by Advocate
"Oooo, the randy slut!" Bridget’s face lit up. "Excellent."
Faylinn’s eyebrows lifted. "I can see I’ll need to guard your honor with a sword should any eligible bachelor come our way."
"Hardly," Bridget snorted. "My heart is quite spoken for."
A tiny smile curled Faylinn’s lips. "It is?"
"Of course! You know how I feel about Will," Bridget said with a straight face.
Faylinn bumped hips with her companion and ignored Bridget’s burst of raucous laughter. "Aren’t you clever?" But she was smiling herself.
Once inside their room, Bridget tossed the saddlebag on the straw-filled mattress with a great sigh of relief. A large, split barrel, whose sides had been lined with pitch and that served as a tub, was already sitting in front of the fireplace, three-quarters full of water.
Bridget groaned in rapture just looking at it. The lake she’d bathed in three days ago had been just this side of freezing. "I’ve died and gone to heaven, and we know that can’t be right."
Faylinn giggled. "You said you’d be back by this afternoon. The water will only be room temperature but—"
"It will be perfect," Bridget interrupted. She pulled Faylinn close again. "Just perfect. Thank you."
Faylinn’s eyes fluttered shut as she reveled in the comforting feel of Bridget’s warm embrace. She’d done a lot of thinking over the past week, and she’d made some frightening but necessary decisions that had her pulse racing. She was tired of being afraid, and determined to move forward in her relationship with her former sister-in-law.
Faylinn had craved Bridget’s touch since she’d first seen her on the dock at Cobb Island, atop a prancing Apollo and dressed all in buckskin. Since then her feelings had grown more and more intense and she’d found herself wanting… something. Something more. Though she wasn’t exactly sure what that could be.
They’d shared tender kisses and snuggled together nightly, but between Bridget’s injuries, the resulting infection, and the nausea that had accompanied the early months of her pregnancy, things hadn’t gone any farther. To make matters worse, since Bridget found out she was pregnant, the older woman treated her as if she was made of spun glass and would break under the slightest handling. If I have to continue to wait for you to start… whatever it is two women can start, I’ll go stark-raving mad! I’ve seen the way you look at me, Bridget. The way you react to my touch… my kiss. The way you watch me from the corner of your eye when you think I’m not looking. This, she decided, was something they both wanted. Now she just had to have the courage to make it happen.
"Why don’t we bath together?" Faylinn suggested innocently. She fixed her eyes on the laces of Bridget’s rough-spun shirt and gave them a gentle tug, holding her breath as she waited for an answer.
"Uh… Bu…" Bridget mumbled stupidly, clearly startled. "Together?" Since when do we bath together? By God, that would involve being naked with her. I might die just thinking about it.
"That way we won’t have to empty the water after you’re finished," Faylinn countered sensibly. You did say we both needed a bath, if I recall."
Bridget tried to keep her voice even. "All right." She looked at the barrel. "It will be a tight fit."
"I don’t mind being close to you."
Faylinn looked up into Bridget’s eyes and the darker woman knew that all was lost. She would do anything Faylinn asked. She couldn’t help herself. Bridget swallowed again, afraid that if she actually tried to speak she would ramble on like a dullard who’d never laid eyes on a pretty girl before, which was exactly how she felt at this very moment. Get hold of yourself. You’ve seen her undressed before. Mostly. "I don’t mind that either, Faylinn." She smiled affectionately. "Though if you’re going to join me, then perhaps I should heat the water."
Faylinn just shook her head. "I’ll warrant our joined body heat will warm the water up nicely. I’m not worried." She bent over and stuck her fingers into the tub, then brought her hand back to Bridget’s lips and painted them with the cool water. "It’s not that bad, is it?"
Bridget’s knees turned to jelly and she shook her head. "Not at all." Her voice cracked on the last word.
"It’s settled then." Faylinn moved to a small trunk at the foot of their bed, praying her legs didn’t appear as wobbly as they felt. Opening the trunk she removed a large bar of soap and a scrap of linen. She could hear Bridget undressing behind her and felt her pulse quicken, but decided not to turn around. Let her get into the tub. I don’t want her to think that I… Well, I do want her to think that…. Oh, God. I don’t know what I want her to think! She let out a frustrated breath and calmed her shaking hands.
