Briar’s Creek

By Mavis Applewater

yomavis@email.com

August 2003

Disclaimers: The characters, story is the sole possession of the author and may not be posted, reproduced or sold without the author’s permission. So there! If for any reason real or imagined you are uncomfortable with graphic descriptions of two consenting adult women in a loving sexual relationships do not read this story or anything else I have ever written. If for any reason it is illegal for you to view this material then go away and don’t come back until it is no longer a crime.

A very special thank you goes out to my beta reader Mary.

As always this is for Heather.

Southwest 1869

Adelaide Anderson smirked with satisfaction as she watched the beads of sweat forming on Rufus Danner’s brow. She had him and she knew it. The other players had already dropped out of the heated hand of five-card draw and now it was just the two of them left. The old bugger was out of cash and unwilling to fold. She didn’t understand why he couldn’t just accept defeat. Perhaps it was because she was nothing more than a saloon girl or maybe the old miner’s hand was really that good?

"Come on Danner," She taunted him as she ran her fingers across the back of her cards. She couldn’t help feeling slightly giddy as she looked down at the pot, which was over six hundred dollars. The money would be added to her already growing nest egg, which would be her ticket out of this life. She just had to get the old miner to either meet her bid or fold either way she was walking away with a huge pot. "Put up or fold," She added confidently as he grunted at her with disgust.

"Danner we can’t back you she’ already cleaned us out," Robert Stinson urged him on.

"I ain’t folding for a broad," Danner spat back angrily.

"Then you need to come up with another hundred dollars," Adelaide taunted him as she watched the sweat on his brow turn from a trickle into a downpour. "So unless you can match my bid fold up so we can call it a night."

Danner’s jaw clenched as he began to grind his gritty yellow teeth. Adelaide’s eyes widened fearfully as he reached into his ratty vest. She was fearful that the cranky old miner was about to pull a gun on her. She knew that very few folks in the dingy mining town would do anything to stop him. She was, after all, nothing more that a dancer in the saloon, which was nothing more than a polite term to describe her true profession. She blew out a terse breath when the man yanked out a folded slip of paper and slapped it down onto the table. "Pearl Diamond," He spat out as he slapped the paper down into the pile of cash that was lying in the middle of the table.

"Pearl Diamond?" She asked in confusion as she tried to understand what the old coot was offering. ‘Could be his claim, or jewels, or a fine horse or anything,’ She pondered the possibilities as she watched the other players look on with horror.

"Worth a hell of a lot more than a hundred bucks," Danner sneered.

"Danner you can’t," Mills cautioned him.

"I ain’t worried," Danner snickered as he offered the other man a peek at his cards. When Mills’ released a gasp Adelaide worried just what she had gotten herself into?

"Fine," Adelaide accepted the grungy man’s offer suddenly feeling a lot less confident. "Now show me what you got," She sneered as she nervously fingered her own cards.

She felt sick as Danner sucked his teeth and placed his hand down onto the rickety table. He smiled triumphantly cackling loud enough to be heard over the din of the saloon. Her face screwed up as she studied his hand that was filled with three tens and two fives. His cackling grew louder as he reached across to claim the pot.

"Not so fast," She snickered as she grabbed him by the wrist.

"Huh?" Danner stammered in shock as she laid out her cards on the table. His jaw dropped assaulting her with his rancid breath as she revealed her own full house.

"Queens over jacks a winner every time," She purred. Ladies over jacks was a winner almost every time it was one of the few lessons in life her less than saintly mother had shared with her. That and most men will bet almost anything to avoid losing to a woman.

It gave the brunette some small degree of satisfaction the way Danner looked as if he was going to swallow his teeth as she wiped the money from the table. "So what is Pearl Diamond?" She asked as she inspected what appeared to be a claim ticket.

"Arrives tomorrow on the afternoon coach," Danner snarled as he stood knocking over his chair in the process. "Just give the driver that," Danner spat out before he stormed out followed by the other players Adelaide had just cleaned out.

"I just love surprises," She muttered as she tucked the ticket and the rest of her winnings into her cleavage. She quickly made her own departure from the barroom, knowing that others had witnessed her good fortune. Adelaide wasn’t in the mood to have to defend her body and booty.

*****

Adelaide awoke late in the day, as was her habit. She worked nights and the morning sun was not her friend. "Hey Molly," She greeted one of the girls that made the Shinning Star Hotel & Saloon her home.

"Heard you cleaned up last night," Molly grumbled with a tired look in her eyes.

"I did okay," Adelaide lied. She wanted to boast but that would only bring her trouble. She and the other girls may be close as sisters at times, but she wasn’t foolish enough to reveal any good fortunes.

"Good enough to go to bed alone," Molly grumbled.

"Yeah well you know the boys they never think a woman can play cards," Adelaide hedged as she made her way down the staircase that led away from the rooms.

"Dumb Asses," Molly snorted with pleasure.

Adelaide passed on joining Molly for breakfast knowing that the blonde and some of her other co-workers would hit her up for a loan. Adelaide wasn’t a stingy woman; she just understood how things were. The had come west for different reasons, running away from family, looking for fortune that the new frontier promised and a thousand other reasons. Work was limited and most of them quickly learned that there was only one profession open to them. Some of them had already understood that and chose to come out this way seeing the opportunity of the mining camps and forts as easy money. The truth was the money was never easy. Some girls got lucky and landed a man who would marry them. In the early days they were treated with respect, since they were the only women around. Then when respectable women and families joined their husbands the soiled doves or fallen women were cast back into the roles society felt they deserved.

Adelaide had been lucky, staying away from the cribs of poverty row. Of course the run down shanty town was filled with women past their prime and women of color. She had failed to find employment in one of the finer bordellos, but the saloon was better than her other options. She had to dance in the show almost every night that paid her a meager salary, which barely covered her rent. The rest of the evening was up to her; she could make a date, which was a polite way to say a man would pay her to go out to one of the tents located behind the saloon. If she was lucky the man would pass out in a drunken stupor and she wouldn’t need to have sex with him and she could pick his pockets. Most nights she could lure some unsuspecting miner into a friendly game of cards and make some easy money without having to drop her bloomers.

Her first stop that day was the bank where she was building a nice little nest egg. Some day she hoped to earn enough money to head even further west and maybe buy a nice little place in San Francisco or somewhere else where the weather and society was a little more inviting. She was smart to keep her money in the bank, since she knew a little something about the owner that would prove to be very embarrassing to his wife and children. Knowledge was a good thing and it insured that this man wouldn’t even think about swindling her.

After she deposited most of her winnings from the previous evening she made her way downtown, careful to avoid the finer ladies who would sneer at her with disgust. The men were still gentlemen towards her and the rest of the girls. This was probably because there were still so few females in the area.

Adelaide made her self comfortable as she awaited the arrival of the afternoon stagecoach. She fidgeted as she pondered the possibilities of what the treasure was she was claiming. Once the coach arrived, Adelaide waited patiently as the driver, passengers, and their belongings were down loaded. She smiled at the only female passenger. The small blonde looked young and innocent. ‘Probably meeting her husband,’ Adelaide theorized as she watched the young blonde looking around nervously as she kept her one suitcase close to her body.

"Adie," The coachman greeted her with a knowing smile as he pushed his hat back. "Not leaving are you?"

"Not yet," Adelaide laughed at the tall man who was a very good customer. "I am here to pick up a package," She explained as she handed the Max the slip of paper. She had looked it over and over and still hadn’t a clue as to what it been for.

"Package?" Max responded with concern as he took the paper. "Oh? Uhm it’s right over there," He explained with confusion as he pointed towards the blonde.

"She has my package?" Adelaide asked as they approached the small blonde.

"Nope," Max chuckled. "She is the package."

"What?" Adelaide hotly shouted out.

"This here is an order for a mail order bride," Max laughed.

"Danner is a dead man," She hissed as she glared at the blonde who was still looking around. "Pearl Diamond?" She called out. She watched in horror as the blonde turned to her and looked at her with a pair of sparkling blue eyes that just melted Adelaide’s heart.

"Yes Ma’am," The blonde responded with enthusiasm.

"Sign here," Max laughed as he handed the still stunned Adelaide a slip of paper. "What did Danner do?" He asked as Adelaide bitterly scrawled her name on the paper.

"I won her," Adelaide groused as she accepted a receipt for her unusual shipment. "Bastard bet her, only he didn’t tell me what Pearl Diamond was; only it was worth more than his stake."

"Don’t worry he’ll buy her back," Max laughed as he climbed back up onto the stagecoach.

"With what?" She fumed. "I cleaned him out. That old codger won’t have nearly enough money to pay me back for at least another month. What am I supposed to do with her?"

"You’ll think of something Adie you always do," He responded before snapping the reins and driving off.

Adelaide was fuming as the blonde kept looking at her nervously. "Did Mr. Danner send you to meet me Ma’am?" The blonde finally asked.

"You could say that," Adelaide hissed. "Come on," She barked as she spun around and headed back towards the saloon.

Adelaide cursed bitterly as she stomped up the streets with a very confused woman trailing behind her. "Sit," She barked as she stormed into the saloon. The blonde lingered in the doorway for a moment before an icy glare from Adelaide prompted her to hurry up and come in. The blonde was shaking slightly as she placed her suitcase down on the floor and took a seat at one of the empty tables.

It was far too early in the day for the saloon to be doing any real business. There was just a few of the working girls milling about. Frank was behind the bar tending to the two older drunken gentlemen perched at his bar.

