Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 16:47:38 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mas P <maspgurl@yahoo.ca>
Subject: Breakfast in Bed - Part 2

Don't forget to financially support Nifty if you can and feel free to drop
a line: maspgurl@yahoo.com


This is for all of us still searching.

The Bedtime Stories:
Breakfast in Bed, Lunch in Bed, Dinner in Bed & Dessert in Bed.


Breakfast in Bed: Part 2


Karen cleaned every window on the lower floor two days ago. Yesterday she
picked vegetables from her garden and planted a row of perennials along the
front entrance pathway. Today she planned to paint the shed out back that
stored an array of tools and spare pieces of lumber.

Keep busy. That was the order of the day. The week.

Today she was seeing off the Johnson sisters after two weeks of stay. They
promised to visit again and spread the word to their friends and
family. Karen was pleased by the genuine tears in their eyes. Word of mouth
was one of the best marketing tools Karen employed.

After gathering the paint and brushes outside she came back in barely
catching the phone. "Seven Rose Inn, Karen speaking, how can I help?" Karen
bit her lower lip as she took down the details of a small family's
accommodations in two weeks. A family of three; so she'd give them the
green room with the adjoining bedroom. "We look forward to seeing you
Mr. Bradshaw. Your deposit is due in four days so feel free to call back
with your credit card number at that time." When the call ended she smiled
at the phone sensing the gentleman's excitement.

Often time it was the wife making the reservations for a family. Karen
chuckled as she made a few more notations. After a mental note to log the
booking into her computer later she closed the ledger and rose from her
desk. Karen stood in her office momentarily at a loss as to what she should
be doing right that moment.

She was on the go for the last five days in an attempt to avoid one of her
guests. Soon to be her only guest in three days when the Fonda's left. She
was going to miss the quiet grace of Mrs. Fonda. She thought of asking the
woman if she had any relation to the noted movie star but sensed that the
couple was far removed from the insanity of Hollywood. Then again, if she
was related to the movie star, they probably were not looking for that kind
of attention if they vacationing on Potter's Island.

Karen had more than a few noted stars stay at the inn. She always exercised
the utmost discretion and because of it, they told a friend and returned
themselves. She wondered if Sereta would be a returning guest.

She hardly saw the woman outside of breakfast and dinner now.

Though they exchanged only a handful of words Karen still enjoyed the
moments she would see Sereta and listen to her chat with her guests. The
Johnson's seemed to have taken to her immediately and dragged Sereta to
more than a few restaurants for lunch over the last few days. Karen was
relieved. She worried that what happened in Sereta's room was keeping her
prisoner in her room. She sensed that Sereta was ignoring her and though it
made her sad she knew that it was for the best.

"Karen!"

Karen snapped out of her musings and followed the loud voice of her cousin
as he came barreling into the inn. From her expression he knew that he was
in trouble. "I have guests Kevin."

"Opps, sorry. I forgot. I was just wondering if you needed me to get that
shed painted. I was thinking about trimming it with the blue paint you
bought."

Karen led the way outside. She studied the wild flowers and bushes that
framed the stone walkway in the back yard with a critical eye. The benches
needed to be wiped off. She purchased the metal benches a few years ago and
had Kevin replace the wood at the back and seat with rich mahogany from a
fallen tree. He did such a good job that Karen felt as if she enjoyed them
more than her guests did.

"I was actually planning on painting it myself."

Kevin folded his arms over his broad chest. She knew that pose
anywhere. "You've been very busy out here the last few days."

Karen walked over to one of the benches and wiped a few leaves off of
it. After a cursory glance she spotted a layer of dust now coated her
palm. Great. "There's a lot do."

"I usually do the painting." Karen faced Kevin then lowered her gaze from
his searching eyes. "And the gardening. Are you trying to tell me
something?" Karen's confusion seemed to have given her cousin courage. He
steeled his shoulders and unfolded his arms. "Are you trying to get rid of
me Karen?"

It took her a moment to understand what he was asking. When she finally did
she laughed and reached out to pull him in closer by his t-shirt. "Come
here ya big lug." Kevin didn't resist her hug and squeezed her back for
good measure. "I'm not trying to get rid of you Kevin I'm just trying to
keep busy."

"Why? That's what I'm here for. You don't have to paint and stuff. You pay
ME to do that."

Karen sighed and sat down heavily on the bench, uncaring that her jeans
were probably getting just as dirty as her palm. She checked her
watch. 2pm. She had a few hours before she'd start dinner. A few Cornish
hens with rice and saut‚ed green beans. She wondered if Sereta would
like it. She complimented every meal she was fed but beyond that and
general pleasantries, the woman didn't have much to say to her anymore. The
ease of conversation that day at the grocery store was long gone leaving
Karen feeling.. .empty.

"What's up Karen?" She smiled sadly and shrugged.

"Nothing really." And that's the problem Kev.

"You only got this sad over two things for as long as I've known you." When
he sat his tall frame next to Karen she immediately leaned into his broad
shoulder. She always did when she was sad. He knew this and immediately
began to worry even more.

"What are those two things?"

"Your mom or a woman." Karen chuckled at sat up, running her hands through
her hair, wondering if a trip to the salon was in order. Her mom would
style her hair when she was alive. But cancer didn't care that she'd lose
her hair stylist and one of her closest friends 5 years ago, it took her
anyway.

