by Renee Porter
“This is stupid, so stupid. Just call, get it over with.” Ryan chewed on her lip and then picked up the phone again. She pressed send and waited and then, hearing the doorbell she quickly ended the call and threw her phone back on the kitchen table. “Saved by the bell!”
When the door opened Ryan was met with Jonathan’s and Charlie’s bright smile.
“Hey, what are you guys up to?” Ryan looked over quickly to Charlie and smiled shyly. The slow smile that Charlie gave made her cheeks burn and she stepped aside to let both of them in. She was highly aware of the way Charlie was looking at her and she couldn’t seem to tear her eyes off of the woman’s tight three quarter running pants and tight v - neck shirt that supplied a perfect view of her assets.
“What did you say?” Ryan asked as her gaze tore away from a smiling Charlie and over to Jonathan who had asked her a question.
“I asked if you wanted to go on a jog with us.” Jonathan looked at her warily and then over to Charlie who seemed to not be paying attention to anything but the brunette in front of her. Jonathan narrowed his eyes at Ryan.
“No, I can’t sorry. I have to go into work today for a bit.”
“Okay, so what are you doing tonight then? Do you want to come over for a drink?”
“Uhhh,” Ryan looked over at Charlie quickly and then back at Jonathan. “Can’t sorry.”
Jonathan scoffed. “It’s Saturday night. Do you have a hot date or something?”
Jonathan heard Charlie chuckle and noticed Ryan’s cheeks heat with a deep red. “Oh my gosh. You do. You have a date tonight.” Ryan rolled her eyes and she crossed her arms.
“I’m going to go to the restroom real quick.” Charlie looked at Jonathan and then glanced quickly over at Ryan who held wide eyes. She hurried off downstairs to the restroom and when the door latched Jonathan continued.
“Who is it? And why don’t I know anything about this?” Jonathan pouted and Ryan would have laughed at the act if she wasn’t so damn nervous. She unfolded her arms and ran her hand through her hair.
“I was going to tell you. In fact I was just calling you to tell you. Well really to ask you, something.”
“Okaaayyy…” Jonathan dragged out the words and waited for Ryan to continue.
“I wanted to ask you…” Ryan’s throat went dry and then she just expelled the words in one bunch, “if you would be okay if Charlie and I went out on a date.”
“What?” Ryan didn’t know if he just didn’t understand or if he was not happy with the idea. She let out a sigh.
“I wanted to know if you would be okay with Charlie and me going out on a date…tonight.” Ryan chewed her bottom lip as Jonathan seemed to go through every facial expression in the book.
“Oh my god.” That was surprise. “Are you serious?” Anger. “Tonight?” Denial. “Are you sure?” And that one was just his protective nature.
“Yes, I’m sure, Jon.” Ryan smiled trying to convey her feelings for his cousin.
“So what? You’re like, asking me for permission? To date my cousin?”
Ryan nodded. “I really like her, Jon. And you two are close and you’re my best friend. I want to do this right, you know?” Jonathan looked over Charlie’s shoulder but she didn’t seem to notice.
“And what are your intentions with my cousin?” He cocked an eyebrow up and Ryan gulped at the change of tone.
“Are you teasing me right now?” His solid stare had Ryan almost shaking. Then she straightened her spine and spoke. “You know me, Jon, better than anyone else. You know that I don’t date anyone that I can’t see myself having a future with. So, I intend to date Charlie with hopes that it will be something more. And if for some reason it happens not to work out, then I’ll still be there for her as a friend.”
“Always?” He asked. Ryan just nodded as Jonathan broke character and clapped his hands. “Alright then, yes. You can date my cousin. Charlie you ready to go?” Ryan’s heart sped up as she looked behind her. Charlie was standing at the stairs with a wide smile and glistening eyes. Her cheeks were red but she was sure that her own were a deeper shade. Jonathan winked at her as she rolled her eyes, stepping outside and waiting for his cousin. Charlie stepped up next to Ryan and kissed her softly on the cheek.
“You’re amazing you know that?” With a wink that mirrored Jonathan’s, Charlie didn’t wait for an answer as she exited Ryan’s home. “See you tonight,” Charlie called out as Ryan watched the two jog off down the street. She exhaled a breath and shook her head, chuckling softly.
