by Jae
Amy slid from the trunk and threw her arms around Rika.
"I'll save up to buy you a ring too," Rika said between kisses. "We'll need to wear them on a chain, or people will start talking, though."
Not even the thought of having to hide their love could destroy Amy's happiness now. Reverently, she pressed her lips to Rika's ear, her neck, her cheekbones, then kissed eyelids that fluttered shut beneath her touch.
Rika caressed Amy's back. "Do you want to make this our wedding night?" she whispered against Amy's ear.
Shivers raced down Amy's body. Excitement and nerves made her heart pound. Her vocal cords refused to work, so she answered with a nod and another kiss.
"Then come." Rika took her hand and pulled her into the bedroom, where she sat and unlaced her boots.
While Amy kicked off her own boots, she stole glances at pale, smooth calves as Rika rolled down her stockings. She watched Rika unknot her apron and slip out of her skirt and petticoats.
As if feeling Amy's gaze rest on her, Rika turned her head.
Amy smiled and looked away. She lifted trembling fingers and opened the first button of her shirt, remembering how Rika had helped her undress many months ago. Beneath half-lowered lids, she watched as Rika unbuttoned her bodice.
The bodice and Amy's shirt slid onto the floor, followed by Amy's pants.
"Want to help me with the corset?" Rika pointed over her shoulder.
Amy nodded. She stepped closer as if in a trance, pulled in by the heat of Rika's body.
The skin on the nape of Rika's neck glowed a bright pink. Amy trailed her fingertip across Rika's neck and watched in fascination as goose bumps rose beneath her touch. "You got a little sunburned today," she said and blinked when she barely recognized the sound of her own voice. "We need to put a vinegar poultice on it."
"Later," Rika said, her voice as hoarse as Amy's.
Amy kissed the nape of Rika's neck, inhaling the hotel's lavender soap beneath the sheen of sweat. She fiddled with the laces in the back of Rika's corset, her fingers refusing to work properly. Finally, after a few breathless moments, she managed to free Rika of the corset.
They stood face to face, both just in their underwear.
"C-can I?" Amy asked, her hand an inch from Rika's hair. When Rika nodded, she pulled the pins from Rika's hair, letting the mahogany tresses fall free. She combed her fingers through the softness of Rika's hair, then trailed her fingertips along Rika's collarbone, across her shoulder, and down her arm.
When Amy hesitated, unsure what to do to express her love, Rika entwined their fingers and leaned forward to kiss Amy's nose, her cheeks, and down her chest until the edges of the undershirt stopped her. She mumbled something after each kiss, her breath tickling Amy's skin and making her whole body vibrate.
"What are you doing?" Amy whispered.
"Counting your freckles."
A nervous giggle broke free when Amy remembered that her freckles trailed down her chest all the way to the top of her bosom. Would Rika kiss her there too?
"Amy Hamilton, are you giggling?"
"No."
"Oh, yes, you are." Rika giggled too. "And I like it. I like seeing you happy."
Amy laid her palms against Rika's cheeks and looked into smoldering brown eyes. "You make me happy. I never thought I would have this. Have someone like you in my life." She guided Rika's face to her own and kissed her again.
Wrapped in each other's arms, they sank onto the bed, Rika on top.
Rika's breasts, covered by just a thin chemise, rubbed against Amy's. Amy gasped and pressed closer.
"Amy." Rika buried her fingers in Amy's hair. Passion made her brown eyes appear midnight black. Her hands slid up Amy's sides, heating up Amy's skin even through her undershirt. Rika kissed Amy's throat.
Their legs entwined, and Rika's thigh pressed against the heat between Amy's legs.
"Oh, Lord, Rika." An unknown pleasure tightened Amy's stomach. At night, alone in her room, she had tried to imagine what lying with Rika might be like, but her fantasies hadn't prepared her for the sensations Rika's touch created. She bit her lip to keep from crying out and tried to focus on Rika instead. Her hands slid up and down Rika's back. She felt the warmth of Rika's skin beneath the chemise, and suddenly, she couldn't stand having that barrier between them. She ached to touch Rika.
"Would you mind...?" She bunched up the hem of the chemise and paused.
Instead of answering, Rika sat up. She straddled Amy's lap, her heat pressing down on Amy, making her tingle all over. Rika slid the chemise over her head, then crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"Don't hide yourself from me," Amy whispered as if talking more loudly would break the spell. She sat up and quivered when she felt Rika's legs wrap around her waist.
Rika dropped her arms.
Amy stared at her, drinking in every curve, every inch of the pale skin. "You're beautiful."
"You don't need to say that," Rika said. "I know I'm rather plain and nothing special."
With one finger, Amy directed Rika's chin up so they were looking in each other's eyes. "You're special to me."
Rika's chest heaved. Her eyelashes trembled against flushed cheeks. "You're special to me too." She slid her fingers beneath the edge of Amy's undershirt and lifted up the fabric. When the undershirt fluttered to the floor, Rika threw her arms around Amy and pulled her close.
Their breasts pressed against each other.
