Mia continued the gentle massage, focusing on letting Jordan become used to her touch and the sensation of exposing her body a little. "You feel very tight," she commented. "You didn't have the trainer work on your back after the game, did you?"
"Huh-uh. I was in a hurry," she said, her voice so soft that Mia had to lean around her to catch the last words. "I couldn't wait to see you."
With a fond smile, Mia turned the desk chair just enough to be able to reach Jordan's shyly grinning mouth. "You are so sweet," she sighed, capturing the soft, full lips for several loving kisses.
When Jordan's eyes opened, Mia had not moved a muscle and she met and held her gaze as she asked, "Why don't you let me give you a real massage? I'm good at it."
"I just bet you are," Jordan smirked, a trace of her usual sense of humor making an appearance.
"Come on," Mia urged, reaching out to grasp the large, fine-boned hand that trembled slightly when she touched it.
The tall woman stood, looking awkward and shy as she clutched the bright blue fabric against her chest. "Where do you want me?"
Mia looked at her quizzically and said, "I thought the bed would be the best choice. Is that okay?"
Lips pursed tightly, Jordan nodded briefly and walked over to the queen-sized bed, which seemed to grow before her eyes. By the time she reached it, it appeared to fill the room, blocking her exit with its bulk. She gulped audibly as she stood in front of it, looking at the orchid and white checked flannel sheets that were in the same state of disarray that they had been in when Mia had crawled out of them that morning.
The curly-haired woman came up behind her and placed a hand on her exposed shoulder. Deciding to adopt a casual attitude she said, "Come on, let's get those muscles loose. You don't want to stiffen up."
Jordan did a little better dealing with a direct order, and she slipped the robe back into place and tied it, then set about making the bed, twitching the sheets into place and fluffing the pillows before settling them just so. Mia didn't comment on her actions. She went into the bath and found some vanilla-scented massage lotion and was warming a healthy dollop of it between her hands when Jordan got into position.
"Why don't I cover you with the blanket? That robe is just going to get in the way." Again, her casual, businesslike tone carried the day, and Jordan pulled the fleece blanket up to her waist, then slipped out of the robe entirely.
"Excellent," Mia said approvingly. She climbed onto the bed, straddled Jordan's hips, and started to work on the stiff muscles, almost immediately drawing a heavy sigh from the blonde.
"Ooooh, that's perfect," her soft soprano voice purred.
"Glad you like it," Mia smiled. "I love to give massages. It's actually a nice way to get to know someone. You learn about how they like to be touched, how much pressure they like, if they're ticklish. All sorts of things, if you pay attention."
As the massage continued, Mia learned that Jordan could take every bit of pressure she could bring to bear, but that she also liked a delicate, whisper-soft touch. She didn't seem to be ticklish, and as time passed, she stopped shaking and seemed to appreciate the loving contact.
Mia kept the massage completely chaste, not even venturing past horizontal on the surface of her back. She stayed well above the blanket also, since Jordan was the one who had placed it just above her waistline.
"That feels great, Mia," the blonde finally said. "You do a better job than the trainer does."
"I care more," she said honestly, as her hands stilled, remaining splayed across the pale skin.
"I uh…was thinking about what you said before," Jordan ventured, her voice once again high, and thin. "Would you like a massage?" she managed to get out. "I'd um…like to get to know you a little better, too."
"Sure," she said immediately, before Jordan could change her mind. Sliding off the bed, she started to undress, removing her sweater while Jordan performed a stunning series of moves to get the robe back on while still covered by the blanket. Mia rolled her eyes at her friend's extreme modesty, but she knew that the only way to get her past it was to be patient with her.
Jordan stood by the bed, managing to look everywhere but at Mia. The brunette removed her bra, then considered, Do I have on cute panties today? She paused to think for just a moment, then remembered that she had on a deep purple thong that was just the perfect shade to compliment her olive-toned complexion. Good job, Mia, she crowed. It's unlikely that she'll look anywhere near your ass, but if she does she'll have a nice view. She unzipped her slacks, rolling her eyes again as Jordan flinched noticeably. Good thing she's in great shape, or I'd be afraid of her having a heart attack! I can see the headline in the Daily Californian. "Volleyball player succumbs to zipper fright. 'I didn't even get my pants off,' grieving near-lover laments."
