In Too Deep (45 page)

“You look beautiful,” she said, watching the wind toy with Liz’s hair. She smiled at the color on her cheeks, brought on by long days in the sun and wind. She was so breathtaking, Erin knew she would never tire of looking at her. Lightly, she touched the angry scar on Liz’s bare arm, and tears formed in her eyes. The hauntings from that night returned, the night she could’ve lost her.

“Hey…it’s okay.” Liz could read her so well. She stroked her cheek and hugged her close.

They had both needed to get away. On the yacht, they were surrounded by water, not people. Eventually the nightmares would stop. Eventually, Erin would feel safe again. She knew Liz would see to that.

Erin tilted her head to gaze up at her. “I love you so much,” she said, her eyes filled with wonder. “I never thought I could feel like this.”

“I’m glad.” Liz kissed her again. “Because there’s something I want you to have.” She reached into the pocket of her white linen pants and withdrew a deep red velvet box.

Erin immediately placed her hand over her mouth and watched, eyes wide, as Liz opened the box to display the diamond ring inside.

“I love you Erin McKenzie,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I want to be with you always. I will protect you and love you for the rest of my life.” She took Erin’s hand and slipped on the ring. “If you’ll have me.”

Erin threw herself into Liz’s arms, completely overwhelmed with emotion, and kissed her long and deep. Liz groaned against her and pulled Erin into a tight embrace. When they finally paused for breath, she reached up and fingered lips that tingled after the hungry kiss.

“I take it that’s a yes, then?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Absolutely.” Erin tugged on Liz’s white tank top, drawing her closer. It was going to be okay. All of it. She had Liz by her side, now and forever. Together, they could get through anything.

“You know…” Liz leaned down to bite Erin’s neck. “We still have another hour before we make port at Lesbos. What do you say you and I go inside and celebrate our honeymoon a little early?”

Erin shuddered under her warm mouth. “Mmm. Only tonight,” she said, rubbing her thumbs across Liz’s nipples, “it’s my turn.”

*

Baja Peninsula, Mexico

Jay sat in the white thick sand of the Baja Peninsula, staring out at the sea. As the waves crashed against shore, she thought about her sister and all the wrong that had been done in her name. She reached down and ran her hand through the soft grains. She still felt guilty about letting Kristen manipulate her to do things to hurt Lizzie. But there was nothing she could do about it now, and her sister was safe and off cruising the world.

She stood and wiped the sand from the backs of her legs. Yet again, Lizzie had helped her escape. And as long as she promised not to hurt anyone else, she would remain free. As she walked back up the beach, she renewed a silent vow to her sister. If anyone ever tried to hurt Lizzie again, like those men did, or like Kristen…she would be there. She would be there to protect her. Always.

Born in North Carolina, Ronica Black now lives in the desert Southwest, where she spends her time painting, drawing, and writing. A lover of true crime books, she spends any remaining time engrossed in the tales of unsolved crimes and forensic files, where she gets many of her story ideas. Romance, passion, and creativity are her great fortunes, and she shares them all with the woman she loves.

Reading, photography and outdoor sports are a few of her other sources of entertainment. She also relishes being an aunt and she thoroughly enjoys the time spent with family and friends.

In addition to the erotic intrigue novel
In Too Deep
from Bold Strokes Books, she has short story selections in
Erotic Interludes 2: Stolen Moments
and
Erotic Interludes 3: Lessons in Love
from Bold Strokes Books and
Ultimate Lesbian Erotica 2005
from Alyson Books.

For more info on Ronica, visit her Web site at www.ronicablack.com.

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