By T Meehan
It had been almost a year since Tala had found the lump in Lee's breast. Typical of new lovers, they'd been ardently tussling around in bed at the time, and the discovery stopped the action cold. Lee, who'd spent so much time overcoming the daily pain of early-onset arthritis, insisted it was nothing.
"No," Tala whispered. "Let's get you tested, okay?"
Lee pulled away and muttered into her pillow, "It can't be anything serious. I'm not old enough to get breast cancer! Let's just keep going…"
The clinic visit and followup appointment were a nearly-forgotten blur now. She could remember Tala's hand nervously gripping hers, the antiseptic smell of the office, and then suddenly the sweet clarity of the doctor's verdict:
"It's benign. Just a small cyst. Not cancer." For Lee, life finally stopped holding its breath and went on more beautiful than before.
Lee rested against the smooth leather of the couch in her friend’s living room. She was housesitting for a friend who escaped from the winter chill to enjoy a romantic week with her own lover.
Soft music drifted from the laptop as she absently gazed at the blank document on the screen. Images wafted past her mind’s eye as she placed her left hand on the back of the terrier sleeping next to her on the couch. A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth when her girlfriend’s prone body swam into view on her screen. The screensaver was a collection of photographs illustrating her life with Tala and their canine children. Lee watched the show and caressed Sidda's furry back while the memories came flooding into her mind.
Sidda frequently lay against Lee’s leg while she wrote or answered email. Her quiet manner gave Lee non-judgemental love and companionship while she worked, and frequently booted her inspiration. Lee stroked Sidda’s ear while the warmth of an idea grew inside her. Guided by kd lang's sultry voice, Lee closed her eyes to imagine Tala before her. Her image so vivid in her mind’s eye, Lee was sure she could actually conjure up the scent from the woman's body.
With her eyes closed, Lee’s fingers positioned themselves over the keys on her laptop. The screensaver gave way to the words forming as Lee’s strong fingers recreated her vision in writing. Her fingers danced across the plastic keys, weaing words together to form the beauty of women loving other women Each keystroke was her fingertip touching Tala's skin.
Tala loved it when Lee wrote for her -- and then read it aloud while they cuddled together. Although Lee had also written erotica, and had enjoyed much diversity in her past relationships, she'd never truly enjoy her work as much as she had once she had the opportunity to share it with Tala.
She decided then to craft a Valentine's Day tale for Tala, one that she would also publish anonymously online. Knowing that other women would read the words she created for her personal beloved had been inspiration for much of her work.
Lee smiled, as her fingers clicked across the keys, composing deliberately to have her words touch each woman -- as her own fingers might if the opportunity were to present itself. Her stories reached out to women she would never meet, to express her love of women and the way their bodies spoke to her.
Sidda placed her muzzle alongside the laptop sitting atop Lee’s thighs, her whiskers tickling as Lee's fingers formed her story of desire. Lee’s eyes opened slightly, but remained focused upon the vision in her mind: of Tala and the way light caressed her skin as she stood before her.
The tip of Lee’s tongue slowly traced her lips in anticipation of exploring the curves of Tala’s full figured body. Her fingers formed the text that described each of Tala’s features to create the equivalent of a sculpture formed by her loving touch. Lee slowly pulled air into her lungs, her imagination absorbing her lover’s scent as she continued tapping out the details she would later read to her lover.
Pausing to flex her fingers, Lee wondered what Tala was up to since she had teased her about not coming home until she received a phone call telling her it was okay. Lee chuckled when she remembered chastising Tala about not sending any women visitors away until she too had the opportunity to play.
Tala had flushed, suddenly remembering that Lee was not as filled with restrictions as women she previously had known. Lee loved to catch Tala off guard by teasing her. She enjoyed being with a woman who seemed to share her hunger for a spicier version of life.
Sipping from her coffee, Lee envisioned Tala at home, finally relaxing for a change. She had been working extra hours -- nearly double her normal week -- to finish a company project. She was obviously exhausted, and Lee had asked her to rest.
Closing her eyes, Lee imagined watching Tala as she moved through the rooms in the house. She loved to watch her lover’s body, especially when Tala did not know she was watching.
