Barely opening her mouth, Rain’s low voice said, “I can’t move.”
“Don’t,” Bett ordered as she pulled the covers back up. They slept. The storm clouds passed by and a sliver of moon appeared.
And then Rain was moving, and Bett was on her back again and Rain settled her body between Bett’s legs. Her forearms were on either side of Bett, holding herself just off the bed, and she slanted above Bett until their bodies touched there once, twice, three times, and Bett felt a wave of delicious need roll up from inside her. In a very different voice, almost like a warning, Rain breathed huskily, “I can’t stop.”
“Don’t,” Bett commanded again and Rain was kissing along her throat and biting her with little nips that set off sparks of pleasure at each point. She bit around the fullest parts of Bett’s breasts while they ground into each other, moaning together. When Rain kissed down Bett’s belly and felt Bett’s hands on her shoulders, she slid her body away and down the bed, moving her hands until they were under Bett’s hips. Rain’s fingers dug into the muscles there, while she pushed her breast into the hair above. Bett trembled, her hands squeezing Rain’s arms. Lifting Bett’s hips as she moved down to kiss along the insides of her thighs, Rain caught Bett’s truest scent, the sweet musky interior of her, and she breathed deeply, enraptured. She lowered her mouth onto Bett’s eager wetness, caressing with her lips, wanting to taste everything. Somewhere outside herself, she heard Bett saying her name and she began to stroke with her tongue.
Bett felt each millimeter of movement as something deeper, as something in her that Rain’s fingers hadn’t found began to open. Rain’s tongue was soft and firm, and so sweet and so insistent and every second she felt herself drawing closer to the edge, to the place where she would fall. She knew she was calling out, matching each time that Rain tasted her again and again, and her hands grabbed Rain’s empty pillow and then Rain pushed in a little deeper and a little faster and the last conscious motion that Bett could make was to pull the pillow onto her face to muffle her scream of surrender that seemed to go on and on until she landed safely in Rain’s arms—the most perfect place she had ever been.
Later, there was a suggestion of first light.
For someone so strong, Rain was enticingly soft and yielding when Bett lay full length on top of her. She took Rain’s wrists in her hands and pushed them over her head, a spontaneous gesture that she found unpredictably exciting. While she could have easily twisted loose, Rain made no attempt to free her hands from Bett’s grasp; they both knew Bett wouldn’t want to go very long without letting Rain touch her again. But for now, Rain responded to the sliding of Bett’s body on hers by rising and falling, rolling against her, the moans in her throat urging Bett, begging. An unfamiliar force rushed into Bett’s core and her hands and her mouth had to have Rain, to possess her, to own her. But before she let go of Rain’s wrists, she bit her twice on the neck, hard. Not hard enough to break the skin, but enough to make Rain call out, two sharp, urgent, imploring sounds that made Bett move down Rain’s body pressing her own breasts against her and following her body’s movement with a trail of kisses. She returned to gently, very gently take each of Rain’s hard nipples into her mouth, just rolling her tongue over each, just finishing each with a kiss. Now Rain was making sweet, trembling moans and Bett moved again, stroking each leg, feeling the incredible muscles there that were straining and rolling against her hand. As she stroked the inside of Rain’s thigh, her hand brushed against the soft, damp hair between Rain’s legs and Bett lost control.
She lifted Rain’s hip with one hand and slid into her with the other and at first it was just her own elated cry in the night as Rain gave only a sharp gasp in her ear. Bett stopped moving for a second, the sound echoing in her consciousness but the meaning unclear. When she felt Rain soften around her, she understood it was another yielding, and she pushed her fingers slowly deeper into the hot, incredible softness wrapping close around them. Rain put her hand on Bett’s arm, keeping her inside and moving her in the way she wanted. When her spreading wetness began to flow out over Bett’s hand, Bett felt her own blood throbbing and pushed deliberately now, exulting when Rain’s hips began to follow the rhythm of each thrust. Rain’s arms were around Bett’s back again and her breathing had begun to match Bett’s movements, which made Bett move faster. She wanted Rain breathless, wanted her desperate, wanted those arms which were tightening around her now, Rain’s hands pressing into Bett’s back until she could feel the nails on each finger there, and until she could feel Rain’s sex contracting around her fingers, until she could feel herself throb, until she put her forehead down on Rain’s chest and felt Rain push back against her, forcing, with two long keening wails which meant she had lost control, too, and that was what Bett wanted as she collapsed onto Rain’s body and they rose and fell, panting fiercely, still together.
