Gemma wrapped her arms around her and wished she had bought a jumper or a top with her. The heat of the day had finally dropped away, and the gentle breeze that blew through the trees caressed her shoulders and made her shiver.
The hotel was a large country house on the other side of Larchester which had been converted to a luxury hotel several years ago and had lost nothing of its grandeur. The grand stone building sat on a small hill overlooking a lake. Surrounding the lush green lawns were woodlands and, on one side, a collection of buildings had been added. They had been cleverly styled to complement the main building and included a spa and pool complex. These additions created walkways and courtyards that were expertly and gently lit. The uplighters cast just enough light to see by whilst casting shadows and pools of light as she and Rory walked.
Gemma looked at the light playing on Rory’s face and wondered at the thoughts and emotions playing behind the stoic set of her lips and clenched jaw. Rory had heldher hand as they had left the hallway of the hotel where they had kissed but had to release it as they had gone through a revolving door to the courtyard outside and hadn’t moved to take hold of it again. They walked across the lawn to the spa, and Gemma was grateful for the gravel paths underfoot as she was more than fed up with her heels sinking into the grass. There was something magical and special about still being in her evening dress, even though it was becoming uncomfortable in places. Her feet hurt, and she hoped Rory didn’t want to walk around the lake. While she would like nothing more than to walk around the lake wrapped around Rory, she wanted to do it in jeans and trainers rather than the heels she had chosen.
Her mind whizzed back to this morning in her flat. She had dressed to impress Rory and prepared herself for the pain of seeing Rory with her fiancée. Never had she thought that she’d be walking across the hotel lawn at midnight to do… What? Rory had said they needed to talk but would talking turn into kissing, or more? The fuzziness of the gin and wine she had consumed that evening was wearing off. She was nowhere near legal to drive a car, she knew that, but she didn’t feel drunk, even though she probably should. She felt happy and light and more alive than she had for a while.
Rory led them to the building that housed the spa and wellness centre, and Gemma quickly looked in through the glass that surrounded the pool. The lights from the pool shone through the water and lit the space with an ethereal glow. Rory stopped by the gate on the side of the pool building.She opened it and motioned for Gemma to follow her through the gate.
“This is the outdoor pool,” she said, “probably where the parents want to spend the day tomorrow.”
The gravel path had changed to a flagstone walkway and now opened out onto a terrace that surrounded the pool. Several tables and chairs were dotted around the area, their umbrellas down and wafting gently in the breeze as they rested, waiting for the sunrise tomorrow, when they would be pressed into service providing shade for those lounging around the pool. Like most areas of the hotel, the area was lit well enough to be safe, but gently enough to provide an intimate setting. Gemma briefly looked up and saw a canopy of stars twinkling in the night.
Rory steered them towards the row of sun loungers, selected the one that seemed most secluded from the wind, and sat astride it. Her legs stretched out on either side of the padded cushion and she motioned for Gemma to sit between her legs. Gemma smiled as the memory of all the times on holiday she and Rory had sat like this washed over her. Rory with her long legs either side of the sun lounger and Gemma sat on the cushion. They would spend countless hours as teenagers looking at a magazine article one of them had found funny or sharing the headphones to Rory’s iPod or for Rory to put sun lotion on Gemma’s delicate skin with her strong hands. Gemma shivered at the remembrance of all the innocent touches they’d shared as teenagers and, on their last holiday together, when Gemma had intentionally spent time in the swimming pool to wash off the sun cream just to feel the touch of Rory’s hands on her skin as she reapplied it.
Back then, Rory had a girlfriend, and Gemma just had a crush on her older friend. Now, they were both women, and the touches they had shared tonighthad been anything but innocent. And what Gemma felt was more than a crush; she desired Rory. Gemma leaned forward to brush her lips over Rory’s lips, but Rory put a hand up to maintain the distance between them.
“I’m...” Rory stopped and took a breath, as if trying to centre herself. “I’ve only just got out of a relationship, and I’m not sure I’m ready to jump into…” She waved a hand between them. “Whatever this is.”
Gemma took one of Rory’s hands in her own. With a finger, she traced the veins on the back of her hand. She felt Rory shiver and looked up at her.
“Cold?”
“Nope.” Rory’s voice caught, her eyes filled with the same desire Gemma had seen earlier, and she knew a single kiss would be her undoing. Gemma wrenched her mind away from thoughts of pushing Rory to the sun lounger and losing herself in those lips again and thought over what Rory had said.
“Whatever this is?” She tipped her head in question. “What do you think this is?”
“I don’t know.” Rory ran her other hand over her face and sighed. “I’ve not seen you for ten years, but as soon as you stepped out of that taxi, it was like we’d never been apart. I realise how much I’ve missed you in my life, and as much as my body is screaming at me to stop being so sensible, I really just need a friend right now.” She dropped her head and sighed. “The breakup with Darcy was a lot more than I’m telling my parents.”
