Kris was shocked. She had never seen Jenna mad. Her heart was crushed. Her eyes burned from the hot tears ready to spill over at any moment.
“I’m so, so sorry Jenna.” She tried to reach for Jenna’s hand, but Jenna pulled it away. “I got trapped into trying to relive the past. I thought I wanted Susie back, but after last night I realized I was looking for what we had in the past, but I want it with someone else.”
Jenna listened, but didn’t speak.
It was Kris's turn to look away now. “I just want to experience love again. I want to have someone to love, and someone who will love me back.” She stood up and faced the window. She stared at the people walking below. She heard Jenna coming towards her. Her heart pounded hard against her chest, and she leaned forward against the window ledge.
Jenna handed Kris a tissue. “I’m sorry for acting childish about this and you’re upset, so let’s just move on past this.”
Jenna turned and headed for the shower to cleanse away all the pain and guilt that consumed her for making Kris cry. She hadn’t planned on confronting Kris but she had, and now she felt guilty for upsetting her.
Kris had composed herself and had finished packing by the time Jenna returned from her attempt at trying to wash away the unpleasant memories she had of Boston. They drove back home in silence with both feeling hurt and guilty about everything that had happened.
After returning, Jenna made herself busy packing the rest of her stuff for her move. She thought it would be best to distance herself from Kris and figure out what she wanted. She needed to decide if she wanted to expose her feelings and make herself vulnerable to someone who had ignored her while lusting after an ex-girlfriend.
***
Kris was completely heartbroken. If anyone would understand, it would be Allie. She drove to her house seeking advice and expecting to be coddled.
Allie stood towering over Kris with her arms crossed over her chest shaking her head.
“I can’t believe you were so careless with Jenna’s feelings. How could you treat her that way?”
Kris looked up at her with tears in her eyes. “I didn’t realize it until it was too late. I wasn’t thinking.”
“That’s the smartest thing I’ve heard you say so far. I never liked Susie, and I never understood why you loved her so much. She wasn’t the type to settle down, and don’t forget the fact she cheated on you before having the guts to break up with you.”
“I can’t change the past or what happened last night. I know Susie isn’t the one for me, but I didn’t know that last night. I still can’t believe she married a guy.”
Allie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, and look how well that turned out for her. Enough about her. Tell me about dancing with Jenna.”
“It felt so good. It felt natural. I felt like I belonged in her arms, close to her. We moved together. We connected. I fit perfectly in the crook of her neck. I felt her heartbeat against my cheek, almost as fast as mine. I didn’t want the song to end, but it did and she let go and I felt an instant emptiness. After that, she flirted with Veronica at the bar, and I got jealous. I used that jealousy and emptiness to justify going home with Susie.”
Kris looked up at Allie with sad puppy dog eyes. Allie felt bad for her. Kris had no idea how bad she screwed up. Allie knew she may have lost the one person in the entire world who could give her the love she wanted. She sat down beside her and held her. Kris knew she had hurt Jenna. There was no need in giving her a lecture about that.
“Just give Jenna some space and be patient. She’s under a lot of stress right now with her new job and getting ready to close on her first house. The best thing you can do right now is to be supportive. Do whatever you can to help her transition into her new house and focus on that. Do not bring up Susie or Boston or Veronica ever again.”
“I’ll try. Thanks for listening to me. I guess I should get going.”
Allie followed Kris to the door. “You know, I really just want to kick your ass right now, but I think you feel bad enough already.” She gave Kris a hug and sent her on her way. She watched as Kris backed out of the driveway. As soon as Kris left, Allie picked up her phone and called Jenna.
“Hi, Jenna. Kris just told me everything.”
“Hello, Allie. I honestly don’t know what to do now or how I feel anymore.”
“Don’t give up on her. Kris is really beating herself up over this. She thinks you’re hurt because of the way she treated you, but I think you’re upset about the way she flirted with Susie. Am I wrong?”
