Love at Sunset: Forever Safe Romance Series

by Pixie Chica

  “Wow, Lace I didn’t think there was a mean streak in you. I swear you almost gave him a heart attack. Can I get a gin and tonic? Or do I have to go back there and get it myself?” The sensual tone of the last sentence goes straight to my clit and I force myself to remember this is neither the place nor the time.

  I take her in as I pour her drink and instantly groan. Of all the things to wear, it had to be something destined to turn heads – tight leather mini-skirt and a halter top so sheer you can see her lace bra underneath it. Roni sits on a stool, crossing her legs, the hem riding up. I want to hide her from anyone who dares to look, surprised half the bar isn’t standing here drooling over her. Spearing my fingers through my hair, I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus on my job, which will last at least another two to three hours before we close.

  “You don’t look happy to see me,” she observes, the concern on her face making me feel shitty. She came here to surprise me, after I told her she was always welcome, and all I’ve done is make her feel the opposite.

  “I’m thrilled you came,” I tell her honestly, pushing down my jealousy. “You look like forbidden fruit sitting there and it makes me want to hide you where no one else can see you, but you came here for a good time, so I won’t. Why don’t you put some music on and come to the end of the bar? There’s a stool where Renee’s wife usually sits and no one will bug you there. She won’t be using it today.”

  With a nod, she selects a song then takes a seat. The next hour passes as she plays everything from I’m a Slave for You by Britney to Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett. The crowd is feeling her choices and so are those coming in from outside. There comes a point where the number waiting becomes too much for me and Robert to handle. Renee even pitches in, but I know we’re in trouble.

  Just as I’m worried the crowd is going to revolt, Roni exchanges some words with Renee who gives her a simple nod. Right before my eyes, my sexy lady becomes a shot slinging bartender. “All right, if you want shots make your way over here. If you want something more elaborate, keep your ass where you are. Now, who’s gonna show me the green?” The way she expertly serves without missing a beat mesmerizes me to the point Robert has to smack my arm a few times when my eyes linger too long. It’s going on three when the last of the happy drunks make their way outside.

  “Well, well, well seems like Lacey failed to mention you were an apprentice junior bartender. If you want a job it’s yours,” Renee tells her. “I haven’t seen a crowd like that since we were still working at the Bull. Roni is beaming and it’s obvious she enjoyed this. She could be happy here. My brain starts wondering what if, which is dangerous. “I had to do something. I worked a couple parties my senior year in college, so I know how rowdy they can get if you don’t serve them fast enough. I haven’t felt a rush like that in forever. Oh, here are the tips.”

  “You earned that,” Renee waves off the cash and Roni’s thanks. “Now get that girl out of here, Lacey has the next three days free. She hasn’t been able to stop staring at you all night. Robert and I will clean up.”

  Roni doesn’t have to be told twice, escorting me from the bar without a backward glance. We decide to head to my place since I have provisions and we both need to eat. We hop on my scooter and she presses her chest against me, arms tight around my waist. As we make our way down the streets, she’s giggling, her hair floating with the wind. I share tidbits of information about the town as we head toward my house just beyond Key West High aka Home of the Conchs, and she asks questions, showing she’s genuinely interested. I can’t believe she’s about to set foot in my home, that I’ll finally get to show her a part of me.

  There’s a nervous quality to her voice and an uncertainty in her eyes when we reach the front gate. “This is yours? It’s so beautiful. It’s like your own little slice of paradise beyond all the craziness that happens downtown. I can see why you love it here so much.”

  “I do, but at the end of the day it’s merely where I lay my head at night. Don’t overthink this.” Some of the doubt leaves her, but I’m smart enough to know this probably isn’t the end of it. However, nothing can stop me from soaking up every minute I can with her. I turn on the lights on as we make our way to the living room. It’s quaint and lived in, most of it still decorated as it was when Mildred was here. I never had the heart to change it because this will always be her home.

