“Don’t stop.” Leigh’s breathy entreaty fell into the air between them.
Nina wouldn’t have stopped for the world. She kept up her movements, watching Leigh’s face for the subtle clues of pleasure.
Then Leigh’s body arched up, her heels dug into the mattress, and her body jerked and spasmed around Nina’s fingers. One peak, then she subsided momentarily, only for a second peak to hit her almost immediately.
When Nina was sure it was over, she withdrew her fingers and rested her hand on Leigh’s thigh.
Leigh lay limply on the bed, her hair in disarray, a pink flush covering her chest. She met Nina’s eyes and smiled. “I don’t have words for something as incredible as that.”
Nina ignored the tingling in her nipples and the pulse in her own sex. She lay next to Leigh. “You are incredible. In so many ways.”
A huff of breath feathered into the room. “I think it’s us together that does it.” Leigh rolled onto her side to face Nina. “I can’t seem to get enough of you.”
Nina hooked a leg over Leigh’s thigh. “Me neither. I don’t think I’m done yet.” She watched Leigh’s eyes darken at the implication. “Is it too soon for you?”
“No. Normally, it would be. But now, with you…”
Nina reached down and insinuated a finger between Leigh’s thighs. She curled it up into the wetness and rubbed slowly.
And then Leigh also reached down and adjusted the angle of her hand so that she, too, could move in tiny circles over Nina’s clit.
The pulse stepped up a beat, heady and urgent. Nina kept her gaze focussed on Leigh’s face as she learnt again how best to pleasure Leigh and what she liked. Leigh’s fingers were sure in their movements, and Nina’s pleasure built in a crest until her orgasm crashed through her like a tsunami and left her light-headed and gasping for breath.
When she opened her eyes again, Leigh smiled in her face. Nina’s fingers were still wedged between Leigh’s thighs. She removed her leg from over Leigh, allowing Leigh to shift her position so she was more exposed. Nina circled, light pressure on the side of Leigh’s clit, and adjusted her movements to the expressions on Leigh’s face until Leigh came again in soft shudders.
Nina rolled onto her back, and Leigh moved across to lay her head on Nina’s shoulder. She wondered if she should say something. Was there any etiquette for first nights together? It had been so long for her she simply didn’t know anymore.
Leigh pressed a kiss to Nina’s shoulder. “Can I get you anything? Water?”
“Water would be wonderful, please.”
Leigh sat up and swung her feet to the floor. “Just so you know, I have to leave for work at seven tomorrow. I wish I didn’t have to rush away, but I’ve got a client at eight.” Her gaze searched Nina’s face. “I don’t want you to think I’m rushing you out of the door.”
“I understand. I have to be back at the farm as early as I can too. Oh!” She sat up and scanned the room. “I never texted Kiren to ask her to see to things in the morning.”
“I’ll bring your phone.”
Nina lay back against the soft pillows and watched Leigh’s upright back and perfect buttocks disappear out of the door.
Leigh returned with two glasses of water and Nina’s phone.
Nina dashed off a quick text to Kiren. She hoped Kiren saw it in time to set an alarm for the morning. She turned to Leigh. Words she wanted to say hovered on her tongue: Words like Will I see you again? But she bit them back. It sounded too needy, too demanding, too much the cliché lesbian. And if Leigh prevaricated or outright refused, it would make things very awkward.
After what had happened between them, though, Nina felt sure she would see Leigh again. She was no longer Leigh’s client. There was nothing to hold them back now. They could explore what they had and see where it took them.
Chapter 23
Leigh’s alarm went off at six, waking her out of a deep sleep. Her belly had a pleasurable ache to it, and her thighs were sticky. The musky smell of sex hung in the room.
She looked across to the other side of the bed.
Nina was awake. Her dark hair was in disarray, snarled over her face, which was creased from the pillow. She looked beautiful.
