by C J Murphy
Noeul smiled back at her, turned, and walked over to her research bench. Nothing about their smoldering looks felt wrong. The rest of the afternoon passed in companionable conversation. Data had been entered, lunch fixed, and the normal chores completed. The dogs played in front of them, as they all walked back to the house for the evening.
Noeul looked at the tank top Jordan wore. A prominent v-shaped perspiration mark showed between her breasts. Small beads of sweat ran from the hollow of Jordan’s neck and disappeared down the front of the shirt. Noeul shoved her hands into her pockets in an attempt to keep from reaching out to trace that same line down the front of Jordan’s shirt. She closed her eyes and shook her head, as a shiver traveled through her body when her thoughts turned to licking that bead of sweat off Jordan’s neck. What in God’s name am I thinking? It’s been too damn long since I’ve been in the company of anyone other than a close friend. Liar, admit it. She’s a stunning woman, and you are attracted to her. Her internal monologue followed them into the house as the rain started again.
“I was thinking about a big salad for dinner, what do you say?” Noeul reached for the handle on the refrigerator, as Jordan pulled a glass from the drainer and filled it with water. She held the glass to her forehead a few seconds before she drank it down.
“Salad sounds great. Can I help?”
Noeul shook her head. “No, I’ve got it. Why don’t you go shower, and I’ll get it ready. When you’re done, I’ll take my turn. Or I could shower with her.
Noeul watched as something passed over Jordan’s face. A look of mischief was plastered there. Oh my God, did I say it out loud? No, impossible. Or maybe she read my mind?
Jordan tilted her head and laughed. “A shower sounds good. Whatever you need me for, don’t hesitate to ask.” Jordan reached for the hem of her tank.
Noeul swallowed hard as the shirt slipped up Jordan’s torso, exposing her chiseled stomach muscles and the tan skin that glistened with sweat. Noeul’s eyes traced the line the feathers took around her left side, where they disappeared under the sports bra near her breast. Her mouth went dry, as she forced her eyes down before the tank cleared Jordan’s head. Try as she might, she couldn’t calm her racing pulse. She raised her eyes to the devilish smirk Jordan wore as she stood there for a moment. She smiled and walked away. I think I’m losing my mind. I should not be having these thoughts. Worse, I think that little shit knows I am. Lord, help me.
***
Jordan’s center clenched, as she thought about her eyes meeting Noeul’s seconds ago. She’d watched the pulse point in the beautiful neck bound under the creamy skin. For an instant, she’d quirked an eyebrow, as she let her own dark eyes meet the cool green ones that had looked down, then locked on her own. Instinctively, Jordan knew Noeul was attracted to her, and the feeling was very mutual. She turned on the shower and allowed steam to fill the bathroom, as she shucked out of the rest of her clothes. Jordan chuckled at her attempt to be sexy. Stripping her tank top off in front of Noeul had the desired effect. She’d watched Noeul unconsciously lick her lips. Her own attraction to Noeul was palpable. She’s so freaking hot. This is crazy.
Jordan scrubbed her body, then stepped from the shower. She dried off and dressed in a pair of snug, cotton gym shorts and a faded T-shirt bearing Cornell’s mascot, Big Red. She’d finger combed her hair back off her forehead, and strands near her neck left dark droplets on the shirt. She slid her feet into a pair of worn Birkenstocks and made her way back to the kitchen. Noeul faced away from her, stirring the salad and swaying to a beat that existed only in her head. There was no music playing in the room. Jordan cleared her throat and watched Noeul stiffen and halt the gentle sway of her hips before she resumed stirring the salad.
“Okay, your turn. What’s left to do?”
Noeul turned, a slight blush rising from under the collar of the shirt she wore. Jordan watched her pull at the collar uncomfortably, before she dropped her gaze from Jordan’s face.
Noeul cleared her own throat. “I haven’t seen a red Cornell T-shirt in years.”
Jordan laughed. “I have a whole drawer full of them back home I’d be happy to send you.”
“Can you make salad dressing? I’m not picky. There are plenty of ingredients here in the spice cabinet. The olive oil, vinegar, and other items are there in the pantry.”
