Sammi’s lips closed around it, and she sucked it in as her fingers slid into Eve’s panties and through the wetness of her arousal. They both groaned as she stroked Eve’s folds.
Eve thrust her hips, meeting each caress. Sammi was right—this wasn’t going to take long. It’d been two days since they’d seen each other, since they’d made love, and it might as well have been two months. With each of Sammi’s strokes, Eve let out a cry. Within seconds, her climax racked her body.
As Sammi’s hand stilled, Eve tried to catch her breath. “Now you.”
“No argument.” Sammi’s voice was hoarse. She was just as ready as Eve had been, maybe more. She straddled Eve then pulled her T-shirt and sports bra off over her head.
This hadn’t been what Eve had in mind, but the sight of Sammi on top of her like that, transfixed her. Seemingly of their own volition, her hands reached for Sammi’s breasts. She cupped them and ran her thumbs over her stiff nipples.
Sammi let out a whimper and arched into Eve’s caress. She pumped her hips.
Eve couldn’t wait to feel her. She stopped long enough to unbutton Sammi’s jeans and yank down the zipper, then she returned one hand to Sammi’s breast and slipped the thumb of the other into Sammi’s fly. She found her slick, hard need immediately.
Sammi released a loud groan.
Eve rubbed Sammi’s clit as she rolled an erect nipple between her fingers.
Sammi stifled a cry, trembled, then collapsed on top of Eve. She didn’t move for a long moment.
Eve held her and trailed her nails over Sammi’s soft skin. She couldn’t stop touching her.
“If you keep doing that, we’re never going to get out of this room,” Sammi murmured.
Eve sighed. “Okay, but I want more later.” She stilled her hands. “And I want it slower.” Eve felt Sammi’s facial muscles shift on her flesh and knew she was smiling.
“You got it, hon.”
After cleaning up, they went downstairs and found Tess at the kitchen sink peeling potatoes.
Eve frowned. “Where’s Maggie?”
Tess glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “She and Addison ran to the store. Did you know Addison is home?”
“Yes, Dusty told me.” She tried to think of something else to say. The only thing that came was, it’s your fault she’s not home. She needed to get over her grudge against Tess. Who Tess dated was none of her business.
“Really? That’s fabulous,” Sammi said. She turned to Eve. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Eve looked at her in disbelief and folded her arms.
Sammi grinned and backed away. “Need some help, Tess?”
“You can grab the other peeler from that drawer over there.” Tess continued her task. “We have ten pounds of potatoes here. Maggie wants plenty of leftovers for potato pancakes in the morning.”
“What can I do?” Eve asked.
“The dishwasher needs to be unloaded.”
“Okay.” Eve knew she’d asked, but it irritated her that Tess was telling her what to do. She’d wanted to help Maggie, but she supposed having an empty dishwasher would be of help to her later. She opened the door and pulled out the top tray.
“Did you two have a nice Thanksgiving?” Tess asked.
“Yeah, mine was good. Melissa and I went to my parents’ house.” Sammi’s tone was congenial.
That annoyed Eve, too. “We weren’t together.” She felt the need to correct Tess’s question. She heard the sharpness in her own tone. She put away some glasses.
“I’m sorry.” Tess glanced at her. “I didn’t mean anything.”
“It’s okay,” Sammi said. She shot a questioning look at Eve. “We were each with our kids yesterday, and today we’re together.”
Eve felt Tess’s eyes on her.
“Eve, are you upset with me about something?” she asked.
Eve stopped. She was upset with Tess. Why shouldn’t she tell the truth? Dusty had held back with her, and it’d caused all kinds of problems. She wished she were fine with Dusty not being there, but she wasn’t. She wished Dusty were fine with Tess dating JoAnn, but she wasn’t. Dusty was gone and hurt and sad. The anger Eve had been trying to assuage flared. “Yes.” Eve felt Sammi’s hand on her arm but ignored it. “Yes, I am upset with you.”
Tess rested her arms on the edge of the sink, potato and peeler in hand, and stared at her. “Why?”
