Olivia observed in silence as Natalia hurriedly reached for a pair of sandals from one of the many shoe racks in the closet. She studied the expressions on the younger woman's face to try and discern which emotion was behind the sudden change in momentum. The older hotelier had almost gotten used to the dramatic shifts between witty banter and vitriol-laden tension that a typical conversation with Natalia involved. But this seemed to be a new mood swing. A very disconcerting one at that. At first she was afraid that she had said or done something to spark the new wildfire that was currently burning inside of Natalia. But when the brunette announced that they were leaving, together, she quickly put aside her usual defensiveness and quickly assumed a new role of 'ally' in the fight.
"Natalia?" As the other woman raced around her room to gather everything she thought she might need and shoved them in her purse, Olivia had noted the casual wear that Natalia was displaying.
"Um, Natalia," she began again. "Is it okay if I ask you where we're going?" She didn't want to sound overly concerned but her tone was betraying the worry Natalia was causing her.
"I don't actually know yet," Natalia said, huffing as she leaned one hand against a wall and bent over to put on her sandals. She stopped at a small mirror by the door and, as she put her hair up, she looked over at Olivia. "Why? Does it matter?" she asked.
Olivia resisted the urge to grab Natalia by the shoulders and still her so she could at least take a deep breath. "Well no, I just wondered because, well you're..." she pointed at Natalia's ensemble. "And I'm kinda all..." she looked down at her charcoal gray power suit and then back up to Natalia with her arms wide to her sides.
"Oh. Right." Natalia said staring blankly at the other woman. "Right, well, we will stop by your room and you can get changed," she said and started moving forward.
Olivia had been standing directly in front of the door and, seeing Natalia move toward her, decided not to move out of the way. Instead she stood there and waited for the frantic woman to come to a full stop in front of her before she spoke again.
"Hey," her voice was soft as she waited for Natalia to stop avoiding her gaze. "Hey, could you bring those gorgeous eyes up here for a moment?"
Natalia sighed and looked up at Olivia. Some of the tension eased as she saw the genuine concern in the eyes that met hers.
"Tell me what's wrong," Olivia ordered her gently.
"Nothing is wrong," Natalia replied, sounding a little too convincing.
Olivia simply titled her head and gave her a look that told Natalia that she was aware of the blatant evasion in that answer.
"Look," Natalia began. "I've had a horrible week so far, mostly because of you." She smiled slightly. "You've just had a tense few moments back there as well. I for one am currently sick of this place. I just want to go somewhere – anywhere – and just forget all of this bullshit for a few hours." She kept her eyes on Olivia's and softened her own as she continued, "And although I have no idea why, I would like you to come with me." That's when she finally looked away. "But if you don't want to, that's fine. I'm still leaving, with or without you."
Olivia took a moment before speaking. She knew that there was a lot that was being unsaid, but she also knew that she could save the interrogation until Natalia had settled a bit. She herself felt her emotions shifting into fierce protectiveness and stepped away from the door.
"Alright," she opened the door for Natalia. "And now for the words I've been dying to say all week..." she gave a mock seductive smile and nodded her head to the side. "Let's go back to my room, Beautiful."
-----------------------------------------------------------
Olivia emerged from her bedroom wearing a mid-length navy blue, sarong style wrap and a white short sleeve peasant shirt with cut-out lace pattern along the top. She let her hair down and exchanged her earrings for a less formal pair.
"This is about as casual as it gets with what I packed," she said to Natalia who had been wondering around the living room while she waited.
"You look fine," she said.
And leave it to you to know how to rock a tight fitting pair of designer jeans, Olivia noted while trying not to stare.
"Right back at ya," she replied and, when she saw a genuine smile reach Natalia's lips, she felt relieved. Olivia resolved that no matter what the reason was behind their impromptu outing, she was going to do her best to steer clear of any of the topics that normally had them going at each other's throats. She truly wanted to draw Natalia away from whatever seemed to be weighing her down and lift her spirits back to where they were earlier in the afternoon.
