by Lydia Rose
“Sure. I’d love to help.” She squeezed Riley’s hand. “I can’t believe you are really doing it this time.”
“I’m sure you will be happy to have your own privacy. Finally.”
“You know I don’t care about that. I’m happy for you, honey.”
Over the next two hours the women chose flooring, cabinets, appliances and all the touches that would complete the house.
“Now all I have to do is fax this to the builder.”
The door opened and a runner from next door came in with a bag of food. “I ordered us a late lunch,” Ava said taking the bag from the boy. “I figured this way, if you girls wanted to do something tonight, you wouldn’t have to stop for dinner.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Thank you, Ava. This was very sweet of you.”
After lunch, Shelby stood up. “I better get out of here so you two can get back to work.” She looked at Riley. “I’ll see you later?”
“As soon as I finish up here today, I’ll go home and change. I should be at your place around six.”
Shelby squeezed Riley’s shoulder. She wanted to kiss her, but Ava was sitting there.
Ava stood up. “Go ahead and kiss her, Riley so the girl can get on her way.” She turned to give them privacy.
They both smiled at each other and their lips came together in a soft kiss. “I’ll see you soon.”
Shelby nodded. “Goodbye, Ava.”
“Bye, dear.”
Riley collected her things in order to send the information out. Then she walked over to her mother. “Okay. I really like her. Is that what you are waiting to hear/”
Riley smiled. “Yes,” she said chuckling as she went back to her desk.
*
Riley hurried to close the office and rushed home to shower and change. She became overheated again as she rushed to see Shelby. “Hi,” she said stopping short as she got to the boat.
“Let me get you something to drink. You look like you can use it.” Shelby got up from her chair and went to the door. When she turned from the refrigerator, Riley was standing right there. “Hi,” she said softly as she handed the cold water to her.
“Thanks,” Riley answered taking the bottle, but her eyes never left Shelby’s face. “I missed you.” Her lips quickly stole a kiss. “I can’t seem to stop kissing you.”
Shelby dropped her hands on Riley’s shoulders. “I am quite okay with it,” she said sinking her eyes into the woman in front of her. She could smell her soap and even the light sheen of sweat on Riley’s body. All these senses pulled at the butterflies in her stomach. “What would you like to do this evening?” she asked looking into the green eyes that seemed to darken.
“I think what we are doing right now is fine with me.” She stole another kiss from Shelby.
Shelby laughed. “You want to spend the evening standing right here kissing?”
Riley looked around. “The sofa might be more comfortable.” She took her hand and led her into the small cabin. As they took their seats, she asked, “Unless you want to do something else?”
Shelby smiled. “No. I think this might be nice.” She reached for the remote and put on some soft music before her lips found Riley’s in the soft light.
Their kisses almost became desperate the longer they continued. Riley desperately wanted to touch Shelby’s skin, but she knew if she did, there would be no stopping her. Out of breath, she pulled away from Shelby. “If I don’t stop, I am going to go up in flames.” A soft giggle tickled her ear. “And that is not making it any easier.” Riley moved to the end of the couch. “So your parents are gone. Do you have any siblings?” she asked trying to get her body to cool down.
“Yes. I told you I have a sister in Ohio.” Shelby got up and grabbed two bottles of water from the refrigerator. “That’s why it was easy to leave North Carolina behind. I wasn’t leaving anyone behind.” She twisted off the cap and took a sip.
“So your ex hasn’t found you?” Riley asked not wanting to say his name.
“No. Hopefully, he’s forgotten about me and he is another woman’s problem right now.”
“How long were you with him?” Riley knew talking about Shelby’s ex would certainly contain her arousal.
“Too long. I knew our relationship was over for a long time, but every time I tried to break it off,” Shelby shook her head, “he turned on the charm and kept me coming back.”
“Have you been with a lot of men?” The moment she asked the question, she knew it was a mistake.
“How many women have you been with?” Shelby asked with more emotion than she intended.
