In Need
Setting: Three days and four nights after the events of ‘Witch Hunt’.
No spoilers here.
Disclaimer/Rating: These two fantastic characters from ER are the property of
WarnerBros./Amblin/ConstantC. I have no claim to them, other than the fact
that they inhabit my imagination frequently. Be warned this is R/NC-17 material:
this story involves two women in an intimate sexual relationship. If that
graphic description of this offends you, skip this story…go hug someone you
love instead.
All song lyrics featured in this story are borrowed
without permission, and are not used for profit. A special thanks to Sheryl
Crow for writing the song that inspired this story.
This is my second fanfic, feedback
is good, flames are lame.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The windshield wipers sloshed rain back and forth as Kim pulled away from the hospital and headed home. It was a windy downpour, the kind that usually made Kim want to curl up with a cozy blanket and a warm cup of tea. But tonight was not usual. Tonight was the fourth night since she and Kerry had argued after the disciplinary hearing, the fourth night that Kim was without her. Kim felt that her self-imposed isolation from Kerry was necessary to clear her head. She had made no attempt to see Kerry and they had avoided each other at work. Not seeing Kerry at all for three whole days was wearing on Kim and she was acutely aware of Kerry’s absence. Even though she was the one who cut off contact, Kim missed Kerry, especially since they had spent so many nights together at Kim’s in recent weeks. The jingle of Kerry’s new set of keys in Kim’s front door was something Kim had grown to expect. Not hearing it for the past three nights was understandable; it was understandable, but still disappointing.
The disciplinary hearing at the hospital three days earlier had been a horrible experience. Romano called the hearing to review Shannon Wallace’s sexual harassment charge against Kim, and he relished the chance to vent his homophobic and misogynistic opinions. He couldn’t resist throwing in a few insults as well. Kim had been left to endure Romano’s torment alone when Kerry was surprisingly mute in her defense. At the time, Kim was too hurt to analyze why, but it was obvious that Kerry was unable to reveal their relationship to Romano. Kerry had wanted to talk after the hearing, but Kim was too wounded; she had abruptly ended their argument, left Kerry in mid-sentence and took off. She’d needed space to think and get through her own storm of emotions before she could understand Kerry’s. Kim knew it was immature, but she had the habit of isolating herself when everything came crashing down. Unfortunately, this time her habit had left Kerry isolated, too. Once Kim had cooled down, she’d considered Kerry’s situation and tried to imagine Kerry’s side of things. Kim hadn’t had much luck with that, but she did realize that Kerry was dealing with huge personal issues. The struggle to become confident with her new sexual identity had to be intense for Kerry, and Kim had started to see that.
Kim stopped for a red light, and watched as the wipers swept
back and forth. Her harsh words from their argument three days ago came floating
back to her, ‘Guess what, Kerry? This isn't about you! This is about Shannon
Wallace, a confused and frightened young woman who would rather kill herself
than deal with the stigma of being gay’. Then she frowned as she remembered
her parting shot to Kerry, ‘Maybe this IS about you’. The truth of those words
was becoming more apparent to Kim, as she thought about the challenge Kerry
faced in redefining a self-image she’d had for 40 years. Kim had been so wrapped
up in her own expectations of this relationship, that she hadn’t fully considered
Kerry’s struggle.
The
light turned green, and Kim sped along toward home. She half-wished to see
Kerry waiting for her, but she suspected it would be a while before Kerry
could sort through her feelings and would want to talk. Kim pulled over and
parked the car, then waded across the street to her door, clutching her umbrella
against the wind and juggling her keys. She unlocked the door, shook out her
umbrella and stepped inside. The house was dark and empty. Kim sighed. She
hung up her coat, kicked off her shoes and took off her rain-dampened socks.
As she dug her bare toes into the carpet, she decided it was time for some
therapy. Music was always the best thing when she was pent up or confused,
and Kim knew just which CD she wanted to hear. She turned on a small lamp
and crossed the living room to the stereo. She grabbed the CD mix she’d made
a few weeks ago, plopped it in the CD tray and turned up the volume. The first
song, Sheryl Crow’s ‘In Need’, both soothed and inflamed her. The slow and
steady rhythm lulled her body and the lyrics stirred her thoughts as she trailed
down the hall to her bedroom. Kim pulled off her sweater and shirt, but left
on her ivory silk camisole. As she passed the thermostat, she nudged the heat
up a few degrees to take the chill out of the air. She flipped on the lamp
in her bedroom, peeled off her slacks and underwear and tossed her discarded
clothes on the bed. She grabbed her favorite sweatpants and sat on the bed
while she put them on. She looked at the empty pillows as the song drifted
to her…
Every night I dream you're next to me…
And tenderly…
You say my name.
