Coffee Sonata (25 page)

Moving closer to Manon she placed a hand on the wall next to her head. “I know the feelings well.” Eryn leaned in and kissed Manon’s closed lips. She didn’t deepen the kiss; instead she slid her other hand inside Manon’s tweed jacket and let it rest against Manon’s waist while she kept her prisoner with her lips.

“I know exactly what Mike wants to do to Vivian,” Eryn whispered against Manon’s mouth. “I just didn’t know that Vivian’s gay.”

“Neither did I. Is she?” Manon closed her eyes briefly and sounded dazed.

“I don’t know. I wonder if Vivian herself knows.” Eryn nibbled along Manon’s cheek, down her neck. Her hand did a little traveling on its own and ended up just below the curve of Manon’s breast.

They both stopped breathing at the same time. “Eryn,” Manon whispered.

“Vivian would have to be made of stone to resist Mike.” Eryn placed her lips to Manon’s ear. “I hope she can see into Mike’s heart and be careful, however she responds. Mike’s been burned. Several times.”

“Haven’t we all, at one point or another?” Manon placed her hand on Eryn’s shoulder.

Eryn wasn’t sure if the gesture was meant to keep her at bay or draw her closer. “Yes, we have. But you don’t gain anything from hiding. You may think you’re safe if you don’t rock the boat, but it’s not true.”

Manon shivered and squeezed Eryn’s shoulder harder. “Eryn. This scares me.”

Eryn realized that Manon didn’t volunteer this comment easily. “I’ve got you.” She pressed her mouth to Manon’s again, and at the same time, she moved her hand an inch upward and cupped the underside of Manon’s breast. Briefly slipping her tongue inside Manon’s mouth, she found its counterpart there, unexpectedly eager. The kiss lasted only a few seconds longer, while Eryn cradled Manon’s breast fully. She felt Manon shudder and gently pinched the raspberry-sized nipple underneath the bra, which made Manon gasp.

Eryn finally stepped back and reached for her guitar before pushing the outer door of the elevator open. She wanted nothing more than to take Manon back into her apartment and show her just how good they could be together, but all she did was smile and push the gates closed. “See you at the Dodd party tomorrow. Night.”

Eryn looked at Manon just before the gates closed completely. Her eyes were the same dark gray that they’d been in Eryn’s apartment the night she first played for her. And the conflicting emotions obvious on Manon’s face were even more intense than they’d been that night.

Eryn knew she’d taken a big risk, again, with Manon. But her gut told her that if she gave Manon too much space, she’d begin to rationalize, eventually find a perfectly sensible reason for her own reaction, and pull back.
I have to keep her off balance as much as possible.

Eryn turned the key in her door lock, hauled her guitar inside, and placed it carefully against the wall.
We created music today! And Manon was part of it, and just as taken as everybody else.
Eryn knew their shared creation might work in her favor. If Manon was as moved with the musical experience as Eryn was, she’d want to repeat it.

Eryn usually disliked dressing up for formal functions, but this time she looked forward to it.
I have to find time tomorrow to go to Genevieve’s, no matter if I max out my Visa card. I need a dress.

*

As Mike slid her fingers inside Vivian’s button-down shirt and created small, fiery patterns on her stomach, Vivian went from warm to sizzling in seconds. She’d never responded this quickly, or this hotly, before.

“You smell so good,” Vivian murmured. Her right hand still on Mike’s naked breast, she circled Mike’s waist to hold her closer.

Mike tugged gently at Vivian’s hair and coaxed her to raise her head. Their lips met again, and this time Vivian plunged her tongue into Mike’s mouth, devouring her with a sob. Vivian’s legs trembled, and a heavy feeling between them emphasized the increasing wetness there.

She couldn’t stop undulating as she moved against Mike, spreading her legs and tasting soft lips. Her hand, still pressed against a woman’s,
Mike’s
breast, tingled. The firm mound with its rigid nipple felt both delicate and supple. Vivian massaged it gently, afraid to accidentally do something wrong, but Mike pressed into the caresses and moaned aloud.