Sidda snuffled, and reluctantly stopping her daydreaming, Lee refocused her attention to her writing. She wanted the story finished by the time Tala called her to come home. Hoping her lover was resting, Lee immersed herself in her writing as the Welsh Terrier sat by her side, offering her own silent encouragement. Lee’s fingers tapped the keys as she wished she could wrap her arms around the woman she loved. A tickling energy played at the back of her neck while Lee continued her story, an energy she associated with sensing activity. It felt like the same energy Tala gave off while she busied herself preparing to surprise her.
Reaching to scratch Sidda’s back, Lee said quietly, "I am sure you know what is going on don’t you?” Sidda looked at her and wagged her tail knowingly.
“I thought so.” Lee returned her attention to the story unfolding on her screen. Her awareness of another’s energy was not new to her. She accepted it without question since she was never wrong when she sensed the energy of anyone who was close to her. She let the surge flow through her as she sent the story into a passionate whirl with an equally passionate ending, and saved it to a private file on the laptop.
Back at the home she shared with her lover, Tala fussed with bowls and plates before she quickly checked on the quiche appetizers baking in the oven. She wished she could just blink and have it all ready. She desperately wanted to have everything perfect when Lee came home. Smiling as she moved about the kitchen, Tala allowed her mind to replay the circumstances that brought Lee into her life.
Lee had been a contact on one of the lesbian Internet networking sites that Tala had explored half-heartedly. She had so often encountered women online who seemed willing to be playful only to then find they were filled with self-imposed restrictions based upon a role they tried to fit. Women who had seemed open and interested in some fun suddenly became skittish or disappeared when Tala tried to suggest they actually meet for some play.
Meeting Lee online had been a surprise at first, and it grew quickly playful as they chatted. Despite her enjoyment of their interaction, Tala was aware that she was holding part of herself. Advancing to phone contact began to chip away at her doubts, as Lee used her sultry voice to tease her while they talked into the night. Something in Lee’s voice quieted her fears, reaching out to her through the phone. Tala looked forward to their nightly calls, which, for her, had become a bedtime ritual. Lee’s voice would fill her as she lay on her bed with her dog resting nearby. The nightly contact silenced the warnings in her head and washed away her attempts to hold back.
Tala smiled as she arranged items in the kitchen, remembering how Lee’s voice caressed her the way it did when they talked each night. She recalled the rush she felt when she finally allowed herself to invite Lee to visit her home. The surprise when Lee had said "yes" twisted inside her. Tala’s heart fluttered in her chest as she replayed the scene in her mind -- of Lee first stepping into her yard on that sunny day. It took her breath away. She had been riveted to the ground next to her dog as Lee approached with a smile that reached inside her.
Feeling as if she were entwined in one of Lee’s strong embraces, Tala breathed in the scents now filling her kitchen, igniting her desires. While she could feel the flame flickering within her, Tala searched for her cell phone to call Lee.
Flipping open the phone, Tala walked to the doorway and scanned the living room to be sure it was ready. A queen sized futon lay in the middle of the room with small tables at each end, bare until the snacks being prepared in the aromatic kitchen would fill their surfaces. Unlit candles stood sentry on shelves around the room, awaiting the opportunity to be lit and cast their own magical light over the room.
Tala held the phone to her ear as she adjusted the red satin sheet across the futon, watching the shimmering fabric settle on top of the flat surface. Her fingertips tingled with the anticipation of Lee coming home and seeing what she had prepared. She smiled when she heard Lee answer her call.
“Hey, sexy.” She quietly responded to Lee’s greeting.
“Okay,” Tala teased. “The girls have gone.”
Lee chuckled into the phone. “So, are you going to be ready to make up for sending the toys away?”
Her face reddening, Tala laughed.
“Hmm, depends on how well you inspire me.”
"I'll pack up my work here and be home soon,” Lee replied. After a short pause, she added, “I love you.”
Tala smiled.
“I love you too, baby.”
Closing her cell phone and slipping it into her pocket, Tala returned to the kitchen to finish preparing the snacks. She arranged the quiches on a decorative plate and surrounded them with stuffed olives. Breadsticks lined up on a pan awaited the sprinkling of cheese and spices.
Tala had spent a long time looking up relatively simple recipes in Lee’s cookbooks since Lee was the one who normally did the cooking. Tala’s culinary skill was limited to grilling and few other simple techniques, but this was a special occasion.
Lee had been worn down lately by stress and Tala wanted to pamper her when she returned to the house. Lee always comforted others in pain and Tala was determined to give Lee some of what she so freely did for others as a massage therapist.