“Because you’re mean. You’re mean and selfish and, really, not very intelligent for someone with your education.”
“What?” Tess’s eyes shone with genuine bewilderment.
Sammi reached for Eve. “What are you—”
“No, it’s okay.” Tess held up the potato peeler. “Let her speak.”
“Dusty loves you, and you just threw her away.” Eve was on a roll now. “You want someone smarter and more intelligent because you think you’re better than her. But I’ll tell you something. Dusty is smart. And she’s kind. And she’s sweet. And you’re not going to find anyone who’ll love you like she does. And it’s your fault she isn’t here today and hasn’t been around very much. And I really want her here.” As Eve took a breath, she became aware of Tess’s stunned expression.
Tess looked at her, lips parted, eyes unblinking. “Dusty’s in love with me?” she said finally.
“Yes.” Another wave of anger broke in Eve. “But what do you care? You’d rather have some college professor.”
Tess’s gaze shifted and she gave a slight shake of her head as though she were trying to clear it. “I…Who?”
“That JoAnn you’ve been dating. Dusty’s not coming today because she’s going to be here.”
Tess sighed. “JoAnn’s not coming today.” She set the potato and peeler in the sink and looked out the kitchen window.
“She isn’t?” Eve’s thoughts came to a crashing halt. Her whole premise had just crumbled. “I thought you…”
Tess shook her head. “No,” she said absently. “I stopped seeing her because…”
She returned her attention to Eve. “All those things you said about me wanting someone smarter and thinking I’m better than Dusty. Is that what Dusty thinks?”
“Because why?” Eve asked.
“Is that what Dusty thinks?” Tess repeated, this time with more force.
“Except for the part about you thinking you’re better. That’s more mine.” She felt a blush creep into her cheeks.
Tess pressed her hands to her face. “I need to talk to her.”
“Because why?” Eve stepped closer.
“What?” Tess seemed to finally see her.
“Why did you stop seeing JoAnn?”
“Eve, I need to talk to Dusty. Where is she?”
“Are you in love with her?” Eve had to know before she let Tess go find her. The last thing Dusty needed was a conversation about anything other than Tess loving her. “Are you in love with Dusty?” Eve’s voice rose.
“Yes,” Tess yelled. “I’m in love with Dusty. Now where is she?”
“Oh, my God.” Eve broke out in a wide grin. She hugged Tess. “She’s at Rebecca’s brother’s house, but I don’t know where that is.”
“I’ll call Rebecca.” Tess hurried upstairs, and when she returned, she carried her purse and keys.
“Did you find out where she is?” Eve asked.
“Yes,” Tess said. She hesitated. “Please don’t call her and tell her I’m coming. I want some time to think, and I don’t want her waiting for me to get there. Or worse, I don’t want her to leave.”
“Tess, she wouldn’t leave. She loves you so much. But I won’t call her.” Eve took Tess’s hand. “I’m sorry for the things I said.”
Tess smiled. “No need for apologies in a family. Besides, if that’s what it took for me to finally hear all this, then I’m glad it happened.” She squeezed Eve’s fingers. “Oh, and please don’t say anything to Maggie or Addison about any of this, either. I should have been confiding in Maggie all along. I want her to hear about it from me now—howev
er it turns out.”
Eve nodded. “Good luck.”
“Thank you. And thank you for telling me.” She turned to leave. “I will be home for dinner, with or without Dusty.”
“Wow,” Sammi said as soon as the front door closed. “A lot happens around here in a day. I should get you out of here before you run off with someone.”
Eve laughed and snuggled up to her. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve already run off with someone.”
Chapter Twenty-four
Tess checked the numbers on the houses as she drove along Pacific Coast Highway. She spotted Dusty’s Harley up against a garage door. She blanched. Now that she had found her, was she ready to hear from Dusty’s own lips what she had to say? Tess had ended things with JoAnn so she could take the time to fully get over Dusty. She hadn’t expected to be confessing the very feelings she had been trying to deny for so long and facing the moment of truth regarding Dusty’s. She turned into the driveway and sat motionless.