Bett kissed Rain as sweetly as she could when she began to slide out of her. She felt just the slightest shudder and then the cool air on the dampness of her fingers. She remembered the first gasp from Rain’s throat then and looked down at her in the lightening room. Rain’s eyes were barely open and her focus was far away. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” Bett asked softly.
Rain’s lips curved into a little smile. “No. You were wonderful. I…” She trailed off for a few seconds and then cleared her throat, though she still spoke quietly. “I’ve not had any experience quite like that, as you could probably tell.”
As Rain’s meaning became clear, Bett felt a weight settle on her chest. She’d wanted Rain so much—had she been too wild or rough? “Oh my God, Rain, are you sure you’re all right?”
Rain turned until they were lying side by side again. Bett was almost quivering with worry, but Rain could only manage a soft shushing sound as she rubbed her cheek softly against Bett’s face, nuzzling her and soothing her. As her worry subsided and Bett’s mind began to work, she understood Rain’s implication. She was—technically, at least—a virgin. Had been a virgin, Bett corrected herself and felt a wry smile spreading inside and across her face. The smile of a rotter, she scolded herself, deflowering an innocent maiden, but she couldn’t stop smiling, even as she felt Rain’s body going slack in her arms and heard her, with a final deep vibrating sigh, say something in Lakota.
“What, darling?”
The warmth of Rain’s presence and her steady breathing had almost lulled Bett to sleep when a low whisper translated for her. “You have won me.”
Chapter Fourteen
It was very bright and very chilly in the bedroom. The storm seemed to have brought in the first really cold weather of the fall. They were sleeping close together, in a tangle of arms and legs. As Rain shifted her position slightly, she felt Bett’s arms tighten around her and heard Bett’s sleepy voice ask, “Where are you going?”
“Nowhere,” Rain assured her, putting her face close.
There was a pause. “Good,” Bett said shifting slightly with a sigh, though she sounded no more awake. “I’ll go with you.” Rain’s mouth pulled into a slow smile.
The phone rang. Rain startled up, but Bett pulled her back. “Leave it,” she whispered.
Rain started to fuss about the phone, but Bett stroked her hair and snuggled back close to her and Rain decided she’d rather not. She moved her thumb in a widening circle on Bett’s shoulder, thinking of the last forty-eight hours and how the connection between herself and Elizabeth Frances Pratt Carlton Smythe had now become deeper and stronger than with any other human being in her entire life, outside of her family. She knew she should be careful, knew she should pull back and evaluate the situation, try to find the balance in it, but somehow she just couldn’t bring herself to withdraw. Instead, she took it all in and let herself be filled with the silken texture of Bett’s skin and the perfection of her shape, with the scent in the air that was of them both, with the way her own body seemed only partially hers now, part of it in Bett’s power, and the way she wanted to take Bett’s body for herself,
to have it over and over again. And somehow, that was all as it should be. Any other way of being in the world seemed very far off, and Rain was content to let it stay that way.
In spite of her completely relaxed and totally fulfilled—for the moment—condition, Bett’s stomach was telling her that a cup of tea and something to eat might make things even better. She’d always thought that her mother’s long-standing arrangement of having breakfast brought to her in bed was impossibly indolent, but at this moment the idea was quite appealing. But mostly she just wanted to look at Rain, thinking they were entirely different people to each other now. Rain’s eyes seemed a bit lighter than usual. Her look was soft, still quite relaxed, with nothing of the sharp, guarded expression she had worn for all those weeks on the base. That’s it, Bett thought, she looks vulnerable. Bett wanted to say the perfect thing, express just the right sentiment to let Rain know she was safe, that everything between them was incredible, and that she would never hurt her. Hurt her! Bett remembered Rain’s shy confession. She touched Rain’s face gently and said, “Darling, are you all right?” She looked toward Rain’s crotch. “I had no idea—I mean, I’m so sorry about—”
Rain cut her off with a light kiss. Her voice throaty, she said, “Was there anything I did or said to make you think I didn’t want you or that you did something I didn’t like?” Bett smiled in remembrance of their passion, almost embarrassed, and she shook her head. Rain went on, more clearly. “Bett, don’t apologize to me for what you feel, and don’t apologize to me for what you make me feel. If you want to apologize if you spill some milk or burn the toast, fine. But I trust I’ll never be sorry for anything between us from now on.”
