Part Thirty Five
On the Sunday morning, Yvonne woke to the warm contented feeling of being held in a pair of gentle arms. I could get used to this, she thought. Gradually becoming aware that Trigger was trying to nuzzle his way under the duvet to get to her, she reluctantly disentangled herself from Karen's soft warm body and got out of bed. When she let Trigger out of the back door, she stood in the cool, early morning air and breathed in the smell of grass speckled with dew, and watched as the sun slowly made its way over the horizon. She couldn't believe how happy with life she was this morning. In spite of the fact that they were in the middle of her son's trial, Yvonne could seriously say that most of her life was good. Herself and her daughter were safe, at least as safe as a member of the Atkins family could ever be, she lived in a glorious house and materially lacked for nothing, and upstairs, asleep in her bed, was Karen. If, a year ago, someone had told Yvonne that not only would she have kissed another woman, but spent the night in her arms, and be contemplating doing more with her this morning, she'd have laughed in their face. But here she was, Yvonne Atkins, the straightest woman in the business of seduction and conquest, preparing her mind for the possibility that she might in a very short time be making love with a woman, with Karen Betts. The repetition of that kiss last night had been because they'd both had a little too much to drink, and because the mood had been right. Karen had stayed because she'd had far too much to drive and because Yvonne had made it clear that nothing else was on offer, apart from the comfort of not being alone in a cold, empty bed. Slightly shivering, Yvonne came back to her senses to realise that in spite of the rising sun which promised another blisteringly hot day, the morning was still chilly, especially for those who chose to walk round in something that could pass for a large silk handkerchief. Calling softly to Trigger, Yvonne went back inside. Glancing at the kitchen clock, she yawned when she saw that it was only seven o'clock.
When she slipped back under the duvet, Karen turned over towards her. Karen was still in the blissful stage between sleeping and waking when the senses are on overdrive and the brain is still relatively dormant.
"You're cold," Karen said as she came in to contact with Yvonne's body.
"I just went to let Trigger out," Said Yvonne, snuggling up to Karen as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"What time is it?"
"It's still early."
"I can't believe I'm here," Said Karen after a while.
"No, me neither," murmured Yvonne leaning forward to plant a chased kiss on Karen's slightly parted lips. Karen moved her hand up and gently ran Yvonne's hair through her fingers. Yvonne kissed her again, this time so languorously that Karen's eyes acquired a glazed expression which Yvonne found incredible. Their mouths fought for dominance as they both displayed exactly how they had been able to hook anyone they chose. When Karen began to push Yvonne away, Yvonne looked concerned. At the sight of Yvonne's worried expression, Karen grinned,
"Yvonne," She said, "Please either stop now or take this further." Yvonne's husky laugh made Karen smile.
"And which would you prefer it to be?" Asked Yvonne, almost certain of the answer she would get.
"if you stop now," Said Karen with a frown. "I swear that's the last time I buy you a birthday card." At first Yvonne stared at her, but then she saw the hint of a gleam in Karen's eyes and laughed.
"Now that's what I call a challenge," Yvonne said with a leer.
"That's up to you," Replied Karen.
"Well, seeing as you're in my bed and therefore very special, your wish is my command."
When Yvonne began kissing her again, Karen spared a thought to wonder just where Yvonne had learnt to kiss like that. Yvonne felt a moment of slight trepidation, wondering if she could really pull this off. The only one who had received such an erotic delicacy from her was herself. Oh well, she thought, when did an Atkins ever refuse a challenge. Karen noticed Yvonne's brief hesitation and reached for her hand.
"Would you rather we were doing this the other way round?" She asked. This simple question seemed to bring Yvonne back on course for her goal, to give Karen the time of her life.
"No," She said, "Having never done this before, I just hope I'm good enough, that's all."
Karen gently guided Yvonne's hand to her breast. This was a first for both of them and Karen knew it might take some time before they were both entirely comfortable with the situation. Yvonne's feather-light touch seemed to set a spark to nerve endings Karen wasn't aware she had. When Yvonne grazed her thumb over Karen's nipple, the combination of the friction provided by the silk nightie Karen was wearing, plus the slightly forbidden aura of what they were doing, provoked a low, throaty moan from Karen which Yvonne stifled with a kiss.
