by Jea Hawkins
“I know, but wouldn’t it be terribly fun to do something so naughty, knowing there are people just outside?” Crystal drew her back away from the middle of the store, toward the back. “There’s always the sofa again. I think it misses us,” she said with another giggle and a light kiss on Emma’s lips.
“The sofa… oh yes, where we let guests and customers sit, even though we already used it for lovemaking.” Even as she said it, Emma was running her hands down from Crystal’s shoulders and over her breasts. The softness filled her palms and she squeezed slightly.
“Floor. When was the last time we had sex on a floor?”
Crystal was practically begging her now and Emma knew she didn’t have the strength to hold out when her girlfriend’s lips found her neck. Even though their bed was just upstairs, Emma knew she wanted to make love here and now. It seemed an appropriate way to acknowledge the positive energy of the day’s successful event.
With a few more steps, Emma propelled Crystal back against the sofa and then down onto it. “To heck with the couch. I hereby dub it the Sex Sofa. We’ll buy a damn slipcover,” Emma muttered before slanting her mouth down over Crystal’s. Her tongue sought her girlfriend’s, who met hers with a moan.
It was another opportunity to go with the moment, to get lost in it, like they had in Sedona and in all of their love-making ever since. Emma decided the where didn’t matter. All that mattered was the what – the feel of Crystal beneath her, the softness filling her hands, their legs entwined as they kissed.
“Yes, right here,” Crystal encouraged her, arching up against her. “And think about what this could do if we make this a regular thing, changing the whole energy of the store. Love and creation and everything – more of that isn’t a bad thing at all.”
As much as Emma wanted to say something logical in response, like about how they couldn’t just have sex in the store wherever they wanted because it was still a public space, she held back her reply. Now was not the time for talking. Now was the time to continue caressing the beautiful woman beneath her, the one she was going to marry.
They hadn’t even discussed wedding plans, hadn’t told their friends that day. But it was enough for Emma to know this was her fiancée – the person she was happily committing herself to forever.
Her heart leaped at the thought and she buried her face against Crystal’s long, blonde hair. “I love you so much,” she whispered.
“I love you, too.” Crystal’s hands were on her backside, then sliding along her waistband, fingers tugging at her jeans. “I’d love you even more if you wore dresses. That would help make it so much easier to get in here, you know.”
Emma laughed and lifted herself up to look down at Crystal. “Why should I make it easy for you?”
“Because if I have to wait much longer, I’m going to lose my mind.” Crystal sat up as Emma straddled her legs and undid her jeans. Then her strong hands pushed them down over Emma’s hips. Emma stood to help her and before she knew it, she had reciprocated, leaving them both naked.
Emma stretched out on top of her again, fitting one leg over Crystal’s and her other between them. She trailed kisses down from her fiancée’s lips and to her breasts. As she nuzzled at them, Crystal let out soft little sounds of need. Her fingers dug into Emma’s shoulders in a pleasurably painful way, letting her know she was doing everything Crystal wanted.
As she lavished attention on those budded nipples, Emma’s hand drifted lower until it was between Crystal’s legs, seeking out her supple folds. With two fingers, she gathered the dew there and then circled it around her clitoris.
Crystal’s grip on her shoulders tightened even more and her sweet little moans became desperate pleas for release. “Soon,” Emma told her softly. “Just let go for me.”
“I want you, though,” Crystal whined and pushed at Emma’s shoulders. “Right now.”
“The couch isn’t really conducive to –”
“Floor. Trust me. It will do.” Crystal gave her another push and they rolled off the couch, down onto the carpet. It wasn’t the softest landing, but they recovered quickly, too enamored of each other to care.
Now the blonde was on top, kissing her again, writhing over her. It only stirred Emma’s passion more, every touch stoking the fire that drove her to hold her fiancée tight.
“See? Isn’t that better?” Crystal asked breathlessly, before turning around and placing her knees on either side of Emma’s head. The moment the cool wetness of her tongue touched Emma, she lifted her hips and let out a moan.
