Cameraman, Swing the Focus

Chapter 25

Nicole got up, grabbing Z's hand and pulling her to the stairs of the theatre. They tried to suppress their giggles as they ran down the stairs, taking the sharp turn and heading for the exit. The movie reached a loud action scene, and the carpeting and soundproofing of the theatre made it impossible to hear their own footsteps. Nicole was still holding Z's hand when she felt it tug on her, stopping her movement and pulling her backwards. Her body twisted as she turned around, and collided with Z's torso. Z's hands were quickly in her hair as she pinned Nicole against the wall of the theatre. The sound of Nicole's gasp was covered by an explosion in the movie, and Z's eyes glinted with the reflection from the screen as she pulled back to smile at Nicole wickedly. 

Z's lips ghosted over the shell of Nicole's ear, sending waves of need up and down Nicole's spine as she pulled Z closed by her hips. "I'm thinking the bathroom is too far away." Z's voice was heavier than usual, sounding desperate as she licked a stripe up Nicole's neck. 

Nicole nodded, tilting her head to the side to allow Z better access. "Much too far. I don't think I'd survive the journey." Nicole sighed dramatically and pretended to swoon. Z caught her from falling and held her against the wall, her taller stature allowing it. 

Z caressed Nicole's face with the back of her had and pretended to take her temperature. "My goodness, you're burning up." She widened her eyes dramatically and held Nicole's face between her palms. 

"Go on without me; I'll only slow you down." Z broke character to laugh before schooling her expression back into that of mock seriousness. 

"No one gets left behind." She levelled her gaze with Nicole's before kissing her, their laughter caught between them.

Z's hands ran up and down Nicole's waist as Nicole clutched her shoulder blades, kissing Z like her life depended on it. The thrill of someone walking down this hallway and seeing them had her heart pounding wildly in her chest, and it felt needlessly reckless, but it was also the most alive she'd felt in a while.

Z's hand pushed up her shirt slightly, stroking over the skin of her stomach as her tongue traced the sides of Nicole's. Nicole moaned and hooked a leg around Z to pull her close just as a scene ended and the theatre went deadly silent.

Z started shaking with laughter, hiding her face in the side of Nicole's hair in an attempt to keep quiet. Nicole let her foot fall back to the floor and she slid down the wall, taking Z with her so they ended up sitting on the carpet, still holding each other.

Z smiled at her in a weird way. "What are you thinking?" Nicole asked, feeling a burning desire to know what was going on in her mind.

Z shook her head, like she was in disbelief. "It's just the way you make me feel." She tilted her head and studied Nicole's face in the soft glow from the screen.

Nicole smiled back, running her thumb over Z's knuckles where she'd taken her hand. "I know what you mean. I don't think I've ever felt this-" she paused, wanting to express the depth of her feelings but not wanting to scare Z off by being too forward. She swallowed, reaching out to touch Z's cheekbone just to remind herself that the other woman was real. "-excited to spend time with someone." It felt like an understatement, but the way Z's face lit up made her decide it was good enough for now.

They eventually got off the floor to go back to their seats. Z kicked her legs up to rest over top of Nicole's, and Nicole traced patterns absent-mindedly on her knees. The movie turned out to be pretty forgettable, but Nicole was sure she'd never forget those moments spent with Z.

Proceed to chapter 31.