Fallen Elements (28 page)

Feeling her courage falter, Ryan slid to the
edge of the couch. “Then we’re good otherwise?”

Leah opened her mouth as if to speak, but
then only nodded.

The two women looked at each other, the sound
of a ticking clock somewhere in the house the only thing Ryan could
hear. She was utterly bewildered by what was happening. Ryan had
imagined a bang and a boom of dialogue. Leah and her talking
through what had happened, what
must
happen. Instead there
was this whimper.

“I’m going to go then.” Ryan stood. “Thank
you for the tea.”

Leah stood and stepped toward the door.
“Thank you for coming over. I’m glad we had some closure.”

Ryan took a tentative step forward and then
stopped, a frown having spread across her lips. “Closure?”

Leah nodded. “Yes. I’m happy we didn’t leave
it on bad terms.”

A series of clicking sounds echoed in Ryan’s
head as a surge of adrenaline shot up her neck, causing her cheeks
to flush. “I don’t want to leave it at all!”

Leah’s eyes widened at Ryan’s declaration.
“Ryan, we agreed -”

Fervently shaking her head back and forth,
Ryan squared her shoulders. “No. This is wrong! This isn’t what I
want, and I don’t think it’s what you want either!”

“Ryan, it’s fine. Please.” Leah’s calm
demeanor faltered as her tone became pleading. “I need you - I need
you to leave.”

Ryan noticed that in spite of the words
coming out of Leah’s mouth, the woman had actually moved away from
the front door, and was now standing only a few feet from Ryan.
Having come through the last moments of despair, Ryan felt elated
as a new found courage drove her forward.

“I won’t - I
can’t
just leave you.
You’re not someone I can just forget about.” Ryan closed the space
between her and Leah. She took the woman’s hands in hers.

Leah’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Leave. I
don’t want you here.” Her voice cracked as she pulled her hands
free of Ryan’s.

In a moment of clarity, Ryan knew she needed
to say what had been sitting in the center of her chest for the
better part of a month. She could take back most anything she said
or did, but if she left this house without saying anything, she
knew it would be one of those rare mistakes that are built to
last.

“I love you.” Ryan was surprised how calm she
sounded in spite of the emotional roller coaster her insides were
on. “I’ve never said that to anyone, and I’m not telling you that
to somehow burden you.” Ryan took a tentative step toward a stunned
Leah. “I want you to know there have been people in the past that I
could have said it to, and not
really
meant it. I’m
completely joyful that I didn’t, and now it matters more
because
you’re the first person I’ve said it to.”

Leah took a deep breath, but didn’t speak.
Ryan felt the jarring of Leah’s silence through her entire body.
They had hit some obstructed crossroads in their relationship, and
the past was impeding their way forward. “I’m going to leave
now.”

Leah turned her head quickly, her eyes
focused on Ryan’s. “I love you, too.” Leah grasped Ryan’s hand, and
entwining her fingers with Ryan’s, took another deep breath.
“You’re not the first person I’ve ever said that to, but it’s been
a very long time since I felt like saying it.”

Ryan’s head was spinning with the revelation
that Leah was in love with her. She studied their hands, and how
seamlessly they fit together. “I still have questions, but right
now I am all full up with the talking.”

Ryan pulled Leah to her. The heat of Leah’s
skin enveloped her as she pressed her lips to Leah’s. Ryan felt the
floor beneath her shift slightly at the first touch of Leah’s
tongue to hers. Grabbing Leah by the shoulders, Ryan pushed her
back onto the sofa.

Leaning back, Ryan looked down at Leah. Both
women were panting slightly, out of breath. A few skittering
heartbeats later and Leah cupped the back of Ryan’s neck and pulled
her forward. The intensity of the kiss evoked a low moan from Ryan
as she shifted between Leah’s legs.

Ryan ran her hand under the hem of Leah’s
shirt, clutching her waist before Ryan’s hand roamed down to her
hip. Leah flinched and Ryan pulled her hand back. “What’s
wrong?”

Leah shifted, and pulled Ryan back to her.
“Bruise from the accident. Don’t stop.”

Ryan quickly removed her hand from Leah’s hip
and ran it up the flat plains of her stomach and along the side of
Leah’s firm round breast. Then Ryan ran her palm over the silky
material of Leah’s bra, her hardened nipple tickling her hand.

Leah simultaneously ran her hands under the
back of Ryan’s shirt, her nails lightly scratching at Ryan’s heated
skin. Ryan pressed down into Leah. She felt like any space between
her and Leah was too much, and she imagined herself disappearing
inside Leah.

