Chapter 13

“A girl doesn’t turn thirty every day.” Despite her calm voice and seeming composure, Anna was quickly losing the bravado she had needed to set up this scenario in Lily’s bedroom. Never before had she stood on this end of a seduction, but it was intoxicating.

Lily held her eye as she slowly crossed the room, stooping to place a calming hand on her knee. “Having you here is all I wanted for my birthday.”

The touch of her hand was like fire burning through her clothes. This was the night she and Lily would lie together, the night they would seal their love. But Anna feared she had come as far as she could of her own volition.

Lily seemed to sense her nervousness, taking the cell phone from her hand and placing it on the bedside table. Then she grasped both of Anna’s hands and pulled her up into a confident embrace. A gentle kiss followed, but it quickly grew deeper, and more passionate. There was no need this time to hold back.

Lily broke the kiss and held Anna’s hand to her pounding chest. “This is only one of the things you do to me.”

Anna returned the gesture, drawing Lily’s hand inside the open collar of her shirt, knowing she would find a rapid heartbeat that matched her own. She looked down as Lily’s fingers loosened the buttons of her shirt and pushed her collar back, revealing the lacy top of her bra. Then Lily pressed her lips into the valley between her breasts as deft hands gently tugged her shirttail free.

The anticipation of where Lily’s hands might wander died as she suddenly stepped back. Without a trace of shyness, Lily stepped out of her shoes and removed her jeans and sweater, leaving her standing in dark green panties and a matching bra.

Anna nervously matched her movements, stepping out of her slacks and dropping them over the arm of the chair with her shirt. Then she reached behind her to unfasten her bra.

“Let me do that.” Lily stepped forward and ran her fingertips over Anna’s skin, leaving a trail of goose bumps as she reached behind her to find the clasp. When she released it, the bra slipped loosely from Anna’s shoulders and fell to the floor. Lily lifted both hands to caress her breasts, and then brought her face once again to her chest, this time brushing her knuckle against a nipple that hardened instantly. “I knew you’d be perfect,” she murmured, pressing her lips to the skin. Her tongue flicked the nipple gently before she drew it into her mouth.

Anna felt her knees go weak. Lily must have sensed it, as she pressed a hand into the small of her back for support. Anna quivered with excitement as Lily’s breath cooled her wet skin. Desperate for more, she pushed her fingers through Lily’s hair and held her firmly in place. Lily gently kneaded the other breast before devouring it too. Then she wrapped both arms around Anna’s neck and pulled her into another kiss.

Anna loved the feel of Lily’s warm bare skin in her arms and against her naked torso. She had never been so aroused, and there wasn’t a fiber within her that doubted she belonged here.

Lily broke their kiss and without a word led Anna to the edge of the bed.

Anna sat and watched Lily remove first her bra, then her panties. Her naked form was far more beautiful than she had imagined from their late night telephone interlude. Overwhelmed with the need to touch her, she ran both hands up Lily’s waist, trailing her fingertips against the sides of her breasts. She realized now she had wanted this since the day on the boat.

Remembering perfectly the need Lily had described on the phone—the visions of which had dominated her thoughts since that night—Anna gently pulled her onto the bed and guided her against the pillows. With both hands, Lily drew her face down until they met once more in a hungry kiss. As Anna’s tongue delved deep into Lily’s mouth, her hand seized a breast, which she fondled with wonder, amazed to find it both soft and firm. When a nipple hardened in her fingertips, she was overwhelmed with the urge to cover it with her mouth.

Anna lowered her head and sucked the nipple between her lips, flicking it with her rigid tongue as Lily had done only moments ago. When Lily moaned her pleasure, it was all Anna could do to resist biting down hard.

She relinquished the nipple and went back for another kiss. As Lily clutched her back, she slid her fingers down the flat stomach and through the curly patch of hair. Lily responded instantly, opening her legs in invitation.

The wet heat of Lily’s sex was more incredible than Anna’s meager imagination had allowed. The soft folds were slippery and swollen, and Lily seemed to love her touch as she stroked the length of her sex. When she slipped her fingers inside, she marveled at her own body’s excited response, and at the power she felt as she pushed her hand deeper and faster within. Lily writhed with need, and Anna shifted to the side to watch her body respond. When Lily’s breathing grew rapid and shallow, she drew her fingers out to tickle the swollen clitoris, just as Lily had begged her over the phone. Suddenly, Lily’s chest and neck were enveloped by a deep red flush.

