Disclaimer: Versions of these characters belong to Stephenie Meyer in another time and place. I am making them have lesbian sex with each other.
A/N: thank you guys for the reviews and alerts for chapter one. it made me feel all warm in my lady parts. i might post more than twice a week. we'll see how i feel. if this is something you want, there are certain people you can kiss up to in order to persuade me. you just have to figure out who those people are.
side note: transformers 2 was awful. robots in blackface is not funny. and i saw rob in a banner ad on gaytube. i'll post it on the thread.
and i guess you can follow me on twitter, but i don't tweet about fic. mostly i make fun of steph or say really vulgar things about my boyfriend. just regular lipsmacked.
Chapter 2: SWEETEST TABOO
… sometimes I think you're just too good for me …
I only had few blocks to go. My truck was loaded with just couple boxes and my duffel. I didn't have a lot of clothes and the house was fully furnished. I'd decided to pick up new linens in LA. All I had with me was my small wardrobe, my favorite pots and pans including this amazing wok my mom had gotten me for Christmas, my MacBook and an open mind. I would round the final corner and there, three houses down on the left, I would find my future.
I was so excited when Rosalie emailed me back and told me the news. They wanted me to move in. I told Mom and Phil, and they were so happy for me.
"Oh Baby, they are so adorable," Mom had screeched when I showed her the picture. Phil had mumbled something under his breath about a "hot blond", but Mom and I both ignored him. Mom and Phil had their tips and two cents about getting acclimated to the city and settling in with the girls, but mostly they were glad that I had found a place and roommates I was excited about. Excited and nervous.
As I drove down the last stretch of Third Street I thought about the past two weeks. Turned out Rosalie and Alice were actually pretty cool ... and normal. Rosalie was raised in Brentwood and now she taught ninth and tenth grade History at Hollywood High School. We were both excited to be living with someone who had a similar schedule. Alice was a private massage therapist. Her clients ranged from the starting line-up of the Lakers to Beverly Hills surgeons. Her magical hands provided her with lifestyle she wanted and Rose, the perfect place to call home. She'd moved to Los Angeles from Mississippi for school. California, she'd said, had never felt right to her until she met the girls.
Leah was busy with work, so I didn't actually get to talk to her. She was a make-up artist. The first week I'd been in touch with Rosalie and Alice, she was in Toronto working on a movie. This weekend she was working on a music video. I wasn't expecting to see her much. Rose passed on hellos from her and gave me a few tidbits of information about the mystery girl. She was from a small town on the coast of Washington State. Her father had been a highly respected elder on a reservation by the beach. The rest Rosalie assured me Leah would share with me herself.
Alice and Rosalie did their best to get to know me and to make me comfortable with them and their "situation". I grew to like them very quickly. I couldn't wait to hang out with them in person, but still, I wasn't exactly sure I was ready to be their lover. Alice had told me more about her relationship with Rosalie. They slept together more than she'd slept with Leah, but that was just because Leah was away a lot. All three of them loved each other equally and treated each other as such. There were no "demands" of me in terms of when's and where's. If I wasn't in the mood, I wasn't in the mood. If I felt like being with, say, Alice instead of Rose or Leah on a particular occasion, that was fine too. They just sort of went with the flow of how they were feeling at any given time. The way she made it sound though, they were all in the mood most of the time.
The situation was just so - weird. I was used to some sort of courting ritual, the awkward conversation or the drunken mistake, but this was so easy. All I had to do was sign a lease and I got instant sex and companionship every day and every night, no questions asked. I knew I would love Los Angeles, but had insecurities about whether my new roommates, my new - girlfriends? would love me.
I'd been in one relation with a woman before and slept with a few more. It was different than the time I'd spent with guys. Women were more sensual, more intimate, more caring even when it came to the one night stand and I'd only had one of those. I was used to putting in a little effort. I was used to putting at least a little bit of myself out there before nipples and clits were exposed. All of that made the ease of my new living situation hard for me to accept, no matter how bad I wanted to.
But some where outside of San Bernardino I realized that Rosalie and Alice had been courting me these past couple weeks. We'd been emailing back and forth, chatting online and occasionally talking on the phone. There had always been a flirtatious tone to our conversations and emails. Alice had even sent me a few dirty text messages - and a picture of her breasts. She had really pretty nipples. I could only assume they found me attractive. I was extremely attracted to them. It just all seemed too easy, but I soon came to realize that it was easy because it was what I wanted.
