Blueprint for Romance

by Shannon M Harris

  Dylan melted into Kat’s arms when she slid them around her waist from behind. “Long night?” Kat nuzzled the side of Dylan’s neck.

  “It was, but worth it. I know Emma enjoyed herself.”

  “I did too. I’m kind of sorry Briley won. She’ll be holding that over us until next year.”

  “That’s all right. We may not win next year, but we’re sure as hell going to give them a run.”

  Kat turned her around and pulled them flush together. “Your competitiveness is such a turn on.”

  “Is it?” Dylan slipped her hands underneath Kat’s shirt and ran her fingernails up and down her back. She felt satisfaction when Kat closed her eyes and moaned. “Do you want to know what turns me on?”

  Kat’s eyes popped open and widened. “Yes!”

  “You, darling. You turn me on. Everything about you makes me hot. It takes all the self-control I have sometimes not to tear your clothes off.”

  “Oh, my love,” Kat whimpered. “That’s…” She wet her lips. “Yes. Yes.” She nodded.

  Dylan smiled at the endearment. It wasn’t the first time Kat had used one, but she liked it when she did. Yet, she didn’t think she’d ever seen Kat so out of sorts. “Am I coming on too strong?”

  “Nope.” Kat dipped her head and captured Dylan’s lips in a quick kiss. “Not at all…but are you sure you want this?”

  “I appreciate you asking, but yes, I’m sure this is what I want. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. I want you and I plan on having you. Is this okay?”

  “Dylan.” She cupped her cheeks. “You can have me any way you want me.”

  “Really? Well.” Dylan took a step back. “I would love to see that uniform on the floor.” Before Kat could take it off, she held a hand up. “But I need a shower first. Would you be opposed to taking a shower with me before we make love?”

  Kat gasped, then grinned. “You know something. You surprise me every day. I would love to take a shower with you. Let me double check down here, then I’ll join you upstairs.”

  “Okay.” Dylan stepped back then turned and headed up the stairs toward Kat’s bedroom. Instead of waiting for Kat, Dylan decided to get started without her. She turned the shower on, then stripped and climbed inside. If it was anyone else, she would be self-conscious about her body, but time after time Kat had made it clear that she desired her, and Dylan had decided not to doubt her.

  Dylan leaned her forearms against the shower wall and let the water beat down on her back. She held her breath in anticipation when the shower door opened and Kat entered. When arms circled her waist, she let Kat pull her back against her.

  “You started without me?” Kat accused, then turned Dylan’s head and kissed her, Kat’s tongue seeking entrance. Dylan turned, leaned against the wall, and pushed Kat away. The questioning look on Kat’s face almost made her laugh. “What?”

  “This is just a shower. My first time with you isn’t going to be in the shower.” Dylan let her eyes stray and sucked in a breath at how ripped Kat really was. She admired her firm breasts with the dark rosy nipples now hardened to points from the warm spray of water. Or was it from excitement and anticipation? She reached out and ran her fingers down between Kat’s breasts, then caressed her abs.

  “Then stop that,” Kat hissed.

  “Sorry.” Dylan stood while Kat slowly looked her over. The apparent pleasure in Kat’s eyes at what she saw made Dylan warm.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “Yes. Very sure.” Dylan nipped Kat’s chin.

  Kat groaned. “Okay, let’s hurry so we can go play.”

  Dylan laughed and slipped her arms around Kat’s neck and stood on tiptoes to give her a sound kiss. The first touch of Kat’s firm breasts against her was heavenly. “My darling, how I love you.”

  “I love you too. Tonight might be our first time, but I’m so invested in you I’m sure everything is going to be perfect.”

  “You’re so smooth.” Dylan pulled back and allowed Kat to wash her, reveling in the lingering strokes of the warm washcloth over her body. “Hmm, wash me, not feel me up, or we won’t leave this shower until the water turns cold and our skin wrinkles.”

  Kat laughed, and finished the job. Then Dylan did the same to Kat, fighting the urge to toss the washcloth aside and use her hands. When they dried off and Dylan lay back on the bed with Kat hovering above her, she knew the right decision that day was saying yes to ice cream with her. Kat had changed her life and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

  “You look way to serious, love. I’m going to have to do something about that.” Kat leaned down and kissed her.

