Chapter 8

When Kara’s alarm went off at six the next morning, she instinctively rolled over and slapped the snooze. She rolled back to the center of the bed, unconsciously seeking out her lover’s warmth. When she felt the heat of Madison’s body through the thin cotton of her t-shirt, she jerked into sudden awareness. She remained still, enjoying the sensation of being so close to the woman she loved, her hand slipping under the brunette’s t-shirt and rubbing soft circles on her tummy.

Madison stirred and stretched under Kara’s touch. Kara loved the sensation of the older woman’s abs rippling under her touch through the thin cushion of fat. Madison rested her hand on Kara’s shoulder, brushing the red hair back from her neck.

Madison bent her head down and placed a soft kiss on the top of Kara’s head. “Good morning, beautiful. How’d you sleep?”

Kara leaned up and kissed Madison’s lips, brushing the brown hair away from her face. “Best night’s sleep I’ve had in years.” She laid her head on Madison’s shoulder again, loving the way Madison’s fingers felt as they ran through her hair. “When I’m with you, I just feel so safe and protected that I feel all the tension and stress and . . . everything that’s built up over the last few years just float away. You make me feel free for the first time in my life. Thank you.”

“You know you do the same thing for me? When I hold you I feel so complete. I love you, Kara, with all my heart.”

“I love you, too.”

The women shared a heartfelt kiss and as they did, they both felt the last bits of tension and fear and loneliness seep from their bodies. Just as the passion was beginning to escalate, the alarm went off again. Kara rolled over and turned it off, then sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Madison.

“I guess I should get ready for work. Do you need to leave now or can I fix you breakfast first?”

“I’d love breakfast, but I can make it if you like.”

“No, you go ahead and lay back down. I’m gonna take a shower and then I’ll cook something for us. How do you like your eggs?”

“Scrambled,” Madison replied with a grin.

“What are you grinning at?”

“Check your top,” Madison answered, her eyes firmly fixed on Kara’s chest, where her tank top had shifted so the nipple of her right breast was clearly exposed. Kara blushed redder than Madison thought possible as she quickly pulled the uncooperative garment back to where it should be.

“You know, it really is adorable how much you blush.”

“Well, I don’t usually go around flashing my boobs to people. I think that warrants a bit of embarrassment,” Kara replied, her tone light.

“Well, I would hope that that is just a preview of things to come. Am I right?”

“You’re very, very right.” Kara crawled across the large bed to Madison and kissed her cheek. “Now, I’m gonna go hop in the shower, then I’ll cook for you.”

Madison watched as Kara disappeared behind the door before she got up to go down the hall to guest bathroom. She returned to Kara’s bed and could still hear the water running from the bathroom. She burrowed back under the covers and sighed happily. Here I am, on vacation, lying in my girlfriend’s bed. My girlfriend. So what happens next? Madison felt the light happiness she had been enjoying evaporate, replaced by worry about the future, how she would deal with being more physical with Kara.

Kara came out of the bathroom a few minutes after the shower stopped running, wearing her robe, with her hair up, though her bangs were damp. She smiled at Madison as she gathered up her clothes and disappeared back behind the bathroom door.
She came out a few minutes later looking put together, wearing a charcoal gray skirt suit and white silk button down blouse. Madison was sitting on the edge of the bed, having dressed in her clothes from the previous day, her t-shirt wrinkled from having slept in it the previous night. She stepped up to Kara and ran her hands over the suit, loving the way the soft cloth felt under her fingers.

“I believe that someone promised me breakfast.”

Kara lightly placed her hands on Madison’s hips and pulled their bodies together, placing a tender, loving kiss on her lips. “I did, indeed.”

After Kara had prepared a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast, the two women sat at the table and discussed their plans for the day. Madison had to get some research done, and Kara knew it was going to be a late night at work, so the two decided to skip seeing each other that night, planning instead on spending the weekend together.

As they left to go about their days, Madison stopped suddenly and started looking around in her purse. “Before I forget, I should give you back your key.”

Kara took the offered key, knowing that it was still too early in their relationship to give Madison carte blanche to enter her home. “Thanks. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

“I’ll be here around six. Do you want me to bring anything?”

“Just yourself. Would you like to stay the night again?” Kara began to flush and she looked down. “I mean, if you don’t want to that’s fine . . . I just kind of . . . I don’t know . . . I guess I just hoped . . .”

Madison hugged the taller woman tightly. “Sweetheart, I thought we agreed that we would both ask for what we wanted and we would be honest with one another. I would love to stay the entire weekend. I’ll bring some things with me when I come over tomorrow, okay?” She squeezed Kara before planting a kiss on her cheek, then another on her lips. “I love you. I’ll call you tonight.” With that, Madison turned and let herself out of the gate before getting into her car and driving off.

Kara stood there for a moment after she had heard Madison drive off before turning and leaving to go downtown for another day of work. As she worked, the smell of the flowers that filled her office caused her to think of Madison often, which brought a smile to her lips that lasted until she went to sleep that night.

***

“You can’t be serious!” Jessica shouted into her phone. “You’re seriously going to call off the wedding because of this?”

“Yes I’m calling off the wedding. How can I marry a woman I don’t trust? You’ve been lying to me for two years, Jessica! I don’t know how many times I had dinner with you and Kara! I sat across from her, went to baseball games with her, and all this time, you two were keeping this huge fucking secret! I should have known that my fiancée’s best friend was her ex-husband!”

