A Hand Up

Haley tried not to blush but said nothing.

"I could go get her if you'd like." he said seeming to sense her desires.

She hesitated just a moment before saying, "No, don't bother her. I'll take a look in the library at what you have to offer. I just wanted something to read while sitting by the pool."

"Are you sure, I don't mind at all. I don't even have to go up I can just give her a call," he said holding up his cell phone.

Haley shook her head and said, "No really, don't bother. I'll see her plenty of the rest of the week."

He gave her a look that suggested he wanted to say more but instead turned as said, "Okay, just follow me this way."

When they'd reached the library he opened the door and stepped aside to let her go in first.

"I'm not sure what you're looking for but fiction is to your left. I'm a voracious reader. It's really all I do these days. I'm not much for television though I'll watch the occasional movie with Lacey I do it more to spend time with her than anything else." he admitted.

"Non-fiction is along the back wall. I still occasionally read that type stuff if it's a subject that catches my eye. On the right side you'll find mostly classics. Everything should be arranged first by genre, then in alphabetical order by author and title."

Haley looked around the room and said, "Wow, this is really a lot of books. Have you read all these?"

"Each and every one of them," Jack said, " some more than once."

Haley was impressed. She made her way over to the fiction titles and began thumbing through the titles hoping to find something she hadn't already read.

"Go ahead and grab several of them if you want. That way you have something to read in case you finish the first one and there's no one here to let you in to get another."

She looked up at Jack and said, "Thanks, I will."

"Dad, where are you?" she heard Lacey ask.

Haley turned to watch Jack stick his head just outside the doorway and say, "I'm in the library."

A moment later Lacey stuck her head in the door and was surprised to see Haley bent over looking at books on the bottom shelf. She was dressed in just a bikini and swimsuit cover. The bottom of the cover had ridden up over her butt and she couldn't help but notice both of her delectable, round ass cheeks poking out of the sides. She felt her pussy become instantly wet and her nipples harden at the sight. It was only then she remembered her father.

When she looked at him he had a curious look on his face. She realized then that he could see what was in her eyes and quickly tried to cover by saying, "I'm heading out to the store. I was wondering if you needed anything?"

"No, I'm good but aren't you going to say hi to Haley?" he asked with a knowing look on his face.

She blushed but recovered quickly saying, "Hey Haley, finding what you need?"

Haley stood with three books in her hands and held them up saying, "Yeah, I think these will do for now."

The two women just stood there caught up in each others eyes. It was so obvious to Jack what was occurring, he couldn't help but attempt to break the ice.

"Haley, are you sure you wouldn't rather ride to the store with Lacey. There's a bookstore located in the same shopping center. You might find something there you'd like even more."

Lacey quickly said, "Well Dad, she's not really dressed for shopping right now."

Haley sensed the older woman's reluctance to her going along and more out of spite than anything said, "It wouldn't take me but a few minutes to change. If you don't mind waiting that is."

Lacey knew she'd been backed into a corner. She couldn't very well say no now. At least not in front of her father. He would have far too many questions afterwards if she did. And right now he already seemed suspicious enough of her behavior.

"Sure," she said, "I'll go get the car and will meet you around back in front of the guesthouse."

Haley smiled, she was overjoyed with Jack's suggestion and could just kiss the old man. Instead she just hugged him and said, "Thank you so much for the books Jack. I'll get them back to you as soon as I'm done with them."

She then practically skipped from the room going to change her clothes.

Lacey turned to look at her dad. His look told her he knew. She knew her dad well. She'd never been able to hide anything from him including the time she'd started smoking at sixteen. One of the girls she'd had a crush on had offered her a cigarette and not wanting to seem uncool she had taken up the habit. She always got home before her parents and would shower, wash her hair, and brush her teeth while rinsing. She was sure she'd covered her tracks. After a couple of weeks her father had calmly asked her after supper one night if she didn't want to have a smoke right after eating. Turns out she'd forgotten to place the clothes she'd been wearing to school in the dirty clothes hamper. Her mother had noticed the smell when she picked them up from her bedroom floor and gone straight to her father.

