Authors Note: This series of short stories are intended to be episodic and thus can be read alone. Any feedback, criticisms or improvements are always welcome. The author also invites reader suggestions about what they would like to see Xanthe do next.
It had been a long and tiring week at work and Xanthe was looking forward to the weekend, for more than one reason. A couple of weeks before whilst she was buried in paperwork a petite raven haired woman, Carla, had walked into her office and into her dreams. Carla was representing another firm and the two of them had been put together to thrash out a solution for their bigger richer clients.
Xanthe and Carla spent nearly an entire week in negotiations before coming to an agreement, which their bosses and more importantly their clients were happy with. They had almost lived in each others pockets during those fourteen hour days, often continuing the negotiations over their lunch breaks. It was during these long meetings that Xanthe had taken an interest in the sultry Carla.
After much debate in her own mind Xanthe resolved to gauge Carla’s interest. There had been moments when Xanthe was sure that Carla swung that way, she never seemed to be fazed by those little innocuous touches on the hand or leg which Xanthe intentionally offered. Nor did Carla appear too daunted by Xanthe’s probing questions about her personal life, some bordering on the issue of her sexuality.
When the deal was done and Carla was about to leave her office Xanthe could not let the opportunity pass without making a move. She stopped Carla at the door and passed her a business card with her home number and a brief message on it. ‘How about we get together sometime?’
Carla turned the card over unemotionally and glanced at the message scrawled across the back. Xanthe watched as her green eyes rose from the card and up Xanthe’s petite frame locking on her with a determined gaze. Carla simply smiled and calmly whispered. “Sure.”
Carla left, her work was now complete. Xanthe watched as she crossed the office floor and headed to the bank of elevators. Carla pivoted just before she reached them and looked back at Xanthe, smiled and then disappeared.
…..
Xanthe looked herself over in the mirror, the fluorescent lights above her almost blinding. Her short red hair was in place, her casual short stone wash skirt and tight fitting white shirt accentuating her petite frame. She tugged her recalcitrant shirt down trying to cover more of her exposed midriff. She wore only a hint of makeup, preferring to keep the atmosphere of the evening relaxed. Besides nobody would see her in the dark cinema, she thought.
She emerged from the cold soulless bathroom and headed across the carpeted interior of the cinema lobby. A few people mingled around her, most of the movies had already begun. Only a few late runners were clambering for tickets and snacks at the candy bar.
Carla had still not arrived and Xanthe was beginning to question whether she had got the time and location right. She looked at the two tickets in her hand, slowly rubbing them, becoming increasingly impatient. Maybe she had read too much into Carla’s interest? Maybe Carla had decided otherwise?
Xanthe drifted across the lobby and towards the open doors of the theatre, the movie was going to start soon, and there was no sign of Carla. The heavy set bald man who stood near the door prepared to take Xanthe’s ticket stubs from her, when he looked over her shoulder. Xanthe could hear the pattering of feet as they rushed across the carpet of the lobby.
“Wait for me,” called out a familiar voice. Xanthe turned back towards the voice. It was the gorgeous Carla, rushing the last couple of steps to her side. “Sorry I’m running late, I almost didn’t make it,” panted Carla as she took in a deep breath and straightened out her dress.
Xanthe looked the ravishing Carla over. She began to feel a little underdressed now that she had seen how much effort Carla had gone to. She wore a sheer black one piece dress, with a plunging neck line and almost non-existent back. Her black hair was tied back revealing her high cheek bones, piercing green eyes, and the faintest hint of makeup. A pair of matching conservative heeled shoes finished off her ensemble.
“Wow, you look great, don’t I feel a bit under done now,” complimented Xanthe. Carla smiled in reply as Xanthe handed over the two tickets to the doorman, his eyes hadn’t left the beautiful Carla as he handed back the stubs and ushered them into the dark theatre. Xanthe watched as the doorman checked out Carla while she passed by, his eyes locking onto her tight butt and then catching Xanthe’s gaze and offering a subtle shrug of the shoulders.
The theatre door closed softly behind them and the last of the bright lights were snuffed out. Both women purposefully stepped down the gentle slope of the cinema aisle looking for a pair of seats. The cinema was only sparsely populated, about a quarter of the seats were filled with people spread out across the large interior.
