A confused Beca looked across the table at her boss. "I don't recall applying for this Bree."
Aubrey covered her mouth as she gave a giggle. "Sally's visit was to remind that me that I should have submitted the paperwork with your last evaluation. I apologize that your promotion is a bit overdue." She was pleased that Beca seemed pleasantly surprised, happy with her promotion. When she'd gone upstairs to turn in the paperwork, Sally let her know that the paperwork would be backdated to the project manager's eligibility date, so her next paycheck would include backpay. She was keeping that tidbit of information to herself as another surprise. Aubrey had never gotten the impression Beca needed money, but extra was always nice.
Chloe wrapped her arms around Beca's neck and pressed her lips against the brunette's cheek. "You deserve it babe. I'm proud of you."
Stacie reached over the table to give her friend a high five. She waved the server to bring the bottle of champagne that had been reserved for the announcement. Chloe and Aubrey both gave a loud shrill when the cork gave a loud pop and the liquid began to spill from the neck of the bottle. She quickly poured four glasses and passed them around.
Once the celebratory toasts were made and the champagne had been consumed, Chloe scooted her chair back. "Well you two… Since this slave driver here has me on a strict study schedule during the week, the weekends are about the only playtime I have. If you two wouldn't mind, I'm going to excuse myself and this cutie here so we can enjoy our playtime." She pulled Beca from her chair as the women gave the other two women farewell hugs.
Aubrey snuggled herself under Stacie's protective arm draped over her shoulder as they headed towards the blonde's place. A subway ride and short walk later, they were standing outside of Aubrey's home. "I enjoyed tonight," Stacie said as she swung their hands back and forth between them. She leaned forward and nuzzled Aubrey's neck with her nose before kissing her neck.
"The night is still young Stace. Would you like to come in?" She shyly tilted her head towards the entry beckoning her inside.
"Do you want me to come in?" The leggy brunette's voice was teasing.
The blonde turned back to Stacie, reached up and nipped her earlobe. She sidled up the few steps leading to her front door, gently tugging the other woman to follow her. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't." She unlocked the door to pull Stacie into the house with her.
As she closed the door, Aubrey dropped her purse on the table then gently pushed the other woman against the doorframe. She pressed a soft kiss against Stacie's lips, soft, delicate, like butterfly wings, lasting just long enough for Stacie to inhale her breath and feel the warmth of her skin. Stacie whimpered as Aubrey backed away, taking the taste of her lips which stayed behind as the blonde had moved away.
"Tea?" Despite the blonde's back being turned, Stacie could hear the mischievous lilt of Aubrey's voice. "Make yourself at home."
Stacie stumbled over to her spot on the loveseat as she watched the blonde prepare two cups of tea. She couldn't keep the stupid smile from her face. The warm feeling she got when she was around Aubrey was comforting, and she was quite getting used to that sensation. Beca had been right – she needed to respect Aubrey and treat her how she deserved.
"Penny for your thoughts." Aubrey's voice was soft as she handed the brunette her tea and tucked her feet beneath her. She sipped her warm golden liquid. Stacie remained quiet and nestled herself next to Aubrey.
Once they both finished their tea, Stacie placed their cups on the coffee table and scooted even closer to the blonde. "Tonight was pleasant Aubrey. Thank you."
"Are you okay Stace?" A concerned Aubrey placed her hand on Stacie's knee. Stacie nodded. "Talk to me then. You aren't acting like… well like Stacie."
The brunette gave a huff. "I think that's because you are changing me Bree." Stacie shared how she had always taken advantage of her looks and her body to tease others and basically get what and who she wanted. She broke eye contact with Aubrey and gazed at the edge between the ceiling and wall.
The blonde leaned over to capture Stacie's earlobe between her lips. "Does it count if you are what and who I want?" she murmured.
Stacie pulled her shoulders up to her ears as she tried to ward off the chills that accompanied Aubrey's touch. "Of course it counts Bree. But. With you. It's more than that. Than this." She motioned up and down both their bodies. "The desire between us has been established, definitely." Her grin was sheepish. She gulped as she continued. "I want … more."
