Stay with Me

by Sheryl Wright

  Clawing at the bottom sheet, the intensity of her reaction was almost blinding, and before she could comment or even comprehend all the sensations alive in her, she felt Georgie slip fingers inside, pushing in deep and curling them back with just enough pressure. “Yes, baby. Ohh…” There was no slowing what would happen now. With her hips pinned to the bed, Tyler rocked her shoulders forward as her orgasm mounted, reaching for Georgie with one hand, needing to connect in every way possible. Georgie was everywhere, in her, on her, and there were those green eyes, always open, always offering so, so much more. She let her orgasm wash over her and away with everything she had been harboring this last month. This was them, they were them again, but they were more too.

  “Baby…” She couldn’t quite talk yet. She reached for her, pulling her up to interweave together in each other’s arms. Georgie held her desperately tight, tenderly rubbing soothing circles on her back while aftershocks shook them both. It never ceased to astound her how Georgie could get off just making love to her. Tyler, of course, would never settle for that. Her healthy ego had long accepted that her fiancée was certainly self-sufficient but clearly preferred Tyler’s attention. There was no denying that pleasing Georgie, bringing her to orgasm was more than a pleasure; it was a point of pride. If she was shocked at how hot and bothered the woman could get just touching her, her responsiveness under her ministrations was exalting. “Oh God, baby…let me breathe.”

  “Slow…nice and slow, my Tyler.”

  Lying with her head on Georgie’s chest, she could hear and recognize a subtle change in her breathing. “What’s wrong baby?” she asked, tilting her head back just enough to see her face.

  “No wrong…I…”

  She almost looked helpless. Tyler pulled herself up a little higher. “I’m listening.”

  “Aydan said about…nicknames. Do you…I am not so good…endearments, sorry.”

  “Endearments?” she asked before understanding. “Baby, I don’t need a long list of pet names. You say more with your eyes, not to mention your hands. I would never wish for that to change.”

  “But before…could joke and…like Marnie and Lori.”

  That made her smile. “Actually my love, I have it on good authority that you always sucked in that area.” At Georgie’s truly amused look she explained. “The other day you mentioned not remembering the nicknames you used for the Gruesome Twosome when they were kids.” Georgie smiled at her use of Henry’s moniker for Lori and Marnie. “Well, the curiosity got the best of me so I asked. I have to admit, learning how little you’ve changed was satisfying,” she teased. “You called them Eveready and Duracell!”

  Georgie smacked her hand against her forehead with amusement. “Oh, so lame.”

  “Given that, I must say I’m more than pleased with ‘My Tyler’. Of course, if you’re looking for suggestions…”

  Snuggling down so they were nose to nose, she pulled the sheet up to cover Tyler. “Let me try…Gorgeous…Brilliant…Perfect…”

  Tyler shook her head, giving her a sweet kiss before explaining, “Those things are compliments, very sweet compliments you are free to deliver any time you like, but as pet names they need a little work. Why don’t we try a little experiment?” At Georgie’s approving grin, she explained, “I am going to ravish you from head to toe and you, baby, are to do nothing but enjoy my attention. Understood?”

  Grinning, she nodded her agreement. “Experiment…what?”

  “Oh no, you. I’m in charge here and you get to do nothing but think about all the things you feel for me. I promise,” she said, brushing her cheek against Georgie’s and whispering in her ear. “Surrender everything, baby, your thoughts, your desires, everything. Now close your eyes and just feel. I’m right here, the whole way. I promise all the words will come the minute you stop searching, asking, questioning. Just surrender to me and let me be everything like you do for me. Can you do that?”

  “Yes,” Georgie promised, her breathing already hitched at the sensation of Tyler’s warm cheek against her own, her warm breath, and warmer words caressing her ear.

  It didn’t take long to find all those places that thrilled her, pushing Georgie higher. “Breathe baby, just breathe. I’m right here,” she assured. She was missing those expressive eyes and wanted that connection back, still she waited for her to find her words.

  “Hap…My Tyler,” she said, opening her eyes to renew their connection.

