Main :: What's New :: Blog :: Updates List :: Links
|
Part IDisclaimer One: These characters are loosely based on Xena Warrior Princess which is the property of Universal/MCA Studios and Rob. T. No copyright infringement is meant just doing it for fun and as a hobby.
I will be the one Tara took a deep breathe and blew it out with force, disturbing her bangs. She looked over at Gabrielle who was shifting and fidgeting in the driver's seat. Gabrielle looked back at her with a raised eyebrow, as she chewed on the sides of her fingers. "Welcome to Gary. What do you think?" asked the smaller woman. "Moment of truth baby. Moment of something anyway. As for the city, it looks like every other one in Indiana that I've seen." "Well at least it should be interesting. You scared?" "Nah, not really. Just wondering how I should greet them. Mom and dad is that too much?" Tara replied. The strawberry blonde giggled as she pictured jaws dropping and scraping the floor. "You? Scared I mean, Red?" "Nope not really. I'm anxious actually. They took the first step so that's gotta be good right?" "Riiiiight." 'Whew! Gabrielle's parent's house' was all she could think. They sat in the dark car parked in the long driveway, working up nerve, patience and a plethora of other things the quiet night surrounded them making thoughts reverberate loudly in their heads. Gabrielle gulped. 'Okay, it can't get any worse than Thanksgiving. They kicked me out for God's sake. Unh, huh, who am I trying to kid?' She bit the inside of her lip. 'At least Tara's here. It makes it safer.' Swallowing again, she pried the fingers away that were squeezing her heart, creating the beginning of panic. When it pumped free and strong again, she breathed deeply, and somehow she knew they could face anything as long as it was together. Besides Lil was going to be there and that should make things even more interesting with the dramatic flair her sister possessed. Tara drummed long fingers on the door. 'Ugh, I hope I can get through this. I hope she can get through this. If it turns ugly again, they better not hurt her. I don't care if I have to tell the both of them off.' Tara grit her teeth remembering the nightmares and restless nights of not too long ago. A surge of protectiveness flowed through her body. Her eyes closed to slits , and the pale blue orbs glittered in the darkened car. She balled her hands into fists, readying herself for a mental or physical fight if need be. Totally in tuned with her lover, Gabrielle sensed her struggle. She grasped the larger hand into her smaller one, rubbing the outside of it until it opened. Gazing deep into azure, she tried to convey assurance and draw on strength simultaneously as she held the hand. Fingers laced automatically into a lovers embrace. Gabrielle smirked affectionately and got one in return. Tara raised a soft hand to her lips. "I love you too, Red." Taking a calming breath. "Well shall we dance?" "Oh, yeah let's do this."
Unbeknownst to the couple in the car, they were observed through a semi dark window by a mother wringing her hands trying to figure out what to say; a father who just wanted things to be okay and get back to normal; and a wickedly smiling Lilian who just knew those two were going to kiss and scandalize her prudent parents. Lil whispered, "Oh, shit!" as she saw them getting out of the car. She looked at both her parents and almost pushed them out of the way to get to the living room in an attempt to appear as though she wasn't spying. Jean walked briskly to the kitchen, grabbing on to the side of the wall to steady herself as she sped around the corner. Stu shook his cigarette lighter in exasperation as he took a hurried seat in a plush leather chair, next to his other daughter. He shook the lighter more and flicked it, trying to light the cigarette that suddenly appeared between his lips as part of his attempt to look casual. As the door creaked open and Gabrielle's voice echoed through, Father and daughter glanced at each other and simultaneously said, "In here!" Lilian pursed her lips and smiled crookedly at her father, who gave her a stern look in return. The pair entered the living room one almost dwarfed by the other but equal nonetheless. Tara's hand was warming in the small of her lover's back, and it wasn't going to move. She made up her mind on the way here to touch Gabrielle often to assure the both of them. Sister's smiled outright at each other then Gabrielle peered steadily at her father until he offered a tremulous smile and just as tremulous open arms. She sighed in those arms. It had been a long time in between hugs. She squeezed his stocky body. 'This was definitely a step in the right direction.' Tara studied her lover with kindness and understanding shining in her eyes. She then glanced over at Lilian who smiled, "Hey blue eyes, you look like your feeling better." Dark blue eyes scrutinized fading cuts and bruises. Tara sauntered over for a hug, and whispered in Lil's ear, "Thanks to your sis." Lil patter her back and cleared her throat. "C'mon let me introduce you. Dad? This is Tara. Tara, Stewart Howard." Tara swallowed reflexively and looked him in the eyes aware of her lover next to him gazing at her hopefully. "Um, hello Mr. Howard." She reached out a hand, glaring at him challengingly. With a blank mask firmly on his face, he shook the offered hand. "So, you're the one my little girl says she loves." Tara nodded her head. "It's a two way street Mr. Howard. I love her more everyday, if its possible." She looked down at the grinning and blushing strawberry blonde with a sparkle in her eye. He in turn nodded his head and exhibited a ghost of a smile. "It's hard for me to understand, Tara, this relationship, but" his voice trembled in unnamed emotion, "she's my daughter after all and nothing is worth losing her for. Lil over there made me see that. She told me to weigh things to decide which was more important, holding on the an archaic belief or holding on to my daughter. But I-I'm going to need some time, but I'll get there if you two give me a chance?" Gabrielle wiped blindly at her eyes as she stared at her father in amazement. "Oh daddy! Thank you. Thank you." She hugged him again burying her face in the bristly neck, sniffing in the smell of tobacco and after shave that was so familiar. Unable to help herself, Tara slid a hand over the top of red-gold tresses. She looked up to see Mr. Howard flinch at the action, but she ignored it. Gabrielle tore herself away from her father and latched onto Tara, sobbing quietly and happily into her neck.
All the while, Jean stood alone in the kitchen holding on to the sink with a white knuckled grip. What her daughter was doing was wrong according to what she was taught. How could she as a woman and as a mother turn away from what she learned, what was instilled in her by parents, priests, family, and the cannons of religion? Her mind swam as did her soul, pulled in different directions. The effects of it left her dizzy, and she sat down heavily in a nearby chair. Like a mantra, she whispered to herself, "Gabrielle is what matters." She repeated it over and over again, hoping to make herself believe it. Smoothing her slightly quivering hands over her dark, cropped, and curled head sprinkled sparingly with gray, she took a deep breath then brushed a hand down the front of her blue silk dress, brushing away lint both imagined and real. Steeling herself against negative thoughts, the woman got up and walked slowly to the living room, where several voices could be heard.
Searching the room, "Hey Lil, where's Lil bit?" Tara asked being always on the look out for the energetic girl. "Oh, she's at her father's this weekend." Tara tried to hide the frown, which drew a smile from Lil. "Buuut, I'll tell you what. I can call him and have him put her on the phone. I bet she'll recognize your voice." Tara nodded enthusiastically drawing a chuckle from her now composed lover. "You're something else with her. Nothing but a big kid," she said, making her lover blush visibly. Lil walked over to the phone making the promised call. Stu observed the exchange in silence and wondered, thinking there was more to her than the challenging stare and blue eyes. Lil tapped Tara on the shoulder, "Sorry, he said she's sleeping." Tara sighed, "Well, okay." They all turned when they heard a discreet 'ahem' come from the vicinity of the entryway. Gabrielle glanced from Tara to her father then back at her mother. "Um, hi mom. Wondered where you were." Jean pointed toward the kitchen. "Just finishing up in there." She examined her daughter with an appraising eye. "You look good Gabby. How you been?" Gabrielle stared at her mother unflinchingly. "Better now mom. Tara's been taking good care of me." For the second time, the older woman studied her guest. Jean held her breath as she took in the fine patrician features, capped off by gentle silver-blue eyes and inky black hair. The woman was much taller than her daughter, making her seem like a little girl in comparison. But she saw it and felt it The energy that crackled around them, the attraction. It was hard to miss. She saw the happy glow on Gabrielle's face. The sparkling eyes and flushed skin and couldn't remember the last time she looked like that. The older woman glanced back up at Tara and took a step toward offering a hand. "My goodness you're a tall one." The woman cocked her head to the side and smirked shakily but crookedly. The other occupants of the room laughed softly. Tara released a breath that she wasn't aware of holding. Relief or something akin to it flowed through her body. Her heart infused with warmth as she dared to hope that things would turn out okay. Taking in the older woman's expression, a light bulb went off in her head. "Ahh, that's where she gets that look from." It was the perfect icebreaker. The comment earned her a slap on the arm from her lover as well as a more genuine smile from her lover's mother. "I must say it's nice to meet you. I'm uh sorry about the last time you were here. I just needed some time, and I still do to get used to this. It's kinda hard to watch your little girl grow up one way and find out she went another, but I know I must accept it to accept her. It's gonna take me some time is all. I love her anyway. Do you understand?" "Yes, Mrs. Howard. I think I do." Gabrielle touched her mother's arm. "Mom, I love you too. She smiled and squeezed a hand so much like her own but older. Younger eyes spoke to older ones sending a silent thank you. Jean glared down at her husband sitting in his chair. "Well don't just sit there. Get these girls something to drink, while I set the table." He gazed up at his wife affectionately. "Okay ladies what will it be?" "Gin and tonic for me dad. For Tara too." She threw a smirk the taller woman's way. Blue eyes twinkled back at her. "Ew, that stuff is nasty. For me something sweet. How about a sex on the beach?" Lilian deadpanned. Stu stopped to examine his younger daughter then rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. "A white wine you say? Coming right up."
Lil smacked her lips and observed her snickering sister and Tara. A fine sliver of fear forced its way into her jovial mood, making her lose the smile. She had to talk to Gabrielle alone. So much had been brewing inside her for the past few months. So many questions. Maybe it was just curiosity. She remembered admiring Tara's naked body not too long ago. Then again maybe not. Refusing to ponder the countless incidents the past few months, she tried vehemently to snap her mind shut, but to know avail. She wasn't kidding when she asked Gabrielle what it was like to be with another woman. Lilian laughed derisively at herself and thought, ' well if I am that would be another argument for genetics.' Still, the dark haired woman was unable to figure out why this was happening now. Maybe it was because Gabrielle put a name to the feelings she had been having. Guilt laid on her shoulders becoming a heavy burden with just the simple fact of not telling her sister what was going on. There was a reason for it. Fear. Fear on her part that if it was said aloud things would go from abstract to concrete with the snap of a finger. The young woman made a decision to hide behind a semi-genuine smile and laugh hoping to have the intestinal fortitude to talk to her sister later.
They drank in companionable silence until dinner was announced. Three people sat at the table their minds heavy with racing thoughts and two sat filled with hope. The dinner was quiet except for the clanging of plates and the clinking of silverware. That was until someone decided to break it. "So, Tara do you mind if I asked what you do?" Tara swallowed the remaining piece of roast beef before she answered. "I own a bike-er motorcycle shop. I fix them and sell them." Stu's eyes lit up. "Oh really? I used to ride in my younger days." The conversation went on in depth for long minutes. Gabrielle smiled at the excited flush on Tara's face, knowing she loved talking about her work. She looked across the table at her sister who seemed to be far away at the moment. Her forehead crinkled in concentration under strawberry blonde bangs, trying to guess what was wrong, and vowing to talk to her later. She gazed over at her mother who raised her eyes to the ceiling and shook her head as she listened to her husband pontificate about his 'younger days.' Both their eyes sparkled with mirth. Later, much later the conversation ending, Tara looked over at mother and daughters who were talking quietly. "Mrs. Howard?" Slightly turning away from the daughter, Jean raised an eyebrow expectantly. "Uh, I see where Red gets it from. You're a great cook." Both of Jean's eyebrows rose. "Uhmm, Red?" She swung her eyes over to Gabrielle who was blushing furiously. The blushing woman looked up and gave her lover a mock stern glare. "Taraaaa!!" "Oh sorry. My nickname for her." Lil giggled openly then did it behind a napkin when Gabrielle shot daggers with her eyes. Jean pursed her lips, "Ah, I see." She decided to play along with the game. "Red? Would you like to help your mother clear the table?" Tara bit back her laughter and peered over her glass at Lil who guffawed. "Oh geez!" Gabrielle turned a brighter red. Her father stood up, "Anyone want an after dinner drink? What about you Red?" Tara couldn't help it. She burst out laughing at the look of sheer exasperation on her lover's face. "Aaaaargh, you people are awful!" Still, she smiled crookedly feeling happiness bubble up inside causing her to feel giddy and light. Gabrielle knew it was going well she couldn't have wished it better. "I love you guys, and thanks I needed this." Lil smiled brightly, while mother and father acknowledged the moment with slight nods and deceptively watery eyes. The table was cleared, and the occupants of the house ended up once again in the living room. They all chatted amiably, and after a while, Lil got up to look out the window. The fear was back grasping at her heart. ' Maybe if I just ignore it. It'll go away. Yeah right.' She took a deep breath her body filling with anxiety, causing her to down her drink in one gulp. Feeling her palms turning clammy, she wiped them on her pants and noticed them visibly shaking. "Lil are you okay?" Her sister's voice whispered from close behind. 'Now! Go on tell her you need to talk. Tell her! You can't keep this inside,' her conscious screamed. "Uh yeah I'm fine. Just missing Jamie I guess." "Uh huh." Gabrielle said unconvinced. "Are you sure? You seemed sorta far away at dinner." "Yeah Gabs, I'm fine it's nothing." "Okay, If you say so." She rubbed the dark haired woman's back to give her comfort. "I'm here regardless." Gabrielle left her brooding sister at the window sitting down once again. "Hey mom? I was thinking about showing Tara around. I don't know how much longer we're gonna be here tonight so?" "Okay hun. Are you two sure you want to leave tonight?" Tara chimed in thinking of the possibility of not sharing a bed, "Yeah Mrs. Howard I gotta work in the morning. I wanna at least be back in the early morning hours. I can sleep on the way home." "Well if you girls are sure?" Tara nodded her head. "Hey," Stu interjected, "what are you two doing for Christmas?" "Don't have exact plans yet dad." "Feel free to come here but no pressure." "Kay, it's a thought, but I was hoping that Lil would bring Jamie and spend some of her vacation with us." Gabrielle heard a muffled 'sure' come from the vicinity of the window. She also noticed the desolate look in her mother's eyes with the mention of the word us,but decided not to bring it up. She looked down at her watch. "Well, it's 7 o'clock right now. I could show you around about an hour or so and we could be back home by 1am." She looked up at Tara. "Okay sounds good to me." "Hey mom, we'll come back to say a quick good bye before we leave okay?" "Sure thing sweetie. See you two later." Tara waved shyly as the walked out the door. Gabrielle sat stock still in the driver's seat then almost squealed with delight, drawing a chuckle from the woman beside her.
