After Dark

by Samantha Hicks

  Not wanting to continue talking about West, as she could see this was upsetting Meredith, Stephanie changed the subject.

  “I had an email come through yesterday afternoon whilst you were at work, offering me a job interview at the University. It’s working in the art department and helping one of the professors there. It’s only part-time, but it’s something.”

  “That’s amazing. Congratulations.” Meredith threw her arms around Stephanie’s neck, hugging her tightly.

  “Well, I don’t have the job yet, so we will have to wait and see.”

  “Oh, you’re definitely getting it, they’d be crazy not to have you.”

  “I was actually thinking of getting back into painting. I haven’t done it for a while and it’s something I want to have a go at.” Stephanie pulled back from Meredith. She looked away, embarrassed about discussing her art. She knew she was good, but still didn’t believe she was as talented as the other artists she admired.

  “That’s great! Hey, why don’t we turn one of the spare rooms into a studio for you?” Her face must have been a picture as Meredith began to laugh. “Why do you look so shocked?”

  “I just assumed I would rent somewhere, I didn’t expect you to offer something like that.”

  “Well, you can do that if you want, however we have the space here. It wouldn’t take much to clear out some of the boxes in there. You could do with it whatever you please and you won’t have to pay any extra money for it.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive.”

  Stephanie kissed her again, putting all the love she felt for Meredith in one, long, languid kiss.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  “Are you sure you don’t mind driving down with it all?” Stephanie said to Joe over the phone.

  “No, it’s fine. It’s silly for you to come all the way up here when we’re coming down to see you anyway.”

  They were discussing bringing the rest of Stephanie’s belongings from the storage unit she had rented when she moved to Bristol. Joe had said he wanted to visit her anyway after he heard about Jameson West’s death, and it made sense to rent a van and bring her stuff with him.

  “Okay, well, as long as you’re sure. I’ll see you next week.”

  She hung up, turning around from the lounge window she had been looking out of. Her gaze fell upon Meredith, who was curled up on the sofa, napping. It was late in the evening and they had spent a busy few days clearing out the spare bedroom that she would be using as an art studio.

  Stephanie sighed as she thought about the past week. Meredith had done an amazing job of not thinking about West killing himself. Stephanie knew she was using the task of cleaning to avoid dealing with it. She supposed in a way it was a good thing. As much as she loved Meredith, it was hard to see her so distraught all the time. She wanted her to be happy, and she felt inadequate that she was unable to heal her.

  Stephanie slowly walked over to the couch, gently sitting on the edge. She placed a hand on Meredith’s shoulder, slowly rousing her from sleep. She watched transfixed as Meredith’s eyes fluttered open.

  “Hey,” she whispered.

  Meredith smiled and Stephanie fell even more in love with her as she gazed at the sleepy face.

  “What time is it?”

  “It’s a little after seven.” Stephanie leaned down and softly kissed her on the lips. “Joe and Fiona confirmed their visit next Saturday. He’s fine about driving a van down with all my stuff.”

  “Oh, that’s brilliant. I’m glad you don’t need to go back up to York again.” The look of fear Stephanie always recognised when Meredith spoke of York or Jameson West was absent, Stephanie sent up a silent prayer of thanks at this small victory.

  Meredith shuffled back up the couch into a sitting position. “It’ll be nice to see them again. I was thinking maybe we could invite Carrie and Holly over for dinner on one of the nights they will be here. I would quite like my friends to meet your friends.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea. Maybe we can have a game of poker?”

  “As long as you and Joe don't cheat.”

  “Hey! We don’t cheat, we’re just really good.”

  “Whatever.” Meredith rolled her eyes.

  Stephanie lunged forward and began tickling her on her stomach, laughing as Meredith tried to bat her hands away. Stephanie straddled her thighs, pinning her in place, and continued the attack while kissing her. Meredith responded to the kiss and her struggles stopped. Instead, Meredith grabbed hold of her waist and pulled her in closer. Stephanie stopped the tickling and moved her hands into Meredith’s thick hair, fusing their mouths together. The feel of her drove Stephanie wild, and if she wasn't careful, they would be in danger of going too far. She started to pull back, but Meredith held onto her tighter.

  “Don't stop,” Meredith whispered. “Please. I want you.”

  Stephanie searched her eyes, looking for any sign of hesitance, but found none. They were clear, and her pupils had dilated with her apparent arousal. Stephanie felt her own skin flush as heat raced through her body. She nodded as she lowered her head into a passionate kiss. Her hand found Meredith’s breast, and her hips bucking when she groaned. Her need was evident when she pulled off Meredith’s shorts and underwear, her scent tickling her nostrils.

  “Are you sure?”

