JENNIE

The night has turned out unexpectantly pleasant after the shock of seeing Lisa again. It was difficult at first, so uncomfortable that I considered leaving, but with Chahee and Lisa's friend Jihyo here it's taking some of the pressure off. I'm staying out way later than I normally would, mainly because I don't want this precious time with Lisa to end, and I suspect she feels the same. The chemistry is still there, and the way my body reacts to her has only grown stronger.

Chahee and Jihyo are getting on like a house on fire; the two of them have been challenging each other with shots all night. I've had a couple myself, and I feel a little light-headed. Lisa seems more relaxed too; she's smiling and has an arm draped over the armrest, her fingers playing with my hair like she did that first night at my house. It's making me dizzy with desire for her and even though we're in public, I feel an urge to kiss her so strong I can barely contain myself.

We've mainly talked about our friends. How we met, our history, and our friends have told embarrassing stories about us in return. I've learned that Lisa and Jihyo go way back. That they grew up here together and lost touch for a while when Lisa was in New York. They reconnected when Lisa lost her sister and became Lily's adoptive mother, and Jihyo helped her as she had a child of her own. I now also know that Jihyo is a booker at Hamptons' Escorts, and I suspect she was the one I hung up on, but I haven't told her that.

Chahee and I told them how we met through our husbands—hers a real estate mogul and mine a big-name architect—who worked on a project together years ago. Chahee and Neil were the ones who suggested we buy a house in the Hamptons and it's because of them that I now live here. Jihyo has been very curious about our lives and I think she envies us a little. If only she knew life is not always great just because you're wealthy. I like her; she's funny and warm, she has a wonderful carefree side to her, and I sense that she and Lisa are very close.

Lisa has talked about her first upcoming job for her new company and I'm impressed with both the brilliant idea and her drive to be independent. I've told her about my new volunteering job that I've signed up for, and about an online photography course I'm doing. It's made me realize how different my life is now. I feel happier and more fulfilled, even though the one thing I really want and can't have is sitting right next to me.

"You claimed our worlds could never work together," I say, lowering my voice when Chahee and Jihyo are engaged in yet another animated conversation while they're checking out men. "But what about them?" I gesture to our friends.

Lisa opens her mouth to speak but stops herself. She probably wants to argue that Chahee and Jihyo are not family, that they're just two people out of many, but instead, she shoots me a flirty smile and tightens her grip in my hair, setting my libido on fire. I finally allow myself to lean into her and cherish the wonderful sensations that rage through my body, and she shifts even closer when I place a hand on her thigh.

I'm sitting intimately with a woman in a public place and maybe it's the alcohol or maybe it's the way she makes me feel drunk with lust, but I really don't care. I've imagined this many times, wondering if I'd feel uncomfortable or self-conscious, but the opposite is true. Lisa is seriously sexy and charming, and I feel proud to be here with her, even if it's just within a close circle of people who I now trust to keep my secret. Chahee casts me a curious glance and smiles at seeing how close we're sitting. She whispers something to Jihyo and they burst out in laughter and clink their glasses together.

"They're so alike, it's almost creepy," Lisa finally says. "Maybe we should leave them to it; I have a feeling they'd have more fun without us."

My breath hitches and my heart starts pounding hard and fast. "Are you saying you want to get out of here?"

"My apartment is only a fifteen-minute cab ride away and Lily and Cameron are having a sleepover at Jackie's." Lisa wets her lips and stares at me. "Do you want to come home with me?"

"That depends," I say, ignoring my raging hormones that want me to shout: 'Yes! Yes, of course I'll come home with you! Take me. Please, just take me.' "Are you going to disappear on me again?"

"No." Lisa hesitates. "But I can't make you any promises of anything serious either. I'm worried we'll both get hurt."

"I don't need promises. I just want you to be open-minded."

"Says the closeted woman," she jokes, leaning in to kiss my cheek. Her mouth moves to my ear and her warm breath sends a shiver down my spine when she adds: "Although admittedly, you don't look very closeted right now."

"Will you two just get a room already?" Chahee grins at us. "I know you both want to, you're all over each other."

"She's right," Jihyo chimes in. "Go fuck. You need to get it out of your system."

"Jihyo!" Lisa widens her eyes at her friend. "A little more subtlety wouldn't hurt."

"Subtlety never got anyone anywhere." Jihyo brushes a hand through her long, red hair. "And on that note, I'm going to talk to those guys over there." She points at a booth next to the bar and turns to Chahee. "Are you coming? I'd be delighted to have a wingwoman who doesn't look like she could be my girlfriend."

Chahee welcomes the idea with a roaring laugh and within seconds, we're alone. The tension rising, Lisa gets up and holds out her hand for me. "Shall we go?"

I follow Lisa up the narrow staircase. "I hope you're not claustrophobic," she says, glancing at me over her shoulder. "My whole apartment is smaller than your kitchen."

"It's lovely," I say, walking into the small, cozy living room. Kicking off my heels, I step onto the thick, cream colored rug. There's a large navy blue corner couch with a TV and an oak coffee table and behind it is a small dining table with four seats. A bar in the open kitchen looks over the living room and I can picture her cooking here while Lily is playing on the floor. Long, navy linen curtains frame French doors that open up to a balcony and there's a reading nook with a bookcase and a contemporary reading lamp that bends over a Victorian-style chair. It's strange to be in her home with her things and Lily's toys in an open chest by the door. It makes her a real person, not just a fantasy.

