“Don’t do that,” she chided before sitting up, belatedly realising that her top was still not properly secured around her neck and was showing far more breast than she wanted to. This bikini had been a hurried purchase in the hotel’s shop this morning, but now she wished she had something a little more conservative on.
“Sorry.” Rory had the good grace to look sheepish. “I didn’t want you to burn. You’re looking very red.”
Gemma pulled her straps over her head and looked down. Her skin was pink, and as she pressed a hand to it, she felt how hot it was. She smiled in begrudging thanks and swallowed at the sight of Rory in a swimsuit. Unlike her own, this was not designed for sunbathing. It was a classic racer style with the high cut on the hip emphasising Rory’s long legs, and Gemma felt her mouth go dry.
“How about a dip in the pool?” Rory suggested.
Gemma could only nod in agreement and gently lowered herself into the cool water, her bikini really not designed to withstand the rigours of jumping in.
The water was blissfully cool against her overheated skin, and for a moment she trod water next to Rory as her body adjusted to the change in temperature. Rory swam gently up the length of the pool, Gemma caught up with her and for a moment they just swam side by side, avoiding a group of youngsters playing a game on the other side of the pool. Gemma grinned. “A few years ago that was us.”
“Yep. Sometimes it feels like only yesterday, and other times it feels like it’s another lifetime.”
Rory’s look was heavy. Her eyebrows bunched together in thought.
Gemma’s own thoughts went back to family holidays where she and Rory had larked about in swimming pools together until she settled on the last holiday when they had both decided they were too cool for playing games and Gemma’s only reason to get into the water was to wash off the sun lotion Rory had applied so she could feel her friends’ hands on her skin again.
“Are you sure you don’t mind driving me home?” Gemma turned to look at Rory, hoping to move her mind away from the thought of Rory’s hands on her skin. “I feel your grandmother pushed you into it a bit.”
“Not at all, I was going to suggest it, but she beat me to it.” Rory smiled, and for a moment the carefree woman from yesterday smiled back at her. “I’m sorry again for sending you mixed messages.” Rory put an arm on the wall of the pool and motioned for Gemma to join her. They were at the shallow end of the pool, and she moved across to sit on one of the steps. Rory’s hair was in a messy bun on top of her head, but she still looked put together and as elegant as she had in her suit last night.
“I’m…” Rory sighed, “I’m just not in a place to be with someone right now, no matter how much I might want them.” She flashed a grin, and Gemma felt her cheeks heat far more from that one look than the blazing sun had done all day.
“You saying things like that doesn’t help, you know.” Gemma sighed. “I’ve not got a great track record myself, you know. I told you last night, I can’t keep any relationship going for more than six weeks with the average being around three. I’ve tried, and it doesn’t work.”
“Do you want a relationship?”
“I think so.” Gemma splashed herself with water to cool down again now she was half in, half out of the water. “At first I was happy to just, date and, you know…” She shot a look at Rory, who caught her meaning and blushed slightly. “But recently I’ve wanted more. I see my housemate and her boyfriend and see how happy they are, and I want that. Partying and nights out aren’t as much fun as they used to be, and I see them watching movies together and cuddled on the sofa, and I feel alone.”
Rory’s hand lifted towards her before she snatched it back to her side. Anything she was going to say to Gemma was lost as her mother called out to them that they were getting sandwiches for lunch. Feeling that the moment withRory was now lost, she got out of the pool and joined the families at a table under an umbrella.
Later that afternoon, Gemma reluctantly pulled on her shorts and t-shirt and walked with Rory back to the main building of the hotel. She wobbled a bit as the combination of alcohol and sunshine finally took hold of her. She would need to take a break from the booze after this weekend and realised, finally, why their families had always been laughing on holiday, it was because they were pickled most of the time. The rest of their families had returned to the hotel an hour earlier, but she and Rory had been determined to make the best of the day. Before long they would both return to the bustle and oppressive heat of the city, and they both seemed to want to enjoy the quiet sunshine of the countryside.
They exited the lift that had deposited them on their floor. This morning, Rory had escorted her back to her room like a perfect gentleman, and she seemed to be doing it again. Gemma hadn’t really paid attention if she was honest as she was eager not to be caught doing the walk of shame back into the hotel. She was about to comment on it when Rory drifted to the left and ricocheted off a wall. They both giggled, and Gemma took her arm to steady her, only to giggle as she realised that she was just as drunk and unsteady on her feet as Rory.
