Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:25:17 -0800 (PST) From: Mas P Subject: Beautiful This story was inspired by a crush...that I still have by the way. All characters are just that though, characters, and therefore all fictional. I hope that you enjoy it. If you'd like to fan my ego, or take it down a notch, or volunteer as a beta reader/editor (shameless advertising...) hit me up at: maspgurl@yahoo.com Beautiful By Mas Beautiful. It was as if someone whispered that one word into my ear from the moment I first laid eyes on you. Beautiful. Beautiful. I saw you on my first day. I did. You smile now as I retell our story. You didn't think that I noticed you. You were wrong. You looked at me, but I was shy though. I didn't look at anyone but I was aware of all of the women who worked at the store. It was a big video and electronic store. I started work that week and was in the lunch room putting away my winter jacket. I saw you that day, but I didn't look directly at you. Silly me, but you know what they say about hindsight. Now I wish that I did. It would have given me three more days to dream about you. We were both part-timers. Both of us in university, I learned after our first real conversation, which ended up being over greasy burgers and fries. That's one of our favorite restaurants now. Lonette. Lonette Hanna. I loved your name the first time I heard you say it to me. The way that your lips and tongue wrapped around each syllable was erotic to me. Suddenly I wanted to see you say mine, over and over again. We were in the hall way that led out into the store, both of us in the customary black clothes and the purple vest with the store's logo. "Hey," you said to me as I walked by. I stopped, prepared to give the customary fake smile and hello then I was struck mute. I just stared. You took all thought from my head in that moment. I felt like I was floating on some cloud and only you could pull me back to earth. And you did. "You're new right?" You asked and smiled, and then I felt something dancing in my stomach. I suddenly envisioned that dancing baby from Ally McBeal, in my stomach. I felt it start to dance lower and lower... "Yeah. Hey, how are you?" I looked at everything at once, hoping that you didn't see me checking you out but at the same time, almost praying that you did. You are slim, very slim, but it fit you since you carry yourself with an elegance that many women simply didn't possess. I certainly didn't. Your eyes were chocolate brown with a drop of milk and kind looking. They looked like eyes that I could look into and tell all of my dark and dirty secrets. Every thing about your face was so good looking that I couldn't pin point any one feature beside your eyes. Your lips were full and soft looking...and moist. Your nose was perfect to me, your ears, your chin, cheekbones... You had your hair in this low very chic cut with your hair cropped close to you head, like something from a fashion magazine. It made me think of Natalie Portman when she chopped off all of her hair back then. It was sexy as hell on her but looked even better on you. You're taller than me by a few inches. Model height, I thought back then. I still think that. And you could be one. I hoped to tell you that some day. I hoped to tell you just how beautiful you were some day. You were saying something and my eyes were glued to your lips. I looked up and caught a strange smile on your lips. I was going to see this smile more in the future though it took me a long time to figure out what it meant. Beautiful. "What? I'm sorry..." You laughed. "I said welcome and you'll love it here. I've been here for a year or so and the management is cool." I smiled back at you and moved closer as a group of co-workers stepped into the lunch room. "I hope so, since I have no intention of finding another part-time job for a while." You began to walk out into the store and I fell into step beside you like a puppy dog and watched as you were immediately asked something by a customer. I stood back, watching how you answered. You were great, made the guy laugh and pointed him in the right direction. He seemed to fall a little in love with you. Join the club, I thought then looked down at my shoes when your eyes met mine again. "You'll be great, and if you have any questions, find me." "You on the floor too?" I asked, not wanting you to leave but knowing that you had to. "Nope, not anymore. I'm a cashier now." You lifted your hand and I swear that it all happened in slow motion. You reached up, placed your hand on my arm, and squeezed it. I wanted to grab it then, that lovely hand; it felt so warm through my shirt. So right. Then it was gone. "See you around Donna." You said and I nodded then started when I realized that I didn't introduce myself. How did you...? I stepped forward as if to ask you how you know my name then you became bombarded with even more customers. "See ya Lonette..." I mumbled as you walked away. The next week went by in a blur. It was drawing closer to the Christmas season and customers where packed in the store more and more. I saw you only one day after out first meeting. I smiled and said hello. You did to, then someone called you out to cash in a hurry and you looked at me in apology and ran off. It seemed like the universe was working against me. Dammit! I wanted to talk to her too. Another week flew past and I was finishing off my exams. Then you began to shake up my world a little. I entered the lunch room after my shift and punched out. I was putting on my jacket when you walked in. When I say you I just held it, hoping that our gazes would connect. You looked around then your eyes settled on me. The smile you gave me made my very long, tiring day worth it. "Hey you." You ambled over to where I was and leaned against a locker. "Hey Lonette. You've been M.I.A. these last few weeks." "I know, it's been