The girl continued to fidget as Adelaide paced nervously. "What do we have here?" Big Alice the owner and Adelaide’s boss asked before she slammed back a shot of whiskey and joined them with a bottle and a couple of glasses. Big Alice was pushing sixty and out weighed most of the men in town. She was also one hell of a businesswoman who treated her girls better than most madams did.

"Is Mr. Danner meeting me here?" The blonde finally squeaked out.

"Mr. Danner?" Alice asked as she looked up at Adelaide with a blood shot gaze.

"Big Alice Manning this is Pearl Diamond," Adelaide finally sputtered out before slumping down in a chair next to the confused blonde. "That is your name isn’t it?"

"Yes ma’am," Pearl stammered with confusion.

"Pearl Diamond?" Alice echoed with a snicker that made Adelaide’s skin crawl. "Isn’t that the booty you won last night?"

"Yes," Adelaide responded with a hiss. "I’m going to skin that old bastard alive."

"Could someone explain to me just what is going on?" Pearl pleaded. "Where is Mr. Danner? Did he have some business to attend to?"

"Business?" Alice barked out with a hearty laugh. "That filthy old miner is probably sleeping off the whisky he drank last night."

"Oh dear," Pearl sighed. "I should have known. The lady at Maidens assured me he was a nice young business man."

"He’s ain’t nice, he ain’t young, and he’s a grubby miner who is lucky if he clears thirty bucks a month, unless of course he steals something," Adelaide explained in a weary tone. "Last night he put you up to cover his stake in a card game."

"I can only assume by his absence that he lost," Pearl wearily inquired. Adelaide could only nod in response horrified by the entire situation. "And who is to be my new husband?"

"Me," Adelaide reluctantly responded as Pearl nodded thoughtfully.

"I see," Pearl dryly retorted as she folded her hands neatly on the table. "And just how much was I worth?"

"A hundred dollars I ain’t ever going to see again," Adelaide grumbled bitterly. "Now what am I supposed to do with you?"

"Would it be rude of me as to inquire as to what your name is?" Pearl asked in a surprisingly polite voice.

"Adelaide Adams," The weary brunette answered quietly as she looked over at her employer for help.

"Cut your losses," Big Alice informed her directly. "Sell her back to him or kick her out."

Adelaide looked over at Pearl whose face had turned ashen. She couldn’t do it; she couldn’t give Danner the satisfaction or subject the poor girl to a life as his bride. "I don’t suppose you have a way of supporting yourself?" She grumbled as she felt a sudden rush of sadness stabbing at her.

"No," Pearl sighed deeply. "It took all the courage I had to agree to this arrangement. I have nothing and no one. I don’t even have the money to go back east. I don’t suppose there any positions available here?"

Adelaide didn’t like the wicked gleam in Alice’s eyes as she looked the young blonde up and down. "No," Adelaide shouted out defensively surprising everyone in the barroom. For some unknown reason she just couldn’t allow the girl to work in the saloon.

"You could sell her to one of the houses in town," Alice offered with a shrug as if Pearl wasn’t sitting right across from her. "A virgin auction always brings in a big purse."

"Alice?" Adelaide hissed with disgust.

"I’m just saying," Alice tried to explain.

"I’m not a," The blonde stammered with a blush.

"Really?" Adelaide asked with surprise.

"I am a widow," Pearl curtly responded never raising her eyes.

"I’m sorry," Adelaide offered sincerely.

"So am I," Pearl tearfully responded.

"Well just so you know," Adelaide began not knowing what to say to her young charge. "One thing you can always count on with a virgin auction is the prize has been around the block more times than Big Alice."

"Ain’t that the truth," Alice laughed heartily.

The three women fell into an uncomfortable silence as Alice slammed back another shot and Pearl began to sniffle. The sounds the younger woman was trying to muffle broke Adelaide’s heart. She briefly considered turning the blonde out onto the streets. She took one look at her soft, golden hair, and sad face and she knew she could never do it. She snatched one of the shot glasses up and poured a healthy shot. The whiskey burned her throat as she slammed the glass down onto the table. "Damn it all to hell," She barked out as Alice laughed and Pearl looked up at her with a shocked expression.

"Looks like you got yourself a bunkmate," Alice laughed as Adelaide suddenly stood.

"Bill me for her meals," Adelaide muttered as she grabbed Pearl’s suitcase. "Come on," She added as she nodded for Pearl to follow her.

*****

She was embarrassed when she escorted Pearl into her room. It was a very small space with a nightstand that only had a basin and pitcher placed on top, a small bureau that contained her meager belongings, and one very small bed that she would have to share with the blonde. "It isn’t much," She mumbled shyly as she watched Pearl look around the cramped space. "We’ll have to share," She added as she placed the light suitcase on the bed. "Don’t worry I don’t bring any of the boys back here."

"Thank you," Pearl sniffled as she stood in the middle of the room, her eyes cast down and her tiny hands folded tightly in front of her.

"Why on earth are you thanking me?" Adelaide sighed deeply.

"For not turning me out into the streets," Pearl began in a heartbreaking voice as her tear filled blue eyes gazed up at Adelaide. "For not selling me. I promise I’ll find someway to pay you back."

"Well," Adelaide stammered uncomfortable with Pearl’s gratitude. "Maybe you could wash dishes or do something in the kitchen."

"What do you do here?" Pearl’s voice cracked as she spoke. "Besides . . ."

"You mean besides taking the boys out back for a little fun?" Adelaide coldly began. "I dance in the show. And I play cards when I can so I don’t have to go out to the tents with the men."

"You’re a dancer?" Pearl asked in an excited tone.

"It isn’t really dancing," Adelaide grumbled. "More like shaking my goods and working for a couple extra coins. Mostly I try to win money playing cards. I only have another year or so and then I’ll have enough to get out of here. Buy a little place of my own."

"I had heard that women often find a nice man to marry," Pearl said hopefully still not moving.

"Sometimes," Adelaide sighed heavily not happy with the idea that this young woman would sell herself so short. "Mostly they don’t. Most drink themselves to death waiting for some prince charming. Not me," Adelaide asserted knowing that a man to rescue her was never what she had dreamed of. Adelaide briefly pondered what the sweet, innocent Pearl would think if she knew the real reason Adelaide wasn’t looking for a man.

For now she kept that bit of information close to the vest. Just as her momma taught her with cards, Adelaide learned that it was best to do that with more than a winning hand. "So is your name really Pearl Diamond?" Adelaide asked curious about the young woman standing before her. Pearl gave her a curious glance. "It’s just that it sounds like some of the stage names the gals use."

"It must," Pearl responded with the most charming smile. "Diamond was my first husband’s last name. Wylie was a good man for the most part. He just wasn’t terribly bright or faithful."

"I’m sorry to hear that," Adelaide said as she sat down on the bed. She patted the space next to her inviting the younger woman to sit down. Pearl pushed the suitcase aside.

"He wasn’t a bad man," Pearl sighed, her face taking on a familiar look she had seen many times before. It was a look that said at least he didn’t beat me. "My first name is actually Peninah but no one ever called me that. Momma and Pa always called me Pearl. They passed on three years ago."

"And you married Wylie," Adelaide concluded.

"Didn’t have much of a choice," Pearl confessed. "He got himself shot trying to steal some chickens from old man Roger’s farm in broad daylight. Like I said he wasn’t terribly bright."

"Well Pearl you are welcome to stay with me until you get back on your feet," Adelaide offered. "For now why don’t we head downstairs and see what Frieda has cooking."

"Thank you Miss Adams," Pearl graciously accepted. "I promise I will pay you back for everything."

"Let’s not worry about that just yet," Adelaide offered as she placed a comforting hand on the smaller woman’s shoulder. "And it is Adelaide or Adie."

"Thank you Adelaide," Pearl said with a smile that once again warmed Adelaide’s heart. The brunette felt a rush of heat sweep through her body. She snatched her hand away quickly before bringing Pearl downstairs for some dinner.

*****

That evening Pearl was staring at her with a look of pure astonishment. "What?" Adelaide asked as she adjusted the frilly lace of her satin dance dress.

"It is just so colorful," Pearl explained as she continued to gape at the dancer.

"I know," Adelaide grumbled as she looked down at the red and black dress, which left very little to the imagination.

"That isn’t what I meant," Pearl slowly began to explain. "Earlier today I thought that you were beautiful, but in that you are simply stunning."

"Thank you," Adelaide muttered in embarrassment as she blushed slightly. "I’m going to lock the door. I have my key. If anyone tries to get in besides me just scream your head off, Frankie or Buck will be up here lickity split."

"Those big men who work downstairs?" Pearl asked.

"Yeah, Big Alice keeps them around to make certain none of the boys get out of hand," Adelaide explained. "Are you going to be alright?"

"I will be just fine Adelaide," Pearl reassured her. "I am so tired from my trip I am going right to bed. Just nudge me when you get in and I’ll put a blanket on the floor."

"Don’t be silly," Adelaide chastised her. "I know it isn’t much but we should be able tosqueeze in there," She felt hot suddenly at the prospect of sharing the tiny bed with the attractive blonde. "Do me a favor," She added as she lifted her skirt and removed the small derringer that was strapped to her thigh. She heard a small gasp. She was surprised to turn and find Pearl blushing. "Put this under the pillow or the bed just in case."

