Primal Touch

by Amber Jacobs

  Leandra studied the offering a moment, her eyes filled with a strange emotion Ashley couldn’t read, then she shook her head slightly. “No, thanks.”

  “Are you sure? It might help you relax a little. Take the edge off, you know?”

  Leandra leaned closer. “I used drugs and alcohol to numb myself to the world around me,” she said softly. “They helped me stop thinking or feeling the things I wanted to avoid. I don’t want to take that road again.” She smiled, and Ashley felt her heart melt. “I don’t want anything to dull the experience of being with you.”

  Ashley quickly put the beer on the bench beside her, mentally kicking herself for not thinking of this sooner. She used to be an addict, she reminded herself. Of course she wants to avoid the temptation. “I’m sorry.”

  “That’s okay. I know you were just trying to help.” Ashley held up her own bottle. “Do you mind if I drink?” Leandra smiled. “No, go ahead. Just don’t get carried away. Remember, you have to drive us home.”

  “I’ll be good.” Ashley twisted the lid off the bottle and took a sip, sighing in pleasure as the cool, malty liquid slid down her throat. She was quite partial to the occasional beer and was happy to indulge after her assignment to India. “You know, if you wanted to drive, I’d be happy to let you. You’d be rusty, but the roads are quiet out here. And those old skills never really go away.”

  “Thanks, but I don’t think so.”

  “Why not? It’d be a good thing to get used to again.”

  “I can’t drive,” Leandra admitted. “I never learned how.”

  Ashley paused as she was about to take another sip and stared at Leandra in shock. “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope.”

  “You never learned to drive a car? How did you get around?”

  “I rode a motorcycle. Just before I left, I’d bought my first Harley. It was pretty great.”

  “Really? Wow.” Ashley felt a flutter in her lower belly, instantly intrigued. She nudged Leandra with her shoulder. “I can just imagine you on a big, black bike,” she grinned. “I bet you looked sexy as hell.”

  Leandra seemed to catch the heat igniting behind her eyes and scooted a little closer. “I put the bike in storage before I left for India. If it’s still there, maybe…”

  Ashley grinned. Images of herself wrapping her arms around Leandra’s leather-clad waist as they drove along an open freeway on a rumbling Harley made her insides shiver. “I’d love to take a ride with you.” She gave Leandra a light kiss on the lips, conscious as they parted of her father’s eyes watching a little awkwardly from across the yard. She licked her lips and took another sip of beer. “Better not get too frisky right now,” she whispered.

  Leandra nodded, a slight smile twisting the corners of her mouth. “I guess not. Maybe later?”

  Ashley’s grin widened devilishly. “Count on it.”

  The rest of the night was comparatively pleasant. Leandra seemed to notice the change in Emily’s attitude, and readily engaged in a more relaxed conversation with the older woman when she approached. Keeping an eye on them, Ashley appreciated that her mother was making an effort to be courteous. Later on, Casey dragged Leandra away into the house, asking to practice some of her jungle-stealth techniques in private, which left Ashley behind to have a little chat with her sister.

  “She’s pretty impressive,” Evelyn remarked, as she sat beside her sister and watched Casey lead Leandra away. “Casey’s a hard sell, but your jungle lover has her hooked completely.”

  “Yeah, they’ve been getting along really well.”

  “To tell the truth, I was a little worried when Case started acting so different. You know, the whole no shoes thing, climbing around outside, getting blisters and cuts on her feet.” Evelyn sighed. “And every second word out of her mouth was ‘Leandra said this’ or ‘Leandra said that.’ I’ve never seen her take to someone so readily.”

  “Leandra’s a good role model,” Ashley said, always ready to defend her partner. “She may be unorthodox, but she’s got a strong sense of responsibility, especially when it comes to family.”

  “I know. I can see that now.” Evelyn patted her lightly on the arm. “Casey’s been reading a lot about tigers lately, and India, and all sorts of things. She found a documentary on tigers and forced me and Jason to sit down and watch it with her.” She smiled a fond, motherly smile. “This last year, with her studies getting more serious, we’ve been concerned about Casey’s direction in life. She seemed so shiftless.”

