Dawn’s New Day

by TJ Thomas

  “Anyway, my senior year in high school, I met Kevin and we hit it off. I realize now we should have just stayed friends, but it was the deepest connection I’d ever had with a guy. At the end of the school year, he asked me to marry him and I said yes. We were both headed out here to college, and at eighteen it made perfect sense. We got married by the local justice of the peace just before we left for school. We were young and stupid and convinced our connection was love.

  “It didn’t last long. Ironically, two months after we got to college, Kevin realized he was gay. When he told me, I was devastated. But not for the reasons you might think. Strangely, it didn’t matter that he liked men and didn’t want to be married to me anymore. I was okay losing a husband, but I was distraught over losing my best friend.

  “It turned out he felt the same way. So we got divorced and moved into a two-bedroom apartment together. I kept his last name because I liked it better than my birth name, but aside from that we remained great friends. He dated men and so did I.”

  Dawn paused to take a few sips of water. “Anyway, because of that whole situation, I realized I liked being friends with guys. Men are so…uncomplicated. Once we graduated, Kevin followed his dream and went to San Francisco. I moved in with Peter, who is straight but we never dated. I got a job at a bank.” Dawn shrugged. “It was something to do while I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. Not a lot of positions right out of college for someone with a fine arts degree.”

  Cam noticed the first hints of the shadow in Dawn’s eyes.

  “One of the girls at the bank invited me to a party one weekend. I didn’t have any other plans and it sounded like fun, so I went. The music was good and the drinks were strong. I was standing off to the side of the dance floor wishing I knew more people there, so I wouldn’t feel self-conscious dancing. All of the sudden, this woman came up to me and took the drink out of my hand and set it aside. Her eyes sparkled with laughter and she said, ‘Let’s dance.’ I had danced with women in groups of people before, so at first I thought nothing of it. We danced and I enjoyed more than the music.

  “When a slow song started playing, I turned to leave the dance floor. She stopped me and said, ‘What’s your hurry?’ She pulled me to her. At first, I froze. I’d never danced like that with a woman before. But then…then I couldn’t figure out why I never had. It felt so right. We danced for hours. I kept looking forward to the slow songs, so I could hold her again and be held by her. Then toward the end of the night, she pulled me over to a corner and she very softly, very sweetly kissed me. She was nice and patient with me as I figured everything out. It was all so new for me.”

  It wasn’t easy for Cam to remain silent. It was difficult for her to listen to Dawn talk about being in another woman’s arms. But Cam knew how long it had taken Dawn to trust her and she wasn’t going to risk doing anything to mess that up now. “I had never felt like that, ever. The rest of it all happened so naturally. Lori and I started dating, and after a few months she moved in with me and Peter. I was in heaven. I had never been happier in my life. But shortly after she moved in things started to change. At first it was a cutting comment about my appearance or lack of skills at something when nobody was around. She would always say she was joking or play it off in some way. She claimed I should have a thicker skin. My self-esteem plummeted, but of course I was too close to the situation to recognize what was happening.”

  Cam was fully aware of the haunted look that now gripped Dawn’s features, certain the other shoe was about to drop.

  “It escalated. The first time she hit me, she said it was an accident. I know it sounds so clichéd now, but she really seemed deeply sorry. She pampered me for weeks afterward. Then the cycle began. I’m sure you know it. I couldn’t convince myself that it was bad enough to leave. One day, after Lori and I had been dating a little over fifteen months, I got off work earlier than expected. When I got there, I couldn’t find Lori or Peter. Then I did. They were together in Peter’s bed.”

  Dawn’s voice, hollow with emotion, gripped at Cam’s heart. Still, she did nothing. Her only reaction was the clenching of her fists as she felt Dawn’s pain like it was her own. Dawn needed to get this out.

  “I stumbled backward trying to get away from what I saw. That’s when Lori finally noticed I was there. I ran to my room and locked the door. I had no idea what to do next. My world was shattered. Lori had never even been with a guy, and Peter was my best friend. I felt beyond betrayed, like my insides had been ripped out. Lori and Peter apologized through the door. They swore it was the first time it had happened, blamed it on too much alcohol from a drinking game. I have no idea if any of that is true and it didn’t matter. After a while, I stopped listening. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I turned on the stereo to drown out their voices. Finally, I had a reason to leave. She cheated on me. Nobody had to know the rest.

