Scars

Feel free to drop a line: maspgurl@yahoo.com

This story is for all of us who are still searching.

Scars: Part 1 of 2

Sam never held a crying woman in her arms before Selena Quinn.

Cold. Ice cold streets had her ducking into a bar on Agusta Avenue that night. It was one of those after- work bars near King Street Hotel in the business district. Fancy. Business suits. High heels. Cuff links. Red stained shot glasses. Sophisticated preludes to one-night stands. Usually she'd settle down quickly and survey the room for easy pickings. Tonight she was pissed. A business deal gone bad and boy was she mad.

"Fucking bankers," she muttered as she settled into a barstool. Ignoring the surprised expression of the man next to her she mulled over the call she received from one of her portfolio managers. The jackass of a man lost her a shit load of money on stocks she felt in her bones were to sweet. She promised his boss her money would be out by the morning. She had the bulk of it transferred to another bank with a substantial amount of her holdings in less than an hour later.

"Sam Adams in the bottle." The bartender nodded and opened a cold bottle efficiently a moment later. She remembered him. Even though it wasn't her usual scene she made a point to remember faces, places, facts. It's what kept her wallet lined with plastic and a rainbow array of bills.

A light and airy laugh filled the smoky bar. Sam looked over and watched the man with the receding hairline smile at the skinny red head in the sexy dress. Nice. She was a looker. He wasn't. But she was sure the redhead wasn't interested in his looks. From where she sat she saw the way his Rolex shimmered in the low lighting above them.

She was about to turn back to her beer when she saw her. Huh...

Sam turned away, took a sip of her beer, another, tipped the beer up until its contents emptied into her stomach then made a point to push the bottle away and swivel in her seat until she fully faced the woman whose gaze cut through the bar right between her eyes.

Sexy. It was an adequate description for the woman. From where she sat Sam noted the lines of the business suit. Quality. She bet it was a skirt suit too. She couldn't see beneath the table but Sam sensed a girly girl. Unusual face...not necessarily beautiful but far from unattractive. Exotic maybe? But how did the doe eyes come into play? Sad eyes in shape. Slim face. Camera ready. Sam smirked as she imagined that the woman was always ready for a camera with those eyes. A woman could get lost in eyes like hers.

Speaking of cameras, doesn't she look familiar?

The woman looked away embarrassed at being caught staring. Sam surmised that from the momentary look of consternation, the woman was chastising herself. Yet her eyes sneaked their way around the bar until they landed on Sam again.

Alone in a bar in a sexy business suit? Sam could think of only one thing the woman could want. Or was that need? That's what it always came down to wasn't it? That carnal need everyone had? Sam thought so even as she raised a finger for a drink. She didn't look up when the bartender placed it at her elbow. Sam didn't look at what bill she tossed in his general direction. She was anxious to keep the woman's eye contact. People got greedy in these bars. They'd steal a conquest from right under your nose if you let them.

She grabbed the beer and made her way over to the seated woman. Sam's heart began to race as she got closer. Hot damn! The woman was a looker. She watched as a manicured index finger started to rub the side of her condensing wineglass faster and faster. Nervous. Interesting. She looks so cool. So controlled...

Sam stood behind the chair opposite the beautiful stranger and saw the way she sat up a little straighter and looked to her left. Uncomfortable...yet she licks her bottom lip as she looked at me from the waist up, a quick look. Super fast. Interested. Very interested.

"May I join you?" Sam knew that her accent caught the woman by surprise. Juxtaposed against her Hispanic looks is a slight British accent. She has no idea what to do with it. Or me, she thought with a little smile. A shallow breath filled her lungs. Sam watched with heavy eyes as her modest chest rose then fell. "Be my guest."

"I'd love to," Sam said with a wicked smile. Right between those thighs. She thought she masked her naughty though but the camera ready woman caught the innuendo and smiled nervously as she licked her lips. Nice lips. The perfect fullness at the bottom that allowed Sam's imagination to run wild with a momentary vision of her mouth sucking that lip until it turned pink...red...

"Can I get you a refill?"

"I'm fine."

"More than fine, but I insist." Sam raised her hand as she swiveled around the chair. She turned back around to see the woman looking at her with an eyebrow raised. The woman's eyes are laughing even though her smile was a small one, barely there at all. "I haven't seen you here before."

The smile grew curious now. "You haven't?"

"No, I haven't." The woman nod her head slowly and smiled at the waitress who delivered the wine. After a quiet thank you she turned those sad eyes on Sam. "I wonder why that is?"

The woman tilted her head to the side curiously. Soft brown locks caressed her right eyebrow. Sam wondered if it felt as soft as it looked. "Why you've never see me here before?"

"No." She was obviously confused by Sam's answer. "Why there's no one making love to you right now..." Sam sipped her beer and bit her bottom lip as she watched the emotions flutter across the other woman's face. I surprised her. Good.

She cleared her throat and looked to the right again. Sam was tempted to follow her gaze to see if there was someone standing there. A jealous lover waiting with a sneer ready to kick her ass but she was sure there wouldn't be a soul.

"How do you know that there's no one at home waiting for me?" The quiet way the question was asked reeked of anger, even with the small voice. Touched a nerve...

"I'm not and I don't care. His loss..." She looked up quickly. Surprise then laughter flashed in her eyes. Sam was relieved. "or her loss." Surprise again. The stranger shook her head and laughed. "You're pushy."

Sam leaned forward with a smile. She'd think about why she was so determined to make this woman smile later. "Only about things that I want."

"Oh really?" She brushed the bangs from her forehead. Her hair was in a page boy style that Sam thought looked cute; layered just right, a little shaggy, begging to be ruffled. Sam had a feeling it was meant to look serious though. Business like. Professional.

"Oh really." Sam allowed her eyes to drop to the woman's lips. The last of her lipstick was about three swipes away from being gone. Sam found herself wondering how it tasted. Chapstick was the closest she came to the stuff on her own lips most days. "Can you guess what I want right now?"

She swallowed and shifted around in her chair. She was wet and Sam could tell. Her eyes were all over Sam's face, as if trying to remember every line, every curve. "You-" The stranger shook her head and laughed nervously.

"What were you going to say?" She shook her head again and allowed the nervous laugh to hang between them. This has to be her first time in a bar looking to get laid.

"Nothing. It's stupid."

Sam stared straight at her, letting the other woman have the full impact of her eyes. She knew just when to use the light brown orbs. Well, brown that day at least. She was told they turned hazel when her mood changed. She tried to look away but Sam leaned in an inch. Camera ready glanced down and licked her lips again. They were very soft and shiny after all the attention from her tongue. "It's just that you...you look like someone."

"Who?" She knew what the other woman was thinking. Sam heard it in the past, but for some reason today it took on a new meaning. For some reason hearing her say it made Sam want to...do what?

"Just a little. There's an actress..."

"Oh really?" Sam said feigning ignorance. "What's her name?"

The woman paused and shook her head with a half smile on her lips. It was the first moment Sam wanted to kiss her. Right then when she shook her head from side to side as if shaking away her own embarrassment.

"Michelle Rodriguez...? Ever heard of her?"

"Hmmmm...I think I know who you mean." Sam placed her chin in the palm of her hand and winked. "Is she sexy?"

The woman nodded her head up and down slowly. She laughed and mumbled something. "What was that?" Sam asked.

"I said that I can't believe I just said that."

"What? That you think I'm sexy?" The woman laughed and Sam felt herself relaxing in the stranger's company.

"You're trouble." Her eyes, a deep soulful brown twinkled now beneath her touchable bangs.

"With a capital T baby." Sam continued smiling as she allowed the words that had been fluttering around her brain since she spotted her to pop out. "I wanna go home with you tonight."

"Wh-what?" Sam almost laughed at the deer-in-the-headlights expression on the woman's face. The level of surprise started to worry her immediately even as she pushed it away.

"You seemed surprised. You know you're sexy. You know the picture you're painting with your wine glass and this dim light."

"I-"

Sam leaned forward stopping the argument on the tip of the stranger's tongue. When she took a sip of wine she lowered her voice. "I can make you orgasm at least three times tonight." Sam watched the wine squirt out of her nose and splatter the table top. She held in her laughter as the woman wiped her nose and her eyes began to water. "Sorry." Her voice was not remorseful.

The stranger held out her hands, palm forward when Sam stood to help her. "I'm fine!" She mumbled behind a napkin.

"I can see that..."

"God, that was embarrassing. That was bad." Sam offered another napkin as she wiped her eyes. They were a little red but not insulted to Sam's relief.

"I'm sorry."

"You don't sound sorry."

Sam smiled and held out her hand. "I'm Sam."

The woman studied the hand as if trying to find a trap. She reached for it and paused before grasping it in a firm grip that she tried to release quickly but Sam was reluctant to do the same. So their hands remained joined, growing warm. "I'm Selena," came the shaky response. Sam's eyes narrowed at the sound. Once again, she shrugged it off. She never got hooked so this Selena would be no different.

"Will you allow me to make you feel good tonight?" Sam watched the indecision, the guilt, the sadness and yet...lust. Every emotion, as clear as day.

"Yes." Whispered, but Sam heard. She pushed her beer aside and gently pulled Selena to her feet. Sam took the coat that was on the back of Selena's chair and held it for her as she slipped into it. Once it was snugly buttoned she reached for her hand and led her out of the bar, taking note of the table surrounded by four men who watched them leave with open mouths. With a glance behind her Sam saw the blush making its way up her neck. She saw their expressions too but instead of her usual strutting around she ignored them.

