by Lydia Rose
“I don’t know, but she’s younger than you. Maybe she isn’t ready to settle down yet.” Kay shrugged her shoulders. “What do I know? Maybe she feels the same way.”
Taylor thought about what Kay had said and let out a strangled groan. “I’ll wait to tell her. I certainly don’t want to scare her off.”
Kay stood up and patted Taylor’s hand. “Good. Give it some time to make sure that your feeling is real.”
Taylor nodded at her words before Kay disappeared.
The afternoon dragged for Taylor and rushing to her car, she sent Jessica a text. “On my way home. Can we get together?” She pulled into her driveway without hearing back from Jessica so she went into the house to make herself something to eat. Thinking that Jessica must be tied up with work, but hoping they’d have a chance to see each other before the night was over.
Taylor sat with the phone sitting on her lap as she waited and worried from not hearing from Jessica all evening. Her phone finally rang at ten. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get back to you sooner,” Jessica said before Taylor could utter a word. “I had a meeting this afternoon with a client and Tom insisted that I take her out to dinner afterwards. There just wasn’t a moment I could send you a text or call.”
“Calm down, Jess. It’s okay. I was just worried, but I understand.” Taylor now laughed. “I guess the next time I see you, some punishment should happen. What do you think?”
“You’re right. I deserve to be punished for not calling you.” They both laughed.
“So, did you get the client?” Taylor finally asked.
“I did. She loved my ideas and this will bring in a lot of money to the firm.”
“Was she young?” Taylor asked softly not wanting to sound jealous.
“In her forties, I think.” Jessica paused. “Are you jealous?”
“No, yes. Maybe.”
Jessica roared with laughter. “Tina is married with three kids. It’s her father’s company and she isn’t interested in me in the least.”
“Oh, I think if you tried, you can get anyone to be interested in you,” Taylor insisted, but her words held lightness.
“Well, then I am not interested in her. Feel better?”
“A little,” Taylor answered pouting.
“Stop pouting, Taylor. I want you and only you.”
“How do you know I’m pouting?”
“Because I know you. Now tell me what you are going to do to me?”
Taylor laughed. “I haven’t decided yet, but it will be the best punishment you’ve ever had.”
Jessica swallowed. “I can’t wait. How about tomorrow?”
Taylor sighed. “I can’t. It’s Julia’s birthday and Kay, Monica and myself are taking her out for dinner and drinks.”
“The club?” Jessica asked quickly.
Taylor laughed. “No. That is not part of our plan. How about Wednesday?”
“I have another meeting after work. It’s the office’s monthly meeting.” Jessica paused again. “Can you take off Friday?”
Taylor went through her schedule in her head before answering, “Yes.”
“Good. I will too. I’ll come to your place after work on Thursday evening.”
“Bring enough clothes for the weekend,” she chuckled. “Although I doubt we will be wearing them too much.”
“It’s a date then.”
“You bet it is and don’t forget you are going to be punished.”
“I can’t wait, Taylor.”
CHAPTER 18
Taylor poured herself a cup of coffee in the breakroom allowing her mind to drift to what she wanted to do to Jessica tomorrow night. “Boo,” Kay said into her ear causing Taylor to spill her coffee.
“What the hell are you doing, Kay?”
She continued to laugh. “I was just breaking you out of the trance that is Jessica.”
“What are you talking about?” Taylor asked cleaning up the mess she made.
“You aren’t really going to deny that you were thinking about Jess?” Kay watched as Taylor’s mouth opened and closed. “Thought so. How about having dinner with me tonight? Jim has a dinner meeting and I know you aren’t going to be with Jess. So?”
“Yes,” Taylor answered and continued. “I have a stop to make first. I’ll meet you at the restaurant.”
“I’ll go with you.” Kay stared at Taylor who looked like a deer caught in the headlights. “What?”
“I uh, planned on stopping at a...” she leaned over to Kay’s ear, “sex shop.”
