Only One Bed: A Steamy Romance Anthology Vol 1 (Romancing The Trope)

by Lucy Eden

  “What about you? I’ve not heard of anyone steady in your life since Marina.”

  Kendall sat quietly, then folded her hands behind her head and leaned back against her pack, causing her neck to extend and her chest to become more prominent. “Marina and I had a great time in college, really we did. I mean she was my first real girlfriend, the one who held my hand when I came out to my family, the one who helped me figure out who I was, and who I was only trying to be. But we always knew our time was limited from the beginning. Her heart was in New York - busy restaurants, running the kitchen like the drill-sergeant-queen she was always meant to be. My heart has always been here with the river, slow and steady. I can appreciate bigger and faster, and I visit her a couple of times a year, but my home is here. I’ve dated here and there, but you know how it is.”

  Emme’s heart was step dancing, “No, how is it?” She was feeling brave.

  Kendall’s face was a blank mask for a second, but then a slow smile crawled across her features, “Let’s go, my little photo-bug. We should head back and set up our tents while we still have good light.”

  My little photo-bug…

  Emme wasn’t sure what to be more delighted about, the nickname, or the fact that Kendall had said that she was hers…

  She quickly helped pack up and then, once again, her breath was matching the rhythm of her camera shutter, and Kendall was humming something that sounded lovely but unfamiliar.

  “What are you humming? It’s pretty.”

  “It’s my favorite song.”

  “What’s it called?”

  “Wherever is Your Heart. It’s by Brandi Carlile.”

  Emme felt like that was significant but wasn’t sure why. She’d have to unpack it later.

  Time went quickly after that until they found themselves back at the base camp.

  “I’ll help you put your tent up, and then we can do mine,” said Kendall.

  She grabbed the greenish-brown pack that Emme had brought and stared at it for a minute.

  “This is rather...vintage.”

  Emme’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, “The tents all belonged to Dominic, and I never bought my own, so I borrowed this one from my grandpa Jake’s barn. He said it was fine the last time he used it.”

  Kendall started laughing, “Your grandpa Jake hasn’t camped on the river in at least 10 years.”

  Emme rolled her eyes playfully. “Oh, shut up. I’m sure it’s pristine.”

  Kendall flashed another one of those million-dollar smiles “Let’s check it out and if there is an issue you can share mine.”

  Share mine.

  Emme had a brief thought of throwing her tent in the river or the fire...an accident of course, but then came to her senses. They were friends, here to do a job of sorts, and... Kendall was so hot that if anything did happen, Emme would probably die of heart failure and never get her tarot deck out into the world.

  Kendall began to open the ‘vintage’ bag as Emme started moving some larger stones out of the way. Kendall abruptly started laughing so loud that Emme, startled, fell over a log they were using as a bench.

  Looking up at Kendall from her new vantage point, Emme noticed two things. One, Kendall was now crying with laughter, and two, she was holding up a decorative holiday flag, the kind for the yard. This particular flag had a giant purple bunny on it that said Hoppy Easter. Emme must have grabbed whatever her grandma Mary stored her seasonal yard flags in.

  Emme felt the feeling of giddiness, joy, and peace start at her toes and move into her chest as she began to laugh and laugh until she could barely breathe. Kendall held out a strong and calloused hand that felt warm and gentle when Emme took it. She pulled the red-headed witch to her feet with so much strength that they almost bumped chests.

  They stood there, inches apart, staring into each other’s eyes. Had Kendall always had gold flakes in her eyes? And those smile-lines around her eyes and mouth were a post-college addition for sure. They added a sense of knowing to her face. It was intriguing. It made Emme want to know what Kendall knew. Kendall took a slow step backward and a very obvious deep breath.

  “Well, those are not going to be useful for this trip, so let’s put my tent up, and then you can do some night shooting whilst I make dinner. If you’d like to, that is.”

  Kendall’s tent, an actual tent, was very nice and went up easily. It was small, but two people could fit, if they didn’t mind touching every now and again.

