It was Casey’s job to occupy Jill during the day so Jackie could sneak to the shelter and begin organizing the event. Jill had purchased the building adjacent to the shelter, it was her dream to create a state of the art adoption facility that provided animal training, classes on animal care and possibly discounted grooming service for the animal owners of Manhattan. But her dream required money and a lot of it, so Jill had contacted potential donors since purchasing the building with her own money. There weren’t many interested in sinking large sums of money into an animal shelter, but she did have a few willing to donate and the meeting with the president of Cordova Industries, John Cordova. He was the last potential donor on her list and she hoped he would say ‘yes,’ not only to the donation but to the amount she needed to get her project off the ground. What Jill didn’t know is that Jackie and Joni had many contacts as well who were more interested in helping New York’s homeless pet population. So through their tireless efforts they began in June and with Jackie’s savings they were able to not only get the project off the ground, but get the construction underway. Jackie knew of Jill’s dream for the shelter, she spoke of it often, especially when she received her marital settlement and purchased the building. Since then it wasn’t difficult to keep her distracted from the construction, since Molly dying and since she mostly didn’t occupy the shelter until the evening hours. The pieces of the puzzle seemed to be falling into place nicely, although she had to pull some big-time strings to get it ninety-nine percent completed by Jill’s birthday.
“I was hoping she’d take the morning off. I guess I thought I’d get a birthday breakfast surprise,” Jill said as she sipped the cup of hot tea.
“Yeah right? I thought she would have gotten the day off.”
“She said she tried, but the case was rescheduled and she had court this morning.” Jill threw her feet up on the coffee table and stared out the window into the blue sky. “I thought she was just saying that to throw me off, but when I woke up she wasn’t here.”
“Do you remember your last birthday?” Casey asked trying to keep the conversation going so she wouldn’t look too eager and excited.
“Oh yeah…It was a night of firsts for me…well another night of them anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it was the first time I’d ever danced like that with a woman.”
Casey smiled at Jill’s crimson face and was enjoying seeing her squirm a little, “Danced like what?”
“You know…like dirty dancing.”
Casey nearly spit the tea from her mouth, “Dirty dancing? What are you a hundred?”
Jill looked confused, “What? It’s not called that now?”
Casey giggled, “No. Dirty dancing is old school...now it’s called freaking.”
Jill rolled her eyes at the sound of Casey’s laughter, “Whatever, but the best ‘first’ that I had was that night I was slow dancing with Jackie.” Her face lit up as she began to recall the memory, “The entire time I was freaking with Meredith I was thinking and fantasizing about Jackie. That smile, those eyes…the sound of her laugh, her hands on me, her lips on my neck…her fingers dancing around in the waistband of my jeans…”
Casey cleared her throat bringing Jill back to the present, “Um…can we move on please before you say something else and I have to poke out my mind’s eye.”
“Oh…sorry. Um…I was you know freaking and Jackie grabbed me by the arm and practically dragged me across the dance floor when this amazing song began to play. The haunting piano melody filled the air and she pulled me close. Oh God, those eyes. At that moment I realized that I was in love with her…completely smitten.”
“She was in love with you too,” Casey said as blew on her tea. “She was just too stupid to realize it.”
Jill regarded her friend whose face seemed somber, “Do you ever wonder what might have been had I not been in the picture?”
Casey’s eyes found the questioning gaze of Jill, “Um…not really. Well that’s not true, I did in the beginning. Especially when you two were doing that whole cat and mouse thing, but…” Casey shrugged, “I don’t know, she wouldn’t have been with me anyway even if you weren’t in the picture.”
“Why would you say that? If you and I never connected she would have stayed with you.”
“No Jill, she wouldn’t have. Suzanne would have been back in the picture and she might have just stayed with that bitch. And believe me, I would rather see her with you than Suzanne.”
Jill narrowed her eyes, “So I’m the lesser of two evils?”
Casey tossed her head back as laughter poured from her throat, “Oh God no…she is evil, yes, but you …never. And besides, you two have that thing.”
