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The Collector
by
Kim Pritekel
Part 29
The intense rays of the newly-risen sun shook Remmy from her deep, dreamless sleep. She was lying on her stomach in the middle of the bed, naked, a sheet barely covering her from the hips down. Lifting her head, she blinked a few times, trying to remember why her body was so sore. With jolting clarity, it hit her.
Turning to her back and sitting up, Remmy looked around the small room, noting only her clothing, which had been folded and placed on top of the dresser. The door was closed, the TV turned off. She ran a hand through her hair, pushing it away from her face. For just a moment she felt out of sorts, and slightly worried. Julie’s voice carried in from the open window, followed by one of the dogs barking. It sounded like Clyde, Remmy noted.
Remmy quickly dressed and padded downstairs, unsure of what she would find. She noted that Julie’s bed was still made, exactly how it had been the night before, so obviously the blonde had stayed with her the entire night. A good sign, she figured. Hoped.
One side of the French doors were open, allowing the cool, early morning breeze to enter the house before the heat of the day struck. She smelled fresh coffee, but wanted to see Julie.
The blonde was curled up in one of the patio chairs, dressed only in an oversized shirt. A cup of coffee was cupped between her palms. She had the most serene smile on her lips as she stared off toward the horizon. It was so beautiful, Remmy didn’t want to disturb her, but needn’t have worried. Julie knew she was there.
“Hi,” Julie said, setting her coffee cup aside and uncurling herself. She padded over to Remmy, the cement cold on her bare feet. She could see the uncertainty in guarded blue eyes. She smiled at Remmy, trying to erase her worries, and slid her arms around Remmy’s waist, resting her head against her shoulder. Strong arms immediately wrapped protectively around Julie’s shoulders. She turned her face into Remmy’s neck, inhaling her scent.
“Why’d you get up?” Remmy asked, lightly nuzzling Julie’s hair.
“I felt the need to watch the sun rise,” Julie explained, turning her head again to stare out at the yard, the sun smoothly rising for the new day. “I feel reborn, and wanted to share that with the birth of a new day.”
“I missed you this morning.”
Julie hummed happily. “I’m here.”
Remmy stroked long, blonde hair. She also stared out at the day in front of them, wondering what it would bring. Last night had been the single most amazing experience of her life, and today she was nearly bursting with love for Julie. Underneath the new-found happiness was a niggling worry.
“What is it?” Julie asked softly, placing a soft kiss to Remmy’s neck before stepping away far enough to look at the brunette, who gave her a brave smile.
“Nothing.”
Julie raised a brow. “Don’t lie…”
“I was just thinking about your previous vocation,” Remmy said, brushing a few strands of blonde, caught on the morning breeze, out of Julie’s face.
“Previous vocation?” Julie said, brows drawn in confusion.
“As a straight woman.”
Julie chuckled at Remmy’s choice in words, dropping her hands from Remmy’s shoulders. “I was thinking about that this morning, too.” She hugged herself with a sigh, watching as the dogs chased each other. She wondered if those two ever stayed still.
Remmy said nothing, just walked over to the steps leading into the house, perching on the top one, elbows balanced on her spread knees. She hoped life wouldn’t be so cruel as to finally bring Julie into her life then take her away on such a tedious technicality.
“You know, Remmy, I’ve never given any thought to sexuality before. Never thought about any of it, just went with the flow. I’ve never looked at a woman with particular interest, and honestly,” she glanced at Remmy from over her shoulder. “Never really thought about a man, either. They just seemed to be the ones who asked me out, I guess.” Her smile was small. She turned, facing Remmy, watching as the intense rays of the morning sun shone into her blue eyes, making them to glow, the burnished red highlights in her hair forming a burning halo around her head. “I don’t see what we have as a matter of sexuality. I see it as the meeting of two souls, intertwined irrevocably.”
“Society won’t see it that way, Julie,” Remmy said softly, silently screaming at herself for throwing logic at the blonde.
“I know,” Julie said, turning back toward the new day. “But,” she said, again facing Remmy. “If I have you, I can face anything.”