Smirking at her internal monologue, Mia climbed into bed, settling the blanket around her hips just as Jordan had. The blonde straddled her and began to give her a fantastic massage-managing to be gentle yet firm, alternating delicate caresses with deep, penetrating pressure. "Oh, my Lord! Where did you learn to do this?" Mia moaned from her trance-like state of bliss.
"I had a great trainer one summer at a clinic I participated in," she revealed. Mia noted that her voice was its normal confident timbre, and she decided to continue to engage her.
"Tell me about him or her," she urged.
"Mmm…it was a guy. Probably three years ago," she decided. "He was just great at giving massages, but his best quality was his ability to explain what he was doing and why. He taught me a lot."
"Where can I send a thank-you card," Mia sighed. "You are gifted!"
"Thanks. I uh…haven't really had the opportunity to do this before. Except for Ryan, that is."
"Hey, no fair," Mia teased. "Ryan gets to sleep with you first, she gets a massage before I do…"
"There are still a few things that I haven't shared with her," Jordan teased back. But when she heard what she was implying, her mouth snapped shut and she reverted to concentrating on the massage.
Mia had a feeling that the mood was lost, and she quietly enjoyed the last few minutes of the fabulous massage. When Jordan's hands stilled, she decided to take a bold risk. Turning her head until she could make eye contact, Mia asked, as casually as she could manage, "Want me to turn over? I bet your touch would feel divine on both sides."
Stark, dead silence filled the room, and Mia realized she had been too forward. Grasping the sheet to her chest, she turned over as much as she could and started to apologize, but the look on Jordan's face brought her up short.
Mia didn't think she had ever seen anyone who looked more like they were wrestling with a dilemma. She could almost see the internal dialogue in the blonde's mind, but she didn't say a word. It was important to her that Jordan only go as far as she was willing-and she decided that she did not want to tip the scales in any way. However, she eventually couldn't stand it another minute and asked, "Tell me what you want, Jordan. Not what you think you should do, or what you're afraid of. Tell me what you want."
The ice-blue eyes locked on her and she mumbled, "I want to run." The delicate lids snapped shut, and she began to tremble again, looking like she was about to cry.
Tucking the sheet under her armpits, Mia sat up and grasped her friend by the arms. "Jordan," she said firmly, "you don't have to run. We'll only go as far as you want. I promise that. If you want to stop, we'll stop. If you want to get dressed and stay and talk for a while, that's fine, too. I just want you to know that I will never push you. You don't have to run from me, Jordan. It's safe here."
The blue eyes cracked open and immediately sought out the warmth of Mia's gaze. "Only part of me wants to run, Mia," she whispered. "Another part wants to touch you so badly that I feel like I'll go mad if I don't."
"It's safe, Jordan," the smaller woman whispered. She grasped a trembling hand and held it to her chest, chafing the soft skin with her hands. "I won't hurt you."
"I don't know how to to
uch you," Jordan said, her voice coiled with tension. "Would you show me?"
"Of course I will," Mia sighed, her heart breaking for the obvious distress that her friend was in. "How would you like me to show you?"
Jordan lay down on the bed and closed her eyes as she tugged open the tie to her robe. Spreading the fabric open, she revealed her body to Mia's stunned gaze. Oh, my God! Thank you for having her close her eyes, 'cause it would not do to let her see me drool!
Jordan's shaking hand lifted, and Mia instinctively laced their fingers together. The blonde placed the smaller hand upon her breast and whispered, "Show me."
The blue fabric still covered the long body from waist to thigh, so Mia climbed astride her once more, the robe providing a thin, protective barrier for Jordan's modesty. Now it was Mia's hands that shook, nearly rivaling the trembling in the long body that she lovingly caressed. She trusts me so much, she silently considered. What a precious gift that is!
Mia massaged the stunningly smooth skin with reverence, keeping her touch light and delicate. She repeatedly replenished the lotion on her hands, wanting her touch to glide across Jordan's body, not even allowing the friction of her hands to mar the perfect flesh.
