Kissed

by Ms. Carla Krae

  He rolled his eyes. “I’m serious. What would justify it, then?”

  Lowering her voice to mimic her father, she said, “’Summers are for school or a job, same as the rest of the year. Preferably both.’”

  “Hmm… What if you could shadow a working photographer?”

  Might work… “Like an apprenticeship?”

  “Yeah… I have a friend, see. She shoots gigs for a paper or magazine or some such.”

  “She?”

  He grinned. “Never dated her, love. Too old for me. Anyway, I could give her a ring; see if she’s up to it?”

  “Couldn’t hurt.”

  He pulled her closer. “That’s my girl.”

  She kissed him, keeping the contact light and innocent. “You should go home.”

  “Not tired.”

  “Not why I said it.”

  He smiled, and let her go. “Okay, I’ll be good.”

  She walked him to the front door and they kissed goodnight. Feeling the heat build in her belly again, she gently pushed him away.

  “Goodnight, Jacob.”

  “’Night, love. Sweet dreams.” He stepped outside and walked to the bike.

  She shut and locked the door before she ran to him for another kiss.

  Chapter Ten

  Jacob called the next morning to tell Beth his friend was free to meet up around lunchtime on Saturday. It was too late in California to call Mom, so she sent her an e-mail about the benefit party tonight and added a line about meeting a photographer tomorrow to pick her brain.

  Vivian wanted her to start getting ready no later than five o’clock, so she stayed close to the house other than picking up the prints she had developed. She never did much with make-up and only knew how to braid her hair, but, whatever put Vivian at ease.

  She came into Beth’s room when she was almost done blow-drying her hair. “Come with me, Elizabeth.”

  “What for?” She set her brush on the bathroom counter. “I’m almost done. Promise”

  She smiled. “Just come to my room, please.”

  “Okay…” Still in her robe, she followed his mother down the hall.

  Vivian’s room looked like a decorator showcase in a magazine, everything perfectly in its place. She walked to a dressing table and indicated Beth should sit on the stool in front of it. She sat. Then Vivian gathered Beth’s hair in her hands and made a twist while she watched in the mirror.

  “You don’t have to do that,” Beth said.

  “Indulge me. I never had a daughter’s hair to play with.” Vivian tucked the ends of Beth’s hair into the twist and slid a comb in to hold it in place. Then, she reached for a few bobby pins on the table. “There. You can dance all night and that won’t fall out of place.”

  Dancing…heh. There were no plans of making a fool of myself in front of a hundred strangers.

  She pulled a make-up palette and a few brushes out of a drawer. Beth started to move out of the way to let her sit down and finish her routine. She placed a hand on her shoulder.

  “I’m not done with you, yet, dear.”

  “Huh?” Beth glanced at the make-up. “Oh, I don’t wear that stuff.”

  “Trust me, Elizabeth. I promise you’ll only be a lovelier version of yourself.”

  She chewed on her lip. Vivian didn’t look like she was budging on this. Sighing, she closed her eyes. Vivian didn’t take long at whatever she did to her face. She felt brushes touch her eyelids, cheeks, and lips for all of five minutes.

  “Done.”

  “Really?”

  “You can open your eyes, dear.”

  She turned to the mirror, put on her glasses, and stared at her reflection. Mirror-Beth was her, but better. Vivian had used the barest hint of color, but her eyes were defined and she now had cheekbones. The only noticeable touch, really, was the rose on her lips. She’d never worn lipstick before and the texture felt kinda weird.

  “Thank you,” she said finally. Rude of her to stay silent so long.

  Vivian smiled at her in the mirror. “You’re very welcome. Go get dressed, now.”

  “Okay.” She started to leave, then turned around and hugged his mother.

  “Oh! One more thing.” Vivian went to her dresser and brought back a small box. “A woman is naked without jewelry. And don’t say no.”

  Beth nodded and went back to her room.

