18 comments/ 27985 views/ 17 favorites More Than Scenery Ch. 01 By: dizzylia Have you ever met one of those people who just bubble with life? You know, the people who are addictive and infectious, drawing you towards them like a moth to the flame. This story is about such a person... No, not me. I'm the moth. Last winter after a particularly nasty fight with my boyfriend at the time, we finally called it quits and went our separate ways. Obviously, he's not the infectious, boisterous person I'm talking about. Hang on, it gets better. He took all his things with him, of course, so I was left with an apartment that suddenly looked half full and felt emptier. Like anyone who's gone through a tough breakup, I didn't deal with things in the best possible manner. My job suffered; my apartment decayed into depressing disorder; even my car was a mess. It was obvious I needed a change. A friend at work suggested I take a trip and finally use up some of my vacation time that would usually lie around all year collecting dust. More than ready for anything far away from my depressing apartment, I thought that sounded like a grand idea. I opened some of the usual travel sites and saw a caption reading, "Escape to the Caribbean." I don't know if any of you have experienced a New England winter, but it isn't pretty. Grey days usually give way to frigid nights, either of which might be broken up by the occasional flurries. And of course, those flurries tend to add an hour to everyone's commutes, and the commutes in turn transform the snow into grey slush to blend in with the grey days. As you can probably imagine, it doesn't take much to want to get away from it all for a while, especially when you add an emotional breakup. "Escape" and "Caribbean". Yes, they were exactly what I needed. In no time at all, I had my vacation time secured, a round trip ticket to New Orleans purchased, and a small cabin reserved on one of the many popular cruise lines. I was never so happy to be on a plane in my life as I was those first moments during take off. I watched the grey and brown dismal ground fade away beneath the airplane, and as everything disappeared into a puff of silvery clouds, I leaned back in my chair, closed my eyes and slept. It was the first decent sleep I'd had in a very long time. * * * The night before boarding, I stayed in a rather upscale hotel at the insistence of my coworker, cashing in on a little timeshare deal she'd worked out. The moment I entered the lobby, I knew she was quite right. There is nothing like pampering oneself to raise the spirits a bit. I quickly dressed for the evening in my room and went back downstairs for dinner. For the first time in ages, it actually felt good to be eating alone. After a lovely meal and an even lovelier glass of wine, I was feeling rather good about myself and daydreaming of the oversized bathtub back in my hotel room. I settled the bill and was starting to gather my things when a laugh caught my attention. Obviously this wasn't just any laugh. It was the sound of delight that turned heads, infectious in its ability to make us smile without knowing why. I looked from table to table in the room's fake intimacy of the low lighting until I spotted a woman at the bar off in the corner. She was leaning back against the polished brass bar, flanked by two men who were quite obviously interested in her, as evidenced by their unsubtle body language. From that distance, I could see the woman's hair was a dark brown that just missed being called black, its long curls tumbling down her back to tease her shoulder blades. She was dressed in a come-hither, strapless dress of red, its material clinging to her body with the sheen of silk and ending just below her knees. Her calves were nothing short of perfection, it seemed, and her red high heeled shoes shaped her feet and ankles in the ways the rest of us try so hard to achieve. I found myself captivated by her gestures, her look, and her voice which I could just hear but was too far away to understand. A moment later she laughed again, and our eyes met. I realized she had caught me watching and felt an immediate flush on my cheeks. I gathered my purse and stood to leave, then risked one last glance towards the woman. When I saw her eyes were still on me, I nearly bolted for the door, managing to retain just enough composure not to attract strange looks from the restaurant's hostess. I quickly crossed the lobby, but just as I reached the elevator, the doors closed in my face, mocking me. I stood there, impatiently pushing the button like a child until I felt a small tap on my shoulder. Jumping slightly, I turned and came face to face with that same woman who had fascinated me only moments before. "I'm sorry," I blubbered clumsily, saying the first thing that came into my head. The foolishness of it made me blush, and I let my eyes fall away from hers. The stranger dipped her head, however, and smiled right into my horror-stricken face. "Am I making you nervous?" she asked with that dazzling smile on her face. Her voice was gentle but danced with amusement. It seemed to light up her entire face, though it might have been my imagination. Her skin was a gorgeous, healthy tan color and looked so soft, with the faintest wrinkles at the outer corners of her eyes. I could do little more than stare into those eyes, which were a stunning shade that seemed both green and blue all at the same time. In my moment of panic or shock, another thought occurred to me. "Your eyes are amazing," I said to her in a tiny voice. By now, I'm sure my face was bright scarlet as my subconscious brain did everything it could to embarrass me in front of this dazzling woman. I stammered an apology again and dropped my gaze, just as the elevator arrived with a chipper ring and the gentle whoosh of the opening doors. Seeking escape, I ducked inside as quickly as I could, but of course, she followed. Perhaps she was as fascinated by my blundering as I was by her beauty. Maybe it was simply amusing. I never asked. We watched each other as the elevator crawled upward gently, she with a direct and inquisitive gaze, and I with furtive bouts of pained curiosity. We were of a similar height, though she was just a little shorter than I was, and I'm barely five and a half feet tall. Of course, in those heels of hers, the difference came to nothing. The mirrored walls of the elevator brought out other differences, though. It suddenly seemed obvious to me that I was trying so hard to look classy in my white satin dress and pumps, whereas she looked so completely at home in her own outfit of red. She was confident; I was cringing. It was a wholly humbling experience, and yet I felt that flutter of excitement in my stomach once more as I studied her with sidelong glances, trying not to appear too obvious. It soon became apparent we were both staying on the same floor. I took a deep breath and tried to smile. "I really am sorry. I'm not usually so...." I frowned and fell quiet, not at all sure what exactly it was I was trying to say, or which feelings I was battling to express. "Taken?" the woman suggested in a cocky drawl with a wildly crooked grin as she leaned back against the handrail. "Fascinated, maybe. Attracted?" I just stared at her for a moment. "I was thinking more along the lines of... rude," I admitted, laughing softly. "Honestly, I hope I didn't intrude, or... interrupt whatever you were doing." She just laughed and shook her head. The elevator announced our floor with another cheerful ding, and we stepped through the doors. We both hesitated for a moment as I watched her uncertainly. Then she smiled again, and my, what a smile. "Honestly, it was the perfect 'out', so I should be thanking you," she explained, sounding so matter-of-fact. Again, I found myself staring, this time thoroughly confused. She continued, "I needed to get away so I could get to bed. My big cruise starts tomorrow. I'd hate to miss it." When she winked at me, the odd flutter in my stomach increased a couple notches. Suddenly, I gave her a ridiculously childlike grin, perhaps caught up by her absolute charisma. "A cruise? Tomorrow? Maybe we'll meet again," said I, "and under less embarrassing conditions." I felt a need to explain myself, even though she didn't seem to need the explanation. "I've just been so tired... and I've needed this vacation so much. And..." I trailed off, however, realizing how silly it all sounded. And again, she gave me that smile. "So I take it we might actually be on the same boat for a week," she said in that lovely contralto voice of hers. Her head tilted just enough to send a cascade of dark curls falling over her shoulder as she interpreted my nonsensical reaction. "A most thrilling prospect. Sleep well, my blushing shipmate." And with a casual wave, she turned on her finely shaped heel and walked off towards her room. * * * I stood there alone for a moment longer, feeling as if I'd been picked up by a whirlwind and dropped in some strange world without the ruby slippers. Collecting my thoughts, I turned in the other direction and began a slow, dazed walk toward my own room. Once inside, I leaned my forehead against the coolness of solid door with my eyes closed for a long time, my mind filled with that smile, and that laugh, and those gorgeous eyes that were neither blue nor green, but a little of each, blending into some strange, silvery shade that made me shiver with a thrill of anticipation. It was that thrill that made my eyes bolt open in another moment of