Sarah dove into Mac’s mouth. Any noble restraint she might have had before disappeared as Mac’s fingers started to undo her blouse. It was Mac’s turn to kiss and nuzzle Sarah’s neck as she slid the shirt from Sarah’s shoulders. Somehow the singlet top and bra followed, and Mac was once again claiming Sarah’s lips as her hands roamed the newly bared warm flesh of Sarah’s ribs and back.
Sarah felt her nipples tighten with the cool air. As they brushed against Mac’s shirt, jolts of electricity went straight to her groin. She needed to feel Mac, she needed to taste her. The hunger was driving her crazy. Quickly disrobing Mac, she pushed her gently to the bed. Without breaking the kiss, Sarah followed and lay on top. She could feel Mac’s nipples against her chest. Her hand found one breast and cupped it lovingly, her thumb caressing the erect nipple. Mac pressed her body firmly upward to meet the increasing attention and resulting sensations, groaning into Sarah’s mouth with the mounting pleasure.
Unable to resist any longer, Sarah left Mac’s lips, taking first one, then the other nipple into her mouth, rolling the engorged tips around with her tongue and lightly grazing them with her teeth. Mac’s hands gripped the back of Sarah’s head as she arched with each tug and pull of Sarah’s mouth.
Mac could feel the roughness of Sarah’s jeans against her centre. She needed to feel Sarah’s body on hers. She needed flesh on flesh. Mac gently rolled Sarah onto her back, leaned in, and kissed her. Her hands found the restraints on the jeans and quickly undid them. Sarah raised her hips, allowing Mac to slide the rest of Sarah’s barriers off, tossing them to the floor. Kneeling, Mac took a moment to look at Sarah lying before her.
Mac whispered, “You are so beautiful, Sarah.”
Sarah raised herself to a sitting position, stroked Mac’s arms, and moved to caress her chest. “So are you. I look at you and my heart races.” Sarah pulled Mac down, and together they lost and found themselves in each other.
Chapter Sixteen
The sun peeking into the bedroom window teased Sarah’s eyelids until they could no longer resist opening. Somehow, when she and Mac had finally fallen asleep, exhausted from hours of lovemaking, Sarah had ended up on her side with Mac spooned behind her, her arm wrapped around Sarah’s waist. Sarah gently raised Mac’s arm to turn over and face her. Mac’s beautiful dark hair was splayed out on the pillow behind her. Sarah remembered how soft it was when her fingers trailed through it last night, or when Mac was teasing and kissing her breasts, or when Sarah bent her head to kiss the top of Mac’s head. She stretched carefully, knowing they would both probably be stiff and sore, but she didn’t mind. Mac was the most attentive lover she had ever met, taking her to places she never even knew existed.
In sleep, Mac’s face was relaxed with the little frown crease between her eyebrows having smoothed out. She had gorgeous dark arching eyebrows with a soft aquiline nose, and her mouth…Sarah could feel her temperature rising again at the remembered magic that Mac’s mouth could make.
Mac’s eyes fluttered open. It took a moment for her to focus. As her vision sharpened, she saw Sarah, lying on the pillow facing her. Her eyes were bright, her face was flushed, and Mac thought she was the best thing she had ever seen. The hand that was caressing Mac’s arm slid over to cup her breast. Mac’s voice was husky. “Good morning.”
Sarah rolled Mac over until she was on top of her. “Mm, it is.” Sarah’s thigh slipped between Mac’s legs, and Mac knew Sarah could feel how wet she was. As Sarah claimed Mac’s mouth hungrily she brought her thigh in tight to Mac’s centre. Mac moaned and her hands began to explore Sarah’s body as her hips rocked against Sarah’s thigh. Breakfast could wait.
*
Wandering around the kitchen opening cupboards, Sarah shook her head. The few items in the fridge could have run around like crazy and still not bumped into each other. Finally, standing in the doorway of the pantry in an oversized navy-blue fire-brigade T-shirt, she put her hands on her hips and looked at Mac, who was leaning on the kitchen bench watching her. Sarah saw the goofy grin on Mac’s face and knew Mac’s eyes were watching her bottom. She cleared her throat in mock indignation and put her hands on her hips. “You know, I do believe that a pantry in your house is a wasted resource.”
