Chapter 18
"You let her drive your Jeep! You've never let anyone drive your Jeep." Lexa rolled her eyes as she sat at the table across from Costia.
"I couldn't exactly drive because I was hung over and it was like it was the first time she's driven it. That's where you're wrong, I haven't let anyone else but her drive it and I haven't let anyone drive it in a very long time because after her and I broke up, I almost sold her. I'm sorry Cos, but it's not like I just handed her the keys because I thought it was cute. I asked her to drive because I couldn't see straight."
"So you two are good?"
Lexa leaned back in her chair. "Yes we're good, we talked things out and agreed to move on and leave the past in the past."
"Did she admit she came for you?"
"Costia, seriously? I told you, she didn't come back here for me. She came back here for work, which if you haven't noticed she's practically married too. Work is the only love interest in her life and that's the way she likes it. What's with the insecurities?" Lexa stood up and walked over to her girlfriend.
"She's Clarke, I used to listen to you talk about how much you loved her and how amazing she was. It's clear she doesn't have feelings for you, she barely looks in your direction but it's easier to project it onto her than it is to think that maybe I'll never be enough. That you'll always love her more than you love me."
Lexa softened slightly. "I will always love Clarke but not the same way that I am in love with you. We have our own history and our future but you have to trust that. All I ask is that you respect that our lives our tied together. We aren't going to be going for coffee or dinner but we will run into each other and we will be at the same events and we will talk. Can you be okay with that?"
Costia thought about it for a second before nodding. "She's just really really hot."
"Again should I be worried? Because I swear if you take that ring off and propose to her with it I'm done." Lexa joked to ease the tension.
"Can I drive the Jeep?"
"Hell no, no one drives the Jeep unless I am in dire need. The day that happens you will be the first to get the keys though."
"Okay deal."
XOXO
"You're on my beach awfully early this morning."
Lexa nearly dropped her surfboard at the sound of the other voice. "What the hell Clarke!"
Clarke laughed from where she sat on her fence. "Couldn't help it, you seemed lost in thought."
"I was and sorry I wasn't aware that I was on your beach." Lexa raised her eyebrows at the other woman and finally took realized what Clarke was holding in her hands. "Stalking me again? In your scrubs?"
Clarke rolled her eyes. "Always thinking things are about you. I got home from work not too long ago and figured I get the sunrise on paper before going to bed. It make's the day feel more accomplished."
"Did you only save three people instead of a hundred tonight?"
"Four actually, really quiet night but I hate coming home and just going to sleep. As much as I can stay up all night it doesn't mean I like missing the day so I try and get it down on paper."
Lexa nodded, she liked that Clarke was opening up a little and she found it interesting how different she was but the same all in one. "May I?" She walked over and peaked over at Clarke's sketchpad.
"Sure." Clarke turned it towards her.
"Clarke, it's beautiful, as always."
"Thank you, but no I'm not selling you this one."
Lexa snapped her fingers. "Damnit." She grinned as she picked her board up.
"But, if you want you can have this one." Clarke flipped the pages and pulled a piece of paper out of the book and handed it to the woman in front of her. "Wait, are your hands dry?"
"Yes, now let me see what I'm potentially buying. I'll have you know I drive a hard bargain…" She trailed off as she saw what Clarke was showing her, "…holy shit, Clarke this is, was this from that morning?" Lexa looked at the silhouette of herself standing with her surfboard, the colours of the sun rising above the water behind her.
"It is. I figured you might like it. I was going to give it to your mom but you seemed more suited for it."
"Are you sure?"
Clarke nodded. "I'm sure, it's of you anyways, only seems right."
"No one knows that though and you didn't when you drew it."
"You do, which makes it worth while."
"What else you got in there?" Lexa asked as she sat down next to Clarke.
"You want to see?"
Lexa nodded. "Unless you have to go to bed, god only knows how long you've been awake."
"Only about 27 hours so I'm okay for now."
"These are amazing. New York really is beautiful." Lexa flipped through the pages and was entirely amazed. She had forgotten how good Clarke was at capturing the beauty in just about anything.
