Perfect Partners Read online

  Sara’s smile was positively delightful. “I’ve never had Cuban food.” She linked her hands at the small of Izzy’s back, the slight move forcing them infinitely closer. “I’m excited to try it.”

  “If you don’t like it, we’ll order anything you want.”

  “Stop. It’s going to be great. I’m sure.” She bent down and stole another kiss, before she leaned back to reach her oversized bag. “For my contribution, I brought these.” She pulled out a huge box set collector’s edition of the Star Wars saga.

  “Wow, DVDs. Hard-core.”

  “If you don’t have a DVD player, we can stream it from my Amazon account.”

  “Just how obsessed are you?”

  Nothing about Sara’s confident body language suggested she might be the least bit embarrassed about her dedication. “Look, you never know when you’ll need a fix. I like to be prepared.”

  “You’re cute.” Izzy hooked Sara’s pinkie with her finger and guided them into the living room. As they sat on the couch sipping their wine, she watched Sara spread out the discs on the coffee table.

  “So there’s some debate over where to start because there’s the original three movies and then the prequels and the sequels,” she started. “Some people theorize for continuity’s sake you should start at Episode One and continue through in order.”

  “But…?” Izzy said with a smile.

  “I’m a purist.” Sara shrugged. “I say we watch them in the order of their release, so you get the full experience.”

  “I definitely want the full experience,” she said, locking eyes with Sara, her tone loaded with innuendo.

  Sara didn’t miss it. Her eyes grew heavy with passion and she leaned forward and kissed Izzy softly and deeply. “I’m sorry,” she uttered, pulling back, a bit breathless from the spontaneity of the action.

  “Never be sorry for kissing me like that.” Izzy draped her arms over Sara’s shoulders and smiled against her cheek. “Put this movie on and educate me already.”

  About twenty minutes in, Izzy made them plates and they ate in the living room, watching the plot unfold. Izzy loved that Sara plied her with little tidbits of filmmaking lore dating back to the original production of the movies as they ate and watched.

  “This food is amazing,” Sara whispered under Darth Vader’s breathy threats.

  Izzy smiled, popping the last sweet plantain onto Sara’s plate, then wiping her hands with a napkin. Sara speared it with her fork, bit half, and held the other side aloft for Izzy to finish. It was an adorably cute, totally couple-y gesture. It made her swoon. Was she being ridiculous?

  At the conclusion of the final scene, she gave the film its due praise before she admitted that she’d skipped Chase’s nighttime walk in order to see the end uninterrupted.

  “Do you want to take him now?” Sara asked, standing from the couch.

  Izzy hesitated, unsure quite how to play this. Chase needed a walk, but she didn’t want Sara to leave just yet. “We’ll be fast. As soon as he does his thing”—she snapped her fingers, causing Chase to look right at her—“I’ll come right back.” She saw something in Sara’s eyes, and fearing the worst, she blurted out, “Don’t leave. Please.”

  Sara’s smile was unbelievably sexy and she practically crooned, “I’m not leaving.” She reached for her shoes. “I’m coming with you.”

  Just like that they seemed to slip into girlfriend-land, taking their time with the walk, allowing Chase to smell every fire hydrant along the way. Suddenly there was no urgency, and when Sara reached for her hand as they strolled the deserted suburban streets, it seemed the most natural thing in the world. They talked about school, the other handlers, the beautiful warm night around them, letting their conversation lead them right back to her comfy sofa.

  “I never asked if you liked the movie,” Sara said, still holding her hand.

  “I did.” Izzy smiled in response. “Not as much as the company.”

  “Oh yeah, huh?” Sara’s voice sounded laid-back but the look on her face when she leaned her head against the back of the couch was anything but casual. Izzy recognized the desire in her eyes—she felt it coursing through her own body. She couldn’t take waiting one more second, and she leaned all the way forward, kissing Sara so thoroughly she thought she might die if Sara didn’t take her right here and now.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Come.” Izzy’s voice was soft in her ear.

  They had been making out on the couch for what felt like forever, and even though Izzy’s body language seemed to scream for more, Sara didn’t want to make any assumptions about taking things to the next level. For that reason alone, she’d been careful to keep her hands from drifting beneath Izzy’s shirt, even though her prominent nipples were begging for her touch.