Kim sighed, remembering the
sight of Kerry tangled in the sheets and smiling up at her. The guitar strummed
steadily as the song went on…
You stay close enough to keep me here…
Then disappear…
When we're face to face.
Kim
thought of all the times that Kerry had pulled back from her at work, and
she wondered why the intimacy they could share so easily here was so impossible
for Kerry in public. Kim stood up from the bed and started down the hall to
the kitchen, listening to the sounds of the rainstorm rumbling under the music.
She sang along, her strong alto blending with Sheryl’s and then countering
it with her own harmony. Kim trailed her fingers along the wall, willing Kerry
to hear her as she sang…
Kim entered the kitchen
and grabbed a cold beer from the fridge. Her trusty “I got Lei’d in Hawaii”
bottle opener made quick work of the cap, which she pitched perfectly into
the garbage from across the kitchen. As she stood in front of the fridge,
Kim looked at one of the photos stuck to the door with an Elvis magnet: a
shot of her with Kerry at the Lynx game. A few weeks earlier they had spent
a long weekend visiting Kim’s friends Megan and Tess in Minneapolis and they’d
had a great time. Kerry had been wary of meeting more of Kim’s friends after
their tense dinner with Kim’s jealous ex, Christy; but Megan and Tess were
Kim’s old chums from college who had liked Kerry instantly and put her at
ease, as Kim knew they would. At the basketball game, they had snapped a photo
of Kim and Kerry mugging for the camera with big, goofy smiles. During their
weekend in Minneapolis, Megan and Tess had noticed Kim’s devotion. She had
contentedly fussed over Kerry, explaining the game and pointing out her favorite
players. Megan and Tess were thrilled to see Kim so happy. Now Kim listened
as Sheryl Crow sang on, giving an eerily accurate narration…
You know everybody's watching me…
And what they see…
Is me watching you…
Looking at the photo, Kim felt the contrast between that weekend and their current situation. With Kim’s friends, Kerry had been more confident and demonstrative: she sat next to Kim at the game and held her hand, often leaning close to whisper something to her. Back at the hospital as chief of the ER, Kerry’s confidence had crumbled: she had stood rooted in front of Romano at the hearing, mute and skittish, barely able to look at Kim. Kim mused that Kerry didn’t seem as uncomfortable when it was just the two of them, out somewhere for dinner or shopping. Whether in Minneapolis or back home in Chicago, Kerry generally seemed more at ease when away from her coworkers. At work, Kerry would pull away from Kim in the hall, afraid that people would see them and start gossiping. Kim wondered why she wasn’t as sensitive to people’s comments as Kerry was, and now she realized that it might not be only a question of confidence. Perhaps a lifetime of remarks about her leg had taught Kerry to expect criticism and discrimination for anything ‘different’ about her.
Kim took a long drink of her beer, turned from the fridge and headed for the living room. She sang along…
In the
middle, time is creeping by.
And I wonder why
You're so removed.
Kim began to realize the weight of Kerry’s fear. She had seen Kerry defensive and vulnerable, but until now, she hadn’t deeply considered why. Now that Kim was finally beginning to understand, she wanted Kerry to give her a sign so she could leap at the chance to work on their relationship. She had to hold back and let Kerry make the next move; Kim felt it was the only way to be sure that Kerry wanted to be with her. She wanted to know that Kerry made the choice for herself and was not just responding to Kim’s overture. She hoped that Kerry hadn’t given up on them, despite Kim’s disappearing act after the hearing. In the living room, Kim drank her beer and swayed in the big empty space near the stereo. She danced on the area rug usually reserved for her morning yoga and sang she for all she was worth…
And
if you carry me tonight
I would be strong enough to fight.
And when you're weak and can't go on
I'd be the bed you lay upon.
And blue is blue…
And so am I...
'Cause I want to be with you tonight…
And you're not the only one in need.
Kim’s
willowy arms swayed around her and her neck bent gracefully as she twirled.
