Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
“ W hisky?” Gillian called out from the kitchen, hearing Viola enter and rustle about in the hall.
“Please,” Viola answered back.
She poured Viola a small measure, assuming she wouldn’t want any effects from it except the flavour. Topping up her own glass, she quickly downed it, refilling it once more as Viola appeared coatless and bootless in a figure-hugging, floral-patterned, knee-length dress with black wool tights. It was a look that suited her perfectly.
“Thanks,” Viola said, reaching for the glass Gillian offered her. Looking around, she smiled as realisation dawned. “Is this your old kitchen from the manor?”
Gillian froze, realising Viola wouldn’t know about her recent refurbishments. Or that she had bribed one of Viola’s builders to save some parts of the old kitchen for her to repurpose in the lodge. She was nothing if not resourceful, and her homemade shortbread was a winner with him.
“Waste not, want not, and all that.” She shrugged, rubbing her cold hands together.
“When did you…? You know what, I don’t want to know.” Viola looked around, examining the kitchen. “It looks good in here. The quarter of it you managed to fit in. Oh, and there’s my coffee machine.”
“You left it behind.”
“I did. I thought you could probably make use of it somewhere. I didn’t expect it to be here, though. Do you really prefer living here?”
“To be honest, I’m at an age where I want to be warm without it bankrupting me.” Turning on the hot tap she held her icy fingers under the flow, hoping for relief.
Viola smiled. “I expect this place is great for that. It’s very snug.”
“It is. Living in the manor alone is very different to when you have staff and a husband.”
“Yes. It wasn’t something I considered when I moved in. I found it quite scary at times.” A grin formed on Viola’s lips. “You know what got me through?”
Gillian shook her head as Viola stepped closer and ran her hands through the warm water too.
“I always knew you were up the drive, on guard at my gate, watching over me. Plus, I thought no one would dare cross your path, and they would have to cross it to get to me.”
Gillian let out a laugh at the suggestion. Drying her hands on a towel, she passed it to Viola. She had sobered up from her earlier glasses of champagne in the bracing air, but she was beginning to feel a little tipsy again from the whisky.
“Technically there is an access point in the bottom field out to the lane, so…”
Viola threw the towel on to the work surface and put her finger to Gillian’s lips. “Oh, you can keep your technicalities.”
“Can I?” Gillian gave a flick of her eyebrows and decided to lean into Viola’s sudden playful nature. “And where precisely should I keep them?”
“You must have a drawer where you keep your binoculars,” Viola said, removing her finger. “No doubt with some tape measures and a copy of The Highway Code or something.”
Gillian smirked. She did have two tape measures in the same drawer as the binoculars in the bureau. There may even be a copy of The Highway Code.
Viola shot her a questioning look. “You have such a drawer, don’t you?”
Gillian gave a nod, unsure if that was a positive thing in Viola’s eyes or not.
“God, you’re hot.”
That sounded positive. Hearing Viola say those words, with a tone that sounded like pure desperation, sent a shot of desire sweeping through her. Her fixed gaze made Gillian’s legs weaken, and she leaned back to steady herself against the worktop. Viola took a step closer, her eyes hungry, as if they were devouring every inch of her — or they were about to.
“So hot.”
“Am I?” Gillian looked down, unsure that was true.
“You have a beautiful body, Gillian,” Viola assured her.
“For a fifty-five-year-old? Oh, wait, fifty-six-year-old. Today is my birthday.”
Viola smirked. “Seriously? The first day of the year. Always ahead of everybody else.”
“It appears that way.” Gillian shrugged as a smug grin fell over her face.
“Well then, happy birthday, and you have a beautiful body, full stop. It’s made even more beautiful by what’s inside.”
She felt Viola press her right hand to her chest. She knew Viola was indicating her heart, but part of Gillian wanted her hand on her breast. As quickly as the thought came, Viola’s hand was there, causing Gillian to inhale a sharp breath.
“Is this okay?” Viola asked, giving a reassuring smile.