*****

Adelaide was off her game that night in more ways than one. She missed steps in the routine that no one except the other girls noticed. It wasn’t as if the men who were hooting and hollering were actually there to see them dance. Later she couldn’t focus on cards, since she was far too preoccupied watching to see who went upstairs and which way they headed. Each time she saw anyone heading in the direction of her room she would fold her hand and rush upstairs to check on Pearl. Each time she felt like a complete jackass when she found the door still locked.

She had lost money that night something that rarely happened to her. She thought about letting one of the young bucks take her out back, and for some strange reason she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. She finally gave up around midnight and headed up to her room. She tip-toed carefully into the room.

She lit the oil lamp on the dresser. Adelaide swallowed hard when she spied the slumbering blonde sprawled across her bed. Adelaide Adams had long ago accepted the fact that she preferred the company of women to men. Finding companions proved difficult at times, but not always. At the times she would encounter a kindred spirit each of them simply gave whatever they could offer understanding that their time together would be brief.

Now she was expected to share a very small bed with a woman she had been drawn to the first moment she had seen her step off of the stagecoach. Pearl had kicked the blankets off of the bed and her nightshirt had ridden up exposing her creamy white thighs and the barest hint of her hips. Adelaide stole a moment in order to drink in the smaller woman’s beauty. With a heavy sigh she pulled the blanket back up and covered Pearl’s body. She was tempted to lean in and claim her parted lips.

Gathering up her strength she simply brushed back her long, blonde hair from her brow and went about getting ready for bed. "Damn," She whispered as she noticed a small tear in her dress. She would deal with it in the morning not certain as to how she would mend the dress since she was lacking when it came to sewing. She tossed the dress aside knowing that she would end up begging Frieda to do it.

She grimaced as she locked the door, extinguished the lamp and put on a fresh pair of bloomers and a chemise. Normally since even in the dead of winter the heat at night was unbearable Adelaide would simply sleep naked. After all no one was going to see her and given her profession shyness wasn’t a part of her make up.

Adelaide climbed into bed and tried not to touch Pearl’s warm, inviting body. Due to the cramped space and the knowledge that the blonde wasn’t wearing anything underneath her nightshirt was driving Adelaide crazy as she hung off of the bed. Frustrated beyond words she tried to gather up the blanket and sleep on the floor. Just as she was climbing out of bed a tiny hand flew out and pulled her back down. "Oof," She exclaimed as she landed next to Pearl’s body.

"You’re not sleeping on the floor," The sleepy blonde chastised her as she wrapped Adelaide’s arm around her waist. "If you can’t get comfortable I’ll sleep on the floor," Pearl yawned as Adelaide curled up behind her.

"No I’m fine," Adelaide lied as she spooned the smaller woman from behind. The scent of Pearl’s body filled her senses as the blonde nestled closer to her. She drank in Pearl’s delicate aroma as her fingers spread across the blonde’s waist.

The feel of Pearl’s stomach fluttering beneath her touch mixed with the whiskey she had drunk earlier in the night was clouding her judgment. The hand that was resting on Pearl’s stomach began to move in a slow circular pattern as her free hand somehow decided to stroke the blonde’s long, golden locks.

The sound of Pearl sighing contently bolstered her courage as her hand drifted along the buttons of the blonde’s nightshirt. Knowing that Pearl was awake she nuzzled the blonde’s neck and drank in more of her scent. Pearl sighed deeply once again as Adelaide’s lips grazed lightly across her neck while she gently opened the top two buttons of the soft nightshirt. She froze for a moment and awaited Pearl’s reaction.

When the smaller woman’s body snuggled closer to her own she kissed her soft supple neck once again. When she felt Pearl relax into her embrace her fingers gently caressed the edge of her nightshirt. Pearl still didn’t retreat from Adelaide’s advances instead she turned so that she was lying on her back looking up at the brunette with the sweetest smile.

Encouraged by the younger woman’s actions Adelaide leaned down and brushed her lips gently against Pearl’s. Sensing no resistance she kissed her again, this time she felt Pearl’s lips responding to her kiss. Spurred on by the soft burning of her lips she kissed the smaller woman once again and was greeted by the feel of Pearl’s lips moving against her own. She deepened the kiss as she ran her tongue along the blonde’s bottom lip. She moaned deeply when she felt Pearl’s mouth parting. She accepted the invitation and began a sweet exploration of the warmth that awaited her. She pressed her body closer as she felt Pearl’s tongue greeting her own.

She felt the smaller woman moaning into her mouth when she cupped her breast. The kisses grew with intensity as Adelaide’s fingers slipped beneath the soft cotton of the blonde’s nightshirt. She could feel her body throb with desire, as her fingers were greeted by the soft flesh and tiny bud awaiting her touch.

She felt the bud rising up to greet her touch as she kissed the blonde passionately. She felt Pearl’s body arch beneath her. Adelaide’s undergarments were damp with desire as their kisses lingered and she teased the small rose-colored bud with her fingers.

Pearl pulled away suddenly. Adelaide looked down upon the young woman whose face was flushed with desire. Understanding that the moment was over, her hand retreated from the warm confines of Pearl’s nightgown, and each of them turned so that Adelaide was once again spooning the smaller woman from behind.

It was a fitful night for the dancer as her body hummed with unexplored passion. Finally she managed to fall asleep. She awoke briefly in the early morning to find that her hands had not been idle during the night. Instead they had managed to lift Pearl’s nightgown and were caressing the blonde’s bare stomach. Adelaide swallowed hard as she drank in the sight of Pearl’s half naked body pressing against her. Reluctantly she removed her hands from the smaller woman’s body and pulled the nightgown back down to arespectable level. With Peal nestled in her arms she went back to sleep.

She was alone when she awoke hours later. Her body still burning from the night before yet the bed felt strangely cold due to Pearl’s absence. She was certain that the younger woman had run off in horror after what had happened the night before. She blinked in surprise when she spied her black and red dress hanging in the window.

She crawled out of bed and looked at the neatly pressed and neatly stitched garment just hanging there. Adding to her surprise was Pearl entering her room with a tray of food. "I was hoping you would be awake finally," The blonde greeted her warmly as she placed the tray down on the dresser.

"I worked all night," Adelaide explained with a shrug as she looked over at her companion who seemed unfazed by the kisses they had shared the night before. "Did you do this?"

"Yes," Pearl offered casually. "I have to do something around here. Alice agreed to give me a job in the kitchen. Not much money but she is giving us a break on our meals."

"That should help out," Adelaide agreed as she wondered whether or not she should mention what had happened the night before. Pearl seemed quite at ease still the brunette sensed that she didn’t want to discuss it. "This is amazing," She complimented Pearl. "I can’t even see where it was torn."

So it began. Pearl worked in the kitchen helping out Frieda. She took care of Adelaide’s wardrobe. Not only did she mend it, wash it, and iron it, but quite often she would make her a whole new outfit or dress. Her work was so impressive that the other girls hired the blonde as their seamstress. Adelaide and Pearl fell into a strange yet blissful domestic relationship. The brunette knew that she should just release the young woman from any obligations she felt and allow her to rent her own room and go on her way. To her credit she did suggest it. Pearl would simply shrug and ignore the suggestion.

The other girls tried to convince Pearl that she would make more money dancing. Each time the suggestion would arise Adelaide would throw a fit. For some strange reason since the moment they met, the brunette felt an overwhelming need to look out for the younger woman, even though Pearl proved not to as innocent or naïve as she looked. Life with Wylie Diamond had not been easy on her.

*****

One evening just as Pearl was finishing up in the kitchen and getting ready to retreat to their room the subject came up again. "You said no and I accept that," Pearl agreed with a heavy sigh that informed Adelaide that conversation was far from over. She followed the blonde into the barroom.

"You don’t need to get into this kind of life," Adelaide cautioned her.

"But it is alright for you do it?" Pearl flared in response.

Adelaide was stunned at how bitter Pearl sounded. "If you start it is hard to get out," Adelaide tried to reason with her. "And for your information all I do after I dance is play cards."

It was the truth. After Pearl’s arrival Adelaide just couldn’t bring her self to head out back to the tents. Of course it only made their finances tighter, which made Pearl feel like she was holding Adelaide back. The brunette gently clasped Pearl by the shoulders. "If this is about money I have my savings," She tried to explain. "And thanks to a former customer I’ve made some good investments. It is just going to take a little longer until I can afford that little plot of land."

"But if I could help more then you wouldn’t have to wait," Pearl tried to reason with her.

"You can do whatever you want," Adelaide sighed with desperation. "I just don’t think you should. I don’t own you Pearl."

"Don’t you?" Pearl whispered softly.

"If this is about that stupid card game then just forget it," Adelaide reassured her as her heart sank. She didn’t want Pearl to leave her, but she didn’t want to hold her back either. Despite the domestic bliss they shared Adelaide was painfully aware of the fact that they would never be more than friends. Even though they slept curled up together they never kissed again and they never talked about it. Although based on the condition she found Pearl’s nightshirt most mornings her hands were not at rest during the night. They didn’t discuss this little matter either.

It was slowly driving Adelaide insane. One night Pearl had been concerned about how rowdy the crowd was and she gave Adelaide the derringer back. What was so painful for Adelaide was that Pearl not only returned the gun she insisted upon re-strapping it to the brunette’s thigh. She would never forget the feel of Pearl’s fingers brushing along the inside of her thigh or the way they lingered there. Adelaide was surprised that she hadn’t burst into flames right there and then.

