by Fiona Riley
“I sat there for hours while they tried to track down Grace. Eventually, they let me go and told me they would be in touch. I found out a few days later that she recanted her statement and called it an accident instead. But the damage was already done. We were over.”
Lucinda relaxed her jaw a little, willing herself to be patient. Samantha had recently had a world of hurt put on her; Andrew was probably just looking out for her best interests. Not that that made any of this less infuriating for Lucinda, to be researched like a criminal for no reason. But she was trying.
“Not my finest hour, but I never hit her. It was an accident. I guess she just came to her senses. It wouldn’t have gone anywhere anyway, there were plenty of witnesses at the bar that would have supported my story.”
Samantha held Lucinda’s gaze before reaching out to touch her hands. Lucinda was rigid at first, not pulling away, but not exactly welcoming the touch. Samantha pulled Lucinda’s hands up to her chest and pressed them over her fast-beating heart.
“I am so, so sorry that these things have happened to you and around you. Andrew and I fought because I didn’t want to hear anything about your life unless it came from you directly. I was a little distant earlier because a part of me felt really wounded that you hadn’t told me yourself. I realize you probably had a reason for that—I just felt really overwhelmed by the way I feel about you. It’s scary. All I want is you and everything you will share with me, when you are ready, because you want to. I let you in when everyone else has been locked out for so long that it feels new and raw with you, like it’s the first time. Andrew went behind my back and made a decision about my relationship with you that was absolutely wrong. I was nervous to tell you because I didn’t want you to think I didn’t trust you, because that is so far from the truth, Lucy. I am so, so sorry.”
Lucinda felt the ice encasing her chest start to melt as Samantha begged for understanding. She could see the sincerity written all over Samantha’s face, a face she realized she loved. She wriggled free of Samantha’s grasp and pulled her forward into a firm kiss, accepting her apology with soft lips moving together, breathing unspoken truths to tender flesh.
Samantha smiled into the kiss, pressing farther into Lucinda’s body, her hand sliding to Lucinda’s hip, gripping it tightly. She pulled back, her eyes wet with tears. “Just make sure you tell me, okay? All the important things and the mundane stuff. Whatever it is, I just want to know you, all of you. At your pace, but all of you.”
Lucinda’s heart fluttered at the simple honesty of Samantha’s words. She nodded and reached over to Samantha, pulling her from the rock and walking them back to the car before they slipped into the seats and locked the doors in amicable silence.
“So, I know you had this romantic dinner thing planned tonight,” Samantha said with a shy smile, “but what do you think about staying in with some takeout and a movie?”
Lucinda laughed and nodded her head. “Sounds good, baby, whatever you want.”
“I love it when you say that.” Samantha leaned across the console to kiss Lucinda sweetly. “There’s a new Mediterranean place by my house that I’ve been dying to try, sound okay?”
“Your place it is.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Lucinda canceled their dinner reservations while Samantha placed the order on the ride to Samantha’s high-rise. When they got to the apartment, Samantha hopped in the shower to wash away the grime of the boxing gym. By the time she was out and in pajamas, Lucinda had the movie loaded and the food set up in the living room. Within a few minutes they were settled into the couch, lounging lazily across each other and sampling their small mountain of food. About halfway through the movie Lucinda realized she had lost interest in the content and was only focusing on Samantha. It started out innocent enough, but when Samantha crawled across the couch and straddled Lucinda’s lap, tossing her arms behind her neck, her mind went blank.
“What’s this movie about?” she teased, kissing along the column of Lucinda’s neck.
“I have no idea,” Lucinda mumbled, her head thrown back.
“Okay, good. We’ll finish it later…” Samantha’s kissing turned to licking and Lucinda wondered if it was possible to literally combust on this couch.
Lucinda murmured a thoughtless reply, her hands slipping under Samantha’s soft T-shirt. She settled her hands at the narrow hips in front of her, pressing her thumbs lightly into the natural indentations Samantha’s hip bones made under the cotton waistband of the flannel pants. Although they had talked daily, the last time she and Samantha had any legitimate physical affection was over a week ago. She could feel her eagerness threatening to dissolve her attempts at controlled teasing.