I wasn't sure where my life would lead me. After I figured out I was into both boys and girls, Mom and I talked about what I thought that meant long term. In other words, was she getting biological grandkids or adopted ones. She didn't care either way. Kids weren't the point. She just wanted me to have an idea of what I would some day want, in the back of my head. I was only twenty-five years old. I didn't have kids on the brain, or marriage, or life partnership. I did know it was late August. I had new job and I was walking into a situation I wanted to be in. I wanted to explore my sexuality further and I wanted to do it with these three girls. I liked them and I wanted to get closer to them.
I came to a stop at the mouth of the driveway. 129 South St. Andrews Place. I parallel parked on the street in front of a black Mercedes. Before I had even cut the engine Alice came bounding down the stairs, skipping gleefully towards my truck. She cleared her weekend to help me get settled. Rosalie was a few feet behind her, walking gracefully down the steps. I had grown to appreciate her attitude and dry sense of humor. Apparently some people found her to be a total bitch, but she seemed to warm to me. I really liked her.
I climbed from my truck and was nearly bum rushed by Alice. She stopped short, inches in front of me.
"Hi," she smiled brightly.
"Hi Alice," I chuckled and opened my arms immediately. She told me ten times that the first thing she was going to do was hug me. She did not disappoint, wrapping her arm securely around my waist. I couldn't help, but a whiff of the light perfume she was wearing. It was a light fresh scent, something floral I couldn't quite place. Still she smelled wonderful.
Rosalie stepped behind her. "Let her go, Alice. They be plenty of time for that later," Rosalie said with a smirk. I didn't miss the innuendo that clouded her tone. Alice released me, backing up just a bit to make room for Rosalie. She gave me a gentle one-armed hug and a friendly kiss on the cheek. Taking it easy on the new girl, I assumed. All I could smell was her strawberry lip-gloss. I had to remember to ask her where she'd gotten it.
"Come on. Let's get your stuff inside," Alice said, walking to the bed of my truck. It only took us two trips to get my things inside and up to my room, which was perfect if I do say so. There was a queen-sized bed with a new mattress. Emily had replaced it as an apology gift for having to take off on such short notice. There as a big desk, a dresser and a large closet, half of which I knew would remain empty.
"I hope purple's okay," Alice said pointing to the drapes and the circular carpet at the foot of the bed. There was also a white wicker hamper with an elegant, purple "B" painted across the top. "I didn't want you to start with room that was completely bare."
"Alice, you didn't have to do that. Purple is perfect. Thank you," I replied. I knew she was happy to see me, but I wasn't expecting this level of genuine and kind enthusiasm.
After all of my things were unloaded, Rosalie and Alice took me on a tour of the house. Alice and I now shared a pretty large bathroom while Rosalie and Leah would share Rosalie's master bathroom. It turned out the house belonged to Rosalie's family. She was a Daddy's girl through and through. When she refused to live in the dorms at USC, her father purchased the house on the condition that Rosalie would only have female roommates. The moment the first three girls signed their lease, Rosalie came out to her parents.
"There's the stand-up shower in the downstairs bathroom, if these two are occupied," Alice reminded me. She'd mentioned the three showers during one of her first emails. They rarely used it, but it was nice to know I had another option if it was necessary.
"You can use mine when ever you like. This one takes long showers." Rosalie teased, poking Alice in the ribs.
"Sorry if I enjoy a nice hot spray," Alice giggled with her nose in the air.
Rolling her eyes, Rosalie continued to lead us around the house. We skipped over Leah's room and headed downstairs. There was a formal dining room with an elegant mahogany table, but they told me they usually ate in the kitchen or in front of the T.V. They took me out on the large back porch with four huge comfy chairs and a porch swing. The backyard had a perfect manicured lawn and big grill.
"One of my students has been mowing the lawn every Saturday morning this summer. He thinks I'm going to sleep with him," Rosalie laughed.
"We have people over sometimes, but not that much," Alice admitted, nodding towards the grill. "Nosey neighbors and such."
"That's fine. I'm pretty good behind the coals. I can whip stuff up just for us," I told them.
"See. I knew I liked you," Rosalie chuckled.
As we walked around the house it took me about two seconds to see just how comfortable Rosalie and Alice were with each other. They were extremely affectionate, touching, holding hands and even kissing each other on the lips a few times. At first I was a little shocked, even though I knew what to except, but by the time we finished walking around the floor, I find myself longing to be a part of their connection.
Seeing the way Rosalie would caress Alice's face or the way Alice's hand would linger on Rosalie's ass they walked through doorways, the sight of it all tied knots in my stomach. Knots that ignited the heat between my legs and made my throat ache. I had spent days preparing myself for this both mentally and physically. My body was anticipating the contact of another woman, and my mind had finally caught up. I just didn't know what to do. I was grateful that they weren't holding back. I wanted them to act naturally around me, but was I just supposed to jump in? I had no clue.