"So the card game didn’t mean anything," Adelaide heard snickered from behind. She growled with disgust as she heard him sucking on his teeth. They turned to find Rufus Danner scratching his potbelly and flashing his yellow teeth at them. "I’m damn glad to hear that. Cause I’ve come to claim my bride," He boasted.

"Danner you pig," Adelaide snarled as she felt Pearl’s hand coming to rest on her arm.

"Remind me to thank you for being such a good card player," Pearl exclaimed as her crystal blue eyes widened in horror. Adelaide couldn’t help but chuckle at the comment.

"Anytime Darling anytime," She snickered. "What do you want Danner?"

"I want my bride," He bellowed. "I done paid good money for a mail order bride and I’ve come to get her."

"Do you have the hundred dollars?" Adelaide asked sternly as she felt Pearl’s grip tightening on her arm.

"No," He shrugged. "But she’s of no use to you. I need someone to cook, clean and darn my socks and I paid a lot more than a hundred dollars for her."

"I don’t even want to know where you got the money from," Adelaide sneered. "Danner you lost her in front of a bar full of witnesses. She does all those things for me now. And I have to tell you it is a pretty sweet deal. Everyone should have a wife."

A few patrons had shuffled in and were watching the scene unfold. They couldn’t help chuckling at Adelaide’s bravado. "Yeah well you can’t keep her," Danner reasoned. "Cause I paid for all of that and what she can do for me that she don’t do for you."

"That’s true," Adelaide agreed as her stomach clenched while her mind drifted to the things she wanted Pearl to do for her. "But I won her fair and square."

"No you didn’t," Danner spat back.

The sounds of pistols being cocked filled the room. Briar’s Creek may be just a backwater-mining town without a sheriff, but you still do not accuse someone of cheating at cards when the half the town saw you lose fairly. "You calling me a liar?" She challenged the grubby little man.

"No," He quickly retreated. "I’m just saying that you can’t own her. You’re a woman."

"Yes I am," She smirked. "A woman who kicked your sorry ass at cards and collected her winnings. Pearl paid off her debt to me and is a free woman," She knew she was about to risk not having Pearl in her life, but it was the right thing to do.

"Meaning?" Danner asked in confusion.

"Meaning you grubby little pig," She spat out. "You don’t own her and neither do I. Frankie would you show this man the door?"

Frankie had been lurking behind the pudgy man just in case he got out of hand. "My pleasure," Frankie, who was built like a log cabin, happily responded before lifting the smaller man up by his shirt collar and tossing him out into the streets.

"The show’s over folks," Big Alice shouted out from her perch on the staircase.

"I have to get ready for work," Adelaide grunted as she headed towards the staircase. She was stunned when Pearl yanked her back.

"Take the night off," Pearl asserted as Adelaide looked at her with surprise. "We need to talk."

Adelaide looked up to Big Alice for help. "You got the night off," Alice snickered. "And listen to the girl. Frankly I think this little chat is long over due."

*****

Adelaide was a mass of confusion as they entered their room. She suddenly thought it was strange that since the first moment she had brought Pearl there she had no longer considered it just her room, but their room. "What do we need to talk about?" She gruffly addressed Pearl who was pacing about the tiny room. Adelaide was forced to sit down on the bed in order to avoid having the smaller woman bump into her.

"How much longer?" Pearl finally blurted out, her face was flushed and her eyes filled with anger.

"How much longer what?" Adelaide asked in bewilderment.

"Until you leave?" Pearl clarified as she moved to the edge of the bed so that she was towering over the stunned brunette.

"Not much longer," Adelaide sadly confessed. "A year maybe."

"Do you know why Danner wants me?" Pearl asked in a heated tone.

"Yeah I do," Adelaide sneered with disgust.

"It isn’t only my wifely duties he is interested in," Pearl began to explain in a much calmer tone. "My husband bought a small mine just north of here. The real reason I allowed myself to be sold as a mail order bride was so that I can claim it. I found out just before I left that the mine is pretty much worthless."

"But Danner doesn’t know that," Adelaide chuckled. "So why didn’t you sell it and get the hell out of here?" She asked suddenly.

"I did sell it," Pearl blew out. "I got about three hundred dollars for it, which of course is a lot less than Wylie paid for it. Told you he wasn’t bright."

"Yeah but a free three hundred dollar piece of property and a wife is worth a lot to Danner," Adelaide theorized. "What I don’t understand is why you stayed? You could have skipped out of town or paid me off and gone home or somewhere else to start over. Why did you stay?"

Adelaide felt like crying as Pearl knelt before her. "Because you won me," Pearl choked out.

"I didn’t win you," Adelaide argued. "I only tried to help you. Pearl you don’t owe me anything."

"Yes I do," Pearl sobbed as her hands came to rest on Adelaide’s thighs. "You won me."

"It was just a card game," Adelaide stammered as she fought against the urge to reach out to this woman who had stolen her heart.

"I’m not taking about a card game," Pearl sniffed as she looked up with pleading eyes. "You won my heart. The first moment I looked at you I found something I didn’t even know was missing. The first time you kissed me you won my heart. When you touch me in your sleep you set me free. I love you."

Adelaide sat there in stunned silence as her heart was ready to burst with happiness. "I stayed because I can’t be away from you," Pearl continued.

Adelaide wanted to say so much yet the words died on her lips. Instead she reached out and cupped Pearl’s face in her hands and drew her closer. She allowed the fiery kiss she placed on Pearl’s trembling lips to speak for her. She moaned into the warmth of the blonde’s mouth as she deepened the kiss.

Adelaide’s body was quivering as she pulled Pearl up onto her lap. Adelaide’s hands roamed down the smaller woman’s body as their tongues wrapped around one another. "I didn’t know," Adelaide gasped as the kiss came to an end. "I thought you only kissed me and allowed me to grope you at night because you felt obligated."

"Obligated?" Pearl panted as she pushed Adelaide back down onto the bed. "No, for the first time in my life I felt desire. I just didn’t know what to do. I pulled away from you that first night because I was afraid. I never felt anything like this before," Pearl continued as her hands busied themselves with the tiny buttons on Adelaide’s dress.

Adelaide drew the smaller woman in for another kiss. The simple promising kiss ignited her senses as each of them began to fumble with the other’s clothing. "I love you," Adelaide confessed as they struggled to remove each other’s cumbersome clothing. "And I didn’t win you. You were the one who won my heart," Adelaide professed as she began to lower her lover’s undergarments.

"Adelaide," Pearl gasped as she slipped the brunette’s chemise down her shoulders while the brunette kissed her neck.

Pearl’s hand was shaking as she reached up towards Adelaide’s bare breast. The brunette captured her trembling hand and kissed the back before turning it over and kissing the palm. Then she gently placed her lover’s hand on one of her breasts. She felt her heart pounding as Pearl gently caressed her breast. "Is this what I do to you in my sleep?" Adelaide whimpered as she pressed her breast deeper into her lover’s hand.

"Yes," Pearl panted in response as she cupped the brunette’s other breast.

Adelaide rocked her body closer pressing her now erect nipples against her lover’s rough hands. She gazed down at her half naked lover as Pearl seemed mesmerized with her bosom. "Do you like it when I touch you?" She moaned as she straddled the smaller woman’s hips.

"Yes," Pearl hissed as she began to pinch and tease Adelaide’s nipples.

The brunette felt Pearl’s body wriggling beneath her as she parted her thighs with her knee. "Teach me," Pearl pleaded as her body arched against Adelaide’s thigh. The brunette could feel her desire through her bloomers as they slowly swayed against one another. Adelaide was struggling to breathe as Pearl’s hips matched her urgent rhythm.

"Sweet Jesus you feel so good," She gasped before she reclaimed the blonde’s soft lips. The kiss electrified her entire body as they clung to one another. She had never felt an aching need like this before. Unable to control her desire she slipped her hands beneath Pearl’s body and cupped her firm cheeks.

Pearl squeaked with pleasure as Adelaide began to kiss her way down her neck. She could feel her lover’s hot breath on her skin as she kissed Pearl’s shoulders. Adelaide pulled slightly away from the intense embrace. She calmed her breathing as she took her time removing the rest of Pearl’s clothing. She smiled as her young lover trembled from her touch. "You are so beautiful," she confessed once she could finally gaze upon all of Pearl. The blonde blushed shyly in response as Adelaide slowly removed the rest of her own clothing.

She watched the erratic rise and fall of Pearl’s chest as she curled up beside her. They kissed shyly their bodies a breath apart. Adelaide trembled as she felt Pearl’s hand coming to rest on her bare thigh. She inhaled sharply as their nipples brushed. "Touch me anyway you want to," She encouraged her lover as she ran her fingers down the supple curve of the blonde’s body. Pearl smiled shyly in response as she gently traced Adelaide’s hip. They kissed softly as they gently caressed one another, their bodies still not completely touching.

The kisses grew deeper as did their explorations. Adelaide filled her hands with her lover’s breasts and brushed the rose color buds with her thumbs as she felt her lover’s hands drifting down her back and caressing her ass. The brunette slowly began to kiss her way down her lover’s body as she felt Pearl’s touches growing bolder. She circled Pearl’s nipples with her tongue as the blonde whimpered with need.

