Chapter 9

Amanda straightens out her brown leather jacket and takes a deep breath. She's standing outside Olivia's front door, nerves bouncing around frantically inside of her. The older woman had given Amanda her address the night before, and they'd agreed to go to a botanical garden near Olivia's house. It's now late saturday morning, and they're about to have their first date.

She lets out a bated breath and knocks twice. She needs to learn how to act normal around Olivia.

The door swings open seconds later, and she's met with the sight of a flushed Olivia. Her hair is slightly damp, ends curling naturally, framing her face perfectly. She's wearing a short sleeved, mint colored maxi dress with a surprisingly low neckline; although not too low to be considered inappropriate.

Her eyes drift down, unable to control herself. Her skin is tan- everywhere- and incredibly smooth. She tears her eyes away and smiles, "Hi, Liv. You look.. Uh.. you look beautiful." It's only then, when her eyes make it the other woman's face, that she notices how Olivia is sans makeup. Amanda nearly collapses. There's freckles lightly peppering her nose and cheeks, a single freckle on the side of her upper lip. She's never noticed before, most likely because there's usually lipstick covering it.

She desperately wants to kiss that freckle on her lip.

"As do you," Olivia replies, smirking. "Come in, I'm almost finished getting ready."

The younger woman follows her in, and she nearly collapses for a second time; the back of Olivia's dress is nearly nonexistent, it dips all the way down to her lower back. There is miles of caramel skin exposed, and only one thought crosses her mind. She's allowed to look.

"I just need to do something with my hair and grab a sweater and we can go." Olivia rattles off, looking over her shoulder at the younger woman. She motions towards a large chair in the living room, "You can sit there if you want. I'll just be a minute." She smiles, disappearing down her hallway.

Amanda lets out a deep breath. She can do this. She can do this even though Olivia looks like that. She cracks her knuckles nervously, waiting patiently for Olivia to return.

As promised, she returns a few minutes later, hair half up in a clip, a few strands hanging loose in the front. There's still no makeup on her face and the blonde thanks whatever higher power is listening for this little blessing. She has no idea why this woman choses to wear makeup when she looks like that without it.

"How'd you get here?" Olivia asks as she slides on a light cream sweater.

"I took a cab. You don't live too far from me." She replies, standing up and wiping her sweaty palms on her jean clad thighs. She can't seem to tear her eyes away from Olivia. The dress is clinging to her body in all the right places, and it's a tantalizing sight. Her hips, breasts and backside are full under the material and Amanda truly wonders if she'll be able to pay attention to anything Olivia says on this date.

"We can take my car to the garden and I can drive you home later. No need to waste money on a cab." Olivia smiles, grabbing Amanda's hand and pulling her toward the front door.

Her body will probably always tingle when Olivia touches her.

Olivia would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous. This was their first time seeing each other without having to cut it short due to work. She'd spent an hour looking for the right dress, and by the time Amanda go there, she didn't have time for any makeup. The way the younger woman looked at her told her she didn't need any though.

As they get into her car and buckle up, she can't help but stare at the blonde. "You really are very beautiful." She blurts, cheeks tinting a light pink. Amanda looks over at her, eyebrows raised and a small smile on her lips.

"Thank you," She replies shyly. "I can say the same about you. You should wear no makeup more often." Her eyes widen, "I mean, you know at school.. You look pretty with makeup but you're prettier without-"

"I'll skip makeup when I'm with you." Olivia says smoothly, winking.

The car ride is comfortably silent, occasionally they share an adoring gaze or smile, but mostly, Olivia pays attention to the road. She took the quiet time to think a bit. Ed Tucker had scared Amanda, he'd made her question their new relationship and in result, that scared Olivia. She hopes now that Ed knows, he'll remain as professional as ever, but she honestly doesn't know what's going to happen. She has tenure, and there's no regulation against it, but Amanda could easily get fired over the silliest things, especially if the Dean wanted her gone.

She glanced at the other woman in the passenger seat, and smiled slightly. She'd enjoy today and worry about what happens at work, at work.

When they get to the garden, they both get out and smile at each other. "Do you have your camera?" Olivia asks, grabbing her small bag and sunglasses.