She had been so certain as she had left home, so elated to find out that Dusty felt the same as she did. Now, doubts engulfed her. What if Eve was wrong? What if Eve just thought Dusty had feelings for her because she had walked in when Dusty was massaging her feet that one day and seen them in the backyard after the party? What if because Eve was in love, she just made it up everywhere? That happened sometimes when people fell in love, and Eve could be a little flighty, after all. Maggie had said Dusty was spending a few days with some girl. What if that was true and that girl was here? How embarrassing would that be, not to mention difficult? She couldn’t imagine seeing Dusty with another woman. Tess glanced around. The only other cars were parked at different residences, but who was to say Dusty’s friend hadn’t ridden here on the back of the motorcycle? Surely, Rebecca would have said something if Dusty was here with someone else. All Rebecca had said was, “Lord have mercy, it’s about time,” whatever that meant. Then she had given Tess the address.
She had to do this. She had to know. She steadied herself and climbed out of her car. At the front door, she rang the bell and waited.
No one answered.
She rang it again. Should she leave? What if Dusty was in bed with someone? Tess pushed the blurred outline of the image from her mind before it could sharpen into focus. She walked around the side of the house and down its length. Out the other end of the passageway, she saw the waves breaking on the sand beneath the clear, morning sky and sea gulls swooping and screaming over the water. A beautiful wooden deck stretched across the back of the house, decorated with lounge chairs, potted plants, and a blue and white umbrella that slanted down over a table. A barbeque stood beside the open sliding glass door. A curtain moved.
Tess held her breath until she realized only the breeze rippled the thin cloth. She sighed. Why was she so anxious? It wasn’t as though her life would be different if Dusty didn’t love her in return. Actually, though, she knew her internal life would be. She had spent almost a year knowing that Dusty was there for her when she needed her. She suspected now that what they had shared had never been just sex—not for her. From the very first kiss, Dusty had been giving her something, not merely a physical thing but the reassurance that she wasn’t alone, that she once again had something worthwhile to offer a woman, that she was wanted and desired and honored. She had given her something—someone—she could count on, someone to hold her, to play and explore with, someone to fill Tess’s thoughts and heart. Wasn’t all of that what a love relationship offered? And now, this relationship could be over before Tess had even realized she was in it, and there would be a hole in her life, just like the one left by Alicia.
What had Tess given Dusty in return? Anything? She thought for a moment. She didn’t know, but Dusty must have been getting something from her. She had been home more these past several months—and usually in the same room as Tess, now that she thought about it. So, Tess had given her something to come home for, to be home for, even if Tess didn’t know what it was, and she always seemed happy any time they were together, not only when she was in Tess’s bed. That was something, wasn’t it?
A dog barked, and a child whooped.
Tess looked out to the beach.
A family strolled along the sand, carrying chairs, an ice chest, and towels. The wind picked up, and the umbrella twirled with it.
Tess started.
In the far corner of the deck, Dusty stood with her elbows on the railing, staring out to sea.
Tess let her gaze travel over her—the soft blond hair, windblown and messy, the straight, taut back Tess had run her hands up so many times, the toned legs beneath jeans rolled up to the knees. Her bare feet and ankles were covered with wet sand, evidence of a walk along the water’s edge.
Anxiety, doubt, excitement, desire, and love all clamored for precedence. Tess hushed her emotions. She had made up her mind to find out the truth, and she intended to do so with clarity. She set her things on the table. Her keys rattled against the glass top.
Dusty turned. “Tess.” Hope flashed in her eyes but vanished just as quickly. She stood, still and silent. “What are you doing here?” she asked finally.
Tess bit her lower lip. It wasn’t the response she had wanted, but she wouldn’t be deterred. She collected herself and walked to the railing. She looked out over the beach. “Eve told me something earlier, and I came to find out if it’s true.” She felt Dusty tense beside her.
“What’d she tell you?” Dusty asked, returning to her previous position.
Their shoulders lightly met.
Tess waited. She wanted to prolong the contact. “I was wondering why both she and you seemed irritated with me this morning,” she said, “and I asked her if I had done something to upset her.” She could feel Dusty’s warmth where they touched.