She suckled one of the buds into her mouth as her lover’s legs wrapped around her waist. She could feel Pearl’s desire pressing against her skin as she feasted upon her breasts. Adelaide felt her passion slipping from her body as Pearl began to grind urgently against her. The brunette cupped her lover’s backside and guided her to thrust harder against her. She slipped one hand between the blonde’s thighs and dipped into her wetness as she continued to tease her nipples with her teeth and her tongue.

Pearl was pleading with her as she parted her and filled her hand with her lover’s passion. The blonde was on fire as Adelaide gently teased her nub stroking it slowly. She licked the valley of Pearl’s cleavage as she captured the throbbing nub between her fingers. "Adelaide," Pearl cried out as she gripped the brunette’s shoulders.

Adelaide gazed up at her lover whose eyes were clouded with raw desire. She entered the warm wetness of her womanhood. She whispered words of love as she took her lover slowly and gently. She kissed her way down her lover’s body until she was burying her face in her sweet nectar.

Her body was burning as she tasted her lover for the first time. Pearl filled her hands with Adelaide’s long dark hair. The loud noises emanating from the barroom did nothing to drown out Pearl’s cries of ecstasy as Adelaide drove her over the edge. Adelaide continued to pleasure her lover until she felt Pearl’s hands slipping from her hair.

She kissed her way back up the blonde’s quivering form and kissed her deeply. Pearl rolled the taller woman onto her back as Adelaide pressed her firm thigh against her lover’s wetness. Pearl mirrored her actions as their nubs met. They thrust wildly against one another. Adelaide cried out with pleasure as she felt her lover’s tiny fingers caressing her bottom and parting her slick folds.

"Yes," Adelaide cried out as her lover filled her and their bodies became one. The brunette was certain she saw the heavens opening up before her as Pearl’s touch took her deeper. They had collapsed into a heap, their bodies covered with sweat as they began kissing and caressing once again. Adelaide taught her lover well that night and Pearl was an eager student. The older wiser dancer was amazed by how her lover knew just how to touch her. She loved the feel of Pearl’s body on top of her own as she watched her young lover pleasuring the both of them.

Pearl did blush when Adelaide licked the passion from the blonde’s fingers. The gentle swirling of Adelaide’s tongue reignited Pearl’s desire and soon the blonde was riding against her once again.

"Stop," Adelaide finally croaked out just before dawn. Pearl was reluctant to leave the warmth of Adelaide’s thighs. Pearl nestled in her arms and kissed her neck. "Rest," Adelaide pleaded to her chuckling lover who was running the tip of her finger across the brunette’s nipple.

They failed to emerge from their room the following day each far too exhausted to move. They held one another as they mapped out a plan for the future, which didn’t include either of them dancing in a saloon ever again.

The End

By Request

By Mavis Applewater

January 2004

Disclaimers, the story and characters are the sole possession of the author and may not be reproduced, posted or sold without the author's permission. So there! If for any reason real or imagined you are uncomfortable with or do not wish to read a story about to consenting adults in a loving and sexual relationship then do not read this story or anything else I have ever written. If for any reason it is illegal for you to view this material go now and don't come back until it is no longer a crime. As the title suggests this one is by request. I hope it helps.

A special thank you goes out to my beta reader Mountain Girl.

As always this is for Heather.

Carmen blew an errant lock of hair from her brow. Her dark brown eyes widening as she studied the student's file. "How did you get into college?" She muttered under her breath hoping the arrogant young man standing before her didn't hear her. "Mr. Saunders your GPA last semester fell to a 1.0 which means the letter you received is correct. Are these your grades for the past two semesters?" She asked as she slid the computer print out over at him.

"It wasn't my fault," he groused indignantly.

"I understand," she lied as he shoved the print out back at her. She ran her fingers through her dark curly locks sighing heavily at his snotty demeanor. "There are so many pressures," she lied once again knowing that the boy hadn't bothered to crack a book in, at least, three semesters. "I can schedule an appointment for you to talk to Mr. Akins, the Dean of students. Perhaps he can help you by setting up tutoring sessions or counseling."

"I don't want those things," he barked. "I need you to understand that I can't be on academic probation."

"And yet you are," she smirked. "At the moment the only way to rectify your status here is to complete this semester with a GPA no lower than 3.0."

"And if I don't?" He scoffed as he rolled his blood shot eyes further convincing Carmen that the only thing this young man had studied since beginning college was how to tap a keg.

"Then you will be dismissed," she concluded. "Now would you like me to set up an appointment with Mr. Akins?" 'So, he can tell you the same thing you arrogant piss ant,' she mentally grumbled.

"Fine," he sniped as he folded his arms across his chest.

"Good," she grunted as her nimble fingers glided across the keyboard of her computer. "He is available at eight on Monday."

"In the morning?" The youngster gasped as Carmen smirked. Charlie had slots available later in the day, but she couldn't resist forcing the snotty young man out of bed as early as possible.

"That is what he has available," she smirked as she wrote out the information for him and slipped it over the counter. She wasn't surprised when he snatched it up and stormed off. "Next?" She requested wearily. Her dark brown eyes lit up as the tall, athletic woman with short, streaked, blonde hair approached her counter with a bright smile.

"Wow that guy was jerk," the younger woman greeted her with another charming smile. "What part of start studying or you're out doesn't he get."

"All of it apparently," Carmen smiled brightly in response. "Now how can I help you?"

"It seems that I am supposed to be in two classes at the same time," the blonde sheepishly explained as she slid her schedule over. Carmen's insides fluttered as the blonde leaned over her counter her brilliant smile never wavering as her emerald eyes sparkled brightly.

"You mean you can't be in two places at the same time?" Carmen teased the charming student as she typed in the young woman's schedule.

"I could try, but somehow I doubt it," the blonde quipped her eyes darkening slightly. "I know I must have typed in the wrong information when I registered on line. I hope you can forgive me."

"Does that line work for you Miss Stone?" Carmen chuckled as she went about altering the confident young woman's schedule.

"All the time," Cheryl retorted with a saucy grin.

'She's hot and she knows it,' Carmen mentally sighed as she went about clearing the student's schedule. "It looks as if you were only one key stroke off," she explained to Cheryl whose eyes began drifting up and down Carmen's body. "Is this the schedule you wanted?" She asked fully appreciating the blonde's leering as she printed out the new schedule.

"Yes," Cheryl beamed as she pumped her fist in the air. "You're a life saver. I really must think of some way to thank you."

"You're shameless you know that don't you?" Carmen laughed as her dark brown eyes did a little leering as well.

"So, I've been told," Cheryl agreed, as her smile grew brighter. "Are you going to let me?"

"Excuse me?" Carmen choked out bowled over by the younger woman's bravado.

"Thank you?" Cheryl taunted the now quivering brunette. "When can I take you out to thank you? Coffee, dinner or whatever? Unless it is against the rules."

"No not against the rules," Carmen laughed lightly. "That only applies to the faculty, Scooter," she added noting the name on the woman's lightweight team jacket.

"Team name," Cheryl shrugged. "Think about it? In the meantime I'll let you get back to work; I seem to be holding up the line."

"The beginning of the semester is always a nightmare," Carmen retorted while returning the blonde's smile.

"Some other time perhaps?" Cheryl added coyly before making her departure.

Carmen paused for a moment to catch her breath and sneak a peek at the tall blonde's shapely behind. "Next," she finally called out her gaze still lingering on the doorway. She shook her head and smiled. "Now that was fun," she chuckled under her breath as the next student in line began to whine about her problems.

*****

"Why are you in such a good mood?" Her friend, Mariel, inquired with a hint of suspicion when Carmen joined her at the table in the small coffee house.

"Who me?" Carmen feigned innocence.

"Yes you," Mariel snickered as she stirred her coffee. "Normally at the start of the fall semester you are positively cranky. Actually cranky is putting it nicely; normally your attitude rates a little higher in the alphabet."

"I should be insulted, but since I'm in such a good mood I will let that one slide," Carmen shrugged trying to appear indifferent yet unable to keep the silly smirk from sprouting on her lips.

"Yeah," Mariel slowly blew out. "What's her name? Never mind, let me guess it is that new English professor, isn't it?"

"Nope," Carmen taunted her eager companion.

"Are you going to make me keep guessing?" Mariel grumbled.

"It is no one," Carmen lied. "I just had a very pleasant day."

"Yeah right," Mariel scoffed at the notion. "Out with it."

"Fine," Carmen responded with a giddy laugh. "I had a very pleasant encounter with a student."

"A student?" Mariel questioned as her brow furrowed. "Is she a late starter?"

"What?" Carmen asked with confusion. "No."

"Really?" Mariel questioned as Carmen gave her friend a curious look. "I'm sorry it is just that in all the years I have known you, I've never known you to be attracted to or go out with anyone under thirty. Then again since you are fast approaching that age now, perhaps you've had a change of heart?"

"Hey!" Carmen sneered at her friend's teasing. "I'm not there yet. Plus I'm not going out with Cheryl; I just enjoyed her flirting that is all."

"Cheryl?" Mariel beamed with delight. "So, tell me about your new dream girl."

"Fine," Carmen sighed. "She's tall, blonde, and very sweet. She has these amazing green eyes and she is a complete, overly cocky, smart ass."

"But you barely noticed," Mariel laughed at her friend gushing over some student. "How old is she?"

"Twenty," Carmen supplied with a blush. "I just happened to notice when I was looking up her records."

"Just happened to notice?" Mariel snickered. "So when are you and Miss Wonderful going out?"

