by Fiona Riley
Olivia was only half listening. She was chewing slowly and thinking about all the things that perfect voice could whisper in her ear. She remembered the low, throaty chuckle Savannah purred out earlier at the pool, and she shifted in her seat, uncomfortable in her pants. They had made eye contact earlier, over dinner, and she saw Savannah’s eyes flicker to her lips again, like before. She liked the way it felt to be admired by Savannah. There was something so carnal about the way her eyes widened and a little smile danced across her lips when she looked at Olivia. It made Olivia want to jump her, immediately, and maul her face. Which would be completely unacceptable.
“What do you say, Liv?” Reagan asked, nudging her elbow.
“What’s that?” Olivia replied, looking up at Reagan.
“Devon wants to hit up a place called Flashes and grab some drinks and dance a bit after dinner. It’s supposed to be a pretty decent gay bar around here. You in?”
“I’ll pass. You kids are too young for me.” Farrah laughed and sipped her wine. She shook her head at Devon when he started to tease her about being his hag for the night. Their friendship was so cute.
Olivia mulled it over. She didn’t want to go to a club and dance with some stranger. She wanted to spend some more time with Savannah. Not that that was even an option.
“Liv, c’mon. It’s our last night here. Let’s meet some locals.” Reagan flashed a mischievous grin. “Plus, it’s been like forever since you got laid.”
“You’re such an ass.” Reagan was right, though—she could use a distraction. Maybe she could even convince Savannah to tag along. That would be the best of both worlds. “All right, I’m in.”
“Yes!” Reagan and Devon slapped hands and danced in their seats while Farrah shook her head and warned them to behave.
Olivia slipped away from the table to use the restroom. She scanned the lobby for Savannah. She frowned when she didn’t see her and wandered into the bathroom to wash her hands and freshen up her makeup. If they were going out, she might as well make an effort. She pushed open the door and walked right into Savannah, who appeared to be exiting while checking her phone.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Olivia stepped back.
“You sure you didn’t walk into me on purpose?”
Olivia laughed. “I can think of better ways to brush up against you than when entering a bathroom.”
“Is that so?” Savannah quirked her eyebrow and held open the door as she gestured for Olivia to enter.
“Mm-hmm, like, for instance…” Olivia paused and considered whether her invitation would be well received. She decided to go for it. “Devon and Reagan want to hit up a bar not far from here to get some drinks and maybe dance.”
Savannah let the bathroom door close and leaned against the sink, listening intently.
Olivia felt a little nervous while Savannah surveyed her with such curiosity. It was intimidating. “Would you like to join us?”
Savannah cocked her head to the side and appeared to consider Olivia’s request.
Sensing Savannah’s hesitance, Olivia decided to stack the deck in her favor. She stepped closer and leaned her right hip on the sink so that she was facing Savannah. She traced the fingers of her right hand along the marble of the sink in a slow zigzagging pattern. Savannah’s eyes were drawn to the movement.
“I would really love it if you came along.” She walked her fingers until they were just millimeters from Savannah’s hip before she stopped and reversed directions.
Savannah kept her gaze on Olivia’s fingers and let out a quiet sigh. “I think that might be a bad idea.”
Olivia frowned as she looked up into the conflicted expression on Savannah’s face. She waited for Savannah to elaborate.
“Don’t you think this is hard enough as it is? Without any encouraging circumstances like liquor and dancing and standing so close.” Savannah’s voice dropped to a near whisper as she uttered the last word. Olivia could feel the intensity of her gaze on her face. Savannah’s eyes paused at her lips before she trailed her gaze down over Olivia’s body. It was the first time she had explicitly checked out all of Olivia. Especially in this close proximity. It excited her. The tension between them was electric and felt unbearable. It was like a force field of humming pressure, invisibly separating them, and Olivia wanted Savannah to cross it.
