A Blind Date for the Holidays

The brunette was only a couple of steps from Billie when I finally reacted. I moved forward with three of the longest strides I'd ever used in my life, especially in a skirt. I stepped between the two, taking Billie's jacket and put it on in one smooth motion. I also climbed on to the motorcycle behind her far quicker than the skirt should have allowed.

"Hey!" Jenna cried, shocked by my actions. She wasn't the only one. Hell, based on Billie's expression there were at least three of us.

"Sorry for the confusion, but Billie's my ride," I said in a tone that left no room for argument as I put the strap of my purse over my shoulder. "We came together."

"But how am I going to get home?" Jenna was more than a little miffed. I was not one to gloat, but it was suddenly a lot harder to avoid than it should have been.

"Arlene and I will give you a ride," Sam put in helpfully.

"We will?" The other blond from the dance floor had just pulled up in an SUV and gotten out to see what was going on. Arlene had arrived right behind Billie. My guess was that they'd been talking in the parking lot. It made sense based on how long my conversation with Sam had been. Something had to have delayed them both.

"Yes, we will." Sam was smiling widely, not bothering to hide her satisfaction. She didn't even try and look innocent.

"Samantha, I know that look." Arlene was staring at her partner with her hands on her hips. "You're either up to something very bad or very good."

"Only time will tell," her wife grinned cryptically, all but pushing Jenna toward the SUV. "I'll explain later." Arlene shook her head, but joined her partner in shepherding the brunette to their car. Jenna was not happy, but had no chance against both blonds. In moments Billie and I were alone. We remained silent until the SUV passed us on the way toward the exit.

Arlene smiled and waved from the driver's seat. Samantha did too from directly behind her, but only with one hand. The other was stopping Jenna from undoing her seat belt. I shook my head and grinned as the SUV passed out of view.

"I hope a cop doesn't stop them," Billie said with a shake of her head. "I'm pretty sure kidnapping is still against the law." We looked at each other and suddenly we were both laughing. It felt great.

Unfortunately, it couldn't last forever. Eventually we finished and ended up staring at each other, somewhat awkwardly. It didn't take a genius to realize that Billie wanted an explanation. The problem was that I had no idea what to say. I hadn't thought about what I was doing when I grabbed her jacket and climbed on the motorcycle. I'm simply reacted.

"Look, you should know that I'm even more confused now than I was before," I admitted. "Talking to Sam helped, but I'm still digesting her words and what they mean to me."

"Then why?" It was a fair question and had more than one answer.

"I couldn't let you leave with Jenna. You deserve better." It was a truthful answer, just not the right one. Billie gave me a look and I shifted nervously, unable to meet her gaze.

"I need more." Her voice was calm, but I could hear the underlying hope, mixed with a healthy dose of fear.

Billie was still upset from earlier. I hadn't meant to hurt her, but obviously had. I knew I had to give a different answer if I wanted her to give me a ride back to my car. I also knew that what came next had to do with a lot more than a simple ride.

"I can't make any promises," I said slowly, meeting her eyes. "All I know is that right now, I would rather be here with you than anywhere else." It was the best I could offer.

"That will do," Billie said with a slow smile. "For now." My heart beat considerably faster at the look in her eyes.

I didn't get a chance to reply. The motorcycle had been idling, but with one fluid motion on Billie's part the engine revved and we were off. I barely got my hands around her waist in time not to fall off. It was close enough that I squeaked. I could feel Billie's laughter through her stomach muscles.

"Not nice!" I cried, but the motorcycle was so loud that I'm not sure she heard. If she did, Billie chose to ignore my words. A moment later, I was too distracted by the ride to care. I really did love motorcycles!

'Something else that will upset mom and dad,' I thought glumly, but then shrugged, refusing to dwell on it tonight. I was almost a quarter of a century old. It was past time that I stopped worry so much about what they wanted and focused more on what made me happy, and right now I was happy. Maybe it wouldn't last, but so be it.

Billie chose a different route than we arrived by. The road here was wide, flat, straight and mostly empty at this time of night. In moments, we were going much faster than we'd gone earlier. I'd forgotten to tie my hair up this time and it blew wildly. I'd curse later, but I loved how it felt right now.