"You were right," Bridget sighed as she lowered herself into the tub. She could just barely stretch out her long legs and she wiggled her toes in pleasure. Faylinn seemed to be taking her time at the trunk, so she dunked her head underwater and came up after several seconds, smoothing her hair back with both hands.
Faylinn took a deep breath and turned around just in time to see Bridget emerging from the water. "Oh, my." She nearly dropped the soap.
Bridget wiped the water from her eyes but didn’t open them. "Aren’t you coming in?" she murmured. "It’s divine."
Unabashed, Faylinn stared at Bridget’s wet, naked body. Firm breasts were half submerged in the cool water, and the room’s partially open shutters allowed in just enough sunlight to paint golden stripes across glistening skin. Divine is an understatement.
Transfixed, she crossed the few steps to the tub and moved behind Bridget, bending to dunk the linen into the water. She settled on her knees, idly musing that men’s trousers were more convenient for just about everything. Looking appreciatively at the expanse of naked skin before her, Faylinn soaped the wet cloth then gently rubbed it over broad shoulders, dipping down for more water and repeating the process tenderly. This intimate act had become routine between them and neither woman wanted to stop it, even when Bridget’s arm was healed enough so that she could easily take over the job.
Bridget forgot to censor herself and a deep, lusty moan escaped her throat as nerve-endings all over her body flared to life under Faylinn’s gentle touch.
The unexpected sound caused a flood of moisture between Faylinn’s thighs and she shifted uncomfortably, recognizing these first strains of arousal as the familiar signals her body sent her whenever they kissed. Losing herself in the moment, she groaned quietly in response, then blushed when she heard herself.
Bridget’s eyes popped open and she completely misinterpreted the sound. She realized the shorter woman’s hands had stilled and felt a pang of guilt over taking advantage of Faylinn’s kindness for her own pleasure. She reached up and grasped Faylinn’s hand. "Thank you, dearest. But my arm is healed now." She hesitated only briefly before forcing herself on. "I can do this from now on. You needn’t trouble yourself."
"Trouble?" Faylinn’s forehead creased. "But I like it."
"I like it too." More than you can imagine. "You’re not my slave. Come join me instead and have your own bath."
Faylinn frowned. She wasn’t nearly ready to be done touching Bridget. She leaned forward and placed her lips directly on a wet, pink ear and whispered, "Let me do your hair, Bridget. Please. I enjoy it so."
Bridget was glad she was already sitting down. The maelstrom of sensation caused by the warm breath in her ear was more than enough to set her blood aflame.
Faylinn didn’t wait for an answer; instead, she lathered her hands and sank them into Bridget’s hair, pressing firmly. Her ears were treated to the most delicious, subvocal sounds of pleasure from Bridget and she wasn’t sure which one of them was enjoying this more.
"Oh, Faylinn," Bridget sighed. "I’m leaving more often if this is how I’m treated when I return."
Faylinn laughed and tugged playfully on a strand of hair. "Don’t you dare. I missed you far too much for that. Besides," she reminded, "I always wash your hair. I love how it looks when you wear it down. It’s so… so…" she couldn
’t think of a word to adequately describe the wild, free look it gave Bridget that was so different from the elaborate, uncomfortable style fashion dictated, so she gave up trying entirely. "Rinse."
Dutifully, Bridget dunked her head. When she came back up for the third time, Faylinn laid warm, lathered hands on her shoulders and set to work on several stubborn knots.
"I do love you," Bridget said blissfully, letting her eyes slide closed again, and floating in that magical place where she was both aroused and relaxed at the same time. She’d done as much digging as her arm would allow and now her body was paying the price.
"And I you," came the familiar reply. Faylinn concentrated on relaxing Bridget, not speaking again until she’d given sore muscles her full attention. "Bridget?"
"Hmm?"
Her voice was barely a whisper and she still spoke directly in Bridget’s ear. "Did you think of me while you were gone?"
"Uh huh." Bridget nodded, her mind drifting. "Constantly."
"Does constantly include at night?"
A puzzled scowl lazily chased across Bridget’s face. "Of course."
"Mmm." Faylinn worked her way lower, pressing her thumbs firmly into Bridget’s spine, and earning another languid groan. "That’s good. Because that’s especially when I thought of you."