"You wanna go to my place?" Selena paused. Sam felt their clasped hands becoming slippery. She held on tighter and moved closer. "We can go to your place." Selena shook her head quickly. "Okay. My place then?" "Your place is fine."

This is going to be an interesting night.

Sam was anxious. She felt Selena watching her. She smoothed the top of the taller woman's hand with her thumb the entire way. This was one pleasant surprise that Sam liked immensely, Selena's height. She had a thing for taller women. Her lips fit nicely and comfortably to the pulse hammering in Selena's throat. Five minutes later and they were walking up the steps of a building fa‡ade of marble and glass with "Thorne Condominiums" in shiny gold letters above their heads.

"This is a nice building." Sam looked around as if seeing it all for the first time.

"You like it?" Selena's expression was incredulous.

"Yeah. Did as soon as I saw the 3D image in Canadian Architecture." Once the passkey granted access, Sam pushed the door open. Sam shrugged with a noncommittal nod that made Selena laugh. "You have no idea where you live do you?" Sam chuckled and nodded for Selena to go ahead of her.

"I guess not."

Selena looked around the empty lobby impressed by how well appointed it was. Straight out of Architectural Digest. Sam might look a little...rougher than the women she usually hung out with at the charity dinners and museum openings, but it was obvious she had a well-paying job.

They stepped into the elevator and Sam pressed the button with PH on it. As soon as the door began to close she stepped closer to Selena. Selena jumped slightly but Sam soothed her when warm fingers began to stroke her wrist. "I'm not gonna bite you."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," Sam murmured as she grazed her lips against Selena's. With a sigh Sam simply allowed their mouths to linger there. Touching, unmoving. All too soon the elevator door opened. It took Sam a moment to step away but she did. Eventually.

She led the way down the dimply hit hallway with three doors leading off of it. She opened PH1 without turning around. She felt the unease and decided to give the other woman space to settle her feathers. She flung her keys on the table near the door and stepped out of dark brown boots. Selena watched as she took off her jacket and hung it in a closet, still with her back to her silent guest. Next Sam unbuttoned her shirt and walked over to the kitchen to set up a drink.

Sam knew what she was doing. Let her watch. Let her get comfortable. "You thirsty?" After a few moments with no answer she looked up to see Selena shaking her head with a frightened look in her eyes. Her hands clutched the lapels of her jacket so hard that the knuckles looked stark white. She stopped what she was doing and leaned against the counter edge. After a few moments of mutual observation she motioned for Selena to come closer. She didn't budge.

With hand outstretched she watched the wariness and caution dance across Selena's face. "Come here," she said quietly.

Selena walked over. Her heels echoed in the otherwise silent space around them. She's scared. Shit.

"I'm not gonna bite you ya know?" Sam watched as a lightness finally filled the dark brown eyes. Selena licked her lips again, looked left then stepped fully in front of Sam. She glanced at Sam's chest now and then until finally she couldn't help it and stared at the place where the material of Sam's bra met mesmerized. Past lovers commented on Sam's bigger than average breasts but it wasn't until that moment that she truly felt they were anything special.

Sam watched her, feeling this urge to be careful. Not knowing why or even beginning to understand.

One-night. Don't over think it girl...

Yet...

She smelled the soft, flowery scent of Selena's perfume. She wondered what scent it was. She liked it. She smelled something in Sears the other day that she knew would be sexy on the lightly freckled skin.

"It's gonna be impossible to be slow with you." Selena looked up and hands that were beginning to rise fell back to Selena's side. "You can touch me."

"I-I can't." If there was anything Sam loved, it was a challenge.

"Yes you can." Sam took trembling hands and parted her shirt revealing her breasts as warm hands touched her waist. Sam liked to the way Selena gasped and began to breathe heavier. With lips barely touching Sam asked, "I wonder how loud I can make you scream?" A low groan was evidence that Selena was getting hotter even if she was barely showing it. "You remember what I promised you back there?"

A quick nod and she was staring at Sam's chest again. Sam chuckled as she raised her chin and stared into the soulful eyes again. "I need to know what you want. 'Cause I know what I can give."

"I don't-" The confused gaze made her pull the taller woman closer. Selena tumbled into her, a hand pressing into the countertop the other finding itself to the small of Sam's back. "How do you need me to fuck you Selena?"

Selena's mouth opened and closed comically. Sam guessed that she had a lot of work to do with this one. From the look of pure lust dripping from Selena's body Sam surmised the woman hadn't been laid in a long, long time. She shook her head and found the back of Selena's neck with her hand and pulled her face down. Their mouths met, slightly chilled in the cool air. Sam felt warm hands making their way up her sides as their chaste kiss grew hotter. Sam opened her mouth and allowed Selena to make her way inside unable to hold back the groan of pleasure as lust fell like a ton of brick between her thighs.

She positioned one leg outside of Selena's and pulled her ass closer, needing to feel her. Her hands moved around the slim body and firmly grasped the two globes waiting for her.

What a nice little ass.

Selena suddenly yanked her lips away but Sam was on the chase to claim them again. "I have to tell you something-"

"No you don't," Sam said harshly. Their kisses grew deeper, wetter. Hotter. Sam began to press into the lithe body that was starting to rub against her. The firmness of the form beneath the blazer of her suit beckoned to her. Impossible, she thought. She couldn't be slow with her. Not when the contradictory, business suit battled with the nervous body trembling against her. Sam yanked up the skirt and heard the low moan as her hand rubbed the stocking-covered ass. "So sexy."

She allowed her fingers to dip between Selena's thighs and felt her knees buckle. Sam's arms was around her body quickly. Then her arms lifted Selena until the long legs wrapped around her waist. She walked with her, stumbling from time to time up the three steps, down a hallway lined with black and white photographs of faces Selena never saw that night. It was a miracle to Sam how they tumbled into her bed. She allowed Selena to suck her tongue into her mouth as she searched for the skirt's zipper. Sam pressed her body closer, loving the feel of her breasts against Selena's body. The jacket was practically yanked off as Sam felt nimble hands shaking their way beneath her bra. Sam began to run her palms over the soft, button-up shirt but felt hands stopping her. She paused but resumed removal of the stockings that were in her way.

"Shit you have some nice legs. So long. Soft..." Sam kissed her way down their length as the stockings revealed more and more skin. "So fucking nice..."

She made her way up again and allowed her body to be pulled closer and her mouth claimed. She knows how to kiss. Expertly her tongue was manipulated, pulled at, sucked. She began to grind her hips against Selena's body for relief. When warm hands found her breasts something wild imploded inside of Sam.

With jeans unbuckled and barely down her thighs and panties pulled away she didn't hesitate to lift one of Selena's thighs and press her heat against her. She hummed in delight when she felt the telltale wetness painting her skin. Sam pulled her bra off and allowed Selena to touch her at her leisure and she moved against Selena's body, pressing herself closer and closer. Sucking that same lip she had visions about until they turned the exact shade of red she saw in her mind.

She felt her body changing inside, waking up like some sleeping giant. "Fuck yeah..." She hummed and began to listen to the sounds rising from Selena's throat. She pushed closer, harder. The slick heat of Sam's center met Selena's thighs deliciously. The sounds their bodies made erotically filled the room. Selena gasped and flung her head back in ecstasy with fingers gripping the sheets, pulling and yanking. The sound of their bodies pressing together filled her head. It's all she saw. All she heard. This wasn't right. This wasn't right at all...she needed to stop...

But she couldn't stop. Sam grabbed her ass and heard when Selena's breath became trapped in her chest. Sam buried her face in Selena's chest as she came. Mouth pressing into a cotton shirt and biting into the fabric with a deep growl.

Jesus, what was that about? Way too intense...

Selena surprised her though as Sam found herself getting pushed away Selena's body shook and shook as her thighs clamped around Sam's hips like a vise. A part of her held her tight yet another...then Selena's started to tremble.

"What?" Sam moved aside the bangs she knew now were just as soft as they looked.

"Ohh shit. Sam-"

"What baby?" Sam tried to get closer, pushing her hands up the dressy work shirt again but she was pushed away, harshly this time. "What the fuck?" Her confused thoughts were trying to catch up. She never was particularly quick after good sex.

"I'm sorry." Selena turned away but Sam heard the tears that thickened her voice.

Oh shit, a crier.

"You're crying?" She could have slapped herself when the accusatory tone just made Selena cry harder. Sam was worried now. She was sure the woman wasn't a virgin. She would have known. Wouldn't she? "This wasn't you're...that wasn't your first time right?" She leaned on an elbow, her hand a few inches away from Selena's naked ass that was pressing into her bed. Not to mention the v-shaped patch of coarse brown hair that begged for attention. Even with the anxiety over Selena's answer looming over her head she wished it was pressing into her...

Focus dammit! "No Sam. I'm sorry."

"Why do you keep doin' that?" When the woman began to wrap her arms around herself Sam cursed herself and began to slowly tug at Selena until they faced each other. "I'm an idiot. Hey, look at me." She was at a loss when she saw the wet eyes downcast.

She could stir up quite a few reactions in women but none of them ever cried after she had sex with them...cried out but never flat out cried. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done this."

"Done what?"

"Used you."

