Content warning: The erotic use of whipped cream and other treats pops up in a rather graphic way at the end of this part. What is it with lesbians and chocolate, anyway? (grin)

Ryan stood on the deck, arms leaning on the redwood railing, cradling a warm mug of coffee in her hands. She closed her eyes briefly and breathed deeply of the cold dawn air. As she released the breath, it vaporized in front of her face. Don't see that this time of year at home. The early-morning chill cut through her unzipped leather jacket and she pulled it more tightly closed. She sighed, very much enjoying both the warmth of the coffee and the beautiful setting that she found herself in.

She gazed up at the cliff that loomed over the river valley. In the gray dawn light it appeared dark and ominous, much different than it had looked yesterday in the bright sunlight. She shivered when she remembered Janna's story about how it got its name. Wonder if it's true? She found herself understanding the depth of a love that would make two people think suicide their only recourse against a life spent apart.

As she took another sip from her mug, she saw a small group of deer tentatively step into the meadow from the surrounding forest and proceed warily a few yards into the meadow. As she enjoyed the lovely scene, she wondered if she should awaken Janna. I'll bet she'd want to photograph this. She decided to wake Janna, at least giving her the opportunity if she desired it. Quietly, she slid the door open and went inside, relishing the warmth from the fire she had set earlier.

She approached her sleeping mate on the bed and gently sat beside her. Tenderly, she reached down and caressed Janna's brow. "Sweetheart" she whispered.

"Mm?" Janna didn't open her eyes and snuggled farther down under the downy covers.

"I'm sorry to wake you, sweetheart, but I think you might want to see this. There's a group of deer in the meadow." She continued to caress Janna's brow. "I thought you might want to get some pictures."

At that, Janna's eyes flew open. "A group of deer?"

Ryan smiled and gently pulled the covers down as Janna quickly sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Thanks honey." She gave Ryan a quick kiss and jumped out of bed. She quickly found the camera bag she needed and removed the equipment she wanted, deftly removing the standard lens from the camera body and replacing it with a long telephoto.

As she made her way to the deck door, Ryan grabbed her arm saying, "Whoa baby...it's freezing out there." Noting that Janna was dressed only in a t-shirt, she added, "Here" and removed her jacket, placing it around her mate's shoulders.

"Thanks love." Janna graced her with a smile before hurrying out the door. As she spied the deer she gasped and murmured, "Beautiful! And the light is gorgeous." She quickly began snapping away, exclaiming all the while at the beautiful scene.

Ryan stood against the wall; arms crossed in front of her, and enjoyed Janna's display. Not only was her enthusiasm very entertaining, but also the fact that she looked adorable clad in not much more than Ryan's large jacket. It hung nearly halfway down the backs of her thighs.

She was pulled from her musing several minutes later by Janna's exclamation at the animals' departure.

"Oh Ryan, thank you. They were gorgeous! I think I got some great shots."

Her smile warmed Ryan so much that she no longer noticed the cold. She opened her arms for her mate and welcomed her into her embrace.

"I'm glad you were able to catch them." She nuzzled Janna's head lovingly.

"Mm, this jacket smells like you. I think I might borrow it more often." Janna peered up at her mate coyly.

"Anytime, baby. Come on. We haven't had our cuddle time." She wrapped an arm around Janna's shoulders and guided her back into the room, shutting the door and closing the drapes this time.

As they hiked through the dense pine forest several hours later, Ryan had a sense of being very much at home. Coming to the mountains always made her feel that way, but now, with Janna, she felt it much more acutely. Have I lived here before? As she followed her mate up the narrow trail, she looked around, trying to grasp at what made her feel so comfortable. It's peaceful here. Quiet. Calm. Relaxing.

Seemingly picking up on her mate's musings, Janna stopped and quietly said, "Do you feel the energy here Ryan? How calm it is?" She swept her gaze around the surrounding forest, adding, "So different from the city. There are very few devas left in the cities."

"Devas?"

"Devic energies...nature spirits. They assist the natural world, the animals and plants. You can learn to become aware of them. Beyond simply feeling their calming influence I mean."

