Chapter 4

Calling turned out not to be enough quite quickly.

Hearing each other's voices at the end of the day was pleasing, soothing, but it lacked the spark of the first night, the thrill of being near. Speaking over a phone was nothing like witnessing a smile break free after saying something or letting their hands bump again each other and finally intertwine them.

It lasted four days.

On Friday, Maura rocks on her feet, checking the time, the strap of her bag resting on her shoulder, making it hang on her side. Kate let her decide for their first real meeting and she chose a safe place: one she was familiar with and didn't require forced talking to fill the silence.

But it let an option open for the evening to continue somewhere else.

When Maura lifts her eyes from the ground, she recognizes the woman jogging toward her, her own bag in her hand, her ponytail swaying from one side to the other. Kate smiles when she spots her, her hand waving a little, making Maura's stomach flip over and her fingers return the gesture.

"I'm sorry," Kate says as soon as she stops a few steps away from Maura. "I'm last minute, I know, I got caught up with-"

Her eyes scan Maura's features, her bright eyes and her gentle grin. She see Kate exhale, closing her eyes for a moment before returning the smile.

"Hi," she finally whispers.

"Hello, Kate," Maura murmurs back. She notices Kate's hands quiver at her side, her gaze shifts from one eye to the other as her smile falters. Kate's taller than her when Maura isn't wearing heels and her body is so near, for a moment Maura thinks about closing the distance and mold herself against her.

Instead, her hand reaches out for Kate's in a known gesture, smiling briefly at her before turning back and leading her toward the entrance with her.

The red haired girl in the lobby greets them, recognizing them both as usual clients and informs them the instructor has just arrived and is going to start in a few minutes. Maura lets Kate go just when they make it to the changing rooms.

She follows her as Maura sets her bag on a bench and starts to take off her shoes, looking back at her and inviting her nearer; Kate takes place beside her a few seconds later.

Maura gathers her hair up in a high ponytail, her curls barely touching her shoulders. While she waits for Kate to change, she lets her eyes wander on the figure next to her. She didn't notice in the dark of the night but Kate's body looks extremely fit, both athletic and strong.

Kate told her she works out almost every day, mostly running or boxing in this very same gym, she told her it's the only way for her to relax and calm down. Maura asked her about yoga, then, if she was willing to go with her sometime. She accepted almost instantly, grinning as she replied that she always wanted to try it.

Makes you flexible, right?

As Maura's eyes take in her thighs, hugged by the dark, tight fabric of her leggings, she marvels at the strength they let out, the muscles so well developed. Her eyes inch higher along her back as Kate takes the hem of the t-shirt with both hands and tugs it over her head.

There's only a black, sport bra underneath, enhancing her curves and displaying her toned stomach, her collarbones prominent just enough.

"Is something wrong?" Kate asks, watching Maura as her eyes flick back up to hers. Her tone is gentle but there's a teasing underneath.

"You… just have a remarkable bone structure," Maura answers, her gaze going back down. "And well developed rectus abdominal muscles."

She lifts her eyes shyly, noticing Kate's small grin as she watches her.

"The abs," Maura clarifies, gesturing toward Kate's stomach.

"I can tense them for you," Kate teases, contracting them without waiting for her reply when she sees Maura stare down once more. Maura gasps lightly at that, almost in awe.

She does it again, smirking when she sees Maura's hands twitch. She witnessed the reactions of many men in front of her, saw the desire pool in their eyes as they stared at her and she enjoyed the feeling of power, but never in her whole life she felt as adored as now.

Maura's attention is almost clinical but respectful, in a way. Not uncomfortable and, she knows, not fleeting, not spur of a moment.

"I'm sorry," Maura finally says, taking a step back and looking directly into her eyes. "I didn't mean to stare. I'm glad you know how important it is to keep your body in shape."

She likes seeing Maura blush.

"Are you sure you have never done that before?" Maura asks smiling as they exit the gym, the air chilly against their hot skin, her mind completely relaxed after a whole hour of yoga. "You did almost better than me. And I've been doing this for years."

"I like challenges and I'm quite competitive," Kate answers, turning her head a little toward Maura, smirking softly. "But my muscles will make me regret it tomorrow."

"Well, I suggest a long, hot bath to relax the sore muscles and avoid the pain that comes with lactic acid," Maura replies. "A glass of red wine to go with it would be ideal, too."

There's a small grin on her lips at the end of her sentence that Kate notices immediately. Maura looks innocent, pure, but in that moment Kate can tell there's something completely mature in her; she seems fully aware of who she is and what she likes, absolutely at ease with it.

"Red wine? That makes you relax?"

"It's very good for your cardiovascular system, Kate. Don't you ever drink wine?"

"I can't really afford wines worth drinking, so I go with beer," Kate answers, shrugging a little. "I'm not picky about that."

Maura turns, looking at her almost offended. She opens her mouth to reply and the closes it, her hand coming up and gesturing between them as to calm her nerves.

"If you think you can replace wine with beer, than you haven't tried the right one. We have to remedy that as soon as possible," Maura says, definitive and direct. "I assure you you won't ever go back to beer."

Kate watches her as she smiles proudly, her head raised a little more fiercely.

"I think I'm not going to go back to more than just beer thanks to you."

I was thinking you are probably wilder than me.

I am not.

Looks don't fool me, Maura. You just haven't found the right person to dive into that side of you yet.

Hypothetically speaking, would you be that person?

Guess we'll have to wait and find out.

Why do you even consider yourself wild, Kate?

Because.

Because you wear what I suppose are band t-shirts and dance with random guys?

Is that an offense?

I just don't think that qualifies as wild. That's perfectly normal.

I got married in Vegas and divorced immediately after… and other things I'm not going to tell you for now.

Sex-related things? It's completely natural to have sexual desires and diverse intercourse.

You see why you're wilder than me?

That's not wild. Wild doesn't mean not-widespread. I think you use that adjective to excuse your tastes, although there is nothing wrong with what you like and therefore no need to hide your likings.

I'm difficult to control. So I'm wild.

That's disobedience. Someone considers it a virtue.

…people are missing out on you.

XX

I'm glad I'm not people.

Kate, I'm thinking according to your definition of wild I should be considered wild as well.

…Go on.

I got married in Vegas, too. Two years ago. And divorced the next day.

Are you serious?

Yes. I did it as a rebellious act against his disapproving mother. And I rode naked, to protest against fund cuts.

Now you're showing off.

No, I'm not.

I knew you were wilder than me.

Maura, are you free on Sunday?

What is happening on Sunday?

Depends on your answer.

Well, I have an exam in two weeks, so I was planning on studying.

I'm sure you already studied everything.

Revising is just as important, Kate.

Dress comfy. I'm going to pick you up at ten in the morning.

What do you mean?

If you are really going to deny my offer, you'll have to do it in person.

TBC