by TJ Thomas
“You’re welcome to use it. Do you know how the machines work?”
Rhonda looked at all the different equipment. “Mostly, but a refresher wouldn’t hurt.”
Jo moved from machine to machine explaining how to make the necessary adjustments. Then, she demonstrated the proper technique. Once she showed Rhonda the proper way to use a machine, she moved aside so Rhonda could try it out. Jo made subtle corrections to hand placement and posture. She wrapped her arm around Rhonda’s stomach to remind her to keep her stomach tight while working on a machine. The touch was not meant to be seductive, but she had a hard time paying attention to the details of Jo’s instructions.
“Jo, I’m going to stop you right there for a minute.”
“Okay?”
“Everything I’ve heard you say is easy to understand. You’re a good teacher. The problem is I haven’t heard most of what you’ve said because I’m distracted by how much I want to touch you right now.”
“Oh, I see. And how much would that be?”
“Tremendously.”
Jo moved closer to Rhonda. “Well, distractions in the gym can be very dangerous. We should take care of it right away.”
Rhonda took a step toward Jo. “I think that would be best.” Rhonda took a fist full of Jo’s shirt, pulled her close, and tugged her down. Their lips met with urgent need.
*
By Friday evening, Rhonda was a ball of stress.
“Sweetheart, try to relax,” Jo said.
“How can I? Christie says both Mike and Julie are coming, and I don’t know what to do.”
Jo lifted Rhonda’s chin. “It’s progress that they’re willing to come. I’m sure it’ll be awkward at first given how you left things with them, but you all love each other, and that has to count for something.”
Rhonda took a deep breath. “Part of me knows you’re right, but there’s this other part of me that just wants to hide under a blanket.”
“It will be okay. You’re going to have a lot of support here. Remember everyone coming tonight who fully supports you. If you’re too stressed to enjoy them, this evening won’t be very much fun for anyone.”
“I don’t know how you can be so calm. Julie is bound to attack you. Figuratively speaking, I hope. Mike is more likely to ignore you or just study every move you make.”
“Do you doubt I can handle myself?”
“No doubt at all.” Rhonda smiled for the first time all day.
“Then let me worry about it, and you try to just look at it like we are having the whole family over for dinner, which is true.”
Rhonda wasn’t wholly convinced, but that plan seemed better than worrying herself sick.
“Let’s try something.” Jo moved her hand to Rhonda’s cheek and caressed it. She met Rhonda’s gaze, and stroked her thumb across Rhonda’s lips. She placed her lips where her thumb had just been and seductively kissed Rhonda. She responded and she wasn’t thinking of the dinner party anymore. Jo deepened the kiss.
Jo ended the kiss. “Sweetheart.”
Rhonda focused on Jo. “Hmm?”
“If you get nervous again, just remember when everyone leaves we can pick up where we left off.”
“Interesting technique. Thanks. Sounds like the first arrivals are here. I’ll go see who it is. Will you stir the sauce?”
Mike and Barbara arrived first, followed closely by Christie’s family. Soon everyone was hanging out in the kitchen while Rhonda put the finishing touches on dinner.
Mary was talking to Rhonda and Barbara about her new friend from ballet class. Cody sat on Jo’s lap at the table with his face close to hers most likely telling her about something that happened at school.
Mike looked from Cody to Christie. “Looks like he’s made a friend.”
“She was always a good one to have.” Christie watched the two of them for a moment longer. Jo and Cody seemed to be in deep conversation about something, as deep as it got with a five-year-old anyway. Then she walked to her mom for a quick hug before greeting Barbara.
Christie finally made her way to Jo and Cody. Cody looked at his mom when she sat beside them. “Guess what?” he asked excitedly.
“What?”
He looked at Jo like he was asking permission to tell. She nodded. “Jo wants to be Grandma’s girlfriend.”
Christie looked from Jo to her son. “And what do you think about that?”
“It’s good. Grandma needs a good girlfriend, like Miss Wells. Her girlfriend makes her happy.”
Christie nodded. “Well, I think you’re right, Cody. Grandma does need a good girlfriend, and I think Jo will be a great one.”
