Marianne

That was it...Emma had decided she had enough of the city life. This was the third time in two years that the loft had been broken into. It was time to pack it all up and start over...The money she came into, through a good investment would allow her to take a couple of years off and just do her thing. This was the perfect time to start..she was sick of her job at the newspaper..she had no partner, so there was nothing to hold her back.exceptt her fear of the unknown. She had hooked up with this realtor named Amber a couple of weeks ago and Amber called the other night raving about this old farm house she had found for sale...said it would be perfect for her...just what she was looking for.

So she grabbed her purse and out the door she went to meet Amber. Through conversations, she knew Amber was with Amy. They had been together for almost eight years now and had a house on the lake. She had met Amy once briefly, she seemed nice enough...and she and Amber kept wanting her to come for dinner, they had this nice girl they wanted her to meet. So with directions in hand, Emma got in the car and headed down the road to meet Amber at this ranch. When she saw the exit, she gently eased off the freeway and turned down this old dirt road...she came upon a circle drive and that is when she saw it...the most beautiful ranch style farm house set back among the trees...a veranda went from one end to the other..it needed some work..but nothing a little paint and sweat wouldn't fix up. As she drove up the drive she saw Amber's car. Standing beside Amber was this woman, brownish hair, mid thirties, not butch, but not femme, more the athletic looking kind of girl. Emma got out of the car and waved, as Amber and this mystery woman walked towards her.

"Hi Emma, I would like you to meet Nina."

"Hello, nice to meet you."replied Emma.

"I brought her along because she runs her own construction business and I thought she could give you some input on how much work the ranch needs."

So with eagerness, Emma, Amber, and Nina walked up the steps.....is this the woman that Amber and Amy kept talking about wondered Emma..... Emma entered the house first....as she stood in the doorway and looked around, a feeling of excitement filled her. She began to imagine all of her things here, what she could do with the place. The three looked around, Emma asking questions and Nina giving her advice. Amber trailed behind and just watched on as the two women chatted about repairs and costs. Just the other night Amber and Amy were talking about how on earth they were going to get Nina and Emma to meet. Then Amy got the scoop on the farm house and it all came together...what a perfect opportunity to get the two of them together.

As they locked up the house Emma headed toward the back yard to get an idea of the rest of the property. As she rounded the corner and stood near the house looking into the back yard, she stopped, her breath caught and the look in her eyes was indescribable. The trees, the flowers, and just at the end a pond...the ducks swimming. For a moment Emma pictured herself sitting on the veranda, the sun coming up, coffee in hand to fresh country air. This is the life...my life...this is what I want. And with that she turned looked at Amber and said. "I'll buy it". Her mind was made up.

The next day Emma met Amber at the office signed all the papers and the deal was done...Amber handed her the keys to the ranch. Emma raced home and started to make some calls. She had a month till the lease was up in the condo and there was still so much to do. She had already given her notice at the paper, a place she could truly say she would never miss. She had to pack and still decide on what she needed to start repairing the ranch. She walked in the door, threw her keys on the table and went to check the answering machine. She heard Amber 's voice and suddenly got nervous thinking something fell through and she did not get the ranch after all. But all Amber was calling about was to give Emma the number for Nina, in case she wanted to get in touch with her about fixing up the ranch....No other messages.

Emma walked down the hall to her bedroom. As she stood in the shower, she thought about calling Nina to find out exactly what needed to be done first. Nina seemed like a nice woman. Very attractive from what Emma could recall. As she got dressed and headed for the kitchen, Emma decided she would call Nina. She got the number and dialed, on the fourth ring Emma was about to hang up when she heard the hello...Wow Emma thought to herself "what a sexy voice". "Hi Nina, it's Emma, Amber introduced us the other week." Now Nina remembered who Emma was, as if she needed reminding. How could any one forget Emma. She was tall, about 5' 7", nice build, blonde hair, curly in that wild kind of fly away look,and the bluest eyes Nina had ever seen. "Emma gave me your number, to ask advice on the ranch. Well I know that I need to go out and get some things and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind coming to the ranch with me tomorrow to take another look around. Maybe decide what needs done right away."

Nina knew she had an appointment on Saturday to go and look at this new site..but she did not want to miss the chance to see Emma. "Sure, sounds great to me." Nina would send one of her partners to go for her. It was no big deal.

"Great," said Emma," I will pack a lunch and meet you there."

Nina hung up the phone and sat thinking. Emma was a beautiful woman and she sure didn't want to just jump into something as she had so many times before. She was getting older and the thought of having someone to share things with was something Nina had been longing for more than ever these days....maybe I'm gettin old, she thought to herself.

Saturday dawned and Nina hopped into her truck to head to the ranch house. She got there before Emma did, so she had a few minutes to check things out. The house was built strong.It definetely needed some work because it had stood unused for such a long time but it had great possibilities. She walked to the outskirts of the mowed property and noticed some wild roses growing there. She picked a few red ones, and a yellow one because, at heart, she was a hopeless romantic--always wanting to be the "white knight". As she walked back towards the front of the house she heard the sound of Emma's car coming down the driveway.

"Hey Emma" Nina called as Emma got out of the car. Nina was again struck by Emma's appearance, as she looked gorgeous in a cute, simple sun dress. Nina held out the flowers with a slight blush,"Here you go...beautiful flowers for a beautiful girl" Emma looked surprised but happy as she brought them to her face to smell the wonderful fragrance that only roses can bring. They stood for a few minutes, Nina looking at Emma and Emma taking in Nina's appearance...5'5" kind of slim build, brownish hair with just a hint of some red, blue eyes that sparkled when she laughed and a dimple that showed itself when she smiled. She stood in blue jean cut-offs, T-shirt with a flannel tied carelessly around her hips, and her work boots...quite a sight.....and she gave me roses Emma mused to herself....

So deep in thought was Emma that Nina had to say her name twice to break into her thoughts..."Um, Emma? Emma, hey, are you ok?"

