Casey reached into the folds of the blanket she procured earlier and removed the d.i.l.d.o she hid there. Lying atop Tessa, she held the toy in her hand and pressed the large end into Tessa wetness, teasing her with a small circular motion against her s.e.x.

Tessa's intense reaction was all she could have hoped for.

A low guttural moan escaped from Tessa's lips. "Oh, G.o.d, yes!" Tessa arched her back and spread her legs wider. "Oh, please...please, baby, do it!" she begged.

There was little tenderness involved. Casey slid the phallus in one swift motion, burying the object inside. Tessa cried out in pleasure as her slick inner walls expanded and the shaft was pulled halfway out, then pushed forward again. Casey was soon following the rhythm Tessa's hips set as she begged to be taken harder and faster. Casey's hunger equaled if not exceeded Tessa's, and her thrusts increased in speed and force until Tessa clutched at the rug on the floor as if to have something to ground herself to. Tessa's hips met each thrust, burying as much of the phallus as she could take, her breathing coming in ragged gasps.

Casey never felt this out of control or in control for that matter.

She'd never taken a woman this way, and the adrenaline rush involved in watching Tessa writhe underneath her was enough to bring her close to the edge. She straddled a bronze thigh and let her wet center slide across the muscled leg until the friction was more than she could stand.

Tessa groaned when she felt Casey's wet s.e.x rubbing against her leg. The only sensations surrounding her became the feel of *Casey's legs wrapped around her thigh and the delicious pounding between her own legs.

Both women nearly screamed when Tessa's o.r.g.a.s.m hit her, her body bucking into the intense pleasure, the tremors from her body causing Casey to follow after her.

Casey's body slumped onto her lover, both women trying desperately to draw much-needed oxygen into their lungs. Casey slid the toy from her lover's body, producing another series of shudders from the woman below her. Casey rolled over onto her back, and without a word, Tessa turned over and snuggled against the soft skin of Casey's neck. Casey wrapped her arms around her lover, and within moments, each woman fell into an exhausted slumber.

Chapter 16.

"Morning," Tessa mumbled sleepily.

She opened her eyes to see Casey watching her intently. Tessa was surprised that Casey woke before her. She was more puzzled because she usually didn't sleep like this. Her customary sleep routine was to rest for three or four hours, then ready again for action. Now each night she spent next to Casey, she ended up being so relaxed that she slept soundly throughout the night.

"Morning," Casey said, but her brow creased together with an expression of worry.

"What's wrong?" Tessa leaned up on one elbow, sure it was something she'd done.

"I-I guess I'm a little surprised you're still speaking to me this morning."

"Wha-? Honey, why would you think I wouldn't be talking to you?"

"After last night..." Casey trailed off.

"I personally thought last night was incredible." Tessa arched one brow and gave a tiny smirk. "I'm sorry I fell asleep so fast on you. You definitely wore me out."

"I...well, I didn't mean to...I've never..."

"You've never made love that way before?" Tessa prompted.

Casey nodded. "I didn't hurt you or anything, did I?"

"Oh, honey." Tessa pulled Casey into her arms. "You did not hurt me."

"I feel like I took you against your will or something."

*Tessa pulled away and put on her best indignant stare.

"Ca.s.sandra," she drawled, "do you honestly think you could take me against my will?"

Finally, Casey looked up, and a sheepish grin relaxed her features.

"Okay, point taken." Casey smiled. "I don't know where that came from. It's like, all of a sudden, I had this desire to be with you that way. Like I needed to be able to wield that kind of power or control. Is that terrible? Do you feel like I used you?"

Tears pooled in Casey's eyes, and Tessa pulled her close against her. "No, baby, I don't feel anything like that. What I do feel is very loved."

Tessa wondered how she should combat Casey's fears. Should I tell her about the s.e.x that I'm accustomed to? How in the world do I explain the concept of rough s.e.x and the pain that turns to pleasure under the right circ.u.mstances? Tessa didn't have to wonder much longer as Casey beat her to the punch.

"Is that the kind of s.e.x you're used to with women?" Casey asked, suddenly feeling naive.

"Yes and no. Yes, I'm used to rough s.e.x. I don't think I ever made love to a woman before you, Casey. No, because I've never let another woman take me before. In a strange way, you're my first." She paused to reveal an embarra.s.sed grin.

"Then why did you let me?"

Tessa stared intently into the Casey's eyes and answered with her heart.

"Because I knew I could let down my guard in front of you.

In my mind, I've always equated being submissive during s.e.x to being weak. In my business, people make it a point to find out your weaknesses and use them against you. I just trained myself never to give up control to anyone. I'm glad you proved that theory wrong. I gave that up to you last night because I knew you would never use it against me."

Casey ran a hand across the tanned skin of Tessa's face, tracing the line of her cheekbone with her fingers.

"I would never think of you as weak, in bed or anywhere else, for that matter. It takes an incredible amount of strength to place *your heart, everything you are, in another's hands. Thank you for letting it be me. I love you, Nikki," she whispered as Tessa held her close.

"Me too," Tessa said, her voice catching, hoping that Casey would realize what she meant. When she felt Casey smile against her skin, she relaxed, knowing Casey accepted her form of the sentiment.

When they eventually separated, Casey sat up. "I'm thirsty, do you want something?" she asked, rising from the floor.

"Why don't you let me make you breakfast for a change?

Contrary to popular belief, I can cook some things."

