Ocean Breeze

by Laura Conway

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  May 19th

  Abbey got comfortable, as comfortable as she could get, sitting in the sand, lifting her camera to take her last few shots before the sun disappeared. The familiar discomfort of pins and needles ran through her left leg as she tried to shift her weight onto her other leg.

  She’d been coming to the same spot every evening, trying to capture the sunset as best as she could, each day the sky giving her a new canvas, a new combination of pinks and reds to photograph and tonight was no different.

  Abbey stood up, dusting the sand off her bare legs as she reached for her camera bag. She took her phone out of her pocket and turned on the flashlight like she did every evening to find her way back to the street.

  Tonight, a movement to her left caught her attention and as she spun around to shine her light on it, a swish of air blew across her face and then a throbbing pain radiated from somewhere above her eye.

  She staggered, shocked by the blow. She almost lost her balance in the sand but her adrenaline kept her upright, ready to protect herself.

  Her camera had fallen out of her hand, landing in the sand when she’d been struck. She could just about make out a hooded figure bending down to retrieve it.

  Abbey tried to retrieve the camera, ready to fight this man for it but he threw back an elbow that grazed the side of her head and she fell back into the sand.

  She could hear him stuff the camera into the bag and trudge away through the sand. She tried to lift her head, to call out, but her vision was blurred, the palm trees in the distance swirling.

  Abbey closed her eyes to stop the spinning and rest for just a minute. The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing into the shore behind her helped her relax and her heart rate slowly returned to normal.

  * * *

  When she woke up, she checked her phone. It was almost ten o’clock. It took her a second to realize where she was and then the throbbing in her head started and it all came back to her.

  Abbey sat up slowly, bringing her fingertips to her forehead, wincing at the touch, feeling the stickiness of the blood that had dried just above her eyebrow.

  The battery on her phone was almost dead but she shone the flashlight around her. There was no sign of the camera. She’d been robbed.

  Payton’s going to kill me.

  Abbey ran a hand through her hair and stood with her hands on her hips, looking out over the ocean, making sure she was steady enough on her feet to walk home.

  It took her twice as long as it should have to get back to Payton’s but she was relieved when she finally got there. The door was unlocked and she let herself in, hearing the clicking of Payton’s keyboard from the couch.

  “How was today’s sunset?” Payton asked, without looking over.

  “Not great, to be honest.”

  “Why? It was a clear evening,” Payton said, turning to look at Abbey over the back of the couch. “Holy shit. What happened to you?”

  Payton left her laptop on the coffee table and rushed over to her. She reached for Abbey’s hands, her eyes running over her body, looking for any other injuries.

  Payton brushed a lock of Abbey’s dark hair away from her eyes, her fingertip grazing the wound, causing Abbey to draw a deep breath.

  “Did you fall?”

  “I ugh… I got robbed,” Abbey said, holding up her empty hands. “Your camera’s gone. I’m so sorry.”

  “Forget about the camera. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. He came out of nowhere… I didn’t get a good look at him… There was just this figure with a hood. It was so dark… I should’ve left earlier.”

  “I’m so sorry Abbey. This is usually a quiet neighbourhood. Stuff like this doesn’t happen… Let’s go clean this up.”

  Payton held onto her hand, leading her into the downstairs bathroom. She cleared the counter to the left of the sink and opened the cabinet above it to get some supplies.

  Abbey pushed herself onto the counter, the familiar feeling of dizziness returning. She closed her eyes while she waited for Payton.

  “I think his elbow got the side of my head too,” Abbey said, her eyes slowly opening to see Payton bringing a damp cloth to her forehead.

  “I’ll have a look in a second.”

  “You don’t have to do this… I can manage.”

  “Shhh.”

  Abbey let Payton clean the cut above her eye ignoring the chill that Payton’s gentle touch sent through her entire body, all the way down to her fingertips.

  Abbey wiped her sweaty palms down the front of her jeans. She didn’t know if it was the shock of what happened, finally setting in, or the fact that Payton was so close, but she was feeling on edge.

