11. Lola

The previous day I had woken up late, feeling groggy and a bit disoriented. After rubbing my eyes for a few seconds, I remembered that it was my day off from work at the club.

I rolled over in bed, staring up at the ceiling for a moment as I contemplated what to do with my free time. Eventually, I decided that I could use a good cup of coffee and some window shopping, so I got dressed and headed into the city.

As I walked through the busy streets, taking in all the sights and sounds around me, something nagged at the back of my mind. Willow had been acting a little distant lately and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong between us.

I tried to push those thoughts aside and focus on enjoying my day out, but they kept creeping back in, no matter how hard I tried to ignore them. Finally, after browsing through a few stores and sipping on my latte, I decided to call her and see if everything was okay.

Willow answered after a few rings, sounding surprised to hear from me. We chatted for a few minutes about nothing in particular before I finally mustered up the courage to ask her what was going on. She reassured me instantly that she was just busy--a stupid work thing tonight. That she really couldn’t get out of and really didn’t want to go to. I felt it in her voice, could hear the honesty and frustration. I let that settle my doubts. “Well, you can end up at my place anytime, if you want. I am not at work later,” I tell her.

As I stepped inside my small, one-bedroom apartment, the mess overwhelmed me. The dirty dishes were piled up in the sink, the clothes scattered around on the floor, and dust was on every surface.

I took a deep breath, put on some music, and got to work. With each dish I cleaned, each shirt folded, and each piece of trash thrown away, I felt more accomplished. My efforts were paying off as my tiny living space began to transform into a tidy sanctuary.

I kept going until everything was spotless, even taking time to rearrange furniture for a fresh, new look. When I was finally done, I stood back to admire my hard work. A smile spread across my face. It might have been a small victory, but it was still an achievement that brought me peace of mind.

I plopped down on my bed, feeling satisfied and content. It’s amazing how much better I feel when my surroundings are clean and organized. Plus, now I would able to relax without any nagging guilt about having left chores undone.

It got later and later and I didn’t hear anything from Willow. Not even a text. I knew she was busy with her work thing, but I couldn’t help but feel a little down about it.

I don’t usually sleep early on my nights off because it just throws me off the next day, but I was so tired that I got into bed. I felt like I had only been there a few seconds when I heard Willow at the door, letting herself in with the key from under the mat.

Still half asleep, I watched her--unfocused as she appeared in the doorway. Still, I couldn’t help but notice what she was wearing. Expensive, fitted, named, couture—that dress was probably worth more than my entire wardrobe put together. But I couldn’t focus because Willow was taking everything off and she looked stunning. She looked like she had stepped out of a magazine. And I could smell her. I needed Willow so much that I couldn’t think.

“I want you to fall asleep. Deep asleep in my arms. And then wake up to me,” she says. “I want you to know how it feels to wake up being my needy girl. Will you do that for me?” she asks, as I look up into her eyes. The second she says it, I want it. I need it.

“I really want that,” I say.

And I do. And then we do. We wake up like that and I dive into it. I let myself feel all of the emotions that come when I am in that head space with her. Letting my body be a slave to her every desire. It makes me feel so good to do it. I am like an addict, needing and wanting more and more of her.

After catching my breath and waking up a little more, I realize that I’m a little sore and still disoriented. And my body aches. I pull myself out of bed and stumble into the kitchen. I need some coffee to help me focus.

I start brewing a fresh pot and try to remember how Willow and I ended up in bed together. It’s all a bit hazy, but I know it was intense and amazing. My mind drifts back to the feel of her skin on mine, the sound of her moans, and the taste of her lips.

But then something else catches my attention: the dress she was wearing last night. It looks like something a famous actress might wear to the Oscars.

“Willow, do you want coffee?” I call, even though she is only ten feet away from me. My apartment is smaller than her walk-in closet, but she still surprises me--standing in the doorframe in one of my long shirts, with smeared makeup and messy golden hair. Looking so fucking sexy.

“I would love one,” she says with a seductive smile, and I move to get her a mug.

“So . . . where were you last night again?” I ask.

I time my question to coincide with the moment I look up from the cup, so I can see her reaction. I don’t think Willow is dating anyone else and I don’t think she would come home to me after a date with another person. But I also know that we haven’t had that conversation yet, and that is a really, really expensive dress.