“Oh, Anna,” she murmured, her eyes closed tight.

With one arm underneath, Anna pulled her close. “Look at me, Lily. I love you.” Their eyes met as Lily climaxed, forging the deepest connection Anna had ever felt.

In all the scenarios Lily had dreamed, none had entailed Anna touching her first. But when Anna took over, it was clear she needed to surrender or risk shattering Anna’s new-found confidence.

As her tremors ceased, she tucked Anna’s head into her neck and stroked her hair. “That was so beautiful. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve imagined your hands on me.” Her pulse quickened as Anna began kissing her neck, but she couldn’t wait any longer to realize her dream of having Anna, body and soul. Her fingernails gently raked Anna’s back, and Anna stilled her lips. Lily shifted both of them until Anna lay on her back.

Anna’s nipples stood as dark brown peaks, beacons for Lily’s searching lips. She gently pinched one with her fingertips and took the other inside her mouth.

Anna responded by holding her head in place, as she had when they were standing. “I’ve been waiting for this.”

Lily imagined staying there forever, but her eagerness for more was pulling her in new directions. With her mouth still latched to a nipple, her hand reached down and slipped under the waistband of Anna’s panties, gently scratching the tender area covered by her pubic hair.

Anna raised her hips and pushed her panties to her thighs.

Lily finished the task, sliding them down to her ankles and off. As her fingers found the patch of hair again, Anna thrust upward as if seeking more contact. Lily could barely resist plunging her hand inside. But she had something more intimate in mind.

She released the nipple and slid lower, circling Anna’s navel with her tongue as her hands roamed her breasts. Anna continued to rock her hips and Lily shifted again, low enough to kiss the soft skin on either side of the dark triangle. The smell was overpowering, and Lily scooted lower still, parting Anna thighs to reveal the source of her excitement.

In her fantasies, she prolonged the anticipation with nips and kisses everywhere except the one place they were needed most. But the reality of Anna’s glistening sex was irresistible. Lily pressed her mouth into the wetness, meticulously touching every corner with her lips and tongue as her arms came up to wrap around the rolling thighs.

Anna’s soft moans and whimpers of desire were the most wondrous sounds she had ever heard. Anna lasted only a few seconds once Lily began flicking her clitoris. She cried out, pulling one of Lily’s hands as she went over the edge.

Lily wasn’t finished. She would never be finished. Her skilled tongue drew back, barely touching the tender spot as she waited for Anna to still. Then she pressed harder, drawing out a second climax and a third, the last one as she entered Anna with two fingers and stroked her deep inside.

 

Anna awoke before dawn and slipped into the bathroom. She and Lily had made love until after one, when neither could go on. That in itself was remarkable to her, since Scott had never continued their lovemaking once she had an orgasm. Lily had brought her to climax again and again, and she had done the same.

Splashing water on her face, Anna removed the traces of Lily’s arousal from her chin. What an amazing experience that had been, to taste her and feel the softness with her lips. Her lack of reservation had surprised her, whether giving or receiving pleasure. Nothing was enough.

Remembering now the thundering physical sensations, the tender words and intense looks they had shared, and the way they clung to each other as they climaxed, Anna finally knew what all the fuss was about. Making love was about connection.

She still had questions, complicated questions for herself about her own expectations for where this all would lead. But right now, all she wanted was more sleep in Lily’s arms.

 

Lily blinked back the sun that streamed in through the narrow window above the balcony door. She couldn’t move for the long body draped over her, but it wasn’t worth disturbing Anna. On the contrary, the chance to study her as she slept was too enticing to pass up.

Several hours ago, she had awakened when Anna left the bed and went into the bathroom. As the minutes passed, she had started to worry. What was Anna thinking now that they had shared so much? How did she feel about being with a woman? Lily wanted to get up and go see about her, but was terrified of finding her dressed to leave. If Anna was going home in the middle of the night, it was best if she left without the awkward words.

Traumatic imaginings had tumbled through her head of the awful possibilities. She first supposed Anna had awakened with guilt or disgust at what they had done last night. Or perhaps it was just disappointment because Lily hadn’t lived up to her hopes or expectations.

