22. Worrying Never Does Any Good

Sage

S age stretched out her arms, her hand slowly sliding down the woman in her bed. She grinned and hovered over her. She looked so peaceful asleep. It was just after six and Sage had to be to the office by nine. Stassi was off, but she had no problem if she stayed in her bed all day and waited for her to get home. It was a thought that quickly hit Sage. To say that about someone she’d only known for a month, was crazy. However, she wasn’t sorry to think those words. The previous night was everything she wanted and more.

She moved in and kissed Stassi softly on the lips. She could rest a little more. Sage wanted to get her some breakfast. If it was in bed, all the sexier. She got up and grabbed her fluffy robe from the chair and slipped it on, taking one more long look over to where Stassi was still sound asleep.

Sage went to the kitchen and pulled out all the makings of a grand breakfast buffet. She hit the button on the radio, so it played softly in the kitchen as she hummed along to an Adele song that she barely knew. She had the waffles in the toaster oven and was scrambling her eggs when she heard the shuffling of feet. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Stassi standing there, gawking.

Stassi grinned. “Hope you don’t mind that I borrowed a shirt.”

“Mind? It fits you well.” Sage winked, then walked over and planted a soft kiss on her lips. “I’m disappointed, though. I was hoping to serve you breakfast in bed. Consider it your award for the hot sex last night.”

Stassi laughed. “You are the one that deserves all the praise. I’ve never had such an erotic night in my life.”

“Then something to surpass in the future.” Sage winked, then went back to the food, with Stassi laughing softly behind her.

“I woke up because I got a call from the hospital.”

“Oh?” Sage turned and arched a brow.

“Yep. Turns out I’m needed in the ER this morning. No one to run the front desk.”

“That’s what happens when they keep cutting people,” Sage mumbled. Stassi stared, but Sage quickly turned back to the food. “What time?”

“Whenever I can get there. Thought I would just go in when you do. If I could take a shower here and borrow a pair of scrubs…” Her words fell off and Sage nodded. She began to pile the eggs and bacon on a couple plates, then felt Stassi’s arms around her. “We could take a shower together.” She kissed the nape of Sage’s neck, exciting Sage with her hair standing on her arms. She turned around and tossed her arms around Stassi. “I take that as a yes.”

“Hell yes,” Sage whispered, kissing Stassi and hoping she knocked the anxious thoughts from her mind. This wasn’t the time to dwell on budget cuts and anything else that could hinder their growing connection. She had to give in to all her desires and let doubts get cast away. “Eat up. I’ve made plenty.”

“I can see that,” Stassi grinned. “All my favorites. It’s like you know me already.”

“I’m doing my best to get to know you.” Sage grinned and waited for Stassi to take her seat before Sage sat down across from her. “Oh, what do you want to drink?” She jumped up and hurried to the refrigerator.

“Whatever you have. I’m not particular.” Sage grabbed out orange juice and took two cups from the cabinet. She poured them each a glass and carried them back to the table to where Stassi had already started in on the waffles. She sighed. “Delicious.”

“Seeing that smile on your face makes slaving over the store this morning worth it.” Sage laughed, forking some eggs onto a piece of toast. They talked casually over the breakfast meal, and it did take her mind off of the hospital, a much-needed distraction. There was never a time when Sage could imagine that she would feel comfortable sitting at a kitchen table, eating breakfast with another woman. Her heart had been shattered a time or two before and this was something that she never truly desired again. Yet, with Stassi smiling and enthusiastically enjoying being there with her, it put Sage’s mind in a different mindset.

When breakfast was done and the dishes were in the dishwasher, Sage grabbed Stassi’s hand and escorted her to the bathroom. Stepping under that hot water was refreshing, but not nearly to the extent of their first kiss in the shower. Sage was quickly warped back into the place that the bedroom had taken her the previous night. She kissed Stassi with a passion that tingled her toes and Stassi fell back against the shower wall. The steam completely enveloped them as one. The heat was on a Richter scale of off the charts and Sage just wanted them to fall back into bed and forget about work for a few days.

