Page 30 of Push & Pull
Elena never suffered a woman beating around the bush. “What’s going on? It’s been a while since you called me out of the blue this late.”
This is why it would never work out between us long term.Plus other issues, like Elena being close friends with Simone’s stepmother. Or Elena being a hardcore BDSM lifestyler who wanted a sweet, submissive wife.She’s got that now.Simone was happy for her former lover. Elena had done much to help Simone understand her boundaries and limits in sex, but there was never any romantic love in it. For the best.
“It’s a long story, but I’ll try to make it short.” Simone inhaled a deep breath. She was careful to ensure that Petra was still in the shower before continuing. “I’m currently traveling with someone. A woman. As I said, it’s a long story.”
“You must be sleeping with her if you’re calling about it.”
“That’s… God, am I that predictable?”
“Yes.”
“Am I interrupting you? I’m sorry. I’ll call again later if…”
“You think I would have called you if you were truly interrupting?” Elena snapped, in that awkwardly sister-like way of hers. “I’m a grown woman who can decide that for herself. Now, what the hell is going on? Who is this woman?”
“Nobody you know. She’s an acquaintance through my friend, Hailey Lambert.”
“Ah, yes. The one I told you to stay away from if you wanted to stay sober for more than six months.”
Simone winced. “I am still sober.” From the things that put her in rehab, anyway. “This woman I’m with isn’t like that. I think that’s one of the reasons I’m drawn to her. That, and…”
“Hm, so youaresleeping with her.”
“Last night we slept together. I probably shouldn’t have. I…”
“Don’t frame you having sex with someone as a fault like that. Unless she hurt you. Even then, not your fault.”
Simone sighed. “She’s in the shower of our hotel room right now. She told me I could join her. I told her I wouldn’t. But I want to.”
She half-expected Elena to berate her for treating friends like therapists. Except Elena never did that. There was a reason Simone knew she could call Elena at this time of night over something as silly as“Should I have sex with this woman again?”
“Does she make you feel like shit?”
“No.”
“Has she ever said or done something that raises red flags?”
“Not really…”
“Did you enjoy it last night?”
“Ah… yes.”
Elena allowed that pause to suffer.Please don’t make me say why I enjoyed it.Elena should be able to figure that out for herself. “Let me guess,” Elena said. “You’re ashamed of the reasons you enjoyed it. Her being so forward with you for the second night in a row has you confused about whether it’s right for you or not.”
“God, you always know how to cut right through me. Why am I paying for a therapist?”
“Because I don’t know medical terms like they do. I know you. And I’ve had a good number of partners over the years who are alotlike you. I told them what I tell you, now. Don’t let shame get in the way of a fun time if you’re in the right frame of mind for it.”
“She doesn’t know about any of my sexual stuff, either.”
“Then why are you on the phone with me and not in there having a good time? That’s even better. As far as she’s probably concerned, you’re a hot girl who likes it rough with some roleplay on the side. Why the hell does she care about the other shit? I’m guessing this is temporary, anyway.”
Simone bit her lip. “You’re right. She doesn’t know any of that.”
“If she’s willing to have a good time and give it to you the way you like, I don’t see the problem.”
“Yes. Of course. I… you know how I am. I second guess myself in all relationships, including the temporary flings.”
