Outing of the Heart (91 page)
Read Outing of the Heart Online
Authors: Lisa Ann Harper
Their bodies were fused in heat and sweat, arms and legs entwined. They lay together, physically spent, motionless; satisfied beyond their most private dreams. Lost in a world of their own making, they were protected by the overwhelming power of their love; replete with happiness.
A frisson of goose bumps ran over Sid's back. Cooling down, she realized Ten had been taking all her weight. âSorry darling,' she apologized, âI must be squashing you right into the mattress.' She began to move away.
âI love the weight of you, dearest. That's no problem, but I must move my leg.' Sid made to jump up but was restrained by her hand.
âNo, don't go totally away,' she said gently, âI need you right here by my side. Let's get under the sheet. Then I'll have that drink I was looking forward to.'
âOh, yes,' Sid laughed as she climbed underneath and covered Ten up. âI love you so terribly,' she said, her face darkening with her change of mood. The blue of her eyes deepened to midnight as they bore into her. This woman was the keeper of her soul.
âI should bleed to death if ever anything happened to you and you were gone from me.' Her face was deadly serious and Ten felt the gravity of this emotional cascade. She put down her glass and turned to her lover.
âOh God.' Sid dissolved in tears and snatched Ten into her arms. Ten cradled her head protectively between her breasts and stroked her hair, overwhelmed by the intensity of her reaction. She was so moved by the depth of this girl's love. It brought to the surface an awareness of her own blind, gut-wrenching love, a love that sucked the very lifeblood from her veins. A love, that for the moment stopped her heart in its tracks. She continued to cradle her as she felt the tears surge to the back of her eyes and her lids fill to the brim.
They clung together.
Sid was like no other person with whom she had ever been intimate. Not in the torrent of emotion she poured out for her in the heat of their lovemaking, nor the degree of her tenderness afterwards. She dropped kisses on the top of her head like snowflakes, soft and gentle all over.
âDon't Sid,' she pleaded. âNothing's going to happen to me. We're here together, at the start of our new life. Nothing will take this away from us. Don't fret my Love. Come now, look at me. Let me have a smile.' She tilted Sid's chin up and they gazed at each other, drinking in every detail of the beloved's face. Ten's eyes shone with an incandescent beauty. Her love for Sid knew no bounds; a sacrificial love, as she looked at her adoringly. She had surrendered her heart to this girl and now she owned it, but totally.
Sid quietened and relaxed, the tension flowing from her body. She nestled even closer against Ten and exhaled a long sigh.
âYou know Ten, I was in agonies over today. I was that scared of doing the wrong thing.'
âOh my Precious.' Ten continued her stroking in slow, caressing sweeps. It felt wonderful to be this close, in both body and mind.
âYes. Too many questions crowded my brain and I couldn't find answers.'
âYou have your answer now, don't you?' She studied her lover's radiant profile, a small, pleased smile lifting the corners of her mouth. They lay together, suspended in a bubble of contentment. Their world was complete at last. The truth of their love affirmed by the strongest bonds their bodies could forge. No man could rend these asunder.
*Â Â Â *Â Â Â *
âSid?'
âMm..m.'
âAre you asleep?'
âJust resting the eyelids.'
âHow would it be if we went out to eat tonight? Nothing fancy. Just convenient,' Ten suggested. âWe passed a Swiss Chalet on the way over. You don't feel like fussing, do you?'
âSuits me, Babe. It's just that I hate to move. I've found this wonderful pillow.' She lifted her head and cupped Ten's breast.
âWell Sweetness, this pillow will be here tonight too,' she reminded her.
âMarvellous thought,' Sid breathed and kissed the smooth curve of flesh she saw before her. Ten responded by giving her an extra big squeeze.
âHey, what're you trying to do? Suffocate me.' She laughed as she pantomimed coming up for air. With this she sat up giving her body a sensual stretch before the watching eyes, fascinated by every ripple of well-developed muscle.
âSomething to drink and then a shower,' Sid proposed. She knew what she had just done and gloried in it. This was the first time she had ever paraded her body, deliberately sexy. Ten must have this liberating effect on her. It felt so..o good.
