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  She smiled as she stretched under the blankets, trying to work out the soreness of the night before. Leah may have been older than she was, but her stamina matched, maybe even surpassed Briley’s. She would have to work on that. Briley lifted the blanket and hopped out of bed.

  She grabbed a pair of Star Trek loungers and a tank top that was laying on top of the dresser, and smiled when she opened the bedroom door and the smell of blueberry muffins hit her full force. So, that was what Leah had been up to. Before heading to the kitchen, she used the bathroom, took a quick shower, found an unopened toothbrush and brushed her teeth, washed her face, and put her hair up in an unruly bun. She was in and out in less than ten minutes. The face in the mirror showed the same woman as the day before, but she was changed. There was no going back from this now.

  She stopped at the entrance to the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe. Leah was standing by the stove, wearing the same sweatpants as the night before and Briley’s tank top. It was a good look on her.

  She greedily took Leah in. Her eyes trailed from her red painted toes, up her legs, and stopped on a well-defined ass that Briley had so much fun with the night before.

  “I don’t mind you looking at my ass, but breakfast is almost ready.” Leah threw a wink over her shoulder. Briley rushed across the space between them, spun her around, and lifted her up into a hug. Leah giggled, tightened her arms around her neck, and kissed the underside of her jaw. “I take it you’re happy to see me?”

  “Uh-huh,” she mumbled. “For a second, I was a bit disoriented when I didn’t see you in bed, then I came to my senses and realized who in their right mind would leave all this sexiness behind if she could help it.”

  Leah threw her head back and laughed. “I’m afraid that you’re stuck with me, darling.”

  “Is that so?” She kissed her cheek, watched as a myriad of different emotions cross Leah’s face, and breathed a sigh of relief when Leah relaxed in her arms.

  “Yes.” Leah tightened her arms around Briley’s neck.

  Briley rested their foreheads together. “You make me so happy and last night was amazing. More than what I had ever wished for, tiny.”

  “Oh, darling, I know the feeling. I’ve been infatuated with you since the first time I saw you wearing those cut off shorts and holey t-shirt on your morning run almost a year ago.”

  “Well, now. Who knew I had so much game even then?” She buffed her hands on her shirt.

  Leah leaned back, but kept her arms around Briley’s neck, with a much too serious look on her face. “You don’t see it, do you?”

  Briley furrowed her brow. “See what?”

  “You’re amazing. Besides being gorgeous, you’re funny, smart, loyal, trustworthy, and have a killer figurine collection.”

  “I…thank you. You make me feel amazing. I’ve always wished I was more like Kat, but I like who I am.”

  “I like who you are, too.”

  Briley squeezed her and lifted her up again. “I like who you are, too.” The kiss that followed left them both breathless.

  “Put me down.” Leah pushed her away and took a step back. “I didn’t slave over breakfast for it to get cold. Plenty of time for that later. You wore me out last night.”

  Briley snickered and raised her hand to tip her imaginary cowboy hat. “I do what I can, ma’am.”

  “I just bet you do.” With a quick kiss, she sent Briley off to the table.

  Briley couldn’t keep the silly smile off her face as she took in Leah’s bed head and make-up free face. She barely kept herself from picking Leah up and carrying her back to the bedroom or having her way with her on the kitchen table.

  Leah started to fidget under her gaze and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “I know what I look like.” She arched an eyebrow. “Which shouldn’t illicit that look from you.”

  “Just try and keep this look off my face today. Not going to happen.” She reached out and grabbed Leah’s hand. “You take my breath away.”

  “You really mean that, don’t you?” Doubt crossed Leah’s delicate features.

  “I do and I’ll make sure to tell you every day. Don’t get me wrong, you always look amazing, but having you here, like this, in the kitchen, wearing my tank, eating breakfast with me, is everything.”

  “Still a charmer, I see.” She winked.

  “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

  “Which I am looking forward to.”

  After the table was set with bacon, scrambled eggs, muffins, and toast, Leah sat down in the seat across from Briley. “I hope everything is okay?”