“And what ‘thing’ do we have?” Jill asked as she pulled her legs off the coffee table. “Do you want another cup of tea?”
Casey nodded her head as she handed her cup to Jill, “You guys have that love thing…that forever love thing. You and Jackie were made for each other, and the love you have, you can see it. When you guys look at each other, there is such…I don’t know, intensity.”
Jill returned to the sofa with another cup of tea, “You really see that between us?”
“Yup.”
Jill knew it too, it was so intense every time she looked into Jackie’s blue eyes, “Shit…I should have taken the night off, I want to see her.”
“Didn’t you say she was meeting you for dinner?”
“Yeah, but for like an hour, I won’t be home probably until after midnight again.” Jill stood up suddenly, “Shit! I have this amazing woman in my life that asked me to do one thing and I choose the shelter over her. I need to call Theresa.”
Casey’s face nearly drained of all its color, “What?”
“I’ll surprise her when she gets home from court. Let her give me that birthday present she says she has for me…hopefully it’s another….”
“Don’t say it…for God’s sake, please don’t say it.” Casey began to panic, she had to dissuade Jill from ruining everything. “Wait, Jill…before you do anything, she’s going to Joni’s after court, they are working on wedding plans.” When she watched as Jill’s face fell, relief swept through her. Whew, crisis averted. She thought as she stood up, “Let’s go have lunch. I have the perfect place in mind to celebrate your day.”
When they got to the restaurant Jill’s face looked a little pouty and Casey had to stifle a giggle. “Why do you look like a child who didn’t get want they wanted for Christmas?”
“We come here all the time, it’s not special.” Jill wasn’t disappointed in the place, just herself for not taking the day off and celebrating it with the one person that mattered most.
“I didn’t say special Jill, I said perfect.” Casey turned her head away momentarily trying to get the smirk off her face. She shook her head and cleared her throat, hoping it would help. Pulling off her jacket she hung it on the back of her chair and sat down facing a woman who looked like someone just kicked her puppy.
The café was crowded more than usual which panned out to be even more perfect since Jill didn’t see their other friends sitting around in the diner. With a large smile on her face knowing that Jill’s day was just about to get a little brighter.
“What can I get you ladies?”
“We haven’t even looked at the menu yet…” Jill’s words died in her throat when she saw Nicole standing there with her hip cocked, hand planted firmly and imitating an overly animated way of chewing gum. Jill flicked her eyes to Casey then back to Nicole, “Moonlighting Nicole? Is your PI business waning?”
“Ha…not in New York. You wouldn’t believe how many cheating spouses I’ve been following,” Nicole said as she pulled out a chair to join them. “So a little bird told me it was your birthday, so we decided to say ‘Happy Birthday.’”
Just then several of her friends stood up and began singing Happy Birthday to her, one leading the group with a cake in hand lit up like the Fourth of July w
ith sparklers. She smiled as genuinely as she could when she didn’t see Jackie in the crowd. She inwardly sighed when the cake was placed in front of her while everyone including the other patrons in the café completed their rendition of the famous ‘birthday’ song.
Casey could see the disappointment in Jill’s eyes, the plan was working nicely. Maybe she would be a little miffed at Jackie which would make tonight’s events even more amazing.
Chapter 34
Jackie paced the tiny vestibule outside the doors of the Shelter. Jill was not only late, but she hadn’t responded to the three texts Jackie sent in the past thirty minutes. The vestibule was cold, however not as cold as standing outside and as she peered through the doors again, she shook her head at the receptionist who was still staring at her through the glass. Jackie decided to stay put after the weird encounter with the girl at the front desk when she was trying to enjoy the warmth of the lobby. The chick continued to hurl questions at her…one after another and she wasn’t sure what her game was, but it sounded as if she was fishing for something and Jackie was not going to take the bait. Too many times before and after Suzanne she encountered these sexual fluid girls…not wanting to say their ‘gay,’ just visit the ‘wild side’ when it suited their fancy. She rolled her eyes and turned away from the glass door, keeping her eyes focused on the street with the hope she would see Jill pop out of a cab any moment.