"I can't believe it T! I was hoping they would come around. But, I saw the look on their faces when you touched me and I said Lil was coming to stay with us. I guess they really do have a little ways to go, but this was a big step." Tara nodded her head. "Yeah Red they seemed to be trying really hard. You did good baby, and I'm glad things worked out." She reached over and brought her lover within her embrace. "You were very lucky that they were willing to go this far." She squeezed tenderly and kissed the top of the silky red head. "Thanks for being there." Gabrielle mumbled. "No place in the world I'd rather be." After a few seconds of silence. "Gabrielle?" The smaller woman shivered, loving to hear her name said so endearingly so full of longing. Happiness strummed through her body. "Yeah?" "I love you Gabrielle." The happy woman whimpered audibly. Nothing could be more perfect; more endearing; more laden with love that Tara saying her name. "I know." The smaller woman whispered huskily. Tara held her for a few more minutes then deposited another kiss on top of her head before letting go. Gabrielle turned gazing into the bewitching blue then at lips that marked her body, her soul. She brushed them softly with her thumb outlining them sensually as moisture gathered on her finger. The erotic act was rewarded with a shaky intake of breath. Carefully, deliberately Gabrielle leaned in and brushed warm lips with her own. Their lips clung moistly, enticingly as if they had a mind of their own. Eyes closed and breaths were held. Gabrielle's body quaked under the onslaught as thick syrupy heat invaded her limbs and pooled in her groin, causing her to whimper into the sweet lips that held hers. She touched small fingertips to her lover's flushed throat, beckoning her to open. Tara did with a whimper of her own as tongues slid and battled, moistly. She was irrevocably lost. There was no car, no driveway, no parent's house. Just lips that owned and branded her. Small hands wound their way into dark tresses, trying to belay her need. Larger hands caressed a strong back, trying to belay her need for skin. Gabrielle thrust her tongue inside with slow, erotic, but confident strokes, murmuring her delight and pulling a cry from Tara that she drank in like nectar. The windows of the car fogged with the growing heat on the inside. Finally, giving her lover what she wanted, Tara deepened the kiss. Lips were crushed and nipped bruisingly. It should have hurt, but it only fed the fire that burned between them, around them. They were brought back rudely to reality when Gabrielle accidentally leaned into the horn in her attempt to move and straddle her lover. Both women jumped and tore their mouths away. Breathing was ragged and uneven. The smaller woman protested with a whimper. She glanced up at Tara with eyes that spoke volumes. "I wanna be inside you, under your skin," they said. She had seen that look before at the beginning and numerous times afterward, but it still affected her. Tara tore her eyes away and rubbed shaking hands down her pants leg. Her body screamed. Her libido raged to take her, knowing there would be no resistance. But, they had to compose themselves. "Gabri-Red, please don't look at me like that. We need to stop." Gabrielle's hands held the steering wheel in a punishing grip. Her breath whooshed out. "God, I know. I just need-" She looked up at Tara , whimpered then pulled her gaze back to the steering column. They sat there for what seemed like an eternity in silence trying to get breathing back to normal, trying to compose themselves. Neither was able to speak, knowing it would only start the fire again. It had been two weeks and two days since they made love due to Tara's injuries, but they got the go ahead to get life back to 'normal' that day. It had been a long dry spell. Finally composed, Gabrielle took a few deep breaths. "Okay, I'll show you my high school and some old hang outs and even tell you stories behind them. Shouldn't take long." Tara nodded and offered a shaky smile.
They drove in a now comfortable silence through the cold, still night. The first stop was the high school. It appeared to be like any other school. A big red building with several smaller red buildings around, dimmed in the street lights, but it came to life with Gabrielle's description. The smaller woman pointed and spoke in animated fashion. She showed Tara the 'in crowd hang out' by a big oak tree that had seen better days. "My group usually hung out over there." She pointed to a ragged picnic table illuminated in the poor light. "And what group did you belong to, Red?" Gabrielle smiled at the memories and the laughs. "Uh, the geeks of course!" "No way! Never would have imagined that one." Tara smirked knowingly, earning a smack on her arm from her lover. "Anyways, despite being ridiculed, we had some great times. They made high school bearable for me." She paused as they drove past another spot. "Ooooo," she stopped pointed toward another gnarled tree under a street lamp, "over there is where I had my first kiss!" Tara raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?" The tall woman opened the door and ran toward the unsuspecting tree. Gabrielle looked on completely startled. "C'mon Red!" She turned off the car and walked briskly toward her lover. "You're nuts T! What are you doing out here?" she laughed her breath a puff of white smoke. Gabrielle turned her back and leaned into the still solid bark. "This baby." Tara leaned her body heavily into Gabrielle's and kissed her with such force the smaller woman's legs buckled. Pulling her up, Tara urged her to wrap shaky legs about her waist. The tall, dark woman opened her mouth over her lover's and speared her tongue inside just tasting the moan that was ripped from her throat. Before engaging its mate to play, she ran her larger tongue over teeth and gums. Finally, flicking back and forth over her lover's tongue before sucking it deep into the cavern of her mouth, causing the smaller woman to whimper raggedly and undulate her hips in passionate response. Small hands buried themselves in black tresses, pulling Tara tighter into the hot embrace as if she was trying to get inside her skin. The kiss went on becoming more wild, more wet, and more uncontrolled. Gabrielle was falling higher and higher reaching for some unreachable plateau. She couldn't think. She couldn't breath. She could only feel, and she would do anything to increase the pleasure. Her body was on fire from the inside, spreading outward quickly scorching her skin. In one instant, she felt her nipples harden, her heart contract, her stomach twist with desire, and her clit hum in immediate arousal. It was in a word-- mind-blowing. Gabrielle moaned harshly into her lover's mouth. It seemed so long ago since Tara had kissed her like this. She needed this. They needed this. Never had one kiss been so arousing, so all encompassing. As it continued to spiral out of control, Gabrielle gyrated her hips faster seeking relief from the pounding and pulsing inside. She cried out in abject frustration, cursing herself for not wearing a skirt, despite the cold. Tara fed on the power while giving in at the same time. It was a heady mix. Her body strained as pleasure permeated her muscles making them pliant. She shivered against the smaller woman, loving the kiss, loving the taste, loving the woman. Tara moaned at the increase cadence of the hips humping against her abdomen, wishing she could feel the wetness she knew was there for she could feel her own making her thighs slick and trembly. She palmed the well rounded, firm globes of her lover's behind through the jeans, pulling her into her body, trying futilely to compound the friction. From now on when Gabrielle came home and saw this tree, this little patch of land, she would possess a different memory-they would possess a different memory of a more heated, more erotic, more adult kiss. Tara whimpered deep in her own frustration then growled low in her throat, inciting a series of tremors to pass through her lover. Knowing they had to stop, it was a sound of disappointment as much as a sound of arousal. With surprising strength, Tara wrenched her mouth away as Gabrielle howled in protest. Their breath was audible as it was visible in the cold air. Tara gazed into her lover's face to see green eyes dilated and dark with arousal, skin flushed, and lips red and swollen. "Beautiful," she whispered. Knowing that the taller woman was trying to end the madness, Gabrielle ground down hard with her hips, causing them both to moan harshly. "Oh, God T please don't stop. I need---take me!" She pleaded her voice husky with want. Tara hissed as she felt renewed wetness trickle down her thighs at the spoken words. The hiss turned into a whimper as she leaned in their foreheads touching. "We can't Red. Look where we are." Her voice was throaty and deep with emotion. "God knows I want to but we can't baby." Gabrielle closed her eyes her ache becoming almost a physical pain. She wanted to say 'so!' But, Tara was right. Opening her eyes, she looked around wondering if they had been anyone's entertainment. Taking a few calming breaths, she tried to put a cap on her raging hormones. Then she had the weirdest thought. "You know it just occurred to me that some dirty old man for a janitor was probably watching us through binoculars wishing he had some viagra." Tara's eyes widened as she glanced around. Their eyes met again and the laughter ensued. Their bodies shook as they laughed, trying to release some of the raw sexual tension they had just experienced. Tara deposited Gabrielle back on the ground and kissed her on the nose. "You're something else Red." The statement received a toothy grin in response as they walked slowly back to the car, energy still crackling around them. Gabrielle glanced at her watch. "Oh good we got plenty of time for one more stop," she said cryptically, getting a raised eyebrow in lieu of words of acknowledgement.
