Lauren reached for Jennifer across the bed, but felt air. Oh yeah… Dream.

Disappointed, Lauren sat up in her bed and turned off her alarm clock. 6am. Such a time should not even exist. She jumped in the shower and sorted her stuff out. She really was looking forward to this.

Jennifer’s alarm clock went off at 5:30am on the dot. She rolled over in her bed and hit the snooze button, throwing the duvet off herself. Jennifer sat up and yawned. She hated mornings.

She got herself ready and packed up all of her stuff. Just as anticipated, Kristian knocked on the door dead on 7am, beaming from ear to ear.

“IT’S STARTING, JEN. IT’S STARTING. IT’S TODAY.” Jennifer smiled and shook her head. He was always this excited at the start of tours.

“Have you got everything ready? Where is everything? I’ll help you get your stuff into the bus and show you your room. The bus is huge, seriously. IT HAS TWO FLOORS.” He barely paused in between sentences.

It amazed Jennifer just how happy and upbeat he could be at 7 in the morning, and just how excited he was at the prospect of a double decker bus.

Sure enough, Kristian showed her the inside. Jennifer was actually impressed at the size of it. Then again, it did have to be fairly big if it was housing all three of them.

Jennifer’s stomach flipped at the fact she was going to be spending so much time with Lauren.

She got herself unpacked in her room and sat at the small kitchenette with Kristian as they were driven to Lauren’s house. For the first time in two days, Jennifer actually felt at ease. She sat back in her chair with her cup of tea and a smile as they were driven to Lauren’s front door.

There was frantic knocking at the door, causing Lauren to jump up from her sofa and run to the door faster than she had ever ran for anything in her life. She unlocked the door and opened it, immediately almost bowled over by Jennifer leaping onto her for the most excitable hug Lauren had had in a long time.

“IT’S TODAYY!!” Jennifer jumped up and down making Lauren follow suit. Jennifer made space between them and kissed Lauren. Lauren kissed back.

“I’ve missed you so much!” Jennifer told her. They hugged again, closely, as Kristian walked up behind them. Lauren saw and hastily pulled away from the hug. Jennifer looked at her confused, until;

“Morning Kristian!” Lauren beamed.

Jennifer spun around and did her best ‘I’m not guilty’ look.

Kristian glanced over them both, he got the feeling he’d intruded on something. Like when a group of people are chatting away until you walk up to them, and suddenly they just stop, and you realise they were talking about you. He pushed the feeling away and grinned back.

“Good morning! Are you ready?”

“Why of course, all my stuff is in the living room. I’ll bring it out.” Lauren went to walk back inside.

“No, no, it’s fine, I’ll get it. Jennifer, you could show Lauren her space?” Kristian thought it was a good idea to let the girls chat a bit after he interrupted something seemingly important.

Jennifer’s eyes lit up.

“Yes! Yes, I’ll do that.” She pulled Lauren by her wrist towards the bus.

They got inside and Jennifer showed Lauren to the last remaining room.

“Kristian thought it would be better for you if you had the one farthest away from us, you know, for a little privacy…” Jennifer shot her an apologetic look over her shoulder as they walked through the bus, hands linked.

Jennifer pushed open the door and walked inside. It was small, but what did Lauren expect? She followed her in.

“Awh, it’s so cute! I really like-“

Jennifer cut her off with a gentle kiss. Lauren wrapped her arms around Jennifer’s waist and pulled her close, kissing back. She pulled away to finish her sentence.

“…you.” The girls smiled at each other and Jennifer stroked Lauren’s hair.

They heard a bump down the corridor and jumped away from each other.

“…and this is your room. You’ve got some cupboards above the bed, and some drawers underneath…” she pretended to have been telling Lauren about the room as Kristian pushed through the door with a suitcase and two bags over his shoulder.

“Here you go, there’s another suitcase outside the bus, and I’ll just go fetch it for you.” He announced with a smile.

“Thank you!” Lauren called after him.

“He’s a sweetheart, ain’t he?” she said to Jennifer. It was a rhetorical question, but Jennifer replied with an agreeable nod.

5 hours later, they hit the truck stop for some lunch. All 4 buses pulled alongside one another. Everyone who was at the pre-tour dinner was there, with the exception of Lauren’s parents, of course. Lauren and Jennifer sat by each other, with Kristian and some of the crew.

“If we keep travelling at this rate, we should be at the first venue by midday tomorrow.” John, one of the drivers said, through chews.

“Oh gosh, I can’t wait! Can you, Jennifer?” she put her hand at the top of her back and pulled it down gently. A shiver ran down Jennifer’s back at Lauren’s light touch.

Lauren just watched her with a friendly smile and a glint in her eye as she put her hand back in her lap.

“Nope!” Jennifer tried to sound breezy through clenched teeth. “I definitely cannot wait.”

Two can play this game, she thought to herself as she gave Lauren a harsh nudge with her foot under the table.

“Ouch!” Lauren exclaimed, as she jumped from the kick and scraped her hand on the side of the wooden table.

“Oh honey, are you okay?!” Jennifer faked her worry, covering up a smirk.

“Just knocked my hand, it’s nothin’…” Lauren rubbed at it.

“Let me see.” Jennifer took Lauren’s hand and lightly stroked her palm with her fingertips.

Uh oh, Lauren knew she was in trouble for starting something she knew she wouldn’t be able to finish. Not right now, anyway…

Jennifer drew Lauren’s hand to her lips and kissed the graze, making sure her breath hit the back of Lauren’s hand. Lauren’s breath hitched.   Jennifer dropped Lauren’s hand almost as fast as she’d picked it up.

“There. Kissed it better.” And with that, Jennifer turned her attention back onto the rest of the table and sparked up an enthusiastic conversation about their last tour.

“Okay guys, I’m gonna go back inside and read a book or something for a while. See you in a bit!” Lauren stood up stretched her legs out.

“Oh, Jen. Your hair’s gone funny at the back. Hold on.” She combed her hand through Jennifer’s hair and stroked the back of her neck. Jennifer felt her face flush.

“See you later!” Lauren jumped back onto the bus and made her way to her room.

Jennifer was quiet for a few minutes as she went through Lauren’s behaviour over and over again in her mind.

“You okay, Jen?” John piped up again.

“Huh?” Jennifer snapped out of her train of thought.

“You look a little lost?”

“Oh, I’m fine, just thinkin’.” She glanced up at the rest of the crew and smiled.

“You know what? I’m a little exhausted from the early mornin’, I think I’ll have a nap or somethin’. Y’all know where I am if you need me!” She left the group to their lunches.

She found Lauren in her room. She was lying on her bed with a magazine with some earphones in, her blonde hair falling away from her face, her lips moving as she mouthed along with her music.

Lauren was so into her magazine that she didn’t notice Jennifer walk in. Jennifer stood in the doorway and leant against the frame, watching the younger girl. A smile played across her lips as she watched Lauren flip through the pages of the gossip magazine.

She’s so beautiful… Jennifer watched her for a few more seconds, until Lauren noticed her arrival. She pulled hear earphones out and let the book drop to the floor, sitting up as she did so. She rested against the bars on the headrest.

Jennifer crossed the room in three steps and sat down next to Lauren on the bed. She brushed her fingers against Lauren’s and they intertwined instinctively.

Lauren shuffled over on the bed so she was against the wall, and Jennifer lay down next to her in a spooning position. Lauren’s hand lay lazily over Jennifer’s side, their hands still clasped together. She buried her face in the back of Jennifer’s neck and closed her eyes, a feeling of warmth and safety running through her. Jennifer always smelled nice and Lauren breathed in the flowery scent. They lay there for a while, they didn’t tease one another, they didn’t kiss, they didn’t even speak. They just were. In the simplest sense of the word.

 The pair soon fell asleep together, and it was even better than the first time.

The two woke up some hours later. The bus was moving and outside Lauren’s room was nothing but silence. Lauren kissed Jennifer’s temple.

“What time is it?” Jennifer shifted her weight over to her back, turning her head in Lauren’s direction.

“About 6:30 in the evenin’. We slept for a long time.” Lauren placed some more soft kisses onto the older woman’s cheek.

“Mmmmm.” Jennifer stretched herself out on the sheets. “I love fallin’ asleep with you. It’s always so much better than sleepin’ alone.” She turned to face the girl by her side.

“Me too.” They kissed, softly, and Jennifer got out of bed.

“Where are you going?” Lauren sat up.

“Everyone’s going to wonder where we are, I’d better make an appearance. If you want to stay here, I can just tell everyone I went to check on you and you were sleepin’?”
“That’d be nice…” Lauren settled herself back down onto her duvet and blinked, her eyes still heavy from the nap.
“I’ll be out in a minute, it’d look odd if we went out together.”
“Okay, sugar.” Jennifer kissed Lauren’s forehead.

“I’ll see you in a while.” Jennifer left the room and found Kristian in the little living room area, watching a movie.

“Hey!” Jennifer slouched next to him.

“Where have you been?” He questioned. He didn’t seem very happy.

