9 comments/ 30409 views/ 18 favorites Home 06: Scenes From A Broken Home By: Belle_in_south AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story is part of a series of stories that center around a lesbian relationship and lesbian sex. However, there is a nonconsent scene in this story that some of my normal readers may find difficult. Thanksgiving Weekend . . . The cold air of the early morning blew around the Big Mart building, punishing those lined up outside the store waiting for the doors to open. People jostled together, huddling for warmth in their misery as they waited for the security guards to open the door and preparing to be ruthless opponents as they rushed for the after-Thanksgiving bargains on Black Friday. Raegan Hall stood beside her sister. Her height gave her an advantage as she peered over heads in the crowd. She had her hands in her pockets. Her leather jacket was zipped and her scarf was wrapped around her ears. The wind stung her eyes, but anyone who looked into the brown pools would be shocked by the lack of life in them. Lacy was beside her, the Big Mart flyer in her hand. She was talking about what her girls wanted for Christmas and plotting a strategy for grabbing the best buy on the gifts. Rae suddenly felt an elbow in her ribs and her eyes flew to her sister. "You aren't paying attention," Lacy said. "You can't zone out, or you'll get trampled when they open the doors." Rae coughed and shuffled her feet. "I can't believe you talked me into this." "It's because you love your nieces," Lacy declared. "Okay, when they open the door, I want you to head to the electronics. Mary wants the Barbie video game and the Nintendo DS. Donald wants the laptop computer. Go for the laptop first. I'm going to the toys." Lacy flipped through the flyer again, her eyes sweeping the toys on sale. "Do you want me to pick up anything for Will and Rachel?" she asked softly. Rae tried to stare at her feet, but the crowd was too thick for her to see her tennis shoes. "No. That wouldn't be appropriate." "Have you talked to her?" "She knows how to find me," Rae answered. "Laptop, Game Boy, and Barbie video game. Where do you want to meet after we're through?" "Shoes. No one will be back there. You've never done this before, so be tough. There will be a lot of pushing and shoving, and you've got to fight back to get what you want. Once you get them, hold on to them. I've had people yank things out of my hand before." Rae studied her sister and shook her head. "You are enjoying this way too much." "This is better than sex when you've been married as long as I have," Lacy laughed. People began jostling each other, pushing forward, indicating that it was almost time for the doors to open. Rae braced herself, armed with Lacy's list, and began weaving through the people as they flooded the store. Lacy was pressed against her back, using her taller sister as a bulldozer until they reached the inside. As soon as they were out of the thickest press, Lacy took off in the direction of the toys. Following her sister's lead, Rae raced through the crowd toward the electronics department. She got the laptop and handheld video game, but missed the last of the Barbie games. She headed toward the shoes to wait for Lacy, keeping a death grip on the box with the laptop computer. She sat down on one of the small stools out of the path of the frantic shoppers and waited for Lacy to return. "Rae? Are you here?" Rae peeked around the corner. Lacy was pushing a shopping cart. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were dancing. She wore a large smile on her face. Rae stood and deposited her treasures into Lacy's buggy. "Oh, you did well. I'll have to bring you every year. Are you ready to get out of here?" Together, they walked through the store and joined the line of people waiting impatiently to make their purchases and head to their next location. Rae and Lacy stood on either side of the buggy, guarding their cache. When they reached the check-out, Lacy began unloading the cart, an expression of relief on her face. Rae leaned forward and handed her sister items, hoping to speed the process for the people in line behind them. "Hi, Lacy," a voice greeted and they both looked at the cashier. Tara Roding Myers stood behind the counter, reaching for the next item to scan. Rae felt all the blood leave her face and her skin go cold at the sight of her former girlfriend. It had only been a year since she had rediscovered Tara and just over three months since the last time they had spoken. Rae and Tara had fallen hard for each other last Christmas, and then Tara's deceased husband's parents had threatened to sue for custody of their two grandchildren if Tara moved to Nashville. Tara had chosen to stay at home and Rae, brokenhearted, had understood. Lacy shifted her attention to her sister and Tara's green eyes followed Lacy's gaze. "Rae," she whispered. "Hi," Rae mumbled, turning her attention back to unloading the shopping cart. Tara and Lacy followed her lead, the line behind them putting a stop to any other possible response. "How are the girls? Your parents?" Tara asked as she continued to scan Lacy's purchases. Her eyes kept flitting to Rae, who kept her face averted. Lacy waited a moment for Rae to answer. When her sister didn't, Lacy responded. "Good, good. What about Will and Rachel? The girls miss them." "We miss you," Tara replied, her voice trembling. She scanned the last item and gave Lacy a total. Lacy paid it while Rae reloaded the shopping cart. "It was good seeing you," she said, her attention directed to Rae. Raegan grunted in answer and rolled the cart toward the exit. Lacy and Tara exchanged apologetic looks before Lacy followed her sister. She found Rae loading the back of her mini van with her purchases. Rae's movements were quick and sharp, evidence of the pain and anger burning in her breast. "Raegan," Lacy began. "Don't, Lacy," Rae ordered. "I should have known better. I knew she worked there." She put the last bag in the back and slammed the hatch. Without giving Lacy an opportunity to respond, she pushed the cart to the collection cage. They got into the vehicle and began driving to the next stop on Lacy's list, the silence deafening. Lacy finally broke the quiet. "How do you think she looked?" "How am I supposed to answer that?" Rae demanded immediately, her prompt response revealing that she had been thinking of her former lover. "She looked beautiful and incredible and just seeing her reminded me of how much I miss having her in my life. She had bags under her eyes and she's lost too much weight. She's not taking care of herself the way she should." "Wasn't that supposed to be your job?" "What?" Rae snapped, turning her narrowed eyes to her sister. "I seem to recall that