“Well that wasn’t so bad,” she placed her palm over the tingling sensation on her cheek and smiled. She closed the door and got ready for a long day of catching up at work.
Chapter 15
The doorbell rang as Ryan pulled out the lasagna from the oven. She removed the oven mitt from her hands and took a steadying breath. This wasn’t the exact date that she was used to. Never had she cooked for a date before, and never had she asked them to her own home for their first outing. But she knew that Charlie was different, in more ways than one. She didn’t want Charlie to have to disguise herself if they went out in public. When the door opened Ryan’s breath was literally knocked out of her as a small body crashed into her.
“Ryan!” Ryan looked down at George and smiled at the brown eyes that stared up at her.
“Hey buddy, how are you?”
“Good! I missed you!” George reached up, asking to be held and Ryan silently answered him, placing him on her hips and looking over at Katie.
“Hey you, is everything okay?” Ryan’s eyebrows knitted together in worry as she saw Katie’s red rimmed eyes. Without a word, Katie’s forced smile cracked and her eyes streamed with silent tears.
“Come in, Katie.” Ryan held onto the woman’s waste as she ushered her friend in, concern now overtaking her body.
“I’m so sorry for dropping in like this Ryan,” Katie mumbled through her tears.
“It’s okay. What’s going on?” Ryan readjusted George on her hip as he said “Grandma is sick.” He frowned as Ryan looked over to Katie for confirmation. She nodded her head.
“She had a stroke. I didn’t have anyone to take George and I don’t want him there, Ry.” She was aware of what Katie was asking her and she didn’t even hesitate. “I’ll take him. Just go be with her. Do you know anything…at all?” Ryan didn’t want to ask anything outright, afraid to scare George.
Katie shook her head. “I just got the call. I really am sorry, Ryan.” She then looked down at Ryan’s attire and the perfection of her makeup and hair. She frowned. “Were you going somewhere?”
Ryan shook her head. “No, I’m just having Charlie over for dinner.” Katie opened her mouth to say something but Ryan stopped her. “It’s fine, go, please. I’ll feed him and we’ll all have fun tonight. Isn’t that right Georgie?” Ryan poked his stomach which gave the sad boy a wide smile and giggle. Katie smiled at the sound of her son and nodded her head.
“Thank you so much, Ryan.” Ryan just waved her off as she took the toddler’s bag from Katie’s arms.
“Please call me when you can to let me know how everything is.” Katie nodded as she turned around, hurrying herself to the car. As Ryan stood there waving with George towards his mother she saw Charlie walking up. When she met the brunette and the little boy on the porch she smiled at them both. Ryan mouthed an “I’m sorry” but Charlie waved off the apology.
“And who is this handsome little man?” George looked at her quickly and then shyly placed his head in the crook of Ryan’s neck. Ryan laughed as she took the little boy’s hand.
“Charlie, this is one of my best friends, George.” She felt George smile in her neck. “And George, this is one of my best friends, Charlie.” Charlie glanced up meeting Ryan’s smiling eyes and then glanced back over at George. The little boy finally pried his head away from Ryan’s neck.
“Can you say ‘hi’ Georgie?” Ryan smiled and shook him gently to get a giggle out of him.
&nbs
p; “Hi Georgie.” The boy smiled at his joke and both women chuckled. “George’s grandmother is sick and his momma went to go visit the doctors who are going to try and make her better.” Ryan looked sadly at Charlie who frowned slightly.
“Well, aren’t we lucky to be able to hang out with such a handsome man tonight?” Georgie smiled at Charlie and squealed when she tickled under his arm. She straightened her back, smiling at the pair and leaned in to Ryan, giving her a light kiss on the cheek. “Hello, you look beautiful.” Ryan bit her lip as her heart sped up. She couldn’t tear her eyes off of Charlie who was wearing tight skinny jeans and her signature v - neck t - shirt. Her brunette hair fell in soft curls and her eyes seemed glow bright against the grey of her shirt.
“Ryan?” The woman was jolted out of her gaze as she looked down at George.
