Chapter 3
It rained pretty constantly on the day that the furniture was delivered. The distance from the moving van to the door was short, fortunately, and Lauren grabbed all the newspaper she could find at home and took her welcome mat, doormat and a couple of rugs to protect the floors. The furniture had been well handled and had arrived in good condition.
After the delivery men had left, she helped Mandy make up the beds, so that her hotel stay could finally end, and on the thirty-first, she helped her unpack the rest of the boxes, stacking dishware and books. Temperatures didn't vary much above or below freezing for the whole day.
In the evening Lauren met her friends at the New Year's Eve party at the hotel. The ballroom where the party was held was huge, and crowded. Rachel, one of the executive assistants, tried to share a pill with her. Lauren had always suspected that Rachel, who was a lithe blonde who hadn't yet passed twenty-five, had a crush on her.
Whatever the drug was - E, probably - seemed to amplify Rachel's crush. Either that, or she just wanted attention from the only other lesbian in the office. Lauren didn't encourage her, but she also didn't reject her. Outside of their friend group it might be dangerous to be on E, so she danced with her, and when Rachel leaned back against her when they were yelling for the band, she just pushed her back into an upright stance and backed away.
The band was better than Lauren had expected, in spite of screaming vocals. The soaring guitar almost carried the songs by itself. Rachel was clearly getting into the sound.
Lauren tried to avoid Rachel when the countdown to midnight ended. She exchanged chaste kisses with her friends, but Rachel managed to catch her, and attempted to respond to the touch of her lips by shoving her tongue between them. Lauren backed away and shook her head.
"Aww, c'mon, let's start the New Year right," said Rachel, running her fingers down Lauren's arm.
"I am starting it off right," Lauren retorted. "That's the point."
Rachel eased herself a little closer, a breast pressing against Lauren's arm. She lowered her voice in an attempt to sound seductive. "You don't know how horny I am right now," she murmured.
"Oh, I think I do, Rachel," Lauren said, "and I think it would be a good idea if I found someone to help me get you home.
She recruited Dierdra, one of her closest work friends, to help chaperone Rachel into an Uber and ensure she made it to her door. After dropping Dierdra, she arrived home around one thirty, falling asleep almost before her head touched the pillow.
Mika: "How was your new year?"
The message had arrived overnight, and was several hours old when Lauren saw it.
Lauren: "Good. Band was amazing, probably not your cup of tea though and my virtue is intact."
Of course by the time Lauren replied, it would be well after midnight for Mika, so the next message didn't arrive until mid-afternoon.
Mika: "Should I be worried that you felt the need to mention this?"
Lauren: "No but I have a co-worker story to share next call. Missed you."
Mika: "Would your virtue be intact if I'd been there?"
Lauren: "I hope not."
Lauren had booked a half day PTO when Mika was due to return. When she awoke,her girlfriend would be thirty-five thousand feet above the Pacific. She checked her phone for updates. Sure enough, she had waiting texts. They weren't updates to arrival times, though.
Mika: "Flight left on time. Unless there are customs delays I'll be on the flight arriving just after 1:30."
Mika: "Looking forward to seeing you."
Lauren felt that their relationship had become much less tentative during Mika's trip. Teasing her had felt comfortable, and Mika seemed to be less reluctant to show affection. She wondered if that would be able to continue after her girlfriend's return. Perhaps they'd turned a corner. Though she knew that even if that was true, there was plenty of work ahead of them.
Of course, she'd worn stockings to work, to capitalize on Mika's willingness to be teased. She sent Mika a selfie to show her working clothes. A little later, sitting at her desk, she surreptitiously hiked up her skirt and snapped a photo of her stocking top, sending that in a text message.
Mika: "You know, it's not a good idea to look flustered at the customs counter."
Lauren: "Why would you look flustered?"
Mika: "I don't know why I like you, I really don't"
Lauren was finishing her Starbucks when Mika entered the baggage claim area. She'd debated getting a coffee for Mika, but she probably couldn't carry a paper cup with her suitcases. And after all this time she didn't know if Mika liked coffee. She certainly preferred tea, and though the menu included tea she'd never considered what kind Mika would want.
She left her coat on the chair, tossing her paper cup into the trash before taking her girlfriend into her arms. Their kiss was tender but brief, Mika seeming to want the contact of a close hug as much as Lauren did.
Eventually they separated, Mika stepping back to cast her eyes over Lauren's suit, a smirk on her face, before leaning close to whisper, "I really want to peek under that skirt to see if you really are wearing what you claim."
"I sent you a photo!" Lauren stated.
"Mmm, you could have taken that at any time," Mika objected. Then her expression sobered. "Uh, could you take me to your place, not mine? Or not immediately to mine? I want to talk before going home."
That should sound ominous, but it didn't. Lauren felt that they'd built enough of a bond that if there was a problem she'd be able to sense it. She didn't need to consider the state of the house; she kept it tidy, so she just nodded, and wrapped her arm around Mika's back as they waited for the cases.
During the drive to her house, Lauren frequently sensed Mika's eyes on her. If she glanced over, Mika's eyes immediately flicked away, her cheeks turning red.
After the third such glance, she said, "I think you missed me as much as I missed you, didn't you?"
Mika nodded, and though she didn't turn toward Lauren, her lips formed a soft smile.
After Lauren had eased the Lexus into the garage, Mika had asked her to open the trunk so that she could bring her bag and one of her cases into the house.
Once inside, Lauren said, "I don't have tea. I can brew coffee or open a bottle of wine. It's a little early, but..." she frowned. "You know, I have no idea if it's early or not for you."