"So, where are you taking me, Ms. Rivera?" She asked.
"First thought was a bar."
Olivia looked down at her watch. "It's only three p.m.," she chuckled.
"Yeah, too early...even for you," Natalia said with a playful look and bit her lower lip as she pondered.
"Nice one," Olivia said. "We could go to a coffee-shop. Or if you reeeaally need to drink we could find a lounge. Maybe one with live music so we could drink under the guise of enjoying the entertainment." They both laughed.
"I am liking the drinking option right now," Natalia clasped her hands together, brought them up to her mouth and chewed on the back of one of her thumbs. "Is that bad?"
"Well, I'm not about to let you get completely blitzed so early in the day, but I think it's okay to indulge every once in a while." Olivia grabbed her purse and slid on her own comfortable pair of designer sandals. "Depending, of course, upon the reasons why you're chasing inebriation," she added as she moved slowly towards Natalia, stopping just in front of her.
"I know we may not have exactly made it to the 'F-word' yet," Olivia's smile occurred when she saw Natalia's. "But since I'm the only one here and all, I'd listen... you know, if you wanted to..."
Oh God, you don't know how badly I wish I could, Natalia confessed to Olivia in her mind. If you weren't directly involved in all of this, I am sure you would actually understand why I did what I've done.
"I'm fine," she looked away from Olivia.
Olivia slowly nodded, knowing she was getting nothing more out of the determined younger woman. "Okay," she said quietly and moved around Natalia to get the door. "The complete asshole, with whom you tragically share DNA, mentioned there being an intimate little jazz club close by."
"I think I know the one."
"Excellent. Shall we then?" She held the door for Natalia who gave her a dimpled smile as she passed by.
"We shall."
-----------------------------------------------------------
The club was, unsurprisingly, sparse of patrons. They made their way around the bar, which was situated in the middle of the room, and found a darkened booth in the corner. As they were sliding themselves along the large, L-shaped leather bench, a waitress was already making her way towards them.
"Hello, Ladies. Can I get you something to drink while you take a look at the menu?" She said as she handed them a list of appetizers.
"Actually we'll just be ordering drinks so these aren't necessary," Natalia said handing hers back to the woman. She caught Olivia's amused expression. "Unless, I'm sorry, did you want something else?"
"No," Olivia crossed her hands in front of her. "No, I'm still reeling from that succulent meal you prepared for me." She turned to the waitress. "Perhaps you have a list of different shots we could try?"
It was Natalia's turn to give the amused smile as she raised her eyebrows slightly. Olivia gave her a wink and then focused her attention on the list that she had just been given and also on what the waitress was recommending.
"Two Lemon Drops and two Apple Jacks?" She looked over at Natalia who quickly nodded her approval.
The waitress took Olivia's appetizer menu back and gave her a lingering smile that Natalia noticed, though Olivia did not. "Coming right up." The woman turned and made her way to the bar.
Natalia rested her head on her hand. "Only here for three minutes and, already, you have an admirer," she smirked at the oblivious older woman.
"What are you talking about?"
Natalia motioned her head in the direction of the waitress.
Olivia turned to the bar and saw only the waitress standing there. She shook her head as she turned back around. "You're insane, she's just being nice."
"Mmhhm?" Natalia teased, giggling at the slow blush making its way to Olivia's cheeks. "Does that bother you?"
"Does what bother me?" Olivia leaned her elbows on the edge of the table and made a bridge with her interlaced fingers for which to casually place her chin.
"That our waitress clearly wants to accidentally drop the tray of shots on your lap so she can offer to lick them from your thighs." She wiggled her eyebrows once and flashed a huge smile.
Olivia simply stared at the beaming woman, momentarily unable to speak.
Of all the things she could possibly say... she muttered to herself as she regained her composure.
