by Cassidy Ryan
Chaise laughed and pulled me close again. It was a strange sensation to feel breasts pressed so close to my own, but certainly not a bad one. “It's definitely a good wow."
Relief flooded me. My hand on her neck found its way into her hair. I twined my fingers in the silky strands and breathed in her scent. “So, what happens now?"
"Whatever we want to happen.” One of her hands had slipped under the hem of my sweater and was stroking the skin above the waistband of my slacks. A pleasant tingle ran up my spine. “But I think we should take it slowly. I don't want to rush you into anything that you might not be ready for."
I nodded, pleased with her answer. “So, we ... date?” Oh God, did that sound horribly immature?
"I'd like that. How about dinner tomorrow night?” She nuzzled lightly at my ear
"Sounds good.” I tilted my head slightly to give her more access as she worked her way down to my neck. “Just one thing."
Chaise raised her head and looked at me. “What's that?"
Shit! I could feel myself blushing again. “Do you ... uh, do you kiss on the first date?"
"I wouldn't be averse to that.” One corner of her mouth lifted and her eyes glittered playfully.
I swallowed with some difficulty. “Because, you know, technically, I think this is actually our first date."
Her pupils definitely flared this time. “I think you might be right. Technically.” She raised one hand until it was resting at the nape of my neck, and almost in slow motion she lowered her head and brought our lips together.
It was different—where I was used to firm lips and a whisker rough jaw, Chaise was all soft and smooth. And hot. Oh, so very hot. My lips parted automatically, and she briefly dipped her tongue inside before quickly retreating. Wanting more, I pressed closer and a little moan escaped my throat. Chaise seemed to understand, because she touched her tongue to my bottom lip, ran it back and forth a few times, then slipped it into my mouth. Heat flooded my body, and the hand I had on her shoulder tightened.
It was over far too soon. When Chaise raised her head I let my eyes drift open and looked at her, feeling a little dazed. She wasn't looking too composed herself.
"I've said it before, and I'll say it again.” She grinned widely. “Wow!"
* * * *
Since the dawn of time, it seemed, every member of the Stuart family had gathered together on Saturday afternoon at my grandparents’ house to eat food stuffed with enough fat, salt and cholesterol to fell a herd of elephants—cooked, of course, by the women, and when the meal was over the woman would retreat to the kitchen to do the clean up and gossip while the men went out to the garden to play touch football or basketball or talk about cars or something equally manly. I'm the only woman in the family who hadn't married by twenty and become a mother by twenty years and nine months. Instead, I chose to go to college and on to law school. As a result I was something of an oddity in the family—though no less loved than any other member of the clan. I'd never really been able to join in the conversations about PTA meetings and the latest sale at Target, and I'd never been invited to volunteer any information about my career. It kept me on the edges a little and, while that didn't usually bother me, sometimes it made me a bit uncomfortable, like I didn't quite fit.
That Saturday I was more than a little distracted thinking about my upcoming date with Chaise and about the kiss we had shared—every time I thought about it my lips tingled and warmth spread from my belly through my blood. I couldn't remember ever feeling that level of anticipation leading up to a date with a man.
Everything with my family is a routine: arrive at gran's at twelve, cook dinner and set the table, eat at one, start the clean up at two, gather in the kitchen with the women to talk about the week—or Helen Johnson's new hairdo, or Marge Bellfield's ne'er-do-well son. I tried to smile when my cousin Lacy, holding her new baby son like some kind of trophy, smiled indulgently at me and told me not to worry, that women where having babies in their forties now. At about three my mother would start telling me that I was too thin, that I should let my hair grow out, that I was working too hard and that I wasn't getting any younger and it wasn't good for a woman to wait too long to have her first child. Gran would then chip in and update me on the status of the single men in the neighborhood. By half past three I was ready to leave. I usually managed to escape by about four, never empty handed. Mom and gran always loaded me down with enough food to freeze to keep me going through the week.
It wasn't the best part of my week, but it was four hours out of my life spent with people who loved me and wanted the best for me, so it was never really a chore.
