by C. E. Case
Fingers danced down her arms. She shivered. "Tickles." The fingers dug into her arms instead, massaging.
"Better?"
Leah nodded.
Sophia kissed her neck. Leah hissed. When Sophia was on the bed, a few feet away from her, it had been possible to keep her thoughts in order. Now Sophia's fingers and tickling lips robbed her of thoughts and order both. Mercifully, Sophia unclasped the bra and let it fall. Then she pressed herself against Leah's back, slipping her arms around Leah's stomach.
Leah pushed her away. "Not done yet." She felt like she was on fire.
"Clearly." Fingertips stroked Leah's abdomen.
Exposed to the air, Leah's nipples felt as hard as diamonds, tight and demanding more direct stimulation. Leah wanted Sophia's touch on her breast. The slightest brush would be a relief, and it would undo her.
"When I turn around," Leah said, "I want to see you on the bed."
Sophia's caress left her. The bed creaked. Leah bit her lip until it hurt to hold back a squeak from the sound alone. She turned around, baring herself to Sophia, whose dress rode up even further, exposing a knee.
Sophia gave a lingering look to her chest, and then her gaze traveled to Leah's face, not changing expression, taking her in. Leah ached to be closer to her. She pushed her dress off her hips. The thong went with it, pooling on the floor. Her face burned with the shame of the wetness on her thighs. She let Sophia look at her, at the trimmed patch of hair at the crux of her hips, at her belly, at her breasts, which felt swollen. Her nipples were straining for contact and were connected to the pulse between her legs.
She knelt on the bed, and took the hem of Sophia's dress in her hand. "I think I gave up on the tearing too soon."
Sophia slid her foot along Leah's arm. Leah grabbed the arch and kissed Sophia's ankle, reveling as Sophia twitched. Her legs were open and Leah could see the shadowed promise beyond her knees.
She bit into Sophia's calf. Sophia yelped. Leah looked up at her face, worried. But Sophia's expression only showed lust. No shock, no fear.
Leah was naked, but she didn't feel exposed. She felt powerful and limber, crawling up between Sophia's legs, pushing the dress up. Sophia, languid, teasing, stayed mostly still. Leah pressed a kiss to Sophia's knee, and said, "If we had scissors, I could cut it off."
Sophia trembled but didn't break her gaze.
"Would you trust me? Pressing the blade against your skin?"
"Yes," Sophia said, and inhaled sharply.
"Tearing," Leah said.
Sophia didn't speak, just swallowed, her throat rising and falling.
Leah slid her hand under Sophia's dress. She found heat and pressed harder. Being this close to Sophia was intoxicating. She needed to kiss her. She needed to feel more. Sophia's hand covered hers and squeezed. Leah moved up Sophia's body to kiss her. Sophia kissed her back, making keening sounds against her mouth. Leah kept her hand still. Sophia moved against it urgently.
"You're not naked," Leah said.
"Are you a fucking nudist?"
Leah withdrew her hand. She slipped her arms under Sophia and managed to unbutton the four buttons holding Sophia's dress together. Sophia met her eyes and smiled.
"Am I heavy?" Leah asked.
"Hardly."
Leah peeled the dress off Sophia's upper torso. Sophia's breasts made her nearly lose her resolve. She sank down and took Sophia's mouth in a crushing, hungry kiss. Her breasts rubbed against Sophia's. Her nipples tingled as they pressed into skin.
"God," Sophia said.
Leah kissed Sophia's neck sucking, wanting the taste of Sophia in her mouth. Sophia's harsh panting filled her ears. Becoming words.
She lifted her head. "What?"
"Mercy."
Leah brushed hair out of her face.
"I need--" Sophia said, and lost her breath again.
"What?"
"To be naked."
Leah grinned. "Told you."
"Mercy," Sophia pleaded.
Though she was so aroused she felt heavy, saturated with desire that compelled her to push into Sophia, to forget about elegant form, to take her, Sophia had asked for mercy. Leah sat up and pulled Sophia up with her to sit side-by-side. Leah held her hands. Sophia squeezed them, and then lifted them to her mouth and kissed each knuckle. Sophia's dress, half-off, was not torn, but rumpled and twisted around her waist. Leah studied the remnants of the black fabric instead of Sophia's breasts. Sophia sucked at her skin between the first finger knuckle and the thumb. Leah met her eyes. Sophia bit her hand.
