Jade

by Dark Hollows Press, LLC

  Stacey looked at her and smiled, her cute little nose wrinkling. She had to fight the impulse to kiss her right then and there. Being so out of control of her emotions left her shaky inside.

  The waitress came up and took their orders. Jade ordered a chef salad and double scotch on the rocks while Stacey ordered the grilled chicken salad and a glass of house white wine.

  “I’ll bring your drinks right away,” the waitress said with a cheery smile.

  The waitress was super-efficient and speedy, Jade was pleased to see. They had their drinks in no time. Thanking the waitress, she picked up her drink. Sipping it she felt the alcohol hit her veins and she relaxed.

  Stacey was watching her curiously. “Are you okay, Jade?”

  Jade gave a half smile. “Am I that obvious?”

  “Maybe a little bit.” She smiled back at her.

  “I’m not used to feeling this way about anybody. I mean it’s not like I’m some blushing virgin who’s never been touched but I swear no man has every made me feel the way you do. I hate feeling so vulnerable. And please don’t take that the wrong way,” she added hastily. “It’s something that I need to learn to deal with.” Looking at Stacey, she said, “Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I felt so happy and so free. Until I met you I didn’t realize how stifled, how unhappy I was. I think I was stuffing it down all the time thinking I was living the life everyone else envied. Now I see I was only half alive.”

  She watched Stacey take a sip of her glass of wine. Her hand trembled as she lifted it to her mouth. Putting it down clumsily a little spilt onto the table cloth. She looked up and Jade could see she was extremely nervous. The reason soon became evident as she stammered out, “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

  Jade sat back, startled by her declaration. Still she had to admit the cosmic pull of their mutual attraction was something she couldn’t ignore. “I know what you mean,” she said softly. “I keep telling myself to be cautious because maybe it’s only the sex talking.”

  “Maybe that’s all it is. Maybe I shouldn’t bring this up but I’ve had sex with a lot of people and I can’t recall this intensity with anyone else. It’s like being made clean, whole, as if somehow you’ve erased my past for me. I feel like I can be me for a change. Not twisting myself into what other people want me to be because they bought me.”

  “Don’t forget I bought you too,” she pointed out dryly.

  She made a face. “You did, that’s true and maybe it’s simply a fluke that it’s worked out this way but whatever the reason I’m so happy I met you. However this turns out I’ll never regret it.”

  Jade was jumbled up inside. So many powerful emotions and thoughts were rushing through her. She didn’t want to commit herself yet as she couldn’t clearly decipher what was going on.

  Stacey bit her lip before continuing. “I’ve had a few STDs. Nothing like syphilis or AIDS or even herpes, but I’ve had Chlamydia.” She looked at the table. “It’s definitely left me damaged. I’ll…I’ll never be able to have children.”

  Looking at her gently, Jade said, “I guess it comes with the job. I would be foolish to think you’d never had anything. But when I booked you through the escort agency they did confirm that you had a clean bill of health from your last checkup, so I knew I was safe. And if I wasn’t that would be my fault not yours.” She stared at Stacey’s clenched hands, wanting to comfort her. “I think whatever happened in your life when you were younger must have put you in a position where you felt you had no other choice. You’re only twenty-three now. I shudder to think at what age you were forced to do this to survive. Really, where was your mother? She should have been taking care of you, especially after your dad passed away.”

  To Jade’s horror, tears filled Stacey’s eyes. The reason for the tears soon became apparent as her dismal past came tumbling out of her mouth. Like a burst dam, the words poured out in a torrent until the last one spilled out. Stacey sagged in her chair, completely spent.

  Guilt seeped into every crevice of Jade’s soul as she listened in growing dismay to her story. She had exploited Stacey the same way countless other people had, including her mother. It was a wonder that she had any goodness left at all in her but she did – a great deal in fact.

  Reaching across the table she covered Stacey’s hands with her own, not caring who might see. “When we get back to New York, we’ll get some counseling for you.”

