Chapter 6

6

JOSEPHINE

I love you.

Those were words she hadn’t been expecting to hear from Ember Thompson. It had caught her off-guard, not necessarily in a bad way. Josephine missed the feeling of loving someone, of being loved by someone. After Eva, she’d thought it was going to be the last time. The breakup had broken her in more ways than she was willing to admit.

She should have said something back, but the shock and the trauma kept her jaws locked. It froze her solid where she should have responded and told Ember how badly she was falling in love with her too. She wanted to say something, anything. But, in the end, the words never came. She was paralyzed by fear. Josephine didn’t know if she should let herself believe this was real with Ember.

A part of her was terrified that what she had with Ember would slip away, leaving her broken beyond repair. The pain of losing something she cherished was fresh in her heart. It never left. For everything they felt when they were alone together, would it ebb away in the harsh light of the real world? What if Becky found out? She was falling madly in love with this amazing young woman. It felt like madness. Where could their relationship go? Her relationship with Eva hadn’t felt as strong as this. If she allowed herself to fall for Ember and she lost her too, Josephine worried she would not survive it.

It’s doomed to fail, she thought drearily. No way Becky would be okay with me dating her daughter.

Everyone knew how protective Chief Becky Thompson was over Ember. Plus, the betrayal would almost guarantee that their friendship would be over. Perhaps even her time in Phoenix Ridge, as well. If people realized what she had done, they would hate her, no doubt.

But she couldn’t bring herself to leave Ember. She held on to her lover tighter, hoping she would understand the kind of dilemma she was in and the pain that still ravaged her soul, leaving behind scars that had yet to heal fully.

Ember understood. She held Josephine back tighter. She could feel her empathy radiating through her touch. Even without words, the two lovers had no trouble communicating. Josephine had only known her for a short time, but it felt like their souls had been linked together for eternity.

Her exhaustion eventually overcame her. She fell asleep, pressed up against Ember on her couch. They’d forgotten about the movie completely and just held each other. The night passed by quickly…

“Ember? Are you still asleep, sweetie?”

Josephine jumped. That was Becky’s voice. Ember was a little slower to rouse. It took a little bit of nudging before her eyes opened up completely.

“Ember?!” Becky called out again.

Ember’s eyes finally gained focus as the situation registered in her mind.

“I’ll get rid of her,” Ember whispered. “Give me a minute.”

“Where’s your bathroom?” Josephine asked.

Ember pointed in the direction of her bedroom. Josephine moved as quietly as she could manage, grabbing her overnight bag off the floor. Her heart pounded hard in her chest. Thankfully, the door had been locked or Becky would have walked in on them.

After she went into the bathroom, she shut the door and sat on the toilet with the lid down. She heard Ember answer the door. The words were slightly muffled so Josephine couldn’t make out what was said. Their exchange probably only took a minute but if felt like an eternity before Ember knocked on the door.

“My mom’s gone, she just wanted to check in on me before going to work.”

Josephine hesitated.

“Josephine?” Ember sounded worried.

A brief pause. Josephine didn’t know what to say.

“Okay.” Josephine heard her walk away.

It took a few minutes before she calmed her racing heart. That had been close. Too close. Her legs were still shaking when she stood but she forced herself to go outside.

Ember was in the kitchen making breakfast when she walked in. At her worried look, Josephine merely shook her head.

“You know you don’t have to worry about my mom, right?” Ember said. “Even if she found out, it wouldn’t be the end for us.”

Josephine understood that. She was an adult, so was Ember. Technically, nothing could keep them apart if they chose to stay with each other. Her mother would be angry, yes. She would probably throw a tantrum, certainly. But ultimately, Josephine couldn’t bear to hurt her dear friend like that.

“I’ll go clean up,” Josephine said, finally. She was content to avoid the problem for as long as she could.

“Okay.” Ember went back to cooking.

Josephine went back to the bathroom. Her overnight bag was still there. She grabbed her things, mostly a fresh change of clothes and some toiletries. She brushed her teeth, showered, and came back out to join Ember for breakfast. Ember went to take a shower and came back with wet hair, completely naked. Josephine couldn’t stop looking at her stunning athletic body still wet from the shower.

“Do you have to go to work today?”

Josephine nodded, knowing where this was going and finding that she wasn’t completely opposed to the idea. Ember pushed her stool next to her and wrapped an arm around her waist.

“Stay with me.” Her big brown eyes were seductive as hell.