"It's around breakfast time by my internal clock," said Mika, "but I'm sure I can drink wine for breakfast once without it becoming a habit. Maybe you'll let me take a nap later."
"Of course," replied Lauren. She had a German white in the fridge which wouldn't be too heavy. She hung Mika's coat and her own, then opened the wine while her girlfriend waited for her on the couch. A minute later, she was presenting the wine to Mika, then sitting beside her.
"I think my house is holding me back," said Mika. "The memories I have there are making it hard for me to become as close to you as I want to. At my parents' place, I felt more free to be with you. With the unfortunate issue that we were five thousand miles apart."
"But I love your house, Mika," said Lauren.
"As do I," Mika stated. "I will be keeping it, and will be living there, but perhaps for a time our snogging sessions could be here? And... anything else we choose to do together." She gave Lauren a shy smile. "I'd really like to share my bath with you, but maybe... in a couple of weeks?"
"That seems like a wise idea," Lauren replied. "When you say, 'anything else we choose to do...'"
Mika grinned wickedly. "That depends on how I feel after you let me watch you change out of your skirt and blouse," she said. "I want the full effect of what you showed me in our chat.
"I see," said Lauren. "You know, you're asking for a great sacrifice on my part."
"Oh, I know," said Mika, her tone infused with irony. Then she reached for Lauren's wrist, gripping it lightly while her eyes held Lauren's intently. "I'm ready, Lauren. I'm so ready for you I'm hurting."
A charge of arousal lanced into Lauren. Her clit tingled and her voice caught. "You want me to tease you just like I did in the video chat?" she asked, her voice husky. When Mika nodded, she said, "Come with me," leading her into the bedroom, both bringing their wine glasses.
Lauren's bedroom was decorated in soft peach tones, with light peach paint, a warm cream-colored comforter, and pillowcases in the same cream and peach. An old rocking chair, more comfortable than it appeared, faced into the room beside the little-used desk. Lauren guided her girlfriend to the chair, then placed her silk pajamas on the bed.
Before beginning to remove her skirt, she hung her jacket in her closet, then connected her phone to the bluetooth speakers on her nightstand. It wasn't the greatest stereo system, especially from this corner of the bedroom, but the quality was good. Then she selected Debussy on her mp3 player and pressed play. Mika's eyebrows rose in appreciation as she recognized the piece.
Standing before Mika, she unzipped her skirt, then slid it over her hips and down, before stepping out of it, revealing the stockings and garter belt. She took care to straighten the skirt before laying it on the bed. Then, changing the order from the last time she'd teased Mika with her business suit, she took off her ribbon tie, fastening it in a bow around her girlfriend's left wrist. Mika's eyes were wide as she watched Lauren's fingers.
She unfastened her blouse from bottom to top, again folding it meticulously before placing it on the bed. Her bra was black, as before, but this time it was lacy, matching her panties.
Slipping a finger into each side of her left stocking, she drew it downard, then over her foot. This she tossed onto the bed, before stepping close to Mika.
"You can do the other one," she murmured.
She saw Mika's chest rise and fall more quickly as she inserted her fingers between Lauren's right stocking and her thigh, pulling it down to her foot, at which point Lauren backed away and finished removing it, dropping it onto the bed. She moved closer to Mika, taking her fingers and moving them to her garter belt to pull it down. Her girlfriend made a frustrated groan as she drew the garment over her hips and down her thighs.
This bra didn't have detachable straps, so she unhooked one shoulder, working her arm through it without unfastening the rear clasp, then sliding her other arm out the same way. She slipped into her pajamas, then unhooked her bra, dropping it to the bed before standing before her girlfriend, whose cheeks were now flushed.
Mika's eyes followed her as she hung her skirt with her jacket. Then she knelt before Mika, taking her fingers in her own and moving them to her pajama jacket, placing them on her nipples. "You said you wanted to touch," Lauren noted.
Her girlfriend's voice rasped in a deep register as she said, "I am so turned on right now."
Lauren's fingers stroked her face. "Then come to bed with me," she whispered, leaning forward and pressing her lips to Mika's, her fingers caressing her girlfriend's jaw.
"Yes," Mika croaked.
Slowly, Lauren raised herself to her feet. Mika's fingers fell from her breasts to unfasten her jeans as she stood. The jeans fell to the floor, followed by Mika's plain black tee shirt, as Lauren turned back the duvet and slipped between the sheets.
Moments later, Mika had also discarded her bra and was lying against her. As her lips met Lauren's, her fingers began to work on the buttons of her pajamas top.
The kiss was gentle. Exploratory, at least at first. It had been almost a month, other than airport kisses. Even a slow, tender kiss built Lauren's arousal, especially when her girlfriend's fingers parted her shirt and cupped her breast, fingers and thumb caressing.
Lauren drew her own fingers down her slender partner's back, hooking them into her panties, then drawing them down. Mika eagerly wriggled out of them, freeing Lauren to stroke her sex, finding her moist. Mika groaned into the kiss as her fingers brushed her clit.
Her girlfriend's breathing was heavy, the kiss becoming steadily deeper. When Lauren pushed a finger into her, Mika's tongue pressed against hers, and Lauren's breath caught. Mika's hips began to move, grinding herself into Lauren's hand.
