“Wait. You guys don’t…I mean do you…are we talking the big L?”
“God, no. Let’s not get crazy. But we did have a talk the other day. And then, Shaun, she came to the house for my birthday. My parents had a little barbecue and a cake—”
“She met your parents?”
“Actually, it was the second time she met them. We all had dinner at Liam’s one night before that.” She looked at the bright sky, remembering the small party. “She bought me this gift. It was so sweet.”
“Tell me.”
“It’s no big deal. But we do coffee almost every day at this place by her. So she got a pound of my favorite Ecuadorian roast. And then”—she covered her heart remembering the sweet gesture—“she got me this mug. It’s nothing really, and it probably sounds stupid, but it was personalized to include all the places we’ve visited together in the city. Inside at the base, she signed it with a heart and her initials.” She felt her heart swell at the memory. “I know it’s no big deal, but it was just so thoughtful.”
“And super shmoopy.”
“I know you think it’s cheesy.”
“I don’t.” Shauna shook her head. “I think it’s the kind of gift you buy your girlfriend when you’re falling in love with her in the greatest city on the planet.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” She swallowed the last of her coffee. “She’s still leaving at the end of summer.”
“Why, though?”
“Because she has a job, and a life, in Colorado.”
“Look, it’s none of my business. And if you want to tell me to shut it, go ahead. But you are sitting in front of me swooning over a mug.”
Ashleigh scrunched her face knowing she was right. But she didn’t feel like addressing that truth. She whacked Shauna’s fork with her own. “I’m not swooning.”
“You are. I’m not even making fun of you. Honest. It’s really cute.” Shauna pulled off a piece of the quiche’s flaky crust. “It’s nice to see you happy.”
“It’s good to be happy.”
“What if it’s not for the summer? What if when Kellan goes home, you try long-distance?”
“You sound like Granny.”
“Only the smartest lady I know.”
Ashleigh pushed the salad around on her plate, considering the option of a cross-country romance. “I don’t know how it would work.”
“You visit there. Kellan comes here. Weekends, school breaks. We get plenty of them. It’s not impossible. People do it.”
“I guess,” she said, idly wondering what Kellan would make of the idea. “Think about it, though.” She watched Shauna’s face to assess her reaction. “Imagine you only saw Mike on weekends and holidays. Seems crazy.”
“It took me forever to find Mike. I’m talking years of dating guys who were jerks, or not ready to commit, who were intimidated by a woman who is smart and has confidence.” Shauna half frowned. “Mike is none of those things. He gets me. He has from day one. Let me tell you, if I had met him five years ago on vacation in DR or Grenada or anywhere else, and that’s where he lived, you bet your butt I’d have figured out a way to make long-distance work.”
“You guys are getting married in less than two weeks. Maybe comparing to you two is a bad example.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. I can tell by the look on your face and the way you sound that this is more than some passing thing. You like Kellan. A lot. Not for nothing, but isn’t that how relationships start?” Shauna’s question was clearly rhetorical as she continued talking. “You don’t have to say anything right now, but you should think about it. If all this”—she waved over Ashleigh’s body—“is because of whatever you have with Kellan, I think you should at least consider it. And talk to Kellan. Life is short. Figure something out.”
She sat all the way back in her chair, letting the weight of Shauna’s words sink in even as she wondered how or if she would broach the idea with Kellan. In spite of their talk in the park, she feared that saying something might ruin the perfect vibe they had going. Perhaps part of the allure was the transient nature of their union. She swallowed back the thought, knowing with absolute clarity that even if that had been true at some point, her heart was in it for real by now. And she had every reason to believe Kellan’s was too.
“Now.” Shauna broke her train of thought. “What are you wearing to the wedding? Please tell me it’s something skimpy and sexy that Kellan’s going to rip off you the second she gets the chance.”
Chapter Nineteen
“Oh my God. Right there. Just like that.”
