“Thoroughly fucked…now that’s a defendant’s phrase used after a guilty verdict.” Tess swallowed a chuckle. She never would have imagined this conversation. This kind of mind-blowing sex. This level of vulnerability. This much peace with her decision to risk it all. Or this feeling of burgeoning love for this woman. “But then I’m guilty. I want you, Bree.”
“I don’t know how you do it. For someone who sits for hoursin a courtroom or in chambers, you have a gorgeous ass.” Bree paused. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” As the wordlovepassed from her lips, Tess’s heart somersaulted with the awareness that she had this much love in her life. How could she ever say those words enough? She couldn’t. And while she knew it was love, she didn’t doubt that it would grow.
“And I love this ass.” Bree leaned forward and lightly swatted it again before she kissed it.
“Kilimanjaro.” Tess groaned out the mountain’s name as she felt Bree’s hand brush down the rounded slope and then drop to skim her intimately.
“Is that code for reaching that third pinnacle? Patience, babe. We’ll get you there. Right up and over the top.”
“I meant my treadmill—credit the Mount Kilimanjaro virtual run for the shape my backside’s in.”
“Well, I think we’ve found a new peak to program into your workout routine.” And with that, Bree trailed her fingers farther into the slippery pool of liquid and heat as she began to map out the passage to that climb. To take Tess so far beyond that night at Tahoe. To bring the two of them home.
Bree found the entrance to Tess’s depth and inserted two fingers while Tess rocked back into her hand. Bree rendered thrust after measured thrust, stroke after expert stroke, until Bree finally set her mouth to the task of drawing Tess up the incline. She dismantled Tess’s efforts to hang onto the height without tipping over. Bree’s teeth, her lips, her tongue, they nipped and sucked and laved at Tess’s most tender tissue. They delivered sensations that liquefied Tess.
Tess teetered at the edge of ecstasy, but she’d passed the point of no return and couldn’t stave off the inevitable forever.
“Come on baby, let go. I’ve got you.” Bree intensified the deep strokes of fingers and tongue.
Tess crested the peak. Fire and heaven and the beauty of the moment overwhelmed her. Wave after wave of pure pleasure. She couldn’t prevent crying out. She was overtaken by their shared bliss. Of being blessed with Bree’s love. At the solace that love brought her.
Tess finally stretched forward on her front and Bree lay next to her. Yes, tonight was so much more than their last night at Tahoe had been. Tonight was about a journey that had brought them to a mutual love that would only grow, to a confirmed desire to be together.
“To the moon and back.” Tess gently traced Bree’s lips with her finger as they both laughed. Tess remembered wanting to laugh more before she’d ever met Bree. Well, that wish had come true…and so much more.
Epilogue
“Well, it took them a while, but they finally figured it out. As Bree’s big brother, I have to take some credit for the knot-tying you witnessed today. They met because Flo gave Tess a cabin key and I gave Bree a cabin key—same cabin—for an unintentional shared vacation. Two years ago they were two strangers, two judges. And today…wives.” Hank cleared his throat. “I offer you a toast to Tess Fairchild and Bree O’Brian. Here’s to the best baby sister and best new sister-in-law a guy could ask for.” Hank raised his glass, and the reception room broke out in cheers of approval. Bree grinned at her brother. She owed him so much.
Dinner was finished, and servers reappeared to deliver wedding cake. Silverware clanked as the guests began to dive in.
“What flavor is this?” Alice asked. “It looks like chocolate, but it tastes like it contains something extra. Absolutely delicious. I might need the recipe. And a second piece.”
“It’s a hit. I’ll go collect another slice for you right now, before this crowd finishes the entire cake off,” Eddie Patoone promised as he headed over to snag another piece.
Bree leaned into Tess and bumped her shoulder. She spoke softly into her new wife’s ear. “You picked it and I love it, but maybe don’t tell anyone under forty.”
“Don’t tell me what?” Gabby stopped next to Bree with an empty dessert plate in hand.
“Eavesdropping.” Bree tsked her niece. When Gabby rolled her eyes, Bree added, “Are you over forty? I don’t think so.”
“I’ll tell you something, Gabby. There’s no age minimum fortelling someone how much they’re appreciated,” Tess said. “I remember your matchmaking efforts, inviting me to your play so I’d spend more time with Bree. We ended up on that whale watching date because of you. We’re indebted.”
“Indebted enough to talk Dad into getting me a different car? You know, Mom’s old, old, old car is not cutting it. Maybe you could play up his good taste—a sweet little red Mercedes like yours would be perfect.” Gabby offered them a wink.
Tess laughed. “Lofty goal, kid, but that might need to go in the over-forty column too. At least probably not going to happen for a while. Coming up through the junkers builds character.”
Gabby poked Bree’s shoulder. “I always wanted to have an Aunt Tess. Good job. Now I’m going to go get more of that wedding cake.” Then she leaned in closer and spoke in a conspiratorial whisper. “Chocolateprunecake. I have my sources.” She laughed and took off.
“You ready for two weeks off?” Bree asked Tess.
“I am. With Callie presiding while we’re gone, things at the court will be in good hands. I can’t believe you all just reelected me. And you’ve got your first election under your belt since your appointment—six more years for sure. We’re in good shape for this honeymoon.”
“I’m not surprised you’re presiding judge again,” Bree said. “You’re a hit with the three new judges who’ve joined the court during your first term. And you’ll get to work with Lewis, the new executive officer you hired, now that he’s finished training—it will be fun to see how a millennial in that position shakes things up. I have to admit, I like all the new blood.”
“Well, I’m hoping the headlines are finally done. Alan, Vera, and Helene all found guilty and doing time for bribery, income tax violations, and being accessories to my attacks. It’s sad. I just hope it serves as a lesson to others.”
