“Thought I’d surprise you.”

Chuckling, Ann looked down at Lila’s perky breasts, her nipples hard as she confidently stood naked in front of her, something Heidi would never do. “You accomplished that.”

“Good. Now get naked. It’s my turn and I want to feel you against me.”

Listening, Ann stripped out of her dirty scrubs and dropped them on the floor while Lila laid down on the couch, legs spread, the same hand she’d used on Ann between her own legs as she watched every move Ann made. It was utterly intoxicating.

As soon as she was ready, Ann bent down and licked Lila from bottom to top. She drew in a sharp breath and moaned at the flavor blooming on her tongue. Yes, this was exactly what she needed, the exact thing that would get her through the next week or two, a wonderful dose ofshe was worthy, she was wanted, she was someone to be cared about.

“Get up here,” Lila murmured.

Moving so she hovered above Lila, Ann gave her a quirk of her lips. “So we’re into rough today?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I think we’re on the same page then.” Planting her thigh between Lila’s legs, Ann moved so Lila could rut against her as Ann pushed in, giving her more pressure and a better angle. Lila ground against her as her cheeks and chest reddened with pleasure, her lips parted in ecstasy.

Ann was entranced by the change in Lila’s pale skin color. She bent down, licking and sucking one of those perky nipples between her lips. She made it slightly rougher than their norm, knowing that was what they were going for this time around. Quick, hard, a good fuck before they had to bid each other goodbye and return to reality. Lila careened through her orgasm while Ann bent down and kissed her senseless.

From that moment on, everything slowed down. Ann rested her full weight on Lila’s prone form as Lila moved her arms up to circle Ann, stroking her back tenderly.

“Hell of a week?” Lila asked.

“You have no idea.” Ann closed her eyes, listening to Lila’s steadying and slowing heartbeat. It was so calming to be this close to someone else, to have that physical connection that immediately told her she was worthy and wanted. Heidi gave that to her, but it wasn’t as often as she would like, and while she knew it was because of Heidi’s own trauma, she also struggled to truly understand that.

“You can tell me all about it if you want.”

“I wouldn’t even know where to begin.” Ann sighed. She ran a hand from Lila’s hip to her shoulder and leaned up to give her a tender kiss on her jaw. “I promise, I’m not trying to hide things. I’m just not sure where to start.”

“What happened?”

“I’ve spent the week cleaning up someone else’s mess, a mess that I’m not sure my partner wants cleaned up, if I’m being honest.”

“Why wouldn’t she?”

“Sometimes it feels like she likes to live in the past.”

Lila fell quiet, and Ann worried for a moment she’d said too much. But when Lila’s hands skimmed through her short hair, tugging at the ends of it, it gave her hope she was wrong. “It’s hard to take the step to live in the future sometimes. Take that as you will, but take it from someone who has lived with trauma for years. Being vulnerable isn’t easy. While there is a lot of strength and advantage and love to be found when vulnerable, it’s hard to live that way. It’s even harder when there are trust issues.”

“I guess,” Ann murmured.

Lila lifted Ann’s chin so they looked in each other’s eyes. “I mean it. You can’t force her to do something she’s not willing to do. All you can do is love her through it.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to do.”

“Then you’re the right person for the job.”

Ann smiled, genuinely. Lila was so good at that, making things click where they hadn’t before. What Ann was doing with Heidi was right, it was for the better, and it was exactly what Heidi needed, even if they struggled to see that the majority of the time.

“Why is it so easy to love you and so hard to love her?”

Lila tensed. Ann bit her lip. That was definitely over the boundary lines they’d set. But she did mean it. She did love Lila, and she loved Heidi. It was so different but so much the same. Leaning in, Ann pressed a kiss to Lila’s lips.

“I promise I’m not expecting more than this, but I do love you.”

“Okay,” Lila whispered, her voice wavering.

“I think I’m going to go home now.”


Tags: Adrian J. Smith Indigo B&B Romance