âYou can have a bath now love, lying back with your leg over the side.'
âI like the sound of that.' Ten sat up too. âIt will make a nice change from my plastic bag and balancing act.'
Gradually they picked up the pace and got themselves ready to go out. Ten had decided to try to look a little more sophisticated for the party. If she were going to meet all these Exes then she was determined to hold up her side of things. Accordingly she chose to wear black. The dress was short, above the knee. Since the cast she'd always worn something long in the evening, but tonight she reckoned she'd be sitting mostly. The fabric of the dress clung to her curves and the low, round neckline allowed a tantalizing glimpse of her breasts. She didn't soften its severity, but chose instead to wear very dramatic earrings. They were a pair she had bought for dancing; white and gold, narrow and dangling. They jingled when she turned. With her hair lifted up, but still flowing free, she felt satisfied she could hold her own.
When Sid saw her she gave a low whistle of appreciation. âYou look a million dollars, Babe. How come all this for Swiss Chalet?'
Ten reddened. How to get out of this?
âIt's not for the restaurant silly, it's for you.' Well, that was true enough. âOur first night out together in ages.'
âIn that case, what I've chosen isn't good enough,' she declared firmly, compressing her lips.
âYou don't have to change, Sid. You look fine.'
âYes I do. Now I'm not satisfied.' She turned on her heel and made straight for the closet, rummaged briefly and changed her shorts to the cotton chinos with the patch pockets. Now she felt better. The white T-shirt could stay. This time it was Ten's turn to cast admiring glances. “
My, she's something special all right,”
she thought.
While Sid collected her keys and wallet, Ten retrieved the gift packages with the card and placed them on Sid's bedside table for her to discover later. She would carry her shoulder bag, big enough to carry her little purse later. So far so good.
Driving downtown wasn't a frenetic experience tonight, the evening being balmy and peaceful. Boisterous revellers would not be heading off to their favorite haunts 'til much later. Meanwhile, a golden sunset was still spreading itself hotly over the rooftops.
Ten was a little quiet, anxious about the events which would be unfolding. Thea had said not to worry, but she couldn't help it.
âEverything OK, darling?' Sid reached for Ten's hand.
âYes, yes,' she hastened to reassure her, perhaps too quickly, but Sid noticed nothing.
The restaurant was crowded, this being the time for family business, but their wait wasn't long. Ten had lost some of her appetite by this stage, but Sid was ready to tuck into a surf and turf with French fries and a side salad. Ten settled for the spare ribs with Swiss Chalet's special sauce. She passed on the fries.
Sid remembered their earlier conversation and toward the end of the meal remarked that she would still like to give vegetarianism a try. âYou?' She looked inquiringly across.
âYes, I'm still game,' she concurred. âWe just have to make the start.'
âTomorrow?' Sid raised that eyebrow again.
âTomorrow.'
They were on to coffee, so Ten raised her cup in salute.
It was time. She could postpone no longer her role in Thea's plan. She picked up her purse and began rummaging through. âOh.' she exclaimed, in a semblance of shocked dismay, âI've lost my wallet.'
âWhat?' Sid's head jerked back from her casual scanning of the room. âAre you sure?'
âWell it's not here. Let me think. The last time I had my purse â¦' she paused, â â¦was when we went over to Reine's.' She tried to look bemused. âPerhaps it's there?'
âLet's check the car first,' Sid suggested. âIt could have dropped between the seats. Otherwise the house. Did you have much in it?'
âI ⦠I ⦠don't remember,' she said distantly, not liking this.
Sid stood up saying: âI'll go settle up then we'll check the car, then the house.' She had no choice but to go along with it, but when the car search proved fruitless, she suggested they were so close to St. James Town, it would be quick and easy to drop over there.
Almost eight-thirty, the timing was perfect.
A swift, betraying heat rose unbidden to color her cheeks. If Sid objected? “
This is the one and only time I'll go through this
,” she vowed
. “Never again. My nerves can't stand it.”
She'd just begun to relax when Sid suggested they phone.
âSave driving over. They may have company,' she contended.