“I explained why I didn’t tell you. You’ve never been around people like her and I know your parents’ views on the subject. They’re quite vocal about their opinions. I just didn’t want you to treat her . . .”

“The fact that she used to be a man, I don’t give two shits about that. This isn’t about me having a problem with her being a lesbian or transsexual or whatever. She’s a cool woman and we get along. I genuinely like her. I’m not my parents and I’m not a homophobe. This is about you lying to me for the entire time we’ve been together. I need to think about things before I can make any decisions, but one thing I know for sure is that I’m not going to marry you in July. As far as what happens next between us, I just don’t know.”

“Bill, please don’t do this,” Jess pleaded, the tears running down her cheeks. “I love you.”

“And I love you, too, Jess. But I don’t trust you. Maybe someday I will again, but not now. Look, I’ve said my piece, now I’ve got to go. I’m gonna visit some friends out of town, I’ll probably crash with them. Remember Kevin and James, out in Portland?”

“Yeah,” Jess answered, audibly sobbing through the phone.

“I’m gonna visit them for a while. I’m planning on staying a week. I’ll call when I get there and I’ll text you their number. My plane’s about to board. I’ll talk to you later.”

Jessica held the phone to ear, listening to the silence coming from the other end. She set her phone down and curled up, pulling her knees to her chest, crying uncontrollably. After she had cried until she had no tears left, she knew she had to talk to someone about what had happened. She picked up the phone and called the one person who she knew would be in her corner, Kara.

“Hey, Jess. What’s up?”

“Kara,” Jess began crying again once she heard the friendly voice.

“Jess, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“I really need to see you. Are you free?”

“I will be around nine. That’s not too late, is it?”

“No, I just . . . things are bad, Kar, I really need you.”

“Okay, Jess. I’ll try to get out of here earlier and I’ll come straight to your place. I’ll see you soon.”

Kara stared at her phone, puzzled by Jess’s call. In the years since their divorce, Jess had always been the strong one. While Kara was lonely and depressed a lot of the time during their first year apart, Jess moved on with her life. Less than a year after their divorce, Jess had met Bill and the two quickly hit it off.

Kara had hung out with the couple on several occasions over the last two years and had always been of the opinion that since she couldn’t be with Jess, Bill was a good choice. She had always got along with him and he made a genuine effort to be her friend. Kara was still jealous of him for being with her first love, but she admitted that he was a good person and a good match for Jess.

Kara didn’t manage to finish early and in fact wrapped up a little late, not leaving work until nine thirty. She drove to Jess’s apartment, making a quick pit stop at McDonald’s to get some fast dinner. She pulled into Jess’s parking lot just before ten and walked up the stairs quickly. She knocked on the door and gasped at the sight that greeted her. Jess’s eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot, with puffy bags underneath them. Her thick, wavy hair was looking frazzled and her nose was red.

“Jess, my god, what happened to you?” Kara rushed into the apartment, dropping her food on the counter as she guided Jess to sit next to her on the couch. “Are you okay? Do you want me to get Bill? Where is Bill?”

“Bill’s gone. He found our wedding album and figured out you’re my ex-husband. He called off the wedding.” She buried her face in the crook of Kara’s shoulder, her body wracked by sobs. Kara wrapped her arms around the blonde, rubbing her back trying to soothe the crying woman.

After several minutes of holding her distraught friend, Kara asked, “Jess, what do you mean? Didn’t you tell him about us?”

“No. His family is a lot like yours was. Both his parents would get along fine with your dad, as a matter of fact. I just didn’t want to take the risk that he’d say something negative about you or about me. You’re my best friend, Kara, and even though we’re not together, I still love you, you know. I can’t stand to have people talk bad about you.”

“I know, Jess. You know I feel the same about you. What did he say when he found out? When did he find out?”

“He found out Sunday while I was over at your place. When I got back he walked out. He’s been staying at a hotel this week and he’s taking vacation to go to Portland for the next week or so. He told me today that he’s calling off the wedding because he can’t trust me.” She began crying again, the tears streaming down her face. “What do I do, Kar? How do I fix this?”

“I don’t know Jess. I really don’t know what to tell you. You love him, right?”

“Of course I do! I want to marry him!”

“But you don’t know why you weren’t honest to him?”

“You weren’t all that forthcoming about our past, either.”

“One, he wasn’t my fiancée. Two, I had no idea he didn’t know. Three, I don’t like talking about my history as a man. Four, I especially don’t like talking about my history with you.”

“You’re right. I should have told him.”

“You really should have Jess. He may be overreacting and he may come back around, but you really should have told him about us.” Kara looked out the window contemplatively. “I wondered why he seemed so cool about me being your maid of honor.”

Letting out a wry laugh, Jess agreed. “Yeah, that would seem weird for him to be okay with my ex-husband being my maid of honor.”

Kara laughed as well. “Just a little bit weird. Ours is definitely a bizarre friendship.”

The two women were sitting close to each other on the couch. Kara had kicked off her shoes and tucked her legs beneath her, her body turned towards Jess. Jess was stretched out, her head resting against Kara’s shoulder, soaking up the comfort of Kara’s arms around her, her right hand making slow circles between her shoulder blades.

