May 2015
Kitchens were most intimate places, Bernie thought, watching Serena put the finishing touches to the high tea. She watched Serena's nimble fingers arrange the last plate and imagined them stroking her skin. Serena caught her eye and smiled, sending a jolt to Bernie's heart. She said nothing. Serena broke up a pain au chocolat and gracefully stuffed some in her mouth. Not sure if she was staring hungrily at the woman or the pastries, Bernie averted her eyes and busied herself.
She felt, rather than heard the whisper of chiffon behind her, the motion of being circled around, the warmth of a hand rest beside her, the other holding a piece of pastry to her lips. Bernie froze, unsure how to proceed. She very much wanted a piece but accepting it in such a way was inappropriate. Serena silently persisted and Bernie knew she'd give in. She opened her mouth and accepted the sweet flaky offering. The chocolate melted in her mouth and she couldn't help emitting the trickle of a sigh. She received another piece and savoured it, her eyes still closed. Serena certainly knew how to play on her weakness but didn't press her advantage.
Last bite to eat and Bernie opened her eyes to watch those deft fingers withdraw. There was a smear of chocolate on the side of her index finger and in a split second, Bernie gently grabbed hold and slowly but daintily licked it off. She heard the chuckling sigh behind her and slowly lowered her prey. She braced herself to look Serena in the eye. She was embarrassed at her behaviour but Serena didn't seem to mind. Her smile implied that she seemed to be enjoying it.
Serena dipped her fingers in the last of the chocolate sauce and leaned forward to press them to Bernie's lips. Bernie knew better than to resist two chocolate dipped fingers. She half drew them into her mouth and licked her way around them with a slight moan. She'd not felt this aroused in an incredibly long time. She looked at the other woman, unable to interpret her expression. Serena wasn't prepared for the electricity that was sparking between them. Something had just changed, an unbearable lightness at having glided so seamlessly through the shimmering veil that had kept them trembling over the threshold of intimacy. They'd come so close to it several times but both had hesitated to cross that border to fear of ruining their friendship.
The doorbell rang just as they started to speak. Serena wiped the drop of chocolate from Bernie's lower lip and dried her hands. Bernie observed the uncharacteristic shy smile aimed at her and decided that now was not the time. With an apologetic nod, she rushed off to answer the door, mind swirling into murky depths.
