by C. J. Harte
“God, that feels good.” Teri pulled Mia’s head up. “Come kiss me.”
“I want to kiss all of you.” Mia started with Teri’s eyes, then her chin, and finally landed on her mouth.
CHAPTER FIFTY
Teri couldn’t remember ever being as aroused as she was this moment. Mia’s mouth was consuming her and Mia’s tongue was everywhere. She put her hands on either side of Mia’s face and absorbed the feel of Mia’s tongue exploring. From the moment she had seen Mia naked, Teri’s body began tingling. Mia was gorgeous. Her high, full breasts begged to be tasted. Her rounded hips—Teri couldn’t wait to feel them moving against her. Teri had to touch her. Her mind was numb with all the sensory stimulation. It was so easy to let Mia pull her into bed and initiate the lovemaking. Now, however, Teri needed more than just Mia’s kisses.
She pushed Mia onto her back. “You’re so amazing. I can’t get enough of you.”
“Show me, then.” Mia leaned back against the pillows, a sexy smile on her face. Teri had never known a lover quite like this one.
She nibbled along Mia’s chin and down her neck. Mia’s moans served as encouragement. Teri’s breathing was more ragged. She finally reached Mia’s breast. Her tongue danced around the hardened nipple. Teri’s hand slid down Mia’s stomach, tracing circles until she reached Mia’s thigh. She caressed the inner thigh until Mia’s legs parted. Teri’s fingers teased around Mia’s clit, causing it to stiffen.
Mia’s hips were moving up and down, seemingly chasing Teri’s touch. God, I want this woman. Teri kissed down Mia’s chest and stomach. Her fingers began to stroke Mia’s clit. Mia gasped, her hips began to move faster, and her arms tightened around Teri.
“Teri, I need you to stroke harder and be in me.” She pushed Teri’s hand harder against her.
Teri’s thumb and forefinger pushed harder and gently pulled on Mia’s clit. She slid her hand down until she found Mia’s center. “Damn, you’re so wet. I can’t believe how excited you are.”
“You’ve made me this excited. I need you to fuck me.” Mia’s hips rose to meet her. “Please, I’m getting so close. I need to come.” Mia’s nails were digging into Teri’s back.
“Are you in a hurry?” Teri slid two fingers and then three into Mia. “Is this what you want?” She moved in and out, slowly at first, but soon with increasing speed. “Mia, you feel so good. Let go and let me take you. I need to feel you coming around me.”
Just as she was feeling Mia begin to climax, Teri felt Mia’s hand slide between her own legs. “No. I can’t concentrate.” Teri tried to pull away, but Mia was insistent.
“Who needs to, oh, mmm, concent…oh, trate?”
Teri had been so lost in Mia that she wasn’t aware how close she was to coming until Mia’s hand began to play with her own clit. “Damn.” Teri’s eyes were closed. Her body was heavy with arousal. Mia beneath her was climaxing, tensing around her fingers. Mia’s breathing and soft moans. Everything was driving her over the edge, and there was no way she could hold back. Finally, Mia’s climaxing sent her own body flying.
“Ahhhhhhh.” Teri let go and road the waves. It had been years since she’d had sex with anyone and never had she experienced anything this consuming. She collapsed on the bed and pulled Mia close. It was several minutes before she could breathe enough to speak and even longer for her to control her emotions. She was raw inside and out.
Feelings long dormant were bubbling up. Memories from her childhood. Times with her grandmother when she laughed a lot. Innocent times when she was happy. Times when she and her brother and sister were close.
Teri wiped a tear from her eye.
“Are you okay?” Mia’s voice was soft.
“I’m not sure why, but I was suddenly remembering my childhood.”
Mia was now up on one elbow and looking down at her. Teri didn’t understand what had just happened, but she knew she needed to get control. “I guess it was the fact that I feel safe with you. Suddenly, I was young again, a time when I felt safe.” She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and forced those memories away.
The best way for Teri to forget was to make love to Mia. She could focus on Mia’s body and excitement. Maybe that would put those memories back in the dark recesses.
