by L. T. Marie
“You know as well as I do any law that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation, race, or gender is ethically wrong. It is our duty to uphold the law in this state, Tom, not make this a personal battle between you and your daughter.”
Coal gasped as she watched her father’s eyes narrow and his nostrils flare. The last time she’d seen a similar look, another rider had brought their stallion too close to Dax. Thankfully she hadn’t been on the back of him when both horses reared onto their back legs in preparation to fight to the death.
“How dare you bring my daughter into this,” her father said, his jaw so tight every tiny wrinkle around his mouth became nonexistent. “Coal is not gay and has nothing to do with this issue. Don’t ever bring her name up to me again when discussing this topic. Do you understand?”
Judge Parker bowed his head and nodded solemnly. “My apologies. I didn’t mean—”
“I’m going to pass on lunch,” her father said gruffly. “I have work to do, and I’m assuming so do you.”
“You’re right.” Judge Parker stood and grabbed his briefcase. “I’ll go. Again, I apologize for stepping out of line.”
“Justin?”
Justin stopped with his hand on the doorknob as Coal scrambled to the end of the hallway, straining to hear her father’s next words.
“I’m sure you’re aware that it really doesn’t matter how you vote. There are six conservative judges on this court. When it’s all said and done, I’m pretty confident that the correct decision will be made fairly and lawfully.”
The sound of her father’s door closing echoed loudly in the empty hallway. She’d always appreciated Angel’s father for accepting her choices and her lifestyle, and after today, Coal respected him even more. It took guts for anyone to stand up to her dad. Unfortunately, in this instance it wouldn’t get Judge Parker anywhere. He was outnumbered in the court system, and from the sounds of their conversation, would be outvoted. As her mood soured, she decided it wasn’t the time to discuss more of the details regarding the ranch today. Sagging against the wall in defeat, she realized that whatever hope she’d had for her father’s acceptance had diminished along with the rights for gay couples in California to wed.
*
Jay spent most of Monday morning finishing up the trim work in the downstairs living room, trying to keep her mind from wandering back to Coal and their one night of passion. She hadn’t seen her all morning, which was probably a good thing since she was a bit behind schedule, but nevertheless, she was disappointed. She was positive that if she ran into Coal, there would be no way she would be able to keep her hands off her. With Dino in the next room and Jane Davis constantly popping in unexpectedly, it probably wasn’t a good idea to focus on anything but the job at hand.
She ran her hand along the smooth, unpainted surface, remembering the sensation of touching Coal’s naked body. Her skin prickled at the memory of the way Coal’s eyes had darkened when she had wrapped her lips around her intimately. How Coal’s entire body tensed right before she soared toward orgasm. Those images had kept her awake all night. When the memories became overwhelming, she’d even taken the edge off under her own touch.
Masturbation wasn’t a new concept for her, but one she didn’t entertain often. Being a solo flyer was something she engaged in more when she was in high school. Christ, back then, just seeing a pinup of a woman had her going off like a missile at blastoff. Even then, she couldn’t remember being this keyed up over anyone. Before Coal, relying on her own hand had never been necessary since she could always count on the touch from another. But this situation was different. She didn’t want anyone else to touch her. Coal had somehow changed the rules, and she didn’t know when that had happened exactly. All she knew was that Coal consumed her every thought and she wanted more.
Being with Coal helped her forget. Forget that she was twenty-seven and was still struggling to reach her dreams. Helped her forget her mother walked out on them when she was an infant and was never heard from again. That her father never thought she’d amount to anything. But maybe she should consider the source. Because of his actions, she had to work long hours with little to show for it. Those actions had almost cost her a promise, and a promise to her meant everything. When she said something she meant it or she wouldn’t say it at all. She may not have much, but what no one could take away from her was her pride.
She checked her watch and wondered where the morning had gone. She sat on the floor with her back against the wall and her feet stretched out in front of her intent on eating her sandwich when Dino appeared with a broken hammer dangling from one of his hands. She raised her eyebrow at him in question, wondering how the sturdy Craftsman had met its demise. “Hit yourself in the head again?”