Mac looked at her, smiling with her head on its side, clearly not quite getting Sarah’s drift.
“A pantry is a place you store food items in. Yours is empty. And so are your fridge and cupboards. What do you eat?”
Mac smiled sheepishly. “Fruit, yoghurt, and I make a mean toasted cheese sandwich.”
Sarah put her head in her hands. “Oh my God, I can’t believe I’m falling for a food heathen.”
Mac froze at the same time Sarah did.
Sarah couldn’t believe what she’d just said. It just fell right out. Looking at Mac’s face, it didn’t look like she could believe it either. Sarah thought about her statement. Where did that come from? I’ve only known Mac for what, two, three weeks? Bloody hell. And yet, I don’t think I have ever felt more comfortable or more alive with anyone else I have ever known.
Mac felt like someone had thrown a rock straight between her eyes. She stopped breathing and felt a bit dizzy. Sarah rushed over and put her arms around her, guiding Mac into the dining room to sit down.
“Hey, Mac, take a deep breath for me. Mac? Come on, breathe, babe.”
Mac took a breath, and then another, and slowly the darkness receded from her vision. As the dark swarming spots dissipated, she saw Sarah’s concerned face in front of hers. Mac blinked several times. “Sorry about that.”
Sarah brushed the fringe out of Mac’s eyes. “You okay now?”
Mac nodded.
Mac saw how stressed Sarah was becoming. She reached out and took Sarah’s hands in hers and slowly brought them up to her lips to tenderly kiss them.
Sarah’s mouth fell open.
Mac smiled shyly. “I’m sorry. You know how I told you last night that you turn my world upside down?”
Sarah nodded.
“Well, you can add to the list, that you take my breath away.”
Sarah smiled and said, “Let’s eat.”
They jumped into Mac’s truck and headed into town to get some groceries. Sarah’s hand rested on Mac’s lap as they drove in. Yesterday she’d been so nervous, that she didn’t really take in the surroundings on the drive. Today, the world was a beautiful place and Sarah was blissfully taking it all in.
Mac was in soft faded jeans, an old softball shirt, and a hooded jumper. Sarah was in her black jeans but had kept Mac’s shirt and had acquired a fire department jumper to match the shirt. As Sarah had put it on, she’d closed her eyes, taking in the essence that was Mac’s. She could identify the wood scent now, but there was still a hint of background sweetness and spice mix that she hadn’t yet worked out. Sarah loved a challenge; she was fully prepared to hang on to Mac’s clothes until she figured it out.
As they approached the outskirts of town, Sarah’s stomach let out an enormous growl of protest at not having been fed. Both girls looked at Sarah’s stomach and giggled. Mac leaned over and tenderly patted Sarah’s grumble. “Perhaps we should grab something to eat before we get the groceries?” Before Sarah could answer, her stomach growled again. Mac laughed. “It would appear that your gastrointestinal tract agrees.”
They stopped at a cafe, placed their orders, and were soon rewarded with steaming mugs of coffee and their meals. Mac had two thick pieces of fruit loaf, while Sarah had eggs and bacon. Sarah tucked in like she hadn’t been fed in a week, while Mac sat back, smiling.
Sarah polished off her breakfast and spied an uneaten piece of Mac’s bread. “You going to eat that?”
Mac shook her head as Sarah rescued it from the plate and inhaled it. Sarah sat back and patted her stomach. “That’s better. Fully fuelled and ready to go again.” She saw the contented smile on Mac’s face. “You look happy.”
Mac said, “I was just thinking the same thing. I am happy.”
Their legs were intertwined under the table. Sarah put her elbows on the table, rested her chin in her hands, and let her gaze feast on Mac. She felt like the cat that had found and licked the cream bowl clean. “Mm, me too.” Cream, now there’s a thought. Sarah stood up and grabbed Mac’s hand with a cheeky grin. “Come on, let’s go grocery shopping.”
