Chapter Eleven
“How was your day?” Lucy placed the white paper bag containing their dinner on the counter that separated the galley kitchen from the living room.
“Fine. It went fast.” Sam took in the space. Even when she’d lived in the rental section, she’d never gotten a personal tour of the one-bedroom setup. Lucy’s unit was on the second floor above another single, and it had a nice layout that was both functional and spacious. “Can I get changed?” she asked, grabbing at the lapel of her suit jacket.
Lucy frowned. “Oh, all right. You look so good though.” Sam watched Lucy run her eyes from her tie to her wingtips. “Okay, I’m good,” Lucy said, biting her lip openly. She nodded past Sam. “You can use my bedroom.”
Sam hoisted her backpack over her shoulder and headed down the hall. She slipped into jeans and a Henley quickly, trying not to get caught up in Lucy’s scent, which was everywhere. She sat on the side of the bed and reached for a boot when the sight of the moon out Lucy’s window stole her attention. It wasn’t full, but it was still breathtaking. She stood up for a better look when a light knock broke her concentration.
“Okay in here?”
“Sorry, I got lost in your view.” Sam twisted to see Lucy in the doorway. “Come here. Check out the moon. It’s amazing again tonight.”
Lucy came up behind and hugged Sam. She pressed her lips against Sam’s shoulder and must have been on tiptoe when she whispered in her ear, “I knew it. You’re a werewolf, aren’t you?”
“I wish,” she said, stroking her fingertips up Lucy’s arms absentmindedly as she stared up at the dark night sky.
“Did you just say you wish you were a werewolf?”
“I did.”
“Okay. Weird.”
Sam maneuvered Lucy in front of her under the guise of giving her the better view, but secretly she just wanted an excuse to touch her. “Werewolves don’t have it so bad. They answer to the full moon. That’s kind of sexy, right? I mean, they don’t have it nearly as good as vampires, but still.”
“This is by far the strangest conversation I’ve had all day.”
“Come on, everybody knows vampires have the life.”
“Actually they’re dead,” Lucy quipped.
“That’s just it. Ageless existence. Decadence galore. Plus, sexy as all get-out. Girls melt for them.”
Lucy poked at Sam’s forearms. “Like that doesn’t happen for you now anyway,” she teased.
“What?” Sam feigned surprise.
“Shut up.” Lucy turned around and swatted her chest playfully. “You can’t even fake it.”
Sam dropped a sweet kiss on her lips. “I only care about one girl.”
“Oh yeah, huh?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Lucy leaned in for another kiss and this time it intensified right away. She pushed into Sam, backing them up to the bed. When Sam’s knees hit the edge, she let herself fall onto the mattress bringing Lucy down with her. They kissed for several minutes until their hands were roaming, their bodies writhing. It was amazing, hot and passionate. The one thing it was not: slow.
When they rolled over and Lucy was on top of her, Sam found her resolve. She held the sides of Lucy’s face and touched their foreheads together gently.
“We should eat before our food gets cold.”
Lucy swallowed and licked her lips. “We should.” She sat upright and pulled her hair back, still straddling Sam.
Sam propped herself on her elbows.
“Sorry,” Lucy said, hopping off to the side. “I guess I let things get a little out of hand here.”
“It’s okay.” Sam sat all the way up and shook her shoulders trying to get rid of the uncomfortable buzz that was coursing through her limbs.
“Are you mad?”
Sam knew her expression displayed her disbelief at the question, but in case it wasn’t entirely clear she answered, “Of course not.” She touched Lucy’s cheek. “Why would I be mad?”
“I don’t know. That was kind of intense. And I know I started it—”
Sam cut her off. “Hey.” She put her hand on the top of Lucy’s thigh and looked right at her. “There’s no rush. We wait until we’re ready. Okay?”
Lucy leaned into her, gently resting her head against Sam’s shoulder. “Thank you, Sam. For being nice.”
Sam took Lucy’s hand and stood up, pulling Lucy with her. “I kind of like you a little bit.” She put her hands at Lucy’s waist and let her guide them out of the bedroom. “Now feed me, woman.”
*****
They sat at the kitchen peninsula indulging in a decadent helping of pasta primavera that Angelo had whipped up special for them, talking about everything from work to life to Bay West. Sam shared the pros and cons of living with her parents, surprising herself as she listed the number of benefits. She learned that Lucy grew up on Long Island, the third of four girls, and she had come out when she was sixteen.
“Sixteen?” Sam nodded. “That’s brave. How were your parents with that?”
“Fine.” She cleared their plates into the sink. “My parents are great,” she said with a wave of her hand. “My sister’s gay too. Emily. The one I was telling you about the other day, who lives in the city. She’s a year older than I am. We told them at the same time.” She smiled a little. “They were not surprised.”
“Wow, both of you. That’s fun.”
“It is.” Lucy nodded. “What about you? Brothers, sisters?”
“One brother. Jack. He’s not gay.” She returned the smile when Lucy laughed at her dumb joke. “I’m curious about you and your sister. Did you both always know? About each other, I mean.”
Lucy nodded and smiled at the same time. “We’re all close, my sisters and I. But with me and Em, it’s different. We’re super tight.” She shrugged. “So, yeah, we both always knew about each other. Even when we were little.”
“Did you go on double dates and stuff?”
Lucy tilted her head to the side, clearly thinking about it. “Not really. We dated some girls from the same circle. Well, really I dated some girls from her circle. She’s been with her wife since they were seventeen. They were high school sweethearts.”
