Chapter 26 #2
“I’ve missed you too.” Astoria’s hands dropped from her face to her shoulders where she twirled Miller’s hair around her fingers. “Every day, in fact.”
“I’m sorry I left.”
“You don’t need to apologize. I know why you did.”
“I won’t leave again.”
“I know you won’t.” Astoria kissed her again this time, full of tenderness.
Then she took Miller’s hand and led her down the hallway. The bedroom was more of the same beautiful emptiness, but Miller barely noticed the decor. All she saw was Astoria, backlit by the windows and looking at her with a yearning that made Miller’s chest ache.
“We don’t have to rush,” Astoria said. “We have time now.”
Miller stepped toward her. “I know. But I don’t want to wait anymore. Do you?”
Astoria shook her head slowly, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “No, I really don’t.”
Miller’s pulse thrummed in her ears as Astoria’s words hung in the air, that slow shake of her head pulling Miller closer like gravity itself.
She closed the distance between them, her fingers brushing Astoria’s cheek, tracing the sharp line of her high cheekbone.
The room smelled faintly of lavender from some hidden diffuse, a subtle anchor.
Astoria’s blouse hugged the curve of her torso, the top button already undone. Miller’s own white shirt was still tucked into her slim pants. Astoria’s eyes, deep and steady, locked onto Miller’s. Her aura that had always made Miller’s pulse stutter softened now into something inviting.
“I’ve missed this,” Astoria murmured, her voice low, as if the words were a secret just for them.
Her hand slid to Miller’s waist, pulling her closer, their bodies aligning in a way that sent a warm spark through Miller’s core.
Miller leaned in, their lips meeting in a kiss that started soft and exploratory, like rediscovering a familiar path.
Astoria tasted of mint and the faint bitterness of coffee, her mouth parting to deepen the connection.
Miller’s hands roamed up Astoria’s arms, feeling the firm muscle beneath the blouse’s fabric, a reminder of those hotel nights where urgency had blurred into desperation.
But this was different, slower. Astoria’s fingers worked the buttons of Miller’s shirt with unhurried motions, exposing her skin inch by inch, her touch delicate.
They moved toward the bed, a wide expanse of white linens that looked untouched.
Astoria guided Miller down onto it, her pants shifting against the sheets as she knelt beside her.
Miller’s shirt fell open, and Astoria’s gaze lingered, appreciative, before she shrugged off her own blouse.
The cream fabric pooled on the floor, revealing a simple black bra that accentuated her toned shoulders and the subtle swell of her breasts.
Miller reached up, unhooking it with a flick of her wrist, and Astoria let it slide away, her skin warm and inviting under Miller’s palms.
“You’re beautiful,” Miller said, her voice catching as she traced the line of Astoria’s collarbone, down to the soft underside of her breast. Astoria shivered and leaned in for another kiss, this one hungrier, their tongues sliding together in a rhythm that built heat low in Miller’s belly.
Astoria’s hands were everywhere: unbuttoning Miller’s pants, easing them down her hips, along with the lace of her underwear.
The cool air of the room kissed Miller’s exposed thighs, but Astoria’s body heat chased it away as she settled between her legs.
Miller watched, breath hitching, as Astoria’s fingers trailed up her inner thigh, teasing the sensitive skin there. Her touch ghosted over Miller’s folds, already slick with anticipation, and Miller arched slightly, a soft gasp escaping her.
“That feels so good,” she whispered, her hands tangling in Astoria’s loose hair.
Astoria smiled against her skin, pressing a kiss to Miller’s hipbone before dipping lower. Her breath was warm as she parted Miller’s thighs wider, exposing her completely. Miller felt vulnerable and alive, the kind of openness that had scared her once but now felt perfectly right.
Astoria’s tongue flicked out, tracing a slow circle around her clit, and Miller’s hips bucked involuntarily, pleasure coiling tight in her core.
“Easy,” Astoria murmured, her voice vibrating against Miller’s pussy, sending fresh sparks through her.
She licked again, broader this time. Her fingers joined in, one sliding inside with gentle insistence, curling it just right to brush that spot that made Miller’s toes curl.
It was tender, the way Astoria moved—slow thrusts, matched by the flat press of her tongue, building the pressure without overwhelming her.
Miller’s breaths came in shallow pants, her body responding eagerly.
The sensation built like a wave gathering strength, and Astoria’s free hand stroked Miller’s thigh, grounding her. Miller’s fingers tightened in her hair, guiding, lost in the wet heat of Astoria’s mouth.
“Don’t stop,” she breathed, her voice rough.
Astoria hummed in response, the vibration pushing Miller closer to the edge. Another finger joined the first, stretching her gently, the rhythm steady and unyielding. Miller’s world narrowed to the slick slide, the building ache, and the way Astoria’s body held her steady.
Pleasure crested suddenly, sharp and sweet, Miller’s body tensing as she came with a low moan, her pussy clenching around Astoria’s fingers.
Waves of it rolled through her, leaving her trembling and spent.
Astoria didn’t pull away immediately. She continued to lap softly until Miller’s shudders eased, then kissed her way back up.
But Miller wasn’t done, not when Astoria looked at her like that, eyes dark with her own need.
She shifted, rolling them so Astoria lay beneath her.
Miller’s hands made quick work of the zipper on Astoria’s slacks, peeling the dark fabric down along with Astoria’s underwear, revealing the neat trim of dark hair and the glistening folds underneath.
Astoria’s rippled build was all lean power, her legs parting willingly as Miller settled in between them.
