Running From Forever

by K. Aten

  When she got in, she tried to give a warning. “Sarah, Keller doesn’t exactly do relationships and—”

  “I don’t want to hear it, Annie. I’m a big girl remember?”

  “I know that, I just don’t want to see you hurt.”

  “Now who sounds like the older sister? Seriously, It’s just a little lust, I’m sure neither one of us is looking for a moving truck or anything.”

  “All right, just be careful okay? She moves pretty fast, I’ve seen her in action!”

  Sarah gave her a quick hug. “I can do that, now get to work or I’ll tell your boss!” She watched Annie drive away before heading back into the restaurant. When she got just inside the door, she stopped and observed Keller from across the room. The woman was relaxed in her chair and slowly swirling her wine around the wine glass. She seemed lost in thought as she stared at the shimmering red liquid. Keller suddenly looked up and Sarah was caught in her gaze. A sexy smile from the bar manager drew her back across the room to her own chair. Sarah squirmed in her seat, accepting that the single look had left her already damp sex throbbing. Sarah thought to herself, “God, it’s been a long time!” At Keller’s raised eyebrow, she took a deep breath and asked in a low voice, “Are you doing anything later?”

  Keller took another sip of her wine, spilling a lone drop down the side of the glass. “That depends.”

  Sarah cocked her head to the side in an unconsciously similar way to her sister. “On what?”

  Keller caught the errant red drop on the tip of her tongue and retraced its path back to the rim. Never breaking eye contact, she licked her lips and replied, “On you.”

  Sarah sucked in a breath and her hand clenched around the stem of her martini glass. She was grateful that their tab was already settled so there was no need to stay. “Let’s get out of here.” Keller chuckled as she followed the taller woman out the door.

  Keller disengaged the alarm on her midnight blue Audi convertible and Sarah got into the passenger seat. She pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward Annie’s house. Catching Sarah’s questioning look out of the corner of her eye she shrugged. “Annie told me you’re staying with her. She is my employee you know, not to mention my friend. I do know where she lives.”

  Sarah laughed, taking in Keller’s profile while she maneuvered the city streets. She looked different in the dark of the car than she did in the romantically lit restaurant. Sarah vividly remembered the clear blue eyes that always seemed to be looking at her. And the blonde hair that easily reflected the candlelight at their table was only a light blur against the black leather seats. Feeling the throb of arousal, she sighed and squeezed her legs together. The rest of the trip was made in tense silence. When they finally got to the house, Keller parked on the street and shut the car off. This time the silence only lasted until Keller leaned over to whisper in Sarah’s ear. “Do you want me to come in?”

  Sarah’s hands clenched at her sides as she shivered with arousal. She turned to meet Keller’s eyes in the dark. “What do you think?”

  Just like that, they were out of the car and heading through the front door. Once inside, Keller pinned Sarah against the wall and started kissing her, ravaging and tasting every square inch of Sarah’s mouth. Sarah could feel her legs growing weak and grabbed both Keller’s wandering hands before leading them toward the spare bedroom. Halfway down the hall, the women were stopped by a low rumbling growl. Sarah tried to call the dog off. “Duke, go lie down!” Duke kept growling and inching closer to the newcomer.

  When Keller got a good look at the large Husky, she dropped to a knee and made eye contact with him. There was a second when the dog looked ready to lunge but then suddenly he whimpered and rolled over baring his belly to her. She gave him a friendly scratch and stood up to look at an astonished Sarah. “What?”

  Sarah looked from her to the dog. “He’s never done that before! He’s very protective but he’s never looked like he was going to attack anyone I introduced him to.” She gave Keller a curious look. “How did you get him to back down like that?”

  Keller shrugged and smirked. “I just needed to show him who was alpha here.” Changing the subject, she said, “Now weren’t you going to show me something?”

  Sarah wet her lips and smiled. “Oh yeah!”

  Once in Sarah’s bedroom, she gave the door a kick, sending it closed behind them. Both women shed their clothing on the way to the bed. Clad only in underclothes, they frantically caressed every inch of skin they could reach. Mouths explored each other with tongues intermingling. Keller slowly pulled back and worked her way down Sarah’s chest. In one quick motion, the bra was undone and flung across the room. Sarah laughed and did the same for the bar manager. Breathing hard, they removed the last of the clothing and slowly slid their bodies together.

