by Janet Albert
"I think we should."
"How's the gym coming along?" Miranda asked while she dressed the salad and sliced the bread. "Is it finished yet?"
"Almost. It looks amazing. We're opening a week from tomorrow."
"Are you ready to open?"
"Not quite. I'm glad I'm not working anymore and that I'm feeling better, because there's a lot to do. The equipment's set up, but we're having more supplies delivered this week and lots of stuff coming from the printers. It's going to be a very busy week."
"I can't wait to see it. You have people to help you, don't you?"
"My trainers will help me set everything up."
Miranda pulled on a pair of oven mitts. "Why don't you grab the bread and salad and I'll get the rigatoni out of the oven. We're eating in the dining room."
After dinner, they went into the living room with a cup of coffee. As they talked, Jamie fidgeted in her seat, her eyes darting around the room.
"Jamie? What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Jamie chewed on her lower lip and averted her eyes.
Miranda sat forward in her seat. "You're not feeling sick again, are you?"
"No, nothing like that." Jamie shook her head and her eyes filled with tears.
"Then what is it?" Miranda waited for something in the way of an explanation but Jamie offered none. "Come on. Tell me what's going on. I know something is."
"I never thought I'd see you again and then there you were at Eve's party. At first I felt nothing and then I felt angry toward you and then I..."
"And then you what?"
"I thought I'd gotten over you enough to handle this. I thought what I felt for you had died...but now...but now I..."
"Now you what, Jamie? Please tell me."
Without warning, Jamie jumped out of her seat and rushed to the foyer. "I need to go now. I need to go home. I'm not..." She hurled the words out behind her as she reached for her jacket.
Miranda hurried after her. "Wait, please." Instinctively, she positioned herself between Jamie and the front door and grabbed hold of Jamie's arms to prevent her from running away. "Please don't leave. Not like this. Please tell me what's on your mind. I won't be able to stand it if you leave without telling me why."
"I can't, I..."
"Please don't do this to me. To both of us."
"I can't stand to be with you for one more second. I have to get out of here and save myself while I still can." Jamie stared at the floor, refusing to meet Miranda's eyes.
"Save yourself from what? Tell me, I'm begging you." Miranda tightened her grip on Jamie's arms and bent her head down to try to get a glimpse into Jamie's eyes. "Please tell me what's bothering you." Jamie sighed and relaxed her arms. "You can let go of me. I won't leave."
Miranda relaxed her hold on Jamie's arms. "Talk to me, Jamie."
"Remember I promised you I wouldn't throw myself at you again? I said we'd just go out and it would only be casual? Well, I can't do it. I can't do any of it." She closed her eyes tightly and sighed again.
Miranda's heart sunk. "I should have expected this. I destroyed any feelings you had for me back on the ship, didn't I? Now that our paths have crossed again and you've had a chance to get to know me better, maybe you've discovered you don't even like me."
Jamie's eyes opened wide as she stared in disbelief. "Don't like you? Jesus, Miranda, don't you know I love you, even more than I did then? I love you more each time I see you and it's killing me to be with you like this. Do you have any idea how much it hurts me to act like we're friends when all I want to do is touch you and kiss you? It's pure torture to want you this much--pure torture--and I can't take it. I really can't."
"I...I didn't know," Miranda stammered. The passion in Jamie's eyes burned into her, set her body ablaze and made her heart soar. "Jamie, I..."
"Let me finish," Jamie interrupted. "I knew I was in trouble all over again when you held me in my bed. Your soft breasts were against my back and it felt so good, so right to have you there. I know I was sick, but I wanted you and I want you now, so much I can't see straight. I want to be your girlfriend. I want to be your lover. I want to be wherever you are. I want..." She covered her face with her hands.
"Don't hide from me." Miranda peeled Jamie's hands away and held them down. "Are you going to do all the talking or can I say something here?"
"Not if you're going to say you're not interested in being with me. I can't hear you say that again. This time it'll kill me. So, if that's what..."
Miranda grabbed Jamie, pinned her against the wall and silenced her with her mouth. The kiss was fierce and deep, fraught with too many long months of yearning. She kissed her again and again as if she would crawl inside her if it were humanly possible.