"Thanks, it means a lot coming from a woman in a bikini."
Lexa laughed. "I look damn good in this bikini, hottest CEO there is."
"I don't know about that, I've met a few hot CEO's in New York."
"Hottest CEO in Los Angeles?" Clarke wrinkled her nose and shook her head. "Fine, Laguna?"
Again Clarke shook her head. "I think that's your dad."
"Ouch, you're feisty in the morning."
"Yeah but you already knew that."
Lexa grinned and stood up. "Touche." Clarke handed her the drawing before standing up herself. "You sure, this could be worth a lot of money one day."
"Money's never been a priority of mine." She winked. "I'm sure, consider it a late graduation present."
"Thank you, but I should get going before I'm late for work and I'll let you get some sleep."
xoxo
"They're totally talking outside on the beach. They even look somewhat flirty." Octavia grinned as she pressed the phone to her ear as she looked out her bedroom window at the exes laughing with one another.
"Looks like our plan worked." Anya smiled from her end of the line with a yawn.
"Yeah now we just need to get rid of prissy pants."
The line went silent. "Raven, we talked about this, this was not about getting them back together it was only about getting them to talk." Octavia shook her head as she rubbed her temples.
"I agree with O, they definitely should not be together but I'm glad they're back to being cordial. Then again I'm all for getting rid of the stuck up one, just to get rid of her. Lexa will get over it." They all laughed at Anya's dislike of her best friend's fiancé before saying their goodbyes.
XOXO
USC – Freshman Year
"I am so excited for this. I've been wanting to go for months but Raven and Anya didn't think they'd be able to make it."
"And yet you still bought the tickets." Lexa laughed as she put her shoes on with Clarke standing in the doorway.
"It's college I figured I'd make friends and I was right because you are just as excited as I am."
"I love music and spending the day with a pretty girl is always a good thing." Lexa put her hand out for Clarke to take as she moved away from the door. She felt Clarke try and help pull her up but instead she pulled her down onto her lap. They both laughed as Lexa wrapped her arms around Clarke's waist, holding her in place.
Without waiting any longer Lexa leaned forward and kissed Clarke. Her hands ghosted over the smooth skin of Clarke's back as their kiss deepened. They had decided to take things slow, they wanted to do it all right. They wanted everything to be as perfect as it could, which meant nothing more than some heavy making out. Neither women mentioned how hard going slow was because they were so attracted to one another but they wanted to make sure that it wasn't merely physical. Their lives were too closely connected for them to simply spend a night together and for things to fall apart before they even really began.
A quiet hum of approval came from Clarke as she felt Lexa's hands trailing a little bit higher on her back. With what little resolve she had left she pulled away with a large smile on her face. "We're going to be late."
Lexa nodded as her grip around Clarke loosened without letting her go. "I think you're right."
"Are you going to let me go?"
The brunette shook her head with a smirk. "I don't want to but I guess I will." She finally let go and watched as Clarke got off her lap. Instantly she missed the feeling of having Clarke so close to her but she figured it was for the best. "Let's go get our dance on."
Even without moving Clarke started swaying back and forth. Smiling Lexa took a hold of the hand she was holding out and stood up. She grabbed her purse as Clarke led them out the door. "Lead the way Commander."
Lexa rolled her eyes at the nickname. "I'm not the Commander anymore!"
"It's like being the president, once you the Commander, you'll always be the Commander." Lexa gave her a look as they walked down the stairs hand in hand. "Okay, fine I'll just go find myself another sexy Commander."
"Sexy Commander?" Clarke nodded. "Okay, I can maybe handle that."
"That's what I thought. I win."
XOXO
"Lex is that you?"
"Yeah it's me mom," she answered as she walked into the family kitchen to find her mother making a pitcher of iced tea.
"Can you do me a favour?"
Lexa nodded as she gave her mother a hug. "Of course, anything for you."