"Oh yes, just fine...just thinking." Nina said

"Well would you like to get started with the place and give me some idea of what you are looking for"

Emma replied "Sure let's go." She unlocked the door and they both walked into the empty place. As they stood in the foyer they looked toward the living room.They took the three steps down into a somewhat sunken living room.It was big, with a huge fireplace as a focal point. Some glass doors led out onto the veranda on one side and on the other side, three steps led to the dining room.It had a built in china cabinet, and it was obvious that it was hand built from someone who loved this place. On through another door to the kitchen.This was big with a separate pantry lined with shelves, a mini vegetable cellar, and another little nook that looked as if it was made for storing wines....so much for being "average" ranch folks that had lived here.There was a small bedroom off of the kitchen as well as a bathroom. Doors again led to the outside to the wide wrap around veranda that completely circled the place. A set of steps off of the kitchen led upstairs to the end of the hallway. As they walked back through to the living room Emma made comments on possible things she would like done and Nina jotted them down in the notebook she had brought. As they climbed the wide stairs to the upstairs Nina was treated to the sexy image of Emma ascending the stairs in front of her which again led her thoughts in other directions than being the construction consultant for this woman.

She quickly snapped back to the present as Emma spoke to her. The master bedroom was big and also had it's own fireplace and bathroom.There were several possibles for improvement and Nina pitched the idea to Emma. "What would you think of a huge skylight? It would add lots of light during the day and it is really beautiful at night. The bathroom also needs a bit of work. It is big enough to have a large shower-a walk in one, plus a garden tub and you would still have lots of room...what do you think?"

Emma was struck by the idea and that Nina had very good suggestions. "Wow, that sounds great.Can you do things like that?"

Nina replied with a laugh, "Of course I can, I am a builder."

They moved though the rest of the upstairs and Nina wrote down more of Emma's ideas. They walked back down and out the door, standing and enjoying the warm breeze floating around them.

"Do you want to look around back?" Emma asked.

"Why sure, that is why we are here, to figure out what you want to do with the place." As they walked around they noted that the backyard was nice and fairly large. Two shady trees were close, "perfect to hang a large hammock" mused Nina and Emma looked surprised and said "I was thinking that same thing" causing them both to laugh. The back deck needed work. Emma said she wanted a place big enough to grill and maybe a hot tub if it could be managed. The "tour" of the place ended up in the small one car garage that also looked like it needed a bit of fixing up.Emma watched as Nina checked things out jotting down notes, figures, and diagrams.

"Hey I'm starving, what about you?" Nina was saying, breaking Emma out of her thoughts.

"Yes, I am too. Let's eat on the front porch."

"Sounds great! I will go and get the basket" Nina said and Emma was struck with how thoughtful Nina was. Nina grabbed the basket and an old blanket from her truck and met Emma on the porch."thought we could use this so you don't get your dress all messed up...it's probably the only thing that isn't dirty in that ole truck"she said jokingly. "Do you need help?"

Emma said, "No I will do it, sit and relax." Nina sat and watched as Emma bent to start removing the lunch. Her blond hair was tied back and was gently ruffled by the breeze, her arms nice and firm as she lifted things from the basket, the neckline of her dress dipped as she moved, showing just a hint of the tops of her breasts. The swell of her hips as she stretched and the outline of her nice tight ass as she reached for something just beyond her reach. Nina was getting a butterfly feeling in her belly and knew this was just not how she was going to do it this time...she jumped up and told Emma she would be right back, she was just going to check out the pipes and electrical stuff while she finished getting lunch ready. Emma looked somewhat perplexed at Nina's sudden burst of activity. She had been very aware of Nina watching her and was wondering now if maybe she had been wrong about Nina. Emma had thought Nina was attracted to her but maybe she was wrong, maybe Nina wasn't, maybe she wasn't even single.After all, she wasn't sure that this was the woman that Amber had been wanting to fix her up with....

As soon as Nina got out of earshot she began talking to herself in earnest."What am I getting myself into here?" she wondered aloud. She checked out the pipes and the wiring and had gained her composure by the time she rejoined Emma on the porch.

"I thought maybe you got lost down there,"laughed Emma."What does it look like?"

"Well it looks as if you can move in as is. Most of the things you want done are for improvements, but the place is in good enough shape for you to move in and work on stuff a bit at a time."

"Well that sounds just great" said Emma. "Will you be able to do the work that needs done? I know this is probably a very small job compared to what you normally do, but I really would like you to do it if you can."

"Right now we are so backed up, but if you wouldn't mind if I worked on it in the evenings and weekends, I think I can make time to do it."

"Oh no that would be fine.Just work when you have the time."

With that part of the conversation completed they were free to enjoy the food and the company. Time moved by so swiftly that Nina looked at her watch, surprised at how much time they had spent there."We better get this cleaned up and get moving" she said reluctantly. They cleaned the remains of the lunch up and walked back to the vehicles. They parted with the agreement that Emma would call Nina once she had moved and was ready for the renovations to begin.

The next month flew by. Emma was busy packing and before she realized it it was moving day. The movers packed the truck and with no sadness in her heart she said goodbye to the city life and happily faced the future and the "country life". She spent the next several weeks unpacking and arranging things to her liking.

One evening, just as darkness had fallen, she heard the sound of a vehicle coming down the driveway. She glanced out the window and recognized a familiar truck pulling to a stop in front of the house. She watched as Nina jumped out and bounded to the front door. Emma found that her heart was pounding so loudly, she thought it would bounce out of her chest. She opened the door just as Nina knocked. Emma said,"I thought maybe you forgot about me out here."

"No chance of that," Nina said honestly, "we've just been so damn busy. Hey, the place is looking great, you've done a lot already."she said with appreciation. They went into the living room and Emma brought Nina a beer. They talked quite a while about a variety of things, both just enjoying the company of the other.

Emma got up to go upstairs for the notebook she had started with ideas for other improvements. When she returned, it was to find Nina fast asleep on the couch, the beer bottle still clutched in her hand. Emma smiled to herself, thinking how cute she looked asleep. She didn't have the heart to wake her so she took the bottle from her hand and gently covered her with a quilt. She went to bed herself with a content feeling, knowing Nina was there...and dreamed pleasant dreams.....

