Chapter 20

Kelcey

I caught up to Veronica at the back of the hall, nowhere near the bathrooms, leaning back against the wall looking out over the party, and when she glanced over and spotted me coming, her face lit up in that way she only ever did for me, and, like—god, I could have gotten used to that. Actually, no, I’d never get used to it, but I kind of wanted to spend forever trying.

“You know the bathrooms were the other way,” I said lightly, leaning against the wall next to her, and she shrugged.

“Ah, you know. I got cured.”

“Oh, that’s convenient.”

“What’s not convenient is that I don’t have a ride out of here, and I’ve probably overstayed my welcome… Danielson insisted I come in his car precisely so he could get me without an exit route when he cornered me for that whole thing.”

I scowled. “What a jerk. I can’t believe I worked so hard and found a jerk of a videographer.”

“I didn’t really know he had that in him, either, honestly. But apparently we’re all, uh… learning things about ourselves and each other lately.”

I beamed, sidling up against her side, resting a head on her shoulder, and it made something settle in a deep, spiritual way in my chest, just… awed at how easy it was, how natural it was. How right it felt to just be hers. “You’re talking about your parents? Isn’t it so sweet?”

Veronica laughed, resting her head against mine, and I thought that no two people had ever fit so naturally, so easily together. “Honestly, kind of impressed both of them have got it in them. Anna’s never going to recover though.”

“It’s love. What’s there to recover from?”

“Ah, you know my sister. Total hardass whenever it’s not about Lucy. I guess Prestons are just hard to deal with until they soften up for a girl, huh?”

I giggled, my chest bubbling with so much brilliant, bright energy that I thought I’d burst. “You don’t have to sweet-talk me to offer you a ride. I was already going to give it to you.”

She turned to smile sweetly at me, and up close like this—her soft, warm brown eyes absolutely radiant with the way she looked at me—I’d never seen anything so perfect. “Thanks, Kelce. I appreciate you a lot.”

“No problem. You can ride all night, if you want to.”

“Uh…” She paused, thinking it over. “I mean… I’m not saying no.”

“Hmm. Good.” I pecked her on the lips, and she slipped a hand to my back with a shy look passing over her features, looking down at the floor.

“Um… you’re not worried you’re going to get into trouble? You know, with everything you just…”

I laughed. “They’re going to be too distracted by everything else anyway. Speaking of which… I don’t know about you, but I think I’ve had enough partying for one day already. That whole thing took it out of me a little. Do you want to cash in that ride now?”

She smiled lightly at me. “Depends on how you mean that… I think I’d like to take the ride in the car first.”

I felt a laugh bubble up and break free. “You wouldn’t want to do it right here, right now?”

She grinned wider. “Situation like this calls for something more… under-the-table. So unless that’s what you’re feeling right now…”

I mean, it wasn’t like I wasn’t. I was riding on so much adrenaline I’d probably have let her just take me over the table right here in front of the room if she asked. Which was probably a bad idea, so it was a good thing she wasn’t asking. “I’ll probably be a little too loud if you do that right now,” I said, slipping a hand clandestinely lower down her back, down to the hem of her skirt, touching lightly at her thigh. She let out a short, sharp sound, catching my hand by the wrist but not pulling it away.

“You should really be careful what you’re trying right now,” she said, her voice light but bubbling with something under the surface. I bit my lip.

“Somehow I’m not too scared…”

“Mm. Are you not,” she mused, and before I could respond, she turned, pulling my hand away, and she turned me with a hand on my hip, facing me towards the wall and pressing up against my side. Her voice whispered in my ear gave me shivers. “Pull your phone out, Kelcey.”

“Uh—o-okay,” I said, fumbling with it.

“Pretend to be facing the wall here looking at it privately with me,” she said, and she rested her head against my shoulder, looking at the phone with me, as—concealed by our bodies—she slipped her hand down my front, igniting a trail of heat in her wake.

