Beca found herself unable to sleep, her eyes glued on Chloe's face every single moment. Not being able to sleep normally made her nervous and anxious but not tonight. Her mood was mysterious as Chloe's expressions reflected her relaxation and her innocence. Did she find Chloe cute? Yes! Or was it more than that? She knew the redhead was quite attractive yet when she slept, she seemed… vulnerable which seemed to trigger the protective side of Beca. Chloe was snuggled into the project manager's side, so Beca tugged her in tightly and held her. When she was sure Chloe was safe, she allowed herself to finally drift to sleep.
The next morning, the sun peered into her window, gently waking her with its soft rays. Beca tried closing her eyes when she caught a glimpse of the angel lying next to her, the beams of the sunrise light colored her hair like a fiery halo. How much of that was the sun, and how much was Chloe herself? The brunette pushed herself from the pillow and again gazed at Chloe much like she had when she went to sleep the previous night. Strands of amber hair from the woman next to her got tucked behind her ear as Beca fluttered soft kisses on her cheek.
"I thought I told you yesterday, Becs. It's creepy to stare." Chloe's sleepy eyes drifted open as her smile woke up and danced across her face. She reached up to capture Beca's lips in a gentle morning kiss. "But… since you are so adorable, I suppose I can let it slide." Chloe punctuated her statement with a smooch to Beca's nose. "Is it weird I've stayed over two nights in a row?"
Beca cocked her head sideways with a look of confusion on her face. "I stayed at your place, too, Chloe."
Chloe pondered this then replied, "only because you were hurt."
The brunette's perplexed look remained. She didn't want to jump to conclusions, yet at the same time she wanted to understand what made Chloe ask that question. The previous evening had been heavenly, not one Beca would soon forget.
As the pair made it back to Beca's apartment and were riding up the elevator to her floor, Chloe got a devilish look on her face. She wiggled her body between the frames and packages they were both carrying and pressed herself against Beca's body. Leaning forward, she captured the project manager's earlobe between her teeth as she pushed her breasts against the other woman. Beca's eyes were screwed shut as she concentrated on not dropping her parcels. Then the redhead kissed her – deep and searing.
The elevator dinged, alerting to their arrival on the correct floor. Beca fumbled with the lock as Chloe had set down what she'd been carrying and now stood behind the smaller woman, sucking on her neck and tweaking her hardened nipples through her shirt. Once the door was opened and the packages safely brought inside, Chloe slammed the door shut, locking it, before she threw Beca against the wooden surface. The project manager's mind was spinning all different directions as the redhead had again taken control and was nothing less than all over her.
"I have thought about you all day Becs." The brunette didn't know how it happened but suddenly Chloe was now pressed against her with no shirt or bra. This realization empowered Beca as she pressed her knee between the redhead's legs and used the leverage to push her back until they both collapsed onto the couch. The brunette immediately kneeled next to the woman who had been so in tune with her own body the previous night and kissed her. Hard. Beca engulfed Chloe's lips, sucking them into her mouth then Chloe forced the brunette to take her tongue in as well. The redhead was soon whimpering and writhing on the narrow, cushioned surface.
Beca moved down Chloe's body, roughly kissing until she reached Chloe's breast. Given the attention Beca gave to the soft tissue right beneath the redhead's breast, Chloe moaned as the brunette's mouth surely left a mark on her skin. She smiled knowing the woman kneeling next to her had left a temporary brand on her skin. While Chloe enjoyed the access Beca had to her from the side of the couch, she wanted her closer, on top of her. She tugged at the brunette's shirt to encourage her on the couch.
Instead as Beca stood and pulled Chloe to her feet and moved them both to the bedroom, each shedding their remaining clothing before sliding beneath the sheets. Beca's earlier kiss turned softer, more sensual. Her lips touched Chloe's hair, then her ear, the side of her neck. She ran her arms up and down Chloe's arms to warm the goosebumps that had risen. Chloe pushed her fingers into Beca's chocolate locks to keep their lips from separating.
Quite the warm feeling settled in Beca's stomach as she recalled making love with Chloe. Dare she say the evening felt different, magical even? For the first time in her life, she didn't mind waking up with another person with whom she'd shared such affections. She felt at ease… safe. Beca briefly processed these feelings before addressing Chloe's question. She wanted to ensure that the redhead was honestly listening to her, believing her; so before she spoke, she placed a gentle hand on each side of the woman's face.
"Chloe, the past two evenings we've spent together have been heavenly. Dare I say, the intimacy between us is unlike any I have shared in a very long time, if ever." She studied Chloe's eyes and saw that her words were having an impact. "If you want me to be truly honest, if you had left either night, after we shared our time, I would have felt cheapened, abandoned even. No, I don't think it's weird you've stayed over two nights in a row."
Emotion flooded Chloe's face as she flung her arms around Beca. "Oh god. Thank you Beca because I don't think I could have walked out that door had you asked me."
