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Rebecca took that as an invitation to snoop a bit but was completely distracted by the mural on the far wall. It was mesmerizing and impeccably done. The beach scene featured a mermaid in the crest of a wave. She walked up to the wall, feeling compelled to touch the creation. As she drew closer, she realized that the mermaid was faceless.

“It’s not quite done. I—I just couldn’t find my muse for the mermaid.”

“You did this?” Rebecca asked in awe.

“Yeah.” Cassidy smiled proudly and handed a bottle of water to her guest. “I do murals all around the city. You know, hospitals and stuff. And, my friend’s an interior decorator. If her clients want something a little special, she calls me.” Another shrug. “Drives my parents insane, but it pays the bills and I love it.”

“You’re an artist.” When her preliminary report came back on Cassidy, it said she was a painter. Rebecca hadn’t known that meant an artist. “This is amazing, Cassidy.” She followed each brush stroke with her eyes and almost felt as though she were in that wave. “Freehand?”

“Yeah. I see a picture in my mind, and just paint.”

“Are you in galleries?” Eve needed to see this woman’s work, Rebecca decided. Cassidy laughed but stopped when Rebecca didn’t join in. She wasn’t kidding.

“I have a few canvases, but I don’t think I’m gallery caliber. It’s okay. I like doing murals.”

“This is definitely worthy of being displayed or sold as prints, Cassidy. I have a friend who’s opening a gallery here soon.” She downplayed the significance of the gallery and owner for Cassidy’s sake. If Cassidy knew anything about the art world, she would know who Eve Sumptor was. Rebecca wanted to be sure Cassidy was willing, first. “Would you like for me to talk to her?”

“Um, what kind of friend?”

Ouch. Rebecca smiled sadly. “You should know I don’t become friends with people who have been in my room. Just one more rule I broke with you. Besides, I don’t think there’s a human being alive who could dominate Eve.” Except maybe one.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know. I want to.”

Cassidy looked a tad uncomfortable. “Okay.” She cleared her throat. “Would you, um, like a tour?”

Okay, we’re going to have to do something to get her over this nervousness. And hopefully, it’ll help me, too. Rebecca took the water bottle from Cassidy and set them aside. “Maybe later,” she said, pulling Cassidy to her. “Right now, I just want you.”

The kiss they shared was the most passionate kiss Rebecca had ever experienced. Cassidy began unbuttoning Rebecca’s shirt and slipped it off her shoulders. Her hard nipples strained against her satin bra, needing to be touched.

“You’re so beautiful,” Cassidy murmured as Rebecca’s bra joined her shirt on the floor.

Rebecca’s eyes teared up with emotion. All of her life, people have told her she was beautiful. But no one had ever sounded so sincere, so tender. Cassidy sunk to her knees in front of her and began unbuttoning her jeans. She whimpered when Cassidy took her bellybutton piercing between her teeth and tugged gently.

Cassidy hooked her fingertips into the waistband of Rebecca’s jeans and panties. Before she knew it, she was naked in front of a very attentive Cassidy. Her tummy muscles contracted when Cassidy traced her tattoo with a blunt nail.

“I got it after,” Rebecca hesitated. The bird in flight on her hip had significant meaning to her. It took Rebecca a long time before she felt she was worthy of it. “When I became free.”

Cassidy kissed the tattoo tenderly. An act that spoke louder than any words that could ever be said. Rebecca ran her hands through Cassidy’s hair, lost in the way she peered up at her. She didn’t understand how or why this connection with Cassidy happened. But, at the moment, all she wanted to do was bask in the way Cassidy made her feel.

Rebecca’s knees buckled, and she grasped Cassidy’s shoulders when Cassidy’s nose grazed her clit as she breathed Rebecca in. She gasped, digging her fingers into those shoulders when she felt Cassidy’s tongue tasting her. Teasing her.

“I’m going to fall, Cassidy.”

Cassidy responded by gripping Rebecca’s ass. “I won’t let you,” she purred against Rebecca’s extremely wet pussy. Her tongue dipped further inside and dual guttural moans filled the air.

“Baby, please.” Whoa. I’ve never called anyone that, before. I like it. I like her. Cassidy stood, grasping the back of Rebecca’s thighs. When she found herself in Cassidy’s arms, her legs wrapped around Cassidy’s waist, Rebecca’s arousal tripled. Hell, it went through the fucking roof.

She supposed she could have made it easier for Cassidy to carry her up the stairs by not having her mouth glued to Cassidy’s. But, she couldn’t help herself. She was being carried by a very muscular, very androgynous, very gorgeous woman. Rebecca was a woman who knew her weaknesses.

“I’m, uh, sorry about the mess. Maid’s day off,” Cassidy said as she gently let Rebecca down. “But, um, the sheets are clean. I just changed them.”

Rebecca frowned. She had no right to feel jealous, yet color her green. “Not sure I want to think about why at this point.”

Cassidy’s eyes widened. “No! I just meant it was time. Rebecca, I haven’t been with anyone since… well, since I met you.”

As surprising as that was, it made Rebecca feel special. And much better than she did just moments before. “Neither have I. Even before, Cassidy.”