Worlds Apart

by Isis Brown

  Layla was halfway to clinking her wine glass against Isabel’s before she heard the TV comment and pulled her glass back dramatically while narrowing her eyes at Isabel.

  “Nice try, Ms. Martin, but I’m afraid I will not be so easily swayed on the merits of Canadian TV just yet.”

  Isabel smirked before taking a sip of her wine and setting her glass down on the coffee table. She then took Layla’s glass out of her hand and set it down on the table next to hers. Isabel turned herself on the couch, folding one leg so she could face Layla, and Layla instinctively turned to face Isabel in return. Isabel leaned in and captured Layla’s lips in a kiss, that went from casual to red hot in mere seconds. Isabel took control of the kiss as she slid her tongue inside Layla’s mouth while sliding one hand through her hair and pulling it tight. Layla moaned into Isabel’s mouth, which only encouraged Isabel to be more possessive in her kiss. Isabel pushed herself up onto one knee and swung her other leg over Layla’s lap to straddle her on the couch. Isabel looked down into Layla’s eyes before claiming her mouth again as Layla’s hands slid up Isabel’s thighs then around her waist where she began to run her fingertips along the small of Isabel’s back under her shirt, allowing herself to do now what she wanted to do in the kitchen.

  Not wanting to be left out, Ramsey hopped on the couch.

  “Oh my God, you scared me,” Layla exclaimed while laughing, breaking the kiss.

  “Ramsey, get out of here you pervert. You’re killing the mood!”

  Just then, the timer went off for the oven, and Isabel reluctantly peeled herself off Layla.

  They walked into the kitchen, past the dining table that was already set, where Layla watched Isabel take the chicken out of the oven and set it on the stove. Layla walked up behind Isabel once she took the oven mitts off, pushed her body up against Isabel’s back, sliding Isabel’s hair off the nape of her neck, and started kissing her there. “Smells good,” she mumbled into her neck.

  Isabel tilted her head, giving more of her neck to Layla. “Me, or the food?”

  Layla kissed her way down and softly bit Isabel’s shoulder. “Food? What food?”

  Isabel turned around, wrapped her arms around Layla’s waist and brought her in for another kiss, before walking her out of the kitchen. They stumbled towards Isabel’s bedroom, sneaking kisses in between discarding items of each other’s clothing. Isabel closed the door to ensure Ramsey wouldn’t follow them into the bedroom then pushed Layla up against it, who was by then in a bra and jeans. Isabel undid the button of Layla’s jeans, and they were starting to slide down her hips. Isabel slowed down and looked at Layla with a serious expression, which caused Layla to stop fiddling with the button on Isabel’s jeans.

  “Is this okay? Are we moving too fast?” Isabel asked, somewhat out of breath.

  “Do you not want to?” Layla asked hesitantly

  “I want to, I just want to make sure you do, too.”

  Layla reached over and grabbed Isabel’s hand, and slid it past the open waistband of her jeans, to the top of her underwear. Leaving it there, she lifted her hand and pulled Isabel’s face close to hers. “See for yourself.”

  Isabel lowered her fingers slowly into Layla’s underwear and slid the tips of her fingers over Layla’s center, which was wet to the touch. Isabel groaned at Layla’s arousal and crushed her mouth against Layla’s until she was out of breath. Isabel reluctantly slid her hand out of Layla’s underwear to finish sliding her jeans down her legs. She took a step back to admire Layla, who wore matching purple bra and panties.

  “You are so fucking sexy,” Isabel whispered, and Layla could not have been more grateful that Marco drug her into that lingerie shop yesterday.

  Layla stepped to Isabel and pushed her up against the bed, lowering Isabel’s jeans to the floor. Once free of them Isabel crawled onto the bed, with Layla crawling on top of her, their bodies fusing as their mouths met and they got lost in a tangle of limbs and hair.

  “I want to taste you,” Layla spoke against Isabel’s lips before she started to kiss her way down Isabel’s neck. Layla reached behind Isabel and unhooked her bra, prompting Isabel to remove it and throw it somewhere on the floor. Layla took one of Isabel’s nipples, already rock hard, into her mouth. She reveled in the feeling as she sucked on it, and releasing her nipple only to use the tip of her tongue to circle and flick its tip before taking it into her mouth again. She repeated this slow torture on the other nipple several times, enjoying the whimpers coming out of Isabel’s mouth as she could feel her chest rise and fall with her quickened breath.

