by Ronica Black
“You take risks I would never dream of taking. I don’t know how you do it. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Look how far you’ve come already.”
“Being intimate with you doesn’t count.”
“It doesn’t?”
“No. Because you’re too persuasive and you know exactly what you’re doing when you’re touching me. And the way you look at me and the things you say. It isn’t fair. Isn’t fair at all. I don’t stand a chance. I don’t think I ever did.”
“You shouldn’t have told me any of that,” Eve said, drawing closer. “Now I know that you can’t tell me no. Oh, the power. Just think of all the things I can do with that.”
“Yes, but not now. Not here.” But her voice was weak and she visibly swallowed. “Eve, we can’t.”
“I’m not asking you to jump out of a plane with me, Olivia. I’m just asking for a kiss. Just a little kiss.” Eve inched closer and held her face. She felt the burn of her skin. When Olivia didn’t protest any further, she dipped in and kissed her. Olivia made a noise, but she remained still, her lips pressed together, unresponsive.
Eve backed away, the smell and feel of her skin quickly arousing her, despite her lack of a reaction. But she wanted Olivia to want it too. But she was just too nervous.
She looked serene, with her eyes still closed from the kiss, as if lost in her own wonderful world. Even though Eve wanted her more than she could ever express, she put her feelings above her own, something she didn’t often do when it came to those she dated.
She knew it meant that she cared about her. More than she’d even been aware of. But the revelation didn’t hit her as hard as she’d expected something like that to. But rather, it settled over her, like a warm blanket on a chilly evening. It was almost comforting, and it felt…right.
Olivia was doing more than moving her beyond what she thought even possible.
She was changing who she was.
And Eve didn’t seem to mind.
Chapter Twenty-six
Olivia squeezed the lemon slice into her iced tea and took a sip. It wasn’t too bad with the lemon juice, but she was still getting used to drinking tea without the artificial sweetener. She took another drink and smiled as Aaron slid into the booth across from her.
“I can smell the soap,” she said.
He raised his eyebrows as he drank his Coke. His forearms still glistened from where he’d just washed them in the restroom.
“Did you order yet?” he asked.
“Yes, and she assured me we would get our food quickly.”
“Yeah, they’re pretty good here. A lot of the guys come here for lunch. Meet their ladies.” He grinned.
“What about you?” she asked.
“Me? Ah, hell no.”
“Hell no?” She laughed.
“Women are the last thing on my mind right now.”
“It’s not like you have to go looking, Aaron. They usually come to you.”
He shrugged.
“They still do, don’t they? You’ve never had any trouble getting a date.”
“Every now and then someone will show some interest. I’m just not interested in return. I’m tired of the dating game, I guess. Tired of the three- or four-week hot and heavy relationships that end when things get a little too real. It seems like everyone wants things exactly their way and when they don’t get it, they aren’t willing to compromise. They just bail.” He stirred his Coke with his straw. “I want the real deal Holyfield here. I can’t continue to have women coming in and out of my life with Molly. That’s why I try to keep my dating away from her until I’m sure I know it’s something stable.”
“Which is why you leave her with me.”
“Yes. But it’s too much. Even though she doesn’t know about them, it takes up too much of my time. I just don’t think it’s worth it anymore. I’m tired, Olivia.”
“I’m sorry.” She hated hearing that he was unhappy. It tore at her, just as it always did. “I know you want to give up, and I don’t blame you, but I really think someone will come along who wants what you want. She’ll be strong and she’ll be crazy enough about you to want to stick around and compromise. Because she’ll see you, and she’ll know that you’re worth it. Just like I do.”
She played with her straw as her own words struck her. She was relaying what it was she wanted. She’d been thinking about it more and more, and she couldn’t help but imagine Eve as being that person in her life.
“You look distraught,” Aaron said. “You deserve someone like that too, you know. You deserve it more than anyone.”
The waitress brought their food and she and Aaron both started in on their minestrone.
“So how have you been?” he asked. “Looks like you’re still working out a lot. You’re getting some serious guns.”
She touched her bicep, which was quite noticeable in her short-sleeved shirt. She was, indeed, showing some definition. Eve absolutely loved it, and she wasn’t shy about saying so or in showing her just how much it turned her on. It didn’t seem to matter where they were, she’d get that look and Olivia would know what she was thinking, and she’d ready herself for a sneak attack. Eve would walk behind her, touching her quickly along her waist or ass and whisper something provocative in her ear. Then she’d move away, leaving Olivia melting on the spot in the middle of whatever store they were at. Last week it had been the farmer’s market, where Eve had shown her how she shopped and what she ate. And then she’d done it again at the bookstore. Though her doing things like that in public still made her worry some, even though Eve was always quick and discreet, she couldn’t help but react. Because, like it or not, Eve set her afire with her looks, her words, and her touch. It didn’t matter if it was one or all of those things at once, Olivia was vulnerable regardless.
“You’re gone again,” he said. “Where are you?”
She refocused. “Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Care to share?”
She was quiet, unable to come up with anything quickly enough.
“You know you can talk to me, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Then why don’t you?”
“I do.”