"That's so cool, babe. You know what? I'm starting to think that everything my Grandfather ever told me about the natural world was true after all. When I was a kid I thought they were just stories."

Janna smiled and nodded knowingly. "Try reaching out with your senses. See what you can pick up." Janna waited quietly while Ryan closed her eyes and her bemused expression was replaced by a calm one.

Eyes still closed, Ryan said, "I feel some sort of presence right here, to my right." She raised her hand, as if touching something.

Janna gazed in that direction with her second sight and replied, "It's the cedar tree next to you. It has a wonderful energy. Open your eyes and try to see its aura."

Ryan did so, focusing her vision somewhat beyond the tree, and exclaimed, "Oh cool, babe, I see it. It's like...well it's sort of gray with some gold sparks, or something."

Janna smiled. "Very good! You're not only seeing its aura but also some of the ki running through it. Come here and feel it."

She approached the tree and held her hands out, palms forward. Ryan did likewise.

"Tell me what you feel, Ryan."

"It's sort of like a resistance, and kind of tingly. It tickles my palms." Ryan looked at her and grinned.

"Yes, I feel the same thing." She dropped her hands and looked seriously at Ryan before saying, "There's something you should know about me right now Ryan. Before we become any closer." She held Ryan's gaze with serious green eyes.

Ryan swallowed a jolt of fear that arose from her belly. "What is it Janna?"

Janna's face softened into a radiant grin as she stepped toward the tree and wrapped her arms as far around it as they would go. "I'm a treehugger. I thought you should know."

Ryan exhaled and doubled over in laughter. "Jesus Christ baby, you scared me!" Still laughing, she came up behind her partner and wrapped her arms around both her and the tree. She kissed her mate's cheek and added, "I wouldn't have you any other way. In fact, you're converting me as we speak."

Janna leaned slightly back into her partner's body and sighed. "Feel this tree's energy Ryan. Isn't it awesome?"

"It is." She actually did feel the tree's strong, warm energy, getting a sense that it was, if not sentient, then surely conscious in some form.

They stood together, sharing energy with the majestic being for a few minutes before Janna stepped away and softly said, "Thank you tree-friend." She sighed and smiled. "I'm so glad you can share this with me Ryan, if only so you don't think I'm a nut." She giggled as Ryan stood behind her and put her hands on her shoulders.

"If you're a nut, baby, then it's contagious. Why have I never noticed these things before? Is it the Reiki that makes it possible?"

"Partly, yes. Partly because you just weren't aware of the possibility. This sort of thing isn't exactly common knowledge in our society. Now, in other places, it is. But in the west, scientific thought basically overrides everything else."

Ryan gazed up at the beautiful cedar. "Janna, do think it's sentient?"

"Sentient...as in having a soul and a series of lives, like the other sentients on the planet? No. But I think that this particular tree, and many others around here, does have a sort of consciousness...an awareness on some level. It's sort of like that devic energy I was telling you about. You know where else the energy is awesome? Hawaii. God, it's calming there. Even for a group of hyper punk rockers." She laughed and grabbed Ryan's hand, pulling her back to the trail.

Ryan turned and said a silent goodbye to the tree, thanking it for it's beauty, and then followed her mate up the trail.

Two hours and about 1500 feet later and hot, tired and dusty, they reached the summit of Lover's Leap. Immediately upon reaching the top, Janna shed her packs, removed Ryan's and grabbed Ryan's hand, pulling her over to a large rock at the edge of the precipice. They stood hand-in-hand, being buffeted by the wind, enjoying the cool breeze and the magnificent view. They could see the valley far below, including the lodge where they were staying, the river, and the highway. Cars crawled along it, appearing like ants from their great height. All around them, the Sierra range stretched, seemingly forever, in varying hues of greens and purples, with a few of the highest peaks still capped by snow.

"Janna, my God...it's beautiful!" Ryan yelled into the wind. She pulled her mate around in front of her and wrapped her in an embrace as they stood gazing at the peaks and valleys that surrounded them.

"Worth the hike, isn't it?" Janna smiled as she half turned to look at her mate.