Natalia giggled.
"No, actually," Olivia replied in a controlled tone. "What does bother me is why you have that image floating around in your head." She cocked an eyebrow at her consort. "Care to share any other naughty thoughts you've been having about my thighs, Natalia?"
Natalia lowered her gaze to the small tea light candle that was glowing within a red glass holder and she moved her hand over to it to pass her fingers quickly through the flame. "Not before the fourth round of shots, no." Her smile was flirtatious as she sideways glanced into Olivia's emerald green eyes. A split second of electricity seemed to pass between them.
Before Olivia could say anything else, the waitress came back with their drinks and placed them in the middle of the table. She turned her body directly towards Olivia as though she were completely unaware that Natalia even existed. "Just wave when you're ready for another; I'll be right over." The petite red-head flashed another smile at Olivia who, in turn, thanked her politely.
Natalia waited until the woman was out of earshot before she giggled. "Oh yeah, she's got it bad!"
"Shut up, Rivera!" Olivia rolled her eyes.
"Nice blush." Natalia winked.
"Well excuse me for not being as used to getting hit on by other women as you no doubt are."
"This is California, Spencer, not Springfield. Of course I'm used to it," Natalia said seriously.
"I can imagine." Olivia had meant the statement to sound like a barb, but instead, the tone of her voice and the look in her eyes served to convey it as being more of a compliment. Unable to hold the other woman's intent gaze any longer, she lowered her eyes to the table.
Natalia sensed Olivia's sudden discomfort and decided to come to her rescue by changing the topic. "Okay," she said lightheartedly, "which one do we do first?" She arranged one of each shot in front of Olivia and then moved hers towards herself .
"Apple Jacks, oddly enough – I find the Lemon drops to be sweeter."
They both raised their shots and, before Olivia could clink them together, Natalia reached out and lightly grabbed her wrist, stilling her movement. Olivia looked up at the brunette questioningly.
"Rule number one..." Natalia said with a serious face, as she mimicked the blonde's earlier recital of 'The Ground Rules' at lunch. She waited for Olivia to stop chuckling before she continued with a smile. "All previously restricted topics of discussion still apply. Fighting with you is a blast and all but doing so whilst under the influence may get a bit ugly."
"Agreed."
"Rule number two. Promise me you'll cut me off before I climb on top of the bar and start dancing with my shirt off."
"I can't promise that I will stop you from a tantalizing display of public nudity, but I can guarantee you I won't let you dance." Olivia flashed a mischievous grin.
"Fair enough." Natalia continued. "Rule number three..."
"Now who needs the notepad?" Olivia sighed.
"Rule number three. If you plan on bringing the waitress back to the hotel, for God's sake, don't start going at it in the limo. I'll probably already be close to getting sick as it is."
"I'll try and control myself," Olivia droned.
"Bottoms up," Natalia said, and they both drank their first shot.
"Damn!" Natalia said placing her glass back down and swallowing against the heat of the alcohol. "I needed that."
"I figured. Though I never would have pegged you as being much of a drinker. Aren't you freaking out about the impending loss of control?" Olivia teased the other woman.
"Hey, I'm a very fun person," Natalia said defensively. "You don't know the half of it!"
Olivia gave a glance in her direction. "I'd like to," she said honestly as she looked up at the other woman. The seriousness of her gaze matched the sentiment behind it.
Natalia felt a rush of warmth suddenly travel throughout her body though she wasn't completely certain whether it was a result of the alcohol hitting her blood stream or the heat being radiated from Olivia's ardent stare.
Olivia couldn't even deny it. She was flirting with the incredibly alluring woman next to her. And although it was still a bit confusing to her, it seemed natural and exciting. She watched Natalia stare off into the candle flame as she nibbled her lower lip in attempt to hide a shy smile.
