by Maggie Brown
Her fingers very sure now as she stroked, Lindsey was blind and deaf to everything but the desire to please. When Daisy finally climaxed, crying out in ecstasy, Lindsey had never felt stronger. Now she knew what Daisy had meant when she said that to love someone would be more about her partner’s pleasure than her own.
With Daisy’s warm body curled into her side, Lindsey lay back staring at the ceiling trying to find ways to express how she felt. In the end, she said simply, “I love you.”
Daisy propped herself up on an elbow and placed a finger on her lips. “Oh, Lindsey, it’s early days for us yet. Let’s enjoy each other’s company and get to know each other before making a commitment.”
Lindsey bit back the disappointment. She’d wanted to hear that kind of admission from her—had waited to hear it. Her mind swam—she felt suddenly vulnerable. Making an effort to be upbeat, she drew the finger into her mouth, nipped it lightly and said archly, “Is that the next step in your courtship manual?”
“It is. You’ve made your choice, so no more dating other women.”
“You won’t either?”
“Of course not. We’re officially exclusive.”
“So…you like me a lot then?”
“What do you think,” said Daisy, her eyes hooded. “Perhaps I’d better show you how much.”
She slid half over Lindsey, then trailed her mouth over to the left collarbone. “Do you trust me enough to remove your shirt?”
Lindsey went rigid. Then she slowly relaxed—Daisy would never hurt her and she couldn’t hide forever. Without a word, she wriggled free of her shirt and bra to expose the top of her body fully. As well as her arm, her shoulder had been half-torn away in the accident. It had taken a series of operations to repair and build an artificial socket into the scapular to fit in the end of the artificial arm. Though the surgeries were successful, she was left scarred. After three skin grafts, another had been advised against, the disfigured skin too thin on the shoulder to repair successfully. Lindsey hadn’t insisted, sick and tired of the pain and misery.
She watched as Daisy ran her finger gently over the shoulder and leaned over to lightly kiss the scar tissue. “This makes you all the more special to me,” she said. She lingered there to reassure her before she shifted to her breasts. She kissed them thoroughly, stretching out the nipples until they were firmly peaked. She slipped lower, swirling her tongue around the small swell of her belly.
All thoughts, all reason skittered away when Lindsey felt her slacks and underwear pulled off and the heat between her thighs cupped. Her hips arched to meet Daisy’s mouth when she lowered her head. This time she inserted two fingers, moving in and out while her mouth and tongue teased. Lindsey whimpered out her pleasure, her hands digging desperately into the bedclothes.
When her orgasm came, it shattered into a kaleidoscope of fractured lights and whirling colours behind her eyes. She heard herself cry out as the pleasure overwhelmed her. When she opened her eyes after the last waves subsided, Lindsey was surprised to see tears on Daisy’s eyelashes. Instinctively, she drew her into a cuddle to soothe her. Daisy sank into the embrace and said in a sniffly voice, “Do you mind holding me until I go to sleep?”
“There’s nothing I’d like better.”
Lindsey opened an eye to peer at the clock on the wall. Eight fifteen. She couldn’t remember when she’d last slept this late. Daisy was sound asleep, her bare legs tangled with hers. Lindsey wriggled out very carefully and padded to the toilet. After quickly brushing her teeth she eased back into the bed, reluctant to slip back into her ordinary life just yet. To wake up beside her lover was an experience she wanted to savour. She traced a fingertip over the sprinkling of freckles. “Fairy dust,” she murmured.
Daisy’s nose twitched, her eyes opened.
As they focused on her, Lindsey brushed the hair away from Daisy’s face. “Hi,” she said, feeling possessive.
With a grin, Daisy linked her arms around her neck. “Hi yourself.” When Lindsey leaned forward to kiss her, she exclaimed, “Hold that thought. I have to go to the loo and I need to clean my teeth.”
“There’s a new toothbrush in the cabinet on the wall.”
“Thanks.” She disappeared into the bathroom. A few minutes later she was back. “Now, where were we?”
“I believe I was going to tell you I had a wonderful time last night. That you’re glorious.”
