by Jay, Donna
With a hand on each breast, Kelly rolled Lucy’s nipples between thumb and forefinger.
Lucy’s eyelids lowered, then flew open when Kelly squeezed and twisted, hard enough to elicit a yelp. Not intending to cause any lasting pain, she released the taut peaks and sucked one then the other, soothing the ache and drawing little whimpers from Lucy.
“Fuck.” Lucy moaned. “I want to touch you so bad. To run my fingers through your hair.”
As if they were connected, the mere suggestion of Lucy running her fingers through Kelly’s hair made her scalp prickle.
Out of the corner of her eye, Kelly saw Lucy’s hand flex. The rope around her wrist prevented her from touching Kelly, and served as a silent reminder she was at Kelly’s mercy.
Anxious to feel skin on skin, she released Lucy’s nipple with a pop and plastered the front of her body to Lucy’s. The heat rippling between them was off the charts.
Time stood still as Kelly luxuriated in the warmth of Lucy’s skin, the wonderful scent of her hair, and the stunning green eyes holding her captive.
Kelly fisted Lucy’s hair and kissed her hard. Lucy parted her lips, expelling a whimper as she allowed Kelly entrance.
“I love having my hair played with, so hold that thought.” Kelly dropped to her knees. “For now, you can simply dream about grabbing my head, while I lick, suck, and fuck you until you’re begging for release.”
A tiny whimper escaped Lucy’s lips, her eyes glassy with lust.
The second Kelly’s tongue made contact, a groan tore from Lucy. Like the birds that took flight, Kelly’s heart soared. She loved how utterly responsive Lucy was.
“You horny girl.” Kelly held up her fingers, glistening with Lucy’s arousal. “Is this all for me?”
“Yes.” Lucy inhaled sharply. “You do that to me, Miss Kel.”
With that, Kelly was on Lucy like waves lapping at a beach. She licked, nipped, and sucked every inch of Lucy’s labia, enticing delectable whimpers from her lips .
When Lucy’s thighs tensed as if poised on the edge of release, Kelly pulled back and slapped her mound.
“Fuck.” Lucy exhaled a tortured groan.
Burning with desire, Kelly continued to smack her clit with one hand while finger-fucking her with the other.
Tiny tremors rocked Lucy’s body, a sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead, and her breathing grew shallow.
“Oh, Miss Kel, I’m so close. Permission to come?” It was more of a plea than a request.
The white rope pulled taut around her wrist when Lucy flexed her hands as if trying to reach out and pull Kelly closer.
“Where do you want me?” Kelly teased. “Here?” She swiped her tongue along the length of Lucy’s labia, savouring her unique taste and inhaling her musky scent. Both were out of this world. She tasted and smelled fucking amazing.
“Yes, yes, like that.”
In the back of her mind, Kelly was conscious they were at a public reserve. A fact that was as distracting as it was exhilarating.
Focusing her attention on the beautiful woman writhing before her, Kelly thumbed Lucy’s clit and buried her fingers deep inside her.
“Come for me.” Kelly curled her fingers forward and massaged Lucy’s G-spot.
A guttural moan tore from Lucy.
Seemingly all at once, her body sagged, she clutched the tree, and cried out.
The heady feel of her pulsing around Kelly’s digits, the sound of her raspy breaths, and exhaled curses—fuck, oh my God, fuck—was the hottest, most humbling thing Kelly had ever witnessed.
She’d dreamed of bringing a partner to orgasm with an intensity that blew both their minds. The reality surpassed all of Kelly’s expectations. In that moment, she was lost to Lucy, to the dream of them growing old together.
The undeniable truth of the matter—she’d fallen hard and fast for Lucy—rocked Kelly to her core.
As though her legs didn’t want to hold her up anymore, Lucy’s body went limp. She slid down the tree. Just before her naked backside hit the ground, she braced herself, her butt hovering millimetres above twigs and dirt.
“Shit. Perhaps that’s not such a good idea.”
Kelly pulled the towel out from under her knees. She slid it forward. “Here.”
Lowering herself the last few inches, Lucy gave Kelly a grateful smile. “Thanks, I’m boneless.”
