Chapter Text
“How does this look?” Laura asked, walking out of the bathroom. She was wearing an off-white backless bodycon dress with a high neckline. The colour made Laura look even more tan than she was, and her eyes looked impossibly green. Bradley could feel her stomach dropping and her mouth-watering while looking at the older woman. She looked great.
“You look incredible,” Bradley said, looking straight into Laura’s eyes. “I don’t think I’ve seen you in a dress before.”
“Don’t get used to it. It only happens once in a blue moon.” Laura generally did not like wearing dresses. She felt a lot more comfortable with pants and suits.
“Well, I’m glad I get to see it, then.” Bradley’s eyes darkened a few shades.
“Keep it in your pants, Brad Brad,” Laura teased.
“I’m not wearing any,” Bradley said, pointing to her bare legs. She was also wearing a dress, but hers was cerulean blue, the same colour as her eyes. It was driving Laura insane.
“You look uh…you look...” Laura choked on her words. What the hell was wrong with her? She was never this awkward. She had game.
“Spit it out, Peterson,” Bradley said, amused by Laura’s awkwardness.
“You look fucking hot, ok?” Laura finally said. There was no beating around the bushes. Bradley looked incredible in her impossibly tight blue dress.
“That’s more like it,” Bradley said. “If we didn’t have to meet these guys for dinner, I would push you against the wall and have my way with you.”
Laura raised one single eyebrow and looked at Bradley with a side smirk.
“Consensually, of course,” Bradley added with a wink.
“You are gonna be the end of me,” Laura said, laughing.
“Laura…” Bradley started.
“Yes?”
“I know we’ve been fucking around a lot lately, but I want you to know that...” Bradley hesitated. She knew what she wanted to say but didn’t know if Laura was open to hearing it.
“What?”
“Well..this is not a g—” Bradley was saying but was interrupted by a loud knock on their door.
“I think they’re looking for us,” Laura said. “We shouldn’t keep them waiting.”
“Yeah, right. You’re right.” Bradley wished they didn’t have to go to dinner with everyone else and could just be alone. There was a clear connection between them, and Bradley wanted to explore it without distractions.
Laura, on her part, was petrified. She was feeling things for Bradley she hadn’t felt in…probably ever. She couldn’t have a crush on Bradley. Also, having a crush sounded so juvenile and stupid. She was a grown woman, not a teenager. They heard a loud knock again.
“Wow, they are in a rush, aren’t they?” Bradley asked, cursing whoever was behind that door. She was finally having a somewhat open conversation with Laura.
“I’m sorry to be so insistent,” Spencer said when Bradley opened the door. “Claudia and Enrique are rushing us, and you two are the only ones missing.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Bradley said reassuringly. As annoying as Spencer was, it wasn’t her fault. Everything at the retreat was timed and scheduled. Their hosts probably had some sort of activity planned for them to do during dinner. “Are you ready, baby?” Bradley asked Laura, who was putting her shoes on.
“Yeah, let’s go.” Laura looked at Bradley and grabbed her hand. This time she didn’t do it because she had to but simply because she wanted to.
“By the way, Enrique told me that no filming crew is allowed tonight. They thought you might need a break from that.” Spencer smiled and winked at them. This was the best news they’ve heard in a long time.
—
Dinner went by painfully slow. Maybe it was the insane amounts of tequila they had consumed, or perhaps it was something else, but Laura couldn’t wait to be alone with Bradley. The blonde had been flirting with her the entire evening, and Laura couldn’t take it anymore. She needed to do something with all the attraction and tension between them.
Bradley was also growing impatient. Laura’s hand had rested on her thigh for most of the evening, and she needed more. She had never felt so turned on in her life. From their make-out sessions in the pool, she could tell they were going to be very compatible in bed.
“Well, this has certainly been a lovely evening,” Claudia said, slurring her words a little. Their hosts had also had copious amounts of tequila. “But I think it’s time for Enrique and me to go to bed. You are all obviously welcome to stay here or anywhere else if you’d like. Just remember to meet us by the lobby tomorrow at 9 am.”
After Claudia and Enrique left, Jason and Michael ordered another bottle of tequila and invited everyone else to join them. Bradley was going to accept the invitation since every other couple did, and she didn’t want to be rude, but Laura had other plans.
“I’m sorry, guys. We’ll for sure join you some other time,” Laura said. “But we’re super tired tonight. We’ll be going to bed as well.”
“That’s okay, we understand.” Spencer winked an eye at them.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Bradley asked, amused.