“I’m sorry. It’s none of my business. Our past is just that, the past. I don’t know about you, but I’m going to pretend that I’m your first.”
Shelby moved closer to Riley. “Well, you are my first woman,” she said running her finger down the front of Riley’s shirt.
Riley thought her eyes were going to roll back in her head as Shelby’s fingers made a trail over the edge of her breast. The nipple immediately stood at attention and Shelby’s eyes opened wide not believing she had caused that.
“Did I do that?” Shelby asked still running that finger lightly over her neck and then back to her chest.
“Yes,” she answered breathlessly. “As much as I want you to keep doing that, I promised I wouldn’t rush you.”
“You aren’t rushing me,” she said still amazed that her fingers could have such an effect on Riley’s body.
Riley grabbed her hand taking it off her body. “I don’t think you realize what effect you’re having on me.”
“Your body is so expressive,” she said staring at Riley’s breasts. “I can’t believe I can get you excited with just my finger.” Shelby automatically licked her lips. “I can’t wait to see what I can do with the rest of my hand.”
Riley stood up quickly. “Maybe we should take a walk or sit outside.”
“Are you afraid to be alone with me?” Shelby asked in a seductive voice.
“Yes I am.” Riley took her hand and led her outside. Randy and Alice were sitting on their boat when they came through the door. “Hi, you two. It’s a nice night tonight.”
“Hi, Riley,” Alice said and then watched as Shelby came outside. “Hello, Shelby.”
“Hello,” she said handing the bottle of water to Riley that she had left inside.
“I just brought out a pot of coffee. Why don’t the two of you come over? I also have some cookies that I made earlier.”
Riley looked at Shelby who nodded her agreement. They now jumped off one boat onto the other. “Thanks. We had a late lunch, but I’m ready for dessert,” Riley said taking one of the seats on the deck.
Alice poured the coffee and placed the cookies in the middle of the small table.
“Randy, have you been fishing?”
“I went this morning. Caught two nice size ones.” Randy licked his lips. “We had them for dinner this evening.”
“I hear rumors that you are finally going to build that house,” Alice said looking at a surprised Riley.
“I didn’t tell her,” Shelby said quickly.
“No, honey. You didn’t tell me. It was your mom, Riley.”
“Mom’s incapable of keeping a secret,” Riley said laughing. “It’s true, Alice. Mom and Shelby helped me pick out the interior stuff for the house.”
Alice looked at Shelby before her eyes went back to Riley’s face. “You’re lucky to have them help you make those choices.”
“I know. I’m terrible at that stuff and Shelby has such a great eye. Between her and my mother, the house is going to be beautiful.”
Alice didn’t miss the looks the two women were sharing between them. “Maybe Shelby can help you pick out the furniture for inside when the time comes.”
Riley looked at Shelby smiling. “I would love it if she would give up her time for that.”
“I’ll help you any time you want me,” Shelby answered smiling into the green eyes. S
he watched as they darkened again.
Riley became aroused again just hearing the way Shelby offered her services. They were so lost in looking at each other that it was Alice clearing her throat that brought them out of their trance.
“So are you two dating?” Alice finally asked.
Riley waited for Shelby to answer. She didn’t know how comfortable she would feel telling other people. So she waited for her response.
“We are, Alice,” Shelby answered proudly. If she was going to do this, she was not going to hide her relationship from the outside world.
“How nice. You two make a nice looking couple,” Alice said smiling.
Riley noticed Randy didn’t comment, but Alice seemed sincere. “What can I say, I’m a lucky woman.”
Randy finally spoke up. “If beautiful women like you keep getting together, there aren’t going to be any women left for us men.”
He said it so seriously that the three women just burst out laughing.
“It’s true,” Randy reiterated.
“Don’t worry, dear,” Alice said patting her husband’s hand. “There are plenty of heterosexual women out there for all you men.”
