“Partially nude,” Cassidy corrected.
“Maybe, we could just…satisfy our curiosity?” Brenna murmured the question against Cassidy’s breastbone, inhaling the scent of skin and light perspiration.
“Are you sure?” Cassidy pulled back and watched the need clear a little from Brenna’s face. “I don’t want you to regret anything. I don’t want to regret it either.”
Brenna exhaled. “I know that I want to connect with you completely.” She bit her lip. “You excite me,” she pointed to her heart, “in here. It’s lust, and love…I think. For the first time I’m not really able to articulate everything I’m feeling, and it’s a bit frustrating. I’m no novice, you know, but it feels…wonderful and scary. But right. Does that make sense?”
Cassidy pulled Brenna to her to place a tender kiss on her nose, cheeks, and then finally her lips. “It does. It’s not something I understood either, until I looked at you and wanted the same thing.”
“So, um…” Brenna licked her lips, aware there was a precipice looming, “does this mean we should move to the bedroom?”
“We could sit here,” Cassidy mused, “if you want your sons to find a wet spot on the couch.”
Brenna shivered and her groin convulsed at the thought of how they might cause that wet spot. “Let’s clear this stuff into the kitchen.”
“We should wash our hands.” To illustrate her point, Cassidy traced a popcorn-greased finger down Brenna’s cheek.
They made quick work of putting away the bowl and bottle and turned off the television, taking turns at the kitchen sink with soap and water. Warm, damp hands brushed together, and Brenna, still trembling, led the way to the bedroom.
Closing the door carefully, Brenna and Cassidy looked at the array of clothing covering the bed. “It look me three outfits to figure out what to wear, too,” Cassidy confessed with a hint of laughter.
Scooping the clothing to the vanity chair, Brenna turned to find Cassidy sitting on the bed. Her hands splayed across the sheets, tracing their whimsical blue and white flower pattern before she looked up. Brenna reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear as Cassidy’s gaze lingered. She’s here. She’s really here. In my bed. She started to tug her sweater over her head. Suddenly hands wrapped around her waist, and she was falling to the bed. Cassidy completed the removal of her top, tossed it aside, and rolled half over her body, warm fingers stroking over her stomach.
“I was taking too long making up my mind, wasn’t I?”
“Oh no, not at all. My body heat was just about to set your bed on fire. You could’ve stood there as long as you wanted; I’d have just burned up the bedroom around you.” Cassidy chuckled and pulled off her sweater, tossing it to the floor with Brenna’s.
Brenna’s hands slid up Cassidy’s arms and shoulders, then down, slowly cirŹcling the breasts. “Partial nudity achieved,” she reminded with a grin.
Cassidy’s hand caressed Brenna’s thigh and calf to tug off her sandals. Their gazes locked. Reversing direction, she moved her hand up the inside of Brenna’s thigh until the heat from her center guided her the rest of the way. Softly she covered the area for a moment, reveling in the heat and her own rising passion, then reached for the top of Brenna’s pants.
Lifting her hips as the slacks were removed, Brenna felt Cassidy’s touch along the bare skin of her inner thighs for the first time. She hooked her fingers into Cassidy’s waistband and tugged in return. Warm skin, smooth and familiar in an unfamiliar way, met her palms as she spread her fingers across the taut abdomen. Braced over her, Cassidy copied the touch against Brenna’s stomach.
They looked their fill for several minutes. “Touch me.” Cassidy lowered herself onto her side on the mattress and combed her fingers through Brenna’s hair as the other woman’s fingers explored over peaks and valleys. With whispered encourageŹment, she told Brenna how each touch made her feel.
Brenna moved against her, and Cassidy’s tremors quaked through her as Brenna first brushed her fingers through the hairs covering Cassidy’s mound.
Cassidy’s hand slid over the roundness of Brenna’s butt, nudging her fingers toward her intimate flesh from behind. Brenna arched into the contact and they kissed as they each found wetness for the first time. Nervous laughter served as a vent to their passions.
