KDBookOnline
Share Us
Kinsey bit back a sigh.
“Your life is the hardest,” she commiserated, before hanging up the phone.
The image was still slightly ingrained on her retinas as she walked into the youth center that evening. Yes, Cassidy was gorgeous, and yeah, they had an increasingly tight bond building between them, which was music, just music, Kinsey knew that. But there was something about Cassidy in combination with Lane that actually kind of got to her. It wasn’t so much that she wanted Cassidy, though in all honesty, she did, a little, but she also wanted what they had together. They made it look so tempting, having someone who you desperately wanted to get naked with, but who would also snuggle you when you were sick and sorry for yourself. Ugh.
“Hello?” she called, as she approached the small office, within the downtown big square brick building. Her shoes echoed in the corridor. The place seemed to be deserted.
“Hi,” called back a voice from within. Kinsey walked in through the doorway and every single thought she had about Cassidy vanished into smoke. Leaning back in the desk chair to look up at her was the hottest sight she’d ever seen.
She was an older woman - already Kinsey’s kryptonite - somewhere in her mid to late thirties, her auburn hair tumbling down her back in the kind of accidental waves that came from letting out a tight updo. Her skin was creamy and the curves under her conservative green button-up shirt and neat black pencil skirt were eye-popping. Perhaps literally so; Kinsey quickly dragged her gaze up, somewhere slightly more north of respectful. It might have been a little too late though, because the woman’s warm pink mouth dropped slightly ajar and her beautiful sea-green eyes went wide.
“Um hi,” Kinsey said, her throat rough. She leaned her hand on the doorframe, pushing her body into a confident stance, trying not to show how extremely discombobulated she was all of a sudden. “I’m Kinsey. Lane sent me?”
“Oh.” The woman’s eyes went even wider. “I’m Rosalie.”
“That’s a beautiful name,” she observed and the woman’s brows drew together. It was possible that Kinsey had in fact drooled a little and she’d noticed.
“Thanks,” Rosalie said levelly. “I’m the center director here.” The words were almost, but not quite a reprimand. Respect me, they said clearly. Kinsey went pleasantly weak at the knees.
“It’s good to meet you,” she said, not dropping her eye contact, reaching out a hand for her to shake, without leaving the doorway. Rosalie leaned forward to lightly grasp her hand, an action Kinsey more than appreciated, though she kept her eyes up, respectfully. Rosalie’s skin was smooth and warm and it was only when she tugged her hand back with a slight jerk that Kinsey realized she’d held on too long.
“Have a seat.” Rosalie gestured at an office chair across the room, but Kinsey couldn’t help bringing it closer, dragging it up next to Rosalie’s to sit. A tiny hint of color hit the director’s cheeks as Kinsey sat near her and looked at her with their eyes level. Holy god, she was even more attractive up close, her lips pillowy and her long lashes the same auburn as her hair. There were the slightest lines around her eyes that just made her sexier. Rosalie cleared her throat.
“Lane said you would lead a songwriting session?” she asked.
“Yeah.” Kinsey met her gaze, trying to stop watching her mouth move as she spoke, but it was a struggle. She’d always enjoyed a good Southern accent but the honeyed vowels from those lips were doing something to her. She tried not to fidget. “They also said what I teach is kind of beside the point, it’s really more about being a role model and listening to the kids.”
“That’s right.” Rosalie nodded, her fingers fiddling with a strand of her lovely hair. “Have you done any kind of outreach before?”
“I have,” Kinsey said, glad to have something to offer. “In college I used to volunteer for a program teaching inclusive sex-ed at public schools in New York.”
Rosalie’s eyebrows shot up, considering Kinsey more closely.
“If only that were a thing in Tennessee,” she said with a small sigh.
“Right?” Kinsey sometimes couldn’t believe where she’d moved to. Her eyes drifted to Rosalie’s mouth again. “It’s not like people don’t have queer sex here.”
She’d done it deliberately, but it was still gratifying to see the immediate flicker in those pretty green eyes.
“It’s not sex-ed specifically that we’re talking about here.” Rosalie neatly pivoted, reaching out to briskly rearrange some papers on her desk. “But if it comes up somehow, we have stacks of resources to direct them to. It’s really just being open and friendly and non judgemental to whoever shows up, so they know they can come back any time they need to. Do you have any questions?”
“Will you stay for my session?” Kinsey asked. Rosalie’s fingers stilled on the paper she gripped. For just a second it looked like she too was looking at Kinsey’s mouth.
“Of course,” she said. “Lane had nice things to say about you but you’re not exactly vetted or trained, so I’ll stick by to supervise and help out wherever needed.”
“Thank you. It’s good to know you’ll be there to hold my hand.” She smiled guilelessly and Rosalie gave her the same faint look of reprimand, her head tilting and eyes narrowed. She clearly knew Kinsey was flirting with her but couldn’t quite make up her mind as to whether to put a stop to it. She stood, so Kinsey stood too. Rosalie wasn’t particularly short but she wasn’t quite as tall as Kinsey either - yet another thing she liked in a woman - those lovely green eyes gazing slightly upward at her.
“I’ll go down with you,” Rosalie said. Kinsey raised her eyebrows, just for a second and instantly Rosalie’s pale skin turned ferociously red and she turned on her heel to walk down the corridor. Kinsey bit back her grin and followed behind her. Oh god, the view was great from that angle too.
By the time they reached the big open classroom the blush had faded to a thoroughly appealing soft pink and when they stepped in to set up the room together, Rosalie seemed extremely keen to keep things neatly professional. Kinsey obliged, but there was an edge to the quiet between them, like they were both extremely aware at all times of where the other person was in the space.
“Um, hey?” a soft voice said behind them. Kinsey turned and saw a young androgynous person with big brown eyes, hovered hesitantly in the doorway. “I’m here for Lane’s art class.”
“Hi Jay.” Rosalie smiled. “Come on in. Lane’s sick tonight but they sent Kinsey for you instead.”
Jay didn’t move, their face falling. It looked possible they were going to turn and leave. Kinsey smiled at them too.
“Lane is disgusting right now,” she told them. “They called me from bed covered in snot; it was one of the grossest things I’ve ever seen.”