Chapter 13 #3
This was her love, spread out on her pillows, face bright with desire and passion and evidence of what they’d already done.
Simone covered her, kissing her as she pushed her legs open wide and began to grind against her.
Caroline made a garbled sound and her hands gripped Simone’s bare back as she started to lift to her.
God, she wanted to make her come this way, adjusting so their pussies touched and they could grind to paradise together.
But not tonight. She licked down the length of her body instead, slowing to suck and tease her nipples, to scrape the edges of her nails against her skin as Caroline keened and moaned and grunted her name.
She pushed Caroline’s legs open and in the firelight she truly got to look at her.
In the carriage it had all been dim and hot and close, but this was gorgeous.
She was gorgeous and Simone never wanted her to ever leave.
She pushed that thought away and covered her with her mouth. She pushed her open, licking languidly at first as Caroline’s breath became almost nonexistent. Then harder and faster and with one purpose in mind. When Caroline was trembling, Simone lifted her head.
“One finger?” she asked softly.
Concern flickered over Caroline’s face, but then she nodded. “I-I trust you.”
Simone could have flown that statement gave her such joy.
She kissed Caroline’s inner thigh, silently vowing to never, ever violate that trust. Slowly, she entered her, finding her wet and hot and waiting.
Also tense, but as she allowed Caroline to get used to the feel of her, she relaxed.
Or at least the tension changed to something with more pleasure.
“Grip against me while I do this,” she whispered, and went back to licking.
Caroline tasted so good, earthy and sweet, like summertime and longing that was finally fulfilled.
She lifted against her, rocking her head on the pillows.
Her body did grip Simone’s finger and when she came, the rolling flutters were like heaven against her.
She sucked Caroline through it all, lengthening the pleasure, sharpening it until Caroline fully collapsed, twitching and out of breath.
Simone moved up, gathering Caroline’s limp body against her chest and holding her. They were quiet in the fire-lit bed. Simone stroked her hands over Caroline’s skin and kissed the top of her head, but made no effort to go further.
She thought Caroline had fallen asleep after a while, but then she sighed. “I failed her.”
Simone didn’t have to clarify the her. She held a little tighter and felt Caroline’s fingers flex against her side. “You did everything you could.”
“Yes, so you said in all your wonderful letters.” Caroline whispered, her breath soft on Simone’s skin. “But did I? I could have done more to encourage her away from the engagement at the start. I almost let her share my own fate.”
Simone gazed down into her upturned face. Slowly, she combed her fingers through Caroline’s hair, bringing it down from the tangled remnants of the day’s style.
“You mean when you were married.”
Caroline nodded. She looked exhausted and Simone knew she should let her sleep. But there was so much emotion in her expression. Simone wanted to know more. Wanted to know it all at last.
“Tell me,” she said softly.
Caroline held her stare a moment. “My parents died right before I would have come out,” she said.
“Which left my brother as my guardian.” She shivered.
“He sold my hand away just like he tried to do with his own daughters years later. George was old, very old. He was…” She shivered.
“He didn’t care what I wanted or needed. Sometimes I wanted to die.”
Simone’s breath stuttered and she clung a little tighter to Caroline in an effort to prove she had survived. The idea she hadn’t wanted to was horrible. “He hurt you, you said.”
“He did. I think sometimes on purpose and sometimes out of a lack of concern. And when he got sick and died, I was happy. I felt terrible to be so happy.”
“You lived,” Simone whispered, brushing her face. “And he’s gone and you’re free. So is Julia.”
“Yes.” A little light passed over her expression. “Yes.”
“Free to do whatever you want,” Simone continued, and Caroline settled her head against her chest.
“I want you,” Caroline said. “All I want is you, Simone.”
Tears stung Simone’s eyes and she was happy Caroline wasn’t looking at her to see them. “Stay with me,” she whispered. “Please stay with me and let me make it good for you for a few days.”
Caroline lifted her head and stared as if she couldn’t believe the offer. Simone knew it was foolish to make it but right now that was all she wanted in the world. And when Caroline nodded, she could have collapsed in joy.
“Yes,” Caroline said. “I want to stay.”
“Good.” Simone pulled her back down. “Now go to sleep.”
Caroline didn’t fight her, and it didn’t take long for her breath to grow long and even as she did exactly what she’d been told. Simone held her all night, and every time she jolted awake to find her there, it felt like her dream come true.