CountryCore Series: Hold Your Horses (WLW)

Preface: Homegrown Honey

!!!My novels are completely off-limits to any adaptations and if plagiarized, you will be reported!!!

This chapter contains mature themes.

"What's your name?" The beguiling blonde asked Kennedy as she leaned in closely, calling it into her ear as the music in the club blared overhead.

She pulled back and tilted her head to the side with avid eyes as she smirked, patiently awaiting her answer. Given her bad news received only that very morning that her preacher uncle would be returning to the family owned and operated homestead, which served as a horse and bee farm of about forty acres, Kennedy wanted to enjoy her one and only night out. Luckily, it just so happened to fall on Galveston Pride and she had enjoyed watching the parade earlier in the day, retreating into one of the many advertised parties in the area. It happened to be held in one of the main tourist attractions along the shore and held an overlook whereon people might stand, gazing out at the water that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Kennedy now stood on that very platform, though her eyes were only on one thing. Or rather, one person. She'd be lying if she said she hadn't gone in search of Mikala before she ever knew her name and now she was inquiring about hers, but Kennedy was reluctant to give it. True, this was her night. This was her day. Her parents didn't know precisely where she was, only being sure that she was spending her first night out and unquestioning about the fact that it fell on the day of Pride. Her horse was tucked away within his private stables, most likely asleep by now and having happy dreams. Who was to say Kennedy couldn't enjoy the same joyous serenity?

Well, there was one person whom had returned to their home after another failed preaching job and now laid in their guest room unless he was patiently waiting for her return only to scold her for at least an hour. Kennedy had come to Pride to let that all go, though she found it a trifling task. His words all those years ago when he caught her with a girl from school cuddling in the hay stacks just shy of experiencing her first kiss rattled her mind and threatened to take her jovial nature away. Perturbed, Kennedy held her head high.

Who the hell was that man to take her one ecstatic occasion away? He'd already made himself home in her safe haven and now his looming words dared to take this night away from her as well in spite of her best efforts to enjoy the special occasion. Kennedy nodded and resolved herself in just letting go. She'd never see this woman again. She'd never have this chance again.

Regardless of her uncle's best endeavors to keep her sexuality at bay for fear of retribution from her very religious family, there was one specific thing she desired more than anything else.

At the age of twenty-two, she had yet to move past hugging another person for whom she pined. Kennedy had never been kissed. She'd never held hands with another girl, or laid next to them for longer than a few sparse moments in her youth. Now she was an adult, entirely of age with a cocktail in her hand, and ready to take the plunge. She was ready to give herself to this woman who'd caught her eye, as it appeared she'd manage to do the same, and she pulled up on her tiptoes to speak into the ear of her much taller partner.

King Princess sang out over the loud speakers booming from around the landing and she clutched Mikala's shirt, tugging her down toward her lips so that she might speak into her ear as well. "Kennedy."

She'd given her real name and now she was done for as Mikala leaned up, casting a dazzling grin across her gentle features. Her hair flopped in the summer breeze sweeping about as they both stared intently into one another's eyes, overtaken by the salacious force drifting between them. Mikala took her hand and nodded to the pathway leading around the club which served as a restaurant the vast majority of the time. The owners had decorated it for the party that night and as alluring as it was with its beckoning glow, all that filled Kennedy's mind was the way Mikala's lips curved upward in the corners.