"It sure is. Let's sit here for while, okay?" She sat on the large, warm rock and pulled Janna against her. For a long while they sat in silence, both contemplating many things as they reveled in nature's majesty, not the least of which was how connected they felt to one another, especially there.

After a long while, Ryan stood and helped Janna to her feet. They walked back from the edge about twenty yards, to the scraggly pine where they had left their packs. Ryan pulled Janna closely to her and declared, "I love it here, baby, thank you." She ducked her head and kissed her mate, affirming her love for her. They held each other for another long while, lips returning to each other repeatedly for more kisses. Finally, Ryan held Janna, chin resting on the blonde head, and just sighed, feeling more content than she ever had in her life and realizing there was no possible way to put the feeling into words.

As they sat a short time later, eating their lunches under the tree, Ryan looked thoughtfully at Janna and asked, "Janna, what did you mean earlier when you mentioned the other sentients on the planet?"

Janna swallowed her mouthful of sandwich and replied, "I meant that there are several other sentient species, besides humans. The cetaceans, meaning dolphins and whales, are sentient and so are gorillas." She looked at Ryan and shrugged, adding, "That's my belief anyway. My guides told me that once and I since have checked with lots of other psychics and channels and they have all verified it."

Ryan looked at her wide-eyed. "Shit!" She then swallowed her food and added, "If that's true Janna, humans are committing mass murder on a grand scale, aren't they?"

Janna responded seriously, "Yes, we are. Why do you think I tithe to Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund? Twenty percent of my earnings, right off the top, every year." She shook her head. "Money can only do so much though. Things won't really change until people are made aware...but how do you do that? Since it's channeled information, for the most part, most people would dismiss it out of hand."

Ryan shook her head glumly. "Still, something has to be done. Janna, we kill those beings. We cage them!"

"Yes, love, we do. Unfortunately, the Bible teaches that man has dominion over the land and the animals and people take that to heart."

"It's bullshit Janna. Absolute bullshit!" Now seething with anger, she continued, "The Native peoples knew thousands of years ago how to coexist with nature, why can't so called 'modern man' do the same?"

"It will happen, honey, in time." Janna's calm countenance soothed Ryan's anger some. "The world is changing quickly now. We're about to enter the Aquarian Age. People's awareness and intuition will begin opening up and in time, everyone will have this knowledge. Everyone in their own time and at their own pace. Not all souls progress at the same rate, baby."

"Still, Janna, this makes me absolutely fuckin' sick." She looked at Janna, her face full of pain.

Janna caressed her cheek. "It makes me sick too, Ryan. We'll do what we can, okay? Try to get the information out...teach by example...support the groups that are trying to help those species. That includes protecting their environments and habitats. Don't worry, love, I know for a fact that all turns out well for them in the future. And as ensouled species they know what they're entering into when they come to the planet."

"How in the hell do you know all that?" Ryan shook her head, looking extremely perplexed.

"Deep conversations with my spirit guides, for one. Sessions with gifted – authentic – psychics and channels, including my two closest friends. Knowledge handed down through many ancient cultures. Books. Many sources, Ryan. This is a way of life for me. I've made a study of these subjects. I absorb a lot and what feels right, I keep. What I can't personally validate, through intuition, visions or whatever, I discard. But a lot, I mean a ton, of people are bringing this information to the planet right now and most of it gels. Most of it agrees." She sighed. "This is a very complicated topic, Ryan, probably best discussed in a comfortable setting over wine and dinner, rather than on a windy, precipitous mountaintop." She looked apologetically at her mate.

"You're right Janna." She grinned crookedly and added, "Remember when I told you I look forward to having my mind opened by you? Well, babe, I'm there. Enlighten me. Over dinner and a bottle of wine. Or two." She picked up her mate's hand and kissed it, then sighed and pulled her close. She shook her head and sighed again. "This just fuckin' blows my mind Janna..."

Janna got up and sat on the ground, pulling her partner down next to her. They snuggled together against the fallen tree they had been sitting on and comforted each other silently.