“About Mom and Dad, yes. But not anything else. You didn’t even talk to me about Kenny or you being unable to have a child. And I know that affected you. You were so sad and withdrawn.”
“I didn’t want to burden you with it.” She spooned a bite and then changed her mind and returned the full spoon to the bowl.
“Well, you should’ve, Olivia. When I ask you questions about how you are, you should really tell me. You keep way too much in and it’s not healthy.”
“I don’t understand what you want from me.”
“I want to know how you are, Olivia. For real.”
“Fine. You want to know? Right now, I’m happy and I’m conflicted. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, but I’m conflicted about it.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t know what I should do.”
“What you should do? About what? Your happiness? Why can’t you just enjoy it?”
She sighed and propped her elbow on the table to palm her forehead.
“Because it’s not that simple. The situation is complicated. And the deeper into it I get, the happier I get, and that scares me because it’s causing me to want more.”
There it was. She’d said it aloud. She wanted it all. The whole thing. The white picket fence. She always had, even as a young girl. She was a romantic at heart, and a long-term loving relationship with someone special had always been her dream. So, wanting it now didn’t surprise her. She just hadn’t expected to want it with someone specific anytime soon. When she’d thought about love it was always in the future, after she’d finished school and settled in a new job and her new life. But in walked Eve, and now she was reeling with these quickly evolving feelings. It was like she was on the greatest roller coaster of her
life and she was coming up too fast on the loops and hills that made it the ultimate ride. And there didn’t seem to be any way to slow it down.
“You’re seeing someone.”
She looked up at him, startled. She thought she’d done a fairly good job at being vague.
“It’s okay, I’m not going to push you for more. You obviously aren’t ready to tell me or you would’ve already. I’m just glad you shared what you did. It’s a start.”
He continued to eat his soup. “Eat. You don’t have to tell me any more about it. I’m backing off. For now.” He winked at her and she laughed a little and took another bite. “How’s the house? That faucet isn’t still giving you trouble, is it?”
“No, everything is fine.”
“You sure you’re okay with furniture and stuff? You don’t have very much.”
“I’m okay. I kind of like not having a lot. It’s simple and makes me appreciate what I have and what it is I really need.”
“You’re a minimalist,” he said. “You always have been.”
“Maybe.”
“You don’t have cable or Netflix. That in itself is highly unusual for this day and age.”
“I know, it’s tragic. People really freak out when I tell them that.”
“That’s because they can’t figure out what it is you do with your time. They can’t imagine their lives without those things.”
“Yeah, well, it shouldn’t bother them that I choose to live without that kind of stuff. And why do they care what I’m doing at all?”
“You know why. It’s different, and some people still have a hard time accepting differences. Look at Mom and Dad.”
“My God, sometimes people act like I’m living in the sixteenth century.”
He laughed.
“I am a little surprised your neighbors haven’t kidnapped you and taken you to the town square for stoning.”
“Ha, if only the villagers knew what all I was really up to.” She felt her face flush as she realized what she’d said. Aaron was studying her, and she continued to eat, hoping he hadn’t noticed or read into anything.
“Molly doesn’t seem to mind your lack of digital entertainment. I think she likes that you guys do other things.”
“We still watch movies. We get them from the library, and she loves picking them out. She likes the older movies, too. She’s pretty well rounded.”
“Yes, she is. And I appreciate all the time you’ve spent with her. You’re a wonderful aunt and a very big influence on her. She adores you.”
“I love her like she’s my own.” She started to get choked up, so she sipped her tea to try to hide it. “I would die if I didn’t ever get to see her.”
“Why would something like that ever cross your mind?”
She closed her eyes, once again having said too much.
“I don’t know. I’m just a little overwhelmed right now I think.”
“You must be because that’s one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard you say.”
“I seem to be blurting out all kinds of crazy things these days.”
“I guess Molly gets it honest.”
“Funny.”
“Her birthday’s coming up. She wants to have a small party at the house with some friends.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“Well, Mom and Dad are coming.”
“Oh, right.”
“Anyway, I thought you might want to bring your new…friend.”
“What?” She pushed her bowl away, finished. “No. That won’t be happening.” She pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. “Oh, my good God,” she said laughing to herself. “I can’t even imagine.”
“Why? Mom and Dad?”
“Just, it’s not a good idea.”
“Okay. But you are welcome to if you change your mind.”
“Thanks.”
“Can you tell me just one thing?” he asked. “Can you please tell me that they are nothing like Kenny?”
“Aaron, I can guarantee you that you have nothing to worry about in that regard. That is one thing you can be certain of.”
Kenny doesn’t even come close to comparing to Eve Monroe.
He’s not even in the same solar system.
And that was something she was very thankful for indeed.
Chapter Twenty-seven
“Are you sure you want me to?” Eve asked her with an obvious sincerity to her voice.
Olivia didn’t even have to think about it.
“Yes. I want to feel you inside of me.”
