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“A what?” Leigh’s brow furrowed, the confusion an adorable new expression on her face. Usually, she looked so confident. It was a nice change for Kate to be the one so sure in the moment.
“Sturnella. It’s the genus of North American birds known as meadowlarks and I...” Kate thumped her hands against the table of the pub where they sat, beef and ale pot pies in front of them. “I don’t know how it ended up here, but I’m pretty sure that’s the chirpy bird you saw. It’s amazing and kind of crazy. Did it cross the Atlantic? Did it somehow get imported? Will it turn into an invasive species?”
They were sitting across from one another in a restaurant in Lerwick, both having agreed that taking their dates to the mainland was the best idea for now. It wasn’t that the people on the island would have anything against them seeing each other. It was just easier to keep it quiet until they knew how things would turn out, especially with how quickly news traveled with a small population. The last thing Kate needed was her great aunt scolding her for going from marriage to a relationship in such a short time.
Leigh still didn’t look like she quite understood the significance of Kate’s discovery, but she brightened nonetheless, grinning as she said, “I don’t think it can be invasive if there’s just one, unless it’s capable of asexual reproduction. I love seeing you get so excited about something. You’re absolutely adorable. Do you always get this chuffed about finding new birds?”
Kate chewed on the inside of her cheek as she considered the question. “Yeah, I suppose I do. That’s what made the decision to stop all that much more heartbreaking.”
“What do you mean stop? What’s going on?”
Oh goodness. She had been on such a roll in her excitement and sharing, that she’d inadvertently opened the ex-file again without even thinking. Now she would have to explain the so-called compromises she made in her marriage, not to mention the straw that broke the camel’s back and ultimately brought her to Fair Isle.
Leigh must have realized this would be a difficult question for Kate to answer, because she said, “If it’s not something you want to talk about, we don’t have to.”
“No.” Kate folded her hands atop the table, rolled her shoulders, and met Leigh’s steady gaze. Something about it gave her strength, vanquished the jelly-like feeling that’d spread through her limbs. “I want to. I want to tell you everything, but I don’t want you to think this diminishes how I feel for you.”
“And why would it?”
“Well, I was married to a man—”
“So what?” Leigh was no longer smiling, but she continued to look at Kate, her eyes as earnest as ever. “Does the fact that you were married to a man make you any less interested in loving me? No, it doesn’t. Maybe I’m only attracted to women, but I don’t expect the same of you. All I expect of you is that you be honest with me. It’s not about our labels at this point. It’s about two people who care about each other and want to be together, whether it’s for the short-term or for a very long time. As a lesbian, I’m not threatened by your bisexuality and I don’t want you to change. What I am is absolutely thrilled that at this moment, I’m the one sitting in this restaurant with you. It’s not anyone but me with you right now.”
Something about her impassioned speech relaxed Kate. Everything in Leigh’s tone told Kate she meant what she said. All that mattered right now was the two of them.
Kate launched into her story. She told Leigh about her childhood fascination with birds, the influence of the island over her, her parents’ immigrant story to America, her specialized education, college girlfriend, and then her marriage. When she was done, she expected Leigh to say something terrible about David, to point out what an asshole he was and tell her she was better off without him.
Instead, Leigh looked at the waitress who approached their table, ordered two shots of whisky, and shoved one in front of Kate once they were served.
Holding up her glass, Leigh said, “Here’s to the circumstances that brought you back to the island and into my life. I wish you’d stayed when we were kids, but now we have our second chance. Not many people can say that. It’s a long road, and I’m glad yours turned my way.”
“Same.” Kate tossed back the shot, the liquid burning all the way down her throat to pool in her belly. Its effect lingered and set every inch of her body on fire.
It didn’t help that Leigh’s gaze smoldered, promising more than a chat over dinner. They’d already hit some intense topics and gone deeper than Kate expected. The idea of baring all—of her history and emotions—had scared her up until that very moment.
Now, with flames licking at her from the inside out, she couldn’t wait to tell Leigh everything. To show her everything. To be her everything.
“How long until the next ferry?” Kate rasped, barely recognizing her own voice.
