Chapter 1- The Bad Day

Chase Whittington was irritated. As usual, traffic was a pain and she just wanted to go home, shower, and try to forget the events of the week. "Thank God, it's Friday," she chanted, switching lanes and trying to avoid an obvious traffic jam ahead.

All of her co-workers were going out for drinks and had invited her as usual. She had declined, as usual. Chase felt most of the people that she came into contact with in her daily life either did not understand her, or she simply didn't bother to try to let them get past her tough outer shell. She had ceased to befriend employees after her father had passed away and she'd taken over the company. It was a necessary but lonely evil.

As the light changed to green, she cursed under her breath. She realized that she'd be living on cheese and bread this evening if she didn't stop at the market. It was a chore that she hated vehemently, but it had to be done, since she was starving. She turned the car left on to Main Street, signaled to pull into the lot of the store, and felt a hard and sudden impact from behind. "Christ!" She yelped. Unbuckling and moving her long frame out of her station wagon she approached the other vehicle well prepared to chew out the other driver. The blond occupant who had smashed into her was looking at her with tears in her eyes and a somewhat dazed look. "Are you okay?" Chase managed as her eyes moved from the woman's lovely face and stole a look at the equally lovely body.

"Yes. Oh my, I am so sorry!" She gulped as she took in the tall woman standing before her. "I'm Samantha Martin, Sam to my friends. You weren't hurt, were you? Gosh, I never even saw your car, I am so sorry!" The words spilled from her mouth as tears slid down her cheek.

Chase resisted the urge to wrap her long arms around this beautiful creature. Surprised by her own physical reaction, Chase cleared her impulse to do what just crossed her mind. "Chase Whittington, and no, I'm fine," Chase offered, and extended her hand instead.

Shaking it, Sam tearfully smiled. "Well, this is just the perfect end to a perfect day," she sighed sarcastically and rolled her beautiful blue eyes.

"I agree with you on that." Chase said, and was briefly pulled away from the captivity of those teary-eyed baby blues by the shrill sounds of approaching sirens.

"Oh, my, here comes the brigade." Sam said as the line of two police cars, a fire truck, and an ambulance turned their direction.

Chapter Two- Emotional Roller Coaster

The whole time the officers were taking insurance information, both women's minds were lost in the thoughts of each other. Samantha was intrigued by the tall brunette, with her deep brown eyes and angular cheekbones with the velvety voice that still rang in her ears.

Chase for her part had pretty much sworn off relationships entirely and was confused by the occupation of the beautiful blond in her mind. Not one for sentiments, she wondered why those teary blue eyes had affected her so. She made her way through the information exchanges and watched Sam tear-up again as a tow truck was called for her badly damaged vehicle.

Sam was almost hysterical as she realized she now not only had lost her job today but also her only mode of transportation. She continued to let the tears flow, as if she could help them, as the emergency crews departed.

Chase took a tentative step forward and asked, "So, do you need a ride somewhere?"

"Really?" Sam gulped, "You would do that after I just gave your car a make-over?"

Chase couldn't help but smile, for the back of her old station wagon now somewhat resembled a hatchback. "Sure, hop in. Just make sure you buckle up. You never know when someone might slam into you!"

Sam feigned hurt as she grinned and hopped into the wagon. "You are wonderful Chase Whittington!" she gushed. "How will I ever repay your kindness?"

Chase started the car and with an evil grin said, "Oh, I'll think of something, and anyway your insurance company will be repaying most of it."

Sam looked sad again. "Yeah, but I'm sure my policy will go up now and," she admitted softly with another tear threatening to fall, "I managed to put my foot in my mouth and lose my job today."

Chase groaned, feeling genuinely bad for the soft, sweet woman sitting so close to her in the vehicle that she had to restrain herself from reaching over and hugging her. She felt badly that she had been so foul and hateful today at the office, and here was someone who had no job at all. "I'm very sorry," she said. "Sometimes life gets really hard and it always seems to happen in three's."

"Great," Sam managed a weak laugh. "Now I have one more thing to look forward to."

They both laughed as Chase pulled into the parking lot she had been hell bent for less than thirty minutes ago. "Where to my lady?" She inquired royally, and Sam giggled again.

"Oh, five blocks from here. Do you know where Dixie Street is?"