you promised to take care of her." "Don't pretend you know anything about it, Lacy. Don't pretend to understand it," Rae growled. "You can't." "I know I saw a girl who felt the same way about you," Lacy replied. "There are obstacles, as a gay couple, that you can't fathom," Rae insisted. "I know," Lacy reluctantly agreed. "But I do know something about love. Donald and I have been together for eleven years, and I still love him as much as the day we were married. I know you are still in love with Tara, and I saw a girl in there who was still in love with you." "Love isn't always enough," Rae sighed, staring out the window. "She's afraid to move to Nashville with me. I can't keep up a long distance relationship. It's not really fair to either one of us." Lacy made her turn in silence and parked the van at their next stop. She put the vehicle in park and shifted to full face her sibling. "It's not, but why does she have to be the one to move? Ma would be thrilled if you were closer and Tara wouldn't have to leave her family." "Do you think I've not thought of that?" Rae snapped. "What kind of job am I going to find here? I love my work in country music, and that's in Nashville, not here." "What about one of the theaters in Pigeon Forge? Or even one of the radio stations in Knoxville? Surely there is someplace that could use your experience." Rae got out of the car and walked around it. Lacy emerged a moment later, flinching at the pain she saw in her sister's eyes. "What if I give up my career and she is still afraid?" Lacy hugged Rae tightly. "Love is never certain." She released her sister and walked toward the store. Rae sighed softly, shoved her hands into her pockets, and followed. Lacy's color increased as they neared the entrance and she explained her game plan for grabbing the best deals. Raegan shook her head at her sister's excitement and held on for the ride. They stopped for lunch at a fast food restaurant. Rae picked at a salad while Lacy devoured a large hamburger. Lacy had a sale paper and a list spread before her. Rae tried to pretend to be interested as she talked about what gifts she lacked. "What do you want for Christmas, sis?" Lacy asked suddenly. Rae blinked in surprise. She stirred her salad as she thought about her answer. For the past year, she had imagined Christmas with Tara and Will and Rachel. She had thought about what it would be like to decorate their home together. She had pictured shopping with Tara to get the children something they would always remember. She had envisioned waking up Christmas morning with Tara in her arms and watching Will and Rachel play in her parents' living room with Mary and Megan. She wanted that dream back for Christmas. She wanted that reality. Now that she couldn't have that dream, she wanted her heart to stop hurting. She wanted to stop feeling empty all of the time. Leaving Tara had ripped her apart, but she knew it had been the right thing for both of them. Now, she had to dream something new. "I want to go back in time till last November. I want you to go get the sage or the celery or whatever it was that Mom forgot for the dressing. I want you to walk through Tara's line while I sit at home and watch the parade and pretend I'm still in love with Jamie." "How is Jamie?" Lacy asked, relieved to change the subject. Rae frowned as she thought about her former partner. She and Jamie had been together for several years when a promotion took Jamie to Ohio. They had agreed to spend the time apart and that had sealed their relationship. For a brief moment, Jamie had wanted to come home, but Tara had changed Rae's outlook on life. "I don't know," Rae answered. "The last time I talked to her, she seemed nervous. I talk to her sister more than I do her, and her sister is not thrilled about the woman Jamie's involved with. In fact, when Alice found out I had broken up with Tara, she suggested I go visit Jamie in Ohio. I think she thought I could rescue Jamie." "Did you think about it? You were always happy with Jamie." "I was comfortable with Jamie. It wouldn't be fair to either of us. Especially right now. Jamie deserves more than being my rebound girl." "Do you think that Tara was a rebound girl after being with Jamie for so long?' Rae immediately shook her head to say no. "Breaking up with Jamie was different and Tara's different. I didn't need a rebound after Jamie. I was over her." Lacy gave her sister another little half smile and picked up her pencil. "Rae, one time machine. Now, what can I get you if those are sold out?" Rae laughed. "I don't need anything, Lace. Give to the American Cancer Society in my name." "That's not very fun," Lacy insisted. "There's got to be something you want." Before Rae could form an answer, a voice interrupted them. "Aunt Rae!" a child called. Rae turned and a small boy leapt into her arms before she could register his presence. His arms tightened around her neck and he pressed close. Rae hugged him back, breathing deeply of the sweet little boy scent. "I've missed you, Aunt Rae," the little boy said again. Rae could not form words. She could only cling to Tara's son. Will settled himself on Rae's lap, his words rushing from his lips so quickly she struggled to follow his train of thought. "Does Mommy know you are here? Are you coming over tonight? Mommy cries a whole lot now. I tried to do like you said, cause you said to call whenever Mommy cried, so I pressed four on the phone and the tic tac toe board, but Mommy saw me and told me not to do that ever again." "Will," a sharp voice snapped. Rae turned to see a gray-haired woman with a disproving frown glaring at her. Rae didn't recognize the woman, but she recognized the baby in her arms. It took her breath away. "William Myers, come here." Will slipped off Rae's lap. "Look, Granny, its Aunt Rae." Rae stood slowly, her shoulders tight with caution. "Hello. I'm Raegan Hall. You must be Billy's mother." "Aunt Rae's going to come over later so Mommy will smile again, right, Aunt Rae?" Will asked, holding her hand and gazing up at her with adoration. Rae's eyes locked with those of her nemesis. This was the woman who threatened to take the children if Tara continued her relationship with Rae. This was the woman who had destroyed Rae's heart. Will tugged on her hand and she tore her eyes from the woman's, kneeling in front of the boy she loved as much as a son. "No, buddy, I'm not coming over. I've got to go back to Nashville." Will frowned. "Mommy and Rachel and me want to live in Nashville with you, but Mommy said we weren't going to do that anymore." "No, I don't guess so." "But we miss you." "I miss you, too, and I think about you a lot." "Granny took me to see Santa Clause today, and I told him all I wanted for Christmas was for you and Mommy and