by H P Tune
Mia bowed her head and pressed an open mouth onto Juliet’s shoulder. “Whoa,” Mia gasped. “You’re…you’re too hot.” She began sucking at Juliet’s skin.
Juliet moaned in response. “You really do want me to beg, huh?” she whimpered, her words coming out completely unfiltered. In this moment, she would do anything for the woman behind her; absolutely anything. “Faster,” she whispered, yet Mia didn’t alter her pace. “Faster, please?” The pace changed momentarily and Juliet felt her stomach start to tingle. “Fuck, Mia,” she said and stroked Mia’s clitoris. “Please.”
Only a handful of seconds later, Mia gave a moan before her teeth dug into Juliet’s shoulder and her body vibrated as she finally came in a tumbling of rapid jerks against Juliet’s hand, fluid dripping between her thighs and onto the bed. “God!”
Juliet followed quickly, just as Mia seemed to be riding the final moments of her own peak. She reached between her legs to firmly hold Mia’s hand in place, shuddering in a series of climactic waves. The two of them trembled in fits and jolts for nearly a minute, their hands still firmly in place. Mia finally giggled, and Juliet dropped her hand away.
“Best wake-up ever.” Mia pressed a series of feather-light kisses to Juliet’s shoulder, then blew at the mark. “Sorry. I don’t think I broke skin.”
“Oh,” Juliet said, glancing over her shoulder at the redness. “I didn’t even notice.” She snuggled back into Mia, entwining their fingers where Mia still had one hand at Juliet’s chest. “Really,” she insisted.
Mia slowly removed her fingers from Juliet’s folds, slipping them out from under her panties and running her palm slowly up and down her thigh. “That was completely unexpected,” she said, kissing her way up Juliet’s shoulder, “in the best possible way.”
Juliet smiled. “Good.” A wave of relief hit her. They were compatible in another area of their life, comfortable with each other and able to please each other in the bedroom. It wasn’t the most important thing, but it was still significant. Juliet really didn’t believe that a relationship could work without mutually gratifying sex. And it wasn’t necessarily about skill, though that helped. It was about not being completely guarded or, at least, not holding back. She’d had good sex, great sex, even—hours long and with strangers—but it didn’t go close to the brief thirty minutes she had just spent with Mia.
Of course, for a relationship to work, they would also need to share similar ideas about the future. Juliet shuddered and pushed the thought away. It was still too early for that conversation.
“Cold?” Mia asked.
“No. I’m all good.” Juliet moved her neck and a crack sounded from each side.
“Mmmm,” Mia said. “Good, ’cause I want to stay right here with you.”
“Me too.” They fell into silence, and Mia dragged lazy fingers over Juliet’s leg and stomach, tracing patterns. She kissed over her shoulder and up her neck, dipping behind the messy blonde hair. Juliet smiled and turned, laughing at the mischievous expression on Mia’s face. “Hey, Mia,” she said softly, and Mia’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry about last night.”
“Shhhh, it’s okay. I’m sorry I snapped too.”
“No, no, it was all me. I’m a little complicated.”
“Complicated can wait for later in the morning. We haven’t done slow and sensual yet.” Mia’s hand slipped back beneath Juliet’s shoulder and between her breasts.
“That’s true.”
“Because I really want to do slow.” Mia said as her fingers lightly traced the swell of Juliet’s breast in wide loose circles. “Is that okay with you?”
Juliet grinned. “That’s totally okay with me.”
Yes, complicated could definitely wait until later.
CHAPTER 17
Pushing the door to the office open, Mia balanced a steaming cup of coffee and a small plate in one hand. She had spent the morning in the kitchen with Janet, talking and cooking whilst Juliet continued to write. Juliet had disappeared with her laptop for almost a week, barely emerging, and when she did, she looked nothing short of amusingly eccentric.
Mia was respectful, not intruding on Juliet’s space, yet ensuring she drank water and continued to eat. She could imagine Juliet fading away for months on end and emerging, text complete but a shell of who she was before she started.
