Reality Bytes

by Jane Frances

  “What do you want me to do?” Emma whispered.

  “Touch me,” Toni begged, guiding Emma’s hand between her legs. “What do you want me to do?” she murmured, her mind awash with anticipation.

  “Touch me.” Emma’s voice was thick as she placed Toni’s hand between her parted thighs.

  Toni cried out when Emma made contact and moved slowly over her. She buried her head into Emma’s neck, her fingers gliding over Emma’s exquisite wetness.

  “You feel wonderful,” Toni whispered when they eventually faced each other, increasing her pressure then coming to rest over swollen lips. “So wonderful.”

  “Don’t stop,” Emma begged. She groaned when Toni’s fingers slid over her again and Toni kissed her in anticipation of the louder groan to come when she entered her. “Oh, Toni…” Emma moaned as Toni glided in and out.

  Their mouths kept contact as excitement increased. Toni was breathing heavily from the expert attentions of Emma’s fingers as they darted over her, and she pressed her lips harder to Emma’s as she was taken to the edge.

  “I can feel you getting close.”

  Toni nodded and Emma slowed, bending to encase one of Toni’s breasts into her mouth. Toni increased the tempo of her fingers and felt Emma’s breath hotter on her nipple as she drew to the same state. Emma’s lips trailed back up Toni’s skin. Then their bodies both stiffened and their backs arched. The room was suddenly filled with cries of pleasure.

  “Emma,” Toni mouthed when their eyes met again.

  Emma just smiled in her pleased way and leaned in for another spine-tingling kiss. Her embrace could not silence the cries that emerged when she reentered Toni. Toni rested her forehead against Emma’s as her pleasure was fulfilled, the movement of her hips becoming stilted as it all became too much.

  “How was that?” Emma whispered.

  “Oh, God.” Toni clutched onto Emma’s shoulders, nestling her head into Emma’s neck as she fought to regain her breath. “As if you have to ask!”

  Emma held her tighter. “Just making sure.”

  Toni tumbled backwards, pulling Emma down with her. “Just kiss me, you dag.”

  “Where?” Emma asked slyly, eyes twinkling.

  “Anywhere you want.”

  “And what about me?” Emma questioned as she rained kisses over Toni’s face.

  Toni pecked her on the nose. “There you go.”

  Emma pouted. “Is that all?”

  Toni shook her head. “If you turn around I’ll give you a surprise.”

  “What sort of surprise?” Emma asked softly, rolling Toni over.

  “I don’t know…Why don’t you just wait and find out.”

  They kissed again before wriggling around to lie end to end. Toni delighted in the firmness of Emma’s thighs as she let her mouth and hands wander over them. Then they both sighed when their heads nestled between each other’s legs.

  Much later, Toni snuggled into Emma’s neck. They still lay together on the bed but were finally at rest. “You know,” said Toni, “I reckon you are the best kisser in the known universe.”

  Emma chuckled into Toni’s hair. “Why, thank you, Toni.”

  “That’s one of the things I’ll miss the most. The kissing.”

  The fingers that had been stroking Toni’s waist stilled and Toni heard Emma’s sharp intake of breath.

  “I mean—” Toni realized how that must have sounded. “I mean, it’s not the only thing I’ll miss. I’ll miss everything about you.”

  That got no response at all. Toni lifted onto her elbow and met eyes that searched her own. What they were looking for Toni did not know, but eventually they slid away to stare at the ceiling.

  “Emma?”

  “So once I go to Albany, that’s it?”

  “Oh, Emma. No.” Toni sat up straighter. Christ, she was a buffoon. A brainless buffoon. “I didn’t mean it like that.” She tugged Emma around to face her and took hold of her hands. Those hands. Toni studied them, turning them first palm up then palm down, her body shivering with the recent physical memory of them. The secondary rush that surged through her system was one of emotion and not of lust. It took every ounce of Toni’s willpower to dam up the words she was so desperate to say, the words that might in the short term convince Emma to stay, but in the long term could turn into resentment at missed opportunities. “I meant I was just getting used to seeing you and touching you and kissing you and in six weeks that won’t happen. Not every day I mean. We’ll still get to see each other occasionally.” Sudden uncertainty made Toni falter. “Won’t we?”