Samantha moaned softly and rolled her hips forward against Lucinda’s firm stomach. “I really missed your touch,” she husked into Lucinda’s ear, taking her earlobe into her mouth and sucking on it lightly. “You feel so good.” She pressed greedy open-mouthed kisses along Lucinda’s jaw, distracting Lucinda from her mission of freeing Samantha from her pants.
Lucinda practically growled into Samantha’s mouth as Samantha rolled her hips again and again into Lucinda’s abs, her hands threading tightly into Lucinda’s hair. She felt drunk off the hungry lips caressing her own, the warm tongue fighting hers for dominance. She loved when Samantha was aggressive; she opened her mouth wider to deepen the kiss. Lucinda pulled Samantha closer on the next roll of her hips, guiding her ass in small circles before sliding her hands up and under the cotton shirt to cup satin-covered breasts.
Her actions were rewarded with a whimper as Samantha broke their kissing long enough to suck in some quick breaths. Lucinda took the opportunity to pull the shirt up and off Samantha’s body, tossing it on the loveseat to her left. Samantha was gorgeous, all lean torso and perfectly smooth skin encased in a hot pink lace push-up bra that was killing Lucinda to look at. She wrapped one hand around Samantha’s waist, encouraging her to continue her gentle ministrations, while the other kneaded the full cups in front of her. She peppered soft kisses along Samantha’s upper abs and over her breasts, licking the fabric over a budding nipple and sucking it into her mouth through the satin.
Samantha shivered, her fingers scratching at Lucinda’s scalp, pulling her closer as she rolled her hips a little more aggressively. “I love the way your mouth feels on my skin.” She shuddered as Lucinda bit down on her nipple, tugging it forward slightly. Lucinda palmed her breast firmly before she slid to the back, unclasping her bra and pulling it down her arms. She pressed wet kisses along the inside of each breast, working her way up to Samantha’s mouth as she continued to guide Samantha’s hips against her, harder and harder.
“Take these off.” She licked across Samantha’s mouth, her breathing coming in short gasps as Lucinda snapped the elastic on her pants.
Samantha nodded frantically, rising off Lucinda’s lap just long enough to pull down the soft flannel pajamas and expose hot pink and black lace boy shorts just as quickly discarded. She yanked at Lucinda’s shirt in between desperate kisses.
“Please,” she begged against Lucinda’s mouth, “I want to rub against you.” Her hand slid between them and she scratched at Lucinda’s firm abs, bringing her hips down again slowly.
Lucinda smiled into the kiss, leaning back to remove her top and bra as fast as she could before she pulled Samantha close again. She could feel how wet Samantha was as she was pinned to the couch by Samantha’s arms and legs, as Samantha rolled her sex against the defined muscles of Lucinda’s stomach, over and over, coating her with her essence.
“God,” Samantha purred, nipping at Lucinda’s lip and kissing her roughly. “Watching you at the gym tonight…you’re so hot.” She pressed their lips together again, groaning in protest when Lucinda pulled back slightly.
“We need to go to the bed now—there’s just not enough room here.” Her hands slipped down Samantha’s sides, abandoning her breasts to grip her hips, slowing Samantha’s movements. Lucinda pulled one
hand back, dragging her fingers up her own stomach, gathering Samantha’s wetness on her fingertips and placing two into her mouth. “I need to taste you, but I want to lay you out. I need you, all of you.”
Samantha’s eyes were hooded and her cheeks flushed. Lucinda tapped Samantha’s bottom lip lightly, pulling it from her teeth and slipping her other two fingers into Samantha’s mouth, letting Samantha taste herself. Samantha rolled her tongue over the long pale fingers slowly before releasing them.
When they got to the bedroom, things slowed a bit. It wasn’t the frantic, desperate need to fuck from the living room. It was different. Samantha pulled back the covers and turned to help Lucinda out of the rest of her clothes, pulling the fabric down and away slowly, pressing kisses to hip bones and along the inside of her knee. She ran her hands over Lucinda’s thighs and massaged the skin gently before standing. Lucinda grasped her close, letting their flushed skin press together, hands roaming over backs, caressing slowly.
