Chapter 11

Beneath the tablecloth, Anna walked her fingertips over to Lily’s thigh and smiled when a hand covers hers. For the most part, the evening had gone well, except for her father blurting out how he missed seeing Scott at these family get-togethers. But the look on his face when she told him Scott had remarried made the awkward moment almost worth it.

It looked as if they were going to make it through the evening without further drama. With these casual family gatherings, her father would get used to having Lily around. In time, her presence would be taken for granted, and it would be easier for Anna to broach the subject of their relationship.

They were almost home-free when Kim quieted everyone by tapping on her water glass and clearing her throat. “If I could have everyone’s attention... I think someone at this table is keeping a little secret.”

Anna’s stomach dropped as she locked eyes with her smiling sister across the table. Their father was going to have a cow.

“Secrets are fun, aren’t they, Anna?” she asked, still grinning with mischief.

Lily let out a tiny yelp as Anna’s nails dug into her thigh.

“But I think it’s time everybody got in on the secret. It’s time to welcome someone new into our family.” She made eye contact with everyone at the table. “Hal and I are going to have a baby in July.”

Anna’s heart started beating again as she leapt out of her seat and darted around the table, all but forgetting about her father and Lily. “This is such wonderful news, Kim.” She swept her sister up in a mighty hug and whispered in her ear. “I love you so much. And remind me to kill you later for that little stunt.”

 

“Your sister is a terrorist,” Lily said, holding the phone between her chin and shoulder as she turned off the bedside lamp. She had dropped Anna at her home and called again to say goodnight as soon as she got into bed.

“Tell me about it. She’s been like that forever.”

“But you’re going to be an aunt. Isn’t that exciting?”

“Oh, you have no idea. They’ve been trying for the last three years. Mom and Dad don’t even know this, but Kim’s already had two miscarriages. With the baby due in July, she’s already four months along.”

“Let’s hope that means she’s out of trouble.”

“They must have gotten a good report, or I don’t think she would have told everyone.”

“I seriously thought she was going to tell your parents about us.”

“I know. I almost had a stroke. I think I’m going to tell them soon and get it over with. I don’t like having secrets.”

“If you ask me, it isn’t much of a secret. Unless your father always acts like he’s being led to the gallows.”

“Yeah, I think he has a pretty good idea of what’s up, but he doesn’t understand what we have.”

Lily’s heart warmed to hear Anna talk about what their relationship meant to her. “Why don’t you tell me what we have?”

Anna sighed dreamily. “I have a girlfriend who ties me up in knots whenever I’m with her.”

“I do that?”

“You do. And I think about you all the time.”

Having Anna in her arms was the fantasy that carried her off to sleep each night and filled her dreams. But she couldn’t imagine Anna entertaining thoughts like that. Though she didn’t want Anna to have any sexual reservations, there was something charming and innocent about her shyness. “Tell me what you think about.”

“I think about some of the things we’ve done together, like going out with Kim and Hal on the boat and cuddling under the blanket. I think about sleeping beside you on the camping trip... and holding your hand on the way back from San Jose.”

“So what is it that ties you up in knots?”

Anna answered with a nervous chuckle.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

“I... I would like to tell you.”

“Okay.”

“Every time I look at you, I see so many things. I see this brave hero who risked her life to save me. I see a sweet, gentle soul who always makes me laugh. And lately, I’ve been seeing a beautiful woman who sets my body on fire.”

Lily shuddered with emotion at Anna’s confession. “I’m glad to know I’m having that effect.”

“And I hope you’re glad to know you’re the only one who ever has.”

“Is that really true?”

“It is.”

“I wish you were here right now.”

“In bed with you?”

“Yes.” Lily felt a stirring inside. In the time since they declared their love for each other, they seemed closer emotionally, but Anna hadn’t spoken again of making love. “Yes, I wish you were here in my bed.”

Anna drew a deep breath. “And what would we be doing?”

Lily paused, measuring her words carefully, as it seemed Anna was finally ready to talk. “I’d be covering you with kisses,” she said softly. “Every inch of you.”

She waited nervously for Anna to respond. When she did, her voice was small. “You’re tying me in knots again.”

“I don’t want you in knots, sweetheart. If you were here...” Lily closed her eyes and reached beneath the covers to touch herself. “I’d set you free.”

