“Shut up.” Kelly smiled, her confidence returning. “I’ve done nothing but think about what it would be like to live with you, wake up with you, come home to you, since our night out. I didn’t ask before now because I didn’t want to scare you. And, fuck me, Lucy.”

Lucy smirked, and Kelly’s heart grew wings.

“With my permission, that is. But goddamn, we’re good together. Life’s fragile, there are no guarantees. Let’s grab it by the balls.”

This time Lucy laughed.

“Oops, bad word choice. Let’s grab it by the vagina and embrace it while we can?”

A tear rolled down Lucy’s cheek.

“That better be a happy tear.” Kelly wiped it away with the pad of her thumb.

“It is.” Lucy sniffed.

A couple walking their dog peered through the windscreen, eyeing them curiously. “Let’s go inside? I can’t wait to tell Nicole and Steve.” Fit to burst, Kelly pushed open the car door.

“No.” Lucy’s arm shot out, her hand latching onto Kelly’s.

Taken aback, Kelly glanced at the stranglehold Lucy had on her.

“Sorry,” Lucy released her grip and Kelly wondered what had spooked her.

“What’s up?”

“I need to get home, shower, pack some clothes.”

“And?” Kelly asked, sensing there was more.

“Your best friends might not be as happy about the news as you are. It will be easier for them to say no if I’m not here.”

“Why would they say no?” Kelly frowned. “They adore you.”

“Your flat’s not exactly spacious. There’s barely room to swing a cat.”

“Here’s the thing, Lucy. As long as I’ve got your pussy to lick, I won’t need to swing a cat.” Kelly swept her arms wide. “See, no problem.”

Lucy grinned. “I’m trying to be serious.”

“Okay.” Kelly dropped the jokes. “But I’m not getting out of this car until you promise me you’ll come back here tonight.”

“If you promise me you’ll be honest about Nicole’s reaction. I know Steve doesn’t live here, but his opinion matters too.”

“It does,” Kelly agreed, certain Lucy was worrying about nothing, but respecting her concerns all the same.

“Deal?” Lucy fiddled with the stick shift.

“Deal. But, if you’re not back in an hour I’ll hunt you down, tie you up, and spank your pussy.”

Fanning herself, Lucy sucked in a sharp breath.

Turned on by her own declaration, Kelly leaned across the console until her face was mere millimetres from Lucy’s. She inhaled deeply, breathing in Lucy’s familiar scent, cocoa butter.

“Actually, that’s what I’m going to do to you when you get back.” She kissed Lucy hard. “After a day like today, I think we deserve a little fun.”

“Hold those thoughts.” Lucy fired the car to life. “I’ll be as quick as I can.”

Chapter 29