“I believe you owe me a kiss,” Erin said softly.
Carson looked at her in surprise. Erin had a lopsided grin on her face and one eyebrow was raised in a challenging fashion.
Carson was more than happy to take up the challenge and raised her own eyebrow in response. She reached for Erin’s hand and raised it to her lips. Carson placed a tender kiss on Erin’s knuckles. “I believe I do.”
It was time to go and they were both more than ready. Window-shopping was forgotten in the rush to get back to the Lexus. Packages were stored in the back seat, and then Carson pulled away from the parking lot and out into traffic.
Erin’s soft hand startled Carson when she placed it on Carson’s leg. Carson jerked slightly and then looked apologetically at Erin. “Sorry, nervous I guess.”
“Backing down?”
There was still a bit of challenge there and it made Carson smile again. “Not a chance.”
Carson parked next to Erin’s car and waited while she retrieved her packages. Then Carson followed Erin up to her apartment. Very little was said as both of them started to feel a little nervous. Even Erin, who was more experienced, seemed suddenly shy, and Carson wondered if it was too early for this. Then they were at the apartment and Erin had opened the door. She turned to look at Carson expectantly, and Carson made a sudden decision.
The whole floor was part of Erin’s apartment so there was no other traffic in the hall. Carson still wanted to kiss Erin, but if she followed Erin into her apartment Carson was afraid she wouldn’t be able to control herself.
What if she sees how clumsy I am and changes her mind about getting involved with me?
Erin sat her packages on the floor inside the door and turned toward her. “Are you coming in?”
Carson startled herself when she grabbed Erin by both arms and pulled her close. Her lips pressed against Erin’s long enough to feel the softness and heat. The feelings that kissing Erin generated were so much more than Carson had expected. Her lips tingled, and her stomach clenched. Finally, her nerves won out.
Carson pulled away quickly. “I should go.”
“Oh, no you don’t.”
Erin’s voice was smokier than Carson had ever heard it, and shivers traveled up her spine just before strong hands tangled in her hair. Erin pulled Carson toward her and into the foyer. Their lips met again and Carson’s eyes closed as she followed Erin’s lead.
Erin kicked the door closed and then pressed Carson back against it as she gentled the kiss. Carson was glad for the support behind her and thought her legs would have collapsed if she hadn’t had the structure to lean against. Then she didn’t think about anything else but the feel of Erin’s mouth.
Carson unconsciously ran her hands lightly across Erin’s back to explore the warm flesh and heated curves. The kiss was exquisite, soft and gentle at first so that Carson could hardly feel Erin’s lips. Carson thought Erin was being careful not to frighten her, but she suddenly wanted more. Her hands clasped Erin harder and communicated her need. Erin responded to Carson’s insistence as she slowly caressed the full, slightly parted lips with her tongue.
Lazily, they explored one another’s lips, tongues and teeth until the passion between them began to escalate. Carson could feel Erin shake as she tried to control her ardor and allow Carson the opportunity to stop if she wanted to, but it only made Carson want her more.
Carson became more eager, and pulled Erin’s firm body tightly against her. She whimpered as Erin’s mouth moved to her neck and nipped the smooth skin lightly, sending little shivers across her flesh. Erin tightened her hold and returned to Carson’s lips. Just when Carson thought she would pass out from a lack of oxygen Erin released her and slowly drew away.
“Do you want to stay?”
Carson stiffened and then forced herself to relax. “I do want to stay. I want to be with you, but....”
“It’s too soon. I understand,” Erin said gently. “Will you call me tomorrow?”
Carson could only nod wordlessly. Then she swallowed and pulled Erin against her in a tight hug. “Thank you, for understanding.”
Erin turned her head and kissed Carson’s cheek gently. “There’s no rush, Carson. I’m here when you’re ready.”
Reluctantly Carson let Erin go and spent a moment looking down into her loving face. “Goodnight,” she said finally and walked out the door.