“You’re in luck. Sam taught me to make his signature vinaigrette. Do you have any honey?”
Noeul bit the side of her cheek. “I do. It’s in the pantry. Okay, I’ll leave you to it and go take a shower. I’ll be out in a minute.” Noeul’s hands shook, nearly causing her to drop the salad.
Jordan quickly went around the bar and took the bowl from her. “Noeul, are you okay?”
Noeul raised a shaky hand to her forehead and looked Jordan in the eyes. Jordan set the salad down and tentatively reached out to grasp Noeul’s hand, entwining their fingers. She watched, as Noeul tensed, then took a deep breath and visibly relaxed into the touch.
“I’m okay. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Jordan tilted her head and looked Noeul in the eyes, willing her voice into a whisper. “Take all the time you need, I’m not going anywhere.”
Noeul shook her head. “Good to know.”
Seconds later, she disappeared down the hall and out of sight. Jordan stared at the spot for a long time, before she turned to the cabinet to pull down ingredients for the salad dressing. She heard the water turn on and shivered at the thought of Noeul naked. Get a grip. It’s attraction, pure and simple. She’s a beautiful woman. A beautiful, intelligent, sexy-as-hell woman.
Jordan finished most of the dressing, leaving it on the counter while she got out plates and silverware. Searching Noeul’s wine rack, she selected a sauvignon blanc from a winery she recognized. She rummaged around to find the wine key, uncorked the bottle, and placed two glasses on the table. In the stack of CDs beside the stereo, she found several of her own personal favorites and laughed. She loaded three albums to shuffle and pushed play, filling the space with the bluesy sounds. Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Double Trouble” had been one of her father’s favorites, and he’d taught his children to love the sound of the guitar played as only Stevie could. After cycling through one song, the gravelly voice of Bonnie Raitt crooned.
Back in the kitchen, she added the final ingredient to the dressing that had been marinating. She drizzled the honey into the mason jar and stole a taste of the smooth, sweet, gold-colored liquid, as James Taylor started into “Something in the Way She Moves.” One of the lines about going where no one else can go moved her to sing along, and soon she was dropping her smooth alto through the chorus. She washed off the drizzle stick in the sink and turned, only to be startled by a grinning Noeul leaning cross-armed against the door jam. Jordan stammered before she bent over in laughter at being caught.
“Bravo, bravo. Encore.” Noeul clapped.
Jordan’s entire body heated, and she turned from Noeul to the salad dressing, mixing it while she licked some honey off her thumb. She looked up in time to see Noeul swallow hard as their eyes locked. She cleared her throat, found a spoon, and poured out a small amount. She beckoned Noeul to come closer to taste. Noeul walked forward and covered Jordan’s hand with her own, as the spoon was raised to her mouth. Jordan watched as the silver cutlery disappeared between the pale, pink lips. Her eyes slammed shut. Without realizing it, she put voice to her thoughts. The words slipped out quietly, almost reverently. “Holy shit.”
“Indeed.” Noeul took the spoon, turned it over, and licked the remnants before placing it in the sink. She passed incredibly close by Jordan, nearly touching her, as she headed for the table. Jordan was left grasping for the counter to steady herself, as she watched Noeul step up to the table. Jordan rushed around the counter to pull the chair out for her. After Noeul sat down, Jordan scooted it in after her. Jordan’s smile crept across her face, as she poured the dressing and mixed it in with the salad. “May I serve you?”
“Please.”
Jordan dished out half the salad onto Noeul’s plate and the other onto her own. They ate while they talked about the research and Stevie Ray’s guitar filled the room.
Wine glass in hand, Noeul pointed to the CD player. “Nice selection you put in.”
Jordan sipped her own wine and smiled. “My dad was a big blues fan, and my mom loves James Taylor and Carol King, so your stack over there was a lot like the collection on my own play list.”
“I have a lot more music in digital form and even vinyl.” Noeul wagged her eyebrows.
Jordan’s laugh almost made her choke on her wine. “Vinyl? You know that’s making a big comeback?”
