Page 44 of Welcome to Ero-TEA-Ca: We’re Open!

Harriet

T his was a disaster. She had no idea what Gogo was playing at, but Harriet was both mortified and incensed.

She’d known Gogo for a long time, and experienced their bitchy side many times, but it had never been directed towards someone she loved.

And she did love Cass. Head over heels kind of love.

Which was why she couldn’t stand by and watch her be humiliated like this, in a room full of people she didn’t know.

“Gogo, enough.”

Cackling, Gogo turned to Harriet. “Wow, she’s got you as uptight as her now. Don’t tell me you’ve gone all frigid too, Harriet.”

The smack of Cass’s palm on the table next to her rang around the room.

Harriet held her breath. She could see Cass desperately trying to hold back tears.

“Enough,” she croaked. The room was silent.

Harriet didn’t know what to do. Her heart told her to take Cass into her arms, but her brain said the opposite.

Cass usually needed space when feeling overwhelmed, but what if she interpreted it as Harriet not standing by her?

“G, you’re out of line,” Nabi said, shaking her head.

“I’m out of line?” Gogo snorted. “I was just having a bit of fun. But I think you’re all forgetting she was the one who caused Harriet sleepless nights when the shop opened.

Let’s not forget Harriet had a life before she met Cass.

Now we never see her because she’s shacked up with Ms Beaufort over there, playing house.

And from what I gather, she’s got more baggage than Heathrow Lost and Found.

That’s who you want to see Harriet with? ”

Before Harriet uttered a word, Cass stepped forward.

“You’re correct. I was awful to Harriet when we first met, and I have apologised for that.

Harriet chose to forgive me and we moved forward.

As for Harriet and I playing house, you do your friend a disservice by treating her choices with such disdain.

I believe Harriet is with me so much because she wants to be. Because we are a couple. In love .”

Harriet’s breath hitched as Cass looked into her eyes. She smiled and nodded her head. Yes, they were in love, and she needed Cass to know she felt it too.

“If you wish to see Harriet more often, maybe you could call her instead of acting like a petulant child.” Gogo looked stunned.

Few people had the gall to stand up to them.

They were menacing in height and had the attitude to match sometimes.

“As for my baggage, I would have thought someone who has had their fair share of unwarranted harassment and discrimination would know better. You don’t know me well enough to have an opinion, no matter what you’ve heard, or from who.

But I am a part of this community,” Cass said, gesturing to the room full of queer people.

“I thought it was supposed to be a safe space, void of the petty bullshit we have to put up with out there. Clearly not, if you so easily try to use my perceived weaknesses as a way to hurt me, and, by default, Harriet.”

Kevin stepped to Cass’s side. “I think you should leave.” For a second, Harriet panicked he was talking to Cass.

But when he took Cass’s hand in his own, she relaxed.

“This was supposed to be a celebration and all you’ve done is attack Cass, for no good reason.

I’ve always defended you, G. Every time you said too much, or got out of line, because I love you.

But not this time. Cass is a part of Ero-Tea-Ca.

She’s family, and you don’t treat family this way. ”

“Kevin,” Gogo said, looking rattled.

“No. I asked you to be sensitive to Cass’s needs. You’ve made it look like I gossiped, and I can’t have that.” Kevin turned his attention to Harriet. “I swear, Harriet. I asked G to tone it down a bit. I wanted Cass to feel comfortable.”

“It’s okay,” Cass said, her face still red but missing the murderous tinge.

“It’s not okay.” Harriet moved until she was nose to nose with Cass.

“It’s not okay to be treated this way.” Turning, she pinned Gogo with her eyes.

“Ero-Tea-Ca is a safe space for everyone. You know that. You were a person who needed that, so how dare you use it as a way to make someone uncomfortable within their own skin? All you had to do was talk to me, and I would have allayed any worries you had regarding our relationship, although I don’t owe you, or anyone, an explanation. ”

“Harr—”

“No.” She held up her hand in warning. “Stop talking. Go home. I will talk to you when I’m ready, G. Until then, you need to get out.”

The room remained deathly silent as Gogo picked up their jacket and bag. Their head hung low as they made their way through the throng of people.

“Alright, let’s get back to celebrating!” Nabi shouted. “Come on, chop chop.”

Ignoring everyone, Harriet took Cass’s hand and led her to the stockroom. “I’m so sorry, Cass.” She pulled Cass into a bone-crushing hug the second they were alone. “I don’t know what the hell got into them.”

“Should I leave?”