They were in her room, and Eve’s face was illuminated by the small lamp on the dresser. It was quiet, save for the hypnotic click from her ceiling fan. Olivia was sitting on the side of her bed with Eve standing before her, in a white deep V-neck tee and olive colored shorts. Her hair was clinging to the damp skin of her neck and in some places along the sides of her face. Her lipstick had long ago worn off, and Olivia could see a small dark mark in the crook of her neck, and she knew it was from her. Eve was doing things to her now that caused her to act like some kind of ravenous creature. Like giving to her until she was just about to explode in climax and then easing off at the very last second, forcing her to wait. She was being driven to the brink of sanity and often left covered in sweat and panting with exhaustion, but still so frantic with need she couldn’t stop.
“Only—I want you to take off your clothes. I want to see you. All of you.”
They’d been making love for over an hour, beginning on the couch which had soon led to the floor. Then they’d hurried to her bedroom.
Eve started to move, but Olivia stopped her.
It had been weeks since they’d first made love, and in all that time, Eve had been the one in the lead, insisting only on pleasing Olivia. She hadn’t ever completely undressed, and she’d only allowed Olivia to touch her some, but not in her intimate places. Eve didn’t want her to feel any pressure when it came to reciprocating. And at first, that had been fine. Olivia had been way too caught up in new discoveries and overwhelming, relentless orgasms to give it much thought. But lately, she’d not only been thinking about touching and exploring Eve, she was even having dreams about it.
“Please,” Olivia said. She gathered the bottom of Eve’s shirt in her hands and carefully lifted it off over her head. Then Olivia helped her with her shorts. Eve stood silently in a matching white lace bra and panties. “You’re just—so—Eve, you’re so beautiful. No,” she said, correcting herself. “Beautiful doesn’t even come close. You’re absolutely stunning and you’re fucking flawless. And, dear God, help me, sexy as hell.”
“Come closer,” she demanded, pulling on her hips. She ran her fingers up her abdomen to her ribcage and to the back of her bra. She unhooked it and slowly eased the bra from her breasts and body. She tossed it aside, totally captivated by the creamy, round fullness of her breasts. She’d never seen a naked woman in the flesh before. And even if she had, she knew no woman would’ve been comparable to Eve. She was carved from marble by a master artisan.
“I’ve never seen anything like you,” Olivia said, barely able to speak. “Not even in books.” She was on fire and so turned on her body shook as she exhaled. What she felt was an urge and a desire, yes. But what she wanted now was to be the one doing the touching. She wanted to touch her so badly, her clitoris twitched, as if it, too, was desperate to reach out and stroke her.
“I want to feel you and see you with my hands. I want to do that until I know you so well I’d be able to sculpt you blindfolded if someone asked me to.”
She glanced up at her and saw that Eve, too, was flushed and breathing hard. “Can I?” she asked. “Touch you?”
“Yes.”
Olivia’s mouth watered as she skimmed the back of her fingers up Eve’s abdomen and then up over her breasts, causing the cores to bunch and pucker. Olivia shuddered along with Eve at the sight and feel of her gathered pink skin. She did it again and again, loving how the firm buds of her nip
ples moved against her fingers.
“Eve.” She was so excited she was tempted to rub herself against the edge of the bed.
The feel of her overcame Olivia, and she quickly turned her and pushed her back onto the bed, holding her arms above her head. She forced her legs open with the press of her thigh, and she could feel the moist heat of her through her panties. It sent her into an involuntary frenzy, and she couldn’t wait any longer. She had to get to her. To where all that was Eve came together in a nucleus of nerves, where her most deeply rooted needs and desires could be awakened, accessed, and experienced. She had to get the very heart of Eve.
She lay on her side next to her and held her wrists together with one hand and lowered her other down her torso to her panties. She rubbed her mound up and down through the lace, and her eyes narrowed as she felt the meaty pulp of her for the first time against her fingers. Eve stirred beneath her and made a noise of sweet desperation, like she was helpless with longing.
Olivia came to the top of her panties and dipped her hand inside.
She gasped and Eve called out as she slid into her hot, wet flesh.
“Oh, God help me,” Olivia said, closing her eyes. “You feel so fucking good.”
She was going to pass out, she knew it.
“So, fucking good,” she said again, struggling to speak.
Eve writhed and made small noises.
Olivia responded with her own barely audible noises.
She kept her eyes closed, her focus intent and heavily concentrated on Eve’s pleasure. She touched her delicately at first, light caresses and teasing skims, causing a steady progression to Eve’s movements and cries. At some point Eve moved and Olivia opened her eyes as she freed herself and tried to grip Olivia’s wrist. But Olivia resisted and quickly pushed her desperate hand away. Eve lifted her head and silently beckoned her to give more. But Olivia held back, choosing instead to increase her pleasure in another area. She slid down to suck on her breast. Eve hissed and dug her fingers into Olivia’s hair, massaging and encouraging. Her pleas were strained and wordless. Olivia circled the bunching around her erect nipple with her tongue and then re-centered to lick and flick her nub. Then she took it all into her mouth and sucked, making Eve shout and knead her scalp. She released her and refastened to do the same to her other breast, all while she continued to carefully arouse her with her hand. And she did so until Eve, panting with excitement, pulled on Olivia’s head, insisting she look at her. She didn’t say anything, just swallowed and tried to catch her breath. But her gaze was heavy and brimming with an unmistakable yearning.
