Through Love's Eyes Read online

“That sounds fun. I haven’t ridden a bicycle in years.”

  * * *

  “I’m having a cup of tea. Would you like one?” Brittany set her backpack on a chair and headed to the kitchen when they made it back to her apartment after a leisurely stroll.

  “Yeah. Thanks. Can we sit out back? I want to tell you something.”

  “That’s a great idea. You go ahead. I’ll bring the tea out in a minute.” Brittany loved sitting outside at her small table. It gave her a clear view of her bird feeder, and she could count on a gentle breeze this time of year. “Here you go.” She set the full cups on the table and sat across from Erika. “So, what did you want to tell me?”

  “I called a friend of mine in New York today. She’s a retired model but keeps up with the industry news and gossip. I asked her to see if she could find me something, and she said she would. I’m hopeful, but mostly I feel like I’m at least being proactive instead of sitting and waiting for Peter.”

  “Great.” Brittany took her hands in hers. “I can’t imagine how hard it must be for you. We’ll keep positive thoughts that something breaks.” Brittany swallowed the lump of distress at the thought of Erika leaving. But she’d probably leave anyway, either for the nude photos or something else. She forced herself to remember to take things a day at a time. They were together now enjoying a beautiful day.

  “This is nice.” Erika leaned back in her chair and tipped her face to the sky. “I love seeing the expanse of blue sky.”

  “Me, too. Remember when we used to lie on our backs in the grass and make up figures out of the clouds?”

  “I do. It was the only time I was able to escape the pressure of focusing on my future.” Erika looked sad.

  “Look at that one.” Brittany pulled Erika from her chair and wrapped her arms around her from behind. She pointed to the sky. “I think it’s a dragon.”

  Erika shook her head. “It’s a seahorse. And the one next to it is a donkey.”

  “I see it. Yep, a donkey.” She turned Erika in her arms and kissed her with all the emotions flowing from her heart. She kissed her until they were both breathless.

  Erika pulled away and began to cry. Brittany put her arms around her and held her until she stopped. She didn’t know what to say, but she figured it was less to do with anything to do with them, and mostly to do with the career decisions she faced.

  Erika sniffled and stepped out of her arms. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I got all blubbery.”

  “I certainly hope it wasn’t my kiss.” She smiled, hoping to lighten Erika’s mood. “It’s okay. You’ve got a huge decision weighing on your mind. You’re allowed to break down occasionally.” Brittany stroked her hair and longed for the words to make things easier.

  Erika looked up with bloodshot eyes. “You saw that woman today. She recognized me immediately and wanted my autograph. I like it, and I always have. I don’t know if I can give that up.”

  “I understand. I do. It’s just, you’ve become important to me, and now that I’ve found you again after all these years, I don’t want to lose you. It’s selfish, I know.”

  “Oh, my sweet, Brit.” Erika stroked her face.

  “Would you like to go for a walk with me before dinner?” Brittany hoped to show Erika more of the beauty of the island to help convince her to stay.

  “Let’s walk. It’s a beautiful afternoon.”

  “I just need to put on more sunscreen first.” She hurried to the bathroom and refreshed her sunblock. “Okay.” She held open the door for Erika, hard-pressed to imagine what her apartment would feel like without her in it.

  Brittany took her hand and led her to an area just outside of town. One of George’s friends owned a livery stable and had invited her to stop by anytime. She decided this would be the time. “I think you’ll like it, but if you don’t, that’s fine.” Erika wore a pair of jeans and a blouse so she figured she’d be okay with what she had planned. They both wore sneakers, but the horses at these stables were easy to ride, so she wasn’t worried.

  “Here we are.” She stood next to the sign about trail riding.

  “Are we going to ride?”

  “Yep. These are docile animals. They’re used to being ridden so we shouldn’t have any trouble. What do you think?”

  Erika threw her arms around her neck. “I think it’s fantastic.”

  “Okay.” Brittany made sure the horses were the tamest in the stable before she watched Erika mount hers and she settled on the other.

