Jealousy and Symmetry

Pretty, steel blue eyes, widened in surprise, and delight, as they read, and re-read, the message. Long, slender fingers tightened their grip involuntarily on the phone, as the eyes looked up from the small screen to stare, unfocused, towards the window across the room. Not overly full, but seductive, shapely lips broke into a smile, the eyes now gazing at the ceiling, dark chocolate, slightly waved hair spilling over slim, naked shoulders, as Jenni let her head rest on the back of the sofa, pondering the message, and what she might do in response. The smile widened, and she read the message once more.

Chris is back in town. Came back a couple of weeks ago. Thought you'd like to know...

The message was from Louise, her best friend of many years, and a mutual of friend of both herself and the Chris she was referring to. Chris, an ex-boyfriend of ten years past... The ex, if truth be told. The one who got away. Her one biggest regret when it came to failed relationships. She let her mind drift over their time together. Their relationship had only lasted six months, but what a ride it had been.

Chris had been the definitive bad boy when she'd first met him. She'd been twenty three then, he two years older. A biker with a love of punk and alternative music, his long dark hair shaved at the sides, Mohawk style, but left long and loose. Athletic and exciting, with a passion for the outdoors, there had never been a dull moment during their all too brief relationship. So what had gone wrong? Jenni shuddered inwardly as she recalled how things had ended.

After six months of fun, camping trips, long walks in the countryside, late nights chatting and smoking weed as they philosophised, and put the world to rights, he'd professed his love and desire to commit to their future together. How her heart had soared at the revelation that first night. But the following morning, as she'd lay awake in the early hours, she'd looked at him in a new light. Doubt had crept. Did she want this excitement to end? Did she want the bad boy to be tamed and make him her one and only? Did the idea of that somehow take the shine off what she'd seen as his untameable soul?

Full of doubt and hesitation, she'd avoided him the following week, not answering messages or calls, hating herself for doing so but sinking deeper and deeper into doubt as to what she really wanted. By the following weekend, he'd decided for her. Arriving at her flat with a small bag of her belongings that she'd left at his house, he coldly and flatly announced his disappointment that she could treat him with such contempt after six months of intimacy and sharing. The look in his eyes nearly broke her, then. Cold as his voice had been, there were tears in the green and hazel eyes.

She'd cried long and hard that night, but the damage was done, and they hadn't spoken since. A few months later, she'd heard from mutual acquaintances that he'd moved away, back to where he'd been to university, and had a different life, and friends that she knew little of.

Now he was back. Ten years was a long time but she couldn't deny the feeling of excitement that filled her as she'd read of his return. She'd never felt anything approaching the joy she'd known then, with anyone she'd dated since, and that regret at her hesitation, and ridiculous silence, had remained with her every day since his departure. With hope in her heart, and almost trembling at the thought, she resolved to bite the bullet and go round to see him. She didn't dare hope that she might be well received, but she had to try... She had to know if that spark could be rekindled, and she'd wonder forever in regret if she didn't try.

Unbidden tears filled her eyes as she returned her attention to her phone, and replied to Louise.

Do you know his address? I have to at least try...

The answer came swiftly.

Yes. That's my girl!

A row of grinning faces followed, then the address.

No time like the present. Jenni pushed herself lithely up from the sofa, and made her way to her bedroom. How to choose attire suitable for greeting an old flame in an attempt to elicit long forgotten desire? Her hands shaking as she opened her wardrobe, she considered her options.

As she pondered, she recalled the comments he'd made about her body, her legs, the things he'd found attractive. In truth, his description of her had been 'you're absolutely gorgeous, from head to toe'... She grinned again involuntarily, and pulled her black yoga shorts and top from their place on the shelf, shrugging off the towelling dressing gown that had been her only clothing thus far today.

Skipping underwear, she slid the tight lycra shorts up her slender, athletic legs and over her bottom, and ran her hands over herself as she surveyed her reflection, turning one side then the other to view her profile, nodding in approval. Ten years it may have been, but her body didn't show it yet. Her small breasts still stood proud, no sign yet of gravity winning its battle. Pulling on the matching lycra top, with no bra to spoil the lines, she smiled again at her reflection. She looked great, in truth -- a body that any woman ten years younger would be proud of. The tiny top showed a good amount of toned midriff, and with momentary hesitation, she threw a light cotton shirt, also black, over the top as a cursory nod to modesty.