“I’ve got other things on my mind right now.” She turned onto her side and again began to play Mia’s body. She doubted if either of them would get much sleep tonight, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to lose herself in pale blue eyes. She wanted to drown herself in the scent of Mia’s arousal. She wanted Mia. Nothing mattered but this moment. This woman. Work was a far second, and Teri was happy.
*
Teri looked at the clock. It was nearly three thirty. She had slept for only forty-five minutes, but she felt completely relaxed. Mia was cuddled by her side. So many emotions were rolling around inside her: safe, confused, scared, incredible, relaxed. One feeling overrode all others: cherished. Teri felt cherished.
She brushed her hand through Mia’s hair. It was beginning to grow out. Mia stretched and opened her eyes.
“Good morning,” Mia purred. “It’s been a while since I’ve been up that late. What time is it?”
“Three thirty.”
Mia brushed Teri’s hair back behind her ears. “Any regrets this morning?”
“Why would I have regrets? I’ve been chasing you lately.”
“I’m not remotely related to anything that has to do with your work. Your real work.”
“Ouch. You don’t forget, do you? When I’m with you, work is the farthest thing from my mind. All I want is to see you smile, to hear your voice.”
“You didn’t feel that way in Maine.”
“You’re wrong. You were such a distraction that I had to constantly remind myself I had work to do.”
Mia’s eyes widened. “Well, you did a good job of hiding it. Most of the time I felt I was a nuisance and you couldn’t wait to get away.”
“Most of the time?” Teri couldn’t resist teasing. “And what about the other times?”
“The other times you had me so confused, I didn’t know what to think or expect. Except that I was so determined to forget you that I had to assume you kissing me was an accident.”
The laugh was from the bottom of Teri’s heart. “You’re too much. I can’t imagine anyone thinking a kiss was an accident.” She kissed Mia’s nose and cheeks and finally found her lips. “That morning you dragged to the top of some damn cliff…”
“Mountain,” Mia corrected her.
“Mountain. Your face was already glowing with excitement. When the sun came up and you were dusted in the morning light, you were amazing. I couldn’t help myself. I needed to kiss you to see if you were real. And you were.” She kissed Mia again, this time a long, consuming kiss. “It was the first time in years that I was physically aroused by someone. And it was downhill for me after that.”
“Downhill?” Mia may have intended indignation, but a smile quickly crept out.
“I spent more and more of my time thinking of you and not work.” Her hand slowly rubbed circles down Mia’s body.
“What about the other women in your life?” Teri’s hand was slowly moving closer to Mia’s crotch. “This feels so good.” Mia’s eyes closed. “Mmmmm. It has been so long since I’ve been touched this way.”
“I understand completely. It’s been a really long time for me.”
Mia’s eyes widened. “I seem to remember you having a different beautiful woman at every Stanton function. What are they going to think?”
Teri became serious. “Mia, I haven’t had sex with another woman in years. Not since the night, I…” All the warm feelings of the previous night were fleeing. She sat up. “I owe you an apology.” She felt Mia sitting up next to her, but she couldn’t look at her. “That summer night when I said some terrible things to you. I didn’t know about you being teased. I didn’t know about your friendship with my brother. And I never knew about your crush. It wasn’t you. It wa
s me.”
“I’m confused. What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”
Teri regretted that night, more than Mia could imagine. Her nakedness made her feel more vulnerable. She grabbed shirt and put it on then sat back down. “Up until that night, I put my personal life ahead of business, and I was so damn angry because my parents sent me to deal with you.
“It didn’t take long for me to figure out that I couldn’t combine work and a personal life. At first, I would have sex with women I met in a bar or on a business trip. It wasn’t long before even that stopped. I was ashamed of my behavior long before I knew the truth. Bren and Jeremy told me about what was going on. They insisted on keeping their promise to you, but I insisted. I’m so ashamed of my behavior.”
“Your parents sent you?” Mia’s voice was not as warm.
“They did, and I took my anger out on you.”
