Chapter 31
rise beside her
They laughed, breathless and flushed. But when Jess ducked her head to nuzzle into Callie’s neck, her hand tangled too tightly in Callie’s hair.
“Ow!” Callie yelped, half laughing, half shocked.
Jess pulled back instantly. “Shit. I didn’t mean to-are you okay?”
Callie rubbed the side of her head. “Fine. Now, a handful,” she said, reconsidering the moment, “that I might like.”
Jess blinked, then smirked. “Let me make it better. Can I play hairdresser and braid your hair?”
Callie beamed, “Yes. Absolutely yes. What do you need?”
“Just you, naked. Upstairs, but I’ll have to find my brush.”
They both stood, still flushed. Callie kissed Jess’s cheek and murmured, “Quick rinse. I’ll get the wine.”
Upstairs, the bathroom light flicked on as the shower ran briefly. Jess sat on the edge of the bed, smiling to herself.
Callie returned a few minutes later, towel-dried and glowing, a glass of wine in her hand. “Where do you want me?”
Jess rose up on her knees and backed up, patting the space between her legs. Callie slid in, facing away, leaning easily into the cradle of Jess’s body. The brushing began with reverent strokes, separating the damp curls as if she were folding silk.
The silence wasn’t awkward. It was full.
“You know what your hair needs?” Jess murmured.
Callie hummed.
“Baby’s breath.”
Callie grinned, eyes closed, “Looks delicate. Thrives in chaos and spreads everywhere when left alone.
Jess smirked, “Exactly.”
Callie reached back to stroke her hand along Jess’s folded legs, “Then for you? Blackberry vine. Sweet. Thorny. You only touch it if you’re sure you can handle it.”
Jess was quiet, then resumed braiding. Her fingers were purposeful now, guiding the strands with practiced care. The braid climbed, looped, and took shape. Not overly elaborate, just tight, elegant, and sure. When she finished, Jess rose up and kissed the top of Callie’s head. “You are so beautiful.”
Callie turned slowly, meeting Jess’s eyes. Then, without a word, she reached for the brush.
Jess let herself be turned. Sat down cross-legged, hair long and dark down her back. Callie moved with no less precision, drawing strands, looping and winding them with the ease of muscle memory. There was no rush. No teasing.
Just hands in hair. Just love made manifest.
“This braid,” Callie whispered, “Makes your shoulders a public hazard.”
Jess chuckled, “I’ll take the risk.”
When the final loop was tied, Callie didn’t move away. She leaned in, her breasts against Jess’s back, and kissed the slope of Jess’s collarbone, then held her tight.
It wasn’t foreplay. It was reverence.
Callie’s hand came around Jess’s chest, cupping, kneading her. As Callie’s lips found Jess’s neck, her other hand joined, lifting Jess’s breast high, her thumbs brushing over nipples, the pinching and rolling slow and teasing.
Jess tipped her head to the side, offering more. She moaned softly until one of Callie’s hands dropped lower. A slow inhale bloomed, and Callie’s fingers brushed and stroked gently, then swirled, wet, right where Jess needed her most. The moan became a shudder.
“Someone likes playing hairdresser,” Callie whispered, then her teeth dragged across Jess’ throat. “I think tomorrow might not be a low-neck t-shirt day, maybe a turtleneck.”
“Yes, please,” Jess growled, “I can feel your heat against my back.” Her hand slid up Callie’s thigh, then to the heat calling her close. Her fingers tipped up, Jess found Callie’s lips open and wanting.
“God, Jess,” Callie squirmed, her face pushing into the back of Jess’s neck, “Let’s go like this. This is perfect. Slow….easy.”
Their bodies rocked together, not yet desperate, but deliberate, hips moving with slow, aching intention. A minute, then two, then a slight acceleration. Callie rose, her hips still spread, and Jess curled her fingers. The gasp that left Callie’s lips was the first of many.
Her eyes fluttered open, just for a moment, as Jess took one of Callie’s hands to hungrily kiss it before pushing it between her legs to join the other one.
And there, just beyond Jess’s shoulder, a flicker of light caught Callie’s eye.
The staff, the runes. Glowing just once. Then they dimmed.
She didn’t tense or panic. Callie only smiled.
Jess didn’t see it. She didn’t need to.
Whispers became gasps. Gasping turned into a faster rhythm. Finally, rhythm melted into stillness that burned and bucked and spilled into something high and hot, then final.
As Callie came, her head turned toward the door.
She saw her.
Solrien.
Briefly there. Beautiful. Bare-shouldered and smiling.
She lifted her hand and blew a kiss. Then vanished.
After a while, Callie stayed awake, fingers idly stroking Jess’ hair, the braid half undone, but still clinging to shape. Her eyes shone in the dark, and tears slipped down without urgency or shame. Her breath caught once.
Jess stirred slightly. “You okay?” she asked, her voice gravel-soft, her lips brushing Callie's shoulder.
Callie nodded and kissed the top of Jess’s head. “Yeah. I just…” Her voice caught, then steadied. “I feel blessed. Both of us. We matter.”
Jess snuggled closer, holding her a little tighter.
“I’m happy,” Callie whispered, “And a little sad that some can’t have what we have.”
Later, as dawn hinted behind the curtains, Callie slipped from their bed. Jess remained tangled in the sheets, breath slow and even. Carefully, Callie padded across the room, her braid hanging as well, still warm from the night.
With an eye towards Cam’s closed door and still naked, she gathered the staff from the hallway and cradled it against her chest. She held it like an old friend. And whispered, “Thank you.”
The runes shimmered faintly under her touch. Then, soft and certain, Solrien’s voice came.
“You are not meant to vanish into her. You are meant to rise beside her.”
Callie swallowed against the lump in her throat.
“And, Callie, I am the one who feels blessed.”