“I… was in my room, sleepin’. I just went to check on Lauren, she’s asleep too. I think we should leave her for the night, she must be exhausted.” Jennifer lied through her teeth, hoping Kristian would believe her.

“You know best!” he said, and continued to watch the small box flicker away in front of him.

“Uhm, sure. Well, I’m gonna go back to my room and chill out for a bit.” She got up and left for her room.

He’s acting really strange, I hope he’s okay. He doesn’t usually get grumpy… It must be down to the lack of sleep he’s been having. It’s been getting to all of us, I guess. She shrugged it off and sent a text to Lauren, warning her of his mood.

She put a movie into the DVD player and lay down on her bed, soon drifting back to sleep.

Three hours later, she awoke to her bedroom door being pushed open, a figure creeping over to her bed. The DVD was replaying the opening title music over and over again, and the figure switched it off.

“Hi… Lauren…” Jennifer closed her eyes again as she murmured the words.

“Shhh, sweetie. Go back to sleep.” Lauren crawled over the end of the bed and curled under the duvet next to her lover. Jennifer snaked an arm around her waist and the pair dozed off again.

Lauren felt so safe wrapped in the duvet with Jennifer that all of her worries ebbed away.

It was one of the better night’s sleeps she’d had in ages. She wouldn’t trade the world for right now.

The pair spent the next 4 days exchanging glances and touches whenever they could. Jennifer felt awful for going behind Kristian’s back, but he wouldn’t understand. Lauren was like a drug to her. All other women she’d been with didn’t even matter anymore. All she saw was Lauren.

They spent a large amount of time running off into unused rooms to make out and cuddle like they wanted to.

Lauren had never felt a connection with someone like this, this quickly before. The more she thought about it, the more she put it down to only ever dating boys. But it had never felt right, not like this. Her mother would probably refuse to believe that her little girl didn’t want to date boys, but it was something she’d have to come to terms with over time. She didn’t even want to think about what her father would say, but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was her and Jennifer.

She thought it was silly to think that Jennifer actually wanted someone as young and inexperienced as her, but then, Jennifer probably thought the same. Why would someone as young as Lauren want someone so much older? Jennifer was terrified that Lauren would wake up and realise she wasn’t what she wanted anymore. Not that she’d ever jinx it by talking about it, that would be crazy.

Nope, she’d prefer to just play it out and hope for the best. The best being Lauren.

As per their agreement, they held back, trying their best not to push it.

Lauren understood Jennifer’s point, she was just 17. This ironically enough was her point too. 17 year olds do not like to wait, especially someone as headstrong and driven as Lauren.

Which is what she was. Being driven insane by Jennifer fucking Nettles. Not that she didn’t give just as good as she got.

 

 

1 week.

Jennifer had taken it upon herself to help Lauren do her sound check. She stood as close to her as she could, her palm on the small of Lauren’s back as they went over the performance checklist.

“Okay, if you guys could stand at the back and check the sound from over there, and if you guys could go either side of the standing area?”

“Okay, could you play the music for ‘Georgia Peaches’, please?” 

The music started playing and Jennifer walked around the large expanse of empty room, checking it was okay in each area and occasionally stopping to converse with one of the sound guys about how it sounded, never taking her eyes off of Lauren performing. Reaching the back of the room, she listened for a second and walked to the sound guy, who fiddled with some buttons. Jennifer resumed her place at the back of the room where she watched Lauren intently. She bit her lip, and walked down the middle of the room, jumping up on the stage. Lauren stopped singing as Jennifer moved closer to her.

“Meet me in the bathroom. Wait until I’ve gone, and say you need the bathroom.” Jennifer hissed in her ear. She moved away and patted Lauren on the arm to give the impression that she was giving her some pointers. Turning to face the crew, she told whoever was listening at the time that she had to go back to the bus for some papers.

Lauren bent down and leafed through her lyrics, trying to buy some time before she left.

She really is going to be the death of me. I don’t even mind. Bring it on.
She stood up and announced that she needed the bathroom. Nobody questioned her, so she jumped off of the stage and walked casually towards the exit.

As soon as she opened the door, Jennifer pushed her against the wall by her hips, and a hot kiss hit her with full force. A hand ran up the back of her leg and stopped on her bum.

“You’re not wearin’ underwear.” Jesus Christ, Jennifer’s stomach lurched and she pulled Lauren in for another fiery kiss. Their tongues played against each other, battling for control as the two fought for breath. Lauren allowed Jennifer’s hands to wander wherever they wanted to. She didn’t care, as long as she had this contact.

Jennifer’s hands smoothed up Lauren’s waist and cupped one of her breasts, running her hand across the nipple. Lauren stifled a moan and bit down on Jennifer’s neck. Jennifer stood back, not taking her hands off Lauren.

“Not here, we need to…” she couldn’t get her words out properly.

“Yeah.” Lauren finished, understanding what Jennifer was about to say.

“We really need to get the… erm…”

“Sound check?” Jennifer let go of Lauren completely.

“Yeah.” Lauren smoothed out her hair and then did Jennifer’s.

“If you go back out first, it’s going to look better. I’ll come back in a few minutes.” She kissed Lauren’s forehead and ushered her out the door.

The rest of the sound check went well. Jennifer and Lauren managed to keep themselves relatively under control as Lauren practised her performance. The two shared brief moments throughout the day, stealing kisses when everyone’s backs were turned, hugging as often as they thought they could get away with. By the end of the day, the two were sufficiently wound up enough to find themselves making out dangerously in the bus whenever anyone left the room.

As Lauren settled down alone in her small bed in her room, she lay awake with a thousand questions running through her mind. She had no idea what all of this meant to Jennifer, but to her, it meant the world. She didn’t know what she was doing, all she knew was that she didn’t want it to stop.

6 days.

Jennifer woke up at 10:30am, but fell back into a light, dozy stage of half dreaming. At around 11am, the bus juddered to a halt, waking her up completely.

Why have we stopped moving?

She got out of bed to investigate, heading straight to the driver’s area. She looked out of the window and saw James standing with one of the crew from another bus. They looked puzzled. She opened the window and shouted out of the window, asking what had happened.

“The bus broke down, Jen. Someone’s coming out to have a look at it, but it doesn’t look good. The engine might be unsafe or something. We may have to find somewhere else to stay tonight. I’ll let you know what happens. I’d wake Krist and Lauren up, if they’re still asleep. Get them to pack an overnight bag or something.” James sighed and scratched his head as he sat down on the step of the bus.

“Shit!” Jennifer exclaimed. She traipsed to Lauren’s room and walked straight in without knocking. She was still fast asleep.

“Lauren, honey!” Jennifer rubbed the young girl’s arm in an attempt to wake her. She stirred, grumbling awake.

“Mmwhat?” Lauren rubbed her eyes open.

“We need to find somewhere to stay tonight, the bus has broken down and it could be serious. I’ve been told to ask you to pack an overnight bag.”

Lauren opened her eyes wide at this.

“So we’ll be like, staying in a hotel?!” she said.

“I guess so, yeah.” Jennifer shrugged.

Lauren’s eyes opened wider.

“Jen, you know what this means?” Lauren looked far too excited.

Realisation hit Jennifer and she grinned.

“We’re going to have to share a room. You know. To save on costs. Yeah.”

Lauren nodded and threw herself at Jennifer with a shriek. Jennifer caught her, now equally as excited at the prospect of being off the bus.

“I’d better wake Kristian and tell him of this awful thing that has happened. “ Both girls laughed.

Three hours later, after phone call after phone call, they found somewhere to stay overnight. Jennifer couldn’t lie, this was a nice place. It even had a pool, complete with a Jacuzzi.

The girls were to share a twin room, Kristian a single. They didn’t bother unpacking, as it was just for one night. But they all soon found their way to the jacuzzi. By the time Jennifer and Lauren made their way down, Kristian was already in, relaxing with a fruity cocktail. Jennifer joked about it as she dropped her towel, revealing her bikini clad body.

Lauren, still covered by her towel, almost had a heart attack as Jennifer sank in to the warm bubbles, sighing deeply as her muscles relaxed. 

“You coming, Lauren?!” Jennifer raised her voice to hear herself over the noise of the bubbling water.

If you’re not careful…Lauren thought as she stepped towards the tub. She walked to the edge of the water, making sure she was stood right in front of Jennifer, and slowly unwrapped the towel while maintaining eye contact, dropping it in a pool around her feet. Jennifer held her breath as it dropped.

She had never seen someone look so good in a bikini and she involuntarily licked her lips.

“I’d better not leave that towel there, it might get damp.” Lauren said, looking at Jennifer.

She bent down at the waist, not bending her knees, to pick up the towel in one movement, lingering over the towel for a few seconds before swiping it from the floor. She turned away and walked to the wall, putting her towel next to it. Jennifer was just glad she was underwater.

Lauren got back to the Jacuzzi and lowered herself in slowly.

“Just get in, Lauren, you’re making the place look… untidy.” Jennifer remarked, a little impatiently. She didn’t mean to snap, but having to watch Lauren walk around in a bikini was too much.

Lauren eventually got in, and leant her head back against the side.

