by Harper Bliss
“Let’s get you out of these.” Naomi freed her from the baggy red cardigan, moving on to the buttons of the silk blouse, starting at the top. After undoing each one, Naomi kissed the exposed skin. Slowly she eased one sleeve off Eileen, her mouth exploring the muscles of Eileen’s good arm. When it came to removing the shirt from the other side, Naomi questioned Eileen with her eyes if she was ready.
Eileen nodded.
Naomi undid the bra, and slipped both the shirt and strap off her shoulder, once again covering Eileen with kisses as the fabric revealed the flesh. Maneuvering the articles past the elbow was surprisingly easier this time around, allowing Naomi free rein to Eileen’s body. “One last thing.” Naomi slid her hand down Eileen’s backside, her fingers gliding under her panties, tugging them past Eileen’s firm butt, letting them fall to the floor. “It’s kinda hot, undressing you slowly.”
“Maybe you missed your true calling.” Eileen breathed in her musky scent.
“Undressing women?” Naomi took Eileen’s nipple into her mouth, sucking it gently until it hardened, allowing her to bite down.
Eileen’s head dipped back, her breath hitching as she managed to say, “I had one particular woman in mind.”
“If it’s the one I’m thinking of, she’s already undressed. Ready for the next step?”
Eileen quirked a brow. “I didn’t know there was a step-by-step process.”
“Oh, it changes, but right now, I need you on the floor so I can have my way with you.”
The two lowered to the floor, Naomi climbing on top of Eileen. “The thought of not feeling your body against mine…” Naomi didn’t finish the sentence, opting to kiss Eileen slowly and passionately. Their bodies moved in sync as if they’d been waiting for the other like two swans forming the shape of a heart with their necks.
Naomi snaked down, tracing the outline of Eileen’s areola with her tongue, edging closer to the nipple with each completed swirl. Eileen’s breath came more rapidly the closer Naomi came to the hardening peak. Tiny gasps. In and out. Eileen’s body writhed under the weight of Naomi’s.
She took Eileen’s nub into her mouth, biting harder this time. It seemed Eileen’s nipple had a direct connection to her clit, and the tingling sensation intensified, causing Eileen’s buttocks to momentarily levitate over the down comforter as if by magic.
Was this what love felt like? Light. Trusting. Surprisingly easy if you let it in. Or was the heady scent of sex clinging to the air muddling Eileen’s thoughts?
Bypassing the other nipple that hadn’t quite come out to play yet, Naomi’s tongue licked Eileen’s skin as she continued her trek down south. Seemingly not wanting to ignore the nipple completely, Naomi tweaked it with the thumb and forefinger of one hand, much to Eileen’s satisfaction. Naomi’s other hand kneaded Eileen’s derriere.
Her cheek grazed Eileen’s coarse pubic hair. Once. Twice. Three times. “This feels so good.” Naomi buried her face in Eileen’s mound. “And I can smell how much you want me.”
Eileen sucked in a deep breath when Naomi’s tongue split her folds, lapping in the desire. Naomi matched Eileen’s eagerness by burying her face into the wetness, sampling Eileen from within, diving in as far as possible.
“I love the way you taste. If I wasn’t the jealous type, I’d encourage you to find a way to market it.”
Eileen admired the view of Naomi’s face between her legs. “You young people today. Always thinking of ways to make an extra buck.”
Naomi plunged a finger inside triggering Eileen’s backside to arc off the floor yet again.
“This is the type of bucking I like.” Naomi winked. “Watching you react when I do things like this.” Her tongue flicked Eileen’s clit, initiating a full-body shudder.
Naomi added another finger inside, plunging in and out with more force. Eileen’s juices were intensifying according to the slapping sounds that came with each deep thrust.
“Oh, Naomi…”
Naomi penetrated deeper, her tongue circling Eileen’s bud.
A euphoric wave started, roiling inside Eileen. Her legs bent at the knees, her thighs tensing around Naomi’s head. Eileen’s nether regions gyrated with urgency. Her panting came out in ragged spurts. Naomi’s fingers dug into the flesh of one of Eileen’s thighs, as she continued stimulating Eileen’s engorged bud, each flick spurring Eileen further over the edge of bliss.