  “Nearly there,” Payton said, sensing her anxiousness. “The good news is, it’s not deep enough to need stitches.” Payton used a damp cloth to wipe away the trickle of blood that had dried on her cheek. “Okay. You’re all set.”

  Payton took a step back, checking to make sure that she hadn’t missed anything.

  “Thank you,” Abbey said softly. “I can’t believe I lost your camera.”

  “Please don’t worry about the camera… Were all of your photos on it?”

  “No. Just this week’s… All the sunset ones.”

  “Rookie mistake,” Payton said with a slight smile. “How do you feel?”

  Abbey sighed. “Stupid.”

  “You couldn’t have known.”

  “I know, I know… I just feel bad.”

  “Abbey, I don’t know how I can say this any more clearly… The camera doesn’t matter. I’m just glad you’re okay. It could’ve been a lot worse. I hope you didn’t try and fight back.”

  “Kind of. It was a bad attempt though. That’s how I got this bump,” Abbey said, running her hand through her hair until she found the sore spot where the attacker’s elbow had met her scalp.

  “Is that a New York thing? Stubborn, fearless…,” Payton said, bringing her hand up to Abbey’s face, lightly running her fingertips across her skin, just above her cut.

  “I don’t know… It’s a ‘me’ thing anyway.”

  Abbey’s eyes held Payton’s, unable to look away, surprised by the intensity of her gaze and that same look of desire that she’d seen before.

  “It’s going to get you into serious trouble someday,” Payton said with a lopsided smile.

  “I know,” she said softly, licking her lips as she glanced down at Payton’s before her eyes flickered back up to meet Payton’s sea blue eyes.

  Abbey pushed all of her doubts aside, trusting her gut instinct that Payton wanted this too, even if she wasn’t going to admit to it.

  She reached up, hooking her hand behind Payton’s neck, gently and seductively pulling her into a kiss.

  Abbey parted her lips, kissing her slowly, savoring the moment as a warmth radiated through her body, starting from somewhere deep within her.

  Abbey spread her legs wider and Payton moved into the space between them, her hands on Abbey’s hips as she kissed her back with a tenderness that made Abbey melt into her.

  Payton’s lips met hers again and again, her hand sliding up Abbey’s side to cup her cheek, her thumb lightly brushing across her cheek as their tongues met in an intoxicating dance that sent a chill through Abbey’s body.

  Payton’s hands gripped her hips, easing her toward the edge of the counter, bringing her closer.

  Abbey wrapped her arms around Payton, her fingers intertwined at the nape of Payton’s neck as she deepened the kiss, letting one hand slide up her soft skin, weaving its way through her silky blond hair.

  Payton moaned into her mouth, her hand leaving Abbey’s hip and slipping underneath her top, teasing her as she lightly raked her fingernails across her lower back.

  Abbey didn’t want to pull away but she needed to breathe. Her heart was racing, pounding in her ears, when she broke the kiss. She stared at Payton who looked as entranced as Abbey felt, her eyes dark with desire.

  �
��Wow,” Abbey breathed, a smile tugging at her lips.

  “Yeah.”

  “I know you don’t-”

  “Let’s go upstairs,” Payton said, her eyes smoldering with desire.

  Abbey’s jaw dropped slightly but she quickly recovered, pushing herself off the counter and finding Payton’s hand as they left the bathroom and climbed the stairs up to Payton’s room.

  Payton closed the door behind them and pulled Abbey into her arms, her hands sliding underneath Abbey’s shirt, gliding across her soft skin, leaving a trail of goose bumps behind as her hands moved higher, cupping Abbey’s full breasts through her white lacy bra.

  Payton’s lips crashed into hers, a moan escaping Abbey’s lips as Payton caressed her breasts, finding her nipple through her bra while their lips met again and again, both delirious with desire.

  Abbey’s hand was lost in Payton’s blond waves, keeping her close as their lips parted and their tongues swirled. She didn’t know that it was possible to be so turned on just by kissing someone.

  The fears that Abbey had every other time they’d kissed were gone tonight. She knew Payton wasn’t going to pull away this time. She could feel it.

