Chapter Twenty-one
Darcy woke with a start. It took her a moment to realize where she was, whose arm was slung across her. Emerson lay on her stomach, her face half obscured by the pillow. Darcy rolled onto her side; Emerson didn’t stir.
She’d talked herself into believing that having Emerson along for the drive, spending a couple of nights in Boston, didn’t mean anything. But as she lay there in a posh hotel room with nothing on her schedule for the next twenty-four hours except spending time with Emerson, it suddenly felt like a big deal. Weekends away were what couples did.
Darcy drummed her fingers on her thigh. Then, afraid her fidgeting would wake Emerson, she slipped out from under the duvet and got out of bed. She put on one of the plush hotel robes and went to the window. Angry droplets of rain splattered against the window, slapped into the glass by irregular gusts of wind. There went a day of wandering the sights.
She glanced around the room, contemplated making coffee in the miniature, four-cup pot that sat on the dresser next to the television. Emerson might be one of those people who could sleep all day. Coffee, at least, was a kind, civilized sort of way to wake a person.
She filled the tiny carafe in the bathroom sink and set the pot to brew. While she waited, she curled up in one of the chairs with her phone. After checking her email, she started looking for rainy day activities in Boston. It didn’t take long for the aroma to waft from the coffee pot. As predicted, Emerson shifted in the bed. She made a noise that sounded like a cross between a groan and a sigh. It was cute. And sexy as hell. Darcy poured two cups and brought them to the bedside table.
After a moment of hesitation, she took off the robe and slipped back into the bed. Like a moth to a flame, Emerson moved toward her. Without speaking, Emerson pulled Darcy close, nuzzled her breasts. Darcy loved the instinctive sensuality of the move and the fact that, even in sleep, Emerson was drawn to her. “I was going to suggest a museum, but maybe we should just stay in bed all day.”
That got Emerson’s attention. “What? Bed? All day?”
Darcy laughed. “It’s raining.”
Emerson picked her head up, but didn’t let go of Darcy’s midsection. “It is?”
“Yeah, I just looked out the window. And then I checked the forecast. It’s going to rain all day.”
Emerson made a face, loosened her grip. “I guess we should have looked ahead of time.”
“Probably, but it’s all good. There are plenty of indoor things we could do.”
“Like stay in bed all day.”
“Or go to a museum. Or a movie. Or the aquarium.”
Emerson pouted. “You’d pick the aquarium over bed?”
Darcy raised a shoulder. “Not over. In addition to. As anticipation for.”
“What?”
“As tempting as it is to stay in bed all day, I’d rather go out and do something, knowing the whole time I have tonight to look forward to.”
Emerson narrowed her eyes. “You are a very interesting woman.”
“Why do I get the feeling that isn’t a compliment?”
“Total compliment. I promise. I love being with a woman whose outlook on the world is so different from mine.”
“Okay, now you’re being dramatic.”
Emerson nipped her shoulder, then bounded out of bed. “I’m not. I swear. I’ve given a lot of thought to world views. And I think one of the best things about being in a relationship is getting to experience one that’s different.”
Great. Now they were in a relationship. The unease Darcy felt after waking returned and multiplied. Time to change the subject. “So, you’ll go to a museum with me?”
Emerson stood, completely naked, at the foot of the bed. She planted her hands on her hips, looking like some kind of dyke superhero. “Yes. Yes, I will.”
Without another word, Emerson disappeared into the bathroom. Darcy remained in bed, wondering what the hell had just happened. Thinking about it would likely make her more anxious than less, so she decided to join Emerson in the shower.
The bathroom was already steamy when she walked in. She opened the large glass door and stepped into the large enclosure. “I’m joining you.”
Emerson turned, wiping water from her eyes. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
Emerson’s arms wound around her. The warmth of the shower and the slickness of her skin made Darcy instantly and intensely aroused. Emerson leaned in and kissed her, slid her hand down to grab Darcy’s ass.
Shower sex had its merits. In fact, Darcy had a real fondness for shower sex. But that wasn’t the point. Her entire speech to Emerson hinged on the premise of delayed gratification. She wanted to save herself, store up all her energy and desire so their night together would be a culmination of built up sexual energy. She wanted the same for Emerson. She wiggled her way free. “Ah, ah. Right now, we shower. I promise I’ll make it up to you later.”
Emerson threw her head back and groaned. “That’s just cruel. You’re the one who joined me.”
“I guess I’ll have extra making up to do.”
Emerson grabbed the soap and began rubbing it over her skin. Darcy watched the bar slick over her breasts, her abdomen, the patch of dark hair at the top of her thighs. She felt her resolve waver and wondered if Emerson was taunting her. She shook her head, as if that would dispel the ache that had taken root between her legs.