me and Rachel to be a family. I even told him he could take back my bike from last year." "Let's go, Will," his grandmother ordered, extending her free hand. Will threw himself into Rae's arms again, his arms clinging to her as he cried. "Shh, shh," Rae tried to assure. "It's all right, buddy." "Don't you love us anymore?" "Now, hush that talk. I love you lots. It's just . . . it's just better if I love you from Nashville. It's better if you stay here with your Granny and all your other grandparents. They love you, too, and they would miss you if you moved to Nashville with me." His grandmother grabbed his arm and tried to pull him from Rae's arms. Reluctantly, Rae helped her, taking his arms from around her neck. She kissed his cheek softly. "Be a good boy, Will. Be a good big brother and help your Mommy lots. Okay?" Rae's voice cracked and her eyes glistened as he nodded. "Now, go with your Granny." "Bye, Aunt Rae. I love you," he called as he walked out. Rae watched him go, throwing him a kiss when he turned around the last time to look at her. As soon as he was out the door, Rae bowed her head and sobbed. Lacy gently touched Rae's head. "Dear Santa, please give my sister her family back for Christmas." Lacy's words only made Rae cry harder. "Oh, sis, I'm sorry. I had no idea any of this would happen today. I just wanted to distract you." "Just take me home," Rae managed to gasp. Lacy quickly gathered her things and led Rae to the car. Rae cried all the way to her parents' house. Later . . . Tara rang up her last customer of the day and gladly pulled her drawer from the register. She gave a sympathetic smile to her replacement and checked her cash with the front end manager. Wearily, she walked to the back of the store to get her purse out of her locker. Jack entered the break room from the outside door. He smiled when he saw Tara. "Heya, kiddo, how was your day?" "Long," she said. "Not too bad. Only had one really bitchy customer." She rummaged in her purse for a moment. "Raegan came through my line." "Yeah?" he mumbled thoughtfully, leaning against the locker beside her. "How was that? Tara shouldered her purse and slammed her locker. "She wouldn't even look at me, Jack." She turned and leaned against the wall beside him, releasing a long sigh of pent up sadness and frustration. "I guess it is really over. I kept hoping that she would miss me as badly as I missed her, and . . . I don't know what I thought would happen." Jack took Tara's jacket out of her hands and held it so she could slip it on her arms. He rested his hands on her shoulders and squeezed lightly. "I thought I would be thrilled to hear you say it was over with Raegan." Tara stepped out of reach and turned to look at Jack with a frown. "Tara, I've been in love with you for years." "Jack . . ." she began, even though she was unsure what she was going to say to him. He silenced her by holding up his hand. "When Billy died, you were sad, you grieved for him, but you didn't seem to mourn. I kept my distance, though. I wanted you to have your space. After Thanksgiving last year, when you started talking about Rae, I knew you were ready to move on." He moved toward her, placing her hand on her back as he guided her toward the back door. "When I realized that Rae was a girl, I was a little floored and thought maybe you were just going through some phase. But every time you mentioned Rae, your whole face lit up. When you told me what happened in August, I thought I might finally have my opportunity, but you've mourned for Rae. You've grieved for that relationship a lot more than you did Billy's death." Tara stopped walking as Jack opened the door and looked up at him with a frown on her face. "Why are you saying all of this?" she demanded. Jack pointed over her shoulder and she turned to look. Raegan Hall was leaning against Tara's car. She was staring at the ground when Tara first looked, but sensing someone watching, Rae lifted her head. She stood upright and slowly slid her hands into her pockets, her eyes on Tara and her face expressionless. Tara felt her heart skip a beat and had to resist running to her former lover. She shifted her gaze back to Jack. "I saw her when I took out the garbage. Good luck." He hugged her and she took a deep breath before crossing the parking lot to Rae. She stopped just out of arm's reach. "Hi," she managed to say. Her throat was constricted so she cleared it and tried again. "Hello." "Hi," Rae answered after releasing a long breath. She pushed her hands deeper into her pockets and looked away. She spent a moment trying to look anywhere but at Tara. She coughed. "How are you?" Tara nodded, the motion providing Rae with a non-answer that echoed the sentiments of her own heart. "What are you doing here?" Tara asked. "I wanted to apologize," she said. Tara took a hopeful step forward, her face upturned expectantly. "I'm sorry, too," she whispered, wetting her lips as she gazed into Raegan's brown eyes. "You have nothing to be sorry about," Rae insisted. "Will saw me today. His grandmother was not excited. I hope that it doesn't make things difficult when you pick the children up." "Oh," Tara muttered, taking a step backward, her shoulders drooping in disappointment. "I'm sure everything will be fine. You couldn't help seeing him." "He seemed pretty upset that I hadn't been around," Rae said. "I tried to assure him that it wasn't because I didn't love him anymore." "It's been hard on him. He lost his dad, and then you left . . ." she stopped talking, her voice fading as she left the sentence incomplete. "He's a tough little boy. He'll get over it." Rae took her hand out of her pocket and gently rubbed her thumb against Tara's soft cheek. "What about you?" "I'm tough, too," she answered, slowly lifting her blue eyes to Rae's face. She searched her ex's eyes for weakness. "What about you?" "Tough as nails," Rae whispered, pulling her hand away and ramming it back into her pocket. They heard the lies in each other's words but did not react. "Do you need any help providing Christmas for the children?" "It's not your responsibility," Tara insisted. "That's not what I asked," Rae growled. "We will be fine." "Good." They stood in awkward silence for a long moment, the cold wind whipping around their bodies. The chill between them was much colder than the air in the atmosphere. Home 06: Scenes From A Broken Home "I need to go pick them up," Tara muttered, dropping her eyes from Rae's intense gaze. "I want you to know that I understand why you made the choice you did. I know your children have to come first." "Does it change anything?" "I understand, but it wasn't fair to us or the children for us to have a part time relationship. I think . . ." "Hush, Rae, and stop thinking. What do you feel?" Rae