by Cora Jay
The two dogs tore off after it, and Bella’s long legs made her victory certain. She picked up the ball, Betsy yapping at her as she trotted back to Harika. When they returned, Harika was sure that Betsy was giving them a dirty look.
“You’ve gotta learn to share, Betsy,” she said.
She scrabbled at Harika’s shins, wanting to get up on her lap, but her paws were a bit muddy. She scooted closer to Ellie and helped Betsy onto the bench next to them, where she tried to squirm onto her. Harika held her back with one arm, letting her rest her head on her thigh.
“Betsy is quite a character,” said Ellie, smiling as she scratched Bella’s head.
“She wasn’t always like this,” said Harika, remembering the little dog’s timid days, back when she’d first adopted her. “She used to be like a little mouse, following me around like she had no idea what she was doing.”
“Wow, what changed?” asked Ellie.
Harika shrugged. “I guess it was the bond we developed together. Becoming closer to me developed her confidence. Maybe she was always like that, and the transition of being adopted made her quiet for a while.”
Betsy grumbled and closed her eyes, while Bella trotted away to find someone or something else to play with. Harika and Ellie watched her as she approached another dog who was playing with a stick. Harika could hear Ellie’s breath tense as the two dogs started play-fighting, but Bella didn’t seem threatened at all. In fact, they seemed to be friends.
But apparently, Ellie was more paranoid than she was.
“Are they okay?”
“They’re fine,” said Harika. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve seen that dog around and she’s a good one. Has a good, attentive owner.”
Ellie didn’t relax, still, but as time passed and the two dogs really seemed to hit it off, running around each other and playing chase, Harika could detect the other woman relaxing her muscles, leaning back against the seat more comfortably. She really cared about her dog. But then, it had sounded terrifying, to see her get attacked.
“Ellie…” she started. “Did you get a good look at the dog? Maybe it’s one of my patients? You said he had a collar.”
“Oh, yeah,” said Ellie easily. Harika was glad she hadn’t made her upset by bringing it up. “She was built like a Rottweiler, but with rust-colored fur. Obviously a mix of some sort. And she was in the street of houses a couple streets behind the clinic.”
“Hmm.” Harika racked her brains, trying to remember a patient like that. But she couldn’t come up with anything. “I don’t recall a rust-colored Rottie lookalike.”
Ellie shook her head. “Weird. I guess maybe he was a stray, then. Doesn’t matter now, I guess.”
“Yeah. I hate that people aren’t responsible owners, though,” said Harika. “After all, he did have a collar.”
Ellie shrugged. “You know, in more rural places, they do let dogs run around.”
“Yeah, but it’s different out there,” said Harika.
Bella tore away from playing with the other dog and started back toward them, her mouth hanging open; it was evident she was in a great mood. Harika was pleased to see that she showed no signs of stress on the previously injured leg; despite her past as a racing greyhound, and her age, she seemed to have recovered quickly. Maybe the fracture hadn’t been as bad as she’d thought.
Betsy didn’t growl this time, though Harika held her back. But Bella didn’t seem perturbed at all by the little dog. Maybe finding someone to play with had increased her confidence. She actually walked up to Betsy, who inched further onto Harika’s lap, and brought her long snout closer, sniffing.
Betsy sniffed too. Harika had no idea what kind of information they were exchanging, considering the fact that Betsy actually looked like she was interested in making friends with Bella.
“Hey, you ready to warm up to her, finally?” she asked curiously, still watching the dogs sniff each other.
“Maybe she feels more secure while she’s on your lap,” said Ellie.
That was a smart observation. “Sounds plausible. I’m glad they’re showing that they could get along, anyway.”
“Me too. It would be a pain to be friends when your dogs aren’t friends.” She laughed.
Harika liked how relaxed Ellie’s laugh was, but… friends? Harika was hoping for a bit more than friends. She was wary of how she’d spooked Ellie last time, but she couldn’t help but reach out and touch the other woman’s forearm, a small tingle going up her spine when she realized she was touching the sacred tattoos.