"We're not," Carmen balked. "I just helped her with her schedule."

"Did I miss something?" Mariel questioned with concern.

"No," Carmen grumbled. "Like I said I just helped her with her schedule."

"And took the time to look up her birthday and notice her amazing green eyes," Mariel chuckled once again. "But you didn't ask her out?"

"No," Carmen confessed. "Although,"

"Although?" Mariel pried.

"She did kind of ask me out," Carmen sheepishly explained.

"And you turned her down because?" Mariel fussed as the lines in her brow deepened.

"I don't know," Carmen squawked. "I was surprised and she was just so cocky. I bet she has half the basketball team falling at her feet."

"A jock?" Mariel murmured with a shy smile. "Okay, let me see if I understand what happened. She's hot and knows it. She likes you and you like her, and you shot her down? Again I have to ask why?" Carmen's jaw hung open as she tried to come up with a reasonable explanation. She failed to come up with just why it was she didn't accept Cheryl's invitation instead she just stared at her friend. "Next time say yes," Mariel concluded. Once again Carmen was unable to form a verbal response.

*****

Over the next couple of weeks Carmen went about her life, surprised that the tall blonde was never far from her thoughts. She even went as far as to look up the schedule for the basketball team. She lied to herself that she was just curious about seeing a game. Deep down she knew she just wanted to see Cheryl in action. "In more ways than one," she grumbled under her breath one morning when she found herself, once again, looking up the tall blonde's class schedule.

"Talking to yourself?" A sultry voice inquired. Carmen felt a shiver running through her body from the tone of the other woman's voice.

"Hi." She squeaked out in the most embarrassing fashion when she looked up and found Cheryl leaning against the counter. Carmen quickly shut her computer off fearful that the blonde would see what she was looking at. "What brings you back? More trouble with your classes?" She managed to ask without sounding like a complete idiot. She almost melted into a puddle when emerald eyes captured in her in a luring gaze.

"Maybe I just wanted to see you?" Cheryl teased with a sly grin.

"Really?" Carmen snickered with disbelief.

"Really," Cheryl asserted with sincerity. "I still owe you coffee or something for helping me out."

"Well, Uhm, that is what I am here for," Carmen stammered out feebly.

"And I'm here to ask you to dinner," Cheryl smirked. "Or coffee?"

"Are you always this arrogant?" Carmen laughed at the younger woman's bravado.

"Confident," Cheryl corrected her.

"Arrogant," Carmen countered. "What makes you think I'm interested?"

"Because you haven't told me to bugger off yet," Cheryl confidently retorted. "If you're not interested just say the word and I'm gone."

Carmen couldn't stop the smile that spread across her lips as she studied the younger woman. "Dinner?" Cheryl pressed her cocky smile growing brighter with each passing moment.

"Coffee," Carmen snorted amused by the blonde's attitude.

"When?" Cheryl purred as Carmen shivered from the sound of the blonde's voice that seemed to be echoing down her spine.

"Tomorrow," Carmen conceded as her stomach fluttered.

"Tonight?" Cheryl tempted her.

"Tomorrow," Carmen asserted not willing to have the blonde dictate their interaction. "Dunbar's at six."

"I can't wait," Cheryl giddily responded bouncing slightly. "Thanks for not shooting me down."

"Why do I think no one does?" Carmen teased the blonde as she shouldered her backpack.

"Oh they do," Cheryl quipped. "Just not very often," she added with a playful wink.

"It's just coffee," Carmen reminded Cheryl.

"For now," Cheryl sighed happily before making her departure.

"Arrogant little shit," Carmen laughed as she watched the gentle sway of the blonde's hips as she strolled out of the office.

*****

The following evening Carmen felt as nervous as a schoolgirl as she entered the tiny coffee house. She spotted the tall blonde instantly from across the room. She was slightly impressed that Cheryl had been watching the door and stood when Carmen approached the table at the back of the room. "Hi," Cheryl brightly greeted the small brunette with a brilliant smile.

"Hi," Carmen responded as she took her seat. Carmen felt slightly in awe of the younger woman's beauty and confidence as she sat down next to her. "Am I late?"

"No, I was early," Cheryl reassured her. "I wanted to watch you as you walked in."

"My God, are you always this cocky?" Carmen playfully admonished the girl.

"No," Cheryl reassured her. "I'm direct. Like coming out; I never really did because I always knew and never hid my true self. I like being completely honest. I mean not brutally honest. If someone was wearing a hideous outfit I wouldn't say anything. I just hate games."

"Good because I don't waste my time with games," Carmen stressed as she took a moment to appreciate Cheryl's attire. "You like nice," she complimented the blonde's brocade vest and snug fitting black jeans.

"Thanks," Cheryl blushed slightly as she waved the waitress over. "You look great." As Cheryl's emerald eyes drifted up and down her body she felt as if the younger woman was caressing her.

"This isn't a date," Carmen cautioned Cheryl even as she felt her body temperature rising.

"I know," Cheryl readily agreed much to the brunette's disappointment. "I just wanted a chance to get to know you better. I felt this connection, call it a spark, the first time we met."

"I'll have the Latte special," Carmen requested from the waitress.

"Carmen," Cheryl began as she covered the brunette's hand. "I'm an outrageous flirt."

"No kidding," Carmen laughed once again feeling the heat surging through her.

"I'm also direct," Cheryl continued her smile growing. "I am very attracted to you, but if all we become is friends that would great. I'm not trying to bed you, yet."

Carmen studied the woman for a moment unable to believe how quickly she felt connected to this stranger. "I should run now," she offered in a breathy whisper. "Tell me about yourself?"

"No," Cheryl cut her off. "I want to hear about you."

'A woman who takes the time to look nice just for me and wants to hear about my life this is just too good to be true,' Carmen sighed happily as she began to tell Cheryl about her simple childhood back in Michigan. By the time she reached her college graduation the coffee house was closing. "I am not going to be able to sleep tonight after all of that caffeine," she jested as they stepped out into the cool night air.

"I had a good time tonight," Cheryl sighed. "Can we do this again?"

"Sure," Carmen agreed feeling slightly light headed from the amount of coffee she had consumed and the electrifying gaze Cheryl was directing at her. She reached in her pocket and handed the blonde her business card. "Call or email me and we'll make plans," she offered as she tried to stop her hand from trembling.

"Great," Cheryl beamed as she clutched the card tightly. Carmen felt the air escaping from her lungs as the blonde engulfed her in a hug. The taller woman's body felt warm and inviting as Carmen leaned into the embrace. Then just as suddenly her body felt cold as Cheryl reluctantly released her.

*****

Cheryl didn't waste any time. She emailed the small brunette the following day, and then she called Carmen just to confirm that she had received her email. Carmen felt slightly apprehensive when she accepted the blonde's invitation to go out to dinner. Then she recalled how her body trembled each time their eyes met. "What am I thinking?" She grumbled as she plowed through her work. "She isn't even old enough to drink," she muttered as she was filled with a slight sense of panic. She did the only thing she could think of she called Mariel.

Mariel watched the fidgeting brunette carefully afraid to make any sudden moves. "At the risk of freaking you out," Mariel began slowly. "What exactly is the problem? You said that you had a great time last night."

"I did," Carmen admitted with a shy blush. "I can't deny that I feel a current flowing between us. But dinner on a Friday night, you know what that means."

"Yeah, it means it is a date," Mariel cackled. "Again I don't see the problem. It sounds like the two of you have a lot in common, and she went out of her way to show you how much she appreciated being with you."

"She's twenty," Carmen stressed.

"And?" Mariel droned in the most annoying fashion. "You are only four years older than her."

"Four very crucial years," Carmen pointed out.

"True," Mariel nodded in agreement. "Still she sounds very mature for her age. If you are really worried why don't you just change your plans to lunch on Saturday? That way it won't be a date, it will just be lunch as friends."

"That is a great idea," Carmen gasped astonished by the simplicity of the solution. "Wait she has a game on Saturday."

"Then brunch on Sunday," Mariel scowled. "Do I have to think of everything?"

"That will work," Carmen sighed with relief.

"Good, now you can go out with me on Saturday," Mariel slyly retorted.

"What are we doing on Saturday?" Carmen hesitantly inquired.

"We are going to a basketball game," Mariel snickered.

"What?" Carmen said with a hard swallow.

"Think about it," Mariel gloated. "It isn't as if we haven't gone to the games before. As members of the staff we are expected to encourage school spirit. Then after the game you can compliment her, and introduce me. This way you get to run her by one of your friends without it being obvious."

"I don't know," Carmen stammered slightly. "Sounds like a set up."

"No," Mariel quickly corrected her. "Only if you lied about it. But since you are going to tell her at brunch that it was my idea and I bullied you into it isn't. And it is my idea and I am bullying you into. No arguments."

"You are such a pain in the ass, you know that don't you?" Carmen snarled.

"Who only has your best interest at heart," Mariel reassured her.

*****

Carmen was relieved when Cheryl agreed to change their plans to Sunday. The blonde went as far as to apologize for pushing things. Carmen wished her luck in her up coming game before briefly mentioning that she might be attending. Cheryl seemed to be excited by the news. "I'm going to be nervous now," the blonde sheepishly added.

"Why?" Carmen asked truly surprised by the admission.

"Because you'll be watching," Cheryl whispered.

"I'm sure you'll be fine," Carmen quickly sputtered surprised by Cheryl's sudden shyness.