Josephine couldn’t refuse, not with the way Ember’s fingers traced a line along her hips. She opened her mouth to speak but the words were lost to a gasp when Ember leaned in and bit gently on her neck.

Ember’s firm hand reached around to grab her other hip, pulling Josephine back until her rear was pressed backwards into Embers hips as though they were spooning. Ember’s hand reached around to fondle Josephine’s breast, stimulating her nipples through her shirt. She was turned on again… Jesus. Ember’s touch just did things to her.

“Let’s move this to the bedroom?” Ember offered.

“Yes,” Josephine managed a whisper.

Josephine took Ember’s hand and allowed herself to be led to the bedroom.

“Take off your clothes,” Ember commanded, and Josephine easily obeyed, shrugging out of them until she was as naked as Ember.

Ember took hold of her, pulling her in tight and kissing her deeply. Josephine felt herself melting in Ember’s strong arms. She had never felt this way with anyone.

Ember turned her around so she was facing the bed and Ember was behind her, Ember’s breasts pressing into her shoulder blades. “Bend over, baby,” Ember whispered in her ear and Josephine thought she might come there and then. She reached unsteadily forwards until her breasts and forearms rested on the bed and her ass was well and truly in the air putting her pussy on display.

She felt Ember’s strong grip on her hips.

Never let me go…

“Mmm…” Ember made sounds of appreciation as her hands ran over Josephine’s hips and the curve of her ass.

She felt Embers fingers trailing down the cleft of her ass, teasing her anus, sliding though her wet labia and circling her clit. She moaned loudly. She felt so exposed. She had never been in this position with any lover before. It seemed with Ember, there were a lot of firsts for her.

“You are so nice and wet for me,” Ember murmured as she continued to play and tease her ass and pussy.

Josephine felt a need to be fucked overcoming her. The toying and teasing of Ember’s fingertips were driving her crazy.

“Ember… Please…” she begged.

“What is it you want, baby?” Ember growled, her voice husky and sexy as all hell.

“I need to feel you inside me…please… hard…” Josephine gasped. She wanted it hard today for some reason; it seemed to be a theme when she was with Ember, the more primal the better.

She shuddered deep within herself as Ember’s finger ran gently around the rim of her asshole. Every nerve ending seemed to light up, then her fingers slid lower before roughly pushing inside her as Ember’s other hand held her hip tightly.

Josephine called out loudly, “Oh god, Ember, yes!”

Ember’s fingers, now deep inside her, felt more exquisite than anything else she had experienced. She felt her body opening up and she pushed her hips back onto them.

“Do you want more, baby?” Ember growled.

“Please, Ember. Please fuck me.” She craved the familiar thrusting of Ember’s fingers against her G spot so desperately.

Ember’s fingers remained inside her, but they were playing and teasing rather than fucking.

“Not yet, baby,” Ember responded. “There is something else I want from you today.”

Confusion flashed through Josephine’s mind. What could she mean? Whatever it was, she knew she wanted to give it to her.

“Whatever you want,” Josephine murmured. “Anything.”

Ember chuckled.

“Mmm,” Ember said again, and Josephine felt Ember pull out of her and then enter her again with an additional finger. She felt her body adjusting to the extra finger.

“I want to feel my whole hand inside of you,” Ember said. “I want you to stretch for me and take everything I’ve got.”

Josephine felt shocked for barely a second. Ember’s dirty words were seducing her easily. She felt scandalously excited by the idea of Ember stretching her open for her whole hand.

“Please… I want it.”

Ember stroked her hair with her free hand as another finger worked its way inside of her stretching her slowly and surely. “I know you do, baby,” Ember purred, her big strong fingers moving with confidence and pressing firmly on the insides of Josephine’s vagina as though warming her up for what was to come.

Josephine moaned into the comforter on the bed. She felt utterly taken by Ember as Ember’s fingers kept moving to open her further. She no longer knew how many fingers or what was happening. Everything felt hazy and she felt high on the waves of pleasure that were coming from the movements of Ember’s fingers.

“That’s it, you are doing so well,” Ember praised her, and Josephine felt herself preening under Ember’s praise. “I’m going to push into you now with the widest part of my knuckles, and if it hurts at all, just keep breathing through it. It will feel good once I’m inside you, I promise you that.”

