Taking a Gamble

by P. J. Trebelhorn

  Cass looked through the movies available digitally while Erica returned to the kitchen to microwave some popcorn. Cass sat up straight in the hope Erica would sit next to her when she returned, but she was disappointed when Erica made herself comfortable at the other end of the couch once again. And they had separate bowls for their popcorn.

  “Why are you so far away?” She placed her bowl on the coffee table. “And I don’t mind sharing. Popcorn, that is.”

  “I didn’t want to be too pushy,” Erica answered with a shrug.

  “I thought the kiss before dinner served to negate any feelings of nervousness or indecision,” Cass said. She pushed the button on the remote to start the movie she’d chosen. Elena Undone.

  “I’m not sure I can do the friends with benefits thing,” Erica said. She was looking everywhere but at Cass, and Cass decided to take pity on her.

  “I’m not sure I can either. Not with you.” She paused the movie during the opening credits and smiled when Erica looked at her, eyes questioning. “I’ve done a lot of thinking over the past few weeks, and I’ve managed to come to the conclusion that you make me happy.”

  “What are you saying?” Erica’s voice shook, and Cass had the feeling she wasn’t even aware she got up and came to sit next to her, their thighs pressed together.

  “I’m saying you make me feel things I never thought I could feel. If you’d asked me a month ago if I was happy, I’d have said yes without even thinking about it.” Cass took her hand and laced their fingers together. She’d expected to be nervous while making this declaration, but she wasn’t. And it surprised her. She knew without a doubt this was where she belonged. “But these past three weeks, not talking to you, not knowing where we stood, I knew I hadn’t really been happy until you came into my life.”

  “What are you saying?” Erica asked again, and Cass couldn’t help but grin. Flustered Erica was cuter than hell.

  “I’m saying, if you’re interested, I’d like to give this a try and see where it takes us.”

  “You want a relationship? With me?”

  “I do. Very much. Unless it isn’t what you want.” She pulled her hand away, not wanting to push Erica into something she wasn’t ready for. Her pulse was pounding in her ears while she waited to hear her response. Luckily, Erica didn’t make her wait long.

  “It is what I want,” she said, settling in next to Cass. She placed her head on Cass’s chest, but then looked up at her before truly relaxing into Cass’s body. “But we’ll take it slow if that’s all right with you. I wouldn’t want to spook you.”

  Cass nodded her response but had to wonder—weren’t they already taking it slow? If the way her body was reacting to Erica now was any indication at all, she was definitely ready to speed things up a bit.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Erica had to wonder at Cass’s choice in what movie to watch. The chemistry between the two women in the film was almost palpable, and she couldn’t deny she was getting turned on sitting there in Cass’s arms, her head resting on Cass’s shoulder. Cass’s breathing was quick and labored, and every once in a while she’d shift her hips, almost as if she were uncomfortable. Erica had enough. She sat up, grabbed the remote, and stopped the movie. She stood and held her hand out to Cass, who looked surprised.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, but took her hand and allowed Erica to help her to her feet.

  “I think I might implode if I don’t get to touch you soon.” Erica had never been so bold before with anyone, but with Cass it felt right. If she didn’t take what she wanted, when she wanted it, Cass might very well drive her insane.

  “Then what are we waiting for?” Cass put an arm around her waist and pulled her close before kissing her hungrily.

  Erica allowed her body to mold itself to Cass, and she had the fleeting thought she could stay like this forever in Cass’s arms and never want for anything again. Except for the fact she felt her knees going weak the more Cass’s tongue slid along hers and her hands moved slowly up Erica’s sides. When Erica had to come up for air, she placed her hands on Cass’s shoulders and took a step back, needing the distance between them for her own sanity.

  Without a word, Erica walked through the house, turning the lights off as they went, holding onto Cass’s hand as though she might disappear if they weren’t tethered together. She almost tripped over Willie in the doorway to the bedroom, but she pushed him aside gently with her foot and flipped the light switch on. Once Willie left the room, she shut the door and faced Cass.