Leigh leant over to kiss her, lingering on Nina’s lips and stroking her cheek with a thumb. “I wish I didn’t have to rush away, but I do.” For a heady second, she considered calling in sick but only for a second. Her sense of ethics wouldn’t let her, not unless she was dying.
Dying of passion. The thought pushed its way into her head, swiftly followed by another. Ethics. Nina was technically still her client until she sent the final letters closing the file. That could be done soon. A purist would say she’d jumped the gun with last night’s date—and certainly with last night’s lovemaking—but Leigh pushed that thought aside. Nina’s matter was over, done and dusted. They would officially be free to date if that was what they both wanted.
Nina looked at her with the world and her heart in her eyes.
Leigh traced a finger along Nina’s lips. “I so wish I could stay.”
“I have to go too.” Nina didn’t move. “But I want to at least kiss you first.”
They moved together, and Leigh pressed her lips to Nina’s, tasting last night and loving Nina’s earthy scent in her nose.
“Will I see you again?” Nina looked away, as if afraid of the answer she might hear.
“You think there’s any doubt?” A glow warmed her at Nina’s words.
“No.” An impish smile curled her lips. “But I’m a novice at this dating thing. I had to ask.”
“Would you like it if I came to the farm tomorrow night? You said Phoe wasn’t back until Saturday.”
“I have Barn Kids on Saturday. It would mean I’d be gone early.”
“I could help.”
Nina’s smile was a wondrous thing. It spread across her face like the sunrise. “That would be wonderful.”
“I’ll bring takeaway if you want.”
“No. Let me cook for you.” Nina hesitated. “Leigh, my bedroom isn’t like this. It’s a lot more basic.”
“Does it have a bed big enough for both of us?”
“Yes.”
“Then it’s perfect.”
“You look happy.” Grizz stuck her head around the door of Leigh’s office. “Were you out celebrating the end of the claim against Nina?”
“Yes. I took her to Seascape.” There was no harm saying that since she often took clients out to celebrate a win.
Grizz whistled. “Ritzy place for a small claim.” She entered the office and propped her butt against the cabinet.
“Maybe. To be honest, I thought Nina would enjoy it.”
“Did she?”
“Yes.”
“Did you?” Grizz’s words were innocent, but there was a knowing look in her eyes. She arched an eyebrow. “I’m not an idiot, Leigh. I see what’s under my nose.”
Leigh gave up the pretence of cool and smiled. “Yes, I did. Thank you for asking. And that reminds me. Would you mind preparing the—”
“—final letters to go to Nina. Now, how did I know you were going to ask that?”
“Exactly. Can they go out today?”
“Can’t. We’ve got to wait for her cheque to clear for settlement funds. I can prepare the letters, but we can’t send them until it’s all finalised.”
“Of course. You’re a wonder.”
“Can I have that in writing?” Grizz levered herself off the cabinet. “Got plans for the weekend?”
“It’s only Thursday. That’s your Friday question.”
“Mm. But somehow, I thought you might already have it figured out. Just so you know, Bryan and I will be out at Banksia Farm on Saturday. Bryan’s going to connect a tap down the end of the paddock. Save them lugging buckets of water.”
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“I’ll probably see you there, then.”
“Thought I might.” Grizz headed for the door. “I’ll leave you to it.”
Leigh stared at her computer screen without registering the document open on it. She was seeing Nina tomorrow.
Tomorrow seemed far away. With a sigh, she focussed on her screen.
Nina took a final pass around the living area. With no Phoebe to shed clothes, schoolbag, books, and stuff like autumn leaves, the living room looked tidier than it had been for a long time. The dining table had been cleared of paperwork and set for two. Nina had even found some candles at the back of a cupboard and dusted them off. A free-range chicken roasted in the oven, along with vegetables from the farm’s garden. She’d splurged and found some fresh prawns on special in the supermarket, and she’d made lime mayonnaise to accompany them. White wine chilled in the fridge, although she suspected Leigh would bring a far better wine with her than the one Nina had. She’d made tiramisu for dessert—if they made it that far without falling into bed.
