by Leigh Hays
Rebekiah chuckled. “Don’t know.” Her hand rubbed down her back. She drew circles with her palm, and Lindsey sagged into her. “Shh…it’s okay to go to sleep.”
She shook her head and tried to muster energy to wake up. Somewhere in her lassitude, she felt a need to reciprocate, but her body resisted. “Don’t wanna. Y’r turn.”
“Shh.” Rebekiah brushed another kiss at her temple and whispered, “Let it go…shh.” She continued rubbing circles down her back and whispering nonsensical words until she fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty-two
Lindsey opened her eyes and smiled at Rebekiah. “Hi.”
Rebekiah cupped her cheek and smiled back. “Good morning.”
She raised her head slightly from Rebekiah’s chest and took in the slight gray tint to the room. “I guess it is. I fell asleep on you, didn’t I?” She had a vague memory of moving into the bedroom.
Rebekiah kissed her forehead. “I wore you out.”
Lindsey groaned. “Yes, you did.” She had coaxed orgasm after orgasm from her that left her completely relaxed and content. She just wanted to lie there and soak it all in. But her work brain stirred, and she sighed. “What time is it anyway?”
Rebekiah glanced at her alarm clock. “Five fifty.” She brushed back her hair. “What time do you work today?”
Lindsey hid even farther in her chest. “Ugh…I don’t know. Depends on my appointments.” She popped her head up. “You didn’t hear an alarm go off, did you?”
Rebekiah shook her head. “No. Should I have?”
Lindsey leaned back down, grabbed her hand, and turned so that Rebekiah spooned her. “No. If you did, then I’d be worried I missed a call or something.” She squeezed the hand wrapped around her belly and snuggled closer. “Thank you.”
Rebekiah leaned her head against Lindsey’s shoulder. “For what?”
Lindsey poked her hand. “For last night. For knowing what to do.” She brought the hand to her lips and kissed it. She felt grateful, and it made her affectionate.
Rebekiah kissed the edge of her ear. “You’re welcome.”
Lindsey leaned back into her kiss and just basked until a buzzing ringing sound invaded their quiet space. So much for no work. “That’s my phone.” She rolled away.
* * *
Rebekiah groaned as Lindsey slipped off the bed and headed toward the living room. From the bottom of the bed, Sera gave a short, sharp bark. Rebekiah raised her head and looked down. Sera barked again. “What?”
Rebekiah yawned and stretched. Several vertebrae popped into place as she did so. She got up and took a shower.
Lindsey’s responsiveness last night had surprised her, and her willingness to submit excited her. She wasn’t sure if Lindsey would agree to her terms and had been ready to back down, but she’d consented. Now Rebekiah’s mind started to play at other boundaries they could explore together.
“Can I buy you breakfast?” Lindsey called from the bedroom.
“Sure. Let me get dressed.” She got out of the shower and walked to her dresser without looking up.
A hand ran down her back, and she straightened. Her desire returned full force as Lindsey wrapped her arms around her and nipped her ear. “Not yet. It’s still my turn.” Before she could react, she kissed her with an intensity that stunned her mind into silence. Her hands, her lips, her tongue, Lindsey was everywhere at once, and she struggled to follow her lead. Then Lindsey’s hand pinned her against the wall, and she froze.
“Stay.” It was not a request. Rebekiah swallowed her resistance and relaxed against the wall. She could do this.
Lindsey grinned as she slid down her body. She nipped and sucked, kissing her way down. Rebekiah gasped at the first swipe of Lindsey’s tongue against her clit. She groaned at the sight of her on her knees, remembering the clone at the Christmas party.
Wrapping her hands in Lindsey’s hair, she pushed her center toward her, and Lindsey pushed her back. Rebekiah tried a couple times but finally relented when it became clear that Lindsey set the pace, not her. Frustrated and turned on, she let her take control. After that, her orgasm came quick and fast. But Lindsey did not let up. Rebekiah twisted in her grip, fighting against the second wave that overtook her. When Lindsey pulled back—her wetness on her face—Rebekiah crumpled to the floor.
