Crave

by Tessa Vidal

  “I’m yours Simona, all yours.” I breathed.

  Her face hovered over mine, and I could see uncertainty in her eyes.

  “Are you sure? I’m not very easy to…” Simona whispered.

  “Can’t you tell?” I almost said it, the hardest words to say in the English language ‘I love you,’ but I caught myself. Moisture gathered in my eyes and I shut them to hold back the torrent, but it was useless. Then I felt Simona’s tongue lapping up the tears as they fell down my cheek. Then she placed her lips lightly on mine for a second and I felt her push herself up. My eyes snapped open.

  Was she regretting this?

  “Wait, where are you going?” I asked, confused. She couldn’t be leaving me, not after I almost confessed…

  “I’m not leaving you.”

  Simona grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet. For a brief second I was self-conscious of my exposed breasts, and I could feel wetness between my legs. Her hands grasped me by my sides and my mouth opened to hers. I felt her hand on the small of my back, rubbing me through the fabric. I wanted to touch her back, but my legs were shaking so much I was afraid I would fall.

  “C’mon.” She said, her lips against my neck, then she took my hand and walked me to her bed.

  I nervously sat on the edge, not knowing what to do next. She stood in front of me and placed her hands on the sides of my head with her body between my legs. Simona’s robe slid open, and she wore nothing underneath.

  “I have thought of no one but you since the day we met.” Simona whispered, and then her mouth crashed into mine. God, she tasted so good, but I wanted to see her, feel her, touch every inch of her body. I stroked her firm breasts as we kissed and her robe fell from her shoulders, gathering at her waist. During that moment I saw up close what I’d only seen from a distance that one afternoon I’d spent observing her through the bushes. She was even more magnificent, her golden skin now covered in a thin sheen of sweat.

  I realized that even if I did something wrong, it would still be right. I glanced down at her robe gathered at the waist and with a trembling hand, I pushed on it until it dropped to her feet. Simona quivered in front of me and bit her lower lip. Then I lowered my hand and feathered my fingers over her folds. She was bare, not a trace of hair anywhere, yet her skin was so smooth and soft.

  The urge to taste her most intimate flesh overwhelmed me. I grabbed her hands and pulled her down next to me on the bed. Then I leaned down and my mouth teased her nipple, pulling on it until it was rock hard between my lips. My fingers grazed over her taut abdomen and feathered down the planes of her hips. Simona moaned, and I knew then I must be doing it right. I moved down her body, kissing and nibbling her skin until my mouth hovered over the source of her heat. Her hips moved forward, and I tasted her for the first time.

  “Oh Amber, yes, oh yes.”

  I spread her legs open and noticed her wetness shimmering on the tops of her legs, then I ran my tongue up and down her slit. Simona hissed with pleasure. I dotted my tongue on the tip of her clit and Simona’s body went stiff. Then I realized the power I had over this woman, and that she had over me. Make her mad with passion, that’s what I would do until she was screaming for me to make her come.

  Spreading her thighs wider, my tongue slid down her lower lips, then stroked back up to attack her swollen clit. Without hesitation I worked her nub and was rewarded with moans of pleasure. Then I pulled back without warning. Simona was breathing hard, and she looked down at me with a pleading expression.

  “Your pussy tastes like heaven, Simona. Now I want to feel what you are like inside.”

  I plunged two of my fingers inside and lowered my mouth, punishing her clit with my tongue using hard and determined strokes. I felt her walls clenching around my fingers, little breathless moans floating out of her mouth as I took her to the edge.

  “I’m so close Amber.” She murmured, panting, her pussy dripping with desire. It mesmerized me that I could do this to her, make her tremble and swoon with only the touch of my hands and tongue. My fingers were soaked with her juices, and her sex clenched around them. Simona’s breathing came in quick sharp gasps. Her body shook, and then Simona moaned so loud I lifted my face from her slit to see her face contorted in pleasure.

  “Yes.” I whispered, while Simona uttered sensual syllables that meant nothing and everything at the same time.

  I scooted up the bed and laid my head on her chest while caressing the side of her breast. Once Simona caught her breath, I felt her fingers in my hair, then her lips on top of my head.

