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  Alex gave a low gasp and squirmed, shifting farther, inviting Elly to go deeper. Elly closed her eyes, concentrating on the feel of Alex, stroking inside, feeling the flutter of muscle, the tensing of Alex around her fingers. Alex moved her hips, the rhythm steady and quick at first, then more erratic as time went on. Elly withdrew for a moment to get a better angle, and Alex made a sound like a whimper.

  “I’m not done yet,” Elly murmured, sliding her hand between them and taking up where she’d left off. But this time she pressed against Alex’s clitoris in small circular motions.

  “Oh God,” Alex muttered, her eyes closing, her forehead resting against Elly’s on the pillow. Elly felt the full-body shudder begin, and Alex cried out, tightening around Elly’s fingers, her thighs closing over her wrist.

  When the shuddering subsided, Alex rolled onto her back, freeing Elly’s hand, sprawling against the mattress, her limbs limp. Her chest rose and fell, and she opened her eyes, turning her head to look at Elly.

  “That was incredible,” she said, her voice huskier than usual.

  “We had a year to make up for,” Elly replied, trailing her damp fingers over Alex’s ribs.

  Alex squirmed and seized Elly’s hand in a gentle grip. “That tickles.”

  “Good.” Elly wiggled her fingers and Alex laughed, turning back onto her side, nudging Elly over onto her back with a well-placed knee.

  “Your turn,” she said, rising to her knees in front of Elly. “Payback time.”

  Elly saw Alex’s mischievous smile as she bent her head, then her dark hair covered her face, draping over Elly’s stomach and thighs. Elly felt fingers tugging at her underwear, and she lifted her hips off the mattress so Alex could pull the scrap of fabric down and off. Gentle breath warmed the skin of her thighs as Alex lingered, dropping kisses. Then she felt her legs being parted, and a tongue lapped at her, darting and flicking, teasing her oversensitized flesh. Her hands fisted the coverlet.

  “You taste good,” Alex said, raising her head for just a moment. She replaced her tongue with her fingers, watching Elly’s reaction.

  “More,” Elly pleaded, locking her gaze on Alex, who gave her a satisfied smile before she bent her head again.

  Alex didn’t remove her fingers, pressing up hard into Elly’s G-spot, tonguing her clitoris as she did.

  It had been so long.

  Since that night a year ago, though she’d never admit it to Alex.

  The muscles of her belly quivered, and thoughts of Alex and the farm fled her mind as the sensation increased, bringing her so close to the edge.

  “Alex—” She managed Alex’s name, but that was all. The orgasm overtook her, and she squeezed her eyes shut, her head flung back against the pillow, her mouth open in a gasp.

  *

  Alex lay back, listening, her eyes open in the dim light from the lamp as, next to her, Elly took a deep breath and seemed to settle deeper into the soft mattress. Her body felt the languor from her earlier orgasm, but there was a tension creeping in, needling at her. Elly shifted nearer, her leg brushing Alex’s, her hand resting over Alex’s stomach, warm and soft.

  Alex went perfectly still.

  Elly didn’t seem to notice, just shifted nearer again until she was snuggled right in.

  Each touch ratcheted up her tension, and she knew she wasn’t going to be able to sleep. Cuddling was too much, promised too much. Even with Will, she hardly ever cuddled, nor did she ever need to.

  Alex moved out from under Elly’s embrace, sitting up in bed. Elly blinked sleepily at her, surprise on her face.

  “I’m sorry, El, but you can’t stay over.”

  Elly’s look of surprise changed to hurt, but Alex pushed forward. She always slept alone at night, always, and she knew she’d spend the next six hours tossing and turning and watching the clock. The only one she’d ever been able to fall asleep next to had been Heather, and look at how that turned out. She hated being vulnerable.

  “But you did, at the farm.” Elly sat up in bed, holding the sheet over her breasts, her curls mussed.

  Alex cut her gaze away. “I know, but that was necessity.” She could tell Elly the reason why, but that was too much information. “I have a hard time sleeping, and I need to get up early tomorrow.”