Jessica let her mind wander, reminiscing about their shared past and all the evenings and lazy weekends the two had spent snuggled together on their cheap green couch in their first apartment. She smiled at the memory, comparing it to the way she felt now, relaxed alongside Kara. Her clothes are definitely softer, she thought, feeling the cool smooth silk beneath her cheek and her hand resting on Kara’s waist. It felt natural and comfortable sitting with Kara like this. She snuggled deeper into Kara’s arms, the sense memory feeling a little overwhelming.

“So what are you gonna do next?” Kara asked, her voice filled with concern.

“I don’t know. I guess I’ll leave the next move to him. See what he wants to do. I love him, I really do. I just — I just want things to be right.”

“I know what you mean. I really do. But you have to know that there’s a lot of work that you’re going to have to do to rebuild trust. I mean, I really do understand his point. I couldn’t marry a woman who hid something like that from me either. It’s a huge thing that you lied about. And I honestly don’t understand why you lied to him about that. In eight years together you never lied to me and I’m fairly sure you haven’t lied to me in the last three either.”

“I haven’t. You’re my best friend. I guess — I guess I just didn’t want to lose you. You’ve been a huge part of my life for so long, since we were kids, really, and I just couldn’t bear to lose you.”

“I know, Jess,” Kara said, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head. “But there comes a point where we’re both gonna have to step back from each other to grow closer to new partners. You were doing that with Bill. He should be your best friend now.” Kara started to elaborate on that when a chirping sound emanated from her purse. “Hang on just a second.”

She stood up and walked to the counter where she had left her purse and quickly retrieved her phone, her face lighting up in a smile when she saw that it was Madison calling her. “Hey sweetheart, how was your day?” Her bright cheerful voice felt like a dagger to Jessica, and the soft, beautiful smile that graced her lips was like salt poured into the wound.

“Uh-huh. I’m over at Jess’s, she had a bit of a crisis and needed a shoulder to lean on.” There was a pause as Kara listened to what Madison had to say. “Yeah, my ex. I’m probably gonna head home in twenty minutes or so. Can I call you back then? Okay, talk to you then. I love you, too.” Kara placed her phone back in her purse and walked back to the couch. She sat back down, keeping a respectful but friendly distance from Jessica, who had managed to compose her features enough to hide the feelings of sorrow, confusion, and jealousy that were coursing through her.

“So I take it that things worked out with Madison, huh?”

The smile that lit up Kara’s face at the mere mention of her girlfriend’s name caused another surge of jealousy to pass through Jessica. “Yeah, things worked out quite well. I’m in love with her. And she loves me. It’s incredible. I mean, I was a wreck, so worried about not getting a chance with her, but now, we’re already planning on spending the weekend together.”

“So, how does she feel about your plumbing issues?”

Kara looked away and appeared to be deep in thought. “I’m not entirely sure. I told her that she gets to take the lead in this issue, so we’ll see how she wants to deal with it.”

“So does that mean you two . . . haven’t . . . you know?”

“No, we haven’t.” Jessica felt some of the tension leave her body, but stifled the sigh of relief that tried to escape. “We just exchanged 'I love you’s' yesterday. We’ll just have to see what happens.”

“Well, I hope everything works out for you.” She looked at the clock and saw that it was eleven thirty. She yawned loudly. “Excuse me. It’s late and I’m kind of exhausted. I should probably call it a night.”

“Are you gonna be okay?” Jess nodded. “Well, if you need me for anything, anything at all, I’m just a phone call away.”

“I know. Thanks for coming over, Kar. I really appreciate it. You know I love you, right?”

“Yeah, I know.” Wrapping her arms around the woman who once held her heart in the palm of her hand, she whispered, “And I love you, too Jess. Sleep well.”

“Thanks. Drive safe.”

Once the door was closed and locked behind Kara, Jessica slowly walked back to her bedroom. Once she was in bed, her black and gray striped tabby cat, Cat, jumped up next to her, demanding to be petted. His comfort was the last thing she needed at this time, as he was a firm reminder of her life with Kara.

Cat had adopted the newlywed couple when they lived in their first apartment while they were in college. They were bringing in groceries when he walked into their apartment and began rubbing his head against Jessica’s shin. Jessica and Adam added the small, scrawny stray to their family and he was with them until their divorce. When the couple split up, Seymour went with Kara while Cat stayed with Jess, whom he had always preferred.

Jess sighed as she thought about all that had happened that day. Her fiancée calls off their wedding, she finds comfort in the arms of the woman who used to be her husband, she discovers that she’s jealous of Madison. That last thought was particularly upsetting to the blonde. What is wrong with me? I ended it three years ago because I can’t love a woman. Now I’m jealous of her new girlfriend? What the hell is going on? She let these thoughts run around in her head for a while before finally deciding that she needed to stop thinking about it and go to sleep.

Chapter 9

Friday evening, Kara rushed home from work, eager to spend time with the woman she loved. When she pulled into her garage, she was thrilled to see Madison’s car pulling in behind her. She went over and opened the gate, stepping towards the older woman. Madison stepped out of her car and pulled out a small duffle bag from the back seat. Kara took the bag away from her and wrapped her free arm around the brunette’s waist.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered as she pulled their bodies together and pressed her lips against Madison’s in a passionate kiss. Madison’s arms went around Kara’s neck, her fingers lacing through the long red hair. Kara dropped the bag she was holding and wrapped her arm around Madison’s waist. Their bodies were tight against each other. Kara’s heels gave her a significant height advantage, and Madison’s head was almost level with Kara’s breasts. As Kara’s hands slipped lower, taking hold of Madison’s ass, Madison slid her hands down over Kara’s shoulders toward her chest.

