Chapter Eleven #3
“We don’t need to spend money on something that doesn’t work,” her mother had insisted.
“Rest, fluids, Tylenol or Advil.” The nurse had called on her way out the door. “Come back if you start having chest pain or trouble breathing.”
Fallon took in a shaky breath as she turned over, trying not to relive the way it had all ended.
If she started crying, she might never stop.
Keeping the memory dammed up was the only way to keep from coming apart.
Sounds of lively conversation drifted over; the crew was at dinner, celebrating Hannah’s recovery.
Good. That would keep everyone occupied, and she could have this time to regain her stability.
I’ll check with Hannah tomorrow, she decided.
Or someone will call if there’s any problem.
Normally, she would read to take her mind off the real world, but if she turned on her light, someone might see, and she’d have to talk to them. She knew Nora had noticed her odd behavior on the drive back, but it didn’t matter now. Tomorrow. She would be fine by then.
She tried to empty her mind, but now that thoughts of Nora had made their way in, they grabbed center stage.
Nora in her PPE, chips flying all around her as she sawed through a trunk as if it was made of butter.
Nora cooking, her face glowing from the camp stove.
And Nora slowly lowering the towel, revealing her—
At the sound of the vestibule zipper, she started to sit up, then decided to feign sleep.
Turning away from the entrance, she pulled the sheet and light blanket around her and closed her eyes.
Hearing the sound of the flap being pushed aside and put back into place, she steadied her breathing and tried to relax.
After some rustling, she felt someone slide in beside her.
She’d known from the first sound that it was Nora, but at the nearness of her body, the urge to cry threatened to overpower her again.
“I know you’re awake,” Nora whispered. “But you don’t have to say anything. I just want to be here for you. Okay?”
Fallon gave the slightest nod, but somehow, that opened the floodgates, and she began to sob.
“Oh, baby.” Nora snugged against her, tightening her arms. “Go ahead, get it out of your system.” Turning her head into the pillow, Fallon tried to muffle her cries and blot her tears.
They stayed like that until Fallon was completely spent and too hoarse to speak.
Nora tugged her gently. “Turn this way.”
Fallon did, finding herself facing Nora, who had rolled onto her back.
“Right here.” Nora patted her shoulder, and Fallon slipped under her arm, sighing deeply. She grasped Nora’s waist as if they might be torn apart at any moment. “It’s all right,” Nora told her. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Fallon relaxed her hold and slept.
When she awoke, it was totally dark. Nora’s steady breathing, a sound she’d relished on other occasions, sounded closer than usual.
They were facing each other, Nora’s head half buried in Fallon’s chest, held in place by her close embrace.
Fallon’s mouth was terribly dry and her eyes felt raw, but she feared any movement would wake Nora.
Clearing her throat or rubbing her face would have the same effect, though, so very slowly, she removed one arm from around Nora and tried to reach for her water bottle.
Nora’s breathing changed, and she stirred, making a little sound in her throat.
“I’m sorry,” Fallon whispered. “I didn’t mean to wake you, but I need a drink.”
“Me too,” Nora said, lifting her face as she spoke. Their lips were mere inches apart.
“You were really sweet to stay with me,” Fallon murmured, still fumbling for her water.
Nora’s body shifted against hers, sending arousal skimming down to her toes. “You know I’m not that sweet. Maybe I have ulterior motives.”
“Here.” She handed the reusable bottle to Nora, who took a deep swallow while Fallon rubbed her eyes with her free hand.
Just as she stopped, Nora pushed her onto her back, hovering over her.
“Allow me.” Grinning, she aimed the opening at Fallon’s mouth.
Fallon felt powerless and galvanized at the same time.
She parted her lips and received a delicate stream of water that she swallowed eagerly, trusting Nora’s intention and her ability.
It was the most sensual thing she’d ever experienced. “Enough?” Nora asked, pulling back.
Fallon couldn’t answer. Nora had quenched one thirst, but a different kind raged through her.
Nora smiled as if she knew exactly what effect she’d had and leaned away to put the bottle down.
To hell with restraint and resistance. While Nora was off-balance, Fallon copied her earlier move, pushing Nora onto her back.
“I’m going to kiss you now,” she announced, not stopping to figure out where this confidence had come from.
“If you don’t want that, you need to leave. ”
Nora’s body tightened beneath her, but she was still smiling. “How am I supposed to go with you half on top of me?”
“You’re not.”