With her imagination running wild, she was simply astounded when Anna returned to the bed and cuddled into her side. As she had lain there basking in the wonder of having Anna with her, she acknowledged the worst thing about her insecurities—they robbed her of energy she could be spending on more pleasurable pursuits.

Through the course of their lovemaking and falling asleep, one word had bombarded Lily’s thoughts: forever. Every kiss, every touch, every sensation. She wanted them all forever. And she never wanted Anna to leave her arms.

Unfortunately, nature’s call was adamant.

Lily squirmed out of bed and tiptoed into the bathroom, returning to find Anna stretched diagonally across her queen-sized bed, her arms sprawled to take up most of the space. No longer sleepy, Lily considered going down to make coffee and breakfast, but the temptation of lying naked with Anna was too great. Unfortunately, Anna hadn’t left enough room on either side of the bed for her to get back in without climbing directly on top of her. On the verge of giving up, she caught the faintest hint of a smirk on Anna’s face. “Hey, who are you? How did you get in here?”

Anna squinted at her with feigned confusion. “Isn’t this apartment twelve? I was told to wait for the lady in apartment twelve.”

“No, I’m afraid this is number ten.”

“Does this mean I’m not going to get my money?”

 

Lily followed Anna out of the apartment and down the steps. “Where did you park last night?”

“In one of the visitor slots around back. I didn’t want to spoil my surprise.”

“I still can’t believe you sneaked back like that. All day, I imagined you with your head under the hood of an SUV. And you were on a plane.”

“Two planes, but who’s counting?”

“Does anyone else know you’re back?”

“Nope.”

“And you’re not telling me where we’re going?”

“Nope.”

“Or who you called while I was in the bathroom?”

“Nope.”

Lily’s first choice for a perfect Sunday would have been to lie around in bed and explore Anna’s glorious body in the light of day. But Anna was hell-bent on sharing one more surprise, as if anything could top last night.

Traffic was light for a Sunday morning, and Lily soon realized they were headed to Anna’s house. When they pulled into the driveway and stopped, she reached for the door handle.

“Just wait here. I’ll only be a minute.”

It was more like thirty seconds, as Anna retrieved something from her mailbox and returned to the car.

“What are you up to, Amazon?”

“You’ll see.”

They drove through the back streets and side roads until they reached Brentwood, one of LA’s most upscale suburbs. On a quiet, tree-lined street, they stopped in front of a beautiful two-story Spanish-style home, white with a multi-level red tile roof.

“So what do you think?” Anna asked.

“It’s gorgeous. Did Kim find this?”

Anna nodded. “I’ve got the keys. Let’s go take a look.”

Lily gasped when they entered the grand foyer. Stained and beveled glass above the door played colors all the way up the sweeping staircase. Anna led her through the empty house room by room. Downstairs, there was a large formal living room, a dining room, a family room with a cozy office off to the side, and an enormous kitchen with a breakfast nook set in a bay window. Both the family room and kitchen opened onto a beautifully landscaped patio and yard. The pool featured dark blue concrete and Spanish tile, with an attached hot tub. Anna pointed out the two-car garage in the side yard. Upstairs, there were four bedrooms, including a large master suite. The suite and one of the bedrooms had balconies overlooking the pool.

It was one of the most beautiful homes Lily had ever seen, not as sweeping and grand as George and Martine’s, but more elegant and stylish than Anna’s current home.

“So what do you think?” Anna led her back down to the foyer.

“Are you kidding? I think it’s wonderful. Are you going to buy it?”

“That’s my other surprise. I already have. Kim showed it to me the night before I left and I put a contract on it. By the time I landed in South Carolina on Wednesday night, the owners had signed off on my offer.”

“So it’s your house?”

“It is.” Anna took her hands and looked her straight in the eye. “And it can be our home if you’ll live here with me.”

Lily was completely taken off guard and her stomach immediately flipped. Not the fluttering and sinking flip it did when she was nervous or anticipating bad news. This was a fluttering and soaring flip. She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself, fearing she might cry with the emotion that filled her. Losing the battle, she lunged forward and wrapped her arms fiercely around Anna’s neck as tears of happiness started down her cheeks. “I’m going to say yes, Amazon, so you better be sure.”

Anna twisted from side to side with Lily in a tight embrace. “I’m very sure, Pygmy.”