Switchback

by S. W. Andersen

  Her voice shook with a hint of nervousness that Kara found endearing. “Yup. You?”

  “Of course.” Her smile lacked its usual cockiness.

  Kara bent down to grab her pack, nearly smacking her head with Sierra, who’d had the same idea. Their faces a mere two inches apart, Kara looked up into golden eyes that burned with desire. A rush of want flooded her body and clouded her mind. When Sierra’s gaze flicked to her mouth, she unconsciously moistened her lips in response. Rapid fire images bombarded Kara’s brain. Scenes from her many fantasies of the woman whose breath now danced across her cheeks flashed through her mind.

  If she just leaned in…

  Sierra was the one to break their trance. “We umm…should hit the zipline so we can get back to the car before it gets dark.” Her voice was raspy, distant, speaking volumes of her own journey from fantasy land.

  “Mhm. Sure, yeah,” Kara snapped out of her daze. Sierra’s cocky grin said all she needed to know. Busted.

  Coming back to her senses, a different kind of excitement coursed through her veins. “Let’s do this!”

  Sierra’s laugh was hearty and unmistakably happy. She picked up the pack and handed it over.

  “Thank you,” Kara said. She slipped her hand comfortably into Sierra’s as if they had been doing it for years. It was time to embark on their first new adventure together.

  Kara volunteered to go first. Jordan strapped her in and away she went. Her eyes popped wide and her heart jumped into her throat as she dropped off the ledge. Soaring high above the ground, Kara settled in and began scanning the land below for wildlife while enjoying the freedom of simulated flight.

  With a quick glance over her shoulder, she caught sight of Sierra still clinging to the platform for dear life. For all her bravado on a bike, Sierra was having second thoughts about sliding down a steel cable in a nylon harness, but there was no way she would back out now. Kara laughed as the squeal of fear reached her ears from Sierra’s take off. The woman was so confident that it was hard to imagine her being afraid of anything.

  Despite Sierra’s uneasiness at the start, they laughed and teased at every one of the ten stops and when they reached the end of the course, Kara was waiting for Sierra with a knowing smirk.

  “What?” Sierra asked, pretending as if she had been cool as a cucumber the entire time.

  “Oh, nothing.” Kara snickered.

  Sierra shot her a look.

  “Really, it’s nothing. I think you’re adorable when you’re scared.” Kara stepped closer and ran her hands down Sierra’s arms in a comforting gesture.

  “I wasn’t scared. It just caught me off guard.” Sierra stood taller, as if it would make her lie a truth.

  “Okay,” was Kara’s response, but she knew better.

  Sierra relaxed. A deep laugh rolled out as she took Kara’s hand in hers and headed toward the trail head. They took turns recounting their favorite parts of the afternoon. Kara loved the fast descents and wildlife. Sierra, the rappelling and when she was safely on the ground, which gave them both a laugh.

  When they reached the car, Sierra counted off their dinner options. “Since I didn’t know what you liked to eat, I picked three places for you to choose from—Mexican, Italian, or burgers and wings. What do you feel like?”

  Kara tipped her head to the sky in deep thought. “Hmm, what do I feel like?” she pondered aloud, tapping her finger on her chin. “As a matter of fact, I have been craving something.”

  Sierra smiled at the playfulness in Kara’s tone. “Oh yeah? What’s that?” she asked as she turned to open the passenger door.

  Kara took the opportunity to sneak in behind and when Sierra turned back around, they were face to face. Kara sucked her bottom lip between her teeth, her sparkling green eyes silently debating her next move as each appreciated the soft features before them up close. The debate ended in a decisive grabbing of Sierra’s shirt as Kara pulled her in close and stopped millimeters away from her lips.

  For a split second, Kara couldn’t believe how very “un-Kara-like” she was behaving. She wasn’t known for her spontaneity, but Sierra had that effect on her. Her newfound impulsiveness might scare the shit out of her, but she was enjoying it. Nicole would have been saying “I told you so” right about now.

  Kara’s eyes fell shut as she reveled in the shiver that shook Sierra’s body. To render such a response from the beautiful, confident woman made her dizzy with power. She knew what she wanted and this time there was nothing in her way.