Jenna sighed. “You’re right. I take some of the blame for not telling her how I feel before all this happened. Now, it’s too late and she slept with her ex again.”
Allie wished they both would grow up and deal with their feelings instead of dragging her into the middle. “Kris told me what happened at dinner and at the club. She also told me what happened after she left you at the hotel. Do you want me to fill in the details for you?”
Jenna hoped her fears weren’t true, but it wasn’t her place to concern herself about what Kris did or didn’t do with Susie. “No, Kris tried to tell me before, and I told her it was none of my business.”
“I’ll just tell you that it isn’t as bad as what you’re thinking, and I’ll leave it at that. You have to realize all this hurt, anger, and jealousy you’re feeling right now is because you do care. Just remember that.”
“Thanks, Allie. I’ll talk to you later. I think Kris is back.”
She ended the call right before the front door opened. Seconds later, Jax bombarded her with wet kisses. She had missed her buddy while she was gone. She walked downstairs and called Jax to follow behind her.
She found Kris in the kitchen going through the mail Erin and Liz collected while they were in Boston. She could tell Kris had been crying, and she couldn’t endure seeing her upset. Kris continued to busy herself going through the mail.
Jenna grabbed Jax’s leash from the hook by the door. “Jax and I are going for a walk. Do you want to join us?” She bent down and attached the leash to his collar. Jenna looked up and was happy to see Kris smiling.
“Yes, I’d love to go for a walk.”
As they walked Jenna let her guard down a little bit at a time and allowed Kris back into her heart. She couldn’t keep her out. She didn’t bring up Boston and neither did Kris. By the time their walk ended, they were back to the way they were before, joking and flirting like nothing had ever happened.
Jenna was ready to put the past behind her and move forward, and she had just the plan to do it. She would have to ask for help, which was something that was hard for her, but she hoped it would be worth it in the end.
Chapter Seventeen
The next day Jenna contacted Allie to help pull off her plan. She explained what she needed from her, and Allie was happy to help, but Jenna made her promise not to say anything to Kris about it.
The next few days Jenna spent packing. Between packing and working at the hospital, she had little time for anything else. She started getting nervous about her plan and all the ways it could backfire on her. Any time she was near Kris, she’d get butterflies worrying herself with anticipation.
Kris also tried to keep herself busy making sure the closing and moving details were progressing as planned. All their friends including Jay and his wife were pitching in to help Jenna move. It was only a few blocks away, but she felt like she was losing Jenna. She feared how much their relationship was going to change, and she tried to prepare herself for the worst.
Finally, the big day had arrived. Jenna had rented a moving truck and everyone had stopped by the night before to help her and Kris load it up. It was a Monday and Jay’s schedule was clear, so he offered to help the two of them unload it at Jenna’s new home. Unfortunately, Jenna was on-call at the hospital that evening. She didn’t have any critical patients, and as long as no new ones were admitted she shouldn’t get called back in.
Jenna walked with Kris to the coffee shop that Kris ha
d taken her when they first met to look at houses. They slipped inside and each grabbed a cup of coffee before walking further to the title office to sign the mountain of paperwork that was waiting for her. Jenna felt overwhelmed and anxious. Her hand cramped from all the signatures she was responsible for. She paused and took a deep breath before signing the last document. The sellers’ realtor handed the keys of the house to Kris. Kris hesitated before placing the keys in Jenna’s hand.
Jenna curled her fingers around the keys. They represented her freedom to begin her new life. She leaned forward and hugged Kris tight. “Thank you so much for everything,” she whispered before letting her go.
Kris stood up and congratulated the sellers on their sale before leading Jenna outside. They walked in silence and stopped in front of Kris's office.
“I have to drop off this copy of your paperwork and file a few things, but this is it. It’s officially all yours now. Congratulations on your new home.”
Jenna slid the keys back and forth on the keyring in her hands. “I want to take you out tonight to celebrate.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I know I don’t have to, but I want to. You’ve helped me out so much. It’s the least I can do.”
