When bedtime came, Rose dressed in her usual Dartmouth shirt while Ronnie donned her sweats and tee-shirt. They slipped under the covers and snuggled up together for a moment before the young woman let out a soft chuckle. "What?" Ronnie asked.
"Sorry, it just seems strange to be dressed after last night," she admitted, her fingers sliding up under the short sleeve of the older woman's shirt and caressing the soft skin found there.
"There's nothing that says we have to be dressed," Ronnie pointed out. Without warning she sat up and peeled off her shirt, the light from the lamp revealing her ample breasts to Rose's gaze. "Why don't you take yours off too?"
"Well...I suppose it won't hurt anything."
"Of course not." Hungry eyes took in the sight of mouth watering nipples as the Dartmouth shirt was removed. "God, Rose..." Ronnie swallowed. "...you are so beautiful." She covered the smaller body with her own and let their mouths find something better to do than talk. Rose's lips parted willingly as the kiss deepened and her hands went around her lover's back in an attempt to pull their bodies even closer. Passions flared and hips found themselves unable to remain still. "Rose..." Ronnie's lips moved to the delicate skin of the young woman's neck and began to kiss their way down only to be stopped inches from the pink puckered skin of her goal.
"Ronnie...I have my period, remember?" She laughed at the dejected look on her lover's face. "It's only for a few days." Her fingers grazed the sides of Ronnie's breasts. "Of course..." One thumb brushed over a darkened nipple. "...you don't." The other thumb duplicated the motion. "Ronnie...let me make love to you."
The dark haired woman moved off Rose's body and laid down next to her and away from the far too distracting digits. "I can't." She traced the outline of the younger woman's lips with her finger. "I want to give you the same pleasure you give me." She paused. "You know...there are some couples that have sex even with their periods."
"I don't know, Ronnie...that seems icky to me. I just can't do it." Rose rolled onto her side and propped her head up with her hand. "I love you but I can't let you touch me there right now." She reached out with her free hand only to have it stopped.
"No you don't. No teasing me." Ronnie reached over and shut the light off. "I love you, Rose. Go to sleep."
"You're sure I can't do anything for you?" Her hand went wandering again, this time reaching its goal.
"Rose..." She reluctantly removed her lover's hand from her breast. "Only if it's mutual." She leaned over and her lips found Rose's. "Now go to sleep."
The alarm went off, signaling the start of a new day. Ronnie woke and headed downstairs for her morning workout, figuring Rose would sleep until she returned. She was surprised, therefore, when she returned to find the young woman sitting at the table, completely dressed and drinking coffee. "I thought you'd still be sleeping."
"Oh no. Did you forget what day this is?"
Ronnie poured coffee into her mug. "Hmm?"
"You said we could go to the office today. Laura's leaving at the end of the week."
"Was that today?" She tried to look serious but the tug at the corner of her mouth gave her away. "I remember, hon. I just figured you'd take your time getting up." She took a sip of coffee. "You won't have to do any work today anyway, just get used to the way the office operates and learn how to work the phone."
"If there's anything for me to do, I'll do it, I don't mind," Rose said as she handed over the paper to Ronnie.
"How did I get so lucky?" She reached out and caressed the young woman's cheek.
"I think the luck is on my side."
"I believe my heart would argue with you on that one." She leaned over for a kiss and was met halfway. "I love you, Rose."
"Love you too."
It was the most enjoyable ride to the office Ronnie ever had. It was almost a sightseeing tour as they traveled through the various streets of Albany. In an attempt to avoid going anywhere near Washington Park, the sight of the ill-fated accident, Ronnie took a long, roundabout route through the downtown area until she reached State Street and the Cartwright Building. She dropped Rose off in front of the mammoth building before continuing on to the parking garage. A few minutes later she returned and held the door so the young woman could enter.
Having never been inside the palatial structure, the young woman was quickly awestruck by the high arch ceilings and wide open space of the lobby. A large brass plaque welcomed them to the Cartwright Building. "Our elevators are over here," Ronnie said, smiling to herself at the look on Rose's face. "I take it you like my building?"
"It's beautiful. And so big."
"A lot of people work here."
"Do they all work for you?"
"No." Ronnie pressed the up button, frowning when she looked up and saw how many floors away the elevator was. "Most of the lobby and first five floors are rented out to other companies and businesses. The rest of them work for me."
"I know it's a big company and all but just how many people work for Cartwright Corp?"
"Ask Susan, she knows. I think between all the different divisions there's somewhere close to ten thousand working for us across the region, but I'm not totally sure. Ah, here we go." The elevator opened and several people exited. Rose noted the immediate change in her companion's stance. Gone was the relaxed, comfortable Ronnie. The woman before her was now the powerful and awe-inspiring Veronica. They entered and the button was pressed before the doors could close. "You might as well lean back against the wall, Rose. It's going to be a long ride to the top."
Ronnie held the door open as Rose came through on her crutches. "Laura, I'd like you to meet your replacement, Rose Grayson. Rose, this is Laura." The women exchanged pleasantries while Ronnie flipped through her messages. "All set? Rose, Laura will show you around and get you situated. I'll be in my office if you need anything." She exchanged a wink with Rose before closing the door.
The executive's desk was piled high with paperwork and lunch was the last thing on her mind when Rose knocked and poked her head around the door. "Hungry?"
"Is it that time already?" Ronnie looked at her watch and raised an eyebrow with surprise at the amount of time that had passed. "There's a deli downstairs if you want to call and have them deliver something." She looked up and found herself lost in jade eyes. She stood and nodded at the door. "Come inside and close it." Rose did as she bade and sat down on the couch, letting her left leg rest on the cushions. Ronnie knelt down next to her, nuzzling soft lips against the shell of the young woman's ear. "You know how much I love you?" she whispered.
"You know I could sue for sexual harassment," Rose teased. "The big bad boss coming on to her innocent young secretary...ohh..." Her eyes fluttered shut when Ronnie's mouth moved down to nip her throat. "Mmm, lucky secretary."
"Lucky boss," the executive murmured in reply as her lips traveled along Rose's neck. "Let's forget about lunch." Her long fingers reached to undo the rust colored top but found themselves stopped.
"Ronnie, we can't do this. How are either of us supposed to get any work done if you keep me trapped on your couch?" She released the older woman's fingers and put her hands on broad shoulders in an attempt to keep Ronnie's mouth from traveling any lower. "What do you want for lunch?" She saw the wicked glint in blue eyes before she felt warm breath caressing her ear. Her eyes widened at the erotic words whispered in an incredibly sensual tone. "Um...oh God...you can't talk to me like that."
"You like it, do you?" Ronnie's eyebrow quirked at the thought. "Hmm...." She brushed golden hair out of her way and lowered her lips to the young woman's ear. "I have every intention of making love to you right here on this couch." Her voice was pure seduction and her hands moved to deliver on her promise, cupping Rose's breast.
"Ronnie, we can't do this now." She shifted away from the all too erotic touch. "I have my period, remember?"
"You know, a brave warrior would be willing to enter a bloody battlefield."