"I'll see you on Saturday then," Cheryl brightly concluded.

"We'll be there," Carmen responded with a bright smile.

"We?" Cheryl questioned with a hint of sadness.

"My friend Mariel," Carmen quickly explained. "Actually it was her idea."

"Oh, so she wants to check out your new hottie?" Cheryl teased.

"Hottie?" Carmen laughed. "Now there is the cocky, smart ass I know."

"I'll see you Saturday," Cheryl purred into the telephone. "Bye."

"Bye," Carmen choked out feeling breathless all of a sudden. As she hung up the telephone she felt a sudden sense of loss. "This is bad," she muttered. "I can't be missing her already I just talked to her."

*****

"She is amazing," Mariel offered brightly as they watched the lady Panthers running up and down the court. Cheryl was having a great game. Carmen was breathless from watching the blonde's firm lean body jogging up and down the court. "And a heck of a basketball player too."

"Pig," Carmen muttered under her breath, as her eyes remained locked on Cheryl.

"I think it is sweet the way she keeps looking up at you," Mariel smirked as she playfully nudged the brunette.

"She does not," Carmen hissed in protest.

"She does," Mariel snickered.

"Does not," Carmen growled.

"Chill," Mariel chuckled. "It is a good thing."

Carmen chose to ignore her friend's running commentary and watch the game. She blushed each time Cheryl did look up into the stands and smile up at her. By the time the final buzzer rang her stomach was in knots and her palms were sweating. "How does she do this to me?" Carmen whispered as Mariel dragged her down from the bleachers to courtside.

"I'd tell you, but you would just deny it," Mariel whispered.

"Hi," Cheryl blushed slightly as she greeted them.

"Great game," Carmen complimented the blonde's win.

"Thanks," Cheryl beamed as she shuffled her feet nervously.

"This is my friend Mariel," Carmen quickly introduced her friend in an effort to resist reaching out and touching the enticing blonde.

"Nice to meet you," Cheryl greeted Mariel with a firm handshake before she began to introduce her to some of her teammates. Carmen's chest tightened as she chatted with Cheryl's teammates while Mariel grilled the blonde. Carmen quickly realized that Cheryl wasn't the only one who was being introduced to the friends.

Carmen managed to hold up her end of the conversation by talking about the game. Despite her ability to chat in a friendly manner her gaze was firmly fixed on the sweat running down Cheryl's well-toned bicep. She released a slight whimper when the sound of a whistle blowing ended the gathering.

Cheryl lingered behind as her teammates rushed off towards the locker room. "I'll see you tomorrow?" The blonde inquired with a shy smile.

"Noon at Giavanni's," Carmen gleefully agreed as she became lost in Cheryl's smoky gaze. She blew out a breath as she watched the young athlete jogging across the court.

"Wow." Mariel blew out jerking Carmen from her wayward thoughts.

"What?" She absently questioned her friend.

"I was getting turned on just by watching the two of you watching each other," Mariel sincerely explained.

"Hey," Carmen groused.

"Relax," Mariel reassured her. "It was just the chemistry flowing between the two of you was amazing."

"It's not my imagination?" Carmen nervously questioned her friend as they strolled out to the parking lot.

"No," Mariel smiled. "You two have something. And just so you know I think she is very nice."

"That's it?" Carmen suspiciously questioned Mariel.

"That's it," Mariel confirmed. "No snide remarks, no teasing. I'm happy for you."

"But there isn't anything going on between us," Carmen protested.

"Not yet," Mariel boldly exclaimed.

*****

Brunch the following day turned into an all day event as they once again became caught up in chatter until the restaurant forced the duo out so they could close for the day. Carmen learned many things about her young admirer. Cheryl was bright, witty, and confident and had been a bit of a player when she was in high school. "So there wasn't anyone special?" Carmen carefully inquired as they strolled through the common.

"There was," Cheryl softly began. "Lena, but she ended up going to college in California and I came here to Boston. We tried making it work, but the distance was too much. I think I will always care for her, but we just couldn't handle being on opposite sides of the country. But enough about me tell me more about you?"

Carmen felt a sense of relief when Cheryl quickly changed the subject. Carmen felt the stirrings of jealousy creeping up on her just knowing that someone else held a piece of the blonde's heart. They fell into an easy banter.

*****

Each time Carmen went out with Cheryl could felt herself being drawn closer and closer to the tall blonde. They talked for hours on the telephone almost every night revealing more and more to the other. Carmen's attraction quickly grew from the physical to the emotional. Every time she even thought about the blonde her body warmed with a sense of comfort and desire.

They had been taking things slowly each ready to wait to see where their heart was leading them. Yet, as the semester drew to a close each of them grew antsy, since they hadn't even held the other's hand. One of the things that were making Carmen edgy was that Cheryl would be flying home for the holidays and they wouldn't see one another for weeks.

She was thrilled when Cheryl insisted that they go out to dinner the night before she left. Her excitement grew during dinner when the subtle flirtations they had been exchanging for months detoured into raw sensuality. As they stepped out into the cold winter night Carmen's heart skipped a beat when Cheryl took her by the hand.

They didn't speak as they strolled back to campus towards Cheryl's dorm their bodies brushing each time they turned a corner. Their hands remained linked even after they arrived at the blonde's dorm room. Carmen stared deeply into Cheryl's deep green eyes unable to speak as they lingered outside the blonde's door. "Promise me that you will call me?" Cheryl entreated her in sultry voice.

Carmen's mind was screaming for the blonde to invite her in as her gaze drifted to Cheryl's soft, pink lips. She felt her body quivering as Cheryl dipped her head and placed the softest, sweetest kiss she had ever experienced on her trembling lips. "I am going to miss you so much." Cheryl confessed as she cradled the brunette's face in her hands.

"I miss you already," Carmen confessed.

"I have to pack," Cheryl grumbled. "I hate saying goodnight but,"

"I understand," Carmen smiled as she took a shy step away.

"Would tomorrow be too soon to call you?" Cheryl offered her bottom lip quivering slightly as she spoke.

"No," Carmen laughed. "Have a safe trip."

*****

True to her word Cheryl called the very next day. They talked endlessly every night reaffirming the connection they shared. Carmen was eagerly counting down the days until Cheryl returned and they could pick up where they had left off. The only thing troubling the brunette was that Cheryl wasn't the only one who had returned home for the holiday, Lena was there as well.

Carmen tried not to be jealous, but as Cheryl and her ex-lover spent more and more time together she became troubled. Cheryl was honest that seeing Lena again was confusing her. Then the call came, the one that broke Carmen's heart. "I don't know what to do?" Cheryl nervously began.

"Why?" Carmen choked out as she felt a gnawing in the pit of her stomach. "You're back with her," Carmen supplied knowing in her heart it was true.

"Yes," Cheryl confessed. "I don't want to hurt you or lead you on. I really do care for you."

"What about the distance?" Carmen inquired in a surprisingly calm voice as she fought to be reasonable about the situation.

"Lena is transferring," Cheryl explained.

"To the same school," Carmen concluded with a heavy sigh.

"Yes," Cheryl responded in a heavy tone. "This semester. I don't know what to do."

"I think you do," Carmen reassured her. "You have a history with her," she graciously bowed out briefly wondering if it would be a bad thing to look up Lena's file and screw with her transfer. "You broke up because of the distance and that isn't a problem anymore. Even though I have feelings for you, I do understand."

"I wish I did," Cheryl grimly countered.

"Cheryl you have to do what is best for you," Carmen asserted. "And I have to do what is best for me. It hurts, but I really do understand that you have to at least try with Lena."

"How can I have feelings for the both of you?" Cheryl asked her voice filled with agony.

"I can't answer that," Carmen sighed as her heart shattered. "I need to hang up," she sniffed unable to endure the conversation any longer.

*****

The rest of the spring break was a somber affair for Carmen as she tried to reconcile her feelings with knowing that she had done the right thing. If she had pushed Cheryl she would never know that she was the one the blonde truly wanted. The semester began and Carmen fell into a funk. She and Cheryl still talked but not as often, each time proving harder for the both of them.

Carmen had wanted to convince herself that Lena was a bad person, but she couldn't. The few times she had seen the young brunette she was nothing but charming and nice. Still each time she had witnessed the couple together, she never saw the connection she had been so certain she and Cheryl had once shared. "Oh, this has got to stop," she finally admonished herself one afternoon after spying the couple together. "I need a date."

"Talking to yourself?" She heard Mariel question from behind her. Carmen's dark, brown eyes welled up with tears as she turned to her friend. "Oh that sucks," Mariel sighed when she caught a glimpse of Cheryl and Lena strolling across campus. "I just don't get it."

"What's to get?" Carmen shrugged. "They had two years together; all Cheryl and I had was a few months of flirting."

"So that is it?" Mariel scoffed. "You just folded up your tent, tucked your tail between your legs and ran? I don't buy it."

"What was I supposed to do?" Carmen bellowed. "Challenge Lena to duel?"

"That would have been fun." Mariel teased in an effort to lift the brunette's spirits.

*****

Another few months passed as Carmen slipped back into her life. She still couldn't help thinking about Cheryl still she moved on. One rainy spring night she was walking out of the administration building when she spied a familiar figure leaning against a tree. "Hi." Carmen greeted the blonde who was shivering from the cold.

"Can we talk?" Cheryl quickly blew out.

