by Gun Brooke
Holly could hardly breathe, torn between wanting her mother to stop talking and wanting to hear more from the woman she until now had loved easier from a distance than when they resided in the same city.
“Kendal,” Gwen said, and shifted her gaze to her new daughter-in-law. “I’m so glad you came into Holly’s life right when you did. I had almost given up on my oldest daughter finding personal happiness. As a parent, you try not to be too nosy in your grownup children’s life, but nevertheless, you worry. Now when the two of you are starting your life together as a married couple, with all it entails, I’m sure I share this relief and happiness with your parents as well. I, of course, wish your father were well enough to travel, Holly. However, Kendal and I have a surprise for you.”
Holly sent a quick glance at Kendal, who merely beamed at her and nodded. She pointed toward the far wall, where a large screen descended from the ceiling. The ceiling light dimmed even further as the face of an elderly man appeared on the screen.
“Congratulations, Holly and Kendal,” the man who was her father said with a trembling voice. “I trust you are having some great festivities.”
“Dad?” Holly murmured.
“You have to speak up,” Kendal said, and handed Holly a microphone. “He’s on Skype.”
“My father is Skyping?” Holly could hardly believe what she saw. Her father, despite his position as an environmental scientist, rarely used any social media or software like Skype.
“I heard that,” Bartholomew McAllister said and chuckled. “And yes, I know it’s a bit of a shock.”
“That’s an understatement.” Holly looked around for a camera. “I take it you see us as well?”
“I do. You look lovely, child. As do you, Kendal Moore,” her father added and leaned forward. “I want to officially welcome you to our family as well, Kendal. You must be something extra special to have managed to tame our headstrong, willful daughter. As you know, Holly is driven and ambitious, but also a person with a big heart once you get to know her. We are so proud of her and her siblings, and now we have yet another daughter in you. I hope you will get a chance to visit Scotland soon so I can show you our Highland getaway. In the meantime, I wish for you to have a fun reception and an even more fun honeymoon.” Bartholomew raised a glass of what Holly surmised was his usual cognac. “Slàinte!”
“Slàinte!” Holly raised her glass to the screen and nodded to her mother. As Kendal bent closer to her, whispering the Scottish-Gaelic word in her ear, Holly briefly kissed her forehead. “Thank you. Thank you so much for doing that. I would’ve loved to have him here, but this was the next best thing. And it was your idea, right?”
“It was. Your mother isn’t the Skyping type either, as I understand it,” Kendal said with a broad smile. “I think I may have corrupted her a little bit. When she saw that it was really easy to hook it up, and free of charge at that, she was quite excited.”
“My mother always did like to save a penny or two.” Holly sipped her glass and nodded to more guests.
They tasted the food Kendal had so painstakingly chosen, together with the wedding planner. Holly wanted to eat more, if nothing else than to show her appreciation for not having to deal with such minute decisions, but her stomach was still in knots and did weird somersaults every now and then. Soon the staff carried out all the dishes and moved some of the tables around to create space in the center of the room.
“Oh, God.” Holly moaned. “This is it, right?”
“What is what?” Kendal looked distractedly at her phone, but then seemed to pick up on the nervousness in Holly’s voice and tucked it away. “What are you talking about?”
“The bloody first dance as a couple,” Holly said through gritted teeth. “I know you said we needed to practice, but that in itself…I should’ve listened to you. What are we in for now? A waltz? Please don’t tell me we’re doing a waltz?” Knowing she babbled out of sheer panic, Holly was grateful when Kendal kissed her to stop the tirade.
“Listen. We’re not going to waltz, nor are we going to dance any of the oh-so-popular ballroom dances. I picked a song I think we both can relate to, and we’re going to sway very romantically.”
“Sway?” Catching her breath, Holly felt rather silly. Of course Kendal had taken everything into consideration. “I can sway.”
“I thought as much.” As if on cue, the music started playing, and Holly had to smile at Kendal’s choice. The speakers flooded the room with a soft intro, and soon Sir Elton John’s unmistakable voice sang “Your Song.”