  Dylan melted immediately into the kiss, grasping onto Kat’s hips, her insides quivering with excitement at the light caress of Kat’s fingers along her sides. Dylan barely caught her breath before pulling Kat flush against her. The feel of Kat’s warm breasts with their hardened tips against hers sent Dylan’s mind into overdrive. Kat’s touch sent chills along her spine.

  “You’re stunning,” Kat managed to say between kisses.

  Dylan squirmed when Kat kissed down her neck to a breast and closed her mouth around a taut nipple, sucking lightly and stroking it with her warm tongue.

  “Yes, yes. Darling, right there.” Dylan tried to pull Kat back down when she kissed her way back up to her mouth.

  “I plan on taking my time with you. We have all night, love, and I plan on taking advantage of that.”

  “Less talk. More action.” Dylan groaned. God, she really did love this woman. Her eyes closed as Kat trailed opened mouthed kisses down her body. Dylan lost herself in the sensations of Kat loving her.

  Kat slowly became aware of her surroundings and blinked her eyes open. Her arms tightened around the sleeping woman when she glanced at the clock on the nightstand and noticed it was only five-twenty-six. Falling back asleep was out of the question, but she still closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of Dylan snuggled against her. She nuzzled against the back of Dylan’s neck, breathing in her warm scent.

  The previous night was an eye-opener as they learned each other’s bodies. Dylan was so responsive, and Kat enjoyed finding that spot on her inner thigh that drove Dylan wild when gently bitten.

  This feeling of completeness was new and instead of being afraid, she decided to keep diving. She was worth it. Dylan was worth it and most important, they were worth it. She moved the hair away from Dylan’s neck and kissed right below her ear. When Dylan squirmed, Kat stopped.

  “Really, darling,” Dylan said in a drowsy tone, “I didn’t take you for starting something you couldn’t finish.”

  Kat chuckled and pulled Dylan tighter against her. “Oh, I can finish.”

  “You’re incredible, but I’m not really one for morning after sex. My body needs time to wake up. I hope that’s okay.”

  “Of course it’s okay. Remember, I don’t ever want to do anything that’s going to make you uncomfortable. So, no to morning after sex. How about morning after sex in the shower?”

  “Now, that is something I can get behind.” Dylan turned in Kat’s arms and ruffled Kat’s mussed hair. “You are beautiful.” Kat shivered when Dylan’s hand dipped low on her hip. “I still find it surreal that you want me.”

  “Want you? I more than want you.” Kat kissed her neck then looked into her eyes. “You’ve turned my life upside down.” She pushed the hair out of Dylan’s eyes. “In the span of a year and a half I started a new business and fell in love. That is fucking surreal. I get it. I can’t believe you want me.”

  “I want all of you.”

  Kat pulled Dylan into her arms. Dylan pushed her away when Kat licked her shoulder. The sheet slid down, leaving Dylan’s glorious full breasts with their puckered pink nipples on view. Kat bit her lip and moaned when remembering their weight and soft feel in her hands. She started to crawl to Dylan who laughed and scooted back from her. Kat was set to make her move when her phone chimed with Briley’s ringtone. With a groan, she tur
ned to Dylan. “It’s Briley; this had better be important.” She snatched the phone off the nightstand and put it against her ear. “Hello.”

  “Hey, Kat.”

  Briley sounded way too chipper for there to be anything amiss. “Wait a minute.” She muted the call. “She’s too chipper for anything to be wrong.”

  “I’m going to start the shower.” Dylan slid off the bed, and Kat flopped onto her stomach, watching her walk away with an enticing sway to her hips. Dylan stopped at the bathroom door. “Join me when you’re done.”

  “Damn.” She unmuted the phone. “This better be important.”

  “Well. Not really. I was calling to see if you wanted to run.”

  “Are you serious?” Kat growled into the phone.

  “Yes,” Briley said, a bit hesitant. Then, “Uh. Did I interrupt something?”

  “Yes, yes you did,” Kat hissed into the phone. “You have shit timing, Briley. I’ve got to go.”

