Alicia gazed up at her lover. “It means so much to me that you could see that.”
“Honey, I see everything about you. You do everything with a full heart, and I’ve always found it amazing that you see so much more than anyone else. You are an artist in everything you do, whether it’s illustration, training horses, or loving me.”
“You’re going to spoil me,” Alicia smiled up at Rhea.
“No, I’m going to love you for the rest of your life.” Rhea picked up Alicia’s right hand and kissed her ring.
They took their time showering and then collapsed into bed, wrapped their arms around each other, and quickly went to sleep. Neither woke up until the telephone jangled noisily.
“Hello.”
“This is your four o’clock wake up call.”
“Thank you.”
Rhea rolled over and watched as Alicia slept on undisturbed. Her hair was loose and full of curls all the way down to the middle of her back, her face flushed from sleep. Her hands were tucked under her pillow, and she was flat on her stomach. She slept like that when she was relaxed and it made Rhea react with emotion. She had never in her wildest dreams thought that she would find a woman who would match her so perfectly. She reached out and touched Alicia’s hair as it lay streaming down her shoulders to the top of her hips.
“Honey, it’s time to wake up,” Rhea spoke softly as she ran her hand down Alicia’s back.
“Already?”
“It’s four, and I don’t want our artist to be late to her own reception.”
Alicia sat up and got to her feet. Rhea lay back against the pillows, her own long hair in a dark stream, the sheet up to her waist. She was still smiling up at Alicia.
“Come on sexy, if you don’t cover up I’ll be late.”
Rhea just laughed and pulled the sheet up. “You use the bathroom first.”
Alicia strolled around to Rhea’s side of the bed and bent over planting a big kiss on her lips. “Thanks for the lovely afternoon, cowgirl. When you are back in town again, give me a call.”
Rhea chuckled, watching Alicia’s sleek backside as she walked into the bathroom. She got up and went to her luggage. She pulled out her suit for the reception and hung it in the closet. She grabbed a tee shirt to wear while she ironed out the wrinkles in her outfit. Alicia spent twenty minutes in the bathroom before emerging with her makeup on and her hair pinned up on the back of her head. She walked naked to the dresser and pulled underwear out, preparing to dress. Rhea watched her the whole time as she slipped into her bra and panties. Alicia finally looked up and caught Rhea staring at her.
“Honey, you need to go get ready, unless you’re wearing that tee shirt.”
“I will. I just can’t believe how much I love looking at you. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of seeing you naked.”
“I feel the same way about you. Now, get your gorgeous butt in the bathroom.” Alicia’s smile was indulgent as she ushered Rhea into the bathroom. Rhea took her advice. Thirty minutes later both women were dressed and preparing to leave the hotel room. They were elegantly attired, Rhea in a formal silk suit the color of melon, and Alicia wearing a long evening gown in deep emerald green, swirls of cream adding a special flair. Alicia was just putting her opal earrings on when Rhea stepped up to her with a small, beautifully wrapped package.
“I thought you might like something to remember your night.”
“I have you here. That’s all that matters.” Alicia leaned up and kissed Rhea’s cheek.
“This will help make it even more special.” Rhea handed the package to her.
Alicia tore the wrapping away and opened the black velvet jewelry box that she knew well. Sheri’s one-of-a-kind jewelry was always sold in the same type of box. She flipped up the lid and gasped. Glowing against the black background was a gold broach. It was a stylized galloping horse about one by two
inches with a gold quill pen as the base. The stunning pin was inset with black opals that flashed fire. Alicia felt the tears start as she continued to stare.
“It’s incredible,” she whispered reverently. Sheri’s talent was enormous; her jewelry pieces works of art.
Rhea tilted Alicia’s chin up until she was looking at her. “I want you to know how proud I am of what you have accomplished since we made our home in Australia. No one could have done more to become a part of the ranch than you have. This gift is from your family, and we all feel blessed to be a part of your celebration.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Alicia cried as she looked up at Rhea.
