21. Out With the Old and In with the New

Stassi

S tassi stood against the counter, her eyes locked on her phone. She was ecstatic to find the luxury coffee cart making its rounds near the ER. Since she barely had a chance to grab her sandwich and head back to the department, a quick stop at the cart would allow her the chance to partake in a latte. Something similar to what she would find in her coffee shop, but with a slight difference. She didn’t have to make the drive twenty miles away.

There was one slight problem, though, the woman behind the counter seemed way overworked and the latte didn’t provide a quick fix. If she stared at her phone, she could hopefully ignore the fact that she would be late getting back to the desk. As she perused through the website on her phone, she caught a glimpse of an elegant suit, one that would match the speck of gold in her eyes. She could practically feel the way she’d feel if she wore that while out with Sage. A smile peeked on her lips. And if Sage and she shared kisses as she did a few minutes earlier, she would be glad to take her suit off.

“Your coffee. That will be $10.50.” Stassi grabbed a ten and five out of her pocket and pushed it towards the barista.

“Keep the change.” She took a sip and heaved a sigh. Not bad for hospital coffee. It certainly beat the regular Joe she was accustomed to getting there, and she would have to remind herself this cart was readily available. She glanced down at her phone as she headed towards the ER doors. The outfit was a bit out of her price range. Well, most glamorous attire was, now. But soon her dad would have her back on her feet, living the luxury lifestyle that she had grown familiar with. She hit the buy now button and pocketed her phone.

She had sent him an email telling him of the conditions at the hospital, only to get ghosted by her own father. She tried to convince herself that he was simply busy, but it was quickly becoming more difficult to believe. There were only so many calls that could go ignored.

As she reached the desk to return to her training, her phone started vibrating. She dug in her pocket and saw her agent, Kelly’s, name flashing on the screen. She glanced around; not one person was there to see that she was taking the call. She shrugged and answered.

“Hey Kel, what’s it been a month?”

“Too long,” she replied. “Just wanted to give you a call because I’ve got a job for you. Stassi arched an eyebrow. Words that she hadn’t heard or expected to hear. She had every thought that she would tell Kelly that she wasn’t able to take on any jobs until things settled down in her life. But now, her old life was thrust back in her face. Yet, there was a slight tug that crippled her. She had to be realistic. There wasn’t much chance that she could have a full-time job and model on the side. Most modeling projects took weeks, maybe even months. It would require a certain amount of dedication, and this could disrupt everything. Yet, there was a sense of excitement, and she hadn’t even heard what it all was about.

“I’m listening.” She glanced around, hoping that she would still be alone. Sure enough, the corridor was empty.

“I need you for a print campaign with Seasons Boutique. It won’t be a long project. It’s taking place next Saturday and I imagine you’ll be in and out in a few hours, but the pay is great and if it goes well, they’ll expect you to be available for more projects. Are you up for it?”

This was promising and right off, Stassi didn’t have to be set into a heavy schedule. Besides, she didn’t work Saturdays, unless there was an emergency and if she had this setup, she would be able to get out of being called in. The extra income would help to pay off the outfit she ordered, as well. Things were looking up.

“Yep. Sounds great.”

“Perfect. I’ll send you the details in the coming days. Talk soon.” She disconnected the call and Stassi couldn’t erase the grin.

“Stassi!”

Stassi spun on her heel, prepared to get yelled at about being on her phone. “Yes?” The words came out tense, but not as tense as her racing heart.

“Just got a call and you’re needed upstairs in Therapy. You did well today and if needed, I expect we’ll give you a call in, if you’re good with that?”

“Of course. Anything to help out.” Stassi grinned and then grabbed her purse and headed to the elevator. The ER wasn’t her ideal department. She actually preferred working in Therapy. Maybe because there was always the chance that she would catch a glimpse of Sage, and nothing enticed her more. When she got off the elevator, she was hit with how quiet it was.

She headed to the front desk, where Cami was leaning back in her chair and swiveling from side to side. She caught a small yawn from her, before their eyes met. Cami laughed. “You caught me.”

Stassi gave a smile. “Did you want lunch? Is that why you called me up here?”

Cami frowned. “I hadn’t. If I had, it would have been to keep me company.” Cami released a laugh. “Two patients canceled and we’re not due for another one for at least an hour.” She scrunched up her nose. “Makes for a long and boring shift.”