She continued to just stare at him, almost wanting him to ask. When he finally did she was almost relieved.

"If it's obvious to me Lacey, don't you think it's obvious to her?" he asked.

She held his gaze and quietly said, "Oh, she knows. She's made it clear that she feels the same way too but won't act on it. That it would be up to me."

"So what are you waiting for? It can't be because of Derrick. He made it clear he wanted you to be happy and you've grieved him long enough."

Lacey shook her head, "It's not that dad. She's only nineteen years old."

"So you're a little older. I was eight years older than your mother and Derrick was five years older than you. What's your point?" he asked.

Lacey felt flustered at his response and said, "I'm thirteen years older than her. I own my own business. I've been married and widowed. She's barely old enough to vote and still can't legally buy a drink. There's a difference dad."

He cocked his head to one side. She knew that meant he was disappointed in her thinking. She hadn't seen that look a lot in her thirty-two years but she did recognize it.

"The only thing that matters daughter is do you think being with her could make you happy? That's really the only question you should be asking yourself. If the answer is yes then all this age stuff is just an excuse. It's just a reason for you to cover the fact you're scared to let it happen. I hate to see you do that to yourself Lacey."

He turned to leave the room but she stopped him with a question.

"How long have you known? How long have you known about me being attracted to women?"

Jack turned to her and said, "Your mom first brought up the possibility when you were fourteen. You'd had a friend over to spend the day and she'd watched the way you were with her. She said you reminded her of herself at that age when she'd had crushes on boys. I started to pay attention to things after that and to be honest, it was so obvious I was surprised I'd missed it."

He hesitated before saying, "When you called to say you were bringing someone home we were thrilled. When you showed up with Derrick you could have knocked us both over with a feather. But you seemed happy after that so we never brought it up. You don't look happy now though."

And with that he walked away.

Haley was quiet on the ride to the store. She had put on a pair of jeans that hugged her curves like a second skin and had on a midriff shirt that showed her taut little stomach. Lacey struggled to keep her eyes on the road.

"So," Lacey asked, "what kind of books do you normally read?"

She looked over at Haley who seemed to flush a bit before saying, "I'm kind of into romance novels"

"Oh God, me too," Lacey said with a laugh, "I bet you didn't find any of those in dad's library did you."

Haley giggled and said, "I don't know, I think I saw some Jane Austen over on the classics side, but I'd already read those."

"Those were likely some books of my mom's he was too sentimental to get rid of. I can't imagine him ever reading them," Lacey explained, "so you prefer period piece romances?"

Haley looked out the window and said, "No, I actually like to read lesbian romance the most."

Lacey looked over at her and asked, "Wait, that's a thing?"

Looking at the older woman with a grin Haley said, "Oh yeah, you ought to try one. I've never actually bought a new one. When I used to have enough change after eating I would buy them at a used bookstore that was near the shelter. There's a few I could recommend to you probably. Are you interested?"

Lacey thought for a minute. She knew she should probably tell the girl no. There was no reason to encourage her. Despite what her father had said she still felt she was doing the right thing. Still, the prospect intrigued her.

"Yeah, why not. It will be a nice change from the long haired, bare chested guys on a horse."

When they reached the shopping center they split up. As they went their separate ways Lacey couldn't help but watch Haley go. She'd noticed the girl had a nice shake to her hips once again making her thighs quiver a bit. She realized too late the girl had turned and caught her looking.

Haley smiled back and turned back towards the store adding a little more shimmy to her walk. Just hoping that Lacey liked watching what she was fighting so hard against.

Lacey took her time in the store to make sure Haley had enough time to find what she was looking for in the bookstore. And there it was, thinking of her again. Every time she thought of the girl her reaction was visceral. The things she could imagine herself doing, both with and to this young woman were just delicious to imagine. She was having a hard time making herself stop. She desperately wanted to fight what she was feeling but was finding it impossible.

When she had finished her shopping and checked out she made her way to the car where they had agreed to meet. Haley was leaning against the car with a bag in her hand and a smile on her face.

Just her grin left Lacey feeling a little tingly.

"What am I going to do with this girl," she thought.

