pruh... I have been avoiding this book like a plague. I'm a little burnt out for real I guess it only took a year. but don't dispair, because Donald trump is president, I'm gonna require comfort. So I will be ramping up again. while I have Y'all here. If you or anyone is working toard original stories of your own. I run a Story coach business where I specialize in character development. especially Femenine characters. I read YA Romance Lesbian contemporary Romance (yes only the L in the rainbow mafia maybe a B) and Scifi Romantacy. I'll be your coach and cheerleader first consultation is free hit me up with a P.M. We'll talk. ~S.K.
Twenty Four
Tori finished adding her bathroom doodads to the sink shelf as she listened to Jade ordering them something from room service. The hotel room was big and very nice, but she could really have cared less as long as it had Jade in it, a shower, and someplace for them to sleep.
Even the second thing wasn't really a requirement, if she was honest.
With a smile, Tori ducked back into the main room, pausing to lean in the door way and watch Jade as she paced idly back and forth in front of the desk. It was hard to believe she was actually here, but she knew she was because the gnawing anxiety in her guts was gone, replaced by a quiet contentment she'd come to associate with being around her partner.
"Thanks." Jade put the phone done and turned. "Twenty minutes. Did you get Advil?"
Tori held up the small bottle she'd taken from Jade's kit. She uncapped it and removed a couple of the brownish pills, crossing to the pitcher of water sitting on the side table and pouring herself a half glassful. "That's a nice looking bed there, Gigi."
"Mm." Jade came over to her. "Too big for one person, though." She said. "Had a tough time getting to sleep in it." She admitted.
"Guess we've got the solution to that problem." Tori swallowed her pills, dropping her head forward as Jade's hands gently kneaded her neck. It felt incredibly good, and not just from the warmth. "Know what?"
"What?" Jade's breath tickled the edge of her ear.
"My life just got really good again." Tori's tone was quietly serious.
Jade leaned against Tori's back. "Mine too." She replied. "I missed you."
"I felt really lousy when I woke up this morning." Tori mused. "I'm glad I'm here."
"So am I." Tori and Jade fell into each other's arms, their lips meeting in a hungry kiss. They had missed each other terribly, and the passion between them was palpable.
Tori ran her hands through Jade's hair as they kissed, their bodies pressed together tightly. She could feel Jade's heart racing against her own, and she knew that they both needed this moment of connection and intimacy.
Jade's hands traveled down Tori's body, pulling at her shirt until it came loose. Tori helped her remove it, and then did the same with Jade's. They stood there in their bras and pants, their eyes locked as they continued to kiss.
Tori reached behind Jade and unclasped her bra, letting it fall to the ground. She ran her hands over Jade's bare breasts, feeling her nipples harden at her touch. Jade let out a soft moan, arching her back as Tori continued to explore her body.
Jade then slipped her hands under Tori's pants, sliding them down her legs and helping her step out of them. They were both now completely naked, and they stood there for a moment, taking in the sight of each other.
Tori led Jade over to the bed, and they lay down together, their bodies entwined. They kissed softly, their hands roaming over each other's bodies. They took their time, exploring every inch of each other, savoring the feeling of being together again.
As they made love, they whispered sweet nothings to each other, telling each other how much they had missed each other and how much they loved each other. It was a tender and romantic moment, one that they would remember for a long time.
When they were finished, they lay in each other's arms, entwined in a post-coital bliss. It had only been one day since Jade's insemination, and Tori couldn't help but feel a little excited at the possibility of starting a family with the love of her life.
She traced her fingers gently over Jade's generous breasts, feeling the soft skin beneath her touch. "Any changes yet?" she asked, a playful glint in her eye.
Jade shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Nothing yet," she replied. "But it's only been one day."
Tori nodded, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was different. Jade's breasts seemed slightly more tender than usual, and she wondered if it could be a sign that the implantation had worked.
She leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Jade's neck, whispering in her ear, "How about a little game, then? I'll try to guess if there have been any changes. And if I'm right, you have to give me a special reward."