Aubrey moved even closer, pushing one leg behind Stacie's back and throwing the other around her waist. "Why Stacie Posen," she drawled with a long-forgotten Southern accent. "Are you asking me to go steady with you?"
Stacie's stuttering and stammering showed that she had been caught completely off guard with Aubrey's statement along with the way she said it. Then again, the blonde had a habit of acting out of the character that Stacie had set for her. She tossed her hair over her shoulder as her sheepish grin turned wolfish. "Why yes Ms. Posen, yes I am."
"Woo hoo," Aubrey whooped, maintaining that ridiculous Southern persona. "I now have myself a good, old fashioned, girlfriend."
"Playtime, eh?" Normally Chloe was the one who teased Beca but this time, the younger woman couldn't resist as she reached over to tickle the redhead. Chloe squealed as she tried to get away from Beca. "Wasn't this morning playtime?"
Chloe gasped. "Beca Mitchell, are you reducing our incredible sexy time spent together in the wee hours before dawn to recess?
The brunette chased her around the couch. "Those are your words, not mind. But playtime would not have been what came to mind."
"What would have you liked for me to have said to our best friends. 'Sorry to eat and run, but we have to run so we can eat?'"
Beca screwed up her nose. "Chloe!"
"Well?" Tired of fleeing, the redhead collapsed on the couching, hoping Beca would forget why she was chasing her. When Beca didn't appear, grabbing at her sides, Chloe was curious as to where the brunette was. The quietness of the apartment was almost unnerving. A small person with long dark hair came leaping over the side of the sofa, landing with a leg on either side of her causing Chloe to shriek at the top of her lungs.
"Gotcha!" Beca's eyes were gleaming as she wiggled her fingers mischievously at the frightened redhead whose legs were immobilized by the woman atop her rendering her unable to escape.
"Nooo," Chloe cried as she pinned her hands under her arm pits in an attempt to protect herself. "Becs, being tickled is torturous. Please?"
The brunette dropped her hands but didn't move off the woman beneath her. She did move her forehead forward until it rested against Chloe's. "Okay. Since you said please." Her smile was soft, trusting. "You aren't really upset with me about the study schedule thing are you Chlo?" Beca's expression had turned to one of honest concern.
Chloe shook her head. "Not at all. I'm glad you did that, otherwise I probably wouldn't be prepared for my certification exam." Beca tilted her head, about to ask why, when Chloe answered the unasked question. "Because I've got my eye on this woman, you see. I think I have it pretty bad for her."
"You do, eh?" The growing warmth in Beca's chest was about set her on fire. "Tell me about her?"
"She's funny. And adorable. And kind. Oh, and hot. That's important." Chloe giggled.
"Oh it is, is it?" Beca leaned forward to bury her head in the hair around Chloe's neck, searching for skin to press her lips against.
"Uh huh." Chloe craned her neck to the side to allow Beca to kiss her neck. "And without a study schedule, ummmm," Chole was getting lost in what she was saying as Beca began to nuzzle her neck. "I might not even crack a book." Beca ran her teeth down to Chloe's shoulder and bit lightly through her shirt. "She's kind of errrr addicting."
"Sounds like you think you are lucky to have her." Chloe nodded. "I, on the other hand, think she's lucky to have you." Beca shifted her hips to press herself against Chloe rather than pinning her between her legs. She leaned her head down and kissed the redhead, breath soft and moist, hot and breathy. She kissed Chloe exactly how she wanted to be kissed at that moment. No dominance but searching for intimacy and harmony. The redhead's lips melted into hers, heat rising between them as tongues touched. The pace was simple deliciousness.
Despite Chloe's whimpers, Beca broke the gentle kiss and leaned back slightly, tugging her own shirt over her head and flinging it to the side. Chloe leaned up to press her lips against Beca's again as she reached behind the brunette and unclasped her bra. Soon that article of clothing was tossed over with the discarded shirt. She ran her hands over Beca's back to soothe the chill bumps that came with the suddenly bare skin. Chloe brought her hands around and fondled Beca's breasts, staring at them in admiration. She ran her tongue across one nipple then the other as Beca gasped and fell forward, enshrouding them both in a curtain of chocolate brown hair.
