Ca.s.s nodded, caught by the intensity of Laura's gaze. Here, in an arena of thousands, she felt as if it were just the two of them alone. "It was. But," she swallowed and looked away. "You hurt me. You...you didn't come to see me. At least, not when I could see you."

"I know." Laura closed her eyes and then whispered, "I'm sorry. I thought I needed to be away from you to make things better, and it just ended up making things worse."

"Did Amy give you my message before your last race?"

Laura's eyes popped open in surprise. "No." Then she frowned and thought for a moment. "Wait, just before she climbed into the boat she gave me a hug and she never does that." She smiled down at Ca.s.s. "That was you?"

"Yeah. It was the same message I sent before your repechage."

"I'm beginning to like your messages, though I'd like to get them firsthand."

Ca.s.s returned Laura's smile with a bright one of her own, her heart soaring. "If we're having a do-over, I think that can be arranged." They stood silently for a moment, looking anywhere but at each other as the next act came on the ma.s.sive stage behind them, but standing near enough that their arms brushed.

Around them, the crowd moved and muttered as the final speakers paid tribute to the athletes. The Olympic flag was handed off to the representative from London with all the pomp and splendor that could be mustered, an adorable little Chinese girl enchanted the crowd and athletes with her song, and the lights continued to dance across the arena floor.

For the next two hours, Ca.s.s and Laura enjoyed the show, with Ca.s.s conscious of every movement Laura made. They laughed and chatted about everything and nothing and cautiously rekindled the friendship that had grown between them over the course of the Games. In the press of the crowd, they shared the wonder, noise and excitement of the final, official hours of the Olympic Games...along with bits and pieces of each other's interests and ideas. Laura grinned at the delight in Ca.s.s's face at each new acrobatic trick of the Chinese entertainers; Ca.s.s laughed at Laura's attempts to answer the questions of a large man in the colors of the Belarus team. Both happily snapped pictures of each other and other athletes, and occasionally signed memorabilia as it was handed to them.

Finally, the speeches were done and the real party began in earnest. Amidst a thunderous burst of pyrotechnics, China's hottest stars flew from the ceiling, popped from the floor and ran from the sides to begin the spectacle of entertainment to cap the evening. The international television coverage had stopped, leaving only the locals and the visiting compet.i.tors to revel the night away. This time was for the crowd, for the athletes, for the volunteers.

Ca.s.s found herself forced closer to Laura as the crowd behind them pressed toward the stage to be nearer to the singers. One surge of the crowd nearly knocked Ca.s.s from her feet; only Laura's quick reflexes and strong grip kept her from falling. Ca.s.s grinned at Laura and righted herself, glad to have someone bigger nearby in the growing crush. Another yell to the right, another singer, another shove and once again Ca.s.s lost her footing; once again, Laura reached out just in time. This time Laura did not let go.

"Here, hold onto me, I won't let you fall." Ca.s.s felt her hand engulfed by Laura's larger one and she smiled up at her. For a moment, as her eyes met Laura's, the music and laughter around them faded. They were jostled again and Laura tugged Ca.s.s a little closer, pulling her into the circle of her arms. She bent her head and put her lips near Ca.s.s's ear, her low voice making Ca.s.s shiver. "Turn around, I'll watch your back. It's getting a little crazy in here, eh?"

Ca.s.s could only nod as Laura's arms moved around her. Oh G.o.d! This is so not happening, right? Shut up, Ca.s.s, and enjoy it. Tonight is not real, it's magic.

But this time I believe in the magic.

She settled against Laura and tilted her head to see the stage. She was very aware that her head was resting just under Laura's chin, Laura's b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressed against her back... Ooh, yeah, this is so not real.

Together they enjoyed the show, although if pressed, she could not have said with certainty what they saw and heard. Ca.s.s closed her eyes and just absorbed it all. The laughter, chatter and singing around her were muted somehow by the soft buzz of Laura's humming vibrating through her body. She felt Laura, with her chin resting atop Ca.s.s's, tilt her head into Ca.s.s's and breathe in deeply from time to time and Ca.s.s shivered each time it happened.

