10: I'm Filled With Need

"Wow, this feels amazing!" The two women were carrying their sandals and walking across the soft sand, the water and moon now reflecting enough light for them to see each other easily. "I've been to the beach before, but this is like warm flour."

"Yes, I'm definitely a 'beach person.' You?"

"Oh, I grew up in the middle of North Carolina, three hours to the mountains, four hours to the shore. I love them both."

Zola smiled, matching Cora's slow and deliberate pace. They walked the beach of the very small island and Zola pointed out the main house and the houses where her family would be staying.

Cora's gaze moved to the sky, her neck and back arched as she tried to take in the entire night sky. "It's so beautiful. I don't think I've ever seen the sky this way. It's like the stars and sky are kissing the ocean."

Zola moved in, drawn to Cora's now exposed neckline. ", Cora, everything here is beautiful." Cora dropped her gaze to Zola, hearing the tension in her voice. Zola dropped her sandals in the sand and wrapped her arms around Cora's waist, pulling her in gently. She pushed past Cora's hair into her neckline, softly breathing in and kissing the delicate skin below her jaw. "You can keep stargazing. Take all the time you want."

The women stood under the night sky in the gentle exchange and Cora immersed herself in the vision of the stars and the touch of Zola. When Cora sighed deeply with contentment, Zola reluctantly pulled back and laced her fingers together, moving them along the shoreline, continuing the walk.

"Cora," Zola's voice was soft and only slightly hesitant, but to Cora, it sounded like a clear ringing bell. "I should probably prepare you for Papa."

"Oh?"

"Well, Dominic and Marie have always known that I've been attracted to men and women, mostly women. But Papa ..."

"Not on his radar?"

"Actually, , I think so. But time and distance make it easy for him to compartmentalize that part of me. Mama knew, probably before I did. But when she died, that gap wasn't bridged anymore."

"So how can I help you, Zola?" Cora's voice and words wrapped around Zola, comforting her and giving her confidence.

"Just be yourself. We don't have to be anything for anybody else. Noteven Papa. I'm not going to hide who I am or how I feel about you. I just thought you should know, in case he starts speaking only Italian."

"Oh?"

Zola grinned. "It's his defense mechanism. Usually, he speaks in English with peppered phrases. When it's just the family, he'll speak a little more Italian. But, if you can't pick out a single English word ..."

Cora laughed. "I see. No problem. You lead and I'll follow."

----

It wasn't long before the women returned to the house hungry and found an intimate table set with a variety of fruits, vegetable sides, and breads. A large platter held an assortment of sushi with vegetarian options. Cora stood looking at the colors against the white tablecloths. It was dizzying. "Wow, so beautiful."

Zola sighed, her eyes had not moved from Cora. "Yes, very."

"Zola, if you keep looking at me like that ..."

"Okay, I'm sorry. Why don't we eat and then I'll give you a little lesson in speaking Italiano?"

"Perfect!"

The women sat to eat and Cora automatically stepped through her mindfulness techniques. She worked her way through her senses, allowing herself to take in the food on the table. Zola watched the moment and felt the joy that was resonating from Cora before she joined in the meal.

Cora sighed, still taking small bites of mango. "That was incredible. The texture, it melts."

Zola stared. She could see Cora's lips shining with the juice of the fruit. " ? Delicious?"

"Che ... buo ... no ..." Cora worked the language through her mouth.

". 'K.bwa.no.' Delicious."

"It sounds so much better falling from your lips. Maybe you could just tell me what you're saying. I want to hear you speak the words."

". Okay." Zola's body washed with pleasure as she watched Cora lean forward and focus on her mouth. A small smile played on Zola's lips and she drew her tongue across her lips in preparation. "I'll start with some things you've already heard."

"Cora, . I think of you everyday." Cora's eyes widened slightly.

". You are beautiful." Cora's mouth broke open and she shifted.

I adore you." Cora's breath halted and her crooked smile emerged.

" Cora? More? Again?" Cora continued to stare for a moment, completely lost in the exercise. "Oh, yes, please. Please, Zola."

