It's time for another chapter of Kisses and Raindrops. It's been a while, but I'm sure this'll be worth the wait. The Jessie fans out there might like this chapter, too. I won't keep you for too long, but there's one thing I want to cover first. The Envy Problems poll.

I'm closing it for good from today, and we have a three-way tie between Nora, Lillian and Audrey. On that note, I'm opening a new poll for this story too. Who would you like to see Mike end up with in this story? Beli or Jessie? Cast your vote and let me know.

Without any more delays, let's get started!


Warmth and Understanding

An entire morning of tension-riddled watching and waiting. How many times did one person need to clean their motorbike? How many times did a man need to sit in a parking garage around the corner from his apartment and inspect every nook and cranny of a vehicle he knew well enough would work fine after months of slow, costly repairs?

Stress – it was no doubt the underlying cause right now. A single look toward the screen of a phone, a momentary distraction from cleaning the already near-sparkling body of the Kawasaki Ninja sat in the parking space.

'Hey there Jessie. It's me. I'm sorry it took so long for me to get back to you. There've been a few things to square away since I got back in town. You're right. We do need to talk about everything, especially since I left in such a god-awful hurry. Let's meet. Is the mall okay for you, sometime after six? I'm back on the road after close to a year so I'll be driving. Let me know. Mikey.'

No kisses, and not too kind either. Straightforward and to the point. Anything too affectionate would definitely give someone the wrong idea, and when that someone was Jessie Maye? Well, you were just asking for trouble, weren't you?

"Okay, Mike. You can handle this. Not like a drink wouldn't be nice, though."

No alcohol. Driving would act as an excuse to avoid it, too. That way the blonde cougar couldn't lure him into one of the many quaint, overpriced bars across town and loosen his lips with several glasses of sweet, golden liquor.

A vibration within his palm gave the signal, rousing the singer from his many cluttered, stressful thoughts. She'd replied. Good. Small mercies. A flick of the finger and a smile for the fairy helper on screen brought up the newly received text message.

Winters steeled himself with a deep breath, his eyes working quickly to flash through the important parts.

'Hey there baby. It's nice to hear from you after all this time. I'm always free to spend time with you. That and, lucky me… no work until next Thursday…. I'll be waiting out front near the vending machines at around seven, precious… Take care of yourself… and thanks for replying… It's been lonely without someone nice to talk to, Mikey… x x x'

Someone nice? Didn't her line of work and the usual expensive lifestyle that came attached to it have plenty of perks and nice people? The stories travelled like wildfire, not to mention all of the countless insider documentaries you'd find while flicking through the cable channels at two in the morning. Most people clued up enough knew that the more well-known adult video actresses held bucket loads of money and popularity. Misty Peaks out of all of them? She was one of the most popular in Glenberry for both her cam shows and the surprising veriety of poorly acted porn with plot she'd stared in.

Not that Mikey had actually checked any of it out in his time away from Glenberry, of course. Well, that's what he'd tell people if they ever asked, anyway.

With a short, nervous hitch in the breathing, the blond got to his feet, brushing himself down.

"Might as well take her for another spin now she's out of that stuffy garage."

Nudging aside the bucket and sponge he'd brought along, content to leave them there for the usual hand carwash guy who did his rounds every weekend, Mike kicked away the break and climbed aboard his bike, pulling the small, shiny metallic key from the pocket of his casual pants.

A drive would work wonders right now, and unlike many of his friends who simply drove out of necessity, driving was a thing of pleasure, a release to clear the mind and unload the baggage. An open road brought so much relief with it.

Turning the keys in the ignition gave way to a low, pleasing hum. The sound washed over, bringing every inch of Mike's taught, stressed form to ease. In a short sigh, he revved the engine, bringing a sharp, powerful roar to echo throughout the half empty, multi-level lot.

"Alright… Here we go."

Giving the custom fitted stereo a flick, he smiled, nudging the exposed edge of a silver CD into the player. Silence, at least for a moment, until the sound came to life with the poweful thunder of guitars, the familiar melody of a song written by the band, one they performed together during their biggest show yet - playing the halftime gig for the college football team.

'No I don't wanna be a hero. I don't wanna save the world. I just wanna win the girl. Bring me to life with your smile. Those blue sparkles in your eyes. I just want to make you mine.'