Stassi frowned. “Well, if it wasn’t you, then…” Her words trailed off when she spotted Sage headed their way. Was it possible?

“Sorry to tear you away from the ER,” Sage began. “But I have some filing that’s a mess and thought you could take a look at it. Won’t take too much of your time. Possibly thirty minutes or so.”

Stassi was a tad disappointed. To be summoned by Sage was nothing short of amazing, but to be summoned for work, she was disheartened. “Of course. Show me the way.”

“Gladly.” Sage turned and escorted Stassi back down the hallway, bypassing the filing room. She pushed open one of the exam rooms and motioned for Stassi to enter.

“There’s filing in here?” Stassi asked, turning to face Sage. Sage had a gleam in her eye, catching Stassi by surprise. “Or is there not?” Stassi teased moving in closer to Sage.

Sage shrugged. “Sometimes you have to make your own destiny.” She grabbed Stassi’s hand and pulled her to her. Stassi’s lips crashed to hers and Sage hungrily kissed her, causing Stassi’s heart to burst from her chest. “Ever since the two minutes at lunch,” Sage breathlessly began. “I wanted to kiss you.”

Stassi slipped her fingers into Stassi’s hair and pulled her closer to her. She didn’t have any argument with her. Sage trailed her hands up the back of Stassi’s top and clung to her bare back, while Stassi shifted and kept the heated kiss rolling through her body.

Stassi pulled back from the kiss and grabbed onto her shirt tossing it to the side. Sage tilted her head and laughed. “You naughty girl.” She dipped her eyes to Stassi’s breasts and moved in closer. “I’d devour you right now, but then we’d both be hungry for more.”

“What’d be wrong with that?” Stassi whispered. She reached up and unclasped her bra, letting it slowly fall to the ground. “You locked the door, right?”

Sage nodded and moved in cupping Stassi’s breasts in her hand. She looked up and grinned. “Beautiful.”

Stassi moved in and captured Sage’s lips with hers. Her tongue swept in and claimed a moan that exited Sage, while Sage greedily groped Stassi. “I need you,” Stassi whispered between their kisses.

“I need you more,” Sage replied, grinning and pushing Stassi back up against a bed. Stassi felt the warmth inside of her practically boiling over. She grabbed onto Sage’s shirt and slipped it up and over her breasts, letting it down to the floor. When an alarm interrupted them.

“Dammit,” Sage groaned, breaking from another heated kiss.

“What’s that?” Stassi asked, gasping. The moment quickly gone. Sage grabbed Stassi’s bra and handed it back to her, then picked up her shirt.

“My next appointment will be here shortly.”

“I don’t understand. Cami said that we had an hour.” Sage quirked up an eyebrow. “I mean, that your patient wouldn’t be here for another hour.”

“That might be true, but I have to set up the room and get things prepared.” She shook her head. “But we were on the track for…” She snickered, then shrugged. “There’s always another day.”

Stassi mentally groaned what she wouldn’t give if they could go back to their heated embrace. “Oh, you didn’t hear my news.” She put on her bra and pulled over her top, as Sage stared, waiting. “So, I got a call from my agent.”

Sage snickered. “You have an agent.”

“Oh, yeah. I’m sure I told you. Or thought I told you.” She shrugged. “I do some modeling on the side and my agent called and said that I’m set up for a gig next Saturday. Could be an exciting one.”

“Huh…” Sage then nodded. There wasn’t anything beyond that and Stassi stared at her, waiting for her to gush over the news. Something that never came.

“So, anyway, that’s all. Just wanted to share.” Sage gave a slight nod and turned from Stassi. Stassi frowned but didn’t want the excitement of them nearly being together to be overshadowed by how the meek display of enthusiasm coming from Sage. “So, now that we’re getting closer, I think we should go on a date.”

Sage turned, obviously catching her attention. “You do, huh?”

“It’s the obvious next step, I would think.” Stassi continued to wait, wondering what was going through Sage’s mind at that very moment. “I don’t want to push or anything, but I think it’s a great idea.”

“Alright,” Sage replied. “On one condition. I get to make the arrangements.”

