Lovestruck (6 page)

Jenny knew it was pointless to argue. Why not let Barbara pay?

"Okay, Ms. Jennings. I won't argue." Unable to think straight with Barbara's hand on her leg, she fingered the menu instead and watched as a waiter came over with a bottle and showed it to Barbara. Barbara nodded and the waiter opened it.

"Call me Barbara." She gave Jenny a pointed look, and as the waiter poured her a glass of wine, she released Jenny's leg.

Jenny let out a small breath and watched as Barbara drank a small portion of the wine. Barbara nodded in approval and the waiter poured them both a glass.

"My name is James," he said, "and I'll be your waiter for tonight. Please enjoy your drinks and I'll give you a few more minutes to look over the menu." He gave them a brief nod and walked away.

Jenny ignored her wine in favor of the ice water. Her throat felt parched, and she drained half the glass in one swallow.

Barbara took a deep sip of her wine. She looked at Jenny and raised a brow. "Is there a problem? You don't like wine?

Jenny made a face. "I don't drink very often, but when I do, it's always beer."

"Or coffee?" Barbara gave her an odd little smile.

"Oh yeah. I need coffee every morning or I'm a zombie for the rest of the day."

"Do you like Starbucks? What about the one on Twenty-Ninth and Park?"

Jenny took another sip of her water. "I go there all the time. Do you?"

Barbara rolled her eyes. "You honestly don't remember? You bumped into me one Monday morning last month. You stood behind me in line, wearing a baseball cap that covered your whole face. You looked like you were ready to tip over from lack of sleep, and when you got your coffee you spilled it all over your yellow t-shirt and my briefcase."

Oh, my god. Oh, shit.
Jenny covered her mouth and shook her head. "Oh no.

You're going to fire me."

Barbara laughed and pulled Jenny's hands away from her mouth. "Calm down.

No one is being fired. You looked so familiar in the bathroom. At first I couldn't place you. But then it all came rushing back."

"That's the first time I ever did something so stupid. I'm not much of a morning person. But I'm trying to be more aware of my surroundings. Don't let that first impression make you think I'm like that at work." Jenny decided now might be a good time to develop a taste for wine. She picked up her glass and took a long pull, hoping the alcohol would calm her nerves.

"Jennifer, you're worrying too much. I didn't bring it up to embarrass you.

Seriously. I think it's funny. Talk about a coincidence." Barbara reached to stop Jenny from gulping down the last of her wine. "Sip, don't guzzle. I want you to close your eyes and put the glass up to your nose."

Jenny frowned but did what Barbara requested.

"Now inhale the aroma. Open your eyes and swirl the liquid in the glass around.

Good. Now take a slow sip and don't swallow it right away. Let it sit in your mouth for a few seconds."

As Jenny took a sip, some of the wine missed her mouth and dripped down her chin. Jenny opened her eyes when Barbara wiped the drop of wine off her chin with one of her fingers.

Jenny didn't say a word as Barbara's tongue came out and licked away at the wine on her finger. Heart racing, Jenny took another sip of her wine.

"What do you think?" Barbara asked in a whisper and moved in closer.

Jenny's eyelids fluttered as Barbara's breath drifted over her face. "It's pretty delicious."

"I thought so. You should be daring and try something different now and then.

Don't you think?"

Jenny's cheek brushed Barbara's. They were close enough to kiss.

"Well ladies, have you decided?" James stood by the table, bread basket in hand.

The moment shattered, both women moved apart. Jenny blushed and chugged her wine. Barbara looked like she wanted to ring James's neck. Instead, she raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, yes, James, I think we both know what we want."

After that small interlude, the atmosphere changed. Jenny and Barbara kept their physical distance and concentrated on their meal. Jennifer had insisted she had no idea what she wanted and had asked Barbara to order for her. Barbara decided they would have the house salad, the flank steak entrée with a vegetable medley and Taylor's

famous au gratin potatoes.

"Tell me about your family, Jennifer. Any brothers or sisters?" Barbara asked a she dug into her steak.

Jennifer took a few sips of her wine. "No siblings. Just me. My parents live in Asbury Park. Dad works for the town as a building inspector, and Mom teaches kindergarten."

