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“I’ll have to replace everything out of pocket,” Jo continued, her voice flat. “It’s going to wipe out my reserves. And more. I might have to take out a loan.”

Reaching across the table, Evelyn gently touched her hand. “That is such bad news,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”

Looking down at their hands, Jo shrugged. “It’s fine,” she said quietly. “It’s just stuff. I can replace it.” But Evelyn heard the weight in her voice.

This isn’t only about tools, she thought.This is about the fear of losing control of something she’s built with her own hands. “I hate that you’re going through this,” Evelyn said, and Jo’s fingers curled slightly around hers.

“I’ll figure it out.”

The food arrived and sandwiches with a mountain of fries were set in front of them. Evelyn was grateful for the distraction, but the words she had come to say sat heavy in her chest. She couldn’t tell Jo now. Not tonight. Not when Jo was already carrying so much.But how can I make Jo feel better about what happened?she wondered as she ate a bite of the sandwich.What can I do to lift her spirits tonight at least?As she chewed, the idea came to her. “Come stay with me at my apartment tonight,”she said. “Maybe a change of scenery for a night will help you relax.”

Nineteen

With the weight of her confession off her chest, Jo started to feel better. Things were still a mess, but there was nothing she could do tonight. The invitation to stay with Evelyn seemed the perfect solution at the moment. At the apartment building, by the time they reached the third-floor landing, Jo was a little out of breath, but not from the stairs. It was from the sexy view of Evelyn ahead of her. Plus, she was still replaying the way that Evelyn had invited her over again. She had done it so casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world, but there was a hint of heat behind it too.Definitely a good idea, Jo thought.My favorite kind of distraction.

Evelyn unlocked the door and stepped aside, gesturing for Jo to enter first. The apartment was warm and softly lit, the scent of something faintly herbal lingering in the air. Although she was there once before, she wasn’t distracted by nerves or Evelyn’s lips this time, so she took a moment to really look. Bookshelves lined one wall, filled with books and framed photos. There were plants everywhere. Hanging from the ceiling, perched on the windowsill, curling toward the light. She smiled. Everything was so very Evelyn.

“Give me two minutes to change out of my work clothes, okay?” Evelyn said as she passed her. “Make yourself comfortable.”

“Okay,” Jo said as Evelyn disappeared into what was likely her bedroom. She wandered toward the kitchen. Everything was like she remembered from their small dinner fiasco, and she smiled thinking of their dancing. Opening the fridge, Jo looked for something cold and stopped. There, on the bottom shelf, was a six-pack of beer. In fact, it was one of Jo’s favorite beers. She stared at it for a second, then pulled one out slowly. An IPA from that microbrewery downtown Jo had raved about once, in passing. Evelyn had remembered. Evelyn had bought it. For her.

“Found the beer?” Evelyn’s voice came from the doorway, and Jo turned to see her standing in soft gray joggers and a loose T-shirt that dipped just enough at the collar to be innocently, but incredibly sexy.

“I did,” Jo said, lifting the bottle. “But you don’t like this stuff.”

“I don’t,” Evelyn said, walking toward her. “But you do.” Staring at her for a second, Jo was at a loss. No one had ever been so thoughtful.

Finally, she smiled. “You’re gonna ruin me, you know that?” she said, leaving the beer in the fridge and closing the door. Her thirst for it had been replaced with a want for something else.

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. “Is that a complaint?”

Moving closer so they were face-to-face, Jo let her eyes linger on Evelyn’s mouth. “It definitely is,” she said, and watched Evelyn bite her lip as her cheeks flushed a little.

“We should sit down,” she murmured, but didn’t move for a beat.

Ready to savor the moment, Jo nodded. “Okay, let’s sit down.”

They moved to the couch, Jo dropping onto one end while Evelyn curled up beside her. The blanket from the back of the couch slid down between them, and Evelyn casually tossed it over both their laps. Jo felt the warmth of Evelyn’s thigh press against hers and tried not to let her exhale sound like a sigh. It would be so easy to take the next step, and start her usual seduction, but for some reason she hesitated.Not yet,she thought.I want to enjoy this for a little while. I need it after such horrible news today.“Well, you know how my day went, how was yours?” she asked. “Anything new on the environment research front?”

Growing still, Evelyn’s eyes seemed to search Jo’s face, and for a second, she looked ready to say something serious but then smiled. “Oh,” she said. “You know. Just out saving the planet one tree at a time.”

Hesitating, Jo thought about probing deeper. She sensed there was more there, but if she was being honest with herself, she had dealt with enough serious stuff for the day.I’m going to let that one go,she thought.But I will ask about it tomorrow.

She smiled. “I’m sure you did.”

Evelyn hesitated. She looked at Jo’s face. Open, handsome, completely unaware of the weight Evelyn was carrying, and she almost said it. But then Jo smiled. That slow, sexy smile that always made Evelyn feel like the most interesting woman in the world, and Evelyn’s resolve crumbled.Not tonight, she thought.Because what if this is the last time we cuddle together like this? What if I tell her tomorrow, and everything changes?

Instead of speaking, Evelyn reached for Jo and leaned in to kiss her. It was soft at first, tentative. But when Jo responded, deepening the kiss, Evelyn felt herself give in completely. Her body ached with want, her chest full of everything she hadn’tsaid. She pressed closer, fingers tangling in Jo’s shirt. Jo’s hands slid to her waist, pulling her in, and Evelyn let any lingering thoughts go. Instead, she kissed Jo like it was the only thing that mattered and relished the heat. Suddenly, her entire body was alive, and as Jo’s hands started moving over her, Evelyn knew what she wanted. “Let’s go to the bedroom,” she murmured against Jo’s lips.

Pushing the blanket back, Jo nodded and followed Evelyn. For a moment, a hint of shyness tried to sneak in, but Evelyn pushed it away, pulling off her top and leaving her breasts naked. Jo watched her, and Evelyn saw the hunger in the woman’s eyes. Heat pulsed between Evelyn’s legs, and she ran her hands over her hard nipples. “Come here,” she whispered, as she slid onto the bed, and Jo followed without a word. Only a moment later, Evelyn felt Jo’s mouth on her breast, sucking, teasing and all she could do was moan with pleasure.Yes,she thought.This is the right thing. And if this is the last time, I know what I want.Running her hands into Jo’s hair, she pulled the woman back gently until they looked into each other's eyes. “Jo, I have something I want to try.”

“All right,” Jo replied, her eyes dark with desire.

Taking a deep breath, Evelyn forced herself to say the words, “I have a vibrator in the drawer, and I want to try it.”

Jo blinked, but then a slow smile crossed her face. “Okay,” she said, sliding off the bed in one fluid motion. She quickly pulled off her T-shirt, jeans, and boxer briefs until she was naked. “Which drawer?”

Pushing her own pants down, Evelyn nodded toward the nightstand. “Bottom one,” she said, as she felt air caress her soaked lower lips. Instinctively, she widened her legs and watched as Jo opened the drawer. Evelyn’s heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. When Jo turned back to her, holding the sleek, hot pink vibrator, Evelyn’s breath caught.She had never done anything like this with anyone before, only fantasized about it when she touched herself. But she trusted Jo completely. “Is this what you had in mind?” Jo asked, her voice husky as she held up the vibrator.