  “Let’s go inside,” Izzy rasped, virtually reading her mind.

  One look at her flushed face and dark eyes told Sara everything she needed to know. Izzy was ready. Faced with the moment of opportunity, Sara was more nervous than she wanted to admit, and she could only muster a small nod in response to Izzy’s request.

  Wordlessly, she stood up and took Izzy’s hand, allowing herself to be guided down the hall. If Izzy had any nerves over what was surely about to happen, they didn’t show as she casually flipped off light switches along the way. Just outside her bedroom, Izzy pointed Chase toward his bed tucked in an alcove and handed him a stuffed dinosaur to snuggle as he cozied in. “Night, buddy,” she said, bending down to touch his head.

  Inside Izzy’s lovely bedroom Sara recognized the faint scent of vanilla and lavender. She watched Izzy cross the room and turn on a small corner lamp, but barely moved at all from the doorway.

  “Are you okay?” Izzy asked, her voice husky as she met her in the center of the room.

  Sara drew in her breath as Izzy wove their fingertips together and dotted a trail of delicate kisses down her neck. She felt her body tense up, and Izzy must have noticed because she continued lightly brushing her lips over her jawline up to her ear.

  “Relax, Sara,” she said sweetly.

  It was as though Izzy knew she needed both reassurance and calming as she backed them up to her bed.

  “It’s just me,” Izzy whispered, kissing her face gently and taking Sara’s hands in hers, guiding them under her shirt and upward.

  Sara cupped Izzy’s full breasts, running her thumbs slowly over her taut nipples and savoring Izzy’s reaction as she pressed herself against Sara’s hands. Sara felt herself throb in anticipation and she almost lost her breath at the sensation. She lifted Izzy’s shirt over her head, finding her mouth and kissing her as their bodies perfectly synched. Sara felt Izzy’s soft hands graze along her belly under her tee, exploring her tingling skin then unclasping her bra, until it was off her body and added to the growing heap of discarded clothing on the floor.

  As Izzy drew down the bedcovers, Sara tugged off her own jeans, sliding between the cool sheets and leaning back to stare at Izzy’s perfect curves as she slipped out of her leggings and crawled in beside her. When Izzy reached across Sara toward the end table light, Sara held her there caressing her back as she guided her face close to kiss her.

  The kiss was soft and sweet until Sara’s desire took over. Running her hands through Izzy’s thick dark hair, Sara kissed her greedily, loving the feel of Izzy’s tongue against hers. The lace of Izzy’s bra tickled her own naked breasts, so she dispensed with it, finally able to enjoy her perfect erect nipples against the palms of her hands. She rolled over, taking Izzy with her, her hips pressing into Izzy’s, and kissed her way down to each breast, feeling Izzy’s nipples grow tighter in her mouth.

  “God, you are beautiful,” she whispered in the moonlight.

  Izzy answered her with a sweltering kiss as she spread her legs wider so Sara could slide between them. Sara struggled to keep her breathing even as she kissed her way down Izzy’s torso, feeling her muscles quiver with each contact. She was in love with the smooth tan skin of Izzy
’s soft, sculpted abdomen and the feel of Izzy’s hands in her hair as she grazed her lips along her inner thighs. She heard Izzy groan in need and smiled as she inched her way back up her gorgeous body, continuing to tease and nibble the whole way.

  “You’re torturing me.”

  She heard raw desire in Izzy’s voice and capitalized on it, kissing Izzy’s flushed face and her parted lips, her tongue finding Izzy’s as she slipped her hand slowly inside her panties. Sliding into Izzy’s heat for the first time, Sara’s own breath caught in her throat, and she felt her heartbeat quicken in response. “Can I take these off?” she asked.

  Izzy gave a small nod, her mouth open, her eyes expectant and heavy. “Yours too.” Her voice was low and ragged, but not shy. “I want to feel you against me.”

  Sara obliged, slipping out of her own panties a mere second after she slid Izzy’s down over slim, muscular legs. Sara’s breath hitched again as she pressed her naked flesh against Izzy’s gorgeous body. They moved together for a moment until she dipped her hand between them, suddenly needing to take control.