It was getting worse. She didn't want to risk a call, someone else might answer, Sid would hear party sounds. Her chances of getting her over there were slipping away. Damn. Damn. She wasn't going to be able to pull it off.
One last try. âLook Sid, it's so close, let's just go.'
They were each standing either side of the car, talking over top of it.
âI'm pretty sure since it's not in the house, that must be where I left it.' She waited, heart thudding against her ribs.
âOK. It'll put your mind at rest, I guess.'
âThanks Honey.' She breathed a sigh of relief as she got in.
âWhat about credit cards?' Sid was still worried.
She didn't want to talk about the wallet. It wasn't in her nature to fabricate and all this sat very uncomfortably. But for the fact it was in a good cause, she wouldn't be doing it at all. As they turned into guest parking she noted the cars ⦠but then a Saturday night people were always visiting.
When Sid buzzed to announce them no one spoke, but the door opened. âThat's funny,' she said, âthey usually say: âHello, come on up'.' As they stepped off the elevator and made their way to the apartment Ten expected to hear music, but it was quiet. Sid gave a short sharp knock. The door was immediately opened and suddenly a burst of sound as everyone shouted: âSURPRISE.'
She stepped back totally stunned then laughed, turning towards Ten who still remained in the hallway. âYou knew about this, didn't you,' she accused.
âI hope it's all right. Thea said you like surprises.' She looked worried, but her brow cleared as she observed the delight on the girl's face. Then Sid looked at her archly and said: âHave you found your wallet now?'
A sheepish look. âYes.'
They moved forward into the room but progress was slow, bursting as it was at the seams with well wishers. Some were coming up to Sid giving hugs and kisses; others thumped her on the back, grinning at her discomfort with all this attention. Someone started the music again, Kylie singing, ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS, very loud. The floor vibrated beneath Ten's feet and up through her cast, but she didn't mind, it was fun. This was great in fact. All these women. She couldn't get over it. Reine took her aside and sat her down in a vacated chair. âWhat'll you have to drink, Ten?'
âA red wine, please.'
âMy dear, you look stunning tonight.' Reine gave a very good imitation of a leer. âPity Sid's my best friend,' she concluded as she turned away on her errand.
Propped in her corner Ten was able to observe the assembled throng. She picked out some faces she'd seen at softball, but many were new. “
Was one of them Karen?”
Really no point in trying to guess. It was Thea who turned up with her drink and having handed it over, perched her ample backside on the arm of the chair.
âAny problems getting here?'
âMy heart was in my mouth a couple of times,' she took a sip, âbut, as you can see, we made it. How's it been for you?'
âEverything went just fine. There was only one last minute cancellation and that's been more than made up for by people bringing friends. You know how things grow.' Thea's enlarged eyes rolled dramatically then she went on. âEveryone's here, just about. One late arrival to upstage the birthday girl, but that's typical of Trent.'
Trent. Ten remembered the name. The self-assured woman she'd met at the game and The Rose ⦠the Two-Step.
âProbably sporting her latest conquest,' Thea amended, looking about her at the crowded room. She and Trent went back a long way so she took her as she found her.
Reine and Thea didn't have a large apartment, but they'd managed to create a feeling of space by moving the table to one side and the plants, normally in front of the sliding doors, relegated to the bedroom. Many of the guests had spilled out onto the balcony, mostly the smokers. Thea excused herself, needing to keep an eye on things.
Ten observed a lively, yet relaxed atmosphere and felt good. At the moment Sid was nowhere to be seen, swallowed up by old friends, no doubt eager to catch up on the latest, she calculated. Varied cross-sections of women from all walks of life were here. Some really young, sporting brightly dyed hair, with or without nose ring or stud. One had a ring at the end of her eyebrow and a series, climbing up her earlobe.
“
Why would she do that?
” she wondered. It didn't seem to enhance her appearance. “
Perhaps it's a signal?
”
Other women had a sporty look; big loose shorts, desert boots and socks. They were often in pairs so the couples were into look-alikes. “
Only bed would tell the difference,”
she smiled to herself. Yet again there were the ultra femmes; makeup, nail polish, accentuated red lips. They epitomized the trendy look of lesbian chic, still sweeping some of the glossy magazines. Whatever their preferred style they all seemed to be mixing ⦠no problem.
