Coffee and Conclusions

by Emma Sterner-Radley

  BlackVelvetBitches: Yeah, well, behave until we decide we’re ready to start dating each other. If we ever are, I mean. No pressure. But if we do, then you can be as bad as you want, I’m very good at punishing bad girls. ;-)

  Isabella laughed at Erin’s grinning face on the screen.

  IsabellaMartinez1: Oh, I bet. We’ll see what you dare to try when we are face-to-face. I can be quite scary.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Scarily flawless, yeah.

  IsabellaMartinez1: Flatterer! So, how was your day?

  Erin read the message and shrugged noncommittally.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Pretty dull and normal, really. Like I told you, I had a cancellation and got to talk to this annoying but pretty chick instead.

  IsabellaMartinez1: Pretty AND scarily flawless? I thought I was “terrible face-wise?”

  BlackVelvetBitches: Well, yeah. But I’ve gotta to be nice to you, since you bought me coffee, that awesome book about women in comics, and this thing.

  Erin pulled up the sleeve of her hoodie to show her wrist with the FitWatch 9000.

  IsabellaMartinez1: It looks good on you.

  Isabella was going to add that she assumed everything would look good on Erin, but she was interrupted by the door being opened without any warning. From the doorway, Judith looked at her and then at the iPad in her lap.

  “Isabella? Sorry, I wanted to ask if you and Alberto had everything you needed in here. Am I interrupting something?”

  “Oh! Of course not, Mother.”

  She pushed the lock button on her iPad, turning the screen black in an instant. She was almost certain it was in vain, and her mother had seen Erin on the screen.

  Why was she feeling so guilty and caught in the act?

  Chapter 4

  Music, Sex, and Making Yourself Laugh

  Erin looked at the Skype window and realized that the screen had gone dark, though the chat window was still open. She’d seen Isabella look away from the camera, then her olive skin had turned strangely pale and the screen had gone black.

  Chewing at her lip, she wondered if one of Isabella’s parents had come into the room. If so, she was extremely happy they hadn’t fallen into doing something dirty.

  Leaving the chat window open in case Isabella returned, she decided to distract herself. She looked down at the list of music she planned to put on that USB stick. She’d already checked that she had all the music stored on her laptop; she just needed to find the damn stick. She remembered her earlier idea about the drawers of her bedside table and went to have a look.

  The top drawer had her sleeping pills, some aspirin, a couple of membership cards for places she didn’t go to anymore, and a bunch of receipts from God knows when and what. In the next drawer a book about poker tricks she’d never gotten around to reading was crammed in with an old protein bar wrapper and some fitness magazines.

  When she opened the bottom drawer, her rabbit vibrator and a blue dildo with its strap-on harness and a bottle of lube stared back at her. She laughed at the sight of her poor, innocent USB stick tangled up in the strap of the harness. How the hell did it end up there? Shaking her head, she picked up the toys and the stick, setting off a cloud of dust.

  “Eww. That’s it, Black. You need to use this stuff more and give your fingers a rest,” she muttered to herself. She threw the USB stick on the bed and went to wash the toys. Thoroughly.

  Once they were cleaned and the battery in the rabbit checked, Erin dusted the drawer and put them away again, all the while offering a prayer to the sex gods that she’d get a chance to use them with someone again. The image of Isabella popped into her head. Just thinking about her and a strap-on in the same room made Erin’s heart pound dangerously.

  She chased the thoughts away, having indulged the naughtiness far too long. Just friends, remember?

  She sat down and started to put music onto the freshly dusted memory stick. She got to “Cherry Bomb” by The Runaways before a message popped up in the Skype window.

  IsabellaMartinez1: Well, that was mortifying.

  BlackVelvetBitches: What happened?

  IsabellaMartinez: Sorry about disappearing. My mother came in to talk, and I’m quite sure she glimpsed you on my screen before I cleared it and went to talk to her.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Okay, with the risk of sounding clueless…does that matter? I mean, it wasn’t like I was topless or anything.