suddenly gripped Tara's upper arms in her hands. "What do I feel? I feel like my heart has been torn apart, but we can't make choices based on feeling. That's what we did for the last year, and all we did was hurt each other and that little boy. We have got to be adults and make choices with our heads and not just our heart. Your head tells you to stay here for the good of your children, and I respect that, I accept it. My head tells me that we can't live apart and be together." "So, that's that?" Tara snapped. "You can just throw away what we feel for one another?" "Don't talk about it like it is an easy choice. I wanted a life with you and your children," Rae declared passionately. "But, we have to make the choice that is best for the children. You have decided that staying here is best for them, and I accept that. Don't play it off like it isn't difficult for both of us." "Listen to yourself, Rae. It was difficult for me, too. I want to be with you and Will adores you, but Will and Rachel don't exist in a vacuum. They are products of Billy, and I can't ignore Billy's family." Rae reached out and gently caught Tara's tear on her thumb. "I know, honey. I know." "Can I still . . . can I still call you sometimes? Can we still be friends?" Rae wet her lips and then lowered her head. She pressed her mouth against Tara's, who expectantly opened her lips in anticipation of the kiss. Rae pressed her lips firmly against Tara's mouth and then slid her tongue along her lover's full lips. The kiss was tender and passionate at the same time. It spoke of longing and love and left them both breathless when Rae finally pulled away. "No," she whispered. "No, I don't think we can be friends." "Let me go," Tara answered, her voice broken, "Please, just let me go." Rae dropped her hand from Tara's cheek and stepped away from the door of the car. Tara opened the door and slammed it behind her. She shoved her keys into the ignition and cranked the vehicle. She placed her trembling hands on the steering wheel but did not drive away. She leaned forward, her forehead resting on hands, and sobbed. Rae stood beside the car for a long moment, watching the woman she loved deal with her broken heart. After an eternity for both of them, she walked away. New Year's Eve . . . Raegan Hall had only missed Beth Randall's New Year's Eve party once in eight years, and that had been last year. Last year, Tara had shown up at her door, declaring unending love for her old friend. They had spent last New Year's Eve in each other's arms. They had made love multiple times and danced naked while they watched the Dick Clark special. When the ball had dropped in Times Square, Rae had kissed Tara and they had whispered pledges of love before falling into bed again. A year later, Rae stood on the deck outside Beth's large Brentwood home. She had a glass of wine in her hand and had already been drinking quite a bit. Her equilibrium was moving beyond buzz into drunk territory and the promise of a headache was knocking behind her eyes. The winter air was cold, but Rae ignored it. She breathed in the cold, allowing it to sting her lungs and burn her eyes. Behind her, the door opened and music poured outside briefly before the click of the closing door softened it. Rae sipped her wine as she listened to heels tap across the wooden decking. "What are you doing out here? It's freezing!" a voice laughed. The words were slurred, indicating that the speaker had also enjoyed Beth's open bar. Rae stared across the landscape as Erin McAllister leaned against the railing beside her. Rae took another drink before answering. "I just needed to clear my head. Too much noise, too many people. I needed some space." "I've heard that before," McAllister mumbled, her voice suddenly clear. Rae turned to look at the young rising country music star. McAllister wore a black dress that accentuated every curve of her body. The dress was strapless and her bare arms and shoulders were marked with goose bumps from the cold night air. The skirt stopped just above mid-thigh and Rae tried not to notice McAllister's shapely legs. The sexual tension between them had been instantaneous and Rae had spent the past year trying to resist it. They had almost given in during McAllister's county fair tour in the fall, but Rae had stopped it. McAllister had been furious and they hadn't spoken much since Rae had left the singer alone in Jackson to flee to Tara. Only things with Tara had not gone according to plan. Tara had decided not to come to Nashville and Rae had decided to end the relationship. Rae had to struggle for a moment to come up with a reason not to pursue the chemistry she felt with McAllister. She knew it wasn't good for McAllister's career. She knew it was unprofessional. McAllister was the hot new talent that was going to make Capitol Records lots of money. The company could easily replace Rae. Besides, she still had feelings for Tara. It wouldn't be fair to anyone if she started a new relationship until she stopped loving Tara Myers. She took another sip of her wine and resumed staring at the outside world. "What are you doing out here?" "Looking for you," McAllister stated. Rae turned suddenly, her eyes narrow and sharp. "You've found me." Erin lifted her hand to Rae's shoulder, her fingertips gliding over her sleeve. "Beth told me that you broke up with your girlfriend." "Yeah, I'm sure Beth couldn't wait to share that news," Rae grumbled. "It was the right thing for you to do," McAllister stated calmly. "You wanted me way too much to be tied down to someone else." Rae was just drunk enough that she did not flinch at Erin's words. "You're awfully full of yourself." Erin's fingers danced over Rae's cheek. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the executive's lips. Rae was impassive at first, but eventually started returning the kiss, their lips moving against each other in rising hunger. Erin finally pulled back, her fingers still cupping Rae's cheek. "Are you denying it?" "Nothing has changed since Jackson. Being gay is still not good for your career." "One thing has changed," Erin whispered, stretching toward Rae for another kiss, this one more intimate than the last as the singer's tongue danced along Rae's lips. "You are no longer involved with someone else." "I still have very deep feelings for someone else," Rae replied in a husky voice. "Maybe I can help you forget those feelings," Erin insisted, her lips moving against Rae's neck. Rae tilted her head and sighed softly. "Your body wants me to help, doesn't it?" "My body has seldom been the best judge when it comes to decision-making," Rae laughed, cupping Erin's arms with her hands. Her palms glided over Erin's cool flesh as she wrestled with her rising desire and moral convictions. "This