  “Still, I felt lost and alone. There was only one place I could think to go. So, I packed a few clothes and the things that were important to me and headed for Ali’s. I got as far as the stairs…that’s where things get confusing. I was at the top of the stairs…suddenly, Lori was there and she grabbed my arm, I think. I don’t know. I honestly don’t. I don’t know whether I pulled away from her and slipped or whether she pushed me, but whatever the cause, I fell down the stairs. I woke up two days later in the hospital with a concussion, a broken leg, and lots of bumps and bruises. I was lucky it wasn’t worse. My parents and Ali were there, but so was Lori.

  “My family didn’t know what had happened and assumed I’d want her there. I didn’t want to look at her. As soon as she left the room, I told them I didn’t want her there and my dad made her leave. She wasn’t family and she had no legal standing as my ‘girlfriend.’ The hospital wouldn’t let her in to see me after that. When I explained what had happened, Dad and Ali went to get my things. Lori gave them an earful of apologies and kept saying my fall was an accident. She tried to convince them that if she could just talk to me we could sort it all out. They told her it would be up to me if and when I reached out and that she should let me be. Once I was well enough to travel, I flew back to my parents’ farm to recuperate. Lori tried to get in touch with me for days. She left voice mails. She even called Ali. Luckily, she didn’t have my parents’ number and nobody told her that’s where I was. All of her messages were more of the same. ‘I made a mistake. It will never happen again. Please forgive me.’ All the things she’d said before. This time I was strong enough or removed enough from the situation to see the truth. Eventually, I had enough and finally responded. I sent her an email that said, ‘I don’t ever want to talk to you again. Leave me alone.’

  “I blamed myself for a long time. What did I do wrong? Why didn’t I see it coming? What if I had been better? My self-esteem was gone. I know that is what they do. They break you down. They isolate you. Hell, we lived with Peter and he didn’t know what was happening. She hid it that well. I know it wasn’t my fault, but…sometimes I still wonder what I could have done differently.”

  Cam reached out to put her hands on Dawn’s, which were ice cold. She waited until Dawn lifted her eyes. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”

  Dawn wasn’t sure what reaction she’d been expecting, but this quiet comfort touched her more than she anticipated.

  “I’m sure telling me all that was exhausting. Do you need anything?”

  “That’s really sweet, but I think if we can just sit here for a little while and enjoy the yard and the weather, I’d really like that.”

  “You got it.”

  Dawn wasn’t sure how long they sat there, but the silence was comfortable and easy. Cam seemed content to simply sit with her and enjoy the day. Eventually, Dawn said, “I guess we should get back to the yard.”

  “Never mind about that,” Cam said. “You’ve had a hard day. Let me walk you home and I’ll finish this yard work tomorrow. You can help then if you want.”

  Dawn nodded. She was exhausted from recountin
g the pain of her past. “I don’t even know why I waited so long to tell you. It’s not like what you had to go through with Melanie.”

  “No, it’s not. She didn’t choose to betray or hurt me. You were lied to, abused, and cheated on. It wasn’t easy to lose Mel, but I know it wasn’t her fault. You don’t have to apologize for not telling me your story sooner. You told me when you were comfortable. I see it still hurts you.” Cam made sure Dawn got safely inside. “I’ll be home all day if you need anything.”

  “Thanks. I think I’m just going to shower and lie down for a while.”

  “Okay.”

  *****

  When Dawn stepped from the shower and towel-dried her hair, she realized she wouldn’t be able to sleep. Still in her bathrobe, she poured a glass of lemonade and went into the backyard hoping the serenity of her gardens would help her regain balance. The sun was sinking quickly; it would be dark soon. Dawn had heard Cam work out before and recognized the sounds. But something was different this time. The cadence was off. Curious, she made her way through her gate and into Cam’s yard.

  She tried to get Cam’s attention by calling her name. She could tell something was wrong. Cam was attacking the heavy bag. She pummeled the bag like she fought for her life. Dawn knew to the core of her being that Cam would never intentionally hurt her, but she was afraid if she touched Cam she might get a fist in the gut for it. She moved into Cam’s line of sight.

  Cam stopped punching the bag, breathing hard, and drenched in sweat. “Hey. What’s wrong?”