Kellan listened to Ashleigh’s smooth breathy voice and watched as she writhed on top of her. She could feel the subtle stirring of her own orgasm starting to build and knew she only had a few more seconds before she gave in completely. She gripped Ashleigh’s hips tight as she thrust inside. Ashleigh answered with a soft moan, a sound she recognized as approval. Ashleigh was on top of her, straddling her, riding her. The image alone was almost enough to make her come. But the way she moved, the little noises of pleasure, the overt demands to be taken harder and faster contrasting with the shy way she asked for what she wanted…it sent her over the top. Every. Single. Time.
As if she was tuned in to the same frequency, Ashleigh whispered, “Are you almost there?”
Kellan was holding back with every ounce of restraint, but she managed a nod in response.
Ashleigh rested her weight on her torso, and with the slight movement Kellan felt the strap-on slide infinitely deeper. Ashleigh sat back up and moved steadily on top, the base pressed up against Kellan, the friction driving her crazy in the best way. She touched Ashleigh’s clit and started to massage it gently.
“Christ,” Ashleigh breathed out. “Don’t stop. Do not stop,” she ordered as Kellan pounded into her while making small circles with the pad of her thumb. Ashleigh closed her eyes and let her mouth drop open. Kellan was in awe of the way Ashleigh looked and sounded and moved when they were together. Even though it was cliché, she couldn’t get over how breathtaking it was when Ashleigh let herself go completely. Despite her best efforts, Kellan felt it in her heart when she let the rhythm of her own body take over so they could climax together.
Looking absolutely sated, Ashleigh settled in alongside, facing her. She drifted her hand across Ashleigh’s gorgeous curves, the softness of her skin immediately heightening the aftershocks still coursing through her body. Leaning in for a kiss, she felt Ashleigh caress her face and smile against her mouth.
“That was freaking amazing,” Ashleigh said. “I love that you can come from that.” She looked slightly bashful as she spoke.
“You sound surprised.”
“I am, I guess.” Ashleigh pulled her in for another kiss and her center throbbed when their tongues touched briefly. “I’m not complaining. I suppose I just don’t understand how.”
She smiled, thinking about their connection moments ago, and wondered how to describe what she was feeling without scaring Ashleigh away. “It’s pretty simple, I think.” She decided to go with pure honesty. “For one, there’s a gorgeous woman on top of me. Your body is beautiful. And Ash”—she trailed her hand lightly over Ashleigh’s skin, delighting in the feel of her smooth skin as she spoke—“the way you move.” She rolled onto her back, remembering everything in detail. “By now I can tell when you’re going to come. That kind of does it for me,” she admitted.
Ashleigh snuggled closer, and Kellan lifted her arm so Ashleigh could rest her head on her chest. She was getting used to this. Too used to it, maybe. She blocked it out and concentrated instead on Ashleigh against her, quietly drawing designs on her stomach with the tip of one finger.
“Are you okay?” she asked, dropping a kiss on Ashleigh’s forehead.
Ashleigh tilted her head to make eye contact. “Are you kidding me?” she asked, obviously being rhetorical. “I am so much more than okay right now.” Ashleigh kissed her bare chest. “I do worry you’ve ruined me for good, though.”
>
“Wha…?” She answered playfully sensing the spirit in Ashleigh’s tone. “What does that mean?”
“This,” Ashleigh said. “All of this.” Ashleigh waved between their bodies. “Sex has never been this good. And now you’re going to leave at the end of summer. And I’m doomed.” She hung her head, likely for dramatic effect. It touched her anyway.
“You’ll find someone else,” she said, thankful her voice didn’t crack and give away what she was really feeling. “You really are special. I wish you could see what I see.” She was venturing into dangerous territory but was unable to pull back. “You’re kind and sweet. So smart. Seeing New York, being with you. This summer has been the best of my life.” She felt herself choking up but knew she had to be brave. “The second you put yourself on the market, they’ll be lining up at your door.”
“My parents’ door, don’t you mean?”