  “What happened to taking it slow?” Cass asked, looking at her with unmasked desire.

  “Are you spooked?”

  “Not in the least.”

  “Then I’d say we’re moving at exactly the right pace.” Erica reached for the switch again, but Cass grabbed her wrist and shook her head.

  “I want to see you while I make love to you, Erica.”

  Erica preferred the lights off, but she realized she’d do anything to make Cass happy. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of Cass’s hands moving slowly up her sides, then across her chest before Cass began to unbutton her blouse. When Erica tried to pull Cass’s sweater up, Cass stopped her.

  “No, let me undress you,” Cass said. Erica thought she might melt from the intensity of her gaze. “You’ve seen me naked. I want to see you.”

  Erica fought to hold still while Cass finished removing her blouse. Her skin felt the chill in the air when her upper body was exposed. Cass reached behind Erica and unclasped her bra. She heard Cass’s breathing quicken when she eased the straps down Erica’s arms, and her eyes slid down to take in the sight of her bare breasts. Her nipples tightened at the same moment Cass’s eyes darkened with arousal.

  Cass leaned down and took a nipple between her lips. Erica arched her back and held Cass to her breast with both hands.

  “Oh, Cass,” she murmured. The intensity of her own arousal was almost too much to bear. She let out a moan as Cass’s teeth raked across her nipple. “More. Please.”

  Cass pulled away and reached between them to undo Erica’s pants. She let them fall to the floor before shoving her fingers inside the waistband of Erica’s panties and pushing them down as well, stopping when her face was even with the apex of Erica’s thighs. Erica stepped out of her clothes and put her hands on Cass’s shoulders.

  “You are so beautiful,” Cass said, looking up at her.

  “I need to lie down,” Erica said, feeling as though her legs would give out at any moment.

  Cass stood again and, with her hands on Erica’s ass, she lifted her off the floor. Erica’s legs went around her waist, and Cass walked them both to the edge of the bed before setting her down. Erica watched as Cass removed her own clothing and then settled on top of her, one firm thigh pressing against her center.

  “You feel so good,” Cass said, her lips less than an inch away from Erica’s. She pressed her thigh harder into her, and Erica couldn’t help but slide against it. It felt so wonderful.

  Erica felt the first sensations of her orgasm building, deep inside. It felt like a fire spreading from her core, and she made herself stop grinding against Cass’s thigh. She desperately needed release, but she didn’t want it to come so fast. She wanted to savor every second of their time together.

  “Is something wrong?” Cass asked.

  “No.” Erica closed her eyes and shook her head. “I’m going to come if you keep doing that with your leg.”

  “You don’t want to come?”

  “I do, more than you know.” Erica looked at her and felt her heart speed up. The look of desire in Cass’s eyes was almost too much to handle. “I want you inside.”

  Cass eased her leg away from Erica’s center and put a hand between them, gently parting her folds and easing her fingers inside of her. Erica gasped and pushed against her hand, causing Cass’s palm to press against her clit. There was no slowing this down now. She held onto Cass tightly as the tendrils of fire exploded through her, starting
deep in her belly and moving quickly down her legs. She cried out Cass’s name as she ground herself against her hand.

  When she couldn’t stand it any longer, she grabbed Cass’s wrist to still her movements, her eyes locking with hers. She gently pulled Cass’s hand away from her, another orgasm ripping through her at the movement.

  “Are you all right?” Cass asked as she settled in next to her and held Erica against her body. She placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, and Erica realized she was crying. “Did I hurt you?”

  “No,” Erica answered, her throat tight with emotion. This was so not like her, but maybe she needed this more than she’d known. She wiped the tears from her eyes. “You’re amazing. I don’t know why I’m crying.”

  “As long as you’re okay,” Cass said, the concern evident in her voice.

  “I am.” She turned her head and smiled at her. “I’m more than okay.”

