by Dena Blake
After the spectacle Wynn had made of herself this morning at Carly’s office, she’d told herself to stay cool and keep the conversation light, and to let Carly talk about herself more. Most people liked that, but Carly wasn’t having any part of it. So far this evening she’d managed to do the opposite on all counts.
“Let me have that.” Carly took the broom from Suzanna and continued to sweep the remnants of scattered lettuce into the pan Wynn was holding on the floor. “What else needs to be done?”
“Roll these napkins.” Suzanna went to an unfolded pile on another counter.
“We can handle that.” Carly glanced at Wynn, who was dumping the remaining salad into the trash can. “Right, Ms. Butterfingers?” She winked.
“How’d you know it was me?”
“You’ve been a walking disaster area since we arrived.” Carly smiled softly. “You don’t need to be nervous around me. I’m just your average, everyday girl.”
But Carly was mistaken. She was so much more than average to Wynn. Carly was way out of her league, and Wynn couldn’t stop the butterflies from fluttering in her stomach every time Carly looked at her.
“Come on.” Carly reached for her hand and then pulled back, seeming to second-guess her actions. “You grab that basket, I’ll get the napkins, and let’s find a table in a corner somewhere and knock these out.”
They had just about finished folding napkins. The restaurant staff had already provided plenty, but Suzanna was always prepared. Everything was going smoothly since they’d moved out of the danger zone of the kitchen and into the restaurant area.
“So, you didn’t tell me earlier. Do you have any pets?”
Carly pursed her lips. “Not another word about me until you share-more about yourself.”
“Okay.” She set the last bunch of perfectly rolled napkins into the basket and relaxed into her chair. “What do you want to know?”
“Family? Work? Or both?” Carly’s face was intense. She was on her second glass of wine and still hadn’t seemed to relax.
“Does it have to be one or the other?”
Carly raised an eyebrow. “If you know anything about me, you know which one is the most important.”
“Family,” she said softly. “Your love and devotion for them astounds me.”
A smile crept across Carly’s face. “Spot-on.”
“My family is different. We’re close but don’t spend as much time together as I’d like.” She leaned forward and settled her forearms on the table. “Tell me this. If you had family plans and got a call from a client who needed you right now, would you answer? Let it pull you away from your family?”
“That’s different.”
“Is it?”
“Hell, yes, it’s different. Sometimes it’s life or death for my clients.”
The passion she saw in Carly made her love her even more. “Okay. I understand that, but what if it wasn’t? Say it was just a simple question? Would you still answer?”
Carly flattened her lips. “I wouldn’t know it was simple until I answered.”
“So let’s compromise. Work only comes first if it’s a dire emergency.” When Carly raised an eyebrow, Wynn lifted a finger. “I stipulate that we will determine the definition of dire at a later date.”
“Agreed.” Carly observed Wynn over her glass at her as she took a drink of wine. “And kids? What about kids?”
“You want lots of them.”
“I know that.” Carly reached over and tugged at her pinky finger. “What about you?”
She rolled her lips in and took a deep breath. Carly’s smile faded, and she couldn’t make her think she didn’t want the same. “I want just as many of those heart-twisting little rug rats as you.” She laughed and Carly smiled her beautiful smile.
Wynn’s pulse quickened as they stared into each other’s eyes. All sounds of the party happening around them quickly disappeared to a low muffle compared to the rapid beat of her heart thumping in her ears. Was it possible for Carly to hear it as well? The smoldering darkness in her eyes made her think she could. It seemed Carly knew everything going on in her heart.
* * *
Carly stared into Wynn’s eyes, and she tingled as the dream she’d had this morning after Wynn left her office filled her thoughts. Them pressed into each other, soft breasts in her hands, sweet nipples in her mouth. Legs tangled together and sheets tossed to the floor. Everything Wynn had told her came vividly to life in high definition, and she was completely aroused again.
“Are you okay?” Wynn’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Your cheeks look a little flushed.”
