by Clare Lydon
Tori nodded wordlessly, her eyes darting to the handcuffs, and to whatever else Holly was holding in her hands.
“Well, I’ve made my peace with that — I’m relinquishing control for now and going with the flow. But not in the bedroom. Remember we saw these at that street fair?” Holly held up two handcuffs with white fur around them. “I know you tried to get arrested properly, but think of me as your more friendly police officer.” She leaned over and cuffed one of Tori’s wrists, making sure to press her breasts into Tori’s face as she did. Tori said nothing, while Holly attached the cuff to some material on the bed post. “I mean, I’m a really friendly police officer. Like, naked.” She leaned over, rubbing herself on Tori again, pressing her breasts again. This time, Tori licked her nipple and Holly’s clit throbbed anew. She styled it out, attaching the other cuff as she had the first.
Tori’s face flushed bright red. “I’m already wet, babe, are you trying to make me come without touching me?”
“It wasn’t my intention, but we could do a little tantric sex if you like.” Holly grinned at her. “I brought these, too, after you told me you booked a four-poster bed the other day. I thought we could have some fun.” Holly flicked some leather ties in Tori’s direction, whipping her arse lightly with one, then the other, before spreading her legs and tying her feet to material attached to the bottom posts.
“You don’t do things by halves, do you?”
Holly shook her head. “It’s all or nothing with me.”
***
This was not what Tori had been expecting this morning, but perhaps this was what happened when she didn’t have sex with Holly for a few months: a huge burst of yearning and pent-up desire spewed out. She wasn’t complaining, though: being tied up and devoured by a six-foot sex goddess was definitely her idea of a good night, particularly when said sex goddess was her girlfriend.
But now here she was, spread-eagled and at Holly’s mercy.
Tori had a weakness for domination and Holly knew it. They’d role-played being tied up a few times and Tori had always loved it, but they were contemplating getting some new toys for Christmas: a joint present to them both. Clearly, Holly wanted to try a few new moves before they stepped up in class. She’d get no complaints from Tori.
Looking at Holly kneeling over her was making Tori wet. And when she leaned over and trailed a hand up the inside of one leg, through Tori’s hot centre, and then down the inside of the other leg, Tori wilted. Her body was weak with hunger for this, it’d been so long. But she’d waited patiently, so she could wait a few minutes more. Maybe.
Holly licked her lips and put her mouth to Tori’s ear, her breath cloudy with heat. “If you come before I say you can, I’m going to spank you.” Her voice was like a fist around Tori’s heart: she squeezed her eyes tight shut.
Holly bit her shoulder and Tori flinched, then gushed.
Fuck.
Then Holly pushed her onto her side slightly, exposing one of her butt cheeks, leaning over Tori, her breasts in her face once more.
Tori concentrated on her breathing.
Holly dangled their faithful leather spanking paddle in front of her eyes. “Let’s see how wet we can make you, shall we?”
The familiar feel of soft fur on one side had Tori wiggling her butt; swiftly followed by a whistle through the air and the slap of the leather on her bare skin. Her butt would be red.
She tried not to think about it, but every time she moved, she felt more liquid pooling between her legs. More aching in her gut. More need in her core. Her clit was rock hard: she didn’t need to touch it to tell.
Holly worked the fur and leather for a while, before abandoning her paddle to lick up the inside of Tori’s thighs: it drove Tori wild, and today was no exception. Every time Holly’s mouth came within inches of her pussy, Holly would disconnect from her skin, just her sizzling breath over Tori’s centre, hot and heavy. Tori’s mind was whirling with want, and she was straining at her cuffs in a bid to drive Holly’s head to where she wanted it.
Even she knew it wasn’t going to happen that way.
Holly looked up, working her way up Tori’s body, never losing her gaze as she laid on top of her. Then she was grinding into Tori, her pelvic bone connecting deliciously but still not providing what she needed.