After the door closed, Erin slumped against it and closed her eyes. She could still smell Carson’s perfume, and taste the sweetness of her lips. She remembered the soft sounds Carson made when lost in passion and her stomach clenched helplessly.
Oh God, why did I let her leave? I should have shown her how wonderful making love can be. Now, I’ll have a cold shower and hot dreams to look forward to.
But, Carson was worth it, and Erin knew she would wait as long as it took. She could only hope Carson didn’t want to wait very long.
Chapter Twelve
CARSON WAITED FOR as long as possible on Saturday morning to call Erin. Finally, at ten o’clock she couldn’t stand it anymore. Surely, ten o’clock was late enough and Erin would be up by now.
The events of last night played repeatedly in her mind. She had only meant to kiss Erin quickly and leave, just to familiarize herself with the feel of Erin’s lips and break the ice between them. Both of them felt the attraction, of that she was sure, but the longer things went on without a physical connection the more tension developed.
Carson thought if she kissed Erin quickly she could leave with the tension broken and a new bond established. Erin had other ideas, and after that first press of lips wouldn’t let Carson just walk away.
Her stomach tightened in remembered passion and Carson stumbled against the kitchen counter. She braced her hands against the cool surface and let the events play again in her head. Erin had shoved her passionately back against the door and explored her mouth thoroughly while Carson had been helpless to do anything but cling to her. When it was done, Carson’s blood pumped with fire and all she wanted was to make love to Erin.
The minor attraction to a track athlete in college dimmed in comparison to the raw and savage pleasure Erin could generate with just a touch or a look, and Carson understood the difference between a crush and being in love.
That was the moment I realized that I was falling in love.
Carson smiled and closed her eyes as she relived Erin’s passionate embrace again. The knowledge that she was in love for the first time was like some kind of rite of passage, as if she was finally an adult. It was silly, but that was the way it was.
Christmas was only a few days away, and she wanted nothing more than to spend that special day with Erin. But, I wonder if she already has plans?
Carson walked out into the living room and sat on the leather sofa. The phone was an arm’s length away, and it only took a moment to reach a decision. She would just have to find out if Erin had plans, and if not, find a way to get Erin to spend the day with her.
She had only called Erin at home once, but that was enough for her numbers-oriented brain to remember the sequence. Carson dialed it without thought and the call was picked up halfway through the first ring. Had Erin been waiting for her call?
“Carson?”
Carson smiled into the phone. Apparently, Erin had caller id, and was eager to speak with her.
“Hi,” Carson said breathlessly. “How did you sleep?”
“Better than I have for a very long time. You?”
Thoughts of her erotic dreams flashed through Carson’s mind, and she blushed unseen across the connection. Her dreams had given her a glimpse of Erin’s bare flesh, coral nipples and a flash of red hair at the apex of her thighs. Carson dreamt of things she had never experienced, and her bare toes tingled from the mental images.
“I had very good dreams,” she answered honestly.
Erin chuckled. “I know exactly what you mean.”
It was so easy to fall into this flirting banter, and Carson was pleas
ed that neither of them sought to deny what had happened last night.
“So what are you doing today,” Erin asked.
“Nothing special. I haven’t spent much time at home lately, so I just thought I’d stay here today. I might take a walk or do some reading. This afternoon I’ll have to go shopping for a turkey, but other than that I intend to be here.”
“You’re going to make a turkey for Christmas? Are you having guests?”
Erin sounded surprised and Carson remembered that she didn’t like to cook. Perhaps this was the opportunity she had been looking for.
“No, no guests. I just always make a turkey. I feel Christmas is a special day and should be celebrated, even if I do it alone. What about you? Any plans for tomorrow?”
“Not for tomorrow. Unfortunately, I told Ray that I would go to his house tonight. They have to drive to Dayton to see Martha’s parents tomorrow, but she wanted to have a small gathering before they did the family thing. To be honest I think she just felt sorry for me. Usually I just spend Christmas day working at home in my office.”