Ryan pulled back from Leah long enough to
unbutton and remove Leah’s jeans. Tossing them on the floor, she
then cupped Leah hard through her underwear, causing Leah to gasp
as she raised her hips to meet Ryan’s hand.

Ryan felt as if her skin was on fire.
Everywhere she touched Leah, shards of heat splintered through her
body. Ryan quickly pulled her shirt off, and removed her bra. The
haze of lust and longing she saw in Leah’s eyes brought a smile to
Ryan’s lips. To know she gave Leah pleasure gave Ryan pleasure.

Kneeling between Leah’s legs, Ryan pulled her
white silk panties down to her knees, and then running her hands up
Leah’s toned calf, liberated one of her legs from the undergarment.
Spreading Leah’s legs wider, Ryan bent over and ran her tongue
along the inside of Leah’s thigh. The scent of vanilla wafted over
her.

Ryan flattened her hands across the tops of
Leah’s thighs, slowly running them along the smooth skin. Opening
her mouth, Ryan kissed and licked the soft skin where Leah’s thigh
and hip met. She was careful to avoid the bruise near the back of
Leah’s hip. “You taste amazing.” Leah entwined her fingers in
Ryan’s brown locks, pushing her further into her.

Ryan ran her left hand up Leah’s torso,
pushing her bra up. Ryan rubbed and massaged Leah’s breast as she
slid two fingers into her.

Leah cried out, her breath catching at the
back of her throat. She grabbed and clutched at Ryan’s bare
shoulders. Not waiting, Ryan began thrusting the entire length of
her fingers into Leah, reveling in how tight and wet she was.

After catching her breath from Ryan’s initial
onslaught, Leah began moving her hips in unison with Ryan.
“Harder.” Leah panted.

Ryan added a third finger, while squeezing
and tweaking Leah’s hardened nipple with her other hand as she felt
her tightening around her fingers. Leah’s scent, movement, even the
sounds she made, were intoxicating to Ryan. Each second she spent
inside Leah was wrecking her through to her core.

Ryan slowly pulled her fingers from Leah,
needing the intensity and closeness of this moment to last. Ryan
began unbuttoning her jeans, her hands trembling. She was grateful
when Leah reached up and finished removing the garment for her. She
tossed them and Ryan’s underwear to the floor.

Leah lifted her left leg so it rested along
the back of the sofa, and splayed her hands along either side of
Ryan’s hips, guiding her down until their clits touched. The
contact sent an intense spark of electricity and heat shooting
through Ryan, her eyes slamming shut as she cried out.

Leah’s hips undulated, her breath coming in
sharp pants. Taking Ryan’s face in between her hands, Leah’s green
eyes held Ryan’s blue ones for seconds before she pulled Ryan down,
crushing their mouths together in a torrent of desperate
kisses.

Ryan clung to Leah as they moved in unison, a
thin film of sweat covering her body as shots of heat continued to
pulsate through her. Ryan pulled Leah’s leg down from the back of
the sofa, holding it against her hip. Both women moaned as Ryan
pushed down harder into Leah. Grabbing Ryan’s wrist, Leah’s eyes
pleaded as she guided the younger woman’s hand downward.

Ryan shifted to the side. Sliding two fingers
into Leah, Ryan gasped as she buried her face in the side of Leah’s
neck, elation cascading over her, her body trembling with it.

Leah wrapped her arms around Ryan’s
shoulders, and squeezed her legs around Ryan’s hips, the swirling
inside her growing as she rushed toward climax. “Ryan, god!”

Gasping for breath, Leah clutched Ryan
against her as her body shook. Ryan lifted her head as she slipped
her fingers from Leah. Beads of sweat were causing Ryan’s hair to
cling to her forehead, and Leah gently brushed the stray strands to
the side before finding Ryan’s lips again.

“You’re burning up.” Leah’s breath was hot
against Ryan’s face as she spoke, a hint of worry in her tone.

Ryan shook her head. “I’m okay.” Her voice
caught, and her body involuntarily shuddered.

Leah cupped Ryan’s flushed cheek with her
hand, and a cooling sensation spreading down Ryan’s neck as Leah
pulled her toward her. Placing a series of light kisses along
Ryan’s chin and jawline, Leah slowly shifted to the side until Ryan
was on her stomach next to her.