Every inch of Amy's body came alive. Almost dizzy with pleasure, she clutched the small of Rika's back, pulling her even closer, and felt Rika's hands on her bare sides.
They sank back onto the bed.
"I can feel your heart beating," Amy whispered against Rika's ear.
"It's racing."
Amy's heart was pounding too. She wanted to touch Rika everywhere, bring her every possible pleasure, but she had no idea where to begin. "Do you know what to do?"
"I have a few ideas." Smiling, Rika kissed Amy's collarbone. She pressed her lips to the tiny measles scars on Amy's upper chest.
With every kiss, the urge to touch Rika increased until Amy slid out from under Rika and leaned over her. Her lips were drawn to a smooth shoulder, while her hands explored the gentle curve of Rika's stomach. She admired the pale skin that appeared like rich cream beneath her hands. "You're so soft," she whispered against Rika's collarbone. "I'm sorry my hands are so rough. I hope my calluses don't —"
Rika captured Amy's wrists and pressed kisses against Amy's palms. "I like your calluses." Rika's breath on her palms made heat shoot up Amy's arms and down her body. "They make me tingle all over."
"Yeah?" Amy trailed one fingertip from Rika's navel to her breastbone. Her gaze followed her finger and admired the rise of Rika's breasts and the nipples that were darker than her own. She hesitated, then carefully circled Rika's left breast. She wanted to watch Rika's face, searching for any sign that she was doing the wrong thing, but her gaze was drawn down, following the circles her finger drew around Rika's breast, closer and closer to the hardened nipple.
Rika moaned and arched into the touch.
Emboldened by Rika's reaction, Amy cupped her breast. She swooned at the warm weight. "Is this all right?"
"Wonderful." As if to prove it, Rika slid her hand between them and caressed Amy's breast.
Amy's eyes fluttered shut. She moaned as flashes of sensation flared through her body. She felt hungry for Rika's touch and wanted to press so close to Rika that she disappeared inside of her. The feeling grew and grew until she felt as if she'd explode. She groaned, helpless how to express the feeling. "I never imagined it could be like this," she said, her voice hoarse.
When she buried her face against Rika's neck, Rika turned her head and kissed Amy's ear. "That's not all there is to making love." Rika slid a hand down Amy's body.
A thrill raced through Amy, and she held her breath as the hand paused on the sensitive skin of her lower belly. Gentle nails teased her navel, sending a fla
sh of heat to that spot between Amy's legs.
Rika pulled at the drawstring of Amy's drawers. "Is this all right?" she asked, her lips brushing against Amy's cheek. "I want to feel you."
No longer able to speak, Amy nodded. Her body trembled, in a hurry for something, but not sure what it was that she craved.
They struggled out of their drawers, the last barrier between them now gone. Amy sucked in a breath when they came together in an intimate embrace.
Rika's thigh pressed between Amy's legs, skin against skin.
"Rika." She panted against the damp skin of Rika's neck. A feeling of pressure and heat swirled through her belly. Oh, yes. Lord, Rika. This is...
She gritted her teeth against the spreading sensations, trying not to get swept away by the maelstrom of feelings. She wanted Rika to feel this good too.
A drop of sweat trailed down Rika's chest, and Amy chased it down with her lips. She pressed kisses to Rika's breast, reveling in the pleasant fullness, the softness, and in the scent of Rika's skin.
Rika's nipple hardened beneath her touch.
Curious, Amy wrapped her lips around it and tasted it with her tongue.
"Oh. Amy." Rika weaved her fingers through Amy's hair, not pushing her away, but pulling her even closer. Her hips arched, and Amy felt her own body echo the movement as the pressure in her belly started to spread.
Restlessly, she moved against Rika.
Rika stroked her hand down Amy's sensitive side, making goose bumps trail down her body. She fanned her fingers over Amy's hip and explored its curve until her fingertips rested at the juncture of Amy's thighs.
Amy gasped for breath. Liquid heat swirled through her belly. "Rika, I..."
"Don't be scared. I'll stop if you don't like this." Rika trailed her fingers lower.
Overwhelmed with feelings and sensations, Amy covered Rika's hand with her own. She moaned when she felt the dampness between her thighs.
"Amy? Do you want me to...?"
Trembling, Amy guided her lower. She surged against Rika, wanted her closer, wanted to share this breathtaking experience with her. It took some maneuvering, but she managed to slide her hand between Rika's thighs.
The damp warmth and Rika's moans washed over her senses, mingling with the sensations Rika's touch created.
They groaned and moved against each other in a faster rhythm.
Rika's skin glowed with a sheen of perspiration, making every touch feel like silk.
Amy searched Rika's lips with hers, but then Rika began to move her fingers faster and Amy gasped for breath, trying to keep up and control her body's reaction.
Impossible.
Her hips surged to meet Rika's rhythmic stroking that became faster and faster.
Spellbound by the silky wetness beneath her fingertips, the quick rise and fall of Rika's chest, and the parted cherry-red lips, Amy pressed closer. Her heart thumped against her ribs, keeping pace with the pounding that was starting in her core.
