A Brighter Palette Read online

  Her parents took seats across from them at the table, and Annie scrambled for ideas to get the conversation started. Her father saved her.

  “So, you’re from Ireland, Siobhán?” James tripped over the pronunciation a little, but managed to get somewhere near it.

  “I am.” Siobhán offered him a bright smile. “I grew up in a town called Bray. It’s on the coast of the Irish sea, just a bit south of Dublin.”

  Heather glanced back and forth between them. “So did you two meet while Annie was studying there?”

  “Oh, no,” Siobhán said with a laugh. “That would have been an interesting coincidence, but if I remember right from what Annie’s said, I was moving to Boston somewhere around the time she was visiting Ireland.”

  “So where did you meet?”

  “At an art gallery,” Annie explained. “Earlier this summer, Siobhán had a show at the gallery I go to semi-regularly, and we struck up a conversation.” She smiled over at Siobhán. “And I fell head-over-heels.”

  Siobhán reached out and squeezed her hand.

  “You’re an artist then?” James asked.

  “I am. A painter,” Siobhán explained. “Mainly acrylics, but I’ve done some mixed media, and I dabbled with oil pastels for a while.

  Heather frowned. “Have you had much luck with your art?”

  “Quite a bit, actually,” Siobhán said with a smile. “I’ve had three very successful shows at the Quinn gallery and was recently approached by a couple looking to commission a piece.”

  “How interesting.” Heather turned to Annie. “Quinn? Didn’t you have a friend with that name?

  “Yes. The same Quinn, actually. Gabriel dated my roommate Sylvia.”

  “Oh, yes, I remember her. Lovely girl.”

  Annie suppressed a grin. If only her mother knew what she’d gotten up to with Sylvia. And Gabriel, for that matter. But she wasn’t about to bring that up at dinner.

  “I stayed in contact with Gabriel and occasionally visit his gallery,” Annie explained.

  “I’m quite grateful to Gabriel Quinn,” Siobhán said with a smile. “Without him, I wouldn’t have met Annie.”

  James gave her a broad smile. “I came prepared with a ‘don’t you dare hurt my daughter’ speech, but I can see I won’t have to give that today!”

  Annie chuckled. “I made you promise not to harass Siobhán too much, Dad!”

  “And I won’t. I clearly don’t need to.” He beamed at them both.

  “Will you be meeting with Siobhán’s parents sometime in the near future?” Heather asked.

  When Siobhán didn’t answer immediately, Annie glanced over at her and saw a tight smile on her face. It occurred to her that she had no idea what Siobhán’s parents were like. She’d mentioned an uncle, but next to nothing about her parents. Odd.

  “Well, I hardly think we’ll be taking a trip to Ireland anytime soon,” Annie said lightly. “Although you know I loved it when I was there. I certainly wouldn’t mind visiting again!”

  “You should have seen how many photos Annie took while she was there,” James joked. “She even took photos of the pigeons!”

  Annie laughed. “I did, but they were Irish pigeons. They seemed more thrilling than the ones we have in Boston. But I suppose that’s just because I was excited about traveling and being on my own for the first time.”

  Her mother shook her head. “I spent that whole semester worrying something terrible would happen. It hadn’t been so long since there had been bombings in Ireland.”

  A shadow crossed Siobhán’s face. “When exactly were you there, Annie?”

  “Hmm, it must have been the spring semester of 2001,” Annie said.

  “The ceasefire was 1998, and everyone was very relieved,” Siobhán said softly.

  “Oh, I suppose you must have grown up in the midst of that conflict, didn’t you?” Heather took a sip of her water.

  Siobhán shrugged. “While I knew it was going on and was horrified by the fighting, it had little impact on my life. The bombings were mostly in the North. There were none in the Republic while I was growing up. County Wicklow was very safe. My father never liked me going into Dublin with friends, and he wasn’t happy I went to university there after my secondary education was done, but it was just garden-variety worries that any parent has about their child in a big city. His worries had nothing to do with the IRA.”

  “Oh, I had similar worries about Annie living in Boston,” James said. “But that’s interesting to know. I guess we assumed that the conflict spilled into everyone’s life there.”

