Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Nicole had her arm through Ariana’s as they stood on the top deck of the ferry watching the island grow bigger as they approached it.
They both had on hats and sunglasses, but Nicole occasionally glanced around the deck to find no one paying them any mind.
Just as she hoped, they appeared to be like any other couple on a midweek vacation.
“What do you want to do first when we get to Kate’s beach house?” Nicole asked, leaning into Ariana’s shoulder.
“Do you really have to ask?” Ariana replied in a low voice.
Nicole chuckled. “We’ll have plenty of time for that.”
“I want to walk along the beach and hold your hand,” Ariana said.
Nicole smiled. “We can do that. Then maybe we’ll sit in the sand as the sun sets and see the colors reflected on the water.”
“Mmm, that sounds better than basketball.”
“Isn’t it funny how we once thought basketball was all we had in common?”
“I knew there was much more,” Ariana said. “That’s why I kept adding to our list.”
“Ah, so what were you hoping back then?”
“I already had a massive crush on you and your sexy voice, but I wanted to get to know you,” Ariana said. “I didn’t know how that could be possible because of our situation. However, after we worked together at that youth event I was determined to find a way.”
“I couldn’t stop thinking about you,” Nicole said. “I already knew you were a gifted athlete and well liked by your teammates, but there was something in your smile and the way you looked at me.” She took a deep breath and sighed, resting her head on Ariana’s shoulder. “It’s our connection.”
“Yeah and it’s stronger than ever.”
Nicole smiled and fought the urge to lean up and kiss those sweet lips.
It wasn’t long until they left the ferry, took a car to the beach house, and quickly changed into their swimsuits.
They walked down the beach, hand in hand, just as Ariana had wanted.
The beach wasn’t empty, but there wasn’t anyone near enough to recognize them and Nicole was surprised at how quickly their usual hyper-awareness of their surroundings disappeared.
It was replaced by a content feeling of togetherness that Nicole could feel growing in her heart.
Once they were back at the cottage the water called to them and they splashed, swam, and waded through the waves. Nicole couldn’t keep her hands off of Ariana. Their arms were wrapped around each other, sharing kiss after kiss with laughter and smiles in between.
“Thank you,” Ariana said as they walked back to where their towels were spread out on the beach.
“For what?”
“All of this,” Ariana said. “I haven’t had this much fun and felt so free in a long time.”
“Don’t you feel safe at my apartment?”
“Yes and it’s fun when we’re on the roof or snuggled inside, but…” She shrugged. “This feels different.”
“The threat of being discovered is minimal here,” Nicole said. “Feeling free is a good way to describe it.” She plopped down on her towel and wiped water from her face.
“You read romance novels,” Ariana said, sitting next to her. “What do they do when they’re dating someone they’re not supposed to? Doesn’t that happen all the time?”
Nicole chuckled. “Yeah, it’s called forbidden romance.”
“Ooh, their clandestine meetings were full of hot sex and desire,” Ariana said in a sultry voice.
Nicole chuckled. “Maybe you’ll become a commentator when you retire.”
“Shealyn had better watch out. I’m coming for her job.” Ariana chuckled. “So what do they do? The forbidden couple?”
“They figure it out and live happily ever after.”
“Okay, babe, that’s our mission while we’re here.”
Nicole widened her eyes. “Did you just call me babe?”
Ariana grinned. “Yes, I’d call you that more often, but I’m afraid I’d slip when someone else is around.”
Nicole smiled and reached for Ariana. She pulled her close until their lips almost met. “Whenever you call me Nic, I hear babe.”
Ariana’s face brightened. “You do?”
Nicole nodded. “No one calls me Nic but you.”
“Then when you call me Ari, I’ll hear babe.”
Nicole smiled and pressed their lips together in a tender kiss. When they pulled apart she shook her head. “I had no idea we’d be this sappy.”
Ariana laughed. “We can’t tell anyone. We’d never hear the end of it.”
“You say that like we’re any other couple.”
“We’re figuring it out. Someday we will be.” Ariana smiled. “Do you remember when we talked about the right woman coming along?”
Nicole nodded.
“After we had that conversation I talked to Cameron because she and Terrance have to navigate some of the same things we do with their travel schedules. At that time I never dreamed we’d end up together, but I so wanted it.
Anyway, she explained that there comes a time when you not only want to see them, but need to see them. You’ll feel it.”
“Did she wonder why you were asking?”
Ariana shook her head. “I’ve thought about that a lot since then and for me it’s a little different.”
“Will you share with me?” Nicole reached for Ariana’s hand. They were so afraid of talking about what they have, but not today, not while they were away. It was time for honesty if they were going to find a way through this.
“When we’re apart there’s a level of anxiety that rises inside me and when I’m with you it’s like everything is right with the world. It’s hard to explain, but everything is in its place, in balance, and there’s a sense inside of me that everything is going to be okay.”
Nicole could feel her heart soften as they stared into each other’s eyes. She wanted to take Ariana inside and never let her go.
“When you were on that road trip that took you out west and you stayed in Phoenix to visit your parents I couldn’t wait to see you again in DC. When you pulled me into that room...”
Nicole smiled. “Yes?”
“I was full of anxiety and even though we shouldn’t have been doing that and could’ve been caught I knew everything was going to be okay.