Oh, god. She was calling my bluff. Did it count as calling my bluff when I wanted her to? I quivered, nodding breathlessly, as I opened my phone and scrolled through something that didn’t matter, and the rest of the party, some distance behind us, didn’t exist anymore once she slipped her hand down to the band of my pants and paused there before she dipped inside.

I wasn’t noticing anything on my phone. I think I was scrolling through emails from last month. I didn’t care. Veronica’s hand slid into my underwear, and I let out a short, shaky breath as she brushed her fingers lightly over the hairs just above where I was tingling, prickling, wanting —

She teased me for a second before she dipped her fingers down through my folds, and just as I predicted, I couldn’t really manage quiet right now—a low, quiet moan slipped out through my lips, and she whispered in my ear, “Shh. Not too loud, Kelcey… be a good girl for me, okay?”

Oh, god. I gripped the phone tighter, nodding, my legs already feeling shaky, as she moved faster, teasing my clit, sending pleasure thrumming through me, and it took every ounce of focus not to cry out, not to rock my hips against her and moan her name.

She kept her head resting on my shoulder, as casual as anything. “I’m not going to stop until you tell me to,” she whispered. “So if you don’t say anything, I’m going to keep going until you’ve come and made a sticky mess inside your panties…”

“God, Veronica…” I closed my eyes, quivering, whimpering quietly. I knew I needed to tell her to stop… that I needed to stop this now before it went far along enough that I couldn’t help making noise. But her fingers were so perfect, so good, I couldn’t bring myself to, and true to her word, she kept going.

It took all of my focus to turn on a video, playing something random off my phone, just in time to cover up the noises breaking free from my lips as she worked a faster rhythm, her fingers deconstructing me. I moaned softly, quietly, drowned out under the sound of the phone and the music overhead, by the low bustle of the party behind us, and I realized hazily that I was going to come like this—that I was going to come standing here at the side of the room at my company’s holiday event, Veronica doing what she wanted with me…

She knew my body perfectly, like always—right as I was getting close, my body about to give, she turned and kissed me, pressing her lips against mine—a simple thing looking chaste from the outside, but she captured the desperate moan that spilled out from me as her fingers pushed me over the edge.

I didn’t even have the presence of mind to be embarrassed, worried about it—all I cared about was Veronica, and how perfect she was on me, and I came hard on her hand, moving my hips with her and muffling the sounds I made against her lips, and as it subsided, slowly, leaving me trembling, she kept her hand on me without moving, resting against my side and supporting me as my knees quivered.

“There’s a good girl,” she whispered. “Let me know once you’re ready to move again, because I’m going to need to take you home and get you on your knees for me.”

“Mm. Wow. Yeah, I think I’m all partied out here, I, uh… home… home sounds great…”

She smiled wickedly at me, and I twitched as she pulled her hand back out of my pants, and looking at me intently, she licked her fingers clean—slowly, one at a time, cleaning my wetness off of them, sending electric pulses through me just watching it until I was tempted to just get on my knees right here and service her—

“Your car, then,” she whispered, and I jolted out of my heady, hazy thoughts, nodding. I slipped my hand into hers, walking casually, as if everything was natural, and when coworkers or partners stopped me to talk to me and ask oh are you leaving so soon, I just hoped I came across sounding natural and not like Veronica had just gotten me off at the edge of the room and I needed her to take me back to my apartment and shove my face between her legs.

It probably came across sounding natural enough. Probably at least a little bit. I hoped.

Luckily my apartment wasn’t too far, but the drive was still too long, and by the time we were back to my apartment, I was quivering like I’d break to pieces if Veronica didn’t take me this instant.

She didn’t make me wait. I didn’t even shut the door behind us before she turned and kissed me fiercely, pressing her lips up against mine, grabbing me by the hips, and she backed me into the wall, taking my bottom lip lightly between hers and sucking, tugging, just enough to send electric fire coursing through me. I moaned suddenly, sharply, loudly against her, gripping at her back, and she pressed her hips up against mine, grinding against me.

She pulled just an inch away from the kiss, looking at me through heavy lidded eyes, and she kicked the door shut before she said, “Take your clothes off, Kelcey. I want to see you on your knees ready to service me.”

