Jerica let the silence fall, which Bridget was thankful for. She made her way through two of the awful looking sunflower things before she finally spoke. “Now, I want to come out to my parents, even though I know how that’s going to go, and I want to see what life will be like not being so hidden. I’m tired of hiding.”

  “Really?” Jerica raised an eyebrow at her, pressing her fingers into Bridget’s wrist.

  “Yeah. I think…I know that it’ll be better if I do it. I never really cared much for my parents anyway, so I guess it’ll just be the nail in the coffin they’ve already been building for me.”

  “That’s such a fatalistic view.”

  “Oh, but they’re worthy of it, trust me. If it hadn’t been for Karen and Bob growing up, I’m not sure how I would have survived. And having them here these past few days?” Tears stung Bridget’s eyes, and she cursed them as she attempted to hold them back. “They love me, Jerica. They love me in ways I don’t think my parents ever will, and I’m okay with that.”

  Bridget jumped as arms wrapped around her from behind, folding her into a hug. Karen’s short hair tickled Bridget’s cheek as she squeezed tightly and then planted a kiss on Bridget’s cheek, wiping her own tears away. “We do love you, Bridget. We always have, even when you make stupid mistakes.”

  “Like letting your daughter go?”

  Karen shook her head. “No, I think that was a smart decision, actually.”

  “Really?” Bridget stiffened and looked directly at Karen. “Everyone thought it was stupid.”

  “No, I don’t. I think you two needed to break up. It was time. But that’s a conversation for another day. Promises, I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but I came in to get something.” Karen stood up and put her hands on her hips. “Right, coffee.”

  Bridget watched her carefully as she walked into the kitchen, though she strongly suspected that had not been what Karen had come in for to begin with. She likely was listening in on the conversation to check Jerica out, like the overprotective parent she was. Karen brushed her fingers across Bridget’s shoulders as she walked out of the room with a mug full of coffee.

  Jerica shook her head. “You’ve got family, Bridge.”

  “I know. It’s nice.” She grinned. “But what about you? Since I’m answering all these questions, what about you?”

  Jerica blew out a breath. “Well, I always wanted to get married, and always knew it wasn’t to who people thought it would be. It took me a bit longer than you to realize I am gay. I figured it out in college, when my roommate freshman year was gorgeous! And straight as fuck.”

  Bridget laughed. “Straight crushes are the worst, aren’t they?”

  “So bad.” Jerica grinned. “I almost didn’t move back here, though. I have my family here, and I never really wanted to live anywhere else, but I struggle with the idea of being out here and raising a family in such a closed-minded space. I’ve worked hard in the last few years to find my people, so I think that’s changed quite a bit, but I do still worry.”

  “Those people are going to be anywhere.” Bridget finished another favor and set it to the side before grabbing what she needed for the next one. “There’s no escaping them.”

  “I know, but…I’m ever hopeful, all right? I want the world to be such an accepting and loving place. Like when a patient comes in, I don’t care who they are or what they believe. I just want to help them.”

  “Seems you found the right job for you.”

  “I did.” Jerica’s lips turned upward as she stood up and took the finished favors over to the counter, lining them up. “Nursing I knew I wanted to do before I knew I was a lesbian. How messed up is that?”

  “Considering the family I come from? Not too bad if you ask me.” Bridget laughed lightly. “What about kids?”

  “I would love kids someday. I come from a big family. My parents only had two girls, but every other couple in my family has at least five or six.”

  “Really?” Bridget’s brow drew together in surprise. “I can’t imagine that many kids in one family.”

  “You should see how many people get together for reunions. It’s awful. We have to rent out space because there are so many of us.”

  “Do you do them often?”

  “Once a year. I haven’t been the last couple because I’ve been stuck working, but I’m hoping to go to the one next year.” Jerica stopped her work and put a hand on Bridget’s to still her movements. “I would love it if you came with me.”

  “Where is it?”

  “I think we’re doing it near my aunt’s. She lives out in Great Bend.”

  “That’s not far.”

  “It’s not from here. It’s another two hours for me, remember.”

