A/N: So sorry for this really long delay, I've been a bit busy and didn't have a proper chance to sit down and write. I hope you enjoy this chapter though and thank you to everyone who is still reading!
Summer holidays had flown by, as they always do, especially when one is having so much fun. Kate and Caroline had managed a number of lunch or tea outings since their amazing dinner at Van Zeller, now four weeks ago. While each had very much enjoyed any time they could spend together, they were craving a more private setting, where they could talk more freely...and touch.
There had been no other kisses since that glorious one on Kate's doorstep, since all of their outings as of late had been in very public places. Caroline had never expressed her desire to keep things under the radar, but it was obvious to Kate that Caroline's situation was complicated, so she was trying to respect Caroline's need for privacy.
Each woman had fallen pretty hard now, and the communication was almost constant. They became like two teenagers, glued to their mobiles, sharing text messages practically non-stop, and the late night goodnight calls had become a routine that each woman looked forward to immensely.
oOo
"Morning love, how are you?" Celia greets Caroline, as she comes in the door from her flat, still in her dressing gown.
"Morning mum, sleep well?" Caroline asks over her coffee and the newspaper.
"Like I was floating on a cloud." Celia chirps as she pours herself a cup of coffee.
"Oh, well you must tell me how you manage that. I can't remember the last time I slept that soundly."
"You do look tired love. I was going to ask you if you and the boys would like to go to the cinema this afternoon. If you like though, I could take them myself and give you the afternoon to relax. How does that sound?" Celia finishes making her coffee and takes a sip, looking over the rim of the mug to Caroline.
"Are you sure you want to do that mum? You do realize they are two teenage boys." Caroline questions doubtfully.
"I know full well what they are, and yes. I wouldn't offer if I didn't want to Caroline."
"Alright mum, I think I will take you up on that offer. I think I'll spend the afternoon in the garden. The roses are looking dreadful and I could use the quiet time and a bit of sun."
"That sounds like a nice afternoon love, just be sure to wear sunscreen." Celia says with a smile.
"Yes, mother." Caroline replies cheekily.
"Right well, tell the boys to be ready by 11:30. We'll have lunch and then head to an afternoon show."
Caroline rises from her chair and moves to the coffee pot, pouring herself another cup. She stops and hugs Celia warmly, kissing her softly on the cheek.
"Thanks mum, you're the best." She says as she pulls away with a grateful smile.
"Just remember you said that." Celia quips with a laugh as she picks up her mug of coffee to return to her flat.
Caroline shakes her head with a smile as her mother walks out the door.
oOo
"Boys, come on, your granny is waiting. She was nice enough to offer to take you, so you'd better be respectful enough to be ready on time." Caroline calls up the stairs.
William comes down a moment later, with an apologetic look on his face, but Lawrence is nowhere in sight.
"Lawrence, now! You have 20 seconds to get down the stairs, or you are staying home to do gardening with me."
Lawrence comes barreling down the stairs instantly, yelling his apologizes for being late. Caroline rolls her eyes and quickly ushers him and William to the door just as Celia walks up.
"You boys ready to go?" Celia asks as she's greeted by her grandsons on the doorstep.
"Yep. Hey gran, can we see the new Fast and Furious, please?" Lawrence begs.
"Oh, is that one of those car chase movies?" She groans.
"Yea, it's really badass. There are awesome cars and this one is supposed to have even bigger stunts." He replies enthusiastically.
"Lawrence, watch your language." Caroline interjects with an admonishing stare.
"Sorry mum."
"Well, we'll see. I'm sure we can decide on something that you both want to see, and that won't make me deaf by the time it's over." Celia says with a smile.
"Ok, you all have fun then, and thanks again mum." Caroline says with a smile as she walks them all to the car.
"No problem love. Have a nice afternoon in the garden." Celia says as Caroline gives her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek.
"Boys, listen to your granny and behave like young men, would you please?"
"Yes mum, we will." They reply in unison.
Caroline stands in the drive and watches them pull away before turning to head back inside. Once inside she immediately goes to her mobile.
Hi Kate. You busy?
