Elle’s own hands were not idle. She slid them down her toned back until she was clutching Harper’s ass.
Harper shifted, one hand planted beside Elle’s shoulder while the other slid up Elle’s thigh.
Elle’s breath caught in her throat as Harper’s fingers grazed her folds. Harper’s touch was light, teasing, and it drove Elle wild with anticipation.
“Please,” Elle moaned, her hips bucking in search of more contact.
Harper didn’t make her wait. Her fingers found Elle’s clit with just the right amount of pressure. She moved in slow, deliberate circles, each stroke bringing Elle closer to the edge.
The sensation was overwhelming, and Elle found herself already on the edge. Hearing Harper come just a few minutes ago nearly did it for her, never mind this. Now, she held onto Harper’s thigh and arm as Harper slowly slipped her fingers inside.
A low moan escaped Elle’s lips.
Harper’s mouth moved to Elle’s ear, her breath hot against her skin. “You feel so good,” she whispered, her voice sultry.
Elle’s fingers dug into Harper’s skin as Harper picked up the pace. Elle knew it wouldn’t take much to make her come. She’d been thinking about this for days, and nothing could have prepared her for how amazing this felt.
Harper shifted lower, her lips wrapping around Elle’s nipple, and with that, Elle felt herself tumbling over the edge, her body shuddering as wave after wave of pleasure washed over her.
A ragged moan left Elle’s lips as she clung to Harper, her hips pushing back against Harper’s hand, riding out every last bit of her orgasm until she was completely spent.
As Elle’s body finally stilled, Harper withdrew her hand, and moved to lie beside Elle, pulling her into a tender embrace. Elle nestled against her, her head resting on Harper’s chest. The steady beat of Harper’s heart was a soothing rhythm, lulling Elle into a state of blissful contentment.
None of this felt real.
17
Harper jolted awake, her heart hammering against her ribs. Sweat dampened her skin, the sheets tangled around her legs. Blood stained her mind’s eye, Clara’s blood pooling across the floor, her own anguished screams echoing in her mind as she held Clara’s lifeless body.
“You’re okay. I’ve got you.” Elle’s arms encircled her, solid and warm. The mattress dipped as Elle pulled her closer.
Harper’s breath came in ragged gasps. The darkness pressed in, but Elle’s presence anchored her to reality. She didn’t even remember falling asleep. It must have been nearly four o’clock in the morning when they’d finally given into the exhaustion.
“I keep seeing it.” Harper’s voice cracked. “Every detail. The way Clara’s hand went limp. How Lena wouldn’t let go even after...” She pressed her face into Elle’s shoulder.
“That scene destroyed me when I watched it.” Elle’s fingers traced soothing circles on Harper’s back. “You’re okay,” Elle whispered after a moment, kissing her head, her fingers slowly gliding up and down her back.
The nightmare’s grip began to loosen. Harper concentrated on Elle’s steady heartbeat, the gentle rise and fall of her chest. Slowly, her own breathing settled into a matching rhythm.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Harper whispered into the darkness.
“I’m glad I was here.” Elle’s lips brushed Harper’s forehead. “You don’t have to carry this alone anymore.”
Harper traced her fingers along Elle’s collarbone, her throat tight with emotion. “Sometimes I feel like such a fraud. Lena fought so hard, risked everything. And what have I done? Made some movies, gave some speeches?”
“Stop.” Elle’s hand cupped Harper’s cheek. Even in the darkness, Harper could feel the intensity of Elle’s gaze. “You stood on that Oscar stage and spoke about Lena to millions. Do you know how many young people heard your words? Saw themselves represented?”
Harper shook her head, tears threatening. “But I’m just an actress. I pretended to be brave. Lena actually was.”
“You’re out in Hollywood. You know how rare that still is? How many actors stay closeted because they’re afraid?” Elle’s thumb brushed away a tear from Harper’s cheek. “And you didn’t just play Lena - you brought her story to life. I’d never even heard of her before your film. Now I understand what she fought for, what she lost. What our community went through.”
Harper took a deep breath. “Thank you,” she whispered as she brushed Elle’s hair away from her face. “For seeing me. The real me. Not just the actress.”
“I see you.” Elle’s lips found hers in a tender kiss.
The lingering fear from her nightmare dissolved, replaced by a sense of peace Harper hadn’t felt since before filming began. She settled back against Elle’s shoulder.
“Try to sleep,” Elle murmured, pulling the covers over them both.