Fortunate Sum

by M. Ullrich

  Catherine felt Imogene’s breath hitch when she pushed herself against Catherine’s firm body and wound her fingers through the fine curls at the nape of her heated neck. Then she slid her flattened palms down the front of the black jacket, coming to rest on her rapidly rising and falling chest. Catherine missed the cooling sensation of Imogene’s touch but couldn’t focus on that disappointment for too long. She shivered. Now Imogene was so close to Catherine’s breasts, it was torturous. When Imogene looked up and met Catherine’s gaze, she was so overwhelmed by her need that her knees began to shake. Once the song ended, Catherine pulled back.

  “I’m going to use the ladies’ room,” she said, departing quickly for the safety only distance could provide.

  Catherine leaned on the counter for support and took several heaving breaths. Not one woman or man in her past had reduced her to a shaky mess in front of a room full of people. She had never reacted this way to another person, not even Linda. She’d been too engulfed by fear and shadows to fully enjoy what she felt in Linda’s company or to let herself lose control with her.

  Catherine had never doubted her own self-control, but one look into Imogene’s wanting eyes and she was ready to take her right on the dance floor. As she looked at her own reflection, the flushed face and the reddened patches that crept up her chest, Catherine wondered what it was about Imogene that caused this volatile attraction. The other woman was gorgeous, sure. She was witty and funny, attributes Catherine always found alluring. She was also entering the bathroom. So much for that distance.

  “I’m just about done.” Catherine spoke in an unsteady voice as they looked at each other in the mirror. She pretended to check her makeup.

  “Everyone paired off and I felt a bit lonely, so I decided to check on you. Are you okay? You left a bit abruptly.” Catherine nodded as Imogene stepped forward and leaned against the counter beside her. It dawned on Catherine that they were alone, truly alone. Catherine looked at Imogene’s ruby red lips, her crystal blue eyes, and the small sprinkle of freckles on her small nose. She cast a quick glance toward the door before she could change her mind.

  She gripped Imogene’s full hips and turned her so her backside was pressed against the counter. Before Imogene could move, Catherine kissed her. It only took a moment for the initial shock to wear off, then Imogene responded with equal passion. The kiss started out hard, but became slow and tender, a tiny ember among early flames. They savored each other’s softness, relished the feel of their moist lips gliding together for never-ending seconds. Catherine traced the swell of Imogene’s plump lower lip with the tip of her tongue. When the kiss went from tentative to deep, all the air seemed to leave the room.

  Catherine broke the kiss, lowering her assault and running her lips along Imogene’s feverish throat, then lower still. She kissed her bare shoulder and made her way back up Imogene’s long, creamy neck, her thick wavy hair swept to the side. Catherine bit softly at a pulse point, loving Imogene’s small gasp of surprise. When Catherine pressed her open palm on the counter behind Imogene to brace herself, the motion set off the faucet sensor. The sudden noise of running water startled Catherine, then she and Imogene broke out into a fit of laughter. Catherine smoothed down the front of her jacket and motioned for Imogene to leave first. She knew they’d be looking less pristine than when they went in, but she didn’t care.

  Catherine steered them back to their table in time for the first course. She sat casually and ignored the stares from their friends. Catherine said the food looked delicious, and once the rest of the table was distracted by their dinners, Imogene leaned in and whispered into Catherine’s pink ear.

  “That reminds me, you taste better than I imagined.”

  She said it so nonchalantly that Catherine wondered if she had heard correctly. When she looked at Imogene, her expression was downright seductive. Catherine swallowed hard and checked the time. It wasn’t late enough.

  The rest of the meal passed without incident, though Catherine saw Sophia look at Imogene curiously. By dessert, Catherine thought Imogene seemed less sure of herself, lacking the confidence she had back in the restroom. Catherine placed her hand on Imogene’s thigh, sighing when Imogene took her hand.

