Chapter 11

11

P iper's heart pounded with anticipation as she led Audrey up the stairs, the jar candle she was carrying casting flickering shadows on the walls. She couldn't believe how quickly things had escalated between them, but it somehow felt right.

As they reached the bedroom, Piper set the candle on her dresser, the soft glow spreading a warm, inviting light around the room. She turned to face Audrey, taking in the sight of her almost naked form, and Piper couldn't wait to see all of her.

Piper stepped closer, her hand reaching out to cup Audrey's face. She leaned in, pressing her lips to Audrey's in a slow, deep kiss. Audrey responded eagerly, her tongue swirling against Piper's, sending shivers of pleasure down her spine.

Without breaking the kiss, Piper guided Audrey backwards towards the bed, her hands sliding down to the waistband of Audrey's shorts. She fumbled with the button for a second before popping it open. Audrey pushed the fabric down her legs, blindly stepping out of them as they continued to kiss.

Piper's hands moved to explore her hips, her thighs, the curve of her ass. Audrey's skin was warm and smooth beneath her touch, and Piper couldn't get enough. She wanted to feel every inch of her.

Piper gently pushed Audrey back onto the bed, breaking their kiss just long enough to look into her eyes. She saw her own desire reflected back at her, and it sent a thrill coursing through her veins. She climbed onto the bed, straddling Audrey's hips, and leaned down to capture her lips once more.

The kiss deepened, their tongues dancing together as Piper's hands roamed freely over Audrey's body. She cupped her breasts, her thumbs brushing over her nipples, drawing out a low moan from deep within Audrey. Piper loved the sounds she made, the way her body responded to her touch. It was intoxicating.

Piper trailed her lips down Audrey's jaw, her neck, her collarbone, until she reached her breasts. Piper lingered there before taking one taut nipple into her mouth. She swirled her tongue around it, drawing out another moan from Audrey, who arched her back, pressing herself further into Piper's touch. Piper took her time, moving from one breast to the other, her hands continuing their exploration of Audrey's body.

Audrey's fingers tangled in Piper's hair, holding her close, her breath coming in quick gasps. Piper's hands trailed down to the lace edge of Audrey's underwear, her fingers hooking into the fabric. She pulled back slightly, her eyes meeting Audrey's in a silent question. Audrey nodded, her lips parted, her eyes dark with desire. Piper slipped the underwear down, tossing it aside. She began to trail kisses down Audrey's stomach, her hands caressing her thighs, spreading them gently. She could feel Audrey's tension, and Piper couldn't wait to taste her, to feel her come undone beneath her touch.

Piper settled between Audrey's legs, gently kissing her inner thighs. She looked up, catching Audrey's gaze, holding it as she leaned in. She pressed a soft kiss to her center, feeling Audrey tremble beneath her. Then she found her clit, teasing her, tasting her, exploring her.

Audrey's moans filled the room, her hips bucking against Piper's mouth. Piper gripped her hips, holding her steady as she continued to circle her clit. Audrey's breath hitched as Piper slid two fingers inside her, curling them slightly, finding the spot that made Audrey moan even louder as her breathing grew ragged.

Piper increased the pressure with her tongue, her fingers moving in a steady rhythm. Audrey's hands clutched at the sheets, her head thrown back, her breath coming in short gasps. Piper could feel her getting close.

"Piper," Audrey breathed out, her voice barely a whisper, yet filled with urgency. Hearing her name on Audrey's lips spurred Piper on, her tongue and fingers moving in sync, pushing Audrey closer to the edge.

Audrey's body arched off the bed, a low, guttural moan escaping her lips as she found her release. Piper stayed with her, riding out the waves of her orgasm, softly kissing her thighs, her stomach, her hips, as Audrey slowly came down.

Piper moved up Audrey's body, capturing her lips in a soft, slow kiss. Audrey wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close, their bodies pressed together. They lay there for a moment, both of them catching their breath.

Piper brushed a strand of hair away from Audrey's face, her fingertips gently tracing the line of her jaw. "You're beautiful," Piper whispered.

Audrey smiled, a soft, genuine smile that reached her eyes. "So are you," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She pulled Piper closer, their lips meeting in a tender kiss.

Audrey shifted beneath Piper, gently rolling them over so that she was now on top. She looked down at Piper, her eyes reflecting the warm glow of the candle, a mix of desire and tenderness in her gaze. Piper's breath caught as Audrey began to trail kisses down her neck, her collarbone, mimicking the path Piper had taken on her body. She found Piper's hands, lacing their fingers together before pinning them above her head, and Piper's breath hitched as Audrey took control.

Audrey held Piper's hands in place with one of hers, her free hand beginning a slow, tantalizing exploration of Piper's body. She traced the curve of her breasts, her fingertips circling her nipples until they hardened under her touch. Piper arched her back, pressing herself into Audrey's palm, craving more contact.

