Jamie gave her a look and said, "I've never seen you like this about anybody. You're positively smitten!"
"Oh, I am," Mia agreed. "Maybe it's because I have to work so hard. But whatever it is, I'm absolutely goofy for her."
"I was a little surprised to see that she went home last night," Jamie said. "What's up with that?"
Letting out a wry laugh, Mia said, "We've been staying up most of the night for a month, James! She's on her last legs! Besides, I know everything about her by now. I could write her biography at this point! No, we don't need any more all-night talks. Now, we just need to get busy and make love."
"Any progress?"
"No, as a matter of fact. We actually seem to be doing less, rather than more. I'm going to take her home and push the envelope a little tonight. I don't want to lose patience with her, but I also don't want to hang on forever if she doesn't want to keep moving forward."
Slipping an arm around her shoulder, Jamie said, "I hope you hang in there, Mia. She's really pretty special."
They both gazed at the lanky woman, who was now lying on her stomach on the gym floor signing autographs for the line of kids who waited patiently, posters and pens in hand. Ryan was lying right next to her, adding her signature as soon as Jordan finished. Jordan spotted Heather standing around, looking a little lost, and she called her over and ordered her to hit the floor and start signing. The shy freshman did as she was asked, the kids now making over her as well.
Watching the scene unfold, Mia sighed and said, "She really is special, Jamie, and one of her best traits is that she doesn't know how special she is."
As soon as they arrived home, Ryan grabbed a big bottle of sports drink and she and Jamie went to bed. They had only been gone a few minutes when Mia leaned against Jordan and wrapped her in a hug. "You played so well tonight. It was honestly fascinating to watch you."
"Thanks. I felt good about tonight, to tell you the truth. I worked my ass off."
As Mia released her hold Jordan got a whiff of herself and said, "Wow…I smell like I worked my ass off. I should go home, take a hot shower, and get to bed."
"You know," Mia said, trying to sound casual, "I have a really nice shower here. My bed's not bad either. Wanna see?"
"Uuhhhhhh." Jordan looked like she didn't know whether to run for the shower or the hills, but Mia didn't try to influence her. She wanted her to make up her own mind, and after a minute she did so. "I'd like the shower," she decided. "We'll see about the bed later."
"Good deal," Mia smiled, taking her hand to lead her upstairs. While Jordan was in the shower, Mia paced around the room trying to decide if she should try to set a mood or just act like this was an everyday occurrence. She finally decided to go for it, then turned off the overhead lights and lit a profusion of candles, their flames flickering against the darkened ceiling.
A muffled voice came from the bathroom, "I forgot my gym bag, will you get it for me?"
"Uh…sure," Mia said, instead, handing her friend a blue silk robe. Jordan's hand reached out, and she accepted the offering without comment, then emerged a minute later, looking magnificent to Mia's appreciative eyes. She had washed her hair and it was wrapped in a white towel, showing off her exquisite bone structure even more distinctly than usual. The short robe highlighted her pale blue eyes, and her cheeks glowed from the warm water. She smelled fantastic, having used some of Mia's favorite freesia shower gel.
"Blow dryer?" she asked, her voice a little tight with tension, her blue eyes darting nervously about the room.
Mia indicated her desk chair and said, "Sit. I'll do it for you."
Jordan raised an eyebrow but complied, sitting stiffly on the edge of the chair while Mia grabbed a wide-toothed comb that Jordan extended towards her. She worked the comb gently through the thick strands, being careful not to pull too hard. She had never combed another woman's hair before, and she found herself fascinated with the thick, straight tresses. Actually, Mia had technically never combed her own hair. Her curls did not respond well to any attempts at order, so she usually just fluffed her fingers through them to provide some loose organization. When the tangles were combed through, the brunette grasped the blow dryer and worked the warm air through the hair, running her fingers along Jordan's scalp and then letting them slide through the silky tresses. It only took a few minutes to dry the golden locks.
