III.
The temperature had dropped substantially as the two women emerged from Ashley’s Place. The cold got them (somewhat) sober by the time they arrived at Michelle's apartment building.
"I'm sorry," Michelle said to Lina, who by this time was hugging herself and shivering. "I bet you don't get this cold in Puerto Rico."
"It's okay," replied Lina. "I may ask to borrow a sweatshirt before I leave, though."
"No problem," answered Michelle.
They entered the building, climbing the stairs up to the second floor. The hallway was empty, except for a potted palm. "My place is down there at the end," Michelle said.
Lina looked around. "I like the colors in here. They're -- warm." The two young women giggled at that as Michelle pulled the key out of her purse and unlocked the door. "Anyway, I'm ready for that coffee."
"Coming right up," replied Michelle as they entered. "Have a sit and stay awhile," she added.
Lina nodded. "I love this place," she said admiringly. "You really have taste, girl."
Michelle chuckled. "I like to think so." As they entered the living room, Michelle continued: "I'll give you the grand tour in a bit. Right now I think we could both use that coffee."
Lina sat down on the blue flower-print sofa. "How long have you lived here?" she asked.
"Only about a year," Michelle answered. "I started working at the downtown library about then...this place was close by."
Lina nodded. "I really like it. And this sofa --caramba, but it's almost -- how you say -- decadent."
Michelle had a good laugh at that. "'Decadent,' huh? I can't say I've ever thought of that particular adjective." She turned, then said, "So -- how do you like your coffee?"
Lina rose (still a bit unsteady from the alcohol in her system), saying "oh, mija -- let me help you with that."
"You don't have to -- "
"It's okay -- I'll just keep you company, then."
As Michelle puttered around the kitchen, Lina said "So -- you never told me why you were down there tonight."
Michelle looked at her quizzically. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, you obviously weren't there to meet men -- at least not for going home with."
Michelle giggled, then sighed. "You got that right." Pouring some beans into her coffee grinder, she said "What about you?"
Lina smirked. "You mean, what was I doing down there tonight?"
"Yeah," said Michelle. "You said you'd been 'stood up -'"
"Oh yes, that..." replied Lina. "Yes, well...my stupid fiancé, Antonio...actually, I should say, ex-finacé, now -- "
"You don't seem too broken up about it."
Lina laughed lightly. "Oh, mija...I've done enough crying over that boy for three lifetimes." She sighed again. "No more."
"How long were you together?"
"Tony and I were together for years...I knew him when we were kids in San Juan." Lina paused as Michelle ground the coffee beans. “And we went steady when we were at Saint Monica’s - ”
"The Catholic high school?" asked Michelle.
"Yes, that's it."
"I'm sorry," said Michelle sincerely.
Lina laughed again. "Oh, it wasn't that bad."
"I applied for a job there when I first got to Port Landers."
Lina nodded. "It's really a nice school -- "
"But they don't pay very well."
"So I hear."
"Anyway, what about you and -- Antonio, is it?" Michelle reminded her.
"Oh yes...him," said Lina. "He and I just seem to be on-and-off all the time. We were supposed to be engaged -- then he got nervous."
Michelle nodded as she flipped on the coffee maker. "Didn't want to commit, eh?"
Lina replied, "Sounds like you've been there."
Michelle nodded. "A few times."
"We were supposed to meet tonight to see if we could 'work it out,' you know?"
Michelle rolled her eyes.
"How often have I heard that one?"
* * *
A while later, shoes and nylons lay discarded on the living room floor (Michelle had never liked the feel of them, anyway). Michelle lay face down on the sofa as Lina massaged her shoulders and upper back.
“Guess I shoulda skipped the coffee, huh?” Michelle murmured lazily.Lina continued the gently squeezing and kneading. “You are very tense,” she commented.
“Just don’ stop...mmmm...”Little by little, Michelle felt knots of tension dissolving beneath Lina’s expert hands. She allowed her mind to drift...an found herself wondering what else those soft and gentle hands might be good at...
All at once, a shudder went through her body. Lina removed her hands.
“Lo siento, mija – did I hurt you?”
Slowly Michelle pushed herself up, slowly rotating her body into an upright position – awkward in the dress she still wore, but at the moment, she didn’t particularly care.
She leaned back into a corner of the sofa, her long red curls splayed around her head. She gazed at Lina through half-closed eyes and smiled lazily. “You missed your calling,” she commented.“What do you mean?”
Michelle reached over and put her hand on top of Lina’s.
“You should have been a masseuse, not a band singer,” she continued.
Lina’s eyes never left Michelle’s as she turned her hand over, interlacing her fingers with Michelle’s.
Michelle's heart jumped a little.