Black ankle socks followed, then running shoes. She was ready. With one last twirl at the mirror to satisfy her, she headed downstairs, picked up her phone and car keys, and left the house.

~

As she stood waiting at the windowless wooden front door, after ringing the bell once, nerves and doubt had begun to overtake Jenni. Was she a fool for harbouring these longings for all this time? Was it ridiculous to expect anything by way of a warm greeting from her ex boyfriend after so long, particularly given how they'd parted? Almost at the point of convincing herself this was a foolish endeavour, she heard a key being turned in the lock, and dropped her gaze to her feet. She steeled herself for the moment, and took a deep breath as the door opened.

Instead of immediately flicking her eyes to the figure in the now open doorway, her eyes travelled slowly from her own feet to those opposite her. She saw white trainer socks. Her eyes continued their journey...

Slender ankles showed above the socks. Perfect ankles, smooth and hairless, leading to toned, slim and shapely calves...

Jenni was becoming increasingly aware of her heartbeat, which seemed to hammer in her chest, getting faster, the sound of her own pulse driving out all other sound. Her gaze travelled from the calves to the knees, interminably slow, but she felt unable to move her eyes faster, nor flick them up to the waiting face. The knees led to firm and shapely thighs, athletic but not overly muscled. They were gorgeous thighs, perfectly smooth, not a hair in sight.

She felt the blood rushing from her face, dizziness replacing doubt, weakness taking hold of her as she struggled to maintain composure as her gaze continued from the thighs, past the black, lacy knickers that adorned the hips, up the partially exposed, flat and perfect tummy, briefly pausing at the bra that matched the knickers, where it peeked from beneath the open shirt, and finally, after what seemed like an age, to the face.

A beautiful face. Curved and seductive lips, high cheek bones, framed by straight brunette hair, just below shoulder length. Bright and alluring steel blue eyes regarded her quizzically. Their eyes met. Jenni's heart sank as recognition replaced anxiety.

"Hello, Rachel," she said, her voice flat and lifeless.

~

Rachel... Of all the people that might have answered Chris door, Jenni wouldn't have even put Rachel on the list. She had been his ex when Jenni was with him, his last love, breaker of hearts... Their break-up had been several months before Jenni had started seeing him, but the hurt was still fairly plain to see, despite the fact he didn't talk about it much.

She remembered the first time she and Rachel had met. It was a party at a mutual friend's house. She and Chris had been there about an hour, already on their way to inebriation, enjoying their new found bond, growing into their relationship. She'd been sitting at the kitchen table chatting with several of his friends, being the new girlfriend, bonding, charming, playing her part, while Chris was mingling with friends and acquaintances as you do at such gatherings.

A new arrival at the party caught everyone's attention, and, as she entered the kitchen, all present greeted her with enthusiasm, if a little surprise at her presence. It was Rachel. She regarded the slim, athletic looking brunette with a little dismay. The ex at a party... how would this play out? She was stunning, too. A smile that lit the room, sparkling, mischievous steel blue eyes, slim but curvaceous, her perfect toned legs on full display, clad only in very short cycling shorts and skate shoes, and a tight, long sleeved top that showed a little toned tummy above the shorts. Jenni regarded her own legs beneath the table, also on full display below her very short skirt, an involuntary comparison taking place in her head.

With smiles and cursory greetings, Rachel seated herself on a chair offered up by Graham, one of Chris's best friends, directly opposite Jenni. Graham introduced them.

"Rachel, this is Jenni, Chris new girlfriend," he said looking from one to the other. "Jenni, Rachel..."

Their eyes met. Rachel smiled her room-winning smile and held out her hand. "Hi Jenni. You're gorgeous. Hope you'll make our boy happy," she gushed, with seeming genuine enthusiasm.

Jenni took the offered hand and returned the smile as warmly as she could, though she felt a little disconcerted at Rachel's beauty and obvious popularity with Chris' friends, as well as the way she casually referred to Chris as 'our boy'. "Hi Rachel," she said softly. "You're absolutely beautiful..." Was that too much? Well, I've said it now...

Two pairs of remarkably similar steel blue eyes regarded each other, the long, slender fingers still holding each other gently, even tenderly. Jenni felt suddenly hot and uncomfortable under the apparently warm gaze. There was something indefinably mischievous in Rachel's eyes she couldn't help but notice. She released her soft grip on Rachel's hand and their fingers slid away from each other, a little too slowly, maybe, Rachel's caressing Jenni's before they parted.