Madison moaned into Kara’s mouth as her hands slid over the silky fabric of Kara’s blouse and cupped the taller woman’s full breasts. Kara moaned and pressed her chest firmly against Madison’s hands, loving the way she squeezed them as she lifted them, feeling their weight in her hands. Kara’s head rolled back in pleasure as she reveled in the sensation of the brunette’s hands lightly tightening and loosening their grip on the soft orbs.

Madison pressed her lips against the soft smooth skin of Kara’s throat, feeling the redhead’s pulse racing under her lips. The way Kara’s throat vibrated when she moaned was intoxicating to Madison. She loved that she had the power to make the taller woman feel such pleasure.

“God, Madison, that feels so good. I love you so much, baby.” She pulled her hands off of Madison’s ass and slid them up the older woman’s back before tangling in the dark hair. She pressed Madison’s lips firmly against her neck.

Madison removed her hands from Kara’s breasts, sliding them down to rest on her firm tummy. Placing a possessive kiss on Kara’s lips, she pushed her back. She looked at Kara with eyes dark with desire. “Take me to bed, baby. I love you, and I want you. I want to touch you. Take me to bed.”

A look of desire mixed with a healthy dose of panic came over Kara’s face. “Are you sure sweetheart?” she asked, brushing Madison’s hair back into place.

“I’m very sure. Don’t you want to?”

“I want to. I really do. I’m just scared. So very, very scared.” Madison could see Kara’s body shaking with a mixture of arousal and complete terror.

“Shhh, baby, it’ll be alright. It’s just me. You know me. You know I love you. Let’s go inside, okay.”

Kara took a deep, shaky breath and nodded her head. Madison picked up her bag and took Kara’s hand, leading her to the door. Once they were inside, Seymour ran to them to sniff at them. Madison looked at Kara, standing in the middle of her kitchen. She looked completely lost and uncertain of where she should go next.

“Come on, baby, let’s go upstairs so I can put my bag in your room. If you want to slow down, then we can. If not, that’s fine, too. I want you to be comfortable. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want.”

Kara grinned at that, some of the tension leaving her. “I thought that was my line.”

“It is. And I want you. But I think you need to talk about some stuff before we go any further. Am I right?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Is it alright if we just set your bag down here and then sit on the couch to talk?”

“Of course, baby. Come on.” She took Kara by the hand and led her to the living room, pulling her down beside her on the couch. She wrapped her arms around the taller woman and began to rhythmically stroke her hair. “Now tell me what has you so worried?”

“I — I just — I’m so scared that you’ll see me and then want nothing more to do with me. It would hurt me so much to come so close to being with you and then to have you leave me.”

“Has that happened to you before? You lost someone when they saw you without your clothes?”

Kara was silent for a while, soaking up the comfort that Madison was offering her. “Yeah. She was a woman I briefly dated after Jess and I split up. We went out a few times and one night after hanging out here and drinking a few too many beers, she started giving me some signals that she wanted to go further. I acted on those signals and she freaked out on me. She left while I was asleep and I never heard from her again.”

“Well, it’s sounds to me like she was a fool. I love you, and I swear to you that no matter what happens, I’ll be here in the morning.” She cupped Kara’s chin and turned her head so that they were looking into each others’ eyes. “I swear it.” With that Madison leaned in and kissed Kara. This kiss was different from the ones they had shared earlier. Instead of conveying passion and desire, Madison poured into this kiss every bit of love and caring that she possessed. “I love you Kara. I don’t know how I know that so soon, but I do. I know it with an unshakeable confidence.”

“I love you, too, Madison. I love you so much it terrifies me. The last time I loved someone this much, I had my heart ripped out.”

“I don’t know what the future will bring baby,” Madison said, trying to soothe the troubled woman in her arms. “But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I love you and that I want to be with you. As far as knowing how I’ll react to what you have in your panties, I guess we’ll find that out together. I’ve never seen one in the flesh, so I have no frame of reference here. I’m flying totally blind. But know this, no matter what happens, I will never intentionally hurt you.”

Madison held Kara’s face in her hands and looked deeply into her eyes. “I love you. And what happens between us will come from a place of love. That’s all that matters. The love we share.” She kissed Kara again, softly. “So. I think we may have temporarily lost the mood we had set out by the car. What say you and I have some dinner and relax and then figure out where to go from there.”

“Sounds like a plan. How about some spaghetti?”

“Sounds heavenly. Need any help?”

Kara stood, bending down to place a kiss on Madison’s forehead. “How about I start the water boiling and go change. Why don’t you find us something to watch. I’ll be right back, okay?”

“Okay, baby. Any requests?”

“Not really, just put on whatever you like.”

Kara went into the kitchen and filled a pot with water. Setting it on the stove, she added several heavy pinches of salt and turned the heat on. She went upstairs and looked through her closet for something to wear. She finally settled on a pair of cutoffs and a t-shirt. She quickly went down the stairs and into the living room. Giggling, she jumped onto the couch next to Madison, throwing her arms around her and pulling the brunette tight for a big kiss.

“I feel so happy. You make me so happy,” Kara said, her face split by an almost painful looking smile.

“And you do the same for me. Is this alright,” Madison asked, gesturing toward the TV where she had played a sitcom off of Kara’s DVR.

“Yeah, that’s great. I’m gonna start the sauce. Want something to drink?”

“Yeah, whatever you’re having.”

