Sativa Strain

by Alexi Venice

  Tommy and Cy had already walked into an adjacent rec room that had a wet bar, pool table, big screen and sofa. “Nice job in here, Amanda,” Tommy yelled from the bar.

  “Thanks! Help yourself to a beer!” She kept her eyes locked on Jen’s as they heard a bottle opener being put to good use and the balls on the table being racked. Amanda closed the gap between Jen and her. “This isn’t the way I pictured showing you the house, but Cy’s talk of buying in the neighborhood excited me. I just couldn’t contain it any longer.”

  “How long have you been working on this? Really.”

  “Seriously, not long. After the campaign ended, Jack found this property. There wasn’t much needed other than superficial remodeling. The house itself is in good shape—or so Jack tells me.”

  “Are you really planning to buy it from them, or are they giving it to you?” Jen asked.

  “Just like my other house, I’ll make monthly payments on my meager government salary.”

  “You’re not messing with me?” Jen asked.

  “No. I never joke about mortgages. But, I could use a sugar mama to help me. Will you live here with me as a family and help me pay my mortgage with your big, fat doctor paycheck?” Amanda asked.

  Jen rolled her eyes and took Amanda’s hands in hers. “I’ll think about it. It’s a bit overwhelming. I just moved into my own place, but I do like the idea of paying to own instead of renting.”

  “Is that the only reason? A desire to own?”

  Jen brushed a quick kiss over Amanda’s lips. “Of course not. You know how I feel about you. I just wanted to take things slow, but I forgot that there’s normal speed, then there’s ‘Amanda speed.’ Give me a chance to catch up, okay?”

  “You decide the pace,” Amanda said, even though they both knew it was a lie. “By the way, when we get back to your apartment, I have something for you.”

  Jen raised her eyebrows. “What now?”

  “I can’t tell you. I have to show you.”

  “God, you’re fast and mysterious.”

  “Not even my best qualities.”

  Kristin ran over and hugged their legs, asking to come up. Jen picked her up and kissed her while Amanda wrapped her arms around both, snuggling into Jen’s warm neck.

  “She’s running out of energy,” Jen said. “I think she’s ready for a bath, story time and bed.”

  “In that case, we should get going.” Amanda broke away. “Boys? Are you ready?”

  “On our way.” Tommy burped loudly. He and Cy walked out of the pool room into the workout space.

  “Love you,” Amanda said to Kristin as she patted her head.

  “Quite the place,” Tommy said. “Guess we know who’s hosting the Super Bowl party.”

  “We’d be happy to,” Amanda said. “Maybe Jen will make her world-famous nachos.”

  Jen smiled as she carried Kristin up the stairway.

  Amanda followed the group, turning off lights as they went. Once they were all outside on the front stoop, she punched in the security code and the security system sprang to life with beeps and green lights.

  “Thanks for showing us your new house, Amanda,” Tommy said after they were back on the sidewalk.

  “Jack and Chloe did a good job, didn’t they?” Amanda said.

  “Tell them to buy and renovate one for me, too,” Cy said.

  “One day at a time, Pops. I’m not opposed to moving, but we need to let Jen and Kristin get settled.” Amanda noticed that he left her out.

  “I agree with Tommy,” Jen said. “Let’s make sure Amanda, Kristin and I are going to live in this neighborhood permanently before you two move from North Beach.”

  Amanda loved that Jen not only put her back in the equation but also included her name in a sentence with the word permanently. She didn’t dare look at Tommy.

  “Well, make up your minds soon,” Cy said. “Life is too short for me to be this far away from playing with Kristin and eating Jen’s cooking.”

  “We will, Cy.” Jen laughed and looped her arm through his.

  They enjoyed a leisurely walk back to Jen’s apartment building where Tommy’s car was parked. “Thanks for dinner, Jen. Cy and I are going to hit the road.”

  Hugs were exchanged all around, and the women watched the men drive away. Kristin, who was resting on Jen’s hip, waved goodbye with her hand backward, so Jen and Amanda imitated her. The three of them looked like they were motioning to Tommy and Cy to return instead of waving goodbye.

  “Ready to go up?” Jen asked.

  “Yeah. I’ll grab the stroller,” Amanda said.

