You and I

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

It was their last night in the villa, and everyone was in the living room. The space was abuzz with chatter and laughter, and music was playing softly from a speaker in the corner. Coco was mixing a drink at the counter and talking with Sarah and Gert, Niels was on the couch drunkenly attempting to sing one of Helmut's classical pieces, and Helmut was cheering him on while Silvy, Jasper, and Sharon laughed beside them. A game of chess lay unfinished on the coffee table, some of the pieces scattered to the side.

As Niels moved onto another song, Sharon rose to get another drink.

"Hey, hey," Coco said as she opened the fridge, reaching for the margarita pitcher.

She smiled as she pulled it out by the handle.

"Niels is really tearing it up over there," Sarah said, and Sharon laughed.

"We were just talking about our plans for next year," Coco said. "What's next for you?"

"Well, we're going to be recording our new album pretty soon. We're almost done writing it, and then it will be released sometime later next year I think," she said as she poured the pink liquid into a glass.

"That's great," said Gert. "I can't wait to hear what you guys do next."

She smiled. "Thanks! I'll be sure to send you all a copy when it comes out. What about you guys?"

"We were actually thinking of recording some of the covers we did here and putting them on our next album," Sarah said, leaning her lanky frame against the counter. "If that's okay with everyone, of course."

"Fine with me," said Coco, and Sharon nodded as well. She was suddenly aware of everyone's eyes on her, and a few people's eyes slightly behind her. Before she could turn around, she felt a pair of arms encircle her waist, and she jumped, almost spilling her drink.

She knew before she whirled around who it was because of the familiar jasmine scent, but surprise still made her heart leap when she saw Tarja's shining green eyes.

"Hey, stranger," she said, grinning.

"Hey yourself," Sharon replied. "You almost gave me a heart attack."

Tarja's grin widened. "Sorry. But it was a good surprise, wasn't it?"

"The best," Sharon said with a smile. "But how did you even get in here?"

"The security guard at the door knew who I was, he let me in," Tarja said airily.

Sharon contorted her expression in mock concern. "I'd better have a talk with them. I didn't know they were letting just anyone in here!"

Tarja giggled, and Sharon hugged her again. When they separated, Tarja's eyes scanned the room, and she suddenly remembered they weren't alone.

She cleared her throat. "Well, I doubt I need to introduce my friend here, but in case anyone doesn't know, this is Tarja!"

Laughter arose from her friends as everyone crowded around them to introduce themselves. Tarja was her usual charismatic self, glowing in the attention and charming everyone around her. Jasper, Niels, and Gert got out their guitars, and they all sang around the firepit outside. Tarja sat next to Sharon, just close enough that she could feel her chest shake when she laughed, but not close enough for anyone to think they were more than friends.

Helmut was the first to announce that he was tired and would see everyone in the morning, then Gert, then Sarah.

Tarja turned to Sharon and smiled. "I'd better get going."

"Are you sure you don't want to stay here? There's plenty of room."

Tarja shook her head. "This is your thing. Enjoy your last night here."

"Thanks, I will," Sharon said. She desperately wished she could kiss her, and she could see in Tarja's eyes that she was thinking something similar. Sharon leaned in closer. "It's probably best that you get out of here now. If you stay too much longer, Niels will start serenading you."

Silvy, who was sitting on Tarja's other side, laughed and leaned in. "I can confirm that."

"What?" Niels said from the other side of the firepit. "Did I hear my name?"

"All good things," Sharon assured him. Tarja rose, shouldering her purse, and Sharon walked her out to her car and then hugged her one last time, letting her chin rest on top of the smaller woman's head.

"Thanks for coming," she whispered.

"Thanks for having me. Even though I didn't give you much of a choice," Tarja said with a wink as they pulled apart. "Can't wait to see you tomorrow."

Sharon waited until Tarja had pulled onto the main road before taking a deep breath and returning to the patio.

As she sat back down, in the midst of the singing, laughter, and firelight, her gaze met Jasper's, and she could see in his eyes that he knew. But just like the night by the pool, there was no hint of judgement. He understood.

* * *

After saying goodbye to her colleagues the next morning, Sharon took a bus into the city and was at the hotel she and Tarja were staying at by 10.

The door swung open after she had knocked once, and Tarja threw herself into her arms. Sharon dropped her bags and hugged her tightly, pushing the door closed behind her with one hand.

"You made it," Tarja whispered, cupping her cheek.

Sharon closed her eyes briefly at the other woman's touch. "I did. I--I can't believe we really made this happen."

Tarja standing before her with her face and hair illuminated by the sunlight streaming through the window on the far side of the room seemed too good to be true. They had two whole days together. Just them. No band members, no family, no fans to interfere.

"Me either," Tarja said.

"What were your plans for the day?" Sharon asked. "Did you have anything in mind?"

Tarja pretended to think, tapping her chin before turning back to Sharon with a smile. "Well, the basic plans included you, me, and not leaving this room."

"I like the sound of that," Sharon whispered, and Tarja pulled her closer.

Their lips collided. Tarja tasted like peppermint lip balm. Sharon was finding it hard to breathe, but she didn't want to lose contact with the other woman for something as insignificant as air. They had been apart for too long, and they had lost time to make up for. Tarja pressed Sharon against the wall, her hands already pushing up her sweater. They separated just long enough for Tarja to pull it over her head, and their lips locked once more.

Tarja pushed her back again, and Sharon gasped as her bare skin met the cold brick of the wall. Tarja began kissing down her neck to her breasts, and Sharon tangled her hands in Tarja's soft hair and moaned. While the other singer's mouth went to work on the part of Sharon's right breast left exposed by her bra, sucking the skin harshly between her teeth, her fingers drew circles on her stomach. Sharon felt goosebumps forming on her skin everywhere Tarja's black acrylic nails touched.

The younger woman pushed her thigh between Sharon's legs, and she immediately ground down on it, her core already throbbing with need.

"God, Tarja," she gasped as the other singer's lips and teeth continued their assault on her sensitive skin.

Tarja unclasped Sharon's bra and let it fall to the floor before dragging her mouth down to her nipple. She flicked her tongue over the rosy bud and then gently bit down. Sharon grabbed her shoulders, her nails digging through the thin fabric of the other woman's shirt. Tarja had just kissed her way over to Sharon's other breast when Sharon pushed her away.

"You're wearing too many clothes," she whispered, and Tarja smiled as Sharon tugged her shirt over her head, letting it join her own shirt and bra on the floor.

Sharon pulled the other woman's body flush against hers, and their lips met again, their kisses insistent and heated. Their remaining garments of clothing were discarded in various places on the furniture and on the floor as they made their way to the bed.