"Must be the feminine touch," Said Yvonne, her tone of voice clearly telling Karen that Yvonne was as turned on as she was.
"You're telling me," Was all Karen could say in response.
"It'd be a whole lot better without this," Stated Yvonne, tugging lightly at the equally skimpy piece of black silk Karen had slept in. Heartily agreeing, Karen pulled off the bundle of silk and lay back down. She moved to pull the duvet back over them but Yvonne lifted a hand to stop her. With the help of the rays of the early morning sun that were peeping through the partly open curtains, Yvonne gazed at Karen. From her firm, full breasts to her well defined hips, to her long, tanned legs. Karen simply lay there and watched Yvonne, knowing how eye-catching she could be once divested of the formal suits that usually hid most of what she had to offer.
"See something you like?" Asked Karen dryly.
"Yeah," Said Yvonne, slightly dazed. "You're beautiful."
"And you've got an unfair advantage," Replied Karen, fingering the hem of Yvonne's pale blue nightie, which had ridden almost to the top of her thighs. When Yvonne had discarded her own excuse for a serviette, Karen stared in slight envy at Yvonne's well-toned torso. The benefits of having your own pool, she thought.
"The ten years between thirty eight and forty eight aren't so kind to the body," Said Yvonne, for the first time realising what their difference in ages might mean.
"Yvonne, trust me, you have a body most people would die for." This seemed to bring Yvonne's confidence back on track. Almost as if she were about to run her hand over the Mona Lisa, Karen ran her hand down Yvonne's sternum, and moved to circle a breast. It surprised her how soft female skin was, compared to the coarse, hair-strewn outer shell of a man. Yvonne gently pushed Karen back on to her back and returned to her earlier ministrations. Karen recaptured Yvonne's mouth and nibbled lightly at her lower lip. Yvonne gradually kissed her way down Karen's neck and chest, until she found herself giving one of Karen's nipples the attention it clearly deserved. When Karen felt Yvonne's mouth doing exquisite things to her finest assets, making two of the most sensitive points of her body become as hard and erect as pebbles in a reseeding tide, she couldn't help but gasp.
"Like that, do you?" Asked Yvonne, moving to the other breast so as not to neglect it.
"Too much," Answered Karen, in the sort of strangled, sultry voice that told Yvonne that she was definitely doing something right.
"You can never like anything too much," Stated Yvonne, "It just isn't possible."
"Oh, I don't know, you could easily become addictive." Yvonne trailed her hand down Karen's side, and across her stomach.
"It isn't as flat as I'd like it to be," Said Karen, "But I guess that's the result of doing what amounts to a desk job for the last three years." Yvonne hushed her gently.
"Just relax," She said, "And enjoy it." When Yvonne traced the smattering of hair between Karen's legs, she decided that the best course of action was to do what she'd done to herself for longer than she cared to remember, and to follow Karen's reactions to it. The last thing she wanted to do was to fail at this. Her biggest concern was that Karen should feel right about this. Yvonne didn't especially care about her own pleasure, she simply wanted to make Karen believe that she deserved to enjoy making love again.
When Yvonne moved her hand to the juncture of Karen's thighs, they parted in clear invitation. Yvonne feared that she would act like a fumbling adolescent, but it seemed that the same rules did apply to Karen as they had to herself. At the first contact with her clit, Karen groaned in pure ecstasy. Encouraged by this, Yvonne moved her hand over and around this pinnacle of all Karen's desires. When she teased at Karen's entrance with a well manicured finger, the widening of Karen's legs couldn't have given her a clearer signal.
"Jesus," Yvonne said in surprise, "You're so wet." Karen laughed in that same sultry way she had in the pub all those months ago.
"That's all down to you." Yvonne simultaneously slipped two fingers inside her and resumed alternately nibbling and soothing the sensitive flesh of Karen's nipples. At the feel of three sources of pure pleasure, Karen's whole body jerked. Yvonne's hand increased its speed, and Karen's internal muscles began twitching, a sure sign she was nearing her peak. Yvonne looked up in to Karen's face and saw that she was doing her utmost to keep her eyes open, so as to see the woman who was doing this to her. There was such a depth of emotion in those eyes that it made Yvonne gasp.
