One Golden Summer

by Clare Lydon

  But Saffron just pulled her closer. “You’re beautiful, and that’s all that matters to me. Scratch that, you’re exquisite. I want to know you and everything about you.” Her tone was no-nonsense. She left Kirsty believing every single word.

  Saffron stripped Kirsty of her top and bra with consummate ease, marvelling at her breasts before turning Kirsty around and holding her.

  Kirsty was transfixed as Saffron’s hands caressed her from behind, Saffron’s mouth nuzzling her neck, her soul being coaxed by Saffron’s words.

  “I don’t want you to be shy around me. You’re spectacular. In fact, spectacular takes on a new meaning when I’m with you.”

  Saffron’s hands went south, just like Kirsty’s blood supply, all pumping down her body. When Saffron undid Kirsty’s trousers, she wondered if her legs would hold. When Saffron’s hand slipped into her pants and then lower still, she whispered again in Kirsty’s ear.

  “Spectacular.”

  Kirsty was so wet.

  They tumbled to the bed, Saffron ridding Kirsty of the rest of her clothes, along with her own. She kissed her way up her body, before rolling on top of her, making Kirsty groan.

  “You feel absolutely incredible.”

  Saffron kissed her neck in response. “So do you,” she rasped before crushing Kirsty’s mouth with her own.

  Kirsty’s vision went into romance mode, all fuzzy around the edges. She hadn’t expected this when she woke up that morning. To spend the evening with Saffron. To bump into Anna. To be propelled back here. To be naked in Saffron’s bed.

  Anna was another life, one Kirsty was well and truly done with. Now, right here in this bed, it might not only be Ginger rewriting her future. However, Kirsty wasn’t thinking long-term. There was no point. Right now, her future lasted till tomorrow morning. She was ready to jump in with both feet.

  Saffron was already in with both hands. One on her breast. The other travelling south.

  Kirsty breathed in pure desire as Saffron’s hand swept through her centre.

  “Fuck,” she said.

  Saffron kissed Kirsty’s lips before her fingers went back to what they were doing.

  “Like this?” Saffron started slow, slipping in, then out.

  Kirsty gasped. She was falling fast. “Yes,” was all she could manage. Her focus was elsewhere.

  “And this?” Saffron’s hands were all over and inside her, until Kirsty couldn’t even recall who she’d been before this all began.

  All the pillars of her life crumbled to dust, reduced to just this moment. The most important. The one she and Saffron were sharing.

  They began their own rhythm.

  Saffron pressing, sliding, kissing.

  Kirsty arching, thrusting, longing.

  The fire was lit, then the flames began to lick their way up through Kirsty as she writhed on Saffron’s sheets, pulling one corner of the fabric into her balled fist.

  Saffron was giving her all she had.

  Kirsty’s eyelids flickered open.

  Their gazes locked.

  Saffron changed her rhythm, making Kirsty gasp.

  She could feel it building, feel every muscle she had tightening to Saffron’s touch. Some moments later, the beautiful cacophony her body was playing reached an ultimate crescendo. Kirsty let herself fall into Saffron’s safe embrace, coming undone with some style as all the emotion and the pent-up desire of the past few weeks flooded out.

  Saffron held her tight, then kissed all the way down her body, breathing hard. When that hot breath landed next to Kirsty’s pussy, Kirsty purred. Before she had time to process, Saffron took her into her mouth and devoured her.

  Kirsty could do nothing but come again, then again. Fireworks burst in her heart. Every cell of her body lit up with pleasure.

  Saffron stopped only when Kirsty put a hand on her head.

  When Saffron looked up, her grin was pure bliss.

  Kirsty could hardly process anything, let alone speak.

  Once again, Saffron kissed her way up her body, then settled on top of her, pressing a thigh between Kirsty’s legs.

  Kirsty shuddered once more. “I could seriously get used to you.” She drank in the beautiful view.

  “That’s what I was hoping.” Saffron kissed her lips again. “I’ll tell you one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “We make terrible friends. But excellent lovers.”

  “No argument here.” Kirsty leaned in for another lingering, slow kiss. Her head spun. It was going to be one long, delicious night.

