Jade

by Dark Hollows Press, LLC

  She chuckled and said, “Don’t worry. I plan to.” As she stood up Jade copped a feel of her ass asking, “Did you want to brush your teeth before we go? I mean my taste must be all over your mouth.”

  “I like tasting you.” Sensuously she licked her lips, knowing it would make Jade excited all over again. She could see the moment of hesitation in her eyes and knew she was contemplating continuing their session.

  Despite her previous assertion, Stacey felt a pang of disappointment when Jade pulled up her panties and jeans. But it was probably a good thing before things got out of hand again. Jade leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Let’s go and explore the town a bit. We can always come back here for an afternoon session if we need to.”

  Wrapping her arms around her neck, Stacey kissed her hard. She felt Jade responding and at the touch of Jade’s full, sensuous lips on hers, she toyed briefly with the idea of verbally suggesting what she had seen reflected in Jade’s eyes a moment ago. It was tempting but she dismissed it firmly. She really did want to look around the town and see some of the sights.

  Pulling back she stood on her tip toes and kissed Jade on the nose.

  In response Jade kissed her quickly on the forehead. “Come on. We’ll go get some breakfast and then figure out what we want to do from there.”

  Donning their down jackets they left the room and headed over to the elevators. Stacey hit the elevator button. “Do you think after breakfast we could walk around Temple Square for a bit? I watched a documentary on Salt Lake City and Temple Square was featured prominently. I remember thinking it would be an interesting place to visit.” Turning to Jade, she said, “And now we’re here so why not?”

  She shrugged. “Sure, that’ll be a place to start. I don’t think we’ll have much luck getting into the temple though. You have to be a dedicated Mormon.

  Stacey smirked at her. “Even if we were, I don’t think we’d be allowed in with the way our relationship is.”

  “True, but how would they know unless we start making out right then and there in the temple?”

  The mental image this evoked caused Stacey to laugh so hard that tears were rolling down her face as she managed to squeeze out, “Can you imagine? They’d have to destroy the temple and build another one ’cause we would have desecrated it.”

  “Or maybe do some kind of religious cleansing ritual to get our contaminating presence out of it.”

  “I like my idea better, that they’d have to destroy and rebuild the whole darn thing.”

  “Maybe we could try sneaking in and get caught making out in one of the broom closets or something like that.”

  “Nah, we should make out in the lobby where everyone is sure to see.”

  Jade laughed at this. “It’s a nice fantasy but honestly I’d never have the nerve to do it.”

  “Me either.” Stacey sobered up. “I’ve done a lot in my life, but some things are just off limits.”

  The elevator arrived at their floor. Going to the ground floor, they got off the elevator and walked out the front lobby doors.

  Chapter Ten

  The air was bracing and both women were glad for their down jackets as they huddled in deeper. It felt cold enough to snow and the sky had that look to it.

  Walking down the street they began looking for a place to eat. They had been walking for about fifteen minutes when Stacey noticed a little diner across the street called Ruby’s.

  They crossed the street and headed into the diner. The warmth and inviting smells enveloped them like a blanket.

  Sitting down at one of the empty booths, they waited while the only waitress to be seen chatted to a couple of customers.

  * * * *

  Maisy noticed the two women as soon as they walked into the restaurant. The way they looked they were hard to miss.

  Walking over to them she said, “My, oh my, look at these two pretty birds that the wind blew in.”

  The two women looked up at her. “Are you from the south?” one of them asked.

  Maisy inwardly rolled her eyes. Why did everyone ask that obvious question? She grinned, baring her teeth. “What gave it all away, sugars? My looks or my talkin’?” She deliberately exaggerated her southern drawl. “Yah, I am from down south hailing all the way from Eunice, Louisiana. I’m up here ’cause this seemed like a place that was far enough away from my ex-boyfriend. He’ll never expect to find me in the bastion of the Mormon religion.”

  Both women looked a bit sheepish at Maisy’s sarcasm and at the personal information she supplied. She felt a little ashamed of taking out her frustrations with her life on them. She had fled from the warmth of her southern home to the cool shadows of Salt Lake City, leaving a good job, home and family behind to escape an abusive, controlling boyfriend. Slowly though things were improving. There did appear to be light at the end of this particular tunnel.

  “Here are your menus. Can I get you started with some coffee or something?”

  “Coffee would be great. What do you recommend for breakfast?” the older woman asked.

  “The special is always excellent but take a look through and see what you like. I’ll get your coffee and be right back.”

  Coming back with the coffee pot she poured them each a cup. “Did you decide what you wanted?”

  “The breakfast special,” the both said simultaneously then looked at each other with goofy grins. Honestly, you would have thought they had both won the lottery the way they reacted to saying the same thing at the same time.

  Laughing, so obviously delighted with each other, they handed their menus back to her and thanked her for bringing the coffee.

  “You’re welcome,” Maisy said as she walked away. Now she was sure these two were more than friends

  * * * *

  “So,” Stacey started, “I never did comment on that stellar IQ of yours. It’s pretty intimidating to know that the person you’re sleeping with is on the same level as Einstein.”

