One-Shot from Safe Haven

One-Shot from Safe Haven

The words to Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer blasted through my head, bringing a huge smile to my face. There was something invigorating about the song; it had some declarative quality to it that made you want to turn it up and bellow along with it. So I did, cleaning the lobby as I went. It wasn't the most profitable career, running a small hotel in a city like Del Vega. It was average-sized in comparison with other cities, and most of my business was couples on inexpensive second honeymoons and similar activities between teens. I looked the other way and this paid the bills.

Wonder if Ratchet's going to show up tonight, I mused, dusting off the little end tables. I'd only known her for a few months, but she'd quickly become one of my best friends. She worked late night shifts at the Rialto, a local movie theater, and usually got off around one. When she did drop by, it was usually around then, and it was nearly two. Sighing, I finished cleaning and opened my laptop. I ran this place pretty much on my own, which meant I lived here. I opened up a new song, a softer one, and jerked as soft hands covered my eyes.

"Guess who."

I grinned. "Raina?" I said, playing dumb on purpose.

Ratchet moved around in front of me with a dry smile. "Real nice," she commented, moving to flop down on one of the tiny love seats.

"You know I was kidding."

"Yeah." She let her head drop back as I sat beside her, finally letting her exhaustion show. "I love working there, but god, does it tire me out."

"I'm sorry," I said, patting her leg sympathetically.

She closed her eyes. "Man, I need to get laid," she said with a sigh.

I blinked and tried not to blush. I'd never been good around sexual talk, even if it wasn't directed at me. I didn't publicize the fact that I liked girls, and Ratchet had always been straight, to my knowledge. I generally hid the fact that I'd had a thing for her since we'd met, and it made for a massively fun friendship. "Wouldn't that go against you being tired, though?" I asked.

"Nah," she said, eyes still closed. "I'm still wired from work, and sex would make falling asleep easier." A small smile stole across her face.

"Well, I'm sorry I can't be of any help there," I replied, making it look like I was busy on my laptop. If she saw me blushing I'd never hear the end of it.

"I think you can."

I looked up, startled, and found her standing in front of me, bent at the waist, face inches from mine. "W-what's that supposed to mean?" I asked, trying to keep my voice neutral even with those intense green eyes boring into mine.

"You know what it means."

"But you like guys."

Ratchet rolled her eyes. "You're stupid, Sol. I find love where it falls." Before I could utter a sound she lunged forward and kissed me. I just sat there like an idiot, not sure whether I should kiss back or not.

She pulled back after a moment and frowned down at me. "Shit, are you not into me that way?" she asked. A worried look came across her face.

"It's not that," I replied. "I just thought you were straight. And this is kind of sudden. I've never seen you even comment on a girl's looks before. I don't know if you're ready, is all."

Ratchet sighed and moved so that she was sitting on my lap facing me. She gently picked up the laptop and placed it on the floor, then took my face in her hands. Her expression was soft and concerned, and made me regret reacting the way I did. "I haven't been commenting on anyone for a while now, Sol," she said quietly. "Now why do you think that is?"

She leaned forward again and this time I let her, blushing even more than before. Her lips brushed mine in a gentle, almost chaste gesture that left me wanting more. Unfortunately she pulled away when I tried to deepen the kiss.

"Damn," she breathed, looking almost puzzled.

I sighed and looked away. "I don't know if this is what you really want."

"Hey." She propped herself on one hand and turned my face back to hers. "I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't want to."

"But-"

Ratchet kissed me again. This time it was more aggressive, her tongue pushing in to spar almost violently with mine. I couldn't bite back a small noise when she slid one hand up under my shirt to gently knead the soft flesh just below one breast.

"Okay, I take it back."

Pulling back yet again, Ratchet smiled down at me. "Told ya." She slid out of the black t-shirt to reveal a silk bra of a matching color. Not to be outdone I also shed my shirt, but I'd gone braless that day due to lack of clean laundry. I wasn't very big on top, so it wasn't obvious when I 'went commando,' as it was.

Her eyes widened in surprise as she stared down at me, and her expression would have been amusing had it been aimed at anyone else. As it was, all it did was prove to me that Ratchet was definitely not ready for this.

"My mistake," I muttered, pushing her gently off my lap. I stood and grabbed my shirt, moving across the room with the intent of putting space between us. A hand grasped my shoulder for the second time that night, but not as gently as before. I found myself being turned to look up at Ratchet, who was nearly upset now, from the look in her eyes.

"I'm sorry. Your... well, it took me by surprise." She pushed me down onto a different love seat, the one right behind me, and took advantage of me trying to keep myself from falling to tug the shirt from my hands. "You're adorable," Ratchet murmured, lowering her head to kiss my stomach.

Goosebumps broke out all over me. It was embarrassing, but somehow I didn't mind. It was finally starting to sink in that maybe Ratchet actually did want me - for there to be an us. Still, I had to make sure. I wasn't going to do anything she didn't do first. I raised her face to mine for another kiss, and this time she flicked her tongue against my lips far more softly. I smiled and let her in, deepening the kiss as I'd wanted to before, this time running my fingertips along her waist.

"You're not usually this shy," Ratchet murmured, letting one hand glide up to massage one breast. I bit back a whimper and allowed my hands to wander more freely. She was finding my weaknesses so damned easily. "Now I'm glad you were always willing to talk about your exes," she added. One hand was trailing down ever lower, toying with the button of my jeans in an all-too tempting manner.

I opened my eyes to meet that emerald gaze. "Why's that?"

She grinned and bit her lower lip. "I remember every description of every lay you used to rant about."

Oh, damn... I thought, tangling one hand in her hair to pull hed closer. She was already on all fours above me, and the urge to flip her over onto the floor was so tempting. The hand near my waist grew more daring, undoing the jeans completely and moving inside. By this point I was writhing, which was most likely her intent. How could someone who'd never been with a girl be so damned good?

She kissed me and pulled back, looking worried. "Please tell me this is how you do it."

I couldn't help but laugh, even with the amazing things she was doing down below. One specific movement made me buck my hips upward and my head roll back with a moan. "God, yes," I sighed. "That's exactly how you do it..."

Screw this; I'd had enough of being on the bottom.

"So-l!?" Ratchet cried as I lunged up and over, flipping her onto the floor in one deft movement. Her hand stayed right where it was, if not closer then before, but now I was able to reciprocate. As I slid one knee gently between her legs - it was easier for me to manipulate her that way, personally - her eyes fluttered closed as she made a small whimpering noise.

She gripped my shoulders and began moving her hips in tandem with the rhythm I was setting, and said in an adorably breathy voice, "oh god..." I sped up, and her motions sped up too, and gradually we both wound up collapsed on the plush carpet. I was so glad I'd gone with shag...