Yeah, I'm still mad. But I as a Christian person am coming to the conclusion that maybe Kamala Harris was meant for grater work that she would be blocked from were she to win the election. Maybe we need her on this side before she is locked away in that tower. So slowly Im coming back though I still get Phantom pain from my broken hope. She is healing. I can't wait till our Vice President shows us what she can do on this side.
Eight
The restaurant was charming. The sunset was gorgeous. The food was interesting and very tasty, and she was sitting across from what was definitely the best looking woman in the place. Tori lifted her glass of wine and raised it in Jade's direction, then took a sip of it, savoring the slightly spicy, sweet taste. There was really no more one could ask for, now was there? "Great choice."
Jade lifted her own glass and touched it's rim to hers and smiled. "Nice place, but the company's what counts."
Tori accepted the compliment with a smile, then rested her wrists on the table and looked around.
The building had once been a sugar mill, according to the menu. Parts of the structure still remained, and they'd cleverly fit the restaurant into it overlooking the water. The food was a mixture of Caribbean and American, and she'd just finished a bowl of really spicy shrimp gumbo. Jade had elected to try a Caribbean fruit mixture rather than soup, and they'd split a bottle of Chardonnay while they waited for the main course.
Tori leaned back, enjoying the breeze as it brushed across her bare shoulders. There was a gently fluttering candle on the table, and she could smell the warm scent of the wax as it melted, adding to the atmosphere. A steel drum band was perched on a patio nearby, playing softly, and all around her a mixture of lilting accents wove in and out of the music.
She noticed that the guests were mostly couples. There were very few families, and those there were had older children. Most of the couples were traditional, but Tori had spotted at least two other sets of women, and three other sets of men seated together and she felt comfortable in the place.
Even with the fact that Jade kept tweaking her toes under the table. Tori snuck a glance at her tablemate, who was studying the driftwood salt and pepper shakers, turning them in her fingers curiously. Jade had her hair loose, and her Black Maxi dress clung to her body, outlining it's muscular grace very nicely.
Jade chose that moment to look up, and their eyes met. Jade's face creased into a grin, and she put the shaker down. "Something wrong?"
"Not a damn thing." Tori rested her chin on her fist. "That sunset is indescribable." She added dreamily. "You think it's this nice in Hawaii?"
"Hmm." Jade regarded the spectacle. "I don't know. I've never actually been there except on a layover on the way out to Micronesia. We'll have to go find out." She said. "I want to see a volcano up close."
"You're on." Tori said. "How about mid February?"
"Valentines Day on Maui?" Jade chuckled. "Sure."
Tori made a mental note to nose around for some reservations when they got home. Their waitress appeared at that moment, and set down a tray, from which wisps of steam rose. She watched as a plate was set in front of her with a sizzling piece of broiled fish on it, propped up with prawns half the size of Chino and drizzled with a tangy, citrussy sauce. "Oo. Thanks."
The waitress set down a side plate of vegetables. "You're very welcome." She smiled at Tori, then lifted Jade's plate and set it in front of her. "Anything else for you ladies?"
Jade inspected her surf and turf, a filet mignon nestled next to a lobster tail. "Nope. Not right now." She said. "Thanks." She picked up her fork and knife, separating the two items around the island of whipped yams and starting to cut the filet into pieces. "This looks great."
"Smells great, too." Tori craned her neck to see. "What is that sauce?"
"Pinapple and bay rum." Jade dipped a square of meat into it, then offered it to Tori, who neatly took it off the end of her fork.
"Mm." Tori mumbled approvingly. " I'll try that next time." She offered a taste of her fish in return, which Jade accepted.
"Tastes like Mandarin oranges." Jade commented. "Nice."
Tori had taken one bite of her fish, when her attention was caught by a couple entering. "Yrch." She caught Jade's eye, and indicated the door. Christina and Juan Carlos had just stepped inside, and were being greeted by the host.
"There goes the neighborhood." Jade nibbled a bit of her filet. "Wonder if she paid for that dress by the inch."