She wandered through the bedroom. Clean linen, check. Clutter and clothes gone from the chair, check. She’d even changed the globe in the bedside light for something softer rather than the harsh one she had for reading.
If Phoebe walked in now, she’d know immediately something was up. She would be back tomorrow. Leigh hadn’t mentioned getting together on Saturday night, but Nina needed more time to get comfortable with this relationship herself before presenting it to Phoe.
Relationship. Was that what they had? Nina smiled. It looked as if it might be, and that was a good thing. A very good thing.
There was a knock on the door a little after six.
Nina’s heart rate sped up, and anticipation had her almost running to the door.
Leigh stood there in her business suit, her hands full of bags. A sports bag was slung over one shoulder.
“Hi.” Nina knew she was grinning like a loon, but she could no more play it cool than Phoebe could do her homework on time. “Come in.”
Leigh pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Let me put these down so that I can kiss you properly.”
Nina’s cheek tingled from the touch. She led Leigh into the living area and took her bags from her.
Leigh slung the sports bag onto the couch. “There’s wine in the cooler bag. Can it go in the fridge?”
“In a moment.” Nina slid her arms around Leigh’s waist and leant in. “There’s something I have to do first.”
The kiss leapt into being, as wild as a bushfire. Nina pushed her tongue into Leigh’s mouth, and for several moments, they gave and took in equal measures.
Leigh moved away first. “Wine.” She took the bottle from the cooler bag, opened it, and poured them both a glass. “To new beginnings.”
“New beginnings.”
The wine was delicious, as she’d known it would be. She set the glass down and took the other things Leigh handed her: cheese and crackers, air-dried ham, fresh figs, and a second bottle of wine.
“I need to change.” Leigh tugged at the collar of her shirt. “I didn’t want to waste time going home.”
“Ms Impatient,” Nina teased, even as she rejoiced that Leigh was so keen to see her. She led the way to her bedroom, leant in the doorway, and watched Leigh shed her suit. Desire tugged her as Leigh turned, wearing only her undies, and pulled on a pair of denim shorts and a T-shirt. With her hair loose around her shoulders, she instantly looked younger, more relaxed.
Leigh quirked an eyebrow. “Enjoy the show?”
In answer, Nina tugged her closer for another slow kiss.
They took their wine out onto the veranda. The heat of the day had cooled with a short, sharp rain burst, so the air was fresh with the scent of eucalyptus, the dust settled on the ground. A rosella landed on the railing, its red and blue plumage brilliant in the evening light.
“What’s new and exciting in your world?” Nina pulled her feet up underneath her and curled into a corner of the couch.
Leigh smiled. “You really want to know about court documents and contracts, obstreperous clients, and how the coffee machine broke?”
“It’s part of who you are, so, yes, I do.”
“That pretty much sums it up. The worst part was the coffee machine. Grizz was most upset. She’s fuelled by caffeine, and she had to go to the coffee shop in the foyer three or four times to make it through the day.”
“She and Bryan will be here tomorrow.” Nina sipped her wine. “I hope that’s not a problem for you.”
“She said. And, no, it’s not. Technically, you and I shouldn’t see each other yet—you’re still my client until we’ve got the paperwork finalised—but Grizz is a clam. Very discreet.”
“And when it’s all done, that’s it? Nothing to stop us from doing what we want?”
Leigh’s eyes were huge in the low light. “Nothing.”
“And right now?”
“I’m not leaving, Nina.” She reached across the space between them to take Nina’s hand.
The prawns were delicious, the chicken roasted to perfection, and the vegetables crisp and tasty. Nina could have been eating cardboard. The butterflies in her stomach seemed to have filled all the available space, and they didn’t want feeding. Instead, she watched Leigh eat her meal with every sign of enjoyment.
