Fallen Elements

by Heather McVea

  Ryan willed herself to walk across the small living room, and she knelt down in front of Leah. “Then what? Why haven’t you –” Ryan’s words were cutoff as Leah pressed her lips to Ryan’s.

  Leah clung to Ryan as their tongues met, and a faint whimper escaped the blonde. Leah stood, and while still kissing Ryan, started to unbutton Ryan’s pants.

  “Wait.” Ryan leaned back, and took Leah’s hands in hers. Leah leaned forward, her lips finding the soft skin of Ryan’s neck. It took all of Ryan’s will to move Leah away. The skin where her mouth had been was still hot. “I – I mean I want to, but I think we need to talk first.”

  Leah stepped back from Ryan, her head lowered as she walked to the recliner and sat down. “I’m sorry. I missed you, and –”

  Ryan could see how much Leah was struggling, and she wanted nothing more than to hold her and reassure her. The tragedy was she didn’t know if any reassurance she might offer would turn out to be true.

  Taking a seat on the sofa, Ryan took a deep breath. “I understand, but we haven’t really resolved anything.” Ryan sat on the edge of the sofa, her hands resting on her knees. “I know it sounds silly, but as good as the sex is, it’s far from everything I get from being with you; so if we can’t fix the everything – I – just don’t know what then.”

  Leah’s eyes filled with tears. “I know you’re right. I’ve been locked in this house for the better part of a week, and I’ve done myself no favors by giving into a lot of self-pity.”

  “Why self-pity?” Ryan had never thought of Leah as a depressed or negative person, and to hear the struggle in her voice, and know Ryan was part of the cause, soured Ryan’s stomach and made her heart race.

  Leah laid her head back, the recliner rocking slightly with the shifting of her weight. “You know I’m forty five?” Ryan nodded. “And I’m not naïve, I know I look thirty.”

  Ryan grinned. “You look great.”

  Leah chuckled. “You’re sweet. I look a mess in this getup, but do you know why I look thirty?”

  Ryan shook her head. The furthest thing from her mind the past week were Leah’s looks. Though the age gap had initially been a mild concern for Ryan, it seemed incredibly trivial in light of recent developments.

  “We’re long lived. I don’t mean eighty or ninety. My grandmother lived to be a hundred and thirty three. When she died, she looked eighty.” Leah leaned forward, her eyes fixed on Ryan. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  Ryan wasn’t sure what the point was. In spite of being impressed as hell that Leah could live well beyond the century mark, Ryan was at a loss as to what it had to do with their current situation. “Sorry. I’m not following.”

  Leah sighed. “It means I have lots of time to be alone, to be afraid, to be angry. It scares the shit out of me. You – us – scares the shit out of me.”

  Ryan had a hundred things she wanted to say to Leah. Arguments and counter arguments, but she could bring only one into focus. “I love you. That matters so much more than any amount of fear or anger.”

  Leah stared, unblinking at Ryan for several seconds before she spoke. “I love you.” Leah wiped at her tear stained face. “Shit, I can’t stop crying.” She got up, and moved so she could sit next to Ryan. Their knees touching, Leah took Ryan’s hand. “I have a confession.”

  Ryan winced. “I’m bracing myself.”

  Leah smiled, absently cupping the side of Ryan’s face with her hand. “I wasn’t as reserved as you with I love you, and I said it – not often – but when it really didn’t count.” Leah kissed Ryan softly on the cheek. “You’re the first to really count, and I can’t decide if that’s incredibly romantic or frightfully tragic.”

  Ryan laughed. “I’m going with romantic, but I’m biased.”

  Leah’s lips found Ryan’s. The spark of heat the woman’s touch elicited in Ryan triggered a quiet sigh from Ryan. She rested her hand on the back of Leah’s neck, gently pulling her closer. Leah pulled back, her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but whatever she meant to say was caught somewhere. Instead, Leah stood, pulling Ryan to her feet.

  Leah began leading Ryan back into the bedroom. Ryan’s body was already on fire with anticipation as Leah gently pushed her back onto the bed. Leah pulls her t-shirt over her head, and Ryan smiled to see she wasn’t wearing a bra. Ryan was mesmerized as Leah slowly pulled her pants and panties down, kicking them to the side to stand naked in front of Ryan.

