Sapphic Voices Romance

Tea For Two

Part One

This Story is rated 'Adults Only' for its sexual content and contains depictions of rape.

One

The tea house was unusually crowded for a Sunday afternoon. Every table outside and inside was occupied. This fact, however, went unnoticed by Del until she turned from the counter, tea and scone in hand, book tucked under her arm, to walk to her usual spot. She had taken several steps in that direction before she thought to even look up, and when she did look around there wasn’t an empty table in the place. Her usual table was now occupied by the woman she recognized as the only other customer, besides herself, that she saw there every Sunday; the lovely brunette that she had seen sipping tea and drawing in a sketchpad the last twelve times Del had been here.

Yes, she had counted the times she’d seen the woman. Even if Del hadn’t already been a creature of habit, she would have made the effort to arrive every Sunday at three in the afternoon just to see her. It had become a weekly indulgence for the last three months to sit for at least an hour and steal glances at the woman. That was probably why it was taking her twice as long to read a novel these days.

But the woman wasn’t supposed to be at her table. She was supposed to be at the table in the opposite corner of the room - a safe distance at which to be admired and fantasized about. As Del turned to take one more look around to ensure another table hadn’t opened up, she heard the sound of wooden chair legs groaning and sliding against a wooden floor. She looked in the direction of the sound and saw the chair being pushed by the woman’s foot. It stopped and the woman looked directly at her and then waved her hand, as if to summon her over to the table. Del’s heart stopped, flopped over in her chest violently, and then abruptly restarted. She can’t be looking at me. She can’t be asking me to join her. Del quickly looked around for anyone else the woman could be motioning to. She saw no one, and when she turned back the woman was grinning and pointing right at her, mouthing what looked to be, “Yes, you.”

Del had no choice now. She was staring right at the woman and pretending she didn’t see the offer to share the table would have been blatantly rude. She’d never be able to come back here again. She swallowed hard, smiled back, and walked to the table. When she arrived they both tried to speak at the same time. The woman laughed and smiled at her again.

“Please, join me. There may not be an open table for quite some time,” the woman offered.

“I don’t want to intrude. Are you sure you don’t mind?” Del asked. She was trying hard not to let her nerves get the best of her. She was not someone who easily made new acquaintances, or fell into fast friendships.

“Considering I took your regular table after someone took mine, I wouldn’t think of it as intruding. Plus there’s far too much of a din in here for me to concentrate on my drawing. Please, have a seat.” The woman nodded toward the chair opposite her and smiled again.

Del put her things on the table and sat. She extended her hand to the woman. “My name is Del Jamison. Thank you for sharing your table with me.”

“You’re welcome Del. I’m Stella Beaumont. Anyway, don’t thank me, I stole your table. It was the least I could do.”

“Nice to meet you, Stella. Your name sounds very Tennessee Williams. You wouldn’t happen to be from New Orleans, would you?” Del asked. She was only hazarding a guess and making small talk.

“I am, actually. I guess Beaumont isn’t exactly a mid-western sounding name. So, let me guess what Del is short for. I’m detecting just a hint of some southern honey in your voice as well. My first guess is ‘Delilah’.”

Del’s head dropped and her mouth gaped. Her expression was a giveaway that Stella was correct.

“I’m right,” Stella exclaimed, clapping silently for her small victory. An even brighter smile beamed across her face. She was quite pleased with herself.

Del smiled now. “No one has ever guessed that right off the bat.” She was blushing just a bit, and Stella took notice of it.

“Oh no, I’m sorry. Now I’ve embarrassed you.”

“No … well … yes, I am a bit embarrassed,” Del stammered. “I’ve never been fond of my name, hence the shortened nickname. My parents didn’t really hate me, they just liked biblical names. My mother is the only person I’ve ever allowed to call me Delilah.”

“So, is it true? When you cut off Samson’s long dark locks, did he lose his strength?” Stella gave her a wink.

Del blushed again. “That’s a perfect example of why I hate my name.”

“I had to say it once. I promise that’s it. Do you forgive me? It really was quite irresistible, even if it was too easy and obvious.” Stella smiled so broadly at her again that Del was briefly mesmerized.

You’re irresistible. Del mentally shook herself back to the conversation. “That’s fine. I forgive you. Everyone I meet gets one pass – but just one. If it happens again there will be consequences.” Wow, you really are quite beautiful. Those intense blue eyes, and your hair so shiny and lush, just past the shoulders. So much more beautiful than I could tell from across the room all these weeks.

“Alright, I promise no more jabs at your name. But to be fair, you did go for the Tennessee Williams joke when I told you mine.”

“True. I apologize. But I did hold back. My first instinct was to stand up and shout your name very loudly,” Del admitted.

“I owe you big time for not doing that. So was I right about detecting a bit of southern in your voice? Where are you from Del?”

“Guess. I guessed your hometown right away.”

“Yes, but I think Beaumont was a pretty good clue. Jamison tells me nothing,” Stella protested. “A clue, please.”

Del picked up the book she had laid face down on the table and turned the cover toward Stella. “The author and I share the same hometown,” she said.

“The Heart is a Lonely Hunter – Carson McCullers. I know this, but you’ll have to give me a minute.” Stella looked up at the ceiling, her eyes flitting back and forth. It was as if she were turning imaginary pages of memory with her eyes.

Del noticed her neck. The way her head was tilted as she looked up, her neck elongated and curved in such a manner that all Del could think about was kissing her neck. She was aware of her own staring, but couldn’t help it. She was imagining taking Stella home and spending all evening kissing that neck.

“ … Del … did you hear me? Did I get it right?” Stella asked.

Del snapped out of her fixation. “I’m sorry. I went somewhere else while you were thinking. What was your answer?”

“Columbus, Georgia,” she answered. “McCullers was born in Columbus, Georgia.”

Del smiled. “That’s right. I wasn’t born there, though my dad was military. I’m an Army brat. We moved there when I was very young when he was assigned to Ft. Benning, and he retired there. It’s the closest thing to a hometown I have.”

“Is she one of your favorite writers?”

“No,” Del answered. “I read mostly for entertainment – mysteries, crime fiction – light reading mostly. But I do feel compelled to read southern authors, no matter how dark or depressing they may be. I guess it’s a loyalty thing. I enjoy reading their biographies even more.”

“They are dark,” Stella admitted. She looked down at Del’s tea and scone. “Please eat and drink, Del. I’m feeling very guilty for keeping you from enjoying your tea time. I can go on sometimes, without really realizing it.”

