The Riches of Mercy (24 page)

Then she was naked.

Meredith, overwhelmed to have a woman in her bed, drank in the sight of Natalie's flushed skin, the freckles on her back and arms, the dark curls arrowing between her legs matching her dark hair.

She had been afraid of facing this for so long--in her own heart, and in the world--and here was Natalie, just sitting next to her, accessible. Touchable. Almost ordinary. The obviousness of it made her laugh, made her heart leap. Her soul and her body and her mind were all aligned, all singing, "Yes." From somewhere deeper, someone was whispering, "Finally."

Natalie moved to the headboard where she could lean back, sitting against the pillows, and beckoned. Meredith knelt and kissed her. While they kissed they touched, hands on breasts, knees and legs bumping. Meredith took in her fill of curves and angles and slopes giving way to softness. She ended up straddled on top of Natalie, her curls brushing against Natalie's stomach, one hand on Natalie's breast and the other against the headboard, to hold her up so she could kiss Natalie's lips. She felt open and swollen and ready, and accepted Natalie's tongue, thrusting and firm, into her mouth.

"Please," she said between kisses. She knew it would be quick and she didn't care. They didn't have time. She didn't have the strength. She searched for Natalie's hand and tugged.

Natalie touched her.

"Natalie." Her eyes closed.

Natalie's fingers laid her bare, opened her up, filled her.

"There?"

Meredith crumpled into Natalie's shoulder. "There."

Natalie was touching her more deeply than she'd ever felt, and stroking gloriously, not just inside her but against her, with polished motions and knobby fingers. Excitement rose in Meredith, making her tremble. She strained to hold herself up. Her hips moved against Natalie. Her thighs ached.

She could hear Natalie whispering to her. She tried to listen.

"Shssh," Natalie said. "Look at me."

Moving with Natalie's eager, gentle thrusts, Meredith pushed back from Natalie's shoulder far enough to meet her eyes. Natalie held her gaze. Without breaking the rhythm of her hand, already knowing Meredith so well, exposing every desire, Natalie said, "Kiss me."

Meredith moved forward to Natalie's mouth. Natalie pushed apart her lips with her tongue and deepened the kiss.

The orgasm shook Meredith. She was breathless and powerless against the penetrating kiss. She sought Natalie's hand to sooth the lingering tingles, and then retreated, her whole body searingly sensitive and raw.

She kissed Natalie one more time and then twisted onto her back, panting. She pulled the sheet to her waist, and then, after considering, over her breasts, and slowly became aware of the sweat on her back, sticking to the pillow, and the scent of herself.

"Natalie," she said.

"I'm here."

Meredith shifted closer to lean her head on Natalie's shoulder. Natalie put an arm around her. Meredith put her hand on Natalie's bare thigh, and laughed. "Natalie."

Natalie kissed her hair.

"I've always heard there was something depraved about the homosexual act," Meredith said. Natalie tensed against her, but she went on. "Not in the moral sense--in the physical sense. Like, the Freudian sense. Something half-formed. Like, men settled for other men when they feared women. Stunted. And vice versa. We should feel sad for homosexuals, because they couldn't experience a wholeness."

"Uh huh?" Natalie asked.

"Not going to believe anymore. That was everything I thought it was supposed to be." Meredith swallowed hard.

"Maybe it's too potent, and thus, not fit for anyone stained with original sin."

Meredith snorted.

"This--" Natalie's fingers traced her jaw and said, "Is the beginning of wisdom."

"Oh, shut up."

Meredith turned against Natalie's shoulder. Her hand traveled, in darting finger dances, up Natalie's side and over the slope of her breast, and across her collarbone. Natalie shifted, unsettled. Meredith knew the feeling. Her hand moved down Natalie's chest, over her heart, between her breasts. Natalie trembled.

"Your turn," Meredith said.

"It's all right if you're not--"

Meredith put her fingers on Natalie's lips. "I am."

Natalie exhaled slowly.

Meredith kissed her shoulder and then slid around to kiss her neck, her jaw, her ear.

"Please kiss me," Natalie said.

Meredith kissed her. She ran her hands down Natalie's side, enjoying how Natalie squirmed when tickled and shuddered when stroked. Sated, she could take her time.

She kissed and nipped at Natalie's mouth. Natalie growled.

Meredith pulled away, moving back on the bed.

