Tess Consoles A Ditched Carrie
"Please, Danny, don't!"
I tried not to cry. But when the other line of the phone went dead, I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. It had been minutes since I'd gone from being engaged to single again. I managed a ragged but deep breath and started walking. I wasn't sure where I was going, but something inside of me said that walking would calm me down. I might be able to think more clearly, but I knew it wouldn't make everything right again. The tears welled up once more, I stumbled along, passing light posts that reflected dull yellow in the puddles beneath them. I have no idea how long I had wandered aimlessly, but by the time I saw the blue neon sign, the rain had soaked through my auburn tresses, chilling my scalp. The light was bright against the otherwise dark sky, beckoning.
"Molly’s Lounge." There were two doors, door number two opened to a set of descending stairs. The blue rope lights along the ceiling and floor led to another closed door. The muffled sounds of a heavy base told me I'd found the lounge.
"Okay, Carrie, time to go down the rabbit hole."
I took another deep breath and then started down. Before I reached the bottom step, the door opened. The beat of the music changed to something slower but just as heavy, and I could hear a cacophony of voices. A woman in a black pantsuit stood waiting at the door. I realized that I had frozen on the second from the last stair. Apparently, she was waiting for me. I forced a smile and finished my descent.
"Welcome to Molly’s Lounge." The woman's voice was deep, which matched the black of her hair and the green of her eyes. She ran her eyes down my body, a smile flitting across her lips. And then she was enveloped in shadows again as she closed the door. "It must still be raining."
"Yeah." I cringed, knowing my hair looked like a mop, and my jeans and sweater were damp as well. "I'm sorry, I must be dripping water everywhere."
"Nonsense. Come on in and dry off."
"Thank you." I looked around, wondering what to do next. When she took my arm and directed me to the bar, I just followed.
"What would you like to drink?"
"Oh, um … a chardonnay? Thank you." I stared at the bartender while the woman leaned across the bar to talk to him. I looked around and realized all the patrons were women. Whether they were standing at the bar, sitting at the tables, or dancing to the trance-inducing music, every single person in viewing distance was female.
I touched my host on the arm and asked her where the restroom was when she turned back to me.
"Over there, second door on your right."
My gaze followed her pointing finger, and I could see a neon "Exit" sign on the other side of the bar. "Thank you, I'll be right back."
I could feel the stares as I passed through the crowd. I locked myself in the fourth and final one. I sat fully clothed on the toilet seat. And cried.
Every memory I had shared with Danny flashed behind my closed eyes; some of them made me cry harder. I just didn't understand why he had done it. It was several minutes before I heard the door squeak open, the noise from the bar increasing exponentially before being cut off again. The staccato sound of heels walking on the tiled floor made me hold my breath. They passed the first three stalls and stopped in front of mine.
"Carrie?" a female voice called from the other side of my stall. "Are you okay?"
My heart stopped. Someone had recognized me! I tried to wipe up my tears with toilet paper, stood, flushed, and then pasted a smile on my face before turning the lock.
"Yes, I'm fine," I said as I opened the door, only to stop with it half open when I saw who was standing there.
Time had only made Tess Sanders more attractive. She had not been popular in high school, even though she looked like a model. I blinked, but she was still standing there, framed in blue metal with a mirror behind her, reflecting the two of us. Standing between me and freedom.
I blinked again.
"Carrie, are you sure you're okay?" She took a step toward me.
I stepped back into the toilet, and sat down hard on the seat. Bit my tongue. Started crying again. I was so upset that I couldn't control my emotions that I bawled even harder.
Tess rushed out of the stall, only to return with several paper towels. She squatted before me, blotting my puffy cheeks. "Hey, it's okay. I didn't mean to startle you."
More surprising than seeing her on the other side of the stall door was the sense of comfort I felt when she laid a hand against my cheek and rubbed away fresh tears with her thumb. Warmth shivered down all the way to my toes when I lifted my gaze to hers.
"Hello, Carrie." Her smile reached all the way up to her violet eyes. I'd always envied her for those. Mine were just a dull brown.
"Hi, Tess." The muscles in my mouth suddenly worked, and I felt myself smiling. I tried to think of something else to say, but all that came out was, "Thanks."
"What brings you to Molly’s?" Tess stood and took my hand, helping me to my feet. "And on a night like this? Oh, and by the way, congratulations. I saw the announcement in the paper last week."
"Sorry. Thank you, but there isn't any engagement now. Not after tonight."
Her smile disappeared, and something in her eyes went dark. “Let's get you cleaned up and then you will come with me."
I followed her to the sinks where I saw her purse sitting against the mirror. She waited for warm water and then fixed up my makeup with her own kit. Satisfied that I looked presentable again, she pulled out a pick and slowly ran it through my hair.
It was surreal. I no longer felt like crying. For once in my life, I actually felt cared for. Looked after. Danny had never made me feel that way.
"Okay, I think we're ready." The smile was back on Tess's red lips. Her dark blonde hair went well with the color of her eyes. And the blue-grey color of her fitted pantsuit. She took my hand and led me from the bathroom. I took a deep breath. She released her gentle hold on my hand only when we got to the door. Then her hand was on my back, ushering me through the doorway. She led me back into the main lounge area. I was oblivious to the music and other people around me. We stopped at an empty table in a corner furthest away from the music. Tess sat next to me, and her friend sat next to her. Tess picked up her glass and nodded toward me.
"Lauren, this is Carrie. Carrie, Lauren."
I managed a small smile. "Nice to meet you.
Lauren nodded and smiled back. "You, too."
I took the drink Tess pushed my way. I wrapped both hands around the cool glass to quell the tremors that betrayed the remnants of my shock. It didn't work very well. Without looking up, I mumbled, "Anyone got a cigarette?"
Both women dug in their purses. Tess came up with a pack first. She pulled out a cigarette, handed it to me, and then held a lighter up while I puffed on it. She offered the pack to Lauren, then they both lit up.
I closed my eyes, inhaling fresh nicotine, exhaling bad memories.
"We went to school years ago," Tess finally said, motioning toward me with the hand holding her cigarette. With her other hand, she stirred her yellow, fruity-smelling cocktail with the tiny straw that always accompanies mixed drinks and then raised the glass to her dark lips to take a long sip. "Carrie was a bookworm, like me. But she was so much better at it than I ever was. Teacher's pet and all that."
Three hours later, I watched Tess and Lauren pull away from the curb outside my brownstone. I couldn't remember the last time I'd had such a good time. In fact, I hadn't given Danny one thought while us girls had done our share of men-and-boss bashing, reminiscing mostly on high school.
