"Thank you, it's beautiful. I love orchids." Van was extremely touched by the gesture, her heart leaping into her throat.
"I know. I saw them in your condominium."
"Aren't you observant?" Van bent and kissed Cara softly. "You know you're the only woman I have ever kissed in my office."
"That's an honor I would like to take advantage of." Cara kissed her again.
"Lunch, honey, not that I wouldn't love to sit here and kiss you all afternoon, but my boss could come in here any moment, and he might find it a little uncomfortable."
"Lunch, then."
The lunch time went way too fast for the two of them, as they visited and shared the delicious treats that Cara had brought for them both. They laughed and talked for over an hour, disappointed that it had to end.
"I have got to get going or Archie's going to kill me." Cara stood up with a groan.
"Thank you for lunch, and the beautiful orchid."
"You're very welcome."
"Cara, what are you doing tonight? I don't want to wait until tomorrow night to see you again." Van watched Cara carefully as she waited for an answer.
"I have a SWAT training exercise starting at seven and debrief won't be until ten or so."
"Do you want to stop by afterwards, that is unless you have other plans?" Van was having a moment of doubt. What if Cara was dating other women?
"I'd love to stop by afterwards. Van, I'm only seeing you, and that's the way I want it. I just want to see you." Cara hugged her tightly. She didn't care how different they were. Cara wanted to see Van again.
"I only want to see you too." Van kissed her softly.
"Good. I'll call you if I am running any later then ten to see if you still want me to stop by."
"Cara I don't care how late it gets. I want to see you tonight." Van kissed her again. "Be careful, and watch out for ladders."
Cara flashed a grin at her. "I'm going to kill Archie. I'll be careful. See you later, beautiful." She hugged Van tightly. She waved as she headed out of Van's office and down the hall. "Nice to meet you, Eric."
"Same here." Eric grinned as Cara breezed past his desk.
She's a doll." Eric offered, as he entered Van's office with folders in hand. "It's hard to believe she's a detective."
"She's also a member of SWAT."
"You're kidding?"
"I'm not. She's also beautiful, funny, and very smart."
"And sexy." Eric winked at his boss.
"And very sexy."
"Does it worry you that she's a cop?"
"Yes, it does. Especially since SWAT is only called out in extreme emergencies. She is very well trained, and I have to believe that she knows what she's doing. Besides, that's who she is."
"So are you in love?"
"Eric." Van glared at him. She wasn't ready to share something that personal with him.
"She is."
"Anyone ever tell you, you're a pain in the ass."
"You do all the time. So are you?"
"Eric, I am going to kill you if you don't get out of here."
"You are." Eric responded smugly.
"Get out and go to work." Eric just grinned at his boss as he handed her the files and left. Van didn't need to answer his question. It was written all over her face. She was head over heals in love and he thought that was very cool.
After work, Van worked out for over an hour, and then ate a light meal. She completed some Christmas shopping on her way home, and wrapped three gifts she had found for Cara. She placed them under her small Christmas tree, and then cleaned up. By nine-thirty she was seated on the couch in her living room in front of the fireplace, her briefcase on the floor beside her. She wore leggings and a tee shirt, as she comfortably waited for Cara to arrive. She had spent twenty minutes on the telephone with Emma and Melinda earlier, who were blissfully happy. Melinda planned to move into the house with Emma between Christmas and New Years. Emma's injuries were healing rapidly, her car would be repaired by year end, and both were secure with their jobs. They were also wildly, completely in love with each other. Van told them she was bringing Cara to their dinner party on Christmas Eve, and they were full of questions, which Van had no need for and she managed to dodge. She did admit to them that she cared for Cara quite a lot. That was just a huge understatement. She didn't just like Cara a lot, she was in love with her, and it terrified her.
The buzzer interrupted her concentration, and she went to the door to let Cara in. Opening her front door, she waited for her to arrive as she gazed down the long wide hallway. She grinned when she saw the smiling face of Cara coming out of the stairwell.
"How was your training exercise?" She asked, as she hugged her hello after shutting the front door.
"Good, tiring, but it went well. Let's just hope we never have to use it." Cara hugged Van in return. "Excuse the way I look. I came straight from work."
"I think you look perfect, honey." Van kissed her softly, and Cara's arms tightened around her. A moan slipped from Van as Cara's tongue swept through her mouth. Their kisses grew in intensity and passion, as they stood in each other's arms. Van's hands slid under Cara's jacket and stroked her back and shoulders, as they shared kiss after kiss.
"Cara, you must be exhausted." Van asked, as they took a break to catch their breath. "Have you eaten?"
"I had a bite to eat for dinner, and I'm not that tired." Cara grinned, holding tightly to Van. "I'm just glad I could see you tonight."
"I'm glad you could come over. Come on in and sit down. I have a fire going."
