She kissed him back. It didn’t matter that the sweat now glistened on her neck. She wrapped both arms around his waist and pulled herself as close to him as she could get.
This was ludicrous he decided. He was still in his work clothes. His tie almost cut off his circulation. She wore shorts and a tank top but he was stifling in his shirt and pants. He pulled back and smiled at her. “We’re way overdressed, Ms Albright.” He pulled his tie loose and began unbuttoning his shirt.
“Kent,” she said. “I...I’m not sure this is a good idea.”
“Well I am,” he said, now stripped to his pants.
She watched the sweat trickle down the fuzzy sandy- coloured chest hair that narrowed into a line and disappeared under his belt. She swallowed dryly. “I need a drink.”
“You just had a drink,” he said, lifting her into his arms. “The bedroom or the sofa?” he asked. “Doesn’t matter to me.”
“Kent,” she said again, louder than before. But it was her last objection and he chose the bedroom.
He laid her down softly and raised the tank top over her head. She wore no bra and was now exposed to his view. She only stared up at him, a gentle smile on her lips. He bent closer and kissed each nipple. They responded immediately and stood tilted towards him. He caressed them with his fingertips and they grew rigid. “You’re lovely,” he whispered.
His forehead was soaked and she reached up to wipe the sweat away. “I do love you,” she said.
Her eyes were so soft he melted into her, feeling her skin connect to his. “You do?” This angel had spoken and he loved the beautiful words that she’d uttered. Unsettled events had brought them together lately, but tonight was going to be beautiful. No one would interfere with these tender moments.
“Yes, I love you,” she answered.
Kent needed to hear no more. She was ready for him and he was going to show her just how much he loved her, and he didn’t need words.
Jessie pulled out of her remaining clothes while Kent unfastened his trousers and stepped clear of all clothing. They were nowhere near being cool; in fact shedding the clothes hadn’t helped at all as far as Kent was concerned. The heat in the bedroom was almost unbearable.
“Come on, little one,” he said pulling Jessie from the bed.
“You’ve decided on the sofa?” she asked when he led her from the bedroom.
“No.” He guided her steps towards the bathroom door and she laughed.
“The bathroom?” she said.
“The shower,” he answered, thrusting back the heavy, blue curtain.
They stepped into the bathtub and Kent pulled the curtain again. When he turned on the water it sprayed gently on their heads. Jessie laughed again squealing, “Oh, that’s nice.”
“This will be even nicer,” he said brushing her wet hair from her forehead and kissing her face. He found her lips quickly then followed down the front of her, kissing every inch or two. Her skin felt steamy and damp
Little kisses and droplets of water caressed Jessie’s skin. She began to cool down just enough to enjoy the moment. It was time to give back and Jessie sought his lips again. She raised his head as he was now kneeling in front of her kissing her thighs. “Stand,” she said. When he did she kissed him deeply, flicking her tongue inside his mouth, savouring the sweetness there. She reached down and touched him. She stroked the pulsation and felt him grow even more rigid. She shivered in the cool fountain of water.
He could feel the goose flesh on her skin and felt a need to warm her. Instantly he thrust into her. He heard her gasp as she pulled her lips from his. But he found her mouth again and held her face with both of his hands. Moving quickly but gently he thrust again and again, going deeper into her each time, burying himself between the soft, warm folds of her insides.
A weakness crept up Jessie’s legs but he held onto her. She squeezed her eyes tight and concentrated all her strength into giving him pleasure in return. Her thirst was intense, so much so she licked moisture from his shoulders whenever he left her lips to seek out other places for his kisses.
They were one now, at least moving as one. Beneath the watery spray their wet bodies swayed behind the shower curtain. She was the first to cry out and his cry followed hers. Their bodies slowed in tempo and they clung to each other. Soon he reached forward and shut down the water. He pulled from her then knelt and began licking water from her ankles. His tongue caressed her body as he moved upward lapping moisture from her skin.
She looked down at the top of his wet head. “I have towels,” she said with a giggle.