“This is so much better than being on the bus.” Said Kristian, as he played with the bubbles in front of him, trying to catch them between his fingers.

“You’re telling me.” Jennifer replied.

Jennifer slid closer to Lauren and put her hand on the back of her head, stroking her fingers through the hair.

“You okay, Lauren? I hope this isn’t too much of an imposition for you. I know how difficult it must be to have to spend a night in a hotel…” sarcasm laced her voice.

“It’s absolutely fine. Do we have a twin room, or a double?” she enquired, trying to hide her excitement at having to share a room with Jennifer for the night.

“It’s a double, twin was a lot more expensive. I hope you don’t mind sharing a bed with Jennifer?” Kristian questioned.

“Erm, no no, it’ll be fine!” she answered a little too quickly, and Jennifer kicked her foot under the bubbles.

“I thought that would be okay, considering you two have gotten so close just recently. It’s nice.” Kristian remarked.

“Oh yeah, we’re real close.” Jennifer snaked an arm around Lauren’s waist under the bubbles and stroked up her side.

“It’s pretty hot out here. I think I might have to put some sunblock on. The last thing we need is to burn.” Jennifer looked around the pool, and then back at Lauren.

“Lauren, could you help me?” Jennifer requested in her most innocent tone.

“Uh.” Lauren paused, unsure. This is not a good idea.

“Oh, please?” Jennifer urged and Lauren accepted. They pushed themselves out of the tub and Jennifer sat on one of the benches, just out of earshot of Kristian, her back to him. She handed Lauren a tube of lotion.

“Thanks, you’re a star. I’ll do you after.”

Lauren’s heart leaped into her throat. She swallowed.

“I hate you for this, Jennifer Nettles.” She scolded, as she worked the cream into her back.

“No, you don’t.” Jennifer teased. Lauren took her time massaging the cream into the woman’s back, making sure she covered the whole area. She brushed her fingertips around the front of Jennifer’s bikini top, brushing against her nipple. Jennifer inhaled sharply each time, the sensation shooting right between her legs.

“…there…” Lauren finished, rubbing the very last bit of cream into Jennifer’s shoulders.

“Mmm, much better.” Jennifer looked up at Lauren.

“I’d better do the rest. You come sit down in front of me. We haven’t chatted in a while, have we?” Jennifer smirked and Lauren sat down in front of her, passing over the tube of sunblock. Jennifer squeezed a fairly large amount into the palm of her hand and ran it from the bottom of her calf to the top of her thigh. She started at the bottom, rubbing all the cream in slowly. She worked her way to the top, and then did the same to the other leg.

Squirting more cream into her hand, she started on the front of her chest. Lauren watched in silence as Jennifer oiled herself up. Her hand wandered over her chest, rubbing small circles over her collarbone, dipping her hand underneath the top of the bathing suit to swirl her fingers over her nipple, and then the other side. She closed her eyes as she did so, and Lauren stifled a moan.

“Jennifer, stop it, we’re in public.” She said. Jennifer ignored her, moving her hand across her perfectly flat stomach, and over the top of her bikini bottoms. She traced along the area and hummed at the touch. Lauren wanted to look away and save herself, but she couldn’t

“Jennifer, Kristian is right there!” she managed.

“What’s life without risk?” Jennifer pulled her hand away anyway.

“I am so getting you back for that.” Lauren said.

“Of course you are, honey. Like you didn’t purposely bend at the waist to pick up a towel.”

Lauren blushed.

“Oh hush, it was entirely coincidental.” She pretended.

“Girls!” Kristian called over to them and they looked around.

“Shall we go for dinner?” he asked.

Jennifer shot a look at Lauren.

“Of course!” they got up.

5 hours later, they were back in the hotel room, wrapped up in complimentary dressing gowns. There was a double bed, and an en-suite. A television sat at the foot of the bed. The girls snuggled up on the bed and pretty soon they were engaged in a long make-out session, stopping occasionally for drinks or toilet breaks.  

“Let’s order room service.” Jennifer suggested, as they lounged on the double bed.

“Isn’t it expensive?” Lauren questioned, not used to having the luxury of a 4 star hotel room, let alone room service too.

“Oh well, we’re on tour. Live a little!” She jumped off the bed and picked up the phone, dialling for room service.

“Hi, this is room 306a, I was wondering if we could order room service? I take it it isn’t too late?” She checked her clock. 11pm.

“It’s not? Oh good! I’d like some strawberries, chocolate sauce, and some strawberry yoghurt? Oh, and some cream?” She looked over at Lauren, who was still kneeling on the bed. Her mouth hung open, unbelieving as of what Jennifer was ordering.

“What are you doing?!” she mouthed across the room. Jennifer put her finger to her lips.

“Yes, that’s all. Thank you!” Jennifer put the phone down and turned to face the young girl that was staring at her from across the room like she’d gone completely insane.

“Well I thought, since we’ve got this whole room to ourselves…” she edged closer, crawling across the bed.

“But you sai-“

“Shhh.” Jennifer kissed her.

“And I meant what I said. But not everything is off limits…”

The door knocked and Jennifer leapt across the room to open the door. She came back a few minutes later clutching a tray filled with the stuff she’d ordered. She put the tray on the bed next to Lauren and sat next to it, tucking her feet under her. She patted her lap and signalled for Lauren to lay her head on it.

“Strawberry?” Jennifer asked, when Lauren was settled. Lauren couldn’t help but smile at the absurd position she found herself in, but played along. It’s not every day you get a hotel room with the woman of your dreams offering you strawberries and cream. She agreed to a strawberry, and Jennifer picked one up by its stalk, dipping it in the chocolate, and then the cream, and brought it down to Lauren’s lips. Lauren licked at the chocolate and bit into the fruit, bringing her hand up to her mouth.

“Hey, no hands! That’s not how you play!” Jennifer teased.

“Oh, there are rules now, are there?!” Lauren retorted, mocking her.

“You know what I mean! It’s not as romantic if you’re flapping your arms about.”

“Oh, you’re being romantic.” Lauren understood. Jennifer nodded and stroked Lauren’s shoulder with the hand without the strawberry. She bent down to place a tender kiss on Lauren’s lips.

“I wanna play.” Lauren said as Jennifer sat back up. Jennifer picked up another strawberry, and dipped it in the chocolate, again bringing it to Lauren’s mouth. The juice dripped down her chin, but she didn’t wipe it away. No hands. She didn’t have to. Jennifer had noticed and wiped it away with one finger, licking it off. Lauren reached a hand around Jennifer’s neck and pulled her down for a kiss.

“You taste of strawberries.” Jennifer pointed out, tracing her tongue across her top lip.

“That’s weird. It’s not even like I’ve had a strawberry recently…” Lauren bode well with sarcasm.

“Oh, hush.” Jennifer laughed and kissed her again. It didn’t take long before their hands started to wander. Lauren’s heart raced as Jennifer undid her dressing gown, pushing it down. It dropped around her. Thank God I wore good underwear under this thing, she thought to herself as Jennifer trailed kisses across her stomach. She reached the elastic of Lauren’s panties and she pulled at them with her teeth, letting them snap back before repeating the action. She smelled Lauren’s arousal and groaned to herself as she climbed off of her, kneeling at her side.

“What’s wrong?” Lauren asked, suddenly worried.

“It kills me that I can’t have you.” She replied.

“But you do have me. You know that.” Lauren was confused.

“You know what I mean.” Jennifer looked at her.

“Lay down?” Lauren requested.

“Huh?”

“Just do it.” Jennifer obliged. Lauren’s eyes wandered around the room and landed on the bowl of cream. Undoing Jennifer’s dressing gown, she pushed it off around her. Lauren picked up the owl of cream and used the teaspoon to drop small amounts of cream onto Jennifer’s front. She put the bowl down and proceeded to lick off each droplet with the flat of her tongue.

Jennifer closed her eyes and moaned as Lauren explored her body. Lauren worked her way down, starting at Jennifer’s shoulders. Each time she finished the cream, she ended it with a nip at the skin before moving on.

By the time the cream was all gone, Jennifer was at a loose end. Her heart was pounding through her chest and her stomach was doing flips. It was the most erotic thing anyone had ever done to her, hands down. They kissed again.

“Where’d you learn that?” Jennifer breathed heavily.

“I didn’t, it just kinda, came to me.” Lauren blushed. Shit, did I go too far?! Oh God, there you go, being too confident again. Oh…

“As much as I reeallyyyy want to carry this on, it can only end badly. Well, not badly, but, you know. You know what I mean.” Jennifer spoke quickly, stumbling over her words.

“I know, I’m sorry if I pushed it.” Lauren apologised.

“Oh, don’t be. You didn’t push anything. I find you so attractive, Lauren. I really do. But I want to do this right. I don’t want you to regret anything…” Jennifer confessed and Lauren couldn’t help but smile.

“I won’t. But I understand. I really do.” Lauren placed her lips on the back of Jennifer’s hand.

“We should probably get some sleep…” she thought out loud.

“Well, we should at least finish the strawberries?” Jennifer suggested, cheekily.

So they did.

5 days.

