Coming Together: At Last, Volume One

by Alessia Brio, L. A. Banks, Lisabet Sarai

  Kit bit her lip and Andrea almost sighed. “Um, I dunno,” Kit said hesitantly. “I'd ... really like to just...” Her voice trailed off and Andrea smiled encouragingly, charmed by the shyness that seemed like such a contrast from Kit's almost manly, often bizarre appearance.

  "Cuddle,” Kit said in a small voice that Andrea had to lean forward to hear. “I like to cuddle after movies."

  In a flash Andrea could see it: her, tangled up with Kit on a bed or couch, slow kisses, soft touches ... she swallowed and wondered if she'd have the restraint to just cuddle if that's what Kit wanted. She glanced at Kit and found her with the same warm thoughts shooting through her gaze.

  Maybe she wouldn't need the restraint. What are you doing? That little moral voice shrieked. Dating her is bad enough but going to bed with her? That's so damning, you might as well hang up your laser pointer. I thought you liked teaching?

  She did ... she did but Kit was a grown up wasn't she? So was Andrea. Yes, she was still a little squiggy about dating a student but as long as she could continue doing her job and they acted the part when at school ... well, she was willing to try.

  Andrea was woman enough to admit that she was in too deep to just walk away now anyway.

  "So after the movie,” she said as casually as she could. “Would you like to ... cuddle at my place?” And then because she didn't want Kit to think she had ulterior motives, she hastened to add, “Or your place, maybe?"

  Kit shook her head so hard; Andrea was a little shocked her neck didn't snap. “No, no, not my place. Your place is great,” she said then bit her lip again, which Andrea had long since figured out was Kit's sign of worry or nervousness.

  Or arousal. Or just about any emotion she had going on at that moment. “Okay,” Andrea said, tilting her head. “While I'm more than fine with having you over, what's wrong with your place?"

  Kit was silent for such a long time that Andrea began to tell her it was okay, that she didn't need to know even though she really did want to know what it was about her home that seemed to bother her so much. Messy roommate, maybe? But then Kit sighed and placing her elbow on the table, dropped her forehead into it.

  "I don't want you to find out from someone else and get the wrong idea,” she mumbled. “But I live with my ex-girlfriend."

  Andrea fought the way her stomach bottomed out and betrayal tried to choke off her oxygen.

  "Why?” she demanded.

  "Because I'm poor and she was ... nice enough to let me stay,” Kit said, rubbing her palm against her cheek. Wary green eyes hooked into Andrea and pleaded for understanding. “I'm not in love with her still or anythin'. And I sure as hell don't sleep with her anymore. It's just a place to stay until I can get away."

  Things still didn't add up. “Then why can't we go over there? I mean, it would be awkward kind of but if you guys are on good enough terms to live together..."

  Kit's laugh was like glass shattering on concrete. “Good terms? She hates me,” she ground out. “And I'm sc—miserable there. I don't want you to see us argue or have to even deal with her."

  Andrea narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out if she'd heard the hesitation but Kit looked so damn bitter that she let it go and reached out a hand instead to comfort her. “I'm forty-three years old, Kit. I'm sure I can handle one grumpy girl.” She didn't know why she was pushing it when she'd never really pushed for anything other than education but Andrea needed Kit to see that despite her sedate nature, Andrea could take care of herself.

  Kit turned her hand over and laced fingers with Andrea, making her breath catch in her throat. “I know that. But I don't want you to even have to,” Kit said fiercely. “You're what's important here, do you see? If I can keep Dina from trying to taint the one good thing I've got going, then I can survive her."

  Andrea's heart proceeded to melt when Kit then lifted her hand and brushed a quick kiss over the knuckles, sending tingles of heat down Andrea's arm. “Please?” she said against Andrea's fingers, driving her nuts with the feel of Kit's soft mouth. “Can we go over to your place after the movie?"

  Unwilling to pull away a second time even with that voice yelling at her about teacher/student propriety, Andrea nodded. Whatever she wanted. “Yes, alright. We'll go to my place."

  Kit's smile reminded Andrea of the sun. “Thank you,” she said, kissing her fingers again. “You won't regret it."

  No. No, she wouldn't. She could feel it. Or was that hope?

