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CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

OLIVIA

My hands trembled as I fumbled with my key in the door.

Goddamnit. My body had become so attuned to Roz’s presence I could sense her standing behind me, watching me.

After what felt like an eternity, the door to Sapphire Blooms swung open.

We stumbled inside, Roz slamming the door shut. I reached out and turned the lights to the back of the store on. A warm glow lit Roz’s face, the hunger in her eyes on full display. The same hunger was gnawing at me, a desperate ache making me too impatient to suggest we retreat to my bedroom upstairs.

She grabbed me by the hips and pulled me to her. The warmth of her body, the curves of her breasts against mine sent my arousal, already high, skyrocketing. I tugged at her white shirt, slipping my hands underneath, and pulling her even closer.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for over six months,” she murmured in my ear. The hairs on my neck prickled.

What the hell am I doing? Roz kissed my neck, sending a shudder down my spine. I don’t know. But it feels so right. She kissed me again. Maybe the problem was that I had never gotten the one-night stand I was promised. I closed my eyes and let out a shaky breath. Yes. That was most likely the problem. We’d have one night together, and then I’d focus on finding someone who actually wanted a relationship.

Roz’s lips trailed down to my collar bone and I gulped. What if I didn’t know what to do? What if I was terrible? At Pryde, Roz seemed like the perfect candidate for my first time: an experienced older woman who lived in a completely different city. But if I embarrassed myself now, there’d be no avoiding her. Run-ins at Novel Gossip, visits to the farm, walking down Main Street. And I knew her now. I cared. The pressure weighed down on me.

“Is everything okay?” Roz murmured into my neck. “Do you want to go upstairs?”

“No, it’s not that…” I cleared my throat. “Um, in case it’s not clear from what I said earlier, this is my first time with a woman.”

“Well, I better make it fucking incredible then.” Roz walked me backward, until I was pressed against the front door. She took my hands in hers and pinned them over my head.

A groan of pleasure escaped me.

“You like that? Me taking control?” Roz asked.

“Yes,” I whimpered.

“Excellent,” Roz rasped. “But tell me to stop any time you want, okay?”

I nodded, my entire body quivering with anticipation for what would come next.

Roz released my hands and took three steps back, a rush of cool air filling her place.

I furrowed my brow, stepping forward. “What are you doing?”

Roz smirked. “Take your dress off.”

The hunger flared in Roz’s eyes again, and a shiver shot down my spine. The idea of stripping down under Roz’s unwavering gaze was a surprising turn-on.

Keeping my eyes fixed on Roz, I slowly reached for the zipper at the back of my dress and tugged it lower, letting the top of my dress fall, exposing the black bra I wore underneath.My breasts tingled with anticipation.

Her eyes dipped to my chest. “Keep going.” Her voice was hoarse.

I tugged the zipper down farther, until it slipped off my hips and onto the floor.

“Mmmm,” Roz murmured with approval as her eyes lingered on my body. “Now… take off everything else.”

My breath caught as I unclipped my bra, dropping it on the ground. I slipped off my panties, and then stood there while Roz drank me in. The ache between my legs was almost unbearable now, and all Roz was doing was looking me up and down, gazing at me as if she wanted to devour me.

I hoped the light was dim enough that she couldn’t see the desperation in my eyes.

Roz took off her jacket and threw it on the counter.

“Good girl,” she said. “Now, come here.”

I took two steps, my legs weak. She lifted her hands and trailed those long, delicate fingers over my breasts, twirling my nipples with her thumbs until they hardened.

“Your breasts are incredible,” she said, her voice low, looking at them with wonder as she continued to caress them, every so often gently pinching the pink pebbles.

I moaned, my mind hazy. I’d never been so turned on.

“Can I…” I tugged at her shirt.

She nodded. “Only my shirt to start with.”

With trembling hands, I unbuttoned her shirt, my breath catching at the sight of the small curves of her breasts encased in a plain white bra. I bit my lip, tracing a finger around the upper seam of the bra.

Still teasing one of my breasts with her hand, Roz slid her other hand down my stomach and trailed her fingers in patterns around my inner thigh. Her hand was so close to the ache that was now becoming all-consuming.

“Eyes up,” she directed.

As I looked up, her face was suddenly illuminated by the lights of a car driving down Main Street, shining through the store windows, and I froze.

