Page 27

Geeta was wide, nerve-jangling, awake. The alarm clock blared far too early, and she couldn't believe it wasn't the middle of the night. Then visions of Nicola Albright in bed flooded her brain, her body tumbled into sensory assault, and she lay helpless as an exquisite quiver travelled from head to curling toes.

She cycled to work to clear her mind, racing along the meadows and riverbank into central Oxford. Except it kept happening while she sat at her desk. Every few seconds, her thoughts wandered and always to the same place. In bed, touching Nicola’s soft, warm pearl, and watching her expression when she came – the arched back, mouth taut and open, eyebrows intensely despairing and celebrating at the same time.

“Ooooh,” she breathed, overpowered by the memory again.

She covered her eyes, as if that would help.

At least the office was quiet this Friday. Many took the day off, after the late-night company event and before the weekend. Liz phoned in for time off in lieu, and a strict instruction to tell senior partner Hugo where to stick it if he questioned the absence.

And Hugo dawdled in late anyway with an, “Oh my lord, why didn't I take the day off. I’m too old for this.” And others looked similarly wrecked.

But Geeta...Geeta was wide awake and couldn't stop thinking about sex. She sat, exhausted but sparking alive, hyperaware of her body, because she had been touched, by Nicola.

Did that really happen? Had she been naked, in bed, with Nicola Albright? With Nicola’s fingers inside her and caressing her clit. She covered her mouth. Because, oh my god, she’d shouted when she came.

She’d been so turned on by the time they arrived home, she’d inflamed at their first touches. Then seeing Nicola nude had her leaping higher. Nicola caressed inside, and everything had delighted and melted, mind dissociating and body climbing the bed.

She covered her face, everything humming with the recollection.

“Nyuuuh.”

She uncovered her eyes and checked around the entrance hall. No-one. What a relief.

Willing her hands to stay put, rather than leaping to cover her guilty conscience, she sat up straight and professional. Then she smiled because no, she didn’t feel guilty. But this did feel huge.

Could people tell, Geeta wondered, that she, at the Bentley and partners reception desk, was daydreaming about slipping her fingers inside Nicola Albright. How the wet tenderness had shocked her. The intimacy of it, with someone who’d been closed off to her. The surprise and revelation, because she was a woman. Even more so because it was Nicola Albright, of all the bloody people.

She shook her head. Was this a terrible idea?

Why, in her mid-fifties, was she bewitched by someone completely inadvisable, who was arrogant, insensitive, possessed an ocean of confidence, but had talents and charisma too. You were meant to get this kind of thing out of your system in your teens. And sleeping together changed people, didn’t it. Geeta could be sexual without deep romance, but it was never just sex for her, and she’d never look at Nicola the same.

Who was she kidding? Of course, Nicola was a terrible idea. But also, so good.

The door. Footsteps. A familiar, sexy presence arrived, and she knew who without glancing up. Excitement thrilled across her body, and she closed her eyes and smiled, more alert to her than ever, and in multiple ways. Gah. What the hell had she done?

She looked up.

Long hair flowing, the stunning profile, classic cream shirt, hands slung in wide leg trousers pockets, the added touch of a tan belt and the watch.

“Oh my...” she breathed. Done for.

Curious, Geeta had opened a box and peeked inside, and there was no closing it now. This awakening was expansive, life-affirming, like letting a part of her grow again. Her heart fluttered. Where the hell was this going? She held her breath to calm herself.

Would Nicola keep walking today, so often consulted that she didn’t need to sign in at the desk?

The tall woman paused, a smile curled at her lips, aware that Geeta watched her. But would she look at Geeta?

Oh yes, she did, and the look said Nicola could eat her alive.

Nicola turned on her heel and sauntered closer in the most deliberate way, lascivious intent in every feature, from the unflinching gaze to the swagger. And, god, the assurance of it, that knew it worked, with her open shirt and glimpse of cleavage. Sigh. It was a beautiful sight and Geeta nearly melted into a heap and dribbled on the desk.

Nicola stopped at the partition, tilted her head, and blinked slowly and so very meaningfully, as if she took in Geeta, played with her in her mind, and did the most wonderful things to her.

“Well,” Nicola said, as if innocent. “I wondered if we’d bump into each other today.”

Geeta licked her lips. Then laughed, because there was no hiding she’d done that.

Nicola’s eyes dropped to her mouth, spotting the indiscretion, and flipped amused back to capture Geeta’s gaze.

So, Nicola had an interest this morning. There was no doubt about that. Seduction and intent dripped from her. Were they friends still? Ever? Who knew. But there were clearly benefits on offer.

“Morning,” Nicola purred, and her smile softened. Not a smirk. This one had real knowledge, had known intimacy with her, and warmth spread everywhere.

“Morning,” Geeta replied.

And damn it, she was grinning like a fool.

Nicola's smile morphed into pure satisfaction, and she blatantly licked her lips too.

“Stop it,” Geeta snapped, but she burst into another grin.

“What?” Nicola feigned innocence.

“You know exactly what you’re doing.”

“Is it working?”

“You know it is.”

Another smile and a tilt of the head. “I wondered...” Nicola dropped her weight to one side and idly stroked a finger along the smooth rim of the partition. Back and forth, a slow deliberate seductive motion. “...if you had a break today?”

Geeta gazed at that finger and felt it everywhere, back and forth and round and round.