"come for me, sweetheart," She said, meaning every word of it. The encouragement to ride the waves of pure passion and the thorough naughtiness of the unfamiliar territory they were in made Karen almost crush Yvonne's wrist between her thighs. She made a sound that was half a laugh and half a sob as her orgasm crashed over her in wave after wave. Her whole body shuddered, and Yvonne found herself cradling a sobbing, shaking Karen. All she could do was to hold her and soothe away the trembling which certainly took its time in abating. Karen didn't think she'd ever cried this hard, but she was so happy. In giving her such an explosive orgasm that was so totally about her, and in giving her back the feelings she never thought she would have again, Yvonne had freed her. She was finally free of that aching chasm of inability to enjoy sex of any kind. She'd thought she would be trapped in that cave of self-destruction for ever, but Yvonne had managed to free her soul from the frightening confines of that lifelong cell of not being able to love again.
"Was it that bad?" Asked Yvonne in a mock serious tone that made Karen laugh through her gradually decreasing tears.
"No," She said, "It was the best I've had in a long time. You've got no idea what you just did, have you? I expected to never enjoy being close to anyone again, but you've set me free." Coming from a woman who used to lock her up, Yvonne caught the full force of the irony of that one. Then Karen gave her a very severe mock glare.
"And you must be the biggest liar I ever met, Yvonne Atkins."
"Why?"
"You told me you'd never done that before."
"So, I haven't, at least not to someone else. The hours between eight in the evening and eight the next morning can get very long and lonely, you know."
"I see," Said Karen, her breathing beginning to return to normal. "so that's what happens in all that spare time." Then Karen remembered that she'd been the only one to achieve release so far that morning. She gave Yvonne a long, enticing kiss.
"I doubt if I'll come up to that standard," She said with the wickedest grin Yvonne had ever seen. "But I'll try."
"No," Yvonne said softly. "There's time enough for that." They simply lay, holding each other's warm, soft-skinned bodies. They could hear the birds through the open window, and see the sun as the breeze gently flapped the curtains. They lay covered by a thin sheet, the duvet having been discarded long ago. No words needed to be said. The enormity of what had happened that morning was slowly beginning to sink in. As Yvonne had said, there was time enough for Karen to do the same to her later. All that mattered was how complete they felt, how safe and cherished they were in their own secluded world as they gently drifted towards sleep.
Karen woke around ten, to see Yvonne gazing at her. She stretched luxuriously.
"That is way too sexy," Said Yvonne with a smile.
"Good," Said Karen, leaning over to plant a light kiss on Yvonne's lips. Then glancing at the clock on the bedside table, she said, "I'd better go. I've yet to break the news to Denny that she's coming to see you this afternoon."
"I can't believe you did that," Said Yvonne, "I don't deserve you."
"After this morning," Said Karen with a grin, "I'd say the shoe was on the other foot."
"Nice to know I'm good at something," Replied Yvonne.
"Would you like me to return the favour?" Asked Karen, running a lazy finger over Yvonne's shoulder. A guarded look came over Yvonne's face.
"Sorry," She said, "But no. Making love to you was probably one of the most enchanting things I've ever been part of, but it might take me a little while before I want the same." Karen was deeply touched.
"You don't need to explain," Karen said gently. "You just let me know when you're ready for the best time of your life." As Yvonne stood at the front door in a thin dressing-gown and watched Karen drive away, she wondered just what she'd done to deserve something, someone so special. What she'd given to Karen earlier that morning hadn't been wrong, it'd been right, it'd been full of lust, happiness and possibly the beginnings of love. As she brewed herself some coffee, she heard Lauren open the front door. She poked her head round the kitchen door.
"You slept late, mum?" Was Lauren's greeting.
"Yeah," Was all Yvonne could say in reply, not quite sure how much she wanted her daughter to know of the morning's events. "Are you going to be here this afternoon?" She asked, wanting Lauren to stay for when Denny arrived, but at the same time knowing that Lauren might not be wild about the idea.
"I might be," Said lauren guardedly. Lauren was further unsettled a while later when, on going in to her mother's bedroom to borrow some hairspray, she observed that the bed was unmade on both sides, undoubtable proof that her mother had spent the night with Karen.
