Page 94 of Push & Pull
Other people wanted her for their own gains. Not Petra. She threw her whole body, her whole soul, into absconding with Simone once again. As they traveled to the fantastical place where they both knew their roles and the tasty script that was more delicious than anything Simone had put in her mouth, the lights faded from the room. All that was left was the candlelight of a witch’s magical tower.
And the enchanting spells that fell from her mouth and into Simone’s ear.
Simone didn’t know the future. She didn’t know who would be hanging on her every word as she told this crazy story a few decades from now, but she knew they wouldn’t believe her. How could she, the refined heiress who had stumbled through her twenties, fall in love with someone like Petra? They were from such opposing worlds. The rough and ready woman who had driven Simone up from Miami was nothing like the spoiled girl who made trouble for others and could hardly keep herself together. Yet in the fleeting moments they shared along the way, Simone felt more at peace than ever before. The natural connection between her and Petra was a balm to the spiritual wounds she had suffered between here and there. For those, Simone owed no explanation to anyone. They were her wounds to keep, but she was happy to let Petra heal them on her own time.
It’s what I always needed.Someone who loved her for the mess she was beneath the jaded veneer. Simone Evans may not have been the most captivating catch in the socialite world, but she had attracted Petra, the woman she was always meant to meet.
Fate was real. Destiny was a diamond in the rough.
“Holy fuck.” Petra, who had ridden herself to orgasm while clasping to the top of Simone’s head and breathing her heavy, gasping kisses against her lover’s cheek, could only spare a few more words for the night. “I fucking love you, princess.”
Simone wrapped her arms around Petra and held her close. Although she didn’t cry, she experienced the overwhelming emotions that often led a woman to a cascade of tears.
This time, she wouldn’t let Petra go. There was too much at stake now.
Only a While Later
Therewerebeautifuldays,and then there was the kind of sunshine that made a woman’s skin glow, and the gentle breezes that touched her soul.
All in all, it’s a great day to be alive!
Petra had been planning something special, both to celebrate all charges being dropped for Simone’s kidnapping, and probation offered for her past of petty thefts.Guess I shouldn’t forget my lovely cohorts going to prison!Once Earl Olivier discovered who was behind Petra’s legal team, he backed off, but not without calling her a whore in court. With a Southern accent, no less.
That’s not all I’m celebrating.
She wanted to thank the people who helped her move on with her life, but there was one person in particular she cared about the most.
Simone was already waiting for her at the restaurant, their favorite place to meet up when one had a moment to spare during the day and the other wasn’t running around attempting to get her life back together.What’s crazy is that we could be either of those descriptions.Yet it was Simone who was so busy, and Petra whose life was so hectic.
“Hey.” Petra pulled aside the waiter who was about to head inside from the garden terrace separating the outdoor diners from the hustle and bustle of the city. “No matter what, don’t let Ms. Evans pay for this lunch. You got me, bud? It’s my treat today.”
The waiter rolled his eyes in one direction and smiled at her from the other. “Not a problem.”
“Mmhmm.” She waited for him to head inside before going on to wave at Simone at their favorite table, nestled between two jasmine bushes and only a stone’s throw from the small water feature that adorned the center of the terrace.
“There’s my princess.” Petra could never simply sit in her seat. She always had to bend down half a foot to kiss Simone on the cheekbeforesitting in her chair. “As bewitching as ever.”
Simone didn’t remove her sunglasses and roll up the sleeves of her sweater until Petra was settled into her seat.How she survives these warm springs in so much clothing, I do not know.Nor did Petra ever think she’d unlock every mystery of the princess in the tower. The fact she had figured out half of them was enough for her. Besides, mystery in a relationship kept things interesting.
“You’re exceptionally chipper today.” Simone grinned.That’s what I like to see.Simone had the prettiest smile that side of the Great Lakes, and Petra would forever hurt her brain trying to describe it like a proper poet. “Must have received some good news.”
“Lots of good news, babe.” When Simone turned her mouth upside down, Petra remembered to strike “babe” from the list of potential long-term pet names. “I’m drowning in good news, and I’d like to turn my unfortunate death into something better.”
“You have such a weird way with words.”
“You like it.”
As they shared a wordless look, the waiter bugged Petra for her order. Simone stared at the nearest jasmine bush while Petra hurried to choose between the BLT and the French dip. Which meant she should stick with the roast turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce and Swiss cheese. That was always her go-to when she couldn’t find anything else immediately appealing on the seasonal sandwich menu.
“First!” Petra drummed her hands against the table, summoning Simone’s wandering attention. “Your girl starts her probation this time yesterday. So, as long as I stay out of trouble for the next two years, I’m in theclearand my life has officially startedover.Fuck, yeah.”
Simone politely clapped. “Good work.”
“Don’t tell me that. Call up my fancy lawyer and give him a bonus. That man charms the pants off a legless reptile. I could learn a thing or two from him.”
“You won’t, because you’re a good girl now.”
“Uh-huh. Which leads to the next thing we’re celebrating.” That was punctuated with the arrival of her mimosa, which she was treating herself to while Simone sipped on iced tea. “I received the final job offer today and am one lunch with my girlfriend away from signing it and making it official. I start next week.”