Kendal stood and took Holly by the hand. “May I have this dance, my dear wife?” She smiled, and there was nothing faint about it. Instead it followed the tired cliché and lit up the room. Holly only nodded, at a loss for words as the word “wife” hit home. Kendal was indeed her wife. Hers to hold in a dance. And hers to protect and love. A small, evil voice wanted to add “for the next three years,” but she wouldn’t let it. She planned to show Kendal how good they could be together and that they should aim for much longer than that.
The dance floor seemed as wide as an ocean. A spotlight found them where they swayed in each other’s arms, but Holly didn’t care. She was secure where her head rested on Kendal’s shoulder. Kendal pressed her lips against the top of Holly’s head. Holly actually couldn’t remember when something had felt so right. Yes, she’d dated quite a few women in her life, but it had been more of a social thing, a desire for company and sex. Kendal brought something much more real into her life.
This wasn’t just for company and certainly not just for remaining in the US. Being married to, and holding onto, this amazing young woman was like gulping oxygen under water. Holly realized she didn’t just love Kendal…she needed her. Her entire being, body and soul, craved Kendal’s presence and her touch. If Kendal insisted on strictly adhering to their original agreement, Holly knew her heart would shatter.
“You okay?” Kendal whispered in Holly’s ear. She caressed Holly’s back in soft little circles.
“Yes.” Half-truth. She was and she wasn’t. Holly had never been happier, but ironically, her fears had never been greater. This by far exceeded the fear of being deported and losing her career in the US. The idea of losing Kendal dug deep into her, and if unchecked, it would fester. Sighing, Holly held on tighter to Kendal, not quite recognizing this panicky, clingy side to herself. Then again, she’d never loved anyone else like this, so that made a weird kind of sense.
Chapter Seven
Kendal was relieved the music went over well. When she’d chosen it she’d wondered if it revealed too much about her feelings. Now when they had acknowledged their physical attraction to each other, which was a huge step, she hoped rather than feared Holly would understand.
“So, you like the song?” Kendal asked softly.
“Yes. Yes, I do. I love Elton John.” Holly sounded distant and not as into the moment as Kendal had hoped.
“I like the version from Moulin Rouge as well.” Kendal spoke lightly. “Though it was a pretty bittersweet kind of movie.”
“Never saw it. Can’t remember when I saw a movie last.” Now Holly engaged more in the murmured conversation.
“Another thing to put on the list. Movies. We have a lot to catch up on.”
Holly tipped her head back, and to Kendal’s dismay, her eyes were dull and dark, as if horribly sad thoughts pestered her. “We do?” Holly’s voice sounded harsh, but Kendal recognized the expression she’d learned to interpret as distress.
“Yes. We do,” Kendal said firmly. “We absolutely do. Cooking together, watching movies, taking walks, shopping, picking out a new couch and a new rug, getting a dog—”
“A dog?” Holly jerked. “You want to get a dog? Do you realize how long such a creature lives? Twelve years! Sometimes longer. What happens to it when….when…”
“I know exactly what a dog’s life expectancy can be. My family has always had dogs. Golden retrievers.” Kendal snorted. “You realize we’re talking
about dogs during our first dance?” It was ridiculous, but Kendal hoped Holly would read between the lines when it came to the fact that she wanted more. Much more than the stipulated three years. A lifetime.
“Yes. Ridiculous.” Holly pressed her forehead back against Kendal’s neck. “I wish we were alone somewhere to talk. I hate to do this in public, but I also want to clear things up once and for all.”
This statement and Holly’s raw-sounding voice made Kendal gasp. The ambiguity of their situation, caused by neither of them being blunt and to the point, drove her just as mad as it clearly did Holly. “I hear you. What if we disappear for a little while and come back when it’s time to cut the cake?”
“The cake…oh, God, the cake.” Holly gave a surprised laugh. “Yes. Let’s do that. I really, really need it.”
“Me too.”
They swayed in silence to what was left of the beautiful song. Kendal relaxed and could enjoy holding Holly more now when she was sure they intended to hash things out. No matter the outcome, it was better to know for sure if your heart was going to shatter than to harbor all kinds of fears. Surely that had to be true?