“Please,” Tori begged.
In response, Holly licked from her belly button to her breasts, from her breasts to her neck.
“Please,” Tori repeated.
Holly crushed her lips to Tori’s. “Begging is so unedifying.” But Holly wasn’t such a cruel mistress.
Within minutes, she’d untied Tori’s left leg and hand, pushing her on her side. Tori exhaled loudly, her breathing now the only sound she could hear in the room, along with her elevated heartbeat.
Ba-doom. Ba-doom. Ba-doom.
And then Holly’s hand was between her legs, pushing one of them up, before she buried her fingers in Tori’s dripping pussy, Tori hissing and throwing her head back as Holly rode her from behind, taking her hard just how she knew Tori liked it.
“Oh my fucking hell!” Tori gasped, as Holly added another finger, pushing her leg further forward and fucking her with measured force.
It was exquisite and painful all at the same time, and it ripped at Tori’s soul, tapping into a part of her she didn’t often let out. The part that wanted to be dominated, the part that wanted to lose control. Because as much as Holly wanted to be in control, Tori was just as happy spinning out of control. And right now, she was taking full advantage, her thoughts a jumble on the floor as her girlfriend drove home her power, sending sparks of delight from Tori’s eyelashes down to her little toes. Tori could feel herself opening up, just wanting as much as Holly could give.
Seconds later, when Holly reached around with her left hand and set to work on Tori’s clit, all bets were off. Tori’s mind collapsed, her senses short-circuiting. She’d been building up to this for months, and now this? It was almost unfair.
With a matter of moments, Tori pressed down hard into Holly’s hands and came with a throaty moan all over Holly’s hands and all over her heart, emotion and elation running riot through her as her body exploded with joy. They weren’t just having sex again, they were having some of the best sex of Tori’s whole life.
Damn, she was going to miss her.
Tori tried to reach around, still spasming, but her other hand was still tied. “Can you undo it?” she asked, desperation in her voice.
Holly obliged swiftly.
Immediately, Tori turned and found Holly’s face, bringing her lips to hers.
And then the moment crystalised in perfection: kissing Holly, Holly all around her, inside and out.
As she fucked her some more, Tori twisted around, using her flailing hand to reconnect with Holly, who answered with a growl. And then she was rubbing herself on Tori’s hand, keeping up her rhythm, before rubbing explosive circles all over Tori’s clit. Tori matched her stroke for stroke and as her jaw tightened, they both groaned and fell into each other, their desire exploding at the same time, each crying out the other’s name. Holly’s body shook onto hers, her juices glistening on Tori’s fingers. Then they sagged against each other, spent, Holly’s sticky hand resting between Tori’s thighs.
The heat around them was misty, turning the room golden, victorious.
“Fucking hell,” Tori said.
“Uh-huh.”
“I would say, maybe we shouldn’t have sex for a few months again, but that would be stupid, right?” The grin in her voice was there for all to hear.
Holly poked her thigh. “Really stupid. We have to have sex every day before you leave, okay?”
Tori grinned. Now that was a deal she was more than happy to make.
Chapter 20
The following week, and their promise of daily sex had been adhered to with gusto, all of which was making Holly one happy girl. They’d been talking, too, just like Sarah predicted — who knew Sarah had been right all alo
ng?
And now here they were, doing their annual Christmas shop for each other in Selfridges. The rules were: one hour, one gift, and then they met for champagne afterwards. Tori had so many Christmas traditions to hold down, it got dizzying, but this was one Holly had always loved. Selfridges at this time of year held a magical wonder for her, too.
“See you at the Champagne Bar in one hour?” Tori said, checking her watch, clearly itching to get moving.
Holly nodded. “2pm sharp. Last one back buys the drinks.”
“Deal.” Tori kissed her on the lips. “See you there!”