  Emme managed to distract herself from the image of the two of them lying, side by side, in that small tent, by getting lost in her photography, shooting macro images of tiny blue flowers along the riverbed, and then a line of marching ants that mesmerized her.

  A water droplet clung to a leaf and reflected light in a way that reminded Emme of a crystal. Thinking of this, she put her camera down and reached for the rose quartz she wore around her neck. It was one of her most comforting stones. She thought of it as the chicken soup of stones, something that just made everything better.

  Rubbing the stone, Emme closed her eyes and tried to ground herself. She imagined rays of shimmering light coming from her and into the earth, only to be returned back to her, a meditative ritual that always helped renew her connection with the Earth. A few minutes passed and Emme felt centered and refreshed, refreshed enough to continue taking photos. Before too long, she heard fire crackling and smelled something delicious. Her belly started to grumble, so she made her way back to Kendall.

  “Soup’s on.”

  “It smells divine.”

  Kendall smiled, “It's my dad’s camp chili.”

  Kendall’s father has passed away the summer before. It wasn’t a surprise, but it had still been terribly sad, and Kendall had been very close to him. Em lowered her gaze and tried to pick the right words, “Kendall, I know you must miss him.”

  “Yeah, I really do but I am glad he isn’t in pain anymore. I feel close to him when I’m on the river.”

  She handed Emme a bowl, and they sat on their makeshift log-bench, letting the fire warm their bodies and spirits. It crackled and danced with such ferocity that Emme felt as if the fire spirits were reaching out to their onlookers.

  “Campfires feel magical,” she said as she stretched her legs to feel more of that warmth.

  Kendall turned her face toward Emme. Her eyes seemed softer, “They do with you.”

  Emme stared, not knowing what to say, but knowing the silence would definitely kill her.

  Say something, say anything

  “It feels pretty special with you too.”

  Kendall smiled ever so slightly and gently put her hand on Emme’s.

  Oh my Gods, oh my Gods, oh my Gods… Emme felt herself flailing internally.

  They sat like that for some time, in the quiet, with nothing but the sound of crackling flames and crickets to fill the silence.

  “Um, I have a tarot deck with me. Would you like a small reading?”

  Kendall smiled knowingly, “Please!”

  What does that smile mean?

  Emme jumped up to get the deck and warn her body to pull itself together before it literally flew apart.

  “Okay, let’s do a simple three-card draw. Past, present, and future.”

  Emme started shuffling the deck, cards flowing like water between her hands. Warmth grew in her hands and ran up her arms. This was her thing, her gift, her normal. Then she handed the deck to Kendall. “Use your left hand to divide the deck into three piles.”

  Kendall did as she was told.

  “Now put them back together into one pile and hand them to me.”

  Kendall’s fingers grazed Emme’s as she handed the cards over, and Emme felt the warmth exchange between them. Emme inhaled and exhaled deeply three times, before placing the three chosen cards face down in a row. As she laid each card she spoke Kendall’s name in her heart and mind.

  Spirit, please share with me the message Kendall’s meant to have.

  Emme flipped the firs
t card, Two of Wands. She flipped the second card, Strength, and the third card, Ten of Cups. She stared for a moment, allowing the cards’ meaning to float to the surface of her mind and then mingle with one another to create a full picture.

  “Is it good?” asked Kendall.

  “There isn’t a good or bad in tarot.” Emme touched the Two of Wands, “This is your past, and it says that you have worked hard, had success, and a lot to be proud of, but you are still searching for something. You have steadily been moving forward but to what end?” She then touched the Strength card, “This is your present, and it says that you are strong and courageous but may be fighting your instincts out of fear. Self-control can be a strength, but it can go too far and become a hindrance.” Lastly, she touched the Ten of Cups, “This is your future, and it says there will be a loving relationship, happiness, and harmony. If you look at the card you can see that your cups, literally, runneth over with joy.”

  Emme looked up, watching Kendall’s eyes flicker with the fire. Kendall was silent but her eyes were saying something significant. Emme didn’t know what to do with the energy flowing between them, so she instinctively picked up her deck and started shuffling them over and over, letting their familiar comforting feel sooth her.