  Ryan couldn’t remember ever seeing anyone as beautiful. Leah’s skin was slightly tanned, and her perfectly shaped breasts sat just above her rib cage. Her waist tapered, and then the swell of her hips led down to her toned, sleek thighs.

  Without a word, Leah slowly removed Ryan’s clothes. Her fingers and hands traced exposed skin as she moved along the smooth planes of Ryan’s shoulders, along the swell of her breasts, and down the curve of her stomach, her hands coming to rest on both of Ryan’s hips.

  Bending down, Leah ran her tongue along Ryan’s jutting hip bone, across her abdomen, and then she gently placed a series of kisses up Ryan’s stomach. Her lips lingered at the side of Ryan’s breast.

  Ryan’s body was on fire as Leah’s hands and mouth moved over her skin. The doubt and hesitancy that had plagued Ryan all week were washed away, and even though part of Ryan knew nothing had really been resolved, her body overrode her mind so she didn’t care.

  Leah slowly lowered herself between Ryan’s legs. Their eyes met for a moment before Leah was kissing Ryan again, her mouth growing more urgent as she found Ryan’s. Ryan wrapped her arms around Leah’s shoulders, pulling her closer, the heat her touch triggered spiraling waves of warmth through Ryan.

  Leah shifted, and a second later Ryan gasped as Leah entered her with two fingers. Leah buried her face in the side of Ryan’s neck, her breath hot against Ryan’s skin as she thrust the full length of her fingers into her.

  Clinging to Leah, Ryan moved her hips in unison with Leah’s fingers. The feel of Leah’s body against Ryan was nearly more than she could take as shards of electricity ripped through her. Ryan ran her fingers through Leah’s blonde hair, entwining them in the silky strands as Ryan was desperate to pull Leah even closer.

  Bringing her legs up, Ryan wrapped them around Leah’s waist. Leah moaned. Leaning back, her eyes met Ryan’s. A thin film of sweat covered both women’s bodies as Leah sped the rhythm of her fingers up, their gazes still locked as Ryan began to tremble under Leah.

  Releasing her legs from around Leah’s waist, Ryan opened herself wider for Leah. Leah lifted her left leg up, and straddled Ryan’s thigh. Ryan gasped as Leah’s wetness coated her leg, the scent of vanilla and sex filling the room.

  Leah thrust her fingers into Ryan as she pushed against Ryan’s thigh. Ryan lifted her hips in unison with Leah as she frantically grabbed and clutched at the woman’s arms and shoulders. “Leah.” The word came as Ryan exhaled, and a moment later both women cried out as they climaxed.

  Leah slowly eased her fingers from Ryan, her breath coming in short pants as she slid up to lay her head on Ryan’s shoulder. Ryan wrapped her arms around Leah, her body still shaking from her release seconds before.

  “You’re wonderful.” Ryan smiled as she kissed the top of Leah’s head.

  Leah looked up at Ryan, her eyes slightly out of focus as a small smile found her lips. “I love you.” Leah pushed herself up, and knelt between Ryan’s legs. “You’re incredible and beautiful.”

  Ryan blushed, enjoying Leah’s appreciative stare. “I love you.” She suddenly felt fearless, unbound, and euphoric. Leah’s kisses, her touch, were transforming.

  Ryan had never tried hard to stave off her feelings for Leah. She knew there was still so many things they would have to face. Neither of them could really know what would happen, or if there was an inevitable sheer cliff out in the distance they might plummet over. It didn’t matter to Ryan, for as she laid wrapped in the warmth of Leah’s embrace, she felt all too happy and grateful for
the fall.

  Chapter 16

  Ryan sat bolt upright. Her eyes scanning the darkness of Leah’s bedroom. Finding the alarm clock, she swore under her breath as she got out of bed, and switched on the small lamp on the nightstand.

  “What’s wrong?” A groggy Leah sat up, rubbing at her eyes.

  Ryan hurriedly grabbed her previously discarded clothes from the floor. “It’s eight forty five.”

  Leah glanced at the clock. “So? You got a hot date?” She joked.

  Ryan didn’t respond as she pulled her slacks on, patting at the front pockets with her hands. “Crap. Where’s my phone?”

  Leah ran her hand through her tousled hair as she tossed the sheet back. Ryan glanced up, and came to a full stop. “Please. I’m running late to meet Carol, and if you just sit there naked and gorgeous, she’s going to just sit at that hotel bar waiting.”

