Chapter Twenty #2
Curling her fingers, Fallon moved inside her, taking Nora’s thoughts to the first time she’d touched her like that.
She moaned, stopping Fallon’s arm, pushing against her instead.
She knew Fallon would be careful and tender this first time, and that would completely unravel her.
In floating bits of rational thought, she knew this wasn’t just sex, but right now, she couldn’t think of all the things it could mean.
Thrusting faster, she felt Fallon’s teeth rake across her nipple, delicately at first and then harder.
And then harder. The tiny pinpoints of pain made Nora quicken, release closing in. “You…yes. Yes.”
Fallon licked around her breast and along her neck, breathing softly in her ear. Her voice was hushed, her words muffled by Nora’s hair.
Did she say “I love you”?
Nora came, shuddering and clinging, riding Fallon’s hand until she had nothing left. Nothing but the echo of those words catching in her throat behind the sob she was holding back.
* * *
Chilled, Nora pulled the blanket up, seeking the heat of Fallon’s body.
That side of the bed was empty. Cool. Reluctantly, Nora opened one eye, detecting faint morning light.
There was no sound, no sense of someone moving around elsewhere in the suite.
A flush of heat came to her cheeks at memories of the night.
She’d been a total pillow princess, something so unlike her, it was embarrassing.
Yeah, it had been a while, but that was no excuse for basically passing out, leaving Fallon to…
As the words “Fallon” and “leaving” passed through her mind, she sat up, her heartbeat rising.
No, Fallon wouldn’t have left. She wasn’t like that.
Still, Nora threw off the covers, cursing the damn thermostat, and picked up yesterday’s socks on the way to the closet.
Finding one robe hanging there, she made a quick bathroom stop before moving cautiously into the sitting room.
Through the glass doors, she could see Fallon wrapped in her own robe, standing on the edge of the balcony.
Getting her dawn view of the Grand Canyon, Nora thought, smiling as she stepped outside.
Fallon didn’t turn at the sound of her footsteps.
Nora laid a cautious hand on her shoulder. “Good morning.”
“Is there a bridge anywhere?” Fallon asked, still focused on the massive chasm that stretched out before them.
“You mean a bridge across the whole canyon?” Nora asked.
When Fallon nodded, she said, “No. I mean, it’s too wide, and trying to build something like that would ruin this incredible sight, don’t you think?
” At Fallon’s sigh, she added, “If you want to see the North Rim, we can drive over there. I think it takes about four hours, so it would be a long day there and back.”
“That’s going around, not over,” Fallon stated.
“Right.” She was getting cold, and caffeine would be essential to figuring out why Fallon was acting so odd. “Can we go in for a minute? I need coffee and a jacket, preferably in that order.” Fallon didn’t turn or reply. “Fallon?” Raising her voice slightly, Nora gave her shoulder a light shake.
“Huh?” Fallon looked around as if only now realizing Nora was there.
Had the wind caused her eyes to water, or were those tears?
“Let’s go inside for a minute. Please. You’re going to catch cold.
Or I will.” She slid her hand down to Fallon’s, giving her a tug.
“Come on. The canyon will still be there after we get the chill off.” Fallon followed without a word.
“Please find the thermostat and put it on eighty,” Nora said, starting the Keurig.
It wouldn’t be a challenge like Decker the Dripper, but it would do.
When she went to hand Fallon the first cup, she found her standing in front of the thermostat.
The heat was still off. Nora quickly reset it.
“Come here. I think you need to thaw out.” She pulled Fallon into the bedroom and got her under the covers, leaving her robe on.
Nora joined her, sitting in her robe, drinking coffee. “How long were you out there?”
Fallon shivered, turning toward her. “I’m not sure.”
The strange hollowness in her voice prompted Nora to put her cup on the bedside table and scoot down, taking Fallon in her arms. “What’s wrong?” When Fallon didn’t answer, she asked, “Are you upset about last night?”
“What? No. No, of course not. It was wonderful. You were amazing.”
“I think that should be my line.” She held Fallon closer. As Fallon’s body began to warm up, Nora said, “Please talk to me, Fallon. I know something’s upset you, and I want to help.”