Jamie opened her mouth and allowed Miranda to enter and explore. She let go of any and all resistance and clutched Miranda's body to hers, grinding her hips into Miranda's. She moaned into her mouth.
After a round of feverish kisses, Miranda tore her mouth away, pressed her forehead against Jamie's, and struggled to catch her breath. She stayed that way until she found the strength to speak again. "That's what I needed to say."
"Jesus, Miranda. I never expected, I thought..."
Miranda held her index finger against Jamie's lips. "Why don't you just stop talking and listen to me? I'm trying to tell you how much I want you." She cradled Jamie's face in her hands and with her thumbs, outlined her warm, incredibly soft lips.
"You want me? You really want me?" Tears spilled onto Jamie's cheeks.
Miranda wiped the tears away. "I want you, more than I can say. Did you think I'd let you walk out of here? I can't. Not this time. We've both waited far too long. I want you to stay with me tonight. I want to make love with you."
Jamie exhaled forcibly and closed her eyes. "I want you so much. You can't possibly know."
"That's not true. I do know. Come with me." Tugging on Jamie's hand, Miranda led her upstairs to her bedroom. "Stay right here. Don't go away," she said, leaving Jamie next to the bed while she turned on one of the soft lights on her dresser. She felt Jamie's eyes follow her every move and when she came back and stood in front of Jamie again, they'd turned dark with desire.
"You're so beautiful." Jamie caressed Miranda's cheek.
"And you--you're so gorgeous, you make me crazy. All week I've been in a constant state of arousal, just thinking about you." Miranda covered Jamie's hand with her own.
"I wanted tonight to be our first night together, but I never thought..."
Miranda slid Jamie's top out of her jeans and pulled it over her head. "All I've thought about all week is undressing you, touching you--how you'd feel, how you'd look at me." Reaching around Jamie's back, she unhooked her bra, and let it fall to the floor. Cupping one soft breast in her hand, she bent to take the flushed nipple into her mouth.
Jamie gasped as Miranda sucked on her exquisitely sensitive nipple. With her fingers buried in Miranda's hair, she held her fast to her chest, the hot velvet of Miranda's mouth sending currents of desire straight down her spine to her pelvis. Jamie's back arched involuntarily and she groaned out loud. "God, that's wonderful."
Miranda let go and stood again. "Your breasts are beautiful. You're beautiful."
"You say all the right things."
"I have to touch you. I can't wait any longer." Miranda unbuttoned Jamie's jeans and pulled her zipper down. Spreading her hand out on Jamie's abdomen, she caressed her as she slid down under the elastic of her panties and reached between her legs. "You're so wet," she moaned as she separated the silken folds with her fingers and stroked.
"Easy, Doc. I'll come right here if you do that."
Miranda withdrew her hand and with her fingers rubbed the sweet nectar of Jamie's desire in leisurely circles over one of Jamie's exposed nipples. "I want to make you come. I want to know everything that makes you come." Lowering her head, she sucked the moistened nipple into her mouth.
"I'm so close, now." Jamie groaned and broke the con
tact. "Wait, please." She lifted Miranda's top over her head in one smooth motion and tugged at the waist band of her pants. "Can you take these off?" she begged, her hands shaking. Impatiently, she kicked and wiggled her way out of the rest of her clothing while Miranda did the same.
Momentarily diverted by the sight of Jamie's naked body, Miranda stopped undressing and stood before her with only her bra still on. "God...look at you. I knew your body was stunning, but I never imagined this." Miranda's breasts strained against the fabric of her bra, her hardened nipples aching and begging for release. With trembling hands, she reached behind herself to free them.
Jamie stilled Miranda's hands. "Let me." With the delicacy required to pluck a single petal from a rose, she pulled Miranda's bra straps over her shoulders and let the bra cups sink over the swell of her breasts until her nipples were exposed. "They're perfect," she murmured as she ran her fingertips first over one taut nipple and then the other. "And you think I'm beautiful?" She unclasped Miranda's bra and tossed it aside.