  Her thigh was between Georgie’s legs and her hand had gravitated there too. “Baby, you are so wet. God I love touching you.”

  “Don’t stop,” she begged.

  “No?” Tyler loved teasing her, loved seeing that questioning look. She drew a wet finger from her clit and all the way up to her chest. The pleading look she received was more than enough to make her grin. “You are so easy,” she tantalized her, moving closer, wanting to feel everything Georgie telegraphed in her every move. “What does Hap mean?” she asked, teasing with her fingers tracing an indirect path back down between her legs.

  Looking even more aroused, Georgie stilled, explaining, “You said feel…I feel happiness…Hap.”

  Startled by the admission and its simplicity, she leaned in delivering sweet kisses along her jaw before turning her attention to that gorgeously hungry mouth. Georgie was a sensuous kisser but more than that, she mirrored Tyler’s own desires so closely, almost telepathically knowing exactly how she wanted to be kissed. If she wasn’t careful Georgie would have her on her back again and as much as she was looking forward to that moment, there was something deep in her that hungered for her release. Maybe it was ego or her own mounting desire but taking her to her complete surrender was as perfect and excruciatingly honest as it got.

  Georgie’s hands were on her face, her eyes beseeching her.

  “Breathe, baby,” Tyler warned, the pad of her finger stroking slowly, imperceptibly slow, along the side of her clit. She liked to think of it as her baby’s sweet spot and it never failed to push her over the edge. She wasn’t in a hurry. She had a few more ideas to introduce, but what she wanted, needed right now was to make her come, and she wasn’t disappointed. It was always so incongruous, the effort Georgie went through to convey only gentleness in her touch. Yet in her physical release, she had scarred the headboard, clawing with her nails on several occasions. Tonight, one hand had remained gently cupping Tyler’s face while the other had gathered the sheets in her fist, pulling hard, threatening to rip the high thread-count cotton to shreds.

  Tyler pinned her down hard, riding out wave after wave. That was the gift, the feeling, the knowing she had pleased her, satisfied her and that she could and would again. “Baby, I love you so much. I can’t begin to explain how you make me feel.”

  Georgie, awash in afterglow, stilled and gently eased Tyler down next to her, never for a moment letting her out of her arms. She couldn’t talk, still struggling to catch her breath. Finally, she closed her eyes. “Frightening.”

  “What is, baby?”

  “How much I need…you, like air.”

  And that was the truth of it. She understood Georgie had spent her life being needed but needing, not so much. If her wife-to-be had an Achilles’ heel this was it, the worry of needing or needing too much.

  “Listen carefully Georgina, my love. I need you and you need me. It’s that simple and it’s good. And I promise it will never be too much for me.”

  “Sure?”

  “Oh baby, not only am I sure, I will be happy to spend my life proving it.”

  “No proving!” she objected.

  Tyler settled into her favorite position, intertwined but leaning up on one elbow to see Georgie’s face. “What would you have me do?” she asked gently. “So, baby, tell me. How can I assure you?”

  “Like this,” she admitted. “Talking…cuddling…making love.”

  “And what about just plain fucking?” Tyler teased.

  “Oh you…bad!” she admonished with a sexy grin then asking sincerely, �
��Is it…what I called you…what I…”

  “Hap? Oh baby I love it but I do have one request. Will you keep it just for us?” At her amused look, Tyler explained, “Marnie and Lori already have a million pet names for me. I don’t want them stealing yours too.”

  “Okay,” Georgie readily agreed, brushing Tyler’s dark hair back from her eyes. “Love you, Hap.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Standing in the foyer just inches from Georgie and Tyler’s front door, Lori backed away, trying desperately to control her nerves. After Zoe’s spilling the beans on their stupid bet, Aydan had refused to speak with her. It had taken a week of emailed explanations before Aydan would even accept a text much less a call. Another week of late night talks until finally she agreed to dinner. Lori wasn’t sure this was a date, but she wasn’t willing to mess up a chance to make things better. Maybe Aydan wasn’t all that interested in her, she didn’t know for sure, but if she was, she didn’t want to miss the chance to show her what kind of woman she really was.

