Unknown - Driven_589066

“Hey, Big D, it’s good to see you up and playing again. We missed ya.” Jeri Jorgensen was a six foot Swede with a mop of bone white hair and a buff,

tanned body. Cat looked on, a bit stunned, as Dylan grabbed the young woman in a tight hug before releasing her and turning to Jeri’s companion.

“Hortensia.”

The woman in question, a drop-dead gorgeous green-eyed Spaniard, gave a smile that could only be described as predatory. “Dylan,” she all but purred.

“How wonderful to see you again.”

One of those landmines had just buried itself at Cat’s feet, and she was finding it hard to resist the impulse to up and bitch-slap the woman into next

month for staring at Dylan the way she was. Dylan, to her credit, ignored the unsubtle advances, deferred the hug Hortensia was seemingly desperate to

make, and forced the woman to settle for a firm handshake instead.

Cat congratulated herself on keeping a pleasant expression on her face, and keeping herself from crushing the woman’s hand in her own when it was

extended for her to clasp. Nodding to both players, she turned and trotted to her side of the court to begin her warm-ups.

As she stretched in the warm sun, she watched as both Dylan and her opponents removed their shoes to play barefoot. She knew logically it was the best

thing to do, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. There was something about sand between her toes that made her shiver.

Taking the bottle of sunscreen offered by Dylan, she applied it to her face, forehead and shoulders. Tossing the bottle back to Dylan, she caught a small

hand towel, wiped her greasy mitts and tucked it into the waistband of her shorts.

The coin was tossed and Dylan took the serving line to start the game. She waited for Cat to get into position and, after a brief second of looking at her

partner’s butt, she sent the ball over the net and the game was on.

Dylan and Cat found an easy rhythm in the game, working together to try and beat their opponents. Cat, of course, had special motivation, wanting to wipe

the coy little grin from Hortensia’s beestung lips, and when the much taller woman went up for a spike, she saw her opportunity. Using every millimeter of

her jumping ability, she timed her block perfectly and gave her opponent a facial courtesy of the volleyball. She turned quickly before Hortensia could see

her expression, though Dylan caught it and gave her that cute little raised eyebrow of hers before retrieving the ball as it rolled under the net.

At that time, they had been, surprisingly, leading by three points, but Cat’s little maneuver was all it took to make the professionals step it up into

overdrive, showing one and all why they were the World Champs for three years running.

In the end, while it wasn’t a rout, Cat and Dylan took their drubbing in stride. There was nothing but good cheer as they congratulated each other and took

the time to go to the sidelines and sign autographs for the clamoring fans. Dylan looked to Cat, smiled and winked, giving the younger woman a very silly,

happy feeling all over.

They cleaned up from the game, showering and changing from beach volleyball clothes into relaxed dress for a charity auction party that was being hosted

in honor of the guests of the event.

As they entered into the hotel where the party was being held, they could hear the loud music from the ballroom before they even got close. There was no

doubt it was going to be a long night.

“Ready?” Dylan asked as she straightened the collar on Cat’s polo shirt.

“Sure. Am I allowed to have a drink, Coach?”

“One, little one.”

“Is that a short joke?”

“Not unless you want it to be.”

“I need a really good nickname for you. Nothing like Stretch or Stilts…”

“Stilts?”

“Yeah,” Cat’s eyes narrowed playfully. “Way too overused. I’ll find something.”

“I’m sure you will.” Placing her hand gently in the small of the blonde’s back, she guided them toward the party. “Oh did you bring that envelope I asked

you to grab at the house?”

Fishing it out of her back pocket she handed it to Dylan. “What is it?”

“We’re auctioning you off as a love slave.”

“You better plan on bidding high.”

“I don’t know if I can afford you.”

“Thanks.” Cat’s smile beamed as they entered the party and were immediately swallowed up by the crowd.

Dylan turned the key in the lock and pushed the door open for Cat. “Tired?”

“Dead on my feet. God, that was worse than any practice.”

“I’ll have to revamp my practice plan.”

“How about just forgetting I said that.” Cat slumped down on the couch, kicking, off her sneakers and rubbing her feet. “The other guys will kill me if they

think you changed anything because of me.”

Dylan smiled, tossing her keys to the small table by the door. “Tea?”

“Perfect.”

As Dylan wandered off to the kitchen Cat got up and slowly followed, stretching sore tired muscles. “Who knew a pair of season tickets for the team would

go for so much money? I think that’s great.”

“Well, it’s partly because of you. You’ve really helped turn the team around. I still think we would have gotten more if we’d auctioned you off.”

“Please.” Cat dismissed as she took a seat on a stool at the breakfast nook. “I did get hit on tonight.”

“I know.”

“How could you know? You were clear across the room. You got eyes in the back of your head or something?”

A dark brow arched, “How long have we been working together? You have to ask that question?”

“All right, so I’m using up my yearly allotment of stupid in one night. It’s been a long weekend.”

“Yeah it has,” she stepped closer and kissed Cat gently on the lips. “But it’s been one of the best of my life.”

Cat smiled, again, completely charmed. “Really? Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Besides, I kinda figured our little friend Hortensia was a little too busy undressing you with her eyes, mind, teeth, and assorted other bodyparts for you to

even notice my fawning fans.” Cat grinned. “Old flame?”

Dylan snorted. “Hardly, though not for lack of trying.”

Cat shot her a look. “Not on your part, I hope.”

“Are you kidding? I’ve got standards, kiddo.”

“Whew! I hoped as much.” That earned Cat a smack to the belly, which she laughingly absorbed. “So, is it a story I want to hear?”

Dylan shrugged. “Not much of one, I’m afraid. She’s set herself up as the Holy Grail in the circle jerk we call Professional Dyke Drama.”

“Holy Grail?”

“Yup,” Dylan replied, sipping her water. “The ultimate prize to which every up and coming baby dyke in pro-sports wants to attain.”

“Ahh,” Cat said, nodding. “And you failed to show proper obeisance, and therefore committed a grave sin.”

“The gravest,” Dylan deadpanned.

“And your penance is being chased around by a gorgeous woman who wants to make love to you in a variety of ways.”

“Hey, some penances are harsher than others.” Dylan sobered. “Seriously, though, I’m just lucky she doesn’t try to out me. Though it would spell the end

for her if she did. Too many of us are still closeted, and she knows that. It’s what keeps her bread buttered.”

“Damn,” Cat breathed. “I had no idea internal politics were so…so….”

“Incestuous?”

“That’ll do for a start, yeah.”

“Eh,” Dylan shrugged again, “you get used to the drama after awhile. I just try to stay out of it all.”

“I think I’ll take that advice, thank you very much.”