Discovery Read online

  Kate wasn’t the same skinny little girl Leah met all those years ago, for damn sure. Ten years older, maybe twenty pounds heavier, she had never looked sexier in her life. Leah felt an almost overwhelming rush of desire, breathless and dizzying. She was an idiot for letting herself forget, for even one moment, that words weren’t always enough. She needed to show Kate what she was feeling.

  Leah rose to take off her clothes. Funny how she could see Kate every day without really seeing her. There was a time when Leah’s every moment was filled with an intense physical need for her lover, but somewhere along the line, everyday life began to intrude more and more.

  “I’m an idiot sometimes,” Leah called out. Naked now, she stood facing the bathroom, talking over the sound of the faucet. “I do realize that.”

  The stream of water cut off. “Stop.” Kate came into the bedroom in a T-shirt that came to mid-thigh. As she walked, the hem rode up slightly, revealing just a hint of the dark curls between her thighs. “You’re just fine.”

  When Kate smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkled slightly, testament to a generous life lived in good humor. Leah smiled back. Ten years she had been the recipient of those smiles. That she had stopped marveling at each and every one tore at her heart.

  “No, I am an idiot.” Leah met Kate’s eyes, willing her to see the sincerity of her next words. “And you’re breathtaking.”

  Kate slowed, looking uncomfortable as she folded her arms over her stomach. “Thanks.”

  Leah caught Kate’s hand and tugged her forward. “I mean it, Katie. You’re more beautiful every day.”

  “Honey, you don’t have to prove you’re attracted to me,” Kate said softly. “I really do know.”

  “I’m not trying to prove anything. I’m looking at you and telling you what I see.”

  Leah brought Kate’s hand to her lips and kissed the knuckles softly. Kate’s lower lip trembled, and when she sat on the bed, Leah enfolded her in her arms.

  “I love you, Leah,” Kate whispered. “I’ve really missed you. A lot.”

  Leah buried her face in Kate’s neck, inhaling deeply. Such a familiar smell, so soothing, and in this moment, also utterly inflaming. All the love she felt for Kate welled up in her chest, a wave of emotion so strong it was almost painful, and she exhaled shakily. Those feelings of love flared into lust, and Leah held on tighter, swept away by the intensity of her sudden need.

  Brushing her lips against Kate’s throat, she mumbled, “I love you, too. And I want you. Badly.”

  “Sweetheart—”

  Leah could tell Kate was worried that she was acting out of pity, or a sense of obligation. But pity was the last thing on her mind, and the only obligation she felt was to satisfy the intense, crippling hunger she felt for the woman in her arms. Shaking her head, Leah scraped her teeth over a jumping pulse point on Kate’s throat.

  “I want you,” Leah repeated, grasping Kate’s bare hips. “God damn it, how have I gone so long without having you?”

  Kate’s breath caught as Leah pushed her hands under her T-shirt, then slid them up over her bare sides. “Leah,” she whispered, somewhere between protest and desire. “Are you sure…”

  Leah shut her up by kissing her hard on the mouth. Kate groaned and immediately gripped Leah’s upper arms with both hands, holding on tight. Deepening the kiss, Kate growled into Leah’s mouth and crushed their bodies together in a desperate embrace.

  They tumbled backward onto the bed, making out like the college kids they were when they first met. Licking at each other’s mouths, hands roaming, they moaned their passion into the quiet of the afternoon. Leah’s hands found Kate’s heavy breasts beneath her T-shirt, and Kate slipped her fingers between Leah’s thighs, caressing the soft skin close to the juncture. The gentle touch sent a jolt of pleasure through Leah.

  “Remember that first weekend we spent together in college?” Leah asked breathlessly. She felt now like she did then, consumed by the mindless need to touch her lover. The stomach-twisting anticipation, the adrenaline that coursed through her body, took her right back to those first days as Kate’s lover. “I was so sick by Sunday, and so sore.”

  “That’s what happens when you go two whole days without stopping to eat or sleep.” Kate’s nostrils flared as she palmed Leah’s breasts. “God, I love your skin.”