“Do they?” They were on fire. She slapped her hands to them, trying to cool the inferno radiating from them, and launched out of her chair. “I have to go.” She didn’t know how she was going to process the electrifying, erotic dream she’d had, but no way could she remain in the same room with Wynn without acting on it.
“Carly, wait,” Wynn said as she shot up and took her by the hand.
The bolt of electricity zapped up her arm, down through her midsection, and then settled between her legs. She froze as Wynn’s full, red lips opened slightly and vibrant blue eyes stared at her in confusion. Why had they never impacted her before today?
She pulled her arm free. “No, really. I have to go. Now.” The warmth in her arm remained like she’d been branded by Aphrodite, the goddess of desire herself, and she would never have free will again when it came to Wynn Jamison. How could she fix this? Panic shot through her. How could she sit across the table from Wynn tonight and act like everything was the same, when clearly it wasn’t? Every shred of interest she’d had in anyone else remained only clutter in her head, wiped clean by a dream she’d had about Wynn—with Wynn, which had penetrated her very core.
“Can we still talk later?” Wynn asked, her voice so soft, pleading.
“I don’t know,” she said into the air in front of her, not daring to turn around again. If any more talking happened, it had to be someplace very public, in the middle of the crowd.
She’d barely moved three feet away from Wynn when Suzanna caught her, draped her arm around her waist, and moved her back into Wynn’s space. “Don’t you two look awesome tonight. If I didn’t know better, I’d have thought you dressed at the same house.” Suzanna grinned.
Carly knew Suzanna was only trying to help, but she wasn’t. Carly didn’t like not being in control of her emotions, and the constant zaps hitting her system whenever her eyes met Wynn’s made it clear she wasn’t maintaining any constraints at this moment.
She took a breath. “Thanks. You’re looking pretty gorgeous tonight yourself.”
“Hey. I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you two take a walk on the pier?” She ushered them toward the door. “Hurry, before Jordan starts barking out orders.”
Wynn held out her hand. “It’s only a walk.” She gave her a soft, pleading smile.
Carly reluctantly took it and swallowed hard as the familiar jolts coursed through her. How could Wynn do that to her with just one touch?
They strolled silently until they reached a lovely spot where they could take in the view of the Pacific Ocean as it floated effortlessly under the Bay Bridge. The sun was just beginning to lower, and the purples and reds of the sky created a beautiful backdrop to the perfect evening. She glanced at Wynn, enjoying the colors of the sky reflecting on her face, and decided, as hard as it was for her, she should enjoy this beauty and serenity.
Wynn glanced her way and caught her staring. “What?”
“Nothing. I just had a dream this morning after you left my office, and you were…” She shook her head. “Never mind.” She looked at the sunset.
“Please don’t do that.” Wynn guided her chin back to see her eyes before she rolled her lips in, then chewed on the bottom one. “Not after I said all those things to you this morning.”
She moved closer and put her hand on Wynn’s cheek. “It started like this.” She stopped fighting and let it
happen—took Wynn’s face in her hands and kissed her. Their tongues danced in a slow waltz, each pushing against the other, swirling perfectly in motion together. Every one of her nerve endings exploded like a sparkler on the Fourth of July. Heat spread throughout her and settled between her legs. The strongest of winds from the bay wouldn’t be able to douse the fire Wynn stoked within her. She broke the kiss and stared breathlessly into Wynn’s eyes.
“That was a pretty good beginning.” Wynn quirked her lip up. “How did it end?”
Another jolt zapped through her cheeks. “At your place. I think.” She looked away. “In bed.”
Wynn grinned, her cheeks producing the tiniest of dimples, which made her even more gorgeous than before. “We don’t have to go there tonight, or anywhere else for that matter. I would love nothing more than to just walk the pier and be in your company. To learn more about you.” Wynn touched Carly’s lips lightly with her own, and heat spread through her again. Much more than talking would happen if she went anywhere with Wynn tonight. Even an innocent stroll on the pier would wind up with them in a dark corner somewhere making out until she had to find a room to finish what they would start.