  When they walked through the front door, Amanda asked, “Do you want me to do the dishes while you bathe Kristin, or vice versa?”

  “You’d do the dishes for me?”

  “It’s for us, and yes.”

  Jen planted a quick kiss on Amanda’s cheek. “Well, thank you. For everything.”

  “I’ll be in the kitchen,” Amanda said. She heard Jen turn on the bath water and talk to Kristin. I hope she’s not secretly fuming at my audacity for remodeling a house down the street.

  Amanda tidied up the kitchen and poured two glasses of sparkling water over ice with lemon wedges on the rims. She curled into a corner of the sofa with a throw and turned on the TV. A while later, Jen strolled in and sidled up next to her, wearing only boy shorts and a tank, her tanned, lithe body barely covered. Amanda loved the way Jen’s narrow hips curved around to her dimpled butt. If ever there was a figure perfect for boy shorts, it was hers. Amanda devoured Jen with her eyes while holding the throw open, so Jen could squeeze in next to her.

  “That’s better,” Amanda said, lifting her arm around Jen’s shoulders. “I poured you a sparkling water.”

  “Thanks.” Jen took a sip and set the glass back down. “I feel like we should talk about how manipulative you are, but honestly, I can appreciate why you bought that house. Commuting back and forth to Sea Cliff, trying to take care of Zumba, and having clothes in two places is time-consuming. I know how crazy your life is at work, so you need to keep your personal life in order.” Jen ran her hand up and down Amanda’s thigh. “Trust me. I get it.”

  Amanda turned to face Jen. “I’m so relieved. I’ve been downright afraid to show you the house because I thought you might be angry that I was being presumptuous. Or worse, pressuring you. I warned you when we made out at the yacht club, though, that I want you back, and not just as a girlfriend and a lover. We’re already practically living together in this apartment.”

  “I know. I’m fooling myself into thinking that I’m an independent woman living here with Kristin. I want you in our lives again, too. To be a family again. In fact, I was going to suggest that you sort of move in by bringing more clothes over, and maybe even Zumba.”

  “Oh my God, thank you,” Amanda said. “I just have this overwhelming need to create a stable family with you and Kristin.”

  “Me too.” Jen moved her hand in and around Amanda’s thigh.

  Amanda cleared her throat, as she slid away from Jen and dropped to her knees before her. She quickly fished around in her Lulu sweatshirt and produced a black velvet ring box. She held it up and opened it for Jen to see. “Will you marry me? Like soon?”

  The tiny light on the inside of the box illuminated a gold band with inlaid diamonds that sparkled like the ocean on a sunny day. It was as glorious as it was understated and simple.

  “What the heck?” Jen asked.

  “I bought you an engagement ring, because I haven’t seen you wear the previous one I gave you. Besides, that black rubber band wasn’t much to look at because you were so concerned about working in the ER and working out at the gym. This, my love, is a real, grown-up ring for a beautiful woman like you. So, I ask again, ‘Jennifer Kay Dawson, will you marry me?’”

  Jen covered her mouth as tears clouded her vision. “Yes, I’ll marry you. We’ll move in with you and live as a family.”

  Amanda beamed. “Go ahead. Try it on.” She
nodded to Jen for encouragement.

  With trembling hands, Jen removed the ring and slid it on. It fit perfectly. She held out her hand, admiring it, sighing in amazement. “It’s beautiful. I didn’t know what I wanted until now. Perfect.”

  Amanda eased up from the floor and straddled Jen’s lap, taking Jen’s face in her hands. “From the moment I first met you, I knew we had to be together forever. I love you.” She leaned down and kissed Jen tenderly. Sweetly. She could feel Jen leaning in, surrendering, her hands moving over Amanda’s lower back and butt cheeks.

  When they parted for air, Jen asked, “Does this mean I’m supposed to give you a new ring?”

  Amanda laughed. “No. I have exactly what I want, and I’ve never taken it off.”

  Jen stiffened. “Not even when—”

  “Never,” Amanda said emphatically, holding the back of Jen’s head in her hands.

  “Okay, then. Good to know,” Jen mumbled.

  Amanda could hear the relief in Jen’s voice. “I love you and only you.”

