“I’ve had girlfriends but nothing that long-term. My longest relationship was just over a year and it just kind of died out. I suppose we had fun together, but we figured we were better off as friends in the end. We’re still friends.” Stella sat back and rolled the wine around in her glass. “I just haven’t met the right woman, I guess.”
Lisa arched a brow, eyeing her boldly as she nibbled on an octopus skewer. She was feeling brave. Perhaps it was the wine, or perhaps it was her need to escape for a night. Stella brought her confidence back and that was something she clung onto for dear life because it felt good to have a little piece of herself back. “And you don’t have lovers?”
“Lovers? I’m sorry, that just sounded so funny and old-fashioned coming from you with your British accent.” Stella laughed and tilted her head, looking Lisa over. “Sure, I have lovers. They come and go.” She licked her lips, and Lisa blushed as she shifted in her seat. “Perhapsyou’rein need of a lover. Are you?” Stella asked, mimicking a British accent.
“Are you making fun of my accent?” Lisa arched a brow and tried her best not to show how much Stella’s words affected her. Sure, she was in need of a lover, especially if that lover was the attractive, funny and charismatic poolside manager whose smile she’d been swooning over for days now. Before, she would have never flirted so openly with a woman unless she thought there was potential for a future relationship, but maybe it was time to do things differently now; to just act on how she felt rather than what she ought to do. All kinds of naughty thoughts flooded her mind as her eyes lowered to Stella’s sun-kissed hands, then back up. “I’m pretty sure I don’t have a squeaky voice like you just put on,” she continued in a playful tone.
“You’re right. Your voice and accent are cute and super sexy. I could never do it justice” Stella paused. “Aren’t you going to answer my question?”
“Hmm… Am I in need of a lover? I suppose it’s been a while.”
“Is that a yes?”
Lisa let out a nervous laugh. “Depends on who the woman is. I don’t just sleep with anyone.”
“I think we’ve established that already.” Stella’s lips pulled into a smirk, and she leaned in too. “But I think you know exactly what I’m hinting at.”
“Yes. I think I do.” Lisa played with a lock of her hair, surprised at her out of character behaviour as she wasn’t flirty by nature. Stella’s smile set her on fire, and she took a long drink of her wine to steady her nerves and the constant state of arousal that was peaking to alarming levels now. Her head was spinning, her heart racing and her core was fluttering from the butterflies that made her mind wander to places she’d never been. “So, what do you suggest?”
Stella was calm and collected, the complete opposite to her while she helped herself to more food, seemingly in no hurry whatsoever. “Well, for starters, why don’t you come back to my place for a nightcap after dinner?”
21
“Drink?” Stella asked, pouring them both a glass of red without waiting for an answer. She suspected Lisa might want a little more for liquid courage as she’d been quiet and adorably clumsy on the way home. It wasn’t that she was trying to get her drunk, of course. The bottle they’d shared over dinner wasn’t nearly enough to make them tipsy but as with all first times, everything was easier when relaxed.
“Thank you.” Lisa seemed grateful to have the wine to focus on while she twirled it around in her glass, and Stella noticed her hand was trembling. Since they’d come back to her house, Lisa hadn’t looked her in the eyes, and she was fidgety and restless as they sat down on the sofa on her roof terrace. Stella would never talk her into something she didn’t want to do but she knew that wasn’t the case with Lisa. The signs had been loud and clear. The flirting, the body language… “Hey there, Yeti.” Lisa put her glass on the coffee table and stroked the cat while it circled around her legs and purred. Her smile came back then, and her shoulders visibly relaxed. “She’s so cute.”
“It’s ahe,actually.” Stella picked Yeti up and put him in between them on the sofa.
“Oh, sorry, my little prince.” Lisa scratched Yeti’s chin as he crawled onto her lap and started kneading her, purring louder now.
“Strange; he’s not usually drawn to people apart from me.”
“Well, maybe I’m special.”
“I can’t argue with that.” Yeti suddenly jumped at the sound of a door slamming in the street below, and ran off into the night, his white silhouette disappearing onto the neighbour’s roof. “He’s very skittish. Someone might have treated him badly; he was fully grown when I took him in, so I have no idea about his history.” Stella shifted closer and put her own wine glass down. “You seem a little skittish too, if you don’t mind me saying. I hope I’m not making you feel uncomfortable.”
“No, you’re not.” Lisa bit her lower lip as she leaned into her, and Stella could feel her shiver as their shoulders touched. “I’m …” she hesitated. “As I said, it’s been a while.”
“We can just talk over a drink and I can call you a taxi later. Or I can make coffee, if you want,” Stella suggested.
“That’s not what I want.” Lisa turned slightly and smiled, her breath quickening as she lowered her eyes to Stella’s mouth. When Stella didn’t move, she ran a hand through her dark hair, cupped her neck and leaned in. “I’ve been thinking of kissing you all night.”
“So have I.” Stella’s pulse raced at their closeness. Although she couldn’t recall the exact moment she’d fallen for Lisa, the real seduction had happened long before they’d ended up here, she realised. She closed her eyes when Lisa’s lips tickled hers, and the internal explosion it caused took her by surprise. She hadn’t seen this coming; not how intense it would feel, how overwhelmingly exciting it would be. From Lisa’s soft gasp and the way her hand tightened at the back of her neck, Stella knew she felt it too. Just the light brush alone sent a flash of arousal between her thighs and as much as she wanted to pull her in and claim her mouth, Stella held back, letting Lisa decide where to take this.
A moan escaped her as Lisa pressed her lips harder to hers, then parted her lips slightly. She could hear her quickened breath and feel her arousal that mirrored her own. The thousand fantasies she’d had were condensed to a single moment in which nothing else mattered. Nothing but the need to explore her mouth. Their lips fitted perfectly, and the kiss was soft and vulnerable, almost innocent, at first. Lacing her fingers through Lisa’s hair, the sweetness of her velvety tongue caressed Stella’s own, melting something inside her.
When Lisa pulled away and licked her lips, the chemistry between them was explosive and Stella’s imagination was starting to run away with her. Lisa’s shy smile had faded and there was only desire in her gaze now. Only that look that told her this would be a long and memorable night. It was already memorable; Stella was sure their first kiss would stay etched in her brain forever. She reached out to trace Lisa’s shoulder with her fingertip, stopping at the strip of fabric that ran over her upper arm. The heat and humidity of the evening air had settled like a blanket on her skin, emphasising her sweet and powdery scent.
Lisa’s long lashes fluttered at her touch. “You make me crazy,” she whispered.
“Likewise.” Stella leaned in for more, drawn to Lisa as if she had no control over her actions. Lisa’s lips sent her into a state of intoxication, and when she parted them again, Stella responded hungrily, tightening her grip. They fell into a passionate push and pull, a dance of limbs and lips.
Stella cupped her face, then let her hands roam down Lisa’s neck and shoulders, playing with the elasticated neckline that would be so easy to pull down. With no bra straps showing, she suspected Lisa wasn’t wearing anything apart from a pair of knickers underneath—a thought that had kept her occupied all night.
Lisa’s hands explored her in return and soon, the kiss turned wilder. “God, this is good,” she said as she backed away, holding onto her chest as it rose and fell rapidly.
“Mmm….” Stella gently nudged her down, and Lisa leaned back against the armrest of the sofa, exhaling deeply. Her dress riding up her thighs was a sultry invite, and she made no effort to pull it back down. When Stella caught a glimpse of her white underwear, she dropped her hand to her thigh and pushed up her hem as she caressed her skin. Right then, she needed Lisa as much as she needed air and water.