Her rich voice joined with the music and Kim wished Kerry could hear her as
she encouraged Kerry to make the leap and to work through the fear. Kim closed
her eyes and focused, trying to bring Kerry to her with the magnetic pull
of her desire and the words of the song….
Come
on baby,
Life is just a net into which you dive.
And I'm getting
Closer to you now…
In
the song’s soft bridge, Kim heard the doubt she’d been avoiding sung plainly
to her. Kim faltered as she saw her own vulnerability and considered the chance
that Kerry might not get past her fear…
If I love you,
Will you run away?
And if you stay…
Will I disappear?
Beneath
her fear, her feelings for Kerry flared more strongly than her doubts. With
resolve, Kim sang louder with the final chorus; persuading Kerry, understanding
her, validating her, willing Kerry to hear her…
And if you carry me tonight
I would be strong enough to fight.
And when you're weak and can't go on
I'd be the bed you lay upon.
And blue is blue…
And so am I…
'Cause I want to be with you tonight…
And you're not the only one in need.
Kim swayed, toasted her beer to the stereo and felt the familiar release and relaxation she always got from cranking up a good CD mix. This particular collection of songs was perfect for her current mood. Some of her frustration and hurt flowed away with the music. Her shoulders relaxed and she kept dancing as Sheryl Crow faded out and Neil Finn started singing ‘Faster than Light’. Kim sighed and moved to the slow, hypnotic tune…
…In time you'll see that some things
Travel faster than light.
In time you'll recognize
Kim was suddenly aware that someone was knocking on her front door. She giggled at the thought of being caught dancing in her living room like a teenager and moved to turn down the volume on the stereo. She set her beer down and crossed to the door, curious to see who was stopping by in the middle of a downpour. She opened the door and was struck speechless. It was Kerry. She had walked from the El stop to Kim’s house and stray raindrops trickled down her hair and face where the wind had slipped in under her umbrella. Kerry stood there, dripping and waiting. She looked at Kim, who was clad in only her camisole and sweats, with her face flushed from dancing. Kerry involuntarily shivered, both from desire and from the chill outside. Shocked by the unexpected visit, Kim stared at Kerry for a brief moment and then invited her inside.
They stood in the entryway and looked at each other while the stereo played softly and the rain dripped from Kerry’s umbrella. Kim waited, wanting to let Kerry make the first move. Kerry was quiet for a moment while she gathered her courage, then she offered a soft “Hi,” and sank back into awkward silence.
Kim soon gave up trying to read Kerry’s expression. “Kerry. I’m glad you came over so we can talk. I’ve had a lot to think about, and I’m sure you have, too. Do you want to talk about us?” Kerry let out a sigh of relief. “I really want that, Kim, that’s why I came over. I was afraid you wouldn’t give me a chance; you were so hurt after the hearing… I just couldn’t… I mean…” Kim cut her off with a raised hand. “Ok, wait. Let’s do this right. First, I vote we get comfortable so we can really try to make this work, ok?” “Ok,” Kerry agreed. Kim peeled Kerry out of her coat, set her umbrella out to dry and brought her some warm socks and a dry towel. Kerry moved to the couch and set her crutch against the arm as she sat down. She changed her wet socks and dried her hair while Kim ducked into the kitchen and returned with a whiskey for her. Kim grabbed her beer, sat down on the couch near Kerry and pulled a blanket up to cover their legs.
They sipped their drinks for a minute before Kerry murmured gratefully, “Thanks. I feel better.” Kim fixed Kerry with a concerned and sympathetic look. “What else are you feeling, Kerry? I’ve realized in the past few days that I can’t assume to know what you’re feeling. I’m sorry that we’ve had problems understanding each other recently… I want to hear what you have to say and I’ll try to really listen. Can you tell me what happened at the hearing? I’d like to know what you were thinking…” Kim stopped and let Kerry consider the question. The stereo played on in the background, offering the gentle thrumming of Van Morrison’s ‘Moondance’. Kerry thought hard for a moment and then answered, “At the hearing…I was thinking…actually Kim, I don’t know if I was able to think at all. The whole situation was so intense, so unexpected, so vulnerable….”