  IsabellaMartinez: I know. It’s just that I haven’t mentioned to them that there might be someone in my life. And certainly not that this person happens to be a woman.

  Erin blew out a breath and bit her lip as she typed.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Right. Well, it makes sense that you haven’t told them about someone new on the horizon. I mean, that can wait until later. But, um, do you think they’ll have a problem with me being a woman?

  IsabellaMartinez: Daddy won’t. He might be a little surprised, but when that wears off, he won’t care. He’s generally open-minded. As long as I’m happy, he’ll be happy. Mother might cause trouble, though. She usually does when something happens that she didn’t orchestrate. If for nothing else, then because you are not rich or powerful. She might use your gender as a reason when (not if) she tries to push me away from you.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Okay, well, I guess we’ll cross that bridge if and when we get to it. Should we keep our chats secret until then?

  IsabellaMartinez: If it’s okay with you, that might be best. My relationship with my parents, well, with my mother, is complicated, as you know. I try to make it as smooth as I can, where I can. I should just tell them that you are a friend, but she usually sees right through me. I’m afraid that if I talk about you, she’ll see what I really feel.

  Erin’s heart skipped a beat at those words, and she sat up straighter in her chair.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Okay. So, what exactly is it you feel for me? Have you figured that out yet? Or is it too early for me to ask you that? Tell me to shut up, and I will.

  The reply took a while to appear on her screen, and Erin had time to start freaking out.

  IsabellaMartinez: It’s a little early, yes.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Shit. I’m sorry, Isabella. I promised I wouldn’t pressure you. So sorry.

  IsabellaMartinez: No, it’s quite all right. You have a right to know, and I’d be anxious for answers in your position too. Just know that I don’t want to string you along. I’m just not quite ready for any commitment yet. And we have both said that we are too old and wise to just hurry into relationships, right?

  After a weary sigh, Erin decided to be honest.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Yeah. But honestly, I’m starting to realize that something about you makes me a helluva lot less wise and grown up. :-D I just want to tattoo your name on my ass and spend every night making out with you.

  IsabellaMartinez: That sounds strangely tempting. I’m sure that firm little behind of yours would look great with my name on it.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Are you saying you have checked out my ass?

  IsabellaMartinez: Don’t make a big deal out of this, and please excuse me if it’s offensive, but I’ve checked out every bit of you that I could.

  Erin’s cheeks grew hot, and her toes curled.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Okay. So, what’s the verdict? Like what you see or do you want to throw me back into the ocean and keep fishing?

  IsabellaMartinez: The only thing I want to throw you in, Miss Black, is my bed.

  A noise halfway between a squeak and a yelp left Erin.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Awesome! Say the word, and I’m there. I mean, hypothetically. You know, when you’re ready. If you ever are.

  IsabellaMartinez: Preciosa, do stop rambling. I know what you meant. We’ll see what happens. Being with a woman, and being with someone after Richard, is all very new to me. I need to take it slow
. Just don’t doubt that I find you insanely attractive and I definitely want to take you to bed. You’re the first woman I’ve ever felt that for. Well, not counting celebrities.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Oooooh! Tell me what female celebrities you’ve wanted to bang!

  IsabellaMartinez: Bang? Wow, that was crude.

  Erin wasn’t sure if Isabella really minded the word or if she was just messing with her. Either way she grimaced.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Fine, fine. What celebrities you wanted to seduce? Spill!

  IsabellaMartinez: All right. Calm down, dear. Hmm, let me think. Scarlett Johansson, Helen Mirren, Ming-Na Wen, Emily Blunt. Oh, and I had a period where I watched anything Angela Bassett played in. I told the man I was dating at that point that I was a big fan of her acting, which was true, but that wasn’t the main reason. She just makes me weak in the knees. But I was never sure if those were just girl crushes, a lot of straight women seem to have those on celebrities.

  BlackVelvetBitches: True, but it sounds like yours ran pretty deep.