That was all the invitation Carson needed. Erin had no plans for tomorrow or Christmas day, and the success of her plan hinged on not giving Erin time to back out.
“So you have no plans other than tonight?”
“No, why?”
“This year will not be spent working,” Carson said quickly. “I will pick you up at twelve o’clock tomorrow, and you will spend the holiday with me.”
Stunned silence greeted her, but then Erin said, “I will?”
“Yes. You can help me decorate the tree, and then on Christmas day we will open gifts and have turkey for dinner.”
“But that means...”
“It means that you will spend the night here.”
“Carson...” Erin sputtered.
“I will see you at noon. Don’t forget to pack a bag.”
Carson could hear Erin stammer across the connection, but hung up before she could refuse.
Doubts assailed Carson after she ended the call. What if Erin didn’t want to spend the day with her? Had she just gone too far, and pushed her away? What would she do if Erin called back and told her she wasn’t coming?
If that happened she would deal with it, Carson decided. Until then she had a hundred things to do. She didn’t even have a tree yet, much less decorations or brightly colored gifts. Usually she just made the traditional turkey dinner and left it at that. So much for her walk!
With so many things to do, Carson would need help, and she could think of only one person to call. She picked up the phone and dialed Joyce’s number. It rang four times and just when Carson decided her friend wasn’t home, Joyce answered.
“Hello?”
The older woman sounded a little flustered, and Carson spared a hope that she hadn’t interrupted anything, but her own panic overrode any other concerns.
“Hi, Joyce. It’s Carson. Are you free today?”
“Well, I was just going to clean my carpets. I’ve already got the shampoo out.”
“Good, so you’re not busy. Can you go shopping with me?”
“Huh? Carson slow down, you sound like you’re freaking out.”
Carson took a deep breath and explained what happened. By the time she finished Joyce was in almost hysterical laughter.
“Oh, that’s good. You just steam rolled over your new girlfriend before you thought about the consequences. That is so not like you.”
Carson waited a few seconds for Joyce’s laughter to taper off again. “She is not my girlfriend, well, at least not yet. Now are you going to help me or not?”
“Are you kidding? I’ve been waiting years for you to hook up so I could give you a hard time about it. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Pick me up in an hour, and we’ll go to that little Christmas tree lot on Sheridan Road. Jeremy says they have a lot of really nice trees to choose from.”
“Thank you, Joyce. I owe you one.”
“Yes, you do. And don’t think I’ll let you forget it.”
Joyce hung up without saying goodbye. That was typical of her friend, and Carson thought nothing of it as she rushed to get dressed. She was still in her robe and pajamas, and it would take twenty minutes to get to Joyce’s apartment.
EXACTLY ONE HOUR later, Carson pulled up in front of the apartment building on Prince Street. Joyce was already outside with a huge grin on her face, and Carson knew she was in for it. Joyce would be having fun at her expense for the foreseeable future.
The door opened and Joyce climbed up in the Lexus. For a moment, all Carson could see was the top of her salt and pepper head. Then she saw the flash of white teeth and steeled herself for the first comment.
“So, did you decide what to get your girlfriend for Christmas? She’s no slouch, you know.”
“I am very well aware of that fact,” Carson said dryly. “Perhaps we could start with the tree and go from there?”
“In other words you have no idea what to get her.” Joyce burst out laughing while Carson pulled out into traffic. “This is going to be fun!”
Carson rolled her eyes. Fun for whom?
They spent all day shopping. Carson settled on a seven-foot tree, but Joyce insisted that she purchase a Douglas fir because they were a fuller-looking tree. The lot attendant tied it to the roof of the Lexus and Carson was glad she had purchased the optional luggage rack that would protect the paint job.
“Don’t forget the tree stand,” Joyce reminded her.