As Tori disappeared into the swathe of eager shoppers, Holly turned and walked slowly, still on her crutches, to the jewellery department. She already knew the necklace she was going to buy for Tori, so she was in no rush. It had a silver chain and a single bird on the end of it, symbolising Tori’s flight from her, but also her flight back, eventually. It was something Tori could wear around her neck, something to remind her of Holly when she wasn’t by her side.
Holly strolled along the counters, the air filled with the smell of pine cones. If you closed your eyes, it was almost like being back among the fir trees in the New Forest. Almost.
She passed the watch department, where she’d got Tori’s gift the previous year; then through the cufflinks and men’s bracelets, and finally she was at necklaces. She scanned the cases, but then something caught her eye. Something on the next display island, so she wandered over.
It was a display of vintage jewellery, and Tori had a thing for vintage. She always swooned over older movies, always gravitated towards vintage jewellery rather than new. (”It’s got more heart, a story to tell,” she’d once said to Holly.)
So maybe a vintage piece would be better? An older style? And when Holly’s eyes focused fully on the case, goosebumps broke out across her skin. At the end of a line of rings sat one that was almost made for Tori — and it was perfect. She glanced around: this seemed to be a special vintage section, possibly set up for Christmas. But a ring from Selfridges was going to cost the earth, wasn’t it? Then again, Holly had money burning a hole in her bank account right now from her pay-off, and this was for Tori.
The love of her life.
And honestly, she didn’t think she’d ever seen a ring more perfect.
“Can I help you, madam?”
Holly looked up to see a woman smiling at her — she was about her age with incredibly shiny skin.
“Yes, that ring there — the art deco one. How much is it?” Holly was holding her breath as she waited for the answer. She’d never had a reaction like this before; she could feel her skin prickling with heat because she knew that Tori would love it so much. She could picture her face already, her dazzling smile, her sapphire eyes. She’d be thrilled.
The woman reached under the counter and brought it out, smiling as she did. “A lovely choice: it’s white gold set with rose-cut diamonds. Would you like to try it on?”
Holly nodded, her mouth dry, her fingers jittery.
She slid it onto her ring finger and it fitted like a glove. Tori and her had the same sized fingers, something that had been a joke between them for years.
“How much is it?” Holly could already feel herself getting attached on Tori’s behalf. She was feeling light-headed, almost euphoric.
“It’s £2,500, madam.” The woman’s voice was a glassy lake, again. Maybe it’s something they taught at retail school as well as paramedic school. After all, when someone tells you a price like that, you need to be calmed, reassured. And somehow, Holly was. “It’s a stunning piece, and it really suits you. 18-carat gold, total diamond carat is 0.7. A one-off, nobody else will be wearing it.”
She nodded, as the ring winked at her under the store lights.
Two and a half grand. For once in her life, she could afford it, and Tori would adore it. Spending ten times the amount she’d intended hadn’t been her plan, but what if this was fate?
What if this was a sign? What if this wasn’t just a ring, but the ring.
The ring that would lay down the marker for the rest of her life — and Tori’s, too? Her heartbeat was suddenly booming in her ears, and Holly put her hand out to steady herself on the display case.
She stared down at the ring, then back up at the woman, then back down. The ring was still twinkling, as was every single sense she possessed.
She’d only come in here for a necklace and now she was contemplating buying the ring. Could it be? Were they ready? Her face flushed as she questioned herself. But the answer was dancing in front of her eyes, clear as day.
Holly took a deep breath, then glanced up at the assistant, giving her a nod.
“I’ll take it.”
***
After champagne, Tori insisted on a trip around the West End to see the Christmas lights — yes, she was leaving soon, but she had no doubt she’d be back to be with Holly to do this all over again next year. That’s just the way the universe wanted it. The months of uncertainty and miscommunication had faded away as if they’d never happened, just like that.
“You reckon your leg’s going to hold up to dance at our Christmas do next week?” Tori asked, as Holly swung expertly on her crutches beside her.
