One Way or Another

by A. L. Brooks

  “Hey, you.”

  “Hey, you got home okay?” Bethany sounded breathless, and Sarah wondered if she’d literally just walked through her front door.

  “I sure did. And you?”

  “Yes, no problems.”

  “Good.” Sarah chuckled. “I just got off the phone with Jonathan. He wanted a progress report. And he says hi, by the way.”

  “Aw, that’s sweet. But, progress report?”

  Sarah groaned but she was smiling. “Yes. Let me tell you all about Jonathan…”

  Chapter 15

  Sarah idly stirred her coffee as she leaned her chin on her free hand. She had no idea how long she’d been gazing out the window of Starbucks, and frankly didn’t care. Thoughts of Bethany, of that kiss on Saturday night, of the spectacular dress Bethany had worn and how bloody beautiful she was, consumed her. She’d walked around in a daze since that night with a big grin on her face that she wouldn’t wipe off, even if she could. She chuckled to herself, and took another sip of her latte.

  “Well,” said a voice, “wherever you were looked wonderful.”

  It was Scott, standing next to her and beaming his wide smile.

  Sarah laughed, blushing. “Yeah, you know, it actually was.”

  Scott held up a finger. “Hold that thought. Let me get a coffee and then I want to know what’s put that dreamy expression on your face.” His face fell. “Wait, that was pretty presumptuous of me, wasn’t it? I mean, we don’t know each other that well and—”

  “I’d love to talk,” Sarah cut in. “Go get your coffee.”

  He grinned and strode off towards the counter.

  It was a shock to realise, but she really did want to share this with him. Hell, she’d share it with anybody right now, she was so happy. Nervous still, of course, and feeling a tad out of her depth, but she couldn’t wait to gush about Saturday night to her new acquaintance—a man who had every chance of becoming a friend, based on their previous interactions.

  “So,” he said when he returned and perched on the stool opposite hers. “That’s twice now I’ve caught you lost in your own little world, but this one seemed a much happier place.”

  Sarah grinned. “I’ve started seeing someone. Her name is Bethany and she’s…incredible.”

  “Yes!” Scott fist-pumped. “Okay, let me live vicariously. How many dates? Where have you been? What’s she like?”

  It took twenty minutes to fill him in. She glossed over some of her less-than-charming early behaviour, but at the same time didn’t shy away from what trouble it had caused.

  “God, I’m seriously impressed,” Scott said when she’d finished. He chugged his coffee. “And also completely envious, obviously.” His grin was wide, but his eyes were sad.

  “So what’s your ideal partner got to have, and why haven’t you found him yet?”

  Scott sighed. “Someone well balanced, who knows who they are and what they want. Someone who believes in monogamy and honesty. Rich and handsome would be a big bonus.” He grinned. “But actually, neither of those are important.” He leaned forward onto his folded arms. “And I haven’t found him yet because, well, I suppose I don’t help myself. I don’t want to do the club scene, and even if I did I’m hardly likely to meet my type there. But something about using online dating makes my skin crawl. I want to meet someone face-to-face, like you did with Bethany, and get to know them gradually. Although,” he said with a wry smile, “I’d like to think I’d make a better first attempt at talking with them than you did.”

  “Oi!” she retorted, but grinned as he laughed.

  “Work doesn’t help at the moment either,” he continued. “I’m so busy I don’t have much free time to think about my options. Like, it occurred to me maybe I could join some sort of social group around one of my interests, meet men that way. I like swimming. Maybe there’s a gay swimming club?” he mused, his gaze drifting as he thought it through.

  “What about getting set up with a friend of someone?” The question was out before she’d even thought about it, as if her sub-conscious had been dying to jump in. Now that she’d asked, it was so bloody obvious.

  “Oh, no!” He held his hands up. “No, I’ve had way too many disasters with that.”

  “But he’s really—”

  “No. Sorry, Sarah, but no.” His tone was firm, and she had to respect it even as her brain screamed that he and Jonathan wanted so many of the same things in life. Maybe there’d be a way she could engineer a meeting…

  “You okay?” Scott asked. “You’ve drifted again.”