“Yeah buddy?”
“I have to pee pee.” Ryan laughed as she waved in Charlie, telling her to get settled while she took the little boy to the restroom. When she returned, Charlie had set the table for three, placing the booster seat in front of the candle lit kitchen table. Charlie eyed them both as they walked in and George’s eyes widened at the beautiful display.
“Is this all for me?” George smiled as he kicked his feet being placed in his chair.
“Yep, all for you buddy. But maybe we can all share, what do you think?” Ryan asked. George nodded as he grabbed his sippy cup that Ryan had put in front of him.
“This is beautiful, Ryan.” Ryan lifted her gaze towards Charlie and slowly smiled.
“Nothing but the best for Georgie.” Charlie’s cheeks heated as she shyly looked away.
“So what can I do to help?”
“Nothing, you’ve done enough. Just sit and I’ll grab the food. Would you like some wine?” Charlie nodded as Ryan filled two wine glasses for them and placed their food on the table. The group ate with light conversation, making sure that George was entertained as he chomped down on his small serving of lasagna.
“Mmmmm,” he placed a bite in his mouth and the sauce seemed to get everywhere except for where it was meant to go. Ryan chuckled as she wiped off the excess sauce from his cheeks.
“You’re great with kids,” Charlie said.
“I love them.” Ryan smiled. “There is just something about them being dependent on you. Like, this little human needs you. It’s an amazing feeling.” Charlie’s heart warmed at the sentiment.
“You like feeling needed?” Charlie took a slow sip of her wine a soft smile splayed at the rim of her wine glass.
“Doesn’t everyone?” Ryan’s voice cracked as she watched Charlie’s tongue licked her bottom lip and nod, her mind went to a place where that tongue was tracing her own.
“Delicious,” Charlie stated as she kept her eyes locked on Ryan’s. She glanced to Ryan’s chest and watched it expand and fall quickly.
“The wine or the food?”
“Yes those too,” Ryan broke the stare as she took a deep breath in. Her face was hot and she took a large gulp of wine to settle her obvious arousal at Charlie’s simple words. She heard chuckling coming from her left and narrowed her eyes at Charlie.
“What’s so funny?” Georgie asked. The women looked over to the sauce ridden boy and Ryan couldn’t help but smile at the sight.
“You are, sauce monster!” Ryan stood, taking away empty plates and grabbing a wet nap to clean Georgie’s face.
“Hey what do you guys think about watching a movie?” Charlie knitted her eyebrows at Ryan’s request and George squealed with delight.
“Can we watch Nemo?!”
Ryan nodded her head and tilted it towards Charlie.
“And how are we going to watch this movie if you don’t own a TV?”
“Ry has a TV. A really, really big one!” Georgie kicked excitedly to get out of the high chair and Ryan reached down and grabbed the little man, placing him on his hip.
“Yeah, I have a really big one, Charlie.” Charlie cocked an eyebrow up and Ryan rolled her eyes at how the words sounded. “You know what I mean.” The women laughed as Charlie followed the downstairs and to the normally closed doors. As they opened, Charlie inhaled as she took in the media room. The large projection screen was surrounded by old movie posters, most ly from Ryan’s father’s movies. Picture frames riddled the walls and Charlie eyed them one by one. Many were of a younger Ryan and her handsome father. Charlie looked over to Ryan who was situating George down on the large comfortable couch.
“Don’t watch movie’s huh?” Ryan looked up and shook her head.
“I only come down here with George, usually. This was mainly my father’s room. We would watch movies together every weekend.” Charlie nodded.
“It’s great. Beautiful. I feel honored to even be in here.” Ryan tilted her head and Charlie continued. “I wasn’t lying when I said that your father was a great actor, Ryan. He was one of my role models.”
“Mine, too.” Ryan nodded her head toward the couch as she loaded the DVD into the media center. She adjusted the volume , and then the lights , and sat herself down next to Georgie, handing over the wine glass to Charlie who was on the other side. Charlie sank back comfortably and as a head landed on her side she looked down at a comfortable looking George, staring intently at the screen in front of him. Charlie looked up at Ryan who was smiling widely.