  Once dessert was finished, the two married couples went off to bid on various items at the silent auction, leaving Imogene and Catherine alone for the first time in nearly two hours. For long moments they sat in comfortable silence that still crackled with underlying passion. Catherine drew lazy circles on Imogene’s thighs. How it was possible, Catherine wasn’t sure, but her lips still tingled in reminiscence of fiery kisses.

  “What’s next?” Imogene asked.

  Catherine shook her head. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to think beyond the present. Her desire faded to fear greater than she had known recently. Her heart started to beat with such force it made her feel sick, and her breathing became shallow. Could she trust Imogene not to hurt her? It would be a big step for Catherine, one she hadn’t taken in nearly a decade.

  “I don’t know.”

  “What do you want?” Imogene asked.

  “I don’t know what’s going to happen after tonight, and I can’t promise you anything, but…” Catherine paused to breathe, feeling like a fifty pound weight was resting on her chest. “I know I want you and I don’t want this night to end.” Catherine looked at Imogene with desperation. She knew what she wanted and could even voice it, but she needed Imogene to take the lead and give her everything else she couldn’t ask for. She needed Imogene to make the final decision.

  “Let’s go back to my place.”

  Catherine didn’t even bother to search for their friends as she made her way to the coat check. She didn’t wait for change for her fifty-dollar bill when she tipped the dapper young man who handed her two coats. Nor did she care that they were leaving before claiming the complimentary gift bag promised when she purchased the tickets.

  ❖

  “What about this? A trip to Aruba—all-inclusive and child friendly.” Dennis read aloud from the display card.

  “I’ve told you before, I’m not bidding on a vacation,” Alice said distractedly as she watched the other attendees closely, observing what everyone else was bidding on. “We can plan our own vacation, and if we go to Aruba, it will not be with the kids.”

  “What do you feel like bidding on?”

  “Do they have that spa day package like last year? I was so upset when we lost that.” Alice moved up the table of auction prizes.

  “I’ll look.” Dennis walked off.

  “I’m embarrassed by how late I am!” bellowed an enchanting voice from behind Alice. “I may have missed the food, but I will not miss the auction.” Alice’s ears perked up at a hint of familiarity. It wasn’t unusual to run into people she knew at the annual fundraiser, but this voice was someone she hadn’t heard in a while. Several guests swallowed the speaker from view, but that didn’t deter Alice from craning her neck to sneak a peek.

  “I have an important meeting in the morning that I needed to prepare for. I must’ve lost track of time.”

  “You know what they say about all work and no play,” teased a gentleman.

  “I know, but it’s important to my company that the time spent with a new financial firm is productive. Time is of the essence with our business.”

  “Are you using a local financial firm? We have been thinking about switching recently, ours has been a bit too casual with responses to our concerns.”

  “I’m meeting with Marcati and Stevens in the morning. I’ll email you a detailed review when all is said and done.” Alice smiled proudly when the woman mentioned Catherine’s firm. She was ready to interject with her own opinions of the company when the conversation started to end.

  “Well, I appreciate that, and for the record, we’re happy to have you in attendance, no matter what time you arrived.” The large tuxedoed man who had been blocking Alice’s view started to move. “Enjoy your evening, Ms. Nguyen.”

>   “Oh no.” Alice froze.

  “You as well, Mr. Engen.” The sea of partygoers parted, and Alice got a good look at Linda Nguyen flitting casually about the auction tables. Alice scrambled for what to do. She rushed back to their table, only to be greeted by empty seats. In the distance she spotted Sophia and Chris dancing, but Catherine and Imogene were nowhere on the dance floor. Alice rushed back to her husband’s side.

  “Where’s Cat? Have you seen her and Imogene anywhere? Where are they?” Alice asked with rapid-fire desperation.

  “Whoa there.” Dennis gripped Alice’s shoulders. “I think they already left. Is everything okay?”

  “Fine,” Alice answered curtly. “I’ll try to call her.” She removed her phone from the small purse she was carrying and dialed.

  “She and Imogene are good together. I haven’t seen Cat that happy in a long while,” Dennis said as he filled out a bidding card.

