Page 56 of Freedom to Love

No. She was fed up. She deserved a life just like anyone else did.

She nodded and Genie led her back to the couch. “I take it your family doesn’t know?”

Brynn swallowed hard. “No.”

“Are you afraid to tell them?”

Brynn laughed. “Yes, terrified.” She stared at her hands. “Although I think my uncle suspects something.”

“What would he do?”

“Uncle Mo? Oh, I don’t know. I know he loves me, but he’s very alpha male and he’s protective. If he thinks something’s not right or something’s hurting me, there’s no telling what he’d do.”

“And he would think this…Kat…would be wrong?”

“I’m afraid so.”

Brynn heard the door open behind her, and Genie stood and welcomed more people. Brynn made her way outside, kissed Damien, took the beer he offered, and nearly downed it at once. She needed to relax, and she willed the buzz to come on and soften the edges. She smiled as other police men and women shook her hand, thanking her for brave actions. She nodded politely, felt herself blush, and tried to be friendly. But honestly, she still felt like she could’ve done more for Damien. But his smile and toast to her said he obviously didn’t think so. She took another offered beer and fell into conversation with the department psychologist. They were discussing her schooling for counseling when Damien threw his hands up and shouted.

“Vander, get your ass over here!”

Brynn turned and saw Kat standing on the back patio, beer in hand. She smiled at Damien and held up her beer. “We got ’em!”

The backyard erupted in cheer. Kat got so many hugs and back slaps, Brynn wasn’t sure how she remained standing upright. Brynn stood where she was, not wanting to intrude. This crowd deserved a celebration, and she wasn’t about to interfere. She sipped her beer and watched Kat with her friends and colleagues. Her smile was incredible, her mood contagious. And when she laughed, Brynn’s heart fluttered. Two people stepped into her view, and Brynn quietly moved, smiled, and nodded at another friendly face and then stopped and refocused on Kat. She couldn’t take her eyes off her. She’d changed her shirt from when she’d last seen her. The new tight white tee, deep v-neck shirt showed off a sliver of a red tattoo. From where she stood it looked like it could be a heart. She wondered who it was for. Jealousy burned through her, and she tried to shove it away, drinking more. She turned, pissed that the sight of the tattoo on Kat’s muscular chest turned her on a little. What else didn’t she know about her? She was one hell of a good lover; she knew that much.

“Excuse me,” a familiar voice said from behind.

Brynn stilled, the tenor of the voice, like a gentle breath kissing the back of her neck. She knew it was Kat. Knew she was standing there looking gorgeous in the tee and worn jeans and boots.

“Yes?” Brynn said, turning.

Kat pointed to the ground. “You dropped your smile.”

Brynn closed her eyes, so moved by the blue of Kat’s eyes. She shook with laughter, unable not to. “That’s the worst pickup line I’ve ever heard.”

She heard Kat laugh. “Oh, come on. It’s good. And

it’s true. You were smiling just a moment ago. What happened?”

Brynn opened her eyes and her gaze took in all of Kat. Her tight blond ponytail, the tan of her skin, the muscles of her neck, shoulders, and chest. The tattoo. She blinked as she tried to look away from it.

Kat caught her looking. She tugged on her shirt. “You don’t like it?”

Brynn stared at the full red heart. An arrow was running through it, and a drop of red dripped from the bottom point.

“There’s no name,” Brynn said before she realized it.

Kat smiled. “No, not yet. I wanted to ask her permission first.”

“Oh.” Brynn looked away. She suddenly felt dizzy, a little wobbly. She could smell Kat’s cologne from where she stood, and it was awakening every cell in her body and causing them all to heat, adding to the dizziness. She had to get away or she would throw herself in her arms and beg her to take her home and have her way with her. But this was not the time or place, and who’s to say the heart was for her? But the mere idea that it might be…dear God, it moved her.

“Would you excuse me, please?” She moved toward the patio and deposited her beer on a table nearby. She heard Kat call after her, but she kept moving. Faces smiled and blurred. Voices laughed and carried. All of it morphed around her as she moved. She entered the house and went straight for the front door. Kat caught her just as she reached for the door handle. Brynn breathed rapidly as she stared at Kat’s strong hand over hers.

“Wait, please,” Kat said.

Brynn straightened. “I really have to go.”

“Tell me why,” she said softly.

---