"Merry," Natalie said.

Meredith stroked the sole of Natalie's foot. "Ticklish?"

"Not there."

Natalie's sole was smooth, without calluses. Meredith knelt, feeling naughtily powerful she could move around, she could bend and dip and twist, and Natalie couldn't. She kissed the pad of Natalie's big toe.

Natalie shivered.

Meredith took the toe into her mouth and sucked.

"Oh, Merry." Natalie closed her eyes.

"How are your feet so soft?"

"I haven't really been on them in six weeks."

"There's more to it." Meredith moved up Natalie's legs, crouching, bracing herself on one arm while she stroked Natalie's leg.

"Fine. Peppermint foot scrub."

"Pedicure?"

"Once a month, at
Le Nail
." Natalie said.

"I had no idea," Meredith said. She kissed the side of Natalie's knee.

Natalie convulsed. "No kids, no partner, cheap real estate in Charlotte--I spent for myself."

"Oh. It paid off."

Natalie grinned.

Meredith met her eyes and said "I--" Then she hesitated.

Natalie pursed her lips.

"I need you to scoot down," she said.

"Why?"

Meredith kissed her belly, and then her thigh.

"Lawyers," Natalie said, carefully pushing off to shift down the bed, "Ask dumb questions."

Meredith settled onto her stomach, sliding her arms under Natalie's legs. Natalie obliged by bending. Her breathing was short and rapid. Her mouth was slightly open. Meredith wanted to kiss her.

She lowered her head.

"Merry?" Natalie asked.

Meredith glanced up. Natalie touched her jaw, cupped her face, and met her eyes. "This is the best morning of my life. I'm serious. It's everything to me."

"Me too," Meredith said.

"Hey, if I pass out, will you give me mouth to mouth?"

Meredith lowered her head and kissed tight, trimmed, damp curls. Natalie gasped. She held herself still, trembling. Meredith took a deep breath, trying to gather courage. Natalie's musky scent came with each intake of air.

"God, please. Merry, please."

Meredith took another deep breath, nosing into Natalie's curls. She opened her mouth and pressed. Slick heat met her lips. Natalie filled her senses. She took a quick, tentative lick.

Natalie groaned.

"Does that feel good?"

"Do it again."

Meredith kissed. Her tongue explored, finding places that made Natalie gasp and moan.

"Yes, it feels good, don't stop," Natalie said, and then, "Merry. Merry."

Then she found a spot to make Natalie whisper her name instead of call it. Natalie trembled against her shoulders. She knew what Natalie was feeling--what she felt with Natalie against her. She used her lips and prayed she was good enough to bring Natalie pleasure, to make nothing but this moment matter. She bowed her head.

"Merry."

Natalie strained, stilling, and then arched against Meredith's mouth. Meredith held her. Natalie shuddered. Meredith felt each tremble and pulse against her lips like kisses.

A hand touched Meredith's hair. "Stop."

Meredith worked her way up into a crouching position, her shoulders aching, her lips numb. Natalie's stomach quivered under her. She licked her lips and glanced up. Natalie was crying. Meredith took Natalie in her arms. Natalie stayed silent, breathing hard with tears rolling down her cheeks. Meredith kissed her hair. She tightened her arms.

"I'm sorry," Natalie said.

"Don't be."

"That was--I didn't expect--"

"Me either," Meredith said. She held Natalie close. "Me either."

"But you're not crying."

"Too excited," Meredith said.

Natalie turned her head to wink at Meredith.

Meredith said, "I'll cry later."

"Then I'll hold you."

"You'll be gone."

"Doesn't matter."

Meredith kissed her over and over until Natalie's breath was even and her tears had gone away.

# #

Chapter Twenty-Seven

"Mommy, I'm hungry." Beau ran into the living room in dripping-wet swim trunks, sunburned. Meredith pointed to the kitchen table, where sandwiches and milk sat. Beau dutifully climbed into a chair.

Daniel came through the door, carrying Merritt. Merritt giggled.

"Ready to get down?" Daniel asked.

"No!"

Daniel spun him around. Merritt screamed.

Beau rolled his eyes and kept eating.

"You're going to strain your back," Jake said, following them in, putting his daughter on the floor so she could run to Daniel and clutch at his leg.

"Lucky I know a physical therapist," Daniel said. But he put Merritt down.

Merritt whimpered and ran to Natalie.

