Title: Confessions Lead to Strange Bedfellows
Author: Kimberly21570
Fandoms: Guiding Light / All My Children
Pairings: Olivia and Natalia / Lena and Bianca
Disclaimers and other Assorted Ramblings: The characters of Olivia and Emma Spencer, Natalia and Rafe Rivera, Rick Bauer, Maureen "Maury" Reardon, and Clarissa Marler are owned by CBS/TeleNext and Proctor & Gamble. The characters of Lena Kundera and Bianca Montgomery belong to ABC/Disney and Prospect Park. The original characters of Tracy and Dylan Jackson-Morgan, Detective Sargent Langston Malloy, and her brother Quinn, Attorney Danika Kováč, Judge Bennett Thomas and her daughters, Rian and Lauren, Jacqueline Morgan, Toni Martin, Erick Slater, and Franceska "Cheska" Stone are the property of this author, and any resemblance to fictional characters, or real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
No copyright infringement intended with regard to Guiding Light, CBS/TeleNext, Proctor & Gamble, All My Children, ABC/Disney, Prospect Park, or any other person or entity. The dialogue, settings, and story content in these scenes are original. Written for fun, not profit. All other standard disclaimers apply.
For those of you who are country music fans, there's a little shout-out to a country music duo. I'm curious to see who picks up on it.
Many thanks to my friend and favorite FFW, WickedWanda926, and my friend newfan64 for the edit on this one. On a related note, once again, I have made some changes to the text in this update since their last edit, and thus, any mistakes contained herein are solely my responsibility. Thank you to all who continue to read and/or comment. I appreciate the time you have invested in this story.
Rating: This section of Chapter 16 is rated NC-17 for colorful language and overt sexual content. This one if most definitely NSFW.
My plan is to update each weekend between now and the Fourth of July, which is when the majority of this chapter takes place—July 4, 2009. It is my hope to give Otalia—and all of you—the Independence Day we all wanted back in 2009, but were cheated out of because TPTB at P&G were such asshats.
I hope y'all continue to enjoy!
Kimberly
Confessions Lead to Strange Bedfellows
Copyright May 2009
"When you meet someone so different from yourself, in a good way, you don't even have to kiss to have fireworks go off."
— Lisa Schroeder, I Heart You, You Haunt Me
Chapter 16.4 – A Few Fireworks of Our Own:
Saturday, July 4, 2009… The Bauer Barbecue—3:15 p.m. Central Daylight Time
"Oh! What's this, huh? I think you're losing your mojo, Ry," Lauren teased daringly, as they moved rapidly toward the food tent, Lauren holding her own next to her sister. Her blue eyes twinkled with mischief.
Blood pumping again from the undeclared race, Rian blew out a breath, declaring, "In your dreams, Rookie," as she playfully shoved Lauren's shoulder. "Next time, you won't be so lucky," she said, referencing the fact that they'd arrived in tandem.
"Yeah, whatever, Hotshot," Lauren guffawed dismissively.
Rian grinned in response, but before their banter could continue, they were stopped in their tracks, simultaneously falling silent. Rian's heart hitched in her chest, as Lauren's last lungful of air escaped her mouth, rendering her breathless at the sight of a stunning young woman with dark auburn hair and even darker eyes.
Lowering a foil pan full of freshly grilled burgers into one of the warming chafers, the woman regarded their awkward halt curiously, and then simply smiled. "Hi, there," she said congenially.
"Uh, hi," Lauren managed, clumsily. She seemed to have lost the ability to form words. That dimpled smile left her inexplicably dizzy, her palms turning sweaty. And she swore her heart was about to race out of her chest. Completely flummoxed, she struggled for breath. What the hell is wrong with me?
"Hey," Rian husked, her tone instinctively low and dangerous, as her body melted into a laissez-faire pose.
"Great t-shirt," the woman complimented, her dark gaze fixed on Rian's torso, where Stevie Nicks' sexy face, circa 1978, was perfectly centered between a set of firm, high breasts. It wasn't lost on her that Rian wasn't wearing a bra, as she watched Rian's chest rise and fall with every breath. The obvious friction between the soft cotton of the t-shirt and Rian's clearly erect nipples sent a shot of warmth traveling to a very concentrated point between the woman's legs, where it pulsed insistently. She had to struggle to keep her composure.
"Thanks," Rian replied, flashing a swaggering grin. "You new in town?"
Her face adopting a confused expression, the woman said, "No. Why do you ask?"
Leaning a hip against the table, Rian casually crossed her arms beneath her breasts. "Because I've never seen you before," she answered, her gray eyes slowly cruising the younger woman's body. "And believe me, I would remember you."
Shaking her head, Lauren rolled her eyes. She knew it was all an act, but sometimes Rian was truly unbelievable. She was so self-confident that it didn't even dawn on her to be embarrassed by such blatant use of a clichéd pick-up line. Lauren's response earned her an appreciative grin from the newcomer, and her heart skipped a beat in response, further perplexing her.
Despite herself, the woman felt her entire body flush with heat from the intensity of Rian's insistent gaze; but the perusal didn't throw her off kilter. Instead, it bolstered her confidence. Dark eyebrows raised, and full, soft lips formed a smirk, as the woman casually raked her fingers through that mane of thick, auburn waves. "Does that line ever really work for you?" She sounded amused.
