Where the Lies Hide

by Renee Roman

  Sarah’s lush body slid along hers, the heat between them coating their skin in a light layer of sweat. The salt on her lips when she sucked the pulse point of Sarah’s neck stoked the fire. Sarah pressed her fingers through her slick folds until they were coated with her essence, then entered her. She groaned and moved to meet her thrusts. I’m so close already. Sarah closed her mouth over one of her hardened nipples. Between sucks and licks, Sarah withdrew and slid over her extended clit, making her squirm. Sarah’s voice cut through her lust-filled haze.

  “Look at me, baby.” Sarah shifted until she captured Cam’s thigh between her own. She entered Cam again, driving in deeper before backing almost all the way out.

  Cam surrendered to the demand of Sarah’s fingers as they found their mark over and over again.

  “Let me see you come,” Sarah said.

  Cam fought to keep her eyes focused on Sarah’s beautiful face as the tension built in her abdomen before moving lower. Her walls contracted before the flash of her orgasm drove the breath from her chest and she cried out in pleasure, her body bucking in rhythm to Sarah’s steady strokes as they drew out consecutive waves. Cam collapsed, sinking into the bed. That’s when she heard the words she’d longed to hear.

  “I love you, Camdyn Stark.”

  Tears ran from the corners of Cam’s eyes as she rode out the spasms, then she reached for Sarah until their mouths met in a kiss more passionate than any Cam had ever experienced. She had no idea how long they were locked in the fierce embrace. When they broke away in desperate need of air, she held Sarah’s face.

  “I didn’t think I’d ever be able to love someone the way I love you, Sarah. All I want is to make you happy. Every day we’re together.” Cam wrapped her arms around her and rolled them over. “I’m going to show you how very much I love you.”

  Cam took her time kissing every inch of Sarah’s body, then she did exactly what she promised to do. Over and over again.

  Chapter Thirty

  Rays of sunlight cast stripes across Sarah’s body, reminding Cam of a tiger, but Sarah wasn’t anyone she wanted to tame. Sarah’s lovemaking had been tender and fierce at the same time, and she’d reveled in the ardor of her love. This morning, more than all the ones that had come before, was the culmination of impossible dreams and desires. It was still hard to believe Sarah loved her. Not that she hadn’t hoped against all odds that Sarah would find her worth loving, but to hear the words out loud had put her on cloud nine.

  Sometime in the night while Sarah slept, she made peace with her angst about Brace. If it weren’t for him, her chances of finding and falling in love with Sarah, who was nestled in her arms, would have been slim. She made a silent promise to forgive more easily in the future. Cam was relieved Sarah would be spared having to deal with Brace and his dark side.

  She watched Sarah breathe in a slow, steady cadence, and she brushed a lock of blond curls from her forehead. Her breathing changed as she roused. The dark lashes fluttered against her cheeks before her eyes opened, and she stretched languorously.

  “Mmm…good morning.”

  “Yes, it is.” Cam pulled her in closer to her, a place she would never tire of Sarah being. “It’s a very good morning.”

  Sarah snuggled against her, snaking a leg over her hip and pressing her center against it. The searing hot heat of her scorched Cam’s skin pleasantly.

  Even though Cam’s sex was swollen and sore, her body responded, and she became wet. She kissed Sarah’s forehead.

  “We have to get out of bed at some point today.”

  Sarah turned to face her. “Why?”

  Cam chuckled. “For one thing, we need to eat. Woman cannot live on sex alone.”

  “Maybe you can’t, but I certainly can.” Sarah’s face was serious until Cam caught the twinkle of mischief in her eyes. Sarah giggled.

  “Shower with me?”

  “Uh-huh. Then what?” Sarah’s fingers played dangerously close to her breast, and she held her hand to her chest, not trusting herself to resist if Sarah went any further.

  “After I get a change of clothes there’s someone I’d like you to meet.” She’d promised Liv if she and Sarah ever got together Liv would meet her, and she had every intention of keeping that promise.

  “Okay.” Sarah moved to get up, but she pulled her back down.

  “Are you…” Cam’s vison bore into Sarah’s eyes needing to know there were no regrets the morning after confessing her love.

  Sarah tipped her head. “Am I what?”

  Cam held her breath. “Are you okay? I know yesterday couldn’t have been easy and…” Cam braced against the possibility that Sarah might have confessed simply because Cam had been there during a stressful time. “I need to know if you still feel the same as you did last night.”

