Chapter 1

Bailey pulled the surfboard out of the water as she waded up to the beach. She tossed it and caught the fiberglass neatly to crook it under her arm. She shook out her short, brown hair, teasing it with her free hand. Maya might keep telling her to try it long, but Bailey liked the utilitarian cut. And it was cute, whatever Maya said.

Well, Courtney had said so too, and that had worked out so very well in the end.

Bailey squelched that line of thinking before it could go any further. The whole point of coming out to the ocean was to forget about things like that. It counted as meditation, floating on the board and waiting for just the right wave to drop into.

Forget Courtney forget Courtney don't think about Courtney...

It wasn't going to work. She sighed. There really wasn't anything to do about it. A month out and she still wasn't doing any better. She wasn't going to forget her ex anytime soon.

"Hi Bails. I ... I guess you're wondering where I was last night."

"Oh no Courtney. It wasn't like we had plans, like it was our anniversary or anything!"

Bailey closed her eyes, willing the thoughts away again. She focused on the sounds of the ocean behind her; the waves rolling in, the gulls crying out, the kids laughing...

"I just needed something a little different, Bails. You can be so ... well, normal."

"I thought you liked that about me. You'd always said, no more goths, no freaks, no lipsticks..."

Bailey clenched her teeth. She strained, tensing her muscles, trying to fight back the emotional tide threatening to crush her.

She didn't buckle this time. It was an improvement. Every day for the last month she'd crumpled on the ground after coming out of the water. The experience was new; she'd surfed for years, both the ocean and relationships, and never had something like this happen.

Courtney had been the one.

"Hey, Bails!"

She opened her eyes, startled. Coming over the sea wall were a few friends from the university. Navi was waving, probably hoping to get her to join them. He was one of those that thought if a lesbian met the right man, she'd go straight. He knew that he was the right man for her and she just hadn't figured it out yet.

Navi walked up. "Come on, join us," he said, indicating the group. "We have horseshoes." He flicked his eyebrows. "I'll even let you kick my ass again!"

"Sorry Navi. I'm gonna pass. I'm heading back to the lab."

"Oh, Miss Doctoral Student too good for her friends now?" Navi laughed. "All this time in the lab isn't good for you. You need to get out."

"Hi Bails!" Nia stepped up, smiling with her entire face.

An entire conversation with Courtney about hot Japanese schoolgirls flashed through Bailey's head. She nearly wretched.

"She doesn't want to come," said Navi. "Going back to the lab, she says."

"Oh, no you don't, girl," said Nia, smile gone. "I'm not letting you use the lab as an excuse to be depressed about Courtney. You're coming with us." The smile came back as she reached for Bailey's arm.

"No, no, really guys, let me go to the lab, please, I really have work to do..."

Nia looked at her. "She's serious, Navi."

"Yes, I can see that."

"We'll let you go on one condition. Party. Tonight. Up on the hill." Nia pointed behind her. "Mansion. You are coming, no choice."

Bailey chuckled. That was Nia. "Ok, deal. I don't promise to have fun, though."

"Oh yes you do!" Nia said. "I'll text when I'm on the way to get you. See you then!"

Bailey smiled for at least a few seconds more. Nia pulled a resisting Navi, who was still looking over his shoulder at Bailey, towards the rest of their friends. He waved before finally turning. Then Bailey's smile was gone. She wasn't ready for a crowd, not yet. Courtney had been the socialite of the two, always Bailey's shield against too much attention.

Bailey was still on the couch in her sweats when Nia texted that she was on her way. Bailey tossed on some shorts and a t-shirt, did her usual light make-up job and slid on her Tevas just as the doorbell rang.

"Hi Nia."

"Hi Bails!" Nia leaned in for a hug. "I see you really went all out tonight." She gestured at the outfit. "Depressed lesbian chic." Nia had on a LBD.

"Oh get over it."

"Come on, Bails! Rich people, beautiful house, beach views ... Try, at least for tonight? Please?" Nia batted her eyes. Bailey cracked a smile; they'd been playful for years. Once she'd hoped Nia would try it out, but Bailey had given up on it.

"I'll try," Bailey said, sounding a little defeated.

"Oh, fine. I'll take that. Let's go!" Nia pulled Bailey out of the apartment towards the elevator. The walkways were covered but open to the courtyard. The tan speckling needed an update and the cement was cracked, but the place was still too rich for Bailey's budget now that she was on her own again. It was on Nobel, a street over from the UCSD campus, and places here commanded top dollar. The two women rode down to street level. Nia wasn't able to get into the underground parking; she was lucky to have found a spot on the street that was relatively close. Many places had multiple students per bedroom, which left curb space at a premium. The two women piled into Nia's Civic.