“That’s sweet.”
Lucy made a face as though she didn’t one hundred percent agree with Sam’s sentiment, but said nothing. Sam read her expression. “Not sweet?” she asked with a dramatically furrowed brow.
“I don’t know.” Lucy leaned her forearms across the counter. “I think they’re not in a great place these days. Frankie, Emily’s wife, travels a good deal with her job, and I know that’s important.” She made small circles with her fingertips on the granite countertop. “They have two kids, plus Emily runs a day care. It’s a lot. I worry about her, about them, that’s all.”
Sam slid her hands underneath Lucy’s. “You love her.”
“I do.”
She held both of Lucy’s hands and guided her around the kitchen island until she was standing in front of where she was sitting on a high backed stool. “She’s lucky to have you.” Sam put her hands on Lucy’s hips and Lucy stepped between her legs, draping her arms over Sam’s shoulders.
“She is, huh?” Lucy’s tone was suggestive.
“Yeah,” Sam breathed out as she leaned forward to kiss her. It started out innocent, but it didn’t take long before their hands were roaming. Sam purposely took the high road stopping things before she was tempted to take them further. She let their kiss soften and settle before she spoke. “I should go,” she said in a low voice.
Lucy let out a sad whimper, but nodded her agreement. She leaned farther into Sam’s embrace. “You definitely should.”
*****
Three dates and exactly three serious make out sessions later, Sam stood on Lexi’s doorstep hoping to kill some time before she met up with Lucy for the evening. She pressed the doorbell once, then peered down the street wondering if her buddy was even home.
“Hey, girl.” She heard genuine pleasure in Lexi’s voice when the door opened and knew she’d made the right call by stopping by even if it was unannounced.
“Busy, Munchkin?”
“Not at all.”
“I come bearing treats.” Sam held up a thin pastry box. “From Lucy. But hey, still counts, right?”
“Hell, yes. What’s the occasion?”
“None, really.” She shrugged. “We haven’t seen each other much. I had some time to kill before Lucy calls it a day at the store. Thought we could catch up if you were around.” Sam looked over and noticed the table set for dinner. “Ah, you guys are about to eat. It’s cool. I can wait for Lucy at her place. I should have called anyway.”
“Shut up.” Lexi pulled her inside. “Jesse’s not even home. She went to pick up dinner from Lombardo’s. And you’re more than welcome to join us. Drink?”
“I’d take a beer if you have one.”
Lexi walked to the fridge, grabbed Sam a Heineken, and sliced off a wedge of lime to squeeze into her own drink.
“What are you drinking?” Sam asked.
“Just seltzer.” Lexi pulled a chair out. “Fill me in. How are things with Lucy? You two seem to be spending an awful lot of time together.” It came out as kind of a sing-songy cheer and Lexi clapped her hands excitedly at the same time. Sam couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.
“They’re good.”
“Hot-and-heavy good?”
“I don’t kiss and tell.”
Lexi laughed in her face. “Yes, you do.”
Sam felt slightly embarrassed knowing the truth was completely tame, but she answered honestly anyway. “We are taking it nice and slow.”
“Wait. You haven’t had sex yet?” Lexi’s mouth dropped open in purposeful dramatic fashion. “Sam Miller, are you wooing this woman?”
Sam twisted her beer bottle in her hands. “She doesn’t want to rush into anything.” She smoothed out a bubble in the label with her thumb. “I completely respect that.”
Lexi leaned forward. “Aw, Sam, that’s really sweet.” She rubbed her arm. “You must be dying,” she added with a frown of mock empathy.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Sam said, playing along, before turning slightly serious. “I really like her.”
“I see that. That’s great.” Lexi took a small sip of her drink. “What time does she close the store, typically?”
Sam tapped her beer lightly on the table making a design with the moisture rings. “Seven. Seven thirty. Sometimes eight. It depends. If it was me, I would shut down at six. Who fucking needs coffee after that anyway?”
“I guess. But she does some cool stuff at night. Sometimes she shows movies there and tomorrow is trivia night, right?”
“Yeah, that’s why she stayed. Wanted to get some last minute prep work out of the way.”
“Why don’t you call her and have her come here. You guys can stay for dinner. I can call Jess right now and add to our order.”
“No, it’s fine. We ate a late lunch. She was still baking when I left. I wanted to see you. I miss you, Munchkin.”
“I miss you too. I’m so glad you stopped by. Oh, by the way, Kam loved your new icon for the socials. And she went crazy over the website.” She smacked Sam’s knee. “She also told me that she thinks the Fishers over on Crescent Street are thinking of moving this summer.” She raised her eyebrows.
“Where on Crescent?” Sam asked.
“Down a bit.” Lexi gestured with her chin. “Near the entrance.”
“Definitely keep me posted on that.” She swallowed a long refreshing sip of her drink. “So, Munch, what’s new with you?” She made a circle with her beer, pointing at Lexi with the neck of the bottle. “Are you pregnant?”
“What?”
“Don’t play coy with me. I have known you since grade school,” Sam teased. “Since you were ten, you’ve been talking about getting married and having babies.” She put her beer down on the table with a slight thud to emphasize her point. “I haven’t seen you take one drink of anything even remotely alcoholic since I’m home.” She grinned right at Lexi. “So tell me. When are you due?”
