“Fish finger sandwiches.” Mattie laughed. “They were my childhood comfort food, and I haven’t grown out of it. I probably drink more alcohol than is good for me, so we’ve maybe got that in common.” She didn’t add that she had a habit of ignoring her body’s distress signals until it was too late and things got messy. This was a fun fling, not a deep and meaningful long-term relationship where she bared her soul.
After dinner, Mattie took Nell down to the cove, and they strolled through the shallow water to the end of the bay. Itwasn’t far, but they were in no hurry. With her sliders dangling from one hand, Mattie gestured at the view with the other. “I’m always reminded of a chameleon when I watch the sea. These waves are barely ripples, and the sea is the rich colour of the sunset. On another day, it’ll be metallic silver and frothing like it’s defending itself from a vicious predator.”
“You’re such a writer at heart.” Nell smiled. “A chameleon is a good analogy though, considering the sea’s always changing colour to suit its mood.”
“The sea is more expressive than rivers, although the Thames has its moments. Sometimes it gives off a mystical quality to the city, especially at night, but it’s the colour of brown sludge because of the ancient sewer system.” Mattie plucked a small, ivory shell from the sand. “There’s nothing like this in it.”
“You’re a city girl at heart?” asked Nell.
“Yes.” Mattie’s reply was automatic, but was it true? She’d always been content to be based in London; it was hip and happening, the place to be both culturally and professionally. But how often of late had she made use of what the city has to offer? Barely ever. It would be easy to be seduced by a place like this. The beach was empty but for them, now that the only other couple were wending their way up the stone steps. “Let’s sit on the sand so our feet can dry off.”
They chose an area at the top of the beach where the sloping sand was looser, having been exposed to the day’s heat for the longest. Mattie sat down and gestured for Nell to sit in front of her, between her outstretched legs. She looked surprised but sat down anyway. Mattie wrapped her arms around Nell’s waist and pulled her closer. They sat quietly until the setting sun fell below the horizon. It was just them, the gently lapping sea, and the warm still air in the semi-darkness. “I feel like I’m caught in some kind of spell,” Mattie murmured, lacing her fingers withNell’s. “I’ve been thinking about you all day and replaying last night, realising how much I want to be with you, to touch you.”
Nell’s fingers tightened, but she said nothing in response. Her sudden shyness was endearing, her lack of confidence unwarranted, and Mattie’s desire to sweep it all away increased ten-fold. “I’ve already mentioned my obsession with your freckles. No, no. Devotion, that’s a better word.”
Nell laughed, and her shoulders lost some of their tightness. Mattie massaged them lightly and then traced her finger below the neckline of Nell’s blouse. Nell shivered and arched backwards. “Your neck reminds me of a swan’s, so graceful and defined.” Mattie kissed just under Nell’s ear. “Your skin is so soft.”
“You should see the bill for my skin care regime.” Nell’s voice caught as Mattie feathered her hands lightly over Nell’s breasts. She reached the hem of Nell’s blouse and slowly eased it upwards. Goosebumps coated her skin as it was exposed to the cooler night air.
“God, you are one sexy woman.” Mattie scooped Nell’s breasts out of their bra cups. “The things I want to do with you.”
“We can’t do this here,” Nell whispered. “We’re in public.”
“Hot as the idea sounds, I’m not going to strip you naked. Not yet, anyway.” Mattie squirmed, trying to hold off her surging arousal. “I’d like to last slightly longer than I managed yesterday.”
Nell bit her lower lip. “My staying power needs a bit of work too.”
Mattie hadn’t planned to seduce Nell on the beach, but it felt easier talking like this, with the cloak of dusk seeming to give Nell the freedom to relax. Mattie brushed her thumbs across her exposed nipples and revelled in Nell’s immediate response. “Promise that if I do something you don’t like, then you’ll tell me. And if there’s something you do like or want, then tell me.”
“Oh, you’ll know.” Nell gasped softly when Mattie softly rolled her palms over her nipples. “There is one problem though.”
Mattie stilled her fingers. “What is it?” she asked gently.
“In this position, I can’t touch you. And I’d rather like to.”
Mattie picked up where she’d left off. “Patience.”
“Not fair.”
Mattie snorted. “You don’t sound remotely cross about it. Undo your shorts for me.”
Nell inhaled sharply. “Here?”
“Yes, here.” Mattie nuzzled her neck.
“I’m not a sex-on-the-beach type of person.” Nell’s hands moved to the waistband of her shorts anyway. “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” she muttered.
Neither could Mattie. Unplanned, but so damn hot. She held her breath as Nell flicked the button undone and slowly tugged the zip down. Could she feel Mattie’s hands tremble as she slipped inside Nell’s panties? She needed to touch her there, needed to feel her pulsing warmth.
Nell swallowed hard. “What are you doing to me?”
“I’m drawing circles on your clit and feeling how wet you are.”
Nell groaned even louder. “I was being rhetorical.”
“I know.” Mattie laughed, intensely aware of how much she’d turned herself on, let alone Nell.
She let her fingers say everything else until Nell moaned softly but intensely, and bucked against her hand. Mattie rested her chin on Nell’s forehead and held her close. “You are the most glorious woman.”