I couldn’t obey fast enough—ripped everything off, flung my clothes over the back of the couch, kicked my shoes off and stepped out of my pants and my underwear at the same time, and Veronica caught me before I could drop onto my knees, her hands roaming my sides, my hips, hungrily exploring every part of me.

“God, you’re fucking beautiful,” she murmured, bending down and kissing my neck, and I moaned softly, let her tease me, play with every part of my body she liked, before she guided me out of the hallway and onto the carpet. She put her hand on my shoulder pushing me down to my knees in front of the couch, before she sat down, haloed in the glow of the half-dimmed ceiling lights, and caressed her fingers through my hair, gentle yet claiming me all at once.

“Veronica…” I whispered, my voice breathless, shaky, and she licked her lips, smiling.

“Good girl.” Simple words that, in her low, husky voice, sent ripples of pleasure murmuring through me. I closed my eyes for a second with a soft moan, and she squeezed her thumb and forefinger on my chin. “Look at me, Kelcey. I want to see your pretty eyes while I ride your mouth.”

I bit my lip hard, opening my eyes to look at her as she pulled her dress up, and I followed her directions breathlessly—shifted in closer between her legs, pulled her underwear down and tugged them off her ankles, and I submitted to her, pressing my lips up against her and holding eye contact just like she liked while I offered her my mouth, my tongue, my… everything.

She guided me to take my time and let her savor every second of me between her legs before her grip tightened on my hair and I felt her muscles clench under my mouth, and she called out my name in a low, throaty growl as I sent her into a crescendo, taking her, tasting—reveling in the taste of her, letting it be everything—and she’d barely stopped twitching on my mouth before she pulled me up to sit on her lap, tugging me into a deep, languid kiss, her hand exploring my body.

At first it was just that—exploring, feeling me, light touches—but as the kiss deepened and the heat grew between us, she dipped her hand down between my legs, and I moaned against her lips and spread my legs for her, letting her have me as she liked.

She knew every perfect little touch to undo me—her fingers worked expertly over me and broke me down until I was gasping for breath, led helplessly in the heated kiss between us, crying out broken moans against her lips, until an orgasm crashed over me and swept me up, rattling every part of my body and leaving me sweaty and breathless.

One way or another, we landed in my bed, Veronica stripped naked with me, and we giggled and shared little touches, pillow talk and floaty feelings, until the heat stirred up again and she’d fastened the strap-on harness on me and settled on top of me to ride me, heat and hunger in her expression as she moved her hips with deep thrusts, rocking and grinding on me. The sight of her on top of me was enough that I was desperate for more by the time she finished on me, but I barely had to whimper a please before she settled in between my legs, strap quickly discarded and replaced with her perfect mouth, her perfect soft lips.

She was so gorgeous… my chest ached with how much I adored her, even as my body burned with the fiery heat between us, as she pushed me into another explosive climax. It took a while for us to stumble into showers, me going first and stopping on the way back to plant a quick kiss on Veronica’s lips on her way to the bathroom before I crashed in bed wrapped up in a robe, and I thought then to check my phone to make sure nobody was too mad at me for ditching the party.

Instead, I had two texts, one from Anna and one from Lucy, both sent at roughly the same time, and knowing them, probably independent of each other. They were just always in perfect sync like that. Officially my second favorite couple in the world.

Congratulations to you and Veronica, Lucy sent, and then from Anna, the much more coached, If Veronica does anything to hurt you again, let me know and I’ll give her a talking-to. Family is going upstate to the mountains on the third, you’d be welcome to come.

As a part of the family… dating Veronica Preston. No matter how much I searched around, I couldn’t find any reason not to want that.

I was still in that dreamy feeling when Veronica got back from the bathroom, wearing an oversized sweater and panties and some slightly smudged makeup that I may or may not have had a hand in messing up, and I grabbed her by the wrist before she could say a word and tugged her into bed with me, pulling her down to kiss her. She lay in bed next to me, eyes twinkling with laughter as she pulled away.

