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  “I don’t think you should speak for Chloe on that account, honey.”

  “Mom, I—”

  “It’s all right, my darling. I know what you feel.” They’d talked about it over many glasses of wine and many tears. “And I know I can’t keep telling you to follow love while getting in the way of your journey when it makes me uncomfortable.” She turned back to Kai. “This situation is a motherfucker. But we’ll get through it. We have to.”

  The two women exchanged faint smiles, something tender and private, which made Chloe warm with relief. She went back to eating her dinner, deciding to leave the two of them alone together once she finished.

  Her mother filled the three wineglasses on the table and put on a determined smile. “So, now that we’ve dealt with that, tell me, Kai, what’s going on with the merger I’ve been hearing about all over the news?”

  The conversation segued into business, her mother and Kai going back and forth about the merits of the merger versus the shit storm it was bound to release, and Chloe bringing a voice of reason to the discussion. Soon their dinner was finished; the iced tea nearly gone. Darkness danced between the city lights just outside the window.

  Her mother daintily wiped her mouth and put her napkin on the table. “Okay . . .” She glanced at her dinner companions. “I think it’s time for me to step out for the evening.”

  Chloe looked at her in surprise. “Where are you going?”

  “Why? The last time I checked, I’m grown.” She kissed Chloe on the cheek, then did the same to Kai. “You two need to talk. I’ll see you in the morning.” A rueful smile touched her lips. “Maybe even in the afternoon.”

  Kai jumped up from the table, accidentally dropping her napkin on the floor. “What do you mean, Noelle?”

  “You know what I mean, Kai. I’m not going to stand in the way of my daughter’s happiness, even if it means she wants to be with you.” She crossed her arm briefly over her stomach and drew a quick breath, obviously steadying herself. “See you tomorrow.”

  Then she was gone, leaving them with the sound of her high heels against the hardwood floors, then the front door closing.

  Kai stared at the empty doorway, her mouth slightly open.

  Chloe was stunned. She could only stumble to her feet, grab at her wineglass. The dry wine sloshed in her mouth, slid down her throat. She took another gulp, blinking with confusion. She had been ready to give everything up for her mother’s happiness with her best friend. And now . . . and now she wasn’t sure what was going on.

  The dazed look slowly cleared from Kai’s face. “You’re drinking my wine.”

  Chloe looked down at the glass in her hand, realized it was nearly empty, whereas hers was full. “I’m sorry. I—”

  Kai kissed her. Chloe gasped and backed away, trembling fingers to her lips. “What just happened?”

  “Noelle gave us her blessing.” Kai pulled her close again. “She won’t fight against us being together. And God knows, I don’t want to fight this anymore.” Kai kissed the corner of her mouth, her cheek.

  Oh my God. This is actually happening. It is.... It is. Chloe melted in the soft embrace, the glass of wine tilting precariously between them. Kai grabbed it, put it somewhere, continued kissing Chloe until her mind and body caught up with reality. She parted her lips, allowing the slow buildup of Kai’s kiss, the heat blossoming inside her.

  Kai’s tenderness and urgency brought them to the bedroom. She lay back in the sheets and pulled Chloe down on top of her, kissing her, her tongue seductive and hot in Chloe’s mouth. Chloe quivered, turning deliciously liquid with her lover’s hands on her hips.

  “I love you.” Kai kissed her throat. “Be mine.” Her hands slid up Chloe’s thighs and under the thin dress. “I’ve waited so long for you. Please say you’ll be mine.”

  Chloe lifted her head. Under her, Kai was a dream finally made real, her copper locks fanning out across the pillow, her lips damp and full. This was the woman who’d inspired her search for the perfect lover. The woman she’d always wanted.

  “I’ve always been yours.” Chloe lowered her mouth for another kiss.

  Urban Books, LLC

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  Wyandanch, NY 11798

  Number One Fan Copyright © 2014 Skyy

  Crossing Layne Copyright © 2014 Nikki Rashan

  Honey and Absinthe Copyright © 2014 Fiona Zedde

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, except brief quotes used in reviews.

  ISBN: 978-1-6016-2413-0

  First Trade Paperback Printing June 2014

  This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.

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