“I like the sound of the pops, crackles, and clicks in with the music.” Noeul topped off their glasses again. “Mom and I used to dance in the kitchen. She and Dad taught me. I can say, without prejudice, that I was never as good as Max and Sam.” Noeul shook her head. “Mom was a good dancer.”
Jordan set her glass down and went to the CD player. She sorted through until she found what she was looking for, the CD that had made her smile earlier. Once she started it, she walked to Noeul and held out her hand. “Dance with me?”
***
Noeul looked at the strong fingers extended toward her. There was a choice to make, take Jordan’s hand and open Pandora’s box, or say no and drive a nail deep into the lid. Her eyes slid to Jordan’s fathomless dark pools, liquid with heat. Noeul reached out and rose from her chair. Melissa Ethridge’s voice floated around them. It wasn’t a slow song by any means. The tempo would still be one that would put Noeul inches away from the woman in front of her. When she allowed Jordan to pull her close, her breath stopped in her chest. The heat between them slowly grew as they moved to the beat. Jordan’s hand rested lightly on the small of Noeul’s back, the touch streaking through her like lightening.
“Jordan…”
Jordan bent down and murmured close to Noeul’s ear. “Shh, it’s just a dance.”
Noeul forced herself to relax, as she allowed Jordan’s hand to enclose hers with a soft but firm touch. The gentle direction from the press of Jordan’s body against hers had them easily gliding across the small, empty square of hardwood beside the kitchen table. The beat was light and playful, as Jordan swung her out before pulling her back in and spinning them around. The dogs lay at the edge of the room, heads tilted, eyes on them. Jordan increased their pace, as the chorus rang out declaring unrequited need, desire, and longing. The next song slowed down and Jordan pulled her closer, so close she could smell hints of laundry soap on the faded, red T-shirt. Noeul closed her eyes, as Jordan expertly swayed and stepped them from one corner to the next.
Noeul shuddered at the touch. “I haven’t done this in a very long time.”
Jordan looked down and pulled their clasped hands to her chest. “That makes two of us.”
Their legs entwined as they swayed to the music. Noeul felt herself melting into a soft touch, her hand slipping from Jordan’s to lie flat on her chest. Without conscious thought, her hands moved to Jordan’s neck, while Jordan’s moved to her waist. The sensation was overwhelming, and panic started to rise within her. She stiffened and felt Jordan slow.
“It’s ok, move with me. One step at a time.”
Noeul once again forced herself to relax and move with Jordan. On one particular step, Jordan’s leg brushed her center, causing a gasp to escape her throat and her arms to tighten around Jordan’s neck. She raised her head, her lips inches from Jordan’s. Warm breath wafted over her cheek from the taller woman’s head bent close to hers. The first touch of their lips was tentative, sweet, tasting of the lingering wine and honey. Jordan didn’t chase her when she pulled back. Noeul tried, without success, to slow her breathing. It felt like all the air had left the room.
“Hey, hey. I’m right here. Noeul, look at me.” Jordan drew her hands up to Noeul’s face, forcing her to stare into eyes that scorched her skin and seared into her soul. Noeul felt her breathing even out and her pulse slow, her heart no longer threatening to leap out of her chest.
“Hold me, please. Hold me until I’m not afraid anymore, because I’m terrified, Jordan.”
“I can do that. How about we move over there?” Jordan nodded her head.
Noeul allowed Jordan to lead her over to the couch and turned to allow the taller woman to hold her. Drawing her legs up, she melted into the strong arms that held her tenderly, as soft kisses rained down on her temple.
“What are we doing, Jordan?”
Jordan rested her cheek on the top of Noeul’s head. “Noeul, I’ve driven from coast to coast, hiked down into canyons and up mountains. I sat in a pirate’s bar and swam into an ocean cave to find you. I’ve talked to spirits, followed whistles, voices, shadows, and visions, all to be where I am right now. I don’t have all the answers. All I know is I’m willing to take the chance and that’s a lot for me.”
Noeul felt her chin lifted until, once again, she was staring into two dark, burning embers that threatened to incinerate her. “Why?”
“Because in all my life, the only thing I’ve been more driven to do, is show my sister how much fun she could have. From the moment I set out to find you, I’ve been driven…no pulled is a better explanation, by things I can’t even begin to understand. The second I saw you, it became much more than figuring out how to graft a plant.” Jordan pointed to her chest.
