Same Time Next Year

[Lady_Kit]

A closed thread for me to enjoy with the lovely Chanaud.

Please read along and enjoy.

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“Welcome home, Missy Clare.” The greeting by the smiling coffee colored man was music to the ears of Clarice Hughes and she felt her travel weary muscles relax in response.

Hello, Pedro. How are you? Where is Bella? I thought you might both come to pick me up.

“Bella, say she no come, cause the last time you drug her all thru the market on your way home. And she’s too old for dat nonsense!”

As she climbed into the waiting jeep, Clare smiled in spite of herself, amused that Bella knew her so well. It was true that she loved to hit the farmers market on the way home; the fresh fruits and vegetables drew her like a magnet. She felt guilty at the idea that she’d drug Bella, Pedro’s long suffering wife, around too much last year. She’d just have to drive into town herself tomorrow.

Most of the ride to “Jasmine Cottage” was spent catching up on local gossip. The small island community changed little from year to year, and when the news ran out they settled into a comfortable silence. As they neared the cottage, Clare reminded Pedro to drop her at the beach path.

“Missy, I left you there on that spot every year for the last 19. You think I’m gonna forget this year? Leave your things with me, I’ll take it all to the house. Bella says dinner is at 6, as usual. Less you want to change?”

No, Pedro, don’t change anything. I want it all the same, just like always. Tell Bella I’ll be there.

Clare stepped away from the road, not sparing a glance for the departing jeep as she moved to a set of sturdy wooden stairs. The moment her bare feet touched the first tread she smiled and closed her eyes. A wave crashed in the distance, and the sound was like the calling of her name in a beloved voice. She inhaled deeply; the scent reminded her of the perfume her long gone mother had worn, or maybe it was just the comfort of an aroma that had always represented happiness. Either way, the bubble of pleasure the scent created made her laugh a little as she started down the steps.

The decent to the beach was quick, and safe, unlike the early years when she slid and skidded her way to the bottom. Somehow never breaking a leg, as she was often told she would, but not escaping without many scrapes and one final incident that had left her with a scar and the faint marks of a dozen stitches. The next year a stair was magically in place when she arrived. “A gift to keep you safe,” a plaque carved into the railing at the top said.

Clare had done her very best to thank the one who gave the gift. The memory of those two weeks made her wet, even after all these years. Her blue eyes sparkled when she thought of the next two weeks. The only time each year when she could be who she was and with someone she adored. Her pace increased, the leisurely walk she always intended to take when she arrived never happened, and her long legs began to eat up the distance from the stairs to the cottage at the far side of the white-sanded crescent.

The further she moved from the steps the farther away she put her everyday life as CEO of a manufacturing company. This was not only her vacation home, it was her vacation life; this year marked the 20th anniversary of the purchase of the cottage and the start of that life. Neither of her marriages had lasted so long, she bleakly wondered if her company qualified as a relationship though it too was younger than her Jasmine Cottage existence.

She paused as blonde hair blew against her face, obscuring her vision for a moment. When she swept it away the first thing she saw was the veranda of the cottage, and then the lone figure waiting at the railing. Clare laughed aloud and began to run.

 

[chanaud]

Veronica

Unapproachable. Ruthless. Ice Queen.

Those were merely a few words among the long list to describe Veronica Wake. She knew it, but didn’t care. It took all that and more to earn the most exclusive Executive Producer title to NightLine News.

Born with a privileged background, Veronica had it all. The dream job though no one can dare say she didn’t ear the position, a penthouse overlooking the tops of the trees of upper Westside Manhattan, a self made multi-millionaire husband (he was handsome, too!), and most of all - she had beauty and class. Her exotic Eurasian looks stunned women and men alike. Her perfectly poised body made models envious. Her sharp mind was never questioned during board meetings. Her philanthropy kept her in the media.

The world would be shocked if they only knew how unhappy she was. Especially her husband. He still claims to be in love with her. Only Veronica knew the truth. He barely touched her when they made love. He treated her like a fragile china doll. He saved his lustful manly acts for other women. Women he never kept long, women who were disposed of with a handsome payoff. He was just in love with the idea of her. And so were the rest of the world.