The two of them snuggled together on the couch, where they held hands, hugged, and kissed frequently, while they visited. It was after midnight before Cara prepared to leave, and it was with some frustration on both their parts.
"So, I'm coming to your apartment tomorrow at six to fix dinner."
"No earlier, please. I have to clean my place." Cara grinned as she hugged Van. She was very nervous about showing Van her apartment. This would be the test, when Van realized how different they were.
"Six on the dot."
"Good. I'll call you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, and be careful driving home, please."
"I will. Goodnight." They shared a slow, deep kiss before Cara left for home. Van sighed as she shut her door behind Cara. She would have loved to ask her to stay. She went to bed frustrated and very happy. For the first time in her life she wanted something more than just casual sex.
Van didn't wait for Cara to call her. She called her first thing in the morning.
"Hello."
"Hi."
"I just called to tell you to have a great day."
"I'm glad you called, I missed you last night."
"I missed you."
"Are we moving too fast?"
"We are, but I am fine with everything. What about you?" Van held her breath, waiting for Cara's response.
"It's not going fast enough for me. Would you stay with me tonight?" Cara's voice was hesitant with nerves and fear.
"Yes."
"Yes?" Cara was happy but relieved.
"Yes."
"Good." Cara sighed heavily into the telephone. "I can't wait."
"I'll be there at six."
"I'll be waiting."
Van hung up the telephone and sat quietly at her desk. She did not treat sex that lightly, and this was a huge step for her because her heart was involved. She needed to talk to Anna. She needed to share her thoughts with someone who would understand why she was feeling so scared. Anna knew first hand. She'd had her heartbroken and also knew how utterly terrified Van was of getting her heart shattered. Van's heart loved deeply when she let it and that made any breakup devastating. Van had been avoiding any form of commitment for several years, that is until now.
"Hello."
"Anna, it's Van."
"Hey, sweetie, how are you?"
"I'm spending the night with Cara this evening." Van was not one to mince words.
"That's a big deci
sion for you, Van. Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. I'm just scared."
"Van, I know you, honey. You wouldn't be making this decision if you didn't believe this woman was special. You normally don't call me when you're about to sleep with someone."
"She's very special."
"Then I congratulate you."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, honey." Anna spoke softly. "Call me."
"I will, love you."
"Love you, too."
Van managed to leave work early, and she stopped at home to grab an overnight bag. She parked in front of Cara's by six-fifteen and threw the overnight bag on her shoulder. Gathering up her bags of groceries she'd picked up, she pushed the buzzer. Cara buzzed her in, and shivering with nerves, she rode the elevator to the fifth floor.
"Hello."
"Hi, you look terrific."
"Thanks, I haven't had time to change from work." Van responded as Cara kissed her. "You're looking pretty cute yourself."
Cara looked very cute. She was wearing jeans and a red sweater, her feet bare. She looked very comfortable, and very sexy. "Come on in."
Van followed Cara into her very small but spotless apartment. It was sparsely furnished, but stylish in its simplicity. The living room had a large comfortable looking couch, a matching chair, and an entertainment center that housed a television and stereo. On all four walls were framed black and white photographs of different parts of Seattle, hauntingly beautiful.
"I like the photographs." Van stood in the middle of the room trying to get a sense of Cara from her surroundings.
"Thank you, most of them are by a local photographer who works for the police department. I buy the ones I like." Cara's nerves were making her sick. Van couldn't help but see the differences in how they both lived.
"They are beautifully disturbing."
"That's how they make me feel. Come on, let me show you the rest of my place, and you can put your things away." Cara took a big deep breath as she headed down the hallway to her bedroom.
Van started to follow Cara and stopped in front of a particularly beautiful photograph of a homeless encampment in Seattle. The photographer had not only captured the depression on the faces of some, but also the inner beauty of others. It successfully showed the people behind the problems. Glancing at the signature on the photograph she smiled. It had been taken by Cara.
"This is your photograph." Van turned to her, her heart in her eyes.
"Yes, it's one of my favorites."
"It's beautiful." Van's already involved heart fell completely in love.
"Thank you, I'm still learning." Cara blushed as she spoke.
"I like it very much."
"Thank you. Now, let's go put your things away, and then we can fix dinner." Cara was obviously embarrassed. Van hugged her and then followed her down the hall. The walls were covered with photographs and Van found the whole thing incredibly moving. It gave her a huge insight into Cara's very large and loving heart.
Cara's bedroom was as aesthetic as the rest of her apartment. The queen-sized bed dominated the room with it's simple down comforter and matching pillows. A simple, clean oak chest of drawers stood against one wall, and more black and white photographs were hung about the room. The room appealed to Van's sense of design because it revealed so much about the woman who lived there. Her few possessions were chosen with love and care, and were well taken care of. Cara would treat her lover in the same way, and Van wanted to be that person.