I woke up the next morning still wearing last night's clothes and sporting a major migraine. I was trying to get the cap off the bottle of
Aleve when I heard the buzzer for my apartment. I thought I pressed the "talk" button and a minute later, there was a knock on my door. Confused, I pulled it open and blinked.
"Are you going to invite me in, or are you just a tease?" Tess gave me a quick once-over and then held up a paper bag. "Looks like I'm just in time."
I stepped back, watched her pass, and then closed the door. "Sorry, I must have pressed the wrong button."
"You didn't want to let me in?" She glanced at me over her shoulder with a smile as she unpacked the bag on my kitchen counter.
"Yes. No." I shook my head. "I mean I didn't know it was you."
"You are a tease. Interesting." She put her hand on her hip and stared at the cabinets for a moment. "Do you have a martini shaker?"
"Sorry. How about a blender?" I pointed to the garage in the corner and then shuffled my feet to sit at the counter on the other side of the island. I reached for the bowl where I usually kept a packet of cigarettes and then cursed under my breath. Last night rushed back way too fast.
She lifted the door, pulled out the barely used appliance, and proceeded to pour in the contents from the bottles she had brought with her. Then she helped herself to the freezer for some ice. "Did you get any sleep?"
"I remember you dropping me off last night and then waking up this morning on my bed. So I must have slept." I eyed the concoction in my blender. Based on the ingredients she had used, it was probably a Bloody Mary, but I had never drank one -- or wanted to. It didn't look like I had a choice today.
"Why don't you go take a shower?"
I cringed. "Do I smell that bad?"
"No, but a hot shower does help with a hangover. Now, shoo." She wiggled her fingers at me and I obeyed.
It wasn't until I was stripping down in the bathroom that I wondered why Tess had shown up on my doorstep this morning. But I expressed silent thanks when I stepped under the hot streams of water and felt my muscles sigh in relief.
When I emerged fifteen minutes later, wrapped in a pair of sweatpants and a big, comfy sweater, Tess was on her cell phone. She caught my eye and gestured to the glass of red stuff on the kitchen counter. I gave the contents a good sniff and then took a big gulp. No sense drawing it out.
"Feel any better?"
"A little." I followed her into my living room, as if this were her house and I was visiting. I sat first on the couch, and she sat opposite me, kicking her shoes off and pulling a leg up under her. "Not a big fan of Bloody Marys, though."
"Trust me, it's better than a migraine. Give me your feet."
Again, I didn't think twice about it. Her hands were warm against my right foot, massaging and caressing it. I moaned softly and settled further into the couch.
"How are you dealing with the guy thing?"
It took me a moment to realize what she meant. "Oh, Danny. I'm okay, I guess. Haven't heard from him. I haven't really thought about it much. Maybe I just don't want to."
"You'll have to, eventually. You can't help it. Something, someone, will remind you and then you'll just break down when you least suspect it."
"Danny and I were together for over two years. It became...routine, I guess. Marriage just seemed like the next step.”
Tess's eyes were back on mine now. "Was he cheating on you?"
I shook my head. "But I think he wanted to. Why else break off the engagement and say he doesn't want to see me ever again?"
Her hands stilled on my foot, and she sat up straighter. "He said that? He doesn't deserve you."
"Thanks." I blushed and looked down at my lap.
"I mean it, Carrie. You deserve so much more." Tess lifted my chin so I was looking at her again. "It's fine." She smiled and took my hand. The next thing I knew, I was following her to my bedroom. She gestured to the bed and said, "Lie down."
She pulled the covers up over me and tucked them in around my shoulders. Her fingers rested on my temple for a moment, and then she tucked my hair behind my ear.
"I'll call on you later." She checked her watch, and then she closed the door behind her.
I was feeling much better that evening when Tess showed up again, this time with Chinese takeout ... and cigarettes. God bless her. I had slept through lunch and dinner, and my stomach growled as I followed her into the kitchen and took a seat at the island.
"I hope you like Chicken Lo Mein." She pulled three white, cardboard containers out of the bag, and then started opening cupboards. "I have both white and fried rice."
"I'll take fried, if you don't mind. Plates are to the left of the sink. Forks in the drawer below."
I watched her with fascination. How she set two plates on the counter and scooped rice onto the center of each plate in a small mound. How she arranged the lo Mein over the rice. She even put an egg roll and fortune cookie on each of our plates. I blushed. I usually just ate out of the container.
"Thanks." I picked up a fork when she pushed a plate towards me. I had taken one bite before I suddenly remembered my manners.
"Do you want something to drink, Tess?"
She turned and pulled two wine glasses out of the cabinet. "It’s Tess. How about some wine?"
"Okay. There should be a bottle in the fridge, but it's not open."
Almost two hours later, we were sitting on the couch again, just like this morning. Only this time, my feet were tucked up under my butt instead of laying in her lap. The TV was tuned to a classic movie from when we had been in high school.
While she was laughing at the action on-screen, I was studying her over the rim of my wine glass. I was puzzled by her interest in making sure I was okay. But I wanted to ask her if she would be willing to come back tomorrow.
Then I received a text message when she had gone to the bathroom. Danny was "swinging by on Sunday" to pick up the few things he'd left at my place. on hand. I smothered a laugh with a big gulp of wine -- did I want Tess here to keep me from killing my ex-fiancé?
She glanced at me, then the TV, and back at me, raising one eyebrow. "Did I miss something?"
I grinned. "Nope, it was inside my head. Do you want more wine?"
"Are you trying to get me drunk?" She Sandersed the last bit in her glass, then held the glass up to me. "Not that I'm complaining."
When I sat back down, I handed over her glass and reached for the remote to hit the mute button.
"Something's up." Tess turned sideways on the couch and slowly lifted her glass to her lips.
My own lips were suddenly dry, and I licked at them before taking another sip. "Danny called."
Her hand froze, her eyes darkening over the shiny liquid.
"Or rather, he sent me a text." I glanced at my lap and picked at a loose string on my sweats. "He wants to come over tomorrow and get his things."
"Is that so? You know, you can say no. If you're not ready, that is."
"Will I ever be ready?" I shrugged again in answer to my own question. "There isn't much stuff. I could even get it together tonight. Have it ready by the door so he doesn't have a reason to stay long."
"Yes, that sounds like a good idea," she said it slowly.
I glanced around the living room, trying to make a mental list of what might belong to Danny. Suddenly, my mind was made up. I jumped to my feet and started down the hall to my bedroom. I pulled an empty box out of the closet and ducked into the bathroom. Once I'd located all of his toiletries, I moved back into the bedroom, tossing the socks and underwear and T-shirts from his single drawer into the box. I paused only when I couldn't see anything else that obviously wasn't mine.
I saw the glint of my engagement ring. Still on my finger. I pulled it off and went to toss it into the box, too, but Tess's hand on my arm stopped me. It was warm. Gentle. Firm.