Leah stopped breathing.
Sophia bit harder. A surge of fear went through Leah, cancelling and then stoking her arousal. She couldn't wrest her hand away without Sophia mangling her. Sophia's teeth weren't hurting but they transmitted the promise of pain. Leah leaned forward, careful not to push too hard against Sophia's lips, and whispered in her ear, "Mercy."
Sophia held her in her grip. Leah kissed her ear, and then whispered again. Sophia released her. Leah covered Sophia's mouth with her whole hand. She stroked Sophia's cheeks with her fingertips, and then on her jaw and her neck. Sophia arched her neck.
Leah reluctantly pulled back and stood up. Another twinge of fear went through her at being naked. But she was beginning to like the prickling, shivering feeling. She urged Sophia to her feet. The dress, bunched at her waist, did not slide invitingly to the floor as Sophia stepped into her embrace. Leah sighed, hugged her close, and then knelt to pull the dress down.
She kissed Sophia's hip. Sophia touched her hair. They stayed like that, Leah soaking in the intimacy, and then she helped Sophia step out of her dress. She looked up to drink Sophia in. Sophia had smooth and richly tanned skin. Naked, her hips were wider than Leah had noticed in the dress, and her waist was petite. Leah stood carefully, sliding up the side of Sophia's body. Her apple-shaped breasts ended in dark areola and jutting nipples. Leah covered them with her hands.
Sophia's dark and watery eyes met Leah's. Leah couldn't remember why she'd thought Sophia wrong for the classic stage. She was born for Macbeth, for tragedy. Leah wrapped her arms around Sophia and held her close, tucking herself into Sophia's neck and closing her eyes. Sophia settled against her back, and they were together, pushing against each other, toes curling, arches rubbing, as close as they could get and still stand. Sexual energy smoldered and filled the room. There was no space for old lovers. This was neutral territory, a gap between universes, Leah's in New York, and Sophia's in North Carolina. Everything beyond them evaporated. Leah, filled with wondrous joy, wanted to laugh. Her throat closed. Her jaw tightened. She gripped Sophia more tightly.
"I'm not sure where to begin," Leah said.
"Haven't you done this before?"
"It kind of feels like 'no.'"
"Yeah."
Leah rubbed her back and worked her thigh between Sophia's. "Any suggestions?"
"Think of it like a new show. Start at the end, and work backwards." There was something in her voice that revealed to Leah, along with the way Sophia was moving against her thigh, Sophia's desperation. There would be no more pleas for mercy. Leah could have what she wanted. But it wasn't a show. There was no director, no cast. No worrying about compromise. No need to negotiate, to modulate her voice to the seconds someone ticked off for her, no need to change her expression based on command.
Leah stepped back. Her body protested leaving the embrace, wanting her to fall back into Sophia's arms. For a moment she could only walk backward, one step at a time, until she was sufficiently free from Sophia's aura. She was still trembling but she walked around the bed, knowing Sophia watched. She tried not to be self-conscious about how her ass looked, or her breasts, dangling as she bent down and pulled back the covers on the bed. Sophia helped her on the other side. Once the comforter was dumped on the floor, Sophia quirked a brow at her.
"What?"
"I can't help but notice this seems to be starting at the beginning," Sophia said.
"Technicalit
ies." Leah knelt on the bed and extended her hand. Sophia knelt, too, matching her posture. They came together and kissed. No more waiting. Leah's desire flooded through her, warming her, seeking out Sophia. She ached almost wantonly as she covered Sophia's body with her own, pushing her into the bed. Her knee settled between Sophia's legs. This was just the beginning. Her heart pounded. She kissed Sophia, letting Sophia's need for her wash through her, until Sophia's grip on her started to hurt. Leah felt a step behind as Sophia writhed under her, seeking completion. She untangled herself from Sophia's legs, which prompted a cry of protest.
"Don't stop now," Sophia said, just as Leah's mouth settled over her breast. Sophia said no more, just cradled Leah's head in her hands and pushed herself against Leah's lips, trying to find the contact she'd so briefly, satisfyingly had. Leah suckled and the nipple, already swollen, firmed against her flicking tongue. She left it, angry and glistening with saliva, and captured the other one.
