by C. Fonseca
Andi looked at her friend and smiled. “She does look like she’s having fun. Except Laura is straight.”
“Oh, why doesn’t Ellie have a girlfriend? I thought Meagan would be here tonight.”
Andi shook her head. “Meagan and Ellie prefer a casual arrangement. Medicine is Ellie’s vocation. She doesn’t do relationships.”
“She’s not carrying a torch for you, still, is she?” Caitlin pulled back and asked earnestly.
The question surprised her. “That was a long time ago. Carrying a torch…is a very broad statement,” Andi said. Caitlin’s eyes widened, and Andi knew she remembered. She’d used the same words when Andi had asked about her relationship with Erica. “Ellie wants to save the world,” Andi continued. “But maybe she hasn’t met the right woman yet.”
“Maybe not. I guess that’s the only answer I’m going to get,” Caitlin murmured.
Lina rested her head against Emmanuel’s chest as they danced together. Her parents were such romantics. Andi hoped, someday, she would share a special bond with someone.
“It’s been a successful night. Even Ana is enjoying herself.” Andi gestured towards her sister, who swayed in the arms of her husband.
Caitlin pulled Andi closer.
“This is a little different than the last time we danced,” Andi said.
“And look where it has got us.” Caitlin kissed Andi’s forehead.
Andi recalled the evening at the Emerson and their first night together. The stakes were a lot higher now. So much more at risk and so much more to lose.
CHAPTER 28
“So what did you think of your first koala sighting?” Andi asked. They’d walked in silence for the last half kilometre. They entered the farm gate and ambled down the driveway. Andi stopped and crouched to retie her shoelace. “You were very lucky the mama koala had her joey out of her pouch and clinging to her back.”
“Adorable aren’t they? Seriously, how cute was that? Although, she did have a stern look on her face, giving us a warning.” Caitlin took a deep breath of clear country air. “I’m so glad we decided to walk today, so I could bring my camera. That baby was no bigger than my hand. I got some great shots.”
“I’m glad we did too. After last night’s party and the clean-up this morning, I’m not up to facing your competitive self. How come you never mentioned before that you competed in track and field at university?”
Caitlin grinned and leaned forward to ruffle Andi’s hair. “It never came up, and you’ve never asked.” She playfully pinched Andi’s arm. “Anyway, it was a long time ago.”
“Were you part of the boxing team as well?” Andi rubbed her arm, feigning injury. She stood up, and they continued their walk towards the house.
“Stop it, you.” Caitlin wrinkled her brow and snapped a few photos of Andi. “Actually, I did finish first in the flat four hundred and third in the eight hundred hurdles.”
“That figures. I had no chance at all.” Andi shook her head, poked her tongue out, and pointed at Caitlin’s camera. “Please, no more.”
“Are you cranky?” Caitlin pulled a face in an attempt to cheer her up.
“No, just tired.”
It was after two in the afternoon when they arrived back. They entered their room, and Andi threw herself across the bed onto her stomach. After the bustle and chaos of the last two days, the house was strangely quiet. Caitlin opened the curtains wide, and the bright afternoon sun poured into the room.
Andi rolled over and raised her hand in front of her eyes. “Not fair. I hardly got any sleep last night, and you woke me at nine this morning.”
“Oh, poor baby. It’s this bracing, clear, country air, and we had to help with the cleanup.”
“I guess so.” Andi rolled over onto her back. “If you don’t mind, I’ll close my eyes for twenty minutes.”
“I don’t think your parents are home.” Caitlin peered out into the garden. No sign of anyone. “I remember your mother mentioned the borrowed trestle tables had to be returned to the church hall.” She sat on the end of the bed and reached over to run her fingers lightly across Andi’s shoulders.
“Aren’t you even a little tired?” Andi asked.
“No, I’m not. Just a wee bit restless. It’s a beautiful day outside.” She brightened. “I know what will make you feel better.”
“Me? What did you have in mind?” Andi muttered drowsily from underneath the pillow she’d pulled over her head.
“A swim.”
“Now?”
“Why not?”
Andi dragged herself into an upright position. “You often do that, you know.”
“What?”
“That. Answer a question with a question.”
“Do I?” Caitlin teased.