Her mother rolled her eyes with a smile. "Can you bring these back to the Griffin's. Abby brought over some cookies for your father and I always feel bad not returning the Tupperware.
"Abby made cookies and I didn't get any! She makes the best cookies, and you make the best cake and I always miss out."
Elizabeth shook her head. "Good thing Clarke made them then. We're all far too spoiled with her being home but I think I've seen less of her now than I did when she was living in New York. I'm glad to have her home but I do miss that wonderful apartment of hers." She trailed on before she realized that she was speaking with her daughter. "Sorry."
Lexa waved her hand. "It's fine, we talked, and we're on much better terms. I can bring it by and Clarke works, a lot. Which is probably why Octavia has been spending so much time with Raven and Anya." Elizabeth could tell that fine wasn't great but the small smile that appeared on her daughters face was very telling.
"That's a scary thought." Her mother laughed. "Yes she does, but when she speaks of it she gets the biggest smile on her face, she loves it and that's all I could have ever wanted for her. So much, effort and hard work, I'm so proud that it all paid off. Don't worry darling, I'm proud of you too." She winked at her daughter before pouring them both a glass of the iced tea. "Abby said she'd be the only one home tonight, just so you don't have to put make up on before you go over."
"What?" Lexa shook her head.
"You heard me Lexa, don't give me that I do no such thing look because you do. You don't need it though, you're beautiful as you and believe me, Clarke has seen you pretty wrecked."
This time it was Lexa that rolled her eyes. "Seriously? It was one time."
"Is that why you and Costia were fighting about her driving the Jeep?"
"Okay, fine I get it and thank you. I'll bring them by after my run." She kissed her mother's forehead with a laugh as she walked out of the kitchen.
XOXO
Lexa rang the doorbell and waited. After about a minute she rang the doorbell again. Still nothing. She turned the doorknob and walked into the house. She knew she was probably going to get yelled at for ringing the doorbell, Abby was always telling her just to walk in. But as soon as the door was open she heard the sound of music. Curious she moved further into the house towards the music and was not surprised when she saw who was standing in the kitchen. Though she did feel a little bad for walking in on such a moment. With the music being so loud she understood why no one had answered the door.
Clarke was dancing around the kitchen in an over sized grey hoodie and a pair or wonder woman pajama shorts that were barely peaking out from underneath the sweater. She had a large plastic spoon in her hand, which she occasional sang into as she started mixing the contents of the bowl that sat atop the counter. Her hair was in a messy ponytail and her glass of wine was full but the bottle it sat next too was half empty.
She backed away from the counter and danced a little more as she continued to sing. "This is we do it, it's Friday night and I feel alright." Opening the fridge she pulled out a couple eggs before adding them to the bowl and taking a long sip of her wine.
"You gotta get your groove on before you get paid!" She took a pan out and set it on the counter before setting little scoops of what looked like dough onto it.
"This is how we do it all hands are in the air and wave em for here to there." Lexa couldn't help the smile that crossed her face watching the blonde dance around like the worlds biggest goofball. She knew she should probably say something to let the other woman know she was standing there but she couldn't bring herself too. Without realizing it she bit her lip and tried not to laugh. This was the Clarke Griffin she knew and memories that she had tried so hard to forget about suddenly started to flood back into her memory. It made her feel weird but not in a bad way. More than anything it made her want to join in like she used too.
"Holy shit! How long have you been standing there?" Clarke yelled over the music snapping Lexa back into reality.
"Not that long, my mom said your mom was going to be home and she asked me to drop these off. I'm a little sad I didn't get any though." Lexa yelled back with a smile on her face and Clarke continued to move with the music unintentionally.
"Mom got called in so I have the house to myself for once." She realized she was yelling for she turned down the stereo.
"I'm sorry, I rang the door bell but you didn't hear it and Abby is always yelling at me to just walk in."
Clarke nodded. "It's fine, nothing you haven't seen before." Her cheeks were a little flushed and Lexa couldn't tell if it was from the dancing or if Clarke was slightly embarrassed. "Thanks for bringing it back. I can use those now."