It was okay. The more she wanted it now, the better it would be later. She swiped the soap from Emerson and started lathering her own body. She made a show of it, too, working the soap over her torso and between her legs. She allowed her head to roll back, imagining Emerson’s hands on her.
When she felt Emerson’s hands on her head, she opened her eyes. Emerson was staring right at her as she worked shampoo into her hair. The pressure of Emerson’s fingertips on her scalp sent pulses of pleasure through her. It hit her so quick, she had to clench her thighs together. Emerson leaned in, creating a brush of nipples and another ripple of arousal. She came close to Darcy’s ear and whispered, “Two can play at that game.”
A quick nip of her earlobe and then Emerson was gone. Hands, body, mouth—all of it. Darcy had to brace a hand on the shower wall to steady herself. She opened her eyes to find Emerson rinsing herself, then shifting out of the spray. She opened the shower door and was gone. Darcy stood, hot water coursing over her shoulders and down her body. For the first time in as long as she could remember, she’d been given a taste of her own medicine.
*****
They spent the day wandering the MFA and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, with a casual lunch at Legal Seafood in between. Darcy loved looking at art with Emerson. In addition to having an artist’s eye, she had this infectious enthusiasm for different styles and techniques. Darcy asked lots of questions, feeling a bit like she was back in school.
“I do mostly oil paintings, but watercolors are so much easier at the beach or, really, anywhere that isn’t my studio.”
“But watercolor is what you used with Liam, right?”
“Yes. It’s an easier medium to learn with. Less messy. Less expensive, too.”
Darcy smiled. Liam had already requested painting supplies of his own. “I appreciate you considering that.”
The questions weren’t one way, either. Emerson asked about her graphic design studies in college. Darcy didn’t spend much time thinking about that part of her life, or her brain, these days. Talking about it made her miss getting her hands on a new project, plotting the perfect mixture of creativity and structure. On a whim, she asked Emerson if she had a website, then offered to help her spruce it up. The idea of dabbling excited her, made her wonder about the website for The Flour Pot.
She went with Emerson to an art store, following her around the aisles and making mental lists of what it might take to open a small design business on the side. It would never take the place of her job at the café, but it might be fun. And if it brought in a little extra income, even better. Before she knew it, Emerson had picked out a starter kit of paints and a large pad of art paper for Liam, and insisted on paying for them herself. It melted her heart more than she wanted to admit.
They returned to the hotel to change for dinner. Darcy successfully rebuffed Emerson’s attempts to lure her into bed. The anticipation was enough to consume her and she loved every minute of it. They took a cab to the restaurant Emerson had picked for them—Eastern Standard—and had a perfectly indulgent conclusion to a perfect, if soggy, day in Boston. By the time they climbed out of the taxi and strolled into the hotel lobby, Darcy’s mind had taken on a singular focus. Emerson took her hand. “Would you like a nightcap? The bar downstairs is called Clink.”
Darcy laughed. “Cute. I’m good. I’d like to head up and not leave the room until brunch time tomorrow.”
Emerson smiled. “I like the way you think.”
They made their way to the elevator, then the room. “You’ll like the way I packed even better.”
Emerson offered her a quizzical look. “I thought I was the one who was supposed to do the packing.”
Darcy unzipped her bag and riffled through it. “Well, let me pop into the bathroom for a minute, then we can do show and tell.”
“Only if I get to touch, too.”
Darcy sashayed by Emerson on her way to the bathroom, stopping for a slow, teasing kiss. “If you play your cards right.”
“I’ll play whatever cards it takes to get more of that.”
In the beautiful, ultra-modern bathroom, Darcy changed into the sheer black baby doll that had been a present to herself the previous Valentine’s Day. In addition to the lace and ribbon detail over her breasts, it had ribbon lacing up the back reminiscent of a corset. She slid it over her head, happy with the way it clung and fell in all the right places. She dabbed a small amount of perfume behind her ears and between her breasts.
She emerged from the bathroom, and found Emerson lounging casually on the bed. She was naked, save the tight black briefs that held the cock in place. Even though it wasn’t their first time together, Darcy’s breath hitched in anticipation. Maybe it was the hotel room or the freedom of having the next two weeks ahead of them. It might be the strap-on itself. Something about this moment carried a heady combination of intimacy and abandon.
“You look absolutely stunning.”
Darcy basked in the heat of Emerson’s stare. “Thank you. You look pretty fucking amazing yourself.”