“Hell of a greeting,” she said.

“You took a long shower. I missed you.”

“Psh.” She flicked my hair back. “Imagine how rough it is for me while you’re gone for eight hours at work? Honestly… I deserve props for being such a trooper.”

“You are really brave.”

“I’ll stick it out for you…”

I grinned, but I softened, shifting in closer to her on the bed. “Is everything… going to be okay? With Danielson trying to get your new job offer sunk…”

She shrugged, looking past me. “He can try. I’m stubborn. Besides, I think that whole scene earlier really shot his credibility. What about you, though?” she said, furrowing her brow. “I mean… it’s not going to get you in trouble? I was pretty sure…”

I put a finger to her lips. “Don’t you go worrying about me,” I laughed. “You heard what the big boss said. It’s a small enough issue that, with it being behind us now, is probably enough to overlook. And… besides, if being with you is going to get me into trouble, then I want to face that trouble. I’m not planning on running away from anything.”

I saw the flicker of hope and hesitation together over her face before, softly, achingly, she said, “Then… everything you’d said, er…”

“I wasn’t just making that up to mess with Danielson. The, uh, the universe already sent enough things to mess with him.” I moved in closer, and I took her hand softly, interlacing my fingers with hers where they lay on the bed between us. “I think I’m done with looking for reasons not to trust you. Everything you do tells me that you mean it… that you just want me to be happy, for its own sake, even when you don’t think you’ll get anything from it. I mean, for God’s sake, Veronica, how could I not be in love with you when you do that?”

She swallowed hard, eyes wide as she looked at me, lips parted in the low glow of the light string hung up over the bed. “Kelcey…”

“You look at me like I’m the most wonderful thing in the world. I’m not getting used to that,” I laughed. “I love you. So… if you promise you mean it this time… I want to be with you.”

“I do,” she blurted, practically tripping over herself to say it. “I promise. I just want… I want you to be happy. I don’t think anyone’s ever smiled the way you smile. So… whatever gives the world more of that… that’s what I want.”

I laughed, ducking my head, feeling my face prickle, my heart beating faster and this feeling like I wanted to melt in her arms right now. “Oh my god, Veronica, that’s so romantic I’m going to die.”

“Well, I’d prefer if you didn’t die. I… I love you, too,” she whispered, like she couldn’t even believe she got to say it. “And I want to be with you. Next time I see my family, I want it to be with your arm in mine and I want to laugh at Mom’s stupid jokes and say yeah, you were right all along, Kelcey’s the one I love. ”

I sighed happily, pulling her in closer to me, and I buried my face in her shoulder, muffling my voice against her sweater. “That sounds really nice. I mean, I hear there’s going to be a family visit upstate after the new year…”

“Did Anna already invite you?” she laughed. “She’s so much softer than she lets on. I would love nothing better than to bring you. We always meet some family friends there. This year I want them to know I scored the cutest girlfriend in history.”

“Oh, stop it,” I laughed, big and bright, swatting at her. “Oh my god. Let’s just hope it isn’t overshadowed by your parents.”

“Psh. Mom and Dad deserve a little credit. Mostly just because I want to watch Anna have a complete meltdown over it.”

“I don’t understand,” I pouted. “It’s all love. Just… so much love, for everyone. What’s the problem?”

She touched her forehead softly against mine, the tip of her nose brushing mine, as her perfect chocolate-brown eyes gleamed with laughter. “Let’s not bother trying to understand everybody else’s deal. I know I love you, and that’s enough for me. Not to be corny on you or anything.”

“I kinda like it when you’re corny.”

“Well, if it’s for you, five chili peppers of sincerity all day, baby girl,” she laughed, and she sank into me, meeting me with the softest, sweetest kiss, and I melted into her—adoring her, holding her into me and kissing her like nothing else mattered.

Of course, it did. We still both had big, full lives to figure out from here. But knowing that I’d be figuring it all out with Veronica at my side?

I was so down for that.