Lindsey caught her and held her. “I’ve got you.” Unable to think, Rebekiah sagged in her arms. She could feel the sweat rolling down her face and into her lips. Lindsey peppered kisses around her face and said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Rebekiah looked up, confused. “Hurt me?”
Lindsey wiped Rebekiah’s face, and what she thought was sweat were actually tears. She pulled back and swiped at her cheeks. This was the second time she’d cried with her. “Damn it.”
Lindsey loosened her grip and leaned back.
Rebekiah sighed. “You didn’t hurt me.” She exhaled and struggled for words. “I just…It’s hard for me…” She rarely allowed women to top her like that. She liked to dominate, not be dominated. It wasn’t the act itself—she had no problem orgasming with women—but the switch in power dynamics threw her for a loop. She should have stopped it, but she didn’t, and that unsettled her.
Lindsey put two fingers on her lips and nodded. “It’s okay. I wanted to reciprocate. I should have asked.” She wiped her mouth against her shirt and leaned against the wall.
Rebekiah felt Lindsey’s eyes on her but refused to make contact. Instead, she mirrored her position against the wall, their shoulders just touching and their breathing the only sound in the room.
Maybe this was a bad idea. Something about Lindsey had been different from the start, and now she had physical proof. She felt exposed in ways that hadn’t happened since childhood, and the urge to run and hide overwhelmed her. She could do this. It was scary but not unwelcome. Besides, it felt too good to push away.
Lindsey’s hand wrapped around her fingers, and her voice soothed her. “I get it.”
“Do you?”
“You like to give, not receive.” She squeezed her hand. “I’m okay with that.” She grinned. “Who doesn’t like to be a pillow princess?”
Rebekiah laughed. “Pillow princess?” She rolled her head along the wall and gave Lindsey a look. “That’s not what I had in mind.”
She trailed her fingers down Rebekiah’s arm. “Then perhaps you should show me.”
Rebekiah answered her grin with a growl and lunged toward her.
Chapter Twenty-three
While Lindsey showered, Rebekiah took Sera for a quick walk. Back at the apartment, Lindsey emerged from the bedroom wearing a borrowed button-down and yesterday’s dress pants.
Rebekiah stood and smiled. “I like the look.”
Lindsey waved a hand. “Well, nothing says ‘I just got laid’ better than wearing the same outfit the next day. The shirt’s always a giveaway. But I can make this work today.”
Rebekiah laughed and helped her into her coat. They walked to an upscale diner off Snow. The January wind stripped the warmth away from their bodies, and they walked to their destination without a word. Unbundling and stomping snow from their boots, they stepped inside a faux 1950s interior done up in dark red vinyl and chrome. A young hipster waiter called from another table, “Just pick a spot, and I’ll get you some menus.”
The waiter came with coffee, and after they ordered, Lindsey reached for the creamer. She hissed as her hand brushed past her bra.
Rebekiah feigned a wince. “A little sore?”
Lindsey ripped the top off the creamer and poured it into her cup. “Just a little.”
Rebekiah leaned in and whispered, “I might have been a little aggressive.”
Lindsey leaned in and whispered, “I don’t mind.” She draped a napkin across her lap. “So do you bring all of your conquests to breakfast?”
Rebekiah choked on her coffee. “Conquests? You invited me.”
“True. But you didn’t answer my
question.”
“Well, first of all, I don’t consider them conquests.” Rebekiah thought about her previous lovers. The majority of her sexual partners had been friends and occasional lovers.
“So there have been a few?”
“Not that many to qualify as conquests. I tend to sleep with my friends.”
Lindsey’s expression was hard to read.
“Here we go, ladies.” They pulled apart, and the waiter deposited their breakfast on the table before asking, “Anything else?”
Rebekiah shook her head and Lindsey said, “All set.”
They ate quietly, stealing glances between bites but not really saying much. Something unsaid hung between them. Rebekiah finally put her fork down and said, “Not all of my friends.”
Lindsey stopped eating as well. “It’s none of my business.”
Shaking her head, she said, “But it is. If we’re going to keep doing this,” she gestured between them, “then you have a right to know.”
