Gerri Hill - One Summer Night

It really wasn’t fair, she thought again. Kelly was just another woman. A very attractive woman, to be honest, but still, it didn’t warrant Jo’s body turning to jelly at the mere sight of her. She’s just a runaround, she reminded herself.

Another Nancy. And she refused to consider, even for a second, that Kelly was any different.

They didn't speak, but each time Jo looked up, Kelly's eyes were on her. Johanna danced with Deb again, and when she got back, Kelly met her with questioning, raised eye-88

brows. But Jo had no interest in Deb, other than as a friend, and she hoped Deb felt the same. They had known each other too long for anything else. But still, the way Deb was dancing, the way Deb held her, all led Jo to believe that Deb had suddenly developed an attraction to her. . . and was acting on that attraction. But there could never be anything there for Jo. Deb did nothing for her libido. Unlike . . . no, she wouldn’t allow herself to think about it again!

Jo knew full well she would decline if Kelly asked her to dance, but was surprised that she didn’t. Not wanting to hurt her feelings by refusing, she was thankful she didn’t have to. Kelly never asked, not once. Instead, she danced with nearly everyone else at the table, paying Lucy, who was sitting next to her, special attention. Jo was forced to watch them across the table as they talked and laughed quietly together, as if they were good friends. Or something else.

Jo didn’t want to think about the something else. . .

Later, when Trisha Yearwood's soft, slow ballad came on, Jo's eyes raised automatically to Kelly's. It was the same song they had danced to in June, and Kelly's eyes peered into hers for an eternity.

"Dance with me, please," Kelly pleaded softly.

Jo shook her head, no, but Kelly was already standing, reaching for her. Jo stood on shaky legs and took the hand Kelly offered, icy fingers wrapping around Kelly’s warm ones. Jo moved into Kelly’s arms with an ease that surprised her, and Kelly held her lightly. Jo rested her hand on Kelly's shoulder. Their eyes met as Kelly moved with her on the floor, legs brushing together as they danced. Jo pushed all her thoughts aside when Kelly pulled her close, letting out her breath slowly, trying in vain to still her racing heart.

The song ended much too quickly, and they pulled apart, their eyes lingering.

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"Thank you," Kelly said, without any hint of teasing.

"You're welcome," Jo answered softly.

They sat at the table and ignored one another again, both pretending interest in the conversation taking place around them. A few songs later, Kelly again asked Johanna to dance, and she didn't even try to resist this time. It was futile, really. Her body had a mind of its own. She could not stop the desire that was building inside of her.

Jo walked into Kelly's arms. Kelly held her closer than before. Jo moved her hand along Kelly's shoulder, brushing her hair. She tipped her head back and their eyes collided.

There was no teasing or amusement there, only a hint of desire that Jo was sure Kelly was trying to hide. Jo pulled her eyes away, trying to veil her own desire.

Kelly's warm hand moved lower on her back, pressing Jo closer still as their breasts touched lightly. Jo felt the heat rush through her body and knew she had lost control. They danced slowly, feet barely keeping time with the music, but Jo didn't care. Faces pressed together, Jo inhaled deeply, smelling Kelly's sweet scent, the scent she remembered, the scent of summer.

When the song ended, Kelly didn't immediately release her, and Jo held her near for countless seconds. She was on fire, and she no longer cared who was watching them. She felt Kelly's lips brush her ear, and Jo let out her breath, unaware she had been holding it.

Kelly held her hand as they walked to the table, her thumb lightly caressing Jo's palm. Even though Jo knew she should pull away, she couldn't. She had been craving these feelings Kelly stirred in her. She did not want a repeat of that June night, but she couldn't deny herself this small pleasure that Kelly gave her.

When she and Betsy went to the ladies' room, Jo refused to meet her questioning eyes.

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"Are you having a good time?" Betsy asked.

"Yes," Jo said, nervously running a hand through her hair, refusing to meet her own eyes in the mirror.

They stopped at the bar and got fresh drinks, then rejoined the others. The bar was crowded, as was their table.

Smoke rose, a light cloud hovering against the ceiling, talk and laughter all around them. Jo sat down and sipped her drink, her eyes following Kelly as she took Lucy out on the dance floor. Jo remembered them driving off together after the softball game. She assumed that Lucy must have been going to all the games. She was young, single and attractive.

Kelly danced close with her, too. The pang of jealousy that hit Jo was so unexpected, it startled her. Lord, she certainly had no reason to be jealous. She and Kelly were nothing to each other. She certainly had no hold on Kelly. She didn't want one, for that matter. Why on earth should she be jealous? But as she watched them, the feeling was undeniable. Was Lucy experiencing the same feelings that Jo had, being held so close by Kelly? Having those warm hands caress her back? Were they dating? Jo pulled her eyes away from them and swallowed her jealousy, feeling very alone.

Later, the disc jockey's voice spoke softly over the speakers. "For all you lovers out there, let's get dark and slow.” Cheers went up and the lights dimmed. "Here's three in a row for some slow dancing."

The dance floor went dark, and Betsy took Janis's hand and pulled her up.

"Let's dance, honey," she said.

Sharon and Mattie did the same, as did most of their table. Kelly didn't ask Lucy, thankfully. Lucy went to the floor with someone Jo didn't know. Jo lowered her eyes then, afraid that Deb would ask her to dance, but someone else claimed her. Jo let out her breath slowly. It wasn't Deb she wanted to dance with.

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Kelly and Jo were left alone at the table. Jo looked up, her gaze finding Kelly. Kelly smiled softly, and Jo answered it.

"Come on," Kelly whispered.

"I don't know. . . " Jo hesitated.

"Come on," Kelly said again, reaching for her hand, and Jo knew it was pointless to resist.

Kelly led her to the dark floor, now very crowded, and they squeezed in among the other couples. It was too dark to see well and Jo was thankful. She didn't want to see Kelly's eyes, didn't want Kelly to see what her own might reveal.

But she didn't hesitate as she moved close, into Kelly’s waiting arms. Jo circled her back, holding her tightly as she felt Kelly's warm hand burning into her flesh, searing her back. They held each other, bodies caressing, legs touching, thighs brushing, hips straining to meet. Their breasts were pressed tightly together. Jo squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself not to remember what it was like to lay naked with Kelly, to make love to her, but she remembered. She remembered every detail of Kelly’s body, how soft it was, how lean and strong it was, how warm it was. She remembered Kelly's lips on her, her tongue on her, and she trembled in her arms. Jo just wanted to be held and caressed like that again, to feel her touch again.

Kelly brought her left hand close to her body and danced that way, cradling Jo's hand to her chest. Jo's other hand had a life of its own, her fingers moving in Kelly's hair at her neck. They barely moved, bumped by other couples who were in much more of a hurry. They continued their slow pace around the floor, both savoring this brief, unexpected time together.

When the first song ended and faded into the second, they didn't miss a step. Kelly released Jo’s hand and slid both arms around her, blending Jo into her body, both hands now 92