Fusion

by Diana Kane

  After breakfast we head to the pool. Catherine swims her laps tirelessly. Initially I stay perched on the side of the pool, where she commanded me to, but once she is in a rhythm I slip into the water. She continues her laps and I’m certain she is in the zone, that my disobedience has gone unnoticed. I’m enjoying the feel of the cool water around me when I notice the pattern in the ripples has changed. Catherine is making her way towards me.

  “What do you think you are doing Miss. Woods?” Miss. Woods huh? Well two can play this game.

  “Just soaking in the pool, Dr. Waters.” Catherine raises her eyebrow at me. I know I am skating a dangerous line, that she isn’t pleased that I’ve disobeyed her.

  “No soaking. In the water means time to work. Come on.” This is an order I obey. I start making my way toward the opposite side of the pool. I complete six laps this time. I’m ready to start the seventh but Catherine stops me. “You’re making great progress Miss. Woods. Must have some great motivation.” She still wants to play.

  “I do. She’s a little taller than me, eyes like the ocean, a smile you could melt over, a brilliant mind and a killer body. She has blond hair that rests just above her muscular swimmers shoulders. Maybe you’ve seen her around.” Catherine darts towards me, pinning me against the side of the pool.

  “I haven’t but maybe you could get her number for me.” Her mouth latches onto mine, my hands roving over the skin tight fabric of her swimsuit. She grabs my ass, then slides her hands down my thighs tugging at the back of them until I wrap my legs around her waist. Our kiss continues as she slides her hands up my sides. I pull her as close as possible, my pelvis finally making contact with her. I slowly start to grind my hips against her. A low moan escapes me and she breaks off all contact. My feet reconnect with the bottom of the pool as my throbbing clit protests. She moves back in and pins me against the wall with her chest. She trails a few light kisses up my neck before whispering “Do you have any idea how badly I want you?” She takes my earlobe in her teeth and gently tugs at it before letting go and moving away. “Come on. I need a shower.”

  Catherine jumps in the shower and I change into a pair of sweats. The sound of the water running on the other side of the door has me envisioning Catherine in the shower, the streams of water rolling over her body. I want to join her so badly but I refrain. Instead I head to the kitchen, open the sliding door and stand in the cool air, hoping it will help. It isn’t long before I hear the door open behind me.

  “There you are! I was worried when you weren’t answering me.” She eyes me for a minute, sees the few stray drops of pool water along my neck and head. “You’re wet. Come in before you end up sick.”

  “I know I am. I was hoping the cold would help.” Catherine falters momentarily before grabbing my hand and pulling me back inside.

  “Go take a shower smart ass. Want to go out for lunch?”

  “Yeah that sounds great.”

  *****

  We pull into the small family owned Italian restaurant. I have been meaning to try this place for years but never seem to remember it when I’m hungry. “Reservation for Waters,” Catherine informs the hostess. She takes my hand as we follow the hostess to the back of the dining area, away from the other diners. A few heads turn as we pass their tables, I can’t tell if it is because of Catherine or if it is because of the hand holding. Either way I don’t waste any emotion on it. The hostess stops at a long rectangular table with place settings for 10. I’m confused. Catherine pulls me down onto a chair next to hers and lightly kisses me as the hostess walks away. We are completely absorbed in each other when the waitress comes over and asks what we’d like to drink. Neither of us have touched the menu and thus have no idea. Catherine quickly flips hers over and finds the drinks listed on the back. “I’ll just have a water thank you.”

  “I’d like a lemonade and a water please.” I turn my attention back to Catherine and brush my lips lightly against hers.

  “OH MY GOD!!! YOU TWO FINALLY!!!” Abby is basically shouting and squealing for all the restaurant to hear. She is practically jumping up and down. She runs around the table as I stand to give her a hug, never letting go of Catherine’s hand. The patrons around us have all stopped their conversations and eating to look at the source of the commotion. After a few seconds pass they gradually resume their activities.

  “Everyone is coming, aren’t they?” I look back and forth between Catherine and Abby.

  “Yes. Catherine sent me a message last night telling me you were doing really well and asked if I could get everyone to come here for lunch today. Everyone misses you.”

  I turn to Catherine and just look at her. “You did this for me?”

  “Well Abby did most of it. I merely made the suggestion.” It is one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me. I give Catherine a lingering kiss and thank her before turning to Abby and hugging her again. Abby looks at us and fixes her eyes on Catherine.

  “So when did this happen? I thought you were going to wait.” Catherine laughs and shakes her head. I realize that the two have formed a stronger bond since my accident, the shared experience something only the two of them can understand. The thought makes me happy.

  “I was going to wait but someone forced my hand.” Catherine squeezes my hand under the table and kisses me softly on the cheek. Abby is positively beaming.

  “You tried to run again didn’t you?” I look at my lap. Abby knows me too well. She is one of the few people in my life that stoutly refused to let me push them away. I nod my head slightly, confirming that I did. “Well I’m glad she didn’t let you.”