  Agonizingly close, that’s what Sierra thought as the temptation to lunge forward and meet the object of her desire was overwhelmed by the exhilarating anticipation of soft, pink lips meeting her own. Kara’s warm breath tickled her skin and the light brush of her nose teased of what was to come. Her body hummed, but a searing cold stabbed at her chest. The fear of Kara pulling away like their first almost-kiss paralyzed her. A quick prayer was sent to the heavens. She wanted this—the kiss, Kara…all of it. Her heart wouldn’t survive a second rejection. Not after the amazing day they had shared.

  Warm lips brushed lightly against her own in a swift reply to her plea. She trembled under the possessive hold of Kara’s hands as they gripped her hips and pulled them breast to breast, before gently melding their mouths together. Her knees buckled under the power of the kiss and she wrapped her arms tight around Kara’s waist to steady herself.

  Fingers flitted through Sierra’s dark hair, holding her head in place. To her surprise, the pace remained slow and innocent, savoring their first kiss which held steady at a gentle waltzing of tongues before Kara eased away.

  Breathless and gazing into Sierra’s eyes, Kara whispered, “Mexican food,” before breaking out a sexy, devilish grin.

  Sierra’s head fell back and her body flushed as she broke into a shy smile. Kara had not only made her blush like crazy, but that kiss had melted her insides like chocolate over a flame.

  With her eyes alight, Sierra mused, “So, you’re a dessert first kind of gal?”

  “I guess I was actually craving two things.” Kara chuckled low and deep, still enjoying the warm, comfortable hold they had on one another. “Is that all right?” she asked.

  There was a hint of concern in Kara’s voice that Sierra was quick to dispel. “It was more than all right. It was amazing. Anytime you have a craving, you feel free to fulfill it,” she granted her permission with a flirty smile.

  Rolling her eyes, Kara’s usual self-consciousness made a return visit and she got into the car. “So, uh, about that Mexican food…”

  Sierra shook her head, still shocked at the boldness of the typically reserved woman. Those moments were brief, but she loved being the one who got to experience them. What would life be like if Kara ever completely let go?

  A surge of energy struck at the thought. Sierra had a feeling the surprises would be never ending should it ever happen and that would be fine by her.

  “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to think of Mexican the same way,” Sierra joked, closing the door for Kara. She trotted around to the driver’s side and once seated, she risked another quick glance at the woman smiling beside her before they sped off to dinner.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Shutting her apartment door behind her, Kara leaned back against the wall and dropped her keys in the bowl. A goofy grin sprawled across her face as she took a deep breath. The date had been her most wonderful one ever. There had been no awkwardness between them or rehashing of earlier events, just the two of them getting to know one another and enjoying the feel of being together. And boy did she ever enjoy the feeling.

  Not surprisingly, Sierra had been a total gentle woman, opening doors and escorting her to her apartment. Despite her sometimes-gruff demeanor, Sierra appeared to be the type that would dote on her woman, leaving no need unmet. At the front door, much to Kara’s delight, they shared one more deep, longing, life-altering kiss. The taste of Sierra’s lips still lingered on her own, sweeter and more addicti
ve than she ever could have dreamed. She was hooked. No twelve-step program could ever free her from its hold. To her pleasure, reality had exceeded the fantasy—such a rare feat.

  Over the course of the date, Kara had come to terms with the fact that being in Sierra’s presence made her feel free and empowered. It was a bit unnerving since she was used to being calm and controlled, but the effortless way Sierra had about her made Kara feel as if anything were possible. She liked that feeling. Plus, Sierra had an infectious smile and enthusiasm that made Kara want to step out of her comfort zone, to be spontaneous, to challenge the woman’s perception of her—an idea that normally made her queasy.

  With so many foreign thoughts and emotions swirling through her brain, she flopped down on the sofa, tipped her head back, and stared at the ceiling. Releasing a deep breath, it was the first time in a long time she could truly say she was relaxed, and that only made her smile bigger. Instead of work and science being her overriding concern, her mind was peaceful, quiet. She felt happy.

