by Nat Burns
With irresistible force, her arms came up and curved around Hazy’s neck and shoulders. She cradled the platinum-blond head against her body.
Hazy sighed, as if in relief, and laid hot, soft lips upon the thin skin of Nina’s neck above her collarbone as she brought her hand down and smoothed its warmth along Nina’s bare arm.
“Why do you make me feel this way?” she asked, lips and breath tickling and raising delicious gooseflesh. “It’s na fair to stir a woman so, to invade her mind until she can think of little else but how it would feel to touch you this way.”
Hazy drew back to cup Nina’s face in her hands. Her lips captured Nina and Nina felt momentarily dizzy from the possession. The kiss was invasive, but never taking more than was offered, merely coaxing Nina along until she responded with a passion that surprised with its intensity.
Hazy kissed Nina’s eyes, one at a time; moist, lingering kisses.
“Tell me you want me, Nina,” she whispered hoarsely. “You do, don’t you?”
Her hands dropped to stroke Nina’s breasts through her thin shirt and undershirt. Fire leapt throughout Nina’s body and her face felt flushed and warm.
“Yes, yes, I do,” she whispered, wanting to whimper from the ecstasy of Hazy’s touch.
Everything was forgotten—Mama New, Heather, her parents, even Mrs. Loreli’s warning; all were blazed away in this molten core of heat. She was lost, not knowing where—or who—she was. The world was vanishing except for Hazy, herself and the hot cocoon of sensation surrounding them.
Hazy hesitantly lifted the bottom hem of her shirt, as if asking permission. In answer, Nina lifted her arms. Hazy drew both shirts off and, with a sigh, proceeded to worship Nina’s upper body with lips and rough, hot palms.
When Nina was pliant, swaying in the chair from kisses and caresses, Hazy stood. With impatient passion, she snapped off the overhead light and turned to lift Nina to her feet and propel her through the twilight into the bedroom. She pressed against her as she slowly, fully undressed them both, the last shards of sunlight making her golden hair shimmer.
When they lay next to one another on the bed, Nina rose above Hazy and cupped her lean breasts, teasing the small hard nipples into a puckered firmness with lips and hands until she brought helpless moans to Hazy’s lips. Nina touched the thick blond hair, finally allowed, then looked deep into the cobalt of her eyes trying to understand so much.
Hazy took over, welcoming Nina into an embrace. Hazy began to love her, gently, patiently, but urgently. Somehow, even with the aching necessity rampant in both of them, Hazy managed to take the time to discover exactly what pleased Nina and what sent her to the brink of ecstatic insanity.
“I think you do want me as much as I have to…have you,” she gasped once as Nina’s hand insistently closed on the softest part of her as they pressed together with eagerness.
Nina smiled to herself in the dimness. Oh yes, she wanted Hazy. More than she’d ever wanted anyone.
Hazy moved down and pressed her warm mouth against the tender spot below Nina’s navel, the sensation forcing Nina to bite her bottom lip to keep from crying out.
“Ah, Nina, I care for you too much, too much,” Hazy murmured against her yielding flesh as she moved lower, her mouth powerful against Nina’s clit. Rocked by the fierce current of passion wrought by each stroke of Hazy’s tongue, within moments Nina felt new wetness as she cried out her release. Hazy entered her then, gently, fulfilling and completing the orgasm. Closing her eyes Hazy pressed her forehead against Nina’s thigh as if savoring the waning pulsations of Nina’s body.
After some time Hazy looked up at her and Nina was surprised to see moisture shining in the shadowed eyes when the lighthouse made its brief survey across the room. A great surge of fear welled in her. She needed to tell Hazy to go, needed to escape this frightening need that consumed her. And then there was the foreignness of the new tenderness she felt for the gruff, stiff woman. She was seeing the real Hazy and the thought filled her with a fierce protectiveness.
Nina pulled Hazy close and rained soft kisses along her neck, her jaw, soft warm tongue pressing designs. Hazy countered by roughly teasing one firm breast peak with the tip of her fingers. Renewed reaction made Nina powerless and she threw back her head, flashing currents of pure pleasure shooting from breast to crotch. Breathless, she pulled Hazy closer, her fingers fluttering along the other’s back like butterflies at nectar.
