Happily Ever After Read online

  Lauren regarded the zipper through narrowed eyes. Why would she cover up this beautiful body when all she wanted was to see more of it, to caress, kiss, and worship every part of it? She got up from the bed and stepped closer—close enough to feel the heat of Grace’s body against her own, even through her clothes. “There’s a problem.”

  Grace craned her neck and peered over her shoulder. “What problem? Is there a stain on the dress?”

  “No. But you did this all wrong.”

  “Wrong?”

  “Yeah.” Lauren moved even closer, her chest now brushing against Grace’s half-bare back, separated just by the thin material of Lauren’s blouse. “You didn’t do this in the correct order. See, this is how it’s done.” She reached out and trailed her fingertips over Grace’s hips, allowing herself to enjoy the smooth silk and the heat she could feel beneath it for a moment before sliding the dress down. With her lips, she followed its path and placed a string of soft kisses along Grace’s spine.

  Grace clutched the dress to her chest before it could drop to the floor. “We don’t have time for this,” she said in a halfhearted protest. “We need to get going.”

  “You need to take the dress off to make it down the ladder anyway.” Lauren kissed Grace’s shoulder blade and then lightly licked it. “I’m just helping.”

  “Helping?” Grace laughed. “Your kind of help will make us late.”

  Lauren shrugged. She moved the soft hair aside, pressed her lips against the nape of Grace’s neck, and swirled her tongue over the warm skin. A contented hum escaped her as she breathed in the peach aroma of Grace’s shampoo and the even more appealing scent that was all her.

  Goose bumps broke out all over Grace’s body.

  Delighted, Lauren traced them with her lips and tongue. She coasted her fingertips down Grace’s sensitive sides until the dress, which was now pooling around Grace’s hips, stopped her. “God, Grace, I want to touch you all over.” She nipped one shoulder with her teeth. “But if you really think we should get going…”

  The dress landed in a heap on the floor. “We have to make this quick,” Grace said, her voice rough.

  “No problem. I can do quick.” After Grace’s little dress-tease, she was more than ready.

  Grace tried to turn and step out of the pool of fabric around her ankles, but Lauren stopped her by wrapping both arms around her from behind. “Oh no. Stay just like this. I’m directing this scene.”

  “You’re a screenwriter, not a director.” Grace again tried to turn around.

  Lauren trapped her against her own body. “Up here, I get to be whatever I want. Today, I want to be a director.”

  A visible shudder went through Grace.

  Lauren grinned, knowing how hot Grace found it when she took control.

  “A rather hands-on director, I hope,” Grace said.

  “Oh yeah. Very hands-on.” Lauren splayed both hands over Grace’s hips, enjoying the feel of the sensuous curves beneath her palms, and pulled her even closer until their bodies were pressed against each other all along their lengths, Grace’s bare back against her breasts. For a moment, she wished she were naked and could feel every inch of Grace’s skin sliding against her own, but she knew if she undressed now, they’d never make it to the premiere, so she focused on Grace. Lightly, she scraped her teeth up the side of her neck, lingering for a moment to kiss the pounding pulse under her lips and to taste her skin.

  A breathy moan escaped Grace. She turned her head, and Lauren caught a glimpse of her pupils that were dilated with desire.

  Knowing how much Grace wanted her instantly made her wet. She leaned forward and brushed her lips over the edge of Grace’s ear, enjoying the shiver that went through Grace. When Grace turned her head even more, she flicked her tongue out and teased her with little licks along the corner of her mouth. Still holding Grace tight against her chest with one hand, she trailed her fingertips up Grace’s belly and circled her bra-clad breasts.

  “Don’t tease.”

  “Oh, you mean the way you did earlier?” Lauren slid one finger beneath the bra and let the pad of her fingertip brush back and forth just beneath Grace’s nipple, without fully touching it.

  Grace groaned. “I have no idea what you mean. I was just getting dressed.”

  “Sure.” Finally taking mercy, Lauren opened the front closure of the strapless bra and pulled the material free from where it was trapped between their bodies. She caressed the incredibly soft skin of Grace’s areola, which pebbled beneath her touch, and then took one of the hard points between thumb and index finger and gently rolled it back and forth.

