Susan found Talia curled up on the couch. Her feet were tucked underneath her and her shoes under the table. Talia's gaze followed her every move. She walked into the bedroom, removed her weapon, and stored it in the nightstand. Stopping at the BabCom, she started some soft music to play. She found 'the package' lying on the coffee table untouched. She found Talia waiting, but she could saw the barely contained impatience on her face.
"You promised my chocolate, Commander," Talia said in a pout. "… And I want chocolate."
Talia looks adorable when she pouts, Susan thought as she laughed, "And chocolate it will be… Would you like something to drink? I have coffee, grape juice, herbal tea, some of the wine left from last night, or my usual standby- vodka."
A look of disgust crossed Talia's face. "You ruin chocolate by drinking vodka with it, do you?"
Susan laughed again, "Not normally, but I thought I would offer what I had available to drink."
"Some of the juice sounds fine, but hurry," she encouraged. She wanted to know what she and Mr. Garibaldi had discussed, but that would have to wait. Chocolate first.
She is acting like a child, Susan thought as she poured two glasses of juice. She waited until she was comfortably seated before she reached for the package. She slowly opened the package. Talia's gaze never wavered from Susan's hands. On purpose, she tugged unhurriedly on the string. She glanced at Talia's face and saw she looked like she was about to drool. Susan took pity on her and opened the package. Inside were two bars of Cadbury milk chocolate. Talia hungrily eyed the chocolate in Susan's hand. "You look like a child on Christmas morning that had to wait to open her presents because someone is late arriving."
"It has been years since I've had this brand of chocolate. It is one of my favorite, but impossible to get here on Babylon 5," Talia replied. "… or at least at a price that I can afford. Besides, you promised me dessert," she looked at Susan even more eagerly.
Susan couldn't bring herself to make her wait any longer. She handed Talia one of the bars, and set back. She took a sip of the juice to wet her suddenly parched throat. She was sure she was going to enjoy watching Talia with this present.
Talia reverently slid one nail under the flap to open the golden wrapper. When she had it open, she brought it close, and breathed in the fragrance of the chocolate. "Mmmnnnn! This smells so good!" She breathed. This is nearly better than sex briefly crossed her mind. She broke off one of the squares and popped it into her mouth and savored it as it began to melt, and the flavor encompassed all of her senses. She closed her eyes to further enjoy the experience. When all of the chocolate had melted away, she opened her eyes.
She found Susan intently watching her. She knew she should have felt embarrassed by the way she had just acted, but she saw no ridicule on Susan's face. What she saw instead was… pleasure. She saw that Susan had enjoyed watching my enjoyment of the chocolate. She noticed the second bar lay on the table unopened. "Aren't going to have any?'
"I will later…" Susan paused, and wondered if she should say what entered her mind. Finally, with mind made up, "It was just a pleasure to watch how much you enjoyed it," she said huskily.
Talia felt such a flush of desire that began deep within her. Susan's voice had been like a warm caress, and Talia had to muffle the sigh she felt rising, but couldn't stop the flush of desire that rose to her cheeks. She got such… pleasure to have Susan watch her. She folded the wrapper back around the chocolate, and laid it back on the table. Suddenly, she didn't know where to look, as she tried to get her feelings under control. She took a quick sip of juice as she tried to calm her reactions.
Susan had watched passion turn Talia's eyes a smoky grey. It's now, or never she thought. "Talia…" she whispered.
Hearing her name spoken with such desire-laden whisper, stoked the desire that had been smoldering within her since she first day she had met the Commander. She looked into those eyes and saw they were filled with smothering, raw passion… and it was passion for her. This pleased her to no end.
Susan wanted her. Talia had begun to doubt if she would ever see that look in Susan's eyes for her. Now, that the day had arrived, she found it was more erotic than she would have ever imagined. Her heart began to beat rapidly against her chest. "Susan…" she questioned. Susan's opened her arms. Talia made the first move, crossed to her, and entered the invited, open embrace. It was like coming home.