  Carefully stepping into her dress, she zipped up the back, smoothed the fabric down her body, and checked her reflection in the standing mirror. Satisfied her bra straps weren’t showing, she stepped into the kitten heels that were also in the box and stuffed a few things into the new clutch purse. The last touch was the sapphire earrings and necklace set.

  “Elizabeth…”

  “Coming!” Three steps down the staircase, she saw Vivian wasn’t alone at the bottom. “Jacob.”

  “Bloody hell…” He stared up at her, eyes running over her head-to-toe and back again.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I, uh, I always go to this thing. The foundation is in the name of my best friend from boarding school,” he said.

  “Oh. Hold on.” She ran back to her room to grab her bag.

  Vivian frowned when she saw it. “Elizabeth, isn’t that a bit casual for the evening?”

  “Oh, I’m not bringing it in. I want to show Jacob the pictures from his concert later.” She hurried down the stairs.

  “You have photos?” he asked, smiling.

  “Look at them in the car,” his mother said. She nudged them toward the door like a hen. “We’re going to be late.”

  “Yes, Mum.”

  The chauffeur had the door open when they left the house. Beth couldn’t stop glancing at Jacob in a suit. Merely your basic black suit with a white shirt and black tie, but wow…he was yummy. They ended up sitting across from his mother, Beth’s camera bag between them.

  “You mentioned an old friend?” she asked him.

  “Uh, yeah. He had cancer. It was the ‘80s and that kind of thing was harder to treat than now. So, his folks set up the charity to fund research.”

  “Is he okay now?”

  He shook his head. “He passed due to an infection.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He smiled and squeezed her hand. “It was a long time ago, love. I normally hate these sorts of parties, but it’s a good cause.”

  “And I get to see him look respectable once a year,” his mother teased. They laughed and the mood stayed light.

  He didn’t let go of Beth’s hand.

  They drove out a ways west to an estate with several acres. Behind the ornate black gate stood a house no older than twenty years, by the materials used. Beth’s mother would take her on Sunday drives through the rich parts of L.A., and this place would have fit right in. Beautiful, classy, and big, though the landscaping definitely had the English touch she’d gotten to know here. You had no idea how refreshing it was to see no palm trees.

  The car pulled up in front. She whispered a question about leaving her bag there in Jacob’s ear.

  “No problem, love.”

  Vivian had already gotten out, so it was Beth’s turn. Not used to wearing a long dress or heels, she was extra careful about not tripping and landing flat on her face. She glanced up—or knocking her head on the roof. Successfully upright, she stepped aside to let him out. He took her hand again, lacing his fingers with hers.

  “Nervous?” he asked quietly.

  “Why?”

  “Your hand is cold.”

  She blushed. “Oh. A little, I guess.”

  They moved up the steps. “Don’t be nervous. You look beautiful, and I guarantee you’re smarter than at least half the room.”

  “Stop…”

  “Only speak the truth, love.” He caught up to his mother.

  She gave the butler her invitation. They followed inside.

  “Whoa. If possible, it’s bigger on the inside,” Beth whispered. Jacob chuckled.

  Past the foyer
, they heard voices. He led her into a ballroom set up for the banquet with round tables. A live band at one end played old standards. Vivian had already found their table. She set her purse next to her place setting and started to mingle.

  “So how does this thing go?” Beth asked Jacob.

  “People arrive, then someone says an introduction, usually a spokesman for the foundation. They start serving food, and the guests put checks in the envelopes on the table. Aside from the donations, it’s mostly an excuse to socialize. Eventually, some get up to dance to the band, or walk in the garden, or leave once they think they’ve been polite. Like Mum said, it’s bloody boring if you’re under fifty.”

  “Why don’t you mail the donation in, then?”

  He shrugged, and unbuttoned his coat. “Don’t rightly know, anymore. Remind me to do that next year.”

  “Deal.” She leaned in to add, “Maybe you’ll be in L.A. next summer.”

  He grinned and wrapped one arm around her waist. “Maybe.”

