by Lisa Moreau
They blushed and giggled. Jordan leaned closer to Bertha and whispered, “I see Coach Bryant is here.” Jordan wiggled her eyebrows as Bertha playfully swatted her arm. “Why don’t you go over and talk to him?”
Bertha scowled. “I look a mess. I’ve been baking all day and didn’t have time to put anything decent on.” She glanced down at her frilly butterfly apron with chocolate splatters. “Anyway, I don’t think he’d be interested in talking to me.”
“Are you kidding? Judging by the way he was making googly eyes at you during the basketball game, I figured he would have asked you out by now.”
“Pshaw.” Bertha batted her hand.
“You should listen to Jordan,” Molly said. “She knows about these things.”
“He does wink at you an awful lot, Bertha,” Mabel said. “In church even, which oughtn’t to be appropriate, but there’s that.”
“See? The girls agree with me. I think you should ask him out.”
“Well, I guess I could offer to make him dinner. But I wouldn’t have a thing to wear, and I’m way past due on a hair color.” Bertha rested her elbows on the counter and sulked.
“I can help you with that. If there’s one thing I know, it’s fashion.” Jordan wished they were in Beverly Hills. She’d make Bertha an appointment with Bibi’s ridiculously expensive hairdresser and take her shopping on Rodeo Drive. Every woman should have at least one day of pampering.
“I don’t know.” Bertha shook her head and fidgeted. “Do you really think he’s interested in me?”
Jordan looked Bertha directly in the eyes. “Yes. He’s totally into you.”
“Well, I’ll think about it.”
“So who will you be kissing at midnight?” Molly asked Jordan.
“We know a certain someone who missed you while you were away,” Bertha said.
Jordan’s heart raced. Was she talking about Sophie?
“It was Jordan-this, Jordan-that. We almost got sick of hearing about you,” Mabel said with a chuckle.
“I’m not sure I know what you mean.” Jordan didn’t want to assume anything.
“We’re talking about Sophie!” Bertha said. “You two would make the cutest couple.”
“So…you know I’m a lesbian? And you’re okay with that?”
The three women rolled their eyes in unison.
“We’re not fuddy-duds, Jordan. We love Ellen. We watch her show every afternoon,” Mabel said.
Jordan smiled. “Who doesn’t love Ellen? But as far as Sophie and me, I’m not sure. I mean, we haven’t talked about anything. And I think she might be dating Nanci.”
“Balderdash. Sophie lights up like a firefly when you’re around. She could give a hill of beans about Nanci,” Bertha said.
“Really?” Jordan felt suddenly confident. “Is Sophie here?” She scanned the crowd.
“She was, but I saw her leave about thirty minutes ago,” Bertha said. “Did you girls see her come back?”
Molly and Mabel shook their heads.
“She wasn’t at the cabin. I checked there first. Where could she be?” And that’s when it hit her. Jordan knew exactly where Sophie was, the only place she could be. “Listen, I need to go. I think I know where she is.”
“Where?” the three women asked.
“I’ll explain later.” Jordan yanked the party hat off and headed to the door.
“Jordan!” The real-estate tycoon grabbed her arm. “I didn’t know you were back.”
“Hey, Nanci. I just got in.”
“I wanted to tell you―”
“I’m sorry, but I need to be somewhere.” Jordan broke from her grasp and backed away.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes. I’m just in a rush.” Jordan dashed out the door. She hated being rude, but she had a one-track mind, and all she wanted to do was find Sophie.
*
A sense of déjà vu washed over Jordan when she parked at the edge of the eucalyptus grove. She’d been in this exact spot ten years ago. Hopefully, tonight would have a happier ending. She shook off the odd sensation and started down the path through the forest. As she turned a curve in the trail, she saw Sophie standing by their tree, whispering something to a butterfly resting in her palm. She looked beautiful, her light complexion glowing in the moonlight, her bright blue eyes filled with wonder. Jordan’s heart swelled with emotion. It was amazing how much she’d missed her, even after only a week.
After a couple of minutes, Sophie held out her hand as the butterfly flew into the tree. She inhaled sharply when her gaze landed on Jordan.
“I hope your wish comes true.” Jordan approached slowly until they were a few feet apart.
“It did. Just now.”
“You mean…me?” Jordan pointed at her chest.
