No Boundaries (3 page)

Gwen stepped close and took Andi’s hand in her own, then turned the palm up to assess the damage.

At the intimate touch, Andi’s heart began to race. She was stunned by the proximity of their bodies and the soothing, gentle caress of Gwen’s hand. Andi swallowed the lump in her throat and stared up at Gwen, not sure what she was supposed to do.

Gwen met her gaze and Andi was surprised by the warmth and compassion in Gwen’s eyes. Andi’s breath caught at the sight of such unguarded emotion.

“We’ll need to get this cleaned up. You have some small pieces of gravel under the skin there. Come inside and let me have a better look.”

Andi was suddenly very aware of the warmth spreading through her body. The tingling sensation in her skin beneath Gwen’s touch was beginning to make her uneasy. She didn’t like to be touched by strangers, but there was something oddly alluring about Gwen that Andi couldn’t quite shake. She couldn’t take her eyes off her face and struggled to put together a coherent thought. When Gwen looked up from her inspection of Andi’s hand, Andi took an involuntary step back. She was afraid Gwen would hike up the leg of her shorts and begin a close examination there like she had done with her hand.

“No. It really isn’t a big deal. I’m sure it’s fine. I’ll take care of it when I get home,” Andi stammered.

“I insist. Please. It’s the least I can do to make up for you being flattened by my dog.”

Andi studied Gwen’s face and took in the feel of the soft fingers against her palm and was once again speechless as Gwen stroked the edges of the cut, trying to free the stones from the torn skin on her hand. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been touched so tenderly, and the loneliness that had been haunting her for the past few weeks became a dull ache, punctuating the longing she had denied for years. She knew she should pull her hand away, but something kept her frozen in place. She couldn’t bring herself to separate from even this minor connection.

Finally finding her voice Andi spoke. “I’m pleased to meet you, Gwen. I’m Andrea Massey. Most people just call me Andi.”

Gwen smiled. The smile transformed her features from alluring to arresting, and Andi found herself captivated by the contrast of uncertainty and unguarded pleasure. Gwen gave Andi’s hand a gentle tug. “Well, Andi, let’s get you patched up. Come on, I insist.”

Andi followed Gwen into the house. She was surprised when Gwen took her hand again and led her to the kitchen sink.

“Sorry about the mess, I only arrived last night, and as you can see I haven’t managed to get much done yet,” Gwen said as she ran cool water over Andi’s hand, gently massaging the tattered red skin. She blotted the area with a towel, then turned and opened a box on the floor and retrieved a first-aid kit. She returned with peroxide, Neosporin, and a bandage. The peroxide burned when it hit the wound, and Andi flinched and hissed in a breath. To her amazement, Gwen leaned toward her and blew cool breaths across her palm, soothing the sting.

Andi watched Gwen’s lips purse as if offering a tender caress. When the air hit her skin, Andi felt it crawl up her veins until her whole body responded to the pull of Gwen’s breath as if she was tethered to her by an invisible string. Andi stiffened at the unusual response and hoped Gwen would think it was because of the discomfort from the abrasion. She was shocked to find she couldn’t stop staring at Gwen’s lips.

Gwen glanced up at Andi. “Does that hurt?”

Andi shook her head. “It just stings a little.”

Gwen studied Andi’s smooth soft hand, holding it gently as she worked the debris from the wound. The shock of seeing Andi splayed on the ground beneath Zeek was slowly subsiding. Zeek wasn’t usually aggressive, but by nature her breed was territorial, and with the move Gwen had been afraid Zeek might struggle with the newness of the neighbors and foot traffic around the house. She was relieved the injury hadn’t been worse and had been the result of a silly accident. Zeek was like her child, and she couldn’t imagine her hurting anyone.

Gwen heard Andi hiss and felt her stiffen when Gwen tried to coax a bit of gravel out of the wound. Gwen eased on the pressure and glanced up, meeting Andi’s eyes. She could see the discomfort written in the lines around Andi’s mouth. She felt a sudden desire to touch Andi, to smooth out the lines of pain that strained her lips into a taut line.