“Too long.” Leigh’s tone had also taken on a husky quality, adding to the promises Kate could see in her gaze. Just let me get my hands on you, was the sentiment she was sure passed between them as they finished their dinners.
Once they paid the bill, Leigh led the way through Lerwick to a beautiful gray stone building. The sign for the bed and breakfast swayed in the ocean breeze, creaking enough to offer a charming ambiance, while potted plants lined the short walkway from the street to the front door.
“Do you want to stay here for the night?” The way Leigh squeezed her hand, Kate knew the question was more loaded than it seemed at first. If they spent the night here, in a place where no one knew them, they would have complete freedom to explore their relationship in ways they’d avoided.
Kate knew she was ready for that step. Even now, the thought made her throat close up and her body tremble. Unable to speak, she simply nodded and returned the squeeze. Walking through the establishment’s door did nothing to ease her anticipation. She stood aside while Leigh checked them in with the clerk.
After what seemed like hours of waiting for Leigh to pay and get a key while Kate familiarized herself with the downstairs fireplace, they were alone together in a quaint little room.
“Took them long enough,” Leigh grumped, echoing her thoughts. “I thought I’d never get you away from the fireplace. What was so bloody fascinating about it?”
“Nothing. It just kept me from going crazy.” Kate turned away from the curtained window that overlooked the narrow car-lined street and tossed her hair, hoping to appear nonchalant. In truth, her heart was thumping so hard, she could barely breathe. They were alone here with no nosy islanders, in a room that smelled faintly of lavender.
Leigh’s brow furrowed and she took a step forward. “Really?”
Something about Leigh’s disbelief dissolved the lump in Kate’s throat. Laughing, Kate met her halfway across the room. “Not really. I was going completely mad waiting to touch you. There’s no help for me at all.”
“Good.” Leigh’s face lit up and she lowered her gaze as if taking in every inch of Kate’s body. “Glad I’m not the only one who can’t wait to do this.”
Kate both loved and hated this moment, the tension taut between them, the air crackling with electricity. But she was done talking. She leaned forward and kissed Leigh, lips finding lips, a moan escaping her. The knowledge that she was about to put an end to the waiting made her squirm with desire. She’d have to tuck her underwear into her purse before they left. No way could she go around wearing them for the rest of the day.
When Leigh’s hands encircled her waist, Kate didn’t think she could wait any longer to fall into the bed. Her entire body quivered, perhaps because she wasn’t accustomed to physical contact. Perhaps because she’d waited so long for the right person to touch her.
Leigh’s hands drifted slowly up her torso, as if tracing her curves. The kissing moved from lips to cheeks, foreheads, jawlines. Kate wanted to press her lips to every inch of Leigh’s body. Something sweet radiated from Leigh, along with her warmth––the smell of the soap she used mixed with laundry detergent. There was nothing artificial about the woman. What you saw was what you got.
It’d been so long since Kate could let her guard down with someone that having such a natural, unpretentious person in her arms left her weak in the knees. Leigh wasn’t one to shy away, either, as one of her hands pressed into Kate’s back while the other drifted over the outer swell of her breast. Kate wanted to turn into that soft, seeking caress.
She angled herself so that Leigh’s fingers slipped across her breast. Her entire body ached for direct contact, from her tightening nipples down to the very tips of her toes. When Leigh’s hand squeezed, Kate pushed into her with a moan.
“I want you.” The words tumbled out before she could stop them.
“I know.” Leigh’s confident response left Kate sagging against her. It was the first time she’d had sex in more months than she cared to count. There was nothing wrong with going at it as fast and furiously as possible, and then taking their time later. Kate was sure Leigh wouldn’t mind.
But Leigh seemed content to tease her, to make love to her without hurrying. Kate curled her fingers against Leigh’s hips and drew her in for another kiss as their pelvises met. The leisurely way Leigh explored her mouth with her tongue made it clear that fast wasn’t how she did things.
“I also know how badly you want this,” Leigh whispered when they parted, “but trust me when I say taking our time is going to make it that much better.”
Kate pouted. “I don’t want to wait another moment.”
