Page 29 of Phoenix Rising

Lucinda's thighs pressed together again. "Stop it."

Becky hummed a happy sound before kissing Lucinda, hoping she could still taste her come on her mouth. "I'll help you get cleaned up before I go."

Lucinda led Becky into the bathroom, pointing out the towels. Becky washed her hands and wet a washcloth with warm water. She cleaned betweenLucinda's legs and all the places Becky had touched her. Lucinda sighed with every gentle pass of the cloth.

"Now, pee before you get a UTI," Becky demanded.

Lucinda laughed. "You're so bossy. I thought I was the doctor around here." She shooed her out of the bathroom before closing the door.

Becky made herself comfortable on the black leather couch, and a calico cat greeted her with a soft meow. "Hello to you too."

Lucinda came out of her bedroom with an oversized tie-dye t-shirt that said “Cattle Battle”that fell just below her ass.

"What the hell are you wearing?" Becky joked.

Lucinda sat on the couch, curling next to Becky. "My friend works at this ridiculous restaurant down the street. It's the ugliest place I've ever been to."

"Why don't you take me this weekend?" Becky said cautiously.

Just because Becky had fucked this woman against her windows for all of her neighbors to see didn't mean Lucinda wanted to see her outside these four walls.

"You want me to take you out on a date, Chief?" Lucinda teased.

Becky ran a hand through Lucinda's hair. "I want you to call me Becky when we're alone. Nothing else."

Lucinda's eyes softened slightly, her head leaning into Becky's hand. "Okay."

"So, can I see you again?" Becky's heart hammered against her ribcage. Why was she so nervous?

"Well, we do still have to put together our proposal..."

"Lucinda," Becky said, a slight warning in her voice.

Lucinda laughed. "Yes, I'd like to keep seeing you."

"Good," Becky said, standing. "I need to head back to the hospital to see Ember and take care of Natalie so Josephine can get some sleep." She leaned over and kissed Lucinda softly. "I'll text you."

"Okay," Lucinda said, pulling a blanket on top of herself.

Becky locked the door from the inside before leaving. She wished she could stay. She wanted tohold Lucinda against her chest while she slept—another time. Lucinda said she wanted to keep seeing her. She had all the time in the world.

Becky couldn't stop smiling the whole drive to the hospital.

8

LUCINDA

The next few days were full of good morning texts, professional lunches, and lingering touches between her and Becky.

Ember had been discharged the day after Becky had come to Lucinda's apartment to rest for the next two weeks. The police were still trying to figure out who had accidentally set the fire, but since there were no casualties, it wasn't high on their list.

Lucinda was thrown back into work during the days, but her nights were full of fantasies of soft kisses and greedy hands. Becky Thompson had fucked her with a hunger she had never known existed.

On Friday, she found herself at Battle Cattle again. This was apparently her new hangout spot because Artie always told her to stop in during his shift.

"What do you mean she showed up at your front door?" he exclaimed.

He sat next to her at the bar swinging his roller skates as he listened to her newest Becky story. His milkshake sat forgotten in front of him.

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