by CJ Murphy
Laurel shook her head. “I didn’t do anything. These people are the miracle workers.”
Val looked at those gathered in the room with her. “I don’t know what I’d do without any of you. Thank you.”
Anya stepped forward and drew Val into her arms. “It’s the least we can do for all you’ve done for us, honey. You’re family.”
Val fell into Anya’s embrace, while Daren and Charley pulled Laurel in with them. It was a moment full of emotion that threatened to bring Val to tears again.
Daren stepped back from the group. “Val, I want you to keep track of how this is responding. I’ve programmed it to send data back to us at regular intervals. If I see that we need to adjust the code, I can do that remotely, while you’re asleep and make minute adjustments by what the data is telling me.”
“That’s amazing,” Laurel said. “The device will tell you if her gait or motion is off?”
“It should. If she’s putting too much pressure on one sensor or another I can adjust for it until we get it exactly right. That way she doesn’t develop any sores. You’d be surprised at how having your gait off a fraction affects the rest of the body.” He patted his laptop. “With this baby, she won’t have to keep coming back for minor tweaks. Pretty cool, huh?”
“It’s unbelievable. How does it feel, Val?” Laurel asked.
Val tested it with some small movements. “Really comfortable.”
“Computer science has come so far, as has this technology,” Daren said.
Val smiled, watching the woman she loved and her friends conversing so easily. After a few more minutes to evaluate Val’s gait, the team determined she should be fine. Anya said her goodbyes as Charley and Daren walked them to the exit.
Charley interlocked his arm with Val’s and whispered into her ear. “What did you think of the background pattern?”
A knowing smirk crossed Val’s face. “Mountain laurel, I presume.”
“Correct as always.” Charley grinned. “I figured you might appreciate having a little reminder of her no matter where you are.”
“It’s brilliant. Trust me, she’s always with me no matter where she is.” Val placed her hand over her heart.
“I have no doubt.” He leaned in closer. “She’s hot. If I was straight, I might try to charm her with my rugged manly ways.”
Val snorted. “The only manly thing about you is the Y chromosome you were born with.”
Charley belly laughed. “You’re so charming.”
Laurel and Val said their goodbyes and walked hand in hand back out to the Jeep. It was nice to be able to stand beside Laurel again, to look into her eyes and not up at her from a chair. She’d fought so hard the first time to trust the carbon fiber and metal. This time came so much easier. She couldn’t thank the crew at The Bodyshop enough. They’d made this possible. On her own, she climbed into her seat and grinned at Laurel.
“Happy?” Laurel asked her.
Picking up Laurel’s hand that rested on her thigh, she kissed it. “More than you could ever know.”
Laurel slid her sunglasses on. “How about we take some time to go pick out a few clothes for you? Feel up to it?”
Val rolled her eyes at Laurel. “Shopping, really?”
“Yes, shopping. You need a few things. I promise, we won’t buy a lot.
“You’re in charge.”
“Oh, that’s dangerous.”
Val leaned her head back and shook her head. “No, I’d say it’s a safe bet.” For once, I don’t need to be in control of anything but the way I feel about you.
The two of them spent the rest of the morning shopping. Neither had brought outfits nice enough for Jo’s show. Val traveled only with jeans and t-shirts. Laurel helped Val pick out a new pair of black jeans, a robin’s egg blue button down shirt, and a black leather suit jacket. Val sat in a waiting area at the front of the store while Laurel shopped. Finally, Laurel walked toward her, bags in hand.
Val arched an eyebrow. “Not going to show me what you bought?”
“Nope, you’ll have to be surprised.” Val yawned, knowing Laurel saw it. She covered her mouth as another escaped. “I’m sorry.”
Laurel ran a hand down Val’s arm. “How about we go back and lay down?”
“I’ll second that motion.”
Back at Liz and Jo’s, they climbed into bed for a nap. Val settled Laurel against her, stroking her hair as she let the day’s stress melt away.
Laurel ran her hand under Val’s t-shirt, touching her skin. “You nervous about tomorrow?”
