One Way or Another

by A. L. Brooks

  Bethany blushed as a slow smile crept to her lips.

  “And that was enough to at least keep me here, in the flat. But I knew I needed to talk it out with someone, so I called my aunt’s, and she and Jonathan were just talking me down from the ledge when you appeared.”

  “Well, I’m very glad they did.” Bethany shuffled on her seat. “Do you really think I would do any of those things to you?”

  Sarah vigorously shook her head. “No, I don’t. Last night you were all the right things for me, and I know you wouldn’t betray that. That was my fear talking, and we know my fear is very stupid.”

  Bethany smiled and reached out a hand to cup Sarah’s cheek. “Yes. It is.” She sighed. “I want you, Sarah. I want this, what we’ve started. In bed we’re amazing, I think.” She chuckled as Sarah nodded. “And I know we’ve hit a few bumps outside of the bedroom, but that picnic, and our dinner at Sheekey’s, and the calls this week, they’ve all added up to something pretty special, and exciting, yes?”

  “Oh, God, definitely.”

  Sarah inched off the stool and stood in front of Bethany. “I’m so glad we’re talking like this. It takes me right out of my comfort zone, but I know it was what needed to be done. I’m sorry it didn’t happen sooner. But I want you, Bethany, and I want us to be together and to see what we can make of this wonderful time we’re having.”

  Bethany said nothing, but simply smiled, leaned forward and pressed her warm lips to Sarah’s until she whimpered in relief, and elation, and pleasure. They kissed for who knew how long, but when they eventually came up for air they were both breathless.

  Sarah was grinning, and didn’t think she’d stop any time soon. Her hands rested on Bethany’s hips as Bethany’s fingers stroked her face, and played with her hair, and ran a slow trail down her neck to caress her collarbone.

  “Can I ask one thing, though?” Bethany said, stilling her fingers. Her eyes narrowed, and a small frown marred her forehead above her glasses.

  “Of course.” Sarah braced herself, her heart pounding.

  “Please keep talking to me. Always. I’m as new to this as you are, albeit for different reasons, and I have my own fears. I just think we have more of a chance at making this work if we actually talk, you know? I like you a lot, Sarah, and I already care about you, and about us, and about this magical thing that seems to be happening between us. So, please, if anything is worrying you, tell me. And I promise to do the same.”

  “I can promise that too.” Sarah wrapped her arms around Bethany again. “I’m not used to it, but I’ll make myself do it if it means I keep you in my life.”

  Bethany’s frown disappeared, and her face blossomed into a smile. “Good.” She hugged Sarah tightly. “So,” she murmured, her lips close to Sarah’s ear, “what do we do now?”

  Sarah pulled back to gaze at her. “Start the day all over again and head back to bed? If that’s too soon, or you’re not in the mood—”

  Bethany smirked. “Sarah, where you are concerned, I don’t think you ever have to worry about me being in the mood.”

  Sarah flushed. “Well,” she said, her voice huskier than anticipated, “that’s good.”

  Bethany nodded slowly, tugging Sarah after her as she headed to the bedroom. “Yes, it is,” she said over her shoulder, and the fire in her eyes set Sarah’s clit throbbing.

  Bethany eased her way up the length of Sarah’s body, smiling to herself. Going down on Sarah, even through a dam, was rapidly becoming one of her favourites of all the things they had tried so far. Of course, they’d barely scratched the surface of what they could do to each other, and that thought sent a delicious shiver running right through her.

  Sarah’s breathing was heavy and erratic; her fingers still clenched the sheets, and she was shaking her head from side to side.

  “That was…” Sarah murmured as Bethany laid herself fully on top of her.

  “Uh-huh, it was.”

  Bethany leaned down and captured Sarah’s lips in another blistering kiss. God, she could kiss Sarah all day long. Lying here on top of her, warm skin pressed together from chest to toes, everything seemed right in Bethany’s world again.

  “When I get my breath back, I’m going to do that to you in return,” Sarah said, voice low and husky.

  Bethany gazed into her beautiful brown eyes and smiled. “Mmm, yes please.”