Jade raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what kind of reward are we talking about here?"
Tori grinned wickedly. "Oh, I think you know."
Jade laughed, but she couldn't help the small shiver of excitement that ran down her spine. She knew exactly what Tori was hinting at, and the thought of it made her pulse quicken.
Tori continued to explore Jade's body, her fingers gently caressing her breasts and teasing her nipples. Jade closed her eyes, trying to ignore the soreness that had been plaguing her all day. She didn't want to give Tori false hope, but she couldn't deny that the tenderness in her breasts felt different than it did before her period.
Tori's fingers found a small, tender spot on Jade's left breast, and she paused, her breath hitching in her throat. "Is this new?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jade opened her eyes and looked at Tori, a small frown creasing her forehead. She didn't want to get her hopes up, but she couldn't deny the possibility that the implantation had worked.
"I don't know," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "It could be, but I don't want to get my hopes up."
Tori nodded, understanding. She didn't want to pressure Jade or give her false hope, but she couldn't help the excitement that was building inside of her.
"Well, I think we should celebrate either way," Tori said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Jade laughed, feeling her worries melt away. "Oh, I think that can be arranged."
Tori leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Jade's lips, her hands roaming over her body. Getting Carried away again
Jade woke mere seconds before the alarm went off and hastily silenced it before it could rattle its way across the nightstand. It was just dawn, and she spent a moment catching her breath from her abrupt wakening before she settled back down and resumed her position snuggling with Tori.
A roll of thunder boomed over head, and a quick look verified the lash of rain across the hotel room window. Jade regarded the storm peacefully, however, since she was in a place right now that no weather could touch, regardless of the severity.
She didn't even care that she was in New York. Jade tilted her head and studied Tori's profile, trying to remember when they'd fallen asleep last night. The last thing she could clearly recall was sharing a fudge brownie as they lay together watching the news, then….
Then she woke up, a minute ago, crashed in the middle of the big bed with Tori wrapped around her in her usual way, with her head pillowed on Jade's shoulder and one arm draped over her as though she was nothing but a big, animated body pillow.
Just how Jade liked it.
Curled up as she was, her new adornment wasn't visible, but Jade found herself thinking about it anyway. Though still a bit red and not quite healed, she could see the tattoo was, in all truth, a beautiful design. The man who had done it was no question an artist.
Jade was no question flat on her back flabbergasted over it. The thought and emotion behind the tattoo filled her with such a sense of awe, and surprisingly, excitement she found her breathing speeding up again just thinking about it. She was totally thrilled by Tori's decision to decorate her body with this particular symbol and now she was halfway wondering…
Well, should she do it too?
Hm. Jade hadn't seriously thought about tattoos since she'd been in high school. Then she'd wanted.. what was it again? Oh, right. A dagger across her right bicep. She turned her head and regarded the spot introspectively. What could she put there or anywhere that would match what Tori had come up with?
A picture of Tori, maybe? Jade felt a tiny snort emerge as she imagined herself taking off her jacket in a high level meeting and revealing *that* with her usual short sleeve silk shirt to the world if she had it done on her arm. As valued as she knew she was to the company, Jade conceded that would cross the line for even the most liberal of the board, and though she really didn't care what they thought about her, it also would probably embarrass Tori.
Okay, so not a picture of her. Then what? Or.. maybe she could put the picture somewhere else most people wouldn't see…
Tori stirred, and Jade decided to put off her thoughts until later. She tilted her head to watch her partner as Tori's eyes slowly blinked open and she took in her surroundings, a smile appearing on her face. "Morning."
"Uh huh." Tori gave her a squeeze. "Boy, did I sleep like a rock." She admitted. "I don't think I moved since I crashed last night."
"Me either." Jade ran her fingers lightly through Tori's sleep mussed hair, sorting the dark locks into their proper sides. "Did you look outside?"