  She smiled, her mind working a mile a minute. “All good. Trust me.”

  “Looking forward to your last day at work before summer?” Sarah’s low, warm voice sent exquisite shivers rippling over Bethany’s body.

  She had to clear her throat before speaking. “Oh yes. Like you wouldn’t believe. I had two children throw up on me yesterday. I am very much ready for the break.”

  Bethany grinned as Sarah made gagging sounds. It was Thursday evening and they had been on the phone every night this week since their fantastic dinner date on Saturday. Sarah had been working long hours, so there had been no opportunity to see each other. On the one hand, Bethany welcomed the breathing space after the intensity of their last date, and the almost-sex they didn’t have. On the other hand, talking to Sarah just before bedtime each night had been pure torture—imagining her face, and her body, hearing her soft voice whispering in Bethany’s ear. All of it tormented her poor libido until she was a quivering mess of need and want at the end of each call.

  The vibrator was certainly earning its keep this week.

  “I honestly don’t know how you do it,” Sarah said, her tone full of wonder. “How do you just get on with that and sound so bloody cheerful about it?”

  Bethany laughed. “It’s just part of the territory. And to be fair, it’s rare to have two in one day—sometimes I can go weeks without a vomit incident. The kids are usually pretty lovely to work with and I enjoy my days. And on days that I don’t, I go home and bake something and that makes everything feel all right again.”

  “So how much did you bake after yesterday?” Sarah asked, chuckling.

  “Two dozen raspberry muffins and a large batch of peanut butter cookies.”

  Sarah howled with laughter and Bethany’s face ached from smiling so widely.

  “I miss you,” Sarah said suddenly, and Bethany’s breath hitched in her throat. Sarah’s voice was croaky as she added, “That’s a new feeling for me.”

  “Oh,” Bethany said, feeling a strange tingle sweep over her body. “I… That’s lovely to hear. That you miss me. I miss you too.”

  “Are we still on for Saturday?”

  “Definitely.”

  They had made arrangements for another afternoon together, this time at an art exhibition, with an understanding that the afternoon could well blend into the evening—and possibly into the next day? Bethany wished tomorrow was Saturday, wished she didn’t have to go to work; that she could simply spend time with her girlfriend. The word popped easily into her mind, but were they girlfriends? Did you have to sleep together before you could call yourself that? She asked the question before she could second-guess herself.

  “Are we exclusive, Sarah?”

  Sarah hissed out a breath and Bethany’s heart clenched in fear. She was pleasantly surprised when Sarah said, “Yes. I…I’m committed to this, Bethany. I won’t lie and say I know exactly what I’m doing here, but yes, this is just you and me. I don’t need anything else.”

  “Thank you, I really needed to hear that.”

  “Does my past worry you?”

  Bethany sighed. “A little, yes.”

  Sarah was silent for a moment. “Thanks for being honest. I don’t blame you for worrying. I think I would too if I was in your shoes. I will work very hard at ea
rning your trust, Bethany.”

  “Just keep doing what you’re doing,” Bethany murmured. “It’s all good so far.”

  “Good. I’m glad.” Sarah huffed out a breath. “God, I really want to kiss you right now.”

  Bethany groaned. “Don’t,” she whispered. “I’m already dying here, don’t make it any worse.”

  Sarah’s throaty laugh sent shivers of desire up Bethany’s thighs to their apex.

  “Fair’s fair,” Sarah said. “I’ve been wet since you said you missed me.”

  The word ‘wet’ ricocheted around Bethany’s brain, threatening to short-circuit her synapses. “Oh God,” she breathed.

  “Sorry, maybe that was a little too much too soon.”

  Sarah sounded genuinely contrite and Bethany rushed to mollify her. “No. God no! It was delicious. I love knowing I can do that to you.”

  “Oh, Bethany, you do. Trust me. You do.”

  “Why isn’t it Saturday yet?” she whined, and Sarah laughed.