"Veronica!" she squeaked, playfully slapping the older woman's shoulder. "I can't believe you said that." She gently pushed Ronnie away and sat up. "You need to get your mind out of the gutter and think about lunch."
"I already told you I'm not hungry...for food." Her mouth claimed Rose's as she moved onto the couch, covering the smaller body with her own.
The door opened quickly. "Hey Ronnie, I thought maybe we could catch some lunch at..." Susan's voice trailed off as she watched her sister bolt up off the couch and turn away. The redhead smirked as a rather embarrassed Rose sat up and hastily refastened the buttons that skillful fingers had undone. "Oh, I guess you already have plans for lunch. Hello, Rose."
"Hi, Susan." The young woman looked down guiltily.
Unable to resist, the younger Cartwright looked at her sister. "Hey Ronnie, you really need to remember to lock your door when you don't want to be interrupted or do you still want to keep telling me that nothing's going on?"
"Most people know better than to walk into my office unannounced. You said something about lunch?" the executive growled, her body thrumming with desire for what she couldn't have...yet.
"Well, I don't want to interrupt your plans."
"We didn't have plans yet," Rose said, regaining most of her composure. "I had just come in to ask Ronnie what she wanted when..." The feeling of her lover's hands on her body was still fresh, causing her to take a deep breath. "Um, what did you have in mind?" She forced herself not to look at her lover.
Susan smirked before continuing. "They just opened a new Chinese place on North Pearl Street. I heard their buffet is fabulous."
"You know what Mother would say if she knew you ate from a buffet in public?" Ronnie teased. "Sure, sounds good to me." She saw Rose reach for her crutches. "Oh...there's absolutely no parking near it." The raven haired woman thought for a moment. "I know, I'll meet you downstairs, drive you over, then bring the car back to the garage. It's only a five minute walk from here."
"You don't have to do that," the young woman replied. "That's not far at all. I can make it."
"I don't know, Rose...crossing State Street with all that traffic at noontime." Ronnie shook her head. "Susan, why don't we just have them deliver something here?"
"That's fine with me."
"Are you sure?" Rose asked. "You seemed like you wanted to get out for a while."
"No, just wanted something other than the soaps to keep me company for lunch today." The redhead looked at her watch, the phone, and then her sister. "But I really am hungry." Another thought occurred to her. "Where are we going to eat?"
"Why not the conference room?" Ronnie replied.
"Can't. Brooker has a meeting in there."
"Isn't there a lunchroom?" Rose asked innocently. The sisters looked at each other and chuckled.
"There's a deli in the lobby and a break room down the hall but not really any lunch room," Susan said. "Most people go out for lunch or eat at their desks. Lunchrooms tend to make people take longer breaks and that reduces productivity."
"Oh, don't get her started on that again," Ronnie warned. "First it'll be the slackers, then the smokers, then the gossipers." She walked over and put her hands on the younger sibling's shoulders. "Before you know it she'll issue all sorts of memos and I'll have the Clerical Union screaming at me again."
Lunch and the rest of the work day flew by. As Ronnie expected, everyone who met Rose liked her immediately and the young woman quickly settled into her new position. The executive quickly learned the fringe benefit of having her lover be her secretary. Ronnie couldn't get enough of the honey haired woman's kisses and would call her into the office just to taste the sweetness of Rose's mouth one more time. Fantasies played through the executive's mind. Fantasies which included her, the overstuffed leather couch in her office, and Rose naked and waiting for her. Alas, she knew they would remain only that. As much as they loved each other, there was a time and place for everything and in her office during working hours was not it. Opening her datebook, blue eyes fell on the upcoming Saturday. She was certain Rose would be over her period by then. The marbled blue-green pen twiddled in her fingers before she absently drew a heart in the memo section of the page. Soon the heart found letters doodled within it. R. G. + V. C. Pitiful renditions of roses began filling the margins but when Rose spotted them later, they caused the young woman to burst into happy tears. While Ronnie was surprised by the reaction, she was more than willing to offer comfort, taking her lover into her arms and resting her chin on top of the golden hair. It was one of the times she enjoyed most, holding Rose in her arms, being the proud warrior protecting her delicate companion. It was at those moments that Ronnie felt whole, complete. She knew that she could never live without the dancing green eyes and laughing smile of her precious Rose.
When that Saturday came, Ronnie was awake with the sun, visions of making love to Rose over and over dancing in her mind. It was a particularly lively image that she focused on as she slipped out of bed and sauntered off to the bathroom.
"Oh, Son of a bitch!" The shouted exclamation woke Rose from her sleep.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Another muffled curse, then the sound of water running.
"Ronnie?" Rose picked up her crutches and made her way to the bathroom. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Ronnie answered from the other side of the door. Her underwear ended up in the sink with water running over them. She cleaned herself up then opened the door. "Guess what I got?" she said as she walked past, treating Rose to the sight of firm cheeks wiggling below the grey tee-shirt.
"You're kidding."
"Nope." She jerked a clean pair of panties out of the drawer and pulled them on. "Talk about lousy timing." She leaned over and gave Rose a quick kiss. "But you should be done," she whispered in a husky voice, her hands slipping under the hem of the Dartmouth shirt in search of twin mounds. The young woman backed out of reach.
"Wait a minute there, Missy...I couldn't touch you when I had mine."
"B-but..." The executive pouted, realizing where the conversation was headed...and she wasn't. "Rose...you know that just because you can't touch me that doesn't mean-"
"Don't even think about trying that. It didn't work when I tried it, remember?" The young woman's eyes took in the athletic body before her and sighed. "I was looking forward to it too, you know."
"But...but..." Ronnie was silenced by Rose's fingers against her lips.
"I hope you get over it quickly, darling," the young woman cooed. "Maybe next month you'll reconsider when I want to touch you."
Rose wished Ronnie could be in the room with her when Doctor Barnes removed the cast but an important meeting forced the executive to stay at work while Maria drove the young woman to the appointment. The small reciprocating saw sliced through the plaster, ticking her in the process. "Just a little more," the doctor said. The saw was set down and a pair of scissors cut through the cotton and released the cast's hold on Rose's leg. The first thing she saw when looking down at her leg were the long strands of blonde hair sticking out past dried, flaky skin. She wiggled her toes, frowning at the tinge of pain that went through her ankle. She had been doing it for several weeks and the response had always been the same yet Rose somehow believed that when the cast came off that the pain would go away. After all, it didn't take that long for her right leg to heal up and take her weight. "When can I start walking on it?" She flexed her foot, hissing at the agony it caused.
"I'm afraid walking isn't something that's going to happen for a while yet, Miss Grayson."
"But..." She looked at the physician fearfully. "You said no more casts."