On the Sunday morning, Yvonne woke to the warm contented feeling of being held in a pair of gentle arms. I could get used to this, she thought. Gradually becoming aware that Trigger was trying to nuzzle his way under the duvet to get to her, she reluctantly disentangled herself from Karen's soft warm body and got out of bed. When she let Trigger out of the back door, she stood in the cool, early morning air and breathed in the smell of grass speckled with dew, and watched as the sun slowly made its way over the horizon. She couldn't believe how happy with life she was this morning. In spite of the fact that they were in the middle of her son's trial, Yvonne could seriously say that most of her life was good. Herself and her daughter were safe, at least as safe as a member of the Atkins family could ever be, she lived in a glorious house and materially lacked for nothing, and upstairs, asleep in her bed, was Karen. If, a year ago, someone had told Yvonne that not only would she have kissed another woman, but spent the night in her arms, and be contemplating doing more with her this morning, she'd have laughed in their face. But here she was, Yvonne Atkins, the straightest woman in the business of seduction and conquest, preparing her mind for the possibility that she might in a very short time be making love with a woman, with Karen Betts. The repetition of that kiss last night had been because they'd both had a little too much to drink, and because the mood had been right. Karen had stayed because she'd had far too much to drive and because Yvonne had made it clear that nothing else was on offer, apart from the comfort of not being alone in a cold, empty bed. Slightly shivering, Yvonne came back to her senses to realise that in spite of the rising sun which promised another blisteringly hot day, the morning was still chilly, especially for those who chose to walk round in something that could pass for a large silk handkerchief. Calling softly to Trigger, Yvonne went back inside. Glancing at the kitchen clock, she yawned when she saw that it was only seven o'clock.
When she slipped back under the duvet, Karen turned over towards her. Karen was still in the blissful stage between sleeping and waking when the senses are on overdrive and the brain is still relatively dormant.
"You're cold," Karen said as she came in to contact with Yvonne's body.
"I just went to let Trigger out," Said Yvonne, snuggling up to Karen as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"What time is it?"
"It's still early."
"I can't believe I'm here," Said Karen after a while.
"No, me neither," murmured Yvonne leaning forward to plant a chased kiss on Karen's slightly parted lips. Karen moved her hand up and gently ran Yvonne's hair through her fingers. Yvonne kissed her again, this time so languorously that Karen's eyes acquired a glazed expression which Yvonne found incredible. Their mouths fought for dominance as they both displayed exactly how they had been able to hook anyone they chose. When Karen began to push Yvonne away, Yvonne looked concerned. At the sight of Yvonne's worried expression, Karen grinned,
"Yvonne," She said, "Please either stop now or take this further." Yvonne's husky laugh made Karen smile.
"And which would you prefer it to be?" Asked Yvonne, almost certain of the answer she would get.
"if you stop now," Said Karen with a frown. "I swear that's the last time I buy you a birthday card." At first Yvonne stared at her, but then she saw the hint of a gleam in Karen's eyes and laughed.
"Now that's what I call a challenge," Yvonne said with a leer.
"That's up to you," Replied Karen.
"Well, seeing as you're in my bed and therefore very special, your wish is my command."
When Yvonne began kissing her again, Karen spared a thought to wonder just where Yvonne had learnt to kiss like that. Yvonne felt a moment of slight trepidation, wondering if she could really pull this off. The only one who had received such an erotic delicacy from her was herself. Oh well, she thought, when did an Atkins ever refuse a challenge. Karen noticed Yvonne's brief hesitation and reached for her hand.
"Would you rather we were doing this the other way round?" She asked. This simple question seemed to bring Yvonne back on course for her goal, to give Karen the time of her life.
"No," She said, "Having never done this before, I just hope I'm good enough, that's all."
Karen gently guided Yvonne's hand to her breast. This was a first for both of them and Karen knew it might take some time before they were both entirely comfortable with the situation. Yvonne's feather-light touch seemed to set a spark to nerve endings Karen wasn't aware she had. When Yvonne grazed her thumb over Karen's nipple, the combination of the friction provided by the silk nightie Karen was wearing, plus the slightly forbidden aura of what they were doing, provoked a low, throaty moan from Karen which Yvonne stifled with a kiss.