"Of course." Amanda smirks, pulling her camera and an extra lense out of her bag. She grabs her own sunglasses and hooks the camera strap over her head, letting it take it's usual spot around her neck. "I take it everywhere."

"I love that."

Amanda blushes and smiles shyly.

"Since you paid for lunch the other day, I've got today. Don't even think about arguing." Amanda says firmly as they link their fingers together and make their way to the entrance of the garden. There's an entrance fee of $10 per person, and since Amanda is the one who wanted to come here for photos, she decided that Olivia didn't have to pay for a thing; the fee or their lunch after.

"Yes ma'am," Olivia presses her lips together, feigning obedience. There's a familiar twinkle in her eye that always makes Amanda melt.

An hour later, they find themselves in the bamboo forest. The small path weaves in and around stalks of the bamboo. Amanda's eyes are drawn to Olivia's movements. The amazement and curiosity in her eyes makes for an adorable sight. She snaps a few photos of the bamboo stalks, unsuccessfully trying to focus on more than just Olivia.

Finally, she gives up. She turns back towards the older woman and smiles. Raising her camera, she snaps a photo of the other woman, who's now looking up, gazing at the sky through the tall stalks.

"I'll pretend like I didn't see you do that," Olivia murmurs, not bothering to look in Amanda's direction.

Amanda refuses to be embarrassed, instead shrugs, "I can't help it. My camera is just drawn to beautiful things."

Olivia looks over then, brown eyes shocked. Amanda can tell the older woman wasn't expecting such a bold response. "Smooth." She smiles widely, walking over to her companion. Amanda's eyes are drawn to that bright smile, and she lets her gaze linger. "I'll let it slide this time." Olivia continues, sliding an arm around Amanda's waist. "Only on one condition." She leans in closer, voice dropping an octave, hand trailing down slowly.

"What's that?" Amanda questions breathily, swallowing thickly. Her eyes drop to Olivia's smiling lips, then back up to chocolate eyes.

Olivia leans in closer and bites her lip. Their breaths mingle as the brunette speaks.

"You let me... pick where we eat." Pulling away, another wide smile breaks over her face and a laugh bubbles out. Amanda looks shocked and confused and- god help her- aroused.

It takes a moment for the younger woman to recuperate. She won't let Olivia have the last word this time. She nods, moving past the other woman, camera poised at her eye. As she snaps more photos, she speaks. "That's fine. But just so you know," She turns back, eyes trailing down Olivia's body appreciatively, "I already know what I want."

She quickly takes a photo of Olivia's reaction, laughing at the look on the woman's face.

Amanda nudges her head in the direction of a different, narrower trail, "Let's go this way. I think there's a peacock farm… Maybe we'll see Dean Tucker."

They walk through a large portion of the Botanical Garden, mostly hand in hand. Amanda takes as many photos of the flowers and, of course, Olivia, as possible, before she uses up all of the memory. By the time they both get hungry for lunch, they're closer to the entrance. "You wanna go grab some food now?" Amanda asks, thumb absentmindedly caressing the back of Olivia's hand.

"Yea, I could eat." She agrees, slipping her sunglasses on top of her head.

Amanda takes that tiny motion as the chance to finally kiss Olivia. They hadn't so much as shared a peck at all. "Okay, sounds good." She mutters. Stopping, she tugs Olivia's hand lightly, "Wait, Olivia."

The older woman turns around, eyebrows furrowed in question. "What is it?"

"Forgot somethin'." Amanda smirks, pulling the older woman closer. Without hesitation, she presses her lips against Olivia's. The feeling of home and contentment wash over her, and she can't help but deepen the kiss.

Olivia complies immediately, letting out a small noise when their tongues brush ever so slightly. She feels Amanda's hand linger dangerously close to her bottom, so she pulls away, remembering that they're in a very public space. "Not that I mind, but how about we keep it PG-13 until we're somewhere more.. Private." She purrs coyly.

"Right. Public." Amanda stutters, moving her hand back up to neutral territory. They make their way out of the garden and back to Olivia's car.

"So, where do you think we should eat?" Olivia asks once they're in the car, eyes watching the road. "I know I said I wanted to pick but if you have a place in mind, then that's fine too."

Amanda hums, thinking. "Well.. How about, you let me make us some lunch?" She asks shyly, eyes scanning Olivia's face for a reaction.