  “That was amazing.” She whispered. “Now it’s your turn.”

  She pushed me on my back and moved my body down the bed until my feet no longer hung off the edge. She climbed on top of me and I felt her lips attach to my nipple. I groaned, the unfamiliar sensations somehow linked to my pussy, and I felt myself becoming lightheaded with desire. She pulled, licked and nibbled almost to the point of roughness, a delicious pain that caused me to arch my back and moan with pleasure. Her hands roamed over my stomach, and I felt my skin pebbling at her touch. I still had my shorts on and seconds later Simona had them off and onto the floor.

  “You will come for me Amber.” Simona purred, and then her nimble fingers danced around my slit and her mouth was once again on my breast. Between her lips on my nipple and her hand stroking my pussy, every nerve in my body went off at once. I trembled, opened my eyes, only to see her dark hair in front of my face. I grasped her locks with my hand, running my fingers through the thick, shiny waves. Her lips left my skin, and she looked up at me and smiled.

  “I love feeling you shake beneath me. I will make you feel better than you’ve ever felt before in your life.”

  “Too late, you already have. I’m not sure what else you can do to top what you’ve already done.” I answered, meaning it, unprepared for what happened next.

  She moved down and spread my thighs open. For a moment I felt so unconscious, unused to anyone seeing me so exposed and vulnerable. She licked the inside of my thighs, her tongue dancing around my slit without actually touching it. When her tongue finally smoothed over my clit I gasped, my eyes clamping shut in shock. From my toes to the hair on my head, I felt a surge of white hot energy as her tongue and lips opened me up.

  “Oh God, Simona.” This was the only intelligible thing I said as wordless syllables escaped my lips. My hips thrust up and down, and then I felt her fingers working their way inside. Soon I felt a pressure building, so unlike the feelings I created with my own hand, and so much better.

  “Simona, I’m going to come, I don’t think I can last if you keep this up.” I gasped, then realized my hands were still in her hair, forcing her down on me. I let go, my hands shaking as I placed them on her shoulders. Simona stopped and looked up at me, her face wet with my passion.

  “It’s only going to get better.” Her chin dipped down, but then she eyed me again. “You have done this before, right?” I felt my face and chest burning.

  “Once, a very long time ago, twelve years to be exact. How did you know?” Was my inexperience that obvious?

  “Because, you don’t seem like the type who sleeps around. I was right, and I’m glad.” She kissed the inside of my thigh. “I hate to admit this, but the thought of you with someone else makes me…” Simona hesitated for a moment. “A little crazy inside.” She moved up my body until her face hovered over mine. Her eyes clouded over, then her lips crashed down on mine with a kiss so forceful it took my breath away. Then I felt her fingers at my entrance again, sliding around it, teasing me.

  “I’ve wanted no one like this before, Simona. Please, I’m not made of glass, I won’t break.” My hips pushed against her hand. I felt empty, I needed her so damn bad.

  “Babe, since the moment I first saw your face, I’ve wanted you.” Simona’s finger slid inside as she said it, then I felt a second finger open me up even further.

  I gasped, and she stopped moving, except for her tongue gently swirling around
my ear. My breathing quickened, then pleasure spread as she slowly worked her fingers inside, her thumb rubbing my clit.

  “Oh Simona, this is…” She silenced me with her mouth, and then I felt her slide down my body. Her head shook back and forth as her mouth went to work on my aching pussy. Waves of pleasure rocked my body in waves, but I was growing impatient to come. Every time I felt like I would peak Simona would slow down, change the rhythm somehow. Pressure built inside and the need to come became overwhelming, almost unbearable. Finally it was too much, and I felt the walls of my pussy contract around her fingers.

  “Simona, I’m going to come, yes, oh yes…” I opened my eyes as my muscles clenched down on her fingers.

  “That’s it baby, come for me, come for me now.” Simona said, then her tongue went back to work on my clit and I completely lost myself in an orgasm I’d never experienced before, my entire body reeling from her lovemaking.