In a wash of emotion, Bett felt tears close to the surface. Rain’s presence in her life had been relatively brief, but she had a way of bringing Bett to a level of feeling that was previously unimaginable. Last night had been absolutely incredible, and the equally amazing thing was that Bett was thrilled to wake and find Rain still beside her. She wasn’t panicky or anxious, she was…blissful. My God, what an extraordinary woman she is. She eased her arms around Rain and held her very tightly, her heart soaring as Rain responded to her immediately. There was just the slightest trembling, but she wasn’t sure which of them it was. Finally, Bett murmured into Rain’s neck, “If I promise not to spill the milk, would you like some tea?” She could feel Rain smile again.
They rose reluctantly, into the chill air, with a few complaining sounds. As Bett watched Rain, feeling uncharacteristically uncertain, Rain stepped closer and offered her hand. Bett smiled as she took it—she’s such a charmer—and they walked into the kitchen hand in hand.
The whole house was cold. Rain lit all the gas burners on the stove and they had their tea by the open oven, wrapped in some of Bett’s extra blankets and standing very close together.
“Does your fireplace work?” Rain asked, looking into the den.
“As far as I know,” Bett replied. “But I haven’t any wood.” Noting Rain’s expression, she added, “Well, don’t look at me like that, you know I only just moved in.”
“I’ll go out later and get you some,” Rain offered.
“What makes you think that I’m going to let you out of my sight for that long?” Bett asked, putting down her tea and slipping her arms around Rain with her head on Rain’s chest. Out of my bed for that long is what I should have said. Rain’s body felt so good, so solid and inviting, that Bett felt a renewed surge of need. Rain’s arms encircled her, returning the embrace. Rain moved her hands ever so gently along the lines of Bett’s back. When she heard Rain’s breathing quicken, heard that slight hum of pleasure, she pressed in closer, rubbing her cheek against the soft flannel of Rain’s shirt. The thought flashed through her mind, If every morning-after feels this good, I have certainly missed something. Then she heard Rain’s voice whisper her name, soft and low, and she knew that no one else would ever have felt like this. They were swaying very, very slowly, as if they were moving to a distant, delicate breeze. This was what she had wanted, had yearned for all those weeks on the base—to feel this connection with Rain, to have her close and welcoming. Rain’s heartbeat in her ear was steady and strong, and Bett’s heart heard an assurance that Rain felt the same way about her. It had been a long time since Bett had listened to her own heart. She didn’t think she had ever listened to someone else’s.
The phone rang again. It was hard to ignore, since it was right in front of them, and Rain sighed. “Go on. I’m going to take a shower. But don’t be surprised if I secretly disconnect it later.”
Bett moved away reluctantly and answered. Her expression changed to one of delight and she exclaimed, “Darling!” as Rain shook her head and headed to the bathroom.
*
When Rain came back into the room, Bett was off the phone and finishing her tea. Rain was shaking and her teeth were chattering. She was wearing only a towel and her skin was so pale it was almost gray.
“No hot water,” she managed to say.
