Was You
An uplifting lesbian romance that shows love can be a roller coaster, and sometimes you just need to hang on for the ride.
When savvy entrepreneur, yet painfully single Jenna meets drop gorgeous Chloe at a family reunion, sparks fly and she is quickly swept up in a whirlwind romance. As a slightly neurotic over thinker, Jenna thinks this is too good to be true.
Chloe is the girl of her dreams, and the two seem to be perfectly compatible, sharing an undeniable connection. That is, until a secret from the past, comes and rains on their parade.
As Jenna struggles to come to terms with this and considers walking away, tragedy strikes. Can the one thing that tore them apart, bring them back together again? Jenna is forced to do some soul searching, and work out how much Chloe really means to her.