Lauren set her free hand on Mika's waist. Using it and the hand curled into her sex, she lifted her partner, breaking the kiss, then moving her body higher, so that she could fasten her lips to Mika's nipple. Her lover gasped, thrusting her sex against Lauren's hold. Lauren felt wetness against the base of her thumb. As she rubbed her hand against it, her finger curled inside her lover, the walls around her finger twitched, then clenched hard. Mika cried out, her body quivering over Lauren.
The sounds of Mika's pleasure thrilled Lauren. The muscles around her finger relaxed, then gripped again as she continued to moan.
Gradually, Mika's body relaxed. Lauren still felt her passage clenching her finger with aftershocks until she withdrew it. Of course they'd been here once before, and Lauren worried that her lover's rapture would again turn to tears, but it didn't happen. Mika moved lower, her eyes full of joy as their lips met.
After a minute or two of languid kissing, Mika's lips moved to Lauren's neck. "I've been visualizing this for the past three weeks," she said, "but it's even better in person than I hoped."
"Not gonna lie," said Lauren, "but I've been imagining the same."
Mika slid down Lauren's body. She tugged Lauren's pajama top to the side, until Lauren had worked her arm out. After doing the same with her other arm, she kissed all around Lauren's breast, making her squirm as her belly tingled. Then she drew back, her eyes following where she'd been kissing. "You kept teasing me by stripping to your bra, or your PJs. So I've definitely been picturing these."
She lowered herself to take Lauren's nipple into her mouth and began to suckle. The feelings that spiked in Lauren's belly made her groan. She ran her fingers through Mika's hair as her teeth and tongue drew against the hard tip.
When Mika switched to her right breast, her hands roamed downward, easing off Lauren's pajama shorts and panties. With Lauren's enthusiastic cooperation, they were soon tossed over the side of the bed. Mika's lips also travelled downward. Lauren parted her legs further as her lover's tongue found her clit, beginning to caress it with damp strokes.
"I visualized doing this, too." Mika's voice tickled Lauren's clit, charging her arousal. Lauren could see her beneath the duvet, her head rocking slowly as her tongue stoked the fires of Lauren's need.
Lauren had always felt that she needed to be touched inside as well as out, but her lover was already pushing her to her limit with a consistent slow motion. She tried to rein in her desire, but her girlfriend was just too damned exciting, and as much as she worked to hide her reaction, the tensing of her thighs probably gave her away. The stroking of Mika's tongue on her firm clit became more insistent, and suddenly it was all Lauren could do not to slam her sex into the other woman's face as her arousal drew taut, then released, her climax fierce.
She moaned at the sudden intensity of the feeling of Mika's tongue still licking her sensitive clit as delicious pulses of pleasure flowed into her.
When Mika emerged from beneath the duvet to lie against her chest, she was flushed, her face seeming to radiate warmth.
"Did you get a little overheated?" Lauren asked.
"Worth it," replied Mika, beaming, lowering her face to kiss Lauren's neck.
They lay together for several minutes, Mika's teeth and tongue exploring the base of Lauren's neck, as her fingers trailed through Mika's hair.
"I saw myself needing to do something that might not be a great idea," she said. Her body had no tension as it nestled into Lauren's, but her voice was uncertain. "But I knew I would have to do it as soon as I could be sure I wasn't going to panic. I knew it as soon as I realized how much I was missing you. I need this relationship to work, Lauren." She was silent for a few moments. "I need to tell you that I think I'm falling in love with you."
Lauren's heart soared. "Oh, honey," she said, taking Mika's face in her hands and giving her a passionate kiss, tasting herself on her lover's tongue. "I'm already there," she said, when she released her. "I didn't want to tell you until I was sure you were ready to hear it, and I don't want my feelings to put any pressure on you, but I fall a little more in love with you every time we're together, even if being together is just seeing your lovely face on my tablet."
Mika was silent, then her body shook. Lauren felt damp on her neck. "Oh no, Mika, what is it, honey?"
She heard a muffled, watery laugh. "Happy tears," she heard her lover's voice say. "I feel so lucky to have you."
"I should probably go," Mika said.
They'd made love again. Mika had fitted her thigh between Lauren's when her eyes had dried. Lauren had held her close for comfort. She wasn't sure which of them had first started to move, but by the time their lips met, they were both moaning. Lauren's climax had hit first, but she succeeded in coaxing Mika's body into joining her in passion. Spent, they'd snuggled together until now.
"Janeway will be missing you," Lauren agreed.
"Janeway probably doesn't care. as long as one of us feeds her," Mika said, "but I need to unpack, then soak in the tub. I'm going to sleep as much as I can today, then tomorrow I'll try to combat jet lag and stay awake during daylight."
"Not hard to do with the days starting late and ending early," Lauren said, with a laugh.
"So it will be easy," her lover said, sliding out of bed. Lauren watched her bending down to hunt for clothes. She handed Lauren her pajama pants and underwear, and Lauren put them on, fastening her top as Mika dressed. Then she followed Mika into the living room, where her bags still waited.
"You need to tell me what kind of tea you like so I can get some in here," Lauren said. "I realized this morning, I know nothing about tea."
"I can send you links to what I like at Amazon," Mika said, opening the latches on her suitcase, "or we can make a trip to a local tea shop."
"I like that plan," Lauren said.
"Most Brits like black tea with milk, but I grew up with green at home." Mika sighed. "One reason among several for the girls at school to hate me. I just don't like milk in tea, and black tea is too bitter without it." She drew out one of a pair of wide boxes from her suitcase, then stood, holding the box out in two hands. "This is your real Christmas present."
"Oh, Mika, you shouldn't have!" Lauren exclaimed. "I didn't get you anything!"