  Shannon, Kevin, Derrick, Dahila, Nikki and Sara show up as the waitress returns with our drinks. They all line up to hug me before sitting down. I never let go of Catherine’s hand. I refuse to. As they look over the beverage offerings I lean into Catherine and slowly whisper, “Thank you, this really means a lot to me.” I make sure my breath tickles her ear just enough and know it has worked when she grips my hand harder. The invigorating scent that is Catherine assaults me causing me to intensify my grip in return. As I lean back out of Catherine’s space we both relax our hands again.

  “Hey Alex you want a drink?” Kevin’s offer is nice but I don’t want a drink, nor do I think Catherine would approve.

  “No thanks, but you guys feel free.”

  “I don’t think she needs a drink. She already looks like she is drunk on love.” Derrick’s words make everyone laugh. I turn and gaze into Catherine’s eyes. If this is what feeling drunk on love is then keep them coming.

  Lunch is a great time. It is nice to see my family and have everything be so relaxed. It is nice to laugh so much after everything that has happened. I am finally forced to let go of Catherine’s hand when our meals arrive. I’ve selected a Cajun Alfredo pasta with chicken, sausage and peppers. Catherine chose the more traditional meat lasagna. We share a sample of our meals with each other and I hear Derrick jokingly groan. “Look at them. They are one of those couples.” I look at Catherine and smile, we both laugh.

  I finish my lunch and let my hand fall back under the table, placing it on Catherine’s leg, just above the knee. I slowly trail my fingers a little up her thigh. I feel her muscles tense and see her pupils dilate but nothing else in her posture betrays my behavior. I slowly trail them back down to her knee and feel her quad relax. I continue to do this, inching further up her leg each time. Each time her quad tenses and relaxes with my movement. Each trip up her thigh brings me closer and closer to it’s apex. I continue slowly moving my fingers, engaging in the conversation taking place all the while. Catherine clears her throat and I realize there is no more north to travel, I can only move south or west. I have no intention of moving west. I only intend to tease her so my fingers lazily travel south and then make the journey northward again. Catherine grabs my wrist this time and places my fingers between her thighs. She closes her fingers over mine and slowly starts to massage herself through her jeans. I can feel the heat r
adiating off of her and the moisture soaking through the thick fabric. I allow her to continue using my hand to stroke herself until I notice her rhythm pick up, then pull my hand away. I fake a cough just so I have a reason to bring my hand to my face. I inhale deeply and close my eyes, stifling the moan Catherine’s scent elicits from me. Just like that Catherine has turned the tables on me. I squirm uncomfortably in my seat feeling my own juices soaking my panties. Our friends are oblivious to the game we are playing.

  “Feel like taking any dessert home?” Catherine asks me in a normal tone, but I see the look in her eyes. I lean over and kiss her before pulling back slightly to lock eyes with her.

  “I doubt they offer what I’m craving,” I whisper, just loud enough for Catherine to hear it. Abby begins tapping me on the back as I lean in to kiss Catherine again.

  “Umm…Alex.” I pull away from Catherine and smile at Abby. I notice she isn’t looking at me but off to the side of the table. I follow her gaze and discover Elena and Rachel staring at Catherine and me. By now the entire table has caught on and has gone quiet.

  “Elena, Rachel hello.” I’m not sure what to say but I can feel the tension take hold of Catherine. I realize that she has never met Elena, she has no idea who is standing there. Elena’s eyes dart between Catherine and me. She eyes the fading wounds on my face and my knit cap. She knows me well enough to know that I would never keep the hat on while eating. “So how are you?” I reach back under the table and find Catherine’s hand. I want her to relax, to know that she has nothing to worry about.

  “Fine. You?”

  I look at Catherine and smile. “I’m great! Catherine this is Elena and her sister Rachel. Elena and Rachel meet Catherine.” I hear Catherine say hello but it lacks her usual confidence. I squeeze her hand under the table trying to reassure her.

  “Well we will let you guys get back to your meals.” Rachel pulls Elena away from our table. I don’t even watch them leave, instead I immediately refocus my attention on Catherine. She seems a little shaken. I lean over and ask her if she is ok. She nods that she is but I don’t believe it.

  “Dessert anyone?” The waitress is back. No one at the table has any room for dessert and it is clear that I’m not the only one that has noticed Catherine’s change in mood.

  “I think we will take our checks please.” I’m thankful that Abby understands I want to get Catherine out of here.

  “Ok how am I breaking up the bill?”

  “One check please. Lunch is on me.” Catherine has been pulled from her state. She fights off the protests of our friends and insists that she receive the bill. She pays the check and we all stand up to make our way back outside. I’m still clutching her hand so I slow her, pulling her back to me.

  “Baby what’s wrong? What happened?”

  “Not here,” she whispers as she pulls away from me. Outside we say our goodbyes to our friends as they each hug me in turn. I notice Abby giving Catherine a hug and whispering something to her. Catherine nods her head but the sadness remains on her face and her shoulders continue to sag a little.

  We get in the car and Catherine remains silent. I stare at her but she doesn’t look at me. I sigh out of frustration. “Do you think we could stop by my apartment and pick a few things up while we are out?” She nods and starts the car.

