"Oh, baby," Denny gasped, her nipple tugged between two fingers. "Oh, yes."
Rachel wanted to taste and feel every part of this wonderful woman's body, a woman who had made her feel, both physically and emotionally, when no one had ever been able to do that before. She wanted so badly to return the favor and tell Denny what words couldn't express.
The feel of Denny's skin was incredible, softer and more wonderful than Rachel ever fantasized it would be. She used her mouth and hands to explore, making the brunette shiver when she ran her nails over the inside of one thigh. The heat that was pouring from Denny was incredible, and it drew the blonde in, her hand feeling the slick insides of her thighs.
Denny gasped, not expecting to feel Rachel's fingers flitting dangerously close to her sex. Her clit jumped in anticipation. "Please touch me, Rachel. Oh, god, I need you to touch me."
Rachel was surprised by the desperate plea in the brunette's voice. She kissed her, slow and sensual, seducing her all over again, even as her fingers began to trail through the dark patch of hair, which was saturated by Denny's need. Her fingers pushed passed the swollen lips of Denny's sex, suddenly engulfed in a liquid inferno.
"Ohh," she breathed, feeling her own arousal rise once again. "God, you're so wet, Denny. Feels so good."
Denny couldn't respond to the words that had been whispered against her mouth, her legs spreading and hips beginning to move with the rhythm Rachel set. She reached down, guiding the blonde inside her, both moaning at the sensation. Denny grabbed the back of Rachel's head, holding their mouths together as Rachel thrust into her. Soon the brunette was breathing too hard to kiss, but Rachel stayed with her, their panting mingling as Denny neared her release. She cried out with a gasp, thighs closing in around Rachel's hand.
Rachel felt a sense of wonder and awe flow through her as she watched Denny's face as she climaxed, eyes squeezed tightly shut, mouth open in an almost pleasure/pain grimace, every muscle in her body straining. She peppered kisses all along her face and neck, brushing damp hair away from her face.
"You are so unbelievably beautiful," she whispered, kissing her softly on the lips. Denny returned the kiss as best she could, her entire being seeming to have seeped out with her pleasure. She had just enough strength left to pull Rachel to her, cradling her head against her shoulder. Rachel wrapped an arm over the brunette's middle, her thigh nestling between Denny's. She needed to be as close as possible. "I love you, Denny. I really wanted to tell you that in LA. I just didn't know."
"Didn't know what?" the brunette asked, fingers playing with soft, blonde hair.
"How you felt. If what you felt on the island was real."
"Yes, it was very real. I wanted to tell you the same thing. I felt like so much of me was missing when I watched you get into the plane and fly out of my life." Denny met Rachel's gaze as the blonde propped her head up on a hand. She traced the brunette's facial features with a finger.
"It tore me apart. I've been so lost." Blonde brows drew as she remembered.
"I love you, Rachel. Always have."
The author smiled, feeling like her entire world had clicked into place. "We have a lot to talk about, don't we?"
"Yeah. We do." Denny leaned up, placing a soft kiss on waiting lips. "I can't lose you again, Rachel," she said, shaking her head. "I denied myself for too long out of some sense of guilt. When I got back to Hannah," she sighed, marveling at how amazingly right it felt to be in Rachel's bed. "it was wrong. From the very start, it was wrong. She tried, and I know I hurt her, but I knew that it just wasn't her anymore. I fell in love with you on that island, but I tried to deny that, knew I had to move on with my life. The funny thing is," she chuckled ruefully, "it had moved on without me."
"I'm sorry, Denny," Rachel whispered, seeing old hurts still reflected in those blue eyes.
"Don't be. It's over. It's all over. I'm right where I want to be."
"Do you? Want to be here? With me?"
Denny smiled, reaching up to cup Rachel's face, nodding slightly. "Very much so. You're the part of me I left on that island. I finally feel whole again."
Rachel blew out a small cry, taking Denny into an almost painful hug. "I need you, Denny. God, I need you."