panic. Please understand, this was something of a shock for me. Certainly, I'd noticed beautiful women before, compared notes with my friends, given frank appraisals when asked, but it was nothing like this. This complete stranger completely captivated me in a way that had never happened to me before. Any attractions I'd ever felt towards women in the past had always been written off as random crushes and fascinations that do seem to happen from time to time, but they were nothing like this. I wanted so much to find the woman again, just to see her again, to talk to her again, to try to decipher the soft blend of perfumes coming from her delicate skin. My eyes closed again as I pushed myself away from the door, my palms sweaty against its smooth wood. I slid the deadbolt into place and turned, stepping out of my white pumps. With clumsy fingers, I unzipped the back of my dress and carefully laid it out on the bed, inspecting it with a frugal eye for spots and wrinkles. Satisfied, I put the dress back on its hanger and returned it to my garment bag on my way to the bathroom and the oversized tub I mentioned earlier. The bathroom was as lush and distinctive as the rest of the hotel, which was exactly what I'd been going for on my first trip to New Orleans. It was decked out in creamy marble and white tiling, and the large, clawfoot tub was snuggled into the corner. I quickly turned on both faucets and straightened only once the water had reached a comfortably hot temperature. With a healthy dollop of the complimentary bath bubbles, the room was soon filled with a comforting humidity that was hazed with the soft scents of a rose garden. Turning towards the large full-length mirror beside the tub, I regarded myself for a long moment while breathing in the delightful bouquet. I was still wearing the clinging, white silk slip that just barely covered my hips. I had decided earlier to skip panties, as the lines showed through my dress. I was reminded most startlingly at that moment. Gently, I reached down and touched one finger to the lips just out of sight behind the hem of the undergarment and found them to be wet. No, not wet... that really doesn't do it justice. They were so saturated with my own juices, it was a surprise there was no tell-tale glistening on the insides of my thighs. Of course, going by the feel of things, that wasn't far off, and watching myself do this was quickly escalating the experience. For a moment, I stood frozen as if unsure what to do next. This was obviously a rather silly thing to do, but this was not a normal situation. I gave my reflection a sudden, wicked smile and lifted that finger to my lips and licked. The fact I'd never been brave enough to try that before still amuses me to this day. It wasn't so much the taste I enjoyed but the feeling, the silky liquid with the familiar scent, just tangy enough to make me shiver. Forgetting my earlier anxiety, I laughed and winked at my reflection. Yes, I was finally over my embarrassment for the moment. With a silly giggle, I lifted the slip over my head and dropped it to the floor, then ran my hands down my sides and turned away from the mirror. I would not say I am unattractive, but I can't say I'm a showstopper. I keep myself in good condition as I quickly near thirty, and I don't think I've ever left my "normal" weight range. In general, I look like a former athlete who isn't quite as active as she used to be but does what she can. My hair is an ashy blonde that lightens easily under the summer sun. Its gentle waves just touch the tops of my shoulders. My eyes are rather almond shaped and a deep blue with just a hint of evergreen around the edges. The rest of my features are far from perfect, with a nose that sometimes seems a little too large, skin that could be a little less flawed. Perhaps I'm being more critical of myself than others would, but this is what I see everyday. What I don't usually see are my body's curves, my breasts that haven't quite lost their youthful perkiness, especially when tipped by slightly hardened nipples of dark rose. Perhaps I could say I am a handful. A handful here, a handful there. And just to test that, I took a handful of each breast and kneaded them softly, bring a flushed tone to the pale skin. Laughing softly once more, I gave my nipples a playful tweak and shook my head before stepping into the bathtub. The water was delightfully warm and made me shiver slightly with a shock of pleasure. Slowly sinking into its rose-scented depths, I turned off the faucets and eased back until I was reclining most comfortably, letting the hot water and sudden silence ease away any lingering stress in my tired muscles. I'm not sure how long I lay there, enjoying the sensations and the hazy, shapeless thoughts in my head. After a time, however, I found myself squirming slightly as if trying to make myself more comfortable. Of course, that wasn't quite it. With my eyes closed and a lazy smile on my face, I finally gave in and reached through the soapy water to touch myself again, my fingertip just grazing the little nub nestled below the dark patch of curly hair. My mouth opened to emit a whispered sound as I sank another inch into the water. Pushing farther, my finger parted my lips, still tingling with unfulfilled desire, then swelling amplified by the warm water. With a snug little slip, my finger entered. I moaned out loud, so filled with sexual need that even this gentle caress made my heart race. Sparing no time, I pressed my fingers inside myself while my other hand massaged the hardened bud of my clitoris. In little time, my body shivered as my back arched, my breasts just peeking out of the soapy water, the bubbles clinging to my skin. I cried out with simple pleasure as my body shook with the tremors of that desired climax. Slowly, I let myself back down into the water, riding out the waves of contented bliss with gentle, welcome trembles. Limply, I lay there in the water with a lazy smile, too delighted to care if anyone had heard my cries. Only the fear of falling asleep in that deep bathtub roused me from my thoughts. With a happy little sigh, I let the water drain and slowly got to my feet, staggering slightly from the loss of buoyancy and the weak aftereffects of my orgasm. It was all I could do to towel myself dry and stumble tiredly to my bed. Enveloped finally in the downy soft sheets, I quickly fell asleep. Only then was I allowed to fully revisit my encounter with the beautiful stranger, who now haunted my dreams in a most pleasant fashion. * * * Morning dawned quickly, as the golden sun peeked through scattered, hazy clouds. I could faintly smell wet pavement through my open window, along with the scent of old wine that sometimes permeated the streets of New Orleans. With a growing breeze and sunshine, however, the aroma soon dissipated. It was invigorating being in this new place, surrounded by the new smells, the nearly muggy feeling to the air that wasn't quite uncomfortable, the fact I could wake up in December without fearing for my extremities. When all this was combined with last night's pleasures, I was in a most chipper mood when I took my morning shower and prepared to leave. With my bags on both shoulders, I quietly closed the door and gave a furtive glance down both ends of the hallway. No one was in sight, both to my relief and disappointment. The only other occupant in the mirrored elevator was an older mustached man who could have walked out of a Mob movie. We exchanged polite nods, but nothing else. The lobby was likewise deserted. To my New England way of thinking, this was most bizarre. Why were people not awake and getting on with the day? It was nearly 8:00 after all. The hours were just flying by. I suppose we don't leave everything behind when we take our escapist vacations. In no time at all, I checked out of my hotel and packed myself into a taxi cab that smelled vaguely of garlic and rosemary. The driver had a strong accent I couldn't place, but he had no trouble taking me down to the area where I'd be boarding. He also very helpfully pointed out a cafe that served delicious breads and coffee. I obviously wasn't his first ship-bound tourist. Walking down the quay, I could already see the ship. For lack of a better word, it was massive, and I was rather impressed in spite of myself. In a random moment, I had this odd vision of being one of maybe a dozen people, all on that same boat, and never running into one another. Silly, certainly, but that was my first impression. Seeing as I had a good hour or so before my boarding time, I visited the cafe mentioned earlier. The girl at the counter could have been the cab driver's sister, considering the only differences between them was that she had hair, and he hadn't. I gave her an amused smile, ordered some coffee and a pastry, then sat outside the cafe to wait. The rain from the night before had left an overly damp humidity in the city, which was more pronounced this close to the ocean. Shallow puddles still dotted the pavement in places, giving the long quay a just-scrubbed sort of feeling. The clouds were slowly scattering, however, leaving behind a clear blue sky that resembled those in the picture-perfect postcards sold next door. For quite a while, I did little more than watch the people farther down the harbor who were already boarding the cruise ship while I nibbled on my pastry and sipped my coffee. By the time I was done, I had my things gathered, my papers and ID out where they needed to be, and I still had a good