Tori lifted her head and peeked. "Eew." She resumed her prior position. "Perfect day to stay in bed. Unfortunately, we're not home to do it."
"Mmph." Jade laid her hand on Tori's back, then started rubbing it, muffling a grin as her partner started to produce small purring noises. "Hey, Tori?"
"Uh?"
"I really love your tattoo."
Tori rested her chin on Jade's breastbone, her brown eyes sparkling happily. "You do? Really?"
"Yeah."
"Good." Tori rolled over, stretching and arching her back before she peered at her new adornment. "I really was excited about doing it, but then when I got home, and saw it in the mirror… it was just scary."
"Scary?" Jade traced the outline of the design with her fingertip.
"Yeah. Like, oh my god, how could I have done this?" Tori laid a hand on her stomach and gazed up at the ceiling. "I was worried about what you'd think, and if I should have talked to you about it first."
Jade sat up in bed and gracefully half turned, extracting herself from the covers and settling cross-legged in the same motion. She rested her elbows on her knees and regarded Tori seriously.
"I mean… I knew you wouldn't hate it.. at least I think I knew that.. but.." Tori put her hand on Jade's knee. "I thought about how I'd feel if you just came home with one and hadn't talked to me, and I didn't like how I felt about that."
"Ah." Jade's expression moderated to a more thoughtful one.
"Would you have talked to me first?" Tori asked, curiously.
Jade rested her chin on her fist. "Not if I wanted it to be a surprise." She said. "And believe me, you putting my name on your chest was definitely a surprise."
"Hm. Hadn't thought of it that way."
"Anyway." Jade leaned over and kissed the spot gently. "I love it." She moved up and kissed Tori's lips next. "I love you." She paused, nose to nose with her partner. "You think you could wear a strapless gown to Radio City Music Hall?"
The brown eyes widened and brightened. "When?"
"Good question." Jade chuckled. "I'll know when the messenger gets here. Alastair's sending us a pair of tickets he happened to have around." She said. "Tonight maybe, or tomorrow… you interested? I have no clue what's showing there.. guess we'd better check that first."
Tori sat up next to her. "Sure." She agreed, with a grin. "So what's on the agenda besides that today, boss?"
Jade studied the thick, white covers. "Guess I'll call Hans… see if his six sturdy young Germans got anywhere with that code. If he did, I'm going to have to hold up my end of the deal and figure out how to get those damn algorithms working."
"The beta ones?" Tori asked, in surprise. "I thought you said the problem was on his end?"
Jade got up off the bed and paced over to the window, gazing out at the rain.
Tori waited, hearing a screeching of tires on the street below and amusing herself with wondering if a naked woman standing at the hotel window had anything to do with it. The dull gray light outside outlined Jade's body, so Tori enjoyed the view, admiring the long, graceful lines of her partner's torso.
Finally, Jade turned back around, and leaned against the window sill. "It is his problem." She said. "But even if he fixes it, that won't be enough. We'll have to do the rest."
Tori leaned back on her elbows, extending her legs out and crossing them at the ankles. "Honey, you do realize you're mooning Manhattan, right?"
Jade's head inclined slightly and her brows creased. "What?"
"C'mere." Tori crooked a finger at her. "Before someone takes a picture of you through that window and you end up on the NY Times front page."
Jade turned around, stared at the window, and then sheepishly retreated back towards the bed. She climbed across the covers and collapsed onto her side next to Tori. "Sorry. Wasn't thinking." Her voice sounded disgusted. "Story of my life lately, it seems."
Tori nudged her with her knee. "What's that supposed to mean? You haven't been noticeably less brilliant than usual any time in the near past that I know of." She consciously lightened her tone. "Have you? Did I miss something?"
Jade shrugged. "No. I've just felt out of it lately. Eversince I started the shots." She admitted. "Anyway, you want to have breakfast here, or go downstairs? It's not a bad little place." She changed the subject, one hand plucking idly at the covers.