Had it not been for two growling stomachs, the couple would not have emerged from the bedroom until evening. However, by noon, they agreed they needed to be adults and to get something to eat. Dinner had been passed over for extracurricular activities the day before, so their bodies needed fuel. After sharing some coffee and part of a leftover bagel, Chloe jumped in the shower while Beca called in a delivery order. She then laid out some clothes she hoped would fit the redhead.
When Chloe emerged, Beca was again stunned by her flawless beauty. She recalled how, from the night she spent at Chloe's, how the woman's damp hair hung down in ringlets in a deeper shade of scarlet. She left some cash on the breakfast bar, pressed a quick kiss to Chloe's lips and stumbled into her room before she could open her mouth and say something that would embarrass her.
As Beca finished her shower and got dressed, her mouth began to salivate at the smells of the food wafting into her room. Chloe had arranged the cartons on the table, with plates, remembering that was how Beca often ate with Stacie. The project manager slipped her arms around Chloe's stomach and kissed her on the curve of her jaw. "What, you don't like my germs?" Chloe only giggled as they sat and began eating.
"I got a message from Bree."
Beca smirked. "Yeah?"
"She still feels horrible."
"I think it's hilarious." Beca shrugged. "I would have never expected that from her. Stacie, on the other hand, all day long."
"She and Stacie want to take us to dinner tonight, as an apology. I think she wants to get the discomfort of facing you out of the way before work tomorrow."
"Whatever makes her feel better." Beca grinned. "I don't think it will help her though. She's too damned high strung."
Once the pair decided on a place to eat, Chloe messaged Aubrey that they'd be 'delighted' to meet them for dinner at 7:30.
After lunch, Beca and Chloe settled on the couch, the redhead's feet were tucked beneath her as she was snuggled into Beca's side. "I can't get over how right this feels."
The project manager smiled against Chloe's head as she kissed her cheek. "This has been an incredible week Chlo. There have been a few times I've told you 'that was another story for another time'. Care to learn a little more about those other time stories?"
Sensing the importance, the redhead leaned back a bit so she could see Beca's face to judge her seriousness. "Always." She rearranged herself to could keep her eyes on the smaller woman.
Beca breathed in deeply to steel her nerves, closing her eyes in the process. When she opened them, she motioned to the apartment around her. "The story ends… here." She held up a single finger indicating she'd be right back. After rummaging in her bedroom a bit, she came back with a small photo album. "It begins here." She flipped open the album and began to show Chloe some pictures, hoping her composure would remain. "This is my mom."
Chloe chose to not say much as they looked through several pages of pictures. She did mention how beautiful Beca's mother was and how she could see the resemblance.
"When I was gone to Guam, do you remember the pictures you framed for me?" Chloe nodded. "Thank you by the way. I don't know if I ever thanked you." Tears were threatening to spill from Beca's eyes. "The double frame, the one with two pictures of my mom." Beca smiled as she remembered when the shot was taken. "I took that when she was working in her flower garden. I don't think she ever knew I even took it." Chloe slipped her hand beneath the album to wrap her fingers around Beca's, who immediately latched on with a death grip.
"The other photo was at my high school graduation, the last my family has of her. She was killed a few weeks later by some punk kid who couldn't stop texting long enough to get where he was going. My parents were divorced, and it had been just me and her for so many years. And then… I suddenly eighteen and alone." The tears now flowed freely. Chloe put the album aside and pulled Beca tightly into her chest. After a few moments, the brunette chuckled as she spoke again. "I can't believe you found those pictures. And I can't believe you had them framed. It means a lot to me."
Beca bent her knees and put her feet on the couch so she could lean against Chloe. "I had never really lived with my dad, so I moved in with him and my step-family. I certainly was in no shape to immediately live alone. Wise man that he is, my dad didn't let me wallow for long. He gave me the choice of going to school or paying rent. I know how proud my mom was when I got accepted to the University of New England, even though my dad taught there. Fortune was on me to live for free and attend school with no tuition. I graduated debt free, something not many people can say. Of course, I'd give it all back, pay any amount of money for even one more day with my mother. But my dad was right, when he forced me to move on and to live."
She twisted her head around, mouth reaching for a comforting kiss. "With my inheritance from my mom and her life insurance, I'm able to live in this awesome place without a roommate or four." She chuckled. "Stacie hates me for it. I won't even let her move in." Beca shifted her body so she was sitting back up, facing Chloe. "All of this is to say… I fear only a few things in life, one of those is losing someone I care about." She placed a forefinger on the redhead's chest before speaking again. "And Chlo, you are someone I care about."
"I appreciate you opening up to me Beca. I will do my best to not put my foot in my mouth anymore or run away or make you feel as though you are losing me. We all have our stories, myself included. I'm glad you shared yours."