  Heather cleared her throat. “I’m sorry I brought up such a sensitive topic.”

  Siobhán shrugged. “It’s an unavoidable part of Ireland’s history, I’m afraid. I’d love to pretend we’re all green rolling fields, sheep, and whiskey distilleries, but as Annie and I have talked about, there’s a dark side to the country too.”

  “Well, it’s not one we need to discuss on such a lovely day.” Heather’s smile looked pasted-on. “Now, where is the waiter? I’d like to order a drink.”

  Siobhán shot Annie a look, and Annie offered her a helpless shrug. Her mother had never liked conflict and was always trying to smooth things over in favor of pleasantness. Although that never stopped her from the occasional needle-y comments she made about Annie’s appearance. And career. Annie knew her mother cared, but she wished she would go about it differently.

  Heather waved to catch the attention of a nearby waiter. He came over promptly. “I’m sorry. Have you been helped?”

  “We have not,” Heather said crisply.

  “I’m very sorry about that. Let me get your drink and appetizer orders in right away.”

  They all ordered wine, except for her father who got a beer, and then agreed to share a few appetizers. Annie was finally able to relax a fraction, and she reached out to grab Siobhán’s thigh under the tablecloth. Siobhán gave her a soft smile in return.

  The rest of the lunch passed more easily. She was polite, but it never really seemed like her mother warmed up to Siobhán. Annie couldn’t figure out why, either. Siobhán was beautiful, successful, and she made Annie happy. What more could her mom want?

  By the time their lunch wrapped up and her father asked for the bill, Annie felt like she needed to talk to her mother about it.

  “I’m going to use the restroom before we leave,” Annie said. “Mom, would you like to come with me?”

  Her mother looked surprised. “I suppose.”

  Annie kept her thoughts to herself until they reached the privacy of the women’s restroom. Thankfully, the only occupant was leaving as they walked in, and the moment they were alone, Annie turned to her. “Why are you being so cool with Siobhán? Do you have a problem with her?”

  Heather sighed. “Of course we don’t have a problem with her. Siobhán is lovely, dear.”

  “Then why are you acting like she doesn’t belong? I care about her, and I want her to feel like she’s welcome around our family.”

  “I understand she’s someone you enjoy spending time with, but surely, it’s not as serious as you imply.”

  Annie bit back a sigh. “It’s serious enough that I’m considering moving in with her.”

  Her mother’s lips flattened into a thin line. “I’m not sure that’s wise, Annie.”

  “And why not?”

  “You need to think of your long-term future. You’re not getting any younger, and if you want children someday ... well, you need to stop experimenting and settle down.”

  “Experimenting?” Annie blinked at her. “I’m not experimenting with Siobhán. And what makes you think I couldn’t have children with Siobhán if we chose to? Do you have something against two women raising children together?”

  “Oh, don’t be ridiculous.” Her mother laughed lightly. “You know your father and I are fine with lesbians. Sherry and Dana are a lovely couple and their children are delightful.”

  Sherry and Dana were her parents’ nei
ghbors. “But that’s suddenly not okay for me?” Annie asked, unbelievably hurt by her mother’s treatment of her and Siobhán. She’d never known her mother to be a bigot, so this came as a complete shock.

  She sighed heavily as if annoyed that Annie was making such a big deal about it. “You have these whims, Annie. You flit from one thing to another. You think you know what you want, but you’ll change your mind. This is no different than your desire to be a journalist. We know how long that lasted.”

  Annie forced herself to take a deep breath. “I admit I screwed up there. I thought I knew what I wanted to do with my career. But that was over ten years ago! I’ve grown up, and I think I have a better idea of what I want now.”

  “I don’t see you pursuing any other serious fields,” her mother said. “Unless you have a new career you haven’t told us about.”

  “Actually,” Annie said coldly, “I do. I’m starting my own website about travel to Boston. It will be ... an online guidebook for the area.” She didn’t dare use the word blog. She could imagine the reaction that would cause.

  Her mother chuckled. “Oh, do be serious, Annie. That’s hardly a career. And with you dating a lesbian artist? Being a struggling couple together no doubt sounds romantic, but it won’t last. You’ll grow tired of it once the luster wears off, and you’ll want someone more financially stable.”

