Chapter 24
Faith
Faith flopped back on her bed. Today kicked her ass entirely. Working with Rita was proving to be one of the most difficult things she’d ever tried. It wasn’t the day-to-day grunt work that was taxing; it was the group meetings.
Rita had wholeheartedly welcomed Faith into the fold, acting as a mentor right out the gate. They’d discussed Faith’s plans for the future and Rita felt her dreams of becoming a counselor were more than achievable. To help Faith understand what she would face, Rita asked her to take part in group sessions. All the participants had given their permission for Faith to sit and listen.
Some stories Faith heard in that room were horrifying. The trauma which had been inflicted on those people was unimaginable, but Faith did her best to sit silently. The people in that room didn’t need her sympathy, they needed help to move forward.
Watching Rita navigate such rough waters was impressive. At no point did she instruct. Rita listened, asked questions and helped the person get to where they needed to be on their own.
After each session, Rita would debrief with Faith in her office. It was a good way for them to discuss how Faith was feeling and explain the methods Rita used to help the kids move forward.
Today was a particularly hard session. A young woman had joined the group for the first time. Her story sent shockwaves through everyone, but as usual Rita handled it like a pro. Bile rose in Faith’s throat every time she recounted Lila’s story.
Alan might have been a terrible father and husband, but he hadn’t inflicted the torture Lila had suffered for years. Why were people so cruel? How could anyone do such inhumane things to anyone? Was a woman loving another woman really so bad? No, of course not, the world was just a fucked up pool of hatred.
The idea of going out tonight sat heavily on Faith’s shoulders. Nathalie wanted to take her on a date, but Faith was far from being in a romantic mood. All she could do was think of Lila. The tough part of the whole thing was Faith couldn’t talk to anyone about the session. It was strictly confidential, and Faith had no plans to break that rule.
“Hey, babe, are you ready to go?” Nathalie asked, entering Faith’s bedroom. Faith swiped away a rogue tear that had fallen. “Whoa, what’s wrong?”
“Hard day,” Faith replied, sitting up. Nathalie regarded her for a few seconds before taking Faith in her arms.
“Okay, go take a shower. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
And that’s why Nathalie was the perfect girlfriend. She never pushed for an explanation. She simply gave Faith what she needed in the moment. Watching Nathalie scamper out of the room, Faith allowed herself a minute of reflection and thanks.
The shower helped wash the day away. Upon returning to her room, Faith couldn’t help but smile widely. Nathalie had switched on the fairy lights, set up a range of naughty snacks on the bed, and queued up Netflix. “Come on, get snuggled,” Nathalie said, extending her arm to Faith. Allowing herself to be pulled into Nathalie’s body, Faith sighed in contemplation. Only after a few minutes did she realize she was still in a towel, damp from the shower.
“Let me get dressed before we start the movie.” Faith noted the look of lust in Nathalie’s eyes. They still hadn’t taken the next step, but Faith was ready. Not tonight, but soon. Their make-out sessions became heated every time. Clothes were discarded, but they always stopped before underwear came off.
Nathalie cleared her throat, her eyes darting around the room. “I forgot hot chocolate. I’ll do that while you sort yourself out.” And just like that, Nathalie shot from the room. Faith couldn’t help but chuckle.
Halfway through the movie, Faith was struggling to keep her eyes open. Normally, Nathalie went home after a movie night, but tonight, Faith needed her to stay close. “Will you stay?” she mumbled through her drowsiness.
“If you want,” Nat replied, holding her closer. “Let’s turn this off and get some sleep. You’re shattered.”
Faith didn’t have the energy to argue. After a day like today, falling unconscious in Nathalie’s arms was the perfect balm.
Sunlight piercing through Faith’s eyelids woke her early. Damn, she’d forgotten to close her blinds. For a split-second, Faith was confused with the warm body wrapped around her until she remembered Nat had stayed the night.
Turning slowly, Faith peered over her shoulder. Nathalie was holding her like a koala bear, her face buried in Faith’s neck. It was a wonder she could breathe. Nathalie’s entire face was smothered in Faith’s hair.