Sophia's head arched back. Her eyes closed. She breathed hard, almost panting. Her chest heaved. Leah knew she felt the same way. Ready. Too ready.
She scooted down the bed and pushed Sophia's legs farther apart. They fell open easily, revealing slick folds. Leah stared dumbly and pressed a kiss to the lowest part of Sophia's stomach.
"You shave everything," Leah said.
"For the play," Sophia mumbled, opening her eyes just enough to gaze through the slits at Leah.
"Did I miss something?"
"To make me feel more vulnerable. More bald and connected to my own infertility. My own womanhood and how it defines me."
"Amazing."
Sophia worked her fingers into Leah's hair.
"You don't want to talk about acting?"
"I'm not acting," Sophia said, half-angry, half-breathless.
Leah lowered her head to kiss what beckoned her, what echoed and pulsed in her own body and led her to Sophia's. Sophia held her there. Pressed her closer. Leah licked. Sophia cried out. She licked again, and the resulting cry was more incoherent. The third one, more guttural.
"Here?"
"Higher."
Leah rubbed her lips against Sophia's clitoris and felt Sophia's answering shudder around her, her thighs tightening. Leah settled in to kiss and tease and lap.
Sophia no longer vocalized, just shivered, lifting herself to Leah's mouth. Leah tasted Sophia, all that Sophia was offering, unabashed, licking until Sophia strained under her. Leah stopped moving and simply held her tongue against Sophia.
Sophia cried out and pulled harder. Leah licked, bringing her to a second, slower trembling, and then kissed her thighs and stomach through the aftershocks. Sophia twisted away, but didn't let go of her hair. Leah grasped her wrist. She rubbed until Sophia released her with a long sigh.
"It's been a long time," Sophia said.
Leah waited to see if Sophia would say more, or would grab her hair again, but Sophia merely smiled up at the ceiling. Leah continued to plant kisses on her abdomen, still deeply aroused, sensitized to every touch between them.
"I knew you were a tease," Sophia said, pulling on Leah until Leah crawled up beside her and kissed her.
"I protest."
"I'm sure."
"What about you?" Leah asked, wriggling closer, stroking Sophia's side, becoming more aggressive in her kisses.
Sophia's answer was muffled by her lips until Sophia put her hand on Leah's breast, turning slightly from the kiss, "I'm no tease."
Leah smiled and kissed Sophia's cheek. Sophia squeezed her breast. Leah closed her eyes. She couldn't breathe. Her ability to continue had been predicated on Sophia not touching her, not like that. When Sophia's thumb brushed her nipple, Leah let out a voiceless squeak.
Sophia pulled back to look at her. Her hand moved lower, scratching at Leah's belly. Leah bit her lip. She wanted to seize Sophia's hand and press it against herself, but Sophia was happy, smiling, her fingers shifting mischievously. Leah decided to see what Sophia might do. And she didn't have the strength to move, anyway.
Leah wet her lips, and asked, "Mercy?"
"Mercy?"
Leah covered Sophia's hand on her stomach.
Sophia moved her hand lower. "Leah Fisher doesn't have to ask anyone for mercy. Least of all, me."
Leah grinned and tossed her head, her hair spilling across the pillow, and rubbed Sophia's hand. Their hands moved together with Leah's uneven, excited breathing.
"Especially the night before her show opens," Sophia said.
"I like to concentrate my success in 48 hour segments, and then have a really bad rest of the year."
Sophia cocked an eyebrow and slid her hand down between Leah's legs. She pressed her whole hand against Leah. Leah swallowed hard and braced herself on the bed. Sophia's middle finger worked between Leah's lower lips. Leah cried out.
"I can already tell you're going to be loud," Sophia said as she stroked Leah.
Leah nodded a response and bit her lip. She'd be as loud as Sophia wanted. She panted shallowly. Sophia curled her fingers, dipping the tips just into Leah while increasing the pressure against her. Leah gasped and let out a hoarse cry. Sophia knelt on the bed, keeping her hand against Leah. Leah tried to keep her eyes open. Sophia was playful and radiant. Her breasts swayed just out of reach. Sweat made her skin gleam. Leah wanted her again. She wanted--
Sophia pushed a finger inside Leah.
Leah bucked and groaned. Sophia, watched her intently. "More?"