"Hi, Merry," Natalie said as he climbed onto a chair and then wedged himself onto her lap, between her and the table.

"I got bit by a crab," he said.

Meredith gasped.

Daniel shook his head at Meredith.

Merritt held out his arm. "See?"

"I see. Does it hurt?" Natalie rubbed his arm.

Merritt nodded.

"Why are you with Natalie, Merritt?" Meredith asked.

"She's hurt, like me."

Natalie grinned.

"Well, you'd both better eat something if you want to get well."

Merritt grinned. Natalie hugged him and turned him around. He faced the sandwiches.

"I see everyone's dressed." Jake said.

Meredith shot Jake a look.

"And ready to go," Natalie said.

"What about Hollingsworth?" Merritt asked around a mouthful of sandwich.

"Chew, swallow, then speak," Natalie said.

Merritt chewed and swallowed. Everyone waited. He asked, "Where's Natalie's cat?"

"He'll stay with you guys until I come back. If you promise to take care of him."

Merritt cheered.

Natalie jerked her head back from the sound.

"I'll brush him," Beau said.

Meredith put her hands on Natalie's shoulders, needing to touch her. Natalie leaned her head back and smiled. Meredith puckered her lips.

Merritt, in his attempt to get his milk, elbowed Natalie in the chest. She grunted.

Meredith patted her head. "Okay, boys, go get changed. Let the men eat."

"Then we have to leave?" Beau asked.

"Then there's popsicles. But only when you're dressed and have your shoes on."

Another elbow as Merritt bounded off Natalie's lap and into the bedroom.

"You shouldn't bribe your children," Daniel said.

"I'll remind you of what you said when your girl learns four."

#

The ride to the airport was noisy as the boys talked about their morning on the beach in grand, rambling detail. Every time their attention would stray Meredith would prompt them with pointed questions to keep talking.

"We built sand castles right in the wet sand so the waves would come up and get them," Beau said.

"It was awesome," Merritt said.

"Boys and violence," Meredith said and shook her head.

She pulled up to the curb and made the boys sit in the car while she got Natalie up on her crutches, with her carry-on over her shoulder and chest.

"I'll be fine," Natalie said.

"We could wait with you," Meredith said. She let the boys out of the cage and they ran toward Natalie.

"Wait with me? What kind of airport is this?"

"One on the beach of North Carolina," Meredith said.

Natalie shook her head. "I'll be all right. I'll go face the music."

"All right boys, say goodbye," Meredith said.

Natalie handed her one crutch so she could give each of them a one-armed squeeze.

Merritt burst into tears, startling the three of them and the baggage handler and the family getting out of the car a few feet away.

"I don't want you to go," Merritt said.

"I don't want to go either," Natalie said.

"Then don't."

"I have to. Remember Patrick? He brought the cat?"

Merritt shook his head and then asked, "Is he your husband?"

"No, honey. He's just going to help me."

Merritt sniffled. Natalie held him, and Beau did too, until a security guard at a station down the sidewalk coughed at them.

Meredith pried Merritt off. "She'll call you tonight, okay?"

"Okay," Natalie said.

Meredith blushed.

Merritt got in the car and slammed the door. He glared at them through the window.

Beau gave Natalie a more solemn hug. "He'll be all right. He's just a baby."

Natalie ruffled his hair.

Meredith shooed him into the car. Then she turned to Natalie, but it was Natalie who hobbled toward her and caught her in a tight embrace.

"Oh, no," Meredith said.

She buried her face in Natalie's neck and prayed tears wouldn't come. Natalie held her, rubbing her back.

"It'll be okay," Natalie said against her hair.

Meredith inhaled. A sob was in her throat. She breathed sharply and tried to swallow it, and pulled back from Natalie to see her face.

Natalie grinned. "I'll call Merritt tonight. Maybe I'll even talk to you."

Meredith brought Natalie's head down for a brief, tender kiss. Then she let go, turning back to the car. Her lips tingled. The boys sniffled and rolled around and watched Natalie.

Natalie's hand touched her back. "I love you."

Meredith cried. Crutches thudded against the sidewalk, and receded, and Meredith wiped at her cheeks and went around to get into the car.

The family passed by on their way to the door, and a woman asked, her tone somewhere between curious and accusatory--right on the point of nosy, "How sweet. Your sister?"