"Graham, wait!" Anna said with effort. "We cant do this here!"

"I dont intend to let you go," Graham growled, her lips seeking Annas again.

"Does this mean you love me?" Anna teased gently, pressing both hands against Grahams chest, restraining her for a moment.

"Eternally, my love," Graham affirmed, pulling her close. "Eternally."

**********

The room Graham led her to was dimly lit by a fire burning in a huge fireplace. A four posted canopy bed faced the hearth from the opposite side of the room. Two glasses and a chilled bottle of champagne stood on the bedside table. Graham stopped inside the door, suddenly uncertain, her face questioning. Anna smiled softly as her grip on Grahams hand tightened.

"I havent changed my mind. Ill never change my mind about loving you," Anna whispered gently. "Dont make me wait to show you how much I love you, darling. Its been far too long already."

They undressed with urgent hands, caressing each other with the wonder of newly discovered love. It was Anna who drew them to the bed, guiding Graham down, resting upon her gently. She wanted her, the want like a fierce hunger in her soul. She ached with the urgency to touch her. Her body screamed for the release only those exquisite hands could give her. She left a pool of moisture on Graham's leg where it pressed to her. Her clitoris threatened to burst from the blood coursing into it. She resisted her demanding need, aware of Grahams physical fragility. She shook with the effort it required for her to hold back.

Graham pulled her nearer with surprising strength. "I need you, Anna - now," she whispered. "Its all I need. Please."

As gently as she knew how, Anna took her. Her lips caressed the hollow of Graham's neck and the rise of her breast, pausing to suckle a nipple, explore her navel. Her hands stroked firm muscles and trembling limbs, coming to rest gently in the moist warm sanctuary between her thighs. Tenderly she parted the full, silky folds, breathing her scent, stroking the length of her, tonguing softly the quivering clitoris. She was aware only of the heat of Grahams flesh beneath her lips, and the breathtaking wonder of her cries filling the air. After the long months of waiting, Anna didnt think she could ever touch her enough. She was amazed to feel her own body climb nearer and nearer toward orgasm with each thrust of Graham's hips against her face, each contraction of Graham's muscles around her fingers. Anna groaned as the spasms began at the base of her clitoris and traveled down her legs, into her belly , and finally coalesced into one continuous explosion behind her tightly closed eyes. When she came, Graham murmured her name, and Anna knew a joy beyond anything she had ever dreamed.

Long into the night they loved, stopping only to whisper their devotion, seeking and giving the reassurances they needed to heal. As morning broke, Graham pushed herself up on the pile of pillows at the head of the bed, exhausted but content. Anna lay curled around her, her head resting against Grahams shoulder.

"Will you pour us some champagne now, my love?"

Anna kissed her, loath to move away even for an instant. "Of course, darling."

Graham sipped the fine wine and sighed. "Are you sure that this is what you want? For a lifetime? I can be - difficult."

"Graham Yardley! I would not have thought you capable of such understatement!" Anna laughed softly, tenderly caressing Grahams cheek. Serious again, she swept her lips across Grahams. "I want this and much, much more."

Graham raised an eyebrow, her face questioning. "And exactly what are your requirements? Perhaps I should consider them before we proceed any further."

Again she laughed, rejoicing in the return of the light in Grahams eyes. "First of all, I want to see you well again," Anna stated quietly.

Graham looked uncomfortable, turning her face away. "Its nothing that having you here wont cure."

"Tell me about it, Graham. Im with you now. Please let me help," Anna urged, pulling Graham close against her.

"After you left, I couldnt stay at Yardley. Nothing, not even losing my sight, was as devastating as losing you." Grahams voice was low and halting. Just recounting the desolation of those days was agonizing.

"Oh, my darling!" Anna cried, near tears. "Im so sorry! Never, never did I mean to hurt you so!" Had she not come now, had Graham not recovered - "Oh god," she gasped involuntarily.

"Shh, my love. Its over now," Graham soothed, silencing Anna with a kiss. "All that matters is that you are here." She didnt tell Anna of how close she had been to death, and how death had seemed like a welcome friend, offering her surcease from a loneliness she could no longer endure. But though her soul had longed for delivery, her body had rallied, and although weak, she was indeed recovering.