half hour left to kill. Waiting is not something I do very well, so I grabbed my bags and decided I may as well spend the time down where I'm supposed to be. As soon as I started down the dock, I saw her again. I couldn't see her face, but she was holding herself just so. She was again dressed in red, though today it was a gorgeous, flowery, sleeveless sundress with a big, floppy hat to match. I could just make out the dark curls of her hair waving softly in the breeze off the water. As before, she was chatting with a small group of men who were decked out in the more masculine versions of a sundress. Their shorts were less flashy and their shirts were less clingy, but it was cruise-wear all the same. Staying out of the mystery woman's line of site, I chose a barstool at an empty outdoor table next to one of the shops that weren't open just yet. Listening without appearing to do so, I eavesdropped on the small group's conversation with shy interest. It proved to be both boring and unenlightening, however. Two of the three men were brokers from Philadelphia, one was a used car salesman from Baton Rouge. I had apparently missed her own divulgements, which were the only ones I was interested in. More Than Scenery Ch. 01 At some point, one of the men must have glanced in my direction, which caused the others to turn towards me. To my possible credit, I don't think I blushed this time. Still, to have her eyes on me again was a tiny thrill. I gave the group a polite smile and nod as you often do with strangers. The woman laughed softly and quickly stood from her table to claim the other barstool at mine. Her chair was a bit unsteady, but once she had it under control, she gave me a huge smile and leaned delicately on the table, which still had spots of water from the night before. "Well now, my mystery hotel guest," the woman said in a grandiose manner, "I guess we're going to be shipmates after all. Extraordinary, wouldn't you say?" She winked at me, and I found myself smiling like a child who's just been told she'd made the basketball team. "Quite extraordinary," I replied, my voice managing to stay steady, even confident. Acting purely on instinct, I took advantage of the situation and stuck my hand out over the table, stating, "Seeing as we're going to be shipmates and all, my name is Elisabeth." To my delight, she took my hand and shook it gently, laughing as she did so. She held onto my hand a moment longer as she replied in kind, "I'm Clare." Our eyes locked for a moment before she broke the contact and grinned at the guys who now surrounded our table. "See, boys?" Clare told them, her teasing quite obvious in her tone of voice, "in two seconds she found out who I am, which is something you couldn't do in the last half hour. Live and learn." I just sat there with a small grin on my face, giving the Hawaiian-shirted men a sheepish look. Just then, a bell sounded and the men made their departing remarks and stepped away to gather their things before boarding. To my delight, Clare kept to her seat. After the men had moved out of earshot on their way to the gangplank, she turned to me and smiled. "Elisabeth, was it?" she asked as her head tilted in that way I remembered all too well from the night before. I nodded quickly. "Not at all suitable for a cruise. I'll have to call you Lis, I think." She leaned back in her chair, steadying the rocking with a hand on the table. "Are you boarding at 9:30 as well?" I asked her in a quiet, curious voice. She nodded, smiling that dazzling smile. Now that I could see her up close once more and in the midmorning sunlight, I could see she was a little older than I was. Not by much, but early to mid thirties, give or take. I felt foolish just sitting there silently, unable to take my eyes off Clare for long. Grasping blindly for something to say to her, I asked if she had been on a cruise before. She laughed again and nodded to me. "Oh, several," was her amused answer. "They're rather addictive, you see. Once you've been on one, it's rather hard imagining other ways to spend your vacation." I smiled and shook my head slightly. "I have a hard time believing that," I told her with a soft laugh. "I always preferred variety." This brought another delighted laugh from her, and she turned her barstool to face me, leaning her elbows on the edge of the table. She lowered her head slightly in a conspirational manner. "Maybe I'll have to be sure you get plenty of that variety while you're on the ship," she told me in a husky, flirtatious voice before cocking an eyebrow at me. I know I went beet red, because she just broke out into laughter yet again, then began to slide from the barstool. "Come on, my conservative, virgin cruise-goer. Let's see if they'll let us on the big boat yet." Despite my embarrassment just a moment before, I could do little more than follow this captivating, gregarious woman. I found myself walking down the dock with her without really knowing what I was doing any longer, like a leaf caught up by an autumn breeze and carried on the wind's currents without knowing where it will end up. And like the leaf, I didn't much care right at that moment. Once we had both checked our luggage and been approved for boarding, I followed Clare across the narrow walkway to the main deck of the ship. I must admit, my attention right at that moment was a pretty even split between the woman and the cruise liner. I mostly paid enough attention to keep myself from falling flat on my face. I am happy to report I succeeded in that endeavor. Once we were finally aboard, I gave Clare a light grin. "I seem to have this bad habit of drawing you away from flirting men," I said, joking softly. She just shook her head, looking highly amused. "Whether or not it's a bad habit has yet to be seen," she replied with a steady smile. She then started walking along the deck towards the bow of the ship, where there was a rather nice view of the harbor. "I try to stay away from them, to be honest," Clare continued after a moment, "but they manage to find me. Don't get too attached, shipmate Lis," she then advised, grinning over her shoulder at me. "A good number of them have wedding bands waiting in their desk drawers at work when they get home." I laughed in reply, though I could well believe it. "And the women don't do the same?" I asked her in a lazy drawl, which sent her laughing again. God, how I loved that laugh. She replied with a simple shrug, stating, "I don't," as we continued to weave through the others on board. We arrived at the bow along with dozens of other people, but we managed to get a couple spots near the railing. I leaned against it and just stared out across the harbor for a long moment, just taking it all in. It was finally sinking in that I was going to be on a ship in the middle of the Caribbean for a week. It had been years since I'd felt so happy and carefree, and it must have shown somewhat by my expression. When I turned back to Clare, I saw her watching me. For a wonder, I didn't blush this time. "Let me guess," Clare said quietly, turning to lean back against the railing. "New England going by your accent, maybe New York. And recently divorced." I laughed in reply and pushed away from the railing a little bit so I could turn towards her. "Close enough," I told her with a wink before continuing. "In fact, close enough to wonder if a small drink at ten in the morning is too early to be proper." Clare just shook her head with a grin and beckoned for me to follow. Which of course I did, Like a puppy with a new friend. She had obviously been on this particular cruise liner before, because she knew exactly where she was going. We made our way to the upper decks, passed through the ornate dining room and emerged into the sunlight again where only a handful of people had gathered thus far. With a swipe of our little ID cards, we each had a nice fruity drink to help commence the vacation. We picked out a couple of deck chairs and enjoyed quite a few minutes of sitting, sipping and people-watching. From that vantage point we could just barely see the boarding area below and the edge of the harbor farther out that fed into the Caribbean. I don't know about Clare's drink, but my own was a bit on the heavy side. Apparently this wasn't all that uncommon, and I certainly didn't mind. We still had a few hours before the ship even left port, it was a gorgeous day, and I had gorgeous company. Who on earth would mind that? After watching various couples pass us and choose their own spots on the deck, Clare turned sideways in her chair and set her drink on the small round table between both deckchairs. "So which part was I wrong about?" she asked me in a curious tone as she gave me a rather crooked smile. I turned to her with mild surprise, casting around for whatever it was she could be talking about. "Oh! Oh... well, both actually," I told her, laughing. "I'm not from New York, but that was close. And I'm not recently divorced, but I recently broke up with my boyfriend of three years, so that's also close in its own way." I returned her crooked smile with one of my own and shrugged slightly. After another sip, I asked, "And what about you? What are you escaping back home to go on a week-long cruise?" She just studied me for a moment as her smile leveled out into a more subdued grin. She then shrugged as well. "A bit of the same, perhaps. The beginning of winter can be dreadful. And breakups are never enjoyable." I just nodded in reply, feeling she hadn't answered anything, and that it wasn't