I could bite that lip if only you let me, the unbidden thought created such a jolt of pleasure to course through Olivia's body that it nearly caused her to shiver. She immediately questioned whether or not it was a good idea to continue drinking. She noticed Natalia watching her and smiled, not knowing what she should say next.
"Round two?" Natalia pointed to the remaining shots.
"Ready when you are." They both took the glasses in their hands and proceeded to swallow down the tangy-sweet mixture. Olivia moaned at the delicious warmth as it traveled down her throat.
"Yummy," she breathed out and glanced over at the comical expression on Natalia's face. "Too sour for ya?"
Natalia held up her finger to signal she would need a few more seconds before answering. Olivia rested her cheek in her palm and giggled.
"Sorry," the brunette finally spoke. "Just had to regain use of my spasmodic tongue."
"It wasn't that bad, was it? You want to pick the next round?" She asked as she waved at the waitress to come back to the table. She glanced over at Natalia with a devilish smile and decided to have a little fun.
When the waitress arrived at the table, Olivia motioned for her to sit down beside her. The confused woman looked from Olivia to Natalia, who simply shrugged her shoulders. She slowly sank into the spot next to the cunning hotelier.
"I was just wondering if you would be able to assist us in recommending something sinfully delicious for our next shot," Olivia spoke slowly, never taking her eyes off the mesmerized red-head. "You see," she shifted a little closer to the waitress, "I believe that stunning woman to my right would enjoy the pleasure of experiencing something sweet on her taste-buds." She flashed a devious grin over to Natalia and, this time, held her gaze as she ran her index finger along the inside of Natalia's last shot glass and slowly brought it up to her mouth. Her eyes burned into the younger woman's as she licked the tip of her digit and slowly wrapped her lips around it.
"Mmph," she said, eyes still fixed on her target. "You were absolutely right.... much too sour." She turned back to the waitress and waited for her to speak.
"How about a Dirty Girl Scout?" offered the waitress with an intense blush. "You could chase it with an Orgasmic Scream."
Olivia's smile lit up her whole face. "Perfect," she beamed and watched the waitress fumble out of the seat and make her way quickly back to the bar.
"You know," Olivia sat back against the bench, "I could really get used to this girl-girl flirtation business."
Natalia shifted slightly in her seat and cleared her throat. "It would seem as though already have," she said pointedly.
"Meh, beginner's luck."
"Riiight."
The waitress came over with their shots and two chocolate martini's, 'on the house'. Olivia thanked the woman with a playful smile.
"Yup," she grinned. "Two free martinis today... global domination tomorrow."
"Easy, killer," Natalia rolled her eyes.
Music came on overhead and both women settled back in their seats. Olivia decided to get more comfortable by scooting into the corner of the bench and leaning against the same backrest as Natalia. She raised both her legs to the cushion that she was just sitting on and stretched her self out. She reached forward to get her drinks, and in her movements, the end of her wrap fell open slightly, revealing most of the creamy white skin of her right thigh.
The view was not at all lost on Natalia. She tried not to look, but her eyes seemed to ignore the direct warnings of her brain. She reached for her shot with a trembling hand and quickly downed it as though hoping it would wash away the sudden images she was having of running her fingertips up along Olivia's exposed leg.
Olivia grinned and swallowed her own shot.
The song that was playing was called ''Coffee Shop” by Landon Pigg. They both listened quietly to the lyrics, glancing at each other occasionally. Olivia couldn't help but bring up the topic of their next conversation.
"Did you know?" She pointed at the air above them signifying she was about to comment on the song. "There are people in the world who still believe in that whole 'one person for everyone' stuff? That no matter what decisions you make in each of your lifetimes, you will always be met with this one person at some point. So you'll always get a chance at true love." She stopped and tapped her finger to her glass.
Natalia pondered deeply what the blonde had just said and waited a moment before finally answering.
She snorted, "Pussies!"
They both laughed raucously and sipped their martinis. They giggled periodically as the effects of the alcohol started to show tangible evidence within their movements.
