Zoe’s shoulders sagged. “I don’t want to fight. I was all excited to tell you I got my invitation. I wanted you to see it before I RSVP’d for us.”
“What invitation?” Aydan asked. She was standing with her arms crossed, watching Zoe make herself at home. She wasn’t sure what bothered her more, the young woman’s self-assuredness, or her assumption that she would be accepting of any invitation.
“For the wedding, you silly goose.”
Feeling caught out, she momentarily envied Georgie’s ability to stare down any uncomfortable situation. Groaning internally, she knew she should’ve called this off sooner but she did enjoy spending time with Zoe, just not like that. “I’m not sure why you would even want to go, considering how you feel about them.”
That stilled Zoe for a moment, and then she did what she always did, calling on her bravado. “Don’t be silly. You know I’m just joking when it comes to those two. Besides, I think we have more than earned a little fun on their dime. After all, we’ve done all their heavy lifting. Without you and me coming to the rescue, I doubt they would still be together much less getting married.”
Transfixed by the absurdity of the statement, Aydan was at a loss for words. There was no point in challenging her. Instead of logically arguing her point, it was Zoe’s habit to fluff off any challenges to her assertions. The engineer in Aydan always bristled whenever she did so. It reminded her of her mother, sloughing off any fact she found inconvenient. “I’m sorry, Zoe, but I already have my plus-one for the wedding.”
It was a bold move, especially since she didn’t have a date and had yet to open her own invitation. Thankfully, Georgie and Maggie arrived at that exact moment, ending the conversation. But Aydan wasn’t naïve enough to think Zoe wouldn’t raise the subject again, especially given the shock on her face.
“You all ready, boss?” she asked Georgie.
Georgie nodded to them both. “Right shirt?”
“Is that the one Tyler set out for you?”
She shook her head. “Button fell…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure the dry cleaner repairs the loose buttons, and that shirt is a perfect match. You did well.”
Smiling at the compliment, Georgie pulled on her suit jacket, but stilled when Zoe began fussing with her lapels and unnecessarily straightening her clothing.
“What would you do without me?” Zoe asked.
Suddenly Aydan understood, recognizing the insecurities Zoe hid behind her efforts to be needed. What a contrast to her own experience. With her family she was needed, but unwanted. Zoe, it seemed, had misunderstood her place in her family, assuming she was unwanted because she wasn’t necessarily needed. Aydan made a mental note to talk to her friend. She was in the enviable position of having a family who wanted her and they were constantly creating opportunities she hadn’t quite earned. The “friend” moniker filtered into her brain again just as Lori, Marnie and her assistant strolled in. The smile she saw on Lori’s face sent home her understanding. Zoe was a friend. Lori was something else.
Marnie eyed her sister critically. “You look good. Are you ready? Did you memorize your speech?”
“Tyler will give…but ready too,” she added, showing Marnie her prepared remarks and assuring her she had memorized them along with several answers to the expected questions.
The whole point of making a show of the office move and the reception was to highlight the parent company’s commitment to research. Lou had brought a proposal forward suggesting DynaTech be taken public independent of the family holdings. For once his suggestion made sense, but would still depend on Georgie incubating enough of her profitable ideas for Tyler to steer to market. Lou was sure, and everyone agreed, that two or three years of cutting-edge work would firmly place the tiny R&D enterprise in the limelight. DME’s engineering successes were already well respected in the marine industry. A few broader spectrum wins were all that was needed to catapult them into a top public offering. It was a plan even Tyler and Georgie agreed on. Creating a successful company was first and foremost for the two, but after the recent health calamity, they were both determined their life together would include much, much more than just business.
“Good,” Marnie said as if announcing something truly important. Looking very much like the grand dame of the pack, she took in the assembled family members. “Zoe, you look lovely in that suit. Lori tells me you’re doing great work out at DynaCraft. And just so you know, I have approved the class list you submitted. Take it slow; I don’t want to hear you’re burning the wick at both ends, at least not any more than usual.”