“I’ve got you,” Miller said. She started with kisses along Astoria’s inner thigh, nipping lightly at the skin, feeling her quiver.
Astoria’s hands rested on Miller’s shoulders as Miller’s tongue slipped in, tasting her musky, intoxicating scent.
Astoria let out a soft sigh, her hips lifting slightly.
It was playful in its slowness, Miller teasing with feather-light licks, circling her clit before sucking gently. Astoria’s breaths quickened, her fingers threading through Miller’s hair again.
“Yes, just like that,” she whispered, her voice husky.
Miller slid two fingers inside, feeling the warm, wet grip, and thrusted in time with her tongue. Astoria’s body responded with subtle rocks, vulnerability flashing in her eyes.
Miller curled her fingers deeper, pressing against that inner wall, her mouth relentless but tender. Astoria came with a shuddering cry, her pussy pulsing around Miller’s fingers as her body arched in release. She rode it out, easing Astoria through the aftershocks with soft kisses to her mound.
Miller couldn’t remember the last time she felt this settled. The sheets were a mess, Miller’s hair was completely mussed, and their legs were tangled together. But she was content.
Astoria’s head rested on Miller’s chest, her fingers tracing idle patterns on Miller’s stomach. Miller could hear the ocean sloshing against the rocks through the open window, and somewhere in the house, a clock ticked.
“Your house is too quiet,” Miller whispered.
Astoria huffed a laugh against her skin. “Some people would call it peaceful.”
“It’s eerie. Do you even own a television?”
“There’s one in the theater room.”
“You have a theater and you still don’t watch TV like a normal person?” A tinge of amusement threaded in her voice.
“I never claimed I was normal.” Astoria propped her chin on Miller’s chest, looking up at her with a lazy, satisfied smile. “Are you critiquing my home within an hour of sleeping with me?”
Miller made a noncommittal noise. “I’m critiquing it with love.”
Astoria’s smile widened. “I’ll allow it.”
Miller’s fingers found Astoria’s hair, stroking through the dark strands. It was still strange, being here like this. There was no rush to leave, no sneaking furtive glances at the clock, no knot of guilt in her stomach. It was just the two of them, together, with nowhere else to be.
“I could get used to this,” Miller said quietly.
Astoria’s hand stilled on her stomach. “Could you?”
“Yeah.” Miller met her eyes. “The creepy silent house, the theater room you never use, the complete absence of throw pillows—”
“I have throw pillows.”
“You have two, and they’re both white. That’s just…staging.”
Astoria pinched her side, and Miller squirmed, laughing.
“I’m serious, though,” Miller said once she caught her breath. “I want this. I want you. All of it.”
Astoria shifted, propping herself up on one elbow. The lamplight caught her face, softening the angles. “All of it includes some things you might not love.”
“Like what?”
“Like the Phoenix Ridge Women in Business gala next month. I’m expected to attend.” Astoria’s mouth twitched. “As are significant others.”
Miller groaned. “Black tie?”
“Black tie.”
“Billionaires making small talk about philanthropy?”
“And sustainable development. You can’t forget about that.”
“Oh god.” Miller draped her arm over her eyes. “What did I get myself into?”
Astoria’s laugh rang out, and Miller lowered her arm just to witness it. She’d heard Astoria laugh before, but not like this. Not with her whole body or checking herself halfway through.
“I’m just teasing. You don’t have to come,” Astoria said, still smiling. “I wouldn’t subject you to—”
“I’m coming.” Miller reached up, tucking an errant strand of hair behind Astoria’s ear. “I told you. I’m in, for all of it.”
Something loosened in Astoria’s expression. “You mean that?”
“I do.” Miller let her hand rest against Astoria’s cheek. “I also want you to meet my moms. Properly, I mean, not just as the opposing party or whatever they think you are.”
“What do they think I am?”
“The woman who’s been making me lose my mind for about six months now.” Miller looked at her. “What? They’ve been curious.”
“Curious,” Astoria repeated. “That sounds terrifying.”
“They’ll love you.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do, actually.” Miller smiled. “Sunday dinners are sacred in my family. And I want you there.”
Astoria was quiet for a moment, her gaze roaming Miller’s face like she was searching for something. “I’ve never done anything like that. The casual warmth over family dinners thing—I’ve never had that. My family wasn’t… And Valerie’s parents were—” She shook her head. “I might be terrible at it.”
“You won’t be.”
Astoria looked at her, solemn. “I don’t know how to make small talk over pot roast without sounding like I’m running a board meeting.”
Miller grinned. “My mom Harper would actually love that. She finds corporate jargon hilarious.”
Astoria huffed. “That’s comforting.”
“Hey.” Miller’s finger traced Astoria’s cheekbone. “We’ll figure it out. No more hiding, right? That means my world too. Terrible pot roast and all.”
“The pot roast is terrible?”
“Well, Nadia tries, and Harper handles the grill. It’s a whole system.” Miller pulled her down for a soft kiss. “You’ll see.”
Astoria settled back against her with her head on Miller’s chest. “I’m done hiding,” she said quietly. “I spent so long keeping everything locked away, and I don’t want to do that anymore.”
Miller planted a kiss on the top of her head. “Then don’t.”
They lay there, tangled in the too-big bed in the too-empty house, but it felt less empty now.
“Stay tonight,” Astoria murmured against her skin.
“I was planning on it.”
“Good.” Astoria’s arm tightened around her waist.
Miller closed her eyes, letting everything sink in. For the first time, finally, she got to stay, and it was exactly where she was supposed to be.