Through Love's Eyes Page 16

  Erika reflected on her earlier intensity and desire to take Brit to bed. The desire still smoldered, and she believed the feeling was mutual. “I’m ready. Can we come back here for a picnic one day?”

  “I think that’s a good idea.” Brit took her hand and led the way back to the main path. This time, she unlocked her apartment door with steady hands. “I’ll start dinner soon. Pork chops sound good?”

  “Sound great. I think I’ll go to that spot where I had good cell reception the other day and try Peter’s number. I’ll be back soon.” She kissed her and left.

  She found a bench and sat to make her call. She hoped for strength and clarity before trying his number. She tapped her foot as she waited, unsure if she hoped he’d answer or get his voice mail.

  “Hello, Erika.”

  “Hi, Peter. Any work for me yet?”

  “I thought I made it clear that there wasn’t. Naturalé Mag is it. Can I tell them you’re available?”

  “Listen, Pete, I have an idea. What about a travel magazine? Like the one I just finished with here. Surely there must be others. I shouldn’t have to tell you that.”

  Peter’s loud sigh gave her the answer. “No, Erika. I’m sorry. I’ve tried every angle for you. I even looked at a few of the European magazines. Like I told you, they want fresh and new. I’m flying out tomorrow to San Francisco. Leave a yes or no answer with my answering service by Friday. Again, I’m sorry, Erika.” He hung up.

  She stared at the horizon, aware that he was truly done with her. He didn’t sound empathetic, he sounded irritated. Clearly, he had better things to do and he expected her to quietly fall in line. What was she going to tell her parents? Slowly, she made her way back to the apartment, trying to plan for a conversation she hadn’t imagined having to occur. She sniffled and found a tissue in her pocket to blow her nose before she reached Brit’s. She pasted on a smile before she opened the door and entered. She wouldn’t ruin any of their remaining time together by crying over what she couldn’t have. Not in front of her, anyway.

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Brittany rested her feet on the coffee table as she watched the news, but her thoughts strayed to Erika. Calls to Peter never seemed to go well, and though she wasn’t going to give her opinion, she thought Erika might be better off without him. She went to the kitchen and filled two wine glasses. They’d either be celebrating or drowning their sorrows. She carried them into the living room to wait.

  Erika opened the door a few minutes later and called out. “I’m home.”

  She searched her face for an idea of how things went, but she couldn’t read Erika’s expression. She handed her one of the wine glasses. “Good news?”

  “Not really.” She sat on the couch and took a drink of her wine. “He gave me an ultimatum. Naturalé or nothing. Nothing new.”

  Brittany took Erika’s glass and set it on the table before enveloping her in her arms. She kissed the corner of her mouth and stroked her hair. “It’ll be okay. I was thinking while I waited for you about the burn unit. We could both become more involved and volunteer on a regular basis. I thought of something else, too. We could always use more help with the horses. I’m sure, if I talked to Ben, you could work part-time in the stables.” She tried to look hopeful, but her sad face told her it wasn’t working.

  Erika reached for her hand. “I appreciate your efforts, Brit, but I’ve lived my whole life being told my only value is my looks. I’ve been groomed to be the most beautiful, and my life has been in front of a camera. I just wouldn’t know who I was if I wasn’t a model. And if I’m not…well, I’ll have to figure out what it is I want to be.”

  She looked so sad Brit had no idea what to do. “Is there anything I can do or say to help? I feel useless.”

  “Let’s have another glass of wine for dessert.”

  Brittany carried the glasses to the living room. “I’m not sure if wine makes anything better, but it can’t hurt.”

  Erika took a drink and set it on the table. “I don’t have to decide anything until Friday, so where’re we going tomorrow?” She leaned against her.

  Brittany retrieved a folder from her file cabinet and opened it on the coffee table. “I’ve got this great map of Mackinac Island. Is there any place you’d like to see?”

  Erika studied the map for a few seconds and pointed to an area just outside of town. “What’s up there?”

