Playing Catch-Up

by Zoey Lennox

  “No, it’s okay. Come on in.” Struggling under the weight of her shopping, she bent to retrieve her keys before ushering Ramie inside.

  With the door shut behind them, Alexis flipped on the light.

  “Jesus,” she said upon getting her first good look at Ramie. “How long have you been waiting out there?” Her clothes were plastered to her body, and her hair hung in rats’ tails about her face.

  Ramie shrugged. “Not too long. About half an hour.”

  What was she thinking? It must be approaching zero degrees out there.

  “You’ll freeze to death if you don’t get out of those wet clothes.” Alexis set her shopping bags on the floor and rummaged inside a chest of drawers. “Here,” she said, handing over a pair of well-worn jogging bottoms. “Put these on.”

  Ramie took the offering and held out a soggy bouquet of roses in exchange.

  “These are for you. They’re kind of ruined. Sorry.”

  Red roses. Alexis couldn’t help but compare them to the red-tipped yellow bunch she’d brought on their first date. Lauren had claimed petals with red tips symbolised friendship turning into romance. Alexis could only hope the red roses were a sign that things had now progressed.

  “They’re lovely. Thank you.” She closed her eyes as she brought the flowers to her nose, inhaling their distinctive scent. They’d eventually stand in pride of place at her window, but for now they’d have to stay in the kitchen sink until she got a vase.

  When she turned to face Ramie again, the atmosphere was strained. She didn’t know the protocol for this type of situation. What should she say or do?

  Ramie broke the tension by holding up the fresh set of clothes Alexis had given her. “Well, I guess I’ll go and get changed.” She scurried into the bathroom and shut the door.

  So, Ramie wasn’t going to undress in front of her now?

  With a heavy heart, Alexis began to remove her own clothes. She was just pulling on her favourite baggy sweatshirt when Ramie came out of the bathroom.

  “Uh, sorry.” Ramie’s cheeks stained a deep red. “I thought you’d be changed by now.”

  Unfazed, Alexis took her time pulling the sweatshirt down over her bare breasts. It was nothing Ramie hadn’t seen before, and if she was being honest with herself, she kind of liked the response she was getting.

  She gathered her hair into a messy bun. “Do you want a drink?”

  Ramie perched uneasily on the edge of the futon. “No thanks. I had a latte on the way over. Can we talk? I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I’ve been rehearsing my speech all day and I’m going to forget it if I don’t get it out of me soon.”

  “Okay.” Alexis sat down on the other end of the futon and braced herself for the worst.

  “I’m so sorry, Lex.”

  “Sorry for what?” Alexis’s voice was barely a whisper. Any louder and she feared the sob she was holding back was liable to fly out of her mouth.

  “For making such a big production out of making this decision. Of course I want to give you more. I always have done. I’ve just been terrified of putting myself out there after everything I’ve lost.”

  “You mean Kenya?”

  “Yeah. It took months to get my life back together after we broke up. She completely obliterated me mentally. I thought if I could just keep any future relationships casual, I’d be able to protect myself, but then you came along and made me feel things I wasn’t ready to.”

  Alexis took Ramie’s hand. “I’m not here to hurt you. I’m not Kenya. I’m just looking for a little clarification. To know I’m more than this random woman you have sex with.”

  Ramie’s eyes swung up to meet Alexis’s. “Of course you’re more than some random woman to me.” The vehemence in her voice made Alexis shrink back. “The problem is, I like you too much. I really don’t think you know the power you hold over me. I may have lost my home to Kenya, but I stand to lose my heart to you.”

  The hairs on the back of Alexis’s neck stood on end. “Oh, baby.”

  She wanted to make her own confession, tell Ramie she’d already lost her own heart, but she didn’t dare. She’d only just gotten Ramie to open up. She didn’t want to scare her off again. She pressed her lips to Ramie’s mouth instead, knowing a kiss could transcend words. Words that might otherwise be too frightening to hear.

  For a moment that was way too short, she was able to block out all the worry and doubt. There was just her and Ramie and the sweet taste of Ramie’s lips against hers as she strived to convey the depth of her feelings.