Stassi nodded. She wouldn’t object to that. She wanted someone that would take the initiative and if Sage was willing to go to those depths, then she would gladly accept it. She was excited about an official date and hopeful that nothing would disrupt their evening alone.

It wasn’t long for Sage to decide when the date would be and what the plans were. Huntington Botanical Gardens seemed like the perfect choice, especially when their first kiss was held surrounded by an array of flowers and plants. It seemed Sage put a lot of thought and effort into where they should go. A quality that Stassi was appreciative of.

However, as the date began, it felt like things were forced between them. In fact, it’d been a week since Stassi got up the nerve to suggest they go on a date and that week was the tensest between them. Stassi didn’t want to ruin the evening by pointing out the inevitable, but she felt like Sage was merely going through the motions.

When they got back to Sage’s apartment, Stassi considered that maybe Sage would walk her to her car, and they would part ways only two hours into the night. To her surprise, though, Sage led her to her apartment door.

“Do you like pizza?” Sage asked.

“Doesn’t everyone?”

“Made it all vegan,” Sage replied. “Just have to toss it in the oven.”

“Sounds delicious.” Stassi stepped into the foyer and looked around. Sage’s apartment was modest, and this was the first time Stassi really had a chance to take it all in. It’s small, yet cozy. A far contrast from the apartment style that was typical with Stassi.

“Do you want some wine?” Sage asked, tearing Stassi away from the gawking she was doing in the living room. Sage held up a glass of wine and Stassi took it with a smile.

“Thank you!” She took a sip and then swallowed it slowly. “Nice place you have here.”

“Thanks. It’s home, so can’t complain.” She shrugged and the conversation stagnated again, with Stassi sipping on her wine and wondering when the next piece of conversation would ignite. She licked her lower lip, then looked over to Sage. “This evening was fun. I’ve never been there, so glad I got to experience it.”

“Yeah. One of my favorites.” Sage took a drink of wine, then looked up and met Stassi’s gaze. “So, how have things been at work?”

“Good. Great, mostly. I enjoy it.” Stassi looked down at her wine. Conversation stalled. She looked up and Sage quickly glanced down at her wine glass.

“I should check on the pizza,” she mumbled. She turned and left the living room. Stassi groaned. They had been there for no more than ten minutes and the pizza had to still be going. Was it merely an excuse to get away from her? Stassi left the living room and went down the hallway to the kitchen. Sage was up against the counter, her eyes staring aimlessly across the kitchen to the wall.

“Something on your mind?” Stassi asked. She wanted things to get back to the point where they could talk about anything, whether it was life growing up, work, or the weather. Things weren’t tense between them. That’s why she wanted the date. She knew that Sage was someone she could get along with and not have to be someone she wasn’t.

Sage nodded. “I’m sorry. Guess I haven’t really been in the mood tonight. Perhaps I should have canceled.”

Stassi frowned and looked away from Sage. “Oh well, if you feel that way about it, then maybe you should have. Don’t want you doing something you don’t want to do.” She threw up her hands. “In fact, I could just leave now and put us both out of our misery.”

Stassi turned and it wasn’t fifteen seconds before Sage was rushing over to her and reaching for her hand. There was a slight spark that struck Stassi and she turned and met Sage’s gaze. “I don’t want you to go, Stassi. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just struggling with the hospital, and I’ve put my heart into that place and with budget cuts, I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to do it.”

“Budget cuts?” Stassi stared at Sage. Sage slowly nodded. Stassi knew it was bad, but she hadn’t heard hints of budget cuts.

“There was a budget meeting and well, from what I hear, it didn’t go well. Next week I have a meeting and I’m just worried that it won’t go as planned. If it doesn’t, then we might all think about looking for something else. This place is just not the place it used to be. And it’s sad.”

Stassi listened, intently. If her father didn’t answer before, she would demand he answer her now. People were going to lose their jobs over this. The patients deserved better, and her father would ensure they got better. Together they could help make it happen.

“I don’t want tonight to be brought down by my sour mood. Forgive me?”

“Forgiven.” Stassi smiled and Sage leaned in and gave her a kiss. As they kissed, the oven timer went off. Sage slipped her hands up Stassi’s shirt and hugged her to her, not breaking from the intense connection that had reunited them.

