Page 12 of Her Desire (Pulse Medical #3)

But then why, instead of nodding yes like she intended to do, did Holly’s mouth suddenly betray her? “Or we could go to your place for a drink.”

“My place?” Gianna asked, her brows furrowing briefly as if she too was surprised at the suggestion, which only made Holly’s entire body light up in horror.

“What? No. I mean—yes. But also—forget I said that.” Holly had to shut up.

She had to stop talking. But like a train wreck in motion, she kept going.

“It’s just that bars are loud and those stools, well, you know—my back.

And if I remember, you’ve got that comfy couch on the deck, and my house—” Holly bit her tongue before she could say, my house is too far, or it feels too far away when really I just want to be completely alone with you right now.

“I do have a comfy couch,” Gianna said, looking far too amused. She backed up to the exit, not breaking eye contact, and added, “How about you meet me at my place in thirty.”

Holly could barely nod. She could barely do anything except wish the hospital would collapse on her. But she didn’t have to—Gianna was already gone.

When Holly finally parked outside the double garage of Gianna’s house, she wanted nothing more than to melt into her seat, to stay right there and pretend she hadn’t suggested having drinks at Gianna’s. But there was no backing out now.

The front door opened before Holly even had a chance to climb out.

Gianna was standing in the doorway, already changed into linen slacks and a matching top. She waved. “You coming or what?” Gianna called.

“I’ll be right there!” Holly called back, her hand too shaky to wave. When Gianna turned around and disappeared back into her house, Holly took a deep breath to steady her heart rate.

She was being ridiculous. In fact, she should probably be laughing at herself right now.

Those words Gianna had said on the beach the other evening were nothing.

There was no hidden meaning behind them.

Just like there was nothing to read into the way Gianna had cupped her chin this morning. It had meant nothing.

Besides, Holly liked men. Loved them, actually. Dicks and all. She’d never once thought twice about her preferences. Yet her mind was so lost in a confused fog that she couldn’t even remember getting out of the car or making her way to the front door.

“The last time you were here,” Gianna said, leading her to the kitchen where Holly caught a glimpse of a bottle of wine on the counter, already open, two glasses waiting. “I didn’t have those Victorian sliding doors. What do you think?”

“Looks great,” Holly said, her gaze drifting over the space.

Gianna’s house was open plan with a large island in the kitchen and sleek stone countertops gleaming under the recessed lighting.

The living room had a sleek, beige, L-shaped couch, colorful pillows strewn across it, a glass coffee table holding a stack of books sat in the center, and there were potted plants in every corner. “Brings in a ton of light.”

“Exactly what I was going for.” Gianna smiled.

“I love how it opens everything up, you know. Makes the space feel more connected to the outside. I’m thinking of putting in a boma out there, for these summer evenings and maybe adding in a few more plants.

Something like California lilacs or bougainvillea.

” Gianna handed Holly a glass of wine and moved to stand by the counter.

“And I’ve also been thinking about putting up some wallpaper in the entryway.

A wispy floral. Or maybe something geometric… ”

Holly tried to focus on the wine, on the sensation of the cool glass in her hand, but her thoughts kept drifting to Gianna’s lips, to the way they moved when she spoke, and for some reason she couldn’t understand—didn’t want to—she thought about how it would feel to kiss her.

It didn’t make sense. Nothing about how she felt made sense.

But maybe that was the point. Maybe right now, the confusion was the only thing that was clear. Maybe it was okay to feel this…lost.

Without thinking—she’d been doing a lot of that lately—Holly moved a step closer.

“I’d love to get some more ideas,” Gianna said, those dark, espresso eyes watching her. “I’m not exactly a design expert and Pinterest can only do so much.”

Before Holly could second-guess herself, she took another step, closing the space between them, and suddenly she was there, standing inches from Gianna, so close Holly could feel the heat between them in her bones.

“Are you?—?”

But Holly didn’t give Gianna a chance to finish her question. She leaned in and kissed her softly, a quick press of lips that sent shockwaves down to her thighs.

And before Holly could process what she was doing, she slid her hands around Gianna’s waist and pulled their bodies flush. Gianna moaned into the kiss and that sound— that sound —shattered whatever was left of Holly’s control. She tugged her closer, feeling the way Gianna’s body responded.

But then Gianna pulled back, her hands pushing Holly’s hips away.

“Shit! I’m so sorry,” Holly spluttered, her heart feeling like it was hammering against her chest. Her face felt like all her blood had suddenly rushed up. “I don’t know what came over me, I…I just?—”

But Gianna didn’t let her finish. She crashed her lips against Holly’s, her hands moved up, tangling in Holly’s hair, fingers threading through the strands as she tilted Holly’s head back slightly, deepening the kiss.