isn't a good choice for you." "So you keep telling me, but pretending I'm not gay for the paparazzi doesn't make me any less gay, and there are no cameras here." "You make a very good argument." "Of course I do." Erin trailed her fingers over Rae's flesh until she reached the woman's hand. "Come on, you owe me a dance." She took hold of Rae's hand and tugged gently toward the house. Rae picked up her wine glass from the railing and drained it before following the talented, beautiful singer into the house. Erin weaved among the dancers in Beth's house. Rae did not look at the faces of the people she had known for a long time. She kept her eyes riveted on Erin's firm butt and long legs and their joined hands. Erin stopped in the center of the room and spun herself into Rae's arms. She glided her hands over Rae's shoulders and pressed her body into the other woman's. Rae's hands went to Erin's waist as the singer's arms slid behind her neck. Rae could feel Erin's breasts pressing against her body. She moved her hands to the small of McAllister's back, their hips sliding against each other casually, and then dipped her hands to McAllister's bottom. She could smell the sweetness of Erin's perfume and the scent was intoxicating. She pressed her face into Erin's neck and inhaled deeply. Erin tilted her head back, exposing the flesh of her neck, her fingers combing into Rae's short brown hair. Rae pressed her lips to Erin's slender throat, her lips finding the singer's steady pulse. Rae's heartbeat was starting to accelerate as she wrestled with the reasons why she shouldn't pursue the passion she felt for Erin McAllister. All her arguments were quickly loosing weight. Erin was a beautiful woman who had made it perfectly clear where her desires lie. It made Rae feel good and sexy to be wanted by a woman who could have anyone she wanted. The paparazzi weren't aware of McAllister yet, so they wouldn't bother to take a picture even if they saw them together. If they did see them together, McAllister was a talent of Capital Records, so they could dismiss their relationship as purely professional. Things with Tara were over. Rae had cut her lover loose twice. Perhaps surrendering to her lust for Erin McAllister would help her to start letting go of Tara. The list of reasons to press forward were tilting the balance in favor of following her body's lead in pursuit of McAllister. Erin's fingers were in her hair, playing with the short strands at the back of her neck. Rae's fingers began bunching the material of Erin's skirt, the satin sliding slowly up elegant legs. Rae moved her mouth to Erin's shoulder, making tiny kisses on the exposed flesh. Erin sighed softly, the sound offering encouragement as her hands moved to Rae's shoulder, gliding down the executive's arm. They continued swaying to the music, their movements slow and deliberate, each touch a promise of the passion to come. "Take me home," Erin whispered breathlessly in Rae's ear. "Okay," Rae answered after licking her lips nervously. "Okay." She threaded her fingers between Erin's and led the young woman from the room. As she helped Erin slip on her coat, her eyes met Beth's across the room. Beth had never been a fan of Tara. She had predicted from the beginning that Rae's former classmate would never move to Nashville. She had pushed Rae toward McAllister from the moment they first heard the girl sing and had picked up on the fact that the sinewy woman was gay. It surprised Rae to see that Beth was not smiling in triumphant or encouragement as she watched her best friend prepare to leave with Erin. Beth met Rae's stare and Rae quickly looked away, her hand at the small of Erin's back as they left the party. McAllister leaned across the console as Rae steered her vehicle through downtown Nashville, whispering directions to her apartment. Rae followed the woman's instructions, trying to keep her focus on the road and not on the lust coursing through her body or on Erin's hand roaming along her thigh. Suddenly, it seemed forever since she had been touched. Four months of loneliness was about to overwhelm her as she steered into the garage of Erin's apartment building. As soon as the door to the elevator slid closed, Erin turned to face Rae. She wrapped her arms around the other woman's shoulders. Rae stepped backward till she hit the wall of the elevator. Rae slipped her hands to Erin's butt and pulled the woman against her body. McAllister lifted her face expectantly and Rae hungrily kissed her. The kiss was laced with raw passion. They stumbled out of the elevator and down the hallway to Erin's apartment. As Erin worked on the lock, Rae's hands moved over her hips, trailing lightly up her sides and teasing the swell of her breast. Erin pushed back, rubbing her bottom asked Rae's hips. Rae growled low. Erin finally got the door open and grabbed Rae's hand, pulling her handler into the room. The door slammed behind them as Rae fell against it, pulling Erin tight to her body, their mouths locked in a fiery, passionate kiss. Erin's lips tugged at Rae's. Rae's tongue explored the depths of the singer's mouth. Erin's fingers, callused from playing guitar, worked on the buttons of Rae's blouse. Rae pushed Erin's coat off her shoulders. It dropped to the floor and Rae began pushing Erin backwards, walking toward the couch in the living room. She shrugged out of her shirt as she went, and then wrapped her hands around Erin, lowering the zipper of the short dress. It sagged as Erin's legs hit the couch and they both fell backwards. Rae's lips moved down the singer's long neck, pausing to count Erin's thundering pulse with her tongue. Erin's fingers tangled in Rae's short hair as the older woman continued her journey, her lips making their way along the gentle swell of the singer's ample cleavage. Erin's fingernails scratched Rae's back, leaving light red marks as she worked free her partner's bra. Rae pulled up just enough to let the undergarment fall away. She pushed Erin's dress down, revealing two perfectly formed pale globes. Rae cupped one firm breast in her hand, her thumb flicking over the nipple. Her mouth went to the other, her tongue circling the pink areola. She twirled her tongue around the stiffening nipple. Erin moaned softly, hugging Rae's head to her breast. Erin sank her fingernails into Rae's shoulder as her lover switched to the other breast, her mouth in constant motion. The singer's hips bucked upward, every nerve in her body tied to Rae's tongue and lips. Rae dropped her free hand to Erin's leg, gliding upward as her tongue continued to tease the girl's sensitive nipples. Her hand caressed the inside of Erin's thigh, pushing the velvety material of the skirt upward. Her hand cupped Erin's mound as her mouth covered the singer's. Erin