Then she slid her hands up along Crystal’s legs to grasp her hips as she thrust her tongue into the intimate delight offered to her. After working all day in the summer heat, the scent and taste were heady, with a hint of sweat. Emma moaned and delved deeper as her own legs opened further to Crystal.
Crystal had always been the uninhibited one, always touching and kissing and tasting without reservation. Emma loved how her hands felt on her inner thighs, how Crystal’s fingers glided effortlessly along her skin to find their mark. And then there was the way this beautiful woman lapped at her hungrily, like she wanted nothing else in that moment. Like Emma was the one thing she needed most.
As they made love, they clung to each other, their bodies surging against one another’s. The same passionate energy they had generated in Sedona was present again. Even with her focus entirely on Crystal’s body atop hers, Emma saw it all around them – motes of green light spiraling around their entwined forms. Magick was present and if she had the presence of mind, she would focus the intensity of their sexual energy for positive outcomes.
But after giving the magick a passing thought, Emma lost herself in the moment with one last, coherent thought. Good for those who can practice sex magick. I can’t focus right now on anything…
When their orgasms came, Crystal’s immediately followed by Emma’s, she saw sparks exploding behind her closed eyelids. Each shudder wracking her body seemed to bring fresh sparks, brilliant and filling not just her vision, but her very being.
She felt Crystal’s breath fan over her thighs as her fiancée let out a “Holy crap.” Emma had to laugh when she realized the intense sensation was mutual.
Crystal had been right. Their lovemaking was good for more than just the two of them. From that night on, everything would change.
Chapter 27
It was the full moon, just two weeks after Lughnassadh. They circled together for the Esbat and then sat in Fiona and Gabe’s living room to snack on cheese and crackers while passing around a bottle of red wine.
“So, everything feels like it’s finally going in the right direction,” Emma said as she poured herself a glass of Merlot and handed the bottle on to Crystal. “And I think all of you will be very pleased to know that we have an announcement to make.”
She waited, let the words sink in, and watched how everyone exchanged glances. They knew what was coming, of course. But it was still nice to draw out the moment, to see the looks on their faces. It was confusion mingled with pleasurable expectation as they looked at her, eyes wide, mouths quirking into hopeful smiles.
“Wait.” Crystal put her hand on Emma’s wrist and shook her head at her. “I think since I started it, I’m the one who should say it.”
Emma realized Crystal was right, so she lowered her glass and smiled at her. “You’re right. Go for it.”
Crystal turned to everyone and said, “The grand re-opening of the store was a success. We have seen an increase in revenue and no longer have to worry about whether or not we’ll be on a steady diet of ramen noodles in the near future. Thank you for helping us make it a wonderful event.”
A few heartbeats of silence went by and Waverly ventured, “Th-that’s it? That’s your big announcement?”
Crystal pressed her index finger to her mouth and rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “Hm, was there something else? Let me think... Oh yeah, and I proposed to Emma.”
Like Emma, Crystal waited and let the wo
rds sink in. Emma applauded her mentally. It was far too much fun, drawing out the suspense, and she was glad to see Crystal had followed her cue. No one else said anything and Emma could see they were holding their breaths.
“Put them out of their misery, dear heart,” she said to Crystal with a grin.
“If I must.” Crystal held up her glass and waved her hand with a flourish. “And she, my beautiful girlfriend, has accepted and is now my fiancée.”
“Oh, finally!” Fiona shouted, lifting her glass. She and Gabe clinked their wine glasses together, while Avery put her arm around Waverly’s shoulders and gave her a rare little shake of affection.
“So when’s the wedding?” Gabe asked.
“Well, we were thinking,” Emma answered slowly, “and we know it’s very soon, but a fall wedding on Mabon would suit us very well. Since that’s known as the Pagan Thanksgiving, we want to get married on that day to show our gratitude for each other.”