She broke the kiss and pushed out of Wynn’s arms. “I’m sorry. I can’t.” She spun around, rushed back to the restaurant and through the patio gate.
Wynn caught up with her on the patio before she made it inside. “Can we just go somewhere and talk?” The pleading look in her eyes was heartbreaking.
She knew she shouldn’t. Staying within fifty feet of Wynn right now was dangerous, but her desire was overwhelming. “Okay.” She wanted so badly to finish what they’d started—what she’d dreamed about.
Wynn took her hand and led her back out the patio gate and around the side of the building. In a flash, Carly had Wynn pushed up against the building kissing her again. Why was this pull to Wynn so powerful?
“I want to get out of here. Go somewhere private.” Wynn’s voice was soft and breathless.
“I need to let Suzanna know I’m leaving.”
“I’ll text her from the car.”
“No. I can’t just leave. I need to tell her.”
“Okay.” Wynn backed up and threaded her fingers through her hair. I’ll get the car and meet you out front?”
“Okay.” She walked back where they’d come from, past the restaurant, and farther down the pier to another restaurant, where she grabbed hold of a railing to steady herself. The emotions coursing through her were paralyzing; she couldn’t catch her breath, walk, or even think straight. She didn’t intend to go anywhere with Wynn—she couldn’t until she got herself under control. She pushed her way through faceless obstacles inside to the front door and rushed out to get as far away as she could as fast as her feet would move her.
She was close to the point of no return as it was, and she had rules about moving too quickly, no matter how right it felt. The dream she’d had this morning was so real, she was about to combust and couldn’t imagine how spending more time this evening with Wynn would end in anything less than a marathon night of lovemaking.
Chapter Twenty-two
Wynn lay in bed staring at the ceiling. What had gone wrong tonight? Everything seemed to have been progressing well, and it seemed like the connection she’d shared with Carly was solid until something spooked her.
After they’d worked so well together to help Suzanna, the night had been filled with fun optimism. Of all things, they’d bonded over spilled salad, and she’d been looking forward to being alone with Carly outside of the fund-raising event. You could discuss only so much with fifty or more people milling around.
Carly had wanted to know more about Wynn and hadn’t stopped bulleting her with questions after they’d arrived. That was fair, since Wynn had spent the entire conversation this morning talking about herself and her needs. Thankfully, it hadn’t scared her off immediately, but it seemed to have confused her. The disbelief she’d seen creep across her face had slowly turned to confusion when Wynn told her everything she’d learned about her over the past few days. She’d either thought she was a stalker or truly believed her.
Carly had appeared unsure at one moment, but then they’d talked more, and everything between them seemed to be good. She hadn’t pressured Carly, had she? She recalled their conversation.
“Can we just go somewhere and talk?”
“Okay.” Carly seemed hesitant.
She glanced toward the restaurant, saw a flash of Jordan through the doors. She would be upon them soon. “Come this way.” She took Carly’s hand and quickly led her through the gateway and onto the pier. They rushed around the side of the building, where they stopped for breath. “I think we escaped.” She braced herself against the building and laughed. Then before she knew it, Carly’s hands were on her cheeks and she was kissing her with intent.
“I want to get out of here. Go somewhere private.”
She’d said she needed to let Susanna know. Carly was adorably polite, another thing Wynn loved about her, a trait she was sure Carly had gained from her profession. So, she’d agreed to get the car and meet her in front of the restaurant.
Wynn couldn’t believe this was happening. She had a chance to change her destiny and have a life with Carly. All she could think about were the promises they’d made each other the night before to see this thing through—whatever it was—whatever the outcome. They both knew with absolute certainty they were meant to be together.