Nina woke at her usual early time and was momentarily confused as to her surroundings.She remembered with a groan..."oh great, way to go, way to make a good impression...fall asleep on her couch..." She got up and stretched and made her way to the kitchen.She hoped Emma wouldn't be too mad but she needed her coffee in the morning...she also needed a shower....bad...having come straight from a job last night. She found a towel in the bathroom that was off of the kitchen in the smaller bedroom and jumped in the shower.

Upstairs, Emma woke with the aroma of fresh coffee and smiled to herself...she could get used to that every morning. She put her robe on and padded down the stairs and into the kitchen. She heard the running water from the bathroom and stepped into the small bedroom.The adjoining bathroom door wasn't shut and she noted that she could see the outline of Nina in the shower.She was somewhat embarrassed but also curious. she called out,"Do you want something for breakfast?"

Nina opened the shower door and for a heartbeat Emma saw Nina, all of Nina, and her heart stopped. Nina leaned out and Emma noted the muscled arms and legs, small firm breasts, flat tummy, and neatly trimmed pussy, all in that second in which time seemed to stand still..."Don't go to any trouble, whatever you normally have." and she closed the door. Emma felt a flip-flop in her tummy and a jolt between her legs and was momentarily rooted to the spot.

At that moment she heard the taps being turned off and she quickly ducked out into the kitchen, chiding herself, "She is just a friend, don't ruin it by doing something stupid." She just hoped she would be able to do that, considering how warm she was and with the tingle between her legs....this is going to be tough.....

Nina walked out of the bathroom to the smell of bacon cooking, "Need any help in here" she asked Emma..

"Sure you could make the toast if you dont mind." So as the two made breakfast they chatted about the repairs that would be made to the ranch...Emma figured it would be the perfect time to bring up the question that had been haunting her for sometime now.."So Nina, your partner does not mind that you will be spending all your extra time out here helping me?"

Nina turned laughing.."Partner what is that?It has been so long since I have been in a relationship I almost forgot what partner meant"...

"So how long have you been single" asked Emma.

It had been so long since Nina had talked about Laura. "My partner died two years ago Her name was Laura. We were together for ten years.She was diagnosed with breast cancer and died a year later, since then I have put so much of my time and energy into my business that I never really had time to date. What about you Emma, no one special in your life?"

"No not for some time now..I finally have come to the realization that I am destined to live my life alone," Emma answered with a chuckle.

Just as they were about to sit down and eat breakfast the phone rang..Emma excused herself to answer the phone..It was Amber calling to see how things were coming along. When Emma told her that she and Nina were having breakfast, Amber was elated. "Now now calm down Amber it is not what you think, Nina came over last night to discuss repairs on the ranch and fell asleep on the couch". Emma asked Amber and Amy to come for dinner. She had picked up some steaks at the butcher's the other day and had meant to call but just did not get around to it.

"Sure," said Amber "we will be there say around seven."

"Great see you then, tell Amy I said hello."

As Emma walked back in the kitchen she was laughing to herself..."It was Amber calling to see how things were going. When I told her we were having breakfast she jumped the gun, thought we had something going on"

Nina laughed.."leave it to Amber she is always playing match maker"

"Well I asked them to come for dinner tonight, so they will be arriving around seven..What do you say about joining us Nina?"

"Sounds great to me, actually took the day off today so I'm free."

"Well why don't you stick around today and we can putt around the ranch maybe get a few things done?"

Nina wanted to go home ,pick up a few things, change her clothes and told Emma she would be back in a couple of hours. After Nina left, Emma did the breakfast dishes and jumped in the shower. Thoughts of Nina drifted through her mind. Seeing her in the shower this morning naked, that body, her personality, her smile she could not stop thinking about her. Slipping on her shorts and t-shirt, Emma was ready to do work on the ranch. As she walked down the stairs, she heard the truck coming up the drive...Emma's heart started to race, she felt a little foolish ,all these feelings, she felt like she was back in high school. She opened the door and there was Nina getting out of the truck, shorts t-shirt, bandana in her hair..God she was sexy. "How can I possibly work with this woman all day without touching her" thought Emma.

Nina got back to Emma's in record time, bringing a change of clothes for dinner. She got out of the truck and saw Emma heading towards her in a T-shirt and shorts. She looked so sexy, even in the non-descript clothes, she wondered how she was possibly going to get this job done without getting involved with her... "Hey, where do you want to start?" asked Nina as Emma approached her.

"Why don't we work on the back deck?" Emma replied.

Nina got her tools and they started to the back of the house. Emma helped her measure and Nina made some calculations for the lumber and other things she would need."Do you want to come along to the builder's supply so you can pick out the kind of wood you would like?"

"Sure, it will give me a good excuse to stop and get a few things I need for dinner tonight" said Emma.

They jumped into Nina's truck and headed to the city.The trip passed quickly with the easy conversation between them. They stopped at the builders supply and they got the things they needed and went to the store. Nina offered to go in with Emma and she accepted. Nina steered the cart while Emma picked out the things she needed...this brought back bittersweet memories for Nina...she and Laura did this every week....Emma,meanwhile, was thinking how very natural this seemed with Nina pushing the cart and she, doing the shopping....

With the groceries bought they headed to the truck.Now there was only one problem...the truck bed was filled with lumber so the groceries had to go in the cab with them.They put them in on the passenger side and Emma was forced to get in on the drivers side.Nina piled in beside her and it was close quarters, as Emma sat close to her. Nina started the drive back to the house.Each time she needed to shift gears she brushed Emma's leg which caused that flip-flop feeling again...she so wanted to just run her hand up the length of her leg, so smooth and so soft, to just rest it on her thigh.....

Emma was really starting to feel warm...being this close to Nina, feeling the warmth of her seeping into her own skin, the subtle smell of musk, and the feel of her hand as it brushed her leg...she found herself shifting just slightly, so she and Nina were touching.The sexual tension in the truck was almost a palpable thing and neither of them wanted to break the spell.....All to soon they arrived back at the house, and the moment was gone.

