Destiny Read online

  Destiny

  Kira Chase

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  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Destiny

  Copyright © 2006 Kira Chase

  ISBN: 1-55410-707-5

  Cover art and design by Sara Creasy

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

  Published by eXtasy Books

  www.extasybooks.com

  Dedication

  To my wonderful family for their love and support.

  Chapter One

  Rachel impatiently glanced around the small cramped office, her eyes finally resting on the large clock hanging a bit crookedly on the wall. She let out a heavy sigh. Fifteen more minutes and she could breathe in the fresh air of freedom. She rubbed her eyes as she stared at her computer screen, then let her gaze drift over to her two co-workers watching as their fingers nimbly punched the keyboard keys in an effort to beat their self imposed deadlines. Every so often, their attention was drawn to the clock as they typed even faster.

  As Rachel watched them, an uneasy feeling of being trapped, a feeling that was becoming more frequent with each passing day, crept over her and she wondered if they ever felt the same way she did. Often she sensed that they really were content with their jobs and lives as they frequently shared intimate details with her. She was cautious not to share too much of her own personal life. They knew she’d been married and divorced, but they could never know why she had no interest in men instead assuming she’d been burned too often. Small town bigotry was something she’d never understand, but she was smart enough to know that she had to protect herself at all costs. Small minds didn’t change easily.

  She often times wondered what her co-workers secret to contentment was, though. How could they want nothing more out of life? Was nine to five all there was? Was having a job all that mattered in their lives? She didn’t think she could live another moment if all life had to offer her for the rest of her life was this God awful boring existence. Was this discontentment part of her sexual orientation or did all women feel this way at a certain point in their lives? The women she’d known never talked about it if they did feel it. Maybe it was one of those things women just kept to themselves. She couldn’t bear another day in this office. There had to be more than this to life and she was determined to break away from the pack and set her yearning nature free.

  ———

  Rachel stood on the porch of her apartment building anxiously awaiting the familiar Toyota. When it finally turned into her driveway, she ran to the car barely giving the driver a chance to stop as Rachel grabbed the door handle and jumped into the passenger seat.

  “Wow, you must have really missed me today,” Kerri Tabor said grinning widely.

  Rachel didn’t respond. Kerri peered at her then gently pushed Rachel’s hair back from her face. Rachel’s tears were on her fingertips. “What’s the matter, honey?” she softly asked with a trace of alarm in her voice.

  “Everything.” Her lips trembled. She shook her head slowly back and forth. “I don’t know…it’s just how I feel.”

  Kerri enclosed her in her arms, and then grabbed a tissue from the glove box. She tenderly dabbed at Rachel ‘s eyes. “Don’t cry, baby. It’ll be all right.”

  Rachel flashed Kerri a weak smile. “I hope so,” she answered in a wobbly voice.

  Kerri patted her shoulder. “Where do you want to go, Rachel?”

  “I don’t care. I just need to be alone with you.”

  She nodded. “We need to talk about what’s gotten you so upset.”

  Rachel sighed. “I don’t have a clue. I just feel so muddled up inside. I’m frustrated and restless and I don’t even know why.” She closed her eyes as she leaned her head back against the headrest.

  “You know I’m always here for you, Rae.” Kerri stroked Rachel’s hair, then slowly backed out of the driveway and headed toward her small two-room apartment.

  Once inside the security of Kerri’s apartment, Rachel curled up on the sofa with her feet tucked under her.

  Kerri popped a movie into the DVD player. “Do you want anything?”

  Rachel shook her head. “Just to be with you.” She loved being here with Kerri often referring to Kerri’s apartment as their private love nest. She looked over at Kerri thankful for what the woman had given her, not only physically, but also emotionally. Rachel would forever be grateful for Kerri’s trust and friendship.

  Kerri’s short-cropped brown hair was disheveled as usual. She was pretty in her own right, but downplayed her looks, rarely using any type of makeup unless it was absolutely necessary. She was at home in sweats or jeans and flannel shirts. She was a thirty-two year old tomboy and that was one of the things that had attracted Rachel to her two years ago. Rachel was the complete opposite of Kerri. She was comfortable, proud of her femininity, and very happy to do everything under the sun to enhance it at every opportunity.

  Kerri caught Rachel’s eye and smiled as she started the movie then sat next to Rachel. She slipped an arm around Rachel ‘s shoulder drawing her close.

  Rachel contentedly leaned her head back against Kerri ‘s chest. “Ker, can I ask you something?”

  “Of course, honey, you can ask me anything.” She squeezed Rachel’s arm. “You should know that by now.”

  Rachel ‘s eyes lowered. “Do you love me?”

  She laughed. “Now that’s a silly question.”

  “I’m serious,” Rachel persisted. “Would you miss me if we weren’t together?”

  She frowned. “Where’s this going, Rachel? You know how I feel about you. I’d be devastated if we weren’t together.” She kissed Rachel’s cheek. “Maybe I should remind you just how important you are to me,” she murmured caressing Rachel ‘s neck.