Bett rushed down the hall to the linen closet, grateful they had unpacked her imported comforter and some extra blankets, and wrapped them around Rain as she stood by the oven. She rubbed briskly on Rain’s arms and shoulders and back, trying to get more circulation, but it didn’t seem to be helping. Rain had her head down and was still shaking violently. Finally, in desperation, Bett led her to the couch, took off Rain’s towel and her own gown and robe, and used the blankets to make a kind of bedroll. Throwing off the back cushions so there was more room, she got Rain into the blankets and slipped in on top of her, wrapping the comforter on top of them both, almost covering their heads. Now that she was closer, she could hear Rain making some little noises in her throat as if she was struggling hard against something. Bett pulled Rain’s arms around her own back and pressed into her, whispering, “You don’t have to fight this, Rain. Let me…”
Rain let Bett’s words resonate in her mind. You don’t have to fight this…let me. Underneath the cold, she felt a deep tiredness. She was drained from weeks of fighting her feelings for Elizabeth Smythe, from weeks of pushing herself to exhaustion physically in the hopes that she might fall asleep without tossing and turning through her thoughts of Bett’s scent and her eyes and her hair and her body and her voice and…herself. She felt some of the tension go out of her shoulders; until now it hadn’t really occurred to her that she could indeed stop fighting. And then what? Could she just let Bett care for her; could they be that way for each other?
An involuntary groan escaped as Rain felt Bett’s breast brush against her mouth. Her lips reached for its lush fullness eagerly, sucking very gently on the small, tight nipple. As wonderful as it felt, it wasn’t quite like last night. Not urgent, just…comforting. Her breathing slowed and the trembling subsided.
After a minute, Bett stretched to stroke Rain’s neck and cheek, her hand now caressing Rain’s breast. “That’s better, sweetheart. Can you tell me what happened?”
Rain was no longer shaking but her voice wasn’t quite steady when she finally explained, “I was thinking of you when I got in the shower. Just expected the water to get warmer, but my mind wasn’t on it.”
Not nearly as cold, but not quite back to normal, Bett assessed, running her hands down Rain’s sides, missing the warm body she associated with her former sergeant. It’s like her pilot light has gone out. “I’m sure Dr. Freud would say your subconscious mind was just trying to figure out a way to get me naked in your arms again.” Bett heard a faint chuckle. She offered her other breast to Rain who sucked with the same delicate movements of her lips, a soft hum of contentment coming from her throat. As Bett gently massaged Rain’s other breast, she could feel new warmth kindling between them. Better. Melting dreamily into Rain’s growing heat, she added, “Personally, I think it was a brilliant idea.” Rain’s lips had stopped moving; her breathing was growing slower, pulling Bett under with her.
Bett hadn’t meant to fall asleep but when she moved, she felt herself waki
ng. Rain tightened her embrace, quickly shifting them both until Bett was pinned against the back of the couch. Rain was up on her elbow again and Bett knew she wouldn’t be able to get up unless Rain let her. Normally such lack of control would have made her uncomfortable, but as she looked into Rain’s face, she knew she was truly captured by those dark eyes, and at this moment, she wasn’t the least bit worried. Rain’s warmth was back; as her hand moved slowly over the curve of Bett’s hip, around to her bottom, and up to the dip in her waist it left a trail of heat. At Bett’s waist Rain’s hand paused, moving so very slowly back and forth at the curve there three times, as if confirming some previous memory of measurement. Bett, who had never been much of a morning person, felt a rush between her legs. Oh yes.
Rain began to move up toward her breast, her hand stretching as she caught Bett’s hardened nipple in the web between her thumb and forefinger, her mouth opening ever so slightly in remembrance as her eyes lost their focus. She let her thumb slide across the erect flesh and on up to Bett’s shoulder and Bett’s eyes closed. Still moving firmly, yet carefully, Rain traced a line that only she could see from the roundness of Bett’s shoulder across and up her neck to the jawline. Both of them were breathing more hoarsely and Rain’s hand jumped to lightly trace Bett’s eyebrow with her middle finger, down her face and over to her ear where she leaned in to speak, her voice a haunted hush. “I have had this dream so many times these past weeks. Tell me—are you real? Is this true?” She couldn’t speak yet of the way it felt to be with Bett in this place, of the hope pounding inside her when she looked into Bett’s eyes or of the wanting in her body that had been appeased last night but was now simmering anew, just below the surface of her skin. She needed to get some understanding, some sense of Bett’s feelings and where her heart might be.
Basic Training of the Heart Page 27