Ellie didn’t flinch, but she didn’t seem completely relaxed either. Harika didn’t move her arm. God, this was awkward. It was like high school. If it was anyone other than Ellie, Harika would be making out right now.
But for the right woman, patience was okay. “Want to come over in a bit and have dinner?” she asked, a plan taking shape in her mind.
“Dinner? Sure,” said Ellie cheerfully.
She did know that Harika meant more than dinner, right? After all, she did intend to cook the woman a meal, and then see if she was open for anything else… Making out, maybe, or even more. Whatever she was comfortable with. Harika wasn’t going to push Ellie—not too hard, anyway. She clearly needed nudges if she was going to go in the right direction.
“Great,” said Harika. “You like Pakistani food?”
Ellie’s eyes lit up. “Yeah! I don’t eat it often. That sounds fun.”
“You’ll love my cooking. Not as good as my mom’s, but what can you do…”
“I’m sure it’s fine,” said Ellie.
Harika tried to hold herself together as she watched the other woman smile at her, mouth parted like she was going to break out into laughter. At least she had this effect on Ellie. She managed to put her at ease and make her happy. That was a start.
Hopefully, she would have the chance to make her a whole lot happier.
23
Ellie
Just try it.
The mantra circled around Ellie’s head, over and over.
Just try it. What’s the worst that could happen? You figure you’re gay? You’re well past that point already, buddy…
It was true. That was her greatest fear surrounding it. Or rather, not a fear, but a sense of discomfort. Ellie, like most living things, preferred to avoid discomfort in all areas of her life. But it was becoming more and more evident that this source of it was actually a source for growth.
Personal growth. Ugh. That wasn’t something Ellie had bothered to touch in a long time.
At least Harika made it easy. The dinner had been excellent, just as Harika had promised, and she felt comfortable in Harika’s modest rowhouse. It was cozy, just like the clinic, though that was primarily due to Harika’s presence. The various ethnic artifacts didn’t hurt, either. Ellie couldn’t help but think that she and Harika had complementary senses of interior design. All of Ellie’s antique decorations and furniture would fit right in. Their entire house, if they had one together, would be like one of those old-fashioned studies.
If they had one together? Ellie rolled her eyes at herself. Maybe she was falling faster for this lady than she thought. And in any case, she just had to try having sex, to see if she liked it. If she didn’t like it, she didn’t have to do it again. And as much as she didn’t want to let Harika down, she did know the vet would be understanding if she was uncomfortable. She was a kind person, after all, that much was obvious.
Harika came back to the living room with two iced drinks. “You want to sit on the deck?” she asked.
“There’s a deck?” Ellie’s eyes widened.
“Yeah, it’s hidden. It’s off the top bedroom,” said Harika, smiling like she was pleased with herself.
Well, a deck was pretty damn cool, and not something she’d expect to find in a small house like this. She followed Harika up the stairs and into the bedroom, uncomfortably aware of what could happen in here. It was very clean and decorated much the same as the other areas of the house, clearly showing
off Harika’s personality. Photographs of exotic locales covered the walls.
“I took those myself, on travels to Puerto Rico and Pakistan,” said Harika, following Ellie’s line of sight.
“That’s awesome,” said Ellie sincerely. “You do have an artistic streak after all.”
“Doesn’t extend to making brochures though,” said Harika. “Anyway, here you go.”
She opened the door out onto a very small deck. It didn’t look like it would fit both of them, but once Ellie plopped down in one of the two deck chairs, she realized that it was actually the perfect size. There was a small side table where they could rest their drinks as they watched the sun set.
“You think the dogs will be okay by themselves?” asked Ellie, still nervous. Bella was now in Betsy’s territory, after all.
“They’ll be fine,” said Harika confidently. Ellie had no idea how the vet could be so confident, but she seemed to be perfectly fine with the situation.
“I thought Betsy would be more aggressive if Bella was in her territory,” said Ellie, sipping her drink. It was lemon-flavored with a dash of some kind of delicious but unidentifiable cordial. Apparently making cocktails was yet another one of Harika’s hidden talents.