"Why don't we lie down, Jamie?" Miranda climbed onto the bed and brought Jamie down to lie alongside her. She pushed Jamie onto her back, cupped her breast in her hand and moved her head down to trace a circle around the nipple with the tip of her tongue.
"Miranda...please," Jamie moaned, the sensations so superb she almost stopped breathing. "It's so good, so good."
Miranda moved up in the bed again and draped her leg over Jamie's thighs. With her head propped up on her elbow, she stroked Jamie's cheek and gazed into her eyes. "Tell me what you want."
"I want to feel your mouth on me." Moved by Jamie's response and the depth of her need, Miranda kissed her, her warm mouth a promise of the sweet ecstasy to come. As she made her descent, she paused to kiss every succulent spot on her lover's body, wanting to prolong every precious moment of their first time together. When at last, she positioned herself between Jamie's legs, Jamie's hips lifted, reaching for her. Pausing one last time, Miranda planted moist kisses on the silken skin at the top of Jamie's thighs.
"Please, Miranda."
The heat rising from Jamie's center, her fresh earthy scent almost drove Miranda crazy. Moaning, she raised her head, meeting Jamie's half-opened eyes one more time before covering her with her mouth. Sliding a hand under Jamie's buttocks, she held her to her mouth as she delved into each delectable fold.
"God, that's it...just like that." Jamie groaned as Miranda stroked her. Each heavenly stroke brought Jamie closer and closer to slipping over the edge. "I need you inside me, please," she pleaded, her hips searching.
Miranda entered Jamie and filled her completely. She knew then that she wanted to be the one who made Jamie delirious with desire, the one who brought her to orgasm again and again. She wanted to be the one who made Jamie moan with pleasure, cry out her name in passion. Knowing how close Jamie was, she deepened her thrusts.
Jamie rocked her hips and pushed hard against Miranda's fingers. "I'm coming," she cried out as a powerful climax ripped through her.
Miranda rested her cheek on Jamie's lower abdomen and held her hips until her body became still, staying inside her until the muscular contractions subsided and the soft walls relaxed around her fingers. Then, very slowly, she withdrew her fingers and moved up to lie beside her on the bed. With Jamie wrapped in her arms, she whispered, "You feel so wonderful. You taste so sweet. You smell so good."
After a series of passionate kisses, Jamie pushed Miranda onto her back and shifted so she was lying on her side next to her. Cupping Miranda's breast, she bent to capture the nipple in her mouth. She nipped at it and then flicked her tongue over it.
"That feels so good." Miranda groaned, her hips reaching. "Touch me."
Jamie reached between them, separated Miranda's outer lips and dipped her fingers into the copious wetness. Touching Miranda for the first time felt so amazing that when Jamie entered her, she feared she might have another orgasm just from the feel of her. As she held Miranda close, their cheeks pressed together, she stroked inside while she rubbed Miranda's clitoris with her hand.
Miranda moved with her, groaning with each stroke until she stiffened and cried out, "Jamie, I'm coming!" Holding her breath, she clutched at Jamie with all of her might as she rode out the force of her orgasm. Afterward, she cuddled in Jamie's arms, her head resting on Jamie's shoulder. For a long time they stayed that way, content to simply lie together, breathe together and feel the warmth and comfort of being so close.
"I loved having you inside me," Miranda said a while later. "From now on, I'll always feel empty without you." She shifted in the bed to look into Jamie's eyes.
Jamie smiled and with the palm of her hand cradling Miranda's cheek, she spoke to her. "I loved being there. I want you to feel me inside of you even when I'm not there and I want you to know that wherever I am, inside of you is where I'd rather be."
"I'll always want you there. Whenever I think of this night, I'll remember how it felt to have you there." Miranda turned fully on her side and explored Jamie's body, letting her hand follow her eyes as they laid claim to every enticing curve, every soft rise, every tender hollow.
"I didn't think you wanted me," Jamie said softly.
"When I held you in bed last weekend, I wanted you so much. My heart was beating so hard, I was afraid you'd feel it and you'd know how I felt. My hand was right next to your breast and it took every ounce of strength I had not to touch you."
"I think I did feel your heart beating, but mine was pounding so hard, I wasn't sure if it was mine or yours." Jamie stared into Miranda's dark eyes. "I dreamed of this, of us."
