5. Scarlett

Scarlett had planned for this to be a low-key, quiet evening to relax and unwind. Carla would be announcing her departure on Monday and had invited Scarlett out to dinner to mark the end of their many years of working closely together. Her long-time mentor deserved a proper farewell, so she'd dutifully accepted. Neither of them was young and wild anymore, so she had expected for them to have a nice meal, maybe a glass of wine or two, and then head home at a reasonable hour.

Unfortunately, as they sat and dined and chatted, having just finished a fantastic dessert of crêpe suzettes, Scarlett spotted someone in her peripheral vision that made her pulse jump. Amidst a flashy, energetic gaggle of women in the center of the terrace, sat Gianna in a sleek red dress with her dark, lustrous curls tumbling over her shoulders in loose waves. She was chatting animatedly; her full lips painted a shade of crimson and her wide amber eyes glittering with joy.

The sight sent Scarlett's head spinning. Every cell in her body seemed to stand at attention as Gianna moved around with feline grace, carrying herself with the elegant confidence of a catwalk model. The woman looked gorgeous in scrubs, but out of the sterile uniform, she was the kind of beautiful that could give a saint a dirty thought or two. The form-fitting red dress plunged deeply in the front, revealing a tantalizing view of her ample cleavage. A simple gold necklace, chandelier earrings, and matching bangles and rings all glittered in the twinkling lights strung from the ceiling, complementing the look perfectly.

The rest of the world ceased to exist. Scarlett found herself utterly transfixed by the scene playing out before her and tried not to let her jaw drop open too noticeably as Gianna's gaze briefly met her own. God, how could one person be so attractive? No matter how infuriating and arrogant she might be, it was impossible to tear her eyes away. Unable to help it, she swallowed thickly, licking her dry lips as she continued to stare.

The moment passed when a woman Scarlett recognized as Dr. Avery Parker, a colleague up in OB-GYN, hopped off her chair and marched over to greet them enthusiastically. Scarlett quickly looked away and schooled her features, doing her best to appear aloof and disinterested while hiding the furious heat that was surely filling her cheeks.

"Doctor Miller! Doctor Anderson!" Avery exclaimed enthusiastically as she came up to the table. "Fancy running into you ladies here! Come join us for drinks. We have plenty of wine to spare!"

Scarlett blinked in confusion. Had they somehow given off the impression that they wanted to socialize? They had been sitting there quite calmly, merely enjoying a quiet dinner in the corner, and she had no interest in joining their obnoxiously loud group. Before she could politely refuse, though, Carla grinned broadly and stood to accept their new invitation.

"You know what? Why not? It's a beautiful night, and I'm in the mood to let loose a little," the older doctor chuckled good-humoredly. Then she glanced over at Scarlett.

Thus, Scarlett found herself stiffly pulling her chair out and reluctantly shuffling over to join Gianna and company. There was a quick round of introductions and greetings, and before Scarlett knew it, she was sandwiched between Carla on her left and Gianna's bubbly, tipsy younger sister, Bianca, on her right. She was seated directly opposite Gianna, who was giving her a strange look she didn't know how to decipher.

A tray of tiny, colorful shot glasses were delivered to the table, and Avery insisted on pouring everyone a drink. To Scarlett's alarm, even Carla was clinking glasses and cheering with the rest of the group like they were all lifelong friends. Scarlett tried to politely decline, earning her an eye roll from the brunette bombshell in the red dress who made her heart stutter each time she opened her mouth.

"Oh, come on," Gianna pressed teasingly. "After the week we just had? Come on. Maybe if you actually relax and enjoy yourself once in a while, you won't be so tense all the time."

She winked cheekily at Scarlett and flashed her most dazzling grin, sending her heartrate skyrocketing. Something stirred deep down inside her, but she couldn't tell whether it was mostly from intense dislike or extreme desire. Either way, the way those whiskey-colored eyes gleamed under the string lights above and the subtle, alluring scent of floral perfume on Gianna's smooth skin made Scarlett's skin feel hot and prickly. That devious smirk alone nearly made her blood boil and set her insides alight with a bizarre, thrilling excitement.