Far from done with Lucy, Kelly stood. “Well, lucky for me, it’s not a bone I’m after.”
Kelly’s legs pinged as circulation returned. Despite the towel cushioning her weight, the rough ground had left dents in Kelly’s knees.
Hands still bound, and making no attempts to slip free, Lucy licked her lips. Her hungry gaze zeroed in on where Kelly wanted—needed—her most.
Practically able to feel Lucy’s mouth on her, Kelly put one foot between Lucy’s thighs, hiked her other leg up, and settled her foot on a knot jutting out of the side of the tree.
Like someone savouring the heavenly aroma of their favourite brew, Lucy inhaled deeply .
“You want some of this?” Kelly grabbed a handful of Lucy’s short black hair and pulled her head back.
The intensity of desire simmering in Lucy’s eyes rocked Kelly’s world. Lucy wanted her as much as she wanted Lucy.
“I want all of it, of you, Miss Kel.” Lucy licked her lips.
Aching from pent up sexual tension, Kelly thrust her pelvis forward. Before she could draw her next breath, Lucy wrapped her lips around Kelly’s swollen clit. Her tongue was warm and wet, and she kept up a steady rhythm that had Kelly hurtling toward orgasm in record time.
Pleasure zinged through Kelly’s veins, and it was her turn to expel expletives.
“Fuck.”
Head back, sunlight crisscrossing her face, Kelly clutched the knee of her raised leg.
Tiny moans coming from Lucy vibrated through her, intensifying her arousal. Before long, a cacophony of their cries of pleasure filled the small space between them .
Fighting to suck in air, Kelly’s muscles tensed as the rising crescendo of pleasure robbed her of her senses. Her toes curled, her legs shook; exquisite sensations bombarded her body.
Out of nowhere, Kelly’s orgasm slammed into her like a cattle truck, and hit her with as much force. All the breath left her body. White spots danced in her vision. Struggling to remain upright, she lowered her leg.
Lucy slowed her movements, retreating from where Kelly had become too sensitive.
Sucking in air, Kelly dragged her jeans closer and sat beside Lucy. “You literally steal my breath away.”
“Thank you, Miss Kel.” Lucy sounded unsure. She leaned her head back against the tree and stared up at the sky.
Having none of it, Kelly gripped Lucy’s chin and forced her to meet her gaze. “I meant it, Lucy. The mere sight of you takes my breath away. I don’t mean just the sex, which, by the way, is fucking amazing.”
Lucy chuckled and Kelly’s heart soared. The only thing she loved more than hearing Lucy laugh was being the cause of it.
“It’s pretty amazing,” Lucy said. “We’re amazing, together.”
Kelly had the urge to ask a question that had been on her mind since Thursday night. If she was to be honest, she hadn’t asked before now because she was terrified of the answer.
But after such an intense moment, she couldn’t put it off any longer.
“Do you think we should slowdown? I can, you know. If you want me to.” There, she’d said it and survived.
“I’ve been thinking that very same thing,” Lucy said.
A little unsure if she wanted to hear the answer, Kelly held her breath. “You have?”
Lucy chuckled. “Of course I have. I’m a planner by nature. Hell, I’m paid to look for things others don’t see.” She shrugged. “It’s what I do, analyse.”
The mysterious reply did nothing to alleviate Kelly’s concerns. She would back off if that was what Lucy needed. Although, she suspected that would be as crushing as h
aving to walk everywhere instead of riding her Triumph. It would be difficult, but she’d cope.
“The thing is, Kelly, all my life, I’ve taken the time to really get to know the person I was dating before being intimate with them. And none of those relationships worked out. As soon as it came to sex, everything went downhill.”
Even though Kelly understood what Lucy was saying, she still felt insecure.
“So, what you’re saying is we have the chemistry but might not have what it takes to go the distance?”
“You really are cute, Kel. All powerful and dominant one minute and insecure the next.”
“Are you making fun of me?” Kelly harrumphed, not at all offended.
“We all have our insecurities, I find yours endearing.”
“As are yours,” Kelly said.
“Touché.” Lucy smirked. “Now stop distracting me. To answer your question, I don’t see why we should back up. We have chemistry, trust, and respect. Those are the things that matter most to me, Kelly.”