Murmuring, Hazy moved to embrace her and their bodies slid together. Both gasped and stilled as they made the full connection of heated, wet flesh against thighs. Nina marveled at the new physical awareness she felt coursing through her. The thought, I’ve found it, played repeatedly through her mind, like a welcome melody.
Hazy spoke as her body trembled, her face buried in the curve of Nina’s neck. “Please,” she beseeched in a harsh whisper. “Please.”
They lay clasped together, Nina driven to the brink of madness by wanting, by fear. She moved then, slowly and sweetly, ocean waves against the shore. Nina’s hands found Hazy’s waist and muscular bottom, encouraging her as they met and kissed with every slow push. Hazy’s right hand went low and drove Nina momentarily insane as her kisses plundered her mouth, furthering the sensation and taking Nina from her body with each forceful thrust of hot fingers within her. She faded away into another dimension as Hazy shuddered against her with muted cries.
The whispers against her mouth were low and enticing, bringing Nina back to reality. Hazy’s words of endearment were incomprehensible but increased Nina’s fire anew. Driven by unnamed need, she rolled Hazy onto her back and lay atop her. Hazy’s wet hands moved along her flanks, raising gooseflesh. Nina smoothed the hair from Hazy’s eyes, finding them sweet and vulnerable yet still darkened with desire.
The unhurried tenderness juxtaposed with fierce need touched her heart as well as her body and the flames seared her far more deeply than any mere physical encounter.
Nina knew she was hopelessly hooked. She would, unfortunately, love Hazy Duncan forever.
Chapter 26
The gulls woke Hazy at daybreak the next morning. Nina still slumbered in the crook of her arm. Impulsively, she touched her lips to her forehead, inhaling the clean, sweet scent of her hair.
The passion they had created the night before lingered and Hazy felt aroused and satisfied at the same time. She smiled at the ceiling as she remembered Nina’s intensity. At last she’d found a woman who matched her, a woman whose passion was as strong as her own.
Or had she? There was still Mander to contend with. She was, by far, the better catch—younger, stronger, more socially desirable. Would Nina choose Mander over a mere boat jockey who was more than two decades older?
If she had any sense she would.
Hazy eased her arm from beneath Nina and held her breath as the other woman stirred and turned over, drawing up her knees.
Hazy left the bed gingerly and drew the blanket up to cover Nina.
After gathering her clothes and moving into the living room, she dressed as she gazed out at the channel through the screen door.
She loved mornings. The world was stirring, waking with a special magic right before her eyes. There was so much to see and each sunrise was a new uplifting experience. She realized suddenly that every time she was with Nina she felt the same way, even during their petty arguments. She made her feel like each day was a new start on life.
Nina. Hazy sighed and pressed her forehead into the nylon screen.
What was she going to do now? Head over heels in love and she’d sworn she’d have no more of that.
Smiling at her stubbornness, she knew she should have realized her self-destructive personality wouldn’t be warned off by sticking her hand in the fire. Oh no, it only made her want to jump into the fire headfirst. She just had to wait for Nina in the cottage. She couldn’t leave her a note about the door left unlocked; it had to be told face to face.
Well, now it was done and she knew the right
thing to do.
To love again and lose again would destroy what little that was left of her. Yet she was taking the chance because of Nina and that special way she made her feel, as if every day were filled with mornings.
A car passing reminded her she had work to do. The usual morning rush of rental customers would be arriving soon and it wouldn’t do for them, or Mama New, to see her coming from Nina’s cottage.
She slipped out the door, closing it quietly.
Chapter 27
Nina woke feeling as though her body had been reborn. Her skin tingled and she couldn’t remember a time she’d felt so deliciously relaxed. Memories flooded her mind and, blushing, she relived the night before.
Hazel loved her, she was sure of it. Love was a hard emotion to define, but she had seen it shining in Hazy’s eyes as she let down her guard. Every action had generated tenderness and caring. And how could someone consistently imitate those feelings? How could she lie to her during the special intimacy they had shared? Hazy had transported her to a world of pure sensation and warmth where both had forgotten everything except the radiant love shining between them.
