Just One Of Those Things

By Mavis Applewater

Part Four

DISCLAIMERS: The story and characters are mine and mine alone. No portion of this story can be posted or reproduced without the author's consent. This story contains material of an adult nature between two women. If for any reason it is illegal for you to read this material leave now. If this is not something you would enjoy why are you here? Now for everyone still reading this, one of my readers who shall remain nameless (Rae) has pointed out that I need to add an additional disclaimer warning you that some content of this story maybe a little too hot to handle. You've been warned, how you elect to handle this information is entirely up to you. Although the nameless reader (Rae) recommends ice, not that she can be trusted with ice since she keeps taking out her keyboards. Don't ask.

Thank you to Raven and Brunnhilda for gallantly offering to beta read this for me. Also thanks to the folks who host and maintain this web site, without their kindness I would just be another Xenite sitting around whining about not going to Pasadena.

As Always For Heather

Chapter Eleven

Karla sat back on her new futon, burying her hands in her face. Howard came out and jumped up beside his master. "I blew it Howard." She grumbled loudly. "How am I going to work with this woman?" She sighed heavily. "I cannot believe that I keep acting like an adolescent when I'm around her." Howard just stared at his master blankly. "You are no help at all." She growled at the feline. Deciding that she would ask her sister later for some advice, she shooed the cat off the futon. "First I need to release some energy." She thought to herself. Pulling herself off of the futon she search through her belongings and dug out her sweats. She changed quickly and attached her keys to the wristband she wore when she went running. "Time to check out the neighborhood." She muttered as she exited her apartment.

Karla stretched her legs out as she looked up and down the streets trying to map out a route so she wouldn't get lost. Two hours later Karla stretched out on her new futon sweating heavily as she sucked down a bottle of Gatorade. She pulled out her cell phone and pressed the speed dial. She waited until she heard her sister's voice answer. "Karla!" Maureen squealed. "I'm glad you called, I was worried."

"I'm fine." Karla panted slightly still exhausted from her run.

"You don't sound it." Maureen said sharply. "What did you do?"

"How do you do that?" Karla inquired with a slight groan.

"I'm the mother of three girls." Maureen pointed out. "Not to mention I grew up with you. You sound exhausted."

"I just went for a run." Karla tried to explain knowing that her overprotective step-sister wouldn't buy it.

"I see." Maureen replied quietly. "Now tell me what you did."

"Oh boy." Karla sighed deeply knowing she couldn't get off the hook. "But that's why I called her." She thought. "Olivia the girl I told you about . . ."

"I know who you are talking about." Maureen replied tersely. "You've talked about nothing else for weeks now."

"I have not talked about her that much." Karla defended herself.

"Have to." Maureen countered.

"Have not." Karla fought back.

"Karla!" Maureen finally snapped. "Just spill it already, what happened?"

"Well it all started when she was waiting for me at the airport." Karla began slowly. A half an hour later she had spilled out all of the gory details to her sister.

"Phew!" Maureen explained after Karla had finished retelling the events that had occurred that day. "I've never known you to get this caught up in someone. Are you certain you can work next to this gal everyday?"

"No." Karla confessed weakly. "Maureen it doesn't make any sense, when I'm around her I don't seem to have any control."

"That doesn't sound like you." Maureen's voice sounded worried. "Do you know why she and the girlfriend split up? Was it because of what happened in New York?"

"I don't think so." Karla relaxed slightly feeling that Maureen was really there for her. "From the little she has told me, there were problems before we met."

"I think you should find out what happened." Maureen stated boldly.

"How am I supposed to do that?" Karla choked.

"You could ask her." Maureen replied flatly.

"I cannot do that!" Karla gasped. "Just how am I suppose to bring her recent break up into conversation?"

"Excuse me?" Maureen laughed. "Listen up sweet pea, if she let you stick your tongue in her mouth . . ."

"Hey!" Karla cut her off.

"Don't go getting all shy on me now." Maureen chuckled. "All I'm saying is that you’re not exactly strangers. She'll tell you if you ask her. Just remember it will be her version of events." Maureen concluded in a cautioning tone.

Karla remained silent as she tried to process what her sister was telling her. She couldn't focus, her thoughts kept turning back to the blonde who had fled from her apartment. "Karla?" Maureen's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Karla?" She repeated. "Sis, are you still there?"

"Yeah I'm here." Karla replied quietly. "Maureen none of this matters, I cannot have any personal contact with her. The company policy definitely frowns upon it."

"What exactly is J&B's policy regarding these matters?" Maureen inquired.

"Well basically it is that personal relationships between co-workers, particularly with someone who is your supervisor, are discouraged." Karla explained.

"Discouraged?" Maureen asked hesitantly. "What does that mean? Is it discouraged or forbidden?"

"Well the legal jargon in the employee handbook basically explains that it is discouraged." Karla tried once again to explain.

"So you could see each other if you wanted to?" Maureen inquired in a confused tone.