"More," Leah said.
Leah gritted her teeth as she felt Sophia inside her, stretching her, exciting her with just her hand, her practiced fingers, her eager posture. Leah surrendered, wasn't even jealous that Sophia so obviously knew what she was doing. Just grateful that Sophia's fingers pressed in an interesting place and took her higher.
"Mercy?" Sophia asked.
"More."
Leah contorted in ecstasy. She must look foolish, red and sweaty and so needy, but Sophia smiled, meeting her eyes, looking intense yet pleased as she stroked. Leah's toes curled. She tried to let go. Sophia leaned down to kiss Leah's forehead, and then her cheek, and then whispered in her ear, "Maybe if you closed your eyes."
Leah closed her eyes, which helped free her from the physicality of it all, the visual of how Sophia looked reflecting back on how she must look. Now the universe was made only of Sophia's hand and Sophia's breath on her face. Sophia kissed her lips and then drew back. Leah lifted her chin for another kiss, but didn't find Sophia. Sophia's hand shifted, settling outside her to stroke her swollen folds. Leah could imagine Sophia above her, back arched, hair sweaty and tousled around her face, still grinning.
Then Leah screamed as Sophia's fingers quickly entered her again. There must have been a third, she felt fuller than before. There was more friction. More.
Her cries became constant until she reached the cusp. She was so close and yet she still wanted to see what Sophia would do. Her stomach quivered. Her breasts felt hot.
Sophia said, "You're so beautiful."
Leah let out a rough gasp. She grabbed for Sophia. Sophia settled on top of her, her fingers taking her, hard and slick and slender. Leah clung to her, thrusting her hips in cadence, close. Her eyes stayed closed.
"I think you're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," Sophia said, in a low and seductive voice.
"I'm almost there."
Sophia covered her mouth in a kiss, robbing her of breath, touching her relentlessly. Leah struggled and then her ears roared and her mind went blank. She came, her senses focused at the point of Sophia's hand, exploding outward. She screamed and Sophia released her from the kiss. Leah bucked as the orgasm rocked her. She fell back against the bed, shaking her head to protest Sophia's continuing touches, now torture to her sensitive, swollen folds, and breathing deep, gulping breaths.
"Okay," Leah said. "Okay."
Sophia settled down at her side and let her hand rest between Leah's breasts. Leah waited until the room stopped spinning before turning her hea
d.
Sophia grinned.
Leah licked her lips. "I have no idea what to say."
Sophia's grin got wider.
Leah closed her eyes. "What time is it?"
Sophia kissed her shoulder, and then shifted to raise herself up far enough to see the clock. "One thirty," she said.
Leah rolled onto her side, and considered. Sophia wrinkled her nose.
"My show is opening," Leah said.
"Tomorrow, I hear," Sophia said.
"That means I don't have to be at work until six in the evening," Leah said.
Sophia raised her eyebrows.
Leah nodded.
Sophia kissed her, and then murmured, "That's wonderful. There are things I haven't done."
"Let's do them," Leah said. She ran her finger down Sophia's stomach. Sophia sucked her breath in, tightening her abdomen. Leah asked, "Showing off?"
"You're tickling me."
Leah slid her hand over Sophia's ribs. Sophia squeaked. Leah trailed her fingers down Sophia's hip. Sophia whined.
"There too?"
"Everywhere," Sophia said.
Leah relented, and cupped Sophia's cheek, and leaned in to brush noses with her. "This time, we're starting from the real beginning."
"What's that?"
"Making out like schoolgirls," Leah said.
Sophia stuck out her tongue, and then stretched it toward Leah. Leah met it with her own, and then sealed their mouths in a hungry kiss. When they parted, Sophia said, "I'm glad we're already naked."
"Me too. It was a good idea."
"Do you have any more good ideas?"
"Tons." Leah rolled onto Sophia and murmured, "Good idea number two..."
Chapter Twenty-Four
Leah studied her expression in the dressing room mirror. She looked younger and fresher than she usually saw herself. Her cheeks were rosy with rouge. Her outfit, from the late 1880s, itched and made her feel like something out of an Edith Wharton movie. She wriggled experimentally. Virginia wriggled back at her. Leah was gone, at least physically. She smiled. Virginia smiled back.
The mental part, she still had to work on.