Again the women laughed. “I’m going to watch the ball game,” he said getting up in a huff.
“Don’t worry about him, girls. When our daughter told us she was gay, Randy took it hard. He didn’t understand it and it’s taken him a long time to come to terms with it. Linda is married to a lovely woman and Randy thinks of her as another daughter.” Alice now turned toward Shelby. “But I thought you were straight.”
Her words caused Shelby to almost choke on the cookie she had in her mouth. When she swallowed the food, she answered, “I guess not so much.” She took Riley’s hand in her own. “This woman has made me realize what has been wrong in all my past relationships.” Shelby shrugged, “I’m just grateful to have found her.”
The women talked and laughed for such a long time, Riley finally looked at her watch. “It’s ten-thirty. I’m sorry we kept you up so late, Alice.”
“Don’t be silly. I enjoyed talking with you ladies.”
“Let us help you clean up, Alice,” Shelby said reaching for the tray.
“Don’t be silly. You two go on.”
“Will you walk me to the bathrooms?” Shelby asked Riley.
“Sure.” She turned to Alice. “Thank you, Alice for your hospitality.”
“Good night, girls.”
“Good night,” they both said getting off the boat and walked hand in hand to the bathrooms.
“Do you want me to wait out here?” Riley asked dropping Shelby’s hand.
“You can come in,” she answered pulling Riley by the hand inside. Shelby went into one of the stalls and Riley stood at the sink waiting.
“If I told you I thought you peeing is turning me on, would you think that’s creepy?” Then she laughed and covered her mouth with her hand. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”
The toilet flushed and she opened the stall door. “Too late,” she said kissing her lips softly before washing her hands. They got to Shelby’s dock and she stopped walking. “You don’t have to walk me back to the boat. I know you have to get up early.” In the dim light she leaned forward and kissed Riley again with such passion. “Sleep well.”
“How am I going to sleep after a kiss like that?” Riley asked wanting to follow her back to the boat.
Shelby laughed and turned toward the dock. “Good night, Riley.” Shelby stopped walking and turned to blow a kiss to her.
Riley watched her walk until she got onto the boat and disappeared inside.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Ava and Riley went about their work with Ava chatting about how much she liked Shelby. “She is going to be so good for you, Riley.”
“Don’t jinx me, Mom. We haven’t even...” Riley paused embarrassed. “You know.”
“Are you afraid that she won’t like it or be disappointed?” Ava asked softly.
“Well, yeah. I mean she has known nothing but straight sex, Mom.” Riley no longer felt embarrassed. She needed to tell her fears to someone. Even if it was her mother.
“Riley, is two women loving each other that different than what a man and a woman do?”
“Duh, yeah. I don’t have the equipment that Shelby is used to having.”
Ava suddenly laughed. “You know that certain equipment doesn’t always do it for a woman?” Riley shrugged. “Trust me when I say if you love this woman, she will feel that and everything else will just fall into place.”
“I wish I had your confidence, Mom.” Riley stared out the window trying to believe her words.
“I read a lesbian romance once,” Ava said looking at her computer screen.
“What?”
“Don’t sound so shocked. I just wanted to understand. Understand why you are the way you are.”
“Did you come to a conclusion?” Riley asked smirking.
“I did. You love the smell of a woman, her touch, and a woman completes you.” Ava now looked up and looked at Riley. “The sex was hot too.”
Riley groaned and covered her face with her hands. “Stop, Mom.”
“There is nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“It’s not just the smell and touch of a woman, Mom. It is the way a woman makes me feel. I don’t mean in a sexual way. It is just the way it is supposed to be for me.”
“I’m sure Shelby will feel the same way.”
Riley’s phone chimed. “It’s Shelby. She wants me to have dinner with her tonight on the boat.”
“What are you waiting for? Tell her yes.”
Riley typed into her phone a big yes.
“See, Riley. Shelby misses you.”
“I miss her too.”
“Go see her then.”