  Erica pushed her onto her back before kissing Cass. Cass shivered when Erica put a palm on her chest and moved it slowly down her front, across her belly and stopping only when she reached the hair between her legs. Cass’s legs fell open as Erica pushed two fingers inside of her, and their kiss deepened.

  Cass moaned into her mouth, the feel of Erica’s fingers inside of her more incredible than she’d anticipated. She moved her hips slowly in time with Erica’s gentle thrusts. Erica broke their kiss and moved lower, her lips skimming across Cass’s jawline and her throat, before finally settling in with a nipple between her lips. Cass arched into her and turned her head to the side, enjoying all Erica wanted to give her.

  It only took a few moments, and some well-placed pressure on her nipple, for her climax to crash through her. Erica held tightly to her as she convulsed with pleasure.

  “Think we should go back to the living room and finish the movie?” Erica asked with a hint of humor to her tone.

  Cass laughed. Erica did too as she snuggled into Cass’s side, Cass’s arm around her shoulders. She placed a kiss on the top of Erica’s head and sighed.

  “If I thought you were serious, I’d say yes.”

  “You don’t think I’m serious?”

  Erica’s chuckle indicated she wasn’t, but Cass decided to play along.

  “I don’t want to be anywhere but right where I am,” she said, then paused. She pulled her arm away and started to sit up. “But if you’d rather watch the movie, let’s do it.”

  Erica held tight to her with a hand around her waist, pulling her back into a prone position. Cass didn’t object when she straddled her waist and left a swath of wetness across her lower abdomen. In fact, Cass felt herself becoming aroused all over again.

  “You aren’t going anywhere, Cassidy Holmes,” Erica said with conviction, which turned her on even more. “I’m not even close to being done with you.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Erica woke to the incredible sensation of Cass’s warm body pressed tightly against her. She had an arm around Cass and tried to pull her even closer. Cass’s deep even breaths was all Erica needed to hear to know she was still sound asleep. She raised her head up to look at the clock on the nightstand and groaned when she saw it was only three in the morning. They’d drifted off to sleep numerous times, only to awaken and reach for each other again. Erica smiled at the memories they’d created of their first night together.

  Cass stirred against her, and Erica realized she’d been absently running her thumb across a nipple. She stopped, but Cass was obviously awake and pressing her ass against Erica’s front, causing her arousal to spark again. Cass grabbed her wrist and brought it to her mouth where she kissed the palm of Erica’s hand, moaning when Erica pushed back against her.

  “God, I can’t seem to get enough of you,” Cass murmured, her voice husky. She held Erica’s hand firmly against her chest, right between her breasts. “I want you again.”

  Erica felt like she couldn’t breathe as emotion overtook her senses. She felt the overwhelming need to tell Cass what she was feeling. She was pressing her forehead against Cass’s shoulder as she tried to stop the words she needed to say, at the same time knowing it was futile.

  “I love you.” There. It was out there. Cass didn’t react at first, but then her movements stilled. Erica started to pull her hand away from Cass, but Cass gripped it tighter. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. You don’t need to say it back.”

  She held her breath waiting for Cass’s reaction, but she heard her start to laugh. It started as a deep rumble in her chest, and Erica tried to pull away again, only to have her hand brought back to Cass’s mouth for another kiss.

  “I don’t know what reaction I was hoping to get, but I’m pretty sure you finding it funny wasn’t it,” Erica said, suddenly wanting to be anywhere but in bed with a woman who saw fit to laugh at her declaration of love. She should have known better than to hope Cass meant what she’d said the night before about wanting to try having a relationship.

  “No, wait, I don’t think it’s funny,” Cass said, scrambling to turn onto her back. Once she was, she gazed up at Erica with a look that stunned her.

  “That’s not how I’m seeing it.”

  “Listen,” Cass said, caressing Erica’s cheek with the backs of her fingers and never breaking eye contact. “I’m not laughing at what you said. Trust me.”