Kay burst out laughing. “You are pulling my leg. Aren’t you?” She now saw the serious look on Taylor’s face. “You aren’t kidding?”
“No, and would you keep your voice down.”
“What the hell are you two doing?” Kay shook her head. “We never should have taken you to that sex club.”
“We’re having fun if you must know,” she said with a grumble.
“So why don’t you go with April to this sex store?” she asked in a whisper.
“Because April is out of town on business and I need some things before tomorrow night.”
“Are you two tying each other up and beating each other like in that movie?”
Taylor shrugged before answering. “There is no beating.”
“But you let her tie you up?”
Again, Taylor shrugged. “It’s not what you think.”
“Then explain it to me,” Kay said with her arms crossed.
“Let’s go shopping and I’ll explain it when we are in the store.” Kay let out a strangled breath.
Kay followed Taylor into the store trying to make sure no one she knew saw her. “Hello, ladies,” the woman at the counter called out. “If you need any help finding something, just let me know.”
“Thank you,” Taylor answered and walked further into the store.
Kay looked at the woman at the counter. The tattoos ran up and down her arm and some were visible on her chest. A dog collar was around her neck and the leather vest showed plenty of cleavage. “I should have stayed in the car.” Kay mumbled as she followed Taylor around. “What are you looking for?” She was now holding up a dildo. “Something like this?”
Taylor narrowed her eyes and looked at her friend. “I have one of those, thank you.”
“You do?” Kay asked shocked. “I thought men weren’t part of lesbian sex.”
“They aren’t. Mine is hot pink and it is just another appendage to use.” Taylor held up her hands. “It allows me to leave my hands free to do other things,” she said wiggling her eyebrows.
“God, Taylor.”
“Don’t judge until you try it. Maybe you should buy something that Jim will enjoy?”
Kay looked mortified and then she saw the outfits. She walked toward the racks and held up an open bust leather corset. “I think she might like this one.”
Taylor moved closer examining the garment. “Oh yeah,” she said and Kay rolled her eyes.
“I was just kidding.”
“You mean to tell me that Jim wouldn’t love to see you in this?” she asked pointing to the outfit.
“I think he would die of a heart attack.”
“I doubt that, but you will definitely get his juices flowing.”
“You really think so?”
“I know Jess would love to see me wearing this.” Taylor watched as Kay went through the rack looking for her size. Taylor chuckled and did the same thing. By the time they left the store, both women had bags filled with goodies.
When they got back in the car, Kay began complaining again. “You are a bad influence on me.”
“Yeah, well you tell me what Jim thinks when you wear that outfit and make love to him,” she chuckled. “I bet you will be begging me to go back there again.”
“We will see, but I think he is going to think I’ve lost my mind.”
“He’ll lose his mind, but not for the reasons you are thinking.” She couldn’t stop laughing all the way to the restaurant.
CHA
PTER 19
Taylor got to work early the following morning so she could leave on time as planned. It was a text in the afternoon that changed everything. “Taylor, don’t take tomorrow off. I can’t make it tonight or tomorrow. I’ll call you when I have time.” Taylor sat there staring at her phone wondering if it was Jessica’s work that caused her to change their plans or if it was something else.
When Taylor left that day from work, she drove home and waited for a call from Jessica. By ten o’clock and no phone call, she called her. The call went immediately to voicemail. “Hi, honey. I haven’t heard from you and just want to make sure everything is okay. Call me when you can. Good night.”
Taylor went to work the following day, but Jessica still hadn’t called. Now feeling worried, she drove to Jessica’s apartment after work. She knocked on the door, but instead of Jessica another woman stood there. Shaking herself out of the coldness she felt, she asked, “Hi. Is Jess here?”
The woman stood there with a glass of wine in her hand. “No. Who are you?”
“I’m Taylor. A friend of Jess’s.” She didn’t know why she couldn’t bring herself to say that she was dating Jess.