God, she hated that she actually wanted to do it, to loosen up and have fun, just because Gianna told her to. With a resigned sigh, she reached for the small glass of vodka in front of her. She tossed it back, swallowed hard, and slammed it back down onto the table, holding Gianna's gaze firmly as if this was some kind of battle of wills. Judging from the wicked grin on the other woman's face, it clearly was.

Everyone cheered, laughing and applauding as she choked the vodka down, making her cheeks flush even further. This was ridiculous. It was juvenile nonsense that she hadn't participated in since college. Even then, she had usually been the responsible friend who acted like a chaperone at every party. She didn't really understand people who enjoyed this sort of atmosphere.

Not that she had been to a whole lot of parties.

Within seconds, more wine and beer were ordered, and the whole table was rapidly filling up with food and booze. There were more shots of tequila and vodka, each one hitting harder than the last. The upbeat music carried on, and their companions laughed, chatted, danced, and drank even more, their merrymaking becoming progressively louder and more spirited. At some point, everyone except her and Gianna had taken off dancing, leaving the two of them alone at the table.

"So, hey," Gianna said, leaning back leisurely in her chair and languidly stretching out her long legs. "About that surgery on Monday? You were pretty great. Just putting that out there."

Scarlett blinked and arched her eyebrows. Was that an actual, genuine compliment from Gianna Rodriguez? Perhaps the alcohol had gone to her head already and she was imagining things. Nevertheless, she cleared her throat and inclined her head.

"Thanks," she replied tentatively. "Team effort. You're an incredible surgeon, Gianna."

"Damn, you must be wasted," the brunette laughed, throwing her head back in delight. "Can I get that in writing?"

That actually made Scarlett laugh, too. She felt herself sinking comfortably into the cushioned seats and warming up to the idea of letting go a little.

"Hah. Absolutely not," Scarlett retorted with a smirk, feeling more relaxed than she'd felt all week.

"Can't have anyone challenging your title as Queen of Rose Bay, can you?" she teased, nudging Scarlett with her knee from across the table. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you felt threatened by me."

Something about the way she said it, with her husky voice and mischievous eyes and the subtle seductive tone underneath, sent a shiver down Scarlett's spine. Those lips were calling out to be kissed, glossed to perfection and tempting her beyond belief. Instead, she tore her eyes away and took another sip of her cocktail.

"You wish," Scarlett replied. "Barely a year and a half here, and you think you're gonna steal my crown just like that? Not a chance."

They eyes met again, and this time it was charged with something different—a tense, palpable energy between them. Gianna grinned like a cat playing with her prey, slowly creeping closer. Scarlett straightened up, unconsciously mirroring her actions, leaning over the table to meet some unspoken challenge.

Their faces were mere inches apart when a very drunk Carla flopped heavily back into her seat beside Scarlett. The older woman genially wrapped her arm around her shoulder, leaning in and swaying slightly as she laughed merrily.

"Am I wrong, or is there something going on between you two?" Carla demanded playfully, grinning at them as she gestured wildly with her free hand. "I swear, every damn time I see you talking, it's like you're either gonna start making out or throw hands."

Scarlett's entire body stiffened and locked up immediately at that suggestion. Her cheeks flushed as she recoiled, practically jumping away from Gianna like she had been burned. There was no way that could be true. Did she come off that way? Enough that their department head would pick up on it? Oh, God.

"Well, I am irresistible. I guess Doctor Miller can't help herself," Gianna quipped lightly, tossing her hair back with a playful smile. "But seriously, no. She wishes."

Gianna stuck her tongue out at her like a petulant child, and Carla let out a loud, roaring laugh. Still mortified, Scarlett just sat there stiff as a board, desperately trying to calm her racing pulse. If Gianna was bothered, she showed no sign of it. Carla let go of Scarlett's shoulder, slapped her on the back, and gave her a friendly grin.

"Oh, relax, Scarlett," the plump older woman chuckled, "I don't judge. But honestly, she is absolutely right. You should wish! Doctor Rodriguez is a catch!"

Gianna winked appreciatively, grinning smugly from ear to ear. Meanwhile, Scarlett was ready to melt into the ground and vanish entirely. All she could do was down the last of her gin and tonic and attempt to look casual. Internally, she wished for an alien invasion or a nuclear explosion or literally anything else that would save her from this situation.