They rushed through the shopping and, in no time at all, had it stacked away. Somehow the unpacking turned into a game, which naturally ended up with them naked and in bed. Mac was lying on her back, while Sarah was half on her stomach and half on Mac’s chest, running Mac’s hair between her fingers, while Mac’s fingers, far from idle, were lazily grazing Sarah’s spine.
Sarah raised her head and planted the softest of kisses on Mac’s lips. “What are you plans for work this week?”
“Tomorrow is a safety class at one of the retirement villages, followed by an inspection at the Kingsley School.”
Sarah raised herself up onto her elbows. “That’s Thomas’s school.”
Mac smiled. “Really? Oh, of course it is, it’s the school with the special-needs unit.”
Sarah was tracing an imaginary pattern on Mac’s chest. “Maybe you’ll see him tomorrow.”
“Maybe. I’ll be sure and keep an eye out for him. I think I’m doing some classes with the kids the following week. Maybe he can be my special helper.”
“I’m sure he’d love that. What else will you be doing?”
Mac frowned, trying to remember, and Sarah playfully reached up and smoothed her brow. “Then, from Tuesday through to the end of the week, I’ll be back at the hospital doing fire-safety classes. I was talking to George, in maintenance, and he said the contractors were coming in this week to start replacing the older sprinkler systems. So I can also be on hand to help look over those, if needed.”
Sarah’s face lit up. “We can meet for coffee and lunch maybe. Oh, hang on, I’ll have to see what shifts I’m on. I know I’m on a couple of days, and the courses are compulsory for everyone, so I’ll have to go to one of them too.”
“That would be nice.”
Sarah’s eyes lit up mischievously. “Hey!”
Mac looked at her. “Mm?”
Sarah was beaming. “Maybe I could be your special helper.”
Mac nuzzled Sarah’s neck. “Maybe you could.” Mac rolled Sarah over until she was lying on top, planting kisses down her torso, Sarah’s body arching for greater contact as Mac continued a path of torture with her lips and tongue. “Then again, maybe you would be too much of a distraction.” She could hear Sarah’s breathing quicken as she continued to kiss lower. “I might have to take you aside and give you lessons in private, my good doctor.”
Mac stopped talking as her lips reached her goal. Sarah gasped, “Yes, please!”
*
Mac bid Sarah a reluctant farewell when she left for home later that night. They had shared a wonderful meal in front of the fire, taking turns feeding each other.
Mac fell into bed just after ten, tired, sated, but very happy. She lay in the bed thinking how strange it felt to be on her own. Less than forty-eight hours ago, being alone had been a completely normal occurrence. Tonight, the bed felt too big and cold without Sarah.
Eventually the weekend caught up with Mac and she slept soundly. It was strange getting up the next morning, opening the fridge and seeing food in it. Instead of grabbing a piece of fruit and yoghurt to eat on the run, as was her usual fare, this morning she had choices. She saw some fruit loaf with a sticky note and a love heart drawn on it. Mac smiled. How can I possibly have yoghurt now? She grabbed the loaf, cut two slices, put the merest smidgeon of butter on it, and ate it, humming away, as she mentally ran through her safety class for later in the morning. She had to drop by the station to pick up the inspection plans for the afternoon, return Martha’s pots, and give her a parcel of chocolate brownies from Sarah.
Mac headed into the station. She walked inside to find her partner going through the mail pigeonholes. She went over and gave him a hug. “Hey, Bettsy. You’re out early—or are you coming in late?”
“Hey, Mouse. Coming in late. We had a derailment last night. Nothing special. Just messy to clean up.”
“Uh-huh.”
“When you coming back?”
“Aw, does this mean you miss me?”
“Yeah. The other guy they’ve got me with, he doesn’t smell nearly as nice as you. He’s stinking up our truck, and he talks too much.”
Mac laughed. Bettsy looked about six years old, all pouty mouthed. She leaned over and gave him another hug and whispered, “I miss you too, big fella.”
Bettsy grinned. “I knew it.”
“Hey, what are you doing next week? Have you got a half day you can spare me?”
Bettys shrugged. “Depends what day. What’s up?”
“You know the Kingsley School, with the special-needs unit for kids?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Well, I’m giving them a safety class next week and I wondered if you wouldn’t mind helping me. I thought maybe we could take the pumper over and let them have some fun in it, but I could do with an extra pair of hands, if that’s okay. I was thinking we could do a couple of games too.”