  Brittany looked through her folder and found a tour that included the area Erika had pointed to. “That’s a scenic area of the island that’s a little far to walk from here, but we can take a carriage tour. In fact, I kind of like the idea of being a passenger for a change.”

  “Cool. We’ll do it tomorrow. Does it say what time the tour starts?”

  “Eleven o’clock. We can have breakfast, throw some snacks and water in my backpack, and go.” She was warming to the idea of riding instead of driving for a change. And Erika’s smile and enthusiasm helped ease her worry.

  “Okay. We’ve got tomorrow all set. Shall we watch TV for a while?” Erika asked.

  Brittany put her maps away to give herself time to figure out her feelings. She’d been hoping for the possibility of making love, but she wasn’t sure how to make it happen. Was it only this morning Erika had clenched her hand and moved it to offer her the precious gift of herself? She craved Erika’s touch now. Maybe she was teasing about wanting to watch TV, maybe she regretted their earlier closeness, or maybe she was so upset about the ending of her career, she couldn’t think of anything else. Out of maybes, she returned to her seat on the couch. “Anything you’d like to see?” She picked up the remote as she spoke.

  “Well, actually…” Erika kissed her. “It’s getting late.” She kissed her again. “Maybe we should go to bed.”

  Brittany’s heart pounded. She pulled Erika into her arms and kissed her. She would’ve been content to stand in the living room kissing Erika until they could no longer stand, but Erika broke the connection and led her to the bedroom.

  Erika pushed her onto the bed and straddled her waist with her knees and Brittany grasped her hips. She followed her movement as she crossed her arms and slowly lifted her shirt over her head. She traced her fingers over the swell of Erika’s breasts above her lacy bra and forced herself to breathe when she unclasped it and tossed it aside. She glided her fingers over her soft pale skin to circle her areolas and firm pink nipples. She relished the weight of Erika’s breasts in her hands when she leaned over and braced herself on either side of Brittany’s head. Her nipples tickled her palms and she took them between her index and middle fingers. She gently squeezed and Erika gasped and sat up. Erika covered her right hand with her left and slid her own hand past the waistband of her jeans and panties to touch herself.

  Brittany inhaled a ragged breath as she watched Erika’s face as her orgasm overtook her, and she collapsed to lie next to her. She gathered her in her arms and held her as she mumbled unintelligibly. They rolled over on the bed and Erika wiggled out of her jeans and panties. As much as she loved having Erika naked, being fully clothed herself seemed wrong. She lifted off her T-shirt and unbuttoned her jeans, aware of Erika watching her. They were both breathing hard by the time Brittany finished undressing and they pressed together with lips joined and legs intertwined. She thrust her center against Erika’s and released a groan when Erika ground against her. Erika slipped a hand between them, slid a finger inside her, and Brittany lifted off the bed, urging her deeper. She clung to Erika as her orgasm engulfed her and she shivered with aftershocks.

  Brittany shifted to be able to reach Erika, overcome with the need to touch her everywhere. She traced her fingers down her neck to her breasts. She circled a nipple with her finger before using her tongue and slipping her middle finger inside Erika. She became dizzy with the scent of her arousal and awestruck by her silkiness and the strength of her contractions as she came. Brittany reluctantly withdrew her hand and encircled Erika in her arms. Mine was her last thought as she fell aslee
p.

  Chapter Forty

  Erika lay wrapped in Brit’s arms and snuggled closer as she drifted in and out of sleep. She didn’t want any thoughts bombarding her. Brit stirred and held her tighter. There was a two-inch difference in their height, but lying naked in each other’s arms, they fit together perfectly. She tried to remember the last time she’d spent a whole night with anyone and came up blank. There’d been an Italian beauty she’d met while on one of her shoots in Rome, but she’d slunk out of the hotel room at some point while she slept. Erika found out later that the woman was married to a male high-ranking government official, making her decision to make herself scarce quickly a great idea. But she loved waking next to Brit, and that was wonderful and scary. Brit had been hurt too many times in her life, and she didn’t want to be the one to hurt her again.