"He doesn't deserve to get it back. Keep it. For now. You can always pawn it."
I grabbed the box of Danny's things and headed back toward the living room.
I dropped the box by the front door, tossing Danny's spare leather coat over it. After one last look around, I scooped up the unopened box of invitations and dropped it as the finishing touch on top of his coat. Then I snorted.
"Ironically, he paid for them with his credit card. Said it wouldn't matter in the long run, because it was going to be 'our' money." I kicked the box and it shifted, hitting the wall. of wine. It made me feel dizzy for a moment, but I didn't care.
"Feel better?" Tess's voice held no condescension.
"Yep." I held my glass up, toasting the air. She clinked hers against mine, and then we drank in silence for a while.
She was the first to speak. "If you need me to be here tomorrow for moral support ..."
"Thanks, but I should be okay." I was lying, and part of me wished she'd push harder. But she didn't.
"You're welcome, Carrie." She cupped my cheek in her hand, smiling at me for a long moment. I couldn't read the expression in her eyes. I felt she wanted to say something more. But she didn't and just patted my cheek.
I stared after her as she gathered her coat and purse. She gave me a small wave and a smile as she walked out the door.
"Carrie, calm down!" Tess's voice broke through my sobs. "I'm on my way. Just hang in there, okay?"
Ten minutes later, she was rushing through the emergency room doors toward the curtained area where I was sitting sideways on a gurney, my legs dangling over the side, my back to the wall.
"Are you okay?" She slid to a stop, pulling me against her. Her heart was beating wildly against my ear, and her breath came in short gasps. "How bad is it?"
I tilted my chin toward my left hand which lay in my lap, wrapped in my kitchen towel. "Broke it."
A nurse joined us. She picked up my chart and scribbled something before closing it. "It's a clean break. The doctor will be back in a few minutes to put on your cast and give you a prescription for some pain medication. Sit tight, okay?"
"So, you punched him?" She laughed softly.
"When he finally showed up, I opened the door and asked for his key. Once he'd handed it over, I shoved his box out into the hall and punched him in the nose. Slammed the door in his face. That's when the pain hit me. I screamed and kicked the door. Forgot I wasn't wearing shoes. Broke a toe. That's taped up right now."
"Oh, Carrie." She tilted my chin up, and I saw that same expression I had seen the night before.
Before she could say anything more, the curtain was pulled aside.
The doctor took a seat on a stool and pulled on a pair of latex gloves. "Let's get this wrapped so you can get home and get some rest, okay?"
# # #
Tess took my good hand, "I'm staying, and that's all there is to say."
"Fine, but I'm never a good patient. I tend to turn bi-polar." The drugs had finally set in, and I was mad that I had let my anger control me.
"I'm tough. I can handle it." Tess guided me to my bedroom. "You are going to take a nap. I'm going to run home and grab a change of clothes. You know, you're lucky you have this week off."
I waited until she left the room to change into sweatpants and a sweater with some difficulty. Then I climbed into bed. The last thing I remember was my head hitting the pillow. When I woke and wandered into the living room, Tess had set up her laptop on my dining room table. However, she was standing in my kitchen stirring a pot of chicken and rice soup. Just the smell of it made my mouth water.
"Oh, good, you're up. How's the hand, Sugar Ray?"
"Funny." I grabbed a box of oyster crackers from the pantry and then took my usual spot at the island. When she pushed a steaming bowl in front of me, I closed my eyes and breathed in deep. I didn't wait for her to join me before I dug in.
"I take it you're feeling better." She brought her bowl over and sat beside me.
"Yeah. You know, I could get used to this personal service."
After the lunch dishes were cleared, I retired to the couch, but she went to do some work on her laptop. I found a movie on cable that
I hadn't seen, so the rest of the afternoon passed by with us in our own little worlds. It was early evening before I heard her shut down the computer.
"Are you hungry?" Tess sat down opposite of me. It was becoming a familiar seating arrangement.
"No, I think I'm good for now." I grabbed the pills and glass of water she held out to me. I Sandersed them in one gulp and then snuggled deeper into the corner of the couch.
"Are you tired?"
I shook my head. And then yawned. "A little. But I don't want to sleep too much during the day. I won't get any sleep at night. I am, however, curious."
"About?" She pulled a leg up under her and turned toward me.
"Lauren."
Tess's eyebrows went up, but she didn't say anything.
"Is she like ... your ..."
"Friend."
"But not girl ... friend? We work at the same company. That's all. Why?"
"No reason." Had she moved closer?
"Really?" There was amusement in her voice now.
"I just thought ... the other night ... at the bar."
"Girls out for a drink after work. It's a comfortable place to go where we don't have to worry about guys hitting on us.”
I had just exhaled when her lips covered mine. I gasped in surprise -- fully awake now -- and put my good hand on her shoulder to push her away. But instead of moving back, she kissed me harder, pushing me back against the arm of the couch.
"Shh," she whispered when I whimpered. She ignored my struggling, kissing me again, her hand sliding behind my neck.
Part of me wanted to continue resisting; the other half said to give up. The latter side won, and I found myself kissing her back. Her lips were soft, her breath warm against my mouth. When the tip of her tongue glided over my lips, I parted them, moaning as her tongue darted inside.
I didn't know what to do with my own hand. My right hand trembled, but I guided it to her arm and then her head. Her hair was silky, sliding through my fingers. And then I was gripping her shoulder, holding her to me almost desperately. For several minutes, all we did was kiss. She was so gentle, but every move she made was done with apparent precision, as if she wanted to make sure I experienced the pleasure, too. The thought almost made me cry. Her kisses became more languid -- more erotic. Her fingers kneaded my neck, my scalp, tangling in my hair. I felt my stomach tightening in desire. When she brushed against my breast, I gasped.
I arched against her body, squeezing my eyes tighter. Her hand moved down my side and up under my sweater. I moaned when it slid against my skin and cupped my breast.
A muffled moan of surprise escaped her own lips when she realized I wasn't wearing a bra. She squeezed my breast in response, rolling my nipple between her thumb and forefinger. Her lips moved down to my jaw and then my neck, nuzzling me there with gentle nips and licks.
"Tess!" I managed to get a good breath in and out, my mind reeling from the sensations she was creating in me.
She stopped, "Do you want me to stop?"
I whimpered, "Oh god, no!"
Her laugh rumbled against my chest, and I smiled, forcing my eyes open. Her violet gaze locked onto mine. I moaned at the desire I saw reflected there and had been there since Friday night.
"May I suggest we take this to your bedroom?" as she grazed the back of her fingers against my cheek, brushing her lips against mine. "I don't want to hurt your arm. And we'll both be more comfortable."