  “It looks delicious.”

  They loaded their plates, and Briley was leaning across the table to capture the tempting lips in front of her again when the kitchen door slammed open. They both jumped in their seats as Mrs. Hanlin stepped in, pulled the door shut, and set a basket of corn muffins on the table. Briley and Leah exchanged a look but didn’t say anything.

  “Good morning, ladies.” Mrs. Hanlin looked from Briley to Leah. “I’m glad you two finally came to your senses and got a clue.” She grabbed a plate and filled it with food before speaking again. “I hope you don’t mind me barging in here like this?”

  For the first time since Briley had known her, she looked nervous. Leah squeezed her knee under the table to snap her out of it. “Of course not, and you came bearing gifts.”

  “I know how much you like them.”

  “I do.” Briley looked at Leah. “She’s given me the recipe, but every time I make them, something is missing.” She shrugged. “It’s a mystery.”

  Mrs. Hanlin pointed her fork at her. “I just have the touch.”

  “Is everything okay?” Leah asked.

  “Well, dear, I’m not getting any younger and who knows, my time might be up tomorrow, so I wanted to come and let you both know how much I love you. You both mean the world to me. I don’t know if you’re aware, but Mr. Balkin had a stroke yesterday. His son has decided he can’t live on his own anymore and he’s moving him into his house.”

  “I didn’t know that. I hope he’s okay,” Leah said.

  Briley reached across the table and fought back tears. “We love you, too. Anytime you want to talk, feel free to come over, or if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.” She was only a few years younger than Mr. Balkin and the possibility that they would lose her anytime soon, or something would happen to her didn’t set well with Briley. She may have been a busybody, but she was their busybody. Briley would make sure to keep a close eye on her.

  “If you need something done, put Evan to work. The discipline will be good for him.” Leah cut her corn muffin open and buttered it, took a mouthful, then moaned.

  “Told you.” Briley winked at her then got up, poured a cup of coffee, and placed it along with a glass of milk in front of Mrs. Hanlin. “Here you go.”

  “Thank you, dear. You girls are too good to me.”

  Briley ate her eggs as Leah and Mrs. Hanlin talked about her garden. When the conversation lulled, she addressed Mrs. Hanlin. “You can tell Mr. Balkin’s son I might have someone who’s interested in the house. As you know, Kat moved in with me a couple of months ago and asked me to start looking for a house for her.”

  “Oh,” Mrs. Hanlin smiled. “That’s wonderful news. She’s such a good girl.”

  “It’s going to be awesome having her close again.” She squeezed Leah’s hand. A warm feeling engulfed her when Leah smiled at her. She could get used to mornings like this.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  The next few weeks passed in a blur, from Kat putting the finishing touches on her business proposal and finalizing the sale of Mr. Balkin’s house, to Briley and Leah working almost non-stop. Leah had hit her stride in her autobiography, which meant she and Briley didn’t get to spend as much time together as they would have liked. Briley and Brandon had bought two more houses and were knee deep in renovations.

  Today was the first day all three of them had the day off
all week. Kat was going to join them for breakfast, but she had made plans for the rest of the day, leaving Leah and Briley to occupy themselves.

  Briley had just taken the pan of banana muffins out of the oven when Leah opened the back door, walked in, and slipped her arms around Briley’s waist. Briley braced her hands on the counter top and hung her head as Leah slid her hands under Briley’s t-shirt and ran her fingers along the bare skin. “That feels good,” Briley moaned.

  “I know.” Leah had just cupped Briley’s breasts when a coughed jerked them both out of their haze.

  “Don’t mind me,” Kat said, picking up her cup of coffee and walking off.

  “Wait, Kat.” Briley took Leah’s hands out from under her shirt and kissed each palm. “Sit down.” She placed a cup of coffee in Leah’s hand and pushed her in the direction of the table. “Both of you. I’ll finish breakfast.”

  Leah pecked her on the lips. “You’re a doll.”

  “Leah, don’t encourage her.” Kat kicked the chair across from her out from under the table for Leah to sit down. “She’ll get a big head.”