“I’m not pregnant.” Lexi let out a small tense chuckle. “But you’re not way off. I want a baby. I’m ready. So’s Jess.”
“Shit, Lex.” Sam clenched her teeth. “You’re having trouble?”
“God, no.” Lexi let out a heavy breath. “I didn’t mean for it to sound like that.” She pulled her hair off her face. “The only problem we’re having at this point is that Jesse and I can’t seem to agree on how to do it.”
“What do you mean?”
Lexi shook her head and there was frustration in her tone. “Jesse is being completely obstinate.”
The door squeaked open behind them and they both got up to help Jesse as she balanced two bags of takeout and the mail. “What am I being obstinate about?” Jesse asked, sounding not the least bit unnerved at walking into a conversation where she was clearly the subject.
“Baby making,” Lexi responded without missing a beat.
Jesse rolled her eyes. “I am being pragmatic and logical.” She placed their dinner on the table.
Lexi kissed her cheek. “You are being stubborn.”
Jesse looked at Sam as she unpacked their takeaway tins. “What’s your take?”
“Don’t drag her into this.”
“Why not?” Jesse looked between Sam and Lexi. “She’s here. She’s smart, and I think it would do you some good to hear from your friends on this.” Jesse crossed the kitchen and got a small serving spoon. “I am not being crazy. I’m being realistic.”
Sam snuck a glance at Lexi and clenched her teeth in apology at having brought up the touchy subject, but Lexi shook her head, letting her off the hook right on the spot.
“Fine.” Lexi removed the lid from the chicken parm and leaned out of the path of steam pouring out. “I want to use someone we know as a donor. Jesse wants to use a sperm bank.”
Sam looked at Jesse first, then at Lexi hoping they didn’t actually expect her to weigh in. She didn’t have a chance anyway. Lexi spoke again, this time directing her comments right to Jesse.
“Your way is cold.”
“My way is clean. Straightforward.” Jesse doled out Caesar salad for each of them. “I can’t believe as a lawyer you don’t see the benefits of using an anonymous sperm donor. No prospective legal battles down the line, no fighting over custody or medical treatments should that ever become an issue. It’s a method that has been tried and argued and validated in the legal system. I simply cannot understand your objection to it.”
Lexi straightened up in her chair, her fork held aloft as she decided what to eat first. “Doesn’t that sound cold, Sam?”
Sam shifted uncomfortably. “I mean, she does make some good points, Lex.”
“She’s extremely glossing over the fact that you really know nothing about an anonymous donor. Other than what he wants to tell you, or completely make up. I’m sure they’re all six feet tall with a full head of hair and fantastic pecs. Yeah, okay.”
“Also a valid point.” Sam made an invisible notch in the air with her beer. “What’s the alternative though, Lex? Do you even know any dudes you’d want to use?” Sam asked, reaching across and stealing a crouton off Lexi’s plate.
Lexi was quiet for a second. She twirled some spaghetti on her fork. “So, I really want a baby that looks like Jesse.”
“Okay. Sounds like Jesse’s plan could work for that.” She snagged another crouton. “I’m sure someone at least verifies whether the guy has brown or red or blond hair. Right?”
“Unless…” Lexi’s voice was so serious Sam stopped mid-chew. She swallowed quickly and gave her full attention. “I think”—Lexi ran her hands over her silverware—“we should get Jesse’s brother Justin to donate for us. They look exactly alike.” She looked at Sam, probably gauging her reaction, before focusing on her dinner as she continued her pitch. “And he’s awesome and we know he’s not into drugs or a serial killer.”
“He’s also my brother.” Jesse’s voice was serious and full of skepticism.
“Which is why he would do it. He idolizes you, Jess. And he’s single.”
“Right now he is, sure.” Jesse waved her fork in the air. “Let’s put aside for one second that it’s going to take a lot for me to get past you and my brother having a baby. I know people do it.” Her mouth was a straight line. “I’m just not sure I can. That minor hurdle notwithstanding, you bring up a fantastic point. He’s single now.” She cut off a piece of chicken. “What happens when he gets married?”
Lexi reached for the grated cheese. “So he gets married, so what?”
“What if his wife is some crazy woman who is not okay with me and you raising a child she considers to be his?”
Lexi rolled her eyes. “I highly doubt Justin would marry someone like that.”
“But what if he does, babe? Or what if he gets married and they can’t have kids, for whatever reason, and then she wants ours?” Jesse shook her head. “Or even if she can have kids but feels like Justin’s children should all be raised together. By them. There are too many variables that end very badly. Like in-the-courtroom badly.”
“But we would have paperwork in line. We are lawyers.”
“I know, and I know we’d win. But the cost on our family, our children. It would be catastrophic.”
Sam leaned forward. “Munch, I think she’s right. That scenario, I mean it could be great but it could also ruin everything.”
Lexi looked defeated and Sam couldn’t help but be moved when Jesse leaned forward to squeeze her hand. “Babe, don’t look like that. We’re going to figure this out. I’m sure of it.”
Sam’s phone vibrated in her pocket telling her Lucy was on her way home. “Well, glad I could help here ladies.” She thumped the table once and pushed her chair back. “I’m just kidding. I am going to go though, let you guys finish your dinner.” She zipped her jacket. “Can I just say one thing?” When they looked at her, they were still holding hands. “You’re going to be amazing parents. However you decide to do it.”
“Tell Lucy we said hi,” Jesse said.
“And tell her thanks for the goodies,” Lexi yelled after her.