Though she still felt the pain of that loss she was mostly at peace with
it. She shared great times with her mother. The support when she told her
about her plans to open a bed and breakfast over six years ago was
immediate. She had people tell her she was too young, didn't know the
business well enough, but she had a mother who taught her everything she
needed to know about making someone feel welcomed. She taught her about
taking care of strangers.

"I do miss her Kevin."

"I know, I miss Aunt Rose too." He was like the son her mother never had
and told him so often. "But that's not the problem is it? She's not why you
look so sad."

Karen sighed and looked into the back porch of the inn. Bamboo chairs and
tables were at to corners. She noticed that the Fondas enjoyed sitting back
here. She never saw Sereta in the back yard. She wondered why.

"It's the woman isn't it?" He watched her closely and saw the tears form in
her eyes. It was the only answer he needed. "You like her don't you?" When
she breathed in deeply he smiled at her as she tried to hold in her
tears. He never saw Karen react this way to a woman. Not even Tina and he
thought she was pretty serious about her. Yes, she seemed sad when Tina
broke it off but Karen never had the lost expression on her face that he
saw now. "Have you told her?"

Karen breathed in deeply again, fighting to control her emotions. Kevin
always knew how to get to her. "It's impossible Kev. I can't tell her."

"Why?"

"She's engaged to be married." At his raised eyebrows she crossed her
arms. "To another woman. In a few weeks."

"I didn't think women could marry in Florida."

Karen told him about the little she knew from Bianca. "Ahhhh, I see.. ." He
stretched his legs out, crossing his work boots at the ankles. He always
looked so scruffy and dusty, making Karen want to dust off his shirt and
wipe at his face like a mother. She refrained from doing so now and
mirrored his position. "She's pretty. I saw her around the inn."

"Yes she is."

"She likes you too." Karen laughed and asked him what he was talking about.

"She was on the phone with someone and I overheard her when I was in the
closet grabbing an umbrella." Karen sat up and peered at him curiously. He
grinned and slouched even more on the bench. "You perked up already."

"What did you overhear?" There was no propriety now that her heart was on
her sleeve. She needed to know what was said and how it was said and
knowing Kevin, he would tell her just that.

"It was two days ago."

"Two whole days?!" Kevin laughed when Karen punched his arm. He always said
her punches were like tickles.

"Yes, two whole days! She was on the phone with someone and talking
quietly. But it was when the old couple were out and you left for some
errand. So she must have thought the house was empty.. ." Karen listened
carefully as Kevin told her what he heard Sereta say and she sat back in
surprise.

When she didn't move or say anything a few moments after he finished. Kevin
touched her knee. "So yeah Karen, she likes you too."

He stood up, told her to leave the painting to him and sauntered away
oblivious to how he just turned her world upside down.

".. .I never felt this way before. She's beautiful. I can't stop thinking
about her. I know that if I get her alone I won't be able to let her
go.. ." Kevin swore on his life that her guest spoke those words about
Karen. When she asked for proof he said that Sereta said her full name.

Who was she speaking to? Not Bianca, that's impossible. That made no
sense. Why would she talk about Karen like that to her fiancee? That would
be unspeakable. Hurtful.

She hadn't had a conversation with Karen in days. Sereta was locked away in
her room for days. She barely looked Karen in the eyes in days yet she said
those words about her?

Karen leaned her elbows on her knees and covered her face. Her heart
drummed in her chest as she stood on the edge of one of the biggest
decisions she could ever recall making. Her body begged her to give in to
the evidence of the mutual attraction and desire, but her head begged her
to not lose a good friend by sleeping with her fiancee.

Tears filled her eyes again but this time she allowed them to fall.



Sereta watched her.

She saw when she entered the garden with Kevin. She fought the jealously
when they hugged and laughed, reminding herself that they were
cousins. Karen wasn't seeing him. Karen wasn't seeing anybody. Karen was
available for the taking.

She'd usually sit at her writing table and watch Karen fiddling around in
the pretty back yard whenever the innkeeper ventured outside.

She tried to keep her distance. She was giving Karen room. If she knew her
presence would create the kind of tension she felt whenever near the
innkeeper, she would never have come.

If she knew that the slim woman with her pretty coco skin and lovely mouth
was going to make her rethink every decision she made in her adulthood, she
would have never agreed to the trip.

She nearly yanked Karen onto her lap when she lowered a plate of food to
her place setting. It was too much, the distant sound of the ocean beyond
the opened windows, the lit candles that Karen loved to set out, the sweet
scent of sandlewood on her skin. Her hand lifted to grasp Karen's arm only
to stop when she remembered that they were not alone.

She forced a smile and ignored Karen after the near lapse in judgment. She
allowed the old couple to draw her into conversation about the Georgian
styled architecture prevalent on the island. As soon as dessert was over
she practically ran to her room begging a need for sleep.

She didn't fall asleep until over three hours later. She laid in a
miserable sweat thinking about Karen and how her long legs would look
straddling her stomach. Moving over her, freeing her sex from the confines
of her soft, silk panties for Sereta's exploration.

Kat sympathized with her. She told her best friend about her infatuation
with the inn keeper. She told her about how she obsessed about the woman
and found herself writing Karen's name in her paper now and then.

Kat didn't know what to tell her. She was at a loss herself but Sereta knew
what she thought about the marriage. Kat knew that Sereta was marrying
Bianca out of a sense of duty and she didn't agree with it. A die hard
romantic wrapped in the body of a soft, cynical butch. But since the day
when she first announced the engagement, Kat was nothing but a pillar of
support.