“Okay, thanks. I’ll meet you at your house in about an hour with Jay to help unload the truck.”
“Great, see you then.”
Jenna felt like skipping as she walked away with the keys to her future in her hand.
The aroma of fresh flowers emanated from a vase on Kris’s desk as she entered her office. Oh, no. She knew they were from Susie. She opened the envelope and read the card. It only had five words. “I am. Me too. Jenna.”
Kris sank down onto her chair. Jenna had been acting weird the last few days. She pulled the vase towards her admiring the beautiful flowers. She picked up her phone to call Jenna, but put it back down. She’d thank her in person later. She had a lot to do and another client to see before meeting Jenna and Jay.
***
Jenna walked back to Kris's house and drove the truck with her things to her new home. She backed the truck up the driveway, and got out taking pride in the fact she didn’t hit the house or anything else in the process. She walked up the steps of the front porch beaming with excitement. She slid the key into the lock and turned it, almost expecting it not to work.
She opened the door and stepped inside. It looked so big and empty begging to be filled with love and happiness. She walked around and opened a few windows to let fresh air in. She went back out to the truck and started unloading boxes. She made sure she started with the sensitive ones first. She shuddered at the thought of Jay carrying a box full of her bras and panties.
She had managed to unload most of the boxes when Jay and Kris arrived. She had also worked up a good sweat. “Sorry, guys I just couldn’t wait to start unloading.”
“I thought you might start without us,” Kris said. She reached into the bag she was carrying and tossed Jenna a cold bottle of water.
Jenna caught the bottle. “Thanks.”
Kris leaned against the truck and watched Jenna roll the cold bottle against her flushed cheeks. Jenna’s skin glistened from perspiration under the hot sun. Her soaked T-shirt clung to every seductive curve as she arched her head back devouring the entire bottle of water without stopping for air. Jenna sat down on the porch landing, stretched her arms up over her head, and laid back on the porch.
Kris broke the trance she was under and walked up the steps. “Stay there. I’ll be right back.”
She pulled a cloth from her bag and ran it under cool water from the kitchen sink. She returned and sat down beside Jenna.
“Sit up slowly, not too fast.” Kris pulled on Jenna’s wrist. “You’re a doctor. I shouldn’t have to remind you about dehydration and overexertion.” Kris leaned over and dabbed the cool cloth over Jenna’s forehead. She used her other hand to push back the hair that had escaped Jenna’s ponytail.
Jenna closed her eyes and tilted her head back. The coolness of the cloth against her skin made her feel better. She leaned back and braced herself with her arms behind her.
Kris lowered the cloth down Jenna’s left cheek. She slid closer until her knee was against Jenna’s outer thigh. She reached across and wiped the sweat from Jenna’s right cheek. Her body responded to touching Jenna, and she swallowed hard.
“Does that feel good?” Kris asked.
Jenna drew her bottom lip in and bit it before smiling. “Yes,” she whispered.
Kris lowered the cloth following the curve of Jenna’s jaw line down to her exposed neck. The excess water dripped down the bottom of the cloth onto Jenna’s chest above the V-neck of her shirt trickling down into her cleavage. She could feel the heat radiating from Jenna’s skin as the water evaporated into the air. Her own pulse quickened as she raised the cloth back up the left side of Jenna’s neck and around to her back.
Jenna allowed herself to relax a little too much and let out a slight moan. She opened her eyes and cleared her throat. She sat up and reached behind her grabbing Kris's hand. “Thanks, I feel better now. We should get started.”
Jay offered one hand to Jenna and the other to Kris and helped them up. He rubbed his eyes. He hadn’t blinked over the last few minutes watching the two of them.
Since Jenna had unloaded almost everything except for the furniture, it didn’t take long for them to unload the rest of the truck. She gave Jay a big sweaty hug and sent him on his way home.
