MJ Williamz - Forbidden Passions, page 4
“If it would help, it would be my pleasure.”
Della stood, tears rolling down her cheeks as she hugged her. “Oh, whatever would I do without you?”
Corrine laughed. “You shall never have to find out.”
“Am I interrupting something?” Katie appeared in the doorway.
Della pulled away and wiped her eyes. “Not at all. Come here, Katie dear.”
Katie looked suspiciously at Corrine as she stepped into her mother’s open arms.
“Why are you crying, Mama?”
“They’re happy tears, honey.”
Katie wasn’t convinced. “You seem to have a way of making my mother cry,” she said to Corrine.
Corrine fought to keep the smile off her face.
“And you seem proud of yourself!”
The urge to smile fled. “Do you ever stop to ascertain what might be going on before you pass your judgments?”
“I bid you not to use that tone with me. You forget you hold no authority over me.”
“Kathleen, please!” Della stepped away from her. “Corrine has offered to do something very nice for you, and I’ll thank you to stop being so rude to her.”
Katie sat at the table and glared at Corrine. “You’re going to do something nice. For me?”
“That was the plan. Although I must admit to feeling as if it might not be a good idea after all. Especially since I am such a thorn in your side.”
“You wouldn’t be such a thorn if you’d stop making Mama cry. And if you’d act as a guest instead of my other parent.”
“Kathleen!” Della said. “Miss Staples is my guest. And she’s an adult. As far as I’m concerned, she’s done nothing inappropriate or out of line.”
“Of course you’d say that. I still say you two are conspiring against me.” She looked at Corrine. “So what’s this nice thing you’re supposedly doing for me? And what sort of debt will that leave me in with you?”
Corrine stared hard at her, every ounce of self-discipline keeping her from lashing out. Only her love for Della kept her from rescinding her offer on the spot. She sat across from Katie. “I’ll let your mother tell you. And please, feel no obligation.”
Katie looked at her mother as if awaiting sentencing.
“Corrine has offered to accompany you to the theater.”
Katie looked back and forth between them, her eyes sparkling. “Honestly? The theater? In New Orleans?”
“The very one.” Corrine smiled at how almost childlike Katie looked.
“When? Oh, please say soon!”
“I believe I saw that someone was performing this weekend. We’ll go Saturday night.”
“Oh, but I’ve not a thing to wear! Mama, will you please take me shopping this week?”
“It wouldn’t be right for me to be seen shopping. I’m sure you have plenty to wear.”
“What about that satin gown you had on the day I arrived?” Corrine couldn’t help but remember the exposed flesh above her shapely breasts and the way the color had brought out her eyes.
“That old thing? Why, I couldn’t wear that to the theater.”
“I’m sure you’ll find something,” Della said.
“I’d best start looking.” She left the room.
“I’d be more than happy to take her shopping,” Corrine said when Katie was out of earshot.
“I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking. I’m offering. And I mean it sincerely. I’ll take her into town tomorrow. Shall I go tell her?”
“If you’re certain. You know how she can be.”
“I’m quite aware. However, I do believe I’m up for the challenge. Now if you’ll excuse me.”
Corrine’s heart soared, and she had to deliberately take the stairs one at a time. She straightened her dressing gown, took a deep breath, and knocked on Katie’s door.
“Enter.”
Corrine opened the door and stood staring at the vision before her. Katie stood in front of her wardrobe, her back to Corrine. Corrine took the opportunity to stare at the way Katie’s nearly sheer white nightgown clung to her shapely ass, which was obviously not covered by any undergarments. She longed to cross the room and cup that ass as she kissed Katie’s neck. She imagined dropping to her knees and spinning Katie around, burying her face in the secret garden where her legs met. She knew she would smell sweet and sensual. In her mind, Katie raised the hem of her nightgown, then lowered it, trapping Corrine against her. Corrine would knead and squeeze that ass while her tongue darted between her legs.
She cleared her throat. “Katie?”
Katie spun. “Miss Staples! I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting you.”
She stood with her arms at her side, obviously unaware of what the outline of her full breasts was doing to Corrine.
“I realize that. Have you had any luck?” She motioned to the open wardrobe.
“No.” Katie sat hard on her bed, her breasts bouncing playfully.
Corrine forced herself not to stare. “I’ve actually come with good news.”
“And what might that be?”
“If you have no objection, I’ll be taking you into town tomorrow to shop for a new gown.”
“Oh, Miss Staples.” She was off the bed and in Corrine’s arms before either of them had time to think.
Corrine closed her arms around her waist and held her close, breathing in the fresh scent of her youth. She shut her eyes and inhaled, her whole body alive where Katie pressed into her. She felt Katie’s arms around her neck and wanted to hold her there forever.
Katie finally eased her grip. She stood, face inches from Corrine’s. Corrine looked into the emerald eyes, then down to the parted pink lips practically touching hers. For the briefest of seconds, she thought about dipping to taste them, but quickly came to her senses. She stepped out of Katie’s grasp.
They stood silently, and Corrine was puzzled by the blush that covered Katie from her chest up.
“Thank you so much,” Katie finally said.