  “That’s what I was coming to ask you. Who were you trying to kill just now?”

  She shrugged. “Lori mostly since I had a face to focus on, but also Peter.”

  Dawn was touched beyond words. Without thinking, she moved close to Cam and took her hands. When Cam flinched, she looked down. She rubbed her thumbs over Cam’s red knuckles. She just stopped herself before bringing them to her lips. “Thank you.” She reached up and laid her hand against Cam’s flushed cheek. “I’m not looking for a white knight or a protector. I’m not looking for someone to kill them, but it means a lot that you want to. Let’s go get some ice on these hands.”

  As she entered the kitchen, Dawn crossed to the freezer and took out the ice bucket. She indicated the stools at the bar. “Come sit over here.” Dawn searched through drawers until she found the kitchen towels. She took out four. In two she placed enough ice to cover Cam’s knuckles. She carried it all over and wrapped each of the ice-filled towels around Cam’s injured hands.

  Dawn mumbled “sorry” when Cam winced. She secured the icepacks to Cam’s hands with the extra towels. Dawn had been so engaged in her immediate task that only at that moment did she realize how she and Cam were both dressed. Cam had taken her shirt off at some point and sat in her shorts and sports bra. She stared at Cam’s bare midriff, slick with sweat, and peered down at her own robe knowing there was nothing underneath. Blood rushed to her cheeks. Her first aid ministrations put her between Cam’s legs. Too close.

  She knew she should back away, but couldn’t make her feet work. She didn’t want to move. She had wanted Cam for months. She didn’t want to over analyze it anymore. She was tired of denying it, she just wanted…Her gaze wandered up Cam’s nearly naked body, over the strong thighs and lean hips, over the flushed skin of her torso, up her small tight breasts, the nipples stiff peaks straining against the sports bra, to the rapid pulsing of her neck. When her eyes finally landed on Cam’s, she fell into the deep blue pools of lust and longing.

  “Dawn?” Cam’s voice was hoarse, ragged, and tight.

  “Hmm?” Dawn was having trouble maintaining a coherent thought she was so distracted by the wash of desire pulsing through her.

  “You need to leave.”

  Dawn winced, stung by Cam’s words. “What? Why?”

  Cam licked her lips that had gone dry as Dawn focused on them. “Because if you don’t, I’m afraid I might break a promise I made to you.”

  Dawn met Cam’s tortured gaze steadily. “What if that’s exactly what I want you to do?”

  Cam swallowed hard. “Then you better tell me right now.”

  “How about I show you?” Dawn bent her head and claimed Cam’s lips with her own.

  There was nothing gentle about the kiss. It was hungry and demanding, and Cam was overcome with the arousal that flooded through her. It took a second to realize this was happening. Her brain kicked in just long enough for her to realize actually touching Dawn was infinitely better than any of the many fantasies she had concocted over the past few months. She needed to get in the game. She shook the towels off her hands, paying no attention as ice scattered all over the floor. With her hands now free, she plunged them into Dawn’s hair and let the soft, lush feel of her flaming red locks center her.

  Cam wanted to go slow and gentle to show Dawn she was cherished, but they were past that point. The lust she saw in Dawn’s eyes almost sent her over the edge all by itself. She slid her hands down Dawn’s back and settled on her hips. She gently pushed her back a step, never breaking the kiss. The space gave her room to slide off the stool. She pulled the tie of Dawn’s robe free and moved her hands to the smooth, alabaster skin of Dawn’s hips once more before sliding to cup her beautifully tight ass. She hitched Dawn up into her arms where Dawn’s leg automatically wrapped around Cam’s hips.

  The pressure this caused on Dawn’s pulsing center as it connected with Cam’s naked stomach made Dawn moan in pleasure. She broke the kiss long enough to look into Cam’s eyes. She saw the desire and heat she expected but there was more. There was wariness, worry, and uncertainty. She had never seen anything like it in Cam’s eyes before, and she was sorry to see it now. “Please.” Dawn had to clear her throat it was so tight with need. “Please, Cam, take me to bed. I need to feel you.”

  The uncertainty fled from Cam’s eyes and Dawn almost cried out in joy. A steely determination now glinted in Cam’s eyes as she walked them to the bedroom, Dawn still in her arms. When they reached the side of the bed, Cam gently set Dawn on her feet. Then she pushed the robe off her shoulders and let it pool on the floor at their feet.