  Brittany followed the route they were told to take and watched Erika closely. “You having fun?”

  “I’m having a ball. Thank you so much for this!”

  “I know you’ve always loved horses, and I hoped you’d like a ride.” Brittany delighted in seeing Erika so happy and in being the one to bring her the happiness.

  “This is really special. You’re really special,” Erika said. “I’ve loved everything we’ve done here.”

  They passed several other riders going the opposite way and waved. Brittany thought about how far removed this must seem to the world-traveling Erika James. She could only hope it was enough to make her consider staying longer. “Thank you,” Brittany told the owner as they walked away after the ride. She took Erika’s hand as they walked on the path. When they reached her special place overlooking the water she turned and framed Erika’s face with her hands. “I needed you alone for a minute.” She pressed her lips against hers and whimpered when Erika pushed her against a tree. She grabbed her ass and ground her center against Erika’s. She moaned and slipped her hand under her shirt to push up her bra and fondle her breast. Brittany’s knees gave out and Erika held her up against the tree. She muttered between breaths. “Home. Please. Now?”

  Erika took her hand and pulled her along the path, and her desire intensified the closer they got to her apartment. She’d never known this powerful need. She feared it could only be assuaged by Erika and wondered how she could survive if she left.

  Chapter Forty-two

  They tossed their shirts and bras aside as soon as they stepped inside. Erika pushed Brit onto her back on the bed, eager to feel her next to her. She grabbed the front of Brit’s jeans, unfastened the button, and slowly lowered the zipper. Brit raised her hips, and she pulled her jeans and panties down to her knees in one motion. Her blond curls glistened with evidence of her arousal and Erika lowered her head to feast. She ran her tongue along her slit and flicked it on Brit’s hardening clit, then slowed to gentle circles. Brit grabbed her head and bucked her hips. She stiffened and whimpered, and her guttural sounds morphed into words. “Oh yes!” she cried out and shuddered before falling back onto the bed. Erika crawled up next to her and held her until her breathing evened.

  “Amazing.” Brit’s voice cracked, and she cleared her throat before she kicked off her pants.

  Erika slid off her jeans, held Brit close, and reveled in the feeling of peace and rightness of their joined naked bodies. “This is wonderful.” She rolled over onto Brit and nuzzled her neck.

  “Mmm, yeah.” Brit enfolded her in her arms, and she ran her hands along Brit’s sides and over her ass. “You’re beautiful.”

  Erika watched Brit’s eyes flutter closed. She kissed her lightly on the lips and carefully slid off the bed. She put on Brit’s robe and hugged herself, imagining being wrapped in Brit’s arms. She wasn’t in front of any camera now and she could feel the sincerity in Brit’s words. She meant something more to her than just a beautiful woman, and that was something special, something not to be thrown away. But she couldn’t have it all. So what had to give?

  * * *

  “Sorry, I fell asleep. You seem to have knocked me out, but I woke up and missed you.” Brit sat next to her on the couch. “I like you in my robe. It’s sexy.” Brit cupped her chin and brushed her lips across hers. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine.” That sounded lame, and she knew Brit would never buy it.

  “You don’t look fine. What’s the matte
r?” Brit’s hand warmed the spot where it rested on her thigh.

  “I think I’m just tired.” She immediately regretted her words. They had been keeping busy, and she’d loved every minute of it, but she wanted to spend as much time with Brit as she could before she had to leave to face her future.

  “Have I pushed you? Am I trying too hard to keep us busy? I don’t believe you’re all right. What’s going on? Please talk to me.”

  She took Brit’s hand between hers and drew it to her chest. “No. You haven’t pushed me. I’ve enjoyed every minute of our time together. I’m just scared, Brit. I don’t know what my future holds, or if I even have one. I’ve never been in this position. I feel lost.” She held back tears, angry with herself for allowing her uncertainty to interfere with their private time.