“I like the tea lukewarm, anyway,” Del answered. She picked up the cup and took a few sips. She picked up the small plate that held the scone and pushed it toward Stella. “I’ll share if you’d like. I had a large lunch. I probably shouldn’t have ordered it. The orange-cranberry scones here are hard for me to resist.”

Stella looked around for something to cut it with. “I would like to taste it, but I’m afraid all I have are my fingers. Let me go ask for a knife.” She started to get up, but Del stopped her.

“Please, just break it in half with your fingers. Use the paper napkin if you insist on being proper about it, but you won’t offend me by putting your bare fingers on my scone.” Or anywhere else of mine, for that matter.

Stella gave her a quick grin and picked up the napkin. “I’m not very proper. You just never know what might freak someone else out.” She used the napkin to hold the scone and broke a piece off.

“I’m not the type that freaks out very easily,” Del replied. She watched Stella chew a bite of the pastry and swallow.

“It’s very good,” Stella said. “So I know where you’re from, you like tea and scones, and you don’t freak out very easily. Tell me what brings a nice southern gal such as yourself to Denver.”

“I design and build furniture for a living. Five years ago I applied for and was offered an apprenticeship at a small, but very well respected, design studio here. When I finished the apprenticeship I stayed and worked for them for a year. I intended to return south, to Atlanta probably, to open up my own business. Then I decided to stay as far away from home as possible. My parents divorced and things got ugly. I figured the farther away I was, the less they’d be able to attempt to use me against one another. I love it here. I love the weather. It’s not too big or too small - a nicely sized real city.”

Stella’s eyes lit up. “You know it doesn’t surprise me that you work with your hands – that you build things. I’m impressed. I probably couldn’t build a birdhouse. You said you worked with that design house for a year – do you have your own studio now?”

“I do,” Del answered. “It’s a pretty small operation and I have another furniture maker who works with me. Jake and I are a two-person operation. We aren’t getting wealthy, but it pays the bills and when things are slow we do carpentry jobs on the side. We actually just finished building a pretty elaborate tree house in the back yard of some millionaire for his spoiled son.”

Stella laughed, throwing back her head. “Now how do you know the son was spoiled?”

“I don’t,” Del admitted. “I take it back. So, how about you, how did you end up so far from The Big Easy?”

“I’ll tell you my story if you agree to walk me home. It’s getting too loud and crowded in here for me. Where did all of these people come from?”

“I think the hotel up the street just had a lot of check-ins for the convention starting tomorrow. There’s some kind of organic and whole foods convention, or something,” Del said. She took the last bite of her scone.

“I thought it looked extra-crunchy in here,” Stella said, making a face and sticking out her tongue. “Crunchier than usual, anyway.”

Del almost choked on her scone. She took the last swallow of her tea to wash it down, still trying not to laugh and choke. “You almost killed me with that one.”

“You know it’s true.”

“It is. Let’s get out of here. You’re right. It’s getting louder by the minute.”

They gathered their things and walked out the door. Stella nodded to her right. “My apartment is three blocks north. I hope I’m not taking you too much out of your way.”

“Not at all, I’m four blocks west. It’s really not much of a walk. It’s the only way I can justify the scone every Sunday. I walk here and back. So, tell me what you do and how you ended up here.”

“As you may have guessed, since you’ve seen me sketch at the tea house, I am a professional artist. I wish I could say I made a good living from my art, but I don’t. I took a job here with an advertising agency designing logos, sales brochures, anything a business might employ us to design for them. That’s what pays my bills. But I do sell some of my artwork locally and on-line. I enjoy my job, but I would like to do my own art full-time and make a living from it.”

“Well, it sounds like you have a good start. Sometimes it just takes that one lucky break. Selling to the right person, or getting a showing at some swank gallery,” Del said. “You don’t seem like the type that would give up very easily on what she wants. I think you’ll be doing exactly what you want to do very soon.”

Stella stopped and looked at Del. “I hope so.” She nodded up ahead. “Across the side street and we’re at my building. Please say you’ll come in. I could make us some more tea. I’d love to show you some of my paintings. But if you have somewhere else you need to be, I’ll understand.”

Del looked her in the eyes. There was suddenly something different about the way Stella was looking back at her. Her facial expression, her eyes, and the way she held her head. It was almost as if the air of confidence she exuded at the tea house had disappeared. It was replaced with something that bordered on forlorn and longing. Del was suddenly reminded of herself as a child, new to town and new to school. That day she stood on the playground wondering if anyone would include her in their games, fighting to hold back tears. It was heartbreaking to see that look in Stella’s eyes.

Del smiled at her, pretending not to take notice of the change. “Of course I’ll come in. I’d love to see some of your creations. I have nowhere I have to be until work tomorrow morning.”

Stella beamed. “Wonderful,” she exclaimed. She turned, grabbed Del’s hand and ran when the pedestrian light changed. They were through the front entrance and up a flight of stairs before Del could catch her breath. Stella was fumbling with her key and unlocking the door.

“Sorry, I get a bit excited when I make a new friend and show them my place for the first time. Also, I get kind of nervous the first time anyone looks at my artwork.”

“Don’t be nervous. I’m no critic. Plus, I’m sure if you did it then it has to be good.” Del stepped through the threshold and immediately began to take in the room. Paintings, framed drawings, and large unframed canvases hung everywhere. It was difficult to know where to begin to look.

“I’ll let you look around while I make the tea,” Stella called out from the kitchen.

“Okay,” Del answered, already walking around the living room. There was a bit of everything hanging on the walls: flowers, landscapes, portraits, and quite a few figure studies, most of them in pencil. All of the figure studies were nude and female. Del was noticing a theme. She moved closer to one in particular. It appeared to be Stella. Probably a photo she took of herself in order to do her own figure study.

“Yes, that one is me.” Stella’s voice came up so abruptly behind Del that she startled and jumped a little. Del turned to see Stella standing behind her, placing a tray on the coffee table.

“I’m sorry I startled you,” Stella said. She could see that Del was once again blushing.

“That’s okay. I guess I was concentrating on all of the art. What kind of tea did you fix for us?”

“Chamomile, I need to be soothed after all of that noise at the tea house,” Stella answered. “I hope you like chamomile.”

“I do, with a teaspoon of honey in it. I’ve got to keep that little hint of a drawl in proper order.” Del took the mug of tea from Stella and sat on the sofa. “Tell me how long you’ve been here Stella. I think the first time I saw you at the tea house was about three months ago.”

Stella finished stirring a bit of honey and lemon into her tea. “Not much longer than that – just four months,” she answered. “I’m really just getting settled in.”

