Romance By The Book

by Jo Victor

  “It didn’t look like you had a bra on, but I thought maybe a tank top.” Alex was still using the same matter-of-fact tone. She stopped moving her hand and Cam looked up to meet her eyes. Alex grinned. “I’m glad I was wrong.”

  Alex looked down again and Cam followed her gaze. This time, Alex was using both hands on her, fingertips circling around the outside of her nipples, right at the border where the darker and lighter skin met. Her touch was so light it was maddening.

  Cam could barely breathe. Her nipples were hardening, but Alex just kept circling them, feather light. “Thought…you said…you wanted me to touch you.”

  “I guess something must have changed my mind.” Alex’s palms had replaced her fingertips, still circling, but she was holding them just a little above where they needed to be. Any contact was random, glancing, and never enough.

  Cam clenched her teeth, trying without much success to keep from whimpering. She knew she could ask Alex to stop. Or she could just shift a bit and pull her shirt all the way off. She should definitely do that. In a minute.

  “I wonder what it was that did it. Oh, well. These things happen, don’t they? Now let’s see…” Alex pressed her palms down against Cam’s nipples and rubbed them—hard—and then she pinched them, not at all gently. The pleasure-pain shot right between Cam’s legs, and she threw back her head and howled. Alex leaned over and captured Cam’s mouth with her own, still tugging at her nipples.

  Then Alex leaned back and looked her dead in the eye. “It sounds to me,” she said, far too sweetly, “as if you might be in some distress. So tell me, lady, is there any way that I can be of service to you?” On the word service Alex ground her hips down against Cam’s lap, sending another burst of heat through her.

  Cam growled and tore against the cloth around her arms, ripping the shirt like it was made of paper, freeing herself instantly. Alex squealed and tried to move away but Cam was too fast, grabbing her around the waist and holding her easily even as she squirmed, despite the effect those movements were having on her ability to focus.

  “Oh, no you don’t, lass. Not just yet.” Torn between anger and amusement, for a moment she stared at Alex, who was now sitting quietly, caught in the circle of her arms and regarding her with some apprehension—as well she might—but absolutely no repentance. Eventually amusement won.

  Alex relaxed a fraction when Cam finally smiled at her. She had known she was playing with fire, but once she’d started, she hadn’t been able to stop. The look on Cam’s face, the way she was breathing, the sounds she was making—Alex had loved every second of it. “I’m in trouble now, aren’t I?”

  “Probably.” Cam’s smile had a touch of devilment in it.

  Alex found herself grinning back. “Let’s make sure,” she said, resting her palms against Cam’s stomach and lightly massaging the bare skin, enjoying the feeling of smoothness over the firm muscles below.

  Cam made a sound of appreciation, halfway between a sigh and a moan. Encouraged, Alex lowered her hands a fraction, slipping her thumbs just inside the waistband of Cam’s trousers, gliding them slowly back and forth over the skin beneath the fabric.

  Between one heartbeat and the next, Cam tightened her hold, pulling Alex close, trapping her hands between them. Alex gasped. She knew Cam was strong, but she had never realized just how much. She could feel it now. The arms enclosing her were so powerful. Cam holding her like this made her feel completely claimed and utterly protected all at once. It felt so good she was almost light-headed.

  Cam brought one hand up to cradle her head, keeping the other arm securely around her. For a long moment Cam held her like that, eyes locked with hers. Any trace of humor was gone. All Alex could see was hunger. She felt the heat of it all through her.

  Cam’s eyes grew cloudy and she lowered her gaze to Alex’s mouth. Alex’s lips tingled as if Cam were already touching them. She sighed, letting her own eyes close.

  Then Cam finally kissed her—not slowly, but steadily, thoroughly, as if nothing existed but this moment, and the moment never had to end.

  When Cam eased back from the kiss, Alex gave a little cry of protest.

  “Sh, love,” Cam whispered. “I’m right here.” She caught Alex’s lower lip lightly between her teeth, worrying at it for a moment, sending a dart of pleasure through her.

