“Ainsley?”
Clearing her throat, she answered quietly and checked the clock. It was close to three in the morning. She must have fallen asleep for longer than she thought she had. When she looked down, Meredith was staring up at her.
“Come down here, would you?”
Ainsley shuffled down to lay next to Meredith, facing her with all curiosity. She should be heading out soon, anyway. Her roommates might start wondering where she was going on these random nights, especially when she claimed she wasn’t with anyone.
“Stay the night?” Meredith asked.
“Yeah. Might be a good idea. I think I’m too tired to drive home.”
Meredith smiled, her eyes crinkling in the corners, and Ainsley thought she had never been more beautiful. She reached out and traced one finger across her cheek, grinning back. Any time she spent with Meredith made her realize just how precious life and love was; it gave her something to focus on instead of all the bad. She briefly wondered if it was the same for Meredith but didn’t voice her question.
Meredith had leaned forward and planted a kiss on Ainsley’s lips. She didn’t care what happened except that Meredith was happy and got what she wanted. Ainsley moved into the kiss, wrapping her hand around Meredith’s neck and holding them together. She didn’t want the embrace to become more heated than it already was. Beyond being tired, Meredith wasn’t in any place of mind to make decisions.
Ainsley swept her fingers through Meredith’s hair and then pulled back, giving Meredith soft pecks as she went. “We should get some sleep. It’s late. There’s always the morning.”
“That there is,” Meredith answered. “And hopefully many more mornings.”
Ainsley didn’t say anything. Her heart skipped a beat, and all she could do was kiss Meredith again. She made the embrace longer than she wanted it to, certain Meredith was getting just as much out of the contact as she was. When she was done, she turned on her back and stared at the ceiling, more thoughts and feelings rushing through her body than she thought she could handle.
Meredith slid up next to her, pressing her nose into Ainsley’s shoulder and wrapping an arm around Ainsley’s middle. Ainsley waited until she was sure Meredith was asleep before trying to fall asleep herself. Meredith’s deep breathing was soothing, and she was beyond happy she hadn’t been kicked to the curb earlier that evening.
She yawned, covering her mouth with one hand, her eyes watering with exhaustion. Looking down at the sleeping form next to her, Ainsley knew better in that moment than anything that Meredith truly was her first love. She stretched her toes, pointing them at the far wall and relaxed all of her muscles. The next morning would be a whole new ball game for her. Instead of telling Meredith exactly how she felt, like she wanted to do, she had to let it sit and simmer. Meredith wasn’t ready to hear about love and promises of a life together—no, that would take time and persistence.
She knew she would wake up with Meredith by her side, and that was enough for the night. It was enough for the time being while she waited for Meredith to deal with her own crises and to put her own broken heart at bay. Ainsley closed her eyes, listening only to Meredith’s deep breathing as she fell into one of the deepest slumbers she’d ever had.
Chapter Sixteen
Meredith blinked her eyes open, the sun shining harshly through the window. She groaned. She’d forgotten to close the curtains when she’d gotten into bed the previous night. Stretching, she rolled onto her back and sighed. The movement next to her startled her. Meredith looked over to find Ainsley sleeping on her side, her back to Meredith.
Breathing heavily, Meredith closed her eyes and steadied herself. They were in the same bed, but nothing had happened. Her mind woke up far slower than her body, and she cursed at herself for the reactions her own body was having to the sleeping student next to her. Meredith lay as still as possible, while she listened to Ainsley’s breathing and made sure she was still asleep.
She turned and looked at the clock to check the time. They’d been up fairly late, she remembered, but she didn’t know exactly how late. Meredith took a deep breath and looked back over at Ainsley. Her chestnut hair was spread out behind her on the pillow and her back curved as she lay in the fetal position. Meredith clenched her fingers when she wanted to reach out and draw her fingers along Ainsley’s spine to wake her up.
She couldn’t. Biting her lip, Meredith stayed in bed close to another hour before her bladder made her get up. She slowly rose from the bed, not wanting to wake Ainsley, and walked as quietly and as quickly as possible to the bathroom down the hall.