I nodded, reaching my mouth up to hers to kiss her back.
She jumped up and helped me to my feet. I followed her down the hall, my heartbeat racing. She glanced once over her shoulder, her lower lip between her teeth as she smiled broadly at me. When we reached the side of my bed, she took my face in both of her hands and pulled my mouth to hers again.
I felt my knees shake and grasped her arm with my good hand. I wondered in the back of mind if I should be doing this. I pushed the thought away when her hands moved down to my breasts.
"Do you mind?" she whispered, tugging my sweater up.
I released my hold on her so she could pull my sweater over my head, mindful of my cast. I was too scared to do the same for her -- unsure how I would do it one-handed -- but she didn't seem to mind. She resumed kissing me, cupping and massaging my breasts once again. My nipples hardened in the cool air of the room and the feeling of her thumbs rubbing them.
Tess turned me so my back was to my bed. With a gentle push, I was sitting down, staring up at her, panting. Maybe I was just curious, or maybe I wanted it. Either way, my breath caught at the knowledge of where this would lead.
She stared down at me for a long moment, and then crossed her arms across her chest, pulling her own sweater up and over her head in one motion.
I stared at my high school classmate in a pair of jeans and a navy demi-bra. Definitely Victoria’s Secret. I had the same one in red and black in my drawer. My fingers twitched, and slowly, I raised them to graze over her hips. I felt her shudder under my touch as I moved my one hand higher up her side. She leaned toward me so I could reach her.
I was used to touching myself but to feel another woman's breasts was a whole new sensation. The material of her bra was silky. Her breasts were small and firm; the tops of her cups were cut so as to create almost perfect heart-shaped cleavage.
Her nipples puckered against the material, just as mine had. I brushed the pad of my thumb against them, feeling them harden instantly. She sucked in her breath in a loud hiss, leaning into my touch.
"You're accepting this more than I had anticipated. Aren't you even a little curious why I showed up yesterday?" She licked her lips and gasped again when my fingers grazed her bare skin.
"I kind of figured it out." I ran the tip of my finger under the edge and tugged it down until her swollen nipple popped out. "Since I know about Lauren now."
"And you're okay with this?"
I looked up and our gazes locked. I leaned forward, darting my tongue out to taste her nipple. Her eyes grew darker, and she growled softly.
"Enough. This was supposed to be about you."
With that, she pushed my shoulders away, sending me flat on my back on my bed. Her bra went slack and then fell to the floor. Her jeans and panties followed. I tried to get a good look at her, but she was leaning down to pull my sweats off.
"You are one naughty girl," she whispered when she realized I had removed my panties, as well, after I had changed from what I'd worn to the hospital.
I don't know why I had decided to go commando. Maybe somewhere in the back of my mind I had hoped that her reason for insisting on staying here was to do exactly what we were doing now. If it hadn't, I had to admit I would have been a little disappointed.
And that surprised me.
Tess pulled my legs up onto the bed and turned me so I was laying properly. She situated a pillow under my left arm, supporting my cast. Then she knelt on the bed beside me. "And here I thought you were such a good girl, Carrie."
I raised my eyebrows at her and watched her head dip so that her lips could kiss my left nipple. I lifted my right hand to stroke her hair, but she slapped it away.
"No. No touching. You're being punished."
I stifled a giggle and laid my arm above my head instead. For the longest time, I just watched her lick and suck one nipple and then the other, her hands massaging and caressing both breasts at the same time. Her hair tickled my skin, and I shivered, but it was partly due to the arousal her touch was building within me.
I had resolved to be tortured like this for a lot longer, but apparently Tess was losing her control. She didn't look up at me as she crawled over me and shimmied down to lay between my legs.
Her fingers trailed lines down my sides, over my hips, along the juncture of my legs to my torso -- which made me shiver again -- and then finally over my trimmed mound. My hips jumped, and she pressed lightly to still them.
I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do. Should I let her part my thighs? Should I do it myself to show her I was willing? I was so lost in thought that I hadn't realized Tess had spread my legs and raised my knees up, pushing against them to open my thighs wider. One minute I was wondering what our roles were. The next, I felt her tongue licking my clit.
I gasped, my hips jumping off the bed again. I gripped one of the rails of the headboard above me. Her hands held my legs down and apart. I dared to look at her and moaned at the sight of her bobbing head. The warmth of her breath and mouth mixed with my own heat. The feel of her searching tongue sent jolts of pleasure skittering up my back.
"God, Tess. How long have you wanted to do this?"
Her answer was a moan that hummed against my skin, sending little vibrations deeper inside me. She pulled back, and I realized she had captured my clit between her teeth. She let it go slowly, licking at it. "High school."
I wiggled beneath her, letting reality soak in. I had missed out on this all these years. Now I realized that the rumors were right -- only another woman really knows what a woman wants.
She circled a finger around my pussy and slipped it inside, stroking a few times. Then she repeated the whole process.
I felt like crying for a whole new reason now. I wanted to sing. But mostly, I wanted to come.
"Tess, please let me come ..."
"Okay, sweetie," she ended the relentless torture only to press one hand flat above my clit, holding me down. Two fingers slid inside me, stroking and stretching. Then her thumb rubbed my clit.
My whimpers grew with the intensity of the pressure inside my belly and the thrusts of her fingers. There were at least three inside me now. I had ceased trying to keep my eyes on her. I couldn't think. Only feel. And damn, it felt so good.
It had to have been only a few minutes, but it felt like an hour that I was panting and unable to catch my breath. The edge was right there. I had no strength to try to get there, but Tess helped the whole way. Just when I thought it was never going to happen, pleasure shot through every fiber of my being, shaking me.
My orgasm came in a ragged scream. I saw stars behind my eyelids. I couldn't breathe. I didn't want to. I just wanted to float in this ethereal place of bliss.
I must have passed out ... or fallen asleep. Tess was lying beside me when I opened my eyes, her body wrapped around mine under the covers. Her hand was stroking my damp hair back from my face, her lips brushing my forehead.
"How was that?" she smiled down at me and ran her index finger along my lips.
"Good." I licked the tip of her finger and then sucked it into my mouth, smiling back.
"You know, I had thought maybe I was wrong about you. About us. I had hoped, but I was willing to accept it was just in my head." She pulled her finger free and leaned in to kiss my lips. "I'm glad I was wrong about being wrong."
I kissed her back. "This may take a while for me to adjust. I'm just warning you."
"I know, I know," she cupped my breast, her knee sliding over my hip to pull me closer. "But I've been patient this long."
Her hand slipped between my thighs. And as she began stroking me again, I thought maybe -- just maybe -- my wedding plans with Danny weren't a complete waste. We still had the villa in Tuscany.