"No." Karla answered firmly. "Let see if I can explain it. The lawyers put it together very carefully. They don't come right out and say that you cannot, because they don't want to get sued for violating someone's civil rights. But they also don't want to deal with a sexual harassment lawsuit either. The bottom line is that it is a definite no-no."

"Okay I understand." Maureen responded grimly. "I think. Basically, keep your pants on or they'll fire you."

"People at my level don't get fired." Karla chuckled lightly. "We resign our positions suddenly. Or they would simply transfer me to some little hellhole were I would be reduced to doing PR for a group of yak herders. They would probably fire Olivia not for the affair but they would come up with something to justify her dismissal."

"That sucks!" Maureen bellowed.

"It's the way of the world Sis." Karla responded with a calming tone. "I understand it."

"You do?" Maureen responded with surprise.

"J&B is in the business of creating positive images for others." Karla answered in a professional tone. "How would it look if our own image was tarnished by a charge of sexual harassment."

"I still think it sucks." Maureen groused. "Do you think you can handle this? This woman has really gotten to you."

"I don't have any choice." Karla answered in a slightly shaky voice. "I'm so close to getting out with everything I want. I cannot blow it now."

"I hear what you are saying." Maureen began slowly. "But can you really keep away from her? You almost crossed the line the first time you saw her. Karla, can you do this?"

"I guess I'll find out on Monday." Karla answered with a frown.

Karla continued talking to her sister unaware that not far away Olivia was taking an extended shower while she tried to quiet her own fears. The blonde stormed into the studio apartment; ignoring Sydney, she locked herself in the bathroom. Finding the privacy she needed she found herself pleasuring herself repeatedly. Her mind telling herself that if she just released the tension and frustration everything would be all right. When she finally emerged from the bathroom, she found herself with pruney skin and feeling slightly satisfied. She noticed immediately that Sydney had disappeared. She tossed on a t-shirt and an old pair of boxer shorts and climbed into bed.

Her thoughts quickly returned to the feel of Karla's lips pressed against her own. The memory of Karla's strong hands caressing her body. She cast a glance over at the clock knowing that Sydney was at work and in usual fashion probably had a date lined up for after her shift. Alone with her thoughts she allowed her mind to wander. "God this woman has me all worked up." she scolded herself as one of her hands crept up her t-shirt. Her body shivered slightly as she felt her nipple harden from her own touch.

"Oh yeah." She sighed. She continued to tease her nipple. Images of Karla's body flashed through her mind as her excitement intensified. She licked her lips, convincing herself that she just needed to release just once more and somehow that would dispel the thoughts of Karla. Her hand drifted down slowly, gently teasing the tight muscles of her firm stomach. She could feel herself throbbing with anticipation as her fingers gently slid under the waistband of her boxer shorts.

Closing her eyes she found herself picturing Karla's long naked body above her. It was Karla's hand she envisioned as she dipped her fingers into the wetness that had pooled between her thighs. She gasped in surprise at how excited she found herself. Her body shivered as she explored herself. Her fingers teasing at first until she found herself unable to control herself any longer. Olivia could no longer contain herself from her teasing fingers. The rhythm of her own touch increased rapidly until she found her body arch as she shuddered. "Karla!" She screamed out passionately as she fell over the edge.

Olivia felt her body still as her breathing slowly returned to normal. "I must be losing my mind." She mumbled as she allowed her body to relax. "Great, now I need another shower." She muttered as she finally opened her eyes. The petite blonde climbed out of bed muttering to herself as she padded off to the bathroom for another shower. She had decided that this time it would be a very cold one. Not that she had much of a choice in the matter after depleting most of the hot water from her earlier venture.

Later that evening both women drifted off to sleep in their separate beds while they convinced themselves that everything would be fine come Monday morning when they would face one another once again. After all, the events earlier in the day had been just like New York, it was just one of those things, none of it really meant anything. As both women slept they shared the same annoying thought that they were lying to themselves.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Monday morning arrived without much fanfare. Karla showered, dressed and called for a taxi to take her to her new office. Somehow she managed to block out any libidinous thoughts of her new assistant. "Wish me luck, Howard." She commented to the content feline who simply rolled over and went to sleep. "Fur ball." She muttered as she gathered up her belongings and departed the apartment to meet her taxi.

Karla James stepped off of the elevator the portrait of professionalism. She opened the glass doors that led into her new work environment with an air of confidence. She walked past her new employees with a confident stride. She could feel many eyes looking at her with a strange combination of fear and curiosity. Karla smiled slightly, feeling the power that her position granted her.

She stopped suddenly as her eyes caught the vision of Olivia Davenport approaching her. She swallowed hard as she found herself staring deeply in sea of green. "Good Morning, Miss James." Olivia greeted her, a smile never emerging in her delicate features. Despite her outwardly cool demeanor, the tall executive felt her knees slightly tremble. "Olivia." Karla greeted her coldly. "Did you get together the list of files that I wanted to go over this morning?"