  Brit kissed her neck before she sat back and spoke. “None of us know what our future holds. We can hope things go the way we planned, but we can’t really know how they’ll work out. I’ve decided we have to let things go and live our lives. Things work out the way they’re supposed to. I’m going to get a cup of tea, would you like one?”

  “I’ll go with you.” Erika followed her, unwilling to lose a minute of their time together.

  They took their tea to the outside table while they watched the birds. Brit spoke first. “Are you still up to the bike ride tomorrow?”

  “I think so. Can we decide in the morning?”

  “Sure. That sounds like a good idea.”

  Erika relaxed into the quiet time with Brit. She savored the warm breeze and the sound of the rustling leaves. She rarely had time to sit and do nothing but enjoy nature. Her schedule had her visiting some spectacular settings, and she’d enjoyed meals with various people over the years while overlooking an ocean somewhere in the world. But it didn’t matter where she and Brit were, their connection came naturally. The difficulty of connections and the emptiness of the relationships she had wasn’t something she wanted to return to. But maybe she could change that, if she wasn’t moving so fast?

  “You’re worried, aren’t you?” Brit asked.

  Erika had no answer. Worried was an understatement. She didn’t have the energy to try to explain it, but she’d find a way after she’d figured out her next step. Brit deserved it. “Is it all right if we just relax quietly tonight?”

  “Of course, honey.”

  “Tomorrow’s your last day off, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. It’s getting busy on the island so we have several carriage rides a day. The Lilac Festival is coming up in a couple of weeks and kids get out of school. It’s super busy here during the summer months.” Her voice trailed off, and Erika was sure she was holding back her request for her to be with her for the lilacs.

  “We have all day tomorrow. Maybe we’ll be up to riding.” Erika stood and stretched. “I believe I saw some Ryba’s fudge in the kitchen earlier. Shall we have some?”

  Brit grinned. “Definitely.”

  “There are two pieces. One for you.” She set Brit’s piece on a napkin on the table. “And one for me.” She took a bite.

  “You know,” Brit said. “Ryba’s is only about a ten-minute walk from here.”

  Erika wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Let’s go.”

  They held hands as they walked to the fudge shop. The owner was inside, about to turn over the sign to its closed side, but she opened the door when she saw them. “Come on in, Brittany. It’s good to see you.”

  “Hi, Sheila. We just ran out of our supply of fudge. This is my friend Erika, and she loves your fudge as much as I do.”

  “Good to meet you, Erika. I’m glad you like our fudge. How much do you two want?”

  Erika walked along the display cases filled with the many varieties and chose several kinds. “I’d like an extra-large piece of the plain, too. Thank you.” She paid for the fudge and took Brit’s hand when they got out to the street.

  “Thanks for buying all the fudge. And thanks for getting extra plain. It’s my favorite.”

  “I know.” She kissed her lightly. If only the rest of her upcoming decisions would be so easy.

  Chapter Forty-three

  Erika shifted next to her, and Brittany reached to touch her. It amazed her how quickly she’d gotten used to waking next to her and having her in her daily life. She’d be going back to work, but having Erika to come home to filled an empty space she’d never been aware of. She rolled over, pressed against Erika from behind, and listened to her soft breathing. All the years and painful memories between them melted away, leaving two adults with a natural connection. Erika scooched back closer to her, and Brittany tightened her grip around her waist. Her arousal flared, but another, more vital feeling surfaced and she pulled Erika even closer.

  “Is it time to get up?” Erika mumbled.

  “If you want to. It’s seven thirty.” Brittany rolled to her back. “I was planning on making breakfast sandwiches this morning. Canadian bacon, a fried egg, and a slice of American cheese on a toasted English muffin. Sound good?”

  “Are they done yet?” Erika chuckled.

  “I’ll get the coffee started.” She kissed her quickly and got out of bed before desire took over and breakfast turned into lunch.

  “I’ll get in the shower then.” Erika sat on the edge of the bed and stretched.

  Brittany watched her for a moment to enjoy the rise of her breasts as she raised her arms. She remembered their weight in her hands and the smoothness of her skin.

