by Lynn Galli
“I can tell. She’s needed a good friend for a long time.”
“Needed?”
“Yeah. She’s been a workaholic since I’ve known her. It’s only recently that she’s started to do more than just take care of her kid and work. Now that Izzy is older, she’s been on Mei and me to go out more. With you around, Mei and I don’t have to babysit as much.”
Lena chuckled. “So really I’m just a convenience for you?”
“That’s about right.”
She pushed against my shoulder and I rocked sideways and back. “She’s a wonderful lady and becoming a good friend. I’m glad you introduced us.”
“I am, too.” I took a sip of wine and sighed, relaxing into the couch. It no longer scared me how comfortable I was around her. Not much scared me about her anymore.
Except being pushed aside by someone else. Holy…I can’t believe that just occurred to me. She wouldn’t stay single forever. She wasn’t like me. Just because I’d been willing to wait her out didn’t mean that she’d do the same with me.
“What’s up? You look like you just had an idea.”
I did. I reached forward, resting my fingers against her face.
She tilted into the caress then seemed to remember she shouldn’t be doing that. “Don’t start this, Glory. Please.”
I noted the desperation in her voice. She was fighting the pull, too. Well, forget that. I leaned in and brushed against her lips. Even this little kiss set me aflame. I slanted my mouth to deepen the kiss. She accepted me, and her body tilted against mine. My tongue slid along the seam of her mouth, teasing her before breaching inside.
“Oh, damn!” she whispered, pulling back. “We can’t do this. I don’t care how good it feels.” Her eyes were dilated and her chest heaved. She was as wrapped up as I was.
It might have been the sizzle from her kiss or the encouragement from my friends, but I made a decision. I decided to have faith that she wouldn’t be like anyone else, that she wouldn’t hurt me. In what felt like slow motion, I brought my hand up and began unbuttoning my shirt to take it off. If her eyes had shown anything but complete surprise, I wasn’t sure I’d continue. Any hint of smugness that I was giving in might have made me leave.
“Please tell me you’re not going to stop,” Lena said as my shirt hit the floor.
I shook my head, too nervous to speak. She tugged on our hands and I followed to her bedroom. It was the first time I’d seen it and as with everything Lena, it was elegant.
My hesitation must have worried her. She cradled my face and kissed me softly. “Are you sure you’re ready to give me all of you?”
I’d been with other women before, but this felt deeper. Almost permanent. “You said all or nothing, Lena. I wouldn’t be here if I weren’t sure.”
A lovely smile spread her lips before they came down on mine again. My hands went to her shirt, unbuttoning without hurry. I wanted to savor this. My fingertips brushed against her skin as the shirt came open. Soft and warm, it seemed to jump in the wake of my graze.
Her hands were drifting over my shoulders and onto my undershirt, sliding down my back. She pulled me tight against her, leaning into our kiss. When she moaned, I felt a zing flare through me.
I had her pants over her hips, pushing blindly to get them off her legs. She broke away to help me, stripping them down and kicking them off. While she was there, she unfastened my shorts and shimmed them off my legs. Her urgency was one of the sexiest things I’d ever seen.
When she looked back up, one eyebrow rose as if to question what I was smiling at. It made my grin wider. At the same time, I stepped toward her and nipped her chin. She laughed before tilting to capture my mouth again.
My hands drifted around to unhook her bra. Those gorgeous breasts I’d tried so hard not to remember were inches away from me again. I pressed a hand to her neck and slid down her sternum to cup one breast then the other. She moaned again and whispered something I didn’t catch.
Her fingers hooked under my cami and began to lift it up. She pulled back to watch as she revealed more and more of my skin.
I searched her eyes, worried even though I knew I shouldn’t be. She wasn’t like Rick or Maggie. We were closer than I’d been with any of my sexual partners. When the undershirt cleared my belly button, her eyes blinked once. As it rose to reveal more and more of the surgical scar that had been stitched together, stretched as I’d grown, and reopened five times, her eyes started to shimmer.
