by Olivia Lucas
As Jenna walked over, she passed the bar, on one side, that almost ran across the entirety of one wall, and a rustic fireplace on the opposing wall, which seemed to be a hub for those lounging on the generously sized sofas.
As she took as a seat, her heart began pounding loudly and she thought she was going to hyperventilate or vomit, not sure which one would happen first. She needed that bag from the plane that was always guaranteed to be in the seat pocket in front you.
Oh, for god’s sake. Shut up. Too much chitter chatter. She was acting like awkward teen. It was just a drink, nothing else. Well, her mind raced, there could be the slight possibility of something else at which point she felt dizzy and rested her head in the palms of her hands to steady herself.
She was ready to pass out.
“Jenna.”
Chloe always managed to catch her off guard. Her heartbeat roared in her ears.
“Oh hi...Chloe.” Jenna lifted her head so fast that she was suddenly seeing stars, Chloe, almost appearing god-like and celestial in the twinkling light.
They then both hesitated for a second, before leaning in for a quick kiss on the cheek of the other.
“I’m going to get us drunk, I mean a drink,” Chloe said, matter of factly, and then recovered rather quickly. “Glass of white wine?”
Jenna laughed out loud at the gaffe. “Sure,” she smiled. Chloe seemed a tad rattled and it was adorable. Boy between the two of them, this was becoming a hot mess.
Chloe spun around and raced to the bar, trying to collect her thoughts and slow her heart rate down after she put her foot in her mouth. Why did she say that? She never does that. She must be nervous. Jenna was a knockout that’s for sure. Those dark brooding eyes. She could get lost in them. And her smell. She smelt like wild lilies on a fresh summer’s day, the skin on her cheek so soft. The red lipstick that lined her full lips was unexpected and had packed a final knock-out punch.
She had tried vigilantly to maintain eye contact, but in her peripheral vision, she could see the way Jenna’s camisole hugged her breasts, and had the overwhelming urge to trace the neckline of her top with the tip of her finger.
Okay mind out of the gutter, just don’t mess up the drinks. One job. Do it. She slammed her eyes shut and inhaled slowly. She is just a friend of a friend. You do this all the time. This is what you do.
Chloe brought back the wines to the table and she toasted to a new friendship as she arched her eyebrow.
Jenna started to wonder if everything she did was ridiculously sexy. Smiling warmly across the table, she clinked Chloe’s glass a little too boisterously resulting in a slight spillage. Real cool. She was also starting to wonder if everything she did was ridiculously uncool.
“So, what do you think of my home town?” she said, trying to divert attention.
Chloe’s smile grew as she took in the pull of Jenna’s eyes and lips. “I’m liking what I’ve seen so far.”
Jenna felt her stomach drop as the flirtation continued. She took a sip of wine, just to give her hands something to do.
Chloe was wearing the slightest bit of makeup that accentuated her beautiful face. Her smooth skin shimmered and her lips glistened. Must be a hint of lip gloss, strawberry perhaps. She wondered what it would feel like to kiss her lips.
Chloe interrupted her thoughts. “But I have an admission, I went to school here for a year or two. A long time ago. My dad was transferred here when he accepted a management position within the county.”
Jenna held up her hands. “What?! Do tell. Don’t tell me that you also went to the one and only, Crawley High?”
Chloe sat back in her chair and traced the rim of her glass with her finger. “I did indeed, but not for long.”
“I probably wouldn’t have noticed you anyway,” teased Jenna, tilting her head.
Chloe laughed. “Excuse me. I’m sure you did. I was pretty cute, if a little short and awkward with big glasses.”
“Big glasses? As in bigger than your face?” Jenna touched her finger to her lip. “Ohhh, I think I remember you.”
Chloe laughed and rolled her eyes. “Great. Think I was the only lesbian nerd in my year.”
“Well, not in the school.” Jenna pointed to herself grinning, like she had won first prize in a contest.
“So why did your family end up moving? Not enough lesbians in town?”
The smile on Chloe’s face quickly dissipated and was replaced by a more serious look.
