One Golden Summer

by Clare Lydon

  Saffron clasped Kirsty’s cheeks with both hands, their mouths finding the other, Saffron’s heart flitting about as if taking a victory lap. At first, their lips were pressed together, but Saffron lost control and deepened the kiss, her arms wrapping around Kirsty.

  Kirsty briefly yanked away, to fish for her keys in her bag, resuming their kiss, simultaneously attempting to put the key into the lock for the door leading to her flat.

  Saffron placed her hand on Kirsty’s. “Let me help.”

  The door clicked open.

  Still kissing, they crossed the threshold.

  “Why did we waste so much time?” Saffron asked in between kisses.

  “We’re idiots?” Kirsty raked a hand through Saffron’s hair.

  “Don’t hold back.” Saffron planted her lips hard onto Kirsty’s. “You have the softest lips. I can’t stop kissing you.”

  “Does that mean you don’t want a glass of wine?”

  “You. Want you.”

  “I see words are still difficult for you.”

  “Take me upstairs or we can shag here. Dealer’s choice.” Saffron growled saying she wouldn’t be able to hold back much longer.

  “I’ve never had sex in the hallway.” Kirsty, not breaking free from Saffron, swivelled her head back and forth, inspecting the space. “It’s pretty cramped.”

  “Is that a surprise to you?”

  “I’ve never considered using it for anything else before. It’s inadequate for what I want to do to you.” Kirsty reached for Saffron’s hand. “Upstairs, then.” Her pupils tripled in size, lust burning.

  Saffron froze, her vision going dark, and a buzzing sound in her ears.

  Kirsty tugged harder, but Saffron couldn’t move.

  “Are you okay?” Kirsty snapped her fingers in Saffron’s face.

  “I—” Saffron reached for her throat.

  “We can stop. For the night.” Kirsty’s gaze brimmed with compassion. “A lot has happened.”

  Saffron’s heart thudded in her throat, her tongue stilled.

  Kirsty gently shook Saffron. “You still with me?”

  Saffron glanced over her shoulder as if Kirsty was speaking to someone else, but slowly turned her head to face those lovely grey eyes. Her heart poked holes in all the dark thoughts bubbling in her head. She can’t love you for who you are. She’s using you. She’ll hurt you.

  Saffron made her decision, and kissed Kirsty hard. “Bedroom. Now.”

  Kirsty led Saffron upstairs and once in the room she shoved Saffron against a wall. Both of their hands slipping under shirts, savouring the touches of the other’s skin. Kirsty fisted Saffron’s blond tresses, bringing forth a throaty moan.

  Saffron gazed at Kirsty as if not believing this was happening. But there wasn’t time to contemplate. She’d wasted too many precious seconds locked inside her head. Action. Her focus had to be on action. She needed to keep chipping away at her walls and let Kirsty in.

  Kirsty nodded as if reading Saffron’s mind.

  Their bodies pressed together once again, both of them hungry for the other’s flesh and lips.

  Kirsty pulled the neck of Saffron’s shirt, to give her tongue the freedom to roam the exquisite collarbone.

  Saffron shifted her weight, her knees nearly buckling.

  Kirsty lifted Saffron’s shirt off, tossing it over her shoulder. Kirsty cupped Saffron’s right breast, running a thumb over the peaked nipple battling the restraint.

  Saffron reached around, and undid her bra for Kirsty. Together they slid the straps down Saffron’s arms, letting the bra fall to the floor, revealing creamy skin, perky breasts with pink nipples, and a spattering of freckles.

  Kirsty traced some of the spots, forming a star. “It’s like you were born to be famous.”

  Saffron looked down. “Or cursed.”

  “Oh, no. Not with this body.” Kirsty licked her lips. “How did I get so fucking lucky?”

  “I could say the same thing.”

  “Are you sweet talking me because I have you half naked?” Kirsty boosted a teasing eyebrow, pinching one of Saffron’s nipples between two fingers.

  “Keep that up, and I’ll be begging soon.” Saffron let out a whoosh of air, excitement building.

  “I wouldn’t be opposed.” Kirsty pulled Saffron from the wall, and walked them backwards, easing Saffron onto her bed, and climbing on top. Straddling Saffron, Kirsty gazed at the breasts on display. “So fucking lucky.”

