As they entered the streets, Gena sat up and began to watch the people.
"We're going to my place?" she said.
"Yes."
Dex added nothing beyond that. Maybe it wasn't playing fair not to clue Gena in, yet what was there to say? Gena might know better than to expect a continuation of their affair in that stuffy room that seemed to be choking on its oversized bed.
She backed into a parking space around the corner from Gena's house. Taking the crumpled mackinaw from the rear seat, Dex followed Gena to the building.
Gena's steps were rapid and strident with a certain unmistakable urgency. Dex smiled with the ghost of remembered satisfactions. They had done well in bed together. If nowhere else, they got along between the sheets.
Dex felt a warm impulse to take the girl's hand. She settled for touching the girl lightly on the shoulder as they came to the house.
Gena tilted her chin up. There was a playful little smile tugging at her lips which reminded Dex of the night Gena had first asked her to dance. Only the veneer of innocence was gone now. In its place, something deeper; something a little bit more sure of itself in the world.
They climbed the steps, slowing at each level and looking at each other.
Dex could not longer fool herself that Gena did not realize what was about to happen. Only Gena did not look helpless. She seemed rather peaceful, as though she recognized her part in the chain of events.
When they reached Gena's door, she felt beneath the mat and stood up with the key.
Was that how she was leaving forever? Dex asked herself. Or had Gena known the inevitability of her return.
The girl opened the door and turned to motion Dex inside.
"It's been a long trip," Dex said. "You try to get some sleep." She put her fingertips to the hair at her temples and smoothed back the few fallen wisps.
"What are you going to do?" Gena asked.
"The same."
The scent of Ryan's perfume hit her as she opened her apartment door. Ryan hadn't changed the lock. Everything seemed strangely as it had been.
Dex listened for Ryan. Someone was in the bedroom. She sighed wearily, prophesying a bitter fight between them.
Dex gritted her teeth and headed for the bed room.
"Ryan?" she called out in warning, letting Ryan know she was back. There was no answer.
Dex entered the bedroom. Ryan was sitting in front of the dressing table mirror, applying makeup. She wheeled around suddenly as Dex entered.
"Welcome home, Dex," said Ryan simply. Her eyes examined Dex from head to toe. She felt calm. Something had told her Dex would be back, and there she was.
"Aren't you…" muttered Dex, not knowing quite what to say.
"I'm not surprised. I'm not mad. I'm happy you're home, Dex. It's as simple as that."
"Christ, have you changed," Dex let out in one breath, then kicked herself mentally for saying anything so wrong.
"Yes, I have," replied Ryan, getting up and moving toward Dex. "And you're beautiful." She reached out her hand and rested it on Dex's shoulder. "No change there," added Ryan.
Dex felt her head reel. Ryan's welcome hit her like an explosion. The impact was so powerful it was beyond pleasure or pain. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Her body answered for her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she reached for Ryan.
Suddenly they were clutching each other close together, running their hands up each other's back, then their lips met.
"Darling," murmured Dex as she slipped her tongue gently between Ryan's velvety lips.
Tenderness gave way to passion. Without knowing how, they both found themselves on the bed, pulling clothes off each other, kissing nipples, breasts, arms, thighs.
At last they found the position. Laying on their sides they pressed their hot mouths onto each other's cunts, licking, loving the folds of flesh, sipping each other's juices. Their breath grew rich and heavy as they panted closer to the peak, eating and tonguing deep inside each other.
It was fast and violent. A need to devour, to make themselves one again, took hold. They moaned in unison as their tongues lashed their cunts to climax. A shudder rushed through both of them from head to toe as they came simultaneously, bucking and sweating like two sleek cats in mortal combat.
Rolling away exhausted, Dex said, "It's better than ever."
"That's cause we're equal," said Ryan, reaching over to fold her hand into Dex's.
"I guess we are," sighed Dex. "I wish we could have found an easier way."