  Sarah sat up and brought Cam with her. “I meant every word last night, and this morning, and all the tomorrows to come. I love you.” Sarah kissed her hard, letting her know she was serious. “And unless you do something to seriously fuck this up, I’m in it for the long haul.”

  Cam sighed a breath of relief. She had a feeling she was going to have a lot of mornings, and nights, to celebrate life and love. Something she’d never believed was in the cards for her until she’d met the beautiful creature in her arms. The one she planned on sharing the rest of her life with.

  Epilogue

  Nine months later…

  Cam leaned against the counter and watched her two favorite women prepare dinner. Sarah’s hearty laughter made her smile. Liv turned to the refrigerator and winked at her. Liv had taken an instant liking to Sarah and told Cam she’d found a partner who would keep her in check. That had made her laugh, and it was true. Even though they were still in the “honeymoon” stage, Sarah’s ire reared up every so often, and Cam remembered her fire was one of Sarah’s most attractive characteristics.

  She was relieved Sarah had made peace with not only the loss of her brother, but she’d also accepted the truth about his involvement with drugs. It hadn’t been easy for her until the police arrested the man responsible for shooting Brace, and he’d confessed he did it because he was sick of Brace taking his cut off the top, leaving the spoils for the runners. It had been even harder for the Archers. They knew their son had always had a dark side, but they believed he’d changed after he joined the force.

  The doorbell rang and she went to answer it.

  “Hi, Cam. I hope we’re not too early. Nicole must think we’re driving cross-country.” Jack grinned.

  “It’s never too soon to see you two. Hi, Nicole. How have you been?” Cam gave her a warm hug. There was still a glint of sadness in Nicole’s eyes, and she imagined it would remain for quite some time. Losing a child must be the hardest thing a parent had to face.

  They’d contacted Sarah after the funeral and asked if they could talk. Get to know one another since they’d both suffered losses. Sarah had asked if she’d mind if they all got to know one another better, and Cam had done much the same with Liv, including everyone for dinner, or a cookout, whenever they had the time. The doorbell rang again, and Sarah went to answer it.

  “Hi, Dad.” Sarah gave him a hug. “Glad you could make it.”

  “You know I’d never miss a family get-together.” Paul handed Cam a still warm dish. “Blueberry pie.”

  She rolled her eyes and pulled him to her. Paul was a decent, kind man. He had begun to treat her as his own shortly after Sarah had contacted him. “Good thing you showed. I think Liv was ready to bolt the door.” Cam smiled at Liv. “She used to do that to me when I was late.”

  “Damn right. This isn’t a restaurant you know.” Liv laughed and everyone joined in.

  Cam glanced around at the people that had become part of her family. Like all of the pieces of her and Sarah’s life that had fallen into perfect place. Last month, the Archers had given Sarah enough money to pay off her debts and then some. Sarah, of course, had refused at first, but when they said it had been put aside for
when Brace started a family and they couldn’t think of a better legacy of their son but to help his sister’s family, she finally relented. They’d even introduced her to several of their friends who were gallery owners in New York City. Cam knew those connections had thrilled her more than the money. She’d continue working construction during the busy season, but she’d talked about taking off the winter months to concentrate on her sculpting. Cam would continue to do what she enjoyed—investigating was in her blood. With her influx of cases and Sarah’s upcoming art show, neither had a lot to give, but family was important to them both, so they made a point to make them a priority.

  She held Sarah’s hand as Liv led a short, modern day form of grace. Tonight, she was going to ask Sarah how she felt about starting their own family, and the idea of raising a child…or two…was both exhilarating and frightening, but she wouldn’t be doing it alone. Sarah would show their children what it was like to grow up with nurturing and love, and Cam would give her children inner strength, street smarts, and a curious nature.

  Cam never thought she’d ever want a family of her own, but her views of family had changed. Her life had changed, too. And best of all, she had changed. The nightmares still made an occasional appearance, but with Sarah by her side, they quickly faded. Even her migraines had lessened in frequency and were no longer crippling, though she had her meds—just in case. She no longer hid from her past, content knowing she’d risen above those times, and put them behind her. Now she focused on the future, the one her family would build together.

  About the Author

  Renee Roman has lived her entire life in upstate New York and can’t see herself living anywhere there isn’t a change of seasons. She works at a local college and writes lesbian romance, intrigue, and erotica in her spare time. She states her first two novels, Epicurean Delights and Stroke of Fate, are just the beginning of a long list of stories waiting to be told. You can follow Renee on Facebook, at her website www.reneeromanwrites.com, or you can contact her at reneeromanwrites@gmail.com

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