Sadly, all great things are forced to end, and they had to get around to go to the hospital. When Stassi got dressed, Sage tilted her head and smirked. “You look good in my clothes.”

Stassi grinned. “That sounds sexy.”

Sage grabbed her hand and pulled her to her. “You look good in my bed, sounds even sexier.” Sage kissed her, and she heard Stassi produce a small laugh, a sound that left Sage wanting her even more. She groaned as she pushed her away. “And on that note, we best get going before both of us end up ‘sick.’”

Stassi laughed. “The hospital would be shocked about that one.” She then frowned, and Sage quickly stepped up to her, worried the frown had all her fears rolled up in her head. “We’re keeping this hush-hush, right?” She shrugged. “I mean, I don’t know that I want everyone in the hospital to know our business. It’s really none of theirs. Besides, it’d be nice to have you all to myself, with no one frowning down upon us.”

Sage brushed the back of her hand along Stassi’s cheek. “I agree. For now, we’ll keep this between us.” She gave her a quick peck, and the smile returned to Stassi’s face.

Sage led the way to the hospital, with Stassi close behind. She kept checking the rearview mirror to ensure that Stassi was back there, but never once did the distance get between them. When they parked in the hospital, Sage went down one row of cars, and Stassi chose the next. This way no one could say they came together. Sage would do anything to make sure Stassi was comfortable, and if that meant steering clear of any intimate encounters, then she would abide by those rules. However, it was Stassi who walked over to her car. Sage got out, and Stassi had this devilish smirk in her eyes.

“What are you doing?” Sage asked, trying to control her smile.

“There’s no one around.” Stassi moved in and kissed Sage. The heat was still there, just like when they were in the shower and the bedroom the previous night. “Something to get you through your day.” She winked. “Maybe we’ll see each other at lunch.” She then turned and sauntered off away from Sage, with Sage gawking after her, wishing that she could run and pull her up against her. She licked her lips and snickered. That wasn’t nearly enough to make her get through the day.

Luckily, the morning started off hectic and only got crazier as it went on. Sage kept checking her watch, anticipating lunch, and hoping that Stassi would come grab her so they could possibly have a heated getaway in a room. Yet, none of that happened, and as the morning progressed, she even wondered if she would get to take lunch.

“George?” she called out. She tried not to let her disapproval show. George Ruiz tended to be one of the more difficult patients. He always had something to complain about. But at least she was on time to get him from the waiting room, and he couldn’t harp over that. He came slowly with his cane, mumbling as he reached the desk. His son was on the other side of him, holding onto his arm to guide him. Again, the mumbling. “How are you doing today?” she asked, staying cheerful, despite the grimace on the older man’s face.

“I’m still walking with a damn cane. How do you think I’m doing?”

She shot a look at his son, and he rolled his eyes. “Dad, it’s not Sage’s fault.”

“That’s what she wants us to believe,” he grumbled. Sage escorted them into the room and closed the door. When she turned back to face him, he continued to grumble. “I should have been done with this cane weeks ago.”

“George, it really hasn’t been all that long,” Sage began.

“Don’t mind him, Sage. He woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” George Jr. tried to talk calm and collected, just as he always did when he accompanied his father. Sage appreciated it, but she knew the truth. He was just a grumpy old man who couldn’t be satisfied with anything. She even sensed that maybe he would have rather the stroke have killed him. It was a sad situation, but his emotions were intrusive wherever he was.

“I did not,” he argued. “I just don’t know what the point of coming here is. The doctors said I would be better in no time, and still, I’m struggling with this damn cane and relying on you to drive me around everywhere. I’m done. It’s clear that Occupational Therapy is a bullshit science and just something to get my money.” George collapsed dramatically into the chair and stared at Sage.

Sage slowly nodded but held up her hand when his son attempted to apologize. “It’s alright. Every patient can feel the way they feel. I know when I had to go around taking care of my grandfather, he felt the same way.” She shrugged and crossed her arms. “You can’t force the patients to want to try to get better. Besides, sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s been a busy day, and I could eat my lunch, if you want to cancel. Your choice.”