  Chapter Seven

  Veronica

  Curiosity gets the best of me and I explore as Lacey makes us a light snack. The décor is a bit old fashioned, and while beachy goes well with the town, it doesn’t seem to be her style. There’s a rattan sofa with knitted pillows and local artwork on the walls. When I notice some pictures, I stop to look at them, wanting to know more about Lacey. Does she have family? Is she from here?

  There’s a black and white photo of a beautiful woman in her twenties that was obviously taken more than a couple decades ago. Another features the same lady a few years later with a military husband and two kids. They all continue that way, each a memory of this woman’s life. Closer to the end, the woman is in a wheelchair and quite older, and Lacey starts appearing in these. Her grandmother? I don’t see a resemblance though. When I see one of them dressed up for Fantasy Fest, a yearly Mardi Gras-like celebration according to Lacey, I can’t help but laugh. They’re wearing costumes from Alice in Wonderland. Lacey, probably early twenties and just as gorgeous as she is now, is the Mad Hatter. That must’ve been a hoot and I feel a kinship toward the older lady simply because I can see the bond she and Lacey share. She must be a remarkable person for Lacey to care about her.

  “That’s Mildred, this is her house. I used to be her caregiver,” Lacey explains, startling me. I didn’t even hear her come in.

  “Is she still living?” I ask, grimacing at the way it came out. “Sorry that came out wrong. I just assumed since she isn’t here…”

  “Don’t be. Mildred is my favorite person in the whole world. I was a lost kid trying to find her way when I started working for her. My parents and I have never been close, and Mildred was the first to tell me it was okay to be who I am. She loves me unconditionally and we still talk every Friday and she talks about the trouble she gets in to and I let her know how much I miss her and her antics. She moved to Seattle to be near her family, and I got a good deal on this house and a lump sum for my hard work.”

  Just when I thought I couldn’t find her more appealing. I, too, know what it’s like to have to leave everything behind. There’s more to her than the down-to-earth, go with the flow, beach bartender she shows everyone else. She always seems so sure of herself that seeing this sweet part of her makes my heart jump. “That’s such a wonderful story. Is that why you’ve kept this place as she had it?”

  “Yeah, I didn’t have the heart to change it aside from updating the kitchen and adding newer appliances. Plus, I’m not the cook she was, so I needed a microwave, not to mention a fancy coffee maker. Well, and my room, of course, is all me. Feel free to make yourself comfortable, borrow some pajamas from the top drawer in my dresser. I need to take a quick shower and get the smell of alcohol off me.”

  She gives me a wink then walks away. Knowing where her room is from my tour, I do as she said. While I want to do the whole “girlfriend” thing and wear her stuff, my ass would be tight fit in her regular shorts and I’m not fond of the basketball kind. I’ll make my own sleepwear with a tank top and my panties. Maybe I’ll get a little action, too. Grabbing the pink one that calls to me, I happen upon a vibrator.

  Oh, we’re going to have even more fun tonight than I thought. I search out the bathroom after placing it under a pillow, and dispose of my clothes. I watch Lacey in the walk-in shower, eyes closed, water running down her skin as she hums along to a song. Fuck, she’s sexy. I’m about to join her when her hand slowly rises and touches her breast. It’s subtle at first, something I would’ve missed if I hadn’t been watching her so closely, then she begins pulling on the nipple as her other hand ski
ms down her body and touches her pussy. Her fingers dive inside, moving in and out as the water caresses her olive skin. It’s like a private show and I’m frozen in my spot. I’m lost in a frenzy of want, jealous of the drops touching places I want to taste.

  When she moans my name, her pace quickening, chest rising and falling, I know she’s about to cum. But I intend to be the reason for it. Lacey gasps when she feels me touch her back and my hand pushes hers away and I take over, making sure to bump her clit at the same time. She slams her hand on the cool tile for support and balance and I gently grip her hair and tip her head back. Wanting a mark to show, to let everyone fucking know she’s spoken for, I suck hard on her moist skin.

  And I intend to leave many more before the night is over.