“You two clearly can’t keep your hands off of each other. It’s hot yet kinda cute,” Jason replied. “You’ll be going to bed, but I doubt any sleep will be taking place. At least not for a few hours.”
“Good night Jason,” Laura said, rolling her eyes at the man. In the two days they’ve spent with them, she had not gotten used to his smart-ass remarks yet, but she did find him amusing. She grabbed Bradley’s hand and led them to their room.
—
The road to their room was filled with anticipation, for lack of a better word. Both knew exactly what was going to happen when they crossed their bedroom door. Laura had stopped them before, claiming she didn’t want to overcomplicate things, but they knew they wouldn’t be able to keep their hands off of each other for even two more hours. Their chemistry was too strong.
They had barely closed the door behind them when Laura pushed Bradley against the nearest wall and kissed her hard. “Let’s finish what we started earlier, Brad Brad.”
“Are you sure?” Bradley asked in between kisses. She wanted this. She wanted it more than anything, but she didn’t want Laura to regret it.
“Yes.” Laura’s hands left Bradley’s waist and squeezed the younger woman’s ass. “I am sure.”
“How drunk are you? Because if you’re too drunk, I don’t think we should be...” Bradley was suddenly interrupted by Laura grabbing her face.
“I’m sober enough to know I want this, and I won’t regret it in the morning.” Laura gently placed a kiss on Bradley’s cheek. It was a very tender gesture, loving even.
“Okay, then. That’s good. It’s just that alcohol can make people do stupid things. Like, once I went to this cheap dive bar in Indiana while I was visiting a friend and–”
“Stop talking. You’re talking too much.” Laura wrapped her arms around Bradley’s waist, feeling scared over how much she wanted this. She then placed her hands over the blonde’s breasts, which earned her a moan from the younger woman. “Tonight, just allow yourself to feel.”
Bradley decided she would not overthink anymore. At least not for the rest of the night. She’d been wanting this for a long time. She wrapped her arms around Laura’s neck and pulled her closer, kissing her with everything she had. Unlike their other kisses, their tongues were not battling for dominance anymore, but they found a rhythm that pleased both of them.
Laura placed her hand on Bradley’s back, reaching for the zipper of her blue dress. She undid it slowly, savouring every moment. She was surprised to see that the blonde wasn’t wearing any underwear. “Could you be any hotter?” Laura laughed huskily and pushed Bradley onto the bed. She had never been so turned on in her life.
“This dress is way too tight for underwear,” Bradley replied, wrapping her arms and legs around Laura. “It’s time for this beautiful dress to go. It’s sexy, but I know you look even better naked.”
Laura smiled and bit Bradley’s ear, sucking her earlobe. The blonde moaned loudly and raised her hips to meet Laura’s. She pushed Laura’s dress until the brunette finally slipped it over her head. She was wearing nothing but a tiny nude coloured lace and silk g-string. “You’re so fucking sexy, Laura Peterson.” Bradley dug her nails into Laura’s waist, and the older woman moaned.
“Take this off,” Bradley said, tugging Laura’s g-string. Laura smiled and did as Bradley asked. She placed herself on top of Bradley so that their sexes were perfectly aligned. Their height difference made it a challenge, but Laura was a pro. Once she found the perfect spot, the brunette rocked her hips against Bradley, creating much-needed friction.
“Oh my god,” Bradley said breathlessly. She began rocking her hips too, and soon she was squirming in pleasure.
Encouraged by how Bradley’s body responded to her touch, Laura rocked her hips hard into Bradley. She then placed her hand between them, running her finger through Bradley’s folds. “You’re so fucking wet.”
“I’ve been constantly wet since we first kissed,” Bradley replied. “You have no idea what you do to me, Laura.”
“Oh, I think I have a very clear idea.” Laura slipped one single finger inside Bradley, smiling at how tight Bradley already was. “You’re so turned on. It’s so fucking hot.” Laura moved her finger slowly, massaging the blonde’s inner walls. Bradley’s moans and movements were driving her crazy with desire. She felt like she was going to self-combust.
“Please, Laura, I need more,” Bradley said between moans.
“What do you want?” Laura moved her finger even more slowly than before. She was enjoying torturing Bradley.
“More.”
“Be.Specific.” Laura commanded.
“One…oh my my god!” Bradley was panting. “One more finger and…fuck!”
“And what else?” Laura replied, slipping a second finger into Bradley. The younger woman raised her hips, rocking them to meet Laura’s thrusting, trying to speed it up. “I asked you a question, Bradley.”
“Oh god, no, don’t stop, please!” Bradley cried out.
