Yearning Absolution (Yearning Series)

by Rachael Orman

  “You just sit and enjoy. Watch the wonderful singer on stage.” McKayla nodded in that direction, but Gwen paid no attention, kissing lightly down McKayla’s neck. McKayla moved her hand to rest on Gwen’s knee, making her uncross her legs while the other hand slide along the back of the booth to rest on Gwen’s shoulder.

  “Can I get you something to drink or eat?” Their server approached the table, interrupting them.

  “A couple glasses of Chardonnay would be great.” McKayla spoke while Gwen laughed softly into her neck. The server moved off to get their drinks, not phased at all by them.

  “Didn’t take long to get carried away. Guess it’s been a while since we’ve been out.” Gwen laughed again. McKayla just winked at her and kept her hand on Gwen’s knee.

  Their drinks were delivered a few moments later. A young man entered the stage as the woman finished her set. He had a deep voice that was accompanied by someone on the piano.

  “I like this song.” McKayla bent her head to speak softly into Gwen’s ear. Her tongue flicked out and tracked the outer edge of Gwen’s ear. McKayla’s hand was slowly sliding up Gwen’s inner thigh. Gwen separated her legs just barely. “Good girl. You enjoy the deep sexy sound of his voice.”

  Gwen bit her bottom lip when McKayla’s finger brushed against her damp panties. Her fingers pressed against Gwen, sliding up and down against the material. Her fingers slipped under the thin material as McKayla nibbled on Gwen’s ear. Her fingers slid against Gwen’s slick folds, quickly finding Gwen’s clit and gently circling it.

  “That feel good?” McKayla spoke right against Gwen’s ear just as she pressed a finger into Gwen. Gwen rolled her head back against the back of the booth and lifted her hips against McKayla’s finger as it moved slowly in and out of her.

  “Yes.” Gwen whispered softly. McKayla’s fingers slid in and out in with the slow beat of the music. McKayla tilted her head and planted a kiss on Gwen’s lips. Her soft lips moved against Gwen’s before her tongue glided along Gwen’s slightly parted lips. McKayla’s thumb pressed down, circling Gwen’s clit as her fingers continued to slide in and out.

  “Mmm, I think I really like this place. Right here.” McKayla murmured as another finger entered Gwen. McKayla motioned her fingers up against the front wall inside of Gwen.

  “Oh shit.” Gwen moaned softly. She was so close to the edge already. McKayla’s fingers continued to slide in and out, pressing up against her G spot.

  “Yeah, baby. Come right here in this crowded room. All these people can see you but have no idea that you are so wet and my fingers are deep in that tight pussy.” McKayla spoke with her lips just barely brushing Gwen’s. McKayla closed the distance to press her lips to Gwen’s. Gwen reached up and clasped both sides of McKayla’s face as her hips were moving in time to McKayla’s fingers. Just as McKayla’s tongue slid into Gwen’s mouth, Gwen fell over the cliff and her orgasm washed through her. She let her moan out into McKayla’s mouth as pure ecstasy flitted through her body.

  “Now I think I can say this just might be my favorite place to come.” McKayla smiled, pulling back from Gwen’s body. She picked up her glass of wine with one hand and picked up her napkin with the other. “How’s the wine?”

  “I’ll tell you when I can feel my hands again and can pick up my glass.” Gwen had her head leaned back against the booth with a small smile on her lips.

  “Well, I’ll tell you. It’s not half as good as you taste.” McKayla spoke with the glass nearly to her lips. McKayla brought one of her fingers that she’d used on Gwen to her mouth and sucked on it.

  Gwen took a deep breath and reached for her glass. She brought the cool liquid to her lips and took a small swallow. What a great date this was turning out to be.

  “Shhhh.” Gwen laughed loudly as her and McKayla stumbled out of the elevator into Cole’s apartment. They were holding onto each other laughing as they stumbled from one wall to the other down the hallway. Cole’s door opened and he stood in just a pair of sleep pants with an amused look on his face.

  “Have a bit to drink tonight ladies?” Cole couldn’t help but smile at them.

  “I only had two beers officer.” McKayla managed before giggling again. “I swear.”