  Eyes still closed, Alex felt Cam tilt her head back before pressing her lips tenderly against her neck, moving lower with each soft kiss. Alex felt herself floating, her mind adrift. Being held like this, she was free to let everything go. Cam wouldn’t let her fall.

  Keeping her hand carefully cupped around Alex’s head to hold her steady, Cam trailed her mouth down Alex’s throat, taking her time, loving the scent of Alex’s skin, the silky feel of it. When she reached the hollow at the base she lapped at it with her tongue, then blew on it lightly, making Alex gasp. Then she eased her mouth along Alex’s collarbone until she reached the point where it vanished under the fabric of her dress, lingering a moment before starting to work her way down, kissing along the bare skin just above the neckline, over the tops of her breasts, following the edge all the way around, then back to the center, planting kisses along the cleft between her breasts, teasing with her tongue. Alex’s breathing was broken now with soft little gasps of pleasure.

  Cam wanted her so badly she felt dizzy. She slid her free hand from Alex’s waist up the back of her dress to fumble with the zipper. Somehow she managed to slide it down in spite of the way her hand was shaking. Raising her head, she twined her fingers deeper into Alex’s curls and kissed her mouth again as she slipped the dress off each of her shoulders in turn, sliding down the straps of her bra with it.

  Then she eased her hand between their bodies and grabbed the dress at the center of the neckline, along with the bra behind it, and pulled it down to Alex’s waist before embracing her again. She pulled her close, groaning into Alex’s mouth at the pleasure of feeling their naked breasts pressed together.

  Cam felt Alex free her arms from the dress and slip them around her neck.

  Alex turned her head a little to the side, breaking away from their kiss. “Touch me,” she whispered. “Please. I need you to…please.”

  Alex started kissing her neck, still murmuring please in between kisses. Cam slid her hand down Alex’s side, enjoying the smoothness of the fabric beneath her fingertips, on fire with the awareness of how thin the barrier was that was keeping her from the soft warmth of Alex’s body underneath.

  She drew her hand past Alex’s waist, over her hip, and along the outside of her leg until she reached the hem of the dress. She pushed against the edge of the cloth, drawing it higher until it was gathered just above Alex’s knee. She could feel Alex kissing down the center of her chest as she slipped her hand up under the dress, letting it rest on the bare skin of Alex’s leg for a moment before trailing her fingers slowly upward along the inside of her thigh.

  She told herself to take her time, not to rush this. Just touching Alex like this felt so amazing, so—a blast of white heat flared through her as Alex’s mouth closed over her nipple and sucked it, hard, then began to circle around it with her tongue. She had Cam’s other breast in her hand, fondling it and rolling the nipple between her finger and thumb.

  Cam growled, her brain wiped clean of everything but hunger. She pushed her hand all the way up between Alex’s legs. Some thin bit of fabric was there but it only took a moment to pull it down and away. Then there was only flesh, velvety soft and so wet, like silk under her fingers. She couldn’t wait, couldn’t think, she had to touch her everywhere, everywhere, it felt so good, so perfect.

  Alex’s mouth was on her neck, kissing her and raking her teeth over her skin, making moaning, pleading sounds. Less frenzied now that the first sharpness of her need had passed, Cam teased her fingers through Alex’s silky wetness, playing with her, searching out the places that made her cries louder, more desperate.

  Alex thought she was going to die if Cam kept her tee
tering on the edge much longer, but she couldn’t bear it if she stopped. It was so good it was almost like pain. But she needed more. She needed—“Inside me, please. Please, I need you inside…Yes, like that. Just like that. Oh, please don’t stop.”

  “Hush, love. I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”

  Alex was grinding her hips now, rocking back and forth on Cam’s hand, feeling Cam take her. It was so good, so good. And then Cam’s thumb was stroking her in just the right spot, just there, but so lightly, too lightly. Alex reached down and put her hand on top of Cam’s, pressing down hard, the way she needed it, yes, harder, just like that, just—And then Cam captured her mouth again, tongue thrusting inside her, taking her completely as she came and came.

  Chapter Twenty

  Alex felt utterly content as Cam held her gently, stroking her hair and kissing the top of her head. She hugged Cam lightly around the waist, wanting to stay just like this, forever.