“I think it actually makes her feel more secure, since she’s on her own turf,” said Harika.
“Strange,” said Ellie, shaking her head. “Dogs are so odd sometimes.”
“Not as odd as humans.” Harika turned to her and smiled mischievously.
That smile sent shivers down Ellie. How could a single smile do that? It hadn’t happened to her with any woman previously—men did give her shivery feelings, but never quite like this.
They sat in silence for a while longer as the sun finally disappeared over the horizon, leaving a still, silent coolness in its wake. There were just a couple of small, smooth blocks of ice at the bottom of Ellie’s cup, and she took them and crunched them in her teeth.
“Ahh, you’re an ice cruncher,” said Harika, playfully covering her ears.
“Yep. Always have been. Proud ice cruncher right here,” said Ellie, laughing.
Harika shook her head. “I don’t know how you can stand it.”
Ellie laughed even harder, like something inside her—some kind of tension—was being slowly dissipated, like air gradually escaping from a balloon. But instead of leaving an empty space behind, the tension left a light feeling, like Ellie didn’t have much to worry about. It wasn’t the alcohol, because whatever that drink was, it hadn’t been very strong.
Ellie imagined that it was just about the right time for Harika to make a move on her, if that was what she wanted to do. She certainly wasn’t confident enough to do it herself. But how was she going to do it? And how was Ellie going to be able to show she was receptive if she was so timid?
Surely Harika had more experience? Doubt crept over Ellie like a shadow as she watched the more confident woman sitting beside her, finishing up her own drink. She must know what to do. She must have done all this before.
As if on cue, Harika looked her right in the eyes. There was something in there that she was trying to restrain: lust. Ellie recognized it because it was a mirror. She could feel the same urgent sensations traveling through her body, responding to whatever was unspoken between them.
And if it couldn’t be any more obvious, her core was getting wet. She squirmed uncomfortably, though somehow, Harika was managing to stay as still as the air outside them. Ellie was aware that it was just moonlight, and the single outdoor lamp, casting light on them now, and Harika’s sharp face was suggestively cast in shadow.
It was like it was a movie or something.
Harika set her drink down, the remaining ice clinking. The sounds of cars zooming by and evening revelers floated up from below. Ellie took a deep breath, trying to shut out the thoughts flittering around her head.
Something was going to happen.
Harika reached out and touched Ellie’s face, brushing her fingertips against her smooth skin. The way she gently brushed her hands on Ellie’s cheeks was more than Ellie could handle, and she could feel her core tingle more.
Images flashed through her mind. Her and Harika in bed, naked, pressed against each other, half-covered under a blanket that had been thrashed away, white skin against brown, like yin and yang under the pale celestial light. Moans and whimpers of pleasure, urgent movements…
Oh, God.
She hadn’t even been kissed yet.
Harika leaned in close, her eyes glowing like a big cat’s. The transformation was complete, like she was some kind of night creature that masqueraded as a kindly vet during the day. She was stalking toward Ellie and Ellie was paralyzed in her sight, not because she couldn’t run, but because she didn’t want to.
She wanted to be devoured.
But Harika was going to take her time. She pressed her lips up against Ellie’s, and they enjoyed the squeeze as their flesh met. Harika stuck a tongue out and licked Ellie’s lips, so they could more smoothly move against each other, incredibly slowly, like they were savoring every microsecond of their first encounter.
Ellie could feel her body melt and she leaned across the lawn chair awkwardly, wishing they were already on the bed. She tasted like lemon and so did Harika, her breath clear and crisp as the air.
Harika pressed herself even closer, unrelenting, as Ellie yielded to her desire and half-opened her mouth, giving the perfect opportunity to go even deeper, to explore further, to take over.
But that wasn’t what Ellie wanted. She wanted to strip her clothes off right now and jump into bed with this beautiful woman. It was like an epiphany. She needed to give herself to Harika tonight.
After their tongues slid against each other for a moment longer, Ellie pulled away, eyes wide. Harika just smiled smugly, her mouth resting in a sexy smirk. Ellie didn’t know she was capable of being smoldering like that. Sure, she was good-looking, but smoldering? Wow. She had untold depths, apparently.