"This woman poses a quandary for you my friend. You have a choice to make."

"What choice? I can't do anything." Sereta listened to Kat laugh then
assure her that she could do something alright.

"You need to tap that or get the hell outta dodge." Sereta stood at the
window now, her hand squeezing the frame as she watched Karen lean forward
holding her face. She was crying.

She wanted to rush downstairs and hold her. She looked so alone in the
middle of that garden crying. She should never cry. Sereta closed her eyes
as the thought of Karen crying over something she did filled her mind.

Her conversation with Kat was two days ago.

Kat texted her that morning. "You staying or coming home?" No judgment,
just a simple question.

"I'm staying."



Karen noticed a difference in Sereta.

It was gradual, barely noticeable, but after watching her guest like a hawk
she saw things.

The way Sereta came down a few minutes before breakfast two days ago. Then
after dinner that night, Sereta looked into her eyes when she thanked her,
holding her gaze a few moments longer. Yesterday Sereta asked if she needed
help cleaning up. When Karen ushered her out to the dock where she liked to
sit and listen to the ocean Sereta insisted on staying and stood shoulder
to shoulder with her as they washed the few dishes.

Sereta asked her yesterday if she'd like to grab some lunch with her. Karen
begged off, still trying to resist the attraction to her guest. When Sereta
returned twenty minutes later with a greasy paper bag filled with fries and
deep fried crawfish smothered in ketchup she didn't know what to do. No one
said not to deep fried crawfish.

They sat down on the dock eating in a companionable silence, two lawn
chairs no more than a foot apart. Karen grabbed two beers from the stash
she kept in the fridge for such meals and offered one to a grateful
Sereta. She wore cargo shorts that reached just below her knees and a tight
t-shirt with "Florida Atlantic" splayed across her pert breasts. Her locks
hung freely down her back and Karen wondered how they would feel in her
hands. She wondered how a lot of Sereta would feel in her hands.

They were both barefoot on the dock, the warmth of the wood beneath their
feet soaked into their soles. The feeling made Karen happy. Being around
Sereta made her happy.

"Yummm," Sereta licked her fingers as she chewed on the hot and spicy
seafood. The restaurant Sereta bought the food from was made popular by the
special seasoning they used on the meat and the way they kept a portion of
the shell in tact.

"You look like you're enjoying yourself." Karen giggled at the way Sereta
dug into her fries.

"I love good food and this is very good." After a sip of beer she made a
point to slow down not eat like a woman starved. "I'm glad you were able to
have lunch with me."

"No problem. There's nothing pressing on my agenda for the day." Sereta
wiped her lips while Karen lowered the remains of her food to the
deck. Karen glanced at the other woman periodically, aware of Sereta's
steady gaze on her. Now that she thought of it, whenever she stole a glance
Sereta was staring at her with a half smile almost always on her mouth.

"So I only fit in your schedule when it's empty then? You can't ever
squeeze me in?"

Karen's heart began to race at the husky sound of Sereta's voice. Why was
she speaking so quietly now? "Not exactly."

"So you'll make time for me if I come calling on you one day?"

"Why would you call on me?" Sereta shifted to the edge of her chair until
her knees brushed Karen's arm. The shades she wore mirrored Karen's
face. The breathless expression Karen saw reflected there surprised her.

"I don't know. Maybe to hang out.. ." Karen laughed and shook her
head. Sereta smiled at the way Karen's breasts shook when she laughed. She
liked the heaviness of them. They had to be at least a C cup. She knew
instinctively that they'd feel incredible against her own.

"Hanging out?" Sereta shrugged and moved her hands an inch to the
right. They both watched her progress until her index finger reached
Karen's hand. Karen sat mesmerized as Sereta ran the tip of her finger over
her pinky. She felt the touch somewhere deeper, inside of her. When
Sereta's fingers hooked around her finger and held her she swore she felt
the same motion between her thighs.

"I could call you, you know?" Karen gasped when Sereta's other hand pressed
into her knee and moved slowly up the length of her thigh. Why did she wear
shorts today? Why give Sereta such easy access to her skin? She trembled as
Sereta ran her hand up and down her thigh. She saw the shadow of the hooded
eyes beyond Sereta's shades. Karen closed her eyes to the sultry expression
on her face.

"Will this happen before of after your wedding Sereta?" She grimaced when
Sereta's hold tightened around her thigh. It wasn't painful but it brought
her back to a present she didn't want to face.

You don't belong to me.

"Don't do that Karen."

"Don't do WHAT Sereta? Talk about your fiancee? My friend? Don't talk about
Bianca?" Sereta moved the chair closer with one hand, keeping a firm hold
on Karen's thigh as if she would run away. Considering the storm raging
inside of her Karen believed that she would. She wanted Sereta and was
angry at Bianca and the world for her not being able to have her. "It's not
fair."

You don't feel like a five year old now do you Karen?

"What's not fair?" Karen tried to get up but Sereta held her still by
moving her hands further up her thigh. "Don't go." When Karen gasped she
pushed her hand further still and hissed at the heat she felt emanating
from the apex of Karen's thighs. "Karen.. ."

She covered her eyes to hide the silly tears she felt welling up inside of
her. She couldn't control what was inside of her and didn't want Sereta to
see her fall apart.