Beca pulled Chloe's face against her, encouraging the manipulations Chloe was now performing on her breasts. She slowly started to rock her pelvis against Chloe's hips as she whispered in the redhead's ear. "This woman you like… is this going to bother her?"
Chloe gave a sharp suck on Beca's flesh as she shook her head. She released Beca's nipple with a pop that brought a moan from the brunette. "Can we…" Chloe didn't have to finish her request before Beca was pulling her off the couch. She wrapped her arms around the redhead and kissed her hard as she walked backwards to her bedroom.
Both women undressed themselves before easing beneath the covers of Beca's bed. The brunette held Chloe's face and contemplated what she saw in the redhead's gaze. "Would you hate me too much if we slowed things a bit down in here?" Beca's question was posed shyly.
"Slow is fine with me."
"I just… I want to feel. If that makes any sense." Beca's words came from her heart, just as her actions. Chloe moved in close as Beca began to run her hands over her body, firmly but gentle. Rubbing, exploring... the power of the essence of touch. Beca could feel the week's tension melt from Chloe's body beneath her fingers as she ran her fingers to her head, intertwining her fingers in your soft fire engine red hair, massaging her scalp.
"I love the way you touch me." Chloe's voice broke the silence. Startled, Beca shook her head to clear her random thoughts and returned her hands to the redhead's body, her fingers soothing her neck, brushing against her throat.
"I love touching you." Beca leaned forward, whispering in her ear. "Very much so." Beca pulled Chloe into her side, holding her tightly as her hands continued to roam, relaxing the student. Beca continued her one-sided conversation about how much Chloe meant to her.
She knew how exhausted Chloe was and how she had been trying so hard to keep up with her studies as well as maintain their relationship, so Beca wasn't surprised when Chloe fell asleep in her arms. She watched the student's rhythmic breathing, peaceful and calm. Beca continued her caress across Chloe's face and her shoulders. The touching coupled with Chloe's naked body shamefully aroused Beca. She wanted the woman, but she dared not awaken her as she lay sleeping.
Beca drew her feet up Chloe's bare legs, making contact with that skin as well as Chloe involuntarily snuggled closer into her. She gave in and whispered her desires into Chloe's ear. A slight smile escaped Chloe's lips at the feeling of closeness they shared.
Muscles had turned soft, yielding to Beca's hands. She knew Chloe was enjoying the touching, whether she was fully conscious of what was happening or not. Beca pushed the guilt from her mind as she felt how wet she had become running her hands over Chloe's sleeping body.
Beca's buzzing phone rattled on the table from the other room caused Chloe to stir from her deep slumber. The project manager was unable to control her urges any longer and took advantage of the redhead stirring from her sleep to turn more on her side. She took one of Chloe's breasts into her mouth as she began to gently massage the other. Chloe shifted her hips towards Beca as she gave a sleepy moan of contentment. Her eyes opened slightly as she gave the woman rubbing her a brief smile, then she closed her eyes again.
The brunette moved her body between Chloe's legs to give her access to more of the woman's body as she peppered kisses up and down her torso to her neck and back down to her breasts. Chloe remained relaxed, willing Beca to continue to do whatever she wanted.
As Beca continued to touch, Chloe found herself becoming increasingly aroused. She had awoken somewhat, still drowsy but was quickly moving to a point where she needed more stimulation. She reached up with both hands and began massaging her own breasts then tweaking her nipples. Beca froze, watching her in awe, swallowing down the shock that flashed between her legs.
"Slow is suddenly looking better and better," Beca murmured. She watched as Chloe inched one hand towards her own crotch teasingly, stopping right before she touched herself. Beca settled down between her legs and kissed her softly but with strong passion and purpose. She ran her fingers across Chloe's stomach allowing her nails to gently scrape the skin. Beca was melting, literally and figuratively from touching Chloe.
She gently pushed and prodded the student until she was laying on her stomach. Beca had decided to make Chloe a complete piece of putty. Time had come to focus on her legs. Chloe moaned as Beca began to rub her leg muscles deeply and the bottom of her feet. "You going to sound like a porn movie for me baby?" Beca was teasing, referring to the night she'd gotten hurt at the park trying to impress the redhead with a gymnastics move. She teasingly ran her tongue over Chloe's feet.