  Emma lowered her eyes again. “Do you want to?”

  God damn it, woman. Can’t you see how much I want you? “Of course I do.”

  Lashes were raised hesitantly. “So you’ll come to visit me?”

  “Every chance I get.” Toni stroked Emma’s cheek, smiling softly. “I reckon I’ll get one of those Global Positioning thingos. I’ll program it so all I need to do is type in ‘Emma,’ then sit back and have a snooze while my car drives itself down.”

  “I don’t quite think that’s how it works, Toni.”

  Toni already knew that wasn’t how GPS worked. She shrugged. “Oh, well, I’ll just have to sleep the whole time I’m there.”

  Emma wasn’t buying into Toni’s attempt at humor. “It’s a long way for just a weekend.”

  “Would it sound really naff if I said it was worth it?”

  “Totally.” Finally, Emma smiled. “But say it anyway.”

  Toni leaned back toward those fabulously kissable lips. “It’s worth it.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  The Web site Cathy discovered while arranging their Italy itinerary promised Tuscany by bike would provide an insight into the region that could not be matched from inside a vehicle. Despite the promise of a unique experience, plus an assurance the tour was suitable for those of only moderate fitness, misgivings surfaced the moment they were presented with their 18-speed hybrid bikes in Pienza, a picturesque Renaissance town near Siena. What had prompted the thought that someone in a sedentary occupation, such as herself, could cope with daily rides averaging fifty kilometers? In hilly, winding terrain. Lisa hadn’t shared Cathy’s doubt, anticipating this portion of their Italian adventure with relish.

  On the first day Lisa covered much more ground than necessary, hurtling ahead before turning and pedaling back to Cathy, who rode at a more moderate, steady pace. Lisa’s exuberance was her undoing. The next day Cathy’s behind protested wildly at being put back onto the saddle, but her discomfort was minor compared to Lisa’s. Obviously very stiff and saddlesore, Lisa grimaced as she cocked a leg to mount her bicycle for their second day of riding.

  “Sore bum, honey?”

  Lisa nodded as she secured the strap of her helmet under her chin. She was quiet that day, keeping pace with Cathy and not attempting any more of her hill sprints.

  By day three Lisa’s muscles had ceased their complaint and she and Cathy settled into a relaxed tempo, passing through one enchanting village after another. Little-used roads cut through countryside straight out of a Renaissance painting. Grassy plains gave way to stands of cypress trees, olive groves and, of course, vineyard after vineyard. Each morning they would strap a lightweight daypack over their shoulders and each night they would arrive at their accommodation to find their luggage waiting for them. The weather was more than kind, sunny days giving way to cool nights.

  Today’s ride took them from Sienna to Castellina in Chianti. Their accommodation for the night was exactly as Cathy had pictured a true Tuscan inn to be, with rooms laid out as a series of stone houses in a compound surrounded by acres and acres of woodlands. The next day they would saddle up for Florence, and their last night in Tuscany. From there it would a short flight back to Rome, then onto Australia.

  After a dinner of homemade ravioli, they took the remains of their bottle of Brunello and headed down one of the paths leading through the woods. Not too far into their walk, they
came across a clearing. It was largely devoid of vegetation, the brown earth hardened by the sun and pushing forth just a smattering of grass near a long-fallen tree.

  Lisa led Cathy by the hand. “Let’s sit for a while.” They settled onto the grass, the log providing a convenient if not altogether comfortable backrest. The bottle of wine was offered. With Cathy’s shake of the head Lisa took a large swig, cradling it between her palms.

  “This has been a wonderful holiday. Thank you, Cathy.”

  “It’s not over yet.” Cathy didn’t look directly at Lisa, but in her peripheral vision she saw the wine bottle being turned round and round in Lisa’s palms.

  As if suddenly aware of her own compulsive actions, Lisa placed the bottle aside and sat on her hands. She looked upwards. “The first star should be out soon.”

