Page 98 of Beyond Her Manner
Gillian looked down. “No. We were young. We never partook in anything more than what we would call ‘heavy petting’.”
She felt a pressure on her chin, and then Viola’s finger was lifting Gillian’s head so that she could peer into her eyes.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of, and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I’ve never slept with a man.” Viola shrugged and twisted her lips. “I couldn’t care less, and I don’t suppose you do either.”
Gillian shook her head. She didn’t care about anything that came before, only the present and the future.
“See? Now, can I help you out of that dress?”
Gillian turned her back to Viola and pulled her hair to one side. She was grateful for the new, matching black silk underwear she wore beneath. At least she didn’t have to worry about Viola seeing her in something old and frayed.
She could feel Viola’s presence close behind her, her breath grazing her skin, making her quiver. The fine hairs on her arms prickled as the zip lowered. Pressing her hands across her stomach, she griped the fabric as if it were a shield. Embarrassment began pooling in her chest, but beneath it she felt something stronger — trust. She trusted Viola, and she wanted her to see all of her.
Instead of letting the dress fall with her back to Viola,she took a deep breath and turned to face her. With her heart pounding, she allowed the fabric to slip from her shoulders. It cascaded to the floor in a soft, deliberate surrender, leaving her bare in every possible way. Gillian watched the expression on Viola’s face. There was something intimate and grounding about watching her eyes trace her body and witnessing firsthand the impact she made.
“Wow. You are breathtaking,” Viola said, brushing her hand over Gillian’s belly.
Gillian watched as Viola stepped back and lifted her dress over her head. Dropping it to the floor she removed her tights. Her gaze swept over Viola’s body, unable to resist taking in every detail. The simplicity of her plain, black knickers and bra was a stark contrast to her own fancy lingerie.
She suddenly felt overdressed, as though she had tried too hard. Her lace and silk were making her feel exposed. There was something magnetic about Viola’s understated beauty, the effortless way her milky skin glowed, the gentle curves that invited touch. Everything about her was natural. Viola didn’t need lace or satin; her allure came from something deeper, something more genuine and authentic. Gillian’s fingers twitched, needing to reach out, to close the space between them.
“If you don’t like them, they’re removable,” Viola teased.
Sensing her face may have been conveying the wrong message, Gillian smiled. “No, not at all. I was thinking how comfy they look and how beautiful you are.”
Viola flushed, a soft chuckle escaping her. “Even in these? I didn’t exactly plan on showing anyone my underwear tonight — not that I have many fancy alternatives.”
“Nor did I… plan on it,” Gillian replied, her voice softening. “Yours look more comfortable and practical. I just tend to choose this kind of underwear out of habit.”
Viola’s eyes studied her with an intensity that made Gillian’s breath catch. “Is it a layer of protection? Something that gives you confidence and makes you feel empowered?”
Gillian paused, taken aback by Viola’s insight. She realised there was more to it than she’d ever acknowledged. The layers they both wore, it seemed, were more than simple fabric. “Perhaps.”
“Thenperhapsit’s time to remove it,” Viola suggested, raising an eyebrow.
Gillian nodded, her heart still hammering in her chest. With one swift movement, Viola reached around and unclipped her bra, easing it down her shoulders and adding it to the growing pile of clothes on the floor. The cool air brushed against her exposed skin, making her shiver. Noticing the desire in Viola’s eyes, tracing her breasts as if memorising every detail, sent a sudden surge of heat through her.
She froze as Viola’s hands grasped her breasts, cupping and caressing them; the warmth from them radiated against her skin. A light whimper escaped as she exhaled, only to draw in breath again as Viola toyed with her nipples. It sent an unexpected surge of emotion through Gillian, moistening her eyes as she realised she’d never felt so complete.
As Viola leaned towards her, Gillian met her halfway, and their lips crashed together, warm, wet, and greedy for more.
“Tell me to stop… if you want me to,” Viola muttered between kisses.
“I don’t want you to stop,” Gillian whispered as her fingers unclipped Viola’s bra.
Viola let out a playful chuckle, the sound vibrating between them as she slid the bra off and tossed it aside.
“What’s so funny?” Gillian questioned as her eyes roamed over Viola’s bare breasts.
Viola’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned closer, her voice breathy against Gillian’s ear. “I always imagined you to be a bit bossy in the bedroom.”
“You thought of me like that?” Gillian said, feeling momentarily vulnerable, only for the feeling to fade as arousal washed through her.
“Yes, along with all the things I wanted to do to you if I ever got my hands on you.”
Gillian’s stomach tingled at her words, but her thoughts took over, distracting her.Why wasn’t she bossy? Why was she sonervous? She’d done it before. The anatomy was different yet not unfamiliar. Why was she letting her nervousness hold her back from devouring the woman in front of her? Viola was safe, she wasn’t judgemental, and she could see in her eyes Viola wanted her as much as she wanted Viola.
“Would you like that? For me to be bossy?” Gillian questioned.