Holly expected the kiss to end. For them both to come to their senses and end whatever was about to happen before it even began. But then Gianna slipped her hands down the back of Holly’s thighs and lifted her so effortlessly, it was as if she weighed nothing and carried her to the bedroom.

“Should I stop? Just tell me if I should stop,” Gianna whispered.

“Don’t fucking stop,” Holly exhaled as her body trembled.

When they reached the bed, Gianna dropped her onto it, but she didn’t give Holly a chance to breathe before she yanked off her top and her jeans. Then her bra and panties.

Gianna stared at her, those dark eyes taking her in, seemingly relishing in Holly’s naked body, which should’ve made Holly feel exposed, and vulnerable, but all she felt was flattered.

Extremely fucking flattered.

But as soon as Gianna stripped out of her clothes, the only thought running through Holly’s mind was how fucking gorgeous the woman looked—her soft stomach, legs that went on for days, tits that were pink and hard, and a perfectly pruned pussy that stole Holly’s attention.

Her breath hitched in her throat. And again, when Gianna climbed onto the bed and kissed her stomach, tongue gliding upward to her breasts. Holly had no idea her clit could throb like that. Just like she had no idea that the hum between her legs could feel so overpowering.

“You’re fucking beautiful,” Gianna said softly before she swallowed one of Holly’s nipples whole.

A feeling that shot a bolt of electricity down to her center.

Gianna’s hand trailed down Holly’s stomach to her hips and began exploring, which only intensified that feeling.

Especially when those fingers dipped between her folds.

“You’re so wet already. I can’t believe it. You sure you’re okay?” Gianna mumbled, kissing a trail down Holly’s sternum.

“Shut up and come closer,” Holly muttered, moving her hands down Gianna’s back, trying to feel all of her at once. She squeezed her ass and loved the way Gianna pushed into her, their hips and stomachs connecting in a way that was almost addictive.

Holly could easily just undulate her hips against Gianna’s for a few long moments, just like she could easily run her fingers along every silky inch of Gianna’s skin.

But Gianna moved down, sinking over the edge of the bed, and pushed Holly’s legs apart. She smoothed her hands up Holly’s thighs to her hips and then settled her head on her pussy.

The last time Holly had a man’s face between her legs, had been pleasured orally…well, she couldn’t even remember. If ever. But she didn’t have any chance to dwell on her past sex experiences, because Gianna masterfully found her clit and kissed that bud of nerves.

Holly moaned. Her hands dove down into Gianna’s hair, tightening around the locks as more moans rippled out of her throat.

Because, fuck, Gianna’s lips on her sex was an experience all together.

Everything felt so right. So… natural. This was why Holly couldn’t keep herself from shouting when Gianna stuck her tongue between Holly’s wet folds and licked the length of her.

And then again when Gianna’s mouth moved and found her clit again.

She worked her tongue over it, and then her teeth, alternating between licking and sucking.

The feeling was so amazing, so delicious that Holly didn’t even care that she was grinding her hips against Gianna’s face, that she was practically humping her.

All she cared about was that feeling of being lapped up, of Gianna’s right hand joining in the fun, thrusting in two fingers and pumping them in and out.

Holly didn’t want it to stop. Ever. She wanted to remain in this limbo of sex, of having Gianna’s head between her legs, of them connecting in a way that she never, ever, thought would be possible.

Or even considered until that moment on the beach when Gianna had made her feel like she was someone important, someone worthy.

But just as Gianna slipped out her fingers, and focused solely on her clit, an orgasm came crashing down, so hard Holly could hardly breathe. Her body wasn’t just quaking like a leaf in a storm, it felt more like an earthquake had rattled through her.

But as the tremors settled, and her breath evened out, everything became startingly clear.

She’d just had sex with a woman. But not just any woman—her best friend.

Fuck.

Holly flicked her eyes open. Gianna was climbing back onto the bed, moving to lie beside her, her hands already drifting toward Holly’s waist like she was ready to go again.

But Holly couldn’t let that happen. Sleeping with Gianna had been a huge fucking mistake.

It would ruin everything. Their friendship.

Their ability to work professionally together.

And not to mention that Holly wasn’t gay.

Was she? Was anything worth ruining their invaluable relationship?

Was there any turning back from here? The overwhelming crashing thoughts tumbled down in her mind.

“Shit. I have to go,” Holly muttered, the words strangled by the raw panic rising in her chest. Before she knew it, she already had both feet on the floor, bending down to fetch her jeans and panties, while Gianna just stared at her, eyes wide.Fight or flight mode activated.

“What? You… You don’t have to g—” Gianna started, but Holly cut her off.

“This was…” she shook her head. “This shouldn’t have happened. I’m not like you. I’m not…” She couldn’t even bring herself to say the word. “I shouldn’t have kissed you. I have to go.”

And she did. Holly ran to the kitchen and slipped out the front door before a part of her convinced herself to go back to the bedroom and finish what she’d started.