“Like it matters one iota where you live.” Even though she knew Ashleigh was being silly, she wasn’t ready to let go of the moment. “The fact you live with your mom and dad didn’t slow me down for one second. I was interested from the first time I met you.”
“See, then you do that.” Ashleigh pouted.
“Do what?”
“You make me all mushy.”
“Mushy?”
“You know what I mean.” Ashleigh sat halfway up and looked at her. She bit her bottom lip and paused like she was going to drop something serious. But then it seemed as though she thought better of it as she shook her head a little. “Even if I do. Meet someone, that is.” Her shrug was somehow suggestive and impish. “What if they can’t do all this? The way you do? The way I like it.”
She swallowed hard, knowing she couldn’t really be annoyed that Ashleigh was considering other people. At least she’d buried that truth in a compliment of sorts. Still, the reality of their situation crept under her skin. Throwing back the covers, she reached for her shirt and boxers from the floor.
“Ash, sex is about communication. Not moves, or strap-ons, or even the real thing, for that matter.” She pulled her shirt over her head and sat on the side of the bed as she slipped into her boxers.
“I hate that you’re getting dressed.”
“You know I’m not going to hang out naked, particularly when we’re talking about your future dating prospects.”
“Oh my God. Are you mad?”
Mad wasn’t the right word, but she’d heard the tension in her tone, and clearly Ashleigh had picked up on it too. She rubbed the tops of her knees, hoping to channel some inner calm and say the right thing. “Just…find someone who’s good to you and don’t be afraid to tell them what you want.” She leaned back, intending to place a soft kiss on Ashleigh’s lips in a sign of support, however difficult it was.
Ashleigh didn’t let her go. She held her face and kissed her over and over before she stopped to talk. With their foreheads touching she said, “Do you get that I’ve never been like this with anyone?”
“I know.”
“No, I don’t think you do.” Ashleigh’s hand brushed over her face, as though she was memorizing it with her fingertips. “There is something about you. About us. I can’t really put it into words. Being with you is amazing. I tell you, God, everything.” She stared right at her and took her time before she said, “I trust you. In a way I haven’t trusted anyone.”
Kellan wanted to believe her words were true, but she had some internal doubt at the statement. To her credit, Ashleigh read her expression without fail. “Reagan was different.”
“How is that possible?” She couldn’t keep herself from asking.
“We’ve been platonic for so long now, it’s hard to remember what it was like before. But even then, it never seemed as easy as this.” Ashleigh studied her with intensity. “Maybe it’s your eyes. They’re unbelievable.”
Kellan looked down, embarrassed that she could feel herself blush.
“Look at me. Please?” Ashleigh asked. Kellan obliged the request and they stared at each other for a long second. “It was the first thing I noticed about you. The shade of green is almost indescribable. Kind of mossy, almost gray sometimes.”
“My dad’s are the same.”
“For real?”
Kellan nodded.
“Can I see a picture?”
Kellan reached for her phone from the end table and pulled up a pic with her dad. She handed the phone to Ashleigh.
“Wow.” Ashleigh looked back and forth from the image, obviously assessing her. “You do look alike. The eyes are the same for sure.” She placed the phone back in its spot. “Can I say something without you freaking out?”
It was a loaded question but she was dying to hear. “Of course.”
“The thing about you, about your eyes, specifically.” Ashleigh took her time, as though she was choosing each word with care, and she could feel her heartbeat going insane with anticipation. “It’s not just the color. Or your amazing long eyelashes. There’s something so much more. It’s hard to explain.” Ashleigh broke eye contact and caressed her forearms. In the silence, she didn’t know if she was supposed to respond or if Ashleigh was still trying to put her thoughts together.
“Ash—”
Ashleigh cut her off with the subtle shake of her head. “Just give me a minute,” she said. She tipped her head back as if allowing herself permission to emote. “It’s just that I felt immediately comfortable with you.” Ashleigh looked right at her, touching her face and bringing it close to hers. “It was like I could see in your eyes that you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“I would never—”
“I know. I could tell. Right from our first coffee together at the Beanery. I felt, I don’t know, safe. I know that sounds corny. Maybe even a little crazy.” A nervous laugh accompanied the words and she broke eye contact but continued to talk despite any nerves she might be feeling. “So tell me, how am I supposed to find that with someone else on some dating app?”