  “Two beers? Right.” Cole laughed.

  “Now if you were an officer, I just might have to do something to get arrested. Then you could strip search me.” Gwen laughed as McKayla stumbled against the other wall.

  “I’ll have to look into that.” Cole shook his head slightly. “Do you two need help getting to your room?”

  “I think we can manage. We were trying to be quiet and not wake you.” Gwen leaned into him. She pressed a wet kiss against his lips, or more like his cheek since her aim was a bit off.

  “I thought I had burglars or a bull in the hall.” Cole steadied Gwen with a hand on her shoulder. “Now let’s get you to bed so you aren’t both hung over in the morning.”

  Cole walked with both of them to McKayla’s room before telling them both to get ready for bed. He retreated to the kitchen to get a couple aspirin and a glass of water for them. Upon returning to the room he found Gwen using the bathroom and McKayla laying on her back still fully clothed.

  “Come on. Here you go. Take these.” Cole helped McKayla sit up and take two of the aspirin with a few sips of water to chase them. He took off her heels and set them next to the bed. Then he helped McKayla take off her dress and put on a large shirt. Cole held up the covers for her. “That should be much more comfortable to sleep in.”

  “Thanks.” McKayla murmured as she curled up in the bed. Gwen exited the bathroom, holding the wall for support. He helped her get ready for bed along with taking the two aspirin he’d brought for her as well.

  “Sleep well ladies.” Cole turned out the light and left the door cracked before returning to his room.

  Chapter 9

  Over the next couple of weeks things fell into an easy pattern. Gwen and Cole worked and on the weekend Gwen would spend a whole day with McKayla.

  One night after work, Cole and Gwen were sitting at the dining room table discussing work. There were papers spread all over the table. They had all eaten the meal that Alina had cooked before pulling out work papers. McKayla had slipped away after she finished her meal. After an hour passed and Gwen hadn’t come to find her or text her. McKayla walked back into the dining room and stood in the doorway with arms crossed over her chest. It took almost ten minutes before Gwen looked up at her.

  “What are you doing?” Gwen asked with confusion wrinkling her brow, but a smile tugged at her lips.

  “Just wondering if you even knew I was even here during the week.” McKayla spoke without moving. At her words, Cole’s head lifted and he looked at her then Gwen.

  “Why don’t you go and take the rest of the night off? I can finish the last details here.” Cole told Gwen.

  Gwen stood and walked over to McKayla. She wrapped her arms around McKayla’s waist. “Baby, we are almost done here and then I’ll come find you.”

  “Fine. Whatever.” McKayla said as she rolled her eyes. Gwen gave her a kiss and returned to the table and McKayla went back to her room.

  Two hours later, Gwen knocked softly on the door before pushing it open to McKayla’s room. McKayla was leaning back against the headboard with her laptop resting on her legs.

  “McKayla? What is going on?” Gwen walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

  “Nothing. I feel like I never get to see you anymore. Even after work, you are spending all your time with Cole.” McKayla closed her laptop and set it aside. “I feel forgotten.”

  “I spend at least one full day a week with you. And we are working. If we weren’t here working here we’d be at the office. I don’t want you to feel left out, that’s not the intention at all. There is just so much to get done.” Gwen scooted closer. “I’m not trying to ignore you. This is just an adjustment for me working a new job and having my boss here to bounce my ideas off as I’m worki
ng is convenient. I just need to work on the balance. I’ll try to not bring so much work home so I can spend more time with you. Okay?”

  “Okay.” McKayla smiled a bit. Gwen moved so she could snuggle up to her. She draped her arm over McKayla’s waist and closed her eyes. She was fast asleep a moment later.

  A few days later, Gwen came in from work to find a bouquet of flowers sitting in the kitchen. Alina was at the stove cooking. She looked over at Gwen then gestured to the flowers. Gwen set her purse and keys down on the counter.

  “Those are for you, Ms. Gwen.” Alina said with her heavy Russian accent.

  “Hm. Thank you. Do you know who they are from?” Gwen asked as she look a sniff of the beautiful wildflower arrangement. She noticed a little white envelope shoved down in the flowers. She pulled it out. “Nevermind. There is a card.”