Del could tell by the inflection in her voice and the way her expression changed that there was something else to Stella’s relocation. It wasn’t just about a new job for her. She left something behind. There was something, or someone, back home that she left; something painful. It occurred to Del that Stella never answered the question as to how she ended up so far from home. She was just getting up the nerve to ask her why she’d left New Orleans when Stella broke the silence. The moment was lost.

“I’d like to show you something Del, something from my sketchbook that I worked on at the tea house.”

Before Del could say anything Stella walked into another room, presumably her bedroom, and returned with a sketchpad. “You have to promise not to be … hmm … taken aback … or out of sorts with me when you see this.” She had an expression that seemed to be that of a guilty child.

Del found it charming. “I promise.”

Stella flipped through pages and then handed the book to Del. But what she saw did not surprise her. She fully expected it.

“Please don’t think I’m a stalker,” Stella pleaded.

Del continued to look thoughtfully at the charcoal portrait of herself and then looked up at Stella. She smiled. “It’s wonderful. I’m flattered, and I don’t think you’re a stalker.” She looked down, grinning, and then looked back up at Stella. “I have a confession to make. I’m the stalker. I’ve been making sure to arrive at the tea house the same time every Sunday just to see you. I feel like an idiot confessing this, because I don’t know why I’ve never just walked up to your table and introduced myself. I guess I’m not very good at talking to strangers. But now, after only an hour of talking to you I feel like I’ve known you for so long.”

“I know exactly what you mean. I feel the same way.”

She reached down and took the sketchpad from Del and put it on the coffee table. When she turned back, Del took her hand and pulled her down toward the sofa. Stella straddled her lap, facing her, and closed her eyes.

“The thing I want most in the world, right this moment, is for you to kiss me,” Stella whispered.

Del put her hands around to the small of Stella’s back and pulled her in, moving her lips to hers at the same time. She kissed her so tenderly, so lightly, and so sweetly, that Stella sighed, exhaling slowly, and pushed her face into Del’s neck. “That was the most perfect kiss I’ve ever been given.”

“I’ve been saving that perfect kiss for a long time. I’m happy that it has finally been delivered to its rightful owner.”

“How long?”

“Please don’t ask. It’s embarrassing,” Del answered. Both women laughed.

Stella reached behind Del’s neck and slipped off the elastic band holding her ponytail in place. She pulled the long blonde hair free and ran her fingers through it. She stared into Del’s green eyes. “I’ve been waiting for you for so long,” she said.

“I know. Me too,” Del agreed. “Are you sure that kiss was perfect? I think I should give you a few more just for comparison’s sake. I may still have the perfect one, just waiting to be delivered.”

Two

Del had taken off from work an hour early, leaving the shop in Jake’s hand. He had teased her to no end about how nervous and preoccupied she had been all day. He had been the one to insist she go home and get ready for her dinner date.

“If this lasts for more than three dates, you have to bring her to the shop and let me check her out,” Jake said as Del headed for the door.

“That depends on what you mean by ‘check her out’,” Del said, turning and giving him a look.

“You know what I mean, and you know I would never consider what you’re implying,” he responded.

“I know. I’ll see you in the morning,” Del called back as she walked out the door, pushing her bike. On most days, when the weather permitted, she rode her bicycle the almost two miles to the shop. Today she’d stop at the market two blocks from her apartment and shop for dinner, carrying her purchases in a backpack. She should be home by six, with enough time to shower and cook before Stella was to arrive around seven-fifteen.

It was difficult to concentrate on the few things she needed for dinner. She wasn’t sure why she felt so nervous about tonight. She felt genuinely at ease when she was with Stella, and she thought Stella felt the same way. Del had always believed that too much pressure to become physically intimate early in a relationship could ruin things. But she also felt almost as if they had been dating for three months now. They had both obviously been interested since their mutual sightings at the tea house. Yesterday evening, the kiss had come so naturally, so easily. She didn’t remember feeling nervous about it at all. In fact, it had seemed at the time like they both were just falling back into something they had been doing for a long time. Where did that feeling come from? Is this what it was like to finally find the person you were supposed to be with?

