Page 53 of The Safest Place She Knows

“We will keepyou from using it today and see the doctor tomorrow.”

“Do I alreadyhave an appointment?”

“You do. Venkahas our den registry, so we just need to sign things, and you areours to support and treasure.”

“That soundsvery fairy tale.”

“Well, you haveto participate. We don’t want you languishing.”

“I never dothat. I am definitely an action kind of female.”

“Yes, I wasgetting that inkling from the videos. You were engaged in somehair-raising activities on the show.”

She looked athim. “How would you know?”

“I askedVenka.”

“Oh. Right.Have you met Venka’s mother?”

“Once. She isvery small and rather perfect.”

Lya sighed.“Oh, dear. I hope Venka isn’t too disappointed.”

“She isn’t. Shewas more nervous about you accepting her than her mother acceptingyou.” Noh held the toast to her lips.

“Right.” Shetook the last bite and reached for her coffee. She washed the toastdown and looked down. “Yup. Still tied.”

He smiled andleaned in to kiss her softly. “You take sugar in your coffee?”

“I do until theweight is back on. You saw what I used to look like.”

He sighed.“Yes, I did. I do love curves and muscle all in one.”

She stared,blinked, and grinned. “Like a boa?”

“Yes. Thatworks as an excellent corollary.” He kissed her again, and shecautiously met his tongue with hers. She was braced for a forkedtongue, but the one that met hers was thankfully human.

A doorbellrang, and their kiss continued. He ran his fingers through her hairand held her head as voices got closer.

“So, where isthis mythical creature, Venka?” The light voice had a bit of anaccent.

Noh pulled backand ran his thumb over her lower lip. She was breathing hard andknew that her pupils were wide. Arousal had that effect on her.

Venka touchedher arm and gasped as Lya looked up at her. “Come on, sweet. Timeto meet my mother.”

Lya stood, andVenka walked with her toward the tiny woman covered with jewels andmanicured, waxed, and pedicured within an inch of her life.

Lya cocked herhead. “Hello.”

The womanlooked her over from head to toe. “You are too tall.”

Lya cocked herhead.

“You are tooskinny.”

Lya waited.

Tamara camewith two older women and looked hopeful.

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