Family Ties

by Lydia Rose

  “So do you want to go have lunch?” Jenna asked.

  “May as well.”

  Jenna put her hand in the small of Christina’s back before she caught herself. “Sorry,” she said mumbling as her hand went back to her side.

  Christina just smiled and continued walking.

  They walked to a small café in town. “Is this okay?” Jenna asked softly.

  Christina nodded and walked through the door Jenna was holding open again. Once they were seated at a table and their food order placed, Christina began with her questions.

  “So how is Tom?” Christina asked with a slight smile.

  Jenna’s jaw dropped open. “Tom?”

  “Yeah. Aren’t you going out with him?”

  Jenna stared at her face. Should she tell her the truth about her relationship with Tom? Should she pretend they were having a wonderful sexual affair? What came out of her mouth was. “Listen, Christina.” Jenna paused. “Tom and I are old friends.”

  “So you aren’t dating him?” Christina asked making sure this is what she was hearing correctly.

  Jenna shook her head. “We’re just friends.”

  Christina grinned. “Friends with benefits?”

  Jenna’s shoulders slumped and cringed at the thought. “No. Just friends.”

  “You made it seem like you were dating.”

  “That was for my mother’s benefit.”

  “Why would you want her to think you were dating Tom?” Christina had an inkling, but she wanted Jenna to say it to her.

  “So she would leave me alone.”

  “Leave you alone?” Christina knew she was being cruel, but she wanted to hear the words from Jenna.

  Jenna looked at Christina and leaned forward. “You were right. I am gay.”

  “Obviously, your mother wouldn’t be happy knowing that?”

  “Are you kidding? She threatened me when I was sixteen that she would send me to an asylum.”

  “So you’ve been hiding yourself all these years?” Christina asked reaching across the table and touching Jenna’s hand.

  “Hiding,” Jenna said grumbling. “I haven’t had a life since I was sixteen.”

  “But Lee?” Christina asked.

  Jenna pulled back her hand as the waitress approached.

  “Can I get you ladies anything else right now?”

  “No, thank you,” Jenna said not looking up. “There is no Lee and I. That was just,” she paused and looked down. “That was just sex.”

  “So you don’t date?” Christina asked anxious to hear her answer.

  “Date? That’s a laugh. Do you know the risk I am taking being here with you?”

  “But we’re not doing anything. We’re just friends,” Christina said innocently.

  Jenna leaned forward. “Chris, my mother would never believe we are just friends.” The brown eyes stared across the table at the blue eyes looking back. “You know this is more than friends.” Jenna’s hand pointed to Christina and then back to herself. “You feel it too, don’t you?”

  Christina looked at the fear in Jenna’s eyes. “I do, Jenna, but can I ask you a question?”

  “Yeah,” she said not meeting her gaze.

  “Why does a thirty five year old give a shit what her mother thinks when they aren’t even close?”

  Jenna laughed. “You’re right, we don’t have a good relationship. We don’t really have any kind of relationship.”

  “So why are you worried what she thinks?”

  Jenna didn’t answer.

  “Is it because of the shop?”

  Jenna shrugged.

  “If your mother kicked you out of the shop, she wouldn’t have a business.”

  “And I wouldn’t have a living.”

  Christina laughed. “Jenna, you could open your own place or go work for some else.”

  Jenna’s sigh was loud.

  “She’s destroyed your self-esteem, hasn’t she?”

  “What self-esteem? Agnes took everything from me. She took away my sister and brother and has kept me under her thumb all these years.” Jenna wiped the tear that fell onto her cheek.

  “I’m sorry, Jenna. I never should have brought this up in a restaurant. Let’s finish our meal and get out of here.”

  Jenna nodded and pushed the food around her plate.

  Christina watched for a few minutes as Jenna pushed the food, but didn’t lift her fork. She signaled the waitress. “Can we get the check?”

  “Is everything okay?” The waitress asked seeing the food still on the plate.

  “My friend has a bad headache and we want to leave.”