“Me too. I’m gonna go tell Grandma.”
As he scooted off Jo’s lap, Jo and Christie exchanged a look. Cody made his way through the adults and over to Rhonda. He held out his arms and she lifted him onto her hip. “Hi, sweetheart.”
“Hi.” Cody then leaned over to whisper into Rhonda’s ear. As Rhonda listened, her gaze traveled across the room. Rhonda whispered something into Cody’s ear. He nodded enthusiastically and climbed down.
By this time, the others in the room noticed something was happening and conversation stopped. Everyone watched Rhonda as she and Cody walked hand in hand back over to the table. Jo stood to meet them. Christie remained seated with the best view in the house. Cody crawled into her lap after giving Jo a thumbs-up.
“Jo?”
“Yes, Rhonda?”
“I was just told a very interesting secret. Is it true?”
“Not sure what you were told since it was a secret, but if it’s that I want you to be my girlfriend, then yes it’s true.” Everyone in the room chuckled. “Will you?”
Rhonda stepped to Jo. “I would like that very much.”
“Yes!” Cody said. Jo and Rhonda looked down to see Cody pumping his fist in celebration. The whole room erupted in laughter and applause. Cody tugged on Jo’s pant leg, and she bent down where he said in a loud whisper. “You should kiss her now.”
Jo nodded solemnly. “Okay.” Jo leaned down and kissed Rhonda tenderly on the cheek.
“Oh, very nice!”
Rhonda whipped around like she had been slapped at Julie’s exclamation.
Rhonda hadn’t heard Julie and her family arrive with all the commotion in the kitchen the last few minutes. Julie turned back into the living room, and said, “Ben, we’re leaving.”
Ben said, “No, we’re not. We were invited for dinner and you accepted the invitation. The kids want to see their grandma and cousins. We’re staying.”
“Well, I’m not going in there. I’ll wait in the car.”
“Suit yourself. Come on, kids. Let’s go see everyone.” He ushered Jamie and Dylan into the kitchen.
Rhonda turned to Jo with a look of utter distress. “I have to do something. I’ve got to talk to her.”
Jo squeezed Rhonda’s hand. “Let me try. You stay with the kids. Jamie and Dylan came to see you.”
Without waiting for a response, Jo left the room. By the time she reached the living room, Julie had already stormed out the door. Jo grabbed her coat and followed. Julie sat in the car, her arms crossed over her chest. As Jo approached, Julie rushed out of the car in a fury. “Get away from me. This is all your fault.”
Jo tried to reason with her. “I know you’re upset, but—”
Julie cut her off. “You don’t know anything.”
“Then tell me. There’s nobody here except you and me. Say whatever you need to or want to.”
Julie stopped yelling, but she was far from calm. “It doesn’t matter. You’ve already ruined everything.”
“Julie, what are you talking about?”
“My mother comes to me the other day and tells me out of the blue she is dating a woman my age!”
Jo wondered briefly if Julie was upset because her mom was attracted to a woman or because she was dating someone her age. “Julie, look—”
“No, you look. I’m not stupid, so it didn’t t
ake me very long to figure it all out.”
“Figure what out?”
“Don’t play dumb. That’s the real reason you refused to kiss me back then. You’re the real reason my parents got divorced.”
Jo was shocked and hadn’t seen that coming. She was momentarily speechless. “That’s not true,” she said finally.
“It all fits,” Julie said with a hiss.
Jo struggled for patience. “Julie, nothing happened between Rhonda and me until last month.”
Julie crossed her arms and stared hard at Jo.
“First of all, your mom had no interest in me then. As for why I wouldn’t kiss you when you asked me to back then, I was honest with you. I knew you were questioning your sexuality, but I wasn’t willing to risk our friendship so you could satisfy your curiosity. What happened or didn’t happen between you and me will never go beyond me. There’s no reason anyone needs to know about that unless you want them to.”
“Whatever. It doesn’t matter. I’m tired of talking about this. You should go.”
“Come on, Julie. We can figure this out. Tell me what’s really going on.”
“No.” Julie walked to the driver side of the car. She opened the door. “You can tell Ben that I’m leaving with or without him in five minutes.” Then she climbed in and slammed the door.
