Olivia slid her fingers around the stem of Greyson’s glass and slipped it from her hand. She watched Greyson over the rim of the glass as she sipped the drink.
“Would you like more?” Greyson asked, taking the now empty glass from Olivia’s hand and placing it on the bar.
“Oh yes, I would like that very much,” Olivia teased.
Greyson smiled and licked her lips as she stared at Olivia’s mouth, imagining the taste of her lips. She turned and nodded to the bartender, raising two fingers. The bartender smiled and gave a knowing nod.
* * *
Olivia snaked her hand up and down Greyson’s arm. Greyson was an intriguing woman. With her body and good looks, she could clearly have anyone in the room if she desired. But Greyson didn’t come off like someone who played on the vulnerability of others, or someone who used her looks to seduce women. Greyson was a woman totally and completely comfortable with who she was, and her confidence made her alluring without an air of arrogance.
Olivia looked around the room and found more than one woman eyeing Greyson’s every move. She could see their appreciative stares and hungry gazes undress and devour Greyson in fantasies that danced in their eyes. She understood that hunger. She had filled her days sequestered at her parents’ farm thinking of Greyson, imagining the two of them together.
The bartender set two fresh martinis on the bar in front of Greyson and winked.
“Thanks,” Greyson said without the slightest acknowledgment of the flirtation.
Olivia took the glass Greyson offered her. She watched as Greyson’s lips closed around the rim of her glass and sucked in the tart liquor. Olivia shuddered as her body responded as if Greyson’s lips had graced her skin. She liked the way Greyson seemed to caress her with her eyes and how she could see the rhythm of Greyson’s heartbeat in the artery in her neck.
“Do you have any idea the effect you’re having on the women in this room right now?” Olivia asked.
Greyson looked momentarily confused and glanced curiously around her. When she returned her gaze to Olivia, she was calm and seemingly unaffected, but her eyes bored into Olivia, penetrating the last barriers between them.
Greyson leaned close, allowing her lips to brush Olivia’s ear. “Right now, I’m only interested in you, and how I make you feel.”
Olivia felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “Good answer.”
Greyson smiled. “If you like, we could go somewhere else.”
Olivia had the sudden image of them back at her apartment only a block away and quickly decided it was time to slow things down. “Uh, I’m okay here, for now.”
Greyson took Olivia’s hand and gave it a little squeeze. “I meant we could get a table or go for a walk, or find another place that isn’t so crowded.”
“Oh.” Olivia was embarrassed by her presumption and the fact that Greyson had called her on it. But she was also touched that Greyson was concerned about her feelings. “This is fine, really. I like it here. Besides, we’ll never get a table with this wait.” Olivia laced her fingers through Greyson’s. “I kind of like the way this is working out.”
A pager on the bar lit up and began vibrating, and the couple next to Greyson left to find their table. Greyson took the seat next to Olivia. She slid her arm around the back of Olivia’s chair and leaned close. She could smell Olivia’s perfume winding its tantalizing fragrance around her senses like a mountain breeze. Orange blossoms and mint teased her until she was only inches away from brushing her lips over Olivia’s hair.
“You smell wonderful.”
Olivia turned her head, and her cheek brushed Greyson’s lips before she could pull away. Greyson wanted to taste those lips. She wanted to fall into the warm promise of Olivia’s smile and claim her mouth.
“Hey, how about another drink?” the bartender asked.
Greyson pulled away and turned back to the bar. “Maybe we could see a menu, and how about some water? Thanks, Ashley.” Greyson was grateful for the interruption and a chance to get herself together. She had been about to kiss Olivia, and she wasn’t so sure it was the time or the place. Olivia was special. Greyson didn’t want to disrespect her by coming off like she was trying to get her into bed.
“Are you hungry?” Greyson asked.
Olivia bit her lip and stared into Greyson’s eyes. She smiled mischievously. “Starved.”
Greyson swallowed, trying to keep her pounding heart from beating its way out of her chest. Olivia’s flirtations had her wishing for a little more privacy.
