goddamn wet dream. She was relieved that her birthday surprise had ended before she was confronted with cream-tipped nipples. Most people would probably take that opportunity and run with it, but she would have blown it. She did blow it.
“That doesn’t make you uncomfortable?” she asked, shifting the focus away from her own responses. “Letting some stranger just…put her mouth on you?”
“It’s not like a regular part of my act or anything.” Laurel shifted away. It was only a few inches, but Dana felt the loss. “I just figured—a female client. I don’t know, I thought it might be pretty hot.”
She was clearly uncomfortable, and Dana wished she’d been more tactful. Trying to make her feel better, she said, “I love whipped cream. And I suspect that it’s even better when served on perfect breasts.”
Having placed her supposed heterosexuality in doubt, she expected a mocking reply, but Laurel gave her a shy smile that made the admission worthwhile.
“Thanks, Dana.” She thrust her hand back into the depths of her bag and pulled out an object that made Dana moan in anticipation.
Waving the Hershey’s chocolate bar in front of Dana’s face, she asked, “Hungry?”
When Dana reached out as if to grab the chocolate bar, Laurel snapped it away.
“You never said dessert would be conditional.” Dana sighed.
“I’m sure you’ll earn it. I’m easy to please.”
“Oh, really?” Dana drawled. Damn, flirting was fun. “Easy to please? I guess I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You do that.”
“Anything else? What other wonders do you have in there?”
Breaking into a wide grin, Laurel withdrew two books. The one she handed to Dana was slightly battered and obviously well loved.
Dana was immediately riveted to the cover image of two beautiful women engaged in a sensual kiss. The title of the book was Stories for the Long Night: A Collection of Lesbian Erotica. Instantly turned on, she was unable to form a sentence. She reached for the other book.
“ Emergency Procedures for the Small Animal Veterinarian ,” she read aloud. “A little light reading?”
“It’s for one of the classes I took. It’s actually a really good text.”
Laurel followed the books with a stethoscope, which she caressed with mock-seductive coyness. “How about this for excitement?”
“I guess we’re covered if we want to play doctor later,” Dana said, holding her gaze.
Laurel released a shaky breath. “Don’t tease the lesbian. It’s been…forever since I played a good game of doctor.”
The desire in Laurel’s voice was obvious. Did I really do that?
Dana grinned, growing warm inside. “Don’t get too excited,” she said, giving Laurel a sidelong glance, “We have to finish this game first, at least.”
Laurel set the stethoscope on the growing pile of stuff and hauled out a nylon bag. “Blanket in a bag. Essential for the student preferring to lunch by the river between classes.”
“You can fit an actual blanket in that thing?”
“Yes. A warm gray fleece one. Maybe if you’re really nice, I’ll let you share it later. If you decide you need to nap or something.” She peered into her bag. “That’s about it. There’s just my wallet.”
Dana settled back against the wall, glancing at her wristwatch.
“We’re probably going to be stuck in here for at least another seven hours, so I’m thinking we could kill five or ten minutes with your wallet.”
“I don’t suppose you have a wallet so you can reciprocate with this little show and tell?”
Dana shook her head. “I’m afraid it’s in my office.” She delved into her pockets and pulled out the contents, reporting, “I’ve got half a roll of Life Savers, two quarters, the receipt from the muffin I bought on the way to work this morning, and some pocket lint.”
“So I’m on my own here, with the whole ‘share your life with a virtual stranger’ thing?” Laurel didn’t sound upset.
Dana flicked some lint in her