“Ok, stop there,” Kim interrupted as she set down her beer and turned to face Kerry. “Forgive me for playing therapist, but I really want to understand this. Tell me what the hearing was like for you.” Kerry paused and looked down at her glass. After a moment, she lifted her face and looked at Kim with a pained expression, “It was one of the worst experiences I’ve had, which is ironic because in the grand scheme of things, it was ten times worse for you.” Kim replied with a grunt of agreement and she waited for Kerry to elaborate. “I have never been so paralyzed like that. I felt completely out of my depth.” Kim explored that, asking, “Why did you feel that way? You’ve dealt with Romano more than anyone. You’ve never had a problem handling his tantrums in the past.” Kerry shook her head and explained, “But I’ve always dealt with him on my terms, from a place where I’m comfortable. When we’ve clashed, it’s always been over policy or something he’s done wrong…”
“Kerry, why is this different? Are you afraid he isn’t wrong in this case?” Kim asked. Kerry set down her glass and took a breath. “Kim, don’t bait me like that. You know I think Robert’s a selfish little shit who gets off on his own power trips. He couldn’t be more wrong.” Kim gave Kerry a look of patience. “All right Kerry, if you know he’s wrong, then what happened that day? I was expecting heartfelt support from you, or at least your usual level of conviction. But you could hardly even speak. I was really surprised that you couldn’t manage anything in my defense. Maybe I was expecting too much, but I couldn’t understand why you threw me to the wolves.” Kerry clutched the blanket in her lap with tight hands. “I know! I can see why you felt that way! I tried to tell you after the hearing, but you ran away from me…” Kim heard the anxiety in Kerry’s voice and placed her hand on Kerry’s to quiet her. “I’m sorry about that. I was hurt. I was overwhelmed. I had just been ripped apart by that little snot, and as much as it bugs me to admit it, it really affected me. I don’t know if a person can ever get used to defending who they are and how they live. I know I’m right, and I’m not ashamed of who I am, but it hurts to be challenged like that.” Kim tried to keep her voice calm as she continued, “It hurt me even more to find that you weren’t able to support me. You pulled back to protect yourself and that wasn’t easy for me to handle. It was so different from how you are when we’re just us, alone. Considering how close we’d become, I would’ve thought you’d fight tooth and nail for me.” Kerry was still gripping the blanket, “I know. I know! In a sense, I was as shocked at my silence as you were. I…I just froze, Kim. To see the hate spewing from that little prick, my blood ran cold. Instead of speaking out for you, I panicked. I don’t have an excuse, I can only tell you what I felt. I was terrified. I let you down, I know that, but I felt so cornered. I couldn’t find my confidence, I was so afraid of being attacked.” Kerry started to cry. “It killed me Kim, to see your face. You were so brave, and I was such a coward. I’m so sorry, I know I hurt you…” Kerry doubled over, sobbing.
Kim was crying softly, too, as she crawled closer to Kerry on the couch. “Hey… hey…look at me, Kerry.” There was no answer. Kerry couldn’t stop crying. Her confession had released the pain and frustration of the last three days. She had been torturing herself since the hearing, and now she was powerless to stop the emotions that were pouring out of her. Kim decided she couldn’t take any more; she couldn’t bear to see Kerry so broken. She had been resolved to try and stay objective and intellectual with Kerry, but her feelings made that impossible. Kim couldn’t repress her love for this woman; she had to open up to Kerry, even if it meant risking more pain. She leaned over and scooped Kerry into her arms, holding her tightly and stroking her auburn hair. “Kerry…. shhhhhh …… Kerry…. it’s ok …….let it out …... honey, it’s ok…”. Kerry shook with sobs as she burrowed her face into Kim’s chest. Kim’s strong embrace and soothing words calmed her, and Kerry’s cries finally tapered to soft whimpers and sniffles. From the stereo, KD Lang’s smoky voice drifted over and enveloped them. Kim kissed the top of Kerry’s head and waited for her to recover. Kerry whispered meekly, “I’m sorry, Kim. I came here to try and comfort you and help you heal your wounds; but once again, you are nurturing me. Why does that happen? Why can’t I be there for you…?” Kerry started to cry again in frustration.