"Don't Karen, please don't cry." Sereta did then what she wanted to do days
ago when she saw her innkeeper crying in the garden; she wiped the tears
that escaped beneath Karen's hands. She gently removed Karen's hands then
her shades until she saw the red-rimmed eyes with tear drops hanging onto
dark eyelashes. Sereta swiped her thumb against the tears, hating the
hopelessness in Karen's eyes. "Don't cry Karen, just.. .just.. ." Sereta
got on her knees and held Karen's face between her palms as she wiped away
the tears that began to rain down her cheeks.

She kissed one that sat perched on Karen's cheekbone, then another that
made it to her chin, then the corner of her lips. Her fingertips brushed
the soft hairs behind her ears and her nose flared when she breathed in and
picked up the scent of vanilla. Her eyes fluttered close when she finally
guided her lips to Karen's. With a sigh she gave in to what she had been
hiding from since her arrival over a week ago.

So soft.

Those were the words that filled Sereta's consciousness as she brushed her
lips over Karen's. Over and over she did this, never tiring of how the
gentle kisses stirred her inside. She never felt the stirring that she felt
inside of her as she held Karen's face in her hand.

She never wanted to take care of someone as earnestly as she wanted to as
she kneeled next to Karen. She wanted her heart. She wanted it as badly as
she wanted her next breath.

With eyes closed she knew how Karen looked. It was unsettling how clearly
she saw her when they were apart. She'd close her eyes at night and imagine
her asleep. She knew that the woman slept in the nude. She sensed a
cuddler. She felt the thrum of sensuality beneath the surface of Karen's
calm.

The poised persona she projected to her guests couldn't mask the need she'd
glimpse whenever their gazes connected. She'd never before responded the
way she had when a woman look at her the way Karen did. Sereta wanted to
throw the woman over her shoulder, toss her against a wall, lift her up
until her thighs straddled her waist.. .

With a groan she pressed her tongue forward, Karen moaned in response. When
she felt Karen's hand grip her t-shirt and pull her forward she didn't
hesitate to pull the other woman closer by the back of her neck.

They gasped for air in between battling tongues and slippery lips. Sereta's
hands moved desperately from Karen's cheek to her stomach, her fingers
deftly slipped beneath the loose tunic. When she felt Karen's stomach tense
she flattened her hand and pushed up firmly until she reached a warm
breast.

With force she pulled her mouth away. "Do you know how much I want you
right now?"

Karen reached for her lips but Sereta leaned away, watching with hooded
eyes as Karen took labored breaths. Warm air pushed past pink, shiny lips
that begged to be kissed again.

"Sereta.. ." Karen wanted to push Sereta down on the chair and lay her body
against the woman. She wanted to open herself up like a flower. "I.. ."

"What?" Sereta held the warm, full breast in her hand. When Karen's eyes
grew even more hodded she squeezed again. "What do you need?"

"I need you." The smirk on Sereta's lips made Karen tremble in
anticipation. It was the wild look of conquest. Sereta knew that she had
Karen right where she wanted her.

"When do the Fondas leave?"

Karen blinked at the question unsure about its relevance. "Wh-what? The
Fondas?"

Sereta nodded calmly, her hand shifting to the other breast and rubbing
gently over her until that nipple too stood up in attention.

"Soon." Sereta moved her hand to her stomach again, sliding the flat of her
hand down until Karen felt the warmth over her sex. "In three days", came
the breathless words.

"When are you're next guests arriving?" Sereta moved her hand again until
her fingers dipped into the v at her thighs and pushed against the fabric
of her shorts. Karen held onto the sides of the chair, gasping as she
watched her hips lift. She silently begged for more.

"Sereta.. ."

Sereta shook her head, her hand barely moving between her thighs. Rubbing
the fabric of her underwear over her swollen and ready sex. "When do they
arrive?"

"In a little over two weeks." Sereta smiled and removed her hand after
giving her stomach a soft pat. Karen watched bewildered as Sereta stood up
and settled into her lounge chair. Silently Sereta picked up her beer and
took a long sip. With a loud sigh she adjusted her shades and stared out at
the horizon.

Seagulls screamed above them and the water lapped up against the wooden
columns beneath them. Somewhere in the distance a jet ski roared. These
sounds slowly filtered back into Karen's consciousness.

She opened her mouth to ask Sereta a question but didn't know what to ask
exactly. "Why did you stop?" or should she ask "Why are we not having sex
right now?" Karen placed her shades back on with shaky hands and lowered
her hands to her thighs.

When Sereta reached for her she allowed her to thread their fingers. When
their hands lowered between their chairs she sighed in relief. "When
they're gone Karen." The quiet words were almost drowned out by the sounds
around them. Almost.

Karen emptied her mind of thoughts of fiancees and what ifs and focused on
the warmth of Sereta's hands holding her own on the dock of Seven Rose Inn.



She was driving her insane.

There were times that she was sure Sereta knew what she did to her and how
she affected her but then there were other times when Sereta couldn't have
a clue.

The Fonda's begged to have company two days before their departure for a
drive to the other end of the island. Selena surprised Karen by jumping at
the opportunity to join them.

"I got a lot of writing done last night so I don't feel very guilty playing
hooky today."

Karen grew wise to her tactics when they settled into the back of the
rental that Mr. Fonda drove. While Karen sat to one side of the back seats
Sereta settled in the middle of the backseat, going so far as to lift up
the dividing arm rest.

Karen stared ahead when Sereta placed her palm on her thigh. That day she
wore white linen trousers. "Your nails look pretty." Karen glanced at her
nails and was glad that the other woman noticed.