“Are we?” Lindsey fixed her with a look.
Her heart sank. “Oh, this was a one-time deal.”
Lindsey reached for her hands. “No. No. I’m just trying to get my bearings.”
Rebekiah exhaled. Sometimes she could see through Lindsey’s armor, and other times, she got nothing. She squeezed. “You don’t give much away, do you?”
Lindsey gave her a sheepish grin. “Sorry. Habit.”
“Well, this just brings back all sorts of memories.” Rebekiah looked up as Elena neared their table. Rebekiah frowned, and Elena just smiled as if daring her to state the obvious. She was having breakfast with someone she’d slept with the night before. Rebekiah shifted and stood when Elena reached their table. “Well, this is a surprise.” They hugged, and Elena stepped back. “You remember Elena?”
Lindsey half stood and shook her hand. “Of course.”
Elena’s eyebrow raised. “It’s awfully early for a business breakfast.”
“Elena.” Rebekiah’s voice held a note of warning.
Lindsey resumed her seat and gave a half-smile. “Yes. Well…”
Elena waved Rebekiah off. “Relax. Rebekiah’s told me about you.”
“She did?”
“Elena.” Elena just couldn’t resist teasing, but Rebekiah was not about to let it spill over toward Lindsey.
“Mind if I join you?” Elena nodded at the empty space.
Rebekiah glared. The last thing she wanted was Elena giving Lindsey the third degree.
Elena rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll behave.”
Rebekiah slid her plate across the table and settled next to Lindsey while Elena sat across from them. She exchanged a look with Elena, who just shrugged, called the waiter over, and ordered coffee and an egg white omelet.
She thanked the waiter as he set a cup in front of her. She picked up a sugar packet and smacked it against her hands a couple of times before ripping it and pouring it into her cup. Nodding toward Rebekiah and Lindsey’s plates, she said, “Eat. Before it gets cold.”
“What are you doing up so early? Do you have court today?” Rebekiah shoveled egg into her mouth. Elena was not an early riser.
“Yes.” She closed her eyes at the first taste of coffee.
Lindsey sipped her own and asked, “What kind of law do you practice?”
“Criminal defense, and before you ask, yes, some of them are guilty.”
Rebekiah rolled her eyes. She’d heard that one before.
Elena’s breakfast arrived quickly. She cut into her omelet and asked, “How’s your show coming?”
“Almost done. I’ve got mounting and framing on the last set.” She slipped her hand under the table and rested it on Lindsey’s knee. She didn’t want her to feel disconnected.
“It’s next month, right?”
“Yeah. Aldina’s gallery. Which reminds me…” She took out her phone and typed a few keys. “I need to send you the link for those pictures.” She almost dropped her phone when Lindsey’s hand slid past her knee and up her inner thigh.
“The holiday ones?” Elena smiled. “I’m curious to see how they turned out.”
Rebekiah shot a quick look toward Lindsey, who continued eating without looking up. “I think you’ll be pleased. Let me know which one you want, and I’ll get it framed for you.”
“No. I can get it done.”
Rebekiah shook her head. Lindsey’s fingers started a swirling pattern on her leg. “No. I’ll do it.” Elena opened her mouth, but Rebekiah cut her off. “It’s a present.”
Elena acquiesced with a curt “Fine.” She turned toward Lindsey. “How goes the wealth management business?”
Lindsey moved her fingers upward, the tips just brushing along Rebekiah’s inseam. She swallowed her last bite and replied, “It’s good.”
Elena nodded at Rebekiah. “Have you convinced her to keep the money yet? She’s earned it.” Rebekiah started to protest, but Elena held up a hand.
Rebekiah glanced at Lindsey, who looked as if nothing was going on while her fingers brushed along Rebekiah’s core. She wanted to be anywhere but here for this conversation. “Elena, stop. We’re having breakfast.” She squeezed her legs closed, trapping Lindsey’s hand.
Lindsey escaped and glanced at Rebekiah’s watch. “Actually, speaking of work, I should get going.”
