Kat worked her way around by taste, by feel, by the sounds Wendy made when she touched her, and oh how she loved feeling Wendy respond to her touch, to her kiss. She marveled at how wet Wendy was. She had made her that wet. Her touch elicited that desire. She growled herself when she entered Wendy, feeling herself grow excited again as Wendy’s breathing changed. Wendy grabbed her arm as she shuddered inside, and Kat lay in wonder at how powerful she felt as Wendy gave herself to Kat completely.
Hearts pounding and out of breath, they were silent but still communicating in caresses. Wendy’s fingers found a nerve that seemed to still be turned on. Each time her fingers passed over it, a shudder ran through Kat’s body again. And again. And again until she had to put her own hand over Wendy’s.
“I’m going to need more of that.” Kat licked her lips. But right now, she needed water and more chocolate cake for strength.
“That wasn’t enough?” Wendy teased.
“Nowhere near.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Kat’s body felt different the next morning when she rolled over and bumped Wendy. She had never understood the appeal of morning sex, yet that morning, her desire for Wendy spoke louder than her hunger.
“Good morning.”
Kat could hear the smile in Wendy’s voice as she pressed her whole body against her and wrapped her arm tightly around Wendy’s hip, pulling her closer. She could not stop her body from moving.
Wendy folded her arm back, stroking Kat’s thigh, pulling her legs closer.
Kat explored Wendy’s body marveling again at Wendy’s presence in her bed. She felt no apology in Wendy’s nakedness, but she also felt no pressure. She understood that they were building something together and that Wendy was listening to Kat as much as she was communicating with her hands.
When Wendy turned in her arms, bringing her breasts to Kat’s breasts, her lips to Kat’s lips, breakfast and all the day’s demands slipped away, and Kat gave herself completely to Wendy once more.
* * *
“It should have been enough.” Kat’s voice came softly over the line.
Kat’s words caught Wendy so much by surprise that she had to take the call into the walk-in refrigerator. “What was that?”
“You heard me.”
“I did, but I’d love to hear it again.”
“This isn’t normal,” Kat whimpered.
“What isn’t?”
“To be so distracted by my body. My clothes are touching me everywhere. I can’t turn off the high beams, and it’s painfully obvious and inappropriate. I had to put on a sweater because the groom-to-be kept glancing at my chest. I don’t blame him, but I don’t want to start a fight with the future bride.”
Wendy chuckled.
“Sure, you laugh, lady. I’m sure everyone thinks I’ve got a bladder infection because I have to keep running to the bathroom. It’s entirely your fault my panties are soaked.”
Now Wendy groaned. “You could always take them off.”
“Oh…”
Was the pause because she had said too much or…
Kat’s voice came back lower. Sexier. “Would you like that?”
Wendy bit her lip, battling to keep her attention at work and failing spectacularly. All she could think about was Kat’s perfect body. “I wish I was standing next to you. I’d love to test out how bad this problem of yours really is.”
“My lunch break is coming up,” Kat said.
“I’m sorry I can’t. Cory and I are about to head out.” She glanced at her watch and opened the door to find Cory standing there poised to knock. “In fact, it looks like I’m out of time.”
“At least tell me what you’re wearing.”
“What?” Wendy coughed in surprise.
“Cory’s standing there, isn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll let you go then. As long as you promise I’ll see you tonight.”
“That I can do.” She ended the call and stepped past Cory. “Everything’s loaded?”
“Just waiting on you.”
They walked to the battered white catering van, Wendy testing how long Cory could go without commenting. She was content to savor the details Kat had shared with her and enjoyed the fantasy of taking advantage of Kat’s primed body.
Three minutes later, he blew out a frustrated breath. “You sure are flushed for someone who was in the refrigerator that long. You were talking to Kat, weren’t you?”
“Maybe.”
“Look at your face! That’s a yes! When did you sleep with her?”
“Cory!”
“C’mon. I’ve been listening to Kat this and Kat that for years, but now that you’ve slept together, nothing?”
“What am I supposed to say? That I didn’t want the night to end and that I nearly called in sick today, and it’s taking all my resolve not to drop you at the event, ditch you and drag Kat into the nearest empty room?”
Cory laughed. “Whoa! Whoa!”
“See? That’s why I didn’t say anything because there’s just too much to say.”
“The two of you have your wedding all mapped out?”
“Who said anything about a wedding?”
“This much time you’ve waited, she’s a planner, you’re a caterer…You could get married next week.”
“But I don’t know if you’re free.”
Cory took his eyes off the road for a moment and smiled hugely at her. “Am I invited?”
“Where are we going again?”
“It’s in Universal City, and you’re changing the subject.”
“I don’t want to miss the exit.”
“You worried?” Cory’s voice was quiet with understanding, which she appreciated.
She was worried. She and Kat were so new that it seemed silly to project. But at the same time, she had known Kat for so long and had always hoped, hadn’t she, that Kat would want to share her life with Wendy. She’d never had the courage to ask Kat if she would ever consider marrying again. Wendy remembered Jeremy asking if she herself would ever marry. His wedding anniversary was approaching, and she wondered how he and Evan were doing.
