Chapter Fourteen

The two women sat on the couch, feet tucked under them and glasses of wine in hand. Jackson’s head was leaning against the back of the couch while Erin tried to decipher what was being talked about on Larry King. Initially they weren’t even paying attention, but one of his guests was an art critic and was going off on a new artist’s work.

“Can you believe this jackass? ” Erin asked, outraged by the man’s lack of actual art knowledge. “He wouldn’t know the difference between finger-painting and Paul Gauguin. ”

Jackson laughed at Erin’s ire at the so-called art critic. “So, if he turned around and said he liked one of your paintings, would he still be a jackass? ” she asked playfully.

“Well, yes, he’d just be a jackass with taste and simply have chosen the wrong topic to discuss on Larry’s show. ” She winked at Jackson and took a sip of wine.

When a commercial came on, Jackson tried to stifle a yawn. The day had taken a heavy toll on her. Erin noticed the yawn right away. “Are you ready to go to sleep? You’ve got to be exhausted. ”

Nodding, Jackson said, “My body is tired, my heart aches, but my mind just won’t shut off. ” She put down her wineglass, laid on her side, and rested her head in Erin’s lap.

Wanting to take Jackson’s mind off of her pain, she said, “Jack? Tell me more about your music. ” Erin began to stroke the long dark hair and Jackson grasped Erin’s knee, lightly stroking it with her thumb. The connection between them had completely returned.

“My music? ”

“Yeah. We’ve spoken at length about my career, and all I know about yours is that you teach music here. I mean, did you entertain the idea of being a professional musician? ”

Jackson patted her knee. “Oh, sure. I was approached to tour the country with symphonies and whatnot, but…”

“But what? ”

“This is my home. I couldn’t imagine being away for such long stretches of time. I know how hard professionals work. They practice all the time and rarely have time for anything else. I knew I didn’t want that kind of life. My greatest satisfaction came when I was teaching during those summers in Michigan. I would watch a student go from a stumbling starter to a solid performer in only a few years because of my help. ”

“I bet that felt fantastic. ” Erin continued to stroke her hair.

“It did. I really felt at my best when I was helping them grow as musicians. They learned to appreciate not only music, but how and why they heard the notes they played. I get that same feeling being here at home. I get the best of both worlds teaching here. ” She took a deep comforting breath and closed her eyes. “And now with you here, I couldn’t ask for anything more. ” She absently squeezed Erin’s knee.

Jackson hadn’t asked, but Erin figured she’d stay until Jackson no longer needed her. Her mother no longer got to tell her what to do, so there was actually nothing preventing her from staying just long as she wanted. When the time came, leaving Jackson again wouldn’t be at all easy.

Forty-five minutes passed and Erin noticed that Jackson was sound asleep. She was reluctant to move as she didn’t want her to wake, but her bladder was reminding her of all of the wine she had imbibed. She was able to slip out from under Jackson’s head, but had to fight her clutching fingers. Even in deep sleep, it seemed as if Jackson needed to keep a hold on her.

Erin leaned down and whispered soothingly, “I’ll be right back, don’t worry. ” She kissed the side of her head and went to relieve herself. When she returned, Jackson was sitting up on the couch and had turned off the television. The clock showed that it was well past midnight. She knew Jackson would be going to bed soon. She bit her lip in hesitation then asked, “Do you need me to stay with you tonight? ”

Jackson looked up at her. Yes! her body screamed, but she answered, “No, I should be okay. I think I’m just gonna take some time to reflect a little then go to bed. ”

“Are you sure? ”

Jackson nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure. Thanks for offering, though. ” She walked Erin to the door and pulled her into a warm embrace. “Thank you for everything, Hawk. You made these last few days almost bearable. ”

Erin returned the hug warmly. “You are most welcome, Jack. You know I would do anything for you and Jackie. I’m glad she’s out of pain now and resting with her parents and your mom. ”

Jackson leaned down and kissed her cheek. Erin’s eyes closed at the familiar contact. When she pulled away, Erin told her, “If you need me, you know where I am, okay? ”

“Thank you, Hawk. It really meant the world to us that you came. ” They shared a smile. “Goodnight. ”

“G’night, Jack. ”

Back in her cabin, Erin stripped off her clothes, used the bathroom to brush her hair and teeth, and slipped into bed, sighing at the feel of the clean linen against her skin. She noticed her cell phone light blinking on the bedside table. She had messages. She grabbed her phone and pushed the voice mail button, then listened to the first of four messages.

