Faking It

by Winters, Jade

  As Brooke lay down, weariness enveloped her as she attempted to concentrate on the anonymous hotel painting of flowers in a field. As tension ebbed away, Brooke sank into an exhausted sleep.

  ***

  The room was darker than before. Opening her eyes, Brooke felt as if she’d been thrown from a nightmare. Her first reaction was panic. Where was she? She shifted, as though to rise to her feet, but realised there was a warm hand wrapped around her waist. Unconsciously, it tightened its hold on her at her movement. Brooke turned her head to look over her shoulder. Seeing Danni, she relaxed. Right, the hotel…

  Settling back down on the pillow, she leaned over and flipped the switch on the lamp next to her. Looking down towards her feet, she noticed her shoes had been removed and the duvet pulled up around her. Now, though, it rested across her hips. She shivered as a cold breeze blew in through the open window. Grabbing the duvet, she moved to tug it higher. It caught and when she pulled again, she could see the problem. Danni had slept on top of the covers. Her body weight now had the duvet held fast. Turning to face her, she paused to study her features. Her soft skin, her cheekbones, the delicacy of her features and for the first time, she noticed a small beauty spot just by the base of her ear.

  Brooke reached forward and pushed a loose strand of hair away from Danni’s eye and lingered, letting her finger trail down to her perfectly proportioned lips.

  It was supposed to be a gentle, soft caress. Brooke didn’t expect Danni to wake. When Danni opened her mouth, her eyes sprang open, too. She was watching her, sleepiness instantly gone.

  “Brooke?”

  Brooke jerked back. “Sorry I didn’t mean to wake you,” Brooke whispered.

  Danni smiled lazily. “Don’t worry. I’m a light sleeper plus I liked what you were doing.”

  Brooke looked confused.

  “You look surprised,” Danni said.

  “I am, considering you’re not–”

  Sitting up on her elbow, Danni leaned over her. “What? I’m not gay?”

  “That and because you’re engaged.”

  Danni stammered, “Not any more. Look, well, Josh and I, we’re not together anymore. I’m not engaged.”

  “What? Why didn’t you tell me? Oh God, look at us both. This really is Heartbreak Hotel.”

  “I didn’t get a chance to say anything after what happened today – there didn’t seem to be an appropriate moment.”

  “I’m so sorry, Danni. So sorry.”

  “It’s okay. Look, I really don’t want to talk about it now. Can we just focus on you? How are you feeling?” she said leaning up on her elbow.

  “Better. Much better.” She couldn’t believe it but she actually did. It was as if by releasing Megan, she had somehow been given a new lease of life. She now realised that loving Megan had been a curse rather than the blessing it should be.

  “I can’t wait to start making new changes in my life. I feel ready to be me again.”

  “Good for you, Brooke. What’s your first mission?”

  “To be more bold, more impulsive.”

  “Hmm, that could get you in a lot of trouble.”

  “I don’t care. Being careful up until now hasn’t exactly made my life a bundle of joy. I want to be more like you. Carefree and fun loving.”

  “I like you just the way you are, Brooke. Don’t change a thing. She cheated on you because she has a problem. It has nothing to do with you. You’re everything anybody could wish for in a woman.”

  Danni cupped Brooke’s face with her free hand. The two women stared at one other intently. There was a closeness between them now that seemed to make them completely unafraid to expose their vulnerabilities. Two souls meeting, sharing one precious moment. With assumed tranquillity, but an inward tremor, Brooke leaned forward and pressed her lips against the nape of Danni’s neck.

  An electrifying shudder reverberated through her as she moved her mouth over Danni’s with a hunger that belied her outward calm. Their kiss was a glorious embrace of tongues, a mimic of intercourse; all heat, moisture, thrusting, and writhing. When they came up for air, both panting heavily, Brooke saw how dark Danni’s eyes had become and knew hers were probably the same. Danni wanted her. Desired her. And Brooke felt the same heady lust.

  Brooke’s fingers moved down Danni’s neck, leading the way for her tongue and lips. Danni arched to allow her full access and took advantage of Brooke’s preoccupation to slip button after button free from her shirt. Each unbuttoning exposed more of her womanly attributes. As Brooke nipped at the curve where Danni’s shoulder and neck met, she snaked her hand into the front of her jeans. She worked the zipper down then, anxious to touch her. How would she feel?

  Danni’s fingers grasped Brookes and pulled them away. Holding them, she pressed their palms together.

  “Are you sure about this?” Danni asked.

  “More than anything,” Brooke answered, using her hands to emphasise the point. Running them down Danni’s sides, she placed her hands possessively on her breasts. She paused to trace the toned muscles of her stomach, then slid her fingers to her hipbones and down the sleekness of her thighs. Despite the layer of clothing between her palms and her skin, the heated warmth of Danni enticed her. Danni was on fire. For her.