In the short walk down the path to the rental section, Sam thought about Lexi and Jesse and the decisions ahead of them. It was foreign to her in a way. She’d never thought about having kids the way Lexi always had growing up. She wondered what Lucy wanted. She might ask someday. Not yet, they weren’t even close to those kinds of conversations. Still, she was curious in a way she’d never been about anyone she’d dated in the past. It gave her a small shiver and even though she was wearing a jacket she felt tiny goose bumps line her forearms.
*****
“I just have to update my inventory,” Lucy said opening the door to her living space as Sam followed her inside. “Do you have anything you could work on for a few minutes?”
Sam groaned, grabbing Lucy from behind in the center of the apartment. “I could work on you,” she whispered, placing a small kiss by her ear.
“Mmm,” Lucy responded. “Sit down. Give me a half hour and I’m all yours.”
“Okay.” Sam pouted a little but sat at the end of the couch stretching her legs along the cushions as she grabbed her tablet out of her bag. She was just about to pull up a design she was playing around with when Lucy dropped her stuff on the coffee table and wedged her bottom between Sam’s legs, taking her arms and wrapping herself into a hug.
“Well, hello there.” Sam gently pressed her lips to Lucy’s shoulder blade.
Lucy angled her body. “I’m going to get to my work in one second,” she said, touching Sam’s face with both hands. “But I missed you.” She brushed her lips against Sam’s. “And I’ve wanted to do this for hours.” She leaned all the way forward, her body language screaming for more. They kissed deeply for a good few minutes, and when Lucy moaned, Sam couldn’t help but smile against her lips.
She trailed her mouth down Lucy’s neck before coming back up to kiss her again, smoothing her hands over Lucy’s abdomen. Because of the way they were positioned on the couch, without realizing it right away, Sam’s hand slid down the front of Lucy’s body landing squarely between her legs. At the contact, Lucy spread her legs a touch giving her more access. The move surprised her and she groaned uncontrollably in response. She stopped herself before it went any further.
“Sorry,” she breathed out.
“It’s okay.” Lucy brought Sam’s hand to her lips and kissed her fingers. “I should get my work done, though.”
Sam ushered her forward, kicking off her shoes and putting her feet up on the coffee table as she killed time while Lucy crunched numbers at the opposite end of the sofa. Thirty minutes went by, and Sam flipped the lid of her tablet closed, then slid it into her bag. She swung her legs onto the couch and let her feet make their way to Lucy at the other end. She tapped Lucy’s thigh with her toes.
“Hi,” she said, her voice playful and frisky.
Lucy didn’t look over but her cheeks lifted and her eyes crinkled at the corners. She whacked Sam’s foot. “No distracting me.” Handing Sam the remote, she tried for serious. “I’m almost done. Entertain yourself for a few more minutes.”
“Okay,” Sam fake whined, taking the remote and pointing it at the flat screen. “I hope that means you’re going to entertain me when you’re done.” She was mostly kidding but Lucy held her gaze.
“It just might.”
Sam grinned and shifted her attention to the television, bypassing several action movies that she’d be into, and instead settled on an old black-and-white movie that was well into its plot.
“I love this movie,” Lucy said offhandedly, glancing up from her work.
Sam raised her eyebrows. At twenty-eight, Sam took every opportunity to tease Lucy about their six-and-a-half year age gap. This was perfect. “How old are you, really? Come on, you can tell me.”
“Not. Funny.” Lucy poked the end of her pen into Sam’s shin.
She moved her leg away and Lucy shifted toward her slightly, filling the empty space. “Disagree. I think it’s very funny and possibly true. Seriously”—she paused for dramatic effect—“did you see this in the movie theater? It’s okay, be honest.”
“Brat.” Lucy smiled, leaning forward as she seemed to search for the best place to land a playful slap. In her hesitation, Sam grabbed her forearm and pulled her close.
“Come here.”
She guided Lucy toward her gently, looking in her eyes before kissing her soft and deep. She heard Lucy’s pad and papers slide to the floor. “Sorry, babe. I just needed to kiss you. I’ll pick up your stuff and let you get back to work.”
“No.” Lucy moved her whole body over her and her hair tickled Sam’s cheek. She shook her head. “It can wait.”
Lucy leaned back down and Sam kissed her again. The palm of her hands pressed lightly on Lucy’s ass as they moved against one another. Remembering Lucy’s pleas to go slow, she focused and held back but Lucy moaned loudly into the kiss. She pulled back and sat upright, straddling Sam’s body. She unzipped her thin hoodie and tossed it on the coffee table. Her small breasts curved under the fabric of her T-shirt and Sam was desperate to touch them.
Despite their past conversations, something in Lucy’s eyes told Sam it was okay now, so she let her hands drift up, under her shirt, along her smooth skin. She pulled Lucy back down, her hands in her hair as they kissed. Sam indulged every second and she let her lips find the tender spot just below Lucy’s ear, drifting down her neck and sucking her soft pale skin, stopping herself before she left a mark. She felt Lucy gasp when she touched her breasts over the lace of her bra.
“Is this okay?” she asked, dragging a kiss along her collarbone.
“Uh-huh.” Lucy’s voice was low, and she didn’t open her eyes.
