Ariel tore her mouth from Kiernan’s, removed the bold hand driving her to distraction, and pushed her against the back of the seat. She leaned on that hot body and said in a ragged voice, “This dance isn’t over. I lead.”
“You’ve had your turn, twice. My turn.” Kiernan brought Ariel’s mouth back to hers.
Ariel conceded for now, knowing she would lead again. She let Kiernan push her down on the seat and slide her body sensually over her, kissing and rubbing her mouth against Ariel’s neck.
That hot and dexterous hand once again journeyed up her leg, reaching its goal. Fingers slipped stealthily inside one leg of her panties, slid against the wet crease, and lightly caressed the hardened knot.
Ariel sucked in her breath and placed her hand over Kiernan’s, encouraging her to press harder.
Gruffly Kiernan said, “I’m leading this dance.” She moved her hand from under the panties and with one rapid motion ripped them down enough to grant access to the source of wetness beneath.
A warm finger ran down her center, separating the hot folds of flesh. Ariel cried out. She pushed her hips up and ground herself into Kiernan’s hand, silently begging her to keep fondling her clit.
Ariel had no thought of delaying, or of taking it slow. She was driven by an urgency to drown the blaze before it became an aching frustration. “Kiernan, oh, please, I’m on fire.”
“Tell me what you want,” Kiernan growled in a raw voice against her neck.
“I want you inside,” Ariel said with a catch in her throat. She inhaled sharply as warmth and fullness pierced her hunger. A steady rhythm moved her higher and faster toward the summit. Her want was all that existed, and she surged and ground her center relentlessly against the heat and firmness penetrating her, urging a faster rhythm. The muscles within greedily contracted, pulling the source of pleasure deeper. She felt a gathering of forces within her, a pulsating energy compacted into one point that became her entire existence, until she thought the point could contain no more.
KIERNAN’S MOUTH FOUND that wildly beating vein on Ariel’s neck, and she sucked, and licked, and scraped her teeth along it. She pushed her finger inside Ariel, and firmly and slowly withdrew, only to push forward again. The velvet walls pulled her in for a deeper touch. A throaty rasp from Ariel vibrated against Kiernan’s lips as she continued to lave her neck with attention. Ariel’s hands and arms were a vise around her back, and she surged in rhythm as Kiernan’s fingers and hand fed her hunger.
Kiernan lifted her head from Ariel’s neck and kissed her. She wanted to consume Ariel, to drink her in, to satiate her own hunger and fill the void in her center, and in her soul. She needed Ariel to know she belonged to Kiernan. And that she, Kiernan, belonged to Ariel.
Feeling Ariel tense and arch her back, Kiernan knew she was reaching her peak. Her hips twisted and bucked, but Kiernan maintained the steady rhythm. Tightness around her finger let her know Ariel reached the summit. Quickly tearing her lips from Ariel’s mouth, she moved her other hand to grasp Ariel’s hair and pulled Ariel’s head back more firmly against the seat, holding her in a firm grip. She needed to see her angel come, only for her—forsaking all others.
“Yes, darling angel, come for me.”
The moonlight painted Ariel’s face silver and ivory, and Kiernan saw the beautiful mouth held in an expression of ecstasy as Ariel gasped for breath. Her eyes were tightly shut, and her face darkened. Then a sighing cry, a sudden inhalation of breath and another cry, and another. An angel falls and Kiernan rejoiced.
THE BREATH ARIEL drew in burned, and her heartbeat thundered in her ears. She gasped to take in air to still the pounding and smother the fire in her chest. She blinked and saw Kiernan in the dark regarding her with eyes gone glistening jet black. Over Kiernan’s shoulder, she saw the moon, a witness to her fall.
Kiernan descended, eclipsing the moon, as her mouth claimed Ariel’s in a kiss. Warm breath fanned across Ariel’s face, and Kiernan said, “The next dance is yours to lead.”
Ariel licked her lips to moisten them to be able to speak, her voice hoarse. “Yes, I believe it is.”
Kiernan slid off Ariel and onto the seat across from her. Ariel rolled into a sitting position and watched with avid attention as Kiernan quickly slipped out of her dress and removed her bra, panty hose, and panties. The moonlight luminesced over fair skin and reflected in the auburn hair changed to shadow with glints of dark fire. Kiernan was Fey—a Goddess.