“Tell me you love me and let’s get downstairs before you melt off your beautiful makeup.”
“I love you so much, honey. You are my heart and soul.”
“You are mine. Now, let’s wipe those tears away and get downstairs before we’re late.”
CHAPTER 23
The art show, reception, and dinner were more successful than anyone could have imagined. The crowd was thrilled with the creative work that highlighted ranch life in Australia. Selected pieces were chosen to go on a tour throughout the country before being presented at a show in London eight months later. All the artists were expected to attend the London affair, and Alicia and her family were already making plans for the trip. Several respected art critics had called Alicia’s work refreshing, exceptional, and stunning, and several of her illustrations were sold during the evening. Since all the proceeds were donated to the preservation of Australia’s history, people were willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to own one of the pictures after the tour was over. Alicia was beyond thrilled; she was in shock. Gallery owners from far and near approached her hopeful of wooing her into their stable of artists. She was so overwhelmed, she declined to answer until she and her family could discuss the offers. Alicia was floating on a cloud. She couldn’t take everything in during the evening. She was overflowing with emotion. Her life was so perfect. She felt like God had given her a gift, and she intended to treasure it.
“August, I can’t believe this night is happening,” Alicia bubbled as they took a break from the crowd and sipped champagne on the open-air terrace.
“Honey, you’ve earned every bit of this attention. I’ve never met anyone who works as hard as you do.”
“You, Sophia—your whole family works hard.”
“Alicia, you’re a part of our family and I would expect nothing less from you. What I didn’t expect was that we would all love you within a week of your arrival here. You’re an exceptional woman and one I’m glad my daughter chose as a partner. You’ll also keep Rhea out of mischief.”
Alicia stood against the tall rancher. “I love you, August.”
“I love you. Now, let’s rejoin the party. This is a night for revelry.”
Rhea watched her father and Alicia, her heart full of love for both of them. He embraced her tiny body and turned her around. “Go with your girlfriend and have some fun.”
Rhea grinned at her dad as the three of them re-entered the crowded ballroom.
“Where’s your mother, Rhea?”
“She’s talking to Ambassador Tindel.”
“That Yank from the United States?”
“Yes, he was talking about trying to get the tour to go to New York City.”
“Let’s go save her from him.”
It was well after two in the morning before Rhea and Alicia finally returned to their hotel room. Both women were beyond exhaustion as they peeled off their evening clothes.
“I’m so tired I think I could sleep for a week.”
“Honey, we don’t have to be anywhere in the morning. We aren’t going to meet everyone for lunch until one.”
“Good, I want to get in bed with you and sleep for hours.”
“Sounds heavenly.”
Rhea and Alicia didn’t delay as they climbed under their covers and reached for each other. Alicia rolled over onto Rhea’s side of the bed and snuggled tightly against her. Rhea’s arm tightened around Alicia’s waist, and they slept
immediately, neither woman stirring all night long.
It was well after ten in the morning before they woke up. Rhea stretched and hugged Alicia more closely to her, unwilling to give up their morning together. Alicia moved closer to Rhea, her hand sliding across Rhea’s stomach and roaming over her chest, brushing her nipples with her fingertips before cupping Rhea’s breast.
Passion bubbled through Rhea’s body as she reacted to Alicia’s touch. “I love waking up touching you.”
Rhea smiled as Alicia moved on top of her, her eyes still closed. “I thought you wanted to sleep in.”
“Oh no, I just wanted to stay in bed with you for as long as possible.” Alicia sat up, straddling Rhea’s hips. She bent over and covered Rhea’s mouth with her own. Need welled up in Rhea as Alicia’s hungry mouth nibbled on her lips. Her teeth caught Rhea’s lower lip and nibbled her before sliding her tongue
across it to soothe. Rhea’s tongue slid into Alicia’s mouth tasting her as she met Alicia’s voracious kisses with her own. Alicia’s lips covered Rhea’s face with soft, gentle kisses, before moving on to her neck and nipping her ear lobe, drawing a hiss from Rhea.