Kara leaned over and placed another kiss on Madison’s pink lips. “Okay, be right back.”

After starting the sauce, a simple concoction of crushed tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, a shot of vodka and some herbs and spices, she grabbed a couple of diet cokes and came back to the living room.

“Mmmmm, that smells delicious, sweetie,” Madison said, wrapping her arms around Kara’s waist.

“Thanks. It’s one of my simple go to recipes. I sometimes think I could live off of spaghetti alone.” Kara laughed, the sound settling over Madison like a warm blanket.

“I don’t believe you. Just based on the assortment of beers you have, I think you’re a fan of variety.”

“I am in some things. In others, all I want is one thing for the rest of my life.” She looked down, blushing, “That’s how I feel about you.”

Madison felt her heart clench in her throat, almost breaking at the sweet innocence in the younger woman’s expression. She held her face and kissed her, passionately and lovingly. Pulling back and looking into Kara’s eyes, she said, “I feel the same way.”

The two cuddled on the couch watching TV and exchanging soft touches and occasional kisses. Kara got up every few minutes to check on the progress of the food until she declared the food ready. She set the table with a block of parmesan and a rasp, as well as a loaf of bread she had covered with garlic butter and toasted under the broiler. The two women ate, talking about their days and about what they wanted to do over the weekend.

Once they were finished and the kitchen was cleaned, they went back to the couch. “So,” Madison began with a playful smirk, running the tips of her fingers over Kara’s arms, “What should we do now?”

Without waiting for an answer, her eyes dark with desire, Madison pushed Kara onto her back and laid on top of her, her lips pressing hard against Kara’s, conveying every bit of passion that the older woman felt. Kara responded to Madison’s aggression by lying back and letting her passion roll over her like a wave. Kara kissed every inch of Madison’s skin that she could reach, her hands sliding up under the brunette’s top, lightly gliding over the silky soft skin she found there.

Madison’s lips were never still, moving all over Kara’s face, first kissing her cheek then her lips, her eyes, nibbling on her sensitive ears, making the taller woman squirm with desire and need. Madison slid her hands beneath the hem of the redhead’s t-shirt, pushing it up as she continued to kiss, lick, and nibble every square inch of already exposed skin. She leaned back, Kara’s arms around her neck pulling her up off the couch. Madison grabbed the bottom of Kara’s shirt and peeled it off of her, the hazel eyes memorizing every bit of exposed flesh she saw. Once the shirt was tossed aside, Kara fell back onto the couch, her breasts heaving under the confines of her black lace bra, the dark fabric making her pale skin look even paler.

Kara lay there, unmoving except for the gasps of air causing her breasts to move up and down in a manner that Madison found intoxicating. “You are so beautiful,” the brunette whispered, unable to tear her eyes from the body lying beneath her. “I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment, for you.” She tore her eyes from the cream colored flesh and looked into the blue-gray eyes of her lover. “I love you, Kara, with all my heart. I want to make love to you. I need to hear you say you want that, too.”

Kara’s mouth went completely dry and she swallowed a few times to try to get the moisture back into it. She nodded, her eyes staring deep into those of her love. “I want that, too. Please make love to me, Madison,” she whispered, her face and chest flushing, not with embarrassment this time, but with arousal. “Make love to me,” she said again, louder and with more conviction. “I need you Madison, so much.”

Madison grabbed the hem of her own top and peeled it off quickly, still sitting up, straddling the taller woman. Kara’s eyes followed the line of exposed skin, absorbing every detail. Madison was wearing a white satin bra and as soon as her top was resting on the floor next to Kara’s, she reached behind her back and unclasped it, letting it fall from her shoulders. Kara’s eyes opened wide as Madison’s breasts came in to view. She was captivated by the lightly tanned flesh and the dark, pebbled areola surrounding Madison’s hard nipples. Her areola were small, about the size of nickel, and looked to Kara like the most appetizing thing in the world. Her mouth was watering as she pulled Madison down towards her, kissing all over the older woman’s breasts, leaving teasing nips and bites on the soft, yielding flesh, but being careful not to touch her nipples just yet.

“Please, baby,” Madison moaned above her, “please suck them.” Kara ignored her plea, continuing to tease her lover’s sensitive breasts. “I’m begging you Kar, please suck them. I need you to, baby.”

With that, Kara’s resolve was broken and she pulled the turgid flesh into her mouth, lightly holding it between her teeth as she ran her tongue all over the sensitive nub. Madison’s head rolled back in pleasure as she lost herself in the sensations. Her hands went to the back of Kara’s head to hold the younger woman pressed firmly against her. Kara’s right hand was affixed to Madison’s left breast, rhythmically squeezing the soft orb while sliding her thumb in circles over the sensitive peak.

Madison began to move her hips against the woman beneath her, surprised by the sensation of the firm bulge rubbing against her. In contrast to their make out earlier in the week, this time Madison simply continued to move against her lover. Every sense she had but one was telling her that the woman beneath her was decidedly female, the soft, smooth skin, the soft voice, the way her skin tasted and smelled was feminine and clean, everything about her screamed woman. One thing wasn’t going to change her mind about the whole.