“Okay, let’s go for a swim. But not in the swimming pool. It will be shady and cool near the dam at this time of day. You haven’t been down there yet, and I can show you my hideaway.”
Caitlin jumped to her feet. “Hideaway? You have me intrigued. Come on then, let’s go.”
The twin dams at the lower end of the property came as a surprise. Caitlin had expected a muddy pool of water filled with dead branches and reeds. Instead, the dam must have been spring fed—the water sparkled and was a welcoming sight on such a hot afternoon. “This is incredible; the water doesn’t look at all murky. You have a jetty and a boathouse?”
Andi placed their towels and a small icebox near the wide wooden jetty. “We do,” she said. The red boathouse lay on narrow posts and appeared suspended above the water. A bench and two timber chairs sat under an overhang, making it a great place to rest.
“Nice hideaway.”
“Well, it didn’t always look this good,” Andi said. “It was originally just a lean-to. I used to escape here with something to read or my sketchbook. I loved drawing the trunks of these gum trees and ferns.” She pointed towards the fence line of the property and the bank of forest beyond. “Luc built the shed and jetty ten years ago. We’re lucky he wanted to practise his carpentry skills.”
“We are indeed,” Caitlin said, glancing around at the peaceful bush surroundings.
“The dam is dredged every year to clear it of unwanted creatures, and the water is tested for algae and toxins. But try not to swallow any water, and watch out for nibblers in the shallow parts,” Andi warned.
“Nibblers? Maybe I’ll just lie up here on the jetty and get some sun.” Caitlin raised her eyebrows. She pulled the T-shirt over her head and removed her jeans. Wearing mini-board shorts and a bikini top, she dropped into a chair.
Andi threw off her denim shirt and stood in her sports bra and cut-off shorts, revealing a tantalising expanse of skin. Caitlin hummed quietly.
“Oh no you don’t.” Andi grabbed Caitlin’s hand and hauled her to her feet. “This was your idea in the first place. You’re not scared of a little yabbie or turtle, are you?” Still holding onto her, she walked Caitlin along the sloping path through the ferns, reeds, and grasses towards the dam.
Caitlin didn’t want Andi to think she was a wimp, but the squishy sludge underfoot was disconcerting. “Oh hell…here goes.” She glanced around, checked for nasty creatures, and waded straight in.
They were waist deep when Andi stopped, placed her hands on Caitlin’s shoulders, and said, “In Australia, please don’t ever dive into dams, creeks, or rivers, unless you can see right to the bottom. Even then—never head first.”
“I won’t. I can still picture that deeply disturbing drowning scene in Japanese Story.”
“Did I warn you about the eels?” Andi asked, quickly changing the subject.
Caitlin moved back towards the water’s edge.
Andi grabbed Caitlin’s shoulder. “Got ya. Sorry, I am just teasing. Eels have never been a problem here, and, anyway, they don’t bite. Much.”
“Well, thanks for the warning.” Caitlin believed Andi, but would definitely stay alert.
Caitlin was overheated, and luckily, the water was refreshingl
y cold. She pushed off and turned over to float on her back. She moved cautiously on the surface of the water. “I think it’ll be a quick swim anyway. Turtles and eels are bad enough as swimming companions, but what on earth is a yabbie? And how big is it?”
Andi opened her arms wide, then slowly drew her hands together till they almost met. “It’s a tiny, freshwater crayfish. About five to ten centimetres long.” She laughed. “Are you chicken?”
Caitlin flapped her arms, made clucking sounds, and splashed water onto Andi’s face.
“Jeez, Caitlin.” Andi groaned and wiped the water from her eyes.
“What? What did I do?”
Andi stared at Caitlin, then swam vigorously to the far side of the dam.
For whatever reason, Andi appeared to be in the grumps today. Caitlin had suggested the swim to improve her mood, but so far, it had not worked.
Caitlin carefully stepped out of the water and hastily wrapped herself in her towel. Despite her surroundings and the eventful weekend, the promotions interview was on her mind. Caitlin really needed to talk to Andi about it soon. She sighed and stretched out in the shade.
Andi emerged from the dam and towelled herself dry. She opened the doors of the boat shed, went inside, and brought out a cushion. “Would you like this?”
