"It's not easy, but it's necessary. Both for you and me."
“Take your time.”
"Okay. I guess I'll give you a quick summary. A lot of what is driving me was the fact that I didn't want to turn into my dad. I didn't want to be a cheater who ruined a good relationship. That's why I didn't want to leave Tracy. I believed I could undo what I did."
Allison scoffed. “It’s funny how we lie to ourselves. Deep down I thought if I could make a relationship with her work, then I wouldn’t be exactly like my dad. Anyway, that was why I wanted to be with Tracy. But there was another side to things. I loved you, but I couldn’t commit to you. And that’s because I didn’t want to turn into my mom.”
Kate cocked her head. “I don’t get it.”
“Patience, little monster,” Allison teased. “I’m getting to that. After the divorce, my mom never really got into another serious relationship. I saw her try, but nothing ever stuck. I heard her say one time if she knew what she did now, she would have fought for her relationship with my father.
"Before the incident, Tracy told me things between us weren't where they should have been. I was putting in the minimum effort and was pleased with that. I think deep down I wanted to be with someone. I didn't want to end up like my mom, because who knew if the relationship I left would have been my last one. I couldn't commit to you because I was scared if I let things with Tracy go, and things between us ended, then I would end up like my mom. I didn't want to be alone, so I held on to what I had. I've done that in most of my relationships. Most of the time I didn't jump ship until I had another prospect, which I know is horrible."
"Wow." Kate exhaled. "You went deep."
"I had to. The amount of damage I caused in the last few months forced me to wake up to the fact that I was living with some serious dysfunction. That's the reason I left. I wanted to build myself into a strong woman. One you could see yourself loving again."
Kate’s heart skipped a beat. “Are you saying… you want to be with me?”
“I never stopped loving you, Kate, but I wanted to become someone you could trust. The only way that could happen was if I could learn to trust myself. That’s why I had to leave. I’m not perfect, but I understand myself a lot more, and I’m willing to do the work to earn your trust again. I love you, Kate, and if you let me, I want to prove to you I can be the partner you’ve always wanted.”
A tear slipped down Kate’s cheek. A warmth spread over her body as the sense of loss and sadness she’d carried over the last few months melted away. Kate had been wrong. Allison truly did love her, maybe even more than she ever thought. Allison could have returned to Kate, but she wanted better for their relationship. Allison had done all this work to be with Kate and earn her trust. She hadn't shown up with dozens of bouquets of roses or some other grand gesture. She'd returned with a gift that would keep on giving.
At that moment, Kate pushed her pride and ego to the side. Yes, she could make Allison sweat it out, or embrace fear, and watch for signs that she could fully trust her again, but Kate didn't want to do any of that. She knew what it felt like to merely exist. She wanted to live.
“I love you, too,” she croaked. “Thank you for coming back to me.”
Kate quickly moved to the couch and pulled Allison in for a searing kiss. Within seconds, Allison’s lips parted, granting Kate entrance, and their tongues caressed. This wasn't about arousing each other or seeking dominance. This was a reconnection of two souls that had been separated and never felt happier.
Kate let her hands run freely over Allison's sides, occasionally dipping to caress her shapely bottom. The gentle exploration felt better than anything she'd ever done with anyone and even better than any intimacy they'd shared before.
There was nothing illicit about this encounter. Kate was merely showing Allison that she loved her, and the almost reverent way Allison's hand stroked her cheek, and the cute little noises she made as she hummed told Kate that Allison was as glad to have rekindled their romance as she was.
Kate ended the embrace and rested her forehead against Allison’s. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I can’t believe you forgave me so quickly.”
“I already had deep down. How could I love you and not?”
Allison smiled. “Do you remember when I told you I always felt something was missing from my life?”
“Mm-hmm.”
"Well, I'd never felt so lost or empty as when I ended things between us. I had so much, but it felt like so little. Sitting here, I don't feel like I miss a thing. I don't have a job or a lot of friends, but I feel happier and more fulfilled than I ever have in my life. That's because with you, I have everything I need."
“I feel the same, and I can’t wait for a lifetime with you.”
With those words, Kate got up and led Allison to her bedroom. They made love slowly, baring their souls to one another. Kate had never felt as complete and satisfied as she did whenever Allison repeated the words, “I love you” over and over again.
Later as Kate lay on her back with Allison curled up against her fast asleep, she smiled to herself.
I'd re-live the last four months if it meant I'd be here with Allison like this. Thank God I don't have to. I've got true love, and I'm not letting it go.
17
"I'll be sure to let you know the moment I’m in the US," Leanna Gallagher said calmly over the phone connection to Italy. "Making sure small towns not only survive but thrive is important to me."
Allison pumped a fist in the air. "That's why you were the first person I approached with this idea," she said, forcing the excitement out of her voice. In truth, it had taken a lot of schmoozing even to get Leanna's direct contact details. She didn't want to let her desperation and elation show.
“I’d be happy to meet you anywhere you like.”