It was clear that Jordan was nervous, but she seemed willing to go where Mia was leading her, giving the smaller woman hope that they would finally make some progress. As Mia continued to touch her gently, Jordan's body grew more and more relaxed, eventually feeling pliable and receptive as Mia started to massage her shoulders a little bit.
"It's getting dry out now that it's fall. Can I put some lotion on you?" she asked softly, breaking the silence. Jordan's head rested comfortably against her hip.
She could actually see Jordan swallow, but to her satisfaction, the tall woman slid the robe from her shoulders, clasping some of the fabric to her breasts, but exposing her back and shoulders to Mia's touch. A massive sigh escaped Jordan's lips as Mia's hands began to work the freesia-scented body lotion into her skin, her fingers gliding over the dips and swells of muscle. "My God, but you have a beautiful back," Mia whispered as Jordan closed her eyes and leaned hard into the touch. "Such soft skin…it's like silk."
"Y…your hands…feel good." The blonde grimaced as she heard the nearly inarticulate sentence escape her mouth. She had so much to say-to share with Mia, but she knew that it would remain locked inside. So much emotion was threatening to burst forth, that she was terrified of allowing the floodgates to open even a tiny bit.
Mia continued the gentle massage, focusing on letting Jordan become used to her touch and the sensation of exposing her body a little. "You feel very tight," she commented. "You didn't have the trainer work on your back after the game, did you?"
"Huh-uh. I was in a hurry," she said, her voice so soft that Mia had to lean around her to catch the last words. "I couldn't wait to see you."
With a fond smile, Mia turned the desk chair just enough to be able to reach Jordan's shyly grinning mouth. "You are so sweet," she sighed, capturing the soft, full lips for several loving kisses.
When Jordan's eyes opened, Mia had not moved a muscle and she met and held her gaze as she asked, "Why don't you let me give you a real massage? I'm good at it."
"I just bet you are," Jordan smirked, a trace of her usual sense of humor making an appearance.
"Come on," Mia urged, reaching out to grasp the large, fine-boned hand that trembled slightly when she touched it.
The tall woman stood, looking awkward and shy as she clutched the bright blue fabric against her chest. "Where do you want me?"
Mia looked at her quizzically and said, "I thought the bed would be the best choice. Is that okay?"
Lips pursed tightly, Jordan nodded briefly and walked over to the queen-sized bed, which seemed to grow before her eyes. By the time she reached it, it appeared to fill the room, blocking her exit with its bulk. She gulped audibly as she stood in front of it, looking at the orchid and white checked flannel sheets that were in the same state of disarray that they had been in when Mia had crawled out of them that morning.
The curly-haired woman came up behind her and placed a hand on her exposed shoulder. Deciding to adopt a casual attitude she said, "Come on, let's get those muscles loose. You don't want to stiffen up."
Jordan did a little better dealing with a direct order, and she slipped the robe back into place and tied it, then set about making the bed, twitching the sheets into place and fluffing the pillows before settling them just so. Mia didn't comment on her actions. She went into the bath and found some vanilla-scented massage lotion and was warming a healthy dollop of it between her hands when Jordan got into position.
"Why don't I cover you with the blanket? That robe is just going to get in the way." Again, her casual, businesslike tone carried the day, and Jordan pulled the fleece blanket up to her waist, then slipped out of the robe entirely.
"Excellent," Mia said approvingly. She climbed onto the bed, straddled Jordan's hips, and started to work on the stiff muscles, almost immediately drawing a heavy sigh from the blonde.
"Ooooh, that's perfect," her soft soprano voice purred.
"Glad you like it," Mia smiled. "I love to give massages. It's actually a nice way to get to know someone. You learn about how they like to be touched, how much pressure they like, if they're ticklish. All sorts of things, if you pay attention."
As the massage continued, Mia learned that Jordan could take every bit of pressure she could bring to bear, but that she also liked a delicate, whisper-soft touch. She didn't seem to be ticklish, and as time passed, she stopped shaking and seemed to appreciate the loving contact.