met the kiss, her tongue finding Rae's. Rae tasted Erin's mouth, her tongue gliding behind the girl's teeth. Their tongues twirled around each other. Rae traced Erin's lips, her palm rubbing against Erin's slick pussy. Erin was panting, her hips rising and falling in time with Rae's constant motion. Rae pushed her middle finger between Erin's slick lips, finding the swollen button buried within. As her palm continued caressing, her finger rubbed back and forth against her clit. Erin's body quickened the pace, rising up to meet each of Rae's strokes. Rae bowed her head to lick Erin's nipples as she pushed two fingers into Erin's deep canal. She rubbed her thumb against Erin's clit as her fingers thrust in and out. Erin arched her body, offering herself to Rae's ministrations. She moved in time with Rae's strokes, her head tossing side to side as Rae moved faster. She threw her head back, her veins bulging as she struggled to breath. Rae pounded faster, months of frustration and loneliness pouring into every movement of her body. She leaned close to Erin's ear, whispering encouragement as her hands moved quicker. The singer yelped and cried out as Rae pushed her over the edge. Her body tightened, her muscles clutching at Rae's fingers, and then spasmed violently. Rae continued to stroke, pushing Erin higher. Erin exploded again, her perfect voice echoing off the walls of the apartment. She collapsed and Rae pulled out, laying her cheek on Erin's heaving breast. They lay in silence for a while, both breathing hard. Erin twirled Rae's hair while Rae continued to tease Erin's nipple. Sometime, they both drifted off to sleep and when Rae woke, Erin had slipped away. She sat up on the couch, rubbing her face. There was a slight throbbing in her temple that would probably be a full-fledged hangover in the morning. She heard rustling behind her and turned to see Erin moving in the small kitchen. The singer was nude and Rae took a moment to enjoy the young woman's profile. Her breasts were pert, her waist slender, and her butt firm. She was a beautiful, desirable woman who was comfortable with her sexuality and sensuality. Feeling Rae's eyes on her, Erin glanced over her shoulder and smiled her dazzling smile. It reminded Rae again that this woman would soon be a star. She had a charismatic personality that seduced every member of the audience. Rae had seen her work her magic on the county fair tour last fall. She walked toward Rae and to the executive, everything seemed to move in slow motion. She handed Rae a glass of wine. "A little hair of the dog to take the edge off?" she asked with a playful smile. Rae took the glass and sipped it, allowing the alcohol to work its trick as her eyes followed Erin around the couch. Erin placed her hands on the back of the couch, her arms framing Rae's head as she leaned forward, her lips parted slightly. Rae stretched up in anticipation, moistening her lips for a kiss. Just before their mouths touched, Erin turned her head. She nibbled on Rae's neck, her lips dancing along Rae's jaw line before moving toward her lips again. Rae attempted to capture the girl's mouth, but Erin again teasingly eluded her. This time, Erin moved her mouth to Rae's ear, nibbling and blowing lightly. The game of cat and mouse continued, Rae a willing prisoner as Erin teased her with lips and tongue and breasts, never quite making full contact with her new lover. The singer kissed her way to Rae's breast, nipping and sucking and licking as she journeyed over the peaks. Her tongue circled each nipple before closing her lips to suckle gently. Rae sighed, leaning against the back of the couch and closing her eyes as Erin switched her attention to the other breast. She teased each nipple to stiff attention before pulling away, finally giving her mouth to her partner. Their tongues twirled and entwined, their lips moving against each other. Without breaking the kiss, Erin took the wine from Rae's hand, setting it aside. She took Rae's hands and tugged her off the couch. Raegan followed the goddess through the small apartment to her bedroom. Erin turned to face her, their lips meeting again as her hand went to Rae's waistband. Her fingers deftly opened the fly and her palms glided over Rae's hips, pushing the black jeans over her partner's thighs. They pooled at Rae's feet and she stepped out of them, grabbing Erin's waist and pulling the woman against her. Erin rocked her hips, contacting and pulling away from Rae several times. Rae's legs hit the side of the bed and she sat down, still holding Erin close. Erin broke the kiss, rewarding Rae with a playful, teasing smile as she knelt in front of her lover. She licked Rae's nipples, sucking on each full breast, before kissing her way down Rae's stomach. Rae leaned back on the bed, propped on her elbows so she could watch Erin's descent. She lifted her hips so that Erin could remove her underwear and then closed her eyes as the first ripple of intense pleasure washed through her body. It had been August since anyone had touched Raegan so intimately. Her body was hungry for the caress. She held her breath as the tip of Erin's tongue danced over her sensitive lips. Erin slipped her arms beneath Rae's thighs, lifting the woman's hips and opening her legs wider. Her tongue glided over Rae's lips, tasting the salty slickness before dipping inside. Raegan gasped, all the air leaving her lungs as Erin's tongue swirled playfully. She shifted her hips, trying to guide her throbbing clit to Erin's mouth. Erin easily avoided the sensitive button, remaining in complete control as she rubbed the inside of Rae's swollen lips. Panting, Rae leaned back, closing her eyes as her body trembled with yearning. She opened her eyes and tried to sit back up, placing her hand on the back of Erin's head. Her fingers tangled in long auburn hair and she fell back again as the singer finally relented and flicked the tip of her tongue against Rae's clit. Rae moaned in encouragement and Erin moved her tongue quicker. Her breasts were rising and falling as she struggled to catch her breath. She knotted her fingers in Erin's hair and pulled slightly. Erin expertly teased her, giving attention, reading Rae's body, and pulling away before Rae built too high. When Rae thought she could tolerate the waves no longer, when she was ready to beg Erin to stop the teasing and give her release, Erin closed her lips around her clit and began sucking it, her tongue drumming softly. Rae cried out as her body toppled over the precipice. As she flew off the cliff, she felt herself soaring. She floated through the air, racing toward the sky as Erin refused to relent. Just as she started plummeting toward the bottom, Erin shifted her attention and her body took flight again. Home 06: