Page 33 of Picture Us

“No you don’t.” Rose rolled her eyes. It wasn’t the first time someone vaguely familiar with upstate geography claimed to know her hometown. The impulse was sweet, she supposed – no one wanted her to feel like a country bumpkin. But it was pretty rare to find someone who actually recognized it.

With a stronger nod, Drew laughed. “No seriously. I do free headshots for the dogs in the New Winford Humane Society.”

A redeeming quality?Tucking her hair behind her ear, Rose shook her head. “No fucking way. So you know Dani?”

“Oh yeah, Dani’s great.”.

Rose lightly punched Drew’s arm. “Small world.”

As they talked, they both started to lose track of where exactly they were in their journey. Neither of them expected it when the doors slid open and the conductor announced, “Last stop, 8th Ave.”

“Oh shit, this is us.” Drew laughed as they put a guiding hand on Rose’s arm. Of course, Rose didn’t need to be guided, but she couldn’t pretend it wasn’t nice to be escorted by Drew. They were assured, confident. And they looked unbelievably sexy in their tight, white t-shirt.

Rose gulped down the excitement bubbling in her throat as they hopped off the train and walked up the steps.

It was getting late, close to 11 pm as they exited onto 14th and 8th. Drew led the way downtown toward the West Village.

There was a small line outside of Henrietta’s, but it moved quickly. Before they knew it, Rose and Drew were pushing their way through the thick Friday crowd toward the bar. As soon as they walked in, Rose could feel the eyes turning to check Drew out.

And Rose couldn’t blame them, Drew was super hot: tall and strong with thick, cropped hair and a gorgeous face. Rose had caught herself checking Drew out more times than she’d like to admit.

But a part of Rose hated watching Drew get this much attention. She sped up, trying to keep up with them. Drew came to a stop and turned toward Rose, slowly leaning into her ear. Their breath gently caressed Rose’s ear as they asked. “Do you want a drink?”

Rose pulled away and met their gaze, their mouths mere inches apart. Swallowing the anticipation in her throat, Rose nodded. “I got mine.”

Drew put their hand on Rose’s as she tried to pull out her card. “It’s cash only on weekends.”

Lifting their chin to the sign above the bar, Rose followed their gaze and realized they were right. She had no choice but to let the hot masc buy her a drink.They owe you at least a drink, after all the bullshit they’ve put you through.

Drew nodded and leaned against the bar as they waited for the bartender. Rose watched their back flex beneath their shirt, a rush of blood going straight to her center.

Don’t look too eager,Rose reminded herself. Instead of standing around ogling Drew, she made her way farther into the crowd, edging toward the dance floor where dozens of sapphics grinded and moved together to the beat. Rose bobbed her head along as her hips started to find the rhythm.

With two drinks in hand, Drew appeared to Rose’s right. They passed her a glass and lifted theirs for a cheers. As their glasses clinked, Rose smiled. “Thanks for the drink.”

Drew shook their head and brought a finger to her lips, “You can’t speak after cheersing, it’s bad luck.”

Rose raised an eyebrow, “You’re superstitious?”

“Only about a few things.” Drew shrugged as they brought their glass in for another cheers. This time, Rose behaved herself and took a drink after the clink of their cups. Drew smirked, “Good girl.”

Fuck.Rose felt her clit throb at the praise. She tried not to show Drew just how much she liked hearing those words from their perfect lips.

After one sip, Rose realized she might need a little bit more to make it through the night. She brought the cold glass back to her lips and downed the small drink, feeling the burn of the vodka going down her throat.

She shook her head as she polished off the drink, sending her red mane flying around her face.

“Well alright then.” Drew laughed, finishing off their own drink to match her.

Rose met Drew’s gaze, their eyes instantly locking onto each other. Suddenly, the prying eyes of the other gorgeous sapphics around them disappeared; Drew was all Rose could see.

Drew made their way back to the bar and returned with fresh drinks. After half an hour, they were both three drinks deep and beginning to feel alittlelooser. Rose’s hips were rocking to the beat and Drew was beginning to let go of their rigid movements.

Their bodies had drifted closer and closer to the center of the dance floor as they drank. With their hands free of cups, Rose grabbed Drew’s and led them into the heart of the dancing.

A drip of sweat was growing on Drew’s temple. They faced each other as they moved, and with each step, Rose’s body drew closer to Drew’s. It begged to feel their heat. And who was Rose to deny it such a pleasure?

Rose slipped her leg between Drew’s, allowing herself to grind on them. Drew’s hand drifted up her exposed thigh, sending a shiver up her spine as their hands landed on her hips.

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