Mika grinned. "Consider it a souvenir, if you like. I promise you, I'll enjoy the gift as much as you do."
"Oh yeah?" Lauren grinned, now having a pretty good idea of what was in the box, which was labelled only with a few large Japanese characters.
She was wrong. Mostly wrong. She opened the box, expecting to find lingerie. Instead, the box contained a royal blue silk robe, decorated with gold patterns and white birds. She took it reverently out of the box. "Mika, this is beautiful."
Her girlfriend's cheeks had colored. "I'd thought about getting you something more traditional, but where would you have the chance to wear kimono or even yukata? Come with me on my next trip, as Dad said, and maybe we will. This is a kimono robe. You can wear it for lounging around the house, or whenever you like. Or, you know, if we're together..."
Lauren pointed to the box still in the suitcase. "You got one to match?"
"Not to match," Mika said. "It's red. But to wear with you, yes." Her blush had deepend a little further.
Indicating one of the birds in the design, Lauren asked, "Please tell me these are not boobies?"
Mika chortled. "They're cranes. Very traditional. Though there will be boobies inside it, at least in your case."
"Oh, honey, your boobs are lovely," Lauren said. "Please don't let me hear you disparaging the woman I love."
Mika rolled her eyes. When Lauren set the box down and held out her arms to her, she stepped into her embrace.
"Thank you," Lauren whispered, then gave Mika a tender kiss.
She helped Mika with her suitcases when they arrived at her house, but didn't enter. "Call me," she said, "and give my love to the Captain."
"Admiral, please," retorted Mika.
Lauren: "Want to take me to the tea store on Saturday?"
Mika: "I have a wedding. And a client meeting on Sunday. We could squeeze in a visit around 5pm Sunday if you don't mind it being short."
Lauren: "It's a date. And a wedding in January?"
Mika: "At a ski resort. White snow, white wedding. It's going to be a tiring weekend. Want to come back here and share my tub?"
Lauren: "Hell, yes! I mean, oh, what a nice idea, O girlfriend of mine."
Mika: "😉 Good to know we're on the same page. Bring your robe."
Lauren decided that they'd need to return for a longer visit to the tea store if she decided to buy a teapot. She didn't think her coffee maker would work well for loose leaf tea, so she only bought tea bags, while Mika picked up a couple of loose leaf packages. After their visit, they stopped at an Indian restaurant on the way back to Mika's.
As soon as they arrived at the house, Mika ran the bath, then began brewing tea. When It was ready, she had already started the whirlpool and added a foaming oil which created a layer of bubbles on the surface and left a delicious jasmine scent in the bathroom. The water level was fairly low, as, she said, she wasn't sure how much it would rise with both of them in the bath.
Armed with tea, they were about to find out.
"Do you need a shower cap?" Mika asked. She'd put her hair up in a high knot.
"I'll be fine," Lauren said, knotting her own hair into a bun. "I'm not planning to swim."
Lauren felt a little self-conscious stripping before Mika. This wasn't teasing, and it wasn't undressing during foreplay, it was simply taking her clothes off before a girl with whom she was in a fairly new relationship. So she undressed only to her bra and panties, then waited for Mika to be the first to disrobe completely. But it seemed that Mika had the same idea, standing before her in her floral bralette and cute floral panties, her cheeks red.
She chuckled. "Panties on three?" she suggested. Mika looked puzzled for a moment, then grinned at her. "One, two, three." Both dropped their panties to the floor. Another "One, two, three," and Mika had lifted her bralette over her head, while Lauren was still unfastening her clasp.
Mika laughed at her struggle, and moved to help, but the clasp came free, and Mika's eyes widened. Then she turned and climbed into the bath, Lauren following suit a moment later to sit across from her. With their knees raised, they both fitted comfortably into the bath. The level rose, but the bath was still far from full, so Mika ran more water, until Lauren's breasts were barely submerged. She noticed that Mika seemed fascinated by the sight. Her eyes tracked the ripples that they made every time she moved.
She found the view of Mika as sexy as hell. Her small, high breasts didn't really float or cause ripples, but her nipples peeked out above the water every time she moved.
Legs intertwined, they relaxed in the warmth. After what must have been about half an hour, Mika added a little more foaming oil to get the bubbles a little higher. This had the side effect of leaving two small gaps in the bubbles where the ripples from Lauren's breasts kept bubbles from forming. Mika clearly found the view amusing.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" Lauren asked.
"You know I am," said Mika. "But I think they're missing something."
Lauren knew there was mischief afoot, but she didn't know what form it would take. "What's that?" she asked.
Her girlfriend's legs moved from hers as Mika rose onto her knees, moving forward. "Me, between them," she said, curling her body further over Lauren's, her lips moving to hers. Mika's breasts pointed down from her narrow chest, giving the lie to her frequent protestations that they were too small to notice. Lauren didn't have long enough to admire them before Mika's hand found the small of her back, lifting her body to meet Mika's.
She floated upward as Mika's lips met hers, supported by her elbows and Mika's hands on her back. Her breasts broke the surface as they began to kiss, which was probably her girlfriend's goal.
Confirming this notion, Mika left one hand supporting Lauren's back while the other wrapped around a breast, sliding against the smooth wet skin as she caressed it. Her belly pressed against Lauren's sex, and she moved as she kissed Lauren's lips, the kiss together with the intimate closeness feeding the tingling in Lauren's belly. Lauren felt herself relax in her girlfriend's hold, her legs weightless on either side of Mika's hips.