  Stacey’s wet eyes widened and she looked up at her. “So you’re inviting me to live with you in New York now? I thought you were going to see how it worked out for the three weeks first and then decide.”

  Jade hesitated. Was it time for the L-word? “Well, we’ve both already decided that we…we feel strongly about each other.” Dammit, chicken! She rushed on, “Honestly Stacey, if anyone deserves a helping hand, it’s you. I want to help.”

  Looking at her still somewhat tearfully Stacey smiled. “Thanks, Jade. Thank you so much.”

  She looked back at this young woman, unnamed yet powerful emotions tugging her in every direction as she absorbed the impact of Stacey’s words into her heart. “You’re very welcome.”

  The waitress arrived with their food and laid it in front of them. “Enjoy,” she trilled and dashed off to serve another customer.

  Stacey looked down at her plate. “I don’t feel very hungry right now. Do you mind if we go back to the room?”

  “Not at all. Tell you what, why don’t we take this to go and then we can eat it later on if we’re still hungry. But do you mind if I finish my drink first?”

  “All right.” She sounded nothing but dismal as the past hit head-on with the present, marring it.

  Jade looked at her while she sipped her drink. Her eyes were downcast. Sex was out of the question tonight. She was feeling way too raw and vulnerable right now. What she needed was to be cared for and loved. If she felt like sharing a bottle of wine, Jade would bring a bottle back to the room where they could relax under the covers and watch some of the movies. She suggested it to Stacey who agreed wine would be nice. So they took a bottle back along with their barely touched food, which the waitress was happy to pack into insulated cartons for them. Jade made sure to leave her a generous tip.

  Back in the cabin she made Stacey take a long hot shower and get dressed in a pair of warm sweats and top. Sitting her on the bed, Jade gently combed out Stacey’s long wavy chestnut hair hoping it would bring her some comfort.

  Stacey spoke but her words were flat and empty. “If you want sex, it’s okay, you know.” It wrenched Jade’s heart to realize that this was the only value she felt she had to offer.

  Kissing the back of her head, she said, “No, I don’t want sex. I only want to take care of you right now.” She began to massage her shoulders slowly and gently. Stacey began to relax under her skillful hands. Her head rolled forward.

  “Mmm – that’s nice. You could have been a masseuse.”

  “Well, I’ve had enough massages. I’ve picked up a few tips.”

  She twisted her head round to look at her. “Thank you so much. Thanks for listening and for being there.”

  Touching her face gently, Jade said tenderly, “And again, you are so very welcome.” Letting go, she said, “Here, hop under the covers and I’ll pour you a glass of wine and put a movie in for us to watch.”

  She tucked Stacey into bed and poured the wine, then stuck a DVD in the player. She kissed her on the top of her head saying, “I’m just going to jump in the shower quickly myself. I’ll be back in a few minutes then we can watch the movie together.” Stacey nodded in drowsy acquiescence and Jade headed for the shower.

  * * * *

  Relaxed and sleepy, Stacey watched her go, hoping that she wouldn’t fall asleep before she got out of the shower. Listening to the sound of the water running, she was very content tucked securely under the warm covers, propped up on the pillows with a glass of wine in her hand. Taking a sip, she stared at the bedroom wall not really seeing it.
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  Unbidden, all the things she’d done for the past several years to have a place to sleep and eat began playing through her mind.

  While topless modeling, men had immediately begun to hit on her, offering her money in exchange for sexual favors. She’d been in no position to refuse and, with nowhere to go, Stacey found herself doing what was asked with cash paid under the table. She was making more than working in retail or as a waitress at a restaurant so it was hard to turn it down. She blocked her mind to what she was doing, focusing on the money. At first she hadn’t been very good or enthusiastic about it, and comments about her performance made her well aware of that.

  Shortly afterward one of the photographers had taken her to a strip club. With fake I.D. and with her hair and make-up done she looked much older. Soon she was exchanging sexual services at the strip club for cash.