Gillian could only nod, exhaling slowly to calm herself. Finding her voice, she said, “It’s been a long time since anyone has touched me, let alone like that.” Her voice was nothing more than a breathy whisper, thick with vulnerability and yearning.
“It’s okay. We can go at your pace. It’s been a long time for me too.”
Gillian nodded again, excitement and fear sitting on her surface. Viola’s wandering fingertips did nothing to help as they stroked the exposed skin of her chest. She knew her low-cut, black dress was revealing; its plunging neckline exposed enough to draw an interested eye. She felt the light, teasing pressure of Viola’s thumb sliding lower, slipping under the delicate silk of her bra. The feel of it brushing against her nipple sent a surge of tingles through her and set her heart racing.
“Mmm.” Gillian closed her eyes, feeling light-headed from her touch.
Viola suddenly closed the gap between them, pressing their bodies firmly together, causing a gasp to escape Gillian’s lips as arousal flooded her.
The teasing thumb slid back out of her dress, and Viola’s whole hand grasped her breast, squeezing hard. An unexpected swirl of pleasure and pain shot through Gillian as Viola clamped an erect nipple between her fingers. As her head arched back in pleasure, Viola’s mouth leapt upon her exposed neck, light kisses becoming firm and eager.
Unsure what to do with her hands, she placed them around Viola’s waist, where they instinctively slid down to her backside. Her fingers explored the shape of her, caressing and kneading with a hunger to match the kisses being placed on her neck.
“Should we take this upstairs?” Gillian asked, noticing how giddy everything was making her and how much she wanted to be lying down for this level of intimacy.
“Are you sure you want to take this further?” Viola asked, placing kisses on Gillian’s chest. “There’s still time to turn back if you aren’t ready.”
She could hold nothing back from the woman who had stolen her heart and held it captive, leaving her utterly vulnerable. “There is no time; no time I want to be without you. I want you to ravish me.”
Viola’s eyes shimmered. “That I can do.”
Taking Viola’s hand with a faintly nervous smile, Gillian led her upstairs to the small landing. There were only two doors, one for the bedroom and one for the bathroom, and there was a time it would have embarrassed her for Viola to see it. Now she didn’t care; even with a manor full of doors, she knew the number of them didn’t matter.
She squeezed Viola’s hand, checking she was real, and received a squeeze back. Her tiredness had completely left her, replaced by adrenaline and love for Viola. As she led the way through to the bedroom, the wooden floorboards creaked under their feet.
“It will soon warm up,” she said, closing the door behind them and switching on an electric heater.
“We can warm each other up,” Viola replied.
Gillian flashed her a nervous smile even as her stomach tingled with anticipation.
“We don’t have to do anything,” Viola said gently as if reading Gillian. “We could get under the duvet and cuddle and see how it feels. Take it slowly.”
Appreciating the gesture, Gillian reached for Viola and pulled her into her. It would be easier to say what she needed to impart without looking at her. “I’ve never… you know… with a woman.”
Viola pulled back. “Not even with Hen?”
Gillian looked down. “No. We were young. We never partook in anything more than what we would call ‘heavy petting’.”
She felt a pressure on her chin, and then Viola’s finger was lifting Gillian’s head so that she could peer into her eyes.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of, and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I’ve never slept with a man.” Viola shrugged and twisted her lips. “I couldn’t care less, and I don’t suppose you do either.”
Gillian shook her head. She didn’t care about anything that came before, only the present and the future.
“See? Now, can I help you out of that dress?”
Gillian turned her back to Viola and pulled her hair to one side. She was grateful for the new, matching black silk underwear she wore beneath. At least she didn’t have to worry about Viola seeing her in something old and frayed.
She could feel Viola’s presence close behind her, her breath grazing her skin, making her quiver. The fine hairs on her arms prickled as the zip lowered. Pressing her hands across her stomach, she griped the fabric as if it were a shield. Embarrassment began pooling in her chest, but beneath it she felt something stronger — trust. She trusted Viola, and she wanted her to see all of her.