After a time, Mika returned her hand to Lauren's back, using her hold to slide Lauren's floating body against her own. Lauren's breasts were compressed by Mika's chest, giving a wanton appearance as they rolled with the movement of her body. Her pussy continued to slide against Mika's body, building a warmth greater than that of the water surrounding her.
When Mika drew back, Lauren missed the contact of her body intensely. Mika looked down, grinning at her erect nipples emerging from the bubbles surrounding them. Then she curled forward until her mouth took in a nipple, sucking it deep, and the flare of arousal within Lauren banished any sense of loss. Relaxing in the warmth of the water that supported her felt almost like a void of feeling. Mika's tongue and teeth painted on that blank canvas, spikes of sensation shooting into her body. She felt her clit pushing outward as sparks of excitement reached it.
Then those sparks were more direct as Mika's mouth moved lower, covering her clit directly, suckling it in the water that surrounded it. The feeling was like nothing Lauren could recall, focused euphoria in a null space. She moaned softly, then not so softly as the feelings continued to build.
Mika didn't allow her to overload on the sensation. When Lauren felt her body beginning to tense, Mika moved from her clit, lifting her body enough to kiss her navel and draw her teeth over her belly, creating more lines on the canvas of her body, before closing her mouth on Lauren's other nipple, flicking her tongue against it and tugging with her teeth. Lauren groaned, losing herself to her growing need.
She wanted to encourage her lover, to tell her how incredible she was making her feel, but she wasn't sure that she could speak, and she didn't want to disturb Mika's creative magic, so she remained wordless, the small moans of passion all she could manage as Mika sucked both nipples into a firmness so sensitive they prickled.
Then her mouth was on her clit again, fusing all of Mika's work into a core of passion. She felt Mika drive her desire to a peak, and then take it yet higher, until the need within her erupted, her body thrashing and splashing as her lover's tongue continued to caress her, not letting go until her climax had finally run its course and awareness returned to her.
"Mika..." she finally managed to croak. "Oh, my God."
Her girlfriend's smile seemed both cocky and shy at the same time.
Mika's towels were huge, soft, and surprisingly warm. Lauren towelled off quickly, then knotted the towel around herself and insisted on helping Mika dry. Unnecessary but fun. When Mika eventually managed to avoid her groping hands, she also wrapped her towel around herself, and sat on the side of the bath, Lauren beside her.
"It's fortunate we had the floor tiled when we had the bath installed," said Mika. "It's going to take a day to dry."
"To be fair, I didn't have a lot of control at the time," Lauren said. "You made me come pretty hard, there. It's not surprising I splashed a little."
Mika smiled, her cheeks pink, though a lot of that might be the heat from taking a bath. "Will you stay the night?"
Her tone seemed casual, but Lauren sensed the nervousness behind her words. "Are you sure?" she asked. "You wanted to use my place to be close."
"I did," Mika agreed, "but I really want to be with you. The bath was fine. My bed will be."
"I didn't bring my business clothes," Lauren objected. "I'll need to leave early to dress for work. That's okay, though, if you're sure."
"I'm sure," Mika said. "I want to sit with you on the couch and drink tea. Listen to music, or watch TV. I want to do girlfriend things with you. And then I want to go to bed with you and do other girlfriend things."
"Oh, those girlfriend things," Lauren said. "It might be worth sticking around for those."
Mika rolled her eyes. She moved over to the door, then spread her towel out on the floor, allowing her to leave without walking over the wet tiles. She dressed in panties and her new robe, which was a deep red with a design of a flower cart and large white and pink flowers. Lauren did the same, standing on the towel to change. Then she stepped back into the center of the bathroom to see her reflection.
"This is the first time I've worn the robe. It looks even better than I expected," she said. The hem was just above her knee, and the fabric felt light and sensual against her skin.
With nothing but panties beneath it, Mika's robe seemed doubly attractive.
The most watchable show was a late episode of a multipart British drama and was already ten minutes in, so they decided to leave the TV off.
Instead, they drank tea on the couch. Lauren told Mika the full story of Rachel's attempt to make a pass at her on New Year's Eve, and how embarrassed Rachel had been at work afterward.
"If not for me, would you have gone home with her?" Mika asked.
Lauren thought for a few moments before shaking her head. "No, I don't think so. I don't do one night stands, and she's not someone I could build a relationship with, even if I didn't work with her. My party days were in college. Rachel is still a party girl."
"Did you date at all after the woman you lived with?" Mika asked.
Lauren shook her head again. "I had two first dates that led to nothing. She made me realize that I needed to avoid getting too close to a woman I didn't already feel a bond with. When I met you, I felt that there was a possibility of a connection that I'd never had with any girlfriend. I feel that now more than ever."
"What was it that made you think that?" Mika asked. "How do you recognize that you want to get to know someone before you get to know them?"
"I think it was when you brought me tea," Lauren said. "The setting was perfect. Outdoors in the fall. You were reserved but friendly, considerate but strong, elegant in a cutesy tee shirt, hot pink socks and jeans, and so pretty that you seemed to fit naturally with the golden leaves."
"You're just trying to make me blush now," Mika said. "Though you've clearly given the day some thought."
Lauren sipped her cooling tea, looking over the rim at Mika. "I think I'm succeeding in making you blush," she said. "But yes, I've thought about the question. In the last couple of years, how many potential relationships have I avoided because I didn't recognize the possibility of being with a woman whom I didn't yet know? But that afternoon I felt that I'd seen enough to recognize that I wanted to get to know you. Meanwhile," she winked at Mika, "turns out you just like my D-cups. Which is awesome, because if I'd had to be as sophisticated as you, I'd have gotten nowhere."