Olivia let out a frustrated sigh. Savannah’s words were in serious conflict with her body’s signals. She watched as Savannah struggled to keep herself still. Her hands fidgeted angrily by her sides, like she wanted to touch her. It was once again clear they both wanted the same thing. Olivia wanted to feel Savannah, but she couldn’t force her either. She frowned again and broke eye contact. She turned her attention to the mirror in front of her and slowly started to put her walls up. She needed to stop looking at Savannah and her gorgeous face or else she would do things she couldn’t undo.
“You’re disappointed.” Savannah stated the obvious and Olivia resisted the urge to cringe. She didn’t like feeling so powerless. Or so easily read.
Savannah took in a breath. “I want to—” She turned and stepped behind Olivia. She was close enough that Olivia could feel the heat resonating off her body. She was close, but not quite touching.
Olivia looked up at their reflection to find Savannah watching her. Her eyes were dark and her expression was serious.
Savannah continued, “I want to stand close to you. I want to feel you.” Savannah hovered her hands over Olivia’s shoulders—not touching, just hovering. It was maddening.
Olivia’s skin felt like it was burning under Savannah’s non-touch. She could feel the heat of Savannah’s hands through her shirt and along her arms before those hands paused above Olivia’s hands, which she pressed against the cool marble to help ground her. Savannah’s eyes were getting darker, dangerously darker, and Savannah’s pink lips turned into a small, teasing smile.
Savannah brought one hand up and brushed the hair off Olivia’s shoulder, exposing her neck. She leaned infinitesimally closer and breathed across Olivia’s skin in a low, throaty purr. “Do you have any idea how hard it is, to be this close to you and not touch you the way I want to?”
Olivia shuddered and closed her eyes as she felt Savannah’s hot breath on her neck. She was taunting her, making her clit throb. She shook her head as she willed her body to be still, but she felt like her knees were going to buckle. She felt wet.
“Do you know how badly I want to…” Savannah trailed off with a sigh.
Olivia opened her eyes to see Savannah’s lips almost touching the shell of her ear. Savannah smiled as Olivia’s breath hitched in response. She was having trouble breathing and being still. But she didn’t dare move too quickly. She wanted to see how this would play out.
The fingers of Savannah’s right hand danced over Olivia as she spoke. “It would be too hard”—she entwined Olivia’s fingers with hers and pressed Olivia’s palm against the cool marble to accentuate the word hard before she licked her lips—“to be that close to you and not touch.” Savannah stepped forward and pressed her front to Olivia’s back, pushing Olivia’s hips into the sink. “And that just wouldn’t be fair, would it?”
Olivia whimpered and closed her eyes. She bit down on her bottom lip as she felt Savannah’s breasts press against her back. Her fingers curled reflexively and Savannah held her hand in place against the marble. The husky murmurs in Olivia’s ear had her head spinning. She was so turned on that she didn’t know what to do or say.
Savannah sighed in her ear and her left hand fell to Olivia’s hip. She squeezed gently before she pulled her fingers out of Olivia’s and stepped back. “Have a good time with your team tonight. Thank you for inviting me.”
Olivia let out a shuddering breath and met Savannah’s gaze in the mirror. Olivia could see her chest moving up and down rapidly in her reflection. She felt out of breath. Savannah flashed her a knowing smile as she stepped away and reached for the door.
The door pulled open and Reagan s
lipped in. She greeted Savannah quickly as Savannah left the room.
“Hey, Liv? You okay? You look weird.” Reagan shot her a concerned look before she disappeared into the stall and closed the door.
“Um, yeah, fine. Just a little tired, I think.” Olivia was a terrible liar. She was glad Reagan was behind the stall door and couldn’t see the glowing blush of arousal that was all over her neck and chest. She thanked the heavens that Reagan came in when she did and not a minute earlier. Although she was so hot and bothered by the interaction that maybe it would have been better if it was interrupted. She thought about this for a moment and shook her head. No, it was definitely worth every agonizingly teasing moment of privacy with Savannah. And even though she felt horribly sexually frustrated right now, she wouldn’t change a minute. That voice, in her ear, breathing on her neck, taunting—
“Liv? What is wrong with you?” Reagan interrupted her thoughts as she stood next to her at the sink and washed her hands.