"You've never had that one defining love, Natalia?" Olivia asked seriously.
"Noooo!" Natalia said quickly. "Don't believe in that."
"Thousands of men's souls from all over the world have been crushed, I imagine."
"I take lovers when the need arises. Very picky though. If the man isn't a millionaire, he is intimidated by my wealth. However," she continued, much to Olivia's delight, "the richer the man, the less imagination they seem to have in bed." She sipped at her drink. "Does that make sense?"
"I know exactly what you mean." Olivia sipped her own drink.
"There is a boy..." Natalia said and watched Olivia's face change with a hilarious expression.
"Ooooh, a boy! Tell me more!" Olivia squealed in mock excitement like a teenager.
"I say 'boy', not because he is that much younger, but because he lives his entire life as though he is perpetually on summer vacation. He's from Italy. Doesn't speak English. I love that," she said whimsically. "He doesn't talk before, during, and especially, not after the sex.
Olivia watched Natalia closely as she leaned her head on the back of the high bench.
"The sex though is kind of generic. Almost too lazy for a hot, young Italian, if you can imagine that."
All of a sudden, Olivia found herself doing just that. She imagined Natalia's tanned calves wrapped around the backs of straining thighs, her nails digging into a muscled torso. Her mouth open slightly, her head turned to one side... a forward thrust. She closed her eyes and squeezed her thighs together to try and quell the throbbing that had just seized her center. She was acutely aware of her cheeks becoming flaming red. She turned to look away from Natalia, but it was too late.
The younger woman caught the flushing of her skin and the unfocused stare. She reveled in it. For some reason she wanted Olivia like that. She wanted Olivia to imagine her that way. Her blood roared through her veins. "I think I've reached my limit," she giggled. "I'm talking way, waaaaay too much!"
"And I'm not minding that one bit, apparently," Olivia said breathing out the tension she had been holding in as Natalia spoke.
They finished their martinis slowly, talking randomly at times but mostly just leaning back and enjoying the music as well as each other's company. Numerous glances were stolen, and more than a handful of smiles were shared.
When the bill came, with a phone number predictably written on the back, both women waited until they were out of the club before they cracked up about it.
They rode back to the hotel in silence. Both facing forward. Both having placed an opposite hand on the middle seat cushion. Each woman glanced down at the seat between them, wishing that the other would slide their hand closer until their fingers could touch.
Olivia stared out of her window and broke the silence.
"This tension between us right now," she said without looking away form her window. "This is new, isn't it?"
"Feels new," came the reply.
"Feels kind of..." Olivia stopped, not knowing exactly how to put it.
"Sexual?" Natalia said without looking away from her own window.
Olivia closed her eyes and breathed. "Sexual."
There was a brief pause.
"Should we talk about this?" Olivia asked, clearly unsure of the protocols to be followed when suddenly finding oneself becoming fiercely attracted to a member of the same sex.
Natalia turned to Olivia. "Probably," she said quietly. "But I don't want to right now."
Olivia watched her turn back away from her. "Okay," she said thoughtfully.
When they reached the hotel, Natalia ordered the driver to pull up to the side service entrance which would take them directly to the private service elevator. They weren't particularly drunk, per se, but neither woman felt like dealing with tourists and employees at the moment. They walked down the corridor to the elevator.
"I feel like I'm sneaking back to my room after breaking curfew during a high-school field-trip," Olivia chuckled.
"Yeah, like when you had to duck the chaperons in between the boy's floor and the girl's."
"That was pure hell." They giggled so much they had to help each other remain standing. Just as the elevator opened, Jacques came bursting through the side door down the corridor.
"Natalia!" He yelled after them.
"Ack!" Olivia pointed at the Frenchman, laughing. "Hall Monitor alert!"
Natalia quickly pushed the giggling woman into the elevator.
"Natalia!" Jacques called again.
Natalia raised her hand up at the oncoming figure. "No! Not now, Jacques!"