Sophie nodded and seemed to hold her breath. Jordan knew she should say something―talk about fears, feelings, obstacles, everything she’d intended to discuss―but instead, she was overcome by an urgency to do what she’d desperately wanted to do ten years ago. Jordan stepped forward, cupped Sophie’s face in her hands, and kissed her. Sophie’s hot mouth instantly melted her in the chilly night air. Jordan loved the sensation of her lips, the warmth of her breath. Sophie slipped her arms into Jordan’s jacket and pulled her closer. Everything disappeared except Sophie’s touch, which ignited a passion within Jordan she never knew existed. She pressed Sophie’s back against the tree, kissing her deeply.
Suddenly, Sophie pushed Jordan back, ending the kiss much too soon. They stared at each other, both breathing heavily.
After a few moments, Sophie spoke. “What are you doing?”
Jordan’s heart plummeted. “God. I’m so sorry I threw myself at you. I didn’t mean to―”
“Don’t apologize. I want you to kiss me, but are you sure this is what you want? I mean…after last time.”
Jordan grazed the worried crease in Sophie’s forehead, wanting to ease her concern. “Yes. It’s what I want. More than anything.”
That must have been enough to convince Sophie, because she immediately kissed Jordan in a way that made her knees go weak.
“Jordan,” Sophie mumbled, never breaking the kiss. “Let’s go.” At least that’s what Jordan thought she said, but she didn’t want to stop kissing her long enough to find out. Finally, Sophie peeled her lips away. “Let’s go back to my place, where it’s warm. And private.”
Electricity ran down Jordan’s spine at the implication of those words. Was that an invitation to sleep together? It’d been a while since she’d been propositioned, but that’s certainly what it sounded like. Her desire to be with Sophie overwhelmed her, physically and emotionally. She’d never felt this strongly about anyone before, which was scarier than walking over hot coals barefoot.
Sophie didn’t give Jordan a chance to respond before she grabbed her hand and briskly walked down the trail. Not wanting to spend one moment apart, they jumped into Sophie’s Jeep. Jordan placed her hand on Sophie’s thigh and admired her profile as she drove. Gratitude filled Jordan’s heart. She had fantasized about this moment but never thought it would ever come to pass. Jordan stared out of the window and absentmindedly traced the inside seam of Sophie’s jeans with her fingertips, up and down, until Sophie grabbed her hand.
“What are you doing to me?” Sophie’s voice was hoarse and sexy as hell.
Jordan bit her lower lip to keep from grinning. “Don’t you like it when I touch you?”
When Sophie turned, the desire in her eyes took Jordan’s breath away. Sophie stepped on the gas, turning a ten-minute drive into five. When they stumbled into the cabin, Sophie pressed Jordan against the door and kissed her hungrily.
“I love kissing you,” Sophie mumbled. “Your lips are so soft.”
Sophie walked backward as she guided Jordan to her bedroom. They stood facing each other at the foot of the bed and held hands, moonlight filtering in through the window. A realization of where they were and what they were about to do hit Jordan. Her e
yes jumped from the bed to Sophie. Everything was moving so quickly. How’d she end up in Sophie’s bedroom? All she’d intended to do was talk, and now she was expected to have sex? Jordan wanted nothing more than to ravish Sophie, but Bibi’s “cold fish in bed” comment echoed in her ears. Normally, she wouldn’t let something an ex said bother her, except she was terribly afraid it was true. More than anything, she wanted to please Sophie, but what if she failed? What if she turned her off? What if…
“Are you okay?” Sophie asked.
“It’s just…things are moving so fast…and…I’m not very good at this.” Jordan cocked her head toward the bed. The corners of Sophie’s mouth inched upward. She was probably about to burst out in laughter. Twenty-nine years old and Jordan still didn’t know how to please a woman. “I just…I don’t want to disappoint you.”
“You couldn’t disappoint me.” Sophie sounded serious, but her smile didn’t falter.
“Then why are you almost laughing?”
Sophie cupped Jordan’s chin and looked directly into her eyes. “Sweetie, I’m standing here worrying that I’ll disappoint you. You’ve had ten years to dream about being with me. Don’t you think I’m worried about living up to that?”
Jordan blinked rapidly. “But…you’re perfect.”