  “I think it’s too late for that,” Leah said.

  “You could be right.”

  “You both do realize I am still in the room, right?” Briley set a plate of muffins on the table, along with a bowl of fruit salad and a plate of scrambled eggs and turkey bacon. “Dig in.” She sat beside Leah.

  “What do you have planned today, Kat? Briley never said.” Leah stole a piece of bacon off Briley’s plate.

  “Shopping. Briley gave me a list of things I needed to buy for my house.” Her face lit up at the last word.

  “I didn’t realize it was finalized yet,” Leah said.

  “Yesterday,” Kat said. “Briley and I took a walk-through last night and for the most part, everything looks good. My first step is to renovate the master bedroom and bathroom. We made a list and I’m going to pick out what I like. We also sketched out the new layout for the kitchen.”

  Briley swallowed the last of her eggs. “I didn’t know you were doing that today.” She rested her arm on the back of Leah’s chair.

  “No time like the present. It’ll be fun.”

  “Don’t buy anything until I’m with you. We have to pick up a lot for the two houses we’re working on and should be able to do a bundle lot. We’ll throw in your items as well.”

  “Isn’t that a bit dishonest?” Leah asked.

  “I’ll tell Jim what we’re doing. He’ll still give us a deal. You snagged an honest woman, tiny.”

  Leah reached up and latched onto Briley’s hand that rested by her shoulder. “I’m starting to realize what a catch you are.”

  Kat groaned. “You two are gross.” She winked, then stood. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do today. I’ll see you two later.”

  “We’ll consider your advice.” Briley held Kat’s gaze when the look on Kat’s face grew way too serious for her liking. “Kat?”

  “You two look good together and I’m really happy for you both.”

  Briley hopped up and engulfed Kat in a hug. “You freak me out when you’re so serious.”

  “I’m just happy for you. I’ve never seen you like this before.”

  “It feels good.”

  “It shows.” Kat kissed her on the cheek, before slipping out of her grasp and walking away.

  With a sigh, Briley sat back down when she heard the front door shut and Leah plopped down in her lap. “I feel good, too.”

  Briley gave her a cheeky grin. “You’ll feel even better shortly.”

  “Do tell.” Leah slipped her arms around Briley’s neck and leaned in close, licking her lips.

  “How about you, me, and a bubble bath, for starters.” She slipped one hand underneath Leah’s shirt, caressing her back, then cupped her neck with her other hand, and pulled her forward into a kiss. Leah tasted so good. Briley deepened the kiss, bringing their bodies closer together. “You’re driving me crazy.” Leah tilted her head to allow Briley better access, and she trailed kisses up and down her neck.

  “Your feeling is mutual.” Leah cupped Briley’s cheeks. “The quickies we’ve had are satisfying, but I’m so glad we both have a free day.” She ran her tongue across Briley’s lips. “We have all day to play, but that bath does sound good.”

  There were no other words needed. Briley stood, Leah securely in her arms, and carried her down the hall to the master bedroom, depositing her on the bed. “Stay there. I’ll get the bath ready.” Once in the bathroom, Briley braced her hands on the sink, taking deep breaths to slow her breathing. It was confirmed, Leah was going to be the death of her.

  When she renovated her home, she allowed herself the luxury of a large whirlpool tub. It was something she’d set her heart on, and wouldn’t have backed down from. The price was costly, but well worth it. She hummed as she dropped a capful of soap into the streaming water. This was going to be awesome.

  With a final look, she backed out of the bathroom, turned and stopped dead in her tracks. Leah was standing in front of the wall mirror, completely naked. She’d seen her naked plenty of times over the last few weeks, but this was different. Looking at her now, Briley couldn’t believe Leah had chosen her. Full breasts lay atop a slim waist where several stretch marks were visible, a tight ass, and well-defined legs. At a cough, Briley raised her eyes to meet the amused ones of Leah.

  “Like what you see?” She turned and planted her hands on her hips. They’d talked about Leah’s insecurities the first couple of weeks they dated. Leah had been frank with her concerns and Briley had been honest. It didn’t take long for Leah to realize how much Briley desired her.