Harika stood up slowly, with measured elegance, taking the two empty glasses with her. “Let’s go inside,” she said, her voice quiet and velvety. “It’s getting cool out here.”
And hot inside. Ellie completed the sentence.
She stood up, alarmed that she had a mild case of jelly legs, and followed Harika into the bedroom, her core now throbbing, desperately needing release. What she really would have liked to do was touch herself and just get rid of it, because damn, she’d never experienced anything quite like it before.
But she knew Harika had other plans, and if she could ignite such incredible desire with just a kiss, Ellie wanted to know what else was on tonight’s agenda.
That was it. She was in, hook, line, and sinker. All thoughts of worrying if she was into women or not had flown out the window, only to be replaced by maniacal curiosity. It was like she was a kid in school and she couldn’t sit still. She needed to be moving.
But Harika was taking her own sweet time. After setting the glasses down inside, she strode up to Ellie, who was still standing just inside the room, moonlight painting her features in shades of ice blue.
“If I’m not mistaken,” said Harika quietly, “you’re enjoying yourself so far.” She grinned.
“Oh, oh yeah,” said Ellie, words stumbling in her throat. “Definitely.”
“Let’s make sure we have more of that, huh?” asked Harika.
She stepped closer to Ellie and started to unbutton her shirt and remove her bra. Ellie made no move for a moment, simply watching Harika’s hands undo the buttons, but with trembling fingers, she lifted her arms to return the favor. She was going to see Harika’s breasts, she realized.
“Y-you were h-hiding an amazing body under that white coat,” said Ellie finally.
Harika burst out into laughter, but it was confident laughter. Not the kind Ellie would have expected.
“Sure, I work out. Simple as that.”
Ellie tentatively stroked Harika’s skin, amazed. She figured the vet had t
o be strong in order to deal with rowdy animals, but to actually be this buff? It was too much. The woman could dress well, make cocktails, cook complex dishes, save animals’ lives… What couldn’t she do?
When the two women were shirtless, Harika pressed up against Ellie and kissed her again, but this time, with less of the delicacy she’d exercised earlier. This time she had a goal and whatever it was, she was going to reach it. Ellie knew she was putty in Harika’s hands, and she wasn’t going to stop.
As Harika’s tongue explored her mouth, Ellie slipped her hands down to Harika’s ass and squeezed, delighting in finding how perky and firm it was, like an ass should be. She felt a brief flicker of embarrassment; she was a couch potato, and the most exercise she got up to was walking with Bella, but Harika didn’t seem to mind. The woman was immersed in her.
And damn, it felt good for someone to even want that. It hadn’t been quite the same with any of her previous partners. It felt like she was the one who was putting more of her body’s awareness into the act, taking the more active role.
She didn’t want it to be the same now. She was with a woman—why shouldn’t they take turns?
She lowered her head and kissed Harika’s neck, sucking on her skin and taking deep breaths. God, she smelled amazing—natural scent mixed with light perfume, just perfect.
Harika reached down and started undoing the fly of her jeans. Thank goodness. She was dying from being restrained like that. Anything to get her closer to release in the hands of her lover.
She returned the favor by undoing Harika’s fly as well. She wasn’t as suave as the other woman, but she managed, and when she slipped a finger against her crotch…
Oh, man. Harika was wet too under Ellie’s fingers, and the moaning in her ear helped Ellie get even wetter. Uncertain of her every movement, started fingering Harika, spitting on her hand and inducing more slipping and sliding and—
“Oh, my God,” said Harika. “This is…”
“Quite a lot, isn’t it?”
“You’re amazing, Ellie…”
Bolstered by the encouragement, Ellie kept stroking, gleefully finding that Harika could be putty in her hands too. The surge of power that went through her energized her as she realized she did know what she was doing. This was another woman, after all. It wasn’t that hard to figure out how to work a vagina, whereas penises were a different story. She was in her element. She knew what to do.