Only her s.e.xy underwear remained. My mind vacillated between the benefit and the hurdle of keeping them on.

Before I made a decision, I caught her wicked grin as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. She'd probably worn this enticing set for just that reason.

"This is private for me," I growled, plucking a finger under the front clasp of her bra and the lace popped free.

The creamy expanse of her skin crested into two perfectly rounded b.r.e.a.s.t.s with light brown areolas and nipples that darkened as they puckered in excitement.

"Only you," she agreed in a voice that seemed to restate her love.

Once I'd slid her panties off, I settled between her thighs and pressed her back against the couch. Her lips beckoned first before I slowly made my way down to her now exposed nipples. "You're so beautiful, Raven."

"So are you. I love you, Jos."

*179 "I love you, too." I rose up to kiss her tempting mouth, savoring her flavor but craving another. I dipped down to taste her as she bucked into my mouth, coating my tongue with her arousal.

"Oh, G.o.d, yes, that feels so good."

Her hips undulated fiercely under my clamping hands and mouth. Moans turned to intermittent shrieks, signaling just how close she was. I sucked her engorged c.l.i.t into my mouth and licked directly until her legs strained with the crest of her o.r.g.a.s.m. Just as she was declaring her arrival, I pulled back, taking away all stimulation.

She cried out incomprehensibly at first before actual words formed. "Don't stop! Jos, please. You're killing me."

I kissed her tense stomach, keeping away from her aching need. "Yes, but see, I've been noticing," I kissed into the valley between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, "that you rather enjoy," my mouth reached her neck and sucked on a patch of silky skin, "the buildup."

"Please, please, please." Her body strained to grind against me, but my arms flexed to keep her at bay.

"You like to be teased, lovely. I'm going to make sure that you get everything you like."

She growled in frustration, but her eyes glowed with the ecstasy I knew she felt. "You're evil."

"Thank you." I swelled with delicious pride. When I kissed her mouth, she tugged on my lower lip with a little more pressure than usual. A snicker escaped from me into her mouth. I dropped a hand down to her outer thigh and pressed against her leg. When the pressure became insistent, her mouth popped off mine, and she looked at me questioningly. "Turn over, lovely." I left no room for debate in my request.

Her eyes flared with antic.i.p.ation. A shiver ran through her whole body before she rolled onto her stomach. The sight of her stretched out beneath me brought on a shiver of my own. I spread my fingers wide and traced a hand down 180*

her spine. Her strong, lean back arched into the path of my hand. My leg shifted forward between hers, eliciting a whimper from her. I ma.s.saged the supple flesh pressed against my leg as I sank down onto her back and kissed the path that my hand had followed.

"Joslyn," she whispered her plea this time.

Pulling back slightly, I coaxed her up to her knees. Her excitement spread directly to my center, and a flood of arousal trickled onto my thighs. This time, I wasn't surprised by how turned on I was.

I took my time exploring her before stroking and swirling her slick s.e.x. When I couldn't hold back, I plunged two fingers inside of her warm, wet center. She groaned and twisted her head to lock eyes with me. I began a slow thrust, filling and withdrawing. Her hips rocked against mine. My other hand slid around her waist and dipped to stroke her.

Grazing lightly over her c.l.i.t, she jerked back against me and her head dropped to the arm of the couch. With one more swipe of my fingers, she cried out.

"I'm coming, Jos! G.o.d, I'm coming so hard." Her body bucked up against mine, her tight sheath squeezing my fingers. When her legs gave out, I dropped to the couch with her. "Oh wow," she managed after she'd regained her breath.

"I'll say," I agreed. The feel of her flushed, damp body beneath mine was almost too much to bear.

Her shoulders shifted, and I pushed up onto my arms to allow her to flip onto her back underneath me. She tipped up to lock her lips over mine, pulling and sliding in a sensuous kiss. "I didn't know teasing could be that good."

"It'll get better with more practice. Lots and lots of practice."

"You're such a perfectionist."

I slid my slick fingers up her abdomen to her breast, coating the nipple before squeezing her firm flesh. "Only in private."

*181 She speared me with a seductive look. I knew she was seeing her favorite color again. "Only with me."

"With you," I agreed, leaning down to kiss her hungry mouth. "Only for you."

Chapter 24.

B efore we'd cleared the front of my car, Raven stopped us. "You don't have to do this, you know. I know you're not much for large gatherings."

"Wanna bet?" I smiled wryly. "There's a reason your friends picked this bar on this night to meet me. This is a test, honey. See how the former straight girl does with all these lesbians."

She waved her hands defensively before they landed on my shoulders. "No, they wouldn't do that."

