Page 52 of To the Moon and Back

“It’s on my list.” She caught Lauren around the waist and pulled herclose. The streetlights in Lauren’s neighborhood illuminated her driveway, butonly slightly, allowing her to bask in the battle between shadow and light.

“What else is on your list?” Lauren studied Carly’s expressivebaby blues.

Carly looked skyward, still on the high of tonight. “I want tokiss you in the warmth of the West Coast, autumn in Maine, and on the beachesof Hawaii, Mexico, and Jamaica. We can negotiate European destinations next.”

“Oh, we can?”

“I’m a big fan of Germany and the Black Forest. Once shot a filmthere and couldn’t get enough of the food or the scenery. You’d love it. Theysell schnitzel on a stick, Lauren. I’m not messing around.”

“You take schnitzel very seriously. I can tell.” Lauren laughedbut quietly filed away that this was the first time Carly had spoken plainly ofa future. She shocked herself at how happy it made her. Was it possible thiswasn’t just a showmance? It seemed ridiculous to think that someone with a lifeas exciting as Carly’s might be happy with regular Lauren who liked a goodSunday morning crossword puzzle and a satisfying game of pool. Yet theirconnection seemed so authentic and effortless, she couldn’t help but fantasize.

“Are we going inside?” Lauren asked. God, she hoped Carly saidyes. Yes, their celebration was tons of fun, but in the back of her mind shejust wanted to race through it all, hoping to have alone time with Carly,dreaming about taking off her clothes.

“If we’re not, I might weep silently on the curb.” Carly smiled,and waited. She rocked on her heels.

“We’re definitely not weeping tonight. Follow me.”

Carly’s hands touched her waist as they walked, sending ananticipatory shiver across her skin. She was ready for Carly, and growing moreso with each second that ticked past. She let them into her home, to the soundsof Rocky’s tiny feet on the hardwood floors. “There’s my baby,” she said,scooping him up. He licked her face appropriately and shifted his attention toCarly. Seeing her there produced full on dog body-wagging, which requiredLauren to place him back on the floor so he could wiggle around properly.

“I like that dance you’re doing, Rocky.” Carly knelt down andallowed him to take turns leaping up at her face and wiggling his body more, infestivity. She flipped him onto his back and gave his belly a ferociousrubbing, which yielded his customary snorts of appreciation. Lauren joined themon the floor and scratched Rocky’s head, not wanting to be left out of thelate-night lovefest.

“We opened a show tonight, Rock,” Lauren said. He snuffled andwiggled.

“I think they liked us,” Carly added. Rocky turned in threecircles and trotted away.

Lauren faced Carly. “He’s not really a night owl. He generallygreets me after shows, but then heads back to his bed under the end table. Hethinks it’s his own personal fort, and I’ve done nothing to correct him.”

“And why would you?” Carly asked, sweeping a strand of hair behindLauren’s ear. That did it. She was back to stop one on the Lust Express and watchedCarly with heated interest.

“Hi,” she said softly.

“Take me to your room,” Carly said back.

Lauren laughed nervously. “I really like that sentence.” She tookCarly’s hand and walked through the house, turning off lights as she went.

“I have others,” Carly said, as she was led down the short hallwayto the master bedroom. “Here’s one. I want my hands on you yesterday.”

“A second truly good sentence,” Lauren said.

“Another that comes to mind…my legs are shaking just thinkingabout you touching me.”

Lauren sucked in a breath at that one. Touching Carly. God. Herown knees went weak. One look back when they reached the door to Lauren’sbedroom told her everything Carly just said was true. Carly’s playful side hadslowly receded, and what Lauren saw in her eyes was inarguably desire. Heatflared, and the anticipation of what was about to happen engulfed Lauren. Shewas wet. She was in need. She was ready. God, they’d waited long enough.

She had her bedroom lights on a dimmer, which worked out nicelyfor them tonight. Dim enough for sexy, but enough to see all she’d beendreaming about for weeks. Lauren didn’t have to wait long. Carly slid a handbehind Lauren’s neck and kissed her with unmeasured passion. With Laurengasping for air, Carly stepped back and, in full view, lifted her red sweaterover her head, leaving her in black pants and a black bra so revealing Laurenhad to swallow. She didn’t move a muscle as Carly unbuttoned those pants andslid them down her legs. The matching lingerie underneath rode the curve of herhip and dipped between her legs. Lauren trembled at the sight of the gorgeous,confident woman in front of her.

“May I?” Carly said quietly as she approached. Her fingertipsbrushed against the skin of Lauren’s collarbone, and she unbuttoned the topbutton of Lauren’s red blouse. Lauren nodded, granting her silent permission togo farther. Carly stepped in closer and eased the top of her bare thigh upagainst Lauren’s center through her jeans. She heard her own gasp and felt herentire body tighten. Carly’s proximity did that to her, communicating herstartling power. Lauren throbbed. She tried to concentrate. Carly continued toslowly unbutton her top, staring with interest as she revealed more and more.She let her hands drop after mastering the last button. Lauren’s open shirt revealeda glimpse of her cleavage and the long sweep of her torso and stomach. Carlytook her in as if studying the most beautiful of paintings. Finally, shereached up and slid the shirt off Lauren’s shoulders, down to her elbows. She’dworn her yellow bra. She liked the way she looked in it best.

“God,” Carly said and shook her head reverently. It seemed theyellow had been the right choice. She dipped her head and kissed the spotbetween Lauren’s breasts, prompting Lauren to drop her head back in sweet surrender.Carly kissed up her chest to her neck and the spot beneath her jaw, all thewhile working the button on Lauren’s pants like a damn professional. They weredown around her knees along with her underwear before she could lift her headagain. Carly would know how ready she was soon. Her bra quickly followed, andshe watched Carly feast on that little reveal. “Finally,” Carly breathed. Shecaught a nipple in her mouth and swirled her tongue, sending pinpricks ofpleasure shooting through Lauren’s midsection and immediately lower. God, itwas thelowerthat nearly did her in. Carly palmed the other breast, clearly not at all shyin the bedroom. “You’re everything I imagined and more, you know that?” Carly continuedto bathe her breasts, sending Lauren’s longing beyond anywhere she’d ever beenbefore.

“I want to see you,” Lauren whispered, running her nails up anddown Carly’s back.

“Mm-hmm. Soon.” It was a torturous word. Carly slipped her handbetween Lauren’s legs and touched her softly for the first time. Lauren closedher eyes, melting, then jerking at the sensations that engulfed her.

“Carly,” Lauren managed. She pushed against Carly’s hand, askingfor more.

“Yes, Lauren?” Carly said back, and smiled against Lauren’s neck.Yet Lauren had no further words. Carly stroked her softly. Slowly. God, soslowly. Lauren moved in rhythm against Carly’s fingers in pursuit of relief.She didn’t get it. Carly withdrew her hand and instead eased Lauren onto thebed. From where she lay on her back, she watched as Carly put on the very bestshow, unhooking her bra and dropping it to the floor. Sweet heaven above, shehad gorgeous breasts. Of course she did. She was Carly Daniel, and she wastopless in Lauren’s bedroom. Lauren thought of all the ways she planned to get toknow them. Once Carly straddled her stomach, Lauren reached up and started asoft exploration with her fingertips that ended with the gentle twisting ofCarly’s nipples.

“I had a feeling I’d come undone when you touched me. Good God.”Carly dropped her head back which meant Lauren was on the right track.

---