Taking Chances: A Holiday Romance

by Lydia Rose

  “You bet.” Jill leaned in and touched Ashley’s face before she captured her lips softly. “Good night, Ash.”

  “Good night, Jill,” Ashley said stepping into the elevator. Their eyes remained on each other until the door closed.

  CHAPTER 13

  Natalie was bouncing in her seat waiting for Ashley to take the stage. “Calm down,” Jill said taking her sister’s arm.

  “I’m just so excited to be here.” Jill laughed at her sister’s answer. “I really like her, Jill.”

  Jill leaned into her sister’s ear. “I do too, Nat.”

  “I know. I can tell. When you two are together,” Natalie paused, “there is this electricity in the room.”

  The lights went down and Ashley was introduced to the crowd. The show was everything that Natalie and Jeff expected. Jill danced standing up, along with the rest of the arena. As Ashley left the stage, someone was there to take them backstage. He led them to the room where other people were waiting for Ashley to appear.

  “Isn’t that…” Natalie said excitedly. “And that is…”

  Jill chuckled. “Yes, and don’t drool all over the stars here.”

  “I can’t believe she knows all these people,” Natalie said taking out her phone and began snapping pictures.

  A reporter now walked over to Jill. “Ms. Thompson, I see you are a fan of Ashley’s.”

  “Yes, and so are my sister and brother.”

  “What are you doing in New York?”

  “I’m here visiting family for the holidays,” Jill answered politely, but wondered if he knew.

  “What did you think of the show?”

  “Fantastic,” Natalie answered before Jill.

  Jill laughed. “Wonderful, and I see Ashley has a lot of fans.” She pointed to bigger stars then herself. He moved onto someone else and Jill let out the breath she had been holding.

  When Ashley came into the room, the crowd erupted in applause. It didn’t take long for Ashley’s eyes to find Jill’s eyes across the room. They smiled at one another as Ashley was surrounded by her admirers.

  Jeff leaned into his sister. “Would you introduce me to Harrison Parker?”

  Jill looked at her brother before her eyes searched out Harrison. The talk surrounding Harrison was that he was gay, but never publicly made an announcement. He was a strikingly handsome man and she understood her brother’s attraction to him. She led them over to him. “Hello, Harrison.”

  He turned. “Jill Thompson.” Harrison smiled and kissed her cheek. “It’s been too long.”

  “It has, Harrison. I would like you to meet my sister, Natalie and my brother, Jeff.”

  Harrison shook hands with Natalie and then he took Jeff’s hand. They gazed at each other. “Did you enjoy the show?” Harrison asked looking at Jeff.

  “Ashley is fantastic,” Jeff answered shyly.

  Someone now pulled Harrison off to meet someone. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go away,” he said with a wink.

  “Oh my god,” Jeff said clutching his chest. “Is he seeing anyone?”

  Jill and Natalie laughed. “I don’t know, Jeff. I guess you will have to ask him that.” Jill was still laughing.

  Ashley finally made her way over to the three of them. “Hi,” she said wearing a dazzling smile.

  “Ashley, you were wonderful,” Natalie said so excited that she hugged her.

  “Thanks, Natalie,” Ashley said looking at Jill as she winked at her.

  “We all loved your performance,” Jill said smiling at Ashley.

  Harrison returned and hugged Ashley. “Loved the show, Ash.”

  “Thanks, Harrison.” Ashley watched as Harrison’s eyes drifted to Jeff. “Let me introduce Jill and Natalie to some people. Harrison, can you keep Jeff company?”

  “Sure, Ash. Take your time.”

  Ashley led the two women away giggling. “Jeff is exactly Harrison’s type.”

  “I noticed,” Jill said also giggling.

  It was after two o’clock before the crowd started to thin out. Harrison and Jeff had left to grab a drink together and Ashley led Jill and Natalie to her car. “I hope you both enjoyed the evening.”

  “We did,” Jill said taking Ashley’s hand once they got into the limo.

  “Aren’t you going to kiss her?” Natalie asked watching the two women stare at each other.

