In the Eyes of Love

by Sheri Livingston

  Dawn turned to Rachel, giving her the very best “fuck you” smile she could manage with stars flashing from the pain.

  Rage flashed in Rachel’s eyes. She turned her gaze on the nurse, giving her a glare, then turned back to Dawn. She eased forward, her hands flat on the bed, and brought her nose right against Dawn’s ear.

  “As God is my witness, if you so much as come near Morgan again, I’m going to slice you from head to toe and watch your blood spiral down a water drain.”

  Dawn felt her heart skip a beat. She’d never heard Rachel so mad or so defensive.

  “That’s it. If you don’t leave now, I’m calling security.” The nurse pointed toward the door. Her blonde hair sparkled under the bright lights.

  “No problem.” Rachel pushed away from the bed, making sure she shook the bed, sending more bolts of pain through Dawn’s head, and then headed for the door. “Hey, Dawn?”

  Dawn turned to look at Rachel, terrified of what was going to come out of her mouth. “What, bitch?”

  “Since you’re at the hospital, you should really think about getting those blisters looked at. I don’t think their normal … especially down there.”

  Dawn felt her heart plummet. The nurse’s mouth dropped open and she took a step back. “Don’t believe her. She’s just mad because I don’t want her.”

  “With all those blisters on your pussy … who would?” Rachel grinned wickedly at her and left the room.

  She watched the nurse ease out behind her.

  “Fucking bitch.” Dawn cursed under her breath then lay back down with a thump, cursing again at the pain throbbing in her brain.

  “Where are you, Morgan?” She slid her hand over her eyes to shield out the light. “Bitch.”

  ———

  Shane pulled the truck into traffic and before Morgan knew it, Shane’s house came into view. She eased out of the truck with Shane’s help and followed her across the porch, legs quivering, crotch heated.

  The voice was gone now with only passion and desire audible in her mind. All she wanted now was to make love to Shane, to be carried over the brink of passion by the hands of this skilled lover.

  Shane locked the door behind them and turned to look at Morgan. Her blazing green eyes spilled over with want. Morgan held her breath while Shane closed the space between them, snaking her hands around her waist, leaning her lips down to capture Morgan’s.

  Morgan’s arms slipped around her neck, fingers weaving through waves of her hair, pulling her tongue deeper into her mouth. Their tongues danced together. Heat splashed Morgan’s crotch, soaking her, stinging her clit. She squeezed her legs together to ease the pain aching between her legs.

  Shane pulled away, breaking the fiery kiss. “Talk. We have to talk.” Breathless words rang between them.

  “I don’t want to talk right now. We have all night.”

  Morgan yanked Shane’s shirt into a fisted ball, pulling her back for another kiss. A soft cry escaped her while Shane’s head descended, and then lips plastered to lips. A fire roared to life inside Morgan.

  They shed each others clothes as they stumbled up the stairs, letting each garment fall where it may. They made the landing at the top of the stairs, tripping and falling all over each other in haste to get to the bed. Shane plucked Morgan off her feet and carried her the rest of the way and placed her gently on the bed.

  Morgan’s insides quivered and screamed for attention. She couldn’t remember ever needing or wanting Dawn with such fire blazing in her gut. Every nerve in her body was alive, jumping with desire.

  Shane pressed in beside her. Her fingers slid down Morgan’s chest, over her stomach, then slipped between her legs. A suppressed moan escaped her lips. Her legs drifted apart while fingers probed her clit, dropping further to dive into her.

  She whipped her head back into the comforter, arching, loud moans escaping her lips. Shane’s lips slid down her chest and swiftly sucked an erect nipple into her mouth, sending more jolts of electricity between her legs. She matched Shane’s rhythm, one dive after the next, pulling more moans, more cries of pleasure and her orgasm closer to the edge.

  Morgan inched her hand between their bodies, between Shane’s legs to find her clit. Her nipple was released while Shane’s head fell back, face grimaced in ecstasy.

  Morgan stared up at her, her heart swelling with love, her insides coiling like a spring. She was in love with this woman. How could this have happened? How could she have let herself fall for a woman she barely knew?