Blue eyes blinked open and Bridget suddenly found herself very awake as welcome warning bells went off in her head. "Really?" she inquired gently.
"Oh, yes." It took all of Faylinn’s willpower not to kiss the throat that was so cruelly tempting her with its softness. Not yet. "Katie is a sweet woman, but she doesn’t come close to replacing you for companionship. Still, we did spend our days together, and that made them bearable. The nights were different. I was here all alone, with nothing more to do than think of you."
Bridget sat up a little more, leaning into Faylinn’s expert touch, and exposing her nipples to the air. Faylinn’s words and the drafty room caused them to grow painfully hard, and she felt her breathing quicken.
Gathering her courage, Faylinn ventured into uncharted territory, subtly shifting her massage to a lighter more sensual touch – a caress.
Bridget’s nostrils flared as fingertips floated down her arms and then back up. Yes, Faylinn. Do that.
"I missed your body lying next to mine. The feel of your hair," for emphasis Faylinn ran her fingers through the soft wet strands, "your skin." She ducked her head and dropped a featherlight kiss on Bridget’s shoulder, sighing softly at the taste and silken texture that made her want to devour this woman completely.
Bridget’s belly clenched and with dripping hands she reached up and grasped both sides of the tub. "Fay-Faylinn?"
The smaller woman didn’t feel like talking anymore. She swept a tangle of dark wet hair from Bridget’s shoulder and began feasting on her neck.
"God!" Bridget’s entire body jumped and her chest heaved, as Faylinn’s lips wreaked havoc on her senses. She had never been kissed like that before. Not with such devastating sensuality, love, and affection, all at the same time. Who was this woman who had replaced the shy, mostly innocent creature she lived with, and how long could she stay? "Are… I can’t believe I’m going to say this." Please don’t let me be wrong. She let her head fall back giving Faylinn more room to explore, which she did eagerly. "Are you trying to seduce me?"
Faylinn brought her lips back to Bridget’s ear, letting any remaining inhibitions fall by the wayside and doing what came naturally. "Yes." She let her hands glide down strong arms and into the water, only to bring them up in front of Bridget. Faylinn ran them up a lean stomach to cup Bridget’s breasts tenderly, feeling their weight lovingly as she firmly ran her thumbs over erect, sensitive nipples. "Mmm."
Bridget bit her lip in a vain attempt to keep from crying out as she arched towards Faylinn’s hands. But the erotic touch proved too powerful and she let out a tiny whimper, praying fervently that Faylinn’s newfound courage wouldn’t desert her now.
"Is this all right?" Faylinn asked softly, the brazen seductress suddenly replaced by the gentle young woman, who was still painfully unsure of herself in this arena.
"God, yes, Faylinn," Bridget breathed. Her hands moved to cover Faylinn’s hand on her breasts. "That feels wonderful. Don’t stop."
"I-I…" As though Faylinn suddenly realized exactly what she was doing, her eyes widened. She tried to pull her hands away, but Bridget held them firm.
"Stay, love. It’s all right."
Faylinn stopped trying to escape and felt tears sting her eyes. "I don’t know what to do," she whispered in anguish. "I only know that I want to touch you. I need to."
"Oh, Faylinn," Bridget’s heart went out to her companion and she cursed herself for leaving Faylinn to make the first move. She had meant to do it months ago. "You must know I want this too. I want you."
"Have you ever—?"
"Yes."
Faylinn’s head sagged with relief.
Bridget blinked. That wasn’t quite the reaction she had been expecting.
"Then you’ll show me?"
Bridget felt her heart start beating again. "Yes. I’ll show you." She turned around in the tub until she was facing Faylinn, then she tenderly cupped the younger woman’s cheeks. She graced her with a smile full of heartfelt compassion and undying love. "You can touch me anywhere you like. Anywhere," she purred, her lips forming a hopeful, sexy smile.
Faylinn’s eyes dropped but her mouth shaped a small grin. She felt herself begin to relax as she grew more and more confident that Bridget wanted this as badly as she did. And that she wouldn’t be left to fumble aimlessly in her ignorance. "Anywhere?"
"Absolutely anywhere," Bridget swore, lifting Faylinn’s chin and forcing eye contact.