  Watching Kate’s pale fingers twist her dark, turgid nipples, Leah grimaced in pleasure-pain. “I want you more now than I did even then,” she murmured. “And I want to take my time and show you exactly how much I love you.” She moved Kate’s hands from her breasts and tugged her close for a gentle kiss. “But we have to get rid of that T-shirt first.”

  Without a word, Kate pulled her T-shirt over her head, tossing it onto the floor. Leah moved in for another kiss and eased Kate back against the pillows. When she had Kate on her back, Leah settled on top of her, groaning her appreciation when soft thighs wrapped around her hips. Kate’s wetness mingled with her own, sharpening her fierce need even further.

  “I’ll admit,” Kate whispered in between kisses, “this is better than masturbating.”

  “Thank you.” Leah smiled, grinding her hips into Kate, feeling a thrill of satisfaction when Kate arched her back and moaned. “We have the whole weekend in front of us, Katie, and I’m going to lick you for as long as you can stand it.”

  Kate cried out softly, her eyes beseeching. “I need you so badly, honey. I really do.”

  Leah kissed her way down Kate’s throat to her chest, stopping to take one of her nipples between her lips and suck hard. She cradled Kate’s other breast, rolling the nipple between her fingers.

  “I was thinking about you earlier,” Kate gasped. “About this.”

  Murmuring encouragement, Leah continued her trail of kisses over Kate’s soft stomach, mumbling in appreciation when her lips found the damp, curly hairs between Kate’s legs. “You smell so good,” Leah growled, and pushed Kate’s thighs apart. Her pussy was dripping wet, heavy and swollen. “And you’re so fucking sexy.”

  Leah traced the very tip of her tongue along Kate’s dark pink labia. Such a familiar taste, and so delicious. She pulled Kate open with her fingers and gently explored her opening with her mouth. Kate exhaled loudly, her fingers tangling in Leah’s hair, keeping her in place.

  Minutes passed. Leah meant what she said. They had all the time in the world right now, and she intended to spend that time worshiping her partner. At first she ignored Kate’s clit entirely, eager to draw the pleasure out, to work her up and not let her come too fast. This was about showing Kate how much she loved her, and she wanted it to last.

  Leah pressed her hands into Kate’s inner thighs as she licked her, and smiled against her wetness when she felt Kate begin to tremble. She played her tongue over Kate lightly, focusing on the taste and feel of the hot flesh against her mouth, unconcerned about the orgasm she knew she would eventually cause. Leah would only make Kate come when she begged for it, and not a moment sooner. Until then, this act was a love letter to her partner, a message of how much she adored her.

  Kate’s breathing grew heavier, and she began to writhe beneath Leah’s tender attention. Her clit hardened, throbbing against Leah’s tongue, larger than Leah could ever remember. Thighs shaking, Kate gripped Leah’s hair harder and pushed her hips into Leah’s mouth.

  “It hurts,” Kate whimpered, thrusting her hips into Leah’s face, still holding her head and grinding her clit against her lips and chin. “I need to come so bad it hurts, Leah. You’re killing me.”

  Pulling away for a moment, Leah said, “I’m loving you.”

  “I can feel it. I love you, too.”

  Kate’s voice wavered, and Leah heard the tears that had come to the front. She couldn’t wait anymore. She pressed a single finger inside, whimpering at the exquisite tightness that surrounded her. Lowering her face, she covered Kate’s pussy with her mouth and laved the engorged clit with her tongue. Three strokes and Kate dug her heels into the bed and lift
ed her hips, voice cracking as she cried out her release. Leah hung on to her thighs, keeping their contact, and lapped up the hot juices that seeped from around her finger. She could feel Kate contracting around her and she groaned at the answering flood of wetness between her own thighs.

  Finally Kate collapsed onto the bed, gasping, and Leah crawled up to gather Kate into her arms. Still trembling, Kate wrapped her arms around Leah’s shoulders.

  “That was incredible,” Kate choked out. “I can’t remember the last time I came that hard.”

  “Me neither.” Leah kissed her neck and pressed her hips against Kate’s thigh, painfully turned on. “You are so fucking hot, Katie. You taste so good.”

  Kate pulled away and flipped Leah onto her stomach. The sudden rough handling took Leah by surprise and stoked her arousal even higher. She hugged her pillow and raised her hips into the air, opening herself to Kate, desperate for her touch.