Rian laughed, charmed by the woman's forthrightness. "Never," she answered humorously, the corner of her mouth twisting adorably. She held out her hand in greeting. "I'm…"
"Oh, I know exactly who you are, Miss Rian Thomas," the woman said, not bothering to accept the proffered hand. Who wouldn't recognize the all-time top scoring female high school basketball player in the entire State of Illinois? It didn't matter that she'd gone to an exclusive high school, and played in a smaller Division—no one, in the history of girl's high school basketball, save her younger sister, Lauren, had ever come close to matching her in terms of talent. Rian had gone on to play for Bryn Mawr, where she enjoyed another four years at the top, and then… she'd disappeared from the sports scene as if she'd never existed. That was certainly curious. Especially since Lauren still seemed to be blazing trails as a point guard—the position her sister once held in high school and college—at Stanford.
She settled her hips against an adjacent table, casually crossing her legs at the ankles like she had all the time in the world to wait for the woman's next display of… what was it exactly? Self-confidence? Pride? Something that bordered on arrogance?
An amused smirk tripped across Rian's lips, and she tilted her hip and leaned back, attempting to play it cool. "Ah… I see my reputation precedes me," she said flirtatiously.
"Apparently, so does your ego," the woman commented dryly. She decided on cocky as the word that best described Rian Thomas. But as cocky as she seemed, there was a softness that lingered deep in her gaze, and that made her… intriguing.
And beautiful.
Almost as beautiful as the blonde who stood next to her.
Though their eyes and hair color couldn't have been in greater contrast, they shared a similar warm, confident gaze. Beyond that, both women possessed the firm, muscled physique of trained athletes, and they shared similar facial features—perfect noses, strong, angular jawlines, eyes that twinkled with humor, and that adorable slight upward lift at the right-hand corner of soft lips that just begged to be kissed.
Where that thought had come from, she hadn't a clue. Not that she wasn't inclined to share kisses with a beautiful woman. But these women? They were clearly out of her league. And even more clearly, she was losing her mind.
Lauren struggled to stifle a laugh. "You'll have to forgive my sister," she said, interrupting Rian's embarrassing display of overconfidence. "Sometimes the player in her comes out before her brain can take over and tell her mouth to shut up."
Amused by Lauren's quick wit, the woman laughed. And then she glanced back at Rian, waiting for her to volley. These two were funny together.
Rian glared at her sister. "I am so not a player," she muttered in protest.
Arching a blonde eyebrow, Lauren gave her a skeptical look. She opened her mouth, but before she could respond, the woman interjected. "Really?" she said rhetorically, planting a hand on her shapely hip. "Because you sure sound like one to me," she candidly challenged, though without rancor. "And just for the record, I was born and raised here in Springfield," she informed. "Graduated from Springfield Southeast, where I played a little basketball myself."
Well, that certainly explained it. Now Rian felt like an elitist ass. She and Lauren had attended Westbrook Academy—a college prep school considered far more exclusive than even Lincoln Prep—at the insistence of their Grandmother Whittington. That old Southern Battle-axe was so pretentious she wouldn't even consider her granddaughters attending anything less prestigious. It galled the woman that Rian was getting her Master's at a state school, but Rian had insisted the education was superior to those overpriced so-called "Ivy League" schools, where the classes were taught by graduate students, rather than actual professors with real-life experience in the field.
A fledgling smile played at the corners of Lauren's mouth. The more she watched this woman interact with her sister, the more intrigued she became. Rian wasn't really an attention-seeker, but all their lives, everyone had known who she was, and everything she had accomplished, simply because she was a natural-born overachiever. She was accustomed to attention, mostly unwanted, and often shifted into this devil-may-care persona—a defense mechanism, Rian would call it—whenever she felt nervous or threatened. But this woman seemed to have no issue calling her on her crap, and Lauren found herself inexplicably drawn in by her candor.
Duly chastised, by both her sister and the newcomer, Rian nodded sheepishly. "My apologies," she said, a slight flush covering her flawless caramel-colored cheeks. "Clearly, I've shown myself an ass."
Yet another statement the woman couldn't argue. Rian Thomas was on a roll, in more ways than one.
But that didn't stop the dimpled smile from making another appearance, as she casually pushed away from the table, moving toward the two sisters. Extending her hand first to Rian, she offered introductions. "I'm Toni Martin," she said. "Apology accepted." She had learned a lot about the power of extending and accepting forgiveness, of late, and she'd vowed to practice it often.
Accepting Toni's hand, Rian shook it gently, yet firmly. "It's nice to meet you, Toni," she said with a warm smile, this one devoid of any trace of cockiness.
"It's nice to meet you, as well, Rian," Toni said with equal warmth. "Your reputation certainly does precede you, but in a good way," she granted. "I've followed your basketball career since high school. You're a stellar athlete."
Rian felt her face flush at the compliment. "Thank you," she said appreciatively.
"You're welcome," Toni said sincerely. She grinned then. "And I'm sorry for giving you so much shit," she commented.
Rian gave a nonchalant shrug. "I kinda made it easy for you," she admitted.
A soft chuckle fell from Toni's lips. "Can't say as I can argue that," she granted. "Still…"
"Seriously, no worries," Rian replied, brushing it aside as nothing.
Toni nodded, accepting Rian's pardon. And then she turned toward Lauren, her warm dark gaze meeting eyes as blue as the Montana sky. "You're quite the athlete, yourself, Lauren," she complimented. "A couple times there, I thought you were gonna show your sister up."