Back in the moving car, Gabrielle split her attention between the road and Tara. "Hey what brought that on back there?" She motioned with her hand. "What on?" "You know that kiss." "Oh, do I need a reason to kiss you?" Tara smirked. "Well no, but I got a feeling-" Oook, I wanted to give you a new memory for that tree." Gabrielle smiled and flushed all over again. "Oh, I'll say you succeeded rather well." "Mmm hmm." "Oh okay we're here. Welcome to my town's version of look out point." Tara looked around. It seemed to be some property with a pond in the middle. Still, the light from the moon and stars provided a romantic illumination enough to make it sensual. Yep, it was..."You brought me to a make out spot?" Tara looked around noticing several cars with huddled figures, even one with feet hanging out the window. "People still do this?" She laughed. "What are you laughing about? We've had sex in this car twice!" "Oh yeah I didn't forget. So?" Tara wriggled her eyebrows suggestively. Gabrielle giggled. "No, no was hoping we could talk for now. We could do that later we've waited this long." "Yeah okay. Say Red, you seem familiar with this place. Been here before have we?" "Welll yeah. Had my share of boyfriends in high school. Came up here around four times I think. Never felt like doing anything more than kissing though, didn't feel much period, but when I felt like it was time to lose my virginity I just did it you know? Didn't feel anything then either." She laughed bitterly. "Always dated boys I was sure my father would like, just to keep the peace." Tara stared at her through the dim lighting in surprise. "Really Red? Never figured you for the type to come out here. Learn something new everyday, and I think you broke the mold when you brought me home to meet dad-like those boys I ain't." "That is the truth. But, it's kinda weird really. There is a lot I don't know about you, but I know you . I feel so comfortable like we've been together forever. So, familiar." "Yeah, I know what you mean. Felt it when I first met you. Ask me what you wanna know about me-anything." "Kay." She was quiet for a minute. "Um did you used to come to places like this when you were younger?" Tara cleared her throat. "I've never been with a man Red." Gabrielle's eyes widened in surprise. "Um oh, uh with girls then?" "No, they were much bolder than that. They took me home to their own bed." "Oooh my. Guess you really do learn something new." "Does that bother you?" "No, no it doesn't just surprised is all plus I have you now. Um, do you mind if I ask how many women-you know?" Tara looked at her thoughtfully. "Well, I can count them on two hands including you. They were all caring and intense except the one's in high school were mainly exploration." "Ah, I guess I am kinda jealous now. They probably knew what they were doing. Did you learn all those things you do to me from them?" "They don't even compare to you Red. You know the saying class by yourself? That applies to you. I never felt with them what I do for you. You make me feel like its okay to lose control to show you all of me." "Oh yeah, I know what you mean. Will it sound strange if I tell you that you were the first person to make me feel?" "No, it doesn't cuz I feel the same way sorta like can't hide much from each other?" Gabrielle nodded her head in agreement. "Uh, T? So you were never in love before me?" "Came close once a few years ago when I met Caitlin. She was older and I don't know was just drawn to her. I was cocky back then because I knew my looks could get me what I wanted from women. I thought I could use that to get her. So, I went after her-hard. It took some time for me to realize that's what she wanted. It was part of the game she played. She talked pretty and sweet telling me she had never felt that way all kinds of bullshit." Tara brushed a stray hair back behind her ear and reached for Gabrielle's hand. "By the time we had sex I was so hooked that I was like a damned puppy, and she enjoyed every minute of it. I told her I was falling in love, and she just laughed in my face saying something about little girls not knowing the deal. Come to find out, she had someone all along so I was just someone to play with. It hurt me bad-real bad. Took me a long time to open up again good thing or I wouldn't have met you huh?" Gabrielle squeezed her lover's hand and watched her through the semi-darkness as she told the story. She sounded so nonchalant about it. Like it was no big deal. She felt anger toward this Caitlin that someone could do that to this woman who has such a good heart. Gabrielle hoped she never met her-it conjured up images of her smacking the undoubtedly beautiful woman on the head. Tara studied her lover, wondering what she was thinking. She had surprised herself being able to tell that particular story without the pain even the name used to elicit. "Does it still hurt?" Gabrielle asked out of the blue. Nope. I don't feel anything. To be angry or hurt would give her too much credit-too much power over me." "Ahh, gotcha. Hope I never meet her. I got this urge to beat her ass." Tara threw back her head and laughed. "Jake was right in calling you Miss Firecracker." "He called me what!? Ew, I don't think I like that name. I'm gonna talk to him about that." Tara tried to hide her giggle unsuccessfully, getting a glare from her lover. She made popping, sizzling sounds just to add to Gabrielle's annoyed state. As the last vestiges of laughter left Tara, she revealed, "Ya know I think Jake is why I like kids so much. I know you were probably wondering. I pretty much raised Jake when we were younger. He's like six years younger than me. Mom was never around much, then she disappeared when he turned 18. So, he's been with me ever since." "Damn, you had a lot of responsibility. I don't know what I would've done if I had to raise Lil, she was a holy terror growing up. Speaking of which, something's wrong with her I know it. She was too quiet, for her anyway." "Yeah, I noticed that too. Maybe we'll find out when she comes over in a couple of days?" "I guess. Hey, what do you wanna do for Christmas? It's our first holiday together-not that far off either." "I know already got your gifts." Tara smiled broadly. "Oh really and you never asked me what I wanted." "Oh, I know baby. I pay attention." "Mmm hmm. Anyways, I was thinking of having dinner just us along with Jake, Lil and Shan and Wayne if they want to come. What do you think?" "Eh, sounds like a plan to me." "God, I can't wait. It's gonna be great!" Tara grinned. The little woman's enthusiasm was contagious. Gabrielle burrowed further under her sweater and zipped her jacket. "Damn, it's a little chilly in here." She peered out of the corner of her eye slyly. Green met blue. "Yeah, let me guess. You wanna cuddle." Gabrielle pursed her lips. "Well if you insist. Let's get in the back seat." Tara smirked and raised her eyes to the starry skies. The woman really was incorrigible, but it wasn't like she was complaining-not a lot anyway. Gabrielle sat pretty much in the muscular lap with her arms draped around the strong cords of Tara's neck. "Mmmm, your always so warm. How do you do that?" "Hmm, don't know magic I guess." She said with a toothy grin. "Yeah, riiiight." Gabrielle buried her face into the exposed neck, breathing in the spicy, sweet scent that was all Tara. With just the tip of her tongue, she tasted the skin and felt more than she saw Tara's hard swallow. "Mmmm, good. You always taste good. Everywhere." "Red," she said breathlessly. "Don't start something we can't finish. We've had enough fires to put out for today. Geez woman I'm yours when we get home no matter what time." "But Taraaaaa! Just one little kiss I promise." Her lips pouted and she wore an innocent look. Tara looked back not believing a second of it, but she knew she wasn't going to resist. "Okay just one, and no tongue either you know what that does to me." "Uh, huh." Gabrielle licked her lips to moisten them and leaned in. Tara found herself watching said tongue and wished-'oh Lordy.' Moist, soft, wet lips met hers in the gentlest of caresses. Gabrielle brushed her mouth across full, sensuous lips. The kisses were as soft as silk; light as a cloud, but they settled in the tall woman's groin with a thud. Tara whimpered and clung to her lover's lips trying to draw out more. Gabrielle wouldn't give. Cupping the sides of Tara's face in her hands, she brushed and lifted, brushed and lifted, making her lover growl in frustration. There was also a poignant need to take over and intensify the touch but the embrace was too sweet to change. They took possession of another memory-one of tenderness and love. The kiss went on for several minutes and near the end of it, the car was suddenly illuminated by bright light.
"Hey what are you kids doing out here!" Said a man in a cop's uniform equipped with a flashlight. Gabrielle jumped up and hit her head on the roof of the car. "Shit! Ow, ow, ow!" "Oooo are you okay Red?" Tara asked rubbing her head near the vicinity of the thud. "Hey who is that?" The officer exclaimed. "Oh my God! Gabrielle?" Gabrielle's eyes widened as she glanced at her lover, who shrugged in response. "Yeah it's me-who?" She squinted into the light seeing the beer belly and making out the chubby face. "Oh, good grief. Hello Leonard," she said in a flat voice. Tara mouthed, "Who's Leonard?" Gabrielle shushed her quiet. "Well, well little Gabrielle long time no see and you haven't changed a bit. Who are you in there with?" Gabrielle whispered out of the corner of her mouth to no one in particular, "Boy but he has!" He shined the flashlight into the car, revealing pale blue eyes and long jet black hair. "Oh my God! Is that a woman?" Gabrielle sighed and rolled her eyes. "Yes Leonard, it's a woman." "So, so you're one of them lesbos?" "It's l-e-s-b-i-a-n Leonard, and yes I am. Now, get that frippin light outta my face!" Not lowering the flashlight at all. "Oh wow, wait till I tell Barbara. She's gonna flip!" "Barbara? Who's Barbara?" Tara mouthed. Gabrielle shot daggers at her lover, who smiled crookedly back at her. "This is NOT funny!" The smaller woman whispered. "Oh yeah it is. You're the one who wanted to cuddle." Tara whispered back. "Is he an old boyfriend?" "Hell no! And stop laughing!", which only mad her laugh harder. "Well, I'm gonna have to tell you to leave along with the rest of the kiddies." "We were getting ready to go back to my parent's anyway." The strawberry blonde said through clenched teeth. "Your parents know!" Tara was biting her lip as tears threatened. "Uh, yeah would you like to call, make sure we get home okay? Wouldn't wanna get grounded or anything." Tara almost howled. "Um, no I'm sure you uh ladies will be fine. Listen, I gotta go break up other---well you know." He shook his head and walked away, hoping not to see anything like that again tonight. Gabrielle sighed through clenched teeth. "God that man is more dense than in high school! Fitting that they made him a cop!" Tara just let it all out almost crying with laughter. Gabrielle crawled into the front seat, while the laughing woman got out and back in the old fashioned way. With her lover still laughing, Gabrielle started the car. She tapped the steering wheel lightly with her fingers and glanced back over at Tara. The smaller woman's lips quivered then formed into a smile, which turned into a chuckle. Within seconds, they were both laughing, loudly. After several minutes, Gabrielle hiccupped and took a deep breath, wiping her eyes. "Well, that was special." "Oh yeah, bet he didn't need viagra." They chuckled again. Gabrielle looked down at her watch, "Damn it's 8:30. We can be outta here by nine if we hurry." "A little anxious are we?" "Oh yeah I am." "Let's go say bye to your folks then."
They made it back to the Howard house in record time to find its occupants in the den watching TV. Lil laid casually on the couch, looking as though she was fighting sleep. Stu and Jean were sitting side by side in two deep leather wingback chairs. "Hey everybody. Sorry we're late kinda got side tracked." Gabrielle could see Lil's smirk from across the room and shot her a glare in warning, not to say a word. "Uh anyway, Mom and Dad I wanna thank you for tonight. I know it was hard, and we still have a ways to go. But, this was important to me -to us." She put her hands in her pockets not knowing what else to do with them. "The only thing we can do is try Gabby." Her father responded. "It's gonna be hard but we're willing to take that journey now." Gabrielle leaned down kissing her father's cheek and taking her mother's hand at the same time. "We want what's best for you. We want you to be happy, and I can see that she makes you that way," Jean interjected and nodded toward Tara. Tara walked up tentatively behind her lover. Jean glanced up at her and cleared her throat. "Tara, all we ask of you is to look after her and please don't hurt her. Despite her appearing all tough, she's more fragile than she gives herself credit for." Tara smiled weakly in acknowledgement. "I know Mrs. Howard. I know she is." Tara left parents and daughter alone and made her way over to the reclining Lil. "Hmmm, you've been quiet tonight." Lil shrugged. "Something you want to talk about? You can come to me. We are friends ya know." "I'm aware of that T. I-I just got some stuff on my mind. There is no need to burden you. I'll see you in a couple of days, Jamie in tow." She smiled crookedly, her smile not reaching the dark blue of her eyes. Tara nodded and noticed. "Okay, if you're sure?" "Yeah, I am." Tara gave her a departing hug followed by Gabrielle, who had materialized behind her lover. "Okay kiddo. See you and the rugrat in two days." "Alright Gab, see you soon." Lil swallowed and watched her chance to alleviate her problems die with them walking out the door. She knew she didn't have the courage to bring it up again, settling to deal with it on her own.
Within an hour into the drive home, Gabrielle noticed Tara nodding off. "Hey you. Don't stay awake on my account. I'll turn the radio on and it'll keep me going." "You sure?" Tara groaned and stretched. "Yeah go ahead." "Mmm okay." Tara said in a sleepy purr. Gabrielle flipped the radio on low to a rock station, who happened to be playing a Melissa Etheridge tune. She looked up in surprise when she heard Tara humming. Then she gaped amazed as she began to sing-really well. "And they don't understand what they don't see. And they look through you and look pass me-Oooo you and I dancing slow. We got nowhere to go." Tara tapered off and turned to look at her gaping lover. "What?!" "Oh my God you can sing?!" "Uh, huh." "Damn T, you sound really good. You never cease to amaze me." She thought to herself, 'You have to start singing me to sleep. That voice would make butter melt.' The sleepy woman chuckled. "Hope not. Never wanna bore ya." Gabrielle pat her love on the thigh. "No chance of that happening. Not one in hell. Now you get some sleep. I'll wake you when we're almost there." Tara leaned over and kissed the smaller woman gently on the cheek in response before getting more comfortable in the passenger seat. A few hours later, Gabrielle began getting drowsy herself and thanked God they were a step away from her place. She looked at the dash board, showing almost 2am. Hiding a yawn, she rubbed up and down Tara's thigh to wake her. "Mmm, huh?" "We're almost there another fifteen minutes or so." Tara yawned and stretched like a large black panther. "Mmm, okay Red thanks." She glanced over at Gabrielle. "You look tired. You doing okay?" "Yeah, I am just a little. I guess it was all that food and the mental strain of the whole evening." "Yeah I know." She rubbed her lover's shoulder. "Great, here we go. Shall I assume you're staying here tonight?" Gabrielle asked batting her eyelashes coquettishly. Tara chuckled. "Oh Yeah, no way I could make it home right now." As an after thought Tara added to herself, 'Plus, we have some catching up to do.'