“Then answer my question.”
“I need you to go faster. Please fuck me faster.”
“Good girl,” Laura replied, and per Bradley’s command, she began thrusting faster into her. Bradley’s moans got louder and her walls clenched around Laura’s finger. She decided to give the blonde even a bit more, so she rubbed her clit with her thumb
“Oh God, yes, yes, Laura! Don’t stop!” Bradley dug her nails into Laura’s back, scratching so hard she knew she would leave a mark. But she didn’t care, and Laura didn’t seem to care either. Within a few seconds, Bradley’s entire body began shaking uncontrollably, and she came so hard that a few tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Are you crying?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, but it’s only physical.” Bradley knew that she was lying, but she also knew that Laura wasn’t ready to hear that she felt incredibly emotional. This was no longer a game for her, and the fact that it might not be mutual terrified her. “I think you broke me.”
“Well, you’re welcome,” Laura replied cockily.
“Oh, trust me, I am very grateful…and I am about to show you just how grateful I am.” Bradley winked at Laura and flipped them so that she was now on top.
“Is Bradley Jackson trying to top me? That’s adorable.” Laura laughed but stopped once she felt Bradley kissing down her body and stopping at her thighs.
“Do you have any complaints?” Bradley asked, and before Laura could give her one of her characteristic smart-ass, witty replies, the blonde ran her tongue along Laura’s drenched folds.
“Fuck!”
“Didn’t think so.” Bradley raised her face to look at Laura, who suddenly seemed frustrated.
“Shut up and finish what you started, Brad Brad.”
“Gladly.” Bradley proceeded to please Laura with her tongue, making her come faster and harder than she ever had.
—
They pleased each other over and over through the night. After many orgasms, too tired to continue, they cuddled up together, talking about random things and giggling like stupid teenagers. It was very intimate, yet it didn’t freak Laura out. Something between them had shifted, and she couldn’t explain it.
“I like you when you’re like this,” Bradley said, resting her head on Laura’s chest.
“Like this how?” Laura had her arm around Bradley and was caressing the blonde’s hair.
“Sweet. Nice. Open. Honest.” Bradley felt like she was going to cry again. As beautiful as this moment was, she knew it was all going to end once they returned to New York. They had two more days before bursting their nice, pink, perfect bubble, and it didn’t seem like enough time. How could it ever be enough?
“Yeah, I’m not very nice to you, am I?” Laura blushed at this admission. She had been horrible to Bradley out of loyalty to Alex. She would always remain loyal to her best friend, but Bradley did not deserve the shitty treatment. She was not anything like Fred.
“No, not at all,” Bradley said, “But, in your defence, I’ve been pretty horrible to you too.”
“I really am sorry for everything.” Laura sighs. Pretending to hate Bradley was too exhausting.
“What are we going to do when we return to New York?” Bradley asked, raising her head to look at Laura.
“What do you mean?”
“With this.” Bradley pointed between the two of them, knowing Laura was pretending to not know what she was talking about.
“I think it’s better if we don’t think about that yet,” Laura replied, looking at Bradley. “Besides, didn’t you say that whatever happens in Mexico stays in Mexico?”
“Is that what you want?” Bradley asked, hiding the fact that her heart was breaking into a million pieces.
No, Laura thought. I think I want to be with you . “Yes.”
“Okay, then. In that case, we better make the most out of our time here,” Bradley replied, climbing on top of Laura again, kissing her deeply and rubbing her clit with her fingers. If this was only going to last two more days, then she was going to take advantage of every second.
—
The next two days went by way faster than they expected. It’s as if they blinked, and it was time for them to return to New York. Maybe it was because they no longer wanted to go. Bradley lived up to her promise to make the most out of the time they had left. She would rail Laura any chance she got, and Laura wasn’t complaining at all. As a matter of fact, she was just as eager. They would jump each other any time they even had a few minutes alone. It was incredible. Their last night together was bittersweet. They spent hours clinging to each other, savouring every second they had left away from home.
Why can’t we continue to do this in New York? Bradley thought all the time, but she wasn’t brave enough to ask Laura. Not yet. Maybe, when they returned to New York, they could have an open conversation about their feelings. The flight back to New York felt excruciatingly slow. Laura was already pulling away, and Bradley could feel it. Bradley had never been the relationship kind. After a series of failed, short-lived relationships, she had decided that it was better for her to focus on her career, have fun and only date casually until she met someone extraordinary…well, Laura Peterson was pretty fucking extraordinary.