After relieving herself, she stood in front of the mirror. She looked exhausted, but she did look better than she had the last few days. At least some sleep in a bed rather than on a couch had done her well. Grabbing her toothbrush, Meredith went to work at trying to feel human again. She cleaned off her make up she’d left on the night before and washed her face in cold water, completing the process of waking up her brain.
And just as her brain woke up more, so did her body. Ainsley had been warm and relaxed next to her in the bed. Meredith sighed and looked down at her hands. She wanted to and she didn’t at the same time. Breathing deeply, she turned to the shower and turned the water on, needing something to do while Ainsley slept. She piled her hair on top of her head with a hair tie so it wouldn’t get wet and stripped out of her clothes.
The water was hot against her skin as she stood under the spray. The heat gave her clarity and focus. Jeremy was gone. He was gone, and Sam was alone, and she wasn’t. For the first time since Sarah had left, she wasn’t alone, and for some reason, that thought didn’t scare her into wanting to leave.
Her thoughts turned back to Jeremy and tears slid down her cheeks, mingling with the water of the shower as she cried out her pain and sorrow. She hadn’t had a chance to do that with Sam around. With him around, she’d had to be strong and be the backbone he’d so suddenly lost. Meredith would head back over to Sam’s apartment but not until Saturday. For now she needed some time to herself.
Cupping her hands, she filled them with water and then brought it to her face, washing the tears away. Meredith sighed and continued to stand under the hot spray. Ainsley was two doors down, sleeping in her bed. That’s where her thoughts should really be. She grabbed her body wash and put a dollop in the center of her palm. Bringing her hands together, she made suds and then cleansed her skin.
She had a twenty-year-old woman asleep in her bed, and for some reason, Meredith didn’t want Ainsley to ever leave it. Ainsley had kept her warm all night, stayed by her side and shown her more about love in the short six weeks they had known each other than Sarah had shown her in the eight years they’d lived under the same roof.
Turning around to rinse her back in the water, Meredith bit her lip. She wanted Ainsley, that was for certain, but just exactly how she wanted her remained unseen. She was a patient person, had to be in a world filled with students who always had another excuse up their sleeves, but with Ainsley she didn’t want to be patient.
Her job would be a total loss if anyone at the school found out, but she had other income to help support herself. If she increased that other income, then she could easily make that her living instead of teaching. If need be, she could do it. Meredith turned off the water with her mind made up. She wasn’t going to pass up another opportunity to have what Sam had with Jeremy.
Drying herself, she wrapped the towel around her body and left her clothes on the floor of the bathroom as she walked back to her bedroom. The house was toasty warm as she stepped barefoot and mostly naked down the hall.
Ainsley was still curled up under the covers when she got back. A small part of her had been hopeful Ainsley would be awake, but the other part loved the thrill of waking her up. She slid onto the bed and crossed her legs under her body as she watched Ainsley sleep for a few minutes more. Meredith reached out and ran her fingers through Ainsley’s beautiful hair before she scraped her nails lightly aga
inst Ainsley’s back.
Ainsley rustled in her sleep but didn’t do much else. Meredith got out of the bed and walked around to the other side, sitting on the edge of it. She held her towel up with one hand while leaning down and pressing her lips to Ainsley’s forehead, then her cheeks, and finally to Ainsley’s mouth. Ainsley sighed and parted her lips. Meredith took the opportunity and deepened the kiss. Ainsley’s eyes were still shut, but Meredith had a distinct feeling Ainsley was already awake.
#
Ainsley woke to warmth. Breath fluttered across her cheeks and heat speared through her body. Meredith was so close she could barely breathe, and then their mouths were locked together and she couldn’t breathe at all. She curled a hand against the back of Meredith’s neck and held her close, going with the flow of everything that had happened.
When she gasped for air, Meredith pulled back and smiled down at her, those blue-green eyes twinkling in the light of the morning. Ainsley smiled back and brushed her hand down to Meredith’s shoulder, realizing for the first time Meredith was dressed in nothing other than a towel.
“You took a shower and didn’t ask me to join?” Ainsley asked, laughing at her own joke.
