Private Dancer (35 page)

        
"You can't be serious? With all the noise coming from up there? I had to beat away the neighborhood watch!"

        
"You're just jealous again." She teased. "You want details?"

        
"Please… keep you're hands where I can see them."

        
"Oh, about that, I really didn't know she was going to do that. But it was kinky huh?" Faith chuckled at Cori's lack of grace earlier. "The way you fell into the chair was priceless."

        
"Oh thanks friend. Here's some food. Eat. I'm sure you need something."

        
"Mmm, thanks, I'm starved!"

        
"That's what happens when you try to do the whole Kama Sutra in one day."

        
"Kama Sutra?" She mumbled around a mouthful.

        
"Oh no… I'm not going there. Poor woman has enough troubles. What the hell did you do to her?"

        
"Oh, everything I can think of, but not enough."

        
"Oh boy. This is going to be very interesting when she wakes up." Cori smiled.

        
"Cori, this is a fritatta." Faith grinned.

        
"See? I told you it was Spanish."

        
After eating, Faith went to take a shower in the guestroom so as not to disturb Reece. Cori loaded the dishwasher and heard a curious sound from the Master Bedroom. Given the chance to be alone with Reece, Cori went upstairs to gloat and throw at least one "I told you so" at her friend. And of course, tell her how proud of her she was.

        
Reece drifted awake to the smell of food. Her stomach screamed in response. Not really wanting to get up out of bed, she rolled over on to her back and stretched long and hard. Noticing Faith wasn't there she sat at the edge of the bed all ready to stand when the next one hit her. Her arms were way up over her head and she let loose a long squeak.

        
Cori stopped by the doorway, took one look, and spun around and looked at the wall. "God Reece!"

        
The tall woman just laid there totally elongated, legs stretched out on the floor laughing at the sound she made. And the look on Cori's face... "I am way too contented to move."

        
"You are so lucky it was me who saw that. If it was Faith, you'd never leave that bed." Cori walked away muttering something about having no shame.

        
"Like you've never seen me naked." Reece laughed.

        
"Take a cold one Romeo!"

        
Reece chuckled and took the advice, opting for a long hot one instead.

        
The tall woman felt her body relax under the hot water and sighed. She bent her head down so the spray would beat on the back of her neck. Normally, this would be where she tried to wash the night away, hate herself for using sex, and watch as all the shame swirled down the drain. She was never satisfied with these women and more often than not, she'd utilize the shower massage for just one more climax, hoping that it would end the frustration. Sometimes it worked, but only because she wanted it to. Today was different. She felt satisfied for the first time. Well I'd certainly seek help if I didn't. She chuckled to herself. That woman is going to be the death of me. Smiling on the morning after was also a new accomplishment for Reece.

        
Idly washing her long hair, Reece tried to understand the new feelings being discovered. She had actually found what she spent countless nights searching for. Does that mean I'm done looking? She rinsed out the shampoo and soaped up the washcloth. Shit I'm totally sore. She winced as she tried to reach a spot on her back. Oh god woman, you wore me out. She groaned. She mechanically washed her body as her head swam with questions. When did I fall asleep? Did I fall asleep on her? Oh no! Does she hate me now? What if she isn't here? What if she doesn't want me? Why did I just panic? The washcloth was rough between her legs and she jumped at the contact. Reece was tender, done, finished. Faith Ashford, just where the hell did you come from and how did you know I was looking for you?

        
The two dancers heard the shower and Cori had to practically hold Faith back.

        
"But she's naked, wet, soapy, mmmm." Faith closed her eyes and smiled.

        
"You are unbelievable! Just you sit here young lady and don't you move until she is finished." She scolded.

        
"But Cori…"

        
"NO! Trust me on this one hon. She needs to be alone right now. Ok?"

        
"Why? Why does she need to be alone?" Faith looked frightened.

        
"Oh don't get nervous. Well not yet anyway. She needs to absorb this whole thing. It's new."

        
"What do you mean new? And YET?"

        
Cori sighed and ran her hand through her hair.

        
"Cori? What is it?" Now Faith was scared.

        
"Shit. Listen, um, it's hard to explain this to you. Especially you… Have you ever regretted anything you did in your life?"

        
"Are you telling me she…"

        
"Nonono… ok, look, Reece did a lot of things in her life that made her the way she is, was, fuck it, I don't know. She regretted a lot of those things too. I think just about everything she did she wished she hadn't, but couldn't control herself from not doing them. Am I making any sense?"

        
"All our pasts shape who we are Cor. What could she have possibly done to not be able to, no not WANT to face me? I mean… after all we shared!"

        
"Well, that's just it, she shared." Cori explained cautiously.

        
"Please, we're not talking about preschoolers sharing paste." She was getting agitated.

