This chapter is full of smut and barely moves the plot forward... just saying. In case that's not your cup of tea, you can just skip it; next chapter will be up soon and it'll be a lot less M-rated.
If you don't mind, well, there it is. Enjoy!
They ate, almost as if nothing had happened. Carmen asked her about the classes she was teaching, Julia told her about the research she was hoping to start soon. No more personal things, and other than a gentle brush on the fingers when they passed the box filled with rice, nothing would show that they had been kissing minutes before.
But Julia could feel anticipation building inside her. She really enjoyed the chance to talk to this relaxed apparently carefree Carmen, but they had started unveiling something exciting and intense, and for a moment she fantasised about leaving the fried rice and just going back to kissing Carmen senseless.
Still, as Carmen told her about a caper they had pulled after Julia had left A.C.M.E., she considered her for a moment. They hadn't established much, only admitted that they liked each other… but on practical terms. What would happen once she'd leave? When would she?
The diner was over and Carmen stood up, taking empty boxes with her and heading into the small kitchen.
"Carmen?" Julia interrupted whatever she had been saying.
"Yes?"
Julia shuffled the boxes she was carrying, feeling awkward all of a sudden. "Do not take this as pressure or anything… I was just wondering how long are you planning to stay? I'm not asking you to leave," she hastened to add. "I was just wondering."
Carmen left the boxes on the kitchen counter and sighed. "I have no idea."
"Sorry?"
"Well," she pulled at her sleeves, looking at the floor. "I hadn't actually planned for you to… like me back. You know?"
It was an adorable sight, and it struck Julia that while thief Carmen would amaze her and excite her, this shy side of her just filled her with warmth and tenderness.
"Really?" Julia asked, leaving her own empty boxes and standing right in front of her.
"Yeah," Carmen nodded, taking Julia's hands. "I thought that… if this turned out to be awkward, I'd just get in the next train back to London and back to headquarters." She chuckled, looking self-conscious.
Julia gave a little chuckle, too. "So, you thought I would say no…"
"I hoped you wouldn't." Carmen clarified. "But I didn't want to keep my hopes high."
"And now that you know… that I like you?" Julia cupped Carmen's cheek, happy that she could now stare into those eyes without it being weird.
"Now… I guess there are things I should figure out." she sighed. "Can I stay?"
"For as long as you want."
Carmen chuckled and bent down to kiss her softly. "Let me know when you'd want me to leave."
Julia kissed her back and smiled. "Don't hold your breath, Miss Sandiego."
The kiss became deeper and Julia felt an urge to touch and be touched. To get as near as possible. Carmen seemed to be thinking along the same lines, her lips now demanding, and her hands moving from Julia's neck, down her back, and up again.
Julia's fingers were tangled again in her hair, occasionally brushing her ear with her finger. She wanted more, but maybe Carmen was not ready. Tentatively, Julia started kissing down her neck, pressing her lips and her tongue against the tender skin, going further down.
"Oh Jules," Carmen groaned and she felt encouraged to venture even lower. Slowly, she opened the jacket and revealed a black tank top underneath. She could've stayed looking at it much longer, but her body seemed to pull her towards Carmen, and this time her kisses landed even lower, down her cleavage to where the top wouldn't let her go any further.
Carmen's breathing was uneven and Julia felt her pulling her hips, pressing her body to hers, and caressing her sides. Maybe she could see how far they could go.
Slowly and deliberately, Julia pushed a leg between Carmen's and pressed her hips against hers. The groan she got in response made her push again.
"Is this alright?" Julia asked, and her own voice sounded hoarse to her ears.
"More than alright," Carmen breathed, now her turn to kiss down Julia's neck. "I think… I want more," she muttered between kisses, and Julia felt her legs tremble.
"Come with me," she whispered, and taking Carmen's hand she pulled her gently into the tiny bedroom.
Carmen looked at her for a second, eyes bright and slightly out of breath. "Jules, I…" she pulled Julia by the waist again. "I don't think I know how…"
Julia kissed her, feeling absolutely hopelessly in love with this woman who was so honest, and true, and real. "Let's see what happens."
