CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

Carly woke to silence. The shutters were no longer banging, there was no rain hitting the house. And Pat was still asleep. Carly untangled herself from Pat, both their bodies damp with perspiration. It was stifling. And it was dark. She got up and moved to Pat's side of the bed, finding the flashlight she'd discarded earlier. She moved out into the hallway before turning it on.

It was later than she'd thought. Nearly six. She moved into the kitchen and opened the window, reaching for the latch that held the shutters. She opened one and smiled as the cool breeze hit her face. The storm had passed. She moved around the apartment, opening all the shutters, letting in light and fresh air.

She wished there was coffee. She couldn't function without coffee. She settled for a shower instead. There was no hot water but it didn't matter.

Later, as soon as it was light enough, she walked downstairs. In the kitchen, she lit the oil lamp and lifted the towel that covered the box. The egrets were huddled together and they both opened their mouths wide when they saw movement.

" Hungry? " Carly asked. The only thing remotely suitable she found was a can of tuna. It would have to do until they could get into town and buy some fresh fish. She fed them the small bits of tuna, pleased that they ate so easily. But they probably hadn't had food since early yesterday morning, if then. She covered them back up, then opened the back door.

The sun was barely up, but there was enough light for her to see the thick clouds that still swirled overhead. And it was a mess. Limbs and branches lay scattered around, but the two old oaks behind the house looked intact. Pat would be pleased.

Carly walked around the house and towards the Visitor's Center. She nodded. It looked fine. She began moving some of the branches that had blown against the entrance, then gave up. There were too many for her to even begin to make a dent. And she doubted that even with Elsa and Martin's help they would be able to clean up the mess. She would have to hire someone. Or gather volunteers from town.

Then, with a heavy heart, she walked around the front and to the marsh. It was flooded, as she knew it would be. It looked like a small lake. She was mentally planning how they could drain it. It would have to be pumped into the bay. There was too much salt water in it for them to dump it into the woods. It would damage the oaks and probably kill the shallow-rooted brush if they did that, which of course, would have been the easiest solution.

Then she turned a complete circle, looking all around her. It could have been a lot worse. It should have been, she realized. The wind had been so strong. She could see a few uprooted trees and she knew that they had suffered the brunt of the storm. But the structures looked intact. Of course, she hadn't been to the old barn. She was surprised that it was even still standing this morning.

She walked back to the ranch house, seeing for the first time the damage to the roof. The corner section was torn. She was surprised that they hadn't had water in the living room upstairs.

When she went back inside, Pat was standing in her kitchen, freshly showered. Her wet hair was slicked back from her face. She had on long, baggy shorts which didn't cover the scratches on her knees.

" Let me see, " Carly said, pulling Pat towards the window and the light. The swelling had gone down some but the bruise was deeper now. Her wound appeared to be healing. There was no infection that she could tell. " How's the pain? " she asked.

" Bearable, " Pat said. Her eyes searched Carly's. She remembered her dream from last night. It had seemed so real. Carly had come to her in the night, had covered her body with kisses. When she woke this morning, she still felt the lingering touch upon her breasts.

" What? " Carly asked as she met Pat's eyes.

Pat smiled slightly, but shook her head.

" Nothing. I was just remembering my dream, " she said.

" Dream? " Carly saw the wistful look in Pat's eyes. So, Pat thought it had been a dream. Great. " Going to tell me about it? "

" Oh, no. It's too early to get you pissed off at me. Besides, there's no coffee."

" I won't get pissed off. I promise. Now tell me about your dream."

Pat swallowed, embarrassed. She shouldn't have said anything. But did it matter? Carly already knew how Pat felt about her. Surely she assumed that Pat had delicious fantasies about her.

" We made love, " Pat said quietly. " Or, you made love to me, " she clarified. " I don't remember participating."

Carly smiled. " Maybe that's because you fell asleep."

Pat's eyes widened.

" Wasn't really a dream, Pat."

" You made love to me? " Pat whispered. " You made love to me and I don't even remember it? "

" Trust me, we never really got that far."

" So, you just took advantage of me in my weakened state? You drugged me then had your way with me? " Pat teased.

" Yes. And had I known you were going to start something and not finish it, again, I would have only given you..."

" I'll finish it now, " Pat interrupted. " I feel great. Not a bit sleepy."

" Sorry. The mood's passed."

Carly turned away but Pat pulled her back around.

" You can't just tell me that you had your hands on me last night and expect to walk away."

" As I recall, you're the one that usually walks away."

Pat smiled shyly, meeting Carly's eyes.

" Was I enjoying it? " she asked.

" Oh, yeah."

" Were you? " Pat asked seriously.

Carly remembered the throbbing ache of her body, the way she'd pressed her hips into Pat, wanting release. The wanton way she'd straddled Pat, Pat's breasts in her mouth, Pat's hands on her own breasts. She felt the flush creep up her face. Was she enjoying it? God, yes.

" The next time you fall asleep on me while making love, " Carly said softly. " I'll dump you into the bay."

