Mia’s body still buzzed after the kiss she’d shared with Sky last night. Their make-out session hadn’t gone any further than that, but just the feel of Sky’s body pressed against hers sent fantasies whirring into overdrive.
She pushed up from the futon at the sounds of the coffeemaker percolating. The rich scent of roasted beans traveled her way. As Mia headed over to the kitchen where Sky leaned against the countertop, she couldn’t help the flush of awareness that rolled through her. Sky was the sort of fucking beautiful she couldn’t get out of her mind. The shorter haircut and casual, boyish way she held herself always gave her a hot-as-hell vibe, but the depths in her dark eyes and the hesitance behind her words made her shine even more.
“Don’t tell me you made me coffee,” Mia said, announcing herself. “Be still, my heart.”
Sky cracked a half-smile. “What do you mean for you, woman? This entire carafe is mine.”
Electricity zipped through the air the moment their eyes met, and the heat in Sky’s gaze was undeniable. How she’d mistaken it all these years mystified her. Mia snagged one of the bar stools on the breakfast nook as Sky pulled out mugs from the cupboards. Her heart thumped hard at sitting here in her proximity.
She’d kissed her best friend. And Sky had kissed her back. A grin bubbled inside her, a thrill she could barely contain. Not like she knew how to proceed now, though. Were they dating? Was this just a fling while they were quarantined together? She already wanted answers, but she still stung from how Sky had dashed from the first time they kissed.
She didn’t want to scare her away again.
Was kissing a normal thing they could do now? Because hell on earth, she wanted to kiss Sky again. The woman pursed her lips as she poured the coffee into the mugs and then began doctoring them with half and half and sugar. Mia loved that she didn’t even need to tell Sky what to put in hers. Sky understood her better than anyone else on this earth did.
Sky placed the mug of coffee in front of her, and Mia reached for it, her fingers brushing against Sky’s in the process. The electricity that zinged at the simple touch was a revelation. Mia didn’t want to pull away, but the mug had begun to scorch her palm. She brought the mug closer.
“What do you want to do today?” Sky asked. “Since we’re both off rather than just me and my unemployed ass.”
Mia glanced at the window. The early sun streamed through, beckoning her outdoors. Any normal day, they’d be able to run out, grab brunch, and stroll along the Riverwalk, one of her favorite places. However, with the quarantine restrictions, a lot of the parks had been shut down, and most businesses as well. The concept still seemed so foreign to her, something she could’ve never anticipated. She and Sky had made a pact to ignore the news as much as possible, which was one of the things keeping her afloat right now amid all the fear and panic permeating the country.
“Goddamn, we’re living in the apocalypse,” Mia murmured, taking the first sip of coffee. The rich, robust liquid warmed her throughout.
Sky sat on the stool beside her, the fragrance of cedar and spice making Mia’s heart flutter. “You’d think we’d at least get zombies or riot gear. But no, lamest apocalypse ever. Everyone’s stuck indoors.”
“Are there any trails around here that might not be shut down?” Mia asked. “I’d kill to get outside today.”
“Well, given it’s just you and me here and I don’t relish an untimely death, I think I can make something work,” Sky teased, an amused glint in her eyes. “Let me slip on some actual pants and shoes.”
Mia tipped back more coffee. The idea of getting outside of the apartment sent a jolt of exhilaration through her, but even more so, Sky’s proximity got her pulse jumping. Sky’s gaze lingered on her, so Mia made sure to trail her tongue over her lips nice and slow after she placed the mug down.
“And here I thought I knew you,” Sky said, pushing from her seat on the stool. “I had no clue you were such a goddamned tease, Mia Brownstone.”
“Only when I see something I like,” she responded, her palms wrapped around the mug.
Sky’s cheeks turned bright red, and she ducked her head. This woman was damn addictive. Mia couldn’t help the small grin playing on her lips. She hadn’t realized how thrilling flirting with this woman could be.
“Right, let me get changed,” Sky said, striding toward her room and slipping inside.
Mia pushed off from her seat and headed over to her suitcase that lay beside the futon. She’d already done laundry, but she got sick of wearing the same five outfits over and over again. In a few deft motions, she stripped out of the shorts she’d been wearing to sleep in and popped the tank top overhead, tossing both into the suitcase.