Emerson beckoned her with a single crook of her finger. Darcy took her time walking over, enjoying the way Emerson’s eyes devoured her. Emerson sat up and scooted to the edge of the massive bed, her tawny skin and dark underwear a sharp contrast to the crisp white sheets. She spread her legs and Darcy stepped into the vee of her thighs. “This is quite an outfit.”
“I told you I’d packed something special.”
Emerson swallowed. “Yeah, I think you win this one.”
“Now, now. It’s not a competition.” Darcy reached down and wrapped her hand lightly around the dildo. “What you brought is far more…practical.”
Emerson slid a hand up the back of Darcy’s thigh, resting it on her bare ass cheek. “Practical. That’s one way of putting it.”
“Utilitarian.”
“Better. I think. No bother. We’re not here to discuss semantics.”
“Thank goodness.” Darcy grazed her fingers over Emerson’s chest, enjoying the way Emerson’s eyes closed when she brushed over the nipple.
“Did you have something in mind?”
Darcy pinched the nipple, eliciting a small moan. “Something.”
Emerson’s free hand slid up to Darcy’s other exposed cheek. “Care to be more specific?”
“Actually…” Darcy stepped back and walked over to her bag. She pulled out the blindfold and the length of satin rope she’d tucked into her things just in case.
Emerson watched Darcy with anticipation. When her brain registered what Darcy held in her hands, she tried to keep the surprise from her face. She wasn’t opposed to being tied up. She just never had. She liked being adventurous. On top of that, she trusted Darcy. “You want to tie me up?”
Darcy crossed the room again and resumed her position between Emerson’s legs. She maintained eye contact as a slow smile spread across her face. “Not exactly.”
“No?” Emerson’s mind scrambled for a clever comeback. And then realization dawned. With it, a sharp stab of desire. “Oh. You want me to do it to you.”
The seductive smile was replaced with a playful grin and an arched brow. “No pressure. If you’re not into it, it’s not a big deal.”
“No, I…” What? She wasn’t not into it. And Darcy wanting the opposite of what she expected upped the intrigue. “I’m into it. I mean, I could be. I’m just…”
Rather than being turned off by Emerson’s floundering, Darcy seemed amused. “Surprised?”
Emerson nodded slowly. “A little. Maybe. Only that you don’t want to do the tying.”
“Because I’m a control freak.”
That was one way of putting it. “I wouldn’t use the word freak.”
Darcy trailed a finger down Emerson’s chest. “Don’t you know it’s the women who have to keep everything under control who most want to have it taken away?”
The question, combined with the sultry look in Darcy’s eyes, did more to turn Emerson on than the negligee or the blindfold or the rope. “I confess I’ve never thought about it that way.”
“The moment has to be right.” Darcy licked her lip. “And the person.”
Darcy trusted her. The significance of that was not lost on Emerson. “Then there’s nothing I’d like more.”
“For the record, if that’s something you wanted, I wouldn’t be opposed to being on the other end of the rope.”
Emerson fought to keep her tone light and even. If Darcy was on the other end of the rope, she might be into it after all. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Darcy placed the rope and the blindfold in Emerson’s open palm. “Then these are for you.”
Emerson swallowed. “Will you tell me what you like? What you want?”
Darcy smiled. “I like not knowing what you’re going to do next. Tell me what to do. I want to be completely in your hands.”
“And is there anything you don’t want?”
“I like directive, not demeaning. Does that make sense?”
That was a relief. Emerson didn’t take issue with that kind of play, but it didn’t do it for her. “It makes perfect sense.”
Darcy nodded. “Good.”
“Okay. Take a step back.” Darcy immediately complied. Emerson stood and dropped the rope onto the bed. “Close your eyes.”
Emerson slid the blindfold into place, then looked around the room. The headboard didn’t offer anything she could loop the rope to, but she wasn’t about to let that stop her. She placed her hands on Darcy’s shoulders and guided her to the bed. Emerson had her lie down across the middle, then lifted her hands over her head. She wrapped the cord around each of Darcy’s wrists a couple of times, trying to make it snug without cutting off circulation. “Is this okay?”
“Mmm hmm.”
Emerson reached over to the table in the seating area by the window. She dragged it closer to the bed, pleasantly surprised by how heavy it was. She looped the rope around the pedestal base and, without pulling it too tight, made it so that Darcy would be unable to go very far. “Give that a tug and tell me if it’s too tight.”
Emerson watched the rope go taut and the look of surprise come over Darcy. Clearly, she hadn’t anticipated being attached to anything. The smile that followed proved infinitely satisfying. “It’s good.”