Del shook herself out of the mental wanderings and concentrated on her shopping. She hadn’t even thought to ask Stella about any dietary restrictions. She figured after the ‘extra-crunchy’ remarks that Stella was most likely an omnivore like herself. She picked up the Italian sausage for the spaghetti and decided that it didn’t matter. If it turned out that she didn’t eat meat, Del could always make her a quick garlic, butter and herb pasta dish. She had the clerk load the groceries directly into her backpack and rode home smiling to herself. Bread, spaghetti, and a nice Caesar salad with lots of parmesan was always a winner. The only thing that could go wrong now was if Stella wore a white blouse. Spaghetti sauce and white shirts were magnetically drawn to one another. But then again, that could work just as well in her favor. Stop thinking that way already you naughty horn-dog.

~~~~

The table was set and the sauce was simmering. She’d wait for Stella to arrive before starting the water to boil for the pasta. It was 7:13 p.m. when the doorbell rang. A bit early, that’s a good sign we’ll get along well. Del checked herself in the foyer mirror and opened the door. Stella stood at her door holding a bottle of wine and smiling. Del stepped aside.

“Please, come on in. Dinner is pretty close to being ready,” she said, as Stella stepped through the door.

“I wasn’t sure about what to bring. I have no idea if you even drink, but I decided some white wine might be a safe bet.” Stella handed the bottle to Del and looked around the apartment.

“Go ahead and look around if you’d like. I’ll put this in the fridge to chill and start the pasta.” Del stepped into the kitchen and left Stella to check out the living room on her own.

Stella walked straight to the desk in the corner of the room. She could tell that it was handcrafted and that Del most likely had created it for herself. It was beautiful. She was not an expert on wood, so she had no idea what it was made of. There were two different types of wood, one stained darker, which created an inlaid pattern toward the outside edge of the desk. Stella ran her fingers lightly over the finish. It was perfectly smooth and expertly finished. She imagined Del’s bare skin would feel the same way under her fingers.

“Do you like it?” Del asked, from behind her.

Stella turned to see Del standing in the doorway between the kitchen and living room. She had a kitchen towel thrown over her shoulder and was casually leaning on the doorjamb.

“I love it. It’s beautiful. I’m assuming you made it,” Stella answered.

“I did, during my apprenticeship. I designed and built it. It’s primarily oak with inlaid maple accents.” Del walked up behind her as Stella admired the desk again. Stella turned and leaned into Del, kissing her before she could react. They stood there for at least a minute, kissing, and then holding one another.

“It smells like Italian sausage and garlic in here. I’m getting hungry,” Stella said, as she pulled back and looked at Del.

“The water should be boiling by now. I’ll drop the pasta and get our salads and bread together. I don’t drink with dinner, but I’ll open the bottle of wine if you want some. Join me in the kitchen?”

Stella followed her. “No. I’ll just have water or iced tea if you have any. You don’t really drink at all, do you?”

Del smiled at her while she dropped the pasta in the water. “How could you tell? You’re right. I mean I do have an occasional drink, but not very often. I have no objections to it. I’ve just never taken to it myself.”

“I could tell because I’m pretty much the same. Oh well, you can give away that bottle of wine if you’d like,” Stella said, shrugging her shoulders.

“I’ll use it for something. Maybe a recipe,” Del said. She handed Stella a glass of iced tea. “I didn’t even think about asking you whether you eat meat or not. If you have objections to the sausage in the sauce, I’ll be more than happy to make you a garlic and herb sauce.”

Stella laughed. “No thanks. I love Italian sausage and I eat plenty of meat.”

“Good.” Del poured the pasta into a colander. “Let’s get this all on the dining table before it starts cooling off. And please don’t be polite. Dig in and eat as much as you want. Unless it’s not good, but feel free to tell me that as well.”

They sat and piled their plates with spaghetti and crusty Italian bread. Del watched as Stella dug in for the first bite. She looked at Del and gave her a ‘thumbs up’ while she chewed and swallowed.

“It’s delicious. Now don’t be alarmed if I don’t say much of anything else until I’ve finished eating.” She smiled and shoved another forkful into her mouth.

“I’m with you there,” Del said. “I just hope you aren’t put off by my lack of table manners. I’m used to eating dinner alone.”

When they finished, Stella insisted on helping her clean up the kitchen. “You cooked, so helping clean up is the least I can do. It was all so delicious. I’d say you’re almost as talented in the kitchen as you are in your woodworking shop.” She also wondered what other ‘Del talents’ she might discover tonight.

When they finished rinsing the last of the dishes and loaded the dishwasher, Stella took Del’s hand and pulled her out of the kitchen. “I want to see the rest of the apartment,” Stella said.

“This is pretty much it besides the bathroom and bedroom,” Del said, looking rather alarmed that this had developed so suddenly after the meal. They stopped in front of the sofa. “Stella, are you sure you want things to go this fast? I don’t mean to say I don’t want this. I very much do. You have no idea how much. But I also don’t want us to go too fast.”

“Del, I don’t want us to go through the motions of this whole dating thing just because there’s some idea in both of our heads about how soon something should or shouldn’t happen. I’ve known how I feel about you even before we introduced ourselves. I know you’re going to think I’m crazy, but I know we’re supposed to be together. I don’t want to waste any more time. Something horrible could happen to one of us tomorrow and then we’d never know what it was like to make love to one another. Do you want to take that chance?”

Del smiled. She took Stella’s hand and pulled her to the bedroom. “You have a really good point. I’m convinced.”

Stella laughed. “That was easy.”

“I’m really not … easy that is,” Del said. “But it would be a lie for me to say I don’t feel exactly the same about you. I do feel like we’re meant to be together.”

Stella began unbuttoning Del’s blouse as they kissed, standing at the foot of the bed. Del gently pushed her hands away. “I need to tell you something.”

“What? Do you have some kind of deformity? Three breasts? A hump on your back? A parasitic twin?” Stella was smiling, and winked at her.

“Please stop,” Del said, laughing. “You’re pretty funny. I was going to warn you that I’m pretty shy when it comes to … well, when it comes to exposing myself to someone for the first time. I find it fairly traumatic. I want you to know that if I seem uncomfortable, at first anyway, that it’s not you. I guess I’ve got too many hang-ups.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to go first,” Stella said. She stepped back and began unbuttoning her own blouse.

Del moved behind her and swept her hair away, kissing her neck softly and slowly. Stella moved her head back and to the side. Del moved her own hands down and took control of the undressing. Stella let her, dropping her hands to the side and sighing. “That feels so good. When you kiss the nape of my neck, I feel like I’m going to melt.”

Del tossed the blouse in the corner, on a chair. She turned Stella around and kissed her on the lips, running her fingers lightly down her spine. Stella shuddered and moaned. She sat on the edge of the bed and looked up at Del.

“Undress me … completely. I want your hands all over me,” Stella pleaded.

“Lie back on the bed.”

Stella scooted back toward the center and lay down. She closed her eyes and swallowed hard. Del removed her sandals and placed them in front of the chair. She unzipped Stella’s jeans and began to work them over her hips.

“Raise your hips a little please.”

Stella still had her eyes closed. She raised her hips up as Del slid the jeans down and slowly pulled them over each leg. She folded them and laid them with the blouse. Now Del quickly removed her own shoes, blouse and slacks. She was down to her bra and panties as well. Stella never opened her eyes. She waited patiently for Del to return to the bed.

Del moved over her, putting her own weight on her forearms. She kissed Stella on the lips, the chin, the throat, and now down her breastbone. “Turn on your right side please,” she asked softly.