  Chapter 22

  The sound of the waves gently tugged Saffron from a peaceful slumber to nearly awake, where she knew it was early morning, but still wasn’t jazzed to open her eyes to greet the day.

  Especially not after last night, which had been mind-blowingly fantabulous, leaving Saffron brimming with hope and desire to be the person she so much wanted to be. Not the person her minders wanted, but her true self. If she could bottle this emotion, she would. Not to share, but to lean on when Saffron Oliver, Superstar needed to remember life could be bloody amazing, not the slog she’d been living through for what seemed like forever.

  Because as good as she felt right here and now, she worried—no feared—it wouldn’t last. How could she make a relationship with Kirsty in Sandy Cove work? Kirsty wasn’t the issue. Neither was the town. It was the movie career. This summer was the longest she stayed put in one place when not filming.

  What could she offer Kirsty? A day here. A weekend there. Always rushed and never long enough. How long until Kirsty demanded more? Or until Saffron wanted to give it up?

  An arm wrapped around Saffron, stilling her mind, and yanking her back into the moment.

  “Good morning,” Kirsty’s voice was laced with sleepiness, which was another fabulous reminder of the previous night.

  “Your first thing in the morning voice is pretty damn sexy.” Saffron rolled onto her side, propping her head up on bent elbow.

  “Right back at you.” Kirsty also rolled over to face Saffron. “Is this actually happening?”

  “I feel like you’re trying to trick me into saying something I shouldn’t. What do you mean by this?” Saffron ran a finger down the side of Kirsty’s face, admiring her striking cheekbones many in Hollywood would pay top-dollar for.

  “I’m waking up with you, who is literally Britain’s lesbian icon. No. The world’s. How many women have wanted this to happen to them? There’s no way this can be real, right? I’m dreaming. The past several weeks have all been one long and delightful hallucination and I’m about to crash back to reality.”

  All the doubts sloshing through Saffron’s mind fizzled while staring into those stunning grey eyes, right behind the adorable button nose. “Would it be okay if it were real?”

  Kirsty bolted upright, looking every bit as confused by her action as the situation.

  Saffron laughed, and pulled the startled woman on top of her. “You’re not going to get away that easily. Now that we’ve actually moved past the terrible friend zone, I’m not going to pretend last night didn’t happen. Or this.”

  Saffron kissed Kirsty on the tip of her nose, and then peppered her lips and face with soft and delicate smooches. “Every morning should be like this. I haven’t felt so alive and happy in—come to think of it, I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced euphoria like this.”

  Kirsty gazed down at Saffron. “Even if it is a dream, I’m determined not to get out of this bed.”

  Saffron flipped Kirsty onto her back and climbed on top of the woman, playfully holding her arms above her head. “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a sex slave.”

  “Have you now? It seems like a really bad time to break the news to me that you’re some type of sex monster.”

  “Why’s that?” Saffron’s gaze travelled down those toned arms, past Kirsty’s perfect face, and landed on the hollow of her throat before she leaned down to kiss it.

  “I’m not sure
I’ll fight you off. Even if that’s what you need to get turned on.” Kirsty jerked a hip into Saffron.

  “You. That’s what I need. Kirsty McBride and no one else.”

  “You make it sound like it’s so easy.” There was a tremor in her voice.

  “Can’t lie. It feels really easy at the moment.” Saffron kissed her again. And again. “I’ll never get my fill of you. Never.”

  “Now there’s a cheesy line.”

  “Mock me all you want, but I am being completely honest with you.” Saffron crossed her heart.

  “Really?” Kirsty squinted one eye, measuring up Saffron.

  Saffron nodded. “I can’t lie until I have at least one cup of coffee.”

  “Would it be wrong for me to take advantage of that?” Kirsty cupped Saffron’s bum.

  “By all means, have your way with me.”

  “Is it true that you have a script in the house you haven’t read?”

  Saffron’s eyes narrowed. “You tricked me with arse play.”

  “Now there’s something I’ve never been accused of before. Still waiting for an answer.” Kirsty tugged on her own earlobe.