Caroline! Just baking a cake.
Mum just took the boys to lunch and the cinema. Would you like to come over and help me get my roses in order?
I'd LOVE to! Shit, cake has 30 minutes left. That ok?
That's fine. Come over when ready. 46 Conway Drive.
Ok, see you soon!
Neither woman could stop the huge grin that was now spreading across her face.
oOo
Forty five minutes later Kate pulled into Caroline's drive.
"Good God," she muttered to herself as she parked. She had never been to Caroline's house before and was actually rather intimidated by its sheer size and opulence.
As she got out of her little Fiat, now feeling self-conscious as ever by the diminutive size of the little car, the front door opened and Caroline stood waiting to greet her.
Her heart instantly leapt into her throat at the sight of her. She was dressed in loose knit grey pants that were cut off just below the knee and a slim fitting white t-shirt with a pair of navy blue Converse. Her hair was pulled back into a low pony tail and she wore no make-up. As much as the head teacher Dr. Elliot persona turned Kate on, she found this very casual Caroline just as alluring.
Caroline stood in the doorway watching Kate approach and felt her stomach begin to do flips. She had always found Kate very pretty, especially that night at Van Zeller, but there was something about seeing her so casually dressed that drove her wild. Her black knit Bermuda shorts fit slimly over her lean thighs and the bright red tank top showed off her delicious arms. Kate looked exquisite in the athletic apparel and Caroline was quite thrilled by that discovery.
"Hello you, do come in." Caroline says as Kate came up the step, her eyes twinkling with delight.
"Hi." Kate replies shyly in return as she allows Caroline to usher her inside.
Caroline ushers her to the kitchen where she has sandwiches and drinks ready on the island.
"I figured the least I could do was feed you, if you were going to come and help me do manual labor all afternoon." Caroline says with a smile.
"That is very sweet Caroline. You didn't have to do that though, you know. I came just to be in your company, no matter what you ask me to do." Kate replies with a shy smile.
"Well, I'll remember you said that then. Here, let's eat and then we can tackle those unruly plants outside."
She prepares Kate a plate and sets it before her on the island, pulling out a stool for her to sit on. She then prepares her own plate and sits in the stool beside her.
"Caroline, your house is….beautiful." Kate says as Caroline takes a seat.
"Thank you. It's huge, I know. John's book paid for most of it. I love it though, this kitchen is my dream kitchen, and I love the back garden. It's also really nice having a place for mum, so that I can keep an eye on her as she ages."
"Yes, that is true. This kitchen is gorgeous, very you." Kate says as she takes a bite of her sandwich.
"It is? How do you mean?" Caroline asks curiously. Kate swallows her bite and smiles.
"Well, it's organized, yet warm and inviting; immaculate and classic, yet sexy. Exactly like you." She replies with a seductive grin.
Caroline blushes slightly as she listens to Kate speak. Kate smiles at her embarrassment and slowly lifts her right hand, brushing a strand of fringe from Caroline's face. Caroline feels her cheeks grow flushed with desire as Kate leans in, placing a soft, slow kiss on her mouth.
The kiss seems to go on for an eternity, each woman growing aroused by the intimate contact. Kate finally pulls away a bit breathless and smiles at Caroline, who is smiling shyly in return.
"Well, we better finish our lunches and get out there, if you actually want me to help you with the roses." Kate says with a wink and a gentle squeeze of Caroline's right thigh.
"Yes, I think that's probably best." Caroline replies as she bites her bottom lip. The image sets Kate's stomach into another wild flutter.
The two quickly finish their meals in silence, all too aware of how easily they could become sidetracked if they allowed themselves to linger too long. Caroline clears the plates and remaining food as Kate watches silently from her stool.
"Alright, you ready?" Caroline finally says as she perfectly folds the dishtowel, hanging it over the edge of the sink. Kate smiles at the action, thinking again "How very Caroline".
"Yep, lead the way." Kate says as she slips off the stool to follow Caroline out the door.
"Well, here it is. I told you it was looking pretty shabby." Caroline says as she turns to face Kate, her hands planted on her hips.
