Lauren blinked in surprise at the comment and smiled. “You’re more like Elsa. She comes close enough for contact but makes me work for it. She’s sometimes friendly and sometimes hisses at me.”
Callie shrugged and her shoulders slumped as she glanced away.
Lauren’s smile dissolved. Stupid joke. Well done, Cornish. “I overstepped. I shouldn’t have adjusted your bill and I apologize.”
Callie locked eyes with Lauren. “Do you think we can forgive each other as easily as that?”
Lauren’s voice was strong, and she spoke with no hesitation. “I hope so. I messed up and I’m sorry. I promise I’ll be more careful, because I want a future with you. I don’t want to fight anymore.”
“I don’t either. I’m sorry I yelled at you. I admit I might be a little oversensitive about certain things, but I can’t help it.” Callie abandoned the couch and kneeled in front of Lauren. She cupped Lauren’s face in her hands and kissed her. The cats disappeared as Callie crawled into Lauren’s lap.
They continued to kiss as their breathing accelerated, and they explored each other with their hands at a frantic pace. They shifted until Lauren was on the bottom with Callie on top. Callie buried a hand in the sweaty hair on the nape of Lauren’s neck and kissed her. Lauren slipped her hands under Callie’s sweater and caressed the warm, smooth flesh of her back and the sides of her breasts.
Callie straddled Lauren’s leg and pressed down. “Lauren, please.”
“I can feel how hot you are against my leg.”
Callie moaned as Lauren flipped her over. She slipped her hand under the front of Callie’s top to stroke warm breasts. “I want to taste you.” She slid the sweater and bra up Callie’s chest and found Callie’s nipples. Callie bucked and moaned at the contact as Lauren gave equal attention to both breasts.
Lauren fingered the button on Callie’s jeans and stared into blue eyes for an answer to her unspoken question.
“Oh, yes. Hurry, please.”
The request sent Lauren into action. She popped the button of Callie’s jeans and opened the zipper. She slid her fingers across soft, warm skin pulling a gasp and an urgent moan from Callie. Callie trembled as Lauren caressed her abdomen and slid her hand into her panties.
She moved her fingers achingly slowly over Callie’s center until they were inside her, surrounded in wet and warmth. Callie trembled and her back arched at the intimate contact. Lauren thrust and increased her speed as Callie directed her.
“I can’t wait. Now, baby,” Callie said.
Lauren slipped from the warmth bringing Callie’s wetness with her. She rubbed and circled Callie’s clit carrying Callie higher until she crashed. She held Callie until the trembling stopped and peppered her face with warm kisses. “You’re incredible, Cals.”
Callie kissed Lauren and cupped her between her legs. “I wish we had more time.”
Lauren snatched two pillows off the couch, and they lay on the floor. They gazed into each other’s eyes as they kissed and promised more. When it was time, Lauren helped Callie to her feet and into her coat. Callie pressed her body against Lauren’s. Then she rested her head on Lauren’s shoulder and sighed when Lauren embraced her. “Thank you.”
Callie stepped back and Lauren grinned at the dreamy expression on Callie’s face and her drooping eyelids. “You’re so beautiful,” Lauren said.
“I hope I’m safe to drive. I’m a little distracted.” Callie giggled. “Becky has a birthday party and sleepover at a friend’s on Friday. Come for dinner?”
“I’d like that. I’m not working this weekend.” Lauren rejoiced at the invitation. “Thank you for giving me another chance.”
“A date then. I’ll see you on Friday.”
Callie leaned in for a deep, demanding kiss. Lauren’s heart swelled and her legs turned to rubber, and then Callie pulled away, her beautiful eyes intense, before she loped down the stairs and back to her truck.
Lauren closed the door behind Callie and then flopped onto her living room floor. What had just happened? It wasn’t the way she’d imagined their first time, but Callie had approved. She’d loved taking care of her and the quiet moan when Callie came still excited her.
Lauren frowned. Aside from being beautiful and sexy, above all else, Callie was generous and kind. She had given Lauren another chance, and Lauren finally understood how Callie felt.