“You’ll always have me.” Remmy pushed to her feet, walking over to Julie and raising her chin with two fingers. Julie fell into the promising kiss, allowing her mouth to open, inviting Remmy inside. Julie felt herself melting against the solid body she leaned against, her fingers finding Remmy’s hair and burying themselves there. “Can I have you for breakfast?” Remmy whispered against Julie’s lips, her hands gliding down her back, finding the hem of the long t-shirt. Julie whimpered when Remmy’s hands found her bare bottom, squeezing slightly.
“Breakfast is served,” Julie murmured, pressing herself against Remmy.
An hour later, Remmy held Julie’s back to her front, spooning her on the couch. Their clothing was scattered around the room, the living room as far as they had gotten. Remmy ran her hand all along Julie’s naked thigh, and up and over her hip, just to feel the softness of her skin. Julie lay with her hand on Remmy’s arm, eyes half-closed in bliss at being touched. If she could, she would purr.
“They think they might know who killed Yvonne and Tyler Bailey,” Remmy said quietly, nuzzling her face into the back of Julie’s neck, bringing her hand to rest on the blonde’s stomach, pulling them even closer together.
“The ring?” Julie asked, running her fingertips in lazy patterns on Remmy’s forearm. She felt Remmy’s nod.
“Yeah. It was a college ring. Belongs to a guy named Dennis Collins, who has disappeared.” She laid a trail of soft kisses along Julie’s shoulder, finally resting her chin there. “Apparently he used to work for Yvonne’s husband, Clive. There’s some evidence that he and Yvonne may have been having an affair.”
“Oh, no,” Julie whispered, lacing her fingers with Remmy’s, and bringing their conjoined hands to her mouth, kissing Remmy’s palm.
“I think he lost the ring while he was digging Tyler’s grave.”
“Is that what Grace was talking to you about at their house?”
“Yeah.” Remmy sighed. “I have a decision to make, Julie.”
Julie turned to her back, Remmy looking down at her. She could hear the heaviness in the brunette’s voice. “About what?”
“Grace wants to continue to use me, to have me help them with cases like yours and the Bailey’s. No leads.”
Julie studied Remmy’s face, seeing the dark shadows in her eyes. She reached a hand up, caressing the side of her face, Remmy’s closing in pleasure at the gentle touches. “And what do you think?”
Blue eyes slowly opened, looking off into a distance that Julie could not join her in. Her fingers absently rubbed over Julie’s stomach, up between her breasts, just to feel her, feel her skin. What did she think, indeed. Though wrong about Tyler’s death, she knew that she had helped the police by finding his grave. He may never have been found, Collins maybe getting away with two counts of murder. She gazed down at Julie’s patient face, her fingers brushing against dark blonde brows.
The heartbreak came back to Remmy when she had thought it had been Julie that had died at Sergio’s hand, and not Roxie. She thought of the scars on her back from a bullet wound, which she would do again tomorrow, if it were for Julie. She thought about the return home for three women, a mad man stopped.
“What’s going through your head?” Julie asked, taking Remmy’s hand from her face and tucking it against her chest, after kissing her knuckles.
“I’m thinking that it drains me, emotionally, physically. But, I’m also thinking that there’s no way I couldn’t do it. I was given this ability for a reason, and I think it would be the utmost selfish not to use it..”
Julie smiled at the soft words, curling her hand around the back of Remmy’s neck, pulling her down. “I love you,” she whispered, bringing Remmy’s lips to her own.
Remmy moved on top of her, gently insinuating a thigh between Julie’s legs, which opened for her. They both sighed into the kiss, hips pressing against each other in a slow, lazy thrust. They continued to kiss, slow and leisurely. Their lust was sated. This was about a deep need to connect, no destination in mind, only the pleasure of the slow journey.
Julie’s hands ran down Remmy’s back, fingernails grazing across Remmy’s buttocks, making the brunette flex in response. The kiss broke, both beginning to breathe too hard as the pleasure slowly built, though Remmy refused to increase the speed of her thrusts, bringing them both to a slow, but intense climax, Julie crying out as she held Remmy to her, Remmy’s face buried in her neck.