"You're welcome." Lexa grinned as she held the Tupperware out to Clarke. "Sorry again for barging in."
"It's fine Lex, really no need to apologize. Starting the run or finishing?"
"Finishing."
"Here a cookie for your hard work then." Clarke handed Lexa the warm, just out of the oven cookie and smiled when she saw Lexa's eyes light up.
Her eyes widened even more after the first bite. "Oh my God, these are still so good. I swear you put something illegal in them."
"Nope, just fun and a little love. But you're ruining my dance party so I'm going to turn the stereo back up."
Lexa nodded. "Thank you for the cookie, have a good night pretty girl." She froze as the words came out, it was far too natural and she really hadn't meant to say them.
Thankfully Clarke laughed it off and turned the music back up. "Have a good one Commander." She waited for Lexa to leave before she finally took a breath, she knew Lexa hadn't meant to say those two little words but she had and now Clarke couldn't stop thinking about it. The way it sounded, the way her heart skipped a beat. Neither of which she had any control over.
XOXO
USC – Freshman Year
They had spent the entire day dancing and making new friends with other random festival goers. The night was starting to wind down as the moon took its place high in the nights sky. Clarke had her arm slung loosely around Lexa's neck as they danced together. Her whole body was tingling from being so close to her girlfriend. They moved completely in sync with one another and occasionally Lexa would lean forward and place a feather light kiss on her neck.
"If you keep doing that, I may not be able to keep my hands to myself." Lexa grinned before placing a kiss on Clarke's lips this time before spinning her around so that her back was pressed against Lexa's torso. Her hands went down to Clarke's hips as they continued to move as if no one else was around.
"I haven't had this much fun in a long time, thank you for inviting me." She whispered into Clarke's ear causing the other woman to shiver.
"Thank you for coming with me but I'm actually getting really tired, you ready to call it a night?" Lexa nodded as she fought of a yawn of her own.
The drive home was quiet as they listened to the radio. Clarke's head was resting against Lexa's shoulder, their fingers tangled together sat on top of Clarke's lap. "I'm still buzzing from the day, we may need to make this a tradition."
Clarke watched the smile on Lexa's face grow until she was sure it couldn't get any bigger. Yep, this girl was going to be big problems for her. "I'd like that a lot and I know what you mean, I can still feel the base from the speakers."
"You're incredibly sexy when you dance, did you know that?" Clarke wasn't sure if it was the lack of sleep that made her say it or the effects of dancing with the other woman all day.
She watched as Lexa blushed and squeezed her hand a little tighter. "I have to compete with you somehow because you are always sexy."
"Not always, you should see me in the morning. Complete mess."
Lexa shook her head. "Not possible."
"Oh it is, believe me."
"Prove it." Lexa grinned. "Stay the night at my place? We don't have to take it anywhere, I'm just not ready for this day to be done, and I'm not ready to say goodnight yet."
Clarke thought about it for a minute. "Okay."
"Yeah?" Clarke nodded. "You can borrow some of my clothes or we can stop at your place?"
Clarke shook her head. "You're clothes should be more than okay."
xoxo
Lexa had told Clarke to help herself to whatever she wanted as she went into the washroom to change and get ready for bed. When she came back out she saw Clarke, standing in one of her old t-shirts from high school that was three sizes too big. She couldn't tell whether or not she had shorts on underneath the shirt because she was too focused on Clarke's bare legs. Snapping out of it she smiled and moved her way over to Clarke who had just turned the stereo on.
"I left a new tooth brush out for you." She managed to get out as her eyes met Clarke's.
"Thank you, I'll be right back." The blonde smiled before she disappeared into the washroom.
Lexa got into bed and tried to control herself and her breathing. She had no idea how she had gotten so lucky. A few minutes later Clarke emerged from the bathroom and smiled when she saw Lexa in bed under the covers. Pulling the blanket back she got in and slid next to her girlfriend whose shirt had ridden up ever so slightly. Without waiting for another second Clarke leaned forward and pulled Lexa into a deep slow kiss.