“Very funny, smartass! And getting hit by tools is more of your problem than mine. I can’t believe this. This is the second one in a month. They definitely don’t make them like they used to.”
“No, they don’t. I have a screwdriver in the toolbox that met the same fate. Haven’t had time to return it though.”
“There’s a hardware store down the road next to that sandwich shop. Think you can handle all of this while I return them both?”
“Piece of cake. Not to worry. If I can’t, you’ll be the first one I call.”
“Ha, ha.” He tossed a crumpled up piece of paper at her that he pulled off her tool chest. “Let’s see how funny you think you are when I forget to write out your paycheck.”
Jay laughed at Dino and polished off her sandwich in three quick bites. She jumped to her feet and jogged up the staircase with the intention of installing the new cabinet in the master bathroom when she noticed Coal’s mattress sitting on the floor next to the still disassembled bed frame.
A short time later, she tightened the last screw that connected the headboard to the frame. She shook the heavy wood a few times, making sure it was secure, and couldn’t control a grin when a particular fantasy of making love to Coal in that very bed surfaced. As the familiar tingling in her belly returned with a vengeance, she dropped the screwdriver at her feet and went in search of the only woman who could fulfill that fantasy.
*
After the disappointing morning events, Coal decided to ditch going to Half Moon Bay and decided to stay with Dax. She needed his company and his solid strength to help put all thoughts of her father aside for a while. After feeding and washing him, she cleaned out his stall, figuring she’d put her frustrations to good use. Besides, she was avoiding Jay while she worked, worried that she couldn’t be around her without wanting to rip Jay’s clothes off. She’d already made an appointment for next week to have a lawyer look at all the legal documents concerning the transfer of her grandfather’s ranch and took Dax for a short ride. With energy still to burn, she decided to brush her trustworthy companion and tell him a little secret.
“I don’t know what to do, boy. She’s so hot and so damn sexy. I can’t stop thinking about her.”
Dax nudged her with his nose, making her drop the brush.
“Rude! And okay, you’re right. I don’t want to stop thinking about her. Happy?”
Dax bobbed his head, obviously enjoying the extra attention she had been giving him lately. When she needed to talk, Dax was always there to lend an ear. He listened, didn’t give advice, and wouldn’t scold her even if he thought she was making a mistake. He was her psychologist, her rock.
“Well, what do you think, Mr. Stallion? Still think I’m ready for the loony bin?”
Dax snorted, making her laugh.
“Whatever. Guess you don’t want to hear what she did to me yesterday. But let me tell you, I’m surprised I can still walk. God, this is killing me.” She groaned and leaned against him. “I want to go up there and see her, but I know I won’t be able to control myself. Did you see her earlier? All tanned and hot in those blue jeans and that sleeveless white T-shirt. I just wanted to reach out and touch her skin.”
“Then touch it.”
> Coal spun around so quickly that Jay didn’t have time to react. She gripped Jay roughly by her shirt and pressed her mouth heavily, possessively to hers. Jay backed them up so that Coal’s back rested against a pile of hay bales and pressed her long form against Coal’s body.
“What are you doing here?” Coal popped the button open on Jay’s Levi’s.
“I had to see you. I’ve been going crazy all day.”
“Good. That makes two of us.” She slipped her hand past every one of Jay’s barriers, already finding her slick and hard.
“Ah…Coal…baby, we can’t here.”
“Yes, we can.”
Coal grasped Jay between her thumb and index finger, pinching lightly on her swollen clitoris. Jay widened her stance to give Coal more access and rested her forehead against Coal’s. “Baby, you got to slow down. I’ve been primed all morning. You’re going to make me come.”
“Good.”
