Lightning Strykes

by Sherryl Hancock

  Remington rolled to her back, pulling Wynter over her as she gasped for breath. Wynter lay against Remington’s chest, her head against the hollow of Remington’s shoulder.

  “Well, that’s a first,” Remington said, grinning.

  “What is?” Wynter asked, glancing over at Remington.

  “Doing that out here,” Remington said.

  “Really?” Wynter asked, looking surprised. “I’d have thought it would have been one of your signature moves,” she said, winking at Remington.

  Remington glanced over at her. “Out in the open, on my parent’s farm?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at Wynter.

  “I guess not,” Wynter said, looking contrite, but her eyes sparkled mischievously.

  “And you like that you got me to do it, don’t you?” Remington said, her eyes narrowed slightly, even as a grin played at her lips.

  “Oh hell yes!” Wynter exclaimed, grinning.

  Remington shook her head slowly. “You’re going to be trouble for me, I just know it…”

  “Aren’t I already?” Wynter asked.

  Remington nodded. “Yes, you have been,” she said, smiling, “but it’s worth it.”

  “Bon,” Wynter said, widening her eyes.

  “Trey byen,” Remington said.

  After a while, they decided to start back because it looked like it was getting ready to snow, according to Remington. Remington helped Wynter up onto Satan first, then pulled herself up behind Wynter, putting her arms around her to hold the reins. Wynter laid her head on Remington’s shoulder, thoroughly enjoying the feel of Remington’s body surrounding hers, and rested her hands on either of Remington’s thighs. It was a very sensual feeling. Wynter unconsciously rubbed her hands up and down on Remington’s thighs, her eyes closed as she remembered what they’d done earlier. She felt Remington’s hand brush against her breast and breathed heavier at the excitement that stirred in her. She pressed back against Remington, her hands grasping at Remington’s thighs.

  Remington felt Wynter’s hands on her thighs, and felt her press back against her, and suddenly she couldn’t think, her body was alive with sensations. This woman was going to drive her insane, she knew it! She turned Satan away from the direction of home, knowing that there was no way she was getting close to home in this state. Tying the reins off on the pommel and giving Satan his head, she slid her arms around Wynter’s body, her head bent to kiss her neck. Wynter’s hands slid higher on her thighs, coming together to touch Remington as Remington’s thumbs brushed up over hard nipples. Minutes later another first occurred, for each of them. For Wynter it was being made love to on a horse, and for Remington it was making love to a woman on a horse.

  The snow was just starting to fall as they both reached their release.

  “Great, we’re going to die out here in the snow,” Remington muttered, as she nuzzled Wynter’s neck.

  “If I gotta die, I’ll go this way, happily,” Wynter said, grinning, her hands sliding over Remington’s hands that were around her waist.

  “Let’s actually get back now, though,” Remington said, grinning. “I really don’t want to have to explain to my father why he had to send out a search party on his own land…”

  Wynter laughed at that comment.

  Chapter 8

  Thanksgiving dawned at the LaRoché house. Wynter woke in Remington’s arms and snuggled closer to her. Remington stirred and opened her eyes, looking at Wynter.

  “Bonjou,” Remington said, as Wynter found she did whenever they woke together.

  “Bonjou,” Wynter replied.

  “Are you ready for today?” Wynter asked then.

  Remington smiled. “Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked.

  “I’m just thinking you’re going to have to spend the day explaining to your family why you’re dating me,” Wynter said, her voice belying the concern she really had.

  “Well, that’ll be easy,” Remington said.

  “Really?” Wynter asked, her blue eyes sparkling in the morning sunlight.

  “Yes,” Remington said, nodding, “I’ll just tell them to take one look at you.”

  Wynter narrowed her eyes at Remington, but then smiled. “Smart answer there, Remi.”

  “And the truth,” Remington said, her look soft. “So when do I get to see this dress?”

  “When I put it on later,” Wynter replied primly.

  “Okay,” Remington said, shaking her head. “Let’s go grab some breakfast and find out when everyone is supposed to get here.”