  Chapter Eight

  Lacey

  Her hands play me perfectly and my orgasm rushes to the surface. Wanting more, I turn and it becomes a competition to see who can kiss harder. I shut off the water and lead us to my room, uncaring that neither of us dried off. On the bed, we wrestle for the top position and I don’t consider it a loss when she wins. “Do you know how sexy you look spread out for me?” She asks prior to straddling me. As she leans down, I’m assuming she’s about to kiss me, only to blush when I turn my head to the side and see what she put under the pillow.

  “Where did you get that? I mean…How did you find it?” I try to get it away from her, but she’s too determined to keep it. I’m not above fighting unfairly though and push up, causing our pussies to make contact. When she moans, I assume I’ve distracted her. I was wrong.

  “That was sneaky. Okay, let’s get dirty, baby,” then with a press of the button, the vibrator comes to life and she rubs it against my already sensitive nipples. She makes a path with it down my ribs, to my navel, and finally to my center. By that time, I’m eager to have her do as she pleases, giving up all notions of getting her to stop.

  “Don’t torture me,” I plead. “Fuck me with it.” Having mercy, she touches my clit then shoves it inside, my body rising to meet her thrust.

  ***Veronica***

  “The whole in charge thing really suits you,” Lacey says, her eyes never leaving mine as she pants.

  “I can be quite dominating when I want. Now, spread your legs, I want to see all of you.” She complies instantly and I’m entranced watching as my hand works the toy in and out of her, her pussy getting wetter, the movements she can’t help. I let her take the lead and make me hers before, but not this time. Tonight, I’ll be the one issuing the demands on her beautiful body, marveling as she submits. Grabbing her hands, I instruct her to keep them above her head where I place them, my lips suddenly dry at the picture she makes before me. “I’ve wanted to be in control since I first laid eyes on you,” I whisper against her neck, leaving a second mark, this one for myself. I want evidence I can see to know this really happened, as if everything might end. In reality, it will eventually and the harder I try not to think about that, the more I take it out on her body. Leaning forward, I graze her collarbone then her breasts with my tongue, pausing to suck on her nipples. I want to make her lose her fucking mind from the pleasure I give her. Maybe then I’ll stay ingrained on her memory. Maybe then she’ll never forget me.

  “Fuck, just like that baby.” She yells out to me. Watching myself giver her pleasure is beyond erotic. Turning the setting up on the vibrator she arches up her breast meeting mine.

  “Feel good, baby?” I taunt, and all she can do is nod. Her hands clutching the sheets. She’s almost there I can feel it. My own wetness causing a mess between us.

  “Cum for me, and I’ll let you have a turn at my body.” I say locking eyes with her. My words being all the push she needed. Her release causing her to shake, and scream out in pleasure. When she comes down from her high and I’m still straddling her. She looks up at me and pulls me down to her.

  “Fuck you’re an angel, but I suppose so was the devil at one point. Such a dirty girl. But not for what you promised me.” She maneuvers us so I’m underneath her and I know I’m in for a pleasurable payback.

  Chapter Nine

  Lacey

  The sun blinds me as I look to the horizon, causing me to squint to make out any shadows. Sure enough, here she comes in hip hugging shorts and a tank top that should be illegal. Her hair is down again and I’m counting the minutes until I get the pleasure of threading my fingers into it. I can see her smile the closer she gets, but she’s hiding her beautiful eyes behind a beach hat and sunglasses.

  Wrapping my arms around her, I kiss her senseless as soon as she’s within reach. Each moment we spend together, my dread at her going seems to grow, scaring me. It’s been a week since I took her to my home, and though we’ve spent almost every waking minute together, we’re both avoiding reality. I could describe her body to the last detail from memory and it seems that’s all I’ll have soon since she leaves this weekend.

  The more I’ve gotten to know Roni, I realize she’d never be happy here. The way she speaks about New York, how her eyes sparkle when she talks about her job, it’s easy to see her world revolves around the life she’s built there and in that company. I’ve never once felt that kind of passion, that connection…until her. Caring for her means I could never ask her to walk away from that, but neither does it change how I feel.

