Spread the Love: Seven Romantic and Erotic Lesbian Stories

By Ylva Publishing

Learning to Ride by Fletcher DeLancey
“They say that riding a bike is as easy as falling in love: you never really forget how. Or is it the other way around?”

Spider Lines by Lois Cloarec Hart
Kris loves Sandy, her workaholic partner of 14 years, but lately she's been feeling lonely and neglected. A trip to a local gym inspires Kris to take up climbing, both as a fitness challenge and as a way to feel again the passion that her long-term relationship seems to have lost. With a fit young teacher eager to impart the benefit of her experience, will Kris' new-found ardour for the sport extend to her climbing instructor?

Black and Blue by Erzabet Bishop
How long do you wait for the one you love?
Book store manager Julie has a problem. Day after day and shift after shift, she obsesses about the gorgeous woman who frequents her store and soon worms her way into her heart. But can Julie wait for Grace to see her as more than just a friend?
Grace is fighting for her life. Cancer and an abusive boyfriend drive her to the bookstore for escape, where she meets Julie. The two form a friendship based on love and support, but soon Grace has to make a choice. Will she live the life she is meant to live, or will she let the threat of domestic violence kill her before her cancer has a chance to?

Soft Hands and Hard Hats by JL Merrow
When first-time potholer Han takes a trip down Yorkshire’s Gaping Gill, she doesn’t expect to be hit by a crippling attack of claustrophobia—or to meet a dark-skinned beauty in a hard hat who’s more than willing to hold her hand.
Experienced caver Kim may seem calm and collected in the pitch-black underground, but it turns out she’s got fears of her own. Maybe, though, two can be braver than one.

Touch of the Traakyn by Sandra Barret
Reconstructive surgery gave space marine Jolyne cyber prosthetics controlled by the latest neural implants, but it will take more to make her whole again.

Red Hot Neighbour by T.M. Croke
In a maze of moving boxes and warm memories, Peyton flashes back to the day her neighbour, Lillian, came into her home and her life, bringing her an apple pie and leaving with her heart.

Smoke and Swans by Alisha Kelley
Sarah lives a carefree life of casual hook-ups and free caffeine. That is until she meets Josie, a shy, intriguing young woman with a hidden passion that piques her curiosity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ylva Publishing
• Release date: Feb 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9783955331672

Ylva Publishing

We're a small publisher focusing on lesbian fiction and women’s literature. We publish German and English novels and short stories.

Book preview

Spread the Love

Seven Romantic and Erotic Lesbian Stories

by Ylva Publishing

Published by Ylva Publishing, legal entity of Ylva Verlag, e.Kfr.

http://www.ylva-publishing.com

Copyright 2014 Ylva Publishing

Smashwords Edition

First Edition: February 2014

Edited by Sandra Gerth, Day Petersen, Ellen Brock, and Astrid Ohletz

Cover Design by Streetlight Graphics

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, events, and locations are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons or events, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Spread the Love

Seven Romantic and Erotic Lesbian Stories

By

Fletcher DeLancey

Lois Cloarec Hart

Erzabet Bishop

JL Merrow

Sandra Barret

T.M. Croke

Alisha Kelley

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

SPREAD THE LOVE

Learning to Ride by Fletcher DeLancey

Spider Lines by Lois Cloarec Hart

Black and Blue by Erzabet Bishop

Soft Hands and Hard Hats by JL Merrow

Touch of the Traakyn by Sandra Barret

Red Hot Neighbour by T.M. Croke

Smoke and Swans by Alisha Kelley

OTHER BOOKS FROM YLVA PUBLISHING

COMING FROM YLVA PUBLISHING

INTRODUCTION

Sometime last year, we at Ylva Publishing decided that we wanted to spread the love around a bit. And what better way to do that than publish an anthology full of sinfully sweet romance and amazingly erotic fun.

Spread the Love offers seven romantic and erotic short stories from a variety of authors.

I hope and trust that you’ll have as much fun reading these gems as we did editing them.

Astrid Ohletz

Publisher

Learning to Ride

by Fletcher DeLancey

The first time, all she saw was a blur.