“Lauren!” Kristian called after her as she moved through the bus to her room after the show.

Lauren turned around to see who was calling for her. Kristian slowed down his pace as he drew closer to her.

“We’re going out tonight, there are a few clubs that don’t ask for ID, if you catch my drift?” He tried and failed at a cheeky wink.

Oh, dear, bless him.

“I would absolutely love that, thank you! Are you sure they don’t ask for ID?” Lauren was unsure, a lot of places did, and she didn’t want to get there to be turned away. It would be too embarrassing.

“Nope, definitely not, you’ll be fine! You could do with a night out, anyway. You’re young!”

Lauren giggled at this, and repeated her acceptance. Kristian told her to be ready for 10:30pm.Looking at her watch, she grimaced at how little time she had. She waved Kristian off and whisked herself off to the shower.

She finished getting ready and emerged from her bedroom with 5 minutes to spare. Everyone was outside when Lauren stepped off of the bus, and everyone dropped their conversations and stared.

She looked perfect. She’d chosen a short, black dress that hit the top of her thigh, with slits all the way up the side, matched with black suede, high heeled pumps.

Jennifer used all her strength not to pounce on her. She mustered a meek “Okay guys, let’s go.”

The group departed the site in a bid to get to their destination as quickly as possible.

Jennifer hung back to walk with Lauren, as the guys strode in front.

“You look absolutely stunnin’, Lauren. Really. If I wasn’t so turned on I’d be completely in awe of how beautiful you look.”

Lauren thanked her. Their hands brushed against each other as they walked, and they were both aware of the other’s desire to just reach out to each other.

“So… turned on?” Lauren was teasing, but there was some curiosity behind her question.

“Constantly. You can’t just wear a dress like that and expect to get away with it, missy. Just wait.” Jennifer winked at her and walked a little faster, leaving Lauren behind to ponder what she’d just said.

They arrived at the club not long after they set off, it wasn’t far away. As expected Lauren got in without a hitch, and rounds of shots were bought to start off the evening.

Lauren had never really drank a whole lot before, but didn’t want to be left behind in the drinking, so pretty much drank whatever everyone else was having.

An hour later, Jennifer and Lauren were intoxicated. Extremely intoxicated.

Lauren’s favourite song came on the radio, and she begged someone to go dance with her.

“Oh, please, please, please?! Someone?! I love this song!” she pleaded.

“I’m not dancing with you!” Kristian protested at once.

“It’s far too raunchy for me to dance with you to.” He said, and looked at Jennifer.

“Jennifer, go dance with her. You’re drunk enough not to care what you look like dancing to a song like this.” He joked.

Jennifer didn’t need telling twice.

I’m drunk. She’s drunk. We’re women. This could be really fun. Jennifer grabbed Lauren’s wrist and pulled her to the middle of the dance floor.

She shouted in her ear over the music.

“Just go with it, darlin’!” and proceeded to dance. Lauren just watched her for a few seconds. This wasn’t just dancing. Jennifer swung her hips around in perfect circles, her hands pushed through her hair and stoked up her hips. It’s like she hasn’t even drank anything.

She made eye contact with Lauren and gave her a nod that said, ‘Just do what I do.’

Lauren did exactly that. Following Jennifer’s lead, she moved across the dancefloor like she’d taken lessons. They danced closer, and Jennifer took hold of Lauren’s hand, spinning her around, and then back again, pulling her close.

Jennifer put her arms around Lauren’s neck, their faces centimetres away from each other. Jennifer mouthed an ‘are you okay’ to Lauren, and she nodded. Jennifer’s hands slipped down to Lauren’s hips, and without warning ground her hips into the younger girl’s. Either girl was far too drunk to care about the fact the rest of the crew were watching. Lauren ground back, her hands smoothing over the curve of Jennifer’s ass. The room was spinning, but she couldn’t make out if it were from the alcohol, or the fact that they were practically dry humping in public.

They danced together, completely oblivious to everyone staring around them.

The crew watched the scene unfold like it was a movie, unable to decide whether or not they should be watching. They did anyway.

The song came to an end, and Jennifer bent Lauren back, kissing her on the mouth.

The girls could hear the crew and some other people let out a drunken ‘Wheyyyyy!!!!’, but they paid no attention. Jennifer brought Lauren back up, and they stood in the middle of the floor, arms folded around each other, kissing like nobody was watching. They stopped a few minutes later, realising where they were. They grinned at each other.

“I think everyone is watching.” Lauren slurred slightly.

“I don’t care. They won’t care! Two girls. Drunk. Dirty dancing. Making out. It happens all the time at these clubs, they won’t bat an eyelid. As long as we’re drunk, we can get away with most stuff.” She kissed her again.

“Let’s go sit down.” They stumbled back towards the table, hand in hand, sliding into their previous chairs.

“Well, you two.” Kristian started.

The girls looked at each other and burst into a fit of giggles.

“I’ll put this down to just how much you’ve had to drink tonight.” He eyed the empty glasses that were strewn across the table.

“You certainly know how to put on a show!” he finished.

Aiden, one of the lighting directors, had to input his ‘wise words’.

“Wow.”

Lauren scratched a nail across Jennifer’s thigh under the table.

“Jen, do you have that lipstick I borrowed the other day? I think mine is smudged.” Lauren asked in a light tone, wiping around her lips.

“Yeah, I think it’s in my bag, let’s go to the toilets, I’m dying to pee anyway.”

They darted for the Ladies room without looking back.

“Why do women always go to the toilet together?” Aiden asked.

This time it was Lauren that started. She backed Jennifer into a cubicle and slammed the door shut behind them, pushing her against the door.

“You’re not wearing underwear again, are you? That dress wouldn’t allow it anyway…” Jennifer fingered the slits in the dress.

“Shit, do we really have to wait?” Lauren pined and she sucked above Jennifer’s collarbone, moving up towards her earlobes. She left an angry scarlet mark where she sucked, but neither of them paid any attention.

“If you carry on, I’d seriously consider not. Especially in that dress.” Jennifer breathed through her excitement.

“Is that a promise?” Lauren flirted, batting her lashes. She looked longingly into Jennifer’s wide eyes and swept her tongue vertically across Jennifer’s lips. Jennifer felt dizzy and closed her eyes.

“Lauren…” She moaned, her fingers gripping hard into Lauren’s waist.

“Lauren… we have to stop…” Her words didn’t stop her kissing back.

Lauren licked up the length of Jennifer’s neck and stepped back.

“Sorry.” Lauren stood in front of her, chest heaving.

“Don’t be.” Jennifer leant back against the wall, needing the support.

“We should go back. They’ll have left us behind.” she joked, trying to catch her breath.

Lauren laughed, and shook her head.

“You really have no idea what you’re doin’ to me, do you?” Jennifer sounded genuinely intrigued.

“Oh, I do. That’s why it’s so fun.” She walked out of the bathroom, leaving Jennifer standing alone.

She contemplated what Lauren had said for a few seconds and followed her out.

“You guys were ages.” Kristian stated as they walked back to the table.

“The most of the crew went back, it’s just us 6 now. But we should really go.” He carried on.

“Sure, could you pass my coat?” Jennifer requested.

He passed her the coat and they left. Lauren and Jennifer barely said a word to each other on the way home, despite them linking arms to keep themselves upright. They were both still drunk.

They got back to the bus and piled on, each of them heading straight for their beds.

4 days.

“Drop it, Kristian. It’s nothin’. It really ain’t none of your business, anyway.”  Jennifer sounded angry as she argued with Kristian in the kitchen the morning after.

“Now, I’m extremely hung over, yes, I have a huge hickey on my neck, so what?! I have more things to worry about than that.”

Lauren hovered outside the door in her dressing gown.

“I just want to know who it was! I don’t think that’s such a hard question, is it?! Did you find someone at the bar? Or was it one of the crew? Oh God, please tell me it wasn’t one of the crew.”

“Drop it, Kristian!” Jennifer stormed out and saw Lauren standing there. She flashed her an apologetic look.

“Sorry you had to hear that, darlin’.”

“Oh God, I’m really sorry, if I knew it would have caused an argument I’d have been more careful.” Lauren went pink as shame washed over her.

“Shhhh, he’s only in there.” Jennifer lifted Lauren’s head up by her chin and placed a finger over her lips. “Don’t worry about it; I’m not mad at you. I quite enjoyed it. He’s just being irritable. I’ve gotta go, I’ll speak to you in a bit honey.” Jennifer winked and walked away.

Lauren watched after her, still feeling guilty. She waited for Jennifer to round the corner and went into the kitchen.

“Mornin’.” She muttered to Kristian. She had to be honest with herself, she felt like shit after the previous night’s drinking, and her feet were swollen and had blisters. The last thing she needed was to have Kristian in a bad mood. It felt like she was acting awkward, suspicious even. But it was probably just herself being hyperaware of the argument and the fact she had indirectly caused it.

“Mornin’, Lauren. How’s your head?” he didn’t seem to be in a bad mood with her. Lauren felt a weight lift from her shoulders and groaned in response. Kristian chuckled at her hangover and sipped his coffee.

