The Motivated Employee Pt 12

Author's note: Thanks for the feedback in other parts of this story. I read and appreciate every comment.

The townhouse immediately felt cozy to Celina. The mismatched pillows, scuffed coffee table - it was lived-in without being messy. And it reminded her of her own place in her early twenties, just before she'd met Jo.

She mentioned this to Dani as they walked down the hallway. "Are you calling me untidy?" Dani teased over her shoulder. "I'll have you know I'm in my late-twenties, actually."

In the living room, she pointed to a large, well-worn armchair. "This is the thinking chair." She motioned to the coffee table. "A rogue teabag was left on this table for so long that it's become part of the surface."

Dani tugged her toward the next area. "And this," Dani continued, "is the kitchen, where all the magic happens -- mainly in the form of burned toast." She paused. "But that's just me. Kayla's really good at cooking."

Right on cue, Kayla appeared in the doorway. Her brown hair curled slightly at the ends, grazing just below her shoulders. Dressed in a navy blue drill jacket and white sneakers, she looked like she was heading out. Her face had the warm glow of someone who spent a lot of time outdoors.

"Someone say my name?" she asked with a half-smile.

Dani's face brightened up. "Perfect timing. Kayla, meet Celina. Celina, meet Kayla."

They shook hands. Firm grip, steady eye contact. Yep, thought Celina. She is, without a doubt, queer.

"I've heard a lot about you," Kayla said.

"Only good things I hope," Celina replied, returning the half-smile.

She'd seen countless Facebook photos of her - arms slung around Dani, wide grins at beaches and bars. Enough that Jo had once muttered, "They're obviously dating."

Now, standing face to face with the real thing, Celina felt no reason to be jealous. If anything, it felt like she had a front-row seat to something rare. She wasn't threatened - she was curious. Protective, even. She knew what Dani looked like when she cared for someone - the look she had in every photo with Kayla.

"Never trust Dani to cook." Kayla said, returning her hand to her jacket pocket.

"For the love of God, never ask me to cook." Dani agreed. "But baking on the other hand..."

"Her brownies make you feel like you're floating." Kayla said, pressing a hand to her chest, like the memory alone was enough.

"Are we talking magic brownies?" Celina asked. Dani had brought brownies to a work morning tea one time.

"There's no pot in them," Dani clarified quickly.

"Yeah, they're just really good," Kayla said, grinning.

"If you two run out of things to do tonight, you should make some." She gave them a playful salute and disappeared down the hallway.

"Say hi to Ryan for me!" Dani called after her. She turned back to Celina. "Old friend."

Dani kept apologizing for the messes that really weren't messes at all. A basket of washing not put away, some dirty dishes in sink. "Sorry, I haven't had time to put those away." A few dishes were in the sink. "I'll get to those later, promise."

"Hey. No more apologising, okay?"

"Okay, sorry for apologising." She laughed. "I dunno, you're a really neat person, and you're my manager..."

"Not right now I'm not." Celina reassured.

"Yeah, but I feel like I should at least try to keep things in check when someone's around."

"Don't worry. I'm messy, too. Jo's the clean one."

"She whoops your ass if you don't tidy up, huh?"

"Something like that." Celina smiled. "And we hire a cleaner every two weeks."

"Yeah, she mentioned," Dani said.

Celina smiled to herself. Jo had met up with Dani for coffee last weekend--just the two of them. She'd pitched the idea casually, like Celina hadn't secretly been hoping it would happen. She suspected it had something to do with therapy but hadn't asked. Some things were better left to surface in their own time.

"She's twenty-eight and only just realised she's gay," Jo had said, with a raised brow. "Why are you not panicking on her behalf, Cel?"

It had sounded like a joke - but a fond kind of worry was tucked between the words. Like a mother hen fussing.

"The cleaner explains a lot. But it still doesn't explain your tidy desk," Dani said as she slid open the door to the back porch. "It was practically spotless... until someone filled every drawer with miniature Lionel Richie figurines."

Celina's eyes widened as they stepped out. The prank from last year--the one that had all the executives whispering and trying to figure out who was behind it. "It was you!?"

"That depends--are you mad about it or not?"

"No! I'm not mad," Celina said, laughing. "I just... I can't believe I didn't guess it was you. We didn't really hang out like this back then."

"Yeah," Dani agreed, closing the screen door behind them. "We kept things a bit more... PG." She led her into the garage and pointed out Kayla's kayak.

"That's Kayla's pride and joy," Dani said.