Lucinda kissed Samantha like it was the last time she ever would, pulling her along as she sank onto the bed, never breaking the kiss. She rolled them so Samantha was underneath and pressed a bruising kiss to Samantha’s lips, trying to share all her secrets. She was lost in the feel and taste of Samantha’s mouth, gently rocking her body down against her lover, her hand gripping tightly at Samantha’s hip.
“You’re just…it’s so…”
Samantha smiled. “I know. It’s so much.”
Lucinda nodded, feeling understood before she kissed a path along Samantha’s jaw, down her neck. She pressed shaking lips to her collarbone before weaving lower over firm breasts, her hands scratching along Samantha’s sides. She licked sloppy lines over Samantha’s flat stomach, encouraged by small hands gently kneading her scalp. Lucinda nudged Samantha’s legs apart before sliding between them, nuzzling a hipbone before kissing lower, slowly, painfully slow.
“You are so soft,” she whispered reverently between kisses. “I love your skin.”
Lucinda kept her eyes on Samantha’s. She kissed the soft, wet flesh just to the right of Samantha’s sex. “I love your taste.” A soft exhale. “I love your smell.” She moved that last little bit and pressed a featherlight kiss to Samantha’s clit before whispering, “I love your everything.”
Samantha sucked in a sharp gasp as she dragged the flat of her tongue along Samantha’s slit, pulling a loud moan from her lips. Lucinda smiled against the blood-flushed skin, exploring Samantha intimately with her tongue. Lucinda basked in the wetness. Samantha was practically dripping from all the foreplay. Samantha’s hands continued to gently scratch and tug at her hair as narrow hips rolled against her face, begging for more, always begging. She dipped and swirled her tongue, moving slowly before speeding up, her nose periodically nudging Samantha’s clit.
Samantha cried out after a particularly firm nudge to her clit, her body starting to convulse. She could feel Lucinda’s tongue everywhere: in her fingers, pulsing through her chest, swirling in her gut, deep inside her—pulling, pulling, pulling her closer, faster, toward the brink of her pleasure.
Lucinda thrust her tongue deep into Samantha, pulling her hips lower, filling every ounce of space before curling her tongue and bringing Samantha to climax.
Samantha’s eyes widened before fluttering closed as she halted her staggered breaths, staying there paralyzed, floating, at the whim of Lucinda’s mouth and firm hands. She panted as Lucinda slowly brought her back, cradling her skin, licking and kissing her softly, easing her down with all the care in the world. Her body continued to tremble, little aftershocks rolling through her as Lucinda moved up, wrapping soft lips around Samantha’s clit and gently sucking, pulling her into a second orgasm, just as strong as the first. She cried out, screaming Lucinda’s name as her hands clutched at the bedsheets. She shook and shivered as she rode out the end of her orgasm; Lucinda’s warm hands were on her abdomen, helping her settle back into the bed, soothing her.
Lucinda overwhelmed Samantha, taking all of her and winding her up, but she never let her fall. She always guided her back down with care. Always. Samantha savored the feeling of being so completely cared for. She had writhed under the heat from Lucinda’s mouth as she spoke of all the things she loved about Samantha. It had felt like Lucinda was burning the words into her flesh, like every word would be there forever, reminding her. She couldn’t stop the shiver that ran through her as Lucinda kissed her abdomen softly, her hands soothing up and down her sides, massaging the skin. Samantha reached down and traced still shaky fingers along Lucinda’s jaw, hooking under her chin.
“Come here.”
Lucinda raised herself along Samantha’s body, a broad smile on her face as she settled over Samantha.
Samantha grabbed either side of her face, pulling her close, watching her eyes intently before firmly kissing her, tasting herself and moaning. Lucinda deepened the kiss, seeming to enjoy every bit of Samantha’s mouth.
Samantha pulled back, still cradling Lucinda’s face before asking, “Do you…” She paused. “Did you mean it?”
“Every word.”