crazy. With classes and exams..." I nodded my head, telling you that I understood. "It's just that when you're not around this place is so boring." You laughed. "What? I'm serious. Everyone walks around like zombies until you show up." "I highly doubt that. If so then you guys got real problems." I laughed. "So you punching in now?" You looked at your watch then walked over to the machine. When you came back to me and resumed your very relaxed pose I could have burst on demand from how good it made me feel. Finally, I was talking to you. Somewhat alone. I glanced around the lunch room; no one seemed to be paying us much attention though. You smiled hellos to almost everyone then turned back to me. "I wanted to talk to you, see how your first few weeks were ya know?" I smiled at that. "Awww, were you worried about me?" I asked quietly. I don't know why my voice dropped like that but yours did to. Then you had that strange smile on your face. It almost looked...shy. "Well..." you looked at me then pushed my arm. "Stop it!" I laughed at you, asking you what I was doing exactly. "Anyway, so it's snowing like crazy out there. Be careful going home." "Yes mom." You pushed me again though this time your hand lingered for a while on my arm. I had yet to put on my jacket. I flexed my arm sub-consciously and your eyes looked up at mine and widened a bit. Then they dropped away. No, don't look away, I thought in earnest. I sighed when they met my gaze again. I didn't shy from away from exercising. I was curious about what you thought of my arms then. Were they to big? Too much muscle? "Okay, well see you later. You on Saturday?" I told you yes and we promised to eat lunch together. "Bye Lonette," I said quietly as I smiled at you. Beautiful Lonette. You smiled and said goodbye too. I realized that that was one word that I hated hearing leave your lips. "Goodbye," I mumbled with a frown. We never did get to eat together on Saturday. It got too crazy and they had you cashing through your lunch hour, so you took yours right as I was leaving mine. "Hey, you stood me up. I thought we had a lunch date?" I smiled to take the sting out of the words. You rubbed your face and shouted into your hands. "Hard day huh?" "It's insane. I'm sorry though. Maybe we can grab something afterwards?" My eyes must have widened in surprise because you began to back pedal a bit. "I mean, well you probably have to go straight home..." "No, no!" Real smooth Donna, I could have slapped myself at how desperate I sounded. "I mean, I can do that. There's a burger place right outside here." I pointed out into the busy street. You nodded your head slowly, still looking unsure. "Go eat Lonette, we'll meet up afterwards." "Okay mom," you teased. I watched you walk away my eyes lingering and finally did the same...quickly when you turned back and almost caught me staring at your ass. Almost. Almost right? We ate that night together on what I like to call our first date. You looked tired. I probably looked the same; we both worked a long 9 hour shift. "I think I'm gonna sit in my bath tub tonight. Sleep in there too. Then tell my mama to bring me room service." I laughed at you then laughed even more at your serous expression. You finally laughed too after a while. "She'd do it you know. She's sweet like that." "Sound's like your one lucky lady," I said. "I am." I sipped some of my soda and my eyes rested on your fingers. Very slim, elegant fingers. God, I need to settle down...I forced my eyes back up to the neutral zone of your face and tried to make sense of the jumbled thoughts in my brain. I finally did. "Some people deserve it though." I looked up and caught you staring at my arms where I had my black shirt rolled up. I didn't like baggy clothes. I wore shirts that were cut for my figure. I wasn't overly curvy but I wasn't built like a man either. The muscle that I had were nicely proportioned and so I showed them off when I felt like it. This shirt showed them off a bit, but the way your eyes looked when they met mine made me a little scared even as a thrill ran up and down my spine. Scared? No, more like nervous now that I think about it. I was too busy with my internal monologue to keep track of our conversation. I guess you were too. "What did you say?" You asked me. "About what?" We both looked confusedly at each other then giggled like school girls. "I said that some people deserve it." You looked into my eyes and I became lost in yours. "Deserve what?" Your voice turned low and husky. I swallowed and tried to stop my eyes from falling to your lips. Very full, very soft looking lips. Beautiful lips. They fell anyway. "I said that some people deserve breakfast in bed." I was leaning closer to you now, unconsciously reaching for you. I wondered if you felt it. "Donna?" "Hmmm?" I licked my lips as you licked yours. "I didn't say anything about breakfast in bed." It was like a bucket of ice cold water. Thrown over me in the middle of winter. While I stood buck naked. I sat back and stuttered, trying to find a sensible explanation for saying what I did that didn't involve me and you...naked...in said bed. You just smiled at me. I suddenly felt hot. I yanked off my tam and ran my hair over my tightly, and intricately braided hair. "I love your hair. You always have some fresh designs in it." You reached over and touched it and I nearly fainted. In my chair. Yeah, I know... "Yeah, umm, thank you." I stuttered. I looked up and caught you smiling at me again in that strange way. I was starting to like it though and I had no idea why. You absently looked at your watch and you cursed. "My mama is gonna kill me!" I looked at my watch to and my eyes bugged, it was going on 11pm. We spent over 2 hours together. "You had a curfew or something?" I asked absently as I slid on my jacket. I immediately rushed to your side of the table to help you with your own. You smiled