With a mighty bang the singers and musicians stopped, the crowd seeming to lift them up with their triumphant roar. It was over. One last, tremendous flash of light, color and sound and that was it. The 2008 Olympic Games had ended. For one last time, the stadium was plunged into darkness as the crowd roared, stomped and clapped its approval for the show, the athletes and the venues.

It was over.

"No," she muttered under her breath.

"What?" Laura's chin left the top of Ca.s.s's head, and she bent her head to speak into Ca.s.s's ear. "Ca.s.s?"

Ca.s.s tightened her grip on Laura's hands where they lay tight across her abdomen and shook her head. She hadn't realized she'd spoken aloud. She felt like a child being asked to leave a birthday party. "I, um. I don't want it to be over." She leaned her head back against Laura's shoulder, staring at the darkened sky above and letting the joy of the crowd and the comforting sensation of Laura's arms around her carry her, imprinting the moment in her memory forever.

Laura leaned further, shifting Ca.s.s to one side but keeping her tucked within her arms. Slowly Ca.s.s turned her head to face Laura, letting the green eyes capture her, ground her. She gave Laura what she knew was a weak smile, hoping she hadn't sounded as wimpy as she'd felt. Laura deliberately lowered her head, until their lips were brushing. "It's not over, Ca.s.s. It's just beginning." Softly, she touched her lips to Ca.s.s's, hesitating for a moment, waiting for a response.

Oh my... Ca.s.s's mind emptied of everything but the feel of Laura's lips against hers. Someone groaned and Ca.s.s couldn't be certain the sound had not come from her. She shifted and turned, pulling Laura to her, tangling her fingers in her vibrant curls. This was like nothing she'd ever felt before, this was it. Kissing Laura was more than Ca.s.s had imagined. She lost herself in it-the softness, the texture, the unrestrained thrill of the moment. She felt Laura pull her closer, vaguely aware of the crowd around them; a sense that completely left her at the first touch of Laura's tongue against her lips, asking for entry. That brief touch flashed through her from head to toe and she opened herself to Laura fully.

Hours, minutes, a lifetime pa.s.sed. For just a moment, Ca.s.s could see her future...their future. Together. She couldn't say how she knew, but she knew.

In this moment, anything was possible.

The kiss ended slowly, wonderingly. Ca.s.s slid her arms around the solid strength of Laura's body and reveled in the feeling of belonging as Laura held her tight. Trembling, they clung to each other for security, for strength. They stood, pressed closely together, their breath mingling, their pulses unsteady.

Slowly, Ca.s.s leaned back to look up into Laura's face, watching as those green eyes opened again and seemed to light from within. She nodded, rubbing her nose to Laura's. "Yes, it is beginning."

Publications from Bella Books, Inc.

Women. Books. Even Better Together.

P.O. Box 10543

Tallaha.s.see, FL 32302

Phone: 800-729-4992

www.bellabooks.com

CALM BEFORE THE STORM by Peggy J. Herring. Colonel Marcel Robideaux doesn't tell and so far no one official has asked, but the amorous pursuit by Jordan McGowan has her worried for both her career and her honor.

978-0-9677753-1-9.

THE WILD ONE by Lyn Denison. Rachel Weston is busy keeping home and head together after the death of her husband. Her kids need her and what she doesn't need is the confusion that Quinn Farrelly creates in her body and heart.

978-0-9677753-4-0.

LESSONS IN MURDER by Claire McNab. There's a corpse in the school with a neat hole in the head and a Black & Decker drill alongside. Which teacher should Inspector Carol Ashton suspect? Unfortunately, the alluring Sybil Quade is at the top of the list. First in this highly lauded series.

978-1-931513-65-4.

WHEN AN ECHO RETURNS by Linda Kay Silva. The bayou where Echo Branson found her sanity has been swept clean by a hurricane - or at least they thought. Then an evil washed up by the storm comes looking for them all, one-by-one. Second in series.

978-1-59493-225-0.

DEADLY INTERSECTIONS by Ann Roberts. Everyone is lying, including her own father and her girlfriend. Leaving matters to the professionals is supposed to be easier! Third in series with PAID IN FULL and WHITE OFFERINGS.

978-1-59493-224-3.