"Do you see me complaining?" Selena snorted. Sam laughed as a little bit of snot came out. "Nice." She rolled over as Selena apologized over and over again. When she handed over a few sheets of tissue she chuckled at the easy display of adorableness. She heard a muffled response that sounded close to a thank you.

Now Sam may not have graduated top of her class but she did graduate. She put one and one together and figured that the tears were related to why she wouldn't let her touch her upper body. She figured abuse of some kind left a scar or something. Her hand balled into a fist at the thought of some asshole hurting Selena.

Don't know why I even care.

"Why won't you take your shirt off?" When Selena looked up like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar Sam barely resisted rolling her eyes. "I'm not stupid."

"I don't think that you're stupid." The sad eyes were still shiny with tears. It was just wrong for someone so pretty to ever be sad.

"Then talk to me."

"I'm-" Sam punched a pillow then leaned back placing a few inches between them. She was comfortable in her nakedness so had no idea how it affected Selena until she caught her curiously glancing more than once at the dark hair where her thighs met. She decided to just let her look and waited. Considering how her body hummed at the mere thought of Selena touching her, she figured she needed to get comfortable with Sam's nakedness. Very comfortable.

"A year ago I went to a friend to have something looked into."

Sam nodded slowly. Tears filled Selena's eyes again but she bravely fought them until they melted away.

"He looked into it but it wasn't good."

Sam tried to follow the vague story. She waited while Selena ran her hand over the edges of her shirt until every wrinkle was gone. "I knew it would be bad. We-I-" She breathed in deeply and released the breath. Sam took her hand, sensing that whatever she had to say was just about to be said, but Selena took it back and shook her head, sadness pulled at the corners of her mouth.

Then she took a deep breath and one by one the buttons of her work shirt were released until only a pretty, red-laced bra was left. Sam looked around her torso searching for some disfigurement but Selena was all sleek muscle and soft, perfect skin. Then she removed the bra... Sam made a point to slow her breathing as the reasons for Selena tears were revealed to her. Two of them. Two scars sliced boldly where the fullness of breasts once were.

"My mother kept hers and died five years ago. My big sister Rose..." A deep defeated sigh carried the words to Sam. "She thought she could fight it." The tears were falling freely now. "I told Lori I wanted to do it." She gestured at her breasts and the tears began to pool again. "She told me not to do it. To fight it. She told me about a friend she knew. She did it and hated herself." Sam held her hand again. This time she didn't let got but held on. "But I'm a coward. I didn't want to die. I told them to cut them off. Lori hasn't touched me in-in eight months. And I-I-I f-feel so-"

"Shhhhh..." Sam knew how she felt. Ugly. She saw it in the way her shoulders were hunched. The way she hadn't raised her eyes since she began talking. The broken tone of her voice. "Shhhh...I understand." When the slim body tucked itself against her she shifted until Selena stopped burrowing closer and grew still. Her broken cries filled the room as Sam wondered at the courage it took to come to a bar seeking companionship with her scars. She didn't know if she could do it.

Her hand rubbed soothing circles over the plain of Selena's back as her slim body shook with racking sobs. She ran the tips of her fingers over the bumps of her spine. With each bump something inside of her grew. She didn't know what it was until she felt her body growing wet again then she knew exactly what it was.

Anger.

She pushed Selena onto her back and looked down at her. Her tears were almost gone. The tracks were there leading to the side of her face, a road for new tears to follow. Her brow was furrowed in pain but still, even with the runny nose and the now red eyes, the woman still managed to look sexy.

Sam looked down at her scars. She saw Selena turn away but shook her head as she lowered her lips. Closer and closer until she pressed her lips to one. The right one.

Selena's body shook harder. Let her cry, but Selena wasn't about to leave her bed with that shame dragging behind her. Sam made the vow that night as she kissed along her scars. Murmuring hot words against her skin. Words she hadn't used on a woman in years. Not since the last time she allowed her heart to be broken. So far now in her past and fading quickly as she held Selena.

She unlocked that little chest inside of her and poured those words onto lightly freckled skin that night. Everywhere.

"...gonna lick you so good..."

"Ohh..."

"...can't stop fucking you..."

"Jesus..."

"Do you feel me there...?"

"Yesss..."

Sam's fingers moved inside of the body moving beneath her like easily. Deeper. Slower. They got wetter and wetter together. She pressed a sweaty cheek against the chest beneath her, felt a hand holding her close. Then her ear became a vacumm and all she heard was Selena's heartbeat racing. And she was just a woman about to have the third orgasm of her night. "Sam! Saaam! Sam-Sam-Sam-" On each breath she said her name. Like a prayer chant. Sam closed her eyes and listened.

"Mmmmmhmmmm...just like that. Your pussy feels so good..." A groan of protest met her ears when she slipped her fingers free.

"Oh Sam..." But she was too focused on completing her task. To invested in this woman's body now to stop. She kept her hand pressed against Selena's chest as she made her way south, making sure to keep firm contact with those scars until her mouth reached the low hairs smelling faintly of sweat but fully of Selena's very essence.

"I'm gonna bottle you up ya know?" She heard the laughter even as her tongue swept pass her hairs and dipped into the secretive folds she knew she'd find there. She searched lazily as Selena moaned that she couldn't give any more. She pleaded that she was done.

"I can make you come again."

"I can't..."

"You want to." She hummed against slick folds. "I can taste it."

"Mmmmhmmm..." Selena opened her mouth to deny it but the words were lost as her hips began to move. Sam's mouth began a light chewing motion that Selena began to echo until she held a rhythm that Sam struggled to keep up with. Her hands moved from the uneven line of skin over ribs that stretched up then down. "Come for me baby..."

"Oh God!" Sam closed her eyes and smiled as she licked at Selena's body, holding her clit firmly between her lips as Selena gave her last. She kept her mouth nestled between the warmth there until the other woman lay still, the only movement, slow fingers slowly moving through dark hair.

Sam kissed her way up Selena's spent body, "I like your pelvis...I like your stomach...I like your ribs..." Selena watched with heavy eyes as Sam hovered over her chest. "I loooove your scars." When she laughed Sam smirked and pointed to the right one. "Especially this one." Selena's eyes softened. Sam noticed this but forced herself to look beyond the expression on Selena's face. "Do you know what I like most of all about your body?"

"What?" Sam smiled with pride at the now craggy sound of Selena's voice. It was her aftershock voice. She hovered over her a breath away and allowed her lust to rise to the surface.

"Your pussy. It's so perfect. It gets so red and wet when..."

"Thank you Sam."

Just like that her attempt to fill the emotional moment she saw coming with lust was thwarted. "For what?"

"Making me feel beautiful again." Sam leaned heavily on an arm and studied the face beneath her. So beautiful and doesn't have a clue. Sometimes it's good when they don't know, but not this time. She allowed her thigh to slip intimately between Selena's and watched her eyes darken. Just as they did a soft blush of embarrassment filtered up her neck. This one is trouble...

Sam rolled over and yanked open one of the drawers of her side table. Selena watched as she opened a silver rectangular compact and pulled out a card. A business card.

Selena took it and read. It simply read Samantha Williams T. in a fancy calligraphy and had two numbers typed beneath and an email address. Sam snatched the card out of her hands and quickly scribbled on the back of it. When she gave it back she rolled on top of her before she could read it. "Whenever you need me to make you feel that way again you call." The doubt in Selena's eyes made her lean closer. "You know what I just gave you?"

Selena nodded her head before she said "Yes. It's a-"

"Open booty call. 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Don't give this card out to anybody. Now," Selena jumped at the sudden change in topic. Sam allowed the desire to be turned on again. It was easy with this one. "You know what I wanna do right now?"

Selena laughed as she ran a hand over Sam's waist and over her ass. Sam noted that this boldness peeped up after orgasm number two.

"I think that I have an idea, but why don't you tell me."

Sam moaned deeply as she pressed a warm kiss to Selena's neck, breathing in the faint perfume at her pulse. When their gazes lingered she said "Sleep." And held in a laugh at Selena's surprise. "I'm not much of a cuddler but I can share the sheets."

"Oh, okay..." Sam flung an arm over her head and watched as Selena rolled onto her back only to settle onto her side and turn away from her. It was going on 1am and Sam still had a woman in her bed. Unheard of. Yet she found herself moving closer to the tense body next to her and snaking an arm around her waist. She tucked her arm beneath Selena's head until the pageboy style tickled her skin. When the hand at Selena's stomach unclenched from the loose fist there, Sam slid it up a taught stomach and over ribs until she held half of her marred chest. "Sleep now."

As if it was all the woman needed to hear, Sam listened as she drifted right off to sleep.

Trouble, she thought as she listened to deep breathing.

Selena stood holding her shoes in one hand and a silver bordered business card in the other. It was almost 5am. Like clockwork she was up but unlike her normal morning she didn't want to leave the warmth she woke up surrounded by. She watched as the woman slept. "Samantha Williams" the card read. Samantha. She liked the name Sam better. She figured that it was best to leave under the cover of darkness so that the night would remain what it was, a one-night stand.

Sam.

She woke up snuggled against the woman like she was the last form of warmth on the planet. Even with the chill in the air Sam was spread out on the king sized bed as if she didn't feel cold at all. And she didn't, Selena knew this intimately.

Leave Selena.

She felt the tears falling from her eyes as she watched the elevator doors closed. This time the tears weren't so sad though. As she fingered the card she'd probably never use she had a little smile on her face that followed her all day.

