Chapter 18
Vera
2000
I n the blink of an eye, Vera found herself sitting across from Isla at the Moonflower Cove Inn’s restaurant, celebrating their fifth anniversary. Sure, it wasn’t an official anniversary of any sort. But they had been together for five whole years, and they had been the five best years of Vera’s life. She loved being Mason’s mom and a partner to Isla. They completed each other, as cheesy as that sounded.
But Vera didn’t care. She was as in love with Isla as she had ever been and couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life with her. Isla was her soulmate; Vera had no doubt about it. And as she looked at her beautiful partner across the table, Vera couldn’t help but smile.
Isla looked stunning. Her curly hair was shorter than it had been, sitting just at her shoulder. The deep V-neck coral-colored dress she wore had been driving Vera crazy all night, and her brain had been cluttered with images of taking it off later in their room. They had reserved a room at the inn to celebrate their anniversary, and Vera was thankful they didn’t have to go far after dinner to be alone.
Because Vera was more than ready to be alone with Isla.
“I love you,” Vera dreamily said as she leaned across the table and kissed Isla. Her lips were soft, and Vera melted into the kiss. “Happy anniversary.”
“Happy anniversary, my love.”
“You know what we should do now?”
“I hope you’re thinking the same thing I’m thinking.”
Vera arched an eyebrow at her. “I’m sure I am.”
Reaching out, she took Isla’s hand as they exited the restaurant and walked toward the elevator. Their room was on the top floor, which gave them plenty of time alone in the elevator. And Vera wasted no time taking advantage of the situation. She pinned Isla against the wall as their lips met hastily. Isla moaned, making Vera’s already wet center even wetter.
“Vera,” Isla moaned her name as Vera squeezed her breast. She almost didn’t hear the elevator door open and was thankful no one was waiting on it.
Staying lip-locked, they somehow managed to make their way down the hallway to their room. Isla fumbled with the key as Vera kept kissing her neck. She knew all the places that drove Isla wild, and her neck was definitely the best spot.
“Come on, already,” Vera teased as Isla finally unlocked the door.
“I’m about to.”
Pushing the door open, they barely had it shut before Vera unzipped Isla’s dress. It fell to the floor, revealing that Isla only had on a black lace thong underneath. Vera’s breath hitched in her throat at the sight of her beautiful Isla in front of her.
“God, you’re gorgeous.”
Isla responded by pushing the blazer off Vera’s shoulders and letting it fall to the floor. She quickly removed her top as Isla unbuttoned her pants and pulled them to the floor. With their clothes in a heap by the door, they made their way over to the king-size bed. Vera carefully laid Isla down, knowing she couldn’t keep her mouth and hands off her any longer.
Making love to Isla was unlike anything Vera had ever experienced before. It was sexy and electric and sweet all at the same time. She loved every curve of Isla’s body, loved the way she had every inch of her memorized. Vera placed a trail of kisses from her neck to her navel before settling between her legs. Isla spread them wide for her, giving Vera all the access she’d need.
“Touch me,” Isla moaned as Vera slowly ran her fingertips along her inner thigh. “Please.”
“Here?” Vera softly touched her clit. She was teasing her, which she knew would only drive Isla closer to the edge faster.
“Vera.” Another moan. “ Please .”
“Here?” Vera gently stroked Isla’s wet center. The wait was almost too much for Vera to bear, so she didn’t wait for Isla to respond before thrusting two fingers inside her. A pleasurable moan filled the room as Vera methodically pumped her fingers in and out. Isla’s hands went from holding on to the sheets to holding Vera’s forearm and back again.
But when Vera curled her fingers inside and found the perfect spot, Isla called out her name in complete bliss as her back arched off the bed.
“Vera!”
“I’m right here, baby.”
“More.”
“More what?”
“I don’t care,” Isla’s breathing was labored. “Just more.”
Lowering her head, Vera sucked on Isla’s clit as she slowly moved her hand up toward her breast. She squeezed, causing Isla’s back to arch again. As Vera rolled her hardened nipple between her fingers, she could feel Isla coming again. It was more intense this time. Isla grabbed onto the sheets with one hand while grabbing a fistful of Vera’s hair with the other. Not that Vera minded. If anything, it turned her on more.
“I need to touch you.”
Before Vera could process what was happening, she was on her back with Isla on top of her. Isla’s fingers gently slipped inside her as Vera enjoyed the sensation. Vera would never tire of feeling Isla’s fingers in her. Placing a hand on the back of Isla’s neck, she pulled her body closer to hers as their kissing grew more desperate. They might as well have been stranded in the desert for days and just found water for how badly they needed each other.
“Baby,” Vera moaned quietly into Isla’s ears while Isla placed kisses on her neck and breasts.