But where was Hazy? Why wasn’t she here with her? Her heart fell. She was with her family, of course. Nina didn’t even hear the usual morning activity. Occasional snatches of conversation reached her from the other cottages, a television blared somewhere, and a boat engine rumbled to life, that was all.
She sat up abruptly in the bed, her tousled hair falling across her face in a fiery, auburn wave. What if she already regretted last night? Suppose she was eaten up with guilt because of Mama New and Heather? Did she hate her now for allowing her to betray her family? She stumbled out of bed.
After showering and dressing in simple shorts and T-shirt, Nina paced the cottage in a nervous frenzy. Why wouldn’t Hazy come to her?
Thoroughly distracted by worry and uncontrolled curiosity, Nina decided she’d have to go to Hazy.
Clothes flapping on a clothesline outside Hazy’s cottage made her pause halfway across the drive and reconsider everything that had been happening to her. The clothes were of an intimate nature—bras, panties, a slip or two—and several large flowered dresses that could only belong to Mama New. Interspersed with these hung Hazy’s shorts and T-shirts, as well as small colorful dresses and lace-edged panties, no doubt belonging to a precious child named Heather.
Dismay swamped Nina. What was she doing? Did she really think Hazy could have a life with her?
They did love one another, she told herself, and these things were known to happen every day. But to continue to betray Mama New? That kind, sweet woman?
Even if Hazy and Mama New weren’t committed to one another, Nina was interfering in some type of long-term relationship and it just wasn’t right. Filled with sorrow and guilt, Nina quickly returned to her cottage and the safety of solitude.
Nevertheless, some hours later, when a knock sounded at door, her heart leapt with sudden joy. Nina quickly checked her appearance in the bedroom mirror then raced to the door.
Rhonda stood outside the screen, a large bouquet of flowers clasped to her chest.
Chapter 28
Glancing past Rhonda, Nina saw Hazy standing in the drive. She was talking to Martha Jennings. Hazy caught Nina’s eye. Her expression was bewildered but cool.
“Well, I knew my greeting would be cold, but I didn’t think it would be nonexistent.” Rhonda’s statement drew her attention and Nina stared numbly into dark gray eyes.
She had forgotten how well-groomed Rhonda kept herself. People on the island lived more close to nature. Gray hair and casual clothing were the norm. Rhonda was certainly more metropolitan; her hair was impeccable, her flawless skin smoothly oiled and bearing just the right amount of tan. She wore designer clothing and a silk scarf decorated the front of her button-down shirt. Her leather loafers, even in ruthless August heat, held a hard-won gleam.
“Well, please say something, or at least let me come inside.” She looked from side to side. “It’s embarrassing to be kept waiting on your doorstep.”
Nina found her voice finally. “Rhonda, you’re here.”
“Yes, I am. May I come in?” She was frowning and Nina knew from experience that she was becoming angry. Renewed anger filled Nina. As if Rhonda had any right to be angry.
Opening the door, Nina curtly stepped aside so Rhonda could enter. Rhonda paused as she passed and Nina thought for a minute that she was actually going to kiss her. She braced to push her away. She passed on, however, and laid the flowers on the kitchen table.
“I brought these for you. A way of apologizing, I suppose,” she said in a low voice, her back to Nina. “Although I don’t suppose anything can make up for what happened.”
Nina was finally recovering from the shock of Rhonda’s return and a wealth of hard memories flooded her. She felt her own anger soar.
“Flowers? You brought me flowers? Are these supposed to make me feel better?” she snapped in fury as she turned to face Rhonda.
“I really am sorry for what I’ve put you through,” Rhonda said softly. “I just got cold feet, I suppose. I went back to Wendy. That’s where I’ve been.” She hung her head.
Nina turned away from Rhonda and covered her face with her hands. She’d left her for Wendy? Wendy was her high school sweetheart and they had broken up years ago. Or so Rhonda claimed.