  Saffron nibbled on her lower lip.

  Kirsty lowered, her tongue stroking the hollow of Saffron’s throat, eliciting a fuck me moan.

  Kirsty licked a path to the left breast, sucking the nipple into her mouth, hardening it, allowing her to softly bite down on the nub. She alternated between sucking and biting, increasing the pressure incrementally with her teeth.

  “Oh, yes,” Saffron moaned.

  Kirsty didn’t let up.

  A shiver worked its way through Saffron, her hips rocking upwards. Kirsty rubbed hers into Saffron, the women moving as one, Saffron clawing Kirsty’s back, not wanting their connection to break, but there was one problem.

  “This needs to come off!” Saffron ripped Kirsty’s shirt over her head. “I need to feel your skin against mine.”

  Kirsty stared down into Saffron’s eyes. “Better?”

  “Halfway.”

  Kirsty laughed. “Patience, darling.”

  Saffron jerked her hip into Kirsty with palpable need.

  “So bossy.” Kirsty winked and leaned down, taking the neglected nipple into her mouth, staying long enough to make it hard, but not wanting to tip Saffron into desperation.

  Kirsty began her journey down, her mouth meandering from one freckle to the next as if following them like sailors seeking a port.

  The trail left Saffron aflame with desire, her fingers digging into Kirsty’s shoulders and back, all the while her mouth and tongue continued the trek.

  Every nerve ending in Saffron’s body lit up and she sank her body deeper into the mattress, unable to control her writhing, a growl escaping.

  “You sound a bit hoarse. Do you need a glass of wine? I can pop downstairs.” Kirsty gripped the top of Saffron’s trousers.

  “Don’t you dare leave me like this,” Saffron demanded.

  “Like what?” Kirsty undid the top button, but made a show of not continuing without more instruction.

  “I need you, not...” Saffron’s mind went blank.

  “Come on, use your words. What do you need?” Kirsty lowered Saffron’s trousers.

  “You seem to know.” Saffron gave Kirsty a suggestive look.

  Kirsty stopped, with the trousers only halfway down.

  “This is so unfair.” Saffron took a deep breath.

  “From my viewpoint, it’s so fucking amazing. You’re underneath me, begging. You are begging, aren’t you?”

  “It seems I have to.”

  Kirsty ran her tongue up Saffron’s inside right thigh, stopping on the scarlet knickers. “Poor you. Such torture.”

  “Please.” Saffron swallowed, her body aching with desire. “Don’t stop.”

  Kirsty removed the trousers. “See how easy that was?”

  “Aren’t you forgetting something?” Saffron eyed her knickers.

  “I’m rather enjoying seeing them on you.” Kirsty lowered the top enough to permit her teeth to rake pubic hair. “However, it’d be such a disappointment not to be able to taste you.”

  “I agree. P-please do that,” she stuttered.

  “Well, since you asked so nicely.” Kirsty slipped one finger under the silk, seeking the slippery surface of Saffron’s outer lips. Going up. And then down. Again and again, until her finger was wet. Then she carefully eased it out and sampled the goods, never breaking eye contact with Saffron.

  Saffron’s chest hitched. “You’re killing me.”

  “Can’t lie. I’m loving seeing how much you want me in your eyes.”

  Unable to speak, Saffron couldn
’t rip her eyes off Kirsty, as she motioned for Saffron to lift up. Before Saffron could comprehend how quickly Kirsty removed the last barrier, her head lowered closer and closer to Saffron’s throbbing pussy.

  Saffron closed her eyes.

  Kirsty’s tongue delicately licked Saffron’s clit. Flicking it once, before moving on to explore. Saffron’s hand sought something overhead to hold onto, but she had to grip the corner of the pillow, her legs parting further, to give Kirsty complete and total access.

  Kirsty’s tongue dipped into Saffron with uncertainty, as if needing to bolster the nerve to dive inside.

  “Please.” Saffron fisted the pillow.

  Kirsty did, her tongue going in deep.

  “You feel so amazing.” Saffron’s hips writhed.

  Kirsty removed her tongue from inside, and focused on Saffron’s clit, lapping it slowly and sensually.

  Saffron twisted and turned her upper body, doing her best to keep her centre available, as Kirsty eased a finger inside. A shudder working through Saffron.