George Jr’s eyes darkened, and there was a sort of glare about them. Sage pleaded with her facial expressions for him to just give it a few more minutes, and his face softened.

Sage continued, “So, you have ten more sessions scheduled. Should I cancel them all?”

George glared at her. “So, just like that, you are dismissing me? What kind of hospital is this? I should report you.”

Sage shrugged. “It’s really all relative, George. If you don’t feel it’s working, then why waste your time? I’m just trying to help you out.”

He looked away from her, catching a glimpse of his son’s eyes. “What do you want, Dad? I could take you home. There was a horserace on that you wanted to see, right?”

George huffed and shook his head at the outrageousness of the situation. “I never…” He remained seated. “Fine. Since we are here. I’ll give it a few more sessions,” he hastily replied.

George Jr and Sage shared a look, with George Jr trying to hide his grin. It was something that could have easily gone wrong, but to her relief, she didn’t have to beg him not to go to the hospital regarding her tactics. And he didn’t argue another drop during the rest of his therapy. Maybe she would have to play this card for other patients who were distrusting of the methods.

As she finished documenting in his notes and left the room, she spotted Lena getting off the elevator. Sage gave her a slight wave as she approached. “Marcus is in the cafeteria; wanna grab some lunch?”

“Your timing is impeccable.” Sage glanced at her watch. “I just finished the last patient of the morning, and I have about an hour. Let’s get out of here.” There was a small ounce of hope inside that she would bump into Stassi in the cafeteria, but she had to remind herself that she wasn’t to tell Lena or Marcus anything.

When they got on the elevator, Lena turned to her. “Spotted Stassi earlier. She’s working the ER, and I had to run and check on a patient.”

“Oh really?” Sage asked, keeping her eyes off the wandering nurse.

“Yep, and funny thing, I could have sworn she was wearing your scrubs.” Sage turned to her, and Lena laughed. “Am I wrong?”

“I’m sure there are a ton of those scrubs out there. Seriously, you’re whacko. “

Lena tilted her head. “A ton that have a slight tear on the right side? I remember the day you got hooked on that door on floor 3. Funny thing, I would have thought you would have already gotten that fixed.”

Sage winced. “How close did you get to her? You can’t say anything to anyone. We were together and she got called in to work. There was no time for her to get home and change.”

Lena laughed. “Well, I wasn’t that close, and you just confessed, so now I know it’s true.”

Sage rolled her eyes as the door opened. “You tricked me.”

“All in fun. I won’t say a word, but why are you being so secretive? You can be with whoever you want. I was just surprised when I recognized it, but clearly, you two dig each other.”

“We just decided that keeping it between us is the right way to go. At least for now.” Lena shrugged, and they entered the cafeteria. Sage glanced around to see if she could spot Stassi, but only saw Marcus seated at a corner table. Perhaps she would get a chance to have a few minutes with her before she went back to work. She grabbed a fruit bowl and water, paid, and then went over to Marcus’ table. He looked up, but his face was somber. “What’s wrong?”

Marcus shrugged and grabbed his phone. “So, Wyatt, who is interning in HR, has sort of a crush on me.”

Sage arched an eyebrow. “He knows you’re taken and in a fully committed relationship, right?”

He shrugged. “Never came up.”

“You’re playing with fire, Marcus. Just don’t let anything go where it shouldn’t go. You have too good of a thing going, and you wouldn’t want to screw that up.”

“I’m not interested,” Marcus said. “But that’s totally not the point. When you have an in with HR, you tend to learn things, and well, let’s just say that it isn’t always what you want to learn. Take a look.” Sage grabbed his phone and read over an email that was sent to him. “It’s just a plan of what they’re putting together. They haven’t sent out the official word, but it’s coming.”

“What’s coming?” Lena asked, grabbing the seat next to Sage.

Sage pushed the phone towards her so she could read it. “All the senior nurses are getting their 401K’s slashed? How can they do that?”

Marcus shrugged. “And I’m sure they won’t just stop at the nurses. This is getting out of hand. Again, they haven’t finalized the email, but Wyatt said it’s only a matter of time. He was ordered to get it sent out by early next week.”