  They both giggled and Jill leaned forward kissing Ashley’s lips softly. “Can I call you tomorrow?” Ashley asked as they pulled up in front of Jill’s parent’s apartment.

  “If you don’t, I’ll be calling you.” Ashley smiled at Jill’s answer.

  “Thank you, Ashley. I had a great time,” Natalie said before leaving the car.

  Ashley rubbed Jill’s hand with her fingers. “Thanks for being there tonight.”

  “It was all my pleasure. My siblings had a great time.” Their lips came together and they kissed until they were both breathless. “I better get out of here before I follow you home.”

  “Is that so bad, Jill?” Ashley asked still holding Jill’s hand.

  “No,” Jill answered grinning. “But not tonight. Good night, Ash.”

  “Sweet dreams, Jill. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  Jill turned before she got out. “I doubt my dreams will be sweet,” she said with a wink and left the car.

  *

  Ashley had taken a long time to fall asleep the night before. Jill’s face wouldn’t leave her mind and she played their kisses over and over again in her mind. It was after eleven o’clock when she finally sat up. Reaching for her phone immediately, she typed, “Are you awake?” A message came back instantly.

  “Yes.”

  Ashley called Jill. “Hi.”

  “Did you sleep well?” Jill asked chuckling.

  “Not really. Someone wouldn’t leave my mind,” Ashley answered playfully.

  “Do I know this person?”

  “Yeah, and she’s so damn beautiful. Those blue eyes and red lips were taunting me all night.”

  Jill giggled. “You’d better be talking about me or you are in big trouble.”

  Ashley giggled too. “No one else has been on my mind for quite some time now.”

  “I better not let that information slip in front of Rachel.”

  “It’s all your fault.”

  “My fault?”

  “Yes. If you had given me any kind of sign that you were interested in me, I never would have asked her out.”

  “I can’t believe that you didn’t know I was interested. Very interested in you.” Jill’s voice was husky as she spoke.

  “Do you want to come over and have lunch? I’ll order room service.”

  “Ms. Rowland are you trying to get me up to your room to seduce me?” Jill asked without a hint of laughter in her voice.

  “Yeah. Is it working?”

  “What’s your room number?” Jill asked quickly as she moved to the closet to find an outfit.

  “Room 1750.”

  “I’ll see you in an hour.” Jill disconnected the call before Ashley could say another word.

  “I guess I better get dressed.” Ashley jumped up to take a shower. As the water heated in the shower, she ordered room service.

  By the time Jill knocked on the door, Ashley was dressed in a pair of faded jeans, the sweater Jill had given her. “Hi,” she said wearing a big smile. Ashley stood against the door just staring at Jill. Her long wool coat came nearly to the floor. The big sunglasses covered most of her face and the hat covered the rest of her face.

  “May I come in?” Jill asked bringing Ashley out of her trance.

  “Oh, yeah. Sorry. I don’t think I would recognize you if we passed on the street.” Ashley took Jill’s coat and hat.

  “Then you might be the only one because that doorman looked at me strangely. I think he may have recognized me.” Jill took the sunglasses off and laid them on the dresser.

  They both turned when there was a knock on the door. “That would be our lunch.”
Ashley walked toward the door and Jill disappeared into the bathroom. When Jill heard the door close, she stepped out of the bathroom.

  “What did you order for us?” Jill asked lifting the cloche of the food.

  “One triple decker is turkey and one is roast beef.” Ashley pointed toward the plates. “Take your choice.”

  “How about we share?” Jill asked, moving the plates to the table in the room.

  Ashley pushed her plate away and wiped her mouth. “What would you like to do now?”

  Jill grinned and reached her hands out to Ashley. “We both know why I came over here.” She stood up and pulled Ashley out of the chair and watched as she swallowed hard. “Don’t tell me you’re nervous?” Jill asked with a chuckle.

  “Me? Never.” But even Ashley didn’t believe her lie. Hell yes, she was nervous. Standing before her was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen and it wasn’t just her looks. Jill was the complete package. She was beautiful, smart, funny and so damn sexy without even trying. Yeah, she was nervous.