  IsabellaMartinez: I suppose they did. I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I once found myself thinking about Angela Bassett during sex with the guy I was dating. It was only for a second, before I got my mind under control again.

  The confession provoked a gasp. Then Erin laughed. The little pen symbol on her screen appeared. Isabella was clearly adding more to her story.

  IsabellaMartinez: I shouldn’t have told you that. Please ignore that I said that! Why do you make me so damn honest?

  A mischievous thought popped into Erin’s head. She bit her lip, as she decided to roll with it and play a little game with Isabella.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Hmm. What will I get if I promise not to tease you about that?

  There was a moment’s pause before Isabella posted her reply.

  IsabellaMartinez: (I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?) Name your price.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Tell me what you fantasized about her.

  IsabellaMartinez: At that moment? Nothing, really. Just the way she looks, moves, talks.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Okay, um, have you ever had a fantasy about having sex with a woman?

  There was another pause.

  IsabellaMartinez: Yes.

  Erin looked at that simple little word. Her skin burned, and she fidgeted in her chair. She swallowed and typed quickly.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Tell me about it, and I won’t mention the Angela Bassett incident ever again.

  IsabellaMartinez: Erin, this is embarrassing.

  Should she push it? Well, Isabella was old enough to say stop if she wanted to.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Please? If you do it, I’ll tell you something slightly embarrassing that happened to me while you were away talking to your mom.

  IsabellaMartinez: Fine. But don’t make me regret this, Miss Black!

  BlackVelvetBitches: I won’t. Just tell me, and remember, you don’t have to be too graphic if you’re not comfortable.

  IsabellaMartinez: Well, it’s nothing too exotic. I suppose I have fantasized about using my mouth and my fingers to probe what a woman feels like inside. I’ve thought about that while touching myself. It’s so soft and warm, isn’t it? I’d like to feel what another woman feels like inside. Oh, and maybe I’ve fantasized once or twice about a woman tying me up. And that’s all I’m saying!

  Erin swallowed again, but her mouth was dry. She shifted uncomfortably on the chair. Other parts weren’t quite so dry after those confessions. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her mind filled with painfully tempting images. Distractedly, she saw a new message pop up in the chat.

  IsabellaMartinez: Erin? You’re not laughing at me, are you?

  Shaking her head to clear it from the feverish thoughts and images, Erin quickly leaned forward to reply.

  BlackVelvetBitches: No! God, no! Of course not! Sorry for disappearing for a bit. I was just a bit blown away by the mental images coming from what you said. You’re so fucking hot, and the thought of you and those things…kinda, short-circuited my brain.

  IsabellaMartinez: Well, you asked, preciosa.

  Erin could imagine the smug look Isabella was probably wearing. Good. That was better than the worried one she’d probably been wearing earlier.

  IsabellaMartinez: Anyway, your turn. Tell me about what happened earlier.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Well, it’s not as embarrassing as talking about fantasies, I suppose, but it’s a start. Guess what happened. :)

  IsabellaMartinez: I couldn’t possibly guess.

  Erin imagined Isabella’s perfectly shaped eyebrow quirking as she had typed that.

  BlackVelvetBitches: I went to look for a USB stick to put some of my favorite music on it for you. It took me a while to find, which is weird, coz I have a small apartment and not much stuff. You’ll never guess where I found it…

  IsabellaMartinez: Skip the guessing games and just tell me, Erin.

  Erin smiled. She could almost hear the snarky, impatient tone of Isabella’s deep voice.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Yeah, okay. It was in a drawer with my toys, all tangled up in a harness! :D

  There was a pause before Isabella responded, long enough for Erin to wonder if she’d gone to see to Alberto. Or if something in her statement had been offensive.

  IsabellaMartinez: All right, I give up. I’ll have to ask and risk you laughing at me. My child-centered brain probably has a different connotation for toys and harness than yours. I was thinking building blocks and a baby harness. But I’m assuming you are talking about something a little more sexual?

