Part 19 (1/2)

She sliced a grapefruit in half, sprinkled salt over the sections, added cherry halves, and slammed them into the broiler. The cherries skidded to the bottom of the stove.

”I'll give her gooey-eyed.” She tore open a bag of fresh biscuits and searched the refrigerator for honey. ”Look, you!” She held the jar accusingly toward the music room. ”It's crystallized. How many times have I told you not to put the honey in the fridge?” She ran the jar lid under hot water before she could remove it. Holding the jar between her knees, she opened it with her one good hand. Finally, she shoved the gla.s.s container into the microwave, and watched it go around and around.

Leaving her own dinner on the alcove table, she wheeled Cory's into the music room and placed the tray on top of the piano.

”Eat,” she said.

”Don't leave.” Cory reached for Helen's hand.

”Leave me alone,” she said and wheeled out.

After picking at her grapefruit, and then taking a warm sponge bath, Helen struggled with putting on a fresh nightgown and pulled herself into bed. She heard the television tuned to the eleven o'clock news.

She opened a Katherine Forrest mystery, read two pages, and then closed the book. Mystery wasn't her favorite genre. She didn't even know where the book came from. Stacey probably left it. She looked at the cover.

”Sorry, Katherine. I don't care whodunit.” She tossed the book onto the nightstand and thought about their argument.

Marty ignited a genuine fear in Cory. She felt threatened, but had no idea what Marty's presence actually meant. She'd seen them talking, laughing, kissing good-bye. Of course, the kisses landed on cheeks, but it still looked bad.

Minutes later, Cory came into their bedroom. She removed a nightgown from the armoire and began to undress. She kept her back toward Helen.

”Don't do that,” Helen said softly. She scanned the feminine curves in front of her.

”Don't do what?” Cory asked curtly.

”Don't turn from me. Let me see your body.”

Cory stood bare from the waist up. She rested her forearms against the armoire and crossed her wrists. She leaned her forehead against them. Her shoulders raised and lowered with each breath she took. When she turned, Helen reached for her.

”Come here, baby.” To Helen's disappointment, she stayed across the room.

”We can't fix anger with s.e.x, and Dr. Santos said no.”

”Baby, please finish undressing for me.”

Helen watched while she stripped. She stepped out of her jeans and panties, and then turned to face Helen. Helen watched and absorbed every inch of her: b.r.e.a.s.t.s to sigh for when pondered, to beg for when close to Helen's lips; rounded hips that led to a sweet treasure, hidden behind a curly trim of dark hair.

Cory took a step closer. Helen swallowed when a twinge hit her thighs and she s.h.i.+fted her legs. More than a month had gone by since they'd last made love. The twinge turned to throbs. Helen breathed through her lips and wet them with her tongue.

”How does it feel to want me and not have me?”

”Painful,” Helen said, barely audible. ”Pleasantly painful, looking at you now.”

Cory slipped her toe under her bikini pants. With a quick kick, they sailed through the air and came to rest across Helen's chest. Helen grabbed the pink microfiber and held it against her lips. She closed her eyes.

When she opened her eyes, Cory stood beside the bed. She took Helen's left hand and Cory pressed it between her legs. When Helen reached for another touch, Cory dropped her hand.

”You want something from me?” she asked, and backed away. She tore the elastic from her hair and shook it loose.

”You are so fine. Yes, I want something.”

Cory stepped to the bed again and Helen reached once more. Cory took back Helen's hand.

”A warm, wet place. That's what you want?” She took Helen's index and middle fingers into her mouth, all the way.

”Oh G.o.d.” Helen groaned as Cory's tongue and lips teased her fingers. Helen pulled back with her hand and slid her fingers in again. Cory parted the fingers with her tongue. She sucked and licked between them, confusing Helen on who seduced whom. ”Yes. That's what I want.”

She removed Helen's hand and placed the wet fingers inside of her. She put one knee on the bed and allowed Helen to push deeper.

”Oh, baby. You're so wet.”

”Do you want to taste me?”

”Desperately.”

Cory pulled away from Helen's fingers. She took Helen's hand and brushed the wet fingers against her lips. Helen eagerly took them into her mouth.

”Mmm,” she moaned, and her thighs ached to feel Cory's tongue within them.

Cory leaned down. ”This isn't fair to you.” She breathed hot air against Helen's ear. She sucked gently on an earlobe and traced the edge with her tongue.

Helen groaned loudly and removed Cory's fingers from her mouth.

”I don't care,” she said and pulled Cory's mouth onto hers.

They kissed feverishly, and they battled with their tongues until Helen pushed the pillows from the bed. She scooted downward, closer to the end of the bed.

”Get up here.” She pulled on Cory's arm, and Cory attempted to stretch beside Helen. ”No.” Helen patted her chest. ”Up here. Straddle me. Do it now.”

Cory moved deftly, avoiding Helen's injured arm. She grasped the headboard and lowered herself. Helen grabbed Cory's hip with her good hand and quickly pulled her against her mouth.

”Oh G.o.d, Helen.” She breathed heavily as Helen swiftly moved her tongue.

Helen bit into Cory's lips. ”It's as though I've never tasted you before this.” She pressed her cheek against the wetness. She licked wide, slowly. Cory grabbed onto Helen's head and moved swiftly against her mouth. Helen flicked her tongue against Cory's c.l.i.t and Cory suddenly came. Helen slipped a finger inside to feel the muscle contractions. With each contraction and release, she pulled Helen deeper.

”Oh, yes. Oh, Helen.” She gritted her teeth and each groan grew louder until a final shudder told Helen to stop.

Helen reached up with one hand and placed it against Cory's chest. She felt her heart pounding against her fingers. Cory's eyes remained closed while her breaths became normal. She touched Cory's breast and then she grasped it roughly.

”I love your b.r.e.a.s.t.s.” She squeezed again.

Cory whimpered and then looked downward. The intensity in her eyes hadn't subsided, nor had her quick breaths, but she smiled at Helen.