“You’re quite welcome.” Corrine straightened her dressing gown again. “I believe I’ll take my leave now, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Of course. Thank you again.”
Corrine smiled and nodded, then hurried out of the room. She leaned against the closed door and tried to steady her breathing. That had been a close call. She chastised herself and vowed not to be alone with Katie in her quarters again.
She walked down the hall on unsteady legs. She passed the beautiful young cleaning girl and smiled at her. The woman smiled knowingly at her. Corrine wondered if her encounter was written all over her face.
Heart still racing, she let herself in her room and sank onto her bed. She buried her face in her hands and cursed herself for holding Katie longer than was decent. But she’d felt so right in her arms. She’d wanted to lay her back on the bed and kiss those tender lips that were so capable of spitting venom.
She stripped out of her dressing gown and stepped in front of the mirror. She was slender and muscular, her body that of a much younger woman. She thought it worthy of the beautiful Katie. She shook her head and moved away. She wasn’t thinking clearly. She quickly dressed and went back downstairs where she found Della in the sitting room.
“Della, do you know where Theodore kept his fishing gear? And would you mind if I used it?”
“Of course I don’t mind. Someone might as well get use out of it. I believe he kept all his gear in a corner of the stables. He had a special bag made for it. I can’t guarantee what shape it’ll be in.”
“I brought my own silk, so as long as he’s got a pole and hooks, I should be set. I’ll be gone until dinner then. And Katie was thrilled to hear about a day shopping, by the by.”
“I didn’t think you’d get an argument. I must say, I don’t know why she’s so disrespectful of you. I certainly hope she behaves tomorrow.”
“Even if she does not, I promise to bring her home in one piece.”
Della laughed. “Shall I plan on fish for dinner then?”
It was Corrine’s turn to laugh. “I make no promise. But I shall do my best.”
*
Corrine was grateful for the solitude of the stable. She was looking forward to spending the day at the back end of the plantation with her line in the Mississippi. She was hoping the fresh air would help clear her head.
She found the saddlebag that Della had mentioned. The lancewood rod stood in three pieces next to the bag. Corrine placed them in the bag, then tucked in the silk line she’d brought with her.
She put the saddlebag on the back of the dapple mare she’d chosen and gently urged her into the sunlight and warm autumn morning. Corrine drew a deep breath but could only smell the scent of Katie’s skin. It had smelled clean and fresh and young. Corrine imagined it would taste sweet and of innocence. At the thought of her innocence, her memory flew back to Katie unbuttoning her dress for that DuPre boy. She wondered how innocent Katie was. The thought that someone else may have had her made Corrine’s blood boil.
She nudged the mare to speed up as she rode through the rows of tall sugar cane. The air was heavy but cooled somewhat as she reached the river. She dismounted and tied the horse to an old oak with plenty of shade but access to the river.
Corrine unpacked the saddlebag and assembled the fishing rod. She dug in the mud until she found an earthworm to run the hook through. She cast her line into the river, then sat on the cool earth.
She propped the rod on a branch she stuck in the ground, then lay back using the saddlebag as a pillow and let the warmth take her cares away.
*
Katie sat on her bed reliving every second of the hug. Miss Staples’s arms were strong and sure as they’d held her. She still had gooseflesh where Miss Staples’s warm breath caressed her bare skin. Her nipples were taut and painful as she craved more. Then there was the look in her deep blue eyes when they stared into hers. Was it her imagination or had she seen desire there? Katie was certain Miss Staples had come close to kissing her. She could just imagine her kiss, firm and possessive.
She sighed. She determined to strive to give Miss Staples every opportunity to kiss her. She simply had to discover what that kiss would be like. She slipped a housecoat over her nightgown and left her room.
Katie saw Mollie coming out of Miss Staples’s room.
“What were you doing in there?” she said.
“Katie, are you speaking to me now?”
“Answer me. What were you doing in there?”
“I was cleaning, of course.”
“Is she in there?”
“No. She doesn’t like me to clean when she’s in. Now will you tell me what I did to upset you so yesterday?”
“I don’t like hearing that you’re attracted to Miss Staples.”
“Kathleen Prentiss! Are you jealous?”
Very, Katie thought. But not how you think.
“Maybe a little,” she said. “Hey, I have an idea.” She took Mollie’s hand and pulled her into Miss Staples’s room where she threw her on the bed and climbed on top. She kissed her hard on her mouth, her tongue forcing Mollie’s mouth open. Her breath caught when their tongues met and she felt her clit growing. She took one of Mollie’s hands and put it between her legs.
“Oh, Katie, you know I can’t say no to you.”
“That’s what I’m counting on.” She grinned.
“But what if she comes in?”
“Maybe she’ll join us.”
“Katie! I’m shocked at you.” She pulled her hand out. “I’m not sure about this.”
Katie moved to straddle Mollie’s belly. She took off her housecoat and pulled her gown over her head. She began playing with her breasts.
“Katie, I’m serious. How would it look to be caught like this?”
Katie paid her no heed. She leaned back on one hand and slipped her other hand between them so Mollie could watch her touch herself.