  The other strippers taught her the tricks of the trade and gave her drugs to help the nightmarish task of getting off what was typically an unpleasant man easier to swallow – no pun intended. Long before she met Jade she desperately wanted to get out of it. It was a psychological prison and she didn’t know how to get free. Despite making decent money she was beginning to despise herself and her clients. She needed a few stiff drinks and other aids to get what needed to be done accomplished. No one had ever offered her a helping hand. Except for Jade.

  The money she made disappeared as quickly as she made it. Maybe if she had the foresight to put some away she could be the master of her own escape. But she had nothing put away. In reality she was living hand to mouth.

  The saddest part was she was just another face in the crowd of the anonymity of prostitution. Clients certainly wouldn’t be looking for her. She was their secret not something to be revealed. Most of the other girls were at best lackadaisical friends. She knew one or two rebuttals from Delores at the condo complex would be all it would take for them to lose interest and forget all about her. Also, they were friends with a competitive edge. If they took over her clients, they’d see her as an interloper if she returned.

  Her dad’s family were ghosts from the past having lost touch with her years ago. Besides she didn’t think she could face them now with the lifestyle she had. There was truly not a soul, outside of Delores and maybe one or two other girls, who would give a damn about where she was. It was an intensely lonely feeling.

  Jade opening the bathroom door, her glossy wet black hair trailing down her back, distracted her from her dismal thoughts. “Did you want me to go get your salad for you?”

  Her heart over-flowed with love and gratitude for this woman standing there. She smiled softly at her. “I’m okay for now but thanks for asking.”

  “Okay, I’m going to get that wood stove going in the living room then I’ll be right back.” Heading out of the room, then popping her head back in, she added, “And we better not stay up too late tonight because we want to be out of here pretty early tomorrow.”

  Stacey nodded in agreement. She giggled a little to herself once Jade had left the room. It seemed this was her standard phrase every time they needed to leave the next day.

  Returning to bed, Jade got in. She kissed Stacey soundly on the mouth a few times before settling back on her pillows. Fumbling with the remote, she got the movie started. She reached over and pulled Stacey close beside her. Stacey could almost feel the toxic and noxious emotional poisons she harbored in her body begin to seep out as she nestled close to her.

  Taking a sip from her glass of wine, she watched Jade watch the movie. There were so many words on her tongue that she wanted to say. It seemed that now she’d started talking about her past, she couldn’t stop. But she’d probably done enough talking for one day. She shifted, feeling a little uneasy about the fallout that might follow after divulging the story of her dismal life. Swallowing the words, she laid her head against Jade’s shoulder, enjoying the feeling of strength and confidence she exuded.

  Stacey closed her eyes. She felt Jade shift position as her hands began playing with her hair. Despite her intention not to say anything, Stacey felt such a bubble of emotion well up in her she felt she would almost burst if she didn’t let it out. Her declaration of love earlier in the restaurant, her emotional outburst about her past, Jade’s caring and understanding brought everything bubbling to the surface.

  “I’m in love with you, Jade,” she burst out for the second time that evening. The intensity of the feeling was so powerful she couldn’t contain it. It was coming out no matter what. “I am so in love with you. Never in my life did I ever think I would fall in love with anyone but I’ve fallen in love with you.” She kept her eyes shut, wanting and yet not wanting to see the expression on Jade’s face. The hope was unbearable, but she didn’t want to put Jade under any pressure. She worried it might come across that way saying it so soon after the restaurant fiasco. “I…I’m not looking for you to say you love me but I wanted to say it to you.”

  Jade shifted position again and her hands stilled. The sound of the movie playing in the background stopped. “Stacey, look at me.”

  Stacey gulped and opened her eyes to see Jade looking at her, her expression unreadable.

  “I can tell you honestly that I have never felt this way about anyone in my entire life. I look at you and I feel all mushy inside and I’m not a mushy person.”

  Stacey giggled.