"Natalia, you need to..."
"NO! Not tonight, Jacques," she entered the elevator and pushed for the doors to close. "Not tonight," she whispered.
Olivia had no idea what just happened, but she knew that Natalia's mood had just dramatically shifted yet again. She came up slowly behind the younger woman, stopping just before their bodies touched. She wanted to comfort the woman, and as she leaned forward to embrace her fragile frame, her breath caught as she inhaled the scent of Natalia's perfume, the scent of her skin.
Natalia's eyes closed as she felt Olivia's warm breath brush across the side of her neck, and the heat from her body at her back. She reached slowly behind her to find the other woman's left wrist. She brought the arm around her and laid Olivia's hand flat against her stomach. Olivia pressed her back tightly against her. She could see the change in tempo of the younger woman's breathing as she brought her other hand up to Natalia's right shoulder, trailing her fingertips down the entire length of her arm until she interlaced their fingers together. Olivia then brought both their hands up to the number pad at their side, and holding Natalia's index finger out, pressed it into the number for their floor. The elevator started to move. She lowered their hands and pressed her lips against the velvet skin of Natalia's neck, just behind her ear.
"Come to my room," she whispered. It was plea in the form of a command.
Natalia's eyes fluttered shut once more, and her head rolled to the side and back against the shoulder behind it. Olivia held her tighter.
"I can't," Natalia replied, her voice tentative and pained.
"Yes, you can," Olivia countered. "I'll make some coffee. We'll talk. We'll just talk," Olivia was desperate to not have to let go of the woman in her arms. It felt right. That she was meant to be there.
"No," Natalia said gently as she turned in Olivia's arms and slowly backed away. "I'm sorry. I can't."
The elevator doors opened, and Natalia backed out of the car, holding Olivia’s gaze before turning to walk towards her room. Olivia walked slowly past her and watched her fumble with her passkey.
"Thanks for the lovely..." she glanced at her watch, "five-hour lunch-date." Olivia tried to smile.
Natalia smiled back. "Thank you." She watched as Olivia quickly turned and walked away, opened her own door, and disappeared inside.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Olivia leaned back against her door with her eyes closed and tried to calm her racing heartbeat.
"What are you doing, Spencer?" She spoke into the muted light of her suite. She banged the back of her head against the door. "Idiot!"
She pushed away and made her way a couple of feet into the room when she heard a light knock.
She froze. Her breathing picked up its pace again. She turned, went slowly to the door, and opened it.
On the other side stood Natalia. Her eyes transfixed with a look of both confusion and dark desire. Olivia felt herself being propelled forward by an unknown force within her. She reached out and grabbed the middle of Natalia's shirt, bunching it up in her fist and pulling her through the doorway. Neither woman moved until the door clicked shut.
As soon as the lock chimed, their mouths searched for one another's hungrily. Lips pressed together roughly and teeth clashed as they grasped blindly at each other, trying to bring their bodies closer together. Olivia took Natalia's face between her hands and stilled her. She looked deeply into dilated, lust-filled pupils before she slowly lowered her lips once again to Natalia's, savoring the feeling of the soft sensual lips that she had, more than once, caught herself staring at. She tried to maintain control when she felt the tip of Natalia's tongue trace her bottom lip, but when she felt its soft warmth slide into her mouth, they found themselves once again clamoring to get closer to each other. The flavor of each other's mouths exploded onto yearning taste-buds that quickly translated the pleasure into tiny moans and sent the message traveling to other areas of their bodies.
She threaded her fingers through Olivia's hair and pressed firmly against her neck, keeping her lips close during much-needed gasps for air. Natalia found herself being pushed backwards and allowed the movement, moaning as her back finally hit against the door; the soft but firm body in front of her pressing forcefully against her own. She gazed into the hooded eyes staring down at her as their breaths came in rasps. Her heart thudded wildly beneath her rib-cage as an overwhelming emotion washed over her that she had never experienced before.
