Chapter 18
Sarah
The party was still going when they returned with arms full of snacks.
Spring breakers grabbed at the chocolate and chips like they hadn’t eaten in days.
Someone had started a new round of Cards Against Humanity.
The spa room was full of people doing each other’s nails because Rita and Esty hadn’t been able to keep up.
Carlos appeared at Sarah’s elbow. “We need to talk.”
She handed the rest of her supplies to Maria and followed him to a quiet corner. Lizzie trailed behind.
“I just got an alert on my phone. Storm’s passing faster than expected. Should be clear in the next few hours.”
Sarah let out a long breath. “The ferries?”
“I called the harbor. They can come as soon as it’s safe. Probably early morning. Six or seven.”
Sarah pulled out her phone and checked the radar. The worst was over.
“I should tell everyone.” She walked to the center of the main room and raised her voice. “Can I have everyone’s attention?”
People looked up from their games.
“We just got word from the harbor. The storm is passing. The ferries will be here first thing in the morning to take us back to Key West.”
Cheers erupted. People hugged each other. A few actually cried with relief.
“So we made it,” someone called out. “We survived the apocalypse party!”
More cheers. Someone started chanting “Turn on the music! Turn on the music!”
Sarah looked at Carlos. “We have enough fuel?”
“Plenty. Storm’s already slowing. We can run the generator for a couple hours.”
“Do it.”
Carlos grinned and headed for the generator. A minute later, music blasted through the speakers. The DJ, who’d been napping in the corner, jumped up and started mixing. Spring breakers flooded the makeshift dance floor.
For the next few hours, Sarah and Lizzie joined in the fun.
The two of them, Carlos, and Maria played a round of Jenga, which didn’t last long because Carlos had the worst hand-eye coordination known to man.
Then, Maria served up a dinner of Cuban sandwiches, and then, Lizzie showed off the few cords Jasper had taught her when she went through her guitar learning phase.
After that, Maria went off to prepare a snack for everyone-peanut butter on crackers-while Carlos went to join his crew in playing cards.
Sarah felt Lizzie’s hand slip into hers. The touch was brief, just a squeeze, then Lizzie let go before anyone could notice.
But the message was clear.
Sarah leaned close enough to whisper. “Come with me.”
She led Lizzie toward the kitchen, passing Maria with a tray as she exited. Sarah walked to the pantry and grabbed a jar of peanut butter from the shelf. The good kind, creamy and organic.
Lizzie raised an eyebrow. “What’s that for?”
“Are you allergic to peanuts?”
“No. Why?”
Sarah grinned. “You’ll see.”
Behind the kitchen was a small room that used to be maid’s quarters. There was a bed, a small bathroom, basic furniture. Sarah had been sleeping here since the storm hit. Well, whatever little sleep she’d managed to get.
She pulled Lizzie inside and locked the door.
The room was dim. Just the glow from the kitchen filtering in through the transom window above the door. Music thumped from the other room, but it was muffled here. Private.
“I’ve been thinking about you all evening,” Sarah said, setting the peanut butter on the nightstand. “I want to show you something.” Sarah sat on the edge of the bed. “I want to show you that I can be fun. That I’m not always the ice queen general manager.”
“You don’t have to prove anything to me. Besides, you showed me that earlier, in the storage room.” A grin spread across her face and Sarah mimicked it.
“I know. But I want to anyway.” Sarah picked up the jar. “I had a girlfriend after I left… that doesn’t matter. I had a girlfriend for a while. She introduced me to some things.”
“What kind of things?”
“Fun things.” Sarah unscrewed the lid. “Things I haven’t done in years because I was too busy being professional and perfect and safe.”
Lizzie’s eyes went dark. “Show me.”
Sarah stood and started undressing. She took her time, letting Lizzie watch. When she was naked, she lay back on the bed.
“Your turn.”
Lizzie stripped quickly. She climbed onto the bed and straddled Sarah’s hips.
“Now what?”
Sarah dipped her finger in the peanut butter. “Now we get creative.”
She painted a line down the center of Lizzie’s chest. Between her breasts. Over her stomach. Stopped just above where Lizzie was already getting wet.
“That’s cold.”
“Not for long.” Sarah sat up and licked the trail she’d made. Slowly. Savoring the combination of sweet peanut butter and salt from Lizzie’s skin.
