Justifiable Risk (35 page)

“I need to say one thing before we make love.”

“Tell me.” Greer’s touch was excruciatingly tender, the tips of her fingers barely touching skin as she gazed into Eva’s eyes, waiting.

“I love you, Greer. I’ve been afraid to say it. I didn’t trust myself.”

“And now?”

“It’s the only thing I’m completely certain about.” As the words gushed from Eva’s lips she experienced a sense of peace. The words rang true in her ears and in her heart.

“And I love you, Eva Saldana.”

“Are you sure? We have to be sure.” Eva searched Greer’s face for any sign of reservation but found none. She didn’t want to ask about Clare but needed to know if Greer could love her fully while still carrying Clare in her heart.

“If you’re concerned about Clare, don’t be. She has a special place in my heart, but you’re my present and my future…if you want to be.”

Eva answered with a kiss, deep and passionate. Their tongues poked and sucked, fueling the heat in Eva’s center. Her answer at this moment and forever was yes, and she’d spend her life making sure Greer knew how much she was loved.

Greer reclined on the bed and pulled Eva on top of her, still wrapped in the bath towel. Even with the barrier between them, they still fit perfectly, as if made for one another. Greer kissed her and rocked back and forth, their legs entwined for maximum contact. The firm muscle of Greer’s quadriceps rubbed and teased Eva’s tender clit through the terry fabric and made her wet with anticipation. Greer inched her hand up Eva’s side and cupped a handful of breast, teasing an erect nipple between thumb and forefinger.

The towel between them was like the layers of conflict and resistance they’d overcome to reach this point. With the peeling away of the fabric, Eva imagined their bodies and souls exquisitely revealed to each other. She ached for the sensuous feel of skin on skin again.

“Greer, please touch me.”

“With pleasure.”

She slowly peeled the bath sheet away from Eva’s body. Cool air settled on her heated skin and raised goose bumps. She shivered as her nipples puckered and she stretched toward Greer, begging for her mouth. Greer lightly brushed her fingers down Eva’s chest, circling each breast with tantalizing strokes, avoiding the firm contact Eva wanted.

Greer cupped Eva’s sex and her hips rose to meet the pressure. Moisture soaked her crotch, and the knowledge that Greer could feel it as well excited her. She wanted Greer to know how ready she was. Greer moved her hand and, again, the cool air against inflamed flesh caused a shudder that rocked Eva with longing.

“Please, baby.” Eva sat up and wrapped her legs around Greer’s body, rubbing her center against coarse blond pubic hair. She needed more stimulation. Her feelings for Greer magnified the physical sensations and brought her closer to climax. If she didn’t come soon, she’d burst. “I want you everywhere. Don’t make me wait any longer.”

Greer straddled her again and Eva thought she’d never seen a woman more beautiful. Nipples erect with need topped her perky breasts and Eva longed to suck them into her mouth. The patch of blond hair between her legs glistened with arousal. A bolt of excitement shot through Eva as she glided her fingers into Greer’s body.

“Don’t.” Greer grabbed her hand before she made contact. “If you touch me, I’ll explode.”

Eva tried again. “And what’s wrong with a little explosion?”

When Eva finally touched her, Greer’s sharp intake of breath was as stimulating as a caress. Her entire body ached and pounded for release. “Please, lie on top of me. I want you inside me when I enter you.” Greer’s blue eyes shone with emotion, like she was looking into her soul, at the love that radiated from her heart. “I want to come with you.”

Greer stretched out on top of Eva and their bodies moved as one in the rhythmic slide and stroke of lovemaking. Their timing was perfect, each moment of contact exquisite in its combination of friction and moisture. Pressure spiraled inside her and discharged bursts of electricity through her system. Soothing warmth became burning heat and demanded attention. She opened her legs wider. “Now, baby, inside me now.”

Eva worked her hand between their bodies and curved her fingers into Greer’s opening as Greer entered her. “Oh, yesss.” She gasped between breaths. “Like that.” The simultaneous internal stroking stoked her need and she struggled to maintain her rhythm inside Greer. She wanted to see her lover’s face when they came together for the first time. Her body arched to meet Greer’s thrusts. She was losing control. “Soon, my darling.”