When she stepped inside the office, the image that greeted Mia was similar to that she had found each day before—blonde hair matted over rounded shoulders, back hunched over the small laptop. Truth be told, the computer was a little archaic, and Mia had some secret plans to give Juliet a gift of a new one; it was her birthday coming up. Although Juliet’s face had scowled at the acknowledgement. She would be thirty in a couple of weeks, another milestone that Juliet wanted to forget and yet another reason to celebrate, in Mia’s opinion.
“Just your coffee delivery,” Mia announced softly, resting the items on a table behind Juliet. She placed an open palm between her shoulder blades and Juliet glanced up, eyes slightly bloodshot and glazed from staring at the screen. Mia wasn’t sure how she did it. The mere thought of focussing on a computer all day made her twitch. She much preferred to be outside or at the very least, moving around. She was a little attention-deficit perhaps. “You know, you may actually become one with that computer one day.”
“Oh hey,” Juliet said, face forming a wide smile. “Where did you come from?”
Mia laughed. “I teleported in, and you missed it all.” She leant down and pressed her lips to Juliet’s cheek, grinning when Juliet grabbed her by the collar and demanded a more passionate kiss. “And for that,” Mia said, “you get a brilliant coffee.”
“Not just a coffee, but a brilliant coffee? And hey, I have very good awareness that this computer is an inanimate object, and I’m not planning on becoming it.”
“Ah-huh, whatever you say. The coffee though—I’ve been practising on the espresso machine. So far, I’ve mastered the milk frothing, but my espresso shots are still being worked on. They’re a bit hit and miss.”
“As long as it has caffeine in it, I’ll be incredibly happy.”
“Oh, it definitely does, a double-shot, in fact. I thought you could do with a decent cup.” Mia placed the mug and plate next to Juliet’s laptop. “And Janet has been doing some baking, so you have a selection: there’s a caramel slice and a stereotypical British scone that is to die for. That’s a strawberry conserve that Janet’s daughter made, and those little chocolate things are homemade fruit and nut creations. They’re made with Swiss chocolate, pretty good.” She picked up a small jagged piece of broken chocolate and popped it into Juliet’s mouth, standing up straight and smoothing Juliet’s hair down.
“Mmm.” Juliet chewed as she nodded. She leant her head back so that it rested on Mia’s stomach, casting her eyes up. “While you’re there…” she said with a stretch of her neck.
“Oh, so I bring you coffee and food, and you still demand a massage?”
“I’ll repay the favour,” Juliet replied with an innocent smile.
Mia laughed again. “Okay.” Her thumbs kneaded the muscles leading to the base of Juliet’s skull. “Writing going well?”
“Yup, I’m almost halfway, and it’s actually going okay. I love this space of completely submerging myself. I’m always the most productive when I’m like this.”
“Again, any hints for me on themes?”
“Umm. Not really, I’m starting to think that there is more of me in this one than the last, which is always a scary thought.”
“Eeeek. Does that mean ‘us’ or just you?” It concerned her a little how Juliet seemed to do more of her thinking through her writing than actually sharing with her. Or anyone really. Mia wondered if there were things about both of them in there; things that Juliet couldn’t bring up and discuss openly.
“Oh, all me. You’re clearly perfect, useless for a character.”
Mia pressed her thumbs harder into Juliet’s shoulders, working at relaxing the tight
muscles. “Not exactly,” she said.
“That feels amazing.” Mia didn’t miss how she had successfully steered the conversation away, though, as Juliet closed her eyes and took a large bite of caramel slice, gooey filling dripping down the side of her mouth and lower lip.
“You’re making a mess.” She crouched down beside Juliet. While keeping one hand working at her neck, she kissed the side of her mouth.
“Well, it should be enjoyed, right? Anyway, what have you been up to today? Been out riding?”
