Half an hour later, Vera saunters back into to the kitchen and finds Joan bent over the oven, checking on the food.
"You're just in time," Joan says warmly. "I hope you're hungry!"
"It smells fantastic!" Vera says enthusiastically and walks around the counter."Do you, um...is there anything I can help you with? You've done all the work already. I should be doing something!"
Joan turns around to face Vera. "The only thing I want you to do is have a seat and relax," Joan says, pointing to the kitchen table. "You've done enough already, seeing to your mum. This is my treat, Vera. Now I don't want to hear another word about it."
Vera shyly smiles with surprise and sits down. Being cared for feels foreign to her. And the fact she's receiving this treatment from the governor of Wentworth Correctional Centre– an extremely stern and powerful woman– makes Vera blush with delight.
At the table, Vera has an unobstructed view of the oven. She watches from the corner of her eyes as Joan slowly bends over to retrieve the tray. Hesitantly, Vera turns her head for a better look. She can't help but admire the governor's long legs, shapely hips and perfectly full ...
"I hope you like baked seafood au gratin," Joan says, bringing up the tray.
Startled, Vera abruptly breaks her gaze and clears her throat. "I, uh, I'm not...I don't think I've had that before, but I'm sure I will!" she says with an embarrassed grin. She can feel her cheeks growing flushed. "What is it?"
Joan places the tray down and looks at Vera, who looks away when their eyes meet. The younger woman's cheeks are red and she has a guilty look about her. Joan's eyes narrow on Vera and a faint smirk paints her lips. She could sense Vera watching her before and it appears she was right. Feeling validated, Joan smiles to herself and picks up a plate.
"It's a seafood medley of crabmeat, shrimp, scallops, cod fish and vegetables baked with cheese. I think you'll enjoy it," Joan says with confidence, scooping spoonfuls of the meal onto the plate. "It's one of my favorite dishes from a restaurant close to my home."
"That sounds delicious."
With two plates in hand, Joan walks over to the table and sets one of the plates down before Vera. "Bon appetite," she says with a playful smile. "I'll bring this plate over to your mother and help her eat while you enjoy yours."
Vera latches onto Joan's wrist. "No, no, no, stay," she says, looking up at Joan. "I mean...mum's medication kicked in and she'd just fallen back to sleep. It'd be a shame for this food to go to waste. Why don't you, um, join me...if you're hungry?"
Joan raises an eyebrow and smiles. "I could eat," she replies and sits down.
"That was the best meal I've eaten in weeks!" Vera gushes, sitting before a now empty plate. "I can't thank you enough."
"It was no trouble at all," Joan casually replies. "Here, let me get that for you." Joan stands and picks up the plates.
"No, Joan, please. I've got this!" Vera insists, pushing her chair back to stand. "You've honestly done too much. You're spoiling me!"
"Have you forgotten what I've told you earlier? This is my treat," Joan says, bringing the plates to the sink to be washed. "Allow yourself to be taken care of for a change, Vera."
"At least let me show my appreciation," Vera replies. She gets up and walks to the cupboard. "We haven't any dessert, but, I've got a bottle of Moscato I've been saving for a rainy day. Would you like a glass?"
Vera, holding the bottle, looks at Joan with anticipation.
"I probably shouldn't," Joan says matter-of-factly. "It's getting late."
"Oh, come on! Just one glass," Vera says playfully. "I won't take no for an answer."
Finished washing the dishes, Joan closes the faucet and turns around to see a grinning Vera. "Alright. I suppose one glass won't hurt," she says, masking her amusement. Joan isn't concerned about the time. She was curious to see if Vera would insist.
With a satisfied smile, Vera takes a corkscrew and two glasses from the cupboard. She opens the bottle and fills the glasses.
"Here's to...the best night I've had in ages!" Vera enthuses, raising her glass. Joan smiles as they clink glasses and takes a sip.
"Why don't we sit in the living room," Vera suggests. "These chairs are really awful after a while!"
Joan laughs. "I wasn't going to say anything, but since you've brought it up, I'm going to have to agree!"
Seated next to Vera on the couch, Joan looks down at her watch. "Can you believe we've been talking for almost two hours?" Joan says, setting her glass on the coffee table next to the now empty bottle of wine. "So much for one glass!"
Vera bursts out laughing then quickly covers her mouth. "Shhh, mustn't wake mum!" She, too, sets her glass on the table and brings her legs up underneath her. She positions her body toward Joan and lets her hair down.
"I'm sorry for unloading on you earlier," Vera says, looking down at her hands. "It's just so... relieving to have someone to talk to. I've been under a lot of stress lately with mum and…"
"Hey, there's no need to explain," Joan says, gently lifting Vera's face up with her right hand. "I'm here for you, Vera. Don't think it was a burden for me to listen."