"Dixie Street it is then, hang on to your knickers," and she pulled out onto the street, letting the tires squeal. She tried to make the short drive take as long as possible, making small talk and just enjoying the presence of the pretty lady beside her.

"This is it." Sam announced, "You can pull in that driveway to the left."

Chase signaled and prepared to turn when Sam suddenly screamed, making her jump out of her skin. "What is it?" She asked the now hysterical, again, blond beside her. On the door of the small house was a yellow cardboard sign. Chase sighed, opened her door, and unfolded herself from the wagon.

Approaching the sign it was pretty obvious what it was, she heard Sam whisper an eviction notice, how nice. "I guess I don't have to worry about how to pay rent now!" Exasperated, she began sobbing, and this time Chase turned to the beauty and held her as the woman in her arms sobbed and sobbed.

"Don't worry," she whispered in her ear. "I'll help you think of something," then offered weakly "at least you don't have to worry about what the third thing is going to be."

Sam squirmed in her arms and slugged her lightly, gracing Chase with a brilliant smile.

"Okay," Chase said taking charge as she did in almost all situations, "I'm starving and you really look like you could use a drink. Why don't you pack an overnight bag, and I'll take you to my place." She froze as she felt Sam stiffen in her arms, and quickly wished she had not been so forthright with the already overwhelmed woman.

"I don't know." Sam said. "You have been so kind and I really hate to ask for anything else. I really could use the company though and a drink. But are you really sure, I mean, I don't want to intrude on your weekend plans."

Chase smiled at Sam. "Not a problem, I wouldn't have offered if it was going to be an imposition." Chase winced at her choice of words, but Sam didn't notice and thanked her.

"Well, come in then and let me get a few things. It'll only take a moment." She unlocked and opened the door.

Chase tried not to gasp as she took in the sparsely decorated room she now seemed to tower over.

"Just make yourself comfortable." She nodded to the couch as she started for the only other room in the small condo, her bedroom.

Chase sadly appraised the tiny living quarters. Other than the couch and table there was a tiny TV set, and to the side was the kitchenette. She jumped again as Sam entered the room, already changed into jeans and a tee. She looked sexy as hell and Chase felt herself warm as she toyed with the thought of what must be inside of those blue jeans.

"Ready?" Sam asked and wondered why Chase was staring at her like that.

"Ready." The brunette answered huskily, and stood, once again towering over the room.

Chapter 3- Headed for Home

Knowing that there was no food in the house she explained to her new friend that they would have to stop at the store and pick up a few things. After a whirlwind trip through the store, Chase paused briefly in the wine section looking for something special. When she finally made her selection, she walked back up front, feeling butterflies and wondered what the hell was wrong with her. She had always been the kind of person that knew what she wanted and went for it. But this felt different, and she wanted desperately to please Sam, who was patiently waiting in her wagon.

They unloaded the cart together. As she was grabbed for the last bag, her hand brushed against Sam's supple breast. She felt a red hot flash of heat surge through her whole body, and she blushed as she put the cart away and re-entered the vehicle. "Lets go." She announced and started her car, shaking both inside and out. What in the world is wrong with me? She wondered, heading for home with the thought of the soft breast still fresh in her mind. The short drive through town was silent, and neither of the spoke as she signaled to turn onto Whittington Drive.

Chapter 4- Whittington Manor

Whittington Manor had been in Chase's family for generations, and she smiled with pride as Sam sat upright in her seat trying to get a better look as they slowly moved across the gravel road that led to the manor.

"Holy cow Chase, you live here?" Sam was already feeling out of place and they weren't even in the driveway yet.

"Yep." Came the short reply from Chase. She did not bring many people here, but when she did she always enjoyed the reaction from her visitors as they realized the beauty of her home. Huge Evergreens lined the driveway, and the fragrant smell of Butterfly Bushes and lively Juniper made the drive up even more breathtaking.

Sam was smiling but her stomach was churning as she realized this mystery woman was way out of her league. And she had seemed, well, normal, in the car. Nothing to indicate that she lived in a mansion.

"Is everything okay?" Chase asked, sounding concerned for Sam looked more than a little pale.

"Of course." Sam lied. "Its just that, well, everything is so beautiful."

"Thank you." Chase smiled at her, and Sam felt suddenly a calm that she had not felt for the longest time. "Come on then, lets unload the bags." Chase said, taking charge again. "I'm ravenous!"

