The room was cold the next morning, and the cover from the bed was a scrambled ma.s.s of linen. Alice pulled Ricky on top of her and murmured into her hair, aWe smell like s.e.x.a aAnd a mighty fine smell that is.a A series of slow, deep, pa.s.sionate kisses followed. Ricky worked a leg in between Aliceas, and they started the morning off properly.

aHow could you think Iad ever sleep with Christine?a Alice asked. aOr anyone else for that matter?a aShe was very convincing on the phone,a Ricky said. She touched the tip of her tongue to one of Aliceas taut nipples. aAnd she was here and I was there. My imagination rapidly took over. Dora thought I was crazy.a aYou were.a Alice moved against her and ran her hands along Rickyas back, pulling her closer.

A while later after they both had recovered a bit, Alice said, aI have a present for you.a She pointed toward the closet, and Ricky retrieved an oblong, festively wrapped box. She crawled under the covers and kissed Alice tenderly on the mouth.

aOpen it,a Alice whispered as she ran the tip of her finger over Rickyas bottom lip.

The bow came off, and lavender paper went flying everywhere. aPink flamingos,a Ricky said in her raggedy, early morning voice. Two pink plastic birds with metal spindle legs slid out of the box.

aTheyare for our new front yard when we find a house.a Ricky set the box and the birds aside and pulled Alice into her arms.

aCome with me to take my parents to the airport,a Alice whispered as she nuzzled Rickyas bare throat and shoulder. They began moving against one another again.

aAnd have to explain to your mother why Iam wearing the same clothes? I donat think so.a Alice laughed. aShe wouldnat say anything. Besides, Iave decided to tell them about us before they leave today.a aWhat if your father fires you?a Ricky said. Her hands and lips moved down Aliceas body under the covers. aDisowns you? Tries to ship you off to some foreign country for therapy?a aHe wouldnat dare,a Alice said. aHe needs me right now. Heas going on vacation.a The flamingos. .h.i.t the floor with a little clink, and Alice opened her legs to the insistent nudging of a chin between her thighs.

aWe donat have time for this,a Alice whispered weakly. She filled her hands with Rickyas soft blonde hair and urged her mouth and tongue forward. They had to get showers and find clothes. Make coffee and grab a quick breakfast. Weave got to take my parents to the d.a.m.n airport, for crissake!

aJesus,a she whispered as Rickyas mouth took her in and sucked her eagerly. So what if they were late? Some things you just have to make time for.

Publications from Bella Books, Inc.

P.O. Box 10543, Tallaha.s.see, FL 32302.

Phone: 800-729-4992.

www.bellabooks.com.

FINDERS KEEPERS by Karin Kallmaker. Finders Keepers, the quest for the perfect mate in the 21st Century, joins Karin Kallmakeras Just Like That and her other incomparable novels about lesbian love, l.u.s.t and laughter. 1-59493-072-4 $13.95 OUT OF THE FIRE by Beth Moore. Author Ann Covington feels at the top of the world when told her book is being made into a movie. Then in walks Casey Duncan the actress who is playing the lead in her movie. Will Casey turn Annas world upside down? 1-59493-088-0 $13.95 STAKE THROUGH THE HEART by Karin Kallmaker, Julia Watts, Barbara Johnson and Therese Szymanski. The playful quartet that penned the acclaimed Once Upon A d.y.k.e are dimming the lights for journeys into worlds of breathless seduction. 1-59493-071-6 $15.95 THE HOUSE ON SANDSTONE by KG MacGregor. Carly Griffin returns home to Leland and finds that her old high school friend Justice is awakening more than just old memories. 1-59493-076-7 $13.95 THE FEEL OF FOREVER by Lyn Denison. Felicity Devon soon discovers that she isnat quite sure what she fears the most - that Bailey, the woman who broke her heart will want to pick up where they left off... or that she wonat... 978-1-59493-073-7 $13.95 WILD NIGHTS (Mostly True Stories of Women Loving Women) Stories edited by Therese Szymanksi. Therese Szymanski is back, editing a collection of erotic short stories from your favorite authorsa 1-59493-069-4 $15.95 COYOTE SKY by Gerri Hill. Sheriff Lee Foxx is trying to cope with the realization that she has fallen in love for the first time. And fallen for author Kate Winters, who is technically unavailable. Will Lee fight to keep Kate in Coyote? 1-59493-065-1 $13.95 VOICES OF THE HEART by Frankie J. Jones. A series of events force Erin to swear off love as she tries to break away from the woman of her dreams. Will Erin ever find the key to her future happiness?

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ANTIc.i.p.aTON by Terri Breneman. Two women struggle to remain professional as they work together to find a serial killer. 1-59493-055-4 $13.95.

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