Read Connected Hearts - Four Lesbian Romance Stories for Free Online

started the SUV before she answered, “Who said I don’t believe in love?”
    Michelle waited for another car to pass and pulled out of the parking space. When traffic stopped at a red light, she glanced over at Amanda. “You do?”
    Was there a hopeful tone in her voice?
    Amanda mentally shook her head. No, they had established once and for all that they weren’t interested in each other. “Well, there was a week when my girlfriend left me for a double-D bimbo from a Brazilian telenovela ... but other than that, sure.”
    “Then why did you attend the Anti-Valentine’s Day party?”
    Michelle’s hands resting on the steering wheel looked sure and strong. For some reason, Amanda’s gaze kept wandering back to them, taking in the long fingers and the tendons playing in the back of her hands. Resolutely, she directed her gaze at the taillights of the car in front of them. “I don’t believe in the commercialized version of love. A friend of mine set me up with the only other lesbian he knows, just because he thought I’d find eternal love on Valentine’s Day. Needless to say it was a disaster.”
    “Ah.” Michelle nodded as if she had been through dates like that too. “I’ll never get why people think two lesbians will fall in love just because they’re both gay.”
    “Me neither.” Even Val, who had seemed like the perfect match for her, hadn’t been her type. “And you? What brought you to the Anti-Valentine’s Day party?” Amanda asked, finally allowing herself to look over at Michelle again.
    “All those sexy photos at work made me feel like I’m the only single woman on earth,” Michelle said. “The party seemed like a good remedy.”
    Amanda quirked her eyebrows. Sexy photos at work? What the hell did she do for a living?
    Michelle slowed to turn left at a light. She glanced at Amanda, then back at the street. “Don’t look at me like that.” She chuckled. “I’m not some pervert who reads Playboy at work when the boss isn’t looking. I’m a photographer. A lot of customers came in this week to take erotic photos for their significant other.”
    “Ah. So all the photos in your apartment are yours? I mean, you took them?”
    “Yes, they’re mine. Well, except for the one I’m in. One of my employees took that one.”
    The images of the growling tiger or the age-spotted hands cradling a baby were still vivid in Amanda’s memory. She whistled quietly. “Wow, you’re good.”
    Michelle took one hand off the steering wheel and brushed her fingernails over her T-shirt. “Thank you. That’s what all the women say after spending the night with me.”
    Snorting, Amanda nudged her with an elbow. “Show-off.”
    Michelle nudged her back and grinned. “Hey, don’t knock it till you tried it.”
    “Well, I did try it ... or at least I started to.” Amanda smirked and shrugged. “Seems it wasn’t very memorable.”
    “Ouch.” Michelle clutched her chest. “You could seriously harm a girl’s ego, you know?”
    “Somehow, I don’t think there’s much danger of that.” Michelle seemed to have a healthy confidence, but it didn’t tip over into arrogance, as it did with some of Amanda’s colleagues.
    When they reached the now deserted parking lot of the club, Michelle slowed the SUV. “Where are you parked?”
    “Just across the street. You can let me out here.”
    Michelle pulled into the parking lot and turned off the engine.
    Silence filled the car for a few moments.
    Amanda fiddled with her seatbelt before she managed to strip it off. She struggled to find the right words. “Thank you for rescuing me last night and for not kicking my hungover, bitchy self out this morning.”
    “You’re very welcome.” The expression in Michelle’s brown eyes was sincere. “Just try to take better care of yourself next time.”
    “I will.” Although the situation had ended up all right, Amanda didn’t plan a repeat of last night. Okay, everything’s said. Now get your hungover ass