  And she wasn’t made to wait. Kate thrust inside her quickly, rocking Leah forward against the bed. Crying out, Leah pushed back against Kate’s fingers, greedy for more. She wasn’t sure she had ever needed to come so badly in her life.

  “I’ll take my time later,” Kate said with a groan, leaning over Leah’s back, pumping into her hard. “Right now I need you to come on my hand.”

  Kate knew exactly how to touch her, precisely how to drive her wild. Leah gritted her teeth and held on, grunting at each stroke. Dense, burning pleasure formed deep in her belly, threatening to explode. When Kate slid her thumb up and pressed inside her anus, Leah was lost. Stiffening, she cried out hoarsely as her orgasm ripped through her.

  “That’s right, baby.” Kate still thrust steadily. “Give me everything you have, darling.”

  Leah withstood the pleasure as long as she could, until her head swam and she was afraid she might pass out. Then she collapsed and closed her thighs. “I need a break,” she said, voice faltering as the aftershocks of her release continued. “I’m sorry, I want to keep going. Just a minute, I swear. I just…I need to breathe.”

  Laughing, Kate settled next to her and slowly withdrew her fingers. She cradled Leah in a tight hug, so close that Leah could feel Kate’s heart beating against her back. “We’re not in college anymore, are we?”

  “My stamina may have taken a hit in my old age,” Leah conceded. “But you’re better than ever.”

  Shifting to embrace Leah face-to-face, Kate smiled. “I needed that. Thank you.”

  Leah shook her head and kissed her. “Thank you. For putting up with me, even when I’m an idiot.”

  “You’re not an idiot.” Kate returned her kiss with a string of gentle pecks across the bridge of Leah’s nose.

  “Three months without that?” Leah captured Kate’s mouth in a deeper kiss. When she drew back, she whispered, “Yes, I’m an idiot.”

  “Then I’m an idiot for not talking to you about it sooner.”

  “True enough,” Leah said, smiling.

  Kate pinched her on the hip, then reached around to grip her ass and pull her closer. “Nice.”

  “Just do me a favor, okay?” Leah looked deeply into Kate’s warm brown eyes. “If I ever stop paying attention again, smack me across the back of the head. For real. Because I’ll deserve it.”

  “Deal,” Kate said shyly. She hid a yawn behind her hand, looking sheepish.

  “You’re right.” Leah chuckled and tugged the comforter over their bodies. “We’re not in college anymore.”

  “I think I’m ready for that nap now,” Kate admitted. “I guess my days of nonstop sex are in the past.”

  “Mine, too,” Leah said. “But the truth is, it was never as good then as it is now.”

  “It was pretty good, though.” Kate grinned. “Excellent, in fact.”

  “It was. But I love you so much more now.”

  Kate cuddled close, sighing contentedly. “Me, too. And I’ll love you even more when we wake up from this nap, believe it or not.”

  “And then?” Leah closed her eyes, smiling as she anticipated the answer.

  “And then,” Kate mumbled sleepily. “Round two. Ding ding.”

  Leah managed a giggle as she drifted off to sleep. She had a lot of lost time to make up.

  Rediscovering Willow - MJ Williamz

  MJ WILLIAMZ grew up on California’s Central Coast but now lives in Portland, Oregon, where writing is an integral part of her life. Since 2002, she’s had over a dozen short stories accepted for publication, mostly erotica with a few romances thrown in for good measure. Her first published novel, Shots Fired, is due out in November from Bold Strokes Books.

  Rediscovering Willow

  MJ Williamz

  The bright sun caressed my face, and the warm breeze lightly tousled my hair as I drove down the once-familiar streets of the town where I grew up. It had been four years since I was last there, but my BMW rental was on cruise control as I made my way to the grocery store.

  My mother was dying. My brothers and I were in town, waiting for the inevitable. All of us together in one house, and nobody had bothered to stock the liquor cabinet. Hell, the fridge didn’t even have a single beer in it.

  Walking through the store, I heard someone yell, “Tawny Sue!”

  My heart stopped. Tawny? That wasn’t a common name.

  “Whatever” came the reply, sounding like an insolent teen. Tawny couldn’t be that old, could she? I did the math in my head. Yes, she could.

