Thank you all for your reviews from chapter 1. They were all taken into consideration. hope you are patient with me as the story progresses.
The usual disclaimers applied.
Chapter 2
"What are you doing?"
She said in a soft voice almost seductive.
But Kate said nothing just quickened her steps until she was now behind her desk and standing before her.
She had loved the office and the thought of what she could get away with in there. The lack of windows, only the two that faced the play field, but wouldn't prove revealing at this hour of the day as all the students would be entering or already in class.
So close they could breathe in one air. Caroline repeated.
"What are you doing?"
Kate still ignoring her, braced her against the wall, leaned forward, brushed her lips on the smooth skin of her ears and whispered.
"I'm doing what you're afraid to do."
Caroline sighed, wondering if she had the strength to break free from the embrace. Wondering if she could fix her poker face, but it was too far gone, she had already lost the power to control her surroundings once Kate was present, Kate had control, Kate was her kryptonite, Kate could destroy whatever walls she build up around herself so there was no point fighting it.
She gave in and relaxed against Kate's embrace not daring to touch her though.
Kate's hands finally started their journey. She leaned back to watch carefully the effects her touch had on Caroline's body wanting to punish her for all the cruel things she had moments just said.
The trace continued, not exploring flesh as yet as Caroline wore a long armed suit, she regretted her wardrobe decision hoping she had gone for her sleeveless dress suit. Her hands landed comfortably on Caroline's hips and she contemplated getting out of this embrace once more.
Images of their first 2kisses flashed across her face. The first one she had instigated, wanting to taste dark chocolate over strawberry so desperately, not being able to fight the tingling on her lips any longer. She had drowned herself in the softness of Kate's lips.
It had been a usual long day for Caroline working late, trying to wrap up request forms, departmental reports and governors concerns from the previous fiscal year. She had taken a break to go get a cup of coffee as Beverley had already gone for the weekend.
Thinking she was the only one still at the school she strolled slowly to the staff room to make her tea. Her jacket was off and her button was undone one more than the usual as the thought was to take off her headmistress look for the rest of the afternoon.
The hall had been filled with music and it got louder when she stepped onto the corridors and without even noticing she had passed the staff room and was being pulled toward the music like magnet to metal, like she was in a trance, like a snake performing to its Indian Charmer, playing the pungi in the streets out for viewing.
She met the music at it loudest when she stood at the door of the music room and as she had suspected. The notes of Beethoven Moonlight Sonata filled the room.
You could see the sun through the windows in the room approaching its first hurdle of descend and Caroline smiled at the irony. Kate's fingers moved effortlessly over the white and black notes. Her eyes closed as she played. Her body started to move to the music as it engulfed her.
Caroline watched on keenly as she played the higher cords to the stanzas. What a beauty. She watched on fixated on every motion Kate made.
She wanted to move towards this heavenly creature, but not wanting to disturb her. She knew she couldn't stand there for the duration of the song as she was afraid her legs would give way at the sight of such magnificence. She contemplated sitting down but was afraid that the click of her heels would interrupt the musician at work she conformed to the latter.
When the final chords played she saw Kate stiffen her posture and hunched forward as if she was offering herself to the keys as sacrifice.
Caroline noticed that she was crying and quickly went to her side. Wanting to comfort this beautiful being. She sat next to her on the bench and took her into a welcoming embrace and first Kate was tense but Caroline felt her relax as her silent sobs came rushing out.
"It's ok...shhh"
Is all Caroline could say, not knowing exactly what was the matter. Not knowing what was the proper comforting etiquette. It was always the other way around and it seemed so natural for Kate to comfort Caroline that she overlooked the responsibilities of a comforter.
Not knowing what to do she just held her and hoped that it was enough. They stayed in that moment, long enough for Caroline's mind to wonder, the scent of Kate rising to her nose. Her shampoo, her fragrance, everything about this woman was hypnotizing.
It wasn't until Kate's sobbing had subsided and was leaning out of the embrace that Caroline noticed how comfortably their bodies had been wrapped together. Every curve had been filled with Kate's body, naturally filled and it felt glorious.
Kate quickly wiped her eyes and got up. Moving around in the room regaining her composure as if not to make Caroline witness her teary eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Kate finally offered, still avoiding Caroline's gaze. Caroline got up and walked towards her.