A fitting reminder to keep everything in check tonight. Although, it was hard to deny how much fun it was when they first took the song to the recording studio.

"About time I got out of here."

Winters left with a scream of the tires, taking a sharp right as soon as he hit the open road, the wind blowing through his hair. A destination? It didn't matter where at a little after noon, so long as the music filled his ears and the open air calmed his raging heart. With the burden of dealing with taxi's finally behind him, the highway was his mistress, the custom finished silver Kawasaki with its powerful design and smooth bodywork, his gateway to freedom.


Coming to a careful stop in a wide concrete parking lot, Mike eased his way into one of the neatly painted yellow squares, kicking down the break and climbing off his bike. A deep sigh, one to ease his nervous breathing, before he gave a thoughtful glance toward the silver timepiece, a gift from an important friend, strapped around his wrist.

"Seven-fifteen. I'm on time at least. Okay. Relax. You've got this whole thing under control. Remember what Kyu always used to say. You're the boss…."

A wide, modern building of glass and concrete several stories high, ringed with parking facilities, elevators and escalators. As if on cue with the setting sun, a massive neon sign flashed to life along with the surrounding streetlights. Glenberry Mall. Open eight in the morning until midnight every day, and the chosen venue for the mother of all meetups.

Doing his best to shake the unease away, the singer brushed a hand through his windswept hair and began the journey across the sprawling landscape of cars. Even as the sun went down plenty of people still hurriedly went about their day, families, people young and old alike.

"Oh em gee! Carly! Look! It's Mike Winters! Check it, girl! It's totally him."

Of course, those annoying college girls who constantly felt the need to wander over and ask for free tickets to his next show. The 'joys' of a large student town. It never slept.

"Not today ladies. Maybe next time."

Giving a brief roll of the eyes, Mike moved on. His destination was clear.

"The vending machines. About halfway across the parking lot. Here's hoping Jessie's there already. I don't think I can cope with the stress of waiting to-"

Leopard print came into view the closer Winters came to his goal. There was no mistaking any of Miss Maye's distinct features. Those denim shorts a size too tight, the overly revealing tops she often wore, sometimes stripped like a tiger, sometimes the spots of a leopard, but always some kind of cat when it came to a casual meetup. There she sat, one leg folded over the other, one of her long, tanned arms acting as a prop between drags of a cigarette.

Each footstep, every inch of distance closed only heightened the quiver of dread at the Mike held in the pit of his stomach, that rocky, heavy jitter. They hadn't met eye to eye since that fateful day, one he'd never forget in his life.

"Hey baby… there you are…."

That soft, alluring tone of hers, sweet as honey and downright dangerous to those with hungry passions and sentimental hearts. Jessie had spotted her pray, that much was a given.

Pausing one final time before closing the gap, Mike checked himself over. A casual blue shirt, half-buttoned, and pressed black pants, nothing fancy enough to lead the imagination, but far from scruffy at the same time.

"Evening Jessie…. It's been a while."

The tension was there, silence prevailing until the elder Maye scooted across and freed up space on the wooden bench, dotting out her cigarette atop of the trashcan at her side before throwing it away.

"I know. I haven't seen you since that night at the café. You're looking handsome as always…."

Talk about starting the conversation in the worst way possible. That dreaded night at Nutmeg Café still rang out as the biggest screw-up in history. Hell, Mikey felt so much guilt over the whole thing he'd even had a nightmare about it happening again.

"Thanks. Glad you think so. Hair's a mess though. I didn't have time to style it and I came here on my bike so."

He sat down near-silently after that, taking careful time to get a read of the situation. Strangely, Jessie seemed so natural, almost completely calm. The air of unease was so obviously one sided – from his side.

"So…erm."

Again, Mike fell flat, the words catching in his throat before they found their freedom. How did you start a conversation with somebody after parting under such crazy, miserable happenings? Damn, this even beat trying to make conversation with Kyanna after months and months apart.

A flashback, again a desperate attempt at trying to keep calm, followed by surprisingly bright, clear memories of the first time he'd entered the hair salon, many long weeks and months after their night of pent up emotions and ultimately hurtful passions. A few heavy greetings were spoken, a couple of weak smiles exchanged, and slowly, over the course of several further visits to get his hair done, small, simple conversation, the kind held between people more acquaintances than friends, finally began to break through the stony wall between them.