It was a cold, but clear night…something Jackie prayed for, not wanting the mess of rain to contend with and the possibility of people not showing up. This had to be perfect for her girl. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth when she recalled the evening before. As far as Jill knew, it would be her birthday celebration since she stated she would be working and getting home late. Jackie prepared dinner which was eaten dry and half cold from being in the oven warming because Jill was late due to a Shelter emergency. With the kisses and fondling which woke her while she was on the couch, Jill had something else in mind other than food when a simple statement whispered in Jackie’s ear, ‘I’m ready for my birthday spanking now.’
Only fantasies that lined Jackie’s brain of S&M until Jill walked into her life and she imagined taking her lover to euphoric ecstasy while at her mercy…to mix pleasure and pain at a level which would lead her lover to beg for more. The Poconos was the first taste and now it was a request…a birthday request from Jill. The thought of it, while she waited for the love of her life made her clit throb wildly tucked inside her girl-shorts and she couldn’t wait to get out of her pants and get Jill on her knees. Just the thought of another night of wild passion created a wicked smile which spread across her face.
The vibration of her phone startled Jackie from her thoughts nearly jolting her from her skin. It was Jill calling.
“Hey, everything okay?” Jackie asked as she cleared her throat.
“Yes, I’m so sorry to keep you waiting. John Cordova is a great businessman, but he is a blow hard. I made the mistake of telling him it was my birthday, so he ordered a bottle of Dom.”
“Where were you?” Jackie’s head pressed against the cold glass door.
“There was a change of plans, I met him at Daniel. It was supposed to be for a drink, but then…”
“You had dinner with drinks,” Jackie glanced down at her watch, it was nearly 6:45 p.m. and everyone had been waiting for the festivities to begin.
“Yes.”
“And you’re a bit tipsy.”
“Yes.”
“I guess you’re not hungry either.”
“No…I’m sorry Babe. He’s now my biggest donor and…”
“You got him to make a donation?”
“Yes…he actually agreed to be the benefactor.”
“That is fantastic. And no worries about tonight, but I would still like to see you though.” Jackie smiled, this was actually better since Jill was late and a bit tipsy she wouldn’t notice anything out of the ordinary while Jackie followed her into the ‘meet and greet’ hall.
“Okay…I’m in a cab and will be there soon, hopefully. The traffic is slow.”
“Mr. Cordova didn’t drive you back in his limo?” Jackie asked as she watched the cars and the people go by.
“Oh my God…he did offer, but he was a bit handsy for my taste so I declined.”
Jackie wasn’t always a jealous person, but there was something about that dark haired beauty. “Does he know you have a girlfriend who will pull his arm off if he touches you inappropriately?”
Jill giggled, “I told him as much. I’ll see you soon good-looking.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Jackie ended the call and stuffed the phone into her back pocket as she spun herself around, pushed through the lobby door and stalked passed the inquisitive look from the receptionist. She had to get to Theresa and the guests to let them know Jill would be making her appearance soon.
Jill cursed John Cordova when she practically fell out of the cab in front of the Shelter. She was way more than tipsy and needed to clear her head for a few minutes in the cold air before going inside. Trying to think back to her schedule for the evening, hoping she hadn’t missed any pickups, conference calls or meetings other than standing Jackie up. She kicked herself for telling him it was her birthday as they were wrapping up a very successful meeting which consisted of a check with many zeros tucked safely away in her purse. And as she rose from her chair for one final thank you and handshake, John Cordova waved the waiter over and had them seated at the best table in the restaurant. She certainly couldn’t refuse the offer for a celebratory birthday dinner, especially since he stated they were extending their meeting. Twenty-year-old scotch was ordered, a bottle of Dom Pérignon was popped and a plate with the biggest lobster tail she had ever seen was placed in front of her.