Tala spritzed the breadsticks with olive oil and lightly sprinkled Lee's favorite spices on them. She placed them in the oven to bake while she carried the quiche plate into the living room. A small gate blocked her small terrier’s access to the snacks.
“Sorry sweetie, but you can’t have these.” Tala spoke to the silver haired terrier. “Zo, you can help me in the kitchen in a minute.”
The room was fairly small, but the soft, thick futon was to facilitate a picnic atmosphere and provide a sensual, cuddling area for afterwards. Tala had found the luxurious satin sheets during a browsing trip at Goodwill, and she immediately knew she had to have them for a romantic Valentine's Day evening with Lee.
The delicious garlic-cheese aroma of the baking breadsticks drifted into the room as Tala lit the candles around the living room. The collection of unscented large candles flickered to life, adding to the seductive glow in the room. She paused to take in the effect of her work, her eyes glistening as she gazed around the room. She smiled with anticipation of Lee’s surprise when she came home.
Opening the oven, Tala retrieved the pan of breadsticks and placed them on top of the stove, the scented steam spiraling upwards. Taking a glass pan from her cupboard, she lined it with a rainbow towel she had been given at a Gay Pride Event in Toronto several years earlier. She arranged the towel carefully and and placed the warm breadsticks on it, as she imagined taking Lee to next year's Toronto Pride.
Just as she placed the baked goods on the side table, she heard Lee pull into the driveway. The always excitable Sidda and Zo dashed to the door to greet Lee, while Tala quickly put small dishes of fruit -- strawberries, pineapple chunks and seedless grapes -- in their places beside thick cloth napkins.
Tala made her way past the two wriggling pups and reached up to plac her palm on Lee’s cheek. She kissed her softly.
“Hi," she said. "Welcome home.”
Lee kicked off her shoes and placed her coat on a hook as she took in the aromas of the warm kitchen. The two dogs then diverted their attention to each other, with frantic greetings and playful sparring.
“Wow, it really smells great in here,” Lee said. She slid her feet into her soft, old slippers and wrapped her arms around Tala. "Mmm, I really missed you.” Lee said into her ear. “You have been busy it would seem. I thought you were going to rest, Hon.”
Squeezing Tala to her, Lee’s lips met her lover’s softly yielding mouth. A gentle growl rumbled inside her chest as she stepped back to look into Tala’s eyes. “I am smelling what seems to be something interesting…And you have candles lit too.”
Tala’s eyes sparkled as she turned to lead Lee by the hand to the living room. They stood close to the puppy gate that separated the canines from the women, and looked into the room.
“I have a special day planned for us,” Tala said. Her fingertips danced over Lee’s palm. “We have our own indoor winter drive-in theater! Well, without cars anyway. But with plenty of snacks.”
Lee pressed into her back and Tala squeezed her hand. She slipped her hands around Tala’s full waist and bent to whisper, into her ear.
“This looks amazing.” Nipping her ear while pulling Tala into her, Lee pressed into Tala’s back. “You are amazing.”
Squeezing her back, Tala stated, “This is what I imagine when I think of you – satin and candles.”
“Now, you find something comfortable so you can join me in here.” Grasping the front of Lee’s shirt in her fist, Tala pulled her close. “As much as I would love to have control over what you wear, I am going to let you decide.”
Lee stroked Tala’s cheek before kissing her lightly.
“I guess I have a big decision to make," she smiled.
Walking into the bedroom, Lee shed her clothes before finding the long-sleeved, button front shirt and silky boxers she liked to wear around the house. She knew Tala loved to see her wear it open. Aromas from the snacks teased her sense of smell while Lee slipped into her soft lightweight flannel shirt. The cotton fiber soothed her skin like the food’s aroma soothed her delicate passages. Her senses teased, Lee turned and was startled to find Tala standing in the doorway of the bedroom watching her.
Tala’s eyes slowly took in the view of Lee’s solid body inside the long flannel shirt. She stepped forward and slipped her hand inside the shirt, sliding it around Lee’s waist to the small of her back. She kissed Lee's throat before telling her to get comfortable on the futon while she readied herself.
Inhaling deeply to calm her heartbeat, Tala retrieved the body massage oil from the dresser before returning to the living room. She stopped to admire Lee’s prone form, beautifully illuminated by the flickering candles.
“Well," Tala grinned. “What happened to your shirt?” Her eyes slowly took in Lee’s suddenly clothes-free, smooth skin, resisting the urge to jump on her and ravish her.
