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. Oh, Mother don t be ridiculous.I know you must have sexual feelings.Certainly mine are no secret. That s no reason to discuss them before dinner! Why not? Constance studied Tanner for a moment and then she laughed. I actually don t know. Well? No, Constance said softly. Want to? I don t know that either, her mother replied, her eyes clouded with memory. You may find this hardto believe, but your father was the only man I ever made love with.I feel odd thinking of another manthat way. Odd, Tanner said gently, or guilty? Constance looked at her in surprise. What do you mean? Mother, Father is gone.You wouldn't be unfaithful to him if you love someone else, desire someoneelse.You re alive you have a right to your life.You have honored his memory for a long time.It s allright to move on.And, Mother, if you ever decide to leave Whitley Point, it s all right, too.I love ithere I doubt I ll ever leave.I ll be fine. Constance eyes fell on her daughter, overflowing with love. Will you be? Tanner answered quietly, Yes. * * *After an evening of conversation, they had retired, each to their separate rooms.Adrienne couldn tsleep, knowing that Tanner was so near.She had come without any real plans, only knowing that sheneeded to see Tanner again.Now, with her fifty yards away, she hesitated.She couldn t go to her inPage 88 Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlfairness without making the decisions she had avoided for many months.As she lay awake in the stillroom, tossing and turning, she heard soft footsteps in the hall.Her heart pounded; it was Tanner! Slowlyshe realized that the footsteps had passed by her room and proceeded down the hall to the room whereTom was sleeping.She heard Constance voice and then Tom s deep one.A door closed and the housewas silent again.Adrienne got up and threw on a light shirt to cover her nakedness.It was an unusually warm night, andshe stood on the small deck outside her room, thinking.She thought about Alicia, knowing she wouldalways care for her, and knowing that both of them deserved more.She considered her life in California,and found it acceptable.Acceptable, she thought.Is that all she could ask from life? She thought of howdark her days had been without Tanner.She thought of how the look of love in Tanner's eyes made herheart soar.She thought of Tanner sleeping in the night, not a hundred feet from her, and of how much shewanted her.And then she stopped thinking, and listened to her heart.Tanner was not asleep.She lay on top of the covers in the warm room.The shutters were open, a faintbreeze rustling the curtains.Her mind was on the woman who had filled her dreams every night formonths.She could scarcely believe Adrienne was here.She didn t hear the footsteps outside until thedoor to her room opened.She held her breath, her body tense. Tanner? Adrienne called softly. I m here. Adrienne crossed to the bed and lay down facing Tanner, reaching out to stroke her cheek. I have totalk to you, she began urgently.Tanner pulled Adrienne close, her restraint vanishing in the face of desire too long denied. Not now, she rasped, her lips silencing Adrienne's faint protest with the force of her kiss.Adrienne groaned, her body instantly aroused, and rolled onto Tanner, trying to touch every part of her.Her hands sought the breasts she had longed for every night, her lips caressed the places she knewwould excite, her hips surged into Tanner's, calling her to the dance.Tanner pulled at Adrienne s scant clothing, wanting to feel her naked.She succeeded in opening hershirt, and slipped her hands inside.The rapidly building pressure between her legs was so strong, shescarcely heard Adrienne s gasp as her fingers pressed into Adrienne s firm flesh.Their bodies surgedwith an internal cadence beyond their control, passion answering passion.Sharp cries merged as restraintbroke, and they clung together desperately, peaking one after the other, legs entwined, fingers stroking,sobbing against one another's skin. Oh god, Tanner, Adrienne gasped."I love you so much.Tanner closed her eyes, held her close, and clung to hope.* * *When Tanner awoke the sun was high, and the room was aglow with early morning light.Adrienne waspressed against her, her head on Tanner s shoulder, her hair a golden spread across Tanner's breasts.Page 89 Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlTanner stretched her cramped muscles slowly, not wanting to awaken her sleeping lover.Nevertheless,Adrienne stirred and sighed.She opened her eyes and smiled.She caressed Tanner s shoulder andbrushed her cheek across one soft nipple. Good morning, Tanner whispered. Mmm what a lovely way to wake up, Adrienne murmured.She pressed her lips against the smallbud of Tanner s nipple and teased it with her tongue.She smiled contentedly when she heard Tanner ssharp intake of breath.She loved to please this woman, more than she thought possible.Tanner attempted to sit up, despite the heady feeling Adrienne s lips on her breast inspired. Adrienne, she pleaded at last, wait.You know I can t think when you do that. So? Adrienne chuckled, running her fingers down Tanner's abdomen.Tanner groaned, her hips jerking with a will of their own.She struggled into a sitting position andAdrienne, displaced, was left staring at her. I want you, Adrienne said, leaning toward Tanner again.Tanner grasped Adrienne s arms and held her away. Adrienne, please.You don t understand. Adrienne stopped, suddenly uncertain. Last night I thought you wanted me, too.Is there someoneelse? she asked quietly, her heart pounding with fear."God, no!" Tanner cried, amazed that Adrienne could even think such a thing.She ran her hand throughher hair, shaking her head in disbelief. Not want you? Don t you realize I ve been out of my mind sinceyou left? I can t go to sleep without wanting you beside me.I wake up lonely, struggle through the dayempty inside, because you re not here.My god, Adrienne, of course I want you. Adrienne took her hand tentatively, pressing her lips to Tanner's palm."What is it then?"Tanner shook her head. It s not enough, Adrienne.I love you I want to live with you, share my lifewith you.Seeing you every now and then making love with you it s not enough.I'll die a little everytime you leave.I just can t do it. Tanner hated the words, but she had to say them.Even if it meant losing Adrienne forever she had to saythem.A night, a few days, now and then, wasn t enough.She wanted much more out of life.Adrienne sat for a long time studying Tanner s face, and when she spoke, her voice held tears. I'vealways loved you, Tanner.More than I had thought possible.I left you because I was afraid I couldn tlove you enough that I didn t have enough physically or emotionally, to give you.I felt selfish howmuch I needed you.I still need you, and it doesn't frighten me any longer.Living without you wasn'treally living at all.Let me love you today, Tanner, please."Tanner shook her head again. Today is not enough, Adrienne.I want all of your days, every tomorrow-- a lifetime. Adrienne laughed softly. You don t want much, do you? I want it all, Tanner replied, her gaze steady and calm.Page 90 Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlAdrienne swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat up, holding Tanner's hand firmly. Tom hadsome other news for me last night.I can have a transfer to the East Coast if I like, after I m promoted
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