It was nearly five when I arrived home that day. I was meeting Chaise at the restaurant at seven, so I decided to have a long bath with a glass of Chardonnay and a few Godiva chocolates. I was feeling pretty mellow by the time I sat at the dressing table putting on my make-up. I took more time and care than usual even though I just applied my normal light foundation, a touch of eye shadow, mascara and lipstick. I tousled my hair with a little mousse and spritzed on some perfume. I had splurged on a new outfit—a simple, black dress with thin straps and some beads on the bodice that just brushed my knees. I added strappy back sandals, a beaded purse and a deep red shawl to add some color.
I took a taxi and arrived at the restaurant, Mango, a few minutes after seven. The Maitre d’ showed me to a table where Chaise was already waiting. She stood when she saw me coming, and quite literally stole the breath from my lungs. She looked stunning in a figure hugging, red dress with her blonde hair glowing under the lights. She smiled and when I was close enough she leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek.
"If we weren't taking things slowly I'd throw you down and fuck you right here.” Her voice was a soft whisper at my ear.
I shivered and bit the inside of my lip. “I think I might let you."
When we were seated across from each other, the Maitre d’ nodded politely and summoned a waiter.
"Would you like something to drink while you make your decision?” The young man handed us each a leather-bound menu.
We ordered a bottle of Chardonnay, and the waiter left us to consider the menu. I studied the menu with fake intensity, my eyes occasionally glancing over the top in Chaise's direction. The third time, our eyes met and I smiled a little sheepishly.
"Don't you just hate those first awkward moments of a first date?” I asked.
Chaise lowered her menu. “You're forgetting that we've already had our first date. And our first kiss” She gave me a very private smile.
At her words I felt a little tingle of desire run through my body and bit the inside of my lip.
A glint of mischief entered her eyes. “You're not cold, are you?"
Confused, I frowned. The temperature in the restaurant was pleasantly comfortable.
Chaise's eyes dropped briefly, and I automatically followed the direction of her gaze. My eyes came to rest on my breasts; specifically my nipples pushing almost demandingly at the material of my dress. I felt myself blush hotly and closed my eyes.
"I'm sorry; I shouldn't tease. But I do love the way you blush” I felt her hand touch mine and opened my eyes in time to see her fingers pass lightly over my knuckles before retreating. She grinned and picked up her menu again. “I'll be good."
I could still feel her touch on my skin. “Not too good, I hope?” I hadn't planned the words, but I didn't regret them when they came out.
She raised an eyebrow, but the waiter arrived before she could reply.
Chaise ordered the chicken primavera while I chose a seafood salad. By the time we were halfway through our meal all awkwardness was gone—of course that could have had something to do with the bottle of wine we shared. But I was sure that the pleasant buzz thrumming in my blood had less to do with the wine than it did the company.
Chaise was indeed good company. She talked enthusiastically about her friends, about Goddess, and about her baby—a red Ducati motorcycle. She was
also genuinely interested in what I had to say; she asked me about my work and my family and listened intently while I spoke. By the time we had eaten a dessert of raspberry crème brulee, and the bill arrived, I was surprised to find that we had been sitting there for nearly two hours. I was reluctant to see the evening end, so when Chaise suggested a night cap at Angel, I readily accepted. Plus, as sappy as it sounds, I had already come to think of Angel as our place. We'd had our first dance there, our first kiss.
The house band was playing something soft and bluesy. We danced several times, real up close and personal, not a breath of air could get between us kind of dances. It was after one when we finally left Angel. I desperately wanted to invite Chaise back to my place, but common sense—and the fact that I wouldn't have known what to do with her once we got there—held my tongue, and we shared a brief but satisfying kiss before exchanging phone numbers and getting taxis to go home.
When I got back to my apartment I closed the door behind me, leaned back against it and grinned hugely.
"Best date ever!"
