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I'm not here because of Lilly." She then released a heavy sigh and reached over to
cup Laurel's chin in her hand. Claudia forced Laurel to look at her. "I know you
would protect Lilly with your life." She released Laurel s chin and took another gulp
of her drink as if she needed the courage it would offer. Staring at the wall across
the room, Claudia added, "I'm here because of you, Laurel. Because I can't stop
thinking about you. Because life is excruciatingly dull without our occasional
arguments. Because. . . ," her voice trailed off.
By the time she stopped talking, Laurel's heart was pounding wildly, so wildly that
she was afraid she had misheard Claudia s actual words. Had she really said that
she couldn't stop thinking about her? Did Claudia really mean she was in London
because of her?
Laurel forced herself to look at Claudia. The woman s shoulders were bent and her
head was limply hanging down. More than anything else in the world, Laurel
wanted to reach out to her, to give her anything she wanted or needed -- her touch,
her love, her self. At the same time, some inner voice warned her of the impending
dangers. Could she risk Claudia s rejection again? Would she ever be able to regain
her balance if Claudia knocked her off her feet, as she had done so many times in the
past?
Her mind was spinning with doubts and uncertainties. Yet, against everything her
mind advised her, she reached out to Claudia and stroked her beautifully chiseled
cheek with the back of her fingers. Claudia s skin was soft and warm. She turned
toward Laurel slowly and guided Laurel s hand to her mouth.
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In Claudia s large, deep set eyes was a longing Laurel had never seen before. It drew
her in, causing her to wonder what it would be like to stir its depth. Laurel s thumb
traced the edge of Claudia s mouth, which was now moist and inviting. Was this
really the same mouth that had challenged her, mocked her, scorned her so many
times in the past? When Claudia wet her lips and left them slightly parted, Laurel s
thumb slipped across their surface, and suddenly, the thought of Claudia s mouth on
hers brought an ache to her core.
Claudia leaned toward her and Laurel leaned toward Claudia. Before their mouths
even touched, Laurel could feel the flood gates of her past resolve straining with the
anticipation of Claudia s lips brushing hers.
"Do you know how long I have wanted to touch you like this?" Claudia whispered
into her ear.
Laurel s response was more moan than any recognizable word in the English
language. She moved her lips to Claudia s and invited her to join her, to take her
with all of her passion. Soon Claudia s mouth was devouring hers, Claudia s touch
filling her own caverns of longing. No dream she had ever had of this moment had
come close to the actual experience of being engulfed in Claudia s arms, of feeling
the power of Claudia s desire match hers.
Time stopped during their moment of magic and did not resume again until Claudia
slowly pulled away. "You're eyes are like emeralds tonight, but so mysterious. Is
there something they are trying to say to me?"
Laurel flushed and tried to look away from the intensity of Claudia s gaze but
Claudia wouldn't let her. "You are a dangerous woman, Claudia Montgomery," she
finally said with a forced smile. Laurel didn't think she would ever be able to explain
to Claudia the torment she caused her, the confusion, the ever vigilant guarding of
feelings and desires she had forced upon herself from the first day they had met.
"Why?" Claudia feigned indignation and then she laughed. "Just because I shoved
Gini Cunningham doesn't mean I'm prone to violence.
Laurel tried to laugh as well, but she couldn't. This new softness in Claudia was
more than she could cope with. It was easier when they fought. Then she didn't have
to admit the full extent of her feelings for the woman.
When her eyes rimmed with tears, Claudia s expression changed to concern. "What
is it Laurel? Have I been too presumptuous again? Have I imposed myself on you?"
Laurel shook her head slowly as the unwanted tears slid down her cheeks. She tried,
but she could not find the words to explain the roar in her heart.
Claudia stood up and started to pace the room. "Are you afraid that I would force
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