Remmy tried to catch her breath, moving off of the blonde. Julie held her. “No, stay.” Remmy rested her head on Julie’s upper chest, humming happily as her hair was combed through. “Interesting little interlude,” Julie chuckled, making Remmy smile. “What did you tell Grace?”
“I told her to give me some time to think about it, and I’d get back to her.”
“You’ll make the right choice, Rem. I’m sure of it.”
Chapter 59
“Are you sure this is okay?” Remmy asked, glancing nervously at Julie as they finished putting clean sheet on the bed in the bedroom she had been using, before moving into Julie’s room.
Julie stopped, putting a knee on the mattress as she reached across, putting a hand on Remmy’s. “Stop. Yes, as I’ve told you about a dozen times this morning, it’s very okay. Your cousin is always welcome here, Remmy. Okay?”
Remmy shyly met Julie’s gaze, chewing on her lower lip as she nodded. “And you’re sure you don’t want me to stay in one of the guest bedrooms?”
With a frustrated growl, Julie grabbed Remmy by the front of the shirt, pulling her onto the bed, then straddling her hips, effectively pinning the brunette to the bed. She planted her hands to the mattress on either side of Remmy’s head. She felt warm hands grasp her hips.
“What’s your deal?” Julie asked, tilting her head enough for all of her hair to gather on one side. “Why so insecure today?”
Remmy felt stupid, Julie’s gaze pinning her to the spot. She knew she couldn’t lie to her. However, before she had a chance to respond, Julie sat up slightly, her lips opening as something occurred to her.
“Wait,” Julie said, “you’re not embarrassed of us, are you? Do you not want Monica to see us together?” Julie squealed as suddenly she found their positions completely reversed, Remmy looking down at her, blue eyes twinkling.
“Now who’s being insecure?” she asked, a lopsided grin quirking her lips. “I could never be embarrassed or ashamed of you, or of what we share. On the same note, though, this is very new for you, Julie. We can be every bit the couple behind the safety of the walls of our house, but to the world…”
Julie looked up into Remmy’s face. Though her eyes shined with amusement, Julie knew she had a very valid point. She had to admit she had yet to tell her brother about the turn in events, which he, himself had predicted. If she were completely honest with herself, and with Remmy, she was scared to death to walk outside those walls, but ultimately she knew she couldn’t be unfair to Remmy, couldn’t be unfair to what they had. She loved Remmy with all her heart, and would let nothing get between them.
Reaching up a hand, she cupped Remmy’s cheek. “I love you, Remmy. I want your cousin here, and I want her to see how happy you are. I want her to see us.”
Remmy smiled, placing a soft kiss to even softer lips, but sobered quickly. “I have an idea, though I have no idea what you’ll think of it.”
“Read my mind,” Julie teased, grinning as Remmy rolled her eyes.
“Uh, no. I think you’d have my head for that one.”
“Probably. Okay, what’s your idea?” Julie twirled a random strand of dark hair around her finger.
“What if, while Monica is here, we have a barbecue. You know, invite those that we’re close to- Matt and Skylar, Grace and Chris, Joan….”
“Get it over with in one fell swoop?” Julie guess, finishing Remmy’s unspoken thought. At Remmy’s nod, Julie sighed, glancing out toward the window. She knew she had to, but her stomach roiled at the possibility. She could feel Remmy’s eyes on her, and knew she was waiting for an answer. Meeting blue eyes again, Julie nodded. “Okay,” she said softly. The absolute look of joy she received was worth it all.
***
Monica looked around at the tiny sports car, eyes finally resting on her cousin’s profile as she easily maneuvered it through traffic, headed back to the small town of Woodland.
“You look fantastic, Remmy,” she marveled. She hadn’t seen the brunette since Remmy had left Omaha in the spring, but now, nearly four months later, Remmy was all but glowing. Her eyes were bright, step light, and physically she looked phenomenal. She’d put on some weight, and looked healthier than she’d ever seen her. They spoke on the phone at least once or twice a week, but Remmy had been fairly hush hush about her personal life.
Remmy grinned over at her cousin, only daring to take her eyes off the road for a second. Julie would have her ass if she let anything happen to the Miata. “Thanks. You, too. I bet you’re glad to get away for a few days, huh?”
