A Change of Plan

A Terrific Storm

The sky darkened fiercely as Miss Lister held Miss Walker in her arms. "Looks like a thunderstorm," she murmured.

"I don't like thunder or lightning," Miss Walker said. She trailed her finger down Anne's bare chest and back up. They'd been in bed the better part of the afternoon, breaking only to take lunch on the porch overlooking the lake. Miss Lister hadn't wanted to wash and dress when she knew they'd just undress again later, but they did have to eat. And the servants didn't need to know anything was going on. Miss Walker had told them Anne was teaching her how to do mathematics. Some lessons, Anne had thought wickedly.

"Don't worry, they won't hurt you." The first bolt of lightning flashed in the distance and Miss Walker buried her head in the crook of Anne's neck. "I've got you," Anne said.

The window was open and a strong breeze blew the curtains far into the room. Miss Lister extracted herself from her pinned down position to shut it. "It won't do to have you catch cold." She stood looking out at the lake. Its waves had formed small whitecaps and they collided with each other, having not agreed on a direction to charge toward.

At the next clap of thunder, very much closer than the last, Miss Walker let out a whimper from underneath the blanket.

"Annie, it's beautiful out there. Won't you watch it with me?"

"No."

"Please? I'll make it worth your while." Miss Lister sat on a maroon velvet chair next to the window. She wasn't used to sitting anywhere with no clothes on, and the fabric's soft feeling delighted her.

Miss Walker poked her face out of the blanket. "What do you mean?"

"I want you here on my lap," Anne said, patting her thighs. "Please watch it with me. It's exhilarating."

Miss Walker looked skeptical, but Anne could see her eyes darken as she took in Anne's naked figure. "Okay," she said finally, and tiptoed out of bed. She slid easily into Anne's lap and looked out over the lake. "It is beautiful. The lake is so chaotic." Just then, a bolt of lightning flashed just on the other side of the water and Miss Walker curled into a ball.

"Don't let it scare you," Anne said. She stroked Miss Walker's hair until her breathing calmed.

Miss Walker made an appreciative noise. "That's really nice."

Anne's attention moved from the storm to Miss Walker's gorgeous figure on her lap. They'd never been naked outside of bed, and on the second floor, there was little chance they'd be seen. Feeling Annie's weight against her was an entirely new delight and she didn't hesitate to show it.

Anne kissed the back of Miss Walker's neck, moving her hair aside to unveil the creamy skin underneath. Another clap of thunder sounded, but Miss Walker didn't move, concentrating on the feeling of Anne's tongue against her bare back. The rain came then and pattered against the window so loudly that Anne barely heard Miss Walker whimpering. It seemed she had found the magic spot.

"Please don't stop," Miss Walker moaned as Anne took her mouth away to adjust their positions.

"I love you," Anne said. She gently tugged Miss Walker's hair back so she could kiss her exposed neck and began to trail her fingers across her belly. Miss Walker's skin was soft and flushed. As Miss Walker shifted position slightly, Anne felt warm wetness against her lap. She reached down past Miss Walker's lower hair and into her center, finding her newly aroused. It seemed no matter how many times they touched each other, neither was ever unprepared to do it again.

"Oh, Anne." Miss Walker writhed as Anne's fingers entered her. A bolt of lightning hit a tree nearby and threw sparks into the air, but Miss Walker didn't notice. Anne did, and she quickened her fingers, drawing them in and out at a steady pace. Miss Walker was barely able to stay on the chair, so Anne held her around the middle until she let out a sharp cry and arched her back. Anne bit her shoulder gently until Miss Walker stopped shuddering. She collapsed against Anne like a ragdoll and began to sob.

Miss Lister lifted Miss Walker and carried her to the bed. She pulled the blanket up and held her tight, kissing her cheek and her ear. Miss Walker's sobs dissolved into weak laughter. "Anne, what you do to me...I feel completely turned around when I'm with you. It's only when I'm not that I start to worry about what people might think."

Her words struck Anne, though she'd meant them lightly. "Then we shan't be apart for very long at one time."

Miss Walker turned at Anne's serious tone. "Oh no, I didn't mean to make you upset."

Anne shook her head and played it off. "You didn't. I know you didn't mean anything by it." She stroked Anne's hair, a pit forming in her stomach. Was Miss Walker capable of ruining her yet again? Of course she was, Anne thought. She'd done it once, why not again? Anne would have to find some way to convince her to overlook the ridicule she'd certainly endure as another woman's lover.

"Anne?"

"Yes?"

"I love you more than you know. I just need time to get used to what people might do or say." Miss Walker faced Anne and placed her hand on Miss Lister's cheek. "Will you wait for me?"

Anne sighed. "I suppose we both have quite a few years left. Just leave a few of them for times like these, will you?"

Miss Walker kissed her passionately. "What else have I to live for?"