  “Then what?” Erica still wasn’t sure she believed her, but Cass’s next words took her breath away.

  “I had to bite my tongue more than once last night because I wanted to say those words to you.” Her smile caused a rush of warmth to infuse Erica’s entire body. “I love you, too.”

  “Why didn’t you say it?” Erica asked, her heart racing.

  “I thought it might be too soon. Or that you wouldn’t feel the same way.” Cass looked so unsure of herself it made Erica want to cry. What had it cost Cass to keep her emotions so bottled up for so long? “I think it might have destroyed me if I said it and you didn’t say it back.”

  Cass looked away from her, but Erica placed a hand on her cheek and forced her head back. Erica wanted to say so much, but she wasn’t sure where to begin, and she wasn’t going to say anything until Cass met her eyes. When she finally did, Erica pressed their lips together for a moment before taking a deep breath to try to calm her heart.

  “You will never have to worry about me not saying it back.” Erica caressed her cheek as she spoke, and she could sense Cass beginning to relax under her touch. “You are everything to me, and I didn’t even realize it until I saw you that night in Applebee’s and you completely ignored me.”

  “I didn’t know you saw me,” Cass said quietly. Erica watched as one corner of Cass’s mouth curled up in an adorable half-smile. “I thought you were with a girlfriend.”

  “Aunt Lila thanks you for confirming her plastic surgery accomplished what she’d hoped for.”

  “I was jealous,” Cass admitted. Erica didn’t resist when she urged her onto her back and settled her body on top of her. “I’d never experienced that particular emotion before. I can’t say I liked it very much.”

  “I promise you will never have a reason to be jealous, Cassidy Holmes,” Erica said, her body responding when Cass pressed her thigh against her. “I can’t imagine wanting anyone the way I want you.”

  “Good to know,” Cass said before kissing her and then sliding a hand between her legs.

  *

  When Cass woke again, the bedside clock brightly displayed the time as five thirty. She tried to go back to sleep because the feel of Erica spooning against her back was warm and inviting, but sleep wasn’t going to come. She could feel Erica’s breasts and the gentle puffs of air as she breathed, and she wanted nothing more than to wake her up. Again.

  But Erica was up by this time most mornings, and the last time Cass had looked at the clock before they’d finally given in to exhaustion it was little more than an hour ago. No, the best thing to do was to just allow Erica to sleep. She carefully crawled out of the bed and picked up
her clothes before heading to the bathroom to get dressed.

  She was about to head out the front door when she decided to leave a note. It wasn’t something she’d ever done in the past, but it didn’t feel right to leave Erica’s bed after they’d declared their love for each other. She also didn’t want Erica to think she’d panicked and ran away. This was all so new for Cass, and she didn’t want to screw it up. It all felt so right to her, like this was where she belonged.

  She scribbled a quick note and left it on the bedside table so when Erica woke up and looked at the clock she couldn’t miss it. Not able to resist, she leaned down and kissed her on the forehead before heading home.

  She showered and changed her clothes before heading to the main house and decided she’d try her hand at making breakfast. It was almost seven, and she heard someone walking around upstairs, probably because the baby had been crying.

  Danny and Barb usually made pancakes, especially on Sundays, but Cass decided to switch things up a bit since she knew any attempt she made would fall well short of Barb’s pancake nirvana. She managed to find everything she thought she needed to make French toast and started in on the preparations. Before she could place the first slice of bread into the pan, Danny walked into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and looking for all the world as if he had a killer hangover.

  “What time did you get home?” he asked after a huge yawn. He scratched his head before pouring himself a big glass of orange juice. “Mom and I were up until almost three playing cards, and you weren’t home yet.”

  At least that explained his sleepiness. She hadn’t given much thought to what she’d say about getting home so early in the morning, and she certainly hadn’t expected they would be up so late to know she hadn’t made it back. No sense in lying though, right?