When they arrived, a UBA driver was waiting for them. Since they lived close by, the company was making them share a ride. Bradley felt somewhat hopeful. She thought that being alone, without the filming crew, might make Laura more open around her, but the brunette was acting very cold. She would barely look at her. Bradley feared that Laura might regret everything that had happened between them.
On her part, Laura wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around Bradley and kiss her again. She wasn’t acting cold out of regret or anything like that. She was simply protecting herself. These past few days had shown her that she could easily fall madly in love with Bradley, and she couldn’t let that happen. She needed to talk to Maggie and Alex.
“Ms. Peterson, we’re here,” the driver said, pulling Laura out of her thoughts. She looked at Bradley and smiled. She wanted to invite her in but knew it wasn’t a good idea.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you on Monday,” Bradley said, looking at Laura with her best fake smile.
“Yeah. I had a great time with you these past few days, Bradley.”
“So did I,” Bradley said, and the two women stared at each other for a few seconds that felt like hours.
“Bradley?” Laura leaned in, and Bradley thought she was going to kiss her, so she leaned in as well.
“Yes?” Bradley asked, almost pleading.
“You’re sitting on my coat.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Bradley said, feeling embarrassed. She moved so that she wasn’t sitting on the coat anymore, and Laura finally got out of the car.
“See you later, Brad Brad.”
—
As soon as the car left, Laura grabbed her phone and called Maggie.
“Hey, I was just about to call you,” Maggie said as soon as she picked up. “How was Mexico?”
“It was…interesting.” Laura smiled to herself, remembering her time in Tulum. Interesting was an understatement. She closed the door behind her, removed her shoes, and sat on her couch. She was exhausted.
“Were you able to find out more stuff about Bradley? I heard she had a pretty rough upbringing.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“Have you forgotten who you are talking to?” Maggie huffed.
“Listen, I…I can’t do this. It doesn’t feel right. Bradley…she isn’t as bad as we thought. I don't think she had any idea of what was going on when she was hired,” Laura said, almost pleading.
“Oh, I know she had no idea. She isn’t powerful enough.”
“But I thought you said...”
“I know, but that theory was debunked.”
“So, are you leaving her out of your article?”
“My article is now turning into a book. And now, of course, I’m not leaving her out. That girl is coming down too.”
“But why? Why not just focus on destroying Fred?”
“Because she is collateral damage. There’s nothing I can do about it.” Maggie was growing impatient.
“I see,” Laura said. She knew Maggie, and she wasn’t going to back down. “Is there anything I can do to get you to leave her out of this?”
“What is going on? Why are you so insistent with this? Don’t tell me you’ve gotten attached to your fake girlfriend.”
“What? No!” Laura said, pretending to be offended. “I just don’t think it’s fair to destroy her reputation when this wasn’t her fault.”
“Okay, because even if she didn’t have anything to do with this, she still took your best friend’s job. Alex despises her,” Maggie said.
“I know, I know,” Laura said. “I hate her too.” Laura cringed at those words. She didn’t hate Bradley, not even close. “But, as I said, I don’t think it’s fair to drag her through the mud simply because Fred happens to be her uncle.
“Okay, how about this,” Maggie said, knowing Laura wouldn’t let the subject go. “I promise to leave her out of it if you get her to collaborate with my investigation.”
“Okay. I’ll ask her, but what if she doesn’t want to?” Laura asked. “She knows her uncle is trash, but she might not want to ruin him.”
“Well, let’s hope she wants to. I promise to be fair with her either way. I'll give you my word.”
“Thank you, Maggie.” Laura smiled, and a couple of tears ran down her cheek.
“But Laura, whatever is going on between you two has to stop.”
“Nothing is going on between us,” Laura lied.
“I mean it. You know how Alex is. She would take it as a betrayal if you two were involved.”
“I know. Don’t worry about it. Nothing is going on between Bradley Jackson and me.”
Her conversation with Maggie made her feel somewhat at ease but also incredibly sad. She felt at ease because at least she had convinced her friend to be fair when writing about Bradley. She knew Maggie was a great journalist and was more than capable of being objective. However, when it came to Alex, it was hard for her to remain focused. And this book was basically Alex’s vendetta through Maggie. It was going to be ugly and messy, but at least Bradley’s reputation wouldn’t be ruined by it. Maggie had assured her of that. But she was sad because it was clear that she could never be with Bradley for real. Not if she wanted to remain friends with Alex and Maggie.
How hard can it be to get over Bradley Jackson? It can’t be that hard. Laura thought as she poured herself a glass of her best scotch.