ALWAYS FAITHFUL (15 page)

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Claire told Nic about her own loss when she was slightly older than Grace. She could barely remember her mother anymore, now that she thought about it.

“I remember the day my mom died. My dad was waiting with my grandma for me when I got home from school.”

It was seared into her brain like a brand that could never be removed. Her father was never one for mincing words so he was about to blurt it out when Claire’s grandmother took her by the hand and led her to Claire’s bedroom to explain a loss that would forever change her life.

“I’m so sorry, Claire,” Nic wrapped her arms around Claire and held her tight. Claire told Nic about how her father treated her growing up and Nic thought about how similar their fathers were.

Claire explained how she felt with no mother in the house, explaining how she never had that maternal touch that so many of her friends had growing up.

“My dad was demanding, and he never let me forget it. When we had dinner he would drill into my head what was expected from me. And then it all came crashing down when I was in high school.” Claire looked up into Nic’s understanding eyes. There was no judgment in her gaze, just understanding. Nic held her tighter.

“I told him about this girl I had a crush on. That was it. I had committed the ultimate sin as far as he was concerned.”

“Oh Claire, I’m so sorry,” Nic said as she kissed the top of Claire’s head. “I wish you didn’t have to go through all of that.”

“It’s okay, Nic,” Claire said nonchalantly. “Basically, it’s made me the person I am today.”

Claire shook her head as if she was trying to physically release herself from the bad memories. Why she would remember all of this now, when she had worked so hard to forget it, only reminded Claire that her father still influenced her. Claire had to tell herself that Grace was her only focus right now and that was all that mattered.

Claire explained how shocked she had been when she found out that she had gotten pregnant.

“It was the one and only time Mike and I had sex. We had been drinking, I got emotional and the next thing I knew we were making love. Nine months later Grace was born.”

“Some men have all the luck,” Nic said stroking Claire’s hair.

“Interestingly, that’s kinda how Mike felt. He convinced me to keep Grace, offering to take care of both of us if I married him. I knew it would give him the respectability he needed to stay in the military.” Claire took a long deep breath and let it out slowly.

“What do you mean?”

“He was gay, Nic. Didn’t you know? No you probably didn’t. He was very discrete.”

It took a minute for it to sink in before Nic could say anything.

“Wait, let me get this straight, no pun intended. Mike was gay?”

“Yep”

“No shit.” Nic couldn’t hide the shocked look on her face. “I can’t believe it. He had it all, a wife, a beautiful little girl and his career. Fuck!”

By the time the tow truck arrived, 20 minutes later, Claire had told Nic almost everything. She even talked about the last relationship she had with a woman in college. There was always talk amongst the troops about who was thought to be gay and who wasn’t, but Mike’s name never came up. Claire explained that she and Mike had already discussed divorce and that the time he spent away from Grace was making it easier to make that happen. Mike was focused more on his career and had told Claire that he would probably do another overseas tour so that he could move more quickly up the ranks. Grace was important to him, but he made it clear that his career was very important and he would do what he had to do to advance.

Nic felt that she had a good picture of Claire and Mike’s relationship, but that wasn’t to say she wasn’t surprised at the revelations Claire presented to her.

Nic noticed the driver motion to them; informing Claire he was ready to take the bike to a nearby shop. Claire briefly spoke with the driver and then was by Nic’s side, putting on her jacket and helmet.

“Ready?”

Nic nodded and held out a hand to assist Claire on to the back of her bike.

“If I go too fast just let me know.”

“I think I can handle a little speed, Major.”

“I’m sure you can but just in case, just squeeze me and I’ll slow down,” Nic said smirking. “Sorry I don’t have a back rest. I rarely have passengers so I took it off. Besides, I think it makes the bike look hotter.”

“I think it’s the driver that makes the bike look hot.” Claire found that flirting with Nic had some perks that she hoped she could take advantage of at a later time.

“Oh shoot. I forgot my gloves in the bike.” Claire knew it was too late as she watched the tow truck turn the corner.

“Well, you can put your hands in my jacket pockets if they get cold.” Nic’s eyes twinkled at the thought of Claire’s hands wrapped around her body.

“I don’t think that will be necessary, do you? I mean, it is still nice out.”

“You’re probably right.” Nic said as she swung her leg over the bike and put the kickstand up. Nic started the motorcycle and felt Claire settle behind her. The positioning of the back seat put the v of Claire’s legs right against Nic’s lower back and the contact sent a surge of energy coursing through Nic’s body. She reached her left hand over and caressed the leather-clad thigh that had settled nicely against her.

“Ready?”

“Yep, let’s ride.”

Nic pulled the bike onto the pavement and goosed the throttle just enough, causing Claire to grab her quickly around her chest. Without realizing it, Claire grabbed Nic’s breasts and held tight as Nic added more throttle to the pavement.

“Hey smarty, careful there, I want to make it home in one piece,” Claire shouted into Nic’s ear.

“I gotcha covered, don’t worry.”

Nic felt Claire adjust her position on the bike and lean into Nic’s back. The contact was making it hard for Nic to focus on the road instead, she focused on the leather-clad breasts pressing against her. Rolling down the back roads of the base, she thought about how good it felt to ride two-up with Claire. The feel of the body pressing against hers, the way Claire’s legs were hugging her and the warm breath on the back of her neck made Nic’s body tighter with each mile they went. Suddenly, Nic felt Claire’s hands reach under her jacket and grab her waist.

