It was so hot in Leefe’s art class that even the big ceiling fans were useless. People shifted around their easels. Leefe counted seventeen people, and all of them were sweating. Her own damp hand smeared the charcoal. Holy hell, another wrong line.
Clary stretched out comfortably on the sofa in front of them, one arm under her head, in the olive green shorts and white shirt. She looks like she’s done this a million times. A big drop of perspiration rolled down Leefe’s face, and she scraped at it, disgusted with her poor effort. This hadn’t exactly gone as she’d planned. Every line she drew felt as if she’d just touched her and the full, wide mouth she loved to kiss had been a challenge.
According to the clock, they had five more minutes. She half-listened to the murmur of voices around her and peeked at Clary one last time, sighing at the sight. Thank God they were going to the jetties next. The water should cool her down, but of course she just might drown.
The man next to her leaned closer. “Wow,” was all he said.
“Have you ever sketched a person before?” Leefe wiped her hands on her jeans.
“Yeah, at school, but he didn’t look anything like her.”
Leefe grinned and tried to finish her sketch, mopping her face again. She announced that time was up, and Clary stood with a little loose, sexy shake. Leefe froze. The light angled off Clary’s tanned face, brightening her green eyes. There’s that gleam again.
Packing her things in the car, Leefe caught Clary’s challenging glance.
“Do I get to see your sketches?” Clary said.
“It’s not my best effort, but I’ll show them to you.”
“Now you’re making excuses. Remember, I’ve seen some of your sketches.”
“I did your hands, head, full body, and feet.”And a lot more in my mind.
“Pretty much covers it all, huh.” Clary laughed as they drove toward the jetties.
“You can see them but only after we’ve been in the water. I don’t want to drown.”
“Are you nervous about swimming? Sorry. I never even thought about it. Trust me. You’ll be safe.”
Leefe looked away. For some reason, she’d trusted Clary from the beginning. Her body was on a rampage after sketching her. She checked the lake. Night was coming on, and shadows stretched across the water. Dark was good. It would cover many things. She’d only waded in the lake, so this full-emersion stuff was going to be different. The thought of water over her face was horrifying.
“I’m afraid to put my head under water,” she admitted.
“Good. You said it out loud. That’s part of the battle. I started competitive swimming to heal my arm, but was so afraid of the races that I threw up a few times.” She looked at Leefe. “Really, I did.” She laid a hand on Leefe’s shoulder. “How do you feel about what Beverly said during that meeting? Are you ready to be a full-time mother, however long it takes?”
“No, not mother, Clary. She wants to get Devi and her brother into counseling, and that’s mostly what the meeting was about. It all depends on what happens to their mother, and right now she’s in serious condition. She listed me as the person temporarily in charge. I took time with Devi this morning, trying to prepare her for everything she’s about to run into, and it’s scary.” Leefe thought about the question. “Do I look scared? Albie gave me another night, tonight, because she said I looked stressed. She called a friend of hers, and they’ll keep Devi and Jacob occupied with lots of popcorn and movies.”
“Should you be there with Devi?”
“No. I think she needs distraction more than she needs me right now. I told Beverly I’d be here with you for a swimming lesson.”
Clary parked the car. “I think we’re in the same odd situation. I always felt like Hannah was mine, but she wasn’t. You feel the same about Devi.” Clary’s hand slid down Leefe’s arm, lacing her fingers.
Leefe looked down at their hands. Clary seemed to understand her better than anyone she’d ever been around. “Come on,” she said. “Let’s swim.”
The barest sliver of moon hung right above the blinking green light when they waded into the water, both in T-shirts and shorts.
“It’s cold.” Leefe was surprised. She hadn’t lived here at this time last year.
“Lake Michigan takes a long time to warm and it’s only late June. When we swim in August, it’ll be around seventy degrees, especially here in the shallows by the jetties. How far out have you been?”
“Only to there, by that first group of ducks.” Leefe pointed, shivering despite the warmth.
“Stay here. I’m going to take a quick swim and look around first.” And Clary was gone silently, like the fish they’d put back in the lake yesterday. Leefe searched for her. She started forward, but then remembered Clary had said not to move. Suddenly, Clary came up in front of her, splattering her with cold water.
“That felt good,” Clary said and held out her hand. “Come on. You’re going to enjoy this.” They stopped when the water was just over Leefe’s belly. “Okay,” Clary said, “bend backward over my arms, stretch out.” She held both arms under the water. “Comfortable?”
“Not exactly.” Between the hot air, cold water, and Clary’s hands, Leefe trembled. She fixed her gaze on Clary.
“Arch your back a little, and don’t worry if water goes into your ears. Ears know how to handle the water. Trust your body.”