* * *
Olivia couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun. She had spent weeks with Greyson in captivity and thought she knew the woman to whom she owed her life. But Greyson continued to surprise her. She was attentive and playful, not at all the brooding, defiant woman Olivia had thought she had known.
Greyson opened the door and waited for Olivia to pass through. Olivia wasn’t used to being treated this way. Greyson wasn’t like the women she usually dated, who were more like herself—slightly feminine, independent, and unassuming in a way that didn’t play to gender roles. But Greyson was the perfect butch. The change was refreshing and exciting.
Olivia slipped her hand into the bend of Greyson’s arm as they walked through Crutch Park. “I know this park isn’t much, but I love walking through here at night. There’s something magical about how it’s tucked away right in the middle of everything. The twinkle lights are my favorite part.”
Greyson pulled her arm against her side, trapping Olivia’s hand against her body. “I mostly come through here during the day. I used to have lunch here most days that I was in the office. But I can’t ever recall being here at night.”
Olivia sighed. “It’s hard to believe we were so close to meeting so many times, and when we finally did—”
“You hated me,” Greyson interrupted, keeping Olivia from bringing up the Recruiter.
Olivia laughed. “Hate may be a little strong.”
Greyson raised her eyebrows showing her doubt.
“Well, I was stressed,” Olivia countered.
“It turned out to be my lucky day. Until tonight it was my favorite first date,” Greyson said fondly.
Olivia closed her other hand around Greyson’s arm leaning against her. “Maybe tonight’s your lucky night.”
Greyson smiled. “I think it already is.”
Olivia felt heat rise in her cheeks and was thankful for the fading light.
Greyson stopped by a park bench and motioned for Olivia to sit before taking her own seat.
“How are your parents?” Greyson asked.
Olivia smiled. “Good. I wasn’t sure they were ever going to let me out of their sight again. It was good to have time with them. I couldn’t explain everything. I couldn’t put them through it. I imagine they’ll hear enough at the trial, if there ever is one.”
Greyson rubbed her fingers across Olivia’s hand. “Maybe they need to know. It’ll help them understand you better.”
Olivia looked up at the stars. “I told them all about you.”
“Really?” Greyson said, surprised.
“Of course.” Olivia looked back at Greyson. “How could I not? You seem to be woven into every moment I was there.”
Greyson nodded. “Yeah, I know.” She sighed. “It’s been weird being home. Sometimes I feel like it was all a bad dream. Like my brain is trying to reject it all.”
“I don’t want to forget,” Olivia said. “What happened to us was unimaginable, but we know it happens all the time. How many others are there out there? Everything’s different now. I’m different.”
Greyson looked sad.
“Don’t worry, I’m okay,” Olivia reassured her. “I always felt like my life had purpose and I had good goals, ideas about what I wanted my life to be like. But now, that doesn’t seem like enough.”
Greyson nodded. “What are you going to do?”
Olivia shrugged. “I may go to law school.”
Greyson smi
led. “That’s great.”
Olivia studied Greyson, unable to read her emotions. “I’m sorry I keep talking about it. Here you are, telling me you just want to forget everything, and I keep bringing it up.”
“I don’t want to forget,” Greyson corrected. “I’m just having some trouble compartmentalizing everything. I don’t know how to step back into my daily life. I don’t want people to be afraid to talk to me. I don’t want their looks of sympathy.”
“Then don’t show them the victim, show them the survivor,” Olivia countered. “How have your friends been since you’ve been back?”
Greyson smiled. “Dawn is still staying at my place. I think she’s afraid I’ll disappear again if she lets me out of her sight. I didn’t think she was going to let me come alone tonight.”
Olivia laughed. “She loves you.”
Greyson nodded. “She’s a good friend. She was really scared. This whole thing has done a number on her too.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I’m surprised James hasn’t called already. He even came to my parents’ house to see me, and I thought nothing could make him do that.”
Greyson brushed her fingers along Olivia’s cheek. “I’ve missed you.”
Olivia took Greyson’s hand in hers and held it in her lap. “Me too.” She leaned forward and touched her lips lightly against Greyson’s. “I have a feeling there isn’t enough time left in the world for me to get enough of you.”
