Pelican's Landing

Chapter Thirty-Six

“I thought you should know I’m falling in love with you.”

The words reverberated over and over in Jordan’s mind. She didn’t know why she was shocked that Annie had uttered them. Throughout this whole…affair of theirs, Annie had not shied away from one single part of it. In fact, she seemed even more confident than Jordan did.

Jordan walked down the steps of the deck and out to the pier. It was wider than the old one and much sturdier. She made her way down to the end and sat on the bench. It was a hot afternoon, the sun blazing down, but the breeze on the bay brought some relief. There were no pelicans out, no gulls. Low tide and the water lapped lazily against the pylons. If not for the breeze, it would be quiet and still, something she would never associate with the constant movement of the bay.

She stared out over the water, absently watching the shimmering ripples as the sun splashed off it. Annie was falling in love with her. She leaned her head against the post and looked skyward. At least Annie recognized it. At least it wouldn’t be a total shock to her when Jordan told her the same thing.

Because as each day passed, each night, she fell a little more…fell a little harder, fell a little deeper. She was falling in love and she could do nothing to stop it. She didn’t want to stop it. It felt too good. But then what?

She was leaving in two weeks. What would happen then? Would they talk on the phone each day? Would she come back a couple of times a month? Would that be enough?

No, she didn’t think so. Their relationship was new, it was still fragile. How could they possibly maintain it…nourish it when they would be living apart?

“I don’t want to leave,” she whispered, the breeze carrying her words away.

No, she didn’t want to leave Annie. Hell, she’d known that when Peter had called and whisked her back to Chicago…and she and Annie weren’t even lovers then. She shook her head. How had this happened? How could her life turn upside down so quickly? She loved her job. She loved her freedom and independence. She even loved Chicago.

Right, she thought dryly. Concrete and steel. Brutally long, cold winters. Yeah, she couldn’t wait to get back to that.

She saw movement out of the corner of her eye and turned, finding Annie walking toward her. She couldn’t stop the smile that touched her face. No matter the turmoil in her mind, Annie’s presence chased it all away.

“You mind company?”

“No. Come sit.”

Annie sat down on the bench beside her and stretched her legs out. “It’s hot.”

“Yeah, a little.” She met her gaze. “You feeling better?”

Annie nodded. “Yeah. Thanks. Remind me to decline any future invitations from my mother.”

“I still say we should have them over with my parents. It might help if she sees how my mother treats you.”

Annie shrugged. “We’ll see. I might pass it by your mom.”

“Oh?”

Annie nodded. “She’s going with me to my doctor’s appointment tomorrow, remember.”

“That’s right. A trip to the mall is in your future.”

Annie leaned closer, letting their shoulders touch. “So…you ready to talk about it?”

Jordan smiled. No, Annie didn’t shy away from anything. She met it all head-on. Jordan took her hand, letting their fingers entwine.

“There’s nothing to talk about, Annie.” Jordan waited until Annie looked at her questioningly. “I’m falling in love with you too,” she said simply.

Annie held her gaze, and Jordan felt as if Annie were reaching inside her very soul to touch her. Annie, very slowly, leaned closer. Their kiss was light, gentle, brief. But it was enough to convey what they both were feeling.

“Let’s go inside,” Annie suggested. “Where it’s cool.” She paused, meeting Jordan’s eyes again. “I want to make love.”

* * *

Annie moved down Jordan’s body, her lips kissing every inch of her. Would she ever tire of loving her this way? She loved the unique smell and taste of Jordan, loved the quiet sounds Jordan made as she nibbled against her skin. Loved the power she had as she made love to Jordan with her mouth.

She spread Jordan’s thighs, inhaling deeply, the musky scent of Jordan’s arousal stirring her own senses, causing her to push Jordan’s legs apart even further. She moaned with pleasure as she found Jordan’s clit with her tongue, her hands trying to hold Jordan still on the bed. It was to no avail as Jordan’s hips rocked against her face and her fingers threaded their way into her hair.

Her mouth covered Jordan’s clit entirely, sucking it hard inside her mouth. Jordan jerked up, her fingers tightening in Annie’s hair.

“God…Annie…so good,” Jordan breathed.

Yes. So good. Annie lost herself in giving pleasure to Jordan. Her eyes closed as she continued to flick her tongue back and forth against Jordan’s clit. Time ceased to exist. She had no idea if mere seconds or minutes had passed when she felt Jordan’s thighs clamp around her face, her hips arching one last time before she cried out. The fingers in her hair clutched her almost painfully as Jordan climaxed. Annie felt Jordan tremble against her mouth and very nearly had her own orgasm. Then Jordan stilled, fingers slipping away, her hands resting limply on the bed. Annie finally pulled her mouth from Jordan, crawling up her body, her lips kissing damp skin, pausing at her breasts.

No, she would never tire of this.

“Have I told you what a quick learner you are?”

Annie smiled as her tongue raked across Jordan’s nipple. “I believe you might have mentioned that once or twice.”

“Come here.”

Annie let Jordan pull her up, into her arms. She snuggled against her, her lips now nibbling aimlessly across Jordan’s neck.

“Have I told you how much I love being with you like this?”

She heard Jordan’s quiet laugh. “I believe you might have mentioned that once or twice.”

Annie raised her head, kissing Jordan on the mouth. “I want to do it again,” she whispered.

But Jordan rolled them over. “No. My turn.”

Annie had no time to protest as Jordan moved down her body. She spread her legs willingly, gasping as Jordan’s tongue snaked through her wetness. Her eyes slipped closed, and time once again ceased to exist as Jordan made love to her.