The cami off now, she unhooked my bra and let it fall. She tracked my scar from sternum to waist and slowly back up again. Her eyes landed on my breasts, flaring before rising to look at me. “You’re perfect, so beautiful,” she whispered.
Her hand pressed onto my heart, applying pressure to gage my heartbeat. Fingers drifted over and traced my scar. It was the most tender caress I’d ever felt.
“Thank you,” I whispered and reached for her.
Pressing against her, I maneuvered her onto the bed. Crawling over her as she inched up toward the pillows. She looked amazing stretched out before me. Long limbs, smooth skin, lust filled eyes. Where to begin? My mouth and hands and eyes wanted everything of hers. I wanted to feel her warm skin, watch her nipples harden, kiss her belly, and taste every part of her.
A soft chuckle sounded as she leaned up and took my mouth. Her hands latched onto my head and encouraged me to explore. I ran my tongue down her throat, nipping along the way. Her legs fell apart, relaxing completely. I pressed a knee between them, straddling one thigh as my mouth kissed and nipped my way down to her breasts.
She was so responsive. Even more so this time than last. Like she’d been holding back before, but with a couple more months of getting to know each other, she knew she didn’t have to hold back anymore. My heart seemed to swell in size at the realization. I felt a little dizzy and had to slow down to see if it was the euphoria of being with her or the exertion of being excited.
“No hurry, Glory.”
I glanced up to see her watching me. She didn’t look worried. She only wanted me to pace myself if I needed to. “I want you so much.”
“I want you, too,” she agreed, lifting up to kiss me while she could.
A moment later, I felt her hands pushing me onto my back. I stared up at her as she examined me again. When her eyes hit my panties, her eyebrows fluttered. An instant later, I was completely naked and laid out for her viewing. She seemed to be taking her time.
Finally, her hand glided from my belly up to a breast, squeezing softly before sliding back down and dipping into me. We both moaned at her touch. My hips arched up toward her, encouraging without words. Her fingers slipped over me, outlining then mapping out. I felt breathless but not dizzy. It was hard to concentrate until I figured out that I didn’t have to. I could let her do anything to me. I didn’t have to worry that she’d get too close or want too much from me. I would give her anything.
“Stop teasing,” I growled when her fingers again missed my clit.
“Stop directing. You’ll have your turn.”
I wanted to wipe that superior grin off her face when she went back to torturing me. Only one way I could think of to do that. I lifted the thigh that was between her legs and rubbed against her wet panties. Her whole body bucked, and sure enough, the grin dropped.
She sucked in a breath, pulling her hand from me to shed her underwear. The break in contact must have given her senses back. With deliberate movements, almost like she was creating a show for me, she centered herself back onto my thigh. It tingled where she seeped onto me. The soft trimmed curls felt incredible as she jerked her hips once.
“Damn, you’re wet.” I waited for her eyes to meet mine, lifting up from watching herself slide against me.
“Like you aren’t?” she teased, her hand dropping back to cup me fully. “You made us wait for this.”
“It’ll be worth it,” I groaned as I felt her fingers finally brush against my swollen clit.
My thigh muscles contra
cted against her. I set my hips in motion to wring a climax from her. My hands clamped down on her hips, forcing them against my thrusting thigh. She took over the motion, freeing my hands for her swinging breasts. She looked so sexy, grinding on top of me. I pinched and twisted her nipples, remembering how much pleasure she got from the sensitive peaks. I’d been determined to make her come before me, but damn if her fingers weren’t making me forget my determination.
She swirled my clit lightly, applying alternating amounts of pressure to drive me into a frenzy. Her eyes peered into mine. “You’re going to come for me, Glory.”
I felt her weight shift from my thigh. She wasn’t moving against me anymore. No matter how far I tried lifting my upraised thigh, she wasn’t allowing me enough contact. It seemed she was better with determination.