SUBSt.i.tUTE FOR LOVE by Karin Kallmaker. No subst.i.tutes, ever again! But then Holly's heart, body and soul are captured by Reyna... Reyna with no last name and a secret life that hides a terrible bargain, one written in family blood.

978-1-931513-62-3.

MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME by Karin Kallmaker. Take one Next Home Network Star and add one Little White Lie to equal mayhem in little Mendocino and a recipe for sizzling romance. This lighthearted, steamy story is a feast for the senses in a kitchen that is way too hot.

978-1-931513-61-6.

2ND FIDDLE by Kate Calloway. Ca.s.sidy James's first case left her with a broken heart. At least this new case is fighting the good fight, and she can throw all her pa.s.sion and energy into it. 978-1-59493-200-7 HUNTING THE WITCH by Ellen Hart. The woman she loves - used to love - offers her help, and Jane Lawless finds it hard to say no. She needs TLC for recent injuries and who better than a doctor? But Julia's jittery demeanor awakens Jane's curiosity. And Jane has never been able to resist a mystery. #9 in series and Lammy-winner.

978-1-59493-206-9.

FAcADES by Alex Marcoux. Everything Anastasia ever wanted - she has it. Sidney is the woman who helped her get it. But keeping it will require a price - the unnamed pa.s.sion that simmers between them.

978-1-59493-239-7.

ELENA UNDONE by Nicole Conn. The risks. The pa.s.sion. The devastating choices. The ultimate rewards. Nicole Conn rocked the lesbian cinema world with Claire of the Moon and has rocked it again with Elena Undone. This is the book that tells it all...

978-1-59493-254-0.

WHISPERS IN THE WIND by Frankie J. Jones. It began as a camping trip, then a simple hike. Dixon Hayes and Elizabeth Colter uncover an intriguing cave on their hike, changing their world, perhaps irrevocably.

978-1-59493-037-9.

WEDDING BELL BLUES by Julia Watts. She'll do anything to save what's left of her family. Anything. It didn't seem like a bad plan...at first. Hailed by readers as Lammy-winner Julia Watts' funniest novel.

978-1-59493-199-4.

WILDFIRE by Lynn James. From the moment botanist Devon McKinney meets ranger Elaine Thomas the chemistry is undeniable. Sharing - and protecting - a mountain for the length of their short a.s.signments leads to unexpected pa.s.sion in this sizzling romance by newcomer Lynn James.

978-1-59493-191-8.

LEAVING L.A. by Kate Christie. Eleanor Chapin is on the way to the rest of her life when Tessa Flanaghan offers her a lucrative summer job caring for Tessa's daughter Laya. It's only temporary and everyone expects Eleanor to be leaving L.A... 978-1-59493-221-2 SOMETHING TO BELIEVE by Robbi McCoy. When Lauren and Ca.s.sie meet on a once-in-a-lifetime river journey through China their feelings are innocent...at first. Ten years later, nothing - and everything - has changed. From Golden Crown winner Robbi McCoy.

978-1-59493-214-4.

DEVIL'S ROCK: THE SEARCH FOR PATRICK DOE by Gerri Hill. Deputy Andrea Sullivan and Agent Cameron Ross vow to bring a killer to justice. The killer has other plans. Gerri Hill pens another intriguing blend of mystery and romance in this page-turning thriller.

978-1-59493-218-2.

SHADOW POINT by Amy Briant. Madison Maguire has just been not-quite fired, told her brother is dead and discovered she has to pick up a five-year old niece she's never met. After she makes it to Shadow Point it seems like someone-or something -doesn't want her to leave. Romance sizzles in this ghost story from Amy Briant.

978-1-59493-216-8.

JUKEBOX by Gina Daggett. Debutantes in love. With each other. Two young women chafe at the constraints of parents and society with a friendship that could be more, if they can break free. Gina Daggett is best known as "Lipstick" of the columnist duo Lipstick & Dipstick.

978-1-59493-212-0.

BLIND BET by Tracey Richardson. The stakes are high when Ellen Turcotte and Courtney Langford meet at the blackjack tables. Lady Luck has been smiling on Courtney but Ellen is a wild card she may not be able to handle.

978-1-59493-211-3.

end.