Page 109

They’d spent every night together up until Kendra had needed to go. She’d managed to switch a few of the events she’d have to cover with someone else in order to take all the local games and matches for the various summer sports, which had given them those nights and mornings together. When she could, she’d meet DJ and Aspen for lunch, or just Aspen, if they were done training together for the day. Then, later at night, they would have dinner together at one of their houses, snuggle up on a couch, catch up, and have something on the TV in the background, like one of the matches Aspen and DJ had played, while they talked strategy for the next one. They’d usually make love after that and wake up the next morning to do it all over again, and Kendra hadn’t ever been happier in her life. She felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Yes, Kendra still sometimes flinched when Aspen walked into the room and she didn’t have her shirt on because she’d forget that she wasn’t doing that anymore, but Aspen had been so patient and understanding, never making Kendra feel bad about it and never making it about her. Aspen would then usually just walk over and kiss Kendra on the bare shoulder before she’d hold her for a moment or walk away.

Kendra still worried that the newness of being able to show that part of her body to someone else might wear off somehow, so she’d thought about possibly making an appointment to talk to someone after all, because it might help her deal with any residual issues she had around her condition and subsequent surgery, but she was feeling good. In fact, she’d been right to tell Aspen that her scar now represented the life she’d made for herself in spite of something that she couldn’t control; something that could have killed her had she not gotten that scar that would continue to fade more and more each year until it was barely visible at all.

Tonight, though, present her was happy, and when Aspen drew her a bath after their delicious dinner where they’d shared entrées, Kendra turned off the water a little early so they could both fit in the tub. Of course, it was a very small tub because they were in a European hotel room, and her girlfriend was a very tall pro beach volleyball player, so it had been less romantic than Kendra had planned, but they’d sat there with their knees up, facing each other, talking softly in the room that echoed a bit and sharing kisses here and there until they were clean. Aspen got out first and wrapped a towel around Kendra’s shoulders.

“Hey, want to watch some video of us training today? We set up the phone on a tripod for a few minutes to run through a couple of things we wanted to look at later.”

“You’re not exhausted?” Kendra asked as she dried off.

“I’m tired, but not exhausted. Honestly, I’m a little wired because my gorgeous girlfriend just showed up and I missed her. I was thinking we could stay naked, and you could sit between my legs while we watch for a few minutes before we go to sleep.”

“Stay naked, huh?” Kendra lifted an eyebrow.

“I meant that in a PG way. I haven’t held you like that since before I left. Can we do that? Just hold each other? I’m kind of a sap now, in case you haven’t figured it out.”

Kendra smiled and said, “But you’re my sap, so it’s okay.”

“I like being your sap.” Aspen laughed a little. “DJ was making fun of me today when I told her how much I was missing you and how I never knew what missing someone really meant until now because it’s crazy to me how quickly I got used to falling asleep next to you.”

“Should we remind her about Chase tomorrow after the match?” Kendra suggested.

Aspen laughed again and hung up the towel she’d just used to dry herself off.

“God, you’re…” Kendra reached for her and rested her hands against Aspen’s chest above her breasts. “I really missed you, too.”

“Yeah?” Aspen asked, sounding hopeful.

“I guess I got used to falling asleep next to you, too. Besides, I got used to the sounds of the ball beating that box thing in the backyard, and you haven’t been there to practice.”

“I’ll practice twice as long when we get home to make up for it,” Aspen told her and kissed Kendra’s forehead.

“Aspen?”

“Yeah?” The woman wrapped her arms around Kendra’s waist and pulled her in.

“Do we have to just sleep tonight? I don’t want to use up any of the energy you need for your match tomorrow, but I was thinking that if your body could use a little stress relief or tension release, I might be able to provide that for you.” Kendra ran her hands over Aspen’s breasts, landing on the nipples, which hardened as she toyed with them.

“You’re not too tired?”

“Not anymore,” she replied. “Let me take care of you tonight.”

“What about you?”

“After you win this thing, we can celebrate,” she said and moved her lips to Aspen’s neck. “Get on the bed. I’m going down on you until you come in my mouth.”

“Oh, wow,” Aspen said. “Yes, please.”

Kendra smiled against Aspen’s still-clammy skin and smacked her on her ass. Aspen hurried off into the room, making Kendra laugh as she followed behind her.

An hour later, she was snuggled up in Aspen’s arms, and Aspen was holding the phone so they could both see the small screen. Kendra watched DJ swing her arm and follow through on one hit, but not on the other two, which would’ve made a difference, so she called it out, and Aspen kissed her on the top of her head. After they watched and talked about it, they did their nightly routine together, which had been a new thing in Kendra’s life but already felt so familiar.

Without dressing, they slid back into bed beneath the blanket and sheet this time, and Aspen wrapped her arms around Kendra from behind. Her hand landed between Kendra’s breasts over her scar, and Kendra smiled a little as she closed her eyes.

“I am so glad you’re here,” Aspen said softly, kissing the top of her shoulder.

“Me too, babe,” she replied. “Good night.”