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Chapter Seventeen

"Kitten," I whispered against Nora's ear in between kissing her shoulder while she slept. After a marathon night of scenes and sex, she passed out in the most peaceful manner. Actual rest kept her under all night, and well into the next day. It took Anita showing up for a visit to urge me to wake her. "Nor."

"You smell good," she said, her voice hoarse. A smile made it to her lips before she even opened her eyes.

"So do you." I nibbled her shoulder while she stretched in the pillows. "You have a visitor in the kitchen."

"Who?" She rolled over, stretching hard and smiling up at me while she did so. Her eyes twinkled in the light of the midday sun. "Did Samirah leave?"

"Nope. She's passed out, too. Marley left a little while ago though. Anita's here to see you." I kissed her chin then her lips when her fingers stroked my cheeks.

Her smile never faded while she gazed at me, her eyes light and bright as if the weight of the world hadn't caught up to her yet. I tucked her messy hair behind her ear, and she nuzzled my hand.

"Anita's here right now?" she asked, yawning after.

"Yup." I chuckled and tapped her nose. "How's your morning belly?"

"Hmm." Her brow furrowed suddenly, as she ran her hand down her center. "Actually, good. Not demanding right now. First time in a while. I mean, except for the month that I didn't feel well…"

"Maybe your luscious girly bits are satisfied for the time being." I brought her hand to my lips for a kiss. "Let's go see your friend before they activate."

Nora laughed and hugged me around the neck, latching on and squeezing tight. "I need to pee first."

"Okay." I chuckled and kissed her all over while lifting her up to sit on the edge of the bed.

When she returned form the bathroom, she sat down at on the edge of the bed. I stepped in front of her and wrapped her arms around my middle, a smile plastered on her sweet face. "Love you."

"Love you, too, babe." I leaned down to smooch her forehead while tucking her hair behind her ears. Her fingers stroked my back while she continued to gaze at me. "You look so happy right now, honey."

"I am." She kissed my stomach despite the fastened buttons of my blouse that blocked her access before she stood up to hug me properly. "You make me so happy."

"That's all I could ever ask for." I wrapped my arms around her naked form and lifted her off her feet. "You make me happy, too. The happiest I've ever been."

She leaned back, her fingers in my hair while she smiled. "I'm starving to death."

I laughed and swatted her ass. "Let's go see if Anita wants to have lunch with us. It's almost noon."

"I slept forever." She shimmied in my arms and grinned. "'Kay. I need lunch immediately. She'll listen to me."

"She will." I laughed and released her.

She pranced toward the door, stark naked when she pulled it open. "I want sandwiches and chips. And soda. And then brownies."

I laughed at her and snaked my arm around her middle before she could make it too far into the hall. "Are you going to walk around naked in front of Anita? Her face will turn purple, and she'll stare at the floor all afternoon."

"Hmm. Fair point." She doubled back and grabbed her robe, tossing it on haphazardly. "There."

I laughed, shaking my head at her and pretended to chase after her. She squealed and bolted down the hall on dainty tiptoes until she leapt onto the sofa beside Anita. Her friend laughed, catching her in a hug right away when Nora pretended to hide against her shoulder.

"Is the mean FBI Agent infringing on your civil liberties, my darling?" Anita teased, her tone everlastingly serious despite her playful words.

"Yes." Nora pouted at her. "Better summon R.B.G. immediately."

Anita laughed and they shared a cheek kiss followed by a proper hug. "Well, hi to you, too, Nor."

"Hi." Nora grinned and flopped back on the sofa, her robe hanging open without a bit of caution. "Caroline's going to order lunch. Will you stay?"

I leaned over the back of the sofa beside them, chuckling at Nora's giddy presentation.