Basic Training of the Heart
Page 26
Trying not to focus and what might happen between them, she thought about Bett herself, watching her from the corner of her eye, the way she had done so many times on the base. Her expressions, the way her body moved, how her words echoed in Rain’s head long after they had been spoken—all of these things pleased Rain beyond any normal measure. At one time Bett had said that she wanted them to be friends, so perhaps that was part of what was happening, now that they were away from the base and working out how to be together as something besides sergeant and private. But eventually the boxes would be empty and the day would be over and then she felt there would come a time when something more could happen between them. She had felt this possibility for weeks now, every time she looked at Bett, every time they touched. But then Rain would find herself almost undone with a wash of competing emotions—excitement, nervousness, desire, apprehension…Clearing her throat, she got herself a glass of water and brought one back for Bett as well.
“Are you all right?” Bett questioned, coming over to stand near her as she accepted the drink.
“Fine, yes,” Rain answered, puzzled. “Why do you ask?”
Bett moved a little closer. “One thing I think I’ve figured out about you is that you often clear your throat when you’re nervous or upset. I just don’t want you to feel either of those things with me.” Smiling as Rain blinked in surprise, she stroked Rain’s cheek softly. “I hope you know I care for you as I believe you care about me. But nothing is going to happen here that we don’t both want. All right?”
Their bodies were not touching, but Rain took Bett’s hands and clasped them between hers in the narrow space separating them. Her expression softened. “Thank you for saying that. You are kind and good, and I am happy to be here with you.”
Looking into Rain’s eyes, Bett wondered how such simple words could affect her so profoundly.
*
By early evening, the most immediate unpacking process was all but finished. After wiping down a figurine which she put on the end table, Bett happily surveyed the room, seeing the furniture neatly arranged and her things artfully displayed. It was beginning to look like a home, her home. She stood and walked over to where Rain was putting plates in a cabinet. “I don’t know how to thank you.” She put her arms around Rain’s waist, standing behind her with the side of her face pressed into Rain’s back. She felt Rain’s braid where it lay alongside her own hair. It felt solid and strong, like the woman who wore it. She remembered the only other time she had touched it, how she’d wanted to run her hands down it again and then take apart the woven strands and let Rain’s hair fall loose. In this, as in all of her more recent fantasies about Rain, they were naked. The vision was temptingly erotic, and a shiver of desire ran along Bett’s spine, settling between her legs. She pressed in a little closer, thinking how she had liked having Rain here today, even beyond anticipating having sex with her.
She’d been so looking forward to having her own place, to finally having some peace from all of the noise and bustle of the base and some privacy from all of her squad mates, and yet she’d found herself unexpectedly lonely and restless the first three nights in her new home. Bett found herself ready for some company, and Rain, who made no demands and seemed to have no expectations, fit the bill perfectly. Additionally, Rain seemed so much more relaxed than she ever had on base and she was easy to be with in a way that belied what Bett knew to be a rather powerful personality. They had worked together well and their conversations, which had been mostly about unpacking, had been enjoyable.
Now the sergeant turned in Bett’s arms so they were facing each other, her face very serious. “I think you should know something.” Bett leaned back in and Rain enfolded her. Rain sighed and a little sound of pleasure escaped.
Bett sighed her own sound of contentment. “As long as it’s not about you leaving tonight or some rubbish like that.” Because I have big plans for you, Sergeant.
“No, it’s that I don’t think we will finish this unpacking tonight. Unless you want to work in the bedroom after dinner.”
“I certainly was planning to,” Bett said, breathing against Rain’s chest as she traced her hand down Rain’s tight stomach. “But probably not in the way you mean.”
Rain didn’t move away, but she gave a sort of choked cough, which probably meant she was even more uncomfortable than when she cleared her throat. Bett suppressed a laugh, realizing suddenly that it was very possible Rain was less experienced than she was in that area. Perhaps that was one reason why she’d resisted Bett’s advances for so long—she was uncertain of exactly how to proceed. Bett thought of something she’d been meaning to ask. “How old are you, Rain?”
