The Taste of Bourbon

Both hands fumbled in her denim pockets in hopes they would find the familiar sharpness of keys.

"Goddamn it," she whispered.

The prospect of having to return back to the parking garage brought a sinking feeling to her stomach. Thank God for the elevator, but living on the eleventh floor was still a pain most days. Her hands dug into her jacket frantically as she rounded the corner to her apartment-number 1103.

The unexpected commotion ahead caused her to make an abrupt stop. Two men were arguing while they attempted to push a grey canvas couch through her neighbor's small door frame. It'd been months since Mrs. Williams moved out to live with her son in the suburbs, and she'd grown used to the quiet on the other side of her living room wall. A woman was anxiously watching from behind while her hands alternated between resting on her hips and crossing against her chest. She was some ten, twelve years older and her short blonde hair had been pulled back in a half-up knot. Her outfit of a loose t-shirt and leggings indicated this had been a long day dedicated to moving. When the men finally managed to tilt the sofa just enough to make it fit, she breathed a sigh of relief as they slipped through with ease. She looked over and met her neighbor's dark eyes, who finally retrieved keys from the breast pocket of her jacket.

"Hey! I'm Blake. I'm your new neighbor I guess."

The woman's focus quickly returned to her own apartment, and she escaped into its comforts away from sight-number 1104.

Blake sighed in confusion, but she didn't mind. Most people hadn't been friendly in the city since she moved there. She unlocked the white wooden door and didn't give the interaction another thought.

A few days later, the apartment glowed like paradise as the light of a morning sun entered through the glass door in the living room. Blake was an early riser, and she often enjoyed coffee and a cigarette on the balcony while basking in the radiance breaking free from the horizon. She rested both forearms over the railing and took deep drags as she stared off into the heart of the city.

The sound of a door sliding open came from behind, and she looked over to see her new neighbor stepping out on her balcony in an open bathrobe over pajama shorts and a tank top. She said nothing, thinking perhaps the woman preferred to be left alone. The bitter coffee was somewhat burnt this morning, but it did the job. She took a big gulp from her favorite red mug and sighed.

"Hey, do you think I could bum one of those?"

Blake's eyes returned to her neighbor's balcony and she stood up straight.

"Oh...sure. Hold on one second." She set down her coffee and handed the pack over the railing along with the blue lighter she had bought for a dollar at the gas station.

The neighbor retrieved one and placed it in her lips, then lit the cigarette as if she had done it many times before.

"Cowboy killers," she said as she returned Blake's things.

Blake gave a dry laugh. "Yeah..." She was unsure if the conversation should continue, but the thought was quickly dismissed as the neighbor spoke after a slight pause.

"I'm sorry for being rude the other day. You caught me at a bad time."

"It's all good," said Blake. "Moving day can be rough for even the strongest of minds."

The neighbor gave a genuine smile and Blake thought it to be quite fetching. The soft colors of a six am sunrise cast a warm hue across her pale skin and the slight crookedness of her mouth gave her an endearing presence from across balconies. She noticed attractive women every day, but her neighbor's enigmatic bearing gave her an air of mystique.

"I'm Sarah by the way," she said.

Blake offered her hand. "I'm Bla-"

"Blake," she interrupted. "I remember." She took her hand and gave a confident shake. "Have you lived here long?"

Blake shook her head. "Only a couple years. I got a job at the library downtown after I finished my masters. Did you just move to the city?"

"Yeah, I did," said Sarah. "Divorce...fresh start-you know how it is."

"Of course. I'm sorry to hear that though."

"Don't be. He was a dick."

Sarah's bluntness was refreshing and Blake felt she had to get to know her better. After stubbing out the cigarette butt, she tried to play it cool, though something about her new neighbor caused her to feel weak at the knees. Perhaps her being a fair bit older gave her an allure that was hard to resist.

"Do you need any help unpacking?"

Her inquiry caused Sarah's smile to return, and she eyed the broad shouldered soft masc for a moment before answering.

"No...but I have a bottle of wine I won't finish on my own. You can help me drink it if you're interested."

Inside, Blake was giddy. Whether straight or not, she was just happy to have the attention of a beautiful woman. Meeting people in this city had not been so easy, so if companionship with her neighbor was the closest she could get, at least she could make a new friend.

"Absolutely. Tonight?"