  * * * *

  Having Andrea pick her up after work had felt a little silly but being in a warm car with a warmer, beautiful woman, well that made it alright in Kit's book. Especially when they got to the movies and found another thing they had in common: no chick flicks.

  It was by unanimous decision to see the mystery/horror movie instead and after settling on candy and caffeine; they made their way to their theater and sat down just as the movie began. It was a perfect beginning to what Kit would always think of as the best date of her life. The movie had a great plot but too much sex for both of them to really get into it and Kit would find her mind wandering to something else.

  Like the cuddling Andrea had promised her. And the fact that mid-movie, Andrea had reached over and laced her fingers with Kit's, leaving them together on the armrest. Kit's whole arm tingled from the contact and her candy turned into a nervous ball in her gut. She knew that she would not stick with cuddling. Not when her crush had long since morphed into something far more adult.

  She wanted Andrea. Cuddling would drive her mad and the glittering warmth she'd seen in Andrea's eyes more and more often told her that cuddling wouldn't be enough for her either. Some part of her was awed by the transformation Andrea had gone through, at least in her eyes. Yes, she was still a sweet woman but Kit realized that there was an earthy quality to her. She didn't curse, no but she was honest to the point of being blunt. Her smiles, while soft, were real.

  She did still see Andrea as perfect but she didn't feel so ... unworthy anymore. The end of the movie came without her realizing it and with Andrea giving the most delicate snort Kit had ever heard anyone create.

  "What a load of rot,” Andrea said as, still hand-in-hand, they headed down the steps and out the auditorium. “It was good right until the ending. Did they have to have that squishy scene right then? It ruined it."

  Kit just shook her head and made noncommittal noises, a little embarrassed that she hadn't been paying attention. She savored the feel of Andrea's soft hand in hers and wished she smelled a little less like onion rings so she could catch Andrea's sweet scent. As they came to Andrea's little Honda, a familiar voice shouted her name.

  She felt Andrea's hand immediately slip free of hers and Kit pretended it didn't hurt as they turned and Jamie came jogging up to them. “Ms. Francis, Kit,” he beamed, pretty in his fancy jeans and vest. “What're you two doing out so late?"

  Since Jamie knew exactly why, Kit only bared her teeth while Andrea glibly replied, “We bumped into each other in the same movie and Miss Morgan needed a ride home. May I ask what your plans are this evening, Mr. Gordon?"

  "Oh, I'm on a date,” he said, grinning slyly at Kit. She wanted to knock his teeth out and put that intent in her gaze which only made his stupid smirk bigger. Some best friend he is, she fumed.

  "Ah,” Andrea said and Kit could almost feel her worry. “I hope you're having a lovely time then,” she said politely.

  "Now scram,” Kit growled when he looked ready to say something else that would probably embarrass the life out of both them. “Back to him already. I have to get home."

  "Of course, of course,” Jamie said and his smile said I want to know every little detail.

  Hers snarled; not on your life, kid. He started to pout but Kit was already waving goodbye and Andrea was following her lead with a faintly bemused look on her face and he had no choice but to head back the way he came.

  The minute they were by themselves, Kit groaned and began to make immediate apologies. “I'm sorry, Jamie's
such an asshole sometimes. See, he kind of knows that I like you and he probably put two and two together ... but,” she threw in when Andrea stiffened. “He won't tell, I promise. He's my best friend really and he's not a blabber mouth, I swear..."

  Her voice died when Andrea leaned down just a bit and put them nose to nose. “You're very cute when you ramble,” she said huskily, bumping her nose against Kit's. “And I'm not worried about Mr. Gordon. Not if you say he's okay. He is, right?"

  Kit's eyes had zeroed on Andrea's mouth and she licked her lips against her will. “Is who what?"

  Andrea chuckled. “Never mind.” And then she brushed her mouth over Kit's, right there in a crowded parking lot where anyone could see them and Kit was so hot so fast she was dizzy with it. Andrea's hands came up to cup her face and her tongue stroke until Kit opened up with a needy little moan she didn't have the brain power to be embarrassed over.

  Andrea tasted like the licorice candy from the theater, sweet and experienced all at once. Kit could only hope she didn't taste like foolish youth to Andrea and tried to give as best as she could when she wanted to simply melt into Andrea and let her take over. Then Andrea was lifting her head, breathing hard and stroking her fingers along Kit's mouth, over and over.