Her finger sped up, pressing a little harder. When her mouth lowered to my breast, sucking then licking, I felt the anticipated tingle start. No one had ever touched or kissed my bare breasts. Damn, I’d missed out. The tingle burst into a flare, wild and hot, revving through me before exploding with roiling pulsations. I heard myself shout, making the climax real. My body twitched as the orgasm ran through every part of me.
“You’re amazing.” Lena watched every movement of my recovery.
I gulped in breaths, letting the bliss of orgasm settle across me and tried to calm my racing heart. For once I wasn’t worried that my elevated heart rate would make me collapse. I didn’t care.
She stretched out against me, resting a leg over mine and stretching her arm across my chest. I tried to collect my thoughts and gain control of my nerve endings. She seemed content to let me lie here for hours, not demanding anything. Her lips brushed against my neck, fingers playing with my nipple.
When I regained my strength, I turned onto my side to face her. Kissing her first, my hand drifted down her body to delve into her. She hissed sharply, so close to the edge. I nudged my leg between her thighs to add extra pressure.
Her eyes opened and stared longingly at me. I’d seen that look before and always wanted to act but hadn’t been ready. I couldn’t be happier that I’d moved past my hesitation. Her hips rocked slightly. My fingers spread her apart, grazing every slick and puffy surface. Her clit throbbed under my fingertip. I brushed upward then down, tracing the hood and flicking the knot of her. She moaned loudly, pressing her face closer to mine. She watched my eyes as I made love to her. Our bodies rocked together, one hand holding her close to me, the other extracting her orgasm.
I watched her eyes pinch shut as she shattered around me. A long groan spilled from her lips before her eyes fluttered open again, fixing on me. Lust long gone, replaced by an emotion I guessed she’d be shocked to see on herself. It kicked my heart rate into a higher gear.
“You look so sexy when you come.” My words broke her emotional gaze.
She blinked and smiled. Her arms snaked around me, pulling me tighter. “I could kick you for making me walk away from that.”
Laughter burst from me. Of all the pillow talk she could utter right now, a threat wasn’t what most women would want to hear. From her, though, it was exactly right.
She kissed me to stop my laughter but ended up joining me as we cuddled in post orgasmic bliss together. I loved the feel of her warm body against mine. I could have her again and again and never be bored.
“You’re staying.” She popped up onto an elbow to stare me down.
My eyebrows rose. “I’m staying,” I repeated.
“I was telling you. In case you were thinking you had a choice.”
I let another laugh slip. She was so good for me. Uptight enough for the both of us. “I left my medication at home.”
Her head tilted. “You take it at night or in the morning?”
“Before I go to bed.”
She nodded and started to get up. I reached out to keep her in place, but she broke free. “Come on, slow poke. We’ll take the dogs for a walk to your place, get your pills, and head back.”
“Because I’m staying?” I teased.
“You’re not leaving tonight.” That wicked grin was back. “I’ll kick you out tomorrow.”
We grinned together as she began throwing my clothes on top of me. I got caught up in watching her as she began to cover her gorgeous body. I would never guess it was ten years older than mine. She was in fantastic shape.
Seeing that she was almost completely dressed, I started pulling on mine. She seemed to be in a hurry to get to my place so we could come back here. The fire in her eyes told me we weren’t finished tonight. I felt my breath push out at the thought of having her again. I’d taste her this time.
She opened the bedroom door as I was stepping into my shoes. The dogs raced inside, whining and demanding attention. The scene was so domestic. It would have frightened me before. Now, I soaked it in.
Domesticity, something I’d never allowed myself to think about before because of my heart condition, now seemed like the only goal in my life. Damn, that sex must have catapulted me into an alternate universe.
Chapter 32
Warm and still sleepy, I stretched before opening my eyes. It was bright, like the blinds weren’t drawn, and these sheets were softer than a baby chick’s fur. I had to get some of these sheets.
“You’re awake,” Lena’s morning voice sent a shiver through me.
I tilted my head to look over at her. She was propped up on an elbow, smiling at me. Her tousled hair fell over her shoulders, skirting the brown tips of her nipples. What a sight to wake up to.