I tried not to cry. But when the other line of the phone went dead, I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. It had been minutes since I'd gone from being engaged to single again. I managed a ragged but deep breath and started walking. I wasn't sure where I was going, but something inside of me said that walking would calm me down. I might be able to think more clearly, but I knew it wouldn't make everything right again. The tears welled up once more, I stumbled along, passing light posts that reflected dull yellow in the puddles beneath them. I have no idea how long I had wandered aimlessly, but by the time I saw the blue neon sign, the rain had soaked through my auburn tresses, chilling my scalp. The light was bright against the otherwise dark sky, beckoning.
"Molly’s Lounge." There were two doors, door number two opened to a set of descending stairs. The blue rope lights along the ceiling and floor led to another closed door. The muffled sounds of a heavy base told me I'd found the lounge.
"Okay, Carrie, time to go down the rabbit hole."
I took another deep breath and then started down. Before I reached the bottom step, the door opened. The beat of the music changed to something slower but just as heavy, and I could hear a cacophony of voices. A woman in a black pantsuit stood waiting at the door. I realized that I had frozen on the second from the last stair. Apparently, she was waiting for me. I forced a smile and finished my descent.
"Welcome to Molly’s Lounge." The woman's voice was deep, which matched the black of her hair and the green of her eyes. She ran her eyes down my body, a smile flitting across her lips. And then she was enveloped in shadows again as she closed the door. "It must still be raining."
"Yeah." I cringed, knowing my hair looked like a mop, and my jeans and sweater were damp as well. "I'm sorry, I must be dripping water everywhere."
"Nonsense. Come on in and dry off."
"Thank you." I looked around, wondering what to do next. When she took my arm and directed me to the bar, I just followed.
"What would you like to drink?"
"Oh, um … a chardonnay? Thank you." I stared at the bartender while the woman leaned across the bar to talk to him. I looked around and realized all the patrons were women. Whether they were standing at the bar, sitting at the tables, or dancing to the trance-inducing music, every single person in viewing distance was female.
I touched my host on the arm and asked her where the restroom was when she turned back to me.
"Over there, second door on your right."
My gaze followed her pointing finger, and I could see a neon "Exit" sign on the other side of the bar. "Thank you, I'll be right back."
I could feel the stares as I passed through the crowd. I locked myself in the fourth and final one. I sat fully clothed on the toilet seat. And cried.
Every memory I had shared with Danny flashed behind my closed eyes; some of them made me cry harder. I just didn't understand why he had done it. It was several minutes before I heard the door squeak open, the noise from the bar increasing exponentially before being cut off again. The staccato sound of heels walking on the tiled floor made me hold my breath. They passed the first three stalls and stopped in front of mine.
"Carrie?" a female voice called from the other side of my stall. "Are you okay?"
My heart stopped. Someone had recognized me! I tried to wipe up my tears with toilet paper, stood, flushed, and then pasted a smile on my face before turning the lock.
"Yes, I'm fine," I said as I opened the door, only to stop with it half open when I saw who was standing there.
Time had only made Tess Sanders more attractive. She had not been popular in high school, even though she looked like a model. I blinked, but she was still standing there, framed in blue metal with a mirror behind her, reflecting the two of us. Standing between me and freedom.
I blinked again.
"Carrie, are you sure you're okay?" She took a step toward me.
I stepped back into the toilet, and sat down hard on the seat. Bit my tongue. Started crying again. I was so upset that I couldn't control my emotions that I bawled even harder.
Tess rushed out of the stall, only to return with several paper towels. She squatted before me, blotting my puffy cheeks. "Hey, it's okay. I didn't mean to startle you."
More surprising than seeing her on the other side of the stall door was the sense of comfort I felt when she laid a hand against my cheek and rubbed away fresh tears with her thumb. Warmth shivered down all the way to my toes when I lifted my gaze to hers.
"Hello, Carrie." Her smile reached all the way up to her violet eyes. I'd always envied her for those. Mine were just a dull brown.
"Hi, Tess." The muscles in my mouth suddenly worked, and I felt myself smiling. I tried to think of something else to say, but all that came out was, "Thanks."
"What brings you to Molly’s?" Tess stood and took my hand, helping me to my feet. "And on a night like this? Oh, and by the way, congratulations. I saw the announcement in the paper last week."
"Sorry. Thank you, but there isn't any engagement now. Not after tonight."
Her smile disappeared, and something in her eyes went dark. “Let's get you cleaned up and then you will come with me."
I followed her to the sinks where I saw her purse sitting against the mirror. She waited for warm water and then fixed up my makeup with her own kit. Satisfied that I looked presentable again, she pulled out a pick and slowly ran it through my hair.
It was surreal. I no longer felt like crying. For once in my life, I actually felt cared for. Looked after. Danny had never made me feel that way.
"Okay, I think we're ready." The smile was back on Tess's red lips. Her dark blonde hair went well with the color of her eyes. And the blue-grey color of her fitted pantsuit. She took my hand and led me from the bathroom. I took a deep breath. She released her gentle hold on my hand only when we got to the door. Then her hand was on my back, ushering me through the doorway. She led me back into the main lounge area. I was oblivious to the music and other people around me. We stopped at an empty table in a corner furthest away from the music. Tess sat next to me, and her friend sat next to her. Tess picked up her glass and nodded toward me.
"Lauren, this is Carrie. Carrie, Lauren."
I managed a small smile. "Nice to meet you.
Lauren nodded and smiled back. "You, too."
I took the drink Tess pushed my way. I wrapped both hands around the cool glass to quell the tremors that betrayed the remnants of my shock. It didn't work very well. Without looking up, I mumbled, "Anyone got a cigarette?"
Both women dug in their purses. Tess came up with a pack first. She pulled out a cigarette, handed it to me, and then held a lighter up while I puffed on it. She offered the pack to Lauren, then they both lit up.
I closed my eyes, inhaling fresh nicotine, exhaling bad memories.
"We went to school years ago," Tess finally said, motioning toward me with the hand holding her cigarette. With her other hand, she stirred her yellow, fruity-smelling cocktail with the tiny straw that always accompanies mixed drinks and then raised the glass to her dark lips to take a long sip. "Carrie was a bookworm, like me. But she was so much better at it than I ever was. Teacher's pet and all that."
Three hours later, I watched Tess and Lauren pull away from the curb outside my brownstone. I couldn't remember the last time I'd had such a good time. In fact, I hadn't given Danny one thought while us girls had done our share of men-and-boss bashing, reminiscing mostly on high school.
I woke up the next morning still wearing last night's clothes and sporting a major migraine. I was trying to get the cap off the bottle of
Aleve when I heard the buzzer for my apartment. I thought I pressed the "talk" button and a minute later, there was a knock on my door. Confused, I pulled it open and blinked.
