Helen let out an exaggerated sigh and stretched.

The movement next to her caused Nikki to let out a groan. “You’re not leaving me, are you?”

“I’ve got a meeting.”

“No.” With that, Nikki tossed an arm over Helen, letting it lay over her partner. “Stay.”

“Nikki.”

“Stay in bed. Just one day.”

Helen turned towards her partner. “We’ve had one day in bed.”

“We deserve another.” Nikki nudged herself closer. “And another.”

“Staying in bed may be well and good for you, but I’ve still got a meeting.” With that, Helen moved Nikki’s arm off, and flung back the covers.

“C’mon.”

The heat from her partner radiated behind her. Some part of her felt tempted to just lean back, be enveloped in that heat. “I can’t. You know I can’t.”

Nikki’s lips grazed the outside of her ear. “Miss, don’t you want to be bad.”

“No.” This time it was forceful.

As she tried to stand, Helen felt Nikki’s arm snake around her waist. “Please, Miss.”

“I said no, Nikki.” With that, Helen was up from the bed, the slamming door on the bathroom announcing her exit.

From inside the bathroom, Helen could hear the exasperated sound that Nikki made as she sunk back into the bed. The temptation was there, to return. To spend the day in bed. To follow whatever path Nikki was trying to set.

But whatever temptations were present, Helen had set her priorities for this trip. One of those priorities, the one that she had received a funding grant for, had to be this project.

She prepared for her day in silence.

In fact, until she was almost out the door, she thought Nikki had returned to sleep.

“Enjoy your time with that woman,” Nikki offered, petulant.

“Nik, Don’t be like this.”

“Like what?”

“Nevermind.” Helen knew that this was going to be one of those days, and this was not a conversation she wanted to start now.

“Spend your day thinking of Denny, then. I’ll just be here, on my lonesome.”

As much as Helen loved this woman, there were times when Helen felt that Nikki was just not rational about her responsibilities. “I’m going now.”