  They got up, pulling on clothes, managing to avoid kissing too much in the process. They’d discovered that when they started kissing, it was when they got themselves in most of the trouble. It wasn’t always the case, but it tended to be the fastest way to cause the fire to start between them. They grinned like kids at each other as they walked down the stairs together.

  In the kitchen, Delphine was already working on the turkey.

  Remington walked over to her mother, hugging her and kissing her on the cheek. “Pase yon bon jou Aksyondegras,” she said.

  “Pase yon bon jou Aksyondegras, ou two,” Delphine replied. “Happy Thanksgiving, Wynter,” she said smiling over at Wynter.

  Wynter looked at Remington. “How do I say that again?” she asked.

  “Pase yon bon,” Remington said.

  “Pase yon bon,” Wynter repeated, nodding.

  “Jou Aksyondegras,” Remington said then.

  “Jou Aksyondegras,” Wynter repeated.

  “Let’s hear it,” Remington said.

  “Pase yon bon jou Aksyondegras,” Wynter said, grimacing hoping she was getting it right.

  Delphine clapped, nodding her head. “Trey byen!” she exclaimed. “You are a natural!”

  Wynter smiled, innately pleased by Remington’s mother’s praise. “Mèsi,” she said.

  “There is coffee, and there are sweet rolls in the oven, Remington,” Delphine told her daughter.

  Wynter leaned on the counter, looking over at what Delphine was doing, not seeing what she was used to seeing with the preparation of a turkey.

  “Is this a Haitian way of doing the turkey?” Wynter asked.

  “Wi, we use bell peppers, garlic, lime juice, coconut milk,” she said, holding different things up.

  “Ohhh… that sounds so good,” Wynter said, smiling.

  Remington glanced at her mother and saw the approving nod she gave. Lissette had been right, her parents did like Wynter. She poured coffee for Wynter, handing it to her with the cream and sugar that she knew she liked in her coffee.

  “Do you want a roll?” Remington asked, knowing that Wynter didn’t always eat much for breakfast.

  “Sure,” Wynter said, nodding.

  In the end, Wynter sat at the breakfast bar watching Delphine prepare the turkey the entire time, asking questions and tasting things that Delphine handed her to try. Remington wandered out onto the patio, sitting down to smoke. Wynter noticed Remington had left the room, and she looked around until she located her. Seeing her sitting on the back patio, she smiled fondly.

  “I see that smile…” Delphine said slyly.

  Wynter looked back at Delphine, her blue eyes shining as she did.

  “She’s so much more relaxed here,” Wynter told Delphine. “I like seeing her this way.”

  “She is happy with you,” Delphine said. “It blesses my soul to see it.”

  Wynter smiled softly. “And I am so happy with her,” she said. “She is so… different from what I am used to.”

  “Different how?” Delphine asked. Then she grimaced slightly. “I’m sorry, if it is okay for me to ask.”

  “It’s totally okay,” Wynter said, her eyes trailing back over to Remington. “She’s so calm, so smart, so patient, and so gallant.” She shook her head, her look wondrous. “She treats me with so much care and tenderness, I didn’t think that was ever possible with someone.”

  “Remington was raised to respect women, when we realized that she wasn�
�t like other girls, Andre knew he needed to instill in her the teachings traditionally reserved for our young men… I believe it has served her well.”

  “You are very right about that,” Wynter said. “She is the most gentlemanly person I’ve ever met, and it’s so ingrained in her, she’s amazing.”

  Delphine smiled, looking very pleased by what she was hearing. She reached over the counter, taking Wynter’s hand in hers.

  “I hope that you and Remington have a long relationship. I believe that you are very good for my daughter, as it sounds like she is good for you. Andre and I very much approve of your relationship,” she said, then rolled her eyes. “I know that is a very old-fashioned thing to say in this day and age, but it is true.”

  Wynter looked pensive for a moment. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Of course,” Delphine said.

  “It’s about Remi, and if it’s not something that I should ask, please tell me.”

  “Go on,” Delphine encouraged.