Suddenly, Susan lost all ability to move. Talia's words stroked her very being. The urge to kiss her was overwhelming. She had wanted to be the one who went to Talia, but she couldn't get her legs to cooperate. All she could do was open her arms and wait. Thank all the Gods that Talia came to her. Talia set down beside her, and moved into her embrace. She searched Talia's eyes to see if she found any doubt, or mockery, but she saw none. Susan tilted Talia's face upward. As they stared into each other's eyes, Susan lowered her head until their lips were just a hair's breath apart. She opened her eyes and stared deeply into Talia, as she asked, "Talia, are you sure?"
To answer Susan's question, Talia maintained eye contact as she reach up and captured Susan's face with one of her hands. She caressed the smooth skin along the line of her jaw until she reached the back o f her neck. Applying gentle pressure, she pulled Susan to her and their lips met. Softly, and gently, she lightly brushed her lips against hers. Talia felt Susan's hand on her own neck, and lower back. They pulled her closer and molded their bodies to each other. Talia opened her mouth, pulled Susan's lower lip between hers- playfully nipping it. She felt Susan's embrace tighten, and her lips opened beneath hers. Talia took advantage of this opening and plunged her tongue into the warmth of Susan's mouth. She took in all of the tastes of the essences of Susan. Their tongues entwined, and caressed each other as they explored each other's mouth.
Talia's first kiss erased all other thoughts from my mind. The taste of chocolate was still there in the recesses of her mouth. Susan smiled at the pleasurable taste. Desire was coursing through Susan's veins burning a path through all of her being. She so wanted this, and, now, that it was happening, Susan could not believe this was real… If it is a dream, I ever want to wake up!!!
Time seemed to stand still for each of them. Finally, the need for air forced them to separate slightly. Talia rested her forehead against Susan's. Talia took in several ragged breaths trying to clear her desire fogged mind. God!!! That was better than any of my dreams!!!
Susan gathered Talia onto her lap, and tucked Talia's head under her chin. She was a perfect fit. Susan smiled to herself. When she was able to find her voice, all she could think of was, "Wow!" She felt Talia smile against her chest as she realized she had spoken that one word aloud.
"I agree… WOW!" Talia had never been kissed like that. She ran her tongue over her lips. She could still taste Susan there. Nestled against her chest, Talia could hear Susan's heart as it rapidly beat in rhythm with her own. It provided such… comfort. She never wanted to move from this haven.
Under the EarthForce jacket, Talia had never been able to tell how endowed Susan was, but nestled here she began to notice how tempting Susan's breasts were. Talia could feel Susan's harden nipples against her. Moving slightly, she rubbed herself against them, and she felt Susan's moan rumble deep within her chest.
"You vixen," Susan said in a gasp. She knew Talia had done that on purpose. She now wanted to feel more of the woman in her arms; so, she began to lightly caress Talia's back.
Talia drew back slightly, and reached for Susan's face. "You are the most beautiful person in the world." Talia pulled her face to her, and kissed her once again. This time she poured all of the pent up passion she felt into it. She was letting her hand began to wonder, and her fingers found the buttons to Susan's blouse. When she loosened the first button, she felt Susan tense. Talia reluctantly pulled her mouth from Susan, and looked at her. She saw confusion on Susan's face. "My dark beauty, what is wrong?"
Susan felt so stupid. But she knew that if she was ever going to make love to the beautiful woman within her arms that she needed to tell her everything about her, and try to make her understand why she had avoided all contact and feelings for her. Otherwise, their relationship would start out a lie. She had to make her understand. She just had to. Susan looked deeply into Talia's eyes and saw her confusion growing.
She began with a reassurance. Reaching out, she cupped Talia's face as she spoke, "Talia, you are absolute perfection. I have never had these… feelings for anyone like I am feeling for you," she wanted to be sure Talia understood that most of all. She saw that her words were soothing the confusion from Talia's face. "But we need to take this… slowly." At the last minute, she let her fears take over, and she grasped for another reason, "I want to make love to you… but, I…" she looked away, "I have never been with a woman."
Talia reached out and tenderly caressed her love's face. Tenderly, she kissed Susan again. This time with love to let the kiss express that she understood. She pulled back once more, and cupped Susan's face so that she could look into her eyes. "Susan, we can take this as slow as you want…" Talia saw and felt the relief Susan experienced at her words.