at me. Chivalry would be alive and kicking if it were up to me. I'm gonna have a heart attack if it doesn't stop stopping every time you smiled at me though. You had no idea what it did to me. Or did you...? "No!" You looked at me as if I were crazy. "I promised to help with dinner tonight. Now I'm sure she made a very elaborate meal just to make me feel even worse." I laughed at this and wanted to meet this woman you were obviously very fond of. "She sounds so cool." "She is Don," I didn't say anything about the new nickname. I never had anyone call me Don before. You could have called me Bill for all I cared though. "She lets me be me you know?" Your meaningful look made me wonder briefly if you meant me as in like me...but no, I had to have mistaken it. So I just nodded. I didn't want to jump to any conclusions but I felt a strong surge of hope flare up. "This was fun huh?" I asked as we stood in front of each other in front of the restaurant. We had to walk in opposite directions, you to one subway entrance, and me to another. "Yeah, the best burger I ever had. Though I think that it's 'cause of the company. They say that good company helps with digestion you know?" I laughed at that. You always had a way of making me laugh. I never met anyone besides my brother who made me laugh like you did. I was doing my gazing-at-you thing again and reached out to hold you hand. I couldn't stop myself; it was as if someone else controlled my body. I'm pretty sure that I knew who that someone was. But before I could yank my hand back you grasped it, then you squeezed it. "Thanks Donna." You reached over and slid your arms into my still opened jacket and hugged me. I closed my eyes and held you, breathing deeply. "God you're warm." You pulled back and I still held your hand surprising you by walking next to you. "Isn't your subway over there?" "Yup." You smiled and we quietly walked to your subway. I watched as you disappeared beneath the entrance and practically floated home. After that we had as many after work "dates" as we could. Even though I was the only one officially calling them dates...in my head. If you hold hands with a girl and walk her to her subway entrance even if your's is a block away, I think that you're on a date though. That surge of hope I felt turned into a quiet assurance. You never gave what we did a name. I didn't care though. Just being in your presence would have been enough. I wouldn't have minded watching you eat let alone eating with you. Then I had the chance to learn so much about you. I'd let you talk, you'd ask me questions and I'd make my answers short and sweet, watching you frown at my to-the- point answers. You'd just shake your head and sit quietly for about a minute then you'd bring up something else. Your voice though, it did something to me... I talked enough for you to not catch on to my need to hear you talk. But I've never been really talkative and you sense that. You just smile and I let you ramble on happily. Your voice still is like the sound of the ocean to me. It calms me. Then your laugh is more like a cool breeze over heated skin. I smile just thinking about it. I don't have to know what you're laughing about. You quieted and I was still nodding my head, lost in your beauty. My eyes were resting on your lips...again. At some point my hand inched across the table and found yours. My thumb was making lazy patterns on your skin. The tilt of your head as if to ask, are you even listening to me, made me really look at you. And really listen, then really try to remember the last thing you said. So I said the only thing that would make me look like less of a love-struck sap. "Uhh huh," I said as I tried to pull my hand away. You turned yours over and grabbed on. "Uhh huh?" You asked incredulously. "So you'd do that? You'd bathe in pine apple sauce?" I had no idea how we got on that topic. God, was I that out of it? "Wait! What?" You laughed and shook your head, then came that look. This time I saw something else. I saw your eyes lose focus for a moment. A long moment. I saw a glimpse of something that I only saw in my own eyes when I got ready in the morning and my thoughts rested on you. You looked away, clearing your throat loudly. "I was talking about my niece and how my brother said bathing in pine apple sauce is perfectly normal since..." her voice trailed off and our eyes connected. I leaned forward in my seat and so did you. I was getting closer and closer to your lips. My eyes crossed and focused on them, then they were moving again. Dammit, she sure talks at the weirdest times. "What?" I asked. "I asked if you wanted to eat Christmas dinner with my family?" I frowned and sat back. By now Lonette knew that I lived alone in the city, my parents were in the south, thank God, and my brother lived a province away. He usually came by for new years since he had a wife and two little kids and he invited me every year for Christmas but I didn't like his wife to much. Most times I just stay at home. Alone. Lonette didn't like that at all and I smiled, basking in her attention and growing affection. "I already told mama that you're alone this year and she knows about you and she asked if you'd like to join us." I smiled at the way she called her mother mama. I thought it was so country-like. Reminded me of home. Reminded me of the good times. "So you been tellin' mama about your new girl friend eh?" My smiled slipped when I realized how that sounded. We had yet to define exactly what we were. Friends? Friends who happen to be girls? Girlfriends? "Yes," came the quiet response. "I did." "Okay." I said quickly. We sat smiling at each other for God knows how long. I thought that our faces would have had permanent smiles by now. It seemed that whenever we were in the same room I had one on my face. So we talked about your family for a bit and planned on when and where to meet. Christmas