Stealing Sunshine

by Tina Michele

  Belle’s mouth dropped open, and she sputtered disconnected words. She slapped her hand over mouth and glanced back and forth between Kyle’s and Andrew’s expectant faces. “Are you serious?” Kyle nodded and Andrew smiled. Belle looked at Tara in shock. “What?” she said under her breath, and then she shouted it, “What!” Belle flung her chair out from beneath her and circled the table with her arms wide open.

  Kyle and Andrew stood up just as Belle threw herself into their arms. She jumped up and down with unfettered excitement. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Belle always knew she would be so happy the day her very best friends decided to start a family, but she had no idea it would be like this.

  “I’m going to be an auntie! Oh, Tara, can you believe it?” Belle looked at Tara who watched the three of them with a wide smile and sparkling eyes.

  “It’s amazing, love.” Tara stood and congratulated them on their news.

  Belle was enamored with the news, but when she heard the word love spoken from Tara’s lips, her heart skipped. It was just a word, an endearing phrase, but it hit Belle in her gut. Belle’s heart soared in the beautiful moment between her very dearest friends and someone she could feel deep within her soul.

  Tara called over the server and ordered the best wine they had available. The day had begun casual enough, but it had turned into one to remember.

  Belle took several deep breaths and sat down. “When? How? Give me all the details! How long do I have to wait?”

  Kyle, Andrew, and Tara all laughed at her eagerness for details. Belle looked over at Tara who stared at her in a way she had never seen before. She smiled with more than her lips, and Belle’s stomach filled with swarming butterflies. Her face flushed and her ears burned as the world around them disappeared. The server set her plate in front of her, and she blinked out of her trance.

  Kyle raised an eyebrow at her. “Uhm, right, so we have our first surrogate interview next week. If everything goes right, they’re saying we could have a baby by next year.”

  Belle was full of joy. “Oh, guys, I am just so very happy for you.”

  They spent the next hour eating and discussing baby names and decorating ideas while Tara never once let go of her hand.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  When they returned to the house, Kyle and Andrew called it a night, but Belle’s mood was dampened just for a moment. She hadn’t stopped smiling the entire ride home, and Tara couldn’t keep her eyes off her. Belle was a deep and passionate person. She felt life so strongly that it was next to impossible to be in the same room and not be affected. Tara found it so easy to get caught up in the emotional energy that Belle emanated. She felt her fear, joy, and sadness as if they were her very own.

  “Would you like to come up?”

  There wasn’t any other place Tara would’ve wanted to be. “Absolutely.”

  Belle flitted around the kitchen for a couple of glasses and a bottle of wine. She was buzzing with happiness, and Tara was enjoying the show. “Can you believe it? I never. Well, I hoped, but I never thought I’d see the day that Kyle and Andrew would become dads! Andrew’s been so wrapped up in his career. Isn’t it wonderful?”

  “It is.” It was clear that they were all ecstatic about the decision, and Tara couldn’t help but feel the same way.

  Belle took the wine into the living room, and Tara followed. She poured two full glasses, flopped down onto the couch, and curled her legs beneath her. “I can’t tell you how many afternoons we’ve spent at the park daydreaming about starting families.”

  Tara didn’t think she had ever done such a thing in her entire life, not even pretended with Cate and Lucy. “Oh.” Tara sipped on her wine.

  “It’s sort of our thing. We get lunch, go down to the park, and ogle all the happy families doing their thing. We always kid each other about who will be the first to be a parent. Him and his workaholic husband or me and well, me.” Belle swirled the wine in her glass.

  “So, you want a family?” Tara surprised herself that she didn’t choke on the question.

  “Oh, yes. Very much. This is the closest I’ve ever come to having a real family.”

  “You don’t have any nieces or nephews?”

  “I don’t even have brothers or sisters to get them from.”

  Tara might have never thought about it the way Belle had, but she couldn’t imagine her life without Eden and Olivia in it.

  “You are so very lucky to have such a wonderful and beautiful family. I’d give up everything I have for a third of it.”

  “I guess I’ve never thought about it. About what it would be like not to have them. It’s hard to imagine since they’ve always just been there.”

  “We all take for granted the things we have an abundance of.”