Their eyes still held their gaze, the mischievous sparkle in Rachel's now more plain to see. Jenni felt like she couldn't look away, almost mesmerised, though she felt the prickling heat of discomfort more keenly now, as she replayed the odd sensation of Rachel's almost sensual handshake. The brunette cocked her head slightly, one slender eyebrow slightly raised, the sunny smile remaining with no hint of strain, her pleasure obvious. It was an infectious smile, the mischief sprite-like, and her discomfort subsided a little, replaced by germinating warmth towards this beautiful, vibrant, and happy young woman.

Jenni relaxed a little more, the prickling heat subsiding. She felt her own smile widen, responding to the warmth of Rachel's effortless one. The blue eyes still held each other. How long has it been now? A few moments? A minute? She'd lost all sense of time, but was caring less and less with each passing moment. She crossed her legs, stretching out her foot, almost jumping in surprise as her bare ankle slid softly over Rachel's, which was similarly extended already. The sparkling, mischievous eyes narrowed slightly as she felt the smooth, exquisite ankle push more firmly against her own. She didn't move away, surprisingly enjoying the near frictionless sensation, as their silky-smooth legs almost sensually embraced, hidden from view by the long table cloth.

A figure appeared on her right, standing very close. A hand lightly, softly rested on her shoulder, the thumb gently rubbed the skin of her neck. With some hesitation, she forcibly pulled her gaze away from the mesmerising blue eyes opposite and looked up to find Chris smiling down at her.

"You and Rach have met then...?" He said cheerfully, flicking his eyes over to the brunette. "Hi, Rach. How are you?"

She saw something in his eyes, an almost imperceptible flicker in his expression, as he looked at his beautiful ex. He still loves her. Oddly, she felt no jealousy at the thought, and looked back at Rachel, who's eyes were now on Chris. I'm not actually surprised by that, she's enchanting. It was no secret that it was Rachel who had ended their relationship, stating suddenly, to everyone's surprise, that she just wanted to be friends. They still were friends, but as Jenni pondered the fact of his lingering affection for the lovely Rachel, she thought it natural rather than concerning. He'd been attentive and devoted to her in their short time together. There was nothing to worry about.

"Hi gorgeous," replied the brunette, that infectious smile still present. "I like your new girl, she's beautiful." The sparkling eyes returned to meet her own, and she narrowed them, with apparent affection, cocking her head slightly again.

Jenni smiled warmly back, mirroring the narrowed eyes with obvious intent, feeling a blossoming, genuine affection towards this vibrant, gorgeous girl. Rachel's soft, smooth ankle slid slowly across her own, increasing the pressure, then maintaining a firmer, fuller contact between their bare legs. A little thrill accompanied the sensation, as Jenni fought to hide her pleasure at their secret touch, and maintain composure.

Chris looked back down at her, his smile widening. As his eyes flicked from her eyes to her mouth, her hair, her body, then back to her eyes, once again she saw a momentary change in his expression. Just for an instant, his smile faltered, his eyes widening... only slightly... so little... so brief the pause, when it passed she wasn't even sure she'd seen it at all. She had though, and a sliver of concern lodged itself in her consciousness, waiting for another to join it, only then to make it something to possibly actively worry about.

The rest of the evening had passed in a dreamy blur for Jenni. She and Rachel chatted and laughed easily together, all the while maintaining the hidden contact between their legs, occasionally allowing them to slowly move and rub against each other, Jenni relishing the sensation of silken smoothness on each occasion. Many times they ceased talking and simply looked at each other, eye to eye, while their legs played their secret game.

She lost herself in the gold flecked blue eyes on several occasions, simply admiring Rachel's beauty, enjoying their apparent chemistry. Reflecting on the evening the following day, she realised that neither of them had really spoken to anyone else, and that mesmerising connection could easily be called flirting by any casual observer. It was certainly the most intimate time she had ever experienced in the company of another female, and she blushed when she thought about it, even though alone. She recalled Rachel's infectious smile, the mischief in her eyes, then the satin smooth skin of her legs as it slid against her own, an irrepressible smile betraying her pleasure.