Instead of letting the dress fall with her back to Viola, she took a deep breath and turned to face her. With her heart pounding, she allowed the fabric to slip from her shoulders. It cascaded to the floor in a soft, deliberate surrender, leaving her bare in every possible way. Gillian watched the expression on Viola’s face. There was something intimate and grounding about watching her eyes trace her body and witnessing firsthand the impact she made.
“Wow. You are breathtaking,” Viola said, brushing her hand over Gillian’s belly.
Gillian watched as Viola stepped back and lifted her dress over her head. Dropping it to the floor she removed her tights. Her gaze swept over Viola’s body, unable to resist taking in every detail. The simplicity of her plain, black knickers and bra was a stark contrast to her own fancy lingerie.
She suddenly felt overdressed, as though she had tried too hard. Her lace and silk were making her feel exposed. There was something magnetic about Viola’s understated beauty, the effortless way her milky skin glowed, the gentle curves that invited touch. Everything about her was natural. Viola didn’t need lace or satin; her allure came from something deeper, something more genuine and authentic. Gillian’s fingers twitched, needing to reach out, to close the space between them.
“If you don’t like them, they’re removable,” Viola teased.
Sensing her face may have been conveying the wrong message, Gillian smiled. “No, not at all. I was thinking how comfy they look and how beautiful you are.”
Viola flushed, a soft chuckle escaping her. “Even in these? I didn’t exactly plan on showing anyone my underwear tonight — not that I have many fancy alternatives.”
“Nor did I… plan on it,” Gillian replied, her voice softening. “Yours look more comfortable and practical. I just tend to choose this kind of underwear out of habit.”
Viola’s eyes studied her with an intensity that made Gillian’s breath catch. “Is it a layer of protection? Something that gives you confidence and makes you feel empowered?”
Gillian paused, taken aback by Viola’s insight. She realised there was more to it than she’d ever acknowledged. The layers they both wore, it seemed, were more than simple fabric. “Perhaps.”
“Then perhaps it’s time to remove it,” Viola suggested, raising an eyebrow.
Gillian nodded, her heart still hammering in her chest. With one swift movement, Viola reached around and unclipped her bra, easing it down her shoulders and adding it to the growing pile of clothes on the floor. The cool air brushed against her exposed skin, making her shiver. Noticing the desire in Viola’s eyes, tracing her breasts as if memorising every detail, sent a sudden surge of heat through her.
She froze as Viola’s hands grasped her breasts, cupping and caressing them; the warmth from them radiated against her skin. A light whimper escaped as she exhaled, only to draw in breath again as Viola toyed with her nipples. It sent an unexpected surge of emotion through Gillian, moistening her eyes as she realised she’d never felt so complete.
As Viola leaned towards her, Gillian met her halfway, and their lips crashed together, warm, wet, and greedy for more.
“Tell me to stop… if you want me to,” Viola muttered between kisses.
“I don’t want you to stop,” Gillian whispered as her fingers unclipped Viola’s bra.
Viola let out a playful chuckle, the sound vibrating between them as she slid the bra off and tossed it aside.
“What’s so funny?” Gillian questioned as her eyes roamed over Viola’s bare breasts.
Viola’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned closer, her voice breathy against Gillian’s ear. “I always imagined you to be a bit bossy in the bedroom.”
“You thought of me like that?” Gillian said, feeling momentarily vulnerable, only for the feeling to fade as arousal washed through her.
“Yes, along with all the things I wanted to do to you if I ever got my hands on you.”
Gillian’s stomach tingled at her words, but her thoughts took over, distracting her. Why wasn’t she bossy? Why was she so nervous? She’d done it before. The anatomy was different yet not unfamiliar. Why was she letting her nervousness hold her back from devouring the woman in front of her? Viola was safe, she wasn’t judgemental, and she could see in her eyes Viola wanted her as much as she wanted Viola.
“Would you like that? For me to be bossy?” Gillian questioned.
“Only if you’re comfortable. To be honest, I’d consider this year to be a success already if I could lie beside you.”
As nice as that sounded, it wouldn’t be enough for her; every part of her was pulsing for Viola’s touch. She could be commanding. Her first thought fell to needing her clipboard; she shook it away. This was not a clipboard moment.