Lee stretched her nude body to enjoy the satin sheets caressing her skin. “Figured it might get in the way.” She winked as she rolled onto her hip to ask, “So, what are we watching today?” She could see redness creep up into Tala’s throat as she swallowed. Lee loved knowing she could so easily tease her girlfriend.
“Hey Hon,” Lee tossed a large pineapple chunk to Tala. “Give this to the girls for being patient.” Lee watched Tala’s full hips as she bit the juicy piece of fruit into two equal size pieces and leaned over to give each dog a piece of dripping, golden fruit.
.Lee wanted to caress the silk covered flanks before her. Instead, she took a piece of pineapple for herself, sucked the juice from within the fruit, and then watched Tala scratch the dog’s ears and tell them they needed to play in the rest of the house.
Tala turned back into the living room to look at her lover’s prone form.
“You do add to the décor in here.”
“Well, it would be a shame to make it look worse. You really did an amazing job making this room so cozy.”
Lee reached for Tala’s calf as she walked by the side of the futon to place the massage oil on the table near the snacks. Her fingers teased the silk draped over her lover’s strong thighs. Tala slowly took Lee’s hand to stop her upward trail. She wanted so much to have Lee take over and for the two of them to have a wild time together. Instead, she knelt beside Lee on the mattress and held her hand tightly.
“As much as I want you to continue, I have something else in mind.”
Lee looked into Tala’s sparkling blue eyes and her heartbeat thumped in her chest as she felt pulled into her lover's gaze.
“Hmm, this sounds good.”
“You are going to allow yourself to be spoiled a bit," Tala said, grateful that Lee had refrained from any sarcastic remarks. “You are not going to run this. You will lay here and allow me to run this show.”
Tala held Lee’s hands still until she felt her finally relax. Releasing her grip, she reached for the massage oil.
Lee felt herself struggle against the strong desire to take over, to flip Tala onto her back, to make her scream while she used her tongue and fingertips on her smooth skin. But Tala’s eyes calmed her need to control, and she felt a desire awaken in herself to let go. She held Tala’s gaze as she relaxed into the satin surrounding her.
“Ok hon, it’s your show.”
“See?” Tala playfully swatted Lee’s hip. “I knew you were trainable…with the right inspiration.”
Lee’s chuckle ignited the soft glow in Tala’s belly as she knelt by Lee's side looking into those deep blue eyes.
“I want you to allow yourself to be massaged.” Lee nodded slightly, and Tala continued.
“I will feed you when I think you need to eat, give you water when you need it, and I will massage you with the oils you so readily massage into others.” Bending to meet Lee’s soft lips with her own, Tala kissed her gently.
“You are to be completely passive until I tell you I am finished. Do you understand?”
Lee dismissed the need to resist, to tell Tala how she felt so at home everytime she looked into her eyes…and she remained silent. She felt as if she would fall into pieces if Tala did not touch her soon. She watched as Tala opened the bottle of oil, poured out a small amount and warmed it between her palms.
The scent of ylang-ylang oil drifted into the air as Tala softly touched Lee’s forehead and cheeks. Her hands stroked the muscles as the oil penetrated Lee’s skin. Tala’s even breathing kept rhythm with her hands as she worked down Lee’s neck to her shoulders.
“You give massage all the time, and now it is your turn to receive.” Tala lightly kissed Lee’s lips. "Like the comfort we gave each other last year…the biopsy…was so worried…"
A tear threatened to run out of Lee's eye, and she fought the urge to sit up and stop it all. But Tala’s quiet voice and delicately firm touch held her to the mattress. She could not run from Tala, the woman she loved. She focused on her voice, her touch, and the warmth building beneath the surface of her skin. Tala’s fingers sent currents of energy into Lee's tired body, chasing the stress out of her body. She felt as if Tala’s strong fingers were lifting her up, off the silk-covered futon.
“Open your mouth, Hon.”
Lee’s mouth opened and Tala placed a smooth, miniature quiche into her mouth, followed by a garlic-stuffed olive. She allowed Lee to lick the olive juice from her fingers before she returned to massaging the oil into Lee’s chest.
“I have to admit that I am impressed with how well you are doing. I expected to have to fight you a bit to be able to get you to submit this way.”
Tala winked at her as she gently massaged the oil into the soft tissue of each breast. As her fingertips grazed the biopsy scar, she inhaled deeply to calm the memories. She blew gently to tease Lee’s nipples into puckering in anticipation, and then she winked at Lee before massaging down towards her belly.