When Leigh set her knife and fork together, she tilted her head and regarded the food left on Nina’s plate. “You’re not a good advert for your own cooking. I thought that was delicious.”
“I’m sure it is. I’m just not too hungry right now.”
“What was the jelly you served with the meat?”
“Apple, sage, and mint jelly. A father of one of the Barn Kids made it. Luckily, it wasn’t all smashed in the last lot of vandalism.”
“The last lot?” Leigh frowned and picked up her wineglass. “I didn’t realise there was more after the fence was cut and Jellybean got loose.”
“Unfortunately, yes. Someone broke into the farm shop in the middle of the night and had a smashing time. Literally. If I hadn’t disturbed them, there might have been more lost. I thought I’d mentioned it, but I guess in everything else that’s happened recently it slipped my mind.”
“Nina, please be careful. They could have been high on drugs or something, looking for money.”
“I don’t think so. I think it’s connected to the fence that was cut. The till was untouched. Even the donations box was left alone. No, it was someone who wanted to do as much damage as possible. I still suspect the developer.” She tightened her lips.
“Did you go to the police?”
“Honestly, I never got around to it. Gino arrived the next morning, and then Grizz called about the conference. It’s probably too late now.”
“It could have been Stella.”
“No. Stella wouldn’t do that. She’s not vindictive. Not like that anyway.” Nina looked down at her plate to collect her thoughts. “If you like the jelly, you can take a jar with you.”
“Thank you.”
There was silence for a minute. Nina watched Leigh twirl the stem of her wineglass. This was probably a quiet evening for her. No restaurant, theatre, or cocktail event. No trendy bar or dinner party. “You must think my life very quiet.” She gestured around her living area. “Where would you be on any other Friday night?”
“Honestly?” At Nina’s nod, she continued. “Out to dinner with a friend maybe. Putting in an appearance at various events that the firm encourages us to attend. Occasionally a date but not often lately.”
“Meredith?”
“Yes, Meredith. We only had a few dates, Nina. I won’t see her again except through work.”
“I wasn’t fishing for that answer. I wondered if you ever spent Friday nights at home.”
“I’d like to, but it seldom happens. A night with my feet up o
n the couch, watching trashy TV, sounds like a dream.”
“Be my guest. There’s all the trash you could wish for over there.” Nina gestured at the TV in the corner.
Leigh didn’t spare it a glance. “That was before I met you. Now my dream is to sit with you on the veranda and see if the stars come out and know there’s a big bed to move to when we’ve had enough stargazing.”
“You have a honey tongue.” Nina’s mind flickered ahead to the scenario Leigh’s words brought to mind.
“I’ll put it to good use…later.”
The world narrowed to the two of them and the warm night that was suddenly too hot. Nina pulled her T-shirt away from her skin, seeking cooler air. “You don’t make it easy for me to relax, you know.”
“I do my best.” The glance Leigh shot her was wicked and wanton.
Nina stood and went to the fridge to get the wine. “Then let’s go and find those stars.”
Even with the ceiling fan, the night was warm. Nina watched Leigh, who relaxed with her head on the back of the couch, eyes trained on the night sky. “I wonder how many stars are out there?”
“Billions. It puts us firmly in our insignificant place, doesn’t it?” Leigh didn’t shift her gaze away from the sky.
“Lawsuits, farms, money, careers, even the people we love are specks in the history of the universe. I don’t know if that’s awe inspiring or depressing.”
“The first,” Leigh said. “Because we’re here, we’re alive, and we have this world around us. People to connect with. I like to think we make our mark, brief as our time is.”
“Call me naive, but I still like to think that love makes the world go around. Not only romantic love but of family, of friends, of animals, of nature. Even a favourite book or TV series.”
Leigh laughed. “I’m not sure my fascination for I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! adds much joy to the universe.”
“The universe is probably covering its eyes. But you love it, and that’s what counts.” Nina rested her feet on the low table in front of them.
A Heart This Big Page 24