Billie had to be cold since I wore her jacket, but she didn't seem to mind. The motorcycle purred under us and I held onto her tight, only partially because of how fast we were going. Our bodies seem to mold together seamlessly wherever we touched. I refused to think about how that made me feel. I simply enjoyed it.

The street was well lit, but I couldn't make out much beyond the road so eventually I gave up trying and rested my head on Billie's shoulder. It felt so good that I actually felt myself relaxing despite how fast we were going. Everything faded away once more except the vibration of the motorcycle, the feel of the road beneath us and Billie.

I was so in the moment that I didn't realize we were nearing the end of the road until Billie downshifted and slowed. I lifted my head reluctantly and saw the upcoming turn. It struck me that I had no idea where were, but it didn't bother me. I trusted Billie.

"Hang on," she called over her shoulder. "The road gets a bit twisty from here." I nodded in response.

Billie wasn't kidding. We were going slower, but the constant shifting from side to side as we turned first one way and then the other didn't make it seem so. Once again, I found it strange at how well our bodies moved in tandem. It wasn't long before my head was once more lying against her back. I let the motorcycle and Billie's motion direct my own.

"That was amazing," I said with a loud sigh as we finally stopped. "I really do love your motorcycle."

"It's a start," Billie said with a grin that I chose to ignore. It wasn't hard when I realized that we weren't back at the restaurant and my waiting car. Instead, we were at my apartment building. I'd forgotten that Billie knew where I lived. I told her when we talked about her helping me find a new place.

"What are we doing here?" The question came out normal, but I was feeling anything but. Billie took one look at my face, snorted and started laughing.

"Relax. I brought you home instead of to your car because you're still too buzzed to drive." That made sense. I was more than just buzzed. There was no way I'd pass any sobriety tests right now.

"Thanks," I said, getting off the motorcycle somewhat awkwardly. Billie pulled me close as soon as I was free of it. My eyes must have grown huge because she actually laughed again, not that it made her let go of me.

"I'm not trying to seduce you into inviting me up." One again I felt the strange mix of relief and disappointment. "It's only our first date, after all. Everyone knows that doesn't come until the third." I knew Billie was just having some fun at my expense. That didn't mean I had to take it.

"That's for straight people. I heard it was like the sixth for the LGBTQ community." It was a silly statement, but the best I could come up with to try and get back at Billie for teasing me.

"Not around here," she retorted easily, and then snorted and added, "Or anyplace else I've ever been." We fell silent and Billie looked at me, waiting for something.

"I like your friends Sam and Arlene," I said, knowing I was about to ramble, but unable to help myself. It's what I did when I was nervous.

"Call her Samantha. She hates the nickname Sam. Actually, she's not crazy about most nicknames. She's the only person other than my parents who insist on calling me Belinda. Jenna calls her Sam just to annoy her."

"Oh damn!" I snapped. "Now that I've got the name Sam locked into my head, it's going to take forever for me to adjust to calling her Samantha." Billie grinned at my outburst. "Oh well, just another reason to hate Jenna."

"She'd not that bad." Billie wasn't quite laughing, but her eyes shined with humor.

"If by 'not that bad' you mean gorgeous, then I guess I understand." My tone was more than a little sarcastic and I tried to pull away, but Billie refused to let go. In fact, she pulled me closer.

"I prefer blondes."

Her lips were only inches from mine and suddenly I knew why she was holding on to me. Billie wanted another kiss. I didn't need the quickening of my heartbeat to know that I did too. The only problem was that she was waiting for me to make the next move and I was too scared to do it.

Billie wasn't the shy type so I knew her reluctance was out of concern for me and how I'd react rather than any hesitation on her part. The desire in her deep chocolate eyes made that obvious. I told myself to lean forward and do it, but remained motionless. Billie eventually took that as a sign and let me go, but instead of pulling away, I waited. That's confused her.

"We don't have to if you don't want to." Her words were tentative which was so unlike her. I didn't like how they sounded. I knew it was my fault.

"It's not a matter of want," I snapped in frustration.

"You're afraid. I get it." Billie was giving me an understanding look, but she was wrong.

"No," I replied, shaking my head, but then clarified. "Well, yes, I am afraid, but that's not what's stopping me."