The ducks squawked at the intrusion. Leefe watched the water drip down Clary’s face, across the clothes plastered to her body.
“Make a T with your arms, and move your feet,” Clary said. “That’s good. How do you feel?”
Like I could kiss the living daylights out of you, Leefe thought, unable to look away from the wet T-shirt molded to Clary’s body. “You’re holding me up.”
Clary held up both hands and grinned. “Am I?”
In full panic, Leefe went under, and water closed over her until strong arms and hands stood her up. She spewed water and coughed. “That was my fault.”
Clary wiped Leefe’s face with her fingers. “You can do this. Put your arms out again, the same as you did before.”
Determined to get it right, Leefe stretched out, and this time, when Clary held up her hands, she floated. “I can’t believe it. I’m not sinking.” She grinned up at Clary, saw the weak moonlight reflected in her eyes, the wet T-shirt that outlined her ribs—oh, the breasts—and went down again. When Clary stood her up, they stared helplessly at each other.
“Are you cold?” Leefe felt Clary shiver.
“Hardly,” Clary said.
For a second, it was completely quiet, as if the earth had stopped. Leefe couldn’t even hear the water hit the jetties, but she was certain she heard Clary’s heart. She wanted to touch Clary so bad that she clenched her hands.
“What’s wrong?” Leefe said, inching nearer.
“Nothing. Everything. If I don’t kiss you right now, we’re both going down.” Clary held Leefe’s face and gave her a crushing, hot kiss. “Come with me.” Clary pulled her through the water, up the front porch, and into the house. Before Leefe could say anything, Clary pulled off her wet shirt and shorts, left them on the floor, and tugged her into the bedroom. “You’ve got too many clothes on,” Clary said, and then stopped. Her hands to her side, she lowered her head. “Damn, I’m doing this wrong. You can say no.” She turned and held Leefe.
Feeling the bare belly and breasts against her, Leefe’s mind almost exploded. She stepped out of her shorts, and pulled off her shirt, her heart raging. She’d beg if she had to.
“It’s risky,” Clary said in a low, hesitant voice. “I’m a work in progress. Think about it, Leefe. There’s a lot we haven’t talked about. I’m sorry—”
“Kiss me.” Leefe tightened her arms.
Clary kissed her, her mouth hot. She backed her up until Leefe could feel the hammock against her bare legs. She fell backward, Clary on top of her.
They swung, and Clary said, “This hammock…”
“It’s a virgin hammock.” Leefe shivered as Clary’s warm mouth found her breast and a hand caressed her stomach. “The hammock’s easier than it looks,” Leefe whispered as Clary settled her body on her. She wrapped her legs around Clary, held her breath as fingers explored her and then found the right places. Slowly and carefully, taking time across her body, Clary touched her and then filled her, holding her securely, safely. On overload, Leefe tried to hold all the pleasure, but when Clary’s mouth teased her nipple again, it hit. She was so unprepared that she yelled. Every piece of her body pounded, and she felt Clary’s hot breath on her face.
“Sorry,” Leefe gasped. “So fast,” she began, but Clary stopped her with an out-of-this-world kiss.
“Never sorry,” Clary said against her mouth. “More.”
Too tuned up to think clearly, Leefe pulled back. “Wait, Clary.” She held the beautiful shoulders firmly above her. “Let me see you, touch you. I could hardly draw you tonight because I wanted you so much.” Clary lifted onto her elbows but left their bodies entwined, echoing the length of Leefe’s body. Gulping for breath, she traced Clary’s breast for a long moment and ran her hands over ribs, the smooth hips and stomach, committing the feeling to memory. Clary shuddered.
“If you don’t do something, I’m a dead woman. I can hardly breathe.”
“We’ve got all night,” Leefe murmured and turned them over, retracing and admiring the body under her. Soft skin against her hands teased her fingers. “Now I’m really going to touch you.” And she did.
Much later, drenched with sweat and sex, they simply held each other, too tired to move. Leefe pulled a light sheet over them and fit herself into Clary’s body.
*
Something woke Clary. Instinctively, she tightened her arms around Leefe and knew where she was. Right where I belong. She licked her lips and tasted Leefe.
The heat had broken and it was cool. She took a relieved breath. Was it too fast? She hadn’t intended on this, but she’d rested on the couch in front of Leefe’s art class and imagined it. Hadn’t she? Every time she’d opened her eyes, she’d seen matching desire on Leefe’s face. She couldn’t have taken another minute looking at Leefe in the water, wet clothes outlining everything, the shift of firm muscles against her hands and arms. She’d lost her mind for a moment out there.
Leefe’s passion and heat surprised her, not to mention skillful, clever hands and mouth. Her eyes tracked Leefe’s body in the dim light, and her body followed with an aching, grinding arousal. Leefe’s gorgeous small breasts rose, and skin stretched across muscle and bone. She memorized the body with her hands, leaving a trail of goose bumps on her own skin.