“Nothing. I gotta pee.” Olivia tossed her a lame excuse and hid behind the stall door until Reagan left.
Chapter Eleven
After the bathroom exchange, Olivia was positively buzzing. When she got back to the table, everyone had already finished their meals and was chatting about the club. Reagan invited Savannah to join them. Savannah politely declined and offered to cab it back to the hotel with Farrah, giving no indication this was her second invitation. She claimed to have to make some work calls.
Olivia slid into her seat and avoided looking directly at Savannah, because it just made her body hot and her heart rate pick up. The one time they did make eye contact, when the check was paid, she could have sworn she saw that mischievous glint in those gray-blue eyes again, the same one Savannah had had at the pool, in the bathroom, and recently, in her dreams. She gulped and reached for her water.
When they arrived at the club, it proved itself to be just the distraction Olivia needed—dimly lit, with a full bar. That was pretty much all Olivia cared about. They lined up shots along the bar and nodded their heads to the thumping house music as they talked intermittently while checking out the other patrons.
Devon found a cute gay boy in a plaid shirt to slink off with and Reagan quickly cozied up to a blonde with big hair and minimal clothing. Olivia settled into a seat at the bar and sipped her cocktail as she toyed with the straw. If she was being honest with herself, she would admit that she didn’t want to be at the bar. She’d rather be chasing Savannah through the hotel or spending some much needed alone time working out her sexual frustrations. There was a lesbian couple next to her, obnoxiously making out with each other, and the spectacle was nauseating because she was envious. She quickly downed her drink and stepped toward the dance floor to release some of her tension.
The beat picked up and the overhead lights flashed brightly colored shapes on the floor. People writhed around her in singles and pairs for a few songs as she got lost in the music. A pretty brunette sidled up to her and danced a bit before she stepped in closer and placed her hands on Olivia’s hips. Olivia smiled at the woman and matched her movements. She shook her hair in front of her face and focused on the beat of the music. The woman stepped up behind her and loosely encircling her waist. She started dancing closer. Olivia closed her eyes and tried to focus on the touch. She tried to enjoy it, but all she could think of was Savannah behind her in the bathroom teasing the shit out of her. She let herself imagine that it was the sultry redhead for a song or two, before she caught Reagan at the bar gesturing to her. She finished the dance and thanked her impromptu dance partner before slipping through the crowd.
“Hey!” Reagan called out. “Who’s she?”
Olivia shrugged. She hadn’t even attempted to get the woman’s name. Her mind was elsewhere.
Reagan rolled her eyes and handed Olivia some fruity concoction. “Devon and I are thinking about heading back to the hotel. Are you ready?”
Devon was kissing Mr. Plaid Shirt in tight pants next to them and was completely oblivious of their existence. Reagan’s blond friend wandered over with a martini and a crooked grin.
“Hey, I’m Candy.” She smiled and shook Olivia’s hand before sipping her drink and leaning into Reagan’s chest.
“Of course you are.” Olivia shook her head. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s go.” She finished her drink and handed the empty glass to Reagan before calling out to Devon and pointing to the door.
The cab ride back to the hotel was interesting. Both Reagan and Devon were bringing back guests, so Olivia sat in the front with the cabbie, who had a funny accent and liked to talk about fishing, a lot.
By the time they returned to the hotel it was well after midnight. The lobby was deserted, so of course their arrival sounded like a herd of elephants running through a glass factory. Devon and Plaid Shirt were stumbling hot messes. Reagan at least appeared to be sober enough to press the correct elevator button, but the way Candy was sucking on her neck made Olivia decide to take the next elevator car instead. The last thing she wanted was to be the fifth wheel in an elevator porno.
The doors closed and Olivia shut her eyes and took in a deep, steadying breath as she waited. She didn’t really want to go to sleep right now, but she also didn’t feel like watching bad television in the hotel bed either. She exhaled, and the silence of the lobby was interrupted by the soft melody of a piano. Olivia opened her eyes and glanced around looking for the origin of the sound. The lobby was empty except for an older gentleman sitting behind the check-in counter. He was reading the paper and seemed oblivious to the tune.