  “Did you approve of other girls she’s dated? I mean the ones that you know?” Wynter asked, thinking she was probably about to be told to mind her own business.

  Delphine looked thoughtful for a moment, then she shook her head. “It is not that we didn’t approve of them, it was that they did not make her happy, as you do. She was more restless and tense when she was with others.”

  Wynter bit her lip, nodding. She looked over at Remington again, thinking that nothing was dissuading her from falling head over heels for this woman. She sighed softly. Delphine heard it and felt her heart swell.

  Later that day as guests started to arrive, Remington stood at the windows of her room looking out as people arrived. She wore dove-gray slacks that fit perfectly, outlining her legs and butt nicely, and a bright white button up shirt, with a tailored gray sports jacket that nipped in at the waist. At her throat, she wore a black leather cord with a silver and black dog tag style pendant with a fleur-de-lis on it, and her black leather Phillippe Patek watch. She also wore black leather dress boots with a two-inch heel on them. She heard heels on the floor behind her and grinned.

  “Am I allowed to look now?” she asked.

  “Yes,” Wynter said.

  Remington turned around and was sure that her heart skipped a beat. Wynter stood wearing a cream-colored vintage 1920s dress with an Art Deco pattern done in gold sequins and pearl beads. The dress stopped just above her knees and her tanned skin glowing against the material. Her hair was pulled back in a clip that closely matched the colors and style of the dress, and she wore strappy heels the same color as the dress. Her makeup was light, but done in a way that made her blue eyes stand out, and her cheeks and lips glow.

  “Oh my God you are so beautiful…” Remington breathed, her eyes reflecting her awe.

  Wynter smiled, walking over to Remington, sliding her hand up the lapel of her jacket.

  “And you look so handsome, it’s unreal… You just get sexier and sexier…” she said, her eyes shining.

  Remington reached out, touching Wynter on the chin, and taking a step closer, she leaned down kissing her softly on the lips.

  “I will be so proud to call you mine today,” Remington said reverently.

  Wynter couldn’t believe how good it felt to hear that from Remington.

  “And I am yours, Remi,” Wynter said. “So completely yours.”

  Remington’s eyes stared down into hers as her thumb brushed back and forth on her cheek. Moving forward, she took Wynter into her arms, hugging her close and feeling so good at that moment, she had no words to describe it. Instead, she simply held Wynter against her caressing Wynter’s back.

  Wynter stood in Remington’s arms, and pressed her face against her jacket, thoroughly enjoying the embrace. She closed her eyes and breathed in Remington’s scent, and felt the strength of her arms around her. At that moment, Wynter felt like the luckiest woman alive.

  When they finally parted, Remington reached down, taking Wynter’s hand to lead her out of the room. At the top of the split stairs, Remington paused looking around at the family members milling about. She glanced at Wynter, who looked terrified suddenly. Remington pulled Wynter back to her chest, and holding her from behind. She lowered her head, putting her head down by Wynter’s ear.

  “They will all love you because you are the most incredible woman I’ve ever met…” she told Wynter, her voice a soft whisper against her ear.

  Some members of Remington’s family spotted them and started nudging each other. Many of them watched as Wynter turned in Remington’s arms to look up at her, putting her hand to Remington’s heart as she had at the concert the night she’d thanked her. Everyone recognized the gesture and fell in love with Wynter Kincade in that moment.

  “Uh…” Remington murmured, as she noticed the hushed silence and glanced behind Wynter.

  Once again, Wynter turned in Remington’s arms and looked down at the group gathered below. The picture that they made in that moment, with Wynter’s cream dress, long flowing dark hair, and bright blue eyes standing in front of Remington’s taller broader frame, in her dove-gray suit, crisp white shirt and her hands on Wynter’s waist, was something no one would ever forget. Someone in the group had the good sense to take a picture.

  “Get down here girl!” called one of Remington’s uncles, making everyone laugh, including Remington and Wynter.

