Unchained Memories

by Karen D. Badger

  Cat squirmed with desire as Billie caressed her skin. Cat’s hands pressed on Billie’s head, urging her lower. Billie stopped momentarily and looked up at Cat.

  “Please?”

  Billie lowered herself between Cat’s legs and dove into the depths of her core.

  Cat’s hips arched high off the bed. “Oh God, Billie. God, baby, oh God.” Without warning, Billie plunged her fingers deep inside of her.

  Cat grabbed the bed sheets as she pressed her head back into the pillows. “Billie. Oh my God,” she screamed into the night. “Harder, please,” she demanded, and Billie increased the speed and intensity of her thrusts. “Billie!”

  Billie continued to thrust as she felt Cat reach the heights of ecstasy. For several moments afterwards, Billie held her, wrapping her long frame around her and enveloping her in strong arms while aftershocks racked her body.

  “I’ve got you, my love. I’ve got you,” Billie chanted over and over as Cat recovered from the assault on her senses.

  “I love you, Billie, with all of my heart.”

  Billie leaned down and placed a light kiss on Cat’s mouth, allowing Cat to share in her own essence.

  Cat’s eyes opened wide with realization brought on by the kiss, reigniting the fire in her veins.

  Surprising Billie, she locked legs with her and rolled Billie onto her back.

  Pulling Billie’s arms upward and pressing them into the pillow beside her head, she leaned in and kissed her passionately. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” Cat walked over to the dresser and placed a CD into the stereo. Soon the sounds of romantic music filled the room.

  Cat approached the foot of the bed and crawled her way up Billie’s body, until they were lying face-to-face. She tasted and kissed every bit of skin on Billie’s body, working her way down her face, over her mouth, jaw, and throat, biting earlobes, and flicking her tongue inside Billie’s ears along the way. Kisses found their way across Billie’s shoulders and down her breastbone between her breasts. Billie moaned, and Cat continued downward, trailing her tongue across Billie’s abdomen, across her right hip, down her leg. Billie jerked in reflex as Cat bit the tender skin on the inside of her right knee.

  Cat moved to the other leg, kissing the inside of Billie’s thigh before heading upward once again. She stopped at Billie’s breasts and took each one into her mouth in turn, biting and nipping. She kissed every part of Billie’s body except the place that Billie wanted her most.

  “Cat, I need you, please.”

  “Soon, my love.”

  Cat ended her journey straddling Billie’s waist. She felt her own desire escalating as Billie attempted to take control.

  Billie reached up to circle Cat’s slim waist, pulled her down closer, and raised her hips to grind her abdomen against Cat’s moist center. Cat buried her face in Billie’s neck as bolts of desire shot through her. “My God, Billie,” she moaned.

  Cat sat up and once more pinned Billie’s hands to the pillow above her head. “Slow down.” She smiled at the pained and impatient expression on Billie’s face. “All in good time, sweet love.”

  Cat released Billie’s hands and reached for the generous mounds that greeted her eyes. She took one in each hand and caressed them. Marveling at how soft Billie’s skin was, she let her thumbs roam around the soft buds, causing them to harden with excitement.

  Billie gasped, leaned her head back, and closed her eyes as Cat ran her tongue and teeth across the erect nipples.

  “Cat. I need you, please.” She heaved upward against Cat. “I can’t believe how turned on I am. I can’t take this torture anymore. Your seduction is driving me insane with need.”

  Cat leaned forward to whisper in Billie’s ear. “Who am I?”

  Billie closed her eyes. “You are my heart.”

  “And who are you?”

  “I am your lover, your wife, and the mother of your children.”

  “I love you, Billie. I want you, and I need you.”

  “Now, Cat, please.”

  Cat explored further as she worked her way down Billie’s body, caressing the secret places that made her scream out in ecstasy.

  “That feels so good. Please, I need more.”

  “Close your eyes.”

  Cat could sense she had pushed Billie as far as she could. She worked her way down Billie’s body and hovered close enough for Billie to feel Cat’s heated breath on her most sensitive parts, yet not close enough for contact.

  “Cat, please,” Billie urged.