Sarah stuck the cigarette into the fresh dirt of a potted plant and brought her open bathrobe together. "Sure, if you don't mind the mess. Does seven work?"

"I don't mind at all. Seven's great."

"Okay then-I'll be sure to wear something a little more easy on the eyes." Sarah grinned and backed away towards the door. "And thank you for the smoke."

After she retreated into her apartment, Blake took a deep breath as she felt rather faint. Spending the evening in the company of a woman like Sarah was exactly what she needed.

At six fifty-five p.m, Blake stood in front of the mirror and groaned as she held two shirts up for consideration. One was a nice button down, and the other-a solid black tee. She didn't want Sarah to think she was under the impression it was anything more than a casual get together, but she also wished to look her best. After a sigh, she pulled the nicer shirt over her head and sprayed cologne across her chest.

Not wanting to be exactly on time, she waited until five after and knocked softly on Sarah's door. When she answered, she revealed an ensemble of a sheer emerald blouse and jeans.

"Would you like me to remove my shoes?" asked Blake. She pointed to the leather motorcycle boots adorned with a buckle on each side.

"No, it's all right," said Sarah. "Those are cool. Don't tell me you actually ride?"

Blake laughed and looked to her feet. "I do actually."

Sarah groaned and ushered her to a stool against the kitchen counter. "Don't you know what emergency rooms call those things?"

"I do. And I don't really care. I love it anyways. Did you happen to have an ex with one?"

"No," said Sarah as she stood across from her. "I've never been on one actually."

"Do you want to?" Blake put her elbows on the granite and smiled. "I could take you sometime."

The question caused Sarah to look away as her own smile formed. "Maybe. But I'd have to think about it. Could you do me a favor and open this for us?" She handed over the bottle of red and a corkscrew. As Blake worked, she admired how it seemed she had no trouble freeing the cork from the tight squeeze of the neck.

"I'm not sure if this sounds strange, but when I saw you this morning, I realized you were quite strong. I may need you to open all my bottles from now on-I find it rather difficult."

Blake poured the crimson liquid into two glasses and tried to hide her flushed cheeks which matched their libation for the night. "Not strange at all. I would be happy to." She held up her wine glass and offered a toast to Sarah's life beginning anew.

After some time, the women grew comfortable, and Blake learned quite a bit about her new neighbor; no kids, senior analyst, hobbyist painter. A few of her pieces were scattered across the apartment ready to be affixed to the wall. As she loosened up, Blake couldn't help but think about how much her husband fucked up.

"Well, what about you?" asked Sarah. "Are you seeing anyone?"

Blake released a heavy sigh. "No. Dating in the city is hard. A lot of girls already seem to either be partnered up looking for a third, or too unsure of what they want."

Sarah-who had been standing over the counter the whole time-leaned over and gave a look of serious intrigue. "What do you want?"

"Well-" started Blake with a voice of uncertainty. "Anything I guess. I'm open to casual or serious-just with someone who knows what they're doing. I mean, I'm thirty years old for God's sake, you'd think women would be a little more secure by now. But maybe I'm inconsiderate of other people's individual journeys."

"I think I have a solution for you," said Sarah.

"Do you? What would that be?"

"You need to date older women."

Blake slapped her palms on the counter and laughed. "That's not a bad idea!" She kept her composure, but wondered if such a statement was an invitation to make a move. She thought maybe she could suggest something more comfortable and see how Sarah reacted to it before switching to lesbian lothario.

"You've been standing for a while. Wanna sit somewhere?"

"Sure," said Sarah. "Let's move to the couch."

She grabbed her glass and led Blake into the living room. The furniture was settled, but decorations still lay across the gray wall waiting to be mounted and hung.

Blake grabbed an unassuming picture frame and studied the photograph tucked inside.

"Is this you?"

"Yes it is," said Sarah. "A long time ago. Those are a few of my sorority sisters from college. Wasn't I a smoke show back then?"

Blake shook her head as she returned the frame to the coffee table. "I think you're hotter now honestly."

The sentiment gave Sarah bashful eyes and she waved her hand. "Oh please."

"I mean it. You've aged like a nice whiskey." Feeling galvanized by her response, Blake felt more confident to lay on the charm.

Sarah fingered the gold pendant around her neck and appeared rather nervous. She smiled as if she were unsure of the words forming in her throat. "Are you a bourbon drinker, Blake?"

