Page 98 of Becoming

“Can we resume this position when we do?”

Rebecca smiled down at Cassidy. “No. I want you to make love to me. In order to do that, you need to be on top.” She leaned down, her lips close to Cassidy’s ear. “And when I say make love, I mean slowly, thoroughly, and more than once.”

Cass’s entire body shuddered with pleasure. It was on the tip of her tongue to say “yes, Mistress” but she instinctively knew that Mistress was not here now. “My pleasure, baby.”

“It’ll definitely be mine.” Rebecca gave Cassidy a satisfied smile. When she made a move to stand up, Cassidy caught her around the waist.

“Are you really selling your home?”

Rebecca chuckled. “You’d think a psychiatrist would be better at keeping secrets.” She kissed Cassidy gently. “This is my home, Cassidy.”

“I can sell, too. We can buy something…”

Rebecca kissed her girlfriend again to shut her up. “I like it here. Your studio is here. Your gym. The mermaid,” she smirked as she referred to the mural on the living room wall. The mermaid which now exhibited Rebecca’s face. “You’ve even given me my own space. It’s perfect.”

“You’re perfect,” Cass said dreamily. “Why didn’t you tell me? Was I being that much of a dick?”

“I wanted to surprise you. Remind me to thank my aunt, by the way.”

Cass smiled. “Don’t be too hard on her. She was pretty upset when she found out I didn’t know already. She even said,” Cass motioned for Rebecca to come closer. When she did, Cass whispered dramatically, “Crap!”

Rebecca snorted. “Dickery and crap. You’re influencing my very proper aunt, dear.” She pushed herself off Cassidy and began closing the containers that still held food.

“Me! Ha!” Cass helped by collecting empty containers. “Oh, and another thing, why didn’t you tell me she was seeing someone?”

Cass collided with Rebecca’s back when the smaller woman stopped.

“She’s what?”

Cass flicked a piece of rice off Rebecca’s chest. “Uh, seeing someone? I assumed you would know who.”

“No, I don’t. But I’m calling her tomorrow to find out.”

“Aww, man! Now she’s going to know I blabbed!”

“Serves her right for blabbing about my surprise for you.”

“DO YOU WANT me to go in there with you?” Rebecca unnecessarily smoothed Cassidy’s collar. Yes, she was being overprotective, but she was concerned about how talking to Miranda was going to affect Cassidy. Rebecca had dealt with women like Miranda many times over the years, starting with Samantha. But this entire situation was testing Cassidy’s faith in humanity.

“I do. But I think I should do this myself.” Cass shrugged. “Gotta learn sometime, right?”

“I’d rather you stay the sweet, happy-go-lucky woman I fell in love with.”

Cass smiled down at her girlfriend. “I’m always happy when I’m with you.” She dipped her head and gave Rebecca a quick kiss. “Let me get this over with. I still owe Eve a couple of canvases.”

“I’ll be right here if you need me.”

“Good thing since I always need you.” Cass winked saucily. Of course, her good-natured bravado was all an act. She was aware that Rebecca knew that as well. Cass silently thanked her for not calling her on it. She squared her shoulders and nodded at the guard standing at the door of the room she would be talking to Rand in. Here goes nothing.

Rebecca watched the door close behind Cassidy and sighed. She had spent many, many years learning how to keep her emotions in check. With Cassidy, all that learning flew out the damn window. If Miranda hurts Cassidy any more than she already has, there would be hell to pay. She eyed the guard. Manipulation isn’t hard. Especially if you found a gullible enough victim.

CASS SAT IN the uncomfortable metal chair and waited. Her knee bounced in rhythm to some random song she had in her head. It kept her from overthinking what she was going to say. Rebecca had told her to speak from the heart. She just didn’t know if her heart was involved any longer when it came to Rand.

“I knew you’d come to see me!”

Cass looked up as Rand came through the door, a guard at her side. She couldn’t comprehend this sight of Rand. White scrubs, white slip-on shoes were a sharp contrast to her fiery red hair. The paleness of her skin was highlighted by the lack of makeup. Which was weird in itself. Cass couldn’t remember the last time she saw Rand without makeup. Cass shook herself. She wasn’t ready to have compassion for the woman in front of her.

“I’m not here to see you, Rand. I’m here for closure.”

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