The wind whistled through the nearby trees and the sun beat down on them through the scraggly branches of the Ponderosa Pine they sheltered under. As they held each other they silently pondered life's mysteries and injustices, humanity's selfishness, and Universal truths, or more correctly, the interpretation of them. Ryan found herself wanting to lay her mate down on that mountaintop and lose herself in the pleasures of her body. To bury her anger in pleasure. But she deferred to her partner's wish not to disturb the benevolent spirits that oversaw the earth. So she held her desire in check and simply held and caressed her beloved mate. They sat there on the mountaintop for what seemed like hours and communicated only silently, through their link. It was all they needed.

The Jeep climbed along the sunny ridge, nearly above the tree line. The dusty road, in reality not much more than a wide trail, was deeply rutted and dotted with rocks. The mountainside fell away on both sides of the trail, providing a thrilling, if not hairy, ride. Janna skillfully flung the steering wheel from side to side, dodging the largest rocks. In the passenger seat, Ryan held on for dear life, trusting completely in her partner, yet unused to not being in control of the situation. As Janna skillfully dodged another series of rocks and kept the Jeep safely on the road, she turned to her partner and grinned widely, receiving a matching grin in return.

"Jesus, baby...you are good!" Ryan laughed and let go of the dashboard long enough to pat Janna's thigh.

"Now do you see why we needed to bring the Jeep? Superior clearance!" Janna worked the gearshift again and returned her eyes to the pseudo road.

"I do, baby, I do. My Explorer is good, but not this good!"

Ryan spared a glance away from the road to the gorgeous vistas that surrounded them. They were still heading uphill, seemingly into the sky. They were apparently very near the summit of the mountain, as no trees could be seen ahead. Only the limitless blue of the sky was visible. However, if she looked down, to either side of the Jeep, she could see the valley slope away, with this mountain's sister ridges and peaks spreading out beyond. God, this mountain range is gorgeous. I will never get tired of seeing it.

Finally, the road began to flatten and the tops of trees appeared again, and then gradually lengthened into the stories-tall majestic giants that they were. Ryan glanced to the left of the Jeep and was awestruck at the sudden appearance of a small alpine lake. Her partner had slowed the Jeep and was watching her, gauging her reaction to the tranquil scene.

Ryan's mouth dropped open and her eyebrows lifted into her bangs, above her sunglasses. "Oh my God, Janna. It's breathtaking!"

The lake sparkled and shone in the mid-afternoon sun. It was a brilliant blue, reflecting the sky like a mirror. Janna silently likened the color to the blue of her partner's eyes.

"Shit, baby. It's like a jewel sitting there. Like a sapphire." Ryan grinned, unable to tear her eyes from the beautiful scene.

"Mm, I like sapphires. They remind me of someone special's eyes." She removed her hand from the shift knob and linked her fingers with Ryan's.

"Thanks baby. I kinda like emeralds for the same reason." She grinned widely at her mate and lifted their linked hands to her lips. Janna stopped the Jeep and they sat on the ridge above the lake for a few minutes. Its pristine beauty was almost otherworldly. The lake's beauty was so far removed from their everyday existence in the city that they were both enormously grateful for the opportunity to view it. And to share it with each other.

"Are you ready to go down there and see it up close, Ryan?"

"Absolutely, love. It's not a long hike is it?"

"No, only about a mile. The last time I was here there wasn't much of a trail left though. We may have to do some trailblazing." Janna grinned, knowing her partner would enjoy the task.

"Cool! Lets go, babe." Ryan's enthusiasm showed clearly on her face and in her stunning smile and it rubbed off on her mate.

Janna restarted the Jeep and drove the short distance to where the trail/road ended at a trailhead. They exited and pulled their backpacks from the rear of the Jeep and Janna led the way to the trail, or rather to where it used to be. Fortunately, she had been there many times before and didn't really need a trail.

She led Ryan overland through the dense forest, their hiking boots crunching on the pine needle-strewn ground. The tall, densely packed trees provided a welcome shady respite from the sun, which blazed through the thin atmosphere. They crossed over two small, fern shrouded, crystal clear streams that fed into the lake. The water was nearly pure enough, at this high elevation, to safely drink. Ryan chanced a few sips of the incredibly fresh water, but Janna ran her portion through a filter before transferring it into their canteens.