“Oh, yeah. It’ll be so nice to get away, disappear in your little town.” She glanced at the scenery around them, appreciating all the trees and green, green grass. “So, you said you had some things to talk to me about.” She returned her gaze to Remmy’s profile. “What’s up? And where the heck did you get this cute little car?”
“It’s Julie’s.”
“Julie? Julie who? You didn’t mention you were seeing anyone.”
“Wellll, I am.” Remmy grinned, unable to keep the evil out of it. “Julie, as in Julie Wilson. She’s the reason I came back to Woodland, Monica.”
Monica was utterly confused. She had heard the name before, and thought it was one of the women Remmy had saved from that mad man. “You’re talking about the woman who was kidnapped, right?”
“The very one.”
Twin brows rose. “You saved her life, and now you’re driving her car around?”
“Mon, I don’t just rent a room from her. Yes, that’s how it started, but she and I connect in a way that I can’t explain to you. She’s a part of me, and I’m a part of her. We love each other very much.”
Monica was stunned. She knew her cousin’s sexual preferences- she’d watched her hop into bed with enough women in their wild days, but she had never known Remmy to share anything with anyone, other than her body and maybe a bright smile. “So, you’re in love?”
Remmy nodded, silently grinning as she could hear the wheels turning in her cousin’s head. Monica knew her history better than anyone. “Very much.”
“Holy crap.”
***
Remmy made another pass, finishing the last two strips of the lawn mowing. She glanced from time to time over at the back patio, watching as Monica and Julie got everything ready for the barbecue, which would start in a couple hours. She admitted, she had been nervous for Monica and Julie to meet, unsure just what her cousin would think. The worry had hardly been necessary.
Two days ago, as soon as Remmy and Monica had arrived back at the house from the airport, Monica had accepted the tour Remmy offered, then they’d settled into the kitchen where Julie already had dinner ready for them. At first, the conversation had been somewhat stale, neither Monica nor Julie sure what to do or say to the other. But, soon enough the ice had been broken, and it was immediately obvious that the two women had found a kindred spirit in the other.
When Remmy wasn’t the chosen target for both Julie and Monica, who quickly ganged up, she simply sat back and watched, delighted that the two most important people in her life were quickly becoming friends.
That night, as Remmy and Julie had lain in bed, Remmy spooned around the blonde, Julie had thanked her for bringing Monica into their lives.
“Hey!” Julie yelled above the motor of the lawn mower. “Chop, chop! Quit your daydreaming!”
Remmy glared playfully, then continued with her work.
***
“It is far too gorgeous out here,” Grace hummed, resting on one of the loungers that had been set out. Remmy grinned, sitting on a matching one.
“That it is. I’m sorry Chris couldn’t come today, Grace.”
The detective waved her off. “Don’t worry about it. He was pissed he had to work, but you know what?” she glanced over at her friend, meeting the sunglasses that Remmy wore. “I can’t tell you how many times he went to events, games with his friends, whatnot, while I worked.” She grinned back up to the hot, late June sky. “I think turnabout’s fair play.”
Remmy chuckled. “Indeed it is.” She glanced over at the patio, sensing Julie’s presence. Sure enough, the blonde stood with a glass of iced tea in her hand, seeming to be in a deep conversation with Monica. She grinned in complete contentment. Grace smiled in noting the sigh from her friend. Ahhh, true love.
“I’m thinking that I might try and get back to sixth grade next year, maybe,” Julie said, chewing on her bottom lip in thought. “I don’t know. I’ve never taught seventh before, so who knows,” she shrugged with a grin. “I may like it better.”
“Julie,” Matt said, stepping up next to the women. He gave Monica an apologetic smile. “Can I steal you for a minute?”
Julie groaned internally. Here we go. “I’ll be back in a few, Monica. Go eat some more. Lord knows I made enough hamburgers!”
Julie followed her brother into the house where he stopped in the kitchen. From the window there, they could easily see the small party, Julie’s gaze landing on Remmy and Grace, chatting and lying around like fat cats in their loungers. “What’s up?” she asked finally, keeping her voice as chipper as possible.