  “Yeah but Einstein was a prick. At least I’m only a bitch.” she quipped.

  Stacey giggled. “I don’t find you bitchy at all and, as far as Einstein being a prick, I’ll have to take your word on that.”

  Jade smiled over her cup of coffee. Licking her lips she said, “And it if makes you feel any better sometimes I feel pretty intimidated by you.”

  “By me? How in the world could you be intimidated by me? Look at all you’ve accomplished as opposed to all I haven’t accomplished except for laying my body bare for all to see. And trust me it wasn’t as lucrative as I thought it was going to be so I can’t even say it was a good financial decision.”

  “Because you’re incredible. I’ve been around enough people to know when someone has that something extra special and you have that quality. It’s a shame it got dampened down but it’s not dead. It’ll come back to life.

  “You’re so much fun to be with. I’m changed because of you. I feel free and happy. I think I was a bitch at work because I didn’t realize how miserable I was working all the time. But I thought that was what life was all about.”

  Jade watched Stacey look down at her coffee cup, clearly embarrassed and probably feeling unworthy of her praise. “Well, I still say you are still way more awe-inspiring than I’ll ever be. But…I’m glad you see me the way you do.” She looked up at her and smiled. Jade smiled back. Everything jumbled up inside. It was like free falling.

  The waitress came up at that point and deposited their breakfast in front of each of them.

  “Do you want more coffee?”

  “Yes please,” they both said simultaneously and grinned again. She trotted away to get the coffee pot.

  “I guess we gotta stop doing that,” Stacey said.

  “Doing what?”

  “You know, looking into each other’s eyes like lost puppy dogs. I’m sure people must notice.”

  “I don’t care if they do.”

  “You might want too. After all I am a porn star and an escort. If people ever fig
ure out who you are and who I am, it’s not going to take long for them to put two and two together.”

  Jade thought back to Sandy at Jacob Lake. She had acted awfully odd at times. Had Sandy figured out who she was? She knew there were relatively few pictures of her out in the public arena, but they did exist. Just like Holly before him, Anthony was the public face of Jade Cosmetics and Tanner Enterprises. Any public speaking she did was strictly done under a no camera policy. Her privacy was of utmost importance to her. She had seen what pictures in the media could do to people. Once people knew who you were, you were fair game and your life wasn’t your own. Holly and Anthony had the personality to handle it. She didn’t. Still it was hard to miss her jet black hair and green eyes no matter what the age of the picture and figure out it was her at Jacob Lake. She could only hope that Sandy wouldn’t care enough to look up Jade Tanner on the internet.

  Well after the fact, she had realized they had forgotten to strip the beds to hide the evidence of their sexual activity. The two of them had gotten pretty juicy at times they were so excited. Still she couldn’t see the chamber maid even noticing the sheets. At least, she hoped not.

  “What are you thinking about?”

  “I’m thinking about what you said and yes, you’re right. It would make a pretty sensational story if it got out that I hired you. But I was very careful. Besides when we get back to New York you’re going to be living with me so the cat’s out of the bag then. If people find out you’re a porn star we’ll just spin it so that I helped you out of that lifestyle and we discovered we like each other. As long as no one finds out I paid for your services, no one will care.”

  Jade could see by the expression on her face that she was not convinced. Before she could say more the waitress arrived and topped off their coffee.

  “How is your breakfast?”

  “Delicious,” they both concurred. But secretly Jade thought it was the company that was making a rather ordinary breakfast extraordinary.

  “How do we get to Temple Square from here?” Jade asked.

  “You can walk right to it from here in about thirty minutes or you can take the bus. There’s a bus stop right out there.” She pointed to the sign out the diner window. “Either way it’s easy to find.” She wrote clear concise directions on a paper napkin. “I’m sure y’all know this, but it’s all about the Mormon religion. It’s still worth seeing, though, even if you’re not one.”

  Leaving the bill with Jade, who paid it plus a generous tip. Pulling on her coat, she asked, “So, do you think we should walk or take the bus?”

  Stacey wrinkled her nose while she thought about it. “It’s cold out but I think the walk would do us good. It seems like we’ve had too little exercise and too much food for the past few days. Pretty soon we’re both going to be so fat that we’re not even going to be attracted to each other.”

  Jade laughed. “Well I hope it’s not only my looks you’re attracted to.”

  “No, it’s not. Even if you were fat I’d still do ya because I like you.”

  She found herself laughing again as she held the door open for Stacey. She wouldn’t mind the walk or trundling around Temple Square for a couple of hours. Afterward they could get warm under the covers.

  Heading down the street in the direction the waitress had pointed out they walked briskly to keep warm. Coming up to Temple Square they were surprised and impressed by the size and magnificence of it.

  They spent the better part of a couple of hours touring the different facilities around the square, but they knew they hadn’t even scratched the surface.

  Deciding to stop for a coffee at a mom and pop operation, they walked into the warm savory smelling atmosphere. Seating themselves by the window a young fresh faced pretty girl come over and handed them beautifully handwritten menus.

