Breakfast in Bed

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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