Page 97 of A Country Kind Of Love

Just tell her how you feel; Peyton’s body screams. If there is ever a moment to do it, it’s now, with Cleo’s eyes looking like they could be in a mascara commercial and her forehead creasing as she leans on her hands. She can smell the mints Cleo was chewing earlier in the evening. Even simple basic hygiene makes Peyton weak at the knees where Cleo is concerned.

God, sheneeds help.

“I—” She’s never said it first. It should be simple. It’s three words, or four, or five, it really depends how you phrase it, but it’s less than a substantial sentence, and it’s not like she’s never been in love before. She has—she’s almost certain of it.

Why didn’t it feel this way with Chloe? Why did she feel so out of control and utterly confused? With Cleo she feels grounded. She feels content. With Cleo beside her, she feels like she can watch Fox News and comfortably leave her house to face the world outside.

Is this what real lovefeels like?

“I love you,” Cleo blurts. “I am in love with you.”

“I was—” She shakes her head.“I wanted—”

Justsay it back.

“I am in love with you too.”

The smile on Peyton’s face stretches from ear to ear. She can feel the tension in her cheeks, and it’s a reaction she can’t control, nor doesshe want to.

“Kiss me,” Cleo whispers.

Peyton holds either side of her cheeks and pulls her closer. The kiss is the seal; it’s the promise that she’ll remember this moment forever. Maybe she’ll even write a song about it; she most definitely will.

Peyton pulls back. “Shit.”

“What?”

She almost forgot to tell Cleo the good news.

“Well, now we’ve established you’re in love with me and not just exploiting me for my musical talent. I have something exciting to tell you.” Peyton grins.

“Oh, you’re a joker now.” Cleo gets beneath the sheets with her hands and starts to tickle ferociously. She goes for the spot just above Peyton’s ribs. It’s the spot that makes her squeal with laughter.

“Stop, stop, stop.” She wriggles until she traps Cleo’s arm between her thighs. “Seriously, I am at that fragile stage between peeing and wanting to orgasm again. If you keep tickling me, I don’t know what will happen.”

Cleo grins. “Well, why don’t you hurry up and tell me your good news, and I’ll make sure it’s the second thing that wets thebed sheets.”

“That’s a little gross, but also sexy—” Peyton laughs. “Anyway, I spoke to Shonda earlier.”

“Okay.”

Peyton talks Cleo through their conversation word for word. Not forgetting the part where she said, “You and Cleo have this chemistry that is almost impossible to define”, she made sure to emphasise that part.

“Shesaid that?”

Peyton nods.

“Is that what you want? You want me to come with you and for us to record the song together? It’s okay if you don’t. I’ll understand,”Cleo states.

“Are you kidding? It’s all I’ve ever wanted.” Peyton tucks a loose strand of hair behind Cleo’s left ear. “I don’t want to do this without you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah!” Peyton grins.

Cleo is naked in her bed, and for that reason alone Peyton refuses to talk business, especially not when her vagina is throbbing like a relentless drumbeat.

“Now, what did you say about making the bed wet?”