You Can't Run From Love (5 page)

Blue eyes narrowed as Jess said, “I would have, if you’d mentioned it. Now, please don’t tell me you were trying to match-make?”

Julie swallowed nervously. “Well, you used to like her.”

“I had a schoolgirl crush and her reputation leaves a lot to be desired. Are you sure it wasn’t her husband that left her?”

Julie crossed her arms defensively. “Apparently she’s changed and now knows what she wants out of life.”

“Who told you that? Her mother?”

Julie turned toward the window again. Jess gripped her knee. “Oh Julie, that’s a bit desperate if you’re looking at Maddie as a girlfriend for me.”

They all laughed except for Julie, who asked, “Have you heard of any encounters she’s had recently?” She looked around at all three them. Jess couldn’t answer. Rose and Mark shook their heads. “See, a changed woman.”

Jess shook her head. “All right, a changed woman since she’s discovered she prefers women to men. It’s good of you Julie, but I think I’ll give her a miss or at least, a lot more time.”

Julie conceded. “Well maybe that was a little desperate, I just want…”

Jess smiled reassuringly. “I’m perfectly happy. I wish you’d quit worrying yourself. You’re getting worse.”

“No. I just care.”

***

The bar was heaving and the dancing was in full flow. Strip the Willow was one dance Jess always loved to watch. It was rare that someone didn’t get tangled up and confused in those turns. As usual there were more men in skirts than there were women. The two Macleod tartans were the most common on show tonight, but there was still a good variation of tartans swaying about. It always amused Jess that when the men wore their kilts they tended to strut like proud peacocks. She clapped with a little difficulty as the dance ended and spotted Julie approaching. She linked her arm through Jess’s and looked up at her. “Hi you.”

Jess politely excused herself from the woman who was fawning over her and turned to Julie, mouthing “Thanks,” as she was guided toward a couple of empty chairs.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” Julie asked as they both sat down.

“Not too bad. How about you?”

“I’m getting too old, or I’m too married, for this sort of thing. Everyone appears to be divorced or unhappy and on the prowl for a potential fling.”

They both laughed. “That could be a slight exaggeration Jules, but I have to say I know what you mean. Predators would be a good word.” They laughed again.

“Do you think we’ve all reached the age for a midlife crisis? Maybe I should see if I’ve still got it.”

Again they laughed and Jess said, “We’re finding an awful lot funny this evening.”

Julie leaned forward conspiratorially. “I think that could have something to do with the alcohol.”

Shuffling her seat toward Julie, Jess asked, “You reckon?” Then frowned. “This chair’s a bit wobbly.”

This time their laughter was uncontrollable until two large glasses of red wine appeared. The waitress indicated to a woman a few tables away, who dipped her head, looking directly at Jess and produced an incredibly seductive smile. Jess nodded their thanks without returning a smile of any kind.

Julie leaned on Jess’s knees for support. “Is that nodding some sort of code and why didn’t you smile back?”

Jess grinned at her friend. “Don’t start me off again. It’s just a power thing.”

She looked at Jess quizzically. “I didn’t think you were into that sort of thing?”

“Not me, those two.” She looked toward the woman at the bar and then the source of the drinks. “I haven’t had to buy a drink all night.”

Julie suddenly looked pleased with herself. “Yes, you have, you bought me one. Do I win?”

Jess smiled and teasingly said, “Well yes, if you want to join me in my bed tonight?”

Julie slowly closed and opened her eyes, desperately trying to mimic a disapproving look, but failed miserably. “So those two bees are fighting over the honey pot are they?” She started chuckling. “Either take your fancy?”

“Nah. Unfortunately.”

“Why unfortunately?”

“Forget it.”

“No. Are you feeling horny and neither one is suitable?”

“Julie!” Jess screeched as she looked around for eavesdroppers.

“Well you haven’t been out since you returned last summer, so it wouldn’t be surprising.”

“Good grief woman, are you keeping tabs on me? I’ll have you know, I don’t get that desperate.”

Julie winked. “Nothing escapes me my friend.”

They both giggled and then sat quietly. “Could I ask you something without you jumping to a conclusion?”

Julie’s interest piqued. “Of course you can. You know you can.”