  Layla slid one hand in-between their bodies, down between Isabel’s legs over her underwear, that was wet to the touch. Layla pushed herself up onto her knees and hooked her fingertips around the waistband of Isabel’s underwear. Isabel lifted her hips off the bed, encouraging Layla to pull them off before lowering herself in-between her legs. She looked up at Isabel again, as Isabel ran her fingers through Layla’s hair. “Please,” she pled, voice thick with arousal.

  Layla began by kissing and nipping at the insides of Isabel’s thighs, slowly working her way to Isabel’s core. Once Layla’s mouth connected with Isabel, they both moaned. Layla savored the way Isabel tasted, and she paid explicit attention to the way Isabel’s body responded when she flicked at her clit with her tongue, the differences between how fast and slow she licked, sucked and teased Isabel’s body.

  “Oh you are so, so, good at that,” Isabel said to Layla, and Layla murmured acknowledgment onto Isabel’s clit, making Isabel moan even harder at the vibration.

  When Isabel’s breathing started to stagger, Layla lowered her other hand to Isabel’s opening, and slowly slid a finger inside, curling it and massaging her inner walls as she slowed down the assault on her clit. Isabel’s back arched off the bed and hissed as she released the hold on Layla’s hair so she could grip the sheets on the bed.

  Lifting her mouth only slightly, Layla asked “Do you like that?” as she started to pump her finger in and out of Isabel, her wetness coating Layla’s finger and letting her slide easily in and out.

  “Yes, but I want more.”

  Layla slowed down her movement and slid another finger into Isabel, before sliding in and out of her again, and lowing her mouth back to Isabel’s swollen clit.

  Layla sensed Isabel couldn’t hold back her orgasm much longer, as her moans continued filling the room. Layla knew she should slow down, savor the moment, but she was so lost in the act of pleasing Isabel, so turned on by the responses of Isabel’s body to her own, that she couldn’t. Layla sucked Isabel fully into her mouth while curling her fingers inside, knowingly massaging the roughness of her g-spot, and feeling Isabel’s body tighten beneath her.

  Isabel sucked in a quick breath and froze for a moment before the orgasm claimed her. She cried out, her back arched, hands back in Layla’s hair, body shuddering.

  When Isabel could take no more, she gently nudged Layla’s mouth away from her hyper-sensitive clit, and Layla laid her head on Isabel’s thigh, fingers still inside her, as she looked at her adoringly while Isabel worked to catch her breath.

  Slowly easing her fingers from inside Isabel, Layla looked up. “You taste amazing.”

  “Come here,” Isabel demanded.

  Layla sat up, wiping off the excess wetness from around her mouth, she straddled Isabel, acutely aware of how wet her underwear was since she never did get around to taking them off along with her bra. Isabel must have noticed that too as she was quick to unhook and toss Layla’s bra across the room. Her eyes raked across her breasts, as Layla shivered in anticipation.

  Isabel then reached up and wrapped her fingers around Layla’s neck, bringing her down for a kiss before flipping their bodies so Layla was pinned beneath her on the bed. Isabel sat up and ripped Layla’s underwear off before laying back down on top of her, sliding her leg in-between Layla’s and grinding against her, putting pressure on Layla’s center while she continued devouring her mouth. Layla trailed h
er hands up Isabel’s back and up into her hair, enjoying the feel of Isabel’s breasts pressed against her own, her hard nipples sensitive to the touch.

  Isabel slid her hand down between their bodies, and slowly started to tease at Layla’s opening with her fingertips.

  “Tell me what you want,” Isabel said, knowing the answer but needing to hear Layla say it.

  “I want you inside of me.”

  Isabel drove two fingers deep into Layla, who was wet, warm, and welcoming. Layla cried out in pleasure, and Isabel didn’t hold back. She fucked Layla with vigor, kissing along her jawline until sliding her tongue into Layla’s mouth, while using her thumb to massage her clit as she devoured Layla’s moans, consuming them.

