“What are you doing here, Suzette?”
“I switched majors.”
Dazed, I started to walk away, half muttering under my breath, half ready to bolt.
“No, Charly, please wait.”
My shoulders sagged like the weight of the gym equipment rested on my back.
“Why should I?”
“There’s something I need to say, please.”
I stoically held my ground without flinching when she took one step closer.
“I’m sorry, Charly, I truly am. I was a real dumb-ass in high school.” Suzette’s voice was barely above a whisper, but her regret clearly marred her flawless face, yet she was more gorgeous than ever. My gaze honed in on her mouth.
“So dumb,” she said, her lower lip wet and trembling. I placed my finger gently on her lip until it ceased to quiver, almost.
“I freaked out,” she whispered.
“That’s putting it mildly.” I shoved my hands deep into my pockets to hide the tremor I fought to control.
“I couldn’t process all my mixed emotions.”
“We could have talked about it, you know.”
“I wish we had, but as I said, I was conflicted. Too young to get it and petrified to admit it—even to myself.”
The beginning of a smile played upon my lips. I was still a sucker for her, just as I was way back when. Nothing had really changed at all. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not okay. I loved your kisses.”
“Me too,” I murmured.
She looked suddenly lost, young and unsure yet confident in a mature way—not brash as she had been. She said she loved my kisses. My smile widened. Could that really be true or was I dreaming again?
After all these years, overwhelming desire knocked me off my high horse. I pulled her close and my arms tightened fiercely. She placed her head on my chest, resting as if at home at last. I had an incredible urge to comfort, to consume her and be consumed. I didn’t stop long to revel in my good fortune. Her scent, her heat, the feel of her firm body in my arms was too much to take. My heart broke at all the lost years we could have had together had we not fallen out. I missed every minute we didn’t speak. I loved listening to the sound of her voice. But now she was openly crying and I didn’t know what to do, or say, or think, or feel. She held on tight. I couldn’t have pushed her away if I tried. Not that I wanted to, so I just held her while she wept.
I rubbed her back. I held her close and strong and spoke soothingly, repeating the words, “I forgive you, Suzette, please don’t cry,” until her tears subsided.
It hurt like hell to see her so sad and I wondered if I’d cry too. I was tempted to say, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry,” but I feared it would sound corny. I comforted her with caresses. She was right. We weren’t ready for it then. We were much too young and awfully naive.
“I wanted you so damn much.” She searched my eyes, hers filled with pain I longed to extinguish.
“I wanted you too. I loved that night. I loved kissing you. I loved—” I got all choked up.
She cleared her throat. “I’ve always loved you, Charly. I never stopped.”
“So you really didn’t switch majors?”
“No,” she admitted. “I transferred to Stanford hoping to rekindle our friendship. I had to find out if you still wanted me as much as you did then.”
I was floored, but more than that, it all made sense. Besides, our friends and family would never have understood our kind of love no matter how strong and right it felt to us. And now, I wanted Suzette more than the championships; more than getting into a top-ranking medical school; more than anything.
I cupped her head with my hands and pulled her in for a kiss hoping to convey the infinite depth of my love for her. Sweet love declaring kisses led to fervent kisses knowing a lifetime of kisses would never be enough. I wanted her for all eternity.
“If we keep this up,” I said. “I’ll come in my shorts.”
“It won’t be the first time.” She laughed.
My eyebrows shot up as I tried to think of a witty come back, but I loved her laugh and joined in at my own expense, until I got this brilliant idea.
“Well, maybe we can have a coming contest right over there on the mats. What do you say?” I asked, daring her to play.
“Your ass is grass.”
I kissed her with so much want, need, and desire. My lips hungered to taste all of her. My hands yearned to touch every delectable inch. I reached under her top and fondled her fine peaks until her nipples hardened. The feel of her breasts alone moved me. Imagining us lying together naked was like a dream come true. I couldn’t get enough of her.
We didn’t even notice we had company until someone coughed. Suzette and I broke apart at the inopportune interruption and chuckled, but we remained in each other’s arms. “Let’s go back to my room,” I whispered in her ear.
“Good idea,” she said, with breathless anticipation.
“But, Suzette?”
“Yes, Charly.”
“Be forewarned, what I have in mind is just the beginning of what I have planned for us. I’m going to love you to no end.”
“Count me in.”
The End
About the Author
Cheri Crystal is a healthcare professional by day erotic romance writer by night. She was born and raised in New York and hopes to join her wife in the United Kingdom as soon as possible. Cheri began writing fiction in 2003 after reviewing for Lambda Book Report, Just About Write, Independent Gay Writer and other e-zines. She is the author of “Attractions of the Heart,” a 2010 Golden Crown Literary Winner for erotic lesbian love stories. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, hiking, viewing wildlife, cooking, jigsaw puzzles and spending quality time with family and friends. Visit www.chericrystal.com and friend her on facebook for the latest news.
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