Chapter Eighteen

Sunday, October 11 Angie traced her fingers over the soft skin of Luna’s low back, chasing the flickering shadows cast by the candles on the nightstand. Luna’s body, perfect and open to her, was her favorite pastime. A new territory to be explored, mapped, and cherished time and again. Finally, she could picture herself thirty years in the future, taking the same care to learn the inevitable changes.

“Mmm, feels good.” Luna shifted, bringing her body around to rest on her side. “Going to let me repay the favor?” She captured Angie’s hand in hers and brought it to her mouth, kissing her fingers delicately.

“Later.” Angie eased Luna onto her back and tucked herself into Luna’s side, her head resting on Luna’s shoulder. “Right now I just want to bask in the afterglow.”

Luna tightened her arms around Angie, bringing their bodies flush. “Sounds good.”

With her leg thrown over Luna, Angie’s naked center pressed against Luna’s hip. Every movement created delicious friction and her body flared to life. With a groan she pulled herself away a fraction.

“Really?” Luna asked, her eyes heavy and laughing. She was the only woman Angie knew who could look genuinely amused and turned on at the same time.

“Always.” A few weeks prior, Angie wouldn’t have dared be so honest. She refused to let Luna know how much she affected her. Now she couldn’t imagine holding anything back.

“I love you.” Luna kissed Angie, her lips gentle, loving, and undemanding. She’d done that a lot recently, declared her love then immediately eliminated the possibility for Angie to reciprocate. Even if Angie wanted to say the words in return, it was hard to do with Luna’s tongue exploring her mouth.

When the kiss ended, Angie looked into Luna’s eyes, holding her gaze in the soft candlelight. “I do, too, you know.”

Luna’s mouth curved into a slow smile. “What?”

“Love you,” Angie whispered, the power of her emotions cracking her voice, breaking it down until she could barely force air past her lips. She needed Luna to know, needed the love to reach Luna’s heart.

Luna pulled her closer, covering her mouth in a demanding kiss, her tongue exploring Angie’s lips, her teeth, the soft skin inside her mouth. She pulled away with a sob. “Thank you.”

“I should have said it sooner.”

“No.” Tears, heavy and fat, rolled down Luna’s face. “You said it when you were ready. That means everything.”

“Promise me…” The unspoken request was too much for Angie, dying before fully formed. She couldn’t bring herself to ask for what she really wanted, needed from Luna.

“Anything.” Luna kissed Angie’s eyes. “Anything you want. I promise.”

“Just hold me.” Angie left the word forever unsaid. Luna knew her fear of being abandoned. They’d discussed it calmly, over coffee the morning after they brought Oliver home from the hospital. Saying she loved Luna was a huge step. Saying she needed her to be there, to promise to never leave, was more than Angie could manage. The weight of it sank into her chest, unable to make its way to the surface.

“Always, Angie. I’m here.” Luna gathered her carefully, tenderly, as the candles around them sputtered and gave way. Luna’s voice found her in the dark. “I’ll always be here.”