“Looks like you have a new best friend.” Charlie nodded as she lifted her arm across the back of the couch.
“Looks like I have two best friends now, huh?” Ryan bit her bottom lip as she lifted her own arm up over the back of the couch, fingers meeting each other and tangling together.
***
It wasn’t even an hour into the movie when light breathing could be heard coming from the little boy between them. Ryan sat up quietly, not wanting to wake up George and whispered to Charlie. “I’m going to go put him in one of the guest rooms. Do you want to finish the movie?”
“Did you have something else in mind?” Charlie’s heated glare hit Ryan and she groaned.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re ready to devour me.” Charlie clucked her tongue and Ryan was sure the woman was going to smile at her. But her stare was predatory and Ryan felt the familiar pull in the back of her spine travel straight down. Another light groan and Ryan stood, picking up George gently.
Charlie stood as well and followed Ryan up the stairs. She waited as the woman went up s the next set of stairs v and entered one of the guestrooms. Ryan found Charlie in the kitchen, washing up the plates from their dinner.
“You don’t have to do that,” Ryan said as she started to help.
“I know.” Charlie smiled and the two worked in companionable silence. When they were finished, Ryan took Charlie’s hand and guided her towards family room. Wine in hand, they both sat down with little distance between them. Ryan tucked her feet under her, her thighs lightly brushing against Charlie’s.
“I am sorry about tonight. It’s not exactly how I imagined our first date going.”
Charlie took a sip of her wine and placed it down on the table in front of her, taking Ryan’s and then doing the same. She turned her body and placed her hand in Ryan’s, gently rubbing the outside of her palm.
“Well, I know we had a surprise visitor, but still, I’m enjoying it.” Charlie smiled as she took her other hand and brushed a lock of hair out of Ryan’s eyes.
“You are?” Charlie nodded in answer to the whispered words. And then, without even having a chance to think, she leaned forward and placed a gentl e y kiss on Ryan’s lips.
“I really am.” Ryan smiled as it was her turn to lean into Charlie. Their lips met longer this time, as each mouth tentatively danced with the other. When Charlie’s mouth opened to take a deep breath, Ryan took the opportunity to gently glide her tongue along Charlie’s upper lip. When the action pulled a moan from Charlie’s throat, the sound urged Ryan on. The kiss grew more passionate as Charlie’s tongue met
Ryan’s for the first time and both wom e a n released a guttural groan at the first feeling of the warmth of one another. With every breath, every thrust of tongue, Ryan grew closer to Charlie and before she was even aware of what she was doing, she found herself straddled on Charlie’s lap, lightly thrusting with every kiss.
Ryan felt strong, confident hands at her waist as Charlie urged her hips forward in a slow sensual dance. Ryan moaned as lips left her own and attached to her neck. Their thrusts were growing harder, and stronger, each trying to gain more friction to alleviate the pulsing between legs. When Ryan felt the feel of those hands leave her waist and fall on the skin of her back she was afraid that she would fall right then and there. The gentle massage of strong fingers kneading her back and then light scratches pulling her closer made her head spin.
She felt like Charlie was everywhere at once, and she wasn’t sure how it was possible that this woman was making her feel so much pleasure with her clothes still on. She couldn’t remember a time when she was so turned on by just making out. Not even when she and Naomi were first dating was it ever this good. When Ryan felt Charlie’s hand move over her breast, she gasped at the sensation. Her nipples peaked instantly and Charlie’s thumb moved over the hardened bud, each graceful stroke over the sensitive skin sending a pulse down to Ryan’s center. Lips met her own again as she felt Charlie drag down the material of her bra, exposing the restrained bud underneath her shirt. When warm fingers finally found their mark, Ryan removed her lips from Charlie’s and took in a deep, sharp breath. The feeling was overwhelming, too overwhelming and it brought Ryan back to the present. She slowed her hips and opened her eyes, placing her hand over the one on her breast to still it.
Charlie opened her eyes and looked up, the look of concern evident conc ern on her face. “Is everything alright? Did I hurt you?” Ryan chuckled as she licked her lips. She ground down again on Charlie who moaned at the movement.