  “Sure. Can I wrap up the food for you?” The woman asked concerned.

  “That’s okay,” Christina said. “Just the check, please.”

  After Christina paid, she led Jenna out of the restaurant and put her in the passenger seat of her car. Christina drove them to Jenna’s apartment and brought her upstairs and sat her on the couch. Blondie knew something was wrong and jumped onto Jenna’s lap. Her hand came out automatically and began to stroke the cat unconsciously.

  Christina took the seat next to Jenna. “I’m sorry, Jenna. I keep asking and saying things to you that aren’t my business.”

  Jenna turned. “You’re not saying anything that I haven’t said myself recently.” She took Christina’s hand. “I like you, Chris. I like you a lot even though I have no right to bring you into this situation.” Jenna began to rub her finger over Christina’s hand. “If my mother finds out how I feel about you, she’ll fire you. I can’t let that happen to you.”

  Christina placed her hand on top of Jenna’s. “Why don’t you let me decide what’s right for me?”

  “But you and I will have to hide from her. It’s not fair to you.” The tears formed in Jenna’s eyes.

  “Honey, I like you a lot too. I am concerned about going into that closet with you, but maybe it’s time for you to come out of it.”

  Jenna swallowed hard. “I don’t know if I can do that, Christina.”

  “I know,” Christina said resting her head on Jenna’s shoulder. “I know.”

  They stayed in that position for a long time without speaking. Jenna wondered if Christina was worth telling her mother to fuck off as Tom had said. She didn’t really know Christina. They never even kissed even though Jenna knew it would be good. “Can we date and see how this goes before you push me out of the closet?”

  “Jenna, I don’t want to force you to do anything you don’t want to,” Christina said looking at Jenna.

  “I have never found a connection with anyone until I met you. There is just something about you even though we never even kissed.”

  “Well, let’s take care of that issue.” Christina moved in slowly until her lips just barely touched Jenna’s. Then she deepened the kiss while she crushed Jenna to her.

  Jenna wrapped her arms around Christina and slid her tongue over her lips. She felt Christina smile before her mouth opened. Jenna broke away after a few minutes to catch her breath.

  “Is your worry over on that issue?” Christina asked with a grin. “I feel the connection too, Jenna.”

  Jenna’s head nodded firmly. “I have a few other issues,” she said with a wide grin. “But I won’t rush you.”

  Christina looked at her. “Are you trying to seduce me, Jenna?”

  “Yeah, how am I doing?” Jenna asked with a snicker.

  “Jenna, I want to sleep with you. Believe me when I say I do, but don’t you think it’s too soon?”

  “What about when you went to that club?” Jenna asked raising her eyebrow.

  “You were listening to our conversation,” Christina said covering her face with her hands.

  Jenna pulled Christina’s hands off her face. “I don’t care, Chris. I only care that I wish it was me in your bed that night.”

  Christina’s hands went back to her face. “We never made it past the front door. I attacked her once the door was closed.” She now peeked through
her hands. “It was over in a matter of minutes.”

  Jenna began to laugh.

  “Don’t laugh,” Christina said covering Jenna’s mouth with her hand. “I thought she was going to kill me when I screamed your name.”

  The smile left Jenna’s face. “You did?”

  “Yeah, I did. Are you happy now?”

  “Yeah,” Jenna said squeezing Christina to her. “But I still wish it was me touching you.”

  Christina looked at Jenna. “Me too.” She admitted freely.

  Jenna stood up and held out her hand. Christina put her hand in Jenna’s palm and stood up with her. When they reached the bedroom, Jenna kissed her lips gently. Jenna’s fingers went to the buttons on her blouse and slowly undressed Christina. Her eyes never left Christina’s face as her hands went to the button on the jeans. Christina took a deep breath as she felt Jenna touch her skin. Her eyes closed for only a moment as the zipper was lowered. Jenna’s mouth came back to her, almost taking her breath away.

  “Oh, Jenna.” she whispered as the jeans slid down her legs.