“How would you do that?”

“By sharing the things that aren’t meant for anyone else.”

Anna’s next breath hitched. “You wouldn’t believe what you’re doing to me.”

“Oh, yes I would. Anna...” Lily hoped she was ready for more. “Touch yourself and tell me if you’re wet.”

It took her a moment, but when she answered, it was only a whisper. “Yes.”

Lily’s whole body shuddered in response. “God, I wish you were here.”

“And would you let me touch you?”

“I’d make you touch me.” Lily shifted beneath the sheets as her hand began to roam.

“What would you have me do?”

Lily’s heart was pounding with excitement. “I’d have you kiss me with those beautiful lips.”

“Kissing you is like coming home. It feels perfect.”

“I want it to be home, Anna. I want your lips on mine. Then I want to feel them everywhere... along my cheek, down to my ear.” Lily trailed her hand softly along the path she described. “I want to feel your hot breath in my ear. Your tongue and your teeth teasing my earlobe... then you’d be kissing my neck. I love to feel your mouth on my neck.”

“Your neck is so soft and smooth. I love that.”

“It makes me crazy when you kiss me there.” The room was suddenly twenty degrees warmer and she sat up and peeled out of her pajamas. “I’ve just taken off everything, Anna. I’m naked and imagining you here.”

Anna moaned. “I can see you in my mind’s eye.”

“I’m dying to feel your hands on me.”

“I’m going to be all over you... touching you everywhere.”

“On my breasts...” Lily pinched her nipple and gasped. “You’d touch me here, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“It would make my nipples so hard... I’d be begging you for more.”

“You won’t have to beg me, Lily.” Anna was breathing faster now, and Lily knew her hands were roaming too. “I already want you so much.”

“Would you put your mouth on my breasts?”

“I’d suck your whole breast into my mouth... and I’d bite your nipples until you screamed for me to stop.”

Lily’s body was aflame with the image of Anna moving over her. “I need you to touch me. I need it so bad.”

“Do it.”

“That’s it.” Lily’s hand went from her breast to her center. “And while your mouth’s over mine, I’d feel your hand slide down between my legs. I’m so wet for you right now.”

“Oh, I know you are... I know so well what that’s like.”

From the low, raspy moans, Lily knew Anna was stroking herself, just as she was. “I’ve opened my legs wide for you. I want to feel you inside of me.” She grunted as she plunged three fingers into her vagina.

“Yes... feel me inside you.”

For more than a minute, they exchanged only gasps and moans as Lily imagined Anna inside her, stroking rhythmically as her excitement swelled. Mental flashes of Anna doing the same nearly made her explode.

“Now touch me on my clit,” Lily gasped, her hips climbing as she circled her clitoris with her slippery fingers. “I want you so bad, Anna. I want to come for you so bad.”

“Let me hear you.”

By now, Lily was drawing deep rapid breaths to keep up with her body’s need for air. Her spasms started as tiny electric shocks before erupting as waves of bliss. “Yes,” she hissed. “Oh, you’re making me come so hard, Anna.”

As Lily rode the crest of her climax, Anna drew a deep gasp and grew completely quiet. It was only when she exhaled loudly and cried out that Lily realized she was coming too.

“Lily, I love you so much,” she whimpered as she caught her breath.

“I love you too. I wish I could hold you now.” She gradually lowered her hips to the bed as the waves receded. Her body was spent, but her thoughts remained attuned to Anna. Though they were miles apart, she had never felt closer to anyone in her life.

They lay quietly for a long moment until Anna spoke. “Lily?”

“Yes, I’m here, sweetheart.”

“I want you to feel my arms around you, feel my whole body against yours. Think of me holding you tonight while you sleep.”

Lily relaxed and lost herself in the comforting image. “I love you, Anna.”

“I love you too, baby. Goodnight.”

 

Anna was touring the lot with Holly, a new saleswoman she had hired last week. Holly had been one of the top sellers at the BMW dealership in San Diego, and Anna was thrilled to see she knew her stuff when it came to the BMW line.

“Anna Kaklis, you have a call on line two. Anna Kaklis, line two.” The normally animated Carmen always sounded so official and reserved when she used the intercom.

