CHAPTER III

Downstairs, there were about 12 cars left in the underground parking lot, mine included. I drove a used black SUV; nothing special but not my first choice for a car either. It wasn't something I felt like pointing out to Gabrielle as we continued on to the last row of cars near the exit ramp.

"Here we are," she stated, reaching into her pocket.

Gabrielle pulled out a set of keys and pressed a button on a small remote control. Immediately, a car alarm beeped off and the lights of her car turned on along with the engine. It was a very expensive looking red convertible, definitely a newer model but I wasn't the best in terms of vehicle knowledge. As we each walked up beside it I began to wonder to myself if it was, in fact, Gabrielle's only car. I somehow doubted it.

"This is your car?" I asked, trying not to look surprised.

Gabrielle set her hand on the roof, her diamond ring reflecting in the light.

"Mmm hmm," she nodded. "Why, what do you drive?"

I didn't answer, hoping to change the subject. Gabrielle smiled and opened her door.

"Give it a little while, Kathy, and you'll have a nicer car than this."

"I somehow doubt that," I replied.

"When you get your first paycheck, you'll know what I mean," she added, winking. "Hop in then."

We both got into the car and closed our doors. Gabrielle set her keys in the ignition and the dashboard lights clicked on. Almost immediately she went for her seat belt, setting the car in gear at the same time. Her car was a standard.

With a jerk, we rolled out of her parking spot and turned towards the exit ramp. I immediately knew that I was going to need my seat belt for the ride as well.

Once up the ramp, I noticed the streets of the city were nearly deserted compared to the usual rush hour that followed a day's work. I pictured Gabrielle speeding through the streets at night, her top down and her hair flowing in the breeze, just for the excitement.

We arrived at the bar only minutes after roaring out of the parking lot, in record time even. It was a quiet bar compared to what I had pictured for our 'little drink'. There were a number of people inside, some playing pool, others watching a sports game, but Gabrielle and I were completely alone in the corner of the bar. For minutes, neither of us talked, rather we just looked around at the people... at each other.

"Well, you seem to be very quiet this evening, Kathleen. Still nervous about the new job?"

"No, of course not," I replied. "I just... don't talk as much as others I guess."

Gabrielle smiled. "I noticed. I suppose that makes you a good listener then."

"I guess."

"So," she said, lifting her drink, "what if this were your typical Friday night? Where would I most likely find Kathy Dale on a night like this if you weren't with me now?"

I looked down at my own drink, running my finger across the top in circles.

"Well... I would probably be at home, reading a good book or watching a movie with a nice bowl of popcorn; no butter, of course. And..."

As I reminisced about my usual Friday nights, Gabrielle looked directly into my eyes, smiling softly and listening as if my rambling were part of an important historical speech. I started to blush yet again, keeping my own eyes locked on the bar, avoiding her alluring gaze.

"...That's my typical Friday," I finished. "What about you, Gabrielle?"

"Me?" she asked, looking surprised. "Mmm... well, on a night like this you'd probably find me at home too. I would be taking a bath by candlelight, with scented oils to rub all over my body while listening to the gentle sound of the water dripping from my hair and hands into the bathtub. I would stare into the moonlight and let my skin glisten in the shadows, soaking in the heat of a night as hot as this. And then, after that I would lie naked on my sofa with wet hair, eating delicious chocolates and reading a hot, steamy romance novel in a darkened room, running my fingers across my soft, bare, hot body."

"I... I..."

I nearly found myself sitting with my jaw in my lap as Gabrielle described what she would be doing if we weren't sitting together. I jammed one hand between my legs to stop my moist sex from becoming any more aroused and I bit my lip as hard as I could.

"Have you ever done anything like that, Kathleen?" she asked, smiling with narrowed eyes as she took a calm sip from her drink.

"Ummm... no..." I whispered.

Gabrielle set her glass down and turned directly towards me.

"You should try it sometime... sitting at home with no clothes on. The excitement of it," she whispered, bringing her face closer to mine.

I was breathing through my mouth now, stuttering as my hand struggled to hold my drink steady. The ice swirled around loudly inside, giving away my nervousness before the pounding of my heart could.

"I..."

Gabrielle reached her hand down, slowly coming between my legs. I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes, feeling my juices soak through my trousers onto my hand as her own inched closer to my trembling pussy.

She took hold of my wrist and pulled it away from my mound gently, breathing through her mouth just as I was now, and massaging each of my wet fingers as my scent filled both of our nostrils.

"Does this feel nice?" Gabrielle asked softly.

"I... I..."

My lips trembled, attempting to answer but lost in the moment, the arousal. Between my legs I could feel my juices slowly gushing from my pussy just as Gabrielle looked down. A gentle smile remained on her face as she continued to caress my hand as if nothing were wrong.

"You're so beautiful, Kathleen, did you know that?"

I began to squirm in my seat, looking for a way out. It was too much... too much for me to bear.

"I... have to go, Gabrielle... I..."

"Of course, Kathy," she said, slowing her rub to a halt. "You do still have your house key on you, right?"

I immediately realized how much my lie had failed me. Instead of being home alone I was now locked out and at the mercy of Gabrielle unless I confessed.

"No... it was on the... my key chain, in the office."

"Would you like to go back and look together?" she asked, attentively.

"No! I mean... no, that's okay. I'll just stay at a motel tonight and get my keys tomorrow."

Gabrielle released my hand and set it in her lap.

"Kathy, the office isn't open again until Monday. Can you afford to stay in a motel for three nights?"

I reached for my wallet with trembling fingers; I had forgotten my credit card at home, and I didn't have enough cash to even pay for my drink, which was still full. I was ready to smack myself in the head when Gabrielle set her hand on my knee.

"No... I could stay with friends though, I..."

"You could stay at my place tonight if you wish," she replied, happily. "I have plenty of room, and first thing tomorrow morning I could see if we could get back inside the office to look for your keys again. Sound nice?"

I looked down into my lap, no longer stopping my shoulders from trembling on their own. I was a complete wreck, and I was ready to pass out from my anxiety.

"No, that's okay," I answered quietly. "It would be imposing and..."

"Oh, not at all, Kathy. I've got a guest bedroom, it would be perfectly fine. I insist."

I didn't really have any other alternative, but the butterflies in my stomach definitely weren't going to calm after my answer.

"Okay... I guess."

Gabrielle's expression turned to one of ecstatic happiness instantly. I made a silent gulp and felt ever part of my body trembling with apprehension. Still, I could not deny the arousal that she had released with a mere touch.

With my drink left full and Gabrielle's tip left on the counter, we both left. The warm dusk breeze blew against our faces as the sky darkened and the night truly began. I wondered if I was going to get any sleep at all.