A lesbian romance set in a seaside town. This is a continuation of Exquisite Perspective Ch.01 and won't make much sense if you haven't read the preceding chapter.
A gracious thank you to
WaxPhilosophic
for fantastic suggestions and advice. You are awesome!
******
Amelia sat back down in her chair after hugging Morgan, taking a bite of her chicken and smiling somewhat demurely at her. She was giddy from the afterglow of their impromptu door lust and still reeling from the news Morgan brought. She couldn't believe she was sitting across from the realtor sharing lunch with her. Since the last moment they saw one another, the only thing she wanted was to be in Morgan's embrace again.
During their first weekend together, she had grown fond of Morgan, but it didn't hit her how much they had in common until she was working on her manuscript. They discussed her writing most conversations, but found themselves increasingly deviating from that topic, delving into their interests. From their favorite movies to their coincidental love for the ocean, their shared interests were varied and numerous. "How long are you staying?" she asked.
"Probably just tonight. I called to check if the hotel Allison and I stayed in had any vacancies, and they do if you -," Morgan began, her eyebrows raised in question, but Amelia cut her off.
"Don't be silly. You are more than welcome to spend the night with me and I would be offended if you didn't. I'd have you longer if you could stay," Amelia admitted with a blush.
Morgan smiled at her, reaching across to take her free hand. "I really wish I could, and to be honest, I'd stay all week if that were the case. But, I've got a client selling their house and we're going to be looking at the offers tomorrow afternoon before he makes a decision. So my stay has to be short."
Amelia was disappointed for it to be such a rushed visit, but she wasn't going to allow her feelings to muddle their time together. There was a brief pause before she spoke. "It's Tuesday," Amelia stated with a grin, her fingertips caressing Morgan's knuckles.
Morgan quirked a dark eyebrow, chewing her pasta thoughtfully. "Yes, it is," she agreed, unsure where this was going.
Amelia sipped her water and wiped her face on a napkin with her free hand. "The Mummers will be on the boardwalk tonight."
"The who?"
Amelia's grin widened. "The Mummers!"
Morgan chuckled. "The same people who dress up in feathers and crap and strut down the streets of Philly on New Year's Day? They do that more than just once a year?"
Amelia nodded. "Yes, every Tuesday in July and we're going. Their outfits aren't as crazy as they are on New Year's but it's still great music," she squeezed Morgan's hand before letting go to clear off the table. Morgan followed her with the rest of the take-out trash, easing her way into the small space.
Amelia watched Morgan throw the items she carried into the garbage can before she turned and captured Amelia's arms. She pulled Amelia close, kissing her on the lips. "I don't care what we do, as long as I go to bed with you tonight."
"I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, I'm going to get the heck out of these clothes and find something appropriate for public and then we'll go," Amelia concluded.
Morgan's eyes trailed up and down her body and Amelia couldn't help the blush that rose to her cheeks. "I think you look fantastic in what you have on," Morgan's hands ran up and down Amelia's arms, biting her own lip as she stared at Amelia ardently.
They gazed at each other for a few silent moments until Amelia swallowed her desire. As much as she wanted to stay in and surrender to her libido, it was Amelia's turn to feed the stray cats under the boardwalk. "We're going to miss the music," she muttered before pulling away to make herself more presentable.
****
The music echoed through the streets as they walked toward the boardwalk, cheers blending with the Mardi Gras styled tunes the band played. The descending sun was obscured by fog and a thick humidity hung in the air, coating the railing on the staircase with a layer of dew.
Morgan shot Amelia a dubious look and Amelia smiled before taking her hand. Despite Morgan's protests that she looked good in glasses, Amelia had replaced them with her contacts. She also changed into a blue strapless sundress that hugged her hips and Morgan could barely keep her eyes off her lover. She narrowly avoided missing the first step as they began up the staircase and Amelia giggled at her near miss.
As they scaled the twelve steps up to the boardwalk, their view met a sea of brightly dressed dancers through the crowd of people. Groups were clapping and children were dancing on the outskirts of the space made for the Mummers. Amelia tugged Morgan's hand, pulling her toward the edge so they could see the glamorous musicians.
Five people were strumming tiny ukuleles dressed in purple and orange feathered jackets. Another couple were wearing clown costumes and playing accordions. A few of the Mummers were waving elaborately decorated umbrellas while blowing on kazoos. Morgan laughed aloud when Amelia grinned up at her, grey eyes mesmerizing in the setting sun. Morgan wrapped an arm around her so they were hip to hip, breathing in her flowery scent. It was boisterous and loud, the joyful atmosphere seeping into everyone gathered around.
A little while later, Amelia and Morgan headed to the flower shop, Amelia telling her to stay in the front while she went into the back room. Guiltily, Morgan couldn't stop herself from watching Amelia sashay her hips through the threshold of the door to the back. She came out with a small tote bag and beckoned Morgan to follow her.
"Where are you taking me?" Morgan asked suspiciously as Amelia led her down the stairs toward the beach side of the boardwalk. With the beach long deserted and the sky a pinkish purple hue, Morgan had to take pause to soak in the ambience. The music from the Mummers thrummed upon the boardwalk and the sound mixed with the crashing of the waves on the shore, a shrill cry of a seagull only adding to the symphony. The balanced harmony was hypnotic and mellifluous to Morgan's senses.