Brenna felt the penetration in detail. An intimacy far keener than simple sex, Cassidy’s fingertips circled in her wetness. “Cass.” She moved her hips into the conŹtact, encouraging it deeper. She felt her muscles ripple around the digits as her own fingertips explored between Cassidy’s folds. She kept her eyes open, watching intently as Cassidy’s chin dropped and the muscles around her fingers convulsed. She moved her fingers slightly and slipped deeper without conscious intent. The blond head fell back, and Brenna tasted the perspiration shining on the exposed throat. Appreciative moans spurred her arousal.
Cassidy arched abruptly and pulled away from Brenna’s fingers. With her mouth she sought out Brenna’s taut nipples. Crying out and curling in reaction to the hard suckling, Brenna lodged her knee between Cassidy’s thighs, bumping her groin. As her own orgasm spiraled closer, Brenna felt Cassidy rub herself against the proŹtruding leg.
Cassidy’s orgasm was a beautiful thing primal, wild. Golden hair fell in disŹarray around her face. Eyes shut tight against the acute sensations, her body became rigid, then collapsed bonelessly against Brenna.
Gently, rhythmically, Cassidy rubbed her knee between Brenna’s thighs. FinŹgers in her hair drew their gazes together. “Mmm,” Cassidy murmured unintelligibly against Brenna’s lips, then the fingers and knee moved again. Brenna gasped as her idling passion surged. She groaned, her voice rising into a keening as her orgasm crashed through her.
Chapter 37
They were both covered in a thin layer of perspiration. At least that’s not new, Brenna thought. The sensations flooding her body held her suspended in a pleasurŹable daze. She rubbed her fingertips together, and viscous fluid coated the pads of her thumb and forefinger. She remembered the delightful feel of moving inside of Cassidy and wondered what the other woman tasted like. Lifting her fingertips to her lips, she flicked out her tongue and experimentally tasted. When she lowered her hand, she found Cassidy studying her.
Cassidy’s lips wrapped around the fingers, tasting Brenna’s skin, saliva mingled with her own essence. The gesture was incredibly intimate and arousing, Brenna thought, feeling a fresh rush to her groin. “How’d you know what I was thinking?” she asked when Cassidy let her fingers go.
“It’s the first thing I thought about, too,” Cassidy confessed.
“You, um, never told me about your first time.” Brenna eased into Cassidy’s shoulder, resting her chin against the back of her hand over the other woman’s breast. “Who was she?”
“A classmate in college.”
“How did you…did she seduce you?”
“We were drunk. There wasn’t much seduction involved.”
“Did you enjoy it?”
“It was experimentation,” Cassidy admitted. “As long as something didn’t hurt or wouldn’t get me kicked out of school, I was game to try it. This was a case of’broŹken hearts’, though. She and I had both been dumped, and it was a way to still feel wanted.”
Brenna nodded. She could easily picture it. She had sometimes gone to bed with some director, or another actor, just to feel connected. Easing her thigh over Cassidy’s, she brushed her knee against her center. The other woman’s eyelids drifted closed. She felt the smooth arms tighten around her back. “Let me assure you, you are very much wanted,” she said. She nibbled down from the known quantity of kissŹing and conducted teasing forays on her breasts, which had Cassidy writhing beneath her.
“I keep finding more and more things to like about you,” Brenna said with a smile. She pressed a hand between their bodies, and while it was awkward with their slight difference in height, she found Cassidy’s center again as the other woman’s finŹgers curved up insid
e her.
They withdrew with gentle touches, caressing whatever skin lay within their reach. She traced her own fingertip across Cassidy’s lips and inhaled sharply when Cassidy sucked the finger into her mouth. Sharing the experience, they rubbed one another’s essence on their lips and kissed. Cassidy replenished her wet fingertips freŹquently, and Brenna was surging toward another orgasm from the intermittently interrupted and resumed sensations.
She tasted both of them strongly in their next kiss, as Cassidy filled her with three fingers. Gasping, she moved her hips in rhythm. “Oh, God,” she groaned appreciatively.
Cassidy’s palm splayed across her stomach, holding her down, and the full lips trailed kisses from her mouth to her breast and back up again. Brenna tried to pay
attention, but the woman clearly had her number, as every touch drove her higher and higher. She rapidly lost focus and just gave over to the sensations.
When Brenna, panting and covered in perspiration, opened her eyes, Cassidy was intently studying her. Her groin clenched as she watched Cassidy inhale and leiŹsurely lick and suck at her wet fingers.
