Chapter 7

As they swayed to the music, Kate held Hollis close, their bodies nearly pressed together. She desperately wanted to let her hands roam, to end up on the couch beside them on top of one another, their clothes flying off, but for some reason, Kate had an overwhelming sense of duty here. And her own wants needed to take a backseat.

As attracted as Kate was to this woman, she was under no illusion. This was not the start of something. When Hollis was ready to date, it wouldn't be with someone like her. And yet, as they continued to dance, Kate struggled to keep herself from falling for this woman. She could keep her own desire in check, for the time being, but her feelings? That was going to be almost impossible.

Kate could feel the heat emanating from Hollis and being this close to her, especially after that last kiss, was intoxicating. She swallowed as Hollis's fingers slowly traced patterns along her shoulder and collarbone. It was as if Hollis wanted more but hesitated to push any further.

Kate pulled back enough to meet Hollis's eyes, but she found them focused lower, perhaps at her chest then definitely her lips, until she met Kate's gaze. The intensity in her eyes nearly floored her.

Kate's hand slid out of Hollis's, the other still in the middle of her back. She reached up to tuck a piece of Hollis's hair behind her ear, her hand cupping Hollis's cheek, her thumb grazing Hollis's soft skin. The song they'd been dancing to faded into the next, but they stood still.

When Hollis leaned into her touch, her eyes dropping to Kate's lips again, Kate's breath caught in her throat. She couldn't remember feeling this wanted, and it made her heart race.

"What are you thinking right now?" Kate asked in barely a whisper.

Hollis's eyes lifted, her pupils wide. The air between them was charged. "I'm trying to show some restraint," she murmured as she leaned in, parting her lips over Kate's, eliciting a soft moan, and Kate could feel herself swaying into Hollis as she deepened the kiss.

Kate gasped into the kiss as Hollis's fingers trailed over collarbone, down the center of her tank top, between her breasts and over her stomach before disappearing beneath the fabric. The feeling of Hollis's fingers brushing over her lower abdomen had the muscles beneath her skin jumping.

Kate panted as Hollis broke the kiss. "Why?" She swallowed as Hollis's hand slid higher on her stomach before gliding over her ribs and settling at her lower back. "Why would you want to show restraint?" she barely managed to ask, her eyes searching Hollis's.

Hollis dipped her head, placing open kisses along Kate's shoulder and neck, and Kate was struggling to stay upright with every touch. "I'm afraid of what I'd be like," Hollis whispered, her breath hot against Kate's neck as she kissed her way up to Kate's earlobe before tilting her head to capture Kate's lips in a searing kiss. "If I let go."

"Fuck," Kate gasped into the kiss, Hollis's words lighting a fire within her as Kate deepened the kiss, her tongue searching out Hollis's.

Images of what Hollis might be worried about filled her mind. Would Hollis push her back onto the bed and take charge? Would she get on her knees before that and pull her shorts and underwear down, overcome with the desire to pleasure a woman with her tongue? Would they even get as far as the bed?

If Kate already wasn't so tightly wound, so ready to give into this, she was hanging on the edge now. She'd never felt this consumed with want, and she finally gave into the need to touch Hollis. Her hands were on Hollis's hips, and Kate slid one hand underneath her top, a smile coming to her lips as they continued to kiss when she felt Hollis press her body against Kate's, leaning into her touch.

Kate's other hand ran over Hollis's arm, over her shoulder and into her thick, luxurious hair. She couldn't imagine what Hollis was thinking right now. For her, who had known she was into women since she was a teenager, who'd been kissing and sleeping with women for years, this was a revelation. What must Hollis be feeling right now?

With a soft sigh, Hollis pulled back, her eyes fluttering open. They needed to catch their breath, but neither of them was willing to separate, their hands still caressing, exploring, their noses still touching, and Hollis's fingers dancing across her lower back had her aching for more, wondering what those fingers would do to her.

The music was still playing in the background, but Kate wasn't registering any of the words. All of her brain power was focused on staying upright, on everything about Hollis, and then they were kissing again, and Kate couldn't even say who had made that move. They were already so lost in each other.

Kate's hand ran over the soft skin along Hollis's ribs, and then she was palming Hollis's breast through her bra. Hollis sighed into the kiss before she tilted her head back, breaking the kiss, her breath coming out in pants as Kate's thumb found her hardened nipple beneath the thin fabric and swiped her thumb across it.

Kate dipped her head, kissing Hollis's neck, her other hand wrapping around Hollis's waist and holding her close as she trailed kisses along her skin, feeling Hollis's pulse jump beneath her lips.

"What are you doing to me?" Hollis asked, her voice husky as she cupped Kate's cheek and guided their lips back together.

As their lips met again, Kate felt Hollis's tongue sweep into her mouth, and Kate couldn't hold back her moan as she felt Hollis's warm fingers splayed over her lower back, her nails gently raking over her skin as she slid her hand around to Kate's hip.

"I had no idea," Hollis murmured between kisses. "No idea."

"That it would be like this?" Kate guessed, pulling back to meet her gaze.

"Yes." Hollis visibly swallowed. "I knew I was missing out, but…" Her voice trailed off as she searched Kate's eyes. "I've never felt this out of control."

"I've got you." Kate locked her eyes onto Hollis. "Lose control. Let go. Don't even think about showing any kind of restraint." She wanted Hollis to act on her instincts. She wanted Hollis to be herself with her.

Hollis's hands were on the hem of her navy tank top, and Kate took a step back as she lifted her arms over her head. Hollis tossed her top onto the couch beside them without looking. Her eyes were very focused on something else, and Kate loved the hunger in them as Hollis openly checked her out, her gaze lingering on her stomach then her chest, her fingers tracing a line across the edge of Kate's bra, sending a shiver through her.

"You're beautiful," Hollis said, and Kate couldn't miss the reverence in her voice, her eyes on the swell of Kate's breasts now, following her fingers as they skated over to her other breast. "I want you," she said as she lifted her eyes to meet Kate's. "So fucking badly."

Kate inhaled a sharp breath, and she couldn't say whether it was from Hollis's touch or her words. She was the one using restraint now, letting Hollis take as much time as she wanted to.