“Erin, it’s your mother. Why haven’t you called me back? Are you home yet? Call me when you get this. ”

Erin rolled her eyes and deleted the message. She listened to the next, almost the exact same message from her mother, which she also deleted.

“Hey, girl, it’s Kim. Just wanted to let you know we’re all set for tomorrow night, so don’t worry about a thing. We already have a few regulars calling to see if they can get a sneak peek at your stuff. Don’t worry. I won’t let anyone see them until it’s time. They are beautiful and will do very well, as usual. I hope things are going as expected up there. I’m thinking about you. Talk to you soon, bye! ”

“Ah, Kim, you’re such a good egg. ”

“Hi, Erin, this is Paul. Just wanted you to know that Jeremy finally signed the papers, so we should be done with this in no time. Just hang in there, kiddo, we’re in the home stretch. Give me a call when you get back into town. ”

“Thank you, Jeremy, ” Erin whispered aloud. I cannot wait for this to be over and done with. We just have to work out the house documents and I am free and clear. Thank God. Her head fell back hard against her pillow and she closed her eyes. Man, what a day.

Jackson laid in bed, eyes wide open, tears streaming down her face. Losing Jackie was one of the worst experiences of her life. Erin’s words resonated in her head. I’m glad she’s out of pain now and resting with her parents and your mom. That thought brought a modicum of solace. Jackie was definitely in pain toward the end, but Glenda had made sure it was as minimal as possible.

Not being able to sleep, Jackson got out of bed and went into the kitchen to eat some leftovers from the wake. She looked at the clock and saw that it was almost two in the morning. She closed the refrigerator and got a glass of water instead. “It’s too damn late to eat. God, I just want to sleep. ”

Jackson walked back into her room and got into bed. Lying on her back, she continued to stare at the ceiling.

If you need me, you know where I am.

Jackson contemplated calling Erin, just to hear her voice. Erin being with her for almost a week had brought her such comfort, a comfort her body and soul had been missing for far too long. Rolling onto her side, Jackson closed her eyes and sighed.

A noise jostled Erin from an unsound sleep. A small clicking sound made her heart race. Not hearing the sound repeated, she held tight to her bedcovers and tried to relax enough to fall back to sleep. When she opened her eyes again, she nearly screamed at the sight of a silhouette standing in her bedroom doorway. As Jackson’s figure slowly registered, she knew not to be afraid.

“Jack? Are you okay? ” Her calm voice belied her frantic pulse.

Jackson took a couple of steps toward Erin’s bed, removing her clothing as she neared. “I need you, ” she whispered hoarsely.

Without thought or hesitation, Erin pulled open her covers and invited Jackson into her bed. Jackson immediately climbed into bed and moved on top of Erin.

“I need you, ” she whispered again, trying not to close her eyes at the sensation of Erin’s naked form beneath her.

Erin looked into Jackson’s eyes. She reached up and tucked Jackson’s hair behind her ears with gentle fingers, fingers that slowly traveled to Jackson’s lips and tenderly traced them.

Jackson’s eyes closed at the light touch and she soon found her lips captured by Erin’s. The weak whimper that left Jackson’s mouth fired her already crazy desire for Erin. She kissed Erin with a passion she hadn’t felt in years, the raw desire to consume Erin overwhelming.

Erin responded just as passionately to the hungry kisses as her repressed yearning for Jackson returned. She held locks of Jackson’s hair as they melded to each other. Tongues battled for control, eliciting sighs and moans of pleasure.

Jackson’s lips moved down to Erin’s throat and across her collarbones and shoulders. Finding Erin’s small tomahawk on her chest, Jackson reverently kissed the icon, a few tears falling on it as well.

