“I know Bartell Corp said it would pay the new receptionist’s wages as part of its charitable contributions to Living Ruff, but it was wrong not to consult Mrs. B first on who you chose. She was ready to give you one of her old-fashioned paint-peeling dressing-downs before I explained why you did it.”
“My hire has excellent credentials. In fact, she’s overqualified.”
“Felicity,” Cooper said with a tut, “Kristie is a prescription-pill abuser who has been homeless for three years and doesn’t play well with others. Her insistence she has to have her dog with her at all times is the only thing Mrs. B approves of because Mrs. B completely adores Ruby. And Ruby adores her as well. But we both know Kristie was not the first choice or even the hundredth choice for that position.”
“I know that. But her job has conditions. Staying clean. Attending her support group.”
“Why did you do it, though?”
“What happened to Kristie could happen to anyone. I couldn’t forget her. She could have been me. Hell, she already sounds like me.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed. We all have. When you call Living Ruff now, Kristie answers with exactly your brand of disdainful, bored tone. It’s a miracle we still get any donations after they’ve been through her.”
Felicity couldn’t contain her laugh. “I know, I know. Sorry. Okay, I’ll talk to Mrs. Brooks and apologize for meddling in her domain. I have plans for Kristie in one of our marketing divisions that desperately needs an injection of originality. But first she has to feel comfortable in a workplace again. I talked to her about it, and starting small is the key. Don’t worry. I’ll explain to your boss that it’s only temporary.”
“Mrs. B will be most relieved to hear that,” Cooper said. “She was going to call you anyway and tell you our good news. Daniel’s our first successful candidate for the vet-tech course.”
“That skinny scared kid with the weed dog?” Felicity’s eyebrows shot up.
“It’s not a weed dog!” Cooper sputtered and splashed her. “But yes. Daniel passed all our initial assessments, got high marks on the academic side, and we’re moving him to the next stage. He’s very excited. Mrs. B’s momma-bear instincts are in overdrive too. She’s talking about letting him stay with her for a little bit till he finds his own place.”
“Well, good.” Felicity smiled. “And it’s a great scheme. I hope it pans out for him.”
“Me, too.” Cooper’s arms drifted around her, sending tingles through Felicity’s body. “By the way, you came in tonight talking about certain things coming to light and then got side-tracked. What things?”
“Ah. That.” Felicity opened her eyes. “Turns out Elena is in love with Maddie after all. I saw them kissing.”
“Oh, the shock,” Cooper drawled. “However will I cope? Fuck, Felicity, her photo was on her desk. You said they watched movies together! She was with Elena every time you turned around. She was helping Elena pack to move to Maddie’s hometown!”
“Yes, well, it turns out I missed it all. Or rather I’d based my conclusions on out-of-date research.” Felicity closed her eyes briefly again and sighed. “There was a time I’d have been so jealous. A long time ago, I hasten to add.”
“I know.” Cooper began lathering up Felicity’s arms with soapy bubbles. “It was pretty obvious, your crush.”
“Really?”
“Mm. The admiring way you talked about your boss.”
“Do you think Elena knew?” Felicity shot her a worried look.
“Yes.” Cooper’s voice contained amusement. “And that’s why I never worried. If she’d wanted you, my love, she’d have plucked you from under her nose years ago and had her fun.” She teased Felicity’s arm. “The fact that she didn’t meant she wasn’t interested. Probably because her type runs to sweet, laid-back reporter-type Australians, not kick-ass, powerful women in executive suits. Fortunately, my type is kick-ass, powerful women in executive suits.”
“Good to know,” Felicity said languidly, “although I appear to be out of my executive suit right now. Would you like me to get out and put it on?” She pretended to rise.
Cooper’s powerful arm tightened around her. God, Felicity loved feeling how strong she was. Cooper’s arm relaxed. “Don’t go getting any crazy ideas. I love you right where you are.” She leaned in and nuzzled Felicity’s ear. “Matter of fact, I love you.”
Warmth filled Felicity’s chest. “It’s so weird.”
“God, don’t call my first ever declaration of love weird,” Cooper groaned.
Felicity playfully slapped her arm. “It’s so weird because when I came in tonight and saw you looking gorgeous and pleased with yourself, I thought, ‘I love her.’ I hadn’t even gotten one heel off, and that was all I could think. You’re mighty alluring.”
“Ah. Well, that’s good to know. To think you worried we’d have nothing in common. And there’s the fact we both love each other.” The smile in her voice was clear.
“Actually, it was you who worried that. Don’t forget we both love Brittany, too.”
“Who has probably forgotten us, given Mrs. B’s looking after her. She spoils my girl so.”
Felicity snuggled back deeper against Cooper’s wet, bare skin. “Know what other girl needs spoiling? I’ll give you a hint. She loves you more than legal loopholes, winning deals, and Bartell Corp.” She turned in the tub to face Cooper, careful to avoid a mini tsunami.
“Any more hints?” Cooper asked, her voice low and husky.
“Just one.” Felicity leaned in and kissed her, savoring the slippery, wet sensation.
Cooper grinned. “Hey, I think I know.” She kissed her back, lingering and affectionate. “It’s my uptown girl.”
“Hmm,” Felicity murmured into her skin. “Uptown girl? Yes and no.” She dropped briefly into her native accent. “I confess there’s also a lot more Midwest girl in me than I let on.”
Cooper’s eyebrows lifted in surprise at the admission.
“But as to being yours?” Felicity met her lover’s eyes and gave her a fond look. “Oh yes. Most definitely. Yours.” She smiled, her fingers tracing Cooper’s strong jaw. “You know, I believe I may have made a mistake earlier this evening.”
“You did?”
“Mm.” Felicity locked eyes with the most beautiful woman she’d ever known. Someone kind. Someone she loved and who loved her back. “It’s so obvious, now that I think about it. I think maybe I’m the lucky one. And right now?” She leaned in and whispered sincerely into her lover’s ear as her fingers slid down to fondle a delicious breast: “Longest. Winning streak. Ever.”
# # #
OTHER BOOKS FROM YLVA PUBLISHING