“That bad, huh?” he said.

“I am never gonna to get used to hangovers…” Lauren grumbled in response.

“Well, I’d like to say that you did have a lot to drink. You and Jen got pretty… crazy.”

Lauren groaned again, remembering the previous night.

“I’m gonna go upstairs, I’ll speak to you later, hon.” he went through the door to his bedroom.

Lauren sat herself down at the kitchenette table and lowered her head down onto the table, hands in the back of her hair, massaging her headache. She decided that she should go and find Jennifer for a bit of comfort. She hated thinking that she caused an argument between her and Kristian. They seemed so unbreakable, so stuff like this really seemed out of character.

She reached Jennifer’s room and knocked softly on the door.

“Jen?” she whispered through the door. If she knew Jennifer, she’d be in the same fragile state she was. She opened the door and spotted her curled up at the top of her bed, eyes wide open, but not moving. She closed in and sat next to her, still clutching her hot drink.

“Jen, are you really okay? You know I’m here if you- if you ever need anyone to talk to…” her voice was soft and soothing as she trailed patterns across her back.

“Oh, Lauren. You’re such a sweetheart. I’m fine, really. I just have a hangover and Kristian made me feel awful this mornin’.”

“Oh… I’m really sorry. I really didn’t mean to make a mark that big, I just couldn’t help myself…”

At this, Jennifer sat up and pulled Lauren down on the bed facing her, tangling their legs together trapping her in place, the duvet over them like a magical force field that nobody could penetrate.

“You.” Jennifer kissed her.

“Have nothing to be sorry for. Ever. I promise. You might have made the mark, but I did nothing to stop you, and I didn’t want to either. I feel incredibly lucky to have you in my life, to want me as much as you do. I’ve never had that with someone else before. Male or female.” She kissed her again, ending her sentence. They lay in silence together, uncaring that they were finding it harder to breathe under the thick duvet.

Lauren didn’t know what to say back. She hummed and snuggled closer to Jennifer’s body and they soon fell back to sleep. They awoke an hour later feeling a lot better for sleeping off the hangover. To Lauren, it was official. Snuggles cured anything.

“You have that interview today.” Jennifer remembered.

“Oh shit, is that today? Well. What a day to pick it when I feel like this…” Lauren felt genuinely sorry for the fact that she had to do the interview. It was just a small one, done into a tape recorder for a live tour magazine.

“Can you not call them and postpone it for me?” Lauren suggested, hopefully. More time in bed with Jennifer sounded far too tempting.

“Nope, by tomorrow we’ll be somewhere else and they’re only here for today.” She sighed as she pulled off her pyjama bottoms and replaced them with jeans. Lauren still hadn’t moved, spread out on the bed. She pulled a sulky pout in jest and smiled. Jennifer smiled back. She’s so cute she thought to herself.

An hour later, Lauren was sat outside the bus in the sun, with two interviewers. One woman, one man. She learned that their names were Daisy and Adam. They were both very bubbly, excited to meet Sugarland’s opening act.

“So, Lauren. How are you?!” Adam bounced. He was far too chirpy.

“I’m good, thank you! I’m definitely having a blast on this tour.” She crossed her arms in her lap.

“I’ve gotten a lot closer to Kristian and Jennifer.”

Speaking of the devil, Jennifer opened the door to the bus and came out with tea for the interviewers, a pleasant smile spreading across her face.

“Well, hi!” She bounced down the steps and placed the tea on the table in between them.

“I hope you’re not telling them how any of our secrets!” Jennifer winked and laughed.

“Haha, no, Jen, I’m not!” She knew what she was hinting at. She hoped to God that Jennifer wouldn’t try anything. If the interviewers picked up on anything then they were all done for.

“So, Lauren.” Adam continued asking questions.

“Have you learned anything musically whilst on the tour?”

Jennifer draped an arm around Lauren’s shoulders and directed her speech at the Adam.

“Oh, Lauren has learned sooo much since we started.” She grinned.

“She really does take direction, and learns reeeal fast.” She squeezed Lauren’s shoulder.

Lauren blushed.

“Oh, Jen. Stop it. Really.” She said, her tone went from light hearted, the last word serious.

“Do you mind if I sit in? I’ll try not to butt in too much!”

“Oh, no! It would be lovely to see Lauren around the people she admires so much!” Daisy and Adam shifted around the table to let Jennifer sit down.

The group chatted for a while, the conversation shifting to a more friendly chat.

“So, got any favourite foods, Lauren? What have you been living on?”

“Erm. Well…” she started.

Jennifer, Jennifer’s body, Jennifer’s mouth…

“We’ve been eating at diners a lot, stopping off here and there when we can.”

“I wouldn’t agree” Jennifer butted in. Lauren swung around to face her, her eyes wide.

“I think Lauren’s tried lots of new things that she hasn’t tried before…” There was definite emphasis on the ‘lots’.

Oh no…

“The other day our bus broke down so we had to stay in a hotel for the night. Can you believe she’d never had chocolate covered strawberries and cream before?! I was just shocked and insisted on ordering some.” She faced Lauren and gave her a subtle, smouldering look, unfazed by their company.

“I thought you quite enjoyed that.” Jennifer continued. She bit her thumbnail.

“Oh, I did!” Lauren replied, snapping out of her embarrassment.

THEY don’t know what happened, why am I embarrassed?!  She cursed herself.

“I just loooove strawberries.” Daisy remarked. Lauren studied her for a few seconds. Definitely too perky…

“It’s so good that you’re having a good time. Do you have anything special you like to take on tour with you? Kind of like, something that makes you feel better if you’re away from home for a long time?” This time it was Adam that spoke. Did I really need two interviewers?

“Uhm, yeah, I think I do.” Lauren took a few moments to think about something.

“My leopard print blanket. It pretty much goes everywhere with me.” Lauren settled on that.  

“That is a good blanket, it’s pretty wild.” Jennifer fell silent. Adam and Daisy looked at each other.

“I think we have everything we need, if I’m honest!” Adam finished up the interview.

“You’ll be able to find it published within the next month?” he looked at his partner to make sure.

“Yes, definitely. We’ll drop you an email when it is, and send you a free copy.” Daisy said, standing up. She was obviously pleased with her gesture.

“Oh, okay. Thank you so much!” Lauren stood up, shaking their hands. Jennifer did the same, waving them off. As soon as they left, Lauren turned on Jennifer.

“What was that?!” she exploded.

“I have no idea what you’re on about, I just thought I’d come and make sure they weren’t asking you anything dodgy.” Jennifer said, a smug smile sat on her mouth.

“The fuckin’ strawberries?!” Lauren despaired.

“I thought it was a nice personal touch. Jennifer rubbed Lauren’s arm.

“Lighten up, you did great anyway!”

“Yeah, yeah, okay. Flattery will get you nowhere.” Lauren stopped looking so angry and smiled back.

It was getting late, so Lauren, Jennifer and Kristian settled down to watch a movie. Jennifer and Lauren on the small sofa, with Kristian sat in the armchair.

“I’m cold.” Jennifer complained, 10 minutes into the movie.

“Are you cold, Lauren?” she turned to the young girl. Lauren said that she was, and that she’d get a blanket or something. She ran up the stairs and to her room, grabbing her leopard print blanket that had caused so much embarrassment earlier on. She stomped down the stairs and threw herself onto the sofa next to Jennifer, wrapping the blanket around them both. They had to sit closer together so the blanket would cover them both. Of course, neither of the girls minded in the slightest.

“Mmmm, that’s better.” Jennifer snuggled closer to Lauren, pushing her hand between Lauren’s thighs under the blanket and pulling herself in closer. Lauren braced herself for the inevitable teasing, but it never came. Even with her hand in the place it was, Jennifer didn’t try anything. She was content to just watch the film with Lauren’s company, her head almost leaning on her shoulder, cuddled under a blanket. Lauren sighed deeply, eyes watching the small screen across the room. The pair fell asleep before the movie was through.

Kristian woke them both when the movie ended to tell them he was going to bed. They mumbled their replies and slowly awoke. Kristian left the room, and Lauren kissed the top of Jennifer’s head.

“You didn’t try anything.” Lauren stated, matter-of-factly. She ran a hand through the older woman’s hair.

“It’s not just about that.” Jennifer smiled through her sleepiness and told Lauren she was going to go to bed. Lauren felt special and, pulling the blanket along behind her, followed Jennifer up the stairs and turned off into her own room, falling back to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

3 days.

The buses pulled up at a service station for some dinner. The small, enclosed area homed a newsagents, a coffee shop, and the small café of which they would be dining at.

The group was fairly large, so tables were pushed together. By the time Jennifer and Lauren sat down, there were only two chairs on the end of the very small table. They were opposite each other, but not out of touching distance. The food displayed on the menus didn’t look very appetising at all, but then again, they weren’t really expecting gourmet. The café was pretty dead, just a few people dotted around the room, with plates of undercooked chips and soggy slices of egg soaked toast.

Most of the group just played it safe and ordered burgers and chips.