He laughed and rose to stand beside her. He threw back the curtain and they stepped from the tub. Jessie opened a closet door and retrieved two large, downy bath towels. She passed him one and wrapped herself in the other. They walked arm and arm to the bedroom and lay on their backs, eyes to the ceiling, not speaking, just touching hands and resting.
In the morning he dropped her off at work. “What about lunch?” she said.
“Sorry, I’m working across town today. Will Liz be around?”
“Maybe. She doesn’t often do a Wednesday class, but I’ll call her.”
“Good. Don’t be alone.”
Jessie left him then and went on with her morning aerobic classes. During a break she called Liz to arrange lunch, and they met at their usual restaurant. She hung her purse on the back of the chair.
“Thanks for meeting me, Liz. How come you missed your class on Monday?”
Liz sipped a cherry coloured drink with a mini umbrella of pink and white stripes resting on the glass. She sat the drink down and rubbed steam off the rim. “I have this cold.” She coughed lightly to emphasize it. “Why aren’t you having lunch with your lover, Jess?”
Jessie blushed. Could Liz tell? She had told Liz Sunday that nothing had happened over the weekend when they’d visited Wakefield. She hadn’t talked to her since then and now Liz was calling Kent, her lover. She might as well confess.
“He’s working over town today. And you’re right. He is my lover now. We made love last night.”
Liz reached for the tiny umbrella and crushed it in her hand. “Oh,” she said in return. “And what about the messages? Has there been anymore?”
Jessie told her about receiving the strange message. “Yes, on Sunday night. Shortly after I’d talked to you. But that’s not all. On Monday there was an accident at work. A beam fell almost on me. I was so upset when I met Kent that he went home to stay with me. He’s moved in, Liz.”
Liz leaned back while the waitress placed sandwiches in front of her and Jessie. When she left Liz asked, “Have you ever wondered about Kent?”
“What?”
“It seems to me the messages started right after you met him, didn’t they? And has he ever been present when you received one?”
“What are you saying, Liz? That I should suspect Kent? That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it?” Liz looked sour as she bit a small portion from her sandwich. “It must be someone who knows you personally to be able to mention your mother’s illness.”
“That’s what I thought,” Jessie quickly agreed. “I suspected Gary Burke until I thought of that. I didn’t think he’d know about my mother. Do you think he might? He knows where I work. I don’t even know what he looks like. Maybe he’s been hanging around there.” Jessie picked up one half of her sandwich and was just about to bite it when she stopped. “How did you know about my mother being mentioned in the message?”
Liz placed her coffee cup in the saucer, jarring it slightly and spilling some over the edge. “Damn, I’m always doing that,” she said and mopped up the liquid with a napkin. “I suppose you told me,” she replied to Jessie’s inquiry.
“Did I? Maybe so. I’m not myself today.”
“I imagine making love to Kent could do that to you.” Liz smirked.
“You wouldn’t believe how...never mind, Liz. What I can’t believe is how you could even think about suspecting Kent — of all people.”
/>
“I’m just saying he’s the logical choice. Gary Burke had a whole week to bug you after you last talked to him, but you didn’t have a message until you’d dated Kent. And as I recall you didn’t see him that night, did you? You aren’t with him any time a message occurs, are you?”
“But why would he? What reason would he have to harass me?”
“To gain your trust. He’s protecting you now, isn’t he? He did it to get close to you. Mark my words you probably won’t ever get another bad message as long as he thinks he’s won you.”
“Well he hasn’t,” Jessie said pushing back her chair. She threw down her napkin on her unfinished sandwich. “I’ve gotta go. I have to think about this. If you’re right, Kent’s a real sicko. Sicker even than Gary Burke.”
****
Jessie was quiet after Kent picked her up at work. If he noticed she hadn’t said much, he didn’t question her. He seemed content that she was with him even if she wasn’t talking. He sang with the radio and winked at her a couple of times. Jessie squirmed trying hard not to think about what she and Liz had talked about at noon. But she remembered an occasion when she had first met Kent. She had been planning to send an e mail to her brother and she had asked Kent to help her do it. A perfect opportunity for him to see her address. If he wanted to he could probably conceal his return address on the messages. After all he knew a lot about computers.