Stella turned and Del pressed in up against her back, kissing her neck and shoulders and reaching around with her left hand to touch her breasts through the fabric of the bra. She undid the hooks and pulled it away, tossing it with the rest of the clothes. She leaned back, away, and took off her own bra. When she pressed back in against Stella, Stella gasped at the unmistakable feel of Del’s bare skin and hard nipples. Del reached back around with her left hand, lightly stroking and teasing Stella’s breasts, and kissing the nape of her neck again.

“Mmm,” the unmistakable sound from Stella’s mouth was punctuated with a low guttural groan.

Del moved her hand inside the back of Stella’s panties, squeezing and rubbing her ass and then moving her fingers up and down the cleft, moving closer to her center with each stroke. As she did this she kissed around Stella’s ear, breathing lightly as she also nibbled on her neck. She reached her hand further down and around to the front, moving her fingers through the wetness and then stroking Stella’s clit with the lightest touch. Stella was having a hard time controlling her breathing and she was beginning to writhe a bit.

“Turn on your left side now, toward me,” she whispered in Stella’s ear.

Stella didn’t think she could stand the thought of breaking the rhythm. She already thought she could come at any minute. But so far Del had not failed to deliver, so she quickly turned and faced Del, this time opening her eyes. That brief look fanned the flames to new heights. Del kissed her on the mouth and moved her fingers back to the front now, using her thumb and fingers to expertly bring Stella back to her previous level of arousal. She slid down, reluctantly leaving Stella’s lips, and now concentrated on her breasts and nipples as she continued with the rhythm of her hand.

Stella was moaning quite loudly, and the sound of it set Del on fire. She was driven by the thought of making Stella come. She wanted to hear and feel it as Stella lost control. She started moaning as well, as she licked and sucked at Stella’s beautiful breasts. Stella reached down and grabbed Del’s wrist and came in a series of hard jerks and spasms, moaning and breathing hard. Del stopped her motion, but left her hand there.

Stella had her hand clamped so tightly between her thighs she did not think she could move it if she wanted to. She had also wrapped her hand tightly into Del’s scalp. Del relished the feeling of being locked into the other woman as she released her pleasure. She could feel Stella’s breathing returning to normal, so Del moved up to face her. She kissed her and wrapped her arms around Stella, pulling her tightly into her.

“Thanks for keeping your eyes closed while I undressed. I know you did that to make me feel more at ease,” Del whispered.

“You’re thanking me?” Stella asked, chuckling a bit. “I should be writing a song about you right now.”

“There’s time for that later.”

Stella laughed and kissed all over Del’s face. “You are absolutely amazing.” She sat up a little and looked at Del, and then all over her. “You realize that right now I’m looking at your nearly naked body, don’t you?”

“You just had to point that out.” Del closed her eyes, smiling and blushing just a bit.

“Del, you’re beautiful. You don’t have anything to be shy about. So I hope you’re over it, because what I’m about to do to you requires a thorough exploration of every square inch.” Stella was grinning at her wickedly.

“When you’re finished, will you be planting a flag and staking a claim?”

“Oh, I’ve already staked a claim,” Stella answered. “This is mine,” she said, running the back of her hand along Del’s ribcage and across her breast. She leaned over and began kissing her very deeply. Del was immediately on fire. She had been so close herself, just touching Stella and listening to her sounds, that she knew it would not take much.

Stella slid herself down Del’s body and kissed her mound through the fabric of her panties. Just the hot breath was enough to make Del moan. She slid further down and pushed Del’s thighs apart, running her hand up and down and teasing her as she got very close. Stella looped her fingers into the fabric and pulled them off. Del lifted a bit to help her. It didn’t matter now how exposed she felt. The overwhelming desire for sexual release overrode any embarrassment she had previously felt.

Stella was kissing up the inside of her thigh, rubbing under her ass with one hand, and teasing her with the thumb of the other hand. Just as Del wished for more contact, more contact with Stella’s body, Stella slid herself up. She moved her center against Del and pushed into her, grinding a little. She began to kiss Del again, at the same time pressing and grinding into her. Del reached down and grabbed her ass, moving her in rhythm as she pressed higher into her. In a few more moments, they both came, kissing each other on the neck, the shoulders, everywhere breathlessly, as they undulated against one another.

Del was blinded as her orgasm reached a peak that she had never before experienced. That, combined with the heat and feel of Stella’s body against her, made her cry. It was an almost imperceptible single muffled sob that escaped from her lips. Stella heard it, but said nothing. She knew exactly what it was and why Del had become so overwhelmed.

Stella moved her mouth to Del’s ear. “I love you, baby,” she whispered.

“I love you too,” Del said, choking up slightly.

They lay entangled on the bed until they both drifted off to sleep.

Three

Del woke, a bit groggy, and squinted at the alarm clock. It was 6:15 a.m. She turned around, but the other side of the bed was empty. She felt a pang of disappointment and then turned on her back, sprawling naked on the bed, with barely any of the sheet covering her. That’s when she realized Stella was still there, sitting by the bedroom window, wearing Del’s robe, and working on a sketch. Del snatched the sheet up over herself.

Stella laughed, still not looking up from the sketchpad. “Did you think I’d left in the middle of the night to avoid waking up with you?”

“I was hoping not,” Del answered. She sat up a bit and focused. “But you never know when someone might have a case of buyer’s remorse.”

“And miss out on a chance to draw that lovely body of yours undisturbed and unaffected by shame,” Stella said, now looking at Del and grinning.

“How long have you been sitting there drawing?” Del asked.

“Only about an hour. We did go to bed pretty early last night. I woke up after plenty of sleep and decided to seize the opportunity.” She put the sketchpad down and went to the bed, kissing Del on the temple and snuggling up next to her. “What time do you usually get up for work?”

“Not for another half an hour. What about you?” Del asked.

“Fifteen minutes,” Stella answered, “which will give me just enough time to get home and get ready at my usual time.” She took off Del’s robe and tossed it on the bed. She walked around the room dressing as if she had done it hundreds of times before.

“Did you drive? I don’t want you walking back home this time of the morning by yourself.”

“I did drive, and don’t worry about me. This time of the morning isn’t exactly typical for crime,” Stella answered.

Del slipped out of bed and put on the robe as quickly as she could. Stella laughed at her and shook her head. “I’ve been looking at your naked body for the last hour and you throw that robe on like you’ve got something to hide.”

“I know it doesn’t make sense, but that’s just me. Consider it quaint and charming that I have a sense of decorum.” Del walked up behind her and kissed her on the back of the neck. “What now, Stella?”

“I was going to ask you the same thing,” she said, looking at Del with a serious expression. “Tell me your thoughts about us this morning. Just don’t say anything to hurt my feelings when you know I have to be off to work soon.”

“What I’m thinking now wouldn’t hurt your feelings, but it might scare you away,” Del warned.

“I doubt it.”

“Stella, I’m not a clingy or needy person. That’s why it even surprises me to say this to you after only a couple of days. I want to see you every day. I feel like I need to spend time with you every day, even if it’s only an hour or two. I’m not saying we have to fall into bed together every night, although I wouldn’t mind that so much either. If it’s too early for me to be saying that then please tell me to back off. I’ll understand.”

Stella looked at her and smiled. “My place at seven-thirty this evening?”

“I think I can fit that into my schedule,” Del said, laughing, and following Stella to the door. “You know, I meant what I said last night.”

“I did too,” Stella said, as she walked out the door.