Instead, her colleagues continued chatting and laughing like nothing happened. The others rejoined them shortly after, and soon, Bianca and her friend Eileen were sharing some rather explicit stories from their college days that had the others crying with laughter. Scarlett, she stayed quiet, smiling tightly and only offering polite, brief answers when directly addressed.

Eventually, Avery, heavily pregnant, declared that it was time for her to head home to rest her aching feet. Scarlett recognized this as an opportune moment to take her leave as well.

"Let me walk you out," she offered, extending an arm in the pregnant woman's direction.

Avery nodded gratefully, and the two bid their goodbyes to the others before setting off toward the elevators. Once they were downstairs, Avery got into a cab, and with one last glance up at the lively terrace, Scarlett walked the three blocks to her apartment on foot.

The fresh night air was cool and soothing, and she was grateful to be rid of the noisy chaos. Still, unwelcome images of Gianna in that tight red dress haunted her thoughts. The image of those smoldering eyes, the sultry tones in which Gianna spoke to her, the intoxicating aroma of her perfume lingered in Scarlett's memory every step of the way. Even when she finally fell asleep, exhausted and overstimulated, her dreams were filled with nothing but visions of her gorgeous rival.

The next day, Scarlett woke up with a pounding headache of the kind she hadn't experienced in years. The sunlight streaming through the bedroom window hit her straight in the eyes, making her groan. As she dragged herself into the shower, she felt dizzy and nauseous, the whole world spinning around her. All in all, the worst hangover she'd had since her residency days.

Most of the morning was spent on the couch nursing an orange juice and a packet of crackers, watching some mind-numbing daytime TV with the curtains drawn shut. Every time her mind wandered to last night, she found herself flushing bright red all over again, burying her face in a pillow with embarrassment. The entire encounter had been absolutely mortifying. She really hoped her peers had all been too drunk to remember it properly, or else it was sure to provide plenty of fodder for mocking over the next week.

Eventually, she managed to drag herself off the couch to start cleaning up the apartment. Saturdays were her designated housework days, and usually, she would get up early to do laundry, mop floors, vacuum the carpets, and scrub the bathroom from top to bottom. Obviously, that hadn't happened today, which made her feel guilty and lazy, so she forced herself to push through the grogginess and get to work.

As she cleaned, though, her mind drifted repeatedly to last night, replaying bits and pieces in slow motion. Gianna, the vixen, draped across a chair, her endlessly long, golden legs crossed in front of her, eyes sparkling like stars. The silky, luscious waves of ebony hair rolling down her bare shoulders. That flirty, suggestive smirk. That dress clinging to her perfect curves and accentuating every single gorgeous detail—

No, Scarlett, enough of that. She dipped the washcloth back into the bucket of warm water she was using to wipe down the countertops, then shook her head vigorously to force the intrusive thoughts out of her mind. With intense determination, she set to work again, attacking a stubborn stain with ferocity. Unfortunately, no matter how much she focused, the phantom images still taunted her mind, making her palms sweaty and her heart pound inexplicably.

When the kitchen was clean and tidied, she changed out the trash bag and placed it in the chute near the front door. Next, she moved on to the living room, dusting shelves and surfaces, rearranging objects and pictures into neat rows. Every item in her apartment was perfectly coordinated, meticulously placed, all part of an immaculate display of systematic elegance. Scarlett worked diligently to ensure that everything was spotless, without a speck of dirt or dust. She preferred her environment to be as clean and streamlined as possible. The lack of clutter and visual noise soothed her, allowing her to relax.

Except that this particular evening, instead of tranquil serenity, by the time she flopped back down on the sofa to relax, she only felt more frustrated than she did when she started. A warm tingling sensation had built up low in her belly, growing stronger every time she stopped and remembered Gianna's dazzling smile. And her cleavage when she bent forward. And how her dress kept riding ever so slightly lower down her toned thighs. It should be illegal for someone to be that enthralling.