“Sorry. I know that has to hurt.”

Andi nodded, and Gwen saw the muscle at the side of Andi’s jaw jump as she clenched her teeth.

“Just a bit more, I promise.”

Gwen grew increasingly aware of the closeness of Andi’s body next to her and the tender skin of Andi’s hand lying submissively in hers. Andi was very attractive. She was athletic, yet soft in all the right places. Gwen recalled raking her hands over Andi’s body searching for injury, the evenly toned muscles in her arms and legs, her skin tender and smooth. Gwen guessed Andi was a few inches shorter than her own five foot eight inches. She liked the way Andi’s short chestnut hair curled slightly at her collar, the tips wet with sweat and clinging to her neck. Gwen imagined what it would be like to run her tongue along that long slender neck and taste the salt on Andi’s skin. Gwen licked her lips in response and continued her assessment. Andi’s build suggested she spent a lot of time in activities suited to tone her muscles while leaving her with all the right curves and softness that were unique to a woman. In short, Andi was captivating. Gwen liked what she saw, and she felt the muscles in her lower abdomen tighten in response.

Gwen looked up at her patient. Andi’s cheeks glowed, and Gwen hoped this was from the exertion of her run and not from the incident with Zeek. Gwen pushed her attention back to the wound and drew in a long slow breath as she worked, detecting the scent of sweat and a hint of coconut and maybe something wild that reminded her of honeysuckle. The smell was intoxicating. She couldn’t believe she had spent the morning thinking she would be surrounded by geriatric women with blue hair, and now the most exquisite, beautiful woman she could have imagined was standing in her kitchen. Gwen stroked the soft skin, lingering a bit longer than necessary. She could hear Andi’s soft voice brushing over her senses like a cool breeze.

“Norris is a great place. I think you’ll enjoy it here. This is a great house.”

“Thank you,” Gwen answered, her own voice seeming heavy and far away. She held on to Andi’s hand despite being finished with the first aid. “There you go. That should do for now. How about your hip?”

The blush in Andi’s cheeks darkened. “It’s fine. I can take care of it when I get home.”

Gwen smiled, acknowledging the awkwardness. “I really am sorry for all this.”

Gwen looked down at her hand still holding Andi’s. Heat rose to her face as her body responded to her attraction to Andi. She wanted to reach out and touch her. She let go before she made a complete fool of herself. Gwen’s skin cooled in the absence of Andi’s touch, and she instinctively closed her fist, trying to hold on to the lingering sensation of the touch. This was turning out to be a very good day.

“No harm done really.” Andi looked around the room, taking her eyes away from Gwen for the first time. She needed a distraction so she could get a grip on herself. She searched for a way to put more distance between her and Gwen so she could think more clearly and settle the stir of attraction that had her out of sorts. Andi spotted Zeek lying sprawled on the floor at their feet, her big brown eyes looking apologetically from Gwen to Andi, making her eyebrows dance up and down.

“What kind of dog is Zeek?”

“Neapolitan mastiff.”

Andi knelt beside Zeek, taking the big muzzle into her hands. Zeek raised her head, and Andi planted a kiss on top. “I’m sorry too, Zeek. I hope we can be friends.”

These seemed to be the magic words. Zeek jumped up, tail wagging like a giant propeller as she lumbered out the back door.

“Guess it’s back to squirrel patrol,” Gwen said with an exasperated laugh.

Andi laughed too. “Guess so. Well, I really should get going. I still have to finish my run, and it looks like you have your work cut out for you.”

Gwen winced and looked around at the mess. “Unfortunately, you are correct.”

“Do you need any help?” Andi asked, and then looked away regretting the words. What was she doing? She didn’t know Gwen, and it wasn’t like her to offer to spend time with someone she didn’t know.

“Thanks, but I think right now I just need to return the truck and make a plan. But I’d love to get together for a drink or dinner later.”

