Hidden Desires: A Love Story

Chapter 8

The week was slow to pass for both women. Normani tried to keep busy with work but the anticipation of the upcoming Friday kept distracting her.

Victoria was no better off, feeling butterflies every time Normani crossed her mind.

Normani's real estate agent was sending pictures of possible house options but none were jumping out at her. She really needed her own place in case she and Victoria became serious, at least that was a hope she harbored. That thought gripping her, she decided to expand her search to large apartments.

On Thursday afternoon, Victoria did indeed call and they worked out pickup arrangements. Normani talked her into letting Mani  drive and would pick her up at her home at six thirty.

By the time Friday evening arrived, both women were nervous with their excitement. Dressed in casual dress pants, nice top and low heels, Normani parked her car in front of Victoria's modest little house.

When Victoria opened her front door, a bouquet of irises greeted her. Victoria was a vision in a dark green dress that fitted her tightly from mid stomach up with a delicate show of cleavage and flared out nicely just past her knees. Her lovely legs ended in a pair of flats that matched her dress.

"You look lovely," Normani told her causing a gentle blush to envelope Victoria's face and upper chest.

"Thank you. Please come in while I place these in some water," Victoria said smiling sweetly at Normani.

While Victoria disappeared into the kitchen, Normani took in the tastefully decorated living room, "I like your style; very lovely," Normani complimented.

"Thanks but I can't take all the credit, I hired a professional to do the work."

"Oh, just this room or the whole house?" Normani inquired.

"The whole thing; would you like a tour?" Victoria offered, "That is if we have enough time."

"I'd love a tour and yes we have some time."

Victoria took her quickly throughout the house, showing off the kitchen, her office, the three bedrooms and the two baths. Every room was done in beautiful colors with elegant furniture that showed sophisticated tastes but not overly expensive. Mani was in love with it all by the time they left for the restaurant.

* * * *

They were seated at a secluded table at the back. The atmosphere screamed romance. They both faltered a couple of times trying to start a conversation before Normani took charge. Burying her nerves, she reached across the table and took Victoria's hand.

"Hey, let's not put any labels or expectation on tonight okay. Let's just have a good time as friends and see where the evening takes us." Normani smiled with more confidence than she really felt but put on a brave face for Victoria who seemed more nervous. Victoria placed her free hand over Normani's and smiled.

"Sure," she agreed and visibly relaxed.

From then on the conversation flowed naturally. They discussed, themselves, their work, or rather, Normani's work; Victoria didn't want to put Mani to sleep talking about numbers.

They spoke about which colleges they attended, their families and friends, but Normani had the feeling that Victoria was holding something back; she didn't press the issue. She wanted things to go well so that they would have many more of these dinners, or maybe something else with them.

By the time dinner was over and Normani drove Victoria home, the nerves had all but disappeared.

They returned however when Normani stopped in front of Victoria's house. Normani really wanted to kiss Victoria good night but felt some apprehension from her so she went the safe route opting to take Victoria's hand for another kiss there.

"I had a wonderful time," Normani began with a warm smile.

"So did I."

"There's an opera performance by this small company tomorrow night. I've seen their work before and they're quite good. Would you like to go with me?"

"I―sure, I'd love to go," Victoria answered.

"Great. It starts at eight, so we can have a light dinner first, can I pick you up at about six-thirty?"

"Yes, that sounds nice," Victoria said, feeling a little rushed. "Good night Mani."

"Good night Vic."

Normani watched her as she stepped out of the car and waited until Victoria entered her house before she drove away.

Behind her door, Victoria was kicking herself. Why did she agree to another date? A part of her was upbraiding her, but Victoria sensed there was something irresistible about Normani. She thought she should cancel, but she really didn't want to. A minor war would rage in her, but the wanting part was stronger this time.

* * * *

As Normani had hoped the second date led to a third and the third to a fourth and before Victoria realized it, she was seriously dating Normani. There was no rush or pressure from Normani and that allowed her to ignore the small war inside of her. They went out, had fun and at the end of each date, while sitting in the car, Normani would kiss her hand and ask for another date. Victoria would, in the moment of her growing weakness, agree and then tried to talk herself into canceling, but she never did and the cycle went on.

After each date, she felt herself falling more and more in love with Normani but that love was intruded on by her fear—the fear that Normani would reject her if she discovered her secret.

By their tenth date, Victoria was a nervous wreck and decided it couldn't go on any longer, the quiet battle within her suddenly erupting.

Normani saw the building apprehension in Victoria but she tried not to push hoping that Victoria would let her into her world.

When Normani parked in front of Victoria's after their date, as was their custom, Normani held her hand and kissed it. Before she could ask about another date, Victoria reached up and took Normani's face in her hands and kissed her.

In that moment, time stopped for Normani. Victoria's lips were so soft pressed against her own. This was Normani's first kiss with a woman and it was electric. When Victoria's lips parted so did Normani's and when Victoria lightly brushed her tongue against Normani's lips, Normani willingly opened her mouth wider to let Victoria's tongue in.

Their tongues danced together lightly and Normani raised her hands and held on to Victoria's arms. It was as if someone lit a fire when their mouths touched and the warmth stretched out throughout Normani's body and centered in her sex. Her nipples hardened and her head swam, all in the space of the thirty seconds their kiss lasted.

When the kiss broke both women were panting hard. When Victoria caught her breath, she softly touched Jade's cheek.

"These past few weeks have been wonderful, but I can't see you anymore. I'm sorry."

A stunned Normani watched as Victoria quickly left the car and ran to her door. It took Normani a few moments to register what Victoria had said, the kiss had so overwhelmed her senses.

Stunned, a great sense of loss began to descend on Normani. It was as if she'd suddenly been dispatched to a black void, it was all so sudden, and it was devastating her!
(A/N: Bitch, how in the fuck are you gonna kiss her soul out of her and then say I can't see you no more? That is the upmost disrespect like really.)

* * * *

Lauren turned in bed and bumped into a warm body. She immediately woke up remembering that she didn't have a bed partner when she went to bed. Turning on the light, Lauren immediately noticed Normani's sullen expression and the tear tracks on Normani's cheeks.

"Oh Mani, what happened?" Lauren asked as she drew Normani to her for a comforting hug.

"She broke up with me," Normani said feebly and broke down, bawling her eyes out on Lauren's shoulder.

Normani calmed down eventually but she was at a loss as to what had happened to cause Victoria to end their relationship. Things had been progressing well and Normani had avoided putting any pressure on Victoria for anything more than spending time together. Then to have the kiss that she was dreaming of since their first date turn out to be the last kiss Victoria was willing to give—how could that happen?

They moved to the kitchen and Lauren poured a stiff drink for each of them.

Lauren really thought things were going well. This was the longest any woman had dated Victoria in the two years that Lauren knew her. She must have felt much more than friendship for Normani to have dated her so long, so why just break things off so suddenly? Things didn't add up at all; Lauren's instincts told her that Victoria was hiding something big.

"Look here Mani, you love her right?" Lauren asked though she already knew the answer.

"Yes, more than anything. More than I ever thought that I loved Michael," Normani whispered, feeling the truth of her words deep within herself.

"Alright then, don't give up on her. She seems scared of commitment but maybe you can show her that there's nothing to be afraid of."

"But how? She won't talk to me."

"Don't stop trying to persuade her. Until she can look you dead in the eyes and say she doesn't love you, you keep after her," Lauren said with conviction. She truly believed that Victoria just needed someone who wasn't willing to give up so soon.