Girl Love Happens Boxed Set: Books 0-2

by T. B. Markinson

  “Gemma says I’m coming along.” Might as well lay the groundwork.

  “That’s nice,” she said in a tone that implied she’d checked out of the conversation. “See you tonight, sweetheart.”

  Sweetheart.

  Asking Gemma to dinner.

  What did all this mean?

  “Oh, God. Is she dying?” I said aloud, placing a hand over my chest.

  Gemma walked into the room, shedding her running shirt. “You okay?”

  “I don’t know.”

  She eyed the phone still in my hand, the dial tone filling the room with ominous doom.

  “Is it Jenny?”

  I shook my head. “My mom.”

  Gemma sat on the side of the bed, taking the phone from my hand and replacing it on the base. “Is she okay?”

  “Coming to dinner. Tonight. At Applebee’s.” My mind was racing, not allowing me to form complete sentences.

  “And?” Gemma’s sweet face prodded me to drop the bomb.

  “She said she wanted mother and daughter time.”

  Gemma’s back relaxed. “That’s good, right?”

  “She invited you to come,” I said in an astonished voice.

  Gemma blinked excessively, processing the information. “Why now?” she said after many seconds had passed.

  “When it rains, it pours.” I let out a puff of air. “Let’s hope this is a good thing and she doesn’t plan to tell us she’s given it some thought and she’s decided you and I shouldn’t be together. An abomination according to her beliefs.”

  Gemma smothered my hands in my lap. “Shhh. Don’t jump to the worst-case scenario.”

  “I didn’t even get close. She could try poisoning your food, running you down in the parking lot, kidnapping you.”

  Gemma smiled. “I love this about you.”

  “What?” I asked in a tone suggesting she was tricking me.

  “Your dramatic flair. You’re never boring.” She kissed the tip of my nose.

  “You’re all sweaty.”

  “That happens when I run. I’ll hop in the shower.” She stood, dropping her shorts. All that remained was her gray sports bra, white panties, and short socks.

  “You look hot.”

  “A result of running.”

  “No, you missed my point. You look sexy.”

  Her eyes darted upward. “Don’t be mean.”

  I got out of bed, slinking closer to her. “I’m not. I need you. Now.”

  “But I’m gross.”

  I grabbed her hand. “Shower. You. Me. Fucking now.”

  We tumbled into the bathroom together.

  I asked, “Is it really okay to do this with everything going on?”

  She kissed me, knocking all thoughts out of my head, and her way of upping the intensity made it clear she had only one thing on her mind.

  Gemma slid the shower door open and cranked the handle all the way to the right to quickly get the water warm enough.

  I arched a brow. “I love it when you can’t wait.”

  Not speaking, Gemma lifted my shirt off, tossing it over her shoulder. My shorts and underwear left my body in one fluid motion.

  Getting on my knees, I helped her with her panties and socks. “It’s a shame no one else ever sees your ginger pubes. Before you, I never thought they were sexy, but yours…” I stood and let out a growl.

  Steam started to fill the room.

  Gemma tested the water with her palm and then maneuvered us under the stream, her mouth on mine. She pushed me against the tiled wall, the coldness against my backside shocking me for a split second before the intensity of Gem’s desire snapped me back into the moment.

  Gemma bit my lower lip, tugging it downward, her eyes ablaze with intention. “Spread your legs,” she commanded. Just in case I didn’t comply, her thigh forcefully slipped between my legs. She positioned her hip for me to ride her, while we continued kissing. We moved like two machine parts destined to work together for eternity. Yet, the action wasn’t devoid of emotions. Quite the opposite. I was overwhelmed with my passion for her, and Gemma’s kisses and groping proved she felt the same.

  “Oh, God, Gem. Fuck me. Hard.” I staggered on my feet.

  Gemma twisted the water to a cooler temperature, not moving her hip between my legs. I rubbed against it with every intention of reaching climax. She didn’t stop me. These were the moments when I realized how in tune we were with the other. Words mattered for heart-to-heart talks, but this form of communication, connecting deep to my soul, needed action, hard or soft, depending on our desires.