  “Shhh,” Cat said. Still, she waited.

  Billie gyrated her hips upward.

  When she was sure Billie was on the edge of anticipatory madness, Cat plunged three fingers inside of her while sucking her soft bud into her mouth.

  The room filled with loud cries of release as Billie screamed Cat’s name.

  When Billie came back to herself, she was wrapped in Cat’s arms, her head resting on Cat’s shoulder.

  “By all that’s sacred, I love you,” Billie said, barely able to lift her head to look into Cat’s eyes.

  “I love you too, with all I am.” Cat kissed her on top of the head.

  “Cat?”

  “Yes, my love?”

  “I missed you.”

  “I missed you too. Welcome home, Billie.”

  Chapter 41

  “Billie, how are the burgers coming?” Cat called from across the yard as she spread the cloth over the picnic table.

  “None of them are committing suicide yet, so I guess they’re okay. I’m surprised you’re trusting me to do the cooking. You must not like our guests very much.”

  Cat approached Billie and rubbed her back. “You don’t have the fire on high again, do you?” She spared a glance at the burgers.

  Billie pointed at the dial on the front of the grill. “See for yourself. It’s on halfway.”

  Cat stood on tiptoe and kissed Billie. “Just keep an eye on them and spray them periodically with that water bottle. Once both sides are cooked, move them to the top rack. And you’re right, we’re all familiar with your culinary skills, or lack thereof I should say. I’ll stop by every few minutes, and between us, we’ll get them cooked just about right. The goal is to not poison our guests. They should be arriving soon.”

  “Is that sarcasm I hear in your voice?”

  Cat batted her eyelashes. “Would I do that?”

  Billie flipped several of the burgers over. “You’re the one who said I have many skills.”

  “Yeah, but cooking isn’t one of them. How are you doing, by the way?”

  “So far, so good.” Billie lifted the one crutch she was using for support. “This crutch is enough to keep me balanced, and I’ve got a chair close by in case I need to sit.”

  “This cookout was a good idea, Billie. It’s a chance to thank everyone who helped us through the past few weeks.”

  “I agree. I know we’ve already had a coming-home event for me, but I have to admit I wasn’t on my best behavior. Now that I’m back to my old self, I plan to enjoy this one much more.”

  Billie put the spatula on the side wing of the grill and wrapped her arm around Cat’s waist. “You’re smiling. Want to share?”

  “You’re very cute with spiked hair.”

  Billie ran a hand over her head. “Do you really like it this short?”

  “To be truthful, I’m kind of partial to it long, but like I said when you were in the hospital, you’re a beautiful woman, no matter how long your hair is.”

  “I like it long, Mom,” Seth said as he approached his mothers. “Where do you want this salad?”

  “On the table, sweetie.”

  “Mama, Grandpa and Grammy are here,” Tara called from the back porch.

  “Thank you, sweetie. Tara, could you send the paper plates and cups out with your sister?”

  “Where are they?”

  “In a bag on the kitchen table.”

  “Okay.”

  Moments later, Doc, Ida, and Skylar made their
way across the backyard with Doc carrying the bag of paper goods.

  ‘Hi, Daddy, Mom.” Cat hugged her parents and looked at Skylar. “I see you talked Grandpa into doing your dirty work.”

  Skylar beamed. “He wanted to carry it.”

  “Guilty as charged,” Doc said.

  Cat took the bag from Doc and handed it back to Skylar. “Okay, you’re off the hook this time. Run these over to the table for me, okay?”

  “All right,” Skylar said as she took the bag.

  Doc draped his arm around Billie’s shoulder. “So how are you, Billie? Does it feel good to be home?”

  “Yes, it does. Cat put me in charge of cooking. She said no one else can cook a burger like me. I guess I’m pretty good at it, huh?”

  “You’ve got that right. No one else indeed.” Doc turned to Cat and raised his eyebrows. “I think I’ll help scout bring the salads out,” he said.

  Cat wrapped her arm around Billie. “You are so bad, Billie Charland.”

  “Who, me?”

  “Yes, you. Oh, good, Fred and Jen are here.” Cat waved her hand. “Jen, over here.”