Sophie’s eyes softened, and she spoke in almost a whisper. “Jordan, I just want to be close to you. We don’t even have to do anything. In my wildest dreams I never thought you’d ever be here with me. Simply having you in my arms is enough.”
Jordan momentarily felt relieved. That was enough for her as well.
“Come and lie with me.” Sophie guided Jordan onto the bed. She draped an arm across Jordan’s stomach and rested her cheek on her chest.
Jordan basked in the sensation of their bodies melding together. Surely Sophie could feel the thumping of her heart. So much for being cool under pressure. Doing the meridian-tapping would probably kill the mood, but Jordan was tempted, since it might help her relax.
“Your pulse is racing.” Sophie sat upright, grabbed Jordan’s hand, and pressed it firmly over her heart. Jordan felt the pounding against her palm. “See, I’m nervous and excited, too.” Jordan stared into beautiful blue eyes and nodded. “Sooo, you had a thing for me when we were kids, huh?” Sophie asked playfully, probably trying to lighten the mood.
“Me? I don’t know where you got that idea.” Jordan grinned.
“Is that right?” Sophie’s eyes sparkled like the ocean glimmering in the sunlight. “And I suppose naming your company after my initials was purely a coincidence?”
“Totally accidental.” Sophie raised an eyebrow and bit her lower lip in response. “Well…maybe…perhaps I was thinking about a certain blue-eyed, blond-haired Disney Princess at the time.” Jordan lightly ran her fingertips across Sophie’s lips. “It drives me crazy when you do that.”
“Do what?”
“Bite your lower lip. Guess you didn’t hear me groaning in the car on the way to Big Sur.”
Sophie smiled and kissed Jordan softly, which caused her heart to swell like a helium-filled balloon soaring into the clouds. When they broke apart, Sophie sighed and looked at Jordan with emotion-filled eyes. In that moment she wanted nothing more than to shower Sophie with affection to let her know how much she meant to her. Slipping a hand behind Sophie’s neck, Jordan pulled her down and captured her mouth. Sophie was quite possibly the most amazing kisser ever. Jordan melted into the mattress when Sophie lightly sucked on her lower lip and traced her mouth with her warm, wet tongue. She felt light-headed at the thought of that same tongue plunging deep inside her, tasting, licking, until she cried out in pleasure. This wasn’t like Jordan. She didn’t have erotic thoughts and rarely had orgasms, but for some reason Sophie inflamed her desires.
Somewhere in the middle of the kiss, it wasn’t enough to simply have Sophie lie beside her, in her arms. Jordan wanted more. Much more. She slipped her hands under Sophie’s shirt, caressing soft skin. When she felt the back of Sophie’s bra, Jordan wanted to snap it open but didn’t want to seem too eager.
Sophie moaned into Jordan’s mouth and pulled away, resting their foreheads together. “You’re really…really…making it hard not to touch you.”
Jordan placed light kisses on Sophie’s cheek and down her neck. She wanted to tell Sophie how aroused she was, how much she wanted to make love to her, but her voice faltered. All that came out was a growl.
Sophie nibbled down the sensitive skin of Jordan’s neck, tugged the collar of her shirt, and planted soft kisses between her breasts. She raised her head and looked at Jordan, blue eyes darkened with desire. “You’re so beautiful. Can I see all of you?”
Jordan didn’t hesitate, the fear from moments ago replaced with passion for the amazing woman in her arms. Jordan lifted her shirt over her head and took off her bra. Sophie’s eyes roamed up and down her torso as she licked her lips. She lightly ran her thumb over Jordan’s nipple, which instantly pebbled and hardened. Sophie enclosed her mouth over Jordan’s breast and sucked lightly. A fierce ache shot directly to her groin, hips arching in response. After being thoroughly stimulated, Sophie moved to her other breast, planting loving kisses on soft flesh.
“That feels so good.” Jordan groaned and felt the wetness between her legs.
Sophie straddled Jordan’s hips and kissed her firmly on the mouth. Needing to feel Sophie against her, Jordan slipped her shirt over her head. Sophie sat upright, unhooked her bra, and let it fall to the bed. She looked stunning, with pale breasts the color of moonlight and toned stomach that trembled under Jordan’s touch.
“God, Sophie, you’re perfect.” Jordan swallowed hard. “Come here.”
