Wrapping Laura in her arms, one of Toni's hands found a plump breast while the other meandered downward. Tweaking and rolling the nipple between her fingertips, Toni smiled into Laura's neck as the woman squirmed in her arms, and as instincts began to take over, a primitive dance began.

Laura molded herself to Toni, grinding her bottom into Toni's pelvis as she felt Toni begin to work the button and zip on her jeans, and when Toni backed away to push the denim down her legs, Laura waited in gasping anticipation.

She thought she knew how accomplished Toni was as a lover, but standing there as she was being stripped of her clothing Laura felt as if her knees were about to buckle. This was new. This was different. This was about control...and Toni wanted all of it.

"I want to take you here," Toni said in a voice, hungry and deep. "Tell me I can take you here."

Hearing Toni's tone, Laura's desire surged. Standing nude in front the makeup table, as she felt the slickness of her excitement begin to coat her thighs, Laura answered in a ragged whisper. "Do it, Toni. Do it."

Behind her, Laura heard the rustle of clothing, and looking over her shoulder, she watched as Toni stripped herself of her shirt and bra. Her eyes locked on Toni's, and Laura's breath caught in her throat as she watched Toni kick the chair out of the way as she returned to her side. With one sweep of her arm, Toni cleared the surface of the makeup table, and the mascara, eye shadows and small mirror fell to the carpet in a muted clatter. Gently pushing Laura to the table, Toni placed her leg between Laura's and spread them wide.

For Laura, the position was new. If it had been anyone else standing behind her, she would have been frightened to be so exposed and submissive, but this wasn't anyone, this was Toni...this was the woman she loved. Their lovemaking had been voracious at times, but never like this, and Laura found herself excited to the point of nearly climaxing right then and there.

"Are you sure?" Toni asked in a breath.

"Yes...oh, God, yes."

It was all Toni needed to hear, and wasting no time she slid her middle finger inside Laura.

Grabbing the edges of the table, Laura held on as Toni pumped in and out of her, greedily accepting every thrust with fervor, and when she begged for more, Toni gave it readily. Probing deep and wiggling her finger, she'd then pull it out and slide it through grooves of pink, slippery softness, following every demand Laura voiced as their love turned feral.

The little table squeaked and groaned under their weight, but neither paid attention as again and again, Toni drove into Laura, and again and again, Laura pushed back in return. Mindless of the want soaking through her khaki trousers, Toni continued to give Laura everything she asked for, and as drops of sweat fell from her brow to Laura's glistening back Toni leaned forward and rubbed her breasts into the wetness.

Laura couldn't believe the feelings raging within her. She had never felt so uninhibited, so bawdy, so wanton. Naked and splayed, she was Toni's to do with what she wanted, and Laura found herself craving the unknown, the unbridled, and the years of practice ahead of them...to make perfect.

Suddenly, Laura felt Toni remove her finger and in a plea, quick and raspy, she said, "No, Toni. More...give me more."

Toni had every intention of giving Laura more. Pulling her off the table, she lowered her to the floor, and as their eyes locked, Toni spread Laura's legs wide.

"Oh...yes..." were the only words Laura could manage before Toni pushed two fingers inside, and relentlessly, she began again.

Raising her knees, Laura surrendered herself to Toni, lifting her hips to take everything Toni was giving. Feeling Toni's thumb against her clit, moving quickly back and forth against the hardened nub, Laura drew in a sharp breath, preparing herself for what was to come.

It happened within seconds, a powerful surge of pleasure that caused Laura's body to tingle and then go rigid. Her muscles tensing at the unstoppable, Laura cried out as her body released, and clamping her legs around Toni's hand, wave after glorious wave forced moans from her lips and want from her body.

Chapter Thirty-Eight.

"Did I scare you?"

"When?"

"Earlier tonight."

"No, of course not."

"Are you sure?"

"Toni, when I'm..." Laura stopped as the waiter approached the table with a small basket of bread. Waiting until he walked away, she pulled two rolls from under the cloth and placed one on each of their plates. "Toni, when I'm with you, the only thing that scares me, and I'm not even sure that's the right word, is the fact that if I had any inhibitions, they disappear when we're together."

"Is that good thing or a bad thing?"

"You tell me."

Returning Laura's smile, Toni said softly, "I love you."

"I love you, too, sweetheart," Laura said, reaching across the table to take her hand. "And if I could, I'd give you the world."

"I don't think I'd want the world."

"No?"

"No, too many sloppy people to pick up after."

Narrowing her eyes in mock annoyance, Laura took a sip of wine, and then looked down at the menu. "See anything you like?"

"Yes, I do."

Laura didn't need to look up to know that Toni didn't have entrees on her mind, and pausing for a second, she lifted her eyes. "I'm talking about what's on the menu."

"Trust me, so am I."

Swallowing hard at Toni's inference, Laura quickly glanced again at the selections. "So, how hungry are you? Did you want to split something?"

"No, I think I'll be able to finish a plate on my own."