"I'm surprised you're still in school. Why has it taken you so long?" Barbara shot off the question without a second thought.

"I didn't go to college right away because I didn't know what I wanted to do.

Yeah, I know it's taking me longer to graduate, but I can promise you I'll have my degree in Economic and Business Management by next spring." Jennifer jabbed her potatoes with her fork, not meeting Barbara's eye.

Sensing Jennifer's discomfort, Barbara placed her hand on her arm and squeezed.

"There is no need to be ashamed because you didn't further your education right away.

Now stop playing with your food and let's enjoy our meal."

Jennifer nodded and began eating again. Barbara moved to brush back a stray lock of Jennifer's hair but stopped at the last minute and went back to her meal. She had overstepped too many lines as it was and needed to keep her hands to herself before she did something in public that would embarrass them both.

By the time they finished their main courses, Barbara knew almost everything about Jennifer Caffey. Every time Jennifer tried to ask Barbara a question about herself, she would give a quick answer and turn the conversation back around. Barbara wanted to know as much as she could about the young woman who'd captured her interest.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but what do your parents think about you being interested in women over men?"

Jennifer chewed her steak and swallowed. "I came out to my parents after my twenty-second birthday. I always knew I preferred women over men. I had an on again off again relationship with my floor monitor my freshman year of college. We hit it off pretty well. I knew after that I couldn't lie to myself or anyone I cared about." She finished drinking her third glass of wine.

Barbara wanted to ask for another bottle, but on second thought she decided they best not overindulge. After this last glass she would cut Jennifer off. Feeling good, yes. Falling down drunk, no.

"You've never been with a man then?"

Jennifer giggled. "Once last year. Wait. No, maybe two or three years ago. I hooked up with one of Mike's straight friends just to see what it would be like."

Barbara finished eating and placed her fork on the table. She took a sip of her own wine. "Did you enjoy your experience?"

"Boring. We were a bit tipsy and after twenty minutes he rolled over and fell asleep." Jennifer snorted into her wine as she downed the last swallow.

Barbara snorted also. "It's been a few years since you've been with a woman?"

Jennifer nodded. "Yup. It's been way too long." She covered her mouth. "I can't believe I just said that. Sorry. TMI. Shouldn't we be talking about my job performance?"

Jennifer picked up the empty bottle and tried to pour herself another glass.

Barbara grabbed the bottle out of Jennifer's hand. "It's empty and I think you've had enough. Don't you have to get up early tomorrow?"

Jennifer pushed her plate away. "Yup. Right at the ass crack of dawn. I have to be in at seven. Yippy."

"I know the feeling. I have to be up very early also."
Wouldn't it be great to get up
together and enjoy some pre-work nookie?
Barbara lost herself in the fantasy.

"Barbara?"

"I'm sorry, Jennifer, what did you say?"

"I said, I know this is supposed to be about me, but what about you? Are you like me?"

"Like you?"

"Yeah. Single?"

Barbara snickered and finished her wine. She'd expected Jennifer to ask her about her sexual preference. "Unfortunately I am. It's hard to have a relationship when you work over twelve hours a day and almost every weekend. I'm also very picky."

"Picky how?" Jennifer traced the rim of her wine glass with her finger.

Barbara reached out, grabbed Jennifer's hand and pulled it down onto the seat next to her leg. "I'm picky just like you are. I'm a lesbian also."

Jennifer bit her lip and looked thoughtful. "Oh? I wasn't sure. I couldn't find anything about your personal life or dating preferences in the on-line articles I read."

Barbara smiled, both surprised and pleased. "You've read up on me?"

"Uh huh." Jennifer nodded and looked down at Barbara's hand.

Barbara rubbed her thumb against the inside of Jennifer's wrist. "Your pulse is beating a mile a minute. Are you nervous about something?'

Jennifer shook her head but as Barbara moved to stroke up and down her arm, Jennifer looked around, her gaze darting from Barbara's hand to the people sitting at the nearest tables.

"It's okay," Barbara assured her. "The booth walls are high enough to provide privacy."

"I, ah, can't think when you do that. Maybe I did have too much wine." Jennifer whispered.