"Can this even make it up the hill?" Bailey asked. "Assuming they don't stop us at the bottom since we're obviously too poor to be locals..." She laughed.

"Hey!" Nia pouted. "I love my little car. Car, don't listen to her. She's mean." She stuck her tongue out at her friend.

Bailey looked at Nia's lower lip sticking out. She was so cute like that.

They took off, over to La Jolla Village Drive then to Torrey Pines. It was foggy; air heavy with moisture rolled in off the ocean and got stuck behind the hills. They fought through a little traffic heading towards Prospect and made it up to the mansions. Once, there had been regular beach houses and a few small cottages sized for the little people that played in the 'Wizard of Oz'. Now, huge modern structures dotted the side of the hills, with pillars holding them in place on the slope and made of mostly glass to show off how rich the owner was since he or she could afford the view.

They pulled through a lattice gate with a large circle T in the middle. Nia navigated the lines of cars parked on either side of the circular driveway. A small awning extended from the front doors, and a valet was standing watch underneath.

"A valet?" Bailey asked. "What kind of party is this?"

"A fun one, Bails," Nia said, smiling. "It's not that big of a deal. Tatiana is cool."

"I sure hope so." Bailey still felt a little nervous, having come in kegger clothes, not cocktail party.

Getting inside didn't help much. There was definitely a business casual thing going around, with some suits and dresses as well. It seemed a little corporate for Nia and the gang to be dragging her to, but maybe they were here for grant money; with dollars on the line, schmoozing was par for the course.

"So, why am I here, Nia?" Bailey was less than happy.

"Rich people, Bails," Nia smiled at her. "Some are hot, aren't they? You could do with a sugar mommy that likes the outdoorsy type."

Bailey glared.

"Sorry, I should've told you, but you wouldn't have come, right?"

Bailey kept glaring.

"So go hunting." Nia pushed Bailey gently away and walked over towards a small group of guys.

"Hey, Bailey!" Navi always found her, just like a cute puppy dog. "Need a drink?" She noticed he had on a shirt and slacks. Part of her hated them both a little more. She crossed her arms. "It's better than the usual crap we get at parties." Which was certainly true, and one of the things she liked about schmoozing. "Let me guess, dirty martini, Bombay Sapphire..."

"Extra dry." If she was lit enough, maybe Navi and Nia would make it out of here alive.

"Lush!" He went off to grab the order. Puppy dog.

She looked around again, still a bit embarrassed about her 'depressed lesbian chic'. She stood out like a sore thumb. Only a few others were really noticeable, but because they were eyecandy. Each had on a short, tight dress with strappy heels. There was just a hint of stocking tops when they walked. Maybe there was hope for this party yet; she'd counted six so far and if any one of them at least swung both ways, then Bailey might be able to forget Courtney for a night.

"May I get you a drink?" The voice was soft, luscious and right behind her. She jumped. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"Oh, uh, yeah," Bailey laughed as she turned. The woman was not soft, but definitely luscious. Bailey couldn't help checking her out. She wore a long blue dress and heels, and had all the right curves in that delicious toned way. Her blonde hair was pulled up off her neck. Bailey wanted to spend the night with her and that neck. Several nights. Maybe many nights. Who was Courtney again?

"You don't look like a Cosmo woman. Maybe Manhattan? Scotch?"

"Martini. Extra dry, Bombay Sapphire, dirty. Bailey, by the way."

"Tatiana. My pleasure to meet you." She held out her hand, limp and palm down. Surprised, Bailey found herself taking it and kissing the back. "Welcome to my soiree. So glad to meet a gentlewoman." Tatiana held a coy little smile as she turned to one of the creampuffs that minced by. "Ginger dear, get this beautiful woman an extra dry Bombay Sapphire martini, dirty."

"Uh, thanks." Bailey blushed. She never blushed.

"So, Bailey, what is it you are doing here? After funding for your new business? You don't look like it."

"Uh, no, I'm not." She laughed. "I just followed a few friends who didn't tell me much about this, as you can see." She gestured at her clothes.

"Oh, don't worry about it. It just makes you more," Tatiana ran her eyes up and down Bailey, "interesting."

Another of the eyecandies, with short black hair and porcelain skin, came up to Tatiana and leaned in to whisper. After a hurried conversation, Tatiana turned back to Bailey. "Please excuse me, I have something that requires my attention. I'll hunt you down a little later." Tatiana smiled and ran her hand down Bailey's cheek. Bailey blushed again as Tatiana walked away.

OK, I have a thing for older women now, she thought to herself.

"Damn, that was pretty hot," Navi said, handing her a drink. She swallowed it in one gulp. He saw Ginger approaching and stopped to stare. His eyes didn't make it higher than chest level.

