Love Times Four

by Jeanne Mccann

  "I adore you."

  "I can't wait to get home. I'm going to make love with you all night."

  "Do you think you could hurry? I want you to touch me in the worst way." Catherine whispered in Tia's ear.

  "Five minutes." Tia promised, as her body reacted to Catherine's words.

  Catherine and Tia all but ran from the parked car into the elevator. Tia could have groaned out loud as one of her neighbors joined them for the ride up. She and Catherine exchanged long smoldering looks as they stood across from each other. Tia's skin tingled as she thought of Catherine's naked body next to her own. Her breathing became labored as she struggled to keep her passion in check until they were alone. Smiling at her neighbor, she and Catherine walked normally to her front door. It took several attempts before the door swung open and Catherine followed Tia inside. Catherine kicked the door shut as Tia turned to her.

  "Catherine!" The rest of Tia's words were swallowed up by Catherine's mouth, as she hungrily kissed Tia, her hands tearing at Tia's clothes.

  "Oh God!" Catherine gasped, as Tia tore her shirt from her body, her mouth finding her breasts. Catherine's fingers fumbled with Tia's jeans, finally unzipping them, and shoving them off her hips. As they struggled to remove their clothes in the hallway, their mouths feasted greedily on each other's, words of encouragement and love, whispered. Catherine was too out of control to wait any longer, as she dragged Tia to the floor, her hand sliding between Tia's legs.

  The instant pleasure and heat drove a cry from Tia, while Catherine's fingers tantalized her. Catherine's teeth teased Tia's nipple, as she tore the thin silk panties out of the way.

  "I want you so much, Tia." Catherine whispered, as she slid her fingers deliciously into Tia. The slow stroking wasn't enough, as Tia's hips arched in response. Catherine smiled as she slid down her lover's body. "I've wanted my mouth on you all night."

  Tia's body exploded as Catherine's words, and her mouth overwhelmed her. While Tia's hips bucked and rolled, Catherine held on tightly, her tongue and lips tasted the very essence that she craved. Tia's body trembled, while pleasure unlike anything that she had ever experienced, rolled through her body.

  "I want you naked." Tia demanded as she rolled Catherine on to her back, removing what few clothes remained, her mouth and hands sliding feverishly over Catherine's body.

  Catherine's mouth once again found Tia's, as they kissed, their lips tasting and feeding on each other's. Their bodies strained against each other's, as Catherine's hands traced down Tia's back and hips, clutching her tightly.

  Tia reached down and wrapped Catherine's legs around her waist, as she rocked her hips tightly against Catherine's. Catherine's head fell back, her eyes locked on to Tia's, as she felt her body begin the rapid spiral, a need that only Tia could meet.

  Tia's reached down and caught Catherine's hands, where they had fallen limply by her sides. Slowly, Tia stretched Catherine's arms over her head, her fingers threaded through Tia's, as their bodies slid against one another's. Tia's hips rode against Catherine's, harder and faster, as Catherine gasped with pleasure. Their hearts pounding, as they held each other's gaze. Catherine began to shake as an orgasm crashed all at once through her body. Tia saw it in her eyes, and felt the stirring of her own, as she tightened her hips against Catherine's. Tears slid from her eyes as she stared at her beautiful lover's face, sharing the most perfect lovemaking.

  A cry slipped from Catherine, as she slid into that heaven that comes from a melding of hearts and bodies. Tia's body melted on to Catherine's, as they kissed slowly, a pledge as strong as any words. Tia began to cry. She could no longer hold back the raw emotion that she felt. Catherine's arms locked around Tia's neck, as she soothed and kissed Tia's tears away.

  "Tia, I love you so much."

  "Catherine, what I feel for you is so much bigger then love. When 1 thought I couldn't be with you and Maddy I knew what people meant when they said they could die of a broken heart. I need you and Maddy in my life."

  Catherine's eyes filled with tears of her own. "You're as much a part of me as Maddy. We're a family, and no matter what happens, we'll deal with it together. Maddy and I need you Tia, as much as you need us."

  "I love you, Catherine."

  "I love you."

  "What do you say about moving this to the bedroom? Not that I am complaining." Tia grinned as she sat up, running her hand down Catherine's hip and thigh.

  "I think that's a wonderful suggestion." Catherine chuckled. "I can't believe we just made love in the hallway."

  "I have many other places we might try." Tia teased, as she helped Catherine up.

  "Like?" Catherine tugged Tia toward the bedroom.

  "The dining room table, the back deck at night, the laundry room." Tia twinkled, her eyes at Catherine.

  "What, no shower?" Catherine laughed as they tumbled onto the bed.

  Catherine and Tia were overwhelmed with happiness and Anna couldn't have been more pleased for them. It made her feel guilty that she was so envious of her friends and their good fortune. She tried to hide it from them, only allowing it to surface when she was alone. Anna felt the scalding hot tears and cried herself to sleep. She wanted what they all had.