~~~~

Stella’s drive back to her apartment had taken all of five minutes. When she got out and walked toward her door she realized that she had been smiling the entire time. The move away from home had been heart-wrenching. Even though she had agreed with her parents that it was for the best, even necessary, it had been difficult to leave everything and everyone behind. Since then, even though she enjoyed the city and her new job, she had not felt settled. Her co-workers were great, but she hadn’t made what she would consider to be a real friend since the move.

She hoped her feelings for Del were not just a reaction to her loneliness. She didn’t think so. Although, yes, things had progressed at lightning speed since they first introduced themselves, it still didn’t feel quick. No matter what her brain told her, her heart had recognized Del as a kindred spirit from day one, with no introduction and no contact. She knew this woman as she knew herself, and there was no use denying what she felt for her. She was in love and it felt right. It felt wonderful.

~~~~

Del walked into the shop five minutes late. Jake shut off the sander and immediately began giving her a hard time.

“First time you’ve ever been late for work. What’s up with you?” he yelled from across the room.

She held up two bags. “Before you start giving me shit, you should know why I’m late. I stopped and got us breakfast. Banana and macadamia nut pancakes with hazelnut syrup. Your favorite from that café on the corner of 3rd Street.”

“In that case, I’ll eat first and then give you some shit,” Jake said, clearing a place on his desk in the corner. “You usually have breakfast at home. My guess is you slept a little late due to your new girlfriend keeping you up.”

“I thought you weren’t going to give me shit until after you ate these,” Del said, setting the take out bag on his desk. “Is there coffee?”

“Almost a full pot.” He shoved a huge bite of pancake into his mouth, syrup dripping back onto the Styrofoam plate. “Man, these are so awesome. I’m gonna have to run a couple of extra miles this weekend.”

“Yeah, but it’ll be worth it,” Del said, dragging her chair over and taking the outside corner of his desk. “You do realize that if I hadn’t stopped for these then I’d have been early?”

“True, but I needed some way to segue into getting you to talk about your new friend. Stella is her name, right?”

Del shook her head up and down and took a large bite of the pancakes.

“Talk with your mouth full woman. I want to hear about her and your future prospects for a fairy-tale life together. I’ve got to get my vicarious lip-locks somehow,” Jake teased.

Del swallowed. “If you march next door to the sandwich shop and ask that pretty little red-head out, your kisses wouldn’t have to be vicarious. How many times do I have to tell you she has the hots for you?”

“I may just do that … later. Now stop changing the subject.”

“I don’t kiss and tell.”

“Well, you just confirmed at least one smooch.”

“Okay, she spent the night last night, after we had dinner at my place.” Del blushed even after willingly revealing the information.

“You lucky bastard,” Jake yelled. He tried to high five Del but she ignored him and continued eating the pancakes. “You shouldn’t leave a man hanging like that.”

“That was a perfect example of why I prefer women,” Del said, rolling her eyes. “Why do men like to keep score with their sexual conquests?”

Now Jake rolled his eyes. “You know I’m not like that. I was just expressing my enthusiasm for you breaking back into the world of dating, albeit a rather testosterone induced display. I’m happy you found someone, that’s all.”

“Thanks. I guess I’m being a bit touchy because I’m not sure we should be going this fast. I didn’t even hint at the possibility of us sleeping together last night. But she wanted to stay, and I have to say that it all seemed right. Don’t laugh at me Jake, but I’m already in love with her. Then there’s the odd feeling that I’ve known her all of my life,” Del said. She looked down at her plate and started poking at the remaining pancake.

“Hey, don’t abuse the pancake. If you’re done, I’ll take it. Don’t pick it apart.”

She shoved the plate at him. “Take it. These things are huge and I need to save room for something healthy for lunch. I think I’ll have a fruit salad from the deli today.”

“Bleh,” Jake said, poking out his tongue. “I’ll stick with my meatball sub.”

“Actually, I brought you some leftover spaghetti and garlic bread from last night. But if you don’t want it I’ll take it home.”

“The hell, where is it? I want it. Is it the usual with lots of Italian sausage and garlic?”

“Yep. It’s in a container in my backpack.”

Jake removed the container from her pack. His eyes lit up when he saw how full it was. “Leftovers jackpot!” He looked at Del. “You know Del, I would never make fun of you for loving someone. If you and Stella are already crazy about one another, then there isn’t any reason to take it slow. Although I would advise against the whole U-haul rental for at least the first four months of the relationship.”

Del laughed. “I was thinking only four weeks.”

“You do have it bad. Come on, let’s get to work and get your mind on something else.”

~~~~

Del showered and changed as soon as she got home, also washing and blow-drying her long blonde hair. She took out clothes for tomorrow’s work day, smoothed the long sleeved cotton shirt and t-shirt against the chinos and rolled them together as tightly as she could. She put a bra and a pair of panties in a small zip up bag, along with a toothbrush and deodorant. She packed them all in her backpack. She wouldn’t push to spend the night, but she also wanted to be prepared to leave Stella’s directly for the shop in the morning if the need arose.

When Stella opened the door to see Del standing there with her bike and wearing a helmet, she wanted so badly to burst out laughing. However, she did manage to keep a straight face.

“Are you handing out Watchtowers?” Stella asked, desperately trying not to snicker.

“Am I wearing black slacks, a white shirt and tie?” Del responded, sarcastically.

“No, but I am picturing it right now,” Stella said. She began to laugh and opened the door wider.

“You don’t mind if I bring the bike in, do you? I’d chain it outside, but it probably wouldn’t be there later.”

“It’s fine. Just lean it against the wall on the right side of the door.” She barely got the sentence out of her mouth before she started laughing uncontrollably.

“Is the helmet that funny looking? I mean, I know there isn’t anything attractive about a bicycle helmet, but I’ve never gotten a reaction like this before.”

Stella managed to stop laughing and catch her breath. “I’m sorry. I hate to admit this, but I’m picturing you naked wearing the helmet.”

Del laughed as she took the helmet off. “I shudder to think what I’d look like wearing this naked. Now, if you plan to get a little rough with me later, I’d be happy to wear it.”

Del noticed that Stella’s expression had suddenly changed. She almost looked angry. “I don’t do rough Del, and I didn’t think you were the type that would get into that.” She turned away suddenly and Del could swear she was crying.

Del put the helmet on top of the bike seat and put her pack beside the bike. She walked up behind Stella. She put her arms around Stella’s waist and pressed into her. “Hey, that was just a bad joke, sweetie. Of course I’m not into that kind of thing. I’m sorry.”

Stella turned in her arms and hugged her back. “No, I’m sorry. I overreacted. I’m ruining the evening already.” When she pulled back Del could see that she had tears running down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away.

“Stella, is there something that you want to tell me about?”

“No. I’m sorry. Can we forget it?” She sniffled a little, and turned away, wiping her eyes again.

Del took her hand and pulled her into the living room. She sat on the sofa and pulled Stella into her lap, wrapping her arms around her. “I have to be honest. One moment you’re laughing hysterically at my bike helmet, and the next moment you’re crying. That isn’t easy to dismiss Stella. I did make a stupid off-the-cuff comment, but it really didn’t warrant that kind of reaction. There has to be something else going on, and I wish you would talk to me about it.”

“I’m not angry at you, baby. I know you meant the comment to be harmless. It just triggered some bad memories. But I don’t think I can talk about it, not yet anyway. I will tell you, eventually.” Stella sucked in air as she tried to stop crying. “Please don’t think I’m some psychotic bitch with horrible mood swings. I’m really not.”