“Seeing as we’re going to be partnering in creating a community center for Rose Lake, why don’t we meet there?”
“That would be amazing.”
The sliding door to the curved balcony that Allison stood on opened, and she turned around to watch her girlfriend step out in a fitted red dress that showed off her modest curves in the most flattering way. While she still thought Kate was sexy in a t-shirt and jeans after three years together, Allison loved to see her girlfriend in something a little more revealing.
Allison smiled. "There are some amazing local business owners I would love to introduce you to."
Kate's eyebrows shot up, and she mouthed the words "Leanna Gallagher?" Allison nodded, and her heart warmed as Kate rushed to her side. The younger woman pressed her ear against the phone and wrapped an arm around her girlfriend's waist.
When Allison had first brought up the idea of starting an architectural firm two and a half years ago, Kate had been more than supportive. When Allison had suggested the name Carrison, which combined both her and her girlfriend's last names, Kate had vowed to be a good business partner and had more than kept her word. Allison had to do some traveling for work, and Kate couldn't always come along because Patsy's Bakery, which now had an extension above the old building, was doing better than ever. Kate and Jamie had a staff of six working under them. Their responsibilities running a sizable bakery which offered baking classes as well meant Allison and Kate spent their fair share of time apart.
But it was all worth it because both women were happy and fulfilled. Also, the sex when they finally reconnected was off the charts.
I’m so damn lucky.
"I love that idea," Leanna responded. "To be honest, your proposal came to me at the perfect time. I need to sink my teeth into something more meaningful right now. While the manufacturing business can be lucrative, it can be quite dull. Thank you, Ms. Carver."
"Please, it's Allison. I would love nothing more than to partner with someone truly passionate about what we are trying to do here in Rose Lake."
“Sounds like a perfect match to me. Let’s stay in touch until we can meet in person. I lov
ed all of the sketches you sent, and I’d like to bounce some ideas off you.”
“Awesome! You have a wonderful day, Ms. Gallagher.”
“Leanna. Enjoy your evening, Allison.”
As soon as Allison hung up, Kate pulled her into a fierce hug and peppered kisses all over her cheeks. “You did it!”
"Whoa there," Allison said, leaning to look up into Kate's eyes. "Leanna is merely attached to the project now. We still haven't talked about budget and finer details."
“Didn’t you give her projections in the proposal you sent?”
“I did, but every investor wants to cut costs where possible. This isn’t exactly a moneymaking venture for her. I’m pretty sure she’ll be no different.”
Kate shrugged. "I don't care if we don't get everything we wanted. We're going to have a fancy new community center in Rose Lake, and that's all thanks to you."
"And you. You're the one who gave me the idea, remember?"
“I do,” Kate said her voice soft. “I love that we’ve got a thing.”
Allison chuckled. “I’d call running a business together more than a thing.”
"You do most of the work; I just cheer you on."
Allison hummed and rested her head against her girlfriend’s shoulder. “You’re my chief cheerleader officer.”
“And your chief plus one. Don’t forget that.”
Allison lifted a finger to trace lazy patterns across Kate’s collar bone, gently dipping into her cleavage. “I love seeing you all dressed up.”
“And I love what we do after events like this. Why do you think my dresses are getting more and more daring?”
Allison disengaged and gaped at Kate, whose blue eyes sparkled with mischief. “You little minx! You were teasing me from across the room when I was talking to Mr. Ali tonight, weren’t you?”
“Just revving your engine for later. Nothing wrong with that, is there?”
Allison scoffed. “You know damn well there is. How am I supposed to pitch Carrison to new clients when I’m all hot and bothered? That is the primary reason we come to these house openings, you know.”
Kate bit her lip and let her eyes roam up and down Allison's body. Her gaze was scorching, and Allison's breath hitched when Kate surged forward to flick her earlobe with her tongue. "Let's get out of here."
A delicious shiver ran down Allison's spine, and moisture leaked to her underwear. She really should stick around for at least another hour, but she couldn't deny herself when Kate was in such a mood. The hunger in the brunette's eyes told Allison she was in for a marathon night.
“God, I love you,” she said.
Kate's eyes softened as she peered down at her, her heels making their height difference more pronounced. "I love you, too. Now say your goodbyes. I'm giving you five minutes to get to the car. For every minute you're late, I'll keep you on the cusp of orgasm."
Allison squealed when Kate slapped her bottom gently and quickly re-entered the home she had designed for the Danvers. A few people tried to draw her into conversations, but she politely told them she had to leave and handed out her business cards. Within four minutes, she had made her way to the car.
“You’ve got forty-five minutes to get us home,” Allison said. “For every minute you’re late, I’ll keep you on the cusp of climax.”
Kate smirked. “That’s not much of a challenge.”
Allison slipped her hand between her girlfriend’s thighs and started inching upward. “It is now.”
THE END
Another love story awaits you in Outlaw Dragon.
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Love Me True (Small Town Romances Book 5) Page 12