"And have I made your dreams come true?" Miranda traced Jamie's lower lip with her finger and followed it with a tender kiss.
"So far you've surpassed them." Jamie kissed the finger Miranda had used to trace her lip and drew the tip into her mouth.
"So far?"
Jamie smiled, her eyes blazing into Miranda's. "I haven't tasted you yet." Still smiling, she eased Miranda onto her back and began to kiss her way down the length of Miranda's body until she reached the place she craved. "You're so beautiful," she whispered as she spread Miranda open and looked at her. Then, unable to wait any longer, she lowered her head and covered her with her mouth. With her tongue, she caressed the sweet, soft inner lips and when she'd had her fill, she traced the satiny tissues down to Miranda's vagina and pushed into her as far as she could.
"Yes, just like that. That feels wonderful."
Jamie slid her fingers inside where her tongue had been and plunged into Miranda. As she stroked her inside, she stroked her clitoris, pushing her closer and closer to the edge.
Miranda cried out as she was hit by another powerful orgasm. Her body tensed and shuttered with wave after wave of rapture. "That was incredible," she said once she was calm enough to talk. "You're incredible. I dreamed about making love with you, but my dreams didn't even come close to this. It's never been like this for me...ever."
"You must know it was just as wonderful for me. I can't believe we're making love. I never thought this would happen. I love you, so much."
"I know, Jamie, I know." Gently, she pressed her lips to Jamie's, this time simply to feel their warmth, their incredible softness and to imprint them in her mind forever. "I can't seem to stop kissing you."
"Good, because I never want you to stop."
"I'll never forget this night as long as I live."
"Me either." Jamie kissed her, desire flooding her all over again. "There's nothing I want more than to be with you, nothing in the whole world." Using her body, Jamie rolled Miranda onto her back so she could lie on top of her. She wedged her thigh between Miranda's legs and pressed it against her wetness.
"You are with me, Jamie. It's not a dream anymore."
"Well, pinch me because I feel like I'm still dreaming, and if I am, I hope I never, ever wake up again." She moaned as she straddled Miranda's thigh and pressed her hot center against the firm muscle. She began to move. "I can't get enough
of you."
"I'm right here, baby, right here with you." With her hands grasping Jamie's buttocks, Miranda pulled her against her thigh to heighten the contact and as Jamie rubbed against her, Miranda spread her legs and rubbed against Jamie's thigh. "Move with me. I want us to come together."
They moved in harmony, their chests heaving, their passion carrying them closer and closer to the edge. The instant Jamie felt Miranda's body tense and heard the sharp intake of air, she tumbled with her into a staggering mutual climax.
They held each other for a few minutes and then Miranda started laughing quietly. "I can't stop shaking and I still want you." She planted gentle kisses on Jamie's eyes, her cheeks, her forehead, anywhere her lips could reach without leaving her side.
"That's not a problem. You know why?"
Miranda shook her head and smiled as she met Jamie's eyes.
"Because you can have me any time you want me." Jamie gently brushed a few strands of damp hair away from Miranda's face. "I'm all yours."
"You might live to regret that kind of offer."
"I seriously doubt that." Jamie pulled Miranda on top of her.
Chapter Twenty-Five
THE NEXT MORNING, Jamie was the first to open her eyes. For a while, she held very still in Miranda's arms and watched her face as she slept, certain she'd never seen anyone quite as pretty. Gently, she touched Miranda's lips, her cheek, her forehead and the very tips of her eyelashes. Each touch produced a tiny twitch in Miranda's features until, at last, her eyes fluttered open.
"Was that you, tickling me? It felt like a little bug flying around."
"It was me." Jamie smiled. "Good morning sleepyhead."
"Sleepyhead? We were up most of the night, as you know."
"I know. I was there, remember? How do you feel?"
Miranda pressed the palm of her hand against Jamie's cheek and smiled. "I feel sexy and happy and absolutely fantastic. I usually get more than three or four hours of sleep a night, but surprisingly enough, I feel energized and better than I've felt in a long time. That's not all I feel, but that might begin to describe it. And how do you feel?"