Mia slipped on a fresh pair of underwear and strapped her unimpressive tits into a bra. She tackled a pair of leggings next. Honestly, the fresh clothing felt better than she expected. The door to Sky’s room creaked open right as she lifted her olive-green tunic to slip it on. Sky’s eyes locked with hers, and they both froze. She didn’t miss the way Sky’s heated gaze raked over her body, and she was tempted to just say fuck it, throw the shirt to the floor, and sprawl out on the futon in invitation.
Mia sucked in a deep breath and tugged the tunic up and over. God, she’d never been this obsessed before. Sex with her partners in the past had its ups and downs, but the strength of her attraction to Sky was brand new. The depth reminded her of standing at the Riverwalk in the middle of summer, the balmy breezes whipping around her and making her feel glorious, free, and infinitesimal in the wake of the beauty surrounding her.
“Sorry,” Sky muttered, heading over to the kitchen counter to bury her face in her mug of coffee.
Mia’s lips curled into a smile. Her core throbbed at all of the filthy fantasies rolling through her mind right now. “Nothing to be sorry about,” she responded as she finished slipping socks and shoes on. When their gazes locked again, Mia didn’t look away, a newfound brazenness rising inside her. “Let’s get outside. I don’t want to miss another second of sunshine.”
“I don’t think it’s going anywhere fast,” Sky responded, her crooked grin causing Mia’s heart to squeeze tight. Sky tilted her head toward the door and snagged her keys with a jangle. “All ready when you are.”
Within a few minutes, they’d exited the apartment building, and Mia took her first big breath of the outside air. The sunlight shone down on her, warming the earth for early spring. She could feel the beams sink in past her skin, flooding through her with a golden lightness that she adored. The breeze smelled like honeysuckle and moss, even in the middle of the city. Few cars roamed the streets, and the sidewalks were empty apart from a few folks walking their pups.
Sky led the way, swinging her arms as she walked. Mia hurried to catch up with her long strides. They traveled down one of the side streets and then another until they headed in a familiar direction. She might’ve grown up in Talleyville, out in the ’burbs of Wilmington, but she’d whiled away enough hours in town through high school to know every inch of this city.
“Spend a little time out here and I can almost forget I’m out of work and in isolation,” Sky said, her arms still swinging as she walked. She stared at the sky, wonder gleaming in her dark brown eyes.
Mia’s heart thudded. “I’m just glad I’m in isolation with you and the kitties,” she murmured. “If I’d been all by my lonesome in the new place during this, I would’ve gone out of my mind.”
In the distance, a dog barking echoed through the air, and the hickory trees along the way swayed. All around them, the office buildings towered, casting long, narrow shadows onto the asphalt. Mia’s heart lifted, and she walked with an ease she hadn’t felt in years.
“You’re not joking. Talking to the cats would get old after week one. Besides, there’s no one else I’d rather spend a quarantine with,” Sky responded, not looking Mia’s way. A faint flush coated Sky’s cheeks, and Mia licked her lips. God, this woman. Given half the chance, she’d fucking devour her.
“Back atcha, beautiful,” Mia responded. They turned onto another street, and the first hints of green peeked through at the end of the block. “Besides, I’m the lucky one here getting to eat all of the fantastic cuisine you make. Holy hell, I think I could eat cassoulet every day for the rest of my life.”
“Hey, I’ve got to put my culinary training to use while I’m temporarily unemployed,” Sky said with a shrug, even though a small, satisfied smile played on her lips. “Can’t lose my edge.”
Sky slowed her pace the closer they got to Cool Springs Park, and Mia took the opportunity to match her steps. She slid her palm against Sky’s, threading her fingers through. They hadn’t discussed what was going on between them yet, but she’d held hands with Sky far before they’d ever locked lips.
Sky glanced to her, the warmth in those eyes radiating through her. The woman had a soft, sturdiness to her features, like the trees that grew around them, roots solidly planted in the earth. Mia grinned back and swung their arms like Sky had been doing on their walk over. Unlike when they were kids, though, she could feel the buzzing in the air between them, a delicious tension she wanted to sink her teeth into. She didn’t miss how they both continued to steal glances like gasps of breath.