Barbara dropped her hand into Jennifer's lap and started moving her fingers toward the girl's crotch when their waiter reappeared. He acted oblivious to what he interrupted.

"Will there be anything else, ladies?"

Barbara pulled her hand from Jennifer's lap. Jennifer leaned her head back against the booth. She looked very relaxed, and Barbara wouldn't be surprised if she fell asleep. At least
one
of them would get some rest tonight. Barbara's lust was ready to consume her and she couldn't sit still any longer.

"We'll take the check. Thank you." She gritted her teeth and smiled. She needed release and didn't think it would be proper to take Jennifer back into the bathroom for some grinding and kissing.

James placed the check on the table. "Thank you for your patronage, Ms.

Jennings. Please come again." He winked and smiled.

Barbara laughed as he walked away. Maybe he hadn't been as oblivious as she'd thought.

Barbara sped down the road as she drove Jennifer home. Jennifer remained quiet as they made their way back to her apartment in Brooklyn. In less than ten minutes the night between them would be over and back they would return to their polite and professional relationship. Barbara gripped the steering wheel in frustration. She blamed her foul mood on her being horny and the fact she and Jennifer shouldn't have anything together. They came from two different worlds. Tonight proved it by the way Jennifer reacted to the restaurant.

Jennifer looked out the window and hadn't said more than two words to her when they got into the car. Something changed between them and Barbara had no clue what ran through the girl's mind. Whatever it was, she didn't like it.

"Are you okay, kiddo? Do you feel sick?" Barbara asked. She reached over and pulled Jennifer's hair away from her face.

Jennifer turned her head to look at Barbara. "Just a little tired, Ms. Jennings."

Barbara let out a small huff. Back to 'Ms. Jennings', were we?

"You can turn here. My building is on the corner." Jennifer turned her gaze to the road.

Barbara parked the car in front of Jennifer's apartment and turned off the ignition. The streetlight overhead was apparently burnt out or broken. The street was dark and deserted.

"Pretty quiet here?" Barbara asked as she tapped her nails on the steering wheel.

"Yeah. Everyone in this neighborhood is in by dark. No one roams the streets that much. I guess they're all tired from working. But it's a pretty safe neighborhood."

She looked up at the building. "Mike doesn't seem to be home yet. There aren't any lights on. I guess he is at The Watering Hole. He has a crush on the bartender—"

Barbara cut off her words with a kiss, pressing her lips gently but insistently against Jennifer's mouth. Jennifer sat there in stunned silence. When she didn't respond, Barbara raised her head. She held Jennifer's face in a tight grip and moaned. She wanted to feel Jennifer's tongue against her own.

"Jennifer." She gave her another tiny peck. "Please, let me in. Let me make you feel good."

"Yes please," Jennifer whispered, ever so politely. She touched her tongue against Barbara's.

Barbara let out another moan and deepened the kiss. Jennifer inhaled and sighed.

She turned her head to the side and Barbara kissed her harder. Both moaned in unison and Jennifer reached out and wrapped her arms around Barbara's waist.

Barbara released her seat belt then unhooked Jennifer's. She should have given a quick look out the windows, but didn't want to break the mood or draw Jennifer's attention to where they were. She was on a mission to make Jennifer come, and she hoped she might find a little relief too.

Jennifer allowed Barbara to take control. She moaned as Barbara rubbed her cheeks with her thumbs, and her fingers caressed each side of her mouth.

"Oh Jennifer. You undo me." Barbara whispered against her mouth and then dipped her head to suck on her neck.

Jennifer's hand fell away from Barbara's waist. Barbara glanced down to see Jennifer rubbing her crotch. She chuckled against Jennifer's throat and gave her a nip.

Jennifer flinched.

"That's my job." Barbara whispered and placed her hand on top of Jennifer's.

"I ache. I need . . . I need . . . ."

"I know what you need, kiddo." Barbara looked her straight in the eye and gave her another deep kiss. Jennifer's head fell back against the passenger side window. She squirmed in her seat.

Barbara moved in closer and pressed her pussy against Jennifer's leg. She pulled Jennifer's hand from between her legs and replaced it with her own, reaching beneath Jennifer's skirt and staring into her eyes. She found bare flesh and Jennifer shuddered.