“God, but you’re breathtaking,” Ariel said in awe, her eyes feasting on the beauty, and sexuality of Kiernan’s womanly form. She reached out to Kiernan. “Come here—my dance.”
ARIEL’S APPROVAL OF her body thrilled Kiernan. She slid onto Ariel’s lap, feeling the silky dress slide against her sensitive skin. Warm arms closed around her. Ariel kissed her, running her tongue slowly over her lips, then lightly touched the tip between them. Kiernan opened to allow Ariel’s tongue to savor the feel and taste of her mouth. Every plunge of Ariel’s tongue caused the nerve endings throughout Kiernan’s body to tingle.
Now Kiernan was the one on fire, burning, and she knew only one touch would bring her salvation. She separated her mouth from Ariel’s and knelt with her knees on each side of Ariel’s hips. The arms around her pulled her, and a wet, warm mouth closed around a nipple to suckle. She put her hands on Ariel’s shoulders, and a soft hiss escaped her lips. The feelings were exquisite, but it wasn’t the touch she needed to ease the throbbing between her legs. “Touch me, Ariel.”
Ariel continued to suckle Kiernan’s breast as she loosened her arm and brought her hand down to the junction of Kiernan’s thighs. Moaning, Kiernan felt that hand slide through the patch of hair and cup her sex for a moment before Ariel slipped a finger between the wet folds. Kiernan gasped when Ariel entered her. She surged against her and drove the finger deeper, then felt the finger withdraw, only to push slowly but firmly into her aching need. Again, she moved her hips back and forth as Ariel glided in and out.
Ariel removed her mouth from Kiernan’s nipple, and cool air replaced the wet warmth. She encircled her left arm around Kiernan’s waist to hold her firmly. Kiernan quickened her undulations, and the way her breasts stroked and receded from Ariel’s face made her all the hotter. Another finger smoothly entered her, and Kiernan couldn’t help but gasp and then groan from deep within her throat. The strokes grew firmer and deeper. Ariel’s palm stroked against the sensitive ridge, and drew out a trickle of wetness from Kiernan’s core.
Kiernan cried out at every thrust and increased her tempo. Ariel returned to her nipple, lightly biting it, and Kiernan tightened her grip on Ariel’s shoulder. She threw back her head and a quick cry tore from her throat. She paused and let out a deep-drawn breath, and her release swept over her. Her back arched and she rode Ariel’s fingers and hand. With a final surge, she shattered. Her cry was raw and guttural, a roar, her body freezing in mid-movement. The feelings were etched in the moment. Shuddering, she collapsed into strong arms that held her as she sobbed, “Hold me.”
THERE WAS A tug at Ariel’s heart, almost sorrow, hearing that plaintive plea. Holding Kiernan like this, feeling her body warm against her, and hearing Kiernan’s ragged breathing, made her long to discover whether this vulnerability was part of the real Kiernan. Who was the real Kiernan? Was it the Kiernan who cared for her when she was sick, read her The Little Prince, and shared her dream of reaching the stars? Was it the Kiernan who told ghost stories, the one who was kind and considerate? Was it the Kiernan who was vulnerable and needed to be held…after? She could love that Kiernan.
Everything was moving too fast, and she couldn’t even begin to trust her own judgment. How could she manage to remember that Kiernan wasn’t to be trusted, that she needed to back away from this liaison? How could she stop herself from this all-consuming rush of passion? But for tonight, Ariel still burned. She needed—she craved—Kiernan’s touch. What little thought she could muster up whisked away like smoke in the wind.
KIERNAN’S BREATHING STEADIED. For some reason she was close to tears, so vulnerable and exposed. She moved off Ariel and onto the other seat, gathered her clothes, and dressed. Kiernan regarded Ariel closely, trying to read her expression in the moonlight. Glittering, silver eyes returned her scrutiny. She wanted more of Ariel. She wanted Ariel to hold her afterward—forever. She wanted Ariel to love her. Make love to her. Ariel love her? She was kidding herself. Ariel had sex with her—had fucked her.
But if that’s all she could get from Ariel, she would take it, as long as she could have her. “Stay with me—tonight.”