  Leah smiled, stood up and walked toward Ryan, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I want to help you find your phone.”

  Ryan held her hands out in front of her. “Thanks, but I can manage.”

  Leah feigned a pout, and pulled a half dressed Ryan into her arms. “Do you want me to come into town later? I could stay over.”

  Ryan, the upper half of her body still naked, was having trouble focusing with Leah’s breasts pressed to hers. “Ah, I – no, I can come back. Greg and Nic are dating, and they are a little unbearable in that classic honeymoon phase euphoria sort of way.”

  “I didn’t realize they were together.” Leah kissed Ryan on the shoulder.

  Ryan moaned, and with all the strength she had, stepped back from Leah. “Just started dating, and god help me if it goes badly.” She bent over and grabbed her bra and blouse.

  “God help you?” Leah frowned.

  “I’ve gone through many of Nic’s break-ups, but never one that would hit so close to home, so to speak.” Ryan was having trouble buttoning her blouse, her hands trembling as she forced back the urge to crawl back into bed with Leah.

  Stepping forward, Leah straightened Ryan’s blouse, and slowly began buttoning it. “Maybe it will work out.”

  Ryan looked down at Leah’s slender fingers as they slipped one button after another into their buttonholes. “I hope so.”

  Fastening the last button, Leah leaned in and kissed Ryan’s cheek. “How long will you be gone?”

  “I should be back around twelve. Is that too late?” Ryan, feeling more confident in her self-restraint, wrapped her arm around the small of Leah’s bare lower back.

  “I’ll be here.” Leah gave Ryan a quick kiss on the lips. “You should go now though.”

  Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “In such a hurry to get rid of me?”

  Leah chewed nervously on the inside of her lower lip. “The opposite. If you don’t leave now, I’ll really owe Carol an apology.”

  Ryan chuckled. “We both will.” Turning to leave the bedroom, Ryan nearly stepped on her phone. Bending to pick it up, she frowned. “Perfect. It’s dead.”

  “You can use mine if you want to let her know you’re running late.” Leah walked past her, and into the living room.

  “That’s funny. You think I know her number? Anyone’s number for that matter?” Ryan tucked the phone in her pant pocket.

  Reaching into her purse, Leah stopped. “I know your number.”

  Ryan blushed, and closing the space between her and Leah, pulled her into a tight hug. “You’re just a better person than me.”

  Leah smiled against the side of Ryan’s neck. “I think it’s a generational thing.”

  Ryan leaned back. “Are you saying I’m young?”

  “No – I’m old.” Leah cupped Ryan’s cheek in her hand.

  “You’re pretty hot for an old woman.” Ryan turned her lips to Leah’s warm palm.

  Leah’s gaze wandered along the smooth skin of Ryan’s face, the definition of her jaw, and came to rest on the fullness of her lips. “I wish I had met you sooner.”

  Ryan’s expression grew serious. “I would have been a minor, and I hate to think of you in jail.”

  Leah tisked, and playfully pinched Ryan’s upper arm. “Awful joke.”

  Ryan practically giggled as she opened the door. “You’ll still be naked when I get back.” She stated.

  “Clearly, as that was not in the form of a question.” Leah smiled. “Be safe.”

  Ryan nodded, shut the door, and quickly walked to her car.

  ***

  “Am I dead to you?” Ryan rushed toward Carol, who sat at the Monaco’s bar, a half empty gin and tonic in front of her.

  The Monaco hotel was a mid-size boutique hotel in downtown Baltimore near the Inner Harbor. It was located in the renovated B&O Railroad Headquarters, and the entire hotel was designed in the style of America’s gilded age with elaborate frescos and murals throughout the lobby, accented by 1900 style furniture.

  Carol pivoted on the bar stool. “I was more worried you were dead somewhere. Your phone kept going straight to voicemail.” She slid off the stool, and gave Ryan a brief peck on the cheek.

  Sitting down, Ryan shook her head. “I’m sorry. My phone is dead, and I couldn’t find my car charger.”

  “Your work meeting ran late?” Carol sat back down, and waved the bartender over.

  “Yeah.” Ryan had no plans to discuss Leah with Carol. She realized she was still feeling a little raw over Carol running to Lucy to gossip about her and Leah.