  Sarah moaned and dug her nails into Keller’s back. “Oh God, you feel incredible.”

  Keller was too busy to reply. While her mouth was nibbling and sucking on Sarah’s neck and collarbones, her hands massaged Sarah’s breasts and twisted stiff nipples.

  Sarah was ready and knew she couldn’t wait much longer. “Keller.” That one word came out as more of a plea than anything else.

  Keller looked into dark green eyes and slowly ran her hand down Sarah’s side. “Look at me and tell me what you want.”

  Sarah trembled as Keller’s fingers found their way through her trim, soaked sex and teased. “Please—”

  “Say it!”

  Sarah cried out. “Oh God, just do it! Fuck me please!” She shuddered convulsively and dug her nails into the shorter woman’s back. Keller sucked a nipple into her mouth as she thrust two fingers into the other woman. She was riding the taller woman’s leg, painting it with her pleasure while she worked her mouth up to Sarah’s neck. She hesitated there for just a second before moving to the taller woman’s lips. When Keller added another finger and started massaging Sarah’s clit with her thumb, Sarah yelled into Keller’s mouth. Their movements were frantic, almost manic with the need for release. As if by some unspoken agreement, they began to move faster. Sarah could feel it start, the shuddering that signaled the beginning of her orgasm. Just before she went over the edge, Keller called her name.

  “Sarah.”

  Sarah looked into Keller’s eyes and saw them change from blue to black. Unable to look away, she was caught by the gaze of a predator. It was in that moment of clarity and fear that she was swept over the edge in a mind-shattering orgasm. She was only dimly aware that Keller gave a hoarse cry at the same time. They collapsed side by side on the bed. Sweaty and exhausted, Sarah could only lay there while aftershocks ran rampant through her body. It had never been like that for her before. It was almost as if everything she felt was echoed, multiplying the effect it had on her. She sighed and drifted in a sexual haze, eyes heavy with sleep. She looked at Keller and that was all it took to start them off again. Hours went by in mere minutes, with each touch and moan fanning the flames higher. Sarah lost count of how many orgasms she had. She was barely aware of her own name and the unfamiliar ache of too much sex. She smiled as they both caught their breath and cooled off.

  They lay curled together for a while before Keller reluctantly left the warmth of Sarah’s body under the sheet and prepared to leave. Once she was dressed, she knelt on the foot of the bed and crawled toward Sarah until the entire length of their bodies were pressed together. Keller leaned down and gently kissed the side of Sarah’s neck, eliciting a shiver. “Lover, I—” She paused and lifted her head to look into the other woman’s half-lidded green eyes. Sighing, she kissed her again on the lips. “I have to go.” And just like that, she was gone.

  Sarah was in too much of a daze to think about what just happened. She reached up and touched the lips that were still tingling from Keller’s soft goodbye. With a smile on her face, she rolled over and drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Two

  SARAH WOKE THE next morning feeling completely
rested. She blushed, remembering the night before in Keller’s arms. She stretched in bed, thinking about the best sex she’d ever had with Annie’s hot boss. As she was brushing her teeth, she took the opportunity to savor every second of the remembered pleasure. She smiled as she relived a particularly erotic moment, loving most of the after-effects of a marathon of really great sex. However, she could do without the ache between her legs. She looked up into the mirror and was caught in her own green-eyed gaze. A memory surfaced of that split second of fear right before she came the first time. It was in that moment that Keller seemed to waver in her vision, becoming something darker and more sinister. Sarah shivered at the memory of blue eyes turning nearly black. She ran a hand through her long hair and the lingering smell of sex brought her back to the present. She grinned and shook her head at her reflection before washing her face and hands. The soap and water seemed to wash away the dark memory, leaving only the leftover throb of animal attraction. Sarah muttered to herself as she wandered off to find breakfast. “Fuck, I need to get a grip this morning.”