“The oven,” Stassi breathlessly stated.

“Can wait,” Sage finished. Stassi laughed. She didn’t care if they had burnt pizza. She was just glad to figure out why things had been so off with them. When the timer continued to go off, Sage groaned and pulled back. “Hold that thought.” She gave a wink and turned to the stove. Stassi bit her lower lip, grinning as the thoughts of where they could go by the end of the night danced through her mind.

Sage put together two plates and filled up their wine and they sat down to enjoy the pizza. But throughout the meal, Stassi caught herself staring at Sage, wishing they could just toss the plates into the sink and get back to the kiss.

After two pieces, Sage glanced across the table. “I’m not all that hungry. At least not for pizza.” She gave a wink and Stassi laughed.

“You read my mind.” Sage got up and walked around to take Stassi’s hand, and she escorted her back down the hallway and this time to a bedroom. When she turned back to Stassi, Stassi took charge. She grabbed hold of Sage’s shirt and pulled her to her, raising the shirt as they kissed passionately just two feet from the bed. Sage pushed Stassi down to the bed and Stassi stared up at her, watching as Sage did a striptease in front of her.

When the last piece of clothing had been shed from Sage, Stassi grabbed hold of her shirt and pulled it up and off of her, then Sage moved in and helped her remove her bra. Stassi kicked out of her pants and Sage grabbed hold of her panties and tore them slowly down Stassi’s legs.

“Damn,” Stassi whimpered, tossing back her head and trying not to quiver with need. It was impossible. Sage grabbed Stassi’s chin and raised her head to her, so they could return to the desperate kissing, Stassi’s knees trembling. Through the kiss, she spotted Sage smirking and Sage touched her hands to Stassi’s knees to steady them.

“I’ve got you,” she whispered, before breaking from the kiss and moving her lips to Stassi’s neck. Stassi released a groan and arched her back. Those words played dangerously inside Stassi’s mind. Stassi laid her head down on the pillow as the kiss deepened. Sage’s breath was hot as she wandered down Stassi’s body, her teeth latching on Stassi’s right breast. She sucked as Stassi wiggled underneath her. One hand held firmly onto Stassi’s waist as she continued to suckle her nipple. She shifted and latched onto the left one.

Stassi stretched out her arm and held onto the edge of the bed while enjoying the way Sage’s tongue swooped around her curves. “Yesssss,” she groaned, her body trembling with desire.

Sage splayed kisses along Stassi’s navel before trailing a line of kisses up her body and to her chin. She kissed, then elicited a groan before moving her lips back to Stassi’s. Stassi slid her tongue into Sage’s mouth, and they hungrily kissed, Stassi’s heart pounding steadily into her chest. Her opening wept for Sage to move down lower, but she couldn’t tear herself away from the heated kiss.

As they kissed, Sage moved her hand from Stassi’s waist and moved down between her legs. Two fingers snaked their way into Stassi’s opening, dipping in to spread her apart. Stassi bit down as her core throbbed with Stassi pumping her fingers in a steady motion.

Sage swirled her tongue around Stassi’s before exiting her mouth and shimmying down Stassi’s body. Stassi gripped tight to the bed, her body already primed for what was going to happen. She arched her back and released a breath, her eyes rolling up to the ceiling. Hurry! Before I can’t control myself. She shifted back under Sage as Sage moved in, replacing her fingers with her tongue.

Stassi bore down and closed her eyes, her mind racing as Stassi powered in and out of her. Quickly Stassi’s lower half started to tremble. Sage reached out and touched her leg, steading her, but Stassi couldn’t hold back the cries that built inside of her. “Oh God,” she groaned, bucking her hips hard against Sage’s tongue. “Sage,” she cried, wriggling even faster beneath her.

“Come for me, baby,” Sage moaned, thrusting her tongue in harder.

Stassi groaned, her fluids gushing from her and her eyes falling back into her sockets. The room began to spin, and she came hard, crashing down to the bed, her body convulsing until the tremors slowly dulled.

Sage felt her way back to Stassi’s lips and she had a huge grin on her lips. “Kiss me,” Stassi breathlessly gasped.

Sage fell into her and kissed her longingly, holding her tightly against her body. Stassi had never had such an earth-shattering experience, but it was only just their beginning.