  Layla was already so aroused from touching Isabel, she knew she wouldn’t last long. Layla broke the kiss. “I’m sorry I can’t hold back.”

  “So don’t, come for me,” Isabel answered, focusing more on her rhythm as she moved in and out of Layla, caressing her clit and adding more pressure. Layla pressed her head back into the pillow and squeezed her eyes shut, on the brink of an orgasm.

  Isabel lowered her head and took one of Layla’s nipples into her mouth, pinching it between her lips and tugging on it, before sucking it into her mouth again. That did it. Layla cried out, clawing at Isabel, her body contracting and gripping Isabel’s fingertips as Isabel continued to stroke her.

  Once Layla’s shaking subsided, and her breathing started to even out, Isabel withdrew her fingers and rested her face in the crook of Layla’s neck. Layla wrapped her arms around Isabel, slowly running her fingertips up and down her bare back.

  “Well, that was nice,” Isabel said into Layla’s neck in-between kisses.

  “Mhm,” Layla answered.

  Layla’s stomach growled loudly, and they both laughed.

  “You better feed me, before this growl gets out of control.”

  “I thought I did feed you?” Isabel teased as she nibbled on Layla’s earlobe.

  “You did indeed. In fact, I already want seconds,” Layla said as she started to reach down in-between their bodies towards Isabel’s center.

  “Oh no you don’t,” Isabel said, as she rolled off the bed. “What kind of host would I be if I didn’t feed you a proper dinner?”

  Isabel slipped on a fresh pair of underwear and a t-shirt, and took a robe out of her closet, setting it on the bed for Layla.

  “See you out there,” she said as she opened the door and walked back towards the kitchen, Ramsey hot on her heels.

  Layla took a moment to compose herself, before yelling out to Isabel. “I hope you don’t think what happened between us is going to sway my opinion regarding the merits of Canadian television. MY INTEGRITY WILL NOT BE COMPROMISED!”

  She could hear Isabel laughing from the kitchen as she put on the robe and went to join her.

  Chapter Six

  Thursday

  Isabel woke up the next morning, the sun shining brightly into her bedroom, sheets tangled at her feet. She started to reminisce about the night before. She turned to face Layla in bed, and her stomach dropped when she realized she wasn’t there. She tried to push away feeling disappointed until she saw the note on the pillow.

  Woke up early and noticed Ramsey pacing by the door. Taking him for a quick walk, back in a few. Xo, L

  Breathing a sigh of relief, Isabel flopped back on the bed and started reliving the night again with a satisfied smile on her lips.

  ***

  Layla had no idea how energetic Boxers were. Ramsey led her quickly out of Isabel’s apartment building and seemed to know exactly where he wanted to go, which was every single tree, bike rack, and person in his wake. After she helped him mark the three blocks near Isabel’s place, she found a cafe to pop into for coffee and pastries. She took that opportunity to call Marco and update him on what went on with Isabel the night before. After a few rings, Marco picked up.

  “What is this, the phone call of shame?” he joked

  “I have ZERO shame over what happened last night.”

  “I figured you had a great time when I stopped by your room to no answer before heading down to the hotel lobby for that mediocre continental breakfast.”

  “Speaking of, I’m picking up breakfast right now.”

  “Shouldn’t she be making you breakfast in bed or something?”

  “She was still asleep when I left.”

  “Wore her out, did you?” Marco said, laughing.

  “No comment. What’s the plan for tonight?”

  “I thought we could go out to dinner. I’d like for you to spend more time with Elliott if you’re up for it. I’ve told him so much about you, and he wants to get to know you better. I think it’s because he wants you to tell him all of my secrets and I swear to the Goddess Katy Perry herself I will end you if you do.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of telling him about that time when we were in high school you dyed and permed your hair to look like JT and wore all denim.”

  Marco scoffed. “Two can play at that game Layla, or have you forgotten about that video from the talent show when you were part of the four girl crew that covered Lady Marmalade?”

  Shit. “Okay, okay! I hereby call a truce. Now I finally get that concept of mutually assured destruction.”

  “Mutually assured what?”