*
They hadn’t counted on the fact that everyone seemed eager to dance with them. Soon Holly found herself on the dance floor with her father-in-law and several cousins on Kendal’s side, both male and female. Kendal had danced to some disco variety or other with Holly’s sister and sister-in-law, which all three seemed to enjoy immensely. Having completely missed the disco era when she was at college and university, Holly experienced an embarrassing age gap. At least until Kendal hurried toward her, took her by the hand, and pulled her along.
“This way, before they catch up. What’s with these people? Don’t they realize they’re supposed to go at it with each other—not us?” But she grinned as she said it, and Holly had to half run to keep up with Kendal’s long legs.
Kendal stopped at an unassuming-looking door and opened it. It was dark in there, but Holly hoped Kendal knew what she was doing and willingly followed her inside.
“This is a linen storage. I spotted it when I went to the restroom before. And best of all, it locks from the inside. See?” Kendal flipped the deadbolt. “Perfect. I don’t think anyone will guess we’re in here.”
“Probably not. Is there a light switch?”
“Yes, but can we wait to turn it on? I think I’ll find it easier, at least to begin with, to say what I need to say if we keep it a bit dark.”
“A bit? It’s pitch-black.”
“No, not quite. Look, the frosted glass in the door allows some of the light from the corridor in. Just wait and see.”
Holly conceded that her eyes were acclimating to the darkness. Now she could make out Kendal’s features, and her new wife was beautiful in any light, of course. “Yes? What do you want to say that requires dimmed light?” Holly slipped her arms around Kendal’s waist to make sure she realized her question was benevolent and not inquisitive.
“A lot, but some things are more important than others.” Kendal wrapped her arms around Holly’s shoulders. “I think we’ve gone from our initial deal to feeling something entirely different. Of course, I can only vouch for my own feelings, but when I meant to call it all off, I didn’t intend to let you down.” Kendal put two fingertips against Holly’s lips as if she knew Holly was about to object. “No. Let me finish. I’ve agonized over this since day one, and for the longest time I thought I could do it. I mean, marry you, keep on being your wife-assistant, and then, after three years, let you go into the sunset, perhaps even see you off into someone else’s arms. But when that last part brought me so much agony I felt physically ill, I knew I couldn’t. I couldn’t live with you like that.”
“Yet here we are. Married.” Holly trembled now. Kendal spoke so distinctly, and bravely, she could barely breathe at what might come out of Kendal’s mouth next.
“Yes. Because I now have some hope, which I didn’t have before.” Kendal pressed her lips to Holly’s for a moment. “Now we have this, this amazing physical attraction that’s so much stronger and passionate than I ever thought possible with anyone. Nobody else has ever made me feel like this.”
“This?” Holly had to ask. She needed clarifications like she needed air.
“Like this.” Kendal kissed Holly again, this time with parted lips and a greedy tongue that Holly welcomed and met with her own without hesitation. Their hands began to move simultaneously, caressing, pulling at clothes, and holding on tight, tight. “See?” Kendal breathed against Holly’s mouth. “Like this.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Holly tried to capture Kendal’s lips again. “Yes.”
“Wait. There’s more.” Kendal pulled her head back but held on to Holly as if she never wanted to let her go. “I hope this attraction will lead to more.”
“What do you mean?” Sliding her hands up from Kendal’s upper arms, Holly now cupped her face with both hands.
“I…I hope you will one day find it’s not merely about sex. That you’ll look at me and truly see your wife, a woman you want to spend a lot more than three years with. Sort of take the whole marriage of convenience out of the picture.” Kendal wiped at her eyes.
“Are you telling me you want us to have a real, I mean genuine, marriage?” Holly used her thumbs to brush away the rest of the errant tears on Kendal’s cheeks.
“Yes.”
“Oh, thank God.” Holly leaned against the door behind her, but Kendal pulled her farther into the linen storage. Only when Holly had her back against some large shelves did she stop.
“What do you mean by that?” Kendal steadied her elbows on either side of Holly’s head.