“Good.” Emerson took her time walking to the other side of the bed. Standing at Darcy’s feet, she ran her fingers from Darcy’s ankle to her knee, up her thigh and back again. She repeated with her other hand on Darcy’s other leg. Then both legs at once, stopping just short of Darcy’s hips and teasing the triangle of soft hair. She was rewarded with a sound somewhere between a sigh and a moan.
Emerson straightened and took a moment to soak in the image in front of her. Darcy lay still for a little while, but soon started rubbing her legs together and twisting her torso gently. She didn’t say anything, though, and Emerson realized that taking her time would only heighten the anticipation. The extent to which Emerson held all the power struck her, leaving her aroused and… Something in addition to power, but Emerson couldn’t put her finger on it.
She crawled onto the bed and knelt beside Darcy. Even with the blindfold, Darcy’s face turned toward her. Emerson leaned forward and kissed her. Darcy parted her lips and Emerson slipped inside. As it always did, the taste of her mouth sent swells of desire through her. The way Darcy sighed made Emerson’s stomach tighten.
Go slow.
Emerson moved from Darcy’s mouth to her neck, from her neck to her breast. Darcy’s nipples strained against the lace. Emerson sucked them lightly, enjoying the texture against her tongue.
Darcy arched against Emerson, absorbing the sensations of Emerson’s skin and mouth on her. In addition to the element of surprise that came with being blindfolded, she was convinced that having one of her senses taken away heightened all the others. The sound of Emerson’s breath, the sheets rustling as they moved, filled her ears along with her own sighs.
Emerson pulled back and Darcy felt the absence of her body keenly. Part of her longed to feel Emerson’s face, to run her fingers through her hair. But being restrained brought its own pleasure. She was at Emerson’s mercy. It had been so long since she’d given that power to someone else. She’d missed it.
With gentle pressure, Emerson eased her legs apart. Darcy complied, lifting her knees slightly as Emerson ran her hands along the backs of her thighs, around her hips to her abdomen. Fingers brushed through the tuft of hair, making her shiver. Emerson’s mouth replaced her hands, pressing kisses across her belly and the insides of her thighs. Darcy squirmed, anxious to have Emerson’s mouth on her.
“Patience.” The single word between kisses calmed Darcy’s restless movement, but not the churning need. That continued to build until Darcy thought she might have to beg. But then Emerson’s tongue slid over her. The intensity of it made her cry out. Rather than easing back, Emerson urged her higher, bringing her close to release before teasing away. This continued for what felt like an eternity and Darcy realized that Emerson had no intention of letting her come like this. Knowing that made Darcy want it even more. She began to squirm in earnest, hoping Emerson might lose her patience. Or take mercy. Either would be fine.
The kisses stopped and Darcy could feel Emerson’s weight shift on the mattress. Soon. Emerson would be inside her soon.
“You’re ready for me, aren’t you?”
Darcy nodded. “Mmm.”
She expected to feel Emerson kneeling between her thighs, spread her apart. But nothing. “Is that any way to answer when you want something?”
Oh. They were going there. Darcy’s pussy clenched in anticipation. “Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, please. I’m ready.”
Emerson’s breath was warm on her ear. “What are you ready for? Tell me.”
Darcy swallowed. “I’m ready for you to fuck me.”
She sensed Emerson move away again. The gentle tease of Emerson’s fingers on her thighs resumed. “And how would you like me to fuck you?”
Darcy barely stopped herself from saying “hard” or “fast.” She smiled slowly. “Slow, at least at first. I want you to make me want it.”
Emerson didn’t respond.
“Please.”
Darcy felt Emerson settle between her thighs. Emerson slicked two fingers along her slit. Darcy gasped. “I guess we don’t need lube.”
Darcy let out a ragged laugh. “No.”
Emerson placed her hands on Darcy, opening her. She moved closer. The silicone pressed into her, warm from the extended foreplay. Emerson pushed the head in, then stopped. Darcy adjusted to the sensation, wanted more. She arched her hips. In response, Emerson eased deeper. But slowly. Like, ridiculously fucking slowly. Darcy wondered if she was going to regret what she asked for.
Eventually, Emerson eased all the way in. The fullness paired with the pressure of Emerson’s pelvis against hers. No, that was definitely worth waiting for.
Just as slowly, Emerson pulled out. Then in again. Each stroke was a languid journey. Darcy felt each ridge of the cock, the split second of anxiety each time she thought Emerson might pull out entirely. They continued like that for a while. Because the pace wouldn’t make her come, Darcy concentrated on each sensation. In addition to the cock, she could feel Emerson’s hands gripping her thighs. Each thrust created tension in the rope, making it dig ever so slightly into her wrists. The smell of Emerson’s cologne laced with the scent of sex. And even though she couldn’t see, Darcy imagined Emerson’s face, intensely focused on the movement of the cock in and out.