  They kissed again, until the sound of Sarah’s mobile ringing in the other room had them both raising their heads. Then Sarah’s hands on the back of Bethany’s neck pulled her back down.

  “Ignore it,” she murmured, trailing the tip of her tongue over Bethany’s top lip before dipping into her mouth again.

  The ringing phone stopped, then started again a few seconds later.

  Sarah pulled back. “What the—”

  “It’s probably Jonathan, wondering what on earth is going on. Maybe you’d better answer it, put his mind to rest?”

  Sighing, Sarah said, “Yep, I guess I had. Sorry.”

  She pecked Bethany lightly on the lips, then wriggled out from under her. Bethany rolled over and flopped onto her back, arms akimbo. She felt no need to cover her body—it was a warm morning, so the temperature in Sarah’s bedroom was rather pleasant, and anyway, any doubts she’d had about being naked in front of someone again had been truly laid to rest hours ago.

  Bethany couldn’t make out Sarah’s words, but her tone was cheerful and interspersed with laughter. She sat up to take a few sips of water from the glass beside the bed, and had just replaced it when Sarah bounced back in and launched herself onto her side of the bed.

  “Wow, someone’s perky!” Bethany said, chuckling.

  “That was Evelyn, plus Jonathan chiming in somewhere in the background. They were desperate to know what happened after you appeared on the balcony. They are very happy to hear that we are back on track.”

  Bethany smiled. “Good!”

  “I know. Jonathan also told me to tell you that he thinks you are a saint to put up with me.”

  Pulling Sarah into her arms, Bethany kissed the top of her head. “Nonsense. You’re worth it.”

  “I am really glad you think that.”

  Sarah pulled back, wearing a serious expression, and Bethany reached out a finger to tap her on the nose.

  “I really do. So don’t worry.”

  “Okay. And you don’t have to agree to this now if it’s too soon, but they’ve invited us for a not-too-early breakfast tomorrow.”

  Bethany’s heart leaped. Oh wow, Sarah really must be serious if she wanted Bethany to meet the most important person in her life.

  Sarah seemed to take her momentary silence as reluctance. “Like I said, if it’s too—”

  Kissing her, Bethany smiled against her lips. “No,” she said, as she pulled back, “I think that’s a lovely idea.”

  “You do?” Sarah flushed and smiled. “That’s…that’s very cool.” She blinked. “You do realise I’ve never taken anyone home to meet anyone from my family before?”

  Bethany laughed. “Yes, I figured as much. Are you going to cope?” She softened her words with a smile.

  Sarah feigned horror, her eyes going wide, but the grin gave her away. “I’ll manage. I think.”

  “You will. They’ll love me.”

  Bethany laughed, squirming as Sarah dug her fingers into her ribs.

  “Wow, haven’t we got cocky in the last twenty-four hours?” Sarah asked, grinning even wider.

  “Ha ha, not really. But I am having fun playing like this.”

  “Yeah, me too.” Sarah shook her head. “I feel like a whole different person with you. A better person.”

  “Aw,” Bethany said softly, her emotions riding high. “That’s a lovely thing to hear.”

  Sarah ducked her head and snuggled up against Bethany’s chest.

 
“There is one thing though,” Bethany said. “Sorry to get all practical, but I’ll need to go home today, as I didn’t exactly plan this through and I don’t have clothes to change into.” Bethany blushed, remembering her mad dash out of her own home the evening before.

  Sarah looked up, a smile on her face. “Ah, yes, Miss Spontaneous. I was forgetting that in all the other drama I managed to conjure up.” After a pause, she said, “Can I suggest we spend tonight at your place then? If you have other plans, that’s fine, but I’d really like to spend the whole weekend with you, if we can?”

  Bethany tapped a fingertip against her chin, pretending to ponder the question. Another dig at her ribs made her abandon the ruse as a laugh escaped her lips.

  “Of course we can. I’d love that.”

  “Brilliant!” Sarah wriggled until she was more on top of Bethany than beside her. “Now, I most definitely have my breath back, so I think I need to make good on that promise, hm?”

  She pulled a dental dam from the box by the bed and started moving down Bethany’s body, planting soft kisses on any area of skin she passed.