The vulnerability in Cass’s voice shattered Harriet’s heart. “Please don’t go.”

Nodding, Cass buried her head in Harriet’s hair. They stayed holding each other for a long while.

“Did you mean it?”

Cass pulled her head back slowly. “That we’re a couple in love?”

“Yes. Did you mean it?”

She watched Cass swallow thickly. “I know I can’t speak for you. But yes. I love you. I’m in love with you.”

Taking Cass’s face, Harriet hiccupped a sob. “I love you too. So much.”

“Even though I’m old and grumpy?”

“Not old and occasionally grumpy. Even then.”

“And you’re not rethinking us? After what Gogo said?”

Shaking her head, Harriet kissed her fiercely. “Not one bit. I’ll have it out with them. Find out what the bloody hell that was about. But right now, my only concern is you.”

“I’m okay. A little shaken…I really wanted to leave.”

“But you didn’t.”

Cass leaned her forehead against Harriet’s. “No. Not this time. But…well, are you friends with Mistress Black?”

“I only know her through organising her book club.”

“Okay. I just wondered why Gogo thought you’d like to celebrate…with her.”

Harriet rolled her eyes. “Because they’re an ass. Sure, we’ve all joked about liking a good spanking. I’ve never actually taken part in a scene or anything.”

“A scene?”

“Dom/sub play scene. It doesn’t matter.”

Harriet could feel Cass thinking. “If…if there’s anything you want…in the bedroom I mean, I need you to tell me. Not hide it because you’re worried it might upset me.”

“Hey,” Harriet began, her fingers caressing Cass’s face. “Our sex life is fantastic. I love discovering new things with you. I promise I’ll talk to you if I want something new.”

“Okay. Because I’ll try it. If you want.”

Grinning, Harriet grabbed Cass’s arse. “Maybe. But right now, I love what you do to me, without accessories.”

“You mean the riding crop, right?”

“Yes, Cass.” Harriet laughed. “Please don’t get in your head about it. We’re good. You’re great. And we love each other. That’s everything.”

The party spread out over the rest of the day. Wanting to share the joy, Harriet opened up to the public, welcoming Ronnie and Tori, plus Tori’s new girlfriend. It was amazing how many loyal customers Ero-Tea-Ca had in such a short amount of time.

Throughout the celebrations, though, Harriet kept a watchful eye on Cass.

Unease settled in her gut as she replayed Gogo’s outburst. Cass was putting on a brave face, and for the most part looked as if she were enjoying herself, but Harriet couldn’t help but worry.

Would the confrontation set her back? Trigger her? God, she could throttle Gogo.

“Hey, sis. You okay?”

“Mm hmm.” Harriet still wasn’t sure if she were pissed at Kevin.

“Hey, now. I didn’t do anything, Harriet. I promise.”

Setting down her teacup, Harriet turned in her chair to face him. “What, exactly, did you say? Because that was way over the top, even for G.”

Kevin shook his head and sighed. “I literally just said that Cass had a few things she was working through, and you’d appreciate it if they could rein in the banter a little.”

“That’s it?” She eyed him suspiciously.

“Harriet, I may be smitten with them, but I would never defend them when they were out of line like that. I really don’t know why they took it as a personal affront.”

Harriet sighed. “You know how sensitive they get about being told to be ‘less than’, even though I know that’s not what you meant. I’m guessing Gogo took it that way.”

“Fuck, you’re right.” Kevin looked completely dejected.

It was well known Gogo had a bad time growing up and coming out.

Throughout their entire life, they’d had people telling them to stop being so loud, open, and generally themselves.

When they broke free of that life, they made it their personal mission to be as flamboyant and outspoken as they wanted.

If at any time a partner, or friend for that matter, tried to tell them to reel it in, Gogo took it badly.

Most of their relationships had ended because of that.

“But it still doesn’t excuse them from behaving like that towards Cass.”

Kevin placed his arm around her shoulders. “So, you’re in love, huh?” His teasing tone helped diffuse the tension.

“Yes. That was the first time she said it. I doubt she wanted us to have that conversation in front of a bunch of people while being attacked.”

“Ah, shit. I’m sorry, Harriet. Jesus, I really screwed the pooch, didn’t I?”

Letting her head drop to his shoulder, Harriet puffed out a breath of air. “No. You were trying to look out for her, and I appreciate it. I just hope this won’t set her back.”

“Talk it out. I’m sure she’s fine. Look, she’s even chatting to Mistress Black.”