Vera smiles and slightly blushes. The feeling of Joan's warm hand against her skin fills her stomach with butterflies and quickens her heart rate. As the evening has progressed, Vera's found herself more and more drawn to the governor. She even found herself wondering what she'd be like as a lover. Never before has Vera thought about another woman in that way and it makes her feel guilty. Almost ashamed.
"Do you think I'm awful for wanting to put mum in hospice care?" she asks, taking her mind off other thoughts. "I honestly don't think I can take much more. Every day, she gets more abusive"
Joan looks Vera dead in the eyes. "Vera, listen to me. You have to do what's best for you," she says. "You've taken care of your mum all your life. You shouldn't feel guilty."
She pauses and takes Vera's hands into hers. She then leans closer and speaks softly. "We all have our limits. Trust me when I say I understand exactly what you've gone through. You are not alone in this. I am here for you."
Overcome with emotion, Vera's heart is now racing. She stares into Joan's dark brown eyes and without even realizing it, she moves in, closes her eyes and gently kisses her lips. Surprised by what she's just done, Vera opens her eyes and quickly sits back. Covering her lips with her fingers, she looks at Joan with nervous eyes.
Joan cocks an eyebrow and gazes at Vera with intense, stony eyes. She and Vera have been playing a tantalizing game of cat and mouse for quite some time, but she didn't think Vera had the courage to actually make a move...at least not this early in the game.
"That was certainly...unexpected," she says, punching an emphasis on the third syllable.
"I don't know what I was…I'm sorry, Governor. That was unprofessional," Vera says, tripping over her words.
Slowly, Joan leans toward Vera's left ear. She takes a deep breath, slightly tilts her head and exhales against her deputy's neck, causing the woman to quiver. "What took you so long?" she whispers. As slowly as she moved in, Joan pulls back to flash Vera a flirtatious grin.
Vera clenches her thighs as a wave of arousal courses through her body. She bites her bottom lip and coyly returns Joan's smile.
Vera's never been so excited before. Having grown up to think homosexuality was "morally reprehensible," she never gave her sexuality much thought. Until now, she believed her lack of sexual desire was typical. Clearly, it was just misdirected.
As they sit staring silently at one another, the tension between them escalates. A knot builds in Vera's stomach. She wants to act, but doesn't know what to do. Not only is she sexually inexperienced, this scenario is far outside her wheelhouse and Joan can sense it. The ball is now in her court.
As one might in a game of chess, Joan carefully considers her play. Sitting cross-legged, she rests her right arm along the top of the couch and slides closer to Vera, completely eliminating space between them. She then delicately traces her right index and middle fingers along the edge of Vera's face and tucks a strand of Vera's hair behind her left ear. This causes Vera's heart to beat at an uncontrollably rapid pace.
"Why don't we try this again?" Joan says, leaning in. She places her right hand just under Vera's head and guides her in. With eyes closed, their lips make full contact this time. Joan cups Vera's face with her left hand and thoroughly tastes her deputy's soft, supple lips.
Instinctively, Vera wraps her arms around Joan and pulls her closer, becoming more confident and passionate in her kissing. Her breaths become increasingly short and quick and her body grows weak. The governor's lips are, to her surprise, warm and incredibly full– particularly the top lip, which Vera brazenly begins to gently suck on.
Through the sound of their wet lips smacking, Vera focuses on Joan's steady, deep breaths. But her focus is violently disrupted by the sound of Rita's shrieking voice calling out her name.
"VERRRRA!"
The women pause. Vera brings her hands up to Joan's face and leans back slightly to look at her. "I should probably…" she says, tipping her head in the direction of Rita's room.
"Yes. I should get going myself," Joan says softly, licking her lips. They look intently at one another for a moment before bringing their lips together once more. Joan takes Vera's bottom lip between her own and lightly tugs on it as she pulls away.
"VERA! Where are you!" Rita howls, prompting Vera to roll her eyes. Reluctantly, both women stand.
"I'll be right in, mum," Vera yells back.
Joan retrieves her coat and handbag from the nearby chair and walks to the door, Vera following closely behind.
"I had a wonderful time tonight," Vera says sweetly, her eyes beaming. "Thank you, for everything."
Joan smiles. "I'll see you tomorrow," she replies and walks out the door. She pauses and turns back to face Vera.
"Vera...we mustn't let on about this at work," Joan says firmly.
"No, of course not," Vera replies, nodding her head.
"And one more thing," Joan begins. "I can't show you any special treatment at work. We're to be strictly professional."
"Yes, governor," Vera says obediently.
Joan curls her lips into a devious grin and nods. "Goodnight, Ms. Bennett."
