Care Less, Cowgirl

Chapter 2

Chapter 2Annika

Annika Ziegler looked at the clock on the wall to her far left. Only seven-thirty? It seemed like hours since she’d arrived at her Meetup group’s monthly wine-tasting event. There wasn’t one person who’d caught her eye, and she hadn’t found a wine that was particularly noteworthy either. Probably no one would notice if she left. She did have to be at the gallery early the next morning to help set up a new exhibition by an artist from Berlin.

Just as Annika rose from her chair, cold air wafted past her and a tall woman breezed into the crowded room. The woman was so striking, every head turned at her entrance. Annika sat back down and tried not to stare, but the woman’s bearing made her impossible to ignore. Sleek black, faux leather pants over what had to be Isabel Marant boots hugged long, slender legs. A leather blazer opened to show a crisp white blouse, the top three buttons left undone. Over her right shoulder hung a St. Laurent bag. Slick auburn hair was carelessly swept to one side, partially covering one of her beautiful green eyes.

Those same eyes Annika was drooling over met hers, and she blushed. The woman smiled and advanced in her direction. Annika’s heart thudded and she sucked in her breath.

“Buy you a drink?”

Annika stopped herself from saying the first thing that came into her mind. Of course the wine samples were complimentary. She had to be teasing. Don’t say anything stupid!

“I’ve been more than adequately supplied, thank you.” Great, now she’s going to think you aren’t interested. Or that she’d already had her fill and was getting ready to leave, which was true up till the past two minutes. “Uh, but you’re welcome to join me.”

That was a masterpiece of understatement!

“I’d like that. Oh, here comes another round. I guess I’m not too late.”

On the contrary. You’re just in time.

The server poured the latest offering into glasses, then moved to the next table. The woman picked up the dark red and raised her glass toward Annika.

“Here’s to you…your name, so I may finish the toast?”

“Annika. And you?”

“Sabine. Here’s to you, Annika.”

* * * *

That’s strange. How can it be raining and yet be so bright?

Annika rubbed the sleep from her eyes. The sun warmed the comforter where it lay across her naked body.

Wait a minute. Naked? She sat up and tried to remember, the throbbing in her temples making it difficult to concentrate.

No, not rain. The shower was running.

Who…?

Annika didn’t have long to wait for the answer. A tall and very sexy woman wrapped only in a towel strode into her bedroom, gracefully scooping up clothes.

“Sorry, love. Have to run. No time for the breakfast you promised me.”

The sultry voice and more-than-a-little-enticing appearance cleared the remaining cobwebs from Annika’s head. Sabine. The woman from last night’s wine tasting. The woman who—in typical Annika fashion—she’d invited home. Not again!

Before she could say a word, Sabine was fully dressed and had pressed a quick kiss on Annika’s lips before hurrying out the door. The apartment door closed with a bang.

“Call me…” The words died on her lips, lips Annika lightly touched, wanting to hold onto the kiss a little longer.

Annika rose reluctantly, the chill in the small room tightening her n*****s. She hurried into the still-warm bathroom and paused in front of the mirror over the sink. Seeing long, light brown hair a tangled mess around her face, last night’s mascara smeared under her eyes, she flushed. It would have been nice to have gotten up before Sabine to pull herself into a presentable state. Maybe she wouldn’t have rushed off like that. Maybe then she would want to see Annika again. Maybe this time it wasn’t just a one-night stand. She’d called her love. Maybe this time…

Yeah, and maybe she should swear off wine. And women. At the very least, the combination of the two.

Freshly showered and dressed for work, a bracing cup of coffee having cleared her head, Annika smiled. This time would be different. She just knew it. After all, Sabine had singled Annika out in a crowded room full of women.

As the night had worn on, the wine tasted better and better, the room had grown warm and Annika relaxed. The older woman was well-traveled and very cultured, and not in the pretentious way some of the visitors to the art gallery often were. She was intelligent and funny and drop-dead gorgeous. Even better, Sabine had spent the entire evening with Annika. She had plenty of other options. There were at least a dozen or more women watching them, obviously envious. But Sabine never so much as glanced their way.

By ten-thirty the room was clearing out, but Annika didn’t want their time together to end. Who knew when, or if, their paths would cross again? Against her better judgment, she’d invited Sabine back to her apartment, and to her great surprise, Sabine agreed to come. She only hoped she’d have a minute to make the bed and toss her dirty clothes into the hamper.

She had scoffed at her presumption. It was a little too soon to invite her into the bedroom. Coffee on the sofa would be more appropriate.

But Sabine was so smooth, so sure of herself, so…so everything! And while she was in the bathroom washing up, Annika had quickly cleared off her bed and folded the down comforter, then lit a candle on the nightstand. Even in Annika’s too-short nightgown, Sabina had carried herself regally, and taken charge immediately. So what if the s*x wasn’t great for Annika? She’d given Sabine pleasure. She was sure of that. Sabine fell asleep immediately after, she was so sated. Annika was left to take care of herself. But that was okay. The first time with someone wasn’t usually the best. Sabine would make it up to her. Next time.

Annika looked at her phone again and again on her morning commute. It was still early. Sabina probably had to go home and get ready for work. Where did she say she worked? Annika’s memory was still foggy. No matter. They would have plenty of time to talk. Surely she’d call when she got home that evening. Make plans for their next date.

Yes, this time would be different. She just knew it.

Annika got off at the tram stop closest to the Galerie Hegemann, where she was associate curator. The pay was sufficient for her to afford her tiny apartment, but she was hopeful that she’d move up to chief curator once Hugo retired, and then money wouldn’t be as tight. She loved her work, but it could be quite a challenge. Like now, with a new exhibit arriving next week. She needed to oversee the technicians and handlers during set-up, coordinate with the marketing department about advertising, and work with the education staff so guides could converse knowledgeably about the new works coming in.

Despite the occasional chaos, it soothed her soul to be surrounded by such beauty. Plus, she was close enough to where Leo, her best friend since high school, could meet her for lunch once a week on average, and he always insisted on paying. The weather seemed pleasant enough today to eat outside at their favorite sandwich shop around the corner.

By the time she left for lunch, Annika had checked her phone at least twenty times. She’d been sure to give Sabine her number, on a bright blue sticky note. Sabine would call. Annika was certain. It had only been a few hours since she’d been with her. Annika looked at her phone one more time. Still nothing. Her stomach felt a little funny. She must be hungry. She hadn’t eaten breakfast, after all. The breakfast she’d promised Sabine.