Caylen walked in and shut the door. She unbuttoned her dark gray jacket and sat in the soft leather chair in front of his desk. Her uncle was scribbling a few notes in the margins of a report he had lying on his desk.
"How's your day going?" He asked as he tossed the pen on the desk and sat back in his chair.
"Hectic, the new software seems to be holding up to the task, so far."
"That's good. It's about time we updated that old system."
"Yeah, I didn't realize it until I started using the new one. I think I gained an extra hour." She knew he was beating around the bush and she danced the tango right along with him.
"I take it you had a nice time Friday night?" He looked her square in the eyes. She felt goose bumps on her arms. He reminded her so much of her father at that moment.
"Actually, I did have a nice time at the conference. I can't say I did after that. My weekend was spent loathing myself." At least I'm being honest. I shouldn't have to talk to my uncle about my sex life!
"And the cause of that would be the very young bartender?"
"She wasn't that young."
"Looked to me like she was half your age."
"Geez you make me sound like a dinosaur. And no, I wasn't loathing myself because of her. I called Margo to come get me as soon as we reached her apartment. That was a mistake and I caught myself before I made it worse."
"I see. So why the loathing?"
"It's a very long story and I would rather keep it to myself if you don't mind."
"Well, I respect your privacy as your business partner, but as your uncle you know I have to look out for you."
"I know and I love you for it, Uncle Herb, but I'm fine. I'm thirty-three years old and mom babies me enough." She smiled, hoping she didn't come off as an asshole.
"I'm sure she does. And I know how old you are, that's why it concerned me to see you leaving with such a young girl. You know we all want to see you settle down instead of changing women like you change your underwear."
She wasn't sure what to say to that. Had he really been keeping tabs on her sex life? Just the thought of it grossed her out. Besides, she had really slowed down her dating habits over the last few years."Trust me, I'm fine. I've just had a lot going on lately. And as I said before, I did not go home with the young woman. Well I did, but I left as soon as I got there." God, if he only knew how bad I wanted a piece of that, he'd understand how hard it was for me to leave. But, as much as I wanted it, I knew it was wrong, especially when she wasn't even the one I was thinking of.
"Alright. Go on, get out of here." He smiled. "I'll see you in the morning. And by the way, I didn't tell Aunt Viv anything about last Friday. Just so you know your dirty laundry is your own for the moment."
She smiled. "Thanks."
~
Herbert left Caylen with just enough time to rush into her condo and change. She tossed her suit on her bed and slipped into jeans, a tight white polo shirt, and brown Doc Martens. She was back in the Bentley and heading into town within fifteen minutes. She was praying there wasn't a traffic jam on the 101 when she got on the interstate on ramp. She glanced at herself in the mirror. Her pale blue eyes were staring back at her. Her hair was starting to look unruly since it was two weeks overdue for a cut, but the spiky mess still looked sexy as hell. Or at least that what she was always told when she thought she was in need of a serious haircut.
Fifteen minutes later Caylen pulled up in front of the nicest apartment complex she'd ever seen. There was a colorful waterfall in the large pond on the left and the buildings looked like they belonged in another country. She followed the numbers until she came to building fourteen. Caylen parked next to a convertible Mercedes. She was actually impressed. Most of the cars in the community were expensive. Caylen wondered why the residents were pissing away their money in an apartment when they could have a condo or a house.
"Are you always this punctual?" Tanner asked when she opened the door.
"No, I'm usually early but I was at the office later than usual and I live on the beach so I was stuck in traffic coming and going." Caylen met Tanner's gorgeous gray eyes then gave her a quick once over. Tanner was wearing jeans, a low cut black top that showed off her round breasts and muscular physique, and black leather boots that gave her an extra inch of height which put her even with Caylen. Her thick wavy hair hung down her back and around one of her shoulders.
Their eyes met softly.
"You have the sexiest eyes I have ever seen." Tanner's voice was almost a whisper. "I love the way you look at me."