  “And, I you. And this ring. Wow! I’ll buy a pair of weight-lifting gloves to protect it.”

  “Good idea. It’s best not to take it on and off. You might accidentally leave it somewhere.”

  “Like in my new gym that my sexy fiancée built for me,” Jen said.

  “You know why I built you an in-home gym, right?” Amanda asked while she dropped soft kisses on Jen’s forehead and eyelids.

  “Because you knew it would clinch the deal?” Jen ventured.

  “Because I didn’t like the idea of all those younger, hot women hitting on you at the Pacific Heights CrossFit Box.”

  “Ahh. The truth comes out. Well, you did the right thing because I was beating them off with a stick.”

  Amanda’s eyes grew wide, making Jen laugh.

  “You’re messing with me,” Amanda finally said.

  “You’ll never know.”

  Amanda thought about that for a sec, then asked, “Whatever happened to the other ring I gave you?”

  Jen scrunched her face. “Well, ah…Let’s just say that I might have been so incredibly pissed off at you that I might have thrown it into the Bay.”

  Amanda laughed. “I see. I’ll make sure never to piss you off again.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Totally justified,” Amanda said, putting her finger to Jen’s lips. “No need to apologize.”

  Jen tilted her head back, giving Amanda better access.

  Amanda traced her finger around Jen’s mouth then held her jaw in her hand. “God, you’re beautiful. I want you so much.” She waited for Jen to invite her.

  “Make love to me,” Jen said.

  Then, and only then, did Amanda kiss Jen, savoring her lips, meeting her tongue, tasting her passion. Slowly and completely, she poured her heart and soul into Jen and took every ounce of Jen’s love in return.

  As they kissed, Jen slipped her hands under Amanda’s tank and stroked her back, sparking hot shivers along her spine. Heat swirled, making Amanda lightheaded, so she braced her hands on the back of the sofa. When Jen covered Amanda’s breasts with her hands, hot lava flowed from Amanda’s peaks southward—pooling in her valley. Her voice husky, she said, “I want to make your fantasy come true tonight.”

  “You already have.”

  “How?” Amanda pulled back, so she could look into Jen’s intense eyes, sparkling with desire.

  “I was going to ask you to marry me tonight to fulfill my fantasy, but you beat me to the punch, which made it even better.”

  Tears stung the back of Amanda’s eyes. “You know I would’ve said ‘yes’ a thousand times, right?”

  “We’ll never know, will we?” Jen asked.

  A flash of hurt spread across Amanda’s face, making Jen laugh. “Ask me. Ask me right now,” Amanda insisted.

  “Why?” Jen asked.

  “Because it would mean so much to me.”

  Seeing the anxious flash in Amanda’s eyes, Jen obliged her. “Amanda Margaret Hawthorne, will you marry me?”

  Jen was rewarded with the shocked look she was hoping for.

  “You know my middle name?” Amanda asked. “Since when?”

  “I asked Chloe today.”

  “And she told you? Why?”

  “Because she loves me. Duh. I told you parents love me.”

  “Did you tell her why you wanted to know?”

  “Of course not.” Jen traced her finger around Amanda’s lips. “Now. Quiet your mind. Will you marry me?”

  Amanda wiped a tear from her eye with the back of her wrist. “I’m sorry. I’m just amazed at how romantic you are. You make me deliriously happy. Yes, I’ll marry you.” She punctuated her reply with a greedy kiss.

  Jen moaned into Amanda’s mouth then tightened her arms around Amanda’s back.

  “Now, tell me your sexual fantasy,” Amanda said between rushed kisses.

  “Bring your ear to my lips.”

  Amanda leaned down, resting her ear against Jen’s hot mouth.

  Jen whispered so softly that Amanda barely heard her, but when Jen finished, Amanda actually growled with anticipation. Growled like she was going to savor every raw minute. Growled like she was going to eat Jen for dessert. “Do you think we should move this to your bed?”

  “I think we have to,” Jen said, grazing Amanda’s nipples with her thumbs.

  Amanda crumpled with desire, but not before whispering against Jen’s neck, “I’m going to make you scream my name.”

  “Your middle name, too?” Jen asked.