Sam flipped the newspaper open to the business section as she sat on the balcony in the cool morning. The Toronto cityscape greeted her with a hazy sunrise and the increasing noise of the traffic over thirty feet below. Every now and then a breeze would threaten to lift up her paper but she'd slap it down and keep on reading. She bit into a slice of toast then paused as she studied the couple in one small corner of the entertainment section of the paper.

"Socialite splits with long-term girlfriend."

She scanned until she read "Selena Quinn". Her eyes traced back to the picture of the couple mixed in with other random pictures of the city's social elite. Lori. So this is Lori. Lori Turner the idiot asshole. Sam studied the woman's face closely. "She ain't all that," she muttered as she focused back on Selena's face with its plastic smile. Sam figured she should find solace in the fact that Selena's smiles were genuine when they were together.

It's been two weeks today.

Sam continued to stare at the picture and almost jumped out of her skin when the coffee maker rang out from inside. Reluctantly she stood up gathering the papers. A quick glance at the clock on the wall had her quickly pouring her coffee and walking into her bedroom. "Shit. Probably gonna be late."

Selena stood munching on a muffin that the bank she was employed at probably had made in the company's cafeteria. It was good but she ate it robotically like she did a lot of things these days. Her thoughts were now preoccupied when they weren't looking at markets fluctuate all day and doing research.

"Ms. Quinn, Mr. Rogers said that he'd be a few minutes late." Selena looked up and saw her secretary staring up at her earnestly. It was the only expression she ever wore. If Connie wasn't so efficient Selena would tell her to lighten up but she knew it was the only mode her secretary worked in.

"Thanks Connie," she said as she was given the last minute research she requested and a cup of tea. Connie knew she hated the coffee the office heads seemed to favor. "Hold my calls will you?"

"Yes ma'am."

Men dressed in business suits, most of them ill-fitted, began to fill the room. A few women peppered the group. Good mornings were grumbled by those still not awake and not said at all by those annoyed at being in the meeting at all. Selena watched as Ted Donalson ambled over to her. "The client is going to be a few minutes late. Said traffic on Lakeview." Sam Thorne. Some big-shot financier and start-up investor. She had the account for a few weeks now but was too busy to give it the inspection she usually afforded her client's. Thank god for her efficient support staff. She'd have to buy someone lunch soon.

"No problem. I can admit that I was a bit surprised that he wanted to diversify his portfolio to this extent. Maybe this meeting will clear things up. It would also be good to finally meet him."

Ted looked at Selena confused and raised his hand as if to say something when a small group of persons entered the room.

"Sorry I'm late folks. Traffic." Came a brisk, feminine voice. Feminine. A feminine and familiar voice. Selena tried to look over Ted's shoulder but the woman was being surrounded by suits straining to shake her hand and introduce themselves. Finally Selena had a look at the woman and felt her heart jump to her throat.

Immediately images of her thighs framing Sam's head filled her head. Her hands gripping Sam's headboard...

Sam shook the hands that needed to be shaken between them then finally came face to face with Selena. When Sam licked her lips and winked Selena was sure that everyone knew what she was doing with the woman that night two weeks ago. It had to have been written on her face.

"Ms. Quinn if I'm not mistaken?" Selena felt her hand reaching out on its own accord and gasped at the soft touch she remembered. More than one eyebrow raised in surprise and envy at the business woman knowing Selena already.

Selena thought back to the night and the name of the building they entered. Thorne Condominiums. One of the very assets she researched before their impromptu meeting. How did I miss it? And I guess the T stands for..."Ms. Thorne. A pleasure to meet you. It's great that you came." When Sam raised an eyebrow and one side of her mouth lifted in a smile Selena caught on to what she said and where Sam's mind was wandering. "To the meeting!" She closed her eyes for a moment and pasted on a smile.

"Oh I'm glad you came too Ms. Quinn. And you are...?" She turned to another suit. Selena sat down before she fell. When everyone finally settled Sam slapped her hands on the desk, commanding control of the room.

"Alrighty! Now let's talk about why I want to invest over five million into corn and why you all shouldn't be as scared as you look right now." When her eyes connected with Selena's, Selena lowered her gaze and wondered why she didn't know that the woman who gave her one of the steamiest nights of her life and made her forget about the scars that had her life on hold was Ms. Samantha Thorne-Williams, one of her banks biggest clients.

"Scars?" She muttered. "What scars?"

"What's that Ms. Quinn?" Selena caught the flash of heat in Sam's eyes that everyone else missed. The pleasure she took in her discomfort.

"Nothing Ms. Thorne. Please continue."

"Sam. Please, I feel as if I know you already."

Selena lowered her eyes and crossed her legs again. It was going to be a long morning.

Isn't it always the case that you never notice you were missing something until you have it? Selena Quinn figured in her case it would be more accurate to say until you lost it. It's just that it's hard to lose something you never had...

Did she ever really have her?

The phone on her desk rang one long, abrasive ring, pulling Selena out of her thoughts with a start.

"Selena Quinn."

"Ms. Quinn, this is James Sentry..." She sighed inwardly even as she grabbed a notepad.

Mr. Sentry hung up after fifteen minutes of a one-sided conversation and if not for the notes that Selena absently took she would have forgotten what it was the man was talking about. Mutual funds...selling a few bonds he had in a fast food chain. She had to remember to pass this client on to one of her junior staff members. Even as she looked at the note pad her mind was drifting away again. Far away. A little over two weeks ago Sam waltzed into her bank, dropping the bomb of who she was on Selena and opening the flood gates of her memory to her gentleness.

Not a word before then, but did she really expect one?

"Whenever you need me to make you feel that way again..."

She never promised to call, she told me to call her. Then she came into her life again and disappeared. Selena admitted to herself that night that she expected her to stop in her office, talk to her at least. But she was gone as soon as the meeting ended. A flight to the U.S. Selena overheard.

Selena looked at her watch and was surprised to see that it was after five. She vaguely remembered Connie telling her goodbye. She walked by the cubicles not too far from her office. One of the young traders sat working hard. She looked up and smiled.

"Have a good night Laura."

"You too Ms. Quinn." Selena was training Laura. She loved to train the junior staff of the bank. It was a small investment bank and mostly a way for them to get experience after college, though a few did stick around. They were the ones who didn't need the faster pace of the bigger conglomerates.

Selena loved her job. It had its moments of excitement. She talked to people from all over the world and had a glimpse into the lives of some of the smartest business men and women on the planet. There was a time when it was enough. It even covered the gaping hole between her and Lori for a while. Now, after a single night with a woman who wasn't at all what she seemed to be, Selena came face-to-face with a truth that scared her to death.

It wasn't enough.

She bought a home in The Annex, a part of the city where the college professors and artists lived. In the midst of it Bloor Street cut through boldly. South of that, College. She pulled up into her driveway and stepped out of the car. Snow was in the air and threatened for the last few days now.

Selena wished it would fall already. She loved the snow.

Inside she didn't waste time getting out of her clothes and in the shower.

I cried in her arms...

Hot water made her hair appear black. It ran down her neck and over her chest. She made a point to make her showers brisk in the past. The quicker she showered the lower the probability of seeing herself. Now she ran the cloth over the scars slowly, following the jagged lines, wondering why the surgeon cut at that exact angle.

Call her...

In bed she stared at the ceiling. She should make something to eat but she had no interest.

I wonder what she's eating tonight?

She figured that Sam wouldn't answer. People give you their numbers but they never really are available when you need them are they? For at least eight hours every day even Selena had her own cell phone turned to silent.

It rang three times. Selena held her thumb to the end button when the line opened and the sound of people talking and laughing filled her ear.

"Hello?" Sam?s voice filled her head.

"Hello?" Selena knew she sounded like an idiot and hurried to remedy that. "Samantha? Sam?"

"Who is this?"

She could be wrong but she was sure she heard a smile in the woman's voice. "It's-"

"Selena," she heard on a sigh. "Finally called huh?"

"Well...I...yeah. How are you?"

"I'm well, and yourself?" Small talk moved back and forth. Selena kept away from the reason why she called and Sam wasn't making it easy. "It sounds like you're busy. I can call back if-"

"Never too busy. How may I be of service?" Selena felt her heartbeat increase. How can she make an innocent statement sound so...erotic?

"I just...I wondered if you maybe..." Thirty five and fumbling like a twelve year old. "I-"

"Sammy!" Someone called loud enough for Selena to hear over the phone. "You sound busy."

"I'm not."

Silence.

"Listen. I can talk to you later."

"What do you need Selena?"

"Can I see you tonight? Just to talk or..."

"That might be a problem..."

I'm a fool. "It's fine. It was silly."

"I'll pick you up at 7 tomorrow night. Take you out."

Selena's heart began to gallop in her chest. "Okay."

"Sounds good?"

"Sounds good. I won't keep you."

"Selena."

"Yes?"

The noise around Sam filled the silence. It sounded like quite the party. The complete opposite of the lonely silence of Selena's bedroom. "Thanks for calling."

Thanks? "You're welcome..." Sam chuckled and said goodbye.

"What do you mean you have to leave three days early?"

"Mama! I explained already. No, no. I don't need any more food mama. They're gonna lock me up for taking all this food into Canada."

"This is good food! Take it!"

Sam smiled fondly at the plump woman who moved about her bedroom stuffing her two suitcases with more food than she could eat. "I'm gonna have jeans that smell like garlic."