Scenes From A Broken Home The landing was slow and easy. Erin kissed the inside of her thigh, her stomach, and her lips. A half smile formed on Rae's face and Erin gazed down at her. "I think that was worth the wait." Rae laughed softly but did not reply. She couldn't form a thought, anyway. Erin curled up to her and closed her eyes. Rae's fingers danced up and down the singer's arm and stared at the dark ceiling. Valentine's Day. . . The February air was cold, the threat of snow hanging in the atmosphere. Tara was wrapped in the warm coat that Rae had bought her Christmas before last. Clay Ashe was driving the car and had just treated her to a delicious candlelight dinner, but snuggled in the coat, her heart ached for her former lover. Most of the time, she could convince herself that they had made the best decision for everyone involved, but there were times her longing for Raegan Hall felt tangible. She had dated Clay in high school and her mother had arranged for them to run into one another. Her mother had never accepted her relationship with Rae and practically forced Clay on her. They had been going out on a regular basis since Christmas. Tara did not love him. She could not imagine loving him. Even though he was attractive, she was not attracted to him. She had fought her attraction to women when she was in high school and when she was married to Billy Myers, but since she had given in to her desire with Rae, she couldn't ignore it. It wasn't just her attraction to women that kept her from truly enjoying Clay's company. She had gone to Knoxville and visited a couple of the gay clubs since she had broken up with Rae, and there had been beautiful women there who had expressed interest. Those women had the same problem that Clay had. None of them were Raegan Hall. Tara sighed softly, her breath fogging the window as she watched the street lights pass by. Across the dark car, Clay reached out to squeeze her hand. He held it for a moment, and then slipped his palm along her thigh. He slid it to the inside of her leg, pushing her skirt up as he moved. Tara calmly grabbed his wrist and moved it away. He jerked away and gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "Where are the children tonight?" he asked through clenched teeth. She turned her attention away from the window. He had asked that question as soon as he had arrived to pick her up. She had answered then, but she repeated the information for his benefit. "Billy's parents." "Do you have to go pick them up?" She shifted back to the window, her voice listless. "They are spending the night." She hated when Will and Rachel spent the night with their grandparents. Since Rae had left, the small apartment felt large and empty when the children were away. Beside her, Clay shifted and seemed to relax. Tara wondered where Rae was spending Valentine's Day. Last year, they had spent the day together. Tara had introduced Raegan to her mother. Perhaps last Valentine's Day had been the beginning of the end for them. Her parents' reaction to her relationship with Tara had opened her eyes to the way the world viewed homosexuals. Tara had thought that she was ready to deal with the world, but when Billy's parents had threatened to sue for custody of the children, she had frozen with fear. She thought about calling Rae when Clay dropped her off and wondered how her ex would react. She could convince herself that Raegan would be home, even on Valentine's Day. She sat up a little in the car, a half smile forming on her lips as she imagined what she would say. When Clay parked the car at her apartment complex, Tara jerked from her reprieve in surprise and sadness because she knew she couldn't call Rae. Telephoning Rae would only tease their emotions. They couldn't be together. Tara wouldn't do that to Rae's heart or her own. Clay walked around the car and opened the door for her. She allowed him to help her out of the car and walk her up the steps. At the door to her apartment, Rae still on her mind, she turned to face him. "I had a nice time tonight. Happy Valentine's Day." He placed his hand on the door behind her, leaning into her. With his other hand, he played with the collar of her jacket, and then slid it up her neck to cup her cheek and jaw. He leaned in to kiss her, but just before his lips touched hers, she turned away. He threaded his fingers into her hair and clenched them into a fist, pulling her hair. "I'm tired of this game, Tara," he growled through clamped teeth. He grabbed her keys from her hand, unlocked the door, and pushed her inside. She stumbled and sprawled on the floor as he followed her inside. She scrambled backwards as he turned and locked the door and flipped the deadbolt. "Clay," she gasped as he approached her. Her voice was filled with confusion and surprise. He reached down and pulled her to her feet, his grip biting into her upper arm. "Clay, what are you doing?" "I'll tell you what I'm doing; I'm taking what I deserve. You have played coy with me and I have gotten little more than a peck on the cheek for two months. I'm through with it. You're going to spread your legs for me and beg me for more." He threw her against the couch where she slept. Tara felt her heart pounding in fear as she watched his hands go to his fly. He advanced toward her and she attempted to escape, but he fell over her. He tore her blouse, the buttons popping as he jerked it open and slipped his hand inside. He roughly grabbed her breast and squeezed it. He pushed her bra aside and pinched her nipple, twisting it until she cried out. His fingers bit into her soft flesh. The more she twisted in an attempt to escape, the rougher his touch became. He pulled her skirt to her waist and tugged her panties aside. He forced three fingers inside her and she flinched, trying to pull away as he violently thrust them in and out. He laid his arm across her throat and pressed down. Both of her hands went to his arm and tried to push him away, but she could not budge his strength. She couldn't breathe and began to panic, her body bucking as she tried to throw him off. Her head felt light and the room began to spin. Just as the room started to darken, he pulled away. She sucked oxygen into her lungs, not even noticing that he pulled out his fingers. He pushed her legs open and knelt between them, pulling his cock out of his pants. The world came back to her as he thrust it inside her tight canal. Pain exploded inside of her as he tore her fragile walls. She had not had a man inside her since Rachel was conceived and hadn't had sex since Rae had left in August. He was thrusting, his hips slamming into her as he pushed himself deeper, oblivious to her reaction. "Your pussy licking whore couldn't do this to you, could she? She couldn't really fuck you," he snapped as his hips bucked forcefully. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she bit her knuckle to keep from crying out at the hurt coursing through her. He slapped her face. The sound was so satisfying he grunted and slapped her again. Her cheek tingled where he had made contact. His hips were moving more aggressively, slamming her body as he rocked in and out of her. He reached between them and began rubbing her clit with his finger. "You want to forget your cunt sucker? Come on, give yourself to me," he growled in her ear. And then, her body betrayed her. The pain became less as wetness coated her walls and his movements became easier. Her clit tightened and waves of sensation radiated through the pit of her stomach. She gasped in surprise and he took the sound as encouragement, quickening his pace. His finger rotated faster, causing the spirals to increase. Her tears flowed freely, a sob caught in her throat. She placed her hands over her face, praying that he would finish soon and it would be over, even as a moan escaped from her lips. "I knew you would like it," he snarled. His words were like ice, but her body was already too far gone. She was trembling, her nipples hard, as he continued grunting above her. "No matter what you say, you aren't a dyke. You'll never think about that lesbo again." He grunted again and arched, groaning low as he emptied into her. He continued working his finger, rocking her clit, building her body's natural instincts until she jerked and spasmed. There was no pleasure in the orgasm. It simply happened because her body was manipulated. She was panting and still crying, her sobs racking her body. He pulled out of her and buttoned his pants. She rolled away so that she faced the back of the couch. He patted her back and spoke in a patronizing tone. "There, there. I knew you would like it. You don't have to thank me." "Get out," she hissed. "Get out of my house." "You'll feel better tomorrow," he assured. "I'll call you then." She heard the locks on the door click and then it opened and shut. Knowing she was alone, she cried harder. In Nashville . . . The phone ringing yanked Raegan Hall out of sleep. It wasn't a peaceful sleep. She hadn't truly slept well since August. Her heart pounding, she stared at the dark ceiling, aware of Erin McAllister's naked body curled beside her. The phone buzzed again and Rae sat up straight. She knew that ringtone. She untangled herself from the covers and fumbled through the dark for her jeans. She pulled them on as she took the phone out of her pocket. "Tara?" she whispered, the name stuck in her throat. She heard crying first. "Hello. Tara?" Rae repeated. "Do you still love me?" Tara asked. Rae froze in her quest for her shirt, her brow crinkled. "What?" "Do you still love me?" "Rae?" Erin called from the bed. "Because if you still love me, I want you to come get me," Tara continued. "Rae? Who are you talking to?" Erin asked. Rae looked over her shoulder at Erin and tried to silence her, but it was too late. "Oh my god," Tara said. "You are with someone. I. . .I'm so sorry. I feel like such a fool." With that, Tara hung up. Rae cursed and pushed re-dial, finally locating her shirt. She slipped her arms into the sleeves as she walked into Erin's living room. Tara's phone rang and went to voicemail. "Tara, honey, answer the phone." She hung up and grabbed her keys. "What's going on?" Erin's groggy voice asked. She was standing at the bedroom door wrapped in the comforter from the bed. Rae looked at the young woman and talented singer and felt nothing. Her heart was frozen in panic for Tara. "I've got to go," she said, knowing any explanation she offered would not make any sense. "Is everything all right?" Erin quizzed as she shuffled across the room. The tone of her voice was genuinely concerned and that made Rae hate herself even more. "I don't know," Rae answered honestly. "I've got to go. I'll talk to you in a few days." Erin turned her face up expectantly for a kiss. Reluctantly, Rae bent and kissed the corner of Erin's mouth and then hurried out the door before her lover of the last two months could ask any more questions. She pushed re-dial again but Tara still did not answer. "Tara, call me back." Rae knew Tara would not call back and as she slid behind the wheel of her car, she knew she didn't want her to return the call. Rae knew what she had to do if she was ever going to have a peaceful night again and she did not want Tara trying to talk her out of it. The music executive pulled into a parking space at Tara's apartment building six hours later. She had stopped at her house long enough to take a shower and pack a bag. The sun had broken over the mountains as she had sped into East Tennessee. She stared at the building, afraid of what she might find when she walked up the steps. Tara's voice had carried such desperation when she had called last night that it had chilled Rae's blood. Furthermore, she didn't know how Tara would react to her showing up unannounced. She could only hope that the woman she loved truly meant her words last night. Determined that sitting in the car would reveal no answers, she got out and walked up the steps, her heart thudding more painfully with every step. She started to knock on the door but did not want to wake the children. Her trembling hand took the key Tara had given her a year ago and never taken back. She clicked the lock and pushed open the door. It caught and she frowned as she realized that Tara had the door chained. She rapped lightly on it and called through the opening. "Tara, its Rae. Let me in. Tara? Please." "Go away," Tara said. "No. Let me in. Please, baby." "I'm not your baby," Tara replied in a broken voice. Rae could tell Tara's voice was closer so she took that as encouragement. "You didn't let me answer your question last night." She paused, listening for Tara to respond. The other woman remained silent. "I do still love you. I can't stop loving you." "Who were you with last night?" Rae started to say, "No one," but she didn't want to lie to Tara. She also wanted to say, "No one important," but she knew that would be a lie, too. "Someone who could never fill my heart the way you do," she finally answered. "Tara, open the door. Let me in. Please, I love you." The door pushed to a close and Rae stepped back, trembling as she waited to see what Tara would do. Her heart soared when she heard the chain slide out of the bolt and the door reopened. She pushed through the moment she could and turned to take Tara into her arms. She folded her arms around Tara, pulling her lover close. After just a second's hesitation, Tara slid her arms around Rae's waist. She laid her cheek against Rae's shoulder and cried quietly. And Rae, her heart full, cried, too.