exactly something she wanted to discuss. I settled back on my chair once more and looked out to sea, or what I could glimpse of it. "Well, personally," I said trying to sound cheerful, "I'm looking forward to a week where I don't have to give a damn about what used to be so I can enjoy what is. Living in the moment and all that. I've never been in the Caribbean, and I mean to enjoy it." I shot her a quick grin, then finished my drink before sitting up. "Anyway... I think I'm going to attempt to find my room so I can drop off my purse before departure. I don't think that's something I want to miss." I gave Clare another childish smile and got to my feet. She quickly did the same. "I could come with," she said to me rather briskly. "You know, so you don't get lost." I had a feeling she was teasing and joined in a quick laugh. With a nod of my head, we both started back down into the ship, weaving along the growing crowd until we eventually found my room. It's probably a good thing she was there, seeing as I would have taken a dozen wrong turns on the way. Of course, if I hadn't been so distracted with my casual traveling companion, this might not have been an issue. When I got to my door, I quickly unlocked it and stepped inside, for the moment absorbed with the room itself. It looked exactly like the room in the online advertisement, with all the little things that made it feel a little more like a temporary home than a one-week hotel room. I heard Clare close the door as I slowly crossed the room towards the bed. Setting my purse on the nightstand, I turned to say something to Clare and came unexpectedly face-to-face with her. She stood mere inches away from me, smiling in a most fiendish manner. I only had a moment to gather my shock. I could smell her hair, softly scented by something faintly herbal, almost minty. I could feel the warmth coming from her body and could do little more than stand there, completely unsure of myself, paralyzed. Her smile slowly grew before she whispered, her voice edged by a faint, husky sound. "I couldn't stop thinking about you last night." I felt her hand brush my arm, her fingernails scraping ever so gently across the skin before her hand grasped mine. The skin prickled gently where she had touched me, and I felt my pulse begin to race. Feeling there was something I should say, I nodded weakly and tried to reply, but my voice caught. I suddenly wanted to tell her the same: that I had fantasized about her, dreamt of her, wanted her touch me, wanted to touch her. Perhaps it was evident without my halting, half-formed words. She stepped even closer. I could feel her thigh touch mine. She licked her lips once, then leaned in. My eyes closed when her lips touched mine. I was thrilled at the incredibly soft sensation of that tender kiss, a sensation a man can just never quite match. Of its own accord, my hand came to her waist and wrapped around her back to pull her closer; I wanted her to be so much closer. My other hand tangled softly in her hair, inadvertently knocking her hat to the floor, unnoticed by either of us. When I felt her hand press between us to skim across my inner thigh, I gasped lightly and took a half-step back, my calves hitting the bed. With my hand still around her waist, she stepped with me and pushed me gently to the bed. The touch of her mouth at my neck made my back arch with the sudden thrills coursing down my body. "Clare," I whispered, my voice throaty, heavy with need. I surprised myself with the intensity of the plea, for plea it was. I felt her nimble fingers unbuttoning my blouse, and after only seconds, her scorching mouth surrounded my nipple, her tongue driving it to hardened desire. My fingers dug into her back, but she did not slow down. Distracted by her teasing tongue, I moaned quietly when her fingernails grazed the tender flesh of my inner thigh. Her fingers made a slow, tantalizing path under my shorts to flit along the hem of my panties. Between one breath and the next, I felt her fingers slip beneath the silk fabric to graze my hidden lips, moist with desire and swelling with need. My hands went to the bed as I took in handfuls of the bedding, my back arching again at her soft, maddening touch. I honestly do not quite remember what she said, but her voice in husky, teasing tones drove me to a quickly increasing sense of sexual longing. Her finger slipped between my lips, and I would have cried out if her mouth had not at that moment closed over mine. I moaned against her lips as she kissed me deeply, her tongue prodding experimentally while her finger explored my depths. My hips bucked against her hand, wanting more, wanting so much more. She readily obliged, and the more her finger filled me, the more I was driven ever closer to that breaking point, my breaths coming in ragged gasps, my pulse racing, my body stiff and hot against hers. With a shattering feeling, I felt my body give in, carried over the climatic brink as my hands grasped for her, hugging her, holding her close as if she were the life vest to carry me through those unbelievable waves. In time, my breathing slowed, and my eyes opened to find her watching me with the most dazzling smile I had yet seen. I tried to return it, but I could not seem to rid myself of the quivering feeling she had so quickly produced inside me. "Now that," she drawled, her voice barely audible, "was the best orgasm I have ever seen in my life." I laughed weakly in return and touched my softly shaking hand to her cheek. I closed my eyes once more and felt her move and lie down beside me. I turned to face her with my knees drawn up slightly, still recovering from the pleasurable waves that were slowly fading. "I've never done that before," came my tiny, breathless voice as I opened my eyes again to stare at this most mysterious woman. "What. Come?" she asked, causing us both to laugh softly. "Don't worry about it. It hasn't changed who you are, right? And weren't you the one who proclaimed you liked variety?" Clare drawled with another crooked smile. I nodded slightly and smiled. "Look," she continued after a moment, "if you don't want to play, that's fine. I'll understand. I didn't exactly ask first. But damn, girl, you needed an orgasm like a plant needs water." I drew myself up to lean on one elbow and shook my head slightly. "No, I think I'm fine. I enjoyed it. It's just... very new." I suddenly laughed. "And that was so much better than the dreams I had of you last night. Or the fantasy I had while taking my bath. Or my shower this morning...." I trailed off and gave her a wink, then collapsed to my back so I could let my trembling fingers work at buttoning my shirt. A soft horn interrupted the moment and brought an excited grin from the woman beside me. "We'd better hurry if we want to get a good spot to watch the ship leave port," Clare said as she bounced off the bed. My own movement was a little less bouncy but just as excited. "I just need to grab some clean panties," I told her breathlessly. Her wicked grin was all I needed before realizing my luggage was nowhere to be seen. "You're kidding, right?" she asked, her eyes twinkling softly. "You'll be lucky if it arrives by dinner tonight. I guess you'll just have to, uh... stick to those." The look she gave me then was enough to make me shiver once more. I just shook my head with a soft grin and finished with my buttons. I stepped towards her and rested my hands on her shoulders a moment before leaning in to give her a gentle, lingering kiss. "Let's see what else the Caribbean has for us today," I whispered in her ear before giving her a quick wink and leading the way out the door. * * * My legs felt shaky as we walked down the corridor, the movement of the vast ship only faintly noticed, and only if you were waiting for it. My companion sailed on ahead of me without a care in the world, offering me an excellent view of someone who seemed so totally sure of herself. We entered the dining room and were asked for our names, then told our table assignments. Clare just looked at the man and smiled, and he quickly returned the expression. "Of course," he said very quickly, a little too quickly, "we can always rearrange the seating." Of course they can, I thought to myself, stealing a glance at Clare for a moment. We were led to a table a little off to the side where we had an excellent view of the stage but weren't in the way of the majority of traffic. We started with wine; she had white, I hade red. The food was excellent, and the night's entertainment was a Caribbean band out of Jamaica, playing their local music with much skill and enjoyment, lending an attitude of carefree pleasure to the dining audience. After half an hour of polite chatter with our tablemates, I began to notice Clare's hand resting on my thigh under the table. It was a delicate touch, so light I never would have noticed if not for her fingers which slowly caressed my inner thigh while she went on with the current discussion. By the time our entrees arrived, I was squirming ever so slightly and wishing I'd removed my panties before leaving my room. There were a few moments when I was afraid I would leave a damp spot where I'd been sitting. Luckily, our tablemates quickly finished their meal and departed, talking about catching the breeze above deck, leaving the two of us to enjoy the rest of the evening dinner together. Clare pulled her chair just a little closer to mine as we took our time with dessert. The Jamaican band was slowly winding down with some quieter songs