Page 55 of Barging In

C lem rang the doorbell, her pulse quickening as she eagerly waited.

She hoped she’d given Victoria enough time to shower.

Impatience had won out, though, and she ultimately couldn’t stay away longer than thirty minutes to see her again.

A quick glance down at her tight chinos and baggy T-shirt made her wonder if going braless had been wise.

Either way, it was too late, and nothing could persuade Clem to put one on right after her shower.

When Victoria opened the door, Clem’s gaze dropped instantly to the navy-blue, ribbed vest top, which left no doubt she’d made the same choice. Her nipples strained against the fabric like ripe berries, making Clem’s mouth water at the thought of seeing them bare.

“Hellooo.” Victoria tilted her head with a knowing smile, pulling Clem’s gaze to her eyes.

Shit.

“Sorry. You’re a little distracting,” Clem said, opting for the honest route.

Victoria’s low, sultry chuckle made Clem’s body tingle and legs weaken. As she stepped inside, Victoria moved to block her path, slipping a hand around Clem’s side, fingers grazing the side of her breast.

Clem inhaled a sharp, quiet breath.

“You are a little distracting, too, you know,” she murmured, her thumb reaching around and rubbing Clem’s erect nipple.

Oh fuck . Her head reeled while her body threatened to melt into a puddle.

Victoria’s smile softened as she stepped closer. She smelled divine as usual.

Clem tried to inhale her scent, but her breath caught in her throat when Victoria’s lips found hers — soft, warm, achingly gentle.

In all the ways Clem had imagined tonight unfolding, having this happen before she’d even stepped fully inside hadn’t been one of them.

She hadn’t dared to dream it. Ending the evening with a single extra kiss would have satisfied her.

To have her nipple teased on the doorstep and to be kissed like that, with such hunger and tenderness, made her heart pound hard. It wasn’t only desire; it was promise.

Victoria drew back. “Come through to the kitchen,” she said casually, as if she hadn’t just kissed Clem’s face off and robbed her legs of strength. Clem slipped off her shoes, drawing deep breaths as she steadied herself against the wall.

“Is red, okay?” Victoria asked, lifting the lid on a pan of bubbling spaghetti to check it. “I just opened a bottle for the bolognese.”

“Yes, thanks,” Clem answered as she entered.

Victoria filled a glass with deep, plummy wine and slid it across the worktop to Clem as she settled onto her usual stool. She’d been to Victoria’s house often enough over the last few months to feel at home — though tonight, she hoped it would be all personal, no business.

“I think we could call that a successful day,” Victoria said, taking a sip of wine.

Okay, maybe some business, then.

“Max texted to say he sold out, and I know the café did, too,” Clem said, lifting her glass to mirror Victoria’s. “Those actors you hired really added to the whole atmosphere. I listened to one telling a group of horrified children about her long working hours and how much pay she got.”

“Yes, they were excellent. Oh, that reminds me: The theatre company asked if they could hire the courtyard for some plays next year.”

“Seriously? That paid off then! How much do we charge for courtyard rental?”

Victoria’s lips pressed together as she gave Clem a blank look. “I’d better work that out. Museum tours are booked solid for the next two months, too.”

“Brilliant.”

“You are,” Victoria said, clinking her glass against Clem’s and making her blush. “None of this would have happened without you. We wouldn’t have the Otterford Cider Press or cake worth queueing for in the café.”

“Emma’s been doing a great job,” Clem said, ignoring the compliment. “The winter menu she’s pulling together looks delicious.”

“It is. I’m so glad I took a punt on her and that Christine resigned. I was furious with her at the time for leaving me in the lurch, but I can’t imagine how today would’ve gone with her running the café.”

“Just think: If Christine hadn’t resigned, you wouldn’t have needed me. We might never have spoken again.”

Victoria grinned as she stirred a steaming saucepan of bolognese. “I think our paths would’ve crossed eventually.”

“True. You never could resist my lemon drizzle. You’d have been back, queuing at my hatch.”

“Says she who was always gazing out her window in my direction.”

“My sink looks straight out onto your office window. I couldn’t help it,” Clem protested playfully. “And anyway, who could resist staring at a beautiful woman instead of a sink full of dirty mixing bowls?”

“Oh, well, I see. When you put it like that, I suppose you’re welcome .” Victoria winked, then drained the spaghetti. “Let’s eat.”

“I’m ravenous. It’s been a long day,” Clem said, taking their glasses over to the table.

“It has, but a genius idea of yours, despite all the work.”

