Second Chances [Lesbian]

Chapter 41

"Do you like it rough?"

My eyes snapped open, heart thundering in my chest as I struggled to get my breathing under control. My gaze drifted to the sleeping form next to me, so grateful that she was such a heavy sleeper.

My hands clenched and unclenched, careful not to move too much so I wouldn't wake her. My head felt hazy like every other time.

No matter how many times it happened lately, it wasn't getting easier. I tried to remember the breathing exercises I'd been working on with Dr. Brooks, but instead, my head filled with snippets of the conversation with Detective Parker.

Apprehended. Drake Russo. You're safe.

I shook my head as if that would help clear it. Having to identify him had brought the nightmares that now plagued me almost nightly.

Once I was able to calm my breathing, I hesitantly put my head back to my pillow and turned to face Cameron. Even in the darkness of the room, I knew every curve of her body and I reached out a hand to trail with a feather-light touch over the golden hair that spilled across the space between us. My fingers trembled and I pulled them back.

I was torn between not wanting to wake her and wanting nothing more than to be in her arms.

Pushing away any doubts, I scooted closer, molding my body to hers and immediately feeling myself relax against her warmth.

Almost automatically, she turned and wrapped her arms around me, pulling me close, though her soft, even breaths told me that she was still asleep.

I matched my breathing to hers until my eyes became so heavy that I couldn't help but to let them close.

***

I had just finished loading the dishwasher when I heard a car door slam outside.

"She's here!" I called out to Cameron who was in the bedroom getting dressed.

I caught sight of her on my way to the door and raised an eyebrow at the giddy look on her face.

It had become such a routine for her to be there most weekends I had Eliza. She was about to spend some one-on-one time with her, and seemed to be buzzing with energy.

I looked back one more time to see her chewing a fingernail before I pulled the door open just in time for my little tornado to come rushing in.

"Mama! There's only one more week of school left!" She threw herself at me and I caught her in a hug, glancing over her shoulder at Whitney, who has still making her way over.

"I know! That's why your mom and I are gonna talk about camp today."

"Yes!" She drew out the sss sound and released me to go launch herself at Cameron.

They both laughed and I glanced back at Whitney who shifted a bit uncomfortably at the front door.

"Hey Whit, come on in."

She stepped inside and nodded in Cameron's direction.

"They're gonna head to Treasure Trove and then we'll all meet up for lunch?" I looked back and forth between everyone to confirm the plans.

"Sounds good." Whitney put her hands in her pockets. A habit that followed any time she was feeling slightly anxious.

I knew it was still all a work in progress, but I hoped it was at least getting easier to have these exchanges with all of us together.

Eliza was oblivious as she tugged Cameron to the door. "Let's go!"

"Okay, okay we're going." Her husky laugh followed them as they made their way to the door.