“I hope that’s true.” Greyson pressed a kiss to Olivia’s cheek. Her skin was buttery smooth against Greyson’s lips. Greyson wanted to memorize everything about Olivia’s face so she could picture her in her mind every day.
Greyson slipped her arm around Olivia, pulling her closer until she could feel Olivia’s breath on her skin. She kissed her. She kissed her with tender touches of her lips, like the sun coaxing open a flower. She kept her touch gentle, but with each passing moment she wanted more. She wanted her, all of her. That one kiss was enough to confirm everything she had already known. Olivia was someone she could surrender to. Someone she could dare to love.
Greyson broke the kiss, her breath shattered and her heart thundering.
Olivia’s cheeks were pink under the glow of the streetlamp and her lips were full and swollen from the kiss. Greyson wanted to claim them again and lose herself in the sweet heat of Olivia’s mouth.
Olivia placed her hand on Greyson’s chest and pushed, creating space between them.
“You’re getting pretty hot for a first date,” Olivia said with a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
Greyson smiled. “I don’t want to waste any time.”
“How do you know this is real between us,” Olivia asked, voicing the fear Greyson had been pondering too. “I’m afraid when we manage to get our lives back together you’ll realize we don’t really fit.”
“We fit,” Greyson insisted. “I feel it every time I look at you. I felt it every night I held you in my arms to keep you safe. I felt it every time anyone threatened you. I felt it the moment I realized I was willing to give my life for you.”
“Greyson,” Olivia whispered.
Greyson pressed her lips to Olivia’s cheek. “Why did you come back for me? Why didn’t you just run?”
Olivia sucked in her breath. “I couldn’t leave you.”
“Why?” Greyson persisted.
Olivia closed her eyes and pulled away. She looked around the park, her eyes unfocused as if she didn’t really see what was in front of her. She sighed and stood.
Greyson watched the subtle changes in Olivia’s face as she struggled with her feelings.
“Olivia?” Greyson coaxed, drawing Olivia back to her.
Olivia looked at Greyson and smiled as if she’d just made up her mind. She held out her hand to Greyson. “Walk me home.”
Greyson took her hand.
They walked in silence for a while.
Olivia said, “What now? How do we put the pieces of our lives back together again?”
Greyson squeezed Olivia’s hand. “I think I need to go back to where I left off. I started something and I need to finish it. I can’t let him take that from me.”
“You’re going back to the trail?”
Greyson nodded. “I was free there. There’s nothing like laying your head down at night and looking up at the stars, listening to the pure night. The air is fresh and rich with the earthy scent of the forest. There are no walls and no locks to cage me.”
“Your descriptions of the mountains got me through a lot of nights. I can see why you want to go back. It sounds beautiful.”
“It is.” Greyson paused. “There’s just one thing I need to do different this time.”
Olivia looked at her, the question visible in her eyes. “What?”
“You. I want you to come with me.”
Olivia gasped. “Are you serious?”
Greyson nodded. “Whatever I do, wherever I go, I can’t imagine any of it without you.”
Olivia pulled them to a stop outside her door. “This is me. Will you come in?”
“If that’s what you want.” Greyson smiled.
Olivia entered the code into the keypad on the wall. They heard the snick of the lock and Greyson opened the door, allowing Olivia to lead the way. Another keypad awaited outside Olivia’s door. Greyson waited as Olivia’s fingers danced deftly over the surface.
The room was white, with a blue sofa set in the middle of the room facing the window. The space was simple and clean. It suited Olivia.
Olivia turned to Greyson, wrapping her arms around her neck. She kissed her, trailing her lips down Greyson’s neck. She brushed her fingers down the front of Greyson’s shirt and slowly began to undo the buttons. She tugged the shirt loose from Greyson’s trousers, pulling the fabric open, exposing Greyson’s chest. She brushed a kiss against Greyson’s chest as she guided Greyson to the sofa, pushing her into the soft cushions. Olivia kicked off her shoes and climbed onto Greyson’s lap, straddling her.