Zola slid her chair around to Cora so that she faced her. She was close enough that her left leg occupied the space between Cora's knees.

Zola leaned forward and gently drew her thumb over Cora's eyebrows. "." Cora sighed, focusing on Zola's touch.

Zola moved her hand, gently cupping Cora's cheek then outlining her ear. "." Cora continued to stare, watching Zola's lips move.

Zola leaned in, placing light kisses on Cora's eyelids. "." Cora felt her body tense.

Zola pressed into Cora's hair and neck and took a slow, deep breath. "." Cora whimpered with need, the heat and tension between the women excruciating.

"Zola ..." Zola moved slowly. She ran her thumb over Cora's lower lip, pulling gently downward. She whispered into Cora's mouth, "." Cora heard her own voice whisper a soft request, "Please, Zola."

Zola covered Cora's mouth with her lips. She kissed her, rolling her tongue tenderly and deeply into Cora's mouth. She tasted mango and felt Cora's body push toward her. Zola moaned with complete fulfillment. Time stopped. The sensation of her tongue and lips pulling across Cora's delicate warm mouth was intensely gratifying.

When she gently broke for air and balance, she murmured, " Cora, stay with me tonight."

----

Zola stood, pulling Cora into her bedroom. The doors still open, a cool breeze cut across the room. When Cora fell into the bed, she felt like they were rolling in an ocean of soft sheets. She felt Zola pulling at her clothes, her hands moving with perfect tempo and pressure. Cora's body arched and rolled as she tried not to lose contact with Zola's body. They moved in at a purposeful pace, disrobing each other.

Zola shifted between Italian and English. "Cora, I want to take care of you tonight, (you are beautiful). I want to show you , incredible things this weekend."

"Zola ..." Cora tumbled through the sheets. She hovered over Zola and examined her cinnamon eyes. "I am here for . This place is so magical and beautiful. But I am here for ."

Zola sighed, completely undone by Cora's words. "? Are you a dream?"

Cora dropped into Zola's neck and thick hair. She kissed and sucked, careful not to mark her supple skin. "I was wondering the same thing." Cora burned a trail of slow, deep tongue kisses down Zola's skin.

Zola's hands clenched sheets, her body ached, rising and falling to meet Cora's lips. When Cora's mouth closed over the flesh of Zola's breasts and her tightened skin, Zola gasped, pushing her hips up. "Cora, ."

Cora slipped her hands to Zola's hips, using gentle pressure to still her trembling body. She listened closely to the language of Zola's body, responding with her pace and pressure. Cora continued her torturous trail to the soft skin of Zola's belly and hips. As Zola rolled and gasped, Cora chased and pursued.

Zola groaned, rocking and whimpering. "Cora, . Fuck, you turn me on."

Cora didn't understand ½ of what Zola said, but the sound of the desire that saturated her voice pushed her deeper into the sexual fray. She kissed, nipped, and sucked with frightening intensity. Cora shifted, dropping lower between Zola's legs, opening up her hips. Her senses were overwhelmed with the heat and smell of desire and need. She kissed the inside of Zola thighs and drug her tongue along skin between her legs and hips.

"Zola ..." Cora murmured, her warm breath breaking across Zola's sensitive skin. "I want you. I'm filled with need."

Zola whimpered, her muscles tensing in anticipation and frustration. "

The meaning of Zola's words was unmistakable to Cora. She French kissed Zola deeply. Zola's cries and thrashing drove Cora mad with desire and passion. Her own body ached and she felt a ripple of pleasure and release.

" (I'm in ecstasy.)" Cora felt Zola's hips lift and she welcomed them up to meet her mouth fully. She pulled Zola's hips into her. She pushed her tongue deeply and confidently into Zola, flattening and stroking the quivering flesh.

Zola could take no more. Her hands, her legs, her hips, and core all seized, clinched, and then broke like the waves on the beach. She gasped for air and lost her voice and her words. Zola's body shook gently with bliss.

Once she calmed, Cora wrapped herself around Zola. She rested her head in Zola's soft hair. Just before she drifted into sleep, she whispered, "Zola, thank you."