“Umm.” Jess looked a little skeptical at the bleary gaze she was receiving. “Do you think Rachel is…you know, like me?” Jess could hear her own words slurring, never mind her friend’s.

The eyes slowly tried to focus. “Like you…? You mean a lesbian?”

“Yes, what else would I mean?”

“I’m not sure. I mean in answer to the lesbian question, not what else you would mean.”

Jess frowned. “This is getting complicated.”

“Why?” Julie returned.

“Why what?” Jess sniggered.

Julie frowned. “I don’t know. I think I’ve lost the thread of this. Rachel…”

A man interrupted. “Hello you two, it’s great to see you both.”

They both stood and smiled enthusiastically. “Hi Charlie.”

***

It was almost midnight and the two of them stood chatting with a small group of old school friends. Julie suddenly elbowed Jess in the ribs. She nodded toward the door. “It’s Maddie.”

The small group looked on as the named woman was instantly welcomed by a number of people, almost all of them male.

They heard someone hiss, “Trust her to turn up at this time. Only a grand entrance for that one.”

Jess chuckled as she heard Susan from the group say, “Women beware. Those fools have no chance now.”

The group laughed as Susan touched Jess’s arm. “No offense intended. I’m still holding a grudge against her for stealing my boyfriend at the age of fourteen.” The group laughed again.

Susan had been a lifesaver in school. She had guessed Jess’s sexual orientation way before even Jess really understood the odd feelings she was having. Her older sister had attended a college for girls and had relayed a number of stories and then advice when Susan had questioned her more closely. Susan initially had approached Julie with her suspicion, who then spoke to Jess. The two of them had then been Jess’s support throughout her teenage years and beyond.

“Oh no, here she comes and she is looking right at you, Jess,” Charlie said with a wink.

“Hello everyone, how are you all?” Maddie swooped among them with hugs and kisses and saved Jess until the last.

Jess held out her hand in the vain hope of keeping Maddie at bay. She had already managed to alienate her from the rest of the group. It worked.
Amazing.

“Jess, how are you? Long time no see.” She looked her up and down. “The years have been very good to you.”

Jess inwardly groaned. “I’m fine, thank you Maddie, and you’re looking good yourself.” Instantly she cringed.
Why on earth did I say that?
Maddie had always been everyone’s dream, men and women alike.

“Oh, thank you. Definitely not as good as you though.”

Jess could see Richard, Susan’s husband, wiggling his eyebrows over Maddie’s shoulder.

The small group had decided that Maddie had no intention of involving them in the conversation and that Jess was more than capable of taking care of herself, so they wandered to the dance floor. Suddenly she was engulfed in a hug. “I was sorry to hear about Jack.”
Damn.

***

Jess soon found herself cornered by Maddie and the two other women from earlier. She seemed totally incapable of extricating herself from them, despite having no interest in any one of them. She gave Julie a pleading look as her friend danced with Charlie. She didn’t care that the two of them shared a laugh at her expense before Julie started toward her.

Julie grabbed Jess’s hand. “Excuse me ladies, I’m whisking this lovely lady away for a dance.” Once they were safely on the dance floor, Julie patted Jess’s cheek. “Poor thing, can’t you look after yourself anymore?”

“Very funny. I’m being polite, it’s a family party.”

Julie looked over at the three women. “I don’t understand why they haven’t asked you to dance. They couldn’t get much closer than this.” Julie grabbed Jess around the waist, waltzing her around until they both felt a little giddy and had to part.

Jess shouted into Julie’s ear. “Believe me they’ve tried, but I have no intention of flaunting my sexuality here. They aren’t exactly being discreet.”

Julie, nodded in agreement as they both looked over to the threesome. All eyes were on Jess.

Jess sighed. Three eligible women.
When did the potential for a night of sex get so complicated?
She knew if she left with one of them, she’d be paraded around like a trophy.
Who wants that?

“Julie if you don’t mind I’m going to say my goodbyes and head over to the hotel. Will you wait and get a lift with Susan and Richard?”

“I’ll come just now if you like?”

“No, honestly if you’re enjoying yourself, stay, I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, but please don’t forget to go with Susan and Richard.”

Julie smiled and pecked Jess on the cheek. “I won’t Mom.”