  With a moan, Grace threw her head back against Lauren’s shoulder, exposing even more of her delectable neck to Lauren’s mouth.

  Pushing several strands of blonde hair out of the way, Lauren leaned down and placed a string of openmouthed kisses along Grace’s neck. She released her hip and trailed the other hand up Grace’s body to cup the neglected breast too.

  “God.” Grace jerked against her, her firm ass pressing against Lauren’s crotch.

  Heat coiled in Lauren’s belly. She clenched her thighs together and forced herself to focus on Grace. Alternately, she massaged her breasts and teased her nipples. She sucked on the skin of Grace’s neck, stopping just short of marking her since she knew the dress wouldn’t cover any hickeys.

  “I thought you wanted to make this”—Grace gasped when Lauren lightly pinched one nipple—“quick.”

  Lauren gave the soft skin one last soothing lick and then took her mouth off Grace’s neck. She skimmed one hand down Grace’s body and cupped her through the silk of her panties. The fabric was damp against her fingers. “Oh, don’t worry. I don’t think this will take long at all.”

  A trembling breath rushed from Grace’s chest. “I don’t think so either.” She covered Lauren’s hand with her own and pressed her more firmly against herself.

  “Oh, no.” Lauren pulled Grace’s hand away. “I’m the director, remember?”

  “Yeah, but all the good ones give the actors some space to improvise.” Grace rubbed herself against Lauren, the contrast of her naked skin against Lauren’s fully dressed body a powerful turn-on.

  Lauren playfully bit her shoulder, making Grace gasp. “Not this time. We have to get this right in just one take.”

  “How about some action, then?”

  “You mean something like this?” She took her hand away and smoothed it down Grace’s leg before trailing her fingertips up the inside of her thigh. Using only one finger, she dipped under the elastic band of her panties.

  Grace groaned her approval and instantly widened her stance to give her access.

  Tightly leashing her sense of urgency, Lauren directed her so they were both facing the mirrored closet door and marveled at the way they looked together, with her taller body framing Grace’s from behind. “Look,” she whispered into Grace’s ear. “Look at us.”

  When Grace raised her head, their gazes met in the mirror.

  Maintaining eye contact, Lauren trailed her index finger through the trimmed curls that were already damp with desire and felt Grace tremble against her. When she brushed the swollen sex, Grace let out a gasp and shifted her hips.

  The movement made the pad of Lauren’s finger slide over Grace’s clit.

  Both of them groaned.

  Quickly, Lauren withdrew her hand.

  “No! What are you—?”

  Lauren shushed her by lightly pressing her finger—the one she’d just used to touch Grace—against her lips.

  Grace flicked out her tongue and tasted herself on Lauren’s finger before sucking the digit into her mouth.

  A shudder went through Lauren. Only when Grace finally released her finger did her brain start to work again. “As sexy as they are, your panties have to go.”

  Grace immediately reached down to take them off, but again, Lauren stopped her.

  “Let me.” She knelt behind Grace and slid the panties down, letting her
hands trail over the smooth skin of her legs. On the way back up, she kissed a path along Grace’s thighs, hips, and spine. Each touch set her nerves tingling, and from Grace’s much-too-fast breathing, she knew it had the same effect on her. Lauren took in Grace’s now completely naked body in the mirror. A rosy flush dusted her face and neck.

  For a moment, Lauren cupped Grace’s world-famous ass in both palms and massaged gently before sliding her hands around, trailing one up to caress her breast and the other down to stroke the sensitive area where Grace’s thigh met her torso. It thrilled her to watch the path of her hands in the mirror, to watch Grace’s eyes glaze over with passion—a view she knew she’d remember through the lonely nights while Grace was in London.

  “Lauren. Please.” Grace reached back and clutched Lauren with both hands.

  No more teasing. Lauren slid her hand down.

  Grace’s breathing hitched before Lauren even touched her.

  Their gazes still locked on each other in the mirror, Lauren brushed one finger over the folds of Grace’s sex, keeping the contact light at first, then started drawing slow circles around her clit.

