The Fling Read online

  “I was wondering why you weren’t wearing your ring. Ladies’ night is Friday night.”

  Annie glanced down at her bare finger. It felt wrong leaving the diamond at home, but she couldn’t test her theory if she was sending out signals that she was taken. Just going over that logical move in her head made Annie feel like the lowest piece of shit and she felt even worse when she looked up and caught Oksana’s eyes as they flashed with hurt.

  That was enough for Annie, the lingering look on Oksana’s face. It was jealousy and it turned Annie on like no other look could. All it took was one step into that club and she knew the confusion she was feeling wasn’t about women in general. It was about Oksana. The one person who had taken care of her and was now visibly pissed that Annie had gone out lady hunting. This round went to Oksana.

  Crossing the room at lightning speed, Annie all but dove headfirst into Oksana’s lap. Seconds before their lips mashed together, Annie didn’t miss the small fact that Oksana had reached for her too, her arms wide open to catch Annie the moment she saw that she was on the sexual charge.

  Their kiss was heated and rough. All tongues and lips and teeth. Annie scrambled across Oksana’s lap, straddling her stomach as Oksana moved them further onto the bed. Annie sat back just long enough to tear off her shirt and Oksana’s tank top before she attacked her mouth with renewed desperation.

  Oksana kissed her back with just as much passion, moaning as Annie sucked on her swiftly swelling lips. The same sounds pushed up from her throat as Oksana pawed at her ribs, gripping the suddenly hypersensitive skin of Annie’s back, maybe hard enough to bruise, but she didn’t care. She couldn’t fight her need anymore. Oksana wanted her too, no matter how she tried to end their relationship the night before, despite her anger with the way this night had played out, Annie could feel it in the way they touched, the way Oksana’s tongue moved inside her lips. Oksana wanted to be with her, if only for tonight. Oksana could have made her way back home once she dropped Annie off.

  Maybe her friend could have followed them, but Oksana had stuck around and Annie wanted to know why. She wanted to take this force between them to its limits, and in the morning if things were really over between them, both personally and professionally, she could take that defeat face-to-face, not over text message. If it was coming, she wanted real closure.

  But that end would have to be dealt with later, when Annie could focus and think. Roughly groping one of Oksana’s breasts in one hand and gently stroking the nipple and piercing of the other, Annie couldn’t think of anything beyond this moment. Nothing beyond Oksana’s breath mingling with hers and the wetness pooling in her underwear mattered.

  Suddenly Annie jumped off the bed. Oksana looked like she was trying to regain some sense of composure, to calm her panting, but she lost that battle as soon as Annie yanked off her sneakers. Her hands went right to her nipples while Annie grabbed her hips and tugged her further down the bed. She might have been short, but their weight sessions had paid off. The swift yet gentle move of aggression registered as shock in Oksana’s heated stare and the look sent another surge of pleasure down to Annie’s pussy. She watched as Oksana tweaked her nipples again, arching off the pillows. Annie didn’t say a word as she flipped Oksana’s skirt up over her stomach and pulled down her panties. Oksana watched her in the dim light. It had been a long night for them both. Slight bags were starting to form under Oksana’s eyes, but they still raged with fire, her lips still wet from their kiss. Annie would definitely attack them again, after she latched onto Oksana’s clit.

  Annie tried her hardest to be gentle, but she had to taste Oksana. She sucked on her pussy, drawing her tongue over every inch of skin she could reach. It was a fine demonstration of clumsiness, Annie knew. She was all over the place, but she couldn’t get enough of Oksana’s taste or her smell. Her own pussy clenched and released, aching for its own turn at attention, but that ache just spurred Annie further. Her ass bounced in the air, her thighs squeezed together. Her fingers pressed inside Oksana’s hot sweetness, and as she pumped in deeper and faster, Annie glanced up only to be trapped by Oksana’s dark gaze. They stared at each other and it was clear that at least this encounter was no mistake.