“Excuse me.” Anna swung into an empty office to grab the blinking line. “This is Anna Kaklis. How may I help you?”

“Anna, it’s Mother.”

She was instantly concerned, because Martine rarely contacted her at work, sending invitations and messages through her father instead. “What’s up? Is everything okay?”

“Yes, of course. I was calling to invite you back for dinner tonight. I’m preparing a London broil.”

London broil was one of her father’s favorites, but she had already called Lily this morning and made plans to spend the evening at her apartment. And after their phone conversation last night, there was a good chance she wouldn’t be home until morning. “Is it a special occasion? Not that we need one... I was just wondering.”

“Nothing special. I just thought we’d all get together again. We had such a good time yesterday. Kim and Hal are coming, of course, and we’ll hear more about their plans for the baby. It would be nice if Lily could join us too.”

Anna’s stomach jumped at the mention of Lily. For Martine to include her without prompting probably meant she knew the score. “I think that would be very nice. Why don’t I call her and call you back?”

A last-minute invitation on a Monday night was certainly unusual—especially since it included Lily. Martine was up to something. Anna only hoped it was something good.

 

Anna cornered her sister in the kitchen at the big house. “I’m not kidding,” she said, making no effort to conceal her accusing tone. She and Kim had been sent to the kitchen by Martine to work on the salad, while Lily sat out by the pool with the rest of the clan, filling them in on the plans for the next Kidz Kamp outing. “It was almost like the whole thing was thrown together to get Lily over here again.”

“It was, and before you tear my head off, I didn’t say anything. They already know. Mom called me this morning and asked me if it was serious.”

“What did you tell her?”

“I told her the truth. I said you guys were in love with each other, and that you were happier than I’ve ever seen you in my life.”

Anna blew out a breath that sent her bangs flying upward. “Do you think she told Dad that part?”

“She probably didn’t have to. All anyone has to do is look at the two of you together, or listen to you talk about each other. Everybody can tell you’re in love.”

Anna felt her face get red. “Should I say something? If they already know, it’s kind of like an elephant in the parlor.”

“I think this whole thing tonight is Mom trying to get Dad to accept it. I—” She leaned toward the sliding glass door to make sure everyone was still outside by the pool. “Hal and I heard them talking last night after you guys left. Dad thinks Lily’s the one who put you up to leaving Scott.”

“That’s absurd,” she said angrily. “I’m going to set him straight now.”

Kim caught her arm. “Mom already did. She told him you weren’t happy with Scott, but he didn’t want to hear it. He kept saying Scott was perfect for you. And then Mom said she liked Lily better, because it was obvious you did too.”

“This is worse than being a teenager and being told your feelings aren’t real because you’re not grown up yet.”

“You can’t listen to Dad, Anna. He’s being a bully, just like when he kept trying to talk you out of getting a divorce, or when he ran Lily out of the house at your birthday party. You have to face him down on this.”

“I’m not giving Lily up. That’s all there is to it.”

“Atta girl!” Kim chucked her shoulder. “Just remember, you promised to tell me all about the sex when you finally figured out what it was you were supposed to be doing.”

“I never promised any such thing.” Anna folded her arms in mock indignation, a pose she adopted often when dealing with her sister. “But I think I might be getting over my shy period very soon,” she whispered, looking around to make sure no one else could hear. “I never felt this way with Scott. Not even close.”

“I always knew Scott wasn’t right for you.”

“I know that now.” But convincing others that Lily was right for her wasn’t going to be easy. And she wasn’t even sure what Lily wanted from all this. Maybe she didn’t want to have to deal with people who didn’t bother to hide their disappointment at her being Anna’s choice. “It isn’t going to be an easy road, Kim... especially with Dad.”

“You know Hal and I are both here for you. And it looks like Mom is too.”

“I appreciate that.”

“And you may not believe this, but there’s no hurry for you to get somewhere. I know how you always like to have everything planned out, but what if you just took this one day at a time?”

Anna chuckled softly. Her sister knew her so well. “You know, I’ve been working on that little planning obsession of mine for a while now. There’s nothing quite like an earthquake to remind us we’re not really in charge.”

Kim suddenly went teary.

“Hey, what is it?” Anna took her sister’s shoulders and studied her face with worry.

“Nothing. Pregnant women are allowed to do this for no reason.”