“Hmmm, I should have, but the weather isn’t great out there. There’s been another dusting of snow, but it’s meant to clear up over the next few days, so I’ll go out then. You should come out with me…”
Juliet laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure the free summer ‘Kids in the Military’ activities, which included an entire summer of riding lessons when I was eight, are really going to hold me up well out in the snow. ”
“You’d be surprised. I hadn’t ridden for years, but it all came back to me. It’s like riding a bike, and honestly, the weather is meant to clear up, so some of the snow might start melting, particularly if it warms up a little. I could take you on a nice easy trail.”
“I’ll think about it,” Juliet said. “So, if no riding, have you been helping bake?”
“I have. Janet has been introducing me to the concept of tray bakes. I’m not sure if I’m a help or a hindrance, but she’s been tolerating me well.” They both laughed, and as Mia stood, Juliet wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed her cheek against her stomach in a tight hug. Mia smoothed her hair and sighed. “If I run you a bath tonight, will you soak in it?”
“Hmmm, I could be convinced.” An embarrassed look crossed her face. “Oh, do I smell? Have I not showered? I swear I have…Oh, maybe my hair needs washing. It’s not good, huh? This is what happens when I’m in the writing zone.”
“It’s not so bad…A little in need of a shampoo, perhaps, but I was thinking more that your neck is so tense that a hot soak in the tub would do you good.”
“And I might smell a little better, always a good bonus.” She lifted her arm to give a slight whiff, smiling as she screwed her nose up.
“On the plus side, there’s a range of bath oils that you can choose from.”
“You can choose for me. I don’t mind.”
“And,” Mia began slowly, “I was kind of wondering if I could talk something through with you. I know you’re busy with writing and things, but yeah, I just thought maybe we could talk tonight.”
Visible panic flashed across Juliet’s expression. “Have I missed something?” she hastily asked. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, yeah, of course. I’m fine.”
“Umm okay, sure. I mean, yeah. Are we not okay?”
“Hey,” Mia said, crouching back down again. Pressing her cheek to Juliet’s, she kissed her ear. “We’re fine. I didn’t mean to worry you. It’s not bad, I promise.”
Juliet audibly exhaled, though her forehead remained creased and tense. “Okay.”
“I’m sorry,” Mia said. “You stress too much, you know that? Which is weird, given how carefree you are about travel. Why do you worry about everything else so much?”
Juliet shrugged. “Travel is easy. Nothing is really that disastrous.” She paused. “Except I wouldn’t really recommend being assaulted in a foreign country.”
“I guess.” But Mia couldn’t ever imagine being as free as Juliet when it came to travel. Other things, yes, but that particular kind of one-way-ticket style travel, not likely.
“I just wish you didn’t get that stressed look on your face when I say something like that.” Mia said. “I don’t want to make you stressed. I want you to be relaxed.”
“I am. You make me relaxed,” Juliet said, raising an open palm to Mia’s cheek. She kissed her lips. “You really do. You see this document?” She pointed to her screen, and Mia nodded. “Can you read what page I’m on?”
Squinting, Mia tilted her face closer to the screen. “Ah, yeah. Is that one hundred and fifty?”
“Yep.”
“Is that good?”
“Yep, that’s good. That’s a hundred and fifty pages of awesome, which was about twenty pages of crap before I came here. Thanks to you.”
“I help?”
“You do.” Juliet stifled a sudden yawn. “And you bring me coffee, and that makes you more than helpful. That makes you my saviour, in fact. My editor may want to shower you in kisses when this is finally freakin’ published.”
“I would probably rather you shower me in kisses.”
“I think that could be arranged. If you play your cards right and keep making coffee like this.”
“You’re gorgeous,” Mia declared, hoisting herself back to her feet by the back of Juliet’s chair. She gave Juliet’s neck and shoulders a final squeeze before stepping back. “I’ll give you a couple more hours and then come and interrupt you for a bath and dinner, okay?”
Juliet nodded. “And to talk,” she said. Mia nodded, smiling.
“And it’s nothing to worry about. Okay?”
“Okay. Thanks for sorting dinner.”
“You’re welcome. Although I can’t take full credit. I’ll let Janet know too.”