  She sliced two oranges in half and squeezed them into juice glasses when she got to the kitchen. She took one to the bathroom, slowly opened the door enough to see Erika was in the shower, and set it on the bathroom counter. She soundlessly closed the door and went to finish making breakfast.

  “We have an orange fairy on the loose.” Erika set her empty juice glass in the sink and then kissed her. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. I set places on the outside table for us. It’s a beautiful morning.”

  They finished eating and sat drinking coffee and watching the birds in companionable silence. “I’ve been all over the world, but I can’t think of a time I’ve been more content.” Erika looked far away.

  Brittany smiled inwardly. Maybe Erika was going to stick around after all. “It’s a serene place to live. The town gets crazy busy in the summer, but we’re far enough away from the main road to be quiet most of the time.”

  “I like that we can walk to Ryba’s, too,” Erika said.

  Ryba’s probably wouldn’t be enough to keep Erika here, then she realized Erika could order fudge from New York or anywhere else in the world if she wanted to. “What do you think about bike riding today?”

  “Two miles, you said?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, with all the fudge I’ve been eating, bicycling would be a good idea.”

  “Okay. Fort Holmes, here we come.”

  Brittany strapped on her backpack and led Erika to the bike rental in town. They rode toward the fort in silence at a leisurely pace and passed other bikers and a few riders on horseback. Brittany spoke when they got close to the fort. “It’s a pretty cool place with lots of history. You’ll be able to read about it on the plaques. Let’s take a water break.” She handed Erika a bottle of water from her backpack and grabbed one for herself. “The fort is going to be on our right.” They watched one of the carriages pass and waved at the occupants before continuing their ride. She reached for Erika’s hand when she climbed off her bike and held it for most of the climb to one of the most spectacular views on the island. Erika read the plaque aloud when they reached the top. “The fort was built in 1814 by the British and refurbished several times throughout the years. This place is fantastic. I love it.”

  Brittany had been to the fort several times, but watching Erika see it for the first time made her realize how much she wanted to share more with her than just landmarks and fudge. Time had always been fleeting and precious, but never more so than now with Erika. Now it became ev
erything. She followed her around the fort, chatting about this and that, but mostly just enjoying being there with her.

  Brittany was glad they’d packed a lunch since they’d gotten a late start to their day. She wouldn’t have changed it. Their time together seated at her outside table meant the world to her. She could have stayed there all day. Tomorrow Erika would make her decision to stay or go, so they had today to pretend like everything was perfect. “Shall we have a picnic lunch here overlooking Lake Huron?”

  “That sounds good to me,” Erika said. She settled on one of the benches and enjoyed the view of the sun sparkling off the water below them. A sailboat glided across the waves in the distance. The serene picture contrasted with her roiling emotions. She turned her face toward the breeze and took a settling breath.

  Brittany spread the paper towels she’d brought on the bench between them and retrieved their sandwiches and water. “There. We’re having a picnic with the seagulls.”

  “This was fantastic. Thank you for suggesting it.” Erika reached for Brittany’s hand.

  “It is pretty special to be here with you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Brittany squeezed Erika’s hand gently and took a bite of her sandwich.

  They finished eating and enjoyed the panoramic view for a few minutes before packing their paper towel and empty water bottles in the backpack. They held hands on the way down the stairs to their bikes and began the trip back to town.

  “Anything you’d like to see while we’re in town?” Brittany asked.

  “Nothing could top what we just saw. Can I buy you dinner at the Gate House?”

  “Sounds good to me.” Brittany would’ve said yes to anything that kept Erika close to her.

  Chapter Forty-four

  Erika reached for Brit and looked at the clock. Two in the morning. Brit slept quietly next to her and a feeling she couldn’t ignore washed over her. She had to make a decision later, but she feared it had already been made for her years ago when she was told by her parents to pack her suitcase for modeling school. Twenty years was a good run for a model, she knew that, but how could she give up who she’d been all her life?