  The ride to my apartment is filled with silence. We get there but Catherine won’t let me go upstairs. Instead I give her a list and she heads up. I quickly text Abby asking what happened. My phone goes off right away and her one word response is Elena. I text back three questions marks. I don’t understand what has happened. Abby responds that I just need to talk to her. Catherine is taking a while to come back to the car. I want to go up and find her, hold her and make her tell me what has shaken her so. I know if I do she will only be more upset because I took the stairs without help. So I wait. When Catherine returns to the car her eyes are red and puffy. She has obviously been crying.

  We drive back to her place without saying a word. I can hear her occasionally sniffle, trying not to cry. I am going crazy trying to figure out what happened. Catherine parks in the garage, grabs my stuff and heads into the house without looking back. I step through the door in time to see her head down the hall towards the bedroom. I follow her and try to wrap my arms around her but she pulls away.

  “Will you please talk to me? I’m going crazy here. I don’t know what happened.” Catherine won’t even look at me. My desperation amps up and fear starts to choke me. “Please Catherine, please.” She finally looks up at me. I take it as a sign and move closer to her, taking her hand. I pull her towards the bed and sit down. When she does the same I slide back and sit with my knees bent and my feet together. Catherine pulls herself up onto the bed and faces me. She draws her knees up to her chest and wraps her arms around her legs. I slide closer to her so I can grab one of her hands and rub my fingers across her arm with my other. I do this and wait for her to talk.

  “She is very beautiful.” Catherine’s voice is a whisper.

  “Elena?” Catherine nods. “I suppose she is. So?”

  “I saw how she looked at you.” What is she talking about? “She still wants you.”

  “Don’t be absurd. So what if she does?”

  “I’ve seen that look before.” My phone chimes from my pocket. I ignore it. I’m so confused about what has rocked Catherine so badly. It takes me a minute but the answer finally comes to me.

  “Is this about Brian?”

  “The woman he cheated on me with looked at him the exact same way that Elena looked at you.” My phone chimes again. “You should get that.”

  “Whatever it is isn’t as important as this. Catherine I’m not Brian. No matter how Elena may or may not have looked at me I wasn’t looking at her. I would never do what he did to you.”

  “You say that but you two were together a long time, you have history together. What happens if she decides she wants to try again?” My phone chimes again, irritating me. “Really Alex, just see who it is.”

  “Sorry,” I tell her as I pull out my phone. Elena has sent me three text messages. She hasn’t contacted me once since I moved out and now this. I enter my password and read them. It was great to see you today. What is with the hat? Please talk to me. I quickly type my response: had an accident, busy. I don’t want to encourage her. “Catherine you just said it yourself. It is history. I am where I want to be with who I want to be with.” My phone chimes again. A realization hits me. I’m an idiot. Catherine has told me she loves me three times and I have never told her how I feel in return. “Don’t you know that you’re the only woman I see? That you are the only woman that I want? Don’t you know that I love you?” Catherine finally looks up at me, she still has tears in her eyes. They are like daggers being driven into my heart. I slide a little closer to her, spreading my legs out to surround her. I wipe her face with my thumbs. “Don’t you know that a part of me has belonged to you since you stopped me at the conference? I’ve been a fool for not telling you sooner. I love you Catherine.” My phone chimes again. I quickly switch it to mute. Catherine seems to relax a little. I slide behind her and wrap my arms around her. I slowly pull her down to the bed and continue to hold her. Eventually she spins around to face me.

  “Say it again.”

  “I love you Catherine. I love you.” She kisses me and then pulls me to her, burying my face in her neck. We lie there holding each other until I drift off, the warmth of her body combined with her heartbeat lulling me to sleep.

  Catherine

  I know I am being irrational, but seeing the way that Elena looked at Alex has reopened an old wound. I can tell how Alex feels about me just by the way she looks at me. I know she doesn’t intend to hurt me, yet the fear and insecurity somehow make their way to the forefront. Alex loves me. I have suspected it but now she has said the words. Words I know she takes seriously, she would never use those words if she didn’t mean it. As Alex lies here asleep in my arms I can feel my heart so
aring. Nothing has ever felt this amazing. No one I have ever been with, not getting married, not graduating at the top of my class, not even my first solo surgery. It seems irrational and a bit foolish but it feels right. I slowly pull the knit cap off of her head, hoping I don’t wake her. She doesn’t even stir. I lower my head and breath in the scent that is Alex, musk mixed with citrus and something else that I can’t identify. It is inebriating and I love it. I kiss the top of her head and allow myself to drift off to sleep.

  I wake up before Alex. It is dark outside but I don’t need the light to know that neither of us have moved an inch. We still lie facing each other with my lips planted on her forehead. I start trailing my fingers along her back. It is another twenty minutes before she finally stirs. Twenty of the best minutes I have known. She looks up at me and I can see the concern on her face. “Are you ok?” I’m more ok than I can ever communicate to her.

  “Yeah, I’m good.” She smiles sleepily and slowly kisses me before sliding back down and burying her face in my neck again.

  “Sorry I fell asleep. I’m never going to sleep tonight.”