* * * *
On Monday I had to leave town for two days to take a deposition. I was kept busy enough that, aside from a few quick phone calls, I didn't have much time to talk to Chaise. So, by the time I got home on Wednesday I was looking forward to seeing her so much that just the thought of it made my skin tingle with anticipation. Had I ever been so eager to see a man that my fingers itched with the need to touch, that I found myself drifting as I remembered the taste of his lips? I certainly couldn't recall a time when my needs and desires had been so near the surface. I resisted the urge to go right to the coffee shop the minute I got off the plane, but instead went home, threw off my business suit, showered and dressed in a pair of linen trousers and a soft, lilac sweater.
I arrived at Goddess at about six-thirty and found Sophie going around the tables lighting candles. She looked up as I entered and smiled widely.
"Hi, honey, good to see you again. Chaise is in the office. Why don't you go on through. I'm sure she'll be pleased to see you.” She pointed over her shoulder toward the back of the room.
"Thanks, Sophie.” I headed for the office, my pulse fluttering like a nervous bird, and when I reached the door I raised my hand and knocked hesitantly.
"C'mon in.” Just the sound of her voice was enough to make my skin tingle. I pushed open the door and stepped into the small office. Chaise looked up from the paperwork spread out on the desk, and when she saw me her face lit up in a smile that settled all my nerves and told me without a word that she had missed me as much as I had missed her. She got up from her seat, rounded the desk and pulled me into a tight hug.
"God, you are a sight for sore eyes.” She looked at me like she hadn't seen me for three years instead of three days, then lowered her head and touched her lips to mine. I leaned into the kiss and sighed my pleasure. It was a soft kiss, and I sensed that Chaise was holding back so as not to push me too hard. But the truth was, I wanted to be pushed, just a little bit. I raised a hand and wrapped it around the back of her neck, pressed closer and opened my mouth just enough to run my tongue along her bottom lip. She let out a little moan, and her lips parted. The tip of her tongue touched mine, and I gasped as pleasure zinged my brain. Any reservations I might have had vanished in an instant. I coaxed her tongue into my mouth and sucked on it, felt her hands tighten in the material of my sweater at my back. When one of her hands slid down and cupped my ass, I had to pull away and drag in a breath. I looked at her, my breasts heaving with the effort of breathing, my body hot with raw sexual need. Her gray eyes were nearly black, and her eyelids looked heavy, her cheeks flushed.
She raised a hand and ran her thumb over my bottom lip. “Hungry?” Her voice was lower than normal, a little husky.
"Yes.” The word came out like a hiss, and I lowered my eyes to her mouth; her lips parted and puffy from the kiss.
Her mouth turned up in a smile. “I mean for food."
A few days before I would have blushed and stuttered, now, however, I snickered and laid my forehead on her shoulder. “That would be good too."
She laughed and hugged me again. I already felt so at home in her arms. When she pulled away she linked our fingers together and we left the office together. Chaise called out to Sophie, pointed up, and at Sophie's nod she led me to a door tucked away in the corner with a sign hanging on it reading Private. Chaise unlocked the door, ushered me through and locked it behind us. We climbed a flight of narrow stairs that opened onto a big, open plan apartment. The natural brick walls were decorated with framed photographs and fabric hangings. Three sofas, festooned with cushions of all shapes, colors and fabrics were grouped together around a round, glass topped coffee table in the center of the room, and rugs that looked hand woven were scattered around the hardwood floor. At the far end, under a set of wide arched windows, was a long counter that clearly designated the kitchen area.
I turned to Chaise. “It's lovely—you live here?"
She smiled and nodded. “It's convenient for work. Why don't you have a seat while I go and change, then we can go out for something to eat?"
I sat down on one of the big, comfy sofas and looked up at her, surprised. “We're going out?"
Still holding my hand, she grinned. “I would love to cook something for you, but I'd rather we didn't spend the rest of the evening in the emergency room. My culinary skills leave a little to be desired. I know a great little place on the river.” She touched her lips to my knuckles before letting my hand go.
I looked down at myself. “I'm not really dressed for going out."
"Actually, what you're wearing is perfect. I thought we could take the bike?” She arched an eyebrow in silent question when my head popped back up.