Home never seemed as sweet until one's been away from it for a while. Gabrielle looked around turning on lights with a little smile on her face, while Tara headed to the bathroom. She heard the shower come on and decided to fix them some cocoa to ward away the chill and the kinks of traveling. Still in the kitchen, she didn't hear Tara prowl up behind her, on noiseless wet feet, until it was too late. The taller woman swooped down on her lover like prey. Standing directly behind her and in swift hot motions, she molded her still wet body to Gabrielle and reached around and cupped full breast into her large hands, swallowing them, kneading them, and like a suction, her mouth attached itself to the strong cords of her neck. Gabrielle made a sound in the back of her throat that was surprise, need and arousal. The huntress shuddered loving the reaction, feeding of it like a animal of aggression would feed on fear. With a smack, she released her lover's neck to move up and whisper hotly in her ear, licking the ridge just for good measure. "I love those sounds you make. Do you know why?" Gabrielle's head shook no. "Oh, come on love you know why. Because they make me so fucking wet," she whispered huskily. Gabrielle whimpered and her body trembled in response. Her breathing rasped out in a moan when long, sure fingers plucked at her nipples encased in the sweater. In a flurry of movement, Tara stretched the material of the sweater over her lover's shoulder, revealing creamy flesh. She wanted to make Gabrielle ache like she did; she wanted her to feel this ache, physically, like she did. Like the cunning huntress she was, Tara had her prey cornered and helpless, and God help her she was hungry. She sucked and bit into the flesh as though she was trying to imprint the taste, the texture. The smaller woman cried out as arousal thick and flowing like honey raced through her body settling between her legs. Grabbing the counter for support, she threw her head back to rest against a shoulder. The animal could have her. "T, Oh God," she muttered her breathing erratic. Tara stretched the material on the other side in a brutal show of power, revealing more of what she wanted. The strawberry blonde braced herself expecting to feel the gut wrenching electricity that her lover's teeth had caused before, but what she got made her moan just as harshly, and electricity arced up her spine just the same. In a change of tactics, the animal in Tara went from hunger to worship and back again. She licked along the ridges of her lover's shoulder, twirling her tongue leaving wet trails, and planting searing open mouth kisses on the warm skin, making gooseflesh rise. Heady with power and arousal, and with a flick of her wrists, she pulled the garment down, imprisoning her lover's arms, but exposing full breasts with nipples plump and ripe like exotic berries. The hunger had returned in full force. Trapping her prey again, she would possess what she wanted what belonged to her with every kiss, touch, lick and nip. "You like this don't you? This game. It makes you hot, makes you wet?" Gabrielle nodded her head in acknowledgement. It wasn't enough for Tara. She palmed the breasts, rolling the flat of her hands over the hard tips, making them more engorged and spark with enjoyment. Knowing her lover needed more, she pulled the tips with firm pressure, elongating them till pleasure was sizzling in the smaller woman's chest and groin. Gabrielle gasped, biting her lip in sheer bliss. "Answer me or I'll stop Gabrielle." Tara said her voice thick and velvety with controlled need. The woman shuddered hard and cried out at hearing her name uttered with such desire, such lust and went just a little more mad in acute arousal. "Oh, God yes. Please don't stop. Please," she sobbed. As a reward, Tara flicked her tongue inside a sensitive ear and over the lobe eliciting quiet murmurs of pleasure and intense shivers. Her lover's voice alone was arousing and saying her name was even more so, but that in combination with the incredible things she was doing with her hands, her mouth, Gabrielle wanted to weep. Her body felt like molten lead, heavy, pliant, flowing. Her head swam from the lack of blood, which had settled between her legs, where it felt as though puddles of moisture had pooled. Her panties soaked and brushed against the neglected nodule, creating a friction that was by no means enough to satiate her growing hunger. Her jeans felt tight and rubbed against her, over sensitive skin, making new fires, being just another texture touching her in their erotic play. She couldn't see, hear, or feel anything but Tara, and it was the way she wanted it. Tara's body hummed with wave after wave of power induced arousal. No one commanded her lover's body like she did. No one ever would. 'She's mine,' she thought, 'and I will make her believe it just like I do.' Deeming them unimportant, she did not wipe away the beads of perspiration that were formally just water an eon ago. A testimony to the thick juices dripping down her powerful thighs and the passion just as thick running through her veins. More. She wanted more. More skin to taste, to feel, to devour. With a growl, she tore the flimsy sweater in two as her hands finally encased the warm, soft skin of a muscled abdomen. Gabrielle cried out at the sudden whoosh of air caressing her torso. Then she emitted a low keening sound as hot hands caressed her belly. Her breathing stopped as the shaking began when tips of hard, full breasts branded her back, leaving scorching trails of pleasure. She knew then that Tara was naked, gloriously so. Letting go of the counter, Gabrielle needed something more limber more tangible to be her anchor. She needed Tara. Reaching back, trying to grab hold of a naked waist, thighs, or anything. She sighed as she made contact with a soft, muscled cheek as part of the lower body pressing against her. She sank short nails into the flesh and held on. Tara moaned in reaction, the power play momentarily forgotten, need becoming paramount. Tara spread her legs further apart releasing the muskiness of her arousal into the air, and commenced undulating her hips against her lover's thigh. Her engorged lips rubbed tantalizingly over the soft, worn material of the blue jeans, stimulating the neglected clit. Tara pinched and pulled coral tipped breast, adding to both their pleasure. The friction was astounding. Gabrielle whimpered, loving what was happening to Tara, loving her power over her. The smaller woman increased her grip, digging in deeper. Tara whimpered her breathing raspy in her lover's ear. "Unghh, fuck you feel so good Red, so good." Her hips bucked a few more times before she willed herself into a shaky control. Shifting her hands down slowly, trembling, she dipped them into the hem of the jeans, caressing soft skin at her lover's waist. "When I'm through with you Red. Your gonna come and come hard." A gasp and a quiet moan were the only responses. Tara released the catch and the zipper, spreading her hands wide on each hip, she slowly pushed the material down, panties in tow. Gabrielle quivered and then cried out as the air hit her overheated thighs and wet mound. She was beyond ready. She ached, her stomach twisted with insides pulsating with need. She clenched her teeth to keep from begging. Tara had done her job. With her foot, Tara pulled the clothes the rest of the way down her lover's legs to pool at her feet, and Gabrielle stepped wide to free herself of them. With her back molded to her lover and in the span of a heartbeat, Tara plunged into Gabrielle from behind with expert precision and without so much as a word. The woman just simply screamed. Her body lunged forward only saved from harm by the firm hand encasing a hip. Gabrielle sobbed as she arched her hips, trying to move with her lover. Her body was liquid fire and she wanted it doused quickly. Endeavoring to do just that, the smaller woman tried to slam her hips into the long fingered hand, striving to accelerate the pace to no avail. With that one strong hand, Tara guided and controlled her hips, moving them at a pace that was slow and maddening. When one finger retreated, Tara added another and another until there were three. She thrust deep and slow touching everything, caressing slick inner walls. It was so warm, so wet there with each instance of pulsating suction her clit screamed in cruel empathy. She watched her fingers disappear into their soppy moist home. She watched the drops of sweat run down her lover's back. She watched her body twitch and shake with each thrust. She watched it all completely and totally enthralled by the site alone. Her own legs quivered, and her own arousal raged. Her own heart threatened to beat out of her chest. Yet she continued to thrust slowly, deeply. She listened as Gabrielle sobbed and moaned in delight, creating a maelstrom in her blood, making it boil. Tara moaned at being inside, touching her heart, commanding her body. They both sang the most erotic of all songs. One of pure pleasure. Bent over her, Tara continued to rub the hard tips of her breast up and down Gabrielle's back compounding her pleasure, compounding her own mind blowing arousal. Slow built to quick but just as deep. Tara released her hip, letting Gabrielle set her own pace, and began rubbing, pinching and pulling, the hanging, swaying nipples. The little woman hummed at being so utterly filled; her whimpers sounding like that of a wild, wounded animal, high pitched and guttural. Her hips smacked back against the obliging fingers at the pace she wanted hot, deep, and hard. The sounds, oh God, the sounds made her reel adding to it bringing her closer to the precipice. Her own cries of pleasure, Tara's deep throaty moans and the light, wet smacking of her body against her lover's hand were a symphony by themselves. Tara knew Gabrielle was close from the copious juices covering her hand the jerk of her body. "Gabrielle?" A moan in response. "Gabrielle, play with your tits for me." Tara whispered rawly. The command somehow getting to her muddled brain, she pinched and pulled her own nipples murmuring at the waves of enjoyment that shot through her body. With her other hand now free, Tara trailed it sensuously over her lover's hip bone then down further, parting swollen, coated lips and stroked Gabrielle's exposed clit in quick, firm circles. They both moaned loudly, harshly. One as she felt muscles clench and pulsate around her fingers. The other because her whole sex throbbed with gratification. This felt so good, so right. Fucking her, making love to her, being inside her. Tara's head swam as her body racked with need. The intensity level was soul shattering. She increased the pace of her fingers. Both hands moved together swiftly, simultaneously, until they were almost pounding. She wanted to feel Gabrielle's orgasm because she caused it. She owned it and only the most exquisite one would do. All went quiet except for her own breathing and the constant slapping of wet flesh. And then it happened. Gabrielle close her yes as color burst forth blinding her. It started from her groin moving quickly like searing flashes of burning light through her thighs and stomach, up and won to her legs and arms and shooting through her fingertips and toes. Her mouth opened to release a cry that ended with a name, "Tara!", piercing her own ears and the before mentioned quiet. Every muscle in her body contracted making hr convulse and shake uncontrollably with pleasure so acute in another woman it could have been painful. Tara stilled her fingers inside, feeling the muscles grasping, sucking, and only when they stopped did she remove them with a wet slurp, her fingers trembling. "You belong to me. Don't you?" The taller woman whispered hotly. "Yesss, yours," was the breathless response. Gabrielle's legs gave out, and she sunk in slow motion to the floor, caught by weak hands. She'd forgotten how to speak, how to think, how to breath. Tara held her then laid them both on the floor, cuddling the shaking woman close, whispering endearments and kissing her brow. She clenched her teeth at her own arousal, making her hands shake and thighs quiver. She wanted exquisite and that's what she got. Surprisingly, she didn't come with her lover, only increasing her arousal to fever pitch. Bringing glistening fingers to her lips, she licked them cleans and whimpered quietly waiting for coherence to return. Gabrielle's body vibrated and heaved for long minutes as pleasure slowly worked its way through. Her breathing turned from harsh and shallow to deep and normal. Slightly turning her head, she looked at Tara, who stared back with frightening intensity. "You-incredible," she whispered with a raw throat. She kissed the intense brow and stretched her body shuddering at another aftershock. Tara waited patiently. The smaller woman turned back to her returning the stare with equal intensity. "You want to come for me don't you?" " Please-yess," Tara croaked. Just like that the huntress became the hunted. Gabrielle grasped the back of her lover's neck and engaged her in a kiss that was totally carnal. Tongues flicked, slid, and toyed moistly. She sucked her lover's larger tongue into her mouth, steadily increasing the pressure, eliciting a hearty groan and a shudder. They lay side by side, facing each other, drinking from each other. Smaller, shorter legs tangled with longer ones and a muscled thigh moved closer an closer to the dark woman's wet, achy mound. At the first touch, Tara wrenched her mouth away and growled. "You like that don't you?" "Oooh, yess!" Not wanting to tease her woman, Gabrielle rolled onto her back and whispered, "Show me how much." Tara whimpered audibly. Her arms shook as she pressed her body into Gabrielle's. While the cold floor was at her back, the body on top of her was hot, providing erotic contrast. She parted her legs wide over an obliging thigh and gasped at the contact of warm, soft skin. Biting her lip, she looked to Gabrielle, as if asking permission. The smaller woman nodded her head and brought her thigh into full contact with Tara's soppy sex. In one of her last coherent acts, Tara snaked a hand in between them, parting swollen lips so her clit could brush rawly against the thigh. She moaned and began rotating her hips slowly. Looking into the jade green eyes, she lowered herself until they were breast to breast and wrapped her arms around her, under her, causing nipples to rake across each other with each movement. Tara buried her face into her love's neck, opening her mouth hotly on the fragrant skin. She groaned again as her hips picked up speed. So wet, so swollen, so ready was she that the friction created threatened to short her brain. Not being able to hold back, each thrust drew out a whimper, a harsh moan, or a muffled cry. Her hips moved like large pistons and sweat poured from her body. The speed of the pistons increased incredibly when tow small hands cupped the soft, fleshy globes of her bottom, egging her on, multiplying the delicious friction tenfold. Gabrielle was astonished by the wetness she felt. She felt humbled by the reaction. Tara slid on her thigh and the smaller woman could feel the hard pebble of her lover's clit pulse and slide against her skin. Small, soft hands sensed the sweat and the slick juices pooling in between ass cheeks. "You're so wet for me-so slick, so hot." She heard and felt Tara whimper as her hips moved jerkily and out of control. She recognized her own body come impossibly to life with the constant scrape of nipple on nipple and the wet slide of her lover on her thigh. It was too hot; too intense; too erotic for her not to respond. Renewed wetness slicked her thighs. Wiggling down a bit, she came into contact with a firm thigh and began gyrating her hips against it. Tara groaned realizing the implications, and moved her thigh up firmly wedging it between parted legs and parted lips. "Unghh, fuck T! Harder!" Pounding together with force, their bodies screeched on the waxed floor. The exchange was too intense to last for long. Gabrielle dug in deeper into Tara's buttocks and bit into her shoulder. They grunted sensuously as their sweating bodies smacked into each other at breakneck speed. One, two, three, four, more hard thrusts and Tara's body began to shake. She bit into the skin of her lover's neck almost drawing blood, groaning low and deep as orgasm tore through her body taking a little more away with each wave like water on the shore, leaving her exposed, raw, and vulnerable. She sobbed as the convulsions refused to stop, making her body jerk and spasm. Behind closed eyes, Gabrielle saw piercing red and white light as her body was consumed by flames that licked at her skin-at her insides, breaking her, making her again into anything it wanted. The air in the kitchen was thick with the smell of sex and the whimpers of satiated lovers, clinging to each other on the floor, barely moving, just touching and kissing when the energy emerged and in total awe of what had transpired. They had possessed each other thoroughly---mind, body and soul. It was a celebration of life and love and a reconnection for lover's who almost lost their way.