  Elly pushed back the covers and turned, sitting on the edge of the bed. She bent to scoop up her jeans and underwear. “No problem.” When she glanced back, Alex was sure her eyes were moist.

  “It’s not you, El.” Alex slid over on the bed until they were thigh to thigh.

  Elly gave a short nod. “Promise?” Her voice wavered.

  “Promise,” Alex answered easily. Elly could be anyone and her answer would be the same. Even she and Will didn’t spend the night together, not unless they were too blitzed to drive.

  “All right.” Elly blinked and her expression relaxed. “I’ve had a hard time sleeping lately too. The city’s so loud compared to back home.”

  “Especially where you are,” Alex agreed, glad to be on a new topic. “You are right down in the thick of things.”

  “There are lots of sirens,” Elly said. “And loud bikes.” She nudged Alex in the ribs.

  “Not mine,” Alex retorted with a laugh. “You’re thinking of all those Harleys, not the Ninja.”

  “A bike’s a bike, isn’t it?” Elly asked, picking up her bra and putting it on. “They’re all loud.”

  “You have a lot to learn,” Alex said. She grabbed her underwear and slid it on, and then pulled her T-shirt over her head. “We should go for a ride sometime, and you can see the difference.”

  “Maybe.” Elly buttoned up her shirt and stood. Alex stood with her. “It’s dangerous, though, especially riding in Calgary. I don’t even like to drive in the city, which is why I’m living where I am.”

  “Really?” Alex could hardly imagine choosing not to drive, or not to ride.

  “Really.” Elly’s cheeks went pink, and she left the bedroom, heading back to the front door. Alex followed her.

  “You just need more practice, maybe.”

  “I’m hoping I’ll figure out some way that I won’t have to,” Elly said, bending to put on her shoes. “I still keep hoping that this won’t be long term. I hadn’t really planned to leave the farm, you know.”

  “Calgary’s a great place to be,” Alex said. “Lots of clubs, everything close by, lots of action. Way more fun than being out in the middle of nowhere.”

  Elly slipped her purse strap over her shoulder. “I love it there.”

  “We’ll just agree to disagree,” Alex replied, not wanting to leave their evening on a sour note. She didn’t like to burn her bridges, and maybe she’d see Elly again. That was a rare thing, especially lately. No one held her interest long.

  “You might like it, if you tried it for more than a night,” Elly said. She opened the front door, pausing on the threshold.

  “Good night, gorgeous,” Alex said, leaning in for one last kiss.

  Elly kissed her back, pressing close one last time. Promising. “Good night, Alex.”

  Chapter Four

  As soon as she hit the highway, Alex accelerated, shifting gears. She’d be late meeting Will; they always had a bite to eat at the Tim Hortons in Cochrane on their way to the mountains. It gave them both a bit of time on their bikes and got what Alex’s grandmother used to call the sillies out of their systems. And she had a case of them today, as she always did after being with someone the night before. That urge to get on the open road, just her and the bike.

  She hadn’t expected to see Elly; she’d given her up for a good memory, and last night had been an impulsive invitation. She didn’t regret it, but yet, twice with the same person? It was hardly like her these days, and she wondered what she’d been thinking last night, considering a third time. That was practically a relationship. Elly was cute, at least, charming in her quiet way, so different from the usual women she dated, the extroverted sorts, just like herself.

  A few hours o
f riding would clear her head, just in time to go to work.

  Alex slowed and turned off the highway, heading into town. She drew up into the parking lot and saw Will waiting for her, leaning against his bike, his helmet in the bright colors of the Italian flag hanging from the handlebar. The space next to him was free, so she pulled in and killed the engine, pushing up her visor.

  “Late night, Bellerose?” Will teased. “I’ve never known you to be late to our ride. You’re always the one hassling me for not being able to get out of bed.”

  “I had company, as you well know,” Alex said with a shrug, taking off her helmet.

  “Don’t tell me you let her stay over.” Will straightened. “Coffee’s on you, since you’re late.” He sauntered into the coffee shop and Alex followed. The line moved swiftly.