"Thank you."

"Your welcome. I like those slippers too." Karen smiled, turning her
attention to Sereta. She resisted leaning into Sereta but when Mr. Fonda
took a turn Karen's weight was forced into Sereta's shoulder.

"I'm sorry," Karen hastened to move away but Sereta pulled her knees
closer, silently welcoming the press of her body.

"It's okay." Sereta smiled easily. Her arm comfortably settled between
Karen's thighs now. Karen watched her hand slide over her knee until her
fingers loosely linked with Sereta's. "You smell good." Karen bit her lower
lips, whispering another thank you only to have Sereta press her lips to
her ear. "You smell edible."

"Sereta.. ."

"What? I'm jus' sayin'.. ."

Karen rolled her eyes, not that they could be seen behind her shades. "I
know what you're trying to do." Karen glanced at the Fondas, making sure
that they couldn't see them carrying on like teenagers in the back seat of
their rental. "They can see us."

"They can't see this," Karen's eyes slid close when Sereta's hot tongue
slid over her ear. Her fingers tightened around Sereta's hand when she felt
the wet organ slide into her ear and out again only to suck her earlobe
into her mouth. Karen bit her lip to silence a moan that would have been
loud and long. "Can they see me?" Sereta asked wickedly.

"N-n-no." Karen sat as still as she could but soon she felt the phantom
movement of Sereta's tongue between her thighs. She clamped her legs close
in an attempt to silence the need screaming at her from the inside. The
soft puffs of air were as stimulating as the warmth of her tongue, making
her insides melt to a messy mush. "Sereta.. ."

"Do you feel what I'm doing to your ear?" Her tongue dipped in and out
rhythmically. Hell YES she felt it. Karen squeezed her hand in answer, sure
that her voice would come out as a telling squeal. "I want to do this to
your pussy."

"Oh Jesus".

Mrs. Fonda turned around looking concerned. "What's that dear?"

"I umm.. ." Karen glanced at Sereta who leaned a safer distance away and
smiled innocently at the kind old lady.

Sereta patted Karen's knee as if they were old friends chatting about the
weather. "She just got a little car sick but she's fine now."

"Sorry 'bout that love!" Sereta laughed and waved Mr. Fonda's apology away.

As soon as the woman turned away and started to chatter about one of the
tourist sites she visited in town Sereta pressed her nose into Karen's skin
and said in a low voice, "This is gonna be a looong drive."

Karen closed her eyes sighing into another onslaught of Sereta's ear
kisses.



The day before the Fondas were scheduled to leave Sereta had a new mode of
attack. The older couple asked for company on the beach for a long,
leisurely walk. With Kevin promising to keep an ear out for the telephone
Karen had no excuse to say no.

After donning her floppy hat Mrs. Fonda led the way down the mostly
deserted shore. The property that Seven Rose Inn was situated on afforded a
certain level of privacy being located in a quiet residential neighbourhood
that was tucked away from the busyness of downtown Potter's Island.

After spotting a small family and a dog walking his owner, the couples
didn't see another person for miles.

Mrs. Fonda touched Karen's arm softly. "Your home is so lovely Karen."
Karen smiled graciously at her. "We're looking into buying a summer home
after this visit."

"And you're both more than welcome. I'm so happy that you've enjoyed your
stay." Sereta silently walked to Karen's left, unusually quiet since they
left the inn. Karen neared Sereta until they bumped shoulders. "And you?
Are you enjoying your stay?"

Sereta's fingers grasped Karen's as she studied her face. Karen's smile
dimmed at the serious expression. "Immensely."

They continued to gaze into each other's eyes, Karen wanting to kiss Sereta
and Sereta wanting to hold her close. Sereta woke up the night before
reaching out for her subconsciously. Even her arms knew what her head still
tried to deny.

Not anymore.

The couple walked ahead of them now, talking quietly, obviously deep in
love. They continued along silently until Karen squeezed Sereta's
hand. "Did you know that they were married for over forty years?" Karen
loved that she didn't need to fill silences with Sereta. She loved that
their hands found each other so easily. She loved that Sereta always seemed
attuned to her, ready to engage with her in conversation and focus on her
every word even if she had little to say in response.

"That's a long time. Imagine the history there." Sereta's grip tightened.

Karen kept her eyes trained beyond her when she spoke again. "Do you think
you'll find something like that one day?" If she didn't look at Sereta then
she wouldn't have to see the doubt. She could pretend that Sereta was as
much of a romantic as she was.

"I never thought that I would have until recently."

Karen's heart sank at the words. "Before you met your fiancee you mean?" It
was probably crazy to think that she could turn someone's head like Sereta
Wood. University professor, PhD student, writer; how can a simple innkeeper
make a woman like that think about forever?

She didn't realize that Sereta stopped walking until she felt her pulling
at her hand. She turned around and saw the serious expression again. It
made her eyes look stern and her shoulders tense. Karen looked toward the
ocean and sighed, she was weak when it came to this woman.

She turned back to Sereta and saw that the serious expression evaporated
leaving behind an easy half smile.

"I meant you, Karen." Karen closed her eyes, unsure of what to do with the
immense relief she felt at the simple words. I meant you.. . "I think that
I-"

"Don't say it Sereta." Karen tried to move away but Sereta pulled her
closer until they bumped into each other. Sereta wrapped her arms around
Karen's slim waist, pulling their bodies closer.