“I mean exactly that. Thank God you want the same as I do.” Wincing at how Kendal’s legs seemed to give in for a precarious moment, Holly held on harder to her. “Easy does it.”
“I’m…I’m okay.”
“Good. I can’t think of any way to explain how you sustained a fracture or a concussion in the linen closet, so please stay on your feet.” Holly smiled broadly into the semi-darkness. “And perhaps kiss me when you feel up to it—mmm…”
The kiss led to another and yet another. Holly pushed her hands under Kendal’s shirt for the second time that day. Finding Kendal’s breasts, just the right size for her hands, made them both whimper. This time Holly went about it slowly. Tugging, rolling, and caressing the puckered skin, soon she knew it wasn’t enough. Her mouth watered at the mere thought of tasting Kendal. Pawing at the long caftan, Holly managed to reveal Kendal’s stomach. She mapped it with eager hands and feverish caresses. Yet it wasn’t enough. Aching to feel Kendal against her, skin on skin, she pushed one hand down inside the waistband of Kendal’s slacks.
“I need this. I need to feel you, darling.” Holly breathed the words against Kendal’s lips. “I’ve wanted you for so long and I never thought…oh, God…” The button at the waistband opened willingly under her trembling fingers. Not even taking time to unzip the trousers, Holly shoved her hand inside, feeling yet more silky skin.
“It’s okay. Holly. It’s okay. You don’t have to be so frantic.” Kendal’s soothing voice did very little to calm Holly’s arousal. “You can do whatever you want. Nothing’s off limits.” Kendal nipped at Holly’s lower lip. “Here. Like this.” She opened the zipper in her trousers fully. “See? Touch me.”
And Holly did just that. She slipped her hand around Kendal’s buttocks and pulled her closer. Massaging the firm globes, she groaned at how much closer Kendal moved toward her.
Kendal moaned and undulated against Holly. “I’ve wanted this too. So much. You’re so fucking beautiful.”
Holly melted into Kendal’s body at her words. Only a few hours ago, she’d thought she was entirely alone in this feeling, and now this stunning woman, this amazing, gorgeous creature had allowed Holly to grope her in a linen closet. This was crazy. Kendal deserved a more refined and, most of all, romantic approach to lovemaking. Attempting to pull back, Holly found herself
yanked back as Kendal claimed her lips.
*
“Don’t go,” Kendal said and moaned. She was so turned on, she could barely remain on her feet. Holly’s passion was as welcome as it was mind-blowing. Kendal had hoped this kind of fervor lurked beneath Holly’s cool, austere facade, but for her to actually shove her hand down Kendal’s pants? Almost too good to be true.
“I’m not about to go anywhere,” Holly now murmured against the skin just above Kendal’s left breast. “It’s just…I didn’t plan, or hope, for our first time to happen in a linen closet with people passing outside every now and then.”
“Could have been worse.” Kendal whimpered as Holly’s free hand left her breast and joined the one in her pants, but in a frontal attack. She was getting increasingly wet now, which should become obvious to Holly any moment.
“What do you mean, worse? Oh!” Holly gasped as two of her fingers slipped under Kendal’s panties and pushed in between her folds. The wetness spread immediately. “Oh, God.”
“By worse…I mean…in one of the toilet stalls…” Kendal chuckled both because of Holly’s telltale wince and her own sheer happiness.
“You say the most romantic things. That does, however, put things in perspective. Perhaps the linen closet isn’t as unromantic after all?” Holly slid her fingers deeper. Kendal spread her legs and pressed her hips toward Holly. She rubbed against the long, slender fingers, blindly searching for release. Holly seemed to realize what was happening and eased up on the caresses. She barely let her fingers touch the slick folds, merely running them up and down, back to front.
“Oh, you’re cruel,” Kendal whispered huskily. “You’re a cruel, cruel woman.”
“I’m not. I know just what you need, darling. I know just how to give it to you.” The self-assured Holly was back, sexy as hell, and the way she spoke in Kendal’s ear sent new moisture flooding her panties. “Yes…” Holly drew a deep, trembling breath. “Just like that.”