Sam’s kisses were gentle as she worked her way back up Lucy’s neck, breathing in the combination of shampoo, soap, and the faint hint of coffee that still lingered on her skin after a long day at the store. Lucy’s nipples were hard against her hands and she was writhing a little against Sam’s crotch. Sam lifted Lucy’s shirt off. She lowered her head and grazed her mouth along the tops of her breasts before pulling down the lace and letting her tongue circle each nipple. Lucy moaned, low and soft.
“I can slow down if you want.” It came out like a question, even though Sam was pretty sure she was getting green lights all the way.
“No.”
Sam moved from Lucy’s breasts to her mouth, touching their lips together gently as her tongue traced the outline of her soft, full lips. “I don’t want to pressure you,” she whispered. Even though she was dying, she wanted Lucy to know she was sincere.
Lucy’s face was completely flushed, her eyelids heavy. “I can’t resist you when you move like this.”
“Like what?” Sam moved a lock of hair to kiss the other side of Lucy’s face.
“Like the way you’re moving right now.”
“Huh?”
“Oh my God”—Lucy bit her bottom lip—“you don’t even know you’re doing it, do you?”
“Doing what?”
“Your hips, they move when you kiss me. Every time.”
Sam felt her face get hot. “They do?”
“They do.”
She pulled back a little. “Do you want me to stop?”
“God, no.”
Sam leaned in and kissed her hard and soft at the same time, holding their bodies close before she flipped them in one smooth motion. She moved on top of Lucy and positioned herself between her legs. She was grinding a little, and for the first time, she was completely aware of it. She almost couldn’t help it—she was hard as fuck and she could feel her clit pounding through her whole body. Lucy wanted her. It was obvious in everything, from the way she was moving, to her body language, to the way they were kissing. She was ready.
When she moved to kiss her way down Lucy’s torso, Lucy held on to the bottom of her shirt and pulled it off. Sam couldn’t help but smile at the clever maneuver. She kissed her soft flat stomach, letting her tongue graze repeatedly over a raised scar near her belly button. What’s the story there? She might have asked but was immediately distracted when her hand brushed the crotch of Lucy’s yoga pants. They were wet. She looked up at Lucy.
“I know.” She covered her eyes with one hand. “What you do to me.”
“That’s hot.”
“Embarrassing.”
“Sexy.”
Sam crawled back up Lucy’s body, kissing her sweetly at first and then not so sweetly as she inched below her waistline. A quick glance between them told her that Lucy’s panties were the same dark red color as her bra. Perhaps this was in the cards all along. Sam swallowed her smile and slipped one finger under the elastic near the thigh, letting her finger drift over to touch Lucy for real. She went nice and slow, knowing it was going to be fantastic.
When she heard Lucy’s phone sound with the fourth text in under a minute, she stilled her hand.
“Ignore it,” Lucy said.
“You sure?”
“If it was important they’d call.” The words were barely out before the phone rang. “Goddamn it.” Lucy pulled herself upright. “It’s my sister,” she said, obviously recognizing the specific ringtone. “Let me just get rid of her. She’s clearly not going to stop on her own.” Reaching past Sam, she grabbed her phone off the end table. “What, Em?”
For a second Sam watched Lucy listen to her sister. Then she came up behind her, slid her hands under her bralette and covered her breasts with each palm. She felt Lucy’s breathing change at her touch. Sam was loving the effect she had on Lucy, who was writhing ever so slightly and seemed distracted from her conversation. Sam leaned forward to continue her onslaught, but Lucy suddenly moved away.
“Wait. What?” There was a pause. “Now?” Lucy stood up and moved across the room snatching her shirt off the floor. “No, it’s okay. Let me go. I’ll see you in a minute.”
Sam’s interest was piqued at Lucy’s words and she could tell Lucy was frazzled. “My sister is on her way here. Like, now. She’ll be here in a few minutes.” She put her phone down and fixed her bra, throwing her shirt on over it. “It’s a long story. She’s having some problems with her wife.”
“That sucks.” Sam stood up and found her sweater. “Let me get out of your way here,” she added, glancing around for her shoes while trying to get her messy hair back in place.
“No.” Lucy took two steps closer. “Stay. Please?”
“Don’t you want to talk to your sister?”
“Yes, but this is nothing new. They fight a lot.” Lucy sighed. “Emily will hunker down and vent for a while and let Frankie put the kids to bed. Then she’ll go home.” She frowned and seemed to reconsider. “Actually she might crash here. She sounded pissed. But stay anyway. Please?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I want to sleep next to you tonight.” She hooked her pinky on Sam’s belt loop. “I am begging a little here.”
“Hey, it’s fine with me. I don’t want to leave. I was being polite.”
“Well, stop.” Lucy reached up and kissed Sam’s cheek. “I have to change quick.” She darted into the bedroom. “Thank God I answered the phone, by the way,” she called over her shoulder. “Emily has a key and that would have made for one very awkward introduction.”
A minute later, Sam was standing behind the kitchen island when the apartment door opened and Emily stepped inside, a confused look washing across her face at the sight of Sam.
“Hi.” Sam waved. “Lucy’ll be out in a second.” She nodded toward the bedroom. “She just had to do something.” It was a weird statement that didn’t really mean anything. She watched Lucy’s sister’s eyes narrow for a second as she processed, and Sam tried to breeze over it by introducing herself. She extended her hand. “I’m—”
“Sam.” Lucy’s sister smiled, shaking Sam’s hand as she nodded acknowledgment. “It is nice to meet you.” She turned around as Lucy came out of the bedroom.
“Hey, Em.” Lucy hugged her sister and walked over to Sam, rubbing her back affectionately. “You guys met, I see.”