"The bike? As in the motorcycle?” I think my gulp might have been audible. “Uh, okay...” I straightened my shoulders, firmed up my voice and smiled. “Sure, why not?"
Chaise was quiet for a moment as she stood there looking at me, a strange light in her eyes.
"What?” I asked a little hesitantly.
She shook her head. “Just you. Nothing fazes you for long, does it? I think you might have an adventurer's heart.” She smiled and reached out to touch her fingertips to my cheek.
I turned my head into the caress, but could find no reply to her words.
Chaise disappeared through a door, which I assumed led to her bedroom, and reappeared ten minutes later dressed in jeans, a heavy cotton shirt over a white t-shirt and with her hair lying in a thick braid down the centre of her back. She was carrying two crash helmets, one black, the other red. She handed me the black one and led the way down another flight of stairs to the garage. She pressed a button and the door opened automatically, letting the evening light flood in and glint off the shiny paintwork of the motorcycle. She rolled the bike out into the narrow lane at the side of the building and swung her leg over it.
"Okay?"
After only the briefest of pauses, I nodded, put on the crash helmet and got on the bike behind Chaise. She seemed to sense that I didn't know what to do with my hands, because she reached back, brought them around her waist and linked them together at her stomach. I jumped, startled when she turned the key and the engine rumbled to life. We moved slowly along the uneven surface of the lane, then pulled out onto the main road. When Chaise picked up speed I clutched at her, my body tense. I quickly realized that Chaise was a better than competent driver. She controlled the bike with the confidence and ease of experience, weaving effortlessly through the last of the rush hour traffic. I was a touch jittery on the city streets, and my grip on Chaise's waist was perhaps a little tighter than was strictly necessary, but if it bothered her she didn't show it. When we got outside the city, onto the quieter country roads, the tension in my muscles started to recede, and I was gradually able to relax and enjoy the way the warm evening air whipped at my clothes, the feel of Chaise's back against my breasts, and the vibrations of the bike running through my body.
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Chaise brought us to a little cafe-bar. We sat on the terrace, shared a pizza, drank club soda and watched the pleasure boats glide up and down the water. It was a perfect summer evening; a warm breeze rustled the leaves on the trees, music drifted from the boats, and the high-spirited chatter of the cafe's other patrons all combined to create a relaxed and carefree ambience.
We talked with the ease of old friends about nothing of any real consequence, just the trivial little things that such languid evenings inspired: our favorite books, which stores we liked to shop at, and we discovered a mutual love of Saturday morning kids TV. For a moment I had a vision of the future—Chaise and I sitting on the sofa in jammies, eating Cheerios and watching Scooby Doo. I smiled at my own silliness.
When the sky started turning shades of violet and deep red, we headed back to the city. It was a little cooler on the return journey and when we got off the bike in front of Chaise's garage, I felt chilled. She came around the bike to me and rubbed her hands up and down my arms.
"Why don't you come upstairs for a coffee to warm you up, then I'll walk you to your car?"
I nodded and followed her up the stairs.
While Chaise prepared the coffee, I took a seat on one of the sofas, scrunching back into the corner and hugging a fluffy cushion to me in an effort to warm up.
"I should have given you more warning about the bike; given you the chance to bring a jacket.” Chaise handed me a mug of coffee and sat at the other end of the sofa with hers.
"Don't worry about it. Besides, you didn't have a jacket either.” I smiled to take the guilty look off her face.
"My shirt was quite a bit heavier than your sweater, though. Next time, you can borrow my spare leather jacket."
Next time. I liked that. I smiled and took a sip of coffee, but as the liquid hit my taste buds, the smile turned into a grimace and I had to fight the urge to spit it back into the cup. I managed to swallow it, but couldn't hide my distaste.
I put the cup on the table and turned to Chaise, grinning. “I will, however, accept an apology for that coffee. That has to be some of the worst coffee I have ever tasted. I know you said your culinary skills weren't great but, damn woman, you own a coffee shop!"
