In My Skin (3 page)

I arrived at Goddess at about six-thirty and found Sophie going around the tables lighting candles. She looked up as I entered and smiled widely.

"Hi, honey, good to see you again. Chaise is in the office. Why don't you go on through. I'm sure she'll be pleased to see you.” She pointed over her shoulder toward the back of the room.

"Thanks, Sophie.” I headed for the office, my pulse fluttering like a nervous bird, and when I reached the door I raised my hand and knocked hesitantly.

"C'mon in.” Just the sound of her voice was enough to make my skin tingle. I pushed open the door and stepped into the small office. Chaise looked up from the paperwork spread out on the desk, and when she saw me her face lit up in a smile that settled all my nerves and told me without a word that she had missed me as much as I had missed her. She got up from her seat, rounded the desk and pulled me into a tight hug.

"God, you are a sight for sore eyes.” She looked at me like she hadn't seen me for three years instead of three days, then lowered her head and touched her lips to mine. I leaned into the kiss and sighed my pleasure. It was a soft kiss, and I sensed that Chaise was holding back so as not to push me too hard. But the truth was, I wanted to be pushed, just a little bit. I raised a hand and wrapped it around the back of her neck, pressed closer and opened my mouth just enough to run my tongue along her bottom lip. She let out a little moan, and her lips parted. The tip of her tongue touched mine, and I gasped as pleasure zinged my brain. Any reservations I might have had vanished in an instant. I coaxed her tongue into my mouth and sucked on it, felt her hands tighten in the material of my sweater at my back. When one of her hands slid down and cupped my ass, I had to pull away and drag in a breath. I looked at her, my breasts heaving with the effort of breathing, my body hot with raw sexual need. Her gray eyes were nearly black, and her eyelids looked heavy, her cheeks flushed.

She raised a hand and ran her thumb over my bottom lip. “Hungry?” Her voice was lower than normal, a little husky.

"Yes.” The word came out like a hiss, and I lowered my eyes to her mouth; her lips parted and puffy from the kiss.

Her mouth turned up in a smile. “I mean for food."

A few days before I would have blushed and stuttered, now, however, I snickered and laid my forehead on her shoulder. “That would be good too."

She laughed and hugged me again. I already felt so at home in her arms. When she pulled away she linked our fingers together and we left the office together. Chaise called out to Sophie, pointed up, and at Sophie's nod she led me to a door tucked away in the corner with a sign hanging on it reading Private. Chaise unlocked the door, ushered me through and locked it behind us. We climbed a flight of narrow stairs that opened onto a big, open plan apartment. The natural brick walls were decorated with framed photographs and fabric hangings. Three sofas, festooned with cushions of all shapes, colors and fabrics were grouped together around a round, glass topped coffee table in the center of the room, and rugs that looked hand woven were scattered around the hardwood floor. At the far end, under a set of wide arched windows, was a long counter that clearly designated the kitchen area.

I turned to Chaise. “It's lovely—you live here?"

She smiled and nodded. “It's convenient for work. Why don't you have a seat while I go and change, then we can go out for something to eat?"

I sat down on one of the big, comfy sofas and looked up at her, surprised. “We're going out?"

Still holding my hand, she grinned. “I would love to cook something for you, but I'd rather we didn't spend the rest of the evening in the emergency room. My culinary skills leave a little to be desired. I know a great little place on the river.” She touched her lips to my knuckles before letting my hand go.

I looked down at myself. “I'm not really dressed for going out."

"Actually, what you're wearing is perfect. I thought we could take the bike?” She arched an eyebrow in silent question when my head popped back up.

"The bike? As in the motorcycle?” I think my gulp might have been audible. “Uh, okay...” I straightened my shoulders, firmed up my voice and smiled. “Sure, why not?"

Chaise was quiet for a moment as she stood there looking at me, a strange light in her eyes.

"What?” I asked a little hesitantly.

She shook her head. “Just you. Nothing fazes you for long, does it? I think you might have an adventurer's heart.” She smiled and reached out to touch her fingertips to my cheek.

I turned my head into the caress, but could find no reply to her words.