"Your complete misrepresentation of my attraction to your body only serves to demonstrate how shallow you are," Mika said, primly. "But I don't care, because you have boobs."
Lauren snorted, barely managing to set her tea down before coughing. Mika reached across and patted her on the back. When she'd cleared her throat, she said, "See, you and I are perfectly matched."
A distant look crossed her girlfriend's features. Lauren winced inwardly. That was an insensitive comment. But the look was fleeting, and Mika returned a soft smile. "We do seem to be," she said. She held her hand out to Lauren. "Shall we go to bed?"
In the bedroom, Mika released Lauren's hand and crossed to a dresser, taking a headscarf from one drawer. Lauren frowned, her thoughts going to its possible use in bedroom activities, both relieved and saddened when she draped the cloth over the marble bust of Nicole.
"I don't ascribe magical or spiritual powers to the sculpture," Mika said softly. "The stone isn't watching us, and I'm not betraying Nicole by having it in the room, but it feels strange to have her face sharing the room with us. I should move it to the studio, but it's too heavy to move alone."
Lauren squeezed her shoulder. "Are you sure you're okay, honey?" she asked.
When Mika turned to her, she saw that her eyes were glistening, but she nodded her head. "You're going to need to stop asking me that, love," she said. "I appreciate how sensitive you've been to my distress, but I want you to believe that if I'm hurting, I'll let you know." She reached out to loosen the belt of Lauren's robe. "And right now, it isn't distress I'm feeling."
Taking Mika's face in her hands, Lauren brought it to her own, their kiss tender as Mika unfastened the belt, but becoming more intense when she parted her robe and cupped her breasts. As her girlfriend closed her palms around her nipples, Lauren opened her red robe, sliding it over her shoulders. Mika allowed it to fall to the floor, leaving her standing in just her panties, while Lauren slipped off her robe, laying it carefully over the back of a chair, then picking up Mika's and draping it over the chair.
Taking her hand, Mika led her to the bed, stepping out of her underwear before lying on top of the covers. Lauren dropped her panties, then covered her lover's body with her own, fitting her thigh between Mika's.
They moved together, slowly. Lauren was more interested in the passion of their kiss than the friction of their bodies, and Mika's passion seemed to grow with her own. Her tongue danced with Lauren's, her teeth occasionally nipping Lauren's lower lip as their bodies slowly rocked together, Mika's hard nipples pressing into her breasts.
Moaning softly into the kiss, Mika brought her hands up to Lauren's ass, kneading her muscles, dragging her closer, clearly wanting more. It was time to give her what she needed.
Gripping Mika's hips, she held her body firmly against her own, then quickly rolled them over, her girlfriend ending up on top of her, her thighs between Lauren's. Mika's face clouded for a moment, as her mouth was disconnected from Lauren's, but her eyes widened when Lauren wrapped her legs around her and began to use her hold on her hips to grind their bodies together. Lauren felt the short, damp fuzz of Mika's pussy against her own, the pressure of her mound against her ramping up her own arousal, especially when Mika's hips began to move, amplifying her motion.
They settled into a moderate rhythm. Both women began to pant, Mika making soft "ah!" sounds with each breath. Her eyes seemed to lose their focus as the sounds she made became louder, but her hands came up to grip Lauren's breasts, thumbs absently rolling her nipples.
Picking up the pace further, Lauren thrust against her lover. Mika's body, seeming to be on autopilot, responded, matching her rhythm. Lifting her face, Lauren caught Mika's mouth with her own. Their kiss was electric from the moment her tongue penetrated Mika's lips. Mika groaned into the kiss, her breathing rapid, but broke away after a minute, turning her face to the side as she gasped. Lauren pressed her face to the base of Mika's neck, suckling the skin and pressing her teeth to her.
Mika's hips slammed into her as she cried out, then began writhing against Lauren, who felt her body twitching in climax. Lauren ground her sex against her until she felt herself reach the place where her muscles tensed in anticipation, then released her own cry as her climax erupted.
Her sex was still sending waves of pulsing pleasure into her when she felt Mika's body relax. She lowered her girlfriend onto her body, caressing her back, aftershocks still rippling through her. She kissed the place on her neck that she'd suckled, her cheeks tensing in a wry expression as she realized there was a red mark. She would have to apologize for that.
Mika murmured something she didn't catch. When Lauren asked what she'd said, she was silent for a moment before saying, "Just how much I like making love with you." Lauren didn't think that had been quite what she'd heard, but she let the comment pass.
"You know, I didn't bring my PJs, either," Lauren said. "I have a tee shirt and shorts in my bag. Should I wear those?"
"I don't mind if we sleep naked," Mika said. "I like to feel your body against me."
"Alright then," Lauren said, sliding off her. "I'm ready to sleep now. You wore me out."
"Me too," said Mika.
Leaving in the morning was awkward in a way that Lauren hadn't considered. If she just dressed and left it would feel like a one night stand. It was anything but that.
So after she'd recovered her panties from the floor and her shorts and tee shirt from her bag, she woke Mika.
"What is it, love?" her girlfriend asked, once she'd become conscious.
"I need to go," she said. "I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye. I'll text you."
"Alright, I'll come to the door with you," said Mika, sleepily.
Naked, she followed Lauren through the house, turning her for a kiss before she left.
