Chapter 14 #2
“Okay,” Astoria said. “Then let’s get out of here.”
She signaled for the check, and the server brought it, then walked away without looking at her. In any other bar, this would cost them the tip, but in a place like The Meridian where staff was paid for their discretion, it earned them extra.
Astoria laid her card down without looking at the total. The server returned a moment later and Astoria signed the slip of paper, and just like that, they were out of reasons to stay at the table.
Miller watched her tuck the card back into her wallet. “So, what’s next?”
“Now we decide if we’re really doing this.”
“I thought we already decided that.”
“We decided we weren’t walking away.” Astoria met her eyes. “This is the part where we walk somewhere else.”
Miller held her gaze for a long moment, then she picked up her purse and stood.
They crossed the lobby together toward the front desk, close enough that Astoria could smell Miller's perfume—something light and floral, nothing like the sharp, expensive scents Valerie had favored.
The lobby was quiet at this hour, just a few business travelers checking in, no one who would remember two women requesting a room.
Astoria handled the transaction efficiently: credit card, ID, signature. Her legal name was on the reservation, but it was her risk to take if anyone ever looked hard enough. The desk clerk handed over two key cards with a professional smile and directions to the elevators.
They didn’t speak as they walked. The three feet between them felt charged, a live electric wire neither of them was willing to grab just yet. The elevator doors opened to reveal an empty car. They stepped inside, and Astoria pressed the button for the seventh floor. The doors slid closed.
They stood on opposite sides of the small space watching each other. Miller’s chest rose and fell a little too quickly. Astoria’s hands wanted to fidget to stay occupied, so she clasped them behind her, threading her fingers together tightly.
Fourth floor. Fifth. Then sixth.
“Astoria.” Miller’s voice was barely above a whisper.
She looked over at her, but the elevator doors opened. They stepped out into a quiet hallway with muted carpet and soft lighting. Numbered doors stretched in both directions. Astoria checked the key card sleep. Room 714, to the left.
They walked in silence, the anticipation a physical thing now, pressing against Astoria’s chest and making it hard to breathe deeply. She was aware of Miller beside her and the warmth radiating from her body.
Astoria stopped in front of their room and turned to face Miller. “Last chance. Once we walk through this door…”
“I know.”
“And you’re sure?”
Miller stepped closer. Not touching, not yet, but close enough that Astoria could see the slight dilation of her pupils and the pulse jumping at the base of her throat.
“I’ve never been less sure of anything in my life,” Miller admitted.
“And I’ve never wanted anything more. Both of these things are true. ”
Astoria knew exactly what she meant. She turned and slid the key card into the lock, and the light flashed green. She pushed the door open and stepped aside, letting Miller enter first.
The room was standard for a luxury hotel: king bed, tasteful art, curtains open to the city lights below. It was anonymous and temporary, theirs for now.
Miller walked to the center of the room and turned to face her.
Astoria stepped inside and let the door fall closed behind her.
The click of the latch was the loudest sound in the world.
They stood there, a few feet apart, the weight of everything they were about to do hanging in the air between them.
Then Miller smiled, small and nervous, and said, “Hi again.”
Astoria laughed, surprising herself. “Hi.”
The tension broke, just a little, just enough.
She crossed the room to where Miller stood, and this time, she didn’t stop.
She reached up and touched Miller’s face, just her fingertips against her cheek, light enough that Miller could still pull away if she wanted to, but she didn’t.
Miller’s eyes fluttered closed, and she leaned into the touch like she’d been waiting for it, like she’d been holding her breath for weeks and could finally exhale.
“Hey,” Astoria said softly.
Miller opened her eyes. “What?”
“You’re shaking.”
“I know.” Miller let out a small, unsteady laugh. “I’m nervous. I haven’t—” She stopped, then swallowed. “I’ve never done this before.”
Astoria’s hand stilled on her cheek. “Done what?”
“This. Any of this.” Miller’s gaze dropped, then lifted again, something vulnerable and determined in her expression. “I’ve never been with a woman.”
The admission landed between them. Astoria felt the weight of what Miller was telling her—not just inexperience, but trust. Miller was handing her something fragile and hoping she wouldn't break it.
“We don’t have to—” Astoria started.
“I want to.” Miller’s voice was quiet but certain. “I want this. I want you. I just… I just thought you should know.”