  She paced back and forth, again looking anxiously over the large bouquet of flowers. When she’d asked Marnie for help on that front, she just rolled her eyes and sent her to see Jack. After he stopped laughing, he gave her the number of the florist he used, sharing the fact that it was the same one Georgie now called whenever she was in trouble. It turned out the florist was not only well acquainted with their misdeeds, she admitted to making weekly deliveries to either Marnie or Tyler. Looking over the purple roses critically, Lori did wonder if it was too much, then remembered something Georgie had once shared about not pretending to be something you’re not. And I’m the kind of gal who thinks a woman should have roses, so there! Quickly, forcing herself to breathe, she knocked on the door before she could change her mind.

  Georgie opened it, grinning. “Waiting…downstairs. Both.”

  Groaning, Lori almost dumped the flowers, but knew there was no running from this. “Let me guess. Tyler’s going to make me explain and apologize again?”

  Still grinning, she suggested simply, “Just grovel.”

  “That your advice or experience talking?”

  “Both.”

  Lori didn’t catch sight of Aydan until she was almost down the circular staircase. Caught out by her sheer attractiveness, she missed the last step and stumbled, crashing into Georgie’s back. By some fluke the two of them managed to stay on their feet, pulling themselves together to stand facing their witnesses. Completely humiliated, Lori did the only thing she could think of, handing Aydan the flowers without comment.

  Accepting the bouquet, she seemed as stunned by the entrance as Lori was. Thank goodness for Tyler. “You two,” she accused with amusement. “Georgina, take Ms. Klutzy here over and have a seat, while Aydan and I find a vase.”

  “Wine,” Georgie asked, “my Tyler?”

  “Yes, baby. The bottle’s breathing, go ahead and pour,” she instructed, turning her attention to Aydan and the search for a vase.

  A bottle of cabernet syrah sat open on a tray with four glasses. While Georgie poured the wine, Lori sat down next to her, and in a voice just above a whisper, asked her, “How much trouble am I in here, buddy?”

  “You are okay…just time for…penance.”

  Lori groaned, watching as Aydan and Tyler made their way to the living area. While Tyler carried some sort of appetizers, Aydan carried the vase of purple roses, setting them on a nearby table.

  “Thank you, Lori. They’re lovely,” she offered, accepting her wine. “Have you tried it? I picked it out.”

  Picking up the bottle and examining the label with interest, she asked, “Did you buy this on the big adventure?”

  “Oh, Lori,” Aydan gushed. “It was wonderful. Georgie warned the trip through the Welland Canal would be slow and boring, but I just loved it. There was so much to see and the lift locks! Have you been through those? Of course,” she answered for her. “I’m sure you’ve done it a million times.”

  “Actually, I’ve only done it twice and always with Georgie at the helm. I keep telling her it would be much faster to just head right up the Niagara River.”

  While Georgie laughed at the joke, it was Tyler who teasingly questioned her navigation, while explaining, “And right over Niagara Falls. Now that I want to see you pull off.”

  “Yeah, yeah Tiger, I know you’re much more adventurous than you let on. Why else would you marry the ringleader here?” She watched them all enjoying the conversation. That was a relief; at least they weren’t grilling her for her stupid mistake. It was bad enough she had missed out on the impromptu sailing trip across the border. “So, details, details. How long did it take to get through the canal? Did you make it past Glendale?”

  “Just,” Georgie admitted. “Anchored at three.”

  “Wow, you made it to Lock Three and with Frick and Frack running the show? Please tell me Marnie’s two miscreants were on their best behavior?”

  “They were perfect gentlemen,” Aydan reassured her.

  “Actually,” Tyler elaborated, “they want to use the boat to run charters so Georgie told them she would evaluate them on everything, seamanship, navigation, even hospitality. If they failed one part they failed it all and she wouldn’t give them another chance until next summer.”

  “Wow, cool! Georgie Porgie sets down the law. They must have bellyached about that?”

  “Not a word,” Georgie affirmed.

  “We docked at some little marina by Niagara-on-the-Lake, and cycled over to the winery, actually we went to two of them. They were each only about a mile away—right?” Aydan asked, looking for Tyler or Georgie’s confirmation. “Of course you know that, you’ve done the wine tour thing.”