while the next band waited to take the stage. Some of the staff had already begun moving tables and chairs from the central part of the floor to make way for dancing. Feeling incredibly shy despite our earlier intimacy, I did little more than steal glances at Clare throughout the meal. Sometimes I would press my knee against hers or brush my fingers against those still caressing my thigh. We were nearly done with the meal when the bands started to switch over, and Clare leaned in close while the hand at my thigh dipped down between my legs. "When we get back to your room," she whispered in my ear, pressing her hand close enough to tease my clit with the tip of her fingers, "I'm going to really take my time to see how often I can make you come." I knew I was blushing, but there was no one looking our way. I turned my face towards hers and came very close to brushing her lips with mine before she pulled away. My pulse was racing and my body was quickly heating with excitement and anticipation. I continued to stare at her while the next band began their first number. They were decidedly worse than the first band, and the few people who stuck around to dance were either so far into their cups that they didn't care how good the band was, or they were staying specifically to dance and also didn't care how good the band was. All in all, it was an amusing mix, but neither Clare nor myself seemed interested. Finally, I gave Clare a slow smile, trying desperately to overcome my shyness. "Perhaps we could wait in my room until the decks are less crowded," I suggested very quietly. Clare gave me one of her magnificent smiles and began to stand. I quickly followed, giving my chair a quick look to make sure there was no telltale puddle left behind. Luckily, I was safe. For the moment. * * * Sometimes you just make a connection with another human being, and that seemed to be what had happened between Clare and myself. If it were true, I'd say we made love again at that point. Something kinky on the floor, perhaps, or obnoxiously noisy on the bed. To be honest, though, we spent the next hour or so just holding each other, dozing on top of the covers. It was so relaxing and comfortable. After a while, I was nearly convinced it was no longer the ship I felt rocking so imperceptibly beneath me; surely it must be the gentle sway of Clare's breathing while her heart beat in slow rhythm at my ear, my cheek pressed to her chest while she held me in her sleep. More Than Scenery Ch. 01 I know fell asleep at some point, because I awoke some time later to the sensation of Clare's cool fingers caressing my forehead, brushing so very lightly through my hair. The room was almost completely dark. The only light left filtered in through the solitary window, which showed a deep, dark night sky. It gave me a start, and I sat up so quickly that even the little I could see went dark as the blood rushed to my head. "What time is it?" I asked, sounding breathless as panic gripped my chest, though for the life of me, I couldn't imagine why I was so worried. Clare chuckled softly and drew me towards her. "Just past ten o'clock, I'm guessing," she answered in a quiet tone, her voice mildly husky. I had just started to lean against her but sat up again, crying, "Ten? But I'm missing everything!" The other woman nearly shrieked with laughter and pulled my indignant self against her for a brief hug before she slid from the bed. "Oh, my dear shipmate, Lis. You're only missing the obnoxious part, please trust me." She held her hand out towards me and smiled that dazzling, knowing smile of hers. Awakening butterflies practiced their aerobatics in my stomach as I got to my feet and took her hand. She held it lightly for a moment, then drew me towards her, guiding us both into a silent, slow dance before she leaned in and rested her cheek against mine. I wish I could have seen her face just then. Perhaps imagination will be enough. For a heart-stopping moment she just held me. Her soft breasts felt comfortable and warm against mine, and I could feel my heart thudding nervously in my chest. Then it slowed as Clare's calming influence took effect. It was then that I could hear the noise on the other side of the window. It was raucous and ridiculous, just as obnoxious as Clare said it would be. Feeling foolish, I pulled my cheek away from hers and leaned back long enough to look into her eyes. She was amused, but she was not laughing at me, and I appreciated that so much. I leaned in slowly and kissed her once as my arms tightened around her shoulders. "How did I luck out to find such an amazing guide on this big boat of people lost at sea?" I asked with a soft laugh. Clare's hands lifted to my shoulders and squeezed reassuringly. She kissed my cheek then stepped away. "They're not /all/ lost," she promised with a wink before she moved out of the feeble light coming from the cabin's window. I watched her for a moment, then glanced towards the circle of light. The passing crowd was out of earshot by now, but I could hear the liner cutting through the water. Quite suddenly, I craved to be out there, to smell the salty sea and perhaps feel its moisture on my face. "Would you like to get a drink?" I asked, turning to find my sandals. I was surprised, and yet not, to find Clare standing next to me once more, holding them out to me. I laughed and slipped them on my feet. "I just want to go out there and watch the moon and the water." It felt silly when I said it, but that did not make it less true. Clare nodded in understanding. "There's nothing quite like the ocean," she commented, her voice deep and throaty, tempting. "It moves your soul. Erodes the sharp edges." At the time, I still was not sure what she meant, but the temptress was all too good. We slipped out into the corridor. * * * We sat in plastic chairs at the bow of the ship. The sky was dark and dotted with millions of stars. It felt like we were standing still, and yet the crisp wind whisked over the railing and swirled gently through our hair. The scent on the breeze reminded me oddly of lobster, which made me laugh at first. The Caribbean was so different from the frigid New England coastline. It was inviting and alive. I really could almost feel it tugging at my very soul, though to what purpose, I was not quite sure. I stood, moved to the railing and watched the water disappear beneath the ship, a white spray sometimes sending a fine mist into the air. I could feel Clare's eyes on my back, but for a moment, I was entirely unsure as to what might come next. Warring emotions toyed with me, whipping me about the way the wind whipped through my hair, tangling it. I felt her touch my arms, and the wind subsided. I closed my eyes. Clare leaned against my back. Her hips pinned mine to the railing, making my heart skip a beat. She slowly drew her hands down my arms, and I could feel her warm breath against my neck. I loved this. I loved being on that ship, surrounded by strangers. It gave me freedom. Freedom to stand against a railing, pinned by a beautiful woman I had only just met. I leaned my head back against her shoulder and smiled up at the stars as her lips grazed my neck. I opened my eyes and watched the points of light shimmer in the humid air. Clare's arms wrapped around my shoulders gently and held me close. "This doesn't usually happen," she whispered to me." I turned in her arms and frowned slightly, confused. "I usually take these trips and flirt with the waiters, drink their wine, eat their meals, write my reports for whichever magazine sent me off this time. But I don't get close," she continued, sensing the question in my look. If anything, my confusion grew. "This doesn't usually happen for me either," I told her softly, uncertain. Her arms tightened once more, and she stepped in close, leaned her forehead against mine. I could smell her faint perfume. "I don't want it to stop," she said in a breath before she bent her head and pressed her lips to mine. My hands found her hips and pulled them against mine as I pressed into the kiss, my eyes closing tightly. It felt so right. I felt my world rocking gently on the sea, driven by the endless waves. Her need was strong. I could feel it in her arms, her tensed body, her heated kisses, and I wanted all of it. She took my hand suddenly and turned, quickly heading back towards the corridor. I didn't need to ask where we were going. I could feel her heartbeat in the fevered hand clutching mine. I could feel my own pace quickening, throbbing, desiring. * * * She barely took time for breath as she closed the door to her cabin and latched it securely. She was on me, her hands pulling at my clothes as she guided me to the bed. By the time I felt it against my legs, she had stripped me bare, my skin like fire. I pulled at her hands and she knelt over me, her lips so soft against my skin, her tongue flicking against my stiff nipples. I groaned quietly and pushed her to the side so I could lift the straps of her dress and slide the silky sheath down her body, my kisses trailing down her creamy skin. I felt her hands at my hips, but I wasn't ready yet. I took them and pinned them to the bed as I straddled her legs and bent down, taking her nipple into my mouth. The sensation was almost too much. I knew I had to slow down soon, but I just couldn't yet. Her moans spurred me on as our fingers entwined. I wanted to touch her, explore her, but if I let go, she would take over. Carefully, I shifted my weight until I could press my knee between hers, gentle