Zoe glowed with the praise. “Thank you so much, Marnie. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
“I know I won’t, kiddo. No worries there,” she reassured her, before looking everyone else over with a critical eye. “Aydan, the new scarf is lovely. It suits you much better.”
Aydan fingered the fine silk of the gorgeous scarf Lori had given her. Unused to receiving praise, especially of the personal variety, much less from the boss’s boss’s boss, she blushed, mumbling out her thanks. Catching Lori’s eye on her, she colored even more. How was it she could just look at her and feel so much? As if a current flowed between them, a current of energy, and something so much more. Something she couldn’t understand and couldn’t ignore.
I don’t want to ignore it—her—anymore.
Then she saw Zoe looking from her to Lori and back again; clearly she had noted Aydan fingering the scarf and the exchange of looks between Lori and Aydan.
Zoe bounded over to Aydan and fingered the fine fabric. She called loudly to Lori, “Ooh, Italian silk…Quite the gift, Lori. I call this cheating. No fair trying to win our bet by bribing Aydan into kissing you first!”
Aydan gaped at Zoe. Then stared at Lori whose face was turning several shades darker than her already dark complexion. Without thought, she fled from the room.
* * *
Toweling her hair dry, Tyler walked into the bedroom. “What a day, baby. I can’t believe how crazy it got and you—you did so well with that journalist.”
“Nice guy,” she said, putting her book aside to watch Tyler prepare for bed. It was one of her favorite things, watching this astounding woman methodically review her thoughts about the day as she paced through her evening routine. She was wearing the light silk robe Georgie had given her last Christmas and padding around in her new moccasins. She was mostly a barefoot type but even the wood floors in the updated condo could get cold. It was one of the reasons she had ordered the mocs instead of settling for some silly lady slippers. She knew they would be more comfortable, not to mention warmer, and had hoped Tyler would like them. Judging by her comments, not to mention her enthusiastic lovemaking, she was pretty sure she had done well. That was the other amazing thing about her wife-to-be; she knew how important it was to just spell things out. “I’m so lucky.”
Tyler turned to look at her. Her face carried the simplest of messages and the reality wasn’t missed by Georgie. “We both are, baby. You know that and so do I.” Carefully draping her towel over the back of a chair and walking to the bed, she crawled up to her on her knees. “We have a family thing we should talk about.”
“Lori or Zoe?” she asked intuitively.
Tyler shook her head. “I don’t know why anyone thinks you’re obtuse. I swear you never miss a thing.”
“Tell me,” Georgie asked, patting the spot beside her.
Pulling back the covers, Tyler unfolded her long legs, kicking off her moccasins and slipping between the cool cotton sheets. She cuddled close without prompting, launching into a detailed explanation of the situation.
“Lori agreed? Betting?”
“I know you’re upset, baby, and I agree Lori wasn’t really thinking and we both know what Zoe can be like.”
“Aydan…is she…”
“Hurt?” Tyler filled in the blank, adding her own opinion. “I think she’s confused, mad, and maybe a little bit flattered. She�
��s literally just come out and here she has two hot women placing a wager on her affection.”
“Affection or sex?” she asked, not at all happy about the situation. This was the kind of stupid and thoughtless shit Zoe gravitated to. Lori too could be a player when it came to women, but she had always been respectful, until now.
“No baby, this wasn’t about who could get her in the sack first. The wager was for a kiss, which is why I think Lori fell for it. It all must have seemed so innocent.”
“And now?” Georgie asked, questioning what had changed.
“Honestly,” she said, sighing at the situation. “I think Lori’s falling in love with her and I have a feeling Aydan might be in the same boat.”
Groaning, she asked, “Can…forgiveness?”
“Can Aydan forgive Lori? I think so. I know Lori wants to talk to her but, well, her pride is involved, and she’s embarrassed. At least Zoe didn’t have her little jealous meltdown in front of staff or guests. I know Marnie’s going to be on Lori, and us too, but we’re their friends. We need to…”
“Fix it?”
