Desperate: The Ports of Surset, #2.5

By Ubriel Bryne Books, Ubriel Bryne, Amy Norton and Jami Lee Montgomery

Rana and Mallory share the dream of a family and a little house in the country, but not too far in the country. What tragedy could cause two people so dedicated to each other to lose each other so completely?

Rana, the quirky, spunky, sometimes annoying trade master for the Andran Company, Charters and Tours, came to them straight out of the painful and tragic loss of her fourth pregnancy through miscarriage. We know she left behind a woman she loved and a pain she couldn't live with. Desperate tells us the how and the why.

This prequel is meant to be read before Ports of Surset, Book Two: Port City.

TRIGGER WARNING!

Please be aware this book contains sensitive material and vivid descriptions of emotional pain from one woman's experience of miscarriage. Adult themes, vivid sexual and emotional imagery, and lesbian themed romantic and sexual situations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ubriel Bryne Books
• Release date: Dec 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393926344

Ubriel Bryne Books

Owned and operated by Amy Norton for the production and publication of works by Ubriel Bryne.

Book preview

Desperate

A Ports of Surset Prequel

Desperate

A Ports of Surset

Prequel

By Ubriel Bryne

THE PORTS OF SURSET

Prequel

Desperate

Copyright © 2020 Amy Norton, Ubriel Bryne, and UbrielBryneBooks.com

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED to the author, Amy Norton and all pseudonyms encompassed thereunder as listed on the publisher website www.ubrielbrynebooks.com, and the publisher, UbrielBryneBooks.com. No part of this book may be reproduced for distribution in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including, but not limited to, information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review or other reference, giving verbal or written citation credit, without prior written consent.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

HUMBLE AND ETERNAL thanks to all those who supported this journey and the Ports of Surset series:

Rebecca Becs Sweetman

Zacharyn Norton

Calvin Q. Rogers

Lindsay Renee Cunningham

CREDIT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT to:

Clarissa Kezen of CK Book Cover Designs for the black and white series logo used, with permission, on the cover of this short story.

Connect with Clarissa at https://ckbookcoverdesigns.com/.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Chapter 1. Promise Kept

Chapter 2. Pregnant

Chapter 3. Digit

Chapter 4. A Simple Procedure

Chapter 5. Funeral

Chapter 6. Broken Dreams

Chapter 7. What Kind of Future

Chapter 8. Unforgiveable

Chapter 9. New Job

A Note from the Author

About the Author

Contact the Author

A close up of a mans face Description automatically generated

Chapter 1. Promise Kept

RANA SAT, CURLED IN a tight ball on the shower floor and cried into her knees. The water was getting cold, but she wasn’t ready to turn it off. There was a big red circle on the calendar today, and she had promised. Why couldn’t it be Mallory on this side of the pain? She didn’t really want Mallory to feel this kind of hurt. Still, she couldn’t help believing, if Mallory could feel this, maybe she would understand just what she was asking. Maybe she wouldn’t push so hard.

The water was decidedly tepid. Rana lifted her face up to the stream. She let it wash away the tears and soothe the redness in her eyes. She lifted a washcloth and scrubbed away the rest. Regaining her feet, she sprinkled the hair salts over her head and worked the lather down the length of her long, black hair. As she rinsed the suds away, she drew in deep and calming breaths through her mouth. By the time she turned off the flow of water, she had steeled herself to face what was coming.

Mallory came home just as the Hare touched the horizon. Rana heard the apartment door close a moment before Mallory called out. Rana! I got you a surprise! Mallory’s clicking footfalls echoed to her as she came down the hall. She tapped on the bedroom door. Are you in here?

Rana laid the hairbrush on the dressing table and looked up into the mirror. She lifted the corners of her mouth and tugged the edges of her robe tighter around her. Yes! Come in. She turned in her seat, pointing her smile at the opening door.

Mallory swung the door wide and breezed through. Her own smile was exuberant and excited. She was still wearing her office uniform, insulated against static build-up, and her hair pulled into a severe bun. Her face, dramatic with her dark-lined eyebrows and cherry red painted lips, filled Rana’s senses. There you are. I brought you something.

Rana stood and narrowed her eyes, tilting her head to one side. Presents? What’d you get me? She stepped forward and lifted her hands. Gimme!

Mallory laughed and held up her free hand to press against Rana’s chest. Hang on! I demand a kiss in payment first.

Rana settled back on her heels, no longer straining against Mallory’s outstretched hand. She met her lover’s eyes and let herself melt into them. Of course. The shared kiss turned into shared caresses; the gift forgotten for a time.

Rana breathed in Mallory’s scent. Her perfume, a common and light scent, was only the smallest part of her distinct aroma. Her breath tinged with the spicy soup she favored for lunch, her soft makeup setting powder, and the conditioner and styling gel she used to keep her hair in place all mingled and blended to flavor the air. It was the smell of home.

They sat together on the foot of the bed. I love you, Babydoll. Mallory reached up and brushed back a stray lock of hair from Rana’s round face.

I love you, too. Rana sighed and watched Mallory’s contented smile. Without warning, Rana lunged to one side and snagged the small crinkling package from Mallory’s unsuspecting fingers. She rolled away with the package and a triumphant, Ha!

Mallory shot a glare at her. You duplicitous beast. She bounced on the bed to turn towards Rana. Well, go ahead and open it.

Rana scrunched her nose and wiggled into a more secure seat. She hefted the package and hummed before examining the wrapper secured on each end. With a deft flick of her thumbs, she popped the wrapping open and slid the box out. A shimmering, gold foil stamp on the white box declared it to be from Fur or Frills. Oo, you can’t go wrong there. Rana opened the lid and pulled back the tissue paper. White, satin lining traced the edges of the sheer material that made up the three-piece undergarment set in the box. Mallory, this is gorgeous. She lifted the pieces out on the ends of her fingers.

Mallory leaned across the space between them and planted a kiss on Rana’s cheek. I am very glad you like them. She stood and began