Page 88 of Stunted Heart
“Thank you.” Cassie followed her, and Bernice told her all about their upcoming first wedding anniversary celebration, the reason for Cassie and Taryn’s visit.
“I’m so glad you were able to come,” Bernice said as they headed back toward Taryn and Andi. “It means so much to Andi that Taryn’s here.”
“Taryn wouldn’t have missed it, you know that.” Cassie hooked her arm through Bernice’s. “And neither would I.” Even with the distance between them, Bernice had become something of a surrogate mom to Cassie, and she felt closer to her than she ever had to her real mom. Bernice’s presence and support had made the separation from her mom that little bit easier to manage too.
Cassie saw that their luggage had already been taken from the plane and loaded into the back of the Humvee. She added her sweaty travel clothes to the pile and walked around to Taryn, who was ready and waiting beside her bike. Cassie bit her lip at the sexy sight of Taryn in her leathers. It had been a while since she’d seen her in anything other than a T-shirt and fatigues, which, though not an unattractive outfit, was functional. This, however, was like she’d stepped out of a lesbian fantasy calendaragain.
Bernice touched her arm. “See you back at the hotel.” She winked. “Take your time.” She got into the Humvee, and they pulled away, waving as they went.
Cassie put her hand on Taryn’s thigh. A bolt of desire soared through her.
Taryn grinned. “We can find somewhere to stop on the way back to the hotel if you want,” she said, having clearly registered Cassie’s expression.
“I definitelydowant, but I wanted to ask you something before we get going.”
“Shoot.” Taryn put her helmet over the handlebars, turned to Cassie, and put her hands on her hips. “You look amazing in full leather gear, by the way.”
“Stop it. I’m trying to be serious.” Though, goddamn, Cassie couldn’t wait to pull off on the road somewhere and have sex over this bike. “We’ve been in the same place for six months. I just wanted to check in again and see how you’re doing with less traveling.”
Taryn opened her legs wider and pulled Cassie between them. “I’ve told you; I’m fine.”
Cassie wrinkled her nose. “Fine isn’t great.”
“Then I’m great.” Taryn shrugged. “I think my wandering heart was just in search of you. Now that I’ve found you, I don’t care where I am or for how long. And I’d be happy to settle down and become a number of any population sign you want, when that time comes. For now, we’ll see parts of the world together and help make it better. As long as I’m with you, I’m happy.”
“God, I adore you.” Cassie’s heart filled with love and almost lifted her from her feet. Wanted. Cherished. Loved. Everything she’d ever desired and everything she didn’t know she needed—she’d found it all with Tarynandher extended, chosen family. And it was hers, forever. The happy-ever-afters of romance novels and movies had nothing on this.