was a few days away and I wanted to give you something that you'd love. Something special, from my heart. So I decided to paint for you. I did an abstract piece for you with two figures holding each other and a space-like background. When it was done I was pleased with it. It was the best work I'd ever done. "I need to think of her when I'm painting from now on." I mumbled as I framed it and wrapped it up. We had plans to meet at a popular Caribbean restaurant downtown. The owner was very gay friendly and had a gay son who managed it when she was out of town. "Donna, it's been a while eh?" He said as I walked in, Lonette right behind me. I pulled you forward and introduced them. "Oh, I see now." He said and we both laughed. "It's a pleasure sweetie, ya'll sit down now. I'll hook you up ladies." We sat and I fidgeted with the gift before handing it over to you. Your eyes lit up and you reached over and kissed me on the cheek. We had yet to kiss on the lips, but these cheek kisses were making me light headed so I was strangely happy we didn't try for lips yet. I'd faint, I knew it. "Thank you Don," you said and took my hand. I reached into my jacket and pulled out a rectangular box. I handed it to you and your eyes watered a bit as you accepted it. "Thank you," you said behind watery eyes. "Hey, hey..." I mumbled as I stood up to slide into the bench next to you. I wiped away a tear that slid down to your chin. "Why the tears huh?" You shrugged. I hugged you and you held my arm then shook your head against my chest. I moved away a little. "I'd never had some one buy me a gift like this before you know?" "But you haven't opened it yet..." I was at a lost as to what you meant. "No, I mean...I've never been in a serious relationship Donna." You whispered your confession and my eyes widened then I smiled at what it implied. I had two girl friends in high school and so couldn't have said that to you unfortunately. Now I wish that I waited for you. I wish that I had that at least to offer too you. To be the person you offered your heart to for the first time made me nervous but even more so, it made me beyond happy. "I love you Lonette." I said quietly but with conviction. "You need to know that and you don't have to tell me anything back. But I do." You looked at me in wonder and leaned your head on my shoulder, I pulled you closer. That's how Ray found us. He cleared his throat and gave me a knowing smile. We ordered and settled back for a pleasant evening. "I have your gifts at home, under our tree." "You didn't have to." "Hush, of course I did." You slapped my stomach, not that I felt it under all the layers I wore in the winter. It took me forever to get undressed after school, or work. I usually had on like three shirts at least. We walked to the subway and stood on the platform. "My mother is excited about seeing you. My brother too and his family. Then you can finally meet my little sister Laila. She's a riot. Too smart for her own good." "I'm excited to. So umm is your mom...I mean..." I looked meaningfully into your eyes and you understood what I was trying to ask. "She knows that I'm a lesbian Don." I nodded my head at that. "She's the person who informed me that I was one." "What?" I laughed and shook my head. "How? I mean..." "I had a crush on my P.E. teacher." I shook my head. "I know, I know, how clich‚ right? But I talked about her non-stop than one day my brother suddenly started teasing me about it and calling Ms. Jenson names then I began to cry and we had a big row, and I punched him in the stomach and my mama sat down in my room as I cried and explained very patiently why I was defending Ms. Jenson as if my life depended on it." We sat in the subway, my arms around your shoulders, you leaning into me. I shook my head in wonder and tried to picture a women like Lonette's mother in the flesh. "So suffice it to say, she knows." She giggled into my neck. I shivered at the feeling. "And you still never had any girls sneaking up in your bed room?" "Never wanted to sneak any up before," I picked up on the subtext of your statement and pulled you closer. We were at your stop all too soon and I had to let you go. "You gonna call me tomorrow or should I call you?" "If you don't call me quick enough I'll just call you. How bout that?" You leaned down and kissed my cheek then you were gone. I sighed as I tried to catch the last glimpse of you through the quickly darkening glass. Tomorrow was meet meet-your-mom-day. I don't need to tell you how scared I was. We stood outside your mother's house. I was shaking in fear. Irrational fear now that I look at it, you were trying to calm me but it felt hopeless. "I can't Lonette! What if she hates me? Then she bans me from seeing you again then..." You hugged me close. You knew about some of the things I went through with my own parents. You know about the baggage I left in the south. Dirty south, aptly named, I thought. Why it didn't make you run back then, I'll never know. "Shhhhh." You rubbed my back and told me to breathe in and out. Then to do it again. then you started to tell me it was gonna be allright, I was going to be great, your mom already loved me...I didn't really hear anything else, just the fact that you were talking at all made me feel like I was gonna make it through the night. "Okay," I took your hand again. You had on those slim brown gloves that I love. You were one of those girls who embraced her figure with stylish clothes. I still wonder how you look so damn good when you didn't seem to be bleeding your wallet dry. We turned for the door and I noticed a short lady standing there smiling at us. Behind her was a tall man who looked a lot like Lonette and a little head was squeezing through to peek out. Had to be her little sister. "That her girlfriend mama?!" Came a squeaking voice. "Laila, get inside before you freeze!" came a stern but playful