Lauren's hands explored her lover's nude body as they kissed, her arousal climbing. Finally she stepped back. "God, I wish we could..." she said. "I'm going to be pressed for time as it is. And, uh, you may need to wear a scarf for a couple of days. Sorry about that."
Mika frowned, then touched her neck where Lauren's mouth had been. "Naughty girl," she said. She yawned. "It was worth it."
On the following Tuesday, Lauren invited both Mika and Mandy for dinner. She knew they'd said hello to each other in passing, but she was close to both, and she was sure that encouraging friendship between them wouldn't risk their landlord / tenant relationship.
Mika showed up first, in impossibly tight jeans and fleecy boots, which she immediately stepped out of. Since Lauren didn't have guest slippers - she'd need to remedy that - her girlfriend entered the house in the bright pink socks Mika had seen at their first meeting. When she took off her coat, though, she wasn't wearing the fox tee shirt.
"Hah!" Lauren exclaimed. "Great minds think alike." She turned to show Mika that she was wearing the boobies tee shirt, while Mika was, of course, in her small tits shirt. With an attractive neck scarf hiding her hickey.
Mandy arrived a few minutes later, also in wooly socks and jeans, with a lemon blouse. She had dark blonde curls, a small nose and grey-blue eyes that had once inspired passion in Lauren, but now inspired warmth and familiarity. Her eyes immediately took in Lauren's and Mika's tee shirts, and she snorted. "Oh, God, you two. Way to make a girl feel like a third wheel without saying a word." She thumped a bottle of wine down onto the table, and gave Lauren a hug, before holding her hand out to Mika. "Nice to meet you officially, Ms. Landlady."
"Mika," said Lauren's girlfriend. "I feel like I know you already."
"She knows you," Lauren interjected, "because I had to convince her we weren't having a snogfest in your apartment. Flat, I mean," she said, winking at Mika.
"A... what?" asked Mandy.
"It was a joke," Mika said. "I did not think you two were having an affair."
"An affair?" Mandy was wide-eyed. "You couldn't pay me to sleep with Lauren!" Then she frowned at her friend. "Well, I guess you could pay me, but the question is how much, and who would want to?"
"Dinner's nothing special," said Lauren. "I knew I wouldn't have time to cook, so I threw everything into the crockpot this morning. It's just a winter stew. You didn't turn vegetarian again, right?" She directed the question at Many.
"Not since Jen and I called it quits," she said. "It wasn't a bad option, but I got out of that relationship craving meat. And sex." She turned to Mika and raised an eyebrow. "Maybe I shouldn't say that part if you think Lauren and me might be having a ... snogfest? on the sly? That sounds very... Austin Powers, right?"
"Oh God, don't even mention that film," said Mika, "and I don't think that at all."
Lauren had opened and poured the wine. She handed a glass to each of them, then waved them to the table. "She's certainly not going to think it when you get settled in, is she? Hint, Mika, Mandy doesn't have fifty cousins, all hot and about her own age. If she tries to tell you that, suspect shenanigans."
"I can't help being popular with the ladies," Mandy said. "I'll talk to you about modifying the lease if one persuades me to let her move in," she added, to Mika. "It's happened before. But I'm not going vegetarian for her, however good she is in bed."
Mika and Mandy both seemed to enjoy the stew. Afterward, the three sat on the couch with the remaining wine, considering what movie to watch. When Mika saw that the new Wallace and Gromit movie had been released, her eyes lit up. It turned out that Mandy also had enjoyed watching earlier movies in the series. Lauren had never seen one, but was happy to let the consensus decide, and though she was puzzled by some of the events the other two women laughed over, it was still a funny movie. She promised to watch the earlier installments with Mika at some point.
When Mandy left, they agreed to repeat the experience soon, with more wine and taxis. Or maybe at Mandy's place, where none of them would need to travel, if Lauren agreed to cook.
"I like her," said Mika, after Mandy had left. "She's very... open, isn't she?"
"I think it's because she's an ex and a best friend," said Lauren. "She and I have no secrets and no shame with each other. Even with a close friend you might tend to be a little coy and a little flirty. She and I are well past that, and you get the blunt treatment by virtue of being my girlfriend. So yeah, I don't see why the three of us can't be good friends. She'll probably succumb to wanderlust in a year or two. She still wants to see the world."
"I respect that," said Mika. Then she added, "Is it time for me to leave, too?"
"Oh, hell, no," said Lauren. "I have a magic trick I want to show you. Come with me."
Mika gave her a puzzled look, narrowing her eyes as she recognized the route to Lauren's bedroom. "I think I'm going to like this magic trick?" she said, her tone speculative.
"Maybe," Lauren conceded. She took the hem of Mika's shirt and began to pull it up. "See, what happens if I remove 'small British tits'?" She pulled the shirt over Mika's head, her girlfriend willingly raising her arms for her. "What am I left with?"
"Oh God." Mika laughed. "Small British tits. But I can do better. If I take off 'boobies,' what do I get?" She yanked Lauren's tee shirt up and off.
"A bra?" Lauren offered.
"Not for long," Mika said, stepping close.
As January progressed, Mika contacted Lauren less often, and was less enthusiastic about going on dates. Movie night was the last time they'd slept together. It was disappointing, but not surprising. Lauren was fairly sure she knew the reason, and that they would get past it. If Mika needed space she would give it to her.
She was surprised when Mika invited her to an art gallery, and of course she agreed.
