Page 53 of Jessica Beam is a Hot Mess
He removes the belt restraint with fumbling hands. I jump off the bed and cover myself up with the duvet.
‘What? Old Lady Beam saw my arse?’
‘She saweverything! Balls, bums, boobs. All of the B words.Everything.’
‘Right. Oh, bugger.’
‘Shit.’ I bury my head in my hands. I didn’t think true, deep embarrassment was an emotion I had any capacity for – I’ve never really experienced it before. But then again I’ve never had a seventy-seven-year-old long-lost relative watch me engage in a little light bondage. It feels highly uncomfortable.
I hear a weird noise and remove my hands from my face.
The weird noise is coming from Jamie. He’s still naked, standing in front of the gigantic wardrobe, his face tomato red, his shoulders shaking up and down. He’s bloody laughing.
‘Stop laughing!’ I hiss. ‘You’re a doctor. You’re supposed to be sensible. I can’t believe she walked in. She was bringing me milk, as well. Oh God!’
‘I’m sorry,’ Jamie splutters apologetically between blasts of laughter, picking up his grey cotton boxers from the floor and pulling them on as he guffaws noisily. ‘I – ha-ha-ha − I’m really sorry, but you can’t deny that this would all – ha-ha! − make an excellent “how we got together” anecdote one day. Ha-haa!’
Got together anecdote?
Er, what does Doctor Jamie think is occurring here? I thought I’d been putting out a strictly casual vibe … Have I not?
I glance up at him sharply.
‘Um, not to ruin the mood, but you do know that thisthingwith us is just a no strings deal, right?’
He gasps, pressing a hand to his mouth jokily. ‘You mean to tell me that … that y-you’re using me for my body?’
‘Well, pretty much, yes. Sexual convenience, stress release, etcetera. Nothing more. Not anything against you, of course, you seem perfectly lovely and I can’t deny that you have … skills. I’m just not interested in anything more … anyemotionalstuff, you know? I’m not that kind of girl. So you need to know that, if we’re going to, like, see each other again or whatever.’
‘I was joking, Jess,’ Jamie retorts, a small frown playing around his mouth. ‘I was just messing about. No strings, I get it.’
‘Good.’ I give a firm nod. ‘That’s all right then.’