Lucy had changed into worn jeans and a cozy tee with a pretty low V-neck. If it was possible, she looked even better than before.
“Baby sister, you should have told me your girlfriend was here.”
Sam checked a look at Lucy to gauge her reaction to the word they had yet to use for each other. Lucy didn’t even blink.
“Oh, please, like it would have mattered.” Lucy let out a low chuckle. “I know how you are when you get your mind set on something.”
“Still, I feel bad. I’m sorry, Sam,” she said, sticking her tongue at Lucy as she apologized.
Lucy responded in kind and held Sam’s hand all the way to the couch where she curled under her arm as they listened to Emily’s saga. It was nice being witness to Lucy’s interaction with her sister. They clearly adored each other and it was interesting to see Lucy in a completely different environment than the coffee shop. After about an hour, Sam figured she should give them some time alone. She made an excuse about work, grabbed her things, and headed to Lucy’s bedroom.
She didn’t want to seem presumptuous, but Lucy had made it clear that she wanted her to stay, so she stripped down to her boxer briefs and T-shirt and slipped beneath the covers. The sheets were soft and smelled of Lucy and she could feel herself getting turned on already. This was going to be quite a challenge. She busied herself watching old episodes of Friday Night Lights and was almost dozing off when Lucy came into the room.
“How’s your sister?” Sam asked through a yawn.
Lucy frowned and made a so-so gesture with one hand. “She thinks her wife is cheating on her.”
“Really?” Sam put her device on the night table next to her. “Is she?”
Lucy twisted her mouth to the side obviously considering. “Eh, I doubt it. I just think that Frankie can be a piece of work sometimes.” She crossed to the dresser and took off her watch. “I mean, I get that she works a lot, but still. My sister does everything. She takes care of the kids and the apartment and has her own job.” She slid her jeans off. “It wouldn’t kill her to pitch in more when she’s home.” She pulled her shirt over her head, sliding in next to Sam in her lacy bra and panties.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Sam leaned on one arm and her eyes took in the length of Lucy’s body. “This is what you’re sleeping in?”
Lucy laughed. “Is that a problem?”
Sam ran her hand along the curve of Lucy’s waist up to and over the fabric of her bra. She kissed Lucy lightly and said in a soft, husky voice, “You’re torturing me. You know that, right?”
Lucy smiled against her lips. “I’m actually being kind.” She let her tongue graze Sam’s mouth as she spoke. “This is way more than I usually wear to bed.”
Sam kissed her good and hard before pulling away with a huge sigh. “Please tell me your sister is not going to be here tomorrow night.”
Lucy turned and curled into Sam’s body, taking her arm and wrapping it all the way around her waist. She kissed Sam sweetly. “Tomorrow it’s just me and you. I promise.”
“Will you close the store early?” Sam breathed out. “Like, noon, maybe?”
“It’s trivia night. So no.” Lucy chuckled again. Sam half laughed, half groaned with her. “Oh my God, I’m not gonna make it.” She rested her forehead on Lucy’s shoulder in mock defeat.
“I promise, you’ll survive. And when you do, I will so make it worth the wait. One more day. Okay, babe?”
Sam smiled into Lucy’s hair. The way she felt in this moment, about this woman, she would wait way longer than a day if Lucy wanted her to. But she kept that truth to herself. Instead she whimpered assent, hugged her close, and kissed her bare shoulder. It was going to be an excruciating twenty-four hours. “Good night, Luce.”
*****
From the moment her phone woke her with a text from Blynn at an ungodly hour, Sam’s day began its slow but steady veer off course. Their client wanted hands-on attention and the whole team was making the two-and-a-half hour journey to Hartford, Connecticut, to give them what they were paying for. At first, she still believed that she’d be back in Staten Island at a decent hour. Now, at seven p.m., hotel rooms had been secured and the prospect of going home tonight was long gone. Tomorrow wasn’t looking much better. It should be good news—the customer was pleased and kept adding on to the project. Her bonus would surely reflect her efforts, but right now she couldn’t care less about the money. She wanted one thing—Lucy.
She barely ate her dinner or participated in the conversation as her colleagues tossed around ideas for the expanded platform. She drained the last of her Jack and Coke and was pleased when the waiter noticed and brought another straightaway. She was hoping the alcohol would dull the pain she felt over what she was missing tonight. Even when she tried to focus, her mind drifted back to Lucy in her bed, in her arms, in her lacy bra and out of it. The thought made her pulse race.
“Where are you right now, Sam?”
Blynn’s voice held more irritation than curiosity and Sam apologized immediately. This was still a working dinner. She should at least try to pay attention.
“Let’s call it a night, people,” Blynn ordered, essentially dismissing them. “We’ll pick this back up tomorrow at nine.” The crew gathered their belongings and said good night, but with a nearly full drink, Sam didn’t move. Blynn stayed put as well and Sam watched her eyes follow their colleagues out of the restaurant before she faced her.
“Keep your head in the game when we’re working, Sam.”
“Yep.” She shook the ice in her drink. “Sorry about that.”
“That’s better.” Blynn took a sip of her wine and moved slightly closer. “I know it was a long day.” Sam felt a hand on her knee under the table and tried to move her chair, but she was backed into the corner against the wall.
“We have the whole night to work out”—she made a small circle with her wineglass—“whatever it is that’s got you so completely distracted.”
“About that…” Sam started.