"Then what is?" It was a fair question. What was stopping me?

"I could say a lot of things. I'm still really confused and not sure if I'm ready for this to be something more than a blind date gone wrong. You know, just one of those weird stories you share with friends." I didn't quite groan to myself as I realized I was rambling again. "And even if it is something more. Can I handle it?" I hesitated and looked up at her before continuing. "Will you be able to deal with the crazy that is obviously me?"

"I'm willing to try." Dammit! Right answer.

"You know," I sighed loudly, ignoring my internal struggle. "No matter how this ends up, I think I'm going to kill Janet."

"I'll hold her down for you," Billie said easily, but then added, "Well, if it doesn't work out. Otherwise, I sort of owe her big."

"Very funny." My tone let her know I didn't see the humor. I probably would later, but not right now.

"You need to make a choice," Billie said seriously into the silence that followed. "Either let me know you care and are willing to see what happens between us by kissing me, or step back and let me go."

"Those are my only choices?"

Billie paused before answering my question, looking momentarily startled by whatever was going through her head. I so did not want to know what she was thinking, only another part of me desperately did.

"Not really," she laughed suddenly. "But I really do want another kiss, just to make sure what I felt the first time was real. Don't you?" The answer was obvious since I was still standing close to Billie, but apparently, she needed more. It annoyed me for some reason.

"You know, whether I'm straight or a lesbian, I'm still the same girl!" I blurted out.

"I know that," Billie injected pointedly, making sure I saw the truth in my own words. I paused at the realization, but now wasn't the time to think about that.

I suddenly wanted Billie to kiss me very badly. "My point being, that if you expect me to be the aggressive one in our relationship, then you're going to be disappointed." Did I really just say that? Oh my God!

"Is that all it is?" Billie laughed in relief. Apparently, my mortification didn't seem to faze her in the least. "Come here."

I'd barely registered her words before Billie's lips covered mine. I had a horrified moment of 'what am I doing?', but then I stopped thinking and just let myself feel. They say that some drugs are addictive after the first dose. I'd never understood until that moment.

I didn't think it was possible, but our second kiss was even better than the first. Poor Ken's kiss paled in comparison. So did every guys'. I had no idea how much of it was because Billie was a girl or how much of it was because she was Billie. I guess in the end it didn't matter.

"Wow," I said when we finally pulled apart. I didn't want it to end and no one had interrupted, but I saw the look in Billie's eyes and understood.

If we kissed any longer than it would morph into something more, first date or not. Billie clearly wanted that and if I were being honest with myself, a large part of me did too, but I wasn't ready. I didn't know if I ever would be.

"I'll come by tomorrow at around ten," Billie said, her voice a bit off as she fought to regain control of her emotions. "You'll need a ride to pick up your car."

"Thanks," I said, finally stepping back. It was surprisingly difficult. Billie smiled in understanding. She asked for my apartment number and I told her. That's when I noticed I was still wearing her jacket. "Wait! Take this." I started to pull it off, but she laughed and shook her head.

"No thanks. Hold on to it. I'll pick it up tomorrow. This way when you wake up and realize what happened you can't freak out and avoid me."

"I won't." Billie raised an eyebrow in obvious disbelief. I frowned and added, "But you need it. It's cold out!"

"Are you kidding? After that kiss, I'll be warm all night." I blushed and tried to offer her the jacket again. Billie just laughed and pulled away.

I watched her go until her tail light faded before making my way into my apartment building. I found myself brushing one hand along the sleeve of the jacket as I waited for the elevator. It was heavy and made out of leather. It really wasn't me, but it was Billie.

"Life just became a whole lot more interesting," I smiled to myself at the thought, but then I swallowed and added more seriously, "And scary."

Chapter Two

"My God, what have I done?"

I seldom got drunk these days, but I couldn't deny the truth. Not with the way my head was pounding. It hurt. It hurt a lot. Although, not all of the pain had to do with my hangover.

"What was I thinking?" I groaned as I sat up in bed. I saw Billie's jacket on my desk chair and grimaced. She was right. I'd have to see her again to return it. That thought scared the hell out of me. Mostly, because despite being horrified by the idea, there was also a part of me that felt oddly content with the knowledge.