  BlackVelvetBitches: Lol. Yes, I meant sex toys and a harness for a strap-on. ;-) I’m telling you, the USB stick was just hanging out with the big girl toys in that drawer. I have no idea how it got there. It doesn’t even have dirty pics on it. Funny as hell!

  IsabellaMartinez: Possibly not as hilarious as you think, preciosa. Nevertheless, I’m glad you found it. I look forward to receiving the music.

  Erin chuckled as she looked at the USB stick, which was now pushed into her laptop in the dimly lit apartment. She should probably curb her tendency to talk and laugh to herself if she was, possibly, going to start dating again soon. But for now, she was going to enjoy how much she amused herself. And wonder how the hell the USB had gotten into that drawer.

  Chapter 5

  Unfiltered

  Isabella shook her head at Erin and her bad sense of humor. The jokes were lousy, and the way she amused herself with little things was ridiculous. Yet, it was also extremely endearing, and Isabella envied her. Erin, despite her sad backstory, found fun and passion in anything, while Isabella struggled to see the silver lining, to just relax and have fun. Erin’s outlook was just another of the many reasons Isabella was so drawn to her. It wasn’t just her charm and her strength; there seemed to be pure sunshine streaming out of Erin.

  She had been kicked around and probably learned many hard lessons as an orphan, but she still got childishly excited over cute dogs and bear claw pastries. Isabella felt very protective of that.

  To ensure that spirit never changed, she’d do anything to keep Erin as enthusiastic and passionate as she seemed in those moments. Not just because she wanted to be close to Erin and warm herself in that sunshine, but because Erin deserved those moments of excitement and joy.

  Her preciosa. Erin was rare, marvelous, and undeniably precious.

  She heard footsteps outside, and her head shot up to look at the closed door. Was Mother going to burst in again?

  When they’d spoken earlier, Isabella made sure to be very short with her mother to show her that knocking was expected. But her heart had been racing with fear. What if Mother asked about the woman on the screen? Could she keep how much Erin meant to her away from her mother’s sharp eyes? Should she even bother trying?

  In the end,
her mother had just asked if Isabella saw the towels she’d laid out for her, checked that Isabella knew her father prepared breakfast at 7:15 a.m, and told Isabella to ask if she needed anything else. Isabella thanked her, and they spoke a little about Alberto Sr.’s steadfast breakfast habits, before Judith excused herself to go downstairs.

  The footfalls dissipated, and Isabella sighed with relief. It was ridiculous. She wasn’t doing anything wrong. Not only was she single and a grown adult, she was a mother and a modern woman. She could do whatever she wanted and take responsibility for her actions. Despite that, she was terrified that her parents would see her flushed skin from telling Erin about her fantasies and hearing about Erin’s sex toy drawer. It had made her feel warm and tingly in a way she hadn’t felt since before Alberto was born.

  There hadn’t been anything sexual in her life since about four months into her pregnancy. No wonder she was burning up with embarrassment and lust just from talking about sex. The thrill of talking to someone who made no secret of wanting to do very sexy things to her didn’t help either. Isabella shivered, and her nipples tightened inside her bra.

  Suddenly, she remembered she was supposed to be talking to Erin but had gotten lost in her own thoughts. She looked down at the screen.

  BlackVelvetBitches: Hey, Martinez. You still there? I didn’t scare you away with my weird sense of humor, did I? Or, you know, talking about sex toys? I don’t have a lot of them or anything really kinky, if you were worried about that. Just two little things. No sex swings or whips in my little drawer. :-D

  Isabella’s shoulders relaxed as soon as she was talking to Erin again. She sunk back into her seat.

  IsabellaMartinez: Oh, well, that’s disappointing. But I suppose it is hard to hang a sex swing inside a drawer. Sorry I disappeared for a while. Lost in thought.

  BlackVelvetBitches: They weren’t sexy thoughts, were they? (Just tell me to shut up if you want to stop talking about this stuff and go back to being platonic.)

  IsabellaMartinez: We probably should stop talking about this soon. But we have another few minutes, I think—a treat for your long work day and my grueling day of travel.