It was Lauren's turn to blush then, as she accepted the compliment. "Thank you, Toni," she said, extending a hand to the other woman. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Believe me," Toni said, accepting Lauren's hand. Dark eyes still locked on Lauren's, she held Lauren's hand firmly within her own, her thumb gently caressing the top. "The pleasure is entirely mine."
Lauren felt her entire body warm. She heard the faint initial hiss, as fireworks were ignited by the gentle touch of this woman's hand, and then her skin began to tingle. Seriously, what the fuck? she thought, as contemplated the unfamiliar physical response. Surprisingly, she found that it wasn't unwelcomed, and that further perplexed her.
What set her over the edge was the sense of loss she experienced when finally, Toni reluctantly released her hand. Attempting to maintain her composure, Lauren asked, "So how are you connected to the Bauer's?"
A curious expression on her face, Rian watched the tapestry of emotions that played across her sister's face as she interacted with this woman. Lauren seemed at once curious and confused; absorbed, yet apprehensive; confident, yet slightly off-kilter. She stifled a grin, realizing that, at the age of twenty-one, her baby sister had just discovered girls. "Listen, I'm gonna grab some grub here, and leave you two to chat," she announced, stealthily extricating herself from the situation.
Neither Toni nor Lauren even registered a word Rian said.
"Oh, I just started working for Spaulding," Toni was saying, as Rian slipped away, unnoticed, and quickly began filling a plate. By the time Toni spoke again, Rian was already beating a path back toward the quilt under the tree. "Phillip invited me, along with some of our other office staff."
That blonde eyebrow arched again. "And Dr. Rick put you to work?" Lauren scoffed. "That scoundrel."
Toni chuckled. "Well, someone had to rescue him," she declared. "Did you see the mess he made when he saw the Mayor kissing that woman earlier?" There was no recrimination in her tone, only amusement.
It was Lauren's turn to laugh. "Oh, we're well aware," she admitted. "That woman was our mother."
Brown eyes grew wide as saucers, as a hand clasped firmly over that sensuous mouth. "Oh, my god, I'm so sorry," Toni hastily apologized. "I didn't mean…"
Blue eyes danced with mirth. "No worries," she said reassuringly. "Mom's public 'coming out' is bound to stir up some shit. Ry and I are prepared to deal. We're just glad she's finally able to be with the person she loves."
An appreciative smile played across Toni's mouth. "It's nice that she has your support like that."
"How could we not support her?" Lauren reasoned. "She's the best mom in the world, isn't she, Ry?" When no response was forthcoming, she glanced around, realizing for the first time that her sister was missing. "I wonder where Rian disappeared to," she commented, confused.
Shrugging her shoulders, Toni suggested, "Maybe she decided she wasn't hungry."
Lauren's mouth twisted at one corner. "Yeah, maybe."
Reaching out, Toni lightly touched Lauren's arm. "What about you?" she asked. "Are you hungry? Can I fix you a plate?"
Immediately those blue eyes were drawn to the point of connection, and then she sought out those warm brown eyes. "Yes, I'm hungry," Lauren answered, realizing just exactly how hungry she was—and not only for food. "What about you?"
Toni shrugged again. "I could eat."
"What say we both fix a plate, and cop a squat on a quilt under that tree over there," Lauren suggested. "Our group's been hanging out there all afternoon."
Dimples bloomed. It felt nice to be included, especially by someone Toni had admired from afar. It was almost as nice as feeling included by Tracy after all she'd put her through. "I'd like that very much."
Saturday, July 4, 2009… The Bauer Barbecue—3:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time
"Hey, Em!"
The sound of Olivia's voice traveled across the picturesque yard, capturing Emma's attention with practiced ease. Turning her head in response, a gleeful grin spread across Emma's face. "Yeah, Mommy?"
"Come 'ere," Olivia directed with the come-hither gesture of one hand.
"Be right back," Emma said to Maury, as she hopped to her feet, brushing the dust off of her hands in one smooth movement. And then she was racing across the yard toward her mothers, who stood chatting with Tracy.
"What's up?" Emma asked. Coming to an abrupt stop, she peered up at her mother from beneath the brim of her ball cap, hands planted on her hips.
Olivia couldn't help but chuckle. The child looked and sounded so grown up sometimes, if she didn't laugh, she might actually cry. "Miss Tracy stopped by to see if you wanted to come with them to her parent's house for a while this afternoon," she explained.
"Dylan thought you might like to come play," Tracy supplied.
Emma regarded Tracy with a quizzical look. "Are you gonna be back in time for the fireworks?" she asked. "I don't wanna miss them. I'm not allowed to set them off myself," she added, remembering how much trouble she'd been in that morning. She was surprised she even had a choice about going with Tracy after the "talking to" she'd received from her mothers earlier that morning.
"Yes," Tracy assured, tousling the top of Emma's ball cap. "We'll be back in plenty of time. The boys are excited about seeing them."
Looking torn, Emma glanced back and forth between Tracy and Maury, who was playing in the sandbox over near the pool. "Can Maury come too?" she asked, scrunching up her face.
"Emma!" Olivia chastised.
"Sorry, Mom, but I don't want Maury to be alone," Emma said apologetically. "Clarissa's being all weird again."