  “So beautiful,” Jenna said against her throat. Soft hands moved over Christina’s back before she opened the clasp on her bra. She stood back and looked at Christina in amazement. “So beautiful.” Jenna led her to the bed and then began to remove her own clothes.

  Christina laid there watching as Jenna removed her clothes slowly. Her tongue came out of her mouth and licked her lips in anticipation. As Jenna slid her panties down, Christina swallowed hard. Her hands went to her own underwear and she quickly removed them. “Come here.” Her arms came out in encouragement.

  Jenna grinned as their bodies came together for the first time. Jenna couldn’t control her desire to taste Christina’s skin. To touch every part of her body, to make love to her as she had dreamed of so many times. It was if her hands had their own agenda as her mouth sought the pouty lips. Jenna kissed her mouth until they needed a breath, but her lips never left Christina’s skin. All the other women she had been with had been just sex. Christina made her feel like she was making love for the first time in her life. Jenna wanted to know Christina’s desires. What made her cry out in release? This is what Jenna had waited her entire life to achieve.

  “Honey, please touch me. I need you to touch me.” Christina begged.

  “I want to know your body. I want to know what turns you on.” Jenna pleaded moving her hands over the firm breasts.

  “I am turned on.” Christina giggled. “I want.”

  Christina didn’t finish because finally Jenna’s hands were where she had desperately wanted them.

  “Yes.” Her moans were almost frantic. “Please don’t make me beg.”

  “Never,” Jenna said as her mouth took the soft bud and her fingers entered her.

  “Yes,” Christina moaned. “Don’t stop.” Her hands were in Jenna’s hair guiding her to her secret places. “Jenna,” she screamed coming off the bed. As her body came back to the mattress, Jenna continued her exploration.

  Her lips kissed the skin just above her legs, her mouth savored the skin along her stomach. Jenna’s hands never left Christina’s body. Her lips found the stiff nipple and her mouth made love to both breasts.

  “Come up here,” Christina said placing her hands on Jenna’s shoulders.

  Jenna looked up from her exploration and smiled. “Do you need something?” She asked still grinning.

  “Yeah, you.” Christina’s lips were demanding as they met Jenna’s.

  As Jenna pulled away, she asked. “Was that better than that night?” Her lopsided grin was in place.

  “There was no comparison.”

  Jenna rested her head on Christina’s chest, but never lost eye contact. “At least you called my name instead of. What was hers?”

  Christina tapped Jenna on the top of her head. “I don’t remember.” She now pushed Jenna onto her back. “Don’t ruin my mood.”

  “No, ma’am,” Jenna said before Christina stole her breath away with a kiss.

  It was late into the night before Jenna was able to find all those special places on Christina’s body that would turn her skin to fire.

  *

  When Jenna opened her eyes in the morning her body felt so satiated, but so weak. She tried to stretch, but Christina was lying across her body. Unable to move, Jenna kissed the top of her head.

  “Ooh,” Christina said with a stretch. “What you did to my body.”

  “Do you feel as weak as I do?” Jenna asked giggling.

  “No. I feel wonderful.” Christina kissed Jenna’s mouth tenderly. Their eyes met and Christina deepened the kiss.

  “More?” Jenna asked.

  “What’s the matter? Are you bored with me already?”

  “No, but I don’t think I have the strength right now.”

  Christina laughed. “Oh, you are so out of practice.”

  “I am. Don’t make fun of me.” Jenna sat up on her elbows. “I don’t think I even ate yesterday.”

  “You didn’t. Let me make you breakfast. I call dibs on the shower first.” Christina ran from the room.

  Jenna laid back down for a moment. Are you nuts? Go get her. She didn’t stop until she stood behind Christina in the shower.

  “I thought you were too weak to move?” Christina asked with the soap bar in her hand.

  Jenna’s hands went to her waist as her mouth went to the back of her neck. “I got a second wind.”

  *

  The two woman sat having breakfast together looking into each other’s eyes.

  “Where do we go from here?” Christina asked quietly.

  “Back to bed.”

  Christina grinned. “I mean after today.”