"Oh, that's good. There is nothing like fresh mountain water." Ryan relished the pure water and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

They gradually made their way down the mountainside to the lake. Boy Scouts who used to make their summer camp there had carved the last, steep stretch of the trail into steps many years before. As they descended the steps, some of which had worn away with time, they were treated to an up-close view of the majestic little lake. This close, they could hear the gentle lapping of wind blown waves. The lake was bordered on one end by huge boulders, which had lodged there, possibly in the last ice age, and blocked the flow of the several streams trying to run down the mountain. The other sides were bordered by trees running right down to its edge, except for one small patch of sandy beach.

It was on the beach that they stopped first, to dip their hot, tired feet into the ice-cold water. They had done many hours of hiking that day and were both extremely grateful for the chance to soak their feet.

Ryan sat on the damp granite sand and began to remove her boots and socks as Janna plopped down beside her. Rather than remove her shoes, she leaned back on her hands and threw her head back, breathing deeply of the clean air. She reached out with all of her senses and exulted in the beauty around her.

She could hear the water gently lapping at the beach, Blue jays squawking nearby, and the wind in the trees. With her psychic sense she could feel the energy of the living things surrounding her. She felt a part of the natural continuum and yet separate from it at the same time. Separate in the sense that she could discern the distinct energies of her natural counterparts, yet a part of the whole, in the sense that all things are connected and part of the same oneness. Like a drop of water in the ocean: separate yet part of a whole.

She was drawn from her musing by the gentle touch of her partner's hand on her calf. Ryan softly caressed her leg with one hand as she untied a boot with the other. She bestowed the same treatment on the other leg before gently, slowly removing Janna's socks. When her partner's feet were free of their garments she spun Janna slightly and rested her legs in her lap. Janna sighed as Ryan began to gently massage her calves and feet.

"Oh, yes. God, thank you love" Janna whispered.

Ryan continued her loving ministrations and ended the massage by lightly kissing each foot. She followed up by kissing her mate, just as gently.

"Ryan, sweetheart. You will never cease to surprise me, will you?"

"I hope not, baby. I need to keep you on your toes." She giggled, adding, "So to speak."

"Mmm, yes. Well, it's your turn now. Let me do you."

Ryan's leer was automatic and Janna shook her head in dismay at setting herself up for that one. "You know what I meant. Now put your legs in my lap."

Ryan complied willingly and Janna took her massage even farther, venturing up past Ryan's knees. When it became obvious that her partner was beginning to lose her composure, Janna stopped, but not before running a line of kisses down her mate's legs, stopping at her toes.

"Jesus, baby. Please tell me we'll continue this later." Ryan's face was seriously imploring.

Janna leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "Of course we will love. And more...I promise." She smiled coyly and added, "We still haven't used that chocolate sauce I brought."

Ryan groaned, "Oh Christ" and quickly jumped up and ran into the lake, splashing water back onto her partner as she did so.

Janna watched in amazement and tried to stifle a grin as her lover stood in thigh-high water and splashed water onto her face. Whoa...I guess I'd better be careful with how far I take my teasing. She does get incredibly turned on. Janna rose and joined her mate in the shallow water.

Reaching her, she placed a hand on her mate's back. "Ryan, I'm sorry. I took that too far. I didn't mean to tease. I'm afraid I lose control where you're concerned."

Ryan took a deep breath and smiled wryly at her. "It's okay Janna. I need to learn to handle this better. I lose control with you too, and I'm not used to that. You just do something to me baby. I don't know what it is." She shook her head and pulled Janna close.

"It's this link, I guess. It's a double-edged sword. What we feel for each other seems to be magnified...doubled. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah. You feel what you feel for me in addition to picking up on what I feel for you. The feelings would be incredibly strong just going one way, but this two-way thing we have going here makes it way intense."

"Way, way intense." Janna smiled.