“That’s not fair. I’m supposed to be the one in control.”
“Who says?” Sarah painted another line across Lizzie’s collarbone. Licked it off with broad strokes of her tongue. “We can take turns.”
“My turn then.” Lizzie grabbed the jar. She pushed Sarah back against the pillows. “Hands above your head.”
Sarah obeyed. Lizzie dipped two fingers in the peanut butter and painted Sarah’s nipples with it. Then she lowered her mouth and sucked one clean.
The sensation was overwhelming. The texture of the peanut butter, the heat of Lizzie’s mouth, the slight scrape of teeth. Sarah arched up into it.
“Stay still.” Lizzie switched to the other breast. Took her time licking and sucking until Sarah’s nipple was clean and hard. “You taste incredible like this.”
“More.”
Lizzie painted a spiral pattern on Sarah’s stomach. Licked it off in one continuous motion, her tongue following the curves. When she reached Sarah’s hip bone, she bit down gently.
“I could do this all night.” Lizzie dipped her fingers again. “Paint you and lick you clean. Over and over.”
“Please.”
“Please what?”
“Touch me. Where I need you.”
Lizzie painted a line down Sarah’s inner thigh. So close to where Sarah was aching. She licked it off with agonizing slowness.
“Here?”
“Higher. You’re torturing me.”
“That’s the idea.” But Lizzie finally took mercy. She spread a layer of peanut butter between her legs. Then, she set out to clean her.
The sensation was strange and perfect. Slick from the peanut butter mixed with Sarah’s own wetness. Lizzie pushed inside and Sarah gasped.
“How does that feel?”
“Different. Good. Really good.”
Lizzie pumped slowly. The peanut butter made everything smoother, easier. She added a third finger and Sarah opened for her.
“I want to taste you like this.”
Lizzie pulled her fingers out and replaced them with her tongue. The combination of flavors made Sarah’s head spin. Sweet and salty and Lizzie’s mouth and Sarah couldn’t think anymore.
Lizzie licked and sucked, making enthusiastic sounds. “God, you taste amazing. I could live between your legs.”
Sarah’s hands found Lizzie’s hair. Held her there. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”
Lizzie didn’t stop. She used her tongue and lips and even her teeth, gentle enough not to hurt but enough to drive Sarah wild. When she put her fingers back inside, Sarah came almost immediately. Hard and fast and calling Lizzie’s name.
Lizzie crawled up and kissed her. Sarah could taste herself mixed with peanut butter on Lizzie’s lips.
They lay tangled together. Sarah pulled the sheet over them even though the room was warm. Outside, the music had stopped. The party must be winding down.
“We should talk about this,” Lizzie said. “About us. What happens when we get back to Key West?”
Sarah had been dreading this conversation. “I want to be with you. Really be with you. But the lawsuit—”
“I know. We have to keep it secret.”
“Just until it’s settled. Once I have control of the company and the board can’t touch me, I’ll tell everyone. I’ll hold your hand in public. I’ll take you on actual dates. I’ll introduce you to everyone as my girlfriend.”
“Your girlfriend. I like the sound of that.”
“Me too.” Sarah kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry it has to be like this. Secret. Hidden. You deserve better.”
“I deserve you. However I can have you.” Lizzie snuggled closer. “We’ll figure it out. Take it one day at a time.”
“What about after your internship ends? You’ll go back to New York.”
“Maybe. Or maybe I’ll find reasons to visit Key West. A lot.” Lizzie grinned. “I hear it’s beautiful this time of year.”
“It’s beautiful every time of year.”
“Then I guess I’ll just have to keep coming back.”
They fell quiet. Sarah listened to Lizzie’s breathing even out. Felt her body relax into sleep.
For the first time in fifteen years, Sarah felt truly happy. Not content. Not satisfied. Actually happy.
She had Lizzie in her arms. The storm had passed. Tomorrow they’d go back to Key West and reality. But tonight, right now, this was enough.
Sarah closed her eyes and let herself drift off. The mansion was quiet around them. Everyone else asleep in their assigned rooms. Just Sarah and Lizzie in the maid’s quarters behind the kitchen.
Finally together.
Finally honest.
And whatever came next, they’d face it together.