“Having the middle-man do the dirty work. That’s typical.” Sage shook her head.

“This is annoying,” Lena pushed the phone back to Marcus. “This would never happen if we had a union.”

“Then go ahead and start one,” Sage grumbled. Lena’s brow furrowed in thought. She had a meeting with HR the following week, and she hoped the email would have been sent by then. That way, she could bring it up without getting anyone into trouble. She grabbed her phone and pulled up Stassi’s number.

Sage

I miss you. Doesn’t look like you’ll make it to lunch. Come over to my place tonight!

Stassi was a great stress reliever, and if nothing else, she could have her as a cherry on her evening, but something had to change. She just wasn’t sure how to get that started.

Sage lit two candles and placed them in the center of the table. Flowers were already in the middle, which led to the perfect ambiance. There was a knock on the door, and Sage smirked. She was right on time. She loved that about Stassi.

Sage opened the door and greeted her with a smile before she lowered her gaze to the bag Stassi carried. “What’s this?”

“Well, I thought I might as well bring an overnight bag. You just never know, and it’s better to be prepared, right?” Stassi moved in and gave Sage a kiss, but the sight of the overnight bag did a lot to Sage’s emotions. When she invited Stassi, she hadn’t anticipated that Stassi would take it as an invitation to move in. Yet, here, it felt all too familiar, like her past life was colliding with her present.

Stassi tilted her head as the kiss ended. “Did I do something wrong?” she asked. “You look pissed.”

“Pissed? I wouldn’t say that.” Sage turned away from her and wandered back to the kitchen, where the décor greeted them with a romantic hue.

“This is nice,” Stassi whispered, but she didn’t sound jovial, like when she first arrived.

Sage forced a smile and turned back to her. “I’ll take your bag.” She reached for it and carried it down the hallway to her bedroom. She felt like she was headed to the gas chamber, instead of all the intimate possibilities that would draw them in.

When she turned back around, Stassi had made her way to the bedroom. Stassi smiled but glanced over to her overnight bag. “If I read too much into the evening, I’m sorry. I don’t have to stay over. It was merely a thought. Just in case, you know?” She walked over and grabbed her bag, but Sage was quick to reach for it.

“Keep it here. It was a good thought. I guess I just have a lot of thoughts going through my head. None that should concern you, though.”

Stassi frowned. “Well, if it concerns you, then it concerns me.” There was a small smile on her lips and Sage wanted to pull her into her arms and tell her how sweet that was, but she was frozen. Was it the fear of getting too close to someone else again, so fast? She moved past her, brushing slightly against Stassi before leaving the room. “You know,” Stassi continued. “Whenever I’m stressed, I find that a game of basketball will usually relax me. And I couldn’t help but notice that there’s a court out back. Up for a game?”

Sage laughed. “In my years of living here, I’ve never played one single game of basketball.”

Stassi grinned. “Good because then maybe I’ll have a chance.”

“What about dinner? It’s already prepared and just ready to warm up on the stove. Do you really want to go outside and work up a sweat before we eat?”

Stassi shrugged. “Not all that hungry, are you?”

Sage considered that, then sighed. “Alright. Let’s go.” She blew out the candles, and they left the apartment building. “There’s extra basketballs in here.” Sage stepped into the laundry room and grabbed a ball, and they left through a back door to get to the court. She began dribbling the ball but wasn’t too far into it when Stassi reached out and grabbed the ball from her.

“She shoots. She scores. And the crowd goes wild.” She cheered for herself, and Sage laughed.

“I never knew you were so competitive.”

Stassi grinned wider. “Guess there’s a lot you don’t know about me. Ball is yours.” She bounced the ball to Sage and Stassi went back to dribbling it. She saw Stassi moving towards her to come get the ball, so Sage dodged her and moved closer to her basket. She positioned herself and shot the ball, scoring. “Not bad,” Stassi said. “Now we have a real game.”

They were only ten minutes into it when Sage realized that Stassi was right. She had considerably calmed down, to the point where she was laughing and enjoying being out there with Stassi, as if basketball was her favorite pastime.