  “What can I get you?” the older woman manning the till asked.

  “Extra-large double-double, and a maple-glazed doughnut,” Will said.

  “Same,” Alex added, taking out her wallet.

  They took their coffees and settled at a table.

  “So, is she your new love?”

  Alex snorted. As if. “Why do you ask that?”

  “She stayed over, didn’t she? You hardly ever have anyone stay over,” Will replied. He took a huge bite of his doughnut.

  “She didn’t stay over. No one does. Don’t go reading too much into it.” He should know her better than that. It had been years since she’d gone with anyone for more than a date or two. She sipped her coffee, taking a much smaller bite of her doughnut than Will had.

  “Of course not.” Will winked. “I’ll only just jerk your chain over it awhile.”

  Alex stuck out her tongue. “Finish your coffee. I only have a few hours before I have to head back. I’m working tonight.”

  “I’ll come by, harass you.”

  “As always.”

  “You’d miss me if I wasn’t there,” Will said. “I know it.” He stuffed the rest of the doughnut into his mouth.

  “You have the weekend off?”

  “Mmm-hmm.” He swallowed. “Then next week it’s Monday to Thursday daytime, with a three-day weekend, and off and on after that.”

  “That’s not very consistent.”

  Will shrugged. “Such is the life of a contractor. They need me when they need me.”

  “And you’ll ride the rest of the time.”

  “Naturally. Thinking about going out to British Columbia for a bit. Prettier out there. And maybe I can find some work too.”

  “I’m jealous.” Alex finished her doughnut and downed the rest of her coffee. “Let’s go. The day’s not getting any longer.”

  Will rose when she did, finishing off his coffee. They tossed their cups in the trash and headed back to the bikes. “Want to do the Minnewanka Loop today?” he asked. “It shouldn’t be too busy yet, given that it’s so early in the season.”

  “You can buy the ice cream.”

  “Done. And lunch in Canmore on the way back.”

  Alex put on her helmet and swung her leg over the bike. “Highway 1A to Canmore, then the Trans-Canada,” she remarked. “Try to keep up.” She started the bike and rolled away, putting it into gear. Behind her, she heard Will mutter something, and she smiled to herself. He’d catch up, but she’d give him a merry chase first.

  Will caught up sooner than she’d expected, cruising up beside her in the line to get across the Ghost Lake dam, down to one lane thanks to construction.

  “What’s that you were saying?” he asked after he’d pushed up his visor.

  “You wouldn’t have caught up otherwise,” she replied.

  “So you think.”

  The flag girl turned her sign and they started their slow progression along the road, bumping and jolting over the rough pavement. Alex kept her bike just ahead of Will’s, itching to get back up to speed and pass some of the slow-moving RVs. A bit farther down the road, free of the traffic jam, she saw her chance, and she accelerated swiftly, crossing the broken yellow line and zipping past a lumbering old Winnebago, a powerless compact car, and a pickup truck weighed down with a fifth wheel. She spotted a truck coming up in the lane ahead and pulled back into her own lane. Slowing slightly to get back close to the speed limit, she laughed to herself. Will was stuck back behind the Winnebago, and the road was empty, just the way she liked it, the rolling foothills stretched out before her.

  *

  Elly rubbed her eyes, the computer screen blurring in front of her. Half a dozen resumes sent out and she was exhausted. It felt like she was casting a single needle into six haystacks and hoping for someone to see the glimmer. But, if these were anything like the other needles, they’d fall unnoticed. She’d had fewer than ten interviews in the almost two months she’d been in Calgary, and none of them had borne fruit. If she didn’t find something soon, she wasn’t sure what she’d do. She dreamed of going back to the farm, but that could only happen if she had some sort of miracle. And not a miracle named Jack Collins. His lease would pay most of the land bills and help keep up the house, but that was it. All those weeks ago, when she’d sat in the town diner after her last shift, still trying to figure out how to make things work, the widow Mrs. Calderwood had kindly suggested that she ought to sell the land. Just the thought of it had made her feel ill.

