Page 84 of In Her Own Way
Jessica closed the distance. Their lips met. The kiss was slow and tentative at first. Sensuous. It heated up quickly, andJessica started feeling a deep need. She heard catcalls in the background and remembered where she was. She broke off the kiss and shyly buried her face in Victoria’s chest.
“I know. I know,” Victoria said.
“I can’t believe it’s you,” Jessica said as they swayed to the music. “I wasn’t expecting—I mean, I figured it would be a while before we met. And I didn’t know where you lived, if it would be a multi-day trip for you from Miami or something.”
Victoria smiled. “I was going to call you later tonight and tell you how much I missed you and how much I wished you had been here with me.”
“Same,” Jessica said and then grinned. “Will you?”
“Will I what?”
“Kiss me again?”
“Mmm,” Victoria moaned in answer and obliged.
Deep dark arousal coursed through Jessica’s body. She wanted to grab Victoria’s hand, swoop her home, and make love. She moaned in frustration.
“I’m with you on that one,” Victoria said. “But we need at least a second date before going further. Maybe even a third or more.”
Jessica’s eyes grew wide. She didn’t think her body would let her wait much longer. She reached up and clamped Victoria’s lips closed. “Shut up. Just dance.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Victoria mumbled between clamped lips.
They danced to a couple more songs, had some food, and then sat at the table, holding hands, while their friends danced.
Victoria shook her head. “I can’t believe you’re here. I mean, you’ve been here in Denton Heights this whole time. You know, I actually saw you once before but had no clue it was you.”
“What? How?”
“Rowena sent me a video of Shanice’s prosthetics reveal party, and I saw this pretty woman standing next to Madison. I wondered who she was.”
“What did you come up with?”
Victoria chuckled. “I figured you were one of Shanice’s colleagues from her job or something.”
Jessica’s grin threatened to overtake her face. “You thought I was pretty?” Funny how she’d gotten stuck on that part.
“Don’t ever doubt that,” Victoria said staring soulfully into Jessica’s eyes. Jessica melted. “You’re very attractive.” Her expression changed to a serious one. One eyebrow raised. “Is that understood? You will never question that again, right?”
“I will not, Ma’am,” Jessica said. But now she was a puddle on the floor. That dominance she’d been craving. There it was.
“Good.” A smile crept up Victoria’s face. She bopped Jessica on the nose and then said, “Hey, tonight, how did you know it was me? Have you known who I was this whole time?”
Jessica shook her head. “I had no idea Denton Heights was the town you were referring to. When you and Brian came in with Rowena’s group, Madison yelled, ‘Daddy Vic.’ I was in shock, too. But you look like your profile picture.”
“That’s an old picture.”
“Same great hair.” Jessica reached up and tousled Victoria’s hair. “And, Vic, for what it’s worth, Bernadette seems happy and healthy.”
“I think so, too,” Victoria said. “So you know what that means, don’t you?”
“What?”
“I now have the green light to drive all the way to JB’s hometown and ask her out on a date.”
Jessica laughed. “You absolutely do have the green light.”
“Rowena says they’ve started the tradition of meeting at the coffee shop the day after masquerade balls. They have pizza andice cream. Would you, JB, like to accompany me to this post-ball gathering?”
