Page 4 of Balancing Act
She tossed Jamie an apologetic smile. “Think of it as creative chaos.”
Jamie leaned against the desk, her fingers grazing the edge lightly as she turned to face her. “Creative chaos, huh?” she murmured, eyes flicking between her and the mess of scattered supplies.
Beth stepped closer to her, the hammering of her pulse in her ears like a drum. “Yeah. Creative chaos—a place where anythingis possible.” Her voice was soft as she held Jamie’s dark, intense gaze that, in that moment, made her feel unmoored.
Stop overthinking it, she told herself.Lean in and kiss her.She could feel the electricity in the air between them, crackling, waiting to ignite.
Jamie tilted her head, her lips curling into a faint, almost imperceptible smile as her eyes dropped to Beth’s mouth. “You’re thinking too hard,” she said quietly, teasing her.
“Is it that obvious?” Beth cringed at the nervous laugh that accompanied her words.
“Just a little.” Jamie’s voice dropped as she took a small step closer.
Beth hesitated as vulnerability warred with desire, but Jamie’s steadiness dissolved any of her remaining doubts. Tentatively, she reached out, her fingers grazing Jamie’s jawline before slipping into the soft cascade of her curls. Jamie’s sharp inhale thrilled her.
Any lingering hesitation between them dissipated, burned away as Beth finally closed the gap. The moment their lips met, a spark ignited, hot and immediate, like a match striking in the dark.
Jamie inhaled sharply, a quiet sigh slipping from her as her hands found Beth’s waist, her fingers curling against the fabric of her dress. The warmth of Jamie’s touch sent a ripple of electricity down her spine, and suddenly, nothing else existed.
Jamie was the first to break the kiss, and Beth found herself momentarily embarrassed at how desperately she had chased Jamie’s lips when she pulled back.
They stood there, breathing heavily, charged air buzzing around them. Jamie licked her lips, her eyes raking over Beth with a hunger that made Beth blush.
“See, that wasn’t so hard,” Jamie teased. “I’ve wanted to do that all night.”
Beth had, too. She’d felt such an immediate pull toward Jamie that she was at a complete loss for how to even begin to explain it.
Her hands found the lapels of Jamie’s jacket, and she pulled Jamie to her, pressing their bodies together.
“Me too, obviously.” Beth basked in the heat of Jamie’s body against her. Her smirk got lost in Jamie’s lips as she kissed her again—slower this time, wanting to really feel the press of Jamie’s lips on hers.
“So, that painting you wanted to show me...” Jamie shuddered as Beth’s lips moved on to the exposed skin of Jamie’s neck.
“There isn’t one,” she whispered. “I just wanted to get you alone.”
For a moment, nerves prickled at the edge of Beth’s excitement. This was the point of no return, but how Jamie looked at her—steady, sure—chased away any hesitation.
And then they were on each other again, kissing deep and desperate. The last of their restraint burned away as desire surged between them.
Beth’s hands clutched at Jamie as she tried to stay afloat, but it was a losing battle. She let herself get pulled under by the feeling of Jamie’s lips leaving hot kisses along her jawline, nipping slightly at the skin beneath her ear. It all feltso damn good.
She groaned in appreciation of Jamie’s movements, tilting her head to the side. God, she needed her.Now.
Stepping backward, Beth guided their bodies toward the small couch opposite the desk. Her fingers slipped beneath Jamie’s jacket, pushing it off her shoulders, hands eagerly working on the buttons of Jamie’s shirt. Confidence surged through her as she pressed on Jamie’s shoulders until she was seated on the couch before climbing onto her lap, straddlingher. Jamie’s hands slid up her thighs before encircling her waist, pulling her in as their lips crashed together again.
Every nerve in Beth’s body lit up. Kissing Jamie felt electric—a spark that spread through her veins and left her trembling with need. She broke the kiss just long enough to slide Jamie’s shirt off her shoulders, her hands exploring the lean muscles beneath. She had to be one of those CrossFit girls, with how the definition of her musculature was so pronounced.
She gasped as Jamie’s hand slipped into the front of her dress, her fingers tracing the curve of her breast. A low moan escaped her as Jamie’s thumb brushed her already-hardened nipple. The feeling was almost unbearable and completely intoxicating—Beth didn’t want to stop as she ground her hips against Jamie, desperate for more. The flick of Jamie’s tongue sent shivers down her spine as her body arched into the touch.
Oh fuck.The words looped in Beth’s mind like a mantra as Jamie’s fingers moved lower, brushing against her through her underwear, teasing, deliberate. Jamie was in control. Beth couldn’t remember the last time she’d let herself feel this unguarded, this raw.
“Is this what you want?” Jamie’s voice was low, breath hot against her ear as Beth pushed her hips forward, desperately chasing Jamie’s touch. She needed more.
Jamie traced slow, maddening circles over her center, enough to make Beth tremble but insufficient to satisfy. “You want me to touch you so badly, don’t you?” she teased, her tone dripping with confidence.
Beth nodded feverishly, her nails digging into Jamie’s shoulders. “Yes,” she whined. She could barely think, but she didn’t have to. Desperate for more, her body spoke for her, her hips moving instinctively against Jamie’s hand.
“You want me to fuck you like this,” Jamie murmured, dark eyes full of intent as her fingers pressed against Beth’s clit, thefabric barrier still in place. Her entire body jolted at the contact, and even Beth could feel how wet she was.