Page 19 of Always Another Sunset

Pursing her lips in thought, JC tilted her head. “A name I will remember too…” she said, and then her smile returned. “Wait. This has nothing to do with my horrible singing voice, does it?”

“Oh yes, it does,” Bella said. “One of my favorite memories. Is that okay? A tribute, sort of.”

JC shook her head, but she was smiling. “In that case, yes,” she said, and Bella turned back to Teresa.

“Her name is Roxanne,” she said, loving the idea more every second. The name was perfect because it was associated with so many beautiful memories. “But we will call her Roxie for short.”

With a very drowsyRoxie in the backseat on a beach blanket and with Bella beside her, JC drove them home. Looking in the rearview mirror, JC saw her gently petting the animal. “Just rest, Roxie,” the woman murmured. “JC and I will take good care of you.” The scene warmed JC’s heart and they made a quick stop at a pet store where JC ran in to buy the essentials—bed, collar, dry food and water dishes, plus some wet food and treats. As she shopped, she felt that the situation seemed a little surreal. Suddenly, not only did Bella live with her, but they had Roxie to care for.

Grinning, she remembered the karaoke bar.I sang that song so badly,she thought.But Bella could always talk me into it after a couple of beers.Apparently, she could still talk JC into anything, including bringing home a recovering dog. She hoped the hasty decision was the right one. Taking time off from her business was impossible for the next few days. The situation left Bella to do all the work during the day, and she worried the woman didn’t realize what that would entail. Not that JC thought she wouldn’t be able to do it.But it could certainly derail her writing if Roxie needs to be taken outside.Only time would tell if their willingness to take Roxie in was the right choice.

Once they arrived at the house, JC carried Roxie inside while Bella handled putting the bed in the living room near what they would use as her writing area. “Okay,” Bella said, stepping back, but JC noticed she bit her lip, clearly appraising the setup. “Do you think she will be okay out here when we go to bed? I worry she will be scared when the drugs wear off.”

JC nodded. “That’s a good point,” she said. “I can sleep on the couch out here tonight.”

“That’s not fair to you,” Bella said, shaking her head. “Especially since you have to get up so early for your job.”

Appreciating Bella’s consideration about everything, JC smiled. “I don’t mind,” she said. “I promise to wake you up when I am ready to leave in the morning.”

Frowning, Bella didn’t look entirely convinced but nodded. “Okay,” she said. “I guess that will work, as long as you come to get me if you need help in the night.”

Without hesitating, JC put her arms around Bella’s waist. “You’re a wonderful person, Bella,” she said, and the woman met her eyes. A tenderness filled them.But is there a hint of something more?JC wondered, not sure how to interpret what she saw.

As if in answer, Bella leaned closer, surprising JC with a kiss on the lips. “Not half as good as you,” she murmured without pulling back. Encouraged, JC kissed her again, with more intensity this time. In response, Bella slid her hands up JC’s arms to put them around her shoulders. Their contact started a fire in JC, making her want more from the woman than only a kiss. The only thing that kept her from pulling Bella closer was the responsibility of taking care of Roxie. The basics, if nothing else, were in order.

Pausing, she studied Bella’s face. “Can we put this on hold for five minutes?” she asked. “Maybe get water for Roxie while I unload your bags?”

“Okay,” Bella responded, desire in her eyes, but understanding too. “You’re right. But only five minutes. I really like kissing you.” Liking the sound of that, JC moved into action and before long, all the suitcases were tucked away in the bedroom Bella would use. Returning to the living room, she found Bella sitting on the floor next to Roxie. The dog slowly took a drink from the bowl Bella had filled for her.

As JC walked closer, Roxie shifted her eyes to watch her every movement.Starting to wake up from the drugs a little more,JC thought.And probably realizing everything has changed. Hopefully she understands it’s for the better.From the beginning, every instinct told JC the dog would not bite. She had yet to even raise a lip to show her teeth.So, how did such a gentle animal show up on the street?Although she hated the idea, tomorrow evening after work, they would have to put up flyers in the neighborhood where they found her. Someone was probably looking for Roxie and finding the owner before they grew even more attached would be the best thing to do. Still, for tonight, she would enjoy the specialness of sharing time with Bella and Roxie.