  Meredith didn’t answer, she took Stephanie’s hand and guided it to her waiting wetness. As soon as Stephanie’s fingers touched Meredith’s heat, she was lost. She was so soft. Meredith’s eyes were closed, her eyebrows scrunched tight. Her hips pumped hard onto her hand as if chasing Stephanie’s fingers.

  “Inside me, Steph. Quick.”

  She did as asked and Meredith’s eyes went wide, groaning with what Stephanie hoped was pleasure. She moved with her, slowly going in and out, and it wasn’t long after when she felt Meredith’s walls clamp around her, her thighs trapping her hand in place. She crested, screaming out Stephanie’s name.

  As she slowly came down from her climax, Meredith reached for her, kissing with such force it nearly knocked Stephanie off her.

  “That was amazing,” Meredith breathed between kisses.

  Stephanie tried to cool her own arousal, in case Meredith needed to talk. This was a very big step, and she expected the realisation of what they had done would be too much for Meredith to cope with. Stephanie was surprised to see Meredith smiling, her face showing nothing but pleasure and contentment. She looked relaxed, all the tension that had been present for months nowhere in sight.

  “Are you okay?” Stephanie asked.

  “I'm fine. No, better than fine. That was incredible. I can’t believe I waited so long for that.” She leaned up and kissed her. “I’m suddenly feeling ravenous.” Before Stephanie had a chance to reply, Meredith shot off the couch, grabbed her hand, and pulled her toward their bedroom. “I want to do that again. And again, and again.”

  †

  Meredith woke early the next morning with Stephanie nestled in her arms, not an inch of space between them. They had spent the night making love and it was the most wonderful night of Meredith’s life. She had always wondered what it would be like when Stephanie finally made love to her, but the reality of it paled in comparison. She had always thought she would have struggled with the intimacy, and probably would have spent the time fearful and crying, thinking that West had ruined her for life. However, he hadn’t even crossed her mind. Stephanie had made her feel desirable, and never once treated her like a victim.

  She pulled Stephanie closer, tightening her arms around her waist, letting out a contented sigh. She hadn't meant to wake her, but unfortunately, she did. She heard her murmur a “good morning” then Stephanie turned in her arms.

  “Hey.”

  “And how are you this morning?” she whispered. Stephanie cupped her cheek, her thumb lightly tracing her scar.

  “I feel wonderful. That was the best night ever.” Meredith could feel her cheeks flush as she thought about the previ
ous night’s activities, and she couldn’t stop herself from smiling. She could see Stephanie didn’t quite believe her, the crease between her eyebrows gave her away. “Honestly, I feel great.” She leaned forward and kissed the crease away, trailing her lips over her face and finally landing on her mouth. The kiss was unhurried, more of a kiss of reacquaintance than raging passion, but it was the sweetest, most loving kiss Meredith could have asked for.

  Pulling back, she said, “You’re an amazing woman, Stephanie. I have never felt so loved in my life. Thank you.”

  “Please don’t thank me for loving you. It’s not like I had any choice. You’re a hard woman not to love.”

  They rearranged their bodies and settled in to catch a few more hours of sleep. As Meredith drifted off, thoughts of their future swirled through her mind. She didn’t know what would be in store for them both, but the one thing she was certain of was that they would be together. It would probably take her a long time to fully recover from her ordeal with West, if ever, but with Stephanie by her side she knew she could achieve anything.

  For the first time in a long while, Meredith was looking forward to the future. She wanted to get back into meeting clients out in the field, as she realised she missed that aspect of her job. She was excited to note the thought didn’t terrify her like it had in the past. She also hoped that Stephanie could settle things with her father, and finally not blame herself for her mother’s death. She had spent too many years closing herself off from people because of her father’s horrible words, and Meredith knew it was time she let go of that guilt.

  “I can hear your brain working from here,” Stephanie murmured. “We’re supposed to be sleeping.”

  “Sorry. Just thinking how lucky I am.” Meredith kissed Stephanie’s shoulder and settled more firmly into her arms.

  “We’re both lucky. I love you.”

  “I love you.”

  The End

  About the Author

  Samantha Hicks

  I am currently working toward my bachelor’s degree in art and humanities, and when I am not writing or studying, I can be found with a pencil in my hand drawing pictures of wildlife, pets, and plenty of monkeys. (I love monkeys!) I have quite a few tattoos, and love getting out on my road bike or playing golf, weather permitting. I am currently single and have fallen in love many times with the characters I read about in books by so many terrific authors. It is these stories that have inspired me to write down my own characters that have taken up residence in my head, clamouring to have their own love stories told. My biggest fears are heights and horses and I plan to one day conquer them both. I have a passion for reading, preferring it to almost anything, and hope to one day settle down by the beach.

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