Five months of living together had afforded Laura time to get to know her housemate, and even though Toni's idiosyncrasies were many, when it came to her ability to go without food, Laura was now an expert. Slowly looking up, when she saw Toni's head buried in the menu, Laura knew the answer before she asked the question. "You didn't eat anything today, did you?"

With a sigh, Toni put down the menu. "No, not yet, but before you go jumping to any conclusions, I'm not falling back into old habits. When I woke up this morning, my stomach was in knots, and when we got home...well, I was hungry for something else."

Laura smiled, deciding the point could not very easily be argued. "Okay, but promise me something?"

"Anything."

"Don't order the smallest filet on the menu tonight."

"I actually have my eye on the Aberdeen Angus rib eye, if you must know."

Before Laura had a chance to respond, the waiter appeared, and while some of Toni's habits were disappearing, others were still alive and well. Having used up her remaining courage to walk into the crowded restaurant, Toni assumed the posture of an obedient prisoner, and without missing a beat, Laura quickly ordered their meals.

As soon as the waiter disappeared, Toni looked up. "Sorry. I know I should be better at this by now."

"Is that what Abby says?"

"No, she's never put a time limit on anything."

"Then why are you?"

"I just want to be norm-"

The word died in Toni's throat when she saw Laura go rigid, and quickly backpedaling, Toni said, "I just wish I could find the courage to make it through an entire day. I mean, it took me all week to get up enough nerve to face those blokes today, but I managed it. I felt really good about it, but then we get here, and I can't even order my own bloody meal. It's like I take one step in the right direction, and then two in the wrong. It gets downright dizzying sometimes."

"You're being too hard on yourself."

"Ya think?"

"I know," Laura said, reaching across the table to touch Toni's hand. "Sweetheart, six months ago you couldn't leave your flat, but tonight we're sitting in a crowded restaurant, and the only issue you've had was ordering your food. Now stop being so hard on yourself and remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. All right?"

"Your mum told me the same thing when we went up to visit."

"What do you mean?"

"I was wound up about something, and she told me that Rome wasn't built in a day."

"Smart woman, my mum."

"Yeah. I think she takes after her daughter."

Smiling, Laura said, "Speaking of my mum, I was wondering how you'd feel about going Christmas shopping tomorrow. She sent me a list of ideas for the kids, and I'd like to get as much of it out of the way as possible before we leave."

"I thought you were meeting Abby for lunch."

"I am, but that's not until one, so I thought maybe we could hit the stores early, but I'm afraid it's going to be busier than usual, so if you don't want to go, I'll understand."

"No, I'd like to, but as early as we can, if that's okay."

"It's fine, Toni. It's absolutely fine."

Abby walked into the restaurant, and allowing her eyes to get accustomed to the dim lighting, when she saw Laura waving at her from a booth, she took off her coat and went over. After kissing Laura on the cheek, Abby sat down. "I'm a little surprised not to see Toni here."

"I invited her, but she had a rough morning."

"Oh? What's happened?"

"Christmas shopping."

"Oh my," Abby said, slouching in her seat. "The crowds got to her?"

"She was doing okay for a while, but we ended up in a toy store. People were pushing and shoving to get the latest and the greatest, and she couldn't handle it."

"Did she have a panic attack?"

"No, I got her to the car and then home. She was feeling a bit down on herself and decided to take a kip."

"And how are you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Laura, you do know that she may never be able to handle certain things, don't you?"

"Yes, Abby, I'm fully aware of my partner's problems. We've had this conversation before, remember? Please stop doubting my love for her. Okay?"

"I'm not. I know you love her, but it has to be a bit disheartening for you when things like this happen."

"I'm not discouraged, Abby, quite the opposite. This just makes me love her more because even though it's difficult for her, she keeps trying. I don't care if it takes a hundred shopping trips, or a thousand dinners, we have lots of years ahead of us, and I plan to be there for her every step of the way, even if some of those steps are backward."

A waitress appeared, and quickly scanning the menu, they ordered their drinks and lunch. Waiting until the woman walked away from the table, Laura said, "Speaking of steps, I'm thinking about taking one, and I'd like your opinion."

"All right, but are we talking about my professional opinion or my personal one?"

"A little of both, I think."

"Okay, I'm listening."

Pausing for a moment, Laura said quietly, "I'm thinking about...about buying Toni a ring."

"A ring?"

Laura nodded and waited for the penny to drop.

"Are you talking about an engagement ring?" Abby blurted.

"Yes."

Smiling, Abby leaned back. "That's a hell of a Christmas present."

"It's got nothing to do with Christmas. I just love her so much, and I want her to know that I'm in this for the long haul."

"And you don't think she believes you are?"

"Sometimes, I'm not so sure."

"Why?"

"It's like today...we were out buying some gifts and I noticed a couple of things I thought would look good in the house. When I asked her what she thought, she said that whatever I wanted was fine, like she didn't care, but I got the feeling she didn't think she had the right to give her opinion."

"You mean, since it's your house and not hers."

"Yeah."