The rider passed her so quickly that she barely had time to tighten her grip on her handlebars in alarm, and it was only after the other cyclist was vanishing around the next curve that she realized two things. One, the speed demon had said something before passing her, and two, it was a woman’s voice.

She had no idea what had been said. Probably something derogatory; after all, Dana knew what she looked like. This was a popular road for the local cyclists, all of whom seemed to have zero body fat. She was an overweight woman on her first real bike ride in ten years, and the only reason she was riding here was the recommendation of the man who’d sold her the bike. It’s a good road for beginners, he’d said. Just don’t go any farther than seven miles out. That’s where the hills start.

Right, as if she could go farther than seven miles out. That would mean a fourteen-mile round trip. Her goal for this day was two.

* * *

The second time, a week later, she heard the warning: On your left!

Quickly, she swerved to her left.

Whoa, WHOA, shit! The rider blew past her left shoulder and skidded several feet, much to Dana’s alarm. She cringed, waiting for the crash, sure that she’d never be able to avoid it.

Fortunately, the other rider was more competent. She wrestled the bike under control and slowed to a snail’s pace, then looked over her shoulder. "I said on your left! Didn’t you hear me?"

I did! That’s why I tried to get out of your way!

You tried— The woman shook her head and slowed even further until Dana had reluctantly caught up with her. How long have you been riding?

Embarrassed, Dana said, Two weeks. This is my fourth ride.

Four rides in two weeks? Good for you.

Dana was startled into meeting her eyes. She didn’t look sarcastic, just…curious. Thanks, she said. I’m trying. With the adrenaline wearing off, she now recognized the rider as the same one who’d passed her like a bullet last week. No wonder she knew how to handle her bike.

The woman nodded. "Okay. A little advice? When someone says ‘on your left,’ it means they’re about to pass you on your left side. So you should move to your right."

That doesn’t make any sense. You say ‘on your left’ to tell me to move right? Why not just say ‘go right’?

Nobody says that.

Well, it seems to me like it would be a lot more clear.

The woman made a huffing sound. It might have been a laugh, but since her head was turned away, Dana couldn’t be sure. After a moment, she looked over and said, Probably we don’t say that because it would be rude. It’s like giving an order, you know? ‘Go right’ isn’t nearly as considerate as, ‘Hey, heads up, I’m coming up on you from behind and you might want to move over.’

‘On your left’ means all of that?

Yes.

Oh. Then I guess it’s pretty efficient after all.

The woman flashed a smile. It is. Try not to kill any other riders, okay? Take care. And with that, she sped up, effortlessly leaving Dana in her dust.

* * *

The third time, Dana heard the call and moved smartly to her right.

Thanks. Have a good ride! The other woman blasted past her as if Dana weren’t even pedaling.

You too, Dana called after her, but by then the woman was already so far ahead that she probably didn’t hear. Piqued at such effortless speed, Dana pedaled harder and watched in glee as her bike computer registered two whole miles per hour faster.

One minute later she gave up, gasping for air. She was never going to be able to ride like that.

* * *

The fourth time, Dana didn’t hear anything at all. One moment she was riding alone, and then the woman was beside her, matching her speed.

Hi, she said, smiling. How many rides is this now?

Eight, Dana said with a touch of pride. And it’s getting easier.

Looks like it. How’s your butt?

"Oh my God. Nobody warned me about that! I could hardly walk after the second ride."

And when you got back on the bike for your third ride, you thought you’d never have sex again.

Dana barked out a startled laugh. Yes! Does everyone go through that?

Afraid so. We call them butt miles. Everyone’s got to put in their butt miles. For me it usually takes about four rides, and then I’m good.

I’m better, but it still hurts a bit. Was there something wrong with her?

Yeah, about that. The other rider looked ahead, pursing her lips. Do you mind some free advice?

No. Not from the woman who had already helped her once. Dana had heard on your left at least half a dozen times since that earlier encounter, and every time, she’d felt grateful that she knew what to do.

Good, because I’ve been cringing every time I go past you. Let’s stop up there. She pointed ahead to a spot where the shoulder widened, then put on a burst of speed. She was already off her bike and laying it down by the time Dana pulled off the road.

Okay. Dana straddled her top bar and planted her feet firmly on the ground. What kind of advice requires stopping?