She moved lower and kissed and licked Erin’s breast before pulling the aroused, hardened flesh into her mouth. Erin moaned, sending a surge of heat through Jackson’s body. Her hand began to play with Erin’s other nipple as Erin massaged her head. Kissing between her breasts, Jackson moved lower to kiss her stomach and hipbones. She idly played inside Erin’s belly button with her tongue and could hardly contain herself as the scent of Erin’s arousal reached her. Feeling a burning need to fill Erin with all of the love she had for her, she slowly moved lower and kissed the dark, wiry hair at the apex of Erin’s thighs. Erin’s body moved gently as her sighs became louder. Her hands were still wrapped in Jackson’s hair, urging to her to do as she pleased.

Jackson’s warm hands gently parted Erin’s lips as her mouth moved closer to take the first taste of her. After the initial wet contact, both women moaned and Erin’s body moved more freely. Jackson relished the taste and texture that was Erin. She explored every area she could reach, teased and tasted every orifice and inch of skin. Jackson’s tongue moved into Erin causing the auburn head to lift to meet Jackson’s eyes. They shared a molten stare as Jackson continued to drink from her.

Jackson rearranged her body and soon her fingers replaced her tongue inside of Erin, filling her completely.

“Oh, God, Jack…” Erin gasped.

Erin writhed on the bed as Jack slowly moved her fingers within her. Jackson had never seen a more gorgeous sight. Erin’s hips were frantically trying to keep up with Jackson’s feverish pace. When she felt Erin begin to quiver inside, she moved her head down and brought her tongue to Erin’s clitoris. With the lightest of touches, Jackson flicked her tongue rapidly and soon Erin was begging for release. With skillful fingers and lips, Erin was brought to the precipice of the purest form of ecstasy.

Jackson rode out the waves with her, holding on tightly as Erin’s body convulsed, exploding with pleasure. With relentless touches and wet kisses, Jackson quickly brought Erin to a second orgasm, finally withdrawing to move up her body. Jackson kissed and tasted every inch of Erin until she reached her panting mouth. Soon they were lost in their kisses and the taste of Erin shared between them.

Badly wanting to return the love and pleasure, Erin flipped them over, surprising them both with her strength. She gently brushed the hair from Jackson’s eyes. She moved her own hair to one side and lowered herself to kiss Jackson again. She kissed down her cheek and tugged lightly on her earlobe with her teeth.

“I cannot wait to taste you, ” Erin whispered, filled with unimaginable desire.

Jackson whimpered when Erin moved down her body to take one of her nipples into her mouth. The feel of the nipple between her teeth and lips was extraordinary. She had teased Jeremy in this fashion before but it was never him she was thinking of. To have the real Jackson beneath her was dizzying, electric. She sucked on the nipple as her hand wandered down Jackson’s body. As she passed over the taut stomach, she felt Jackson’s tremors. Soon Erin was lost in the copious wetness between trembling legs.

Jackson moaned. She grasped Erin’s hand and together, they went inside of her, filling and satisfying. Jackson had never shared herself like that with anyone, but she knew Erin wasn’t ever just anyone. Jackson felt incredibly full. She watched Erin watching their hands move together.

“So beautiful, ” Erin whispered, meeting Jackson’s eyes.

Erin drew Jackson’s hand out and sucked Jackson’s fingers into her mouth, her eyes closing. The dark-haired woman closed her eyes as Erin drew each digit into her mouth and cleaned it with her tongue. Once her fingers were sipped of their nectar, Erin dipped her head and drank from the source.

When Erin’s tongue touched the tip of her clitoris, Jackson arched her back and hissed loudly. With her fingers moving slowly into Jackson, Erin painted very quickly with her tongue, bringing Jackson to a feverish state of arousal.

With only a few more lingual strokes, Jackson opened her mouth and gripped the sheets as her release washed through her. When it was over, she remained still, breathing rapidly. “Sweet Jesus, ” she rasped, closing her eyes, thoroughly satisfied.

Erin slowly kissed her way up Jackson’s body until her gaze reached the mismatched eyes. Erin’s eyes filled with tears, which Jackson gently brushed away.

“What’s wrong, Hawk? ” she asked softly.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t strong enough before. ” Erin forced the words out through her tears.

“Oh, sweetheart, don’t worry. ” She brought Erin down to kiss her with all the love she had felt for years. “I’ll be strong enough for both of us, I promise. I won’t lose you again. ”

“I love you, Jack. ”

“I never stopped loving you. ”

Erin rested her head on Jackson’s chest and the larger body cuddled her close. Wrapped in a cocoon of love, the comfort and warmth lulled them into a peaceful sleep.

