She turned back to Ria.“While I’m all for sentences that start with ‘Take your clothes off,’ would you care to share where this is headed?Just so we’re on the same page this time.”
Ria held Lissa’s gaze, the timid creature from their earlier dinner changing into something more like the woman Lissa had started to fall for.
“Come for a swim with me,” Ria urged, sitting up straighter, her confidence on the rise, apparently.“Afterward, we can talk about us.See if you still feel the same way.”
Lissa tossed a glance toward the ocean.“You do know that water isn’t warm, right?Summer or not, this is still the Oregon Coast, not Maui.”
Ria huffed and rolled her eyes.“I grew up here, remember?I know how cold it is.I also know it’s not quite as bad as you’re making it seem.”
Lissa toyed with her lip piercing; the gentle clacking had long ago become her familiar thinking soundtrack.She liked the idea of getting naked with Ria—dear God, did she like it—but her vagina had a very different opinion.
Don’t you dare put me in that water…
Now who’s being zero fun?her brain taunted.
“My place isn’t far,” Lissa offered, gesturing toward the tan cottage a few hundred feet away.“I’d be more than happy to take my clothes off inside.Where it’s warm.Where my nipples won’t turn into icicles.You don’t want to deal with tiny nipple daggers, do you?”
Ria laughed, then climbed to her feet.“Sorry, but it’s either swimming, or I thank you for a lovely, if awkward, evening and we go our separate ways.”
Lissa hesitated, her body warring between desire and common sense.
Ria unhooked the top button of her blouse, and that was all Lissa needed to jump to her feet and begin shucking off her only pair of nice black pants.
“How long do I have to stay in there,” she asked, pulling her lacy purple tank top over her head while ignoring the goose bumps popping up along her arms.
Ria paused with her skirt halfway down her thighs.“I’m not sure,” she said after a second.“Not long.I’ll let you know.”
Strange, but okay.Lissa could work with the whole sexy/strange combo.It kept things interesting at least, and Ria didn’t even qualify as the weirdest girl Lissa had ever dated.
Not dating, her brain reminded her.You’re only indulging this little request to put her in a better mood.
Oh, please,her heart replied.We’d do anything she asked just to see her smile.
Both of you shut the hell up,her vagina shouted once Ria started unhooking her bra.I’m missing the show.
Lissa stumbled as the thin bit of fabric that once covered Ria’s breasts fell to the ground.She hit the sand hard, pants tangled around her ankles.
Ria leaned over her and grinned.“I don’t think I’ve ever knocked anyone off their feet before.”
“I find that hard to believe,” Lissa replied, ripping the damned pants off and climbing back to her feet.She couldn’t stop her gaze from settling on Ria’s chest.Her tiny rainbow bra at Pride had left little to the imagination, but it still wasn’t the same as the reality.Another flush of heat pulsed between her thighs.No, not pulsed.Pounded was more accurate.Like the damned drummer from AC/DC was banging out “Highway to Hell” between her legs.
Ria gave Lissa a wink, then turned toward the ocean, slipping her pink panties off and leaving them just shy of where the surf came in.She walked straight into the oncoming waves, only turning around once the water passed her waist.
“Tease,” Lissa muttered, pulling off her own bra that was considerably larger than the scraps Ria wore.She hooked her thumbs into the waistband of her boy shorts underwear, suddenly grateful she’d waxed that afternoon.Ria might have been able to play it coy and dash into the water with a bit of modesty, but there was no hiding for Lissa.
She took in a deep inhale, glanced around one last time to confirm they were still alone, then dropped her underwear and kicked them off to land next to Ria’s.“The things I do for love,” she muttered.
Lust, her brain and vagina both corrected at the same time.Her heart remained oddly quiet on the subject, but she decided that was something to investigate another time.
Bracing herself, Lissa strode confidently toward the ocean and the incredibly beautiful—incredibly naked—woman waiting for her.
Chapter Fifteen
Ria
Youcandothis,Ria ordered herself.
Dinner had been so painful she almost bailed on the whole ritual.She couldn’t imagine Lissa would still be interested in her after she spent ten minutes talking about the best way to grow basil while pushing her caprese salad around on her plate.Then Lissa had to go and spill her feelings, making it impossible for Ria to remain stoic.
