Page 72 of Closer than Ever

Anna inhaled sharply. Had she been too obvious? Was Hayley flirting with her? What did this mean?

***

Present day

Anna sat beside Hayley on the picnic blanket. The waves lapped at the shore further down the beach as a gentle breeze came and went. Hayley poured some more pinot grigio into Anna’s cup as Anna held it up for her. There was a new lightness to Hayley this evening. Perhaps sharing her stuff earlier had been helpful for her, too? It had changed something between them. Anna felt like they were on a date or something. It was crazy.

“Are you warm enough?” Hayley said. “Would you like me to go and get your coat?”

“I’m warm. This is perfect. Thanks.”

“That’s good.” Hayley took a sip of wine. She was wearing a gorgeous white cotton shirt and skimpy jean shorts that made her ass look great. Her legs went on for miles.

Anna was struggling to keep this clean any more. Knowing what she now knew about Hayley had sparked a level of sexual desire she hadn’t felt in ages. Perhaps since university, all those years ago when it felt like all she did was pine for Hayley: in the shower, during class, sitting quietly in the library. She kept thinking back to all the moments they had where the energy between them was like fire, such as that night at the roller-disco. Anna had had so many sexual fantasies about them, and they were all coming back after today’s confessions. Or maybe she was allowing them to come back. For some reason, the idea of gripping Hayley’s hand, hard, while they fucked kept playing over and over in Anna’s head. It was making her wet.

“What are you thinking about?” Hayley asked, glancing over at her. “You’re very quiet.”

“Nothing.” Anna cleared her throat, feeling caught red-handed. “Just enjoying this beautiful setting.”

“Yeah. It’s romantic.”

Anna smiled, feeling it reach her eyes. “It is.”

Hayley ran her hands through the sand, making circles in it with her index finger. She picked up a handful and let it fall through her fingers.

Anna took a sip of wine, lazily watching Hayley play with the sand, staring at Hayley’s hands and gorgeous fingers. To hold hands like lovers, and with that hard grip, would be the most glorious thing ever. Only this time, Anna would do it right and show Hayley what she was capable of. What they could be together.

“So has our trip gone to plan so far, do you think?” Hayley said.

“Sorry?”

Hayley looked up at her in earnest. The sand beside her was a beautiful mess. “Are you happy with how we’ve gone about it? I haven’t made you be too spontaneous? I haven’t annoyed you too much?”

Anna was speechless. Hayley seemed insecure, which was so unlike her. Anna pressed her lips together and smiled. “I’m very happy about how the trip has gone so far. You haven’t sprung too many things on me, no. You’ve been very well behaved.”

Hayley shook her head, smiling slowly. She seemed softer, somehow. It was lovely.

Anna continued. “No seriously. It’s been amazing. You’ve been amazing. It’s your trip, though. Are you happy with how it’s going?”

Hayley leaned towards Anna, coming close to her head, the insecurity now gone from her eyes. “It’s our trip. And I couldn’t be happier.”

Anna held her eyes for a moment longer than necessary as a shot of electricity rushed through her veins and a warmth spread through her chest. Hayley being happy made Anna so happy. It was as simple as that. “I’m glad.”

Hayley picked up the second to last oatcake and cheese from the plate in between them and put it in her mouth. “Mmm. I could eat these all day.”

“Would you like the last one?”

Hayley smiled. “No, you have it. Why would you deny yourself the pleasure?”

“I want to leave room for the chocolates you got. You have it. You’ll enjoy it more.”

“Well if you’re going to twist my arm then I guess I’m just going to have to.”

Hayley ate the last oatcake before tidying up the remnants of their picnic and putting the stuff away in their little basket. Anna watched her, enjoying her every movement, especially her mouth as she chewed. She hadn’t even tried to hide the fact that she was watching. To be fair, Anna had given up on that a while ago.

Hayley sighed, contentedly, gazing towards the water. “This is such a beautiful place. I feel so lucky to be here and to share this with you.”

“I know. I feel the same.”

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