Everyone was exhausted from the touring, all the shows were physically demanding, and although they enjoyed performing every one of them, they took their toll.

“So. How are you?” Kristian asked the people around him as they settled. The table was fairly crowded, so the group had divided itself into two without even realising. It was easier this way.

Jennifer took hold of Lauren’s hand under the table and stroked her thumb continually across the back of her hand.

“I’m totally exhausted, but I’m enjoyin’ every second of it.” Lauren replied. “You guys are so amazin’. Really, thank you.” She looked at Jennifer and she smiled, winking the eye that was blocked from everyone else. She squeezed her hand under the table.

“It’s good that you’re enjoyin’ yourself, I’d hate you to be having a god-awful time and not saying anythin’!” Kristian laughed.

“God-awful?! Heck no, this has been one of the best times of my life!” she shifted in her chair as Jennifer ran her foot up the length of her calf.

“Good! Anything in particular you’ve enjoyed?” Kristian questioned.

Jennifer heightened in her chair, obviously pleased by the question. Lauren’s hand tensed in hers, trying to find something else to say other than “Jennifer, fucking, arousal, horny, Jennifer.”

She withheld for a few seconds. This could work out well for her.

“The atmosphere, I just love bein’ around people I can trust and be myself around. I feel like I can really, open up around you guys.” She looked Jennifer straight in the eyes when she said it, and didn’t flinch, or even blush.

Jennifer’s expression didn’t change. It stayed, frozen in a proud smile.

Two can play this game.

“You okay, Jen?” She asked, after a few seconds had passed.

“Of course, I just think that’s so sweet of you.” Jennifer patted Lauren’s knee, her hand lingering over it.

She carried on with the conversation, trying to ignore Jennifer’s foot climbing her leg again. She fidgeted in her uncomfortable plastic chair and flashed Jennifer a warning look.

Jennifer chose to pretend she hadn’t seen it.

Their food came, and was placed in front of them. Kristian looked down at his plate and wrinkled his nose, obviously not impressed with the dish.

“Oh, smile, Kristian. It’s not that bad!” Jennifer wasn’t put off by the bad food. It seemed that whenever Lauren was around, she wasn’t really put off by anything much at all.

She continued to rub Lauren’s leg with her foot, shifting forward in her seat to get closer. She edged nearer and nearer between Lauren’s thighs. Lauren tried to ignore it, chatting away to the pair like everything was normal as her heart beat faster. She pushed her undercooked scrambled eggs around her plate, focusing on anything to distract her from what was happening.

Jennifer hit where she wanted to and Lauren let out an “Ah!” as she brought her fork to her mouth. Jennifer’s foot didn’t move and Lauren gripped the side of the table for support, dropping her fork to the plate with a clang.

She knew what Jennifer was trying to do, and it was working.

We have three days to go, I don’t think I can cope. I refuse to let her win.

She regained herself and cleared her throat as Kristian threw her a quizzical look.

“Sorry. Just…” she struggled for an explanation.

“Just bit my lip.” She drew her lower lip through her teeth and sucked. She saw that Jennifer was watching and dragged the action out, flicking her tongue across the ‘wound’. Jennifer pushed her foot even further forward and threw her off, she gasped again, her reflexes pushing her torso forward over the plate of untouched food. She was ridiculously turned on by this point, and didn’t really know where to put herself. Her chest grew pink.

“Well!  That was certainly a meal I won’t forget in a hurry!” Jennifer released her grip on Lauren’s jeans and sat up in her chair, pushing her plate away.

“What have I told you about doin’ that to me in public? Jesus, Jennifer, it’s difficult enough waitin’ a week as it is.” Lauren scolded Jennifer as they sat next to each other on the brown sofa in the miniature living space of the bus. It was late, but the first time they’d got a minute alone since they set back off after the eventful dinner the group had shared at the diner, much to Lauren’s annoyance. She both hated and loved that Jennifer could get her feeling so wound up and frustrated at the drop of a hat. It had taken a few hours before Lauren had calmed down sufficiently enough to be around her without jumping her.

Kristian had gone to bed for an early night, and Lauren didn’t like to admit it, but she was relieved. She loved Kristian, he was absolutely great, but she liked it best when it was just her and Jennifer, and the talking, and touching, and kissing like they had all the time in the world to be together.

Jennifer was in her pyjamas, clutching a cup of tea, stripped of all traces of the day’s commotion. This is when Lauren liked her best, she looked natural.

“I just couldn’t help it. You looked so cute trying to hold up a serious conversation that I couldn’t resist. Plus, if I was… you know, I was pretty sure I wasn’t goin’ to be the only one!”

Lauren laughed and sipped out of her cup.

“It’s one o’clock, we should go to bed.” Jennifer placed her mug on the small glass table in front of them and stretched her arms above her head. Lauren watched.

“I wish you could come with me.” She said in a small voice, as she put her mug next to its twin.

Jennifer stopped stretching and relaxed her shoulders. An amount of sadness impressed across her eyes.

“Me too. You have no idea.”

“Do you think anyone would notice if…” Lauren propositioned.

“Probably… plus, I don’t trust myself after this mornin’. You’re so attractive when you’re flustered.”

Lauren blushed and let out a small cough.

“Okay, I guess this is goodnight then.” She unfolded her legs and stood up, bringing Jennifer up by the hand.

“Goodnight.” Jennifer said as she leaned in for a kiss. They broke apart and bid each other goodnight again, and made their way to their own rooms.

2 days.

“Morning sunshine, I just came with you in mind. How does that feel? ;) xxxxxxxxxxxx”

Well, good morning to me! Lauren woke up to the text from Jennifer.

Is she trying to kill me, or…? It’s working. I need to get her back, for the other night at dinner. And now this. She resisted the urge to have a little *me time* like Jennifer had, and got up to make a cup of coffee. The two wouldn’t’ see much of each other today. Jennifer had important work to do regarding the financial side of the tour. All Lauren knew was that Jennifer and Kristian would be holed away all day, that it was very important, very urgent, and involved a lot of paperwork and phone calls. She wasn’t going to let an opportunity like this to go to waste.

She needed coffee.

“Two days, Lauren.” Jennifer said in a hushed tone and a wink as she passed Lauren leaving the kitchenette.

The strength holding Lauren’s legs straight deteriorated, leaving her weak as she stared after the older woman bouncing away from her.

This is going to be a long day, Lauren sensed, regaining the ability to walk back to her room clutching her coffee like it was her saviour.

3 hours later, Lauren was bored. She had exhausted her stack of magazines, she’d drank her weight in endless cups of sugary tea, she’d sang through her setlist more times than is really necessary, and she really did have nothing to do because of Kristian and Jennifer being so busy with ‘important tour stuff’.

She flopped herself down onto her bed and flicked through her cell phone, re-reading old messages.

She reached the one from Jennifer earlier that morning and her stomach fluttered.

She sent one back.

“You’ll never guess what happens when you leave me all alone… ;) xxxx”

This could be so much fun.

Jennifer’s phone beeped.

“Hold on a sec, Krist.” Who could that be, everyone knows this is important…

She checked the message and her eyes widened as she read to the end.

Oh, fuck. Jennifer crossed her legs, pressing them together.

“Please don’t do this to me right now, I’m stuck here all day. With important people. It’s bad enough not being able to see you as it is… That is such a good image, but, ohhh… xxxxx”

She fired off the text, her heartbeat increasing. She is not doing this to me. Not today.

She picked at her fingernails to take her mind off of the images racing through her head.

I’d be so screwed if people could see what I was thinking.

She could hear Kristian talking at her about some kind of financial stuff, but wasn’t tuning into any of it. Two days, two days, two days, she chanted to herself. It wasn’t working.

Lauren read the text and replied.

“So, you don’t want the full, explicit details, then? xxxxxx”

Jennifer sat back in her chair, clearly bothered by the texts she was receiving.

“Jen, this is really important, could you please put the phone away for a little while? Who is it, anyway? You look all… het up. Just turn it off and sort it out later.”
Jennifer sighed and put the phone down on the chair next to her. She swung her leg back and forth and tried to concentrate on the papers in front of her.

Jennifer hadn’t replied to her last text for three hours, and Lauren was annoyed. I guess texting was pretty pointless.

Lauren wasn’t going to lie to herself. The idea of actually giving herself something to actually write about to Jennifer sounded appealing. There wasn’t going to be anyone around for a few hours, nobody would interrupt. It was the perfect set up, really.

She made herself as comfortable as one could make themselves on a tour bus bed, and slid her hand down the elastic of her leggings. She sent off a new text to Jennifer.

A few texts back and forth later, Lauren explained her climax in explicit detail, just like she’d promised.

“Kristian, I really can’t be dealing with this anymore, can we finish up?” She cringed at her choice of words. She was not in the mood to be dealing with stuff like this right now. Lauren had pretty much ruined her chances of being able to concentrate, not to mention her underwear.

“Sure, Jen. I can see this is getting to you a bit. Why don’t you go have a rest or somethin’? I can finish this by myself, I think.” Kristian talked to her in a soft voice, he knew Jennifer didn’t like to sit still for too long.