  I was on the verge of sleep, Simona’s arms wrapped loosely around my waist when I heard my phone vibrating in the pocket of my shorts on the floor. I groaned, wanting to not look at it when I heard the sound of Simona’s phone vibrating somewhere in the bedroom.

  We both moved at once. Simona reached for her phone which was on the nightstand, her eyes closed, while I hopped off the bed to get mine. It was a message from Vickie of all people.

  Restaurant on fire

  Simona

  Amber’s delicate hand felt good in mine. Of course, I felt bizarre thinking that while driving to my burning restaurant, but it was seriously competing for space between my ears. Why did everything always happen at once? Change had a way of happening in multiples. First, Amber came into my life, then Dad died, and now one of my restaurants was on fire.

  “I hope everyone’s okay. She would have said something otherwise, don’t you think?” I asked, turning on to the I-40 ramp.

  “Who knows, I mean, a lot has to be happening right now. I can hear the fire trucks from here.” Amber lowered her window, the sound of the sirens getting louder as we approached our exit. I smelled smoke. She squeezed my hand and then let go to fish the phone out of her purse. She checked it again for messages.

  I didn’t even try to find parking next to the restaurant, opting for a deck two blocks away. It was just past ten in the evening, and many of the clubs would be opening while the restaurants closed for the night. I knew the streets would be busy with onlookers and firemen, so I played it safe. Amber stopped me as I opened the door.

  “You know, everything will be fine. I’m truly sorry about this.” I glanced at her, puzzled. What on earth did she need to be sorry about?

  “It’s not your fault, plus I have insurance, Amber. I’m worried more about the people, about Vickie and the staff. I’m fine, okay?” She looked away, then opened her door and got out of the car.

  We raced down the steps of the deck instead of waiting for the elevator. The smell of smoke and the sounds of rushing feet greeted us as we turned on to the busy street. I had an excellent sprinkler system in place, so I was reasonably sure my people were safe. There were always openings for help at my other locations, so putting displaced employees back to work quickly wouldn’t be a problem. My head swam with practical matters, and I cursed them. Tonight was supposed to be about me and Amber.

  “Simona!” A female voice shouted. I raced forward, hoping for good news.

  Maria came rushing up the sidewalk, two of her fellow servers close behind. She threw her arms around my neck and squeezed. I hugged her, then greeted the others.

  “What happened? Do you guys have any idea? Where’s Vickie?” I asked. They spoke at once, each glancing at Amber, probably wondering who she was.

  “One at a time; Maria, tell me what you know.” Tears streamed down her face, but according to her, nobody was hurt. A fire started in the kitchen. They called 911, Vickie, and then me in that order.

  Vickie emerged from a small crowd gathered on the other side of the block. Her face was black and gray with soot. I opened my arms to hug her, happy to see she was safe, but instead she put her arms around Amber. Glancing up, Amber caught my eye, and then she returned Vickie’s embrace.

  “Simona? Are you okay?” Maria asked.

  “You ready to go?” I asked Amber, who nodded. She’d been her usual efficient self, talking to each member of the staff and taking notes while I spoke with Vickie and the firefighters. Every employee was accounted for. Amber called two of my other managers in the area to find open positions for the staff. I’d always taken out the best insurance possible for events such as this and was grateful for the minimal damage done to the building.

  “The damage wasn’t that bad. You should be reopened for business soon.” Amber said as soon as she sat down in the car. I shut the door behind me and sat, twirling the keys in my hand. My brain was brimming with questions, none of them to do with the fire.

  “Um, Simona, what’s wrong, I mean, apart from the fire? It could have been much worse.” Amber placed her hand on my leg. I stared at it for a couple of seconds, then spoke.

  “How do you know Vickie?”

  Her mouth dropped open, then snapped shut. Amber seemed to measure her words before speaking, and then she turned in her seat, and replied.

  “I’ve known Vickie for twelve years. I met her in Georgia, before I ever moved here.” She licked her lips and stared down at her lap.

  “So, she’s an old friend?” Damn, what was wrong with me, giving Amber the third degree like this? She had a life before she met me, and here I was acting like a fool.