I’d gotten so carried away I hadn’t thought about the fact that Roz might not be the only person to see me standing naked in Sapphire Blooms. It was late, and this section of Main Street was usually quiet at night, but it was a Friday, and the pub and the local bar would still be open. Some car and foot traffic would not be unusual.

I stared at Roz, who calmly walked me back to the door, so I was pressed up against it again.

“There,” she whispered. “You’re safe here.”

I glanced to the side. Roz was right. No one would be able to see me here. Even still, an unexpected thrill shot down my spine. “This is… The threat of being discovered is actually quite hot. I think I may have discovered a new kink tonight.”

“Let me know if you discover any others,” Roz said, then her tongue slipped into my mouth.

I closed my eyes, giving myself over to the heat of her mouth. She grabbed my right breast firmly, pinching my nipple between her fingers, and I moaned again.

Just then, the sound of people laughing and talking outside reached my ears. My eyes widened. Roz placed a finger to my lips.

“You will just need to be very still and very quiet,” she murmured.

Before I realized what was happening, she sank to the ground, all the while continuing to tease my breast with one hand and maintain eye contact with me.

I sucked in a breath. Roz Kennedy—proud, confident, sometimes infuriating, smoking hot Roz Kennedy—was on her knees in front of me. Her hair was slightly disheveled and her white shirt was splayed open, offering a tantalizing peek of her cleavage between the cups of her bra.

“Spread your legs,” Roz ordered as the noises outside grew louder. She trailed her fingers down the crease of my inner thigh.

I obeyed, and Roz turned her attention to the brown curls between my legs, her fingers running gently over my clit before slipping farther in. She coated the fingers of her right hand in my hot wetness, and then circled my clit, setting all my nerve endings on fire. She pinched my nipple with her left hand, and I gasped, closing my eyes as the sensations rolled over me. This was unlike anything I’d ever experienced in my life. Roz continued working my clit and my nipple at the same time, until I could hardly bear it anymore.

Her left hand abandoned my breast and firmly slid down my body. I opened my eyes to find Roz staring up at me, her gaze intense. She moved her fingers to my opening.

“Can I fuck you with my fingers?” she rasped, her voice thick.

Another wave of desire shot through me, almost knocking me off balance. “Yes,” I said breathlessly, bracing myself against the door.

Roz stared up at me as she pushed her fingers in, circling my clit with the thumb of her other hand as she did so.

My legs trembled. “Oh fuck.” I groaned, parting my legs farther to give her better access.

Roz held my gaze as she slowly moved her fingers in and out, her thumb gradually increasing the pressure and speed against my clit. I whimpered, pressing the palms of my hands against the wall.

Roz began to drive her fingers harder, each thrust sending waves of pleasure washing over me. I let out another moan, my head dropping back against the door.

Through the haze of pleasure, I heard voices approaching again.

I looked down at Roz. “I’m so close.”

“They can’t see you.” Roz thrusted her fingers even faster, her thumb increasing the intensity on my clit at the same time. “If you don’t make a sound, they’ll never know.”

The voices were so close now, and so was I.

The people talking outside were about to walk past, completely oblivious to the fact I was having the best sex of my life only feet away from them, on the other side of the door. A shot of adrenaline rushed through me.

Roz gazed at me with pure, unadulterated lust burning in her eyes. She slipped in another finger, and I was gone, tipping over into ecstasy. It took all my willpower not to cry out as the orgasm wracked my body. I pushed my head against the door, closing my eyes and riding the waves of pleasure as Roz continued her thrusts, trying to stabilize my quaking thighs by pressing my weight against the wood.

The voices receded as my orgasm tapered off, leaving me gasping for air and feeling like my body might melt into a puddle on the floor.

Roz clambered to her feet and leaned in, placing one hand on the door next to my head.

“You are so fucking hot,” she said, her voice husky.

The sight of Roz, hair mussed and eyes ablaze, those gorgeous red lips only inches from mine, sent another rush of desire over me.

“That was incredible.” I cupped her chin with my hand and ran my thumb along her cheek before leaning in to kiss her.

Our tongues slipped into each other’s mouths, my hands running down Roz’s chest and over her breasts, down to the small of her back where I pulled her even closer to me.

“Can I…” I murmured, in between kisses. Nerves whirled in my stomach. What if I couldn’t make Roz come? But the thought of not trying, of not exploring her body and at least attempting to bring her pleasure, was even worse.

“Yes. But not here.”