“I’m Robin,” she said without emotion.
Taylor looked at the redhead and wondered where she had heard that name. It finally came to her. This was Jess’s ex-girlfriend. The one she had lived with for three years. “Is Jess expected soon?”
“She went grocery shopping so I don’t expect her for a while. I would invite you in, but I really don’t know you,” she said with a shrug.
“That’s okay. Would you tell Jess I stopped by?” Taylor watched the woman nod and close the door in her face. Rude. Just rude. She went back to her car and sat waiting for Jess to return to the apartment. Taylor didn’t have to wait long. She watched her get out of her car and take two bags of groceries from the trunk. “Jess,” she called out as Jess walked toward the apartment building.
“Taylor,” she said surprised to find her here.
“Is everything all right?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I haven’t called. I just have to take care of something this weekend,” she said without looking at Taylor.
“Yeah, I know. I saw her in your apartment.” Taylor tried to keep her voice from showing too much emotion.
“You met Robin?” Jess asked.
“She’s your ex, right?”
“Yes. She showed up here Wednesday night.”
“What does she want?” Taylor asked not hiding her anger. If Jess was going to get back with her, she wanted to know now.
“Robin just broke up with her girlfriend and had nowhere to go.”
“You are a very forgiving person allowing your ex-girlfriend to stay with you.” Taylor began to walk away.
“It’s not like that, Taylor.”
Taylor turned and faced Jessica. “Yeah, then what is it like?” She watched as Jessica stood there mute. “Enjoy your weekend with Robin,” she said before walking away.
“Taylor, don’t be like this,” Jess said staring at Taylor’s back.
Taylor kept walking until she got back into her car and drove away. Jess was still standing there watching her as she drove past the apartment. Once the building was out of her sight, she began to cry. Did Jessica lie when she said the end of her relationship with Robin had been mutual? Had Jessica been waiting for Robin’s return all along?
CHAPTER 20
Taylor awoke Saturday morning and reached for her phone. “Do you know what time it is?” April asked into her phone.
“Yes, and I need to see you,” Taylor answered ignoring her friend’s reprimand.
April sat up in bed. “What’s wrong?”
“How about I pick up some croissants and head over to your place?” Taylor knew her best friend would never turn down the fresh pastries.
“Hurry up, woman. I’m starving already,” April said before disconnecting the call.
Taylor was pulled into April’s apartment with such force that she almost lost her footing. The bag that Taylor had been holding was now ripped from her hands. “Well, good morning to you too.”
“Hey, if you get me up early after I’ve been away all week, the least you can do is feed me.” April walked toward the kitchen.
Taylor poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down while April buttered her warm pastry.
After finishing the first croissant, she looked at Taylor. “How is it going with Jessica?” She watched as Taylor’s eyes filled with tears. “What happened?” she asked reaching for Taylor’s hand.
“I think we broke up.”
“What? Why?” April couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The two women looked good together and she didn’t think there was anything that could tear them apart.
“She went back to her ex-girlfriend,” Taylor said softly.
“You can’t be serious. I don’t believe it.”
“It’s true.” Taylor explained about the cancellation of their plans and how she went to Jessica’s apartment. “I saw her in Jess’s apartment.”
“That doesn’t mean they are together. There has to be another explanation.” April reached for her phone. “Hi, babe.” Taylor listened to the one-sided conversation. April’s eyes went to Taylor. “Yeah, Taylor got me up at the crack ass of dawn.” She now grinned. “She brought me croissants though. Come over. Okay, sweetie, see you soon.” April put her phone on the table. “She will be here shortly.”
Ann walked into the apartment fifteen minutes later. She walked over to April ignoring Taylor’s presence while she welcomed her lover home with a passionate kiss. It was Taylor’s clearing of her throat that caused the two women to separate. “Hello, Taylor,” Ann said smiling. “How are you?”