“Tell me when.” Greer sucked Eva’s breast in time with their cadence. The firm momentum of her hand and the steady pull of her mouth drew Eva’s passion from deep inside. She wrapped her legs around Greer and opened herself completely as the coiled pleasure sprang loose. “Now, I’m coming now.”

Greer’s tempo increased and she answered, “I’m with you.” As her climax flowed from her, Eva kissed Greer. She thought she might die from all the sensations. She breathed her orgasm into Greer’s mouth as she spilled into her hand. They emptied and filled until they collapsed on top of each other and gasped for breath.

Several minutes passed before either could speak. “Wow,” Greer finally said. “That was, well, it was, I mean…you know?”

Eva laughed. “I certainly do.” Though words failed her, Eva knew exactly what Greer meant. They were perfect together. This was the woman Eva had dreamed about, hoped for, but had been afraid to find. She represented everything Eva wanted in life—love, excitement, stability, and home—all in one gorgeous package. She couldn’t imagine going forward without her by her side.

Greer pulled the bedspread over them and sighed. She couldn’t believe how right this moment felt. It had been two years coming and she’d begun to think love wasn’t in the cards for her again. But she was wrong. She now understood that love wasn’t a one-shot deal. It was possible to fully and truly love more than once in a lifetime. But in order to love someone sometimes you had to let her go. If that’s what it took to prove her love for Eva, she would do it no matter how much it hurt. They had things to settle. The desire to resolve those issues tugged at her even at this perfect moment.

Eva snuggled closer and stretched her leg over Greer’s. “Mmm, that was awesome, but I can see those wheels spinning in your head, Detective. Spill.”

“It can wait. Let me hold you.”

“I don’t want us to keep things from each other. Please tell me what’s bothering you.”

“I was wondering what happens now.”

Eva rolled on her side and stared into Greer’s eyes. “Well, at the risk of sounding like a cliché, we live happily ever after.”

Greer thought her heart might pound out of her chest. “And what does that look like?”

“You and me together forever? Could that work?”

“You mean you’d stay here? What about your career? What about the assignment in Kyrgyzstan?”

Eva kissed Greer tenderly and her passion rekindled. “I turned down the job. I’ve negotiated another position—host of my own show on CNN. The boss has been trying to convince me to change tracks for months.”

Greer’s breathing increased and she smiled so big it almost hurt. “You’d give up the excitement of traveling all over the world covering the latest-breaking stories for a life here in New Hope?”

“About like you’d give up police work.” Her disappointment must’ve been apparent because Eva hurried to explain. “If I run my own show, I decide what stories I cover. You’d have to accept that as part of what I do—of course, with the understanding that I’d always come back to you.”

“I wouldn’t stand in the way of your career, no matter what you chose. But I do like that last part.” Greer gathered Eva in her arms and hugged her again.

“Besides, I have a story to finish here. I promised Tom a double byline. Who knows how long it could take to wrap that up, maybe months.”

“I’d like you to consider something else as well.”

“Yes?”

“If things work out, would you consider living in the house at some point? It’s my home, after all.”

“Living together?” Eva pulled away almost imperceptibly, and the words sounded tentative, as if she was testing how it felt to say them aloud. “I’ve never lived with anyone.”

“The ‘if things work out’
and ‘at some point’ parts of the request were for your benefit. Take all the time you need. I want you to be sure about how you feel, about us.”

“Oh, darling, my reluctance isn’t about my feelings for you. I just don’t want to disappoint you.”

“That can’t happen as long as you’re honest with me. It has to be right for both of us. Just let me know when you’re ready for the next step.”

Eva kissed Greer and nestled against her chest. “Thank you for being patient with me. I love you with everything I am.
You’re
my home.”

VK Powell is a thirty-year veteran of a midsized police department. She was a police officer by necessity (it paid the bills) and a writer by desire (it didn’t). Her career spanned numerous positions including beat officer, homicide detective, field sergeant, vice / narcotics lieutenant, district captain, and assistant chief of police. Now retired, she lives in central North Carolina and divides her time between writing, traveling, and amateur interior decorating.

VK is a member of the Golden Crown Literary Society and Romance Writers of America. She is the author of three erotic short stories and one romantic short story published in Bold Strokes Books anthologies. Her novels are
To Protect and Serve, Suspect Passions,
and
Fever.

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