But Carly had vanished, left without her, and hadn’t answered any of her calls. She’d wanted to accomplish so much tonight and had so little time for it to happen. She wanted to learn more about Carly and share everything going on in her head with her. They hadn’t even touched the top layer of their lives. The intimacy they’d shared over the past few days had brought them exceedingly closer, at least in Wynn’s eyes. Carly’s abrupt exit made it clear she wasn’t feeling the same. How could she? Wynn had only been a blip on the radar of Carly’s life. Tonight had been another disaster to add to the growing pile of confusion.
The doorbell rang, and she checked the Ring app on her phone. Her heart raced when she saw Carly standing at her door. As she launched out of bed and pulled on a pair of sweatpants, the bell rang two more times, and a text notification appeared on her phone.
She ran through the house and yanked open the door. “Are you okay?”
“I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have left you like that at the restaurant, but I’m still trying to wrap my head around how you know all that about me.”
She moved aside to let Carly enter, watched her walk into the living room. She’d changed and was now wearing skinny jeans and a button-down plaid blouse tucked in loosely at the waist.
“I have no other explanation for it other than the one I’ve given you.” She watched as Carly paced across the room. “I know you think I’m crazy, but it’s all true. I’m in love with you, and you can’t even remember what happened between us yesterday.” She moved closer to the front door. “You should just go. It must not be meant to be.” The tears rained down her cheeks. She couldn’t believe this was the last time she would see Carly, but it had to be. For her own sanity, she had to get over this woman, get out of this loop.
Carly moved swiftly across the room, and instead of leaving she kicked the door closed and took Wynn into her arms and kissed her. Soon she was pressed up against the wall being kissed with such urgency she almost couldn’t breathe. Her mind scattered, and she immersed herself in the heat of Carly’s body, the softness of her breasts, the strength of her arms, her skillful tongue swirling inside her mouth. Carly’s hands worked her way under Wynn’s shirt and up to her breasts, which were completely free of any restraint. Carly pinched a nipple, and liquid gushed to Wynn’s boyshorts.
“I don’t know how to explain it either. I’ve never felt this close to anyone,” Carly said as she broke free for air. “Bedroom?”
Wynn quickly led her through the house and through the door into her bedroom,
stopping just short of the bed. “Is this what you want?”
“More than I’ve ever wanted anything.” Carly kissed her again, slipped her hands beneath her T-shirt again, let them drift up her sides, and Wynn shuddered. She would never get over the pleasure of Carly’s touch. Loving Carly and letting her do the same in return had been everything she’d imagined it would be. She would live this day over forever if Carly ended up in her arms every night. Only tonight Wynn would take control.
She moved Carly to the bed and watched her fall back before she tugged her T-shirt over her head. Carly watched, her eyes raking over her without scrutiny. She slipped her thumbs under her sweatpants, and Carly sat up and pushed her hands out of the way, then slid the pants slowly from her hips to the floor. Wynn shuddered as Carly grazed her fingers up her calves, creating tiny circles as she moved to her thighs. She jolted when Carly’s lips touched her belly just below her navel.
Carly held her tightly as she laughed against her skin, then looked up at her with dark eyes. “Take me there. To the place you told me about this morning.” She dropped another kiss on Wynn’s belly and pulled off her shirt before she leaned back on her arms, waiting.
The wetness between Wynn’s legs multiplied as she dropped to her knees, unbuttoned Carly’s pants, and slid them from her soft, smooth legs. Everything she’d ever wanted was right here, and she was going to do just as Carly asked in the slowest, most methodical method her desires would allow.
She memorized the soft moans escaping Carly’s lips as she trailed her tongue down her belly, settled in, and kissed each thigh. Then she stared at the glorious sight in front of her. Slowly snaking her arms under her legs, she moved her to the edge of the bed, placed a leg over each shoulder, and buried herself between them. She took in all of her and felt Carly press against her mouth, wanting more as her back arched from the bed. She did just that, gave her so much more—licking, sucking, tasting without hesitation. She’d wanted to savor the familiar taste, enjoy every moment to its fullest, but she would give this first one to Carly quickly and then do it all over