The little snort and mumble Nathalie made caused Faith to laugh, which in turn caused Nathalie to stir. Had Faith ever seen anything more adorable than a sleepy Nat? Nope, never. “Whatsappenin’?” Nathalie asked. If Faith hadn’t been paying attention, Nathalie’s words would have been completely nonsensical.
“Hey, babe, sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” Faith cooed, turning in Nathalie’s arms so they were facing each other.
“S’okay,” Nat yawned, burying her head deeper in Faith’s hair.
Faith chuckled again. Nathalie wasn’t a very good morning person, by all accounts. “Do you want some breakfast?”
“Nostayhere.”
“What?” Faith laughed. Even she didn’t understand that rambling. Nathalie lifted her head and gave a sleepy smile.
“I said, no, stay here.”
Faith’s internal thermometer was skyrocketing. Nathalie was gorgeous, her hair mussed up from sleep and her eyes a little wet from the morning light. When Faith thought of the perfect time for them to have sex, she’d always imagined it would be after a super romantic date. There would be candles and music, you know, all the cheesy stuff in movies. But, here, now, looking into her girlfriend’s eyes, Faith couldn’t think of a more perfect time.
Nathalie had held her all night, giving Faith love and support. Waking up, tucked into Nathalie’s body, was so natural and felt so right. Seeing Nathalie first thing in the morning was Faith’s new favorite thing, and her body was reacting in kind.
Bringing her hand up to Nathalie’s neck, Faith slowly drew her girlfriend into a slow, deep kiss. Nathalie’s hand landed on Faith’s waist, her fingers scratching slightly in small circles. Who knew that was an erogenous zone?
Faith held Nathalie closer, shifting slightly to allow Nathalie to lie on top of her. The sweet kiss turned frantic. Faith couldn’t seem to get close enough to Nathalie. Her body was on fire and this time she had no intention of stopping.
“Are you sure?” Nathalie whispered against Faith’s mouth.
“Yes,” she gasped.
The first touch of Nathalie’s fingers on Faith’s stomach sent tendrils of electricity through her body. Maybe it was because Faith knew they would go all the way this time that it felt different to all their other make-out sessions.
Gliding her hands over Nat’s body, she lifted her girlfriend’s top over her head, quickly discarding her bra. How could Faith describe seeing Nat’s breasts for the first time? Awe-inspiring? Heaven sent? Maybe life-affirming? All would be accurate. Nathalie was perfect.
Tentatively, Faith brought her hand up and gently cupped Nathalie’s left boob. Their eyes met, giving Faith a little more confidence as Nathalie’s eye glazed over. Taking a chance, Faith rolled Nathalie’s nipple. The gasp and moan that Nathalie released was all Faith needed to proceed.
With one hand kneading Nathalie’s breast, Faith took Nathalie’s ass cheek in the other, pulling her body down. The friction caused by Nathalie’s hips sinking into her own left Faith dizzy. There was no space for nerves, not when her body felt like it would combust at any moment.
Nathalie began grinding her hips slowly. Faith licked Nathalie’s neck, scraping her teeth across the supple skin. “Oh, Faith,” Nathalie whispered.
“I want to see all of you,” Faith replied, releasing Nathalie’s body. Wordlessly, they pulled apart, allowing the other to remove their clothing. A small wave of insecurity washed over Faith as Nathalie surveyed her body.
“You are beautiful,” Nathalie choked, overwhelmed with emotion. Laying back down, Faith pulled Nathalie back on top of her. Not missing a beat, Nathalie resumed her slow hip rolls. This time, though, her mouth found Faith’s breasts.
“Oh Lord,” Faith mumbled into Nathalie’s shoulder.
“Is this okay?” Nathalie asked. The nipple she was sucking on making a small popping sound when released. Was it okay? It was fantastic. Faith was more concerned that she wasn’t going to last very long. Just the nipple sucking had caused an ache to build in her sex.
“It’s perfect, but…”
“But? I can stop.”
Shaking her head, Faith tried to articulate what she was feeling. It was proving difficult to form a coherent sentence with all the feelings she had zipping around her body. “I might not last very long,” she finally voiced.
“That’s okay. We have all day.”