  Chapter 9

  The next morning

  Hall of Justice

  Running late, Amanda walked quickly through the reception area of the DA’s Office and sped down the hall. As she passed Melanie’s cubicle, Mel held up her hand. “Did you see that I added the arson trial to your calendar for today?”

  “Yes. I have a few things to do then I’ll drop by. Remind me if I don’t leave soon, okay?”

  “Will do.” Amanda took a step, but Mel held up her hand again. “Here are some phone messages I already took this morning.”

  “Thanks.” Amanda grabbed the pink slips from Mel and went into her office.

  The first message was from Chance Greyson, the media relations manager from her re-election campaign. He had been positively brilliant in thwarting the North Korean government’s attempt to derail her campaign. She owed him so returned his call first.

  He answered on the second ring. “Hello?”

  “Hi Chance.”

  “District Attorney Hawthorne. How are you?”

  “Fantastic. What can I do for you?”

  “A couple of favors to ask. First, Kip Moynihan and I are throwing a party, and we’re hoping you and Jen can make it.”

  “That’s terrific,” Amanda said then thought, Wow. These two decided to go public early in their relationship. They’ve been a thing for only a month. “We’d love to. When and where?”

  “My place in Stinson Beach. Two Saturdays from now. On the twenty-seventh.”

  “Stinson Beach? Is this an overnighter?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Don’t call me ‘ma’am.’ Where will we sleep?”

  “My place can accommodate 12 couples without breaking a sweat. You’ll even get your own en suite bathroom.”

  “Lovely. We’re in. I have to check calendars with Jen though. She’ll need to ask Tommy to take Kristin.”

  “Gotcha. I’ll mark you down as a ‘maybe.’”

  “Good. I heard you say you had a couple of favors to ask?”

  “Yes. Would you be willing to act as a reference for me?”

  “Absolutely. I’ll sing your praises to anyone who will listen.”

  “How about to Kara Montiago?”

  Oh shit. A lump formed in Amanda’s throat.

  “Are you still there?” Chance asked.

  “Ah. Yes. I am. I’m just…give me a minute.” She rested the phone on her shoulder and harnesse
d her surprise. When she replaced the phone to her ear and spoke, she used a calm, measured tone. “Congratulations for being asked to work on such a high-profile campaign. However, I’m sorry I can’t talk to Mrs. Montiago right now. I can’t tell you why, but I just can’t do it.”

  “Is there something I should know about her before jumping head first into managing her?”

  “I can’t speak to that either,” Amanda said.

  “Hmm. It sounds like I should be extra thorough when I ask if she has any skeletons in her closet.”

  “No comment,” she said.

  “Okay. I get it.”

  “I do have a request for you, though.” She paused a second. “I hope you’ll keep confidential the intimate details about me that you learned during our campaign.”

  “I’m a professional. That goes without saying. No worries. I’m gathering that you and Montiago have a history, but you’re not going to talk about it.”

  “Thanks Chance.”

  “Thank you. I learn something new every time I talk to you.”

  “For the record, you didn’t learn anything from me.”

  “Gotchu loud and clear, dear.”

  “You may not call me ‘dear.’”

  He laughed. “Talk to Jen about the shindig.”

  “I will. Gotta run.”

  “Bye.”

  Now Chance knows there’s something up with Montiago. He probably thinks we had an affair. Oh well, let his mind wander. Better that than tipping him off, and, by extension, her, to a sexual assault allegation.

  There was a light tap on Amanda’s door. When she looked up, Mel was standing there, looking sheepish.

  “Come in. Come in. You don’t have to stand in the doorway,” Amanda said.

  “I don’t want to interrupt, but you told me to remind you to go to the trial, and if you’re going to fit it in today, you better go now. The rest of your day is pretty booked.”

  Amanda pulled up her electronic calendar on her phone. “You’re right. I’ll go right now.” She stood. “Text me if you need me, okay?”

  “I will.”

  Amanda grabbed a yellow notepad and pen off her desk on her way out. From the DA’s Office, she serpentined through the drab, aging halls of the city building, accentuated by peeling paint. She found the courtroom for the arson trial and read the docket by the side of the double door. Judge Charles Grady was presiding. Her favorite. She quietly entered the courtroom, nodded at the bailiff in the back, and walked half way up the courtroom to an empty bench behind the prosecution side.