"You're very beautiful, Tanner. It's hard for me not to look at you." Both women blushed. Caylen cleared her throat and opted for a safer conversation. "So, are you going to make me stand in the doorway or do I get a tour?" She held her breath and smiled. All she wanted to do was gather Tanner in her arms and kiss her slowly until their bodies melted together.
"Well," Tanner turned around and spread her arms wide. "This is the living room." She continued throughout the two bedroom apartment. The carpet was a shade darker than white which matched her beige leather couch and love seat perfectly. The entertainment center and tables were washed oak and glass. The spare bathroom was decorated in mauve and hunter green and was actually more spacious than Caylen thought it would be. The spare bedroom was turned into an office.
"Off limits?" Caylen teased when she saw the master bedroom door closed.
"Only if you want it to be." Tanner smiled opening the door. The queen sized bed and matching dark wood furniture took up most of the room. The bathroom was decorated in various shades of blue. Caylen raised an eyebrow when she noticed every decoration including the towels were all a different shade of blue.
"I tried to match your eyes," Tanner said.
Honesty was all she saw on Tanner's face. Caylen was flattered. "Did you match it?"
"Yes. Your eyes lighten or darken with the changes of your mood. So, I have seen all of these shades."
"I see." Caylen glanced at the clock on the night stand. "We should probably get going." Before I lay you down on that bed and kiss every inch of your body until you beg me to make you come.
~
Tanner was still highly impressed when she saw Caylen's car. Of course, she remembered the reason she drove such a lavish car to begin with. Tanner was equally impressed with the upscale restaurant. She felt underdressed as they walked inside.
"Good evening, Ms. Jarrett, we have your table ready for you." The host who was dressed in a full tuxedo walked them to the back of the room where smaller, more secluded tables were. They were seated in the corner almost completely alone.
"Thank you, Max." Caylen smiled.
"I've heard of this place, but I've never been here. I wish I had known this was where you were taking me," Tanner said as she opened the menu.
"Why?"
"Because I would've worn something different."
"Are you comfortable?"
"Yes."
"Good, because you could be wearing rags held together with duct tape and you'd still be the most naturally beautiful woman in here."
Tanner raised an eyebrow and smiled shyly. "You're too sweet."
"I'm just honest, too damn honest for my own good sometimes." Caylen laughed.
~
Two hours later, Tanner and Caylen were standing outside, waiting for the valet to bring the Bentley around. They'd shared a bottle of wine as well as each other's dinner. Caylen learned more about Tanner's childhood. She was an only child in a middle class family, the only athlete of any kind, and the first person to go to college. Her parents had no idea she moonlighted as a stripper to pay for school. They thought she worked as a bartender and a waitress.
"Dinner was wonderful. We should come back here again sometime," Tanner said as she slid into the gray leather seat of the car.
Caylen agreed with her and smiled. She couldn't get past the never-ending urge to kiss Tanner passionately. It didn't matter where they were or what they were doi
ng. Hell, the conversation they were having didn't even matter. Caylen wanted her and her mind was having a hard time telling her body no.
The rest of the ride back to Tanner's apartment was filled with light conversation about work until Tanner brought up the conference and the bartender. Caylen danced around the subject avoiding confrontation at all costs.
"Hey, are you a basketball fan?" Caylen asked when she parked in front of the stairs leading to Tanner's apartment.
"Uh…I guess. Why?" Tanner turned to face Caylen.
"Well, my best friend and I get together and go to a few of the UCSB games since we're both Alumni. Anyway, tomorrow night they are playing Houston and I thought maybe you'd like to go since you went there." Caylen watched the smile grow on Tanner's face as her eyes sparkled in the moonlight.
"Oh I see, a rival night huh. Sure, I'd love to go. Is your friend going?"
"Yeah, she's dying to meet you so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone."
"I'm looking forward to meeting someone close to you." Tanner grabbed Caylen's hand, their fingers interlacing together naturally. "I had a nice time with you tonight."