Kate crosses to the hedge of rose bushes along the back fence, inspecting what she sees.
"No Caroline, they really aren't that bad, nothing that some weeding and a good trim can't fix."
Caroline shows Kate to the garden shed where they collect the shears, spades and gloves for the project. Kate carries part of the items to the yard, Caroline saying she'll grab the rest and be right behind her.
Kate is standing in the middle of the grass, reviewing the sizeable garden before her when she hears Caroline approach from behind. She turns around to greet her and see if she needs assistance carrying any of the items. Once she sees Caroline, she immediately begins to laugh, causing Caroline to flush and frown with embarrassment.
"Don't laugh at me Kate, it's not funny. I can't help that I don't have beautiful dark skin like you. If I don't wear this thing I'll turn into a lobster, and then I'd never hear the end of it from my mother."
Kate crosses to Caroline immediately pulling her into a hug, while desperately trying to stifle her laughter.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but it's just so…enormous. Where on Earth did you get this awful thing anyway?" Kate laughs as she fondles the brim of the giant floppy hot pink hat Caroline is wearing.
"At a market in Spain, when we were on holiday years ago. I know it's awful, but it does the job." She lowers her head to hide the embarrassed flush on her cheeks.
Kate tucks her finger under Caroline's chin, urging her to lift her head, while her other arm stays wrapped loosely around Caroline's waist. She smiles brightly into her eyes and leans in, placing another small kiss on Caroline's waiting mouth.
"Well, it is pretty awful, but you are adorable." She says as she breaks the kiss.
There's a long pause as they look into each other's eyes, both fighting the near overwhelming passion that is growing between them. Finally, Caroline gently squeezes Kate's arms and slowly peels herself away with a sigh.
"Right, the roses." She says as she steps around Kate to the hedge. Kate smiles and shakes her head, biting her bottom lip in delighted frustration.
The women work side by side for a long while, each now focused on the work before them. Caroline finally looks up from her work as they reach the last bush, silently watching Kate for a moment, until Kate feels her gaze and looks up.
"What?" Kate asks, a bit shyly.
"Thank you for doing this with me Kate. It's really nice to have the help." She replies sincerely.
"It's no problem Caroline, I enjoy it. Does no one normally help you with the garden?" Kate asks, genuinely curious of the answer.
"No. Well, I have the boys do the mowing, but the flowers I have to take care of myself. My mother is getting too old to be spending hours on her knees in the garden."
"John never helped then?"
"Oh God no, are you kidding? He thinks he's too bourgeois to get his hands dirty." Caroline replies with a flippant flick of her wrist and roll of the eyes.
"That's a shame. I'm sorry Caroline."
"Don't be. He'd only mess them up anyway, and it used to be a surefire way for me to get alone time. No one ever bothered be when I was out here, they were all too afraid I'd make them help." She says with a wink and sly crooked grin.
"Well, it looks like we are done now." Kate says with a satisfied smile as she gets up from her knees to have a look at the newly shaped bushes. She offers a hand to Caroline to help her to her feet and they stand there, hand in hand, surveying their work.
"It looks wonderful. Thank you again Kate." Caroline says with a squeeze of Kate's hand.
"Now, how about a big glass of water and some strawberries and ice cream?" She asks Kate with a big grin and a wiggle of her eyebrows.
"Oh, that sounds like heaven!"
They pick up the last of the garden tools and trimmings and take them to the shed and the garbage pails on the curb. Caroline removes her hat at the shed and straightens her ponytail. Kate watches on, admiring Caroline's beauty, still seeing her as magnificent despite her disheveled and flushed appearance.
Kate lifts her shirt to wipe the sweat from her forehead as Caroline turns to close the shed. Caroline catches her before she's done as she turns around. She swallows hard at the lump that has suddenly appeared in her throat at the sight before her. Kate's stomach is glistening under the perspiration that has formed across it, her lean frame highlighted by the shine. The faint outline of her strong abdominal muscles underneath and the delicious curves of her hips send a shiver down Caroline's back. The bottom edge of Kate's bra is just visible, only adding more fuel to the fire of desire.