“But that’s only a month away.” Gabe glanced around the room and set her wine glass on the coffee table. “It takes time to plan, to find a space, an officiant…”
Emma waved away her concerns. “We already have a non-denominational officiant who has experience with both weddings and handfastings, and she’s available that day. As far as space, we want to use the garden behind the store and then have our reception there, too. It will be a very small wedding – just the two of us and then all of you, of course, and my parents. Maybe one or two of my cousins. Oh, and plus ones are welcome, too.” She looked pointedly at Avery and Waverly.
Avery scoffed and raised her glass. “You know me. I won’t have a date. Consider my cell phone a plus one.”
“No working at the wedding,” Crystal scolded and pointed at her. “You’re going to come, relax, and enjoy the wedding and the cake. Got it?”
“Well,” a soft voice interjected, “I have a date.”
Everyone looked at Waverly. “You do?” Fiona asked, surprise flashing across her face. She and Gabe exchanged glances.
“I mean… I will if she wants to come. But I don’t see why she wouldn’t.” Waverly squirmed a bit under the scrutiny and tipped her glass to her lips. It was the first time Emma had ever seen her so subdued. She was the first person Emma expected to pounce on them after the announcement.
However, it was Fiona who turned back to them and said, “Okay, so tell us about the colors, theme, dresses, and all that fun stuff. What are your plans?”
“Well, we’re going to Omaha next week for our shopping,” Crystal said. “I think we’ll go to Town and Country Floral in Gretna for the flowers, but everything else we’ll do up in the city. It will give us an excuse to have a shopping date.”
“Is there a ring?” Gabe asked. How she went from rational to girly mode in a few seconds flat, Emma didn’t know, but she was glad someone had asked the question. Even though she wasn’t really one for jewelry, she was excited to show it off.
“Oh, yeah. I almost forgot.” Emma extended her hand and the entire circle crowded around to ooh and aah over the white gold ring. “Technically, Crystal and I decided this is my wedding band, but I’m wearing it anyway until the actual ceremony. I’ve already ordered a matching band for Crystal.”
“Whoa.” Now Waverly seemed back to her nosy self because she looked at them and frowned. “How long have you two been planning this? It sounds like you already have the hardest stuff figured out.”
Emma and Crystal exchanged glances, and Emma felt a little sheepish that she had kept this from her friends. “Um, right after Lughnassadh,” Emma admitted.
“It’s been over two weeks since you got engaged and you didn’t tell us?” Waverly smacked her hand against her forehead and grumbled, “What is this world coming to when friends don’t tell other friends something like this?”
“Wave, they just told us,” Avery pointed out. “Maybe they wanted to keep it quiet for a while. Some things are just nicer that way.”
Waverly compressed her lips together and glared at her sister. “Sure. Take their side. But don’t be pissed when I don’t bother telling you I have a girlfriend.”
“You do?”
“No. Not yet. But, I mean, if I did…” Waverly finally had the good grace to look flustered and she set down her drink so she could hug Emma and then Crystal. “What I mean is congratulations. I truly wish you all the happiness in the world.”
“Thank you.” Emma gave her a squeeze and whispered so no one else could here, “And good luck with Lark.”
When Waverly pulled away, she looked happier and Emma felt harmony restored among the circle once again. The balance, however, was changing, she realized. Now instead of four witches and the occasional fifth, they had six at all times. Although the extra presence of a second water and air witch evened things out, Emma realized they were on their way to becoming a circle of eight.
If Waverly and Lark were as compatible as Emma believed, another earth witch would join them soon after Mabon. Maybe even in time for Samhain.
And as much as Avery protested that she didn’t date, Emma found it hard to believe that somehow, universal synchronicity wouldn’t ultimately pair her up with a fire witch to complete the circle.
Even as she thought it, she had the clearest and strongest vision she’d had in a long time, a vision that affirmed her intuition. Yes, there was someone out there for Avery. But first, it would be Lark who would guide Waverly, help her come into her own as a witch at last, and face down the demons that had kept her from following her dreams.