voice. "Ya'll come inside, food getting cold you know." I smiled and knew from that moment that it was going to be good. It was all good. I hadn't laughed so hard in my life. I really thought that my brother held that record for me but Lonette's family did, hands down. Her brother Leonardo, Leo for short, .and his wife Terri were there with their little baby girl Jae, who seemed to be a grown woman in the body of a 5 year old. That was when she decided to talk. Other wise, she was very quiet. Then Laila was simply hilarious in that innocent-tell-all-of-your-secrets kinda way. Lonette was telling then about my painting and I tried to brush it off when Laila said in confusion, "But you didn't write that in your journal..." It was the innocent way she said it that cracked us all up. Lonette shouting over the laughter to her mama for Laila invading her privacy just made it funnier. "What else did she write in there about me." I leaned in closer. "Oh that you're pretty and smart and nice and sexy and that you have a very, very, very nice-" "Okayyy!" Leo intervened loudly and looked at mama pleadingly for his little sister. By then you had your face buried in your hands. "Mama, Laila needs to stop digging through our stuff." "Mama! I don't look through their stuff! They leave stuff in the open and expect me to just ignore it." She looked truly appalled at the mere thought of not reading an opened journal. "Mama..." Lonette said warningly then she threw a roll at Laila who only laughed and tossed it back. "Stop playing with your food!" She looked sternly at both girls who stuck out their tongues at each other. "Donna, you want another serving?" Even as I said no she grabbed my plate and dished up more food. "Laila, I'm gonna tan your behind if I hwar about you reading anymore of Lonette's journals. They're personal! Lonette, I told you about journals and diaries in the house. You like to write but need to find some other way of getting your thoughts down. Like your computer maybe..." Leo snorted at that then looked at me. "She can't stand it. I think she get's more technologically illiterate with every year." "And you Mr. I don't read books. I have yet to hear you make a complete sentence." You both made faces at each other until Laila was laughing like a hyena. "English is over rated." He said in an off handed way. "Plus Terri loves me even if I can't spell the word the." I laughed as he reached over for a kiss but only got a fork filled with mash potatoes. "Stop it," His wife said as she slapped his stomach then she looked at me. "He can spell just fine. Ignore these two; it seems to be a hobby of theirs." "I'm calling the locksmith tomorrow to put a lock on my door mama." You said as you stood to take your plate into the kitchen and pulled out a carton of icecream from the freezer. "Ice cream?" she asked. Everyone except me said yes. I was beyond full. "Then we can open gifts mama?" Laila asked. They opened gifts after dinner on Christmas Day which I told Lonette was pure torture. "How did you guys handle it when you were younger and you saw all the other kids riding their new bikes or playing with their new toys outside?" "We just stayed inside." It turned out that mama had no real reason for it other than it just ended up being how it was in their house. I sat back in a chair that you sat next to on the floor as Laila opened up all of her gifts. I was pleased when she seemed to be truly appreciative of my gift card to a favorite book store. You assured me that she'd love it. The star of the show was mama of course who got her a very shiny and very pink I pod. She ran outside to show it off to her neighbours. "I think we only do this for that little ball of energy now." Leo said as he sighed. Terri came back into the living room after putting Jae to sleep in Laila's room. "Here you go big head." You said fondly to Leo and he ripped of the paper to reveal a Kobe Bryant jersey and a signed basketball card. "Niiiice! How'd you get this?!" He reached over to hug you. Soon all of the gifts were opened except for mine with you stashing away the gifts that I got you in your bedroom. It turned out that mama got me a gift to. It was signed simply 'mama and her rugrats.' I smiled and opened it up and my eyes began to tear as I saw one of the most beautiful carvings that I'd ever seen in my life. It was framed like any other picture but the intricately designed seascape blew me away. "Lonette told me about your love for art and the sea, so we all chipped in and bought this for you." No one said a word as I cried my thanks. I wiped my eyes then I had to hug mama. She shushed my thanks. "You're family now." I looked back at you then and truly felt what she just said. I truly felt like I was apart of a family with your mama and her kids. I picked up the gift that you had for me then paused when you cleared your throat. "Ummm, can we open our gifts in private please?" Terri's eye brows rose as she tried to hide a grin. Mama nodded but Leo just asked, "I don't see why you need privacy to open your gifts." When Terri slapped his stomach he pouted then said grudgingly, "Okay, okay I don't care." You took my gift from my hands after thanking everyone for your gifts then you took my hand and led me down a hallway that had quite a few doors branching off of it. We reached what had to be your room and entered it, and you pulled me until I sat on your bed. I looked around and couldn't help but think that the room reflected you completely. A poster of Erykah Badu stood proudly in the center and earth tones were everywhere from the color on the walls to the figurines and pictures scattered around the room. I thought that my painting would be perfect for the space. "I don't know. I just felt like we'd both be more comfortable...alone you know?" "Yeah," I agreed. "This being our first Christmas and all." You smiled and moved closer to me