The sergeant drew herself up a little taller. “I am almost twenty-one now,” she said boldly, and then lowered her voice, “but the Army thinks I am almost twenty-three.”
“You lied to the Army about your age?”
“Yes, and I am not proud of that.” Rain dipped her head slightly.
“Then, why?”
“To get into the WAAC program.”
“And you couldn’t just wait?” Bett asked, trying to put the pieces together.
“It’s a long story and one I may yet tell you, but for now let me say that I just needed to enlist right then,” Rain answered, with a tone of finality in her voice. Then she cocked her head and asked, “How old are you, Bett?”
“I’m twenty-five. Does that bother you?”
“Bother me? Not at all. I just would never have guessed you were so old.”
Again, Bett detected a smile in Rain’s eyes, although not quite on her lips. She reached out to tickle Rain’s side but Rain caught her hand and kissed it. “You must know I am teasing you now,” Rain said easily.
Bett wasn’t really offended. Actually, the role of a slightly older seductress was rather intriguing. At school, she’d usually been the youngest in her class, so this arrangement might be a really fun change of pace. Thinking to move the evening in that direction, she pulled Rain toward the refrigerator. “Well, shall we get cleaned up and see about getting something to eat? It’ll only be leftovers from what I had last night, is that all right?”
“I could cook”—Rain opened the door and shook her head at the all but bare space—“or maybe not.” She gestured at Bett. “I think a visit to the grocery store is in your future.” She looked toward the backyard. “But not tonight. A storm is coming.”
Through the kitchen window, Bett could see the sun was starting to set in what appeared to be a clear sky, but she didn’t pursue it. “Fine,” she said, emptying some food into a container and putting it in the oven. “But for now, let’s get ready to eat or my stomach will start growling and I’ll be embarrassed.”
*
Rain showered and washed her hair in the guest bathroom. I’d have you in with me, darling, but I fear that dinner would waste away in that oven, all alone, Bett had said. She’d been horrified to learn that Rain was content to wash her hair with soap, so she brought in some shampoo and conditioner, as well as body lotion, making Rain promise to use it. The fragrances seemed familiar at first, but then different on her own hair and skin. Rain put on her new dark jeans and, after considerable thought, her new white satin shirt with the gold fringe. Not wearing a T-shirt under it made her feel just slightly indecent, and more than a little bit excited. As she combed out her hair, leaving it down to dry before she braided it, it occurred to her that other than today and the very first day they had met at Bett’s induction, she had only seen Bett in her uniform.
Still barefooted, she moved quietly toward the master bedroom. Bett was coming out of her bathroom in a black silk slip, her head turned as she put in a second sparkling earring. Rain saw the swell of her breasts along the top of the clinging material and the shapely curve of her thighs where they disappeared under the thin fabric. She held her breath.
Bett looked over, surprised. She took in Rain’s appearance for a moment with a little smile on her face and then said,
“Oh no, Rain. I can’t have you sit at my table looking like that.” Rain stood still, but her eyebrows knitted with worry. Bett crossed the room, meeting Rain’s gaze as she ran her hand through Rain’s loose hair, thinking, Here is half of my fantasy already. “I won’t be able to pay our meal the slightest attention. You look astonishing.”
Standing this close, Bett could read Rain’s smoldering desire and she had to close her eyes for a few seconds. She couldn’t remember the last time she had seen such undisguised hunger on a woman’s face. Rain breathed in Bett’s scent, intensified by the warmth of the shower, and slowly moved her hands up Bett’s arms until her shoulders. She ran her fingers along the top of Bett’s slip, just above where the fabric began. Her touch was achingly gentle, but Bett could feel the heat in her caress. She shuddered with the sensation and put her lips to Rain’s while she put her hand on the thick fabric of Rain’s jeans, just at the crotch. Rain moaned deep in her throat and slowly pulled the slip and bra straps down Bett’s arms, stopping just short of revealing her breasts. Pressing herself against Bett’s hand, she moved her mouth to the newly revealed flesh, kissing tenderly and slowly across Bett’s body. Bett put her other hand in Rain’s hair again, ready to guide her mouth to her nipple.
