A Guardian's Salvation

by Stein Willard

  Howard hovered around her the whole day, making his presence known, but she put him and her delectable mystery woman out of her mind. It was evident that everyone else on the set was puzzled by her good mood; she was cracking jokes between photos, making the models squeal with laughter.

  It was early evening when they started packing up. Realizing what time it was and what it meant, Jessica’s stomach clenched in anticipation of seeing Clarissa again. She could see Howard rushing over to her, but a tall redhead intercepted her before he could reach her. Jessica kept herself busy cleaning the lens of her camera. She’d expected the woman to seek her out, having seen her trying to make eye contact the whole day. Jessica had ignored the pointed looks.

  “See you tomorrow and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” The woman smiled brightly and pouted her lips sexily, before placing her hand on Jessica’s arm.

  “Yeah, yeah, whatever,” she responded still not looking up. “Enjoy your evening.” Jessica was vaguely aware that the woman was still standing there, looking at her.

  “I’ve missed the old Jess. Now that she’s resurfaced, please, tell her I haven’t changed my number. Will you?”

  This remark brought the dark head up and Jessica studied the delicate face of the woman. A few years ago, a remark like that would’ve sparked her interest almost immediately, resulting in a night of hot, sticky sex in a hotel room. But as gorgeous as Sharon Feather was, she simply wasn’t going to do. The girl had been dropping hints since their arrival in Cologne, two weeks ago, hoping for a repeat of their last encounter, almost four years ago. They’d been in the Seychelles for a photo-shoot and for the duration of the week, she’d slept with Sharon. Jessica had experienced pangs of guilt, and, upon her return, had taken Gabriella out to her favorite restaurant. Jessica made love to her that night as if her life depended on it.

  Thinking back to that time made her feel helplessly angry at herself for having lied to Gabriella, for spoiling such a good thing. But she was done with that part of her life. She was in love again and she wasn’t going to make the same mistakes. She smiled at Sharon.

  “That was a long time ago, Shaz. I’m not the same person anymore.” Her eyes were serious and she saw the wistful smile on Sharon’s face.

  “I’ve noticed. But it doesn’t mean that a girl can’t try.”

  Jessica shrugged, not knowing what to say. She was relieved when Howard arrived and cleared his throat, loudly.

  “Jess, the first set of prints is done. Do you want to check them quickly?”

  Sharon’s gaze moved from Jessica to Howard and she smiled.

  “You’re a lifesaver, Howie. Hope she pays you well for it.”

  Sharon leaned closer and planted a soft kiss on Jessica’s lips before she sauntered off.

  “She’s right, you know?” Howard said pointedly.

  “Forget it, Howie. You had a raise a few months ago.” She packed away her equipment and swung her camera bag over her shoulder.

  “OK. Let’s not talk about the raise now. I’m more interested in your date and why you’re so upbeat today. Did anything happen?” Howard’s blue eyes were wide with anticipation.

  She shook her head.

  “Not now, Howie. Let’s go look at the prints. I would like to take them back with me tonight.” She walked toward a group of girls who were looking at sheets of photo thumbnails laid out on a table.

  “I saved you from an uncomfortable situation and this is my thanks? You’re really not going tell me about your date, are you?” Howard said coolly and Jessica turned to look at him.

  “I will tell you, Nosy, but not now. OK?”

  Howard’s face lit up, as he fell into step with her. “I can’t wait to see you happy again, Jess.”

  Jessica gave him a warm smile. Sharon was right, Howie was a lifesaver. He’d been there for her through thick and thin. He was the first person she could think of when Gabriella kicked her out. She actually stayed over at his place for a few nights before she moved into a hotel. During her stay at his apartment he was so attentive to her. She was aware that he made up lame reasons to leave the flat, so she could be alone and cry if she wanted to. Jessica watched him, as he walked ahead of her to shoo the crowd away from the prints. She was grateful every day that she’d given him a chance even though his resume hadn’t been comparable to those of the other candidates. Howie was worth the risk and more.