The cocoa sat on the counter cooling like the bodies sprawled on the floor. They laid there for what seemed like an eternity whispering words of love and promises of the future as strength returned. The floor was beginning to get cold. Gabrielle shivered as she yawned, looking at Tara through drowsy eyes. "I don't think it's ever been like that between us T." "Me either. I think it was something we both needed. The smaller woman nodded her head and shivered again. The shiver didn't escape the always aware pale blue eyes. She stretched and went with the urge to yawn herself. "C'mon Red off to bed." "Uh, I don't think I can move." Tara smirked. "Ahh, don't look so proud of yourself. I remember the sounds you were making my little monkey." The taller woman chuckled now on her feet. She squatted back down lifting Gabrielle as if she were lighter than air. "Whoa, it's high up here!!" She giggled and kissed her lover's jutting chin. Tara and her quarry padded slowly into the bedroom. The taller woman deposited her fragile load at the foot of the bed, while she pulled back the comforter. She bent back down in front of the strawberry blonde who cheerfully latched onto her body around her-legs wrapped around waist and arms wound around her neck. Tara gently placed the woman in the middle of the bed, earning a nuzzle for the tenderness. Sleepily, she crawled in after her, molding her body to the small back and branding her stomach with a large palm. They fell into a deep contented sleep as the night began to lighten. Part II
The ice is thin The next couple of days were filled, trying to make up for two weeks of abstinence with passionate lovemaking. After such a night, they sat staring at each other across the breakfast table, remembering. Gabrielle smiled goofily at Tara as she sipped her favorite flavored coffee. Tara held and traced petite fingers with her larger ones. With a slight grin on her face, "Ewww, Red. I don't see how you drink that stuff." "What stuff?" "That coffee. It doesn't taste like coffee at all. It's like flavored sugar or something." Gabrielle frowned and looked into her cup. "Wellllll, my sweet tooth won't accept anything else." "Tch, ruled by baser instincts. For shame." "Hey you weren't saying that last night. In fact, I got the impression that you greatly appreciated those instincts." Tara grinned lecherously. "Mmmm, appreciate is not the word for it. I think enjoyed-no something stronger-reveled, yeah that's the word." The smaller woman giggled. But their playtime was disturbed by the doorbell. Lil stood tapping her foot with Jamie blowing spit bubbles in the vicinity of her face. On the drive here, she debated with herself whether to come at all, knowing that the green eyes of her sister would uncover her sadness. Lil sighed. There was so much to think about, and she had to hide that from her temporary roommates for the next two weeks. The younger woman closed her eyes not looking forward to the difficult time ahead. Still, she had become rather good at faking it, hoping that alone would work. Tara mumbled as she headed toward the door, knowing the only person in the world who would ring the bell this early would be Lilian. She opened the door and wasn't disappointed. Tara smirked down at the dark haired, blue eyed woman, who grinned back up at her. "Well, well hello there big blue. Wouldn't have thought you would be here," Lil said sarcastically. Tara's smirk turned into a grin. "Yeah, uh huh, gimmie." Lil knew Tara was referring to the little girl reaching for the taller woman, but a little imp inside her wanted to play. "Oh, okay. Here." She shoved her luggage into the raven-haired woman's hands, who looked at her with slits for eyes in response. Lil smacked her lips, still smiling and walked through the door. "Hey, um, Red I know you're here." Gabrielle walked from the kitchen. "Well of course I am silly I live here." She gave her sister a hug and kissed her niece, who gurgled happily, on the forehead. "Where's your stuff?" Lil pointed back with her thumb as Tara walked up with several bags slung over he shoulder. "T was happy enough to help me. Weren't you dear?" Tara bared her teeth in something resembling a smile. "Uh, huh," she whispered as she disappeared down the hall toward the spare bedroom. Gabrille cooed as she picked up her niece. "Hey sweet pea. Did you miss me?" "Agoo, brr, boo!" "Ofcourse you did." The little girl began to pant and squeal when Tara came back into the room. "Boo, boo!" Gabrielle chuckled in Tara's direction, "Uh, Boo boo I think she wants you." Tara grinned through her blushing cheeks. "Hey lil bit. Long time no see!" The taller woman threw the infant low in the air. Jamie gurgled with laughter. Lil and Gabrielle rolled their eyes in amusement. "Uh, should I leave you and my daughter alone?" "If you want. Hey lil bit let's go watch some TV." Tara left the two sister's standing there. "Um, well Lil. Do you want some coffee? We can take it in the living room to spy on those two." Lil smiled wickedly. "Deal." The two of them almost choked on the steaming brew minutes later as they witnessed Tara trying patiently to explain to the one year old what a tellietubby was. The little girl stood on shaky legs in front of the TV kissing each tellietubby that happened across the screen. Tara looked up at the pair who were trying to hide their smiles behind coffee cups. "What?!" "Oh, nothing. You're just too cute playing with her." Gabrielle exclaimed, leaning in and kissing her lover on the forehead. Tara smiled crookedly and began to sing the Barney song as the show came on. "Was that cute enough to get a kiss right here?" Tara pointed at her lips. "Oh behave, you!" The taller woman pretended to pout and looked over at Lil. "Do I get anything from you for being cute?" Lil smiled toothily. "Oh yeah, turn around." Tara stood up and turned her back to them. *SMACK* "Owwww," Tara rubbed her behind. "Was that the payment you were looking for?" Lil asked with eyes sparkling with mirth. Tara looked over her shoulder with a mock snarl. "Better ask your sis bout paybacks." "Two pairs of blue eyes stared at the smaller woman. Gabrielle giggled then studied the bottom of her cup innocently and intently. "Anyways, I gotta get dressed and get outta here." Gabrielle and Lil were still giggling at the antics of the infant when Tara returned from the bedroom. "Okay, I need to get to the shop. So, I'll see my favorite ladies later." She gently brushed her lover's lips with her own and kissed Jamie on the top of the head. "Ahem," Lil sat with her lips puckered and an expectant look on her face. "Uh, don't think you're quiet ready for me yet Lil." The younger woman stuck out her tongue in response. "Behave you two." The strawberry blonde said sternly. Wanting to get the last word in, Tara licked out her own tongue on the way out the door. After Tara left, Gabrielle and Lil stayed in the living room content to talk there as Jamie played at watching television.
"So little sis whatcha wanna do today?" "Don't know really. Actually let me ask you. Are things okay between the two of you?" "Oh, yeah. Better than ever. In fact, she's not much on words, but I know she wanted to thank you for looking out for me then her when she first got out the hospital." "No need for that. But really Gabs, she seems like a great woman. I don't really know her that well yet, but I can tell she's good for you." "Yeah, we bring out the best in each other." She took a sip of coffee. "You know you can rectify that situation of getting to know her." "How?" "Go ask her out to lunch. Talk to her. She's not much on words, but she makes them count." "Hey that's actually not a bad idea. Will you be okay with Jamie?" "Oh please, we will be fine. She usually stops for lunch around 1 o'clock. Just go ask her, and when you get back maybe we can talk about what's been bothering you." Lil looked at her startled. She knew she couldn't hide forever. "It's nothing really." Her mind worked overtime trying to think of a believable lie. "Uh, just worried about school is all, but we'll talk about it later." Gabrielle studied her for long minutes. "Yeah okay." Yet, she still sounded unconvinced. "Anyway, I was also thinking that we should take you to the bar while you're here and get Shan and Wayne to go with . Oooh, you can meet Jake, Tara's brother. Her puts on a good show." "Yeah, I'm game." "Today let's just lounge around the house with breakfast first of course. Feel free to help." "Sure no problem."
The patrons on the busy mid afternoon sidewalk, seemed to part to let her through. She drew admiring glances from the teenage boys, their fathers, and even some of the women, and envious glares from the rest. She soaked it all in with a tiny knowing smile, fully aware of the way people were affected by her. Her heels clicked on the sidewalk different from the others. She walked with extreme confidence with hips swaying and head held high in the air. Standing tall and lean, her athletic body was encased in a grey pantsuit that fit her body as if the designer had her in mind. Long, thick, white blonde hair fell past her shoulders with a natural wave, bouncing and moving when she walked. Her face would have made the romantic poets and painters weep with joy with beauty consisting of equal parts innocence and experience. Her eyes were one of her most shocking features. They glinted with the almost exact color of the dark, cloudy sky in addition to the sparkle of keen intelligence and self-assurance shining in them. Her nose was straight and aquilined that crinkled when she smiled. Under it was a mouth blessed with a cupid's bow made for kissing, smiling, and laughing. The slope of her chin was strong and stubborn with the graceful lines of cheekbone slanting upward, creating hollows that made her seem more vulnerable. Her skin was porcelain pale looking just as fragile. However, there was nothing fragile about this woman. Inside beat a heart incased in ice. Ice that allowed her to win in business, in the bedroom, and in life. The ice had thawed for only one woman, and in a last effort to protect herself, she made sure it wouldn't melt further. She hurt her badly. Jerking herself from this reverie, the woman picked up her pace as she neared her destination. 'While I am here, might as well have a little fun at her expense.' She smiled to herself. Opening the door to the shop, she smiled even bigger at the familiar sight.
Tara kneeled on the floor picking up the contents of the box she spilled, when she heard the door creak open then close. She cocked her head to the side waiting for the customer to speak. Not hearing anything , but knowing someone was there, she quickly finished her chore. "Well, well there is a site I've always enjoyed seeing." Tara froze. The silver blue eyes widening then slitting at the familiar voice. 'No, no, no! It can't be.' She screamed to herself. Slowly standing up, she turned with her features an unreadable mask. "Caitlin." The older woman studied the body under the coveralls-'fun indeed.' "Oh, now, now Tara. We're old friends, and all my friends call me Catt you know that." Tara could feel her body being scrutinized, and steeled herself against it. 'She can't hurt you anymore-she can't.' "We're not friends Caitlin. What are you doing here?" "Oh, I'm in the area for an advertising convention and just thought I'd look you up. You know," shrugging elegant shoulders, "catch up on old times." The blonde's smile was feral. "We don't have anything to discuss." Twirling the ends of her hair, she laughed, hurting Tara's ears. "Oh, love. Surely you're not still angry. That was years ago and you seemed to have grown up quiet nicely." The tap of the heels grated on Tara's nerves as the woman circled her, eyeing her like a particularly juicy piece of meat. "Uh, huh. Well, I'm particularly busy here, and believe me when I say I don't want your company." Caitlin studied pale blue for long minutes. Then she smiled slowly, slyly transforming from a beautiful woman to an extraordinarily beautiful one. She saw it in Tara's eyes. There was nothing there to anger-nothing to work with, leaving the blonde pouting internally. "My you have grown up haven't you?" "Oh yeah, not into bitter or salty anymore. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. My tastes have changed to something a lot sweeter." "Oh, I see you have a little girlfriend. How sweet." Caitlin responded her voice dripping with venom. On the inside she was screaming hating that she couldn't get a rise out of this woman. "My point exactly Caitlin. So now run along. I hear there may be an escort service in town with woman who may be willing to play your games. You need the address? I'm sure you brought plenty of cash." Tara smiled sweetly. Grey eyes turned decidedly stormy and high cheekbones were dusted with red as the older woman tried to control her anger. "Well, we're a little---" The statement died on the older woman's lips as Lil came through the door. Not paying attention to the other woman right away, she smiled up at Tara. "Hey big blue. How's about lunch? We can-" She trailed off. Noticing the tension in the room, she turned to study the other woman. Lil's stomach dropped and whatever thought was traveling through her mind left-immediately. The young woman openly stared at the blonde. Swallowing was almost impossible in her suddenly dry mouth. She put her suddenly clammy hands into her pockets. Catt stared back as if amused. She raised a perfectly arched eyebrow in question. Lil shook her head as if to clear it, but things still felt hazy. One word formed in her mind. 'Beautiful.' Caitlin's smile widened. Maybe she would have fun after all. She studied the brunette in front of her with an appraising eye. 'Very nice. Very, very nice.' The older woman almost laughed at the look of curious interest in the other woman's eyes. 'Lots of fun.' The wheels in her mind began to turn. Tara cleared her throat loudly. Having no affect, she waved her hand in front of Lil's face then snapped her fingers. "Hello? Lilian you home?" Lilian turned to look at her blankly. "Lunch remember?" "Huh, oh yeah, lunch. Um, you wanna go? Gabs has the baby." "Yeah, sure. Caitlin was just leaving weren't you Caitlin?" The woman in question smiled innocently. "In a minute. Is this the girlfriend? How sweet." "No she isn't but just the same STAY AWAY!" Blue eyes flashed dangerously. "Mmm, well we'll see. I need to go for now, but I will be seeing you." Grey eyes bore into Lil, making her swallow and shake. Leaving the smell of Chanel and something sexier behind, Caitlin walked briskly to her rental car. Her eyes glittered in determination. "Let the games begin."
Tara sat across the table staring patiently at the quiet Lil. Something was definitely going on with her, and she didn't like the way Catt looked at her one bit. Tara cleared her throat and gently touched Lil's hand. "You okay?" "Hmm? Oh yeah, just a lot on my mind." Like that woman. Caitlin wasn't that her name? It fit her. She moved like a sleek cat full of grace and stealth. With eyes of extraordinary intelligence that saw through just about anything. Predatory. That was the word she was looking for her, and Lil felt pulled into the hunt. Her heart accelerate, buzzing in her ear along with each breath. "Yeah, I'm just fine." "Uh, huh. So whatcha wanna talk about? Trying to get in my head? Tara arched a brow and smirked. Lil laughed, "Nah, just trying to get to know you better." "Mmm, well what you see is what you get." "Somehow I think you're a little more complicated than that. Like who was that woman?" "Whoa, you don't pull any punches do you? Alright. She was an old girlfriend. She liked to play games, so it ended. It's as simple as that. Why do you ask? You interested?" Lil's eyes widened. "Uh, no! Last time I checked I still like men!" The smaller brunette wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Sorry for the outburst. That was just unexpected." "Mmm," was Tara's only reply. ' I think we are protesting just a little too much my friend.' The taller woman said to herself.
