Page 37 of All She Wants

“I believe you said you like a woman who knows how to take charge. Am I recalling correctly?”

“Word for word. Are you planning to show me in person?”

“Yes. Keep your eyes on me. I want you to watch me lower myself onto your mouth. Then I’m going to use that beautiful mouth until I’m thoroughly satisfied.”

Claire lowered herself. The first touch of Erin’s mouth drew a sound from her chest that she had never heard herself make. She gripped the headboard and let her weight settle.

Erin’s tongue moved in long, deliberate strokes. Claire rocked forward, finding the angle that sent heat spiraling through her body. She looked down and found Erin watching her. Erin’s fingers pressed pale marks into her thighs while her mouth worked hungrily beneath her. The sight alone nearly undid Claire.

Claire used Erin’s mouth exactly as she had promised. She rocked down against her, taking Erin’s tongue deeper each time her hips rolled forward. Her grip on the headboard whitened her knuckles. She could feel the sounds Erin made vibrating against her, each one stoking the pressure building inside her. When Erin’s tongue circled and flattened exactly where Claire needed it, her spine arched and she came with a sharp cry that filled the quiet room.

She stayed there, trembling, while Erin kissed her inner thigh and guided her down gently. Claire collapsed beside her and pressed her face into Erin’s neck. Her pulse hammered against Erin’s skin.

Erin laughed softly. “You can untangle a corporate crisis from three hundred miles away and ride my face in the same afternoon. I’m genuinely impressed.”

Claire bit her shoulder. “I’m talented like that.”

“I may need another demonstration to confirm.”

Claire kissed her instead, tasting herself on Erin’s smile. She pulled the blankets over them and gathered Erin against her. Erin curled into her side, one hand resting at Claire’s waist, fingers pressing lightly into the dip above her hip as though marking a place she intended to return to.

Erin’s breathing slowed and deepened. Claire drew the duvet higher around Erin’s shoulders and rested her chin against her hair. The wine sat unopened downstairs. The charcuterie board waited in the refrigerator. Denver, Marcus, the crisis, and the calendar could all wait until morning.

Chapter Fifteen

Erin had just sent a happy customer on her way when her phone buzzed in her back pocket. Claire had sent a photograph from the rental’s bathroom. Erin’s toothbrush stood beside hers in the glass cup.

I like that you felt comfortable enough to leave this here.

Erin smiled as she typed her reply. I liked seeing them together like a happy toothbrush couple this morning.

Claire answered seconds later. HA! So did I. I cleared a drawer for anything else you’d like to leave.

We’ve known each other only a few days. This feels quite serious.

You left your panties on my bedroom floor, Claire reminded her. I assumed that made us practically committed.

You had me quite distracted as I was dressing for work.

Be sure to wear another sexy pair tonight. I’d like the pleasure of taking those off you too.

Heat spread beneath Erin’s sweater while customers wandered only a few feet away. She glanced toward the sales floor before typing another message.

Are you working?

I have a conference call in three minutes, Claire replied. I’d much rather discuss what else you plan to leave here tonight.

That depends on what you intend to take off me.

The three dots appeared, vanished, then returned. Everything.

Erin stared at the message until the front door opened and forced her to slip the phone back into her pocket.

At seven that evening, Erin arrived at the rental and found Claire pulling a roasted chicken from the oven and then plating it as though a photographer might arrive. Her laptop sat closed at the far end of the dining table beside a legal pad containing several pages of her handwritten notes. Claire had clearly worked until the last possible minute before turning her attention to dinner.

They carried their plates to the small table beside the window. Conversation moved easily between stories from the boutique and Claire’s workday, filling the room until sharing dinner felt like an evening they had repeated for years instead of one they had only just discovered.

Erin carried her plate to the sink and tore off a piece of bread to collect the juices from the roasting pan. Claire leaned against the island and watched her with her chin propped on one hand, looking like a woman who had fallen head over heels in love without realizing it.