Page 36 of In Her Own Way
Jessica almost choked. “That’s a little under five weeks away.”
Marjorie simply shrugged.
Jessica remembered something Daddy Vic said in one of the posts. ‘Get help.’ “Has anyone here done a literary magazine? I need help. Guidance. I’ve never done anything like this before and haven’t a clue where to start.” Was honesty really the best policy here? She wasn’t sure, but it was the truth. She didn’t feel she could fake her way through this one.
“Not that I know of,” Marjorie said. “Best bet is to ask around and see if anyone can help you.”
“I will,” Jessica said, again thinking about the confident way Daddy Vic presented herself in the group. “But I seriously don’t think I can make a Thanksgiving deadline. Not if we want something of quality.”
“Which we do.” Marjorie narrowed her eyes and said, “You know, let me see if Mr. Herrera can find some funding to send you to a conference or workshop of some kind for this. I want you to look for one, preferably online or one within driving distance.”
“Sounds fair,” Jessica said. She would begin research as soon as this last class of the day was over. “Thank you.”
Marjorie nodded, grinned, and then patted Jessica’s arm. Something had changed between them. What was it? It felt like her department chair was showing her respect. Maybe she respected the fact that Jessica had voiced her concerns about needing help and also hadn’t blindly accepted the Thanksgiving deadline.
“Wow,” Jessica muttered to herself and reset her lesson on the laptop. And, oh yeah, much to her relief, Marjorie hadn’t come in to tell her to pack her bags.
The bell rang to start class, and Jessica handed the timer to Arjun. She said, “Ten minutes of knowledge—”
“Gets us into college,” the students finished.
“Let’s do it,” Jessica said and began her fifth and final ‘woke-ish’ lesson of the day.
Chapter 11
Victoria
The music was low but filled the empty space in the private room at the Scarlett Dungeon. Lauren had her arms around Victoria’s neck as they danced to the slow music Victoria played from an app on her phone. Lauren had clearly been nervous when she arrived at the dungeon mere minutes ago, so Victoria thought intimate slow dancing might alleviate some nerves.
“I’m sorry,” Lauren said again. “I got cold feet last week.”
“You told me.”
“I didn’t know how to contact you, and then I wasn’t even sure you’d be here this afternoon. Why hang around for a flake like me? Inconsiderate—”
Victoria put a finger over Lauren’s lips to halt the self-deprecation. “You’re worth the wait. And I understand your nerves about this scene. It’s a big fantasy. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask you if we’re reenacting something that happened to you.”
“No, no, never,” Lauren said. “Nothing like that. And I don’t even know why I have this fantasy.”
Victoria knew why Lauren wanted such an intense scene, but she also figured Lauren needed to experience it firsthandbefore they analyzed it together. Hopefully, Lauren would gain insight afterward.
“Did you bring replacement undergarments?”
Lauren nodded.
Victoria leaned down and kissed the woman in her arms gently to calm her nerves. Lauren increased the intensity, and when the kiss broke off, Victoria said, “Phew, is it getting hot in here?”
“It is,” Lauren said. “I should take off all my clothes.” She grinned and got to stripping. She left on her lovely lace panties and bra.
Victoria ran her fingers across the lace and kissed Lauren again. “It’s a shame these are going to be trash in a minute.”
Lauren just smiled.
“Ready?” Victoria asked.
Lauren nodded and took a breath, letting it out slowly.
“Your safewords are?”