  My stomach in knots, my heart in my throat, I followed the voices until I saw a very attractive woman and a teenage girl. The woman stood about five-feet-ten, with long brown hair that had a liberal dosing of gray throughout. She glanced at me, her emerald eyes registering no recognition.

  “Willow?” My voice cracked as I said it.

  She turned to me and smiled politely, still apparently unsure who I was.

  “It’s me, Remy.”

  “Oh, wow! I didn’t know you were back in town.”

  “I’m not. I’m here because my mother’s dying.”

  “Oh, Remy, I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Thanks.” I didn’t want to talk about that. I didn’t know what I wanted at that moment, but I knew I didn’t want to talk about the woman who’d ragged on me incessantly over the last thirty-five years.

  “But you’re still here, huh?” I asked.

  “Yeah. We moved back about ten years ago.”

  “Good for you,” I said, not really understanding why anyone would move back to her hometown.

  The silence was strained. I didn’t want it to be. I wanted to have smooth lines to make her laugh. I wanted to hear her say my name again. I wanted to be able to make the awkwardness disappear. But I couldn’t. My brain had short-circuited.

  Before either of us could say anything, Tawny whined, “Mom.”

  “We need to get going,” Willow said.

  “Yeah. Me, too. Hey, Willow…I’m at my folks’ house. Give me a call, okay? Maybe we can get together.”

  “I will, Remy. That would be great.”

  “Mom!”

  “I’ll talk to you soon, then,” I said and walked off.

  As I did, I heard Tawny say, “Who was that, Mom?”

  She didn’t remember me? I was her parent for two years. She was my little girl. But she wasn’t even three when her mom and I split up. Logically, she couldn’t have remembered me. But I didn’t want to think logically. I didn’t want to think at all.

  Two days later, my mother was still hanging on and my brothers were driving me crazy with their pro-Bush propaganda. I was about to crawl out of my skin. Then the phone rang.

  “Golden residence,” I barked into the phone, easily slipping into the practices of my childhood.

  “Is this Remy?” I could hear her voice quiver.

  “Yeah, it’s me. Is this Willow?” I hoped I didn’t sound desperate.

  “It is. How’s your mom doing?”

  “She’s still the same. Hey, I wanted to say…I can’t get over Tawny.
She has grown into a beautiful young woman.”

  “With a not-so-beautiful teenage attitude.”

  “She looks just like you, Willow.”

  There was silence on the other end.

  “So,” I broke the awkwardness, “did you want to get together for a cup of coffee or something?”

  “I’d like that.”

  As much as I wanted to beg her to let me come get her right then, I needed to keep some of my pride.

  “How’s tomorrow looking for you?”

  “Tomorrow would be great.”

  “Excellent. I’ll pick you up around ten?”

  “Ten would be great.”

  She gave me directions to her house and we said our good-byes.

  *

  At ten o’clock sharp, I pulled up in front of an old farmhouse just south of town. The fog had yet to burn off, and the idea of coffee with Willow warmed me in various ways.

  “Where does one go for coffee around here?” I asked when she’d let me in and led me to her kitchen.

  “Anywhere you want. You know, we have Starbucks here, too.”

  “You do?” I feigned surprise. “If I’d known that, I’d have moved back from Seattle.”

  “Sure you would. Seriously, Remy, is there any place you’d like to go? Anything you want to see?”

  As much as I wanted to respond that any place would be wonderful as long as she was with me, I played it cool. “I’d really like to drive down to the beach. How does coffee with an oceanfront view sound?”

  She hesitated briefly, and I wondered if I’d been too bold.

  “Coffee on the beach sounds wonderful.”

  The drive started off with another uneasy void in conversation. I continued to wonder if she was really comfortable going to the beach with me. That was where we had spent much of our time when we were together.

  I finally decided that the girl we once shared was probably the safest topic. “So Tawny’s quite a handful, huh?”

  She rolled her eyes. “You have no idea.”

  “Tell me,” I said, and we relaxed into her telling horror stories and me laughing at her. I’d missed having a family. I was bummed to have missed the first broken heart, first detention, even all the teenage attitude. Well, maybe not all the teenage angst, but I really did wish I could have been there for her as she grew up.