  She moved to sit at the breakfast bar as she opened it. The note inside said ‘Not half as beautiful as you.’ There was no name signed so she figured it was probably Cole who’d sent them to her by the masculine handwriting. She tucked the card into her purse before heading down the hall to McKayla’s room. She had left work early because she was so tired she couldn’t keep her eyes open. She changed into a baggy shirt and yoga pants before curling up in the bed. She hugged McKayla’s pillow and took a deep breath. The pillow smelled just like McKayla. Feeling relaxed, she fell asleep.

  When she opened her eyes, the room was dark. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. Carefully standing up, she stretched her arms over her head. Gwen walked back to the living room in hopes of finding someone home. Cole was walking through the living room with his phone pressed to his ear. As soon as he saw her, he said he had to go and hung up the phone.

  “How are you feeling?” Cole asked walking to her. He pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back. She had sent him a text saying she was leaving early because she wasn’t feeling well.

  “Fine. I don’t know why but I am so freaking tired. My body aches. I really hope I’m not coming down with something. I really don’t want you to see me sick.” Gwen laughed softly. “Sick is so not attractive.”

  “Well, let’s get you back into bed. Sleep always helps.” Cole bent and placed his arm behind her knees. He picked her up and carried her to his room. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and rested her head on his shoulder.

  He took her to his massive bed and set her down in the middle of the bed. After pulling the covers over her, he brushed the hair from her face. Cole leaned down and kissed her forehead softly. “You let me know if you need anything, okay? I have to some work to do.”

  Gwen was asleep before he even left the room.

  In the morning, Gwen got up, showered and pulled on a silk robe before padding out to the kitchen. She poured a glass of orange juice and swallowed the whole glass in a few gulps. Horribly thirsty but otherwise she was feeling not quite as tired. Alina walked in just as Gwen was setting the glass on the counter.

  “Ms. Gwen, good morning.” She reached under the counter and pulled out a skillet. “Are you hungry?”

  “No, thank you. I think I’m just going to go get ready for work. I have to make up some time from leaving early yesterday.” Gwen put her glass in the sink before quietly going to the closet in Cole’s room. She pulled on a simple plain black knit dress that fell to the floor and a pair of 3 inch heels. She left her hair down since it was still wet. Cole was sitting up in the bed when she stepped out of the closet. He instantly smiled at her.

  “Well, I see someone is feeling better this morning.” Cole said as Gwen walked over to him.

  “Yes, much better. I’m going into work early since I left early. I want to stay on track.” Gwen leaned over and kissed him on the lips softly. “I’ll see you later.”

  “If you wait, I’ll get ready quickly and come with you.”

  “No, take your time. I don’t mind. I’ll just take the subway in.” Gwen tucked her hair behind her ear as she stood back up.

  “No. Take the car. I will just wait until Doug comes back to take me in.” Cole slipped out of the bed and pulled her into a hug. She rested her nose in his neck, breathing him in for a moment.

  “Ok, fine.” Gwen pulled back and kissed him again before leaving the room.

  Chapter 10

  That evening when Cole and Gwen arrived home from work. McKayla was sitting in the living room.

  “Hi!” Gwen plopped down on the couch next to her. “Whatcha watching?”

  “I don’t know. It’s just on. I have been thinking more than watching it.” McKayla said turning to face Gwen. Her unhappy face told Gwen this wasn’t going to be a good conversation.

  “What are you thinking about?” Gwen reached over and took her hand.

  “Are you happy being with me?” McKayla’s eyes locked with Gwen’s.

  “Of course. Why would you even ask that? This isn’t about me spending more time with Cole than you, is it? I thought we put that to rest the other day.” Gwen took a deep breath. This is what she feared when she started dating Cole. Having one person get jealous of the other.

  “Well, it’s true. He bought you a huge bouquet of flowers. You are sleeping in his room pretty much every night now. I didn’t even see you yesterday or this morning.” McKayla shrugged. “How am I supposed to feel?”