Tracy smiled at Emma and then glanced at Olivia. "The more the merrier with my family," she said reassuringly. And then she looked back at Emma, saying pointedly, "As long as it's okay with her parents."
"Cool!" Emma exclaimed. "I'll go check." And then she was off, tearing across the yard at twice the pace she'd arrived, leaving three laughing adults in her wake.
Crossing her arms over her chest, Olivia leaned back against the tree behind her, and turned her head toward Tracy. "Something tells me you'll have your hands full this afternoon," she commented.
"Oh, I think we can handle it," Tracy answered, her head tilting causally toward Olivia. "Question is: Do you have extra clothes and shoes for Emma? Knowing Dylan, the two of them will end up giggin' for frogs down in the stream. He says that's what he likes best about Emma—she's not grossed out by frogs."
Shaking her head, Olivia chuckled. "Only my daughter," she remarked.
Natalia grinned, remembering the remnants of a few of those beloved frogs in the pockets of Emma's shorts. "We'll run out to the house and pick up some extra clothes for her," she said. She glanced at Olivia then. "I think I could use a little nap before this evening anyway."
Reaching out, Olivia brushed the back of her hand along the contour of Natalia's cheek, with affection. "Everything all right, Sweetheart?"
Dimples bloomed. "Yes, of course," Natalia said reassuringly. "I just don't want to run out of energy before the fireworks begin."
A slight flush colored Olivia's cheeks at the double entendre. She was certain she understood clearly exactly which fireworks Natalia meant. "We wouldn't want that, now would we?"
"Definitely not," Natalia declared with feigned seriousness. "I heard they're going to be spectacular this evening."
The subtle subtext of their conversation wasn't lost on Tracy, and she fought hard not to blush. "I guess I should go chase down Emma, huh?" she said, by way of excusing herself.
Olivia grinned at Tracy's obvious discomfiture. "Call my cell if you need anything," she said. "Otherwise, we'll see you later this evening."
"Sure thing," Tracy said, relieved to have found an easy extrication from intimate moment Olivia and Natalia were obviously sharing. "We're planning to be here just before dusk, so we can pick out some good seats."
"No worries about that," Natalia said. "We've got several blankets with us. We'll save you all a spot."
Tracy smiled and nodded. "Perfect. See you then."
And with that, she was gone, leaving Olivia and Natalia all alone beneath the tree. Natalia sidled up to Olivia then, wrapping her arms around Olivia's waist. Pulling her as close as she could, given their baby was between them, she brushed her mouth across full lips. "Take me home, my love," she said, her tone soft, yet demanding.
Olivia arched an eyebrow, but said nothing, the expression in her jade eyes asking the question.
The corners of Natalia's mouth flickered into a roguish grin. "You didn't really think I wanted a nap, did you?"
For a moment, Olivia looked confused. "You don't?"
"Oh, no," Natalia replied, her tone low and sultry. "I am very interested in getting horizontal with you, but a nap is the last thing on my mind."
Score one for pregnancy hormones, Olivia cheered internally. And then she grinned. Suddenly, she couldn't wait to get home.
Saturday, July 4, 2009… The Cottage, Martha's Vineyard—5:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
Tears dried, knee treated, bandaged, and magically healed with a kiss, Jordan was off and running again in mere minutes, leaving Kendall feeling a sense of accomplishment. She returned to her seat near Lena and Dani, the three of them having been joined by Bianca, as well.
"Thank you for coming to the rescue, Auntie Kendall," Bianca said to her sister, obvious affection in her tone. She'd met Kendall on the way back out to the deck, her hands full of sippy cups and toddler snacks. Pausing, she noted a scrape the size of a quarter on Jordan's right knee, and quickly offered to swap tasks, but Kendall simply smiled and declined, casually noting that she had it all under control.
Kendall waved a hand, casually brushing it off. "That's what auntie's do," she commented. "How many booboos have you kissed for my boys?"
Grinning, Bianca simply nodded. Kendall had a point. "Still, I appreciate it."
"Anytime," Kendall said fondly.
Swiping condensation from the sides of her glass, she lifted it from the arm of her chair, leisurely sipping her iced tea. As she set the tumbler back down, she turned her attention toward Dani. "What about you, Dani? Do you have any nieces or nephews?" To say she was intrigued by this quiet newcomer was an understatement.
Dani's features softened as she smiled. "I do," she shared with a subtle nod. "Langston's brother, Quinn, has two little girls, Madison and Taylor."
"And who is Langston?" Kendall asked nosily.
Caught off-guard by the question, Dani's heart clenched in her chest. "She's my… wife."
"Oh!" Kendall exclaimed. "I had no idea."
A slight grin played at the corners of Dani's mouth. "What, I don't look like a lesbian?" she asked with feigned incense.
Kendall laughed. "Oh, no—it's not that," she said dismissively. "I mean, not that you do, or anything. Or don't," she quickly sought to clarify, realizing too late that she was just digging herself deeper. "Hell, I gave up on trying to figure out lesbian versus straight just by looking at women years ago. Binks sort of broke me of that real quick."
"Binks?" Eyebrow arched, the tone of Dani's voice asked the question.
Bianca laughed and gave a guilty wave. "That'd be me," she confessed.
Dani laughed. "Dare I ask what you might call Lena?" she asked teasingly.