“Don’t move, honey,” Alicia breathed against her mouth as her hands raced quickly over her shoulders and arms while Rhea enjoyed her attentions. “I missed touching you this week.”
Alicia’s hands were everywhere, as was her mouth, her teeth capturing a nipple before soothing it with a stroke of her tongue. Fingertips tracing over the slack muscles of thighs and hips, memorizing the shape and texture of skin, she ran her tongue along Rhea’s cleavage and nuzzled under her heavy breasts where she was most sensitive. Alicia listened to Rhea’s breathing to know just where and how long to touch her.
Rhea was steeped in passion so thick she couldn’t move, her body open and welcoming. Alicia made love to her perfectly. “Honey, roll over.”
Rhea turned over and lay flat on the bed as Alicia once again straddled her hips. Her kisses began on the tops of Rhea’s shoulders and the back of her neck. Her fingers gathered Rhea’s hair and pushed it out of the way as she tasted the tender skin below her ear. Fingers stroked the defined muscles and silken skin of her lover as she wooed Rhea with her touch. Alicia loved Rhea’s long lean body, and she wanted to cover every inch with kisses.
It took Alicia over an hour to completely kiss Rhea from head to toe and by that time Rhea was in such a state of readiness that she could only beg as Alicia’s hands grasped her buttocks and her tongue probed between her cheeks.
“Alicia, please.” She cried as she shivered with anticipation.
“Tell me what you want,” Alicia’s breath tickled the back of Rhea’s thighs as she kissed her slowly.
“I want your mouth on me.”
“Roll over, sweetie.”
Rhea rolled onto her back as Alicia’s lips left a trail of kisses along her hip and her fingertips touched her waiting center. Alicia’s tongue tasted her and her fingers filled her completely. Rhea’s body tensed against Alicia’s fingers and welcomed her with drenching wetness, as she arched up against Alicia’s probing mouth. The pleasurable ache between Rhea’s legs grew in intensity as Alicia filled her over and over until she exploded with a cry. Again Alicia drove up against her as she suckled her swollen organ.
Rhea’s hands grasped Alicia’s shoulders as she experienced a series of orgasms that left her totally breathless.
“Honey, 1 need to hold you,” she managed to gasp.
“I’m right here, baby.” Alicia snaked up Rhea’s body and wrapped her arms around her shoulders, tucking her face against Rhea’s. “I love you.”
“God, I love you so damn much.” Rhea rolled Alicia over onto her back and kissed her as she moved her hands down her torso to her hips and legs. She pulled Alicia’s legs up and rocked her hips against her as she ground her wet center against Alicia’s waiting body. Rhea knew what Alicia enjoyed, and she was going to love her completely. Rhea squeezed her hand between their bodies and entered Alicia fully. Rhea raised her hips as she teased Alicia closer to an orgasm. Her strokes were slow and deep, just like Alicia wanted, and Rhea felt intense pleasure of her own as she made love to Alicia.
Alicia moaned softly as she moved closer and closer to that perfect plane where love and physical pleasure connect. Her hands grasped Rhea’s buttocks and pulled her tighter against her hips. She needed the closest of connections with Rhea. Rhea slid her fingers out and spread Alicia open against her own wet center. The instant they touched Alicia began to moan as Rhea pressed herself against her and held still to prolong the exquisite moment that both of them were experiencing.
“Rhea, please,” Alicia whispered against Rhea’s mouth before kissing her deeply. Rhea opened her mouth to Alicia’s tongue as she brought her hips hard against Alicia’s over and over. Alicia’s hips met Rhea’s in the same intense rhythm, as she began to gasp and tense against Rhea before going limp on the bed, her body slack. Rhea lay on top of her, breathing hard, as she too was overwhelmed with her body’s reaction. Her hand reached up, her fingers threaded into Alicia’s hair, and she closed her eyes relishing the feeling.