Mia kept the massage completely chaste, not even venturing past horizontal on the surface of her back. She stayed well above the blanket also, since Jordan was the one who had placed it just above her waistline.
"That feels great, Mia," the blonde finally said. "You do a better job than the trainer does."
"I care more," she said honestly, as her hands stilled, remaining splayed across the pale skin.
"I uh…was thinking about what you said before," Jordan ventured, her voice once again high, and thin. "Would you like a massage?" she managed to get out. "I'd um…like to get to know you a little better, too."
"Sure," she said immediately, before Jordan could change her mind. Sliding off the bed, she started to undress, removing her sweater while Jordan performed a stunning series of moves to get the robe back on while still covered by the blanket. Mia rolled her eyes at her friend's extreme modesty, but she knew that the only way to get her past it was to be patient with her.
Jordan stood by the bed, managing to look everywhere but at Mia. The brunette removed her bra, then considered,
Do I have on cute panties today?
She paused to think for just a moment, then remembered that she had on a deep purple thong that was just the perfect shade to compliment her olive-toned complexion.
Good job, Mia
, she crowed.
It's unlikely that she'll look anywhere near your ass, but if she does she'll have a nice view.
She unzipped her slacks, rolling her eyes again as Jordan flinched noticeably.
Good thing she's in great shape, or I'd be afraid of her having a heart attack! I can see the headline in the
Daily Californian.
"Volleyball player succumbs to zipper fright. 'I didn't even get my pants off,' grieving near-lover laments."
Smirking at her internal monologue, Mia climbed into bed, settling the blanket around her hips just as Jordan had. The blonde straddled her and began to give her a fantastic massage-managing to be gentle yet firm, alternating delicate caresses with deep, penetrating pressure. "Oh, my Lord! Where did you learn to do this?" Mia moaned from her trance-like state of bliss.
"I had a great trainer one summer at a clinic I participated in," she revealed. Mia noted that her voice was its normal confident timbre, and she decided to continue to engage her.
"Tell me about him or her," she urged.
"Mmm…it was a guy. Probably three years ago," she decided. "He was just great at giving massages, but his best quality was his ability to explain what he was doing and why. He taught me a lot."
"Where can I send a thank-you card," Mia sighed. "You are gifted!"
"Thanks. I uh…haven't really had the opportunity to do this before. Except for Ryan, that is."
"Hey, no fair," Mia teased. "Ryan gets to sleep with you first, she gets a massage before I do…"
"There are still a few things that I haven't shared with her," Jordan teased back. But when she heard what she was implying, her mouth snapped shut and she reverted to concentrating on the massage.
Mia had a feeling that the mood was lost, and she quietly enjoyed the last few minutes of the fabulous massage. When Jordan's hands stilled, she decided to take a bold risk. Turning her head until she could make eye contact, Mia asked, as casually as she could manage, "Want me to turn over? I bet your touch would feel divine on both sides."
Stark, dead silence filled the room, and Mia realized she had been too forward. Grasping the sheet to her chest, she turned over as much as she could and started to apologize, but the look on Jordan's face brought her up short.
Mia didn't think she had ever seen anyone who looked more like they were wrestling with a dilemma. She could almost see the internal dialogue in the blonde's mind, but she didn't say a word. It was important to her that Jordan only go as far as she was willing-and she decided that she did not want to tip the scales in any way. However, she eventually couldn't stand it another minute and asked, "Tell me what you want, Jordan. Not what you think you should do, or what you're afraid of. Tell me what you want."
The ice-blue eyes locked on her and she mumbled, "I want to run." The delicate lids snapped shut, and she began to tremble again, looking like she was about to cry.
Tucking the sheet under her armpits, Mia sat up and grasped her friend by the arms. "Jordan," she said firmly, "you don't have to run. We'll only go as far as you want. I promise that. If you want to stop, we'll stop. If you want to get dressed and stay and talk for a while, that's fine, too. I just want you to know that I will never push you. You don't have to run from me, Jordan. It's safe here."