Lauren stood and stripped off her clothes as she headed to the shower. Callie had a right to control over her farm bills. She would be more careful in the future. Lauren grinned. And there did seem to be a future for them. Or, at least an actual date.
* * *
Friday night, Lauren dressed with care. Digit was available to consult, but she ordered him to stay away from her black pants. Black clothes were a disaster in a house with orange cats. It didn’t matter how often she vacuumed there was always hair. After dressing, she would risk sitting nowhere and would be out the door a second later.
Lauren gathered her packages, jumped into her truck, and headed to Poplarcreek. Her stomach fluttered. All week, she had waited for this evening with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.
At a quarter after six, she arrived at Poplarcreek and knocked. She entered the mudroom and discarded her outdoor clothing. She ignored the sudden overpowering sense of disquiet washing through her. You will enjoy this evening, Lauren Louise Cornish. You will not say or do anything stupid. The past needed to stay where it belonged so she could get a glimpse of her future.
Chapter Thirty-one
“Hello to the house,” Lauren called.
Callie stuck her head out of her bedroom. “I’ll be right down.” She pirouetted in front of the mirror and inspected her outfit. She was wearing a loose royal blue sweater dress with black leggings. Her hair was off her neck in a knot and she wore a little makeup. “Simple, yet sexy,” she whispered to her reflection. She slipped on shoes and sashayed downstairs and into Lauren’s open arms. “Hey, you.” She caressed Lauren’s shoulders and kissed her. When their mouths broke apart, they held each other in a loose embrace and grinned.
“Dinner’s almost ready. The corkscrew is in the drawer by the stove.”
“Smells delicious.” Lauren rummaged through the mishmash of implements in the drawer and emerged with the corkscrew.
Callie put the bottle of wine Lauren brought in the refrigerator and passed her the bottle she had chilling. Lauren opened the wine and filled the two wineglasses Callie passed her.
Callie accepted a glass of wine and winked. “Thanks for the gift, but I find a toothbrush is all I require.” She pointed to the package Lauren brought.
Lauren grinned and shrugged. “Then I’ll give it to Max.” An instant later, Max hopped forward. He was a polite pup and had waited for Lauren to notice him. Lauren carried the rawhide bone into the living room and Max followed.
When dinner was ready, Callie and Lauren sat across the kitchen table from each other. Callie had rearranged the dishes and cutlery on her table three times. She wanted to sit where she could both see and touch Lauren. She’d made salmon filets with herbs and lemon, wild rice, spinach salad, and squash from her summer garden.
Callie struggled to focus on Lauren’s face, but she had little control over her desires. Her eyes strayed down Lauren’s body and then returned to Lauren’s eyes. She couldn’t help it. Lauren wore simple black dress pants, with a blue dress shirt under a dark-green fleece vest. She looked gorgeous.
Lauren sipped the wine. “I hope the wine I brought is drinkable. I purchased what they recommended in the liquor store.”
Callie smiled. “I did the same thing.” There was no pretense with Lauren. She was thoughtful and didn’t try to impress. Another woman might have overspent on the wine or repeated words the salesperson told her to sound smart.
Lauren grabbed the bag she’d left hanging on the chair beside her. “I saw this in the city on Wednesday.” Lauren shrugged. “It was on sale and I thought Becky might like it.”
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sp; Callie accepted the light khaki vest and held it up. “She’ll love all the pockets. There’s room for her camera, extra batteries, a notebook, and her pocketknife, plus whatever interesting bits of nature she collects on her hikes.”
“I hope you don’t mind that I bought it. I don’t mean to imply you can’t afford it. Am I meddling again? I am, aren’t I? I apologize. Do you want me to return it? I will if you want.”
“It’s all right, Lauren. It’s a gift. I understand.” She kissed Lauren on the cheek. She adored Lauren for thinking of Becky and spending time with her, and she didn’t want to seem ungrateful.
“I often took Samantha clothes shopping. My daughter prefers dresses and frills. We had fun mother and daughter trips to the mall, then I bought us lunch or dinner. On the days when we had more time, we’d see a show or go to the ballet. Sam enjoyed Jersey Boys though most of their songs were older than me. I’m being boring, but I miss her.” Sadness and hurt crept into Lauren’s eyes.
