Page 55 of Don’t Tell Me Who To Love

20.

AISHA CLASPED A BAGof sweet treats she’d picked up as she’d walked through the market. She paced around and fanned her face with her other hand. She stopped to knock on Gabi’s apartment door. She giggled with the giddiness, pressed her hand to her stomach, and took three deep breaths to calm her nerves. She tapped on the door and listened, praying that Gabi was in.

“Come in. Come in.”

It was Estrella’s voice, and Aisha felt the pressure release. She opened the door as Gabi’s nana approached.

“Hello, Aisha. What a lovely surprise.”

“Good morning, Estrella.”

“Gabriela is just taking a shower.”

The image of Gabi naked, wet hair, water trailing her body, over her breasts and down to the part of her that Aisha desperately wanted to explore did nothing to help her control her desire. She was sure she was blushing redder than the skyline in the painting on the hallway wall. She turned her attention to it and studied the sunflowers in a rich green meadow bowing towards the setting sun. She imagined lying in the grass, holding hands with Gabi and talking about love.

“It’s a pretty picture, isn’t it? My friend Señor Cortez, Pablo, knows the artist. Do you like art, Aisha?”

“It’s of the fields to the north. Yes, I do like art.” She held out the bag. “These are for you.”

Nana smiled and took the gift. “Would you like a coffee?” she asked. She poked her head through the door leading to the bedrooms. “Gabriela, Aisha is here.” She headed towards the kitchen.

Aisha stared at the door for a moment and imagined walking into Gabi’s bedroom. Her stomach did a spin. Nana had unpacked the small meringues and set them on a plate by the time Aisha reached the kitchen.

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to leave you again. I’m on the hunt for a fruit dish, and Pablo has promised to take me to see a local potter.”

Aisha smiled. “I need to replace the plates I broke,” she said.

Nana waved her hand, swatting her away. She took a sweet and ate it. “Gabi said it was her fault. We have plenty of plates. Hm, these cakes are good.”

“They’re soplillos de la alpujarra.”

“Yes, Juan’s mother used to bake them. You can’t get anything like this in England. They melt in your mouth. They’re far too tempting, and I must resist having more.” She patted her stomach.

Aisha smiled. “Mama bakes them too, but I got these from the market.” Her mama hadn’t known about her plans to visit Gabi, otherwise Aisha would have baked them herself. She hadn’t wanted to raise suspicions. She still wasn’t ready for questions.

A knock at the door grabbed Nana’s attention, and she excused herself. She shouted down the corridor to Gabi to tell her that she was going out. “Have a lovely day, cariño,” she said and closed the door behind her.

The quietness intensified the butterflies in Aisha’s stomach, and the dizzy excitement of earlier returned with fierce determination. Her hands trembled, and her mouth turned drier than scorched earth in the heat of summer. She gazed out the window, over the river and towards the hills to distract from being consumed by her burning desire. She’d spent years yearning, dreaming, and denying the sole reason her heart pulsed with passion, and now she’d kissed Gabi, she had to know what it felt like to make love to her.

She turned at the sound of footsteps behind her. Gabi approached in a T-shirt and shorts, her hair spiked and wet, leaving Aisha breathless.

“This is a very nice surprise.”

Aisha’s heart raced, harder and faster, and she thought it might burst, and her insides vibrated. Her hands were clammy and trembling, and if she didn’t do what she came here for, she might become too afraid. And that would be a wasted opportunity. She grabbed Gabi’s T-shirt at the waist, tugged Gabi to her, and kissed her. Mint. So soft and warm. The throb between her legs was undeniable in its need for attention. She ran her fingers through Gabi’s hair and kissed her harder, adoring the sensation of Gabi’s tongue in her mouth.

Gabi eased out of the kiss. “Hm, and a very good morning to you too.”

Aisha tugged at the waistband of Gabi’s shorts and traced her fingertip across her belly. Gabi broke eye contact and released what sounded to Aisha like a strangled laugh. Aisha ran her hand higher.

Gabi jolted and groaned. “You’re killing me here.”

Aisha tugged Gabi to her and kissed her tenderly. Gabi’s skin was hot and soft and prickled as Aisha ran her fingers across it, and Gabi moaned with desire and urged her to explore. She moved her hand higher, imprinting the shape of Gabi in every cell in her body. The heat in Aisha’s core intensified as she touched Gabi’s breast, and Gabi gasped when Aisha tweaked her nipple. She had never imagined being able to give so much pleasure from such a simple act. Slowly, she lifted Gabi’s T-shirt over her head and took Gabi’s nipple into her mouth.

“Oh, my God, you feel so good.” Gabi closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and held Aisha to her chest.

The firmness of Gabi’s nipple on her tongue and the soft flesh of her breast against her lips was exquisite and intoxicating. She felt delirious. She teased Gabi’s nipple, fascinated by the effect that mirrored in her own body, the fizzing at her core, and the throbbing between her legs. It was incredible, and amazing, and exactly like the rise in a musical score. Only, she didn’t want the fall to come. She wanted to keep climbing, higher and higher.

Gabi eased Aisha from her and blew out a puff of air. She caressed Aisha’s face and kissed her softly. She picked up her T-shirt.

---