"Now?" Faylinn whispered, her eyes conveying her need.
Bridget closed her eyes. She wanted to scream ‘hell yes!’ and simply ravish the pretty woman, but thoughts of her brother and his appalling actions held her back. Patience. "I pray so, dearheart."
Faylinn nodded, resolute. "Now."
Both women let out relieved breaths and leaned forward to share a deep, probing kiss that seemed to go on forever. When it ended, Bridget stood, sending a cascade of sudsy water down her body.
Faylinn’s dragged her gaze past well-shaped calves on her way up Bridget’s body, taking in every inch of the lanky woman with sensual delight. When she finally reached Bridget’s head she allowed herself to be pulled to her feet.
The dark-haired woman looked down at the bath then back up at Faylinn. Raising her eyebrows in entreaty, she said, "Join me?"
Faylinn nodded shyly, already aroused beyond words. She lifted trembling hands to her shirt only to have them replaced by steady ones.
"Let me," Bridget said huskily. Skipping Faylinn’s shirt for now, she bent down and quickly removed her boots, stockings, and the pair of borrowed and patched men’s trousers. The younger woman’s shirttails hung to her knees and Bridget suppressed a smile at how cute she looked as she carefully guided Faylinn into the tepid water.
The cool liquid soothed Faylinn’s overheated skin, but any pretense of rational thought was whisked away when Bridget began to remove her shirt.
Bridget took her time, her knuckles gently brushing over the lush curve of Faylinn’s breasts and her fingertips moving purposely lower to stroke a round belly through the linen.
Suddenly the loose shirt seemed rough and hot against her skin and was too much for Faylinn to bear. "Hurry, Bridget!" she insisted, her voice hoarse with desire. "Please."
Bridget smiled and pushed the thin material from Faylinn’s shoulders. It pooled below her breasts, Bridget openly admired every inch of exposed skin in a way she hadn’t permitted herself before. Her eyes darkened at the arousing sight.
Faylinn held the material around her middle and looked up at Bridget nervously. "My stomach—"
"Is beautiful. Just as you are," Bridget assured her seriously. To prove her point, she dropped to her knees, sending a wave of wat
er over the edge of the tub. Leaning forward, she lifted the tails of Faylinn’s shirt, kissing every new inch of exposed skin, humming with undisguised delight and desire as she went.
Faylinn felt as though she was on sensory overload as wet lips traveled up her thighs. Her breasts ached and her center throbbed in time with her heartbeat. This new, unknown level of arousal would have been frightening if it were not for the loving woman who had one arm wrapped tightly around her waist, grounding her.
By the time Bridget’s mouth reached the apex of Faylinn’s thighs the blonde woman was whimpering softly, sure that her legs wouldn’t hold her weight. She grasped Bridget’s shoulders for support, moaning when lips softer than any she’d ever known skimmed quickly over damp, blonde curls, to lay a series of sweet kisses on the underside of her belly.
Never stopping her kisses, Bridget swept the shirt down over the flare of Faylinn’s hips instead of lifting it over her hips, removing the garment completely.
With a tug of Faylinn’s hand, Bridget guided her into the water until she was straddling her. Their combined mass sent more water sloshing over the edge of the tub, though neither gave it a second thought.
Warm thighs slid around Bridget’s hips and she sighed at the contact, a wave of heated blood pooling in her belly. She picked up the linen rag from the edge of the tub and ran it over Faylinn’s face and neck and shoulders, enjoying returning the gentle attention she’d so lovingly received all these months. Finally, she dropped the cloth and repeated the gentle motion with her fingertips, causing Faylinn to gasp at the sensation.
"Don’t be afraid," Bridget whispered, leaning forward to kiss the tip of Faylinn’s nose, her cheeks, and finally her closed eyelids. "I would never hurt you." She dropped her hands to Faylinn’s waist, feeling the ribs expand and contract quickly at her touch.
"I know." Faylinn’s eyes opened slowly and she gasped at the look of breathless desire on Bridget’s face, knowing herself captured in the smoldering sea of vibrant blue. She loosely wrapped her arms around Bridget’s neck, bringing their bodies closer together, and feeling a tuft of dark, coarse hairs tickle her inner thighs and bottom as she moved.