  Kendall stood up, opened the tent and turned a small light on before putting out the fire. The color of the now glowing tent reminded Emme of the Himalayan salt-lamp she kept by her bed. That unique orange-yellow glow soothed her through the many nights she spent alone, many of which she’d spent, thinking of a certain river loving beauty. It was too much. She started fiddling with small rocks, turning them over and over in her hands, handling them with as much care as she would living-room furniture.

  But when she looked up, she noticed that Kendall had walked over to her, and had put out her hand. Emme paused then placed hers inside of Kendall’s. Kendall gave her one of those slow lazy smiles that turned Emme to liquid, “Time for bed, my photo-bug.”

  Emme felt electricity snapping through her fingertips and her blood flow beginning to pulse between her legs. Kendall let Emme in first then zipped the tent flap behind herself.

  Was that Kendall’s breath on the back of her neck? All the hairs on her body stood at attention. They were both illuminated by the golden light of the camping lamp, the quality of light making Emme feel ethereal, goddess-like even. She was basking in her feminine power. It was an energy building inside, stoking an internal flame that brought a powerful awareness to her senses.

  She sensed the presence of the Goddess Spirit within her and she silently said thank you. She knew sexual energy was special and a gift but in this moment, she felt those truths to her core. She’d been aroused before and had had good sexual experiences but never had she felt this level of anticipation, desire, hunger even. It was as if this night had the power to quench a thirst she’d never been free of.

  They were both on their knees facing one another. The space between them felt alive and magnetic, pulling their bodies closer and closer. Kendall placed her hands on either side of Emme’s face and pulled her near. It was as if there was fire in those hands, yet no pain. Their lips were almost touching, but Kendall paused and instinctively Emme knew that she was being given time to consent. To decide if she wanted this to move forwards or to pause and lie next to each other as friends.

  Curls bouncing, she smiled and nodded, urging her river queen on. Her lips were gentle and soft with a plushness to them. It didn’t take a witch to know they would be, but she hadn’t expected them to feel so delicate. The pink tip of Kendall’s tongue darted out and gently licked the outer edge of quivering lips. A gravely moan escaped Emme’s throat, and Kendall pressed on with more force and less control.

  Emme melted into that kiss, allowing this strong fierce woman to guide her. She felt so owned and adored by just this kiss alone. Nervously at first, but then with more confidence, Emme opened her mouth to Kendall, allowing her to explore. She tasted of sunshine, fire, and salt. Emme felt her sense of self-control breaking down. Her legs were trembling, not from the position, but from such extreme want. Had she ever wanted anyone or anything this much? Her body answered her question as she felt herself clench, her inner core wet and wanting.

  Kendall’s right hand had traced the lines of Emme’s face, down her sweat-beaded neck, along one trembling shoulder, and was now cupping her full pale breast in the most reverent manner. The moment Kendall squeezed that blush pink nipple between her thumb and forefinger, Emme let out a throaty moan that had the temptress smiling against her mouth. Emme started moving her hands down the rippling back of her deepest desire and rested them on strong prominent hips, squeezing a bit, letting her fingertips sink into the toned flesh.

  Kendall pulled away from Emme’s wanting mouth, “Em, if you keep touching me I’m going to lose it, and I’ve waited a long time to feel you under me. I want this to be about you tonight.”

  A long time? How long? Later! Later!

  Her words were so heartfelt, and her eyes spoke of such desire that Emme could only nod her acquiescence as her friend, and now her lover, gave her a look of appreciation and gently guided her to lay back and let the soft forest floor beneath the tent take her weight.

  A slender brown finger danced up Emme’s stomach, pulling her shirt up with it. Kendall’s right hand firmly gripped Emme’s side and pulled her, tucking the redhead in under as she lay on her left side. Once in place, Emme could feel Kendall’s breast on her own. Had she ever felt something so perfect? So right? Could her heart and soul handle such a truly flawless sensation?

  This was ecstasy on a spiritual level. Two souls joining.