Dusty looked down at her hands. “What’d she say?” She sounded resigned.
“She said yes. That I’m mean and selfish. And that I’m the reason you weren’t going to come to Thanksgiving dinner.”
“I’m sorry,” Dusty said softly. She straightened and turned to face Tess. “She shouldn’t have said that. It’s not true. Look, I didn’t mean to cause any problems. I was just getting out of there to give you some room with your new girlfriend.”
Tess saddened at Dusty’s meaning. She now knew the only girlfriend she wanted was Dusty, but Dusty didn’t have girlfriends, that old voice in her head said. Eve had implied some things had changed, though. She glanced around the deck. “This actually looks like a nicer place to explore a new girlfriend.” She tried to sound bold, flirtatious even. She turned her attention to Dusty. “That is, if you want one.”
“What?”
Tess looked up at her. “Eve said you’re in love with me.”
Dusty reddened. She sighed then shifted her gaze above Tess. “Damn it, Eve,” she murmured. “I am,” she said, her voice coming back stronger. “But I’ll get over it. It won’t affect you at all.”
Tess watched her. Her expression was so sincere, her tone so earnest. Tess wanted to ask why Dusty hadn’t told her, but how could she when she had never shared her feelings with Dusty, either? She looked back to the ocean. “We’re a couple of idiots.”
Dusty laughed. “I know I am, but why are you?”
“For the same reason.”
“What do you mean?”
It was way past time for all this to end one way or another. Resolved, Tess turned, cupped Dusty’s face in her hands, and kissed her. “Dusty Gardner, I am so in love with you,” she whispered. “Deeply, hopelessly, deliriously in love with you.”
Dusty stiffened for the briefest of instants before her arms went around Tess and she crushed her to her. She trailed the tip of her tongue between Tess’s lips, then parted them and sank into a deep kiss.
Tess moaned. She slid her hands into Dusty’s hair and pulled her even closer. The kiss was long, tender, the possibility of fulfilled desires, future moments, and shared dreams. “Will you make love to me?” she asked.
She pressed more firmly against Dusty, their mouths coming together once more. All the desire she had been restraining for the past several weeks flooded through her.
“Yes,” Dusty whispered. “I mean, wait. What did you say?”
“Make love to me,” Tess repeated. Her nipples hardened against Dusty’s breasts. The silken caress of Dusty’s hair between her fingers brought a moan from within her.
“No,” Dusty said. “I mean, yes, I’ll make love to you—always. But what did you say before that? The thing about if I want…one. Did you mean a girlfriend?”
Tess paused, her lips still lightly touching Dusty’s. “I want to be yours. I want to be with you every day and every night.” She began to tremble. What if Dusty only wanted what they had had? She didn’t know if she could settle for that after realizing how much she wanted something more.
Dusty released a rush of air. “Yes. Oh, baby, yes.” Her tone was desperate, as desperate as Tess felt. She claimed Tess’s mouth in a passionate kiss and lifted her into her arms. She strode toward the open door.
Dusty had said yes. Relief surged through Tess. Dusty wanted to be with her, too.
In the master bedroom, Dusty lowered her onto the quilted comforter of the queen-sized bed and started to lie down beside her. She stopped. “Damn it.”
Her arms still locked around Dusty’s neck, Tess panted. “What?”
“I’m all sandy.” Dusty groaned. She pulled from Tess’s embrace. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere,” she said, palms out to Tess. “Don’t move. I’m gonna clean up, and I’ll be right back.” She was so frantic. What had happened to the cool, suave Dusty Gardner? After everything it had taken to get them here, did she really think Tess would leave?
Tess laughed softly. “I won’t move,” she lied. “I promise.”
Dusty kissed her once more then dashed from the room.
As soon as Tess heard the water, she rose and undressed. In the bathroom, she watched for a moment through the clear shower walls.
Dusty stood, bent over, hurriedly rinsing her legs and feet.
Tess moved in behind her and ran her hand over the smooth, slick flesh of Dusty’s backside.
Threads of the Heart Page 31