  Jill giggled. “It’s only me,” she said lifting her sweater over her head and tossing it onto the chair. “I’m the one who should be nervous. You probably have been with hundreds of women.”

  “Hey,” Ashley complained, which made Jill giggle again. She watched as Jill reached for her sweater and lifted it over her head. Her hands now went to the zipper on her jeans. Ashley couldn’t move. She allowed Jill complete control as she stripped off her clothes and then her own.

  “I want you, Ash. Like I’ve never wanted anyone before.” She reached for Ashley’s mouth and kissed her deeply.

  Jill’s words caused her heart to catch fire. She wasn’t about to have sex, but she was about to make love with this wonderful woman. Jill took her hand and led them over to the side of the bed. She had been right about Ashley and the women she had been with over the years. The difference between then and now was those women didn’t really care about her. Those women only wanted to say they had slept with Ashley Rowland. Most of the time, they didn’t even care if Ashley had been pleasured. They were only interested in their satisfaction by the big rock star.

  “Let me make love to you, Ash.” Jill’s smile was sweet as she pressed her body onto Ashley’s. “You feel so good,” she said as her hands began exploring and her mouth kissed Ashley over and over again.

  Their tongues danced with one another as Jill’s hands caressed Ashley’s small breasts. Her mouth now moved from Ashley’s lips to her collarbone. Ashley’s head twisted as Jill’s lips brought the heat between her legs that soaked her legs. When Jill took a nipple into her mouth and her tongue teased, she thought she would explode without her touching her core.

  “You are so beautiful. I’m on fire, Jill,” Ashley moaned into the room.

  Jill’s leg shifted and her knee rested against Ashley’s core. As she did so Ashley groaned. Her lips came off of Ashley’s nipple and she began a slow descent over her body. Everywhere her lips touched, she thought her skin would catch fire. A smile rested on Ashley’s lips when she realized where Jill was headed. As her tongue licked her folds, her hips rose on their own accord.

  “Don’t stop, Jill.” Ashley felt the smile on Jill’s face.

  “Never,” she whispered before her mouth sucked the throbbing clit. It didn’t take long before Ashley cried out. As far as Jill was concerned, she wasn’t done. Her fingers moved into Ashley’s opening. Thrusting she brought her to another fierce orgasm.

  “Come up here before my heart stops,” Ashley said reaching for Jill’s arm. She was still breathing hard when Jill kissed her mouth softly. “So good,” she said over and over again. When her breathing was under control, she turned Jill over on her back. She knew she should take it slow, but she couldn’t help herself. Her lips and tongue teased her nipple before her hand moved lower. Unable to wait, she entered her. “So hot,” she moaned as they both found a rhythm.

  Jill was now squeezing Ashley to her body almost crushing her face against her chest. “God,” Jill screamed loudly.

  “I need to taste you,” Ashley said as she moved almost catlike down Jill’s body. Jill’s second orgasm was even more intense than the first one. Ashley couldn’t stop herself as she placed their cores together and rode Jill bringing them to another strong peak. They both screamed as they came together. Unable to move, they laid against each other breathing hard.

  After what seemed like an eternity, Jill lifted her head and looked at a grinning Ashley. “Where have you been my entire life?” she asked giggling.

  “Apparently waiting for you to find me.” Ashley responded with a similar grin. She now laid in the crook of Jill’s arm. “No one has ever compared to you and I don’t think anyone ever will again.”

  “Good,” Ashley said hiding her wide smile.

  They stayed in Ashley’s bed for the next two days. The only time they left the bed was to shower and eat the food that room service brought them. On the third day, Ashley suggested, “I think we should leave the room for a short while so the maid can change the sheets,” she said with a laugh.

  “Where do you want to go?”

  “I know a great place that we can have lunch. It’s a small place with clientele that won’t bat an eye that you and I are there.”

  “We can’t walk out of the hotel together, Ash,” Jill said sitting up.

  “You leave first and I’ll leave ten minutes after you’ve left. I’ll meet you at the restaurant.” Ashley rolled over to the side of the bed and picked up her phone. “I’ll make reservations for one o’clock.”