Lil walked through the door of her sister's house, hearing soft humming coming from the vicinity of the kitchen. She walked in to see Gabrielle holding Jamie to her chest and stirring something in a pot. The little girl looked more than comfortable with her face buried in her aunt's neck and little hands holding onto russet tresses. The older woman motioned for quiet, putting her finger to her mouth. She hummed a few more minutes and motioned for Lil to follow her to the bedroom. Once Jamie was resting comfortable, Gabrielle turned inquisitive eyes to her sister. "So, how did it go?" "It was okay. Kind of interesting though. When I got there, some blonde woman was there, and you could cut the tension with a knife. Caitlin was her name. Tara said she was an ex-girlfriend. Do you know her?" Gabrielle's breathing stopped with the mention of the name, and anger was quick to surface. She visibly shook with it. If hate truly was the other side of love. She hated that woman with the same passion that she loved Tara. The muscles in her body bunched and twisted and her hands folded into fists, as if preparing for a fight. The smaller woman gritted her teeth. "No, I don't know her, but I know of her." Her voice was low and dark. Startled, Lil put a comforting hand on her sister's back. "You okay? If you're worried, Tara seemed to dismiss her handily." With the same voice, "No, it's not that. She hurt her." Gabrielle spoke as if she was reliving the pain herself. "She likes hurting people and given the chance, I'm sure she is here to do it all over again." "Oh." Lil blinked somewhat dismissing it all. Surely a woman that looked like that could not be that cold? How could the coldness they described cause such heat to form inside her? They must be exaggerating. They have to be.' Gabrielle closed her eyes, trying to remove the red haze clouding her vision. That woman would not hurt Tara again, and if she tried the cliché about red heads was going to become fact. She released an exasperated sigh. She needed to go make sure Tara was okay. "Uh, Lil? I need to go see Tara watch the food." Before she could respond, Gabrielle was out the door with her coat trailing behind her.
The young woman made it to the bike shop in record time. She pushed the door open in impatience and winced when it banged against the frame. Surprised blue eyes looked up from the computer. Green eyes searched the shop, making sure they were alone. Then they searched blue in understanding, uncovering the sadness. With hurried steps, Gabrielle was behind the counter, cradling the raven topped head to her chest. Tara widened her legs and scoot back in her chair to allow her lover closer in the embrace. Large hands caressed and held onto the wool covered back. For several minutes no words were spoken. Tara took a deep breath, "I won Red. She can't hurt me anymore." "Shhh, that's good baby. I wouldn't let her if she tried." Luminous chips of green turned into cold emerald ice. She would make damn sure of that. Gabrielle shook her head bringing herself out of the haze. She bent to kiss the raven head. "Is she just here to torment you?" "No, she said something about an advertising convention in Indianapolis and wanting to catch up on old times. I was in the process of making her leave when Lil walked in." "Hmm," was all the response as Gabrielle filed away what was said for later use. "You should have seen it Red. It was driving her crazy that she couldn't get a rise out of me." Tara chuckled. Gabrielle smiled and looked down at her lover. "I'm glad everything went okay. When Lil told me who it was, I just wanted to make sure you were alright." Gabrielle lovingly traced the arched eyebrows on the face looking up at her. "I knew you would come, and I'm glad you did. God," Tara's voice hitched, "I love you so much." She looked up with blue eyes darkened with emotion. Tara squeezed tighter, pulled her closer as if she was trying to absorb her through her skin. Gabrielle's fingers went from eyebrows to tracing Tara's entire face as if memorizing the emotions exhibited in each plane, in each hollow, knowing her own countenance held the same look. Finally, busy fingertips reached lips. Gabrielle leaned forward, wanting to taste the lips that called her, compelled her. When they finally touched it was as soft as a whisper and communicated just as much. Gently, and in caring fashion, they savored the moment. Lips met softly again and again. Tasting. Reveling, and immensely enjoying. Refusing to let it go despite onlookers that gaped into the window as they passed by. Several minutes later, the kiss finally stopped, but the contact remained. Their foreheads touching as did their bodies." "Mmm, Red, you make everything seem better." Gabrielle grinned and kissed her nose. "Anything for you love. So, how was lunch?" "Strange to say the least. Something is really up with Lil. I wasn't going to say anything until I knew for sure, but I think it runs in the family." "Huh? What do you---oooh!" Gabrielle covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh my God. Why didn't she tell me of all people she must know that I would understand what she was going through." "Yeah, but baby I don't think she has really come to terms with it herself. Give it some time. She'll tell you." "Yeah, you're right. I won't say anything until she comes to me." Tara sighed, "Still, we may have a problem." "What?" "Caitlin looked very interested in your baby sister, and I gotta say Lil looked like she returned the interest." Gabrielle stiffened. "Oh no! We've got to do something. That woman will tear her apart." The wheels under the red-gold hair started to turn. Time to call in some favors, and fix this before it gets out of hand. "Yeah," Tara added, knowing from experience.
Lil sat on the couch looking through the TV rather than looking at it. Her brain refused to erase the image of the tall, lean, leggy blonde. It played over and over again like a scratched record, and like an addict, she relished it and was slowly giving into the magnetic pull. Lil didn't even look up when Gabrielle breezed through the door, letting the cold air in behind her. It wasn't until she plopped down beside her that Lil realized that someone was there. "Lil, honey are you okay? You got this strange look on your face." "Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine. Got a lot on my mind is all. Everything okay with you and Tara?" "Oh yeah. Just wanted to make sure she was okay. That woman really hurt her with her games. She lies and cheats without a conscious." "Um, you never know Gab, people can change." "No, I don't think so. You can only change when you want, and I think she has too much fun and gets too much satisfaction being the way that she is." Gabrielle looked over at her sister to see if her point hit home. It didn't. Lil looked away trying to rationalize what she heard. "Mmm, yeah," was the only response. Gabrielle sighed. "Listen, I'll be in my office I need to make some phone calls." "Kay, talk to you later then. I'm gonna go check on Jamie."
Lil's sleep that night was restless and full of erotic images, smells and sounds. She felt the slide of soft flesh on flesh, tasted sweetness of tender lips and the salty taste of flesh as if it was under her mouth. She felt the heat, the intensity and the tickle and burn of silky blonde hair caressing her body like it was reality not erotic fantasy. She reveled in it moaning softly in her sleep as the heat of her body increased. She moaned louder, jolting herself awake. Her breathing was shallow and raspy and her body was drenched in a cold sweat. She squeezed her thighs together and gasped feeling the rhythmic pulsing between them. She was wet, incredibly so. She could smell as well as feel it coating her thighs and trickling down to the crack of her behind. She looked over at her sleeping daughter, and rubbed shaking fingers through the soft hair, in an attempt to calm herself. It didn't work. "I want her. God help me I want her," she whispered into the quiet room, and began to sob piercing the aforementioned quiet. Down the hall, Gabrielle lay awake for another reason. She had called in a few favors, told some small lies and used her somewhat celebrity status to find out where Caitlin was staying. The hotel manager, and old friend, now thought she was coming to visit a friend from college. With a little more sweet talk, she knew the convention schedule, her room number, and found out that she went out everyday for lunch. Gabrielle's jaw worked in part anticipation and part anger. She had to go see her. The thirty minute drive to Indy would be worth it. She had to make sure that the woman knew who she was playing with. She had to make sure that she knew the consequences. She softly caressed the corded muscle of Tara's forearm and snuggled further into her naked body. Gabrielle knew she had to tell her lover, but there was no need to mention it until after the fact. She would be angry, but she would understand that her sister was involved now. She sighed quietly and willed herself to dose because she had a lot to do come morning after Tara left.
Caitlin sat in her room sipping coffee and watching CNN. Her mind wondered to the small brunette with the striking blue eyes. 'She wants me. I saw it in her eyes, and I will have her.' The tall blonde shivered in anticipation and lust, somehow knowing she would be the first one to introduce the woman to the pleasure only a woman can bring to another. Gabrielle stood in front of the door, reaching deep inside to gain the strength to ward this woman off. She knocked on the door. It opened and she looked unflinchingly at the striking woman staring down at her. "Who-" barely got out of Caitlin's mouth as Gabrielle pushed her way in. Caitlin arched a pale brow, and turned to the woman. "I guess you're not housekeeping huh?" "No, I'm not," the smaller woman answered then went quiet. "Well, at least tell me who you are before I call security." She moved to the phone, picking it up. Looking up again, the smaller woman was in front of her snatching the phone. "Ahh, ahh you don't want to do that. I'm Gabrielle." Caitlin looked at her blankly, and Gabrielle sighed harshly. "Lilian's sister." The taller woman bristled inside at the familiar name conjuring up the familiar face, but she still kept her face a blank mask. Waiting. "Tara's girlfriend." "Ah, so your the sweet little thing that she spoke about. You don't look at all her type. Too innocent, inexperienced looking." Gabrielle's voice lowered and she almost snarled at the taller woman. "Careful lady, you don't know the first fucking thing about me. So, don't make assumptions. They could be dangerous." The cool blonde was slightly taken aback at the fire coming from the little woman, but soon slipped into her ice mode. "Mmm, so let me guess. You are feeling a little threatened because I'm here. Are we a tad bit insecure. Mariel?" Gabrielle smiled full of confidence. The taller woman was again taken aback. "Not in the least. She's mine. Nothing you can do will change that." She walked in closer, looking up into grey eyes not the least bit intimidated. "You leave my sister alone. I won't let you hurt her." Caitlin's smile was feral. "Oh, but she looks like a big girl who can make her own decisions. So, I say let her make the choice. I'm sure she'll make the right one." "Stay the fuck away from her!" Her eyes were flashing green fire and her face was flushed with anger. "Tsk, tsk. Temper, temper little girl. There is nothing you can do about it." "Oh, you think so?" With a flurry of movement, Gabrielle swept the phone and other contents off the in table. The phone landed with a crash against the floor. "Don't underestimate me. When you mess with my family all bets are off!" A startled Caitlin looked up from the couch, where she had fallen in a last ditch effort to protect herself only to see the door slamming shut. She closed her eyes. "Oh God. What have I gotten into?" She swallowed and considered cutting her losses and getting out now. Then the picture of long curling dark tresses formed in her mind. Set off by deep blue eyes and lips she had to taste. "No, I've got to have her." A half an hour later, Gabrielle walked into her own house. She found a note from Lil telling her she went out and Jamie was with Mrs. Tibidault. "Where are you Lil, and what are you doing?" She said into the unanswering air.
Lil sat in her parked car. She rubbed sweaty hands down her slacks, and tried to swallow down the lump in her throat. She had to see her, and this was the only place she knew to come, hoping she would return. Lil almost whimpered, remembering the intensity of the dream. She had to know if it would be like that---she had to know. "Looking for me I hope?" Lil jumped and turned to look out the window. 'She's here.' "Yes-yes I am," she said nervously. "Lunch?" The cool blonde asked. "Yes please." She looked into the stormy grey, getting lost, getting pulled in. They crinkled at the side as she smiled. The brunette looked in them for as long as she could, feeling the flush rise up to her face. Her eyes lowered to the ruby coated lips, and watched as the taller woman wet them with a small pink tongue. Sucking in a breath, Lilian lowered her eyes completely, but not before she saw acknowledgement. She knew. She knew how much she was wanted. Caitlin reared back up to her full height in an attempt to gain some composure. Her heart was slamming against her chest. ' No, this is just a game. Just a game, and I got her.' She opened the door and slid into the passenger seat. "Good you choose. I'm not picky today." Lil smiled wanly, and almost moaned out loud when just the smell of her permeated her overcharged senses, making her insides flood with heat and her crotch with wetness. She closed her eyes, sucked in a deep breath, licked her lips, and squirmed in her seat, feeling the wetness coat her thighs. Not knowing what else to do, the young woman started the car and drove off. Lilian sat across from the object of her affection, trying to silently gain confidence in order to see what made this woman tick. She sensed that she already had her interest. It was only a matter of keeping it. Lil watched the taller woman, under hooded eyes, eat the Cobb salad, envying the fork and its contents as it disappeared into the sensual mouth. Catt smiled inwardly. She couldn't remember the last time she was looked at with such curiosity and need. It made her feel down right giddy that this beautiful woman was worshipping her, but she couldn't afford to think about that too much. She smiled at her, catching the deep blue orbs staring. "This is a nice place. It must be new, I don't remember it the last time I was here." "Mmm hmm, they just opened it last year I believe. Um, this doesn't seem like a tourist spot for a woman like you. You're too elegant to be in a country town like this." Lilian tapped herself on the back for finally finding a coherent voice. Catt laughed. "You are right about that one. I'm actually here for a convention in Indy. I'm a senior exec in an advertising firm on the East Coast, Jersey to be exact, and it was my turn to go this year. Lucky me." She rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I haven't been back here in quite a few years, since I got that job. It seems to have picked up some interesting additions." Catt smiled sexily as she raised her glass. "To beautiful new additions and attractions to this city. You being one of them." The older woman watched the attractive blush with a practiced eye as it crept up Lilian's neck to the gentle curve of her cheeks. 'God everything about her is honest and vulnerable. She could be addictive.' Lil smiled out right infected by the smile of the other woman. The young brunette swallowed, enjoying the flirtatious attention she was receiving. Gabrielle had to have exaggerated. There was no way this woman could be that cold. The brunette was irrevocably drawn to the blonde woman, making her want to open up and tell all. "I'm not from here either. I go to school and have a place upstate about five and a half hours from here. My sister talked me into spending part of the holiday with her." The taller woman raised an eyebrow. "You seemed older. How old are you by the way?" "Oh, I'm 21." "Ahh, to be that young again. Enjoy your twenties Lilian. They go by quickly. Take it from someone in their thirties. Anyway, I heard you say something at Tara's shop about a baby?" "Yeah, I have a one year old daughter, and I have to say she is the most important thing in my life. She keeps me going you know and loves me no matter what." "Mmm, aren't we all looking for that? It sounds like she's wonderful, and I'd like to meet her sometime. She does sound like a handful though, being only one and all." "Not really. She's a good girl and really very smart. I usually don't have much trouble with her." Caitlin watched the younger woman's face light up as she talked about her daughter. 'She really is beautiful.' The older woman reached across the table, taking the smaller hand into her own. Lil stopped talking mid sentence and the noise of the restaurant filtered away. Electric tendrils shot up her arm directly to her groin, and she heard the roar of her blood in her ears. Lilian looked at Caitlin with eyes full of panic, anticipation, and desire. "It's okay." Lil whimpered and tried to pull her hand away. "No, Lilian. It's okay to want somebody." The younger woman's chest heaved as her breath rasped in and out of her chest. She bit her lip as another whimper escaped them. Caitlin held on to the table in a white knuckled grip as each whimper tied her stomach in pleasurable knots. The younger woman licked suddenly dry lips. "But, I've never been-I mean this is all new for me." "I kind of picked up on that. Will it make you feel better if I tell you that I'm feeling the same?" "Um, you do?" "God yes. It starts right in the pit of your stomach and flares outward like a thick heat going everywhere, all the way down to your fingertips. The feelings can be triggered by anything; a look, a touch, a smell, a taste. Anything. You feel crazy and out of control like your body isn't listening to your brain." Lilian whimpered again louder and more laced with need. She clutched at the hand holding hers, completely mesmerized by the older woman's low, husky, melodious voice; her words; and the mouth they spilled from. She couldn't tear her eyes away. Caitlin was taken aback by the force of the feelings she was experiencing. She wasn't supposed to feel anything outside lust, but there was more growing. She could feel it. She had to step back and regain her bearings before things got out of hand, but looking into the deep blue was making it become more and more difficult. The tall blonde caressed the petal soft skin she held. Instantly knowing the younger woman would be just as soft all over. She desperately tried to control her own breathing as heat flowed through her body thick and syrupy. It was impossible not to react-impossible not to say what she said next. "God, I want to kiss you so much right now." Lilian made a sound of pure, raw need, as desire flashed through her body like a raging fire leaving her skin hot and scorched. "Please, I have to--," her voice was ragged as her breathing. The younger woman snatched away her hand, jumped up almost knocking her chair over, and ran toward the vicinity of the restrooms. Caitlin blinked and tried to decide whether to wait or follow her. Her body made the decision for her.