  Again, she could hear Nicole’s voice in her ear whispering, “I told you so.” Nicole was always trying to get her out of her shell, to “join the living and have some fun.” To Kara though, every patient and every research project was a new puzzle and that was her fun. After tonight, however, she finally understood what her friend had been saying. While she may not always be so easy going, she could try harder. Perhaps she could view herself as a new puzzle to solve.

  But then, that would be working and not playing.

  A soft laugh fell out, filling the quiet room. Her body sank further into the sofa, her limbs grew heavy, and her mind relaxed as she slipped into a semi-conscious daze. Jamie had never made her feel this way. Honestly, no one ever had made her feel this way. From the first time she had laid eyes on Sierra, she was done. Love at first sight wasn’t real, or so she had believed, but even if she had failed to realize it then, it was glaringly obvious to her overly logical mind now. She never had a choice in the matter. All she could do now was follow through and see how their journey played out.

  I could also use some restful sleep, she thought as her eyelids slowly drifted shut. Spontaneity was exhausting.

  ***

  On the drive home from Kara’s apartment, Sierra was filled with an all-encompassing sense of joy. It settled in her chest and deep in her belly, making her giddy as a child at the county fair. Her mind replayed her favorite moments like a never ending SportsCenter highlight reel. She was certain her facial muscles were on the edge of exploding from the stretch of her toothy smile.

  After that mind blowing first kiss, they seemed to fall right into a rhythm, natural and comfortable, as if there had never been a time they were apart. Sharing not-so-innocent touches at the table. Casting long, smoldering looks over the rim of their glasses. An unspoken challenge had been issued to see who could make the other blush more and, to that end, they had both eagerly exchanged flirtations. Being sexually confident herself, she was still shocked, yet aroused, by the fact that she had lost. Repeatedly. Seemed the reserved Dr. Kara Davies could exert quite the effect on her.

  It was always the quiet ones.

  If there was ever a competition to lose, however, she decided that had been the one. The way Kara’s eyes had lit up, her lip curling into a deviously, satisfied smirk each time Sierra flushed red from the tips of her toes to the top of her head, was like a victory in itself. Finding a woman that could hold a flame to her powers of persuasion was hard. Finding one that could turn those same powers on her, she had believed, was impossible. Until now.

  They were so different, yet so perfect together. The way their hands fit. How their bodies molded against one another like conjoined pieces of a completed puzzle. She could hardly fathom why such a beautiful, intelligent, funny woman would be interested in her—a rough around the edges, cocky, impetuous, extreme sports junkie. Kara was surprising and Sierra liked a woman who wasn’t afraid of a little adventure. She also liked Kara letting go of the reins on her reserve while they were together, becoming more dominant and extroverted.

  Sierra bit her lip as she wondered how that would translate in the bedroom. Kara’s hands were agile and strong, having felt them during her adjustments. What could those tools of healing do in a recreational setting? And she’s definitely a skilled kisser. A shiver of anticipation ran through her body, lighting her up like the time she stuck a knife in the toaster when she was eight. Only this time it was sheer pleasure.

  Taking it slow would be a monumental challenge.

  At the mercy of her memory—which held on to their goodnight kiss as if it were her last breath—Sierra was lost in the moment once again. So intense was their kiss, that even the recollection demanded the full attention of her senses. So much so, that she hadn’t registered pulling into her own driveway or turning off the engine.

  Their long embrace was as intimate and familiar as an old friend. Sensuous green eyes reflected the same want as her own. Sure hands glided lower than friendly, pulling their hips flush. Her own fingers traced warm, smooth skin and sifted through short, thick hair. The scent of almond and coconut surrounded Sierra as she indulged in the sweetness of Kara’s lips once again. She had been dying for a second taste since the first unexpected, but lovely sampling, earlier in the day. Unlike food, however, her appetite only grew with each helping and she struggled to suppress her ravenous urges that begged to consume the woman in her arms.