Once they’d eaten, they moved to the sitting room, where the large windows welcomed the last of the evening light.

Clem sat in what had become her usual spot on the sofa in the spacious room.

The teal décor was bold but created a cosy feeling, as did the yellow cushions and throws.

A sleek, modern cast-iron stove sat neatly in the brickwork of the original hearth, more for style than for warmth in the summer months.

Victoria settled in beside her. This time, thankfully, there was no laptop or spreadsheets to review.

“You didn’t say earlier how you felt about your parents showing up like they did,” Clem said, taking a sip of wine before placing her glass down on the coffee table.

Victoria shrugged, tucking her legs beneath her.

“I suppose I’m glad they came and explained, but it doesn’t really heal the wound, does it?

Parents should support you. If they couldn’t, then I understand why they distanced themselves from me.

If they’d carried on as they were, I’d have done the same to them. I think I was beginning to.”

“Maybe they sensed you were,” Clem offered.

“Perhaps. We’ll see how things develop.”

Clem smiled softly. “You’ve got a way with broken things. Giving them a new life.”

Victoria arched an eyebrow. “Yes. Buildings.”

Clem shrugged and stroked the back of Victoria’s hand. “You apply your skills in other areas, too. Take my body, for example; it’s very broken after today.”

“Then you should rest it,” Victoria suggested, with a teasing glint in her eye. “Or… do you need fixing?”

“Well, if you know a way to revive it…”

“I do actually. You’re drinking it.”

“Hmm,” Clem hummed, “it’s helped a little.”

“In that case, maybe I should try another tactic,” Victoria said, shuffling closer and cupping Clem’s cheek.

She met Victoria halfway, kissing her first. She would never tire of her lips, the feel of her insistent tongue against hers.

“Does that help?” Victoria asked, pulling back.

“Yes. It’s definitely making me feel something,” Clem answered, finding the room spinning a little.

“Same,” Victoria purred.

Her mouth was suddenly eager again, stoking heat low in Clem’s body. Their hands roamed freely as they shed every last inhibition — tugging, pressing, stroking.

Clem sank back into the corner of the sofa, steered there as Victoria straddled her. She was smouldering, alive after what must have been years being dormant. Clem couldn’t believe how lucky she was to be the one receiving the affections of this coiled spring as it sprang open.

“I thought we were going to talk,” Clem said, suddenly concerned they might have missed a step. Things were heating up a little more than she had expected — not that she was complaining.

Victoria pulled back and looked her in the eye. “Do you prefer to talk?”

Clem pretended to give the question some thought. “Nope.”

“Good. My lips… are showing you… everything… I wanted… to say,” Victoria muttered between kisses along Clem’s neck. “In short, that I want you.”

“I want you, too, Vic. You’re so beautiful, in every way.”

Her words seemed to light a fresh fire under Victoria, who scrabbled under Clem’s T-shirt.

Clem pulled it over her head, revealing her bare breasts as Victoria mirrored her.

They sat for a moment, taking in each other’s flesh before Victoria leaned in to stroke and caress breasts.

Being eyed so hungrily and touched so lovingly made her body tingle.

“Shall we take this upstairs?” Victoria suggested, her tone tinged with hesitation.

“I thought you’d never ask,” Clem replied, hoping to reassure her she wanted this just as much.

Victoria climbed off Clem and took her hand, leading her to the bedroom. She paused as they entered, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face.

“Are you okay?” Clem asked, stepping closer.

“Yes, erm.” Victoria swallowed. “Just a touch nervous.”

“I won’t tell you not to be, but I will give you every reason not to,” Clem said softly, her pounding heart betraying her own nerves. “You’re safe. We’re safe together.”

She stepped closer, gently stroked Victoria’s back with her fingers, and kissed her shoulder.

The goosebumps rising on Victoria’s skin spurred Clem to lightly touch her breast. Victoria’s head rolled back in pleasure, nerves seemingly forgotten; Clem grasped it more firmly, teasing her nipple between her thumb and forefinger as she kissed her neck.

Victoria moaned. “Can we lie down?”

“Of course. Whatever you want,” Clem replied, stepping back to let Victoria lead.

She walked around to the far side of the bed and switched on a bedside lamp, filling the room with a warm, soft glow.

Clem waited for her to settle in before lying down beside her.

She admired how Victoria’s hair fell around her face, just skimming the top of her breasts.

It was noticeably longer than it had been when they first met.

Clem brushed it back, letting her fingers trail over her soft, full, perfect breasts.