Josephine nodded her consent. She trusted Ember implicitly. She took deep breaths as she felt the pressure of Ember’s whole hand pushing inside her. Slowly yet firmly it entered her, and Josephine felt what might have been pain but it was so dulled by the pleasure she was feeling as Ember’s hand pushed into her. There was a moment of release as the widest part that must have been her knuckles passed through. Josephine felt euphoric. Euphoric and full.

“Is that it?” Josephine asked between pants.

“Sure is. You want to feel?” Ember guided Josephine’s hand to reach back and round past her ass. All she could feel was Ember’s wrist. Her whole hand was encased inside of Josephine and it felt incredible.

“Oh my god!” Josephine said.

“How does it feel?” Ember asked.

“Incredible,” Josephine said, high on a wave of pleasure. She closed her eyes and relaxed into the feeling. She felt Ember begin to rock her fist deep inside her and she lost herself to the feeling of it. She heard her own moans getting louder and deeper and when she felt Ember’s left hand begin to pleasure her clitoris she began to orgasm. She climaxed once, twice, three tmes… she lost count. Ember’s whole hand remained in her each time as the waves of orgasm flooded her body. Each time she peaked, she dropped a little before rising again and climaxing again and again. She had had no idea her body was capable of such a thing and yet here it was happening.

She had no idea how long it continued for, the most mind-blowing thing she had ever been through sexually. When Ember’s hand finally slid out of her completely, she felt empty with the loss of it. As though she had wanted to keep Ember’s hand deep inside her forever.

She was collapsed forward on the bed, she felt Ember’s weight on top of her pressing down on her. Ember’s lips kissing her neck so tenderly. Ember’s tongue against her ear was so gentle.

“You are so fucking beautiful,” Ember murmured into her ear as she held her tight.

Josephine woke up, still wrapped in Ember’s strong arms, to her phone ringing.

“Hey Dad,” she answered blearily. She and Ember were still entangled.

“Josephine? Still asleep? It’s almost two in the afternoon,” her father said.

“Uh huh,” she hummed. “Just taking a nap.”

“Yeah, okay.” She could almost envision the old man nodded his head.

“Well, I went to your workplace, and guess what they told me?”

Josephine’s eyes widened in realization. Her father was supposed to be halfway across the country. When did he get to New York. She hadn’t told him she’d quit working in New York and that she had moved.

“I can explain.”

“I’m hoping you would,” her father said. He didn’t sound particularly angry. That was the thing with Benjamin Mars—he hardly ever got angry, but Josephine feared disappointing him above everything else.

“Where are you then? ‘Cause I dropped by your apartment and they said you moved out as well.”

She winced. “I’m in…Phoenix Ridge?”

“Phoenix Ridge? Where the hell is that?”

Josephine laughed at her father’s antics. He was taking it well if he could make jokes.

“Alright,” her father sighed. “I’ll see if we can get the jet cleared to land at Phoenix Ridge airport. We should be there soon.”

“Oh no, Dad, you don’t have to?—”

“Don’t tell me I don’t have to see my own daughter. I want to see my daughter. I’ve missed you, my little princess.”

Josephine blushed, glancing at Ember to make sure she was asleep. Much to her dread, she found the young woman wide awake, and with the way her eyes crinkled in mirth, it was obvious she could overhear their conversation.

“Dad, I’m forty-nine years old.”

“I don’t care,” the man quipped. “Can you pick me up at the airport?”

“I don’t have a car,” she said.

“Well get one.” He hung up.

Josephine sighed, turning to Ember.

“My dad just called. I think he’s on his way to Phoenix Ridge.”

“To see his little princess?” Ember teased.

“Oh, can it, you mama’s girl.”

Ember laughed. It was a full belly laughter, one without restraint or fear of judgement. One of genuine humor. Josephine was taken by how beautiful and carefree she was.

“You’re giving me that look again,” Ember said.

“What look?”

“The type that makes me feel like I am more amazing than I actually am.”

“You are amazing, though. You’re a hero.”

Josephine kissed her. It lasted a few seconds before she forced herself to pull away. Ember whined in disappointment, stretching her lithe body like a cat after Josephine got out of bed. She was sorely tempted to climb back in, but she had things to do.

“See you later?” Ember asked.

“Maybe? Depends on how long my dad will let me get away.”

“I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too.”

Josephine started to leave but then stopped.

“Do you know where I can buy a car?”

Ember raised an eyebrow at her question. Slowly, a grin stretched her lips.

“What’s your budget?”

“Who the hell convinced you to buy a muscle car?” Benjamin said, gaping at her new car.

Josephine cringed. “Do you hate it?”