Luckily Alice solved that problem for me once we got to the kitchen.
She said, taking my hand, "I cleared out these cabinets for your stuff," She led me over to the empty shelves so I could investigate. She interlaced her fingers with mine and gently rubbed the back of my hand with her thumb. Another flash in the back of my mind told me that I didn't want her to stop there. I wanted to put the tour on hold and start experimenting with the two of them, but of course I was too nervous to actually act on the desire.
"Thanks," I smiled back at her, giving her hand a squeeze. With that the three of us made quick work of putting my kitchen appliances away. They shared all the groceries, but I still did a quick inventory of what I wanted to pick up.
"So, we have some shopping to do," Alice said, when I was done looking through the large pantry.
"Yes. I need to get linens and I'd love to cook dinner for you guys."
"No, Bella. You don't have to do that. You just got here. Relax. We'll take care of dinner." Rosalie chimed in.
"Nope. I insist."
"Fine, Fine. Since you're twisting my arm," she laughed. "Let me just grab my things and we'll go." She smiled at me again and headed for the stairs
Alice and I walked back towards the front room to gather up our bags and wait for Rosalie. I went through my purse and took out the copy of the lease Rosalie's family lawyer had faxed to me. The agreement was standard, but there were two special stipulations. One, the lease did actually outline the terms of the relationship I had agreed to share with Alice, Rosalie and Leah. There was also an "easy out" clause. I was bound by no length of time. If something happened and I had to leave, like with Emily, I could. In a family emergency or personal crisis Rosalie refused to have me find someone to fill my room. She would take care of that.
And finally, if something between us just wasn't clicking, I was free to go. In one of her many emails Rosalie admitted that losing Emily had been really hard on them, but the break-up, so to speak, was final. They were looking for some to love, both physically and emotionally. That particular email had made me tear up a bit. Her final words said that she had a feeling that person could be me. If it turned out I wasn't, there was no need to keep me in the house, obligated by my signature, when we all could be moving on.
I stood by the front door watching Alice as she pulled on her cowboy boots. I idly looked at the tattered edge of her denim shorts, turning the lease over in my hands. This was it. I was here and I wanted to stay.
Rosalie came down the steps swinging her car keys around her finger. When she reached the bottom of the stairs I held out the folded pieces of paper.
"Here," I said. I bit the inside of my lip as she looked it over, scanning for all of my initials and finally my signature. When she was satisfied, she held the pieces of paper up in front of her chest, as if she was preparing to tear it in half.
"You're sure?" Rosalie asked. She knew the answer, but I think she wanted to give me one last chance to voice any concerns. I was nervous as hell and really glad I'd waxed that morning, but I was ready to do this. I wanted to be with them.
Out of the corner of my eye I could see Alice holding her breath, like she was just as anxious as I was to make this all final.
"Yes." I shocked myself with the confidence behind the word. I meant it. I bit my lip again trying to hide my smile.
"Good," Rosalie said. She walked to the end table near the couch and slid it in the top drawer. "I'll send a copy over to Jay in when we get back."
"Oh Bella." Before I could respond Alice's arms were around me. My nose filed with the scent of her perfume again. "I'm so glad you're here."
"Alice stop. You're going to make me blush to death," I said hugging her back. After a moment she pulled back.
"We are going to have so much fun," she said before kissing me quickly on the cheek.
"For some reason I believe you, completely."
We piled into Rosalie's BMW SUV, a candy apple red affair that just seemed to suit her personality. The length of the driveway fit four cars, but it was only wide enough for one. Most everyone in the neighborhood parked on the street. Alice and Leah were no different.
After convincing Alice that I didn't need one million thread count sheets from Nordstroms we headed off to Target. I wanted to take my truck and get used to driving it around the city, but there wasn't enough room for the three of us and all the stuff Alice assured me we would be getting. We could have taken Alice's car, the black Mercedes, but apparently she liked it better when Rosalie drove.
"I might have to upgrade to a new truck living with you two," I joked. My red rust bucket was reliable and I knew I would be a complete mess when it finally died on me.
"No. Keep that bad boy as long as you can," Alice said. I could sense a bit of sadness in her tone.
"She had a vintage Porsche that ate shit last month," Rosalie told me as Alice hung her head and pretended to cry.
"Worst day of my entire life," Alice sniffled. I smiled at Rosalie's reflection in the rearview mirror as she winked at me.
Along the way they showed me all of their favorite spots; the park where Rosalie and Leah liked to jog, very clean CVS, their favorite taco truck and of course the Hollywood sign. There was a lot to take in, but I wasn't feeling overwhelmed. Just happy and eager.
