by C. Fonseca
Caitlin caught her breath, as Andi slid her hand under the hem.
CHAPTER 36
The sensation of Andi’s hand on her thigh drove Caitlin to distraction. Slow, circular, torturous movements. The half-hour drive to Hakea seemed to take forever. Caitlin didn’t want a speeding ticket, but the Roadster raced along the highway, almost by itself. At least, that was her excuse.
Stopped at a red light, Andi traced her fingers lightly over her bare skin, just above her hemline.
“Driving is hard enough, Andi. If you do that when we’re moving, I’m going to send us right off the road,” Caitlin pleaded.
“Sorry,” Andi said. She withdrew her hand and placed it in her lap. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
“Ah, not while I’m driving.” Caitlin shook her head as she reached across for her hand, kissed the inside of Andi’s wrist, and put it back on her knee. She held it firmly in place. “You can leave it here, but you have to keep still.” When she told Andi her news, she wanted to look her in the eyes and see her reaction. As the lights changed to green, Caitlin gunned the engine, but it wasn’t long before Andi caressed her thigh with her thumb once again. “Keep still,” she said.
Andi folded her hands tightly across her chest. “It is an automatic reaction. I can’t help myself.” She sighed. “There’s a short cut coming up. Take the next turn left, and I’ll keep a watch out for kangaroos.”
“Please do that. You need a distraction. I don’t.” Caitlin steered the Roadster onto the side road and switched to high beam.
“Kangaroos shouldn’t be on the road now. It’s worse at dusk, but we still need to be careful,” Andi said, peering into the night. “We’ll be home in about ten minutes.”
“Good.”
The moment Caitlin pulled to a stop in her driveway, Andi raced around to the driver’s side to open the door. She tapped a finger on the roof of the car. Caitlin grabbed items from the back seat and removed the key from the ignition. As she stepped out of the car, Andi grabbed her wrist and dragged her up the stairs. With her free hand, she hastily unlocked the front door.
“Where’s Koda? I can hear her,” Caitlin said. There was a faint meowing sound coming from the other side of the door.
“She’s inside. If I’m home late, my neighbour feeds her and locks her in at dusk.” She opened the door, and the beige fur ball attempted to run through Andi’s legs. “No, you don’t. Koda, get back inside.” She gently pushed Koda indoors, without letting go of Caitlin’s hand.
They entered the studio, and the door slammed behind them. Andi reached for the light switch. Caitlin stood behind her and tugged at the tail of her jacket. The December night was warm and, through the open windows, the fragrance of lemon-scented gum filled the air.
“That perfume is intoxicating.” Caitlin inhaled deeply and drew her close. “And so are you. My head is spinning, and my heart is racing.” Caitlin pressed her breasts hard against Andi’s back.
“It’s warm in here.” Andi turned in the circle of Caitlin’s arms.
With her thumb, Caitlin wiped the moisture that glistened on Andi’s forehead. “There are too many layers of clothes between you and me. I need your skin on mine,” Caitlin murmured.
She pushed Andi’s jacket off her shoulders and onto the back of the nearest chair. Caitlin reached for the pearl buttons and steadily worked her way down—deftly unbuttoning the white shirt to reveal Andi’s golden skin.
Caitlin stilled as Andi’s gaze—molten brown and filled with longing—swept over her body. She pressed her mouth gently into Caitlin’s neck and slid her knowing hands over Caitlin’s bare shoulders and under her hair.
“If we have things to talk about, Caitlin, I’m not sure this is the way to go about it.” Andi moved her hands smoothly down the curve of her back until they rested on her hips. “And you’re driving me crazy.” Andi slid her palms under the dress, her fingertips grazing the silky material underneath.
“Oh no you don’t.” Caitlin pushed Andi’s shirt off her shoulders and held her in place with the tightly stretched fabric. Andi was defenceless against Caitlin’s lips. “We’ll have time later.” Caitlin trailed her tongue from Andi’s neck to her ear. “Still want to talk?” she teased.
Caitlin pulled Andi’s shirt from her body, followed by her bra. They both landed in a heap on the floor. She wound her fingers through Andi’s hair, pulled her close, and kissed her. It was a kiss of want and surrender. She was lost in the silken feel of Andi’s tongue, its sensual caress. Caitlin trembled, her entire body begging for more contact.