“Me too,” Kelly said softly .
“I knew a couple who decided to tie the knot.”
Kelly chuckled. The timing of Lucy’s words couldn’t have been better.
Lucy glanced down at the hand Kelly had just freed. “Not that kind of knot.”
“I know.” Kelly slid across Lucy’s lap and released her other hand. “Go on.”
“They married after being together for ten years, divorced a year later. There are no guarantees in love and life, Kel. You just have to trust your instincts and make the most of every God given day.”
Never had a truer word been spoken. Kelly of all people knew the truth of it.
She swallowed the lump in her throat, cupped Lucy’s cheek, and kissed her on the lips.
Overwhelmed by a sudden rush of emotion, Kelly blinked back tears. “There you go again.”
“Huh?” Lucy furrowed her brow.
“You, stealing my breath away.”
Whatever Kelly had done to deserve such a wonderful, intelligent, and loving woman, was beyond her. But she would heed Lucy’s words and enjoy every minute they spent together.
The distant rumble of a vehicle grew louder.
They both froze.
With her heart hammering in her chest, Kelly met Lucy’s wide-eyed gaze and held a finger to her lips.
The crunch of tyres on gravel was unmistakable.
“Shit, that car’s heading this way.”
Slowly, as if the slightest sound would alert someone to their secret cubby-hole, Kelly uncurled her legs and climbed to her feet. Once she had her jeans on and Lucy had secured the towel around her body, they huddled close and made a beeline for the riverbed, and their clothes.
A heavy silence hung in the air as they quickly dressed. Once they were clad in the clothes they’d arrived in, Lucy exhaled a relieved sigh. Kelly let out a nervous giggle, Lucy snorted, and within minutes they were both laughing.
“I think we’ve had enough excitement for one day.” Kelly slung the backpack over her shoulder. “Let’s get out of here.”
Lucy stared at the dense foliage. “What if we come face to face with someone on the other side of the blackberry bushes?”
Kelly shrugged. “So what? We’ve been for a swim.”
After a beat, Lucy relaxed and winked. “Swimming in lust.”
Giddy with happiness, Kelly stepped in front of Lucy and parted the blackberry vines. “Follow me.”
“Always.” Came from over her shoulder.
That one simple word wrapped around Kelly’s heart and squeezed tight.
Chapter 22
The following week was bittersweet for Kelly. One minute she was flying high, the next she crashed and burned. However, the highs surpassed the lows and kept her buoyant.
As much as she understood, and respected Lucy’s need for discretion, keeping their relationship on the downlow was proving harder than she’d anticipated.
Work kicked Kelly’s arse. The best thing about that was Friday arrived in record time. Just as she was about to leave for the day she was summoned to Jennifer’s office.
“The boss wants to see you.” Jacinta grabbed the dishcloth out of Kelly’s hand. “She didn’t look happy, perhaps she’s going to give you a DCM slip.”
Not at all concerned, Kelly dried her hands on a towel and shook her head. “I don’t work Mondays, so I hardly think she’ll give me a Don’t Come Monday— you’re fired—slip.”
Jacinta jutted out her bottom lip. “Spoilsport, you’re no fun.”
Although Kelly put on a brave face, her mind raced as she bounded up the stairs. Perhaps there was some truth in what Jacinta said. Kelly couldn’t imagine what. She’d arrived at work on time every day, and hadn’t had any customer complaints, at least not that she was aware of.
Jennifer hadn’t shown her face all day yesterday, and Kelly had kept the ship afloat. The knot in her stomach tightened. Had something happened to Jennifer’s mum? God, Kelly didn’t want to deal with that last thing on a Friday, but if Jennifer needed a shoulder she would offer her one.
She knew first-hand the pain of being avoided by people who didn’t know what to say during a time of grief. She also knew often a shoulder meant more than any words.
Taking a deep breath, Kelly tapped on the door.
“It’s open.” The tone of her boss’s voice, all business, gave away nothing .
The flowery scent of Jennifer’s perfume was the first thing that hit Kelly as she stepped into the small room.
The second thing that hit her was an image of Lucy on her hands and knees. Kelly bit the inside of her cheek to suppress a grin.