Juliet grinned and turned back to her laptop as Mia slipped out the door, pulling it closed behind her.
* * *
In the corner of Mia’s bathroom was a large triangular-shaped spa, though Juliet had adamantly declined the powerful jets, preferring to soak gently. Bubbles gathered on the surface of the water and just Juliet’s head and the tops of her shoulders peeked through. She had initially gathered her hair in a loose tie, but now the strands lay wet over her neck. They were still dry, though, at the top of her head and around her face.
“How’s the relaxation level going?” Mia eased her way through the door with two glasses of champagne.
“Mmm, exceptionally,” Juliet said, smiling as she opened one eye.
“Here you go. It’s always better with a drink.”
“Thanks,” she agreed, reaching a wet hand up to take the glass, water lapping under her arm.
“You look much more relaxed than earlier.”
“Are you joining me?” Juliet asked, looking Mia up and down. She could admire Mia’s body for hours.
“I was just going to sit here, actually, let you have all the space to yourself,” Mia said. “And this way I can refill our glasses.”
“Oh.” Juliet looked away. “Sure. Well, you’re welcome to come in if you feel like it.” Her fingers splashed restlessly in the bath water as the determined mantra in her mind reminded her that it was far easier to run then to let someone hurt her. Breaking a habit that had developed over a lifetime was more difficult than she ever imagined. More difficult than she had portrayed in her book, that was for certain.
“I like watching you when you’re all calm, you know,” Mia said softly, perching herself on a leather stool that was backed against the wall.
If only you knew, Juliet thought. When Mia dangled her fingers over the edge and into the spa, Juliet could feel her fingers tap at her calves.
“On second thought,” Mia added, “that makes me sound strange.” Her tone made it sound like a joke, but she was looking at Juliet intently, focussed and unwavering. Juliet coughed and squirmed under the concentration, but she remained silent. “Did you get some more writing done after your coffee?”
Juliet nodded. “Yeah, yeah I did. I’ve had no problems getting stuff written, it’s good. Really good.”
“How long until you think you’ll be finished?”
Shrugging, Juliet sighed and placed her glass on the corner of the tub, making a light clinking sound against the marble. “Technically, I could have it finished in maybe two months. But I don’t have the ending sorted at all. I thought I did, but the further I get into it, the more I develop the characters, the less sure I am.” She bit her tongue. “So it might never get finished, and even if it does, there’s
a hundred back-and-forths from my editor.”
“Can I ask again for hints what it’s about?”
“You can,” Juliet said with a coy grin, not elaborating and giving herself a little time to articulate what she was writing about without actually disclosing it. It was an art she had developed quite well over the years.
“Sooooooo…” Mia ran the tips of her fingers through the water, just breaking the surface and creating swirls in the bubbles. “I’m only kidding. You don’t have to tell me. I can always read it when you publish it.”
Juliet laughed. “So true. Hmmm, how can I explain it? I suppose it’s about trying to lose the façade. The main character, she’s this person that she created. It’s not someone she was born to be. A lot of it’s just an image…But that said, there’s parts that she doesn’t want to change and some she does. The pretending is the main thing, even though it’s not always conscious. So, yeah. It’s about finding a way to be authentic.”
“Okay.” Mia appeared to contemplate the concepts. “So, the issue with the ending? What? She can’t do it? She spends her life being this shell of a person?”
“I don’t know yet. I can’t seem to get her there. It’s a process, and a lot of hard work. But stories don’t always have happy endings, Mia.”
“Sometimes they do.”
“Mmmm, yeah, they do. But life doesn’t, so why create a book, this entire massive story that doesn’t reflect reality?”
“Life doesn’t have happy endings?”
“Not really.”
“Ever?”
Juliet stilled. Did she really think that things never had a positive outcome? Surely she couldn’t be that jaded. “They do,” she conceded softly, and the look of relief on Mia’s face didn’t go unnoticed. “I just have trouble believing that sometimes, and it makes me a little crazy to think that after all you’ve been through, you still have ‘the glass is half full’ thing going on.”
