Page 54 of A Little Light

“Nope.” Andi dropped the tinsel onto the coffee table, rounding it and taking the pile from Rachel’s arms. She lay it next to the silver pile and reached out a hand to Rachel. “And before I forget, I wanted to say thank you for inviting me over tonight. And for being mindful of the possibility I could say no.”

Rachel lowered her gaze between them. “I know how tough it must be. I don’t want to do anything you’re not ready for.”

“You know, I thought the same thing coming into this. Only very briefly, but yes, the thought was there. And I think we have the same fears. I don’t want to do anything you’re not ready for, either.” Andi held Rachel’s chin gently and smiled. “But in my case, I do believe I’m ready for practically anything, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I wouldn’t say that to you if I didn’t mean it. I told you there was no rush, and there really isn’t. We enjoy this, we explore whatever is happening, and we appreciate the moments we have together. That’s really all I can ask for, Rachel.”

Rachel groaned, wrapping her arms around Andi’s waist. “Why are you so perfect?”

“I’m really not.”

She narrowed her eyes as Andi blushed, adoring that look from her. A flustered Andi was a strikingly beautiful Andi. “I think you are. You don’t know how much I’m looking forward to this.”

“I’m happy to hear that. It could have been very awkward if you were dreading it.” Andi drew Rachel into a gentle kiss, those lips holding so much hope for a positive future.

Rachel wrapped her up, holding Andi against her, and allowed her mind to wander towards the possibilities. With Andi, Rachel knew she could have a happy relationship. Looking back, that wasn’t something she had imagined with Juliet, but with Andi? It all felt different. It felt fresh and invigorating whenever she had the chance to spend time with this woman. And her lips? Well… “You could have told me how much I’d enjoy kissing you back when I blew you off.”

Andi laughed from deep within her belly, shaking her head. “God, that feels like forever ago. And it was what? Well, not very long ago at all.”

“I know. A lot has happened since then.”

Andi brushed Rachel’s hair from her face, her head cocked a little. “Are you happy right now? Truly, hand on heart, happy?”

“With you? This?” Rachel asked, receiving a nod. “God, yes. And I realise I could have been happier for a little while longer if I hadn’t allowed my own fears to get in the way.”

“Our fears are what make us human, Rachel. If we didn’t have fears, if we went into everything blindly and confidently, then we wouldn’t have very good experiences in life. Fears allow us to adjust to new surroundings and new people in our own time. Fears…are important.”

God. It was true. Andi really was perfect. It didn’t matter if she disagreed; Rachel was calling it fully and officially right now. “I still gave you the runaround.”

“You did no such thing. You explained why, and being the adults that we are, we understood one another…and figured it out.” Andi touched her forehead to Rachel’s. “We should finish up here because I’m ordering in once we’re done.”

Rachel wanted to devour Andi. She wanted to get lost in every scent, every touch. But she would wait until Andi made that first move. Only the longer she looked into those expressive deep brown eyes, she found it harder to actually do that waiting. She pulled back reluctantly. “I’d love that.”

“Me too.” Andi smoothed a thumb against Rachel’s cheek, sending a shiver through her.

“Y-you have to stop doing that,” Rachel whispered, her world spinning at knowing she was in someone’s arms. Someone who wanted her, who appreciated her. Someone who didn’t bring drama or turmoil. Just…Andi.

Andi frowned as she lowered her hand. “I’m sorry.”

“No. Don’t apologise. Please, don’t apologise.” Rachel squeezed Andi’s hip. “It’s just…it’s very easy to get lost in your eyes, Andi. Very easy. And that makes taking this slow so much harder to handle.”

“Then we can either spend our time together with me keeping my eyes closed, or we can not worry about where this is going, at what speed it’s going, and just live.” Andi kissed Rachel again, this time with a little more oomph behind it, and smiled. “I also don’t recall mentioning the need to take anything slow. I said there was no rush, but that doesn’t quite mean the same thing. At least, not in my book.”

Rachel slid her hands beneath Andi’s hoodie, that warm, soft skin so delicate. “You really shouldn’t have said that.”

Andi moaned lightly, but it only had Rachel more involved in where this could be going. “I believe it’s important to be honest. Especially if I want something.”

“Oh?” Rachel grazed her nails against Andi’s stomach, receiving the reaction she expected. There was something incredibly arousing about the way a woman’s stomach contracted and rippled at such a gentle touch. “And what is it that you want?”

“Many things. But right now…” Andi fell silent, her lips parted when Rachel chanced a hand, slipping it down the front of Andi’s jeans. “O-oh.” She jerked her hips when Rachel cupped her, drawing her back into a heated kiss. Andi wasn’t playing around when she said she was ready, and Rachel knew that just from the heat she felt beneath her palm.

She guided Andi back towards the couch, laying her down and resting above her. Something told Rachel that feeling this woman was going to be the greatest of satisfactions. She pulled her hand from Andi’s jeans, popped the button, and tugged them down her legs. Andi didn’t protest, and she didn’t hesitate; she kicked them off the rest of the way and dragged Rachel back down on top of her.

“I need to feel your skin,” Andi whispered against Rachel’s lips. “I’ve been dying to feel you against me.”

Rachel forced herself up, shedding her own hoodie in record time. She had never been more thankful that she was wearing sweatpants than in this moment. Another thing gone before Andi had time to blink. Andi sat up and unzipped her hoodie, sliding it from her shoulders. Rachel could only pause and admire everything about this woman.

---