Page 52 of My Darling Clementine

Clem gripped both of Kizzy’s ankles. “Three!”

She got Mrs. Bates’ fine china to the bedside table just before Clem hoisted both of her legs high in the air and tugged her down. As her head hit the mattress, Kizzy draped her legs over Clem’s strong shoulders.

A sudden memory made her nipples jump to attention. “Oh,” she cried, watching the face between her legs. “I did this once, but it’s been,” she sighed as Clem took the first lick, “a long,” she gasped at the second, “time…” she groaned as firm lips took hold, a soft tongue began lapping, and delicious sensations took over. “Clem…” she groaned, reaching for and grabbing thick tufts of hair. “Oh my God, that’s good, so good,” she got out through gritted teeth, belly undulating.

Another memory flashed through Kizzy, drenching her in dread, and leaving her swamped by an overwhelming fear of being discovered. “Wait…” she tugged Clem’s hair, urgent, her body tense, “wait, wait…”

Lifting her head from between her legs, Clem raised curious eyes to hers. “Yes?” Doubt crossed her face. “Did I hurt you? Don’t you like it?”

Kizzy nodded. “I do, but I need something to bite on.” She wriggled her hips with Clem’s hands still holding her. “The one time someone did this to me… uh… well, I lost my head and got too loud.” She blushed. “It’s how we got caught. You don’t want Mr. Bates bursting in to see if you’re killing me, so give me something to bite.”

“This might be the one night they ignore your scream,” Clem chuckled, “but better not risk it.” With a delighted snort, she examined the discarded pile of clothing on the floor and snatched up the lace bridal veil, offering it to her. “I don’t think a little spit will hurt this, do you?”

“It will have to do.”

Impatient eyes watched her fold the veil over several times until she nodded, then Clem dropped her eyes and dove back in. As her talented tongue provided sensations Kizzy had long forgotten, perhaps only dreamed, she rolled her hips, twitching from side to side. A passionate hunger rose. “Oh, oh yes.”

When Clem’s firm hands took control, holding her in place, Kizzy turned to quivering jelly. “Do it,” she moaned. And when soft, gentle suction joined the insertion of a fingertip that rimmed her opening, she hissed as the sleeping volcano deep in her belly woke and roared to life. She shoved the veil into her mouth, and bit.

Kizzy chuffed into the lace until Clem’s firm lapping tongue, with its exquisite softness, rhythmic pressure, and steady stroking, made her throw her head back and howl. “Ah-ah-ah-woo!” She bit the veil and tried to constrain herself, muffling her cries. “Uhhh, uh, uhnnnn!”

Kizzy shuddered, pulling the lace tight as a bridle, champing at the bit. Her eyes squeezed tight, leaking slow tears that wet her cheeks. “Ah, ai, aiieee!” After long moments of exquisite bliss, her hips jumped and twitched as an orgasm launched her to the moon on a strained, silent scream.

“Ai, oh,” she gasped as after-waves crested, one after another. “Ah … ooh…” Blood returned to her brain.

“Oh my God.” Kizzy panted, loosening her thighs to release Clem’s trapped head. “I can’t believe,” she took a deep breath, “I forgot that…” She wriggled her hips. “And you’re so good at it.” She tugged Clem up to kiss her, running both hands up and down her muscular back.

“Teach me all the secrets of your lovemaking.” Kizzy smiled into sensual eyes. “You share them with me, and I’ll practice them on you.” She kissed Clem’s cheek.

Shaggy eyebrows waggled back at her. “I like the sound of that.” Clem yawned, rolling Kizzy onto her side, pulling her hips until her bottom tucked in close to her flat belly, spooning her. “But first, my eager bride, I need a nap.” Warm breath caressed her ear. “I haven’t slept since rescuing a foolish girl from rowdies looking for a good time.”

“Oh,” Kizzy said, “that’s right. I went back to sleep this morning, but you never did. You must be dead on your feet.”

“Not a phrase I would choose,” Clem yawned, “but I do need some shut eye.”

“You use the pillow,” Kizzy pushed it up, “and I’ll use you.” She snuggled back and laid her head on a strong bicep.

Lying naked in Clem’s arms, she listened to her lover’s soft, rhythmic breathing, enjoying the warm weight of her arm around her waist. Kizzy drifted off to sleep dreaming of panning for gold in California wearing nothing but scandalous bloomers as Clem laughed, working beside her with her johnson hanging out.

Chapter fourteen

Final Preparations

Clem woke at the break of dawn as she did every day, but this morning she opened her eyes to a smiling Kizzy lying beside her. “Good morning,” she said, gathering her in for a kiss. “You’re awake early.”

“Been lying here marveling at miracles.” Blue eyes stared into hers. “I’ve known I like women, not men, since I was twelve and started thinking about kissing Sharon.”

A stab of sudden jealousy surprised Clem. “The woman you were in love with.” That was long before she knew Kizzy.

“We were younger than Gabby, only twelve- to fifteen-years-old. Sharon’s parents sent her one way, while mine sent me another. We were children with no say in the matter and have never seen or written each other since. It broke my heart at the time, but I mended.” She shrugged. “After a while, a young mother caught my eye when I stumbled upon her feeding her baby at a church picnic, and, well... let’s just say I quit wanting the girl I couldn’t have, and started chasing women I could.”

Kizzy’s finger traced Clem’s jaw. “No, what I’m saying is I’ve known I like women, and not men, for a long time and learned to live with it. I never ‘chose’ to sin because it was the way I’d always felt. I hoped one day I’d find a woman who felt the same way, instead of convincing women to give me a try.”

Clem grabbed Kizzy’s finger and brought it to her lips, brushing it along them.

Kizzy poked a playful finger into Clem’s mouth, touched her tongue, then traced her lips again. “Then, after being banished, cast out of Rocheport as a scandalous sinner, and shunned, I arrived as a stranger in a dangerous place, and God sent you to me when I needed you most.”

Her finger’s light touch tickled Clem’s lips as Kizzy shook her head. “I’ve been dreaming of going to California for over a year. I’ve heard the crossing is horrible, and when I get there it’ll be hard, dirty work. But I went crazy thinking about all the people out there picking gold nuggets up from the ground, while I wasted time in Missouri. I want the same chance to strike it rich, and if I don’t hurry the gold will be all gone.”