"Are you going to invite me in, or are you just a tease?" Tess gave me a quick once-over and then held up a paper bag. "Looks like I'm just in time."
I stepped back, watched her pass, and then closed the door. "Sorry, I must have pressed the wrong button."
"You didn't want to let me in?" She glanced at me over her shoulder with a smile as she unpacked the bag on my kitchen counter.
"Yes. No." I shook my head. "I mean I didn't know it was you."
"You are a tease. Interesting." She put her hand on her hip and stared at the cabinets for a moment. "Do you have a martini shaker?"
"Sorry. How about a blender?" I pointed to the garage in the corner and then shuffled my feet to sit at the counter on the other side of the island. I reached for the bowl where I usually kept a packet of cigarettes and then cursed under my breath. Last night rushed back way too fast.
She lifted the door, pulled out the barely used appliance, and proceeded to pour in the contents from the bottles she had brought with her. Then she helped herself to the freezer for some ice. "Did you get any sleep?"
"I remember you dropping me off last night and then waking up this morning on my bed. So I must have slept." I eyed the concoction in my blender. Based on the ingredients she had used, it was probably a Bloody Mary, but I had never drank one -- or wanted to. It didn't look like I had a choice today.
"Why don't you go take a shower?"
I cringed. "Do I smell that bad?"
"No, but a hot shower does help with a hangover. Now, shoo." She wiggled her fingers at me and I obeyed.
It wasn't until I was stripping down in the bathroom that I wondered why Tess had shown up on my doorstep this morning. But I expressed silent thanks when I stepped under the hot streams of water and felt my muscles sigh in relief.
When I emerged fifteen minutes later, wrapped in a pair of sweatpants and a big, comfy sweater, Tess was on her cell phone. She caught my eye and gestured to the glass of red stuff on the kitchen counter. I gave the contents a good sniff and then took a big gulp. No sense drawing it out.
"Feel any better?"
"A little." I followed her into my living room, as if this were her house and I was visiting. I sat first on the couch, and she sat opposite me, kicking her shoes off and pulling a leg up under her. "Not a big fan of Bloody Marys, though."
"Trust me, it's better than a migraine. Give me your feet."
Again, I didn't think twice about it. Her hands were warm against my right foot, massaging and caressing it. I moaned softly and settled further into the couch.
"How are you dealing with the guy thing?"
It took me a moment to realize what she meant. "Oh, Danny. I'm okay, I guess. Haven't heard from him. I haven't really thought about it much. Maybe I just don't want to."
"You'll have to, eventually. You can't help it. Something, someone, will remind you and then you'll just break down when you least suspect it."
"Danny and I were together for over two years. It became...routine, I guess. Marriage just seemed like the next step.”
Tess's eyes were back on mine now. "Was he cheating on you?"
I shook my head. "But I think he wanted to. Why else break off the engagement and say he doesn't want to see me ever again?"
Her hands stilled on my foot, and she sat up straighter. "He said that? He doesn't deserve you."
"Thanks." I blushed and looked down at my lap.
"I mean it, Carrie. You deserve so much more." Tess lifted my chin so I was looking at her again. "It's fine." She smiled and took my hand. The next thing I knew, I was following her to my bedroom. She gestured to the bed and said, "Lie down."
She pulled the covers up over me and tucked them in around my shoulders. Her fingers rested on my temple for a moment, and then she tucked my hair behind my ear.
"I'll call on you later." She checked her watch, and then she closed the door behind her.
I was feeling much better that evening when Tess showed up again, this time with Chinese takeout ... and cigarettes. God bless her. I had slept through lunch and dinner, and my stomach growled as I followed her into the kitchen and took a seat at the island.
"I hope you like Chicken Lo Mein." She pulled three white, cardboard containers out of the bag, and then started opening cupboards. "I have both white and fried rice."
"I'll take fried, if you don't mind. Plates are to the left of the sink. Forks in the drawer below."
I watched her with fascination. How she set two plates on the counter and scooped rice onto the center of each plate in a small mound. How she arranged the lo Mein over the rice. She even put an egg roll and fortune cookie on each of our plates. I blushed. I usually just ate out of the container.
"Thanks." I picked up a fork when she pushed a plate towards me. I had taken one bite before I suddenly remembered my manners.
"Do you want something to drink, Tess?"
She turned and pulled two wine glasses out of the cabinet. "It’s Tess. How about some wine?"
"Okay. There should be a bottle in the fridge, but it's not open."
Almost two hours later, we were sitting on the couch again, just like this morning. Only this time, my feet were tucked up under my butt instead of laying in her lap. The TV was tuned to a classic movie from when we had been in high school.
While she was laughing at the action on-screen, I was studying her over the rim of my wine glass. I was puzzled by her interest in making sure I was okay. But I wanted to ask her if she would be willing to come back tomorrow.
Then I received a text message when she had gone to the bathroom. Danny was "swinging by on Sunday" to pick up the few things he'd left at my place. on hand. I smothered a laugh with a big gulp of wine -- did I want Tess here to keep me from killing my ex-fiancé?
She glanced at me, then the TV, and back at me, raising one eyebrow. "Did I miss something?"
I grinned. "Nope, it was inside my head. Do you want more wine?"
"Are you trying to get me drunk?" She Sandersed the last bit in her glass, then held the glass up to me. "Not that I'm complaining."
When I sat back down, I handed over her glass and reached for the remote to hit the mute button.
"Something's up." Tess turned sideways on the couch and slowly lifted her glass to her lips.
My own lips were suddenly dry, and I licked at them before taking another sip. "Danny called."
Her hand froze, her eyes darkening over the shiny liquid.
"Or rather, he sent me a text." I glanced at my lap and picked at a loose string on my sweats. "He wants to come over tomorrow and get his things."
"Is that so? You know, you can say no. If you're not ready, that is."
"Will I ever be ready?" I shrugged again in answer to my own question. "There isn't much stuff. I could even get it together tonight. Have it ready by the door so he doesn't have a reason to stay long."
"Yes, that sounds like a good idea," she said it slowly.
I glanced around the living room, trying to make a mental list of what might belong to Danny. Suddenly, my mind was made up. I jumped to my feet and started down the hall to my bedroom. I pulled an empty box out of the closet and ducked into the bathroom. Once I'd located all of his toiletries, I moved back into the bedroom, tossing the socks and underwear and T-shirts from his single drawer into the box. I paused only when I couldn't see anything else that obviously wasn't mine.
I saw the glint of my engagement ring. Still on my finger. I pulled it off and went to toss it into the box, too, but Tess's hand on my arm stopped me. It was warm. Gentle. Firm.
