“Oh.” Carmen’s previously warm gaze turned a little colder. She swirled her drink as she maintained eye contact. “Those concerns you mention are to do with that brief story you shared with me once? The woman who was engaged to a man and married him anyway?”
Ash licked her lips. “Yes. As I said, it was a mess. I don’t have any desire to repeat it.” At Carmen’s frown, she hurried on. “I know, that sounds like I’m already passing a judgement on you based entirely on the behaviour of someone you don’t know. But she hurt me badly, and I’m cautious as a result.”
Carmen didn’t immediately respond. She nibbled at her bottom lip in a way that was far too distracting. “I think I can respect that. And yes, you’re right; I am only starting to explore what this means. Plus, of course, I have my business to focus on. So maybe you’re right. Something fun and casual could be just what we both need.” Her words were light, but there was an edge to them that left them lacking in conviction.
Ash’s stomach tightened. Is she sure this is what she wants? Am I? “Really?”
Carmen’s smile was dazzling. “Yes. Why not?” This time she sounded completely convinced.
So why not indeed? They knew what the ground rules were. They were consenting adults. So why were Ash’s palms damp? And why did she feel so empty?
They drank their coffees in silence, simply looking at each other. Carmen appeared to be deeply in thought, but at the same time, her gaze pulled Ash in. I’m scared of letting myself get drawn too close to her, and yet I can’t seem to stop myself from wanting her anyway.
When the waiter brought the bill, they split it, then walked out of the brasserie onto the path that ran parallel to the canal.
“Take a walk with me?” Ash gestured to the path. “Unless you have to be somewhere.”
“I think a walk would be lovely.” Carmen surprised Ash by linking their arms.
Their gazes locked, and the heat between them rose in an instant. There had been a hint of it as they drank their coffees. But this, now, moved them from a quiet sizzle up to a definite simmer, one touch or a look away from a full explosion. Ash could feel it in every nerve ending, every inch of skin. Her gaze dropped to Carmen’s mouth.
Carmen licked her lips, the tip of her tongue sliding slowly between them, and a throbbing began between Ash’s thighs that nearly made her moan out loud. They might be considering whatever it was between them as only casual, but it was obvious it wouldn’t be lacking in power.
The intensity of the situation was almost too much. Needing a moment to collect herself, Ash turned and gently tugged Carmen into a slow walking pace.
They strolled on for a few minutes in silence. It was a beautiful afternoon, the sun hot but nicely dappled by the trees lining the canal. Many people, often in couples themselves, were enjoying the same walk. Wait, we’re not a couple. Not really. Are we? Ash’s confusion mounted. What are we doing? And why am I trying to pretend it’s not affecting me?
Carmen’s arm, wrapped up in hers, was warm and soft. Their paces matched, and occasionally their thighs brushed, only adding to the tension in Ash’s body. Carmen’s perfume, floral but not in an overpowering way, came to Ash’s nose on the soft summer breeze and teased her. Carmen’s eyes, when they met hers, were a deeper colour, her pupils dilated, and of course there were her lips: soft, plump, and so kissable.
They came upon a quieter stretch of path, where the trees hung low over the edge of the water, and Ash couldn’t stand it any longer. She tugged Carmen to a halt under the draping branches of a huge weeping willow that hid them from the rest of the world and stepped in close.
Carmen gasped but didn’t resist when Ash pulled her into her embrace.
God, it felt so good to hold her again. Every curve on Carmen’s body moulded itself to Ash’s more solid frame, and her softness set every inch of Ash’s skin on fire.
Carmen wrapped her arms tightly around Ash’s back and lifted her chin, her gaze now so dark it took Ash’s breath away. Before Ash could say anything, check if Carmen was okay with whatever this was, Carmen pressed upwards and kissed her.
It was better than she’d been remembering. So much better. There was more heat, more thrilling sensations coursing deep into her core. Carmen seemed to want to possess Ash, deepening the kiss with penetrating tongue strokes. She moved one hand from Ash’s back into her hair, stroking gently at the shaved area at the back of her neck.
Goose bumps broke out all along Ash’s arms. She fought to take some control over the situation—for crying out loud, she was the one with all the experience—but somehow her body wouldn’t respond, needing instead just to be taken. Consumed. Carmen was running this show, there was no doubt about it, and it was all kinds of exciting to let her do so.
When they broke for air some minutes later, they stood gazing into each other’s eyes, their chests heaving.
“Is it me, or are we rather good at that?” Carmen asked quietly. “And I’m asking seriously. I obviously don’t have any experience of kissing a woman, and I just wondered.” She flushed sweetly, and Ash ran her thumb over one pink cheek.
“No, trust me, you don’t need to worry. You, we, are very good at that.”
Carmen smiled, and her eyes twinkled. “I’m glad to hear it.” She tugged Ash back in. “So let’s do a little more of it, hmm?”
Chapter 31
Wednesday was a chaotic