Despite gentle urging from Beca, the redhead chose to not share, promising that she would soon.
Chloe and Beca had their hands clasped together as they walked towards the restaurant. "Promise me you won't tease her Beca? She is trying to make amends."
"Stacie needs to apologize, not Aubrey." Beca scoffed. "I still can't believe they were about to have sex on my counter. Do you seriously think they heard me enjoying your massage and got worked up?"
Chloe laughed as she nodded her head. "Yup. I think that's why Aubrey is particularly upset. She realized what was happening and what they interrupted."
"So not the fucking in my kitchen part?" Beca shook her head as she smirked, knowing she now had a lot to hold over her boss now.
Stacie and Aubrey had already been seated and were waiting with an open bottle of wine. Beca pulled out Chloe's chair before taking a seat herself. "Ladies." The project manager shook out her napkin and placed it in her lap. "I trust that you've been," she cleared her throat, "enjoying yourselves?" Beca's voice dripped with innuendo. Stacie was used to her friend's teasing and just chuckled.
On the other hand, Aubrey's face reddened as she looked down to her lap. "Mitchell… ummm Beca… I do hope you know that my apologies are sincere."
The project manager grinned and decided to have a bit of fun. "What apology would that be Posen?" She felt Chloe kick her under the table and decided to behave. "Don't sweat it Posen, water under the bridge, yada yada yada." While Aubrey didn't fully believe her employee, she seemed to relax a bit and loosen up.
"What have you two been up to since the last time we saw you? Friday was it?" Chloe took a dainty sip of wine trying to keep from giggle.
"Oh a little bit of this, and a little bit of that," Stacie answered so Aubrey wouldn't have to. "Bree has come to a few more classes, working on that core, ya know." She winked at Beca who nearly choked on her wine.
Chloe tried to rescue her friend by steering the conversation into more neutral territory. She talked about her last few months in school. When Aubrey prodded her about her plans post-graduation, her friend shared the options she had told Beca. "I actually have an appointment with my advisor on Monday. I'm leaning towards applying for a residency in pediatrics, but I want to make sure entering a residency right out of school is the best option. Maybe try out different areas to make sure working with children is an area of concentration I want."
While Chloe and Aubrey caught up, Stacie and Beca were mostly content to listen to their conversation. Beca didn't want to cause Aubrey more embarrassment, but since she was wrapped up talking to her best friend, the smaller brunette asked her friend how things were going.
"I like her Becs. Obviously. She's… different. You told me your boss was up-tight. I don't know – I don't see it."
"Could be all of the extra-curricular action she's been getting." Beca playfully shoved her friend. "Who would have thought we could have released Posen's tension just by getting her laid."
"Hey now, don't cheapen my experience just because you haven't gotten any yet." Beca sharply raised her eyebrows at her friend's words. "Oh you devil. We definitely need to talk this week, and before Thursday night follies."
The conversation between the two brunettes was interrupted by Aubrey excusing herself from the table. "I'll be right back." When Chloe stood to join her, Aubrey waved her away and turned towards the restroom. After a few minutes, Stacie said she was going to check on the blonde and left as well.
Chloe turned to Beca and put her chin on her clasped hands as her elbows were on the table. "Thanks for not being too cruel to her babe. She was genuinely uncomfortable in asking to meet us tonight." Beca leaned forward to gently kiss the redhead.
"For you, anything." The two continued to talk, mostly about how neither wanted their lives to return to reality the next morning. After a bit, Beca checked the time on her phone. "Damn it's been a while. I hope Aubrey is okay. Do you need to go check on her?"
Chloe folded her napkin and placed it on the table. As she stood, she kissed Beca again, gave her a smile and went to check on her friend. She walked into the restroom and didn't see either woman standing by the sinks, so she knew Aubrey wasn't sick to her stomach. She leaned against the wall and began to dig in her purse for her phone to call her friend. And then… she heard it, a muffled moan coming from one of the stalls. She peeked down under the door and saw one of Aubrey's legs and Stacie squatting down. Chloe imagined if she could see the rest of the scene, the blonde's other leg would be wrapped around the brunette's shoulder and Stacie would have Aubrey's skirt hitched up working her with her tongue. She stood there for a moment while she thought about what to do.
"Bye Aubrey, bye Stacie. Beca and I are leaving. Told the server you'd get the bill. She'll watch your bags." She then ran out of the restroom ensuring the door slammed behind her. She grabbed Beca by the hand, pulling her out of her chair. By the time she found the server to relay that the "other couple" was getting the bill and had left their purses as collateral, Aubrey was racing out of the restroom to catch her friend.
"Chloe… Beca… wait. I can explain."
The redhead threw back her head and laughed as she made Beca flee the restaurant with her. Once they made it far enough away from the restaurant Chloe shared what she had seen. "At least they didn't have sex in the elevator. That would have been wrong on so many levels."
"Good one Chlo. Good one."