  When Alexis broke the kiss, Ramie leaned in and rested her forehead against Alexis’s. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.” Her breath came out hot against Alexis’s cheek. “You’re sexy as hell, love narrowboat life, and never complain about the time I spend at the centre with the kids. If you want more, I’ll gladly give it to you. All I ask in return is that you’re patient with me. It’s going to take time for me to get over my hang-ups, but if we go slowly, I’ll get there eventually.”

  Be patient? Alexis could do that. She tilted her head and kissed Ramie again, this time letting loose all the passion and desire that had been building inside her.

  “I need you,” she murmured into Ramie’s mouth.

  She slid off the futon to kneel between Ramie’s legs and tugged at her jogging bottoms.

  “Take these off, baby. I want to taste you.”

  Doubt filled Ramie’s eyes. “Are you sure? You don’t have to.”

  Alexis delivered a quick peck to Ramie’s lips. “I’m positive.”

  The uncertainty left Ramie’s eyes and she scrambled to push the soft material down her legs and free from her ankles.

  Alexis could understand Ramie’s concern. This was one of the few sexual acts she had yet to perform. She had wanted to, badly, but with Ramie insisting their relationship was casual and her own rampant emotions wanting the opposite, she had held off partaking in the ultimate intimate act, thinking it wise to draw a clear line in the sand. With that line now affectively wiped out, there was no holding Alexis back. She was desperate to reconnect, and she couldn’t think of a better way.

  “You’re gorgeous,” she said as she gently parted Ramie’s legs. The skin on her thighs was baby soft, and Alexis trailed a row of wet kisses along each leg in turn until she reached the apex of Ramie’s heat.

  “Jesus, you’re killing me here.” Ramie lifted her hips, seeking Alexis’s mouth. “Lick me. Now. Please.”

  Alexis was only too happy to oblige. Insinuating her shoulders between Ramie’s spread thighs, she inhaled deeply before leaning in close. She had no idea what she was doing, but she didn’t care. She had gotten to know Ramie’s body well, and that knowledge, paired with her insatiable thirst, obliterated any self-doubt she may have had.

  Her tongue slid against Ramie’s slippery flesh for the first time and they both groaned.

  Her imagination hadn’t done this justice at all. Ramie was a combination of musky and sweet and as she lapped up the addictive nectar, she quickly became intoxicated. Sucking gently on swollen lips, she circled Ramie’s rigid clit with her tongue.

  Ramie fisted Alexis’s hair. “Keep that up and you’ll make me come.”

  Alexis winced as individual strands of her hair were pulled taut but stayed focused on her task. She wanted to show Ramie just how much she loved her. She might not be able to say it in words yet, but she could try to communicate with her tongue.

  She batted Ramie’s clit before drawing it into her mouth, loving the way it pulsed from within.

  Alexis was losing control. Every one of her senses was overwhelmed by everything that was Ramie. The hot flesh straining against her face, the delicious scent coating her skin. She had never felt so close to anyone and she hummed in contentment.

  “I’m coming!” The muscles in Ramie’s thighs tightened, and she thrust her hips up, pushing herself further into Alexis’s mouth.

  Alexis met her gaze, silently rejoicing when she found
no panic or fear in Ramie’s lust-filled eyes. She kept suckling on the bundle of nerves between her lips, unwilling to sever the connection she’d been craving for so long. Only when the pulses died down, and Ramie’s body went limp, did Alexis finally draw back.

  “Was that good, baby?”

  She crawled back onto the futon and pressed a soft kiss to Ramie’s sweaty brow.

  “It was wonderful.”

  Plastered against Ramie’s side, Alexis traced patterns onto the silky skin of her belly. “Thank you for finally deciding to let me in,” she whispered.

  Ramie grabbed Alexis’s hand and turned so they were face to face. “I’m sorry it took me so long to drop my guard.”

  “It’s okay.” Alexis smiled. “You were worth the wait.” She stared into Ramie’s eyes and gathered the courage to say the words she’d been dying to say for weeks. “Does this mean we’re officially girlfriends now?”

