September Canvas (20 page)

“If that was the case,” Deanna murmured, “if that’s your definition, then it’s something I could understand. Deal with.”

“Maybe I’m not explaining myself very well. I’ve never taken to anyone this fast, and against such odds. I mean, why would you ever want to bet on someone like me?” Faythe shrugged. “I know I look good. I can be fun, and as a friend I’m as loyal as they come. But I’ve lived a pretty shallow life in many ways, and even if I’m dead-set on changing that—what if I screw up?” Her eyes darkened and Deanna knew it was time to act. She simply couldn’t stand by while Faythe took all the “blame” for any challenges they might face if they dared to take another step together.

Deanna cupped Faythe’s chin. “Hey, stop it. You were wonderful today. You stood by me when that witch showed up, and you calmed everybody else down and even got the brats to help.”

“Don’t call them that. Even if they act like it, call them Trista and Laney.”

Deanna was about to object when she saw the seriousness in Faythe’s eyes. “Okay. You’re right, you’re right. No name calling.” She brushed her thumb across Faythe’s lower lip. “Anyway, what I meant to say was, you’re selling yourself short. You’re amazing. And gorgeous.” She kissed Faythe’s cheek softly. Faythe turned her head and soon Deanna was devouring her parted lips.

“Deanna.” Faythe whimpered. “You taste so good.”

“Mmm?” Deanna was lost in the sweet, hot kisses. She gently pushed against Faythe’s tongue, and her heart pounded when Faythe reciprocated the intimate caresses.

“I have…an idea.” Faythe spoke in short bursts. “Why don’t you join me?”

“Huh?” Deanna had hardly heard the words Faythe spoke into her mouth.

“Come into the tub with me. We can run the jets. And…relax.” Faythe looked sexy as hell where she sat among the bath bubbles with her hair a total mess.

Before Deanna could think of the right words to talk herself out of it, she pulled her shirt off and removed her jeans. She yanked off her underwear, then stood motionless, uncertain where to climb in.

“Here,” Faythe said, extending a hand. “Behind me.” Trembling, Deanna climbed into the warm water, the foam tickling her skin as she sat down behind Faythe. She slid her legs alongside her, completely aware of the fact that her own sex would soon press against Faythe’s bottom. That well-shaped, firm bottom now squirmed in front of her, pushing back. Faythe leaned against Deanna, sighing deeply. The feeling of Faythe’s wet, smooth skin against her breasts made Deanna’s nipples harden until they ached, completely sensitized by the closeness.

“Oh, yes.” Faythe murmured something intelligible and squirmed.

“Mmm.”

“Sit still. Please.” She could barely get the words out without groaning from sheer pleasure.

“Why? What’s the matt—” Faythe glanced at Deanna. “Oh.”

“Yes. Oh.”

“Aha.” Small devils danced suddenly in the deep green of Faythe’s eyes. “I see.”

Deanna was afraid to ask what Faythe saw. Instead she focused on where to place her arms. She tried the bathtub edges, but the surface was unpleasantly cool. She let them float in the water, but they bumped into Faythe’s sides occasionally. Faythe finally took Deanna’s hands and wrapped herself in her arms. She purred and rubbed her cheek against Deanna’s right arm.

“Faythe,” Deanna said through clenched teeth. “Sit
still
.”

“I am sitting still. Pretty much.” Faythe turning sideways a bit, snuggling in between Deanna’s breasts while pulling up her legs.

With her arms full of one beautiful, cuddly woman that she also cared deeply about, Deanna knew she would lose control unless she did something radical, but she had no idea what that might be. Faythe started the jets, and the overall massage stimulated every nerve ending on Deanna’s skin.

“Faythe. Look at me.” Deanna hardly recognized her own deep, hoarse voice.

Faythe tipped her head back, her eyes heavily lidded and her cheeks flushed. Deanna couldn’t take her eyes off her, yet she had to in order to kiss her. Faythe moaned softly into her mouth as they deepened the kiss. She tasted of berries and something else, something dark and sweet and intoxicating. Faythe’s hip pressed against Deanna’s sex and their bodies rubbed together in the turbulent water.

“Oh, please, please, touch me.” Faythe pressed her face into Deanna’s neck, latching on to her skin there. “I’m burning. I swear I’m burning up.”

“Show me.” Deanna wanted nothing more than to touch Faythe, explore every part of her. She wanted to learn what pleased her, what inflamed her, and what drove her crazy.

Faythe took Deanna’s hand and pushed it down between her legs.

“There. Touch me. Just your fingertips. Right there. Oh. Yeah.”

