Gerri Hill - One Summer Night

"I wish you'd come in," Jo finally said.

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Kelly turned the key, and the truck was silent.

"Actually, I wish you'd stay," Jo admitted.

Kelly reached out and touched her cheek.

"Thank you," she said softly. "I'd love to stay."

Kelly offered to start a fire and Jo went into the kitchen to make them a drink. They sat on the floor by the fire holding hands.

"Today wasn't as hard as I thought it would be."

"No?"

"I'm glad you were there," she said.

Kelly brought her hand up and kissed it softly.

"Do you have plans for Thanksgiving?" Kelly suddenly asked.

"Not really. Susan invited me, but I don't really want to go there."

"Would you like to go to Fredricksburg? Stay in a bed and breakfast?"

Jo looked at her and smiled. "Just us?"

"Just us.”

"I think I'd like that.”

"I've never been, you know," Kelly admitted.

"To Fredricksburg? Oh, it's a beautiful town. You can do all your Christmas shopping there.”

"Shopping?” Kelly grinned. "That's not really what I had in mind," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"No? And just what did you have in mind?"

"Well, I got a room with a fireplace and a very large bed," she laughed.

Jo smiled at her, set her drink down and went to her.

She kissed her full on the mouth, her lips lingering. It had been so long since they had kissed.

"Why don't you show me what you had in mind," she whispered.

Kelly did.

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Chapter Twenty-Six

In the weeks before Thanksgiving, Jo had spent a lot of time at Harry's house, throwing away things she didn't want to keep, getting rid of outdated kitchen appliances, and cleaning out cabinets and drawers, which hadn't been done since Beth was alive. She and Kelly had spent a weekend at the lake when it was warm enough for fishing. Jo had gotten her up before dawn and then sped her across the lake to a favorite fishing spot. They caught enough for their dinner, then went back and spent a lazy day on the deck, reading.

Kelly's book had been published, and Jo read it in one day, much to Kelly's delight.

"I thought the janitor did it," Jo said.

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"The janitor? You were supposed to think the chemistry professor did it. He's the one who knew about the chemicals."

"Janitors have chemicals, too," Jo had insisted. "It was too obvious to be the professor."

"So obvious, it could have been possible."

"I never suspected the wife, of course."

"You weren't supposed to," Kelly preened.

"That's why you're a good writer."

"You think so?"

"Yes, I really do."

They left for Fredricksburg on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, just after noon, when classes let out. Betsy and Janis had wanted them to spend Thanksgiving at their house, but had conceded that Fredricksburg sounded like fun. Johanna had not told Susan that she and Kelly were going together. She had simply told her that she was going with a friend, that she wanted to get away. Susan had understood.

Now, as they sped through the Hill Country, Jo laid her hand on Kelly’s thigh and smiled. They had had a good two weeks. Kelly had stayed with her a couple of nights each week, but only when Jo asked. When they made love, it was as intense as ever, but they didn't speak. Kelly didn't have to. Jo could see it all in her eyes.

"I'm glad we're going," Jo said.

"Me, too. It'll be good to get away."

"Yes."

"What did you usually do on Thanksgiving?" Kelly asked.

"Harry cooked enough to feed a family of ten," she said and laughed. "Last year, Betsy and Janis joined us, too."

"We could have stayed with them, then come up here on Friday," Kelly reminded her.

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"No. I'd rather be here with you.” And it was true.

When they drove into Fredricksburg, the streets were crowded with tourists.

"I thought this was a small town," Kelly complained.

Jo laughed. "It is. It swells during the holidays. Look at all the arts and crafts shops we can explore."

"Can't wait," Kelly said with a grimace.

They checked into their room, which overlooked Main Street, now crowded with cars and people. They looked at the king-sized bed and smiled at each other. Firewood was ready in the fireplace and there was a neat stack just outside their door.

They unpacked their things, then went outside to join the others, walking the streets already decorated for Christmas. They strolled close together, their shoulders brushing, eyes meeting often. Jo wished they could walk holding hands, as others did around them. Their steps were lazy, and Jo was content just window shopping, but occasionally she would drag Kelly into a shop when something caught her eye. Hours later, when they found a small tavern, Jo’s side of the booth was crowded with packages. They drank large frosty mugs of draft beer while they waited for their chicken-fried steaks. Jo was aware that they could barely keep their eyes off one another.

“You made quite a haul,” Kelly teased.

“Okay, I confess. I love to shop.”

“Oh? So the allure this weekend was shopping?”

Jo met her eyes. “Actually, the allure was you.” Then she grinned. “Shopping was just a bonus.”

Afterward, they walked back to their room, silently. The streets were less crowded, and they paused several times to admire the Christmas lights.

“Looks like a postcard,” Kelly observed.

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“Yes. All we need is snow.”

By the time they reached their room, the night air had cooled.

"You can shower first," Kelly offered. "I'll start a fire."

Later, they turned the lights out and sat by the fire on the floor. Kelly leaned back against the sofa and drew Jo to her. They kissed softly, quietly, and drew back. Their eyes met in the glow of the fire and they smiled.

"Having fun?" Kelly asked.

"Yes. This was a wonderful idea.”

Kelly nodded. "And I get you to myself for three whole days."

Jo laughed. "I knew that was your intention all along.

I just knew you didn't really want to go shopping."

Kelly cupped Jo’s face in her hands. "I really want to make love to you," she whispered.

Jo met her lips urgently. Kelly set their wine aside and pulled Jo to her feet. She slowly pulled Jo's shirt over her head and touched her breasts. Jo stood there, eyes closed, heart pounding.

In the quiet glow of the fire, they kissed and caressed their clothes away. Kelly’s kiss was like the sweet taste of winter wine, and Jo drank her fill, exploring Kelly’s mouth with her own.

But Kelly’s hands grew impatient. She knelt on the rug, tugging Jo down with her. On their knees, they embraced, urgent hands touching, arousing.

Jo lay back, her arms reaching for Kelly, pulling her weight on top of her, and Jo opened her legs, letting Kelly settle between them.

“I love being with you, Jo,” Kelly whispered into her mouth.

Kelly supported herself with her arms, pressing her hips into Jo, straining to touch her, wetness against wetness.

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Jo circled Kelly’s hips with her legs, opening wider, wanting to draw Kelly inside her. She heard Kelly’s subtle change in breathing, gasps coming through her parted lips as their hips rolled together, again and again.

“Yes,” Jo breathed. “Come for me.”

Her hips rose up, meeting each of Kelly’s thrusts, now harder. She felt Kelly tremble in her arms, and she watched Kelly’s face contort and strain as each breath tore from her.

The muscles in Kelly’s arms stood out with each roll of her hips, and Jo again rose up to meet her.

“Come on,” Jo whispered.

Kelly’s hips now writhed against Jo, faster and faster, until at last Kelly groaned deep in her throat, one last thrust, then another, finally collapsing on top Jo.