Rebekiah felt her loss and wanting nothing more than to head back to her apartment for another round. “What about…” She trailed off, not wanting to ask about the clothes in her apartment. Elena’s arrival had tanked their breakfast. Lindsey’s work mask was back in place. Rebekiah wanted more time alone to get a sense of what she was thinking and feeling.
Lindsey pulled a card from her wallet. “I’m all set.” She waved the waiter over and handed him the card. “All of them.” Elena started to protest, but Lindsey shook her off. “Think of it as a courtesy breakfast for sending me new clients.”
When the waiter came with the check, Lindsey signed it with a flourish and stood.
Rebekiah stood but stalled at a hug or a kiss. It was all so new, and they hadn’t worked out the public aspect yet. Lindsey reached out, and Rebekiah took her hand. Lindsey’s lips quirked in a half-smile, and her finger traced the inside of Rebekiah’s wrist before pulling away. “We should get that trip to New York on the books this week.”
Rebekiah nodded. “Yeah. Send me the details, and I’ll see if I can make it work.” She sat down and stared after her. Lindsey waved through the window heading downtown. She should have kissed her good-bye or at least hugged her. Having Elena show up had totally thrown her off her game. Elena was family, and Lindsey was…she didn’t have a name for it yet. Not friend, not fuck buddy, a little of both and something more.
Elena tugged on her sleeve. “I’m still here.”
Rebekiah frowned. “Yes, you are. Did you need to bring up Emma?”
Elena rolled her eyes and laughed. “She should know what she’s getting into. Emma really fucked you up. That last year was hard. And not fair to you.”
Rebekiah threw up her hands. “I’m not dating her.”
“Really?” Elena cradled her coffee cup and leveled a look at her. “She was totally feeling you up under the table.”
Rebekiah sagged under her gaze. Elena always saw through her bullshit. It made her a good lawyer and an irritating friend. “Okay, we’re something.”
Elena sipped her coffee and waited.
“She was so hard to read. But I’d got these glimpses, and I wanted more.”
Elena smiled. “Sounds like you got it.”
Rebekiah grinned thinking about last night.
Elena laughed.
“What?”
“When you talk about her, you look happy. It’s been a while.”
“I do?” Rebekiah glanced at her empty plate and then back up. Elena didn’t say it, but she knew what she meant. Before Emma. Before her death. Before her money. Before Lindsey showed up and challenged her thinking by making her feel things she thought w
ere lost.
Elena scooped up the rest of her egg whites and said, “Yes. So tell me about her.”
Years of friendship made her capitulation a foregone conclusion. Elena was in cross-examination mode, and she’d get to the truth eventually, so Rebekiah gave her the broad strokes first. The meetings, the texts…
“You went to Philly together?”
“Not together.” Then taking care of Lindsey in New York.
“I bet that felt familiar.”
“Not exactly. I get the feeling that no one takes care of her.” She frowned. “It was kind of sad.” And painful to see that she was so emotionally isolated that it never occurred to her to ask someone for help.
“Hmm.” Elena’s lips puckered.
“What?”
“You like to rescue women.”
Rebekiah moved her head side to side. A couple of women came to mind. “Yeah, I do. But it’s not like that.” She told her about the pictures and then Key West—the parts with Lindsey; Elena had already heard about Thea and Collette.
Elena pushed her plate to the side when Rebekiah paused. “Tell me.”
Rebekiah ran her fingers through her hair and rested her palms against her temples. “I broke down. It was too much.” She could count on one hand the times that she’d cried in front of Elena. She had struggled to identify it at the time, but with Elena sitting across from her, she recognized it for what it was; she’d felt safe. Not so much physically but emotionally safe. Even with Elena or Collette, she felt like she needed a degree of protection, not because they’d deliberately hurt her; she just didn’t feel safe with people. But with Lindsey, Rebekiah knew she could let down all her defenses, and it would be okay. Something about Lindsey made Rebekiah trust her.
“Ugh. I hate this shit.”
Elena burst out laughing.
Rebekiah lifted her head and glared. “It’s not funny.”
“It is. You call me emotionally stunted.”
Rebekiah frowned. “I do not.”