A frisson of goose bumps ran over Sid's back. Cooling down, she realized Ten had been taking all her weight. âSorry darling,' she apologized, âI must be squashing you right into the mattress.' She began to move away.
âI love the weight of you, dearest. That's no problem, but I must move my leg.' Sid made to jump up but was restrained by her hand.
âNo, don't go totally away,' she said gently, âI need you right here by my side. Let's get under the sheet. Then I'll have that drink I was looking forward to.'
âOh, yes,' Sid laughed as she climbed underneath and covered Ten up. âI love you so terribly,' she said, her face darkening with her change of mood. The blue of her eyes deepened to midnight as they bore into her. This woman was the keeper of her soul.
âI should bleed to death if ever anything happened to you and you were gone from me.' Her face was deadly serious and Ten felt the gravity of this emotional cascade. She put down her glass and turned to her lover.
âOh God.' Sid dissolved in tears and snatched Ten into her arms. Ten cradled her head protectively between her breasts and stroked her hair, overwhelmed by the intensity of her reaction. She was so moved by the depth of this girl's love. It brought to the surface an awareness of her own blind, gut-wrenching love, a love that sucked the very lifeblood from her veins. A love, that for the moment stopped her heart in its tracks. She continued to cradle her as she felt the tears surge to the back of her eyes and her lids fill to the brim.
They clung together.
Sid was like no other person with whom she had ever been intimate. Not in the torrent of emotion she poured out for her in the heat of their lovemaking, nor the degree of her tenderness afterwards. She dropped kisses on the top of her head like snowflakes, soft and gentle all over.
âDon't Sid,' she pleaded. âNothing's going to happen to me. We're here together, at the start of our new life. Nothing will take this away from us. Don't fret my Love. Come now, look at me. Let me have a smile.' She tilted Sid's chin up and they gazed at each other, drinking in every detail of the beloved's face. Ten's eyes shone with an incandescent beauty. Her love for Sid knew no bounds; a sacrificial love, as she looked at her adoringly. She had surrendered her heart to this girl and now she owned it, but totally.
Sid quietened and relaxed, the tension flowing from her body. She nestled even closer against Ten and exhaled a long sigh.
âYou know Ten, I was in agonies over today. I was that scared of doing the wrong thing.'
âOh my Precious.' Ten continued her stroking in slow, caressing sweeps. It felt wonderful to be this close, in both body and mind.
âYes. Too many questions crowded my brain and I couldn't find answers.'
âYou have your answer now, don't you?' She studied her lover's radiant profile, a small, pleased smile lifting the corners of her mouth. They lay together, suspended in a bubble of contentment. Their world was complete at last. The truth of their love affirmed by the strongest bonds their bodies could forge. No man could rend these asunder.
*Â Â Â *Â Â Â *
âSid?'
âMm..m.'
âAre you asleep?'
âJust resting the eyelids.'
âHow would it be if we went out to eat tonight? Nothing fancy. Just convenient,' Ten suggested. âWe passed a Swiss Chalet on the way over. You don't feel like fussing, do you?'
âSuits me, Babe. It's just that I hate to move. I've found this wonderful pillow.' She lifted her head and cupped Ten's breast.
âWell Sweetness, this pillow will be here tonight too,' she reminded her.
âMarvellous thought,' Sid breathed and kissed the smooth curve of flesh she saw before her. Ten responded by giving her an extra big squeeze.
âHey, what're you trying to do? Suffocate me.' She laughed as she pantomimed coming up for air. With this she sat up giving her body a sensual stretch before the watching eyes, fascinated by every ripple of well-developed muscle.
âSomething to drink and then a shower,' Sid proposed. She knew what she had just done and gloried in it. This was the first time she had ever paraded her body, deliberately sexy. Ten must have this liberating effect on her. It felt so..o good.
âYou can have a bath now love, lying back with your leg over the side.'
âI like the sound of that.' Ten sat up too. âIt will make a nice change from my plastic bag and balancing act.'