Mike broke free from the kiss but remained close enough for Vivian to feel her hot breath on her face. “Vivi, yes, touch me. I’ve dreamed about this. I need it.”

“Like this?” Vivian let her fingertips slide in an outward motion along the pebbled nipple. “Does this feel good,
cara
?”

“Wonderful. More than good. Don’t…stop.”

“I won’t.” Vivian’s heart sped, and drops of sweat ran between her breasts and along the back of her neck. “I need to take my shirt off,” she managed. “It’s too hot in here.”

“Yes. Too hot.” Mike tossed her shirt on the floor and left her breasts naked and exposed. As she pulled Vivian toward her and made short history of her shirt also, Vivian became aware of her own silk camisole and white, not very sexy bra. Counteracting gravity, it was designed to hide the fact that she wasn’t seventeen anymore and was carrying a few extra pounds. Shy and self-conscious, she felt utterly foolish.

She wasn’t usually physically shy. For many years, before her
prima donna assoluta
status was confirmed, she’d had to share dressing rooms with many other women, sometimes in very cramped places. And she wasn’t very shy, period. She rarely blushed.

“What’s wrong?” Mike asked, and took her by the shoulders.

“You’ll think I’m a pathetic fool.”

“I’m sure I won’t. In fact, I can promise I won’t.”

“I…I haven’t been undressed in the same room as anyone, except my dresser, for years. I’m not a young woman, Michaela.”

Mike’s eyes softened until they were almost violet. “You don’t have to apologize, and you don’t have to get undressed either. There are no ‘musts’ at all.”

“I know that. And I guess I’m being insecure for no reason.”

“Nothing is for no reason.” Mike smiled crookedly and shrugged. “I’m twenty years younger than you are. You think I expect your body to look as if you were my age or younger?” She cupped Vivian’s cheek with one hand and put Vivian’s hand back on her breast with the other. “But don’t you see? This feels good because it’s
you
touching me. Just as you’ll feel good for me to touch, because it’s
your
body. I happen to think you’re gorgeous, but if you weren’t, you’d still make me want you, just for being you.”

“Gorgeous,
cara
?” Vivian tried to take in what Mike had just said. Of course the words were reassuring, but a part of her still doubted that Mike knew what she was talking about. Her legs were trembling now, and she had to lean back against the counter for support.

“Am I hurting you?” Mike backed away.

“No. Don’t.” Vivian reached for Mike again. “Stay with me.”

Mike nodded and reached for the hem of Vivian’s camisole. As she pulled it up and over her head and then placed it on the countertop, Vivian suppressed her urge to cover herself up. She shivered where she stood, undressed down to her bra.

“Beautiful,” Mike whispered. Her eyes shone a radiant black-violet and were getting darker every second. As she reached out and pushed the bra straps down Vivian’s arms, Vivian moaned at the faint touch.

“May I?” Mike said confidently.

“Yes.” Vivian couldn’t hesitate. Or be afraid. And yet her mouth went dry, and she held her breath as Mike edged her hands around her back and unhooked the bra.

Naked to the waist, very aware of the fullness of her breasts and her painfully stiff nipples, Vivian gathered her courage and looked at Mike.

“Oh, God,” Mike whispered, barely audible, and reached out. She cupped Vivian’s left breast and weighed it gently. “You feel wonderful, Vivi.”

“Thank you.”
Damn, what a silly thing to say.
Vivian tried to moisten her lips.

Then Mike took the other breast in her free hand. With a gently massaging touch, she explored both of them thoroughly and left Vivian blissful, all her insecurities quieted.

“Let’s get more comfortable,” Mike suggested. “Come on.” Taking Vivian by the hand she led her to the black leather couch. “Here. Lie down. You’re shivering.”

Vivian fell back against the pillows by the armrest and closed her eyes, but opened them immediately, afraid of missing what little she could see of Mike’s expression.
A time will come, soon, too soon, when I won’t be able to make out any details at all. I won’t be able to see her face, her eyes. How will I go on without being able to see her beauty…without her at all?
Vivian moaned as Mike tweaked her nipples carefully. She had never known her breasts could be this sensitive. Small tremors began traveling from where Mike touched her, through her stomach, and new moisture pooled between her legs.