~

Rachel was lying on the Chris' leather sofa in just her knickers and bra, enjoying a few of her favourite songs that she and Chris had shared upon their reunion, some three days past. The doorbell snapped her out of her reverie, bringing her back from daydreams of passion and love rediscovered. With slight irritation at the interruption, she stood and stretched lithely, and shivered a little, detached from the warm spot she'd made on the sofa. She threw on a shirt that was draped on the arm, more for warmth than modesty, and tiptoed quietly to the front door to espy the interloper to her daydreaming.

She peered through the spy hole, and nearly exclaimed aloud as she saw Jenni, probably the last person she would ever have expected to be calling on Chris, particularly so soon after his return. Her irritation grew a little as she thought of how Jenni had hurt him all those years ago. Then a smile stole across the gorgeous lips as she recalled her own encounters with Jenni, the apparent chemistry between them - a tantalising, tempting, yet unexplored sexual magnetism, palpable each time they'd met, and not unnoticed by more than a few of Chris' friends.

She regarded Jenni's attire, approvingly noting the toned legs and tummy, the casual grace as she fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable, as if she struggled with inner turmoil while awaiting her unknown fate beyond the heavy wooden door. Rachel's smile grew, taking on that mischievous aspect, so familiar to any who knew her. She stifled it quickly, assuming a casual demeanour as she turned the key in the lock and swung the door wide, well aware of her scanty clothing, radiating as much brazen confidence as she could muster.

Jenni's eyes seemed to take forever to make their way from her own feet, to Rachel's, traversing the long legs, her body, and finally her face, agonisingly slowly. Their eyes met.

"Hello, Rachel," came the clearly disheartened greeting. The chocolate haired young woman seemed on the verge of tears.

Rachel chuckled inwardly, enjoying Jenni's discomfort. She felt her humour surfacing, unable to quell it, so let it free, to appear as an enthusiastic moment of recognition.

"Jenni! Wow, it's been a long time... You're looking gorgeous as ever!" She bubbled good cheer, enjoying the look of confusion on the other woman's face as she struggled to gauge her response.

"Likewise, Rach." She managed a weak smile, clearly off balance. "I... err... came to see Chris... I heard he was back in town..." She stumbled over the words, bravely sticking to her purpose and Rachel felt a measure of admiration for that.

"He's out at the moment. Not sure what time he'll be back." She had a thought, smiled a sunny smile, her mischief growing. "You're welcome to come in and wait with me." She gestured towards the hallway behind her, turning slightly to leave a gap to allow Jenni through the door.

The other woman hesitated a moment and Rachel thought at first she might just leave. She took a deep breath, then seemed to relax and smiled a little more warmly.

"Thanks, Rach, I will. Be good to catch up anyway." She walked slowly towards the open door, holding Rachel's gaze as she approached.

~

Jenni was taken aback by Rachel's warm and enthusiastic greeting, but still felt cautious, being well aware of the brunette's irrepressible, mischievous side. She held the steel blue gaze as she approached the gap, realising it was barely big enough to squeeze through, and turned to face the other woman as she passed. They were close enough to kiss and Jenni felt her nipples tingle as her lycra clad breasts briefly brushed against Rachel's. She could taste the fruity sweetness of her breath, smell the musky warmth of perspiration, feeling the heat of the other female body, as flesh passed flesh in seeming slow motion.

The chocolate haired young woman felt old feelings stir as she moved past the brunette, and she shifted her gaze to the hallway and living room beyond. She continued on, hearing the door shut and lock behind her, then stopped and turned as she entered the living room, blocking the doorway from the hall, to watch Rachel walk towards her.

Her eyes inadvertently dropped to watch the spectacular legs, the play of toned muscles as she moved, the sway of her hips, then the curve of her figure, peeking from beneath the shirt, awakening long forgotten sensations of excitement and desire she'd once felt when the two of them were together. It was maddening and distracting but she couldn't deny those feelings remained, all but forgotten in the last ten years.

She saw Rachel's eyes travel up and down her own body, before returning to her own, that familiar mischievous smile returning as she stopped uncomfortably close, but unable to pass her in the narrow doorway.

"What are you really doing here, Jenni?" she asked, her voice soft and curious.

"I told you. I came to see Chris." She tried to keep her voice level but heard it quiver slightly. She was sure Rachel must have heard that too, and cursed inwardly.