  “True.” Bridget finished the next favor. “I suppose if I were to be publicly in a relationship with someone, I would have to decide what that would mean for my career.”

  Jerica gave her an odd look.

  “I’m an elected official.”

  “Oh, right. Politics, something I never really wanted to get into.”

  Bridget hummed but didn’t say anything. She continued to make favors, setting them on the table until there were enough for Jerica to grab and bring to the counter. She hadn’t been wrong in her line of thinking. She was going to have to decide at some point what she was willing to risk for love, and her career would be a good portion of that. Going from Sheriff to underling wasn’t going to be an easy transition, though switching agencies completely would help with that. But where would she go?

  “You look so lost in thought,” Jerica’s smooth voice reached her ears.

  Bridget nodded. “You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

  “Good things, I hope.”

  “Some. Other things not so much.”

  Jerica frowned. “Well, I do hope that wherever we end up, you’re somewhere in my life, Bridget. I like you, a lot. I told you that before we officially started dating, and I’ll tell you that again, every day if I have to. I really like you.”

  The smile came unbidden to Bridget’s lips, and Jerica leaned in, pressing their mouths together. “I like you.”

  “I like you, too,” Bridget answered, really wanting to swap out the word “like” for another one. One that held far more meaning. But she couldn’t make herself do it. Not yet at least.

  They made it through fifty favors before Karen bustled in and started cooking lunch, the conversation about the future dropping immediately as soon as a parental figure was in the room. Jerica lightened up on the conversation, and Karen probed her about her life and where she’d grown up. Bridget kept quiet mostly, wondering when Karen had become more like a mom to her than her own mother. If she truly thought about and analyzed it, it had happened somewhere around kindergarten, and that first sleepover she’d been allowed to go on.

  That had been a fateful night in more ways than she’d ever thought possible at a mere five years old, because here she was, sitting in the Wilsons’ dining room twenty-five years later, more at home than she’d ever been in her own house. She’d help the two of them if she could, but she stayed seated until Karen tossed her a wet rag and told her to clean up the table. Bridget had never felt more accepted.

  CHAPTER 15

  Jerica didn’t realize how late it was until she glanced at her phone, saw missed messages from friends and family, and then balked at the idea that it was close to midnight. Time had flown by since she’d come up to see Bridget again, and she’d spent all day getting caught up in wedding planning and doing whatever she could to help Karen and Bridget.

  Instead of being home and wrapped in her covers sleeping, she was still in the den with Bridget, Sarah, Eli, and Eli’s family. Alcohol flowed freely, and while it had been a while since she’d gotten a refill, she wasn’t sure it was wise for her to drive home either.

  Gripping Bridget’s hand, Jerica gave her a squeeze to get her attention and then leaned in to whisper in her ear. “It’s pretty late.”

  Bridget immediately looked at her watch. “Damn, you’re right.”

  “I don’t think I should drive home.”

  Nodding, Bridget turned to look her fully in the eye. “You’re welcome to stay here. You can stay with me if you want or on the couch in the basement. I don’t think anyone wants you driving this late.”

  “I’ll have to leave really early in the morning to get home and changed before my shift.”

  “Probably safer than driving now.” Bridget curled her hand around Jerica’s. “Besides, I’d like it if you stayed.”

  Jerica smiled, warmth spreading through her chest and belly. She loved that Bridget could do that to her. She wasn’t sure Bridget knew the effect she had. She’d have to share that information soon, but not in a room full of people.

  “I’d love that, too. But I should probably be getting to sleep.”

  Bridget slapped her free hand on her thigh and raised her voice to announce to the room. “I’m going to bed. Jerica, would you help me make sure you I don’t fall face first on my way down the stairs. Beer and crutches is a fun mix.”

  Snorting, Jerica shook her head. “Sure.”

  Everyone bade Bridget good night, and Jerica stood to follow her to the basement. The conversation picked up right where it left off as they left, the voices of the others echoing through the hall and into the kitchen. It did take some extra maneuvering to help Bridget down the stairs, but she sat on her ass and scooted for most of it, claiming she didn’t want to risk more broken bones.