  “Hi, I’m Hannah. Can I get you something to drink to start?”

  Both women asked for a cup of coffee.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry but we don’t serve coffee in the square.” Hannah looked like she had let them down personally by this announcement. Brightening up she said, “But we do have a variety of delicious homemade desserts that I can serve you along with a different beverage.

  “Even though it sounds ordinary I would recommend the chocolate chip cookie, you’ll never taste another one like it, and a glass of icy cold milk.”

  Both women fell for her charming sales pitch and agreed this would be delightful. Hannah quickly and efficiently brought it to them.

  Now dipping her cookie into her milk, Jade looked up at Stacey who was resting her chin on her hand looking out the window deep in thought.

  As she watched her, she again wished that she had a camera. She looked so vulnerable and exposed that she longed to capture this in a picture. A kind of sad happiness, or was it a happy sadness, swirled through her head, and her heart ached. She looked down at the crumby dregs in the bottom of the cup. She grimaced and pushed the cup away.

  When she looked up Stacey was looking at her. “Penny for your thoughts,” she said.

  “Actually I’d like to have your thoughts.”

  “On what?”

  “I’d like to hear more about your upbringing and your life before we met.”

  Stacey sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. “Well, tell me what you want to know and I’ll tell you.”

  “Did you ever get any help after what happened at the trailer?”

  She shook her head. “No. Where was I going to get money for counseling? Besides, I was already well into the lifestyle when it occurred to me that I should get help.

  “Sometimes when I stop to think about it, it’s almost like when my dad died, my mom died too. I didn’t realize how much of an anchor he was for us until he was gone. It was like she was cut loose on this sea of despair and anger. There was nothing left in her for me because it all was buried along with my dad.

  “I think my dad really loved my mom. He knew she was troubled but didn’t care. If he hadn’t gotten killed we would have been okay – she would have been okay – but that didn’t happen. My mom was really beautiful but after a while she didn’t even have that anymore.”

  “Did your mom ever talk to you about her upbringing?”

  Stacey shook her head. “No, but she’s estranged from them all. In fact they’re all estranged from each other so it makes me wonder what happened when she was growing up. At least I had five years of my dad. I don’t think my mom even had that. I guess that’s why I’m somewhat okay.” The corner of her mouth tipped up in a half smile, but the haunted look in her eyes belied it and Jade’s heart broke for her.

  “You’re a strong, brave woman, Stacey.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know about that but maybe now that I’ve met you I can be strong.”

  Jade reached over regardless of the fact they were deep in Mormon territory and stroked her hand. “You’re already strong. You maybe need me to help you a little bit but that’s it.”

  Stacey gave her a pained smile. “Maybe.”

  Jade felt a deep shock of shame at the realization of her callousness in booking this young woman for sex. How could she have considered using a feeling, sentient person in this way? She knew she owed Stacey a chance at a better life. It was extremely fortunate for her that she was very attracted to her as well.

  Hiding her discomfiture at her insight the best she could, she said, “Hey, if you’re tired of walking around Temple Square do you want to grab a cab and go to the closest shopping mall?”

  Stacey brightened. “I’d love that.”

  Jade asked the cashier to call a taxi for them when she went up to pay the bill. They waited outside a few paces apart but acutely aware of each other. A familiar ache in Jade’s groin made itself known as she stood next to her. How could one person, regardless of sex, have this effect on her? It was an extraordinary experience for the arrogant, lofty, supercilious Jade Tanner to be so undone by one person. The cab arrived and she opened the door for Stacey to
get in.

  At the mall they stood looking at the directory. She saw immediately what she was looking for – a jewelry store. Turning to look at Stacey she pulled her bank card out of her wallet and handed it over. Stacey looked flabbergasted and tried to give it back.

  “No, I want you to go and get yourself some clothes and something sexy to wear tonight.” She leaned over and whispered her code in Stacey’s ear. The close proximity to Stacey and her scent was almost enough to make her call it quits and haul her back to the hotel room so she could ravish her.

  Restraining herself she drew back and looked thoughtfully down at the beautiful face that looked up at her.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Completely.”

  Stacey looked impish. “What if I take all your money out and run away?”

  “I’d consider it a down payment on what I already owe you.” Her stomach plummeted, realizing she had said the wrong thing as Stacey bit her lip and looked at the ground.

  “I’m sorry Stacey. I didn’t mean that the way it came out. Please don’t read too much into it. Just me being an ass. Forgive me.”

  Looking at her for a moment, she smiled. “I know you didn’t mean anything by it. Besides I started it by joking that I’d take all your money.”

  Absolute relief coursed through her that Stacey wasn’t upset. Prior to meeting her she couldn’t have given a rat’s ass if she upset somebody. Now she did. Stacey held her eyes for a moment longer. If anyone had been paying close attention to the two women partially hidden by the mall directory they would have seen they were looking at each other like star struck lovers rather than two girlfriends going shopping.

  “Where do you want to meet?”

  “How about back here in an hour? Then maybe after that we could shop together.”

  “Well we could shop together now if you want.”