but invading. She parted her legs with a fevered sigh and I knelt between them. Bending down to her, I pressed my nose into the damp, salty tangle of curls. It was heavenly. It was surprising and enticing and all too arousing. I had to force back my own desire as I pressed against her and let my tongue reach out slowly, unsure. The tip made contact with that little bud, but it was too much. I had lost my leverage. She pulled her hands free and pushed me away, taking advantage of my surprise. I saw her smile as her hands took my shoulders and pulled me against her. We kissed deeply. I could still taste the wine on her lips, and her juices on mine. She pushed me to the bed and lay on top of me. Her hand clutched my hair of my head as she kissed me deeply, and I felt her fingers part the moist hair between my thighs. Then her finger slid against my clitoris and beyond. I cried out, hands gripping the sheets. She stifled my cries with her lips and drove onward, never slowing that pace until my world pulsed and splintered; it shattered against her like waves breaking over a stony cliff. * * * Dawn broke through the scattered clouds, accompanied by the obnoxious blast of the cruise liner's horn. I was tired, but pleasantly so. The air was still just a little cool, and I rolled over to cuddle under the sheets a little more, reaching for Clare. Her skin prickled slightly in the breeze, and she gave me a crooked, knowing smile that both promised and concealed. "Do they have to wake us up with that awful noise?" I said, followed by a yawn I muffled with my pillow. Clare laughed, reached over to tangle her fingers in my hair and drew close, kissing me gently. "They're sailing into port. I'll have to go into town," she told me, "and try the wares. But it's more fun with company." As if I would stay on this ship by myself. "What will we do?" I asked, reluctantly pushing myself away from the bed. I stretched slowly, arms reaching out to either side. Clare crawled to my side of the bed, grabbed my hips and drew me in. She kissed me so deeply I had to wrap my arms around her shoulders just to keep my feet. "You'll see," she murmured, her voice a purr. The day felt warmer already. More Than Scenery Ch. 02 Author's note: It has taken me over nine years to return to this story, though it's been on my mind so many times. First-person perspective is always such a departure for me that it leaves me feeling a little lost. Here's hoping I've found my way back without losing too much of the story. It's a little sappy, but it's honest sap. For those of you who need forewarning, there is toy usage toward the end of this chapter and the mildest of rougher play, so if that's not your thing, you might want to browse for other stories. ***** The need for clothing and the limitations of time required that I leave Clare alone in her cabin while I returned to my own. My clothing clung to me, shirt still clammy from yesterday's heat, panties and shorts almost too damp to wear again. Not wishing to hold up my amazing new traveling companion, I hurried through my shower and quickly dressed. Rather than go for shorts again, I chose one of my sundresses, not entirely without ulterior motives. After all, they offer so much more access, among other things. Especially when I skipped the underthings. I met up again with Clare near the gangplank. She was wearing a clinging dress of sky blue, and the large, floppy hat from the day before. It seemed hard to believe so little time had passed since yesterday morning. She waved to me as I watched her eyes travel my body from tip to toe, causing the tiniest stirring of butterflies in my stomach. Then she patted the small canvas bag at her hip. "I've got everything I need. Ready for a day in town?" I laughed, nodded, and gestured with my camera bag, fighting a sheepish feeling at the back of my mind as I played the tourist. I felt so small next to Clare. So inexperienced. The greenest of green travelers. "I'm all set," is all I said, however. Hey, if I was green, I may as well find myself a tour guide, right? "I don't suppose coffee is somewhere on that list of assignments," I told her, trying one of the puppy-dog looks I'd seen just moments before on the face of a small child. Clare laughed and merely reached for my hand, unapologetically twining her fingers through mine before turning to lead me away. We trailed down the gangplank with the meagre crowd of shipmates, and I got my first good look at the island. You could do a lot worse than the Bahamas, that's for sure. It was beautiful, alive with the sounds of voices, of the constant surf, of the engines of small cars as they puttered down the streets. Of... tourists. My disappointment was gradual, but it must have shown on my face. Clare tightened her hand and led me off the main road. Within a minute, the bustling noises faded, and the few people who shared the narrow road with us were also on foot and had the look of natives. Just another workday for them. After studying a few dusty street signs along the way, Clare seemed to find what she was looking for and turned left. A block farther brought us to a small, open-air bistro on the corner, bordered by a bakery on the side nearest us. The smell of baking bread mixed with freshly ground coffee brought a ready smile to my face as we walked into the bistro. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Clare write something in a small wire-bound notebook, but she quickly put it back in her bag as an older man approached us. "We are so busy today! But I will do my best to serve you," he told us in a drawling accent that sounded almost French. Clare laughed. As I looked around at the rest of the bistro, I could guess why. Aside from us, there were only two other people enjoying their morning coffee at a sidewalk table. "We won't take much of your time," Clare assured him, sounding amused. She winked at me before walking toward a table along the other street. The first couple ignored us. Retired, I thought. Flew south for the winter, stayed forever. Not that I could have blamed them. We ordered our coffee and pastries and settled in to enjoy a leisurely breakfast. It was quiet here. Peaceful. Clare bent over her notebook while I studied the street beside us, the narrow buildings lining it, the little brown birds that waited near our table, hoping for crumbs. "This is amazing," I commented once my coffee was all but gone. Clare looked up, glanced down the street with a distracted look and nodded slightly. "It is now, at least," she replied. I frowned, noting sarcasm in her voice. It wasn't obvious, but it was there. She shrugged, smiled, put away her notes. "Around noon, the tourists start to wake up again and flood the streets. By sunset, the snowbirds are in bed, and the revellers are out in full. Sir," she added as the server from earlier reappeared, "you open too early for this sleepy town." It was his turn to laugh as he answered her with a shallow bow. "They miss the mornings. I miss their money. So it goes. Thank the Maker for weddings, or we would surely starve." His sincerity made me frown slightly, but as I glanced through the door back into the bistro, I could see the cake being prepared back in the kitchen. "Oh, that looks amazing," I murmured, fingers reaching for a pastry that had already been reduced to crumbs. He seemed delighted and promised that, should I return, he would gladly share whatever was left. After that, I kept quiet as he and Clare chatted. I was impressed with how she managed to get information out of him without being obvious about it. How long had the bistro been there? What sorts of things do they serve throughout the day? Are their supplies handled locally, or do they import? It didn't take long. She was soon thanking him for his hospitality and the excellent coffee. She left him a healthy tip, and we were soon on the street again. "So, you really do this for a living?" I had to ask as I shyly slipped my hand into hers. I had no idea where we were walking, other than away from the water. There were a few more people on the streets now, and we all moved out of the way as trucks and cars made more of an appearance. After one of the older delivery trucks passed, its rusting hull seemingly held together by wire, Clare looked at me, her expression a curious mixture I couldn't quite place. I didn't understand then why she was so hesitant to answer, but she finally did with a simple, "Yes." It had that weight of carrying more, but she left the rest where it was. I didn't press. Was I curious? Of course. But then, everything about this woman seemed to make me curious. The hesitation did make me worry, however, and when the next automobile approached, its tinny horn squawking at us, I let my hand slip from hers as we moved out of the way. My footsteps slowed to a stop, and a beat later, so did Clare's, her eyes seeking mine. I used the excuse of the closed shop next to us, avoiding her gaze as I studied the painted ceramics in the window. How to even begin to explain? We had only just met. Was she supposed to pour out her life's history and background? She must have once again sensed my thoughts, however, because I could see her reflection in the window as she drew nearer, saw her hand rise before I felt it caress my bare shoulder. When I turned to her, she smiled weakly, and her hand squeezed my arm. She seemed on the verge of saying something, but my own weak smile cut her off as I patted her hand, then gestured for us to continue walking. I would love to say it was because