After that they drove to the mall where Carson purchased so many tree decorations that Joyce was in stitches again, and claimed the tree would never hold that many lights, tinsel, or ornaments. Outside colored lights and yard décor were added to the purchase before they left the Christmas shop. Both of them were loaded with bags and the women had to go back to the SUV to unload before they went back in.
“Don’t you think you’re overdoing it a little here,” Joyce asked at one point.
Carson shrugged. “Too many decorations are better than too few. Besides, I don’t know what Erin likes.”
“So you want to cover all your bases, is that it?”
The computer exec ignored Joyce’s double meaning, and walked toward the food court. “Are you hungry?”
They went to the small pseudo Chinese kiosk and got some lunch. After they sat down to eat, Joyce questioned her again about the gift for Erin. Carson already knew what she had in mind and mentioned the idea to her friend. Joyce steered her toward a high-end stationary store at the back of the mall and eventually Carson had just the thing she’d been looking for. They were almost out of the mall when something else caught her eye. Part of the joy of Christmas was opening gifts, and she wanted to get Erin something else.
Joyce’s delighted laugh followed Carson into the store, but at least her friend refrained from any comments.
Once finished with the shopping spree, Carson suggested a stop by the market to pick up her turkey, and all the trimmings. Throughout the entire day, Joyce gamely went along with all suggestions, even coming up with a few of her own along the way without complaint. Joyce also recommended spiced rum, eggnog and mistletoe.
Joyce looked at her funny when Carson blushed at the mention of mistletoe, but Carson wordlessly walked away and refused to elaborate.
Finally, Carson had everything on her list as well as several other things that hadn’t been listed. In fact, the SUV was so loaded she was convinced they couldn’t have fit anything else inside if they tried. It was almost dark when she pulled up in front of Joyce’s building.
“Thanks for the day,” Joyce said grinning. “I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time.”
“Glad you enjoyed yourself,” Carson responded dryly. Then she stopped Joyce with a touch on the arm before she could get out of the car. “Wait a minute. I have something for you.”
Curious Joyce turned back toward her. Carson pulled a small gold wrapped box from beneath her seat and handed it to her best friend. “Merry Christmas
.”
“What’s this?”
The question was rhetorical. Joyce took the small box and eagerly ripped it open to reveal a baby blue box with a white ribbon. Joyce was quiet for the first time since Carson had known her as she opened the box to see what was inside. Then she looked up with a suspicious glint in her eyes.
“Carson?”
“You are the best friend I have ever had,” Carson said softly. “Even when I was considered the class geek you were there for me, and have always been someone I could count on. I consider you family, Joyce.”
Joyce leaned across the leather seats and hugged Carson close. She wasn’t a woman given to physical gestures, and Carson realized how moved she was by the present.
Joyce pulled back and took the Rolex out of the box. She carefully strapped the heavy, silver watch to her wrist before she looked back up at Carson.
“You really are a special person. I hope Erin realizes what a lucky woman she is. Merry Christmas, Carson.”
“Merry Christmas, Joyce.”
Joyce got out of the Lexus but before she closed the door she said, “Have fun unloading all that stuff by yourself.”
Visions of unloading the tree alone flashed through Carson’s mind and her eyes went wide. The sound of Joyce’s laugh rang in her ears long after she drove away from Prince Street.
It was completely dark by the time Carson finished unloading the car. When she unloaded the tree it scraped against the side of the Lexus, and Carson was afraid she had scratched the paint. She complained all the while, and thought she should have waited until she unpacked before taking Joyce home.
Eventually everything was inside and Carson struggled to set the tree into the stand before she filled the basin with water. Now where would be the best place for it? Maybe Erin would enjoy it beside the fireplace.
Carson dragged the whole contraption a few feet, and moved the Persian rug out of the way. When she stood back to survey her handiwork, she thought it was perfect. The groceries were put away, and the wine was in the chiller. The tree ornaments were stacked neatly in a corner, and all there was left was to wrap Erin’s gifts and put them out of sight until the tree was decorated.
Now You See Me Page 16