"This is good. Then you can buy more feminine clothes."

"Then how would I ever find a good wife?" Her mother balled her fists and placed them stubbornly on her hips. She was playing mad. Sam knew that she loved her teasing. There was a rough patch when even mentioning a girlfriend caused a deep, impenetrable silence between them. "I'll miss you."

"Come back soon."

"Christmas. Promise. Might even bring someone." Her mother's eyes widened but she was out the door before she could get quizzed on her personal life.

Her little sister ran down the hallway as soon as she heard Sam's door open. Tiara. They hugged. Sam promised to bring her something nice and girly. At sixteen she was lovely. She had their father's eyes. Speaking of her father...he came from the living room wiping his hands on his work pants ready to help her get to the jeep.

"Papa, I'm fine."

"Let's go. I'll drive you." At thirty nine she was still treated like a baby. Sam made sure to take the heavier bag and kissed her mother and little sister again.

"Be good pretty girl."

"I will." She would be studying in Canada soon. Culinary arts. Sam was trying to convince her to study in her city. Sam wanted all of her cousins to study near her but she sent a few cheques to schools in London and the U.S. every fall.

The drive to the airport was quiet. Her father wasn't know to be a talkative man. It was easier for him to show his love.

"Don't mind your mother. She brags about you all the time. You're doing well Samantha." The sun turned his olive skin a leathery texture. He was always in the sun with his job as a contractor. And at 63 he was still working, mostly overseeing now.

"If you need anything call." She watched him nod and knew that he wouldn't. He always found a way to take care of his family without "handouts" as he termed it. Thankfully her mother wasn't so proud and graciously tucked Sam's "gifts" away in a savings account. What daddy didn't know wouldn't hurt him. "And please let the families know that too."

"You need to visit the children next time you come home. It makes you happy."

Sam smiled just thinking about the two shelters she built on the island. She needed to do more but had to find the right people to manage them first. Good people were hard to find. When she heard that one of her cousins wanted to study social work she became her biggest champion. "When I get back I want to talk to you about a men's shelter in the city." He simply nodded his head. "I'll miss you papa."

"We always miss you miss business woman." Sam laughed. The truck pulled up to the airport and Sam was out and ready to go a moment later. "Must be some important call to take you away from your family so quickly." Sam merely smiled and leaned in to kiss his cheek. "I'll call. Bye."

Sam ignored the other first class passengers and they ignored her. It always amused her how much more sociable people were in coach. She just couldn't stand not being able to stretch out her legs and slouch. She pulled out her phone, when she didn't see any new messages or calls she settled in for sleep. Instead her mind filled with a face.

"Ummm...Ms. Quinn?"

"Yes Connie?"

"There is a delivery for you. Should I bring it in?"

"Yes. Send it in." Selena stood and watched the door curiously, thankful for a break in looking at the computer screen for the past two hours. When what looked like hundreds of yellow roses began to float toward her she stopped and watched mesmerized. It was placed on her table and Connie stood back, her eyes glimmering with curiosity and excitement.

It was announced across the city some time back that her boss broke up with her semi-famous, long term girlfriend. So who could the flowers be from?

"Thank you Connie." Her secretary left hesitantly.

Selena had an idea who they were from but searched for a card anyway. It was in the middle of the arrangement, wrinkled and no doubt viewed by everyone beyond her door, which was just about everyone under her management.

She shook her head and opened the little envelope. A small card was inside on which Sam's controlled script noted, "Beautiful, can't wait to see you tonight. S.T."

Despite the embarrassment of her staff reading the little note she felt a warm thrill move throughout her body. She picked up the phone and dialed, stopping midway when she realized Connie still stood watching her with an amused expression.

"Thank you Connie."

"Of course Ms. Quinn." Selena didn't miss the half smile on her secretary's lips.

It was 10am and Sam was probably busy in some meeting but she had to tell her thanks right then.

"Hello?" It was a woman's voice, but it wasn't Sam.

"Hello? I'm trying to reach Sam?"

"She's not available right now." Selena felt her heart shrink a little at the familiarity of the response.

"Thank you."

Stupid! Her hands shook as she hung up the phone. Why did some strange woman answer her cell phone at 10am? More importantly, why did she think that she was the only woman in Sam's life? Why did she think she had the right to be? Why were her eyes beginning to burn?

"I'm too old for this". Whatever this was. Dating? Casual sex?

She studied the roses. They were lovely. Expensive. But like her job, she knew that they could never be enough. She was too scared of herself to ask what would be.

She never told her how to dress. Where were they going? What were they eating? Should she wear heels or sneakers? "I haven't been out in months! What am I doing?!" With Lori it was always heels for Selena. High heels, sexy heels. "You make me look good!" She'd say, so there was always the slightest pressure to never do the opposite.

Lori. A bitter taste still lingered in the back of her throat. It was getting weaker but it was still there. She hadn't seen her since the official break-up though they were apart for months before.

"Fine," was all she said when Selena told her they needed to break-up.

Selena made sure to use the word "needed" to stress that it was a top priority in her life. It didn't seem to shake the socialite at all. She flipped her platinum blonde hair behind her shoulders and walked away before the main course arrived at their dinner table.

Isn't that how Lori always was? Leaving before the main course? "You'll be fine love," she said in the hospital the day after Selena's surgery. She was in some lunch meeting an hour after her visit. Selena remembered the hurt, then the anger and loneliness that followed one after the other.

She physically shook herself from her dark thoughts.

She chose a black dress and black heels. You never went wrong with a little black dress. She examined the synthetic padding for her bra. Her hands touched it almost reverently. With a deep breath she replaced it in her drawer.

"Lovely," Sam said as she stepped into the doorway. She leaned in for a kiss. Selena presented her cheek. Sam stepped back as if she hadn't noticed the rebuff. "We're going to a place I know. It's nice."

"You didn't have trouble finding my house did you?"

"Nope. I have a friend who lives in the neighborhood."

A female friend? She asked herself, but by the way Sam turned to glance at her she wondered if she asked it out loud. Sam looked sexy. She wore black boots that hugged her calves, tight jeans and what looked like a halter top beneath her wool jacket. The flaps were open as if it wasn't starting to snow that night.

"I'm over-dressed."

"You're perfect." They settled into Sam's car which Selena was surprised to find was a Honda. "I like your place."

"Thanks. I like your car." Sam laughed and pointed out the obvious, that it wasn't a Benz. "It's nice. The most recent isn't it?"

"Yep. I don't like flashy cars. Too pretentious."

"Some like flashy cars, others like flashy buildings." Sam flashed a smile but it was gone a moment later. Selena was worried she insulted her but then Sam began to speak.

"I didn't try to hide who I was from you. I have money but I just don't flaunt it around you know?"

"Did you think I'd turn into a leech and try to suck you dry?"

"No." They drove in silence for a few minutes.

"I make my own money. I don't need anyone to take care of me."

"Noted," Sam murmured though Sam doubted that. Everyone needed someone. Sam turned the radio on. Otis Redding filtered into the car's interior. She lowered the volume. "Aren't you curious?"

"About what?"

"How I got so rich?"

Selena turned in her seat and looked hard at Sam. "Is that what this night is going to be about? How rich you are?"

"You tell me?"

"Take me back home please." How could I have misread her so badly? Arrogant, self-involved...

"I'm sorry. I've had women-"

Soulful, doe eyes suddenly turned cold. "I'm not like your women Sam."

She's cool under pressure, Sam thought. I know she's mad.

"You make it seem like I have a harem or something." She laughed but Selena doesn't smile back. She continued on to the restaurant in silence for a few minutes. "I'm sorry."

"Who answered your cell phone?"

"Excuse me?"

"I think you heard me." Selena played back her question and sighed. The jealous tone was as thick as a tin of lard. "Nevermind. It's none of my business."

"You mean this morning? When you called?"

"You knew I called?"

"Did you like them?" Selena couldn't believe that she was smiling as if all was well.

"Liked what? The flowers that I was trying to thank you for when you didn't answer the phone?"

They pulled up to a one story building that stood in a parking lot filled with cars. Sam turned off the car and stared out the windshield for a moment.

Let her think what she wants.

Selena sat staring off to the side worrying her bottom lip. Sam didn't tell her though, that she called that day during a visit to one of the three businesses she invested in downtown. How was she to know that a trip to the kitchen would result in one of the waitresses answering her cell phone that she mistakenly left on the bar top?

This is getting very complicated very quickly.

She opened the car door and quickly made her way to Selena's side. When she stepped out she walked her two steps to the left until she stood pressing them both against the car. Selena's hands automatically moved to her shoulders. Her brows were furrowing above her nose. She couldn't help the kiss she placed on the shiny lips too close to be ignored. "Do you remember what I told you about that card?" Selena slowly nodded her head.

"I don't break my word. Ever."

"Would you lie to me?"

Sam searched the dark eyes staring down at her boldly. I guess I helped put more boldness in those eye. "No. I won't lie to you." Selena nodded her head slowly. Then her hands moved up to grasp the sides of Sam's jacket and pull her closer. The kiss was intense. Pushing tongues, rubbing tongues, searching tongues. Sam breathed in deeply for snatches of air. Selena didn't seem to want to let her free and then she was released. She felt a thumb wiping at her mouth.

"I'm ready to eat now." Sam stood back as the taller woman closed the passenger door and reached behind for Sam's hand.