Only one person treated her like an equal. Veronica closed her eyes and smiled wistfully. She remembered the first time they met -- it was one of those serendipitous moments. Clair was an exclusive guest for the segment, ‘Women in the Roles of Men,’ a special NightLine had featured of women in powerful positions. Clair’s name was on the top of the list, and was a surprise when she accepted. Nervous of her first feature, Veronica had happened to spill a cup of coffee on her silk blouse. While she was changing, the door to her office opened. And there was this beautiful woman with the clearest blue eyes asking if she had found the ladies room.

Instead of yelling for her secretary, Veronica laughed and offered her own private room. Clair accepted and stayed for a cup of coffee. Then she accepted the invitation to lunch. And from there, they graduated to a weekend’s getaway to Clair’s exclusive island. Then they became lovers.

Veronica felt the salt air coating her skin. She felt all tension leave with the afternoon sea breeze. It was the only place she felt at ease and could be herself. She was far from the media, her husband, and most of all -- she was with Clair.

Come to me, Clair, Veronica whispered softly. Then she felt something tug at her heart. it was the same familiar feeling whenever her thoughts drifted to her best friend, her lover. She opened her eyes. Something in the corner of her eyes was rushing towards her.

Clair!

A smile shone as brightly as her eyes. Her heart was pounding as fast as Clair’s footsteps towards her.

Then with abounding grace, Clair appeared before her. And Veronica was soon wrapped in soft arms and kissing the luscious lips she had craved all year since the same time, last year.

 

[Lady_Kit]

Claire pulled Veronica against her and pressed her softer rounder form against the lithe beauty. The first kiss of their two weeks together was precious; in that moment the world stood still, and every moment after was one less that they would have together. She moved her lips across Veronicas, tasting the familiar flavor of her lovers’ mouth, and teased her tongue between the rosy petals to savor to the sweetness within. Her hands roamed up and down Veronicas back, skimming over the beloved lines of shoulder, hip and gently rounded ass. She felt hands stroking her own body, clever strong hands moving over her, caressing her through her clothing and she sighed in response.

Her lips moved to the delicate jaw and she nibbled a path to the sensitive spot behind one ear and Claire smiled against salt-touched skin as Veronica trembled. They pulled apart, faces flushed and smiling, eyes shinning with the promise of the extended welcome that they would offer each other tonight.

Hi ya, Beautiful.

Claire looked into the face that had long ago captured her heart, and smiled softly before leaning close to whisper against Veronica’s lips.

Welcome home.

The two women kissed again, the barest touch of skin to skin, but it left Claire feeling as if she were starved for air and with a heart that pounding like she'd just run a 50 yard sprint.

“I got here first so I should be welcoming you home. Shouldn’t I? Besides that, you’re late.”

Late? How can I be late when you aren’t even due to arrive for another…

Claire glanced at her watch and her eyes widened.

…another 12 hours! Not that I’m complaining you understand, but what magic got you here early?

Veronica grinned happily, pleased with her surprise.

“We were shooting a feature piece Miami, and somehow managed to wrap things up ahead of schedule. Instead of heading back to NY, I hopped the next flight south and got here this morning.”

Her first thought was to wish she’d been here sooner, to have the additional time with Veronica. But, Claire knew that time alone was even more precious to her friend than it was to her. She also knew that it meant that they could send Bella & Pedro on their way and be alone together sooner than she expected. The second thought nicely balanced the first and Claire was pleased to know that she'd have Veronica to herself so quickly.

Must be an important piece to lure Madame Producer from her office! To whom should I send the “thank you” card for getting you here so soon? Anyone famous, or just infamous; is there gossip? Secrets? Scandal!? Do tell!