Rhonda tried to enjoy her family, but the situation out front had her on edge. She looked out the front window at one point. Jo and Julie appeared to be having quite an animated conversation but it didn’t look like any blood was being shed. Back in the kitchen, as conversation went on around her, her thoughts were outside. One person, then another tried to pull her into conversation, but she was too distracted to utter more than a couple of words.
After what seemed like an eternity, Rhonda was sure she heard the front door open. She wanted to run and see what happened, but she stayed where she was. Jo walked into the kitchen, alone. She looked at Rhonda and shook her head. Then she relayed Julie’s message to Ben. He walked to Rhonda, made apologies, and said good-bye. Then he gathered Jamie and Dylan and headed out the door. Dinner was strained and quiet as they just tried to get through it.
Finally, Rhonda closed the door behind Christie, who was the last to leave. She leaned against it and sighed deeply. “Want to tell me what happened?”
“I tried to talk to Julie, but she’s still very angry and we didn’t get very far. She did manage to blame me for your divorce.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“I know, but she wasn’t hearing that. I’m not sure how to get through to her. Mike was at least mostly civil.”
“I’m too tired to try to figure it out tonight,” Rhonda said.
“Sounds like we should make it an early night, I should get you into bed immediately.”
Rhonda walked into Jo’s arms and laid her head on her shoulder. “Sounds nice.”
“Let’s go then.” Jo scooped Rhonda into her arms, and she wrapped her arms around Jo’s neck. Jo carried her upstairs and into the bedroom. Jo kissed her softly. “Why don’t you roll over and I’ll rub your back?”
Rhonda did as instructed. Jo stroked Rhonda’s back and hips, lulling her to relax.
Rhonda breathed heavily. “If you’re not careful you’re going to put me to sleep before I can have my way with you.”
Jo smiled behind her. “You sleep, darling. You can have your way with me in the morning.”
Jo moved closer, so their bodies touched, spooning her. She protectively wrapped her arm around Rhonda and kissed her back. “Just sleep.”
Rhonda’s breathing deepened and Jo lay for a long time listening to it before she also drifted off to sleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
As the mid-autumn sun started to light the sky, Rhonda woke. Jo’s arm was still wrapped around her, and their bodies were tightly pressed together. The arousal hit her hard and fast, but she also felt safe and sheltered in Jo’s intimate embrace. What a wonderful way to wake up. She carefully turned her body to face Jo, who was barely disturbed by the movement. Rhonda studied her. Jo was so beautiful. With her face relaxed in sleep, she seemed even younger than she was. That wasn’t as hard for Rhonda to think about this time. I have to touch her. Rhonda pushed Jo’s shoulder so she would roll onto her back and Rhonda climbed on top of her. The movement woke Jo quickly. She had only an instant to look into Rhonda’s gorgeous face before Rhonda crushed her mouth to Jo’s. Jo’s entire body responded. Her heart jackhammered in her chest, her nipples hardened, and her clit swelled and pulsed with need. Rhonda’s long hair tumbled down, curtaining them. Jo managed to get her hands up to push back Rhonda’s lovely mane. While plundering Jo’s mouth, Rhonda slid her body up and down Jo. The contrast of slow dance and urgent kiss lit Jo’s body on fire.
Rhonda’s hands seemed to be everywhere at once, driving Jo crazy. She wedged her thigh between Jo’s legs and rhythmically moved against Jo’s center. She straddled Jo’s leg and continued the assault on Jo’s mouth. She ran a hand down Jo’s leg and used her nails on the way back up. Jo writhed under her, crazed with sensations. Jo’s hands fell away from Rhonda’s hair. She gripped the sheets trying to hold on. Rhonda drove her fingers into Jo and her hips bucked wildly. Rhonda gave Jo no time to think. She was at Rhonda’s mercy and gave herself up completely, holding nothing back.
Rhonda left her hand inside but gentled her mouth. She raised her head just an inch or two so she could see Jo fully. What she saw, all the emotion swirling in those darkened blue pools, left her breathless. She continued to watch Jo as she removed her fingers from Jo’s center and excruciatingly slowly, ran them over Jo’s swollen clit. Jo’s hips bucked wildly once more. As Jo’s body settled, Rhonda smiled coyly. “Good morning.”