        
"No, but close. She shares "safe" parts of herself."

        
"Go on." Faith narrowed her eyes.

        
"Ok, here's what I'm trying to say. She has always acted on impulse, never caring at the time about the outcome. She always thought she was in total control but in reality, she wasn't. If she were, she wouldn't be so sick with herself the next day. Not being able to admit what she was doing, while doing it, was wrong, was not control. But don't tell her that." She grinned.

        
"Ok. So, what you're telling me, is she likes to think she is in control? I knew that."

        
"Yeah, but not the way she does. Correct me if I'm wrong, but she wasn't in control at all was she? And she allowed you see that didn't she? Usually she'd be in that shower scrubbing away the memory of her impulses. Then she'd go to the gym and work off the guilt and frustration that accompanied the disgust. She doesn't think I know this but like I said, I study her. She let you in a place no one has been before, and its probably scaring the living shit out of her right now. The love she feels for you, is a brand new emotion. All of this is brand new. In as long as I've known Reece, she has never allowed herself to face the consequences for her actions, until now. She willingly gave you a piece of her. In her head, she just gave up some control. Don't be offended if she doesn't know how to act, or how to follow through with these feelings. I know she has lived two life times before she became an adult. But honestly, here, she's like a child."

        
"Oh my god! You don't think she's washing ME off do you?" Faith was in tears. "She told me she loves me! Maybe she regrets that now."

        
Cori held on to her friend and prayed to any god who would listen that Reece was not doing just that. Telling Faith she loved her, this was a biggie… a confession… an admitted weakness. Please Reece, don't give in.

        
Reece's heart was pounding as she walked down the stairs. She could hear the two voices murmuring but the buzzing in her ears drowned out what they were saying. She smoothed her wet hair nervously again. Ok, we practically crawled inside one another. She has more of me in her than I do. I gave in, submitted to her and now I have to face her. She KNOWS. I was weak. How can face her now? Reece could feel the walls resurrecting themselves quickly. The pounding in her ears was letting up and the familiar rush of confidence was starting to gain control. She could feel it washing across her face as an unreadable mask. Then Faith sobbed. Reece was hit in the stomach with a wrecking ball and all the walls crumbled leaving a sickly feeling in the pit of her empty stomach. She was on her knees at the crying woman's side and she didn't know how she got there. She took Faith's face in her hands and fear tickled up her spine. Did I do this? Did I hurt her? Please tell me I didn't hurt her.

        
"Did I make you cry?" Reece lifted her face to look into her eyes. "Please stop, I didn't mean to…"

        
"Oh no! Thank you! Thank you Reece!" Faith started to cry harder ad wrapped her arms around the kneeling woman's neck.

        
Cori stepped back in amazement when Reece flew through the room. What the hell? The tall woman looked almost horrified. When she knelt on the floor and tenderly held her friend's face, Cori's heart swelled. But something was wrong; Reece was a ball of confusion and concern. She looked into the pleading blue eyes and hoped to calm her fears.

        
"She thought you might have second thoughts." Cori shrugged.

        
"Shit, I have third and fourth thoughts, but Faith, you aren't like everybody else. I'm new at this, Its... you're different." She paused to find an explanation. "I don't know. I can't promise you perfection, and I'm so afraid I'll hurt you... but I really don't think I can just walk away. Not this time." Reece fidgeted. "Believe me?"

        
"I want to. I'm so in love with you, how can I not?" Faith touched Reece's cheek. "I wouldn't worry about hurting me so bad either. I'm young, I'll adjust. she grinned.

        
Reece's heart fell. "You're probably making the biggest mistake in your life. I am going to be a first class asshole. I just know I'm going to hurt you…"

        
"Is that a threat? I can take you." Faith smiled.

        
"Really Faith. I don't know what to do. I'm afraid I might fuck it up. No, I'm sure I'll fuck it up."

        
"Reece, this is new to me too! Can't we just try to learn together? Nobody has it like the Cleavers. Believe me, I know. I make mistakes too, I'll just have to punish you when you're bad." Green eyes smiled. "Come on Reece, It's just a joke, smile for me." She twined her fingers through damp black hair.

        
"Faith, listen, I'm not saying I want to, or even mean to, but I have a terrible temper and I tend to act without thinking... I'm going to hurt you, that's a given. But will you be able to stick around long enough for me to punish myself?" The tall woman stood up quickly and faced Cori.

        
"Don't look at me. She's the one who loves you."

        
"Reece, get over here and sit down. I don't care about your temper right now. We'll get there when we get there. Just hold me."

        
Reece folded herself around Faith and it felt good. It felt really good, so she smiled.

        
"Now that's something I thought I'd never see." Cori's smile was huge.

        
"Faith?" Reece whispered into her hair.