"Must be the feminine touch," Said Yvonne, her tone of voice clearly telling Karen that Yvonne was as turned on as she was.
"You're telling me," Was all Karen could say in response.
"It'd be a whole lot better without this," Stated Yvonne, tugging lightly at the equally skimpy piece of black silk Karen had slept in. Heartily agreeing, Karen pulled off the bundle of silk and lay back down. She moved to pull the duvet back over them but Yvonne lifted a hand to stop her. With the help of the rays of the early morning sun that were peeping through the partly open curtains, Yvonne gazed at Karen. From her firm, full breasts to her well defined hips, to her long, tanned legs. Karen simply lay there and watched Yvonne, knowing how eye-catching she could be once divested of the formal suits that usually hid most of what she had to offer.
"See something you like?" Asked Karen dryly.
"Yeah," Said Yvonne, slightly dazed. "You're beautiful."
"And you've got an unfair advantage," Replied Karen, fingering the hem of Yvonne's pale blue nightie, which had ridden almost to the top of her thighs. When Yvonne had discarded her own excuse for a serviette, Karen stared in slight envy at Yvonne's well-toned torso. The benefits of having your own pool, she thought.
"The ten years between thirty eight and forty eight aren't so kind to the body," Said Yvonne, for the first time realising what their difference in ages might mean.
"Yvonne, trust me, you have a body most people would die for." This seemed to bring Yvonne's confidence back on track. Almost as if she were about to run her hand over the Mona Lisa, Karen ran her hand down Yvonne's sternum, and moved to circle a breast. It surprised her how soft female skin was, compared to the coarse, hair-strewn outer shell of a man. Yvonne gently pushed Karen back on to her back and returned to her earlier ministrations. Karen recaptured Yvonne's mouth and nibbled lightly at her lower lip. Yvonne gradually kissed her way down Karen's neck and chest, until she found herself giving one of Karen's nipples the attention it clearly deserved. When Karen felt Yvonne's mouth doing exquisite things to her finest assets, making two of the most sensitive points of her body become as hard and erect as pebbles in a reseeding tide, she couldn't help but gasp.
"Like that, do you?" Asked Yvonne, moving to the other breast so as not to neglect it.
"Too much," Answered Karen, in the sort of strangled, sultry voice that told Yvonne that she was definitely doing something right.
"You can never like anything too much," Stated Yvonne, "It just isn't possible."
"Oh, I don't know, you could easily become addictive." Yvonne trailed her hand down Karen's side, and across her stomach.
"It isn't as flat as I'd like it to be," Said Karen, "But I guess that's the result of doing what amounts to a desk job for the last three years." Yvonne hushed her gently.
"Just relax," She said, "And enjoy it." When Yvonne traced the smattering of hair between Karen's legs, she decided that the best course of action was to do what she'd done to herself for longer than she cared to remember, and to follow Karen's reactions to it. The last thing she wanted to do was to fail at this. Her biggest concern was that Karen should feel right about this. Yvonne didn't especially care about her own pleasure, she simply wanted to make Karen believe that she deserved to enjoy making love again.
When Yvonne moved her hand to the juncture of Karen's thighs, they parted in clear invitation. Yvonne feared that she would act like a fumbling adolescent, but it seemed that the same rules did apply to Karen as they had to herself. At the first contact with her clit, Karen groaned in pure ecstasy. Encouraged by this, Yvonne moved her hand over and around this pinnacle of all Karen's desires. When she teased at Karen's entrance with a well manicured finger, the widening of Karen's legs couldn't have given her a clearer signal.
"Jesus," Yvonne said in surprise, "You're so wet." Karen laughed in that same sultry way she had in the pub all those months ago.
"That's all down to you." Yvonne simultaneously slipped two fingers inside her and resumed alternately nibbling and soothing the sensitive flesh of Karen's nipples. At the feel of three sources of pure pleasure, Karen's whole body jerked. Yvonne's hand increased its speed, and Karen's internal muscles began twitching, a sure sign she was nearing her peak. Yvonne looked up in to Karen's face and saw that she was doing her utmost to keep her eyes open, so as to see the woman who was doing this to her. There was such a depth of emotion in those eyes that it made Yvonne gasp.