"That's right, no more casts," Doctor Barnes reassured. "But your ankle suffered a great deal of trauma and it hasn't healed as well as I had hoped. It can't be left unsupported. You'll need a brace." She crossed the room and retrieved one from the drawer. Dark blue canvas covered flat metal rods and Velcro straps held everything together. Rose looked at the object with disdain. It represented the crushing of her hope and yet another reminder of the accident. She listened quietly as the doctor explained the need for physical therapy and stressed that the ankle was too weak to support any weight yet and a dozen other things that Rose didn't want to hear. Her only consolation was that she could remove it to take baths. As much as the honey haired woman had been looking forward to soaking in a hot tub of water, it seemed insignificant now.
Maria's attempts to get the subdued woman to talk on the way home were met with mumbled answers or silence. Once inside, Rose announced she was tired and retreated to her room. Hoping against hope that the doctor was wrong, she set her crutches against the wall and let her left foot rest against the ground. There was a twinge of pain but nothing she couldn't live with. She leaned forward, putting more weight on the tender ankle. Blinding pain shot through her and she collapsed onto the floor. The pain was the catalyst as the tear ducts opened and her breath came out in wracking sobs. Maria came in and helped her into the bed where Rose quickly cried herself to sleep.
Ronnie entered a short time later, having been called home by the worried housekeeper. It took only a brief explanation of what happened at the doctor's office for the executive to realize why her lover was so upset. Rose had been excited at breakfast about the prospect of having the cast gone completely. Drawn into the young woman's good mood, Ronnie never gave any thought to the possibility that they might replace the cast with a brace. In fact, she had been more focused on the knowledge that her period was finally over and after a week and a half she'd finally be able to make love to Rose again. Now looking at puffy eyes and the telltale wet spot on the pillow, she felt a sliver of guilt. All amorous thoughts far from her mind, Ronnie kicked her shoes off and climbed into bed beside her lover.
Rose felt a gentle rubbing on her shoulders as consciousness returned. She inhaled the scent of Ronnie's perfume and smiled, knowing her beloved was there with her. She rolled over and winced at the pain in her ankle. "Hi."
"Hi yourself," Ronnie replied. Her brow was furrowed with concern. "Did they give you anything for the pain?"
"More Percocet," she shrugged, her tone low. "I can take a bath now but nothing else." She let herself be drawn against the taller woman and buried her face into the silk blouse. "I still have to use the damn crutches." She snuggled closer, her fingertips tracing the outline of Ronnie's bra. "I tried to put weight on it," she admitted. "But it hurt too much." Her legs shifted against each other. "And now it itches." Ronnie nodded, remembering when Rose's right cast was removed. "Anyway," Rose continued. "How was Laura's final day?"
"Good. She loved her going away slash baby shower party."
"Good, I'm glad she enjoyed it. Sorry I wasn't up to coming."
"Shh, she understood. She loved the baby outfits and blankets, by the way." Ronnie's knuckles brushed against the softness of Rose's cheek. "But right now I don't want to talk about her. You've had a pretty rough day of it. Look, your cast is off and she said you could take baths now, right?"
"Right..."
"So how about we let Maria go home early today and you and I take advantage of that obscenely large tub I have upstairs, hmm?" Sensing Rose's hesitation, she added, "There's jets and I have a full bottle of bubble bath just waiting for you. If you're a good girl I might even be convinced to join you."
"Are you done with...?" Ronnie's eyes twinkled with mischief as she nodded. Rose gulped. "Oh." The finger that had been tracing the bra line now ran back and forth against the back catch. "That means that I can touch you now," the young woman murmured, her voice a sensual whisper. "I missed that, you know. Touching you." She lifted her head, her lips finding Ronnie's. "Don't punish me like that again."
"I won't," the executive vowed, knowing full well what the younger woman was feeling. "How does your ankle feel right now? Think you're up for that bath?"
"Are you going to join me?" Rose asked brazenly, the vision of a wet, naked Ronnie causing her heart to beat faster.
"I'd love to," the dark haired woman replied.
Ronnie turned the dimmer, causing the bright white to mellow to a soft yellow before her lover entered her bedroom. "Sit on the bed, I'll help you undress," she offered. Saving time, she began to strip, getting the skirt and blouse off before realizing that Rose was standing there, watching her. She turned to face the younger woman, slowly removing the rest of her clothing. She stood there naked, her dark curls standing out in contrast to her skin. Rose swallowed several times as her eyes wandered up and down Ronnie's body. "So beautiful," the young woman whispered.
"My turn to see your beauty," the raven haired woman countered, leading Rose to the edge of the bed. The crutches were placed out of the way and one by one buttons opened to reveal creamy white flesh. At last all the clothes were removed, leaving only the dark blue brace to mar the image. Careful not to jar the tender ankle, Ronnie opened the Velcro straps and removed the brace. "I think a shower first to scrub off all this dead skin would be a good idea."
"You're going to hold me up in a shower?"
"No, there's a bench built in to the wall and the showerhead is attached to a hose. It's one of those massager kinda ones."
"You really do have-"
"All the toys?" Ronnie interjected. "Yup." She grinned broadly as her eyes landed on her nightstand drawer and her mind filled with images of what was hidden inside. "You know Rose..." her voice took on a husky quality. "I have some toys that you haven't seen yet."
"What kind of...oh." Green eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed with the thought of the possible uses. "Those kind of toys."
"Mmm hmm." As they kissed, Ronnie pressed her body against Rose's, moaning when she felt the younger woman's thigh press against her swollen center. She returned the favor, grinding her muscled thigh against Rose's wet folds. "Keep this up and we'll never get into that bath," she husked. With great self-control she lifted herself off the smaller woman's body and scooped her into her arms. She smiled when she felt Rose's arms wrap around her neck. As a forethought she reached out with her fingers and hooked the edge of the blanket, tugging the corner down while still holding onto her lover.
"I like it when you hold me like this," the young woman said, planting gentle kisses all over Ronnie's shoulder and collarbone. Far too soon they were in the bathroom and Rose had to release her embrace. Balancing on one foot and leaning against the wall for support, she waited while Ronnie quickly turned on the water and adjusted the temperature. Once it was ready, she helped Rose into the shower and knelt down next to her. "If I'm too rough on you, let me know, okay?" Ronnie asked.
But the executive was anything but rough. She wrapped the washcloth around her finger and gave it a generous lather before going anywhere near Rose's skin. Bit by bit the dead skin sloughed off, leaving fresh pink behind. When that task was completed, Ronnie used her shaving gel to work up a good lather before her razor removed the itchy hair from Rose's leg. The raven haired woman left long enough to turn on the hot tub and add bubble bath before returning to the shower. "That's a big tub. It's going to take about ten to fifteen minutes to fill up. Do you want to wait or get in while it's filling?"
"I'd rather wait and sink into it all at once. It's been so long since I've had a bath."
"Deal. Let's get you dried off. You can sit on that padded bench over there until it's ready." She walked over to the linen closet to get more towels.
Rose leaned back and eyed the swaying hips and firm derriere appreciatively. The stack of towels blocked her view of Ronnie's breasts when the woman returned but she knew she'd see them up close and personal very soon. Her wish was granted a minute later when strong arms picked her up and held her tight against the soft mounds. Rose took advantage of her position to nibble her lover's neck while being led to the tub. Not wanting Ronnie to accidentally slip, she stopped her teasing and looked down at the churning, bubble covered water. "Careful of your ankle," the older woman reminded. "You don't have anything protecting it in here." Rose reached out for the sides of the tub as Ronnie knelt and lowered her in.
