A New Beginning

by Samantha Hicks

  “Sounds good.”

  She held out a bottle to him. “I brought wine again for you and Martha.”

  “Thank you,” he said as he took the bottle. “I’ll pass it onto the chef.”

  “And where is Martha?” Laura asked, her eyes scanning behind him.

  “In the kitchen cooking up a storm.” He smiled his thanks and strolled off to the kitchen.

  “It smells delicious in here already.”

  “Do you want to see my game?” Aaron asked, taking hold of Laura’s hand.

  Amy smiled at the obvious affection between Laura and her son. She thought she would still feel heartbroken that it wasn’t Julia here with him, but the way Laura smiled down at Aaron and Aaron’s look of pure joy in her presence made Amy feel nothing but happiness. She ran her hand over Aaron’s messy hair lovingly. “Aaron, Laura just got here.”

  “No, it’s okay,” Laura interrupted. “I was promised a play date after all.”

  “Cool. I’ll go set it up.” Aaron took his Lego set and raced back up the stairs.

  Laura turned her gaze to Amy. “How have you been?”

  “Distracted,” Amy said with a smile.

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.” Amy watched as Laura stuffed her hands into her pockets and rocked slightly on her heels. She’s just as nervous as I am.

  “Are you okay about the other day?” Laura enquired.

  “Stop worrying. I’m fine.” Amy stepped closer to her, surprised by her sudden need to be as close to Laura as she could get. Laura’s perfume flooded her senses and she felt her skin flush. “I’ve been distracted in a good way,” she whispered demurely.

  “Excellent.” Laura’s smile was radiant. “I had a wonderful time the other day.”

  “Me too.”

  “I, uh, better go see Aaron.”

  Only a few inches separated them and for a few seconds Amy thought Laura might kiss her. She was torn between begging her to do just that or running in the opposite direction and hiding from her need. “Yes. Okay. Dinner will be about fifteen minutes.”

  “We won’t be long,” Laura whispered, her hand briefly running down Amy’s arm.

  “Right.”

  Amy watched as she headed upstairs, her gaze lingering on her backside in the tight jeans. Shaking herself loose she went back into the kitchen.

  “I poured you some wine, Amy,” Martha said, tilting her head to indicate a glass sitting on the breakfast bar.

  “Thanks, Mum.” She took a large gulp, liking Laura’s excellent taste in wines.

  “How are you?” Martha asked as she pulled the meatloaf out of the oven.

  “Still nervous.” She ran a hand through her hair, smiling. She never thought she would have these kinds of feelings again for a woman and now that Laura had come into her life, she couldn’t stop the butterflies that took up residence in her belly. She would always love Julia, but she found herself with growing feelings for Laura. And she was okay with that. “But in a good way.” Loud thudding came from the ceiling above them where Aaron’s room was located.

  “What on earth are they doing up there?” Martha wondered aloud.

  “I’ll go see.” Amy put her glass down and went in search of her son. As she stood in his doorway she saw Laura laying on Aaron’s bed, clutching a pillow over her face as Aaron stood over her hitting her with his own pillow. Amy laughed. Aaron was good at pillow fighting, she herself had lost many a battle with him. She cleared her throat. “Ahem. I don’t remember this being part of Lego Batman.”

  Aaron jumped from the bed, throwing his pillow down, and Laura gaped at her, her hair a tangled mess from Aaron’s blows.

  “He started it,” Laura whined, pointing at Aaron.

  Amy folded her arms across her chest, shaking her head. “Really, Laura, blaming a child?”

  “It’s the truth.”

  Laura pouted but Amy could see her eyes dancing with playfulness. Amy walked farther into the room stopping at the foot of the bed. “Don’t you think you’re a little old for pillow fights?”

  “You’re never too old for a pillow fight, Mum,” Aaron said as he picked up his discarded pillow and hit Amy square in the face. “See?”

  Amy blinked, shocked her son would attack her without warning. “I can’t believe you just hit me with a pillow.” She shook her head slowly, deciding on the best course of action.

  “You’re in trouble now, Aaron,” Laura sing-songed. Aaron’s eyes went wide as Amy plucked the pillow out of Laura’s hands.