  The nipple ring Kendall had previously described only added to the sensations Emme felt around her own tingling, electrified nipple. Knowing lips and teeth trailed up and down Emme’s neck and collarbone, whilst a gentle but firm knee was grinding against Emme’s engorged clit.

  Emme gave up trying to control her reaction. Passion like this was a divine gift. So she gave into it.

  Moaning and rolling her hips, deepening the sensation, Emme blindly grabbed at Kendall’s shirt indicating it was time for it to come off.

  The message was received, and Kendall deftly removed both their shirts while keeping a slow steady rhythm against Emme’s now completely engorged clit. Kendall’s full breasts looked sinful, with shimmering silver rings hanging from large dark nipples. Emme wanted desperately to lick and tug on the rings, but she had agreed to Kendall’s request, so she nibbled on her swollen lips instead. Emme felt a bit brave and bit down with a little more force which earned her a deep growl in return. Within seconds, Kendall’s mouth was covering Emme’s right breast while her hand massaged the other one. She sucked and licked with such force that it stole Emme’s breath.

  The photographer’s eyes were focused on her river guide’s face. She’d never seen anything so erotic in her life. Kendall looked confident, fierce, and reverent all at one time. Emme pondered this for a moment, and then Kendall bit down on Emme’s nipple and simultaneously pressed the palm of her hand against Emme’s clit. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Her body was on fire and was being driven mad. Her brain short-circuited, “Kendall, please, I don’t know how much more I can take.”

  Kendall stopped what she was doing and brought her mouth to Emme’s ear. “Emme, do you need to come?” Her tone was liquid sex and just managed to drive Emme higher.

  Emme fought to get the words out, “Yes, please.”

  Kendall pressed herself into Emme a bit more, “Okay, Emme, I’ll give you what you want. I’ve been picturing this in my mind for a long time, and the wait is killing me too.”

  Just the idea of Kendall fantasizing about her for who knows how long almost drove Emme over the edge.

  Kendall kissed her one more time, deep and full, before moving down to her breasts. Each nipple got a suckle and nip before she continued heading down. Emme felt a warm wet tongue swirl around her belly button followed by a deliberate puff of brea
th. In a swift seamless move, Emme’s shorts were off, and Kendall was looking down at her panties.

  “Open your legs, Emme.”

  It was definitely less request and more directive.

  Emme parted her legs allowing her knees to fall to either side.

  Kendall leaned over and pressed her mouth over Emme’s panties. The sensation was enough to cause Emme’s back to arch up and a keening sound to escape her lips. This must have been some sort of sensual rocket fuel for Kendall, because the groan and vibrations against Emme’s clit were heavenly. Without thinking, Emme began to moan Kendall’s name while thrusting up toward her face.

  With that final act of desire, Kendall pulled Emme’s panties to the side and flattened her tongue, slowly pulling it upward from the bottom of Emme’s vulva to her clit, where she then sucked delicately.

  Emme gasped for breath and clenched her fists in the blankets to either side of her. With one long strong arm, Kendall reached up and pinched Emme’s nipple while she drove her tongue deep within Emme’s vagina and used the thumb of her free hand to rub Emme’s clit in circular motions.

  Emme exploded from the inside out. She bucked and gasped and keened while Kendall gently held her in place. Her salty liquid splashed Kendall’s tongue, and she lapped it up.

  Slowly, she crawled back up Emme’s body and rested her face in the crook of Emme’s neck. Both women were breathing rapidly for a while. Once they came back down, Emme threaded her hand through Kendall’s.

  “Em you have no idea how long I have dreamed of doing that! You tasted just like I imagined you would, heavenly.”

  Emme buried her face in Kendall’s neck, not knowing how to respond.

  “Thank you” came out in a whisper.

  Kendall gently lifted her lover’s face so that they were looking into one another’s eyes, “Hey, are you okay little photo-bug?”

  The use of the newly formed nickname gave Emme the burst of confidence she needed. “That was mind-blowing. I’ve never experienced something so...amazing. Were you scared?”

  Kendall laughed, “Not at all. I knew it was the right time.”