"Ohhhh....this is nice," the young woman purred as the hot water swirled around her. A molded seat beckoned her to sit down and she did, surprised to find tiny jets massaging her back. She twisted to see that there were in fact several rows of tiny holes shooting out streams of water beneath the surface. "This is verrrrry nice." She settled back in, smiling as she watched Ronnie join her.
"So you like this, hmm?" She sat in the seat next to Rose, the height difference causing her nipples to stand out above the water while the young woman's hid below the suds.
"I see definite benefits to this tub." A gentle but determined hand moved underwater. Without thought Rose spread her legs, giving Ronnie the access she needed. "Some...definite benefits...uh huh." She turned her head and found her lips claimed by her dark haired lover. The kiss quickly turned heated and when Ronnie's hand moved up to cup her breast, Rose was certain she was going to orgasm right then and there.
"It's been a long eight days," the executive rasped, her eyes teased mercilessly by the bubbles that refused to let her see the treasures hidden beneath. She pivoted and straddled Rose's thighs, intending to kiss her lover senseless. But she forgot one important thing...the difference in their height. Before Ronnie could reposition herself, Rose's mouth had accepted the obvious invitation and claimed her nipple. "Oh Rose..." Blue eyes closed as she let the young woman have her fill of first one, then the other breast. She finally pulled back to look down into beautiful green eyes. "You keep that up and we won't be in here for long." She sank back into her seat.
"I don't know what got into me," Rose said as a cute blush worked its way up her cheeks. "You moved and suddenly they were there."
"I haven't turned you into a sex maniac with only one night of passion, have I?" Ronnie teased.
"Only when it comes to you." The young woman's hand moved beneath the water to rest on her lover's thigh. "I love you and I love touching you."
"That goes both ways, you know," Ronnie said, resting her hand on Rose's cheek. "I'd better move to the other side or you'll never get a chance to soak."
"No, I'll be good. I'd rather have you next to me."
Good turned out to be a relative term as both took advantage of the intimacy the hot tub offered. Lips found a reason to meet often and breasts were never so clean. Soapy hands roamed freely, sometimes teasing, sometimes caressing, always promising an appropriate reward for such a long wait. Ronnie's patience had been tested to the limit. Her fingers roamed over silky skin yet she couldn't touch the way she wanted. "Rose..." Her voice sounded raw, deeply sensual in its roughness. "I think it's time to get out of the tub." And into my bed.
Rose's mind closed to everything except the large palms caressing her aching nipples. "Oh...you know just how to do that..." The touch was sweet yet torturous at the same time...just the right amount of friction as Ronnie drew small circles with her palms. Rose threaded her fingers through the silky black hair, only the ends actually having gotten wet, and pulled her lover in for a kiss. Ronnie's hands became sandwiched between twin pairs of heaving bosoms and it only served to make both women want more. The kisses were passionate, driven by days of aching need, both silently choosing to not pleasure themselves but rather wait until now, until this moment. Ronnie backed up long enough to free her hands from their soft prisons and scoop the smaller woman into her arms. She climbed out of the tub and paused only long enough for Rose to grab some towels off the shelf before continuing into the softly lit bedroom. She sat the young woman down on the coverlet, not worrying one bit about it getting wet. They took turns toweling each other dry, both knowing that there was one spot that had no intention of drying off anytime soon. Rose was only partially dry when Ronnie pressed her back onto the bed.
"I think, my little rose, that I am hopelessly in love with you." The raven haired woman punctuated her statement by giving Rose's nose a little peck. "Actually, I know I am," she corrected. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Rose. I know that sounds corny and all but it is true." She ran one finger down the young woman's cheek. "I love you."
Rose's wait was over when she felt Ronnie's lips upon hers. "Yesss..." Dexterous fingers found her nipple and squeezed gently. She returned Ronnie's kiss with fervor, her hands coming up to return the pleasure. Tongues darted and danced, giving and taking as they moved from one woman's mouth to the other. When the kiss finally broke, Rose dropped her head back on the bed, fully intent on taking a moment to recover. Ronnie shifted down, letting her damp curls brush against Rose's thigh. "Ronnie, where are you...unggh...." Her nipple was surrounded by wet warmth, a skilled tongue working in concert with straight white teeth to pull the most wonderful sensations out of her body. "Yes Ronnie...yesss...." She buried her fingers deep into the silky hair, urging her lover on. Her hips began bucking upward in search of relief, finding it in the supple skin of Ronnie's thigh. "OH..." She raised up again, digging her heels into the bed. "Ow ow ow...wait..."
Ronnie was off in a flash and reaching for the lamp. "What's wrong? Did I hurt you? Was I too hard? What?" The words came out in a worried flurry.
"No no, it wasn't you," she groaned, reaching for her unprotected ankle. "I wasn't thinking." The bed lifted slightly as Ronnie rolled off, returning a moment later with the brace.
"I'm not taking any chances on you hurting yourself again." The brace was secured, the fit was checked, then as an added precaution Ronnie moved them sideways so Rose's feet hung over the edge. "Now where was I?"
"I believe you were right here," Rose added helpfully, using her hands on either side of Ronnie's face to guide the woman back to her erect nipples. "Ahh..." She laid back and let her dark haired lover suckle her breasts, losing herself in the feeling. But soon those loving lips moved down, planting soft kisses on her torso before brushing over her rust colored curls. Rose realized what was about to happen the instant she felt her legs being separated. "Yes Ronnie," she sighed. Her hands locked on the older woman's head, refusing to break the connection. Long fingers separated her folds but before she could react to the warm breath caressing her most intimate location, she felt Ronnie's tongue touch her.
"Mmm," the executive moaned with approval.
"Ohh...oh yes, that's nice, Ronnie...nnggh..." It was exquisite and indescribable, a rising higher than any she had ever known yet there was no fear. She bucked against the invading muscle, her fingers talons against the dark head. Despite her death grip, Ronnie moved upward, claiming Rose's lips with her own as anxious fingers found a wellspring of desire waiting for them.
"Rose..." The young woman felt Ronnie's fingers waiting just outside her entrance, gently urging her to permit entry. She answered by arching her hips, groaning loudly when she felt the long digit slip into her. Ronnie's cheek pressed against hers, hot breath caressing her ear. "Oh Rose...that's so nice..."
"N-n-n-nice..." the young woman repeated, her focus tunneling to the spot where they were joined. Ronnie's finger filled her deeply, deeper than any before yet Rose needed "More...ooh..." It was exquisite. She opened her eyes and turned her head to see blue eyes smiling back at her.
"You like this?" The finger inside wiggled, pressing against a spot Rose didn't know existed.