  Izzy was unbelievably wet and it made Sara yearn for her own release. She slipped one finger inside and stilled a moment, but Izzy’s desperate moan said she wanted more. Sara felt her spread wider in invitation, as frantic hands gripped her shoulders in encouragement. She moved gently in and out, watching as Izzy’s eyes clouded in pleasure.

  “That’s it. Right there, just like that.” Izzy breathed the words into her hair and it made her thrust harder.

  “Fuck,” Izzy moaned. “You feel so good,” she repeated through short staccato breaths.

  Sara felt Izzy’s body purring underneath her own, as they found the perfect rhythm. And when Izzy clenched around her fingers, the action made her own insides quake in response.

  Being inside Izzy brought a warmth Sara had never experienced. Sure, she’d made love to other women this way—the act itself wasn’t new to her. But something in Izzy’s voice, her expression, her body, her entire being touched Sara in a way that made it crystal clear this was different. Their connection was passionate and pure, and suddenly everything that had come before it seemed remarkably inconsequential. The feeling overcame her before she was able to wrap her head around the notion. Love was something you were supposed to fall into, recognizing and acknowledging and adjusting to the sensation over time. But suddenly Sara was so far past that plunge, her feelings for Izzy so profound, she knew right then and there she’d somehow slipped into the state without even realizing.

  It was at once beautiful beyond words and scarier than she’d ever imagined.

  She was brought back into the present by Izzy’s touch, and she felt herself throb as Izzy slid her hand between them, innately homing in on Sara’s need as she gently eased a finger inside. Her breath caught at the sudden pleasure, and Izzy’s gaze locked with hers as she asked, “Is this okay?” But the question seemed a formality. Sara knew her body’s response assured her approval. “I want you to come with me,” Izzy said softly.

  Sara looked deep in those captivating eyes and nodded her head ever so slightly. Her hips bucked as she felt Izzy fill her completely. She pumped faster into Izzy, knowing without a doubt the beginning of Izzy’s orgasm would be the catalyst for her own.

  “Oh, babe,” Izzy breathed out. She bit her bottom lip and Sara felt Izzy’s body change, a new cadence taking over. Like practiced magic, the switch flipped inside her own being, her hips moving beyond her control as she rode Izzy’s hand until the very last shock wave rolled through her.

  Sara leaned forward and buried her face between the pillow and Izzy’s lustrous long hair, allowing the tears to trickle from her closed eyes. She only needed a minute to collect herself, but Izzy was too quick. Soft hands tucked her hair behind her ear as Izzy pulled Sara down next to her, cradling her face close.

  “Hey, are you okay?” Izzy asked.

  Sara heard the sincerity in Izzy’s husky voice and realized she sounded stressed at the turn of events.

  “I’m fine,” Sara reassured her, using both hands to wipe along the top of her cheeks. She waited half a minute but was unable to collect herself. “I’m sorry,” she said in a muffled whisper. “I swear this has never happened to me before. I don’t know what’s going on.” She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing away a fresh stream of tears.

  “It’s okay.” Izzy moved closer and brushed away the curtain of long hair that fell between them, letting her hand linger near Sara’s face.

  Sara somehow felt more naked and exposed, and Izzy seemed to sense her vulnerability.

  “Come here,” Izzy ordered gently, but Sara turned onto her back, the tears taking a new path along her temples onto the sheets.

  “Hey.”

  Sara pressed her eyes closed, but she felt the mattress move under her as Izzy shifted onto one elbow, pulling Sara’s hand away and kissing her damp face delicately.

  “It’s okay,” Izzy said. Her eyes still shut, Sara felt fingertips caress her cheeks and brush over her lips. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  Sara heard a weird laugh escape her chest. “I’m completely serious.” She opened her eyes and was sure to make real eye contact, so Izzy would know there were no old scars being dug up. “There’s nothing to talk about.” She found her smile as she kissed the back of Izzy’s hand. “That’s never ever happened to me.” Holding Izzy’s hand against her lips she added, “I just got a little overwhelmed, I think.” She let out a long breath, hating how vulnerable she felt and that her emotions refused to abate. “I’m sorry,” she said finally, wiping away the last of her tears as she shook her head, still in a temporary state of disbelief.