Blynn’s hand sped up her leg until it hit her crotch. Sam jerked and reached down to grab it. “Blynn.”
Blynn frowned dramatically, still dominating the conversation. “Well that’s sad.” She sulked a little. “I so hoped you’d already be wearing it for me.” She licked her lips slowly and suggestively. “No matter.” Leaning forward, she whispered, “Finish your drink and go get ready. I can’t wait to have your dick inside me.”
She hated herself for it, but Sam throbbed hard at the overt suggestion. It was racy and over the top but it embodied the very things she enjoyed about their arrangement. There was no pretense. Blynn was direct about what she wanted, and in the past Sam had always been more than willing to give it to her. The chemistry between them was unbelievable. Maybe it was their circumstance or the shifting of their boardroom to bedroom dynamic. Sam was almost tempted, but when Blynn stood from the table, Sam stopped her. “Wait.”
“Is there a problem?” Her voice was completely condescending.
“Sit down for a second.”
Blynn looked around and sat back down, obviously annoyed at the need for more conversation.
“Blynn, I can’t.”
“Can’t what?”
“Do this.” Sam wagged two fingers between them. “Not anymore. I’m sorry.”
Blynn looked up at the ceiling and let out a frustrated sigh. “What’s going on with you, Sam? You were out of it all day.” She held her hands up, clearly expecting an explanation. “And now suddenly you have a conscience?”
Even though she was confused by the comment, she let it go. “I’m kind of with someone.”
“Well, good for you.” Blynn smirked. She waited a second, jutting out her chin before she spoke. “We’re not dating, Sam. We’re fucking. You’ll forgive me if I don’t really care about the nuances of your love life.”
“Jesus, Blynn.” Sam shook her head. “That’s not what I meant. I like this girl.” Sam looked right at her.
Blynn raised her eyebrows in obvious challenge. “And what, you think I don’t like my wife? Feelings don’t factor in. That’s the beauty of it.”
“Hold on a second.” Sam held up her hand. “You’re married?”
“Please, Sam, don’t play dumb. It’s beneath you.”
“I didn’t know,” Sam admitted in a low voice.
They had never, ever talked about their personal lives. Sam rarely worked at the office, so she simply didn’t keep up with the day-to-day the way some of her co-workers did. She liked it that way. Work was work. This tidbit about Blynn’s private life threw her for a loop. Even though when she took a moment to process, it made complete sense. Blynn was a beautiful, smart, successful woman in her thirties. Of course she wasn’t single. Sam sank into her chair letting the truth resonate. Had she simply avoided the obvious because it was convenient for her? She huffed out a breath, disappointed in herself on multiple levels.
“Look, Blynn.” She struggled for the right words. “Obviously I think you’re attractive, and I really…have a good time with you.” Did that sound insensitive? She cringed inside but held eye contact. “This girl is special. I’m sorry.” She paused for a second before continuing. “I hope this won’t affect our working relationship—”
“Christ, Sam. Grow up.” Blynn flicked her hair off her shoulders. “Just bring your fucking A game tomorrow. You were a goddamn train wreck today.” She stood up and backed away. “I hope your little girlfriend is worth it,” she added with an obnoxious smile. “But when you decide she isn’t”—she tilted her head in subtle invitation—“you know where to find me.”
Sam peered through the glass wall that separated the hotel restaurant from the lobby as Blynn sashayed to the elevator. God, she was sexy. But damn, all she could think about was Lucy. Out of the blue it occurred to her they had never discussed being exclusive. She smiled to herself. It didn’t matter. She only wanted one person right now. And it was not her persuasive sexy pseudo-boss or the temptation of a sure thing.
She reached for her phone, secretly hoping to steal a few minutes of playful chitchat with Lucy before things got under way at the coffee shop. She chewed the inside of her cheek as her thumbs banged away, excited to hear the tidbits of Lucy’s day. But first things first. She missed Lucy’s gorgeous face, so she fired off a quick request and crossed her fingers in hopes Lucy would comply.
Show me you.
*****
“Hey, Luce, your phone is blowing up over here,” Meg called from the counter of the coffee shop. “Where did you want me to put this?” She lifted a box full of napkin refills as Lucy approached.
“Could you put those in the back for me?” Lucy stopped to read her message. “Thanks, Meg.”
“Please tell me you’re texting Sam and she’s on her way.”
“I am, but she’s not coming.” Lucy held her phone at arm’s length above her, angling and smiling as she spoke. “She’s away for work.”
“Oh my God, are you sending her a selfie?”
“Do you need another assignment?” Lucy said in response.
“When you’re done making goo-goo eyes at each other, tell her I said hi, and she fucked us over for tonight.”
“Sure,” Lucy answered, barely paying attention.
Meg laughed at Lucy, as she watched two more people filter in off the street. Bay Westers. Cool. She nodded at them from across the space. Trivia night was her favorite. For starters, it drew a completely random crowd. Over in one corner she recognized a mature foursome from last month. They’d been formidable opponents, surprising everyone by owning the pop culture questions. The college crowd was arriving in bursts—the students first, then a few TAs by the looks of them. Sometimes a crew of profs even joined the ranks. It was a good time. Lucy and her staff kept the coffee and sweets coming, including bonus cookies or espresso shots for the team that took each round. Overall winners scored free coffee for a week, with the runners-up snagging a four-pack of five-dollar gift cards. Not bad for a night of competitive fun.