  She reached the group and Howie quickly handed the prints to her. Scanning through them she saw that they were all quite good. Gloria would have a tough time to select the best ones. Jessica was so engrossed in flipping through the pictures that she hadn’t noticed the silence which fell around her.

  “Jess …”

  “Yes, Howard.” She answered without looking up from the prints. This picture is the best of the batch. Jessica studied the thumbnail closely. Maybe she could make a few recommendations to assist Gloria with the selection process.

  “Jess …”

  This time she looked up, annoyed, but found that Howard wasn’t looking at her. Actually … no one was. Everyone was staring at the door behind her. Jessica turned around, intrigued. She blinked in shock when she saw what had captured everyone’s attention.

  Dressed in a black, lightweight, cotton shirt tucked into black dress pants, Clarissa looked indefinably sexy. Jessica felt her knees go weak at the sight and she quickly shrugged the heavy camera bag off her shoulder before the added weight made her crumple in a heap on the floor. She handed the pictures to Howard, but when he didn’t take them, she threw a quick glance his way. He seemed transfixed by Clarissa’s appearance.

  “Howie, take the pictures and close your mouth,” she muttered under her breath. She turned to the rest of the crew who were all still staring at Clarissa, too. “The rest of you can pack up. We have one more day to unwind before we head home. Howard will brief you on the travel schedule.”

  Feeling rather self-conscious since she knew the crew was watching her, she walked over to where Clarissa stood. Jessica was pleasantly surprised when Clarissa leaned forward and pressed their lips together. Her knees buckled slightly at the soft touch and Jessica felt Clarissa’s hand shoot out to steady her by lifting Jessica up against her body. She stood back and looked into amused brown eyes.

  “You’re surprisingly strong,” she murmured lamely. She took a deep breath to steady herself. “I didn’t realize it was so late already.”

  Clarissa just smiled. “Are you ready to go?”

  She nodded and quickly went to retrieve her bag and give last minute instructions to a beaming Howard, before returning to Clarissa’s side.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I know of a small restaurant nearby. Here, let me carry your bag for you.”

  Jessica didn’t protest and handed the heavy bag over to Clarissa. She recalled the blonde’s strength and smiled inwardly. Whoever decided to grab her bag today better have good medical insurance. The woman had literally lifted her off her feet with just one arm. She looked at Clarissa and found the brown eyes resting on her.

  “Are you OK?”

  Jessica smiled and reached for Clarissa’s hand

  “Yes, let’s go.”

  Chapter 8

  Clarissa took Jessica to a small, family-owned Italian restaurant, where they shared a large plate of pasta and finished off a bottle of red wine. Clarissa didn’t eat much and at Jessica’s questioning look, explained that she’d had a late lunch. Instead, she settled back with her glass of wine and watched Jessica, as the photographer ate. It was still almost unbelievable to think that she had finally found Jessica. She had dreamed of this day. Clarissa’s eyes traced each and every line on Jessica’s face, and she was shocked to find herself becoming aroused the longer she looked at Jessica. How could anyone blame her? With the flickering light of the candle throwing dark, mysterious shadows that highlighted the strong planes of her beautiful face and the lightness of her grey eyes, Jessica was simply exquisite. At that exact moment, the
grey eyes looked up and Clarissa felt as if she’d been punched in the stomach. Jessica’s expression was so tender that Clarissa had to gentle her touch quickly, before she crushed the stem of the glass. She slowly placed the glass on the table.

  “What happens now that the shoot is over and done with?”

  Jessica just took a long sip from her glass. Clarissa could sense the sudden spurt of anxiety coming off Jessica.

  “I’m flying out the day after tomorrow,” Jessica said softly and closely studied Clarissa. Knowing that Jessica was gauging her reaction, Clarissa kept her expression mildly curious. “I take it you will remain here?” Jessica added, after a while.

  Clarissa nodded. “I can’t say for sure how much longer I will be held up here.” She leaned closer until her face was just a few inches away from the grey eyes. The brown eyes caressed the gorgeous face with a lingering look. “I would like to know if you will wait for me until I am back in New York.” She saw the surprised look on Jessica’s face and then the expression quickly changed to one of utter relief, making Clarissa smile. “Will you?”