Carmen nodded and Julia kissed her again, wanting to reassure her that everything was going to be ok. Carmen's hands though, seemed to have a will of their own, and Julia felt them travelling underneath her sweater, caressing bare skin, almost as if their owner wanted to prove something.
Julia obliged, and took off her sweater. Her own hands looked for Carmen's lapels, and the black hoodie hit the floor, followed by the tank top. Julia's mind went back to that night, and her fear that the wound would not stop bleeding, mixed with the excitement of being so close to Carmen. Gently, she touched her sides with her fingers and then stopped their kiss to look.
"Does it hurt?" Where the wounds had been there were two scars and two very thin lines.
"No," Carmen simply said. And then she chuckled.
"What?"
"That night, when you started tearing those sheets apart… Jules, that was very hot."
With a mix of pride and shame, Julia chuckled and pulled Carmen's body against hers again.
"Well, I guess I'm glad you enjoyed the show."
"Oh I did," Carmen mumbled before kissing her neck again. Her hands looked for the clasp in Julia's back, and a second later she managed to take off the bra. Julia copied her, but then her hands moved down to the jeans, and her fingers lingered at the front button.
"May I?"
Carmen just nodded, as her own fingers started pushing Julia's trousers down. Skin met with skin, and Julia moved them both to the bed, wishing to make all distance between them disappear.
Lying on her back, Carmen looked at her for a moment. How she could make her feel in control one second, and so very vulnerable the next, was something Julia thought she needed to think through. But now was not the time for thinking.
Slowly, she bent down to kiss her again, as her hand moved to cup her breasts. Carmen grunted, and Julia took it as encouragement. With slow movements, she kissed down, until her mouth found the nipple and sucked. Another grunt filled with pleasure made her do it again, and again. Carmen's hands pulled at her hips once more, demanding. Julia was too eager to comply.
"Tell me if you like it," she whispered into Carmen's ear, and very slowly, she lowered her hand to meet her warm center.
"Yes," Carmen hissed, and her hips jumped to meet Julia's fingers.
"Yes?"
"Yes."
Julia started moving, slowly, gently discovering every fold and every surface. Wanting to know and to please. When she felt Carmen's fingers inside her, she sighed happily. "Aren't you a quick learner?" she teased, and Carmen chuckled.
But it was turning too intense, too fast, and Carmen's hips began to rock, her breathing quick.
"Jules…" she muttered, and Julia kept on moving, while her other hand caressed her side, her breasts, every inch of her body she could reach. "Jules, I-"
A soft cry, a whimper, and Julia felt Carmen's back arch before collapsing on the bed, limp. Very softly, Julia took her hand away and put a gentle kiss on Carmen's lips, noticing her eyes were closed.
"Are you ok?" she whispered.
Carmen opened her eyes slowly and smiled. "More than ok."
Julia smiled too, unable to stop feeling proud. "I'm glad."
Carmen cupped her cheek, and slowly lowered her down for another kiss. "That was… amazing," she said.
Julia chuckled, and kissed her again, before pulling the duvet towards their bodies and snuggling on her shoulder. Carmen's arms surrounded her, and Julia moved her hand to stroke her sides.
"You know that night…?" Carmen said, and Julia didn't need more explanations.
"Yes?"
"I wanted to kiss you… so much. I wanted to do exactly this. Hug you, get closer to you."
Julia sighed, "me too."
"Well," Carmen's voice was loaded with humour, "I couldn't move, but you could. Why didn't you?"
"I was afraid," she said simply. "I did stroke your hair, though."
"Hmm," Julia felt Carmen's chest rumble under her cheek. "Could you do it again?"
Julia shifted, and now it was Carmen leaning her head against Julia's shoulder, her arm across her stomach. Again, Julia's fingers found her way into Carmen's hair, her temples, her waves.
"Hmm," Carmen repeated. "You did dare to do this."
Despite how tired she sounded, Julia recognised the teasing. "I thought you were asleep," she said.
Carmen just chuckled and pressed her body a little tighter.
Julia felt as if she should add something, but the words that seemed ready to be said were too strong, and it was too soon. She was just excited, overwhelmed by the new. There was no need for big statements. At least, not yet.
Listening to Carmen's now even breaths, Julia sighed, feeling relaxed for the first time in a very long time. Not much later, she fell asleep as well.