Blake swallowed hard yet maintained their increasingly intense regard. "I love the taste. There's nothing better than the bite of a well-aged bourbon."

Tugging at the necklace now, Sarah bit at her lip. "It's been a long time since I've...had bourbon." Her musings were clear as day and aching to be received. Her other fingers hugged a throw pillow in a tight grip until her knuckles turned white.

"That's the nice thing about whiskey," said Blake. "Nothing changes, it just gets better with age." She could feel the intensity between them shift to something quite carnal. It was like standing in the open before a lightning strike-each hair at attention and every inch of skin heightened by feelings of static.

Sarah removed the pillow from her chest and inched closer to her guest until their legs were almost touching. Her limbs were much too frightened to go farther, but her eyes begged for passion.

Almost overwhelmed with her good fortune, Blake gave a heavy exhale to rid herself of nerves, though her heart pounded in her chest. She placed a hand on Sarah's thigh and met her gaze before leaning forward and bringing their lips together. It was soft at first, with slow movements that gauged one another's responses. But when Sarah brought her fingers to Blake's reddened cheeks, any hesitation faded into oblivion.

It'd been awhile, but Blake still felt at ease with a woman in her arms. Her hand rose up Sarah's abdomen and began unfastening the buttons to reveal a lace bra visible through the shirt's material. She slipped the garment off her shoulders and felt her own shirt coming undone, but before it could be removed, Sarah straddled her, pushing her against the cushion at her back. She took off her bra, revealing perfect breasts that were taken into Blake's hands with enthusiasm.

"God, you're sexy," whispered Blake. She swept fingertips across Sarah's bare skin and ran a tongue along her torso until goosebumps formed. They kissed deeply, and Sarah bit at Blake's lip as if she could hardly contain her hunger.

Blake moved to her neck and heard soft moans in response to the tenderness displayed. Her kisses strayed further down, until both breasts received her attention. Sarah reached for her jeans and unbuttoned them, breathing deeply at the sensation of lips against her skin. She crawled off her lap and kneeled in between her thighs, panting with unrestrained desire. Her hands slid to the unused belt loops and pulled them forward.

Not wanting to appear over eager, Blake moved slowly, pushing her jeans and boyshorts down until they were around her ankles. She suddenly grew fearful that she wouldn't last very long.

Sarah's golden waves were tucked behind her ears and she gave a seductive smile. "You may need to hold my hair back," she said. With that, she savored Blake and produced a deep moan into her. Blake groaned and cursed the climax that already began to build. Upon seeing Sarah's hair fall into her face, she scooped up a fistful and studied her. It was quite arousing to see her on her knees. This was not her first time it seemed.

"Fuck!" she said sharply.

She used the lock of hair between her fingers to guide Sarah, whose hands lay against her chest. The tempo quickened and Blakes groans deepened until she cried out another expletive and pulled the hair in her fist with a shudder. Sarah could feel her throbbing against her tongue. But there was almost no time to recover, because she returned to Blake's lap, giving her a taste of the sex that lingered on her lips.

"I want you to fuck me," She pleaded in between kisses. Her hips rocked against Blake's waist and her core trembled with every slight movement. "Please."

Blake was roused by her insistence. She kissed her hard and instructed her to lay on her stomach. Sarah moved to the cushion beside them and welcomed the coolness against her fevered body. Before continuing, Blake stripped to nothing but the chain around her neck. Her hands traced the length of Sarah's back and she gave soft bites along the way. When she pressed herself into Sarah's ass, she gave a slight thrust.

"Oh, God," Sarah sighed. "I want to feel you." Her fingers grasped at the couch fabric as if a firm grip would soothe the burning.

Blake lifted her hips and unbuttoned her jeans, teasing her by delaying any further move. After a few more pleas, she pulled them off and ran a hand over her nakedness before pressing her body against the one under her, thrusting into Sarah's posterior with more force.

Sarah moaned as she felt the wetness from between Blake's legs against her ass cheeks.

"Oh Jesus, Blake. Fuck me."

Obeying orders, Blake slipped two fingers in between their glistening bodies, to much relief. Her lips-now next to Sarah's ear-released soft grunts as she provided pleasure and her left arm held up her weight. As she filled her with a third finger, sweat began to form along her brow.

"You feel so good," breathed Sarah.