“I don’t think that … not at all. But even if you are, you’re my psychotic bitch,” Del said, laughing a little.

Stella laughed too. She looked at Del. “You’re too perfect.”

“Don’t say that. If you really believe that, then I’m bound to disappoint you sooner or later.” Del kissed her on the temple. “Change of subject. What’s for dinner? I’m quite hungry.”

“I was going to take you to that Thai place a few blocks from here, my treat. But now my eyes are all red and puffy.” Stella got up. “Give me five minutes with a cold washcloth on my eyes and we can go.”

“Okay. You sure? We can stay in – I bet I can scrounge enough from your fridge to make us something.”

“Margarine, pickles, and ice cubes. I’d be willing to bet you can’t,” Stella said, laughing.

“I’ll pass on that bet. Out for dinner it is.”

Four

As they walked back from the restaurant to Stella’s apartment, Del wondered whether she should broach the subject of Stella’s earlier mood swing. Stella seemed to be fine now, and there was no hint of anger or irritation about her since the incident. Del decided to play it by ear. Pushing the issue didn’t seem appropriate right now, and she certainly didn’t want to spoil what was turning out to be a fine evening. When they got to Stella’s door, she unlocked it and grabbed Del by the hand and pulled her inside.

Stella looked at Del and then hugged her very tightly. “Will you stay with me tonight? I promise no more outbursts,” she said.

“I’d love to stay, Stella. But you don’t have to promise me anything,” Del answered, pulling away and looking Stella in the eyes. “Would you think I was being presumptuous if I told you I packed enough stuff in my backpack just in case?”

Stella grinned. “I like a woman who is prepared for anything. In fact, grab your pack and let’s get ready for bed.”

Del looked at her watch. “I didn’t realize it was that late.” She was suddenly tired and was desperately trying to stifle a yawn. She grabbed her pack and followed Stella into the bedroom. Another yawn followed and she was unable to suppress it enough.

Stella turned and laughed at her. “We can get ready for bed and just sleep tonight. We’ll practice playing house.”

“You are always laughing at me,” Del chided. “I have no idea why I’m suddenly so sleepy. It’ll pass.” She pulled her toothbrush out of her pack and looked at Stella, a quick grimace forming on her face.

“What is it?”

“I remembered to bring everything except something to sleep in,” Del said.

“Will an old t-shirt do?”

“That’s what I usually wear to bed. Sexy, huh?” Del answered.

Stella rummaged in a dresser and pulled out a t-shirt, tossing it to Del. “It’s probably going to be a bit snug, but I definitely won’t mind that. I’ll brush my teeth while you change.”

Del turned her back and began to undress, stripping down to her bra and panties. She hurriedly pulled the t-shirt on after taking off her bra. It was definitely snug. She turned around and Stella was standing in the doorway to the bathroom staring at her. She was giving her a wicked little grin and then raised an eyebrow.

“That’s definitely going to be your new night shirt,” she said.

“I knew you were watching me,” Del said. “You’ve got some voyeur in you, that’s for sure.”

“All artists do. When does the hair usually come down?” Stella asked.

“After the teeth are brushed,” Del answered. “Now get yours brushed so I can have the sink next. I’ll get my stuff folded and put away.”

“You can brush with me,” Stella said, as she turned into the bathroom.

“You’ll have to give me more time on the mutual rinsing and spitting thing. It’s even higher on the embarrassment scale than my own nakedness.”

She heard Stella laugh from the bathroom. Del headed into the kitchen and poured two glasses of ice water, grabbed two coasters from the coffee table and brought them back into the bedroom.

“Sink is all yours,” Stella said, walking into the room, undressing. “Thanks for bringing me water. I never think about it until I wake up in the middle of the night thirsty.”

“You’re welcome.” Del grabbed her toothbrush. She winked as she passed Stella, who was down to just her panties by now. “I think I like playing house.” When she finished brushing her teeth, she pulled her hair out of the ponytail and ran Stella’s brush through it a few times. A hairbrush was something else she forgot to bring with her.

She switched off the bathroom light and stepped into the bedroom. Stella was lying on the right side of the bed, with the covers pulled over her. She was on her side, facing the center of the bed. The lamp on the left side was still on. Del was also used to sleeping on the right side, but she guessed she’d better get used to either side. She turned off the lamp and got into bed. When she turned to face Stella, Stella moved in closer to her, pressing in as close as she could.

Stella kissed her on the lips. “Goodnight, Del.”

Del draped her arm over Stella’s shoulder and kissed her on the temple. “You’re already naked.”

“I always sleep like this,” Stella said. “I have trouble falling asleep with anything on. Does it bother you?”

“Not at all. The cool sheets and your warm skin both feel good.”

“Will it keep you from sleeping if I stay this close?”

“That all depends on whether you’re trying to sleep too.”

“Tonight I just want to fall asleep in your arms … if that’s alright. Maybe we can talk and drift off to sleep together.”

“That sounds nice. What do you want to talk about?” Del asked.

“I don’t know. It occurred to me while you were brushing your teeth that we really don’t know much about one another. I mean … well, I mean I feel like I know the important stuff about you – what kind of person you are – but none of the stuff I should also know. Del, I don’t even know how old you are.”

“How old do you think I am?”

“I knew that was coming. I’m not playing that game.”

Del laughed. “Sorry. I don’t blame you. I’m thirty-one … turning thirty-two on September the tenth.”

“Ah, a Virgo … no surprise there.”

“I knew that was coming,” Del said. “Do you believe in that stuff?”

“I don’t know, but you really do fit the bill of a Virgo.”

“Okay, age please. Quid pro quo.” Del began to run her fingers up and down Stella’s back.

“Mmm, keep doing that and I’ll tell you anything. I’m twenty-eight. May the fifth was my birthday. That makes me a Taurus. Virgo and Taurus are supposed to be very compatible.”

“Good to know,” Del said, sleepily. “Do you think we are compatible?”

“Yes, I do. I’m assuming you think so too.” Stella shifted and turned her back to Del, snuggling back up against her and pulling Del’s arm around her waist.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think so, but I’d like to know why you think so.” She began absentmindedly running her fingers into Stella’s scalp.

“Well, this, what we’re doing now, is a perfect example. It’s our third date and we’re lying in bed talking. It feels natural, and easy, and I don’t think either one of us feels tense or pressured … pressured to …”

“Pressured to always end the date with sex,” Del finished her sentence for her.

“Exactly,” Stella agreed. “I enjoy sex, and orgasms, and all that. But this is also pleasurable … a different kind of pleasure. It’s comforting and reassuring. I also think you’re the kind of person who avoids drama and wants no part of it. It’s taken me a while to learn for myself that drama does not equate to love or passion. Some people seem to be addicted to it. I’m done with it.”

