This is a story set in CorruptingPower's Quaranteam Universe. I have been permitted to write in this setting.
Thanks to AgathonWrites, The_Licentious_Laureate, RonanJWilkerson, 2Charlie and BronanTheLibrarian for their editing and story input. Any remaining mistakes are mine.
Thanks as well as to the other QT authors who contributed to editing, made useful suggestions, and whose work I would recommend you check out:
BreakTheBar, AgathonWrites, BronanTheLibrarian, OtterlyMindblowing, SilverRyden, RonanJWilkerson, BirchesLoveBooks, The_Licentious_Laureate, DisquietCertitude, 32inch, Ranthoron, Percheron, EldritchMuppet and 2charlie.
This story, set in Scotland during the DuoHalo/COVID pandemic, is slower-burning than most of the other QT series. Check out my Patreon for a preview of the next chapter.
Constructive comments are always welcome!
---VIII---
Quaranteam: Hebridean Hame, Chapter 8
Afternoon, Tuesday, 29th September 2020
Eilean Arthriagh, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
"You're not new, 'Rah. You're just home."
No sooner had Callum uttered those words than Sarah's lips were pressed passionately against his, her hands pulling him against her. Callum returned the kiss with the same passion, holding her close to him as their mouths moved against each other's.
This kiss bore no resemblance to those of the previous night. Before, they had been desperate and demanding; now, they were passionate but soft and breathy. Both were intent on demonstrating what they still felt towards the other. Their lips sought to explore a connection they had both been extremely aware of since Sarah had walked into the kitchen earlier that afternoon.
Sarah's hand on his chest had formed into a fist, gripping his T-shirt to keep him close while the fingers of her other hand entwined themselves in his hair. Callum's hands roamed slowly over her, one following the ridges of her spine while he kept her pressed against him, the other moving up over her hip, moving up her flank and onto the swell of her breast, made prominent by her chest pressing tightly against his.
The kiss continued, neither treating it as a race or conflict. Each sought closeness. It was a kiss that tried to mend a decade of absence and mistakes.
When they eventually broke apart, both almost panting for breath, with foreheads pressed together, Callum's hand sought Sarah's. His fingers entwined with hers as they continued to look into each other's eyes.
"This way," he softly whispered, turning and leading her to his room.
Callum guided her inside, carefully blocking the dogs from following. After a single moment of hesitation, he closed the door and engaged the lock he so rarely used.
"Expecting visitors?" Sarah asked from across the room.
Callum grinned as he checked to see if the lock was in place. "Well... Alison and Emma haven't seen you naked yet. Do you want me to leave it open?"
In response, she threw a pillow at him, hitting him on the back.
As he ducked slightly and turned towards her, she playfully stuck her tongue out at him.
Callum felt his heart miss a beat as he saw her sitting on the edge of his bed, facing him, wearing nothing but a genuine smile. Her long legs were stretched before her, crossed at her calves. Her hands were on the mattress behind her as she leaned back. Sitting like this, her chest was prominent, pushed front and centre by her posture. Her breasts sat naturally, her skin pale from too much time indoors, making her dark rose-coloured nipples stand out prominently. Her breasts had retained their teardrop shape as she had aged, not with the same pertness he remembered from their twenties, but still shapely and firm.
"You seem to be overdressed," she said quietly, lifting her chin slightly in a 'come here' gesture.
Now that they were in his bedroom, and it was clear what they both wanted, Callum felt a familiar awkward tension. He'd felt the same way when they were teenagers, the first time he knew he was about to kiss her. And on the single night they had together in their twenties before she had left on her travels when they had quickly - and a little drunkenly - stripped off their clothes, then stopped to check with each other that they were going ahead.
Those memories, and the recurrence of that feeling, made him smile as he crossed the bedroom to her, snatching the pillow up from where it had landed and throwing it back.
She batted away the pillow with another laugh.
"What are you smiling about?" Sarah asked as she quickly sat up to help him remove his clothing. Callum's fingers found her chin, and he tilted her head up before leaning down to kiss her.
As the kiss ended, he remained leaning over her. He then stepped out of his trousers and, somewhat clumsily, removed his socks by standing on his toes and pulling his foot upwards. This caused her to laugh lightly and grab his shoulders to help him balance.
"I was remembering." He said before finally managing to remove the remaining sock.