Cassidy rolled onto her back, bringing Brenna with her. “Did you enjoy yourŹself?”
Cassidy’s curves were softer and the skin smoother than any other body Brenna had cuddled. “Yes, I did.” The love connecting them expanded in Brenna’s chest as she watched Cassidy lift her arm across her eyes, panting lightly.
Brenna remained keyed up in a way she found exciting, yet comfortable. She decided she could either do it all over again or simply fall asleep with a contentment she was uncertain she had ever truly felt before. She almost thought she had drifted off when Cassidy spoke.
“I have a confession to make.”
Brenna cupped her palm against the underside of Cassidy’s breast and murŹmured, “What?”
“I’m very happy right now.” Cassidy’s lips smoothed over Brenna’s forehead. “I think I’ve been wanting this a lot longer than just the last couple of months.”
Perching her chin on Cassidy’s chest, Brenna wondered what that meant. So she asked. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
Cassidy sat up and skimmed her palms over Brenna’s skin. She could not get enough of how smooth and warm it was. Brenna’s hands covered hers on her breasts. “I wanted to work with you, but now I’m thinking I really wanted to be with you.” Moving back into the circle of Brenna’s arms, Cassidy heard regret in Brenna’s response.
“I’m sorry I didn’t let that happen.”
Looking back over her shoulder, Cassidy captured Brenna’s palm and kissed it. Brenna curled toward her, her breasts lightly pillowing against Cassidy’s back as she intertwined their legs. “When you finally did…I really enjoy the person I’ve met. I loved watching you with the kids at Halloween, the way you dealt with the police for me when Ryan was lost.” She sighed as Brenna kissed away the fear that passed over her features. “I enjoy just sitting with you, munching on a lunch bar and arguing out a piece of script, climbing in the state park, watching you swim, and,” she concluded softly, “Ryan loves you, and that means you’re perfect.”
“I’m far from perfect.” Brenna brushed her fingertips across Cassidy’s nose, amused by the crinkle that formed in the bridge as Cassidy smiled. “Ryan is a handŹsome little boy, and I think you’re doing a wonderful job raising him. It’s not easy doing it alone. I know.”
“Cameron could never be bothered with Ryan. Mitch uses him against me.” Cassidy sighed. “I just want…” She faltered.
Brenna brushed her hands over Cassidy’s hair. “I know,” she said with a soft chuckle. “Why can’t life just be normal?” She lifted Cassidy’s chin. “If it had been, though, would we have met?”
“Probably not.”
Brenna heard the distraction caused by her nuzzling Cassidy’s ear. “Are we done being serious?” she asked. “We’ve gotten so much out in the open,” she said. “I was thinking we could get back to some /un.” Brenna lifted her chin and offered a sensuous smile.
“Fun, hmm?” Cassidy asked, smile returning.
Cassidy grasped her wrist and guided her fingers. Torn between watching Cassidy’s face as she touched her and watching her fingers moving over the intimate flesh, Brenna darted her eyes back and forth. She began inserting two fingers, but Cassidy shook her head. “No, just…” Voice strained, Cassidy repositioned the touch until Brenna was just on the edge, massaging her center.
Cassidy’s back arched, and Brenna licked dry lips as nipples pebbled before her eyes. Cassidy reached for one of her own nipples, pulling and twisting it tightly. Brenna dropped her chin and sucked on the other, trying to keep her fingertips in contact as Cassidy arched with growing need, her moans the sweetest music.
Moving down further, Brenna’s lips drew circles on the quivering stomach. She offered kisses across the skin to soothe the tension she felt gathering in the body beneath her. Fingers threaded through her hair Cassidy appreciated the increased tempo and she rubbed more determinedly. Brenna slipped her middle finger inside and continued with her thumb across the bundle of nerves.
Then inspiration struck as Cassidy’s breast bumped into her cheek. Brenna twisted the nipple in her teeth, recalling Cassidy’s reaction to this same action in her trailer. Brilliant! She congratulated herself as Cassidy’s chest expanded suddenly. The woman gasped for breath, whimpered, and then scared Brenna by growling and bucking.