“I was at a work gala thing,” she says. “I didn’t want to go. I wanted to be here with you, but I had to make an appearance. I thought I could slide in and out pretty fast, but I had been seated at the table with my boss. Well, my boss’s boss. Which meant I really had to make sure I made a good impression. So I stayed until it wasn’t rude to leave.”

I study Willow. She is honest in what she is saying, but my spidey senses are still tingling.

“And did you?” I ask as I slide her mug over.

“Did I what?” she asks, a little confused. Another clue that she isn’t quite telling me everything.

“Make a good impression?”

She relaxes. “Oh, I mean, sure. I think so.” She takes a sip. “I mean, it isn’t going to make any difference right now. But all these things help in the long run. Networking.”

I nod. “Did you take a date?” I ask it casually, but she looks at me incredulously, shocked.

“A date? No. Why would I take a date?” she asks.

I shrug. “I don’t know. That is a very special dress. You are a very special woman. It seems a shame for you to be there dateless.”

Willow steps forward, placing her cup on the counter as she makes her way around to me. Her hands are on me, wrapping around me. One up into my hair and the other down onto my lower back. “Lola . . . I think if I were going to take a date, I would make sure it was with the girl I am falling in love with. Wouldn’t you?”

I pause a second and my whole body tenses. I feel Willow’s words wash over me.

The girl I am falling in love with.

Funny, how it can take someone else to say something, for you to realize your own feelings.

I love her too.

I nod slowly. “I think that would be a good idea, Willow. Also, a good idea to tell the girl, too. That you felt that way. So she knew.”

“I think that would be a good idea. You are right.” She pulls away seriously before taking my face in her palms. She tilts my chin up just an inch, even though we are nearly the same height. She looks me straight in the eyes, seriously, honestly. Her eyes are glowing amber in the light.

“Lola. You are the best thing that has happened to me in a really, really long time. Maybe even ever. The times I’m with you are the happiest I have ever been. And I am very much falling in love with you.”

And then she turns my face toward hers and gently presses her lips against mine. I never thought that a kiss could feel like this. So soft, so gentle, and so full of love. I feel safe, protected, and adored.

Our kiss isn’t rushed or aggressive, or even sexual. It is just pure, innocent, and loving. Our lips dance together and we explore each other’s mouths, without needing to go any further than that.

I can feel my heart beating faster as our kiss continues. My body is reacting instinctively to the warmth and tenderness shared between us. I know in that moment that I want to spend the rest of my life with this woman.

Eventually, we break apart, both of us gasping for air, but smiling from ear to ear. We look into each other’s eyes and know that what we have is real. As we stand there holding each other, basking in the afterglow of our gentle kiss, I know that I will not forget this moment anytime soon.

Willow and I decide to spend some time outside. It is Saturday, and it’s not that often I get out in the daylight. I just can’t believe how lucky I am to be sitting here with Willow. The sun is shining down on us as we laugh and flirt while enjoying our ice cream in the park. Her perfect smile lights up the entire area, making everything feel brighter and happier.

We talk about all sorts of things, from our favorite movies to the best places we’ve traveled. It feels like we could sit here forever, just talking and laughing together.

As we finish our ice cream, Willow looks at me with those beautiful amber eyes and tells me softly, “I’m having such a great time with you.” My heart skips a beat as I realize that I feel the exact same way.

I reach for her hand and give it a gentle squeeze, feeling the warmth and softness of her skin against mine. I gaze into Willow’s eyes for what feels like an eternity. We are lost in our own little world.

Finally, she leans in and kisses me softly on the lips. My whole body tingles with excitement as we embrace, wrapped up in each other’s arms. I pull her closer, not wanting to let go. Her touch is electric and I can’t get enough.

Willow’s tongue tastes of vanilla and I wonder if she can taste the strawberry on mine. And as a couple walk past us with a loud tut and a sigh. I pull back away, remembering where I am, and we both start to giggle.

“You have me feeling like a teenage girl, Willow.”

“I just wanted a taste of your ice cream.” She grins and I give her a playful tap on her thighs.

“Also, I just realized I don’t know anything about your family.” I ask the question I realize we have both been hiding from for a while now.

Something like panic momentarily flashes across her beautiful face, but she hides it well.

“You don’t?!” she gasps, playfully. “Well, guess what, Ms. Lola?”

“What?” I say with a smile, playing the game too.

“I don’t even know your last name, so I guess we both have our secrets.”

I laugh and lean back in for another kiss, sealing our secrets, although I think to myself that mine isn’t much of a good secret at all.