  She had no fucking clue what she was going to do. She’d never wanted to touch Jeff this way, never reacted this way to their closeness, never coated her own underwear at the sounds he made when she searched his body. They’d never taken that kind of time. Annie knew she would come eventually, but it was Oksana’s pleasure she craved, her body she yearned to be wrapped around, thrust inside of. She sucked harder, using her tongue to stroke over Oksana’s hardened clit and her fingers to bring her closer and closer to climax. Annie knew she had her when Oksana’s hand dropped from her nipple to the back of Annie’s head. Oksana gripped her hair in her fist and ground her crotch down on Annie’s face.

  Out of nowhere, Annie came.

  Annie’s eyes slammed shut as Oksana continued to ride her mouth. She trembled, gripping Oksana’s hip to keep herself steady. Almost immediately, Oksana cried out under the weight of her orgasm, her pussy spasming around Annie’s fingers. Annie savored the feeling of filling another body, of being inside Oksana, a feeling she’d been craving for so long. After a few moments, Annie scrambled up her body. Oksana took her in her arms again and let their legs intertwine as their lips met. Oksana licked her mouth clean, the bold move making Annie shudder and moan again.

  It took some work on both their parts, but the kissing didn’t stop as Annie managed to shimmy out of her underwear and help Oksana out of her skirt and bra. Oksana pulled Annie down on top of her and brushed Annie’s hair out of her eyes. Annie gently stroked the short hair on the crown of Oksana’s head. Oksana sighed as Annie swallowed nervously, her desire bubbling up from her stomach as her body pressed Oksana’s into the sheets. She was ready for more, but she wanted Oksana to say it was okay.

  “Fuck me again,” Oksana breathed.

  “I just want to touch you,” Annie replied, her breathing just as heavy. This was more than fucking for Annie. With a slight nod, Oksana seemed to understand. She met Annie in the middle and they kissed again. This time the kiss was tender and drawn out, with gentle caresses up and down Annie’s back, teasing passes over the cheeks of her ass soon had her body grinding slowly against Oksana’s thigh.

  She whimpered, massaging her swollen lips over Oksana’s heated skin, feeling Oksana’s own juices ease across her body.

  Annie rode her slowly at first, their lips and tongues always in contact, their teeth always exchanging gentle nibbles and bites. Soon the pressure became too much. That first orgasm had only been a hint of what touching Oksana’s soft skin could make her feel. Now that there was real contact, Annie’s pussy throbbed almost painfully at the hint of more.

  She broke from their perfect kiss and rested her forehead on Oksana’s shoulder as she pressed herself harder and harder to her body, bringing them both closer. This time Annie came explosively, her eyes momentarily blinded by the pleasure, her throat driven hoarse as she called out Oksana’s name again and again. Oksana gently gripped her chin as she shuddered against her chest and brought their lips back together. More slow kisses, deep and penetrating in a way Annie knew she would distantly regret.

  Annie was spent, but she wasn’t done with Oksana yet. She pressed her fingers back between their bodies. Her lips went to Oksana’s right nipple. She sucked and licked the hard pink tip with just the right amount of force.

  She filled Oksana, three fingers this time, quickly plying another orgasm from Oksana while she continued to lap at her sensitive breasts.

  Once the room righted itself and they could breathe again, Annie rolled them under the covers and spooned Oksana, her own breasts securely pressed against her back. She felt Oksana tense for a moment, but Annie loosened her grip and gently rubbed her stomach with reassuring strokes. Soon Oksana’s muscles seemed to relax in Annie’s arms, and not long after, Annie could hear her light snores. Ann
ie lay awake for a little while longer, enjoying the feeling of a full bed and a soft, warm body. Oksana’s body.

  She still had no plan, but now she had answers. She was definitely a little bit gay and she wanted more time with Oksana.

  *

  Annie’s eyes fluttered open, and this time her gaze landed on the sleek body on the edge of the bed; the soft, trimmed hair; and the perfectly toned back. Oksana pulled her tank top over her head then paused.

  Annie was afraid to move. This was the awkward morning after she’d been wanting to avoid, but now things were more complicated. There were feelings that could no longer be ignored, but there was still a wedding on the books and still a fiancé to return.

  “I have to get going,” Oksana said quietly. She turned slowly and looked over her shoulder at Annie. Her expression was hard to read. Annie saw the hesitation and the anxiety, but there was a glimpse of hope in those eyes.