Christina was wearing a gold chain outfit, barely covering her tanned and very fit body from her mid thighs to her chest. The outfit had gaps in the side, and a jeweled belt hung below her navel. Juan complimented her in a silk jacket and leather pants, in a matte black with a gold silk shirt.
"Someone forget to tell them they weren't visiting New York?" Tori leaned over and murmured. "Last time I saw clothes like that was out on South Beach at that TV Chef's opening night."
They were led to a prime table near the edge of the open air seating, and as Christina sat down, she spotted Jade and Tori across the room. She put a hand on Juan Carlos' arm, then made her way over.
"Yip, yip yippee yahooey." Jade rolled her eyes, then straightened as the woman neared and assumed a cordially neutral expression. "Evening."
"Why, hello! Imagine bumping into you two here." Christina greeted them. "Visiting, or… staying here?"
"We're staying here." Tori answered her smoothly. "Did you just get in?"
"Last night." Christina replied, with a smile. "Isn't it great? What a beautiful spot." She leaned on the balustrade next to them, her gold chain outfit clinking gently. "I'm glad we bumped into you again. I was afraid we'd lost you when you disappeared from the docks… you didn't get caught in the weather, did you?"
"Just went on a cruise." Jade answered that one. "We got back in late."
"Really?" Christina was watching Jade closely. "Listen, some friends of ours ran into trouble out west of that little island. You didn't happen to see them out there, did you?"
Jade's ice blue eyes chilled and shaded. "Friends of yours?" She asked softly. "No. We didn't see anyone in trouble last night."
Tori kept quiet, recognizing the change in Jade's demeanor.
"Oh. Well." Christina replied. "I really didn't get the whole story, but they think someone might have run them aground… but that wouldn't have been really friendly, now would it?"
"Depends on what they were doing to make someone want to do that." Jade looked her right in the eye, projecting a sudden air of surprisingly dark menace.
They fenced for a moment, then Christina laughed, a touch uncomfortably. "Well, who knows? Maybe they were mistaken, or… knowing them, they goofed and are just trying to cover it up." She backed off a step. "Anyway, we'll see you around. Maybe we can do lunch?"
"Sure." Jade let the word roll off her tongue, keeping her eyes pinned on the smaller woman. "Anytime."
Christina beat a hasty retreat. Jade kept up her testy glower for a moment, then relaxed, hiking an eyebrow at the attentively watching Tori. "Well?"
"You get a ten from the American judge." Tori held up her napkin, peeking behind her to see Christina and Juan in close consultation, complete with uneasy looks in their general direction. "You know Jade, you really can scare the shit out of people."
Jade snickered, then shook her head. "I shouldn't laugh. That probably wasn't funny." She eyed the two newcomers.
"You don't think those goons'll seriously try to find us, do you?" Tori asked. "I mean, for running them aground. They were chasing us, Jade."
"I don't know." Jade sliced a bit of her filet off and ate it. "Let me get back to you after I have a chance to check out what Sinjin sent."
"Okay." Tori went back to her dinner. She was a little surprised at how unworried she was about this new wrinkle, she felt more intrigued in fact, than scared. She took a forkful of the fish, enjoying the half sweet, half tangy taste, then washed the mouthful down with a long sip of wine.
Maybe she was turning into a little bit of a risk taker. "Jade?"
"Hm?" Jade looked up from her task of decimating her lobster's tail.
"You think this is dangerous?"
Jade paused and folded her hands, resting her chin on them. "Dangerous?" She asked. "I think we bumped into some folks who are used to getting their own way."
"Mm." Tori nodded.
"They shot flares at us last night." Jade went on, seriously. "Not bullets."
Ah. That was very, very true. "Shot them off the sides, too." Tori realized. "So you think they're overbearing obnoxious bullies, but only willing to go so far to achieve their goals?"
"Exactly." Jade went back to her plate, with a satisfied look. "Unfortunately." She looked back up. "They're up against an overbearing obnoxious bully who won't stop until she gets what she wants." A wink. "And I want a nice, peaceful vacation."