Daisy tilted her head upwards to touch her lips to hers. “Hmmm…glorious. No one’s ever called me that before.”
“You’re cute too. Annoying sometimes but cute,” Lindsey said with a chuckle, letting her fingers toy with the mass of curls. She couldn’t get enough of the pretty auburn hair. “You don’t have anywhere to go today, do you?”
“No, I can stay all day. When is Bernice due back?”
“This afternoon. I’d like to tell her about us. She’s very important to me. Is that all right with you?” asked Lindsey a little anxiously. She didn’t want to presume anything after the last argument.
“We’ll tell her as soon as she gets in. She’s important to me too.”
“What shall we do today?”
“We’ll figure that out later. Now I’m going to make you scream out my name again.”
Lindsey felt her heart stutter, which was the only way she could describe the sensation. “Daisy—”
“Hush now,” Daisy said, cutting her off. “I need to show you how much I want you. You rock my world.”
Her head reeling, Lindsey opened her arms to embrace her.
It was unheard of in her structured orderly life, but for the second time in the same day, Lindsey opened her eyes to look at the time. She blinked in disbelief as she read the digital clock on the bedside table. Good Grief! Two thirty in the afternoon. Aware she should get up to prepare something to eat, she snuggled back into the warm, very naked body beside her. The round of love-making had been followed by another, and then more in the shower until exhausted, they’d flopped back into bed.
Unable to resist, she cupped one of Daisy’s breasts in her hand and squeezed lightly. A groan echoed from under the covers. The covers were flipped aside as the soft warm body launched on top of her. Her laugh of delight was cut short abruptly by a knock on the door.
“Are you there, Lindsey?”
Daisy quickly rolled off and whispered, “Shit, it’s Bernice.”
“Get under the covers,” Lindsey ordered in a low urgent voice, then called out loudly. “I’ll be down in a min—”
All too late. The door opened. With a worried look on her face, Bernice hurried into the room. “Are you sick?”
“No. Just resting,” Lindsey said, with the sheet up to her neck. This was totally mortifying. She couldn’t even get up because she was stark naked.
Bernice stared at her in bewilderment. “But you never sleep during the day.”
“Late night,” growled out Lindsey, then caught her breath when a snuffling giggle echoed from under the covers.
Bernice’s eyes widened as they zeroed in on the lump beside her in the bed. She gaped and stuttered, “Sorry…err…I didn’t realize there someone in bed with you.”
“Um…well…um,” breathed out Lindsey, avoiding her gaze.
The curly head poked out. “It’s only me, Bernie.”
“Oh, it’s you Daisy.”
“We’ll be down in a minute,” answered Daisy airily as if it were perfectly normal to be in Lindsey’s bed.
“Have you had lunch?”
“Not yet.”
“I’ll get you something then,” Bernice replied. Her sunny disposition restored, she bustled out.
Lindsey stared in disbelief as the door closed behind her. Was she losing her senses? Bernice and Daisy had discussed lunch as if nothing untoward had happened.
Daisy let out a chuckle. “Now she knows. And she didn’t seem surprised either. She must have guessed how we felt about each other. Probably before we did.”
“She likes you.”
<
br /> “I think she’s a treasure. Oh, well,” Daisy said, stretching her body like a cat, “I suppose we’d better go down.”
“I guess.” Reluctantly, Lindsey climbed out of the bed. “I’ll get you a clean T-shirt but your jeans will have to do. Mine won’t fit.” On her way to the cupboard, she bit her lip at the sight of their underwear discarded on the floor. Bernice couldn’t have missed it. She picked them up, handing the lacy bra and knickers wordlessly to Daisy.
She put on the bra and stuffed the pants in her bag.
Bernice beamed fondly at Daisy when they entered the kitchen. “So, you and Lindsey are together now.”
“We’re officially an item,” said Daisy with a grin.
Lindsey watched awkwardly as Bernice went from cheery to weepy in a second. The display of emotion from her old friend left her helpless and it was Daisy who hurried to give her a hug. “Hey, Bernie. I thought you’d be happy for us.”