  “It’s hard to make a go of it alone,” Mrs. Calderwood had said, commiserating. “But then you could get a house in town, like I did. And maybe some young man would snap you up.”

  Impossible. Not that Mrs. Calderwood hadn’t meant well, the comment about the young man aside. She couldn’t sell the land. It was in her blood, had been in the family for generations, since the Hudson’s Bay Company had sold it to her great-great-grandfather. Her parents had shown her a copy of the original grant of title many times, and she remembered always looking at it with a sense of awe that they’d lived there so long.

  She knew she couldn’t give that up. It was home.

  Elly scanned the list of jobs and found one more to send an application to. Administrative assistant, financial sector. She could be an admin assistant. How hard could it be? She filled out the form and attached her resume, sending it into the ether. Then she set her laptop aside and rose from the sofa, stretching. The sun reflected off the window of the building across the street, hitting her in the eyes. She blinked and squinted. She hadn’t thought it was that late.

  In the kitchen, she made herself a bowl of mac and cheese, feeling too tired to do much else. She’d go to bed early tonight, to make up for last night. She hadn’t slept much once she’d gotten home and crawled into bed. Alex had been standoffish, nothing like the first time they’d been together, last year. There had been the grand gesture on the front porch, being bent over Alex’s arm and kissed like a lover in an old movie, and there had been tenderness as she left. Elly wasn’t sure what to make of it. Had she read Alex totally wrong?

  Her phone vibrated on the coffee table and she hurried from the kitchen, scooping it up. She answered without looking at the number.

  “Hello?”

  “Elly, it’s Jack.”

  “Jack…hi.” Elly tried to keep from sounding disappointed. If only it had been a recruiter, or Alex, even.

  “Just wanted to call, see how you were getting on with things,” Jack said companionably. “Are you liking it in the city?”

  “It’s all right.” She hesitated to tell him more. He’d only try to convince her to come home.

  “No job yet?”

  “Not yet.”

  “You should come back. I talked to Gus at the café and he’d be willing to up your wage another fifty cents an hour.”

  “Jack, you really shouldn’t have.” Elly squirmed in discomfort, thankful he couldn’t see her.

  “Should I tell him you’ll be back soon?” Jack pressed.

  “No, I’m afraid not,” she replied after a long pause.

  “I see.”

  “How’s the farm?” Elly asked, changing the subject to
something more pleasant.

  “Same as it always is,” Jack replied. “Beautiful at this time of year, with all the crocuses coming out, and the clover.”

  Elly closed her eyes against the prick of tears, imagining the sight, knowing it from years past. She felt a pang of loneliness. If she were there, she’d at least be at home and could pretend she wasn’t alone. She knew every inch of the farmhouse, had explored every cranny as a child, and its creaky floors and mismatched carpet were as familiar as her reflection in the mirror.

  “El? You all right?”

  “Yeah.” She bit back a sigh. “Just tired.”

  “Take care of yourself, yeah?” Jack sounded concerned.

  “I will, Jack. You too. Say hi to your mother for me.”

  “I will. ’Bye, now.”

  Elly hung up and slumped down on the sofa again. She glanced at the bare walls of her apartment and realized she could not stand to look at them all evening, on her own. If only she knew more people in town. Parry’s wasn’t too far away; she could drive there in a few minutes. Seeing Alex might brighten her mood.

  *

  At the front door of the restaurant, Elly’s courage wilted. She stepped inside, looking up the hallway toward the hostess station, and turned to the door of the lounge side, where Alex had taken her the night before. Music and muffled conversation came through the smoked glass and she rested her hand on the handle. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and went in.

  The lounge was almost as crowded as it had been the night before, though the karaoke setup had disappeared and tables were in its place. At first glance, Elly didn’t recognize anyone, but when her gaze hit the bar, she saw Alex. She headed over and found an empty chair, lifting herself up onto the stool and resting her elbows on the pocked wood of the bar. Alex was talking to a waitress at the other end, lifting a pitcher of beer from the tap, and placing it next to the woman’s tray, where she’d already stacked half a dozen glasses.