I was feeling strong, but the truth was it was easier to say how I felt when I didn't have to meet her gaze. "It's a small, sad irony," I explained quietly, "that I have so many trust issues of my own, but I still feel hurt when someone else doesn't trust me. I didn't mean to push that onto you, though." Clare's steps faltered for just a beat, but she was soon right beside me again, her hand gripping mine hard enough that I stopped to look at her again. Up until then, I had only known the fun and confident side of Clare. I was entirely caught off-guard by her distressed expression. "I don't know what I'm doing," she explained in a rush, as if that was the only way she was going to be able to say the words. "I flirt and dance, eat and drink, but I never... never share," she continued, her hand tightening more. "Maybe the one-time visit, my room or theirs, but not... like this. No mornings-after." I wasn't sure how to take all this, and I felt the shop's glass at my back before I realized I had backed away from Clare. It wasn't exactly that I felt uneasy. Just unsure. "Look, let's not... you know. Make this heavy. It doesn't need to be," I said quietly, hating the pleading note in my voice. "You don't need to do or say or... or anything you don't want to," I added, confused at being the more confident one at this particular moment. Traffic on the street was picking up, and several people gave us odd looks as they walked around us. Not that we seemed to care overly much just then. Let the strangers look. She released my hand as she took a deep breath, and as she exhaled, I could see the other Clare returning. An unspoken agreement was shared then, and the rest of the morning and afternoon continued with lighthearted banter and an absolute avoidance of speaking of our lives outside this vacation. That was hardly to say I didn't want to know more. To know everything. I'm not a one-night-stand sort of woman, and my psyche was fighting the idea that this, whatever it was, would end when the cruise liner returned to New Orleans. At the same time, wasn't this still part of why I went on the cruise in the first place? To get away for a little while from what had been? Find my feet again? Besides, if this was a rebound relationship, what a way to go. * * * My winter-bound skin was unused to all this sunlight, and by mid-afternoon, I could tell I'd likely be paying for it if I didn't find some skin protection, and soon. At least now I knew why Clare looked so tan. This was not her first cruise of the season, as it turned out, just the first one this year on this side of North America. She was sharing some of the points she preferred of this side or that as we turned back toward the harbour, where we could see the ship waiting for us. As our conversation lulled into a rare silence, I felt surprised that we'd had so few breaks in conversation, given the limited field of topics, most of them related to prior travels. It was pleasant, yet intimidating. How much more safe discussion could there possibly be? Despite the foreboding of my overactive imagination, the silence was not uncomfortable, and I once again felt Clare's hand curl around mine. It was such a small gesture, but one neither of us seemed inclined to go without for too long. This time seemed different, though. Clare's palm felt so hot against my skin, and her fingers kept tightening. I looked down at our hands, then up to see her looking at me. Before I could ask, she pushed me toward an alley, gentle but relentless. A thrill churned through me, insides tightening. The alley was deserted, and those walking by didn't seem to notice as Clare pushed me against the wall. The rough stucco felt amazingly cool against my skin, though not entirely pleasant against my burning shoulders. I had other things to distract me, though. Clare pressed against me, her face barely an inch from mine. "If not for the fact the ship will gladly leave without us in half an hour..." she said in a throaty whisper, trailing off as her mouth closed over mine. I groaned quietly against the heated kiss, wishing we were already back on the ship, hidden from prying eyes. That last was one of her lesser worries, apparently, because I suddenly felt her hand on my thigh, moving under my dress. With surprise, I tried to push away and felt the stucco cut into my skin. Clare smiled, unconcerned, as her fingers found me damp, waiting, and entirely unencumbered by clothing. She bit her lower lip, blue-green eyes smouldering. "I've been dying all day to find out if I was right about that," she purred. I could only gasp as her finger pressed between my lips, sliding up against the slick hood over my clit. "And you've been dying all day for me to find out." My blush was an unnecessary answer that made her laugh with delight. She kissed me until I was breathless, then slowly backed away, letting the hem of my dress fall back down to my knees. I watched as she raised her finger to her lips, much as I'd watched myself do in the mirror just two days prior. She took a deep breath, then smiled as she held her hand out to me, beckoning. * * * I have zero recollection of the rest of the walk back to the ship, though I do remember coming very close to tripping up the gangplank and plunging over the side. Clare didn't give me time to feel embarrassed, however. Every chance she got, she touched me, caressed my arm, brushed my hair from my face. Any excuse. It was dizzying. I barely recognized that we were in Clare's room before she tossed her hat aside and slipped out of her shoes. In the next moment, she was on me again, hands gathering the skirt of my dress, bunching it around my hips. She stepped between my legs, her hips guiding me toward the bed. It was tantalizing to feel her body so close to what had become a pulsing need, yet no matter how I angled my hips, I could not seem to get her to touch me again, not in the way I desperately wanted just then. I gladly let her push me onto the bed, and imagining she would be pulling the dress free, I lifted my arms to make it easier. Pull she did, and I sighed with delight as the fabric came away, letting the cooler air touch my skin. Just as I was about to move my hands back down, I felt the fabric suddenly tighten around my forearms as Clare pushed me down to the mattress. My breath caught as I looked up at her, really looked for the first time since the uncomfortable moment that morning. What I saw was a desire that made my heart skip a beat, but there was something more. I felt her move her thighs under mine, forcing mine to rise. She leaned down, once again so tantalizingly close to touching that tiny centre of need that my hips rocked toward her, thighs pressing down onto hers as my legs parted just a little farther. By now I realized she was doing this on purpose, denying that pleasure as she watched me writhe. Slowly, she leaned closer, the fabric of her dress just kissing my skin as her lips brushed my neck. I could feel the cotton slide against my hardening nipples in an agonizing tease as my body tensed. It was surprising to me how easily she held my arms in place as I lay beneath her, knowing she was toying with me, both of us loving every second of it. Her tongue slid between my breasts, leaving them to ache for more attention as only the cool air gave them any solace. My skin tingled wherever her mouth went, at times nearly crossing the line from heated pleasure to tickling pain. I thought perhaps she might continue further downward, but she didn't seem inclined to release my hands just yet. Instead, just as I felt the heat of her breath on one throbbing nipple, I felt her hand reach between my thighs. Her fingernails raked gently through those tight curls of hair, sending a sudden tingling thrill through my whole body. Her touch danced to either side of my clit and lips just as the tip of her tongue began to circle my breast, drawing closer until she took my nipple between her teeth. I could feel her tantalizingly gentle bite just as her finger finally slid between my lips, too light to be much more than a tease. I groaned, back arching as if I might force more of me into her mouth or trick that finger into filling me. She laughed, however, ready for both, and the vibration of that laughter against my nipple was an excruciating tingle against my skin. I felt both finger and mouth pull away, and as I looked at her, I could see the delight of hunger in her expression. "You want more, Lis?" she asked, biting her lip as she rolled her own hips forward, lifting mine. "God, yes," I replied, not at all surprised to hear the husky rasp. I didn't just want more. I needed more. I needed her. In that moment, I realized that she already knew that, and that knowledge had given her power over me. I would have done anything she asked. Perhaps that's why she let go of my dress and finally lifted it free. She smiled when I left my hands right where she left them. "Stay right there," she instructed, leaning down to kiss me softly. "Just like that. And no cheating." I wasn't quite sure what she meant by the last part until she had moved away from me and off the bed. The desire to touch myself in that moment was so strong, and as I heard her go into the bathroom, I very nearly did, but something compelled me to keep my hands right where they were. My need became its own pleasure, and I closed my eyes, happily enjoying it. When I heard Clare return, I had only a moment to see as I opened my eyes before I felt her place a blindfold over my eyes, sure hands securing it in