Having made a decision, she reached behind the taller woman’s back and unclasped her bra, needing to feel the large breasts pressed against her own. She had to pull Kara off of her own breast, the redhead’s mouth making a popping sound as the nipple pulled free. Madison pressed her lips against Kara’s as she pulled the bra off the compliant woman’s shoulders. She lay down against Kara, loving the way Kara’s breasts felt pressed against hers by her weight. She slid her hands in between their bodies to grasp at the large orbs, filling her hands with them. She pulled back to look at Kara’s breasts, enchanted by the creamy skin, pale almost to the point of translucence. Her areolas were puffy and the size of a quarter, the color being just a shade pinker than the surrounding skin, almost blending to the point of invisibility. The nipples were small and firm, sticking straight out.

Madison lifted her gaze to Kara’s eyes. The blue-gray circles were glazed and dark with desire. Kara almost looked drunk with passion. Madison slid off Kara’s waist and stood, holding her hand out. Kara took it and stood, their chests pressed together. “Kara, I think we should go to bed.”

Kara pressed her lips together to moisten them and nodded her agreement. Madison took this as a sign that she was to run the show and led Kara upstairs to her bedroom. Once they were standing in front of Kara’s bed, Madison gently pushed Kara to sit on the bed, climbing up next to her. She wrapped Kara in her arms and began kissing her to bring the heat back up from the break they took climbing the stairs. Madison began to stroke Kara’s thigh, moving her hand higher up the soft smooth skin. She slid her hand under the hem of Kara’s cutoffs, feeling the edge of the soft lace panties that she assumed matched the bra laying on the living room floor.

Kara stiffened in Madison’s arms, sensing Madison’s destination. “Shh, it’s okay baby. I love you — all of you.” Madison pulled her hand out of Kara’s shorts and moved to undo the fly. Kara’s body was still stiff with fear, but Madison continued to remove the cutoffs, looking into Kara’s eyes as she did, her expression filled with love and caring. “Kara, sweetie, can you lift your hips for me?” She asked as she was trying to tug the shorts off the taller woman’s body. Kara was shaking with nervousness as she leaned back, her hands covering her breasts and her eyes closed as Madison grasped the waistband of the denim shorts and pulled them down the long legs.

The black lace did nothing to conceal the only unwomanly thing about Kara. The panties hugged her like a second skin, clearly outlining her flesh for Madison to see. Madison stood up and removed her own jeans and panties in one move. She looked back at Kara who was still lying there, barely breathing, her eyes screwed shut. She knew that she was at a crossroads and how she reacted tonight would affect their entire future together. Madison took a deep breath and made her decision. She took the black lace in her hands and tugged the material off Kara’s body. They were both completely nude now, and Madison got back on the bed and lay down next to Kara. She could see the tears rolling down the redhead’s cheeks and knew that her silence was only making things worse for the woman.

“So beautiful,” she whispered, reaching up to brush the tears from her lover’s cheek. “You are such an incredibly beautiful woman it takes my breath away. Open your eyes, baby. It’s okay, I love you and I’m not going anywhere.”

The blue-gray eyes slowly fluttered open and focused on the brunette. They reflected all the fear that Kara was feeling, making her look so tender and vulnerable, stirring Madison’s fierce need to protect the larger woman from anyone who would ever try to hurt her. Madison leaned in and kissed her cheeks, kissing away the tears before pulling back and looking at the taller woman’s body in its entirety.

Kara’s skin was heavily freckled on the parts that would normally be exposed to the sun, but her breasts, stomach, and upper thighs were a milky white. She let her gaze drift between Kara’s legs, captivated by the sight. Kara’s penis was as pale as the rest of her skin, with the skin of her scrotum appearing darker, with an even darker stripe down the middle. Kara was completely hairless except for a small patch of strawberry blonde hair above the shaft of her penis. Madison reached out tentatively and touched the soft, smooth skin. Kara sighed deeply at the first touch besides her own she had felt in years. Encouraged by this, Madison ran her fingers over the silky skin, feeling Kara’s heat. Madison was fascinated by the flesh under her fingers and wrapped her hands around it, feeling Kara twitch as she did so.

Kara’s flesh began to swell and harden in Madison’s grasp and Madison began to stroke her lover, feeling Kara become rock hard as she did. “Madison, kiss me, please” Kara whispered, looking at Madison with her eyes half-lidded. Madison couldn’t resist her lover’s plea and pressed her lips to Kara’s, her tongue easily gaining entrance to Kara’s mouth. Madison continued to run her hand slowly up and down the smooth skin of Kara’s shaft as her other hand slip up the skin of Kara’s tummy to cup her breast, squeezing the firm nub between her thumb and forefinger.

Kara’s breaths were coming in ragged gasps, the sensations overwhelming her. It had been almost three years since she had been touched by another woman and here she was being held and touched and kissed by the woman who owned her heart. Madison’s hand began to move faster as Kara’s hips began to thrust upwards, her lips desperate in their hunger for the older woman’s kisses. Madison moved her kisses to cover all of Kara’s face, her throat, to suck on her ears. Kara felt completely weak and helpless, unable to move under the onslaught of sensations coursing through her body.

Her breaths were coming faster and faster now, her body taking on a mind of its own. She moaned and panted. “Oh, god, Madison, please, don’t stop. Madison . . . I . . . I’m . . . god Madison, I’m coming!” Her body went rigid as she threw her head back. Her limbs went rigid and her hands, which had been running through Madison’s hair, tightened around handfuls of the dark silky tresses, pushing Madison’s head firmly against her breasts. She stayed still as the waves of pleasure rolled over her body, emanating from her core. Madison continued to stroke her flesh as the redhead came back down to earth. “Stop, stop, stop,” she whispered quickly, untangling her hand from Madison’s hair, she grabbed the brunette’s wrist, stilling her hand.