She continued the loving touch until Jordan had visibly relaxed and her breathing had calmed. The blue eyes had remained shuttered, but they slowly blinked open and gazed at Mia with a gentle question reflected in their clear blue depths. She obviously decided not to pose her query verbally, instead lifting her hand to trail the backs of her fingers up Mia's exposed side.
The brunette twitched and involuntarily pulled away, stifling a giggle as she did so. "Yes, I'm ticklish," she admitted. "Ridiculously so. Like a three-year-old." She had a resigned smirk on her face, but Jordan's expression remained serious. Outlining Mia's lips with the tip of her index finger, the blonde promised, "I'll never take advantage of you because of your ticklishness."
Turning her head, Mia captured Jordan's fingers and kissed them gently. "I know that," she admitted.
Jordan rose up on her elbows, holding Mia's gaze for a long time. Sitting up fully, she wrapped her arms around her body and started to kiss her, their breasts pressing lightly against each other. Unable to contain the moan that sprang up from her core, Mia held on tight and opened herself fully to Jordan's increasingly confident caresses.
Their bodies slowly grew hot to the touch, their skin tingling everywhere their flesh came into contact. Hands threaded through silky and curly tresses, mouths opened-sucking gently on tongues, moans mingling. Jordan's breath had grown so ragged that she was now softly panting, her eyes hooded with the desire that pulsed through her veins.
Finally, pulling away roughly, she grasped Mia firmly by the shoulders and said, "I can't fight this anymore." Her determined face and fiery eyes locked upon the smaller woman's. "I don't care who knows…I don't care that I know. I can't deny myself any longer. No matter what the consequences-I've got to have you."
Mia grasped the long, lean woman by the shoulders and pulled her down onto her body, their breasts compressing against each other as Jordan settled onto her. "I've never wanted anyone like I want you, Jordan," she murmured, her voice soft and gentle. Her hands roamed all over the smooth, strong, yet delicate body. "It makes me feel very special to share this with you."
"You are special, Mia. You're very special to me," her soft voice murmured, her eyes full of confidence in her decision. Her smile broadened even as she began to shake again. With a look that merged equal parts stark fear and burning desire, she whispered, "Let's make love."
Mia let the wish hang in the air for a few minutes, softly stroking Jordan's cheek, letting her eyes convey her wholehearted acceptance of the offer. She wanted to give the shaking woman time to change her mind, while hoping fervently that she wouldn't. It soon became clear that Jordan wanted to continue, but equally clear that she didn't have any idea of how to begin.
Denying her almost painful desire, Mia concentrated on making Jordan feel loved and cared for. She knew the remarkably lovely woman didn't often feel lovely, and she silently pledged that she would do everything in her power to make her feel so.
Her hands glided over her body in a whisper-soft touch, slowly pushing the silky fabric from her flesh. Eyes locked together, Mia smiled at the look of intense pleasure on Jordan's face as her hands caressed her. "I love touching you this way," she whispered. "You're such a beautiful woman."
Jordan blushed becomingly, averting her eyes as she struggled to accept the compliment. "You make me feel beautiful," she admitted, her voice soft and winsome.
"You're just as beautiful here," Mia insisted, placing a kiss on her temple, "as you are here." She placed delicate kisses down the long body, starting at the hollow between her collarbones, and continuing to her navel.
Unexpectedly, Jordan threw her arms around Mia's body and hugged her tight. She felt as if she would burst from the wellspring of feeling that pummeled her body, but she didn't know how to express herself. Her instincts told her to grab on and hold the smaller woman as closely as she could, but that's the only clear message she was able to decipher.
Mia was patient with her, letting her go at her own pace, even though she was about to combust. Her ribs were beginning to ache, and she freed an arm to stroke down the long, muscled back, soothing Jordan with her gentle caress. "I know," she murmured, "It's a lot to process, isn't it?"
"Yeah," the blonde's shaking voice agreed. "It's an awful lot."
"Just relax," Mia urged. "Lie back and let me touch you. Let me know what feels good," she soothed, "and what feels even better." Her voice had dropped into a low growl, and Jordan's toes curled at the frank sexuality of her tone.