  Perhaps Bridget had more to drink than Jerica had thought. When they got to the basement, Bridget showed Jerica into the bedroom, asking again where she wanted to stay. Stepping in close, Jerica put her hand on Bridget’s hip, pushing her into the doorframe they stood between.

  “I want to sleep with you.” She made each word clear as she leaned in and pressed their mouths together. She’d been waiting to do that all night but hadn’t dared in front of the others, not to this extent anyway.

  Bridget moaned lightly and tangled her fingers in Jerica’s hair, holding her close as their tongues moved together slowly. Jerica was on her tiptoes as she pushed her chest into Bridget’s, trying to increase every part of their body that was touching. She wanted more of Bridget—so much more.

  Jerking back, Bridget eyed her carefully and brushed her thumb across Jerica’s lower lip. Jerica wanted to say something, wanted to say the words that were on the tip of her tongue, but something in the look Bridget gave her held her back. There was an underlying fear in the look, something uncertain. Jerica had no idea how to resolve it, how to give Bridget the power to say what she needed and wanted in that moment, so she held still, hoping the silence would do that work for her.

  “I want you,” Bridget whispered, her gaze dropping to Jerica’s lips.

  “I want you, too.” Jerica’s lips curled upward. “Are you sober enough?”

  Bridget nodded. “I put on a show up there, but I drank less than you.”

  “Did you?” Jerica laughed lightly. She hadn’t even noticed, but it would be in Bridget’s personality to be watchful of those things. “I haven’t had a drink in a couple hours.”

  “I know.” Bridget swooped in and captured Jerica’s lips again. “I want you.”

  “Then have me. I’m yours.”

  Bridget shuddered, and Jerica couldn’t help the giddy feeling gurgling inside her. Bridget broke the embrace and hobbled to the bed, nodding toward the door for Jerica to shut it. She did, and she locked it. With everyone upstairs, they could be almost as noisy as they wanted. As she moved closer to bed, Jerica stripped off her clothes. One piece after the other, she dropped the fabric to the floor and swayed her hips saucily as she got closer. Bridget dropped her crutches against the wall and pulled herself back to lean against the headboard as Jerica walked.

  By the time she got to the mattress, she was naked, her skin on fire as she waited for one simple touch from Bridget. Climbing onto the bed, Jerica straddled Bridget’s hips and bent down to capture her lips in a heated kiss. Bridget raised her hands to touch, sliding her fingers from Jerica’s ass to her breasts and massaging gently.

  Moaning, Jerica rocked her hips and dragged in a deep breath. She wanted to feel skin against skin, to have Bridget fully unclothed underneath her, pressing into her, tasting her. She clenched her eyes at just the thought, wet pooling between her legs. When Bridget trailed one hand back down her body, Jerica could have leapt for joy.

  As Bridget entered her, one tentative finger before she slid in a second, Jerica groaned. She nipped at Bridget’s neck, pulling the skin between her teeth and sucking before letting go and breathing heavily. “When your wrist gets tired we can do something else, don’t worry about trying to get me off this way. I don’t want you to hurt it and delay this again.”

  Bridget grunted, but she didn’t speed up her movements. She took the exploration slowly, and that might have been Jerica’s undoing if it continued. She slid her hips back and forth against Bridget’s hand, her pleasure building slowly, as if the precipice wanted to take its sweet time. Everything with Bridget seemed to move slowly at first, so she should have expected this, the slow burn that would turn into a raging fire.

  “Bridge,” Jerica murmured, nipping at her earlobe and planting kisses on her cheek, neck, lips.

  “What?”

  “I want to feel you against me.”

  Bridget whined, the sound sending shivers through Jerica. Jerica kissed her hard, groaning when Bridget hit a particularly sensitive spot repeatedly. But she wanted more. She wanted Bridget naked under her, she wanted to feel what it would be like curled up against each other, what it would be like to wake up in the morning with Bridget plastered against her.

  “Climb up here,” Bridget demanded.