“Fuck, I think I’ve drunk enough this weekend to keep me going the rest of the month.” Rory groaned and then giggled.
“I know, and we still have dinner to go.”
Anything else she was going to say was swept from hermind as Rory’s arm snaked around her waist and a warm hand brushed over her skin. Her brain short-circuited, and she bit back a moan. They arrived at Gemma’s door, and she wriggled the key card out of her shorts.
“Do you want to…” Gemma flicked a gaze up at Rory from under her lashes. Every conversation they’d had today melting away as the heat of desire took over her again.
“Fuck yes!”
Gemma turned to the door to swipe the card and felt Rory’s hot mouth kissing her neck. Rory’s arms wrapped around her from behind, and Gemma could feel Rory’s breasts pressed into her back. She finally managed to get the door open, and they stumbled into the room. As soon as the door clicked shut, Gemma spun around and crashed her mouth to Rory’s. The flames of desire that had crawled over her body settled in her clit, and she desperately wanted Rory. She didn’t want soft touches and whispered words; she wanted this woman to fuck her.
As their mouths moved against each other, she felt Rory’s tongue demand entrance, and she willingly opened her mouth to let her in. Her tongue duelled with Rory’s for a moment, delighting in the velvety softness she found there. Rory tasted of Pimm’s and sunshine, and Gemma couldn’t get enough. She felt Rory’s hands slide upwards, and she pulled her head away only long enough for Rory to slip her top over her head. Rory tossed it somewhere in the bedroom and then returned her lips to Gemma’s.
Rory’s hands slid over Gemma’s tummy and then up to cup her breasts. The heat in Gemma coalesced into a burning white light. Rory’s strong fingers traced her nipples through the fabric of her bikini top, and Gemma’s core tightened with need. Deftly, Rory pulled the strap over Gemma’s head and pushed the fabric down around her waist. Gemmahad left the window open this morning to get some fresh air into the room. Now, a cool breeze washed over her, puckering her nipples. She was only cold for a moment as Rory’s hands were soon back on her breasts, gently massaging them and covering her cold nipples with her warm, steady hands.
Gemma tipped her head back and thrust her chest into Rory’s hands. She closed her eyes to lose herself in the sensation when a warm mouth surrounded one nipple and Gemma felt her core pulsate once again. She had never come only from nipple play before, but she felt she was one swipe of Rory’s tongue away from exploding. Her hands clasped onto Rory’s clothes, but Rory was in complete control. She felt herself being pushed against the wall and was grateful for the support as her legs were quivering with need. She felt Rory’s leg press into her centre and tipped her hips so that her clit got the friction it desperately wanted. Rory licked and kissed one nipple before switching her hand and mouth and kissing the other one. Gemma ground herself against Rory’s leg when Rory sucked her nipple hard and a wave of heat washed over her. She wanted to be naked with this woman. She wanted Rory’s fingers inside her, and she wanted all this now.
Her hands were uncoordinated as she pawed at Rory’s shorts to get them undone, but her fingers wouldn’t work properly. She finally reached out with a shaky hand and tipped Rory’s head up so she could capture her lips with hers again. Rory’s mouth was warm and insistent. Gemma ran her hands up Rory’s back and through the wisps of hair at the base of her neck before gasping in pleasure as Rory pinched a nipple. Gemma cupped Rory’s head and pulled her closer. God, this woman was incredible. Gemma reached for the hairband that held Rory’s hair in place andpulled it off, wanting to rake her fingers through Rory’s luscious chestnut hair.
As her hair cascaded around her, Rory snapped her head up and her hands away from Gemma. She pushed herself back, and Gemma felt a waft of cold air drift over her body. She looked into Rory’s eyes for an explanation, but the usually expressive orbs were dull and shuttered.
“I’m sorry, I can’t.” Rory stammered out. She stepped further away from Gemma. The heat that had been rising in her as Rory expertly caressed her body changed from one of desire to something far less enjoyable. A sick feeling gurgled in her stomach, and anger flared across her body.