"come for me, sweetheart," She said, meaning every word of it. The encouragement to ride the waves of pure passion and the thorough naughtiness of the unfamiliar territory they were in made Karen almost crush Yvonne's wrist between her thighs. She made a sound that was half a laugh and half a sob as her orgasm crashed over her in wave after wave. Her whole body shuddered, and Yvonne found herself cradling a sobbing, shaking Karen. All she could do was to hold her and soothe away the trembling which certainly took its time in abating. Karen didn't think she'd ever cried this hard, but she was so happy. In giving her such an explosive orgasm that was so totally about her, and in giving her back the feelings she never thought she would have again, Yvonne had freed her. She was finally free of that aching chasm of inability to enjoy sex of any kind. She'd thought she would be trapped in that cave of self-destruction for ever, but Yvonne had managed to free her soul from the frightening confines of that lifelong cell of not being able to love again.
"Was it that bad?" Asked Yvonne in a mock serious tone that made Karen laugh through her gradually decreasing tears.
"No," She said, "It was the best I've had in a long time. You've got no idea what you just did, have you? I expected to never enjoy being close to anyone again, but you've set me free." Coming from a woman who used to lock her up, Yvonne caught the full force of the irony of that one. Then Karen gave her a very severe mock glare.
"And you must be the biggest liar I ever met, Yvonne Atkins."
"Why?"
"You told me you'd never done that before."
"So, I haven't, at least not to someone else. The hours between eight in the evening and eight the next morning can get very long and lonely, you know."
"I see," Said Karen, her breathing beginning to return to normal. "so that's what happens in all that spare time." Then Karen remembered that she'd been the only one to achieve release so far that morning. She gave Yvonne a long, enticing kiss.
"I doubt if I'll come up to that standard," She said with the wickedest grin Yvonne had ever seen. "But I'll try."
"No," Yvonne said softly. "There's time enough for that." They simply lay, holding each other's warm, soft-skinned bodies. They could hear the birds through the open window, and see the sun as the breeze gently flapped the curtains. They lay covered by a thin sheet, the duvet having been discarded long ago. No words needed to be said. The enormity of what had happened that morning was slowly beginning to sink in. As Yvonne had said, there was time enough for Karen to do the same to her later. All that mattered was how complete they felt, how safe and cherished they were in their own secluded world as they gently drifted towards sleep.
Karen woke around ten, to see Yvonne gazing at her. She stretched luxuriously.
"That is way too sexy," Said Yvonne with a smile.
"Good," Said Karen, leaning over to plant a light kiss on Yvonne's lips. Then glancing at the clock on the bedside table, she said, "I'd better go. I've yet to break the news to Denny that she's coming to see you this afternoon."
"I can't believe you did that," Said Yvonne, "I don't deserve you."
"After this morning," Said Karen with a grin, "I'd say the shoe was on the other foot."
"Nice to know I'm good at something," Replied Yvonne.
"Would you like me to return the favour?" Asked Karen, running a lazy finger over Yvonne's shoulder. A guarded look came over Yvonne's face.
"Sorry," She said, "But no. Making love to you was probably one of the most enchanting things I've ever been part of, but it might take me a little while before I want the same." Karen was deeply touched.
"You don't need to explain," Karen said gently. "You just let me know when you're ready for the best time of your life." As Yvonne stood at the front door in a thin dressing-gown and watched Karen drive away, she wondered just what she'd done to deserve something, someone so special. What she'd given to Karen earlier that morning hadn't been wrong, it'd been right, it'd been full of lust, happiness and possibly the beginnings of love. As she brewed herself some coffee, she heard Lauren open the front door. She poked her head round the kitchen door.
"You slept late, mum?" Was Lauren's greeting.
"Yeah," Was all Yvonne could say in reply, not quite sure how much she wanted her daughter to know of the morning's events. "Are you going to be here this afternoon?" She asked, wanting Lauren to stay for when Denny arrived, but at the same time knowing that Lauren might not be wild about the idea.
"I might be," Said lauren guardedly. Lauren was further unsettled a while later when, on going in to her mother's bedroom to borrow some hairspray, she observed that the bed was unmade on both sides, undoubtable proof that her mother had spent the night with Karen.