Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
As expected, there was no trouble with the buyer or the painting. Mark had taken the cash to divvy it up while Joan went home and waited for word from Sadie. Her blood simmered eagerly. She couldn’t wait to offer Sadie the chance to pursue her dream. To tell her they could both go for what they wanted.
She flicked sparks of excited energy (okay, horny energy) from her fingertips. Perry hadn’t reported any Melvin activity, so tonight was going to be all about celebrating.
The second she got the text confirming Sadie was home from work, Joan bounded out of her apartment.
Sadie glanced up from her phone halfway down the hall. “Were you standing by your door waiting for me to text you?”
“Yep,” Joan admitted.
She met up with Sadie and wrapped her in her arms. Joan kissed her soundly, then asked, “How was the rest of your workday?”
“Fine.”
“Cool.” She kissed Sadie again, loving the soft feel of her, the sweet taste of her. “I have so much to tell you. I can’t stand it.”
“I can tell,” Sadie giggled. “Can you at least wait until we get inside my place?”
“Barely.”
Joan picked her up and carry-dragged Sadie to her door. She was so excited, and excited in ways that would cause Mark to make all kinds of crass jokes. Her internal fire was stoked high despite the large fireball she’d conjured and extinguished in the shower.
She set Sadie down so the gorgeous redhead could unlock her door. She was wearing the green-striped scoop-neck shirt and electric blue pants she’d had on earlier. The top emphasized her phenomenal chest, while the pants did wonders for her ass.
Joan pushed Sadie’s hair to the side and nuzzled her neck. “You’re so beautiful,” she murmured, sliding her hands across Sadie’s stomach.
“Joanie Maloney,” Sadie breathed, leaning into the embrace. “How do you expect me to get this door open?”
She chuckled and kissed the pulse point throbbing on Sadie’s neck. Then she snagged the key and fit it into the lock.
They waddled inside together. Sadie flicked the bright kitchen lights on. She turned and wrapped her arms around Joan’s neck. “How about we close that door?”
Joan kicked the door closed, tossed Sadie’s keys, and then kissed her.
“My goodness,” Sadie teased with a big grin. “What is this thing you have to tell me?”
“First of all, hi.” They shared a kiss. “It’s nice to see you.”
Sadie nipped her bottom lip. “Nice to see you, too.”
She pulled Joan farther into the living space. Joan kissed her and slid her hands up and down Sadie’s back. Sadie dug her fingers into Joan’s loose hair. Her thigh popped against Joan and pressed against the low area very interested in having Sadie’s thigh there.
A groan rumbled in Joan’s throat, and she had to pull back. “Let me get this out before I can’t form words.”
Sadie smoothed her hands down Joan’s sides. “Talk fast. I’ve been thinking about this all day.”
Heat surged through her bloodstream. “That’s not helping,” Joan moaned.
Sadie laughed and took a tiny step back, keeping her hands on Joan’s hips. “What is it?”
Joan held her by the hips as well. After another kiss, she said, “I want to help you open Sadie’s Café.”
Sadie’s thin eyebrows scrunched in slight confusion. “You what?”
“I want to give you the money to start it up. Not a loan. I have plenty of savings.”
“I can’t take your money.”
“You could consider it a loan if you really want to.” Joan grinned and added, “One you never have to pay back.”
Sadie took a full step back, letting go of Joan. “That is so thoughtful, but I can’t accept that kind of money from you.”
“Then consider me an investor. I want to invest in it.”
Her smile grew less disbelieving, more enthusiastic. “Are you serious?”
“Completely serious.” Joan grasped her hands and kissed them. “Let me help you achieve your dream. I’ll help with the insurance costs, too. Whatever you need.”
“I mean…” Sadie blinked several times. “We could talk about you investing or loaning me some start-up funds.”
“Sure. Whatever you feel comfortable with. Just know that I have the money and want to do this for you.”
“Joan, I…” She started to speak several times, then paused. Then laughed. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes,” Joan said, rubbing her thumbs over Sadie’s knuckles.
“Okay. Yes.”
They laughed and hugged tightly. “But wait,” Joan said, breaking the embrace. “There’s more.”
“What more?”
“Mark and I are gonna buy a food truck. We’re going to open Hot and Cold. We’re doing all this together.”
“Wait, wait, whoa.” Sadie held up her hands. “You just said you want to invest in my café. How can you have the money to do both?”
“It wouldn’t be all my money for Hot and Cold. It’s also Mark’s. And hopefully Perry’s. We’re still working on Perry.”