“Well…” she considered, briefly pausing and scrunching up her forehead in thought. “My brother was unwell so we had to move closer to Seattle. It’s a long story.”
“Okay. I understand.” An element of pain registered in Chloe’s delivery and Jenna thought it best to change the topic. “I think we should maybe grab another drink if you are up for it?”
“Sure, sounds good. I’ll have what you are having.” Chloe was grateful for the change in topic. She did not want to go all heavy too soon with something that had pained her for a long time. She watched as Jenna walked to the bar, hips swaying in a beautifully feminine way. Jenna was just what she needed.
Jenna returned with two gin and tonics. Her favorite drink. It was if she had read her mind. They chatted and laughed sharing stories from their high school experience. Jenna was twenty-six, and Chloe was twenty-three, and they deduced that when Chloe was a freshman, Jenna was in her senior year.
They realized that they had probably passed each other in the hall on more than one occasion, and had potentially seen each other half naked in the changeroom at one point or another. A revelation that momentarily brought a pause in conversation as they both mulled it over for longer than necessary.
Jenna raised her eyebrows and wrinkled her forehead. “Stop thinking about me naked,” she giggled.
Chloe threw her head back laughing. “Sorry. I had no choice. And don’t pretend you didn’t.”
They continued to laugh with each other as a brief silence ensued. The comfortable kind.
“So, serious talk, when did you know you were gay?” Chloe eventually enquired.
“Well I had a serious crush on one of the teachers and would always get nervous around her. The stunning Miss Andrews. She taught biology. Watching her light those Bunsen burners was just like….”
Chloe was already laughing. “Get out of town. Do not do this to me!”
“Why are you laughing?” Jenna sounded exasperated and raised her eyebrow.
“Because I also had a crush on her.” Chloe replied, as she buried her face in her hands. This prompted Jenna to playfully push on Chloe’s arm with her hand.
“Copycat.” Laughter erupting between the two of them. Jenna let out a little snort in the midst of the laughing attack, and Chloe was onto her straight away.
“Was that a snort?”
“No, no, no.” Jenna protested laughing.
“Oh my god, you snorted.” Chloe was now crying laughing, as she wiped a tear from under her eye. “On our first date. Unbelievable.” She shook her head smiling.
“Forgive me?” Jenna said, still laughing. And thank you Chloe, for confirming that this was indeed our first date. Now it was officially out there for the world to hear and she was chuffed.
“You’re just lucky that I’ve always liked older women,” said Chloe, her cheeks hurting from laughing. “Even snorters, or this would be done right now.” She motioned with her hands, as she continued to look straight ahead at Jenna.
“Understood. Clearly you have good taste then,” Jenna returned playfully. She was completely and utterly smitten. Her libido firing without even consulting her.
“And that I do. Touché.”
The sexual tension was palpable. “I think the flirting just started,” winked Jenna. They had shared a childhood connection, and now she hoped to share an adult one.
They continued to laugh and bond over their high school experience at Crawley and the same teachers they had shared, even though they a few years apart. Conversation flowed easi
ly and the banter continued to stoke the attraction building between the two of them.
When their drinks were empty and they were lightly buzzing, they decided to go down the road to Joe’s Pizza to have a slice of the best pepperoni in town. The restaurant wasn’t fancy, just small and rustic with only a handful of tables. Such was the connection between them that despite being at capacity, it was like they were the only two in the restaurant.
Jenna could’ve watched Chloe eat pizza all night. The way that she gnawed at the cheese, and used her tongue to draw it up into her mouth. Exceptional. The pizza itself was beyond delicious, and dinner had been littered with stolen glances, and flirtation that seemed to come natural to the two of them.
“Should we walk back to the hotel?” Chloe asked, as they left Joe’s.
“Yeah it’s a beautiful night and the fresh air would be nice.”
It was only a fifteen-minute walk and Jenna did not want to say goodbye just yet. It was too soon. They had such an amazing night. She would take every extra minute she could get. As they walked out of the restaurant, a silence lingered between them with their feet seemingly walking in unison. The air was brisk with winter fading into spring, and the smell of pine trees lingered in the air.