Mika was quiet, but not withdrawn. The gallery was a showing of multiple students. Some of the work Lauren felt she could relate to, and some she found alien. Mika found an entirely different set of work interesting. Lauren wasn't sure if she'd ever come to appreciate most of them, but after Mika's explanations, she felt she understood a little about why Mika did. Especially the sculptures.
When they were sitting with coffee, Mika admitted the reason for the invite.
"I would have asked you to come to the park with me again," she said. "I wanted to see you in a neutral location. Somewhere private, but not intimate. But today's high isn't going to hit freezing, and I didn't think either of us would want to suffer that."
"Yeah, I agree," Lauren replied, apprehensively. "So, what's up?"
"I'm sorry I've been absent the last few days," Mika said. "On the seventh... the seventh of February..." She had to stop to clear her throat. "It will be the fifth anniversary of Nicole's accident. Every year has been hard. This one, I think, won't be as bad as the others were, largely because you've made my life brighter, but I can't just turn off grieving about what happened, especially on the seventh, and I'm dreading it."
"Honey, I'll understand completely if you say no, but would you like me to stay with you on that day?"
Mika frowned in surprise, as if the idea hadn't even occurred to her. "I... think I would," she said. "Can you? It's Friday. And I will absolutely not be up for having sex, or any kind of intimacy."
"Hugs, maybe?" Lauren suggested.
"Oh yeah, hugs. Hugs I think will help keep me tethered. You do understand, don't you?"
"I think I do, honey," Lauren said. "And what I don't understand doesn't matter. I'm not going through your grief process, so I'll follow your lead. If you want a hug, you can have one. If you need me to fuck off, I'll fuck off."
Mika let out a weak chuckle. "I don't think I'll tell you to fuck off," she said. "Uhh... would you like to come with me on St. Valentine's? I always visit her grave. I visit her parents and then drive to the cemetery. I could leave you with them."
"Sure, Mika," said Lauren. She grinned. "This is why it made sense for me to work after Christmas. I have plenty of time accrued."
"That, and showing me your stockings," Mika replied, with a slight grin. "Intimacy might not be high on my list of desires right now, but I want to tell you, that was hot. I'll make the travel arrangements, and I'll be paying for both of us."
"Are you sure?" Lauren asked.
"This is my... uh, pilgrimage, and it would make me very happy to have you with me, so yes," Mika said. "I speak to her. At the grave, I mean. I don't know if she hears me, but it helps me to believe that she does. It helps me to cope. I share my worries and my joys with her. There haven't been so many joys, but telling her my worries helps me not feel like they're building up inside me. It's like writing a diary. Or a love letter, I suppose
"It won't be easy, I think, but this year I'm going to tell her about you."
"Oh, honey..." Lauren took her hand, then released it as she realized her own eyes had filled with tears. She took a tissue from her purse, holding onto it after dabbing at her eyes, and reaching for Mika's hand again. "I knew about the time of year. I thought you'd want to put our relationship on pause. I wasn't worried about the long term, but I know I will need to give you space. For you to include me makes me very happy."
"You're part of my life now," said Mika. "You're right, I need a pause, but only for sex, while my feelings are so grim. I still want to be with you." She gave Lauren's hand a quick squeeze. "After Valentine's Day I'm sure I'll want to make up for lost time. Maybe you can take some more PTO so we can spend a few days in bed."
"I always like the way you think," said Lauren. "Maybe we could go away for a couple of days. We won't think about that until after Valentine's, though."
The seventh of February hadn't been as hard as Lauren had feared. She'd moved some clothes and toiletries into Mika's house, sharing her bed, if chastely, on Thursday night, holding her during the day, when tears threatened, and in the evening when they finally overflowed. She had slept with her again on Friday night, and every night after, checking every day that Mika wanted her there, until the thirteenth arrived.
Mika set up the automated cat feeder for the Admiral, checked her water, then petted her for a few minutes before leaving. Mandy had agreed to check on the cat every day.
Lauren had effectively moved in with her, which she wasn't entirely comfortable with. She planned to start sleeping at her own place after this trip. Living together was something she felt they would want in the future, but it needed to be a decision made together, not a response to a difficult situation. While Mika wanted her as a bed warmer, she'd be there for her. In the medium term, they'd need to talk.
Lauren drove them to the airport, parking the Lexus there. Mika had arranged for a rental and a hotel at their destination. After checking with Lauren, she'd selected a room with a king-size bed. If they'd been able to share Mika's bed platonically for the last week, they could do the same traveling.
After checking in, they drove around the city, eating dinner at a restaurant on the bay. "Maybe this is where we can come for our trip," Mika said.
"What trip?" asked Lauren.
"The one you suggested we take together."
"Oh, right. Maybe," Lauren agreed. "Yeah, that would be good. Though I was thinking about finding a house in the mountains, all to ourselves. Away from everything, maybe with a chance of being snowed in, though all I really care about is there's a comfortable bed we can get lost in. Maybe a hot tub."
"We do need some of that time together, true," said Mika. "The mountains sound nice, but so does a date on the waterfront. We should do both."
"That's the best idea," Lauren agreed.
The night brought restless sleep. At one point, Lauren woke to find the bed quivering. It took her a minute to realize that Mika was facing away, crying, clearly trying to suppress the sounds. Lauren crept towards her until she was close enough to rest a hand on her waist. A moment later, she felt Mika's hand wrap around hers. Mika stopped trying to be quiet, and that seemed to help; within five minutes her tears subsided. She rolled over, kissed Lauren's collar bone, then allowed Lauren to wrap her in her arms. Soon, she was asleep, Lauren following close behind.