Meredith chuckled. “You can join next time.”
“I like that idea,” Ainsley said.
She pulled Meredith back down to her, their mouths molding together. If she could wake up like this half the mornings of the week, she would never be sad again. Giggling, Ainsley grabbed Meredith by her sides and rolled them so she was on top, the blanket pulled tight between them. She bent down and kissed Meredith quickly and then sat back up, straddling Meredith’s legs.
“You sure that further is now?” Ainsley asked.
“I’m sure,” Meredith said. “Beyond sure.”
“Good.” Ainsley kissed her again, her hand skimming against the cotton terry cloth of the towel as she cupped Meredith’s breast.
Meredith moaned under her, and Ainsley couldn't have been more turned on. She slipped her tongue between Meredith's lips and moved her hand around, trying to find the edge of the damn towel. She kissed a line down Meredith's neck, nipping every few kisses and secretly hoping to leave some kind of mark. She kissed dead center of Meredith's chest and then sat back on her haunches.
"You know you made this easy right?"
"I could have just walked down here naked."
Ainsley's cheeks flushed. She grinned and popped a finger on Meredith's nose before kissing it. "Next time," she whispered into Meredith's ear and then parted the towel. She had been waiting for this for far too long to let any time be taken up with talking about next times. She fluttered her hands over Meredith's skin, seeking the warmth she had. Her skin was hot, and Ainsley had an inkling of an idea that was because of the shower she'd just gotten out of.
Groaning, Ainsley moved her mouth down and followed the trail of her hands. She wanted desperately to have been in that shower, especially since Meredith had put her hair up on top of her head in an awkward bun. A few of the escaped strands were wet, but with her hair up like that she looked like a naughty librarian or something. Ainsley preferred it down most of the time, but for some reason with her hair up and her back on the bed, she looked sexier than she ever had before. Ainsley licked along Meredith's collarbone, causing Meredith to dig her nails into Ainsley's sides.
"That feels good," Meredith muttered.
"Wait until you see what I can do next."
"Confident much?" Meredith laughed and brought Ainsley's mouth up for a quick kiss. "Sometimes experience is helpful."
"I've no doubt of that," Ainsley said and kissed the tops of Meredith's breasts. She was waiting to see what they tasted like, trying to figure out exactly how Meredith liked it to happen. She listened to each rasp of breath, each hitch in her voice as she continued to make her way farther down Meredith's body.
She swallowed and then licked a circle around Meredith's hard nipple, her gaze shooting up to Meredith's face. Meredith had her eyes shut tight, her jaw relaxed and her lips parted as air escaped on a sigh. Ainsley bit down a little more, seeing the change in Meredith's posture. Slight pain was good. Meredith's hand wound its way into Ainsley's hair and she tugged at it sharply.
"Do that again," Meredith said.
Ainsley obliged, happier yet that Meredith was a talker and willing to tell her exactly what to do. That was all she ever wanted out of the situation—Meredith happy and sated. Ainsley repeated what she had done before and then moved to the other breast, her palms flat against the mattress to hold her body up on top of Meredith's. When Meredith opened her eyes and stared straight at Ainsley, desire washed through them.
Swallowing Ainsley shifted off Meredith's body and untangled the blanket from them and shoved the comforter down to the bottom of the bed. Her jeans stretched when she climbed back onto Meredith, disposing of the towel as well over the side of the bed. If she was going to have anything, it was going to be Meredith completely bare to her.
Ainsley moved two fingers along Meredith's skin as she studied her form. Her curves were slight but strong and beautiful. Her hips flared out just as her breasts did above, and surprisingly they matched in angle. Ainsley bent down and kissed Meredith's stomach, her hand rushing down to trail upward against Meredith's thigh.
"Ainsley."
She looked up to see Meredith with her head thrown back. Her name had been a whisper, not a command. And when she shuffled farther down the bed, Ainsley parted Meredith's legs with a purpose. She didn't care about anything other than Meredith's own desire. Using her mouth and tongue, she eased Meredith up, her hands running circles around Meredith's skin on her stomach and thighs as she continued to pleasure her professor. Ainsley drank in Meredith's flavor, excited even more by where the situation had turned on itself. She flicked her tongue back and forth in rapid succession.