Harriet scanned the room. And yes, Cass was indeed talking to Mistress Black. Harriet’s heart raced. Surely Cass knew who she was talking to, right? She’d be fine. It was just that after the earlier events, Harriet was on edge.

Kevin leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You need to trust her, Harriet. She’ll let you know if she needs saving. But after how she handled G, I wouldn’t worry too much.”

He was absolutely right. Cass had a vulnerable side, but she wasn’t weak. She didn’t need Harriet rushing in every five minutes, trying to save her. She just needed to stand by Cass’s side being supportive—as she herself would want to be supported.

Catching Cass’s eye, Harriet winked. It’d been too long since they’d been near each other and Harriet was getting antsy. Smiling internally, she watched Cass politely excuse herself and make her way over.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” Cass asked, bending to drop a kiss on Harriet’s lips.

“More now you’re next to me.”

“Sweet talker.” They grinned like idiots. Dropping into Kevin’s now-vacated seat, Cass leaned back and took a deep breath. “You have some lovely friends.”

Harriet’s hand made its way to the back of Cass’s neck. There was something relaxing about playing with the fine hairs. She watched her friends laughing and joking, feeling utterly content. “I’m glad you like them.”

Falling into comfortable silence, Harriet cast her gaze around the tearoom. “What did you want to do with the place, if I hadn’t bought it?” They were past it being a sore subject, but Cass had never revealed her intended plans for the shop.

“I wanted to turn it into a sort of library/bookstore.”

“I can see that.” Harriet pondered, “What about the upstairs space? Never thought of using that?”

Cass shrugged. “I thought about it.”

“And?”

“I think it’d be too small. Especially if I wanted comfy tables and chairs.” Another shrug. “It just wasn’t meant to be. But,” she turned and nuzzled her nose just below Harriet’s ear, “I think I got a better deal in the end. Don’t you?”

Feeling a rush of heat make its way south, Harriet shuddered under Cass’s lingering breath. “Y-yeah. I think we both got a pretty sweet deal.”

“How much longer do we need to stay?”

Flexing her hands, Harriet smiled at a few people passing by. She couldn’t let them see how turned on she was. Not because she felt uncomfortable, but because she didn’t want them lingering to rib her for it.

“I’ll start the goodbyes. Be ready to go in ten minutes.” Not wanting to waste a second, Harriet bolted from the table and began thanking everyone for coming. She noticed Cass smirking, but didn’t care. The only thing she cared about was getting everyone out of the shop and Cass back to bed.

Nabi was the last to leave after helping her and Cass tidy up. By the time she dragged Cass back to the house, she was overwhelmed with need. “Take your clothes off.”

Cass shut the front door and chuckled. “Okay.”

“Shower and then wait for me on the bed.”

Cass bit her lip. “Okay.”

Harriet waited until the bathroom door was closed before hurrying around the room, lighting candles. She put on some soft instrumental music, stripped naked, and waited. Cass stepped into the room a mere five minutes later. Her eyes were wide as she scanned the dim room.

“On the bed, Cass. I won’t be a minute.”

Hurrying through her cleaning ritual, Harriet had to remind herself to breathe.

Suitably clean and smelling of Cass’s favourite shower gel, Harriet opened the bathroom door and leaned against the frame.

Cass lay with one hand behind her head, legs crossed.

The other hand trailed light strokes up and down her own torso, causing both nipples to stand erect.

Licking her lips, Harriet calmed her raging libido. “You’re beautiful.”

Giving her own left nipple a pinch, Cass flared her nostrils but remained silent. No longer able to wait, Harriet stalked across the room until she reached the bed.

“There’s something we need to talk about,” she began.

Her knees hit the duvet. Cass looked momentarily concerned.

Continuing her path, Harriet crawled up Cass’s body, stopping now and then to place kisses on her overheated skin.

As she slipped between Cass’s legs, Harriet basked in the feel of their bodies uniting.

Was there anything better than a lover’s naked skin making first contact?

Harriet didn’t think so. Her clit twitched impatiently.

“Harriet,” Cass breathed. Her hands no longer fondled her nipples, but settled on Harriet’s hips.

Ignoring Cass’s attempt to get her to roll her hips, Harriet bent her head, nuzzling her nose against Cass’s. “Something important happened today. Something monumental and we’ve not discussed it properly.”

“W-what?”

“We said the L word, Cass. We’re in love. That needs celebrating, don’t you think?”

Cass nodded frantically. “Yes, it does.”