"To what end? You're not friends. Given how things ended, you've got a nerve showing up now. My guess is, you spent the last ten years regretting being such a cold bitch and after a bunch of shit relationships, are hoping you can rekindle something with our boy..." The challenge in the brunette's voice was unmistakable, her posture supporting that assertion.

Jenni felt her knees go weak and struggled to maintain composure under the still mischievous, but calculating gaze of the other woman. She reached for her wounded pride and found anger welling up in reaction to the impertinent accuracy of Rachel's assumption.

"You're a fine one to talk about hurting him, miss 'I just want to be friends.' I knew that night I first met you he was still in love with you..." she cut herself off as Rachel closed the gap between them, their noses almost touching, the briefest teasing contact between their lightly covered breasts. She could taste the sweet breath again. Strawberry, she thought, momentarily distracted again by the nearness of the other woman.

~

Rachel bristled as she watched Jenni struggle to hide her anxiety, after the directness of the question. It was obvious she still harboured desires for Chris, and this visit was a desperate attempt to discover if his affections could be rekindled. That shouldn't have irritated her given what she knew of his feelings toward Jenni, but it did anyway, and she wasn't sure what exactly she was jealous of. She felt the inexplicable attraction to the other woman as keenly as she had when they first met, all those years ago, and part of her longed to feel that soft skin against her own again. Jenni's retort broke through the distraction, and her musing quickly turned to anger.

She closed the gap between them, felt their breasts lightly bump, their noses a hairs breadth apart. Jenni, flushed and clearly angry, breathed through slightly parted lips, and Rachel could taste the heat of her breath.

"I don't need to explain myself to you. Chris and I have talked about what happened back then," she said with a quiet but fierce tone. She pushed her nose lightly against Jenni's. "You were right though, he was still in love with me." She projected the words softly, feeling Jenni's breathing quicken, and sensing her body tense. She saw the blue grey eyes flash wide with obvious anger, and felt satisfied at drawing first blood.

"Did he tell you he'd asked me to marry him?" Jenni asked, using a similar tone and volume to Rachel. "He wanted commitment, but I panicked. His feelings for you were irrelevant."

Rachel almost laughed, but maintained her outward display of quiet anger.

"I know everything, gorgeous. Chris and I have always talked about everything. I'm the reason he came back, you know? We're soul mates. He felt lost when he asked you to marry him, wanted something to hold on to..." She paused, pressing her nose a little harder again Jenni's, allowed a slow, hot breath to pass between them, deliberately matching the other woman's breathing. "The reason he was with you in the first place was because you reminded him of me. He realised that night at the party when he saw us together, noticed how alike we were..."

She paused, allowing the words to filter in, find their mark. She maintained their position, her own lips parted now, hot angry breath coming and going between them. The prickle of arousal was germinating, she could feel it. Between the anger inspired adrenaline, and the growing physical desire she couldn't control, Rachel felt an exhilaration she had seldom experienced.

~

Jenni froze as the weight of Rachel's words hit her like a slap. She recalled Chris' face, that momentary telltale something she had noticed as he looked from Rachel to herself. She couldn't fathom it at the time, but now, in the light of Rachel's gloating revelation, it all made sense. She was the surrogate, the not-quite-Rachel, desired not for herself but for who she reminded him of. Her anger burst forth in a moment of ill considered violence, and she slapped Rachel hard across the cheek. The brunette, caught completely by surprise, swayed away from her, leaving a cold space between them.

Recovering quickly, Rachel turned quickly to face her again. She slapped Jenni back, slower, more deliberate. The air between them crackled with mutual enmity, a dangerous silence fell, and Jenni tasted the unfamiliar metallic tang of fear. She'd never been a fighter, avoiding conflict wherever possible, Only once did she experience the wild and chaotic thrill of physical struggle with another girl, while at high school. They'd been pulled apart before either could really hurt the other, but she never forgot the feeling of terrified excitement as they'd clashed, fingers tangled in each other's hair, locked in their dangerous embrace.

Rachel closed the gap between them again, pressing body to body with aggressive intent. Jenni felt the muscles of those delicious thighs press against her own, the ripple of toned tummy as it pushed hard against hers. Breast crushed breast in their intimate but angry clash and Jenni sought to hide her fear as Rachel's blazing eyes bore into her own.

She felt hot breath on her lips, on her tongue, as the brunette panted through parted lips, poised a hairs breadth from her own.