Seconds passed. Or was it minutes? Hours? Naomi’s fingers and tongue never tired. As if sensing Eileen urgently needed the final trigger, Naomi hammered three fingers inside, her tongue unrelenting on Eileen’s pulsing clitoris. Eileen lurched upward, circling an arm around the back of Naomi’s head. Eileen’s legs spasmed.
She tossed her neck back. The ripple of her orgasm pinging all her nerve endings. “Oh… my… God…” Eileen’s legs clenched tighter around Naomi’s head, the tremors transforming into a full-on convulsion.
Naomi didn’t stop. Not until two more spasms came and went, leaving Eileen completely limp and spent.
With Naomi snuggled against her, Eileen said, “How am I supposed to show you how sorry I am if you wear me out and I can’t reciprocate?”
“Do you want me to take the orgasms back?”
“No take backs.” Eileen planted a kiss on her forehead.
Naomi cuddled closer, her arm draped over Eileen’s stomach. “It doesn’t always have to work that way, you know.”
“What way?” Eileen mumbled into Naomi’s hair, inhaling the fresh cucumber mint scent.
“Reciprocating each time. Love isn’t—” Naomi sucked in a breath as if trying to reel the word back in, burying her face into Eileen’s side.
“Go on. Love isn’t…?”
“What?”
Eileen laughed. “I love you too.”
Naomi’s head popped up. “I’d feel better if you’d said it without laughing.”
“I’d feel better if you didn’t accidentally say it.” Eileen grinned.
Naomi’s eyes blazed with true emotion. “On the count of three.”
“Really?” One side of Eileen’s mouth tugged upward as if she was willing herself not to show amusement.
Undeterred, Naomi said, “One.”
Eileen added, “Two.”
“Are we going on three or after three?”
“I adore you, Naomi Weaver.”
“You cheated.” Despite her words, Naomi’s face lit up. “I love you, Eileen Makenna Callahan.”
“Was I supposed to say your middle name? Did I mess it up for good?” Eileen teased.
Naomi, on top of Eileen once again, shook her head. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Can I make a request?”
“Will it be a wiseass one?”
Eileen chewed on her bottom lip. “It doesn’t fit my description, but it may be a bit bold.”
“This I’ve got to hear.”
“Love me. Tonight. Tomorrow. And all the days after that.”
“Oh, is that all?” Naomi gave a lopsided grin.
“Do I get to ask for more?” Eileen’s eyes brimmed with hope.
“It is almost Christmas and I’m in a good mood now, so why not.”
“I seem to be getting a second wind.” She waggled her brows.
“Did you think I was really going to let you fall asleep?”
Chapter Thirty
Naomi opened her eyes and broke into a smile. It was her favorite day of the year and, when she turned on her side, Eileen was sleeping next to her. For the longest time, it had looked like this year’s Christmas was going to be one of the worst she’d had in her entire life, but things had definitely taken a turn for the better.
The usual butterflies that somersaulted in her belly on Christmas morning were magnified by the sight of Eileen Makenna next to her. Eileen, who wouldn’t be leaving Derby any time soon. Eileen, who had asked Naomi for forgiveness. It hadn’t taken Naomi very long to forgive her.
Because their reunion had only taken place a few
days before Christmas, Naomi had to hustle to find a present for Eileen. Eileen had claimed that Naomi had already given her the best present by getting her a last-minute Christmas tree and decorating her sparse apartment with enough baubles and Christmas lights to actually make it look cozy for the first time since Eileen had moved in. But, of course, Naomi didn’t feel that way about it at all.
Even though Naomi had always been a firm believer in physical gifts, the past few years she’d grown more into giving the gift of an experience. And she believed she knew exactly the experience to make Eileen have the best Christmas ever. Well, apart from taking her to the Weaver Christmas party instead of spending all day with the Callahans.
Impatience stirring her, she brushed a loose curl from Eileen’s cheek. She told herself she didn’t want to disturb Eileen, just feel her skin against hers, but of course she wanted Eileen to wake up already. This was their first Christmas together. Naomi felt, deep in her core, that it would be one of the best Christmases ever.