Emma thought her mother’s mother would be proud to see this circle of strong, capable women gathering together, just as she and her Irish sisters had once done. To support and encourage one another. And, yes, to share love in many forms.
“Hey you,” Crystal said gently, circling the tip of her nose along Emma’s cheek. “What did you see just now?”
Emma blinked and realized everyone was looking at her. She had learned long ago that she gave off very obvious signs when she received a clairvoyant vision. As Fiona had once told her, her features would soften and her gaze would go hazy, as if she were looking off into the distance.
“I see a happily ever after,” Emma answered. “Not a perfect path to it, of course. But all that we are striving to become as women and lovers is going to pay off for us.”
“Wow.” Fiona sank back against the sofa cushions and a wistful look softened her features. “Can you believe we’ve been friends for almost fifteen years? It’s kind of nuts when you think about it. And you and Crystal have been together for seven, and then Gabe and I…” She squeezed her eyes shut as her girlfriend ruffled her short, red hair affectionately.
“We’re going to be together for fifteen and another fifteen after that, and another fifteen after that,” Gabe told her.
“Yes, but…” Waverly set her wine glass on the coffee table and her body slumped with a sigh. “Why does it take so long to figure this stuff out? I’m twenty-seven years old. Why did everything have to be so hard for me up until now? Wouldn’t you think we’d have it all figured out after college?”
Reaching across the space that separated them, Emma took Waverly’s hand in hers. “It’s not age that matures us. It’s experience. It’s the challenges we face, overcome, and learn lessons from. College is just one milestone among so many. Remember when we graduated from high school and thought we knew everything?”
Laughter rippled around the room. “Even I remember that feeling,” Gabe agreed. “I might have more than a decade on all of you, but I haven’t forgotten that belief that I knew what was best, and how no one else could tell me any different.”
“Yeah, but in your case, you did know best,” Fiona pointed out. “Your parents didn’t want you to be gay, let alone a witch. They wanted to strip you of the very things that make you who you are, things that are such a part of you. Just like I knew I had to get away from my father or spend the rest of my life enabling his addiction. I couldn’t let his co-depende
ncy stop me from following my dreams.”
“It’s all so complicated when family is involved,” Avery agreed. “I think Waverly and I had it the easiest. I mean, look at Emma dealing with her mother’s cancer. That was heart-wrenching.”
“It was,” Crystal agreed, wrapping her arms around Emma. “But both Emma and her mother got through it amazingly well.”
Even as the conversation flowed, Emma noticed Waverly bowing her head, no longer participating. Without a word, Emma rose to her feet, walked by Waverly, and tugged at the shoulder of her t-shirt. To her relief, Waverly followed her outside into the backyard.
The fire no longer smoldered there. The ashes weren’t even glowing orange around the edges anymore. But the full moon illuminated the yard on that cloudless night.
Emma turned to Waverly and said, “Are you going to tell Lark?”
“Tell her what?”
Emma gently put both of her hands around Waverly’s left wrist, turned it over, and said, “About this.”
Waverly didn’t yank her arm away from her or stiffen in indignation. She simply sagged against her and whispered, “I don’t know. Do you think she would understand?”
“I did when you told me. Why wouldn’t she?” Emma stroked her friend’s long, brown hair. “You couldn’t tell our friends because you didn’t want them to see you as weak, but I think Lark will figure it out one way or the other. It’s better if you talk to her about it when it’s appropriate to do so. If you’re going to get serious with her, she’ll see the scars.”
“Okay.” Waverly’s voice was still low, barely audible, and Emma hugged her.
“I know Avery doesn’t know. That’s why she can blithely say the two of you have had it the easiest out of all of us. But I wanted you to know that I remember and I care about my friends.”
They stepped apart and Waverly smiled. “That makes me feel better. I’m glad Lark is like you in many ways. I just hope she’s as understanding as you are about our flaws. Some people just don’t get it.”