Lexi and Jesse arrived and Meg greeted them at the door. “Hey. You guys heard Sam’s away?” She watched them exchange a look. “So it’s just the three of us.” She ushered them over to a table near the counter. “Too bad we didn’t know sooner. I would have tried to grab Tracy or Betsy. I mean, it’s so not their thing, but you never know.”
Lexi smiled. “Well, who knows, maybe we can pick up a solo.”
Meg went to the bar and grabbed three lattes and a few peanut butter bars. She turned around and almost dropped her loot when she spotted Sasha in the doorway. God knew how long she would have kept staring if she hadn’t been distracted by Lexi waving Sasha over enthusiastically. They got to the table at the same time.
“Sasha, do you have a team already?” Lexi’s voice was animated.
“Uh, no.”
“Awesome. Play with us. We’re short anyway.”
Meg put their drinks on the table, still in shock over what was happening. “Do you want coffee or something?” She knew she sounded confused—even she could hear it in her voice.
“I can get it,” Sasha said.
Meg looked at her friends’ blank faces but said nothing, choosing instead to follow Sasha the short distance to the counter. Catching the end of her drink order, Meg added, “And a peanut butter bar.” Sasha looked at her in question. “Trust me.”
“Okay. And a peanut butter bar,” Sasha said to the girl ringing her up.
There was no way to mask her surprise, so Meg owned it. “What are you doing here, Sash?” She grabbed a few extra napkins while Sasha waited for her change.
“I heard this was a fun thing.” She lifted her paper cup with a little whimsy. “I wanted to check it out.” A smile played at the corner of her mouth. “Not gonna lie. Based on the location, and how much you love stuff like this, I thought I might run into you.” She secured her money in her purse and scooped up her treat. “I hope that’s okay.”
“Yeah, of course.” Meg didn’t know how to feel about that statement, so she pushed it right out of her mind and got into game mode. “Have you played before?” She was pretty sure the answer was no, but figured she should ask anyway. Sasha hung out at gay bars now, so who knows what else she might have explored since they’d last spent time together. “Like, at a bar or whatever?”
“No.” She winced. “Should I be nervous?”
Meg smiled reassuringly. “Not at all.” She pulled Sasha’s chair out for her reflexively. “Lucy does a three game cycle. Each game has five rounds with five questions in each. Every time a team wins a round, they get, like, a fancy coffee shot she’s got all whipped up and ready to go. It’s usually flavored—pumpkin, French vanilla, something like that.”
“They’re amazeballs,” Lexi said, getting her two cents in.
“Sometimes they throw in a cookie too, or whatever else she has on hand.” Meg tapped her latte on the table. “At the end of the night whichever team is the overall winner gets a free pass.” She waved her hand around the shop. “Drinks on the house all week.”
“Great. I’m ready.”
“That probably doesn’t help you much, huh?” Jesse lifted her cup and gestured to it with her chin. “Free coffee.”
“No big.” Sasha shrugged and smiled. “I’m here for the company.”
“And the competition,” Lexi chimed in, raising her coffee.
“You may live to regret this, Sash.” Meg held her thumb and index finger a fraction of an inch apart. “We have, on occasion, gotten a wee bit carried away.”
“Nope. I’m down.” Sasha lifted her drink to meet Lexi’s. “I’ll tell you right off, I know nothing about sports. Pop culture, music, obscure history”—she pointed her finger at herself—“look no farther, I’m your girl.”
“Looks like we have ourselves a killer team.” Jesse joined the toast.
Meg was only a half second behind her, meeting the gang in the center of the table with her drink. She could feel the cheesy smile plastered across her face. She didn’t care. Even though she wasn’t exactly sure what this night would hold, there were games, great people, and coffee. She was in heaven.
*****
Almost three hours later, they walked in pairs along the main road that stretched from Lucy’s up to Bay West, each armed with a punch card entitling them to a week of free beverages. Nearing the entrance, Sasha lingered, not making the turn into the development.
“I guess this is where I leave you.” Her slight laugh held some angst.
Meg felt it too. Against her better judgment, she wasn’t ready for their time together to be over. “Right,” she managed.
“Thanks for letting me join you guys.” Sasha looked right at Meg. “It was a really great night.”
If things had been at all different, if they’d been buddies instead of exes, Meg would have invited Sasha back to her house, insist that she crash for the night in lieu of going back to the city by herself. But they weren’t. They’d had a terrible breakup and since then had hung out exactly two times in the last year. That barely constituted friendship. Still, she could be kind.
“Do you want me to walk you up to the bus stop? I can wait with you until the express bus comes.”
Sasha shook her head, a thin smile etched across her gorgeous face. “No, thanks. I’m okay.” She pulled out her phone. “I downloaded the schedule. The X1 will be here in just a few minutes.”
“You sure?”
Sasha reached into her bag and retrieved the coffee voucher. She held it out to Meg. “Here, give this to one of your friends.”
Meg frowned, taking it reluctantly. “Sort of blows that you get nothing for the win.”
Sasha’s smile reached her eyes. “I wouldn’t say nothing.” Meg couldn’t help but notice the lilt in her voice when she responded. Sasha stepped forward and placed a small kiss on Meg’s cheek. Backing away, she gave Lexi and Jesse each a small wave before she turned and bounced in the direction of the service road.
Meg was still watching her firm bottom sway with each step when Jesse squeezed both shoulders and leaned into her ear. “Now that, my young Padawan, that was something.”