  Remington took Wynter’s hand and led her the rest of the way down the stairs and began introducing her to family members. Each and every family member was so kind to Wynter that she felt like she’d been worried for no reason at all. Remington never left her side, keeping her hand at Wynter’s back, or her arm around her shoulders, or her hand in hers. Remington also frequently leaned over to kiss her lips softly, or kiss her cheek, or temple, or to whisper something in her ear. Wynter felt completely special the entire day, she’d never felt so loved and accepted.

  At one point, Remington took her over to meet Justine, her other sister.

  “Wynter, this is Justine, Jus this is Wynter,” Remington said, smiling.

  Justine had green eyes and brown hair. She was small like Lissette; it seemed that Remington had inherited their father’s height, since Andre was almost six feet.

  “It’s really lovely to meet you,” Justine said. “Lissette’s been talking non-stop about you since you got here,” she said smiling. “She’s right, you really are much prettier in person.”

  Wynter smiled. “Thank you. You and Lissette are just as beautiful, like your mother.”

  “Mèsi,” Justine said.

  Wynter looked to Remington, who seemed to read her mind. “Byenvini,” she supplied for ‘you’re welcome.’

  “Byenvini,” Wynter said. “I’m practicing my Creole.”

  Justine smiled warmly. “And doing well,” she said.

  Later they were sitting talking to one of Remington’s oldest aunts, Wilamena.

  “You have such a beautiful voice, dear,” she said holding Wynter’s hand in both of hers.

  “Mèsi,” Wynter said, smiling.

  The older woman’s eyes widened, looking up at Remington.

  “Li se trè bon, wi? She is very good, yes?” Remington said, translating for Wynter.

  “Wi, trey byen,” the older woman said, nodding at Wynter.

  “I’m trying to learn,” Wynter said. “Remi is a very good teacher.”

  “She learns by me forgetting myself and speaking Creole all the time,” Remington said, smiling.

  “Like that night you spoke to her when she fell,” Remington’s aunt said, grasping Remington’s hand. “You were so gallant, Remington, so very gallant. We were very proud of you that night for sure,” she said, her dark eyes sparkling proudly.

  “Mèsi, matant,” Remington said, smiling fondly.

  “Matant?” Wynter asked.

  “It means aunt,” Remington told her.

  “Matant,” Wynter repeated, testing out the word.

  “So smart!” R
emington’s aunt said. “You should marry this one, Remington!” she proclaimed. “When else are you going to find a woman who is not only beautiful, smart, and talented, but also with a love of your culture?”

  Remington looked back at her aunt, surprised by what she’d said. She looked at Wynter and saw that Wynter was simply smiling softly at her aunt. It was something Remington thought about the rest of the day.

  Later that evening, after dinner, Remington and Wynter sat by the fireplace with many of the family members still chatting and drinking wine. Remington had removed her jacket and laid it on the back of the couch, rolling up the sleeves of her white shirt. They sat on the wood floor. Wynter had taken off her shoes and they sat next to the couch. Remington had her knees up and Wynter was sitting between them, her legs curled under her demurely. Remington had her arms around her as she leaned against Remington’s chest her head on Remington’s shoulder.

  Justine was sitting with their parents and looked over at them. She nudged her mother, who nudged, Andre. The three watched Remington and Wynter avidly. They made such a handsome couple, it was almost impossible not to watch them. They were talking about something, Remington’s head was bent saying something and Wynter smiled, shaking her head then said something in return. As they talked their fingers intertwined, and Wynter put her other hand to their joined hands, touching Remington’s fingers affectionately, even as they continued to talk. At one point, Remington threw her head back, laughing. It was a warm, rich sound and it made Delphine, Andre, and Justine smile. The family definitely approved of Wynter Kincade.

  Later, Remington and Wynter lay in bed, each on their side facing each other. Remington’s arm was under Wynter’s neck, her hand coming around to stroke back and forth on Wynter’s forehead as they talked.

  “My family absolutely adores you,” Remington said smiling.

  “Your family is awesome, Remi,” Wynter said, her eyes glowing with happiness. “I’ve never been around so many nice people before in my life.”

  “That’s ’cause you’ve lived in Los Angeles your whole life,” Remington said, winking at her.