  “Well, I for one want to keep doing what we’re doing?” The Cheshire cat grin appeared on Jenna’s face.

  Christina hit her arm. “Be serious.”

  “I am.”

  Christina rolled her eyes. “I guess I can’t tell anyone about us?”

  Jenna’s grin left her face at the realization of Christina’s statement.

  “Yeah, I thought that would get your attention. What other rules do I have to follow?”

  “That pretty much it,” Jenna said with a shrug.

  “Oh, so I can kiss and hug you at work?” Christina asked very serious.

  “What?” Jenna almost swallowed her tongue. “No. You can’t do those things.” Jenna rubbed her head. “It’s not that I won’t want to do those things, but we can’t do that.”

  Christina started to laugh. “You are so easy.”

  “Funny. You’re trying to give me a heart attack.” All Jenna could think about was Agnes finding out about the two of them.

  Christina turned Jenna on the stool and stood between her legs. The robe slipped open. “I will not say or do anything to expose you, Jenna. I won’t hurt you, but I won’t do it forever.”

  “I understand, Christina. I really do. Just give me some time.” Jenna’s hands went under the robe and caressed her back. “I care for you so much, Christina.”

  “Me too, honey.”

  “Will you stay with me tonight?”

  Christina went into Jenna’s arms. “Honey, I don’t even have my car here.”

  “I could take you home to pack a bag and get your car. Then I could go pick up something for dinner.”

  “How about we go out to dinner and then you take me home.” Christina watched Jenna’s face fall. “Honey, we need to get some sleep. Neither one of us has had more than two hours of sleep last night.

  Jenna approached Christina and took her in her arms. Her lips pressed hard against Christina’s mouth. “Thank you for being so sensible, but I will miss you.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Christina walked into the salon and walked right over to Jenna. “Hey,” she said wearing a wide smile.

  “Hey yourself,” Jenna said in a voice reserved only for Christina. She could see the bright blue eyes staring up at her with desire.

  Christina’s
arm came out to touch Jenna. “Are we alone?” She whispered.

  “No. Mary’s at the coffee maker.”

  “Damn, I wanted so much to kiss you.” Christina stamped her foot.

  Jenna laughed. “Go hang your coat up.”

  As Christina walked past Mary, she called out. “Morning, Mary.”

  “Hey, Chis. How was your weekend?”

  “Great thanks. Yours.”

  “Same old.”

  Christina was hanging up her coat when Jenna walked past her going toward the bathroom. As Jenna got to the bathroom door she crooked her finger toward her. Christina smiled and approached. Jenna’s arm went around her and pulled her into the doorway. She planted a deep kiss on her mouth as their bodies melted together.

  “Good morning.”

  “Good morning to you. I missed waking up in bed next to you.” Christina came back for another kiss.

  “You better get out there before Mary gets suspicious.” Jenna was already pushing her out of the back room.

  Christina walked toward the coffee pot as Jenna flushed the toilet and washed her hands.

  Jenna and Christina kept their distance in the salon making sure no one suspected their new relationship.

  Mary walked over to Christina later in the afternoon. “Chris, are you seeing anyone?”

  Christina’s eyes opened wide and saw the grin on Ellen’s face. “No, Mary. She isn’t.”

  “Because a friend of mine saw you when she was in here last week. She said if you were interested to give her a call.”

  Christina looked at Mary without looking in Jenna’s direction. “I don’t even know who you’re talking about, Mary.”

  Mary pulled out her phone. “Here’s what she looks like.”

  Before Christina looked at the screen, she glanced at Jenna. Her face showed no emotion. “She’s very pretty, Mary, but I am seeing someone.”

  “You are?” Ellen asked quickly. “Who is she?”

  Christina handed the phone back to Mary. “You don’t know her.” She picked up a towel and wiped down her chair. Christina knew her phone would be ringing off the hook tonight with Ellen trying to find out who she was seeing.

  As Christina reached for her coat at the end of the day, Ellen pounced.

  “So who is she?”