Arousal simmered through her veins. It had been such a long time since she'd allowed herself to experience attraction, let alone acted on it. There was no way she could let herself get involved with a coworker, though, especially not Gianna. Despite the woman's undeniable attractiveness, she was also an absolute menace to deal with on a professional level. Also, it wasn't like Gianna would be interested anyway. She was flirty and touchy with everyone, all the time.

No, that wasn't going to happen. Not that Scarlett wanted it to happen anyway.

She pulled out her laptop from under the coffee table and opened up the browser to log into the chat app. Perhaps a bit of internet flirting would distract her from all the confusing emotions. It worked last time, so maybe it would help tonight, too.

DrHeart: Hey you! How's the evening looking?

EmergencyKisses: Better now that I get to talk to you.

Scarlett's cheeks heated at the reply, and a silly grin spread across her face. Just the distraction she needed.

DrHeart: Smooth, babe. You're a real charmer, you know?

EmergencyKisses: Haha! I try. Got a hot date tonight? Or do I have you all to myself?

She bit her lip as her grin widened. Cute and bold. Her heart raced as her fingers hovered over the keys, debating what to say. Before she could answer, another message popped up.

EmergencyKisses: I've been thinking about our last conversation. Maybe we can have some more fun later?

DrHeart: ...really?

Her cheeks burned fiercely at the thought of the sorts of things this faceless woman might be suggesting. It sounded like exactly what she needed, honestly. Being free and honest was so much easier behind a computer screen. Here, she didn't have to worry about social or professional consequences for anything she chose to reveal. What happened in the safety of anonymity would remain in this tiny little bubble forever. She could just live in the fantasy for a few minutes, enjoy the thrill and release of it.

DrHeart: Sounds promising. Got any suggestions?

EmergencyKisses: Mmm, I've been thinking of all the ways we could play together if we ever meet up.

Scarlett's eyes widened at the suggestive reply. She swallowed hard and licked her dry lips as she imagined the possibilities. A beautiful stranger, waiting to please her, exploring every inch of her body, learning all her secrets.

DrHeart: Ohh. What did you have in mind? Tell me.

EmergencyKisses: I could tease you with my fingers and tongue until you couldn't think straight anymore. I bet you taste amazing.

Scarlett swallowed thickly, feeling a pool of heat gathering in her lower abdomen. She squirmed in her seat and rubbed her thighs together in anticipation, imagining the mystery woman's lips and hands on her. She traced her own fingertips down her torso, her breasts, and slipped them under the waistband of her yoga pants.

DrHeart: Keep talking. Please.

EmergencyKisses: Would you like that? Having my mouth on your sweet pussy? ;)

She moaned softly and closed her eyes, imagining the scene unfolding before her. This nameless, faceless woman kissing her way up her body, stroking and touching every inch of her body. She ached for the phantom caresses. She wanted to be wanted. Needed. Loved. If only she could let go of the fear, the constant worry about being judged and rejected.

Online, though, no such barriers existed. It was just her and a shadowy avatar, connecting in a virtual world of shared fantasies. She could picture it all, the way the other woman would slowly tug off her clothes, touch her skin, and stroke her thighs. Her hand drifted lower, circling her clit in a slow, comfortable rhythm.

DrHeart: Mmm. God, I wish I could see you right now. Can you send me a pic? Don't have to show anything above the chin, if you're not comfortable.

She just couldn't resist asking. The desire was building inside her like a wildfire, consuming her and making her long to see more. Anything to bring her that much closer to this lovely enigma on the other side of the computer. The idea of seeing even the smallest glimpse of her elusive admirer made her chest flutter excitedly. She pressed onward, rubbing in gentle circles as she waited for a response.

EmergencyKisses: Oh, feeling brave tonight, are we? Sure thing, babe. Hang on. Let me just get the light right.

The idea of the anonymous woman primping in front of her camera for her made Scarlett even wetter than she already was. She let out a tiny gasp, massaging her sensitive clit faster. Her free hand pinched at a stiff nipple, eliciting a soft, shuddering breath. Meanwhile, the little bubble indicated that EmergencyKisses was typing.

Then, suddenly, an image file appeared. Scarlett hurriedly clicked to open it. Her jaw dropped slightly, and she groaned as the photo loaded.