Emerson increased the intensity before the speed. What started out as an even glide became marked thrusts, punctuated with just the right amount of force. Each one coaxed a small noise from her. When Emerson picked up speed, Darcy’s noises alternated with a chorus of “yes” and “please.” Emerson nudged her knees up, supporting their weight and increasing the angle of their bodies. The shift added just the right friction against her clit and did her in.
Darcy came and the orgasm went on and on. She clenched around Emerson. Having something to hold onto grounded her in the pleasure, gave it an anchor as the vibrations moved through her. She called out Emerson’s name, hoped vaguely that there was no one in the adjoining rooms that might hear her.
Emerson continued to hold her legs, steadying her as she came down. When she finally stopped trembling, Emerson eased out of her—both a relief and a disappointment. Emerson moved and Darcy wished she could see her. Emerson hadn’t come and she planned to do something about it.
Breaking contact allowed Emerson to regain a small semblance of control. She brushed her fingers through Darcy’s hair and removed the blindfold. Darcy blinked at her, her dilated pupils adjusting to the light. “You okay?”
Darcy nodded. “You didn’t…I want…”
Emerson smiled. It was the first time she’d seen Darcy at a loss for words. “Don’t worry, I’m not done with you yet.”
Darcy licked her lips. “I want you to come as hard as you made me. Tell me what you want.”
Emerson loosened the knots of the rope, then leaned in to whisper in Darcy’s ear. “I want you on your hand and knees. Can you do that for me?”
Darcy nodded. Emerson eased back so Darcy could comply. Emerson knelt between her ankles. She ran her hands over Darcy’s ass and into the deep curve of her lower back. Darcy leaned back slightly, seeking.
“Would you like me to fuck you again?”
“Yes.” The response was ragged, breathy.
“Yes?”
“Yes, please.” Emerson positioned herself so that she could take Darcy again. When the head of the cock pressed against her, Darcy said again, “Please.”
Emerson braced her hands on Darcy’s hips and eased into her. The pressure against Emerson’s clit was exquisite. She eased out, then pressed in again. Darcy moaned. “Do you want me to take you fast or slow?”
Darcy’s back arched. “Fast.”
Emerson smiled. “Fast?”
“Fast, please.”
“That’s better. I will, but I’m going to enjoy myself first. Don’t try to speed up or I’m going to have to stop. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
Emerson punctuated Darcy’s reply with a long, forceful thrust. She’d swear she could feel Darcy tighten around her, pull her deeper. Emerson placed a hand on each of Darcy’s hips, guiding her forward as she pulled out, then, when she was on the verge of breaking contact, she dragged Darcy back. Each time, Darcy made the most beautiful noise—not quite a moan and not quite a whimper. The fully kneeling position gave her exceptional leverage. Even with Darcy no longer tied, she was completely and utterly in control.
She maintained the long, slow thrusts as long as she could take it, enjoying the visual as much as the physical sensation. But her vision was beginning to blur. She tightened her grip, digging her fingers into Darcy’s flesh and holding her still. No longer concerned with the length of each stroke, she pounded into her again and again. Darcy’s noises became more frequent, more frantic. The thrumming in Emerson’s low belly gave way to a tremor that shook her entire body.
Darcy cried out. Over the rush of blood in her ears, the sound of Darcy coming again undid her. She clutched Darcy to her, vibrating with a pleasure so fierce her legs began to buckle. Darcy collapsed under her and Emerson fell to the side, weak and panting.
“Holy fucking fuck.”
Emerson cracked a satisfied smile. “Yeah.”
They lay like that for a while. Eventually, Emerson summoned the energy to lift her head. Darcy remained splayed on her stomach and the cock bobbed enthusiastically between Emerson’s thighs. She laughed at the sight—the erect silicone unaffected by what had just transpired.
“What?” Having her face pressed against the mattress slurred Darcy’s speech.
“Just admiring the stamina of my friend here.”
Darcy lifted her head and glanced toward Emerson’s crotch. “Are you not done? Because if you’re not done, I am here for you.”
Emerson chuckled. “You don’t look like you could move.”
“I could move.”
Emerson leaned over and brushed the hair from her face. “That’s sweet. But there’s no need. I’m beyond satisfied. For now at least.”
Darcy returned her face to the mattress. “Thank God.”
Emerson slid the harness down her legs. Since Darcy was already lying across the bed, she grabbed a pair of pillows and joined her, yanking the duvet over them both. Darcy rolled onto her side and Emerson curled around her. She put an arm around Darcy’s waist and kissed the back of her head. “Good night.”
“Night.”