  “Mum, I’m sorry. Please don’t hit me!” he squealed as he clambered back on the bed and scurried behind Laura.

  “Don’t think you can hide behind her, you wimp.” Amy took aim, delighted when she managed to swing and hit both Aaron and Laura. Things erupted into chaos as all-out war took hold of them and they spent the next five minutes ducking and diving from each other’s hits.

  “Hey, you bunch of kids,” Martha’s voice sounded from the bottom of the stairs. “Dinner is on the table.”

  Amy tossed her pillow back on the bed and took Aaron’s from his hands. “Go wash up,” she told him.

  “Okay.” He leapt off the bed and rushed from the room.

  Amy fell back on the bed, finding herself resting against Laura’s side. She turned her head and said, “Hi.”

  Laura rolled to her side and caressed Amy’s cheek. “Hi.”

  “How on earth did you get into a pillow fight?” Amy asked, her gaze locked on Laura’s mesmerising eyes.

  “He wanted to sit on the floor and I asked him for a pillow to sit on.” Laura grinned. “My bones aren’t what they used to be. He threw it at me and it bonked me on the head. I retaliated. And, well, the rest you know.”

  “You’re just a big kid, aren’t you?”

  Laura’s smile vanished as she gazed into Amy’s eyes. Amy’s pulse quickened. “Not all the time,” Laura whispered, her lips only a few inches away from Amy’s.

  “We better get downstairs,” Amy murmured, the urge to kiss Laura was strong and she wasn’t sure how much longer she could hold out. She had never felt this kind of desire before, not even for Julia. Or if she had, she couldn’t remember it. All she could see was Laura, all she wanted was Laura.

  “Yes, we had,” Laura said, pulling away from Amy and rolling off the bed.

  Amy could see the regret in her eyes and knew at that point Laura wanted to kiss her just as much as she did. She stood from the bed and straightened her clothes. “Thank you.”

  “For what?” she asked, eyebrows raised.

  Thank you for giving me time to adjust to all these new feelings. “Just, thank you.”

  After dinner was eaten and the clearing up was done Laura said she needed to go. Aaron jumped up from the lounge floor where he had laid out his new Lego model and said, “Do you have to go yet? We didn’t get to play the game or build the Lego.”

  “Next time okay?” Laura said.

  “Okay.”

  “Come on Aaron, let’s get you ready for bed.” Jim said, taking his grandson’s hand in his own.

  “See you later buddy.”

  Amy stood from the sofa and said, “I’ll walk you out.”

  They silently left the house and stopped by Laura’s car. Laura turned to Amy and said, “Thank you for having me over. I had a really nice time.”

  “Thank you for coming,” she replied. She didn’t want the night to end but knew that it must. It had been a pleasant evening. Laura got on well with them all and Amy smiled thinking it felt like Laura had always been in their home. She looked at her now, the cool evening air bringing goosebumps to her skin, or maybe it was Laura’s hot gaze.

  “I’ll call you?” Laura asked, the unsureness of her voice endearing her to Amy.

  “Yes, that would be nice.”

  “Can I get a hug?” Laura smirked.

  “Sure.” Amy stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Laura’s waist, settling her head on her shoulder. Laura’s arms came around her.<
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  “I really did have a nice time,” Laura whispered into her ear, her hot breath making Amy’s pulse race. “You have a wonderful family.”

  Amy lifted her head, so she could look into Laura’s eyes. “What are you doing to me, Laura?”

  “Courting you.”

  Amy snorted. “You sound like my dad.” Laura’s skin flushed, and Amy knew in that instant Laura had been talking to her dad about them. “Oh my God! Not him as well.” Why is everyone match making around here?

  “He just told me not to give up, that I should woo you.”

  “Woo me?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I can’t believe this.” She shook her head. “You’re all conspiring against me.”

  “We just want you to be happy.”

  “I know. And because of you, that is happening.” She looked up in wonder. “You’re pretty amazing.” She twirled her fingers through the soft strands of her hair where it brushed her collar.

  Laura grinned. “I like to think so.”