"I knew we'd fight one day, that first night we met." The words came as an angry hiss. Rachel's body tensed against Jenni's.

"I don't want to fight you." Jenni sensed the futility of her statement even as she uttered it.

"Too late."

Their hands came up almost simultaneously as Jenni reacted instinctively to Rachel's attack. Fingers tangled in each other's hair as they released they fought, a mirrored storm of anger, jealousy and barely disguised desire. Jenni stumbled backwards as Rachel briefly gained better footing, and they released their grip of each other's hair, instead grabbing at each other's hands, seemingly in silent agreement that this fight was not intended to injure, more to test the other's strength and resolve.

Their fingers locked, muscles trembling not with fury, but with feverish, stubborn want. They were twined together now, skin against skin, legs entangled, a knot of jealousy, longing, and pride. Equal in strength and anger, they struggled in earnest.

Rachel's breath was hot against Jenni's lips.

"I hated you when we first met," Jenni growled, voice low. "Sitting there with your smug little smile. Flaunting your legs like you owned the whole damn room."

Rachel laughed, the sound breathless, mocking, but too tender to be cruel.

"You stared at my legs for ten minutes before you said a word," she retorted, tightening her grip. "I timed you."

Their hands strained against each other, quivering, twisting for leverage. It was not a fight that could be won, more a futile, reckless dance, a desperate need to feel more, to touch more.

"I thought you were so damned perfect," Jenni whispered, lips grazing the corner of Rachel's mouth as they struggled, venom dripping from the words. "So clever. So... gorgeous."

Rachel's breath caught in her throat. "And you thought," she said, voice ragged, "if you hated me enough, you wouldn't want me."

Their legs tangled tighter, sliding, slick and equally matched, searching for dominance. Each subtle shift of their bodies brought another gasp, another shudder of effort and desire.

Their foreheads rested against each other, only for a heartbeat, as they continued to wrestle, before the brunette shoved forward, sending them both crashing onto the sheepskin rug. Rachel laughed again, a sound of triumph and defiance, and pinned Jenni beneath her with her hips, pushing her body onto the other woman's.

"You always wanted me," Rachel said, panting, smiling down into Jenni's furious eyes. "You still do."

A low sound broke from Jenni -- not quite a sob, not quite a laugh. "You think you've won, don't you?" she said, trembling. "You think Chris preferred you, chose you? He wanted what he couldn't have that's all. If I hadn't panicked, we'd be married now."

Rachel's mouth hovered a hair's breadth from hers, mocking, tasting. "No one chooses between us," she said. "We are the same."

Their lips brushed together, a cruel mockery more than a kiss. "Maybe. I thought a lot about that unspoken chemistry between us," said Jenni, her anger fading, the words a whisper of desire.

They wrestled still, but now it was no longer clear who fought for dominance and who for closeness. Their limbs tangled tighter, mouths teasing, bodies grinding together with desperate, reckless need. The line between anger and desire, between love and hate, dissolved into nothing.

Two hearts beat a war-drum against each other's ribs, two storms, spinning wilder, melding strength, until there was but one storm - the one they made between them.

The fury between them peaked, wild and white-hot. Their bodies, slick with sweat, trembled in tandem, locked together like wrestling serpents, strangling and straining. Their struggle ebbed at last into something else, something deeper, more inevitable.

Their hands loosened, sliding instead to cradle, to pull, to plead. Their faces hovered close, breath mingling, lips parted, waiting, anticipation of a pleasure yet unknown. For one suspended moment they hung between destruction and desire.

And then the storm broke, mouth to mouth, skin to skin, a violence sweeter than any peace, no gentleness, no mercy, just a brutal, glorious clash of teeth and tongue, fuelled by years of envy, admiration, and aching, unspoken longing. A perfect, gasping union. Mouth to mouth, soul to soul, a kiss that was not born of thought or plan, but of the aching heart of them. A hunger that had gnawed from the very first look, the very first forbidden meeting of smooth skin, under a kitchen table long ago.

It was a kiss of air, of life, as though neither could breathe unless from the other's mouth. Their lips fit together with perfect symmetry, as if designed to meet and seal within this all consuming passion.

Rachel moaned into the kiss, a low and primal sound -- part relief, part exultation. Jenni answered her with a shudder, her body pressing closer, moulding against Rachel, as if they could fuse their flesh and never be apart again.