Claires comments drew a laugh as was her intent, and their good humor went with them into the cottage. The floor plan was open, a great room and dining area flowed together, and connected to the state of the art kitchen. Off the main area was the master suite, furnished Island style and dominated by a large four-poster bed. Beyond that was what most people would consider an obscenely luxurious bathroom complete with a tiled shower area and Jacuzzi tub that the dealer had promised would hold four in comfort. Hand in hand they walked to the kitchen, talking as they moved through the familiar space.

“Of course, it must have been someone important. Madame Producer never leaves her office for mere mortals! But, you know I can’t tell you who it was. Not even if you tie me up and torture me. You’ll just have to watch with everyone else.”

Well, I hope it won’t be running before the end of the month, because I don’t plan on watching anything but you until then. Of course, I wouldn’t be opposed to tying you up later, just to check your resolve against talking.

Claire grinned wickedly, her blue eyes speaking volumes about the things she’d like to do Veronica later, and tonight at least, there was plenty of time. Any retort from the dark haired beauty was silenced when Bella emerged from the kitchen bearing bowls of steaming food.

“Welcome, Missy Claire! You have a good trip? Pedro gone to shut up our house, we gon’ leave you early since Missy Veronica done here. Everything is all ready for you. I’ll just serve your dinner and go.”

Before they could do much more than get their dinner and “structions” from Bella, she and Pedro were gone. For the first time in a year, Claire and Veronica were alone.

 

[chanaud]

Veronica

“I’m famished, aren’t you?” Veronica asked, one eyebrow arched high.

Claire’s blue eyes twinkled evilly. “You know how insatiable my appetite is. Shall we eat first, or shall we have dinner?”

“Let’s have dinner,” Veronica answered, and was immediately rewarded by a pouty frown. She wrapped around her friend’s slender waist and whispered in her hair. “Don’t worry, darling. I’m saving you for dessert.”

She plucked a crab roll from the table and fed her friend’s awaiting lips. Veronica’s eyes watched the strong jaw line moving, so sensually. Her own tongue reached out, she could almost taste the crab roll in her friend’s mouth. Her own almonds set eyes smoldered with lust, she wanted to taste her badly. But they had time. And she knew how crazy Claire gets when she’s forced to be patient.

When Claire swallowed, Veronica grabbed a glass of Chardonnay and fed her friend’s lips. One hand swept the long blonde locks and rode the soft waves while Claire swallowed. Oh, how she wanted so desperately to grab a fistful and kiss her passionately.

Patience, she told herself silently. To cool her whole being, she took a long sip of the sweet nectar. She rose from the table and started filling both plates of the delectable menu, Bella made with her own two arthritic hands.

Claire started to rise to help. “Sit, my pet. I’m going to take care of you tonight.”

“You don’t have to do that..”

One palm stopped Claire short. “I know I don’t have to. I want to, let me do take care of you tonight. I promise you can reciprocate tomorrow night,” Veronica answered with a wink.

 

[Lady_Kit]

Famished? Yes, Claire was famished, and she knew that none of the treats that Bella had prepared for their dinner would satisfy. The only thing she wanted to taste was Veronica, and the signs were telling her that it would be hours before she was allowed that pleasure. Control was a funny thing between the two powerful women; it seemed to move from one to another at need. Veronica did enjoy making her blonde lover breathless with desire; as much as Claire loved letting Veronica set the pace. Tonight it seemed that Veronica was in the drivers seat.

They talked over dinner, catching up, sharing stories about friends in common. Just quietly making noise, as their favorite island singer would say. The words were background for the seduction that went on with food and wine, both were potent, but not nearly so much as the pair of exotic eyes that faced Claire across the table. The food had no flavor when compared with the slightest taste of Veronicas fingertips; Claire savored each touch against her lips.

The teasing seemed to go on forever. When she was forced to watch Veronica lick the juice from a ripe piece of mango Claire decided she’d had enough and gave a low growl.

All right, Missy…enough of the torture! I give! Whatever I have is yours, just don’t make me watch those lovely lips doing obscene things to anymore fruit.

Veronica grinned mischievously. Then asked with exaggerated innocence,

“What? Did I do something?”