Andi settled her thigh between Caitlin’s legs and rocked gently against her. Her breasts and midriff slid against the lustrous, indigo fabric of her dress. She moaned.
Andi’s expression was inviting. Her smile curved seductively. “It’s time you lost the dress.”
* * *
Andi awoke to the high-pitched whistle of the kettle coming to the boil and an empty space in the bed. She yawned and stretched her arms above her head. “A cup of tea would be nice.”
Right on cue, Caitlin entered her bedroom, balancing two teacups and a plate.
“Good morning. Room service…and I like the outfit,” Andi said. Caitlin wore Andi’s old Rip Curl T-shirt and nothing else.
“Good morning. I thought you could use some sustenance.” Caitlin placed a steaming cup of tea on Andi’s bedside table, along with a plate laden with toast. “How are you feeling?” Caitlin asked in a husky voice and placed a featherlight kiss against her forehead.
“Hmm.” Andi stretched her body, luxuriating in the afterglow of an incredible night. She glanced over at the bedside clock. It was eight in the morning. “I am tired and a bit achy.” She smiled.
Caitlin purred contentedly and climbed into bed beside Andi. “But that’s not what I mean, Andi. Yesterday was a huge day for you. How do you feel?”
“Oh yeah, I had to make a speech in front of a hundred people. It was my worst nightmare.”
Caitlin turned to her. “You did really well. I’m so impressed.” She leaned forward and kissed Andi lightly on the lips. “The fact that regional gallery has acquired one of your paintings for its permanent collection is a great honour. You should be proud of yourself.”
“Let’s just wait to see the newspaper reviews. It might be a different story then.”
“Andi.” Caitlin grabbed her pillow and bopped Andi over the head with it. “You’re an eejit. Stop being daft. The exhibition was a sellout.” She threatened Andi with the pillow raised above her head. “So, are you going to share the toast and honey?”
“Three weeks away, and you’ve come back sounding even more Irish.” Andi nudged Caitlin with her foot. She felt a sudden stab of pain and winced. “Ouch.” She pulled back the cotton sheet and rubbed the scar just above her knee. “Anyway, we have three weeks to make up for.”
Caitlin traced the slightly raised, pink scar. “Is this still tender?”
“No, not really. It just needs a bit longer for the tissue to heal. I’ll probably always have a small scar to remind me to be more careful.”
Caitlin trailed her fingers playfully along Andi’s shoulders. “I’m glad the bruises have disappeared. I’d hate anything else to mark this perfectly gorgeous skin.”
Caitlin gently bit and sucked on the tender flesh of her neck, and Andi nearly choked on her toast. Caitlin laughed wickedly. “Unless it’s from me. Consider yourself marked.” She rested her head on Andi’s stomach.
“Marked? Is that some kind of ancient Irish thing?” Andi asked.
Caitlin nibbled her flesh and moved down the bed. “Not that I can recall. But hey, let’s call it a new, Caitlin thing.”
“You have the endurance of a marathon runner. You’ve exhausted me. Considering you are the older—”
Caitlin silenced Andi with her hand over her mouth. She leaned up on her elbow. “Cheeky brat. I have plenty of stamina. Get used to it, darling, I have every intention of keeping you active.”
“Is that a challenge? I love a challenge. I’m up for it.” Andi grabbed Caitlin’s hand. “Caitlin?”
“Hmm?” Caitlin pulled herself back up the bed and sat beside her.
“When you have to return home to Ireland in June—”
Caitlin interrupted, “Andi, I wanted to ask you—”
Andi held up her hand. “I need to say this, please?”
Caitlin clenched the sheet and waited for Andi to continue.
“I do love you, Caitlin,” she said. “You make me feel positive and strong and that anything is possible. You make me want to experience everything—new places, new cultures.” She leaned over and wiped the tear that slid down Caitlin’s face. “I can paint anywhere. I know how important reaching this point in your career is to you, Professor Quinn.” Andi swallowed. She hoped she wasn’t making an entire fool of herself.