"So did I. I'll pick you up at five thirty tomorrow if that's okay."
"Sure."
Caylen fought every nerve in her body and leaned closer to press her lips softly against Tanner's. The kiss was short and sweet. Tanner was gone before Caylen let out the breath she was holding. My god, if I don't get this under control I'm going to explode! She knew she was left wet and wanting, but it wasn't Tanner's fault. Caylen hadn't tried to go any further. In fact, she was taking things very slow. The change in pace was killing her, especially around this woman who seemed to have every one of her nerve endings on overdrive. Caylen ran a hand through her hair and sighed as she drove off.
Twelve
Caylen spent most of the day Saturday cleaning her condo. It was a little dusty from her working so much, but other than that it looked like a show home that was unoccupied.
By four o'clock she had showered and was listening to Elton John on the radio as she threw on a pair of jeans and a white UCSB t-shirt with the Gaucho logo on the front and back. She bobbed her head and sang along to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road as she stepped into a pair of sneakers. She almost missed her cell phone ringing because of the radio blaring and her singing on top of it. Not to mention the phone was downstairs on the island in the kitchen, but in her loft she could look over the rail and see half of the living room and part of the open kitchen. She ran down to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Hey, what time are you picking Tanner up?" Margo asked.
"I'm about to leave, why?"
"Okay, I should be there about the same time then. I had to make a pit stop."
"A good pit stop or a bad pit stop?" Caylen asked as she locked the condo door behind herself and meandered towards her Bentley.
"Good. What station are you listening to?" Margo could hear Crocodile Rock playing on the radio when Caylen started the car.
"It's a CD. The funny thing is, I was just listening to Elton John in the house on the TV." Caylen laughed and began singing along as she drove towards Tanner's apartment.
"Hmm…someone's in a good mood."
"My nerves are about to short circuit," Caylen said honestly. She was nervous about Margo and Tanner meeting, but she was even more nervous about spending more time with Tanner.
"Take a deep breath and go pick your date up. I'll see you soon."
~
Caylen wasn't prepared for the sight she saw when the door opened. Tanner was standing in front of her in jeans and a tight white tank top with the Houston logo across her firm round breasts. Her wavy, chocolate brown hair was falling over her shoulders and down her back, as usual. The firm definition in her arms reminded Caylen of how soft that hard body actually felt wrapped around her, she knew she was sweating and hoped it wasn't obvious. Tanner was smiling at her when she looked back at her eyes.
"Close your mouth before you start catching flies." Tanner giggled.
"I…uh…what?" Caylen was embarrassed for being caught looking at her like a deer in the headlights with a hard-on. "I'm sorry. I can't get over how attractive you are. It's very hard for me to keep my hands off of you." Shut up before you go way too far.
Tanner stepped forward and kissed Caylen's lips softly. Their mouths parted easily to allow their tongues to explore each other. Someone moaned into the kiss as it deepened. Caylen finally pulled herself away breathlessly. She could see the desire dancing in Tanner's gray eyes. She fought her body to keep a safe distance.
"We…uh…we'll be late…if we don't leave now."
~
Caylen was still flustered when she saw Margo heading their way. Please don't let her notice, and dear God, don't let her embarrass me! Tanner stood next to Caylen in the will call ticket line.
"Hey, I beat you here so I grabbed all of the tickets." Margo said.
"We hit traffic." Caylen lied and Tanner smiled as they stepped out of line. "Margo, this is Tanner Bryce. Tanner, this is Margo Cunni…uh…Cannestopoulis." Caylen chided herself for almost letting Margo's nickname slip out. She had called her Margo ‘Cunnilingus' since the day she learned her last name. Margo caught the semi-Freudian slip and rolled her eyes with a half smile.
"It's nice to meet you, Tanner. I've heard a lot about you." Margo shook her hand and mentally took inventory of her gorgeous features when she wasn't looking.
"I hope it was all good." Tanner looked at Caylen and smiled.