I pulled back and looked around Sapphire Blooms, my eye catching on the rococo-style chaise lounge covered in cream fabric with gold wooden trimming in the back corner of the shop. Designed for customers to rest their weary feet, it wasn’t long enough for Roz to lie flat on, but she could lean against the raised end with her knees bent while I had my way with her. Perfect.

“The chaise lounge?”

Roz stepped back, eyed the chaise lounge, and then nodded. She pulled her jacket off the counter and handed it to me. “You can put this on, just in case anyone walks past.”

“Thank you.” I slipped my arms into the soft material, the faint scent of cedar tickling my nose.

Roz’s gaze travelled over my body, now partially cloaked by her black jacket, which fell to my upper thigh, barely covering my ass.

“It suits you,” she said, approval clear in her voice.

I grabbed her hand and led her to the chaise lounge.

“You won’t be needing this,” I said, my voice teasing as I tugged at her shirt, letting it fall to the ground. I slid my hands around her back and undid her bra. “Or this.”

Her bra slipped off, revealing small firm breasts. I stared at them in awe, tracing my fingers around their curves and then up to her mauve nipples, which hardened at my touch. To my delight, Roz let out a small moan, so I continued my exploration.

Roz’s moans amplified. I dropped my gaze to her pants, my heart thumping. I slowly trailed my fingers down her smooth stomach to the button on the waistband of her navy trousers. Hands trembling again, I undid the button and pulled down the zipper.

Her trousers dropped to her knees, revealing plain black boy shorts underneath.

“Sit,” I said, trying to channel confidence.

Roz obeyed, and I crouched down at her feet, untying the laces of her tan oxford shoes and easing them off before slipping her trousers the rest of the way off.

I looked up at Roz while I knelt in front of her. A thrill, equal parts nerves and excitement, shot through me. For one night only, this cool, sexy woman, who looked like an androgynous queen, her long limbs on glorious display, was mine.

“How do you want me?” she asked.

I licked my lips, barely able to contain my desire. It was clear from Roz’s question that I was in control now. As terrifying as it was, it was also titillating.

“Lie back there,” I said, nodding to the sloping arm of the lounge.

Roz followed my direction. She looked even more regal, lying back on the cream upholstery, watching me with an expectant and slightly amused glint in her eye. Perhaps she liked being ordered around a little too.

I straddled her waist, relieved to find there was just enough room on the chaise lounge for my legs on either side of hers, and bent over her, some wisps of hair falling out of my updo and hanging between us.

I pressed my lips to hers and ran a hand through her hair while propping myself on the opposite elbow to steady my body. Roz’s mouth parted, and the kiss turned hungry, our tongues dipping in and out of each other’s mouths. I dropped my hand to her chest, cupping one of her breasts while I rolled my thumb over her nipple until she moaned into my mouth.

I slipped my hand lower still, running it over her boy shorts and between her legs, groaning at the wetness soaking through the material.

“As you may have noticed, I don’t need a lot of foreplay,” Roz said, a smile twitching against my mouth.

I ran my fingers lightly over the wetness, circling the space a few times.

“Actually, scrap that.” Roz breathed heavily. “I don’t need any foreplay.”

I swallowed. “Can I go down on you, then?”

Roz nodded, and I slowly made my way down her body, trailing kisses along her neck and collarbone, then her breasts and stomach, until I reached the seam of her shorts.

Heart pounding, I tugged at the fabric. Roz lifted her ass so I could slip them off.

I looked up, relishing the vision of Roz completely naked before me, taking in her firm breasts studded with small, hard nipples and the golden-brown curls of hair between her legs. Dropping my head, I returned to kissing the soft, warm skin of her lower abdomen.

Anxiety spiked in my chest as I slipped my fingers through her soft curls. What if I couldn’t make her come? But as my fingers reached a little nub that was most definitely her clit and then dipped into wet heat, and the scent of Roz’s arousal hit me, something instinctive kicked in. I lowered my head, swiping my tongue from her opening to her clit in one long, slow lick.Damn. Her taste sent another wave of desire crashing over me.

Roz let out a soft moan. Emboldened, I repeated the move a few times, and then focused on her clit, swirling my tongue over it, listening as Roz’s breathing grew more labored. I experimented with different pressures and movements, paying close attention to how she reacted to my touch. In an attempt to replicate the effect of my favorite vibrator, I placed my mouth over her clit, lips parted, and sucked gently while circling my tongue around the small hard nub in the middle.