“All right. I’ve got you.” Deanna felt her way between the folds of Faythe’s sex. Faythe’s moans guided her, as did her whimpers and eventually her cry of pleasure when she found the exact spot. Deanna slid her fingertips back and forth in an erratic rhythm, patient and eager at the same time, wanting to give Faythe what she needed.

“Deanna,” Faythe said, breathing hard. “I want to touch you. Like this.”

“You will.”

“It can’t be…just about me.” Faythe trembled and clung to her.

“Oh, my…” Faythe threw her head back, exposing her neck in an ancient sign of surrender when her orgasm hit. She cried out once, a short, husky sound that sent a flood of moisture to the junction of Deanna’s legs. She wasn’t sure if Faythe wanted her to go inside, but Faythe seemed to ride one wave after another. Deanna pushed her palm hard against Faythe’s throbbing sex and reveled in the sensations.

Eventually Faythe calmed down, and Deanna couldn’t take the onslaught of the massaging water any longer. She slapped the button with her palm, relieved when the water stilled around them. Listening to Faythe’s breathing, she put her own desire on hold for a moment, knowing her time would come. She planned to take Faythe to bed if she wanted to be held all night. “How are you doing?” She squeezed Faythe gently where she lay cradled in her arms.

“I’m in heaven, I think.” Faythe’s sexy purr was back.

“Good. Now, that said, heaven seems to be getting a bit cold. How about we get up, dry off, and snuggle down into bed. Your bed. It’s bigger.” Deanna kept her tone light, not wanting to sound like she was begging.

“Sounds absolutely perfect.” Faythe struggled to get up. “Just one problem. My knees seem to have lost what little cohesion they had, thanks to you.”

“Well, I’ll just have to make good use of the first-aid course I took a few years ago and drag you out of the water and toss you over my shoulder. You know, firefighter style.”

“Oh. Sounds very sexy. I could learn to enjoy such a scene.” Deanna laughed. “All right, here goes.” She moved out from behind Faythe and stepped out of the tub. Large bath towels hung on a heated towel rail on the opposite wall and she retrieved two of them, wrapping one around herself before helping Faythe out and covering her. “Mmm. Thanks.” Faythe held on to Deanna and limped over to the sink. Brushing her teeth, she shivered slightly, and Deanna wrapped yet another heated towel around her. Faythe leaned against Deanna as they returned to the bedroom.

“There. Get into bed. I’ll brush my teeth and make sure the door is locked.” After she tucked Faythe under the covers she hurried to the guest bathroom. After checking the door, she strode back through the house, shivering. She tugged the towel closer around her, but discarded it next to Faythe’s bed and joined her. Faythe lay curled up on her side, seeming to be asleep. Deanna pushed the disappointment out of her mind, knowing how tired Faythe was.

“Mmm, there you are.” Faythe rolled over on her back, pulled Deanna close, and kissed her passionately. “I’ve been waiting and waiting.”

“I was only gone half a minute.”

“As I said. Waiting and waiting.” Faythe kissed her again, moving on top of her. “Now, you must show me. Show me exactly what you want, and how, and I’ll be at your beck and call.” Deanna’s banked fire suddenly roared. She arched into Faythe’s caressing hands. “Just touch me any way you want, any way you like. I’m so far gone…it won’t take much.”

“Oh. Really. Well, we can’t have that. I want to enjoy you properly.” The devilish tone in Faythe’s soft voice suggested to Deanna that she wouldn’t orgasm or sleep anytime soon. Moaning under Faythe’s hands, she couldn’t remember any of the reasons she’d been so hesitant to take this step with Faythe.

Not a single one.

Faythe sighed in relief when she cautiously stepped on her sprained foot and, for the first time, it didn’t twitch in agony.

She looked over her shoulder at the sleeping Deanna. Deliciously naked, except for the parts of her tangled in the bedsheets. She was in a deep sleep, which didn’t surprise Faythe since they’d made love several times during the night. The memory of their passionate kisses and caresses so hot she thought she’d self-combust made Faythe’s stomach muscles quiver.

Tiptoeing to the kitchen, Faythe thought back to the picnic three days ago, when another piece of the puzzle that was Deanna came into play. Her family had been on a collision course, but the hurt wasn’t just one-sided. Faythe had seen as much anguish in Angela’s eyes as in Deanna’s, but Miranda was doubtlessly missing out the most.

But the entire dynamic had changed when Gloria Mueller entered the equation. If her daughter was anything like her, it might not be a good idea for Deanna to meet Savannah. Gaining closure was a positive step, but when the other party was kin to a barracuda like Gloria, closure could entail a whole new set of problems.