Leah’s cool lips found the back of Ryan’s
neck. She licked and sucked at the supple skin while she slowly ran
her fingers along the curve of Ryan’s back. Kneeling between Ryan’s
legs, Leah ran the backs of her hands from Ryan’s shoulders to the
small of her back. The coolness of her hands was doing little to
squelch the exquisite burning that blanketed Ryan’s body.

Leah placed her hands on either side of
Ryan’s hips and pulled her up onto all fours. Pushing Ryan’s bent
knees apart, Leah reached forward and began running her finger in
small circles around Ryan’s clit. A sharp hiss escaped Ryan as she
clutched the arm of the sofa. Her body was taut with the intense
pleasure coming from Leah’s touch that was branching out through
her entire body.

Leah leaned forward, her bare breasts
pressing against Ryan’s back as she increased the pressure and
movement of her finger. Reaching around Ryan, Leah grasped Ryan’s
firm breast with her other hand, and began to slowly rub the
hardened nipple with her palm.

Ryan gasped and, barely able to stay upright,
clutched the sofa. She pushed back against Leah just as an
incredible shock of heat surged through her. Crying out, Ryan felt
as if she were melting from the inside out as her orgasm surged
through her.

Seconds later, Ryan collapsed on the sofa,
Leah curled up behind her, gently kissing Ryan’s ear. “I love you.”
Leah whispered.

Ryan turned so she was facing Leah. The
woman’s face was flush, and Ryan gently stroked her cheek, then
traced her lips with the tip of her finger. “I love you.”

A mischievous glint shot across Leah’s light
green eyes, and Ryan couldn’t help but smile. “What are you
thinking?”

Leah pinched her lower lip between her teeth.
“I’m thinking there’s more room in the bed.”

Ryan chuckled. “I’m game, but I need to
hydrate first.”

Ryan awoke to the sound of rain. Slowly
opening her eyes, it took her a few seconds to remember where she
was. Turning her head, she smiled to see Leah lying on her stomach
next to her. The sheet was pulled down to the tops of her thighs,
providing Ryan a view of her shapely backside.

Leah’s bedroom had the same rustic feel as
the rest of the house. The light walnut floor was covered with
several dark blue and burgundy area rugs. The queen size bed was a
black wrought iron frame, the bedding a goose down mattress topper
covered in navy flannel sheets that reminded Ryan of a comfortable
pair of pajamas.

The bedroom was dimly lit. Its only window
was covered with burgundy curtains, making it difficult for Ryan to
tell what time it was. Craning her head around, Ryan’s eyes brought
the small digital clock on Leah’s nightstand into focus. It was
seven thirty in the morning. Turning on her side, Ryan contemplated
whether to wake Leah or let her sleep. They had been awake until
well after midnight, and Ryan wasn’t sure she wanted to get up at
this point herself.

“Are you staring at me?” Leah’s eyes were
closed, but a wicked grin was on her full lips.

Ryan leaned over and kissed Leah’s bare
shoulder. “Yeah, you’ve drooled everywhere.”

“Liar. I’m way too classy for that.” Leah
opened her eyes, and smiled. “Good morning.”

Ryan tucked a loose strand of blonde hair
behind Leah’s ear. “Morning.”

Leah rolled over onto her back. The sight of
her bare breasts caused Ryan’s heart to race. Ryan had been with
incredible lovers over the years, but what she and Leah shared was
somehow exponentially more intense. The mere sight of the woman
made Ryan’s head spin.

“Now I know you’re staring.” Leah stretched
her arms over her head and yawned. “I need coffee, but I don’t want
to leave you.” She scooted toward Ryan, and curled up next to her,
resting her head in the crook of Ryan’s arm.

Ryan kissed Leah’s forehead, and draped her
arm over her shoulder, pulling her closer. “It’s settled - bed
day!”

Leah moaned. “You have no idea how badly I
want that, but I have to work.”

Ryan leaned back, and looked incredulously at
the woman in her arms. “It’s Sunday. Don’t you own the place?”

Sighing, Leah lifted her head so she could
look directly at Ryan. “You
would
think that afforded me
some leniency, but Marty is a slave driver.” She rested her hand in
the nook of Ryan’s neck. “I have inventory, and I need to prep
several orders to go out tomorrow for auction.”

Ryan was disappointed, but the euphoria from
the night before and the reality of lying with Leah, naked in her
bed, maintained Ryan’s good mood.

“I can’t believe you’re really here.” Ryan
took Leah’s hand in hers, kissing her palm.