Reluctantly Nina got out of the truck and helped Emma out, her hand lingering for just a few seconds on her back, their hands clasped together..for a moment Emma thought she was going to kiss her, but then Nina seemed to snap to the present and let her go, mumbling about helping her into the house with the groceries....

While Emma put the groceries away, Nina unloaded the truck and placed the lumber in easy reach for the job. She slung her tool belt around her hips and began tearing up the old deck. She worked quickly,efficiently, and Emma was surprised at the pace Nina set. Emma decided to work on the yard and surrounding flower beds so she could be outside and close to Nina...and because she liked watching Nina working, her muscles flexing, a fine sheen of sweat covering her tanned limbs, the look of concentration on her face....

Nina was glad that Emma had decided to work outside. She watched as she worked on the flower beds, on her hands and knees, that nice tight ass against her shorts, her shapely legs, her hair blowing softly in the wind...."damn, it's hot out here" and it isn't just the sun she added to herself....

Emma got up and stretched, pushing her chest tight against her T-shirt as she kneaded tired neck muscles. She heard a stream of curse words and looked to see Nina shaking a hand in the air..."What's wrong?" she asked as she quickly walked onto the deck.

"I accidently hit my thumb with the hammer"...she didn't tell her it was because she had been watching Emma stretch and had been careless.

"Let me see it" Emma said as she gently reached for Nina's hand and took it in her own. It was if an electrical shock passed between them, and they both felt it...Emma rubbed Nina's hand, a contrast between her soft one and Nina's slightly rough, work-conditioned one.They stood there, as if transfixed,and slowly Nina brought Emma's hand to her lips and gently kissed the back of her fingers and hand.Emma looked so intently at Nina's lips as they touched her hand,her heart pounding, as she stepped closer narrowing the distance between them.....just then Emma's phone rang, causing them both to jump...and the spell was broken.......

Emma raced inside to get the phone, her heart still pounding from the moment before. "The damn phone" she thought as she picked it up.

"Emma, it's Amy, Amber and I are not going to be able to make it this evening. Amber put a new listing on the market and she is getting swamped with calls. Can we make it another night?"

"Um sure," Emma stuttered ,"that will be fine. Give me a call when your schedule calms down. Tell Amber that Nina and I said hello."

"Oh Nina is there" Amy responded.

"Ya I had asked her for dinner also. We are working on the deck this afternoon."

"Well you two have fun, we will call next week"...

"Ok bye Amy talk to you then." Emma hung up the phone, went to the fridge grabbed two beer and headed back outside. Thoughts of what had just happened between her and Nina still lingering in her mind. As she walked to the back yard she heard Nina singing along to the radio, she came around back and stood by the side of the house just watching Nina as she worked on the deck. The sight of her made Emma get butterflies in her stomach. She felt like a school girl. As she got closer to the deck she told Nina about Amber and Amy and why they would not be coming for dinner.

"That's too bad" Nina said, but in the back of her mind she did not mind the fact that she and Emma would be spending the evening alone. Nina wanted to continue what they had started. Just remembering the feeling she got from touching Emma brought a warm sensation between her legs.

Emma handed Nina a beer and said it's time for a break. They sat there on the deck looking into the back yard. "It is beautiful out here isnt it?" Emma said.

Nina did not hear Emma she was thinking about what had happened before the phone rang...Could this be the one? Could it be possible that God would grant her twice the magic of falling in love. She thought she was going to spend the rest of her life alone, after Laura died. She promised herself she would never allow herself to go through something like that again. But Emma was different, the feeling she had deep in her soul the very first time she met her,like she knew Emma, that they had met sometime before, but she knew she hadn't.

"Nina, did you hear me?"

"Uh, what..Im sorry Emma, guess I must have been day dreaming. What did you say?"

"I said it really is beautiful out here isn't it?"

"Oh yes it is. Well I better get back to working on the deck." Nina said.

"I guess I will go get started on the salad" Emma said as she walked towards the front of the house...Emma went straight the bathroom to wash her hands...as she walked to the kitchen to make the salad she smiled to herself...the thought of Nina outside working on the deck, her in the kitchen getting dinner ready, it felt nice. It felt perfect.

Just as Emma was finishing the last of the preparation for dinner Nina walked in saying that she had run out of material to finish the deck. "I thought I had gotten enough wood to finish the deck but I guess I will have to get more, It's really warm out there. Do you mind if I take a shower and get this sweat off of me?"

" No go ahead, you know where it is"...and with that Nina headed off to the bathroom to take her shower.

Emma put some music on and poured a glass of wine for herself and made daquari for Nina. She just sat down when she heard Nina yell "I left my bag in the hall Emma, could you bring it to me please so I can get dressed."

Emma walked up to the room with the bag in hand..she knocked and opened the door. Nina was standing there with a towel wrapped around her waist. As Emma set the bag down she could not help but notice Nina, her breasts so perfect, her nipples hard from the breeze coming from the fan. As she turned to leave Nina called her name. "Emma, wait!Can you look at my thumb and see if you think it's gonna need a hole drilled in the nail to release the blood?"

Emma, immediately concerned, turned and walked to Nina..."let me see it" as she reached for her hand.Quick as a flash, Nina had turned Emma so that she had her back to the wall and the distance was quickly closed as Nina moved so they were touching. She gently brought her hand to Emma's cheek and stroked it and moved to kiss her softly,tentatively on her sweet warm lips...just a brief kiss and she stopped to check Emma's reaction as the passion she was feeling smoldered in her blue eyes.Emma was momentarily surprised by Nina's quick move but the look Nina was giving her was no surprise as she was feeling those same feelings...

