Frame by Frame by CJ Murphy

Author:CJ Murphy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ptsd, lesbian romance, breast cancer discussion, indian motorcycle, us marine amputee
Publisher: Desert Palm Press

***

Muted sunlight slipped through the partially open blinds, rays falling across Laurel’s face. Val pushed a lock of chestnut hair away from her mouth, and then lightly traced her lower lip with her thumb where a small smile formed. “Morning.”

Laurel opened her eyes and wiped a hand across them. “Hi.”

Val kissed Laurel, her heart melting with each tender caress. She was sure she’d never get tired of looking into those eyes, the color of spring grass. “How’d you sleep?”

Smirking, Laurel ran a finger along Val’s jawline. “Like a rock. I think you wore me out.”

Val laughed. “I wore you out? I think it’s the other way around.”

“My part required a little effort, if I do say so myself.”

“Your part was outstanding.” Val smiled and then caught Laurel’s bright green eyes. “No one has ever been able to read my desire the way you do.” She sighed. Her eyes followed the dip in her shirt that exposed Laurel’s collarbone. She reached out and let her finger glide across it and enjoying the shiver it elicited. “Laurel, I’ve never let anyone as close to me as I’ve let you.”

Laurel reached out and ran a hand down her arm.

“I don’t just mean physically. I mean in here.” She pointed to her head. “And here.” She pointed to her heart.

Laurel leaned up on an elbow. “Why?”

Val let her fingers trail small circles on Laurel’s side. She tried to put her thoughts into some sensible order. How can I explain my inadequacies and fear? “I’ve spent my life trying to gain some form of control. Control I didn’t have as a child, control I didn’t have in Iraq, and control I still don’t have over the memories. I’ve never let anyone close because I’m afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

Val rolled over onto her back and put a hand over her eyes. “Afraid of what I could do. You saw how close I came to flashing. If I’m,” she stopped and paused for a long moment collecting her thoughts. “If I’m not in control, I could hurt you.” She choked back a sob. “I hurt Tess, physically. If I ever did anything like that to you, it would kill me.”

Laurel reached up and placed her palm against Val’s cheek and lifted Val’s hand. She held it in hers. “I’ve seen your episodes. I’m more afraid of not being there than I am of you hurting me. I’m tougher than I look. Let me be there for you.”

“I have no doubt about how tough you are.” Val kissed her hand. “I’m trying, Laurel, I really am.”

“That’s all I can ask. Now, as much as I’d love to stay in bed with you all day, how about we find our way to the coffee I smell?”

Val rolled over and kissed her again. “If we must.” She took a deep breath, pulling in the buttery aroma of Liz’s favorite Kona bean Val knew she ground herself. “It does smell good. She orders it from a single source bean roaster in Hawaii. Liz isn’t extravagant about much, but coffee? She’s a snob.

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