She recalled what she’d said to Jeremy, that she didn’t mind being alone until she found the right person. And now that she had found the right person, she didn’t want to be alone again. That’s what Cory had triggered.
“I’ve never felt like this before. When we did that first wedding at Kat’s house, her dad told me that life is sweeter when your heart has a companion. I would have said my life was sweet enough, but now…”
“You want more.”
Wendy nodded. “I want more.”
“Hopefully, she does too.”
The call that Cory had interrupted zinged through Wendy again. For now, she would savor the fact that Kat wanted more of her.
* * *
Kat lay in Wendy’s arms later that evening, much later than she usually stayed up. Her appetite for Wendy proved larger than she imagined possible. Wendy traced Kat’s skin, hip to shoulder and back again. Kat loved this time, loved Wendy’s calm, warm hands on her. Her touch was the perfect combination of confidence and questioning. Her hands asked here? And Kat’s body answered yes every time.
“Thanks for letting me come over tonight. I know you had a long day.”
“You’re kidding, right? No day is so long that I’d say no to this,” Wendy said.
“Like I said, I just can’t seem to get enough of you.”
“You won’t hear me complain about that. Did you get enough tonight?” Wendy asked sleepily.
Kat’s hand drifted in lazy circles across Wendy’s tummy. “Nope. Not yet.” She paused on Wendy’s breast.
Wendy smacked her hand away. “You want more now?”
“As tempting as that sounds, I don’t think I can have more now. But I can’t seem to stop touching you.”
“I love your hands on me. You sleepy?”
“Not yet. I’m thinking.”
Kat heard Wen
dy’s sharp intake of breath. “Thinking?”
The post-orgasm buzz just beginning to fade, Kat marveled at how good she felt in her body. “Just thinking how much I love being right here in your arms. Thinking you’ll have to show me that trick you did with your tongue.”
“You liked that?”
“So much.”
“Anything else on your mind?”
“Just how much I want to stay here tonight. Would that be okay?”
“You’re in luck. There happens to be a vacancy I kind of hoped you’d fill.”
“Done. You booked tomorrow?”
“Let me check the calendar.”
Kat pinched Wendy’s hip.
“Looks like you could have this spot again.”
“I’d like that.”
“Me, too.”
Kat could feel Wendy’s muscles loosening with sleep. “Sweet dreams,” she whispered, thinking about how Wendy had made so many of her dreams come true.
Chapter Twenty-Six
One Year Later
Arm in arm, Kat and Wendy walked up the long drive. “You seem nervous. Are you sure it’s okay for us to celebrate our anniversary here?”
“It’s perfect,” Wendy said. They stopped on the front porch. “This is where we had our first kiss.”
Kat leaned into Wendy who looked even sexier tonight with her curls framing her face instead of pulled back for work. “You didn’t mind my suggestion?” Kat asked, tugging gently at Wendy’s tie that she’d picked out to match her red dress.
“Not at all. I’d feel underdressed without it because you’re absolutely stunning in this.” She ran a finger underneath the spaghetti strap of Kat’s dress.
Kat savored the shiver of desire. She captured Wendy’s lips in a kiss that briefly made her regret letting her mom talk her into celebrating together. “Your kisses just get better and better,” she murmured. Just as she was about to kiss Wendy again, the door opened.
“Enough, enough already,” Travis said.
Kat snatched one more kiss before embracing Travis. She only got the hint of a squeeze before he turned his attention to Wendy.
“I think we’re almost ready to serve,” he said, leading the way to the kitchen.
“It smells good in here!” Wendy said.
“Come see how good the crepes are turning out! I’m pretty sure the butternut squash is done. Will you check it? And I haven’t steamed the spinach yet.”
Kat watched Travis and Wendy confer, thinking about how much her life had changed in the last year. Where it had once felt strange to drive here to see Travis, it was now part of the rhythm of her weekends. Wendy often joined her and offered cooking tips to Travis and Clyde. Her good works had paid off.
“I’d give you a hug, but…” Clyde held a pan in one hand and expertly poured the crepe batter.
Kat squeezed his shoulder and surveyed the kitchen. The counters nearest the range had neatly chopped green things. The counter next to the oven, however, was littered with flour and powdered chocolate. “Where’s the cake?”
“Your mom is decorating it in the dining room,” Clyde said.
Kat wrapped her arms around Wendy and said, “I’m going to go help her.”
Wendy delivered a quick kiss and swiftly turned back to the crepe assembly line.
Kat found her mom in the next room piping ganache on a tall chocolate cake. “Hi, Mom. Oh! The cake looks awesome!”
“I hope it cuts okay. I didn’t know the mousse in the middle was going to make it so slippery. But slippery is good, right?” She smirked.
“Mom…”
“What? This is my chance to live vicariously through you!” She finished placing fresh strawberries around the base of the cake. “Do you think we should drizzle them with the leftover ganache?”
“No. The berries are supposed to cut the sweetness.”
“Like ice cream,” Millie said. She wiped her hands on the white apron she wore over her ubiquitous purple shirt.