  The grey eyes softened and Clarissa found herself closing the slight distance and pressing her lips against Jessica’s. The kiss was brief and gentle, but she felt the effects all the way down to her toes. She had promised herself that she would take it slow, but it was incredibly difficult to remember her promise when Jessica kissed her back like this. When she sat back, she found Jessica’s eyes were still tightly shut. They slowly fluttered open and the amazing kaleidoscope of expressions in them stunned Clarissa.

  “I’ll wait for you as long as you want me to.” Jessica’s naturally husky voice was even deeper now. “Just hurry back to me.”

  “I will do that, Jess.”

  †

  Hearing the tenderness in Clarissa’s voice almost made her cry. Was this it? Had she finally found her soul mate? She shivered at the thought of never seeing this woman again. Never hearing her say her name again. She would definitely wait for her. Jessica’s hand reached for her wine glass, but the emotions rushing through her manifested in a slight tremble of her hand. She looked at Clarissa and found the brown eyes looking at her with a loving expression. Offering a shaky smile, Jessica pulled her hand back, scared she might spill the contents of her glass on the tablecloth. She stiffened slightly when she felt the soft touch on her ankle.

  “It is just me.” The soft admission made her heart thump louder until it droned out the sounds of the other diners. Her whole being zeroed in on the beautiful woman sitting opposite her. “You are extremely beautiful,” Clarissa said.

  Jessica inhaled deeply. What more could happen to make the night more spectacular than it was already? She couldn’t look away from the mesmerizing, brown eyes which stared at her with an undecipherable look. They didn’t talk, as they just stared at each other.

  “Would you like to go for a walk? But first, we need to finish this bottle.”

  Jessica nodded and drained the contents of her glass in one gulp. She raised her eyebrows at Clarissa, as the blonde lifted the bottle and began to fill her glass for her. Clarissa’s brown eyes rested on Jessica and not on the glass she was filling. The level of the wine was rising at an alarming rate and just when Jessica wanted to cry out, Clarissa pulled the bottle back. Jessica felt a slow shudder run through her at the look in Clarissa’s eyes. Clarissa wasn’t doing a good job of hiding her desire.

  “You seem nervous.” Clarissa studied Jessica over the rim of her glass.

  Jessica stared, sighing inwardly. Yes, I am and it’s your fault. Next you will want to take me to my hotel and make love to me … and I’m so scared of failing you.

  The brown eyes darkened slightly and Jessica got the eerie sensation that Clarissa was reading her mind, or at least sensing more than she was willing to show. The expression in the brown eyes didn’t change, as Clarissa handed her the glass. Jessica quickly looked away. She took a sip of her wine. Mindreading? Where did that come from? Maybe the wine was stronger than she thought.

  “I’m not really nervous. I think I might just be more than a little tipsy.”

  Out of the corner of her eyes, Jessica saw Clarissa place her wine glass on the table and sit back to look at her. “Do I scare you?”

  Surprised, Jessica quickly looked up into the dark eyes. They were unreadable, but she didn’t see menace in them. What a strange question to ask, she thought.

  I have this strange reassurance that you wouldn’t hurt me, not even if you wanted to. She saw a shocked look flash in Clarissa’s eyes. Her insides shuddered. Could it be? No, it’s impossible. The only way to know was put it to the test and she mentally psyched herself up for what she was about to do. She looked deeply into the dark eyes.

  < Can you read my mind?>

  †

  Clarissa kept her expression unreadable, but she did answer.

 

  She held her breath and waited. First, she saw the confusion on Jessica’s face, then disbelief and then alarm. Clarissa grimaced inwardly. Now, Jessica would surely freak out and run screaming from the restaurant. She steeled herself for what she knew would come. But it never came.

  The grey eyes widened and widened until Clarissa was scared that they might pop out of their sockets. Still, Jessica just stared at her, a fusion of emotions on her face, not all good.

  “Are you OK, Jess?” she asked carefully.