“You’re right about that,” Del agreed. “I don’t like drama. Sometimes it’s unavoidable, depending on what’s going on in your life at the time, but generally speaking I do not seek it out. And I try to avoid people who create drama because they have some strange need for it.”

“That’s why I think we’re compatible. There are other things too, and the fact that we already seem to know one another.”

“That is strange,” Del agreed. “I know people who say they have experienced that feeling, but I find it really remarkable that we both felt that way. This is a first for me – for that feeling to be mutual.” Once again she tried to stifle an uncontrollable yawn. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m getting pretty sleepy myself. Let’s just try to sleep now.”

~~~~

Shortly thereafter they both drifted off to sleep. They both slept peacefully until six hours later, when Del was awakened by strange sounds and Stella’s involuntary arm movements. She sat up and watched as Stella threw her arms out as if trying to fight someone off. Then she abruptly put her arms back to her side and stiffened, as if trying not to move a muscle. She was whimpering something that Del could not make out. She leaned in closer and it sounded as if Stella was saying, “Please don’t,” repeatedly.

The sounds she was making broke Del’s heart, but she was unsure of whether to wake her. If she startled her and Stella fought at her until she was fully awake, there was no telling what might happen. But Del couldn’t take it. She reached over and very gingerly shook Stella’s shoulder while saying her name. She pulled her hand back quickly as Stella lurched up and opened her eyes, staring wildly around the room. When she realized that Del was sitting up and looking at her, she sank back down into her pillow and began to cry softly. Del moved closer to her and Stella buried her head in Del’s chest.

“That must have been some nightmare,” Del said, as she wrapped her left arm around Stella. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

“It wasn’t a nightmare, it was a very bad memory,” Stella barely whispered.

“Your last relationship was filled with some very serious drama. It was the reason you left New Orleans, wasn’t it?”

“Yes,” Stella answered, not volunteering more information.

“Do you have these dreams every night?”

“No. Well, I did, but they became less frequent. They started coming more frequently just recently.”

“It happens every time you sleep with me, doesn’t it?” Del asked.

“Don’t say that. You have nothing to do with these dreams. It’s not about us. You’re right, it was my last relationship. Of course, calling it a relationship is an insult to the meaning of that word.”

“The other morning, when you were sketching me, you woke up early from the same dream?”

“Yes,” Stella admitted.

“I realize these dreams aren’t about me, Stella. But I’m sure entering into a new relationship has brought them back to the surface. Even if you aren’t consciously aware of it, your mind is telling you to beware. Maybe we shouldn’t be spending the night. Maybe tonight we both should sleep in our respective beds and see if your dreams persist.”

“Then I’ll be concentrating so much on not having the dream, or having it, just to prove it doesn’t matter, that I’ll have it regardless,” Stella protested.

“That’s probably true,” Del admitted. “Are you, or have you seen a therapist or anyone about this?”

“I did … in New Orleans. My parents insisted on it. But it didn’t help. That’s when we all decided I needed to leave and start over somewhere else. That helped. Now it’s back. But Del, you’re wrong. There isn’t anything in me, subconscious or otherwise, that has doubts about you. I want you to believe that.” Stella looked up at Del this time. Her blues eyes were dark and serious. “Please tell me you believe that.”

“I believe it. But the other possibility is that you are trying to tell yourself that you have to find someway to deal with the past and put it aside before you’re ready for a new relationship,” Del said. “Please don’t get angry at me for saying that.”

Stella smiled. “I wouldn’t get angry at you for that. Are you sure you didn’t leave a career as a therapist to start building furniture?”

“I’ve been Jake’s therapist for all of his trust issues for five years now. Please don’t ever tell him I told you that.”

Stella laughed for the first time since she woke up. She seemed to be back to her usual self already. “I wouldn’t.”

“Stella, I’m not trying to prod anything out of you, but I have to assume your reaction to the ‘rough’ comment was because of what happened in this previous relationship.”

“Yes, it was.”

“Whatever you tell me, if you want to that is, you know I’ll listen and not judge. It might help you just to get it off your chest. Everyone has put up with some kind of crap from someone in the course of a relationship. Even the most brilliant of us do stupid things in the name of love. It’s called being human.”

“I don’t want you to think I’m the kind of person who would tolerate something like that. It all makes me seem so weak and needy. I agreed to so many things that … well, that I would never have dreamed of … just to prove to someone else that I loved them. Del, sometimes I absolutely hate myself for what I put up with because I thought I loved her. The thing I’m most ashamed of is that I actually believed at one time that she loved me.”

“The shame isn’t yours Stella. It belongs to her. She abused your love for her and used it to manipulate you. There’s no shame in loving someone and wanting to please that person. The shame is in taking something pure and innocent and twisting it for your own selfish needs. That’s what she did, not you.”

“I wasn’t so pure or innocent, but I know that’s not what you mean,” Stella said. The alarm clock buzzed loudly enough to make Del jump a little. Stella laughed at her.

“I can be on the hyper-reflexive side sometimes. I’ve been told it’s a survival mechanism that somehow stayed with me despite human evolutionary trends.”

“You’re going to be tired all day and it’ll be my fault.” Stella said, looking at Del and frowning.

“I got six straight hours of sleep. I won’t be tired. What about you?”

“I’ll be fine. I’ve learned to get by on less sleep over the past year.” She leaned over and kissed Del on the cheek. But you can stay in bed a while longer since you don’t have far to go.”

“Well, I’ll need to leave with you if you want your door dead-bolted,” Del argued.

Stella had grabbed the robe from behind the bathroom door and was brushing her teeth. She mumbled something incoherent.

“I have no idea what you just said.” Del laughed and got out of bed.

Stella spat. “I said I can give you a key and you can leave and lock up whenever you’re ready to go.”

Del walked to the doorway and watched Stella finish brushing her teeth. “Third date and I get a key. I must be doing something right. You sure you trust me with a key to your place?”

“Yep,” Stella answered. “Because when I come by your place tonight after work, you’re going to give me a spare key to your apartment.”

“I am?”

“You sure are,” Stella answered, sticking out her tongue and then rinsing the last of the toothpaste from her mouth. “Sink’s all yours - I’m getting in the shower.”

Del smiled inwardly as she brushed her teeth. Stella had opened up about her past and it went well. Now they were getting ready for work together like a couple who had been with one another far longer. Things were falling into place more smoothly than she had ever hoped for. She didn’t want to push it, but she was also hoping to get Stella to tell her more about her previous relationship soon.

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