Olivia turns her head and arches a brow, "You want to make lunch?"

"Well.. I mean if that's okay. We can go to a cafe or restaurant if you prefer." Amanda stumbles awkwardly, fingers twisting together.

"I think that's a great idea. Do you want to stop somewhere to get some groceries? Or do you have what you need at home?" The older woman asks nonchalantly, as if she'd asked it a hundred times before.

"No, I went shopping a few days ago, I think we're set."

"Alright then, show me the way to your place."

"It's small, I know, but it's the best I can do on my salary right now," Amanda explains, embarrassed that her bed is only separated from the living room by a few decorative dividers. It's a large space, but it has only one room other than the kitchen/living/bedroom; the bathroom. "Plus it's just me, so no use in getting a bigger, more expensive apartment.

"Honey, it's okay. I had a place similar to this when I was in college. I think it's nice. Very… you." The older woman looked around, seeing dozens of large frames and canvases either hanging on the wall, or leaning against it. Each frame had a photo in it, all taken by Amanda most likely. The furniture all matched, a deep burgundy, and the accent colors around the whole space were greys and whites.

"Well thank you. Took me a couple of years to save up enough to move out of my mama's place. I love it here though. Not a lot of traffic like the city has."

Olivia nods, setting her bag and sunglasses on Amanda's small dining table. "I find it crazy how we lived so close and never bumped into each other at least once." She shakes her head. Amanda hadn't been exaggerating when she said she didn't live far; it'd only been a fifteen minute drive from the botanical garden.

"Maybe we did and just never noticed. Or we don't remember." Amanda shrugs, shucking off her jacket and boots before moving to the kitchen.

Olivia leans her elbows against the small island separating them and arches an eyebrow. "No.. I think I'd remember you." She flirts, tilting her head.

Amanda smiles, eyes trailing down to the older woman's cleavage, now slightly more exposed due to her position and nods, "You know what, now that I look at you.. Same. Unforgettable." She jokes, making a show of staring at the brunettes breasts.

Olivia arches a suggestive brow and smirks, not breaking their gaze as she stands straight and walks around the island. "So about this meal." She hums, eyes gliding up and down the younger woman's body. Without the jacket, her curves are shown off more, especially with the tight T shirt she sports. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Nope. Go sit back in that chair and keep me company while I make something." She raises her eyebrows when it looks like Olivia is about to protest, "My house, my rules."

The brunette puts her hands up in surrender and turns around to leave the kitchen. She shrugs off her light sweater and smirks when she hears the slight hitch in Amanda's breath. They should start keeping score on this game they're playing. Olivia's sure she's in the lead.

"At least tell me what you're making?" Olivia asked, hanging her sweater on the backrest of her chair and sitting, one leg crossed over the other. Amanda looked up to reply, but was caught off guard by the long tan leg peeking over the counter. There's slits in the damn dress too.

"Uh- um, Turkey sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, and whatever else you want on it, and cranberry and walnut salad. And I have a white zinfandel we can drink with it." Amanda rattles off, turning to take ingredients out of the fridge.

They make small talk as Amanda prepares food, sharing jokes and flirting like they do this every saturday. When the food is ready and on both of their plates, Olivia insists on helping set the table. She pours the white zinfandel into two stem glasses and sets one at the end of the table and the other on the side closest to the end. She want's to be close to Amanda.

"This looks delicious, Mandy," Olivia smirks, tugging the hem of Amanda's t shirt.

"Thank you, Vivi."

They're sitting in Amanda's living room now, having finished eating their lunch. Olivia's turned towards the younger woman, arm resting on the back of the couch, and her legs are crossed. Every so often, when Amanda isn't looking, she lets her eyes wander. She'd be lying if she said she doesn't feel self conscious around the blonde. She's incredibly beautiful, and the more time Olivia spends with her, the luckier she feels. Not just for the looks, but the amazing personality and beautiful soul.

"Olivia?"

The older woman refocuses her eyes on Amanda's, "Hm?" She hums, "Sorry, could you repeat that?"

"Did you get a little distracted?" Amanda smirks, nudging Olivia's leg with her foot.

"Very."

"Okay, hot stuff. Did you hear my question?"