"Mega intense." Ryan smiled and kissed her partner's head, "We're very blessed."

"Mm. Lets take advantage of that mega intensity when we get back to the lodge, okay?"

"Oh, yeah. I see a Janna sundae in my very near future. I think I'll stop in at the little store and pick up some cherries and whipped cream." Her face broke out into another leer and Janna suddenly felt the need to splash water on her own face.

They hiked the short distance around to the other side of the lake and stretched out on a flat rock, which sat a few yards out in the lake, soaking up the sun. Janna sat with Ryan's head in her lap, gently playing with the short strands of hair as she leaned back on one hand. They were completely relaxed, simply enjoying each other's company, as was becoming habitual for them.

"Janna, I've never relaxed like this in my life. I've always gotten off on action. Keeping moving...keeping busy...working my body. But now I'm perfectly content to just laze. I could get used to this honey." She grinned up at her mate.

"I could too. Though, to be honest, it comes pretty naturally for me." She returned Ryan's grin.

"I don't know, baby. You're far from lazy."

"Lets just say that I'm more low key. Spiritually speaking, I'm probably a lower frequency than you are."

"Mm."

Janna tilted her head back and let the sun warm her face. As she enjoyed the warmth of the sun, Ryan turned in her lap and softly kissed her stomach. When Janna mumbled her pleasure at the touch, Ryan lifted her shirt slightly and kissed her bare skin. At the more intimate touch, Janna's muscles clenched slightly, both above and below the waist, and she wrapped an arm around Ryan's head, encouraging the contact.

With the encouragement, Ryan's tongue snaked out and licked gently at the soft skin around Janna's navel. This caused an outright moan, which encouraged her even more, so she wrapped an arm around Janna's waist and pulled her mate's stomach firmly against her mouth. She began kissing and sucking the skin of Janna's abdomen and started working her way upwards, towards her two very favorite peaks.

Janna, becoming aware of where the activity was leading, leaned down and hijacked Ryan's lips with her own. She kissed her lover passionately before mumbling into her mouth, "Why don't we get back to the lodge?"

Ryan continued the kiss before replying, "Absofuckinlutley baby. Lets go." They stopped to catch their breath before jumping from the rock to the shore and making their way rather quickly back up toward the trail. On the way back to the trailhead they only stopped briefly once, so that Janna could catch some photos of the lake. To add to the hundreds that she already had.

Janna wriggled uncontrollably as Ryan sprayed whipped cream onto several very sensitive spots.

"Hold still, baby, you're gonna knock it off before I can lick it off."

"Ooh, but honey, it's cold and it tickles."

"Baby, you haven't even begun to feel tickling." She leaned down and proved her point, running her tongue slowly across a white-tipped breast.

"Ohh, but it's a much more pleasant tickle. Velvety. Do it some more."

"Okay, baby, but wait just a minute. My sundae needs chocolate and cherries." Ryan reached for the small container of warm chocolate and then slowly dribbled it on and around the dabs of whipped cream.

"Ohh...Ryan..."

"Just a minute babe. I'm almost done." She grabbed a few cherries and added them to the mix.

"You'd better not be almost done", Janna growled.

Ryan drawled as she brought her mouth close to her mate's body, "Baby, I mean done in the sense that you're almost ready to eat."

"Go for it, Ryan. Please."

"Here I come, baby, and I'm hungry." Ryan brought her mouth close to Janna's chest and her mate's breath caught in anticipation.

"You're always hun...oh, God..." Ryan's tongue snaked out and circled a sweet breast, snagging a cherry in the process. She moved up slightly and shared the cherry with her mate, smoothly transferring it into her mouth.

"Mm, I love maraschino cherries."

"And I love Janna sundaes."

"I hope you realize that you're gonna be a sundae next."

"Sure, you need to eat too."

She bent her head again to the task of devouring her dessert. Her talented tongue blazed a trail over her lover's skin, eliciting various moans, groans and pants. By the time she reached the nexus between Janna's legs, her partner was already teetering on the edge of climax. One single, devoted swipe of her tongue along her mate's cleft sent her over the edge and the continued stroking and kissing there prolonged the sensation for long minutes, Janna's body consumed by wracking, ecstatic tremors.