Val tried not to groan with pleasure. “Nah, this is a piece of cake. I’ll be sore. Therapy will get the arm moving, and I’ll be back to normal.”
Laurel kissed her neck. “What will you do after you heal up?”
“I have no idea. Maggie May’s busted up worse than I am.” She remembered what the bike looked like in Bobeye’s shop. She closed her eyes and shook her head.
“Will you go back on the road?” Laurel’s voice sounded small and tentative.
She took a deep centering breath and let it out slowly. Hell, I barely know what I’ll be doing five minutes from now. “Right now, all I can think about is the surgery. After that, we’ll take it one day at a time. You know what I’m looking forward to, though?”
“What?”
“Lots of time with you and Ree.”
“Now that I can get into.” Laurel kissed Val and settled her head under Val’s chin. “Sleep, love.”
Val breathed in deeply, taking in soft vanilla and coconut she always associated with Laurel. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arm around her a little tighter. “With you at my side, piece of cake.”
Chapter Eighteen
A FEW HOURS LATER they woke, and Laurel was happy to see Val walk to the shower on her own for the first time. From her hesitant steps, it was evident she was still learning to trust the new prosthesis. From everything Val told her, the adjustment period seemed to be going much better this time. After they’d both cleaned up, Laurel watched from the hall as Val tried to dress without assistance. Her arm still hindered her in doing certain things. Fumbling with the row of small blue buttons below her breasts, Laurel could see her frustration growing and her brow furrowing. Laurel placed her hands in her back pockets and crossed one leg over the other as she leaned against the doorframe.
“You look like you might need some assistance there, Viking.” She watched as Val’s eyes traveled the length of her body. The simple peasant shirt, coffee colored pants, and above the calf riding boots were having their intended affect.
“Damn.” Val bit her lip. “You look beautiful.”
Laurel slowly pushed off the doorframe and sauntered over with the moves of a graceful cat stalking her prey. She pushed away the hands that lingered on the buttons. Running a finger up the center of Val’s chest, she slowly let her finger land on the cleft in Val’s chin. Closing the gaping mouth, she pressed her own lips to Val’s. The kiss went from gentle to smoldering within seconds.
Laurel ran her hands into the still open shirt and splayed her fingers across Val’s broad chest. Her tongue entered Val’s mouth, tasting mint and heat. Val’s hand settled on the back of her head and pulled her even deeper into the kiss.
Val’s motions were becoming frantic, and she could feel her own temperature rising. Laurel’s hand glided down Val’s chest to find a hard nipple beneath her hand. She rolled it in her fingers, eliciting a primal growl. Her brain told her she needed to stop or be prepared to miss Jo’s opening. She broke the kiss and leaned into her. They breathed hard.
“Holy shit, Laurel. I want you so bad right now.”
“I take it you like the outfit?”
Val stroked the back of Laurel’s neck. “I do. I like what’s inside the outfit even better. For a nickel, I’d stay right here and take you to bed.”
Laurel laughed. “It would take that much, huh?”
“I’d do it for another kiss like the one you just laid on me. God, you look fantastic.”
Val reached up and touched the strings that hung from the peasant shirt.
“You look pretty handsome yourself. Need a little help there with those buttons?”
“Yeah, to undo them,” Val said, dipping in for another kiss. Her lips met Laurel’s with force.
Laurel met her with that same passion, and soon they were pressed close together. Laurel pushed her hand between their bodies and let her fingers slip into the open zipper of Val’s pants. She pushed under the waistband of the boxer briefs Val wore. The second Laurel’s fingers found wet heat, Val gasped. Pushing farther, she slid her fingers into Val’s center. I’ve never wanted anyone so bad in all my life. She feels so good. Wrapping an arm around Val’s waist, she held tight as her lover’s legs went soft. Her palm found a hard clit, and she rocked her hand.
Val’s head tipped back as she wrapped her good arm around Laurel’s shoulder. “Baby, what are you doing?”
Laurel kissed her neck. “Relaxing you. Taking what I want and giving you what you need.”
“Oh God, Laurel, don’t stop.”