  “Definitely.” Ramie mirrored Alexis’s smile.

  “Exclusive girlfriends?” Alexis had to ask. “Because I must admit, ever since I saw you dolled up at the centre, I’ve been worried you might be seeing other women. Have you?” she asked, her gaze skittering away. Since the seed of doubt had been planted, she’d fastidiously tried not to think about it as it had made her heart hurt.

  There was a moment of silence before Ramie’s eyes widened.

  “What? No! Of course I haven’t been seeing other people.” She scrunched up her nose as she no doubt tried to recall the day in question. “Are you talking about the Saturday evening Lacey got attacked?”

  Alexis cleared her throat. “Yeah.”

  “Oh sweetheart.” Ramie laughed. “I wasn’t seeing anyone. I was dressed up because I’d been trying on outfits to wear to the fundraiser. You know how little free time I have at the moment. I thought I’d multitask while no one else was around.”

  “Oh.” A blush burned Alexis’s cheeks. All that worry for nothing.

  “You don’t have to worry about me ever dating anyone else,” Ramie said as she coaxed Alexis onto her back and straddled her stomach. “There wouldn’t be any point. No one could compete with you.”

  Chapter 21

  As Alexis sat in the back office of the LGBTQ centre counting out donations from the centre’s fundraising tins, Ramie leaned over her shoulder and placed a mug of steaming tea onto the coaster by her computer.

  “Here you go, hon.”

  “Thanks, baby.” Alexis smiled at the affection that shone from Ramie’s eyes and snatched a quick kiss before she could straighten.

  Her relationship with Ramie seemed to be on a better path since their heart to heart. Still, communication was going to be key going forward. Checking in and discussing minor niggles before they became bigger ones.

  For once, everything was going well in Alexis’s life—with the exception of the lies she’d been forced to tell. She kept telling herself they were no big deal. That they were a means to an end and were no longer valid. But that didn’t ease her conscience.

  Her fretting was interrupted when Kenya slammed a bunch of paperwork on her desk across the small office. She’d been camped out there since Alexis had arrived several hours earlier, giving a ‘fuck off’ vibe to anyone who dared to venture near.

  “You didn’t happen to make me a cup of tea too, did you?” she asked Ramie. “I’m up to my neck with fundraising tasks here.”

  “Um, no, sorry. There were only a few dregs of milk left in the fridge.”

  “Are you serious?” Kenya let out a frustrated breath. “I’ve been working my arse off all day and your little girlfriend swipes the last of the milk?”

  “Cut it out, Ken. Lex is working for free, remember? The least we can offer her is a cup of tea.”

  Alexis wanted to laugh as Kenya struggled to think of a comeback; she was used to the little digs by now and even found them funny occasionally.

  Kenya slumped back in her seat and scrubbed at her face. Her usually pristine hair was frizzing out of her chignon and her mascara was smudged. “Sorry. I’m just stressed out to the max with all this fundraiser stuff. I’m running out of time and still have so much to do.”

  Wow. Was Alexis hearing right? Was that an actual apology? Against her better judgement, she offered, “I can help you out with a few things if you like.”

  That’s what she was here for, after all, and if reducing Kenya’s workload prevented her from becoming a raging bitch, then it was a win-win situation for everyone.

  Kenya scoffed. “No thanks. The centre’s counting on me to pull off a professional event. I can’t afford to have some novice doing a half-arsed job.”

  “All right, Ken, that’s enough.” Ramie rested a protective hand on Alexis’s leg. “If you haven’t got anything nice to say, I suggest you keep it to yourself. No one wants to hear your bullshit.”

  Kenya tutted and Ramie turned back around to focus on her work. “Ignore her.” She winked at Alexis.

  Not a problem. There was a time when Kenya’s behaviour might have bothered Alexis, but not anymore. She was through trying to impress the woman. If Kenya was too proud to accept her help, she would be the one to ultimately suffer.

  “So…” Ramie said. “How have we done with collection tins?”

  Having fastidiously calculated the results, Alexis read off the total. “Two hundred and seventeen pounds and eight pence.” Not too shabby, if she did say so herself.