Pat grinned. " I have no intentions of ever getting dumped into the bay."

" Good. Because believe me, you'll pay for last night."

" Had you in a state, did I? "

" Yes, " Carly admitted. " You did. And you don't even remember doing it."

" I remember you touching me. I just thought...it had to be a dream."

" No. I'm just sorry you fell asleep."

Their eyes locked and Carly let Pat pull her the short distance towards her, the fire in her eyes mesmerizing Carly.

Carly moved into her arms, pressing against Pat, loving the way Pat's body felt next to her own. She lifted her head and met Pat's mouth, gentle and unhurried. She didn't want to respond, not now. Not when there was so much to do. But her body wouldn't listen. Pat's hands moved over her back, sliding to her hips and Carly moaned into Pat's mouth. It was too hard to fight these feelings and she let herself go. Her mouth opened, meeting Pat's tongue with her own. She remembered the softness of Pat's skin under her hands, and she slid under Pat's shirt now, feeling the warm smoothness under her fingers.

" I want you so much, " Carly murmured. " You can't keep doing this to me."

Pat didn't answer. She couldn't. Carly's hands had found her breasts.

No bra. Carly moaned as her hands touched the soft swell of Pat's breasts, the hard nipples pressing into her palms. No time? They had all day. The cleanup would have to wait. Pat's hands at her hips pulled her closer still and Carly parted her legs, feeling Pat's hard thigh move against her. Their mouths were hungry and tongues dueled and Carly let herself go. She lifted Pat's shirt, her mouth immediately replacing her hands on Pat's breasts.

" Oh, God, " Pat murmured. Her head fell back, her eyes closed against the pleasure of Carly's mouth at her breast.

Carly paused when ringing interrupted their passion. Her cell phone. Jesus, not now.

" Please don't answer it, " Pat whispered and she brought Carly's mouth back to her own.

But the ringing continued.

" It'll be Elsa or Martin, " Carly said. " They'll be worried if I don't answer." She pulled away from Pat and snatched up the phone on the table. She paused to breathe, trying to gather herself, before answering.

" Good morning, " Elsa said cheerfully.

" Morning, " Carly said, trying to keep her voice even.

" What's wrong? You sound like you were running."

" I...ran up the stairs to catch the phone, " Carly said, smiling at Pat who chuckled beside her.

" I assume you made it okay, then. Pat got back safely with the egrets? "

" Yes. How are things in town? "

" Power's out, but that was expected. Galveston got hit hard but I think Port Aransas made it through okay."

" Good, " Carly murmured. She couldn't think. Pat had moved behind her, pulling Carly against her body. She felt Pat's mouth move under her hair, wet lips moving over her neck and she trembled.

" We're coming out there. The roads are clear."

" Good." Then Pat's hands moved around her, cupping her breasts from behind and Carly only barely stifled a moan. She closed her eyes and leaned back against Pat, losing herself as Pat caressed her breasts.

" Are you okay? "

" Mmm, " Carly breathed. Then she opened her eyes, trying to focus on Elsa. " Yes. We're fine, " she said. Pat was pressed hard against her and Carly let her hand fall, resting against Pat's thigh and she rubbed it gently. Then Pat's hand covered her own, moving it firmly against Pat, sliding it to the heat between Pat's legs.

The phone fell to the floor as Carly felt Pat's wetness that soaked her shorts. She turned in Pat's arms, facing her now and her mouth was immediately captured by Pat's.
" Carly? "

Carly ignored the tiny voice from the phone. Her hands moved over Pat, sliding to her hips, then down, cupping Pat intimately, again feeling the heat.

" Jesus, you're so wet, " she murmured into Pat's mouth. " I'm going to go crazy if I don't get my hands on you."

" Carly? "

" Christ! " Carly pulled away again, picking up the phone. " I'm sorry. It fell, " she said. " What is it? " she asked impatiently.

" What the hell is wrong with you? " Elsa demanded.

" Nothing. I'll see you when you get here."

" Fine. Do you need anything? "

" No! Wait, yes. Fish, " she said as Pat's mouth found hers again.

" Fish? "

" For the egrets, " she murmured before she disconnected. She tossed the phone on the table and grabbed Pat's hand, pulling her towards the bedroom. She pulled her shirt over her head, then reached for Pat's.

" Hurry. They're on their way."

Pat stared at Carly's exposed breasts. She was beautiful. Then she remembered last night. Remembered how Carly's breasts had looked in the shadows. No, it wasn't a dream. She went to Carly, pulling her into her arms, their mouths meeting again.

" We could wait, " Pat offered. " There's not enough time. I don't want to hurry through this, Carly."

" I swear, if you stop this now, you'll be in the bay before they get here, " Carly threatened. Her hands went to Pat's shorts, and she unbuttoned them, sliding the zipper down in one motion. She didn't care that Elsa and Martin were coming. She didn't care that they wouldn't have time to savor this. She wanted Pat. She needed her. Now.

Pat let her shorts fall and she stood nearly naked, watching as Carly's eyes darkened at the sight of her. No, they couldn't wait. Her own hands reached for Carly's shorts, pulling them down.