Olivia walked away from the elevators and across the lobby toward the sound. It sounded like it was coming from the hotel bar. The bar—a U-shaped metal surface with eight equally modern looking bar stools—was a few steps down from the lobby. A few flat screen televisions were positioned on the walls behind and to the right of the bar but the entire left side was made of glass with a view overlooking the mountains. The entrance to the hotel’s restaurant was across a communal meeting area furnished with comfy sofas and lounge chairs.
She stepped up to the bar and asked for a glass of water after she decided that she had no desire to drink. The bartender looked exhausted. One lonely businessman sat at the bar, nursing a beer. His face looked worn and his tie was pulled loose. He looked like he had traveled across the world and back. His wrinkled suit matched his heavy eyes. Olivia suddenly felt tired, too. Maybe it was the company she was currently keeping.
She shook her head to ward off the sudden fatigue and stepped away from the bar and toward the couches facing the view. The soft melody was still playing somewhere near the entrance to the restaurant that had long since closed for the evening. She walked along the wall of windows and looked out at the mountain view as she followed the inviting sound. At the other end of the lounge sat a baby grand piano and a single floor lamp that appeared to have been dragged from a sitting area nearby. The lamp was tucked off to the side and barely illuminated the keys and the person playing the beautiful music.
Olivia stood there silently and enjoyed the music as her eyes adjusted to the darker corner of the lounge area. It was then that she realized she knew the musician. Sitting perfectly straight with her eyes closed and playing without sheet music was Savannah. Olivia watched Savannah’s fingers move fluidly across the keys. They sped up and slowed down as the song began to come to a close. When the music stopped, Savannah opened her eyes and reached for the glass of wine that rested atop the piano. Realizing that she was sort of staring, like a creeper, Olivia cleared her throat to announce her presence.
Savannah turned her head quickly in surprise, nearly dropping her wineglass in the process. She smiled when she recognized her admirer. “That’s twice today you’ve crept up on me. You sure you’re not a stalker?”
“I promise you, I’m not. I just seem to find myself stumbling upon you.”
Savannah sipped her wine and set it back atop the piano before starting up a new song. “Now, now, th
at’s not entirely true, is it?” she teased. “You sought me out at the pool. I vaguely remember you holding a towel.”
“Yeah, that’s true, I guess.”
“I meant to ask you before—what made you come find me?” Savannah held her gaze, as her fingers moved along the keys and hit each note without looking at her hands. Olivia was impressed. She was quite good.
Olivia paused and thought about the question. She didn’t have a legitimate reason. She’d come back from the day trip and wanted to see her. She’d found herself standing by the entrance to the pool, scooping up a fresh towel and wandering in. She’d just missed spending time with Savannah. And it hadn’t occurred to her until this moment. She hesitated, mulling over whether to fib or be honest, finally deciding on honesty.
“I guess I just missed you. I don’t know.” She shrugged as if it was a normal feeling, but knew that it wasn’t.
Savannah’s grin widened. She seemed pleased by this information.
“Have you played long?” Olivia asked, eager to change the topic to something less serious.
“Since I was young. I took lessons as a child and hated it.” She looked down at her hands as they continued to gently hit note after note. “I grew to appreciate the training as I got older.”
“It’s beautiful.” Olivia’s gaze settled on Savannah’s perfect profile; her red hair was swept up into a loose bun. She was wearing a soft looking but snug black top over expensive jeans that she had paired smartly with black leather boots. She looked casual yet chic, with simple diamond studs in her ears and a single floating diamond necklace.
Savannah waved her over to the bench and slid down to give her some space. “Come here, I’ll teach you.”
Olivia hesitated before she joined her. She sat next to Savannah and placed her water by Savannah’s wine. She rolled her shoulders more to release the sudden nervous energy she had rather than because she felt stiff.