"It's okay. I know what I'm facing tonight, and I want to meet your friends. Now's as good a time as any." I squeezed her waist and tipped up to brush my lips against hers. When I pulled back, she reached down and grabbed my hand, tugging us toward the bar.

After paying cover for this monthly event, I scanned the layout. Pool tables would help, not crazy about the dance floor, but I could make due. Before we'd gotten halfway to the bar, the tall brunette from the basketball game stopped us with a shriek. "Finally! We've been waiting hours," she said. "Hi, remember me? I'm Nora, we met at the game."

"Of course, nice to see you again." I went to shake her hand, but she grabbed me for a kiss on the cheek. Friendly little thing.

*183 Before I could share a look with Raven, Nora was dragging me toward a back corner table that overflowed with women, all ecstatic to see Raven. They tossed out names and greetings giving little regard for the fact that I'd never remember them. That wasn't the point. I wondered how long it would be before the inquisition began.

I didn't have to wait long. Five seconds after Raven left to get us drinks, a curvy blonde asked, "So, how did you meet our Raven?"

Our Raven. Point taken. "Her uncles hired me to consult for their company."

When I didn't offer anything else, a thin, pretty Asian piped up, "How long have you been together?"

I let out a brief laugh. "A while."

"And you're in love?" a heavyset brunette with a farmer's tan asked in a mocking tone.

Raven's friend Elise, who'd taken the seat next to mine and looked about as comfortable in this bar as I did, stiffened beside me. She leaned forward with a menacing look, but I jumped in before she put herself out there.

"That's between Raven and me." A round of ooh's circled the table. Half of them seemed to like my smack down, the other half were a mix of suspicion and disbelief. Perhaps no one had dared cross this woman before.

"Hey," a voice interrupted any retort by Farmer Tan. I twisted to look up at the person who'd interrupted. Her brown eyes locked on mine. She had short dark hair and wore a white t-shirt with rolled sleeves and dark jeans with doubled up cuffs, making her look like she'd stepped out of a 50's diner. "You're a new face and a gorgeous one at that.

Great body, too." She leaned down and placed her hands on the table and the back of my chair, trapping me in place. "I'd like to lick every bit of it."

Sharp gasps, groans, and nervous giggles sounded from the observers at the table. Elise's partner, Austy, scoffed, "Jesus, Ruth."

184*

I didn't know if this was part of the test, but I couldn't let it faze me. "Wouldn't we all live a charmed life if we got everything we wanted? Too bad only one of us gets that privilege tonight." Confusion knitted her brow as my gaze moved past her shoulder and focused on a stunned Raven who'd just returned from the bar with our drinks. "Hi, honey, I was just making a new friend."

The woman stood bolt upright and swung around to face Raven with her hands up. "Oh, hey, I didn't know she was taken."

Raven advanced and set the drinks in front of us, glancing curiously at her friends before addressing our newcomer. "I'm Raven."

"Ruth," she inserted nervously.

"I see you've met my girlfriend, Joslyn. Having a nice conversation, sweetheart?" The wicked grin she wore cranked up my internal thermometer.

"I was just telling Ruth how rare it is to lead a charmed life. Since I'm new at it, I still appreciate what it was like not living one."

"Listen," Ruth began, bouncing her gaze between Raven and me. "I didn't mean, um, I just saw, anyway, nice meeting you." She glanced beside me to address the three women she apparently knew. "Aust, Elise, Cheryl, good seeing you."

"Well done," Elise commented in a low voice as laughter chased Ruth away.

Raven slipped into the seat next to me, resting her arm on the back of my chair. I turned a grateful look at my unintentional hero. "Hi, lovely," I whispered. "Glad you're back."

"Slyn?" Trinity's voice cut in. "I didn't know you'd be here."

I looked over and found Trinity and Kayla coming to a rest beside our table. Trinity gave me a fist pound and Kayla leaned down for a quick squeeze. "Raven's friends invited *185 us out." We took a moment for introductions and dragged a couple of seats over for them.

"Little different from the last time we came, right?"

Trinity motioned to the bar.

"What?" at least four people asked at once. They didn't bother to hide the shock. Even Raven turned an interested stare my way. "You've been here before?"

"I dragged her out with me a few times when I was getting over my last breakup," Trinity supplied for me. "My psycho ex turned all our friends against me. Slyn was the only one who stayed on my side."

"I can't believe you didn't mention that." Raven poked my shoulder with two fingers.

"Told you I knew what I was getting into tonight." I winked at her.

After Trinity's declaration, the mood at the table lightened tremendously. They all began interacting the way they normally would if I weren't there. It was nice to see Raven had a handful of really great friends. No one quite as unique as my friend Stuart, but they were fun to be around.