They unloaded the groceries together, and Sam followed her through the garage into a large open kitchen. It looked like something from a magazine, and Sam quietly noticed the lack of food in the refrigerator, and wondered if Chase lived alone. They worked together quietly unpacking the bags and putting things away. Sam turned to find Chase smiling at her, glass of wine in hand.

"Here you go." She said softly, feeling as if those icy blue eyes could see into her soul. "You may wander around if you like and get to know the place. I'm going to get out of this monkey suit," she laughed, referring to the black business suit she wore.

"Thank you very much." Sam whispered. "For everything." Impulsively she hugged Chase, and both women were acutely aware of the electrical charge that moved through them as they touched.

"You are very welcome." Chase swallowed and hugged her back. Tearing herself away she headed for the stairs and once again wondered what it was about this lady that made her go all limp and goofy inside. Whatever it is, I like it! She thought and stepped into her bedroom to change, leaving the door open just a bit so if her wanderer happened by, well she might get an eyeful!

Chapter 5- A Time for Discovery

Sam never made it upstairs, for she had discovered the great room and let the artwork and lavish decor wrap itself around her. She loved history, and this room was overflowing with it. She lovingly brushed her fingers along the stacks of books neatly piled on towering shelves, touched the faces on the hanging paintings and breathed in the essence of Chases' family history.

Sipping her wine she meandered on down the hall and found a large door that seemed out of place and carefully opened it. "Oh my!" She gasped as she surveyed the tastefully decorated room. In the center sat a huge Jacuzzi. There was an entertainment center in the corner that swallowed the whole wall, a bar that filled the space by the windows, and beautiful iron-work that took over the other wall and corner, leading to an outside walkway. Following the path she encountered what appeared to be an oasis. The moonlight shone on the kidney shaped swimming pool and attached hot tub. Stunned by the sheer beauty of the moment she slipped into one of the lounges and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, a smiling Chase stood before her.

"Are you comfortable? I thought you were lost."

"I was." Sam stammered. "It's lovely out here."

"Well, let's get some dinner in us and we can come back out if you want to." The thought of that gorgeous blond in her swimming pool in the moonlight overtook her for a moment, and she blushed again and cleared her throat.

Sam stood, but wobbled, both from the wine and the gravity of the day. Chase caught her elbow and their eyes locked. The touch from the brunette sent Sam reeling inside and she leaned into the taller woman, inhaling the scent of her. "Mmmmm," she whispered, "You smell good."

Chase practically dropped to her knees as the buxom blond wrapped her arms around her and deft fingers slipped under her shirt. Feeling the soft and supple skin underneath, she moved her hand up a few inches and smiled when she heard Chase suck in her breath. Still hungry, but neither woman thinking of food they both gravitated to the lounge, and almost magnetized, their lips met fervently, both melting down any walls that might have been there before.

"Still hungry?" Sam teased, taking one of Chases soft lips into her mouth and nibbling gently.

Rapidly melting, Chase could only murmur, "God yes!"

They kissed deeply, and desperately, each needing the other as close as humanly possible. It seemed like an eternity they held that position, Sam pressed deeply against her body and Chase straining to pull her closer. Still kissing, she let her hand explore that exquisite back and shoulders. Starving now, for nothing caloric, she wanted only the taste of Sam. And Sam reciprocated every kiss, every movement of their bodies, every sigh. They seemed to be in tandem.

At that moment, Chase felt alive for the first time in a very long time, and when Sam shifted and her leg slipped in between Chases' and a hot sudden and warmth poured through her entire body. Sam felt the heat and pushed in even closer, kissing the brunette harder and harder as the heat radiated between them in more ways than one.

"Sam?" Chase whispered. "Is this okay?"

Sam couldn't answer with her voice, but she kissed the woman lovingly her mouth moving both deftly and devouringly down Chases' limp shoulder. As her mouth moved along the line of the collarbone to Chases' erect nipple she momentarily stopped just to admire the view. "Chase, where is your top?" She grinned and leaned up momentarily to remove her own. Pushing back into position atop her intended, she gently picking up where she left off on the begging left breast of the now squirming brunette beauty. "God you taste like Heaven." She managed to whisper, mouth full of cleavage.

Chase could only moan, and Sam took it as encouragement and moved to the other breast, teasing and tasting her until the poor woman growled in pleasure. Letting her mouth move and kiss her way across the helpless body beneath her she slipped to the end of the lounge, hating only that she was not pressed tightly against Chase, but the thought left her as she sensed that something very special was about to take place between them. She smiled up at her and slid the soft material of Chases' shorts and panties down and discarding them on the ground.