“Not quite.”
“Okay. Now that that’s done. Come on! I have some things for you.” With surprising agility, Millie climbed the stairs without her cane.
“I told you we’re not exchanging gifts!” Kat said, following her mother.
“Well this doesn’t count because I’m giving this to both of you.”
“I have veto power.”
“Of course. I can return anything.”
Kat accepted the first bag of many piled on Millie’s couch. She hoped her mother had been shopping mostly for herself. “A pound of chocolates from See’s?”
“You said she loves chocolate.”
“But you made that whole cake!”
“Nobody can have too much chocolate!”
“I approve. Is that it?”
“We’re just getting started!”
Kat accepted a bag filled with wrapped objects. “Who needs a heart-shaped plate and matching red glasses?”
“Not you?”
“No.”
With a shrug, Millie piled the rejects on the couch. “How about this?” She handed Kat a smaller bag.
“What is this? Some kind of…edible massage oil?”
Millie beamed at her.
“Mom!”
Millie’s smile disappeared. “Inappropriate?”
“You think?”
“Oh.” She glanced at the next bag. “Then I guess the massage wand is out.”
Kat covered her face. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”
Millie looked at all the bags. “You’re only taking the candy?”
“I’ll take the massage oils.”
“Great! Let me know if you change your mind about…”
Travis’s booming voice saved her. “Dinner!”
Downstairs, the table was extended with the leaves Kat had forgotten even existed.
“You and Wendy get to sit here.” Travis pulled out a chair.
Clyde held up his glass for a toast. “Let love be expressed,” he began.
“Let joy abound,” Millie finished.
“Let’s eat!” Travis added.
* * *
“Is that hollandaise sauce?” Millie asked helping herself to some asparagus.
“It is. When Travis said the menu included asparagus, I asked if I could contribute.”
“Have I mentioned how glad I am that my daughter is dating you?” Millie asked, passing the plate to Kat, who took one spear and went to the refrigerator for a dollop of mayonnaise. “You’re going to pass on this lovely hollandaise sauce your girlfriend was so kind to make?”
“Baby steps,” Kat said. “What’s in the crepe?”
“Butternut squash, pecan, steamed spinach and some feta,” Travis said. “Wendy’s recipe.”
Kat took a bite, and Wendy waited for her reaction. “Good. Sweeter than I expected.”
“Like life.” Wendy lifted her glass toward Clyde, remembering again his words about how sweet life is when your heart has a companion. She took a deep breath hoping that she had made the right decision about tonight. Clyde smiled at her, bolstering her confidence.
“What’s that about?” Kat asked.
“Something after dinner,” Wendy said. She furtively checked her pocket.
Kat and Travis exchanged a look, and then she said, “Not right after dinner because I have something to show you.”
“Everything is delicious. I’m sorry that Drew and Marie couldn’t make it,” Millie said.
“They were very apologetic that it didn’t work out and wanted me to thank you again for the invitation.” Wendy reached under the table and squeezed Kat’s thigh. In truth, they were free, but Kat had said that it felt weird enough to be celebrating with her family. She’d asked if Wendy felt okay telling hers to expect an invitation to a simple dinner soon. Knowing she wanted to sneak Kat away from everyone after dinner, Wendy happily agreed to explain that she’d like them to decline this time. It would have been difficult to leave the two couples alone.
Even with the dishes cleared and Kat taking her hand and leading her downstairs after Travis, she was still caught up in her thoughts. Kat sat her on the steps and stepped behind her drum kit. Travis already had his guitar and was waiting for Kat to set the beat.
Kat radiated happiness just as she had years ago when they’d played “Head Over Heels.” “Okay, sorry we don’t have any trumpet, but I hope you like our version.”
“I’m sure you guys rock,” Wendy said.
She could see Kat take a deep breath and begin the song. “I used to think maybe you loved me, now baby I’m sure.”
Wendy smiled at the opening lyrics though she didn’t recognize the song until Kat and Travis got to the “Walking on Sunshine” chorus. She happily joined in, and as she’d anticipated, Kat and Travis sounded awesome. When they finished, she clapped and said, “That was fantastic! I didn’t even know you guys were learning a new song!”
Kat bit her lip and rested her drumsticks in her lap, shy as always about the praise Wendy gave her singing.
She stood and extended her hand to Kat. She’d rehearsed the words she wanted to say so many times that she was beginning to worry that she would forget the order. “Come with me for a minute?”
* * *
Kat wouldn’t cry. It wasn’t like she and Wendy had talked about marriage at all, but for her to not even say a word about the lyrics she’d changed in “Walking on Sunshine” hurt more than she had expected. Travis knew and had reached for her, but she was already pulling inside herself. The words she’d offered Wendy cycled round and round, her intent so clear that Wendy could not possibly have missed it.
Her mom was counting out the good china plates while her dad washed the dishes. Before she could say a word, Kat held up her hand and shook her head. She grabbed her white wrap and draped it across her shoulders. “We’ll be right back.”
Kat's Nine Lives Page 26