Slowly, Lina leaned over and brought Michelle’s hand to her lips. She kissed Michelle’s hand tenderly, gazing into her eyes the entire time. Michelle fought to keep what she was feeling inside from showing on her face. Visions from the fantasy she had fought so long to repress burst into her mind uncontrollably. She continued to gaze at Lina lazily through half-closed eyes, with a casual smile.“You’re not fooling anyone, mija.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Michelle with a light chuckle.
“It’s okay, you know.”
Michelle giggled a little. “What’s okay?”
Lina didn’t answer. Instead, she moved a little closer to Michelle. Slowly, gazing at her the entire time, she turned Michelle’s hand over, caressing her fingers, the back of her hand, her palm...finally, she brought Michelle’s hand up to her lips again and kissed it – longer this time, lips parted.
Michelle closed her eyes. This isn’t happening, she thought vehemently – even as she felt herself being sucked down, down, into a warm vertex of –
Again, Lina’s mouth was on the palm of her hand. This time, she caressed the skin of her palm with her lips and the tip of her tongue.
Oh...my...god...Michelle felt the heat rising from between her thighs. Eyes still closed, she licked her lips, turning her head to one side. Her heart was racing as Lina continued running her soft lips and tongue over her palm, slowly working her way over the sensitive skin of her wrist...
Michelle’s breath came faster...the center of her desire expanded up from her loins, into her thighs, hips and belly...she felt the warm wetness of Lina’s tongue and lips as they slid back down over her wrist, across her palm and over her fingers. Then, Lina began caressing her own face and neck with Michelle’s limp hand, occasionally taking a finger into her mouth...
The feel of Lina’s soft, beautiful lips beneath her fingers was like nothing Michelle had ever known. She felt her hips undulating involutarily, slowly...she began to run the fingers of her free hand over her breasts, feeling her nipples hardening...
As if of its own volition, Michelle's free hand moved lower...on to and around to her inner thigh...up...slowly...
The sensations emmanating from the core of her womanhood were starting to overwhelm her...a soft pulsing sensation...so slight, at first...but gradually building...building...
Suddenly, Michelle snapped her head to one side. She balled her free hand into a fist, bringing it up to her mouth. As the pulsing sensation increased and began to spread up into her pelvis and into her belly, she bit down on her upper index finger...harder, harder...
She began to moan softly. Soon, her loins were throbbing with a delight and ecstacy she'd not known since --
"OHHHHHHHHHHH --"
Michelle sucked in a great sobbing gasp of air. For a moment, time itself stood still...
* * *
Slowly, Michelle opened her eyes. Lina's eyes were still gazing into her own, her hand against her soft, beautiful lips. With the gentlest smacking sound, Lina kissed Michelle's hand one last time, then slowly lowered it.
Again, Lina interlaced her fingers with Michelle's.
She reached forward and began running the fingers of her other hand through Michelle's hair. Without even thinking about it, Michelle reached up, taking Lina's hand and holding it against her face. She turned and kissed Lina's palm softly.Lina reached around to the back of Michelle's neck and began caressing the soft skin under her red curls. Again, Michelle closed her eyes...she reached forward, running one hand along the silky skin of Lina's bare thigh...up over her waist...
Gradually...almost imperceptively...Lina drew Michelle's face closer...closer...
Their parted lips touched.Michelle gasped. Lina moved her head back and forth, caressing Michelle's lips with her own, her warm breath mixing with Michelle's, kissing her face like a warm breeze...
Tentatively...shyly...Michelle extended her tongue, touching Lina's lips. Now it was Lina's turn to gasp as Michelle ran the tip of her tongue teasingly over her lips...
Michelle felt something warm and wet touch her tongue. Lina circled Michelle's tongue with her own, tasting and and exploring. Slowly, cautiously, her tongue began probing deeper.
Softly, with tenderness born out of growing affection as well as trepidation, Michelle welcomed Lina's tongue into her mouth, sucking and gnawing gently. She circled Lina's tongue with her own, massaging and caressing.
After awhile, Lina drew Michelle's tongue into her own mouth, moving her head back and forth ever so slightly so their lips massaged each other. Lina slipped her tongue under Michelle's, lifting and deftly squeezing it against the roof of her mouth. She savoured sweet juices of her mouth as she stroked the underside of Michelle's tongue with the tip of her own.
Slowly, reluctantly, their kiss ended. They had just begun to separate when Michelle suddenly, uncontrollably, yawned.
The two women giggled and leaned forward, their foreheads touching."Guess I'd better call that cab," Lina said.
Michelle gazed at her and stroked her cheek."You could stay here tonight, if you want."
Lina returned her gaze a moment. "Are you ready for that?"
Michelle smiled sleepily. Impulsively, she hugged Lina. She took her by the hand. Slowly, she rose to her feet, pulling Lina gently up as well.
"C'mon," Michelle said. "I haven't had a sleep-over with a girlfriend in years."
Lina smiled, then yawned herself, eliciting more giggles.
Deliberately, Michelle and Lina turned toward the bedroom door. Hand-in-hand, they started over.