It was mid evening, and there was a light humming of crickets in the background. Most of the neighborhood was still awake as they passed homes that were alight with the flickering of a tv reflecting in the windows.
“I had a fun night Chloe. Unexpectedly so.”
“Unexpectedly?” The word catching Chloe off guard.
“Oh, not unexpectedly. You are great company. I mean, I always seem to have my guard up, well something happened to me when I was younger and it left me really scarred. Tonight, I felt a little bit more like me. I haven’t laughed like that in a very long time.”
“Oh, I’m sorry that you went through something like that. Maybe you can tell me about it one day, and same, I had a wonderful night. You are a real surprise package,” said Chloe, meeting her gaze. Her heart beating erratically.
Jenna smiled at the warmth Chloe’s responses exuded. Her fears seemed to melt away as they spoke. “What are your plans tomorrow?”
“Well I have to go down to the reservoir to measure water and contamination levels. Adam has something else on. It’s riveting stuff,” Chloe mused. “Um, would you like to come with me and hang? It will probably be the most exciting hour or two of your life, but it shouldn’t take too long.”
Jenna turned to Chloe as they stopped walking. Moonlight threaded the branches of trees and Chloe was partially illuminated by the glow of a nearby street light. She looked more beautiful than ever.
“You’ve completely sold me. Measuring contamination levels was the clincher. I would love to.”
“Okay, I can swing by and pick you up.” She laughed, forgetting that they shared the same address. “Sorry, I mean, I can meet you in the lobby, say at 9am?”
“Sure. We can take my car if you like.” Jenna paused, before continuing. “Well I had a great night with you.” She looked deeply into Chloe’s eyes. Her heart hammering in her chest.
The silence suggested there was more to come as the dark starry sky enveloped them. Jenna stepped towards Chloe until she could feel her breath on her lips, making her ache, and want to push her body up against Chloe.
Chloe leaned in closer, pausing for a second, then rested her hands ever so lightly on Jenna’s hips. Their mouths were inches apart. Only the brisk air separated them. The anticipation was almost too much. Jenna closed her eyes just as Chloe’s lips met hers, starting slow and gently, until not that at all. Her lips were so soft and smooth and wanting.
Chloe’s tongue gently touched her lips teasingly, inviting her to open her mouth, which she did, and responded by pushing her tongue against Chloe’s. Her whole body was buzzing. The kiss became more passionate, as they explored each other. Chloe’s thumbs moved in slow circles against her hips pressing the fabric against her body.
Their breath became heavier as their tongues pushed deeper. Jenna felt dizzy and alive. They were only pulled apart when a set of approaching headlights shone into their eyes, but their lips remained inches apart. Neither one wanting to move and break the moment.
“I had an amazing time with you Jenna,” Chloe said huskily. Her heart pounding. Her body swept up in the lustful haze. She was loving every damn second of getting to know her.
Jenna smiled, almost forgetting to breathe, as she became lost in the moment. “Let’s do this again.” It was more of a statement, than a question. Not if, but when.
Lost for words, Chloe could only nod her head, as they walked into the lobby of the hotel.
“Goodnight Jenna.” Chloe gingerly took a few steps backward, maintaining eye contact, before winking and turning away.
“Goodnight.” Jenna beamed, and took one last look over her shoulder at whatever that was tonight. She walked, and when she made it to the hallway and was out of sight, she skipped like an idiot back to her room. She then closed the door behind her and fell back on her bed. “Oh my god,” she shrieked, and covered her mouth. Who are you Chloe? Where did you come from? She could not wipe the smile off her face. She felt like a kid at Christmas. Today had been a great day.
◆◆◆
Back in her apartment, Chloe changed into her pajamas and slipped underneath the covers. How could she think about anything else tonight, but the beautiful Jenna with her dark hair, sultry brown eyes, and that killer smile. She touched her thoroughly kissed lips and took a deep breath. How could one girl be so cute, so clumsy and so sexy all at once. She was in serious trouble.