  She looked at the clock and turned over on her back.

  “I can feel you thinking.” Brit placed her hand on her belly and drew small circles with her fingers.

  “Keep that up and you’ll feel more than my thoughts.” Her hips rose, an involuntary request for more.

  “Are you all right?” She continued her finger doodling.

  “I’m fine. Go lower.” Her breath caught as Brit started figure eights moving closer toward her mound. “Please.” She grabbed the sheets and pushed into Brit’s touch.

  “Close your eyes.”

  Erika turned toward Brit, unsure what she had in mind, but decided she liked the game. She shut her eyes and waited. Her left nipple responded to Brit’s warm breath on her breast then the flick of her tongue. She squirmed and pushed her chest up, needing more. Then Brit blew softly on the side of her neck and tracked moist kisses and light nibbles toward her shoulder. She tried to remain still and anticipate what came next, but intense desire replaced surprise when Brit took her left nipple in her mouth and sucked gently. She grabbed her head and pulled her against her.

  “No fair. I get to choose what comes next.” Brit sounded breathless.

  Erika released her grip. “Please continue.”

  The mattress dipped as Brit shifted and Erika’s body tingled in anticipation. She didn’t have to wait long before Brit’s body pushed against her side. She moved so her leg pressed against Erika’s center. Erika responded to the pressure by grinding against her thigh, hoping for more. She wasn’t disappointed when Brit moaned and apparently gave up on the game. She kissed her and slid her pussy against her leg while pushing her thigh into her.

  Erika clung to Brit as they rode out their orgasms together.

  After her breathing returned to normal, she turned to her side and pushed her butt back against Brit. She squeezed her hand when she draped her arm over her and interlaced their fingers. “This feels nice.”

  “It feels better than nice. I don’t suppose we could just stay in bed all day.” Brit moved their joined hands to her breast and shifted closer to her back.

  Erika gasped at the contact. “That’s tempting.” She wanted to call her lover, or sweetheart, or any other endearment, but uncertainty tore at her. She had to go back to New York. She had to do and be the person she was groomed to be. She couldn’t walk away from the spotlight without trying harder. She blew out an exasperated breath.

  “You okay?” Brit rose on her elbow and kissed her shoulder.

  “Yeah, I’m okay. Just not used to lying around in bed, I think.”

  “How does oatmeal sound for breakfast?”

  “Do you have raisins?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Sounds good to me.” She wrapped her arms around Brit and hugged her before swinging her legs over the side of the bed. “Okay if I get in the shower first?”

  “Sure. I’ll get the coffee started.”

  Erika stepped under the hot spray and considered her options. How could she take some control? She used the body wash Brit had left for her. The scent reminded her of Brit, and confusion surfaced as emotions swamped her. She couldn’t deny her feelings for her went way beyond friendship, and she’d all but invited her to stay so they could see where this took them, but who would she be here? It was a beautiful island, but except for finding Brit, it could have been a vacation. A getaway from her hectic life. The only life she’d ever known. The life that defined her. Would Brit be able to stand the fast-paced life of New York? If her next job was Naturalé, where would that leave her? She finished her shower, dressed, and went to find Brit.

  “I just finished the oatmeal. You can go ahead and eat if you want. I’ll just be a few minutes in the shower.” Brit picked up her coffee cup and headed to the bathroom.

  Erika settled at the outside table with her coffee. She pulled out her phone, surprised it looked like it had nearly full reception. She decided to try her friend in New York. It either would work or it wouldn’t, but she was tired of waiting for Peter. It surprised her again when the call went through on the first try.

  “Hello, Erika. Are you still on location in Michigan?”

  “Hey, Pat. I am. I’m glad my call went through. The cell reception isn’t too good here. I’m calling to see if you have any info on job openings.” Erika tried not to hold her breath as she hoped for a positive response.

  “As you know, I retired a few years ago, but I try to keep up with things. My ex-agent calls me if he hears of an opening for a mature model. Sorry there hasn’t been anything lately. But I’m pretty much happily retired. Why are you asking? Doesn’t Peter have anything for you?”