Another moan. "Fuck, what do you mean 'like a porn movie' Bec? This is better than that." Chloe shifted, pressing herself into the mattress.
Beca's hands tightened their grip as they walked their way back up her calves. She wasn't exactly trying to be erotic, but her actions were exciting both of them to no end. She straddled Chloe's back and leaned down to whisper in her ear, breasts pressed against her back. Beca doesn't even know what she said and realizes that Chloe probably didn't either as both were probably only concentrating on the touch.
Chloe broke the silence with a low sigh which turned to a deep moan as Beca moved herself down and spread herself on the back of the redhead's thigh. She wasn't shocked at how wet she was but she did wonder if Chloe was equally as aroused. Beca reached down and touched herself slightly, gathering moisture on her finger to run across Chloe's naked back. The redhead whimpered and attempted to turn over as Beca rewarded her by allowing her to suck on her finger with remnants of Beca's juices.
She didn't want to rile Chloe up too much and kept her motions slow as she used her fingers to trace down Chloe's back, up her arms, back down to her hips. When Beca began to trace the inside of her leg, Chloe lifted her hips off the mattress, almost to her knees. She was begging, silently.
Beca sat back behind her, touching with only one finger. As she separated Chloe's legs she could see the moistness glistening and dripping from her body. Holding back no more and without warning, she sank two fingers deep into Chloe's body. The redhead immediately collapsed back to the mattress with a shrill keen. When Beca withdrew her fingers to taste the arousal, Chloe whimpered. Beca bent her knees and began to kiss Chloe's lower legs. The redhead pushed herself up on her knees to jut her ass out in a silent beg for affection. Beca turned over on her back and slipped her head between Chloe's legs. Chloe sat up, settling herself onto Beca's face, sitting on her chest.
The project manager's face was immediately drenched as she began to rapidly move her tongue across Chloe's swollen clit and in and out of her body. The redhead had set a fast pace, rocking back and forth as her body took over. Beca knew she could make Chloe shake and tremble, take her so high, so high until she exploded. Chloe's eyes were screwed shut as she panted out Beca's name along with a stream of epitaphs and praises to higher beings. As Chloe arched backwards, Beca lifted up with her shoulders to shift Chloe to laying on her back. She hooked her arms beneath Chloe's legs, face still buried, moisture still flowing from a writing redhead.
Beca almost climaxed herself when she heard Chloe's voice turn soft. "Please take me Beca. Please." The aching whimper was orgasmic to her ears. Not realizing, Beca began to use slow, long strokes to bring Chloe down. She was afraid that if she gave Chloe what she was begging for, she'd lose herself. When Chloe clinched her hair and pulled her face in deeper, she began to rock against Beca's slow moving tongue. Chloe's soft whimpers became increasingly loud, relentlessly begging, aching and moaning.
Beca began to suck and lick again as Chloe's back arched towards the ceiling. The brunette slipped her hands beneath Chloe's back as the liquid continued to pour down the sides of her face. Chloe's body was shaking, trembling… and then when she was about to explode, Beca slipped three fingers deep inside.
The redhead cried out and came down hard, her body shattering in orgasm, tightening on Beca's fingers to the point where she couldn't move her hand but could still curl her fingers to where she knew Chloe needed to be touched. Beca squeezed her own legs together, feeling the pleasure that coursed through her as she listened to Chloe's screams and cries. After one last spasm, Chloe collapsed, exhausted. "Please baby. Don't move. Not yet baby. Please."
After the women had caught their breath and their hearts had slowed to a more regular rate, Beca slowly slipped her fingers from Chloe's spent body and made her way up. She trailed kisses up Chloe's stomach then ventured up to kiss the tears that had been shed. Beca managed to reach the covers to pull over them and snuggled into Chloe who somehow found the strength to hug her before they fell fast asleep.