Using her pen like a pointer, Jennifer indicated to the chair in front of her desk. “Sit.”
The old wooden seat groaned as Kelly sat making her feel like she’d gained ten pounds. She really needed to stop eating takeaways, but Nicole was rarely home these days and cooking for one sucked.
The impulse to tap her fingers when the silence stretched out made Kelly antsy. To avoid doing so, she hitched her thighs up and tucked her hands underneath.
Finally, Jennifer stopped shuffling papers around and locked eyes with Kelly. “You know I drive down your street on my way home some nights, don’t you?”
More confused than ever, Kelly frowned. Surely her boss hadn’t called her into her office to discuss her driving habits. Many motorists used Knowles Street as a bypass to avoid heavy traffic.
“No, I didn’t.” Kelly shrugged, unsure what the big deal was.
“I went that way on Wednesday.” Jennifer gave Kelly a pointed look that as good as said, “you know where I’m going with this?”
Having no clue, Kelly flicked her mind back to Wednesday night. The memory made her heart flutter. She’d been home, Lucy had spent the night. Kelly shook her head before a silly grin overtook her face.
When the reality of what Jennifer was implying hit home, Kelly’s mouth fell open, hanging slack as if it had come unhinged.
Jennifer slowly nodded. “You had a visitor. I recognized the car, and face.”
Certain her personal life and who she chose to spend her free time with had nothing to do with her boss, Kelly’s nostrils flared. “And?”
“If I’m not mistaken, it was the woman who audited the business. The woman whom I entrusted you with.”
“I’ve known Lucy for a while.” Kelly held her chin high. “I’m seeing her again tonight. Not that it’s any of your business. Why don’t you cut to the chase and tell me what this is really about? ”
Stunned by the words tumbling out of her mouth, unbidden, Kelly broke out in a cold sweat. Had she lost her mind? If her job wasn’t on the line before, it surely was now.
“Don’t forget who you’re talking to, Kelly,” Jennifer’s voice carried a warning, but her expression remained warm. “Need I remind you, you’re still on my dime?”
As quickly as the boxing gloves had come out, all the fight went out of Kelly. Jennifer had always tr
eated her with respect and she deserved the same in return, even if Kelly was confused as all get out. “
“Sorry, that was out of line.”
Jennifer accepted her apology with a sharp nod.
“I don’t know how much Lucy told you about the audit. More specifically what came to light.”
Heat prickled up Kelly’s spine. Lucy hadn’t disclosed a word of her findings. Rather than react, she clenched her jaw.
“Not much if the scowl on your face is anything to go by.”
“Correct,” Kelly replied, not trusting herself to utter more than a single word.
A smile softened Jennifer’s features. It also drew Kelly’s attention to the wrinkles around her eyes. Jennifer looked tired. On closer inspection, she looked downright rung out.
“How’s your mum?” Kelly asked.
“Not good.”
Without elaborating, Jennifer got right back to business. “I just want you to know, I’d never intentionally underpay an employee.” She cleared her throat. “Minimum wage went up right around the time Mum first got sick.”
Feeling awkward, like her boss wanted to be absolved of a cardinal sin, Kelly squirmed in her seat. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”
“Please, I need you to hear me out. Despite my mind being elsewhere these days, it’s something I never should’ve overlooked. It also brought to my attention, I can’t do this on my own. For the business to continue to thrive, I need a 2IC.
Unfamiliar with the acronym, Kelly frowned. “Huh? ”
“Second in charge.” Jennifer glanced up then back to her notepad. “Ben has been given a pay increase and back paid the shortfall. I’ve come to rely on you, Kelly, to be my eyes and ears, to ensure the place runs smoothly during my absence.”
“Thank you.” A mixture of pride and embarrassment washed over Kelly. She prided herself on doing a good job, and while it felt good to have her boss recognise that, receiving praise gracefully never came easily to Kelly. It made her feel conceited, a trait she detested in others.
“I want you to start inducting new employees, carry out monthly audits to ensure all files, food handling certificates, tax declarations, and pay rates are current. It’s a big responsibility and your pay will increase to reflect that. What do you say? Are you up for the challenge?”