Unlocking the doors as she opened the trunk Lacey asked, "Find what you were looking for Haley?"

"Oh yeah." she said, "I even found a few good ones for you."

Lacey looked at her after that comment. Haley just smiled at her innocently but Lacey didn't buy it for a second.

"Why is it I feel like the lamb being led to slaughter." she asked the younger woman.

Haley batted her eyes saying, "I don't know what you mean."

Lacey cut her eyes and said, "Uh huh, I'm not buying the innocent act."

Haley said nothing, she simply got in the car and shut her door smiling as she did.

On the way home the younger woman was once again quiet. She quietly sat there reading one of her new books. Lacey kept stealing glances at her. She tried to make herself stop but felt her eyes drawn that way every few minutes.

Haley finally spoke without looking up from her book.

"You know, if you don't stop that you're liable to get us into an accident."

Lacey turned her eyes back to the road, embarrassed at having been caught again but aroused by the knowledge Haley knew that she wanted her.

Ignoring the girls comment she asked, "What kind of books did you buy me?"

Haley just smiled and said, "The kind where two women slowly fall in love and end up having some really steamy and hot sex."

"Oh," was all Lacey could get out. Just hearing her say those words had sent a rush of blood to engorge her clit.

When they pulled back up to the house Haley offered to help bring the groceries in.

"Just let me set my books in the guesthouse. I'll leave yours in the bag just in case your dad is around. We wouldn't want him to get a look at your new reading material," she said in a teasing way.

As Lacey watched her sashay into the house once again admiring her tight jeans she popped the release on the trunk.

She just rolled her eyes at the girls exaggerated walk and said out loud to herself in admission, "I'm so fucked."

By the time Haley returned Lacey had grabbed two bags and was already making her way up the path to the main house.

Lacey heard heavy steps behind her and was surprised to turn and see the young woman hurrying to catch up with her. She carried several bags hooked over her each arm and smiled when she saw Lacey looking.

"I tucked your books down in one of these bags," she said, "this is the last of the groceries. I'll close your trunk when I'm on my way back down."

Lacey grinned to herself as the girl passed. She was more than willing to let the younger woman show her up if it allowed her the chance to further stare at that ass.

As she reached the veranda she heard Haley say, "Thanks Jack."

She looked up in time to see Haley step past him through the door. He was speaking to Haley while grinning at his daughter when he said, "Oh, you're more than welcome Ms. Saunders."

As she walked by him she refused to look at him simply saying, "Don't you say one word."

She didn't look back. She did however hear him chuckling.

She found her books quickly and shoved them in the drawer before her father entered the room to see what they had bought.

After they'd put everything up Lacey asked, "Anyone want a glass of wine?"

"I'll pass,' said Jack, "I think I'm going to go sit on the veranda and enjoy the night air."

Lacey knew what he was up to but ignored him and turned to Haley, "What about you?"

"I could do with one glass. Then I think I'll head to bed and do a little more reading before going to sleep. I've been up since five-thirty this morning when I got up to work out before my run. So I'm a bit tired and I have a big day tomorrow."

Lacey didn't look up as she poured the wine. She just simply said, "I'm sorry I didn't make it this morning. I had a hard time sleeping last night so it wasn't that easy getting up this morning."

Lacy cut her eyes at her and said, "And here I thought you were just avoiding me after last night," before turning to go look out the kitchen window.

"You're not going to be this cheeky in the office are you," Lacey asked playfully.

Haley looked over her shoulder without turning around. She gave Lacey a look that left her aching and said, "Oh no Ms Summers. I will be completely and utterly professional. Besides, I think your silence on the matter has made your position clear. You have no worries from me regardless of how badly I want to kiss you right now."

"Haley..." she started to answer but found the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat.

The younger woman never gave her a chance to put her thoughts together. She instead downed the remainder of her wine and said, "Goodnight Ms. Summers, enjoy your reading."

"Haley," Lacey called out. When the younger woman looked back she said, "I'll be knocking on your door at five-thirty in the morning for our workout."

Haley didn't reply she just left the room making sure to sway her ass suggestively as she went.

As she made her way down the hill she met Jack on his way back up.