  Belle was most definitely right about that. Tara had long lived on that very thing. “So why don’t you have a ‘real’ family?” Tara stuttered out the awkward question. “Sorry, that didn’t come out the right way.”

  Belle chuckled. “It’s fine. Umm, I don’t know. Nobody wanted me?” Belle laughed, but Tara didn’t think it was funny. “I went into the system when I was four. I got bounced around to about eight different houses and four fosters by the time I was fifteen, and by then they’ve long given up on you. At that point I was just a paycheck and a nuisance.”

  Tara almost felt sick to her stomach. “So, you don’t remember your mom?”

  “Nope. I used to think that I had flashbacks of a woman I thought could’ve been my mom, but I don’t know. I heard she was a single mom that couldn’t handle a child, and she didn’t know who my father was. But stories like those were sort of the ‘go-to’ explanation for curious foster kids.”

  “Oh, Belle. I can’t even imagine what it was like for you.”

  “Oh, no worries, Tara. Giles saved me from all that and showed me that there is love in the world. He gave me more love in five years than I’d gotten my entire life, and now I’m hopeful that one day I’ll be able to give that love to someone else.”

  Belle spoke with such passion and confidence that Tara was rendered speechless. She was mesmerized by how intensely Belle expressed so much of herself in everything she did in life, art, and love. Even in the darkest and most frightening moments of her life, Belle exuded a dedication and determination that Tara had never seen in anyone, not even herself. “How do you do it?”

  Belle poured them both more wine. “Do what?”

  “Give so much of yourself in so many ways, without ever expecting or wanting anything in return?”

  “Oh. I wouldn’t say I don’t want anything in return. Because for as much as I want a family to love, I still hope to be loved equally in return. So my dreams are not without some selfishness.”

  How could anyone call the desire to be loved a selfish act? Especially Belle who might have been the most deserving of it. Tara scooted closer to Belle and their knees touched. She took Belle’s glass and set it with hers onto the table. Tara reached for Belle’s hands and held them firmly in her lap. “Belle, I’ve never met anyone like you. You might very well be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known, both inside and out. You deserve everything that you’ve ever wanted and so much more.”

  Belle touched her soft hand to Tara’s cheek. “Everything I could hope for is sitting right here in front of me.”

  Tara’s heart swelled in her chest. “Belle, I—”

  Before Tara could finish her sentence, Belle kissed her. It was a kiss full of all the words left unspoken and all of the charged emotions that swirled around them. Tara wrapped her arms around Belle and pulled her tight against her chest. Tara felt Belle’s supple breasts pressed into her own, and a heat rushed through her body. Belle stood and pulled Tara up with her. She slid her hand down Tara’s forearm, weaved their fingers together, and led her toward the bedroom. In that moment, Belle could have taken her anywhere, and she’d have followed.

  Up until then, Belle had taken control of their intimate encounters. Tar
a had no problems with that and had been more than happy to give Belle what she needed. But this time Tara wanted to take her time. She wanted to savor the sights of Belle’s body and revel in the sounds of her pleasure, and she had all night to do it.

  *

  Belle led Tara into her bedroom. Her heart beat in her chest as desire and want coursed through her veins. The way Tara’s eyes had flicked and feasted over her body all night kept Belle’s entire body simmering with need. She wanted to touch and taste every last inch of Tara’s body until she begged for release. Belle pushed Tara against the edge of her bed and was surprised when Tara resisted the pressure at the back of her knees.

  Tara grabbed Belle and spun her around so that their places were reversed. Belle gasped at the unexpected change in direction, and her body burst into flame as Tara took control of the moment. She watched Tara’s eyes darken like midnight as they grazed the length of her body. Belle’s skin ignited, and a rush of heat burned between her legs. Her thighs trembled as Tara ran a slow, firm finger along the inside seam of her jeans.

  Belle bit her lip as Tara’s hand brushed over the top of her throbbing center. Belle felt the pulse of her heartbeat against the pressure of her hand. Tara slid her hands beneath the hem of Belle’s shirt. When her hands swept across her bare skin, Belle’s body shuddered. She raised her arms as Tara slipped the blouse up and over her head. She drew her fingers down along the satin straps of Belle’s bra and teased the nipples through the black lace. They rose into tight peaks and strained against the fabric.