Meanwhile in the bathroom, with shaking hands, Lilian patted her face with the cool, damp paper towel, trying to bring her body temperature down. She closed her eyes and willed her heart to be still, and her breathing to return to normal. Instead, a picture flashed in her mind of a blonde head descending, soft lips touching. Lil shook her head to clear it. "I need to get a hold of myself." She smiled shakily at the woman giving her strange looks as she exited the stalls. 'I can't stay in here forever,' she said to herself this time. She exited the restroom only to find herself pushed against the wall next to it by a tall, amorous blonde. Caitlin slammed the smaller body against the obliging wall, and blocked any escape by molding her body to the smaller woman's and positioning her arms on either side of her head. Lil wanted to cry out at the incredible heat that suffused her body. Her skin tingled wherever there was contact. The taller woman groaned as she flexed her hips and began grinding them against the brunette. They both moaned when Lilian's hips joined in the erotic dance. "Catt, we can't do this. What if-Oh God that feels so good," Lilian said breathlessly, arching her back as she felt the pebbly hardness of the other woman's nipples poking through and rubbing tantalizingly against her own. They scraped across each other, pulling the fabric tighter, making the material of their clothing feel like a lover's caress. Caitlin wanted to purr the moment was so erotic. Sparks flew through her body, making her ache even more. The possibility of getting caught making her even more naughty. She peered down at the captured woman, studying the flushed demeanor, hooded eyes and parted moist lips. She had to taste them. She had too. Catt traced wet lips with her fingertips, feeling the softness. She stared into the hypnotic blue and heard the younger woman's breath hitch. Slowly, she lowered her head, stopping just short of touching, letting the anticipation grow, so close they could taste the wine on each other's breath. Lil wound her hands through luxurious blond locks and tried to initiate the kiss by pulling the woman's head down. No such luck. Then suddenly, unexpectedly, full lips swooped down, devouring. Lilian cried out. The sound muffled by sweet lips and a demanding tongue. Caitlin groaned and deepened the kiss, spearing and darting her tongue within the warm cavern of the young woman's mouth, possessing every crevice. Wetness flooded between Lilian's legs, making her grind harder, faster, and unevenly. Catt grasped the moving hips and slid eager hands around to cup the shapely bottom. She pulled the smaller woman into her, trying to increase the friction. The usually cool, aloof blonde had never been so aroused by a kiss. Warning bells sounded off in her head, telling her she had to get control, but the little noises Lilian was making in the back of her throat, ate away at her resolve and served to strengthen her desire. She wanted so much to bunch the other woman's skirt up around her hips and explore the wet flesh she knew was waiting. She wanted to make her come right here. Right now. She increased the cadence of her hips enjoying the needy whimpers that spilled from the brunette's lips. Lilain felt as if the top of her head was going to pop off. Her body hummed with arousal that was dangerously close to a quick orgasm. She didn't care if anyone was watching. She didn't care if they got caught. All that mattered was the searing sensations coursing through her body. There was no way she could stop. No way she could deny it. Desire overrode the panic and fear she felt earlier. There was no turning back. The young woman knew what she wanted. Lilian surrendered completely, returning the passion in the kiss and the touches. Warning bells went off louder when she felt the shorter woman's surrender. Gathering strength she didn't know she had, Caitlin tore her lips away. They were swollen and throbbing just like the woman's she was kissing. She rested her forehead against the other woman's and began to slow down her grinding hips. Lilian whimpered in disappointment but knew sub-consciously that this was necessary. Her body shuddered as it tried to regain control. If it was possible, she wanted this woman more than air-her body ached. Caitlin cringed on the inside. She had lost complete control. 'But oh God it felt so good,' she thought to herself. The older woman had to rectify the situation and regain the upper hand in the game she was so adept in playing. She kissed the young woman on the forehead with tenderness she didn't feel and stepped back. Her body instantly screamed, missing the warm contact, and the needy look in the blue eyes was almost her undoing. Caitlin shook her head when the younger woman reached out for her. "No, we need to stop this." She took the smaller hand into her own and led them back to the table with two pair of legs shaking. What seemed like hours had only transpired in minutes, and within these minutes, Caitlin discovered how to return to the status quo. She would play her trump card. Lilian sat down still visibly shaken. Her eyes raked over the blonde woman, memorizing her. She knew her eyes showed what she was feeling, but she couldn't hide such need, especially from the one who caused it. "I'm sorry Lilian. I didn't mean for that to happen, but things just got a little out of hand." Her voice was still husky from the previous activity. "No, no don't apologize. I liked it very much, and I want to do it again. Soon." Caitlin sucked in a breath on a stab of desire. What was it about this woman that made her react like this. It was driving her crazy. She had to do something about this. Her smile was slow and sexy. "Yes, I can tell you did, but as far as doing it again, I don't know. I met your sister today. Actually she came to see me. She blatantly told me to leave you alone and was somewhat violent about it too." The older woman pat herself on the back for such a good acting job. 'There is nothing left to do but sit back and watch her come to me.' "What?! I can't believe she did that! How did she know in the first place?" I can't believe this. What the hell gives her the right to mess with my life?" "Look, I'm sure she was just looking out for you. I don't have a stellar past." That doesn't matter. It happened years ago. I don't understand why she did this to me. I'm not a damn child and am capable of making my own decisions." Anger flushed her face, turning her pale skin pink. Lilian gripped her wine glass so tightly that it began to crack. She glanced back at Catt. "I want to see you again as soon as possible, and don't worry about my sister. I'll handle that. It's obvious that Tara hasn't been keeping her busy enough that she has to but in where she doesn't belong." "If you're sure? Don't do this to get back at her. I mean I'm not going to be here that long anyway." Caitlin winced hoping she wasn't laying it on too thick. "Oh, I want to see you because I want to. So, how about dinner tomorrow night?" "If it's not too much how about lunch and dinner. I want to see as much of you as possible, but if have trouble finding a sitter it's okay." "No, that won't be a problem. Listen, I need to get home and take care of this. Here is my half of the check. Are you alright with getting a cab?" "Yes, its fine. Don't worry about me." Caitlin would have given anything to be a fly on the wall in Gabrielle's house. On the inside, she clapped with glee, knowing it was going to be an interesting night in that household. The cool, confident blonde knew from the kiss and the conversation that this woman was hers for the taking. She swallowed down a twinge of unidentifiable emotion. It was a new feeling. Maybe it was guilt, who knows. "Um, you go on, and I'll meet you here tomorrow around noon?" "Okay, that'll work." Lilian grasped her hand in an attempt to relay feelings she couldn't display in the semi-crowded restaurant. What her hands couldn't communicate, her eyes did. With a final squeeze, she left the older woman sitting alone, sipping wine with a small smile of triumph on her face. She whispered into the air, "Oh little Gabrielle don't underestimate me and what I can do."
Lilian drove around for over an hour before she returned to her sister's house in an attempt to dissipate some of the anger and to think. To confront Gabrielle would be to reveal everything, but apparently, she already knew entirely too much. Damn her eyes anyway. Obviously, she had admitted and accepted it for herself in going out with Caitlin and kissing her so passionately. It would become even more real with this confrontation. Lilian strengthen her resolve to approach her sister and Tara if necessary, despite the consequences. 'In just one day this woman has become very important to me. I have to see where it goes,' she thought to herself. She pointed her car toward the highway leading to her sister's home. At home was a waiting Gabrielle wringing her hands and wondering if her tactics had backfired. Tara returned home early and noticed right away that something was wrong. "Red, what's wrong? Where's Lilian?" "I'm okay just writer's block, and I think Lil went out shopping or something, she left a note." Tara accepted the explanation at face value and just like she had lied to the hotel manager, she smoothly lied to her lover for the first time. Realizing this, her insides felt as though they were sweating. Her breathing was loud and audible, and deep in her own ears. Her heart slow, throbbing and humming, and her stomach lurched. 'It had been so easy and she did it without thought. That alone panicked her. 'I have to make sure that monster doesn't get to her. Lil is the important one here.' Her thoughts reverberated through her head. Lilian slammed through the door, startling both Tara and Gabrielle. "Damn it Gabs. I know you're my sister, but you have no right to snoop in my life! What the fuck is wrong with you?" "Lil, what are you talking about?" "Oh, don't give me that in the dark bullshit. You went to go see her to ward her off? You're not my damn mother!" Lil's voice was loud, strained and full of anger. "Lil hold on! Sweetie, I did it for your own good. She would do nothing but hurt you, and you don't need that kind of pain for your first experience." Lil laughed derisively. In a way I'm glad you know, but you have no right to decide who I see Gabby! I'm a grown woman, and you should have come to me first! It was wrong and you know it was!" Gabrielle dropped her head, and looked over at her lover. 'She lied to me. She looked me in the face an lied to me. She didn't trust me enough to help her with this so she went behind my back.' Tara thought as her heart lurched and her stomach knotted. Never would she think Gabrielle would lie to her. With just a couple of statements from Lilian, Tara felt desolation set in as well as anger. Gabrielle looked dead into sky blue, and what she saw made her stop. There was such sadness, such anger that she knew she had miscalculated this whole thing. Caitlin still obviously went out with Lil; Lil was vehemently upset with her; and Tara looked completely betrayed. "Tara baby?" Gabrielle reached out to touch her. The raven-haired woman shook her head and moved away from the touch. Without saying a word, she walked away into the bedroom. Lilian looked at her sister expectantly, as if waiting for an answer. "Lil, I'm so sorry. Obviously you feel strongly about this, about her. I was just trying to help you, to protect you. I didn't mean-Oh God." She covered her mouth, muffling a sob, and sat heavily on the couch. "I just didn't want her to do to you what she did to Tara. I'm so sorry," the strawberry blonde sobbed. Lilian's anger broke with her sister's tears. "Gabby, I understand you were trying to protect me, but if this is a mistake let me make it." "You like her that much already?" "Yeah, I guess I do." "Just promise me that you'll be careful?" "I'll try-no I will. Promise." The younger woman blew out a calming breath and reached for her sister, hoping to smooth this all over because based on the look on Tara's face those two had something heavy to discuss. "Listen, we'll be okay Gabs, but I think you got bigger fish to fry." She nodded her head toward the bedroom. "I'm gonna go get Jamie." Gabrielle sat on the couch for long minutes wondering if she had greatly underestimated this woman. She knew deep down in her gut that Caitlin was up to no good. She had told Lil about their little altercation, which pretty much precipitated the whole argument. The older woman had won this time, and Gabrielle got the feeling she knew it too.