  “Yeah,” Alice agreed with the phone pressed to her ear. “I’m trying to keep it that way.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  The limousine was filled with a thick, suffocating tension that kept both women quiet for the short ride back from the banquet hall. Imogene’s mind spun with the possibilities of what could happen once they arrived at her apartment, her imagination alit with all the things she wanted to do to the woman seated beside her. They sat closely. An inch of space kept them separated, but the heat they’d felt in the bathroom still vibrated along the void. Imogene watched Catherine check her phone from the corner of her eye.

  “Anyone important?” Imogene asked casually.

  “Just Alice.” Catherine slid the phone back into her pocket. “She’s probably dying to know where we ran off to.” Imogene hummed in response, not really knowing what to say.

  The rational side of Imogene’s brain told her to call it a night. She’d learned from previous dating mistakes not to toy with a straight woman or allow a straight woman to toy with her. It would be so easy to fall for Catherine. Imogene was in dangerous territory, but what pushed her harder than rational thought was the way her heart hammered still and how wet she was for Catherine. For just this once, Imogene thought, I’m going to do what feels right.

  “We’re here.” Imogene’s voice, raspy and low, shattered the silence.

  Catherine looked around. She slid across the fine leather seat and opened the car door before extending her hand toward Imogene for the second time that evening. Imogene stared at Catherine’s offered hand and gripped it tightly. Never had she been with such a chivalrous date, and she wondered if Catherine would be as attentive in the bedroom.

  They both stumbled awkwardly from the limo in an attempt to avoid patches of ice and piles of dirty snow that still lined the city sidewalks. Before Catherine could shut the door, Imogene stopped her.

  “Are you sure this is what you want?” Are you sure that I’m what you want? Insecurity, fear, and small glimmer of hope filled Imogene as she waited for Catherine to answer her question.

  “I’m not saying good night just yet.” Catherine’s voice held no expectation, just honesty.

  Imogene stepped forward and reached behind Catherine, allowing herself to lean in closely enough to be blinded by the steam of Catherine’s breath, and shut the car door. She watched as the limo drove away, knowing there was no turning back. She found her keys and gave Catherine a shy smile. Catherine was looking at the two-digit number that hung proudly to the left of the doorjamb. Imogene unlocked the door and swung it open.

  “You coming?” she asked with a slight tilt of her head.

  Imogene led the way up the stairs, turning a dim light on when they stepped inside. “Wine?” she offered nervously as she removed her coat and threw it over the back of the couch on her way to the kitchen.

  “No, thank you. The martinis were enough.” Catherine discarded her coat and tuxedo jacket and sank into the comfortable couch, crossing her long legs. Imogene joined her in a minute or two, sitting close enough to feel the warmth of Catherine’s body without actually touching her.

  “I’m not sure what we’re doing here.” Imogene spoke into her glass.

  “Me either,” Catherine said, “but I was telling the truth when I said I wasn’t ready to say good night. Whether it’s just for conversation or not, I want to enjoy your company for at least a little while longer.”

  “How do you do that?” Imogene asked in wonderment.

  “Do what?”

  “I’m a bundle of nerves right now, and you continue to be so damn charming.” Imogene laughed at her own assessment. “For a straight woman, you seem incredibly relaxed, like you didn’t just make out with another woman in a public bathroom.”

  “I’m pretty open-minded, Imogene.” Catherine leaned forward and continued in a whisper, “The thought of kissing in a bathroom never fazed me. I’ve always wanted to try it.”

  “See!” Imogene slapped Catherine’s arm. Although she was laughing, her tone remained serious. “You’re even joking about it! You have to be feeling something, and as a non-predatory lesbian, I need to know you’re okay before whatever may or may not happen next actually happens.” Imogene started to fidget nervously and put her wineglass down on the table.

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve been with anyone.” Imogene opened her mouth to speak, but Catherine quickly cut her off. “And it’s been even longer since I’ve been with a woman. So the reason why I seem so relaxed is because this isn’t completely new to me, and I feel very comfortable with you.”