  Shane slipped her fingers out, found Morgan’s clit with a fingertip, and began circling. Morgan’s orgasm leapt to the edge, ready to spill from within her. She fought back, not yet ready to unleash its power, wanting and needing to wait for Shane, to have their orgasms crash together.

  Shane hunched her hips over Morgan’s hand, riding her wave of pleasure. She leaned her face over Morgan’s. Her lips captured Morgan’s and her tongue snaked inside. Their tongues swirled with each others, bodies quivering with need, and thumping against each other. Morgan held tight to control her orgasm, demanding to be set free.

  Shane froze, released the kiss, and let her head fall back. Morgan watched every facial expression that danced across her face while her orgasm rocked through her body. She slid her fingers further between Shane’s legs and drove them to the hilt inside her, feeling her pumps of pleasure squeeze her fingers.

  Her need to control her own orgasm was lost. Her orgasm ricocheted over the edge. Pumps coursed through her. Shane’s fingers drove back inside of her, stretching, spreading, and pulling more pumps from within Morgan.

  Their bodies rocked together on the bed. Screams of pleasure filled the room.

  They went limp beside each other, released of energy. A smile lifted the corners of Shane’s mouth while she opened her eyes to stare at Morgan. Morgan smiled back, nestling into her. Shane wrapped her arms around her and gave her a loving squeeze, brushing kisses across her forehead.

  “I can’t get enough of you,” Shane said, brushing her fingers into Morgan’s hair.

  Morgan leaned on her elbow to look at her, curious to the meaning of her words. “Why?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Shane turned on her side, staring at Morgan.

  “Thank you, I think.” Morgan gave her a smile, wishing Shane would tell her what was really on her mind.

  Did Shane love her? She’d never said as much, but Morgan could feel it in every touch, every mesmerizing stare. As much as she wanted to tell Shane how she really felt, she couldn’t. She couldn’t set herself up for another fall. She was determined to get past Dawn, and on with her life, no matter what obstacles she had to endure to get there.

  “We really have to talk. There’s a lot you have to know … to hear.”

  “Why, Shane? Why do I have to know this secret of yours?”

  “You have to know the truth about me, the whole truth. What I have to say to you might change the way you look at me, something that will surely break my heart.”

  “Why? I’ve asked you why a hundred times, and you still dance around the answer. Why, Shane?”

  Shane only stared at her, reading her face as if it held the answer. “Because I want you to know. I like you and you deserve to hear the truth.”

  Morgan cringed. Like? She likes me? A wave of disappointment washed over her. She was sure Shane was going to tell her she loved her. What a letdown! Why am I waiting for her to say it? Just tell her, stupid. Morgan tossed the thought from her mind. She’d only lead herself to more misery if she did.

  Morgan eased off the bed and started searching for her clothing. She found her crumpled jeans at the top of the steps.

  “Where are you going?”

  Morgan gritted her teeth and slid her legs into her thong and jeans. “You want to talk, so let’s talk.”

  “We can talk all night long … naked as jay birds.”

  Shane came up behind her and slipped her arms around Morgan’s stomach, lifting her
off her feet and making her way back to the bed. Morgan giggled while Shane dropped on the bed, playfully tugging her jeans back over her hips. Her jeans slipped over her heels and landed on the floor with a thump.

  “Ah. That’s better.” Shane slid on the bed beside her. “Now, where was I? Oh, yeah.”

  Her head dipped and caught Morgan’s lips in another heated kiss, tongues melding, arms snaking around each other. Morgan’s heart twisted with so much love, she felt it might burst and leave her dying right here in Shane’s arms. She couldn’t shake this feeling of falling. It was terrifying, yet the most perfect feeling in the world. To fall in love again … she never thought it could ever happen. She never dreamed she’d ever have room inside her heart for anyone but Dawn.

  Shane pulled her lips free and leaned on her elbow. “I don’t know where to start.”

  Shane trailed a fingertip across Morgan’s nipple, dipping between her breast, heading for the other. Her gaze followed.