"So why did you spend all that time in Britain?"

"Because my uncle said he'd pay for my education." Sam pushed her now empty plate away and smiled at Selena's curiosity. She didn't think that her life was very interesting but from the way Selena leaned forward and fired question after question, she had to rethink that.

"And they all live in the Caribbean? Your family?"

"Yes. A few cousins are studying in Canada and Europe now though."

"Does your uncle pay for them too?" Sam shook her head but Selena pressed on. "Who pays their way then?"

"In my family if you have it to help, you help."

Selena nodded her head slowly. When Sam asked if she wanted desert she gave in but only if Sam shared it with her. "You ask a lot of questions." "I can't help it. You're interesting." Sam laughed.

The desert arrived. Selena took a bite and hummed in pleasure. "She's an ass you know?"

"Who is?"

"That Lori woman. I don't know why she let you go."

The pleasure dancing in Selena's eyes faded. "I think you do."

"Let me amend that then." She took Selena's hand in hers and leaned forward. "I don't know how she could possibly let a woman like you go." Selena didn't know what to say so she said nothing. They both finished the last of the cake they ordered without another word.

At the door Selena watched Sam speak warmly with a man who came from behind the kitchen in a white uniform. They hugged and she made her way over to Selena.

"You ready?"

"Yes. Was that the head chef?"

"Assistant. I know his nephew from college."

Selena allowed Sam to hold her coat for her. They made their way slowly to the car. When Selena reached for her hand she allowed her to take it, their fingers locking together naturally. "Do you own this restaurant?" Sam chuckled as she shook her head, "I don't own every restaurant I take women to." The statement said a lot but Selena refused to focus on what it meant for their...situation. It wasn't a relationship even if at times it had a strange similarity to one. It was a situation.

Selena glanced over and watched the way the cold wind blew the soft waves of dark hair across Sam's cheek. The locks fell a few inches above Sam's shoulders and made Selena wonder how she looked with it longer. Selena then envisioned it shorter. Every look did things to the inside of her. Her mind struggled to climb out of the gutter. "Do you pay the college tuition for your cousins?"

There were more than a few moments of silence. Sam lowered her gaze and pursed her lips. Her posture screamed that she was uncomfortable with the questions. "Yes, if their parents can't pay it then I pay it."

"And that woman who answered the phone," Selena felt the hand in hers twitch. She held on tighter. "Did you sleep with her?"

This time the answer comes faster. "No."

Selena stopped walking and looked squarely into Sam's eyes. She moved closer and wrapped her arms around Sam's neck, oblivious to the few peoples walking by and their curious stares. She and Lori never held each other like this in public, but with Sam it felt easy. "Can I go home with you tonight Sam?"

"Your place or mine?" Sam smiled at the laughter that bubbled out of the Selena's throat with abandon. Her lips kissed the soft skin there. Sam raised her eyes to find Selena's hot gaze. She hummed into the fleeting kiss planted on her mouth.

Sam held the car door open as the taller woman moved past with a quiet thank you. The dark wool jacket parted as Selena sat in the seat. The way the dress slid easily up her thighs made Sam's fingers itch for a touch. She noticed the pebbled skin the cold created but closed the passenger door before she made a fool of herself.

With a deep breath she tried to look relaxed and in control but something nagged at her the entire drive to Selena's home. She knew as sure as she knew that her name was Samantha Thorne Williams that if she gave the wrong answer to just one of those questions that night, she would not be spending the night with Selena Quinn. Finally she knew what was nagging at her; when it came to the woman seated next to her, at some point the control slipped from Sam's hands completely.

"Do you like the ocean?" Sam asked as she lay in Selena's queen sized bed with the woman in question sprawled over her. Her hands lazily moved over soft skin trying to get Selena to purr in pleasure every now and then. It was a nice sound.

"I do, but I like the lake more."

"Why?"

"It's more contained. Not all over the place."

"So you like your bodies of water to be orderly then?" Selena pinched her side. She yelped a loud "Oww!"

"You're being smart."

Selena lazily ran a finger around a pebbled nipple watching the way it moved under the manipulation of her touch. Up, down...harder...

"Do you want to tell me how you made it rich?"

Do I? Sam stared at the dark ceiling. The street lights made it look a dullish dark blue. Curtains fell over the windows in Selena's room making it nearly pitch black. In Sam's bedroom the floor to ceiling windows were naked. It never was really dark.

"My Uncle Ellis was a banker and made some good investments in the 80's. He was the only one of the five who left the island and he never had kids." Selena shivered as warm finger tips ran down her spine rhythmically. "He never had children but he was a strong believer in a British education. We were all shipped off to the U.K. for high school and university. After university he'd give you some money to invest. He died a few months after I came back from university so I was the last one he did this with. Unlike the rest of my cousins I put to practice what I learned in business school. I invested in a social media website and a software company. I made a profit and made one ever since."

"Why aren't you in Forbe's magazine or something?" Selena smiled at the chuckle she heard in Sam's chest.

"Not as exciting a story I guess." Selena squeezed Sam closer. "You're exciting to me." Sam smiled at the top of Selena's head. The words were so innocent. So heartfelt.

"I have a lake house." Sam couldn't tell herself why she revealed that fact.

"Describe it to me." She did. Selena found out that night how well Sam was with descriptions. She felt as if she were right there, jumping into the lake. "Wait! What did you say?"

"I said I love to skinny dip up there."

"That's crazy."

"It's fun. You should try it."

"Never." Sam rolled her onto her side, tossing a thigh over Selena's legs to keep her within reach of her roving hands.

"Why not?" Selena looked at her as if she grew a third eye. She saw the answer on her face and placed a hand on Selena's chest, her thumb barely touching the edge of a scar. "It would just be me, you and the lake."

"And the hundreds of other people there Sam."

"I have a very...private piece of land up there." Selena smiled at the attempt at modesty. She had an idea about what "private" meant. It was probably an island in itself but she found that she breathed easier not thinking about the money.

"Everyone says that, then a picture of them ends up on Facebook looking silly."

Sam assured her that she wasn't on Facebook to begin with but Selena wasn't to be swayed. She decided to let it go and bring it up later. Later...what's wrong with me?

"What time is it?" Sam asked. If she knew what was good for her she'd leave. Go home.

Selena looked at her dresser and barely made out the clock. "It's almost one." Sam sighed and buried her face in Selena's neck. Breathing at first then nibbling her way down to her chest. "Do you have to go now?"

"You have work in the morning." Sam liked to kiss Selena's collar bones. They looked regal to her.

"Can't you stay Sam?"

Selena felt when the other woman's ministrations stopped. She closed her eyes praying that she wasn't scaring her away. She knew that clingy behavior made rolling stones run but she was helpless to stop herself from asking the question.

"I think that I could be persuaded to stay..."

Selena saw the challenge in her smirk. She rolled the other woman onto her back and climbed on top of her. Her second night with the woman and she already had a good idea about what she liked. "I'll let you touch me Sam." She discovered rather quickly just how much Sam loved to touch and be touched.

"Oh yeah?"

"All night. However you want." She made room between their bodies and slipped her hand between Sam's thighs. Immediately her fingers delved into moist heat. Her lips brushed Sam's ear as she whispered, "I'll let you eat me any way you like Sam."

"Mmmmm...that sounds...promising." Selena smelled the low, musky scent of arousal coming from the woman beneath her. Sam's hands searched for something to hold onto. She offered her own and ended up being pulled closer and stretched taught over the panting woman. "Go inside baby." "Like this?" She slipped in two fingers and watched Sam's face contort in a grimace that became a serious furrowing of dark eyebrows. She bit her lower lip as arousal made her skin flush again. "You're so sexy Sam. So sexy."

"Oh yeah baby. Don't stop..."

"Sam, I think I..."

"Don't stop..."

"I think I..." Sam's mouth opened as she gasped for air. A toe-curling orgasm was just within reach.

Selena ran her tongue along Sam's neck and tasted the saltiness. She buried her nose in her hair and smelled the scent of her shampoo. "God, I think I love you Sam."

With a string of words Sam couldn't remember she found release. Selena gently ran her finger tips over her pulsing flesh until she was sure that she was done.

Sam lay panting with eyes closed as soft kisses were peppered on just about every part of her face. Finally she found the strength to open her eyes. Selena was at her neck now, kissing her, her, when the person who deserved the affection and gentleness was the very woman keeping her body from floating away. Sam wordlessly tugged her higher until the taller woman kneeled over her face. With a gentle tug Selena settled against her mouth and Sam ministered to her until she felt her soft, creamy thighs trembling against her cheeks.

She dipped her tongue inside searching Selena's folds for every drop of her essence until she heard the scream echoing off the four walls of the room. When Selena came she started all over again. I can't stop...I can't get enough...Sam was sure that the neighbors heard that one.

Selena's bed didn't have a frame to hold onto so she pressed against the wall. When she saw the wall in the light of day she barely made out a sweaty hand print. It amazed her that she was so wild with Sam. She allowed her body to be lowered. She had no energy to do anything but fall into Sam's arms. Her languid body easily draped over Sam's. "You make me feel so good Sam. So, so good." She said this in a sleepy daze several times before drifting off to sleep.

2am now.

Sam knew that she had to be up and gone before the sun rose. It didn't make any sense to break any more rules for this one. She already broke so many.

And no need to draw attention to the words she heard mumbled while she came. No need at all. Just close your eyes and get up in an hour. Keep moving. Don't get attached.