“Yes.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“ONLY SHE HAS graced my bed.” “She has taken me to her bed.” “Her hair spills light across my pillow.” “Her hair sparks embers in the moonlight.” “Her eyes are silver pools in the starlight.” “Her eyes are deep wells in the darkness.” “I pour my want into her mouth.” “Her mouth pulls from me my need.” “I drink in her warm breath.” “She has taken my breath away.” “Her voice is the soft patter of rain.” “Her voice is the night breeze in the hollow.” “Her caress is so gentle, as if she cares.” “Her touch is so tender, as if she feels.” “She is the storm that breaks the bough.” “She is the ocean wave that conquers the shore.” “My need for her is an ache in my heart.” “My need for her is bitter-sweet surrender.” “Her angel wings flutter against my tongue.” “Her passion rises and ebbs against my mouth.” “I drink the sweet spring water.” “I taste the briny ocean.” “Her cry is the sigh of an angel.” “Her cry is the keening of a hawk.” “She flies.” “She soars.” “An angel falls into my arms.” “Her talons have struck the earth.” “She has placed her seal upon my heart.” “She is a thief and is stealing my heart.” “Oh, God. I have fallen—” “Oh, God. I am falling—” “—in love with her.” “—in love with her.” “If she cannot give me tomorrow, I will take—” “Tomorrow does not exist. There is only—” “—the now.” “—the now.” Warmth cradled Kiernan’s shoulders, and heat beneath her cheek moved in a steady rhythm, up and down. Breathing. Realization struck. She wasn’t alone. Ariel was with her, in her bed. The first. Even though Ariel had come to her bed once before, it wasn’t like this. Kiernan had brought her here this time. Never had she taken another to her bed, it was always some other bed. But this was Ariel, and she wished to keep her here for always, as she now kept her in her heart.
She was afraid to move, lest she be Psyche to Ariel’s Cupid and the divinity take wing and flee. She was content to savor this time and listen to the heartbeat beneath her ear measure out time as a metronome, to the song’s final note to wakefulness. Breath wafted warmly across the top of her head, stirring her hair. Her arm rested across Ariel’s torso, right beneath the breasts, and her leg draped over a soft, warm thigh.
Her head rested upon a soft pillow of breast. She wondered how close the nipple was to her lips and whether she dare move enough to discover it. Feeling her mouth water at the thought, she pushed it out of her mind, afraid her angel would awaken and flee if she acted.
She let her thoughts unravel and gave her mind free range over images, impressions, and sensations. Ariel was the hunter, demanding and taking, yet tender and giving. And she was the hunted, surrendering to and accepting Kiernan’s passion.
Kiernan wanted to believe Ariel was seeing her in a different way, beyond only friendship. But she feared it was only the dance and the moonlight that stirred that ancient madness and released it from the primal darkness. The madness would return to the dark place in the light of day, and truth would emerge. And the truth was she loved Ariel, but Ariel did not love her.
WARMTH ACROSS HER torso and upper thigh and arm held her so she couldn’t move. Solid softness rested on her breast, pressing against her chin and the side of her cheek and mouth. She inhaled the scent of rich loam and briny estuaries. The taste of the ocean still lingered on her tongue. Sleep clouded her reasoning and the images flickering and flashing behind her eyelids existed in an ephemeral dreamscape. Kiernan in the moonlight. The dream Kiernan, giving and gentle as a lover and as ardent as a champion on the field of battle, conquering all. And in the dream, Ariel was falling in love.
Reason emerged, sleep retreated, and the puzzle pieces of dreams scattered, leaving only reality. Her eyes shot open in startled realization. No, no, no! The cold morning light slapped her hard in the face, and she tensed her muscles, ready for flight.
She tried to sit up, but Kiernan tightened her grip and held tight.
“Let me up.” The pressing warmth receded, and she tried to rise, only to have two strong hands press her shoulders hard against the mattress.
“Ariel, don’t go. Stay. Please.”
The soft beseeching voice lulled her for a moment. She lifted her eyes to the face looking down at her, seeing a melting tenderness she could easily mistake for a stronger feeling she wasn’t willing to name. Was this the truth or only the remnants of the night?
“I only want to talk to you. Please?”
Ariel stilled but did not relax. She licked her lips, dry from sleep and nervousness. Her voice was husky from apprehension. “I—what about?”