Emma closed the gap between them with a kiss of her own.She could feel the heat radiating from Nina and she reached out to touch her and pull her even closer searing her lips with a kiss that definetely drew a response from Nina. As their lips and tongues gently dueled with each other Nina slid her hands under Emma's Tshirt, and to her breasts that were just calling for attention, her firm nipples poking through the sheer material of her bra. Nina quickly pulled Emma's shirt off and unsnapped her bra all in one slick move...as her hands cupped Emma's breasts and rubbed her thumb over the taut nipple Emma moaned into her mouth and arched her back,letting Nina know that she was more than ready to continue what they had begun.Nina gently pulled, first one, then the other of Emma's legs up to wrap them around her waist, pinning Emma against the wall...feeling the heat as their bodies meshed together.

Nina gently carried Emma to the bed and placed her in the middle...her towel had long ago fallen away and Emma ran her hands over her back and ass as Nina lay over her,pinning her to the bed. Nina ran her palm down Emma's belly, past her shorts, to her core, which had long since been turned to liquid.The touch of Nina's hand drew a sharp gasp from Emma as her fingers slipped through to gently run a finger over her already swelling clit.Nina brought her hand up and licked the sweet honey that she had just gathered, slowly from her fingers, her eyes riveted to Emma's. She removed Emma's shorts and underwear in one swift movement and again moved to lie between Emma's legs, moving up to kiss her while grinding against her,letting her know she was as wet as Emma was....

So intent was she on the feelings she was evoking, that she had not heard her pager beeping for the last several minutes...even the ringing of her mobile phone did not sink in to her consciousness.It had rung several times, stopped and started ringing again before Emma surfaced from where they had been to hear it."Baby, your phone is ringing,"Emma said sweetly.

"The hell with the phone..we are busy"growled Nina.

Although Emma wanted to agree and just let it go, the persistence caused her to worry just a little...."maybe it is something really important...maybe you better answer it."

Nina growled low in her throat and grabbed the phone and said in a threatening voice...."this better be damn important!"

Her foreman, Rick, was quite taken aback as he had never heard the boss sound like that..".wonder what I interuppted", he thought to himself as he dreaded even having this conversation with her. Emma, propped up on one elbow, rubbing Nina's back while she was on the phone, could of course, only hear one side of the conversation, and it wasn't sounding good! Nina was saying, "All right, I will be there as soon as I can"...hanging up the phone and tossing it in disgust.

"What's wrong?"Emma asked expectantly.

"We are doing a job away from here...a big job...worth almost a half million dollars...it is the biggest job I have ever negotiated...Rick is my foreman.He is a good guy, fresh out of engineering school, has great designs, he just hasn't had the real-life experience and he is running into big problems.If we get this job done under budget and on time we will get a big bonus and have the opportunity to do more business with this development company. I need to go out there and get things straightened out."

"You mean right now?"Emma said.

Nina looked dejectedly over and said,"they have a plane waiting for me, they have been trying to get me for a few hours."

Tears sprang to Emma's eyes as she said quietly, "how long will you be gone?"

Nina tenderly wiped a tear from Emma's cheek..."it may be a while.Baby, I am so sorry...sorry to leave right now, like this,believe me when I say it isn't what I want."

Emma tried to be brave, saying, "I will be OK. You better get ready."

Nina slowly got up and started throwing her stuff in the bag and getting into her clothes. Emma,dressed in her robe, walked her to the door....Nina turned to her and hugged her tightly, as if trying to draw her essence into her own skin."I know I can't ask you to wait for me...I know you have your own life to live but I promise I will make it up to you when I get back, if you will let me?"

This caused a fresh crop of tears to begin and Emma said,"I'll be here...come back to me,eh?"

"You can count on it baby" Nina said,trying to swallow the lump that was threatening to cut her breathe off. With one last longing kiss, Nina bounded off of the porch and into her truck and was gone....

Emma felt such a feeling of emptiness...like she had happiness in her grasp and it was again taken from her.She watched TV and drank too much wine and managed to drift into a restless sleep. The next day she just meandered around the house, her thoughts returning again and again to Nina....

Monday dawned sunny and bright.She had just had her first cup of coffee when she heard the sound of vehicles coming down the drive.Wondering who in the world it could be,she looked out the window to see a few of Nina's company trucks pull to a stop and a young guy come to the door.

She opened the door and he introduced himself as Greg, Nina's crew boss. He said he got orders to be here first thing Monday morning and to make all the repairs that she had discussed with Nina. Emma replied,"I'm not sure I have the money to do all I wanted to do at one time."

Greg replied,"the boss says she will discuss the fee when she gets back." This caused Emma to chuckle and kind of turn a slight pink, thinking of what kind of fee Nina might charge....Greg wondered at the way this woman seemed a bit flustered with that bit of information but he wasn't asking questions...Nina was a great boss and worked side by side as hard as any of her employees and he was loyal to her. Emma brought the notebook with Nina's figures,sketches and the suggestions and gave it to Greg. Soon the place was filled with the sound of repairs.

Another knock at the door revealed a delivery man with a dozen red roses...not that she had to read the card to know who they were from. And so began a pattern that continued throughout the weeks that Nina was gone...Amber and Amy were called and they made it a habit to come out and see Emma a few times a week or they would do dinner...of course not just because Nina asked them to look in on her but because they had become good friends. Nina called Emma daily and they both looked forward to those times, although Emma could tell Nina was getting weary, she could hear it in her voice. She continued to get flowers every week and one day another bigger box arrived and it was moving! She pulled the top off to find a choclate lab puppy with a big red bow and a note from Nina... "thought he could keep you company..his name is Brady...take good care of him...I love you baby"...such simple words but they filled her heart.

Work on the house was almost complete and it was just as Emma had imagined it...it was beautiful. It had been a long few months..summer was on it's way out and fall was beginning with just a bit of chill in the air. She was missing Nina so much more these days.She wondered if that damn job would ever get completed.Amber had called earlier and wanted her to have dinner and a movie with them and she had agreed. They really had been wonderful friends and she was glad that they had been here to keep her company. They even offered to come and pick her up. They had a great time just as always...as they headed back to Emma's house Amy asked if she had heard from Nina. Emma sighed and said,"ya, she thinks it will be another couple of weeks and then the job will be done" She was so much in her own thoughts that she completely missed the conspiratorial wink shared between Amber and Amy...