“Thanks, Krist, you’re the best.” She stood up and fled the room as quickly as she could manage.

She moved her hair out of her face with one hand and opened Lauren’s bedroom door without knocking.

“What. Are you playin’ at?!” she didn’t even sound angry. It came out too quickly and she was out of breath.

“Oh, hey Jen, wondered how long you’d be.” Lauren replied casually, her voice even and calm.

“Oh, hey Jen!” Jennifer mimicked her in a voice she didn’t even have.

“Oh, you know I do not speak like that!” Lauren laughed and stood up from the bed. She walked up to Jennifer and kissed her cheek, reaching around her for a cuddle. Jennifer begrudgingly hugged back. I just can’t help myself. Lauren littered kisses across her cheekbone, running them down her face and along her jawline, descending to her neck. The kisses got deeper, and Lauren sucked lightly. Jennifer gripped at her t-shirt.

“Mh, Lauren…” she felt lightheaded. I told her about this. Two days. Two!
Lauren continued, making little nips at her skin then soothing them instantly with the flat of her tongue.

“What did I say, girl? I-, we have-, two days…” Jennifer protested but did nothing to stop the young girl from taking advantage of her position.

“Can’t we just…” she bit her neck again. “forget about the two days? I mean, we’re close, aren’t we?” Lauren continued ravishing her lover, licking and sucking at her collarbone.

Jennifer snorted.

“Well one of us is close, that’s for sure.” She chuckled again, dipping her head down to capture Lauren’s mouth with her own.

“But we really can’t. We said from the start… as much as I want to, I’m not doing that to you. I need you to know I’m serious about this.” She kissed her again.

Lauren pouted, putting it on a little.

“Oh, okay.” She folded her arms across her chest and tried to look serious, but failed. She broke out into a giggle and clamped her hand over her mouth.

“Damn you, Jennifer Nettles. Stop lookin’ at me like that. I can’t keep serious long enough.”

Jennifer hugged her one last time.

“You’re silly. I think I really need a cold shower. I’ll go do that.” She strolled over to the door.

“Need any help with that?” Lauren only half joked.

“I think that I’ll be okay, sweetie.” She looked over her shoulder as she pulled on the door handle.

“I’ll speak to you soon. Goodnight!”

“Goodnight…” Lauren watched her leave.

1 day.

The group made a decision, because they’d all been working so hard over the duration of the tour, that because there wasn’t a show to get to, they should visit the nearest beach for some time out. It would be Lauren’s 18^th birthday tomorrow, and they had a show to play. Today was ideal. Luckily, the weather was ridiculously warm, a slight breeze playing in the air, but not so much that the temperature dropped. It was perfect beach weather, and the beach was pretty much abandoned.

“I LOVE THE BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAACHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH” Lauren screamed as she ran as fast as she could down the sand and slowed herself, splashing into the waves. She bent down, flicking at the water with both hands and letting out a genuine, happy, laugh. The waves splashed the bottom of her blue shorts, but she didn’t seem to notice, or even care.

Jennifer watched her, as she walked towards the sea, in her oversized t-shirt and red sarong.

She’s truly perfect. Jennifer was mesmerised by Lauren, the way she pranced along the shore, spinning herself around, the way she seemed truly happy, without a care in the world.

That’s what Jennifer loved most about her. Her free spirit. She wanted nothing but to hold her, and kiss her on the beach and it killed her that she couldn’t. Her heart swelled with affection.

She turned around and looked for Kristian and some of the crew. They were trailing along behind her, carrying a cooler filled with beer and junk food. They planned to be there until dark, at least.

Lauren jumped back from the waves as they splashed against her bare feet.

She ran back up to where everyone had sat down at the top of the beach, right underneath the sun.

They laid out their towels, Lauren with her favourite animal print blanket, and sat down, opening drinks. It wasn’t long before conversation died out and the guys went a little nearer the sea to play some football, leaving Lauren and Jennifer to look after the stuff they’d brought.

“I think I’m going to get some sunbathin’ done.” Lauren said, as she stripped off to her bikini.

Jennifer watched, her eyes sweeping over Lauren’s body.

“I think I might join you.” Jennifer copied Lauren, and took off her clothes.

They lay next to each other on separate towels, basking in the sun’s glow.

“Did I ever tell you that you look damn good in a bikini?” Jennifer asked, without opening her eyes or turning her head.

“You have, but I never tire of hearing it!” Lauren accepted the compliment.

“You’re not too bad yourself…” she hinted. They fell silent once more, and Jennifer edged herself closer to Lauren.

They’ve only just began their football game, it will be ages before they come back over.

She took a chance and reached for Lauren’s hand.

“What if they come over?” Lauren murmured sleepily.

“They won’t. I know them, they’ll be playing for a couple of hours yet.” Jennifer responded and squeezed Lauren’s hand.

“Just relax, anyway. Girls hold hands all the time.” Jennifer coaxed.

“Hmm… okay… I like it when you hold my hand.” Lauren opened herself up a little and Jennifer squeezed again.

“I’d never let go.” She whispered, just loud enough for Lauren to hear.

They lay in silence for a while longer, enjoying the sun and each other’s company. Jennifer started drawing swirls on Lauren’s palm with two fingers.

“Laurennnnnnnn…” Jennifer whined.

“I’m too hot.” She dropped contact with Lauren’s hand and stood up.

“But I don’t want to go in the sea yet, I wanna save it for last so I don’t get all salty.

“Have a drink or something?” Lauren didn’t move from her spot, but opened her eyes to look at the woman while she was talking.  Jennifer reached into the cooler and picked up an ice cube, it melted slightly under her fingertips. Lauren watched as Jennifer knelt next to her towel and rubbed the ice cube around her neck, and across her arms. She exhaled small breaths with voice behind them as she rubbed.

“Jen…” Lauren warned. Jennifer moved the ice cube back across her front and into her cleavage, the water dripping down into the top of her bikini. Lauren wanted to look away to save her sanity but couldn’t. It was one of those things that once you see you just can’t stop staring at.

“Jennifer, stop that. Not here, what are you tryin’ to do to me?” Jennifer ignored her and carried on rubbing the cube down her stomach, circling her belly button before using the rest of it along her thighs until it was completely gone.

She stared Lauren in the eye and licked across her palm, and sucked the rest of the water off of her finger. The water glistened on her skin as the sun hit it.

Lauren groaned and hit her head back onto the sand, not taking her eyes off of Jennifer.

“Seriously… Why do you do itttt?!” she dragged out the last word to enunciate her frustration.

“I like watching you squirm. You’ve been doin’ it to me all week.” Jennifer thought it was hilarious, Lauren not so much.

“Where are the guys?” Lauren asked, not bothering to look around for herself.

“Oh they’re all the way down there. They didn’t see anything, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I wasn’t.” She reached up and pulled Jennifer down for a kiss, pushing her tongue into Jennifer’s mouth and licking the roof before pushing her away. It was over before it even started.

“Tease.” Lauren accused as she licked her lips and settled back down on her blanket. She rested her hand on her thigh. Jennifer still knelt beside her towel, watching Lauren intently.

Lauren lay there, running her hand up and down the top of her leg and over the fabric of her bikini. She slipped her hand underneath the fabric. Jennifer’s eyes widened.

“What are you doing?” she asked, holding her breath like the slightest movement would put Lauren off and stop her from doing anything.

“Just relaxin’. You know. You said you liked watchin’ me… squirm, was it?” Lauren kept a straight face and she played around underneath the fabric, her hips lifting slightly off of the ground and emitting small moans each time she hit the small bundle of nerves.

“Sweetie? Keep watch on the guys for me, won’t you?”
Jennifer gulped, transfixed on what she was seeing. Lauren slid a finger inside of herself and pumped in and out, adding another as she got wetter. Jennifer watched her, growing damp herself. She looked over her shoulder and the guys had started walking back up the beach.

“FUCK LAUREN STOP THEY’RE COMING.” Jennifer raised her voice, panicking.

Lauren pulled her hand out of her bikini and wiped her fingers on the blanket.

“Well, I was about to.” She said, irritated.

“Hey girls, what have you been up to?” Kristian asked.

Watching Lauren finger fuck herself on the beach until you showed up…

“Nothing, really. Just chattin’.” She said instead.

The guys grabbed a drink each out of the cooler and told the girls they were about to play volleyball and the girls were more than welcome to join. They accepted the invitation, and told them they’d be down in a second.  They watched as the boys ran down the beach and set up the net.

Jennifer stood up, with Lauren close behind her. They strolled down the sand towards the net.

“We’ll have no funny business, just a nice, clean game.” Jennifer teased.

“I’m always clean.” Lauren retorted, and ran towards the net.

The game was in full force. Lauren and Jennifer were playing on the same team, with two of the crew members, against Kristian and two other crew members. They set up close to the sea, but as the game progressed the waves casually rolled in nearer to them.

Kristian hit the ball over the net towards Lauren and before she knew it, Jennifer tackled into her side, pushing her into the ocean. A large wave crashed over them, and Jennifer slid her hand up Lauren’s leg and in between her thighs. Lauren cried out in shock as Jennifer took her hand away as quickly as she’d put it there.