Tyler moved back just enough to look in her eyes. “My first rule when it comes to other couples is the same as yours: butt out. It’s just that Lori’s your sibling as much as Marnie is. What would you do if Marnie and Jack had some sort of blowup?”
“Beat up Jack.”
That made her laugh. “What on earth makes you think it would be his fault? It could be Marnie?” she asserted.
Georgie shook her head. “Marnie’s rule one…always right.”
“And rule number two is, when in doubt refer to rule number one? Oh, you don’t have to tell me. I swear, your sister and I have gone head-to-head more than once and I would not wish that on my worst enemy.”
Now that concerned her. “You okay…should I…talk…”
“No baby, I actually don’t mind the intellectual head banging with your sister. It’s a little like my old days at the university, fighting over the day-to-day details. She keeps me on my toes. Besides, if I let you deal with Marnie, you would have zero time left to dream up all those new ideas the team loves so much. I’m so proud of you.”
Snuggling into her, Georgie stroked her damp hair away from her face, planting a few soft kisses. “Prouder of you,” she added honestly.
Everything Tyler did for her, for the family, for the company was more than helpful. It made success practical and that was a huge step up from possible. The kiss she received in return conveyed Tyler’s gratitude at the compliment. It was important to Georgie that everyone know how much their contributions improved her life, but none as much as having Tyler’s love and affection.
She was searching for the belt to her robe when Tyler stilled her hand. “Slow down baby, we need to talk about this mess first.” Adding a scorching kiss before she slid up on top of her, and propping her head in her hands, Tyler looked her squarely in the face. “I want to help Lori and Aydan but I honestly think all they need is a little time, without any interference to work this out on their own. If they want to work it out,” she added as a caveat.
When Georgie nodded her agreement, she pushed on. “I think we need to help Zoe. I didn’t understand it until today, but I think her ego is terribly bruised. I see your look and I know this is a thing you don’t always understand. I love you for it, so don’t worry about not getting it.”
“So…issues…causes?”
“Well, this is a little embarrassing, but Lori told me something surprising today. She said Zoe took you and me getting together pretty hard.”
Her brows must have climbed a mile high while she was remembering just how messed up she was when she thought Tyler and Zoe were dating. If Zoe was half as upset as she had been, the poor kid must have agonized over their wedding announcement. “How can we help?”
“That’s the million-dollar question. I don’t think Zoe was ever actually interested in me; I don’t think she was after anything other than a quick hookup. I think the real issue was you and me falling in love. Lori says that for Zoe it kicked in some sort of competitive interest in Aydan. I’m sure she would have gotten over Aydan’s rejection pretty quickly but seeing her interest in Lori, must have felt as if she was repeating history.”
“Ouch.” Using both hands, she brushed Tyler’s hair back planting a kiss on her chin and running her hands over her shoulders and down her back. She let her nails lightly rake along her spine, before cupping her behind. “Would not want…not like I felt.”
“Oh baby, I don’t think it’s like that. I have a feeling this is just Zoe acting out. She sees herself as beautiful and glamorous and isn’t used to women not falling at her feet. Her ego is bruised, not because she had feelings for me or felt something for Aydan. From her point of view, she lost out to a pair of old fogies.”
Skipping over the old fogies comment, Georgie forced herself to concentrate on the issue. “So…why do me when…”
“Yes.” Tyler heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank God you get it. Lori got the point when we talked about you and me, but the minute I tried to apply it to her situation, she refused to listen. I swear she’s more stubborn than you!”
“Less than Marnie,” she joked and Tyler laughed too, snuggling down a little closer. Georgie stiffened when her thigh pressed hard between her legs. “Oh, my Tyler.”
“Just you be patient now. We still have to do something to make Zoe feel more, I don’t know, welcome. Does that make sense?”