Having heard the question as she was walking by, Maggie paused, giving Lena's shoulder an affectionate squeeze. "Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I've always called her the 'Hot Polish Fox'," she confessed with a grin.
"Maggie!" Lena groaned, blushing profusely.
Her response drew a round of laughter from the women, including Maggie. "And if you ask me, she's even hotter when she's pregnant," she added for good measure.
"Here, here!" Bianca swiftly agreed with the raising of her tea glass, drawing another deep blush from her wife.
"Bianca, please," Lena said, smiling self-consciously, as she attempted to shush her wife.
Leaning over, Bianca brushed a kiss against Lena's cheek. "It's the truth, Honey," she declared. "You've never looked more beautiful."
"Thank you," Lena replied quietly.
Teasing aside, Maggie gently rubbed Lena's upper back, in a show of the deep affection she felt for this woman who had given her best friend such a wonderful life. Lena glanced up at her, sharing a brief moment that said she understood Maggie's unspoken thoughts.
The conversation continued around her, but Dani could only focus on one thing: The comment Bianca had made about how beautiful her wife looked, even when Lena didn't feel particularly attractive. It brought to mind how beautiful Dani found Langston to be, as she lay there in that bed, fighting to recover from a bullet wound…
Monday, June 22, 2009… Danika Kováč's Room, The Beacon—6:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time
"How is she?" Dani whispered as she crept into the room where she'd last left Langston. A text from Jacqueline less than five minutes ago alerted her that it was safe to return to the suite. Immediately, she had raced to the elevator, taking it to the fifteenth floor of the Beacon.
"I have her sedated," Jacqueline reported. "The wound wasn't too deep, but the bullet was lodged in there. It took some doing to get it out. She'll be in some pain for a while."
"But she'll be okay, right?" Dani asked tentatively.
"I don't see any reason why not," Jacqueline offered reassuringly. "I'm going to pick up a prescription for pain killers for her though. She'll likely need them, for a few days, at least. And I'll also have her on some antibiotics to combat any potential infection."
Nodding, Dani breathed a deep sigh of relief. "May I sit with her?"
Jacqueline smiled at the younger woman, recognizing the look of love in her eyes. "Yes, of course," she granted. "She'll be asleep for a while still."
"That's okay," Dani said. Her voice was tinged with sadness. "It'll give me more time to be close to her."
Tears welled up on Jacqueline's eyes, and she gently patted Dani's arm. "She'll come around, Sweetie," she said encouragingly. "Just give her time."
Dani knew Jacqueline wasn't talking about the sedative, and she appreciated the vote of confidence. "Thanks."
A soft smile graced Jacqueline's lips. She truly believed what she'd said to Dani. Langston was as stubborn as a mule sometimes, but she loved Dani, and they all knew it. "And what about?" Tilting her head, she gestured toward the other room, referring to the other party who shared the master suite with Dani.
"Sleeping as well," Dani reported. "So we have a few hours."
"You have to tell her, you know," Jacqueline said gently. "Langston is adamant that you leave Springfield with her."
"I know," Dani sighed. "It's what I've wanted all along," she declared. "You know that. But she's so damned headstrong."
Jacqueline chuckled softly. "That, she is, my Darling. And so are you," she reminded.
That comment drew a sheepish grin from Dani, and Jacqueline smiled in return. "I would imagine that's why you love each other as much as you do," she commented, giving Dani's arm an affectionate squeeze.
Dani couldn't exactly argue with Jacqueline's contention. Even if she could, the simple acknowledgement that Langston still loved her left her feeling breathless. Her heart welled up with joy inside her chest. She would gladly forgo any argument, no matter how likely she was to win, just to hold on to this feeling. "Will she be okay to travel?" she asked, concerned.
"Not for a day or two," Jacqueline answered. "Not that she won't try."
"I'll tie her down myself if I have to," Dani vowed, drawing a soft chuckle from Jacqueline.
"She'd probably enjoy that," Jacqueline teased.
Dani felt her skin flush at the comment. Moments where Langston Malloy allowed herself to be controlled by someone else were few and far between, and even when she did allow it, it was with Dani alone.
Noting Dani's response, Jacqueline sought to lessen her discomfiture. "Listen, I have a few things to take care of this morning, but I'll be back in a few hours," she said quietly. "If anything changes, anything at all, call me, okay?"
"Understood," Dani easily agreed. "And thank you again." She sounded beyond relieved, for too many reasons to count.
"You know there's nothing I wouldn't do for any one of you," Jacqueline vowed.
"Yes, I know," Dani acknowledged gratefully. "And I'm thankful for that."
"Just as I am thankful for all of you," Jacqueline said softly. She smiled then, and added, "Now, I'll be back in a bit with those prescriptions and a few medical supplies that you'll need. Don't let her out of that bed."
Feeling notably better about Langston's prognosis, Dani smiled in return. "Yes, Ma'am," she said compliantly.
"Okay then," Jacqueline said, sounding convinced that her orders would be strictly followed. And then, with a quick hug and brush of her lips across Dani's cheek, she was gone, leaving Dani alone in the bedroom with Langston.
Slowly, Dani's eyes scanned Langston's long, lean form. She was covered partially by a single sheet pulled up over her exposed breasts. But even concealed, the outline of her body evoked sensate memories for Dani. God, she was beautiful. And yet, she looked so small, so vulnerable, in that giant four-poster bed, with the thick patch of gauze padding taped to her skin in that tender space between her clavicle and her left shoulder. Remembering how she would linger there, kissing Langston's soft skin as they made love, Dani forced back the tears that once again threatened to spill.