Laurel stroked Val harder, feeling her tremble and collapse into her touch. “Let go, baby, I’ve got you.” Val tensed and climaxed. Laurel kissed her, keeping her fingers inside to feel the powerful contractions. Val’s breathing began to even out. She pulled back far enough to look into Val’s eyes. What she saw there looked like peace. “You okay, Viking?”
As Val came back to herself, she looked deep into Laurel’s eyes. “I’m better than you could ever imagine. You destroy me and save me in the same moment. I’ve never had anyone take me the way you do. I have no defenses against your touch.”
Laurel withdrew her hand, licking each finger before zipping Val’s jeans. She walked into the bathroom, washed her hands and returned to finish buttoning the form-fitting shirt. She kissed Val again. “I’ve never needed to have anyone the way I do you. It’s a hunger I don’t think I can ever completely satisfy. Now you’re relaxed, and I’m satisfied.” She kissed Val one more time, grabbed the leather jacket, and helped her into it. She stepped back, admiring the handsome woman before her. “You’re so sexy. I’m going to have to fight every woman in there tonight.”
“No need. I’m coming home with you.”
“Just remember that, Viking, as you’re turning heads tonight.”
“My guess is the heads will be turning at the sight of you in those boots.” She leaned in and kissed Laurel. “And the only head I want to turn is yours.”
“Mission accomplished.” You’ve turned so much more than my head Viking, you’ve turned my heart.
***
Val held Laurel’s hand as they walked through the gallery. Jo’s show was an obvious success, if the sold tags on many of the pieces were any indication. Liz stood by Jo’s shoulder in a simple black dress and high heels, her left hand resting on the nape of her wife’s neck. Two women stood close, valiantly trying to get Jo’s attention. Val grinned. Their love, the knowing smiles and tender touches, were a beautiful thing to watch. Jo reached for Liz’s hand and kissed the wedding ring she’d placed there.
Val enjoyed having Laurel on her arm. She noticed the appreciative looks Laurel received. As they stopped to look at another of Jo’s pieces, Val placed her hand in the small of Laurel’s back and rubbed small circles there. She could feel the heat of Laurel’s body through her shirt. She wanted this woman so much. It was more than a want. It was a pure need. She could smell her perfume. It was light, with a gentle scent of the beach. It lingered with Val. She remembered smelling it in the hospital and had enjoyed waking up more than once to that scent with Laurel in her arms. Her mind started to scheme about feigning fatigue so they could leave. That would be wrong. Laurel will worry.
They’d walked around the entire gallery, admiring the intricate artwork. She was completely surprised at how well her new leg was doing. There were no issues like she’d experienced with her first one. She was completely content for the first time in a long time. They’d yet to talk with Liz and Jo, so they walked over to the couple.
Laurel leaned down to hug Jo. “You’re an amazing artist. This is unbelievable.”
“Thank you, Laurel. It took me a long time to get to this place. I never thought I’d have people showing up just to look at something I made.”
Val rolled her eyes. “And here I thought all you were good for was giving me hell.”
“Laurel, can you come with me?” Liz tilted her head in the direction of the bathrooms.
“Sure.” Laurel leaned up, pulling Val’s face to hers for a brief kiss. “I’ll be back. You two stay out of trouble.”
Val and Jo both mocked indignation then broke out into wide grins as Liz and Laurel walked away. As the two made their way to the bathroom, Val and Jo looked longingly after them.
“We’re in so deep my friend,” Jo said, taking Val by the hand and shaking it.
“Amen.” Deeper than I could have ever imagined.
***
Laurel followed Liz into the rest room, where she watched Liz rest her back against the wall and close her eyes. They seemed to be alone as there was no conversation or noise around them.
Liz rubbed her temples. “I swear I’m not a jealous person, but if one more woman touches my wife, I swear I’m going to rip her arm off and beat her to death with it.”
Laurel shook her head and laughed. “Jo only has eyes for you. We’ve been watching you as we walked around. No one should have any doubt how much she loves you.”
Liz huffed. “One woman sat in Jo’s lap!”