  When she walked into the kitchen, it became pretty obvious that her sister was mad by the scowl etched on the younger woman face and the fact that she refused to meet Sarah’s gaze. She finally looked up when Sarah poured herself a cup of coffee and sat in a chair across from her. Looking directly into angry hazel eyes, she spoke firmly. “Get over it.”

  Annie frowned even more. “Whatever! I notice she was long gone by the time I got up this morning.” She shrugged. “But like you said last night, you’re both adults. What do I care what you do? “

  Sarah smiled in a pushy older sister way. “Why are you pissed at me then?”

  Annie’s simmering temper broke free. “For one thing, she’s my boss! And in case you haven’t noticed, you’re my sister!”

  Sarah took a sip of her coffee, grimaced, and added more sugar. “Well it’s not going to affect your job at all, so don’t worry about it. Besides, it was only a one-time thing anyway.”

  Annie growled. “God! What’s the matter with you, how can you be so—so—casual?”

  Total confusion washed over Sarah’s face. She had no idea what the problem was so she wasn’t really sure what to say. “Annie, it’s just sex. Casual sex is meant to be casual.” She reached for Annie’s hand only to have her sister pull away. “What are you really mad about, huh?” She had the thought that maybe Annie had heard them. “Oh, were we too loud? I’m really sorry if we were, I’ll try to be more considerate in the future.”

  “Jesus, Sarah, you don’t even know her! How could you go to bed with her so soon?”

  The truth came out of nowhere like a truck. Sarah wondered, for the first time since she had been back, if she really knew her sister anymore. They had both been through many changes in the last few years. She took a stab in the dark. “Annie, you work in a bar. How did you end up such a prude?”

  “Prude! Prude!” She shoved away from the table and stood. “Just because I happen to respect myself enough not to whore around? What happened to a little thing like being in love?”

  The whore remark really hurt. Was that really what Annie thought? Sarah had known early on that they shared their sexual orientation but they were far enough apart in age that they never sat down and talked about things like sex and relationships. Hurt and offended, Sarah’s voice was quiet. “Just because I haven’t had time for something like falling in love doesn’t mean I don’t believe in it.” She sighed and gave her sister a frank look. “I just haven’t really considered the idea since Mom and Dad died. I’ve been busy the last few years. And before that, I wasn’t in a place in my life where I would have been very good relationship material.”

  At Sarah’s unwavering gaze, Annie looked at the linoleum floor. She sat down, leaned her elbows on the table, and returned her sister’s sad look. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know…” She took a deep breath. “It was hard for both of us but I guess I never stopped to consider everything you had to give up for me.”

  “Why would you? You were a kid, Annie. A hurt kid at that and I didn’t want to put any kind of burden on you. I tried my hardest to make sure you didn’t have to worry after Mom and Dad died.”

  Annie sighed, seeing her sister in a whole new light. “But still, I know I was horrible back then. I was selfish to not consider your feelings too and I’m really sorry.”

  Sarah stood and walked around the table, holding out her hands for a hug. “It’s okay, A. I don’t miss or regret anything. I just wanted you to be happy.”

  Annie stood again and threw herself into her sister’s arms, crying. “I can’t believe I jumped on you for something so stupid. I must be PMSing or something.”

  A little nagging thought crept into Sarah’s mind. She straightened and gave her sister a serious look. “You don’t have to answer but, how much experience do you have?” Annie blushed and ducked her head, mumbling something too quiet to hear. Sarah leaned back in their embrace and caught Annie’s eye. “Sorry, I didn’t quite hear that.”

  Annie smiled shyly. “Um, none?” When she saw the shocked look on Sarah’s face she added, “I mean, I’ve kissed and stuff. I wanted to fall in love with someone first. Before—you know.”

  Sarah gave her a look that was both proud and astonished at the same time. “Wow! That’s really awesome, sis, I think it’s kind of cool that you’re waiting for the right one.”

  Annie smiled at her sister’s acceptance. “Thanks. And—” she hesitated “—I am really sorry about the ‘whore’ thing. I didn’t really mean that.” She gave her sister a look that pleaded for her to both understand and be understood. “It’s so odd how different we are in some things but that we’re exactly the same in others. I’m sorry I wasn’t more open and that I just assumed things about you.”