  “Well, I can’t help you there since I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

  “How do you feel about me, Morgan?”

  Morgan felt her breath catch, wanting desperately to tell her that she’d fallen head over heels in love with her, but knowing she could never say such a thing and risk the heartbreak.

  “I like you, too. You’re fun to be around and well, the sex is okay too.”

  Morgan laughed as Shane’s mouth dropped open. Shane gave her nipple a slight pinch. “Okay? Sex is okay?”

  Morgan squealed through her laughter, slapping at Shane’s fingers. They settled back into a serious manner and looked at each other.

  “So, you like me?”

  Morgan watched disappointment wash over Shane’s face.

  Morgan had the perfect chance to tell her, to just blurt it out, get it over with, and then wait for the fate of the words. Instead, she nodded her head. “Yes. I like you, Shane.”

  “Would you still like me if I’d robbed a bank?”

  “Will you share?”

  Shane inched her fingers toward Morgan’s other nipple.

  “Would you still like me if I’d stolen something?”

  “Only if it was diamonds and you let me wear them too.”

  Shane gave her a playful smirk, inching her fingers closer, making Morgan’s breath stall.

  “Would you still like me if I’d killed someone?”

  “I have a few people I’d pay you to take out.”

  Shane’s fingers flew to Morgan’s nipples before Morgan could react. She squealed with laughter again while gentle fingers pinched at her nipples.

  Shane ducked her head and slithered her tongue across it, calming Morgan instantly. She licked the tip with a slow draw of her tongue then sucked it into her mouth. Nerve endings came to life between Morgan’s legs.

  As fast as Shane had sucked it into her mouth, she released it. Morgan gave her a grunt.

  “We have to finish this conversation before I chicken out.”

  Morgan rolled over, bringing Shane with her, and straddled her. She brought Shane’s hands over her breasts, circling her hands over Shane’s.

  “I’m never going to finish if you don’t stop.”

  “Is that a threat?” Morgan smiled down on her, grinding her hips over Shane’s pelvic bone.

  Shane circled her nipples with her thumb. Morgan moaned, grinding her hips faster. Shane slid her hand down Morgan’s stomach, slipped a thumb over her clit and started circling. Spontaneous heat ignited between Morgan’s thighs.

  Shane rose, catching Morgan’s nipple in her mouth, gently chewing its peak between her teeth. A soft cry escaped her lips while Shane’s thumb circled faster. Morgan caught Shane’s rhythm, her head falling back, panting.

  Shane grabbed around her waist and flipped her onto her back then slid down the length of her. Her head fell between Morgan’s thighs, and she quickly sucked her clit between her lips. Fire sparked and then flamed to life.

  Morgan hunched her hips against Shane’s mouth faster and faster with every suck. Shane’s fingers teased her hole then rammed into her. She screamed with surprise and pleasure.

  “Oh, God … Shane!”

  Her orgasm catapulted over the edge, racking through her body pump after glorious pump.

  Shane’s fingers slowed while her pumps diminished. Morgan’s body relaxed, suspended of energy yet again. Shane removed herself from between her legs and came to lie beside her, slowly dragging her fingers along Morgan’s heaving chest.

  “Now, maybe you’ll lie there and listen to me?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Morgan said, body still quivering from the inside out.

  “I don’t want you to freak out on me. You have to listen to all I have to say and give me a chance to explain.” Morgan opened her eyes to stare at her.

  “Okay.”

  Morgan’s heart jumped. She couldn’t believe how in love with this woman she was.

  She gave Shane her full attention by turning onto her side and leaning on her elbow. Gorgeous green eyes stared back at her. She pushed back the urge to lean over and place her lips on Shane’s.

  “I killed someone, Morgan.” Shane’s brow creased. “Wait. That didn’t come out right.”

  My pants are on the floor beside the bed. My shirt is somewhere between here and the downstairs. I have no idea where my shoes are and how in the hell am I going to get them all on and get my ass out of here before she tries to kill me too?

  Morgan prayed her face didn’t show the horror coursing through her veins while she stared at Shane.