Kate pulls her shirt back down from her face and Caroline quickly diverts her eyes, not wanting to be caught ogling the view. She turns silently and heads back to the house in front of Kate, her heart now pounding at a soft thud, the first signs of arousal moving lower in her body.
Kate watches Caroline as she walks before her, her eyes honing in on the wetness of her shirt, where it now clings to her sweaty back. The white is near translucent in areas, hinting at the delectable flesh underneath. Kate bites her lip to push back the urge to grab Caroline and take her here and now.
oOo
Caroline finishes slicing the last strawberry into the bowl of ice cream. She places the remainder in the fridge and grabs a spoon from the drawer before moving around the island to stand before Kate, who has been watching her in silence. She lifts the bowl up between them, gesturing with her eyes to Kate.
"Aren't you going to have some?" Kate asks, oblivious to Caroline's inner thoughts.
"Well…I thought we might share this one." Caroline replies coyly, biting her bottom lip sexily.
Kate's eyes widen with delight and she steps forward, taking the spoonful Caroline has offered up between them. A soft moan escapes her lips as she swallows the bite, grateful for the cool feeling as it descends into her belly.
She takes the bowl silently from Caroline and dips the spoon in, scooping up a bite and then offering it to Caroline. Caroline leans forward, taking the spoon into her mouth, her bright azure eyes flashing with desire, just inches away from Kate's.
They take turns feeding each other until the last bite is left, Caroline now holding the bowl. She dips the spoon in, scooping up the last bite of the sweet treat and offers it to Kate. As Kate takes the spoon into her mouth and pulls away, Caroline sets the bowl on the counter, trapping Kate between her and the surface.
Her hands grip the counter, on either side of Kate's hips and she presses her body slowly into Kate's, her eyes never leaving Kate's now fiery gaze. Kate slips her hands around Caroline's waist, pulling her body closer still, letting her hands slip leisurely down onto Caroline's bottom.
The resulting kiss is electric and sheer bliss. It moves quickly from a shy chaste contact of their lips, to a deep, needy exploration of hands and lips across the other's body.
Kate is kissing down Caroline's neck now, her hands moving swiftly up the inside of Caroline's shirt, hungrily staking claim on the soft, slightly sweaty skin beneath. Caroline moans with the contact, slipping her hands deftly around Kate's waist, easing slowly up Kate's back, underneath her shirt. The kissing continues their lips and tongues in perfect unison as the desire and passion quickly builds.
Suddenly Caroline's mobile rings, interrupting their exquisite moment. She groans as she breaks their kiss, looking apologetically into Kate's eyes. Kate nods in understanding and releases her grip from Caroline's waist, allowing her to retrieve her phone.
"Mum, hi. How's it going?" She says as she answers the phone, mouthing an "I'm sorry" to Kate.
"Right, well I'm glad you had a nice time and I'll see you in a few minutes when you get here. Yes, I just finished outside, was about to head up for a shower. Ok, see you soon, bye." Caroline hangs up the phone with a sigh.
"They just finished at the cinema, she said they'd be home in 20 minutes." Caroline crosses back to the island to stand next to Kate.
"I'm sorry Kate; my mother has a knack for ruining the moment."
"It's fine Caroline. I should probably get going anyway; I could really use a cold shower now." She smiles suggestively.
"You're telling me." Caroline replies with a knowing grin.
"I really had a nice time today Caroline, even if you did put me to work." Kate says with a cheeky smile, but sincerity in her eyes.
"I had a wonderful day too Kate, and thank you so much for helping me. Next time, I promise I won't make you work, well, not nearly as hard anyway."
Kate looks at her with a shy grin, biting her lip again as she does.
"Come on, I'll walk you to the door." Caroline says, taking Kate's hand and guiding her down the hall.
Kate collects her purse and keys at the door and turns back to Caroline before exiting. She steps in and kisses her again, with the same needy passion from moments ago.
"Next time, you won't get off so easily." She whispers in Caroline's ear as she pulls away.
That action sends an electric jolt to Caroline's core and she's completely speechless as she watches Kate walk away.