"Say what?"

Karen lowered her eyes from the searching gaze burning into her. "Whatever
it was that you were going to say."

"Karen, why are you fighting this?"

"Why AREN'T you fighting this?" Sereta didn't react to Karen's anger and
that only made her angrier. She needed to fight.

"Why would I fight you when I could be kissing you?" Karen closed her eyes
but felt Sereta's hand slide up beneath her shirt. "And touching you?"
Karen moaned when Sereta's lips pressed against her throat. "And fucking
you?"

"Did you tell her that?" Sereta pressed her tongue to Karen's pulse
point. When she pulled the skin there into her mouth and began to suck,
Karen wrapped her arms around Sereta's neck, pulling her closer. "God, did
you?"

"Shhhh.. ." Sereta pulled her close, kissing along her throat and then
simply hugging Karen close to her.




On the day that the Fonda's were scheduled to leave Sereta barely spoke to
Karen at all.

She glimpsed her at breakfast and had to pretend to not hurt when Sereta
grabbed a plate of eggs and toast then vanished. She left the kitchen with
barely a word and instead told the Fonda's that she had a few chapters to
work on that morning.

Karen willed herself to ignore Sereta and make the Fonda's last few hours
as pleasant as she could.

She never made lunch for her guests but the mature couple decided to stay
at the inn on the last day. She peeked in her fridge and decided on a light
avocado salad and breaded fish sandwiches. Kevin bought a few pieces of
fish the day before that she could shape into patties.

After checking her books she was pleased to see another set of bookings in
three weeks. A couple on honeymoon and a single woman who informed Karen
that she had family on the island but needed a place to
"decompress". Family drama wasn't something she understood. There was no
question of Kevin staying at the inn when he returned from the mainland
with his carpenters certification.

Karen's thoughts wondered to the local college on George Island and if
Sereta wanted to visit it.

After plugging the reservation into her computer she left the tiny office
next to her bedroom and focused on preparing a tasty lunch for her guests.

She called Kevin to ask if he wanted a plate prepared for him but one of
the families he helped out on a regular basis promised him lunch. Karen
laughed at the excited note to his voice. He acted as if it didn't happen
regularly but Karen knew that his boyish antics was a part of what endeared
him to the community.

After turning on the stereo to a bluesy station she was underway.

The Fonda's were happy and eating on the back porch by 12:10. Karen looked
toward the stairs that led to the guestrooms and considered her next course
of action. She heard the hidden message behind Sereta's announcement, do
not disturb. She was inwardly happy that Sereta was able to get so much
work done in her inn. It spoke to the peaceful atmosphere she dreamed of
creating in her home and business. On the other hand, she wasn't very happy
about that peace keeping one of her most interesting guests tucked away.

Decision made, she prepared a tray with the salad, an iced glass of
lemonade and the fish sandwich overflowing with fixings.

She set the tray on the floor prepared to knock and leave it there but she
wanted a glimpse of her. Just a glimpse to prove that Sereta was
alright. After a quick knock and no response Karen opened the door. She
wasn't surprised to see the headphones covering Sereta's ears. Karen was
however, surprised to see her only clad in very short, shorts and a sports
bra. Her eyes trailed over strong looking thighs before she caught herself
and prepared to announce her presence.

Karen stopped herself at the last moment and watched her. With glasses
perched on the tip of her nose and her hands typing furiously Karen was
once again reminded of the reality that after Sereta's stay she was
returning to her teaching position in Florida. She was returning to her
life. Without Karen.

Sereta's hair was held up in a loose bun again and like every other day,
the air conditioning was off so the room was warm but not stuffy since both
windows were opened. Despite the meager breeze from outside Karen tracked a
bead of sweat dripping down Sereta's neck, disappearing behind her bra only
to reappear and trail down the line of her spine.

She licked her lips as she imagined her tongue tracing that very same
path. Thoughts switched to the last time she was in Sereta's bedroom. Karen
still felt the phantom heat of her body. With an internal shake she stepped
outside, picked up the tray and lowered it to the bed. When Sereta needed a
break she'd see the food. Karen quietly closed the door behind her.



At 2pm the Fonda's waved a final farewell.

Karen stood on the steps that led to the inn's verandah and watched the
taxi take the couple down the winding driveway and away from her inn. She
would miss them.

With a sigh Karen looked around her.

Suddenly it hit her, the Fonda's were gone. They were alone.

She pressed a hand to her stomach as what felt like a hundred butterflies
flew around inside of her. She breathed in and exhaled loudly. It didn't
matter, Karen was being ignored. She hadn't seen Sereta since she dropped
off her lunch so it was probably safe to say that her next few weeks would
be very quiet weeks if today's behavior was any indication.

Karen thought about some of the projects she held back because of her
business over the holiday season. The few breaks she had allowed her to
catch up on her reading, visits with friends and acquaintances in town,
stock up on foods and supplies and general DIY projects around the
house. She smiled at the thought of finally painting the office a cherry
yellow. She'd have to sneak in the paint or risk offending Kevin if he
found out.



Karen's stomach began to grumble. She checked her watch and jumped up when
it read 5pm. She had to get dinner ready. She only had one guest now so
she'd cook less that her usual. A pot of curried chicken that can be served
as a roti the next day if she made enough.

She'd have to make a side of slaw and juicy plantains. She had one or two
ripening for a few days now. She made a note to ask Kevin about possibly
growing the sweet fruit in the yard.

