Page 53 of Perfectly Matched

“I understand.” Hannah bowed and hoped that Oriana and the other elders could look beyond their physical and emotional scars and embrace some form of a new beginning. But knowing the elders, and after witnessing Oriana’s reaction, she was not going to cling to hope.

They departed, and Hannah took one last glance at the castle as they rode away. She wished she could be there when they met and have a say in the discussion that would determine her future. But she was not invited to participate, so her fate rested in the hands of others.

“You okay?” Payson asked. “You seem kinda quiet.”

“Just thinking,” Hannah said as she shook off the feeling of helplessness. If Payson’s time on this island was limited, they needed to make the most of it. “There’s something I want you to see. It’s a place I’ve been going to since I was a kid, and it’s very special to me. It’s about a twenty-minute ride, so hold on tight.” She told Bella to take them to the lake.

“What’s the deal around cars? I haven’t seen a single one,” Payson said as they neared the water.

“The islanders decided they didn’t want them. Too much land would have to be destroyed to accommodate the roads, and it would be detrimental to the wildlife. Besides, the island isn’t that big. Anywhere you need to go can be easily managed on foot or by horse. Besides, most of the islanders live in town, where everything is in close proximity. There’s only a few of us that chose to live on the outskirts.”

“It sounds like a wonderful way to live.”

“It is.” She wondered again if she could ever really leave. The answer, of course, was yes, she could physically leave, but how much of her soul would remain? How much would continue to beckon her back like a luring serenade. She swallowed the taste of dread as she thought again about the law and the storiesof the uprising. Chances were, nothing would change, so for now, she needed to concentrate on the moment.

Bella came to a stop, lowered her head, and began grazing as Hannah helped Payson off her back. She watched the marveled look in Payson’s eyes as she glanced around. Yes, Hannah hoped, she’s starting to believe. “See the rainbow in the mist at the base of the falls? I think it’s magical and one of the reasons this is my favorite spot on the island.”

“It’s…it’s….” Payson trailed off as she strolled to the water’s edge. “It’s just like the brochure.”

“No. It’s better than that brochure,” Hannah said as she began stripping off her clothes.

“What are you doing?”

“Going for a swim.” Hannah dove into the lake, surfaced, and treaded water. “Come on, the water’s warm and feels wonderful.”

“Um.” Payson hesitated a moment and looked around.

“No one’s around. I promise, it’s just you and me.”

Payson nodded and began to slowly remove her clothes.

As Hannah stared, she thought there was something sweet yet sad in the way Payson so timidly removed her clothes. As though she was uncomfortable or embarrassed by her body, which Hannah thought could rival any of the world’s statues sculpted to depict the ultimate beauty of the female form. And as Payson slowly ventured into the lake, Hannah felt her nipples harden, and goose bumps appeared on her skin as the desire to make love to Payson surfaced. Although they had made an agreement to take things slow, to let Payson get to know Hannah and trust her, right now, all she wanted to do was press her body against Payson’s and feel her skin on hers.

“You know,” Payson said as she stood chest-deep in the water. “I really needed this break in reality.”

“If Nikita gives her blessing, ‘this reality,’” Hannah said as she used air quotes. “Could be yours. I could bring you hereoften, or maybe…” Hannah approached and stood facing her. “If you’d like, you could live here with me.” She searched Payson’s eyes for permission to lean in and that Payson’s erect nipples were not simply an expression of being chilled.

Payson shook her head. “There’s still a part of me that can’t wrap my head around any of this. In so many ways, it feels like a dream because I just can’t believe this is all real.” She pinched her wrist.

“Will you stop doing that,” Hannah playfully held her hand. “I promise you, everything about this island…including me, is very real.” Hannah kissed the words down Payson’s neck. “Can you feel my lips on you?”

“Mm-hmm,” Payson mumbled as she tilted her head back.

“How about this?” She licked Payson’s breasts. “Can you feel this?”

“Yes,” Payson whispered.

“Then know that what you feel is real. That I’m real.” She cupped Payson’s face. “I don’t know what Nikita and the elders will decide, but if they allow it, do you think you could give up your other life for this one?”

Payson lowered her head. “That was not a life.”

Hannah placed her fingers under Payson’s chin and raised her gaze upward as she searched her eyes. “Then think about it, okay?”

Payson pressed against Hannah and kissed her long and soft. “I will,” she whispered as she took a breath.

“Mmm, do you have any idea how much I want you right now?” Hannah whispered.

“I may have an inkling.” Payson playfully pinched Hannah’s nipple and quickly backstroked away.

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