Erin’s eyes slowly opened to the morning sun streaming through the window. The first thing she noticed was that she was alone. The smell of breakfast cooking belayed her first instinct to jump out of bed to find Jackson. She took a deep breath and smiled, stretching languidly, then pushed back the covers and walked toward the delicious smells. Jackson wore her shirt from the night before but nothing else. Erin hung back and marveled at her beauty.

Sensing she was no longer alone, Jackson turned to find Erin, still naked, watching her. An appreciative smile curved her lips. “God, I could get used to that sight every morning. ” She waggled her eyebrows and Erin chuckled.

She walked over to Jackson and put her arms around her. Jackson rested her chin on top of her head as they held each other in front of the stove. Pulling back, Erin gave her a tender good morning kiss.

“How did you sleep? ” Erin asked, hungrily eying the bacon frying in the pan.

“I slept like a baby. You? ”

“The same. You really put out the heat when you sleep. I was warm and snuggled all night long. ”

“I’m so glad. ”

“Last night was beautiful, Jack. I am just… wow. ”

Jackson recalled Erin’s lack of vocabulary the first time they had been intimate and laughed at her current description of their lovemaking. “Your vocabulary still gets stunted when you’re moved, doesn’t it? ”

“Don’t tease me. It’s usually because of something you do, so take it as an indication that you’re doing it really well. ”

Jackson scratched her fingernails lightly over Erin’s buttocks and up her back, causing a wave of goose bumps to form on Erin’s skin. “Don’t tease, huh? I think you like to be teased. ”

Erin sighed as a rush of arousal burned through her. “What’s for breakfast again? ” Her eyes were unfocused as she attempted to look into Jackson’s eyes.

Jackson could feel a hunger radiating from Erin that had nothing to do with food. “How do you like your eggs? ” she whispered into Erin’s ear, wreaking havoc on her by touching and teasing her body.

“I don’t want eggs, ” she panted, pulling Jackson’s head down for a passion-filled kiss.

Jackson moaned into her mouth, turned off the stove, and lifted Erin up so she straddled her body. She walked them to Erin’s bed, where they fell heavily together. Jackson’s fingers filled her, and Erin knew breakfast would be postponed until at least dinner.

Several hours of love making later, Jackson and Erin got out of bed. They threw out the bacon on the stove, ordered pizza, drank gallons of water, and curled up on the couch to watch television.

Regretting she still had a resort to run, Jackson said, “I gotta run to the house and check messages. If someone needs something, I’ll have to take care of it. A friend of ours, Daniel, is helping us, well, me, run the place while I deal with losing Jackie. ”

“Daniel must be a special guy. ”

“He is, ” Jackson said. “He worked here a few summers when we needed help or wanted to take our own vacation and whatnot. I can leave it to him for a bit while I sort out everything. ” She sighed. “It’s going to be weird living in the main cabin without her. ”

Erin curled up tighter around her. “I know, honey, it’s going to take some time. ”

“I kinda want to change the place anyway. Maybe now is the time to do it. ”

“What do you want done? ” Erin asked.

“It just needs upgrades. We’ve improved most of the cabins and built new condos and the duplex, I think the old house needs a makeover. ”

“Could you live in one of the newer places while you redo your house? ”

“Oh, absolutely. Hopefully, I can find a contractor that will get the work done before winter. I know a few people who could help me out; I just have to make the call. ”

The vibration of Erin’s cell phone on the coffee table drew their attention.

“Hang on a sec. I’m sure it’s my mother. She’ll be ready to call out the cavalry since I haven’t returned her calls. ” She picked up the phone and grimaced when she saw the number of her childhood home. “Yep. I gotta take this, sorry. ”

“That’s okay. You talk to dear old Katie. I have to run to the house to change and take care of the resort stuff. Walking home in my jammies is going to be scandalous. I haven’t done the walk of shame in ages. ” They laughed and kissed, and with a wave, Jackson went on her way.