Andi’s eyes widened in surprise. “Thank you, but I can’t.” She was still trying to make sense of the feelings Gwen had stirred in her, and the thought of spending even more time with Gwen was both exciting and terrifying. Part of her cried out for some connection, but Andi knew better than to follow those feelings. She reminded herself that her life was much simpler if she didn’t allow anyone close.

“Are you sure? I’d like to make this up to you.” Gwen gestured to the bandage on Andi’s hand.

Andi could feel Gwen’s gaze as if she had been touched. She recognized the interest lingering in Gwen’s eyes and felt increasingly uncomfortable with the closeness of Gwen’s body. “You don’t even know me,” Andi said with an edge of distrust in her voice.

“That’s the point in getting together, isn’t it? So we can get to know each other.”

Andi couldn’t believe this was happening. She hadn’t had time to understand her feelings and felt at a loss to explain. She wasn’t used to being thrown off balance by anyone, and her words came out sharper than she had intended. “Thanks, but I’ll have to pass.”

“Why?” Gwen asked, moving closer. “It could be fun.”

Andi swallowed, trying to clear the lump that was forming in her throat. She felt a stab of disappointment at the aplomb of Gwen’s gesture. She wasn’t used to women asking her out, and she certainly wasn’t used to being so affected by anyone. “I’m sorry, I really can’t. I need to go.”

Gwen smiled playfully at Andi. “Okay. Maybe another time then.”

Andi looked away, caught off guard by Gwen’s apparent interest.

Gwen shrugged, unused to women saying no. “Fair enough.” She’d noticed the sudden change in Andi’s behavior and realized Andi was uncomfortable with the conversation, but she wasn’t certain why. She was disappointed by Andi’s rejection. She knew she had seen interest in Andi’s eyes. It was one thing for a woman to say no to a date, but Andi’s response had been defensive, and Gwen couldn’t figure out what she had done wrong. A familiar pain stung the back of Gwen’s throat as the memory of Miranda’s words came back to her.
Really Gwen, you couldn’t possibly think this could go anywhere. What could you possibly offer me other than a good roll between the sheets?

Andi turned and headed toward the door, and Gwen followed her.

“Hey, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I just want to make up for what happened, and I thought we could have a good time together.”

The look on Andi’s face told Gwen she had said the wrong thing again. Andi looked as if she could shoot daggers at her with her eyes.

Gwen put her hands up stopping Andi’s comment. “Look, we seem to be getting off on the wrong foot here. I didn’t mean to offend you. Everything I say seems to come out wrong.”

Andi paused, and for a moment Gwen thought she would reconsider.

“Thank you for taking care of my hand,” Andi said and stepped out the door.

“Andi?”

Andi stopped. She turned and faced Gwen, her expression guarded.

“It was nice meeting you. I really am sorry.”

Andi nodded. She heard the sincerity in Gwen’s voice and caught the flicker of sadness in Gwen’s eyes. All the irritation she had felt moments before seemed to melt away. She was just overreacting, and it wasn’t fair for her to take it out on Gwen. “I’m sorry too. Have fun with the house. I’m sure I’ll see you around town.” Andi waved a good-bye and took off at a jog.

She heard Gwen’s voice trail off behind her. “Looking forward to it.”

Andi didn’t respond. Her fingers closed against the bandage Gwen had applied to her injured palm, reminding her of Gwen’s long tender fingers stroking her hand and Gwen’s cool breath against her skin.

She picked up the pace, trying to run the thoughts of Gwen Palmer out of her mind. She had learned long ago that she couldn’t allow herself to get close to anyone. No matter how alluring Gwen was, she couldn’t take the risk. She wouldn’t dare put anyone in danger that way ever again.

The next day, Andi was still plagued with frequent thoughts of Gwen. She replayed the incident over and over in her mind, focusing on Gwen’s touch and imagining her soft fingers caressing her body. She had been shocked when Gwen invited her for dinner or drinks, and she had meant her answer. But looking back on the situation now, she knew she had overreacted. She had been shaken by her physical response to Gwen, and the idea of spending time with her had sent Andi over the edge. She knew she was projecting her issues with the past onto Gwen and had lashed out at her because she offered exactly what Andi wanted, exactly what she couldn’t have. Her life was way too complicated to get involved with
anyone
.