They both dozed off, Rhea clutching a strand of Alicia’s hair, and Alicia’s arms locked around Rhea’s waist. They stayed asleep for another hour and a half before waking up and cuddling for a long time. It was moments like this that made both women feel extremely blessed with their lives and love.
CHAPTER 24
Life on the ranch was comfortably normal again, as Rhea and Ted managed everything competently. Sheri grew larger by the week. She was finally over her morning sickness and had moved into the placid I’m-enjoying-every-minute-of-this-pregnancy phase. She would spend most afternoons at work side by side with Alicia in her studio. They visited while Alicia sketched and Sheri designed her jewelry. They had developed a friendship that included long, comfortable silences and lots of laughter.
“Ladies, can I interrupt you a minute?” August poked his head in.
“Of course.” They both looked up expectantly.
“Sophia and I are going to take a week or so and go to Paris. Do you think the two of you could keep my children out of trouble until we get back?”
Alicia chuckled and Sheri grinned as she replied, “It’s a tough job but we’ll certainly do our best.”
“I knew you were up to the task. We’re going to leave on Sunday morning and should be back in about a week to ten days.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“Sophia wants to do some shopping, and I’m going to tag along.”
“Shopping, huh! A week in the most romantic city in the world and Sophia wants to shop? August, you must be slipping,” Sheri teased the huge man.
“Just you wait. Sophia is going to be swept off her feet again.”
“I’m going to be what?” Sophia walked into the room, a small smile on her face.
“I told them I’m going to sweep you off your feet in Paris like I did when you agreed to marry me.”
“You certainly didn’t sweep me off my feet!” Sophia snorted.
Sheri nodded wisely. She had heard the story of the courtship but Alicia had not, and it was worth hearing.
“Sophia, tell Alicia how you came to meet and marry August.”
Sophia pulled up a chair and sat down. “This is going to be a long story; you might want to make yourselves comfortable.”
August moved to the door looking a little disconcerted.
“August, where are you going?” Sheri asked, knowing full well that he didn’t want to stay and hear Sophia’s story.
“I have details to take care of before we leave.” He made a quick getaway.
“He hates it when I tell my version,” Sophia grinned mischievously.
“I was attending college in Sidney and was in my second year. I was studying to be a teacher. I always thought teaching was a noble profession. I had just become engaged to a nice young man studying to be a doctor. His name was Leonard Jarvis. He was the son of a wealthy fa
mily, and he was due to graduate that year and start attending medical school.”
“You were engaged to someone else?”
“Yes, we had known each other since we were young, and it had always been expected that we would marry when the time was right. Before my parents passed away they had given the relationship their blessing.”
“Did you love him?”
“Not in the way that two people should if they’re going to marry. But I didn’t know any better,” Sophia sighed. “There was a huge party to celebrate our engagement and Leonard invited several of his college buddies. August was attending college at the same time getting a business degree. He was also four months from graduating.”
“I bet August was handsome when he was younger,” Alicia commented.
“Oh he was, and arrogant and bossy. He came to the party slightly inebriated wearing an Italian suit that fit him perfectly. Leonard introduced us, and he asked if he could dance with me. I agreed and we danced to an old fashioned waltz. Boy, could that man dance. We whirled around the dance floor until I was breathless.” Sophia’s face grew thoughtful as she remembered.
“I remember looking up into his golden eyes and thinking he was gorgeous. He kept staring at me, never once looking away. When the dance ended we stood still for a moment, and I started to walk back to Leonard. August grabbed my hand and pulled me to him. He made the most startling declaration.”
“You can’t marry Leonard,” August spoke quietly, but with authority.
“Why can’t I?” Sophia couldn’t believe his arrogance.
“Because you’re going to marry me.”
“He said it so matter of factly that I could only stare at him, thinking he’d lost his mind.”
“What did you do?” Alicia listened raptly.
“I told him I didn’t even know him. He looked at me for the longest time and then he pulled me against him, and he kissed me.”
“He kissed you on the dance floor?” Alicia’s mouth dropped open. Sheri just grinned. She’d heard it all before.
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