“You look good, babe, really good,” Gail said, crossing her legs on the sofa across from Johnnie. She had on short khakis and a see-through threadbare tank. Her skin was golden brown and moist looking. She’d been somewhere recently. Johnnie knew it was probably Mexico, maybe Central America. Gail did love to travel. And she loved to show off her fluent Spanish.
“You look…tan.” She wasn’t going to tell her she looked good, even if she thought it. She wasn’t going to give in. The only reason she’d let her in was because she said she’d had no place to crash for the night, which wasn’t unusual for Gail, vagabond that she was. And Johnnie couldn’t put anyone on the street. Not anyone. Gail, of course, knew this, and she’d played it to her cause many a time. But this time would be different. She could hear Eddie in her ear and now Monica.
“I’m seeing someone,” she blurted out.
Gail looked amused, even smiled a little. “Really?”
“Yes.” Johnnie sat straighter, trying to better play the part.
“Would that be Monica? The one I heard drive away in that obnoxious Charger?”
Johnnie did her best to hide her surprise. “No.”
“Then who?”
“You don’t know her.”
She grew excited, knowing she was lying about dating her practitioner, but it felt good to say it out loud.
“Does she have a name?”
Johnnie smiled. “Not one you need to know.”
“Don’t bullshit me, Johnnie. You don’t date.”
“I do now.”
She looked upset, and Johnnie knew it was wrong, but she felt like she’d scored a little victory.
She rose. “You can have the couch.” She tossed her a pillow and brought over a blanket. And I assume you have somewhere to go tomorrow?”
Gail fingered the blanket as if it held memories of sadness. “I actually don’t. Not yet.”
Johnnie sighed. How long could she hold out? Gail could play the guilt strings of her heart so damn well. Johnnie always felt for her. Fell for her. Despite what she did to her.
But Johnnie knew what she wanted now. And it wasn’t Gail and her games. Even if her practitioner was a relationship based on arousal, performance, and inner awakening, it still had changed her view on love, on what was out there. It gave her hope.
“Does she know about your past, this new love?”
Johnnie stopped, considered squaring off with her, but then changed her mind. It wasn’t worth it.
“Does she make you come like I do? Do you scream her name?”
Johnnie made her way to her bed. She sat and removed her shoes and then slid off her shirt and bra and unbuckled the brown belt to her worn jeans. She was sliding out of them when she felt soft hands on her back. She flinched at first but then relaxed. Gail always knew just how to touch her. She was massaging her now, and Johnnie nearly groaned. Her body took over and melted in her hands.
“She doesn’t touch you like this, does she?”
Johnnie’s eyes drifted closed. She stepped from her jeans and fell to the bed. Gail was nude behind her, very small bikini line showing. She crawled atop her. “I know you missed me.” She took Johnnie’s hands and placed them on her tiny breasts. The thick nipples were erect, teasing Johnnie’s palms.
Johnnie felt herself grow wet with desire. She could make Gail come, slip her fingers up deep inside, and let her ride them until she fell over after a few orgasms. Then she could hold her down and suck her pink flesh until she begged her to stop, yanking at her hair, scratching at her shoulders. Then she could turn her over, bite her on the ass, and fuck her from behind, lick her spine, twist her hand so her knuckles hit her G-spot just right, and cause her to whip her head back and scream until she went hoarse.
She could do so many things. Stay up all night long. Pretend it was the woman of her dreams, the one she painted. God, it was tempting. And as for her own needs, they’d yet to be met, and she hadn’t forgotten that. Her body wouldn’t let her. She was wound like a pissed off rattler, ready to strike. Her clit felt heavy and full, and Gail, riding her bare thigh, was getting to her.
So she did something she never thought she’d be able to do. She pushed her off.
“What the fuck?”
Johnnie stood, pulled back the covers, and crawled in. She set her alarm and reminded herself to make sure Gail left before her so she couldn’t get back inside.
“I need to sleep,” Johnnie said. She sank into her pillow and breathed deeply. She’d been thinking about a new painting lately. The tree she’d been drawing was developing. Maybe she’d dream about it tonight.
“What’s with you, Johnnie?”
Johnnie knew she was standing there, nude, with a pissed off look on her face.
She decided not to look at her.
“Good night,” she said.
Gail was still for a moment. Then she heard her move and settle in on the couch.
Johnnie felt content and was just about to fall asleep when her phone rang. She sat up, ready to silence it. But when she saw the name, she answered it at once.
She moved without thought. Dressed without knowing. She floated out the door, leaving Gail calling after her.