Caitlin shook her head.
Andi sat next to Caitlin, the cushion beneath her and her back propped against a pillar.
Caitlin lifted her head and peered through the gap between the timber doors. “Whose boat is that?” she asked.
“Luc’s. She’s a ten-foot-long, flat-bottomed skiff. Hand built.” Caitlin twitched as Andi’s cool fingers traced the inside of her calf. “I’ll show you in a minute, but first let’s have a drink. I’m thirsty,” Andi said.
Andi reached into the cooler and pulled out two bottles of homemade lemonade and a container of fresh fruit.
“This is a lovely spot for a picnic. A great place to read or just watch the birds. I could sit here for hours.” Caitlin accepted a bunch of pinkish-red grapes from Andi. “It isn’t grape season, is it?”
“These are our homegrown red globes. It’s too early for the seedless ones, so watch the pips.”
As Caitlin bit into the firm skin of the round fruit, juice trickled down her chin and neck. “Yum, they are sweet and juicy.” Before Caitlin could reach for her towel, Andi leaned across and slurped the juice from her neck. “Andi,” Caitlin gasped.
“I don’t seem to be able to stop myself,” Andi said. She settled back and finished her lemonade in one gulp.
“So, who else have you brought here?”
“What do you mean?” Andi tilted her head and gazed across the water. “People come here all the time.”
Caitlin grabbed Andi’s hand that was still on her knee. “I mean your girlfriends. Do you bring them to your hideaway oasis to seduce them?” She raised an eyebrow.
Andi coughed and nearly choked on a piece of orange. “No.” She removed her hand from Caitlin’s grasp and rubbed her neck. She was blushing. “No, I don’t. Years ago, Ellie and I spent time here after school. Martha didn’t come to the farm very much. It wasn’t her thing, I guess.” She coughed again.
“Nobody else?” Caitlin raised her eyebrows inquiringly. She drew gentle circles on Andi’s back. “What did you get up to in the boat shed?”
Andi was too slow to take the hint, and Caitlin wasn’t prepared to wait any longer. She sprang to her feet, pulled Andi up with her, and ushered her inside. Most of the space was taken up with fishing gear, a small blow-up dinghy, a pile of rubberised air mattresses, paddles, and Luc’s boat. “Why don’t you show me what you got up to in here?”
“Okay.” Andi pushed the double doors closed behind her and secured the rope latch.
A stream of sunlight poured through overhead skylights, illuminating the wooden boat.
Caitlin ran her hand over the smooth lines of the skiff, where plank edges were butted together smoothly, seam to seam. “She’s beautiful.”
Andi stared at Caitlin from the doorway. “Yes, she is.”
Caitlin licked her lips and returned Andi’s steady gaze. Desire flashed across Andi’s face. But there was something else. An edge of anger? Frustration? Whatever it was, Caitlin couldn’t ignore it any longer. “What’s going on?” she asked.
* * *
Andi flinched at the sound of Caitlin’s voice. The turbulent emotions that she’d tried to control surfaced. Her body was on fire, and her heart pounded in her chest.
She didn’t want to explain. Not now, when she was vulnerable and angry. The protective boundaries she’d kept in place for the last two months were crumbling.
Andi hadn’t intended to read the email on Friday night when she’d found Caitlin asleep with her MacBook half closed beside her on the bed. She’d carried the laptop to the dresser and opened the screen to shut down the computer. And there it was. She shouldn’t have looked, but she couldn’t help herself—Academic Promotions to Associate Professor.
Caitlin’s interview in Cork was scheduled for the first week in December. Andi had stared at the words, trying to comprehend all that they implied. She’d closed the screen.
The atmosphere in the shed was hot and dusty. Caitlin moved towards her; Andi stepped backwards and held her hand up in defence.
“Andi, are you okay? What’s going on?”
As if she doesn’t know, Andi swore to herself. Was it too much to expect Caitlin to tell her what was going on?
Caitlin stopped her movement forward and looked at Andi with the same hungry passion and confusion that surged through her. She wanted to touch Caitlin, hoping the physical contact would quieten the doubt and uncertainty that had her half crazed. Was it possible to be angry and aroused at the same time? Andi needed to take control.