  Grace arched, seeking more contact, and rocked in time with each of Lauren’s movements. Heat radiated from her, filtering through Lauren’s blouse and sending her own body temperature skyrocketing.

  God, how Lauren loved the way Grace reacted to her touch. She brushed her lips over the line of Grace’s jaw and closed her teeth over her earlobe, dragging a low moan from Grace.

  “Inside.” Grace bucked her hips. “Now.”

  Lauren gave her earlobe one last nip before whispering into her ear, “I’m the director, remember?” She rolled her fingers across Grace’s clitoris with a little more pressure.

  Grace let out a groan that was part pleasure, part frustration. “Please.”

  On the one hand, Lauren wanted to draw out every moment with Grace and make them both forget that she’d be leaving soon. On the other hand, she also wanted to give her whatever she needed, so she eased one finger inside.

  With a loud moan, Grace rolled her head back against Lauren’s shoulder. Her eyes in the mirror grew heavy-lidded. Her hands restlessly roamed Lauren’s hips and the outside of her thighs. “Bed,” she got out, her voice sounding raw. “I can’t stand.”

  “Oh, yes, you can. I’ll hold you up.” One arm wrapped around Grace from behind, Lauren began a slow, steady rhythm. The scent of Grace’s arousal drifted up, sending a rush of desire through Lauren. “God.” She bit her lip. “So wet.”

  The little sounds Grace made spurred her on, so she slid a second finger inside while she kept watching her reflection in the mirror.

  Grace’s groan of pleasure resonated through Lauren, and her nails dug into her hips.

  “Feel good?” she whispered into Grace’s ear, intentionally bathing the rim of her ear with her hot breath.

  All Grace managed was a nod. Her hips moved faster against Lauren’s fingers, urging them deeper.

  Lauren’s pulse tripped. She sped up her movements, eager to push Grace even higher. If she twisted her fingers a certain way…

  “Yes!” A raw cry escaped Grace. “There! Right…there.”

  A rush of liquid heat coated Lauren’s fingers. Still angling her wrist, she used the heel of her hand to press against Grace’s clit. The muscles in her arm started to burn, but she ignored it.

  Grace twisted her head around and sought out Lauren’s lips for a breathless kiss. Soon, she wrenched her mouth away, though, and sharply drew in air. Her breath came in short gulps as she rocked faster against Lauren.

  When her legs started to shake, Lauren pulled her more firmly against her own body and steadied her. Grace’s hungry little sounds of need sent bolts of desire through her.

  She could sense that Grace was close. Just as she was about to send her over the edge, a need of a different kind gripped Lauren. As hot as watching her in the mirror was, she wanted to be face-to-face when Grace came, wanted to see pleasure wash across her beautiful features firsthand, without having to rely on the reflection. “Wait. God, please, wait. I want to see you face-to-face.”

  Exhaling sharply, Grace nodded.

  Lauren pulled her around and immediately pressed kisses to Grace’s flushed chest and neck. She backed her up to lean against the closet and then started to thrust again.

  Grace’s eyes drifted closed.

  “Don’t close your eyes,” Lauren said in a throaty whisper. “Look at me. Look at me, Grace.”

  With obvious effort, the incredibly blue eyes she loved fluttered open. Grace clutched two handfuls of Lauren’s blouse and surged against her.

  They kissed again, this time with a much better angle, before Lauren tilted her head back to watch. She moved her fingers faster and flicked her thumb over Grace’s clit.

  The first contractions of Grace’s muscles fluttered around her fingers. Grace’s grip on her blouse tightened. “Oh. Lauren! I…” Her mouth, swollen from their kisses, fell open, and she came with a long, low groan.

  Lauren gentled her touch but kept up her rhythm, guiding Grace through her orgasm and drawing every bit of pleasure from her that she possibly could. She watched in awe as Grace’s eyes grew hazy and the flush on her face deepened.

  Finally, Grace’s knees buckled and she collapsed against Lauren, who tightened her one-armed grip and held her close.

  Small quakes continued to run through Grace.

  When the quivering around her fingers stopped, Lauren eased her hand away and wrapped her right arm around Grace too.