"I'm here, baby. I'm not going anywhere."
The tree was decorated, the lights lit. The rain had finally stopped, though it was still cold. The house smelled of turkey and freshly baked bread. Laughter filled the living room, gifts opened by the fire.
Rachel sat against the corner of the couch, where the back and arm met, Denny tucked between her legs. The author had an arm wrapped lightly over her stomach. They watched as Rachel's nephews opened their gifts from their aunts, Rachel and Denny. The blonde rested her chin against the top of Denny's head, contentment making her spine tingle. Never had she knew happiness and love like she did that Christmas, her two sisters and their families deciding to go to their house this year. Reenie had flown in two days ago to share in the joyous holiday spirit. Life was good.
They'd decided to move into Denny's house in Hermiston, saving Rachel's Seaside home for weekend getaways. Denny still managed the bookstore, loving every moment of it. Rachel had even held a book signing there. Denny's raise that year reflected the owner's gratitude.
Tracy was laughing as her new boyfriend, Taylor, was trying to keep up with Luke's sign language lesson. The man's hands waved less than gracefully as he tired to mimic the boy, Pam chuckling in the corner, where she was waiting on the pies to finish baking.
It had been a crazy year, but the veterinarian had never had such a productive one. Her house was decorated just perfect, and she was finally situated in a small animal clinic just outside their small town. She even had her eye on a man who's Great Dane was a patient of hers. She watched her grandson grow more every single day, and often wondered just what drug she'd been on, not wanting to be part of that. And knowing the true, pure acceptance and love of her daughter was a greater Christmas gift than the snowblower outside with the red bow wrapped around it. She knew Tracy had no ideas she'd seen it, but she had, and was forever appreciative for the chance she'd gotten, the second chance she'd gotten. She'd never blow it again.
The kids had made out good, new clothes and stereos and them crazy little MP3 players that Michael would never understand. Good thing for the helpful lady at the store or he'd still be standing there, trying to figure out just what in hell Conrad had been going on and on about.
He stood back, a smile of pride on his face as he watched his three kids, and Alan's new wife, all comparing what they'd gotten, trying to swap maybe a little less desirable gifts with the others. It was a good thing, a real, real good thing. Michael Dupree was a happy man. There was only one thing missing.
The big Texan glanced up out the window into the clear, Texas sky. He saw a star wink at him, and could swear he heard the laughter of his Melissa.
Dean never thought he'd see the day that he and Will would leave the city, but they had, and it was a wonderful move. Warwick was a wonderful place, and Keller and Garrison had been more than helpful in leading them toward good real estate, and giving them an instant social circle. The gals and the attorney got along famously, just as Will knew they would.
He sat across from Parker, watching as the seventeen year old kicked his butt at a friendly game of chess. She was smart, and oozed a certain charm that made Dean want to lay down his queen to her. They'd all just come back in from a brutal snowball fight, and the attorney was still trying to unthaw. He watched as Will walked toward him, mischief in his eyes.
Holding up a small sprig of mistletoe over is head, Will leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Dean's lips.
"Merry Christmas, baby," he whispered. Dean smiled.
"Merry Christmas."
Milan was such a wonderful place, and Mia would never forget her trip there for Christmas. She was surrounded by every family member she'd ever heard about, plus some! They just seemed to come out of the woodwork to spend the holiday with their American family.
She'd received her Christmas present from Denny and Rachel just before her and her mom had left for Italy- a plane ticket to go visit them. She was beside herself with anticipation, the trip set for after the new year, before classes started up again.
The teen glanced at her mother, who was enraptured by something one of the cousins was telling her, gray colored back to Gloria's former black wonder. She looked twenty years younger, and was so alive and full of life. Mia loved watching her mother come back to life since her return. From what her Nonna had said, Gloria had all but died when she thought her daughter was dead. Alive and well, that's what both of them were.
It was a good time, a real good time.
THE END.