Chapter 49
Forty Nine
Erin unlocked the door and nudged it open with her shoulder. Leo came trotting out from the hallway, tail wagging so hard his whole body moved with it.
“Hey, trouble,” she said, dropping her keys in the bowl by the door.
Jamie crouched without a word, letting Leo nuzzle into her hands. “Still the best greeting in the city.”
Erin smiled. “He’s been waiting for you.”
Jamie looked up, still petting him. “Guess we both have.”
The words landed and stayed there. Erin turned toward the kitchen, reaching for something to do. “You want a drink? I’ve got wine, maybe a beer somewhere.”
“Wine’s good,” Jamie said.
Erin poured two glasses and carried them to the couch. Leo jumped up first, settling in between them like he owned the place.
They talked for a while. About the restaurant, about the way the saxophone outside had somehow been perfectly off-key, about nothing important. It was easier that way.
Jamie’s laugh came easier now. Softer, real. The kind that used to show up without asking for permission. Erin hadn’t realized how much she’d missed that sound until it filled her apartment again.
“Feels weird being here,” Jamie said after a while. “In a good way, I think.”
Erin nodded. “Yeah. It doesn’t feel like before.”
“No,” Jamie said quietly. “But maybe that’s the point.”
The silence stretched, steady and full. Leo sighed between them. Erin looked over, caught Jamie watching her, and didn’t look away this time.
“Can I—” Erin started, then stopped.
Jamie smiled faintly. “Yeah.”
Erin leaned in, brushing a strand of hair from Jamie’s face. When their lips met, the warmth hit her all at once, steady and deep. Jamie’s hands slid to her wrists, holding her there—not to stop her, but to anchor her.
The kiss was slow, deliberate, everything Erin hadn’t realized she’d been starving for.
When her tongue traced the edge of Jamie’s mouth, Jamie drew back just slightly, breath catching between them.
“What’s wrong?” Erin asked quietly.
Jamie shook her head. “Nothing. I just wanted to make sure this is what you want.”
Erin smiled, her voice low. “Of course it is, J. You should know by now, I don’t do things I don’t want to do.”
Jamie smiled and pressed their mouths together again.
This time, Erin let her hands wander, tracing from Jamie’s face down the line of her neck, along her arms, until they settled at her waist. The brush of fur against her forearm made her pause, and she glanced down to find Leo still wedged loyally between them.
A soft laugh escaped her. She looked back at Jamie, who was already grinning.
“Should we maybe move this somewhere else?” Erin asked.
Jamie’s answer came with a small nod. “Yeah.”
Erin stood, but Jamie caught her hand before she could turn away, fingers slipping easily into hers.
“Come on,” Jamie said quietly.
In the low light of the bedroom, Erin closed the door behind them. The last time Jamie had been here, she’d been impatient, eager to touch, to take, to lose herself in the moment. This time, she didn’t want to rush.
Jamie stood near the edge of the bed, eyes soft in the dim light. Erin stepped closer, close enough to feel the warmth between them but not so close that it crowded her.
Jamie reached for her hand. “You don’t have to overthink it,” she said quietly. “I’m here.”
Erin let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. “I know,” she said. “I just want to get it right this time.”
Jamie’s smile was small but sure. “You already are.”
Erin lifted a hand to her cheek, brushing her thumb along her jaw before leaning in. The kiss that followed was unhurried, soft and full of the kind of trust they’d fought hard to rebuild.
Jamie’s fingers toyed with the hem of Erin’s shirt, then slipped beneath it, her palms tracing the firm line of Erin’s stomach. Her touch was cool against the heat of Erin’s skin, and a quiet sound caught in Erin’s throat before she could swallow it back.
Jamie smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed, tugging Erin gently down with her. Erin carefully placed a knee on either side of Jamie’s hips before settling on her lap. She placed a hand against Jamie’s chest and pushed her softly back into the mattress.
Erin got lost in the way Jamie’s blonde curls spread against the dark bedding, the way her green eyes looked up at her.
“Erin?” Jamie asked softly.
Erin shook her head, bringing herself back to the present. “I’m here. Just memorizing how you look in my bed.”
Jamie smiled, a light pink blush dusting her cheekbones. “Maybe we can make this a regular thing.”