Jay grabbed Coal’s face with both hands as her orgasm turned her legs to jelly. Jay sagged against Coal as Coal kissed her firmly, muffling the cries that threatened to tear from Jay’s throat. As Jay’s body continued to convulse, Coal could feel another powerful surge deep within. Eventually, Jay succumbed in Coal’s arms and sank to her knees.
“Jesus!” Jay wrapped her arms around Coal’s waist and rested her head against her stomach.
“Funny thing how the whole religion thing plays such a big part in sex.” Coal stroked Jay’s hair. “Especially since God supposedly doesn’t approve of this.” Or my dad wants to think that’s the truth anyway, to make him feel justified.
“Cute.” Jay moved onto unsteady legs. “I’ll show you how true that is.”
Jay covered a pile of hay with a clean horse blanket and lifted Coal up so that she was sitting on them. She moved between Coal’s legs as Coal wrapped her arms around her neck.
“And just what do you think you’re doing?”
“What I’ve wanted to do since the last time I saw you.”
Jay knelt in front of Coal and removed both of her boots. “Lift up,” she said after unhooking Coal’s belt buckle. She quickly removed Coal’s pants and underwear with a single tug and placed Coal’s feet on her shoulders.
“Oh!”
Coal threw her head back and closed her eyes as Jay’s lips enclosed around her. She didn’t hurry, taking her time to kiss every sweet slick inch. Coal tasted sweet and reminded her of fresh honey glistening in the midday sun. As Coal’s thighs tightened, Jay pulled her more firmly into her mouth and sucked, knowing right then she would never get enough of her. The hard nub between her lips was a pulsing ball of fire ready to ignite and all Coal needed was a few more well-placed strokes.
“Make me come,” Coal pleaded. “Yes…right there…yes!”
Coal’s eyes flew open, and Jay saw the flash of light in them right before Coal’s orgasm rippled through her. The pulse between her legs fluttered wildly against Jay’s tongue. Jay held on, taking more, taking everything. When the pulsing slowed to a calmer beat, Jay stood and entered her with one swift motion. Coal groaned and wrapped her legs around Jay’s waist, their gazes locked and held. In that one moment, where they were connected by more than flesh, Jay knew without a doubt she found the one woman who completed her.
“Take me deep, baby. I want to come again,” Coal said and pumped her hips into Jay’s hand. “And I want you to come with me.”
“Fuck! Anything you want.”
Jay took Coal’s lips in a ferocious kiss as she pumped her hips in between Coal’s legs, the motion sending her hand deeper with each thrust. She was so close already, and when Coal whispered she was ready to come again, Jay slid into her one final time and brought them both over.
They fell limply into each other’s arms, but it was Jay who guided them onto the dusty floor and pulled Coal into her lap. She placed a kiss on Coal’s temple, content just to hold her.
“God, that was amazing,” Coal said around a shaky breath.
“Told you I’d make you find religion,” Jay said with a huge grin.
“Very funny. At this rate, I’m going to have to believe in some kind of afterlife because you’re going to kill me.”
“Well, you destroy me so how about we call it even?”
“You telling me you want more of this?” Coal licked the thin sheen of sweat that had accumulated on Jay’s neck.
“I do want more. A whole lot more,” Jay said seriously. She rested her chin on Coal’s head with a contented sigh. “I will never get enough of you and those talented hands.”
“Good to know. But my hands are nowhere as talented as yours. In fact, they play me like a fiddle.”
“Go on. I’m liking where this is headed.”
“Since you asked, this fiddle constantly needs fine tuning. Do you know where I can find a talented musician to help me keep it in top shape? It seems to need tuning often lately, especially since someone has been tugging magically on its strings,” Coal said and lifted her head to stare at Jay’s lips.
“Did I ever tell you I was a fiddle master?” Jay reached between Coal’s legs, and Coal’s body responded again instantly.
“No,” Coal said and covered Jay’s hand with her own, urging her inside. “But I hoped.”