Kim sat her up and gently gripped Kerry’s face in her hands. “Ok, listen to me. It’s true that I was expecting a lot of support from you, but I wasn’t seeing the support that you needed from me. You are dealing with really big issues, Kerry. I’m sorry if I didn’t fully honor that before.” Kim’s fingertips traced the trail of tears on Kerry’s downy cheeks as she went on, “Yes, I was hurt. Yes, I’m concerned that this relationship might not work. Yes, I was hauled before a committee and raked over the coals. I was really upset: with the situation, with you and with myself. But Kerry, I think I blew my problems out of proportion. They can’t compare to what you’re dealing with; I can see that now. You are feeling hurt and isolated, and you’re struggling with a whole new way of seeing yourself.”
Kerry interjected, “But Kim, you had every right to be hurt at the hearing…” “I’m not discounting my feelings,” Kim continued, “I was really scared and angry, and I have no problem owning that. But I do have a problem with the way you’re punishing yourself. You were not responsible for that situation. I had assumed you would crush Romano and his little homophobic tirade, but I shouldn’t have overreacted when you couldn’t. You were doing your best, and you are not responsible for how I acted. I’m sorry I didn’t give you a chance to explain. Sometimes I need to be by myself to puzzle things out; but in doing that, I left you confused and alone, too.” Kim brushed her fingers again over Kerry’s soft cheeks and sighed. “Kerry, I don’t want you to be miserable. I want you to be with me of your own choosing, not out of obligation or guilt. If you’re really not comfortable with this, with us; then we need to accept that. But if we do continue in this relationship, I don’t want to doubt or wonder. I want to know for certain that you love me….” Kim broke off, and dropped her hands from Kerry’s face. She looked at Kerry and whispered, “I’m sorry. I’m making assumptions again. I shouldn’t take for granted how you feel…” Kerry faced Kim and grabbed her shoulders. “But Kim, what other choice do you have? I’ve been so poor at telling you how I feel, how could you understand me? Hell, I don’t understand myself.” Kerry slumped back into the couch and closed her eyes. “I’m like two different people around you, Kim: one in public and another in private. I make love to you at night and then I try to pretend we’re acquaintances the next day.” She opened her eyes and glanced sidelong at Kim with a look of disbelief. “I’m surprised you can make any sense of my behavior at all. I used to be so sure of myself, and now I don’t know how I will react from moment to moment. Everything’s different; I’m different. I’m frightened of my feelings, of people’s opinions…even though I shouldn’t be.”
Kim reached over with one hand to cradle the back of Kerry’s neck. “Kerry, that’s where you’re wrong, and where I was wrong. Coming to terms with being gay is a process, and sometimes a lengthy one. I’ve been trying to convince you that you shouldn’t be afraid, that you can be gay and live in the world and it’s okay. But I was so eager to show you those things that I overlooked what you were going through. Who says you shouldn’t be confused, afraid, unnerved?” Kim queried. “Your whole world is upside down. You have spent your entire life seeing yourself as straight and now that’s being questioned. You can’t expect to instantly accept being gay, just because…” Kim hung her head and finished, “…just because I want you to. You are entitled to your feelings no matter what they are.” Kerry silently reached out to take Kim’s hands and Kim looked up with tears in her eyes. “I didn’t want to see your uncertainty and confusion because part of me felt so vulnerable. I was in over my head so quickly with you and I was overwhelmed by what you made me feel. I was afraid you would decide that being with me wasn’t worth facing all that fear. I guess we are both afraid, but I wasn’t allowing you to have your fear because it was influencing mine.” Kim sighed in disappointment, rubbed her forehead and let her hands drop to her lap. “Some psychiatrist… I’ve been setting a piss-poor example of how to help you through this.” Kim stared into Kerry’s eyes intently and confessed, “I am sorry. I’m sorry I tried to rush you. I am sorry I didn’t give you more time.” Kerry touched Kim’s cheek softly. “Kim, I’m sorry, too: sorry that I couldn’t follow my heart at your hearing. I should have defended you, I should’ve…” Kerry stopped and sighed. “Well, ‘should’ won’t get us anywhere, will it?”