Rika's breathless moans rained over her like kisses.
"Oh. Oh, yes." Amy's stomach tightened.
Rika dug her fingers into Amy's back. Her thighs locked around Amy's hand, and she fell against Amy with a cry.
Tiny tremors started deep within Amy. Pleasure rushed through her. She cried out as it peaked and she fell into the darkness of Rika's eyes.
For a while, she couldn't move. Her universe was reduced to the pulsing in her body and the feeling of Rika's skin against hers. Nothing else existed.
Then, with weak limbs, she drew Rika against her side. Their breathing calmed, and Amy closed her eyes. "I could stay like this forever," she whispered and kissed Rika's cheek.
Rika laughed and cuddled closer. "I think your family would —"
She paused and tilted her head.
"What —?" Amy asked, but Rika shushed her.
Someone was knocking on the cabin door.
Amy held her breath. She sent Rika a panicked gaze and pressed one finger to Rika's lips. "Sssh. Maybe whoever it is will go away if we keep quiet," she whispered.
But instead, the knocking on the door continued. "Hendrika? Amy?" Nattie called. "Are you in there? I thought I'd bring over a nightshirt and a hairbrush for Hendrika."
Oh, no. A spasm of fear shot through Amy's belly when she remembered they hadn't locked the cabin door. She tossed her chemise at Rika and struggled into her undershirt. "Hurry." She shoved one foot, then the other through her pant legs and hastily slipped on her shirt while Rika fought to get on her corset.
They stumbled through the cabin, getting dressed along the way. By the time they reached the front door, Amy was gasping for breath. She paused, sucked in a breath, and threw a glance at Rika. "Ready?"
Rika smoothed her hands over her skirt and nodded.
When Amy opened the door, Nattie stood in front of them.
"Come in," Amy said for lack of other things to say or do.
Nattie slipped past her and held out a nightshirt and a hairbrush. "What was taking so long? It took you forever to —" She tilted back her head and regarded them through narrowed eyes. "What happened to the two of you?"
Heart pounding, Amy glanced down at herself. She'd missed a button, and she wore neither boots nor socks. With growing trepidation, she turned toward Rika, who was equally barefoot. The laces of her corset weren't tightened properly, and now her bodice bunched in a few places.
"What's going on?" Nattie pointed the hairbrush at Amy, then at Rika. "Your hair looks as if you'd just climbed out of bed."
"Nattie..." Amy held out her hands, palms forward. "It's not what —" She stopped herself. Did she really want to live her life ducking her head in shame for loving a woman as wonderful as Rika? Did she want to lie and deny her love even to her own sister?
No. She'd never again run or hide when something scared her. She reached for Rika's hand and entwined their fingers. Slowly, she lifted her head to meet Nattie's gaze. "All right," she said, trying to keep her voice from trembling. "It's exactly what it looks like."
Nattie swallowed audibly and stared at them. "You mean you... the two of you...?"
They exchanged a quick glance, then nodded.
Pale, Nattie turned an accusing gaze at Rika. "Is this," she gestured at them, "why you didn't marry Phin?"
"I didn't marry Phin because I don't love him."
"Phin is a good man."
Rika tilted her head. "I know. And I thought that would be enough. But then I met your family, and I realized that I want more. I want love."
The kerosene lamp in her hand threw shadows across the cabin as Nattie shuffled her feet. "And you love Amy?"
Rika turned and looked at Amy. A smile eased the tension on her face. She reached out and smoothed her free hand over the crooked collar of Amy's shirt. "Yes," she said, looking just at Amy. "I love her."
Warmth spread through Amy. "And I love Rika." When she looked back at Nattie, her sister was still frowning. "Are you..." She swallowed. "...disappointed in me? Do you find this... us... disgusting?"
"I won't lie," Nattie said, her voice trembling. "It's confusing. After finding out about Papa..." She shook her head. "I didn't think you were keeping secrets from me too. Nothing like this, at least."
Amy held on tighter to Rika's hand, clung to the comforting grip. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you, Nattie."
Nattie's gaze softened. "I know. But you could have told me. I'd never judge you."
Tentative hope began to melt the icy clump of fear in Amy's stomach. "Then you're all right with..." She pointed at Rika and herself. "...with us?"
"I'll need some time to get used to the thought. But you're my sister, and I want you to find happiness. If that's with Hendrika..." Nattie shrugged. "Although..."
Amy swallowed. "Yes?"
"I'm starting to think there's something wrong with me."
"Wrong?" Why would Nattie think that?
"Yeah." The hint of a smile transformed Nattie's serious expression. "After all, I'm th
e only one in the family who's in love with a man."
Amy blinked; then laughter exploded from her, chasing away the remnants of fear and shame. When she realized what Nattie had just said, she stopped laughing. "Wait a minute. You're in love? With whom?"
"Oh. Um." Nattie ducked her head and backed away. "I think I better get back to the house."
"Now who's the one keeping secrets?" Amy stopped Nattie from opening the cabin door. "Come on. Tell me."
Shyly glancing up, Nattie said, "Phin asked me to write him while I'm away."