  Abbey broke their kiss for a second to lift Payton’s tank top over her head, tossing it to the side, her eyes falling on Payton’s breasts and the black bra that covered them.

  Payton’s hand tilted Abbey’s chin upwards, her smile spreading to her eyes as she leaned in, her lips brushing across Abbey’s in a slow, sensual kiss that made Abbey’s knees weak.

  Abbey’s hands fumbled with her shorts, unbuttoning them and pushing them down her legs, kicking them to the side as they continued to kiss and Payton’s hands moved to Abbey’s ass.

  “I’ve been dreaming about this for weeks,” Abbey breathed between kisses while Payton lifted Abbey’s top over her head.

  “I couldn’t let myself,” Payton said, finding Abbey’s lips again while her hands moved from Abbey’s waist, sliding over her hips until she had her fingers spread, groping her ass through Abbey’s lacy white panties.

  “You’re overdressed,” Abbey said, her voice husky as she dipped her head, kissing the silky-smooth skin just below Payton’s earlobe, working her way down her neck and across her clavicle until she reached her breasts.

  Abbey slid one hand behind Payton’s back to unhook her bra, pulling the straps down her arms and letting it fall to the ground while her hands covered her breasts, her thumb rolling across Payton’s already hardened nipples.

  “Ohh,” Payton moaned, throwing her head back as Abbey teased her, her lips replacing her fingers. Abbey’s tongue swirled around Payton’s rock-hard nipple, using just the tip of her tongue at first before taking the dark peak in her mouth and biting down gently.

  Abbey could feel Payton sway, her body melting into Abbey as she continued to tease her, moving from one breast to the other while her free hand slid further down, finding the heat between Payton’s legs.

  Abbey drew small circles, pressing the lacy black fabric of Payton’s panties against her sensitive clit, adding more pressure with every motion.

  “Yeah,” Payton moaned, her arms holding onto Abbey, trying to stay upright as Abbey continued to slowly torture her. “I need you,” she whispered into Abbey’s ear, causing her to groan.

  “Lie down.”

  Abbey’s hand left Payton’s sex, gently pushing her towards the bed. She watched Payton fall back onto the sheets, her stunning blue eyes never leaving Abbey’s, silently begging her to join her.

  Abbey’s fingers grabbed a hold of Payton’s black panties, sliding them down her legs. She slowly stepped out of her own before climbing on top of Payton.

  “You are so sexy,” Payton whispered, her hungry eyes devouring Abbey’s body while her hands unclasped Abbey’s bra.

  Abbey straddled Payton’s waist as she let her bra straps fall. She tossed it to the side and Payton’s hands immediately covered her breasts, her fingertips teasing her nipples, hardening them with just a few seconds of attention.

  Abbey’s hips moved instinctively against Payton’s thigh and Payton shifted her leg so that Abbey was straddling just her left thigh now.

  Abbey leaned forward, putting her weight on her arm, her lips just inches above Payton’s while her hips grinded against Payton’s leg.

  “Hmmm,” Abbey moaned, her lips brushing across Payton’s. “I think I could come without you even touching me.”

  “Does this count?” Payton asked as her hands cupped Abbey’s ass, pulling her down, adding more pressure as Abbey’s hips swayed, rhythmically rubbing her sex against Payton’s leg.

  “I don’t think so,” Abbey managed to say, her breath hitching as she continued to rock her hips against Payton’s thigh.

  Abbey’s lips met Payton’s, their tongues wrestling in a steamy kiss that was making Abbey wetter by the second. She moved her hips faster, steadily increasing her pace while Payton’s hands groped her ass, adding even more pressure.

  A warmth spread through Abbey’s body and she moved her hips against Payton in two more long strokes, rubbing her sensitive clit against Payton’s bare skin until she cried out as she came, riding out the wave of pleasure with her hips in long, deliberate thrusts.

  “Oh my God,” Abbey breathed, pushing her hair away from her face.

  “That was hot,” Payton said, her voice full of desire.

  Abbey closed her eyes for just a second, still seeing stars behind her eyes as she let the orgasm fade away, leaving just a tingling feeling in her fingertips.