"He doesn't deserve to get it back. Keep it. For now. You can always pawn it."
I grabbed the box of Danny's things and headed back toward the living room.
I dropped the box by the front door, tossing Danny's spare leather coat over it. After one last look around, I scooped up the unopened box of invitations and dropped it as the finishing touch on top of his coat. Then I snorted.
"Ironically, he paid for them with his credit card. Said it wouldn't matter in the long run, because it was going to be 'our' money." I kicked the box and it shifted, hitting the wall. of wine. It made me feel dizzy for a moment, but I didn't care.
"Feel better?" Tess's voice held no condescension.
"Yep." I held my glass up, toasting the air. She clinked hers against mine, and then we drank in silence for a while.
She was the first to speak. "If you need me to be here tomorrow for moral support ..."
"Thanks, but I should be okay." I was lying, and part of me wished she'd push harder. But she didn't.
"You're welcome, Carrie." She cupped my cheek in her hand, smiling at me for a long moment. I couldn't read the expression in her eyes. I felt she wanted to say something more. But she didn't and just patted my cheek.
I stared after her as she gathered her coat and purse. She gave me a small wave and a smile as she walked out the door.
"Carrie, calm down!" Tess's voice broke through my sobs. "I'm on my way. Just hang in there, okay?"
Ten minutes later, she was rushing through the emergency room doors toward the curtained area where I was sitting sideways on a gurney, my legs dangling over the side, my back to the wall.
"Are you okay?" She slid to a stop, pulling me against her. Her heart was beating wildly against my ear, and her breath came in short gasps. "How bad is it?"
I tilted my chin toward my left hand which lay in my lap, wrapped in my kitchen towel. "Broke it."
A nurse joined us. She picked up my chart and scribbled something before closing it. "It's a clean break. The doctor will be back in a few minutes to put on your cast and give you a prescription for some pain medication. Sit tight, okay?"
"So, you punched him?" She laughed softly.
"When he finally showed up, I opened the door and asked for his key. Once he'd handed it over, I shoved his box out into the hall and punched him in the nose. Slammed the door in his face. That's when the pain hit me. I screamed and kicked the door. Forgot I wasn't wearing shoes. Broke a toe. That's taped up right now."
"Oh, Carrie." She tilted my chin up, and I saw that same expression I had seen the night before.
Before she could say anything more, the curtain was pulled aside.
The doctor took a seat on a stool and pulled on a pair of latex gloves. "Let's get this wrapped so you can get home and get some rest, okay?"
# # #
Tess took my good hand, "I'm staying, and that's all there is to say."
"Fine, but I'm never a good patient. I tend to turn bi-polar." The drugs had finally set in, and I was mad that I had let my anger control me.
"I'm tough. I can handle it." Tess guided me to my bedroom. "You are going to take a nap. I'm going to run home and grab a change of clothes. You know, you're lucky you have this week off."
I waited until she left the room to change into sweatpants and a sweater with some difficulty. Then I climbed into bed. The last thing I remember was my head hitting the pillow. When I woke and wandered into the living room, Tess had set up her laptop on my dining room table. However, she was standing in my kitchen stirring a pot of chicken and rice soup. Just the smell of it made my mouth water.
"Oh, good, you're up. How's the hand, Sugar Ray?"
"Funny." I grabbed a box of oyster crackers from the pantry and then took my usual spot at the island. When she pushed a steaming bowl in front of me, I closed my eyes and breathed in deep. I didn't wait for her to join me before I dug in.
"I take it you're feeling better." She brought her bowl over and sat beside me.
"Yeah. You know, I could get used to this personal service."
After the lunch dishes were cleared, I retired to the couch, but she went to do some work on her laptop. I found a movie on cable that
I hadn't seen, so the rest of the afternoon passed by with us in our own little worlds. It was early evening before I heard her shut down the computer.
"Are you hungry?" Tess sat down opposite of me. It was becoming a familiar seating arrangement.
"No, I think I'm good for now." I grabbed the pills and glass of water she held out to me. I Sandersed them in one gulp and then snuggled deeper into the corner of the couch.
"Are you tired?"
I shook my head. And then yawned. "A little. But I don't want to sleep too much during the day. I won't get any sleep at night. I am, however, curious."
"About?" She pulled a leg up under her and turned toward me.
"Lauren."
Tess's eyebrows went up, but she didn't say anything.
"Is she like ... your ..."
"Friend."
"But not girl ... friend? We work at the same company. That's all. Why?"
"No reason." Had she moved closer?
"Really?" There was amusement in her voice now.
"I just thought ... the other night ... at the bar."
"Girls out for a drink after work. It's a comfortable place to go where we don't have to worry about guys hitting on us.”
I had just exhaled when her lips covered mine. I gasped in surprise -- fully awake now -- and put my good hand on her shoulder to push her away. But instead of moving back, she kissed me harder, pushing me back against the arm of the couch.
"Shh," she whispered when I whimpered. She ignored my struggling, kissing me again, her hand sliding behind my neck.
Part of me wanted to continue resisting; the other half said to give up. The latter side won, and I found myself kissing her back. Her lips were soft, her breath warm against my mouth. When the tip of her tongue glided over my lips, I parted them, moaning as her tongue darted inside.
I didn't know what to do with my own hand. My right hand trembled, but I guided it to her arm and then her head. Her hair was silky, sliding through my fingers. And then I was gripping her shoulder, holding her to me almost desperately. For several minutes, all we did was kiss. She was so gentle, but every move she made was done with apparent precision, as if she wanted to make sure I experienced the pleasure, too. The thought almost made me cry. Her kisses became more languid -- more erotic. Her fingers kneaded my neck, my scalp, tangling in my hair. I felt my stomach tightening in desire. When she brushed against my breast, I gasped.
I arched against her body, squeezing my eyes tighter. Her hand moved down my side and up under my sweater. I moaned when it slid against my skin and cupped my breast.
A muffled moan of surprise escaped her own lips when she realized I wasn't wearing a bra. She squeezed my breast in response, rolling my nipple between her thumb and forefinger. Her lips moved down to my jaw and then my neck, nuzzling me there with gentle nips and licks.
"Tess!" I managed to get a good breath in and out, my mind reeling from the sensations she was creating in me.
She stopped, "Do you want me to stop?"
I whimpered, "Oh god, no!"
Her laugh rumbled against my chest, and I smiled, forcing my eyes open. Her violet gaze locked onto mine. I moaned at the desire I saw reflected there and had been there since Friday night.
"May I suggest we take this to your bedroom?" as she grazed the back of her fingers against my cheek, brushing her lips against mine. "I don't want to hurt your arm. And we'll both be more comfortable."