She reached forward and ran her fingers through my hair. It was a familiar feeling like she might have been doing that before I woke up. “Taylor was right, very soft.”
My hand felt for her hair, half stroking the strands, half rubbing her breast. “Yours, too.”
Her eyes dropped to my hand, watching it get bolder. She shook her head and smiled. “Frisky in the morning, huh?”
“Around you, anytime.” I shifted until I was half on top of her. She was so warm and soft, even better than her sheets.
She watched me, a sly smile animating her lips. Her head lifted up, mouth meeting mine. Soft lips nipped at first then fused into a full, mind scattering kiss. Searing, steamy, and minty. Minty?
“You brushed your teeth! No fair,” I screeched pulling back and clamping a hand over my morning breath mouth.
Her laughter filled the room. “You took a while to wake up. I had time to pretty much memorize every inch of you.”
Horrified, I flipped onto my back and pulled the sheet up over my head. I heard her laugh again and felt her tug at the sheet.
“Hmm, something else that bothers the laid-back chickie from next door. This has been an eye opening morning in every possible way.”
I folded the sheet down to glare at her. It was hard to stay irked when she was having so much fun. “Payback, sexy, payback,” I promised.
She raised her brow and inched her hand down my neck, pulling the sheet back as she went. “I’ll look forward to it.” Just as she was about to caress my breast, she stopped and poked my nipple. “Day’s wasting, Glory.”
I watched her vault out of bed, noticing she’d put on panties in her devious pre-wakeup duck into the bathroom stint. I could have stayed in bed for another couple of hours, especially with her around. Looks like I didn’t have that option.
A finger tooth scrubbing and hasty dressing later, I headed into the kitchen. She’d found shorts and a tank top and was now rummaging through the fridge. The dogs had been let out of their den as she called it and danced around with biscuits, running back and forth between us.
“Grocery day.” Lena closed the fridge empty handed. “Hope you can wait for breakfast.”
I was about to make a suggestion when the phone rang. We both stared at it. She didn’t want to be rude, and I didn’t want her to miss a call. I tipped my head for her to answer it.
“Hey, Eri,” she said when she picked up the receiver. “Good, yeah, but can I
call you later?”
I couldn’t hear her sister’s voice but enjoyed the sheepish smile that came over Lena’s face.
“Nope…when we talk later…you already know who.”
This time I heard a loud screech through the phone. Lena pulled it away from her ear, laughing, but the voice continued to shout. I made a guess and gestured for the phone.
“Good morning, Erika,” I said into the receiver.
“Glory! I’m so happy for you both. Are you happy? You better be happy!”
I laughed. “Very happy.”
Lena’s eyes grew warm and sparkled. It was all I could do to concentrate on finishing the phone call and not attacking her again. Saying goodbye, I handed the phone back to Lena who made speedy work of getting her sister off the phone.
She came over and wrapped her arms around me. “I like you happy.”
I squeezed her tighter and stole a kiss. That made two of us. “But you can’t feed me.”
She pulled back and looked guilty. “Dog biscuit?”
“Lucky for you, I live close by and I’m stocked with coffee cake and eggs.”
She made a noise that sounded like she would eat my arm if I didn’t take her to where the food lived. I watched her dart off down to her bedroom and the water flipped on in her bathroom. The dogs and I played ball for maybe three minutes before a sparkly clean Lena came back into the kitchen. Her hair was tied back and she had on fresh crop pants and a sleeveless polo. A three-minute quick change with shower. She must be really hungry.
The dogs burst out the door ahead of us. I slipped on the shoes I’d left by the door and followed them out. Not two steps later, I felt her hand slip into mine. I looked up and saw her smile, getting confirmation that I wasn’t the only happy one in this new arrangement.
The morning sunshine warmed me almost as much as the memories from last night. It felt liberating to walk this familiar stretch with a familiar person but connected this time. I didn’t want to drop her hand ever if I were being truthful. It was probably just the newness of the whole thing making my mind crazy, but I’d ride out the euphoria as long as I could.