Erin nodded before leaning down to place hot, open-mouthed kisses along Jamie’s neck. “Yeah, that’s a good idea, baby.”
Jamie grinned at the name, and Erin pulled back to look at her.
“What? Too much?”
Jamie shook her head. “No, it’s perfect. You’ve just never called me that before.”
Erin dipped her head again, this time focusing on the exposed curve of Jamie’s collarbone, nipping lightly with her teeth.
“Never felt right before,” she said between kisses.
Erin’s left hand slid up Jamie’s side, pushing her blouse higher as it went. Jamie lifted herself just enough to help Erin pull it over her head.
She lay back in a lacy maroon bra, watching Erin’s eyes darken as they roamed. Her lips curved into a knowing smile. “Maybe I was hoping for something,” she said.
Erin laughed under her breath. “Ms. Garrison, you come prepared.”
Jamie tilted her head. “You complaining?”
“Not a chance,” Erin murmured.
Erin reached up and took Jamie’s hands from where they rested at her sides. “These should really be right here.”
She guided Jamie’s hands back to her waist before leaning in again, pressing slow, heated kisses against her skin.
“My only question is . . .” Erin trailed off, her teeth grazing the skin of Jamie’s collarbone. “Does it match?”
Jamie shrugged, and Erin looked up at her. “Maybe you should look and see.”
Erin grinned, suddenly very eager to find out. “You know what? I think I should.”
She shifted to the side, giving Jamie room to scoot higher onto the bed, then settled on her knees between Jamie’s legs. Her fingers made quick work of the button on Jamie’s jeans, and when the same maroon color stared back at her, her breath caught.
Slowly, she helped Jamie out of her jeans, and Jamie lifted her hips to make it easier, kicking them off once they’d cleared her knees.
Still sitting up, Erin pulled her own shirt over her head, leaving herself in just a sports bra. Then she eased down between Jamie’s thighs, guiding each leg over her shoulders. She could see the dark, dampened lace, the scent of Jamie’s skin pulling her closer.
Erin looked up, meeting Jamie’s eyes as her tongue traced the first slow pass over the lace.
Jamie moaned, eyes fluttering shut as her back arched off the bed. Erin went again, slower this time, her thumb drawing small circles against the inside of Jamie’s thigh where her arm held her close.
Using her free hand, Erin hooked Jamie’s panties to the side, allowing almost complete access to the slick, heated skin underneath. Another swipe of her tongue, and Jamie cried out in frustration.
“Erin, please!” Jamie’s eyes were pleading.
“Please what, baby?” Erin asked, looking into her eyes.
Jamie dropped her head back against the mattress.
“You’re the worst.”
Erin quickly licked a stripe up Jamie’s center, and Jamie’s body jolted in reaction.
“Still think so?” she asked.
Jamie shook her head, so Erin dove back in. The scent of Jamie’s skin, the wetness she found there, it was intoxicating. Erin burrowed her nose in deeper, trying to give herself the best angle to tongue fuck Jamie. The moment her tongue first slipped inside, Jamie let out a long, low moan.
It wasn’t long before she was riding Erin’s face, her hand buried in Erin’s short hair.
“Fuck,” Jamie said on a breathless whisper.
Erin simply chuckled while she continued her ministrations.
All too soon, Erin could feel Jamie’s body moving erratically. Her pussy clenched around Erin’s tongue, and suddenly she was coming.
“Fuck! Erin!” she said loudly.
Erin smiled and held Jamie close, steadying her through the final rush of it. When the room fell quiet again, she rested her cheek against Jamie’s thigh, breathing in the warmth of her skin.
Jamie started to giggle, the sound light and disbelieving.
“What?” Erin asked, lifting her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
“I just can’t believe I’m this lucky,” Jamie said. “That I get to be back here with you.”
Erin’s chest tightened. Jamie pushed herself up on her elbows and reached for her, guiding her up until their faces were level.
When they kissed again, it was slower, deeper, unhurried. A promise, not a chase.
Jamie broke the kiss with a laugh. “Slow down, tiger,” she murmured, her hand finding Erin’s shoulder.
Erin drew back just enough to meet her eyes. “You okay?”
Jamie nodded, her smile soft and sure. “Yeah. I really am.”