“So, were you planning on coming clean with me? About you and Remmy?” he asked, keeping his voice even. He didn’t want to fight with his sister, but he did feel he deserved an explanation.
“Come clean? Matt,” Julie sighed, annoyed. “I don’t owe you anything, okay? I’m happy. Isn’t that enough for you?”
Matt leaned against the counter, arms crossed over his chest. “How did it happen?” he asked quietly.
Julie shrugged. She mirrored his position against the butcher block island. “I don’t really know, to be honest. It just felt so right.”
Matt eyed her, “To…” he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
Julie smiled softly, reaching across to place her hand on his forearm. “To love her, Matt. It’s the most natural, right thing I’ve ever done. I didn’t realize it, but I’ve been looking for her my whole life.”
“I really don’t get it, Jules,” Matt sighed, placing his much larger hand over hers. “Yes, it means a lot to me that you’re happy. In truth, I’ve never seen you this happy.” Finally he was able to meet her gaze, a boyish grin spreading. “I guess it’s better than seeing you with Ray Lambert.”
Julie rolled her eyes. “Gee, thanks. Somehow I think seeing me ‘shack up’ as you called it, with a lamp post would be better than Ray Lambert.”
Matt chuckled, crossing the couple steps until he stood directly in front of the blonde. He took her in a warm hug, resting his chin on her head. “I love you, Jules. I’m really glad she makes you happy.”
Julie closed her eyes, head resting against her brother’s broad chest. “She does,” she murmured, arms wrapped around his back. “Now we just need to find you someone to make you just as happy.”
Matt grinned. “I don’t know, her cousin’s kinda cute.” He jerked at the pinch to his side, holding his sister closer.
Chapter 60
Remmy lay on her back, hands behind her head. She tried to keep her eyes off the woman sleeping next to her, but was having a hell of a time. They had agreed they’d behave while Monica stayed with them, her bedroom right next door. Her cousin would leave the following morning, Julie would drop her off at the airport before heading to the school to start organizing everything that had belonged to her, all packed up and stored after her disappearance the year before. Julie was lying on her side, back facing Remmy.
With an internal growl, Remmy returned to contemplating the ceiling above them.
“I can’t sleep, either,” Julie murmured, never changing her position.
Remmy glanced at her, surprised to hear the soft words. She turned to her side, scooting over until she was pressed against Julie’s naked back. “Why can’t you sleep?” she asked, maneuvering herself closer until her crotch nicely cupped Julie’s butt.
“Because my body won’t obey,” she said with a sigh.
Remmy chuckled, her hand, which had rested on Julie’s hip moved up along the blonde’s side, squeezing underneath Julie’s arm, until she cupped one of the blonde’s breasts. Julie sighed, relaxing into the touch.
“You are so not helping the issue, Remmy,” Julie murmured, wiggling back into the brunette even as she spoke.
“No, but I could help the issue.”
Julie smiled, running her hand up and over Remmy’s hip. “I’m sure you could. But, wasn’t it you that recommended we not act like, oh, what were your words, ‘horny fourteen year old boys’, while Monica is here?” She smiled at the low chuckle that was released against the back of her neck, the sound making her shiver.
“I never said that,” Remmy said, her hand beginning to lightly fondle the breast, the nipple already hard against her palm.
“You most certainly did.” Julie had to fight against the moan that tried to escape. She knew she would never be able to win this battle, but it would be fun to try.
“I must’ve been out of my mind, or half asleep or something,” Remmy reasoned, her lips finding the back of Julie’s neck. She smiled at the soft whimper and slight jerk of Julie’s hips against her. She returned the movement, already feeling herself wet and very aroused.
“We really shouldn’t, Remmy,” Julie whispered, though her protest didn’t even sound believable to her own ears.
“I haven’t been able to touch you in two nights,” Remmy whispered against Julie’s ear, swiping at the lobe. “Three days…”
Julie gasped as her nipple was taken between two very nimble fingers, sensation shooting to her lower belly. She couldn’t respond, her body stirring wide awake, and very responsive. Finally she turned over until she was facing Remmy. “We have to be really quiet,” she whispered against her lips.