  For a moment she saw panic register in the grey eyes and she flinched. If Jessica was reacting like this to her mind reading ability, how would she react to the revelation of what Clarissa really was? She slowly lowered her gaze, afraid that Jessica would see the fear in her eyes.

  Jessica’s tone was timid.

  The soft question made Clarissa look up quickly and she saw shock registering in the grey eyes. She closed her eyes slowly and wished Jonas or any of the other powerful Royals were around to help her diffuse the situation. When she opened them again, Jessica was still staring at her with a look of expectation.

  “Yes, it was me.” She said the words out loud and Jessica reared back in her chair. Although Clarissa suspected as much, it was obvious that Jessica wasn’t ready for the verbal admission.

  “But … But … How?”

  “It is a long story.”

  Jessica still didn’t take her eyes off Clarissa. “I have time,” came the surprisingly firm reply.

  Still, Clarissa hesitated “You are not ready to know the truth yet.”

  “What are you talking about? What truth?” The grey eyes now held a look of raw suspicion. Jessica shifted to the edge of her chair, as if ready to take flight any moment. If only she knew how futile it would be to run away from a vampire, Clarissa thought sadly. For the first time in a very long time she hated what she was. Pushing aside the dark thoughts, she lifted her hand and signaled for the waiter who quickly made his way over to their table. She asked for the bill, acutely aware of Jessica’s eyes on her. When the waiter left, she turned her head and looked straight at Jessica. It is now or never. She needed to test Jessica. Tonight. Clarissa somehow knew it was too early, considering their fragile reunion, but Jessica needed to know. She needed to know before things…feelings…grew stronger still and it became impossible to disconnect.

  “I am a psychic. A very powerful one.” She said softly and saw a range of emotions crossing Jessica’s face. “Hence my ability to read minds.”

  Jessica’s eyes narrowed and Clarissa was tempted to read her mind, but stopped herself. If she was going to give the woman a chance to absorb everything, even the half-truths, she wanted Jessica to voice her opinions, justify her reactions. Verbalize her fears.

  †

  Jessica looked at Clarissa and she suddenly feared her. Feared her so much that the hair on her head was standing up and her palms were becoming sweaty. The brown eyes remained unreadable, unthreatening, but there was something lurking behind them. Something she knew she was scared to decipher. Something she knew would sca
re her even more.

  She swallowed hard. If Clarissa could read her mind, she didn’t want the other woman to know of her fear, especially not when she herself didn’t know why exactly she feared her. “You’re hiding something from me,” she said in a shaky voice and reached for her glass. So much for hiding her fear, because her hand shook so much that almost half the contents of the glass spilled onto the pristine, white tablecloth. As if in a dream, she watched as the red stain grew bigger and bigger and her fear escalated. Blood. It looked like blood. She quickly looked up and was shocked to see an ill-disguised, predatory look in Clarissa’s eyes. Or was it just the play of shadows caused by the candlelight? She blinked hard. A soft cough sounded and the waiter gently placed the bill on the table, right in the center. Clarissa’s hand reached out for it, but Jessica beat her to it. She quickly jerked her hand away, scared of… She bit down on her lower lip and felt her heart break at the mere thought of why she was scared. When she looked at Clarissa, her heart shattered at the look of anguish in the blonde’s eyes. She knew. She knew that I was scared of her touch. She averted her gaze and pointed at bill.

  “Allow me.”

  The brown eyes narrowed slightly, as Clarissa held the bill out of reach.

  “I invited you, Jess, so I am paying.”

  Jessica shook her head and reached for the inside of her jacket, pulling out her wallet and slipping out her credit card. “I insist,” she said.

  Clarissa stared at her for a long moment before she shrugged.

  “OK, next time will be on me.” It was only once the words were out that Jessica realized what she’d said. Next time? Was there even going to be a next time? She saw a faint smile tug at Clarissa’s lips before the blonde nodded. The waiter materialized next to their table and disappeared just as quickly. They waited in silence. Clarissa didn’t speak and nor did Jessica try to break the silence. As a matter fact, she doubted she could even think of anything to say to break the tension.