Jamie ran her fingers along Erin’s arm, tracing light patterns against her skin. “What about you?” she asked softly. “Let me take care of you too.”
Erin shook her head, smiling as she pressed her forehead to Jamie’s. “You already did.”
Jamie’s eyes softened. “That’s not what I meant.”
“I know,” Erin said. “But it’s true. I’m good, J. I promise.” She cupped Jamie’s face in both hands. “Right now, this is enough for me.”
Jamie searched her eyes for a long moment before nodding. “Okay,” she said quietly. “Then come here.”
Erin smiled and leaned in, their mouths meeting again, the world narrowing to warmth and breath and the sound of their shared passion.
Jamie’s hand slid down Erin’s semi-clothed chest, until she found the bulge in Erin’s pants. She smirked up at her.
“And I’m the one being chastised for wanting something out of tonight.” Jamie laughed.
Erin shook her head and smirked. “Hey, I never said I wasn’t a little prepared.”
Jamie’s fingers undid the button of Erin’s jeans, and pushed her hand into Erin’s pants to cup the toy she found between her legs.
Erin groaned at the slightest amount of pressure Jamie had added to the mix, her head dropping down to Jamie’s shoulder.
She sunk her teeth into the soft skin there, and Jamie cried out softly.
Erin pushed up to her knees, and quickly rid herself of her pants and boxers. There she knelt, ready in front of Jamie.
Her sweet Jamie, who rolled over and pushed her ass into Erin’s space. Erin chuckled while her hands found their hold on Jamie’s hips.
“She’s picked up once by another woman, and suddenly she knows what she wants,” Erin teased.
Jamie tilted her head to the side so she could see Erin. “Oh come on, and just fuck me already.”
Erin, a little stunned by Jamie’s coarse words, nodded. “Of course. Whatever you want.”
She used one hand to slowly guide the dildo inside of Jamie, pressing forward oh so slowly, allowing Jamie time to adjust.
“Feel okay?” Erin asked quietly.
Jamie nodded, reaching one arm behind her back, her hand grasping for Erin’s. Erin took it and held onto it firmly as she slowly began to find her rhythm. Soon enough, Jamie was pressing back into Erin, uttering a string of curses as she gripped Erin’s hand.
“Harder— Please.” She stuttered.
Erin complied, adding more force to her thrusts. Her free hand slid down Jamie’s back, and grabbed a fistful of blonde hair before pulling it.
Jamie moaned loudly, “Fuck yes, Er…”
Erin let her face break into a goofy grin. Her name? Abbreviated like that? On Jamie’s lips? An absolute yes.
Erin kept up her rhythm, almost completely losing herself in the sounds Jamie was making.
When her body went taut and her mouth dropped open in silence, Erin held still.
She held still long enough for Jamie to climax, before slowly pulling out of her.
Jamie collapsed to the bed, her legs still shaking.
“Fuck,” Jamie said on a breathy laugh. “I have never, and I mean ever, let someone pull my hair.”
Erin removed the toy from the O-ring, setting it aside before settling in next to Jamie and pulling her close. Jamie melted into her without hesitation, her body fitting easily against Erin’s.
“I mean, truly…” Jamie murmured, her voice soft and a little dazed. “And that’s what I’ve been missing?”
Erin smiled, brushing a strand of hair off her forehead. “You seemed like you needed it.”
Jamie gave a small nod, a sleepy smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah. I did.”
They lay together in the quiet, the air still and warm around them. Jamie’s breathing had started to slow when a faint scratching came from the other side of the bedroom door. Erin exhaled a quiet laugh against her hair.
“Guess someone wants in,” she said.
Jamie didn’t move, just mumbled, “He’s persistent.”
“Always.” Erin leaned over and reached for her robe at the foot of the bed. She slipped it on, padded across the room, and cracked the door open. Leo trotted in immediately, tail wagging hard enough to thump the wall.
“Hi, bud,” Erin whispered, giving him a quick scratch before climbing back into bed. Leo circled once and flopped down at their feet with a sigh loud enough to make Jamie laugh softly.
Erin smiled. “Now it’s officially a full house.”
Jamie shifted closer, curling against her side again. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Erin kissed her temple, her voice low. “Me neither.”