  “Actually, I haven’t. The two times we sailed over to Lake Ontario, it was to visit Toronto. I thought that’s where you guys were headed.”

  “That was a ruse Georgie and Tyler cooked up to test Marnie’s boys.”

  “That,” Tyler added, “and the fact that it took ages to clear the rest of the locks. I guess that’s what happens when you’re there on a Saturday.”

  “I’m so glad you guys took the boys out for this. Marnie says they’ve really been on her ass, oops rear end, to get checked out to go solo. I can’t believe they pulled it off.”

  Georgie nodded, and Tyler filled in a few details. “Aydan was right, we got to Niagara-on-the-Lake just around noon and docked at this tiny marina, and then Georgie tells them we want steaks for dinner and something fresh, that’s all, and sends them on their way.”

  “Oh my God!” Lori was shaking her head, familiar with all the trouble Danny and Luc could find. “I think that could be construed as an act of war. You do remember you were visiting a foreign country?” She laughed, and clinked her glass against her cousin’s. She then turned to Aydan saying sincerely, “I am so sorry I missed all the fun. I promise it won’t happen again.”

  Making eye contact, they shared a connection for probably longer than appropriate, but it was vital that she take responsibility for those actions that had resulted in her not being included in the little long weekend adventure.

  “Duly noted,” Aydan said, a subtle smile twitching at the corner of her lips.

  Her lips were naturally dark and alluring much like her eyes and it was all Lori could do not to lean over here and now and take her in her arms.

  Tyler stood, reaching for Georgie’s hand. “Come on, baby. We don’t want to be late.”

  “Where are you guys off to? Please don’t run out on my account,” Lori said, not entirely meaning it.

  Georgie shook her head, setting her glass and Tyler’s on the tray, letting Tyler explain. “We are taking my sisters to the movies.”

  “Now?” she asked, checking her watch. It was already after eight.

  “You know how nervous Kira gets about leaving the baby. She thinks it’s better to sneak out to a late show after she’s long asleep.”

  Lori nodded at the logic. “Kira’s a good mom and Ella, I wouldn
’t mind having a few dozen of those running around under foot.”

  “You and Georgie,” Tyler joked, taking Georgie’s hand before explaining to Maggie. “Not tonight little girl, you’re off duty.”

  While the dog listened to Tyler, she did look to Georgie for confirmation. “Stand down.” With just those two words, she trotted back over to the sofa, sliding down to lay across Aydan’s feet.

  Lori stood, offering her farewell. Clearly the dog assumed Aydan was staying in so she would too. Lori waited until they had climbed up the circular stairs and were out of sight before pouring more wine for Aydan and topping her own glass. Almost choking, and forcing herself to meet Aydan’s dark eyes, she admitted, “I’m a little nervous.”

  “Isn’t that interesting? And here I thought that would be my line.”

  Lori sat in silence, cursing herself, forcing herself to say something, anything. At long last she apologized, “Aydan, I am so sorry…”

  “Enough,” she said gently, reaching over to take her hand. “I have listened to all your apologies and frankly I get it. I’m not happy you fell into this whole thing with Zoe, but I’m not mad anymore.”

  “You’re not?”

  “Actually, I’m worried about her,” Aydan said.

  That caught her, not that she was worried about her niece, but that she was confident enough to willingly discuss the underlying situation. “I am too. Ty explained it to me. I’m kind of embarrassed to admit she had to beat some sense into me, but I get it now and I’m worried too.”

  “Tyler is pretty amazing.”

  The jealousy she felt was uncharacteristic. Lori was sure she herself was the only one to blame for this dustup with the kid and subsequently losing time with Aydan. Missing out on the three-day sailing trip had hit her hard, not the outing but the chance to be with this incredible woman. In the last three weeks their emails and then phone calls had become more personal and hopeful with each day. It was all new territory for Aydan and Lori too.

  “I see your look, Lori Ann Phipps. How dare you be jealous of my friend!” It sounded like a challenge but the grin on her face betrayed her amusement.