“Your clit is so big,” Mollie said as she watched Katie masturbate on top of her.
“It feels amazing,” she murmured. She was so aroused by fucking in Miss Staples’s room. Part of her wished Miss Staples would come in and take over for her.
“You look amazing, but you’re getting my dress all wet.”
“You’ll smell me all day. Won’t that be a treat?”
Katie walked up her body on her knees and sat on Mollie’s face, grinding into her, and Mollie slid her tongue inside. She writhed over her face, amazed at the height of her arousal.
“Suck me then,” she begged, and Mollie obliged. Katie could hold out no longer. She threw her head back and cried out as a powerful orgasm tore through her.
She moved off the bed and smiled down at Mollie. “Now you’ll taste me all day, as well as smell me.”
“That will be a treat indeed.”
“Now you take your clothes off and let me at you.”
“I wish I could. I’ve got to get back to cleaning. My mum will be up here to fetch me for lunch soon. It wouldn’t do for her to find us like that.”
“I don’t suppose it would.” Katie laughed. “Well, this was fun. We’ll have to fuck in here again.”
“Maybe when my heart starts beating normally. Now let’s get out of this room before she comes in.”
Chapter Five
Corrine sipped a cup of chicory while she pored over the plantation’s books. Something wasn’t right. She’d thought she’d seen a discrepancy Monday, which was another reason she’d taken the previous day off. She’d run through the numbers in her mind while she was out by the river, and no matter how she ran them, something wasn’t right. Money was missing.
“Miss Staples. You’re not dressed yet?”
She turned, and her breath caught at the sight of Katie in a long russet gown that accented her soft auburn hair and made her eyes sparkle.
Corrine stood and stared. “Katie,” she began. “I…you…”
Katie smiled as if she knew the effect she was having.
Corrine cleared her throat. “What I’m trying to say is that you look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Katie curtsied, then her eyes hardened. “I wish I could say the same for you. We need to get to town and you’re still lounging about.”
Corrine grinned. “I’m hardly lounging about. I’ve been looking over the books since early this morning so I’d be able to go to town. I didn’t realize how late it’d gotten. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go change and will be back promptly.”
She brushed against Katie as she walked around her to take her leave. Every nerve in her body was alive.
*
Katie sat in her father’s chair to wait for Miss Staples to return. She missed her father and felt the familiar resentment toward Miss Staples for trying to take his place. She knew her mother hadn’t known anything about keeping books when he’d been killed, but Mollie’s father had been helping. She didn’t understand why her mother had called on Miss Staples to come look at them.
She told herself she would ask Miss Staples to teach her about the books. Not that accounting sounded very interesting to her, but it would make her feel closer to her father. And it would allow her to be more involved in the plantation. She made up her mind. She would mention it to Miss Staples.
“I didn’t expect to find you still here,” Corrine said from the doorway.
“Do you think I could learn the books?” Katie asked without turning around.
Corrine crossed the room and stood next to Katie. She placed her finger under her chin and forced her to look her in the eyes.
“Is that a serious question? Because that’s not very ladylike.”
“You’re a fine one to talk.”
She moved her hand. “It’s not my place to pass judgment. I simply reminded you.”
“But you took over your father’s business when he died. How old were you?”
“I was twenty-seven. Running a plantation entails more than simply keeping books.”
“But it’s a place to start, yes?”
“That it is. Now, lovely lady, shall we depart? The coach awaits.” She offered her elbow, and Katie placed her hand around it.
They walked to the breakfast nook to bid farewell to Della, then Corrine escorted Katie to the waiting coach. She held the door for her, then climbed in after. She sat across from her and once again smiled at how beautiful Katie looked.
“That dress is really very beautiful. I fail to see that you need any other piece of clothing. You should always wear that.”
Katie blushed and Corrine had to look away, lest Katie see the desire in her eyes.
The ride passed quickly, mostly in silence.
“Where shall I drop you?” the driver called over his shoulder.
“In front of Franklin’s Dry Goods,” Corrine replied.
The driver pulled the coach in front of the large store on Canal Street. Corrine stepped out of the coach and held the door for Katie, who was beaming in anticipation of her day.
Katie threw her arms around Corrine. “I can’t believe we’re here. It’s been so long.”
Corrine barely heard her. She was aware of little save the feel of Katie’s breasts pressed into her.
“Come now.” She disentangled herself. “Let’s go see what we can find for you.”
Katie grabbed her hand and pulled her into the giant emporium. The store was the size of a city block and teemed with crowds. Katie had barely entered the store when she was pulled into one hug after another from squealing young women, apparently thrilled to see her.
Corrine stood back and simply observed. It pleased her to see Katie so in her element. It reinforced to her that age was not their only difference. Corrine was fine on the docks with the workers milling about, but she was decidedly out of her element in the store with the fancily attired gentlefolk. And it appeared to be where Katie flourished.
Katie excused herself from a group she had been talking to and walked to Corrine. “People think I’m unaccompanied.”
“I’m sure they know your mother would never allow that. I’m keeping an eye on you. I can’t imagine you’d want me hovering over you.”