"Do you ever go kayaking with her?"

"Yeah. We go camping with our old school friends once a year."

"Ooh. Where to?"

"That lake a couple of hours away. This year's gonna be special." Dani hesitated. "Kayla's going away for three months..."

Celina noticed the shift in her expression. Three months wasn't a big deal... for women who were strictly friends. "And?" she prompted softly.

Dani exhaled. "I just have this horrible feeling they'll realise how wonderful she is... and ask her to stay forever."

"It's okay to be afraid of losing someone like her."

Dani didn't meet her eyes, just gave a faint shrug.

"You've shared a lot of life," Celina continued gently. "That kind of history... it's not something people replace overnight."

Dani let out a short breath. "Yeah. I know. I just... I hate how quiet it's gonna feel here without her."

Celina nodded, watching her. The way Dani's voice softened when she talked about Kayla. She was looking down at her uggboots, her hands clutching the hems of the sleeves of her pink half-zip sweater. She looked up to speak, but her voice caught. Soft tears welled in her eyes, and she blinked them back,

"Hey," Celina soothed, stepping forward. "It's okay." She wrapped her arms around Dani.

"Sorry-- I... uh..." Dani's voice was shaky and muffled against Celina's jumper. She hugged her back tightly. "I've just... never lived without her since I moved out of home."

"You're getting ahead of yourself." she said softly into Dani's hair.

She pulled back just enough to meet Dani's eyes. "She's not gone yet."

Dani offered a quick, half-smile as if embarrassed by the whole conversation. "Sorry, I didn't mean to go all dramatic."

"You didn't," Celina said, smiling back. "And you've apologised for apologising again."

But even as Dani turned to lead her out of the garage, Celina couldn't shake the thought: She's in love with her. Did Dani realize it? Did Kayla realize it?

Later, they sat on the couch, watching a movie, with their empty take-out dishes on the coffee table in front of them. They hadn't watched much of the movie, their tongues in each others mouths, and hands exploring each others bodies.

Dani pulled back a moment. "Can we... take this to my bedroom?"

"Of course."

In Dani's dimly lit bedroom, fairy lights hung in a loose arc across the wall, casting a soft, golden glow. The bed wasn't made--pillows askew, a hoodie slouched at the end--but it didn't feel messy, just real. Lived-in. Like her.

They undressed slowly in between kisses. Dani's sweater came off first; she tugged at it awkwardly, then laughed under her breath. Celina's t-shirt followed, her fingers brushing Dani's by accident--or maybe not.

When their bare skin met, Dani's body tensed, then eased, like she was letting herself trust it--to want and to be wanted, without pressure. Everything felt new. Not because it was, but because this time, it meant something different.

Dani hesitated, her fingers still curled around the hem of Celina's top as it dropped to the floor. She looked down, then back up.

"I feel nervous," she admitted quietly, like she was confessing something shameful.

Instead, she reached up and cupped Dani's face. "That's okay," she murmured. "Let me take care of you."

Dani nodded, barely. Her eyes glistened, and Celina leaned in again--slower this time.

Celina laid Dani back on the bed, their touches growing more urgent. Then, after a moment, Dani shifted. She moved shyly, and gently rolled on top of Celina. Her hands were unsure, and it was beautiful--how she let herself try. How she wanted to give something back. Celina reached behind Dani, unclasping her bra with a smooth motion.

It wasn't the first time she'd seen Dani topless--not technically. The memory of Dani on her office couch flashed through her mind, skin flushed, breath shallow. But now they were in a more relaxed environment. No performance. Just skin and a delicateness in her eyes that hadn't been there that day in the office.

Celina felt Dani's hands slip to her waistline, fingers brushing beneath the fabric. Dani's voice was soft, hesitant. "Can I...?"

Celina's gaze met hers. "Yes."

Dani's crawled down, pushing her jeans down gently.

Dani's fingers paused at the waistband of Celina's underwear, her breath catching slightly. She hesitated. "I... I've never done this before," she admitted.

Celina's fingers found Dani's face.

"Would you like me to guide you?" she asked gently. "Only if you want."

Dani nodded, a flicker of nervous determination in her eyes. Her fingers trembled slightly as she hooked them into the waistband of Celina's underwear and slowly eased them down and off. She pressed a hesitant kiss to Celina's hip, just above the bone, making Celina's stomach tighten.

"You're doing great." Celina murmured, one hand gently stroking Dani's hair.