Tori cocked her head, and thought about that. "I don't think you're overbearing and obnoxious, and you're not a bully." She finally stated positively. "But I do agree they've bitten off more than they can chew with us." She gave a brisk nod, then bit into a prawn and ruthlessly ripped it from its shell.
Jade merely chuckled, and shook her head.
They had a surprise waiting when they got back to their room. Tori eyed the basket of flowers warily, and gave Jade a look. "You're the only person I'd welcome getting these from, but I'm guessing they're not from you."
Jade regarded the floral intruder. "No." She examined the arrangement for a card. "I know what kind of flowers you like, for one thing." She said. "Tulips not being one of them. Ah." She plucked a small square of cardboard from the leaves and held it to her head, closing her eyes. "The answer is… Bob." She handed the card over without looking at it.
Tori sighed, taking the card and peeking at it. "Can we rent you out to Miss Cleo?"
Jade shook her head. "Tor, you're just going to have to tell him to back off. You're taken." She advised wryly. "He's one of those guys who can't picture two women together and think anything other than 'lunch.'"
"Yeah, I know." Tori laughed helplessly, removing the basket to the table near the door and plopping down onto the bed. "I figured referring to you as my partner and saying this was our delayed honeymoon would have clued him in, but I guess not."
Jade slid down beside her and plucked the card from her fingers, tossing it over her shoulder as she found something lots more interesting to concentrate on. "Know what I like about these maxi dreses?"
"Tch." Tori smoothed her hand over Jade's hip. "no, what?"
Jade closed her teeth around one of the ties holding the wrap closed and tugged on it, pulling it loose. "They come off easy." She peeled one edge back, exposing Tori's chest, then went for the lower tie. She pulled it slowly, her eyes tracking up Tori's body to meet her eyes. "See?"
Tori felt Jade's hair brush against her thighs as she loosened the fastening and laid her body bare to the soft breeze coming in from the window. She eased up onto her elbows, watching Jade's back arch as she prowled her way on up. "Sweetheart?" Tori murmured.
"Yeees?" Jade rested her chin against Tori's navel.
"I would love to spend the next few hours being ravished by you, but don't you think we should pick up Sinjin's stuff first?"
Jade sighed, a rush of very warm air that caused goosebumps to lift across Tori's breasts. "No." She growled softly. "But…" She slid all the way up Tori's body, bringing a rush of raw sensuality with her and dipped her head to capture Tori's lips for a long moment. "I guess we have to."
Tori now regretted saying a word. She exhaled as Jade lifted herself up and off the bed, and rolled over, standing and trotting after her as she went to the briefcase tucked between the dresser and the wall. She waited for Jade to unlock the top, then slid her arms around her partner and started playing with the strings on Jade's shift as she pulled the laptop out and put it on the table.
"Thought you wanted me to set this up." Jade glanced over her shoulder.
"I'm helping." Tori untangled a cable, and plugged it in, still with her arms around Jade's body.
"Ah." Jade booted the laptop, and flipped it's cellular antenna up. "Thought we weren't bringing this?"
"Yeah, I know." Tori poked her head under Jade's left arm, watching the screen. "But I figured if some catastrophe did happen, and they did need us, we'd need this to do anything about it."
"Good thought."
"And if they called us for something stupid, we could toss it overboard, and make Sinjin get you a new one in that snazzy blue color you like so much." Tori found another string to tug on, and Jade's shift fell open as hers was. "Oo.. nice desktop."
"I could put this one on." Jade casually clicked a few keys, and replaced her peaceful forest scene with one of Tori on the beach.
Naked.
"EEEK!" Tori slapped at the mousepointer.
"Heh." Jade relented, and switched back to the forest. "You're so cute." She started the laptop into it's dialup routine. "Now." She turned around and gathered Tori into her arms. "Before I was so rudely interrupted by logic, where was I?"
Tori pressed her body against Jade's. "Here, I think." She wound a hand around Jade's neck and was about to kiss her when a knock sounded at the door. Tori paused, and looked at her partner, then at the door in highly visible outrage. "What the heck?"