  Annie glanced at the clock. “It’s six a.m.” She still had three hours until she had to be at work.

  Oksana turned back around and reached for her sneakers. “I have a session at seven thirty.”

  “Oh. Well…” Annie scrambled for something to say. “Wait, how are you getting home?” Annie had acted like a real jackass. The chance encounter had been an answer to her prayers, and the sex exactly what she had been after, but ultimately, she’d trapped Oksana and stranded her in Venice. Bravo, Annie. Bravo.

  “My friend Scooter is outside.”

  “Oh!” Annie jumped up and searched around for something to wear. She could feel Oksana’s eyes on her. She waited patiently while Annie dug up some shorts and a shirt.

  “Ready?” Annie asked once she was decent. “I mean, right. Let’s go.”

  With her clutch purse in hand, Oksana followed Annie to the living room, and when she released the lock to the front door, they faced off in the pre-dawn gray of the Venice morning.

  “Thanks for bringing me home.” Annie didn’t want to offer an apology. The last thing she wanted Oksana to think was that she didn’t enjoy the time they’d spent together. What she really wanted was for Oksana to stay. She wanted to make her breakfast, or buy her breakfast at least. She wanted to be with her until the last possible second.

  “It’s fine,” Oksana said, looking down at her Chucks. “Just be more careful next time.”

  “There won’t be a next time.” Annie laughed nervously, then cursed herself. “I didn’t mean—” She took a deep breath. Okay, dumbass. Use your words. She could feel it; Oksana was closing up. “I’ll see you again?”

  Oksana frowned. “Yeah. Tomorrow morning.”

  “Right…” Annie was drawing a blank. What the hell was tomorrow?

  Oksana’s eyes flashed wide and she nodded with full meaning at something behind Annie. She turned and looked at her wedding dress hanging from the decorative trellis beside the living room door. She did a quick scan of the room as she turned back to Oksana. There were bridal magazines everywhere, photos of possible hairstyles spread on the coffee table. And her copy of the fucking seating chart was on the couch. Annie had left it there a few days ago. Megan had called before work to tell Annie that Shane’s stepmom had decided to bring a date after all. Oksana was looking over every detail of her wedding. Of course they would still have plans for Saturday morning.

  “Our session. Right!” Annie’s stomach turned.

  “It’s okay.” Oksana patted her shoulder in understanding, which only made things worse.

  Be mad at me, Annie thought. Be something; just don’t leave…But she kept her mouth shut.

  Oksana walked to the end table near the couch. When she came back to the front door, she bent low and forced Annie to look her in the eye. There was no animosity. No regret. Any smidge of hopefulness was gone as well. It was all in direct contrast and a perfect complement to the cool metal Oksana softly pressed into the palm of Annie’s hand.

  “Really. It’s okay” Annie opened her hand and numbly stared at her engagement ring. With the tip of her finger, Oksana caressed the round diamond as she murmured softly, “Now you won’t be wondering anymore. You’ll know.”

  Annie did know, but she didn’t know how to say it or even what to say. She had to straighten things out with Jeff first, but clear determination in Oksana’s eyes told her that she wasn’t willing to wait.

  Oksana didn’t hang around for the weak good-bye that slipped through Annie’s lips. She was already down the front steps and climbing into a rugged looking Charger when Annie found the skill to breathe.

  The loud engine purred its way down the street, and when it was silent again, Annie slumped against the door. And she stared at her dress, wishing for the life of her that Oksana had never seen it.

  *

  Scooter didn’t ask any questions, just handed Oksana a sweatshirt and turned the radio up. She slumped in her seat and pulled the worn hoodie over her head. That’s why she called him. Scooter was no bullshit. That, and Ronnie would never come out to Venice at six in the morning, and if she did Oksana would never hear the end of it. She was already prepared for a thorough ragging from Ronnie and full-on verbal assault from her grandmother. For now, she needed silence or the best of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Anything but facing the truth.

  When they pulled up to the big house twenty minutes later, she kissed Scooter on his stubbled cheek.