“Did you,” Geeta swallowed, “have something in mind?”

The motion stopped. She could read Nicola’s thoughts, because she projected them so clearly in her eyes.

“Yes, I did. But we won't have the time for that during your break.”

Geeta bit her lip. She shuffled a little, becoming restless and uncomfortable.

“But would you like a coffee, perhaps?” Nicola’s voice lowered, the velvet seduction another stroke towards her unravelling. Geeta had to look away because her face burned. She touched the back of her hands to her cheeks.

“You’re making me blush and hot flush.”

Nicola gazed at her, undaunted. “Then how about an ice cream?” And having ice cream never sounded so loaded or rude.

“Erm, Rachel?” Geeta called out.

Then she cleared her throat when it came out sideways. She spun in her chair and called into the office. “Taking my break.”

The associate called back that she’d cover the desk, and Geeta snatched up her bag.

Oxford shone in bright summer sunshine, and Geeta took off her blazer. She didn't miss Nicola’s gaze journey around the low V-neck of her T-shirt. Nicola didn’t try to hide it either.

Just accompanying her made Geeta burn. She knew what Nicola was thinking, and the thoughts caressed her as they walked. And this felt naughty, as if sneaking out of work with a bad influence, not a respected lawyer.

“I was actually in Bentley to see Alec about pro bono clients,” Nicola said, “but I seem to have got distracted.”

“Sudden need for a drink?”

“Thirsty, certainly.”

Geeta pursed her lips. So, Nicola wasn’t going to be subtle about this. It was absolutely part of Nicola's appeal – that confidence to simply ask for what she wanted, so brazen it left Geeta’s mouth hanging open and her body screaming yes.

“Then let’s find something to satisfy you,” Geeta said.

“Let’s.” Nicola grinned.

Cafes burst with tourists, so they grabbed tubs of clotted cream and blueberry flavour ice cream from a stall on Broad Street and sat on a wooden flower-bed seat, one of many that lined the wide road of colleges and colourful tall, thin timber-framed shops.

They sat soft thigh to soft thigh, Nicola’s warmth and proximity unsubtle, and Geeta had no plans to move away.

“So...” Geeta said, tilting her head to see Nicola.

“So,” Nicola replied, returning a delicious side-eye of intention.

Geeta sighed, the heat from Nicola and the chill of ice cream a tantalising combination.

“How’s your morning been?” Nicola asked.

“I’ve been a little distracted too.”

“Oh?” Nicola raised innocent eyebrows and scooped a creamy morsel inside her lips.

“I...erm...” Geeta blushed again, thinking of sex and needing Nicola, while tourists and others walked by. “I had new experiences to think over.”

“Oh, yes? Have you been exploring? Doing some experimentation?”

Geeta laughed, “A little.”

“And has it answered your curiosity?”

It had flipping inflamed her curiosity. Her body and mind longed for all sorts of knowledge, and with Nicola up close and soft against her she wasn’t far from trying them right here.

“What about you?” Geeta asked, still grinning at this fun side of Nicola, which brought out the naughtiness in both. “Did you like the answer to our mutual curiosity?”

“Hmm?” Nicola asked.

Geeta lowered her voice. Tourists and lunchtime workers passed close by, although neither likely knew anyone. But she still murmured it.

“Did you find you liked kissing women?”

Nicola put her arm around the back of the bench and leaned closer, the warmth from her chest dreamy. She made a show of thinking it over.

“I don’t know,” Nicola said.

“Excuse me?” Geeta laughed.

Nicola shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“What?!” Geeta whispered hoarsely. Was she being serious?

“Too soon to tell,” Nicola murmured.

“You don’t know?!”

The insufferable... How could she not after last night. The way she’d sounded, the way she looked, and... Heat rose up Geeta’s body, flaming from the insult and memory.

“How can you not know?”

Nicola leaned closer, breath tickling Geeta’s cheek and down her neck, suggestion travelling lower. “Well, I haven’t kissed you everywhere yet.”

Oh. God. She might have moaned out loud in the middle of the street. She thrummed hot and moist, all from the suggestive power of Nicola clearly wanting to kiss her...there.

“OK,” she gasped. “There’s that I suppose.”

“Exactly. So, I’m intrigued and wonder...” Nicola’s eyes ravished her, as if she could see the thoughts and feelings she provoked, “would you help satisfy my curiosity?”

Geeta gulped. And again, when Nicola pressed closer.

“May I taste yours?” Nicola whispered.

“Wha...?”

She stared as Nicola leant down and licked a smooth groove in Geeta’s ice cream, the motion slow and deliberately sensual.

“Ooooooh,” Geeta groaned.

Then she whimpered when cold dripped on her chest.

“Oh dear,” Nicola purred. “We’re making a mess already. Let me wipe that up.” Nicola stroked a finger over the top of Geeta's breasts, with a slow deliberation that was incendiary. The absolute intention, the curve of it, the burning look in Nicola’s eyes. It went straight through her.

“Mmyuh,” Geeta mumbled.

Then her mouth wordlessly dropped as she watched that finger glide towards lips, and Nicola lapped the ice cream with the tip of her tongue.

“Come and see me tonight,” Geeta blurted.

And she didn’t miss Nicola’s eyes widen, and definitely not the delighted smile.

“How soon?” Or the desperation in Nicola's voice.

“Be there at eight.”