"Apologies for the mess. I wasn't expecting company."

"It's inviting," I say. "It's not really a mess, the apartment just looks lived in and I like that. Sometimes I feel like I live in a museum."

"You do live in a museum," she jokes. "A very minimalist one. Where do you keep all you stuff? There's never any crap lying around. Nothing unnecessary anyway."

"Nola is very efficient."

Lisa chuckles and takes off her shoes. "I'd love a Nola in my life."

I study the pictures on the wall while she turns on the lights. They're mainly pictures of her and Lily, but there are also some of Lisa in her younger years with what I assume are her father and late sister. There's one of a woman and a baby too, and she has Lisa's dark eyes.

"That's my mom," she says, following my gaze.

"You look like her." I shift my attention to the picture next to it. "Is that your sister? You look like her too."

"Yeah, that's Linda. Apart from our looks, we were very different."

I find a hint of sadness in Lisa's eyes, but it fades as quickly as it came, and she inches closer, hinting that she's done talking about her family. "I don't doubt you were a troublemaker."

"If anyone's a troublemaker, it's you," she retorts playfully, brushing my hair behind my ears. "Other than Jackie and Jihyo, I've never had a woman up here. You're messing with my house rules."

"You invited me."

"True. Can I get you a drink?"

"No thank you, I've had enough to drink." I smile and now that we're alone, I allow myself to drown in her eyes. "Is it true? That you never have women over?"

"Yes. I haven't had dates or girlfriends since Lily came into my life. You're the first." Her hand moves to the back of my neck and she slowly pulls me closer, bringing her lips to mine. It's true what they say about absence making the heart grow fonder. Our first kiss is electric; a careful brush of lips as if we're both bracing ourselves for the physical explosion we know will follow. Parting my lips, I let her in and moan quietly as I give in to the sensation of her tongue meeting mine. Everything around me fades and all I can taste, feel and hear is Lisa. Dizziness and heat silence all my thoughts as I melt into her and she melts into me. My knees feel like they're about to give in and I think she knows it as she curls her arm around my waist, holding me up. She holds me tight, possessively, and when her hand lowers to my behind to squeeze it firmly, I moan louder and press my mouth harder to hers, deepening the kiss.

Gasping for air, we take a moment, both breathing fast as we lock eyes and smile. The insane attraction between us lingers as I start undoing the buttons on her shirt, slowly, one by one. The smell of her is hypnotic and her eyes are so dark that it almost frightens me. I brush the garment off her shoulders until it falls to the ground, and I trace her strong shoulders and her arms down to her hands. She takes them and laces our fingers together.

"Come, let me take you to my room."

I follow her into the bedroom, my limbs weak and uncontrolled. It's different this time, I can tell by the way she looks at me and I can feel it in the tremble of her hand. There's the undeniable desire of course, but there's also a hint of nervousness and caution in her gaze. This means a lot to her and she's afraid.

Lisa opens the curtains, letting in dim streetlight then turns to me, suddenly hesitant.

"Don't be scared," I whisper, using the very same words she uttered on our first encounter. "I'm not." Feeling brave, I walk her toward the bed and nudge her to lie down. It's our time now. I won't let her tie me up; I want to be together, and I want all of her. Lisa steadies herself on her elbows and watches me unbutton her jeans, clearly surprised by my assertiveness. Then I move to her sports bra and her boxers until she's lying naked before me. She looks vulnerable and so beautiful, her subtle curves and small breasts calling me. I let my eyes roam over her freely, taking in every inch of her body. Her thick, dark hair, her piercing eyes that set me on fire, her strong jawline and her curled mouth, lips wet and parted. The delicate line of her collarbone, her lean frame and strong arms—the arms of someone who does physical labor—and her small breasts that fit so perfectly into my hands. The beauty mark under her left breast, her hard stomach and her hips, a little rounded. Her strong thighs and her shapely calves and ankles, the small scar on her foot and her cute toes; nails damaged from the beach and being outdoors. I love everything about her.

Slowly, I pull my dress over my head, leaving me only in a pair of white, lace panties. I feel beautiful tonight; Lisa makes me feel that way.

"Fuck," she murmurs, staring up at me.

I remove my panties and get on the bed, never taking my eyes off Lisa as I straddle her. Leaning in to kiss her, I grind my center into hers and moan at her wetness. I didn't mean to do this, but it feels so good that I continue, taking in Lisa's aroused stare and the way she reacts to my movements. She likes it, and I grind harder, feeling myself swell and throb at the contact. I sit up straight, take her hands and bring them to my breasts, holding them there as I arch my back and move back and forth, stimulating her until she's beyond control, jerking underneath me.

"Is that good?" I ask, almost on the edge already, my clit so sensitive that I moan loudly each time I thrust forward.

"Yes, don't stop," she begs, throwing her head back into the pillows before she looks up at me. "That feels incredible, please don't stop." She pinches my nipples hard just as I'm climaxing and I cover her hands with mine, needing more of the stinging pain to elevate me.

"Yes!" she cries and bucks her hips, bringing her hands down to my thighs to pull me in.

I crash hard and so does she, both of us shaking in ecstasy as we ride out our orgasms. A sound forms in the back of her throat, and she groans loudly, then softer, the sound escaping her as if I'm stealing the life out of her. Exhausted, I fall forward covering her with my upper body.

Lisa wraps her arms around me and presses her mouth against the hollow of my temple while we breathe heavily.