“It’s hard to get past those family of origin patterns,” I said. “It’s like when I’m with my dad and he starts talking about politics or something where I disagree with him, I just change the subject or nod and space out until he burns himself out because I don’t want to have a whole thing with him. So I get it.”
“This job has been good for me,” she confessed. “Being seen as a person instead of just part of the Laurent brand, no one simpering around me trying to curry favor, learning how strong and capable I am, it’s been a great experience. It’s really helped me build my self-confidence.”
I wouldn’t have thought she was lacking in that area but then again, I’d seen firsthand that she was good at putting on a front. I understood that, because I was pretty good at it myself.
“I’m glad.”
Livi shifted on the uncomfortable chair, and I gestured over my shoulder. “Maybe we should set up for the night in the dining room. It’s the cleanest space, and since it’s in the center of the house, we don’t have to worry if a tree branch or something comes through a window.”
“Sounds good.”
We cleaned up our plates and returned the leftovers to the non-operational refrigerator. I spread out a new, clean drop cloth on the floor, then brought the blanket and lantern to the space. The storm was still howling outside, loud and ominous, and the lantern it gave the room a warm, romantic glow that I definitely didn’t want to think too much about.
Livi dropped down next to me and we sat side by side on the drop cloth, the blanket over our laps, our backs pressed against the wall. It wasn’t really that late, but with the dark skies and lack of electricity, it felt much later than it was.
“You mentioned your dad having different politics than you before,” she said after a few minutes of silence. “How does he feel about you being queer?”
I smiled, even though she couldn’t see me. “I’m really lucky. I didn’t have any horrible coming out story. I realized in high school that I preferred women and when I told my parents, it was a non-issue. They told me they loved me for who I was, and that was it. How about you? I’m assuming that you’re bi since it was a boyfriend who got you into this situation?”
“Yeah, I’m attracted to a wide spectrum of people, regardless of gender or orientation, but mostly I gravitate towards women. I never really talked about this with my parents. Dad mostly ignores the fact that I’m old enough to date anyone, and my mom’s solution is to work hard to fix me up with suitable men. I think she’s hoping if I meet the right man I’ll forget about those pesky urges to date different kinds of people.”
She turned to face me, her expression earnest. “The joke’s on her though. I didn’t meet the right guy. I met the right woman.”
She shifted a little closer, her hand coming to my cheek, and my breath caught in my throat.
“I met you.”
Olivia
Sam’s skin was soft against my palm as I paused, waiting for her to push me away, to tell me to go to hell. But she didn’t. She shifted closer until her lips were only a few inches away. We stared into each other’s eyes in the dim light, and then we both moved at the same time, our lips meeting in the middle.
We both stayed perfectly still for a few minutes, enjoying the press of our lips. Then Sam lifted her hand up to the back of my head, and her tongue darted out, licking along the seam of my lips and when I opened for her, she slid right in.
The instant our tongues connected the air changed, the kiss going from sweet and chaste to hot and urgent. Sam held my head in place, exploring my mouth, but I wasn’t passive. My hands slid downward, one holding her hip, the other moving between our bodies to cup one of her perfect breasts. When Igave her a squeeze Sam made a soft moaning sound that went right to my clit.
We kissed until we’d used up all of our breath, then pulled apart long enough to share another hot stare. Then we were kissing again, hands moving over each other’s bodies, tongues tangling.
The next time we parted I shifted so I was straddling her legs, desperately needing to get closer. Sam grabbed my butt, one cheek in each hand, her hands squeezing my curves.
“I’ve been fantasizing about this ass since the day you walked in here,” she confessed.
“If we both get naked you can see it up close and personal,” I shot back.
I couldn’t believe my nerve. I was usually kind of passive during sex. I mean I didn’t just lay there letting the other person do all the work, but I always followed the other person’s lead. Let them set the pace. But with Sam, I wanted to be a full participant.
When she didn’t answer I gripped the bottom of her tank top, pulling it over her head to reveal the sports bra beneath.
“There’s no sexy way to get out of this thing,” she warned me as she grabbed the bottom band.
I watched as she tugged the tight fabric over her head, her breasts bouncing a little as they were freed from their spandexprison. My hands went right to her globes, stroking and squeezing them and watching as her nipples hardened between my fingers.
“Fair is fair,” she said pointedly.
I dropped her breasts long enough to rip off my shirt and bra. Once we were both topless we moved closer, breasts rubbing against each other deliciously with every move.
“I want you,” I panted as we broke apart again. “I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you.”
“I want you too,” she breathed.