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Nina had arrived shortly after Amber and Amy had picked Emma up...giving her plenty of time to prepare. She looked at the house and the repairs with a typical builders eye and was pleased to see her guys did their usual excellent job. The bedroom with the skylight especially looked terrific, allowing the moonlight to stream into the room with a romantic glow, just as she had hoped. She got the wine and glasses, the cheese and fruit arranged on a small table in the bedroom. she lit what seemed like a hundred candles...all the way from the foyer into the bedroom and the bathroom and surrounded the garden tub. Next she got all the rose petals that she had ordered..the florist probably thought she was nuts but that was just too bad...she wanted this night to be perfect. She scattered them from the front door, up the stairs, to the bedroom, and covered the white comforter with them...all red, white and yellow....she got a fire started and looked at her watch...perfect...Amber should be on her way back.

Amber, Amy and Emma had turned back the drive.Emma was thinking it was cool enough to have a fire tonight. As they approached the house Emma thought she smelled woodsmoke and it looked like there were lights or something on...had she forgotten to turn something off? Amber and Amy usually came in for a drink but they seemed in an awful hurry to get home tonight for some reason.They left, giving her a hug and saying they would call tomorrow.

She walked up the front steps and when she opened the door, she saw several things all at once. Brady was sitting at the bottom of the stairs with a new red handkerchief tied around his neck and what looked like a piece of paper attached. She took it from his handkerchief and at the same time realized all the candles and the rose petals at her feet....she smiled and opened the paper...."I have dreamed of this night forever...tonite there is no phone,no pager, nothing but you and I and I will be making up for the time we have been apart. Come to me baby"

As Emma finished reading the note she looked around in awe..all the candles and rose petals leading up the stairs, the music playing, she walked up the stairs to the bedroom..her heart was racing, the feeling of excitement building inside her at the thought of seeing Nina when she would walk through the door. As she got to the top of the stairs the bedroom door was open just enough for Emma to see the glow from the candles that surrounded the room. As she approached the door she saw the other note..she removed it and read..please enter the room and remove all your clothes and meet me in the bathroom and just bring one rose. Emma looked around her and saw one red rose lying on the bed amongst all the petals. She looked to bathroom and again there were more candles..this was all just such a dream. She had to keep pinching herself to be sure it was real. As she got undressed, Emma kept going back in time remembering how she longed for this night. Longed to feel Nina inside her, longed for the feeling that was so beyond any words...she was completly naked, she pinned her hair up grabbed the rose off of the bed and stood in front of the mirror hoping that she would not be disappointing Nina.

As she got to the bathroom door her hand on the door knob she turned it slightly, her heart was beating so fast she thought it would come right out of her chest. When she entered the bathroom she saw her standing there by the tub filled with bubbles and sprinkled with rose petals..Nina had two glasses of champagne. She walked towards Emma and handed her one. Nina took a sip of champagne and waited for Emma to do the same. She took the glass out of Emma's hand and set them both on the counter. She took the rose from Emma's hand and stood directly in front of her. She kneeled in front of Emma and began to run the rose up the back her leg, as she did this she whispered to Emma how much she missed her. How much she pictured this moment in her mind while she was away...It was this image that kept her going. She ran the rose accross her backside sending little shivers down Emma's spine. Now Nina could see the goosebumps and knew Emma was getting excited, she moved around to the front of Emma and ran the rose down the side of her face, telling Emma how beautiful she was. Emma's eyes were closed and her breath was getting faster as Nina brought the rose closer to her breast. Emma had little beads of sweat that formed on her breast from the steam of the tub. The beads glowed from the light of the candles. Nina brought the rose down between the middle of Emma's breast as she neared the nipple of one of the breasts it began to get hard. By now Emma was getting so weak in the knees she did not think she could stand any longer. Just when she thought she would fall, Nina picked her up off of her feet and gently sat her in the tub. She grabbed the two glasses, filled them, and climbed in the tub with Emma.

They talked for a little bit, about how much they missed each other and all the repairs done to the house. They did not stay in the tub too long, Nina was anxious to continue what they had started so many weeks ago. As she carried Emma to the bed and lay her down against the rose petals Nina just could not believe how very beautiful this women was. The feeling of love so beyond anything she had ever thought imaginable. The longing to be close to her, to be inside of her, to taste the sweet juices. She knelt on the bed beside Emma.

Emma sat up and looked deep into her eyes. "I missed you so much, I thought you would never come back."

And as a tear slid down her face Nina came closer to her, wiped the tear from her cheek and gently kissed her soft lips. She started very slowly, giving many little kisses...she brought her tongue slowly over Emma's lips and gently opened them and slipped inside her mouth. As she kissed her deeply and passionately she pulled the clip from Emma's hair and let the curls drop softly to her shoulders,running her fingers through her hair. A moan escaped Emma's lips letting Nina know she wanted so much more. That she hungered for her...... "I want you so bad," whispered Emma, "please Nina, please make love to me."

"Now baby you need to be patient, I will not disappoint you." She eased Emma down, took the lotion off of the night stand, rubbed some into her hand to warm it up a bit. Nina started at her feet,she gently took one in her hand and began to massage slowly, taking her time with each and every toe, as she massaged each toe she would finish it with a kiss. As she got closer to the middle of Emma`s back she took more lotion and let it pour down the length of her back, the touch of the cold liquid made Emma gasp...As Nina rubbed Emma`s back she would bring her hand down slowly just between Emma`s legs. Each time it brought moans and shivers from Emma. Nina bent down and kissed the back of Emma`s neck,whispering how much she wanted her. Emma liked it when Nina talked to her so seductively, it made her ache to feel her inside. When Nina looked down at Emma, the candlelight bringing this glow to her eyes...she truly was a beautiful woman, she bent and kissed Emma, slipping her tongue in her mouth and rubbing her nipples, feeling them become so hard from the excitement. Nina bent down and flicked one with her tongue, flicking and sucking, she was driving Emma crazy...