  “I’m sorry Amber, you don’t have to answer that. I’m… I’m being an idiot.” I placed the key in the ignition and started the car.

  “No, you’re not Simona, I get it. When Vickie hugged me, the first thing I thought about, after being glad she was safe, was how you would react to this. I haven’t told you how I came to Raleigh, not the entire story. Maybe I should tell you, put your mind at ease, because there is nothing between us except the past, and it’s not very romantic, I promise.” Amber squeezed my hand.

  I put the car in reverse, pulled out of the space, and left the deck, tires squealing.

  “She left me there in that tacky motel room. Vickie didn’t even bother to say goodbye. I woke up that morning, a bus ticket inside an envelope with a note on her pillow. Plus, she’d stolen money out of my wallet.” Amber sipped her wine. “I was lucky she didn’t find the rest of the money I’d hidden in my bag. I’m not sure how I got the courage to get on that bus, but something inside told me to do it, to take a chance.”

  Amber’s voice cracked as she spoke, and I wondered if I had scared her? I never wanted her to be afraid of me.

  Everybody else, yes. Amber, never.

  I nodded my head for her to continue.

  “I knew Vickie less than twenty-four hours. She was a homeless druggie in the park, and just to put your mind at ease, she told me she’s been clean for years. I’d just been thrown out of my parents’ house and it scared me to death I would be homeless too. I’ve thought about it often over the years. Vickie was at the right place at the right time. In a strange way I’m grateful. Without that ticket I might have stayed in Savannah, living in the park with a bunch of homeless kids. The only regret I have about meeting Vickie is that we, you know, slept together. She’s not who I would’ve chosen for my first time, but I think most people feel the same way about their first.”

  “So, Vickie’s the one other person you slept with, the one you mentioned when we were…” My voice trailed off as her story sank in. Fuck me, I was jealous, irrationally jealous, but I knew better than to let it get the best of me. I glanced away, so Amber couldn’t see my childish reaction, took a deep breath and turned back to her.

  “Yes, she’s the one. When you were in Chicago, my friend Christy and I went to The Executive Lounge for drinks. Vickie was there. We were shocked to see each other. She’s from Raleigh, so the only surprise is that it took so many years before we ran into each other.
Shows you what a recluse I’ve been.” Amber laughed nervously. I noticed her hands trembling and hated that, so I took one of them in mine and held it.

  As Amber’s story sank in, I pushed away the jealousy and I realized how brave she was. Few people could overcome adversity like that. Kicked out of her childhood home by abusive, religious fanatics, and then abandoned by the first person who’d offered her a hand in friendship. No wonder she was so shy. We had a lot in common, both of us had that survival instinct.

  I’d never been a romantic, or at least I’d never thought of myself that way. Should I stop thinking of myself like that? Like a cold, bitter woman without a heart? I stood up from the lounge chair, placed my glass on the table in between us, and unbuttoned my blouse.

  “What are you doing?” Amber asked, an eyebrow raised.

  “Going for a swim. Take your clothes off, join me.”

  I unbuttoned my jeans, pulled them off with my panties and held out my hand. Amber got up and quickly shed her clothes. She’d lost weight since I’d left, and I felt myself getting wet at the sight of her round breasts. She turned around shyly and pulled her shorts off, then she grabbed my hand and pulled me to her. I leaned in and kissed that patch of skin under her ear I knew drove her wild. When her body fell against mine, I held her up, then placed my hand under her chin, turned it up, and brushed my lips against hers.

  “I don’t want to lay a heavy trip on you, but having you here is like a dream come true. Kind of like how you felt Vickie was in your life for a reason, you know, to leave you that bus ticket?” I whispered in Amber’s ear. She murmured agreement and then I felt her fingers in the back of my hair.

  “Something in my gut is telling me you are here, because it was meant to be.” I murmured, then backed away an inch. Allowing someone access to my innermost thoughts was uncomfortable, alien to me. I let go of her and leapt into the water. When I came to the surface, I saw Amber slowly easing her body into the chilly water. Like Venus di Milo, crossed with a painting by Rubens, her delicious curves mixed with demur innocence.