While you were Sleeping

30. The Country House

Juliana lay in bed, replaying their date. She'd been nervous about planning it but thankfully, her research had paid off. Discovering new places with Valentina was fun and she was already thinking of ideas for future dates.

When Valentina suggested a weekend away, Juliana's heart had skipped a beat. A weekend alone with Valentina, or even a night, sounded like a dream. She had no idea where Valentina wanted to take her, but she realised she didn't care. The thought of being away from everyone, with no interruptions, sounded amazing.

Valentina had a way of making her feel special, she paid attention, she listened and Juliana wanted to be that person for her too. She loved spending time with Valentina and missed her when they were apart. Was it possible to crave a person? And if so, what did it mean?

She thought back to their heated exploration on her bed. Valentina's warm embrace, along with her steamy kisses, were quickly becoming Juliana's favourite part of their dates. When their kissing had intensified and hands began to roam, Juliana had felt a tightening in her stomach and a throb between her legs. Instinctively her body had pushed firmer against Valentina, needing friction, needing something more, and Valentina had responded. Her hands had slipped under Juliana's t-shirt, her fingers ghosting along the inside edge of her jeans while caressing her lower back. Juliana's body had felt like it was on fire and she wondered how it would feel to have those hands on other parts of her body. However, when Valentina's hands began to climb, when her fingers grazed the clasp of her bra, Juliana panicked, ending the expedition.

She covered her face as images of Valentina, in her tiny red bikini, flashed through her mind. Those images were appearing more often lately. Juliana had tried to push them away, thinking it was wrong to objectify her like that. But after their make out session earlier, Juliana found she was much more receptive to those lingering images.

She remembered how Valentina had held her in the water that day. How she'd wrapped her legs around Valentina's waist, pressing their, almost naked, bodies together. Even then, when they were only friends, there had always been a connection. Had they both always wanted more?

As she lay there in the dark, she tortured herself with what ifs. If she'd been braver tonight, would their make out session have gone further? Was she ready for that? Was Valentina? Maybe Valentina would've stopped them. Or maybe they would've kept going. She wondered how it would feel to give herself to Valentina. To feel her body against Valentina's. To touch and be touched. To finally explore and experience intimacy.

It felt strange to be contemplating something like this, she wasn't even sure where to start.

Getting to know her own body seemed like the logical first step. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before slipping her hand under her pyjama top, slowly inching upwards to cup her own breast. She pictured Valentina, her clear blue eyes darkening as her long, manicured fingers began to massage the soft tissue. When Juliana swiped a thumb across her taut nipple, she gasped. Shocked by the tightening throb between her legs, she squeezed her thighs together, unsure if she wanted to continue or stop.

* * * * *

After a fitful night's sleep, Juliana arrived early to work. She was eager to speak to Javier. Although the jury was still out about moving their relationship to the next level, she still wanted to spend the weekend with Valentina.

"Javier, I need tomorrow off!" she announced as soon as she was through the door.

"Good morning to you too!" he replied sarcastically. "Why do you need tomorrow off? You were off on Wednesday!" He narrowed his eyes. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I've been invited on a trip this weekend and I really want to go!" She stared at her friend as he crossed his arms. "I know it's last minute so, if you can't organise cover then I'll stay... but I REALLY want to go!"