  Kirsty seemed to read Saffron’s need and added another finger, going in deep.

  “You’re amazing. So f-fucking amazing,” Saffron stammered, having such a hard time focusing on anything other than the explosion that was building. “Don’t stop. Please… don’t.”

  Kirsty somehow seemed to plunge deeper with each thrust, her mouth not letting up.

  Saffron latched onto each side of Kirsty’s head.

  Kirsty didn’t let up, circling the exact spot, which was a minor miracle, because Saffron couldn’t keep her body still.

  “More.” Saffron’s back arched.

  Kirsty added another finger, her tongue kicking it up a notch.

  “Oh, fuck me!”

  Kirsty plunged in deeper.

  Saffron’s upper body bucked up off the bed.

  Kirsty curled her fingers upwards, lighting Saffron up. The first wave of ecstasy spilled over the crest, firing every nerve ending in her entire body.

  But Kirsty had no intention of letting it stop there, because she dove in again, her fingers easily triggering Saffron for the second round, the orgasm morphing into a second force of nature.

  Then another.

  Saffron writhed, as the orgasm continued.

  After another full-body jerk, she collapsed back onto the bed.

  Kirsty rested her chin on Saffron’s leg. “See how communication pays off.”

  “I can’t see a thing right now. Just light. Lots of light.” Saffron flicked her fingers indicating fireworks.

  Kirsty laughed. “I’ll take that as a win.”

  Saffron reached for Kirsty, pulling her up to hold onto. “Most definitely.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want a glass of wine now? You sound parched.” There was smugness in her tone.

  Saffron tightened her squeeze. “I don’t want to let go of you. Stay.”

  Chapter 33

  Kirsty blinked herself awake, but something wasn’t normal. Her head was buried against something strong and warm. She pulled back. It was only then she smiled.

  The warm thing was Saffron. Kirsty had a movie star in her bed. Correction, ex-movie star.

  At least, for now.

  Kirsty moved back to where she’d woken up and snaked an arm around Saffron’s waist, curling herself into the curve of Saffron’s body. A rush of heat swept through her, making her grin as she ground her face into Saffron’s back. If you’d have told her she was going to be doing this even yesterday, she’d have called you a fool.

  However, time and life had a way of working their own magic. Yesterday, she’d been down on love but keeping her chin up for Ginger’s sake. Today, she was ready to embrace it with open arms. To imagine that a movie star might just be happy with little old her.

  “Not so much of the old!”, as Helena would say.

  Kirsty smiled. Turns out, age gaps could be bridged. Misunderstandings could be ironed out. Relationships could be mended. She’d learned a lot over the past few days.

  Bizarrely, Helena’s website bombshell might have sped up Kirsty and Saffron’s reunion. They’d been forced to confront issues neither of them were keen to talk about head-on. If Helena hadn’t botched the website so spectacularly, and Saffron’s agent hadn’t set her up with Echo, they would have ended up in bed together again, but they’d have probably left things unsaid. After last night, nothing had been left unsaid. Or untouched.

  A hand grabbing hers pulled Kirsty’s attention back to the present, a world she was happy to live in. She didn’t want to share Saffron with anyone else. Would anybody notice if they just shacked up in her flat, in this very bed, and didn’t emerge for a week? Perhaps she could get Anton to work her shifts in the shop. Although he might struggle leading the wine tasting featuring select Italian vineyards next week.

  “Morning.” Saffron’s voice was studded with gravel as she kissed Kirsty’s fingers, before turning to face her. Kirsty sucked in a breath. Saffron was even more beautiful this morning than she had been last night, if that were possible. She reached out and smoothed Saffron’s golden hair behind her left ear.

  “Morning yourself.” She leaned forward and kissed Saffron’s lips, revelling in their sweetness and warmth.

  Just like that, her libido sprang to life, her whole body purring. Kirsty had read that a woman hit her sexual peak at 36. If last night was anything to go by, she was pretty sure she had the data to contest that. She didn’t recall having so many orgasms in such a short space of time ever before.

  She pulled back, tracing the curve of Saffron’s upturned mouth with her index finger. “What’s that smile for?”

