I'm only writing this because someone made me. And because I felt I needed to get over my fear of writing a certain type of story and just throw myself into it. It all started with a daydream as I walked to co-op one evening, listening to the Missy Higgins song of the title.
This will probably be about 2 or 3 chapters long, depending on a few things.
Empty all my pockets and take what you like;
Empty all my pockets if you like.
I've got nothing to hide.
"Well, you may as well go for the hat trick." Michelle wriggled teasingly closer to the woman she felt as if she'd known all her life. She grazed the edges of her own glass with her teeth, a seductive grin on her face.
Carla felt a slight shudder travel through her at Michelle's use of that word. The last time she'd heard it spoken she'd been terrified, frozen in fear as he pushed her against the railings of the factory she'd spent years building up, just for him to steal it from under her nose. But she couldn't think of that now, and Michelle certainly didn't need to know the content of that conversation, so she swiped a clump of hair from her face and grinned back, mirroring the other woman's position as she drew her closer. "Well," she almost whispered, "it'd be rude not to really, don't you think?"
"Mmm" Michelle smiled, taking Carla's glass from her and placing it on the table in front of them. Just as he'd done that day, that day he'd finally reeled her in. For fuck's sake; she needed to get him out of her head.
Her bare arm squeaked slightly against the leather of Michelle's sofa as Carla adjusted her position, tucking one leg underneath her so she was now facing her head on. She licked her lips, although she wasn't entirely sure why, and her eyes fell to her knees, coyly, her chin turned inwards. Michelle noticed this, using one finger to pull her friend's head upwards again. She spoke softly. "Hey. We don't have to do this if you don't want to."
Her eyes were so warm and inviting, her tone so soothing, and Carla felt her heart melt as she was overcome by a feeling of love for this woman who'd been nothing short of a life saver to her over the last few months. Without saying a word, Carla leant in and placed a gentle, brief kiss on her friend's lips. She could still taste the faint remnant of red wine, mixed with something else she couldn't quite work out.
"Chelle…" She pulled away slightly in mock confusion. "Are you wearing… Cola lip balm?"
Michelle laughed, a childlike amusement filling her face. "Why, do you like it?"
"Y'know what, I do." She leaned back towards her, whispering now. "I might have to borrow some tomorrow!"
They both chuckled now, and for a moment there was just stillness as each appreciated the other. Then, slowly, Michelle undid the first few buttons of Carla's blouse; gently, slowly, her fingers caressing the fine material. For a moment Carla hesitated, before leaning closer still and placing a second kiss on Michelle's lips. She would definitely have to steal this lip balm.
She left the buttons now, giving her full attention to reciprocating her former sister-in-law's advances. Her skin felt soft against hers, her lips cold from the glass. She took her time to savor the moment, partly for herself and partly because she was all too aware that this was likely a bigger thing for the other woman than for her. For obvious reasons she'd not enquired as to how much… confidence, that her friend had managed to regain when it came to being intimate, and anyway, this was a whole new ball game.
What struck Carla most as her lips grazed this woman's was how strangely comfortable she felt. She'd expected it to feel alien to her, somehow different and strange, but there was none of that. Her hand almost unconsciously wandered round to Michelle's lower back, her other hand almost grabbing her by her shoulders. She was overcome by a feeling she hadn't truly felt since that terrible night, and one that she'd feared she'd never be able to allow herself to feel again. She wanted her.
Michelle noted the change in pace, but rather than doing what she wanted to and grabbing her with both hands, she instead pulled back slightly, pushing the other woman away just an inch. "Are you sure?" She asked in a hushed tone, slightly out of breath.
"Stop asking me that" Carla replied, a slight snappiness in her voice. She was so done with playing the wounded victim. Carla put both arms around her friend's shoulders now, pushing one side of her baggy top off her shoulder.
Michelle took this as a green light, meeting her half way as they both leaned in for a kiss. Using both hands this time, she tugged at her friend's buttons, a little rougher than previously, whilst still taking care not to tear the thin fabric: Maria had told her about the torn shoulders.
"I'm not made of glass, you know". Carla had clearly noticed Michelle's hesitation.
"No… I know. I just…"
Carla brought a manicured finger to Michelle's mouth. "Don't be." She wriggled closer still to her, taking a moment to just enjoy the warmth and the closeness, before allowing her blouse to fall delicately from her shoulders.
Noting the delicate, red lace bra the woman was wearing; Michelle felt an odd pang of jealousy at the knowledge that she had not been its intended audience, yet at the same time felt rather smug that she'd got there first.
"What?" Carla furrowed her eyebrows, one side of her mouth dropping in that way that Michelle had always loved.
"Nothing…" she answered, removing her own top, which she noted fell to the floor with none of the elegance of her friend's.
"Ok…" Carla replied, as though stifling a girly giggle. "So, where were we?"