  Sensing Cam’s hesitation, Dawn took things into her own hands. She freed Cam’s breast from the sports bra and took a nipple into her mouth. Cam gasped at the contact and her hips thrust forward automatically seeking more of Dawn’s touch. Dawn licked and sucked Cam’s tight, hard nipples. She managed to spin Cam around and tugged off her shorts before pushing her back onto the bed. She followed, climbing on top of Cam.

  As their naked bodies made full contact, both of them moaned. Dawn took advantage of their position and kissed Cam fiercely. With her leg between Cam’s thighs, she felt the heat and wetness at her center. Dawn thrilled as Cam opened herself, holding nothing back. She wasted no time, shifting slightly so her hand had free access and slid it down Cam’s glistening torso over her tight abs, into the dark curls at the base of her stomach, through the slick folds, and she thrust two fingers deep inside. Cam bucked her hips in shocked pleasure and her mouth opened with a strangled, “Oh my God!”

  Dawn pulled her fingers almost out and plunged them in again. Dawn stroked Cam’s clit with her thumb while she buried her fingers deeper with each thrust. It only took moments before Cam’s entire body tensed and her pleasure exploded, coating Dawn’s hand. Her body bent in two and she cried out, “Yes, Dawn, yes.” Cam sank back on the bed, completely spent. Dawn left her fingers inside until Cam’s body finished pulsing around them.

  Then she slowly slipped them out and kissed Cam’s cheek, forehead, and closed eyes, before placing her lips to Cam’s mouth. Cam groaned and opened her mouth to give Dawn access. It was a tender kiss, a wonderful but stark contrast to the frantic lovemaking of moments before. Dawn ended the kiss, shifted, and laid her head on Cam’s shoulder. She flung her leg over Cam’s and snuggled in. She smiled when Cam’s arms came around her, keeping her close. She had no words to describe how she was feeling. All she could do was hol
d on. She closed her eyes and listened as Cam’s breathing slowed and she drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Cam’s eyes flew open. She was instantly fully awake. Her body was on fire. All she could see was a curtain of red hair as Dawn was bent over her torso paying special attention to her breasts. Her clit throbbed as she felt Dawn’s fingers languidly stroking her center. She hissed in air and expelled it forcefully. “Jesus, Dawn.”

  Dawn glanced up and met her eyes, the hunger in her eyes was almost Cam’s undoing. With a lustful smile, Dawn moved down Cam’s body and took her slick, wet folds into her mouth. Cam bucked her hips and she came instantly. Dawn licked and sucked while she slid two fingers inside Cam. Her body writhed and she flailed her arms trying to find something to hold on to as pleasure tore through her. Cam gripped the sheet as her body raced to another orgasm. “Fuuuuuck!”

  Dawn tenderly kissed her way back up Cam’s body as it settled. She laid her full weight on top of Cam and sucked Cam’s bottom lip into her own. She lifted her head to meet Cam’s eyes. “Good morning.”

  “Yes, it is,” Cam said, satiation lacing every word.

  Cam slid her hands into Dawn’s hair pushing it back from her face and pulled her down for a long, hot kiss. Dawn shifted so she was straddling Cam’s leg. As she pressed against her thigh, Cam felt the wet heat of Dawn’s arousal. She lifted her thigh increasing the pressure and thrilled at Dawn’s moan of pleasure. Just as quickly, she lowered her leg, and as Dawn was gasping at the loss of contact, she moved her hand between them to cup Dawn’s center. Dawn ground into her. Dawn held on to Cam’s shoulders. “Fuck me. Fuck me, Cam. I need to feel you inside me.”

  Cam moved her fingers that had been stroking Dawn and drove them inside her. Dawn automatically adjusted so she could take Cam in farther and her hips thrust up and down as Cam pushed and pulled, in and out, in and out. When Dawn’s body went rigid as she gathered on the edge, Cam pumped into her once, twice, three more times, and she fell off the cliff. The orgasm ripped through her, and all she could do was hold on to Cam until it subsided. Then she collapsed in a satisfied heap burrowing her face into Cam’s shoulder. Cam lazily stroked Dawn’s back.