Natural Consequences(232)
“There is no such thing as normal.”
“No, I know,” Amber nodded, “but do you get what I mean?” She searched his eyes for understanding. “I don’t need you to be a big hero. I know you’re a hero. That might be great when things hit the fan, but really I just want someone I can trust and who will listen to me and be supportive and fun and be… you.”
He read the tension on her face and in her voice as she spoke. For all Jason had said and done, Amber knew better than to think she could just come in and sweep him off his feet after all that had happened. She seemed as ready to have her heart broken as he was.
Rather than prolong it, Jason stepped in and gently kissed her. Whatever else she might have had to say vanished under the tentative brushing of their lips, which soon built into an embrace and heavier affection. Excitement and hope banished her fatigue as her body came alive with his touch.
“This is going to be seriously complicated,” she warned him.
“We’re smart,” he said. “We’ll figure it out.”
* * *
“Oh yes baby justlikethat fuckyes pleasedon’tstop mnh, mnh, mnnnhhh.”
“Rachel?”
“What?” she blinked with a gasp, looking up at the sound of her name. She sat alone on a bench outside the cathedral, where she hoped no one would notice her heavy breath or the way her body trembled. Fearing she’d been busted, Rachel stood and faced her new company.
Hannah tilted her head curiously. “Am I interrupting anything? I thought you might be in prayer from the way you were whispering.”
“Hah! Um. Well,” she scratched at her head, relaxing somewhat once she saw that Hannah was alone, “I wouldn’t call it prayer, but it’s certainly a kind of communion . Uh…” she stepped in closer and whispered, “Remember how I told you about how I kinda share things with Alex?”
“Yes,” said the other angel, not quite blushing but unable to stifle an amused twist of her lips. “You need not elaborate—”
“Alex and Lorelei are fucking each other out of their minds,” she all but squeaked.
Chagrined, Hannah sighed. “Will you be alright?”
Rachel nodded. “I feel fucking great. I’m afraid that’s the problem!”
“I imagine this happens quite often? You haven’t had a problem controlling this before.”
“No, and I’m pretty proud of myself for keeping it together right now, too, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a challenge.” Rachel stopped, took in a long and quivering breath that she let out with a shudder.
Hannah watched and waited through that long breath, and the next. “Better?”
“Yeah, that’s not remotely the end of it,” warned Rachel.
“The others are assembled,” said Hannah, turning the conversation toward the business at hand. “Lawrence and I have already spoken with Donald. His defense rests entirely on the premise that his actions served a greater good at the expense of his charges, but… well, I already know that will hold little weight with the assembly. I don’t believe Donald’s previous reputation as a fine guardian will save him, either, in light of how all this calls his past accomplishments into question. This hearing will not provide the sort of surprises yours held. You have only to walk in and lay the charges. I suspect you will not even need to stay for the whole proceeding if you have other things to do.”
Rachel shook her head, though a note of excitement escaped her throat. “No,” she said, “I’m here for the long haul. Not gonna rush out on my job to jump into bed.” She paused. “Which only makes me more pissed at him.”
“His offenses are indeed egregious,” Hannah deadpanned. “Though I meant to suggest you might have other duties to attend.”
“Right! The job. Dominion. Yeah. Think that’s under control right now, too. I made the rounds earlier. I’m good. Seriously.”
“You’re ready, then?”
“Yeah.”
“Nothing I might do to help you through this?”
“I’ll love you forever if you’d pull my hair and spank me a little before we head in there.”
Hannah rolled her eyes and turned away. “I suspect your love for me will endure if I decline, dear.”
“But Hannah, you’re my confidant!” Rachel pleaded sarcastically. She followed her mentor into the cathedral, hissing, “If I can’t turn to you in my moment of need, who else is there?”
“The burdens heaped upon you are truly unfair.”
“C’mon, we’ve been intimate before!” Rachel quipped. Hannah turned, gave her a dry look, and then continued on her way. “You could at least tell me I’m a dirty girl or something.”