  They walked around the room for a little while, his mother waving them over to say hello to this person or that. She was so natural at this, working a room. Impeccably dressed in a white dress and jacket, she had a smile and warm greeting for everyone Beth met. If she had to act with some of them, Beth couldn’t tell.

  Jacob’s hand rested on her back, a reassuring presence. Crowds were not her thing, and even more so in a group where she felt intimidated. If people closed in around her, she tended to panic and couldn’t breathe. He had to rescue her at Disneyland once and remembered ever since.

  She loved him for looking out for her.

  “Don’t know about you, love, but I’m parched,” he said after another exchange of pleasantries.

  “Sounds good.” They headed to the open bar.

  A chime rung through the room. Beth was about to ask what it meant when everyone started moving to their seats. Oh.

  There was a very nice speech about the necessity of funds to keep research alive and the current chances of a cure, then the waiters started bringing out the first course. She looked at all the silverware around her plate and gulped. Waiting to see what Jacob did, she took another sip of water. He picked up the outside fork first.

  After three courses of food she could barely identify, she hoped the entrée was something normal. Thank God for chicken.

  He whispered to her, “Don’t worry, we’ll snag somethin’ good later.”

  She giggled. Vivian arched a brow at her.

  “This isn’t so bad,” Beth whispered back. “Just…”

  “Small?”

  “Yeah.” They shared a grin, and she almost kissed him in front of everybody. “But dessert can’t be bad. It’s…dessert.”

  “Unless it’s coffee flavor.”

  Her nose wrinkled up. “You would have to say that.”

  “Ain’t my fault your taste buds are defective.”

  “Eat your chicken.”

  He grinned again and squeezed her knee under the table.

  Dessert had nuts sprinkled on top—which she didn’t like, either—but once removed, it was chocolate-y goodness. The shell of chocolate hid some kind of berry mousse. Didn’t know how they sealed it in there…

  “Bored?” Jacob placed his hand on her shoulder.

  “Huh?” She shook her head. “No…I was wondering how they made the chocolate thing.”

  He laughed. “You’re adorable.”

  Her cheeks turned pink. “Adorable is for puppies and stuffed bears.”

  “Sweetheart, learn to take a compliment.” He stood and offered his hand. “Dance with me?”

  “I don’t dance.” Please don’t make me.

  “Beth, it’s merely swaying in time.”

  Sighing, she put her napkin on the table, and stood. “No fancy maneuvers.”

  He grinned and took her hand. “Scouts honor.” Instead of joining the other couples, he headed for the door outside.

  “Where are you going?”

  They stepped onto the patio. He pulled her into his arms. “We can hear the music out here, too.”

  She placed her hands on his shoulders. It was nice being a bit removed from all the chatter. The summer night air was perfumed with roses and other flowers she couldn’t identify in the garden. Standing between the house and the open air, with the band playing slow jazz, the atmosphere was a lot more romantic. Private.

  “Better without all those eyes on you?” he asked.

  “Mmm-hmm.” She let out a contented sigh and laid her head on his shoulder.

  “I hope you and Kit hit it off tomorrow.”

  “Kit?” she asked, lifting her head to look up at him.

  “The photographer. Did you forget already?”

  “No. You didn’t tell me her name.”

  “Oh. Anyway, I hope you want to work with her.”

  “So I stay,” she translated. So transparent.

  He rolled his eyes and hugged her a little closer. “Yeah, I have an agenda. Sue me. I have an interest in keeping my girlfriend in town.”

  “Girlfriend?” I sounded way too hopeful-needy.

  He met her eyes. “Well, yeah. Thought you were the smart one in this relationship.”

  Her heart started doing cartwheels. “You know what they say about assuming.”

  His hands slid up to her neck, cupping her jaw-line. “Then let me be clear: as far as I’m concerned, love, you’re my girl. My squeeze, honey, girlfriend, etcetera. My Bethie.”

  He dipped his head and she tilted hers to her right, rising on her toes to kiss him back. One of his hands stayed on her cheek; the other dropped to her low back, pressing their bodies closer. That same fire from all week stirred again, driving her to try crawling inside him. Nothing was close enough. He could kiss her a thousand times and she’d still want more.

