“Do you mind if…” Kaelee glanced at the bathroom door.
“Not at all. I can bring you something to eat when it gets here.”
“You are agoddess. Do you hear me?” Kaelee stepped forward, grabbed her by the hips, and pulled her close. “Is this okay? I mean, you kissed me, but… tell me your rules.”
“No rules.” Greta tilted her head upward. “This weekend I amjust a woman who went away with someone she hopes will seduce her.”
Kaelee stared at her for a second. “So this is just a weekend reprieve?”
Greta shrugged. “I don’t know yet. I hope it’s more, but can we see how we get along? Maybe we aren’t as compatible as we thought.”
The look Kaelee gave her was somewhere between amused and sympathetic. “Because weeks of texting about everything didn’t clarify that?”
“I like you, Kaelee Carpenter. I like talking to you and texting, and I like that I was the person you called today. And if you’re willing to have Ian as your editor—”
“I am,” Kaelee interrupted.
“Then we can start with the weekend,” Greta finished.
Not breaking eye contact, Kaelee said, “I’ll take it. I already want more than a few days. You get that, right?”
“Even though neither of usdothat?” Greta whispered. “I have spent so many hours trying to make sense of us.…”
Kaelee tightened her hold on her hips as she slanted her mouth over Greta’s and kissed her. The feel of her body clutching Greta like she was a life raft in a storm was enough to erase any lingering hesitation. Physically, they were aligned. That was a truth unchanged.
Greta’s hands found themselves on Kaelee’s shoulders, and then one hand snaked upward to hold Kaelee in place, making their kiss last just a moment longer. When she pulled back, Greta admitted, “I have been so worried about you. I don’t know why they’re back in your life or what will happen, but after your binge drink—”
“I am right here,” Kaelee said. Her voice was rough as she added, “Not drinking. Not running far away from you. Right here with you for the next few days. I need to hide for a few days and think, too, and I’m grateful you’re here with me while I do that.”
“Then get naked and relax in the tub while I get you dinner,” Greta suggested. Once Kaelee nodded, Greta added, “Let me takecare of you tonight. We can talk or you can share whatever you had in that envelope, or—”
“Or you’ll let me have tonight just to have you?” Kaelee interrupted. “I want to have control over my life, clear my head, and sex does that for me.”
“If that’s what you need.”
“I needyou,Greta. Can I have you?”
Greta nodded. “First, soak away the aches from driving in holiday traffic. Then, I’m all yours.”
“Gladly.”
Once Kaelee went into the bathroom and shut the door, Greta leaned against the wall with a huge smile on her face.She wants more, too. I’m not in this alone.Her feelings bubbled up like a well of happiness, and she stayed that way for several moments. Kaelee had called her, sought her out, and she was here.
When the knock at the door and call of “Room service” came, Greta looked out the peephole again and then cracked the door. She held out her hand for the slip, but she kept her body half in the doorway, so she was standing with one foot behind the door. “I have it from here.”
The man said, “Of course. If you prefer, I could wheel it in to—”
“No need. Just leave it right there.” Greta signed the slip, keeping the door barely opened still. She didn’t expect Kaelee to step out of the bathroom, but just in case, Greta was being careful.
Once the man left and was several doorways away, Greta pulled the cart into the room. “Food’s here,” she called out. Then she tossed the locks on the door. She poured two glasses of water and grabbed a bowl of fresh berries. Tapping on the door to the bathroom, she asked, “Can I join you? Or do you need—”
“You can come in,” Kaelee called out.
Greta paused just inside the door of the massive bathroom. The vision before her made her need to pause and take it all in. Kaeleewas naked in the oversized tub. Her head was tilted back, resting on the side of the tub. Her eyes were half closed in relaxation, and the swell of her breasts was visible above the water.
“You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?” Greta met Kaelee’s amused gaze.
Kaelee laughed. “Not at all. I have plans for you.” She sat up, water sluicing over her breasts as she lifted herself partway out of the water. “What’s that?”