  Imogene’s heart pounded and then melted with Catherine’s last few words. She, too, felt incredibly comfortable with her.

  “When?”

  “College. I never told anyone else about it because she was my professor. We were together for a few years, and then we weren’t.”

  “What was her name?” Imogene asked.

  “Linda Nguyen.”

  “What happened?”

  “Well, as I said, she was my professor, so we had to keep our relationship a secret. At first, that was kind of fun. You know, the taboo and the sneaking around? But even excitement like that can get old.” Catherine shook her head and laughed. “I remember coming so close to telling my family about her but stopped myself because my dad was homophobic.”

  “What?” Imogene’s shocked reaction was as shrill as it was comical.

  “He flipped out once about my brother’s teacher. She was a lesbian and that’s how I took it at the time. I later realized he actually had a couple of gay friends, and I just used that as an easy excuse to keep myself from telling them about Linda.”

  “So you never told them?”

  “No.”

  “Have you ever told anyone?” Imogene’s curiosity was bordering on inappropriate, but she didn’t care. “What happened between you and Linda?”

  Catherine visibly flinched at the last question. “You’re the first I’ve told, and it ended very, very badly.” Imogene was about to fire off another question but Catherine beat her to it with the answer. “Badly enough to consider settling down with a man.”

  “Wow.” Imogene sat back and let the new information sink in.

  “Can I ask you a question now?”

  Imogene nodded slightly and waited.

  Catherine cleared her throat. “The dress, the color,” she said. “Did you wear it on purpose?”

  “Did you wear that on purpose?” She pointed to the small pocket square that now lay tossed aside behind Catherine.

  “No.”

  “Me neither.” The silence stretched on for a few minutes. “I only own two formal dresses, and the other was from my senior prom,” she said with a self-deprecating smile. “Sounds funny coming from a woman that owns a boutique, I know.”

  “I just don’t know what to believe anymore.” Catherine lowered her head, closed her eyes and started to rub her forehead with her fingertips. “From what Sophia said and what I know you know…”

  “Putting everything Sophia told you aside,” Imogene
said, reaching over and taking Catherine’s free hand, tracing the lines along her palm. “If I had worn a black dress tonight, would you still be sitting here right now?” Not receiving an answer immediately, Imogene pressed on. “Would you still have feelings for me?”

  “Yes.”

  “And no matter what color anyone wore, I would have asked you back here.” Imogene slowly moved closer to keep from scaring Catherine away. “I’ve been attracted to you since the night we first met, and if I allow myself to be completely honest, I’ve been falling for you since then, too.”

  “Even though I was an asshole?” Catherine asked with a raised eyebrow and a sideways smile.

  “Even better, in spite of knowing not to fall for a straight girl.” Imogene giggled, and then turned serious once again. She brought her right hand up and let her palm rest along Catherine’s chiseled cheek. She leaned in, finally allowing herself to be sucked into Catherine’s undeniable gravity. In a whisper, a voice so small it could have been lost in the breeze that whipped against the windows, Imogene begged, “Please tell me you feel it, too.”

  Instead of a verbal response, Catherine kissed her, lightly at first. Imogene relished the gentleness, knowing they didn’t have to rush the way they did back in the banquet hall bathroom. The whole night belonged to them and their needs. After a few moments, the small kisses were no longer enough. Imogene felt herself being shifted as Catherine pressed against her. Imogene opened her plump lips and allowed Catherine to taste her thoroughly. Imogene’s satiny tongue danced with Catherine’s and a moan echoed through the apartment. Imogene was unsure of who was responsible for the feminine, sexy noise, but she was ready to hear it again. In one swift motion, Imogene bunched the skirt of her dress around her waist and swung one long leg over Catherine’s thighs to straddle her lap. Imogene smiled when Catherine gripped her backside with both hands. She whimpered as the rough liner of her dress scraped against the cheeks of her ass left bare by her floral-printed thong.