"No, don't get up, let's lay here together for a while. I just want something to drink."

"Okay." Tessa chuckled at Casey's pout. "I'll take some juice then."

The lithe figure disappeared into the next room, and Tessa sat up, stretching muscles that weren't accustomed to sleeping on a hard floor all night. In mid-stretch, she heard Casey's frightened scream and a gla.s.s crash to the floor. It took Tessa all of a half- dozen strides to make it to the door that separated the two rooms, ready for action.

When Tessa rushed through the door, she found Casey trying to cover her naked figure with a dishtowel from a very fl.u.s.tered man who couldn't seem to take his eyes off Casey.

"What in the h.e.l.l are you doing here? You weren't supposed to be back till tomorrow," Tessa shouted.

"I-I-I..." he stuttered.

"Turn around." Tessa growled as his gaze stay fixed on Casey.

He spun on his heel and muttered apologies and something about forgetting a book he needed. Tessa, in the meantime, ran into the living room and returned, tossing Casey her slip.

"Okay," Tessa said gruffly, "you can turn around now." She pulled her own shirt on.

"I'm very sorry . I thought I could slip in and get my book before you were awake." He lowered his head in embarra.s.sment.

"Um...remember me?" Casey said in Tessa's direction.

0.

*Tessa gave Casey a grin and introduced the two. "Ca.s.sandra Meridio, meet George Mikolo."

"You're George Mikolo," Casey said in amazement. "You didn't..." she finished, looking at Tessa.

"I told you I could prove it on Monday, when he was supposed to return, " Tessa enunciated these last words, staring hard at him. "Forgive me." George raised sincere eyes to Casey. "And not just about today, miss, but for my actions against you. I didn't mean to shoot you, I simply wanted to stop-" He looked up abruptly at Tessa before continuing.

"She knows," Tessa said softly.

"I wanted to stop what your father was doing. Too many people are dying because of the weapons he sells. I mistakenly thought you were here to join in the family business...I thought you were just like your father."

"I'm nothing like my father," Casey said coldly. She wasn't looking at George but out the window into her own past.

Casey shook the thoughts away and turned toward the two, the sunny smile on her face once again. Tessa came up to stand behind Casey, placing her hands protectively on her shoulders.

Casey leaned back against Tessa, making it clear they were lovers.

"George is living here for a while. He takes care of the dogs and looks after the place for me. That is until next week, then he takes a trip, eh, George?"

He smiled broadly, nodding enthusiastically. "I'm going to America," he announced. "To the University in California. Mr.

Armstrong says it will be just like Greece, that the sun shines and they have earthquakes all the time."

"You will love it there," Casey said.

"Mr. Armstrong says you will make it possible for me to return to my homeland again someday?" He looked anxiously between the two women.

"I...uh..." Casey stammered until Tessa stepped in.

"We'll do our best. You just need to spend your time concentrating on your studies for a while," Tessa said for Casey.

*"I should leave you now. Again, I'm terribly sorry for startling you.""We should be gone by midday tomorrow, George. You've got the key," Tessa said before closing the door behind him.

The two women looked at each other and started laughing.

"I'm not usually a screamer, but he scared the s.h.i.t out of me."

Casey laughed even more.

Tessa wrapped her arms around Casey and rested her head on top of her chin. "One thing you have to admit. Life with me will never be dull."

Casey pulled away slightly to look up at her. "I do believe that statement had a hint of commitment in it . "

"I'm sorry if I've made you feel any other way," Tessa said.

"You haven't," Casey said, "but sometimes it's nice to hear it out loud."

"Nikki?"

"Hmm?" Tessa was turning some skewers of lamb on the grill as Casey sat on the edge of the pool. They decided to do nothing more than be together and lounge about the house, resting their minds, as well as their bodies.

"You never did tell me how you got out of delivering poor George's...well, you know, to my father."

"I didn't get out of it. I delivered them in a sack just as he asked."

"But-"

"It's an amazing thing really how very similar sheep's t.e.s.t.i.c.l.es are to the human male's. Another unsurprising fact is that few men are actually willing to pull them out of the bag and look at them. Kind of strikes too close to home for them," Tessa said with a wink.

"Gross. That's enough to make me lose my appet.i.te."

"Oh, yeah, right...like anything could make you lose your appet.i.te."

"Hey." Casey put on a mock display of indignation and splashed some water in the standing woman's direction.

"Nah!" Tessa exclaimed.

*"What's wrong?" Casey asked, turning around.

"Oh, some grease spat up from the grill and got on my shirt.

I'll be right back. I'm going to go throw on an old T-shirt. Will you watch the grill so the meat doesn't burn?"

"Sure, hon, got it covered." Casey rose and took the grill utensil from Tessa.

By the time Tessa returned, only a minute or two had pa.s.sed.

"Thanks." Tessa kissed Casey's cheek, taking the utensil back.

"No prob-" Casey started as she turned to give Tessa a kiss.The red T-shirt Tessa wore overwhelmed Casey's field of vision as a staggering sense of fear, bordering on panic, clutched at her.

"What's wrong?" Tessa asked. She realized that Casey was slowly remembering some of the events from that Easter.

"It...um...it must be the glare on that shirt...it seems so bright," Casey stammered, her face turning pale and her breathing deepening. "Could you...do you think you could change into something else?"

Tessa reached over her head and grasped the back of the shirt, pulling it off, leaving her clad only in her bra. "Is that better?" She tossed the shirt into one of the chairs.