  “Is your love for me only physical?”

  Kerri sat up straight. “Rachel, I’ve never met anyone like you before. Can’t you see that we have so much more together than just a physical relationship? My God, we’re not kids. If I wanted only sex then I could get that anywhere. I love your compassion, intelligence, and your wonderful sense of humor. I’m hoping that in the near future we’ll finally be able to move in together.”

  “When?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Honey, I’m trying to save enough so we can afford a decent place. Do you want to move in here with me? Is that what this is all about?”

  She took a deep breath. “I don’t want to stay in Wilson Point, period. There’s nothing here for us.” She searched Kerri’s eyes. “We’re still young and we should just pack up and go somewhere far from here before it’s too late. I’m tired of having to keep our relationship a secret.”

  Kerri’s brow puckered. “I think that’s easier said than done. I’m still in design school and with my part time job, I’m lucky I have any free time. And the time I do have, I give to you. Besides, no matter where we go there will always be some people who won’t accept us and I don’t see that changing in the near future. Whether we live in Wilson Point, Pennsylvania or Los Angeles California, we’ll still run into anti-gay people. Honey, face facts. N
o matter how kind or generous we are, some people aren’t going to care once they know our sexual orientation. I don’t intend to spend my life worrying about who likes or doesn’t like me…life is too damned short. We’ll never escape those people, but we don’t have to let them destroy us either. All we can do is be ourselves and don’t let them put a damper on our happiness.”

  “We wouldn’t have to live in a stuffy small-minded town like Wilson Point.. I get so tired and bored with nothing to do. It’s too rural and red necked. Look how far we have to drive to find any sort of culture.”

  “You’re exaggerating just a little, don’t you think?” Kerri said with a laugh. “Buffalo’s not that far.”

  “In a large city we would just blend in and have some breathing space. I could work full time while you finished school. Please at least think about it.”

  Kerri’s lips drew tight. “You haven’t heard a word I’ve said.”

  “Yes, I have, but you aren’t listening to me. Aren’t my feelings important to you?”

  “I can’t leave right now, Rachel. I only have a few more semesters. Do you know the paper work involved to transfer? And I’d lose my funding and have to find the money to make up that slack. Besides, another school may not be able to fit me in with the courses I need. I thought we discussed that before.” Her eyes softened. “Honey, let’s just concentrate on the future we’re planning together. We’re going to be spending the rest of our lives together.”

  Rachel slowly let her breath out. “I quit my job today,” she said quietly.

  “What?” Kerri’s eyebrows shot up in shock.

  “I said I quit my job.”

  “I heard you, but why?”

  “I’m sick and tired of the boring routine. We need to move away from here as soon as possible. I’ve taken the first step in making that a reality. The next step is up to you.” She looked into Kerri’s usually bright eyes, but now saw the darkness and the frightened pained look Kerri was trying to mask.

  Kerri removed her arm from Rachel’s shoulder and turned to face her. “Rachel, aren’t you being a little immature to quit your job just like that? We’re not kids, for God’s sake and we both know how difficult good jobs are to find.”

  Rachel stiffened. “I don’t think I’m being immature at all. I want to see what the rest of the world has to offer before I get any older,” she retorted in an icy tone. “I don’t want to look back someday with regrets for what I could have done with my life.”

  “Wow, I can’t believe you’d act on impulse without thinking things through.” She emphatically shook her head back and forth. “This is so unlike you. If I didn’t know better I’d think you were going through a mid life crisis.”

  “I’m not having a crisis,” she snapped. “I did think everything through. That’s all I’ve been doing for months now. I’ve weighed the pros and cons. Sometimes taking a risk opens up wonderful new opportunities.” Kerri’s attitude annoyed her. She was treating her like a child, but worse than that, Kerri was belittling her.

  “What exactly are you looking for, Rachel? I thought we were building a future together here. Don’t you think quitting your job should have come under the list of things to be discussed as a couple? I certainly do. If I wanted to do something as drastic I certainly would have talked it through with you first before doing it.”

  Rachel rolled her eyes. “Don’t you ever think there’s something more to be gained out of life? How can just existing make you happy?”

  “I’m not ‘just existing’ as you put it. That’s why I’m in design school. I know that eventually I’ll leave here, but it won’t be for a couple of more years. I’ll still be young; we’ll both still be young.” Her eyes brightened. “We’ll have the rest of our lives together, honey, and I promise you it won’t be in Wilson Point.” She patted Rachel’s hand. “I don’t want to fight.”

  “You’ll end up staying here and never leaving.”

  “You have no right to assume that, Rachel.” She folded her arms over her chest. “What exactly do you want?” she quietly asked.

  Rachel shrugged. “More than what Wilson Point is offering, I suppose.”

  “More than what I’m offering.” She swallowed hard.

  Rachel looked at her barely able to stand the pain in her lover’s eyes. “I love you with all my heart, Kerri. I want a future with you, but just not here.”

  “I can’t figure you out at all some times, but I can tell you one thing…the way you’re talking doesn’t make me feel very secure.”

