Novel Experiences

Novel Experiences A Small Town Lesbian Romance Love in Downeast Maine, Book 3 Arya Collins Copyright © 2023 Arya Collins All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations used in critical articles or reviews. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Photo credits: Original cover images licensed from depositphotos.com. The use of photography on the cover does not imply personal endorsement by the models or photographers. First edition May 2023 SapphiRom Press 20230501-AZ CONTENTS One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen Sixteen Seventeen Eighteen Nineteen Twenty Twenty-One Twenty-Two Twenty-Three Twenty-Four Twenty-Five Twenty-Six Twenty-Seven Twenty-Eight Twenty-Nine Thirty Thirty-One Thirty-Two Epilogue ONE Ellie MacLean took a deep breath as she walked through the front door of Counsell’s Club. The blast of cold air that greeted her was a welcome relief from the cloying humidity outside. The unseasonably warm spell that had set in for the past week wasn’t exactly her favorite thing. It certainly didn’t feel like late May, although Ellie had lived in the Downeast area long enough that the rapid weather changes didn’t particularly surprise her anymore. She settled in at her favorite barstool and grinned at Tracy, the blonde bartender who nodded at her from the other end of the bar. “Be right with you.” As always, Tracy wore a skin-tight Counsell’s pique polo shirt, unbuttoned to offer patrons a tantalizing glimpse of her tanned skin and deep cleavage. Although it wasn’t a full-time gay bar anymore, Counsell’s was the last surviving gay-friendly bar in the Bangor-Orono area. Ellie was glad they’d managed to stay open and still have a couple of nights each week dedicated to serving the queer community. Wednesday night was ladies’ night, and it was a refreshing mid-week break for Ellie. She loved every aspect of the place: the lumpy cushions on the barstools, the portraits of Hollywood gay and lesbian celebrities that lined a narrow hallway leading to the restrooms, the fifties diner-style booths at the far end of the room across from the bar, and the wobbly cocktail tables that were scattered in seemingly random fashion. “Your usual, Ellie?” Tracy rested her arms on the bar in front of Ellie and leaned forward. “You know, maybe I should try something different tonight. Why don’t you surprise me? As long as it’s top shelf, I’m good.” Tracy gasped. “Holy fuck! I never thought I’d see the day. Let’s see…we have a ten-year-old Laphroaig that I think you’d enjoy. I know you like the peaty stuff. If it’s not to your fancy, it’s on the house, and I’ll just bring your Lagavulin.” Ellie nodded. “The Laphroaig will do just fine, thanks.” “Be right back.” Tracy swayed her hips as she walked away and then threw a wink over her shoulder at Ellie, who did her best not to chuckle. Tracy played this little game most of the time when she was working, but both of them knew it didn’t mean anything. Tracy was one of Ellie’s few close friends, and Ellie had never made a move on her in the three years they’d known each other. Tracy returned with Ellie’s drink and sat it down on a paper napkin in front of her. Ellie took a sip while Tracy watched her like a hawk. She closed her eyes, letting the Scotch linger on her tongue for a few moments before it burned a path down her throat. “This was a good choice.” She opened her eyes and smiled at Tracy. “I can’t believe I’ve never tried it before.” “You’re a creature of habit as much as I am.” Tracy glanced around the bar. “You alone tonight?” “Not for long, if I can help it.” “Well, you can always come find me when I get off my shift.” She squeezed Ellie’s hand. “Yeah, like that would work.” Ellie took another sip of her Scotch. “Admit it. You know you want me, Ellie.” Tracy ran a finger across Ellie’s bottom lip and then frowned as two women approached the bar. “Well, duty calls. Just let me know when you need a refill.” After Tracy walked away, Ellie spun around on her barstool and surveyed the room. A few of the booths were occupied, but it was still early, and the dance floor was almost empty. The regular Wednesday night crowd wouldn’t start filtering in for at least another hour. As she sipped her Scotch, she watched a woman walk up to the far end of the bar and place an order. Young, blonde with a shoulder-length bob, sparkling blue eyes, and massive boobs—just what Ellie liked. Admittedly, for a Wednesday night, she wasn’t being too picky. The woman caught Ellie’s eye and smiled. Ellie was pretty sure she hadn’t seen the blonde at Counsell’s before. She ran her tongue over her bottom lip and inclined her head, then patted the barstool beside her. An arm wrapped around her shoulder and the familiar scent of Vanilla Craves Bread filled her senses. “You’re here early tonight, Ellie.” Reluctantly, Ellie turned away from the blonde. “I could say the same about you, Paige.” Paige slid onto the adjacent barstool and flung her arms around Ellie, then pulled her in for a kiss, her tongue probing Ellie’s mouth. She glanced at Ellie’s drink and made a face. “Still drinking that nasty stuff, I see.” Ellie affected a pout. “If you must know, this isn’t my usual. I figured I’d try something different tonight.” “It all looks the same to me, and it tastes just as bad. Nasty shit. I shouldn’t even have kissed you.” Paige waved at Tracy. “Hey, Tracy! Thirsty customer here.” Tracy rolled her eyes. “I’ll be right with you. Keep your pants on.”