Page 53 of Hearts Like Hers

Autumn rested the back of her head on Kate’sshoulder. “I’m the queen of methodical lotion application, required for a beachtown.”

Kate closed her eyes and enjoyed thesensation of the smooth skin beneath her fingertips. “It’s really working foryou.”

“So, you like my skin.”

“More than that. I like it all.”

A pause. “What is it about me that you’reattracted to?”

The question snagged Kate’s attention becausethe tone in Autumn’s voice indicated she was literally asking forclarification. She didn’t get it. Ludicrous. “I like watching you talk, forone.”

Autumn turned in her arms. “What does thatmean? Watching.”

“You hold your mouth in the most unique way,as if you’re sometimes about to say something, but then change direction tosomething else. I really like that, watching it play out.”

Autumn laughed. “Now that’s one I’ve neverbeen told before.”

“You also have really great underwear.” Shelet her fingertips brush the tops of Autumn’s thighs this time, and back again.The constant motion had the throbbing moving into high gear and Kate’s mindtrotting off to…more intimate thoughts.

She heard Autumn suck in a breath. “Well,thatone nightI did.”

“Are you kidding? More than that night. Imight have stolen a glimpse here or there. The satin purple bra I spottedyesterday might be the winner.”

“Wow.”

“My thought at the time.” Kate continued totrace patterns across Autumn’s skin. Had her attention grown increasinglyintimate? Yes. Had she briefly brushed the insides of Autumn’s thighs with thelightest of touches? Possibly.

Autumn shook her head slightly. “What are youdoing to me right now?”

Kate smiled into Autumn’s shoulder. “I haveno idea what you’re talking about.” Except she had somanyideas. All of themR-rated.

“You should know that I’m about to combust inyour arms.”

“Are you asking me to make that happen?” shewhispered in Autumn’s ear. The nod was almost imperceptible. Kate pressed herhand boldly beneath Autumn’s dress, to the patch of fabric between her legs,and pressed gently.

“Oh, my God,” Autumn breathed.

“Let’s try for more of that.”

She pressed back against Kate’s hand. “Fuck.”

“That, too.”

Kate surveyed the expanse of the beach,noting that they still had it all to themselves. The last soul they’d seen wasa man walking his dog, but that was a good fifteen minutes ago. With one eye onthe beach, she stroked Autumn softly, pressing into the fabric, moving acrossit. Over and back again, listening to sounds of the waves and Autumn’saccelerated breathing. She nuzzled her face into Autumn’s hair and tracedcircles now, inching slightly higher, so that—

“There,” Autumn managed, grasping Kate’sforearm for emphasis. Autumn nodded her endorsement and leaned back againstKate fully, adjusting to allow Kate more access. The circles Kate traced becamesmaller, quicker, and more focused until Autumn shuddered, stilled, and criedout quietly in Kate’s arms.

Her breath still came in short gasps. “On thebeach,” she managed anyway. “Right here on the fucking beach you did that.”

“We had it to ourselves,” Kate said,grinning. “I couldn’t help myself. You…inspire things in me.”

“Yeah, well, you just inspired asoul-scorching orgasm inme.” She nodded several more times. “This is definitely what I wouldclassify as living life more fully.”

“We need to go now,” Kate said. Autumn turnedin her arms and met her eyes questioningly. “Because I didn’t get to fullytouch you, and now you’re saying words like ‘orgasm’ out loud, and I have moreto offer on the topic.”

Autumn’s eyes went dark. “Dear Lord, helpme.”

Hours passed as they did decadent things togetherin Kate’s apartment, yet it didn’t feel like hours at all. When she was withAutumn, time flew, and because they were already familiar with each other, thenight took on a different tone. They were bolder, more playful, and a lot moreat home with each other. As the sun crept through the window in the early hoursof the morning, a thought occurred to Kate. “Hey, are you supposed to be atwork?”

---