Two weeks were left until exams and three weeks until graduation. Results would be posted online sometime after graduation. Chloe had done an excellent job at keeping to the study schedule Beca had created for her. She'd pulled together a group of dependable classmates who got together on rotating days to review different topics with a different person leading each session. The variation helped to keep the ideas fresh among the students.
Between studying and work, Chloe always looked forward to the weekend as a respite from the relentless battering her brain was taking. Beca always made their time together relaxing, special. She took care of absolutely every detail so Chloe could shift into full relaxation mode.
Beca had also left a gap in Chloe's schedule on Thursday evenings for her choir group, at least for her set of college friends. She knew their importance in the redhead's life and didn't want to monopolize all of Chloe's free time. Plus, they had some important secret tasks they were doing for her for Chloe's graduation. Tonight – Project Chloe's Graduation Gift began.
Ashley reached over to snag a chip from the community basket and scooped up the hot sauce from the small bowl in front of her. "I love these thin chips. That they are served hot is a bonus." She swayed back and forth in her chair. Aubrey kicked her beneath the table. "Jessica, if you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?"
The blonde secretary snorted. "Are you asking for my bucket list trip? That's random Ash."
"I mean we all have those places we'd love to go. Mine, is Antarctica. I read that you can see up to five species of penguins. Penguins are so cute. Always dressed up, fancy looking." Ashley pilfered another chip.
Aubrey rolled her eyes. "Seriously, you want to go to the South Pole just to see penguins? You know there are other places to see penguins, right? Places that aren't so cold…"
"The zoo doesn't count Bree." Jessica snorted again.
"Jess, I'm talking about South Africa, the Galapagos Island, and yes… the zoo." Aubrey threw a few chips at her friend.
Chloe looked at her friends with a dreamy look on her face. "Remember Worlds girls? When we went to Copenhagen? That was such a fun trip."
All the girls began excitedly talking about the competition along with their favorite memories of visiting Germany. "That was like, what, three or four years ago?" Ashley asked. "We should do something fun after Chloe gets out of school. Who all still has a valid passport?" Everyone raised their hands but Chloe who screwed up her face. Her best friend swatted her on the shoulder. "Come on Chlo, get with the program."
"I have enough to remember right now without being concerned about my passport. Plus, after I graduate, I'll still be broke. You guys are goofy."
Aubrey quickly looked at the other two women at the table, her mind working quickly. "Are you going to be at Beca's this weekend?" Chloe rolled her eyes as if this was the world's most ridiculous question. "The girls and I were wanting to do a top to bottom spring cleaning on your apartment for you. You can't have had time to do any housework yourself. Probably not in a while, as busy as you've been and all."
"Are you calling me a slob?" Chloe chewed her straw a bit before taking a long sip of her strawberry margarita.
"Absolutely not." Aubrey stuttered.
Ashley spoke up. "Oh hush Chloe. What Bree is trying to say is that we'll be in your apartment Saturday tidying up. Then you can head down the home stretch without a care in the world… other than passing your assessment, of course."
The friends then spent the rest of dinner talking about places they'd been, and places they'd love to visit. Chloe finally admitted she'd want to go to someplace tropical. "I want beaches. Nothing but beaches. Sun, sand, and relaxation. And lots of drinks with cute little umbrellas. No responsibilities. No cares. No worries."
"Don't want much there do you, Chlo?" Ashley teased her friend. "Actually… a beach vacation sounds like what you need. A simple escape to get away from it all."
"Hey," Jessica blurted. "Have you heard anything from your residency applications?"
"No." Chloe flopped back in her chair. "Not yet. I'm not expecting anything until closer to graduation." She continued to tell her friends about the three applications she had submitted. "There's a company on the Upper East Side and one in Newark."
"That's just across the river, Chlo." Aubrey was happy to hear her friend wasn't going to be too far away. "Jersey girl!"
"Yeah but the one I have the best chance of getting into, the one I really want, is in New Haven."
"New Haven?" Aubrey's mouth fell open in shock. "As in Connecticut? Chloe, that's so far."
"Two hours by train." Chloe shrugged.
"Are you up for a four-hour commute?" Ashley expressed her concern.
Chloe looked around the table at each of her friends. "If I were to get that position, I wouldn't commute. I'd move there."