It should have made her happy to hear Ashleigh profess the depth of her feelings, however roundabout the admission. But inside, she felt something else. Something foreign, and she didn’t know how to make sense of it.
“So don’t,” she said without filtering.
“Don’t…what? Date?” Ashleigh asked. “You literally just told me to find someone nice.”
“Forget what I said.” She pulled her shirt off and slipped back under the covers. “I’m an idiot.”
“No, you’re not.” Ashleigh moved close as she lay down next to her.
“I think…” Kellan rolled so she was on top. She held Ashleigh’s arms over her head, taunting her with a string of lingering kisses across her chest and neck. “I think you should hold out for me.”
“You do?”
“I do.” She continued to kiss her everywhere, letting go of her arms so she could use her hands. She cupped Ashleigh’s breast tenderly, dancing her tongue across the nipple.
Ashleigh spread her legs wide in response and Kellan reached down, unable to stifle the gasp at feeling how wet she was already. Ashleigh must’ve felt her shudder, because she held her face with both hands as she said, “You do that to me. Only you.”
Kellan kissed her hard, feeling herself throb with desire. She moved against Ashleigh’s center, knowing she’d be able to come from the slightest contact. “I want you in my mouth,” she whispered, before starting her descent.
But instead of encouraging her, Ashleigh held her in place. “Okay. But why do you get to have all the fun?”
She paused, confused, but Ashleigh just smiled. “Lie on your back,” she said.
Kellan grinned as she lay back, flat on the mattress. She watched in excited awe as Ashleigh turned and got into position on top of her. Her bottom was soft and gorgeous as she brought her close to her face, and she felt Ashleigh’s tongue on her at exactly the same time she tasted her sweetness. Their bodies touched everywhere, moving together perfectly. It had been ages since she’d done this with anyone, and
she’d forgotten how good it felt. Almost as the thought hit her brain, she altered it on the spot.
It was Ashleigh.
Even normal, run of the mill activities were heightened when she was with Ashleigh. Walks were fun and exciting, dinner was an event, their trek across the city was filled with laughs and memories. Fuck, even her coffee tasted better when they were together.
She let go of the internal tension she’d been subconsciously holding for weeks, simultaneously giving in to her orgasm on the spot. Her heart pounded out of control and crashed against her chest, knowing in that precise, bizarre moment what it all meant.
* * *
Kellan opened her eyes to Ashleigh playing on her phone and cuddling Blue next to her on top of the covers. “I can’t believe I fell asleep.”
Ashleigh leaned down and kissed her temple. “Naked too.” She raised her eyebrows, seemingly giving herself credit for the anomaly.
“What are you doing to me?” She rubbed her eyes. “Passing out? And without clothes. This is a first.”
“Relax, killer. You were only out for twenty minutes or so.”
Kellan searched through the covers for her clothes. “Did you sleep?”
“Nope. I hung out with this guy.” Ashleigh scratched between Blue’s ears, and his purr was so loud they both laughed.
“He does love you.” She reached over to touch him, but her hand brushed over Ashleigh’s instead.
Ashleigh smiled at the contact and laced their fingers together. “I love him too.”
Her voice was so soft and sincere, and she hated herself for being jealous of the cat. “I think he’s going to miss you.”
“Is that true, Blue? You gonna miss me?”
Out of nowhere, Blue leaped up and hopped off the bed, and Ashleigh laughed. “Guess not.”
“Are you kidding?” she said. “He’s so distraught he can’t even talk about it.” Kellan scooted herself upright and found her shirt and shorts. She hugged her knees close and thought for a second. “You know, I’ve been thinking.”
Brooklyn Summer Page 19