Noeul reached up and rested her hand against Jordan’s cheek, only to have her turn and kiss her heated palm. “What did it become?”
Jordan shook her head and chuckled. “A study in masochism looking at you in those tank tops. Noeul you’re gorgeous, sexy, and funny. You’re also driven, all the things that leave my insides humming.”
“Jordan…”
“I wouldn’t lie to you. I’m only so strong, and you’re quickly breaking down every barrier I’ve carefully put in place over the last several years.”
“It certainly hasn’t been my intention, Jordan. I’m not the only one wielding a sledgehammer. Although what you’re doing to me is more like driving a bulldozer through me. It’s been a really long time since anything has remotely reminded me I have a pulse.” Noeul traced Jordan’s lips with her thumb. She gasped as Jordan drew it in and sucked it lightly. Noeul physically shivered, as she pressed her mouth to the lips a whisper away from hers. She parted her own when Jordan’s tongue sought entrance.
Noeul felt Jordan’s arms tighten around her body, as Jordan held her in a way that calmed the jitters and lit a fire. It burned deep within the place where only cold, gray ashes had existed. Noeul moaned into the kiss and threaded her fingers through Jordan’s hair. “Jordan, I feel like I’m ready to self-combust.”
“Like the phoenix.”
Noeul deepened the kiss, pressed hard into Jordan’s mouth, and whispered into her kiss. “Rising from the ashes.”
***
Noeul wasn’t the only one close to going up in an inferno of lust. Jordan’s center spasmed, clenched, and released. Fuck, I’m ready to come and she hasn’t even touched me yet. She wanted Noeul, wanted to lick down her neck, suck the pulse point, and run her hands all over the beautiful body in her arms.
Jordan drew back and placed her forehead against Noeul’s. She could feel her own chest rise and fall quickly. “God, Noeul, I’m on fire.”
“Glad to know I’m not in this by myself.”
“Not by a long shot.” Jordan nuzzled Noeul’s ear and tilted her chin so she could draw the soft lobe into her mouth. Noeul physically shivered in her arms.
Noeul ran her hand down Jordan’s arm and back up to her neck. “You’re so beautiful.”
Jordan laughed and traced Noeul’s fine features. “Looked in the mirror lately?”
“Jordan, I’m over fifty. My days of being beautiful are pretty much behind me.”
“Your mirror is broken, because what I see is a gorgeous woman with incredible green eyes and luscious, kissable lips.” Jordan paused
and pushed an escaped lock of Noeul’s hair behind her ear. She kissed her, nipping and biting softly on her lower lip.
Noeul drew in a deep breath and lowered her head.
Jordan closed her eyes for a moment, doing her best to calm her racing pulse. “Don’t hate me for what I’m about to say. I’m going to slow this down. It’s been a long time since I’ve wanted more. My body is telling me to push the accelerator. Unfortunately, my head and heart say it’s time to pump the brakes.” Jordan tipped Noeul’s chin up until they were looking eye to eye. “And I think you are a hair’s breath away from running far away from me. If not in body, in heart and mind. I’m not going anywhere unless you tell me to. So, let’s take our time. We know the attraction is here.” Jordan closed her eyes and drew in a ragged breath. “Let’s see if all the rest is too, at your pace. Okay?”
Jordan felt Noeul stiffen slightly, before she relaxed against her and released the breath she’d been holding. Noeul shook her head affirmatively.
“Now, let’s have some fun. I spied something else to test your dance skills.”
“Jordan, I told you I’m not much of a dancer.”
Jordan walked over to the CD player, loaded up her selection, then turned and grinned as the unmistakable tinny, guitar riff began. She crooked her index finger toward the laughing woman and extended her hand. By the time Van Morrison reached the chorus about his brown eyed girl, Noeul was following Jordan’s lead as she pulled the shorter woman in and out. As they slid around, Jordan spun them in a tight circle, holding her close. She leaned back and extended her arms, while she harmonized the sha la las. Noeul’s smile swallowed her face. Time. We just need time. I’ll give her all she needs and the chance we both need.