“So, do you wanna talk about it?” Stassi asked as she dribbled the ball and stared across at Sage. Sage smiled, relaxing even more.

“Got some unsettling news today.” She told her about the email that was getting ready to go out and Stassi listened, halting the dribbling to keep her mind focused on every word. “I’m just worried about my fellow co-workers, and I feel at a loss because I don’t know how I can help them.”

“You’re a good woman, Sage,” Stassi began. “Your heart is so big.”

Sage snickered. “And yet, there’s not a damn thing I can do.”

“There’s always something that can be done.”

Sage slowly nodded. At the meeting, she could do everything she could to pull everything in their favor, but it was a bit overwhelming to consider that she was the one that everyone now depended on. Stassi reached up and caressed Sage’s cheek and Sage’s eyes went to hers.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Sage whispered.

“There’s no place I’d rather be.” Stassi winked and wrapped her arm around Sage, pulling her into a mouth-watering kiss. As their tongues collided in unison, they just held one another. The ball dropped, jarring Sage out of her deep fantasy.

“I could warm up the food,” Sage began.

Stassi shook her head and reached for Sage’s hand. She scooped down and picked up the ball while still holding onto Sage. They went back into the building, dropped the ball back into its basket, and then headed up to Sage’s apartment. They were both quiet, but Sage could hear her escalated heartbeat.

Sage unlocked the door and pushed it open, then followed after Stassi as they went down the hallway to the bedroom. Once inside, Stassi turned to Sage and wrapped her arms around her, kissing her with such passion and hunger that it left Sage breathless.

“Let me take away your worries,” Stassi whispered.

Sage couldn’t object. The room started spinning, and somehow, they both ended up naked and back in her bed. Sage pulled the covers back around them and fell down into the bed. It was so cozy and comforting. Stassi pressed her bare body to Sage’s, and they melted together, with Sage’s finger quickly swiped against Stassi’s folds.

Her opening was wet, and she could tell that hers was too as they kissed one another with all the fire captivating them. Sage arched her back and let Stassi’s lips slowly trail down to her neck. Stassi methodically sucked, even leaving teeth indentations as Sage released a groan. Stassi grabbed onto Sage’s hips and held her in place, not breaking from her neck. She kissed and sucked, sucked and kissed, undoubtedly leaving a hickey in its place.

Sage growled, her insides aching to feel the same attention. Stassi released a slight giggle, then moved her lips around to the other side of Sage’s neck, applying the same appreciation. Once she had given her all, she moved down, trailing kisses along her chest. This was her attention to give, and Sage wouldn’t lead her elsewhere. She grinned, fully entranced in how Stassi had her body on fire.

Stassi traced Sage’s stomach with her lips, leaving kisses around her belly and then shifting her lips down to Sage’s most delicate spot. Her breath was warm and inviting as Sage spread out her legs, the ache even harder to get past. Stassi slipped her tongue inside of her, causing the shock to break through Sage’s core. It happened so quickly and yet didn’t appear to be quick enough.

“More,” Sage gasped.

Stassi slid her tongue up one side of Sage’s opening and back down the other, eagerly tracing the spot that Sage had maintained the first time they had intercourse. Sage shot up, grabbing onto Stassi as Stassi made the lap again. She held onto Stassi’s shoulders and slowly rocked her hips back and forth, waiting as Stassi went in even deeper.

“Oh God,” Sage whimpered, her legs shook, and she grabbed onto the bed, her stomach tightening as Stassi swiftly moved in and out of her. Stassi’s sounds of pleasure left Sage panting and bearing down, ready for the orgasm to shoot through her. Stassi’s tongue slid even faster, opening Sage up even more, and Sage latched down and released a cry. Her body shook, right along with the bed, and she shattered in two, releasing her juices. She was spent, crashing down onto the bed, panting from the orgasm that had raked her body.

Stassi slithered up Sage’s body, like a cloth to its flame and moved in and kissed her, nipping down on her lips. Sage tasted her own juice coming off Stassi’s lips; it was sweet. Her mind had cleared of her worries from earlier, and she was smiling with happiness. This was her safe space, and Stassi knew how to stroke all the right parts.