Gemma gulped. “I guessed that.” She squeezed Rory’s hand. “Your story didn’t ring true to me, and you looked uncomfortable telling it. Just like when we got that cup stuck in the pool table and you tried to blag your way out of the fine the hotel wanted to stick on us.”
Rory tipped her head back and roared with laughter, and Gemma’s insides lit up at the joy on her friend’s face. The hotel in Austria where they’d had the unfortunate encounter in the sauna also had a games room with a pool table but Gemma had objected to paying for each game. Rory and Tom, a boy who had become a member of their group, had come up with the idea to put plastic cups in the pockets to catch the balls. This had worked brilliantly for three nights until Tom had hit the ball too hard and the ball and cup had disappeared down into the table. The hotel manager had accused them of breaking the table, but Rory had brilliantly talked her way out of a fine.
“Oh my gosh, I’ve not thought about that holiday for ages.” Rory smiled at Gemma. “They were good times. I’m sorry I messed our friendship up.” She sobered, and Gemma squeezed her hand again.
“Hey, there were definitely two people in that bed that night. I remember being a very willing participant in what we did.” Gemma’s body reacted to that statement. She could remember every sensation that Rory had bestowed on her body. How it felt to have Rory’s lips around her nipples, to have Rory’s fingers deep inside her. Clutching at Rory’s shoulders as she came. She blinked several times and risked a look at Rory’s face. Judging by the hint of colour on Rory’s cheeks, she guessed Rory was mentally reliving their night just as she had been.
“Yeah, but I was the one that left in the morning without a word.” Rory dropped her head. “I should have stayed and faced you.” She paused and took a deep breath. “But I was embarrassed that I’d cheated on my girlfriend. I was scared that I’d taken advantage of you. I...”
“Took advantage of me?” Gemma scoffed.
“Yes, you’re younger than I am. I always tried to look out for you, to protect you and look after you and…”
Gemma swallowed the indignance that rose in her at the thought of needing someone to look after her. “I was a big girl, Rory, I knew what I was doing.” She reached a hand out to tip Rory’s chin up so their gazes met. She took a deep breath to calm herself. “If I’m honest, I’d had a crush on you since I was sixteen. I couldn’t believe it when you started kissing me in Michelle’s kitchen. It was everything I’d ever wanted. I 100% wanted to sleep with you.” She swallowed hard. “But yes, you leaving in the morning hurt me. Finding out you had a girlfriend crushed me, and it took several years to get over it, but,” she paused, trying to remove the wobble of emotion in her voice, “I forgive you. It was the first drunken night I’d had, yes, but it wasn’t the last. And if that’s holding you back now, well…” She trailed a finger over Rory’s hand again. “You’re single, I’m single, and I’m very much not a shy schoolgirl who needs your protection.”
Gemma shot Rory a sultry look and hoped it conveyed her message. She wanted to sleep with Rory again. She desired this woman more than anyone else she’d ever slept with. Pushing forward, she captured Rory’s lips with hers again. Rory’s hands ran up the back of her dress and pulled her close. Rory’s lips were warm and soft, and Gemma sank into the kiss. She felt Rory’s hand splay across her back and hold her close.
Without breaking the kiss, she kicked her stupid heels off and curled her legs on the lounger. She pressed her body to Rory’s chest and felt the heat of the other woman seeping into her. Unlike the chill from the night air, the warmth of Rory’s body was very welcome, and she sank into it. Her fingers danced across the fabric of Rory’s shirt and moved to un-tuck it from her trousers when Rory’s hand stopped her.
Gemma pulled away from Rory’s mouth and searched her face. Rory’s brows were knitted together, and the tension emanating from the woman was palpable. The relaxed and flirty Rory who had just rocked her world was gone, and there was almost pain flashing across her face.
“I… um…” Rory stammered, but whatever she was going to say was interrupted when her phone started buzzing in her pocket. Gemma withdrew to give Rory some privacy for her phone call and walked over to the edge of the swimming pool. Rory was acting so hot and cold tonight, and she couldn’t understand. She thought at some point this evening that she had convinced Rory that she was more than the silly schoolgirl Rory remembered.
Partly because of the cold and partly because she was feeling exposed by her desire for Rory, Gemma wrapped her arms around herself. The night air was chilly, and her skin felt cold. She hadn’t bothered to put her shoes on as her feet were sore, and the coolness of the flagstone patio was bliss to her hot and tired feet. As she gazed at the covered pool, she pondered the woman who had captivated her so completely since they had reunited a few hours ago. She’d had one-night stands in the past, a flirty look at a party or a club that led to a great night and no regrets in the morning. But the pull and desire for Rory was unlike anything she had felt for any other person.
A warm, fluffy blanket settled on her shoulders, and she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her from behind. She had been staring at the pool for so long that she hadn’t realised how cold she was getting.
“That was mother.” Rory said gently. “The fathers have finished playing snooker, and they are all heading to bed. I said we’d see them at breakfast”.