"I need a shower," I grumbled, stumbling out of bed. That's when I noticed the time. I had twenty minutes before Billie was supposed to arrive to take me to pick up my car. "Great, just great!"

It wasn't nearly enough time to get ready. Oh, I could probably make myself presentable in twenty minutes, but that was about it.

"Who am I trying to impress anyway?" The question rang hollow as I pulled off my clothes and jumped into the shower. I was out in record time.

I didn't even bother trying to dry my hair. I brushed and tied it up still damp. That was the best I could do. I threw on a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt and barely had time to put on some basic makeup when there was a knock on my door. I glanced at my cell phone. It was exactly ten.

I went to the door and threw it open. I opened my mouth to say something unkind because I was hungover, cranky and uncomfortable facing Billie again, but then I saw her standing there smiling warmly at me.

I froze, not expecting the kick I felt in the pit of my stomach. It was quickly followed with a warmth that was even more shocking in its way. I was completely unprepared for my reaction to Billie. I had myself convinced that this morning would be awkward, but this was worse...much worse.

I was so focused on trying to figure out how to let Billie down gently that I never took into consideration that I might be just as attracted to her sober as I was drunk, maybe even more so. I tried to convince myself that the slight hardening of my nipples was due to the breeze that came in when I opened the door, but was only moderately successful. Mostly because I had a sudden flashback to how Billie's lips felt against mine.

It's not like I thought I'd find her ugly this morning, but I didn't expect the jolt of desire. I had a sudden and desperate need to taste another of her kisses, but I squelched it mercilessly. Thankfully, I was stoic enough not to show my feelings. Well, except for the whole freezing in place and looking like a statue thing.

"Miss me?" Billie's smile grew as she obviously guessed what was happening. I couldn't have that.

"On time today, I see." Okay, I was being a little snippy, reminding her of her showing up late at the restaurant the night before, but it was better than completely falling apart which what was what was happening on the inside, at least a little.

I was still hungover and my brain felt like mush. I knew I'd kissed Billie the night before, but I half convinced myself in the shower that it only happened because I was drunk and confused. Seeing Billie, not to mention feeling my body's instant reaction to her, quickly made that a lie that I couldn't maintain. And yet, I couldn't accept the alternative either.

"Do you need more time?" I frowned at the question. A part of me wanted to scream out yes and it had nothing to do with getting ready to go pick up my car.

"No, I'm good. Let's go." I tried to push past Billie, but she didn't move.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" My heart beat quicker. I thought she wanted a kiss hello. There was no way that as going to happen. I opened my mouth to tell her that, but she spoke first. "My jacket. I brought my spare today, but it's a little cold out this morning so we'll both need one."

Once again, I felt that odd mix of relief and disappointment that seemed to happen a lot when I was with Billie. I nodded and ran back inside to grab her jacket, hoping she didn't see my embarrassment. Billie was waiting for me at the door. I hadn't invited her in and I guess she was brought up too well to wander in on her own. I put on her jacket as I joined her.

"I'm ready." I was a little out of breath. I told myself it was because I'd rushed to grab the jacket, but I was in better shape than that.

Instead of turning to leave, Billie stepped close. This time I was certain she was going to try and kiss me. In my mind, I stepped back quickly, but in reality, my body refused to move. Traitor! Yet, instead of kissing me, Billie reached out with both hands and fixed the collar to the jacket. I'd been in such a rush I hadn't notice it was folded under.

"That's better," Billie said, smiling sexily, although I'm not sure she was doing it on purpose. Thankfully, she turned and led me down the hall and to the elevator. "How's the hangover?"

"I may never drink again," I moaned as the elevator opened and we walked in. Of course, Billie laughed. Bitch.

"Maybe we should get some food into you first." Okay, maybe bitch was a little harsh.

"There's a greasy spoon around the corner," I suggested. "A lot of their specials are a heart-attack on a plate, but I'm addicted to their cheesy breakfast potatoes. Besides, it's close and cheap."

"Sounds good." I had the feeling that Billie was just humoring me. She didn't sound like she was all that thrilled at my description of the place despite her words.

Billie clearly took care of herself and probably normally ate much healthier. I tried to do the same most days, but today was so not one of those days. I was in desperate need of something to help with this hangover.