  Crestfallen, Saffron grunted and asked, “That’s what you want to talk about right now?”

  “It’s been bouncing around in my head since Ginger told me.”

  “Ginger has a big mouth.” Saffron crinkled her brow.

  “Not the point.” Kirsty placed a finger on Saffron’s lips. “Hear me out, will you?”

  Saffron nodded, still not liking the turn of events.

  “One of the reasons I was adamant about this not happening was I couldn’t shake the idea that it’d only be for a fleeting second and then you’d have to leave.” Kirsty inhaled deeply. “Why haven’t you read the script?”

  “It’s the last thing I want to do.” I’d rather eat my own toenail clippings.

  “Read it or do it?”

  “Both.” Saffron rolled off Kirsty, and collapsed onto the bed with a thud.

  “Can you extrapolate on that?”

  Saffron laughed, sinking her head into the pillow. “Do you always talk so fancy when in bed with a woman?”

  “Not going to work. You’re not going to distract me with that killer smile of yours and incredible body.” Kirsty lifted up the sheet, swallowed, then let it fall back into place. “Use your words, big or small. Talk to me.”

  “It’s nothing, really. I’m just feeling burnt out. I’ve been acting since I was fifteen. All of my adult life. I need a break.” Saffron let her eyes close and took a deep breath.

  “Why’d you get into acting in the first place?”

  “I thought it’d make my parents happy. They always talked a big game about how important it was to be a star in one’s own life.” Saffron waved a hand in the air, indicating her name in lights. “They meant for them, though. When I actually became a bigger deal than my parents—let’s just say they changed their tune and fast.”

  “That must have hurt.” Kirsty’s comforting tone gave Saffron the impetus to continue, not shutdown.

  “It did, but I’m not sure I understood why I felt such a gaping hole inside. By the time I figured it out, they’d already died in the car crash. I was doing my thing. Ginger was doing her thing. And…”

  “What?”

  “I’m thirty-two and I’m learning that acting wasn’t ever my dream. Aside from making me loads of money, enough to live off of for the rest of my life, I actually hate it. All the people in my life outside of Sandy Cove just want something from me. They don’t know me and have no desire to change that, as long as I smile pretty for the cameras. So, yeah, I don’t want to read the script that’s been sitting on my kitchen counter since the day I arrived here.”

  “Can’t you quit?” Kirsty lay a soothing hand on Saffron’s chest.

  “And do what? Even though I have money, I can’t not work. I’d go mad. I’m an actor. I just need to accept that and—”

  “No. I don’t believe it’s as simple as that. You’re a creative, but there are other outlets.”

  Saffron pinched her eyes shut.

  “Don’t shut off. Listen to me.” Kirsty cupped both of Saffron’s cheeks. “Maybe you need to take a sabbatical. Open up a gallery here. You said last night you have an eye for art. I wholeheartedly agree. Your drawings are brilliant. Switching it up might just be the solution to your problem. And, I happen to know a shop right across from me is up for rent.”

  “An art gallery!” Saffron winced from her own shriek. “Having an eye for tossing some cushions on a sofa and being able to doodle on scrap paper doesn’t qualify me to open a gallery.” She took a deep breath. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I’m well aware I need to stay in my own lane. The acting one.”

  “That’s the safe way. Come on. You’re Saffron Oliver. You’ve jumped out of planes!” Kirsty bounced up and down on the mattress.

  “In movies, which I hate to break it to you, are all make believe. Besides, my stunt double does all the crazy shizzle.”

  “Just walking onto a movie set takes nerve. Don’t sell yourself short in the confidence category.” Kirsty gave a level with me expression. “What are you really afraid of?”

  “The same thing as every other sucker walking on this planet. Falling flat on my face.” Saffron slapped one hand hard into her other, the sound stinging her ears. “Mostly trust, though.”

  “In general…?” Kirsty waved for Saffron to fill in the blank.

  “In my abilities. In me. In you. In every part of my life.”

  Kirsty’s expression softened and she took Saffron’s hand, threading their fingers together. “You can trust me.”

  Saffron swept some hairs out of Kirsty’s eyes. “I do believe that.”