  Reluctantly, Jerica moved when Bridget took her hand away. She walked up on her knees while Bridget slid down to lie fully on her back. Bridget wiggled around behind her, and taking a peek over her shoulder, Jerica saw her pushing her pants and underwear off the lower half of her body and to the foot of the bed.

  Smiling, Jerica brushed her fingers over the top of Bridget’s head. “Do I get to touch now, too?”

  “Fuck yes.”

  Bridget didn’t wait another second as she curled her hands around Jerica’s thighs and planted her mouth against her clit and vulva. She licked and sucked, swiping her tongue with as much gusto as possible. Jerica grabbed onto the headboard for a second to steady herself from the onslaught of new and stronger sensations than before.

  She was nearly lost in them, but she leaned back, twisting her upper body so she could reach between Bridget’s parted legs and play her fingers between them. Bridget groaned, and Jerica smiled. She hated not being able to see Bridget’s face and eyes but giving each other pleasure at the same time was almost just as good.

  She continued until Bridget had her close to orgasming. Sliding back upright, Jerica grabbed the headboard as she moved in time with Bridget’s mouth. It wasn’t much longer until all her muscles clenched, and she hunched down as pleasure, sparks, tingles flooded her. Bridget didn’t stop immediately, instead slowing her movements and taking longer, fuller licks.

  As soon as Jerica was able to focus again, she moved off Bridget and lay flat on her back to stare at the ceiling. “Fuck that was good.”

  Bridget laughed lightly, turning on her side and reaching over her shoulder to drag her shirt off her body. “Good.”

  Giggling, Jerica turned her head and looked at the beautifully strong woman in front of her. She was a dark-haired beauty, one she knew many women and probably men should be after, but she was all Jerica’s, at least for that night. But if Jerica had her way, it would be forever. They just had to take it one day at a time.

  Bridget took her bra off and tossed it with her shirt. Finally they were both naked and together. Bridget rubbed a hand up and down Jerica’s thigh as Jerica’s breathing evened out and she found herself again.

  “Ready for round two?”

  Groaning, Jerica made eye contact. “Of course. Are you ready?”

  Bridget’s lips played a smile that she kept well hidden under seriousness. “I haven’t had round one.”

  “Then we should fix that.”

  “I have an idea.” Bridget wagged her eyebrows. “Let’s do it at the same time.”

  “Fuck, woman.” Jerica turned on her side just as Bridget did. They moved as if they had done it before together, as if they knew what the other was planning and thinking. Jerica used her fingers at first, testing to see how wet Bridget was or if she needed more help and possibly lube. Bridget must have caught on because she reached behind her and grabbed something, tossing it over to Jerica.

  Putting a dollop on two of her fingers, Jerica coated Bridget, playing with her clit lightly before entering her. She remained ever careful and aware of Bridget’s leg in its cast as it rested against the mattress, not moving much. Jerica didn’t want to hurt her any more than she was already.

  Gasping as Bridget pressed her mouth against her again, she moaned. She nipped Bridget’s inner thigh lightly, trying to bring her brain back around to what she wanted to do, not just what she wanted to feel. As soon as she could think again, she gave Bridget the same treatment she was receiving, again. Using fingers and lips and tongue, Jerica brought Bridget up and over the edge of an orgasm, not once, but twice, evening the score.

  As she cascaded through her second orgasm for the night, she rolled onto her back again. This time she didn’t wait long as she sat up and moved around to lie against Bridget, wrapping an arm over her stomach and half-lying on her side as Bridget pressed an arm against her back.

  “I suppose we should get under the covers,” Jerica murmured. “Don’t want to get cold.”

  “Can’t get cold with you here,” Bridget answered, her voice full of sleep.

  “Come on. There will be more time for this later.”

  It took some maneuvering and helping Bridget move her leg as carefully as possible until they were under the blankets. Bridget pushed against Jerica’s back, holding on to her tightly as she breathed deeply and steadily into Jerica’s hair. Sighing, Jerica fell asleep, knowing she’d just had the best night of her life.