Page 30 of Spicy Sapphic Christmas

Right there.

Bea nearly crumbled.

That was the woman Bea had seen at the end of that first night, the sudden softness she’d never expected. And here it was again, once Bunny pushed past all the demanding, all the skepticism, all the bravado.

Was this the real Bunny?

Bea lost all track of time. She didn’t want to lift her head and move. She didn’t want to face the embarrassment that she knew was awaiting her as soon as she looked in Bunny’s gaze. She shifted on the piano bench, her ass starting to hurt from sitting in the odd position for so long.

“Are you ready to move?”

“I think so,” Bea whispered. She took in a deep bolstering breath before she pulled back. Bunny still didn’t let her go. She held onto both of Bea’s hips, making sure she was steady.

“Take your time. I’m serious.”

“I know you are. You’re never not serious.” Bea bit her tongue. She shouldn’t have snapped. Bunny was just trying to be helpful. Bea knew that. But her embarrassment was rearing its asshole nature and making her even more embarrassed by the second. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about—”

“Will you just accept my apology?” Bea snapped again. She cringed. She had to find a way to make herself stop.

“Yes.” Bunny pulled away slightly, lifting Bea’s chin so she could look in Bea’s eyes. “Yes, I accept your apology.”

“Thank you.” Bea relaxed a little more. She tried to shift off the bench, but Bunny was right there with her, an arm wrapped around her waist. Bea let her do it, because honestly, she wasn’t sure if she could stay upright without it. Not right now. Looking around, she was confused. “Where are Piper and Jo?”

“Jo said something about you needing sugar.”

“Oh.” Bea rubbed her lips together. That was what normally made her weak like this, a dip in her blood sugar. Leave it to Joto remember that and race after something that would help. But that wasn’t what had happened this time.

“They should be back soon. Piper took her to the coffee house just down the road to get something.”

“Okay.” Bea tried to move again, but Bunny was right there. “I won’t fall over.”

“I don’t believe that.” Bunny pressed in a little tighter. “But if you have a problem with your blood sugar, you need to tell me. Because if we need to plan for breaks during the show for you to keep it level, then we will.”

“No, I should be fine.”

“Three hours is a long set, Bea.”

“I’m fully aware.” Bea’s chest tightened under the stress of everything. They should have never agreed to do this show. She wasn’t going to be able to keep up with Bunny and Piper. They weren’t seasoned enough to do this. And it was already showing. They hadn’t even made it through a warm-up.

“What’s wrong?” Bunny asked, seeming genuine.

“I’m not some newb who’s never done this before. Jo and I have been doing shows for years, and we deserve some credit for that.”

“You have it.” Bunny shook her head in confusion. “I’m not underestimating your ability.”

“But you’re underestimating me.” Bea shook her head. Why was she doing this? Surely, she had better control of herself by now. “So stop.”

“I’m not—”

“Stop denying it!” Bea raised her voice.

Bunny’s lips parted but no sound came out. She dropped her gaze from Bea’s eyes to Bea’s lips, causing another wild shudder to run through Bea’s body and her knees to threaten to give out again.

“I don’t think you’re an idiot, Bea.” Bunny straightened her shoulders, but she still hadn’t looked back up into Bea’s eyes. “But you can’t deny that working with us is a boost to your ego and your image. Don’t think me an idiot.”

“That isn’t why we agreed to this.” Bea’s heart was in her throat again. She turned her body, forcing Bunny to raise her gaze up to her eyes. “And if you think I’m that shallow, then I’ll quit right now.”

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