  “That was amazing,” Abbey said, her lips finding Payton’s in a long, slow kiss.

  One of Payton’s hands left Abbey’s ass as she deepened the kiss. She slid her right hand away, caressing her thigh as she made her way towards Abbey’s dripping folds.

  Payton lightly ran her fingertips through Abbey’s sex before thrusting two fingers inside, taking Abbey by surprise.

  Abbey moaned into Payton’s mouth as she pumped her fingers in and out with a furious desire, their lips still locked together in an intoxicating kiss.

  “Right there,” Abbey practically screamed as Payton’s hand moved faster and faster, her palm slapping up against Abbey’s clit with every stroke.

  “I’m coming,” Abbey moaned, breaking their kiss, her forehead resting against Payton’s shoulder as her hips took over, matching Payton’s pace until she came hard, crying out as Payton held her fingers inside of her until her orgasm subsided and her breathing returned to normal.

  “Come here,” Payton whispered as she slowly withdrew her fingers and kissed her passionately, their tongues meeting in an erotic dance.

  Abbey broke their kiss, reaching for Payton’s hand to bring her glistening fingers up to her lips. Abbey seductively wrapped her tongue around Payton’s fingers, licking them clean before sliding them into her mouth, sucking them dry.

  Payton shuddered with desire as Abbey pulled away, sliding further down Payton’s body until her mouth hovered over Payton’s sex.

  Abbey spread Payton’s wet lips with her fingertips, gliding her tongue across Payton’s swollen bud and swirling around it, flicking Payton’s centre, teasing her with every stroke.

  Payton’s hips lifted off the bed, looking for more but Abbey pulled away.

  “Please,” Payton begged, her hands clutching the sheets on either side of her.

  Abbey waited a second before sliding her tongue through Payton’s folds, tasting her as she encircled her clit again and Payton’s hips rose to meet her.

  Abbey’s tongue continued to tease her as she spread Payton’s legs a little wider, slipping two fingers inside of her. Her strokes were slow and deliberate as her tongue flickered across Payton’s clit.

  “Oh yeah. Right there,” Payton moaned, her hand lost in Abbey’s hair, keeping her close, begging her to keep doing what she was doing.

  Abbey’s tongue swirled around Payton’s sex while her fingers moved a little faster, bottoming out with every stroke. Sh
e could feel Payton’s walls tightening around her fingers as she got closer and closer to the edge.

  “More,” Payton groaned and Abbey added a third finger, thrusting her hard while her tongue worked its magic.

  “I’m coming,” Payton moaned, her hand leaving Abbey’s hair to hold onto her shoulder as she came, her fingers digging into Abbey’s skin while Payton’s body shuddered underneath Abbey until her orgasm left her completely spent.

  Payton reached for Abbey, pulling her back up to lie down beside her.

  “You’re incredible,” Payton whispered, brushing a lock of Abbey’s mocha colored hair away from her eyes.

  Abbey leaned in to find her lips, their bodies intertwined, as Payton’s hand roamed across her back, her fingertips drawing patterns on her skin.

  “Do you want to know something funny?” Abbey asked when she came up for air, pushing her hair behind her ear.

  “What?”

  “I’ve never really considered myself a sexual person,” Abbey said in almost a whisper.

  Payton’s eyebrows rose. “Really?”

  “Hmmm.”

  “Well, you can’t say that after tonight.”

  “I know,” Abbey said with a sly smile. “You’ve ruined me.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  May 20th

  The repeated caws of a seagull woke Abbey up from a deep sleep. She slowly opened her eyes, blinking away the tiredness as she took in the unfamiliar room.

  She rolled onto her back and turned her head to see Payton still asleep beside her. A rush of heat swept through Abbey’s body as the memories of last night replayed in her mind.

  Her palm rested on her forehead as she thought about last night.

  Last night actually happened.

  Abbey knew she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep so she carefully threw back the covers and got out of bed, padding into the bathroom to brush her teeth and take a shower.

  She checked out the cut above her eye and noticed how small it was despite the amount of blood that had gushed out of it the night before. A scab was already forming and it would probably heal in the next day or two.