Audrey smiled, her eyes locked on Piper's as she continued her descent over her stomach until her hand slid between Piper's legs. Audrey's fingers brushed against Piper's inner thighs, making her shiver with anticipation.

Piper's heart pounded in her chest as Audrey's fingers trailed back up her thighs, her thumbs brushing against her sensitive folds. She let out a moan, her hips lifting off the bed, seeking more of Audrey's touch. Audrey leaned down, capturing Piper's lips in a searing kiss as her fingers began to explore her.

Piper's hands gripped Audrey's shoulders, her nails digging into her skin as Audrey's fingers slipped inside her. She gasped into the kiss, her body arching against Audrey's.

Piper could feel the pressure building inside her, and she had to break the kiss, her head falling back against the pillow as she panted for breath. Audrey's lips moved to her neck, her teeth grazing her skin as her fingers continued to work their magic.

"Audrey," Piper moaned, her voice barely recognizable. She could feel her orgasm building, her body trembling with the effort to hold it back. She wanted to ride this wave for as long as possible, to draw out this feeling of being completely consumed by Audrey.

Audrey's mouth moved back to Piper's, swallowing her gasps as her fingers moved deeper, curling to hit that sweet spot that made Piper's breath hitch. Piper's hips rose to meet each stroke, and her grip on Audrey's shoulders tightened, her fingers digging into the soft skin.

"Don't stop," Piper whispered, her voice ragged and desperate. Audrey's lips curved into a smile against Piper's neck, her breath hot against her skin as she increased the pace, her fingers moving faster.

Piper's body tensed, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. Audrey lifted her head, her eyes locking onto Piper's, holding her gaze as she pushed her over the edge. Piper's orgasm hit her hard as she slammed her eyes shut. Audrey stayed with her, her fingers moving slower, gentler, riding out the waves of Piper's climax until she was left panting and lifeless on the bed.

Audrey gently withdrew her fingers, leaning in for a soft kiss, and Piper wrapped her arms around Audrey as she recovered.

As amazing as that was, Audrey's words still lingered in her mind, and Piper had to know what she'd meant. Piper turned her head to meet Audrey's eyes. "Can I ask you something?"

"Hm," Audrey said, her eyes fluttering open.

"What you said earlier... About being down this road before? About falling for someone who lives in a different world? What did you mean?"

Audrey threw her arm above her head as she looked up at the ceiling, the shadows from the candle dancing across the walls. "I was married to a relatively famous jazz singer. She wouldn't get recognized everywhere she went, but I always felt like an outsider looking in. Her friends, her social life. It was like nothing I'd ever experienced before, and she spent more time on the road than at home. And I guess, when I found out who you were, that was my first thought. Not again."

Piper swallowed down the lump in her throat. "And that's why you wanted to go."

"Yes." Audrey turned to look at her. "I knew what kind of life I'd have if I got involved with her. She was already a well-established name. None of it should have come as a surprise."

"I can't promise you anything." Piper tried to keep her voice steady, and it should have scared her how much she wanted Audrey to give her a chance. "And I hope you don't end up regretting tonight, but from the moment I saw you outside in the garden, I found myself being drawn to you, in a way that made no sense." A smile came to her lips. "I was trying to be bothered by the fact that a stranger was standing on my property, but I just wanted to stay talking to you."

"I was trying to be mad at you for all the noise you were making over here and for wrecking Lily's house, but I ended up making extra trips to my truck and going for walks just to catch another glimpse of you."

"What?" Piper asked, half sitting up.

"One day you were up on the ladder cleaning the gutters, and I just couldn't stop staring."

Piper fell back against the sheets, covering her face with her hands. "And you kept seeing me all sweaty with my hair a mess."

"It was actually quite sexy."

Piper uncovered her face, turning to look at Audrey. "Why didn't you say anything? You could have just come over."

Audrey chuckled softly, her eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight. "I thought about it," Audrey admitted, tracing patterns on Piper's shoulder with her fingertips. "But I thought you were with that woman."

"Natalie?"

Audrey nodded.

"She's my head of security and my best friend."

"Well, when I thought you were flipping the house as a couple or as a team, I don't know. You two seemed close."

Piper exhaled slowly. "I can see how it might look like that. The tabloids have run more than one story about us actually now that I think about it." Piper couldn't miss Audrey's sharp inhale, and she wished she hadn't reminded Audrey about any of that. "I'm going to be here for a few weeks, more maybe. I don't have any projects lined up." She waited for Audrey to meet her eyes. "What do you think about enjoying whatever this is? No pressure? Just see where it takes us?"

Audrey's eyes held Piper's gaze for a long moment before she reached out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind Piper's ear. "I'd like that."