Chapter Six

Jess walked up to the reception desk of the Mackinlay Hotel. This was her regular place to stay in town. After a record three propositions for a night of pleasure, she’d finally escaped the party alone. “Hi Jane, how are you?” She was pleased to see a familiar face and friend.

“Well hello, Jess. It’s been a long time.” Once they had exchanged stories and she had caught up on the local gossip she headed up to her room.

Punching her pillows to make herself comfortable, she failed in settling her feeling of frustration at having no company. She needed a cure for her growing infatuation with Rachel, but none of the women available this evening appealed at all and even if they had, it would have been far too complicated.

She smiled in an attempt to relax herself. Was she getting fussy in her old age? Meeting any one of them at anything other than a birthday bash, there would have been no hesitation, she was sure.
I wonder if Maddie would have lived up to expectation?
She chuckled before rolling over and falling into a fitful asleep.

***

Jess woke to gentle knocking at the door. She raised her head sleepily from the pillow and saw Rachel standing at the foot of the bed. She was adorned in an extremely flimsy nightdress that tantalizingly stopped at the top of shapely bronzed legs. Instantly she reached up and pulled her down. Miraculously all their clothing was lost and their bodies pressed urgently together. Jess was beside herself with arousal and all Rachel did was rap her knuckles on her head and whisper repeatedly, “Jess, are you awake? Jess, are you awake?”

“For goodness sake.” She opened her eyes wanting desperately to devour Rachel’s mouth and silence her ridiculous words. She heard the knocking again and realizing it was someone at the door, stumbled out of bed toward it.
How much did I have to drink?
Opening it she expected to see Julie.

“Hi Jess, can I come in?” Bea looked up and down the corridor before pushing past her. “Sorry, I don’t want to be caught going into a guest’s room. It wouldn’t look too good.”

Jess started coming to her senses, although her mouth felt like a cesspit and her libido was playing up badly. “Bea, what are you doing here?”

“I work here, remember? Jane gave me a call and told me you were alone.” She raised an eyebrow. “Do you need some company?”

Jess looked at the bedside cabinet. “What time is it?”

“When did time start to matter?” She looked Jess up and down. “Sexy pajamas.”

Jess smiled. “I think Julie is next door.”

Bea looked a little sheepish. “Ah, she’s actually a little further down the corridor now.”

Jess chuckled, not able to help it. “I see. Wait here, let me get a drink of water and clean my teeth.”

“That sounds promising.”

“Don’t count your chickens.” Jess disappeared into the bathroom.

She had known Bea for ten years and there were ten years between them in age. She’d picked her up one evening in a bar when the cocky, drunken youngster was in danger of ending the night with a number of undesirable women. The belligerent young woman had insisted on sex, or she would go elsewhere. So Jess had obliged, taking a long gentle time over it. The young woman had then cried herself to sleep in Jess’s arms. They’d hooked up again, half a dozen times or so over the years, with many a satisfying result. She looked at herself in the mirror as she dried her mouth.
Just what I need.

As she stepped back into the room, Bea closed the gap and lowered her gaze to lips that were slightly parted. “That look says you could do with some company.”

Jess waited for the kiss she knew would come, then pulled away and said, to her own bewilderment, “No, not tonight.”

Bea smiled cheekily. “Are you sure about that? I could definitely do with it myself.”

She sighed. “Quite sure.”

Bea looked at her with want in her eyes and was positive need was reflected straight back. “Okay, but I’m not convinced.” At the door she turned around, a frown knitting her eyebrows. “Is everything all right?”

Jess remained rigid and fixed to the spot. She sighed again. “I’d have someone else on my mind.”

Bea couldn’t help herself, her mouth gaped open and then she blurted, almost laughing, “You!”

Jess rolled her eyes. “It’s temporary.”

“Well then, maybe I could return a favor. Josie, remember? You helped me erase her image when I couldn’t think of entertaining anyone else.” Bea had been devastated when her lover of five years had left her. “I’m not promising it will be as effective, but you never know.”

Closing the gap between them, with more purpose this time, she cupped the back of Jess’s head and pulled her lips hard to her own. Urgency bubbled almost immediately in them both. Jess swiftly removed Bea’s clothing and eased her back onto the bed. Jess smiled to herself.
Easy clothes to take off, she came prepared.
Straddling the body beneath her, she looked into a face full of desire.