  “I thought she wanted to get into graphic design.”

  Evelyn grimaced. “She gave up on that a week or so after you left. Now, she’s been talking about doing animal studies and maybe looking at a future in animal welfare, or something. I don’t know how permanent her interest is, but at least she’s giving it serious thought. That’s a good start, and I’m sure a lot of it has to do with the time she’s been spending with your new friend.”

  “That’s Leandra for you,” Ashley said. “She can be charming as hell when she wants to be.”

  “Yes, I see that.” Evelyn’s eyes narrowed as she leaned forward. “After all, she managed to charm her way past that chastity belt you’ve been wearing for the last two years, didn’t she?”

  Ashley’s eyes shot open. “Evelyn!”

  “What? It’s the truth.” Her sister smirked unrepentantly. “You haven’t had a date since the Dark Ages, Ash. I thought you were heading into the land of spinsterhood. Leandra deserves a medal for getting you back in the game.”

  “I wasn’t—she didn’t have to—what?” Ashley spluttered incoherently, while her sister grinned at her. Her cheeks grew hotter, and she took a deep breath as glared at Evelyn. “I had my priorities,” she stated primly.

  “Sure you did. Priorities that changed quick as a wink as soon as something interesting caught your eye.” Evelyn laughed. “I’m sorry, Ash, it’s hard not to tease. I mean, you can’t bring home Lady Tarzan and expect nothing from me.” She sat back in her seat and regarded Ashley more earnestly. “Seriously, I’m happy for you, sis. The last few years, it seemed like you’d stopped looking for someone to share things with. I didn’t want you to have to go through life all alone.” She smiled. “I guess it just took you a while to figure out what you were looking for, huh?”

  Ashley hesitated, wondering if she was being set up for more teasing. Seeing only sincerity in Evelyn’s face, she nodded. “I guess so,” she said quietly and chuckled. “Who could have guessed that what I was looking for would be hiding in the middle of the Indian jungle?”

  Evelyn laughed. “You never could do anything the easy way, Ash.”

  “Nope.”

  The two sisters laughed together for a few moments more, then Evelyn quieted and fixed Ashley with a sly expression. “So, seriously, what’s it like with her?”

  “What’s what like?”

  “You know.” Evelyn waggled her eyebrows suggestively. Ashley’s eyes widened as she interpreted her sister’s meaning, and her face burned scarlet.

  Evelyn grinned. “I bet she’s an animal, right?”

  Ashley tilted her nose up and assumed an air of modesty that was ruined by her blush. “I’m not telling you anything.”

  “Oh, come on! Your first foray into the world of Sapphic delights, and you’re not going to give me any details? That’s not fair, Ash! I’ve been a married mother for eighteen years. The least you can do is give me a few stories.”

  “If you want dirty stories, you can find them somewhere else,” Ashley said resolutely. “How Leandra and I express our love is none of your business.”

  Evelyn snorted. “Oh, don’t be such a prude,” she taunted. Ashley almost took the bait—her sister was well aware how much she hated any insinuation that she was some kind of straitlaced stick-in-the-mud—but stubbornly kept her lips locked tight. Evelyn gave her a poke in the ribs
and added, “You know you want to tell me about her, I can see it on your face. Come on, tell me all about it and make us both feel better.”

  “Uh uh. No way.”

  For nearly ten minutes, Ashley’s modesty kept her from giving up any intimate details, but eventually Evelyn managed to badger her into offering up a few small confessions. By the time Leandra joined them, they were huddled together giggling, and Ashley shot her sister a murderous look when Evelyn opened her mouth to say something. Though Leandra made no comment, it was obvious by her bemused smile that she had surmised the nature of their conversation, and Ashley offered her a sheepish shrug.