Gradually they picked up the pace and got themselves ready to go out. Ten had decided to try to look a little more sophisticated for the party. If she were going to meet all these Exes then she was determined to hold up her side of things. Accordingly she chose to wear black. The dress was short, above the knee. Since the cast she'd always worn something long in the evening, but tonight she reckoned she'd be sitting mostly. The fabric of the dress clung to her curves and the low, round neckline allowed a tantalizing glimpse of her breasts. She didn't soften its severity, but chose instead to wear very dramatic earrings. They were a pair she had bought for dancing; white and gold, narrow and dangling. They jingled when she turned. With her hair lifted up, but still flowing free, she felt satisfied she could hold her own.
When Sid saw her she gave a low whistle of appreciation. âYou look a million dollars, Babe. How come all this for Swiss Chalet?'
Ten reddened. How to get out of this?
âIt's not for the restaurant silly, it's for you.' Well, that was true enough. âOur first night out together in ages.'
âIn that case, what I've chosen isn't good enough,' she declared firmly, compressing her lips.
âYou don't have to change, Sid. You look fine.'
âYes I do. Now I'm not satisfied.' She turned on her heel and made straight for the closet, rummaged briefly and changed her shorts to the cotton chinos with the patch pockets. Now she felt better. The white T-shirt could stay. This time it was Ten's turn to cast admiring glances. “
My, she's something special all right,”
she thought.
While Sid collected her keys and wallet, Ten retrieved the gift packages with the card and placed them on Sid's bedside table for her to discover later. She would carry her shoulder bag, big enough to carry her little purse later. So far so good.
Driving downtown wasn't a frenetic experience tonight, the evening being balmy and peaceful. Boisterous revellers would not be heading off to their favorite haunts 'til much later. Meanwhile, a golden sunset was still spreading itself hotly over the rooftops.
Ten was a little quiet, anxious about the events which would be unfolding. Thea had said not to worry, but she couldn't help it.
âEverything OK, darling?' Sid reached for Ten's hand.
âYes, yes,' she hastened to reassure her, perhaps too quickly, but Sid noticed nothing.
The restaurant was crowded, this being the time for family business, but their wait wasn't long. Ten had lost some of her appetite by this stage, but Sid was ready to tuck into a surf and turf with French fries and a side salad. Ten settled for the spare ribs with Swiss Chalet's special sauce. She passed on the fries.
Sid remembered their earlier conversation and toward the end of the meal remarked that she would still like to give vegetarianism a try. âYou?' She looked inquiringly across.
âYes, I'm still game,' she concurred. âWe just have to make the start.'
âTomorrow?' Sid raised that eyebrow again.
âTomorrow.'
They were on to coffee, so Ten raised her cup in salute.
It was time. She could postpone no longer her role in Thea's plan. She picked up her purse and began rummaging through. âOh.' she exclaimed, in a semblance of shocked dismay, âI've lost my wallet.'
âWhat?' Sid's head jerked back from her casual scanning of the room. âAre you sure?'
âWell it's not here. Let me think. The last time I had my purse â¦' she paused, â â¦was when we went over to Reine's.' She tried to look bemused. âPerhaps it's there?'
âLet's check the car first,' Sid suggested. âIt could have dropped between the seats. Otherwise the house. Did you have much in it?'
âI ⦠I ⦠don't remember,' she said distantly, not liking this.
Sid stood up saying: âI'll go settle up then we'll check the car, then the house.' She had no choice but to go along with it, but when the car search proved fruitless, she suggested they were so close to St. James Town, it would be quick and easy to drop over there.
Almost eight-thirty, the timing was perfect.
A swift, betraying heat rose unbidden to color her cheeks. If Sid objected? “
This is the one and only time I'll go through this
,” she vowed
. “Never again. My nerves can't stand it.”
She'd just begun to relax when Sid suggested they phone.
âSave driving over. They may have company,' she contended.
It was getting worse. She didn't want to risk a call, someone else might answer, Sid would hear party sounds. Her chances of getting her over there were slipping away. Damn. Damn. She wasn't going to be able to pull it off.