Stepping to the far side of the bed, she climbed on, and gingerly moved toward the center. Inching carefully toward her sleeping wife, she remembered how just hours before, she had led Langston into this room, their fingertips loosely entwined, as if by design. Reluctantly releasing Langston's hand, Dani pulled back the covers, and then, with a firm, yet tender hand, she pressed down on Langston's right shoulder, urging her to sit on the edge of the bed.
Uncharacteristically, Langston went without complaint, the fight, now gone from her.
And then gently, Dani had worked Langston's tight black t-shirt from her torso, revealing those rain-soaked tight abs, and firm, round breasts, now bruised tender by the violent attack she had endured, and that nasty wound that still seeped blood. She had gasped audibly upon first sight of the severe bruising her wife had sustained, but she willfully calmed herself, so as not to frighten Langston.
Eyes closed, Langston relaxed beneath the sensation of a soft cloth skimming her dampened skin, as Dani ran a towel across her breasts, belly, and back, devotedly drying her, careful not to inflict more pain. And then, with another tender press of her hand, she covered the wound with a fresh towel, instructing Langston to hold it in place, as she kneeled between Langston's thighs.
Too weary to argue, again, Langston complied.
Deft fingers worked to release the laces on Langston's boots, and then strong hands slipped them from her feet, removing her sodden socks, as well. Setting them aside, she reached for the buckle on Langston's belt, releasing it. As she did, she couldn't help the wave of memories that washed over her—times past, when this very same sequence of events had led to hours of lovemaking, both passionate and tender. Everything inside her wished it were the case in that moment, rather than the perfunctory removal of garments in preparation for a medical procedure.
But that was not to be.
Dutifully, she released the buttons on Langston's fly, marveling at the soft catch in Langston's breath, as the backs of her fingers brushed against the soft cotton that covered Langston's sex. Just that brief touch, that's all it took. Langston's body reacted, her clitoris tightening, rising between the lips of her vulva. Their eyes met, holding, both of them knowing, but neither speaking a word, as Langston struggled to maintain her composure. Even with a bullet wound in her chest, her desire for Dani could be just that easily stirred. Amazing.
Her fingers tingling from just that brief contact, Dani was struck by the unexpected rush of arousal that shot from them to a very concentrated point between her legs. Jesus, Dani, get a grip—she's injured! She silently chastised, as she steadied her own breath to reign in her growing need. And then, she encouraged Langston to lie back on the bed.
When Langston did as requested, Dani urged her to lift her hips as best she could, allowing Dani to slowly peel the sodden jeans and damp boxer-briefs from Langston's body, laying her bare, exposed, vulnerable to Dani in a way she never had been before. That truth was not lost on Dani, and she sought to convey the depth of her understanding to Langston with her touch. Her eyes locked on Langston's then, and with even greater tenderness, she dried the remainder of Langston's body with a towel, and then covered her with the crisp, clean sheet.
And now, as she lay on her side next to her wife, Dani's dark eyes slowly traced the curve of Langston's forehead, down the slope of her nose, and along the angular line of that strong jaw, pausing finally, to focus on those soft lips. She could still feel them against her mouth, and blazing along her skin, taking her breast with wild abandon. Unable to resist, she reached out, her fingers a soft caress against Langston's skin, as they followed the same path, reveling in the sheer joy of simply touching her again.
She loved Langston Malloy with an unrelenting passion, and never would she apologize for it. But she knew she had to stop indulging in this guilty pleasure of being so near her, of touching her as she slept. A simple touch would never be enough. It never had been. For right now, though, she needed to hold her—just for a little while, consequences be damned. Moving closer, Dani curled up against Langston's side, draping a protective arm across her waist. And then, her head pillowed against Langston's chest, she closed her eyes, the strong, steady beating of Langston's heart beneath her ear finally allowing her rest.
Saturday, July 4, 2009… The Farmhouse of Love—5:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time
More than an hour after their arrival at home, Olivia and Natalia lay in one another's arms, their breathing still ragged from their most recent shared orgasm. Pulling Natalia close, Olivia brushed a kiss against the sweat-dampened tendrils, plastered against Natalia's temple. She couldn't help the smile that teased at the corners of her mouth, as she remembered how they'd ended up naked beneath a pile of quilts on the living room floor, in the middle of a scorching July afternoon…
"Remember earlier, when you said if I wasn't careful you'd nail me right here?" Natalia gasped, when Olivia finally came up for air. They'd been pressed against the front door, just inside the house, hands and mouths hungrily searching for… neither of them knew how long. Shoes had been kicked off immediately upon entry, and their clothing—what was still attached—was askew, their shared breaths ragged with need.
"Yeah?" Olivia growled.
"Why don't you put your money where your mouth is," Natalia challenged in a low, suggestive tone.
"Be careful what you wish for," Olivia responded, her pitch dangerous and seductive.
Natalia growled. "I know exactly what I'm wishing for."
"What about Rafe?" Olivia panted. The last thing they needed was to have their son walk in on them going at it on the living room floor—especially with what Olivia had in mind.
"No chance he's coming home," Natalia assured.
"How can you be so sure?"
