Page 115

She’d never felt more exposed. Vulnerable. Putting her whole heart—her whole true self—out there for another person.

Sadie cupped Joan’s face in her hands. “I love you, too,” she murmured, leaning in to kiss. “Never like this before.”

Relief flowed through Joan’s veins. She pulled Sadie to her, kissing with all the joy and promise they shared. Loving Sadie was the way to harness her fire and put it to good use.

Sadie kissed across one cheek, then the other. “No more tears. Not with me.”

“Thank you,” Joan whispered.

They hugged tightly, then nestled in for a proper snuggle in the warm sunlight. Joan ran her fingers across Sadie’s rainbow tattoo. “I can get a tattoo now,” she realized.

“Hmm?”

“Mark and I never got any tattoos. They’re identifying marks.” She let the silence speak the rest.

“You’re free to do whatever you want now,” Sadie said, skimming a hand up Joan’s arm.

Free.Free to love Sadie. Free to pursue new dreams.

Free to be Joan, not Spark.

“I love you, Sadie Eagan,” she murmured, a little thrill twirling through her.

“I love you, Joanie Maloney.” Sadie smiled brilliantly. She kissed the tip of Joan’s nose. “Do you need to take care of any excess fire or anything?”

“Nope. I’m good.”

“You were able to contain it?”

“Turns out falling in love and focusing it in my heart does the trick.”

Sadie nuzzled her nose. “I’m glad you discovered that. And doubly glad you discovered it with me.”

Joan kissed her, running a hand over Sadie’s rather perfect rear end. “Me, too.”

CHAPTER23

The heavy metal garage door rolled open. Sadie still wasn’t quite sure if she was nervous or excited as Joan drove her black sedan into the Villains’ secret lair. She took in the blank cement-block walls, the emptiness, the lack of…anything.

As far as secret lairs went, she’d been expecting more.

“I told you it wasn’t much,” Joan said, shutting off the ignition.

“Hiding in plain sight.” That was something Sadie had been learning about Joan’s life. Joan didn’t like to draw attention to herself, preferring to be in the shadows.

Sadie was in those shadows now. Or rather, was involved in bringing Joan out of them.

Raising her eyebrows, Joan said, “Are you ready for this?”

Sadie gave her thigh a reassuring squeeze. “You bet. We’re in this together.”

They exited the car to meet with Mark and Perry. She couldn’t bear not touching Joan, so she laced their fingers.

They’d spent the past two days cocooned in Joan’s apartment, minimally clothed, talking a lot, learning one another’s bodies awholelot. She loved discovering what made Joan feel good. Sex with her was better than anyone could possibly imagine. Oh boy, was it incredible. Bone-meltingly incredible.

But Joan also really enjoyed cuddling, being connected. Which made sense, considering she hadn’t had much affection in her life.

Not anymore.