Page 21 of Christmas Shelter

"Very much," Carlota answers in a somewhat mechanical way that disconcerts Patricia.

"Is something wrong?" she asks worriedly, thinking that maybe she's going too far with her displays of affection.

Carlota stays still and doesn't answer because since the restaurant manager told them they had to wait fifteen minutes until they could enter and they've stayed still at the door, her mind has returned to that kiss Patricia gave her at the foot of the hostel stairs, and now she's the one obsessed with repeating it, but she's not sure if Patricia would want her to do it in front of all these people.

"Carlota, have I done something that...?" Patricia can't continue her question because the volunteer turns on her heels, rises on her tiptoes, and plants a kiss on her lips that surprises Patricia.

"Sorry," Carlota apologizes with cheeks red as tomatoes, "I just really wanted to do that," she says and lowers her gaze, embarrassed.

Patricia observes her for a few seconds in silence and then breaks into a charming smile.

"Don't ever apologize for that again, I really wanted it too," Patricia tells her just before the waiter tells them they can come in.

Patricia and Carlota spend the whole day out and return to the hostel after dinner. They're exhausted after a long day of sightseeing, but when they're both climbing the stairs that lead to their floor, they're very clear about what's going to happen, and the fatigue seems to disappearsuddenly, giving way only to the nervousness that Carlota feels at the idea of being with a woman.

Patricia is the one who opens the door and enters first, feeling that with each step she takes, her heart grows wilder and the need between her legs barely lets her breathe, but when she turns around ready to continue with those kisses they've been sharing all day, she finds Carlota paralyzed under the doorframe.

"Is something wrong?" Patricia asks worriedly.

"I've never been with a woman."

Chapter 15

Patricia freezes. She doesn't know whether to move, speak, or just wait for Carlota to say something else. At this point, she had already figured out that her companion didn't have much experience, but knowing she has never been with a woman makes her feel nervous and burdened with a huge responsibility because she thinks the situation is walking a tightrope. Carlota might or might not enjoy intimacy with someone of the same sex. The seconds tick by and the atmosphere thickens, Patricia doesn't want either of them to feel uncomfortable, so she steps forward and approaches the volunteer.

"Okay, but do you want to?" Patricia asks, looking into her eyes, "we don't have to…"

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life," Carlota answers with a firmness that impresses the other veterinarian.

Patricia smiles and, although if it were up to her she would devour Carlota to satisfy this crazy desire she feels, she decides to take it slow and show more affection thanthe lust she feels. The more experienced of the two begins to caress the other, who lets herself be touched, and leads her to the bed so they can be more comfortable.

"If you need to stop, I…"

Carlota interrupts Patricia again, this time with a kiss so charged with sensuality that the cardiologist feels a flash of electricity shoot through her back. Even though Carlota has never been with another girl, she believes that having been with men gives her some experience and knows what's going to happen next. She's wrong, not for a second had the animal shelter volunteer imagined that making love with Patricia would be an experience so full of intense and pleasurable sensations.

"You're beautiful," Patricia tells Carlota, who's completely melting from the kisses her companion is planting on her neck.

Carlota thinks she won't live to tell about this thrilling experience when Patricia leaves a trail of kisses down her chest and to her belly while caressing her legs. The first contact between the cardiologist's hot mouth and her center of pleasure makes Carlota moan—for the first time—so loudly that she immediately blushes with embarrassment and brings a hand to her mouth.

"Don't hold back," Patricia says, looking up to meet Carlota's eyes, "I love hearing you."

The two women enjoy each other for a long while. As it had happened whenever they'd done anything together, they've connected in an exquisite way, making both experience several orgasms that have left them exhausted.Carlota's inexperience hasn't been a major impediment, the shy girl isn't so shy in bed, and she's quickly taken to Patricia's body with amazing ease.

"Are you okay?" Patricia asks while trying to catch her breath.

Carlota turns toward her and smiles with a flushed face.

"I should be asking you that," the volunteer smiles.

Patricia bursts out laughing and covers her face with both hands. Now she's the one dying of embarrassment because in the last few minutes she managed to come twice and couldn't help writhing, screaming, and asking her companion for more. She, who's quite uninhibited in sex, has rarely reacted in such a visceral way the first time she's intimate with someone, it's usually after some time when Patricia gains confidence and drops those filters that are usually put up at the beginning of any relationship.

"Sorry, I had trouble controlling myself," Patricia apologizes.

"I really liked seeing you like that. I don't know, you seem a bit vulnerable, authentic. Nothing like that mean girl you often are," Carlota answers and caresses her face.

Patricia feels a pang of guilt for her behavior toward Carlota all this time.

"I'm so sorry, Carlota, I really don't know why I reacted that way. Or well," Patricia corrects herself, "I do know. I wanted that position and when they gave it to you, all I could think was that your uncle had pulled strings for you. I was petty and it never crossed my mind to think that you'revery good at your job and, despite having someone there supporting you, you deserved it as much as I did."

---