  Sarah trotted down the steps at Limehouse station, her movements light and carefree. It was only six o’clock and she was already nearly home for the weekend. After pulling some serious hours all through the week, she’d wrapped up in good time to get out the door at five thirty. Her boss hadn’t minded, simply waved at Sarah as she’d practically skipped out the office. Although she wasn’t seeing Bethany until tomorrow, her excitement at the prospect was already infusing everything she did.

  When had she ever been so giddy at the thought of spending time with a woman? And, more importantly, how had she denied herself this feeling for so long?

  Because this felt great. More than great. And all the reasons she’d given herself over the years to avoid getting too close to someone, to avoid any potential hurt and rejection, seemed so hollow now. Spending time with Bethany, talking to her and making plans with her, gave Sarah a sense of satisfaction she’d never imagined. Was she still scared by it all? A little. But underneath the fear had always been a longing, a deep-seated need to be something else, and she was letting that need out now, and finding that it was more than okay to do so.

  The brisk walk to her flat passed in a flash and minutes later she was out on her balcony, a glass of juice in her hand and a small cheese board on the table. She’d eaten a big lunch, so a snack in the warm evening air was all she needed. She smiled. Maybe tomorrow she’d invite Bethany back here after the exhibition; there was plenty of food in the fridge and they could make up an impromptu picnic out here on the balcony, maybe share a bottle of wine to celebrate the start of Bethany’s holidays.

  Already she could feel her clit responding to her thoughts and knew tonight would involve yet another indulgence in self-pleasuring. Every night this week she’d brought herself to orgasm, over and over, with fantasies of Bethany spinning through her mind. In the next moment, her brain very kindly replayed those fantasies and in the flush of eroticism that gripped her, Sarah let out a small moan and shifted in her seat. Good God, she was so wet again already. She laughed and shook her head.

  Later.

  Breathing out slowly, she reached for her food. As she picked at the cheese and sipped her juice, she idly flicked through Facebook on her mobile. This evening would be a lazy one, catching up on the world and maybe watching a movie on Netflix. And delving into her drawer of toys to see what she could use to bring herself the maximum pleasure later, of course.

  Popping another piece of Stilton into her mouth and chewing contentedly, she startled as the phone in her hand began to ring and Bethany’s name appeared in the caller ID.

  Friday was a strange day. Now that the end of term was finally here, Bethany was relieved, of course. But she was also a little sad—her class this year had been, mostly, an enjoyable little bunch of urchins whom she had loved teaching. They had also worn her ragged, so her goodbyes were a tad enthusiastic as she looked forward to six weeks without them.

  And undercutting it all was the antsy feeling she had woken up with and couldn’t quite shake off. Her skin crawled with tension, goose bumps erupting without warning every time she allowed a thought about Sarah—and specifically her confession that Bethany got her wet—to enter her mind. Bethany was on edge, her entire body thrumming with something she couldn’t name but which had certain parts of her anatomy begging to be allowed to do something about it.

  When the last pupil left, and Bethany had pushed all of her possessions into two bags ready to take home, she let out a long sigh of relief. The walk home from the school only took her about twenty minutes; finding work so near to her flat had been a stroke of luck. Not only because it allowed her an opportunity to keep a little fitter, but also because it meant she didn’t have to worry about Frannie letting her down as her aged engine threatened to die any day now.

  As she bundled her way up the communal stairs to her first floor flat, she let her mind rid itself of the school day and instead fill itself with thoughts of the weekend ahead. Thoughts of Sarah.

  Before she’d even shut the door behind her, Bethany was almost whimpering with need. As she dumped her stuff in an undignified heap on the floor by the sofa, she wondered what she could do about the heat raging through her veins.

  There were two options.

  One, she could bake, which always soothed her. But she didn’t want a cake tin full of tempting treats around. Or two, make use of her trusty vibrator—again. It would certainly take the edge off things, but somehow a solo orgasm didn’t appeal either.

  She flopped down onto the sofa as a startling yet infinitely more appealing thought popped into her mind as option number three: have sex with Sarah. She could call her up, invite her over. Or just invite herself to Sarah’s.

  Nah, she couldn’t do either of those things.

  Could she?