I nodded, reaching my mouth up to hers to kiss her back.
She jumped up and helped me to my feet. I followed her down the hall, my heartbeat racing. She glanced once over her shoulder, her lower lip between her teeth as she smiled broadly at me. When we reached the side of my bed, she took my face in both of her hands and pulled my mouth to hers again.
I felt my knees shake and grasped her arm with my good hand. I wondered in the back of mind if I should be doing this. I pushed the thought away when her hands moved down to my breasts.
"Do you mind?" she whispered, tugging my sweater up.
I released my hold on her so she could pull my sweater over my head, mindful of my cast. I was too scared to do the same for her -- unsure how I would do it one-handed -- but she didn't seem to mind. She resumed kissing me, cupping and massaging my breasts once again. My nipples hardened in the cool air of the room and the feeling of her thumbs rubbing them.
Tess turned me so my back was to my bed. With a gentle push, I was sitting down, staring up at her, panting. Maybe I was just curious, or maybe I wanted it. Either way, my breath caught at the knowledge of where this would lead.
She stared down at me for a long moment, and then crossed her arms across her chest, pulling her own sweater up and over her head in one motion.
I stared at my high school classmate in a pair of jeans and a navy demi-bra. Definitely Victoria’s Secret. I had the same one in red and black in my drawer. My fingers twitched, and slowly, I raised them to graze over her hips. I felt her shudder under my touch as I moved my one hand higher up her side. She leaned toward me so I could reach her.
I was used to touching myself but to feel another woman's breasts was a whole new sensation. The material of her bra was silky. Her breasts were small and firm; the tops of her cups were cut so as to create almost perfect heart-shaped cleavage.
Her nipples puckered against the material, just as mine had. I brushed the pad of my thumb against them, feeling them harden instantly. She sucked in her breath in a loud hiss, leaning into my touch.
"You're accepting this more than I had anticipated. Aren't you even a little curious why I showed up yesterday?" She licked her lips and gasped again when my fingers grazed her bare skin.
"I kind of figured it out." I ran the tip of my finger under the edge and tugged it down until her swollen nipple popped out. "Since I know about Lauren now."
"And you're okay with this?"
I looked up and our gazes locked. I leaned forward, darting my tongue out to taste her nipple. Her eyes grew darker, and she growled softly.
"Enough. This was supposed to be about you."
With that, she pushed my shoulders away, sending me flat on my back on my bed. Her bra went slack and then fell to the floor. Her jeans and panties followed. I tried to get a good look at her, but she was leaning down to pull my sweats off.
"You are one naughty girl," she whispered when she realized I had removed my panties, as well, after I had changed from what I'd worn to the hospital.
I don't know why I had decided to go commando. Maybe somewhere in the back of my mind I had hoped that her reason for insisting on staying here was to do exactly what we were doing now. If it hadn't, I had to admit I would have been a little disappointed.
And that surprised me.
Tess pulled my legs up onto the bed and turned me so I was laying properly. She situated a pillow under my left arm, supporting my cast. Then she knelt on the bed beside me. "And here I thought you were such a good girl, Carrie."
I raised my eyebrows at her and watched her head dip so that her lips could kiss my left nipple. I lifted my right hand to stroke her hair, but she slapped it away.
"No. No touching. You're being punished."
I stifled a giggle and laid my arm above my head instead. For the longest time, I just watched her lick and suck one nipple and then the other, her hands massaging and caressing both breasts at the same time. Her hair tickled my skin, and I shivered, but it was partly due to the arousal her touch was building within me.
I had resolved to be tortured like this for a lot longer, but apparently Tess was losing her control. She didn't look up at me as she crawled over me and shimmied down to lay between my legs.
Her fingers trailed lines down my sides, over my hips, along the juncture of my legs to my torso -- which made me shiver again -- and then finally over my trimmed mound. My hips jumped, and she pressed lightly to still them.
I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do. Should I let her part my thighs? Should I do it myself to show her I was willing? I was so lost in thought that I hadn't realized Tess had spread my legs and raised my knees up, pushing against them to open my thighs wider. One minute I was wondering what our roles were. The next, I felt her tongue licking my clit.
I gasped, my hips jumping off the bed again. I gripped one of the rails of the headboard above me. Her hands held my legs down and apart. I dared to look at her and moaned at the sight of her bobbing head. The warmth of her breath and mouth mixed with my own heat. The feel of her searching tongue sent jolts of pleasure skittering up my back.
"God, Tess. How long have you wanted to do this?"
Her answer was a moan that hummed against my skin, sending little vibrations deeper inside me. She pulled back, and I realized she had captured my clit between her teeth. She let it go slowly, licking at it. "High school."
I wiggled beneath her, letting reality soak in. I had missed out on this all these years. Now I realized that the rumors were right -- only another woman really knows what a woman wants.
She circled a finger around my pussy and slipped it inside, stroking a few times. Then she repeated the whole process.
I felt like crying for a whole new reason now. I wanted to sing. But mostly, I wanted to come.
"Tess, please let me come ..."
"Okay, sweetie," she ended the relentless torture only to press one hand flat above my clit, holding me down. Two fingers slid inside me, stroking and stretching. Then her thumb rubbed my clit.
My whimpers grew with the intensity of the pressure inside my belly and the thrusts of her fingers. There were at least three inside me now. I had ceased trying to keep my eyes on her. I couldn't think. Only feel. And damn, it felt so good.
It had to have been only a few minutes, but it felt like an hour that I was panting and unable to catch my breath. The edge was right there. I had no strength to try to get there, but Tess helped the whole way. Just when I thought it was never going to happen, pleasure shot through every fiber of my being, shaking me.
My orgasm came in a ragged scream. I saw stars behind my eyelids. I couldn't breathe. I didn't want to. I just wanted to float in this ethereal place of bliss.
I must have passed out ... or fallen asleep. Tess was lying beside me when I opened my eyes, her body wrapped around mine under the covers. Her hand was stroking my damp hair back from my face, her lips brushing my forehead.
"How was that?" she smiled down at me and ran her index finger along my lips.
"Good." I licked the tip of her finger and then sucked it into my mouth, smiling back.
"You know, I had thought maybe I was wrong about you. About us. I had hoped, but I was willing to accept it was just in my head." She pulled her finger free and leaned in to kiss my lips. "I'm glad I was wrong about being wrong."
I kissed her back. "This may take a while for me to adjust. I'm just warning you."
"I know, I know," she cupped my breast, her knee sliding over my hip to pull me closer. "But I've been patient this long."
Her hand slipped between my thighs. And as she began stroking me again, I thought maybe -- just maybe -- my wedding plans with Danny weren't a complete waste. We still had the villa in Tuscany.
19 days ago
