Page 12 of Hearts Clash

Most of the morning was spent on the couch nursing an orange juice and a packet of crackers, watching some mind-numbing daytime TV with the curtains drawn shut. Every time her mind wandered to last night, she found herself flushing bright red all over again, burying her face in a pillow with embarrassment. The entire encounter had been absolutely mortifying. She really hoped her peers had all been too drunk to remember it properly, or else it was sure to provide plenty of fodder for mocking over the next week.

Eventually, she managed to drag herself off the couch to start cleaning up the apartment. Saturdays were her designated housework days, and usually, she would get up early to do laundry, mop floors, vacuum the carpets, and scrub the bathroom from top to bottom. Obviously, that hadn’t happened today, which made her feel guilty and lazy, so she forced herself to push through the grogginess and get to work.

As she cleaned, though, her mind drifted repeatedly to last night, replaying bits and pieces in slow motion. Gianna, the vixen, draped across a chair, her endlessly long, golden legs crossed in front of her, eyes sparkling like stars. The silky, luscious waves of ebony hair rolling down her bare shoulders. That flirty, suggestive smirk. That dress clinging to her perfect curves and accentuating every single gorgeous detail—

No, Scarlett, enough of that. She dipped the washcloth back into the bucket of warm water she was using to wipe down the countertops, then shook her head vigorously to force the intrusive thoughts out of her mind. With intense determination, she set to work again, attacking a stubborn stain with ferocity. Unfortunately, no matter how much she focused, the phantom images still taunted her mind, making her palms sweaty and her heart pound inexplicably.

When the kitchen was clean and tidied, she changed out the trash bag and placed it in the chute near the front door. Next, she moved on to the living room, dusting shelves and surfaces, rearranging objects and pictures into neat rows. Every item in her apartment was perfectly coordinated, meticulously placed, all part of an immaculate display of systematic elegance. Scarlett worked diligently to ensure that everything was spotless, without a speck of dirt or dust. She preferred her environment to be as clean and streamlined as possible. The lack of clutter and visual noise soothed her, allowing her to relax.

Except that this particular evening, instead of tranquil serenity, by the time she flopped back down on the sofa to relax, she only felt more frustrated than she did when she started. A warm tingling sensation had built up low in her belly, growing stronger every time she stopped and remembered Gianna’s dazzling smile. And her cleavage when she bent forward. And how her dress kept riding ever so slightly lower down her toned thighs. It should be illegal for someone to be that enthralling.

Arousal simmered through her veins. It had been such a long time since she’d allowed herself to experience attraction, let alone acted on it. There was no way she could let herself get involved with a coworker, though, especially not Gianna. Despite the woman’s undeniable attractiveness, she was also an absolute menace to deal with on a professional level. Also, it wasn’t like Gianna would be interested anyway. She was flirty and touchy with everyone, all the time.

No, that wasn’t going to happen. Not that Scarlett wanted it to happen anyway.

She pulled out her laptop from under the coffee table and opened up the browser to log into the chat app. Perhaps a bit of internet flirting would distract her from all the confusing emotions. It worked last time, so maybe it would help tonight, too.

DrHeart: Hey you! How’s the evening looking?

EmergencyKisses: Better now that I get to talk to you.

Scarlett’s cheeks heated at the reply, and a silly grin spread across her face. Just the distraction she needed.

DrHeart: Smooth, babe. You’re a real charmer, you know?

EmergencyKisses: Haha! I try. Got a hot date tonight? Or do I have you all to myself?

She bit her lip as her grin widened. Cute and bold. Her heart raced as her fingers hovered over the keys, debating what to say. Before she could answer, another message popped up.

EmergencyKisses: I’ve been thinking about our last conversation. Maybe we can have some more fun later?

DrHeart: ...really?

Her cheeks burned fiercely at the thought of the sorts of things this faceless woman might be suggesting. It sounded like exactly what she needed, honestly. Being free and honest was so much easier behind a computer screen. Here, she didn’t have to worry about social or professional consequences for anything she chose to reveal. What happened in the safety of anonymity would remain in this tiny little bubble forever. She could just live in the fantasy for a few minutes, enjoy the thrill and release of it.

DrHeart: Sounds promising. Got any suggestions?

EmergencyKisses: Mmm, I’ve been thinking of all the ways we could play together if we ever meet up.

Scarlett’s eyes widened at the suggestive reply. She swallowed hard and licked her dry lips as she imagined the possibilities. A beautiful stranger, waiting to please her, exploring every inch of her body, learning all her secrets.

DrHeart: Ohh. What did you have in mind? Tell me.

EmergencyKisses: I could tease you with my fingers and tongue until you couldn’t think straight anymore. I bet you taste amazing.

Scarlett swallowed thickly, feeling a pool of heat gathering in her lower abdomen. She squirmed in her seat and rubbed her thighs together in anticipation, imagining the mystery woman’s lips and hands on her. She traced her own fingertips down her torso, her breasts, and slipped them under the waistband of her yoga pants.

DrHeart: Keep talking. Please.

EmergencyKisses: Would you like that? Having my mouth on your sweet pussy? ;)

She moaned softly and closed her eyes, imagining the scene unfolding before her. This nameless, faceless woman kissing her way up her body, stroking and touching every inch of her body. She ached for the phantom caresses. She wanted to be wanted. Needed. Loved. If only she could let go of the fear, the constant worry about being judged and rejected.

Online, though, no such barriers existed. It was just her and a shadowy avatar, connecting in a virtual world of shared fantasies. She could picture it all, the way the other woman would slowly tug off her clothes, touch her skin, and stroke her thighs. Her hand drifted lower, circling her clit in a slow, comfortable rhythm.

DrHeart: Mmm. God, I wish I could see you right now. Can you send me a pic? Don’t have to show anything above the chin, if you’re not comfortable.

She just couldn’t resist asking. The desire was building inside her like a wildfire, consuming her and making her long to see more. Anything to bring her that much closer to this lovely enigma on the other side of the computer. The idea of seeing even the smallest glimpse of her elusive admirer made her chest flutter excitedly. She pressed onward, rubbing in gentle circles as she waited for a response.

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