Summer's End by Harper Bliss Read Free Book Online Page B

curious.”
    “There’s no time like the present, as they say.”
    What had happened? Why did everything seem so different all of a sudden? So miles away from just yesterday morning. And how did she end up flirting rather shamelessly with a twenty-something at the top of the stairs?
    “Would it be all right with you if I put some clothes on first? Just go through there.” She pointed in the direction of the door next to her bedroom.
    “Why ever would it not be?” Emily said coquettishly before dragging her gaze away from Marianne.
    Marianne closed the door and took a few deep breaths. Well, she had started it. The real question was if she could finish it. She pondered wearing a bra for a split second, but, as usual, decided against it. She located her t-shirt and shorts and put them on while her heart thundered furiously beneath her chest.
    When she checked herself in the mirror, more out of habit than self-consciousness, her glance fell on the picture of her and Ingrid next to it and, as though the image cast a spell on Marianne, the pitter-patter beneath her ribs grew quieter. Marianne smiled at the golden-framed image—she could do that now, sometimes—and, as if agreeing on something with her former lover beyond time and space, nodded briefly.
    Maybe five years had been long enough.
    “What exactly are you looking for?” Marianne didn’t have to put the playfulness in her voice, it was there, showing up uninvitedly but welcome nonetheless.
    “Gosh, you really do have quite the collection here.” Emily’s eyes scanned the rows of books feverishly, like a kid in a candy store. For the very first time. With unlimited funds.
    “I would have dusted them off if you’d given me the time.”

    EMILY

    Emily had seen through Marianne’s charade. She might be young and maybe even slightly naive, but she wasn’t stupid.  
    She’d spotted Marianne rushing up the stairs, and she’d easily guessed at the reason for her hastiness. It had amused, but also thoroughly aroused her. Maybe more than she’d ever been. Because of the setting and the circumstances, no doubt, but also because of the small signs of a willingness to open up Marianne had started to display.  
    There she stood. Rising to the challenge, with her nipples stabbing the fabric of her bikini and her clit a throbbing mess in her swim suit. And maybe she could tell herself it was because of the explicit covers of the books she was browsing, but she knew better. It had everything to do with the woman behind her whose body heat she could feel radiate onto her back.
    As appealing as some of the books looked, Emily’s interest soon wavered. Just as they’d been a ploy for Marianne, they’d been one for her. But, seeing as she didn’t really have a clue as to how to proceed, she played the game a while longer.
    “The one you were reading seemed rather good.” She turned to face Marianne. “Seemed to have a certain urgency to it.”
    “You’re very observant.” Marianne took a step in her direction. The room wasn’t very big as every wall was covered with book cases.
    “So I’ve been told.” The words seemed to roll out of Emily’s mouth as swiftly as the breath out of her lungs. Was this what desire really felt like? This swooping rush of want that knocked the wind out of her?
    Something changed in Marianne’s face then, as though she suddenly recognised the gravity of the situation.  
    Emily backed up against the book shelves, the wood prodding her ribcage. Not because she was afraid or hesitant, but because she wanted to lengthen the moment in which Marianne came for her. She never wanted to forget the look on her face, the mixture of need, caution, and relief.
    “You don’t strike me as having doubts about this, but I need to ask, okay?” Marianne’s voice had dropped a register or two. “Are you sure?”
    Emily bit her lip and nodded. She lifted her hands to Marianne’s arms and pulled her close. “God yes,” she whispered before