Kim smiled. “You’re right, it won’t. Good point. What we can do is decide how we handle things now.” Kim grasped both of Kerry’s hands. “I do love you. It’s scary to admit it sometimes, because I feel that you might pull away from me again. What I can say is, I will try to give you more time and help you adjust, rather than fault you for not being as out as I expect you to be. You deserve to come to terms with this at your own speed. And I will try to talk to you instead of running away when I’m hurt; it’s a bad habit of mine. However,” Kim squeezed Kerry’s hands as she continued, “I need some assurance that there’s a reason for me to be in this. I want to know if this is something that you are willing to fight for. If you can honestly tell me how you feel about me…about us; that’s what I need from you.” Kerry looked down at their hands for a moment, considering how to phrase her answer. Kim waited, watching Kerry’s face. A Dave Matthews song filled the space between them, his soft guitar asking and answering its own questions. Kerry took her hands away from Kim’s, pushed the blanket aside and stood up. Kim looked up at Kerry and the disappointment was plain on her face. Kerry looked down and smiled as she chided Kim, “I’m not leaving. I could never leave you; I love you. Dance with me.”
Kerry held out her hands. Kim looked at her, and a tender smile broke across her face as she realized the meaning of Kerry’s words. She stood and folded herself into Kerry’s waiting arms. A shock wave ripped through them as they melted together from head to toe. They stood silent and still, relieved to be holding each other, feeling the comfort they had so missed. They started to sway as Dave Matthews sang gently…
I let
you down…
I have
no lid upon my head, but if I did
You
could look inside and see what’s on my mind.
I let
you down…
Forgive me…
Kim took a deep slow breath, trying to memorize how it felt to hold Kerry in her arms. A soft laugh escaped her, and Kerry looked up at her and asked, “What are you thinking?” Kim smiled at her and confessed, “I was thinking I had to remember everything about this moment because it’s so perfect. Then I realized that I didn’t have to hold on to it…” Kim stopped swaying and touched Kerry’s cheek softly as she whispered, “…because I’ll have a million more moments as perfect as this one, if you’ll let me.” Kerry’s eyes sparkled as she leaned in close to Kim and breathed, “You don’t have to ask, Kim. Everything is yours. I’m yours.” Kim set a gentle kiss on Kerry’s prim mouth and replied, “And all I am is yours, Kerry. I love you.” Kerry’s hands found their way up to weave through Kim’s blonde tresses as their mouths met again more deeply, lips dancing together. Kim wrapped her arms tightly around Kerry’s waist and kissed her hard, delighted to find Kerry responding with equal passion. They both shuddered and broke from the kiss, their breathing ragged. Kerry nuzzled into Kim’s neck as they swayed to the music and listened to the rain. The storm crashed outside with a rumble of thunder that Kim thought was as loud as the thudding of her heart.
“Kerry…”
“Kim…”
They smiled with delight as they both spoke at once, realizing that they were thinking the same thing. Kim brought her hands up along the curve of Kerry’s spine, traced her fingers over Kerry’s shoulder blades and back down her spine. She kissed along Kerry’s neck for a moment and then whispered, “Kerry, what do you want to do?” Kerry tipped her head back as Kim’s mouth explored her delicate skin. Kerry moaned low and trailed her hands through Kim’s long blonde curls and down her back. Kim, still insistent on Kerry’s pale neck repeated, “Tell me what you want.”
“You,” Kerry whimpered as Kim’s tongue found a sensitive spot below her ear. “Oh Kim, take me to bed…”
A shiver ran through Kim as she heard Kerry’s voice break. It told her everything she needed to hear. “Yes…” Kim breathed as she reached for Kerry’s hand, “…come with me.” Kerry leaned in to whisper in Kim’s ear, “I plan to.” With that, Kim was lost. She was now powerless to deny Kerry anything. Kim wrapped her arms around Kerry and picked her up, crushing them together. They stared at each other briefly before breaking into happy grins and Kim lifted her higher, wrapping Kerry’s legs around her waist. Kim made it a few steps down the hall toward the bedroom before Kerry began nibbling on her neck and teasing Kim’s breasts with her hands. Kim slumped sideways against the wall as her knees went weak with desire. Kerry gave an evil chuckle, and Kim retaliated by turning them so that Kerry was braced with her back against the wall. Kim leaned in, concentrating her weight on Kerry’s hips and slowly grinding against Kerry’s center. The solid pressure of Kim against her made Kerry gasp and moan her name. She clutched Kim’s hair and roughly pulled her in for a kiss. Her tongue swept through Kim’s mouth, searching and teasing. Kim whimpered and once again lurched down the hall toward the bedroom despite the fever swirling through her. Kerry was merciless, kissing Kim deeply and wildly, and Kim fought to maneuver them safely to the bed. She swept her discarded work clothes aside and sat Kerry on the edge of the bed.