19

Settling onto the comfortable leather couch beside JC, Bella loved the familiar way the woman slipped her arm over Bella’s shoulders to pull her closer. The warmth of JC’s firm body pressed beside her was both comforting and thrilling at the same time. Thinking of the kisses only a few minutes ago and how much she enjoyed them, Bella wasn’t sure what to do next.Should I make a move?she wondered, feeling a strange time warp from when they were in college. So many times when she was close to JC, wanting more, but unsure what to do about it.

For the moment, JC seemed content to relax and watch Roxie fall asleep, but Bella wasn’t sure she could let the evening slip by and then go to sleep if she didn’t get at least a little more of the woman.But what does JC need out of this? Am I expecting too much?The last thing Bella wanted was for JC to think she moved in with an agenda.Although we made out last night and were kissing again tonight.Things felt so confusing. As if in answer to Bella’s subliminal messages, JC turned her face to kiss Bella on the forehead. “You are quiet,” she said. “Do you want a glass of wine or something?”

Bella bit her lip, knowing her best chance to say how she felt was right now. “Well,” she said, hesitating as her mind ran through a million scenarios—unfortunately including JC turning her down if she made the wrong proposition. She couldn’t do it. “Wine would be nice.”

JC didn’t get up right away, as if sensing something in Bella’s tone, but then sighed and stood. “I’ll be right back.”

Before she could take a step, Bella bravely grabbed her hand. “Wait,” she said. “I don’t want wine yet.” She took a deep breath. “I want you to kiss me.”

Sinking onto the couch, JC smiled. “That I can do,” she said, taking Bella’s face into her hands. “As much as you want.”

“I want a lot,” Bella murmured an instant before she felt JC’s lips on hers. Like all the times before, the contact made heat radiate through her body, only this time, the kiss seemed to hold more promise. Definitely more passion. Each taking the kiss deeper, their tongues teased, and someone moaned, but Bella wasn’t sure who it came from. It was good, so good, yet as exciting as the kissing was, including last night, the hunger inside of Bella wanted more. An ache throbbed low in her body, and she needed to feel JCs hands on her, but so far, the woman’s hands hadn’t left Bella’s face.

Breaking the kiss, JC rested her forehead against Bella’s. “What are you thinking?” she whispered. “I can almost feel something circling in your head.” She hesitated before asking, “Is this all too much?”

“No, it’s not,” Bella breathed. “It’s just… well…”Oh screw it, I can’t take this anymore, she thought and pressed her hands against JC’s shoulders to push her away.

Acting surprised, JC pulled back, a look of apology on her beautiful face. “Bella,” she said clearly not understanding. “I’m sorry. I thought—”

“Stop talking, JC,” Bella said, continuing to push until the woman’s back was pressed against the cushions, and in a brave moment, Bella slid a leg over the woman’s legs until she straddled JC’s lap. A flicker of arousal showed in JC’s eyes, but she sat as if frozen and afraid to do the wrong thing. Not to be dissuaded, Bella took one of the woman’s hands and placed it on her ass, only to do the same thing with the other. Satisfied for the moment, Bella wrapped her arms around JC’s neck and leaned in. “Now. Kiss me some more.”

A smile broke out on JC’s face, and the fever of excitement shined in her eyes. “That I can do,” she repeated, but before she could act, Bella took over, covering JC’s mouth with her own. Unlike the interactions before, this time Bella was in complete control of the passion happening between them. Also, unlike before, the intensity of their kisses rapidly grew into a raging fire. After a few moments, they were both breathing heavy, and JC’s strong hands pulled her in tighter. Bella couldn’t remember the last time she was so turned on and flirted with the idea of suggesting they go to JC’s bedroom.But can we leave Roxie alone out here?she thought with a groan.One of us was going to sleep on the couch tonight.As JC nuzzled Bella’s neck, she realized they definitely had a dilemma.

With Bellaacross her lap and her head spinning from the long, passionate kisses, JC didn’t think she had ever been more excited. Her whole body ached at the idea Bella wanted to sleep with her, and under normal circumstances, JC would know precisely what to do. But they had one, small catch. A four-legged, furry one actually. JC moaned with frustration, and Bella pulled back to look at her.

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