"You can hang any clothes in here." Cara suggested as she slid the closet door open. "I emptied a drawer for you, and you can put your things in the bathroom. There's plenty of room. I'll go put the groceries away."
"Cara?"
"Yes?" She turned and looked at Van, her face serious as she waited for Van to speak.
Van put her bag down on the floor and went to Cara, standing inches from her. "I'm so nervous."
"So am I." Cara pulled Van into her arms. "Do you want to be here?"
"Yes, I want to be here very much." Van kissed Cara slowly, deeply, and full of feeling. They kissed several times and then held each other tightly. They stood in each other's arms for quite awhile, before either one of them spoke.
"Cara, I don't sleep around, you've become very important to me in a short space of time. If you want a casual relationship, you won't get it from me."
"I don't want a casual relationship. We're way beyond that. You're the first woman I've introduced to the people I work with. You're more than important to me. I want to be with you because I'm falling in love with you. I know I can love you, Van."
Cara's heartfelt declaration melted Van completely as she kissed her, her lips covering Cara's. Her tongue slid into Cara's mouth slowly, tasting her, nibbling on her soft, sweet lips. Her hands traveled along Cara's arms and over her shoulders. Her lips covering Cara's face with slow, sensuous kisses before finding her mouth again, sucking and erotically nipping Cara's very full lips. Cara's arms tightened around Van, pulling her tightly against her body. Van gasped as Cara's body molded perfectly to her own, as if they were made for each other. Heat coursed through her body as Cara's hips rested against hers.
"Van, are you hungry?" Cara's lips traced against Van's ear, her words whispered, as she left a trail of kisses down Van's neck.
"For you, I'm hungry for you." Van's words barely got out of her mouth before Cara kissed her, knocking her breath away. Cara's hands traveled deliciously under Van's suit jacket and stroked her back, as her mouth created a firestorm of magic. Her fingers ran along the smooth shoulders of Van, as her skin rippled with feeling. Van's hands itched to touch Cara's skin, she wanted to run her hands over her strong arms and legs, she'd had glimpses of. She slid them under Cara's sweater and stripped it off her body, removing it rapidly. Her eyes caressed Cara's lush body when it was finally revealed to her. Her lace bra drew Van's gaze before she hugged Cara. Covering her shoulders with kisses, her tongue tasted the flavor and texture of Cara's skin.
Cara's fingers were busy as Van was quickly stripped of her jacket, her silk blouse unbuttoned. Kicking her heels off, Van moaned as Cara's lips traced her breasts that pushed against the edge of her bra. Her breasts swelled with Cara's attentions. Van's skirt dropped to the floor, and Cara's hands flowed down her back, over her hips, and traced the back of her thighs. She kissed Van open-mouthed and hungry, before dropping to her knees in front of Van, her hands feathering over Van's legs before slipping under her slip.
"You're so beautiful, so smart, and so damn sexy." Cara whispered as she removed Van's nylons, slowly pushing them down her legs until they drifted to a pile on the floor. Cara's lips kissed and nuzzled Van's flat stomach, as she slid her slip off her hips, and it pooled on the floor. Van's breathing became labored as Cara's mouth covered her stomach, her hands stroking Van's legs and hips.
Cara moved slowly up Van's body until she stood next to her and placed her face inches from Van, her hands holding Van's gently. Cara's dark eyes were almost black as they gleamed and flashed with passion.
"I'm going to cover every inch of your gorgeous body with my mouth until you ache with pleasure." Cara promised, kissing her slowly, savoring the flavors of her mouth. "I'm going to taste the very heart of you, and make you wet. And I'm going to make you gasp when I love you."
Van shivered as she reacted to Cara's words, her knees weakened, and she leaned into her. Cara kissed her slowly, as she pulled Van's hips tight against her own, and slid a leg between Van's pressing her thigh against Van's already wet and trembling center. Cara's hands stripped the silk blouse off Van, and very rapidly unhooked her bra, dropping it to the floor. Cara sighed as she looked at Van's full breasts. She leaned over and touched Van's nipple with her tongue, as her arms gathered Van to her.
Van's body dissolved as Cara's wet mouth surrounded her nipple. Cara's fingers joined her mouth, and she teased and stroked Van's breasts. Van fumbled with Cara's jeans, as she shoved them over Cara's hips and down her le
gs. Cara's teeth and lips continued their wondrous assault. Van's hands surrounded Cara's very large breasts as she buried her face in Cara's cleavage, breathing in Cara's scent.
"I want you naked." Van demanded as she unhooked Cara's bra and pushed her panties down her legs. "God, you're so beautiful."
Van's hands traced over muscular hips and taut flanks. Cara's naked body was well-toned and muscular, and contrasted with her full breasts, and shapely feminine curves. Cara kissed Van and traced her finger over Van's lips, down the center of her breasts, and then over her nipples. Cara's tongue once again teased Van's nipple drawing a gasp from her.
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