"Yesss...yesss...more..." She felt a sense of loss as Ronnie retreated back to the edge of her opening, then cried out with pleasure when two fingers stretched her fully. Rose desperately sought her lover's lips. They kissed hungrily, passionately as a rocking motion was established. Unable to use her left leg for support, Rose brought her right heel up onto the bed and arched into Ronnie's thrusts. "Yesss..."
"Oh Rose...you feel sooo good, so nice...I love you." The rhythm increased steadily. Ronnie's thumb found an erect clitoris and brushed against it.
"YES!" Rose's head pressed back against the bed, her lower body thrusting of its own accord.
"Yesss," the dark haired woman growled back, her lips moving to Rose's throat. She straddled the young woman's right thigh and began rocking against it. The body writhing beneath her drew Ronnie's passion to new heights. The gasps and cries in her ear urged her on, her fingers searching out new places deep within Rose. The need to please her lover was all consuming. Turning her head, Ronnie sought out another pleasure spot, an erect nipple begging for attention.
It was too much for Rose. The wetness against her leg, the fingers nestled deep inside her, the warm mouth loving her breast...a fire started deep within, pulsing outward until her legs stiffened, her breath caught in her throat, and her muscles clamped down, refusing to let Ronnie's fingers go. "Oh Ronnieeee....I...I'm..."
"Yes hon." Trapped fingers wiggled as much as they were able. "I've got you, let it go..."
"I..." The inner muscles convulsed, the orgasm crashing through with more force than any Rose had ever known before. Loving words were whispered in her ear, guiding her back to earth gently. Rose's eyelids refused to open, her body pulsing with aftershocks. It was several seconds before she realized that her grip around Ronnie's body was probably keeping her lover from breathing. She relaxed her arms, letting them fall limply back to the bed. "Oh Ronnie," she husked, her mouth dry and her body feeling completely boneless.
"Shh...I've got you, hon." Rose slowly opened her eyes, the gentle light allowing her to see the loving smile on Ronnie's face. "I'm going to pull my fingers out now, okay?" the dark haired woman asked, her fingers remaining absolutely still inside. Rose nodded and shuddered slightly as Ronnie pulled out.
"You're wonderful," she whispered, snuggling into the executive's arms. As Ronnie's hand caressed her cheek, Rose inhaled the scent of herself and her body twitched with the recent memory of where those fingers had been. Her left hand worked its way between their bodies and grazed wiry dark curls. Ronnie groaned and her hips jerked forward in response. "Lie back," Rose whispered.
Positioning her tall lover diagonally across the bed, Rose shifted until her lips found a crinkly point to draw into her mouth. The firm hand on the back of her head spoke just as loudly as the moan that came from Ronnie's lips. Her fingers found hot wetness waiting for them. Lifting her head up from its task for a second, she brought her fingers to her lips and tasted them, her tongue snaking out to draw off every drop. "Rose...God that's sexy." Inspired by her lover's words, the young woman proceeded to make a show of cleaning her fingers, rewarded by the anxious squirming beneath her. With desire, curiosity, and a good dose of nervousness, Rose pushed herself downward until her lips were near the dark triangle of hair. The hand on the back of her head remained, gently urging her on. Ronnie's legs parted wide in invitation. Rose climbed over the leg in her way and settled into position, her lips scant inches away from their goal. Coarse dark hairs tickled her lips before her tongue parted the way and sank in to taste the sweet liquid. Ronnie's breaths came quickly as Rose's mouth quickly learned its way around. "Yesss, oh Rose, right there...no...yes, right there, yesss."
Long legs wrapped around her shoulders, pinning Rose to her place. Not that she minded, the feeling of Ronnie reacting to her tongue was enough to keep the young woman in that position forever. She alternated from licking Ronnie's clit to dipping lower and drinking in more of the liquid evidence of her effect on the executive. Gasps and moans fueled her on, her goal to send Ronnie over the same wondrous pinnacle that she had been sent over just a few minutes before. When she wrapped her lips around the small shaft and began sucking, Ronnie cried out and drove her hips upward, grinding herself against Rose's face. Going on instinct, the young woman began sucking harder, her tongue firmly moving back and forth over the engorged clit. Soon Ronnie's legs trembled and Rose wrapped her arms around them to keep her position. The muscles in her neck strained against Ronnie's upward thrust as a loud cry was torn from the older woman's throat. Rose sucked as hard as she could, her tongue moving rapidly over the bundle of nerves. Her joy at Ronnie's moment of release rivaled the feeling of her own orgasm and her own sex spasmed in response. Staying away from the hypersensitive clit, Rose let her tongue travel along the folds, not wanting to end the intimate moment. Only when she felt Ronnie's hands urging her up did she relinquish her prized location and give the lips covered with dark curls a final kiss. Strong arms pulled her up to rest against a broad shoulder. For long minutes neither spoke, content to simply rest in the afterglow. Hands traveled lazily over bared skin, silently communicating their love for each other. "I love you," Ronnie finally whispered, giving Rose a kiss on her forehead.
"Mmm, love you too." She picked up her head, looking down into contented blue eyes. "Don't ever make us wait like this again," she warned.
"I promised you before I wouldn't," Ronnie said softly.
"I know, I just wanted to remind you." Rose put her head back down and sighed contentedly. "Can we sleep up here tonight? I'm comfortable."
"You're always comfortable on me," the older woman chuckled. "We can sleep anywhere you like." She looked over at the clock. "It's still early. You want to watch television? A video? Make love again?"
"Hmm, let's see." Rose picked her head up and smiled devilishly. "Watch something we've already seen before and will be on again or make love to the most wonderful woman in the world." She put her finger against her chin. "Boy, what a tough decision."
"Well, let's see what I can do to sway you," Ronnie said, rolling the smaller woman onto her back. "Shall I start at the top and work my way down or from the bottom up?"
Watching from her spot on the floor, Tabitha yawned and began cleaning herself, certain her mistresses wouldn't let her on the bed anytime soon.
At Rose's insistence that she could navigate the stairs with her crutches, Ronnie had the adjustable bed moved into one of the guest rooms and the young woman's belongings moved into her room. Tabitha discovered the window seat to be much more comfortable than her cat bed, much to Maria's dismay every time she went in to vacuum. While Ronnie showed off her muscles moving the furniture around to accommodate the extra dresser, Rose stood next to the entertainment center and went through the video tapes in search of something for them to relax and watch. An unlabeled tape on top of the cabinet drew her attention. Wondering if it was another one of Ronnie's adult tapes, Rose put it in the VCR and turned on the television. To her utter surprise, it was a video of Ronnie's office and Delores was standing there. The volume was off and her former foster mother looked like she was screaming. Rose hit the stop button and rewound the tape. "Honey, why didn't you tell me that Delores stopped by your office?"
Ronnie dropped the dresser where it was and turned to face her lover. "I didn't want to hurt you."
"Was this before or after she had been here?"
"After."
"What happened?" She glanced at the VCR when it clicked off, announcing the tape was rewound. "Did she ask for money?" she asked quietly.
"Rose..." She walked up behind her lover and wrapped her arms around the smaller woman, crutches and all. "You are everything to me. I didn't want to see you hurt with this."