"I will never leave you, Grahamyou have my promise. Please, I want to go home, to Yardley. I want to live with you there, and I want to hear you play for me again. Please take me home!"

"I will my love," Graham murmured, her lips finding Annas, finally daring to hope that love could be hers.


Chapter Twenty


"They look good," Anna called as she pulled the Jeep along side Daphne and her crew. She indicated the new shrubs the women were putting in beside the entrance at Yardley.

Daphne leaned down to the window, smiling at her boss. "Theyre great specimens! We should be done here soon. I thought wed start the plantings on the rear terrace tomorrow. The photographers will be out on Friday to do the front gardens."

Anna raised a shoulder nonchalantly. "Whatever you decide."

Daphne grinned. "The view is better from the terrace, too. If youre watching women!"

Anna caught the mischievous glint in her eye, and replied smartly, "You had better not be talking about Graham! And besides, I thought you were happily married."

Daphne laughed. "Completely domesticated - and even if I werent I know better than to lust after Graham. She doesnt know theres another woman on earth besides you, and youd have my hide just for the thought! I was talking about my new kid, Lorishes got a bad case for Grahams assistant. She seems to find all kinds of excuses to wander by the music room when theyre working."

Anna glanced at her watchit was almost five in the afternoon. "Are Graham and Sheila still at it? They were up most of the night! Graham promised me shed get some rest!!" she finished worriedly. The memory of the long agonizing months alone in Boston still lingered. Grahams recent illness left her terrified that something would take Graham from her.

Daphne saw the fear flicker across Annas face, and remembered how frail Graham had seemed not long ago. She reflected on the change six months had brought. "Anna," she said softly, "Graham looks great. Ive never seen her like she is now. Shes strong and healthy. And the music that comes out of that room! I have to practically drag my crew from the terrace."

Anna forced herself to relax, knowing what Daphne said was true. "Its helped Graham to have Sheila hereshes transcribing Grahams new work and cataloging her unpublished pieces. Its just that the two of them can get lost when theyre working. Sheilas almost as bad as Graham!"

"Shes writing her graduate thesis on Grahams compositions, right?"

"Yesactually, shes a student-in-residence with Graham for the rest of the year." Anna could scarcely believe it when Graham had asked her to contact the graduate student who had written so many times requesting an interview. Sheila had been with them for two months and had quickly become devoted to Graham. Her assistance was invaluable to Graham, and it soon became apparent that she had an innate sense of Grahams other needs as well. She dealt with Grahams blindness in an understated way that did not impinge on Grahams need for independence. Anna trusted her with her most valuable possession - her lovers well-being.

"Well a year ought to give Lori enough time to win her heart"

Anna laughed. "You have a one-track mind."

"Oh, and you dont?" Daphne rejoined.

Anna blushed, recalling the urge she had had on the drive home to feel Grahams hands on her body. Even now she couldnt believe the turn her life had taken. She hadnt imagined she could be this happy. She put the Jeep in gear and pulled away smiling.

**********

She tapped lightly at the door to the music roomit stood open and as she listened, she knew it was Graham playing without looking. Graham said that Sheila was a very gifted musician, but Anna never confused the two. When Graham played, the combination of grace and power was unmistakableit was her signature, a complete reflection of her self. Anna knew the cadence and the rhythm of her music with the same certainty as she knew the sound of her voice, or her caress.

She entered and watched from across the room. Graham was in motion, the notes flowing from her hands, her essence transformed into sound. It still took Annas breath away and often kindled desire so intense that she shook.

She cleared her throat as the refrain ended and called, "Hey, you twoare you ready to take a break any time soon?"

Graham swiveled toward her, smiling a greeting. "Youre home early, arent you, love?" She looked fresh and energized, a sure sign that her work was going well. She clearly had no idea of the time, and Anna was willing to bet they hadnt stopped for lunch. Anna cast a stern glance at Sheila, who shrugged her shoulders sheepishly as she escaped toward the door.

"Youre both impossible," Anna muttered. She crossed the room to Graham, draping her arms around her from behind, breathing a kiss into her hair. Graham reached up to cover Annas hands where they lay on her chest. She turned Annas palm up, pressing her lips to the soft skin before resting her cheek in the curve of Annas hand. She sighed contentedly.