“Hmm, that was fun,” Madison said, planting kisses on Kara’s throat. She looked down at Kara’s softening member, surprised to see no evidence of ejaculate. “Hey,” she said to the woman snuggled against her side, burrowing her head into the crook of her shoulder, a satisfied, contented smile on her pink lips, “I thought there was supposed to be semen or something when you came?”

“Hmm? Oh, that,” Kara answered, planting a soft kiss against Madison’s neck. “Sometimes I don’t. I hardly ever do, no matter what, but even when I do it’s not very much. That’s why I say I’m sterile. I’ve never had my sperm level tested, just didn’t see the point since half the time I don’t even ejaculate at all.” Kara placed another kiss on her lover’s throat and began to trace circles with her fingertips on Madison’s firm tummy.

“That didn’t bother you, or anything, did it?” Kara asked, a slight hint of fear clouding her expression.

“Not at all, sweetheart. Everything about you screams woman, but that one thing, and that one thing isn’t as much a turn off as I feared.”

“So you’re still turned on, then?” Kara asked with a smirk, sliding her hand to trace the sensitive skin on the insides of Madison’s thighs.

“God,” Madison groaned, “I am so turned by you that I might spontaneously combust if you don’t do something about it soon.”

Kara slid her fingers higher, running her short, blunt nails lightly over the flushed and swollen skin. Madison was moaning beside her, her breaths coming in pants. As she teased the older woman with her fingers, her touch feather light, Madison began thrusting her hips upward to meet the questing fingers. Kara moved her touch into the slick folds, marveling at the feel of her lover’s flesh beneath her fingers.

As Kara coated her fingers in her lover’s juices, she moved them slowly up and down the length of Madison’s slit, taking her time and trying to make the sensations build up in Madison. Her lips sought out Madison’s skin wherever she could get to it. Kara’s fingers were itching to be inside her lover and she slowly slid one finger into Madison, smiling as she heard Madison sigh in pleasure. As she slid the finger in and out, making sure it was thoroughly lubricated, she moved her thumb to brush across Madison’s sensitive clit. Madison jerked as though she had been hit with a jolt of electricity. Kara kept her touch light, only placing the slightest pressure on Madison’s clit.

Madison was writhing around on the bed now, unable to stand Kara’s teasing touch for another second. Her hand flew down and grabbed Kara’s wrist, making her hand stop moving while she began grinding her hips against Kara’s fingers trying to increase the pressure against her clit. “More,” Madison gasped, and Kara complied, slipping another finger into her lover’s dripping pussy. Madison moaned with pleasure, the increased sensation bringing her closer to the edge. “Rub my clit harder, baby. Just a little harder, oh god, Kara, that’s it.” She threw her head back and cried out as the waves of pleasure rolled over her.

Kara immediately stilled her fingers, not moving them as Madison lay there panting, shivers of pleasure making her body convulse, her skin flushed and hot. Kara left her hand where it was, enjoying the feeling of her lover’s slick flesh spasming around her fingers. The two women lay there, neither moving for a long while. Once Madison regained control of her muscles, she slowly and gently pulled Kara’s hand from her center.

“God, baby, that was incredible.” Madison was totally enervated by what they had just shared and held out her arm, Kara snuggling against her side, her head pillowed on Madison’s shoulder. Madison placed a soft kiss on top of the younger woman’s head. Madison ran her fingers through Kara’s hair, both women relaxing in the afterglow.

Madison continued stroking Kara’s hair as she regrouped, loving the way the taller woman felt curled up against her, with her left arm and leg thrown across her body. Kara’s hand was holding Madison’s right breast, the hard nipple pressing against her palm. They laid there, unmoving, for a long while, Kara’s breaths coming slowly and evenly. Madison thought her lover had fallen asleep when she was surprised by the soft, low voice speaking softly.

“Before we go any farther, we need to discuss safer sex, don’t we.”

“Yeah, we should,” Madison answered, surprised by the direction Kara was leading them, though she knew it was something they needed to talk about before they did anything more than they had already shared. “After I found out Michelle was cheating on me, I got tested and retested six months later. Both sets of tests came back clean and I haven’t been with anyone in the meantime.”

“I’m clean, too. I had to get tested for the sperm bank. I hadn’t been with anyone for a several months before I got tested and I haven’t been with anybody since, so that takes care of that.” Kara felt Madison’s laugh more than she heard it, the vibrations rippling over her where she was pressed against the brunette.

“That does take care of that, doesn’t it,” Madison said. “What about birth control? Do we need to do anything if we decide to . . . you know?”

“I honestly don’t know. Like I said, I assume I’m sterile, but I don’t have any test results to back it up. What say we just don’t go there without some kind of protection?”

“Sounds like a plan to me. Do you have any?”

“Condoms?”

“Yeah.”

“I think I might, but if I do, I bought them more than 3 years ago and they might be expired. Like I said, I feel more natural using my hands and mouth, but if you want to try intercourse, I’m game. We should probably get new condoms first, though, just to be on the safe side.”

“You know, this is kind of surreal. I knew since puberty that I was a lesbian and now here I am with the woman of my dreams and we’re having a conversation about birth control. I always thought that unwanted pregnancy was never going to be a concern for me. I can remember being a teenager and finding out everything I could about lesbians and I knew I’d face discrimination and ostracism and a whole lot of other problems, but I knew I’d never have to worry about birth control.”