"Ohh, Ryan...I can hardly breathe...God, that was nice...mmm." Janna lay on her back, rolling her head from side to side, absolutely content.

"I'm glad you liked it baby. I enjoyed it too." Ryan leaned down and kissed her mate tenderly.

The kiss turned passionate as Janna rose, pushing Ryan down on her back and straddling her. As she continued kissing Ryan, she reached over and grabbed the still warm chocolate. She pulled back and then dribbled the sweet, syrupy liquid all over Ryan's body, concentrating on her many erogenous zones.

"Oh, shit, baby. I'll never last long enough for you to lick all that up."

As Janna began licking, starting with her mate's breastbone, she mumbled, "Use the Tantric breathing I showed you, love."

As Janna's tongue found a nipple, Ryan closed her eyes and tried to remember the breath control lesson. Janna's tongue was severely hampering her thought processes, however, and she could only groan, grabbing Janna's head and running her fingers through her hair.

"Ohh, baby...Janna...yesss..."

Janna mumbled around the other nipple, "Don't you want to breath right, love...make it last?"

"Fuck breathing right...eat me Janna. Please", came the growled reply.

Despite the gruff request, Janna took her time, using their link to settle her mate down, allowing her to enjoy the process, rather than rushing to the goal.

As she reached Ryan's silky curls, she could tell that her mate was spiraling toward a long, powerful climax, so she thrust her tongue deeply into her lover, allowing her sweet release. Ryan's sweet nectar blended with the chocolate, creating a powerful aphrodisiac that quickly sent Janna back over the edge and she enjoyed simultaneous convulsions with her mate.

They rode out the powerful climaxes together; bodies entwined, and created more of the same long into the night. Their kissing, tasting, suckling, stroking, with mouths, hands and bodies, declaring and reaffirming their deep love and connection. All the while, their friend, Luna, bathed them in her loving glow. They felt her energy as well as the sacred energy of their shared bodies and of the sacred space they had created in which to share their love. It was a honeymoon to remember, unofficial though it was.

Janna awoke the next morning to feel a large hand on her breast and a demanding tongue in her mouth. She returned the kiss enthusiastically and murmured a question into her mate's mouth.

"Mm, baby, what's up?"

As garbled as the question was, Ryan understood it. She broke the kiss, but not her hold on Janna's anatomy and sheepishly replied, "Um, I was just remembering last night and sorta lost control again. Do you mind?" She looked down through her lashes at Janna, who answered by pulling Ryan's mouth back down to hers.

Ryan rolled onto her back and pulled Janna on top of her, giving her mate permission to take control. It was a gesture that Ryan had never shared with anyone else, but that she felt completely at ease giving to Janna. It was not just a matter of trust, but also of respect and worship. Janna returned the gesture by pulling Ryan up and settling in her lap, bringing them together face to face, as equals.

They wrapped their arms around each other and embraced warmly as their mouths met ardently, yet lovingly. Slowly, caressing soft skin as she did so, Janna brought her right hand around and gently connected with Ryan's center. Ryan followed her lead and they completed the circuit. Warm hands gently, slowly caressed and stroked hot nether regions.

As the passion built, Janna reminded Ryan, by example, how to control her breath, timing it with the synchronous strokes of both their hands. The self-control allowed for intensely pleasurable climaxes, which alternately crested and plateaued repeatedly, each crescendo and plateau becoming more intense than the previous. In this manner, the rapture lasted for many minutes, rather than just seconds. With practice, they could learn to draw it out for hours.

As another surge of pleasure hit her, Ryan moaned loudly into her lover's mouth, feeling so high that she thought she might pass out. Janna, feeling her mate's sensations through their link, wrapped her left arm more tightly around her lover, letting her know that she was secure, safe and loved. She gently ended the kiss and burrowed her face into her mate's neck. She kissed her lover's throbbing pulse and tightened her grip around her as another surge hit them. This time, at the crest, they both arched away from each other, crying out in unison. They rode the final, intense crest for several minutes, letting their stroking and breathing slow and finally, rest. As they held their embrace, slowly rocking back and forth, Ryan shed tears of joy. Janna joined her in empathy, realizing that the intensity takes some getting used to.