Emma`s hands were roaming over Nina`s body looking for that warm moisture she wanted so badly to taste. She brought her hand over Nina`s pussy....and gasped at the wetness of her, slipping two fingers in and then bringing her hand close to her mouth...the taste of sweet honey on her lips..all the time Nina sucking and nipping at her nipples...Emma then took her hand slipping two fingers inside herself pulling them out and bringing them to Nina`s lips, rubbing the warm cream over her nipples, while Nina kissed it all off. Now that Emma had a taste of Nina she needed to have her. Emma pulled herself up and gently and playfully pushed Nina down on the bed.

Emma got on top of Nina and began kissing her. Coming slowly down her chest she found her nipple, sucking slowly, twirling her tongue, getting excited at seeing how hard it was becoming. She gently kissed Nina while easing down, gently pushing Nina`s legs apart. As she gently took Nina in her mouth a low moan came from deep within her throat. Emma had been craving Nina for so long, dreaming of when this night would come...the feeling that over came her at that moment was beyond anything she had ever imagined. She gently rubbed Nina`s pussy, her tongue enjoying every moment of it, the taste so sweet and warm as she sucked on Nina`s clit. She slipped in two fingers, they slid in so easily with the wetness of Nina`s pussy. Nina gasped pushing down harder on Emma`s fingers. Nina`s clit was getting so hard from Emma sucking on it and pumping her that Nina thought she would explode, she wanted to stop..did not want Emma to go any further. She sat up quickly, pulling Emma down...Nina did not want to come just yet, she wanted the first moment to last forever..

Now she wanted a taste. "It`s my turn Emma. Do you want me to taste you," asked Nina, "do you want to feel me inside of you?" The talking was driving Emma mad, the feel of warm breath in her ear, Emma was breathing so fast, her heart racing..she was grinding against Nina, moans escaping her throat..letting Nina know what she wanted...but Nina was not giving in till Emma told her what she wanted.."What do you want me to do with you?"...whispered Nina...."tell me baby..tell me what you want"... Emma wanted so bad to feel her, to feel her fingers inside her...Emma took Nina`s hand and slowly brought it to her pussy...showing Nina just how much she wanted her. A low growl came from Nina..."you are so wet Emma." Nina brought her hand to Emma`s lips, "see how good you taste honey"..

Emma could take no more..."FUCK ME`...PLEASE FUCK ME NOW"she said..As soon as the words were out of her mouth Nina was inside of her, three fingers probing deep inside of her...her mouth covering Emma's mouth, her tongue simulating what her fingers were doing to her pussy. Emma moaned into Nina's mouth...the sensations were driving her crazy! She was so wet that she could hear her own juices as Nina pumped her with her fingers. Nina slowly moved down her body, kissing her hard nipples, and sucking, then softly biting each one, drawing a gasp from Emma, as the initial sting turned to a delicious feeling that went straight to her clit, like a little electical shock.

"This woman is driving me crazy," Emma thought. Nina was pumping hard into her, and Emma pushed down so those fingers went even deeper...Finally Nina had her mouth fastened to Emma's pussy and the feel of her tongue against her clit almost caused her to come...Nina sensed this and moved down, licking her up and down. She pulled her fingers out momentarily so she could roll her tongue into that wet, warm cavern, sucking in Emma's sweet juices, pushing her tongue in as far as it could go, so deep, fucking her with it...in and out, in and out, Emma lifting her ass up to push Nina's tongue in even deeper...Emma was so close that she felt as if she were vibrating....."oh, baby...suck on my clit and fuck me...hard baby...you are driving me crazy!" Nina was only too happy to comply.She slid three fingers in nice and deep, she crossed her forefinger and middle finger and twisted her hand as she fucked her, giving Emma the most delicious feeling,surpassed only by the feeling of Nina's tongue now on her clit. Nina covered it with her mouth and blew against her, hot hot air, and then sucked it into her mouth, causing Emma to gasp at the heat and the feeling as the tip of Nina's tongue teased her over and over again. She was pumping into her so hard and so fast and then she sucked hard on her clit and Emma fell over the edge, screaming Nina's name as she came and came. Nina drank up her reward and moved up to hold a now, trembling Emma.

There were tears in Emma's eyes and Nina was immediately worried that she had hurt her..."Baby, what is wrong? Did I hurt you?"

Emma shook her head and replied,"that was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced....I just love you,that's all"

This caused Nina's eyes to become a bit glassy as well."I love you too honey. It was the same for me....no one, not even Laura made me feel this way.You made me come just by allowing me to make love to you, and that has never happened to me but I just couldn't hold back..."

They held each other and talked, not wanting the night to end...finally the exhaustion creeped into them and they fell asleep with Emma's head resting on Nina's chest, her arms protectively around Emma. They both slept better than they had in a long time...

The morning sun woke Emma and she stretched, careful not to wake Nina as she slept. Memories of what happened between them flooded back and made her wet just thinking of the wonderful feelings that Nina had evoked...she decided a little impishly that it was "pay-back" time...after all she did not get to finish what she had started earlier that evening. As quietly as she could, she slipped out of bed and into the closet, returning with the scarves and the blindfold....how lucky that Nina was on her back because Emma would not be strong enough to "catch" her if she woke up. She gently tied, first one and then the other of Nina's wrists to the bedpost. She then bent and kissed her softly, sliding her lips over Nina's, her tongue following. Nina's eyes opened and then widened when she realized that she was tied down.

Nina said "Baby, what are you doing? Untie me."

"Oh no honey, it is my turn now...just relax and trust me" Emma replied with an innocent smile on her lips.

Although this made Nina feel just a little squirmy she knew that she trusted Emma and that she would not hurt her, so she tried to put on a brave act and act as if this happened to her everyday...Emma leaned over and seared her lips with another kiss and then placed the blindfold over Nina's eyes. Although she struggled against the ties just a bit she realized it was pointless...and she thought to herself that Emma was gonna get her pay-back, and this brought a grin of satisfaction to her lips. She decided the best course of action was just to "go with it" so she lay there patiently, waiting for Emma...