Hell yeah, we do!Faith closed her eyes, completely entranced by the feeling of Nathalie’s lips once again enveloping her sensitive buds.
At that moment, Faith didn’t think it could get any better. Well, that was until Nathalie slowly snaked her hand down Faith’s torso. The hesitation in Nathalie’s movements showed she was a little nervous. When Nathalie’s hand paused above Faith’s mound, Faith gently slid her own hand on top of Nathalie’s and guided her to where she so desperately needed to be touched.
The gasp Nathalie made when her fingers slid through Faith’s folds sent a pulse of want straight to Faith’s clit. “Oh, you’re so wet,” Nathalie commented, almost awestruck. Faith could only nod her head. She was struggling to keep herself in the present. All she wanted was to throw her head back and scream in pleasure because Nathalie was driving her insane.
“Is this good?” Nathalie asked, slowly circling Faith’s clit.
“Mmmm, so good,” Faith rasped.
“You feel amazing.”
“Oh, Nat, I-I’m not sure I can hold on any longer.” Faith’s whole body was vibrating. The orgasm building in her body was nothing like she’d ever felt. Faith was a little frightened it would break her. The tremors became more intense as Nathalie quickened her pace and pressed a little harder.
Gripping Nathalie, Faith bit into her shoulder as the most intense feeling of pleasure sent shockwaves racing to every nerve. It was only after the initial wave subsided that she heard herself screaming Nathalie’s name.
Blinking rapidly, Faith finally came back to reality. Nathalie hovered over her, a look of… worry on her face. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”
“No, baby,” Faith panted, her breathing still rapid. “That… that was…” Faith couldn’t find the words to do what she had just felt the justice it deserved. Instead of trying to explain further, Faith drew Nathalie into another heated kiss.
If Faith couldn’t explain to Nathalie what had just happened, maybe she could show her. Pushing on Nathalie’s shoulder, Faith rolled them. A pang of nerves fluttered in Faith’s stomach. It was one thing receiving immeasurable pleasure, quite another trying to give it. But no matter how nervous she felt, knowing it was Nathalie here with her helped quash those worries. All she had to do was show Nathalie how she felt. Easy, right?
Straddling Nathalie’s hips, Faith bent forward and kissed her way from Nathalie’s soft warm lips to her neck and down to her chest. Reflexively, Faith’s hips rocked, painting Nathalie with her excitement.
The overwhelming need to taste Nathalie hit Faith like a freight train. Scooting herself lower, she continued to kiss every inch of Nathalie’s skin. A smile graced her lips when Nathalie opened her legs wide. A quick flick of her eyes to Nathalie’s face showed how much Nathalie wanted this.
Dipping her head, Faith brushed her nose ever so gently against Nathalie’s short curls. The scent of her girlfriend set her mouth watering. Why had they waited so long? “Y-you don’t have to,” Nathalie stuttered.
“I want to,” Faith replied, her eyes firmly fixed on her goal. With a delicate swipe of her tongue, Faith savored Nathalie’s taste. Oh, she is divine.
“Oh, Jesus,” Nathalie panted, her hands fisting the bed sheets. Faith reached out, took one of those fisted hands and rested it on the back of her own head.
“Show me what you want,” Faith whispered. She felt Nathalie grip her hair slightly before pushing gently to lower Faith’s mouth back to where she needed it.
Closing her eyes, Faith allowed her tongue to roam free. She explored every centimeter of Nathalie’s folds, licking and sucking, unsure if she was doing it right but trusting her instinct. The tightening of Nathalie’s thighs around her head and the moans which grew louder and louder until Nathalie fell silent, her mouth open, her body shaking.
When Faith felt a tap on her shoulder, she gave Nathalie’s clit one last kiss before pulling away. Nathalie drew her in. Together they lay silently panting, processing what they had just done together.
“That was perfect,” Nathalie sighed after a few minutes. “Y-you enjoyed it too, right?”
Faith lifted her head, surprised to see genuine worry etched on Nathalie’s face. “Nat, that was everything I ever dreamed of.” Swallowing hard, Faith said the one thing that had been on her mind for weeks. “Nathalie, I love you.”
A tear made its way down Nathalie’s cheek. “You do?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“I love you, too,” she sobbed, resting her forehead against Faith’s.