  Jen approached Cat and hugged her tight. She went to hug Billie and stopped in her tracks.

  “Hi, Jen,” Billie said as she flipped another burger.

  Jen took Cat’s arm to walk a few steps away. “You’re letting her cook?”

  “She insisted,” Cat said.

  “And you expect us to actually eat the burgers?”

  “Come on, Jen. Give her a chance.”

  “If you say so. It’s a good thing we brought extra salads.”

  “Hey, Jen,” Billie called from the grill.

  Jen turned back to Cat. “She’s calling me. Give me a minute and I’ll help set the table.” Jen approached Billie and wrapped her arms around her waist. “Hi, big guy. How are you feeling?”

  “Not bad, actually. I think I could get used to this new life. Maybe it won’t be so bad. I mean, I’ve got a great house, great kids, and Cat is wonderful. Best of all, I feel needed.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, take this cookout for example. Apparently, Cat has always depended on me to do the grilling. I don’t remember much about it, but it seems I’m pretty much a master chef on the grill.”

  “Master chef, huh? Ah… you wouldn’t happen to have any beer or wine, would you?” Jen asked.

  “Sure, in the cooler beside the picnic table. Are you thirsty?”

  “Yeah, that’s it.”

  “Help yourself.”

  “Thanks. I think I’ll give Cat a hand setting the table while I’m over there.” Jen walked directly to Cat. “Oh my God!”

  “What is it?” Cat said.

  “She thinks she’s a master chef on the grill. Holy Shit. I hope her memory comes back before the end of this cookout.”

  Cat laughed. “Come on. I think you’re exaggerating a bit.”

  “Can you say, hockey pucks? That’s like letting Fred cook.”

  “Did I hear my name?” Fred approached Jen and Cat.

  “As a matter of fact, you did,” Jen said. “Look at Billie. She’s cooking.”

  Fred’s eyes opened wide. “Wow, Cat. You’re brave. That’s like letting me cook.”

  “My point, exactly,” Jen said.

  “Maybe I should go help her.”

  “No!” Jen and Cat shouted together.

  “Geesh. Make a guy feel appreciated, why don’t you,” Fred said.

  Cat handed Fred two bottles of beer. “Here, take one of these to Billie.”

  Cat and Jen watched Fred walk away. “Phew, that was close,” Cat said.

  “You got that right.”

  “Okay, let’s get this table set. There are also a few more dishes in the refrigerator, not to mention the condiments and hamburger buns.”

  After a few minutes, Cat and Jen had the table organized. On their way back toward the house, they met Art and Marge coming through the gate.

  “Art, Marge,” Cat said. “Thanks for coming. You remember Jen?”

  “Of course we do,” Marge said.

  “We’re on our way to bring the rest of the food out. There’s beer and soft drinks in the cooler by the picnic table. Help yourself.”

  “I’ll give you a hand,” Marge said.

  “Where’s Billie?” Art asked.

  “She’s grilling.”

  Art looked at Cat like she had antennae growing out of her forehead. “Don’t tell me you’re letting her cook.”

  Jen snickered.

  Cat elbowed Jen in the side. “Come on. Give her a chance. It makes her feel needed.”

  Art grimaced. “I suppose.” He glanced toward the grill and watched her spray the burgers with an exaggerated flourish. “Maybe I can give her a hand.”

  “Good luck with that. She seems to think she’s some sort of gourmet chef or something,” Jen said. “If she had her memory back, she wouldn’t even think of cooking.”

  “You have lots of other food, right?” Art said.

  “My point, exactly,” Jen added.

  Cat looked at Marge. “Is he always like this?”

  “When it comes to food—yes. You have to admit, Billie’s a pretty awful cook.”

  “Well, we’ll just have to make the best of it. Let’s get the rest of the food on the table,” Cat said.

  Billie watched Art cross the yard to join her and Fred at the grill. “Hey, Art. I’m so glad you could come.”

  Art hugged her. “How are you doing, Billie?”

  “I’m doing okay. Getting better every day.”