"Alice will have to go with you if wanna do all the sight seeing shit. I can't stand tourists - or lines." Rosalie was dead serious.
"Okay," I laughed. "I'm sure I'll be fine."
"Oh come on. We at least have to go to Disneyland. Just once," Alice demanded.
"Okay fine, but I'm not much into lines either," I admitted.
I don't know whether it was because they were extremely gorgeous or whether there always seemed to be some sort of physical affection from one of them, but Alice and Rosalie attracted a lot of attention. I figured two girls holding hands in Target wouldn't be that much of a big deal here in Los Angeles, but I was wrong. Men and women alike cast glances in our direction as we moved about the store. Rose and Alice continued to try and make me feel included. While Alice as busy picking through towels Rosalie stood behind me gently rubbing my shoulders. I wanted to relax into her touch, but the butterflies of anticipation had me breathless and frigid. I couldn't wait to be alone with them again, but I still didn't feel I had the courage to initiate anything.
Alice turned out to be an expert shopper and we were in and out of Target with everything I needed for my room in record time. We headed to the grocery store and back to the house a bit before dark. When we pulled in Leah still wasn't back.
"I'm not sure she'll be back before one a.m. She's shooting that video in the Valley, but you can meet her tomorrow." Alice had her arms full of bags, but she nodded towards a black Yamaha motorcycle parked on the street. I'd seen it when I pulled up, but I didn't give it a second thought.
"Is that Leah's?" I asked, a little surprised. Rosalie mhmm'ed, answering my question. Some of Phil's buddies had bikes, but I had never met a girl, especially one my age who rode. How sexist of me, I thought.
After we unloaded all of my stuff and I made my bed to my satisfaction, Rosalie and Alice kept me company while I prepared some lasagna. Alice sat on the island in center of the kitchen with Rosalie standing, nestled between her legs. We talked more about work. It really was nice to have another teacher in the house. We were both teaching freshman and even though I was teaching English we could still complain to and bounce ideas off each other. It sucked that we wouldn't be at the same school. I had two weeks before classes began, but Rose's school was starting the following Monday. I had a few meetings to go to, but I'd pretty much be alone that second week.
"I wish I was teaching at Loyola. The little fuckers I have to deal with are just parole violators in the making," Rose huffed.
"Why don't you transfer schools?" I asked. I was almost done with the sauce and the oven was ready. I hope they liked my grandma's recipe.
"Cause Rose loves a challenge," Alice teased. I looked over my shoulder smiling at her.
"Not exactly," Rosalie murmured before pulling Alice closer into a pretty passionate kiss. I looked away, blushing. I almost gnawed a hole in my lip trying not to glance back. I still sort of felt like a third wheel and at the same time - they were turning me on. The knots and the butterflies were now kickboxing in my stomach.
Dinner didn't take long to cook and it took even less time to eat. Rose and Alice were very pleased with my cooking and I had a feeling there would be no protests from them when I offered to cook in the future. As we ate Alice told me more about how she came to be a private masseuse and how she'd met Rosalie.
"I dropped out of Pepperdine cause I had no idea what I wanted to do, but I had to do something so I got my license in massage therapy. I was working at this so-so spa in Beverly Hills. And in walks Rosalie and her mom."
"I thought she was cute so I started flirting with her. I was just trying to get her number, but she gave me her whole fucking life story," Rosalie said poking at the last bits of her salad.
Alice blushed, scowling a little. "I did not. Okay, I did."
"Yeah, that's what I thought. Anyway, my mom has a few friends who only go for the in home massage. So I passed Alice a few numbers."
"Pretty soon I made a name for myself, well my hands anyway and now - TA DA! I'm my own boss. I know a few girls in the same boat so if I ever get a call for multiple clients I'll call some of them to come assist and vice versa. It's been working out pretty well so far," she shrugged.
"That's awesome," I laughed. "And I take it that Alice eventually gave you her number," I asked Rose. Alice blushed a little and ducked her head against Rose's shoulder.
"Actually- that first day. We had sex in the sauna while my mom was in the tanning bed," Rose admitted. She kissed Alice on the head. Yup - third wheel for sure. "A couple months later one of my roommates moved out and Ali moved in."
"Sounds like quite the love story," I smiled. "How long was it before Leah and Emily moved in?"
"They moved in here together, about a year after Alice moved in. Emily was wardrobe stylist. Well technically she still is," Rose started. Then - something occurred to me.
"I don't mean to sound morbid, but if her grandmother dies, is she gonna want to move back in?" I asked, trying not to sounds too panicked or like a complete asshole.