“I thought it was over between you two. You weren’t still seeing her when you were with me, were you?” She turned and eyed Rhonda with anger and pain.
“No, not really,” she answered quickly. “She would call me now and then, but that’s all.”
“Then why?” Nina grated. “Why did you go to her and why did you bother to ask me to be your life partner? Why did you not even have the simple decency to tell me what was going on with you?”
Rhonda walked to the bedroom doorway and leaned against the jamb, arms crossed. “I wanted you, Nina, still do. I just had to make sure what I had with Wendy was really over.” She sighed. “And…I was afraid of a real commitment.”
“Oh, hell. We talked and talked about that,” Nina reminded her. “You’re a liar! You said you were okay with committing.”
Rhonda held up her hands. “I just realized I couldn’t face all those people at that party, and...” she paused and raised sheepish eyes. “I just ran.”
Nina nodded. “Yes. You just ran,” she snarled. “Leaving me with friends and relatives wanting to know where you were, with the ceremony to cancel, dresses to return. You can’t imagine the hell I went through. The embarrassment.”
“I know, I’m sorry, I just…”
Hazy and Martha entered the cottage, Martha laughing at some witticism Hazy had shared with her, and it worked to help dispel the tension filling the small room.
Upon seeing Nina, Martha rushed across the room to fling silk-covered arms about her neck. “Nina, Nina, how are you, sweet girl?”
“Hello, Martha,” Nina said politely, trying to smile. Circumstances made it hard to show the excitement she normally would have shown.
“I hope you don’t mind my bringing Rhonda along. I was visiting with your parents when she showed up looking for you. I had planned to visit and thought she might as well come along.”
“Yes, that’s fine,” Nina replied quickly, trying to put Martha at ease. “We have some things that need to be sorted out anyway.”
Hazy was watching the exchange with curiosity. Nina saw her eye the flowers lying on the table so she moved to unwrap them and put them in a vase of water.
Martha, Hazy and Rhonda stood in awkward silence until Rhonda spoke to Hazy.
“Must be quite a business you have here, with the influx of tourists each year,” she said with a polished, friendly smile. “Does it go on all year long or is it seasonal only?”
“Well, actually,” Hazy began, boldly moving to take a seat at the table, as if laying claim. “It goes on pretty much all year ’round now. Used to be just during the pony pennin
g or oyster season. Now it seems like people have realized how nice the islands are all year long. I do business up until way after first freeze.”
“Do you do the cottages as well as boats?” Rhonda asked, joining Hazy and audaciously miming for Nina to bring them both a drink.
Nina looked at her in disbelief. Shaking her head, she fetched a pitcher of iced tea from the refrigerator and glasses from the cupboard. She poured two glasses over on the counter then placed the pitcher and two empty glasses on the table with a thud.
Chapter 29
While Hazy and Rhonda served their own tea and discussed the tourist business, Martha and Nina escaped to the boat rental dock with their glasses of cool, sweet tea and settled themselves on the two end Adirondack chairs.
“How are you, really,” Martha asked brushing Nina’s hair from her face so she could see the younger woman’s eyes. “Was bringing Rhonda a no-no?”
“You might have given me a heads-up,” she retorted then shrugged and looked out toward the channel. “No, I need to resolve things with her.”
“Did you find out what happened? I only made small talk with her on the drive over. I didn’t want her to think I was prying.”
“Well,” Nina sighed. “She says she got cold feet.” She couldn’t bring herself to tell Martha that she went back to her old girlfriend.
Martha nodded wisely. “It’s happened before. So, why is she back?”
“That I don’t know yet,” she replied firmly. “But I intend to find out.”
“Well, don’t do it right now,” Martha suggested. “I’ve made lunch reservations for the three of us at The Elite. Do you think your nice friend Hazy would like to join us?”
“No,” Nina snapped, startling her friend so much that she almost spilled tea from the glass she was raising to her lips. “I’m sure she has work to do.”
She knew her nerves would not be able to stand Hazy and Rhonda in the same space for long. Rhonda’s sudden appearance confused her. And being near Hazy still made her skin tingle and overwhelmed her with desire.