placing my gift in my hands. I opened it slowly, savoring the anticipation. When it was finally opened I frowned first, sure that I was seeing things. "How...how...?" I stuttered then lifted up the thick book. It was a collection of photography from my favorite photographer. I've been practically lusting after the book since I saw it in the book store. What I couldn't figure out was how you knew. I hugged you tightly to me as my eyes watered. Another love of mine is photography. I don't remember ever telling you about it though. "A little birdie told me..." You whispered into my neck. I pulled back and smiled at you, feeling the happiest I've ever been. "Open yours." You walked over and took both gifts and sat down next to me. "I hope you like them." "Of course I will." You said immediately. Then you opened the painting and pulled away all of the paper then just sat staring at it with your lips slightly parted. Your eyes began to well up again and this time you did cry, though silently. I placed my arm around your shoulders. You shook your head. "Why aren't you in a gallery? You're amazing, this is amazing!" You turned to me ready to continue then looked back at the picture. "It's beautiful, thank you." I smiled, relieved that you liked it. "The other one." A shy smile fell on those lips as you gently placed the drawing on the side then reached for the box. You slid off the bow and lifted the lid. The necklace was already glinting at you. It was a plain silver necklace but on the end of it sat a turquoise ring. She loved this stone. She turned to me and before I could make some lighthearted remark your lips were on mine. They didn't move for the first few moments, they just touched, then you began to move your lips from side to side, then you gasped as I began to kiss you back. A hot and wet tongue slid into my mouth then and I groaned lifting my hand to hold your cheek. I pulled your lower lip into my mouth and began to suck on it, then the upper and did the same, alternating with small nips and pulls. You were gasping into my mouth. Your breath warm and sweet against my skin. "So sweet..." I mumbled as I tasted you over and over. I didn't want to stop. I couldn't, I pulled on your arms until you straddled my hips and kissed you slowly, in no rush at all. Your arms circled my shoulders then moved over my back then they were under my shirt and touching my skin. I squeezed my eyes shut as you began to move subtlety over me. I pulled you closer as my tongue continued to explore your lips. My hands held your hips and squeezed then you moaned and my eyes flew open at whet we were doing and where we were doing it. I pulled away slowly, gently, not wanting you to think that I way pushing you away. You however still chased my lips with soft, swift kisses. "God, you're so sweet to me Donna. Why?" You asked against my lips as I rubbed against yours then moved to kiss your cheek. I didn't answer you. If you didn't know the answer then I had to wait for it to catch up with you. I had to wait for you to feel it. I place butterfly kissed on your lips, gentle ones, where our skin hardly touched; murmuring nonsense that I still can't recall. Both of us didn't see the curious eyes peek in on us or the happy smile as the eyes disappeared. Those eyes however did see a little body trying to tip toe down the hallway. "Laila, get back to that living room." She laughed when Laila started and ran away obviously not expecting anyone else to be curious about the two young women. She laughed all the way back to the living room. "So. Ummm, I want to go home with you Donna." It was about 9:30 that night and I had to leave soon if I was going to catch the holiday hours for the subway. I lay on your bed, you lay snugly next to me and I'm sure you feel my heart racing. Your hand is lying right over my breast. "Ahhh, are you sure?" I stutter into the silence. "Yes." You immediately answer. "Okay..." I'm not sure how to respond to you because if you come over I have no idea what you want to do or what you expect to happen. I can't assume that you want to make love for the first time, though I want to. I have been dreaming about it nearly every night. So I lay confused as you rub my stomach. "Will it be okay with you mama?" I ask. There is silence for a while as your hands still, then they're moving again. "I'll tell her, she'll be okay." "Why?" her mother asked as they sat at the kitchen table. "Mama?! When Leo used to ask to go out you'd let him." You argued. "But he never asked to go out on Christmas day." "Actually, yes I did mama, once. I wanted to go ice skating at the..." When he noticed the scowl directed at him from the older woman he backed up hands in the air, and quickly exited the kitchen. You however looked triumphant. "See!" Mama looked at me then and seemed to be searching my face for something. I guessed that it was responsibility so I tried to look as responsible as I could. Your mother pursed her lips as if trying to fend of a smile and nodded her head as if she found it. "Okay, but you take care of my little girl, no hanky panky after 1am." "Mama! Arghhh!" You stormed out of the kitchen to your room. Mama laughed and smiled at me still managing to look serious at the same time. "I'm not stupid you know. I know my girl want to spend time with you. I also know, though she'd like me not to, that this is her first time." I gulped at the now cold look in her eyes. They changed so quickly. "You break her heart or hurt her and I'll hunt you down Donna." I nodded my head then sighed in relief at the laughter that followed. She stood up and hugged me, putting a bag filled with food in my hand and she told me to take it home. I said thanks as we left the kitchen. "I thought you were serious for a moment there." I laughed and so did she. Then she stopped and looked at me fondly. "What makes you think that I wasn't?" We hugged everyone good bye and I took her bag and slung it over my shoulder. You grasped my free hand and we headed to the subway. "You want to stop for anything? Food or anything?" You looked to be in contemplation for a moment then you shook your head and we had a relatively quiet walk to my apartment building. I noticed when we were getting off the subway that you kept grabbing your ear and rubbing your lobe. We got to my apartment door and you did it again, then again. "Is your earring irritating you?" 