  It scared her. “This, um…”

  “Not really the place for a snog.” He let out a long breath. “Yeah.”

  “I’m going to visit the ladies’ room.”

  “Alright. I’ll see if Mum’s ready to go.”

  Less than a week in each other’s presence again, and he was biting back proclamations every time he kissed her.

  He’d always cared for Beth—it was pretty easy to do, actually—but he’d never named it before. Honestly, though, he should’ve seen it’d come to this. She was the only girl he’d ever trusted into his life, his secrets. Didn’t know when it happened, really, but it all made sense at the time. They needed quiet to study, so they went to his room. She was good at English, so he asked her opinion of his lyrics. Their mothers hit it off, so they ate dinner together often.

  Family.

  Except you weren’t supposed to want to shag your sister. Good thing she hadn’t occupied that space in his mind for a long time. Spring break of senior year killed that notion.

  Now, well…he understood how love had inspired millions of works since the dawn of time.

  “Ah, Jacob, there you are.” An older lady approached him, her hair mostly white.

  “Evening, Mrs. Haversham. Have you seen my mother around?”

  She was a longtime friend of the family. “That’s what I was going to tell you, dear. Your mother went home with a headache, but she said not to be concerned and to have fun as long as you like.”

  “Oh. Thanks, then. Goodnight, Mrs. Haversham.”

  She smiled. “Nice to see you again, Jacob.” Message delivered, she wandered off.

  Well, with his mother gone home, all they had to do was wait for the car to return, if it hadn’t already. He went to the nearest restroom to find Beth. A short line of ladies stood outside.

  “Looking for me?”

  He turned around. “There you are. Mum went home, so it’s only you and me now.”

  “Is she okay? How are we going to get back?”

  He steered her toward the front door. “She’s fine, love. Just a little headache. As for the car, he’d come right back.”

  “Oh. How long ago did she l
eave?”

  “While we were outside. Might have to wait a bit.”

  She sat on a chair in the foyer. “Why didn’t she say goodbye?” Her shoulders slumped. “I’m a rotten guest. She asked me to come to keep her company.”

  He crouched down in front of her and took her hands. “Hey, you are not. You didn’t ignore her through dinner, did you?”

  “No…”

  “I guarantee she wasn’t offended by you dancing with me.”

  A smile tugged at one corner of her mouth. “Okay.”

  He pulled her up. “Let’s check on the car. It’s stuffy in here.”

  Luck on their side, the chauffeur showed up just as they came down the entry steps. Jacob opened the door for Beth.

  “Where to, sir?”

  He glanced at Beth. “My flat.”

  “Yes, sir.” The car pulled out of the driveway.

  “Your place?” she asked.

  “Unless you want to go home. Are you tired?”

  “No. I can’t ride the bike in this dress, though. Wait, did you ride to the house?”

  Blast. “Uh…” He tapped on the glass partition separating them from the driver. A panel slid open. “Second thought, take us to my mother’s house, please.”

  “As you wish, sir.”

  She tried hiding her smile in her hand.

  “Quiet, you.”

  “Hey, I didn’t forget where I left a vehicle.”

  He slid her closer on the leather seat and poised his index finger to dig under her ribs. “Persons who are extremely ticklish should be nice.”

  She looked up at him with wide eyes. “I am nice.” Her hand slid up to his neck, her thumb stroking the soft skin behind his ear. “I can be very nice.”

  His eyelids drooped, her touch relaxing him into jelly. If he was a kitten, he’d purr. “No fair…”

  “Stop threatening to tickle me,” she said.

  “How ‘bout I kiss you instead?” He leaned in, the tips of their noses brushing before he made contact with her lips.

  She exhaled into his mouth, wrapping her arm around his neck. This was fast becoming one of his favorite things to do in life. His girl was lovely to kiss, her lips having just the right fullness, her responses always equaling his. They matched.