Dani paused, looking up for just a moment, then moved lower, placing another kiss, then another. The uncertainty in her movements began to fade as she picked up on every subtle response--every breath, every shift of Celina's body. Her hands steadied on Celina's thighs, her focus sharpening as her confidence quietly grew.

And then Dani's tongue gently lapped at her slit until it found her clit.

"Fuck." Celina's breath caught. "That's it."

She felt Dani smile into her pussy, like she was proud of herself, discovering something new.

Celina's hands gently guided Dani's head, encouraging her to move with more confidence. "Keep going," she said.

Dani moaned into her pussy -

the act itself was undoing her too. Celina's body arched, hips rising to meet her mouth, but it wasn't just the sensation - it was Dani. The way she moved like she wasn't sure she was doing it right. How careful and earnest she was.

Celina swept Dani's hair back, needing to see her face - those flushed cheeks, the concentration in her brow, the nervous flicker in her eyes. It was dizzying.

"You..." she breathed, voice catching, "...you're a natural."

But what really made her ache was knowing Dani didn't believe that yet. Still, in that small moment, Dani's eyes caught a spark of something wicked. Her hands gripped Celina's thighs, pulling her closer as if she couldn't get enough, her tongue moving faster, more determined.

Dani pulled back, a hand trembling slightly as she slid a fingertip closer to Celina's entrance. "Please let me know if it hurts," she whispered.

Celina smiled. It was too gentle to hurt. Without a word, she reached out softly, guiding Dani's finger in with careful encouragement, letting her know it was okay to explore.

She eased in - and right away, Celina's muscles tightening around her finger.

Celina let out a low breath, smiling. "Yeah... you know what you're doing."

With a shy grin, Dani began to slowly move her finger in and out, mimicking the motion of Celina's hips. She leaned back in and worked Celina's clit with her mouth. Celina's breaths grew quicker, her body moving in tandem with Dani's touch.

A fresh rush of wetness slipped free, warmly pooling at her entrance.

Dani let out a soft, approving grunt.

The idea of it - of Dani tasting her like that, of it spilling into her mouth - sent a sharp pulse of arousal through Celina. Her whole body tightened, teetering on the edge.

She adjusted the gathered hair in her hand, thumb brushing lightly along Dani's scalp.

"Don't stop." she whispered.

Dani's eyes darted between Celina's face and her hand, watching for signs of what felt right.

And then it happened - her body tightened around Dani's finger, a broken whimper escaping her lips. Celina's hand flew up to her forehead.

"Shit - Dani -" she gasped, voice catching in her throat. Her thighs trembled around Dani's face, her whole body locking up. "Don't - don't stop -"

Dani didn't. She stayed right there, her finger still coaxing every last wave of climax from Celina.

And through the aftershocks and the warmth pooling in her belly, Celina felt this gently energized. She bit back a laugh, her hand still pressed to her forehead, grinning into the afterglow. Dani had been so nervous--and look at her now.

When it was done, Dani wiped her mouth with the back of her arm and crawled up to meet her. Celina stretched out slowly, her body still tingling.

"Was that okay?" she asked, pressing her nose against Celina's.

"That was perfect." Celina whispered back, and kissed her, tasting the faintest trace of her own tang.

They lay there quietly for a moment, Dani resting her head on her shoulder, her fingers lacing through Celina's.

After a moment she broke the silence. "So... what time do you need to be home tonight?"

Celina brushed a strand of hair from Dani's face. "I don't really need to go back."

Dani's fingers twisted tighter around Celina's hand, betraying excitement she wasn't saying out loud. "Jo's comfortable?"

"Yeah." Celina said, thinking about Jo. "She is."

She thought back to a conversation they'd had earlier that week - one that had stretched long into the night. They'd watched the sunset together on the beach, like they sometimes did, then sat in silence as the sky darkened and waves crashed steadily in the background. Jo had rested her head on Celina's shoulder and laced their fingers together - the same way Dani's were holding hers now.

She'd spoken honestly, quietly, about old demons she thought she'd already laid to rest. How they'd flared up the night Celina came home from her date with Dani. She'd called it a dying-off symptom--not a reflection of where she was now, but of what she was shedding.

She'd looked at Celina then, her voice steady. "I want you to go out with her again. In fact, I'll be mad if you don't."

Beside her now, Dani leaned in and grinned. "Then stay. Stay all night please."

Celina smiled. "You've twisted my arm. I'll text Jo."

Celina reached for her phone, but then noticed it was missing. "I don't know where my phone went..." she murmured.