Leigh’s fingers lifted to caress her face and then tilt her chin up so Kate could look into her eyes. “I know, but you’ll do what I want and be glad you did. Trust me, lass.” Her voice was so rough, so full of hunger, that Kate knew her self-control was also frayed.
Two impulses fought inside her––one that wanted to turn Leigh around, push her down on the bed, and get them both to the point of ecstasy as quickly as possible, and one that wanted to see what Leigh would do to her. No one had ever taken command in the bedroom with Kate. Her prior experiences had always been a bit of a dance with both partners learning and then performing the steps. In the case of her marriage, it’d been the same predictable steps every time.
Which was why being with someone new was driving her crazy. She didn’t know what Leigh would want, but she was starting to get an inkling. Especially when Leigh lifted Kate’s t-shirt over her head, followed by the thin, long-sleeved shirt she’d been wearing under it.
“Now,” Leigh said, guiding her back toward the bed, “this is how we’re going to do things. I’m going to make you feel so good, you won’t be able to see straight. And after I’ve made you come a few times, we’ll worry about me.”
“You can’t be serious.” Kate wondered if her voice was as shaky as it sounded in her own ears. Someone put her first? Her pleasure, her happiness? She’d always sacrificed that for someone else.
“Watch me.” All it took was a gentle push and then Leigh was astride Kate’s hips in the bed, looking down at her. Kate could scarcely breathe as Leigh’s fingers drifted over the sleek, shiny material of her bra.
She hadn’t exactly chosen her underthings for seduction, but now she was grateful she’d gone with the blush-pink satin. It’d been an impulse purchase once upon a time. Something to make her feel good, since she couldn’t stand all that see-through, mesh and lace stuff her husband always wanted her to wear. The satin wasn’t as decadent as silk, but lovely just the same.
Leigh seemed to like it, too, because her fingers continued to caress her breasts, circling closer to her nipples. Kate held her breath, waiting for the touch, but it never came. Instead, Leigh’s hands swept upwards, brushing her bra straps from her shoulders. It wasn’t until Leigh leaned over her for a kiss that her hands returned to Kate’s breasts, thumbs strumming lightly over her nipples, gliding along the smooth fabric that separated skin from skin.
Kate let out a sob of need, unable to concentrate on the kissing. Her entire body ached. When Leigh drew back to look at her, Kate wondered what she saw. A woman on the bed, half-undressed, eyes glazed over with passion, perhaps.
“Don’t stop,” Kate pleaded.
“But I like to stop for a minute to look at you. I have to remind myself that this isn’t a dream and you’re really here with me.” Leigh’s whisper barely permeated Kate’s muddled senses, but her words registered as the sweetest she’d ever heard.
Leigh’s weight lifted off Kate for a moment, and then her hands were unbuttoning and unzipping Kate’s jeans. Kate lifted her hips, first to help Leigh get the pants on the floor and then to invite her closer.
Now, though, Leigh seemed absorbed once again in examining the fabric of her underwear. She ran her fingers up and down it, putting no pressure on the areas Kate wanted it the most.
“You’re a cruel tease,” Kate accused.
“You’ll change your tune soon enough.” Leigh shimmied the satin underwear down over Kate’s hips and let them dropped to the floor. “I’ve been wanting this for a very, very long time.”
Kate’s breath hitched and her entire body flushed with excitement, heat spreading from her core. Whatever Leigh wanted to do, she had to have it. It took a few breathless tries to get the word out, but Kate finally whispered, “Same.”
The smile that tugged at Leigh’s mouth was sensual, mischief sparkling in her eyes. No one had ever looked at Kate like that before and she squirmed with anticipation. Leigh’s hands settled on Kate’s knees for a moment. Even though that was the only place Leigh was touching, Kate’s breath quickened, her entire body prickling with awareness.
With only the slightest touch, Leigh guided Kate’s legs apart. To be vulnerable and exposed like that... Shyness rippled through Kate, followed by a thrill as Leigh stretched atop her, filling the space between her open legs, and returned to kissing her.
What followed, Kate soon discovered, was everything she could have ever wanted from a lover.
And so much more.