  Swallowing repeatedly, Kit whispered against them, “What ... we're in public.” She couldn't feel bad but she'd die if Andrea regretted it.

  Andrea smiled, her mouth redder than usual and a bit swollen. “I know. But it was either kiss you or go crazy thinking about kissing you.” She looked like she wanted to kiss Kit again and Kit didn't have to try to look willing. Except she heard someone's laugh nearby and she took a step back.

  At Andrea's faint frown, she cleared her throat. “I'd like to go now,” she said, her voice still trembling. Andrea frowned harder. “To your place,” she clarified and almost moaned when Andrea's brown eyes flashed black.

  And then she was unlocking the doors, they were inside and flying out the parking lot as fast as they could. Kit tried to keep from fidgeting in need but she must have failed because Andrea was grabbing her hand and squeezing it in tight reassurance.

  The streets were a blur of lights and color while Kit's mind spun. Cuddling? She didn't think she'd be getting cuddling tonight.

  Not the PG-13 version anyway.

  * * * *

  Andrea couldn't remember needing someone so much. It had hit her from nowhere and now it rode her as she pulled into the garage of her little house with Kit breathing so hard, Andrea almost feared she'd have a heart attack. But Kit was with her the whole way as they went from the garage, through the living room and tumbled into her room and on to the bed in a mass of limbs and mouths.

  Youth made Kit faster and she managed to pull Andrea's black turtleneck to her throat, exposing her breasts in their lacy blue bra. Andrea had never found herself to be inadequate but she found that she worried over Kit's opinion as she was exposed from the neck to waist. She worried that her stomach, never super flat, looked too soft, that her breasts sagged.

  She needn't have worried. Kit let out a low hungry groan before her mouth closed over Andrea's right breast, sucking her greedily right through the fabric. Andrea hissed, arching into that hot mouth and moaning when a wet tongue stabbed against her beaded nipple.

  "Kit,” she murmured mindlessly. “Oh Kit, please..."

  She wanted Kit's mouth on her skin and Kit obliged, releasing the bra's front clasp so Andrea's breasts bobbed free to sit heavily against her chest. Kit's rough fingers traced over them before catching one hard, pale brown nipple in her mouth.

  Andrea's knees collapsed under her and she went down with Kit riding on top of her, still frustratingly clothed but her mouth busy as she went from nipple to nipple, drawing each into tighter, wetter buds until Andrea bucked beneath her, begging, her hands tight in Kit's hair.

  Kit lifted her head and Andrea almost closed her eyes at the sight of her, her hair wild from Andrea's hands and her mouth swollen. “Take off your clothes,” Kit said hoarsely. “I want to see all of you, Andrea."

  "I want you naked too,” Andrea pleaded even as she went to follow Kit's wishes, pulling fully free of shirt and bra and wiggling out of her skirts and nylons. She'd lost a shoe on the journey to the room and she kicked off the other one impatiently then braced herself on her arms as Kit undressed as well.

  Heat spiraled through her to spear her where she needed it the most and Andrea couldn't keep her fingers from sliding between her legs and stroking over her clit while Kit stripped. The rounded breasts Andrea had only imagined were so much more beautiful, paler than the rest of her with pointed pink nipples Andrea found to be rather cute.

  Then there was the flat stomach, slender hips and the dark furred mound between long, long legs. Kit was so slim, except in the chest area and Andrea could read the nerves all through those bright green eyes. Lifting the hand that wasn't buried inside her, Andrea whispered, “Come here."

  Kit crawled over and Andrea used both hands to pull her onto her lap. “You're beautiful,” she whispered against Kit's stomach, nibbling as she spoke. “So beautiful."

  Kit whispered, “I ... I'm not."

  "You are to me,” Andrea insisted and pushed her back so she kneeled between Kit's spread thighs. That long, wild hair looked as perfect against her pillows as she'd imagined and Andrea couldn't resist trailing her fingers over that slender, tanned body, entranced as always by the sight of her darker skin against Kit's. She weighed each breast in her palms, rolling her thumb over the nipples while Kit twisted under her, her fingers biting into the sheets.

