Page 38 of Phoenix Rising

"Did I grab your hair or your nipples too hard?" Becky ran a hand over Lucinda's cheek. "I would never want to hurt you."

A thought crossed behind Lucinda's eyes, but she shut them and snuggled closer. "No, you didn't. It felt great. Particularly the nipples,” she murmured.

Becky rubbed Lucinda's scalp anyway, massaging any leftover stings away. Lucinda sighed.

Becky’s gaze glanced over her nipples, a beautiful reddish pink on her big breasts, more erect than they had ever been.

Mmmmm.

"Stay tonight," Becky said. "Don't go home."

Lucinda's fingers found Becky's and threaded them together. She was silent.

Becky knew she was pushing it. They never stayed over through the whole night. But she thought if Lucinda even stepped one foot away, Becky would feel like her heart was ripped from her chest.

"Lucinda, stay. Please."

"Alright," Lucinda whispered.

Becky kissed her mouth, pushing her tongue deep inside, her hands clutched at Lucinda's hips as she rolled on top of Lucinda, pressing down into her.

“Good. Because I have some more plans for you tonight."

10

LUCINDA

The sun's rays fell across Lucinda's face, waking her up. She squinted at the light, looking around her. Where was she? She was warm, and her feelings felt abnormally settled and mellow. Lucinda looked around at the burgundy-and-brown bedroom. It was dark and cozy and smelled of warm wood and vanilla. Lucinda sat up and saw Becky beside her, an arm slung over her eyes.

Right.She remembered.

Lucinda never slept over at other people's places. She was a homebody but never felt safe in other people's homes. But Becky's house was warm and familiar, even though she had never beenthere. The smell alone enticed her to stay, as did the fact that the trek home last night had seemed like an expedition.

She got up quietly so as not to disturb Becky. Lucinda looked around the bedroom but couldn't find her clothes with the lights off. Piles of clean folded laundry were in a mound on top of the dresser. Lucinda pulled on a t-shirt that read “Fire me!”and some running shorts. Soreness thrummed through her body as she got dressed. God, she wondered how she hadn't died from her many incredible orgasms last night. It might have been the best sex she'd ever had.

Her nipples were pleasantly sore against her shirt and the delicious memories of Becky being so rough with them filled her mind.

Becky had thrown her around and fucked her harder than anything she could imagine and she had gone crazy for it. She had loved every second.

Lucinda stretched her arms up to release some of the tension in her back.

She left the bedroom in search of the kitchen. Her feet quietly padded against the thick carpet. The hallway was covered in pictures, children's drawings, and different awards. Pictures ofyounger Becky and a small girl, who she assumed to be Ember from her shining red hair, adorned the walls. There were multiple photos of beautiful little Natalie. There was also an image of a teenage Becky and a dark-haired man at her high school graduation. There were several pictures of the different firefighting crews she had participated in over the years. Lucinda smiled at the touches of history and continued exploring.

Lucinda's bag sat abandoned on the well-loved brown couch in the living room. She pulled out her phone to see a text from Artie that he had sent last night.

Artie: We still hanging out tomorrow night? I get off at 6 and I've been craving Thai food all week.

Lucinda: Yes, please!

This was nice. She was starting to feel at home in Phoenix Ridge. She had friends, her job was going great, and, of course, there was Becky.

Lucinda dropped her phone back in her bag, her eyes spotting a mess. Tell-all magazines and old newspapers were scattered across the coffee table. Becky really was unorganized. Maybe Lucinda could tidy up her place for her sometime.Lucinda organized the papers in a stack at the corner of the table before going into the kitchen.

She found a coffee pot and began making her much-needed coffee, looking through the pantry to find any sugar. She was relaxed but also slightly on edge. This was becoming serious. She had slept over at her not-girlfriend-kind-of-girlfriend's house!

Lucinda left so quickly the day before because Rhodes had said she and Becky were "meant to be." What did that mean? It made her panic, and she needed space from everyone so she could calm herself down. She couldn't decipher her feelings. Did she want something serious with Becky? She thought of her wicked grin, the way she whispered sweet-nothings in Lucinda's ear, and the look on Becky's face when she had found Lucinda safe but sick in her bed. Her stomach flipped.

Lucinda felt hands sliding over her hips. She was so lost in thought she hadn't even heard Becky come up behind her.

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