"Nope. I was distracted."

Amanda blushed and scoots closer. "I asked, when did you realize that you like women?"

Olivia doesn't hesitate with her answer. "When I walked into Siena's library."

"Okay, but really." Amanda laughed. Leaning her head against her hand, which was propped up by her elbow on the back of the couch. "What was that I don't think I'm straight moment."

The brunette set her wine glass down on the coffee table and leans in closer as well, her hand landing on Amanda's forearm. "A long, long, long, time ago, I was engaged to this guy named David. He was nice and treated me well and we had a lot in common. My mother loved him, and when he asked me to marry him, I said yes immediately. I thought that getting married was part of being an adult, and I was desperate.. You know, to move out of my mom's place, finish college, all that. My best friend at the time, Alex, was my rock. I remember appreciating her so much, and now that I look back, it's how I appreciate you. I just didn't know that it was deep feelings back then.

To make a long, boring story short, I was walking down the aisle, ready to give my whole self to David, and instead, I fell in love, just not with him." She presses her lips together, letting her eyes drop to her lap, almost as if she's ashamed.

"You fell in love with Alex?" Amanda asked, letting her arm drop against the back of the couch as well. Her hand caressing Olivia's upper arm comfortingly.

"She looked so beautiful in her bride's maids dress. And for a second, I remember only focusing on her. I didn't even look at David before I was running off back to my dressing room. Alex followed me, and as soon as she closed the door, I kissed her."

Amanda's brows rose, "That was bold. I couldn't do that, especially not knowing if someone had feelings back."

"You kissed me."

"Yeah, but that's different. I knew by that time that you wanted me." She smirks, earning a light swat to her arm. "Okay so what happened next?"

"She pushed me away, apologized for leading me on, and let me down. 'Gently' in her words. She's straight as an arrow, also her words. I haven't talked to her and David since." Olivia shrugged. "It was a tough lesson learned, but I'm glad it happened. Otherwise I'd be married to someone else, with who knows what job."

"What about your mom?" Amanda asked, "You said she liked him."

"She got over it eventually, and then when I told her I like women, her words were, 'Good. Men are idiots anyway.' And we never spoke of it again."

Amanda laughed lightly, "That's better than how my mama took it. She kicked me out and called me a sinner."

"Aren't we all."

"Well. If this," She leans in, pressing her lips to Olivia's in a chaste, but languid kiss, "Is a sin. The I'll be a sinner any day of the week."

"Mmmmmm. Agreed." Olivia replies huskily, pulling the younger woman back to her. She deepens the kiss right away and hooks her arm around the blonde's neck, keeping her in place. Amanda leans back, pulling the brunette down with her. She parts her legs so Olivia can settle in between them, their kiss never breaking as they adjust positions.

The older woman is holding herself up with her arms, and Amanda cups tanned cheeks and tilts her head to gain more access, letting out a light moan when Olivia lets her body drop an inch, their breasts brushing together slightly.

Amanda doesn't stop her hands from trailing down Olivia's cheeks and over her shoulders. She pauses slightly, not knowing if the older woman will appreciate being felt up, but when she feels the other woman's body arch into her, she takes it as the okay. She slides her hands slowly over Olivia's shoulders, chest, and finally stopping on the swell of her full breasts. The older woman moans into their kiss when Amanda finally cups them in her hands.

Their tongues twist together as Amanda squeezes the brunette's breasts gently, and she wonders if Olivia's even wearing a bra when she feels the older woman's nipples harden against her palms.

Olivia grinds down against Amanda then pulls away just as quickly, "We shouldn't do this right now.." She breathes out, staring into dark cobalt eyes. "I'm not going to be able to stop if you keep touching me like that."

"Who says we have to stop?" Amanda whines, voice breathy. She slides her hands around to cup Olivia's backside, pulling her back down.

"I do." Olivia moans, kissing the corner of Amanda's lips. "I want our first time to be perfect. And after we get to know each other a little bit more. Okay?"

Amanda lets Olivia get up and groans. "Fine. We can still make out though, right?"

Olivia chuckles, leaning in to press her lips back against the younger woman's.

"I don't see why not."

Hopefully this makes up for not updating yesterday or the day before. ;) Thanks B, for helping me again.

Anna