Still, Andi had felt anxious when she passed Gwen’s house that morning—and she had deliberately driven by while out on errands for the shop and when she made deliveries for some of the elderly clients, just to see if she might see Gwen out. She was disappointed each time she failed to see Gwen. Andi ran her hands through her hair in frustration. Was she going crazy? Nothing was going to happen between her and Gwen, nothing
could
happen between them. So why was she torturing herself like this? It didn’t matter how attractive Gwen was.
I can’t go there.

On her last pass by the house, Andi had already seen subtle changes, and she was happy knowing Gwen had given the old house a new purpose. A large Dumpster had been moved into the driveway and was slowly being filled with the debris from the renovation. She wondered what Gwen was doing. Did she need help?

Andi chided herself for the third time that day for allowing her thoughts to drift toward Gwen. She reminded herself of the things she loved about her quiet life, and that there was no need to entertain futile thoughts of this woman. She had good reasons for her solitude.

The bell above the door rang as someone entered the store, startling Andi from her thoughts. She felt her heart stop as she looked up to see Gwen standing at the counter.

“Oh, hi.” Panic gripped Andi’s chest and she wrapped her fingers tightly around the edge of the counter. She was thankful Gwen couldn’t read her thoughts. The sudden appearance of the very woman she had been obsessing over embarrassed her. “How are things at the house? Are you getting settled in yet?” Andi asked. She tried to make her voice sound casual, but her words came out in a rush.

Gwen looked almost as surprised to see Andi as Andi felt to see her.

“Hi. I wasn’t expecting to run into you.” Gwen’s smile quickly shifted from surprise to cool confidence. “I guess I’m out of the habit of seeing a familiar face, and you caught me off guard. The house is going great. I’m really enjoying the whole process. You’ll have to stop by sometime and check it out.”

Andi noticed the subtle rise in Gwen’s eyebrows when she offered the invitation. What did that mean? Was Gwen flirting with her? Oh God, she couldn’t be flirting with her.

“Sure. I’ll do that,” Andi answered, knowing she would do no such thing. “So, what can I help you with today?”

“Um, you work here?” Gwen asked with a hint of surprise in her voice.

“Actually, I’m the owner,” Andi replied. “So yes, that means I spend a great deal of time here.”

“Oh. Well, in that case, I’m looking for a refill on Zeek’s flea preventative. The last thing I need is a flea infestation in the house.”

Andi laughed. “Sure thing.” She shuffled out from behind the counter and located the preventative for Gwen, who followed her through the store and stood so close Andi imagined she could feel the heat emanating from her body.

“There you go. That should do it,” Andi said, handing Gwen the box.

“Thanks,” Gwen said, stepping even closer and placing her hand lightly on Andi’s arm.

Andi tensed, unsettled by the contact and the sudden rush of adrenaline coursing through her as every nerve ending in her body went on high alert. She was still keyed up from musing about Gwen, and having her actually touch her now was enough to spark a gentle thrum of desire.

“Have dinner with me. I know you don’t know me, but I could really use some company. Zeek is a good listener and all, but the one-sided conversation gets a bit old after a while.”

Andi chuckled and shifted uncomfortably. The sudden tightening in her belly shook her, and she became hyperaware of Gwen’s hand on her arm. Andi shifted away from Gwen.

“I thought we already covered this. I’m not going to go out with you.”

Gwen smiled as if she’d expected the response. “We wouldn’t be going out. We could stay in.”

Andi felt heat rise up her neck at the thought of being alone with Gwen and was irritated by her physical response and her irrational desire to say yes. She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath to regain her composure. “Definitely not.”

“You misunderstood. I just want to have dinner. No strings. No expectations.”

The bell above the door rang again, interrupting Andi before she could give a retort. “I’m sorry. Could you excuse me for a minute?” She was happy for the distraction as she hurriedly brushed past Gwen, intercepting the family of three that had just come in with their new puppy.