Chapter Seventeen
Jay drove the last nail into the custom tigerwood deck before taking a sip of her soda to admire her handiwork. The orange tinted wood with random black stripes nicely complimented the sand and chocolate accent color choices of the recently painted exterior. She’d been working hard all morning trying to play catch up. She should have been exhausted after spending a sleepless night of thinking about Coal. But not only was she not tired, she had energy to burn, sexual energy that hadn’t subsided even after two orgasms by her own hand.
They hadn’t seen one another since they parted yesterday, but the countless replays from their tryst in the barn left a smile on her face and her libido jammed in high gear. Earlier that morning, she’d caught a glimpse of Coal outside talking with her mother and had wanted to say hello but couldn’t find any reason to interrupt their conversation. From the few times she’d witnessed Coal’s behavior around her parents, she’d always wondered about the cause of Coal’s underlying anxiety. She’d never considered it before, but could it be that Coal was uncomfortable with her own sexuality?
Maybe her parents had no clue she was gay. But even if that were true and they found out, Coal was an adult and didn’t have to answer to anyone. Personally, she didn’t care if Coal’s mom knew about their relationship. She’d been comfortable with her sexuality ever since she and Danielle Whitmore had sex in the back of her father’s ’65 T-Bird. She’d been fifteen then and never questioned why she preferred women over men; it was just the way her door swung.
But Coal’s father was a different story. From what she could tell from the few times they’d met, Thomas Davis struck her as demanding and calculating, not that she wasn’t familiar with the do-it-my-way or else attitude. She’d grown up with a father who also demanded respect, but in his case, didn’t show it in return and was quick to use his hand if he felt he was being insulted. The difference now though was she was older and could choose whether she wanted to have a relationship with her dad. The night she and Coal had kissed outside in the bar parking lot, Coal did explain that she didn’t want to cause problems with her father for reasons she hadn’t wanted to discuss. Even if that conversation hadn’t taken place, Jay would have to be blind not to notice Coal’s stiff posture and cautious nature around her father. Their relationship was strained, but the question was why, and would Coal ever tell her?
She thought about broaching the subject last night on the phone with Coal, but when the conversation had turned heated, she’d had other ideas. Phone sex was something she’d never done with a lover before and was amazed by how rapidly her body responded to something as simple as Coal’s whispered words.
“Hey,” Coal said when Jay answered the phone. “Did I wake you?”
/>
“No, actually. I’ve just been sitting here thinking.”
“Want to share?”
Jay chuckled softly. “Only if you want the x-rated version.”
“Hmmm…sounds interesting.”
“Oh, it is.” She’d spent the last hour staring at the ceiling, thinking about the last time she’d touched Coal. Her body had been primed ever since she thought about her lips wrapping around Coal intimately. That visual combined with the familiar rumble of excitement in Coal’s voice was only adding fuel to the flames of desire. “We could make it more interesting.”
“I’m listening.”
“Well, for starters, you can tell me how much you want me.”
“I wish I could show you instead. Show you how wet I am for you.” A soft moan escaped Coal’s lips. “I love your hands on me.”
“Explain to me how you want to be touched.” Jay dipped her hand into her boxers, her fingers drenched from imagining she was touching Coal. Imagining it was Coal’s hands stroking her.
“Rub my clit, baby. Feel how hard I’m getting for you.”
“God, you feel so good.”
“Tell me what it feels like to touch me.”
Jay dipped her hand deeper, the muscles tensing and relaxing under her fingertips. “You feel like warm satin. So soft. I wish I could put my mouth there.”
“Next time, baby. Stroke me harder. Feel how full I am for you.”
Jay’s hand pumped faster, harder. She couldn’t stop even if she wanted to. She could almost feel Coal’s whispered words, floating over her skin. She could almost feel Coal’s hands dipping deeper. She pictured Coal’s desire dripping onto her hand and could almost feel Coal’s lips enclosing around her. “I feel you. Everywhere.”
“Good,” Coal said breathlessly. “Imagine my lips around your clit. Me sucking—”