The scent of curry powder filled the kitchen as she fried down the chopped
vegetables and spices. She browned the chicken a little and added the
potatoes. She lowered the curry to a simmer and began on the rice and
coleslaw. The plantains she'd fry last.

By the time the coleslaw was done Karen decided that the curry needed
another half hour so she washed up and took her time shaving her legs and
trimming the wild hairs between her thighs. With no large group to
entertain and a hermit for a guest she had a few extra minutes to pamper
herself.

She gave her face a gentle exfoliation and sprayed on her favorite
sandlewood perfume that she shipped in from the states. It was a scent that
always relaxed her. Karen emerged from the room to find Sereta in the
dining room rubbing her stomach and looking confused as she stared at the
table set for two. She looked up at Karen for a moment, a closed expression
on her face. "Hey."

"Hello." Karen approached Sereta cautiously. "Is everything okay?"

"I didn't see you around so I was wondering where you were." Sereta's eyes
searched Karen's face then lowered to the chair she was holding onto. "And
I smelled dinner so my stomach pulled me downstairs."

Karen chuckled and led the way into the kitchen. "You're right on time
too."

"Do I smell curry?"

Karen eyed her before focusing on the stove top. "Right on one." Karen
stirred the simmering curry for a moment, her body hummed with awareness of
where Sereta was in the room. She felt her energy now, felt her eyes on
her. She knew they were staring at her from head to toe. "You can go in the
dining room. I'll bring the food out."

"I'd like to sit in here if that's okay. No need to mess up any good china
for me." Karen knew the words were meant to be self-deprecating but she
didn't agree. If anything Sereta deserved the best of everything.

"That's fine. I'll just clear the table and set up in here."

Karen walked quickly from the kitchen and leaned against the table for a
moment. She fanned her face, wondering if the kitchen was too hot. She
fanned her blouse from her chest, sighing at the cooling sweat. It was the
heat from the stove. It had to be, because no woman can make you feel like
you're going through early menopause. Maybe she needed an air-conditioner
in there.

In the kitchen Sereta sat at the table looking relaxed and unbothered. She
wore the same shorts but had on a tank top. This was the most casual she'd
see the woman since her arrival. Karen figured that she felt more relaxed
with the other guests gone.

She placed a steaming plate of food beneath Sereta's nose and smiled at the
hum of appreciation. They quietly ate with silences broken periodically by
Sereta's praise.

When the last forkful of food disappeared behind Sereta's lips she asked if
she wanted seconds. Sereta chuckled and patted her stomach. "You tryin' to
get me fat huh?"

Karen eyed Sereta's stomach and allowed herself to survey her arms too. "I
doubt that getting fat need be one of your greatest concerns Sereta." When
Karen raised her eyes to Sereta's face she but her lip at the intensity she
saw there. It was as if Sereta were looking beyond the layer of her skin
and studying the very atoms that made up her body. "I'm sorry I-"

"Do you find my body attractive Karen?"

Karen stood up and began to clear the table. "Let me just-" When she
reached for Sereta's plate her wrist was held, the fingers moved to her
hand until their fingers were clasped loosely.

"Do you find my body to be attractive?"

Karen studied their hands, her heart drumming in her ears. "You know the
answer to that Sereta."

The seated woman nodded her head in agreement. "You're shaking." Karen
closed her eyes. "Are you scared?" Karen tried to pull her hand away. Was
she scared? Hell yes! Who puts themselves in the arms of a woman promised
to another? A fool that's who. "Don't be scared Karen."

Says the wolf to the lamb.

"I have to clean up now." Sereta nodded and allowed Karen's fingers to slip
free.

"Do you need help?"

"No." She bit her tongue at the quick response then looked into Sereta's
face. "No. But thank you for asking." Sereta nodded then stood with glass
in hand. She stretched across Karen with exaggerated closeness to place her
glass in the sink.

"Then I'll leave you to it."  Karen stared at the glass until she was sure
that Sereta was gone. She listened for her footsteps on the stairs until
she couldn't hear them anymore. She closed her eyes and willed her hands to
move, get busy.

She's just too sexy to ignore. Karen figured that if Sereta simply wanted
to tease her and ask her silly questions then it was best that they ignored
each other. She'd stop taking food to her. She'll tell her in the morning
to come down for her food or eat nothing at all. The end. Period.

With that plan in place she breathed easier and made quick work of cleaning
up.




She never slept in clothes. Since as far back as she remembered she hated
wearing clothes to bed. Her mother teased her about it without mercy when
she while alive. A big naked baby is what she'd call her mostly for running
around the yard stark naked. She felt silly thinking about it as a
teenager. She felt sexy in adulthood when she did so in her bedroom.

After brushing her teeth and her nightly routine she emerged from the
bathroom in her robe. A trip to her little shelf that was lined with her
favorite titles was in order. She settled on one of the Bronte
sisters. She'd get lost in the life of Jane Eyre and the gray world of
Thornfield Hall.

She had just settled in her bed when three knocks filled the usual quiet of
her room. For a moment she sat in stunned silence. No one ever knocked on
her bedroom door. The knocks sounded again. She jumped from bed quickly
wrapping her body in her robe and tying it at the waist.

She opened the door and came face to face with Sereta. Her hair was held up
on her head and she now wore a button down shirt with the same shorts
peeking beneath it. Shapely legs led to feet that fit snugly into leather
slippers.