  Amy lifted her brows and quirked her lips. “Your ego needs some work.”

  “Nah, it needs a kiss.”

  “Okay.” Maybe it was the wine they had at dinner or maybe it was the way Laura looked at her, whatever it was had Amy moving her head upward and capturing Laura’s mouth in a hard kiss. Laura’s lips parted, and she deepened the kiss. Amy couldn’t get enough. She pushed herself into Laura forcing her to back up a step until she leaned against her car. Laura’s hands skirted up her waist and cupped her face, fusing their mouths together further and preventing Amy from pulling back. It was the most incredible thing Amy had ever experienced. Laura’s mouth was hot and hungry, and Amy wanted more. She was in fear of losing control on her parent’s driveway. Finally, she pulled back, breathing hard.

  “Jesus, Amy. That was...”

  “Incredible,” she finished.

  “Yeah.”

  Amy took another step back, placing her hand on Laura’s chest to keep her from moving closer. “You need to leave now, before I do something stupid, like kiss you again.”

  She watched as Laura swallowed hard and shook her head. “Goodnight Amy.”

  “Drive safely.” Laura reached up and cupped her cheek again. She leaned in and kissed Amy once more, softer this time. After they parted she smiled and nodded, then opened her car door and slipped inside. With a honk of the horn and a wave out the window she was gone.

  Amy watched her drive away, her body still vibrating from Laura’s kisses. She took a few calming breaths and then headed back into the house. Martha was waiting for her in the foyer.

  “You could have left some oxygen in her lungs, dear,” she admonished, but smiling.

  “You were spying on us?”

  “Yes,” her mother answered without even a trace of contrition. She grasped Amy’s cold hands. “I’m so happy for you, honey.”

  “Thanks, Mum. I am too.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “Are you sure you don’t mind me coming in with you?” Amy asked her father. It was Wednesday morning and they had just dropped Aaron off at school. Now they sat in the parking lot of Laura’s office. They had come to see the sketches Laura had drawn for her parent’s new home and Amy couldn’t stop the butterflies that were fluttering in her stomach. The prospect of seeing Laura again thrilled her. They hadn’t spoken to each other since dinner last week, the night Laura had kissed her senseless, and the night Amy finally began to feel the promise of a future with someone, with Laura. Laura had texted her a few times, just checking in, and Amy appreciated her giving her space to adjust to the attraction they had between them. But now Amy just wanted to see her again, even if that meant gate-crashing on her father’s meeting.

  “Why would I mind?” He glanced at her as he unclipped his seatbelt and removed the keys from the ignition. “You’re dating each other so it makes sense you’d want to see her as much as possible.”

  Amy felt her cheeks heat. “We’re not dating.”

  “Really?” Jim gave her a pointed look and she realised she had no reason not to be honest with him.

  “Well, we are, sort of. Jesus, Dad, I don’t know what we’re doing.” Not completely true. She knew exactly what she wanted to do to Laura, but that wasn’t something he needed to hear.

  “You seemed to have a nice time the other night, from what your mother said you were doing out by the car.”

  Her blush deepened, and she covered her face with her hands, groaning. “God. I’m not discussing this with you.” She still felt mortified her mother had been watching her make out with Laura in the driveway.

  “Why not?”

  “You’re my dad!” she stated, as if it that wasn’t obvious.

  Jim drew in a deep breath then grasped her shoulder in his thick hand. “Amy, you’re an adult raising a son. You don’t need to hide your feelings from me like you’re a teenager.”

  She looked deep into his eyes, knowing he would never judge her. He had seen her at her happiest and at her worst. There really was nothing she couldn’t tell him. “I know, I’m sorry. This is just all so new.”

  “But you like her?” he asked carefully.

  “Yeah, I like her a lot.”

  “That’s good then.” He squeezed her shoulder one last time then grabbed the door handle. “Come on and let’s see how the new house is looking.”

  They exited the car then took the short journey up to the third floor. The closer they got to her office, the more Amy felt her pulse race. The anticipation almost making her black out. She hadn’t been this excited about seeing someone in a very long time. Laura’s outer office was empty, Amy assumed Laura’s assistant must be at university today. The door to the main office was slightly ajar and Amy hung back as Jim raised his hand to knock. Laura’s voice came from inside saying “come in.” She allowed her father to enter first, following a few steps behind.