  “Do not apologize,” Izzy ordered. “The fact that you got so caught up”—she dropped a kiss on her lips—“I think it’s sweet. You’re sweet,” she said, kissing her again. “And that”—she dropped her gaze, appearing almost shy—“was amazing.” She drew in her lower lip. “As long as you’re not having regrets.” The statement hung there for a second as though it was a question that needed answering.

  Sara assured her, “No regrets. Ever.”

  “Thank God.” Her smile was warm and beautiful and Sara thought she’d never get tired of seeing the way it lit her whole face. She leaned forward to kiss each dimple, completing the act with a soft kiss on the lips before flopping back on the pillow, her body and soul spent beyond compare.

  She smiled as Izzy reached for her arm and wound it around her as she curled into her body. “Please tell me you’ll be the big spoon,” Izzy said, “because I’ve been fantasizing about falling asleep in your arms for months.”

  Sara loved that Izzy made her smile without even trying and she didn’t dare protest, instead responding to her demand by cradling her as they both drifted off to sleep.

  ***

  Snug in her favorite FDNY hoodie, Izzy hovered by the coffeemaker practically counting the beads of liquid as they dripped into the pot. She felt Sara’s arms snaking around her waist.

  “If this wasn’t your house I’d be worried you snuck out on me.”

  “Good morning.” Without turning around, Izzy ran her hand up the side of Sara’s face and pulled her down into a kiss. “Chase needed to go out.” She swayed lazily in her embrace. “I needed coffee.”

  “Can I make you breakfast?”

  “Definitely.” She turned to kiss her in a preemptive kind of thanks. “I was going to suggest a diner, but if you’re offering…” A smile spread across her face. “Hey, that’s my shirt,” she said, eyeing an old NYPD tee from her first precinct. With a downward glance she saw Sara had appropriated some cozy PJ pants too.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” Sara said. She hugged the shirt. “This shirt is so soft.”

  Mind? Hell, she was thrilled. “I do prefer you out of my clothes.” She raised one eyebrow suggestively. “That said, you can wear anything you want.” She grabbed two mugs from the cabinet. “And if you’re willing to make me breakfast, that shirt is yours.” />
  “Sweet deal,” Sara said, swinging into action as she found ingredients to work with.

  They ate breakfast alfresco on the back deck, watching Chase play in the yard, darting in and out of his home kennel and sprawling between them as they sipped coffee all morning. Izzy suggested sneaking a walk in before the rain that was sure to come, if the overcast clouds were any indication. Strolling hand in hand through the woods into the park behind her house, the conversation stayed easy and light, and they made it all the way back to the house before the first raindrops fell.

  “We made it,” Izzy said opening the back door and holding it for Sara and Chase to escape the drizzle. It was barely afternoon, and more than anything Izzy didn’t want Sara to leave. “Any chance I can convince you to take me through Episode Two?” she asked, as she filled Chase’s water bowl and listened as he lapped at it heartily. “I’m not trying to kidnap you, I swear.” She looked over at Sara, delighted to see a graceful smile break across her face. “If you’re not up for it, I understand.” She rested one hand on her hip, hoping she didn’t seem clingy. “It’s just”—she gestured toward the window—“this weather is essentially made for a movie marathon. And you did bring the entire series, so…”

  “Yes.” Sara stepped right into her space, hooking her arms around her waist. She kissed her lips and her face. “I am in no rush to leave.” Sara peppered her neck with kisses. “We can watch all the Star Wars you want.” Izzy followed her gaze as she glanced out the window at the steady rain. “But first, there’s something else this weather is perfect for.” Sara’s lips met hers just long enough for a promise, and then Sara reached for her hands and backed them toward the hall.

  Seeing this confident, secure side of Sara emerge excited her beyond words. Without protest, Izzy followed her right into the bedroom where she gave herself over completely, indulging in each tease and touch as Sara took her time exploring every inch of her body. She ached with need and Sara read her perfectly, grazing her lips tenderly across her body until they found her dripping wet center. Her tongue was hot and soft and so greedy that Izzy had to distract herself to hold in her release so she could savor the feeling of Sara’s warm mouth on her very core. She lost all concept of time at the feel of Sara’s velvet tongue stroking her clit, but the payoff was nothing short of divine as a heavenly orgasm radiated out from her center and cascaded smoothly over her limbs.