"I have his keys," Natalia answered between ravenous kisses. "He put them in my purse when he got to the Bauer's."
A perfectly sculpted eyebrow arched, a slight smirk gracing kiss-swollen lips. "You planned this," Olivia playfully accused.
"Not exactly." Natalia feigned innocence. "But I certainly didn't do anything to discourage it."
Olivia's head fell back, a hearty laugh bursting from her lungs. "My God, I love you," she declared. Pulling her close, her mouth came crashing down on Natalia's in another passionate kiss.
Her mouth instinctively opening to Olivia, Natalia's fingers tangled in the silky locks at the base of Olivia's neck, tightening, as she pushed away from the door, and deftly maneuvered them backwards toward the sofa. When Olivia's calves hit the edge of the sofa, Natalia pushed her down, straddling her lap, but not sitting down just yet. And then as she took control of the kiss, she murmured to her, telling her exactly what she wanted, as she quickly rid Olivia of the remainder of her clothing, and then equally as enthusiastically removed her own, before settling herself astride Olivia's toned thighs.
A satisfied grin crawled lazily across Natalia's lips as she turned in Olivia's arms. Pressing her body firmly against Olivia, she brushed Olivia's mouth with her own. "Mm… think we could do that again?" she purred.
"Again?" Olivia grinned roguishly.
"Mm—hmm…" Natalia hummed. "This time, I'd like to try that 'new and… different' you promised me this morning."
Olivia eyed her warily. She was beginning to have second thoughts about that particular object. "Oh, Honey, I don't know if…"
Natalia gave her a pouty look. "Please?" she pleaded. "For me?"
A soft laugh accompanied Olivia's smile. "Sweetheart, they're all for you," she reasoned.
"Even when I'm the one wearing them?" Natalia challenged.
Olivia responded with a sheepish grin. She still found it pleasantly surprising that Natalia even suggested switching roles. Not that there were any defined gender roles in their relationship, per se. How could there be when they were both very feminine women? And more importantly, why did there need to be? The answer was: there didn't, and thus, they had taken turns giving and receiving whenever the mood struck.
When no comment accompanied Olivia's grin, Natalia smirked in response. "Yeah, that's what I thought," she declared, her eyes glinting with humor.
Tangling her fingers in the mass of curls at the base of Natalia's neck, Olivia gathered her close, and kissed her. The kiss was long, and slow, and deep, and it left Natalia wanting more—exactly as Olivia had planned.
"I'll be right back," she promised after releasing Natalia from the kiss.
Tossing the pile of quilts aside, she dragged herself from their makeshift bed, both of them mourning the loss of bodily contact. Naked, she padded across the hardwood floor toward the staircase; Natalia's eyes never leaving that toned, lithe body, as she watched her disappear up the stairs.
A satisfied grin teased at the corners of Natalia's mouth as she settled back into the bank of pillows that leaned against the front of the sofa. While she awaited Olivia's imminent return, her thoughts drifted back to their previous encounter…
Having worked Natalia into an absolute frenzy, Olivia arched her back, purposefully sliding lower on the sofa. The calculated move placed Natalia exactly where she wanted her—astride her abdomen, her ass firmly planted on Olivia's throbbing center. Her skin tingled where Natalia's wet center, her hard, swollen clitoris, pressed against her. Natalia's breath was already coming in sharp pants as Olivia grasped her hips, holding them tight.
"Liv, what are you…"
Before Natalia could even finish the question, Olivia pulled at Natalia's hips, causing her to slide against sweat-dampened skin. A fierce groan burst from Natalia's lungs at the sweet friction created between her swollen clitoris and Olivia's tight abs, as she slid against her.
Taking her cue, Natalia braced her hands on Olivia's shoulders, and gave a push back, garnering a low groan and a swift smile from Olivia. Repeating the movement a few more times, Natalia moaned at the sensation. "Oh, god, that feels amazing," she gasped. As amazing as it felt when she made herself come against Olivia's rock-hard thigh.
"Keep going," Olivia husked. "I want you to come on me."
She loved watching Natalia's breasts bounce as she rocked against her, rubbing her clitoris against taut muscle. It didn't matter to her if it was a thigh, or her stomach, or anywhere else Natalia could generate enough friction to climax. Olivia just loved watching her body move, seeing the sheer pleasure of release break across Natalia's beautiful face as she came.
At the sound of Olivia's voice, the insinuation in her words, a sharp streak of arousal pierced Natalia's belly, shooting through her veins to a very concentrated point between her legs, where it pulsed, threatening to implode. A low, dangerous growl ripped from her lungs, and she gripped Olivia's shoulders tighter, her fingernails digging into tender flesh.
Olivia groaned at the pleasure evoked by the pain.
Faster, Natalia moved then, pushing back against Olivia's every insistent pull, allowing that friction to build, honing her arousal to a razor-sharp edge. The faster she moved, the harder she ground herself against heated flesh, the lower she slid on Olivia's body, until her clitoris rubbed hotly against Olivia's own, causing it to pulse and jerk beneath her. "Oh, god, Liv, I'm almost there," she growled.
"Don't stop," Olivia groaned breathlessly, her head frantically lolling from side to side. "Oh, Jesus, don't stop. I'm right there with you."
Her head dropping forward, Natalia's hair fell like a shroud around her face. Higher, they climbed, as she continued thrusting, harder, faster, against Olivia's tight body. The pleasure was so intense she cried out, begging Olivia for completion.