"I saw the trunk was open and went down to close it. I didn't want the trunk light draining the battery" he said with a smile.

He stopped when they were about even. She slowed and paused just looking at him.

"Need something Jack?" she asked.

He looked at her seriously and said, "The trunk was just an excuse to be honest. I wanted to be able to talk to you without my daughter hovering nearby."

He didn't say anything else for a moment. She just stood there waiting for him to continue.

Jack smiled at her and said softly, "I've always been a very perceptive person. I tend to notice things going on around me that others miss. Little things that don't stand out and most folks just aren't aware of. You see what I'm saying?"

Haley was afraid she knew where he was going with this but just said, "I think I understand what your saying, yes."

"Good," Jack said, "I say all that to tell you that the chemistry between you and Lacey isn't a little thing. It's a lighthouse on a dark cliff overlooking the sea. It was easy to spot. Just between us when Lacey brought Derrick home the first time and told us they were engaged we were shocked. We'd always assumed her tastes ran in the other direction. Now she seemed very happy with him and they had a good relationship. You with me so far?"

Haley shook her head though she was not so sure now where he was going with this, "Yes sir."

"Good," he said, "because the look on her face when she's around you, well, I've never seen her like this before. Not even when she was with Derrick. I know she's fighting what she's feeling and she can be very stubborn. Irritatingly so at times. Just tell me you'll be patient with her. Don't let her push you away. I promise you'll find her worth the wait."

"Well that wasn't what I was thinking at all," Haley thought.

She reached out and touched Jack's hand to reassure him and said, "I've made it clear to her how I feel. Where we go from here is solely up to her. But I'm not sure I can be around her twenty-four seven and deal with these unrequited feelings forever. I can't push her because I can't afford to lose this opportunity. I'm afraid if I push her too far too fast, that's what will happen."

Then she added, "I think I could easily fall in love with your daughter if she'd just give me a chance but I can't wait forever for her to let me in. Sooner or later, I have to start protecting myself."

"I'm not asking for forever Haley," he implored, "but please, just give her a chance to come around. I don't think she's as closed off to it as you think she is"

She promised she would and they said good night. Haley made her way inside and after eating a sandwich and cleaning up she went to get ready for bed. As she finally crawled between the sheets she checked to see make sure her alarm was set before picking up one of her newest books and smiling.

"I wonder how Lacey's reading is going," she thought mischievously.

Chapter 6: The Thaw

Haley couldn't put the book down. Yes it was in part due to the titillating nature of the book. But mainly it was due to the story itself. It was a lesbian romance as Haley had promised. What the girl hadn't told her was that it was of the May/September variety. It told the tale of a married woman in her early forties who'd fallen in love with a friend of her daughters nearly twenty years younger than herself.

"That cheeky little bitch" Lacey had said upon figuring out why the girl had chosen this particular title.

The first sex scene between the two women had Lacey's fingers creeping down between her thighs. She put the book down long enough to take her panties off before picking it back up and continuing to read. She rubbed her clit as the younger woman in the story, who was very much the aggressor, finally seduced the married woman. As the sex scene got steamier she began to rub her nub harder and faster. Lacey imagined Haley doing the things described in the story to her, and as the older woman came in the story, so did she.

It was every bit as strong as the night before. Haley had never even touched her in a sexual way and still he was responsible for two of her stronger orgasms.

She stayed up until just shy of midnight before finishing the book. It had taken her a bit longer than it should have because she'd had to stop and masturbate two more times. The story ended with the woman divorcing her husband and moving in with the younger woman. They were passionately in love and it all sounded so good.

It just served to weaken her resolve that much further. And she knew that's exactly what that sneaky, beautiful little bitch had been trying to do.

She had to talk to someone about this other than her father. The only person she knew that she could really trust was her friend Lindsey. They'd gone to college together though they'd only known each other casually at the time. Once she and Derrick had gotten their company off the ground and it had become necessary to have more than just a few people to run things, they'd decided to hire someone to handle the human resources side of things. Lindsey had been one of the early interviews and had been an easy choice for the job. Not only was she perfectly qualified, but she was also easy to get along with.