  Neither said a word as Brooke straddled Danni’s waist, the weight of her body pressing Danni down into the bed beneath her. Consumed with passion, she took hold of Danni’s wrists and pinned them above her head. Leaning over her, eyeing her flushed face with a look of burning intent, the thrill of desire coursed through her veins as she lowered her mouth onto Danni’s. Rocking back and forth on her knees, her hot wet tongue glided around the outline of Danni’s soft lips.

  Brooke’s breathing deepened, quickened as she smiled down at her playmate. What she saw in Danni’s eyes was the look of total surrender. Intoxicated by the moment, Brooke teased Danni’s lips apart, darting her tongue in and out with a mixture of light and forceful strokes until at last their tongues met again in a long passionate kiss. Danni attempted to free her hands from Brooke’s grip.

  “You’re too impatient,” Brooke said.

  “But I’ve waited for this for so long.”

  Brooke released her grip on Danni, sat back on her heels and moved her hands to her shirt, slowly releasing it one button at a time. Brooke’s shirt fell from her body, revealing a toned body with firm breasts half-covered by a black bra. Danni let out a moan as she reached out to touch them.

  Brooke laughed. “Soon.” She then slid from the bed and slipped out of the confines of her tight jeans, knickers, and bra. Danni lifted herself off the bed and stood before Brooke. Leaning down, Danni’s tongue caressed Brooke’s sensitive swollen nipple with tantalising possessiveness. The thrill from her touch sent the pit of her stomach into a wild whirl. Adrenaline raced through Brooke’s body. She tore at Danni’s clothes with wild impatience until they were both naked. Her senses went into a spin. Is this really happening?

  Brooke’s lips pressed hard against Danni’s mouth until they both fell back onto the bed, hands roaming restlessly over each other’s body. Her skin tingled as her hand squeezed Danni’s breast firmly, rolling her erect nipple between her fingertips.

  Brooke slipped her hand down Danni’s body, parting her thighs for a gentle exploration of her womanhood. Danni rolled over onto her back, moaning softly as Brooke slid her fingers inside her. Danni arched her back in anticipation of every thrust, her breathing increasing, faster and deeper as Brooke felt Danni’s muscles contract every time she entered her.

  Brooke’s heartbeat throbbed against her ear as she enjoyed the warmth of Danni’s juices. She is so wet.

  Brooke closed her mouth over Danni’s nipple, the tip of her tongue caressing, licking it as excitement steadily rose in her own body. Manoeuvring herself back on top of Danni, Brooke rubbed herself over Danni’s engorged clitoris. Brooke teased Danni with firm strokes. Danni groaned louder, lifting her hips off the bed as she clamped her hands over Brooke
’s backside, pressing her down harder, grinding in rhythm with her. Brooke lifted her face back to Danni’s, her tongue finding renewed pleasure in the warmth of her lover’s mouth.

  With a fevered groan, Danni buried her face in Brooke’s neck. “Oh my … God, Brooke!”

  Brooke felt Danni convulse in pleasure as she was hurtled to the point of no return, still rhythmically moving her hips to prolong the moment.

  Danni pulled Brooke’s knees apart enabling Brooke to straddle her. With her hand underneath her, Danni stroked Brooke’s clit whilst teasing her nipple with her tongue. For Brooke it was too much to bear, she grabbed Danni’s hand and forced her fingers inside her. Brooke rode Danni hard, all of the hurt and anger towards Megan melted away as Brooke was drawn to a height of passion she had never known before. She collapsed forward, Danni still inside her, and pressed her lips to Danni’s, savouring her softness.

  All she wanted in her life now was Danni – her body and her mind – all of her.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  A dull grey light edged around the break in the curtain, the hypnotic sound of heavy rain and forceful winds sounded outside the window. Brooke wasn’t in any rush to get up. She wasn’t ready for reality to intrude on what was an incredible moment. She wanted to savour it for as long as she could. For the past hour, Brooke had been watching Danni while she slept.

  Brooke felt a sense of freedom and gratitude for the lucky escape she’d had when she woke that morning. If she hadn’t found out about the other woman, how long would Megan have strung her along for? In her heart she knew the answer. For as long as she could without getting caught.

  Danni stirred beside her, opening her eyes, a lazy smile stretched along her lips.

  “Good morning,” Brooke said tracing her finger along Danni’s collar bone, her nerves ignited by just one touch.

  Danni smiled. “Yes it is isn’t it? Unless you’re going to say you regret anything.”

  “No. No, I’m not.”

  “Good. I thought I was going to wake up this morning and realise it had all been a dream.”

  “Believe me, that was no dream. I’ve got the scratches to prove it.”

  Danni buried her face in the pillow. “Oh no. I’m sorry about that. I got a bit, you know, carried away.”

  Brooke laughed. “Did you hear me complaining?”

  Danni peeked up at her. “Actually no, I didn’t.” She blushed.

  Brooke leaned over and burrowed her face into her chest, caressing her breast with her cheek. “I remember. I was there after all.”

  Danni kissed the top of her head. “Listen, if you have any further improper intentions, I’m going to have to take a shower first.”