This was not casual sex. This was the most intimate moment she’d ever shared with anyone and, for the first time, she felt as if she’d made love to someone’s mind as well as her body. Leefe was the real deal. No summer affair here. What have I done, and now what? Her hand rested on the slender hip, and Leefe snuggled closer. Clary’s mind raced. How to do this, make it work? I have to go back to Iowa.
Truth was the only way to handle this. She’d been honest with Leefe, and her instincts told her that Leefe had been the same. If she’d ever had anything close to this, she couldn’t remember, and she wasn’t going to let it go. She glimpsed the person she’d feared was gone forever. Herself, and the knot inside her had loosened. Her body wasn’t broken. In the morning, they’d talk over breakfast and work out a plan. She smiled, sleepy and satisfied, closing her eyes.
When she opened her eyes again the curtains were still drawn, but filtered sunlight lit the room around her, and the air smelled like bacon and coffee. She yawned and stretched in the hammock. This was like sleeping in air. The hammock moved. Amused, beautiful eyes, surrounded by long, black eyelashes peered down at her. Clary pulled Leefe across her, and the hammock swung.
“Do we have time before breakfast? Wait, you’re already dressed.” Clary slid her hands under Leefe’s white tank top and enclosed both breasts, closing her eyes with pleasure. She heard Leefe pull in a breath. This was too good to be true.
“Don’t think so, but that feels good. Whew,” Leefe said, her voice shaking. The hammock tipped dangerously as she slid away. “Besides, guess what?”
Clary grinned up at her. “What?”
“Jesse’s on her way over here. It’s your call.” Leefe lifted her eyebrows, flashed her remarkable eyes, and backed away. “I’ve already showered.”
“Damn,” Clary said. Somehow, her feet hit the floor without a stumble. She grabbed her clothes and headed for the bathroom.
When Clary stepped out of the shower, she heard Jesse’s voice in the kitchen. She finished dressing, tried to tame her hair, and finally threw the comb down in frustration. Jesse had seen it worse, but Leefe hadn’t. She picked up the comb and went back to work.
Jesse was pouring coffee when Clary came into the kitchen. “Leefe’s doing something with the dryer. You’re kind of wrinkled.” She pointed at Clary’s white shirt.
“We had an art class and a swimming lesson last night.” Clary picked up a piece of bacon. “She’ll be a good swimmer.”
“Ready to eat?” Leefe said, putting the folded T-shirt and shorts into Clary’s bag. “How do you like your eggs?”
“Any way you make them.” Clary kissed her cheek. “Want some help?”
“Nope. My stove, my house.” Leefe’s eyes shone.
There were yellow impatiens in a bowl in the middle of the table, almost as bright as the sunlight. Clary looked up, right into Leefe’s smile.
“What’s up, Lowden?” Clary said and, for a brief moment, didn’t like the way Jesse was so at home here.
“They’re moving Devi’s mother to Milwaukee. Leefe, you need to keep up on this. The father’s in holding. We finally got the story from him.” Jesse poured more coffee into her cup.
Leefe put potatoes, bacon, and eggs on Clary’s plate.
“The father found her, high, with one of her regulars under the Eighth Street Bridge, and they got into it with a couple of pieces of rebar, in front of the kids. He says she hit him first, and he was only defending himself. The son confirmed his father’s story,” Jesse said and took a drink of coffee. “Girls,” Jesse said in a condescending tone of voice, “this is your business, but Leefe, you should have been at the day care last night.”
Leefe lifted her chin and stared Jesse down. “You weren’t in that meeting with Beverly. That meeting was about the counseling for what they’d been through with their parents. Howard was there. Ask him. Besides, I told Beverly that Albie would be with Devi last night, not me.”
Clary watched the two of them. Leefe appeared absolutely unfazed, her voice calm.
“Just a heads-up,” Jesse said and put her cup on the counter. “Have a nice day.”
It was all Clary could do not to punch the air and yell Yes. “Pay no attention,” she said. “She was checking us out, and I doubt she was worried about Devi.”
“I’ve tried, believe me.” Leefe dropped her fork on her plate.
Clary finished her food and stood. “Don’t let her take this from us. Last night was special. You’re special.” She folded Leefe to her. “I want to try that hammock again, soon.” Hands under Leefe’s top, she caressed the skin. “I get to do the next breakfast.”
“Thanks for the swimming lesson,” Leefe said with a smile finally beginning at the corners of her mouth.
“Let’s swim every chance we get…if I can keep my hormones from getting the best of me.”
Leefe leaned back with a flirty grin. “No, I got the best of you.”