Gradually, the flutters slowed under Brenna’s palm and finally Cassidy’s heart rate slowed. Brenna’s groin throbbed with empathy. Cassidy’s palm slipped down and found the wetness. They lifted their fingers to one another’s lips and both comforted and aroused each other with their juices mingling.
Brenna traced the tear streak on Cassidy’s cheek. “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”
“No, it’s okay.” Cassidy swallowed hard and captured Brenna’s hand in her own, kissing the knuckles.
Brenna wrapped around her, feeling the light aftershocks. Squeezing a little, Brenna felt the gentle touch of an arm stealing across her waist. “What was that?”
“Beginner’s luck,” Cassidy replied whimsically. Then she kissed Brenna until she was dizzy.
“Do you always come like that?” Cassidy shook her head, hiding her face in Brenna’s shoulder. “Good, because that would make it really hard to hide that we’re…together.” She kissed Cassidy’s tearstained cheek. “Thank goodness the house is empty.”
Adjusting their positions to snuggle, they had to move when Cassidy’s thigh landed in a wet spot. They laughed, dozed a little, and talked a bit more. The sound of gravel crunching under tires abruptly shattered the tranquility. Headlights illumiŹnated the cul-de-sac outside. Brenna sat up. Beside her, Cassidy moved off the bed. “The boys are back,” she said.
Brenna stood quickly, finding Cassidy’s clothes mingled with hers on the floor. She passed them over and pulled on her own top and pants. “I’ll go see. You can use the bathroom.”
“But…”
Putting a finger to Cassidy’s lips, Brenna iterated clearly, “Popcorn and movŹies.” Cassidy started to speak, but Brenna quickly left, dusting her hands through her hair to set it in a semblance of order and pulling the door shut behind her.
In the living room, despite her nerves, Brenna moved methodically to the couch and turned on the TV. The English Patient was about thirty minutes from the end. She looked at the time; it was just after midnight.
Seconds passed, but the front door did not open. Brenna stood and walked into
the foyer. Finally she opened the front door and stcppcd out onto the stoop. Only Cassidy’s hatchback sat in the driveway; her Mountaineer was nowhere In sight.
When she came back in, Cassidy was half standing and half sitting on the couch as she turned toward the door.
“Nobody,” Brenna said. Cassidy collapsed on the cushion and laughed, making Brenna chuckle as well as she sat down on the couch beside her. “Look at us.” She reached out and grasped Cas
sidy’s hand.
“Well, if you’d rather explain things…” Cassidy left the thought unfinished as the front door opened and light from the porch poured onto the foyer wall. Their hands dropped apart, and both turned to face the door.
James stepped into view first, bowtie hanging loose around his neck and cumŹmerbund askew. “Your car?” he asked Cassidy.
“Yes.”
“Thomas parked on the street so you could get your car out.” James turned to his mother. “He thought it was Ms. Hyland’s. I wasn’t sure.”
“I decided on a night of popcorn and movies,” Brenna said. “I called Cass to see if she was interested.”
Thomas appeared at the entryway. “Hey, Cassidy.”
“Hello, Thomas.” Cassidy stood at Brenna’s shoulder and watched the boys with a faint smile. She could feel Brenna’s nervousness, so she tried a diversion. “Was the party fun?”
Grinning, Thomas nodded. “Yeah, it wasn’t bad.”
“So, do you forgive me for the tuxedo?” Brenna asked.
“Okay, I forgive you,” Thomas said. “Cheryl said I was the hottest thing on the dance floor.”
Brenna laughed. Cassidy questioned in astonishment, “Should you be telling your mother that?”
He looked at Cassidy and blushed. “Sorry.”
Brenna patted his shoulder, “That’s okay. I’m glad you had a good time.”
“Is Ryan in the spare room?” Thomas asked.
“No, he had a sleepover, so I took your mother up on her invitation.”
Brenna moved into her younger son’s path. “You’re awfully quiet; didn’t you have fun?”
“It was okay. Thanks for the dance lessons earlier.”
She rubbed her thumb over his cheek as he met her eyes. Behind James, Brenna saw Cassidy smile at her. Hoping her blush was invisible, she turned back to James. “Well, get yourself comfortable and get some sleep.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek. When he sniffed, she stepped back. “Okay?”
Turning Point Page 38