  “Well, how about breakfast? All of us. Emma did good last night. No nightmares.”

  “Good. Good.” Kat jumped off the bed. “I’ll see you later.” There was no way she was going to miss showering with Dylan. “Bye.” She threw the phone on the bed and high-tailed it to the shower. Yes, this was going to be a good morning.

  An hour later, Kat turned from the coffee maker when Dylan wrapped her arms around her waist and pulled her into a kiss. “Good morning, love.”

  “It is a good morning,” Dylan said, running her fingers underneath Kat’s t-shirt. “An excellent one, in fact.” She traced her fingers along the elastic of Kat’s sweatpants.

  “As much as I would love to,” Kat pulled Dylan impossibly closer, “We’re due at Briley’s in ten minutes.”

  “I know; this bubble we’ve found ourselves in is nice.”

  “I know exactly what you’re feeling.” Kat didn’t want this to end either, but they had lives and she was sure Emma would be wondering where Dylan was. She glanced at Dylan’s neck where she’d expertly covered up the mark of their passion…one of the more visible marks. “I’m sorry about your neck.”

  Dylan narrowed her eyes. “I’m sure you’re not. The smug look on your face after you noticed it is all the proof I need.”

  “I mean. I’m not sorry about the process and I’m sure you’re not either, but I am sorry—” Kat paused and tried to mask the smile but failed. “Who am I kidding, I’m not sorry but I will be more careful in the future. I promise. I realize we’re both adults and we have to be adults out in the world, but you make we want to be a kid again.”

  Dylan laughed and backed out of Kat’s arms. “A kid, huh? So, you like to play?”

  “You better believe it.” Dylan ran into the living room, Kat quickly catching up with her, and they fell on the couch trying to catch their breath. “I love you.”

  “Darling.” Dylan wrapped her arms around her neck. “I love you too.”

  Kat was enjoying being wrapped up in Dylan when her phone vibrated. “That would be Briley.” She answered the phone, “On our way,” then ended the call. “You ready, love?”

  “Let’s go. I loved our time together, but I am a bit anxious about seeing Emma.”

  Kat jumped up and held out her hand for Dylan. “Let’s go. I already fed Stripes, so let’s go feed ourselves.” The walk across the street didn’t take enough time in Kat’s opinion.

  Dylan pulled her to a stop before Kat opened the kitchen door.

  “You okay?”

  “Yes.” Dylan closed her eyes and nodded. “I needed a moment.”

  “Take your time.” Kat hugged Dylan until Dylan pulled back. “Ready?”

  “Yes.”

  Kat opened the back door for Dylan to enter. Conversation didn’t stop when they walked in, but Briley smirked in her direction before Leah smacked her with the dish towel and mouthed ‘behave’.

  Emma was seated at the table, drinking a glass of orange juice. “Mom, I had a lot of fun.”

  Dylan kissed her daughter on top her head. “I’m so glad. Tell me about it.”

  Kat accepted the two cups of coffee Leah handed her, then sat across from Emma and Dylan.

  “Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes. Briley, go wake our kids up.”

  Kat held back her own snicker when Briley did as she was told.

  “Do you need some help, Leah?” Dylan asked, starting to stand, but Leah waved her off.

  “Kat can help.”

  Kat jumped up and kissed the top of Emma’s head before joining Leah at the stove.

  “Love looks good on you, Kat,” Leah said quietly.

  “It feels good too.” Kat pulled Leah into her side. “I hope you and Briley feel only a little of what I feel for Dylan.”

  “You’ve got it bad.”

  “You have no idea.” She accepted the whisk Leah handed her, then started whisking the gravy on the stove. “Decided on an old-fashioned breakfast?” She snatched a piece of bacon from a platter and popped it in her mouth.

  “Scoot over.” Leah opened the stove and took out the biscuits. “It was Briley’s choice this morning.”

  “Hey, Mom.” Evan entered the kitchen, kissed Leah on the cheek, then did the same to Kat. He paused, shook his head, got two glasses down from the cabinet, then continued to the fridge and poured orange juice for himself and Griffin.

  Kat held back her laugh because he was still half asleep. She stood back while Briley wrangled a squirming Griffin into her seat. A moment later, Deborah walked into the kitchen. She looked more put together than all of them combined. That was saying something since Leah always looked more poised than anyone.