A myriad of emotions jogged across Mia’s face. Teri waited. Would these few hours be all she would ever share with Mia? It would be well meted justice that Teri be given a taste of what Mia could mean in her life and then have it snatched away.
“Twenty-four hours ago, I would have been furious. Tonight, I realized I have misjudged you. When I saw you in August, I wanted nothing but to be as far away from you physically and emotionally as I could possibly be. I was just as guilty as you because I attributed mean-spirited reasons for your behavior, even when you were professing your love for me.”
“And now?
“There must be some reason why you keep showing up in my life.” Mia patted the bed. “We still have a little bit of time before I need to get up or we have a little visitor.”
“Mia, you have no idea how bad I felt that night. That’s nothing compared to how I feel now.” Teri brushed a tear away. “There are so many things I’ve screwed up, even with Brenna and Jeremy. Knowing you has helped me to see what I’m missing. I’m sorry, Mia. I’m so sorry.” Teri fought the tears. She sat back on the bed. “There’s nothing I can do to change what happened. I can promise the future will be better.”
“What do you see the future being? What does moving forward mean to you?”
“Without you, I don’t see a future. I don’t want to continue the way I’ve been going. I want to be the kind of person that you could love and be proud of. I want you to feel as cherished and loved as you made me feel last night.”
Mia finally sat next to her. “Teri, what are we going to do?”
Teri reached for her hand. “Be patient with me?” Mia brushed away a tear. “I’m not very good at this emotion thing. Jer and Bren have already given me the lecture. I’m trying.”
“There are definitely times when you are trying.” Mia laughed and squeezed Teri’s hand. “There are other times when I really like you.”
“Then I’m not hopeless?”
“I don’t think anyone is hopeless.” Mia stroked Teri’s hand. It was a tentative link that Teri needed. “I’ve just realized something. You’re right. I was a kid. A young, idealistic, romantic, hopelessly in love teenager. I put you on a pedestal. I knew nothing about you except that you were beautiful and elegant and so much more sophisticated than I could ever be. I was in love with an image. The night you knocked yourself off the pedestal rocked my world and shattered all my illusions. I didn’t know how to handle it.”
“So what have you decided? Do you hate me?”
“No! Teri, look at me.” Teri did, her hands trembling. “I realized that I had to let go of that old Teri to see you for the person you really are.”
“And?”
“And I prefer reality to the image.”
Teri captured Mia’s lips. Her heart was soaring. She finally felt as if there was hope. Teri pulled Mia back down on the bed. “You make me so happy.” She nibbled Mia’s neck.
“Then show me, because I am getting very excited. You’ll quickly find out there are some areas of my life that I have no patience.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Mia was humming in the shower. She felt light and carefree. It was the first time since before Natalie’s death. Teri’s lovemaking had been slow and deliberate. Mia could still feel Teri’s lips and hands on her body.
She turned the water off and grabbed a towel. “I better get dressed and start breakfast fast.” Her knees were barely keeping her upright. Just thinking of Teri had her close to orgasm. Mia dressed quickly and nearly ran to the kitchen.
Coffee on, Mia sat quietly in the sunroom. She was only a few blocks from the train station into the city, yet far enough out to look at trees and yard and sky. The hustle and stress of New York seemed so far away.
“Good morning.” Teri leaned over and kissed her. “I’ll get coffee and be right back.” Teri smelled like shampoo. Mia liked the clean scent.
“I’m beginning to understand why you like to sit quietly in the morning.” Teri sat next to her, her face all smiles.
“It’s incredibly relaxing. And you are certainly smiling.” She patted Teri’s leg with her left hand while balancing her coffee with the right.
“How’s your hand doing?”
“I think I’ve regained full functioning. What do you think?”
Teri’s eyes grew wide. She started to speak several times, but no words came out. Mia couldn’t believe the indomitable Theresa Stanton was speechless.
Mia ran her hand up the inside of Teri’s thigh. “For once, I have the last word?”
Teri was leaning back against the loveseat with her eyes closed. “If you don’t stop, we both may be speechless soon.”