Erin sighed and got comfortable on the couch. “Hello, Mother. ”

“Erin! Dear Lord, where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you for days! ”

“Yes, I know. You know full well where I am and why I’m here. What is so important that it couldn’t wait? Jackie died a few days ago, if you’d even care to know. ”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll make sure to say an extra prayer for her in church this week. ”

You do that. Say one for your own soul while you’re at it. “I’m sure it’ll be a comfort to Jack that you’re praying for her aunt. ”

“I can’t believe you aren’t coming home tonight to attend your own art show. Isn’t that a little irresponsible? ”

The voice was like fingernails on a chalkboard. “Mother! Did you not hear what I just said? I told you that Jackie died, ” she repeated. “Jack is a mess. I’m not going anywhere until I know she’ll be okay. ”

“You have a life here, too, Erin. Don’t forget that. ”

With you around, how could I?

Katie ranted on for several minutes and Erin tuned her out. She saw Jackson returning, fully dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt with her hair pulled into a ponytail. A smile lit Erin’s face as Jackson gave a quick knock on the door and came in. When she saw that Erin was still on the phone, she made funny faces at her to try to lighten the mood. Erin put her finger to her lips. Erin heard the tail end of her mother’s speech and she bristled.

“All I wanted to do was make sure you were all right. There’s no reason you should be so snippy with me. ”

Erin knew better. “Bull. Why have you really been calling me? To find out if Jackson has worked her wiles on me? ”

“Wha… what? ” her mother stuttered, not used to being called on her hidden agenda.

“You heard me. There is no other reason you would leave these alarming messages that I call you at once. ”

“Erin, don’t you take that tone with me. ”

“Mother, if you have nothing more to say to me then I’m going to go take care of Jack. ” Jackson sat next to her and started to kiss her neck. “She needs me. ” Her voice was little louder than a whisper.

“I do need you, ” Jackson whispered in her other ear. Erin swatted her away, trying hard not to giggle.

“Fine, you go take care of her. ”

“Mother, I just hope that one day you realize how mean you’ve become, because at the rate you’re going, when you’re older and need someone to take care of you, there won’t be a single person willing to take the job. Goodbye. ” Erin snapped her phone closed, disconnecting the call.

“God, she infuriates me! ” Erin leapt off the couch. She turned to look at Jackson and recognized the unmistakable look of desire on her face. “You cannot be serious! ” she said, jarring Jackson from her haze.

“What? ” Though ashamed to admit it, she was getting a little turned on by Erin’s anger at her mother.

“You’re looking at me like you do in the bedroom. You’re getting hot, aren’t you? ”

Jackson’s face flamed. “N… no, I um…” Jackson looked at Erin’s raised eyebrow and smiled. “Um…so? ”

“You are adorable, Jackson Thomas. Absolutely adorable. ” Erin kissed her gently and giggled at her lover’s embarrassment. “I’ll keep your secret, I promise, ” she whispered conspiratorially in Jackson’s ear.

Jackson pulled Erin into her lap. After a quick make out session, she pulled back. “I just love that I can kiss you whenever I want. ” She smiled. “I know I should be grieving, but I’m so happy you’re here, Hawk. ”

“I am too, honey. ”

“I like when you call me that, ” Jackson admitted shyly.

“What? Honey? ”

“Yeah. It’s really sweet. I like it. ”

“Well, honey is sweet and you’re just about the sweetest person I know, so it fits. ” Erin gave her a quick kiss and got up to get plates for the pizza, just as the doorbell rang. She looked at Jackson. “Is that timing or what? ”

“You go get the plates, I got this one. ” Jackson pulled out her wallet and met the deliveryman at the door. “I hope this is halfway decent. I know how particular you Chicagoans are about your pizza, ” she teased, bringing the piping hot pie to the table.

“We’ll just have to see. If it sucks, I’m outta here. ” She winked at Jackson.

They shared a quiet meal and evening together, reveling in their closeness. When the hour grew late and it was time for Jackson to return home, she knew she didn’t want to sleep alone in her house.

“Um, do you think it would be okay… I mean, would you…” She sighed at her tied tongue. “I’d rather you be with me on my first night there without Jackie, if that’s okay. ”

“It’s absolutely okay. I don’t think I could sleep without you now. ”

“Good. Me either; let’s go. ”

⇐ Предыдущая 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 131415 Следующая ⇒