  Right now, I wanted hard. Grunting thrusts, kisses, and groping made me feel alive.

  Her hip stimulated my clit just right. Her urgent forceful kisses getting me from point A to point B faster than usual.

  My arms tightened around Gemma, my fingers digging into the flesh of her back, more than likely leaving marks that would last for days. She let out a groan.

  “Oh, fuck!” I tucked my head into the crook of her neck, shutting my eyes tight to enhance the flickering lights.

  “Come, baby.”

  I was. Oh my God!

  Gemma kept me upright as my shuddering body started to go limp. She took a step back, bringing me with her under the water to rinse off. “Just so you know, I’m not done with you.”

  After I regained control of my muscles, Gemma reached for a towel hanging over the side of the door and patted me down, including hunching down to dry off the tops of my feet.

  “You treat me like a princess.” I stared down, overwhelmed by her love.

  “I like to.” She stood.

  “Let me.” I grabbed the second towel and proceeded to dry her skin. “I don’t want to miss this spot.” I placed it between her legs and could feel the heat through the thick towel. “Oh my. I think I need to do something about that.” I led her by the hand to the bedroom, shoving her onto her back on the rumpled sheets. “We have an hour before we have to get ready for dinner, and I don’t want any distractions.” I took the phone off the hook, shoving it into the nightstand drawer and flipping on the radio to Gemma’s preset light rock station. “Ready?” I asked needlessly, considering her smoldering emerald eyes. I jumped on top of her.

  Gemma tried to roll me onto my back, but I resisted. “Uh-uh-uh. It’s my turn to have my way with you.” I yanked her legs apart with my hand.

  “Your gym class is paying off.”

  I lowered my head and took her nipple into my mouth. Speaking around semi-hard bites on the sensitive areas, I said, “One day, I’ll be able to carry you to bed.”

  She laughed. “My very own superhero.”

  I raked my nails down her stomach. “Don’t you forget it.”

  Gemma eyed the four red lines. “Not sure I can.”

  I scoured her skin again, causing her to writhe.

  “Go ahead. Show me what you got.”

  I drove my fingers inside her, briefly causing her back to heave off the sheet. “You want it harder?”

  Her eyes dared me.

  I hammered her, my hand slapping against her wetness, the sounds of desire revving my engine to all systems a go. “I’ll show you how much I want you.” My teeth grazed her pubic hair.

  Gemma weaved her fingers into my wet hair. “I need you to. God, Tegan, I want it hard.”

  My insides went gooey. Gemma hardly ever talked like that.

  I sucked her bud into my mouth, prodding it with my tongue. We didn’t typically hurt each other during sex. I didn’t want to. But I wanted to be more forceful than usual. All indications from Gemma, her thrashing, moans, and pleas, gave me the go-ahead to push the boundaries a bit further.

  My teeth sunk into the softness of her thigh, leaving more marks of my love. Gem’s hips squirmed, informing me to keep it up. I mixed up the bites with soft kisses and strokes of my tongue, working down her right leg and up her left, Gemma squirming more with every touch.

/>   I entered her deep with my tongue, tasting her enjoyment. Her love for me flowed into my mouth. Sopping up every trace, I moved onto her swollen and throbbing clit, lapping at it sensually, slowing things down. This was the time for sweetness. For the true act of lovemaking to reinforce our bond.

  Gemma let out a sigh, her back sinking further into the mattress.

  Slowly, I inserted two fingers, enjoying the feel of her muscles tightening around them. Little pulses in her wetness urged my fingers to sink further into Gemma.

  This was mine. Her body and pussy.

  No one would ever know her warmth.

  My eyes found hers watching me intently as my mouth claimed her bud and my fingers probed her secret cove. I winked at her.

  Then I drove my fingers in deep.

  Gemma arched her back, making it hard for me to continue tonguing the right spot. “Yes!” she shouted, her face contorting into her orgasmic expression.

  I love you, I thought, while I brought her home.

  ***

  I pulled into a parking spot near the Applebee’s entrance. Switching off the engine, I turned to Gemma. “You okay?”

  Her smile was confident. “I am. Not sure about you.”