Dani sat up slightly. "It's in the kitchen. I'll go grab it for you."

Celina smiled, shaking her head. "No, that's alright. I'll get it."

Celina slipped on her shirt and jeans, then made her way down the hall. In the kitchen, she found a figure rumaging around cupboards. Kayla.

"Oh, hey, again", Celina said.

Kayla was scrolling on her phone and held a half eaten packet of crisps in the other hand. She saw Celina, smiled and grabbed a chocolate bar from the cabinet. She handed them to Celina. "Take these," she said casually. "You know, Dani fainted once after eating a grilled cheese sandwich that was way too hot." She shrugged, clearly finding it a bit ridiculous. "Her blood pressure dropped, and down she went."

Celina tried to picture it. "Can people actually faint from that?" she asked aloud--then immediately answered herself in her head. Of course they can. Jo's a doctor. I should know that.

"Yep," Kayla said, grinning. "When things get too hot, she'll need something sweet to keep her blood sugar up." She nudged the chocolate closer to Celina.

"Ha." Celina said, grabbing her phone from the counter. "Thanks, Kayla."

As Celina made her way back to the bedroom, she replayed Kayla's words in her mind--quick, clever, and sharp, the kind of wit that reminded her a little of Dani's.

She stepped back into the room, the door clicking shut behind her. Dani was propped up against the pillows, still bare beneath the covers. She put her phone down.

"Where'd you get the chocolate?" Dani asked, as Celina threw her a bar.

"Kayla." she grinned. "She said she didn't want you fainting from the heat."

Dani laughed, then blinked--caught off guard. Celina sat down on the bed and texted Jo as Dani unwrapped the chocolate bar: "You were right -- I'll stay tonight."

Jo replied instantly - a love heart emoji.

She lay next to her, fingers idly tracing the curve of Dani's waist while she ate the chocolate.

"You know," Celina murmured, "I still think about that dream you told me about. The one you had in this bed."

Dani gave a small, muffled sound against Celina's shoulder--half laugh, half groan. "Yeah... "

"What was that dream about, again?" Celina said, lifting her head.

Dani's cheeks were already warming. "You." And then she added: "And... some other people."

She glanced away. "It was stupid."

Celina's smile widened. "Oh, I doubt that."

Dani hesitated, then added, quieter, "Jo was in it too."

Celina was delighted but didn't say anything right away. She could picture it already - the way Jo would react if she ever found out. That slow, knowing smile. A raised brow, maybe a low "Took her long enough." She'd laugh it off, play it cool. But it would stick with her, Celina knew. She liked knowing where she sat in people's minds. If she knew Dani had dreamed about her - both of them she'd act like it meant nothing while rolling the thought around in her head for days.

Celina glanced back at her, amused. Poor thing, she thought. You really don't stand a chance.

Dani glanced away for a second, then back at her with a faint flush rising in her cheeks. "And...uh... Kayla was there too. You were... all touching me. Going down on me. Together."

Well, Celina thought, nearly laughing, there's another clue for the board.

Kayla, in the dream. Going down on her, no less. That made, how many solid pieces of evidence now that Kayla wasn't exactly straight?

And poor, sweet Dani, sitting there blushing like she hadn't just confessed to the world's most revealing subconscious fantasy.

Celina chuckled. "Well, I can't speak for Kayla. But Jo and I, we're flattered."

Dani groaned, covering her face with both hands. "You're not gonna tell her... right?" she mumbled - too quickly, too softly, like she hoped the answer might go either way.

Celina laughed softly. "You say that like you don't kind of want her to find out," she said, tugging one of Dani's hands away from her face. "She wouldn't tease you--well, not too much. She might print it on a t-shirt."

Dani lowered her other hand, cheeks still pink. "Is Jo... seeing anyone else? In your thing, I mean."

Celina shrugged. "No, she's not. Yet."

Dani frowned like she thought that was weird. "Why not?"

Celina's mind drifted back to the women who had tried to catch Jo's eye over the years -- the strong, confident ones Jo had gracefully, sometimes bluntly, turned away. But a few times, after they'd carefully spoken about it privately, and knowing just how far they were both comfortable going, Celina had even suggested Jo let them fuck her -- and Jo had gone for it, with that wicked smirk of hers, while Celina watched.

But that's not what Dani asked. She shifted, then answered simply, "Jo's got a type."

Dani smiled wide. "She's into managers who spank their employees, right?"

Celina smirked back. "Correct."

"Seriously, though, I'm surprised Jo isn't."