  Chapter Twenty

  Anna

  Tuesday afternoon it was a different Catherine and Tia that sat in Michael's office. Both of them were intent upon protecting their relationship and Maddy.

  "Catherine, it's much better to take Jerry's suit to a family court arbitrator then to wait to go to court. It will be much faster, less costly, and much easier on Maddy." Michael explained quietly to the very unhappy women seated across from her.

  "Does Jerry have a chance of taking Maddy from me?" Catherine's voice shook and her hand clenched Tia's tightly.

  "I won't make any guarantees, but it is highly unlikely that any judge would take a happy, well-adjusted child from her mother. It is not against the law for you and Tia to be together, and the fact that you are buying a home to raise Maddy in, speaks for itself. It's not going to be easy for you to sit and listen to your ex-husband try to turn you into a bad mother."

  "I know."

  "Okay. Since Jerry and his lawyer have agreed to meet with the arbitrator, we went and set the meeting up for next Thursday at four o'clock. I have all the information we need for this preliminary meeting, but I want to meet with you at three o'clock, so we can prepare and go to the meeting together."

  "Okay."

  "Tia, do you understand why you can't be there?" Michael gazed at a very distraught Tia.

  "Yes." Anger emanated from Tia.

  "I know you want to support Catherine, but your being there would just make Jerry even angrier. We don't need that." Michael spoke gently to Tia. She could understand how Tia felt and saw the struggle she was having.

  "I understand." Tia responded impatiently. She understood, but it still made her very unhappy. She wanted to be there to support and protect Catherine.

  "Tia, it will be fine." Catherine squeezed Tia's fingers. Tia's anger disappeared from her face as it filled with love for Catherine.

  Michael sighed to herself as she watched the two of them. What she wouldn't give for that kind of love. She wanted to love someone unconditionally, and get that same kind of love in return.

  "Michael, thank you." Tia smiled as she stood up.

  "You both are very welcome."

  "Should I call you before next week?"

  "Catherine, if I need to talk to you, I'll call. Now, I want the two of you to stop worrying, that's my job. Go buy a house." She grinned as she shoved the two of them out of her office.

  "Say hello to Anna for us."

  "I will, now get."

  Michael smiled as she sat back down at her desk. She ran her hands over it and smiled. Her father and brother had built her office from the floor up, including the large oak desk, and the matching wall of shelves. She always felt safe when she was in her office. She sat back and her thoughts went to Anna. She needed to call
her and make sure she still wanted to get together tomorrow night. Besides, she wanted to talk to her. Anna had intrigued her when she spent the afternoon at her house. Anna had been very generous and supportive of Catherine and Tia. She had welcomed everyone into her home as if they were family. It had been months since Michael had anything close to a date, and Anna was, to put it bluntly, an absolute doll. Michael could still remember the feeling she had gotten in the pit of her stomach when Anna had smiled at her. It was so rare that Michael thought of anything but work. She dialed Anna's number and got comfortable in her chair.

  "Hello."

  "Anna, its Michael."

  "Hi."

  "Are we still on for tomorrow night?"

  "We'd better be. I have just finished painting the last wall of my living room." Anna volunteered with a humorous snort.

  "I'd better bring something good for dinner then." Michael chuckled. "Any suggestions?"

  "The only thing that I am not too fond of is curry, but otherwise, surprise me. 1 love surprises."

  "That's good to know. Six-thirty then?"

  "Perfect."

  "Anna, don't work too hard."

  "I should say the same to you. I know you had a late meeting with Catherine and Tia."

  "They just left."

  "I'm glad they have a good lawyer."

  "Thank you, but don't you think you ought to wait and see what happens?" Michael had flooded with warmth at Anna's compliment.

  "Anyone who meets with a client on a Saturday, with no advance warning, and not even in their office, has got to be a caring lawyer. A caring lawyer is a good lawyer."

  Michael didn't know what to say. She flooded with warmth at Anna's words. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow night."

  "So am I."

  "I'll see you at six-thirty."

  "Goodbye."

  Michael leaned back in her chair and put her feet up. She was surprised at Anna's observations. Most people would describe Michael as cold, businesslike, ambitious, and certainly not caring. Clicking her mind into motion, she thought about what kind of surprise meal she could bring to Anna's. She began to grin as an idea took shape. With a little bit of effort she could be very inventive.

  By six o'clock the following evening, Anna was getting cold feet about her date with Michael. She had five Alfred Hitchcock movies to choose from, her living room was freshly painted and put back together, and she was a nervous wreck. Twice, she went in and checked herself in the bedroom mirror. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a v-neck sweater, with a comfortable pair of loafers. Her hair was doing its usual style, refusing to do anything but curl. Sighing loudly, Anna gazed critically at herself in the mirror. She was a little over five feet seven, with long slender legs, and not much in the way of breasts. Her hair was, in her estimation, a nondescript brown, with curls that defied any style. Van always teased Anna about her hair, jealous of her curls and waves, but Anna found them nothing but irritating. She did have large eyes with long eyelashes, but again, in her estimation a very un-sexy hazel in color.