  Sierra asked for more, her tongue gently tracing Kara’s kiss swollen lips. Entrance was granted quickly, eagerly, as velvety tongues slid together in a slow, passionate dance. The heat between them raged. An inferno of desire boiled beneath Sierra’s skin, settling between her legs, sending her pulse sky high and her head spinning in the most wonderful of ways.

  Even now, a long twenty minutes later, cool air had replaced Kara’s comforting warmth, but the mere thought threatened to ignite the fire once again. It simmered at the apex of her thighs and reached high into her chest.

  The feelings were new to Sierra. Intense. Crazy. Unrivaled. Unbelievable. Her hit ‘em and quit ‘em mantra had been left in ashes. She shook her head. Alone in the darkness of her car, her cheeks heated and a trail of goosebumps sprinted up her neck. Was she the only one so worked up?

  No. She knew that for a fact. There was no hiding Kara’s wanton desire. That had been evident in the force of her kiss, the pink on her cheeks, the desperation in her grip as she struggled to release her hold and walk inside her apartment. Neither had wanted the night to end.

  How they had managed to keep their feverish passion contained would forever be a mystery, but Sierra found the slow build up a welcomed change from her usual quick hop in the sack. The oddest part, was how natural it felt—as if being with Kara was where she was always meant to be. She wasn’t looking ahead to what she’d be doing tomorrow or where she might ride next. Her mind…her body…her heart…were one hundred percent consumed by Kara.

  The woman has me wrapped already.

  Surging with pent up energy, she wished it wasn’t so late. A run was out of the question. A little workout in her room would have to suffice. Sierra skipped into the house to find Ronni watching her favorite mountain bike movie, From the Inside Out, and eating cereal. “Hey, Ron.”

  Ronni’s head whipped around. The second her eyes landed on Sierra, her faced contorted as if a stranger had invaded her home. “Damn! Kara must have some wicked good lady bits for you to look like you’re high...That is, unless you are high?” Her brow rose slowly, accusingly.

  A disgusted frown erased her joyous smile. “No, I’m not high. You know me better than that. And for the record, there was no touching of bits, only lips.” Sierra plopped down at the end of the sofa, returning to her happy daze as she imagined how incredible Kara’s naked “bits” would feel against her own.

  A pillow smacked her in the head, sending Kara’s glorious fantasy “bits” back under the cover of clothing and ripping Sierra from her happy place. “Hey!” she
hissed, her eyes darting to her best friend whose expression was a strange cross between appalled and amused.

  “Gross! No fantasizing about that shit when you’re sitting next to me.” Ronni got up, set her bowl in the sink, then filled it with water to wash later. “I take it the date went well then?”

  “Oh my god, Ronni!” Sierra gushed, quickly forgetting the pillow to the head. It was so easy to get wrapped up in all things Kara. She fell against the back of the couch and threw her arm over her head as a dreamy sigh escaped. “It was...it was amazing, is what it was. She is amazing. We had the best time and it’s so easy being with her. I can’t say that about anyone else I have ever been with before.”

  Sierra was beaming now and it didn’t bother her in the least. “Kara is sexy and funny and...” she paused, searching for the right words. Her eyes flashed when they struck. “Quite surprising on many levels.”

  “Good. She better be good to you. I warned her.”

  “What?” Sierra bolted to her feet. “What did you do, Ronni?” Her scorching glare could melt steel.

  “Nothing,” Ronni brushed it off with a shrug. “I just gave her the talk. You know, the usual. Even Harley got it, which reminds me…” Ronni trailed off, offering no further details.

  Sierra approached slowly, allowing her temper to cool as she contemplated her next words carefully. The last thing she needed was outside interference, even if the intentions had been pure. But she also understood her protective best friend.

  “Ronni, while I love you and appreciate everything you do for me, please don’t hassle Kara anymore, okay? She has her issues and I certainly have plenty of my own, so I’m sure we’ll stumble, but…” A deep breath filled her lungs and a sense of peace surrounded her. Once again, her thoughts drifted to the woman with green eyes that soothed her soul like the ocean on a warm summer day. “I really, really like her, so please, please, please, don’t scare her off. Can you do that for me?”