  “I do love you so much, Kerri. Please don’t ever doubt that.” She grabbed Kerri’s hands.

  Kerri gazed into Rachel’s eyes then leaned in closer softly moving her lips as she gently caressed Rachel’s neck with tender kisses. “Do you?” she hoarsely whispered. “Show me.” She rubbed Rachel’s back, and then unhurriedly undid her bra. Her hands found the familiar breasts and she softly cupped them, massaging first one and then the other. A moan escaped from Rachel‘s lips. “We have so much passion together,” she murmured slipping a hand inside Rachel’s jeans and teasing her with her fingertips until Rachel hurriedly undid her jeans sliding them down her slender legs. Kerri removed Rachel’s panties and her tongue expertly traveled to Rachel’s throbbing clit.

  Chapter Two

  The charcoal gray sky split open spewing down sheets of icy cold rain making visibility almost impossible. Rachel stood on the porch of her apartment building waiting for Kerri. She cupped her eyes with her hands looking down the almost flooded slick street but saw no cars in sight. She was worried. Even though Kerri was an excellent driver, this rainstorm tested the skills of even the best drivers. She nervously chewed on her bottom lip.

  Her thoughts took her back to when she had first met Kerri. She’d gone to the local college campus to sign up for a couple of nighttime classes and had become confused as to which building she was to register in when Kerri appeared out of nowhere offering assistance. After Kerri escorted her to the proper building and patiently waited until Rachel had successfully completed her registration, Rachel offered to buy Kerri some lunch to thank her for her help. As they sat in the coffee shop chatting afterwards, Rachel discovered how much she had in common with her rescuer. They spent the next hour discussing their love of poetry and literature promising to get together again as they exchanged phone numbers.

  Rachel was pleasantly surprised when Kerri called a few days later inviting her to a poetry reading. Rachel found herself enjoying the poetry reading almost as much as she was enjoying Kerri’s company.

  Over the next few weeks, their friendship blossomed and grew with Rachel looking forward with anticipation to Kerri’s bubbly voice on her answering machine each day when she returned from work. She wasn’t prepared for what would happen between them one night, though, and in retrospect was glad that she hadn’t known or she may have never gone to Kerri’s tiny apartment that night.

  “Did you ever imagine you’d end up back in college at this age?” Kerri asked.

  Rachel laughed. “No. When I married Bill, I thought that was it. My life would be lived the way everyone thought I should live it and I’d continue my job as a secretary and eventually have a couple of kids and the white picket fence kind of life.”

  Kerri’s eyes clouded. “Was your husband good to you?”

  She nodded. “For the most part.” She saw the intensity in Kerri’s eyes as they met her own.

  “Why did you divorce him?” She leaned forward. “I’m sorry if I’m asking too personal of a question.”

  “No, it’s okay.” She smiled. “I couldn’t see myself living with him for the rest of my life. Something just didn’t feel right and I found myself physically unable to give him what he needed and deserved…what every man needs and deserves from his wife.”

  “You didn’t like sex with him.”

  Rachel was surprised by Kerri’s blunt observation. Her face flushed.

  “I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have said that,” Kerri qu
ickly apologized.

  Rachel nervously glanced down at her hands. “No, you’re right…I didn’t like sex with him. I tried to, but I was only kidding myself and what made me feel worse was deceiving him. He deserved better.” She shifted her body on the sofa.

  “You did what you had to do for yourself, Rachel,” she answered softly as she moved from her easy chair to the sofa and seated herself next to Rachel.

  Rachel tensed as Kerri peered intently at her. She tried to think of something to say, but no words would come. Her heartbeat quickened.

  “You have beautiful blond hair, Rachel. In fact everything about you is beautiful.”

  Rachel blushed as she sipped her wine cooler. She didn’t know how to respond to Kerri’s compliments. “Thank you,” was all she could manage.

  “Please don’t be embarrassed.” Kerri moved closer looking intently into her eyes. “I knew you were special from the first minute I saw you.” Her voice was low and her eyes searched Rachel ‘s.. She slowly leaned forward and brushed her lips against Rachel’s.

  Rachel swallowed hard as a shudder tore through her. She nervously placed a hand on the back of Kerri’s head then slightly parted her lips to let Kerri’s tongue slip inside. She lost herself in Kerri’s kiss. It’d been so long since another woman had touched her.

  Kerri took her hand and quietly led her into her small bedroom. She lit several candles then slowly undressed Rachel kissing every inch of her body as Rachel’s clothes fell silently to the floor. Her gentle hands aroused familiar sensations in Rachel.

  Kerri removed her own clothes then tenderly lay Rachel down on the bed. She put her arms around her drawing her close as her kisses grew more passionate unlocking the raw hunger within Rachel.

  As Rachel became moist, she pleaded for Kerri to take her. She moaned begging for the release that she needed, the release that would bond them.

  Rachel jolted back to the present at the sloshing sound of a car slowly making its way up the street, its windshield wipers furiously swishing back and forth. Kerri swung the car into the driveway.