“I don’t want to just lie beside you. I want to feel you, all of y—”
Before Gillian could finish her sentence, she was flat on her back on the bed, Viola straddling her. Heat radiated from between Viola’s legs as she pressed and rubbed against her belly. Looking up, Viola met her with a playful and intense stare. Her eyes were dark with desire, lips parted as if she were on the edge of speech or simply overwhelmed by the moment. Gillian’s breath caught as she took her in.
Her hands slid up Viola’s thighs until they could go no further. Slipping her fingers under the elastic of Viola’s knickers, she was met with a wetness that made her burn between her legs. Her fingertips slid against Viola’s softness, teasing and rubbing, tracing every inch of her, all the while hoping she was doing the right thing. Viola writhed and moaned at her touch, arching herself back to allow more access. It wasn’t enough. Gillian needed to see her, not blindly touch her.
She tugged at the fabric, her voice breathless. “I want these off. Now!”
Viola jumped off her, curls bouncing as she hurriedly slipped her underwear off, almost losing her balance in her haste. Once free, she straightened and nodded towards Gillian’s lower half with a playful grin. “And those?” she asked, her voice full of anticipation.
Taking a moment to appreciate the naked woman standing in her bedroom before answering, Gillian let her eyes wander. She drank in every exquisite detail — the way Viola’s skin glowed, the gentle curve of her hips, and the way her hair fell over her breasts. “You may remove them,” she said, her voice deep and smooth, full of authority.
Gillian arched her body as Viola gripped at the lace trim, allowing her to slowly slip them off. A wave of self-consciousness hit her again, and she crossed her legs. As Viola moved to climb back on top of her, she forced herself to uncross them, to show herself to Viola. There was nothing left to hide.
“Oh, Gillian, you’re so beautiful,” Viola breathed, her voice low and sultry as she leaned over her. “I love you.”
Although she was caught off guard for a moment by Viola’s sudden declaration, Gillian found the same words coming from her mouth. “I love you too.” There was no doubt in her mind whether she was ready to say them.
Pulling Viola to her, her hand grasped the back of her head, forcing their lips together in a passionate kiss. Their naked bodies brushed against each other, love flowing through their skin as their hands explored each other.
Viola’s fingers drifted along Gillian’s inner thigh, the touch light yet deliberate, moving closer to where she needed them most. The anticipation was unbearable, making her tremble as Viola’s fingers slipped through her wetness. They began exploring, tracing every part before working their way inside with a constant rhythm and intensity that was pure ecstasy.
She wouldn’t last long if Viola kept it up, but she didn’t want her to stop and encouraged her on, moving with her. She’d never been this aroused before; every nerve in her body was lit with desire.
Viola’s tongue teased her nipple, sucking and licking, making her breathless. Catching her eye, Viola smiled, her mouth opening wide as it devoured Gillian’s breast, making her moan. She could see the unmistakable passion in Viola’s eyes, a sheer desire to please. It was overwhelming, driving her toward the brink. She’d never appreciated how intoxicating it would feel to have someone so focused, so intent on her pleasure. The thought only added to the unyielding feelings coursing through her body, and before she knew it, waves of orgasm crashed over her, leaving her trembling in the aftermath.
Viola’s arms were soon around her, kissing her cheek and neck, holding her tight as she regained her breath.
“Was that okay?” Viola whispered in her ear before kissing it and sending a pleasurable aftershock through her.
Gillian could only nod and smile. She couldn’t stop smiling. She was going to keep demanding Viola take her; nothing and no one was going to stop her. She couldn’t be without this feeling ever again — couldn’t and wouldn’t be without Viola.
Admitting to herself who she was may have been one hurdle — a rather large one that took decades to climb over; admitting it to Viola felt like another. To admit it to the world — or, in her case, Kingsford — was going to be a monumental challenge. It was something she didn’t have a plan for, and she’d never been without a plan before.
Holding Gillian in her arms, listening to her ragged breath gradually slow after the intensity of release, felt surreal. The woman was enchanting, even before the dress slipped from her shoulders, revealing delicate black silk and lace.