"Oh God Samantha." Chase was panting like a wildcat now.

Sam innocently replied, "Yes Chase?"

Pushing with all her might, Chase raised her hips, just as Sam moved in to take her. The feeling was overwhelming as the heat of Sam's mouth took over. The intense movement was more than Chase could bare, and she let herself go, moving in time to the flickering tongue that teased and tasted her. Words escaped her, and she could only whimper as Sam quickly made her way back up the flat stomach and pressed tightly into the woman.

Pressing hard against the woman she panted. "Not yet babe, wait for me!" She tried to unbutton the top of her jeans but Chase had already lifted her up and was pulling them off with her shaking hands, begging desperately, "God hurry, hurry. Please."

Words ended abruptly as Sam shut her up with a kiss. Feeling their naked bodies pressed together and so hot, nature took over, and the two bodies rocked and bucked with pleasure as each orgasm sent them both to ecstasy, over and over. Finally spent, they just lay together helplessly both unable to move.

Chapter 6- Dinner at the Manor

Dinner at the manor was delicious. Chase fixed a pre-roasted chicken and worked on rice and bread while Sam stood as close as she could get to her new friend and made the salads and poured more wine. Both of them were lost in thoughts that ranged from ravishing to down right bizarre, and Chase was caught starting at her as she moved to rinse her fingers at the sink, and she blushed again. She felt Sam slip in behind her and toned arms wrapping her in what felt very much like love. She sighed and pressed into Chase' body. "Oh, no, you don't missy, not until after we eat."

"Food." She grinned widely. Sam returned it and stated. "Well, you better hurry," she teased, using Chases' own words and getting a poke in the ribs for her effort. They ate in comfortable silence, both relishing the closeness forming between them.

As Sam cleared the plates away, she let the brunette relax while she rinsed the dishes and put up leftovers in the fridge. When she returned to the table Chase was lost in a thought that had her smiling from ear to ear, and Sam slid her small frame into the chair straddling Chases' legs. "Ready for desert my dear?" she asked sweetly, and Chase could only stare and smile.

"Oh yes." She giggled. "Would you like to go back outside, or..." She let the words drop and lifted Sam as she stood.

"Wherever you are more comfortable darling." Was Sam's muffled reply from Chase's neck as they moved toward the long staircase.

Chase felt like she could race up them, while Sam wondered if her legs would make it all the way up to the top. The master bedroom was beautifully done in a light cream color with rich mahogany wood. They fell into each other and felt again the wonder of the others bodies. "Oh, god, Sam, is this real or am I dreaming you?"

Sam's answer was soft kisses against yearning lips, and they made love until neither could move and sleep finally came to them, wrapped like a pretzel in each others bodies.

Chapter 7- Living again

It had been two months since the fender bender had brought them together, but each day felt like the first. Employees at Chase's job wondered about the change, but decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth and simply enjoyed the sunny new side to their employer.

Samantha had found another job, and living with Chase made coming home a wonderful sensation. She had looked for love for so long and never realized how good life could be. The women completed each other, and every day both thanked their lucky stars to have the other. Life was good. Both were alive again, thanks to pure and true love. Days were spent thinking of evenings that were spent in pure bliss.

For Sam's birthday, Chase surprised her with an engagement ring, and Sam tearfully accepted, marveling at the beauty both of the rock and the woman who had given it to her.

Chase gathered her churning feelings and whispered to the woman she loved. "Sam, would you spend the rest of your life with me?"

Taking Chase's hands into her own she cried, tears of happiness and accepted lovingly the beautiful ring on her finger. "Chase." She cried, "I cannot imagine being anywhere else but beside you." She let herself press against the woman she loved so completely, and caressed the strong back of her lover.

"God. Sam, I love you so much." Chase whispered to her softly.

"I love you, too, sweetie. So much that it consumes me." At that, the women gravitated to the bed that had become their sanctuary from the rest of the world.

"And I will love you for the rest of our lives." Chase promised as her words were stifled by Sam's sweet kisses. The pair moved into their favorite position and found bliss as usual pressed tightly against one another. "Thank you, Sam, for helping me learn to live again," were Chase's last words as they drifted off to sleep, completely full and happy.