“Does that bother you?”

“Hmm. Not really, just something I never thought I’d have to deal with. I never had that fear of pregnancy every time I had sex in the past. Just wasn’t an issue, you know?”

“Yeah, I do,” Kara said, relaxing further against her lover. “I remember when I first started having sex, I was a teenager in high school and I lived in complete fear every month until Jess got her period. Didn’t keep us from having sex, though.”

They laid there, idly running their hands over silken skin, just trying to feel closer to one another. Madison moved her caresses from the pale skin of the redhead’s back over her freckled arms and around to cup her full breast. Kara moaned and rolled over, exposing more of her sensitive skin to Madison’s exploration.

Madison made full use of the opportunity she was presented with, dropping her head to kiss her lover’s pale breast, moving all over the lush orb before finally taking the flushed and hardened nipple between her teeth, giving it a gentle tug. Kara moaned and sank deeper into the mattress, loving the way the older woman played with her breasts. As Madison continued to nip and lick and kiss the soft, flushed skin, Kara rolled them over so that she was on top of Madison, her left leg between Madison’s.

Kara slid her hands down the sensitive, sweat slicked skin, cupping the small, firm breasts as she went. Madison moaned around the nipple in her mouth and began rocking her hips against Kara’s thigh. Kara could smell the scent of her lover’s arousal as she continued to move her right hand closer to its goal, her mind clouded with the wonderful sensations produced by Madison’s mouth on her breasts. As she slid her fingers through the damp curls, feeling the heat emanating from Madison’s core, she felt her mouth begin to water, knowing that she needed to taste her lover.

Kara pulled her chest away from Madison and began planting gentle, but passionate kisses on the older woman’s face and neck. She took Madison’s ear between her teeth and softly nibbled on it for a few seconds, feeling Madison shiver beneath her, before whispering, “I want to taste you.”

The brunette moaned and whispered, “God, yes. Please, Kara, I need your mouth on me.”

Kara began to slowly kiss her way down Madison’s body, kissing every inch of flesh she could as she moved inexorably toward her destination. The sweet, musky aroma coming from between the older woman’s legs grew stronger and stronger the closer she came to Madison’s center. She placed kisses all around the smooth skin before her, making Madison whimper with need as she carefully avoided moving toward the spot where Madison wanted her most. The skin was sticky with the residue from the couple’s first round of love-making and Kara was kissing and licking the soft skin to lap up all the wonderful flavors she found there.

With a groan signaling her immense need, Madison grabbed a handful of the red hair and gently shifted Kara’s attentions to the aching flesh. Kara’s tongue darted out, touching the soft, slick folds for the first time, as she sighed in pleasure, knowing that there was no where she would rather be. She began to slowly move her tongue through the hot flesh, not wanting to move too fast and bring Madison to her climax too soon. She moved her tongue up and down, drawing closer to the sensitive bundle of nerves that was her ultimate destination with each pass.

As soon as she reached her goal, Madison thrust up, trying to increase the pressure against her clit. Kara began to move her tongue in circles over the nub of flesh, alternating that with long strokes with the flat of her tongue. Madison was panting and gasping for breath, her head thrown back and her fingers tangled in her lover’s long hair.

“Inside,” she gasped, “I need you inside me.”

Kara quickly moved her hand to her lover’s opening and slowly rubbed against the wet flesh, not penetrating Madison yet, making sure her finger was completely coated with the brunette’s essence first. She slowly slipped her finger inside Madison and began to slowly move it in and out of her, curling her finger to rub against her.

“More,” Madison moaned, her eyes screwed shut with pleasure, one hand now squeezing her breast. Kara looked up to see her lover and was overcome by the beauty of the brunette’s head, thrown back in ecstasy. Kara did as she asked and slipped in another finger, rubbing and licking faster, not stopping until the brunette screamed out with her climax. Kara lightened her caresses, but kept going, feeling her lover approach the brink of pleasure again, she pushed her over the edge once more, and then again until Madison finally shot out a hand and pushed Kara’s face away.

Kara grinned up at the older woman, her face shimmering from Madison’s juices. She slowly withdrew her fingers and moved up to lay beside the professor, kissing her deeply, Madison moaning at the taste of herself on the redhead’s lips. “I love you,” Kara whispered, smiling as she laid her head back on Madison’s shoulder. Madison wrapped an arm around the younger woman and pulled her close. Kissing the top of the red hair, she whispered back, “I love you, too.”

Madison sighed contentedly. “God, Kar, that was simply amazing. I can’t remember the last time I came like that.”

Hearing the words of praise, Kara blushed and snuggled deeper into her lover’s warm embrace. “Well, I do aim to please.”

The two lay in silence, simply content to feel each other close and listen to each other breath, Madison running her fingers through Kara’s hair rhythmically. Noticing that Kara’s breaths had slowed and evened out, she assumed the taller woman had fallen asleep. Deciding that sounded like an amazing idea, Madison leaned over to the bedside table to turn off the lamp, taking care not to disturb the woman using her shoulder as a pillow. Pulling the covers over them, Madison ducked her head to place one last kiss on the soft, silky hair of her lover.

Closing her eyes, Madison whispered, “I love you, Kara, with all my heart. Sleep well sweetheart.” Kara didn’t say anything or awaken, but she sighed softly and wrapped herself tighter around the brunette who had stolen her heart.