  Morgan heard a faint ringing in her ears. No. It was a cell phone, ringing from downstairs. Her cell phone! If she could just get to it, she could call the police and hopefully escape unharmed. Would Shane let her leave the room? If she flew from the bed and down the stairs, could she make it before Shane caught her?

  “Do you want to go answer it?” Shane yanked her from her escape plans.

  “Yes.”

  Before Shane could change her mind, Morgan was off the bed, jeans in hand and fleeing down the stairs. She took the steps two at time, praying she didn’t miss a step and find herself flat on her ass at the bottom full of broken bones.

  She grabbed for her purse and yanked the cell from inside. She flipped the phone open just in time to miss the call. She cursed and looked up to see Shane reaching the bottom of the landing.

  Her heart jumped into her throat while Shane came to stand beside her. Her chest heaved from the leaps she’d taken down the steps, along with the fright of being near Shane. How in the hell had she gotten herself into this, and how the hell was she going to get herself out of it now?

  Chapter Nineteen

  Shane watched Morgan flee the bedroom. She knew she was scared out of her mind. How stupid could she be for blurting out those words? After all the years of living with the sole responsibility of Shelby’s death on her shoulders, and after finally letting loose of that blame, she still couldn’t find a way to shake the words from her mouth.

  She eased off the bed, dressed and then started down the steps. Morgan cursed under her breath when the phone stopped ringing. Obviously she’d missed her call. Shane was sure the caller was Dawn. An instant jealous streak coursed her spine. Here we go again. Dawn … Dawn … Dawn. I’m so fucking sick of Dawn.

  She made it to the bottom. Morgan turned to look at her, eyes full of fear. Shane felt the urge to laugh but suppressed it instead. She’d lived such a sheltered life, steering clear of people so she wouldn’t have to see this type of fear in their eyes. Now that she’d tossed that blame to its sole owner, and the look that she’d feared for so long was before her, it was more amusing than anything. She didn’t think Morgan would find any humor in her reasoning, even though fear was just as beautiful as the expression that slid across her face while her body was racked with an orgasm.

  “Did you miss your call?” Shane watched Morgan’s chest heave.

  “Yes. It was Rachel.”

  Shane�
�s gut instinct had been wrong. So, where was Dawn? She’d wanted to ask Morgan, but didn’t want to bring the bitch up during any time she had to share with her, let alone in the middle of sex. Why hadn’t Morgan brought her up? Had they broken up for good? Was it over? Wasn’t that too much for Shane to wish for?

  “Call her back.”

  “Okay.”

  Morgan continued to stare at her, not moving a muscle to dial any numbers. She’d better finish this conversation before too much time went by.

  “Morgan, you don’t have to be afraid of me. I didn’t kill anyone with my bare hands, but … I think I would have if I’d gotten my hands on her.”

  Morgan’s brow creased while she stared at Shane. She could see the gears churning behind Morgan’s eyes, taking in the new information.

  “You didn’t kill anyone?”

  “No. But I’ve blamed myself for all these years … until you.”

  Morgan let out a sigh and gave Shane a faint smile. “Will you please explain?”

  She led Morgan to the couch and told her everything, starting with her relationship with Shelby then ending with her saying goodbye.

  “You gave me the courage to tell her goodbye and to stop blaming myself.”

  Morgan’s eyes glazed over with tears. “Me? How did I do that?”

  “My night with you brought me back to earth. I don’t want to live my life alone. I have way too much love to give and I want to be happy in love. It’s the most awesome feeling in the world.” Although in love was part of it, happy was not … yet.

  Morgan’s head hung down to her chest. “That’s great. I’m so glad you stopped blaming yourself. It really wasn’t your fault.”

  “But, I couldn’t see that until you.”

  Morgan’s mesmerizing blue eyes rose back up to meet Shane’s, stopping her heart. She held back from yanking Morgan into her arms and telling her how in love with her she was, how she never wanted to be without her, how she didn’t have a damn clue how she would ever get over her.

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  Shane could think of a few things she’d like to hear right now. Starting with an “I love you.” Just those simple words would change her whole life, but she knew in her heart, sex was all Morgan had to offer.