Emma moved to sit on top of Nina, her pussy against Nina's. She gently rubbed herself against Nina, feeling the heat and her own juices beginning to flow. She leaned down covering Nina with her body and whispered seductively into Nina's ear, "Baby, I want to fuck you and I want you to ask me for more...I want you sooo hot that you will feel as if you could burn up...just concentrate on the feelings.Don't try to "see"....feel me baby, against you," she said as she moved against Nina's body.

This elicited a moan from Nina who struggled to touch her, realizing it was useless, Emma had the control. She could feel Emma's hot breath on her ear and neck, and she wondered what she was doing....Emma looked down on Nina, knowing that she was being so deliciously bad and that she had her lover in her hands...this made her get even wetter, as she felt her juices running onto Nina's pussy and mixing with her's. She reached her tongue out and slowly circled Nina's ear, sucking on the lobe and pushing her tongue into the ear causing Nina to moan and thrust her pelvis up just slightly. Emma kept up her achingly slow pace, kissing her with small kisses over her cheek and down her neck, sucking at the hollow at the bottom of Nina's throat causing another moan, louder this time...she continued to the other side and kissed her way from her neck to her ear, cheek and then dipped to her lips for a kiss that started out soft but Nina opened her mouth and lifted her head slightly, trying to devour Emma's mouth with her own. Emma allowed only a quick kiss and pulled back causing a groan of frustration...Emma reached down and touched herself, bringing some of her juice to Nina's lips, which Nina greedily sucked from her fingers.

The sight of Nina sucking on her fingers was almost too much for Emma, remembering how it felt when Nina had sucked her clit...she pulled her fingers from Nina's mouth and slowly began to grind their pussies together...God they were both sopping wet, she could hear their juices as she slid against her over and over again. As she ground against Nina's pelvis Emma reached out and ran her hands down Nina's chest to each of her breasts, taking each of them in her hands rubbing her thumbs over her rapidly hardening nipples. Nina felt like she was going to explode...everything was feeling...the feeling of Emma straddling her and grinding her hot,wet pussy against her, her hands rubbing her nipples...she couldn't take much of this...

"Oh Baby, please untie me so I can put my fingers inside you and taste you...I am so hot right now...let me fuck you..." Nina rasped.

Although Emma wanted that, she wasn't ready to give up that control yet..."In good time honey, let me please you right now" With that she reached down and Nina felt Emma's fingers slide into her soaked pussy, all the time Emma was still grinding against her.She started to pump into her slowly and then picked up the pace.

Nina responded by lifting her ass up to meet the thrusts.. "Oh baby, I want you to taste me, make me come baby, you are driving me crazy,"Nina panted.

Emma slid down Nina's body never removing her fingers from deep with Nina's walls...she made a long slow, flat lick from the bottom of Nina's pussy to the top, savoring the juices as she sucked them into her mouth. She teased her clit with the tip of her tongue and felt how hard it was becoming....the sensations that Emma was causing had Nina so hot, she turned her head from side to side moaning and raising her hips to meet Emma's lips and fingers. Emma knew she was close and did not want to tease her too much, after all she knew she would be "paying" for this one....she sucked on Nina's clit and fucked her hard and fast.She felt the muscles begin to tighten and Nina cried"OH BABY, I'M CUMMING, SUCK IT BABY" Nina's words spurred Emma to do just that and Nina stiffened as the waves of pleasure crashed over her again and again. Emma continued to lick her until she was just too sensitive to be touched.

She reached up and untied her and Nina whipped the blindfold off and grabbed her and kissed her so hard it felt as if she was sucking the breath from Emma's body.They held each other tightly, again wondering at the powerful emotions that each of them were having towards the other. Nina held Emma close to her and ran her hands through her hair and they again drifted into a contented sleep.....

Emma stretched and lazily looked at the clock..it was 10:30am she could not believe she slept so long. She quietly got out of bed as not to wake Nina. She jumped in the shower, as she lathered up and washed her hair her mind could not help but drift to the night before. Emma could never remember in all her relationships ever feeling the emotions that were flooding her today. She knew in her heart that Nina was the one. The one with whom she wanted to share the rest of her life with. Things were moving so quickly, the feeling of excitment and at the same time fear. How could she possibly be in love with this women. She hadn't known her very long...but somewhere inside her she knew. A feeling so strong that Nina was meant for her. The moment that Nina walked into Emma's life the missing piece to the puzzle was found. The emptiness that was once there was gone when she was with Nina. She finished rinsing off her hair, stepped out of the shower and got ready. She went downstairs let Brady out to do his business, and put a pot of coffee on.

It was going to be a beautiful day, the sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky. She made herself a cup of coffee and went to sit out on the deck. She set her cup on the table and picked up the ball and threw it to Brady. He was such a cute puppy, and so full of energy. After playing with Brady for a bit she sat down to drink her coffee. She so wanted to wake Nina up, to spend time with her talking, but she knew she was tired. The jet lag from the plane and that Nina had been busy these last few months trying to get that job done. She would let her sleep a little while longer.By 11:30 she decided to come in and start making some breakfast, hoping the smell of bacon would wake Nina.

Nina upstairs, began to stir. As she stretched she reached for Emma but she was not there. Nina quickly sat up and wondered if it had all been a dream. When she realized her surroundings she knew it had not been a dream....she was here in Emma's bed. She layed back down and stretched some more. She now could hear Emma downstairs. She got out of bed and jumped in the shower. Quickly washed her hair and lathered up. She slipped into a pair of boxer shorts and a tank top and headed downstairs. As she headed down the stairs she thought of Emma...and a smile came across her face. After Laura died she never thought she could ever love someone again. But she knew Laura would not want her to be alone. She truly believed that Laura would be happy. Happy knowing that she met someone. As she walked into the kitchen, she stood there just watching Emma. She could not help but think how beautiful she truly was. Nina wanted to spend the rest of her life with her. This is what she wanted. Her and Emma and Brady...a family..her family.

Emma turned and smiled, "Good morning sleepy head". She walked toward Nina and kissed her. "I thought you would never get up" she joked with Nina.

Nina laughed and took Emma in her arms and kissed Emma..."I love you Emma."