* * *
Andi’s eyes were hooded and dark with passion. The muscles in her neck and shoulders were clearly visible as she lifted two inflated mattresses into the boat and placed them between the bench seats. She shook out a large towel and threw it across the rubber surface.
“I want you.” Andi abruptly pulled Caitlin into her arms. She pressed her lips to Caitlin’s.
The intensity of her kiss ignited Caitlin’s desire. Andi raised Caitlin’s arms to remove her top, and the heat of her hands seemed to scorch Caitlin’s skin. She offered no resistance when Andi grabbed the waistband of her shorts and pushed them down and away. Caitlin stood naked beneath the skylight.
Andi tore off her own clothes and dropped them in a heap, reached for Caitlin, and lowered her into the boat. The rubber mattresses squeaked under the weight of their bodies.
Andi’s kiss was urgent and all consuming.
At the taste of Andi’s desperation, lust shot through Caitlin in hot, shimmering waves. Andi’s body, pressed into her, was taut and glistened with perspiration.
She gripped Caitlin’s shoulders and began to move rhythmically against Caitlin’s thigh. She grazed Caitlin’s shoulder with her teeth. She was wet with arousal, but when she moaned, Caitlin sensed her frustration, urged her onto her back, and shifted over her to take control.
“Tell me. What do you want?” Caitlin urged.
“You,” she pleaded. “I want you.”
Caitlin slid her body across Andi’s hot, slick skin. Andi grabbed Caitlin’s hand and placed it between her own thighs. She arched her back. Caitlin held Andi firmly against her and pressed her fingers deeper. Caitlin wanted to take her time. Andi smelled incredible—of sun-drenched green grass and something primitive and earthy. She wanted to give Andi pleasure—to take it slowly.
“You are amazing.” Caitlin stroked Andi with one hand and cupped her breast with the other. “Beautiful.” She kissed the soft flesh, then circled Andi’s nipple with her tongue and drew it into her mouth.
“Yes. Please.” Andi’s body tensed. She was close. Her breathing was ragged; there was no holding her back. Within seconds, Andi shuddered and cried out, “Caitlin.”
&nb
sp; Andi’s eyelashes fluttered. Her brown eyes were teary. Caitlin embraced her protectively and held her while her body calmed.
Andi’s urgent need tugged at Caitlin’s heart. “I love you, Andi,” she said. Andi’s heart beat strongly against her breast. “I love you,” she repeated in a whisper. She couldn’t hold it back any longer. Caitlin stared at Andi, whose face was unreadable. Maybe she’d said the wrong thing—but how could she not express what she knew to be true?
Without warning, Andi rolled over, away from Caitlin, and lifted herself out of the boat.
Caitlin gasped. Andi stood with her back towards her and pulled on her shorts and top. She turned back and handed Caitlin her clothes.
“No. Caitlin—don’t say that.” She let out an anguished cry and wiped angrily at the tears that spilled down her cheeks.
“Please…Andi, don’t be so upset.” Caitlin struggled to dress in the limited space of the boat.
“No, it’s not fair. I’ve played by the rules. Your rules. You said this is temporary.” Andi pushed her hands through her hair. “You said you were in Australia for only twelve months… I mean eight months. God, whatever. I’ve never asked you for more, Caitlin. You are not allowed to say that.”
“I’m sorry, Andi. I can’t help—”
“When were you going to tell me about the interview, Professor Quinn?” Andi’s face was twisted in pain. “I shouldn’t have read your email, but you left your computer on.”
A cold shiver ran down Caitlin’s spine. “You do know,” she said quietly. “I’ve been trying to tell you. Oh, hell, I just didn’t know how. It is only an interview.” Caitlin looked at Andi in desperation. She wanted her to understand how confused she felt. She wished she’d told her as soon as she’d found out.
“Only an interview? Isn’t this what you’ve been working towards your whole career?” Andi’s voice was tremulous as she struggled to speak. “Academic tenure and prestige.”
“Yes, but that was before…” Caitlin dropped her head into her hands. Hot tears rolled down her face.
The doors creaked when Andi opened them, and a gust of wind blew dead leaves across the timber floor.
