Touch of a Woman: Lesbian Romance Collection

Chapter 2

Chapter Two

When the tour began, Dakoda was in the process of serving up a few beers when she saw the short young strawberry blonde sit down amongst the other women at the table nearby. During the course of the night she also noticed that the beautiful young woman had been stealing glances her way. At first she didn’t think much of it, until she saw the blonde begin to stare more often. In return, Dakoda felt inclined to steal just as many glances, but she also knew she had to concentrate on the customers ordering drinks. Inwardly though, she smiled and hoped that she might somehow have the opportunity to meet the beautiful woman who had caught her eye.

At the end of dinner, as the waiters began picking up the dessert and coffee dishes, Dakoda came up with an idea. She grabbed a tall slender glass, filled it with ice, and began mixing a drink to pour inside. Inserting a purple straw into the glass, she placed three maraschino cherries on the top of the concoction, and smiled with satisfaction. “Hey Joe, I’ll be right back,” she announced to her co-worker.

“Yeah, okay. I’ve got you covered.” He responded as he took the next order that came from a regular who just walked up to the bar.

With the drink ready, Dakoda made her way over to the table where the young blonde sat fingering her napkin and watching couples dance to the live band playing.

As the glass was set down on the table, Avery momentarily held her breath, almost in fear, as she watched the graceful hand release the cold drink. She followed that hand as it returned to the side of the long lanky body that stood before her. Avery’s vision moved up the body, steadily stopping as it reached the angular features of the bartender’s face. Soon eyes were riveted to one another --- sapphire blue and emerald green --- slowly getting lost in the hypnotic gaze they saw reflected back at them.

After what seemed like minutes, Dakoda finally said, “I thought you might enjoy a drink.” A small smile played upon her lips at those last two words.

“That’s rather kind of you.” Avery commented, and then asked, “Do you normally hand drinks to strangers?”

Dakoda looked at her with a lopsided grin and a chuckle. “Uhh yeah, especially since I’m a bartender.”

Flushed with embarrassment now covering her face in a scarlet hue, Avery realized the foolishness of her question. Feeling now like such an i***t, she laughingly commented, “I can’t believe I said that.” She closed her eyes, and pinched the bridge of her nose, hoping to calm down her racing heart. “You must think I’m a dope.”

The tall woman pulled out a chair, and took a seat. “No. I think you’re cute...beautiful actually.” She chuckled again because she could see the young woman’s cheeks grow redder. “I don’t make this particular drink for just anybody. It’s not a commonly requested beverage. It’s my favorite though, so I hope you like it.”

Avery took a look at the tall perspiring transparent glass with the vibrant, almost glowing greenish liquid inside. “It reminds of Absinthe. Not that I’ve ever had it, but I remember it from when I watched that movie, Moulin Rouge.”

Dakoda chuckled lightly. “It’s definitely not Absinthe.” She watched the young woman take hold of the glass, bring the purple straw to her lips, and take a sip. Dakoda saw the beautiful sea green eyes brighten with pleasure, and it made her happy.

“Wow, it’s tangy yet sweet. That’s very nice. What is it? What’s in it?”

Dakoda chuckled again. “It’s called a Melon Ball. It has Midori Liqueur, Absolut, and orange juice. I take it you like it.”

Closing her lips around the straw, and taking another sip, Avery nodded. “Yes, I do.”

“Good, I’m glad.” Ocean blue eyes drank in the features of the beautiful strawberry blonde. Her nose picked up the scent of Ralph Lauren Romance, which Dakoda greatly enjoyed smelling on a woman. The scent of a woman could drive Dakoda insane with need, so it was always one of the things that she definitely took note of. Her eyes wandered to the play of muscles on the young woman’s neck, and then trailed back up to those sea green pools that looked right back at her. She momentarily cleared her throat because she had been caught openly staring. “Well...I have to go finish my shift. I’ll be done in about thirty minutes. Would you like to chat more later?” Dakoda asked.

“That would be wonderful. Why don’t you come find me on the upper deck.” Avery coyly answered.

“Will do,” Dakoda stated as she got up, and then walked away.

Avery watched the retreating figure for a few moments. Mmm, that ass looks nice and firm...and those broad shoulders are heavenly. Wait a minute; I’m actually checking her out...like seriously checking her out. Wow have I done that before to others and not realized it?

When the shift finally ended, Dakoda quickly went to the bathroom to give herself the once over before she went in search of the heavenly blonde angel that struck her fancy. Rolling up her sleeves part way, she then began to loosen the bow tie and just let it hang around her neck. She pulled her hair out of the ponytail, ran her long fingers through the jet-black tresses, and headed out. Reaching the upper deck, she peered over the groups of people everywhere until she spotted the short woman leaning against the railing and peering up at the starry filled night sky. Dakoda sidled over next to her, and softly said, “Hey.”

“Hey stranger,” Avery commented with a smile. She looked out onto the black river water before continuing, “Ummm....you do know you have yet to tell me your name.”

“Heh...I guess I do,” the tall bartender said. “Forgive my lapse of manners. Let me introduce myself. My name is Dakoda Lanning.” She bowed part way in a gentlemanly manner.