She pulled Sophie on top of her, relishing the sensation of their breasts uniting. Jordan lightly ran her hands up and down her back as they kissed. Sophie tugged at Jordan’s jeans, attempting to unbutton them. When she was unsuccessful, she looked at Jordan with pleading eyes. “Off. Please.”
Jordan undid her pants and slipped them down. Heat radiated through her body as Sophie lightly caressed her damp panties. When Jordan raised her hips, Sophie pressed harder, touching her through the wet fabric. Desperately craving Sophie’s touch, she slipped her underwear off. In return, Sophie unbuttoned her pants, slid them down her hips, and kicked them to the floor. In one swift move, Jordan rolled Sophie over and hovered above her, taking in a breathtaking sight. Sophie couldn’t have been more stunning, with gorgeous blond hair cascading down her shoulders, half-closed eyelids, slightly parted full lips, and flush-faced with desire.
“If you don’t touch me soon I might actually combust.” Sophie squirmed.
Jordan parted Sophie’s legs, swirled fingertips through damp curls, and lightly tugged slick folds.
“Mmm…I fantasized about you touching me like this.”
Jordan’s hand stalled. “You fantasized about me?”
“Don’t stop. Please.” Sophie’s plea was a huge turn-on, but Jordan didn’t want to pass up an opportunity to hear this. She was pretty sure she’d never been anyone’s fantasy before. Sophie opened her eyes and caressed Jordan’s cheek. “Right here. In this bed. I ached for you to touch me. I need you inside me. Now.”
Ecstasy washed over Sophie’s face when Jordan slowly moved in and out, going deeper with each stroke. Sophie felt amazing, her swollen lips so soft and wet. Jordan wanted to stay inside her forever. As Jordan’s thumb grazed Sophie’s clit, she reached above her head and gripped the headboard rails. She twitched deep inside and tightened around Jordan’s fingers. If it weren’t for the look of desperation in Sophie’s eyes, Jordan would have teased her, bringing her to the brink over and over again before allowing release.
“Yes…I’m so close…faster…” When Jordan complied, Sophie threw her head back, hips undulating wildly as her body stiffened and shuddered. The look of rapture on her face was the most arousing image Jordan had ever seen.
Jordan held Sophie close and lovingly placed tender kisse
s on her forehead and both cheeks. Sophie sighed contentedly and locked eyes with Jordan. In that moment, she felt like their souls were connected. The powerful emotion pulsating between them was almost tangible. Jordan had never felt so close to anyone before.
“Wow,” Sophie said, laying her arm across her forehead.
“Better than the fantasy?”
“Way better.” Sophie flashed a devilish grin.
“I think you should share the intimate details of your daydream.” Jordan kissed around Sophie’s breast, ending with a light tug of her nipple.
“Mmm…I have a better idea. How about I show you?”
Sophie slid down Jordan’s body, spread her legs, and nibbled on her inner thighs. She gently played with the trimmed hair as she kissed and licked her way upward. Jordan was so turned on she’d probably come the moment Sophie touched her clit. Jordan grabbed Sophie’s hand and pressed it harder against her, desperate to relieve the pulsating deep within.
“Not yet,” Sophie said, a smile in her voice.
Jordan groaned and opened her legs farther, which prompted Sophie to lick the full length of her, over and over. Her tongue felt amazing on the heated, sensitive skin. Jordan ran her fingers through Sophie’s silky hair, urging her closer. Finally, Sophie entered her with two fingers, which curved upward and massaged tender flesh. She moved slowly at first and then lunged in and out swiftly.
“Please, Sophie.” Jordan barely recognized her own voice. It was husky, breathy.
“Please what?” Sophie’s warm breath tickled Jordan’s sensitive nerve endings.
“I want to come. I need to…” Jordan had never said that to anyone before, mostly because she’d never been so aroused.
When Sophie’s tongue circled her clit, Jordan’s hips rose sharply. The muscles in her legs and stomach tightened. Jordan lost total control when Sophie sucked lightly on the sensitive spot while sliding her fingers in and out of her wet entrance. She was on fire as she climaxed, setting off waves of pleasure. Sophie held her tight as she shuddered. It was the strongest orgasm Jordan had ever experienced, every nerve ending in her body awakened, tingling, pulsating.