place. My hands moved slightly as instinct kicked in, but she flicked my forearm with a light slap that made my body shiver. This went beyond my prior comfort levels, yet I didn't ask her to stop. She had asked if I wanted more, after all. This definitely qualified. By breathing was quick and shallow, anticipation driving my desire even higher. I could feel Clare kneel on the bed again, could feel the heat of her skin near mine as she moved between my legs. She leaned over me and took my hands again, then moved them toward her to press against her bare breasts. A mewling little groan escaped me as I marvelled at the differences and similarities to my own. They were just a little heavier, fuller, and unbelievably pliable. As I found her nipples and gave them an experimental tweak, I was delighted to hear Clare's small gasp of pleasure. My exploration was short-lived, however. She moved my hands down to the sides of my hips, once again pinning them to the bed. There was no preamble this time as she took my right nipple into her mouth, her lips pinching as her tongue flicked against the flesh. I cried out with mingled pleasure and surprise, unused to this sort of attention, much less treatment. My past lovers had been... let's just call it uncreative. This? This was something else altogether. Clare let go of my wrists, but I kept them where they were, my fingers twining into the bed sheet as my body arched toward the other woman, both inviting and begging her to continue. With her mouth still pleasantly tormenting my nipple, I felt one of her hands grip my other breast, almost rough as she squeezed and subtly twisted, two of her fingers capturing my other nipple with sudden pressure. I could sense her other hand moving, but I couldn't tell what she was doing until I felt something slide along my labia. It was far too cool to the touch to be her hand, but I was so distracted by what Clare was doing to my nipples that it took me longer than it should have to realize she was aiming to use a toy on me. It's not that I'm a prude, but I had almost no experience with toys, and all I could imagine was some of the more bizarre looking things I'd spotted in sex stores over the years. My body tensed, and while I couldn't exactly pull away, my trepidation was clear enough that I felt Clare's lips let my nipple pop free, and the teasing toy stopped moving. A second later, I heard Clare's voice, still holding that husky burr of desire. "Say the word, Lis, and I'll stop." I wished just then that I could have seen her. I knew how much she wanted to continue, but I also knew she meant what she'd just said. Not trusting my own voice, I shook my head quickly and swallowed the lump in my throat as my hips involuntarily thrust forward toward the touch of firm silicone. More Than Scenery Ch. 02 I could hear Clare exhale with what I imaged was relief, and a moment later, I could feel the head of the toy move between my lips to gently prod at my opening. I bit my lower lip, unable to keep the small, needy whimper from escaping as my body arched again, all Clare's tantalizing denial from earlier now driving the point home. So to speak. Clare shifted above me, switching her hands as her mouth now closed over my left nipple, her left hand on my right breast, this time simply toying with them as her other hand slowly but steadily pushed the dildo against me. Hardly a virgin, I was a little confused at first why she was taking her time, though I soon realized it was because this wasn't your average sized phallus. While the size queens of the world will doubtless be disappointed, it wasn't huge by any means, but it was definitely bigger than the intensely average men I'd been with, and I suddenly appreciated Clare's care not to hurt me. If anything, though, that just made the waiting even worse. I wanted so badly to be filled, to feel Clare's body against mine as the pleasure coursed through me. Not thinking, I reached toward her hand with one of mine, only to jump as her teeth suddenly bit the delicate skin of my breast. I got the idea, and while it frightened some inner part of me to do so, I returned my hand to the bed, my breaths coming more rapidly. Whatever it was I'd gotten myself into, there was no doubt I was enjoying it. Perhaps as much as two inches of the toy were now inside me, spreading me wide with a deliciously full feeling. There had been no need for extra lubrication at this point. Clare's teasing touches had done their work, as had the day's activities. Now, however, Clare began to thrust with the toy, working it a little farther in with each slow, tantalizing push. My hands formed into fists as I held onto the bed, my body reaching toward Clare each time, willing her to go deeper this time, faster, harder. Suddenly everything gave way, and the toy slipped all the way in, its girth filling me as I had never been filled before. Nerve endings cried out for more as my body stretched around it. My breath caught for a couple seconds before something kicked in and forced my lungs to expand. I could feel my clit throbbing with every heartbeat and my hips bucked as I tried to force Clare into touching it, into releasing at least some of that need. This time she did not deny me. I felt both her hands on my breasts, kneading them as she pressed her hips between my legs, using them to grind the toy even farther into me. The base of the dildo rubbed against my clit, and I let out a groan. Her teeth pulled at one nipple, then the other, making them even harder before she began rocking herself against me, fucking herself against he base of the toy as it penetrated me. My body throbbed with every beat, and every grinding push made me shudder. I had no idea I could feel like this and was so unused to someone going so far out of their way to pleasure me. My orgasm crashed over me with little warning, and I didn't even try to stifle my cry as pleasure coursed through me. My pussy held on so tightly to the dildo that I thought I might split wide open. None of this made Clare even pause. With every sense now driven even further by the orgasm, every time she pushed her hips forward, it sent my body toward another wave of shivering pleasure as the toy stretched and caressed parts of me that had never been touched before. Her hands here hot and tight against my breasts, her fingers pinching hard as she rested her forehead against my chest. Her body began to move more quickly, and I could feel her tense before she suddenly groaned. Her hips bucked forward three times more until she just held herself there, pressing herself against the toy, pressing herself into me. My body was throbbing, and I was having trouble catching my breath, as every spasm against the toy sent another wave of pleasure through me. My nerves were ragged, and I realized with a dull sense of shock that I could feel almost nothing but those spasms, now finally subsiding. I was not the only one. Clare's body was slick against mine as she finally released my breasts. Weakly, she reached up to push the blindfold over my head, then slowly sprawled on top of me. Her leg was still keeping that toy pressed into me, but it seemed an afterthought, and as I blinked my eyes against the sudden light, I saw a look of such extreme contentment on Clare's face that it made me wish we didn't need to stop. It was then I realized that I didn't even mean the sex. I didn't want any of this to stop. We were only on day two of the trip, I reminded myself, while a quieter, scared voice replied that there were only five days left, and that was only if we pushed it. I felt tears spring to my eyes, and it was in that unfortunate moment that Clare looked up at me again. Alarmed, she lifted her body from mine and touched my face. "Oh god. Oh god, baby, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed. As she moved, her leg stopped pressing the dildo into me, and I could feel the pressure of my body begin to push it free. The sensation made me groan, and I closed my eyes tightly. I had to force a deep breath so I could reassure her, finally moving my hands so I could weakly wrap my arms around her, drawing her body to mine again. "Don't be sorry!" I replied, suddenly laughing as I pressed my lips against the dark hair that matted her forehead. "That was amazing. Beyond amazing," I murmured against her skin. With shaky hands, I started to work her hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ears. "I was just suddenly sad at how soon this has to end." It surprised me how easy it was to share that with her, but even more surprising was the sudden well of tears in her own eyes. I didn't need her to say then that she felt the same way. We both knew it was true. Instead, she laughed weakly and moved to lie beside me, her own fingers brushing back my hair now. "What a couple women we are," she muttered, those breathtaking eyes of hers glittering with tears. I had to laugh as I brushed the back of my fingers against her cheek. "Well, yes, but what a couple of women we are." She reached down to grip the base of the toy she'd used and slid it the rest of the way out of me, making me gasp, eyes closing as I felt the fullness disappear, and when I opened them again, I finally saw the toy Clare had used to so expertly make me come. It was unlike any I'd ever seen before, and my surprise must have been apparent. Clare just laughed as she set it aside. "You did say you wanted variety, did you not?" she asked, leaning in to kiss me. She still had plenty of that in store for me. I just didn't know it yet.