"I want to see what happened." She moved out of Ronnie's embrace and worked her way to the bed. "Sit next to me," she urged. By the time the executive joined her on the bed, Rose had the volume at the right level and had hit the play button.
The tape started with Delores entering the room and looking around. "Nice office. You hiring?" Rose immediately colored with embarrassment. Ronnie noticed and put her arm around the smaller woman, pulling her close. She knew the rest of the tape would be hard to watch. The scene played itself out, culminating with Delores being escorted out of the office.
"That's it," Ronnie said, reaching for the remote just as she watched herself tell Laura to take the rest of the day off. To her surprise, Rose held the controller out of reach.
"No wait, there's more." On the screen, Susan entered the office. "Ronnie? What happened? I heard they called Security to your office." The dialogue continued, drawing Rose in as she studied her lover's reactions. She shut the VCR off and looked at Ronnie. "I love you, you know."
"I know," the executive smiled. "I was just trying to protect you, that's all."
"I saw that," Rose replied. She leaned her head against the older woman's shoulders. "I noticed you didn't use the pen I gave you to write that check."
"No, I couldn't. Even though I knew I would tear it up, I couldn't use your pen to do it," Ronnie admitted. "Rose...has she tried to contact you at all?"
"No, not since that day she was here and took the check." She squeezed her tall lover against her. "It was all a lie with her," she said quietly, staring at the blank screen. "You're the one that's taught me what love means." Green eyes looked into endless blue. "Love is about giving, not taking." She snuggled closer. "Like what you and I have. It's not just about the sex. It's about honesty and caring and all the little things." She gave Ronnie a gentle kiss. "What we have is..." Rose fought for the words. "...is..." Nothing came, no one word could describe how she felt about being with Ronnie. Finally she shook her head in defeat. "All I know is that when I'm with you I feel complete."
"Funny, I feel the same way about you." She returned the kiss, using her tongue to part Rose's lips and slip inside for a quick taste. "I love you forever, Rose."
"No more secrets, Ronnie." The young woman's lips moved along the executive's jawline. "Nothing hidden between us."
The raven haired woman stiffened at the words. You don't know what you're asking, Rose. You can't know all my secrets. I just can't risk losing you. Ronnie decided that distraction would work and began nibbling the earlobe framed by golden tresses. "Speaking of hidden." She opened first one, then two buttons on Rose's shirt. "Why don't you and I jump in the hot tub and play 'find the soap'?" She let her tongue trace the outline of Rose's ear and lowered her voice to a throaty husk. "Hmm? I promise to make it worth your while." Another button surrendered to dexterous fingers. "What do you say, Rose? I know you've been wondering about that shower massager."
"It really will...?"
"Um hmm.... I'd be happy to show you." She scooped Rose up in her arms and headed for the bathroom, determined to put all thoughts of the past out of the golden haired beauty's mind.
As the flowers bloomed and the days grew longer, Rose worked hard on her physical therapy. She took every opportunity to strengthen and build endurance in her ankle. While Ronnie made sure she stayed off it at home, her tall lover was unable to keep such a tight eye on her at the office. Rose had progressed from no weight bearing to toe-touching and the footrest under her desk provided the perfect resistance object to practice with during the day. When she would overdo it, as was common, Rose found that Ronnie was always willing to provide a foot massage that made all the aches and pains go away. Of course it often led to the new lovers finding other things to touch and rub but that was fine with Rose. The professional decorum they kept during the day at work was gone the instant they entered the house. Whether at the kitchen or dining room table, the two women sat next to each other, sharing from one another's plates and passing kisses along with the salt. Dessert required only one bowl with two spoons and the warmer evenings were spent on the bench swing cuddled up together looking at the stars. It was heaven on earth and Rose couldn't imagine being any happier, except to be rid of the crutches.
When the day came in early June that the crutches could be left behind at Doctor Barnes' office, Ronnie insisted that they celebrate by going out to dinner. It was followed by a movie then a late night stop at one of the small drive-ins that opened during the warm weather for soft ice cream and a few more minutes out. They arrived home after eleven but neither showed any signs of being tired. On the contrary, an offered overture was accepted and their lovemaking went on long into the night.
The night hadn't even given way to the dim grey of morning when a horn blared in the driveway, waking Ronnie from her sound sleep. "What the hell...?" Grabbing her robe from the end of the bed, she donned it and padded over to the window. "Tabitha, get down. I swear you leave enough hair here to make another cat." She leaned her knee against the white cushions of the window seat and looked out, her eyes widening in surprise at the truck and boat sitting in her driveway. "Oh damn." She mentally thought about the date. She opened the window and stuck her head out. "Frank!" The man standing next to the truck smiled and waved up.
"Hey Cuz, come on, the fish are biting."
"I forgot all about opening day. I can't go."
"Go where?" a sleepy Rose mumbled from the bed before sinking her head back into the pillow and promptly falling back asleep.
"What do you mean you can't go? You're awake, aren't you? You have a lifetime license and today's opening day. You have to go. We always go and I want to try out my boat on the Mohawk." He looked at his watch. "Come on, Ronnie. I want to get there in time to catch something."
Opening day for bass season was a long standing date between Ronnie and her oldest cousin, a tradition that dated back to when they were kids. She looked over at the naked woman on the bed, then stuck her head back out the window. "Frank, can Rose come?"
"Blondie? Sure, just hurry it up, will ya?" He looked at his watch again.
"Be down in five minutes." She shut the window and walked over to the bed. "Rose...Rose, get up, hon."
"Did I hear you telling someone we were going fishing?" She picked her head up and looked at Ronnie tossing the robe off and opening various drawers.
"Yup. It's opening season for bass today and Frank's here to take us fishing."
"I don't remember you mentioning anything about us going fishing today...or anytime for that matter." Rose sat up and stretched lazily, drawing an appreciative look from Ronnie. "And why go so early? It's not like they're going to pack up and leave the water if we wait a couple more hours."
"If we wait any longer, they won't be biting. Come on, lazybones. It'll be fun."
Rose sat in the jump seat behind the passenger seat, affording her a good view of the maniac that Ronnie entrusted their lives to. Frank firmly believed that his state of the art radar detector would warn him of any approaching speed traps and the eight cylinder Ford flew up the highway at stomach churning speeds. "So Blondie, you been fishing before?" he called over the blaring sound of country-western music.
"Um...no, not in a boat."
"You're baiting her hook, Cuz," he said to the passenger. "I hope she doesn't get boatsick."
"Of course not." Ronnie turned in her seat. "You don't get boatsick, do you?"
"No but I might get carsick if he keeps driving like this," Rose said low enough for only Ronnie to hear.
"He's trying to make up for lost time."
"We'll make up a lot of time if we're all in the hospital."
"I'll slow him down," Ronnie assured, turning back in her seat. "Hey Frank, you know the troopers have those laser detectors now. You can't avoid them. Look, the trooper station is a mile up the road. You don't want to get caught again this year, do you?"