It was as familiar as it was foreign. It was transcendental. It went so far beyond lust. And it was clearly being equally reflected in the other woman's eyes. It was overpowering. It was too much. Natalia understood physical desire, but the ways in which both her body and soul were responding to this woman was something she was completely unprepared for.
Olivia saw the thoughts beginning to cloud Natalia's eyes. She wanted to tell her the she was feeling the same powerful emotions, that she understood the confusion. The right words wouldn't come, and instead, she found herself lowering her mouth once again, but Natalia moved her head quickly away. Olivia tried once again, and Natalia caught her chin in her hand and gently pushed her head to the side.
Natalia didn't want to look into Olivia's eyes and see the evidence of the force between them. She didn't want the growing intimacy of their kisses that made her feel as though she was going to burst at the seams. It was too much. Instead, she leaned forwards and licked along the sensitive skin of Olivia's neck, eliciting another moan from the aroused woman. A moan that found its way back into the air through Natalia's lips when Olivia's hands slipped under the hem of her shirt and her fingertips found heated flesh.
Natalia lunged forward and wrapped the taller woman in her arms tightly as she spun her around, taking her turn in sandwiching Olivia between her body and the door. She stepped back, and a devilish smile invaded her lips when she caught the sight of Olivia's wanton visage. Olivia tried to grab Natalia and bring her body back to hers, but Natalia batted at her hands and laughed at the woman's urgency. She waited until the woman showed no sign of attempting to move for her again and slowly reached for the hem of Olivia's shirt. She stole a quick glance at the smoldering eyes above hers and slowly raised the material up over Olivia's head.
Without thinking, her mouth went immediately to the smooth skin over Olivia's heart. She felt the onset of emotions again as she felt the strong, rapid heartbeat against her lips. Olivia's head went back to the door behind her as Natalia placed tiny kisses along the top of her bra-line, but she bent forward again to try and capture Natalia's lips with hers.
The younger woman swerved away.
"Natalia..." Olivia began, but was quickly quieted by the sight of the other woman slowly removing her own blouse.
"Oh God," was all Olivia could whisper as Natalia pressed herself once more against Olivia's exposed flesh. She nipped lightly at the bare skin of Natalia's shoulder as the other woman licked along her collar bone. She caught the face beneath hers and lifted it. Desperate to taste those lips again.
But again, Natalia grabbed Olivia's hands and wrenched free.
"That isn't what this is," Natalia said quietly, holding Olivia's wrists at her sides.
"Natalia, please..." Olivia said gently. "Look at me."
"No!" came the refusal. "That isn't what this is!"
Olivia tried to remain focused as hands once again moved over her sensitive skin. She caught them and held them still against her. She had no idea what Natalia had meant, but she knew they couldn't continue without an explanation.
"Natalia, if you think this is about the hotel, I can assure you that this has nothing to do with my proposal."
Olivia swore she could actually physically feel Natalia shut down as her walls went back up. The younger woman slowly pushed away from her.
"You have no idea how right you really are about that," she said coldly as the fire that was just burning in her eyes became vanquished by the blanket of her guilt.
"What does that mean?" Olivia tried to sort out what was happening. Is she really going to just go right back to hating me tomorrow? She panicked in her mind.
Oh God, she is going to hate me tomorrow. Natalia had to brace herself against the threat of tears. She grabbed her shirt and threw it over her head.
"Natalia wait... talk to me... please," Olivia begged.
"You will be leaving California tomorrow." Natalia's voice remained stoical, moving forwards to place her hand on the doorknob.
Olivia moved out of her way. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"There is no hotel, Ms. Spencer."
She opened the door and turned back for one last look at the bewildered woman. She wanted desperately to apologize. To stay and kiss away the anger she was about to cause. But instead she slowly stepped through the door and walked away.
0 comments:
Post a Comment