The kind that involves tools. The rider was digging around in her seat bag and finally pulled out a small multitool. Your saddle is way too high. You’re wasting a lot of energy that could be put into riding, and it’s also why you’re still hurting. Didn’t your bike shop set it for you?

I didn’t buy this from a shop. I got it from a student at the university.

Well, that explains. The woman stood and held out her hand. By the way, if I’m going to be wrenching your bike, you ought to know my name. I’m Morgan Weiss.

Dana Hollander, she said, shaking hands. Nice to finally meet you. And what makes you say my saddle is too high?

Morgan gave her a pitying look. I could see it from half a mile off. Your whole body is shifting from side to side as you pedal. You look like a nine-year-old on her mother’s bike.

Should I be insulted at that?

With a chuckle, Morgan said, No, because it’s not your fault. The yahoo who sold you his bike and didn’t set that saddle for you, despite the fact that he had to be five inches taller than you are—he’s the one who should be embarrassed.

Startled by the accuracy of the description, Dana said, I’m not going to ask how you knew he was taller, but how did you know it was a guy?

Because a woman would have either set the saddle or told you that you needed to do it. Guys tend to not think about those things, or else they assume that everyone already knows. Now, if you’ll just hold your bike steady? Morgan stepped up to the rear of Dana’s bike and unfolded a hex wrench from her tool. That looks like a five millimeter…Right, got it. Holy shit, that thing is tight. She broke the bolt loose with a soft grunt and spun the tool a few more times before dropping it in her jersey pocket and grabbing the saddle with both hands. Slowly, she twisted it from side to side, lowering it so far that Dana thought she’d surely be riding with her knees around her ears.

After retightening the bolt, Morgan walked around to the front of the bike, straddled the wheel, and held on to the handlebars. Okay, I’ll hold you steady. I need you to sit back on the saddle and put one pedal all the way down.

Dana paused, not quite trusting the idea of someone else holding her up on the bike. But Morgan seemed to know what she was doing, so with a mental shrug, Dana put her feet back on the pedals. The bike wobbled slightly, but Morgan kept a firm grip, and after a moment, Dana felt secure enough to sit on the saddle. It was much easier to get there, since she wasn’t having to hoist her butt up in the air. But still…she’d been used to hoisting up her butt.

This feels weird, she said.

Morgan smiled. Don’t worry about it. Put your pedal down?

She carefully spun her pedals backward until one foot was all the way down. My leg isn’t straight.

It’s not supposed to be.

It’s not?

Nope. There should be a slight bend in the knee. You never want full extension. But you’re a little too bent. Okay, hop off.

With some relief, Dana planted her feet solidly on the ground again and waited as Morgan fiddled with the saddle. After raising it half an inch, they tried again, and this time Dana’s position seemed satisfactory. Morgan put away her tool and lifted her bike upright while Dana looked doubtfully at her now-short saddle. And this is going to help?

Trust me, it will. It’ll feel a bit strange at first, but you’ll get used to it in about three minutes. And then you’ll find that you can ride longer without getting tired.

Really? Okay, I’m all over that.

And I’m happy to see you actually fitting on that bike. It was making me hurt just watching you before.

I’m surprised you could even see me. All I saw of you was a blur.

Morgan laughed. Keep doing what you’re doing, and by August, I won’t be a blur anymore. She threw a leg over her bike and motioned for Dana to go first.

Painfully aware of her lack of grace, Dana arranged the pedals and pushed off, wobbling a bit before she found her balance. The low seat made it even harder than usual. Morgan was beside her instantly, looking like she’d been born on a bike.

But she was right. It only felt weird for the first few minutes. Then it felt great.

Better? asked Morgan.

Yes! Wow, I can’t believe the difference. Thank you!

You’re welcome. Thanks for letting me help. You’re good to go now?

I’m good, said Dana. Go ahead.

Okay, take care. It was nice to meet you. With a wave, Morgan shot ahead as if she’d been launched from a cannon.

Dana watched her go, realizing that yes, her legs were still slightly bent even at the bottom of her pedal stroke. And if she watched Morgan’s butt too, it was only because it was so close to her legs.

* * *

The fifth time, Morgan appeared beside Dana at the bottom of the first hill. It’s easier if you actually pedal, she said as