“Oh yes,” Bett said in a whisper, close to Rain’s ear. Rain’s warm, soft lips felt exquisite on her skin. Possibly less experienced, she thought, but not inexperienced. This was going to be all she had imagined, and more.
A buzzing sound made them freeze against each other, breathing shallowly, quickly. The sound continued.
“That must be my timer,” Bett managed to say, finally.
“Your what?” Rain asked gruffly, as Bett released her.
“To let me know the food is ready,” Bett explained. She felt Rain start to draw away and stopped her with hands on Rain’s shoulders. Taking a deep breath, she looked imploringly into Rain’s eyes. “I’m sure I’m stretching your patience to the absolute limit, but could you take care of that, darling?” She looked down at herself. “I seem to be a bit…indisposed.” Rain cleared her throat, but didn’t move. “I’m so sorry. Really. You don’t have to do anything but just turn off the oven. Please?” Bett added. Rain turned without replying and walked down the hall. Bett said to herself, “I should have just let it burn.”
*
They had their leftovers in the dining room, talking of Bett’s squad members and what they might be doing, Bett making Rain blush deeply when she suggested that the girls would never guess what the two of them were doing. After she did the dishes, Rain stepped out onto the patio and Bett followed. “It’s not like me to spend all day inside,” Rain remarked.
“Well, you were outside when you arrived this morning,” Bett offered. She moved beside her, thrilled when Rain put an arm around her shoulders and drew her closer. Rain was breathing in deeply and Bett followed her gaze into the sky to a line of dark, threatening clouds almost directly overhead. The first raindrops fell, and Rain guided her quickly back inside as the sky began to open up. A torrent of water poured off the roof and the wind pushed some of the water toward the door.
Rain’s hair was still loose down her back but now it seemed to almost sparkle as tiny droplets of water shone in the light. Beneath the damp white satin shirt, her slightly erect nipples were clearly visible. Bett felt the familiar ache between her legs that Rain had caused for weeks now. A booming clap sounded very close by. Bett was about to ask Rain how she’d known about the storm when something in Rain’s expression told her there weren’t going to be any more questions tonight. Just answers.
A thick lightning bolt ripped through the sky, just beyond the backyard. The electricity blinked out as a tremendous crash of thunder shook the house. Bett stepped into Rain’s arms, and the storm began.
Much later, when she had her analytical mind back, Bett actually let herself think about the difference between being with Rain and the other girls she’d had sex with. With Rain, there was no pretense, no posturing. She was never timid or hesitant, although she could be very gentle. She never asked if Bett liked one thing or another. She didn’t have to. From the first time they touched in the darkness of the bedroom, Bett’s body told Rain everything she needed to know. With Rain, everything was immediate; she was so completely in the moment that Bett lost all sense of time. There wasn’t any need to worry about what was going to happen later, tomorrow, or next week, because there was only now.
They were naked in bed, facing each other, kissing eagerly, deeper and deeper until Rain raised up on her elbow and Bett lay on her back. Rain’s mouth was on her body then, not just kissing but tasting her down her chest and onto her breasts and then onto her belly and along her side. Her mouth was so warm and soft and her hands were touching and pressing on places on Bett’s body that made her breathe harder, her legs, her breasts, the backs of her shoulders, and little sounds of pleasure came with every breath. Bett laid her hands on Rain’s back under her long hair and pulled her closer, closer. She had been waiting so long for this that it simply wasn’t possible to wait any more. Now, please, touch me now—but before the thought was even finished, she felt Rain’s long fingers glide across the wettest part of her. The sensation was almost electrifying and yet so sweet and she was ready to move and pressed herself harder against Rain’s fingers as they slid to touch every part and quickly found the most responsive, the part that made Bett arch her back and rock her hips faster. So good, so good… Rain was breathing hoarsely, moving with her, and Bett stopped moving and let Rain take her and Rain didn’t stop, couldn’t stop, as Bett’s cries changed into tones of needing and having and Rain’s other hand moved up her belly and squeezed her breast and her teeth grazed the side of Bett’s neck. Bett’s arms tightened desperately around Rain’s back and her head went back as she cried out through waves and waves of shuddering release, and a thousand streams of tingling radiances passed along all the pathways of her body until there was nothing left to be but still, and breathing, and feeling Rain.