“I might have to take a raincheck on that one.”
“You’re not coming?”
“No, I plan on coming, it is in our flat after all. But twerking might be a little bit of a stretch.”
“I wasn’t planning on making you do that. The jive maybe, but not twerking”
“Ha.”
Tori squeezed Holly’s hand tight as they strolled down Carnaby Street, massive lights in the shape of presents suspended all the way along the street, with shops piping out festive tunes and smells. Yep, this was still Tori’s most favourite time of the year, but this year was extra-special because change was wafting through the air — positive change, and it smelt like promise.
“How long till you go?”
Tori kissed her hand. “Three weeks.” She knew it wasn’t long, and she was dreading the day already. Yes, she was excited about the new role, but she wasn’t excited about what it meant for them.
“I’m going to miss this so much.”
“The Carnaby Christmas lights? You’d never be here if it wasn’t for me.” Tori smiled as she waited for Holly’s reply.
“You know what I mean,” she said. “I’m going to miss this — us. Talking, just being together. I’m too used to this. I know it’s only for a little while, but it’s going to be hard.”
“I know. I get to go off to new exciting places, and you get to stay here and be reminded of our life together.”
“Exactly.”
“If it helps, I can have a cardboard cut-out of myself done and leave it at home for you to talk to.”
“Don’t joke,” Holly said, giving her a grim smile.
“You’ve still got Valentine.”
“Thank goodness. And he never answers back, either.”
“And there’s FaceTime, too.”
“I know.” She paused. “What if I fall to pieces? What if the strong, bold exterior thing that I give off is just an image, and when you go, I crumble?”
“You won’t. But if you do, I’ll get on a plane and put you back together again.”
Holly turned to her, her eyes shining. “You’d do that?”
“Of course,” Tori replied. “But you’re going to be fine. Weren’t you the one saying you were going to concentrate on your next move? This gives you all the time in the world to figure out what you want to do now, career-wise.”
“A little too much time.”
“I disagree. You can really focus on you.”
Holly put two fingers to her chin. “I am looking forward to that. Some kind of project-management role maybe, something I could really get my teeth into — something I really care about.”
“You see? You won’t have time to miss me.”
Tori pulled out a chair in front of a pub on the
corner with old-school Georgian architecture, all white walls and wooden beams. “Two mulled wines?”
“Please,” Holly said, gripping her Selfridges bag and shivering a little.
“You haven’t let go of that bag since you came back from shopping. Have you bought me the crown jewels for Christmas?” Tori nodded towards the bag in Holly’s lap.
Holly blushed. “Are you getting me a drink?”
“Of course,” Tori replied, her breath swirling around her.
Two minutes later, Holly took her mulled wine and held it up, as her girlfriend settled into the seat beside her.
“To us and wherever life takes us — it’s about the journey as well as the destination.”
“Very deep,” Tori said, tapping her glass to Holly’s.
“I’m letting you go, babe, like Sarah said. And if you’re mine, you’ll come back.”
“I’m yours already, stupid.”
“Really?” She hoped so, but she guessed she’d find out soon enough.
Tori rolled her eyes. “Really. But stop getting maudlin — we’ve got this week, then Christmas at yours with our mums, and then New Year and beyond before I go. So don’t put me on the plane just yet, okay?”
Holly leaned forward and kissed Tori. “Okay.”
“And now things are more back to normal, have you thought any more about being the face of Babe Magnet? Trudi was asking me again the other day.”
Holly twisted her mouth one way, then the other. “I have — and I think I might be up for it. I need to start living again, and this is a great project to get that started. And who knows where it might lead?”
Tori grinned. “That’s brilliant. Are you serious? Can I tell Trudi you’re saying yes?” She fished her phone from her pocket, already calling up Trudi’s number to message her.
Holly nodded. “You can. Tell her I’d be honoured to be the face of Babe Magnet. I’ve got time to do it now, haven’t I?”