  Or maybe not. As a matter of fact, she had a much better idea. She eased one hand upward, rubbing slow circles along Cam’s side before moving to cup her breast.

  Cam gasped. Delicate strokes of her thumb on Cam’s nipple made her gasp again. Alex lifted her head and kissed Cam lightly, then whispered in her ear, “That feels good, doesn’t it?”

  “Uh.”

  “I guess that means yes. I like making you feel good.” She tugged on Cam’s earlobe with her teeth, drawing another inarticulate sound from her.

  Alex moved her hand to the waistband of Cam’s trousers and undid the button.

  Leaning back just enough to look into Cam’s eyes, now half-closed and heavy with need, she said, “I hope you don’t mind too much if I enjoy myself just a little bit more.”

  A ghost of humor surfaced amid the wanting in her eyes. “Suit yourself.”

  Alex smiled, ready to indulge herself fully. “Oh, I plan to.” Alex slid the zipper down very, very slowly, keeping her eyes locked on Cam’s the entire time.

  “Now let’s see. What would be fun?” She placed her hand flat on Cam’s stomach and spread her fingers, rubbing lightly. When she moved lower, slipping just inside the waistband of her underwear, still circling slowly, Cam made a strangled sound. Then she slid her hand all the way down. When she touched her, Cam groaned.

  “You’re so wet. Oh, my God.” Suddenly she didn’t feel like playing.

  She eased her hand away and quickly stood up. Her dress bunched around her waist was a distraction, and she impatiently pulled it off and tossed it aside. Cam sat there watching her, uncertainty on her face.

  “Take your trousers off—and your underwear. Do it. Do it now.”

  Excitement flashed in Cam’s eyes and she hurriedly complied.

  When Cam was naked, Alex knelt in front of her and rested her hands on Cam’s knees, forcing herself to pause a moment before gently moving them just a little apart. Cam let her legs fall farther open, inviting her closer. She leaned forward so their bodies were finally together, skin against skin, and took Cam’s head between her hands, holding her tenderly as she kissed her, taking her time. Cam embraced her, lightly stroking her back and shoulders.

  Alex kissed her way down the center of Cam’s body, eyes closed, tasting her skin, feeling her breath quickening, listening to her sighs and gasps, letting her hands trail down Cam’s neck, over her breasts, and down to rest on the tops of her thighs. She spent a long time kissing Cam’s belly, teasing her tongue around the edge of her navel, before moving to kiss the insides of her thighs, each in turn, and to rub her cheek against the soft skin there.

  Cam’s hands were on hers now, gripping tightly. She looked up and saw that Cam’s head was thrown back and her eyes were closed. She looked like she was holding her breath.

  Alex eased her hands free. With gentle fingers she parted Cam’s folds. She was wet and swollen and so beautiful. Alex lowered her head and kissed her, then opened her mouth to take her in, moaning at the incredible taste and feel of her. That was her last rational thought. She gave herself up to Cam completely, feasting on her. She couldn’t get enough of her.

  Cam’s hands were tangled in her hair, pulling her closer, showing her where she needed more, and still more. Cam’s breathing was faster, harder, and she was making desperate sounds.

  Alex was nothing but feeling, nothing but need, silently begging Cam to take her pleasure, not to stop, not to let her go. Suddenly Cam’s hands tightened, holding Alex’s head completely still as she thrust against her mouth hard and fast and came in a long, shuddering wail.

  Alex stayed where she was, teasing with her tongue until Cam pulled her head gently back.

  “Can’t.” She panted. “Can’t…no more.”

  Alex rested her head against Cam’s thigh. Cam’s hand was twining lazily through her hair, fingers moving slower and slower. Alex smiled to herself and looked up. Cam’s eyes were closed and her breathing was deep and slow.

  “Cam?” she murmured. “Cam, honey?”

  “Mmph.”

  “Wake up, sweetheart.”

  “Am awake.” Cam’s eyes were open now but she still didn’t exactly look alert.

  “That’s good, sweetie, because I’m awake, too.” She trailed her index finger up and down Cam’s stomach lightly enough to tickle. Cam made an annoyed sound and clamped a hand over hers, stopping the movement.