The speedometer slowed to a reasonable speed just as they did indeed pass a waiting trooper hiding in the tree covered median. "Damn, they've got more of them out this year," he said, keeping a better eye on his speed. Rose dared a glance at the dashboard, pleased to see only two digits near the end of the orange needle. Snaking her right hand around the seat, she gave Ronnie's arm a gentle squeeze of thanks.
Frank backed up to the dock, stopping the boat a few feet from the waterline. "We'd better get her in before I put the boat in the water." They exited the truck and Frank climbed up into the boat, a twenty two foot long, top of the line Ranger Bass Boat. Ronnie picked Rose up and after dropping the cane off in the truck, lifted the young woman into Frank's beefy arms. A few seconds later Rose was seated on one of the cushioned benches. "Here. You'd better put on a jacket. Ronnie would kill me if you became bait."
"I thought there weren't any dangerous fish in this river?" Rose asked as Ronnie started the truck up and backed the boat into the water.
"There isn't, although the bullheads can give you quite a sting."
"Don't you go scaring her," Ronnie called from the truck. She gathered the various poles and tackle boxes from the back and passed them to Frank before untying the boat and moving the truck to the parking area. He had the motor running and ready to go by the time she returned. "Okay ladies, hang on now. It's time to go fishing." He backed away from the dock and pointed up the river. "Let's just see what four hundred horses can do on the open water." The water behind them churned and the bow raised up as he gunned the engines. Rose looked nervously at Ronnie. "Please tell me he doesn't drive a boat like he drives that truck."
They stopped several miles upstream, the main motor pulled up in favor of the trolling motor. Ronnie baited Rose's line first, then her own. Frank set up a couple of lines for himself and took position at the bow of the boat, settling himself into one of the upraised swivel chairs. Ronnie helped Rose into one at the stern and took the one next to it for herself. The early morning sun was beginning to lighten the sky and as expected the fish were jumping. Frank quickly made the first catch, a small mouthed bass that barely made it over the limit. It landed in the holding tank with the hopes of being culled later.
"Having fun?" Frank asked.
"Just dandy," Ronnie replied, sending her line out once again.
"Hey!" Rose held her pole in a death grip. "I think I've got something." The tip of her pole dipped once, then twice, then a high whining sound filled the air as the fish took off, taking Rose's line with it. Ronnie's pole hit the deck and her arms went around the smaller woman, helping her steady the pole.
"Start bringing back your line, don't let him get any slack or he'll wiggle off." Her hands covered Rose's and together they worked the spirited bass.
"Got a lunker there, eh?"
"Feels like it, Frank. Sure is bigger than that minnow you tossed in there a few minutes ago," Ronnie said, enjoying the feel of Rose in her arms. "Come on honey, reel this baby in and show him who's boss here." Eventually she felt the presence of her cousin behind her. "Grab the net for this one, Frank."
"Oh Ronnie, it's too strong. You take the pole." Rose tried to hand the rod over but the raven haired woman refused it.
"No, you can do this, Rose." She released her grip and stepped back. "That's it, keep the line taught, wear him down."
"Oh my, he feels so big," the young woman exclaimed, the line still tugging hard with the fish's attempts to escape. Suddenly the fish jumped straight out of the water, showing them all what she was up against.
"Holy shit," Frank exclaimed. "Hang on, I've gotta get the big net."
"You've got a monster there, Rose," Ronnie said, standing at her lover's side. Thinking that her cousin wasn't looking, she reached over and put her hand on the younger woman's shoulder, stroking it lovingly. The bass finally tired and allowed itself to be brought alongside the boat where Frank scooped it up in the net.
"Son of a bitch what a big fucking fish," he said happily, sticking his hand into the gill to hold it up so they could see it.
"Nice language, Frank," Ronnie admonished, looking from her cousin to Rose pointedly.
"Oh, she's heard it before," he said, drawing a glare from the dark haired woman. "Hey Blondie, you sure caught one hell of a large mouth here. I should have brought a camera."
"Look how big he is," Rose said. "Can he go back now?"
"Back?" Frank laughed. "Honey, this isn't the kind of fish you throw back. This is the kind you take to the taxidermist and have mounted."
"Mounted?" She turned to Ronnie, who was busily removing the hook. "I don't want to keep it."
"I can't believe how big he is," Ronnie said, taking the prized catch from Frank. "Rose, are you sure you don't want to make him into a trophy? He's a beaute."
"I'm sure."
"Do you want to even touch him before I throw him back?"
"No."
Ronnie and Frank exchanged looks before she bent down and set the fish into the water. She baited Rose's hook again and they returned to fishing. "He's not mad because I threw the fish back, is he?" Rose asked once Frank was out of earshot.
"Mad? No, not mad. Shocked, but not mad." Ronnie turned to face soft green eyes. "You are so gentle that it's amazing." She reached out and cupped Rose's chin with her hand. "I can't believe you let a prize-winning catch like that go back, though. You're definitely not the fishing type."
"No, I guess I'm not. I am having fun, even if I do like to let the fish go."
Ronnie smiled and sat back in her seat. "Just as long as you're having a good time."
"Any time I'm around you I'm having a good time," Rose replied, drawing a warm smile from her lover. Frank yelped with another bite, but the bass paled in comparison to the whopper that the honey haired woman had caught. Ronnie went to the bow to help him. "Gee Frank, catch another dozen or so of these and there might be enough for a sandwich," she teased, holding up the small fish.
"Hardy har har, Cuz." He frowned when Ronnie measured the fish, too short to keep. "Maybe Blondie will catch us another one."
"Her name is Rose."
"Oh yeah?" Frank turned toward the woman in question. "Hey Blondie, having a good time?"
"Yes," she called back, happily watching both her and Ronnie's poles. "This is fun."
"Dunno how you managed it, Cuz," he said, looking at Rose pointedly. "Nice girl. If I believe the rumors floating around I should expect to see her at all the family functions from now on."
"What rumors?" Ronnie deliberately lowered her voice, not wanting Rose to overhear. "What have you been hearing about her?"
"Come on, Ronnie. We're Cartwrights. You know there's no secrets in our family. Everyone knows you two are sharing the sheets," Frank replied. "Gotta admit after all the shit that happened when you were in college, I didn't think you'd go for another woman again." He looked at Rose again. "But she seems very nice."
"I don't think who I do or do not sleep with is anyone's concern."
"Relax, Cuz. It's not a big deal. Hey, at least you nailed yourself a nice one. Not like you'll have to go elsewhere looking for it when you have something like that waiting for you at home."
"Hey Ronnie, I think you've got something," Rose yelled out while watching the tip of the pole jerk.
"Yeah, you got something all right," Frank teased low enough for only his cousin to hear. "Quite the catch if you ask me."
Sure is, Ronnie thought to herself as she worked her way to the stern.
It was around ten o'clock when they finally made their way back to the dock. Rose's fish had been the biggest of the day although Ronnie did pull in two impressive looking ones. Frank used every lure in his tackle box and had nothing worthwhile to show for his efforts. Male pride made him throw back the puny catches that he did make. They went to an out of the way diner for lunch before returning home. While Rose made a beeline for the bathroom, Frank helped Ronnie bring the poles and tackle inside. "Good day of fishing, Frank."