One last try. âLook Sid, it's so close, let's just go.'
They were each standing either side of the car, talking over top of it.
âI'm pretty sure since it's not in the house, that must be where I left it.' She waited, heart thudding against her ribs.
âOK. It'll put your mind at rest, I guess.'
âThanks Honey.' She breathed a sigh of relief as she got in.
âWhat about credit cards?' Sid was still worried.
She didn't want to talk about the wallet. It wasn't in her nature to fabricate and all this sat very uncomfortably. But for the fact it was in a good cause, she wouldn't be doing it at all. As they turned into guest parking she noted the cars ⦠but then a Saturday night people were always visiting.
When Sid buzzed to announce them no one spoke, but the door opened. âThat's funny,' she said, âthey usually say: âHello, come on up'.' As they stepped off the elevator and made their way to the apartment Ten expected to hear music, but it was quiet. Sid gave a short sharp knock. The door was immediately opened and suddenly a burst of sound as everyone shouted: âSURPRISE.'
She stepped back totally stunned then laughed, turning towards Ten who still remained in the hallway. âYou knew about this, didn't you,' she accused.
âI hope it's all right. Thea said you like surprises.' She looked worried, but her brow cleared as she observed the delight on the girl's face. Then Sid looked at her archly and said: âHave you found your wallet now?'
A sheepish look. âYes.'
They moved forward into the room but progress was slow, bursting as it was at the seams with well wishers. Some were coming up to Sid giving hugs and kisses; others thumped her on the back, grinning at her discomfort with all this attention. Someone started the music again, Kylie singing, ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS, very loud. The floor vibrated beneath Ten's feet and up through her cast, but she didn't mind, it was fun. This was great in fact. All these women. She couldn't get over it. Reine took her aside and sat her down in a vacated chair. âWhat'll you have to drink, Ten?'
âA red wine, please.'
âMy dear, you look stunning tonight.' Reine gave a very good imitation of a leer. âPity Sid's my best friend,' she concluded as she turned away on her errand.
Propped in her corner Ten was able to observe the assembled throng. She picked out some faces she'd seen at softball, but many were new. “
Was one of them Karen?”
Really no point in trying to guess. It was Thea who turned up with her drink and having handed it over, perched her ample backside on the arm of the chair.
âAny problems getting here?'
âMy heart was in my mouth a couple of times,' she took a sip, âbut, as you can see, we made it. How's it been for you?'
âEverything went just fine. There was only one last minute cancellation and that's been more than made up for by people bringing friends. You know how things grow.' Thea's enlarged eyes rolled dramatically then she went on. âEveryone's here, just about. One late arrival to upstage the birthday girl, but that's typical of Trent.'
Trent. Ten remembered the name. The self-assured woman she'd met at the game and The Rose ⦠the Two-Step.
âProbably sporting her latest conquest,' Thea amended, looking about her at the crowded room. She and Trent went back a long way so she took her as she found her.
Reine and Thea didn't have a large apartment, but they'd managed to create a feeling of space by moving the table to one side and the plants, normally in front of the sliding doors, relegated to the bedroom. Many of the guests had spilled out onto the balcony, mostly the smokers. Thea excused herself, needing to keep an eye on things.
Ten observed a lively, yet relaxed atmosphere and felt good. At the moment Sid was nowhere to be seen, swallowed up by old friends, no doubt eager to catch up on the latest, she calculated. Varied cross-sections of women from all walks of life were here. Some really young, sporting brightly dyed hair, with or without nose ring or stud. One had a ring at the end of her eyebrow and a series, climbing up her earlobe.
“
Why would she do that?
” she wondered. It didn't seem to enhance her appearance. “
Perhaps it's a signal?
”
Other women had a sporty look; big loose shorts, desert boots and socks. They were often in pairs so the couples were into look-alikes. “
Only bed would tell the difference,”
she smiled to herself. Yet again there were the ultra femmes; makeup, nail polish, accentuated red lips. They epitomized the trendy look of lesbian chic, still sweeping some of the glossy magazines. Whatever their preferred style they all seemed to be mixing ⦠no problem.
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