  “Siobhán is quite successful, you know,” Annie pointed out. “She’s hardly struggling, and I really think I can make this Boston travel guide a success myself.”

  “Well, you know I wish you luck; I’m just skeptical. And remember you can’t take too long to make up your mind about what you want or all the good men will be gone.” Her face brightened. “Oh, did I tell you? Gloria’s son is a doctor and recently divorced. Would you like me to set you up with him?”

  “No, I would not,” Annie said through gritted teeth. “I happen to be in a serious relationship with someone already. We aren’t seeing other people. And I’m very happy.” She stalked out of the bathroom and nearly bowled over a woman attempting to come in. “Sorry,” she muttered.

  Siobhán sat chatting amicably with her father when she reached the table, but one look at Annie made her straighten, a worried frown creasing her face.

  “Where’s your mother?” James asked with an equally concerned expression on his face. Siobhán gave Annie a questioning look that Annie couldn’t begin to respond to at the moment.

  “We had a difference of opinion,” Annie said stiffly. She bent down and kissed his cheek. “I’ll talk to you soon, Dad. Siobhán, let’s go. Please.”

  Siobhán looked startled, but she stood and allowed Annie to take her hand. Annie hurried out of the restaurant, cheeks burning with color as she tried to fight back tears.

  “What on earth happened, Annie?” Siobhán said.

  “Can we go back to my place please?” Annie said, her voice tight and strained. “I really don’t want to cry in the middle of Hanover Street.”

  Chapter Ten

  “I can’t believe them!” Annie snarled as she unlocked the door to her apartment. She wasn’t quite sure why she’d headed there instead of to Siobhán’s place, except for the fact that it was closer. “Well, her.” Her tears had quickly turned to anger.

  Siobhán gave her a perplexed frown. “I’m still not sure I understand what happened, Annie.”

  “My mother,” she spat, “is convinced my bisexuality is a phase. According to her, I’m just ‘experimenting’ with you. I should be settling down with a man and making babies. And getting a serious career. Apparently, the things I actually want aren’t good enough.”

  “I’m so sorry, mo grá,” Siobhán said softly. “That was unfair of her.”

  “Unfair?” Tears sprang to Annie’s eyes, and she fumbled to remove her shoes. “It’s ridiculous. I always thought my parents were supportive. Turns out, I was wrong.”

  “Your father was lovely.” Siobhán’s tone was placating. She was right, but Annie wasn’t in the mood to be soothed.

  “Good. Maybe I won’t have to yell at him.” Annie grabbed her heels and stalked toward her bedroom, Siobhán trailing after.

  She stripped out of her clothes, tossing them on the little chair near her makeshift desk. “I’m just fed up with it. Why is it that people think our relationship is somehow less valid just because I’ve dated a man before?” she ranted.

  “Annie.” Siobhán reached for her, but Annie pulled away. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Of course, it matters!” she exploded.

  “Hear me out, Annie. Yes, it matters to you, but it doesn’t matter in our relationship.” She frowned. “Unless ... Do you not want to be with me? Does what your mother thinks matter more than ... than us?”

  “What?” The words stopped Annie in her tracks, and she turned back to face Siobhán.

  Siobhán took her hands and looked her in the eye. “Does this change how you feel about me, Annie?”

  “No! Of course not! Why would it possibly matter if my mother ...” It occurred to her that Siobhán had probably had a similar conversation with Laura at some point. And Laura had picked her family. “Oh, God, Siobhán. No. Don’t think that! I want to be with you. My mother can fuck off,” Annie said grimly. “I’m not giving you up for anything. Much less her.”

  Siobhán gave her a tremulous smile. “I’m sorry I doubted you, Annie, I just ...”

  “No, I’m sorry,” Annie said. “Come here.” She drew Siobhán close and brushed their lips together. Siobhán relaxed against her, softening, and Annie deepened the kiss. She needed to show Siobhán exactly how much she meant to her. “I love you, Siobhán,” she murmured between kisses. “I’ve been so happy since I’ve met you, and I love being with you. I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”

  Siobhán shuddered a little in her arms, and Annie’s heart ached when she caught a glimpse of Siobhán’s face. She didn’t know what else to say to reassure Siobhán how important she was to her. Maybe if she showed her physically, she’d understand.