  After all were seated at the table, Briley picked up her glass of milk and held it high. “To family.”

  “To family,” everyone echoed.

  An hour later, all the kids were situated in the movie room and the adults were seated around in the living room.

  Kat jerked her head up when a wadded-up piece of paper hit her in the face. “Really, Briley?”

  “You need to pay attention.” Even as Briley said the words, she balled up another piece of paper.

  “Don’t.” Kat shifted her attention from Dylan, who was seated on the couch with Leah and Deborah, to Briley. “Did you want something?”

  “Dylan mentioned that you and Emma were going to be working on the camper Saturday and I was wondering if Griffin and I could join you?”

  Kat turned to Dylan who nodded. “I suppose.” She sighed. “If you must.”

  “Well, I don’t want it to be a hardship.”

  Kat made a face and stuck out her tongue. “Shut up, dork.”

  “Then that gives me an idea,” Deborah said. “While you girls are out with the kids, Leah and Dylan, why don’t we all go out to lunch and get to know each other better? Dylan, you can invite your mom.”

  “That sounds wonderful, Deborah,” Leah said, then stood when her phone rang.

  When Leah stepped out of the room, Briley spoke up. “That’s Madison.”

  Kat arched her brow. “Do you know all of her ringtones?”

  “Of course. Why? It’s not weird.”

  “I didn’t say it was.”

  “You’re face says it all, Kat.”

  “I would love to join you,” Dylan said. “and I’m sure my mom will too.”

  Deborah patted Dylan’s hand. “That’s great.”

  Kat looked to Dylan, but she was still as relaxed as she was that morning. Good; she loved that Dylan got along with her family.

  “You all should go to Barney’s.” Briley clapped her hands. “It’s Spanish infused and awesome. They only serve six dishes, but you won’t be disappointed. I’ll make the reservation.” Briley picked up her phone and was typing on it when Leah walked back in.

  Leah took Briley’s phone out of her hand and plopped down in her lap. “Madison wanted us to be the first to know.” She smoothed the hair out of Briley’s eyes.

  “Know what, Tiny?” Briley relaxed in the recliner and t
ilted her head back to give Leah her full attention.

  Kat took the opportunity to get up to sit beside Dylan, and took her hand, caressing the knuckles.

  “Know that she’s pregnant.” Leah beamed.

  Kat held back her snicker when she saw the blank look on Briley’s face.

  “That’s great,” Briley finally got out.

  “You’re not happy?” Kat asked.

  “It’s not that.”

  Leah chuckled. “Briley and I talked about this after she proposed. She’s not sure how to feel about being a grandmother at her age.”

  Kat threw back her head and laughed. “Shit! Briley, you should be happy.”

  “I am. I am. I love them to death, but it’s taken me more time to get used to the idea of being a grandmother. That’s all. Of course, I’m happy. They’re happy?” She asked Leah.

  “Ecstatic.”

  “And you?”

  “I’m also happy, but like Briley, it’s taken some getting used to knowing I have a daughter and a granddaughter and grandson around the same age.”

  Everyone was silent until a little voice piped up from beside the couch.

  “Shit.”

  Kat whipped her head around and her eyes latched onto Griffin, who a few minutes ago was down in the movie room.

  “Really, Kat.” Leah motioned for Griffin to come to her. “We don’t say those words.”

  “Why?”

  “Because they’re not nice.”

  “Why?”

  Kat admired Leah’s patience while Griffin kept asking why questions. Evan had just entered the room to hear the ‘whys’ and snorted, then scooped Griffin up and headed to the movie room. Leah’s attention then fixed on Kat. “What?” Kat kept her gaze neutral, but inside she knew she was in trouble.

  “Briley has to clean out the garage tomorrow. She could use some help,” was all Leah said.

  “Fine.” She glanced at Briley. “You can wipe that smirk off your face.”

  “You can wipe the ugly off your face.” Briley mouthed, “Shithead,” then threw the paper wad.

  Kat caught the wad then lobbed it back across the room and smacked Briley in the face. “Don’t mess with me. You’ll lose, loser.”