Rain’s hand. Still there. Not moving now, just tenderly holding her together. Bett’s breath slowed as the throbbing against Rain’s fingers grew weaker, fainter. When Rain did move her hand, Bett murmured with just the slightest protest, or regret. Then in one motion Rain lay back and pulled Bett alongside her, head on her shoulder. Bett pushed her leg across Rain’s thigh so she could press against her there, and Rain’s head dropped slowly, her lips sliding over Bett’s hair. They slept.
It might have been hours or maybe only minutes later when Rain moved slightly and Bett came completely awake. It was still very dark except for the occasional flashes of lightning and she could hear a hard downpour outside and thunder echoing around the area. Bett could feel a current pulsing between her and Rain. She kissed Rain’s face very sweetly and heard a very faint breath of enjoyment. She moved her mouth to Rain’s ear and whispered, “Rain?”
“Um?” Rain swallowed.
Keeping her face very close to Rain’s, Bett began to run her hand up and down Rain’s chest, between her breasts and down to her belly. She felt Rain’s lashes brush her face as her eyes came open. Bett moved to touch each breast very lightly, letting her finger dwell a bit on each nipple until they began to harden.
Rain cried out her approval, and Bett felt Rain’s body begin to move. Rain’s mouth found Bett’s with all the passion and desire of their earlier meeting. Their breathing quickened together, and it was as if they had never stopped, would never finish. Bett extended her reach farther down Rain’s body, moving along her hips and then back to her belly, and then down, combing her fingers through the soft hair there. Rain’s mouth was open on Bett’s and their tongues were touching as they tasted each other. Then Bett licked up the side of Rain’s neck and a deep, almost chuckling sound came from her throat. She moved to do the same on the other side and Rain’s body writhed and Bett turned her hand so the heel of it pressed against the wet folds between Rain’s legs and she spiraled gently. Rain’s hand came into Bett’
s hair and tightened along her scalp. Bett pressed again, a little harder, and Rain’s body jerked against her, with an urging noise now coming from her throat. Bett turned her hand again so that her fingers were poised at the place where she could feel the heat, feel the flesh begin. She put her mouth on Rain’s breast as she slowly slid her fingers down, slowly caressing the swollen flesh, stopping just at the place where Rain’s body opened. Rain was so slick with wetness that it felt like moving across priceless silken fabric. Rain’s breathing was getting louder and her hips were pressing forward in response to Bett’s every movement. Bett let her teeth run across Rain’s nipple and moved her mouth to the other breast, as she moved her fingers just a little faster. Rain’s motions were urgent now and Bett bit very gently on her nipple, and Rain exhaled a long quivering breath as her back came up off the mattress.
When Rain’s breathing had slowed enough, Bett moved her hand, exploring. She could feel that Rain was still very hard, so she touched just there with only the pads of her fingers. Rain’s body stiffened at once, and Bett thought she might try to move away, so she put her hand flat on Rain’s chest and kissed her deeply. Rain was running her hands across Bett’s back, and when the kiss ended, she breathed very close to Bett’s ear, pressing the side of her face against Bett’s head. There were no words, but only sounds of pleasure and want. Bett began to move her fingers very fast, much faster than she had before, but very lightly. She heard Rain’s breath catch. For a long moment it was like they were both looking for something, until Bett whispered into Rain’s ear, “Yes, Rain. Yes.” Then Rain’s head turned toward her and her body bucked and a series of her cries flew out into the night.
Bett stretched out on her side, her body running the length of Rain’s, and put her arm across Rain’s waist, feeling incredibly contented. Rain was completely limp. Bett snuggled under Rain’s shoulder and after a moment, Rain’s arm fell across her back.