Riley shook her head. “I don’t want to seem needy.” She laughed. “Even though I feel that when I am away from her.”
“Love feels good, doesn’t it? It certainly looks good on you,” Ava said chuckling.
“I thought I would know what this feeling would feel like, but I had no idea. Half the time I feel as though I’m walking on air and the other half desperate.” Riley stopped smiling. “I don’t know if I could stand it if she decided this life wasn’t for her.”
“You fell fast and hard for this woman,” Ava said trying not to criticize.
“I know, Mom. There was just something about her. The first time I met her something stirred within me. Even when I thought she was a snob and looked at me as if I were a bug, there was just something there. Do you think I’m crazy?”
“Some people just look at each other and know. Others take a long time to fall in love. There is no right or wrong way to fall in love, Riley. That much I know.”
*
Riley walked over to Shelby’s boat after work. She had not seen her during the day and she wondered if Shelby had hidden out on the boat all day. Her knock was immediately answered and she was met by a brilliant smile awaiting her. “Hi,” she said as she stepped into the cabin.
Shelby took her arm and pulled her inside. “Hi. I thought you would never get here.”
“You could have stopped in to see me during the day.”
“I thought about that, but it only would have made me more nervous about tonight?”
“Why?” Riley scratched her head. “What’s happening tonight?”
Shelby raised an eyebrow and leaned in for a soft kiss. “More of these,” she said kissing her again.
“Oh,” Riley said finally smiling at the woman standing before her. “But you don’t have to be nervous, Shelby. I’m just happy to be here with you.”
“I know you are, but I’ve been thrumming inside and it’s all because of you,” she said looking at the floor. Shelby couldn’t believe she was admitting this to Riley. How much she wanted to be with this woman. Shelby had never felt this before with anyone else, but she wanted this woman desperately.
Riley moved closer and put h
er arms around Shelby. She leaned down and kissed the tip of Shelby’s nose. “I’m here for whatever you want from me. I just want you to know there is no pressure.”
“Good because I feel as though I could bounce off the walls.” She pulled on Riley’s hand. “Let’s sit down and have dinner.”
The meal was filled with long gazes and light touches. Shelby feeling the room getting too hot, began a conversation. “What happens here for the 4th of July?”
“My mom makes a turkey and we make some side dishes. The rest of the group will bring side dishes and someone provides hamburgers.”
“What should I bring?” Shelby asked laying her hand on Riley’s thigh.
Riley hissed at the contact and swallowed the saliva that filled her mouth. “Uh, you might want to ask Alice what people normally bring.”
“Don’t you attend?” Riley nodded at her question and Shelby chuckled. “But you don’t know what most of the sides are?”
“No. I don’t pay that much attention to that stuff.”
Shelby picked up their plates. “Why don’t you go into the lounge and I’ll get these things cleaned up.”
“I could help,” Riley offered.
Shelby smiled. “No. I think you would only distract me. Go relax. You worked all day.”
Riley walked over to the couch and stretched out watching Shelby go about washing dishes and putting things away. Her eyes couldn’t help travel over the figure that she thought was perfect and look forward to the day when she would see that body naked. Closing her eyes to block out that image and tried to slow her heart. When her eyes opened, Shelby was walking toward her. She now patted the cushion next to her and slid back to make room for Shelby.
Shelby got onto the couch and Riley wrapped her arm around her to bring her closer to her body. “Thanks for dinner. It was good.”
“I like cooking for you,” Shelby said placing her hand on top of the one that held her around the middle. They laid there quietly for a short while before Shelby turned her body around so she was facing Riley. “As much as that felt good for you to hold me, I want to kiss you.” She smiled. “I certainly couldn’t do that facing the other way.” Her hand went to the back of Riley’s neck and she pulled her into a deep sensuous kiss. Over and over they kissed until they had to separate to breathe. “My god, Riley.” She touched her finger to her lips. “You are such a good kisser. I have never felt so aroused by just kissing someone.”