They lay together, gently caressing each other for what seemed like hours, basking in each other’s warmth. When Nathalie’s stomach gave an almighty rumble, they giggled and agreed it was time to get up.
“I’m going to jump in the shower before we go eat,” Faith commented as they untangled themselves from each other. “I can’t sit with Carmen and Mateo, with you still on my chin,” she chuckled.
“Maybe I’ll join you,” Nathalie grinned, wiggling her eyebrows.
Breakfast could wait!
◆◆◆
“Hey chica, no Nathalie?” Mateo asked later that day.
“No, she left about an hour ago. Are you not working today?”
“I thought I’d take the afternoon off and give myself a facial. Care to join me?”
“One thousand times, yes,” Faith replied excitedly. It had been a couple of weeks since she’d had a spa day with Mateo.
“Carmen tells me Molly is visiting in a few weeks.”
“Yeah, I can’t wait.” Chewing her lip, Faith asked the one thing she’d been wondering about since they were in California. “Did something happen between Molly and Carmen?”
Mateo froze momentarily. “Um, no, why, um, why do you think that?”
Oh, wow, Mateo was a terrible liar! “Mateo, what happened?” Faith rounded on him, hands on hips, hoping she came across as intimidating. Well enough that Mateo would spill.
“Maybe that’s something you should talk to Carmen about, chica.”
Narrowing her eyes, Faith regarded him a little longer until he was squirming. “So, something did happen?”
“I didn’t say that,” he squeaked.
“You just told me to ask Carmen. If nothing happened, there would be nothing to ask about. I knew it. Did they fall out over me moving here?”
“No, sweetie,” Mateo smiled. “Nothing like that.”
“Okay, but what else could they have to get upset about?”
“They weren’t upset. Nothing happened.”
“Hang on,” Faith gasped, realization smacking her square in the face. “Did they…” No way! Of course, that’s what had happened. Faith had caught the looks her aunt and Carmen shared.
“Ask Carmen,” Mateo spluttered. “I’m going to get my face creams.” And just like that, Mateo disappeared.
“Well, well, well. Carmen and Aunt Molly.” Faith grinned to herself. If Mateo wouldn’t give her the scoop, she knew a cantankerous pothead who would. Shouting to Mateo she was popping out for a bit, Faith ran over to Enid’s.
Bursting through the door, Faith beelined for Enid, who was sitting in her spot by the window. The one she used to spy on her neighbors. “Carmen and Molly did it, didn’t they?”
“Ha,” Enid cackled. “You finally caught on.”
“I can’t believe it. Why didn’t they tell me they liked each other?”
“Love, they can’t even admit it to themselves yet. They’re not as evolved as the likes of you and me.”
“That’s stupid. What’s the problem?” Did Carmen and Molly think Faith would take it badly or something? “Is it me?”
“No, love, although I’m sure they will use you as an excuse for a while. They’ve both just got their heads up their asses at the minute, but I’m not worried.”
“Should I talk to Carmen, tell her I’m cool with it? I could ring Molly.”
“No, leave it be. Do you want a cocktail? I had a delightful sex on the beach earlier.”
“Sure, why not! It’s a day of celebration,” Faith smiled, her mind transporting back to this morning.
“Oh yeah, and why’s that?” Enid asked, her eyebrows cocked.
“Just is,” Faith mumbled, her face flushing.
“Well, alright then. Let’s celebrate.”
Faith laughed as Enid did a strange salsa dance to the kitchen. Faith sat in Enid’s unoccupied seat. Even though the day was gray, nothing could dampen Faith’s mood. She couldn’t wait to have Nathalie back in her bed. Chuckling to herself, Faith shook her head. “Who are you?” she asked herself playfully. She was a young, vibrant woman, with a delicious girlfriend and wonderful people. That’s who she was and, boy, was that something!
Enid shuffled in with two cocktails and a tray of snacks. “Here you go, love, get that down your gullet.”
“Cheers, Enid,”
“Cheers, love.”
Sipping her drink, Faith smiled widely, her chest full of warmth. Yesterday was hard, but a new day brought new things and Faith was going to hold on to them with all her might.