"For you and Blondie, maybe," he snorted. "I would have had better luck catching a cold."
"The season's just started, Frank. You'll get a trophy catch next time, I'm sure."
"Yeah but no matter how big it is it won't compare to your catch, Cuz." He looked at his watch. "Speaking of catches, if I don't show up home soon the boss is gonna think I found myself a cutie like yours."
"There's no one like Rose," Ronnie said emphatically.
"I don't doubt that. Must be something pretty special to stay with you after the accident."
"Um, Frank..." She led him outside, away from anywhere Rose could hear them. "You have to watch what you say. She doesn't know about the accident."
"What do you mean she doesn't know? Isn't she the one that's been on crutches and all? I mean, she is the reason your Porsche got damaged, isn't it? I was at the emergency room with you that night and then after that she shows up. It doesn't take a college degree to figure that one out."
"She doesn't know about the Porsche," the executive clarified. "Look Frank, that kind of thing can't get back to Rose."
"You've never told her?" He rubbed the short stubble on his face and looked at the house. "Oh man, Ronnie. You're walking a thin line with that kind of secret. Damn, the worst thing I've kept from Agnes was a few insignificant affairs and a hidden bank account."
"And I'm sure the mother of your children appreciates that," Ronnie said dryly.
"Mother of most of my children, you mean."
"Does she know about the boy?"
"No. I know enough to cover my tracks." He opened the door of his truck and pulled himself up onto the bench seat. "She's a nice girl, Ronnie. Bring her fishing anytime." He turned the key, the Ford roaring to life. "See ya Monday at work."
"Bye Frank." Ronnie waited until he was out of the driveway before turning and heading back into the house.
Rose was typing a memo when the phone rang. "Veronica Cartwright's office. Miss Grayson speaking."
"Hi Rose, it's Wendy from Accounting. Is Ronnie around?"
"I'm sorry. She's in a meeting right now. Is there something I can help you with?" She remembered the accountant from tax time when she had to hand over her Money Slasher W-2.
"I'm right in the middle of Ronnie's quarterly tax estimates and I can't find the paperwork for her Porsche."
"Porsche?" Ronnie never said anything to me about having a sports car other than the Mustang. "Wendy, are you sure? I know she has the Cherokee and the Mustang but I don't know anything about a Porsche."
"Hmm, she did unless she got rid of it. Anyway I need the paperwork on it or I can't finish this up. You think you can find it and have it sent down to me?"
"Sure. I'll look for it right now."
"Thanks, Rose. I'll be waiting for it."
"Okay, bye."
"Bye."
Rose put the receiver back in the cradle and reached for her cane. If there was such a car, Ronnie would have that paperwork in her private files. Reaching into her desk drawer, the honey haired woman retrieved a small key and headed into Ronnie's office.
Sure enough, behind the files for the Cherokee and Mustang was a folder marked Porsche. Rose pulled it out of the cabinet and returned to her desk. She set the folder down and called Susan's secretary to cover for her while she took the file to Wendy. When she picked the folder up again, a Polaroid fell out. She looked at the red car, thinking it too speedy for Ronnie's tastes. Opening the folder to put the picture back, her eyes fell on a receipt sitting prominently on top of the other papers. It was a repair bill from Han's Import Cars. Her eyes widened at the total at the bottom. I can't imagine paying a repair bill like that. Calculations of hours and materials filled up the receipt but it was a hand scribbled note just above the total that caught Rose's attention. Repairs started 12-5, completed 1-18.
The young woman slumped into her chair, feeling very much like a sledgehammer had struck her in the chest. Repairs started 12-5. Right after the accident. If that wasn't enough, another receipt showed the Porsche had passed inspection only a week before. "Oh God..." A sick feeling churned in her stomach and she had to swallow several times to keep her coffee down. There was no mysterious stranger driving drunk. It was Ronnie. Tears started to fall, smearing mascara down Rose's cheeks. That's why you wanted to help me so much. It was all a lie to protect yourself. Dabbing her eyes with a tissue, Rose reached out with shaky hands and opened the Rolodex. Her lower lip quivered and her vision blurred as she tried to find the number to the cab company that Ronnie used to pick clients up from the airport. It was all a lie. Her hands shook so hard that she misdialed twice before finally reaching the right number. Rose's voice wavered as she spoke with the dispatcher. She was informed that one was only a block away and would meet her in front of the building. Without waiting for Susan's secretary to arrive, Rose gathered her purse and cane and left the office. It's okay, Ronnie. You don't have to worry about me anymore. She choked back a sob. I understand.
Maria was surprised to see a cab pull into the driveway and even more so to see Rose step out. She opened the sliding glass door. "What are you doing home in the middle of the day? Rose? Child, have you been crying?"
"It's nothing, Maria. Where's Tabitha?"
"She's lying down somewhere, why?" The honey haired woman didn't answer, instead walking past the housekeeper and heading for the stairs. "Rose? What's going on? Where's Ronnie?"
"At work," came the sad reply. To Maria's dismay, the cab seemed to be waiting for Rose. A few minutes later, the young woman came down the stairs, one of Ronnie's suitcases in her hand.
"What is going on? Where are you going?" To her surprise, green eyes were rimmed with red.
"Would you please tell the man that this is the only bag? I have to get Tabitha." She set the suitcase at the bottom of the stairs and went back to retrieve her cat.
"Rose wait." Maria followed her up, stopping the young woman with a firm hand on her shoulder. "What's going on? Did you and Ronnie have a fight?"
"Did you know that she was the one that hit me?" The look in the housekeeper's eyes answered the question. Rose nodded. She had suspected as much. "I wish you had told me. I wish she had told me." She swallowed hard, not wanting to start crying again. "I need to get Tabitha."
"Where are you going? Does Ronnie know you're leaving?"
"Maria, I can't talk about this. Please, I just want to get my cat and get out of here." At that moment the orange and white feline appeared at the top of the stairs. "Tabitha, come here, honey." She scooped the cat into her arms. "Come on, sweetie. We have to go now."
"Rose, have you talked to Ronnie? You need to talk to her before you go and make any rash decisions."
"There's nothing left to say," the young woman sniffed, angrily wiping away an errant tear. "I'll return her suitcase as soon as I can."
"Where will you go?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "I just have to get away." The cab horn beeped, drawing her attention. "I need to go now. Please take care of yourself, Maria."
"Rose, please don't leave. I'm sure if you just talk to Ronnie-"
"No." Her ankle was beginning to throb from the overuse. "Let her know that I'm not going to sue her or anything so she doesn't have to worry." She walked out to the kitchen and then through the screen door. The driver helped her and Tabitha into the car, then came to the doorway to get the suitcase. Maria handed him a bag containing a box and several cans of cat food, her other hand busily pressing the speed dial on the phone.
Accidental Love Ó 1998 B L Miller. Do not distribute or copy without permission of the author except for personal use.