  “I’m working all weekend, but I want to see you next week,” he rasped out. He’d been working long hours and partying even harder afterward. He glanced at her quickly, his eyes telling her everything she needed to know. Even though he had no clue who Annie was, he understood that Oksana had gotten herself into another sketchy situation. But he wouldn’t judge, and most importantly, if she needed him, he would continue to be there.

  “Okay,” she said with a weak smile. She hopped out of his Charger and waved as he drove away. She took one step up the driveway before Baba Inna came out on the porch, Vasily’s leash in hand. Oksana could outrun the old lady for sure, but she couldn’t avoid the third degree forever. Not if she wanted to enjoy her grandmother’s cooking again. Or see her sister.

  Baba ambled down the stairs and stopped in front of Oksana.

  “Same girl?” she asked.

  “Yes,” Oksana replied. Baba glared at her, one eye squeezing almost shut and then the other. That was how she squinted before she came to a decision.

  “One more time and I meet her.” She held up her hand as Oksana began to assert that there was no way in hell there would be another time. “One more time and you bring her home. I meet her. Ekaterina meets her, and we settle this. No more games.” She pressed her hand above Oksana’s heart. “No more games.”

  Baba Inna didn’t wait for an answer. She took their dog and headed off down the street.

  Oksana made it all the way back to the little house before she started to cry.

  Chapter Five

  The Facing of Facts Over an Overpriced Salad

  Oksana walked into Travar Salon and waited by the front counter. She only set foot in Beverly Hills for two reasons: clients and Ronnie.

  “We’ll roll in a sec,” Ronnie called from the sinks near the back. Jan, the owner, didn’t appreciate it when Ronnie yelled, but Ronnie was the best stylist they had, and Jan just had to deal with all parts of Ronnie if she wanted to keep the majority of her clientele.

  Ronnie appeared a moment later and wrapped a silk shawl around her shoulders. She and Oksana were the perfect pair, both tatted and pierced with mouths like sailors, but always dressed fresh and professionally. Even though she was in the middle of her sessions, Oksana had on her most fashionable spandex and matching jacket. They threw people off and it was funny.

  Oksana followed Ronnie next door to a small cafe. They ordered their lunches, both salads. Ronnie did so because she was a natural size sixteen and maintaining a size ten took some effort, and Oksana because in a little over an hour she had to run a client up to the Griffith Observatory. Puking up a burger and fries, or even
a pesto panini on the trail wouldn’t be a good look for Oksana or Elite Fitness.

  They slid into a small table by the window and Oksana forced herself to eat.

  “You look like shit,” Ronnie said with an eyebrow raised. She was right. Sleeping fitfully for four hours, upright, was not rectified by forty-five perfect minutes of sleep wrapped in Annie’s arms. God, she missed her already.

  “I feel like shit.”

  “It all adds up then. Well, dish. Another night of earth-shattering sex? Actually…” Ronnie got serious for a second. “Start from the beginning.” Oksana never got to tell Ronnie how she’d ended up sleeping with Annie in the first place, so she started back with Annie’s initial idea. Ronnie agreed that she wouldn’t have passed up that sort of one-night stand either, and they both agreed the texting and the parking lot lip-lock was where she went wrong in terms of the follow-up, but when it came to the incident at The Maypole, Ronnie threw Oksana a real curve.

  “How do you feel about her?” Ronnie asked. “And don’t lie. I’m gonna give you shit either way.”

  Oksana sighed and pushed her chickpeas around. “I really like her.”

  “Beyond the sex?”

  “Yeah. I liked her before the sex, before she even brought it up. She’s refreshing. It’s weird. She’s so upbeat and open.” Among a million other things. Oksana couldn’t shake Annie’s face out of her head. Her smile, her skin, her amazing chest, the way her eyes closed when she came, the way she felt pressed against Oksana’s back. It didn’t matter how hard she tried. All morning long, all she could think of was Annie.

  “I’m not trying to freak you out here, but on the surface, from what I saw and from what you’ve said, she sounds a little like Vivian,” Ronnie said. She sat back in her chair like she expected Oksana to punch her in the mouth for making such an insulting comparison.

  “What?”

  “I mean in the beginning. Remember? Vivian was like that. All cheery all the time and bouncing off the walls. She was the poster child for positivity.”