  “Are you still loving the job?” Carol asked.

  Ryan nodded. “I am.”

  “What can I get you?” The bartender, who was an attractive twenty-something brunette, smiled warmly at Ryan.

  “Oh, ah – Natty Boh, please.”

  “I only have that canned. Is that okay?” The bartender offered.

  “Sure, and don’t worry about the glass.”

  The brunette grinned. “Awesome.”

  Carol looked at Ryan, and then watched as the bartender walked toward the far end of the bar. “She’s flirting with you.”

  Ryan glanced toward the attractive woman. “Is she?”

  Carol nodded. “I got the perfunctory yes miss. You got awesome.”

  Ryan tilted her head back, and stretched her neck from side-to-side. “She clearly prefers beer to gin.”

  Carol chuckled. “Whatever.”

  The bartender returned with an open can of Natty Boh. “Let me know if you need anything else.” She looked at Carol. “Can I get you another Tanqueray and tonic, miss?”

  Carol shook her head. “I’m good for now. She needs to catchup.”

  The bartender smiled. “Check.”

  Carol waited until the woman was out of earshot. “See? Miss.”

  “You’re silly.” Ryan took a drink of her beer. “What brings you back to Baltimore so soon?”

  “The whole family is here, actually.” Carol smiled. “Mother wants us all to do lunch tomorrow if you’re available.”

  Ryan shook her head. “I’m busy. Why are they here?” The fact her cousin hadn’t really answered her question wasn’t lost on Ryan.

  Carol took a long drink of her gin and tonic, nearly emptying the remainder of the glass. “Something to do with business. You know they can be vague. I was just happy to have another chance to see you.” She smiled, raising her glass toward Ryan. “Cheers.”

  Ryan lifted her can of beer. “Cheers, and I’m happy to see you too.” She smiled.

  “Speaking of seeing people.” Carol’s gaze was focused on her glass as she ran her finger along its rim. “Are you still seeing Leah?”

  Ryan paused mid drink, and put the can of beer down on the bar. “That was a seamless segue.”

  Carol smirked. “I thought so.”

  In spite of the rest of the family’s penchant for secrets, and Carol’s for gossip, Ryan and Carol had never been particularly good at keeping them from one another. “I’m still seeing Leah. Nothing too serious.” Ryan still felt cautious in spite of her and Carol’s history together. A twinge of guil
t tinted her white lie, but she was resolved to maintain the half-truth.

  Carol emptied her glass, and gestured for the bartender to bring her another drink. “She nearly killed my father.”

  Ryan coughed. Her last drink of beer caught at the back of her throat with Carol’s words. “What?!”

  The bartender placed a fresh drink in front of Carol, and seeing Ryan coughing, quickly handed her a small black cocktail napkin. “Are you okay? Would you like some water?”

  Ryan shook her head, her voice strained. “I’m good. Thanks.”

  The bartender hesitated. “Okay. Let me know if you need anything else.”

  Ryan managed a nod, and after another short cough, turned her attention to Carol. “What are you talking about?”

  Carol’s eyes filled with tears. “When we were here last, she and my parents got into an altercation, and she burned my father’s arm.” Carol reached across the bar, and retrieved a cocktail napkin from the bar caddy. Wiping her eyes, she took several deep breaths. “I didn’t even know if I should tell you, but if you’re still seeing her, I can’t just say nothing.”

  Ryan’s heart was racing, her face felt hot, and she was having trouble catching her breath. “How could Leah nearly kill Derek?”

  Carol blew her noise quietly, and discreetly tucked the folded napkin into her front pant pocket. “You have to know. I mean, if I know, you must know.”

  Ryan wasn’t sure how to play this game. She was truly distressed to see Carol so upset, but she didn’t want to say too much, and inadvertently expose Carol or Leah to harm. “What should I know?”

  Carol chuckled, but her eyes narrowing as she turned to Ryan. “Are you feeling me out, Ryan?”

  Ryan stiffened at Carol’s use of her first name. It was a small thing, but the formality of it immediately put Ryan on the defensive. “Why would I be doing that?”

  Carol emptied her drink, and grabbing another napkin, wiped her mouth. “I’m so scared for you, and you being with her.”

  Ryan gently touched Carol’s shoulder, trying to reassure the woman. “Let’s just take a second here. What are you talking about?”