  Now her eyes were focused. Alex smiled sweetly at her.

  “I’m also a little chilly and kind of stiff. This floor isn’t exactly the most comfortable place to spend time.” She got to her feet and took Cam by the hand, tugging slightly. “Do you think maybe we could go upstairs now? I know it’s a long way, but I promise to make it worth your while.” Her mind was already conjuring up ideas, and she looked Cam up and down, trying to decide where to start first.

  Cam stood, grinning at her. “Can’t wait.”

  *

  Cam plummeted out of a dream of suffocation and torment to find the cat treading frantically all over her body, yowling desperately. Awareness shattered through—she was naked, Alex was lying beside her, also naked, and the room was full of smoke.

  Roughly, she shook Alex awake, yelling, “Fire! The place is on fire. Get up!” Even as she said it, she tumbled off the bed, grabbing Alex by the arm and hauling her up as well. The cat ran away, howling.

  “Oh, my God!” Alex was resisting Cam’s effort to pull her forward, looking wildly about. “Wait—let me grab some clothes.”

  But Cam just pulled harder, dragging Alex with her. “No time! With fire, there’s never time. Come on.”

  She stopped in the open doorway, Alex just behind her. Looking rapidly in both directions, she could see that the hallway was full of smoke but she could neither see nor hear the fire.

  Alex coughed. “What do you think?”

  “The stairs should be clear. Let’s go.”

  Bending double to keep below the worst of the smoke, together they ran to the staircase, both of them coughing now. Cam paused to look down.

  “I don’t see any flames,” said Alex.

  “Neither do I. Come on.”

  They ran down the stairs and headed for the front door, barreling through it out into the morning sunlight.

  The door slammed shut behind them as Alex threw her arms around Cam and hugged her fiercely, the feeling of skin on skin and the solid warmth of Cam’s body easing the terror. Cam returned the embrace with interest, holding her so tightly it was almost painful.

  “Oh, sweetheart, I was so scared.”

  “Me as well, love. Thank God the cat woke us.”

  “Grace! I didn’t see her. Do you think she got out?”

  “I shouldn’t worry. Likely that cat has ninety lives. She’ll be fine.”

  “I hope so.”

  As the adrenaline rush subsided, Alex’s conscious mind kicked in and registered that they were both standing naked outdoors in broad daylight. Which felt wonderful, of course, pressed up against Cam and holding her so close, but then again, she was sudden
ly very grateful for the concealing shrubbery.

  Perhaps sensing the change, Cam eased away from the embrace, keeping an arm around Alex’s waist as she turned to study the house.

  “Funny sort of fire, this. All that smoke everywhere, but no flames. I wonder where it’s burning.”

  “Probably the kitchen—oh Goddess, it must be from the fireplace. We didn’t bank the fire before we went upstairs. I forgot all about it.”

  “Likewise. Had a few other things on my mind.”

  “Somehow I don’t think it was your mind that was the problem.”

  “True enough. Or yours, I’d say.” She smiled.

  “Point taken,” said Alex. “What now?”

  “You know, something’s not quite right. Let’s get a look at the back of the house, shall we?”

  Standing in the backyard, Cam stared at the house, a puzzled expression on her face. Alex looked, too, but there was nothing to see—no smoke, no flame. If you didn’t know better, you wouldn’t think the house was on fire at all.

  Alex was still puzzling over this when Cam started toward the kitchen door. “I’ll just take a quick look inside.”

  Alex moved to block her. “Like hell, you will. That’s how people get killed, going back into a burning building after they’ve gotten out safely.”

  “I’m not going to get killed. I’m only going to pop my head in for a minute.”

  “You don’t have to be such a goddamn hero. There is not a single thing inside that house, or even the house itself, that’s worth your life. Let’s just call the fire department.”

  “Just call them? And just exactly how do you reckon we should just do that, eh? I don’t know about you, but I don’t fancy strolling stark naked through the village.”

  “A little embarrassment is a small price to pay for safety.”

  “I have to live with these people. You don’t.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”