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
As her orgasm crashed into her, Vera called out Isla’s name in complete bliss. She rode out the orgasm on Isla’s fingers before desperately trying to regain her breath. Isla slowly pulled her fingers out, licking them one by one as she kept eye contact with Vera. It was more than enough to turn Vera on again, and she wasted no time scooting down the bed between Isla’s legs until her feet were planted on the floor and Isla’s wet center was inches above her lips.
Isla lowered her body slowly, allowing Vera’s tongue easier access. She wrapped her arms around Isla’s thighs to support herself while she begged her shaking legs not to give out on her just yet.
“Vera,” Isla was breathless, “I don’t know if I can handle another.”
“You’ll find out.”
And she did.
After Isla’s orgasm ended, Vera slowed herself to slowly slide off the bed and onto the floor in complete and total bliss. She still had Isla’s wetness on her lips and savored it. Isla joined her on the floor, sitting beside her as she put a hand between her legs. Her fingertips traced small circles on her inner thigh, and Vera leaned her head into Isla’s shoulder.
“I love you.”
“I love you more.”
“Impossible,” Isla chuckled.
“Whatever.” Vera wrapped her arms around Isla’s arm, which was still between her legs. “I’m so happy I found you.”
“Me, too.”
“You and Mason are the best things that have ever happened to me.”
“Back at you.” Isla kissed the top of her head.
Vera could have stayed there all night. And she would have, too, if Isla hadn’t suggested they go onto the balcony to enjoy the evening air. It was fall in Moonflower Cove, and the cool air had settled into the cove nicely. They donned their Moonflower Cove Inn bathrobes and turned on the space heater they’d requested for the trip. Their balcony overlooked a nearby lake, adding to the night's tranquility.
As they sat on the small couch curled up together, Vera couldn’t imagine her life being any better than it currently was. She and Isla were madly in love. Mason was nine and the light of their lives, and they had been talking about starting fertility treatments to add a baby to their family. The idea of carrying her and Isla’s baby made every fiber in Vera’s body happy. Vera snuggled up closer to Isla, kissing her shoulder.
Isla chuckled to herself.
“What?”
“You’re so quiet post-sex.” Isla kissed her head again. “What are you thinking about?”
“A baby.”
“Me, too.”
Vera sat up, turning to look at Isla. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Isla dreamily sighed. “I miss having a little baby around.”
“It would be so much fun.”
“I’d love to raise a baby with you.”
“I know I said I wanted to wait until after my residency to start trying, but I don’t know if I can wait that long.”
“I’ll do whatever you want to do, you know that.”
And Vera did. They had talked about trying IVF for years, but Vera knew that being pregnant during her residency would be easier said than done. After all, she was working over sixty hours a week at the hospital and barely had time to see their nine-year-old as it was. Adding a baby to the mix would be too much, especially when Isla and Vera worked full-time. The idea of sending a baby to daycare wasn’t an idea Vera wanted to entertain. No. They could wait until the right time to have a baby.
“A few more years,” Vera said with a firm nod. “We can make it a few more years.”
Isla wrapped her arms around Vera and pulled her close again. “We will. And it’ll be worth it because we’ll have the best kids because we waited for the right time.”
“I agree.”
Vera had been imagining her and Isla’s kids for years. They’d decided that when they started trying, they each wanted to carry the other’s egg. It would be the only way they could have a child that was part of both of them. And the idea of carrying Isla’s baby made Vera smile from ear to ear.
“Oh!” Isla hopped up, causing Vera to nearly fall over. “We forgot our gifts.”
“Oh, yeah!”
She watched Isla disappear into the room, rummaging around in the overnight bag they’d brought and pulling out two blue velvet boxes. Although they couldn’t get legally married, Isla and Vera had made a commitment to each other that they both took as seriously as wedding vows. They’d decided to get rings to show that commitment, and they had finally arrived a few days ago. Vera couldn’t wait to see them.
Isla handed one box to Vera as she sat back down with the other box in her hand. “Let’s open them on the count of three. One.”
“Two.”
“Three,” they said together as they opened the boxes.
Vera covered her mouth with her hand excitedly as she studied the beautiful gold Claddagh ring. Prior to meeting Isla, Vera had never heard of a Claddagh ring. But the more she learned about it, the more it felt perfect for them. Carefully taking the ring from the box, Vera studied the inscription on the inside. They each wrote what they wanted engraved inside.
Always yours, Isla.
“These are perfect.”
“They are,” Isla wiped a tear from her eyes. “Here.”
Taking the ring from Vera, Isla took hold of her left hand and tenderly slipped it on. She placed a kiss on it, making Vera swoon. Vera did the same with Isla, carefully placing the ring on her finger. As Isla cuddled closer, Vera held her in her arms.
“I love you so much, Isla.”
“I love you, too.”