"I don't know," Carmen hesitated. "Aren't your freezing standing out here in the rain?"

"Yes," Cheryl smirked. "I really need to talk to you, is there some where we could go?"

Carmen's mind screamed for her to reject the blonde's offer, her heart had other plans. "Fine," she stammered. "I live just around the corner." On the brief walk home Carmen tried to convince herself that she was only taking Cheryl back to her apartment so she could get the girl dry and warm. Again her heart denied the notion.

"I'll get you something warm to put on," Carmen offered as they stepped into her small apartment. Before she could shrug off her coat she felt the chill leave her body as Cheryl pressed her up against the door and kissed her. This kiss was just as sweet as the first one they had shared months ago. Carmen's eyes fluttered shut as she became lost in the feel of Cheryl's body pressing against her own.

Then her brain caught up with the situation and she pushed the taller woman away. "Excuse me," she barked as she slipped away from Cheryl's grasp. "I not up to being the other woman, thank you very much."

"And I don't cheat," Cheryl frantically reassured her.

"I swear if you tell me you broke up with her an hour ago I'm kicking you back out into the rain," Carmen fumed feeling that Cheryl just assumed she'd be waiting for her.

"Over a month ago," Cheryl quickly asserted.

"Huh?" Carmen stammered as her eyes widened while her stomach fluttered.

"I did what you said I should do," Cheryl began her body trembling as she spoke. "Lena and I once shared a beautiful relationship. We're just not the same people anymore."

Carmen slipped off her coat as she allowed the blonde to collect her thoughts. "You told me that I had to do what is best for me," Cheryl continued as she captured Carmen in an electrifying gaze. "After I realized that we no longer belonged together I ended it. I couldn't get you out of my thoughts. But I had to know, so I've been alone ever since."

"No one?" Carmen suspiciously inquired despite she felt the truth in the blonde's words.

"No one," Cheryl asserted as she took a shy step forward. "No flirting, no dating, just me getting to know me. Now what I need to know is how you feel? Do I still have a place in your heart?"

"You're scaring me," Carmen trembled as Cheryl closed the distance between them. Unable to control her emotions Carmen reached out and clasped the blonde's hips.

"I know," Cheryl admitted as her hands came to rest on Carmen's shoulders. "I told you before I believe in being direct."

"I still say arrogant," Carmen found herself smiling.

"Not this time," Cheryl blew out. "Right at this moment, I'm terrified. If you tell me to go, I will. I just couldn't let you go without knowing if what I felt was real. I'm drawn to you. It is your smile, your wit, your amazing good looks, and they way you look at me with confusion when I babble like an idiot. I'm not looking for a score; I'm just following my heart. I'm falling for you. If you don't feel the same, just tell me."

"You're dripping on my carpet," Carmen quipped with shy smile. "Why can't I resist you?" She asked as she reached up and slid the windbreaker down the blonde's shoulders. Cheryl leaned in and stole a shy kiss after her jacket fell to the floor. Carmen moaned deeply as she felt Cheryl tugging on her bottom lip. She gave into the feel parting her lips, inviting the tall blonde's tongue to explore the warmth of her mouth.

She shivered as she caressed Cheryl's wet clothing her body screaming for more as the passionate kiss over rode her senses. "I'm scared," Carmen gasped as the fiery kiss ended. "I feel it too."

"Should I go?" Cheryl offered sincerely as she nuzzled the brunette's cheek.

"No," Carmen choked out her fingers drifting to the buttons on the blonde's blouse. She leaned up and captured Cheryl in a lingering kiss as her nimble fingers began to open the buttons. "We have a lot to talk about," she gasped as she felt her shirt being tugged out of her slacks.

"If we are going to talk then you really need to stop kissing me," Cheryl helplessly choked out.

"Can't," Carmen whimpered as she brushed open the wet blouse revealing Cheryl's creamy white flesh. "We can talk in the morning," she concluded as her eyes drifted to Cheryl's erect nipples straining against her soaking wet bra fully revealing the blonde's flesh lurking beneath. "I promised to warm you up," she said as she took Cheryl by the hand and led the blushing woman towards her bedroom.

Once they entered her bedroom, Carmen was over come by months of frustration and heartache. She kissed Cheryl deeply as their bodies melded together; each tugging at the other's wet clothing. Carmen's body ached with desire as they struggled to free one another from the confines of their clothing.

Carmen shivered as her wet naked body was finally revealed to her lover's smoldering gaze. Carmen reached out watching her dark hands caressing Cheryl's body; she tore the last remaining garments from her soon to be lover's body. Her body pulsated with desire as her eyes caressed Cheryl's naked flesh.

Carmen's heart raced as she watched her hands gliding softly along Cheryl's pale flesh. "I could die happy right now," she sighed while brushing her fingers along the swell of her lover's breasts. Cheryl quivered before her giving into the brunette's tender caresses. Their eyes met once again, captivating the other. Carmen's breathing became labored as she lowered her lover down onto the bed.

She never broke the fiery gaze as she hovered above her lover. Cheryl laced her fingers in Carmen's curly hair and drew her in for another passionate kiss. Carmen reeled from the sweet taste of her lover's mouth as their bodies became one. Carmen kissed her lover deeper as she felt Cheryl's desire touching her skin.

The softness of their breasts pressed against the other's body as they wrapped themselves around each other. Slowly they swayed against the other the bed creaking beneath the slow sensual dance while hands began a gentle exploration. Carmen began to kiss her lover's face, tracing her jaw with her tongue while Cheryl's hands drifted down her back in a tantalizing fashion.

Carmen was trembling as her lover quivered beneath her. The brunette's kisses drifting lower until she was suckling the blonde's neck. Many questions and doubts still plagued her as she felt Cheryl's tender touch gliding lower until she massaged the firm flesh of her backside. Her doubts slipped away as she felt the rapid beating of Cheryl's heart beneath her lips.

Cheryl's thigh slipped between her thighs while she guided Carmen to rock against the firmness. Carmen growled against her lover's skin while her body ground wildly against her lover. She flickered the rose colored bud with her tongue before capturing it between her lips, her body thrusting wildly as she suckled her lover's nipple.

Her clit throbbed with an aching need as she felt the bud puckering in her mouth. She suckled Cheryl harder as their bodies swayed in perfect rhythm. She could feel Cheryl guiding her hips up. She moaned as she reluctantly released the hardened nipple from her mouth.

She was struggling to breathe as Cheryl ran her hand down along the front of her body. Carmen's head was spinning as she felt the blonde's fingers parting her swollen nether lips and dipping into her wetness. "Oh Baby," she gasped as her lover slowly stroked her. The brunette's body swayed in response as she pressed her breasts against the blonde's soft, full lips. Carmen's head fell back as Cheryl captured one of her dark nipples in her mouth while her long, slender fingers slipped inside of her warm, wet center. "You feel so good," Cheryl groaned with pleasure as she squirmed beneath the brunette's body.

"Take me," Carmen whimpered while Cheryl feasted upon her breast as her fingers slowly plunged in and out of the brunette's wetness. Carmen cried out as Cheryl's thumb began to tease her clit. Carmen fought against the storm brewing inside of her while she balanced her body with arms, Cheryl's mouth teasing her breasts while her fingers drove her higher. Carmen thrust wildly her mind spinning as she felt her body erupting.

Cheryl never slowed pleasuring the smaller woman as Carmen exploded in ecstasy. Carmen's cries of joy filled the room, her body shaking as she once again fell over the edge. Through half opened eyes she glanced down at her lover who was lost in her own euphoric haze. Carmen leaned down and seized the blonde's lips in a savage kiss.

Cheryl murmured as Carmen slipped from her touch. The brunette was on fire as she kissed her way down Cheryl's long, lean body. She blew a warm breath in the younger woman's soft golden tufts as she nestled her body between Cheryl's long legs.

She drank in the musky aroma of her lover's desire before parting her slick folds with her tongue. Cheryl's blunt nails dug into her flesh as Carmen buried herself in the sweet nectar. Every nerve in Carmen's body tingled as she feasted upon the blonde's wetness. She suckled her throbbing clit eagerly as her lover's body thrust against her.

Carmen became lost in the feel of Cheryl's thighs trembling against her as she drove the blonde higher. She grazed her teeth across the aching nub while pressing her tiny fingers against the opening of the blonde's center. The walls tightened against her touch as she slipped deep inside her lover.

Her fingers and mouth pleasured her lover with a frantic rhythm as she felt Cheryl's body releasing her passion. She fought to hold the blonde steady unwilling to stop pleasuring her as her own passion grew. She refused to yield until Cheryl collapsed beneath her whimpering for her to stop. Carmen kissed the blonde's still quivering thighs before licking the traces of her passion from her lips.

"Let me hold you?" Cheryl gasped out her plea as she looked up at Carmen with a glazed look in her eyes.

"Anything," Carmen vowed as she nestled beside her lover. Her heart was beating rapidly as they became entangled in a loving embrace. Soon they were rocking slowly together once again their bodies becoming one swaying slowly until each of them cried out as they exploded in unison.

Carmen released a happy sigh as she nestled her head against her lover's chest. She murmured with pleasure as Cheryl massaged her scalp. Carmen smiled as she listened to the steady beating of her lover's heart. "This is where I belong," Cheryl murmured.

"It better be," Carmen cautioned the younger woman with tender smile as she kissed her breast.

"This is where I belong," Cheryl confidently vowed with a promising smile.

The End.