Read Camellia Online

Authors: Cari Z.

Tags: #F/F romance, contemporary, Camellia

Camellia (18 page)

BOOK: Camellia
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Danny looked around and saw Natasha, Lillian, and Dalton starting to pack up the outfits with careful precision, all the clothes and shoes put away in tidy suitcases. Looking at them work, Danny realized the finality of the moment. Her giddy joy drained away, leaving something that felt a little bit sad. "Can we help you guys?"

Natasha lifted her head and waved a hand at them. "Nah, you two go, you've already done a lot of work today. We're good here. Have fun. Oh," she added, straightening up and extending her hand to Danny, chuckling as Danny did her best to shake with her hands still tied together. "It was a pleasure to see my clothes on you. You did a great job, thanks for that. Everything should be handled with your agency, but I'm throwing in the outfit you're wearing as a tip." She winked. "You never know when you're gonna want to play dress up." Lillian didn't offer a hand, but at a nod from Natasha she smiled and waved once before going back to the packing.

Lucy untied Danny's hands with gentle movements, and she shivered as Lucy's fingertips caressed the inside of her wrists. Danny was free, but she had no intention of going anywhere. Too bad the convention seemed to be closing down and they couldn't stand like that all afternoon, or even, by the looks of things, for the next hour.

"We'll retrieve our things and then I'll take you home," Lucy said, letting go of Danny's wrists once she seemed satisfied that they looked okay. Danny wanted to push them back at her and demand Lucy tie her up again, but that probably wouldn't go over very well. "You did very well this weekend, Danielle. You should be proud of everything you accomplished and learned. I hope the work has been enlightening, if nothing else."

Danny blushed brightly and followed Lucy out of the ballroom and to the elevator. She brushed past people wearing collars and codpieces and leather and latex and didn't bat an eye, which Danny thought was kind of a lot of enlightenment, all things considered. "It's been that and a lot more," she admitted, the heat never leaving her cheeks.

Lucy gave Danny what Danny hoped was a knowing smile, but stayed quiet. They packed their things in a comfortable silence. Danny changed into a pair of jeans and a thick sweater, and folded the corset and skirt as best she could manage into her duffel bag. Corsets couldn't wrinkle and the tutu was nothing
but
wrinkles, so it would probably be okay. Twenty minutes later, they walked out to Lucy's car after checking out of the hotel.

"Would you like to drive it?" Lucy asked her as they stood in front of the Aston Martin.

"You don't mind?" Danny replied, her mood instantly brightening as she looked down at the gorgeous machine.

Lucy tossed Danny the keys and put her things in the back. Danny wasted no time doing the same, and soon she was behind the wheel of car that cost more than all the vehicles she'd ever owned put together. Probably more than the ones all her brothers had owned too. Her family had good taste, but they were practical people, and bought used, reliable cars that didn't turn heads. Danny didn't mind and never had, but she could appreciate beauty when she saw it. Or in this case, was able to drive it. She'd have to get Lucy to take a picture of her behind the wheel. Clint was gonna be so
jealous.

Danny was beyond careful as she backed the car out of the parking space and left the garage. As her confidence increased, though, so did her speed, until after a few miles, she was barreling down the highway. She wished it were warmer so she could drop the windows and turn the sound system further up, because damn. If you couldn't be flamboyant in a car like this, when could you?

"To get back to your house, take the next exit," Lucy said as she turned down the radio so she could talk without shouting.

"I know." Danny had been driving in this city for years, she could find her way around, but her house wasn't really the place she wanted to go. Danny drummed her fingers over the steering wheel, indecision warring within her. "And if I didn't?" She didn't look at Lucy as she asked the question and let the implications lay between them.

"Being vague isn't that charming, Danny. If you want to have something, ask for it. Where would you like to go?"

Lucy's words were clipped, but her tone wasn't harsh. Danny took a breath and chanced a quick glance at her. "To your house."

"Mm. Why is that?"

 Danny felt like she might hyperventilate, she was so anxious. The conference was over, everything was changing, it was different now, but Danny wasn't ready to let go. "You said if I earned my pleasure, I'd get a reward. I'd like to… do that."

She caught Lucy's warm smile out of the corner of her eye. "I wondered if you would take me up on that," Lucy said speculatively. "I'm glad that you are. In that case, go two exits up and then take an immediate left. Try not to get us pulled over before we get there, Danielle."

Danny smirked, feeling very much like she'd won the lottery as she floored the gas and raced to Lucy's house. Excitement and anticipation warred within her belly, but on top of them, overriding everything else, Danny was looking forward to proving to Lucy that she could earn a place in Lucy's life, and that Lucy would be more than welcome in Danny's. Not just for the night, Danny wanted more than that, but for now… for now, tonight would do.

Fin
About the Authors

Cari Z.
is a Colorado girl who loves snow and sunshine. She has a wonderful relationship with her husband, a complex relationship with the characters in her head and a sadomasochistic relationship with her exercise routine. She feels like Halloween should be every day, and hopes that you enjoy reading her stories as much as she enjoyed writing them in the first place. Find out more about Cari and her books here:

www.carizerotica.blogspot.com, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2989189.Cari_Z_

twitter: @author_cariz.

Caitlin Ricci
was fortunate growing up to be surrounded by family and teachers that encouraged her love of reading. She has always been a voracious reader and that love of the written word easily morphed into a passion for writing. If she isn’t writing, she can usually be found studying as she works toward her counseling degree. She comes from a military family and the men and women of the armed forces are close to her heart. She also enjoys gardening, hiking, and horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies where she calls home with her wonderful fiancé and their two dogs. Her belief that there is no one true path to happily ever after runs deeply through all of her stories.

Website: www.CaitlinRicci.com

BOOK: Camellia
10.77Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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