  CHAPTER 14

  Jill slipped out of the hotel and into a cab. Giving the driver the address to the restaurant, she sat back thinking about Ashley. How her life had changed when she was in Ashley’s arms. She didn’t fear the press finding out that she was gay or losing her career. All she cared about was if Ashley would be able to fall in love with her. Could she leave behind all her groupies and be satisfied with only one woman in her life. The cab pulled up in front of the restaurant and Jill went inside.

  “Hello,” she said softly. “Rowlands.”

  “I don’t think your party is here yet, but I’ll show you to the table.”

  Jill didn’t comment knowing Ashley would arrive shortly. She spotted Ashley across the room and smiled at her. The smile she showed was returned by the woman walking toward her. “Hi.”

  “Hi, yourself,” Ashley said taking her seat. She lifted the napkin off the plate and draped it across her lap. “Did you see any cameras when you left the hotel?”

  Jill chuckled. “I wasn’t really looking.” She leaned toward Ashley. “My mind was on other things.”

  Ashley’s left eyebrow came up. “Really, and what were those other things?”

  “Oh you know.” Jill smiled. “How long this lunch is going to take before we can go back to the hotel.”

  Ashley threw her head back and laughed. “Were you this insatiable with your other girlfriends?” she asked in a whisper. Jill shook her head side to side. Ashley swallowed at Jill’s admittance. “This is going to be the best relationship I’ve ever had.” She would have said more, but the waiter approached.

  When the waiter walked away with their order, Jill said softly, “I’m sorry if I sound needy.”

  “Then we are a perfect pair,” Ashley answered, smiling at her lover. “I feel the same way.” Her smile grew. “I’ve never felt this way with anyone before, Jill. I hope that doesn’t scare you away.”

  Jill touched Ashley’s hand. “It doesn’t. I don’t know what is going to happen when the world finds out about you and me.” Jill took a breath steeling her voice. “For some reason it no longer worries me.”

  “I won’t do anything to hurt you intentionally. I promise you that, but you and I know that we are going to be plastered all over the TV and internet when they find out.’

  “If you can handle it, I can too.”

  As they stepped outside of the restaurant together, Ashley’s cellpho
ne rang. “Hang on a second. It’s April.” She accepted the call. “Hey, April.”

  “Hi, Ashley. I hope I’m not disturbing you?”

  “It’s okay, April. What’s up?” Ashley asked knowing that there was something wrong if April was calling.

  “I’m supposed to perform on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” April said softly.

  “That’s great, April. Millions of people will see you.”

  “Yeah, but the thing is…” April sighed. “They threw a wrench into the contract.”

  Ashley knew what was coming and she looked at Jill. “They want me there too.”

  “Yes. I’m so sorry, Ash.”

  “How many songs do they want me to do with you?”

  “Just one, but if you don’t want to do it I understand.”

  “I’m here in New York anyway,” Ashley said with a shrug. Her hand came out to grip Jill’s hand, but remembered where they were standing. The hand returned to her side. “Text me the details and where we are rehearsing.”

  “Thank you, Ash. I owe you big time.”

  “We will decide on a repayment later,” she said with a laugh. Ashley ended the call and looked again at Jill. Her hand came up flagging a cab. “How would you like to spend New Year’s Eve front and center of all the excitement?”

  “Times Square?” Jill asked with a smile as they got into the cab together.

  Ashley nodded. “April’s performing and it looks like I will be too.” They got out of the cab together and walked into the hotel without thought.

  “I guess it’s as good as any place to announce our involvement,” Jill said inside the elevator.

  “You want to say something that night?” Ashley asked not understanding.

  “I don’t think we are going to have to say anything,” she said with a raised eyebrow. “I think once I kiss you at midnight it will tell the world our little secret.”

  “Are you sure, Jill?” Ashley asked as she opened the hotel room.

  “Ashley, we just had lunch together, rode in a cab to your hotel and walked together to the elevator. How long do you think we could keep this secret?”