Fallon rubbed at her eyes. “My mother always said the Grand Canyon was the one place she really wanted to go before she died. She used to show me photos of it on her phone. I so wanted her to see it in person. It’s beyond incredible.”
“It is.” Nora waited for a moment. “I guess I’ve never asked if you’re religious.”
“In what way?”
Nora carefully considered what she wanted to say. “Well, do you believe your mom is in heaven? Like she could be watching you, and seeing that you’re here would be like you showing it to her?”
Fallon looked thoughtful. Then a slow smile curved one corner of her mouth. “That’s a nice thought, but I hope she wasn’t watching last night.”
Nora covered her mouth in pretend shock. When Fallon started to laugh, Nora jumped on her, tickling any part she could reach. Nora’s frequent childhood tussles with her older brothers and Fallon’s amusement made the scuffle a brief one.
“I give, I give,” Fallon said breathlessly.
Nora stopped but didn’t move away. Instead, she sat up, pulling the covers down and straddling Fallon’s waist. “I’m sure you’re impatient to get out there and discover every inch of this amazing place, but is it possible you’d be willing to let me do some exploring first?”
Fallon stroked her chin. “Hmm. Were you interested in a particular region?”
“I’ll need to look over the entire terrain before I can answer that.
” Opening Fallon’s robe as she spoke, Nora let hers slip slowly off her shoulders.
The room had warmed nicely, and Fallon looked glorious in the morning light.
“I think I’ll start with the mountains,” Nora said, filling her hands with Fallon’s breasts.
She caressed them gently, watching as Fallon’s eyes fluttered.
“I’ve always loved this range in particular. ”
“Always?” Fallon asked.
“Always.” Nora turned slightly, reluctantly letting go of one breast and reaching back to skim through the dark hair between Fallon’s legs. “Although the grasslands are appealing as well.”
Fallon’s breathing quickened. She began working her arms out of the robe sleeves, but Nora stopped her.
“You can’t touch me right now. Later, but not now.
All right?” Fallon bit her lip, but after a few seconds, she nodded.
“Good.” Nora leaned farther back, letting her fingers tease around the sides of Fallon’s clit.
“And these wetlands are absolutely spectacular, as I recall.”
“Do you?” Fallon’s voice was rough. “Do you recall?”
Nora stretched out fully on top of her, hands pressed into the mattress above Fallon’s shoulders.
Lowering her lips to Fallon’s, she stopped a breath away.
“Yes, I do. I recall very well.” She could feel Fallon straining toward her but trying not to break the no-touch agreement.
When she let their mouths meet, she’d intended only a quick, playful kiss.
But Fallon moaned, and Nora let herself go, delving into the sweetness of taste and tongue.
She’d kissed other women, even thought she’d wanted other women, but in this moment, she knew that had all been a lie. This was the truth.
Fallon’s heat and passion set Nora aflame with the same fervor.
Feeling Fallon moving beneath her, Nora pushed back upright, delving into Fallon’s wetness while she palmed her breast. After several quick strokes, she slowed, waiting for Fallon to find her pace.
It was as if she’d memorized every minute of their first lovemaking and had been hoping for a chance to deliver on what she’d learned by heart.
By heart? Lovemaking?
“Please,” Fallon whispered. “Can I touch you? Please?”
She’d wanted to excite Fallon and keep her on the edge until she begged.
Could she believe that Fallon’s deepest desire was not simply for orgasm but for a connection with her?
Because she wanted it so badly, she should have said no.
If she didn’t hold back, keep something of herself, where would she be when this trip was over?
An echo of “design your present happiness” went through her mind.
Hannah, their friend from the first Firecamp, had used that phrase when Nora had been struggling with her feelings for Fallon.
Now Fallon’s swollen clitoris and her own growing need made her say yes, and the powerful arms that wrapped around her were like in her recurring dream where Fallon saved her after she tripped.
She wasn’t sure anything could save her from falling after Fallon called her name, tightening her hold.
Seconds later, her cries filled Nora’s heart.
* * *
“Does it feel funny to be having lunch when we never had breakfast?” Fallon asked.
“You’re more of a regular eater than I am. If I get an early call about a story breaking, it could be two or three o’clock before I finally have a meal. But I’ve found a brand of protein bars that tide me over, and I always carry some with me.”