  “I see you’re feeling well enough to cook. How’s that going?” Art asked.

  Fred snickered, earning him a dirty look from Billie.

  “It’s going well. I hope you’re hungry. We’ve got a lot of food.”

  “Do you need any help with the grilling?”

  “Nope—got it covered. It appears I’m pretty good at it. You could get me another beer though. It’s in the cooler near the picnic table.”

  Cat, Jen, and Marge walked past the grill at that moment, carrying salads, chips, and rolls. Cat winked at Billie on the way by. “How are the burgers coming along?” she asked.

  “They’re just about done. Would you mind getting me a container to put them in?”

  “Sure. Let me get rid of these salads, and I’ll get it for you.”

  “Fred, Uncle Art,” Seth yelled from across the yard, “Grandpa is going to play touch football with us. Do you want to play?”

  Art and Fred looked at Billie. “Go ahead, guys. I wish I could join you, but between these crutches and the fact that my cooking skills are needed at the grill, I’m pretty much stuck here. No reason for you two not to join in on the fun. I’m going to turn the grill on high for a few minutes to finish them off. I’ll let you know when we’re ready to eat.”

  Billie chuckled as they stared at one another with a dismayed look before they hurried away.

  Cat stopped by the grill on her way back to her guests to drop the hamburger tray and a roll of aluminum foil off to Billie.

  “Are you having as much fun playing with their heads as I am?” Cat asked.

  “Oh yeah.” Billie lifted the cover on the grill. “How do they look?”

  “Did you cook them on medium heat and spray them like I said?”

  “Yep. I moved them to the top rack after both sides were browned. I’m just about ready to put cheese on them, then they’ll be ready to go.”

  Cat poked one of the burgers with a fork. Light pink fluid ran out. “They appear to be nice and juicy. Good job.”

  “No hockey pucks this time,” Billie said. “Thanks for helping me out.”

  Cat kissed her. “You’re welcome. Go ahead and shut the grill off and put the cheese on them. Take them off in about five minutes, and I’ll have everything else ready by then.”

  Ten minutes later, Billie, Cat, their children, and all of their friends and family sat around the picnic table. Before they fille
d their plates, Billie rose to her feet and lifted her glass. “I’d like to make a toast.”

  Everyone fell silent as they waited for Billie to speak.

  Cat sat beside her and held her other hand.

  Billie looked at each and every person. “I want to begin by thanking all of you for coming today. Your presence here means more to Cat and me than you can imagine. We’ve worked hard to put on an appetizing spread for you today. Little did I know, I’m apparently the go-to person for backyard grilling. Go figure.” Billie paused and watched the expressions of disbelief on her guests’ faces.

  She struggled to maintain a straight face as she continued. “Anyway, these past several weeks have been very difficult, not only for Cat and me, but for every one of you.” Billie directed her attention to Doc and Ida. “Mom, Dad, what can we say, except we love you and we appreciate you. Doc, if not for your skills I’d either be dead or a vegetable right now. You’ve given my life back to me. Ida, your unwavering support for both Cat and the children has put us eternally in your debt. My mom and dad are no longer with us, but you both have stepped into their shoes and loved me as though I was your own. I love you dearly. Dad, you once said you would be honored to be my father. Well, I’m honored to be your daughter.”

  Ida wiped a tear away and reached for Doc’s hand. Doc raised one eyebrow at Billie as he nodded his head.

  Billie next turned toward Jen and Fred. “Jen, what can I say? While I was in the hospital, Cat told me you are about as close to a sister as I’ll ever have. She was right. I couldn’t love you more if you were related by blood. If ever I had a straight-girl crush, it would be you. You’ve been our rock through this whole ordeal—especially for Cat. I have to admit that the first time you kissed me right on the lips in the hospital, I thought we beeped in the same orbit, if you know what I mean. But in reality, you have the most wonderful and loving heart I’ve ever known, save for Cat. As awful as it may sound, your house fire several years ago was the best thing that ever could have happened to Cat and me. It found us you. It found us this wonderful community we live in. You’ve been our friends and our family. You’ve been surrogate parents to our children. I can’t imagine our lives without you.”