Callie cupped Lauren’s cheek. “Honey, I enjoy listening to stories about your children. And for the record, you never bore me.”
Lauren sniffled. “Thanks.”
“How are Sam and William?”
Lauren brightened. “Sam’s coming this summer, but if I want to see William, I’m going to have to fly home. He’s still not there yet.”
Callie concentrated on her plate as she pushed food around. Lauren had called Ontario home. She needed to ask the question keeping her awake at nights. She had tried to ask before but hadn’t been strong enough to hear the answer. Callie wasn’t sure she was ready yet, but she had to know. “Do you ever think of moving back to Toronto?”
“I’ll never live in Toronto again, but west of Toronto, near Stratford or London would be all right.”
As Lauren’s words sliced into her, Callie jumped to her feet and busied herself collecting their dirty dishes. She couldn’t make eye contact as she stacked the dishes on the counter. What did you expect her to say? I want to live in Thresherton forever?
Lauren scooted in behind Callie and slid her arms around her waist. “I just realized how that sounded, and what you were really asking. I’m not going anywhere. Saskatchewan and Thresherton are home now, and I’m happy. I enjoy being with you and I want to see where we can go with this. I’m even considering talking to Ian and Fiona about buying into PVS as a partner.”
Callie smiled, relieved at the clarification. “Thanks for telling me.” She motioned for Lauren to sit at the breakfast bar while she finished clearing the dishes. Once the dirty dishes were stacked for another day, she slipped around the bar until she stood in front of Lauren. She would worry about the future another time.
Callie slid her hands along the inside of Lauren’s thighs, Lauren gasped and crushed her mouth to Callie’s. Callie stepped back and tugged Lauren’s hand. “Come to bed with me.”
“Is that it? Is that all you’re going to say? What about sweeping me off my feet?”
Lauren joked, but Callie detected a note of panic in her voice. “You’re a farm animal veterinarian and slop through straw and manure all day. I need to sweep up after you, not sweep you off your feet.” She tugged on Lauren’s hand. “Please, baby, I want you.”
“I’m crazy attracted to you, but I’m petrified. You’re the first woman I’ve been with in four years.”
“Four years? But weren’t you—” Still married? Callie finished the sentence in her head. She had heard of lesbian relationships where couples stayed together for years after their sex life died.
Lauren laughed softly. “Val says that makes me a virgin again.”
“Intriguing.” Callie laughed. “It’ll be fine. Like riding a bicycle.”
“Don’t say that, I’ll panic.” Lauren blinked and raised her hands in mock terror. “I was on a bike last summer for the first time in seven years. There was a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. I squeezed into tight biking shorts with a padded ass and a crotch that clung unbecomingly.”
“Sexy. Thanks for the image.”
Lauren continued, the words tumbling from her lips. “I’m not kidding. I wobbled along the path and almost killed another cyclist. There were lots of bruises and blood, and I had to concentrate to keep from crying.”
“Oh no.” Callie covered her mouth and her body shook with laughter.
Lauren waved her hands in front of her. “If sex after four years of celibacy is like riding a bicycle, sex is way too dangerous.”
“Well, it could be dangerous.” Callie let her eyes roam Lauren’s body. “Let’s see how it goes this time.” Callie scanned Lauren’s pale face. “Do you want to make love? No pressure.”
“I do, but I’m still worried I’ll faint.”
Callie sighed with exasperation. “Do you always joke when you’re nervous?”
“Yes, but I also tell jokes when I’m bored, diffusing conflict, or trying to be funny. You won’t find a pattern.”
Tired of the banter, Callie pulled Lauren into a hard kiss. “Shut up, Lauren.”
“Make me.”
Callie smiled as she unzipped Lauren’s vest. She gripped the edges of Lauren’s shirt and yanked it open. The sounds of tearing cloth and bits of plastic raining down on the kitchen floor sidetracked their passion.
Lauren laughed until she gasped for breath. “No snaps on this shirt, Wonder Woman.”
“Sorry,” Callie mumbled. “I thought there were.”
Lauren tilted Callie’s head up and kissed her. Their lips brushed in a soft, sensual joining.