Kim broke the kiss and untangled Kerry’s legs, stepping back to catch her breath. Kerry was breathing hard, her fists clenching with the effort to regain control. Kim stood in front of Kerry, breathing heavily and giving her a playful look of warning. Kerry answered her by reaching up to trail her fingers over Kim’s camisole, teasing her breasts lightly through the silk. She reached under the camisole to curl her fingers in the waistband of Kim’s sweats and pulled them down slowly, kissing Kim’s stomach and running her hands over Kim’s bare ass. Then she reached up and lifted the camisole over Kim’s head and paused to admire her uncovered treasure. She admired Kim’s lean, naked form and let out a deep velvet sigh. Kim stood still, eyes closed tightly and her chest heaving desperately. “Kim,” Kerry said huskily, “you drive me wild … mmmm…the things I want to do to you…” Kerry’s voice trailed off, and Kim opened her eyes to find Kerry looking up at her with a mix of adoration and lust. The power of Kerry’s desire crashed through Kim and almost dropped her to her knees. “Oh God, Kerry…” she gasped, “…lay down”. It was more a question than a command. Kim was pleading with Kerry to save her, to give her relief from the ache of need. Kerry inched back on the bed and stretched out with her arms over her head. Kim reached down and slowly unbuttoned Kerry’s shirt, pulling it off to discover a crimson satin bra. Kim stared for a moment, intoxicated with the thought even as Kerry spoke it aloud, “Yes, I wore this for you, Kim. Do you like it?” Kim was speechless, her mind only able to churn a silent mantra of gratitude. “Of course,” Kerry continued with a smile, “I think I like your ensemble better. I’m wearing too many clothes.” Kim took the hint; she pulled off Kerry’s socks and eased Kerry out of her jeans, shocked again to find matching crimson satin clinging to Kerry’s hips. Kim silently thanked every power she could think of for giving her this incredible woman. Kim silently and slowly eased Kerry’s panties down and off of her legs, her hands brushing Kerry’s skin with light strokes. Kim bent over Kerry and nuzzled her breasts through the crimson bra, whimpering when she encountered the sharp peaks of Kerry’s nipples. After a moment of reverent attention, Kim explored the valley between Kerry’s breasts and discovered that the bra had a clasp in front. With a giggle, Kim worked for a moment trying to undo the clasp with her teeth, then gave up and used her fingers to free the flesh she had missed so much. With a grunt of satisfaction, Kim removed the bra and sat up, dropping it unceremoniously off the bed in triumph. Kerry laughed softly, immensely pleased with her lingerie’s effect on Kim. She reached her arms up and licked her lips. “Enough teasing,” she growled, “I’m waiting.” Kim climbed across the bed on her hands and knees, straddled Kerry and hovered above her. Kerry wrapped her arms and legs around Kim and pulled her down swiftly. She landed in Kerry’s arms and gasped as a bolt of energy ripped through her from head to toe. Kerry inhaled the scent of Kim’s hair as it cascaded over her face and she moaned in Kim’s ear, “Look at me…baby, look at me.” Kim was reeling; her skin was on fire, her blood pounded through her, a flash of heat flared from between her legs and threatened to consume her whole body. With effort, she lifted her head and looked at Kerry, trying to focus through the haze of her desire.