Gwen let out a forced breath. She stood back next to a box of dog toys and watched Andi. She couldn’t figure out why it was so hard to talk to her. She thought she had picked up a hint of interest from Andi and she was definitely attracted to her. But Andi seemed almost offended by her offer for dinner. Gwen was confused by the mixed signals. When the family left she brought her items to the front.

Gwen decided to try again. “So…dinner?”

“Thank you, but my answer is still no,” Andi answered frankly.

Gwen sighed. “Look, I know I came on a little strong the other day. It’s fine if you don’t want to go out with me, but I was hoping we could be friends. I wasn’t kidding about needing the company. I don’t know anyone else in town, and as far as I know you’re the only other person here under the age of sixty. I’m not looking to hook up. I just like you and want to be friends.”

Something in Gwen’s tone penetrated the emotional barriers Andi had erected to keep people at a distance. Maybe Gwen’s self-assurance and forwardness didn’t mean she was a player. Andi knew she was being hard on Gwen, and it wasn’t fair of her to put all the blame on Gwen when she was the one with the messed up life. But she wasn’t ready to trust her. Most of all, she couldn’t trust herself.

“You don’t seem like the shy type. I’m sure you’ll make plenty of friends quick enough.”

Gwen’s expression hardened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Andi sighed. “Nothing.” She knew she was being rude to Gwen. “I’m sorry. I’m not usually so rude. I guess I’m not used to this.” She reached under the counter and pulled out a stool and sat as the fight drained out of her. “I’m not a very social person. I don’t like to go out. I don’t hang out with friends.” She felt bad—she wasn’t the kind of person who was rude to anyone on purpose. Maybe Gwen really was lonely. Just because she had isolated herself from personal relationships didn’t give her the right to be rude to Gwen.

Andi reached out and laid her hand across Gwen’s. She wanted to soothe some of the hurt she had caused. “You’re right. I’m being rude and you don’t deserve that.” Andi sighed. “It isn’t you. I just don’t socialize much and I’d rather keep it that way.”

“You do eat don’t you?”

Gwen’s teasing tone surprised Andi, and she couldn’t hold back the grin that pressed at the corners of her mouth. She pursed her lips to suppress the smile. “Of course I do.”

“So, since you’re going to be eating anyway, why not do it at my place. You can have your own plate and everything.”

Unconsciously Andi curled her fingers around Gwen’s hand. “You don’t give up, do you?” As much as she hated to admit it, Gwen was getting to her. Just because she had dinner with a woman didn’t mean she had to get involved with her. Maybe they could be friends. The thought sent a thrill through her. She had been so lonely for so long it hurt. Could she risk it? Was it too much to hope for? Was it too much to ask of Gwen?

“If you’re really just looking to make friends around here, maybe you should go to the Concert on the Commons this Friday night. Everyone in town will be there. I’m sure you can meet some new friends there.” It was her last effort to push Gwen away, and the cold stare that eclipsed Gwen’s gaze was like a punch to Andi’s midsection. She instantly regretted the words. She hated hurting Gwen and found it was getting harder to say no.

Gwen pulled her hand away. She clenched her teeth and held her breath as the rejection hit its mark, making spots dance in front of her eyes. She tried to get a grip on her emotions. Andi’s words were like a slap in the face. What had she been thinking to come here and ask Andi out? Andi obviously didn’t think she was good enough for her. Well, she wasn’t about to waste any more time trying to be friends with Andi.

“Yeah, sure, I’ll do that,” Gwen said in a flat tone. She signed the receipt slip and picked up her purchase. “This was obviously a mistake. It won’t happen again.”

Gwen shut the door without a sound on her way out. She wasn’t sure why Andi’s rejection bothered her so much. But for some reason, she cared about what Andi thought of her. Andi had tried to tell her she didn’t have friends. But who didn’t have friends? Was Andi just brushing her off or did she really isolate herself? The whole thing was frustrating as hell, and Gwen wanted to wash her hands of the mess. But she had seen something else in Andi in those first moments when they met, something Andi tried to hide. And that something had stirred Gwen in a way no other woman ever had.