Finally I looked into her eyes. She was studying me.

"I don’t understand why people use this phrase, but right now it seems appropriate. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you are so sensuous." A small smile turned up the corners of her mouth, adding to the sexiness.

She brought a hand up to the side of my head.

"I’ve been told that before," she said, her voice low, her eyes trailing all over my face, "but it never really mattered, or affected me." She looked into my eyes. "Are you affected?" I nodded. Her hand found the back of my head, pulling me down.

Balancing on my elbow, I brought my lips to hers, my eyes closing immediately as the kiss began. I tilted my head to the side, opening my lips to her, feeling her hand wandering around in my hair, the side of my neck. I brought just the tip of my tongue out, swiping at the inside of her top lip. She sucked in a breath, and pulled me even closer, rolling over onto her side so we lay body to body. My hand went to her back, pulling her even closer, the kiss turning to liquid fire as passion began to overtake it.

Haley moved her leg so it rested just barely between mine, my leg bending just a bit, to rise above hers.

Our breathing was loud, heavy, and out of control, much like the kiss itself. She pressed her tongue against mine, both wagering for dominance.

God, the fire spread through me faster than any wildfire, lighting me aflame as it went. To my surprise I felt Haley’s hips begin to move, just a bit, but definitely noticeable. Her breasts pressed to mine, stomach, hips, all of it. My own body began to move in response, aching for release, aching for what it had been craving all these years.

God, I just wanted to take her entirely inside me, and keep her there, but instinctively I knew she wasn’t ready for this. Not yet.

I stilled my body, well, did my best to, and slowed the kiss, bringing it down to a dull roar, rubbing soothing circles on her back, instead of my hand being planted firmly on her ass.

Breathing heavily, I pulled away all together, trying to get my heart rate under control.

Haley seemed to understand, as she closed her eyes, taking several deep breaths.

"Wow," she exhaled. I smiled. "Where did you learn to kiss like that?" She opened her eyes, looking at me. I shrugged.

"Years of practice, I guess."

"No one’s kiss has ever affected me the way yours does. My god. I’ve never felt anything like it."

"Ditto here."

"Really?" She smiled almost sheepishly.

"Definitely. You drive me wild, Haley."

"Good." She buried her head into my neck, my cheek resting against hers, my hand caressing the side of her face, fingers brushing back her hair. "What do you say we head to bed?" she said, her hand caressing my shoulder. "After all, we both do have work tomorrow."

"Okay." I said, patting her arm before I pulled away. She looked up at me, grinning.

"Just sleep."

"Who are you trying to convince, lady?" She grinned. I tried to stand, but my legs were literally shaking, feeling like I was trying to walk on sticks of rubber. "Whoa," I flopped back down on the mattress.

"Did I do that to you?" Haley asked, scooting up to sit behind me.

"I’m afraid so. What did you put in that kiss, anyway?" I leaned back against her, reveling in the feel of her.

"My heart," she whispered into my ear. I smiled, hugging her arms tighter around me.

Eventually we both were able to stand, and gathered up the mess, folding blankets, Haley letting the air out of the mattress. She looked at me.

"Did you have a nice Valentine’s Day, Andi?" I stopped folding the blanket I was working on, and looked at her.

"The best I’ve ever had," I said quietly.

"Really?" I nodded.

"Really." She grinned, ear to ear.

"Me, too."


* * *

Winter was coming to an end as March marched into town, bringing lots of rain with it, washing the snow away for the most part, though we still got the occasional storm or five.

It was one of those rare Saturdays when Haley hadn’t stayed over, or I hadn’t stayed over her place. We had decided to give each other some space last night, and on one hand it had been nice, but on both feet, it had sucked. We were getting nearer and nearer to the day when she would fly out of my life, and my state. I tried not to think about it, but knew it was inevitable, and coming quickly.

Just returning from my Saturday morning class, I had changed into a pair of shorts and a tank, and decided to clean the house. Last night had been Bunsen and me night. That poor dog was so confused. I was gone so often, returning from time to time to feed him and take him outside. I knew in his own doggy way he was upset with me. So, last night we had played every game known to man and mutt. We both had thoroughly enjoyed it.

