** July 11th **
We met in the lobby Thursday afternoon. There had been some back and forth over the last couple of days as we talked about what we wanted to accomplish today. The first decision had been to not tell Bette that you were coming. I agreed but did so reluctantly. I understood your thinking.
“I don’t want her to have time to prepare a defense. That may be too harsh a word but tough!”
“Okay, I’m not a 100% sure I’m on board with that, but you feel strongly about it, so that’s how we’ll do it.” You got up and paced around the family room.
“Not on board with it?” You stopped in front of me. “Why? After what happened, why would you give her any edge? Any advantage? I want to see her knocked back on her heels.” You leaned in. “I
want
her to see just how angry I am!” I can’t emphasize how irate Kara was. Her mouth spit fire with every word; her eyes were a brilliant hot blue. Her body was rigid, muscles straining in her face and neck. Those smooth muscles? I saw every last one as she faced me.
I replayed the conversation and the spectacular lovemaking that left me gloriously sore all day on the elevator ride. I felt your smile when I shivered; you squeezed my hand. My eyes had been closed the whole time.
We sat side by side. Neither of us spoke. Leg pressed to leg. A hand held by a hand. My heart pounded. I was wet beyond belief, so much so that I was certain you could smell my arousal. No, I have absolutely no idea why.
“I’m so glad I decided to have you ribbon today, pet.” So much for my ‘no idea why.’
Thanks for ruining it, lover.
“I didn’t mention that I ribboned as well.” My moan came out as a shallow squeak. Really mature, Lissy!
The previous occupant came out, gorgeous as ever, eyes on the carpet, and left. He was followed by Bette, who stopped in her tracks. And turned pale, looking from me to you and back. And finally said, “Hello Lissy, hello Kara, I’ll be with you in a few minutes.” And ran back into her office. Well, I’m not sure about that!
You leapt to your feet, locked the door, straddled me, and kissed me.
“Yay us; we did it!! We melted the ice queen.”
Ice queen? Please mind, don’t go there!!
Your kiss was hot, frantic.
Wars have been fought, won and lost in the time it took for your assault to start and end. I was gasping and positive I was flushed. You were flushed – with victory! And whatever else was coursing through your body. Winkers! I like that word!
The door opened. A calm and collected Bette smiled and waved us into the war room. Kidding!! About the war room.
You’d let Bette apologize and prattle on for a few minutes before saying, “You kissed the woman I love. Are you some kind of fucking moron!! You have a license to practice in this state. Lissy could file a complaint. Yes it would be your word against hers. Do you think your insurance company would keep you after a complaint?”
Where did this come from?
“What would your practice group think if they were notified a complaint had been filed with the state?”
What on earth have you done?
Bette looked like she wanted to throw up. “Do you have anything to say?”
Bette’s eyes flicked to me. I’d never seen them so wide, so out of control, such complete panic. Her voice trembling, she said, “Kara, I’ve apologized to Lissy. I’ll apologize to you as well.” Her eyes came back to me.
Oh god, please don’t.
“I was surprised when my service told me Lissy had called; shocked actually. I’d spent a few days trying to find someone to take her as a patient.”
As I suspected.
“I was going to leave a message before I left but she called.”
Are those tears!!!
Bette turned back to Kara; good! “You’re angry; maybe more than that.” A nod. “You should be.” A deep breath. She looked at her fingers, squirmed, and tried to gather herself. “Lissy has done a lot of good work here. I’d like to keep her as a patient, but if either of you object, I’ll bow out with... I’ll bow out. I’ll be gone for a month.” A shrug. “Will that be enough for the three of us? I can’t say. I hope so; I really do!” She had gathered strength; I could tell by the way she sat taller in her chair. She looked from me to you and back. And smiled! “This is a good, healthy, loving relationship.” She stood and smiled. “I think that’s enough for today. I hope you...” She never had a chance to finish. Kara was on her feet in a flash. I could feel the anger radiate from her; it was so palpable it scared me. If I felt it, Bette could as well.
“You’re all smug and pleased with yourself aren’t you? You think you’ve defused things, taken some of the starch out of us... me.” Kara took a few steps forward.
Please don’t do anything rash, blondie!!
Leaning, fingers on the desk, you said, “She’s not comin’ back. I won’t allow it.”
Oh?
I was watching blondie, but I saw Bette’s eyes flick toward me for a moment. “So go on your vacation and spend your time worrying about whether a complaint will be filed.” You turned to me and said, “Let’s go, baby.”
I waited until we were outside, having left the building, and said, “Was that for show or are you really that angry?”
A gorgeous smile and a hearty laugh were your answer. “You’re pretty amazing, Lissy. I saw the change in her demeanor and I wanted to knock her back a little.” The grin was sheepish. “I think maybe I overdid it a little.”
Ya think!
“Come on beautiful, let me buy ya a drink.”
Well, we wound up staying downtown and having dinner.
“All that talk about South Haven has me itching to take a vacation.” That certainly came out of nowhere.
“Okayyy; did you have any sort of plan?” Blue eyes twinkled. Uh oh!
“Make mad, passionate love to you tonight.” Impossible! She really is. Kitty was doing handsprings by the way!
“Okay, that would be different.” I had an idea. “Let’s take tomorrow off. Is there anything important at work?”