Astoria studied her face, looking for doubt or hesitation or any sign that Miller was here out of curiosity rather than genuine desire. She found none, just nerves and want and the same burning that Astoria had been carrying for weeks.
“Okay,” Astoria said. “Then we go slow, and you tell me if anything doesn’t feel right.”
Miller nodded. “Okay.”
“I mean it. If you want to stop—”
“Astoria.” Miller reached up and pressed her index finger against her lips briefly. “I don’t want to stop. I just don’t entirely know what I’m doing.”
Something in Astoria’s chest stirred, and she let herself feel it just a little more. “That’s okay. We’ll figure it out together.”
Astoria leaned in to kiss her.
It was different from the library. That kiss had been desperate, weeks of tension snapping all at once, both of them grabbing at each other like they were afraid the other would disappear.
This was slower, more intentional. Astoria kissed her like they had time, just the two of them in this anonymous room with the city lights glittering below.
Miller’s hands came up to rest on Astoria’s hips, tentatively at first then more sure. She kissed back with a soft sound that made Astoria’s stomach flip, and when Astoria deepened the kiss, Miller matched her, learning the rhythm of it and finding her footing.
They broke apart, both breathing harder.
“Still okay?” Astoria whispered.
“Very okay.” Miller’s voice was rough. “Can we do that again?”
Astoria laughed, a real laugh with a warmth that surprised her, and pulled Miller back in toward her.
The second kiss built faster. Miller’s hands slid from Astoria’s hips to her back, pulling her closer, and Astoria let herself be pulled.
She could feel the heat of Miller’s body through their clothes and could feel her own pulse pounding in her throat, her wrists, between her legs.
The want that had been simmering rose, threatening to boil over.
She walked Miller backward, slow steps, until Miller’s legs hit the edge of the bed. They stopped, their foreheads touching and breath mingling.
“Still okay?” Astoria asked.
“Stop asking me that.” Miller’s hands were tangled in her hair now. “I’ll tell you if I’m not.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Astoria kissed her again, and this time, she didn’t hold back. Her hands tangled in Miller’s hair, tugging gently on the strands at the base of her neck. Her hand dropped to Miller’s waist and played with the dress’s tie.
Miller’s hands traced down Astoria’s side, and her fingers twisted around the hem of Astoria’s silk blouse. She lifted it slightly, as if she was unsure she was allowed to take it off.
Through the kiss, Astoria nodded and made a sound she hoped communicated her willingness.
Miller picked up on it and lifted the shirt slowly, gingerly, and Astoria pulled back to help her.
She let her shirt fall to the floor next to them, and the sudden coolness of the room prickled her skin.
Miller reached down and fumbled as she undid Astoria’s fabric belt.
She looked up and smiled, almost shyly, and something inside Astoria loosened.
She bunched Miller’s dress in her hands and lifted it over her head, letting it join her blouse on the floor.
Astoria’s eyes roved over Miller’s body.
Her skin was creamy smooth with no blemishes, and she was wearing a matching black lace bra and panty set that made heat pool in Astoria’s core.
She slid her own pants down over her hips and stepped out of them before she lightly pressed Miller down to the bed with her.
Miller lay on her back, and Astoria leaned in, her lips brushing Miller’s in a slow, lingering kiss. Their mouths moved together, touching lightly at first and exploring each other. Miller rested her hand on Astoria’s shoulders.
Astoria’s mouth trailed to Miller’s jawline, planting soft, sweet kisses along the curve. She let her teeth graze the sensitive skin just below Miller’s ear and nipped gently. Miller gasped, her fingers tightening on Astoria’s arm.
Astoria roamed slowly, starting at Miller’s waist. She traced the edge of Miller’s panties with her fingertips, then slid her palms up and over the soft fabric of her bra, cupping her breasts.
Miller arched slightly, her nipples hardening under the touch.
Astoria squeezed gently, her thumbs circling the peaks through the lacy material, drawing out a soft moan from Miller.
“You like that?” Astoria asked, her voice low, as she locked onto Miller’s.
“Yes,” Miller breathed, her voice barely audible.
Miller reached her, her hand hesitantly cupping Astoria’s breast through her bra before she squeezed like Astoria had.
Astoria hummed in approval and pressed her thigh between Miller’s legs.
The friction of their panties rubbing together made Astoria’s core ache, a damp warmth building between her thighs.