Chaise disappeared through a door, which I assumed led to her bedroom, and reappeared ten minutes later dressed in jeans, a heavy cotton shirt over a white t-shirt and with her hair lying in a thick braid down the centre of her back. She was carrying two crash helmets, one black, the other red. She handed me the black one and led the way down another flight of stairs to the garage. She pressed a button and the door opened automatically, letting the evening light flood in and glint off the shiny paintwork of the motorcycle. She rolled the bike out into the narrow lane at the side of the building and swung her leg over it.

"Okay?"

After only the briefest of pauses, I nodded, put on the crash helmet and got on the bike behind Chaise. She seemed to sense that I didn't know what to do with my hands, because she reached back, brought them around her waist and linked them together at her stomach. I jumped, startled when she turned the key and the engine rumbled to life. We moved slowly along the uneven surface of the lane, then pulled out onto the main road. When Chaise picked up speed I clutched at her, my body tense. I quickly realized that Chaise was a better than competent driver. She controlled the bike with the confidence and ease of experience, weaving effortlessly through the last of the rush hour traffic. I was a touch jittery on the city streets, and my grip on Chaise's waist was perhaps a little tighter than was strictly necessary, but if it bothered her she didn't show it. When we got outside the city, onto the quieter country roads, the tension in my muscles started to recede, and I was gradually able to relax and enjoy the way the warm evening air whipped at my clothes, the feel of Chaise's back against my breasts, and the vibrations of the bike running through my body.

Chaise brought us to a little cafe-bar. We sat on the terrace, shared a pizza, drank club soda and watched the pleasure boats glide up and down the water. It was a perfect summer evening; a warm breeze rustled the leaves on the trees, music drifted from the boats, and the high-spirited chatter of the cafe's other patrons all combined to create a relaxed and carefree ambience.

We talked with the ease of old friends about nothing of any real consequence, just the trivial little things that such languid evenings inspired: our favorite books, which stores we liked to shop at, and we discovered a mutual love of Saturday morning kids TV. For a moment I had a vision of the future—Chaise and I sitting on the sofa in jammies, eating Cheerios and watching Scooby Doo. I smiled at my own silliness.

When the sky started turning shades of violet and deep red, we headed back to the city. It was a little cooler on the return journey and when we got off the bike in front of Chaise's garage, I felt chilled. She came around the bike to me and rubbed her hands up and down my arms.

"Why don't you come upstairs for a coffee to warm you up, then I'll walk you to your car?"

I nodded and followed her up the stairs.

While Chaise prepared the coffee, I took a seat on one of the sofas, scrunching back into the corner and hugging a fluffy cushion to me in an effort to warm up.

"I should have given you more warning about the bike; given you the chance to bring a jacket.” Chaise handed me a mug of coffee and sat at the other end of the sofa with hers.

"Don't worry about it. Besides, you didn't have a jacket either.” I smiled to take the guilty look off her face.

"My shirt was quite a bit heavier than your sweater, though. Next time, you can borrow my spare leather jacket."

Next time. I liked that. I smiled and took a sip of coffee, but as the liquid hit my taste buds, the smile turned into a grimace and I had to fight the urge to spit it back into the cup. I managed to swallow it, but couldn't hide my distaste.

I put the cup on the table and turned to Chaise, grinning. “I will, however, accept an apology for that coffee. That has to be some of the worst coffee I have ever tasted. I know you said your culinary skills weren't great but, damn woman, you own a coffee shop!"

Chaise had the decency to look embarrassed. She put her cup beside mine on the table. “Yeah, well, I don't actually make the coffee downstairs, I just shmooze the customers and take their money."

The color in her cheeks was adorable. “Hmm, I'd stick to that if I were you.” I dodged to the side to avoid the cushion that she aimed at my head and it landed harmlessly on the floor behind me.

"I could get you some tea if you prefer?” She raised one eyebrow. “I can make tea that doesn't double as rodent poison."

"I think I'll test that claim another day. I should probably go. I have a pile of paperwork awaiting me.” I pushed the cushion off my lap and eased out of the sofa.

"I had a really good time tonight. Come on, I'll walk you to your car.” Chaise got to her feet and stood in front of me. She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my lips, then turned and walked toward the main stairs, but I couldn't seem to move to follow her. My tongue came out to touch my lips, and I could taste her there. I wanted more.