  Before they left, Ashley made sure to ask her brother-in-law if he would be able to set aside some time at his office to see Leandra. Her shoulder wound was still a constant source of pain, and Ashley wanted to find out if something could be done to repair the damage. Despite his busy schedule, Jason was happy to agree to an appointment and promised to call and arrange something for later the next week.

  Driving back along the winding road toward home, Ashley felt a good deal less stressed than she had that morning. “I actually think that went pretty well…right?”

  “Yeah, it did. Your parents didn’t seem too stand-offish.” Leandra gave her a grateful look. “I don’t know what you said to your mom, but whatever it was, it worked wonders. She was almost nice to me at the end.”

  “You noticed that, huh?”

  “Oh, very little escapes me.” Leandra’s eyes glittered playfully. She reached over and ran a finger lightly over Ashley’s thigh, causing her breath to catch loudly in her throat. “For example, I saw the way you and your sister were whispering together like a couple of schoolgirls, and the way you shut up as soon as I appeared.”

  Ashley flushed a little. “So?”

  “What were you talking about?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Uh huh.” Ashley knew her tone was thoroughly unconvincing, but Leandra just gave her a loving smile. “Did you reassure her that I’m the best lover you’ve ever had in your life?”

  Ashley almost missed a corner as she felt the heat of Leandra’s finger trace closer to the apex of her thighs. “Leandra!” She glared at her lover. “You’re going to make me have an accident.”

  Leandra pouted—an expression that seemed oddly adorable as it contrasted with the predatory gleam in her eyes—but moved her hand away. “I’m sorry.” She paused and adopted a meek, submissive tone. Blue eyes peered hopefully at Ashley. “I’ll behave if I can have a reward when we get back home.”

  Leandra’s uncharacteristic behavior was having an interesting effect on Ashley’s libido, and she was growing increasingly distracted. She glanced at her lover curiously, uncertain where she was going with this line of action, but more than willing to play along. “What kind of reward were you hoping for?”

  Leandra grinned, her teeth flashing in the lights of a passing car. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll think of something appropriate. You have a very creative mind.”

  Ashley’s smile turned roguish as a few decidedly X-rated images burned their way across her imagination. It took a conscious effort for her not to put her foot down harder on the accelerator as the need to get home became suddenly more urgent. The sound of Leandra’s purring reached her ears, and she flashed her lover a hungry glance. “I have a few ideas, if you’re up for it?”

  Leandra’s eyes narrowed. “Always.”

  The next morning, Leandra lay in bed beside a still-sleeping Ashley, as shafts of sunlight crawled across the room through the gaps in the vertical blinds. Outside, the birds had started their morning chorus in earnest, and Leandra listened intently to the lively sounds. The sensation of Ashley’s naked body pressed against her own was softly pleasant, and when she breathed deeply, Leandra could still catch the lingering scent of their lovemaking.

  She had been awake for about an hour now, lying silently and enjoying the peace of her surroundings. One arm was wrapped around Ashley, and her fingers combed softly through the long, golden hair in a soothing pattern. After four years of waking up before dawn so she could hunt animals as they watered at the streams, Leandra’s sleep pattern had been conditioned to an early start. Now that she didn’t need to hunt for her food anymore, she spent this time in quiet reflection, soaking up the presence of her lover and thinking about her life and her future.

  Coming back to civilization meant that all the energy Leandra had once spent just trying to survive now required a new outlet. She didn’t want to become fat and lazy in this new world, and she could see that happening very easily if she didn’t find something to keep herself active. She’d never been one to sit around idly, watching television or some such. Before, Leandra had invested the greatest part of her energy in hunting—both for animals and for new conquests in the bedroom. While the idea of spending the bulk of her time ravishing Ashley senseless had its appeal, Leandra knew she was going to have to find something else to do besides being a great lover. With true survivor instincts, she had adjusted quickly to her new environment, and now her thoughts turned to how she should face the future.

  Ashley stirred against her, one hand reaching out and unconsciously fondling Leandra’s left breast. Leandra smiled, feeling her lover’s breath tickle her sensitive skin. Waking with Ashley in her arms had become familiar, and she knew she’d never grow tired of it.