Kerry held tightly to Kim’s body and murmured, “I’m not letting you run away again. You’re mine.” Kim moaned wildly and collapsed on top of Kerry with a forceful kiss, plunging her tongue as deeply into Kerry as she could. Kerry arched her neck, lifting her head off the bed to meet Kim’s advance. They reveled in their hunger for each other, mouths and bodies crushing together. Kerry unwrapped her legs, moving under Kim until her leg was between Kim’s. She pressed her thigh up into Kim, and felt Kim collapse again on top of her. “Oh god, Kerry. Baby, I want you. I want…” Kim’s speech dissolved into gasps as Kerry moved her thigh against Kim’s center, smearing her wetness between them. Kerry was overjoyed at Kim’s surrender; she felt a surge of confidence as she heard the want in Kim’s voice. She cradled Kim in her arms and pushed with her strong leg to roll them over. Kim lay on the bed, her mouth open in shock and anticipation. Kerry pushed up on her elbows, brought her face close above Kim’s and lost herself in Kim’s eyes for a moment. When she stretched up to gently kiss Kim’s forehead, Kerry’s thigh pulled up with her, dragging over Kim’s slick, swollen flesh. “Uhhh…Kerry…” Kim wailed and her hands roamed feverishly over Kerry’s back. Kerry leaned down and kissed Kim lovingly, holding her body as still as possible to focus Kim on the emotion in her kiss. Kim groaned desperately into Kerry’s mouth. She was overwhelmed; the weight of Kerry pressing into her, the feel of Kerry’s flushed skin against her, the sweet heat of Kerry’s mouth, the heady smell of their arousal mingling together. Kim was delirious with need and she tried to form words under Kerry’s kiss. Kerry pulled back and saw how Kim was suffering. She waited until Kim’s hazy eyes focused on her and then she whispered, “Don’t worry, baby. I’m here, I’m right here. I love you.” Kim fought for words, but she couldn’t think; it was all she could do to breathe. Kerry smiled and cooed, “Mmmm…you feel so good to me… you are so beautiful. I want to show you how beautiful you are.” Kerry leaned her weight again between Kim’s legs and dragged her thigh roughly over Kim’s sex. A shuddering gasp tore from Kim’s throat and she whispered Kerry’s name over and over as Kerry moved up and down with determination, flexing her thigh forcefully. Kim gripped Kerry tightly, her blunt nails sinking into Kerry’s shoulders. Kerry sucked in a hissing breath as the bite of Kim’s nails dissolved into a rush of adrenaline. She molded herself to Kim, dipping and surging to follow Kim’s rocking hips, and she watched the woman beneath her in awe. Kim was a mesmerizing sight: blonde tendrils clung to her flushed face where a fine sweat glistened, her neck arched and flexed as she moved beneath Kerry and the muscles of her stomach rippled as she angled her hips in an effort to meet Kerry’s thrusts.
Kerry had never seen Kim so open and so hungry for her; it made her want to please Kim even more. Kerry slowed her pace, hoping to extend Kim’s pleasure, and leaned down to kiss Kim’s breasts. As her tongue lapped over each nipple in turn, Kerry felt Kim’s nails move down her back and her hands come to rest on Kerry’s ass, gripping her and urging her again. She resisted Kim’s demand for her hips and continued to focus on the dark pink nipples of Kim’s breasts. Kerry felt nails drag over the curve of her ass and Kim’s hand move around to slip between them. Kerry lifted her hips slightly and Kim’s long fingers slid through the slick heat between them. They both moaned as Kim started a slow pressure around Kerry’s clit. Kerry moved up to brace her arms on either side of Kim and kissed her deeply. Kim’s hand worked slowly, intently on Kerry’s clit, and they both shuddered as they began to move together. Kerry began thrusting again with her thigh: long, hard strokes against Kim’s wet core. Kim’s hand had just enough room to continue her movement on Kerry’s clit. They were locked in a delicious battle of wills, each wanting the other to be the first to plunge headlong into bliss. In between ragged breaths and moans, their tongues fought together in ferocious kisses. Kerry leaned close to Kim’s ear and purred, “Kim…you are so sweet, so wet, so close…come for me…” The hum of Kerry’s voice in her ear brought Kim to the edge. She screamed as she tensed and exploded in a wave of shuddering spasms. Kerry, overwhelmed at the intensity of Kim’s orgasm and the pressure of Kim’s fingers, wailed and hurled herself over the threshold into a long climax. She collapsed happily on top of Kim and they rode the aftershocks together, gasping for air. Kim brought her shaking hands up to brush through Kerry’s hair while they recovered. Kerry had found a cozy position lying between Kim’s legs with her head on Kim’s chest and she sighed as she snuggled closer to Kim. In their quiet, they could hear music still playing from the stereo down the hall. Kim sang along with Van Morrison as she caressed Kerry’s brow with her fingers and smoothed her tussled hair…
She's
as sweet as tupelo honey.
She's
an angel of the first degree.
She's
as sweet as tupelo honey...
Just
like honey, baby, from the bee.
Nestled together and content, they floated toward sleep as the rain drummed its gentle lullaby.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
SONGS:
“In Need” …Sheryl Crow, ‘Hope Floats’ Soundtrack
“Faster Than Light” … Neil Finn, ‘Try Whistling This’
“Let You Down” …Dave Matthews, ‘Crash’
“Tupelo Honey” …Van Morrison, ‘Tupelo Honey’