  “Don’t get jealous over the flowers. They are beautiful and we can all enjoy them. And yesterday I was sick. I left early from work. I came home and slept in your bed. When I got up Cole put me back to bed in his bed because I still wasn’t feeling good. I left early this morning to catchup up at work.” Gwen tried to explain. She had sent text messages to McKayla but apparently that wasn’t enough. She’d never seen McKayla be jealous before and didn’t know how to handle it. “See, I came to your room first. You were gone working, but I was still there sleeping with your scent.”

  “What do you say about getting away for a week? I have to go on a shoot for a week in Florida. I leave next week.” McKayla asked rubbing her hand over Gwen’s thigh. She wasn’t used to this feeling but she felt like Gwen was pulling away from her. It had her mind freaking out and she was trying to push it back.

  “I will see what I can do. I’m really busy since this is my first project and I want to make sure everything goes as planned. But I will see if I can get ahead enough at work to take a few days off. I don’t think I can get the whole week off, but I’ll see what I can do.” Gwen tried to appease her but she really didn’t see how she would be able to get even a day off with as swamped as she was.

  “Sure.” McKayla scoffed. “I bet you’ll like me being gone.”

  “That’s silly. I love you. I love having you around and being with you. Just because I can’t escape from work doesn’t change that.” Gwen frowned. She didn’t want to fight with McKayla over this. “I promise I will do my best to be able to get away.”

  The next week flew by. Gwen had tried but was unable to get ahead enough for any time off. So she slept every night in McKayla’s room, knowing that she was going to have a whole week with just her and Cole.

  Gwen sat on the center of McKayla’s bed watching as she tried to decide what to wear.

  “You going to miss me while I’m gone?” McKayla said looking over her shoulder at Gwen.

  “Of course. Don’t be ridiculous.” Gwen rolled her eyes. McKayla had been making these kinds of comments all week. It was getting old. Gwen had done everything she could to show McKayla that she was here just as much as she used to be. The day before Gwen had stayed later at work because she just didn’t want to come home to deal with McKayla making her constantly reassure her of their relationship. It was exhausting. The week she was going to be gone was going to be a nice break for Gwen.

  “Be sure text me every day okay?” McKayla said finally slipping on a pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt. “I don’t want you to forget about me.”

  “I can’t forget about you. You are just being crazy lately.” Gwen sighed. She didn’t know what had caused this change in M
cKayla, but she was ready for it to change back.

  “Oh so I’m crazy now?” McKayla scoffed at her. “Thanks.”

  “That’s not what I meant and you know it.” Gwen stood from the bed and walked over to her. She cupped McKayla’s face with her hands. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m just as in love with you as I have ever been. Just because Cole is in our life, doesn’t mean we can’t still be happy. We talked about this before. You said you wouldn’t get jealous. There is no reason to be.”

  “I know. It’s hard seeing you with him sometimes.” McKayla sighed. She rested her hands on Gwen’s hips. “I’m so used to having you all to myself.”

  “I’m still here for you. Anytime you need me. You can spend time with Cole and me. It doesn’t always have to be me and you or me and Cole.” Gwen pulled her into a tight hug.

  “I know. I know.” McKayla hugged her tightly back.

  “Well, let’s get you off to the airport so you aren’t late.” Gwen pulled back and laid a kiss on her lips.

  “What are your plans for Friday night?” Cole asked as he and Gwen rode to work the next morning.

  “Nothing. I don’t think I have any plans.” Gwen tried to think but nothing came to mind. McKayla would be out of town until Saturday night. “Why? What are you thinking?”

  “I have a black tie event that I need to make an appearance at on Friday.” Cole said. It wasn’t the first one that had come up since she had moved in with him.

  “Ok. That’s fine. I’ll just spend the evening at the apartment. There is always more work to be done.” Gwen gave him a smile. It’s what she always did when he went to events. He never took a date to any event as far as she knew, even before she was in his life.

  “Actually, I was hoping you would come with me.” Cole brought the hand his fingers were laced with up to his lips. It was how they made the drive to work every day. Even if he took phone calls or had other work to do, he always held her hand the entire car ride to and from work.