When the sun rose she was wrapped tightly around Selena's body.

Selena wasn't very fond of the Christmas season. She hadn't been for the last few years. How can you be merry when you're alone?

"Merry Christmas!" Her coworkers waved their goodbyes in the lobby of the office tower. She returned the greetings but didn't believe in it all now.

Colleagues she knew from work invited her out to their homes for the holidays, but she didn't have the heart to go and pleaded family obligations. She was tempted with Connie's offer of a "simple dinner with her dad and boyfriend". She saw the olive branches her secretary offered for friendship. Selena wondered if she wore her loneliness like a sign.

Extended family asked her what her plans were. She told them she was staying with a few friends, no one begged her to come. They weren't that close to her after she came out in college. Good thing Lori never had an interest in meeting her aunts and uncles. She knew that her melancholy couldn't be well concealed. It was better for her to be alone, there would be no risk of her wrecking everyone's jolly ole time.

"...I wish I had a river...I could sail away on..." She never did remember the singer of that sad song, but it was fitting.

She bought a gift. It was the only one she bought that year if you excluded the gag gifts her department exchanged at work. Connie's poster of the scantily dressed cast of "The L-word" was received with a laugh. No one mentioned it but her staff all knew she was a lesbian. Selena had more than a moment of worry about Sam's gift.

Selena called her twice since the last time and every time she called Sam came.

She wanted to call for a day in the future. Instead of a night filled with sex, a day filled with...something. They had yet to do that, book a time in the not-so-near future. Selena felt that she knew why. It made her sad but it was hard to remain sad when she remembered the four nights she spent in Sam's arms since. How she would watch her wide, full lips tip up in a smile. The way her compact body would move toward her when they reunited. The way she imagined that she was the only woman in Sam's life.

She sat on her couch with the stereo as company playing happy holiday music when inside she felt the exact opposite. In her bedroom she opened the little box she kept mementos in; her mother's old jewelry, photos of her sister, old birthday cards and ticket stubs, Sam's business card... She studied the telephone number intently but placed it back in the box. She didn't need to read it from the card, she dialed it thousands of times in her mind.

That night she felt the pillow getting wetter and wetter, but Sam's promise had no clause about love. She pulled her blanket closer to her chin and squeezed her eyes tight.

Maybe this time the season wouldn't last so long.

Sam brushed snow from her hair as she walked through the busy lobby. She sighed in exhaustion. Sometimes she hated having money. The rush and adrenaline she felt investing in start-up companies was great but the endless meetings and lawyers and board members made it insane sometimes. As soon as Sam made a profit, someone wanted to take that profit off of her hands.

Sam did the sensible thing and created an "office" for her holdings but she hated being in it. Instead she hired Jim Leeland to wear the business suits and turned him into her talking head. This freed her time up to do more important things, like visit the woman who had her smiling for no apparent reason during business lunches.

"I need a vacation." She mused silently about her latest venture, selling her shares in a popular Mexican restaurant that was popping up in more provinces recently. She felt a sudden need to let go of a few of the more cumbersome pies she had her fingers in.

"Can I help you ma'am?" The tall security guard's question abruptly pulled her out of her thoughts. She didn't miss the quick assessment of her appearance. Sam guessed that it was usual for visitors to stroll through in jeans.

"Yes, I need to see Ms. Quinn please. J&W Investment Bank."

"One moment please." Sam watched as the security guard called upstairs. He nodded seriously and pressed a button. "Do you have an appointment ma'am?"

"No I don't."

"Then I'm afraid you'll have to make one as Ms. Quinn is in a meeting and is booked solid for the day."

"Is that her secretary?" The man moved back a little, insulted at the question.

"Yes it is."

"Let her know that Ms. Samantha Thorne is downstairs." He hesitated but eventually did what she instructed. He glanced up then murmured into the phone before hanging it up.

"You can go up." No ma'am this time...

"Thank you for the permission sir." With a salute she made her way to the elevators.

Selena rubbed the spot between her eyes where a headache was growing by the second as she quickly made her way down the hall nodding in greeting to familiar faces. It was hard enough trying to keep clients sure and happy during the instability of the markets but to have a coworker making her life miserable just made it near impossible.

Eugene Simms was getting on her last nerve and it was starting to show. "I can't believe I told him to shut up." Selena didn't know what came over her.

"He deserved it," Ted said as he walked on briskly to his office. "If you didn't say it, I was going to."

Selena shook her head in consternation. Eugene was dragging the meeting on and on with his teams projections and why he thought they should advise a client on a risky merger that no one else thought was a good idea. Finally she had enough and said what everyone else was thinking, shut up, let it go. She was sure to get a putdown aimed at her in the next meeting.

She handed out a few tasks for her team and continued on to the solitude of her office, if only for a few moments.

"Oh! Ms. Quinn. You have a guest."

"What?" Selena stopped comically and spun around. "Who?"

Connie held in a smile at the flustered woman's expression. "Ms. Samantha Thorne-Williams." Selena felt her skin becoming hot. With a quick nod she thanked Connie and entered her office. Her chair spun around and revealed a smiling Sam.

"Sam. What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong." Selena moved closer. Sam pushed away from the desk and sat with her loosely clasped hands between her thighs. "Can't I stop by to see a friend?"

"But I didn't call." Selena saw the smirk on Sam's face but crossed her arms and waited her out. This never happened, this wasn't what Sam wanted to do. Just calls, no strings.

"I wanted to see you." Selena nodded her head and moved closer to sit on the edge of her desk facing the casually dressed woman. She still wore her winter jacket but beneath it she wore a t-shirt and blue jeans with heavy boots. "Done checking me out?" When she looked away Sam laughed and grabbed her hand. "Come here."

"Sam...?"

"Sit down."

"But you're in my-" Selena was yanked into Sam's lap and grasped her shoulders to keep from falling on her ass. "Sam! If someone walks in..." "I told Connie that I had important matters to discuss concerning my portfolio and didn't want to be disturbed."

"Sam-" Her complaints were silenced with a kiss that grew passionate in mere moments. Selena felt her heart grow warm. I'm falling into this woman again so easily. She grunted as she yanked her mouth away. "Wait, Sam-"

"I missed you." Sam breathed in Selena's perfume. God how she missed waking up next to her. She remembered the gift she bought, one of many. "I bought you something for Christmas. Open it now."

"Sam..." Selena always did love gifts. She searched her desk until she found the box wrapped in bright holiday paper. She grabbed it and tore it open in glee ignoring Sam's laughter. A simple brown box was left. She lifted its lid and saw two things, a bottle with amber liquid inside of it a smaller velvet box.

Sam didn't know how she'd respond. She never took the time she did a few days ago to buy a woman a gift in her life. The perfumer promised that it was the perfect mix when she described Selena to him. She thought it was wise not to tell her where she had it shipped from. Or the cost now that she thought about it. And the bracelet...well the woman said that all women loved diamonds.

When Selena opened the bottle an old fashioned glass bauble was revealed with a little area at its end for dabbing on the scent. "It's beautiful. Sam..."

"Open the other one." Sam took out the box when Selena simply stared at her. "Open."

Selena gently placed the bottle on her desk already sighing at the lovely scent that surrounded them and would probably seep out of her office and into the outer-office.

She took the box from Sam and opened it slowly, feeding off of Sam's anxiousness. "Sam..." She pulled out the bracelet and held it up between them. Small diamonds shimmered from various charms. "Sam..." She whispered as she looked at it.

If it was one thing she knew now because of Lori, it was quality jewelry. This was quality. "Sam..."

"Here, I'll open it. I saw it in a store and had the woman take it out and add an extra charm to it." Sam searched around the delicate little charms and found a little rose-shaped charm with the tiniest letters ever printed on them "Selena". Selena shook her head as she studied the bracelet and knew she wouldn't be able to hide it anymore.

I'm in love with her.

Sam saw the tears falling from her eyes but didn't make a sound. She thought she made a colossal mistake until Selena buried her face in her skin hugging her close, then she felt kissed along her neck. When the kissing stopped and cool hands reached for her t-shirt and pulled it up Sam's eyes turned to slits.

Sam didn't need an official invitation. Her hands were on Selena's skirt, yanking it up quickly and pulling down her stocking. When Selena stood to step out of them she kept her hands on her body, touching her thighs from the back of her knees to her hips.

Selena was on her lap again and kissing her senseless.

Hell, if I'd known she'd respond like this I would have gotten more gifts!

"Sam, I need you..."

"I know..." She pressed her hand to the soft folds and began to delve inside. Selena moaned but Sam shushed her. "Hush...no hollering now." With a burst of laughter Selena pressed her lips to Sam's neck and sucked a patch of skin between her teeth. Her eyes drifted close as Sam's fingers began to move inside of her just the way she liked. She wrapped her arm around Sam's neck and grabbed the back of the chair as her hips began to rock faster...then faster...

Sam's breath was panting in her ear closely. Her lips moving against her hair, mumbling words Selena couldn't understand. She came quietly with an ache and need that felt almost painful, which was a miracle in itself as far as Sam was concerned since she knew now that the woman was a screamer. And boy oh boy how she loved to hear her scream then listen for the sexed out voice afterwards.

She allowed Selena to catch her breath and wondered if the skin Selena held onto with her teeth was bleeding. It sure felt like it.

"That was quite a thank you."