  Instead of speaking, Briley undressed, slipped her hand in Leah’s, who seemed surprised by her actions, and led her toward the bathroom. She cupped Leah’s cheeks, kissing her softly. “Don’t misunderstand my actions. I want you, and the sex is fantastic, but intimacy is more than sex. Right now, I want to take a bath with you.”

  Leah slipped her arms around Briley’s waist and kissed her collarbone. “You’re full of surprises, darling.” Briley slipped in first, resting back against the tub. She took Leah’s hand, helping her in, and gasped as she slid in between Briley’s legs and leaned back. “Is this okay?”

  “Perfect.” Briley relaxed and slipped one arm around Leah’s waist, who clutched onto the hand.

  “I haven’t taken a bath with someone in a long time.” Leah ran her free hand down Briley’s thigh.

  “Me either.”

  “You and Beth didn’t take baths together?”

  Briley heard the note of jealousy in Leah’s voice and smiled. “A few times. She didn’t enjoy it. As for this tub, I had it installed a year after Beth and I broke up. So, this is the first two-person bath in this tub.”

  “Good, but for the record, I’m not a jealous person by nature.”

  “We all have our moments.”

  Leah sighed, then chuckled.

  “What’s funny?” This was absolute bliss.

  “When I talked to Evan last night, he said that Kathy and Lilith were leaving early this morning to travel to a flea market a couple of towns over. He loves Griffin but was nervous about watching her all day by himself.”

  “I’m sure he can handle her.”

  “I wonder what they’re getting up to.”

  Briley ran her hand along Leah’s side. “Call him when we get out.”

  “I think I will, but this is our time together.” Leah turned, straddled Briley’s hips, ran her hands up Briley’s chest, and settled them on her shoulders. Briley in turn gripped Leah’s hips.

  “Is there something I can do for you, tiny?”

  “You’re really okay with me being a mother and grandmother of two?”

  “If you don’t know that by now, I’m going to have to step up my game.” She pasted a cheeky grin on her face.

  “No, Briley. I’m serious. We’ve been having fun and I enjoy being with you, but it all seems too good to be true. Me. You
. Everything.”

  Briley hadn’t realized until this moment how unsure Leah was about them dating. “Leah, I care about you, more than I probably should, seeing as we’ve only been dating for a couple of months. I don’t plan on going anywhere. I mean that. I want you and everything that entails.” She tightened her grip on Leah’s hips. “We’re so good together. Will it be easy? Of course not. We’ll fight. Have disagreements, and what not, but I’m not a runner. I never have been. What we have is something special. You’re an incredible woman and I’m still shocked you want me.”

  “How can I not? You’re everything I never knew I wanted. I will admit the age difference did give me pause. Though, you’ve never been bothered by it and I will take your lead on that. It doesn’t feel like that big of a difference when we’re together. I find myself thinking about you constantly. It’s unnerving, but exhilarating at the same time. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you. That’s scary, right?”

  “Terrifying because I feel the same way.” She rose up, and pulled Leah against her. “Terrifying and beautiful. I don’t scare easily, Leah. Nothing that could happen will run me off. I can promise you that.”

  “Nothing, huh?”

  “Nope.” Suddenly, this conversation had turned much too serious. Without blinking, she rose and dunked Leah under the water. A spluttering Leah’s head shot out of the water, covered in bubbles. Briley doubled over laughing, then moved the suds from her face. “It’s a good look on you.” Leah tackled Briley, who fell back, head dunking under, only to come up a second later, full blown smile on her face. “I love that we can play together.”

  Leah smirked. “Oh, playing is what you want?”

  Briley arched her brow. “If you think you can handle me, come and get me.”

  Three hours later found them dressed, and cuddled on the couch. After their bath, making love, then a shower, they decided to start in on the fourth season of The Golden Girls. Briley wrapped herself around a willing Leah, trying to focus on the show, but instead all her focus was on the woman in her arms. The woman she loved.