She explained her girlfriend was waiting to take her to dinner, but he just winked and said ‘tell her duty calls.’ But when the drunken aristocrat pulled her in for much more than a hug, demanding she join him in his limousine for some birthday fun, Jill had had her fill and sent the heel of her foot into his ankle bone. He yelped out in pain as he stumbled back giving her an escape from his tentacles. It wasn’t the first time she was manhandled by some douche bag millionaire and she knew how to handle them. She rubbed her palms over her face as the words rang like a freight train through her head. Slightly smiling and shaking her head at the words ‘arrogant asshole’ and ‘I’m not your whore.’ And when she pulled the check out of her purse ready to tear it to bits, he stopped her and apologized.
“Hey, what are you doing just sitting out here?”
Jill was pulled from her thoughts with a jolt. Her head snapped up to the voice that brought her back to reality, “Theresa, what are you doing? Where’s Jackie?”
Theresa smiled at the disheveled woman sitting on the park bench trying desperately to sober up, “Jackie went home.”
“Oh shit. I’ll bet she’s pissed off, huh? Guess I fucked this one up, maybe I should just go home.”
Theresa stepped closer to the drunk woman and helped her to her feet. “Not just yet, you have to come in a sign a few things, then I’ll call you a cab…Okay?”
“Sure. Wow, that scotch is catching up with me,” Jill said as she teetered alongside Theresa. “Hey Louise!” she yelled to the receptionist.
Jill walked into her office and pulled off her coat, “Whew, it’s warm in here.” She said as she plopped down into her office chair.
Two seconds later Theresa appeared with a large cup of coffee, “Drink this.” She knew she had to get Jill presentable in a very short time since not only were their more than thirty people waiting, but reporters were there as well. “Okay you…look at me.”
Jill looked up at Theresa sipping her coffee. Theresa smiled at the goofy look on her friend’s face. Jill was still radiant. Hair was a little wind tossed perhaps, but it worked making it look a little fuller, and a little bouncier. Her makeup was not smudged and Theresa guessed Jill touched it up in the cab for pr
eparation of seeing Jackie, either that or this woman never looked anything other than beautiful.
“Stand up, let’s take a look. Make sure you're still put together.”
Jill quirked an eyebrow as she narrowed her eyes at the big and brawny blonde which reminded her of a Canadian Mounty or a log roller. Trying to stifle a giggle when the image came to life in her head she said, “Why?”
“Oh just stand up.” Theresa’s voice lowering an octave as she pulled the drunken woman from her chair.
Jill was dressed in black woolen pants with a royal blue silk blouse tapered at the waist and resting right on the hip. Her shoes were some type of designer boots with a least a three-inch heel and from her neck hung a beautiful diamond heart pendant on a silver chain which led her to believe it was more than likely platinum just by the other designer garments in her ensemble. This attire was much different than her normal day to day and she was thankful Jill had the meeting with John Cordova otherwise Jill would have been in jeans with her hair tied back and no make-up. Probably wouldn’t have made good pictures for the reporters.
“Theresa would you stop staring at me, it’s freaking me out. Can I sign whatever it is you need signed? I would like to go home to see my woman and enjoy the rest of my birthday.”
“Sure, follow me.” As they began to walk down the corridor to Theresa’s office, she could hear dogs barking. “Oh, wait. I left a dog in the meet and greet. He was having a tough time, come with me and see if you can help settle him down.”
“What?” Jill turned her head to eye the woman to her right. “I’m in no condition, plus I really don’t want this shirt ruined.”
“Come Jill, it will just take a minute.” As they approached the door, Theresa lagged back pretending to take a call on her cell.
Jill was confused when she heard more than one dog barking as she approached the door, but since she was inebriated, she just figured the sounds she was hearing must have been coming from somewhere else. But when she pushed open the door, the flash of the cameras stunned her for a moment. As she stood frozen like a statue, she could hear static rising in her ear, not realizing it was applause until her eyes adjusted and her fuzzy booze laden brain cleared.
Without A Pail Page 40