Chapter 8

Finals period passed quickly for Catherine. The only thing left was evaluating exam papers. She had a brief rest before that, a weekend.

Catherine made all the necessary shopping before weekend to spend time with Ethan. She decided to spend the whole weekend on the sofa watching movies. Ethan laid right next to her watching her with sad eyes. He did not get used to New York and Catherine was powerless to cheer him up. The only thing Catherine could do was petting his head while he laid their motionless.

On Saturday night, Catherine was still trying hard to cheer Ethan when an erotic scene emerged on the TV. Catherine just glanced up and then realized that she cannot take her eyes away. She was so much turned on that she desired to have someone by her side right. It does not matter whom, she would have sex with that person right away.

It was not only about sex. She missed being kissed, touched and hugged. She felt estranged from everyone. She has always been lonely. Yet she always had someone nearby to calm her urges.

The last time she had sex was the last time she saw Jackie. It has been more than two years but since then she could not let anyone near her.

Now she lived in New York and barely knew anyone who she can have sex with. She was specifically interested in sex, not a relationship. All her life she stayed away from being in a relationship and right now when she started rebuilding her life from scratch, she did not need a relationship to held more responsibilities. She thought about the possible solutions. She thought of a one-night stand. But where?

She decided to go to a bar to have a few drinks and meet someone. She checked in internet about the nearest bars. She chose a bar on Cooper Square.

An hour and a half later, Catherine was standing at the bar desk. She ordered a scotch on rocks. Once she got her order, she drank off her drink immediately. She was nervous. She'd better relax. Therefore, she asked for repetition. This time she was sipping slowly. An hour later, she was still standing lonely observing people. A few people made move on her but she ignored them all. She was waiting for someone but she did not know whom she was waiting for.

She took out her smartphone and started writing a SMS: "Are you a drinker?" She pushed send.

She continued watching around. She saw a few good looking girls but they did not even look at her. Of course, Catherine knew it was a straight bar. She wanted to meet women she needed to go to a gay bar. But it was not about girls either. She was waiting for someone. Who? She still did not know.

Just she thought about leaving, she received an SMS: "Whenever it is needed. Inviting me for a drink?"

Catherine typed: "It is a bar on crossroads of Cooper square and 3rd str." Pushed send.

A few seconds later, she received a response: "Stay there. I'm on my way."

She spent half an hour waiting for her invitee. Suddenly she felt someone's hand on her back. She turned around and saw a young brunette with blue eyes looking at her excitingly.

- Hi.

- Hey.

- Relaxing?

- Trying. Would you like something? My treat.

Alexandra looked at Catherine with interest.

- How many did you have already?

- This is the third. What do you want? Vodka?

- Come on, Professor Stark. Stereotypes? Please don't.

She turned to barman, "I'll have whatever the lady has", and she pointed at Catherine with her head.

- Lady?

- You mind?

- Of course, I do. I said I am older than you but not that much.

Catherine laughed. She felt alcohol taking advantage of her. Alexandra probably sensed it and looked at her with a satisfied look on her face.

- You know Professor Stark, I have this feeling that I will love your drunken state.

- Don't get used to it. It happens rarely.

- If you say so, Professor Stark.

- By the way, my first name is Catherine.

- I know.

- I mean, you can call me, Catherine.

- Catherine.

Alexandra smiled. When scotch on rocks arrived, she touched Catherine's glass with hers and made a sip. Catherine felt her to come closer to her. She felt their elbows touch.

- So Catherine. Why are you here? Why are you drinking?

- Felt tired. Needed to relax.

Alexandra turned her face to Catherine and looked at her carefully. She drank her scotch at one gulp and ordered one more. Catherine also asked for one more glass.

- You look great. Make up and the way you are dressed says you had been waiting for your date but got ditched at the last minute.

Catherine did not respond.

- OK. I will not push you. Would you like to talk about something else?

- Do you date anyone?

Catherine blurted and thought over what she just said. She should not have done that.

-No.

-I'm sorry. It is just... A very personal question. I should not have asked.

Actually, Catherine was not. She was happy to know that Alexandra was single. While Catherine celebrated, she also felt Alexandra to come a little bit closer. Now she almost felt her breath on her lips. Alexandra looked at her tenderly and asked:

-Do you have anyone?

Catherine shook her head. It seemed like music in the background played louder. Alcohol was kicking in strong. She felt Alexandra's hand on her waist. Her hand started to go up to Catherine's back and her lips were surmounting the last distance.

Their lips touched. It was a soft kiss with mutual tender moves of lips. When they stopped kissing, Alexandra turned to barman to take their order. Catherine, on the other hand, was quiet and shocked at the same time. She drank a bit of her scotch to feel encouraged. She looked at Alexandra who slowly was drinking her scotch and thinking about something. Catherine was curious about what Alexandra thinks. Alexandra's hand still on her waist, she felt the hand pulling her closer to herself. Alexandra turned to Catherine and asked:

-You OK?

Catherine did not say anything but nodded. Alexandra put her lips on her cheek still holding her arm nicely squeezing her waist. They were very close and hold on to each other. If someone will see them like this, they would probably think they are dating.

Catherine put her head on Alexandra's shoulder. Alexandra looked at her with a brief smile on her face before Catherine kissed her grabbing her face. This time the kiss was very passionate. Catherine felt Alexandra's tongue in her mouth. She knew she wanted more.

She woke up immediately. She was thankful that it is a dream. It was another nightmare. Her headache made her feel powerless.

She rubbed the temples of her head and then realized two things. First, she did not recognize her bedroom. Second, she felt she is naked. She closed her eyes for a minute to be sure that it is not a dream. Then she opened her eyes and turned around. She saw a woman lying next to her. She slept in an embryo position. Catherine could not see her face. However, the woman's dark hair was enough to understand who she was.