"Janna, baby...oh, Janna..." Ryan couldn't form any other words at the moment, but she didn't need to.

Janna understood her fully. Understood that she simply needed to be held as she fell back to Earth. Janna sat in her lap and rocked her gently, stroking her back and her hair. Whispering words of love and encouragement.

Finally, Ryan released a deep, shuddering breath and nuzzled Janna's hair. She regained her composure and parted slightly from her mate. Looking at Janna with an adorable, crooked grin she said, "The next time you suggest to me that I control my breath during sex, I'm gonna do it...no questions asked." Her grin widened and she added, "Baby that was too incredible for words." She shook her head, as if disbelieving what she had just experienced.

"The word is Tantra, love." She added with a grin, "We'll be covering Taoist sacred sexuality in our next lesson." She smiled warmly as her mate threw her head back and laughed deeply.

"Oh, Janna, what did I do to deserve you? God, baby, I love you so, so much." Ryan bestowed a look upon her that was so full of love that Janna's breath caught in her throat.

"You were born." Was the soft, matter of fact reply. "Or should I say reborn?" Her twinkling green eyes shone straight through to Ryan's heart.

"Reborn. For you and only you. Janna, I want to know about our other lives together. Lets look into that, okay? Soon?"

"Sure, honey. I'd like that too."

"I'm safe in assuming, aren't I, that you know someone who can help us do that?" Now sapphire eyes were twinkling.

"Oh, of course! I just spent the last fifteen years of my life in the San Francisco Bay Area, didn't I? The metaphysical Mecca of the West!"

"I knew I could count on you babe." Ryan grinned and pulled her mate close again. They held each other for a while longer before heading for the shower and breakfast.

They decided to spend their last full day in the mountains at Lake Tahoe. That morning's connecting time had lasted longer than usual, unregrettably so, leaving them with less than a full day there. Thundershowers were forecast for the late afternoon, so they decided to hit the beach first and play the rest of the day by ear. They could check out Ryan's buddy's cabin in the rain if need be. Possibly after that they could visit some of the big casinos at Stateline.

Ryan drove the Jeep, negotiating the curving mountain road smoothly. Even though it was the busy season, being mid-week, the highway was relatively uncrowded for most of the twenty-mile trip. As they passed many more favorite places that Janna had known most of her life she was warmed by the idea of sharing them all with Ryan in their long future together. As she scooted a little closer to her mate and grabbed her hand, Ryan intertwined their fingers and grinned widely at her, her bright white teeth contrasting with dark sunglasses and tanned skin. Janna thought, she wonders what she did right to earn me, but I wonder which goddess I pleased enough to be rewarded with the most beautiful woman on the planet. She shook her head in wonder as her incredible mate drove on.

As they descended from the summit and came around a turn, the gorgeous lake came into view for the first time. Ryan was the first to exclaim her delight. "I will never get tired of that particular site."

"Neither will I. Even if I didn't have so much history here, it's a breathtakingly beautiful lake."

"That it is, baby. And what about in the winter?"

"Oh, God, I know! Gives the term 'winter wonderland' a whole special meaning. Do you ski honey?"

"Yep. You, babe?"

"Yeah! Oh, Ryan, I can see what we'll be doing to keep busy in the winters!"

"Number one will be the same thing we're doing now, baby."

"Yes, of course, love. I mean besides that!" Janna gave her a mock exasperated look.

"Oh right! Ever snowboard, babe?" She raised an eyebrow in question as she glanced back at the twisting highway.

"No, but it looks cool. I used to skateboard...it looks pretty similar."

"It is, I think. I'll have to give you some lessons. They'll cost you though."

"Yeah, the same thing my Reiki is costing you, right?"

"Absolutely."

"Well, we're all set then." Janna smiled at her before returning her gaze out of the window at her favorite mountain range.

"That we are, my love. That we are."

Part 12

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