"Yes, Miss James." Olivia responded in an equally cool manner. "There is a problem with the Maxell account that you need to look at." Olivia explained as she handed over a large manila folder to Karla.

"Fine." Karla answered firmly as she accepted the folder. "Gather the principals on the account, have them in the conference room in ten minutes. I just need to settle some things in my office and grab a cup of coffee and I'll join you in there. Have Robyn set up individual meetings with everyone in the department for later in the day."

"Still haven't bought a coffee maker?" Olivia teased, immediately biting her bottom lip for her slip. "I've already had Robyn change the schedule so you can meet with the staff later." Olivia offered quickly.

"Good." Karla answered firmly as she moved to step past Olivia feeling an urgent need to hide in her office so she could collect herself.

"We can do this." Olivia whispered softly to her as she passed. Karla found herself turning back towards Olivia giving her a cold stare. "Ten minutes, in the conference room." Was all she said before spinning on her heels and retreating into her office.

Once she found herself safely behind the closed door of her office, Karla dropped everything onto her desk. The normally composed woman found herself shaking. "I was way over the top." She chastised herself. A quiet knocking roused her from her thoughts. She quickly gathered up her composure. "Come in." She answered dryly. Karla jumped slightly as the side door to her office opened.

"It's just me." Olivia explained quickly as she stepped into the room shyly.

"Sorry." Karla answered as she felt the tension building up inside of her. "I forgot that our offices are adjoined."

"Coffee." Olivia explained as she tentatively handed Karla a mug filled with steamy coffee.

"Thank you." Karla smiled slightly as she accepted the coffee. "I um . . . I'm feeling a little bit like a school yard bully."

Olivia smiled at the comment. "Don't." Olivia responded as she seemed to relax. "I think you may have scared the troops a little."

"Only a little?" Karla teased. "I must be losing my touch." Olivia simply smirked in response as Karla took a moment to take a sip of her coffee. "That's just what I needed. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Miss James." Olivia replied softly. "Now we have a problem to solve. Let's get to work. I'll see you in the conference room." Olivia offered with a slight shrug before she departed.

Suddenly Karla felt all of her trepidation melting away. There was something about the way Olivia spoke to her that set her mind at ease. "How can someone who gets my wheels spinning in all different directions also be such a calming influence on me?" Karla wondered as she gathered up her things and made her way down to the conference room.

When the day finally came to an end, Karla found herself relaxing in her office. Her first day in Boston had gone smoothly for the most part. Facing a crisis when she walked in had turned out to be a good thing. It gave Karla a chance to see the staff in action. She was more than a little impressed with how Olivia handled herself. Later she met with her new staff one by one. Most of them, even though they seemed a little wary of her, seemed to be a great team. Karla liked what she saw. Considering the nature of their business she was pleased with the lack of egos. There were a few notable exceptions of course. In particular Rob stood out. Karla disliked the fact that he felt a need to share gossip with her.

A soft knock came from Olivia's door, stirring her from her thoughts. "Come on." She called gently. Olivia entered with a slight smile on her face. "So boss . . . what did you think of your first day?" Olivia asked her gently.

"I liked it." Karla answered with a bold smile. "I like how everyone pulls together. There is a great group of people here."

"They are." Olivia reaffirmed.

"If today were any indication, I think that I am really going to enjoy working here." Karla added.

"I hope so." Olivia replied sweetly.

"Quitting time." Karla yawned as she glanced at her wristwatch. "Let's lock up and get out of here. I need to go home and see what kind of trouble Howard has gotten into."

"Sounds like a plan." Olivia agreed. "Just one thing. Hold on for a second okay?"

"Alright." Karla answered in a bewildered tone as Olivia dashed back into her office.

Karla was gathering up her belongings when the small blonde returned holding a large box. "It's a kind of welcome aboard gift." She explained as she set the large package onto Karla's desk. Karla smiled at the new coffee maker with a built in grinder. "I picked it up when I went to lunch."

"Thank you." Karla answered shyly as she smiled at Olivia. "Is this really a welcome aboard gift or is it insurance that the boss will be properly caffeinated before coming into the office?"

"I'll take the Fifth on that one." Olivia laughed in response.

"Well either way, I thank you." Karla offered as she took a step to give the smaller woman a hug.

Their bodies were almost touching, the air surrounding seemed to be filled with electricity. Both women turned away suddenly, managing to avoid contact. Karla focused her attention on gathering up her personal belongings while Olivia seemed to suddenly find her shoes very interesting. "Let me grab my stuff and I'll meet you out front." Olivia said quickly as she bolted into her office.

Karla found herself feeling a little lightheaded. "Will I ever stop feeling this way about her?" She wondered. "Do I want to?" Moments later Olivia was instructing her on how to locked up the office properly. They shared the elevator back down to the lobby. Neither of them speaking. As they departed the office building neither of them spoke. Instead they simply waved good bye to the other before heading off in separate directions. Each pretending that she felt nothing.

TBC

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