  “Jim, hi.” Laura said as she stood from the stool she sat on by one of her drawing boards. “How are you?”

  “I’m good.” He reached out and shook her outstretched hand. “Excited to see the designs you have.”

  Laura motioned to the drawing board she had just risen from with her hand. “These are just rough sketches don’t forget. It’s not the finished design. Anything you want to change, we can.” Amy came fully into the room, catching Laura’s gaze. “Hello, Amy.”

  “Hi,” Amy managed to croak out. Laura looked sexy as hell. She wore dark trousers that hugged her trim thighs and a powder blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing off long toned arms. Amy licked her lips, all the moisture in her body seemingly to sink to her crotch. Sometime over the last few days Amy had gone from figuring out if she wanted a relationship with Laura to wanting to throw her down on the desk and having her way with her. She looked away, knowing she needed to get her hormones under control.

  “Let’s take a look,” Laura said as she moved the stool out of the way, allowing Jim a chance to see the designs. “I’ve designed the outside how you wanted it. Rustic but modern. I added a back porch as I think this will help balance out the one on the front, give it a symmetrical feel.”

  “Oh, this is wonderful,” Jim said. “Martha is going to love it.”

  Laura flipped the paper over and said, “Here is the floor plan. The master room will overlook the front which will give you a lovely view of the fields and the two guest rooms face the back, toward the woods.”

  “This is exactly what we were thinking of. It’s perfect.”

  Amy watched as Laura blushed, the praise clearly making her uncomfortable. “You can take these home and show Martha if you like.”

  “Are you sure?” Jim asked.

  She waved her hand in the air. “Yeah, it’s fine.” She rolled up the designs and then placed them into a cardboard tube. She handed it to Jim.

  “You really are talented, Laura,” Jim said as he took the tube.

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ll give you two a moment alone.�
�� He shook Laura’s hand again then turned to Amy. “I’ll be in the car when you’ve finished.” He winked as he passed then shut the door behind him.

  Finally, Amy was alone with Laura. Now what? She had never been the type of person who couldn’t fill the silence but now she struggled for words. Laura saved her floundering.

  “Hey,” she whispered as she approached Amy.

  “Hey.”

  “Thank you again for dinner the other night.” She loosely grasped Amy’s hand in her own. “I had a fabulous time.”

  “Us too,” Amy murmured taking a step closer, bringing their bodies to within inches. “Aaron can’t wait for you to come back.” She watched as Laura smiled softly.

  “And how about you?” Laura asked as she ran her fingers up Amy’s arm then cupped her cheek.

  Amy struggled for air. It was like all the oxygen had been burned up by the intensity of Laura’s gaze. She concentrated on each breath, forcing herself to breathe as normally as she could. “I can’t wait either.”

  Laura dipped her head slightly. “I’m going to kiss you.”

  “Okay,” Amy managed to say before Laura’s lips found her own, taking her in fierce abandon. All Amy could do was hold on. She grasped Laura’s waist tight in her hands, pulling her closer. She felt her back hit something hard, realising Laura had backed her up into a filing cabinet. Amy couldn’t get enough. She was close to having an orgasm just from kissing her and she knew that had never happened before. Laura was strong, passionate, and it blazed through Amy’s fingers as she felt the warmth through Laura’s shirt.

  “Jesus,” Laura whimpered, her breaths coming out in quick gasps. “You taste so good.”

  It was all too much for Amy. She buried her face into Laura’s chest, valiantly trying to keep her sudden tears inside. She didn’t want Laura to think she had done anything wrong. How could she explain to her that she nearly came just from kissing her? She shivered. Laura’s hand wended its way up the back of her head, her fingers tangling in her hair.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  “I’m okay.” Amy took a breath to steady herself. She pulled back slightly so she could look into Laura’s eyes. “You make me feel thinks I haven’t felt in a very long time.” She smiled. “And things I’ve never felt before.”