  “I hope the same reason you have a massive one on your lips. Because I’ve woken up in your bed.” She rolled onto her back and spread her legs wide. “A king size, no less.”

  “I like to spread out.”

  “I noticed that last night.” Saffron rolled on top of her and pressed down.

  Kirsty’s mind scrambled.

  She kissed her thoroughly, deeply, until Kirsty had no idea where Saffron’s lips started and hers ended.

  After a few minutes, Saffron pulled back, eyeing her. “Where have you been all my life?”

  Kirsty snorted, and pushed Saffron off, reversing their roles and pressing herself into Saffron.

  “Please. If you’re serious about not being a movie star for the foreseeable future, we might have to go back to the drawing board for some of your lines. They need work. A lot of work. You need to cut the cheese in half at least.”

  Saffron gave her a grin as her phone pinged.

  Kirsty gave her a look. “Leave it.”

  “What if it’s heaven calling saying they’re missing an angel?”

  Kirsty sat up, her thighs squeezing Saffron below her, and let out a belly laugh. “Are you done?” She leaned forward and brought her eyes level with Saffron.

  “Not nearly done with you.” Saffron’s tone had gone from teasing to serious.

  Kirsty’s heart boomed. “I’m glad to hear it.”

  Saffron reached up and stroked her breast. Her intent focus made Kirsty still.

  “I mean it. Last night was incredible and I want to be clear. I’m staying here. I’m getting a dog. And I want you in my plans. For the sake of clarity, I want to be your girlfriend.” Saffron’s cheeks glowed red. She looked adorable. “Does that sound like something you might consider?”

  A grin split Kirsty’s face as she shook her head. “You’re seriously asking me that question? As you’re lying beneath me with your perfect teeth, your golden skin, and your limbs that go on for miles?” Kirsty licked her lips, then placed a gentle kiss on Saffron’s lips. “I’m totally here for this. If you’re asking me to be yours, I’m in.” A ticker-tape parade of happiness marched through her.

  “My girlfriend owns a wine shop. What a find!” Saffron punched the air.

  Kirsty kissed her again, before shuffling down Saffron, parting her thighs and placing a hand over her core. �
��Mine just jacked in her job and she hasn’t got another one lined up. Luckily, she’s hot.” Kirsty slid a finger into Saffron’s heat, then groaned. “Also, seriously wet for me.”

  Saffron’s eyes blazed with desire. “You have no idea.”

  Kirsty waved at Danny on the top road overlooking the sea. From this vista, you could see right down to Branton Bay on the right, and way beyond Sandy Cove to your left. However, the one view Kirsty still couldn’t get enough of was right in front of her.

  Saffron Oliver.

  Her girlfriend.

  It was going to take some getting used to.

  “Let me guess. Your old boyfriend?”

  Danny was the fourth person Kirsty had greeted on the walk from her flat to Saffron’s place.

  Kirsty shook her head. “His dad used to play cricket with my dad. We were always left in the pavilion together as kids. He’s very ticklish.”

  Saffron’s phone pinged, distracting her.

  “Let me guess.” Kirsty gripped Saffron’s hand as they walked down the diagonal path—lined with scorched grass—to the main promenade. “Ginger.”

  Saffron let out a light chuckle. “She’s not giving up easily. She wants to meet us for lunch or a drink or dinner.” Saffron kissed Kirsty’s hand, before slowing down. “Can we give her something? She did get us together in a roundabout way.”

  Kirsty nodded. Ginger had been instrumental. They’d shared their stories of Ginger’s intervention over the past couple of days, so they owed her. “Dinner later on? By then I might be ready to share you. For now, I want to walk along the beach with my girlfriend, get an ice cream, and then go back to hers for more hot sex.”

  Saffron gave her a grin. “I’ll have to check my schedule, but I’m sure it can be arranged.”

  At the bottom of the hill they bought an ice cream from Nathan’s Ice Cream Hut. Kirsty chatted to him for a few moments, before presenting Saffron with her 99.

  She licked the ice cream, then took a bite of the chocolate flake before glancing back at Nathan. “He was your boyfriend, if I remember correctly?”

  Kirsty nodded. “We went steady for at least three weeks, aged seven. Can you cope?”

  Saffron raised both eyebrows. “Is it possible to get retroactively jealous about something that happened years ago?”