Page 30 of The Tea Witch’s Secret

No doubt she'd be able to guess what happened tonight based on the fact that I didn't come to her in order to get them removed, but that was something else I'd deal with in the morning.

"I can help," Pepper said, standing and staring for a moment. "Umm, let me clear a chair."

"Or I can just sit on your bed," I said, not wanting to create extra work.

Pepper's voice sounded different when she spoke again. "Or you can do that."

I sat down on the side of her bed, feeling the first flutters of nerves. There were only a few people who had ever undone my hair or seen me with it down. I would be revealing a version of myself that I hadn't shared with anyone in a long time, but it felt right.

She took place behind me, and her hands fluttered against my back, soft and exploratory.

"Where do I start?" she asked, her voice thick with something.

"The clasps first, then the hairpins. The ribbon comes off last," I instructed, relaxing when I could feel her take some of the ornaments out. She was careful and gentle in how she handled them, in how she handled me. Just how it should be.

There was some pressure on my scalp as she wrestled with the ribbon, but my hair came free, falling down to my waist. It felt as intimate as taking off my robe.

"Your hair is beautiful," Pepper said, her fingers running through the length of it. "It's so dark and smooth."

"I wash it with rice water. It keeps it healthy."

"The rice water you save from your breakfasts? I've been wondering why you don't throw it away." Pepper said.

I nodded, not in the slightest bit surprised that she'd noticed me doing that. Pepper was observant.

I leaned into her touch, enjoying the feel of her hands running through my hair. It was very different from how anyone else did it, but it felt really nice. It was making me want to be touched more, and in other ways.

A soft sigh slipped from my lips, and the mattress moved when she shifted her weight so she could press her body against mine. She was radiating heat, and I could feel the firm press of her breasts against my back.

Her voice tickled the side of my face. "Lian. I'm having trouble focusing when I'm this close to you, especially when you're making those kinds of sounds."

"Sighing?" I asked, humming again when her hands kneaded my shoulders.

"Moaning," she said in my ear, sounding breathy and strained.

I felt her desire awaken mine, and I reached for the knots on the front of my chest, letting the fabric wrapped around me fall away. I let it slide down my shoulders, pleased when I heard the sharp intake of air behind me. I didn't want her to be disappointed with my body, but that didn't seem to be the case.

There was a rustle of fabric behind me, and when Pepper pressed against my back again, I could feel her skin against mine. Her arms wrapped around me and I leaned back to kiss her while her hands roamed over my body. I could tell she was eager from how she touched me, from how her tongue stroked against mine.

She flicked one of my nipples, and I arched into her, feeling a spark of excitement between my legs.

"Again," I whispered, wanting to feel it again. "But firmer, please. Soft touches feel like you're tickling me."

Pepper kissed my neck and took my nipple between her fingers, tugging on it until I moaned. It seemed my sounds were encouraging her because she was getting bolder with her kisses, with her touches.

I reached up to her so I could kiss her again, enjoying how it felt to be desired and wanted. The heat between my legs was building, and it was making me feel needy.

"I want to touch you properly," Pepper murmured between kisses.

She didn't need to tell me, I could feel it in her touch. Her hands were sliding further down my abdomen until they were resting on the top of my thighs. I parted my legs, letting her hand slide in between them and moaned when her fingers brushed against my most sensitive parts.

"There," I said, moving my hand over hers and applying pressure when she touched the right spot. That was what I needed.

Pepper kissed my shoulder as she angled her hand up. The sudden change made me gasp and twitch. She rubbed my clit until I felt unbearably turned on and wanted more. Needed more.

I gasped when I felt one of her fingers against my entrance and tensed as she pushed into me. It had been a while, but it felt really hot.

"You're tight," Pepper whispered, kissing the side of my face. "Am I going too fast? Are you not ready?"