"Mmm." Lexa hummed as she felt Clarke's hand make contact with the bare skin of her hip. Without thinking she slid her arm around Clarke's back and pulled her on top of herself. Her hands ran up Clarke's back under her shirt and she was now certain that Clarke wasn't wearing any shorts under it. She pulled back slightly and leaned their foreheads together. "I'm sorry, I got carried away."
Clarke moved her hands back down to Lexa's hips and gently scratched her nails over them. "Don't be sorry, I want you Lexa." Lexa had never heard a voice sound sexier in her entire life. The way Clarke had just said her name sent her mind spinning and she had to take a moment to process it. "If that's okay with you, I know we said we'd take things slow but after today, I think we've gone slow enough."
"I have been waiting for you to say that all day. I want you too Clarke, as long as you're sure."
Not being able to speak any longer Clarke took a hold of one of Lexa's hands and led it to her stomach before pushing it lower and lower until it was under the waistband of her underwear. Lexa gulped as she felt Clarke for the first time. "I'm sure, are you?"
Lexa nodded not being able to trust her words. She followed Clarke's example and led Clarke's hand from her hip to where she needed her most. "I'm sure too."
Their hands stayed somewhat still as they leaned their foreheads back together, both their breathing was beginning to become a little erratic and a little quicker. "Have you been this wet all day?" Clarke whispered in her ear and Lexa was sure that she could have come right then and there from the sultry way the words sounded coming from Clarke's lips.
"Have you?" She challenged as she slowly moved her fingers back and forth, watching Clarke's eyes try to stay open.
"Mhmm, I told you, you're incredibly sexy when you dance."
"That's only because you haven't seen you and to answer your question, I've been like this since before we left the apartment this morning." She gulped as Clarke started to mimic the motions she was making.
She heard Clarke whimper as she moved her hand up Clarke's body until both her hands were sliding her shirt up. She looked at Clarke who gave her a slight nod letting her know that it was okay. Once it was off she threw it down on to the floor as Clarke did the same to her.
They tried to take their time, to explore each other's bodies but they had been waiting for too long and neither of them wanted to wait anything longer. They agreed with a look that they had time for that later but that for right now they just wanted each other.
xoxo
The next morning Clarke woke up with a smile on her face and a warm body pressed up against her own. She slowly let her eyes open and found Lexa still sleeping peacefully. Their bodies were tangled mess under the blankets, their pajamas were still in a pile on the floor. Their heads were sharing a single pillow and she was so thankful that neither of them had to get up to go to class because she wanted to spend the entire day like this.
"Mmm, good morning pretty girl." Lexa husked from her half asleep state, her eyes still closed, her arms wrapping around Clarke just a little tighter before she placed a kiss on tip of Clarke's nose.
"Good morning beautiful." Clarke grinned and leaned forward to kiss Lexa's bottom lip. "Can we stay like this all day?" She asked putting her head on Lexa's chest,
Lexa shook her head no. "This may be a little presumptuous but can we stay like this always?"
Clarke sighed in relief before placing a kiss on Lexa's jawbone. "Always and forever?"
"Always and forever."
Clarke leaned her head up and smiled down at the woman lying in bed with her. She let her hands wander down between them "Did I mention how beautiful you are?"
"Once or twice." Lexa leaned up the rest of the way and gently bit Clarke's lip as she felt the woman's hand slide down lower between them.
"Mmm, what were you dreaming about?" She asked once she reached her destination between Lexa's legs.
"You." The brunette husked as she rolled them over. "What's your excuse?" She questioned as her knee moved between Clarke's legs.
"My girlfriend is the most beautiful woman on the planet and she has very, very talented hands."
"Girlfriend?" She bit her own lip and her breath hitched as she felt Clarke's fingers run up and down her. Clarke nodded. "I like the sounds of that." She managed to get out followed by a moan.
"And I like the sound of that." Clarke leaned up and started to pepper kisses across Lexa's collarbone.
"Best morning ever."
TBC…