At the apartment Kent helped Jessie toss a salad and cook pasta. After they’d eaten he stripped off his tie and relaxed by the TV. “Cooler tonight, thank God,” he remarked, then winked at her. “But the heat does bring out a good side of you I recall.”
Jessie ignored his sexual comment. “I think it’s gonna rain,” she said. “My left ear always gets red and itchy.”
He laughed. “You’re a strange girl.”
“And you?” Jessie asked. “Are you what you appear to be?”
He looked at her oddly. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Jessie stood in front of the sofa where Kent had stretched out. Her hands were joined tightly in front of her, and she swayed slightly, nervously. “I don’t need you to stay here any longer, Kent. I’ll be fine. I appreciate your help, but I don’t want you to live here.”
Kent looked up at her, drawing a blank face. “What’s wrong, Jessie? You don’t seem yourself tonight. Ever since you got in the car. Something’s different.”
She turned on her heel and threw a hostile glance his way over her shoulder. She moved into the kitchen area and stood by the counter. She was not only upset with him but also angry with herself, because the mere sight of his lanky frame lounging on her sofa turned her fingers to thumbs. A cup she’d been handling tumbled to the floor. She bent to retrieve it. “I’m fine. I said I want you to leave.”
He rose and walked closer to her but kept a small distance back. “Did I do something wrong? Didn’t I toss the salad right?” He attempted to joke. His smile was like the sun blasting out from behind a storm cloud. His eyes held hers with a steady gaze.
Jessie was of two minds and so confused her head spun. She frowned anxiously and with serious eyes she said, “Look, Kent. We moved too fast and I’m not ready. Last night was a mistake.”
“Oh. I suppose under the willow tree was another mistake. You said you loved me, Jessie.”
“I was wrong. I...I don’t know how I feel. I need some time.”
After a silent moment he answered. “Okay, if that’s how you feel. I’ll give you time. But, I’ll pick you up tomorrow, and tomorrow night I’ll stay for a while...if you want, and go home to sleep. How’s that?” His own mind had been thinking along that line ever since the morning he’d sniffed her scented gown. If she wanted him in her bed he’d be there. But if she refused him he couldn’t see how he could stay outside her bedroom and get any sleep at all.
“No,” she said. “I can’t even see you.”
“Jessie, for Christ’s sake.”
“Will you leave now? I don’t want to have to ask again.”
She walked away from him and he didn’t have a clue why. “All right, I’ll pack up.”
When he walked out a few minutes later, she didn’t say goodbye even though he had. The apartment was suddenly emptier than it had ever felt. Jessie crumpled on the sofa and tears sprang freely. Why was all this happening? Why couldn’t she find love like other people? Why was there always a catch? Was there no decent love left in the world?
Early Friday morning Jessie was awakened by the phone. It jolted and frightened her. Was he now harassing her by phone too? Then thinking of her mother she ran quickly to answer it.
“It’s Alan, Jessie. I’m at Mom’s. She’s in the hospital again. I got here today and she looks terrible. We had an argument over you, and suddenly she got white and couldn’t breathe. She’s been asking for you.”
Jessie bristled. “How could you upset her like that, Alan? Tell her I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
She hung up shaking. If only Kent was here to hold her. He couldn’t be the stalker, Liz had to be wrong. But still she couldn’t be sure. She didn’t know who to trust anymore. For sure she could count on Liz. She glanced at the wall clock...only 3:30 a.m. She couldn’t call Liz yet, but she couldn’t sleep either. She made herself tea and walked the floor. At four she decided to pack. She didn’t know how long she’d be home but she would take the first bus available in the morning...after calling in at work.