Blake sat up on her knee, the other leg firmly on the carpet. She pressed a hand at the top of Sarah's back as she deepened her touch, which elicited a resounding moan.

Sarah's legs and ass quivered as if an electric shock had coursed through them. Her moans became sharp breaths until the announcement of an orgasm came seconds before the act. The scream she made upon reaching an apex caused Blake to feel even more turned on, and she hoped there was more fun to be had.

She laid next to Sarah, who was still coming back down from wherever she had been sent to. When she opened her eyes and turned towards Blake, she kissed her deeply and arched a brow.

"Done yet?"

Blake shook her head. "Not at all. I can keep up."

"Good," she replied. "I'm quite lucky to have gotten the attention of a young thing like you."

"Are you kidding me?" said Blake. "Number one: I'm not that much younger than you. Number two: I'm the lucky one. I don't think you realize how sexy you are."

"All right," laughed Sarah. "We'll consider our meeting serendipitous then. Should we move somewhere more comfortable?"

Blake nodded and followed her to the bedroom that was lit up only by the city lights through its two windows. They lay down and met each other's unblinking eyes.

"If you don't believe you're sexy, I hope you can see how beautiful you are," said Blake. "Truly. And especially in this light."

Sarah dug her delicate features into the pillow. "You're sweet. I don't think my husband told me that in the eight years we were married."

"Well then he's either a fool or blind. Or both. But...I'm glad you're here with me now."

Sarah smiled and ran her fingers through Blake's shaggy hair. Without a word, she leaned forward for a kiss, but she was quickly overtaken.

The feeling of laying against one another again caused them both to moan into the other's open mouth. Their breasts pressed against each other as their legs intertwined, and soft clutches turned to nails faintly digging into skin.

"I'm so wet for you," panted Sarah.

Blake pulled away for a moment and smiled. She kissed her way down Sarah's creamy body, feeling it tremor the lower she got. When she ended up between her thighs, she started lapping slowly, as if she were a wild animal drinking from a crystalline stream. She wet her fingers by pushing two inside, causing a groan to sound. When they were removed, she brought them to Sarah, who licked them with gusto. Blake felt engulfed with lust as every vocalized sound of pleasure enraptured her.

Sarah brought her knees up and whimpered. Her fingers found Blake's soft curls and wrapped around them as she pushed her head deeper, to which she obliged.

Soon, Blake alternated between sucking and flicking her tongue as her hands spread Sarah's legs further. She could feel herself dripping as moans sounded her name.

"Oh, Blake. Don't stop. Blake yes...yes."

Sarah came hard and fast without a single breath. When air filled her lungs, it returned as a choking gasp. Blake kissed her way back up to Sarah's lips but left a few fingers lingering behind.

"Slow down, cowboy," Sarah laughed. "I don't think I can come again."

Blake slowly began rubbing a hand over her swollen sex. "I will if you do."

Sarah moaned and smiled as her own hand reached between them for the point of pulsation where Blake most needed a release. When her fingers rubbed in a steady pattern, Blake trembled against her.

They moved at a deliberate pace, knowing this would be it for the both of them. Blake leaned down and kissed Sarah deeply, letting their tongues join together. Their hot breaths grew heavy and their bodies sticky as their gazes met and held like staring into the night sky.

"You're fucking incredible," whispered Blake. She felt a finish approaching and tensed her abs until she was sure it would be shared.

Sarah gave a breathy laugh and moaned that she was close. They focused on keeping momentum until it was clear they were both on the edge. At climax, they kept their gazes until completion, when a very exhausted Blake rolled over on her back and closed her eyes.

"Can I lay on you?" asked Sarah.

Blake held out her arms and chuckled. "Of course."

They breathed together in silence for a while until Sarah suggested a shower, which was enjoyed and much needed. When they laid back down, she could hardly keep her eyes open, and Blake let her sleep against her bosom for some time before she slipped out from under her to grab her clothes. After dressing, she stood at the threshold of the bedroom unable to decide if she should wake Sarah before leaving, but she ultimately decided to let her sleep. Though something about sneaking out didn't feel right.

She didn't see Sarah for a few days following their night together. What if she was hurt that there was no goodbye? Or perhaps she had moved past it as if it were just another Thursday night? Blake wasn't sure why she couldn't get her out of her head. She had a number of one night stands that were never given a second thought, but ever since her evening with the new neighbor, seeing her again was all that occupied her mind.