"Hotel better be on fire." Jade uttered, the raised her voice. "Yeah?"
There was a moment of silence, then a voice answered. "H… hello? I'm looking for Tori?"
Tori fell forward against Jade's chest and shook her head. "Bob."
"Bob." Jade repeated. "You stay here. I'm gonna bob Bob." Jade headed for the door with determined strides.
"Ah..bu..bu… Jade!" Tori scuttled after her, grabbing hold of her loose shift and pulling her to a halt. "Whoa…"
Jade turned, her eyebrows lifting in outraged question.
Tori tied the shift closed. "Blind eunuchs have it tough in the job market, sweetie." She whispered. "Let me handle him, okay?" She adjusted her own dress and slipped ahead of Jade, putting her hand on the door handle and turning it. "Yes?" She leaned on the jamb, opening the door just wide enough to make eye contact.
"Tori! Great. I found you." Bob beamed. "Can I come in?"
Tori got her thoughts in order, and assumed one of her more no nonsense expressions. "Bob, it's late. Is there something you need? We're pretty tired." She tried not to hear the low, vibrant growl that was buzzing the air behind her.
"I was hoping we could talk." Bob explained, shyly.
Okay, Tor. Jade's right. Polite ain't cutting it this time. "About what?" Tori asked.
The hallway was empty, though Bob glanced to either side just in case. He put his hands in his pockets and managed an almost engaging expression. "Look… I know we barely know each other.. "
"Grrooowwwwll…"
Tori felt Jade move closer, as the heat of her body warmed Tori's back. "That's right." She answered Bob. "We don't."
"But I was thinking maybe we could see each other a few times, you know.. I think you're a really.."
"Bob." Tori opened the door a little wider, and straightened, holding both hands out in a stopping motion. "Hold it."
"No, I know you're really modest, but I think.."
"BOB." Tori's voice lifted.
He peered at her anxiously. "Yeah?"
"Thank you, but I have a significant other." Tori stated firmly. "One that I'm very attached to."
"Rowwwrrrll…." Jade's growl turned to a purr.
Bob took a breath, giving her a determined look. "I figured you had a boyfriend, but I really think we can get to know each other better, after all.."
"Bob." Tori sighed. "I don't have a boyfriend." She slowed her speech, enunciating carefully. "I have a partner."
His brows contracted in puzzlement. "A partner?"
Jade's patience, never really extensive, snapped. She poked her head above Tori's, as she raised a hand over her shoulder. "That would be me."
Bob looked from one to the other of them, his head cocking to one side in patent confusion.
Tori turned and looked at Jade. "See what happens when you eat too much Wonder bread?" She asked her, then turned back. "Bob, Jade and I are spouses." She painfully clarified for him. "As in We're gay. Am I making a connection here?"
Very slowly, comprehension dawned. "Oh." Bob finally murmured, turning a deep, brick red. "Sorry. I didn't.. um.."
"It's okay." Tori now felt a little sorry for him.
"Okay, well, then, have a good night. I'm sorry." Bob said, backing away. "Sorry." He escaped down the hallway, almost crashing into the corner in his haste to get out of sight.
"Mmph." Jade watched the last of him vanish, and issued a satisfied grunt. "What an analog mindset."
Tori nudged her backwards and shut the door. "Aw, he's not that bad. He meant well, Jade."
"No he didn't." Jade objected. "Tori, did you hear what he said after you told him you had a significant other ? He didn't care! What a creep!"
Tori chewed the inside of her lip. "Ew. Yeah." She admitted. "That was pretty skuzzy."
Jade shook her head and ambled over to where the laptop had finished downloading. She picked it up and took it to the bed, then rid herself of her shift and settled on the covers, extending her naked body out as she studied the screen. After a second, she glanced up over the LCD and crooked a finger at Tori. "C'mere."
Tori put thoughts of Bob and his scuzziness out of her mind, and joined Jade in bed, removing her own clothing and snuggling up next to her lover. "What did he send?"
"Look." Jade pointed. They read together in silence, tanned faces outlined in the screen's light.