“Sorry. I guess my hands are cold after all.” The contact caused Nic’s abs to tighten and she felt her breathing pick up. It was going to be a long ride back to Claire’s and she didn’t know how she was going to be able to concentrate with Claire touching her body. It was one thing to have leather separating them, but another when that buffer was gone and the contact was almost skin on skin.

“No problem. It can be pretty chilly in the afternoon around here.” Nic turned her head towards Claire’s so Claire could hear her over the engine and wind. Claire’s lips were only a few inches away and it was all Nic could do not to try and kiss them before turning back and focusing on the road ahead. Nic wondered if Claire knew what she was doing to her.

Claire rested her head on Nic’s shoulder and without realizing what she was doing; she started to caress the hard abs under her hands. She continued reaching around and gently squeezed Nic’s body. Closing her eyes, she allowed the vibration of the motorcycle to rub her against the strong body in front of her, her clit hardening at the contact. She could smell Nic’s perfume and its calming effects sent a surge through her body. Slowly she worked her hands in different directions on Nic’s body. One started a slow migration to the firm breast under Nic’s T-shirt, the other made a small circular pattern across Nic’s abs venturing lower down.

Claire continued her gentle caresses and felt something on Nic’s lower abs, a belly button ring. Claire smiled at the discovery and wondered why she had never noticed the jewelry before now. Probably because she was always focused on other parts of Nic’s anatomy, like her breasts, her long muscular legs, or her seductively gorgeous face that sent her head swimming every time she looked at Nic. Claire marveled at the hard body she was caressing. It had been a long time since she had touched a woman this intimately and she was glad she hadn’t forgotten how much she enjoyed the close maneuvers. She wondered what Nic’s naked body would feel like against her own. Her sculpted, powerful muscles holding Claire’s body down and her own body rocking against those powerful thighs that kept them seated securely on the bike. Claire nearly moaned as she thought how powerful Nic looked sheathed in her leather chaps and vest. Nic was the type of woman every
lesbian dreamed about. Strong, caring, chivalrous, and drop dead sexy.

“Do you know how many fantasies I have had about you, Nic,” Claire whispered in Nic’s ear.

“No, why don’t you tell me?” Nic turned slightly, smiling as she said it.

“Which one? The one where I tie you to the bed and have my way with your sexy body?” Claire felt Nic’s body tighten slightly as she whispered in her ear again. “Or the one where you take me for a ride on your motorcycle and we….” Claire purposely let the sentence hang out there.

“Yes?” Nic said as a tingle went right through her to her vibrating clit.

“How about you? Ever fantasize?” Claire wondered if the fantasy would live up to the real thing in bed. How did Nic make love? Was she gentle or hard? Did she like to take control or give control to her lover, begging for release? Claire felt a blush roll up her neck to her face, glad Nic couldn’t see her illicit thoughts showing themselves so blatantly.

Claire could feel herself getting wet and knew she was definitely in trouble if she kept these thoughts going. She wanted Nic in a bad way. It scared her as she thought about what would happen when this was all over. What would she do if she gave in to her desires to make love to Nic? What would Nic do if Claire threw herself at her? Turn her down, walk away or take what Claire was offering her? That was a whole other question wasn’t it? What was Claire offering her, a woman with a child? A life outside of the military? What? Nic had a lot to lose if she was found out to be a lesbian. Claire knew that what she was offering wasn’t fair to Nic. Laying her head on Nic’s back, Claire stopped moving her hands and gently laid them on Nic’s hips. What was she thinking caressing Nic like she was her lover?

N
ic coasted to the stoplight and put her feet on the pavement as she steadied the bike underneath them. Without thinking, she covered Claire’s hands and pulled them around her body, hugging herself with the strong arms that had encircled her earlier. As much as she had enjoyed it, she was glad Claire had stopped caressing her so skillfully. It killed her concentration and she could have dumped the bike the way her hands were shaking. She held tightly to Claire’s hands and leaned back against her, waiting for the light to change.

Nic heard Claire whisper in her ear, “Sorry about earlier. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Don’t apologize. I liked it.”

Grabbing Claire’s hands she gently brought them up to her breasts and pressed them against her hardened nipples.

“Does that feel like I’m experiencing a hardship here?”

“No, I guess not. I just didn’t want you to think I was taking advantage of the situation.” Claire gently pressed Nic’s hard nipples between her fingers, smiling when Nic tensed and pushed against her hands.

“Please take advantage of me all you want. I enjoy being taken advantage of by a beautiful woman but, I have to warn you, I can’t be held responsible for my actions if you continue.” Nic’s smirk and lusty look spoke volumes to Claire and she found herself responding to the innuendo, allowing a flare of hope to develop beneath the heat of desire already flaring.

“Well maybe I don’t want you to be responsible this once.”

“Careful. You’re playing with fire.”

“Maybe I know how to put out that kind of fire, or maybe I would rather stoke it. Guess that depends on you.” Claire lowered her eyes to Nic’s lips. “Maybe you should get me home. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling rather heated and need to get out of this leather.”

Nic pulled the bike back onto the road and gunned the motorcycle once again. This time she didn’t slow down and felt Claire grab her breasts once again. Five minutes later, Nic pulled her Yamaha into Claire’s driveway and dropped the kickstand down onto the cement. Nic swung off her bike and extended her hand to help Claire off the bike. Nic felt her body tighten as Claire grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the quarters. Nic looked around to see if anyone was watching, and felt herself pulled into the house without a backwards glance from Claire.