"I'd rather stay here." Tori reached out and took Jade's hand in hers. "Spend some time with you just hanging out, if I've got a choice. If you don't have to go meet that guy, I mean."
Jade appeared pleased with the answer. "Sounds great to me." She nodded. "I'll give Hans a call, you order?" She leaned over and snagged the menu, handing it to Tori. "Then maybe we can check out that music hall. Not sure what got into Alastair on that one."
Tori opened the menu and let her hand rest on a page of it. "He's a little worried about you." She told her partner quietly.
Alert blue eyes found hers suddenly. "Me?"
"He thought you sounded a little off the other day." Tori explained. "He mentioned it to me when he called."
Jade frowned. "What did you tell him?"
"Not much." Her partner said, slowly. "Just that the trade show'd been stressful, and the cruise bid was a bitch. You know. The truth."
"But not all the truth." Jade sighed, lowering herself back down and putting her chin on her wrists.
Tori put a hand out and ruffled Jade's dark hair. "Honey, I wasn't going to go into your personal history with him. It's none of his business."
"Mmph."
"Even though I kind of get the feeling he really, really does like you as a person." Tori went on. "And he does care about you."
Jade peeked up at her. "I know he does." She sighed. "I just didn't realize I was coming off as something he needed to worry about." She extended her hand and cupped Tori's knee, stroking the skin over it with her thumb. "It's frustrating. I just want to kick myself."
The fact that Jade was talking about it reassured Tori immensely. "Well, that's why I'm here. To give you and ear, to give you a hug, or just to give you someone to have dinner with." She said. "Whatever you need, I'm here."
Jade studied Tori's kneecap pensively. "I'm not used to being needy."
"I know. It's usually the other way around, and you've always been there for me when I've needed you. So.. just think of this as a minor payback." Tori coaxed her, encouraged when Jade inched closer and curled her hand around Tori's calf. She responded by leaning forward and sliding her hands up Jade's arms, kneading the thick muscles there with small, gentle motions. "You're in good hands, aren't you?"
Jade's shoulders relaxed and she cocked her head slightly. "The best." She relented, giving in and squirming closer. "All right. But if I tell you to kick me in the ass, you better do it. Don't pat me on the head."
Tori leaned over and kissed her. "You got it." She promised. "Now, since you've entrusted me with the breakfast order, can I ask if you're in the mood for sweet or salty?"
"Sweet." Jade exhaled contentedly. "They have pretty good waffles."
"Mm… would that be the strawberry covered Belgian ones, or the banana?" Tori scratched the back of Jade's neck with her fingertips and watched her close her eyes in reaction. "Can I ask you something else?"
"Uh huh."
"What's in that bag over there?"
"What bag?"
"The one with the sailor hat sticking out on top."
One blue eye popped open and regarded her.
Rain or no rain, it was a gorgeous day. Jade finished rinsing the soap off her body and stepped out of the shower, bumping the translucent door closed behind her as she picked up a towel and headed for the sink.
A very wet and disheveled figure looked back at her from the mirror, but she smiled at it as she dried her arms, one ear cocked to listen to the soft humming coming from the other room. Having Tori around was really making a difference, she realized. She was a lot more relaxed, and the thought of dickering with Hans over his application was now amusing her more than rubbing her temper raw.
The thought of introducing Hans to Tori was also amusing her, though she wasn't sure her partner would appreciate being in a room where the other occupants were speaking a language she didn't know. "Ah." Jade addressed her reflection. "What the heck, she lives in California. She's used to it."
"Jade?" Tori's voice drifted in. "You say something?"
Jade chuckled softly. "Nah – just talking to myself. Be out in a minute."
"Well you better… it's getting pretty boring out here by myself."
"Uh oh." Jade toweled her hair dry as she walked out of the steamy bathroom, not immediately spotting her target. "Tori?" She looked around, finding her partner in just her own towel standing near the desk leaning over her laptop. "Problem?"
"Eh?" Tori turned her head. "No, no… I was just picking up my office mail." She perched on a corner of the desk. "What time do we have to meet at the client's, eleven, right?"