  Tara dipped her head and licked the firm nipple through the fabric. When Belle hissed with pleasure, Tara pushed away the barrier and took Belle into her warm, wet mouth as she held Belle’s side firmly. Belle wrapped her hand around Tara’s neck and pushed herself deeper into her mouth as her tongue flicked over the sensitive tip. Tara moved her hand down Belle’s belly to the waistband of her jeans. She released the button and slid her hand down over Belle. She imagined just how wet she was, and when Tara slipped a finger down into her panties, she knew. Tara moaned with pleasure as Belle whimpered. Tara’s finger flicked quickly over Belle’s clit as she pulled her hand out and Belle’s body jerked.

  Belle needed more. She needed to feel Tara’s body pressed against hers. Belle opened each button on Tara’s shirt and pushed it down off her shoulders. A white tank did little to disguise her full and braless breasts. As Belle unbuttoned Tara’s pants, she was surprised that Tara had chosen to forego both bra and panties. She pushed the offending pants off her hips and Tara kicked out of them and her shoes before she lowered Belle onto the bed.

  Tara hovered over Belle as she removed Belle’s jeans before she pressed the length of her body down onto her. Her skin burned in every place they connected. Tara covered Belle’s mouth with a deep and fevered kiss as she pressed her thigh firmly between Belle’s legs. Belle moaned and rocked herself against Tara. As Tara pressed into her, Belle slipped her hand between them. She reached down, cupped Tara in her hand, and slid her fingers through her smooth, wet folds. Tara bucked and gasped from the sudden touch. She pulled herself away and looked down at Belle.

  “Please let me touch you, Tara.” Tara closed her eyes, and Belle touched her again. This time she didn’t pull away.

  Belle brushed her fingers against Tara’s firm clit, and she gasped. Tara’s wetness coated her hand as she stroked her. Tara moaned and moved her hips rhythmically with Belle’s hand. When Belle slipped two fingers into Tara, she released a carnal groan and pressed herself down onto Belle’s hand, but just once before Tara pulled away again. This time she gripped Belle by the arms and turned her over onto her stomach. Tara held both of Belle’s wrists with one hand and slid her hand down over her ass.

  Belle’s heart raced and she ached for Tara to be inside her. She opened herself and pushed back into Tara. Belle felt Tara’s soft breasts brush against her back, and she exhaled. When Tara slipped her hand down between Belle’s legs and into her, Belle cried out. “Oh, yes.”

  Tara thrust her fingers in and out of Belle. She writhed and panted desperately as Tara kissed and nipped at her neck. “Come for me,” Tara said.

  Belle was close. She could feel herself growing tight around Tara’s hand. Belle gripped at the sheets and screamed as Tara pulled the orgasm from her. “Yes. Oh, yes!” Belle’s body jerked and quivered with pleasure as she came.

  Belle panted as she rode the last waves of ecstasy and Tara wrapped her slick body around Belle. She listened to Tara’s own labored breathing in her ear. The puffs of hot breath on her neck did little to cool her libido. When Tara pressed herself wantonly against Belle’s leg, she rolled over and pushed Tara to her back. Belle straddled across Tara’s hips, placed her hands next to Tara’s shoulders, and hovered above her. Tara bucked herself up against Belle. They both moaned as Tara’s swollen peak pressed against Belle’s. Belle rolled her hips over Tara’s wet center. Belle watched the pleasure on Tara’s face as she slid firmly over her. She sat up and reached behind her and flicked Tara’s clit. She growled and jerked beneath Belle as she twisted Belle’s nipples between her fingers. Belle sucked in a quick breath between her teeth. Belle slipped in one, and then two fingers, deep into Tara. “Oh, shit!”

  Encouraged by the sounds of her passion, Belle maneuvered herself from atop Tara and slipped down between her legs. Tara’s breath caught and she cupped Belle’s face. “Belle,” she said breathlessly.

  “Please?”

  Tara’s head fell back in approval and Belle pressed her lips to Tara. She slipped her tongue in and out of her. She gripped her hips and sucked Tara deep into her mouth. She writhed beneath Belle and clutched the sheets at her sides. She felt Tara begin to shudder and contract. Belle teased her fingers just inside Tara until she begged for more. “I need you inside me, please.”

