Page 120 of Tricky Girls

This close, I can feel each exhale from her nose. I feel caught in her gaze. I thought I was hiding it better than that. That stupid vodka I had earlier.

It gets too much. I look into my glass, feeling more exposed than ever and not knowing what to say.

I feel Elly shift. ‘What is it?’ She brushes back my hair. ‘You can tell me.’

Can I though? Getting with girls is Elly’s game but this is unchartered waters for me. I’m still stunned by all I felt the first time we did it.

But shit, the draw is strong. My body’s screaming to close the distance. To take just a taste. It would be so easy. She’s so close.

I lick my lips. ‘You remember our Christmas meal night out?’

Elly smiles. ‘How could I forget?’

‘Well, thing is, I’ve been kind of thinking about it ever since.’

Elly searches my eyes. ‘The kissing bit?’

‘The kissing bit.’ I draw in a breath. ‘You were really good at it. And I really liked it, and, well, I wouldn’t mind doing it again. If you wanted to. If you’re amenable.’

Elly grins. ‘IfI’mamenable? Babe.’

I put a hand over my burning face. ‘Whatever. I’m being weird. Just kiss me.’ I peek at her. ‘Please.’

Elly lets out a breath that’s half amusement, half astonishment. There’s a beat before she takes my glass out my hands, setting it down with hers. Then her eyes dip to my lips, a hand coming up to thread through my hair. My scalp tingles, my eyes closing involuntarily. I feel Elly’s breath on my mouth a second before I feel her lips.

Okay, yep. So it hadn’t just been the booze that night. Elly really does kiss like a god.

I sigh through my nose. Her other hand comes to my waist, cradling me there. I reach out tentatively, fingertips grazing warmth. She pushes into me, encouraging my explorations whilst keeping her kiss so light, so soft. Feels so different to kissing a guy. Better in its own way. Still the best I’ve ever had.

After a moment, she pulls back. She regards me carefully, not quite able to quell the giddy smile on her face.

‘You alright?’ She caresses my rib with her thumb when I don’t answer. ‘This messing with your head?’

‘I think it’s the fact that it isn’t.’

‘That’s okay. Sometimes it’s just the person, you know? And you wouldn’t be the first girl to want to experiment a little.’

‘No, Elly.’ I frown, hating the thought of that. ‘That’s not what this is. That’s horrible. I wouldn’t do that.’

She shushes me, leaning forward to kiss my cheek. ‘I’m just telling you everything’s fine.’ A boyish grin erupts on her face. ‘So you really liked that, huh?’

I nod, smiling myself now. ‘Really, really.’

‘Sweet. I take it all back. This is the best Christmas ever.’

I look down to where she’s joined our hands. On her forearm is a tattoo of a pair of lungs, the right side made up of tree branches. I trace them with my nail, revelling at how soft her skin is. I move down, over her wrist, mapping the lines of her palm.

Elly’s eyes are smoky when I raise mine again. ‘Wanna do that again?’ she asks.

‘I think we probably should.’

‘I think so too.’

There’s less hesitancy this time when she cups my face. The first kiss was amazing but I know she was holding back on me. Putting a hand around her neck, I draw her against me, telling her without words that I’m not as fragile as she thinks.

Encouraged, she rolls me over, settling her body on top of mine. The weight is gorgeous; I can’t help my moan. Elly responds by gasping out a breath, rocking her hips into mine. I squeeze my eyes shut at the pressure on my clit.

I want her to touch me. I do. I want her to slip her hand beyond my waistband and do something about all that wetness.

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