  “Hmm.” Cathy too looked up to the sky. Dusk was falling in its slow manner and it would be a good hour or more before the light of the day completely faded. Then, without the glow of a city to falsely light up the night sky, the stars would shine brightly against a black backdrop. The majesty of the universe was briefly considered before Cathy turned her thoughts much closer to home. Not for the first time that day she wondered at the cause of Lisa’s latest shift in mood. All day Lisa had been quiet, and, if Cathy had to give a word to describe her demeanor, it would be…agitated. A couple of times during the day’s ride Lisa reverted to previous behavior and set out on a sprint, her legs exploding into action. But instead of turning around at the end of her breakout, she would dismount and wait for Cathy on the side of the road. At each of these stops Lisa would look around her, seemingly sizing up the landscape, suggest a short break, then fidget until she announced a desire to get on the move again. On arrival at their accommodation her exploration of their room was notable for its lack of enthusiasm, and at dinner she declared the ravioli delicious but spent most of the time moving it around her plate instead of eating it.

  Over dinner Cathy tried to eke an explanation for Lisa’s erratic behavior but just received a long look followed by a shrug of the shoulders. “Nothing’s wrong.”

  Cathy didn’t push the issue, but in the silence began to formulate her own theories. She quickly decided it had to be baby-related. Ever since Capri, not a day went by where they didn’t discuss the issue. They had talked at length about almost every aspect of starting and raising a family, from the pros and cons associated with each method of conception to their opinions on public versus private education. Their discussions revealed how each believed a child should be raised, but Lisa stayed silent about whether or not she actually wanted to raise one.

  Cathy felt dinner churn in her stomach. Lisa’s agitation indicated she had made up her mind and was working herself up to the announcement. It also pointed to a negative.

  Wanting to get the news out in the open so she could begin dealing with it, Cathy tried once more to get Lisa to talk. “Honey, tell me what’s on your mind.”

  Lisa pointed to the sky. “There. That’s the first star.”

  Cathy’s eyes followed Lisa’s hand and could just make out a dot of light against still blue hues. She turned her attention to the woman sitting next to her.

  Lisa had closed her eyes and was speaking very softly. Cathy strained her ears and heard, “…star bright, first star I see tonight…”

  Lisa was wishing upon a star.

  Despite knowing she wasn’t supposed to ask, Cathy did anyway. “What are you wishing for?”

  Lisa wriggled until she faced Cathy. What seemed a very long moment passed, during which Cathy was carefully assessed by a set of very worried-looking blue eyes. Cathy’s dinner was just at the point of settling into a hard ball at the base of her stomach when Lisa reached into one of the deep pockets of her three-quarter-length cargo pants. She held out an open palm to Cathy. “That you’ll say yes.”

  Lisa’s palm cradled a ring. It glittered gold and sparkled with the gems encrusted on its surface. “Oh—” Cathy began, her breath catching in her throat.

  Lisa’s eyes shone as she said softly, “Some people search all their life to find that someone who lifts them up, makes them want to be a better person, be the best they can possibly be…I’ve found that person, Cathy. And it’s you.” She smiled shyly and plucked the ring from her palm, offering it. “I love you so much, Cathy. And it would do me no greater honor than to have you as my lifelong partner.”

  “Oh, Lisa…” Cathy wanted desperately to say something meaningful to mark the occasion. But Lisa’s proposal was so at odds with what she been expecting, all she could manage was a choked “Yes!”

  Lisa’s eyes widened as if she expected a different answer. “Really?”

  “Yes,” Cathy repeated softly. “I want to spend my life with you.”

  “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Lisa slipped the band onto Cathy’s ring finger before clasping her by the shoulders and kissing her fiercely. “Thank you.” Lisa’s hands moved from Cathy’s shoulders to her cheeks. Her blue, blue eyes visibly softened. “And I want us to start a family.”

  Cathy’s heartbeat echoed in her ears. Needing to know she had heard correctly, it was her turn to ask, “Really?”

  Lisa nodded. “I’m still scared to death over the whole thing, but I think we’ll make terrific parents.”

  “Oh, Lisa.” Cathy wondered if it were possible to die of happiness. If so, she must be having a near-death experience. Her head swam, her heart still hammered, and if she didn’t have the log supporting her back she was sure she’d fall backwards. “I love you.”

  “And I love you.”

  Lisa’s next kiss began gently but quickly gained urgency. She tugged at the band of Cathy’s Capri pants, fingers fumbling with button and zipper. What she found made her groan. “Sweet God,” “Only for you.” Sick with passion, Cathy didn’t even bother with the button of Lisa’s cargoes. She went straight for the zipper, sliding her hand inside and pushing aside underwear.