~
The game kept them on their toes right up until the final buzzer. The UCSB Gaucho's won by a three point shot during the final seconds. Margo, Tanner and Caylen ate a couple of pretzels and chased them with whatever domestic beer the stadium had on tap. Caylen was glad to see Margo and Tanner getting along and talking during the game. Margo gave her a wink and nod in approval of Tanner; Caylen shook her head and smiled. They were on their way out of the stadium when a young woman stepped in front of Caylen. She was dressed in jeans and a UCSB t-shirt, her blond hair was up in a ponytail making her look even younger.
"Hey stranger," The woman spoke, completely ignoring Tanner and Margo.
Shit! Caylen recognized Amanda the bartender. What the hell was I thinking? Way too much alcohol was involved in that decision. "Uh…hi, Amanda, is it? How are you?"
"Good. I'm surprised to see you here," the blond said.
"I'm Gaucho Alumni," Caylen said, smiling proudly. "I try to make it to some of the games when I can." Caylen heard Margo clear her throat in attempt to pull Caylen away. "Oh, I'm sorry. Amanda, this is Tanner," she said as Tanner stepped up, lacing her fingers with Caylen's. "And Margo," Caylen finished.
"It's nice to meet you both," Amanda said, ignoring the brunette holding Caylen's hand.
"We should probably get going," Caylen said.
"It was nice to see you again. Give me a call sometime." Amanda winked.
As soon as they were away from her, Tanner let go of Caylen's hand. Margo raised an eyebrow and gave Caylen a stern look.
"That's the bartender from the convention," Caylen said sheepishly.
"Oh my God! C.J., she's barely eighteen!" Margo shook her head.
"She's twenty-one and I didn't do anything with her, or did you forget?"
"No, I remember coming out here in the middle of the night to rescue your ass." Tanner ignored the conversation as they walked toward the parking lot.
"I think we all need a change of scenery. How about One Up?" Margo said.
"What's that?" Tanner asked joining the conversation.
"A straight bar that caters to a lot of lesbians," Caylen answered.
"Hmm…I haven't been to any bars since I moved here. I barely have time to do my laundry and clean my apartment before Monday is here and I'm back at work."
"Tanner, you sound just like C.J. Did you two ride on the same spaceship to Earth or what?" Margo laughed.
"Bite me, Cunni." Caylen grinned raisi
ng an eyebrow at Margo. "We can go if you'd like," Caylen said to Tanner.
"Sure," Tanner said with a shrug.
As soon as Tanner and Caylen were in the car, Caylen turned towards her. "I'm sorry we ran into her. I hope you believe me when I say I really made a mistake that night. I couldn't…hell I still can't, get you out of my head and I almost did something really stupid."
"It's okay. I'm not going to say I wasn't upset when I saw you leave with her. I don't know how to compete with a college kid."
"You don't have to, trust me. Tanner, I don't even know how old you are, but I'm sure you are the youngest woman I have ever been with or ever want to be with. Most of the women I have dated have been my age or actually older."
"I'm about to turn twenty-six next week." Tanner said.
"Wow, you are definitely the youngest, by far." Caylen let out a deep breath. "I actually thought you were younger though."
"How old are you, C.J.?" Tanner figured she was maybe twenty-eight.
"Thirty-three."
"Really?"
"I don't like to be referred to as a ‘dinosaur' so watch your comments." Caylen teased.
"Ha ha, your one sexy dinosaur!" Tanner leaned across the console and kissed her softly, letting her lips linger before she pulled away. "I like you a lot, Caylen, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make you believe that. I felt something the night I was with you, a powerful connection that I have never felt in my entire life. I know you've dated a lot of people and you don't settle down. I won't say I haven't dated a good number of people too, but I'd like to see where this goes. I would be stupid to let the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me get away without fighting for it." Tanner's eyes couldn't tell a lie. Caylen felt like climbing into the backseat with her.
"I'm still getting used to the fact that you are you. Do you know what I mean?" Caylen said.
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