Page 65 of Paradise Pride

Florence nipped at her lips, then kissed her so deeply and passionately that Meghan drowned in in her embrace. Florence’s lips, her tongue, her need seeping out of her and pouring into Meghan felt like she was giving her life, and, in a way, she was. She gave her energy, power, passion and a sense of self that made her whole. Meghan ground into Florence and kissed her back until their lips were sore.

Florence turned them around so she was on top, stripped off her jeans, shirt and bra, then lowered herself onto Meghan with a sigh. “I almost forgot how good you felt,” she whispered.

Already close to climaxing by the overwhelming arousal of Florence’s actions, Meghan was unable to reply, and falling into another kiss, she rode the waves that took her higher and higher. “Please stop,” she finally muttered. “I’m about to—”

“I know,” Florence whispered back and lowered a hand in between them, into her panties. Meghan gasped as Florence’s fingertips skimmed her swollen lips. “I want to feel you come, Meghan. Come for me.” She entered her with two fingers, slowly, as their bodies rolled together and, in that moment, Meghan felt insane. She reached into Florence’s briefs and found her so wet and sensitive that Florence cried out at her light touch. Moving into her faster, Florence’s lips parted as she stared down at her.

“Yes…” Meghan muttered, holding her gaze. “Yes!” She clung to her while her body convulsed, overflowing with ecstasy, and Florence followed with a loud moan. They held each other, never losing eye contact. When their breathing became normal again and she felt Florence relax into her, an unplanned announcement slipped out of her as she smiled shyly. “I love you,” she whispered.

Caught by surprise, Florence flinched, and Meghan felt her heart pounding hard. “You…?”

“Yes,” Meghan said softly. She was sure of it; that yearning she felt even when Florence was with her, was love of the deepest kind.

“Babe…” Florence returned her smile and cupped her cheek. Her eyes became shiny as she swallowed hard. “I love you too.”

64

Florence

“Good morning, gorgeous.” Meghan rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, pulled the covers further over her and Florence, and scooted closer. “Did you manage to get some sleep?”

“A little.” Florence smiled as she wrapped her arms around Meghan. They’d been up most of the night, making love until the early hours. “How are you feeling today?”

“Ehm…” Meghan narrowed her eyes and grinned. “Great, I suppose.” She sighed as she sank into Florence’s embrace. “This is a nice start to the day, that’s for sure. And it doesn’t even feel strange to have you here.”

“No regrets?” Florence looked at her pensively. She wasn’t just referring to Meghan’s coming out but also to their exchange in bed last night.

“No regrets whatsoever. I feel light and hopeful, and I can’t understand what I was so afraid of.” Meghan picked up her phone and scrolled through dozens of messages. “Look. These are all from my friends and family, telling me they’re happy for me.”

“I’m glad.” Florence felt hopeful too, and for the first time since she’d met Meghan, she could relax and stop doom-thinking. This was a beginning, not an end, and the clock that was ticking wasn’t counting down. It was ticking towards their future. “Do you have somewhere you need to be today?”

“I’m working tonight,” Meghan said. “I work late shifts two days a week so I can keep track of the night staff and the occasional event, but I’m free until seven.”

“I bet they’ll be talking about you today.”

“No doubt.” Meghan kissed her way down Florence’s forehead and cheek until she met her mouth. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I genuinely don’t care. Waking up with you and knowing I won’t have to worry about a thing anymore is so, so liberating.” She ran her tongue over Florence’s upper lip and lingered there, breathing against her mouth. “Are you free?”

“Yes. I’m starting my first shift tomorrow at a cocktail bar in Belgravia.” Florence let out a quiet moan; Meghan’s seductive moves were turning her on. “It’s a fancy place, so I’m hopeful the tips will be generous.”

“Nice. Will you be making Unicorns?”

Florence laughed. “No. No Unicorns. But I have my own Unicorn now,” she said in a playful tone as she ran her hands through Meghan’s hair. “You’re so gorgeous.” Remembering the gift she’d brought, she picked up her jeans from the floor next to the bed and took the small velvet pouch out of her back pocket. “I forgot to give you your birthday gift.”

“Aww, is that for me?” Meghan sat up in bed and pulled out the necklace with the green pendant. “This is beautiful.”

“You don’t have to wear it if you don’t like it.”

“I love it. Will you help me with it?”

Florence took the necklace and fastened it around Meghan’s neck. It looked stunning against her naked skin. “It’s malachite,” she said. “It symbolises starting over.”

“How appropriate. Did you get it from your mother?”

“Yes.” Florence felt her cheeks burn, as she was about to confess something she still hadn’t told anyone. “Mum gave me a piece of rose quartz, and I’ve been carrying it around with me. It seemed ridiculous at first, but as crazy as it may sound, it gave me comfort in the past weeks.”

“I don’t think it sounds crazy.” Meghan stroked the pendant that was hanging at the perfect height, against her heart. “I’m so sorry I hurt you.”

“Don’t be,” Florence said. “I’m sorry if I pressured you.”

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