Chapter 30
Chapter thirty
The water ran hot, steaming into the bath. Bubbles multiplied and the scent of vanilla wafted into the air.
"Clothes off," Billy demanded when Rosa came to inspect what she was doing.
"Why?"
Billy stepped back. "So we can enjoy this," she said, already pulling her own sweater off. Braless.
Rosa's gaze shifted back and forth between the luxurious looking bathtub and the naked breasts she was becoming familiar with again. She watched as Billy stripped down completely. Always too tempting. She smiled at the confident stance.
"Let me get a drink and—"
"No need," Billy said, holding out a hand. When Rosa took it and stepped fully into the room, she spotted the glasses and the alcohol-free wine. "I came prepared."
"Trying to get me drunk, huh?" Rosa teased as she lifted the bottle and read the label.
"Was hoping I wouldn't need to." Billy stepped closer. "So, are you joining me?"
"Yes," Rosa answered. Her next move surprised them both, as she leant in, pushed up on her toes, and whispered against Billy's ear, "Undress me…like you used to do."
"I can do that," Billy whispered back. Her hands gripped the hem of Rosa's jumper, already eager to remove the barrier between them.
Every move was slow. The backs of her fingers grazed warm skin, sending a shiver down Rosa's spine.
"I missed you doing this," Rosa said. "Your hands on me…" Her eyes closed as those fingers found the clasp of her bra and snapped it open.
"I try not to live with regret, but it's impossible not to have some when I missed out on all of these moments with you," Billy admitted. "I don't want to miss out on anymore."
When Rosa was naked, Billy stepped into the bath, turned the taps off, and then held out her hand.
Rosa took it, led by confidence, but also her heart.
Billy sat down, letting the water fill up around her as she leant back against the cool enamel.
The space between her thighs opened and Rosa followed, submerging under the water and against Billy.
Solid. Warm. Everything she'd been missing. Arms slid around her and she relaxed into the touch. No urgency. Just them, in the moment, flesh to flesh.
Silently, Billy reached for a bottle of soap. She poured a little into her palm, lathering before she began to wash Rosa. Her hands glided across Rosa's skin, fingers pressing into muscle and sinew.
"What are you doing?" Rosa asked, even though it was obvious.
"Loving you," Billy whispered, her hands doing all the talking she needed them to.
Rosa's eyes closed as she allowed herself to enjoy the sensations.
"I haven't felt this alive in years," she admitted, leaning forward to make room as Billy washed her back.
Billy chuckled. "I'm not unhappy about that." She let her hands glide around and under Rosa's arms, cupping her breasts, nipples instantly hardening in her palm. She massaged a little longer, enjoying the small groan that slipped from somewhere deep inside Rosa.
"That's nice," Rosa whispered, eyes closed, head lolling against Billy's shoulder.
"You can love me again, Rosa. I won't fail you this time," Billy said. "I won't let you or Imogen down."
"It feels so easy to say that…"
"I know," Billy said, continuing with her task— belly, thighs, all the places she could reach, bar one. "But I know what my heart wants, and it's always been you."
"Has it?" Rosa asked. She placed her hands over Billy's and stopped the movement. "It hasn't felt that way this past decade or more."
"Two things can be true at once," Billy said. "I will do whatever it takes to make sure you never spend another day uncertain of how I feel about you."
"That's a big statement to make, Billy."
"And one I wouldn't say if I didn't think I was capable of seeing it through." Her hand dipped lower, and this time when it did, Rosa made room for her.