  She pushed herself off the sofa and paced the room, pulling at her T-shirt, which suddenly felt too tight against her heated skin. They already had a date planned for tomorrow, so she should just wait for that and see how things went. The fact that her libido was screaming that it couldn’t wait a second longer was neither here nor there.

  She snorted. Yeah, right, she thought, as yet more images of Sarah’s beautiful face, her body, her laugh, and her husky voice, invaded Bethany’s mind, as if working in cahoots with her libido to drive her out of her mind with desire.

  Come on. Time to face up to what you want. Time to be who you want to be.

  Carpe diem.

  A plan started to form in her mind, and the more she latched onto it, the more impatient she got. Gripped with an almost feverish excitement, she practically jogged to her bedroom. After changing out of the clothes she’d worn to school, she jumped into the shower. The washing, shaving, and trimming—because she ought to be prepared, after all—was done in twenty minutes, but picking an outfit afterwards took an annoyingly long time. Finally, she settled on cropped black cotton trousers that she knew flattered her with a snug fit on her butt, and a cream top with capped sleeves and a plunging neckline that would show off her cleavage. Completing the outfit with the same strappy shoes from Saturday night—she’d noticed Sarah eyeing them appreciatively—she grabbed her handbag and headed out the door before she could talk herself out of it.

  It was mad, she knew that—for all she knew, Sarah had suddenly changed her plans for the evening and instead of the quiet night in she’d mentioned on the phone the night before, was even now laughing and drinking in a bar somewhere. But Bethany was on a mission, and if it failed, so be it—at least she’d have attempted it rather than sit at home and wonder.

  The Tube was still way too warm from the evening commute, and she was glad to transfer to the DLR at Bank, knowing that she’d be above ground soon and able to breathe fresh air. When Limehouse station came into view, her heartbeat sped up just as the train slowed down. She stepped off the train, walked down the steps, and found a quiet corner away from the
rush of people exiting the station. Pulling out her phone, she sucked in two deep breaths before dialling Sarah’s number.

  “Bethany, hi.”

  Sarah sounded puzzled, and Bethany couldn’t blame her. Oh God, was this an almighty mistake? Would Sarah freak out?

  “Hi,” she managed to squeak out.

  “Hey, are you okay?”

  Willing herself under control, Bethany swallowed before saying, “I’m fine. I’ve kind of done something a little crazy, and I’m hoping you’re going to be okay about it.”

  “Okay,” Sarah said slowly, dragging out the last syllable.

  “I’m wondering if you can text me your address.”

  “Huh?”

  “I’m at Limehouse station.” Bethany waited for a reaction and when none was immediately forthcoming, she ploughed on. “I really want to see you, Sarah. I…need to see you. Need to touch you.” The words came out in a ragged whisper as all of Bethany’s pent-up desire swept through her body.

  “Oh, God,” Sarah breathed. “You’re…”

  “Crazy?” Bethany offered.

  Sarah expelled a sharp laugh. “Yeah, but I was actually heading for wonderful. Amazing would have been in there too.”

  “You’re not freaked out?”

  “Nope, not at all. Just incredibly turned on.”

  Bethany moaned.

  “Hang up and I’ll text you my address.”

  Chapter 16

  Bethany shoved the door open when Sarah buzzed her in, and strode over to the staircase that led up to her flat. Her heels clacked on the steps, beating out a rapid rhythm as she climbed as fast as she could. Every cell in her body was urging her onwards, faster, ever closer to the woman who waited for her just a few metres away.

  She came to an abrupt stop at Sarah’s front door and raised her hand to knock, but the door was pulled open before she made contact with the wood. Sarah stood in the open doorway, looking utterly delectable in three-quarter length blue yoga pants and a pale blue, sleeveless top. Bethany dragged her gaze up Sarah’s body to her face, and they stared at each other for a moment, Sarah’s eyes as wide as her own. Then, without a word, Sarah moved to one side, and Bethany walked into the flat. Her skin was tingling with anticipation, and as she turned to face Sarah who was slowly shutting the door behind them, every naughty thought she’d had since their first date hit her with full force.