“Hate it?! I love it!” Her dad walked a circle around the car. “Never pictured you of all people driving a mustang.”

Her dad gave her a look. Josephine didn’t quite know what it meant. On their drive into the city, her father noted the terrain.

“It reminds me of the Sonoran Desert, but less dry, and there’s more plant life.” Everyone in medicine knew her father as one of the most famous surgeons in the world. Sure, he was an excellent surgeon, but he knew far more than that. Josephine could remember multiple vacations she’d been on with her father. He would point out various trivia as they journeyed. He was interested in everything.

“It’s beautiful,” Josephine said.

“And very vulnerable to wildfires,” her father added.

Briefly, her mind flitted to Ember. If something of that sort happened, she’d be on the front lines. Dangerous. Josephine pushed it out of her mind. She was certain if wildfires were that common around here it would have already happened before she came. It was the season for it after all.

“So, are you going to show me around this new city of yours? I’m still trying to figure out why you decided to pack up and move without telling anyone about it.”

They’d gotten Benjamin settled in his hotel room. Josephine had been spared his questions so far but as soon as they sat down to eat at the restaurant, he spoke up.

“It’s a great city,” Josephine said hesitantly.

“Why? I haven’t seen anything particularly special about it. Well, fine the streets are cleaner than New York, I admit. But that can’t be the reason why you’ve changed so much in such a short time.”

“I’ve changed?” Josephine blinked in surprise. “How do you mean?”

Her father gave her a conspiratorial look. “I’ve seen you smile more in the last two hours than you did for a whole week in New York. You’re happier, more relaxed. It feels like after all these years you’ve finally taken my advice and begun to live. ”

Josephine receded into her thoughts. Some introspection revealed that, indeed, she’d been smiling more since the first day she arrived at Phoenix Ridge.

“It’s the people here,” Josephine confessed. “I never really thought about it, but back in New York, I hardly ever had any friends. Sure, there were co-workers and a few acquaintances but after…after my breakup, I lost my ability to connect with people. Coming to Phoenix Ridge helped me regain that.”

“You found love again,” her father said. It wasn’t a question.

“Yes.”

“Who?”

“I…it’s not the reason why I came. We sort of met and things sparked off and she’s been so amazing to me.”

Her father nodded. Josephine noted a slight look of disappointment in his eyes. He had that same look when she’d come out to him as a lesbian. Of course, he’d been completely supportive, but she knew he wished she’d settled down and had a more traditional family. He never quite got rid of that hope.

“As long as you’re happy,” he said, giving her a warm smile.

Josephine nodded. “Thank you.”

It had been so long since they’d actually enjoyed this much quality time together. They spent the rest of the evening touring Phoenix Ridge. The more they explored, the more Josephine understood why the city was a tourist attraction. Despite what her dad said, Phoenix Ridge was an extremely beautiful city. She could see it in his eyes. He loved it too. They eventually ended their exploration at the beach.

They basked in the golden glow of the sunset standing side by side. The warmth, coupled with the cool breeze blowing on their skin created a uniquely serene atmosphere. This was another thing they didn’t have in New York. The view was almost magical.

“You’re right. It is beautiful.”

Josephine smiled. Coming to Phoenix Ridge was the best decision she had ever made.

“It is.”

“So, you’re going to stay here permanently?”

“I’m considering it,” Josephine replied.

“Are they paying you enough at that hospital to warrant this choice? You know you could earn far more if you work with me.”

Josephine sighed. “I know, Dad. And I’m grateful for the opportunity, but this is where my heart is, at least right now.”

“I understand. Just keep that in mind.” Her father wasn’t going to push her to make the choice. “Think I’ll stick around a while longer.”

Josephine smiled. “It’ll be nice to have you around. You could also use the break.”

“Phoenix Ridge is a tad hotter than I’m used to, but I believe I can adapt.”

When night came, they returned to her father’s hotel. She helped him unpack his luggage before they said their goodbyes. Josephine knew he was going to show up at the hospital, possibly the next morning, with the pretext of familiarizing himself with her workplace. He was mostly going to check to make sure the environment was conducive for her to work in. In many ways, Josephine still felt like a child.

They said their goodbye and she returned to her apartment. She showered, got dressed in her PJs, and got into bed. The next day was going to be a bit busy as she was resuming her duties at the hospital. But she looked forward to it, most especially meeting up with Ember again. The thought of her lover put a smile on her face. It remained as sleep overcame her.