Answering her cry, Olivia shifted her hips upward to meet Natalia's frantic thrusts, skillfully increasing the friction. A surge of heat tore along Natalia's spine and her head snapped back, her hips jerking frantically, as their climax hit, shattering them both into a million shards of light and sensation.
And finally, collapsing against Olivia's body, Natalia felt Olivia's arms close around her, pulling her into the warmth of her embrace. "I love the way you make me come," Olivia murmured against the sweat-dampened tendrils that clung to Natalia's forehead.
Natalia grinned against Olivia's chest, her entire body still shaking in Olivia's arms. "Seems to me that was a mutual effort," she husked, her breath still coming in ragged pants. Pushing herself up on shaky arms, Natalia gazed into eyes still dark with arousal. "But I'd be happy to go solo for you, if you need it again."
Olivia's eyes grew impossibly darker, turning nearly black with desire. Her clitoris pulsed and jerked between her legs, as the pressure in her belly intensified to a hunger so deep the pleasure was nearly pain.
Taking her cue, Natalia kissed Olivia fiercely, before blazing a very deliberate path of hot, wet kisses down Olivia's body. She trailed along her collarbone, and lingered at her breasts, licking and kissing until Olivia's nipples hardened and throbbed. And then she slid to the floor between Olivia's knees.
A raucous growl ripped from Olivia's lungs in anticipation, as she opened her legs wider to allow Natalia unfettered access. She was already hot and wet, and desperately in need of release. But she was more than willing to wait for the pleasure. The hot, sweet bliss of Natalia's mouth on her was something she would never take for granted; no matter how many times she experienced it.
With gentle, yet firm fingers, Natalia willed her to open, dark eyes exploring the exquisiteness of her. Every inch of Olivia's body was beautiful to Natalia, but nothing was more beautiful than this—soft, silky tissues, swollen to fruition, glazed with the sweet liquid evidence of Olivia's desire for her. Unable to resist such a stunning invitation, she leaned in, kissing her tenderly.
The scent of Olivia's need had heightened Natalia's senses. And the first taste of her sent Natalia's own need into overdrive. Though, it wasn't the need for her own release, but a burning need to possess Olivia, to bring her to shuddering completion.
"Oh…" Olivia breathed at the first brush of Natalia's soft lips against hot, aching center. "Oh, oh!" she gasped again, as Natalia went in for another taste, this time lingering.
Softly, Natalia hummed as she licked and suckled Olivia's hot, slick folds, causing a vibrating sensation, as her tongue slid along the sensitive tissues; her mind melting from the pleasure of holding Olivia's most intimate flesh in such a way.
Olivia arched under the pressure of Natalia's mouth, every nerve-ending contracting beneath the powerful sensations evoked by such tender, yet insistent loving. "God, that's nice."
Natalia grinned. "Nice isn't exactly what I had in mind," she commented. She plunged her tongue deep inside, swirling it with determination.
Olivia felt herself grow impossibly wetter. "What did you have in mind?" she managed, her voice strained with desire.
Some inexplicable force overtook her, and Natalia's grin turned decidedly devilish. "Something very… impolite," she murmured, as she lowered her head, taking Olivia's full clitoris into the warmth of her mouth. She bit down, not so gently, and Olivia growled, low and dangerous, her hips jerking wildly, as Natalia worked two fingers deep inside her.
"Bite me again," Olivia begged.
Another dangerous growl ripped from Olivia's lungs when Natalia complied. "Oh, god, you can't know… what that does to me."
Natalia laughed against Olivia's tender flesh, as she plunged her fingers in deeper. "Bet me," she challenged, knowing exactly what she was doing to her.
She bit her again, harder this time; and Olivia howled in response. God, Natalia's mouth was such sweet, sweet torture!
"Okay, maybe you do," Olivia granted breathily. "But go slow, okay?" she begged on a ragged whisper. "It's so good… I don't wanna… come yet."
Slowing things down, Natalia took her time, her soft tongue stroking around the tip of Olivia's engorged clitoris, teasingly lightly, drawing soft moans and gasps from those full lips, her body shaking with subtle tremors. And then gently, she suckled it, as her fingertips feathered over the spongy flesh deep inside Olivia's center. She thrilled at the way Olivia's heartbeat tripped against her tongue—the way Olivia's heat rippled around her fingers as her orgasm approached.
"Oh…" Olivia breathed, releasing a soft sigh, her body quivering. Her hips lifted from the sofa again, pressing her center against Natalia's mouth.
When Olivia's climax became imminent, Natalia could feel it everywhere. Knowing Olivia was ready, she sought to give her what she needed. With her lips and teeth, she pulled hard on Olivia's pulsating clitoris, as she deliberately pressed her fingertips against Olivia's tender flesh, rubbing vigorously.
Instantly, Olivia's resolve broke. "Oh, god, N'talia, I'm coming… I'm coming!" she rasped, her fingers clutching Natalia's thick dark mane, as release tore through her body, muscles tightening, her clitoris pulsing deep inside Natalia's hot mouth. And then her mind emptied, and her body was set adrift, Natalia's following along right behind her.
Before it was over, somehow, they had ended up on a pile of pillows and quilts on the floor, but for the life of them, they couldn't recall how—and more importantly, they couldn't have cared less.
TBC in Chapter 16.5…