Susan wanted to try to explain more, but she just wasn't ready to share her deepest secret. Not yet. "I want you to know that more than anything else, I want to take you to my bed, but I am afraid it might be just hormones. Just sex… I like you, but I would like to let this relationship grow, and see where it leads. I have a feeling that this is something-that you are something- very special, and I don't want to rush it." She now looked at Talia's face. She hoped against hope that Talia would understand.
Talia was so moved by what Susan said. Tears glistened in her eyes, "Susan, that is the most beautiful thing anyone has every said to me. Most people take a look at the outside of me, and they don't want to get to know me, they just want to open the package, and discard it- and me- when they got what they wanted." Taking Susan's face in her hands, she gently placed a brief kiss on her lips. "We can wait as long as you want. I want to get to know you better as well. And if or when the time comes for us that we both want to make love, I would be honored to be your first." She kissed Susan's forehead, cheeks, and chin before sliding out of Susan's lap.
Talia reached for the opened bar of chocolate, and broke off another piece. Teasingly, she waved the piece before Susan's mouth. She deviously asked, "Do you want a bite of your illegal contraband?"
A glint in Susan's eyes flared. Talia understood where she was coming from. She needed to feel more comfortable before she could tell her the other reason for why she wanted to wait. Her love for this telepath grew even more.
Susan reached out with her hand for Talia's, but Talia
batted it away. "You can have it, but only if you reach for it with… your mouth,"
she said saucily and raised one eyebrow questioningly as if issuing a
challenge.
Smiling, Susan moved close with her opened mouth; Talia placed the chocolate into her mouth. When she went to move her hand, Susan gently imprisoned it. She smiled seductively as she pulled Talia's fingers close, and pulled Talia's thumb and index finger that had held the chocolate into her mouth, and licked the melted chocolate away. She then did the same thing to all of the fingers on the trapped hand.
Talia closed her eyes, and moaned from Susan's ministrations. Susan's warm mouth set Talia's entire arm on fire. "Susan, if you don't stop that, I will not be held accountable for what I do next." She panted for breath as she tried to get her heart to return to a more normal beat.
Susan saw she might have pushed Talia too far. "Sorry…"
She let go of Talia's hands, but she didn't look sorry. She looks like the cat that ate the canary, Talia thought.
Talia gazed around the room and for the first time noticed the roses. She stood, and went to smell them. They were amazing. She sensed Susan's presence behind her and leaned back into her as she felt Susan's arms encircle her waist.
"With all of the excitement, I forgot to thank you for the roses. Red roses are my favorites by the way." She breathed near Talia's ear. "Thank you." She said as she nibbled on Talia's ear.
Talia leaned against Susan. "Susan, it's a great idea, but I didn't send them to you."
Susan was now very confused. She had no idea whom they had come from. Reaching around Talia, she pulled the note from its holder, and showed it to Talia. "Do you recognize the handwriting?"
Talia turned in Susan's arms as she looked at the card's message. Jealously flooded her thoughts. Whoever it was, they can leave my love alone. Commander Susan Ivanova is mine, and I will fight anyone who thinks differently. "Sorry, I don't. Looks like you have another admirer," she said coolly. She handed the card back to Susan. She stepped away.
Susan saw first jealousy, doubt, and then resolve before Talia stepped away from her. Susan followed her and embrace her once again, as she said, "Say the word and they are history." She nodded towards the flowers.
Laughing, Talia cupped her face. She is so wonderful. Her knight. "The roses didn't do anything to me, or you for that matter. I would keep them, and enjoy them for as long as they live." Talia pulled one from the vase and walked into the kitchen. Once she found a knife, she cut the stem short, and removed the thorns. Walking back into the living room, she tucked it behind Susan's left ear. "Now, they will know you are taken." She kissed Susan again. She just couldn't get enough of the pleasure she got from kissing her. It was an addictive elixir. Finally, she pulled back, and rested her head on Susan's chest.
Susan's love for this woman expanded with each look; caress; kiss. Her kisses are… overwhelming. She glanced at the chrono display, and was shocked to find the time was 0030. "Talia…"
"Hmm," she replied. She loved being held in these strong, comforting arms. She could stay this way forever.
Reaching out, Susan raised Talia's chin until she could see her eyes. "It is after midnight. I think it is time for me to walk you home."