  “Oh, yes, you really do need to keep your promises,” Bethany whispered, then arched her back as Sarah placed the dam in position and her tongue found Bethany’s clit and began a gentle lapping. “Yes…”

  Chapter 18

  “Your flat is so cute,” Sarah said, reaching for her tea and wrapping her free arm around Bethany.

  They were snuggled up on the sofa, having both managed to find spots that were relatively lump free. Waking up next to Sarah in her own bed had given Bethany a wonderful sense of excitement and completeness. They were in a relationship now—a real, live relationship. She had a girlfriend. That thought alone made her want to squeal out loud.

  “It’s so much smaller than yours, but yes, I suppose cute is a good word for it.”

  “Oh, hey, it’s lovely! You’ve decorated it beautifully. I can tell you’ve made the best use of the space you’ve got and it feels lovely here. Calm, and restful, and…homey. Sometimes I think my place is still a bit too stark, you know? Doesn’t have a lot of warmth to it, because it’s all modern and sleek.”

  Bethany nodded her understanding. “I don’t think that, but I do think you could make it even warmer with just a few changes.”

  “Going to be my interior decorator as well as my girlfriend, huh?”

  As she said the ‘g’ word, Sarah’s eyes went wide, and her hand trembled on her tea mug.

  Bethany chuckled, and patted Sarah’s thigh. “Don’t give yourself a heart attack. It’s just a word.”

  “I know,” Sarah said in a strangled voice, her eyes still wide. “I’ve just never said it before. Wow.” She stared at Bethany. “It feels remarkably good,” she said quietly, a small smile on her lips.

  Bethany leaned in and kissed her. “It feels good to hear it,” she murmured.

  They finished their tea in silence, smiling at each other between sips, and kissing for a long time once they’d set down their cups.

  “Ready?” Sarah asked.

  Bethany inhaled and exhaled very slowly. “Yes. I think.”

  Sarah kissed her on the nose. “You’ll be great. It’s probably me we should worry about. Make sure you pack a defibrillator.”

  She grinned, and Bethany rolled her eyes.

  The Sunday morning Tube was quiet. Thanks to weekend engineering works, they had to take a rather longer route, but they still arrived at Mile End in good time for Evelyn’s ten a.m. invitation. It was another beautiful morning, and the short walk to the house allowed just enough time to feel the sun on their cheeks.

  Bethany shuffled on the doorstep after Sarah had rung the bell.

  “It’s going to be fine. Like you said, they’ll love you,” Sarah said, slipping her warm hand into Bethany’s and squeezing gently.

  Her own eyes looked a little wild, though, and Bethany squeezed back. “And you’ll be fine, too, okay?”

  Sarah nodded, then turned as the door opened before them.

  A handsome and groomed-to-perfection man met them with a wide smile on his face. He quickly greeted Sarah, then opened his arms to Bethany.

  “It is lovely to meet you, Bethany,” he said as he pulled her into a gentle embrace, kissing both of her cheeks. “I’m Jonathan, in case you hadn’t guessed.”

  Bethany smiled, liking him instantly. “It’s very nice to meet you, too.”

  “Come on in. Evelyn’s in the garden, so go on through. I’m just topping up the pot and I’ll bring the tea out in a sec.”

  “Thanks,” Sarah said and, still clutching at Bethany’s hand, led her down a grand hallway to a small room at the back of the house with double doors leading out to the courtyard garden.

  It was a beautiful space which Bethany knew she would take more time to admire later, but first things first. The elderly lady Sarah led her to was sitting very upright in a high-backed rattan chair, a walking stick propped against its arm. She was smartly dressed, and everything she wore, from her clothes to her shoes and jewellery, spoke of money. But it wasn’t intimidating or ostentatious—Evelyn simply looked as if she was born to it, like it was nothing more than a part of who she was. And she was smiling, which immediately relaxed Bethany.

  “Evelyn,” Sarah said, leaning down to kiss her aunt lightly on one cheek.

  “Sarah, dear, lovely to see you.”