“And Jo quickly let her know she wasn’t interested.”
“The lack of respect for boundaries astounds me. For whatever reason, this show has been exceptionally difficult. She’s done shows before, but tonight seems to have brought out all the hopefuls.” Liz walked over to the mirror to inspect her makeup. Pulling her lipstick from her purse, she freshened it. “It appears that you and Val have a few admirers of your own.”
“There’ve been a few that have given Val more than an appraising look.”
“Oh, honey, it’s not just Val who’s been getting the attention. I saw more than one looking at you.”
Laurel shook her head. “Yeah, probably wondering what someone like Val sees in me.”
Liz stared at Laurel in the mirror. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re a beautiful woman, and it’s obvious Val’s deeply taken with you. I wanted to check and see how you were doing.”
Laurel blushed and ran her fingers through her hair. “I haven’t let Val touch me yet. I haven’t been able to bring myself to tell her about the surgeries.”
“And you think her finding out is going to make her want you less?”
Laurel thought about Liz’s question. “I don’t know. Since I had the mastectomies, I’ve only been with a few women. None have had negative reactions. Gram spared no expense in finding me one of the best plastic surgeons in the business to do my breast reconstruction, but the horizontal scars are still red and I’m worried how Val will react. I’m falling hard for her, and it would kill me to know she was turned off by what she’ll see. I made the choices I did so that I could be around to take care of Gram. I’d do it again in a second.”
Liz raised an eyebrow at her. “I assume you’ve seen Val’s scars?”
Laurel thought about Val’s missing leg and the scars she’d seen marring the perfect body, including the recent ones. “I have. I can’t even imagine what she’s been through. She’s incredibly strong and brave.”
Liz looked at Laurel, resting her back against the counter, and snapping her bag closed. “And do you think she worried about you being turned off by them?”
Laurel rolled her shoulders, trying to relieve her tension. “She must’ve been concerned about me knowing she had a missing leg. If it hadn’t been for this accident, I wouldn’t have known. She never told any of us.”
“And yet obviously, she let you see her scars and still make love to her.”
A sudden recogni
tion of Liz’s point hit Laurel. Oh. You’re good. “I know I can’t wait much longer to find out, but I want to get her through this surgery tomorrow.”
Liz touched Laurel on the shoulder. “Then you’ll talk to her, tell her everything?”
Laurel once again ran her hand through her hair. “We’ll see.”
“Don’t put it off much longer. From the hungry look in her eyes tonight, the sooner the better. Come on, let’s get back out there before those two start wondering what we’re up to.”
They walked out arm in arm, Laurel still mulling over Liz’s words.
***
Val looked at Jo and both let out an appreciative moan seeing their significant others walking toward them. She’s so beautiful. Somewhere the Norse Goddess Freyja is smiling on me.
Jo absently turned her wedding ring. “Are we lucky fucks or what?”
“That we are, Jo. I’m going to suggest Laurel and I take off. I assume you’ll be here for a few more hours?”
“If I had my way, no. Unfortunately, my agent has us going for drinks with a big gallery owner up in Baltimore. The house is all yours for at least four more hours. If I were you, I’d make good use of that time. Naked.” Jo quirked her trademark grin as her wife reached her side.
Liz leaned down and placed a smoldering kiss on Jo.
Laurel tilted her head and looked at Jo. “I heard the word naked. What are you two up to?”
You’ll have to ask Val.” Jo pulled Liz into her lap and popped her signature wheelie while Liz wrapped her arms around her neck and squealed.
Laughing, Laurel slid her arms around Val’s waist and stretched up to kiss her. “Are you ready to go?”
“More than ready.” Looking over to Jo and Liz, Val tipped a small salute. “We’ll see you two kids in the morning.”
“What time is your surgery?” Jo asked.
Val returned Laurel’s embrace. “According to Cat’s secretary, 8:30 am.”
Laying her cheek against Jo’s, Liz looked at them. “Laurel, will you need any help getting her back to our place? I assume you’ll spend the night and leave sometime the next day?”