Chapter 36

In one graceful panther-like step, Tanner moved closer. Ever so softly, she brushed the back of two fingers down Casey's cheek. "And do you feel it? This spark?" She asked with a purr.

Something tingled through Casey's entire body, ending right at her core. She gulped as she looked up into those beautiful ocean blue eyes which turned a shade darker. Her body automatically began to lean into the palm that gently cupped her cheek. Her mouth went dry, and she tried to recall the question. A strike of lightning abruptly broke them out of the moment. Casey grabbed her wet clothes, and asked, "Do you mind if I throw these in the wash?"

"Not at all." Tanner responded.

When Casey emerged from the small laundry space tucked neatly under the stairs, she said, "Hopefully what I picked up to eat isn't ruined. If I could use your microwave, that would be great." She dug through the plastic bag, setting the containers out. "Have you already eaten?"

"No I haven't. I got too busy with studies."

"Why don't you join me? There's plenty of sweet and sour chicken and Mongolian beef. I couldn't decide on one or the other when I ordered."

Tanner chuckled. "Okay sure." She grabbed a couple of plates and utensils, setting them next to the white cartons of food.

"I also have potstickers."

"Oh I love those."

Without much thought to her actions, Casey grabbed one and offered it to Tanner's lips. The taller woman took it, brushing her lips against the blonde's fingertips. Their bodies slightly shivered from the contact, yet neither one wanted to dare speak of it.

My god there is something different about you Tanner --- definitely something different. Casey thought to herself. I think you're really trying and I like that but I'm also scared. Clearing her throat, she said, "I'm starved --- let's eat."

They talked about how Casey started working at the library and her penchant for being a bookworm while growing up. Each of them silently realized the number of things they had in common and how much they enjoyed talking and laughing.

Noticing how late it had become, the tall woman already regretted when the beautiful blonde would leave. Her ears were beginning to itch from having the sound control devices in them for so long, so she decided to just take them out. "Please excuse me," she began, "I've had enough of these today."

"That's fine." Casey watched her slip the little things into her pocket. Chewing her bottom lip in thought, she wanted to ask about them. "I wonder how much she hears without them?" she softly asked aloud.

Blue eyes regarded her and a slow smile grew on Tanner's face. "I have these because I hear too much, not because I'm deaf."

"What?" she asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"I have a condition called Hyperacusis. It basically means I'm rather sensitive to all sounds. The devices I wear help keep the volume down for me so I can tolerate things like a normal individual."

"Wow, I must say I've never heard of such a thing," Casey commented in disbelief.

"It's rare."

"So that day with Mouse blasting her damn music, here I thought it was causing feedback on the hearing aids for you. Wow, how much can you hear without them then?"

"Well...," she thought about how best to answer that. "Remember our nights at the balcony doors?"

"Yeah," Casey slowly answered.

"I could hear you as clear as if you were talking right in my ear."

"Wow." Casey's mind wandered to that night they put on a show for one another. Such a thing would normally be so taboo for her shy personality, but there was something about the raven haired woman that made the whole incident feel so natural and sensual.

"So what time do you believe Mouse will be home?" Tanner innocently asked.

"Damn it, right, I meant to mention earlier that she isn't returning until sometime tomorrow morning. She went to visit her 'friend', Connie, up in Quincy."

"I see. Well then I'll just sleep on the couch. You can have my bed. You know where it is." Tanner got up, and grabbed the dishes to place in the dishwasher.

"Oh no, I couldn't do that. I wouldn't sleep knowing you were on the couch. I'll just..."

"No. Now we can stand here all night facing off about who is going to sleep where or we can actually get some rest. This is my place, and therefore my rules. You will take the bed."

Casey sighed, exasperated. They stood silently staring at one another for a couple of minutes, each of them with their arms folded stubbornly across their chests. The shorter woman finally broke the silence. "I guess then we'll both share the bed and sleep."

"Fine," Tanner said with surprise. Once upstairs, the tall woman emerged from the bathroom wearing loosely fitting blue and gray flannel pajama pants and a gray Henley. "Do you need anything?" She asked the small blonde already under the covers.

"No thank you," Casey nervously mumbled.

Tanner methodically climbed into the bed, shut off the bedside lamp and laid with her back towards Casey. "Good night," Tanner warmly spoke.

Casey remembered the ear devices had been removed earlier, so she softly responded, "Good night."

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The morning sun filtered between the curtains, shining warmly on the honeysuckle colored carpeting. Two bodies were entwined under the cozy warm comforter. Tanner felt a wonderful weight on top of her. Instinctively her arms encircled the body firmly and she smiled. As her mind began to slowly gain consciousness, she caught the faint whiff of shampoo on the crown of hair just below her chin. A delicious sensation emanated from her southern region. Ebony eyebrows furrowed slightly wondering why this was but she couldn't put her finger on it. Suddenly there was a slight movement causing ocean blue eyes to spring open, finally registering what was there. Tanner noticed Casey was practically perched on top of her, and that alone felt so nice. Once again there was a slight movement between her legs. She carefully pushed the covers off, and looking down her body, she could see Casey's hand was definitely inside her pajama pants. Oh my god, does she even know she's got her hand right there? The fingers moved ever so slowly, gently brushing through the short black curls of Tanner's mound. Now what do I do? Gods it feels nice. Damn it, I shouldn't be enjoying it when she's asleep.

Casey snuggled deeper into the body beneath her. A sense of peace ---- of coming home filled her heart. Absently, a slight contented mew came out of her mouth when she sighed. Sea green eyes slowly fluttered open. When her mind registered where she was, who was here, and exactly where her hand was located, she breathed out, "Jesus Christ!" Her head sprung up, connecting with hooded ocean blue orbs. Pulling her hand away, she began, "I'm sorry...I don't know why I was....my hand...I didn't mean..."

Tanner tenderly cupped her cheek, placing a thumb over the blonde's supple lips. "Shh.....no harm done." She then got up and entered the bathroom, giving the young woman a moment to recover from her obvious embarrassment.

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Casey made her way into the kitchen still berating herself for basically copping a long feel with her new friend. Hoping to make amends for her actions, she decided to get the coffee going and look in the fridge to see what she could make them for breakfast.