'Huh?" You ask as I gesture for you to enter. "Your ear, you keep rubbing it..." I turn on the light in the kitchen just in time to see you look shy and a little embarrassed. "Sorry, bad habit." When I looked at you to continue you did. "I do that when I'm nervous." "Nervous?" I took your hand and pulled you to me. "I'm making you nervous?" "No, not you. Just...tonight is making me nervous." I tilted my head as I study your lip that you were biting at the time. I leaned in and ran my tongue over said lip until you released it and gave it to me. "Mine..." I murmured against you. You laughed and hugged me closer as I gently explored your mouth. By the time I was done your eyes were heavy with arousal. "Don't be nervous. Nothing's gonna happen tonight that you don't want to happen." I ran my hands over your hips and you sighed and leaned your head against my shoulder. "We can fall asleep in pj's if that's what you want to do." "But I don't want to do that. I want to be with you. I want to sleep with you tonight Don." My heart raced after I heard the earnest words fall from your lips right into me. I nodded my head and took your hand. I pointed you to my bedroom and told you that I'd be right there. I went into the bathroom and brushed my teeth quickly. Then I entered the bed room to find you taking off your shoes. There was no music paying. No beat or rhythm to move to as we both shyly took off our clothes. I worked out and knew that I had a pretty decent body. But I've been around women and men who made a point to declare that they don't like women with strong bodies. I wasn't muscle bounded, but I had enough of them to prove that I spent time developing them. I sat down as you stood in your bra, your fingers hesitantly unbuttoning your jeans. I rested my hands over them to stop you. "You are the most beautiful woman that I've ever rested my eyes on Lonette. The most beautiful. Beautiful." I said the word over and over as I slid down her zipper and slipped the jeans off of her hips then I reached for the black underwear and smiled at the lace. They soon followed the jeans. "Mmmm sexy..." I growled and gently pushed you towards me. My lips rested on you navel and I breathed in, smelling your arousal as it drifted up to invade my senses. You gasped at the feel of my lips against your heated skin. I slide back on the bed and wait for you to move over me. I remain this way so that you'll feel comfortable, in control. You seem to be getting accustomed to the feel of my body beneath your own. I watch the curiosity then the pure pleasure rush pass your eyes. Then you sit up and straddle my hips. Your hands begin a slow exploration. "I always thought that people preferred voluptuous women. I've never heard of someone liking a skinny woman so I never felt...sexy before." I just listened to you as your hands moved over my stomach over the defined muscle there then reach past your thighs to move over my own. My eyes threatened to close. "I even got teased about it in high school. I got over it you know, but it left an impression that took me a long, long time to shake Don." You dipped your hand closer to my core, my heat, and looked at my face as I gasped. "Then I see you that day. Do you remember? The first day we met, for real." "Beautiful." I whispered as I took in the sway of your breasts as you move. Oh yes, I remembered. "Since then, since that day I truly started to feel beautiful. 'Cause no one's ever looked at me the way that you do Don. No one." You then leaned down, your hands framing my face and kissed me. It was a pure kiss, one that spoke of vulnerability, innocence. I understood. I rolled us until I lay, straddling one of your thighs. Immediately you began to move into me. Against me. I moan as I watch your face contort momentarily in pleasure. "I want you so bad Lonette." I whisper into your ear then dip my tongue into it, pulling the lobe into my mouth. "Oh God." You gasp as my hand began to massage your small, pert breasts. I move my hand up again, to hold my self up. I don't want to crush her, and so simply move my own breasts over yours. Your eyes close in pleasure and I find it erotic the way that they move beneath their lids. I kiss each one and feel your hands as you become more confident in your touch. They roam over my back and I arch into you. "You are so strong, so sexy. God..." You are panting in arousal now. I feel it painting my thighs. "You feel so good." You murmur against my lips as I begin to move with purpose against your thigh. "We're gonna take it slow okay?" I tell you as I look into you eyes. I watch them as I reach down and part your folds. You bite your lips and I immediately lead with my tongue to claim them for myself. "Mine..." I growl and begin to suck on the lip in question as I gently nudge your thighs further apart even as I rub you softly. "Don..." You say as the excitement begins to build. "It's okay, let it come..." I move over you even as I part myself and I begin to grind against you. When you become aware of our clits rubbing together your breath comes in pants. The air itself seems to be disappearing as you hold onto me. First my shoulders, then when that doesn't bring you closer to your release you groan and grab by back. "Ummm," your nails rake over my skin as you move against me. Our pace is sure and slow as our juices mix and flow. I shift until my lips are against your neck and I begin