Page 59 of Freedom to Love

Chapter Sixteen

Kat turned on two lamps in the living room, keeping the room low lit with a warm glow. She lit a candle on the coffee table and lit a dozen tea light candles along her dresser in the bedroom. She fumbled with her iPod and put on Aoife O’Donovan. Then she stood at the door next to Gunner and waited for the old Lincoln to pull in her drive. The old Lincoln that carried the woman she could not stop thinking about. The woman who turned her on, lit her up from the inside, made her insides flutter and turn to mush. The woman, she now realized, she loved.

The old Lincoln’s headlights flashed in her eyes as it pulled into the driveway. Gunner barked and wagged his tail. She touched his head and grew nervous, surprising herself. After all this time, Brynn still made her nervous. She got so caught up in her looks, her scent, the thought of touching her, it all swirled around inside leaving her feeling clumsy and antsy. But despite all of those feelings and the craziness, she smiled as Brynn walked to the door, buttoned-down outer shirt gone, leaving the lone white tank and linen pants.

Kat forced herself to wait for a knock before she opened the door. Brynn smiled at her shyly and Kat’s heart sang, and she suddenly had so much she wanted to say and do. She took her hand and pulled her inside, closing the door and tugging her close. She held her hips and stared into her eyes, brimming with tears.

“My God, I love you,” Kat said. She closed her eyes and kissed her so softly, gently, just enough to taste her, feel her. Brynn’s hands found her shoulders and neck as she returned the kiss just as gently and softly. Kat spoke between kisses. “I’ve been waiting by that door for ten minutes, but I’ve just realized, I’ve been waiting for you for a lifetime.”

Brynn tugged her closer, kissed her harder, capturing Kat’s lips with her own. “I know what you mean,” she whispered. “Who would’ve thought you’ve been here all along.”

“Just down the road.”

“In a sexy cop outfit.”

Kat laughed. “Oh, how you hated me.”

Brynn lightly kissed her neck. “I didn’t hate you. I hated my situation.”

“You went to prison for her, didn’t you?”

“Yeah.”

Kat tilted her chin. “Who does that? You really are amazing.”

A tear slipped down Brynn’s cheek. “When I love…I love deeply…for life.”

“Lucky me,” Kat said, touching her face. She kissed her tear. Brynn tugged the ponytail holder from Kat’s hair and tossed it aside. Her eyes widened as she ran her hands through Kat’s hair.

“No, lucky me.” She smiled.

Kat stroked her cheek, searching her eyes. “You’ve had a very big evening.”

“Mm.”

“How do you feel?” She needed to make sure she was okay. Her eyes looked tired but strong, full of color and sparkle. But the brimming tears told of something more.

“Happy.” She closed her eyes. “Free. Free to be me.” She opened her eyes and took Kat in. “But mostly free to love.”

Kat kissed her, softly at first, then more hungrily, determined. Brynn returned the kiss with vigor, sneaking out her tongue to tease and taste, causing Kat to moan with delight. Kat caught her tongue with her lips a few times, and other times she met it with her own. It was a beautiful, slick dance and duel with playful tongues.

She pulled away and Brynn nibbled her neck, causing a shockwave to shoot up her spine.

“I seem to remember something about a promise…”

Brynn laughed and blushed.

“Is that a blush?”

“I tend to get carried away.”

“Well, here’s to getting carried away,” Kat said as she lifted her and twirled. Brynn laughed and blushed harder.

Kat stopped and held her face. “Are you going to be shy now?”

“I don’t know. It’s different now. Real. You have my heart. I can’t explain how deeply I feel.”

Kat leaned in and brushed her hair from her ear. “Then show me.”

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