  “Are you serious?” Ramie clearly didn’t agree. “That’s the third month in a row collections have been down. If things don’t pick up soon, we’re going to be in trouble. We’ve already been pummelled with a rent hike.”

  Kenya left her desk and headed for the shredder with a folder. “It’s probably just the time of year. It’s only the end of November. Things will pick up in the new year. You’ll see.”

  Ramie leaned her elbows on the desk and massaged her temples. “I doubt it. November and December are typically our most lucrative months. Everyone starts tightening their belts in the new year.”

  A ruckus sounded from the front of the building, and Alexis poked her head into the hallway to see what the fuss was about.

  “Is that Lacey?” she wondered aloud.

  From her vantage point, she could just about make out a shock of long blonde hair as the new arrival hobbled through the front door. She couldn’t see much else as an overly vocal Corey and Jed obscured her vision.

  Ramie came to stand beside her. “You know what? I think it is. What on earth is she doing here?”

  She stomped into the front room with Alexis in pursuit. “Lacey. How did you get here? You should be at home resting.”

  Lacey rolled her eyes and leaned into Taylor, who guided her to one of the sofas. “I’m fine. Stop lecturing me. The doctor said I should keep moving around, so that’s what I’m doing.”

  Ramie frowned. “I’m betting he meant light movement, not hauling yourself across town in all weathers.”

  Three weeks had passed since the assault, and although Lacey was still obviously experiencing some pain with her broken ribs, her face was devoid of any trace of her ordeal.

  “How are you feeling?” Alexis asked before immediately chastising herself. What a stupid question.

  Lacey held her ribs and winced as Taylor eased her down onto the sofa. “Sore, but I’ll live, thanks.”

  Lacey seemed different since the attack. Hardier. More determined.

  Corey plopped down beside her and she let out a gasp.

  “Hey, watch what you’re doing,” Taylor warned. She was a veritable mother hen, poised to strike out at anyone who injured her charge.

  “Sorry.” Corey grimaced and moved to the far edge of the cushion. “We were watching Lord of the Rings before you arrived, but I can switch it for one of your shows if you like.”

  Lacey nodded and Corey jumped up to fulfil her request.

  How sweet. Alexis never would have thought she’d see the day when those two got along. That was just about the only
good thing to come out of this horrendous experience.

  “Did you hear Tom got sentenced to six months in prison?” Taylor asked. “The judge threw the book at him after taking a look at his record.”

  Ramie perched on the arm of the sofa. “Yeah, I did. And good riddance, I say. The streets will be a lot safer.”

  “Amen to that,” Jed agreed.

  The front door creaked open, and an older woman breezed into the centre.

  “Hello, my lovelies! Just here to drop off some more collection tins!”

  Her curly grey hair sprung out of her head in long, tight coils that brushed the top of the cardboard box she carried in her arms.

  “Hi, Miriam.” Ramie smiled. “If you could take them through to the back and leave them with Kenya, that would be great, thanks.”

  Miriam gave Ramie a brisk nod and disappeared into the back of the centre. When she reappeared a few minutes later, her hands were empty.

  “How did we do?” Ramie asked.

  Her concern for the centre’s revenue was catching. Alexis hated to think what would happen if they couldn’t raise enough money to pay the bills. Would the landlord show some compassion? She bloody hoped so. They were doing brilliant work.

  “Fantastic if the weight of the tins is anything to go by. The folk of Wyvale have been generous. No matter how hard up they get, they always manage to give a little something to help their community.”

  Ramie’s brow furrowed. “That’s odd. Takings have been down by quite a bit so far.”

  “Really? The batch I dropped off yesterday seemed just as plentiful. Do you think you could have miscalculated?”

  “No, the totals are spot-on. Maybe a few tins got mislaid along the way. I should go back and see if I can round up any strays.” She headed for the back with Alexis on her heels.

  The office door was closed. “Kenya?” Ramie called out, swinging it open and stepping inside.

  Kenya stood at her desk, transferring the contents of two collection tins into a plastic pouch.

  “What are you doing?” Ramie asked.