Never getting too close. Never going to deep, and never once talking about that night. An unspoken rule, their barriers only ever broken on a handful of occasions when Mike had a particularly bad day and Kyanna tried her hardest to listen, or a short, sad, but much needed mutual embrace shared.

Mike's mind snapped to the present under the feeling of fingers touching his own. Slowly, warmly, Jessie plucked one of his free hands away and placed it within her lap, smiling softly, lovingly, but carefully.

"Tiffany finally messaged me this Thursday just gone… first time in so long. She asked how I was doing and wanted to know if I'd watch her last rally of the season."

The tiny, fragile look of hope in Jessie's eyes spoke volumes.

Typical Tiffany to a tee. Always being the one to reach out to others, always trying even if it was hard or hurtful, to bring people closer, mend bridges, or be the better, kinder person.

All Mike could do, all he could force, was a small, shallow breath as he nervously squeezed Jessie's hand in return, his thoughts jumping back a few notches to the last time he'd had news from ex.

"Last time I heard from her was shortly before I went back home for a break. I'd been away with a friend of mine. When I got back there was a message waiting for me. Tiff asked if we could meet…. Sorry Jess… but I couldn't bring myself to answer her…."

Naturally, the first line of thought was Jessie crashing down on him like a ton of bricks for the honesty. Their weird, hurtfully comforting connection aside, Tiffany was her daughter, obviously much loved; much cherished aside all the mother's countless mistakes.

Yet nothing came, nothing but silence and a sad, difficult smile from the mother figure. She looked so lost in her own thoughts, until finally, in a way so very Jessie, she wiped away her negativity, replacing it with a teasing wink.

"That's my baby girl for you…. Kind even when she doesn't need to be… trying to find something nice in a person. Just like when she was little…"

The hurt in her voice was unmistakable no matter how much of a teasing aura Jessie gave. Carefree and sexual Jessie sure was, but shallow and without heart or feeling? No, their previous meetings had shown another side to her. In a crazy way, even the sex spoke volumes.

Hot, steamy, burning with desire and enough to steal the breath from the lungs, yet in the moments of rest between the second, third, and fourth rounds of passion that one amazing night brought, after the climaxes, moans of delight and some truly filthy things spoken in the heat of the moment, there came lulls. It was those moments, simple and truly sincere, where Jessie held him close, cuddled him tight and they spoke in hushed tones, warm and kind, as one revealed little pieces of their life to the other.

With Jessie? It was always the small things. Memories of teenage life, the day she found she'd fallen pregnant, the early years of high school before dropping out, how she wanted to become an ice skater before having a baby, and the times she'd been without good friends or people to care for her.

Unable to take the reflection anymore, the silence razor sharp, cracking the glass of his heart, Mike finally cleared his throat, nervous all the same.

"Don't go making out you're not a good person Jessie… because you are…. You didn't have to reach out and help me when I was hurting… but you did. I was some guy sat in a bar feeling like total crap… and you sat down... kept me company."

He needed to say it – both draw the line and release the pain pent up inside that'd been sat there, bobbing up and down, dragging him down like a slab of stone for so very long.

"What happened between us went too far…. We hurt somebody that means the world to us both, you a thousand times more than me… but that doesn't mean where it started didn't come from a soft, loving place."

Jessie gave a weak smile. "You remind me so much of her, sweetie. The way you wear your heart on your sleeve… how everybody you share it with means so much to you…."

Gone in an instant, the sadness became warmth as she gave a gentle chuckle, squeezing his hand just that little bit tighter. "It makes perfect sense that you're a musician, Mister Winters. Passionate… emotional… kind and conflicted… a lot like teenage me."

Being compared to both Maye's, mother and daughter alike left a strange feeling, one Mike couldn't shake no matter how hard he tried. Maybe because she was right? Maybe because it was too much of a struggle to accept it right now? Regardless, a short, knowing scoff fell out.

"You're not the first person to tell me that. Heard it plenty from the people around me. Family, friends, especially in backhanded jabs from my cousin… you name it."

"I don't regret it, honey." Jessie paused after that, a look of deep thought held clearly in her knitted brows and fragile, compassionate blue eyes. "What happened at your place… meeting you that night, ice skating with you… any of it. You're a lovely guy, a gentleman… and I would've loved to see you shower my Tiffany with love…"

Jessie's words sounded deep-rooted, as close to her admitting she'd done wrong as she could manage – that she also cared about their brief time together and held it close, even if the final outcome was a real mess.