“Okay, but you’re… You…”
Joan brushed Sadie’s hair back. “I know you think I can’t do that and my current job. I’m giving that up. I don’t want to do it anymore.”
“But you do so much good,” Sadie said.
“I want a normal life. Making food with Mark, and coffee with you. I…”
I want to start a life that has you in it.
Sadie gazed down at the carpet for several long moments. When she looked up, she squinted at Joan’s face. “Are you sure? Have you given it enough thought?”
“So much thought,” Joan assured her. “Mark and I have been trying to get out—I mean, get this going—for a long time.”
“You’d really give up that life for…”
“The chance to do an honest day’s work and come home to you? Yes. Absolutely.”
Sadie just stood and stared at her.
Panic flared up. What if Sadie was only with her because she wanted to be with Catch? What if Food Truck Joanie wasn’t who she wanted?
“Yes,” Sadie finally whispered.
“Yes?” Joan took a tentative step toward her.
“Yes.”
She took another step until their noses nearly touched. “Is it okay? Is it what you want?”
Sadie rested her fingers on Joan’s white-and-red shirt. “I want it all. Yes to everything.”
Sparks ignited under her skin. She smiled at the huge grin stretching across Sadie’s beautiful face. They laughed, and kissed, and held one another.
Sadie cupped Joan’s jaw and drew her in for a deep kiss. Joan took Sadie’s face in her hands as fireworks exploded from her heart and traveled through her body.
“Joanie,” Sadie sighed.
Joanie. That was who she wanted. Not Catch. Not anyone but her Joanie. “That’s me,” Joan murmured.
Desire flashed and melded with her fire, causing it to bubble. Ooh, shit. She kissed down Sadie’s neck, breathing in some cooling air.
Sadie tickled under her shirt and up her spine. Joan bit at the hollow of Sadie’s neck and dug her fingers into Sadie’s hips.
“I’m good on talking for now,” Sadie breathed.
Joan hummed against her throat. “We can…talk…about the specifics… ungh …later.” Her knees nearly gave out as Sadie slid her hand down Joan’s breast.
“Mmm. Much later.” She lightly squeezed through the stretchy material on Joan’s sports bra.
Joan tugged Sadie’s hips until their bodies touched. She wanted Sadie so, so desperately. Sadie’s mouth, her tongue, her hands everywhere. Just the thought made her fire rise from deep inside. Way too much fire.
She tried to step away, only Sadie came with her. Sadie started toward the bedroom, pulling at Joan. Kissing with a hunger that spoke of her own needs. Fisting Joan’s shirt in her hands greedily. Possessively.
Fire sat on her fingertips, in her eyelids, in every pore and strand of hair. Shit. This had never happened before.
Joan broke the kiss, making Sadie moan in protest. She gently removed Sadie’s hands. “Let me wash up really quick.”
“If you insist.” Sadie kissed her cheek. “I should wash up, too.”
She headed for the bathroom. Joan halted her. “I…have to…as well…” she stammered, then whispered, “Pee.”
“Oh.” Sadie giggled. “Sure. Do what you need to do. I’ll use the kitchen sink.”
“Thanks.”
Sadie sprinted toward the kitchen. “Hurry!”
Joan whipped the bathroom door closed. She hastened to the sink and wrenched the cold water on. Shoved her hands under the steady stream and studied her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes shimmered orange and angry with impending release. “Come on, Joan. Get it together.”
She splashed water on her face. Three times. Small fireballs shot from her eyes into the stream coming from the faucet. Ugh, it was so gross when fire came out of her eyeballs. At least the build-up would be gone.
She sank one arm into the icy water, then the other. Shook the droplets off, along with a few sparks. Her eyes were returning to baseline.
“Better.” Joan nodded at her reflection.
Her heartbeat pounded, and the throbbing in her clit was like Only Sadie can take care of this, pal.
So much emotion. Too much. She really, really, really liked Sadie. Was falling fast and headfirst for her.
The fire started building again. “Shiiiiit,” she gritted through clenched teeth.
She concentrated on generating a sharp sliver of near-white flame between her hands. She really did have to tell Sadie the truth. Just not tonight. Not when neither her brain nor body were functioning properly.
All her focus poured into the flame. She kept it flickering until she couldn’t hold it any longer and shoved it underwater. A cloud of steam rose up, fogging the mirror. Great. Hopefully Sadie would be too preoccupied to notice it was like an oven in her bathroom.
But it worked. Joan was normal-level horny now. She dried off while taking deep breaths. This was good. Everything was contained and under control.
“Time to start your future,” she told herself.
A future without Spark, without Catch. Just Sadie and Joan.