Xanthe let Carla lead her down the aisle until they came to the front row, an open carpeted area separating the seats from the big screen, the trailers already playing. Carla shuffled to the center of the aisle and sat down, Xanthe following suit and sitting next to her.
“So what happened before?” she whispered even though there was nobody sitting close to them. Xanthe scanned the seats around them, the few darkened figures appeared to be focused on the screen.
“Oh, just a whole bunch of things going wrong, then I had to rush getting ready. I probably look terrible,” giggled Carla. She noticeably tugged down the hem of her dress so that it covered more of her toned thighs.
“Look terrible, I wish I could look that good when I’m not rushed,” offered Xanthe. She gently touched Carla’s forearm as it rested on the armrest. Carla didn’t seem to mind the innocent touch, she just smiled. “Anyway, you look fantastic.”
“You too, I love your skirt.”
Both women settled into their seats. Xanthe consciously left her hand resting on Carla’s arm as they turned to face the screen. The loud sound effects and flashing colors didn’t compute in Xanthe’s brain, she was too busy thinking about her date for the night. She had a few quick drinks before arriving at the cinema, just to get into mood. That familiar feeling of exhilaration coursed though her as she pondered where the night may be headed.
The sedate music of the film had a calming effect, Xanthe easing back deep into the padded seat. Her hand remained stoically on Carla’s wrist. Carla appeared totally unresponsive to the touch and gazed upwards at the big screen. Xanthe snuck a couple of sneaky glances at the dark figure next to her. The excited flashes of light from the screen lit her up momentarily and provided tantalizing glimpses of her thin body, her pert breasts and her elegant neck line.
For her part Carla seemed to be getting into the film, she offered subtle facial expressions and reactions to what she was watching. Xanthe tried to cool her burgeoning desires. She squeezed her thighs tight together and pressed firmly down with her feet, trying to stamp herself to attention. Carla didn’t seem to react to any of Xanthe’s stirrings.
The movie wasn’t going anywhere. It was not only Xanthe’s interest in Carla which was affecting her concentration, the film was beginning to elicit a few negative grumbles from some of the people scattered through the cinema. A body seemed to move in Xanthe’s periphery, she eased her head around to see what was causing the disturbance. One older couple was grudgingly shuffling back down their row of seats and to the center aisle.
Xanthe watched on as the couple headed back up the aisle and threw the main door open, letting the bright light of the lobby spill in momentarily. Another snort echoed from directly behind Xanthe’s head. She craned her neck around to see a man picking up his belongings and likewise heading for the exit.
Carla’s concentration broke and Xanthe felt her hand reach over and gently squeeze her arm. Xanthe spun quickly, startled by the touch and looked at the shadowy figure.
“What’s going on?” whispered Carla.
“Oh nothing, it looks like a few people are leaving,” replied Xanthe in a hushed tone. “They don’t appear to be too happy with the movie.”
Carla nodded slightly in recognition of what Xanthe had said. She turned back to the screen, but left her hand resting on top of Xanthe’s. Xanthe noticed that Carla now had her hand sandwiched. It could only have been a deliberate action. Maybe Carla was actively responding to Xanthe’s subtle flirting?
Xanthe was again disturbed by the movements of yet another patron getting out of their seat and heading for the door. The cinema was beginning to empty out as the movie progressed. She turned to observe Carla who was doing her best to remain focused on watching the film. Xanthe didn’t want to bother her, but was finding it harder and harder to pay attention to the film.
More people filtered out from the back of the theatre, a long daylight scene illuminated the room allowing Xanthe an opportunity to see how many people remained. After a quick count she could only see six people resolutely staying behind. The thought of sharing an empty theatre with Carla crossed Xanthe’s mind, a devilish grin spreading across her face.
Carla signed audibly and her supple fingers danced across Xanthe’s skin. Xanthe felt a shiver run up her spine as the delicate sensation enlivened her wits. She again tried to fake attention to the film, but again her efforts were broken by another sigh from Carla, the dark haired beauty seemed uneasy.
“This movie is terrible,” announced Carla above her previously hushed tone. Xanthe turned to find Carla already gazing at her. “I’m sorry, I know you picked it, but it is awful.” She tried to sound conciliatory and refrain from offending her date.