With that in mind, Mike knew what had to do. If anything, he had to be the bigger person, say the words she couldn't, even if it would hurt beyond belief, especially because in his own selfish way, he'd enjoyed his time with Jessie too, felt it was plenty more than a simple release from his fears and sadness.

"We really screwed up, didn't we Jess?"

She said nothing – the faint sound of a flicking lighter catching his attention as Jessie reached for another cigarette and slowly sparked it alight. Again, the silence crept in, seconds becoming minutes as Mike could do little but watch out of the corner of his eye.

"I'm not the best mother… but she means everything to me…."

There, graced by little more than a couple of lonely tears, Jessie stubbed out her smoke and looked across the parking lot with a doleful sigh. "Sorry for the waterworks, hon…. This isn't me…. You shouldn't have to watch a girl nearly double your age get all misty eyed."

No, if anything, this was the real Jessie, behind all the makeup, the teasing, tempting words, and the sexual side she let the rest of the world see. Sensitive, kind, motherly and one of the most loving people out there – and right now more than ever, she obviously needed someone.

The walls raised before the meeting didn't matter at this point. They were beyond that, past the danger of flirting and the tempting, as safely away from the lust and desire as possible. So, with little in the way of worry, Mikey wrapped his arm around the crying beauty's middle, drawing her into a simple, gentle cuddle.

"If you love her than to go that cheer rally Jessie. Anything I had with Tiffany's beyond saving now… but she still has a huge place in her heart for you…. It'll take a while... it might hurt like fuck sometimes too… but she wants you in her life."

Jessie squeezed tight, snuggling against Mike's chest and taking several small breaths as she tried hard to get herself together again. It took more than a few minutes before finally, lines of mascara running down her cheeks and looking so innocent, like a million burdens lifted at once, she eased back just a tiny bit, placing her hands upon his face.

"Thanks, baby… but what about you? Will you be okay? Cuz my mother's intuition tells me you're still hurting. Those gorgeous green eyes of yours look so cloudy it makes me sad."

"I'll be-"

Mike paused – his feelings pulling hard in his chest, bringing him to a string of new, complicated thoughts. There was still a long way to go – and that was putting things very lightly.

"I have a lot of things to figure out… things I need to find answers to, but I'll be alright. I just… wanted to be sure I could face you again and tidy things up after everything between us."

Jessie was back to her usual self in an instant – the panda eyes not making the slightest bit of difference after everything they'd talked about. "Well I'm happy you took the time to see little old me… and I'll let you into a secret, precious."

The gap closed, Mike's heart kicking up in a storm as Jessie inched closer, her cheeks reddened, a smirk curving her lips upward. This one? It felt different, not the same deadly showing of desire before she tangled someone in her web. Teasing? Yes. Yet there was something alongside that, compassion, real if not slightly heated compassion.

"The girl that wins your heart is going to be the happiest girl in the world."

With a chuckle, Jessie struck, her fingertips softly caressing Mike's cheeks as her lips, soft and wonderful made a powerful, passionate connection with his. The feeling flooded his heart blazed flashed like a light through the darkness so powerful that there was little choice but to close his eyes, surrender to it, sink into the loving bond they held at this special moment.

Nothing registered but the overwhelming punch of her emotions, each and every one of them delivered so overwhelmingly in a single embrace. There Jessie held her green-eyed companion, their lips smacking softly against the clammy evening air. Nothing else mattered, the world entire empty of the entire world as Mike tasted nicotine against his lips, the organ in his chest only thumping harder and harder

Finally, Jessie parted, slowly easing back inch by inch, bringing the overpowered singer to open his eyes, blurry and hazy as if it was his first time seeing everything around him. He couldn't do much more than watch as Miss Maye stole away the string of saliva joining them for herself, giving one of her usual, far more tempting winks.

"Whatever it is you're looking for out there, Mike… go find it, grab it with both hands and don't let go. No regrets, you hear?"

With that said, the passionate cougar, back to normal and far from her earlier, more emotional self, blew a kiss before standing up, swooping in to steal one last kiss on the cheek after reaching for her carton of cigarettes dropping them in her purse and slinging the snake-skinned beauty over her shoulder.