  “Sit down,” she coaxed. “Let me show you how much you mean to me.” Annie gently pushed her to the bed and knelt in front of her. She pushed Siobhán’s skirt higher on her thighs and eased her panties down and off.

  Siobhán shivered when Annie ran her hands up Siobhán’s strong, lean legs. Annie pressed a kiss to her calf, then trailed her lips upward, lingering on her knee for a moment before she traversed the soft, pale skin of her thigh.

  Siobhán’s skirt fluttered over her head as Annie moved higher, and she was engulfed in the heady rich musk of Siobhán’s body. She settled Siobhán’s thighs on her shoulders and breathed in deep. Light filtered through the thin fabric, dimming Annie’s view of Siobhán’s most intimate parts, but by now, Annie knew them well. She reached out and ran the backs of her fingers across the flesh between Siobhán’s legs and heard a quiet gasp.

  Unable to wait any longer, Annie leaned in, pressing a kiss to the smooth swell of Siobhán’s lips. She tasted Siobhán’s juices on her mouth and lapped at her softly, chasing the flavor of her arousal to the source.

  Siobhán let out a throaty moan, and Annie had a fleeting thought about her roommates overhearing before she decided she didn’t care. She used her fingers to part Siobhán’s folds and licked her way upward. Siobhán shuddered when she hit her clit, and Annie reached around to grasp her hip as she buried her face in Siobhán’s pussy and licked harder.

  “Annie,” Siobhán keened. “Please.”

  Annie gently slid two fingers into Siobhán’s wetness, then swirled her tongue around Siobhán clit. She continued in a relentless rhythm until Siobhán shattered, her hands gripping Annie’s head to hold her in place, and she cried out softly.

  After a moment, Siobhán let go of her with a soft “oh,” and Annie emerged from under her skirt, discreetly wiping her face.

  Siobhán gave her a dazed look as she settled onto her back. “Oh, Annie.”

  Annie grinned and curled up on the bed bes
ide her.

  “You’re very convincing, álainn,” she said with a sigh.

  Laughing and relieved that Siobhán seemed more like her usual self, Annie curled around her. “I’m glad to hear it.”

  Siobhán let her head fall to the side. She reached up to touch Annie’s face with her fingertips, drawing them gently across her cheeks. “I’m sorry I doubted you. I ...” A pained expression crossed her face, and she didn’t continue.

  “It’s okay,” Annie said softly. “You don’t have to talk about it now, if you don’t want.”

  “Thank you.” Siobhán drew her in for a kiss, and when she pulled back, she was smiling faintly. “You know, I can taste myself on your mouth. It’s delicious, but I think I’d rather taste you.”

  Annie grinned at her, allowing her to change the subject. For now. “I’m not stopping you.”

  Siobhán sat up and stripped out of her dress, tossing it—along with her bra and panties—to the floor. Annie had already taken off her dress, but she got fully naked and watched Siobhán.

  The bounce of her breasts was mesmerizing.

  Siobhán ran her hand up Annie’s leg. “Where should I start? With those tight little nipples?”

  They had tightened into hard aching nubs. “That seems like a good place,” she said breathlessly.

  Siobhán walked forward on her hands and knees and lowered her mouth to Annie’s breasts. She avoided the nipples at first, focusing instead on the inner curve. She licked and nipped at the flesh there until Annie squirmed and coaxed her toward the sensitive peaks. Siobhán hummed as she drew one into her mouth, and Annie let out a needy sigh. Siobhán suckled and gently teased it with her teeth until Annie couldn’t stand it.

  “The other one,” she said with a quiet gasp, urging her toward it. Siobhán’s long hair dragged across her sensitive skin as she moved to Annie’s left breast and repeated the teasing. She switched back to the right, then moved from one to the other until Annie could hardly think straight.

  Annie shuddered as Siobhán trailed a hand over her stomach and between her legs. She softly fingered Annie’s wet folds, urging her toward the edge of a climax she couldn’t quite reach. It was incredible, but Annie needed more.