CHAPTER EIGHT
At five to nine the next day, Chloe hoisted her bag laden with testing equipment over her shoulder and rushed down to the lobby. Jenna was already sitting by the lounge flicking through her cell phone. She was fresh faced, and looked simply gorgeous wearing faded jeans with a carefully placed rip on one leg, and a soft polo shirt. Jenna would look amazing in anything, she thought. Or preferably nothing.
Jenna was grinning from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat when she looked up and saw Chloe. She could not wipe the smile from her face and her cheeks were asking for a reprieve.
Neither girl was sure if it was presumptive to kiss the other, despite sharing a kiss last night, so they settled for a warm embrace. Chloe smelt amazing, totally edible in fact, and Jenna took an extra second to hold her tight and breathe her in.
“So, ready for a fun packed day at the dam?” Chloe asked, clapping her hands as they stood face to face. “Shall we go?”
“Yes definitely.” Jenna nodded. That was a double yes from her. “My car is just out here.” She pointed to the carpark. “Follow me.”
They made the short walk outside side by side and hopped into a late model, black Audi SUV. Jenna started the car, wound down their windows and they headed on their way. It was a stunning spring day with beautiful sunshine and a cloudless sky. Sunlight poured in as they drove, filling the car with a magnificent warmth.
Chloe stole a glance at Jenna, who was comfortable at the wheel and was looking all sorts of sexy. Her untamed wavy dark hair was out and hung wildly over her shoulders. She could be her driver any time. There were so many things she wanted to do to her, as her eyes drifted from the subtleties of her neck, down to her cleavage line where her shirt dipped. She slammed her eyes shut and inhaled slowly. She needed to pull it together.
In a matter of moments, they were out of the neighborhood passing parks, bridges, meadows, and cows, lots of cows. Cows galore. The visual distraction helped temper those unruly thoughts for now. It took them about fifteen minutes, give or take, to arrive at Hudson Dam, which was on the outskirts of town.
After walking a short distance from the carpark to the edge of the dam, Chloe looked to Jenna. “Well I had better get started.” She hoisted her bag over her shoulder. “Will you be okay by yourself?”
“Don’t mind me, I am going to get out of your way and sit under t
hat tree over there.” Jenna pointed a short distance to a sparsely branched tree.
Chloe knew that she would be distracted if Jenna was any closer. There was now a hundred-foot exclusion zone between her and the tree, and Jenna was effectively fenced out.
It was hard not to let her mind wonder, but Chloe was the consummate professional and prided herself in being a work horse and getting things done. And Jenna being positioned under that tree, was like a dangling a carrot in front of her. It provided all the motivation she needed to wrap this up quickly.
“I won’t be long Jenna,” she asserted as she rushed down to the water’s edge.
Jenna crossed her legs as she sat down and enjoyed the view of the sunlight sparkling off the water. Chloe was all business.
Jenna watched her as she crouched down by the embankment with her tight jeans hugging her slender figure. She wore a slim-fitting, white linen shirt, untucked, with the sleeves rolled to the elbows, and low-cut brown hiking boots. She tied her hair back effortlessly, and drew some black framed glasses from her bag. She slid her glasses onto her face, and tucked some strands of her hair behind her ear. Jenna could not take her eyes off her. She was like some superhero. All she needed was a cape, Jenna giggled.
Chloe spent a few minutes setting her herself up and then began the testing process on auto-pilot. She swapped her trainers for a pair of gumboots and trudged out knee deep into the dark murky water, systematically collecting samples of sediment into plastic jars.
At one point, she stumbled onto a large branch, perhaps a body, and fell forward making a splash, but somehow managed to avoid to fall in head over turkey. She was hoping Jenna did not see her stack it. But sure enough, she did not miss a beat.
“You okay?” she yelled, while Chloe was still being propelled forward. “Need me to rescue you?”
Chloe collected herself, responding slightly pink faced and embarrassed. “I’m fine thanks.” She waded out further through the water to ensure accuracy.