  “But I still need to be careful in what I say. I definitely feel something for you but I can’t say it’s love as I’ve only been with you for a few days. I need a little more time is all. Do you know what I mean?”

  She nodded, a little disappointed, but not displeased with Jade’s response. “I do. You have way more at stake than I do so I understand completely. It was actually freeing to say I love you and not care about the consequences. But when and if you say it, I want you to say it because you mean it.”

  She could see the softness in Jade’s eyes before she spoke. “From what little I know of you I think you are a very easy person to fall in love with. Besides we’ve got time together on the road. Then we have as much time as we need back in New York City to get to know one another. And no matter what I’ll never leave you in the lurch. I’ll see that you’re taken care of.”

  Stacey heart burst with happiness. She could almost believe there was a God out there that would right the wrongs in the world. She laid her head back on Jade’s shoulder.

  “So, do I get to watch the end of this movie now,” She asked, her tone gently scolding.

  Stacey smiled to herself as she nodded and Jade hit the play button, then she closed her eyes and cuddled back into her comforting body.

  Stacey woke up briefly, dimly aware that the movie had finished and the television was off. Feeling Jade’s body curved around her she snuggled up against her once more. The air in the room was chilly and her nose felt cold. Jade had lit the stove in the other room but, while it would ensure a cozy morning the next day, the heat didn’t make it through the closed bedroom door. She was quite content with this, as it made cuddling up to Jade a very pleasant and necessary chore, sharing their warmth through the night.

  Chapter Eight

  Blearily, Jade opened her eyes, rubbed them and looked at the clock. Six thirty in the morning. She had about another half hour or so to snooze. Looking over at Stacey’s tousled head she realized that she had been so intent on getting as close to her as possible she had almost pushed her over the edge of the bed. Curled tightly against her left-side, Stacey was sleeping soundly.

  Turning on her side, Jade curved her body against Stacey. Propping herself up on her elbow she looked down at her and marveled at her beauty. Despite the life she’d lived she looked amazingly fresh and innocent as she slept. Tracing her finger along the clean line of her profile, she frowned slightly to herself as she puzzled over the intense attraction she felt for her. Sex accounted for some of it, her looks as well, but she knew it had to be more than that. Having been in a business that idolizes beauty in women, she was almost immun
e to it unless it was in a business sense. Then she had the acumen to know which face would work well for the particular look she was trying to promote. But there was never anything more than that. Even the most stunning of models left her cold.

  Looking down at the sleeping woman, her sexual response was immediate as her body signaled its readiness for more sex play with Stacey. Sighing she laid back and draped her arm over her. Nuzzling the back of her neck for a few moments, she felt herself drift off to sleep again.

  A blissful pleasant sensation permeated Jade’s dreams. Aroused and ready to climax she had the confused idea that she was touching herself in her sleep and coming. Moaning softly she opened her eyes to look directly into the dancing sherry-colored eyes of Stacey who had loosen the drawer string on her sweatpants to slip her fingers down between her legs.

  She kissed her on the lips. “Morning, sleepy head. I didn’t think you were ever going to wake up.”

  So, naughty Stacey was the culprit for the lovely morning wake up call. “Keep doing what you’re doing,” she groaned. “I’m almost ready to come.”

  A few moments later she was climaxing against Stacey’s fingertips. Reaching for her, Jade kissed her soundly. “That was a very nice way to wake up,” she said, enfolding her in her arms. They snuggled like that for a few minutes, content with each other.

  Glancing back at the clock she saw it was already almost eight. She had half a thought to quickly make love to Stacey and then dismissed it. Check-out was eleven o’clock but she would like to be on the road by ten at the latest.

  “Come on. Let’s get packed up and figure out which way we’re headed off to.”

  Stacey looked at her like a mutinous child. “Can’t we cuddle for just a couple more minutes?”

  Looking down at her, Jade found herself inwardly amused and somewhat turned on by her little act of defiance.