  Andrea added a tongue flick and Kit's moan shuddered through her. “Andrea,” she whispered. “Andrea, Andrea, you drive me crazy."

  The drawl was thick as molasses and Andrea wondered how long it would before she couldn't understand Kit at all. Perhaps that would be when Kit was too gone to control it. She licked down, angling toward the moist heat that called for her. She played over the slash of a belly button and smiled at Kit's gasp. The belly button was a hot spot for her too and to have it played with seemed to be a direct line to her crotch, driving her wild.

  Kit was just the same, her twisting grew crazier and her musk stronger. Andrea trailed her fingers over Kit's hips, squeezing and was surprised when the sound she made wasn't of pleasure but of pain. Then Kit tried to jerk away but Andrea automatically grabbed onto her thighs.

  "Andrea, let me go,” Kit hissed but Andrea shook her head, confused.

  "No,” she said though she began to reconsider when Kit's body went tight as a bow. “Damn it, you know I'd never hurt you. Show me what I did wrong, baby."

  Kit's gaze jerked over to hers in shock. “You never cuss,” she said, sounding awed.

  "Well, you've gone so rigid that a good wind to knock you over,” Andrea said. “And you're trying to run away from me when you couldn't get close enough a few seconds ago. That's enough to make any sane woman cuss a bit."

  Kit turned her face into the bed and mumbled something. Andrea just waited and soon Kit was facing her. “I ... I forgot about it,” she whispered miserably. “I wanted you so badly that I just ... forgot."

  "Forgot what?"

  Kit's gulp echoed through the room. “The bruise."

  Andrea's heart dropped into her belly and she lunged forward, turning Kit this way and that as she tried to remember what she'd done to make Kit flinch. Then she found it. There, on her right hip, was an ugly blue and purple bruise, the size of Andrea's fist.

  Looking closer, she spotted others. Faded where this one almost glowed. When she met Kit's gaze again, she saw fear, worry ... and rejection. For a moment, Andrea thought Kit was rejecting her but then Kit apologized.

  "I'm sorry ... I know it's gross. I should have just kept my clothes on..."

  Andrea almost cried. “Oh baby, it's not your fault,” she said and held out her hands. Kit didn't move for a long second then with a sigh that shuddered all through her thin frame, she crawled forward until she was c
uddled into Andrea's lap, her face buried in her throat. There was nothing even remotely sexual about it.

  Andrea ran her fingers along Kit's back in long soothing rubs and murmured again, “It's not your fault."

  Kit shuddered again and Andrea felt the splash of wet heat on her shoulder. Then more and she hugged Kit tighter while the woman sobbed like a baby. No, like a scared child. Andrea felt helpless as she murmured as soothingly as she could and kept up her stroking. When the storm had passed and Kit was just a worn slump in her arms, Andrea turned her head and pressed a kiss on her cheek.

  "Better?"

  Kit swallowed. “Kinda.” Her voice was husky from the crying.

  Andrea let the silence settle before chancing speaking again. “Who's doing it?” She tensed in case Kit tried to escape from her again. Kit had victim written all over her and Andrea didn't need to a psychology degree to know that Kit didn't want to talk about it. But Andrea figured that if she admitted it, they'd be able to face it.

  But the crying seemed to have completely worn out Kit's resistance. “My ex,” she said hoarsely. “We fight a lot. It always starts out with words but she throws things. And sometimes when I can't get out of her sight fast enough, she ... she starts with her fists."

  Andrea almost swore again, filled with more rage than she could ever remember feeling in her life. “Oh Kit,” was all she could say, stroking her back again. “Oh Kit ... I'm so sorry."

  Kit's shrug was full of pain. “I'm used to it, sort of. I let her take over my life but when I finally got her out of it, she just kind of went crazy. But I just need to wait it out until graduation. And then I'll get away from her from good."

  "What about Jamie?” Andrea said after she forced down the lump of emotion Kit's words had put in her throat. “Can't you stay with him? Or your parents maybe?"

  Kit shook her head and her dark curls, limp from body heat and sweat, brushed along Andrea's jaw. “Jamie lives with two other guys, so their place is kind of packed already. And Mom and Dad, they're in Alabama. If I go back to them, it's good bye college. Besides, none of them know and without telling them, I can't leave."