"Right." Jade draped the towel over her shoulders. "Anything interesting?"
Tori skimmed over her mail. "Nah, nah, nah.. whoa." She leaned closer and clicked on one mail, her eyes tracking over the text. Abruptly she straightened. "Holy cow!"
"What?" Jade put her chin on Tori's shoulder and peered at the screen. After a second, she put her hand on the desk and let out a snort. "Am I reading that right?" Her voice rose incredulously.
Tori slid off the desk and sat down in the chair. "Oh, boy, I hope not." She muttered. "Oh my gosh, what on earth went on there last night?"
"Only one way to find out." Jade pulled her cell phone over and dialed the office number. It rang, then was answered. "Morning, Mariela."
A perceptible hesitation. "Oh, good morning, Jade. And how are you this morning?" Mariela answered. "Did Vitoria make it there all right?"
"Just fine, thanks." Tori answered for herself as Jade set the phone on speaker.
"That is wonderful." Mariela stated. "I am so glad."
"And I was doing really great until I opened up my mail just now." Tori added. "Does Jade have one of these in hers too?"
Mariela sighed. "Si." She said. "It was not exactly so as they said it, but.."
"Mariela, what the hell happened?" Jade interjected. "That damn email from Cat said you assaulted someone?"
"Jesus." Tori muttered, covering her eyes with one hand.
"chefa, it was not so." Mariela protested. "I did not hurt anyone! It was just that Mayte told me about those two women who were being so mean to you and Vitoria, and how they were going to be at this restaurant to wait for Vitoria, and so we went there to tell them she would not be coming."
"Uh huh." Jade grunted encouragingly. "And?"
"And that is all! We did not mean to cause such problems!" Her assistant stated. "Here we were doing something so nice, and they were so mean to us as well. They are bad people, Jade."
"Okay." Tori leaned against Jade's shoulder. "But um… what's all this about charges, if all you did was tell them I stood them up?"
Mariela cleared her throat delicately.
"Not that I don't appreciate the thoughtfulness, Mariela, honest, I do…" Tori went on. "But they could have stagnated there all night for all I care. I wouldn't have asked you to go out of your way to tell them anything."
"Oh, si, Vitoria, I know that." Mariela said. "It is just Mayte and I thought we would do this on our way home, since we had to go that way a little anyhow."
"Mariela." Jade took the reins back. "Charges?"
"chefa, they were very nasty to us. I just went to them and told them about Vitoria's trip, and they started saying such nasty things!" Mariela replied in protest. "I could not get them to stop! All of the people in that little place were coming to find out what the matter was and so I thought these women would not like to be such a spectacle, so I would do something to keep them from being so loud."
Jade and Tori looked at each other. "Like… what?" Tori ventured.
"I gave them something into their hands to take and make them stop what they were saying." Mariela said, almost audibly squaring her shoulders. "I took the plates of the dinner they had, and put them in their faces!"
"Oh, Jesus." Tori whispered.
Jade stared at the cell phone, momentarily speechless herself. "Ah."
"And it was so hot, the things there, that Mayte was so courteous and kind to them she put the glasses of beer over their heads to cool them off."
Jade wandered off towards the window, shaking her head as she covered her eyes with one hand. "Anyone get pictures?"
"chefa?" Mariela queried.
"Jade was just wondering if anyone got .. ah.. hurt, Mariela. Are you okay? Is Mayte all right?" Tori asked.
"Oh, sim." Mariela sounded a little less stressed. "We are fine, sim. My husband, he was very shocked to hear about what his senora and senorita did, but we went very fast home after that, Vitoria. Yes, we are fine."
"Well, good. Good." Tori pondered what to say next. "Now, ah.. it's not that we don't appreciate what you did, ah… but you know…"
"Vitoria, we could not stay there and listen to those women. They were being so nasty about you, especially." Mariela said.
"Well, I know, but.."