There were no words for how Gillian made her feel when she peeled away her outer layers. Seeing Gillian laid out naked before her, vulnerable yet powerful, exposed in every way possible, was something Viola hadn’t fully anticipated, and it had stirred a primal desire within her.
It wasn’t only her body Gillian had exposed; there was a new level of trust between them. There was also a new level of trust inside Gillian for her own feelings, which was beautiful to witness. Viola was proud that she was the one to remove her walls, brick by brick, lowering them enough that Gillian could finally step out from her foundations and start again.
Feeling Gillian stirring in her arms, Viola instinctively loosened her hold only to find Gillian on top of her, her wetness pressing against her lower belly. The way her breasts sat, full and enticing, was enough to make Viola’s breath catch. She couldn’t resist the pull. Her hands moved up, cupping the fullness of Gillian’s breasts in her palms. Their softness was intoxicating, but it was the quiet, involuntary moan that escaped Gillian’s lips that made Viola’s heart race faster.
She was perfect. From the shape of her waist to the curve of her hips where they flared gently before descending into the rounded fullness of her thighs. Viola’s hands moved from her breasts as if compelled by instinct, tracing the smooth line of Gillian’s body, her fingers lingered at the swell of her hips. Gillian arched slightly into Viola’s touch, her movements unguarded as if she’d let down all the barriers she fiercely maintained.
Viola squirmed with anticipation as Gillian leaned toward her, hovering above her breasts before kissing them passionately in turn. Her warm, wet, insistent lips traced over them, her tongue teasing her nipples. The sensation was almost too great, charged with an intensity that made her body ache for more. It ached for Gillian and demanded release, so it could feel these sensations all over again.
Gillian’s hands, once tentative, explored with growing confidence, her touch firm on Viola’s body as if she had mapped out every inch of it and was now claiming it. Viola gasped, her fingers running through Gillian’s hair, holding her close as her lips trailed over her belly.
“I need you,” Gillian whispered, her voice demanding and low. The desire in those words made Viola’s pulse pound so hard she could feel the pressure in her neck.
“You have me… always,” Viola replied, breathless.
The desperation in her tone was unmistakable, and it only spurred Gillian on as her lips pressed firmly over Viola’s skin, making their way past her belly button and down. She could only lie back and hope they were heading where she needed them.
Gillian’s smouldering lips radiated through her core as they pressed into her. Her tongue was slow and deliberate, as though savouring every moment. Viola gasped, her back arching off the bed, her breath catching in her throat as the pleasure built quickly — far too quickly. Gillian didn’t hold back, her tongue moving with precision, exploring her in ways that made Viola’s head spin. Her eagerness and the intensity of her movements left Viola trembling. How could Gillian not have done this before?
Every sweep of her tongue sent a new wave of arousal through Viola, her body writhing beneath the exquisite torment. The feelings only intensified as Gillian’s fingers teased her, stroking, then gently pushing, until they slid inside her. Any attempt to delay the inevitable was fruitless. Her body tensed, the pleasure spiralling until she finally surrendered.
“Gillian…” Viola moaned, her voice barely audible as she tilted her head back, her hands clutching the sheets as she unravelled completely.
Lying there, eyes shut tight, she could sense Gillian’s movements around her. She tried to move, to reach out, but she was too exhausted. She wrenched her eyes open as the sheets were pulled over her, wrapping around her before she was gently turned onto her side and drawn into Gillian’s arms. She’d never felt as happy as she did in this moment. As safe.
It was almost impossible to believe this was where they’d ended up after everything — the tension, the icy glares, the biting words exchanged with Gillian when she moved to Kingsford and took her place. Now, the same woman held her like this, with such affection, after claiming her in a way Viola could never imagine. And yet, despite the absurdity of it all, it felt right.
Feeling a soft kiss to the top of her head caused a bubbling sensation, like champagne fizzing, to flow through her veins. Gillian pulled her closer, their bodies minds and souls fitting together like puzzle pieces. Closing her eyes again, she nestled against Gillian’s chest as a smile forced its way to her lips.