At six she called Liz. After explaining about her mother’s condition, Jessie loaded her worries onto Liz. “I don’t know what to do Liz. Last night I sent Kent home. I told him I needed space. Now I’m not sure I did the right thing. I want him with me. Do you think I should call him?”
“Absolutely not,” Liz’s shrill voice echoed through the receiver. “You did the right thing. Until you know who’s stalking you, you can’t trust him. I’ll drive you home. You shouldn’t go through this alone, and with the trouble between you and your brother, he’ll be no help to you.”
“But what about work?”
“I’ll call in sick.”
Good old Liz, always there in time of need. Jessie hung up and waited for Liz to arrive. By 7:10 they were on their way out the door. “Wait,” Liz said. “Did you check your mail this morning?”
“My e mail? No. I’m afraid to.”
“Do you mind if I punch it up?” Liz asked quickly.
Jessie gave her a hesitant glance. “I suppose not,” she said.
Liz stood in front of the monitor. “I was afraid of that,” she said in a low voice.
Jessie stepped up beside her and looked at the screen.
You shouldn’t have deceived me, my love. Only trouble will befall you now. Only heartache and maybe worse will prevail in your life, or what’s left of it.
Liz looked over at Jessie. “Are you thinking it’s him now?”
“I don’t know,” Jessie mumbled not wanting to accept the fact that the lovelorn message might be from Kent.
“I half expected this. That’s why I asked you to check,” Liz said. “It’s typical. He’s been cast off, let down. Now he’s getting back at you. I don’t think he’d seriously hurt you. He’s trying to scare you into calling him. He wants you back anyway he can get you. I was wrong before about Kent when I wanted him for myself. He’s not for you, Jessie, or me. Just let it go. She erased the message before Jessie’s intervention could stop her. “I thought you’d want to get rid of it,” Liz explained.
“No,” Jessie told her. “I had planned to keep the next one...for evidence, you know. If this keeps up I’ll have to go to the police. But Kent said I had no evidence.”
Liz stared at Jessie’s worried face and reached out to hug her. “I’m sorry, Jessie. I was just trying to help. I hate to say it, but he will probably keep this up. You’ll have all the evidence you need soon.”
“But why would he keep sending me e mails after telling me I should save them for evidence?”
“Kent’s a smart guy; perhaps h
e’s covered his tracks well enough so his e mail address can’t be discovered. I don’t know.”
****
At the arrival in Jessie’s home town, the girls drove directly to the hospital. Jessie was shocked to see her mother looking even thinner than she had looked the last time Jessie was home. When Jessie settled down beside her sleeping mother’s bed, Alan said he was leaving for a while.
“Are you going home, Alan?” Liz inquired.
Alan nodded and Liz suggested she go along and prepare a meal for later that night. After lunch, Alan and Liz returned bringing Jessie a sandwich from home. Alan sat with his mother who was now awake, while Liz and Jessie left the room and talked outside.
Jessie opened her sandwich and took a bite. “What did you and Alan talk about?” she asked.
“Lots of things,” Liz replied. “We even talked about you.”
Jessie grimaced. “Was it good or bad?”
“He told me about your feud. His version.”
“You mean they’re different?”
“Different points of view. He thinks you destroyed his relationship with Marcy. I told him it wasn’t your fault. Marcy seemed to be looking for an out, if she’d leave that easy. I think he’s seeing that finally.”
“You convinced him?”
“Maybe. He didn’t seem too angry with you. I think he’s getting over it.”
Jessie sighed. “It’s about time. It’s so silly.”
“It is,” Liz agreed, placing a hand on Jessie’s shoulder. “Especially now.”
Liz and Jessie rejoined Alan and around four they all went home. Emily told Jessie that Sandra was coming in that night, so they needn’t bother. Jessie watched Liz buzz around Alan and could plainly see that she’d taken a liking to him. And Alan seemed to like the attention. If only she and Kent had worked things out. Now that Liz was smitten with her brother she wouldn’t have to feel guilty being with Kent.
The next morning Liz was up first frying bacon and preparing a giant omelette.
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