She dropped to the bed inelegantly, her quivering muscles unable to support her any longer. Consciously opening her body to Mia's touch, Jordan held her breath as determined hands smoothly removed her clothing, leaving her naked and more vulnerable than she had ever been. "Relax," Mia soothed as the long body continued to twitch with tension. "Just relax." The small, cool hands stroked across her skin, the gentle touch too appealing to resist. Jordan's body slowly calmed as the touch grew more focused, and her nerve endings began to tingle from the sensation.
"Ohh…yes," the blonde whispered. "That's fantastic."
Mia moved slightly, bringing her head up to rest on the same pillow with Jordan's. Their lips met and merged, the passionate kisses causing the blood to pound in Jordan's head as Mia's hands claimed her body. It was almost too much, but she forced herself to breathe deeply and focus on the touch rather than the emotion that was flooding her brain.
Body and brain warred for supremacy, the echoes of previous emotionless intimacies fighting to be resurrected. But she focused on Mia, chanting her name like a mantra to her mistrusting inner voices. Lifting her eyes repeatedly, she let the warm brown depths soothe her tumultuous thoughts, gaining strength from the sure, gentle regard she found there.
Eventually her mind calmed, and she opened her body and her heart to the gentle woman who held her in her arms, surprised by the strength and sureness of her embrace. All rational thought slowly ceased. Her body now in control, the deeply intimate caresses overpowered any shred of doubt about her sexuality that she harbored. This was right-so very right, and suddenly that was all that mattered.
Her breathing grew more erratic and her heart beat wildly, feeling like it would explode from her chest. The sensations grew to be so overpowering that all she could do was hold on and let them take her. Long, elegantly-shaped hands clutched at Mia, grasping at her hair, her skin-anything that she could reach to stay grounded. A fantastic burst of feeling washed over her as her body convulsed in sensation, the feeling at once brand new and deeply familiar.
Suddenly she was being cradled and soothed, warm gentle hands caressing her tenderly as her heart slowly calmed. She blinked up at Mia, desperately wanting to express the feelings that filled her heart, but she was completely unable to utter a single word. Tears formed in h
er blue eyes, spilling onto her cheeks, where Mia immediately kissed them away, lifting her head to lock her gaze onto Jordan's face, searching her expression for a gauge to her feelings. "Are you all right?" she asked.
"Perfect," Jordan whispered, a tired smile curling the corner of her mouth. "As long as you hold me, I'm just perfect."
Part Eight
Ryan woke to a day that seemed wrapped in a gloomy gray fog. It was a little early in the year for rain, but as she looked out the window she saw the steady downpour pelting relentlessly against the house. I thought I heard rain, she thought, but it's so damned windy I couldn't be sure.
She was one of the many San Franciscans who actually enjoyed the worst that the climate could throw at her, and without regard to her comfort, she decided to go for a nice long run. It had been over six months since any measurable rain had fallen, and she found that she missed it greatly. As a child spending her summers in Ireland, she had not been exposed to the months of dry weather that most of California was subject to, and she found that she really did not care for it. So when the rain did come, she tried to enjoy it as much as possible.
Dressing as carefully as she could, she trotted down the stairs and slipped outside. Good Lord! She thought, her eyes widening in surprise. As my Granny would say, 'Tis desperate!' And it was indeed desperate out. It could not have been over 45 degrees, and the wind was blowing the rain almost horizontally, making the rain seem even colder. Oh, this is gonna be fun, she decided as she did a little stretching before taking off. Fun, however, it was most definitely not. The rain stung her face and hands like millions of tiny needles, and before she had gone 50 feet she could hardly see because of the tears welling up in her eyes. Oh Mama! She cried to herself. This is torture! But even though every sensible bone in her body urged her to return to her nice warm house, she kept on with a fiercely determined gait. It wasn't that she enjoyed torturing herself, it was that she couldn't bear to have the weather dictate her choice of activities. People all over the world carried on their normal days even when it was bitterly cold, snowing, and sleeting-she wasn't about to let a little rain stop her.
Intentions - SF9 Page 23