  “With everything going on lately, I’m wondering if this is the third shoe to drop.” I squeezed the steering wheel with both hands. “They say things happen in threes.”

  Gemma pried my right hand off the steering wheel, taking it into her calm warmth. “Don’t listen to them. Push all those thoughts out of your head. Let’s have a nice meal with your mother. Bowl her over with kindness.”

  There was a knock on my window.

  Gemma dropped my hand.

  I glared out the window, making out the figure in the glow of the lone light in the lot. “Jenny?”

  I cranked the window down. “What are you doing here?”

  “Playing golf. What do you think?” She jabbed a thumb over her shoulder. “We’re having dinner. Want to join us?” I craned to see half a dozen of her teammates, all wearing softball visors and the right legs of their team sweatpants shoved up just below their knees. This was a new development. A softball gang. Why hadn’t Jenny reached out to them when she was in jail?

  “Uh, we’re meeting my mom.”

  “Really?” She wasn’t slurring her words, but her eyes were drunk red, and her cheeks were splotchy. “That’s good, right?”

  I broke into a smile. “Yes, it’s great. Have fun tonight, but not too much.”

  She stood at attention, snapping a sloppy salute. “No arrests tonight, Captain.”

  I had to laugh.

  Jenny and her gang trooped inside the restaurant, laughing.

  Gemma shook her head, smiling despite the worry in her eyes. “I admire her spirit, but…”

  “I know. All we can do is hope for the best and be there during the worst.”

  “Is that what’s become of our friendship? Cleanup duty?”

  “Tegan!”

  I whipped my head around and spied my mother charging my side of the Honda like a determined car salesperson. “Hey!” I yelped. I’d forgotten to keep an eye out for Mom’s arrival. Thank God, she didn’t spy me with my tongue in Gem’s mouth.

  “Come on, you two. Ribs are calling my name.” She cupped her ear. Her outfit consisted of a blood-orange sweater and black Mom jeans.

  “Ribs?” I muttered to Gem, while unlocking my seat belt.

  “Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?” Gemma stepped out of the car, making her way around the front to say hello to my mood-swing mother.

  Mom smiled warmly at Gem, pulling me into a one-arm hug. “I’ve missed our Tuesday night dinners.”

  “Me, too.”

  Gemma gave me a nod.

  “Shall we?” Mom motioned for Gem and me to go ahead.

  The place was buzzing for a school night. While Mom conferred with the hostess, I spied Jenny and her buds seated in the back corner. I studied Mom to determine if she noticed Jen, but nothing registered on her face.

  The hostess glanced down at the seating chart on the podium and then got on her tippy-toes, holding onto the stand. “Yes, we have one table left.” She was looking in the opposite direction of where Jenny was seated.

  Maybe things were turning out for the best. I, for one, didn’t want a front row seat to Jenny’s evening, knowing she’d been drinking the majority of the day. How did she do it? Practice, I guessed.

  After taking a seat next to Gemma in the booth, I glommed onto the menu. “I’m so hungry I could eat my sneakers.”

  Mom laughed. “Let’s hope for something a little more appetizing.”

  I noticed she didn’t pick up her menu. “You getting a salad?”

  “I already told you. Ribs.”

  Gemma pinched my leg under the table as a reminder not to slip in a smartass comment.

  “Good call. Me, too.” I set my menu on top of Mom’s. “Gem?”

  “The Blazin’ Texan burger with brisket, jalapeños, and cheddar.”

  My mouth watered, and I licked my lips. “I hope you plan to share.”

  “Always. Besides, I want one of your ribs.”

  I wanted her. My mind flashed to being between her legs not so long ago. To temper the burn, I sipped my ice water.

  Mom shifted on her seat. “How are your classes going?”

  “Not bad. Intro to Human Anatomy and Physiology hurts my brain. Who knew the human body was so complicated!” I relaxed into my seat. “I’ve been making flash cards like crazy, but it’s all so interesting.”

  “I’ve never seen you excited about school before.”

  “I got a volunteer job at the hospital in Fort Collins, and they’re going to certify me as a certified nurse’s assistant. I need that before I apply to the nursing program next semester.”