They moved, helpless and hungry, sliding against each other, hips grinding, heat meeting heat, heart to frantic heart. Their cores met, slick and straining, clit against clit, the friction a lightning bolt between them. They clutched at each other like drowning women, desperate to be saved, or to drown together, willingly, joyously.

Rachel tangled her fingers in Jenni's hair, pulling her tighter, deeper into their desperate embrace, as though to join their very souls. Jenni gasped into her mouth, her thighs locking around Rachel's, the rhythm between them primal and perfect.

There were no more words. Words had abandoned them, leaving only moans and gasps, the urgent friction of sweat drenched silken skin, and the rhythm of two bodies at last speaking the language they had always known, but had always denied.

They lost themselves, melted, melded, no longer two women, but one burning creature, born of rage and desire. Each thrust, each grind of flesh against fevered flesh, was an unspoken mantra: I hate you, I need you, I am you.

When release came, they shared the moment, a cry ripped from both throats, the echo of it muffled within the kiss they refused to break. They collapsed together, a single shivering mass, still clinging, still kissing, but softer now, slower, even tender.

In the hush afterward, their foreheads rested together, breath mingling still, Jenni wept without shame, while Rachel smiled a shaky, radiant smile.

"I never wanted to fight you," whispered Jenni.

Rachel kissed the tears from her cheeks, voice quiet in the aftermath of climax. "We were never meant to fight."

And there they lay, twined together like knots of smooth and perfect flesh, as the jealous past fell away, and the future, unknown and full of promise, opened its arms to them at last.

Their bodies still pressed, slick and heaving from their struggle, but the fire between them shifted, softened. Breath mixed with breath, fingers still interlocked, but not now from battle, more from the need to stay connected.

Rachel smiled, now a tired, breathless girl. "You remember... that first night?" she murmured, voice like soft velvet, as she stared deep into the eyes so like her own.

Jenni's laugh was low, as she recalled the meeting. "How could I forget?" She let her forehead rest against Rachel's, their sweat-slicked skin sliding together, smooth, and delicious. "I don't remember much else from that night," she said, half-closing her eyes. "Seems I only had eyes for you. And that moment..." She laughed softly, the sound delightful to Rachel's ears.

"... when our legs met under the table," said the brunette, finishing the thought, as if they shared one mind.

She recalled the sensation, silk brushing silk, the barest glancing touch, sliding along slender ankles and toned calves, the electricity of it sparking up their spines. There had been no friction, no resistance, just a gliding, inviting promise. A promise they had spent months pretending not to hear.

"I thought it was an accident," Jenni admitted, her lips brushing against Rachel's again. "But you didn't move away."

The brunette's smile broadened, that mischievous glint once again evident in her eyes. "Neither did you."

The meeting of their eyes across the table had been instant, magnetic. Steel blue crashing into steel blue, like twin blades testing each other's edge. Not a clash... not yet. A wordless recognition: I see you.

"I thought... I thought you were mocking me," Jenni whispered now, voice trembling.

"I was daring you," replied Rachel, tender and affectionate now. "Challenging you to admit you felt it too."

Jenni shivered. "God, I did. I do."

Their locked hands tightened, fingers weaving tighter still, as if afraid to let go.

"We've always been two halves of the same storm," Rachel breathed, her lips grazing their opponents.

Their legs, tangled still, moved almost of their own will -- silky skin sliding, igniting that same electric promise, stronger now, more vital, with all that had been unsaid.

Jenni leaned in, her voice a whisper. "I don't want to fight you anymore."

Rachel's smile was wicked and beautiful. "Then don't."

They kissed again, not crashing this time, but melting together. Their mouths sealed, their bodies aligning as if they had always been meant to fit this way. Not rivals, not enemies. Reflections.

The kiss deepened, their breath, their heat, their heartbeats, blending together as if becoming one. And somewhere inside the settling storm, the memory of that first silk-on-silk touch lingered, no longer a beginning, but a promise fulfilled.

Jenni paused, breaking the kiss for just a moment, a question hanging that needed to be asked. "What about Chris?"

Rachel's smile was pure passion, her mischief shining on Jenni like sunshine after a storm. "Chris who?"

They laughed together, a chorused union of tinkling bells, as they dissolved once more into their kiss. In the peace that followed, wrapped in the cocoon of each other's arms, they knew they had not lost the battle.

They had only ever been fighting to find their way here.