An hour later, dancing seemed to be the activity of the moment as most of the table left for the dance floor. I was warming up to the idea when I noticed that Elise and Austy stayed seated. "You don't dance?"

Red touched Austy's cheeks, but it was Elise who responded. "We're not big on it."

"Oh?" I turned a questioning gaze to Raven. She seemed to understand what I was asking and nodded. "I'm not either, but Raven likes it. Any chance you'd step in for me, Elise? If Austy doesn't mind keeping me company, that is.

I've been on my feet with presentations all week. I'd rather sit it out."

Elise looked guilty but hopeful whereas Austy looked grateful. "Perfect solution." She squeezed her partner's hand before Elise and Raven made their way to the dance floor together. "Thank you for suggesting that."

186*

I shifted chairs to sit next to the woman who had been quiet all night. I could tell some of the group thought she was aloof, but I figured she was ultra shy. "It keeps me from making a fool of myself on the dance floor. I get the impression the bar scene isn't for you?" She smiled and blushed again. "Me, neither. I've enjoyed getting to know you both, though. Seeing as Raven and Elise are good friends, maybe a dinner for the four of us would be more comfortable next time?"

"That would be nice, thank you. Would you like another drink? I'm in need of a refill." She hopped up at my nod and pushed her way through the throng of people to the bar.

The ma.s.s swallowed her pixie-like form within seconds.

"So, you got Raven?" an accusatory claim sounded from behind me. I turned to see a tall, well built, androgynous looking woman. Powerful and confidently intimidating. She was one of the original three I'd met at the Storm game with Raven. Hilary, I think her name was. Before I could reply to what I a.s.sumed was a teasing taunt, she continued, "And you're straight."

I glanced behind her to spot Raven still on the dance floor with Elise. All of her friends were in the same area, some dancing in a group, others coupled up. Looks like it would be me and the Xena wannabe alone. I gestured to a chair, but her glare told me she wasn't about to acknowledge my politeness. "What's your point?"

"Huh?" She squinted in confusion, clearly thinking I would have said something else. An immediate denial, a plea for friendship, a rush to make her like me.

"You've approached me when none of your friends are here, you don't sound pleased that Raven and I are together, and you're trying to provoke a specific response from me."

My own accusations caused a storm of emotions to roll through her expressive face. I wondered if she knew how telling her face was. "Let's skip the long discussion where you'll undoubtedly get more annoyed and frustrated with *187 me. Just tell me what you want me to say so that you feel satisfied with the outcome."

"Christ!' she breathed out slowly, shaking her head but maintaining the accusatory stare. "You're not even gonna try to kiss my a.s.s?"

"Why should I? You've already made up your mind about me. You had even before you'd met me when you heard my last relationship was with a man. No amount of effort on my part is going to change that. Anything I try would only frustrate me. I like it better when others are frustrated."

A short snort of amus.e.m.e.nt escaped her lips before she went back to stony intimidation. "Let me give you a tip, d.y.k.es don't like being used by straight women."

"No one likes to be used, so I guess that's a universal concept," I scoffed.

That didn't sit well with her. "Then, you admit you're straight?"

"I didn't, and I don't." I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of a complete explanation. Without being willing to get specific about my feelings, she could never understand my view on this subject. My relationship with Raven made me a lesbian. If something happened to break us up in the future, would I only consider dating women?

Since I couldn't imagine ever feeling about someone else the way I felt about Raven, as evidenced by the thirty-seven Raven-free years, I didn't really have an answer.

"That's it?" she asked incredulously.

"That's it for me, but it looks like you're still angling for something. What do you want to hear?"

"d.a.m.n! How does Raven stand you?" she barked at me.

"Raven likes me, you don't. News flash: I don't care. It would be nice to have all of Raven's friends like me, but that's a tall order. It only matters that Raven likes me. It's all that should matter to you as well."

"It isn't."

188*

I cut her off before she could continue on the same circle of our conversation. "I can see that. Let me guess why. You either used to go out with Raven and want her back, or you've always wanted to go out with Raven, but she's only ever thought of you as a friend." The immediate crimson shade that came over her face told me my guess would have won me a stuffed animal at a carnival. I relented a bit on my cavalier tone. "That sucks, Hilary, really. I'm sorry that it's not worked out for you, but I'm not the reason why."

"That may be true, but I know that being straight is only going to hurt her in the end. And that, that..."

I stood up, not making much of a dent in the height difference between us, but I wanted to be on the same level as her. "That what? I'm not good enough for her?" I'd really expected more than the typical formulaic argument. I saw Austy approach cautiously as she took in our stances.