"Sereta," came her surprised greeting. Sereta didn't respond though, at
least not with words. She stepped closer and closer until she was inside
the room and walked until Karen was pressed up against a wall. With
controlled fingers Sereta unbuttoned her shirt. Karen was sure this was a
dream but she followed each button as they popped past their holes one by
one. On the last she lifted her eyes to Sereta's chest. She wore a bra, not
a sports bra but a satin bra with lace delicately framing the top of
it. The bra held her breasts perfectly.

Karen licked her lips at the sight. Sereta unbuttoned her shorts and
lowered the zipper but left them on and instead stepped into Karen's space
until their breasts pressed together. She gazed into Karen's eyes, her face
still impassive and serious, her mouth tense. And then Karen felt her world
tilt and reached out, grasping Sereta's arms.

Karen watched the intensity shift to something softer. Sereta placed her
palms against Karen's cheek and moved in closer. Her thighs snugly
straddled Karen's. She heard the gasp but lowered her eyes to Karen's lips
anyway. When she leaned in Karen mirrored her movement. She stopped a
breath away and waited. Karen gasped into her mouth, warm, moist air
painted Sereta's lips. Then Sereta felt them pressing into her.

She sighed and allowed Karen to rub her mouth over her skin. To suck on her
lips, bite them, tug them in tentative exploration. Their labored breathing
and mutual need made the space between them feel electrically
charged. Sereta watched Karen's face as she tasted her lips. She promised
herself that she'd look for any clue she could find about pleasuring the
innkeeper. She'd find them and keep them safe inside of her. She'd pull
them out and sex the hell out of Karen Campbell for as long as she'd let
her.

After a few minutes of Karen's exploration she peeked her tongue out,
daring Karen to take it. After a pause she moaned when Karen kissed the
pink tip, then wrapped her lips around it and sucked softly. Sereta's hands
gripped Karen's hips when she boldly pulled Sereta's tongue into her mouth
and began to suck.

Something broke away inside of Sereta at that moment. She grabbed Karen's
thigh and lifted it high on her hips, opening the taller woman up for her
touch. Sereta's thigh pressed into the heat she felt burning at Karen's
sex. She allowed Karen free rein with her mouth as she pushed away the silk
robe, finally groaning in frustration and shoving it down her shoulders.

She pulled her mouth away at what she found pleased by what she saw;
nakedness. Pure, lovely nakedness. "I knew you slept naked." Sereta wasted
no time moving her hands between them. She plunged her fingers between
Karen's thigh, tightening her hold when Karen's legs grew weak.

"Sereta, oh God.. ." Karen searched for Sereta's lips again, humming when
she found them only to have Sereta pull away again.

"You thought I'd leave you alone? You thought that I wouldn't come knocking
on your door tonight?" Karen groaned when deft fingers moved around lazily
between her thighs. She opened heavy eyes to find Sereta's watching her own
fingers as they moved over her folds, gathering more and more evidence of
her arousal. She pulled Sereta closer, loving the sweet smell of her locks,
loving the telltale dampness of a recent wash. Her hands moved through
Sereta's hair until they tumbled down her back.

Sereta locked gazes with Karen and bit her lower lip when two fingers
slipped into her folds. "Mmmmm.. .you're so tight Karen." She smiled when
Karen's eyes fluttered close. She pressed her thumb to a hardened clit and
watched Karen's stomach tense. Hips jerked against her waist when she ran
her thumb up and down the little bundle of nerves.

Warm lips pressed against Karen's throat as deep groans became high
pitched, throaty gasps. "Deeper Sereta.. ."

Sereta licked her way up Karen's neck to her mouth. She wasted no time
following instruction and plunged her fingers even deeper, loving the walls
tightening on her fingers. Loving the scent of Sereta that drifted between
them. "Like that?"

"Yes.. .yes.. ." She panted her pleasure into Sereta's lips. With hands now
gripping her shoulders from behind her hips jerked. "Oh Jesus!"

"Mmmmm.. ."

"Oh God.. ."

"Yesss.. ." Sereta smiled when the sharp gasp cooled her lips. She curved
her fingers and watched enthralled as Karen's body bucked wildly against
her. Her other leg rose to hook a foot around Sereta's calf as Karen's body
strained with it's release. Karen's face crumbled as a warm stream gushed
from her body and covered Sereta's hand.

Sereta continued to slowly move her fingers as Karen trembled against
her. "I have you. I have you now."

She shivered at the warm puffs of air when Karen buried her face in her
neck. Time slowed as their ragged breaths began to quiet. Sereta felt first
Karen's foot slide down to the floor. Her body began to relax but she
didn't release Karen's other thigh and instead rubbed her nose against
Karen's cheek, needing to touch her all over. Her hand moved around Karen's
waist and up her side. She felt the shiver race down Karen's spine. She
allowed the tip of a finger to run around a light brown nipple, watching as
it hardened. She lowered her body to swipe at it with her tongue. Karen
groaned and slid her fingers into her locks. When she stood again she
finally looked at Karen. Really looked at her. Sereta knew that she could
grow old waking up to the look on Karen's face. The thought made her heard
break.

Karen pulled Sereta closer until their foreheads pressed together. "I want
you again."

Sereta moved her hand over Karen's ass and dipped it between her thighs. "I
know".

"How long can I have you?" The question was heavy with meaning.

Sereta knew her answer was just as important as the question. She hugged
Karen close as her hand began to move over her sex from behind. "For as
long as you need me."

End of part 2