Caitlin shook her head. Tears continued to run down her face, and she wiped them with the corner of the sheet. “No, I mean yes. I love you too.”
Andi was confused. “Then why can’t I?”
Caitlin placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head until their eyes met. “You can, but you don’t have to, Andi. I’m not accepting the promotion.”
Andi was sure she’d misheard. “I don’t understand. This is what you want, isn’t it? What about your parents? They must be so proud of you.” It suddenly dawned on Andi what Caitlin was saying. She opened her mouth and then closed it again.
Caitlin smiled. “That’s why they’re here, Andi. They wanted to meet you. I’ve discussed everything with them, and they support my decision.”
“What decision?”
“My decision to stay in Australia.”
Andi was speechless.
Caitlin took her hand, and stroked her fingers with her thumb. “I loved my job at UCC, but when I was back home, I realised I’ve changed. I want something different now. My involvement with Isabella and the gallery has been a tremendous challenge for me. I love it, and I’m passionate about making it a success. This is my future, Andi. I hope you’ll be a part of it.” She held Andi’s gaze. “Part of my future.”
Andi nodded slowly, still finding it hard to believe.
Caitlin prodded her in the ribs. “Is this okay, Andi? You’re not going to be the professor’s wife after all.”
She giggled. “So, you’ll be the artist’s muse then?” She stared at Caitlin. “I thought yesterday was the biggest day of my life, but you’ve totally blown me away.” Andi couldn’t stop grinning. “Are you really staying?” She snuggled into Caitlin’s arms. “It’s still early, and I’m totally exhausted. I must be dreaming. Let me get this right. You actually are staying?” She smothered a yawn.
“Have you got a problem with that?”
Andi rolled her eyes. “One day, I’ll get you to answer my questions directly.”
“Really?”
“If I’m lucky, yeah.” Andi yawned. “I’m so happy, and I’m so tired.”
Caitlin took Andi’s face in her hands and kissed her slowly. They settled into each other’s arms and, eventually, drifted into a peaceful sleep.
CHAPTER 37
Caitlin dragged a piece of driftwood through the wet sand. In an enclosed shape of a heart, she marked out
C.Q. loves A.R. 4ever
She threw the stick aside, shielded her eyes from the sun, and watched as Andi emerged from the surf. Her skin glistened in the sunshine. Droplets of water trickled down Andi’s neck and disappeared into the hollow between her breasts at the top of the orange one-piece swimsuit.
Andi stood with her hands on her hips, head tilted to one side, and gave Caitlin a puzzled look. She walked towards and then around her, following the lines Caitlin had drawn in the sand.
“Forever?” She grinned, wrapped her arms around Caitlin’s waist, and pulled their bodies together.
“And beyond.” Caitlin gasped as her sun-warmed body was pressed into Andi’s cool wet skin.
“Coo-ee!” A long, high-pitched call carried through the air. Caitlin looked up towards the house, and Andi followed her gaze.
Their parents and Isabella stood in a row at the glass balustrade of Kinsale’s sun deck.
“Lunch,” shouted Caitlin’s father, as he beckoned them from above.
Caitlin and Andi stood in the sand, arms around each other, and waved back.
“I guess it is time we joined them.” Andi combed her fingers through her hair and then reached down to grab her towel.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing you like this.”
“Hmmm?”
She took Andi’s hand. “So heart stoppingly beautiful and golden. Achingly desirable.”
Caitlin sighed as they gazed into each other’s eyes.
* * *
After lunch prepared by Orla, Andi sat between Isabella and Lina at the long outdoor table on the deck.
“So, Paddy, you’re going to visit Emmanuel and Lina’s farm,” Isabella said, swatting at a flying insect. “Dash, it’s the fly season again.”
Caitlin’s father pushed the thick mop of grey hair from his eyes. “To be sure. We’ve been invited to spend a day or two on the property. It’s a grand way to learn more about the area and the agricultural methods practised here.” He grinned at Lina and Emmanuel.
Orla put down her knitting, stood up, and stretched. “I’m looking forward to seeing a bit of the Victorian countryside. Navigators—what a quaint name.”
“Caitlin mentioned koalas on your property, Lina. I’d love to see them for myself,” Patrick said.