Alice and Rose looked at each other then Rose spoke up first. "We discussed that before she left. We'll always be friends, but we all agreed that it wouldn't be fair to ask whoever moved in to leave, especially if we were all getting along."
"We wouldn't want you to leave, Bella." Alice's tone was sincere, but I knew the thought would linger in the back of my mind.
"Thanks Alice. I wouldn't want to either." I gave her a soft smile. I meant what I said.
"Good. Now that that's settled -" Alice stood. On instinct I followed her lead and stood up, ready to clear the table. "I'm thinking jammies and a movie. A girlie one - I know! The Little Mermaid," Alice seriously sounded like she was nine years old. I laughed, watching the expression of horror shoot across Rosalie's face.
"Hell. No." Rose wasn't budging on this. Ariel would not be on the agenda for the evening.
"Rose, come on. First no Disneyland and now you won't let her watch the movie. What do you have against the mouse?" I teased.
"Yeah!" Alice pouted. She ditched Rosalie on her side of the table and rushed to my side, clinging to my waist. I guess I was good cop tonight.
"Nothing. I have nothing against the mouse. What I do object to, however, is Alice singing for ninety minutes." Rosalie clarified.
I quickly looked down at Alice. Her bottom lip was jutting out as she stared up at me. "Can you sing?" I asked, giving her shoulder a playful squeeze.
"NO!" Rosalie blurted. Alice stood away from me.
"Fine. We'll watch what Rose wants to watch." She ended her mini rant by sticking her tongue out at Rose. On anyone else the gestured would have seemed so immature and slightly annoying, but coming from Alice, it was hilarious. And adorable.
Rose glared across the table playfully. "Fine. We'll let baby have her bottle."
"I promise I'll make it worth your while." A devious smile spread across Alice's lips.
"It better no-panties worth my while," Rosalie amended.
"How'd you guess? Go. I'll do the dishes. Fish girl in twenty."
"Okay," Rose laughed. She came around the table and gave Alice a quick kiss on the lips. I honestly felt like they were a couple. Our living arrangement aside I knew it would be a little while before I felt comfortable enough to just kiss one of them like that, especially in front of the other. I think Alice figured that much out. She settled for a hug.
Rosalie waited for me while I quickly packed up the leftovers and scribbled a little note for Leah on the fridge, telling her to help herself. We jogged up the stairs, giggling Alice and her silliness. After a quick "See ya in a sec," I slipped into my room and pulled out some clothes to lounge in.
It was hot as hell outside, but Rosalie had the AC in the house on high, carelessly burning an additional hole in the ozone layer. I grabbed a pair of socks, a clean pair of undies, a fairly short pair of sweat shorts and my favorite brown Roots hoodie, one of a few Grandma Swan gifts from her many trips to Canada. I dug up a washcloth and my toothbrush and walked to the bathroom. Out in the hall I laughed to myself, listening to Alice downstairs singing "Part of Your World" at the top of her lungs. Rose had a point. She was all kinds of off key.
The bathroom I shared with Alice was really cute, all decked out in white and soft pink. It reminded me of being at the beach with its bright and airy vibe. The clear shower curtain was patterned with pink and white stars and dots. Pink star shaped candles lined the windowsill. She'd bought new, pink toothbrush caddy while we were out. I dropped my new Oral-B next to hers and shed my clothes, a little grimy after a day of driving, shopping and schlepping boxes.
I was alone for the first time in hours and I finally had a few minutes to think. I ran the water in the sink getting ready to take a birdie bath. This whole situation felt so right. Rosalie and Alice were so easy to get along with, to the point where I actually looked forward to staying in on a Saturday night. I knew this would work. I had enjoyed every interaction I'd had with the two of them of the past fifteen days, but being with them now I realized this was the most fun I'd had on a day when nothing in particular had actually happened. My life was by no means tragic or depressing, but I couldn't remember a time when I'd smiled this much. I couldn't think of anyone I had felt this comfortable with, this quickly.
As friends, I thought. The part of my brain that wasn't blind-sided by Rose's wit and Alice's energy reminded me - they had expectations. I had agreed I would live here on their terms. I had signed off on being in this relationship with them.
I dried myself off with one of my new pink towels and slipped into my pajamas. After I put my hair up in a ponytail and brushed my teeth, I stared at myself in the mirror. I was the same girl, not afraid to be herself, not afraid to take on new challenges. I could do this. I wanted this.
"You can do this, Bella," I whispered. I took a deep breath and gathered up my dirty clothes. After ditching them in my hamper and grabbing my blackberry, I padded back down the stairs.
if you see a typo, tell me. erica and i both proofread, but we are also both a little blind.
there will be sex in the next chapter. yes sex.