  With two fingers plunging deep inside Tara, Belle licked and sucked her into frenzy. Her body shook and tightened as she screamed Belle’s name in pure gratification. Tara fell back in sated bliss, and Belle rested her head on Tara’s leg and gently stroked her inner thigh. Belle slid up and let Tara wrap her in a tight embrace. Emotion overflowed in Belle as she listened to Tara’s perfect breaths in her ear. As Tara fell fast asleep, Belle stayed perfectly still so that she could feel their heartbeats thrum together in harmony. The cadence of their hearts hypnotized Belle, and before her eyes fluttered closed, she whispered, “I love you.”

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Tara lay as still as she could after she heard what Belle had said, but she said nothing in return. So many thoughts and emotions flooded her brain, and she waited for the fear. The strangling, binding, fight or flight response that she had every single time a woman said those words to her. But it did not come. Instead, the feelings of contentment, happiness, and peace settled into her mind.

  She had also let Belle touch and please her in ways that she hadn’t experienced in so long. Tara had let herself feel the raw pleasure and passion that was Belle and gave it to her without fear. Belle had allowed her into the deepest parts of her heart and soul without want or price. Tara had one thing she could give Belle that even came close to what she deserved, and without asking, she’d given it to her willingly.

  With Belle wrapped in her arms, she felt a sense of fulfillment wholly unfamiliar to her that went beyond physical pleasure. It was so deep that even if she had wanted to run from it, she wouldn’t have escaped it. Wrapped around her, Tara listened to the soft sound of Belle’s breathing as it lulled her into a blissful and beautiful sleep.

  Tara gathered the bags from the Jeep. She hooked them onto her wrists one after the other until her forearms were loaded. As she lifted them up and out of the vehicle, Tara thought twice about how much weight she believed her arms could handle. She bumped the door closed with her hip and hurried inside as fast as the extra hundred pounds would allow.

  Tara lifted one side onto the counter with the momentum she had going. The other arm wasn’t so lucky. With the extra weight pu
lling her down, she struggled to get her tangled arm free from the bags on the counter. Tara laughed at herself and her predicament.

  “Would you like some help, babe?”

  Tara peered over her shoulder and smiled. “Yes, please.”

  Belle crouched and untangled the bags one by one from Tara’s dangling arm. “You do this every time. You could just wait for me, and I’d help you.”

  Once the bags were free, Tara worked on the others. Her forearms were ringed with red and white marks from the plastic handles. “It’s okay, my love. I got it. Besides, in the time it takes you to waddle outside, I’ve already gotten everything in the house.”

  “Aww. I can’t help it,” Belle said as she rubbed her swollen belly. “This gets bigger and I get slower. Soon I won’t be able to roll myself out of bed.”

  Tara put her hands on Belle’s stomach. “If I have to I’ll push my babies around in a wheelchair like old times.”

  “Oh no, you won’t. Not with this and my ridiculously tiny bladder.” Belle tapped her fingers on her stomach.

  Tara leaned down and kissed her bump. “Don’t worry, munchkin. There’s always the stroller.”

  “Oh geez.” Belle wrapped her arms around Tara’s neck.

  “You are so beautiful. My babies.”

  “Just one baby. I couldn’t fit another one in here.”

  “Two. This one,” she said as she rubbed Belle’s tummy, “and this one.” Tara kissed Belle sweetly on the lips.

  They swayed in each other’s arms. “I’m afraid your family is going overboard on the baby shower. I think they might be more excited than we are.”

  “No way, I can’t wait until we are a real family. I’ve never wanted anything more in my entire life. I love y—”

  Tara’s eyes shot open and she sat straight up in bed. Beside her, Belle slept with her bare shoulder reflecting the early morning sunlight through the window. Tara panted and her heart raced. It was just a dream. She knew it was a dream, but she still needed air. Tara slipped out of bed, gathered her clothes off the floor, and padded off to the bathroom. She dressed and then looked at herself in the mirror. Her face was pale and clammy so she splashed cool water on it. Tara sat on the toilet for several minutes as she tried to rationalize fantasy versus reality. The spacious bathroom began to close in around her. She needed to get out.