Lee struggled to maintain control of her breathing while Tala’s hands worked the oil into her skin. The flame flickering deep inside her tried to flare into an inferno, stoked by Tala’s firm but delicate touch. The random patterns thrown against the walls by candles flames only made it harder to keep that inferno from taking over. She fought to not growl or to make any sound as Tala's massaging reached her hips and moved over her shaved mound.
Tala’s eyes sparkled as she breathed in deeply to capture the musky scent growing between her lover's legs as her massage became more intimate. She knew how difficult it was for Lee to refrain from taking charge, and she would have a very hard time resisting if Lee were to attempt it. She also knew that Lee had agreed to allow her to run the show, and Lee would not go back on her word.
Tala’s own body burned with desire as she manipulated Lee’s flesh and watched her skin glow in the candlelight. She wanted her tongue and teeth to do the work of her hands, but that would come later.
Lee watched Tala as her hands worked her flesh, enjoying the flex of muscles in her forearms. As the tension was removed, Lee felt a slow fire beginning to rage in its place -- the kind of fire needed play through the night and to finally collapse in each other’s arms.
“Roll onto your stomach Lee.”
Tala reached for the oil as she watched her lover roll onto her stomach. Her heart fluttered with the desire to take her lover on a trip of ecstasy, but she continued her firm massage. Each of Lee’s thighs yielded warmly to her touch. Her hands smoothed the skin as she moved across Lee’s hips and over each of her rounded buttocks. Tala leaned over, and her nipples grazed Lee's backside.
“That is going to be a personal foul, ” Lee groaned.“This is really not fair. “
"I could stop if you need me to stop.” Tala’s voice had a mischievous edge as she began to lift herself away from Lee’s backside.
“No!” Lee squirmed. “I won’t complain, but damn. You know what that is doing to me.”
Lee’s heart raced as she felt Tala’s hard nipples slide over her skin again. A soft growl rumbled inside her as she fought to not scream.
“Yes,” Tala chuckled. “I do know what it is doing to you.”
Her hands worked their way up Lee’s back as she knelt between her spread thighs. She could feel Lee struggling to do what she had agreed to do and had to resist the urge to really torture her. Adjusting her position to kneel at Lee’s side, Tala worked the oil into her squirming lover’s skin. She could feel most of the tension as it left Lee’s body and she struggled to not weep with relief. She had felt so powerless to help when Lee waited for word on the biopsy and her pain level was so high. Now she saw Lee relaxing under her touch, and it was overwhelming to have this affect on a person. She finished the massage and slid onto the sheets alongside her lover.
“Mmm. Wow.” Lee said as she felt Tala’s lips at her ear. “That was really amazing.”
She raised herself onto her elbow and bent to kiss her gentle lover. “Thank you so much.” Her hand began to caress Tala’s skin until Tala stopped her.
“I did not say I was done,” Tala said, placing her palm on the center of Lee’s chest. “I am doing the driving here.”
She pressed Lee onto her back and adjusted the pillows to prop herself up beside her surprised lover.
“Now, we will have some snacks and watch a movie.” She kissed Lee while placing her palm on Lee’s stomach.
“This is about just being close, baby.” Gently tickling the soft fuzzy hair surrounding Lee’s navel, she spoke quietly. “I love you, and today it is about being very close.”
Tala stroked Lee’s cheek before adding, “Oh, did I forget to mention the eye candy movie?”
Reaching for the remote, Tala pressed play to start the DVD while she lay next to the woman she loved.
“What is Valentine’s Day without a little eye candy?"Lee chuckled. "While being close to an amazing woman, even.”
"Okay, test question.” Tala stated as she paused the movie.
“The correct answer plays the movie, but the wrong answer will end it all.” Tala sat up. “Are you ready?”
Lee looked into the sparkling blue eyes, awaiting her response.
“Of course I am ready.” Lee’s stomach clenched as she awaited the question
“Who is your perfect woman?” Tala asked while looking deeply into Lee’s eyes.
“Hmm, that's a tough one.” Lee teased, and dramatically paused before sitting up. Then she wrapped her arms around Tala, and stated her answer clearly.
“The woman in my arms," she replied, as they snuggled into satin and each other.
T Meehan lives in Rochester, NY. When she's not writing steamy fiction, she breeds and shows Welsh Terriers, and helps other members of the gay community with pet grooming and canine care.