  Bringing my thoughts back to the here and now, I help her into the boat. I promised to take her to a private island a friend of mine occasionally rents out to tourists. I get us there without any issues, sailing being one of the things I’ve learned since moving here. Most of the day is spent enjoying the waves and diving, another perk of being so close to the ocean is the opportunity to learn how to do the latter. Getting certified was a must the first summer I came here, and I’ve never been more grateful for that than when I am seeing her eyes light up, her body in that diving suit. We catch our own dinner and cook it over an open flame. She surprises me once again with how down-to-earth she is, how willing she is to get dirty instead of letting others do it for her.

  I made a snap judgment, so sure a girl from the city would think I was crazy when I offered to catch our meal. As always, she left me speechless when she prepared the fish without blinking an eye. Now we’re watching the sunset, Roni between my legs, as I wish we could stay like this. The future may be unclear, but my feelings for her are not - she’s the other half of my soul. Decisions will have to be made because I’m not willing to give her up.

  “You’re awful quiet over there. Is something on your mind?” She asks, twisting to look at me and laying her head on my shoulder. I pull her hand to my lips, having the constant need to show her my affection.

  “Just thinking about the future. I know we should live in the moment, but I’m not sure if that’ll ever be possible again. I can’t imagine a day without you.” My words must shock her because she looks apprehensive, so I change the subject. “What do you want to do tomorrow? I’m off so I can take you anywhere after I help Renee unload the truck.”

  Her body relaxes significantly, upsetting me. Am I only imagining that she feels this, too? Unable to entertain that thought, I push it to the back of my mind.

  “I’ll read up on some of the attractions and see where I want to go next, but I don’t want to think about that now.”

  When the sun finally sets, we get back on the boat, silence surrounding us. I’m not sure why, but I feel as if something has changed. Cuddling in her hotel room later, the feeling of unease refuses to fade, having taken up permanent residence in my chest. If I’d doubted it before, our time on that private island today sealed it as I’d taken the last step over the edge and fell in love at sunset.

  Chapter Ten

  Veronica

  I hear her phone alarm and stir a bit, but it isn’t until she kneels in front of me that it registers. Snuggling deeper into the bed, not wanting to delay her, I pretend to be asleep. Lacey kisses the top of my head and it stirs things in me, things I don’t want to think about. Maybe I can avoid
this a little longer.

  “Sleep well, beautiful, I’ll be back. I…I love you,” she whispers almost too faint to hear. Her footsteps become fainter until I hear the door close. No, no, no. She didn’t say…but I know she did. Now what?

  There’s no way of this working out for us, which means I’m setting myself up for heart break. Morning doesn’t come as quickly as I’d hoped, my thoughts keeping me from falling back to sleep as I tossed and turned listening to the clock count the minutes. My brain is on Lacey overload and I know the only way to come to my senses is with some time by myself. So, I’ll just avoid her today, tell her I don’t feel well. After texting her, I turn my phone off and leave it in my room. Having it with me will be a temptation I might not be able to resist. Plus, if I don’t see any texts from her, I won’t be forced to keep lying, already hating that I did it once. I make my way to the airport in a taxi and rent a compact car and proceed to drive around aimlessly for hours, ending up in Islamorada. My day goes as the others would’ve if I hadn’t met Lacey, filled with generic mumbo jumbo because there’s no one to share small tidbits of information most don’t know, no local to show me around.

  When it gets late, the reasonable side of me says I should return to my hotel, fully aware Lacey has probably sent about a million messages by now, but I’m ignoring it. Vulnerable, scared, and trying to run Veronica is louder, the same version that left home when her parents threatened to send her to a gay conversion clinic.

  The feelings deep inside me right now are much like the of fear I had back then. Those now come with repercussions I’m not ready to face. I check into a small cottage and go to bed without dinner, my stomach too upset to care about food. At three in the morning, I give up trying, tired of the nightmares that continually wake me, and go to the docks. The cool night breeze brings some much-needed relief and I stay there until the sun comes up, no less conflicted. All I can think about is her and wonder how she spent her night. Knowing I need to face her, I don’t even bother to shower before heading out. My anxiety levels are through the roof on the drive back, the trip seeming to take longer than it did yesterday to get here.