  She moaned when Lisa moaned and they fell against each other, thrusting together, moving quickly to almost simultaneous climaxes that broke the silence of the still evening air.

  Cathy fought to bring her breathing under control, her forehead resting against Lisa’s. “Do you think anyone heard that?” she whispered, despite knowing that, if anyone had been in proximity, it was far too late for a hushed voice.

  “If they did, I bet they’re wishing they were me right now.” Lisa rolled over, taking Cathy with her so she lay on top. She drew Cathy down to her lips. “Kiss me.”

  Light had all but faded by the time zippers had been rezipped, buttons rebuttoned and dirt brushed from each other’s clothes.

  “This is beautiful.” Cathy sat between Lisa’s legs, her back leaning against Lisa’s chest. Despite the poor light she was studying the ring on her finger. A combination of diamonds and sapphires cut their way through the precious metal. The gold itself did not form the traditional circle; rather it tapered to two false ends on either side of the line of gems. “I’ve never seen one like it before.”

  “It’s called a channel crossover. I had it made.” Lisa’s arms tightened around Cathy. “Especially for you.”

  “You designed it?”

  “Mmm. It tells a story. Of us.” Lisa took hold of Cathy’s hand. “Those two smaller diamonds, they represent our first two years together, when we were at university. And count the sapphires.”

  Cathy eyed the line of gems. “Eleven.”

  “One for each of the years we were apart. And then…” Lisa ran the tip of her thumb over the stone set in the middle of the channel. Slightly raised from the others, it was also significantly larger. “One more diamond for the year we’ve just spent together. And see the engraved lines that run along the band? That’s to signify a continuation.” Lisa’s voice cracked with emotion as she rested her chin on Cathy’s shoulder. “For all the years that are yet to come.”

  No words could express the joy Cathy felt at that moment. She reached over to st
roke Lisa’s cheek.

  Lisa leaned into the touch. “Do you know I’ve had that ring hidden for weeks now? I actually picked it up the day you announced we were going to Italy. I’d planned to give it to you on our anniversary as the sun set over Cable Beach.”

  “I’m sorry.” Cathy felt renewed guilt for overriding their Broome plan without consulting Lisa. “From now on I’ll let you in on my ‘big announcements’ before I actually announce them.” Curiosity at Lisa’s own change in plans—in terms of the timing of her proposal—prompted her to ask, “Why did you wait until now?”

  “To ask you?”

  “Yes.” Cathy had a terrible feeling she may have stolen Lisa’s moment with the presentation of the Tag Heur watch.

  As if reading her mind, Lisa tapped on the sports face with her index finger. “It had nothing to do with this, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Cathy was squeezed again. “I really do love it, by the way. I didn’t ask you in Rome because…well…because neither of us were too enamored with the place, and anyway, I wanted something a bit out of the ordinary. Then I had this idea of asking you on our gondola ride, but that seemed such an obvious thing to do I decided to wait and see what Tuscany had to offer.” Lisa ran her thumb over the ring. “I’ve been carrying this in my pocket all day, but each time we stopped for a rest in some picture-postcard place with a Tuscan sun shining down upon us, I got a case of the jitters.” Lisa’s laughter was self-derisory. “So I picked a patch of dirt in the middle of some trees. That’s something to tell the grandkids, huh?”

  Cathy smiled her agreement but soon sobered, still somewhat unable to grasp the evening’s turn of events. She wasn’t sure she really wanted to know the answer but she asked anyway, “Did you ever think of changing your mind?”

  Lisa hesitated, and then took a long, slow breath before saying, “To be honest, when you said you wanted to have children, the whole image I’d painted of our lives together kind of fell apart. There was a selfish part of me that really didn’t want to share you with anyone else. We have busy lives back home, Cathy, and I was worried a child would take away what little quality time we have together.” She paused, pressing her lips to Cathy’s hair. “But no matter how hard I tried to picture it, I couldn’t imagine my life now without you in it. And I figured that damn beautiful heart of yours had enough love for both me and a little one. Or two little ones. Or three. Or—”