With a smile, the short blonde responded, “And my name is Avery Johnson. It’s nice to make your acquaintance Dakoda.” She extended her hand for a shake.

The bartender gently took Avery’s hand in hers, kissed the back of it as eyes briefly met, and said, “Oh, but the pleasure is all mine.”

They engaged in idle chitchat about their lives, and some light banter as the riverboat made its way back to the dock. Dakoda learned that Avery was tired of her job, and wished she could do something different with her life. “So are you just visiting Hannibal? Or do you live in the area?” Dakoda asked.

“I live an hour from here in Mexico. I just came up for the weekend with my ex-boyfriend, Mark, who apparently ditched me seeing how I’m alone tonight.”

“I’m here.” Dakoda commented in a sexy low tone as she moved closer and slightly behind the shorter woman.

Avery felt a slight chill as the fine downy hairs on her arms stood up from the closeness of the contralto voice. She knew she was very much enjoying the close proximity of their bodies. “Yes you are,” she responded softly.

“So when and why did you and Mark break up?”

“Well there was never an official break. We just agreed to be friends and casual dates if need be with no strings attached. He sees who he wants and I see who I want.” Avery turned around, her back now to the railing and Dakoda mere inches from her. She looked up into cobalt blue eyes that captured her soul.

“And what do you want?” Dakoda softly questioned as her eyes darted back and forth between Avery’s supple looking lips and her vibrant jade green eyes.

The night air became thick around them, and Avery began to find it difficult to breathe. She wanted...no she felt a gripping desire rise within her to have her lips captured in a tender embrace. Suddenly the boat jerked knocking her forward into the tall dark woman who quickly grabbed her. They looked around, realizing they had just docked as people began filing their way off the boat.

“Would you like to continue our night?” Dakoda questioned.

“Yes. Definitely,” Avery heartily answered.

Dakoda lead her for a leisurely walk along the riverfront as they continued talking about whatever came to their minds. They approached a café that was still open, so they decided to step inside for drinks and further conversation.

Avery was very interested in getting to know this intriguing tall woman, and was eager to ask more questions as they picked up their steaming drinks from the counter and took a seat at a small square table. “So did you grow up in Hannibal?” She inquired as she sipped her coffee.

“Oh, I’m not from here. I only work here in the summer time just to keep myself occupied; otherwise I’d get bored. I live in Columbia.”

“And what kind of job do you have that gives you the time to be out here?” Avery inquired curiously.

“I teach art history at the University of Missouri.”

“Wow a professor, that’s wonderful.” Avery commented.

Dakoda smiled, and asked, “What do you do?”

Waving her hand in a disgusted manner, she answered, “I work a s**t job at a bar and grill in Mexico. Sometimes I help out the bartender but most of the time I serve. It pays the bills. I live with my cousin and her husband, so I don’t have many expenses, which is nice. Maybe one day I’ll get myself out of that town and do something I can be happy with.”

“Well, you’re out of that town for this weekend, right? It’s a start.”

Avery giggled. “Yeah, that’s a good way of looking at it. So do you commute everyday? Or do you rent out a room for the summer? Cause isn’t Columbia almost two hours from here?”

“Yeah, it is. Commuting would be gruesome. I keep an apartment here, sort of as a second home when I’m here for the summers.”

“How long have you been doing this?”

“This is my second year bartending on the riverboat,” Dakoda answered. “I used to bartend in college, so I figured I’d put the experience to use when school is not in session.”

***

It was very late when the two women walked back to Anne’s Bed and Breakfast, where the short blonde was staying. Neither of them really wanted their night to end, so Avery asked if they would be able to sit along the water’s edge and watch the waves. Dakoda was more than happy to lead her behind the inn, over the banks, and down a grassy slope. They sat down, and silently watched the calm waves move across the surface, disappearing into the night. The full moon reflected beautifully over the dark waters of the river.

Dakoda decided to completely un-tuck her white shirt, and began working the buttons free. She could see from her peripheral vision that Avery stiffened ever so slightly. With her undershirt now exposed, she said, “I’ve been in this uniform for hours, so if you don’t mind, I’m just undoing the shirt to feel more relaxed and not be so hot.”

“Of course,” Avery commented. She couldn’t help watch the actions as they occurred in front of her. Long slender fingers on what appeared to be strong hands undoing each button, and then pulling the shirt out from having been tucked in the black slacks.

Dakoda felt much better having the light warm summer breeze brush across her now exposed white T-shirt. She felt vibrant green eyes watching her, and she couldn’t help but smile as she pushed her sleeves up a little further. Turning to face the young woman, she openly gazed at the beauty before her, and a soft smile graced her features.

Avery wasn’t sure if she enjoyed being looked upon in such a manner. She began to feel the crimson creep up her cheeks. Casting her eyes down, she casually commented, “If you keep staring like that, you’re going to give me a complex.”

Dakoda reached out, and gently hooking her fingers under Avery’s chin, she slowly guided the young woman’s face up. “You are absolutely radiant.” She delicately caressed Avery’s cheek with her forefinger. “You must hear how beautiful you are from folks on a regular basis.”