"Well I better get going, sweetie. Think I'll head back to town and have a few drinks. It is the weekend after all. You take care… but before I go…"

Flashing a hot-blooded wink, Jessie released a deep, surprisingly passionate sigh.

"If you can't find what you're looking for… or you have a hard time working it out… Jessie's here for you baby… I certainly wouldn't mind spending more time with you, Mikey…. Safe journey home tonight… Call me anytime…."

An invitation, obviously. Jessie was more than happy to keep the door open. As strange as their relationship of sorts had been, it obviously meant a lot to her. Such kindness was enough to give Mike a warm, genuine smile, and before he realized it, he'd pulled the keys to the Kawasaki from his pocket.

Standing up, he looked off across the lot, toward the rough direction his bike.

"Let me take you, Jess. Least I can do after everything. Gives me an excuse to drive a little more tonight too. You cool riding a motorbike?"

Accepting the invite in a second flat, Jessie fell in step, the heels of her sandals clacking against the concrete as she went. "Mikey… I can ride anything when I set my mind to it. Hmm… you never told me you drive before tonight."

"Long story. " Mike rolled his eyes at the memory. "I was gunning it down Turtle Bay Beach with my ex last year. She was drunk; hanging on cheering like an idiot… it was two in the morning. Had to ditch... save her from falling off the back... but my bike ended up in the ocean…. Was sat in a garage downtown for months. Only got it back the other day."

"You're a thrill seeker too?" Miss Maye teased. "I'm learning more about you every single day."

Returning to his parking space, Mike smiled happily at the sight of the main event, his gift from uncle for getting his licence after graduating. "Here she is. Hop on!"

"Ooooo!" Jessie marvelled, running her fingertips across the side of the vehicle as Mike kicked away the break and swung his leg over the side. "She's pretty… You named her?"

"Nope." Turning the keys in the ignition, the bike roared to life as Jessie climbed on the back, placing her arms around Mike's middle for support, her ample, barely concealed chest pressing against his back. "Had her almost three years and not a thing's come to mind yet. You mind a little music?"

"Music's fine with me, Mikey."

Nudging the CD into the player and briefly flicking through the songs, Mikey settled on a track before glancing over his shoulder. "Hold on tight, Jess. Where'd you want me to take you?"

"Anywhere near the Bar and Lounge would be great."

As the music kicked in, the signature Firefly, his band's cover of a tribute playing through the speaker, Jessie held on tighter, giving an excited, hot-blooded chuckle as they sped out of the parking space and made their way out of the lot, wind blowing as they hit the open road.

'Yeah it took me all this time, just to realize. Now I won't stop until you're mine. You're my lady. You're my firefly! So take my hand and let's touch the sky!'

Things had gone well tonight, no problems, no nasty surprises. Halfway down the highway back toward the centre of town, Jessie teasingly caressing his middle as she held on, Mike finally relaxed, accepting the hopeful feeling inside. It brought a smile to curve his lips. True, he didn't know for the life of him how to describe things between himself and the Elder Maye. Friends? A brief flame? A strange mother figure? No, for now, there was no sense thinking about. They'd talked things out and that was enough.

True, Mikey didn't quite know where to go from here, but he knew one thing at least.

"The next time I see Beli it'll feel like there's a cinder block lifted off my chest."

"Did you say something, handsome?" Jessie called out over the music and the whipping wind.

Private words for his ears alone. Mike simply shrugged it off. "Nope. Say, Jessie… Want me to go faster?"

"Of course…. I love feeling adrenaline pumping inside me."

Not a word more need to be given. That was all the answer he needed. Sticking to the middle of the road, Mike revved harder, picking up the speed as together, the two blonde's zipped past the slower traffic, the lights of Glenberry's taller buildings quickly coming into sight.

Yep. Today had definitely been a success. No doubt about it.

To be continued….


Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter through until the end. Did you enjoy it? Is there anything you'd like to see in future? You're more than welcome to leave some feedback if you like. A little tidbit for you too. I've been meaning to put the motorbike into the series since the days of Redhead. I just didn't get around to it until now.

As always, keep on supporting Huniepop and Huniecam Studio. I'll see you in the next part. I hope all of the Jessie fans enjoyed her arrival in this story.