“I could ask…be my bridesmaid?” She was sure it was the right answer when Tyler pressed a warm wet kiss on her lips. She couldn’t help responding, deepening her attention, adding just a touch of tongue and soliciting a sensuous moan.
“Hold up there, hot lips,” Tyler teased. “I have a suggestion. What if I asked Zoe to be one of my bridesmaids? That way you could ask Skippy if you want.”
That made sense and she told her as much, only asking, “Zoe would…like?”
“I think she would be honored to be on the bride’s side. I had to laugh today when she referred to you as the groom.”
That drew a groan. “Wait till she sees…dress.”
“Wait till they all see it! Lori and Marnie both swore on pain of death that they wouldn’t let our little secret slip. I can’t wait to see you on Henry and Helen’s arm. It’ll be so perfect, baby.”
“You…perfect. I can’t wait.”
“Hmm, yes, perfect, baby. I can’t wait either, now how about helping me get this robe off?”
Georgie just smiled, handing her the belt for the robe.
Tyler snuggled in, nudging her hip in just the right spot. She had learned early on it was Georgie’s instant on button and her response didn’t fail. Flipping Tyler on her back, she quickly demonstrated her recuperative strength but not without tenderness. Then there were those damn eyes. Adapting to Georgie’s silent communications might have been challenging if it weren’t for those open eyes reflecting every single thought in her head. It was reassuring and so overwhelmingly exciting to know her every thought, feeling, desire. Tyler had always been a bit of a screamer herself and enjoyed lots of verbal feedback. Making love with Georgie had changed everything on that front. Learning she could just open her eyes at any moment to find her, see her intent, and know her heart, was a revelation, and had opened a world of sensuousness she had missed in all those late night, eyes-squeezed-shut screaming sessions. Those experiences were incomparable to what it was like to have Georgie on her, in her, devouring her, worshipping her. And she too had found so much power and release in that connection. “I missed this, baby, missed you like this.”
Georgie’s hands stilled, but her pleasure radiated from every inch of her. The other night on the roof, they had made love for the first time since the accident. The hiatus had been only partially necessary due to her injuries. The true barrier was Tyler’s feelings. It had taken the month of healing, and healing together for her to feel completely accepting again and Georgie never questioned her need to heal
or the amount of time it took. Once she was home, her only concern had been in wanting to prove herself.
Tyler knew that in any other relationship, with any other woman, the situation would have permanently torn them apart. Instead, this whole thing felt more like a simple hiccup. Something she just needed to discuss with her in order to fix. And she could count on that too. She had never met a woman so easy to talk with when it came to her emotions and desires. Georgie wanted to hear her thoughts, wanted to hear her longings, demands, needs, and wants, and she loved to hear her scream! The first night of resumed intimacies Georgie had been tender and patient, just what Tyler needed. Tonight though, “Baby, I want to feel your mouth on me.”
Tearing her attention from the small breast she was ravishing with her tongue, Georgie stared transfixed before a wolfish grin began fueling her progression. She took her time settling in between Tyler’s smooth thighs, never once breaking eye contact.
It was a little unnerving at times, connecting with such honesty. Digging her fingers into the sheets for a handhold she begged, “Don’t hold back baby, I want to feel…” From that point on it was harder and harder to offer any coherent feedback but she tried. Georgie had admitted more than once how she loved to listen to her, hear her and the louder and more suggestive the better. She wasn’t asking her to talk dirty or scream obscenities, but to be Tyler, her Tyler, whatever that was and however that came out. And to the woman’s credit, the more Tyler let her inside the private world she had safeguarded for so long, the more she was understood and accepted. As for love, there was no limit to her love, affection or respect. She lavished each without limit, and without some sort of quid quo pro.
Arching her back, she tried desperately to hold back the pulsating need to drive herself into Georgie’s mouth. Immediately recognizing her mounting arousal, Georgie pinned her hips to the bed with a tender kind of physical strength. Her tongue had worked its way all around and over her clit and settled into tormenting just that perfect spot Tyler adored.
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