“Very quiet,” Remmy agreed, bridging the scant distance between them and kissing Julie deeply, pushing the blonde to her back in the process.
Julie moaned breathily into Remmy’s mouth, her legs spreading to make room for the brunette’s body that settled on top of her. She could never get enough of the feel of Remmy’s skin against her own. Sometimes she wondered how she’d lived without it. “Oh, yes,” she whispered, knowing fingers and lips running a fiery trail across her skin until finally her breast was consumed by a hot, demanding mouth.
Remmy was lost in the bliss of Julie’s gorgeous body, her hand cupping her other breast as she feasted on the second one. She could feel Julie’s hips thrusting lightly against her, the blonde’s immense wetness painting Remmy’s stomach. She groaned at the feel, her fingers itching to explore.
Julie gasped, back arching when she felt gentle fingers slide through her wetness, legs falling open further. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to concentrate on the feelings Remmy was stirring up within her. She could feel Remmy press herself against her thigh, almost burning the blonde’s skin with her need. Her hand began to run down over Remmy’s back, meaning to reach around to Remmy’s own sex, but stopped as Remmy’s fingers found Julie’s extremely hard clit. She soaked up the pleasure at the pressure that was being given. Suddenly she realized she wanted more. She wanted to complete the circle.
Remmy was busy exploring Julie’s neck when a hand was down between the blonde’s legs, resting upon her own hand. She stopped, worried for a moment she’d done something to displease Julie, and lifted her head, meeting green eyes. All she saw there was love and intense desire. As she held Julie’s gaze, she felt those fingers guide her own to Julie’s entrance. Remmy raised a questioning brow, only receiving a passionate kiss in answer.
Julie groaned low in her throat as Remmy entered her, her hips rising to meet the intrusion. She was nervous, her stomach somewhat queasy, but she had to keep reminding herself that it was Remmy, and this was done out of love.
Fully inside, Remmy kissed Julie once more before pulling back to rest on her forearm, brushing blonde hair away from Julie’s face. She began to move, slowly sliding in and out, watching as green eyes slid closed, a wrinkle of concentration forming between Julie’s brows. She couldn’t look away, in awe of the gift she was being given.
Julie felt the fingers filing her, the soft lips that brushed across her face and lips, and the fell and smell of Remmy’s skin. Remmy. It was Remmy who was inside her, claiming her. That thought started her orgasm low in her belly, building and gaining speed and heat.
Remmy was surprised when Julie’s body convulsed around her, hot wetness soaking her fingers and hand. Julie did her best to keep quiet, but Remmy helped, absorbing all her cries with her own mouth.
Slowly Julie felt herself calming, her body jerking with a few aftershocks from one of the most intense experiences of her life. She closed her thighs, keeping Remmy deep inside her as she wrapped the brunette in grateful arms, kissing her deeply. “I love you,” she breathed again and again. Finally releasing Remmy’s arm, the brunette was able to take her completely into her arms, stroking Julie’s back as the blonde was pulling on top of her. Her own body still burned, but at the moment, it was far more important to hold Julie, to let her know through her actions just how much she was loved and how grateful Remmy was. She smiled into the darkness, holding Julie close.
Chapter 61
Remmy broke down the box, tossing the flattened cardboard to the polished tile, then taking her utility knife from her back pocket, slicing through the tape of yet another box. The shelves were pretty damn empty, and Remmy was irritated. She was going to have to have a chat with Joan about the other employees and how much they didn’t do. The only reason she wasn’t ready to commit murder was because the store was pretty slow, as it was in the middle of a Monday afternoon. Everyone had gone back to work in the bustling little town. So, other than having to stop now and then to take care of a gasoline customer, she’d been table to work pretty much undisturbed.
She heard the bells above the door jingle and glanced up over the shoulder-height shelving units, made at just such a height so any part of the store could be seen from anywhere else in the store. She saw the young man step inside, his short, brown hair slightly hanging in his eyes. He was dressed casually, t-shirt and jeans.
“Can I help you?” she asked, letting him know she was there. He glanced at her, studying her for a moment, then shook his head.
“Nope. Not yet.”