"Hey, Mariela." Jade swooped in from the right and very gently clapped her hand over Tori's mouth. "You remember Eleana?"
"JEEEED!" Tori nipped at her partner's palm.
A moment's silence. "Si! Si, yes I do, Jade. Yes." Mariela said. "Another very nasty person."
"Did Tori ever tell you about us meeting her at dinner once?" Jade asked.
"Noo… I do not think so."
Jade released Tori, who folded her arms over her chest and smirked, ducking her head in acknowledgement. "Remind her to tell you about that when she gets back, huh?" She slid one arm around Tori's waist and tugged her closer. "Anyway, don't' worry about it. I'll take care of Cat, and tell her to get legal to get this whole pile of bullshit thrown out."
"Si, Jade. Thank you." Mariela's voice warmed several notches. "We did not mean to cause you trouble."
"You didn't." Jade stated firmly. "Specially if they were talking trash about Tori. They're god damn lucky it was you and not me that was there, because if I'd been there, they'd have gotten a lot more than… what did they have, anyway?"
"The chili, chefa."
Tori slowly dissolved into silent giggles, sagging against Jade's body and hiding her face in Jade's shoulder.
Jade cleared her throat. "Yeah, well.. waste of beans in my view." She drawled. "Anyway, Mariela, thanks. Don't worry about the charges. It's all crap."
"Si. That is what the man who came to speak with us this morning also said." Mariela agreed. "It is just so aggravating, no?"
"Yeah." Jade said. "Sorry you had to get involved."
"I am not." Her assistant said, surprisingly. "Jade, I have been watching you put your head out for other people for so many years now, and it is good to be standing up for you if I can do that."
Jade stared at the phone in silence for several heartbeats.
"Me, too." Mayte's voice chimed in.
Tori wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes and let her hand come to rest on Jade's belly. "Guys." She said. "I know exactly what you mean."
"Then you are not mad at us?" Mayte asked.
Tori looked up at Jade's still profile, just the hint of trembling moisture on the lids of her eyes betraying her feelings. "No, we're not mad." She answered for them both. "But listen, you guys keep out of trouble while we're away, okay? We'll take care of that whole situation when we get back."
"All right." Mariela agreed. "We will be good."
"Okay, we'll talk to you later." Tori said. "Bye." She folded the phone shut, then let her head rest again on Jade's shoulder. "Hilarious."
Jade cleared her throat. "Definitely unexpected." She agreed. "Damn, I wish I'd been there. I'd have paid a month's salary to see that chili go flying."
Tori snickered. "Me too." She confessed. "I mean.. it's not really funny, Jade. You know how ratty that's going to make that next bid meeting for us?" She sighed. "Not that I'm much better than they are. I'm the one who blew them off."
"Ah." Jade shrugged. "They can kiss my ass. Let's worry about it when it happens."
With a frown, her partner scanned the rest of her mail, then shrugged as well. "Yeah, I guess that makes damn good sense." She pushed the laptop from her a little and turned back to her partner. "I ever told you how good you look in just a towel?"
Jade sat down in the big easy chair and tugged Tori down with her onto her lap. She wrapped her arms around Tori's towel covered body and hugged her. "Hey."
"Mm?"
"If it stops raining, want to go down to Central Park later and take a carriage ride with me?"
Tori willingly allowed herself to be distracted. "The ones with the horses?"
"Uh huh."
It was a charmingly romantic idea, and Tori liked it very much. "Maybe we could find one of those little cafes and have dinner?" She suggested. "I know Manhattan isn't your favorite place, but I bet we could have fun here."
Jade nipped Tori's side gently through the terrycloth. She tilted her head up a little as Tori's fingers laced through her damp hair and they kissed. She could taste the last hint of grape toothpaste on Tori's lips as she explored them, savoring the gentle touch against her cheek as Tori traced the skin on her face. "Bet we could have fun right in this here hotel room." She murmured.
"No bet." Tori nuzzled her, then went back to kissing. "Noo.. bet."