  “Are you awake?” asked a sleepy voice from against her side.

  Leandra glanced down and smiled at her adorably disheveled lover. “Yeah.”

  “Mmm.” Ashley yawned long and hard, then, seeming to notice where her hand was resting, she gave a final lingering caress and moved her wandering fingers to a more appropriate location on Leandra’s abdomen. Shifting slightly on the bed, Ashley molded her body more closely against Leandra’s. “You always wake up too early,” she mumbled sleepily.

  “It’s hard to break old habits.” Leandra was quiet for a long moment. “I need to get a job.”

  Ashley’s eyes opened wider, and she studied Leandra’s face curiously. “You what?”

  “I need a job,” Leandra repeated. “What your mom said last night was right. I need to start thinking about what comes next.”

  Ashley sat up in bed. “Are you sure you’re ready for that? This is a big transition for you, from jungle to civilization. I don’t want you thinking you have to rush things just because my mom made you feel guilty.”

  “I’m ready. I need this.” Leandra regarded Ashley seriously. “I’ve been thinking about it these past few days,” she said softly. “I’ve always needed to keep myself busy. I’ve always needed to define myself by my actions. When I was a poacher, I believed in pleasure, profit, and power. I buried myself in that world and hid from the death of my parents and the loss of my brother. I screwed people over without a care because it achieved what I wanted in life. Then, when I lived in the jungle, my beliefs changed. Out there, I believed in survival, atonement, and protecting my family. Hunting the poachers gave me a new reason to live, a new set of boundaries and rules that I understood and followed.” She sighed and shrugged. “Now, my life’s changed once more, and I feel lost. I need to figure out my place again.”

  Ashley listened attentively, then nodded slowly in understanding. “What do you believe in now?”

  Leandra thought for a moment, then said in a soft, serious tone, “I believe in us.” Her lips curved into a sensuous smile. “In our love.”

  Ashley returned the smile and planted a kiss on the nearest bit of Leandra’s skin she could reach. “What else?”

  “I don’t know.” After a moment of silent contemplation, she continued. “I still believe in atoning for all the things I did wrong. I want to continue the good I did in the jungle, protecting the animals I used to exploit.”

  “Well, there are lots of organizations that do that sort of stuff. You could get in touch with them. I’m sure they c
an always use another willing hand.”

  “Maybe.” Then Leandra shook her head. “Those types of organizations are spread out, aren’t they? I’d have to travel a lot.”

  “Perhaps, but I have to do a lot of traveling for my job. It’s not so bad.”

  “Yeah, but…” Leandra smiled shyly at her partner. “I was sort of hoping you’d let me tag along with you when you go off adventuring. I could be an assistant, or an advisor, or something. I know how to track animals and where to find them. I think I could be a big help to you.”

  Ashley’s eyes lit up. “That’d be perfect!”

  “That way, we wouldn’t have to spend so much time apart,” Leandra pointed out needlessly. “I mean, if you need some space, I’ll understand, but—”

  “No,” Ashley interrupted, shaking her head as she hugged Leandra close. “I’d really like that. And I’m sure I can convince my boss to let me take you on as an assistant, especially once he sees how helpful you can be.” Her expression turned serious. “But you can’t just want to follow me around all the time, Leandra. You need to pursue your own goals as well.”

  “I know.” Leandra was silent for a few minutes. “I was a poacher for most of my life. I spent four years living with tigers in the jungle. I understand how the hunters and smugglers operate, where they go, and when they go there. Surely someone can use that knowledge.”

  “I’m sure they could, but it’s up to you to make the first move. They can’t accept your help if they don’t know you’re willing to give it.”

  “How do I get in touch with them?”

  “You’ve forgotten that we’re living in the Information Age. Communication is as easy as pressing a few keys on a computer.”

  Leandra sat up a little straighter. “Oh?”

  “Yeah. It shouldn’t be too tough to find a suitable organization on the Internet, and you can send them an e-mail telling them who you are and how you can be of help to them.”