“I—I—last night, I want—” She stopped for a moment and bit her lip. “Will you have breakfast with me?” Kiernan asked in a shy voice. A soft smile appeared and squeezed around Ariel’s heart for a moment, invoking memories of soft caresses and gentleness in the night. “I’ll have Ricardo make whatever you want. We’ll take it in my sitting room. Or yours if you prefer.”
Ariel needed time alone though. She needed to analyze and process what had occurred. She needed to sort through the tumultuous emotions and examine them—break them down to simple equations she could understand. Any other contact with Kiernan, at least for the day, would distract her. No. She couldn’t deal with Kiernan until she dealt with her chaotic emotions and with the way Kiernan reversed the polarities of her feelings. If only it were as simple as a physics problem. She said gently, “I need to be alone—for a little while.”
She rolled hurriedly from Kiernan’s hands and off the bed, not bothering to pick up her clothes, and retreated to her own suite.
Kiernan watched as Ariel took her heart and fled, leaving a hollow place not even her tears were able to fill.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
THE BLACK ARTERIES that led to all four quadrants took Ariel on that Zen toward the perfect Nirvana. She journeyed into that mysterious realm of woman in metamorphosis. One with the metal beast she rode, she was no longer flesh and blood, but also steel and rubber. She’s the modern embodiment of the ancient centaur: part woman, part machine.
Lean, lean, throttle, up shift, down shift, lean, throttle, up shift—the motions were as natural to her as breathing. Her engine heart was as real to her as the living muscle in her chest. Its roar was now her voice and sang oracles from the road gods that only she can decipher.
The wheels spun in an eternity of three hundred and sixty degrees, moved through time and space and dissolved the past, present, and future, as they took her to her destination. She arrived at that perfect nirvana. She was no longer Ariel, but all things and all knowing. She was nihility.
The cold seeped underneath her helmet and sifted in through the micro-fiber of her gloves pulling her back into time. Feet and hands numb and stinging, she pulled her bike into an overlook and along the side of a railing that hugged the edge of a drop. She dismounted, removed her helmet, and placed it on the seat.
She took in the vista of the mountains in mid November. The brilliance of autumn’s splendor was fast fading, leaving the mountainsides a patched worn coat of gold, rust, and muted reds with only the occasional smear of evergreen. The sky was a crystal blue eternity with no clouds to mar it.
She opened one of her black saddlebags, pulled out a Thermos of coffee, and walked over to a nearby picnic table. After brushing the dry leaves from the seat, she sat. The coffee she poured into the deep lid roiled with steam. She brought the
lid to her mouth, feeling the steam condense warmly on her cold nose. She sipped slowly, feeling the warmth go down her throat and thaw the chill.
Once again she turned her eyes to the autumn vista, but her brain had disconnected from that sense and what she saw didn’t register. Instead, her memory came into focus, sharp and clear. Kiernan.
Her synapses zipped at light-speed to images in the moonlight, in Kiernan’s bed, in her arms, the sound of her voice.
“Tell me what you like.”
“Is this touch too much?”
“Yes, like that.”
“Touch me.”
“My angel.”
“Come for me.”
Could it be Kiernan was considering her as more than a means to something else? Could it be possible that Kiernan had feelings for her beyond friendship? Or was last night a trick of the moonlight? The moon had waxed full and would soon wane. Would this Kiernan wane with it?
She wanted to believe that this Kiernan—the one she was falling in love with—was the real Kiernan. But she wasn’t ready to trust her. Kiernan had the power to hurt her. Falling in love? No. She must put it aside—hide it away with her desire and hunger from the light so it wouldn’t grow—for how long, she didn’t know.
THE SKY WAS one of the deepest blues Kiernan had ever seen. There wasn’t a cloud or vapor trail to distract the eye. She gazed toward the nearby mountains, wondering whether Ariel was up there on one and looking toward the mountain Kiernan was on. She scampered up on a flat gray boulder and sat, feeling the cold seep through her dark brown corduroy trousers. This was the highest place on her mountain. From this spot she could see the Ocoee River below and the mountains of east Tennessee and North Carolina. She brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. A nip in the air heralded the arrival of winter. She lifted up the collar of her heavy green wool shirt and a slight stirring of air, not even a breeze really, touched her face.
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