  Sarah sucked in a breath and beckoned Bethany closer. “Evelyn, I’d like you to meet Bethany, my girlfriend. Bethany, this is my aunt, Evelyn.”

  Evelyn’s eyes widened just a tad at the word ‘girlfriend’ but her smile didn’t waver.

  “It’s lovely to meet you,” Bethany said, and smiled as Evelyn held out both arms.

  They embraced briefly and gently; the scent of roses emanated from Evelyn, reminding Bethany of her gran, who had passed away some years before.

  “Sit down, both of you,” Evelyn said, motioning to the two chairs at right angles to hers.

  They were arranged around a small, low outdoor table made of wrought iron with a glass top, and when Jonathan appeared moments later, he placed a tray with the tea makings on the surface.

  Smiling, he poured out four cups and passed them round.

  “She insisted on doing formal,” he said, casting a withering look at Evelyn. “When it’s just the two of us we drink out of old mugs like normal people do.”

  Evelyn huffed. “One does have standards when it comes to guests,” she said, her tone biting. “Especially someone as important as this.” She glared at Jonathan and smiled at Bethany, who tried very hard not to laugh.

  Sarah smiled at her across the table.

  “So,” Jonathan said, “what did you two get up to yesterday after all the drama?”

  The question was probably meant as innocent, but Bethany’s cheeks flamed hot before she could do anything to stop them.

  “Well,” Evelyn said, peering at Bethany over the top of her cup, “I rather think that answers that question.”

  Bethany thought her face might actually melt from the heat her cheeks were generating.

  “Evelyn!” Sarah shot the word at her aunt. “Really?”

  Evelyn chuckled. “You know me, dear—far too old to shock.”

  “We spent the evening at Bethany’s flat,” Sarah said over Jonathan’s sniggers. “She lives in Finchley in a beautiful first floor Victorian conversion.”

  “Oh, I do love Victorians,” Jonathan said. “Any original features?”

  Thankful for a far safer conversation topic, Bethany happily launched into a description of her flat, including the original fireplace in the living room, and from there the four of them moved onto an enthralling discussion that covered interior design, house prices, areas in London each of them knew, and how ridiculous the ‘Gherkin’ looked as an office building.

 
Jonathan put his empty cup down and rubbed his hands together. “Everyone hungry?”

  “Starving,” Evelyn said. “I was wondering how long you were going to keep us out here.”

  “Ignore her. She’s always like this until her drugs kick in.” Jonathan stood, winked at Bethany, and headed back inside the house.

  “I do not, I hasten to point out, take drugs, as Jonathan so crassly put it,” Evelyn said, shaking her head. “I do despair of that boy.”

  Sarah chuckled. “Firstly, he’s a man, not a boy, Evelyn, and secondly, you adore him.”

  Picking at a piece of lint on the sleeve of her cardigan, Evelyn muttered, “Perhaps.” She grabbed the head of her walking stick, and slowly eased herself up to a standing position.

  “I will see you at the dining table,” Evelyn said.

  After her aunt was out of earshot, Sarah looked over at Bethany and smiled. “Did I warn you what it was like with these two?”

  Bethany laughed. “No, but I think both of them are wonderful.”

  “They are.” She walked over to Bethany’s chair and leaned down to kiss her. “Let’s go in, see if we can help Jonathan, yes?”

  “Perfect.”

  They found him singing along to a radio in the kitchen while he beat a large bowl of eggs.

  “Scrambled okay?” he asked as they walked in.

  “Lovely,” they said in unison, then grinned at each other.

  Jonathan shook his head. “Oh, good Lord, they’re already morphing.”

  “Piss off,” Sarah said under her breath and Jonathan guffawed.

  “Right, sausages are keeping warm in the oven along with the grilled tomatoes and mushrooms. I need someone on toast duty—Bethany, think you’re up to the task?”

  Bethany slapped her heels together, stood as straight as she could, and saluted. “Sir, yes sir!”

  Jonathan rolled his eyes. “Oh, yes, you two are clearly perfect for each other.” He grinned and pointed at the toaster, an uncut white loaf on a board in front of it. “Just get on with your job,” he muttered.