  “Hey, it’s okay, sis. We’ve both changed a lot over the last few years and we haven’t really spent a lot of time together to understand our differences. And listen, I know I kind of barged in here and made myself at home. If you want I can start looking for my own apartment right away.”

  Annie gasped and grabbed her hands. “No! I don’t want you to go!” She wanted to make Sarah feel like this was her home too. After Annie had graduated high school, they sold the house that had so many memories. Sarah suggested buying another right away but Annie wanted to wait until she was a few years older to pick out something. That was how she ended up with her current house at such a young age. It was a great deal and Annie had fallen in love with it at first sight. But she realized that Sarah probably felt a little like an intruder. She smiled at her sister.

  “Uh, I don’t think I ever told you but this house kind of belongs to you too.”

  Sarah was confused. “What do you mean?”

  “When I signed on the house I had them put your name on the title.” She shrugged her shoulders. “You know, in case anything ever happened.” A gentle squeeze on her hand made her look up into loving green eyes.

  Sarah softly smiled. “Thank you. Just so you know, I don’t want to go either. I’m kind of enjoying getting to spend time with you again.” She cleared her throat nervously. “Uh, you just tell me if either Duke or I are cramping your style. Okay?”

  Annie made a face. “I’m a prude, remember? I don’t have a style!”

  THE NIGHT OF Sarah’s first gig rolled around and she was excited to be back in action again. Between covers of popular songs and her own, she had enough music in her repertoire to fill the four Saturdays she was booked. She was also glad to note that Annie was working behind the bar, as well as one other bartender and two servers. Her younger sister had predicted a good crowd. Sarah could already see the beginning of it while she was setting up. Nearly half the tables were full an hour before her scheduled set. With ten minutes to spare, Annie left the bar to wish her luck and take care of her bar order.

  “Hey hot shot, are you all set here?”

  Sarah grinned at her sister’s teasing. “Yeah, I like
the way Bruce set up the lighting earlier, it’s perfect.” She gazed out at the crowd thoughtfully. “It’ll be a little different with all those people swallowing some of the sound but I should be fine.”

  Annie smiled at her sister’s enthusiasm and at her own. It was her first shot at proving Keller’s faith in her and she could not have picked a better performer for the night. “You want something from the bar?” She laughed. “Wait, let me guess. You want a large glass and a pitcher of water without ice, right?”

  Sarah chuckled. “Of course!”

  Annie gave her a quick hug for luck and left to fill her order. When the performance started, Sarah pulled no punches. She began with a song that all the women, young and old, knew. “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence and the Machine was a crowd favorite at every gig she’d ever played and was a great way to warm up the audience. After that, she sang a few of her own and the crowd ate those up as well. Her charisma and natural charm had the packed room eating out of the palm of her hand by the fifth song. It had been a while since Annie had seen her in action and she was very pleased with the performance. Sarah’s talent and humor gave her a stage presence that few people could ever attain. She was friendly, funny, and at ease with the large group, and it showed in both her demeanor and her music.

  Toward the end of Sarah’s set, Annie caught a glimpse of her boss in the back of the room. Keller was watching intently from the shadows with the strangest look on her face. If they hadn’t been so busy the past week, she would almost swear that her boss was avoiding her. Odd. Suddenly, she heard Sarah fumble a chord for the first time that night. Annie quickly glanced toward the stage and her sister. Sarah was still singing, but she was staring at the back of the room where Keller was hiding in the shadows. Both women were locked in a visual duel of sorts. Always the professional, Sarah didn’t let the small gaffe affect the rest of her song. When Annie looked back at Keller, she was gone. Definitely odd. Her boss almost seemed interested but that was impossible. Keller was never interested in someone more than once. As far as Annie had seen, no woman was ever interested in Keller more than once either. It was very strange in any lesbian community. Being a bartender, Annie was familiar with the drama that circulated like a whirlwind through the girl bars. She thought it was extremely odd that Keller never had any drama. She would have to grill her boss about it later. After all, that’s what friends were for.