Greyson’s hands were soft as she ran her fingers up Olivia’s back. Olivia almost whimpered at the warm touch of Greyson’s skin. She had dreamed of Greyson for weeks. She had endured night after night of lying in Greyson’s arms, unable to really touch her. She didn’t want to wait any longer.
The kisses grew fevered until Olivia was certain her skin would erupt in flames, her desire rising to an all-consuming need.
Greyson slid her hand beneath Olivia’s blouse, cupping her breast in her hand. She groaned as Olivia claimed her mouth with passionate sweeps of her tongue. She rocked forward trying to press more of her body against Olivia, needing more of her. The energy between them reaching the point of no return.
“I need you,” Olivia whispered.
Greyson took Olivia’s hand. “Take me to your bedroom.”
Olivia slid off Greyson’s lap, grasping her hand.
Greyson followed Olivia, silently watching the sway of her body as she moved.
Next to the bed, Greyson stepped close, slipping her hands beneath the hem of Olivia’s shirt. She pulled the blouse up, over Olivia’s head, letting it fall to the floor. She brushed her fingers down the ridges of barely healed scars along Olivia’s back.
Olivia shuddered under her touch.
She turned Olivia to face her, wrapping her fingers around the fragile lace covering Olivia’s breasts, brushing a hard nipple with her thumb. She touched a kiss against Olivia’s lips before moving to claim her breast in her mouth.
Olivia arched her back, her breath coming in short gasps. Greyson wrapped her arms around Olivia, lifting her onto the bed.
Olivia pushed at Greyson’s shirt until Greyson sat up and pulled it off, throwing it across the room. Greyson smiled down at her as she crossed her arms and pulled the undershirt over her head, exposing her small round breasts. Olivia smiled, reveling in the sight of taut muscles shrouded in soft, delicate skin.
Olivia wrapped her fingers around Greyson’s belt, pulling the leather free befor
e moving to undo the button of her jeans. She ran her hands across Greyson’s stomach, feeling the muscles bunch beneath her hands. Greyson slid off the bed, shedding her jeans. She wasn’t wearing underwear.
Olivia was certain she would orgasm the moment Greyson touched her. She couldn’t wait. “Come here,” she whispered.
Greyson smiled as she slid Olivia’s pants over her hips, adding them to the growing pile on the floor. Greyson kissed her way up Olivia’s body, letting her tongue linger on her breasts, before returning to claim her mouth.
Olivia whimpered as Greyson lowered her body against her, allowing their skin to touch for the first time. Olivia felt like she had never been touched before and was discovering things about her own needs she had never known.
They moved their bodies in unison as they rocked against each other, hands exploring, grasping, mouths tasting, sucking.
Olivia gasped as Greyson slid her hand between her legs, the brush of her fingers pushing her dangerously close to the edge. She groaned. “Yes.”
Greyson filled her with one stroke of her hand, then another, and another until Olivia was soaring. Her body hummed with pleasure rippling through her like electricity coursing through a wire. She was on the edge, but Greyson kept taking her higher until she could hold on no more. She arched her back, groaning in pleasure. The instant she fell back against the bed, Greyson’s mouth was on her, sucking her back to oblivion.
Olivia couldn’t stop. She couldn’t get enough of Greyson. She reached for Greyson, pulling her up to taste her lips. She slid her hand between Greyson’s thighs until she parted her wet folds. Olivia looked up into Greyson’s eyes. Greyson peered down at her, her body tense and trembling beneath Olivia’s touch. Olivia felt the bond grow between them with each stroke of her fingers, each shudder in Greyson’s breath.
“Olivia.” Greyson’s voice was both pleading and open.
Olivia pulled Greyson’s lips to hers and kissed her, filling her mouth and her body. Greyson shuddered against her as her orgasm exploded, waves of energy crashing through her like waves upon the shore. Greyson lay against Olivia, her breath warm against her breast. Olivia drew her fingers through Greyson’s hair, cradling her head in her hand, thankful to have her in her arms.
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