So she let her finger skate over Eileen’s cheek again. Even though she understood why Eileen would still be fast asleep. It had been early in the morning when they’d been able to break apart enough to get some much-needed sleep. And Eileen was older. Naomi smiled at the thought. She was also still in recovery, which had led to a few bouts of extreme inventiveness in the bedroom since they’d gotten back together. At the thought of that, Naomi couldn’t contain herself any longer. She leaned in and kissed the spot on Eileen’s cheek she’d been stroking. Eileen still didn’t wake up. Naomi would have to resort to more drastic measures.
She brought her lips to Eileen’s ear and whispered, “This is Santa. Wake up now if you want presents today.”
Eileen blinked her eyes open.
Naomi’s smile widened. Looking into Eileen’s gorgeous green eyes, no matter how sleepy they seemed, was always a treat. And a moment of knowing that they—inevitably—belonged together. Naomi couldn’t explain it better than that. She just knew.
“What did you just say?” Eileen groaned.
“It’s Christmas, sleeping beauty.”
“I could have sworn I heard the word Santa.” Eileen smiled back at Naomi.
“I had to use some special wording to rouse you from sleep.” Naomi scooted closer to Eileen.
“How about you use some special actions instead.” Eileen was awake enough to waggle her eyebrows.
“I need you awake for that.”
“I’m wide awake now.” Eileen bridged the last distance between them and slipped a leg in between Naomi’s.
“About time.” Naomi kissed Eileen fully on the lips now. “It’s very naughty to make me wait for anything at all on my favorite day of the year.”
“Naughty, you say.” Eileen pressed her leg a little higher. “Does that mean Santa won’t have brought me any presents?”
“I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.” It took all Naomi had to not tell Eileen what she had planned for her.
“Please remember that we’re spending Christmas with your family,” Eileen said. “If it’s a present that’s going to embarrass me in front of your mom and your many siblings, then please give it to me now.” Eileen’s eyes sparkled in the morning light.
“I promise you won’t be embarrassed.” Naomi pushed herself against Eileen’s leg. “And I have another present in mind first.” When Naomi kissed Eileen next, she slid her tongue between her lips. It was the first Christmas in a long time, perhaps in all of her life, that she didn’t want to jump out of bed and start the day.
“Why are we rushing?” Eileen asked. “Your mom’s only expecting us at six, isn’t she?”
“That’s right.” Naomi watched how Eileen got dressed. She’d become very adept at doing it one-handedly. Almost as adept as she was at stripping Naomi of her clothes with just the use of her left hand. “But we have to make a stop on the way.”
“Do we now? I suppose I’m not allowed to ask where?”
“Nope.” Naomi grinned. “The more you hurry, the more time we’ll have.”
“I can’t hurry if I don’t know what I’m hurrying for. For all I know, you’ve been in cahoots with my mom and you have some sort of Callahan surprise planned.”
Naomi shook her head. “It has nothing to do with your mother or your family, I swear.”
“Good.” Eileen pulled the Christmas sweater Naomi had given her over her head, pushing her right arm through the sleeve first with a determined grimace on her face, quickly followed by the left one. “Voila. Ready to go.”
“I always knew you’d look scrumptious in that sweater.”
“If memory serves me well, I’ve never worn a Christmas sweater in my life.”
“What did you wear last year on the big day?”
“This time last year I was in Nauru. Taking pictures of refugees trying to get to Australia. Trust me, it wasn’t sweater weather.”
“Were you working on Christmas day?” Naomi asked.
“I wasn’t meant to be, but… I don’t know. When you take pictures of people’s desperation on a day like Christmas, it gives a different result. More acute. More piercing, I guess. It could just be my impression, of course.”
Eileen had started writing op-ed pieces, but Naomi knew how much she missed photography. Not because Eileen kept repeating how much she did—she wasn’t that kind of person. Naomi had only known Eileen a short while but she could tell something important was missing from her life. Something vital.
“I’m sure it’s not just your impression.” She held out her hand. “When it comes to your craft, you follow your intuition, which is what makes the results so amazing.”
Eileen took Naomi’s hand in hers. “Let’s go then.” She found Naomi’s gaze. “Do I need to take my camera to wherever it is we’re going?”