  “No. He’s pushing me to do a nude shoot, but I really don’t want to. He tells me it’s my only option. I’m getting tired of hearing that, so I called you.”

  “I’m sorry I can’t be of more help. I’ll certainly keep my eyes open for you. I can make a few calls, too.”

  “Thanks, Pat. You can reach me on this number. Take care.”

  “You, too, and good luck.”

  Erika blew out a breath. She’d hoped Pat would know of something. She sipped her coffee amazed how much more settled she felt just from trying to take matters into her own hands.

  * * *

  “Ready?” Brit asked as she slung her backpack over a shoulder.

  “Ready for today’s adventure.” Erika took her hand and glanced at the sky as they walked. “It almost looks like it’s going to rain.”

  “The weather forecast is for a cloudy day, but no rain. We’ll be in the enclosed carriage anyway.”

  They followed the road to the waiting area where four Percherons were hitched to a large coach. Erika looked closer and counted at least fifteen seats. “Wow. This is a big wagon.”

  Brit chuckled. “It’s made to hold up to twenty people and it goes pretty much around the whole island, which is a grand total of eight miles.”

  They boarded and took seats toward the back. A middle-aged couple climbed aboard and argued over where to sit.

  The woman stopped a few feet from them and gasped. “Harold look. Harold! It’s Erika James, the model.” She rushed toward them, dragging Harold behind her.

  Erika smiled and offered her hand in greeting. “Hello.”

  “Oh, I can’t believe it’s you.” She turned to Harold, who looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. “This is my husband, Harold, and I’m Elizabeth.” She pulled out a crumpled piece of paper and a pen from her huge purse, and handed them to her. “Could I have your autograph? I’ve seen you in Vogue magazine. You’re beautiful, and I love the outfits you choose. They’re perfect for you.”

  Erika thanked her and signed the paper. People recognized her. She had to keep modeling. She sat back and waited for the tour to begin. When Brit took her hand, she squeezed it and prayed she could figure out a way to keep her in her life and still continue her career.

  Chapter Forty-one

  Brittany watched the woman fuss over Erika. She looked thrilled to see her, and she’d never seen Erika look happier. This woman recognized her and obviously loved seeing her in the magazines. But Erika didn’t have any magazines requesting her, and she
couldn’t imagine how devastating that must be for her. It wasn’t like an athlete aging out of their chosen sport. They could become coaches or sports announcers. What did retired fashion models do? She’d read about a model who’d married an NFL quarterback. She did some acting and was involved in charities, but she also had children. Erika had the option of posing nude or finding something besides modeling. She hoped she could help her find her way but questioned what she had to offer. She took her hand and kissed the underside of her wrist.

  The older couple wasn’t obtrusive but made sure to include Erika in their conversation whenever they could. Well, the woman did, anyway. The man looked about as interested as a plastic bag in the wind. The tour of the most secluded area of the island was beautiful, and it let Brittany focus on the area instead of the instability of her emotional life. The tour ended at the gift shop, and the woman waved enthusiastically as they left, shouting that she couldn’t wait to tell her friends who she’d spent the morning with. Erika laughed and waved back.

  “Can we go into the gift shop for a while?” Erika asked.

  “Of course. You never know what treasures you might find.” She followed Erika through the store and helped her carry her selections.

  “Are all those gifts?” Brittany asked. Erika had purchased two coffee mugs and two shot glasses displaying images of the Mackinac Bridge.

  “Yes. Gifts for me. Would you like one?” Erika held up a cup and glass.

  “No, thank you. I already have a few. Did you enjoy the trip today?” Brittany asked.

  “I did. This is a beautiful place.” She took her hand as they walked home.

  “I have an idea for tomorrow. Since we couldn’t do it the day it rained, would you like to rent bikes and go see Fort Holmes? It’s about a two-mile trip from here, then there are a bunch of stairs to climb. It’s located on the island’s highest point. Three hundred and ten feet above Lake Huron.”