Meredith's knees lifted, and she put her feet on Ainsley's back, holding herself still as Ainsley continued. Meredith's hand found its way into Ainsley's hair, and she closed her fist, pulling it. "Don't—don't stop," Meredith called out. "Whatever you're doing, don't stop."
Ainsley wanted to say something back, wanted to assure Meredith she wouldn't ever stop so long as she could, but in order to speak she would have to move, and that was not something she wanted to do. Instead, Ainsley redoubled her efforts, using more force and a different pattern as she continued to bring Meredith higher.
"Fingers."
Ainsley did as told and slipped two fingers inside Meredith, moving them in and out as slowly as she could. She focused all her attention on her actions, making sure she did them in succession with each other as she listened intently to whatever it was Meredith had to add to the action.
Meredith clamped down on her fingers, squeezing them tightly. Ainsley continued her ministrations until Meredith’s breathing had calmed. Meredith ran her fingers through Ainsley’s hair, smoothing it down and then lifted Ainsley’s gaze.
“Come up here.”
Crawling up Meredith’s body, Ainsley fell into the embrace. Meredith caressed her skin, running her fingers over her body as Meredith turned into her. Ainsley found herself underneath a very naked woman and grinned to herself glad she'd found her. Kissing Meredith again quickly, Ainsley pushed her back and sat up, stripping off her shirt and bra. She hadn't enjoyed sleeping in her clothes but waking up to Meredith that morning had been the best excuse for it yet.
She pulled Meredith back down on top of her, kissing her deeply as Meredith played with her newfound nakedness. Ainsley laughed when Meredith tickled her side and spun them back over so Meredith was under her. She breathed heavily, the taste of Meredith on her tongue disappearing all too quickly. She wanted to go down on her again, but it was clear Meredith wasn't having any of it. Ainsley straddled Meredith and cupped her breast again, squeezing before she shifted back and sat on the other side of the bed. Ainsley undid her belt and button on her jeans, shucking them off and shoving them down to the floor with her shirt and bra. As so
on as she was as naked as Meredith, she knew she was as good as gone.
Her heart rapped a steady rhythm in her chest, beating to remind her just exactly what was at stake. It wasn't just her time; it was her heart. If Ainsley had a choice in the matter at all, then she would give Meredith everything she had just to make Meredith happy. She lay on her back as Meredith straddled her, running her hands up and down Ainsley's arms.
"I think it's your turn," Meredith said.
"I would agree," Ainsley answered with a giggle. Then she rolled her eyes and said, "We spent far too much time on you. Definitely my turn."
"Cocky."
"Hardly."
Meredith silenced her with a kiss. The heat of the moment slowed down into a warm simmer, and Ainsley wondered just exactly what Meredith was going to do to her. If anything, the anticipation of trying to figure it out ramped her up more than Meredith's hands on her body. She wasn't good at saying what she wanted like Meredith was, so she remained silent as Meredith got into a position she wanted.
Meredith's knee was pressed up against her tightly, and when Meredith leaned down and kissed her, the pressure and friction of the move forced a noise to escape Ainsley’s throat that was most unexpected. Ainsley gasped for air when Meredith's mouth left hers, and she gripped Meredith's sides and held on.
Leaning down, Meredith kissed just in front of Ainsley's ear and then nibbled on her ear lobe. Ainsley's chest rose and feel as she continued to rise higher without Meredith even moving. She didn't want to come just yet. She dug her nails into Meredith's sides and swallowed back a groan. Meredith smiled against her skin and whispered, "I'll taste you next. I want to know if you're sweet or spicy."
That was it. Ainsley's body was clenching at nothing as she struggled to catch her breath, heat rushing through her chest and into her cheeks. That had happened way too fast. She flushed from pleasure and embarrassment, especially when Meredith kissed her lips again. She trailed kisses down Ainsley's chest and stomach to her hips and the tops of her thighs. Meredith spread Ainsley’s legs, and Ainsley wondered just what exactly had happened.
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