“Oh my, I am SO sorry, I thought I could get it and then I didn’t!” Jennifer feigned an apology.

“It’s fine, Jennifer. Help me up.” Jennifer stretched out an arm, and grabbed Lauren’s hand, pulling her up with a little too much force. They smacked into each other and Jennifer steadied Lauren by her hips.

“Whoa!” she exclaimed, scratching lightly down the young blonde’s side as they parted.

Lauren flashed her a glare that said ‘I’m getting you back for this’ and smiled.

“Sorry! Come on, let’s finish, we’re one shot away from beating Kristian’s team.

The girls’ team won, of course, and the group decided to call it a day, considering how far in the tide had come. They packed up the net and rolled up the towels and headed back to the bus.

 

“You know what, Jen?” Lauren whispered in a low tone as she put her arm out and pulled Jen back a little before she started to climb the steps to the bus.

“Later?” she looked up at Jennifer through heavy lids.

“I’m finishing what I started. ” She let go of Jennifer’s arm and pulled herself up onto the bus.

Midnight.

“Well, guys, thank you for a lovely pre-birthday.  It has honestly been one of the best so far, the beach was a perfect idea. I would not have enjoyed it this much without your company. I know I’m not officially 18 for another- ” She looked at the clock.

“3 minutes, but it means so much to me that you made tonight lovely for me. I can’t wait for tomorrow. Performin’ a show on my birthday is just absolutely perfect.” Lauren was genuinely the happiest she had been in a long time, and it showed. Her face glowed.
“We’re just glad you enjoyed it, Lauren. This tour would not have been the same without you! And look, midnight. Happy birthday!” He hugged her tight and moved away for Jennifer to do the same.

Jennifer pulled her in close, kissing the side of her head.

“He’s right, it really wouldn’t have been the same without you.” She reluctantly stopped hugging her.

“Well, now that I’ve seen your birthday in, I’m going to bed. Goodnight, you two.”

He left, wishing Lauren a happy birthday again on his way out. The two were left in silence, as they waited for the door to click shut behind him.

Jennifer and Lauren just stood and stared at each other, both knowing exactly what the other was thinking. Jennifer’s eyes narrowed as she planned her next move.

“You’re mine, let’s go.” Jennifer lunged herself onto Lauren, and kissed her hard. Lauren reciprocated, pulling the older woman as close to her as possible.

Jennifer pressed her knee in between Lauren’s legs.

The two made their way to Jennifer’s room through the corridors of the bus, stopping every few steps to make out frantically against the walls, their hands wandering over each other’s bodies before moving closer to the bedroom. Lauren felt herself getting wet from her arousal.

She barely has to touch me and I’m ready for her.

They reached the room and flung the door open, stumbling towards the welcoming bed.

Jennifer pushed Lauren to it, pulling her top over her head before landing on top of her. Their lips came together and they kissed frantically. Lauren reached her arm above her head and clung to the bars on the headboard as Jennifer kissed her throat and chest, undoing her shirt buttons. She moaned loudly.

“Sh, someone will hear us!” Jennifer lifted her head to speak.

“Sorr-“ she cut herself off and gasped as Jennifer’s mouth made its way over her bra clad nipple.

Her free hand clenched at the bedsheets.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this.” Jennifer panted as she kissed and licked her way down Lauren’s abdomen. Lauren’s hips rolled involuntarily as Jennifer whispered to her.

“To make you mine,” she carried on, “completely. You have no idea. These past couple weeks have been torture,” Lauren wished more than anything for this day.

Oh my God, Lauren could barely breathe. If this was what happens every time I turn 18, I think I turn 18 tomorrow too.

Lauren had always wondered what her first time would be like. When she was younger, she imagined the whole package. Gentlemanly Southern boy, on her wedding night, slow, tender.

She knew she’d been asking for a lot, but a girl could dream, couldn’t she?

But then she got older, and the attraction to boys was pretty much non-existent. When she met Jennifer, everything just turned upside down. She knew that night she and Jennifer had gotten drunk together in her house that she didn’t want the fairytale life. She didn’t want any of it. She knew she’d sold her soul that night she got dressed for the older woman, and, being as stubborn and strong willed as she is that she wouldn’t stop until she got what she wanted.

Throughout the tour, with all of the stolen kisses and steamy moments they’d shared together, she knew that her first time wouldn’t be slow and tender. She didn’t want that anymore. She wanted Jennifer, she wanted wild, sexy, throw-your-cares-to-the-wind sex, conducted with reckless abandon. This is exactly what she was going to get, as Jennifer roughly pulled her trousers down her thighs, and down her legs.

Lauren used her feet to help Jennifer get them off. She should have known better than to wear skinny jeans. They were always a nightmare and she found herself wishing she’d worn a dress.

The jeans came off and were thrown across the room. Lauren pulled her vest top over her head, revealing a red lace, balcony bra.

Jennifer went back to kissing her stomach, making her way across it to either side of her waist, and down to the cotton of her panties. She licked the length of Lauren’s sex over the top of them, and Lauren hummed in return. She came back up and placed tiny kisses on Lauren’s mouth, pressing their bodies together as she did so. Her hand felt down to the top of Lauren’s panties and she pulled at the elastic. They came down easily past her ankles.

Lauren fiddled with the buckles on the front of Jennifer’s dress, and then unzipping the fabric underneath. Jennifer got off of Lauren and shed herself of the dress, standing in nothing but her panties, and slid slowly back over her lover.

Lauren inhaled sharply, thoughts racing through her head as everything that was happening seemed to slow time. I’ve been waiting for this for so long, and now I freeze? Lauren what is wrong with you?! You have Jennifer freakin’ Nettles on top of you and you just lay there?! Do something!

Her own thoughts seemed to awaken her, and she wrapped a hand around the back of Jennifer’s neck and brought their lips together again.

Jennifer was the first to break the kiss, her hands wandering back down to Lauren’s most private area. With one finger, she stroked what she found, slowly. Lauren was already obscenely wet.

This is normal right? She’s not put off is she? Oh God, oh God…

Lauren learned that she had nothing to worry about as Jennifer pushed a finger inside of her. Lauren gasped, but was soon softened with a tender kiss that sent fireworks through her brain.

Jennifer quickened her pace, thrusting in and out, holding herself close to feel her wrist against her own clit. She added another finger to her attack and felt Lauren’s breath on her neck, her fingers pressing against Lauren’s G spot every time she curled her fingers.

“I’m close.” Was all Lauren managed to say as she shuddered beneath Jennifer.

Jennifer pressed a thumb to Lauren’s clit and sped up. They both came, crashing into orgasm simultaneously.

Jennifer climbed off of Lauren and lay on her back next to her. They both panted, out of breath.

Jennifer reached her hand and met Lauren’s, wrapping their fingers around each other.

“I don’t think I ever wanna let you go.”

Lauren’s eyes watered. Nobody had ever told her anything like that before. She blinked the tears away before Jennifer noticed and turned this whole thing into a snuggle-fest. She hadn’t the words to respond, so put everything she had into a single kiss. Which led to more single kisses, until they were just a tangle of limbs, spread across the bed sheets.

Jennifer pulled away, nudging her nose into Lauren’s jawline, enjoying the view of Lauren. Her hair was pushed back out of her face, her face flushed a deep shade of pink, and her lips red and swollen from kisses. She has never looked more beautiful. She peppered kisses along the jawline and her tongue caressed the front of her throat, alternating between sucks and tiny bites. Her nose traced down the swell of her breast, and the licking and nips continued. Jennifer took a tight nipple between her lips, swirling her tongue around it, and then moving on to the other, repeating the same actions. Lauren arched her back and moaned, her hands reaching above her head to grasp at anything she found there.

Jennifer kissed her lover’s ribs, making her way down and sliding her tongue back up, then back down between the two sides of the cage. She slid between Lauren’s legs and kissed up her thighs, not stopping until she reached her destination. She licked along Lauren’s sex and Lauren writhed underneath her, gasping.

Jennifer hit against Lauren’s clit with the tip of her tongue, emitting a cry from Lauren. She carried on, swirling her tongue around it as Lauren involuntarily rolled her hips. She pushed two fingers inside and Lauren cried out again as Jennifer simultaneously pushed in and out with her fingers in a steady rhythm, flicking her tongue over the nub that held so much power until Lauren screamed out in pleasure, her whole body shaking uncontrollably. Jennifer climbed up the younger girl’s body, tenderly kissing the exposed flesh of her hips and stomach until she reached soft lips. Lauren hugged Jennifer closely, cushioning her face in the crook of her neck, her chest slowly heaving up and down as she breathed heavily.

“You were really loud.” Jennifer said, simply.

“I know. I hope nobody heard.” Lauren closed her eyes and continued to slow her breathing.

Jennifer recognized in that moment that she was falling for the young girl wrapped around her. She placed tiny kisses on her cheeks, stroking her hair as she fell asleep.

“Happy birthday.” She whispered before getting up from the bed and sneaking back to her own room. 

< Part 1 | Part 3 >