Orla laughed and nudged her husband. “It’ll be a pleasant change, indeed, for you to have your head out of a book. Won’t it, Paddy?” She raised an eyebrow. Andi inclined her head to one side and smiled discreetly behind her hand as she recognised that familiar Caitlin quirk.
“That it will, my love. That it will.” Patrick nudged Orla back.
Andi had been nervous about spending time with Caitlin’s parents, but they were engaging and affable, and she felt comfortable with them. Caitlin, too, appeared relaxed as she sat back and watched them entertain and charm Andi’s parents.
“I don’t come to Kinsale as often as I used to, but I couldn’t miss your show.” Isabella reached for Andi’s hand and held it firmly. “I was deeply moved by the exhibition. The level of talent represented in your body of work is impressive.” She sipped her tea and patted the chair beside her. “Lina, come sit. You must be very proud of your daughter.”
Andi was touched by Isabella’s unexpected compliments. She looked up and met Caitlin’s gaze. Her mouth turned up in a knowing smile, making the heat rise in Andi’s face.
“Oh, we are delighted,” Lina said. “It is a joy to see Andi achieve such a wonderful response to her paintings. Andi has always loved to draw and paint. She is a great artist, just like her grandfather. We are blessed.”
“Isabella, your house is, how can I say it…maravilhoso.” Andi’s father stood up and moved to lean over the balustrade to enjoy the panoramic view of the ocean and the surf beach below. He turned around to face them. “It is marvellous!”
“Thank you, Emmanuel. I’ve had wonderful times here, for many years, in fact.” Isabella lifted her hand to shade her eyes from the bright sunlight.
Caitlin sprang to her feet and adjusted the automatic sunblind to give Isabella more shelter.
“You are a darling, Caitlin.” Isabella relaxed back in her chair. “I do enjoy the tranquility and peace of my garden in Kew and my cottage filled with trinkets and treasures.”
“But this place is special, no? You named it after your birthplace in Ireland,” Lina said.
Isabella spread her arms wide to encompass the house and grounds of Kinsale. “Yes, this was a very special place for Maggie and me. I was born near the sea at Kinsale, and this property fed my longing and restless spirit. I will always cherish the times we shared here together and my memories of Maggie…here. Nothing will change that. Now,
Kinsale is for others to enjoy.” She winked at Andi. “Something tells me Caitlin will be in Hakea a lot more often.”
Andi acknowledged Isabella with a smile and then turned as her mother spoke to Orla. “It is a difficult time when your child moves away. I do ask myself how I’d feel in similar circumstances.”
“Yes, we will miss her terribly.” Orla gazed at Caitlin with such affection that Andi let out a deep sigh.
Caitlin leaned forward and squeezed her mother’s hand. “I love you, Ma,” she whispered.
“All Patrick and I want is for Caitlin to be happy and settled.” Orla kissed Caitlin’s forehead.
Lina nodded as if she understood completely. “Yes, that is the same for us, for our children and grandchildren.” She closed her eyes briefly. “It was difficult for my parents when Emmanuel and I left Portugal and settled in Australia. It was painful for us to leave our families and friends.”
“It did come as a shock when Caitlin told us that she was turning down the promotion.” Patrick looked affectionately at Caitlin. “But priorities change, and we understand she is passionate about her work with Isabella and the direction it is leading her. She has our blessing.”
“I hope I haven’t made things harder for you, Caitlin. I didn’t want to unfairly influence your decision to stay in Australia,” Isabella said.
Orla looked across to Andi. “I do believe she has another, very important, reason for staying, Izzy.” She patted Isabella’s hand. “Caitlin has always made her own decisions. Haven’t you, darling?” Orla looked from her daughter to her aunt. “Anyway, dear one, you didn’t tell Caitlin about your plans until after she’d turned down the Associate Professorship.”
Andi and Caitlin barely had a moment to talk about the news Caitlin had shared with her, yesterday. Isabella planned to gift the Kew estate, the collection, and Bella Gallery to Caitlin. It was a huge responsibility, but Isabella had set up a trust for her and had clearly worked out the details meticulously. The trust assured that Isabella and Maggie’s legacy would be fulfilled, and Caitlin would get all the support she needed.