"Your drink," said Ginger, handing it to Bailey. She leaned in close enough that Bailey could kiss the blonde's tanned neck. Ginger said, in a breathy, husky voice, "Tatiana said you could have anything else you want." She left the last word hanging in the air as she gently stroked one finger along Bailey's chin. Then Ginger turned and strolled away, putting a little extra sway in her hips. Bailey stared after the woman, drinking in her curves and legs.

"That was even hotter!" Navi exclaimed. "Oh, this is so the best night of my life. Can I watch? Maybe join in? Who is Tatiana? She can join in too, if she wants." He was laughing in that God I wish I wasn't joking around way.

"Navi!" Bailey admonished. She was still somewhat shaken and couldn't come back with anything more. What the hell just happened? kept running through her head. It just didn't process.

"No denial, so maybe you really won't mind me joining in this once?" Navi let the biggest smile he could make brighten his face. He fully expected the slap any moment. Bailey never let it go on like this.

"I, uh..." Bailey looked over at Ginger, who had met up with an Asian hottie in a short, strappy, blue one-piece. Ginger saw her looking and winked. The other woman looked up as well, and once her eyes found the woman Ginger was looking at, she smiled.

Navi saw where Bailey was looking. "Go Bails, go! Don't let this opportunity get away!" She looked at him, obviously torn. He shoo'd her with his hands. She downed the martini and handed the glass off to him.

The lavish back room was dim, with comfortable leather couches against the velour curtains on the walls and an open area in the middle. Whispered conversations and discreet laughter floated up to her as she followed Ginger and the Asian woman, Thi, in. Several men and women were seated with at least one of the escorts (as Bailey had come to think of them) sitting close enough to touch. A heavy scent of sweet incense wafted from a brazier in one corner and soft music floated out from behind the curtains. Bailey sank into the middle of the last available couch, with Ginger and Thi on each side, shoulders touching and both twisting to face her.

"We're so happy to have you back here," Ginger said.

"Yeah, we usually have stuffy old guys." Thi rolled her eyes.

"Not hotties like you." Ginger leaned closer and started gently kissing Bailey's ear.

"Definitely not." Thi started on Bailey's other ear, and moved down to her neck.

This was going a little faster than Bailey wanted it to. She started to sit up, but each of her escorts put a hand on Bailey's shoulder, and in the plush couch they easily held Bailey in place. She thought about saying something, but somewhere along the way the two martinis now coursing through her made it a little easier to just go along with it. She hadn't been laid in a while, and hadn't had just sex without strings since, well, long before Courtney. And anyways, she didn't want to stop the little tingles shooting down her neck and fluttering in her chest.

But still, why her? The pesky question kept popping up. "Uh, not that ... this ... isn't great... , but, uh, why me?" Bailey asked. Stupid stupid stupid just go with it they'll stop

"Because Tatiana wanted us to," Ginger breathed into her ear. "She likes you." The blonde twirled a finger down Bailey's shoulder to circle her breast. "She wants you to enjoy yourself until she can see to you herself." She leaned in and kissed Bailey, with soft lips and a hard tongue. Bailey felt it in her brain stem, pulling a moan out. Thi had a hand low on Bailey's thigh and gently worked it up under Bailey's shorts. She felt fingers tickle the soft, sensitive skin where her legs ended, and she shifted, whether to get away or lean in she wasn't sure. Ginger moved around her chin to her throat, and Bailey rewarded the blonde with a purr. Thi managed to get one shoulder exposed, sucking hard enough to leave marks.

"Wait, wait ... No, I'm, something's wrong, this doesn't happen to me," Bailey protested.

"All the more reason to enjoy it now that it is," Thi replied, then went back to her suckling. Bailey felt the electric sparks from her shoulder and down her neck start little fires through her chest, stoking the heat building further down. She let her body go limp. Her legs naturally spread a bit, her shoulders sank further into the couch and her head lolled back. She regretted downing the drinks so fast; she hadn't had much of a meal and they were really getting to her.

"Maybe we should move," Ginger said.

"Good idea," Thi said. "One of the bedrooms is open." She gestured up at something on the wall.

"But I just got comfortable," Bailey complained. The other two helped get her up. Bailey followed Thi out of the room, eyes roaming the woman's luscious hips and waist. The dark-haired beauty pulled a key from the wall as she entered the hallway. She stopped at a door and unlocked it. As Bailey stepped inside, she was struck by the overt sexual nature of the decor. Hooks lined the ceiling, floor and walls. Several simple chairs rounded the four-poster bed and chests served for night stands. Bailey stopped, non-plussed, giving Ginger the opportunity to hug her from behind and nibble along the back of her neck.