"Are you ok? What's the matter? Did something happen at school? Was it one of the students?"
Caroline now serious and ready to unleash her wrath on the one who was responsible for her Kate's crying. Yes her Kate.
Kate noticing Caroline's protective demeanour quickly answered though she felt slightly bombarded with questions.
"No, No, No, Caroline, it has nothing to do with school, I'm sorry. It's just personal."
Caroline loving the way Kate always says her name quickly took her hands in hers. Her eyes now filled with so much concern for Kate that she felt she would explode into tears herself if Kate didn't offer some form of explanation for her discomfort.
"It's nothing, really, at least nothing new, I should be used to it by now."
Finally bringing herself to open up to Caroline. Wondering if she should let her in. Let her into her dungeons. Wondering if it would scare her away. It was always so much easier to just listen, to listen to Caroline and be the one to offer the comfort but she had never opened up to anyone. But she knew if she had to, she wouldn't do it with anyone else but Caroline.
"What then?"
Their hands still claps. Kate began.
"It's just my dad. I had a free period today and I went to visit him. I hadn't seen him in a few days because of classes and practices with the choir being right after school I decided to take the opportunity then."
Caroline listened, Kate feeling more relaxed now released Caroline's hands and started pacing around the room again.
The warmth was beginning to rise and she wondered if this woman knew the effect that she had on her. If she knew that all she had to do was look at her. Without even a touch and she would be ready, ready and willing to do what this phenomenal creature wanted to do.
She sat on the closest bench to her afraid that as soon as she started explaining more her legs would give way.
"It was bad, it was so much different from all the other visits Caroline. He didn't even recognize me, not once for the entire hour I was there. Normally he would come round and remember who I was before I left."
She paused. Inhaled then continued.
"He just kept asking me how I knew him. I didn't know what to say and not wanting to overwhelm him I just told him I was a friend. Then he just stared blank at me, as if trying to place me in a part of his past that he no longer had grasp of."
Caroline joined Kate where she sat. Just staring at her, Kate's eyes planted on her shoes before her. Remembering all the wonderful memories she had with her dad. The many things she enjoyed doing with him.
"That was the first piece I played him when I came back home from music school. He was so proud of me. He took me out, me and mum and we celebrated. He boosted how i was a natural, and how i got all my musical talents from his side of the family, made my mum roll her eyes a few times. But today he was a shell, he looked through me as if I wasn't even there. As if I was a fixed object, a painting perhaps that was on the wall. I couldn't stand it Caroline, I couldn't bear it. I wanted to yell at him. I wanted him to laugh like he use to, I wanted my dad, if just for a brief moment like before, I just wanted my dad."
The tears rushed down her cheeks once more but Kate made no attempt to hide them from Caroline again. Perhaps she never had the energy anymore. All these years being alone, not having anyone to share her feelings with. Perhaps it was time.
Caroline had comforted her, telling her how special she was and that she was there for her, whatever she could do she would. She took her hands in hers, as if it came natural to her, tracing circles on the back of her hands, she loved how their skin blended in the setting sun.
The hours had drifted quickly and before long the room started to get dark. Caroline admired the beautiful woman before her as the lights changed upon her skin. She wanted to trace the light as it ran across her body. She did with her eyes and excavated deep, forming all other strength to keep her hands still. She had said it without even realizing until Kate's eyes met hers.
"I really like you a lot."
And it was out. She couldn't take it back. The secret she had carried around with her for months, weeks, days was now out and she felt relieved.
Before she could catch herself she found herself leaning towards Kate, at first to wipe her teary eyes and then to catch the drop that had fallen on her lips with her own lips. The feeling was electrifying. Soft and passionate, their lips moved together. Caroline took Kate's bottom lips between hers and started to ravish it. Tasting the saltiness from the tear that had previously taken this space.
Wanting to take all her hurt, all her pain from the past day away. Wanting to erase both their pains. She was about to welcome Kate's offered tongue inside her mouth when the loud bang of the door outside in the corridor caught their attention. The Janitor had arrived and ruined that moment. Caroline shifted with anger.
But it was then and there she knew what she wanted and that was Kate.
Kate had known her feelings for Caroline for a while but wasn't sure how to go about it but hadn't approach her in any form. But after that first kiss she knew. She knew this woman had to be hers.