Callie broke away and stooped to gather buttons and pieces of buttons. “Maybe I can fix it.”
Lauren snorted. “Now you do need to sweep up after me.”
Callie focused on Lauren and smiled. Lauren lounged against the counter with her shirt hanging open, allowing a glimpse of gorgeous breasts spilling from a simple black bra. Callie loved breasts. Her own were too small, but Lauren’s were beautiful.
Callie discarded the buttons and pressed her body against Lauren’s. She yanked her shirt open wide and kissed the tops of Lauren’s breasts, caressing her nipples through the fabric of her bra.
By the time they landed in Callie’s bedroom, Lauren’s nervousness had evaporated and Callie’s confidence had returned. She finished removing Lauren’s shirt and bra, then perched on the edge of the bed, pulled Lauren closer, and feasted her eyes and then lips on her full breasts.
“Wait, Callie.” Lauren dragged Callie to her feet and removed her sweater dress and bra.
Callie undid Lauren’s pants and pushed down both pants and panties until Lauren stepped out of them. She kissed Lauren’s breasts and slipped her hand between her legs. “So wet.”
Lauren stood with legs apart. “I can’t stand any longer. I need you on top of me.”
Callie paused for half a beat, excited by the unfamiliar request. Lauren was struggling for air and shaking with desire. Callie yanked the covers out of the way and Lauren lay on her back. “Lights on or off?”
“On please, always. I can’t imagine not looking into your eyes.”
Callie switched on the reading lamp beside her bed and draped a red scarf over the shade to dim the harsh light. She peeled off her leggings and panties and slid into bed. Lauren spread her legs in invitation as Callie settled on top.
“Are you okay?” Callie kissed Lauren’s face and neck. She never realized how much she would love leading or how sexy Lauren’s surrender would be.
“Oh yes, Cals.” Lauren breathed the words.
Cals. There it was again. The nickname no one else had ever used. “What do you want me to do for you, baby?”
“I want to feel you inside me.”
“You’re in a hurry.” Callie entered Lauren slowly. “You’re so ready.”
“Wet for you since I arrived tonight.” Lauren mumbled something else Callie couldn’t decipher as she raised her knees to take her deeper. When Lauren asked for more, Callie increased to three fingers as she pumped faster. Lauren’s eyes
snapped shut, and she moaned with each thrust. Callie followed her hands with her mouth and scooted lower. She licked and circled, but Lauren was close and came with a quiet groan.
Callie kept licking and kissing until Lauren nudged her head away. “Come here.” Lauren spoke her breath coming in small gasps.
Callie kissed flushed skin as she crawled up Lauren’s body and drew her against her.
“Incredible,” Lauren said.
“My pleasure.” Callie stroked Lauren’s back. She winced as she traced the new scar tracking down the middle of her back.
After a few minutes, Lauren rose on one elbow to caress and kiss Callie’s skin. Since Lauren had recovered, Callie became demanding. “On top.”
Lauren slipped between Callie’s legs and lowered herself until their breasts touched. Full breasts swept along Callie’s body, leaving goose bumps in their wake and fulfilling her fantasy.
“I prefer to take my time, but I aim to please. Tell me what you want, Cals.”
“You.”
That was enough for Lauren as she kissed Callie’s palms and the insides of her wrists. Then she flicked her tongue against Callie’s earlobe until she writhed underneath her.
When Callie could wait no longer, she pushed against the top of Lauren’s head and Lauren shifted lower, where Callie hungered for her. Lauren draped Callie’s legs over her shoulders and slid her hands under Callie’s ass. She drove her tongue deep inside, and they moaned in unison at the contact. Lauren replaced her tongue with one, and then two fingers.
“Now, now, baby,” Callie said.
Lauren thrust her fingers in and out. Then Lauren shifted to Callie’s clit and licked and rubbed with her lips while she thrust. Callie gripped the bed and threw herself repeatedly against Lauren’s fingers. After a minute of frantic movement, she stilled, tensed, and came with a series of moans. Lauren kissed her thighs and belly until Callie tugged on Lauren’s shoulders to bring her to lie face-to-face.
“I want your weight on top of me,” Callie said.
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