  It had been a long time since she had gone out on a date, and her self-esteem was at an all time low. She wasn't sure she had the energy to date again. And she knew her heart couldn't take another blow. She must have been crazy to invite Michael over. What was she thinking?

  Michael meanwhile, was happily on her way to Anna's, a huge filled picnic basket on the seat next to her. Anna would get her surprise. Pulling into Anna's driveway, Michael felt her first bit of nervousness as she got out of her car. For some reason, tonight was very important to her. She carried the heavy basket to the door and taking a deep breath, she knocked.

  The door opened quickly and Anna stood smiling inside. "Right on time, come on in."

  "Thanks." Michael smiled in return, as she swung the basket through the door. She couldn't prevent her eyes from traveling the length of Anna's slender frame. The old frayed jeans and the deep blue sweater were perfect on her, her friendly eyes, large and clear.

  "What have you brought?" Anna asked as she stared at Michael while she struggled through the door.

  "A picnic." Michael grinned mischievously at her.

  "A picnic?"

  The look on Anna's face was perfect, complete wonder. She was obviously pleasantly surprised. Michael filled with happiness as she placed the basket in the middle of the living room.

  "Your living room looks nice."

  "Thanks, I am glad I finished it in time for the picnic." Anna chuckled. "Can I get you something to drink? Here, let me hang up your jacket."

  "I have wine in the basket, and glasses." Michael slipped out of her jacket and handed it to Anna.

  Michael opened the basket and pulled out a picnic tablecloth. Kneeling to spread it on the floor, Michael prepared their meal. She began to set two place settings while Anna entered the living room and kneeled next to her.

  "Can I do anything?" Anna's eyes were filled with pleasure as she watched Michael. Not only had she thought of everything for the picnic, but she looked very cute dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a tee-shirt. "I can't believe you brought a picnic."

  "Here, you open the wine." Michael handed her the bottle and the wine opener. "You said to surprise you." Michael grinned, placing two wine glasses in front of Anna.

  "I did say that, and you certainly surprised me." Anna laughed as she worked the cork out of the wine bottle.

  "Good. Everyone deserves a surprise." Michael's dimples flashed in her cheeks as she grinned at Anna.

  Anna just smiled as she poured a glass of wine for the two of them. Michael was a very pleasant surprise.

  "So tell me about your job, while I put the food out." Michael requested as she pulled containers out of her basket.

  "There isn't much to tell. I do mechanical design work for the military side of Boeing. Currently, I am working on a communications satellite project team."

  "That sounds very interesting. Do you get to see it launched?"

  "Yes, it should go up by year end, in Long Beach, California."

  "So will you go?" Michael watched Anna respond.

  "Yes." Anna's face was animated. "It's an unbelievable feeling to see something you worked on for so long be successful."

  "You love what you do."

  "I do." Anna laughed as she handed Michael her wine. "Don't you love what you do?"

  "Yes."

  "You must get a wonderful feeling every time you help someone. You help real people with real problems."

  "Sometimes I can help. I don't always win every case or find a good solution."

  "At least you try."

  "So what can I serve you? We have some wonderful stuff here."

  "I don't know where to begin."

  "How about a little bit of everything?" Michael chuckled, as she handed a full plate to Anna. "Here you go."

  "Thank you."

  "You're very welcome. Now, tell me more about this satellite, unless you aren't allowed to."

  "I'm not telling you any military secrets." Anna grinned. "Besides, you have lawyer client privilege to deal with."

  "I guess we will have to watch what we say to each other, you, with your military secrets, and me, with my lawyer client privilege." Michael chuckled again.

  "So what can we talk about?"

  "How about Hitchcock? What movie are we going to watch?"

  "Well, I have live to choose from."

  "Do you have Rear Window?"

  "I do."

  "Can we watch that one?"

  "Of course." Anna stood up and put the video in the VCR. She had everything set up and ready to go.

  The two of them settled back and leaned against the couch, plates of food on their laps as the movie began.

  As the end of the movie credits rolled by, Anna and Michael were still seated on the floor, a bowl of strawberries between the two of them.

  "I think that is one of the best movies ever made." Michael volunteered as she started to load things back into the basket.

&nb
sp; "It's one of my favorites."

  "Well, I had better clean the rest of this mess up and head home."

  "Here, let me help." Anna and Michael put the remains of their picnic back in Michael's basket. "Thanks for the wonderful picnic. I enjoyed it very much."

  "I did to." Michael turned to smile at Anna. "It's been a long time since I've done something like this."

  "Are you up to doing something with me again?" Anna shyly asked, her smile soft as she gazed at Michael to gauge her reaction.