There was nothing above the neckline, but the sight of the rest of her body was nothing short of breathtaking even though it was dimly lit. She took in the full breasts, the smooth stomach, and the flawless curves. To complete the ensemble, she sported a stunning tattoo on top of her outer thigh, a butterfly whose wings were scattered with small flowers and vibrant colors.

DrHeart: Oh, fuck. You're so sexy. God, I wish I could touch you. Wanna taste you, wanna feel you.

As she typed with one hand, she continued to rub her clit, speeding up and bringing herself close to the edge. She pictured her fantasy woman sprawled out on a bed, writhing and moaning, her head thrown back in ecstasy. Scarlett moaned at the thought, arching her hips up to meet her palm.

For a second, she forgot all about the chat and let her eyes slip shut, leaning her head back against the backrest of the couch. Her lips parted, and she ran her free hand down her side, envisioning it as that of her online friend. Her fingers sped up in their movements, and her breath became rapid and shallow.

Soon, she was shuddering, panting and rocking her hips faster, her movements jerky and frantic. The pressure built to the bursting point, and a wave of pure pleasure rushed over her as the tension in her muscles finally snapped and she climaxed, toes curling and head tilting backward. When it subsided, she sank deeper into the cushions and basked in the euphoric high, breathing heavily and smiling dreamily up at the ceiling.

God, she had been pent up for way too long.

As her mind cleared from its foggy haze, though, a familiar sense of guilt and shame crept up from somewhere deep within her. It felt wrong to indulge like this. She cringed inwardly as her attention returned to the chat, feeling embarrassed that she had gotten carried away to that extent. Her face burned when she saw the string of new messages she had missed.

EmergencyKisses: Glad you liked it! Have to admit I enjoyed making that for you.

EmergencyKisses: Want to return the favor?

EmergencyKisses: Hello? Did I scare you off?

EmergencyKisses: Or did I distract you too much? Oops! Hope you're feeling good now, Dr. Heart. ;)

Scarlett was overwhelmed with a powerful mix of embarrassment and arousal and joy, making her laugh in spite of her lingering anxiety.

DrHeart: Uhm. Yeah. Might have gotten a little carried away there.

She buried her face in her hands, barely daring to peek through her fingers when the notification sound alerted her to a response. A tiny part of her worried that it was something mocking or mean-spirited, but when she finally brought herself to look, it was anything but.

EmergencyKisses: Mmm. Guess I've still got it, huh?

Scarlett felt heat rush to her cheeks once more as she smiled bashfully, chuckling softly. Her heart raced with excitement and exhilaration.

DrHeart: Oh, for sure. Don't be modest. Goddamn. Do you moonlight as a lingerie model or something when you're not busy saving lives?

EmergencyKisses: Nah, it's all for you, sweetheart. But seriously, though, any chance of a treat for me? ;)

Scarlett bit her lip nervously. Now that she was no longer riding the tide of arousal and ecstasy, she found herself unsure and uncomfortable with the idea. The fear of being seen and judged lingered like a dark shadow looming overhead. Anyway, what if the picture somehow ended up in the wrong hands and someone recognized her? It wasn't impossible.

DrHeart: Maybe another time. Sorry, just don't feel ready yet. Hope you'll understand.

It took several seconds before a reply came in, during which Scarlett felt her heart rate spike. Maybe it was unfair of her to refuse to reciprocate when her mystery friend had trusted her enough to do it first. No, it definitely was, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.

EmergencyKisses: No worries, I respect that. Would definitely love to see you someday, though. Bet you're beautiful. 3

A wave of relief flooded through her, quickly replaced by a swarm of butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She grinned widely at the simple gesture of kindness from this charming stranger who knew absolutely nothing about her except what little she chose to share. The fact that this person accepted and respected her boundaries made her feel warm and fuzzy on the inside.

DrHeart: Thanks, I really appreciate that. 3

After that, their conversation veered toward more casual topics, and Scarlett relaxed comfortably back onto the couch again. For the next hour or so, they chatted idly about work stress, food, music, movies, and pretty much anything else that came to mind. It was pleasant and calming. Although Scarlett wished she could reach through the screen to caress the stranger's face, she settled for the comforting knowledge that someone out there understood her and accepted her the way she was.