Chapter 2

“Carmen, I’m Shane and I’m your hairdresser” A lopsided grin tugged at Shane’s lips. “But I guess you already know that,” She guided Carmen to her seat. She looked at Carmen in the seat in the reflection, her stomach dangerously close to Carmen’s wayward curls. “I heard you tell the man you work here, and I just thought I wanted to try my luck. I wanted to thank you. I mean properly….” She said and there was a hesitant note, like she was unsure. “Hey, it’s my pleasure…How would you like your hair?” “Oh…I would like to trim it…and maybe give it a new look…” Shane fluffed Carmen’s thick voluptuous curls out and gauged the number of inches she would snip off. She clipped up Carmen’s curls and started to get to work. She was entirely professional about it but there was again the faint smell of lilac and this time, she was so close she could smell the fragrance of the shampoo she used.

“Jess, please wash Miss Morales’ hair,” Shane guided her towards Jess with her hair gently placed on the small of her back. When Carmen was back, with her hair piled, Shane started to blow-dry her hair, running her fingers through her hair, making sure she was not pulling on any tangles. The tips of her fingers brushed against her nape, and she could hear or rather felt the barely audible intake of breath by Carmen. “What time do you get off work?” Shane finished blow-drying her hair and she smeared styling gel on her hands. “Nine…” She rubbed the styling gel on Carmen’s hair. “You’re done….I gave you a side fringe and layered your curls so it wouldn’t be so heavy..” Carmen looked delighted at her hairstyle and Shane’s eyes lingered on her when she made small talk with Joe.

Carmen may have the smile of an angel but her body was all woman. Curvy and sexy. The snug shirt fitted her perfectly and her jeans hugged her ass and legs. Carmen’s eyes glanced over to Shane while Joe was busy gushing over how great her new haircut was. Shane made no attempt to hide the fact that she was blatantly checking her out. She could see a flush working its way up Carmen’s neck but she did not try to avert her eyes from hers. She looked right into her, with a slightly knowing and amused look. Now, Shane knew what it was about Carmen she found so unforgettable. It was her eyes that seemed to speak volumes, how you could see her emotions from her eyes. Her helplessness at the café, the appreciation when she was thanking Shane and now the pleasure in her eyes as she took in the sight of Shane. Shane had never met someone so open with her emotions. All her life, she had become so adept at hiding her own behind a nonchalant façade that someone as open and honest as Carmen fascinated her. “Carmen….” “Yeah?” “I don’t do dates…..” The look of anticipation in her eyes turned to slight dismay but her smile never wavered. “…but if you wanna thank me, even though there’s really no need to, I know a nice Chinese restaurant tucked away several streets away,” Shane did not want Carmen to get the wrong idea. Sure, she liked Carmen, but she liked a lot of women. However, what was different from the other woman was that she wanted to know more about Carmen. Perhaps, it was to protect herself too. She needed to remind herself she didn’t do dates, that emotional intimacy was not a part of her.

“Okay…….see you at nine…” Carmen made her way to the door but Shane proceeded to walk past her and push open the door for her. “You know…I’m not normally such a klutz…you don’t have to like….think u have to look out for me or something..” Carmen looked at Shane, with a bemused look on her face. “Yeah, just to make sure you don’t bang into the door by accident….” Shane said and she could hear herself laugh. A deep husky laugh and Carmen’s mock offended look gave way to a throaty laugh bubbling out of her throat.

“ You know, the Chinese restaurant, maybe I will knock down the dishes or something. Maybe you need to think twice…” “Well, I’ve thought about it…” Shane could hear Joe clearing his throat and she knew that they were standing at the door, seemingly oblivious to everything around them. “And I wouldn’t miss it for the world…”