Would you Swallow all your Pride?

Chapter Fifty-One: Wine.

Breaking the kiss after a moment, Billie Dean stared at brown eyes. Her heart was still beating fast, and her eyes still threatened to grow teary. After a second, she spoke again. "So... do you still wanna be with me?" She murmured.

"What have I just said, silly?"

Billie Dean's cheeks tinted pink. "I'm just making sure..."

"You're cute." Venable leaned to kiss her on the nose, just like Billie did to her. "Yes, I do." Will she when she sees just how fucked up I am when it comes to intimacy?

Billie smiled to herself, lip between her teeth as she kept on staring at brown eyes. They should probably go back to work, yet Billie Dean didn't feel ready to go just now. The stairs are hard for her. She figured she'd just ask. "Would you like to go upstairs with me? I definitely could use some touch ups on my make up..."

Upstairs. Wilhemina bit her inner cheek. They had gone there once, and Billie had already seen her struggling... what else could happen? If Billie Dean hadn't left her then, she probably wouldn't leave her now. Why am I still thinking about her leaving me after all that just happened? It was exhausting to be inside her mind. She nodded. "Of course." Besides, I don't really want to leave her side right now.

"Okay." Billie smiled. She pulled away to grab the folder, neatly placing the documents back inside while Venable reached for her cane and got up. They walked to the stairs and Billie Dean made sure to step aside so Wilhemina could go first, but Venable hesitated. Billie bit her lip. "I can help you if you want, darling. Just say so."

Help. Wilhemina didn't need any help. Her jaw tensed up again, and her walls began to rise. No. Not now. She squeezed her cane and forced herself to calm down. Billie Dean is safe. Closing her eyes for a second, she took a deep breath and shook her head. "Do you—do you mind going first? I get nervous when there's people behind me." Venable had learned to identify her triggers in therapy, and saying them out loud was supposed to help when she felt small. Billie was safe to hear them, to know them, to help with them.

"Of course not." Gladly, Billie Dean began to make her way upstairs. I'll keep that in mind. She was making a collection of things Venable preferred and felt the most comfortable with, from grape cheesecake to not being touched on her back. Billie took these things to the heart, for Wilhemina deserved it. She walked upstairs as slow as she could, discreetly keeping an eye on Venable in case she needed any help. When both of them reached up, she smiled at Wilhemina and guided them to her bedroom. "Make yourself comfortable, I'll just put it back." Billie Dean motioned to the folder before disappearing into the closet.

Not so bad, after all. Venable took a deep breath. Her back was not aching too sharply, and she didn't feel as vulnerable as she thought she would. Quietly, she sat down on the edge of the bed as she waited for Billie, eyes scanning the bedroom. I love her house. Something in her chest had shifted, and she found herself... comfortable. Billie Dean walked back into the room, eyes a little less blotchy and nose a little less red. She smiled at her. She's perfect. Billie took a seat beside Wilhemina, and as she was about to start speaking a pair of lips cut her. Venable kissed her lovingly, both hands cupping her cheeks. Billie Dean was a little surprised at first, but gladly kissed her back, hands reaching for Wilhemina's waist and caressing it. The kiss grew in intensity. I need her, Venable's mind screamed. Her ears buzzed as her skin grew warm, heart overflowing with adoration for that woman. Gently pulling away, Wilhemina stared at honey eyes, hands still holding her cheeks. "I... I'm sorry." Her hands nervously rested back on her lap.

Billie felt her own ears buzzing as well, hair on the back of her neck standing up. She leaned and kissed Venable again, one of her palms gently holding Wilhemina's left cheek. Her lips were slow against hers. "Why?" She whispered between their kiss, faces inches apart. Venable stared deeply at her, trying to find an answer to the question; she didn't. So she shook her head and looked down at Billie Dean's lips again, breath a little labored, hands caressing her waist. Wilhemina reconnected their lips, pulling Billie closer and closer, wanting—needing—to have her as near as physically possible. Billie instantly obliged, and before she knew, her own body hovered over Venable's, kiss never breaking, both feeling—not really thinking. Wilhemina leaned back slowly, spine reaching the mattress softly just how she felt safe. Billie Dean was careful as she got on top of her, free hand resting beside the halo of red hair lying there. "For showing affection?" She whispered. Venable frowned as she stared up at her, hands playing with the collar of her sweater. Billie licked her lips. She's fucking stunning. "Are you sorry for showing affection?" Her tone was full of softness, anything but accusatory. A thumb traced Wilhemina's cheekbone, breaths mingling and matching.