“Oh, that’s good,” Roz moaned.

I flicked my eyes up just in time to see her hand grip the side of the chaise lounge. Goddamn, that was hot.

“Fingers,” Roz gasped out. “In me. Now.”

I slid two fingers inside her, groaning into her clit at the sensation of my fingers fully encased by her. My mouth and tongue continued to work her clit, falling into rhythm with the movement of my fingers.Shit. This was so hot.

Roz tilted her hips up, letting out small moans, and I glanced up at her again. She was biting her lip, her eyes dark pools, one hand holding onto the chaise lounge for dear life. In the dim light, I could see a faint flush on her cheeks and chest.

“Faster,” she groaned.

I picked up the pace, pushing my hand in and out with speed, curling my fingers slightly, just as Roz had done to me, all the while circling my tongue in time.

“Fuck!” Roz exclaimed, her body quaking as her muscles squeezed against my fingers in quick contractions.

I kept going as Roz writhed under me. It was hot, messy and sticky and so incredibly sexy. Roz Kennedy was falling apart at the mercy of my fingers.

“Enough!” Roz cried out, and I stopped, pulling my head up to look at her.

Her gaze was heavy, her red lips slightly parted, her chest rising and falling. I had never seen anything more attractive in my life.

A wave of performance anxiety rippled through me. It seemed like Roz had enjoyed herself… but could she have been faking it for my benefit?

As if she sensed my concerns, Roz grinned. “Come here.”

I clambered up, straddling her hips, and leaned down so my face was only inches from hers. Roz lifted her head and gave me a deep, lingering kiss, slow and passionate.

“Was that okay?” I asked after we’d come up for air.

“That was far more than okay,” Roz said. “I don’t know where you learned how to do that thing with your mouth but it was… it was something else. Mind blowing.”

Warmth swept over me at Roz’s words

“Do you want to come upstairs?” I asked. “While I don’t think I’ll ever look at the chaise lounge in the same way again, it’s not so comfortable for snuggling.”

I snapped my mouth close. Snuggling? While I had the urge to wrap my arms around Roz’s warm body and nuzzle my head into her neck, Roz did not strike me as a snuggling person.

Not only that, but Roz had made it clear that first night at Pryde that she didn’t date. This was just a raincheck on the one-night stand we’d missed that night. And snuggling wasn’t part of a one-night stand, was it?

But Roz was already nodding. “That would be nice.”

We collected our clothes from the floor of the shop. Roz tugged on her shirt, not bothering to rebutton it, and I led her up the stairs at the back of the shop and into my apartment, my body trembling.

Roz’s eyes widened as I turned on the light switch, illuminating the open-plan living-dining room we’d just stepped into.

“Wow. This is very… floral.” Floral wallpaper lined the walls and framed prints of some of my favorite flowers—dahlias and ranunculus, in different shades of red, orange and yellow—hung from them. Flower cushions dotted the orange couch and green armchair.

“I should have warned you. I know how much you dislike flowers,” I said, taking Roz’s hand and leading her down the hall. “I’ll let you know now—the bedroom continues the theme. If you want to make a run for it, now’s the time.”

Roz chuckled. “Nope, you promised me snuggles. I’m not running away now.”

I laughed and then pushed open the door to my bedroom and flicked the light switch.

“You weren’t kidding.” Roz’s wide eyes surveyed the yellow and white daisy duvet cover and pillowcases and the muted-yellow-and-pink floral wallpaper.

“I can turn off the light.”

Roz stepped toward me, her eyes glinting. “But then I wouldn’t be able to see you.”

I laughed. “Okay, but no complaints, then.”

Roz stood in front of me, gazing into my eyes. “Absolutely no complaints.” She lifted her hand and brushed her thumb over my lips. “You know, I think flowers are growing on me.” We fell into the bed, snuggling together under the daisy duvet, Roz gazing at the yellow daisies and pink dahlias that decorated my walls. “Maybe being around you has acted like some form of exposure therapy.”

“Happy to be of service,” I said, grinning up at her before closing my eyes to enjoy the warmth of Roz’s smooth, lean naked body against mine.

So, this was what sex with a woman was like. It blew all my previous experiences with men completely out the window. Maybe I was a lesbian? All I knew was that the attraction I felt toward Roz was stronger than anything I’d felt before. And I didn’t want this one-night stand to end.