to suck on the skin there. It seems to be all you need because soon you're bucking against me, the bed jerking with us as you come against my body. I have a strong desire to taste you but I hold off. I groan out my own orgasm as I move against you, slowly, trying to get as much out of it as possible. You're grasping my ass now as you grind out the last of your release. I kiss your face as you try to catch your breath. "Beautiful." "I heard you that day you know..." You mumbled in my ear. You're calmer now. "What?" "The day I finally talked myself into talking to you. I heard you call me beautiful." I raised my head at that. Talk yourself into talking to me? That means... "So you wanted to talk to me since then?" I couldn't hide the awe from my voice if I tried and when you nodded your head shyly I kissed your still swollen lips. "I wanted to talk to you too baby." When you blushed I chuckled and leaned up on my arms to look at you. I knew that I could fall asleep looking at that face everyday. If I had a choice as to how I could die, I'd do the same thing. I'd die gazing at you. Even in the middle of my silent declarations I felt embarrassment creep up on me. "I said that out loud though?" I asked even as I rubbed my eyes. "Yup." You grinned, now obviously having fun with my embarrassment. "I thought you were going crazy for a moment there but then I realized that you let it slip and just didn't notice. Then when you didn't ask me out then and there or anything..." you trailed off and I felt doubt fill the silence. "I should have." I said. "Yes, I agree." I gaze at you and reach down to kiss her again, I couldn't get enough. When I lift my head I can see the arousal in your eyes again. "I think that you are incredible, and I've been falling for you since the first day I saw you Donna." My eyes glaze over at the arousal I see in your gaze. Then I lick my lips at the sudden visual of my mouth on you, eating you as you screamed out for me to never stop. "Lonette..." I began shakily. You run your hands over my ass, what you declared as your favorite body part...so far, but the night is young. "I'm gonna ask you if I can do something and I only want you to say yes if you are comfortable with it." You look curious and a little unsure, but nod none-the-less for me to continue. "I want to taste you Lonette." You shift a little and despite your eyes now looking worried I feel you get wetter, immediately I begin to move against you. "Ummm, that's called-" "I want to eat you." I say, cutting you off. Once again your body speaks a different language and you move against me when I say the words. "Then I want to tongue fuck you." You moan and turn your face away, but I reach up and gently tug at your chin until our eyes meet again. "I can't promise you a lot of things about your first time making love like that, but I can promise you that the way I do it..." After I'm sure that I have your undivided attention I continue, "you're gonna love it." I felt you shiver. I pulled back and looked at you. I see a slight nod and I smile and kiss you again, then my kisses begin to move south. Detours to soft, alert nipples were made then down I went, and even lower...then lower still...then you were squirming beneath me. "Don," you growl. "So anxious..." I murmur then my tongue slid out and moved over you completely. I moaned into your flesh and had to hold of on eating you into a frenzy. You tasted sweet. Not tart, not tangy. Simply sweet, I saw a lot of nights down here in my near future. I began a slow rhythm with my tongue and your hands moved to my shoulders, squeezing in rhythm. I dipped my tongue to your entrance and felt you go tense in anticipation but I moved away with a smirk and pulled your clit into my mouth. I wanted to make you insane tonight. I wanted to make her come hard just to show you that she could. I was feeling quite cocky. I began to move my tongue over you again and found a particularly sensitive spot right below her clit that made you pull me into your tight body but didn't give release. I hummed as I felt her getting wetter. I pulled your essence up with my tongue and swore it tasted different as you became more aroused. I worked that spot until you were moaning loudly into my bedroom, writhing beneath me, holding my head in place as your hips grinded against my mouth. Then and only then did I slide my fingers into your ready and slick center. You jerked then began to move with me. I played with you, pulling you close then pulling away. You were going crazy. You were mumbling god knows what into the darkness and then I had to go and hit the spot. Your body tensed as I rubbed over it again. You seemed to stretch beneath me then I hit it again, then again and you screamed out and I felt a stream hit my chin. My lips immediately began to suck of you hard. I was going to work you over. I was on a mission and I had something to prove. You'd never forget your first time. I was licking you as if my life depended on it, trying to get every trace of your arousal but of course only creating more. I was in heaven and if you hadn't inched away from me asking for mercy, I'd still be right there, between your legs. I moved up and gathered your weak body in my arms. "Don...Don..." You were trying to say something but your eyes were already heavy and closing. "I know. Go to sleep baby. I'm right here." You held onto me and then arms loosened and I entangled our limbs in a need to be closer. I closed my eyes and thanked the heavens for you. You hadn't told me that she loved me that night. Or the next morning. No. It took a while for you to finally admit what had been slapping you in the face since the first day. But you did tell me the word that made me aware of your love. And you told me it quite often, though I often replied you that you had it backwards. "Beautiful," You whispered as you fell to sleep. "Beautiful," I echoed.