"Thank you."

Sam laughed and assured her that she was very welcome. "So you liked them then?"

Selena leaned back, pushing her now messy hair out of her eyes. "I loved them Sam. I-" She barely stopped herself this time. "I love them."

Sam smiled as she ran her hand over the ass still sitting snugly on her lap. "Good." Sam pulled her lower lip into her mouth and began to chew nervously. She rested the back of her head on Selena's chair. "Would you like to travel with me this Christmas?"

"What?" Sam saw the glint of excitement before the surprise and concern settled in. Always so cautious this one...

"On a trip. I have to visit home for a little while."

"Your family?" Oh God...isn't that...big?

Sam felt uncertainly sneaking its way in. Maybe she wasn't as receptive as Sam thought. She pulled back before she put too much store in the answer. "Don't decide now but decide before the week ends so that I can get a cheaper ticket okay?" Cheaper ticket, couldn't come up with something even less nonchalant?

"Okay..."

Selena rested her head against the warm shoulder that was ever ready for her. She wished that she knew when she became so dependent on it? "Sam?" "Yeah."

"I want to make you come."

"You don't have to."

"It would make me feel good...sexy..." Selena knew she had her with that. Sam shook her head and stretched out her arms.

"I'm all yours baby."

"Get on the floor."

Connie was very good at blending into the background and popping up when she was needed. It's what kept her with one of the better directors of the bank for the last six years. She was also smart. She knew who to protect and who to backstab.

Now, revealing that your boss was having wild monkey sex in her office would be a backstabbing kind of move. She had no need to do that. She liked Ms. Quinn. Not in a lesbian way but in a "she's nice" way which was saying something because the woman was hot. But she treated Connie like an equal. Not something she got everyday in that bank. When she was promoted from manager to a director's position, Connie was pulled along the promotion train.

She didn't have proof of this activity as she glanced at the closed office door and tried to listen for a peep of sound. The last she heard from the other side was a burst of laughter that was soon gone. Then silence.

But she had a sixth sense about these things. It was how she made sure that Dorothy and that creepy guy from IT got caught. Dorothy made the wrong decision of posting a drunken photo of her on Facebook that her boss or anyone could have seen and use to get her fired. Dorothy was a bitch too so Connie didn't feel any remorse when HR called her in for a "serious meeting".

Connie was still surprised she didn't lose her job over the photo. Today, however, she knew something was up. And that something was a booty call.

"Go Ms. Quinn go."

When Ms. Samantha Thorne Williams came strutting out of the office a little over thirty minutes later with a hickey on her neck and lips that looked more swollen than Connie remembered when Ms. Thorne arrived, she was sure.

Ms. Quinn waited a few minutes but walked out of her office calmly combing her hair back from her eyes with the tips of her fingers. The calm presence that always surrounded her boss had Connie's confidence shaky.

Then she became very sure. Connie noticed the snag that ran up the side of stockings that wasn't there before her meeting with Ms. Thorne. Added to that, her zipper that was supposed to be at the side of her waist was now at the back, bringing the split in her skirt that should be at the side of her knee to the front.

Bingo.

Connie rose as she spoke and inconspicuously ushered her boss back into her office. "A few calls for you Ms. Quinn. Keith Delore said that he must reschedule to Monday, Jennifer from accounting asked if you can give her a ring and-" when she was deep enough in her boss' office from the ears of her coworkers that were always listening she cleared her throat. "You'll need another pair of stockings and to shift around your skirt Ms. Quinn. And please give Arthur from the European desk a call as soon as you can."

Connie didn't wait for her boss to respond but she did have a smile on her face as she closed the door to the stunned look on Ms. Quinn's face. When one of the guys asked what she was smiling at she shrugged.

"Nothing."

Friday came and went. So did Saturday. Sunday followed the same path. No word from Selena.

On Monday night Sam went out.

She had no idea why she brought the tall brunette home. Yes, she was pretty enough. Intelligent. Sexy. Sam opened the door to her place and wished she never did.

The woman went straight to her bedroom. Selena rolled her eyes at the bold move, no need to beat around the bush. They both were in the bar for the same reason. Sam watched her disrobe with silk and lace falling to the floor like a trail of bread crumbs.

She stood leaning against her doorframe as the woman stretched herself over her bed. Sam had a new one purchased the last time Selena called her. How many more could she buy before the furniture company thought she was some freak?

"What you waiting on sexy?" The voice that sounded sexy in the bar now sounded high and pitchy.

What was she waiting on?

"A phone call."

"What?" Sam shook her head bemused, yet as clear about her life as she could ever be.

"You have to leave."

The beautiful brunette sat up suddenly causing her double D's giggle comically. "Excuse me?"

"I'll walk you out." Sam turned and disappeared down the dark hallway. She would wait for Selena to call. So I go home without her this Christmas. I'll ask her in the spring...

"Excuse me?! What are we doing here then?" Sam shrugged and dug around her pocket for a few bills. She held them out apologetically. "Fuck you." That was the idea...Sam stood in the tense atmosphere of the elevator. She felt the thoughts of the woman shooting her up western style. "It was nice meeting y-"

"Fuck you."

Got it.

Sam figured that the one night she decide to send a woman home she would find Selena Quinn standing on the other side of the door with knuckles raised to call on her. Life always ended up being that insane and shitty level of irony.

"Just like the movies," Sam muttered. The woman behind her huffed through the door and glared at Selena who stood dumbfounded. Even Sam didn't know what to say. She never played this particular role before.

Sam held the door open with one hand while the other slipped inside the pocket of her jeans. When Selena took a step back Sam's hand slipped from the top of the door to waist high. Where was she going?

Selena shook her head. Even from where Sam stood she saw her eyes flood with tears. "Selena," she called as she walked backwards then she was gone. Sam left the doorway and stepped onto the snow covered sidewalk. Then she began a slow run when Selena ignored her shouts to stop and wait.

"God dammit!" She nearly fell on her ass before she got a good footing again. She hailed down the first taxi that she saw. After hopping out of the still moving car and racing to the sidewalk she was relieved that Selena was too busy wiping her eyes to see her. When they collided Sam wrapped her arms around her and held on with all her might.

"Let go of me!"

"Listen to me. Don't go. It's not what you think!"

"Did you just fuck her?" Sam knew she was in deep waters when she heard the expletive leave the other woman's mouth. She was all class and sophistication outside the bedroom.

"No."

"Let go of me!"

Sam ignored the people looking at them in concern. When a man approached warily she smiled and shook her head. "Lover's quarrel."

"We have to be lovers to have a lover's quarrel Samantha."

"Just come inside with me so that we can talk. It's freezing out here." When she saw the tears begin again Sam cursed and pressed her cheek to the cold one that was trembling against hers. "Just come inside Selena." Sam watched Selena hug her own body the entire ride upstairs. She gave the shaking woman a wide berth as she held the door open. Selena stood in a red coat with gold buttons. A black scarf was wrapped around her throat. She looked dramatic and tragic at the same time.

"Are you thirsty?" No. "Hungry?" No. "Horny?"

"Sam..." Selena said on a weary sigh.

"I was going to fuck her."

Selena looked into her eyes now. Her arms slipped a little from her self-inflicted hug. I wish that I was hugging her right now...

She swallowed visibly but she didn't leave. Sam took that as a good sign. "I was going to but I didn't."

"Why?"

"Because I can't keep buying mattresses." Selena looked at her perplexed.

"These are expensive. It has the soft top layer...like in those hotels..." Sam saw a smile peeking out but it was snuffed a moment later.

"I didn't' fuck her because of you."

"What are we Sam?"

"I-" Speechless. For once in her life Sam was genuinely speechless. She stuck her hands in her pockets and looked to the floor. "I've had more partners in a year than you had in your entire life." Selena looked to the right, then at her feet, then into Sam's eyes. "Why did you come here Selena?"

She sounded tired to Selena's ears when she asked the question. How can they both be so tired before the age of forty? Is love always so exhaus- Sam blinked at the thought. Impossible. She mentally pressed the delete button over and over in her head.

"I wanted to tell you that I wanted to spend Christmas with you but..." Automatically her hand moved to touch the bracelet there. Sam noticed the movement and followed it with her eyes. When she saw a hint of silver she felt hope flare inside of her.

"But what?" Before she could voice the doubt she saw in her brown eyes Sam walked closer, past the couch that separated them, over the throw rug. She stopped on the other side of the coffee table. "I've never made love to a woman with scars before like yours." Selena studied her face solemnly but she didn't run.

Slowly Sam...

"I think...I think they made me realize that I had my own." "What do you mean?"

She moved around the coffee table, her hands two fists in her pockets. "I never read romance novels. I hate romance movies. I never believed in all of it. I wasn't traumatized as a kid or anything, I just never did." When she stood before her she took her hands out of her pockets and looked into red rimmed eyes.

I never saw it before...Sam studied her face closely. Maybe she didn't want to see it. Maybe it struck too close to home. Sitting there, as if it was the perfect time for her to finally see; loneliness. She took Selena's right hand and when she didn't pull it away Sam took the left too and simply held them.

"Will you spend Christmas with my family and I Selena?" She allowed the taller woman to sift through her with her gaze. When she saw all that she needed to see and nodded her head Sam pulled her close. It had to be the sweetest hug she'd ever experienced. "Can we go to bed now?" With another silent nod against her neck she led the way to her bedroom.

End of Part 1