A buzzing noise made Faythe nearly drop the eggs she’d taken from the refrigerator. Her cell phone, which was charging on the other countertop, vibrated its way across the surface. The display said “Unknown” and she hesitated before answering.

“Hello?”

“Faythe? It’s Pammie.”

“Pammie! How are you?”

“Fine. I tried to call the other day, to ask about your foot, but got your voice mail.”

“Oh, shoot. I’ve deliberately not checked my voice mail lately, but I’m sorry I missed your call. Been off my foot pretty much, which has paid off. I’m walking on it today for the first time without crutches.”

“Just don’t overdo.”

“Yes,
Mom.
So, what can I do for you, Pammie?”

“Eh, well…boy, am I busted or what?” Pammie laughed. “I did call to ask about how you’re doing, but I also called to ask if you’ve thought any more about talking to Nana?”

“Who? Oh, your friend. Nearly forgot that in all the commotion.” Faythe thought quickly.

“Commotion? You know, if you’re up to your neck in stuff, you sure don’t need the extra stress.”

“No, no, it’s not like that. It wasn’t really my commotion. I’m more of a spectator.”

“Or an innocent bystander,” Deanna purred next to Faythe as she wrapped her arms around her from behind.

Faythe jumped. “Yikes.”

“Whose sexy voice is that?” Pammie laughed, sounding surprised. “I sure didn’t mean to interrupt anything, Faythe.”

“You didn’t.” Faythe swatted playfully at Deanna’s roving hands.

“The one who the commotion’s about, I bet.” Pammie giggled. “So, don’t share all the gory details, then. Be that way.”

“Some other time.” Faythe closed her eyes as Deanna nibbled her neck with her hot lips. “Why, eh, oh…don’t you bring, uh, your friend over this afternoon? Around two-three something?”

“Really? You sure? Oh, you’re the best!” Pammie sounded so relieved that Faythe started to worry. What if this friend was seriously depressed? “Hey, you took care of me when I hurt my foot—”

“Ah. About that,” Pammie said, her voice barely audible now. “I don’t think you would’ve stumbled and sprained your ankle if I hadn’t bothered you.”

“Nonsense.” Faythe felt Deanna stiffen against her and wrapped an arm reassuringly around her waist. “I’m responsible for using my five, sometimes six, senses. I’m glad you were there.”

“Me too,” Deanna mouthed before nuzzling her forehead, tickling her hairline.

“I’m glad you see it that way. I just know you’ll be able to get through to Nana.”

“Let’s hope so.” Faythe paused as Deanna kissed her neck again. “I, uh, I’m going to try, but if she’s feeling that bad, she might need professional help.”

“Oh, I’ve thought about that, but she won’t even consider it. It’s like this is her Golgotha, you know.”

“Absolution?” Faythe looked up at Deanna and caressed her tousled hair. Deanna wore only a soft polar-fleece blanket, and Faythe wanted to pull it off and claim her right then and there. “We’ll see how it goes. See you later, Pammie.”

“Later.”

They hung up and Faythe attacked Deanna’s teasing lips, kissing her hungrily.

“I thought…hmm…you were making breakfast. Am I misinformed? Am I to be your breakfast, Ms. Hamilton?” Loving this playful side of Deanna, so deliciously unexpected, Faythe grinned. “Now that you mention it.” She patted the countertop behind Deanna. “Up you go, honey.”

“What?” Deanna raised a sardonic eyebrow. “There?”

“Yup. Here let me assist you,” Faythe said, and pulled the blanket slowly from Deanna’s body. The kitchen was warm and cozy, but Deanna’s nipples puckered. Lingeringly, Faythe cupped a breast and let the hard nipple prod her palm. She loved the feeling of it, how it gave away Deanna’s arousal, and how it made Faythe feel.

Deanna broke free for an instant and jumped up on the counter.

Sitting there with an angelic smile, she gestured to herself. “All right. I’m all yours.”

“You may not be smiling so confidently in a little while.” Faythe pushed Deanna’s knees apart and moved in between them. She placed her hands on Deanna’s breasts, squeezing them gently, and then harder, encouraged by Deanna’s moans. Leaning forward, Faythe began to lick one nipple while her fingers teased the other one into an impossibly firmer peak.

“Mmm, I like how you think,” Deanna said in a low growl. “I like how you act on your thoughts.”

“And I like how you sound when I do this.” Faythe looked up as she gripped Deanna’s hips and let her hands slide back to her bottom.

She squeezed and massaged, eliciting deeper and huskier moans when she took one of Deanna’s nipples in her mouth.