The black gates of Cold Springs Park rose in the distance, but they headed in on the opposite side. To her right lay the Barbie-doll houses lining this section of town, each one exactly the same, and to her left, those green lawns sprawled out with the first vibrant hints of early spring, daffodils, wild violets, and buds on the bushes beckoning. Mia squeezed Sky’s hand as they got closer.
“Well damn, I haven’t been here in years,” Mia said, watching the spray of the fountain. The sun sparkled off the droplets of water, causing her heart to skip a note.
“You were off being a hotshot in Seattle,” Sky teased, even though Mia noticed the cautious edge to her joke.
She’d been so anxious to get out of living with her mother that she’d chosen the furthest state away, but she never stopped and thought about how her move might’ve affected Sky. Mia tucked the bit of self-flagellation away for another day. Right now, she just needed to enjoy the sunlight and the fresh air.
Mia cast her a sidelong glance. “Seattle’s got an abundance of rain and good coffee,” she responded. “Nothing to make me a hotshot. I gathered myself the grandest collection of phony friends who pretty much made me want to avoid hipsters like the plague.”
“Good luck,” Sky said. “One step into Philly and you’re flooded with them.”
“God, I missed the East Coast,” Mia said as they strode past the green fields sprawling out on either side of them, dandelions swaying in the breezes. “First thing I’m doing when the weather gets nice out and this whole quarantine thing lifts is drive to Rehoboth, even if I just go for the day.”
The spindly trees stretched high toward the achingly blue sky, the first buds of color beginning to grow on their branches. In the near distance, she could hear the splash from the fountain, the sound coursing through her.
“Rehoboth is still a fantastic fucking beach. The gay scene’s great there,” Sky responded. “Aubs, Kyle, and I always go down for a weekend in the summer. We’ve been doing our beach trip for years now.” She cast a hesitant glance her way. “If you want, you could join us this year.”
Mia didn’t bother restraining her grin. Whenever Sky mentioned Aubrey, she got the slightest stir of jealousy she had no right to feel. After all, Aubrey had been there for Sky when Mia hadn’t, and she couldn’t begrudge Sky that closeness. But goddamn, she regretted leaving every time she heard stories of Sky, Aubrey, and their friend Kyle’s adventures—ones Mia should’ve been there for.
“I’d love to go with you guys,” Mia responded. Truth be told, she wanted to go as Sky’s girlfriend. They made their way closer to the fountain, past the pillars with the slatted overhang. They walked over to the small tan fencing surrounding the bricked overlook. Mia rested her hand on the cool surface of the fence in front of her, the bit of chill bracing her.
She needed to figure her life out before she started making promises. While she didn’t have plans of moving away again, she also didn’t have anything attaching her to this place apart from Sky. When she’d stayed in Seattle after college, she’d remained for Derek, and she couldn’t bring herself to do that again.
Her elbow bumped against Sky’s, which directed her attention back to the gorgeous woman by her side.
She could feel Sky’s heated gaze, and when Mia turned to face her, the sight of the woman sent her careening all over again. The sun brought out the rich golden tones in her brown hair and highlighted the even color of her tanned skin. Those full lips beckoned, lush and inviting. With her so close, she didn’t stand a chance.
Mia leaned in, closing the distance between them.
This wasn’t the kiss from the other night, filled with exploration and desperation. No, this was sanguine and slow as she caressed Sky’s lips, tasting her, all coffee and mint. Sky’s palms settled around her hips with a weight that suspended her in place even as they kissed with a pristine sweetness, like the first bite into an apple.
The sun beat down on her shoulders, but the heat didn’t come close to the lazy, golden sort flowing through her in the wake of this kiss. She twined her arms around Sky’s shoulders, sinking into the steady grip of this woman, the one thing keeping her from floating off. The crisp scent of the water traveled her way, cool breezes coating her skin.
Mia drank it all in, the soft whistle of the wind, the gentle breaths as Sky pulled back only to return for more, and the heat that flared between their bodies.
All of the worries and concerns from before melted away in the wake of this beautiful spring day and this fever-sweet kiss.
One day at a time.