“Yeah, I could do that, sounds fun. Just let me know what day, and I’ll pencil it in for you.”
Mac was hoping that John would say yes. She’d seen him with kids before, and they just loved the big man-mountain. He had a knack with them. Special needs or not, when it came to kids, two firefighters were always better than one. Winking, she mock-punched him on the shoulder. “Thanks, partner. Owe ya.”
Next Mac headed to Martha’s service desk to deliver the pots and the brownies.
Martha pointed to the chair next to her. “Sit and spill, child. How did it go?”
“It was a lovely evening. We all had a great time. Your dinner was the hit of the night.” Mac pulled Sarah’s parcel from the bag that held the returning pots. She handed it to Martha.
Martha accepted it and looked to Mac. “What’s this?”
“It’s a little something to say thank you for the lovely dinner.”
“So it went well then?”
Mac nodded. “Uh-huh.”
“And…?”
“And I listened to what you said, and I talked to her, and we had a lovely time.”
“You had a lovely time?”
“Yes, a lovely time.”
Martha tidied the papers on her desk with a straight face. “In my day we would have said it was a hot night in. But if you say you had a lovely time, then that’s terrific.”
“Martha!”
Martha looked at Mac indignantly. “What? I might be old, honey child, but I still remember what good food, good company, and great sex feel like!”
Mac couldn’t help herself any longer and burst into a fit of the giggles, which Martha joined in.
*
A knock at Sarah’s office door made her stop writing up a supplies report. A happy Colleen Baker from Obstetrics walked in.
“Hey, Sare, I heard a report of a strange noise coming from Emergency, so I thought I would come down and check it out.”
Sarah looked up at her, frowning. “What noise?”
Colleen sat on the edge of Sarah’s desk, grinning from ear to ear. “It was you, humming.”
Sarah laughed. “What are you talking about?”
Colleen looked at Sarah and tilted her head at her friend. “Look at you. You look happy. No, it’s more than that. You look positively glowing.”
“I don’t know what on earth you’re talking about.”
Colleen leaned over and put her finger under Sarah’s chin and leaned in close, whispering in a conspiratorial voice, “If I didn’t know any better, I would say you looked well loved, girlfriend.” Sarah expected she’d gone as red as beetroot. Colleen started chuckling. “Yup, well loved.”
Sarah smiled smugly and winked.
“It’s that firefighter, isn’t it? The one with the
gorgeous eyes?”
Sarah nodded.
“Oh, nice, Sarah Macarthur. Nice.”
The nurse, Alice, knocked on the door. Both doctors looked up. “Sorry to interrupt—these were just dropped off at reception.” Alice held a beautiful bunch of flowers, bright colourful gerberas mixed with pink roses. “They’re for you.” She handed them to Sarah before turning and leaving the room.
There was a card attached. Sarah opened it and smiled. It simply said, You take my breath away.
Colleen looked at Sarah and her face sobered up. “Is it serious?”
Sarah puffed out a big breath You can’t get much more serious than blabbing out loud you’re falling for someone. “It’s early days yet, but yeah, Colly. I think it could be.”
“Well I’ll be damned! Someone finally caught you?”
Sarah smiled contentedly. “Maybe yes, maybe no.”
“Details, girl, spill. I want details.”
“Well, we had a lovely dinner, which in and of itself is a story. Two of Mac’s friends were there, the girls from the animal refuge I was telling you about?”
Colleen nodded.
“Anyway, it was a great night. We all laughed and talked heaps. I learned that Saturday was the first time Mac had had anybody over for dinner since her partner died three or four years ago.”
“Oh, wow.”
“Yeah, I know. Maree and Terri were telling me about it. Anyway, the dinner—it turns out Mac doesn’t cook, it was made by a surrogate mother figure, a lady from Mac’s work called Martha, and Mac was being all secretive about the dinner, until Terri found a note in Martha’s handwriting with instructions on how to heat it up and called her on it. So we all had fun teasing her about it all night.”
“And?”
Twice Lucky Page 14