Before Taylor could answer, April responded, “Jessica broke up with her.”
Ann glanced between April and then to Taylor. “I don’t believe it.”
Taylor shrugged. “She went back to her ex,” she said softly.
“Robin?” Taylor nodded at her question. “That bitch. How many times is she going to do this?”
“Do what?” April asked before Taylor could.
“Every couple of years, Robin shows up having nowhere else to go. Jessica takes her in and then when Robin finds someone else, she walks away without looking back.”
Taylor could hear the anger in Ann’s voice. “Is she hoping that Robin will stay each time?”
“Before she met you, I would say yes. I can’t see her doing that now. Hold on.” Ann pulled out her phone. “Hi, Jess.” The other women listened intently to her conversation. “Meet me at the café.” Ann rolled her eyes. “I will not take no for an answer. Tell your house guest tough.” Ann could hear Robin in the background complaining that Jessica was leaving her alone. “Ten minutes.” Ann slammed her phone on the table. She dropped a kiss on April’s mouth and got up. “I won’t be long,” she said walking toward the front door.
CHAPTER 21
Jessica was the first to arrive at the coffee shop and she was sitting at a table as Ann walked in. Not even bothering to get a cup of coffee for herself, she sat down at the table with a thud. The two women stared at each other. “What?” Jessica finally asked.
“What the hell are you doing?” Ann asked shaking her head.
“I’m not doing anything,” Jessica said with her hand on her heart.
“Oh yeah. Robin,” she said firmly.
Her eyebrows raised. “How did you hear?”
“Taylor. You throw away the best thing that ever happened in your life for that controlling bitch. Again,” she said trying to keep from yelling.
“She had nowhere to go,” Jessica answered softly, but couldn’t meet her friend’s eyes.
“She is not your problem. Tell her to get a room at a motel.” Ann took a deep breath. “She can’t keep coming back into your life like this.” Ann lowered her voice. “You know she doesn’t want you back?” Jessica shrugged. “Taylor is upset.”
Jessica raised her hea
d looking at her friend. “I didn’t mean to hurt her.”
“Well, you did and I wouldn’t be surprised if she told you to go to hell and never speak to you again.” Jessica remained silent. “Are you willing to lose her without a fight?” Jessica didn’t respond. “I thought you loved her.”
“I do, but…” Jessica began.
“Well, you certainly have a strange way of showing it. Aren’t you tired of Robin using you?” Jessica looked up and slowly nodded her head up and down. “Then tell her she has to leave and not to come back when the next girl throws her out.” Ann got up to get a cup of coffee letting her words sink into Jessica’s hard head. Ann sat down with her coffee and waited for Jessica to speak first.
“She is going to be pissed and yell at me,” Jessica said barely above a whisper.
Ann took a deep breath and let it out loudly. “So what. It’s your place and you have every right to tell her to leave. Robin never should have showed up.”
“I know.” Jessica wiped a tear. “Is Taylor really angry with me?”
“I think she is disappointed, but not angry. You tossed her aside without question. How would you feel? Never mind, you already know how that feels. Robin has done that to you so many times.” Ann let out a tight chuckle.
“I really blew it, didn’t I?” Jessica asked with unshed tears.
“I honestly don’t know.” Ann patted her friend’s hand. “Go get rid of the vampire and call her.”
“What do I tell her?” Jessica asked with fear in her eyes.
“Robin or Taylor?” Ann asked.
“Taylor.”
“Try the truth this time.”
“She will never trust me again, Ann,” Jessica scowled. “I wouldn’t trust me.”
“There is only one way to find out and don’t think for a minute that Robin should fit into this equation.” Her finger came out and shook. Ann watched as Jessica got up.
Before Jessica left the shop, she turned to Ann. “Thank you.”
Ann smiled and motioned with her hands for Jessica to leave. She walked into April’s apartment only to find out that Taylor had left already. “Why did she leave?” Ann asked.