Samantha let a timid smile cross her lips before feathering a soft kiss to Lucinda’s lips. “Tell me.”
“I love you.”
The deep, velvety laugh that spilled from Samantha’s lips was automatic as she kissed Lucinda again, this time rolling them so Lucinda was on her back, laughing. Samantha kissed along her mouth, moving to her jaw before sucking on her pulse point. Her hands traced the defined lines of Lucinda’s shoulders, down to her hands, intertwining their fingers above her head as she slipped her thigh between her legs, pressing against her. Lucinda moaned, rocking against her immediately.
“Tell me again,” she implored against Lucinda’s skin.
“I love you.”
“I love you too,” Samantha whispered.
*
Samantha woke up smiling; long limbs were wrapped around her chest and legs. Lucinda was spooned up behind her, one leg draped across hers, her left arm hooked under Samantha’s and her hand gently closed against her chest. It was the warmest most comfortable position Samantha had ever woken up in. She could feel the slow, rhythmic breathing against her bare shoulder as Lucinda remained peaceful, lost in sleep. She pressed herself back farther into the crook of Lucinda’s hips, enjoying the sensation of being completely enveloped by another human being. Last night had been magical. It was intense and passionate and tranquil all at the same time. Seeing the park, hearing her story, sharing their secrets, loving her, being loved, it just felt unreal. But it was real—there was a very real, very naked Lucinda Moss pressed up against her and Samantha wouldn’t have it any other way.
“You’re awake?” Lucinda kissed her shoulder.
“I thought you were sleeping,” she purred as she turned her head to kiss Lucinda.
“Nope, just enjoying how good it feels to have you all wrapped up in me.” She pecked Samantha’s lips before nuzzling her cheek.
Samantha slid her arm up and over Lucinda’s, entwining their fingers at her chest and encouraging Lucinda to hug her more tightly. “Mm, this may be my new favorite position.” She shifted back infinitesimally into Lucinda.
“Oh, that sounds like a challenge.” Lucinda nipped at the skin of Samantha’s shoulder. She pulled her hand from Samantha’s and walked her fingers down a flat abdomen before Samantha stopped her.
“Baby, as much as I want to, I have to pee…and probably shower.” She frowned and wiggled her hips forward a bit.
“Okay, that’s a good enough reason I guess.” Lucinda placed one last kiss to Samantha’s shoulder before releasing her and stretching out on the bed.
“Oh, by the way”—Samantha sat up with a stretch and a yawn before turning back to look at her very relaxed girlfriend—“I love you.” Lucinda gave her one last quick kiss before she stumbled out of the room to the bathroom.
Lucinda couldn’t help the goofy grin plastered on her face. The last thing she had ever expected wh
en she went to Connie’s wedding was to meet someone, anyone, let alone a woman as charming and complex as Samantha Monteiro. Sometimes she wished she had given herself more opportunities to be vulnerable in the past. But life had taken her on quite a ride so far, and she was grateful for the maturity she had acquired at this time in her life, the time when Samantha entered her world all dimples and bright smiles. She wouldn’t fight her feelings this time; she wouldn’t shy away from any intimacy. She wanted to be a better person—she wanted to use her past experiences to make the right decisions for her future. A future she hoped would include the beautiful woman she could hear humming happily from the bathroom next to her.
A moment later, Samantha stood in the doorway of the bathroom, a silk robe tied loosely around her waist. “Hey beautiful,” she said, “care to join me in the shower? You know, to save water.” She flashed a devilish smile.
Lucinda beamed. “Massimo would be so proud.” She gave one final stretch before hopping out of bed on her quest to save the environment.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Samantha knew some people found mundane tasks like ironing or doing the dishes to be relaxing, the kind of mindless activity that required minimal attention but had a steady rhythm that lulled you into a peacefulness you didn’t know you needed. Samantha felt that way about primping. She sat at her makeup table, blowing her damp hair dry, but letting it settle as it would naturally, in loose, easy curls. As a child, she had hated her hair, but she had learned to appreciate it as she grew up, eventually becoming the envy of most men and women she met, beautiful, long hair, dark as night and full of natural body.