“No, everything’s taken care of.”
Naomi watched how Eileen narrowed her eyes. She might try to put two and two together but she’d never guess where Naomi was taking her.
In the car, Eileen kept peppering Naomi with questions. Luckily, the drive wasn’t far and when they turned into the street of their destination, Eileen recognized it immediately because she’d been there before to deliver the pictures Tyson had taken with the disposable camera she’d given him on Thanksgiving.
“We’re going to see Tyson?” Eileen asked. “On Christmas day?”
“I arranged it with Deborah. He doesn’t know you’re coming over to give him an impromptu lesson on that antique camera you gave him. It’ll be the best Christmas present he has ever had.”
Eileen shook her head. “You,” she said. “You’re unbelievable.” She reached for her purse. “Before we go in.” She reached inside and produced a small gift-wrapped box. “I want to give you this.”
Naomi’s cheeks drew into an involuntary smile. “For me?”
“Who else?” Eileen leaned over and kissed Naomi on the lips.
Naomi studied the box, then tore off the wrapping paper. It was clearly a jewelry box. Slowly, she opened it. Naomi grinned from ear to ear as she clapped eyes on the two sterling silver turtle stud earrings.
“You’re not a turtle, though,” Naomi said as she took one in her hand.
“I don’t mind being your turtle. As long as I’m the only turtle in your life,” Eileen replied.
“I love them.” Naomi looked up from the earring in the palm of her hand. “And I love you.”
“I love you too.” Eileen slanted forward to kiss her again.
“We’d best stop making out in the car now,” Naomi said in between lingering kisses. “Deborah might not want us in her house anymore.” Naomi carefully placed the turtle earrings back in their box. “And I want to see your eyes light up the way they do when you talk about photography.” Naomi found Eileen’s gaze.
“Your present for me is so quintessentially you,” Eileen said. “It’s all the things I love about you.”
“Plus, I’m making you work on Christmas day again.” Naomi winked
at Eileen.
“But this year, thanks to you, I will only encounter joy in everyone’s eyes.” Eileen drew her lips into the widest smile Naomi had ever seen on her.
Chapter Thirty-One
Eileen audibly sighed and gripped Naomi’s gloved hand.
Naomi squeezed back. “We can still cancel. Get back into my car and go back to bed. Not sure how much sleep we’ll get, though.”
Eileen laughed. “If last night, or the string of nights since the twenty-first, is any indication, no sleep at all.”
“It’s hard to sleep when there’s a hot cougar in my bed.” Naomi latched onto Eileen’s arm and let loose a tiny growl into her ear.
Eileen sighed again. “I have considered canceling, but since I only made a brief appearance on Christmas Day, it doesn’t feel right not to show up for New Year’s brunch. I’m not fond of my mom by any stretch of the imagination, but I want to see Julia and my dad.”
They stood in the entryway of Eileen’s childhood home, neither of them making a move to cross the threshold.
“Did you want me to take you behind the outbuilding, again? Relax you some?” Naomi waggled her eyebrows.
Eileen placed a tender kiss on Naomi’s cheek. “Tempting, but the foot of snow may freeze certain body parts.”
As if Mother Nature was eavesdropping on the couple, a slashing wind cut right through Eileen.
“Come on. Let’s get this over with so I can take you home and have my way with you.” Eileen opened the door, the sound of muffled laughter greeting them.
Naomi helped Eileen out of her coat, placing it on the bench by the door, and planting a kiss on Eileen’s cheek. Not satisfied with a peck, Eileen wheeled about to properly kiss Naomi, taking advantage of having their relationship out in the open.
“Geez, Smelly Ellie, way to make a guy feel uncomfortable.”
Eileen pulled her face away from Naomi, but kept her arm around Naomi’s waist. “I thought men loved to fantasize about lesbians getting it on.”
Philip’s eyes grew three sizes. “Oh, we do. But not when it comes to my cousin who’s more like a sister. Awkward.” He exaggerated a shiver, slipping and sliding in his red socks on the tiled floor. Laughing, he gave Eileen a one-armed hug. “Happy New Year, cuz.” He proceeded to give Naomi a hug. “We’re in the library. Join us.”