  “I can’t believe how quickly time is flying.” Mom flagged down our waitress.

  “What can I git y’all?” She wiggled in her LA Gears like a puppy let outside for the first time.

  Was she Texan or trying to sound cute for a bigger tip? Maybe I should tell her my mom had a tip cheat sheet in her purse and never went above fifteen percent to the penny.

  Mom motioned for Gemma to go first.

  Gemma spouted her request, wanting her burger medium rare. I’d have to eat one of the outside bites since I preferred my meat cooked longer than necessary to ensure the thing was truly dead.

  “Ribs for me,” I said. “Same for my mom.”

  “Your mom? I would have sworn you two were sisters.” Sickening sweet laughter bubbled out of the waitress.

  “I’m an aerobics instructor. That’s how I stay so young.” Mom’s face had a healthy glow. She fished in her purse. “Here’s one of my cards.”

  “Right on.” The server took the business card and our menus. “Give me a holler if y’all need anything.” She was gone in a flash, leaving a trail of annoying giggling.

  I hooked my foot around Gemma’s leg, needing to feel a part of her next to me. “She’s chipper,” I said, referring to the waitress.

  Mom stirred her ice water with her straw. “I imagine having a restaurant job in a college town, or any place for that matter, isn’t much fun. Not that you two will ever have to face that for the rest of your lives. Be smart, girls. Stick with your studies.”

  Probably not a good idea to mention that both of us skipped our classes today because we were exhausted from being up most of the night bailing out Jenny and then having a visit from Cuddy, the drug dealer.

  Then it struck me that Mom had set me up on a blind date with Cuddy. She had set me up with a drug dealer.

  I was on the precipice of bursting into hysterics. Quickly, I stood and announced, “I have to pee,” practically running from the table and shoving open the door to the restroom. Inside a stall, I bunched up the front of my Gap sweater to muffle the laughter in case anyone walked in. I wasn’t sure, but laughing
maniacally in a public restroom might be grounds for being hauled to a psych ward never to be heard from again.

  A drug dealer!

  My mom had set me up with a criminal in hopes of luring me from Gemma’s lesbian clutches. Oh, the irony! My new favorite word.

  I shook out the remaining spasms of laughter and left the stall. No one was in sight, but I washed my hands just in case someone walked in and thought I was one of those gross people with germy hands.

  Back at the table, Mom and Gemma were engaged in conversation, the typical tension between the two completely absent. Was my mom starting to like Gemma? Enough to accept my sinful lifestyle? I imagined sinister music playing. Stop, Tegan. It wasn’t feasible to keep dashing to the bathroom to laugh my head off.

  Sliding next to Gem, I asked, “What’d I miss?”

  Neither of them spoke because the waitress arrived.

  “Alrighty. Who had the burger?”

  Gem raised a finger.

  “That means you two ordered ribs.”

  I felt like patting her on the back and saying, “Bravo! There’s hope for you yet.”

  Gemma removed the towering top bun set at an angle and then the bottom, inspecting for illusive pickle pieces she hated. Not finding any, she reconstructed her meal, getting barbeque sauce all over her fingers. She licked them, smacking her lips. Heat pulsed between my legs.

  Mom lifted a rib, tearing off a chunk with gusto.

  “Good?” I asked her.

  Mom nodded, stripping the bone clean, looking like she wanted to gnaw on it to ensure she got all the goodness, but she managed to refrain. It’d been many years since I’d seen her eat meals with pleasure. After drinking the exercise Kool-Aid, she wouldn’t allow herself to enjoy many things.

  Gemma nudged my side, motioning for me to take a bite of the burger before any pink was exposed.

  I gripped it, managing to cram it into my mouth. A piece of meat dribbled onto my hand, and I scooted it into my mouth with a finger. I swallowed. “So good. Have one.” I leaned back for her to seize a rib.

  “Thanks!” She set it on her plate for later.

  I chuckled quietly to myself, thinking Gem considered a rib dessert. “Mom, what’s new with you?”

  She swiped her fingers with her napkin. “I do have some news.” Her eyes sparkled. Maybe as a stalling tactic, she took a sip of water.