  They kissed. A long and lingering lip lock, neither of them making a move to end it.

  Right when Saffron started to explore Kirsty’s supple skin with her mouth, a buzzing sound ripped them apart. Saffron stared at her phone, wanting to take a hammer to it.

  “You don’t have to look at it.”

  “Wouldn’t that be nice.” Saffron still had her eyes on the device that kept her tethered to the life she wanted to leave in her past to focus on the present. “But Ginger said she might pop by this morning and it’d be rude to ignore my sister.” She swept it into her hand, groaning when the text appeared on her home screen. Saffron bolted off the bed, pacing to the large window overlooking the sea, then flipped around and strode to the other side of the room.

  “I know what that signifies.” Kirsty pointed to Saffron. “It’s from your agent.”

  “Bingo!” Saffron ground a fist into her palm.

  “This only reinforces my belief you need a break from making movies. One text sends you over a cliff.” Kirsty sat up in bed, tugging the covers to keep her hidden. “What does she want?”

  “A meeting in London.” Saffron raked a hand through her hair. “Apparently I can’t miss it. Something about there being a clause in my contract with Pearl.”

  “When?”

  “Tomorrow afternoon, but I think I need to go today to meet with my lawyer about this clause I’ve never heard of.” Saffron spun around, heading back towards the water, away from Kirsty’s disappointment.

  “But the party’s only a few days away.”

  “I know.” Saffron made her way back to Kirsty and sat on the edge of the bed. “I’ll only be gone one night. Two at the most. I won’t miss Ginger’s party. Not after pulling a no-show for her wedding.”

  “Why’s this meeting so important?”

  “It’s about the Girl Racer franchise.” Saffron gestured la-di-da.

  “Will Echo Black be there?”

  “Yes. Not only is she my co-star, but one of the producers.”

  Kirsty started to get out of bed.

  “Please, don’t.” Saffron reached for Kirsty.

  Kirsty stopped, but her stiffening body didn’t put Saffron at ease. The exact opposite, really.

&nb
sp; “It’s not like I want to see Echo. Between us, I can’t stand her any more than you.”

  “Then don’t go,” Kirsty pleaded.

  “I don’t have a choice.” Saffron smothered her face with her hands.

  “There’s always a choice.”

  “Not when it comes to Pearl and Girl Racer. There are millions of dollars at stake. Not just my pay, but for the studio. They’ll do everything to wreck my career if I don’t cave and sign on for the next one.” Saffron wanted to rest her head on Kirsty’s shoulder in the hope of making everything go away, so Saffron could live the life she wanted.

  “Let them.” Kirsty gripped each of Saffron’s shoulders and spoke with confidence. “We were just talking about you starting over. Finding work that makes you happy.”

  “It’s something to talk about, but doing it, that’s entirely another matter.” Saffron leaned into Kirsty. “Trust me. I’ll make it back in time for the party. I’m not going to let down my sister or you. Please, believe in me.”

  Because Saffron needed one of them to.

  Chapter 23

  The light coming through her window woke Kirsty earlier than she wanted. When she opened her eyes, Saffron wasn’t beside her. She’d only experienced sleeping together once, but she hoped it would happen again. Yesterday’s plans had been cruelly cut short when Saffron was summoned by her agent.

  Kirsty ground her teeth. Saffron had told her the meeting wasn’t optional, but it did nothing to quell Kirsty’s nerves. She’d slept with Saffron, and then Saffron had driven to London for a meeting with her agent and Echo Black. As beginnings went, it was as far from Hollywood as Kirsty could imagine.

  She put her feet on the ground and padded over to her window, drawing back the curtains. The light marched in. It was another gorgeous day in a summer that hadn’t stopped shining for the past two months. Up until yesterday, Kirsty had thought the weather knew something she didn’t. That the spring in its step mirrored her own.

  Now though, she wasn’t so sure. She walked to the kitchen and flicked on the kettle. Saffron had said all the right things, reassuring Kirsty it was just business. Kirsty wanted to believe Saffron, but her heart had been down similar paths before. It knew the previous outcome and the odds of it working out. Her heart was in self-preservation mode.