Tara lay in the bed trying to sort through the pain, trying to rationalize the situation. In truth, she understood why Gabrielle did what she did, but she still lied to her. A lie is a lie. Tara hurt because she was lied to and hurt because she was left out. She considered Lil to be like a sister, and her well-being was just as important to her as if she was blood like Jake. A hot knife felt as though it had been twisted in her insides. It hurt so bad. Gabrielle entered the room, and Tara turned to look at her. "Tara, listen. I am so sorry I lied to you-" "Don't Red, just don't. It hurts too much right now. Can we just sleep on it?" Pale blue begged her to comply. Small shoulders slumped. "Okay, if that's what you need. Um, do you want me to sleep on the couch tonight?" "No, the bed is big enough, besides its yours." Later that night, Gabrielle climbed into bed careful not to touch her lover. She could just feel Tara's eyes boring into her back, but when she glanced over her shoulder, she had turned around. For the first time, they lay together not touching, not holding each other. Neither one could remember ever feeling so alone. Gabrielle woke the next day in the latter part of the morning. Tara's side of the bed was long cold. She putted around the bedroom then into the shower. Finally, coming out of her room, she saw a radiant Lil cooing over her daughter. "Hey sis. I'm gonna go to lunch with Catt, so will you keep Jamie for me? It's just for a couple of hours." "Sure okay, but I'm hoping to get Tara to come home for lunch. We have a lot to discuss, so I'll call Mrs. Tibidault to see if she can take her until one of us is free." "Oh, okay. Things still rocky between you two?" "Yeah, I lied to her, so I got a feeling there would be a lot to fix." Gabrielle studied her sister's appearance. Elegant wasn't a strong enough word to describe her. The wool slacks followed the lines of long legs, flattering them and the blue sweater brought out her eyes. "You look nice." The older sister looked down at her wringing hands. "You really like her don't you?" Lil smiled and blushed. "Yeah, I do. Hey and listen I'm sorry I didn't talk to you about what I was going through. I just needed to make sure you know. I guess I'm pretty sure now, huh? Ugh, now that you know that leaves my friends and mom and dad." "Yeah, you seem pretty sure, and hey tell them only when you're ready okay, and I' ll be behind you one hundred percent." Gabrielle squeezed her sister's shoulder. "You just take care okay?" "Yeah, okay."
After Lil left, Gabrielle stared at the silent phone for a long while before picking it up. It rung once, twice before the woman she'd been looking for answered. "Hi," the younger woman whispered softly. "Hey, how you doing?" "Lousy. I missed touching you, holding you last night." "Yeah, me too." "Um, we need to talk." "Yes, we do Red." "Can you come home for lunch-spare a couple of hours?" "Yeah, for you, anything." Gabrielle closed her eyes and swallowed a sob. "Do you-do you still love me?" She said in a wee voice. "God, Red, I don't think I could ever stop. I'm just disappointed right now." "Uh, yeah I know. So, I'll see you around 12:30?" "Wouldn't miss it." "Kay."
When Lil sat down at the table, Catt immediately grabbed her hand, making fire shoot up the appendage. The older woman smiled fondly then her face took on a look of concern. "Are you okay? Did everything go okay last night?" "Well yes and no. I chewed Gab out but in the end I can understand why she did it. Still, she had to start seeing me as an adult. Buut, things didn't go so well between Gab and Tara. I think she lied to her and Tara didn't set too well with that." "Mmm, probably not." Inside Catt clapped her hands. 'Take that little girl.' "As long as you're okay." "Yeah, I'm fine thanks for caring." "Welcome. I missed you last night." Caitlin's voice became low, sultry. Lil sucked in a breath and felt her heart begin to thud. "Really? I-I thought about you a lot too. Um, that kiss. Couldn't get it out of my mind." "Do you know how beautiful you are? How much I want you?" Lil whimpered. "Last night, I dreamed about how you would taste-so sweet and how your body would react when I touched and kissed you. I even got to hear you scream out my name." The younger woman's chest was heaving and her upper lip started to sweat. She was so aroused that she almost smell it, and turgid nipples scraped dangerously against her sweater. "Oh God, please don't-" "Come back to the hotel with me? Let me touch you. I want to so much, and I know you want it too." "Yess."
It was the fastest thirty mile drive, where the tension increased tenfold. The slow ride up the elevator did not help either. Sexual tension radiated from their bodies, making anyone in their vicinity feel as though they were intruding. Eyes met across the elevator, where they were at opposite ends, trying to resist temptation. They were oblivious to the other passengers. The looks passed between them smoldered and were as strong and hot as a caress. Finally reaching the older woman's floor, Catt found her hands shaking as she pushed the key into the lock. She wanted this too much-way too much. She didn't understand where the words said at the table came from, and she had vowed not to reveal the dream. Still, it just spilled out like the most natural of things. Just like the day before, the usually cool blonde felt control slip through her fingers. A taste -just a taste, and she would be okay. Lilian shook with fear and anticipation. She wanted this woman so much it scared her. Never had she felt such pull, such need. Her heart was in her throat and her stomach twisted and churned with pleasurable knots and nervous butterflies. All she wanted was to feel those lips again-feel them everywhere. She shuddered in anticipation as the door swung open. Caitlin made way for the brunette to go in first. Lil's curious eyes scanned the room nervously. Suddenly, her knees buckled and a cry of pleasure ripped from her throat. Catt molded her body to the back of the younger woman and in practiced ease her lips descended to her soon to be lover's neck and her hands reached around to cup full breasts. The blonde groaned harshly at the sweet-salty taste of skin and moaned again louder, longer at the feel of plump nipples searing her palms. "Oh God, mmm!" The younger woman exclaimed as waves after wave of heat, longing and desire swept through her body, pooling in her belly. Lilian cupped the hands that gently squeezed her breasts urging them on harder, rougher. Removing her hand, Lil sighed in exasperation and dropped her own. Then she moaned in delight as the remaining larger hand pushed her breasts together to rub and knead them through the fabric of her sweater. With her free hand, Catt searched under the baggy clothing, eager to touch naked, hot skin. She wasn't disappointed. Lil arched into the touch crying out at the feel of flesh on flesh. The amorous blonde licked the ridge of an ear the speared her tongue inside, loving the hard shudder of reaction. Whispering hotly in the younger woman's ear, "Mmm so sweet. You taste so good." "Unn, oh yess!" As if by magic, both hands were suddenly searching under the heavy sweater. Finding what they were looking for, Catt pinched and tweaked the raised peaks of Lilian's breast. If it was possible, the younger woman's breathing became more erratic, her nipples more rigid. With each tug, there was an answering moan, and an increase in the amount of wetness that trickled from the brunette's opening. Caitlin was herself astonished at the level of her arousal. She could feel it coating her thighs, and her clit throbbed and hummed, waiting for stimulation. Trying to relieve some of the built up pressure and due to the luscious feel of the shapely behind cradled near her crotch, Catt began to grind slowly against it. She moaned harshly into her young lover's ear as her clit seemed to sigh at the momentary reprieve. Lilian's mind reeled. The sensations were just overwhelming. One piled up on top of the other, multiplying and compounding the unbelievable pleasure. It was too much too soon. She couldn't think; she couldn't breath; she could only feel. Each synapses in her brain seemed to crackle and pop with each grind and with each tug on her breast. They felt as though they were going to short out. In that moment, she panicked. "Please, stop," she said breathlessly." Whether the older woman didn't hear her or wasn't paying attention, she only ground harder against her buttocks. Lil sobbed at a renewed gush of wetness, but said loudly, "Please stop. It-it's too much. I can't think." Caitlin whimpered as she tried to control her errant body. The younger woman had given her an out. She slowed her rampant hips and stopped her roving hands. Her body ached with unfullfillment. "Okay, okay. Sorry," she said huskily. She took a step back and wanted to scream as her body protested. Lilian turned around with fear and panic shining in her eyes. "No, no it's me. You know I never well -you know. Um, can we take this a little slower. I want you, but-" "Shhh," the blonde woman stepped forward and placed a finger over the younger woman's lips, reveling in the softness. "It's okay. Really it is. I understand. You just let me know when you're ready or when I go too far." Lilian nodded her head. "Um, can I still kiss you?" Caitlin's heart contracted. So innocent, so giving. "Anytime you want love." The brunette smiled. "Uh, are we still on for dinner?" "Wouldn't miss it." "Okay, I need to go. I have to go pick up Jamie from the sitter's, and I got some thinking to do. I can't go home yet anyway I think Gabs is fixing lunch for Tara, and I know I can't stay here without-well you know." "Yeah, I know." The blonde kissed the younger woman gently on the lips, when they reached the door. Closing it, Caitlin leaned heavily against it. She couldn't lie to herself anymore. She had meant every word she said to Lilian today. This wasn't a game anymore.
Tara and Gabrielle ate in silence, each wrapped in their own thoughts. 'How can I fix this? I don't want her not to trust me. I don't want her to leave me. I'll do what I have to, and that's all there is to it. We'll take it slow.' The strawberry blonde's thoughts made her look up and study her lover. 'Yes, take it slow." 'I know she has never lied to me. I fell it in my gut, but one lie leads to another then another. She did it so easily, and that's what scares me. I need to know I can count on her to be the truth, to tell me the truth.' Tara glanced up and caught the smaller woman staring. The raven-haired woman smiled wanly and got one in return. After a few more minutes, Gabrielle motioned toward the couch, "Shall we?" "Yeah, we got a lot to talk about." They got comfortable on the sofa and there was more silence. "T, I'm-" "Red, there's-" They both laughed nervously. "Go on you first Red." Gabrielle nodded her head. "I'm not trying to justify what I did, but you know my reasons behind it. They are very important reasons, but I should have included you instead of omitting you. I know you care about Lil, but I wasn't thinking. I just went into protect mode. I do love you, and I realize my mistake. I am so very, very sorry that I hurt you that was the last thing I wanted to do. I didn't know what you would be more upset about, my going to see Caitlin or lying about it. I realize that a like is in fact a lie, and they can hurt more than anything." Gabrielle blew out a breath. "Whoa, that was a mouth full, but I think I said what I wanted until I hear from you." Tara brushed a stray raven lock behind her ear. "Well," she took a deep breath. "I do understand why you did it, but you have to realize that Lil has become like a sister. I wanted to help too. I mean I can even speak from experience with this woman. You not only lied to me, but you made me feel like I only have one place in your life-like I can only serve one function, your lover. That hurt Red. It hurt a lot. As far as the lying goes, you have been open and honest with me from the get go. I don't know anything else from you. To say I was surprised would be a big understatement. I don't wanna not trust you, but I can't help but say it's gonna be in the back of my mind for a good while." Gabrielle's head lowered and when she looked up again, bright green eyes shown with unshed tears. "Um, so what do we do now? Where do we go from here?" Tara reached out her hand, caressing a soft cheek. "Hey, hey don't cry baby. We'll work it out." "But how?" "I've been thinking about that one. Personally, I think we need to really get to know each other inside and out. You already know me here, " she made a sweep of her body," but you need to know me here and here," she pointed at her head and her heart, "like the back of your hand. This goes for me about you too. Let's take it slow-go out more and talk more." Tara blushed before she said, " You know, I didn't get the chance to romance you like I wanted to. Things just uh, happened." Gabrielle grinned. Her eyes now dry. "Yeah, you could say that." Tara glanced at her, laughter shining in her eyes. "I just did, Red." The strawberry blonde gave her lover a mock slap on the arm. "Oww, you bruised me!" Gabrielle laughed glad to atleast have their banter back. "Nuh, uh not them thick arms." After a quite minute, "Romance huh? Um, okay. I'll take the first step here, Kay?" The younger woman smiled, biting her lip. "Um, dinner tomorrow night. Here at home, just the two of us, and then dancing all night Friday at the club. We're gonna have some tag alongs for that one. Lil wants to go and you know Shan and Wayne will be there. Still, when I'm around you, it always seems like we're the only people in the world." "Mmm, sounds good Red. It's a date or is it some dates?" "Ugh, behave smartass." "C'mere Red." Tara pat her lap and the younger woman gladly took a seat. She wrapped her arms around the graceful neck. "Are we gonna be okay T?" "We'll be okay baby." "I believe you, but I'm still worried about Lil." "Yeah, me too, but she's a big girl. Obviously trying to ward Catt off didn't work. We just have to be there for her if anything happens." Gabrielle buried her face in the fragrant neck. "Yeah, you're right."
Lil and Caitlin passed dinner in a sexual haze. They couldn't be near each other and not touch. Kisses had become more heated as did touches. Caitlin had long since conceded that the game was no more. She wanted this woman. She was charmed by this woman. The ice was once again melting, and she was scared to death. There was no out, and she couldn't admit to herself that she didn't want one. Her plan of one-upmanship with Gabrielle was forgotten. The next day was spent playing phone tag because of a heavy convention schedule. Catt's voice left Lil achy and needy with her skin feeling hot and too tight. "God, Lil, I haven't gotten to touch you all day." "I know. I miss you." "Ugh, maybe I'll blow off some of these meetings so we can at least see each other for dinner." "Can you do that? I need to make myself scarce for a few hours tonight anyway. Tara and Gabby have some kind of romantic dinner thing planned." "Okay, it's a date then. You come over here, and I'll try my damnedest too keep my hands to myself." "Uh, but doesn't that free up your lips?"< |