At the top of the stairs Chaise turned and looked at me, her confusion clear. “Anna? Are you all right?"

I bit the inside of my lip and took a couple of deep, fortifying breaths. “I-uh, well...” I wiped suddenly sweaty palms on my thighs. “I could always go into the office earlier in the morning; do the paperwork then."

Chaise moved slowly back to me, as if afraid that I might bolt if she made a sudden move. “You could do that. You'd miss the rush hour traffic—that's a plus right there."

"Yeah, rush hour can be a bitch.” My voice sounded a little breathy, and I was finally able to move, taking a step toward Chaise.

"So, you can stay ... for tea?” The naked desire in her eyes made my heart kick against my chest.

I took one more step. “Actually, I prefer tea with breakfast."

She drew in a long, unsteady breath. “Are you sure?"

I nodded and swallowed past the sudden tightness in my throat. “Scared spitless, but yes, I'm sure.” I tried to smile, but nerves got the better of me.

Chaise placed the gentlest of kisses on my forehead then took my hand and smiled. “We'll only do what you're comfortable with. You say stop, we stop. Okay?” Her voice was quiet, reassuring.

I tightened my fingers around hers. “Okay.” This time I managed to smile, and it was real.

I followed Chaise as she led me across the apartment to the bedroom. My stomach was churning and my pulse was racing like I had run a marathon, but there was also excitement and desire unlike anything I had ever experienced.

In the bedroom, Chaise let go of my hand and went to switch on the lamps on either side of the big brass bed. Soft light gave the room a golden glow, and Chaise came back to me where I was still standing by the door. She rested her hands on my hips and lowered her head until her lips were touching my jaw. I automatically tilted my head to the side, and Chaise took it as an invitation. She nibbled and licked her way from my chin to the lobe of my ear and sucked on it until I moaned and goose bumps broke out over my body. My hands gripped her shirt at the waist and my head fell back, suddenly too heavy for my neck.

Chaise slipped a hand under the hem of my sweater, ran her fingers up my back until she reached my bra. Her thumb caressed the skin under the material, but she didn't try to unclip it. I arched my back and the movement pushed my breasts against hers. Heat instantly flooded me and my nipples hardened, pushing uncomfortably against the lace of my bra.

"Chaise, I need ... I want...” My brain felt thick, clouded.

"What is it, baby? Tell me what you want.” She dragged her nails lightly down my spine, and I shivered.

"I want...” What did I want? I wanted this rushing, tingling feeling in my body to continue, I wanted skin on skin, heat and slick. “Everything. Oh, God, Chaise. I want it all.” My words ended on a sharp intake of breath when she moved the hand that had been stroking my back around to cup my breast. I pushed into the touch instinctively and moaned when she dragged her thumb across the rigid tip. The need to touch her nearly overwhelmed me. In movements that were almost frantic, I tugged at the buttons on the front of her shirt, gave a little laugh of relief when I found that they were actually studs and came apart easily. I laid my hands flat on the soft material of her T-shirt at her stomach and felt the heat of her body soak into my skin. I raised my hands to her shoulders and pushed at the shirt. Chaise dropped her hands and let the shirt fall to the floor. I looked up then and saw that she was watching me intently.

"Touch me, Anna. I want to feel your hands on me.” Her voice was thick, almost like I was hearing it through cotton wool. She took my hands in hers, lowered them until they were resting at the bottom of her T-shirt. “Take it off. Undress me."

At her quietly urging words, I felt moisture gather between my legs and the muscles low in my stomach tightened. Not trusting my own voice, I simply nodded and took hold of the T-shirt. My hands trembled as I raised the cotton, exposing her torso an inch at a time. The backs of my fingers brushed lightly over her skin and it felt warm and smooth. I tugged the shirt over her head and dropped it to the floor, then moved my hands to the waistband of her jeans. I unbuttoned and unzipped them and pushed them over the gentle curve of Chaise's hips and down her thighs. When they fell to her ankles she kicked the jeans to the side and stood before me in only matching panties and bra in pale blue satin and lace. I'd seen women in this state of undress before, of course, in the changing rooms at stores, the locker room at the gym, but I'd never experienced this intense desire to touch, to explore.