  “Never mind. Okay, I gotta go I’m back at her place. Have a good day making the corporate world of Vancouver a better place! Text me where you want me to be at 7.”

  “Will do. Go get her tiger, but please don’t smell like vagina at dinner.”

  Layla laughed and hung up the phone, Ramsey leading her back up the stairs and to Isabel’s apartment.

  ***

  Layla knocked before letting herself back into the apartment, and Ramsey sprinted right into the bedroom and jumped on the bed smothering Isabel with kisses. Layla slipped her shoes off by the door, left the pastries on the dining table and took the two coffees towards the bedroom, leaning on the door jam and watching Isabel pet and play with Ramsey. Isabel was sitting up in bed and must have been up for a few minutes because she had put on a tank top and a cute oversized pair of sweats.

  “Good morning,” Layla said, appreciating how cute Isabel managed to look in the morning after very little sleep. “Want your coffee in here or out there?” as she motioned towards the living room.

  “Definitely in here, come back to bed.”

  Layla walked towards the bed and handed Isabel her cup, then crawled into bed next to her, sitting up and leaning her back against the headboard.

  “I wasn’t sure what coffee you liked, so I played it safe. Americano okay?”

  “It’s perfect,” Isabel said as she leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Layla’s lips. “Thanks for taking Ramsey out. I didn’t expect to sleep in so late and I didn’t hear you get up.”

  “LebaNinja strikes again!” Layla joked, lifting her coffee cup victoriously.

  “You make a convincing case, consider me converted.”

  They sat like this for a while, stealing kisses, sipping coffee and petting Ramsey. After they finished their pastries in the living room, Layla got a work call that kept her for a while, and Isabel excused herself to shower, gesturing that Layla should join her when she finished up her call.

  Needing no more motivation, Layla wrapped up her call with the deputy chief of staff once they had a plan to get past this mini-crisis – there always was one in politics – and stripped off her clothing. She wasted no time sliding into the shower behind Isabel, pushing her up against the shower wall, and taking her over and over again until the water turned cold.

  ***

  Layla arrived at the Italian restaurant to meet Marco and Elliott a few minutes early and was surprised to find them already there waiting for her in the reception area. After quick greetings all around and Elliott leading the way with the host towards their table, Layla glanced questioningly at Marco and tapped her watch. Marco curled his arm around Layla’s shoulder
and brought her in quickly as they walked and whispered, “He wanted to make a good impression on you, so I told him you’re always early. We have literally been here for twenty minutes.”

  Layla smiled as they arrived at their table and all sat down, and Layla could see how taken Marco and Elliott were with each other, despite Elliott seeming a little nervous for the meet the best friend dinner.

  Once all the formal getting to know you things were discussed, the drinks, dinner, and conversation flowed freely, with Layla and Elliott bonding over the idiosyncrasies Marco had that Elliott had been able to pick up on so far.

  “So tell me,” Elliott said to Layla. “How long does this sock fiasco go back?”

  “As long as I’ve known him!” Layla laughed.

  “There is no sock fiasco people, wanting to sleep in socks is a normal thing,” Marco said, defending himself.

  Elliott scoffed. “Not if that’s all you’re wearing.”

  Layla leaned forward and grabbed Elliott’s arm. “One time during summer break when we were kids, we had been at the local pool all day, and he was supposed to spend the night at my house. Everything was fine until he suddenly, and very seriously, said he had to go home. I had no idea what was going on, and after some prompting from my Mama on whether or not he was okay, he admitted it’s because he didn’t bring an extra pair of socks with him so he couldn’t go to sleep. I believe he slept in a pair of my strawberry shortcake socks that night.”

  Laughing Elliott looked affectionately at Marco, threw his arm around his shoulders and brought him in for a quick kiss.

  “Don’t worry, handsome. I still like you.”

  Marco tried to hide his smile and pretended to be annoyed at their bonding.

  “Yeah yeah, enough about me and how adorable I was as a kid. How are things going with Ms. Isabel Martin?” he asked Layla.

  Layla blushed as a smile swept over her face. She took a bite of her salad to give herself a moment to answer.

  “She is amazing,” Layla said.

  “Have you two talked about what you’re going to do?” Elliott asked.