Talia looked so disappointed at Susan's words. She knew in her head that Susan was right, she needed to go home, but her heart filled with sorrow. "Yea, I guess, but you don't need to walk me home." She ran her finger along Susan's jaw, and rubbed her index finger over Susan's lips. "I know the way, and it is still early for the night crowd. I'll be fine."
A stubborn look filled Susan's facial features, and posture. Susan used this same look and stance to wither many a ship captain, but Talia seemed immune. "You have two choices: You let me walk you home, or you spend the night here." She continued to look at Talia stubbornly. I really want her to stay….
Right now, Talia really wished she could touch Susan's mind and see what she wanted her to do. But, she refused to do that no matter what it might cost her. Making her mind, Talia turned, and walked towards the bedroom. "Do I get the shower first?" she tossed over her shoulder.
"No way, Ms. Winters. I'm pulling rank. I get it first," Susan said as she followed her to her bedroom. "Besides, you got it first last night."
Talia tried to pout, but she could tell it had not worked. "Fine, I turn down the bed. But hurry, okay?"
Susan laughed as she handed clothes to Talia, and got her sleepwear. "You know if you keep this up, you're going to need to bring over a few things," she said as she proceeded into the ensuit.
In the meantime, Talia sank down to the bed in a little shock. She asked me to bring some things over. For a few moments, her mind had a little trouble wrapping around that thought; then a smile touched her lips. Maybe she is growing to love me. I'm going to keep my hands off of her, until she beg me to make love to her, Talia promised Susan, and then herself before adding, "… even if it kills me!"
Talia thoughts turned t o other pressing matters. She went to the Babcom unit, checked her appointments for the next day, and for any new messages. She was just finishing up when Susan came out with a towel wrapped around her head.
Susan walked to the dressing table, sat down, and reached for her brush.
Talia came behind her, and rested her hands on Susan's shoulders. Susan stopped, and looked at Talia's image in the mirror.
"Susan, will you let me do this?" Talia whispered. Susan handed her the brush, and settled back in the chair. Talia removed the towel and rubbed her hair with it to remove excess water before laying it aside. In slow long strokes, Talia brushed Susan's hair. It felt like warm silk between her fingers. Reaching for the hair dryer, Talia had her hair dry too quickly from her point of view. Sighing, she handed the dryer and brush back to Susan, returning her hands to rest on Susan's shoulders. "There you go," she said.
Susan reached up and took Talia's right hand in hers. She brought it to her mouth and kissed the back of her hand as if to say thanks. Susan found it to be a wondrous feeling to have someone brush her hair. It had been years since anyone had done this simple task for her. Not since, Mama…
Talia saw a shadow cross Susan's face. Quietly she murmured, "Susan, what is it?"
Tears glistened in her eyes, as Susan spoke, "I was just remembering that each night Mama would come into my room after I had got ready for bed. She would brush my hair and tell me how beautiful I was. And, how much she love me…" Tears slid down her cheeks.
"Susan…" Talia found tears sliding down her cheeks as well.
Susan turned around in the chair, and Talia kneeled between her knees. They each reached to dry the others tears. "Talia, they are happy tears…" She smiled as she tried to explain. "I'm going to take your advice, and try to remember the good times."
Talia's heart soared. Susan got what she had tried to say in her note. "Susan, you are so lucky to have memories of your family. I was taken when I was very young, and don't have those memories. Please, hang on to yours." She kissed Susan's cheeks, and stood. "Your warm, real water shower is calling me," she said. She picked up the sleepwear Susan had given her, and went to the ensuit.
When she came out, Talia noticed once again the only light in the bedroom was coming through the doorway from the living area. When her eyes became adjusted, she found Susan. She was in the bed, curled up on her side, and she could hear her even breathing. Tonight, she was asleep.
Talia had no client scheduled for the next day. She smiled. She knew Susan had to work the late shift for the next week, so this would be the last time in awhile she would be able to share a bed with her. Quietly, she crawled into the bed, "Good night, my love," she whispered. She scooted close to Susan, and she smiled to herself as Susan's arms pull her close. Soon, she too was sound asleep.
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That's it for now…. Hope to hear something soon from you the reader….PLEASE!!!