Now, as I mopped the kitchen floor, I heard the doorbell. Leaning the mop against the counter, I hurried over to it, opening the door only to nearly be run over by a very agitated Haley. She was loaded with energy, barely able to keep still.

"Hi," she said, looking at me, kissing me on the lips, then walking right past me, only to start pacing in front of the coffee table. Bunsen watched her, sitting on his haunches, head cocked to the side.

"Um, are you okay?" I closed the front door, and walked over to her. "Come on, let’s sit."

"No, I need to pace. I’ve got entirely too much energy."

"Okay. I’ll sit." I sat on the couch, watching her. "What happened?"

"I did it," she said, looking at me. Confused, my brows drew.

"Did what?"

"I told them." I still didn’t get what she was talking about.

"Told who, what?"

"My parents!" she said, as if I should be able to read her mind. Whatever was I thinking. Then it hit me. My eyes widened.

"Wait, did you tell them what I think you told them?"

"How am I supposed to know what you’re thinking? I can’t read your mind." I chuckled.

"Does it have anything to do with, well, this new you?" She smiled, nodded. She had a wild smile on her face, like she was loaded with fire.

"I called Holden a few days ago, and told him first."

"Wait, what exactly did you tell him?" I stood, walked around to the front of the coffee table, sitting on the edge of it to be closer to her.

"I told him about us, you and me. I was pretty afraid at first, thinking he’d have a reaction similar to Chris’, but Andi, he was totally cool with it, and he still wants me to go to their wedding in September!" She was so excited, her hands constantly moving, her speech fast and filled with energy. "So he told his fiancé, and she was cool with it, too, so then he talked me into telling my mom and dad, and I was worried about doing that, what with my father being sick and everything, but then I decided that I wanted him to know, so I drove over there this morning, and I just came back from there, and my mom made her world-famous waffles for us, but that doesn’t matter, so I told them."

She stopped, taking several deep breaths as her lungs had reached their capacity for words. She looked at me expectantly.

"Wow." I said, running a hand through my hair. "I’ll never be able to look your parents in the face again."

"You’re not upset with me, are you?"

"Oh, no! Honey, I was only kidding. What did they say?"

"Well, to be honest, my mom cried at first, not understanding me, saying how I always had nice men in my life. But my father, oh, he was wonderful." She smiled, sitting down next to me, the table creaking under our combined weight.

"Couch?"

"Couch." We moved over to it, and I held her hand as she continued. "I think he can understand, being into women himself, and also with his current condition, I think he’s really learned to find happiness wherever you can. I really do think my mom will be okay. I think she’s just a little shocked right now."

I looked down for a moment, a selfish thought entering my mind. If she was willing to admit to her folks about us, which meant about herself, that meant that when she got back to California, she’d be willing to try other women. I had no say, but it still was a daunting thought.

Shaking it away to examine later, I looked at her, a smile on my face, though it was forced.

"I’m very proud of you, Haley. That took guts." I rubbed her hand with both of mine. "And whoever you bestow this gift upon is one lucky woman."

She looked at me, confused.

"Andi, what are you talking about? You’re that woman. I thought I had made that clear."

"What? Haley, we’ll be living in separate states."

"So? People have long-distant relationships all the time." She looked at me with such childish innocence and trust.

"I can’t do that to you, Haley. I can’t be so selfish as to limit your new experiences. You deserve to be able to spread your wings and try out flight."

"Hey, shouldn’t that be my choice?" I looked down, nodding. "Come with me, Andi," she whispered.

"Haley, please,"

"No, no, I’m not asking for you to move. Come with me to Holden’s wedding in September." I looked up at her, surprised. "Please? I really want you there."

I smiled, nodding. "Of course, Haley. I’d love to go." She grinned.

"He wants to meet you again now."

"Oh, jeez." She laughed, taking me into her arms.

"It’ll all work out, Andi. Besides, I do have to come back in July for Linda’s concert."

"Yeah. That’ll be fun. So, Holden is going to take over taking care of your dad, right?" Haley nodded.