She returned inside to find Kris reorganizing boxes and starting to unpack. She paused in the doorway imagining what it would be like to share her life with Kris. No more pretending, and no more being just friends.
Kris turned to find Jenna staring at her. “Are you taking another break already?”
“I’m hungry. Are you ready for lunch?”
Kris entered the kitchen and looked around. Jenna didn’t have a table or chairs yet. She needed to take her shopping. She watched Jenna pull sandwiches out of the fridge wrapped in paper printed with the name of Kris's favorite deli.
She took the sandwich from Jenna. “You’re just full of surprises today aren’t you? Thanks for the beautiful flowers.”
Jenna tapped the countertop and motioned for Kris to hop up. “You’re welcome. We wouldn’t be here now if you hadn’t helped me find this place.”
Jenna went back to the fridge and pulled out two soda cans. She was happy they had chilled. She opened one and handed it to Kris.
Kris took a long gulp and felt the sting of the carbonated bubbles as they slid down her throat. “I read the card that came with the flowers, but I didn’t understand what it meant.”
Jenna took a bite of her sandwich and chewed while Kris waited for a response. When she felt she had made Kris wait long enough she replied, “It’s a riddle.”
“A riddle?”
Jenna opened her can and took a sip. She walked towards Kris and stopped in front of Kris's open legs. She placed the can down on the countertop causing Kris to jump at the sound of the metal can hitting the granite. She cocked her head to the side and stared into Kris’s eyes. “Yes, a riddle for you to figure out.”
Kris resisted the urge to wrap her legs around her and pull her in closer. How in the hell am I supposed to figure out a freaking riddle with this gorgeous glistening woman standing in front of me? Kris took another bite of her sandwich to keep her lips occupied.
Jenna leaned against the counter in the narrow space between Kris and the sink and changed the subject. “Are you still up for dinner, or have I worn you out already?”
Kris bit her tongue as her mind wandered out of control. I’d love for you to wear me out right here, right now.
“It takes a lot more than moving a few boxes to wear me out. I’m looking forward to it.”
***
After lunch, Allie arrived to help Jenna unpack. As soon as she walked in, she could feel the sexual tension in the air. Witnessing them flirting back and forth was enough to make h
er feel nauseous, but she was happy that everything would soon be out in the open.
Jenna found enough time to pull Allie to the side and make sure everything was on schedule. Allie reassured her and shushed her before Kris came back with another box. Jenna gasped and lunged at the box when she saw the label.
Allie bursted into laughter when she realized what was going on. Kris had no idea why Allie was laughing. “Congratulations, Kris. I think you found Jenna’s naughty box.”
Kris glanced down and read the label before Jenna could snatch the box from her hands. “You labeled it XXX? Really? You have a lot to learn.”
Kris ran up the stairs with the box with Jenna close behind her. She ran to the bedroom and had just reached the bed when Jenna caught up to her. She dropped the box onto the bed as Jenna grabbed her from behind and started tickling her. Kris was very ticklish. She grabbed at Jenna’s hands trying to get her to stop so she could catch her breath. Jenna was relentless. Somehow her hands ended up underneath Kris's shirt, but Jenna didn’t stop. She fell onto the bed and Jenna landed on top of her. They were both breathless from laughing. She managed to grab both of her wrists, and in one swift move she rolled her over onto her back positioning herself on top. She held Jenna’s wrists tight and wouldn’t let her move.
Even though Kris had her wrists, her hands were still underneath Kris's shirt. She relaxed her hands on the sides of Kris's tight abdomen feeling it contract and spasm from laughing. She gazed from where her hands were to Kris's belly button that was now exposed. In the course of playing around, Kris only had two buttons on her shirt that still fastened, blocking her view of Kris’s breasts heaving up and down beneath the stretched fabric. Their eyes locked and Kris released her grip on her a little. Kris breathed heavy and fast on top of her as she looked down at her while catching her breath.
Jenna's Awakening (Dr. Jenna Harper Series Book 1) Page 11