“Now that’s a great way to wake up.”
“You did promise I could have my way with you this
morning.”
“I’m glad you held me to it.”
“Me too.”
As Rhonda moved to roll off her, Jo stopped her. “Stay, please.”
Rhonda crossed her hands on Jo’s chest and rested her chin on them. “If you insist.”
Jo brushed the hair back from Rhonda’s face. “Good morning, girlfriend.”
Rhonda smiled. “Oh yeah, that happened.”
“Want to change your mind?”
“Of course not, why would you ask that?”
“Well, I did kind of ask you in front of a lot people. Not exactly a place for careful contemplation.”
“Well, you can’t take it back now. I’m your girlfriend and you’re mine. I have witnesses.”
“I don’t want to take it back.”
“Me either.”
“Good.” Jo lifted her head to kiss Rhonda. “How did you sleep?”
“Like a log. I was exhausted. But I woke up very refreshed with a lot of energy.”
“I’ll say. So, since you have all this extra energy, would you like to go for a run with me later?”
Rhonda pondered for only a moment. “Okay, I think I would like that very much. But why later?”
“Because I plan to keep you busy for a little while first.” Jo shifted her body and rolled until she had Rhonda pinned to the mattress. Jo lifted Rhonda’s hands above her head and held them there lightly. Rhonda could easily move them if she needed, but Jo made it clear she wanted her to keep them there. Then Jo started to seduce Rhonda with her mouth. Jo’s movements were as slow as Rhonda’s had been fast. Rhonda was breathless from the gentle caresses. She had never felt more alive.
*
After stretching, Rhonda and Jo started with a slow jog to warm up their muscles. “Take it easy on me. I don’t move as fast as you anymore.”
“I have no doubt you can keep up with me, but I’ll let you set the pace for now.” It occurred to Jo that was exactly what she was doing, not only with this run but also in their relationship. She was sure where she wanted to go, but she felt Rhonda needed time to catch up with her. She was a pretty pa
tient person for most things, and if she didn’t see doubt on Rhonda’s face whenever she talked about their future, it wouldn’t be so frustrating to wait. Rhonda needed time to believe in them, so she would try to give her the time she needed. Jo let it go for now and focused on Rhonda.
“You can have the first shower,” Jo said when they got home.
Rhonda looked at Jo, a look of desire on her face. “Why don’t you join me? You can wash my back.”
They raced up the stairs and quickly stripped off their running clothes. Rhonda couldn’t wait for the shower. She dragged Jo’s mouth down to hers for a smoldering kiss. Then she ended the kiss and turned to go start the shower.
Jo watched her go, for the moment rooted to the spot where she stood. I’m completely and totally in love with her. That thought slammed through Jo’s head as she watched Rhonda walk away. It didn’t scare her. Jo had always been very comfortable with her feelings. Now she just had to figure out when to tell Rhonda she was in love with her. She was pretty sure her feelings would scare Rhonda.
Rhonda peeked back into the bedroom. “Jo? Are you coming?”
“Of course I am.” Rhonda may not be ready to hear the words she now ached to tell her, but she could show her how she felt with her touch. Jo stepped into the shower behind Rhonda. She needed to taste her. She moved Rhonda’s hair off the nape of her neck and tenderly kissed her neck, then her shoulder.
Rhonda leaned back into Jo. “That feels wonderful.”
Jo took her time tasting and touching. Then she poured some of Rhonda’s body wash into her hands. She started to wash Rhonda’s back. But she didn’t stop there. Her hands now covered in suds, she reached around and she pulled Rhonda to her, her soapy back now pressed against Jo. Rhonda braced her hands against the shower wall, giving Jo full access to anything she wanted. Jo ran her hands up and down Rhonda’s torso. She cupped Rhonda’s breasts and slid over them. She rubbed Rhonda’s nipples, making her moan with pleasure. The spray from the shower rinsed Rhonda’s body as Jo continued to explore.