She’s bound to notice…
But there was no time for embarrassment. Vivian couldn’t help but close her eyes and groan when Mike kissed her again. Her breasts were on fire, and Mike’s tongue in her mouth fueled it further.

“Vivian,” Mike sobbed, apparently as moved by the intimacy as Vivian was, “oh, God, Vivian. Hold me.”

As Vivian raised her heavy arms and pulled Mike on top of her, Mike lost hold of Vivian’s breast, but another, completely new sensation flooded her when their breasts rubbed together. Short stabs of pleasure pierced Vivian’s nipples, which puckered into two throbbing bullets that raced toward her wet sex. Vivian instinctively raised her legs again and wrapped them loosely around Mike. “
Cara
,” she whimpered. “You make me…I’ve never…”

“Me either. Not like this.” Mike’s voice was small and almost fearful. “Never.”

The pain over their impossible situation and comfort in their mutual touch were just as strong as the lust between them, and Vivian cradled Mike as her lover rubbed against her.
Lover? Yes. Of course. Mike is my lover now. From this moment on.
The seams of Mike’s jeans ground into Vivian, and she almost lost control. She was shivering all over, and hot and cold flashes seared her, leaving her breathless and teary-eyed. “Mike?” Did it come out as a whisper or a cry? She had no idea.

“Vivian. I know. Just let it happen. It’s okay.”

Is it?
Was it okay for her to orgasm, here on the couch, with this wonderful woman in her arms? Vivian tried to restrain herself, but the sight of Mike destroyed her determination. Mike’s eyes shone of something resembling love, and even if Vivian knew that was wishful thinking, her body latched on to the emotion and sent her flying.

“You’re fine. Give it to me.” Mike moved with gentle insistence against Vivian. “Come!”

With a husky cry, Vivian came, over and over, while Mike kept rocking against her. Trembling, sweat running from her temples, chased by the tears that streamed from her eyes, Vivian felt the convulsions surge and fade. “Mike!”
Impossible. Oh, God, I can’t believe it!
Vivian arched and closed her eyes. The tremors reverberated within her for a few seconds more, and then she slumped back on the armrest, pulling Mike with her. “
Cara…
”

“I’m here.” Vivian welcomed Mike’s weight on her, despite her heat within and the warmth from the fireplace. “I have you.”

“Yes. You do. You really do.” Vivian felt incoherent and licked her dry lips. She couldn’t remember ever coming like that, and definitely not from being fondled in this particular way. Mike felt wonderful against her, soothing where Vivian had ached so badly just moments earlier, and smelling divine. “Don’t let go,” she repeated. “I feel dizzy.”

“You need water.” Mike sat up despite Vivian’s words. “I’ll go get some.”

The living room felt desolate when Mike left. Vivian was still trembling inside, and she moved awkwardly when she felt the soaked panties between her legs. Reaching for a blanket, she wrapped it around herself with unsteady hands. Being naked in the throes of passion was one thing, but greeting Mike in the same state now was unthinkable.
God, what will she think of me? What if she sees me as a pathetic fool…half blind and in such dire need of human contact that I climax at the drop of a hat?

How could she explain to Mike that she had come like she did because of her? Only Mike’s presence, her touch and her voice, could explain why Vivian had launched into orbit and soared so high from the mere rubbing of Mike’s hips into her own.

When Mike returned with the water and their clothes, Vivian took the glass, grateful Mike didn’t try to help her drink it.
At least she doesn’t treat me like an invalid.
Vivian’s stomach lurched, and she took another large gulp of water.
So far, that is. What if I do become dependent on other people for my very existence? What if I need help with much more than drinking a glass of water?
Vivian put the glass down on the coffee table and placed her tremulous hands on her thighs.

Her eyes radiating unspoken questions, Mike watched her intently. Unlike Vivian, she was clearly oblivious to her seminaked state and did nothing to cover herself up.

“You never drank much juice,” Vivian heard herself point out and wanted to groan.
Merde! I’m such an idiot. That was probably the least romantic, and the most lame, thing I could have said.