“I am. I’ve been praying that one day she’ll meet someone who cares for her. I’m not getting any younger and she needs…Oh dear, I am going on.” She gave a sniff then broke into a smile. “Lunch is on the dining room table.”
“Great. For some reason I’ve worked up an appetite. You hungry, babe?” asked Daisy with a twinkle in her eye.
Lindsey felt herself flush slightly. She was starving.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Lindsey watched Daisy bounce Isabelle on her knee as the child screamed with delight at the two robot-dogs performing tricks. It had been fun programming in their antics, frivolous but fun. When Daisy and Isabelle disappeared into the garden to catch butterflies, Lindsey turned to see Kirsty looking at her curiously.
“I’ve never seen you look happier, Lin.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been so content. I’ve everything I thought I’d never have,” Lindsey replied, her throat tight with sudden emotion.
“Daisy’s great. You’re a lucky woman.”
“It’s early days for us.”
“Yes, but you’re besotted. Blind Freddy can see that,” said Kirsty then added with a glimmer of her old mischievous self. “And she’ll make a good mother. Isabelle adores her.”
Flustered, Lindsey walked over to put the dogs away and hide her face that must be glowing pink. How had they leapt from dating to a family? “Get back to work,” she said gruffly.
Laughter tinkled from Kirsty as they settled back down to the invitation list. As much as she tried to concentrate, Lindsey began to daydream. It was a month since they had begun to date officially, the quiet life that had insulated her for years now gone. Her dull existence had been shaken up like a snow globe, laughter and vivacious energy swirling over her like clouds of snowflakes and glitter.
They had developed a routine. Daisy came out to Lindsey’s place on the weekends, while Lindsey stayed at Daisy’s apartment when she visited her town lab. At first it had only been one day during the week, but in the last fortnight, Lindsey had stayed Tuesday and Thursday nights. Apart from a couple of movie dates, a day at the beach and a night out at a bar to meet Daisy’s friends, they were content to stay at home. And more and more of Daisy’s clothes seem to have made their way into her wardrobe.
This Saturday she’d asked Kirsty over, ostensibly to finish planning the company’s first major function, but she really wanted to show her the house and have her meet Daisy. She couldn’t deny her thrill of Kirsty’s awe when she showed her the robots. Though she knew it was a little shallow, to impress her childhood friend was important. She needed her approval.
And she wanted her to like Daisy. She was relieved there were no worries there. They immediately got on like old friends and Isabelle charmed both Daisy and Bernice as soon as she stepped through the door. She scampered like a whirlwind through the lounge until she spied the robot dogs. From then on Daisy took her in hand, keeping her occupied while they organised the invitations.
She sighed as she viewed the list. So much for a small event! The launch of their new line in robotic software was growing by the minute. Nearly three hundred guests. As it was their first public function, Kirsty had persuaded her to host a dinner at City Hall the Saturday night before Christmas. Though Lindsey dreaded the thought of such a formal affair she hadn’t argued, not wanting to put a damper on the proceedings. Her staff’s enthusiasm for the idea was overwhelming. As Kirsty was proving to be an excellent organizer, Lindsey was only left with working out the invitees, seating arrangements, and preparing the speakers’ program.
By midafternoon when they were finished, Lindsey tossed her pen onto the desk with relief. “I’m glad that’s over.”
“You did well. I thought you were going to give up a couple of times and sneak off to your lab.”
“Not exactly my area of expertise, I’m afraid,” Lindsey said, yawning.
Kirsty chuckled as she scooped up the papers into a bundle to put in her briefcase. “Well, everything’s sorted now. I’ll get the invitations into the mail tomorrow. All you have to do is sort out your speech.”
“Good, then let’s go out to the patio for afternoon tea.”
Once settled into a deck chair, Lindsey watched Daisy approach from the gardens with Isabelle. With her face flushed from exertion, her hair wind-blown and feet bare, she had never looked so attractive. Then she looked up and her gaze engulfed Lindsey. Any lingering doubts about the strength of Daisy’s commitment to their budding relationship vanished. Her unguarded eyes were bright, shining with love.
Caught up in the moment, Lindsey smiled back at her and then coughed self-consciously when Kirsty murmured beside her, “She thinks the world of you.”