" Beautiful, " she whispered. Her eyes rested on the only piece of clothing still covering Carly. Then her hands slipped inside the waistband of her panties, urging them downward.

Carly closed her eyes as Pat exposed her. Her chest rose and fell with each breath. Then she reached out, pushing away the last bit of clothing covering Pat, leaving her as naked as Carly was.

" Mi Dios, " she murmured. She moved back to the bed, pulling Pat with her. Then Pat was covering her body and Carly opened her legs, surging up to meet Pat as she felt her weight upon her. Their kisses were slower now, not hurried and Pat's tongue traced Carly's lips before slipping inside. Carly took her, sucking her tongue, swallowing Pat's groan that mingled with her own.

" Please touch me, Pat, " Carly whispered. " Please."

Pat lifted up, supporting her weight with one arm and the other hand moved over Carly's breasts, then downward, touching damp curls. Carly's hips rose to meet her and Pat slid her fingers into her wetness.

" Oh...yes, " Carly breathed. She jerked up hard when Pat entered her and her hips moved, meeting Pat's thrusts. It had been too long. Carly had forgotten the feeling of another's touch upon her. Then she groaned loudly as Pat's mouth found her breast. Her nipple ached as Pat's tongue swirled around it, finally sucking it into her mouth. Carly's hips arched again and her own hands moved over Pat's warm flesh, into her still damp hair and held her close against her breast.

Pat was lost in the sensation of Carly's wetness. She felt the muscles contract against her fingers and she pulled out again, meeting each thrust of Carly's hips. She knew Carly was close to climaxing and with her thumb, she touched her swollen clit. That was all it took. Carly cried out, her hips moving hard against Pat's fingers. Pat left Carly's breast, moving to her mouth and catching the last of Carly's screams. Finally, she felt Carly's body relax against the bed, felt as Carly's arms pulled her tight against her.

Carly closed her eyes as she held Pat against her. Pat's fingers were still inside her and Carly squeezed her legs tight, holding them. It was too fast. Much too fast.

" Thank you for not making me throw you in the bay, " Carly whispered. " But I still haven't had my hands on you. And I so want to touch you."

Pat rolled over, pulling Carly with her. Carly settled between her thighs, her mouth finding her breast before Pat could speak. Pat's hands slid up Carly's back, holding her firmly against her. She couldn't remember a time when she'd wanted another's touch like she now wanted Carly's. Carly moved her mouth back to Pat's, kissing her lightly.

Carly leaned on her elbows, looking at Pat. Her eyes were closed. Carly smiled and pressed into her, feeling Pat's wetness as it coated her stomach. Her hands itched to touch her and she moved between them, wondering at how many years it had been since she'd touched someone like this. The few affairs she'd had over the years were never like this. They were just a quick release then forgotten. With Pat, she would never forget.

She found Pat's wetness and moved into it. Like silk through her fingers, she touched her. Pat moaned, her eyes opening and finding Carly's. Carly closed her own as her fingers slipped inside Pat. So warm. So wet.

" I had forgotten how it felt, " she whispered. She pulled out, finding Pat swollen and she moved over her, teasing her. When Pat's hips moved against her, she entered her again, feeling Pat clutch her hand tightly between her thighs.

They both heard the car door slam at the same time. Pat whimpered as Carly pulled away from her.

" I don't believe this, " Pat whispered. She pulled Carly's hand back to her, pressing it hard between her thighs. " Don't you dare leave me like this."

" Sweetheart, I'm so sorry, " Carly murmured. She kissed Pat hard, part of her wanting to ignore Elsa and Martin and finish what they'd started. She let her fingers slide through Pat's wetness again. It wouldn't take long, she knew.

" Hello? " Elsa called from downstairs.

" Christ! " Carly rolled away from Pat, nearly laughing at the pained expression on Pat's face.

" I just can't catch a break, can I? " Pat murmured. Then she too got up, taking her clothes from Carly's outstretched hands.

" You deserve it for all the times you made me wait, " Carly said. She pulled her T-shirt over her head then went to Pat and held her. " And you were right. We needed hours for this." She kissed her, letting her lips linger. And that was all it took. Her desire flared again and she groaned as she pulled away from Pat. " I can't keep my hands off you, you realize that, don't you? " She took Pat's hand and brought it to her lips, kissing it softly. " I want to make love to you. And I want to take hours doing it."

" You can't just tell me something like that and walk away, " Pat said. She reached for Carly and pulled her against her, kissing her hard.

" You guys up here? " Elsa called again.

" Get dressed, " Carly said as she pulled away. " I promise I'll make it up to you."

She closed the door after her and Pat laid back down on the bed. So close. She had been so close. But she smiled. It didn't matter. It was enough to remember how it felt to be inside Carly, how it felt to bring her to orgasm. And later, tonight perhaps, they would have time to explore each other at leisure. Pat ached to know how Carly would taste. She groaned, imagining her mouth between Carly's thighs.