That’s how I felt and how I feel. You’re the one who has to give up so much to make this work, but Nicole, I will do whatever it takes because what we have is worth it. I know you’re the right woman for me.”
“Oh, baby.” Nicole reached up and caressed the side of Ariana’s face. “I know we’re worth it.”
“I didn’t tell you all of this because honestly, I was afraid,” Ariana said. “I held back and wouldn’t let my heart feel everything you’ve put inside me, but I can’t hold back or fight it any longer.”
“I’m not giving anything up, babe,” Nicole said.
She lowered her voice into the sultry tone she knew Ariana loved.
“Yes, we have had hot, amazing sex from the beginning, but it’s like you make my heart explode then you put it back together with more of you inside it.
What you make me feel is something I didn’t think I could ever have.
” Nicole moved closer and held Ariana’s face between her hands.
“This is so much better than calling a basketball game. You are so much more than basketball. I can figure out something with my career. I don’t want any of that if I can’t have you.
I’m not giving anything up, Ari. Look at what I’m gaining. ”
Ariana smiled and Nicole could feel her love streaming into her heart.
“I love you,” Nicole said softly. “We have to make this work.”
She could see tears pool in Ariana’s eyes and instantly she felt them in hers too.
“I’ve loved you since I looked into your eyes that day.”
“Oh, Ari.” Nicole couldn’t hold back the want, the desire, the love that was flowing through her body. She claimed Ariana’s lips in a kiss she’d meant to be soft and tender, but their declarations of love released a relentless desire to be closer, to show her love, and to never let Ariana go.
“Let’s go inside,” Nicole whispered as she gulped a needed breath of air.
Neither of them said a word as Nicole led Ariana to the bedroom. She turned and took Ariana in her arms, kissing her softly. “I want to go slow,” she said. “I want to feel it all. We no longer have to be afraid. Let me show you my love.”
Nicole could see Ariana melt right before her eyes. She reached around, unfastened her swimsuit top then slid her swim shorts down her legs. “My beautiful love,” Nicole said softly gazing at Ariana from head to toe.
“Let me,” Ariana said, reaching to take Nicole’s bikini off.
Once they were both naked their gazes roamed, appreciating the beauty they saw, but kept coming back to stare into each other’s eyes.
“Oh, I love you,” Nicole said. “It feels so good to finally say it out loud while looking into your eyes. You may get tired of hearing it, but I can’t stop saying it.” She ran her hands down Ariana’s shoulders and pulled her onto the bed.
“I’ll never get tired of you saying it,” Ariana said, “because hearing it feels so damn good.”
Nicole smiled and brought their lips together in a passionate kiss. She pushed Ariana onto her back and straddled her hips.
“I love it when you’re on top like this,” Ariana said. “But I want to be inside you.”
Nicole could see the fire in Ariana's eyes. It never failed to ramp up her desire and she could barely catch her breath as it was.
“Please,” Ariana appealed, raising a brow.
“Good God, Ari,” Nicole said. “I’ll never last.”
“Yes you will.”
Nicole could feel Ariana’s hand slide between them while her other hand pulled Nicole’s lips to hers in a hungry kiss. She was so sexy, so commanding, yet thoughtful all at the same time.
Their breasts were pressed together as their tongues began a dance of desire. Nicole felt Ariana slow things down as her fingers leisurely roamed through her folds. When her thumb pressed against Nicole’s clit she gasped and moaned.
“Mmm,” Ariana whispered against Nicole’s lips.
Ariana’s finger circled Nicole’s opening then pressed inside. She moaned as another finger slipped inside and Ariana moved her thumb slightly to caress just beside her clit.
The moan that came from deep inside Nicole echoed around the room. “God, how you do that. Mmm, you know just where to touch me.” Nicole pulled back, put her hands on Ariana’s shoulders, and stared into her eyes.
“Of course I know,” Ariana whispered. “I love you.”
Nicole began to move on top of Ariana and they set a slow, sensual rhythm. She never took her eyes off of Ariana’s and could feel the orgasm building inside her. Nicole’s hands gripped Ariana’s shoulders as they began to move a little faster.
“That’s it,” Ariana said. “Love me, babe.”
“Oh, I do!” Nicole said loudly.
They moved faster still then Ariana’s other hand slid around to Nicole’s butt firmly holding her in place as Ariana thrust inside one more time.
Nicole felt Ariana’s fingers glide across the silky spot that made her come undone.
The most magnificent wave of pleasure exploded inside her.
She squeezed Ariana’s shoulders, staring into her eyes as her muscles tensed and wave after wave kept rolling inside her body.
Nicole groaned, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She looked down at Ariana and smiled. “I love you. Don’t ever doubt it.”
Ariana grinned. “I won’t.”
Nicole fell down onto Ariana’s chest and sighed. “This was even better than before. I think it’s because we let our hearts feel it all. You’ll see in just a second.”
“I already feel it, babe. I could see it in your eyes and feel it in my heart.”
Nicole raised up. “We’re going to figure this out, but first, I’m loving you.”
She kissed Ariana with all the love in her heart. This time she made love to her nice and slow. Their moans wafted around the room in a symphony of the love in their hearts.