“I can’t believe she’s dating me. She’s very popular.”
“You always did underestimate yourself, my friend. She’s the lucky one and she knows it.”
“I’ve had a lot of lonely years,” Lindsey said wistfully. “But now for the first time in my life, I feel there might be a happy ever after for me.”
Tears filled Kirsty’s eyes as she reached over and brushed her fingers down Lindsey’s cheek. “Oh, Lin. I wasn’t there to support you. Let’s never make that mistake again.”
“No, we won’t. Now let’s stop being so maudlin and have a coffee. Isabelle is going to love Bernie’s chocolate biscuits.”
“She’s a sugar fiend so I’m sure she will. What’s on the agenda for you tomorrow?”
“Ah,” said Lindsey with a slight wince. “Daisy is taking me for Sunday lunch to meet her parents.”
“Really? Things are getting serious. Are you worried?”
“Petrified.”
* * *
“Here we are,” called out Daisy as she slowed down halfway along an avenue of jacarandas. The suburban street made a pretty picture, with the last of blossoms fluttering off the trees to blanket the footpaths with purple. Lindsey flexed her hand on the armrest as they pulled into a driveway, immediately struck by the differences in this and that of her childhood. The Parker home was a charming low-set brick house with lattice panels and a picket fence, a far cry from her parents’ opulent mansion. It looked welcoming with its pots of petunias hanging on the front porch and roses in the front garden.
As soon as they stopped the front door opened and a middle-aged woman, the spitting image of Daisy, came out to greet them. There was no mistaking the resemblance—the likeness was remarkable. The same figure, the same facial features, the same hair and the same smile. Dry-mouthed, Lindsey waited for Daisy to embrace her mother before coming forward to be introduced. It only took a second to realize any fears that their relationship would be frowned upon, were groundless.
Sheila Parker engulfed her in a warm hug and a smacking kiss on the cheek. “Welcome to our home, Lindsey. Come on in.”
Daisy took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly as they followed her mother into the loungeroom. A man rose from a chair as they approached, then indicated with a sweep of his hand to the chair opposite after she was introduced. “Take a seat, Lindsey. We’
ve been anxious to meet the lady who’s caught our daughter’s eye.”
Lindsey sat down carefully into the leather armchair, conscious of his scrutiny. Richard Parker was a man who looked fit for his age, with a tanned face, greying hair cropped short and a neat beard equally as grey. Judging by the examination she was receiving, she presumed he would be harder to win over than his wife. However, it didn’t take her long to realize while he looked the more formidable of the two, he deferred to Sheila. Her approval given, he relaxed and soon they were conversing like old friends.
The time passed quickly, both parents interested in robotics. It was a pleasure to find people who were genuinely keen to hear about her work and not asking questions for the sake of politeness.
When the doorbell rang just before lunch, Sheila exclaimed, “That will be Meg and family. They wanted to come over to meet you.”
At that announcement, a huff of breath escaped from Daisy. Lindsey glanced over at her quickly. From the way her face had tightened, she must clash with her sister. Interested, Lindsey leaned forward in her chair waiting for Meg to appear. The sound of heels clicking efficiently on the hallway floor preceded her entry. Then a stylish young woman swept into the room, followed by her mother, carrying a baby, and a slightly harassed man with a bouncinette and nappy bag. Meg was taller than Daisy, with sharper features and a slimmer, less curvy body. She took after her father, lacking the softness of her mother.
Lindsey rose with a smile fixed on her face.
Daisy placed her hand possessively on her arm. “This is Meg and her husband Evan, Lindsey. And this gorgeous little fellow is baby Aaron.”
“We’re so pleased to meet you, Lindsey. We were wondering if Daisy was ever going to bring someone home.”
The words were said lightly but there was no disguising the disagreeable undercurrent. Feeling Daisy’s fingers tighten on her skin, Lindsey inclined her head and said coolly, “Then I’m extremely flattered to be the one. Your sister is a popular woman. And, might I add, a very smart one.” To enforce her words, she took Daisy’s hand and kissed it lightly. “Sometimes she takes my breath away.”