Mia put her hands around her coffee cup. She barely suppressed a grin. “I love you.”
Teri stared at her in amazement. “I have wanted to hear you say those three words.” Teri turned so that she was completely facing Mia. “In the last few months, my life has changed because of you. I dream about you, I think about you, I plan with you. I’m not sure what it means to make time, but I know that I don’t want to think of a future without you.” Teri reached into her pocket. “Mia Daniels, will you marry me?” She pulled the ring out of the box and held it up.
Mia smiled. “You’ve already asked me.”
‘I know, but I really mean it, and you haven’t said yes.” Teri removed the cup from Mia’s hands. She held the ring and Mia’s left hand. “I will keep asking you until you give me an answer. If you say no, I won’t ask anymore, but I won’t go away until you tell me to. So I’ll ask again. Mia Daniels, will you marry me?”
“Did you plan on asking me this morning? Is that why you have the ring in your pocket?”
“No. I’ve had it with me all day, every day, since I asked you. Just in case. You still haven’t answered me. Will you marry me, Mia Louisa Daniels?”
“Why are you so determined? Why me?” Mia put her empty cup down.
“Because I am utterly enchanted by you. I’m so in love that I can’t think of anything or anyone but you. I’ve never even considered getting married, but now…now, I want to stand in front of everyone and let them see how lucky I am. That is, if you agree to marry me. We can get married in New York.”
Mia was silent and in awe. Finally, she smiled, letting the love she felt show. “In that case, Theresa Marie Stanton, I’ll say yes.”
“Yes?” Teri seemed surprised.
“Yes.” Teri sat staring for several moments. “I think this is where you put the ring on or give me the ring.”
Teri reached for Mia’s hand and put the ring on. “Thank you,” she whispered. She pulled Mia into an embrace. “Thank you,” this time louder. “I love you so much.” Teri began to laugh. “I can’t believe how happy I feel. How happy you make me. When do you want to get married? I would say today so that I could be sure you wouldn’t change your mind.”
“Slow down.” Mia laughed. She kissed Teri on each cheek, then a kiss of promise on the lips.
“How about next month? Before Christmas? Your brother and his wife will be here. Your whole family will be together. I know
Brenna will be around, and I know for a fact that Jeremy wouldn’t miss this for anything.”
“What’s all the racket?” Mia’s father walked in, his pajamas hanging on a much thinner frame. “Is something wrong?”
“Mia has finally agreed to marry me.”
“About damn time.”
Mia stood next to her father. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
His look became solemn. He put his arm around her. “No, my love. I just want to be well enough to walk you down the aisle.”
Mia reached for Teri’s hand. “Dad, you’re going to be around for a long time.”
“Mia, no one knows how long I’ll be here. I do know that I’m here now and I’m upright.” He turned toward Teri. “It would make me very happy to walk you both down the aisle.”
“Sir, I would be honored.”
Mia’s father hugged them both. “Let me go wake up Lisa and tell her the good news. Nothing makes her happier than planning a wedding and interfering in her children’s lives.”
As soon as her father was out of the room, Mia said, “Now, look what you’ve started.” She was smiling as she kissed Teri.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
“I’ve started the best part of my life, and I agree with your dad. Let’s wake up your mom and then go fix breakfast. I’m starving.” Teri put an arm around Mia’s shoulder and walked with her into the kitchen. “Do you want me to make more coffee? If you show me how, I’m sure I can handle it.” Her grin was rewarded with a beautiful smile. Mia was capturing her heart and soul. Teri was in awe of her feelings and how lucky she felt that Mia loved her. There was so much she had learned about Mia, and, yet, so much she had to learn. What she knew now was that Mia was warm, loving, generous, and one of the most caring people. She no longer doubted her depth. Even more, Mia made her happy. Mia might drive her crazy, at times, but she wouldn’t want it any other way.
The coffee turned out perfectly, and Teri was almost as proud of her efforts as if she had negotiated a business deal. “That was easy.”