  “God.” Grace panted and burrowed her head against Lauren’s neck. Heat came off her in waves. “That was…” She shook her head as if unable to find the right word and then lifted her face to kiss Lauren instead.

  Lauren hummed into the kiss. She felt nearly intoxicated from directing Grace’s pleasure that way. “Yeah,” she whispered when their mouths drew apart, “it was. You are incredible.”

  “Me?” Grace laughed. “You were the director of this scene. I’m just sorry we don’t have time for a reverse shot.” She played with the top button on Lauren’s blouse.

  Lauren covered her hand with her own, stilling it against her heart, which was beating just as rapidly as Grace’s. “That’s okay,” she murmured. “I plan on doing a couple more takes later.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  “Yeah. Just to make sure we get the perfect shot, you know? That’s what directors do, isn’t it?”

  Grace nodded. “Unless…”

  Lauren arched an eyebrow. “Unless…?”

  “Unless the actors take over the scene. It’s been known to happen.” Grace leaned up on her tiptoes, slung her arms more firmly around Lauren’s shoulders, and kissed her, teasing her with hot, slow circles of her tongue before withdrawing. “I need another shower. And you,” she playfully slapped Lauren’s ass, “need to get changed. Your blouse has more wrinkles than a ninety-year-old.”

  Lauren looked down at herself. Grace was right. The blouse was wrinkled in several places where Grace had clutched at her in the throes of passion. “Well, if I’m getting undressed, I might as well join you in the shower.”

  “Oh, no. We’re already late as it is, and if you join me, it’ll turn into the longest shower in the history of mankind.” Grace pushed her back with both hands flat against Lauren’s chest, but her palms lingered longer than necessary. “Later,” she promised, heat in her eyes.

  “Later,” Lauren repeated.

  One last look, then Grace turned and strode to the edge of the loft without bothering to pick up her towel first, confident in her nakedness.

  Lauren followed her with her gaze, drinking her in.

  When Grace reached the ladder, she turned and climbed down the first few rungs but then stopped with just her head visible. Her full lips curled up into a soft smile. “I love you.”

  The words still made Lauren’s heart stutter. She wanted to rush to the ladder and pull Grace back up and into her arms, but she f
orced herself to stay where she was. “I love you too.”

  When Grace climbed down, Lauren listened to her footsteps on the wood floor for a moment and then let herself sink onto the bed in her wrinkled blouse. She rubbed her face with both hands and groaned when she caught a whiff of Grace’s scent.

  “Lauren,” Grace shouted from the bathroom. “I forgot my dress. Would you mind bringing it down?”

  “On my way,” she called and then picked up the dress. She inspected the silk for wrinkles and stains. It looked none the worse for wear. Grinning, she placed it over her shoulder, climbed down the ladder, and headed toward the cottage’s small bathroom. God, she loved afternoons in the cottage—especially since she would now get to witness another dress-tease from Grace.

  ###

  If you enjoyed this short story, you might want to check out Jae’s novel Damage Control, in which Grace and Lauren met and fell in love.

  Seduction for Beginners

  Annie clicked her pen on and off and stared down at her notebook. She had been sitting at her desk for the past hour, trying to come up with a plan, and yet the page was still empty. Groaning, she picked up the stress ball from the edge of her desk and kneaded it in her left hand. Why hadn’t anyone ever written a book on how to seduce your girlfriend?

  Hmm, maybe someone has. She nudged the mouse on her desk, and her computer monitor sprang to life. A quick search on Amazon produced a list of books with titles such as How to Use Hypnosis to Seduce Women and The Foolproof Guide to Picking up Hot Chicks.

  Annie shook her head. She didn’t want instructions on how to lure dozens of women into her bed. What she needed was a little help with wining, dining, and seducing one specific woman—her girlfriend, Drew.

  Well, she had the wining and dining part down pat. Annie thumbed through the pages of her notebook that listed her plans for Valentine’s Day. First, they would have dinner at an expensive restaurant overlooking the ocean and watch the sun set while sipping on a glass of Drew’s wine. Afterwards, they would stroll along the beach before they returned to the cozy bed-and-breakfast where she had booked a room.