  Brooke rolled over onto her back. “I’ll go in after you. I’ll order breakfast now. What do you fancy?”

  “You, with ketchup, in a baguette,” Danni joked, as she climbed over Brooke, jumped down onto the floor, and headed for the bathroom.

  Just as she reached the door, Brooke said, “You never did tell me about you and Josh splitting up last night.”

  “Ahh yes. About that.” She walked back towards the bed.

  Brooke’s mobile rang and she glanced at it on the bedside table. “Shit. Sorry. It’s Roy. I emailed him to tell him I wouldn’t be in for a few days. He’s probably pissed off with me.” She reached across and grabbed it.

  “Oh no. I’ll go and have a quick shower then tell you about it over breakfast.”

  As Danni strode back towards the bathroom and shut the door behind her, Brooke slid open her phone.

  “Hi Roy, I…”

  “Are you alone?”

  Brooke jerked up into a sitting position, alerted by the sound of his voice. “Um, yes. Is everything okay?”

  “No, not really.”

  She frowned. Was there something wrong with one of her edits? Was he having problems with an author? “What’s happened?”

  Roy was silent for a few seconds before letting out a long breath. “It seems my son has made a fool out of me.”

  “Josh?”

  “Yes, Josh. Apparently he thought it would be funny to pull the wool over my eyes.”

  Brooke swung her legs over the side of the bed and scanned the floor for her hair band. All the while holding the phone between her head and shoulder. Upon finding it she quickly pulled her hair into a bunch on top of her head, “I’m sorry Roy. I’m not following you.”

  “Let’s just say there won’t be any wedding, no grandchildren. Nothing. Ever.”

  Was that why they had broken up? Josh had met someone else? If this was the case, poor Danni, it seemed was in the same boat as her. “Oh Roy. I’m sorry to hear that. But he’ll meet someone else. He’s only young yet. He’ll meet another lucky lady.”

  “That’s the point Brooke. He won’t because he’s GAY!”

  The words just didn’t make sense. “He’s what?”

  “You heard me. Gay and so is his make-believe wife.”

  The revelation hit Brooke full force. “Danni’s gay?”

  “Yes. Apparently so.”

  She hung her head between her legs, unable to comprehend what she was being told. “Are you sure you don’t mean bisexual, that–”

  “–I know the difference Brooke, and no, my son has no interest in women whatsoever. Danni is the one who has an eye for the ladies not Josh.”

  So that was why Danni seemed so experienced in bed last night. She felt humiliated, lied to – again.

  “But why Roy? Why would they do this? I don’t understand?”

  “I wish I knew. I got an email from Josh last night, but I only just read it this morning.”

  “And he didn’t say why?”

  “Not exactly. He said some odd things in the email. Anyway, I’ll be finding out this morning when I pay them both a visit. I really hope that boy has a good excuse for pulling this little stunt.”

  Brooke’s heart was heavy with shock and disappointment. Why had Danni lied to her? Why didn’t she tell her the truth before they had slept together? She fought to hide her own turmoil.

  “I’ll see you when I come in, Roy. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay, Brooke. Sounds like you’ve got your own problems. I read your email about Megan. I’m so sorry my dear. Take a few days off and get your head together.”

  “Thanks, Roy. I appreciate your understanding and I hope you sort things out with Josh.”

  “Thanks, Brooke. I just wish I understood why he lied. Anyway, I’ll see you soon.”

  Brooke dropped back on the bed and threw her phone down.

  Danni was gay. She could barely believe it. What the fuck was wrong with the world? Didn’t anyone tell the truth anymore? Rising once more, she gathered her clothes together, putting them on in a rush. She must be the biggest fool going – first Megan and now Danni. She had trusted Danni. She thought she was a genuine person. But she wasn’t. She was just like Megan.

  Danni emerged from the bathroom smiling as she rubbed her head with a fluffy white towel. She looked startled when she saw Brooke getting dressed.

  “Hey, I thought we were going hang out here some more, before you went home.”

  “Was that before or after you told me about Josh?”

  Danni walked to her side and rubbed her arm. “Oh, please don’t worry about that. It was amicable. I will tell you all about it later.”

  Brooke shrugged it off, pulling her jumper roughly over her head. “You mean it was never on in the first place.”

  Danni’s face creased with confusion, her cheeks pale. “Sorry?”

  “Don’t play coy with me Danni. Your stupid game is up,” she said, choking on her own words.

  Shock lit up in Danni’s eyes. “Game? I don’t see–”

  Brooke ran her hand over her face trying to quell her anger. She could feel the blood racing to her cheeks.

  “Oh God. Are you kidding me? Are you going to continue to lie even though your stupid little secret is out in the open? I know about you and
Josh, Danni. You and your fake engagement.”

  She started for the door and Danni went after her, grabbing her arm.

  “Please. Brooke wait,” she pleaded. “How? Who told you?”

  “Does it matter? The most important thing here is that it wasn’t you.”

  “Please Brooke, just sit down a minute and let me explain. I promise you’ll understand when I tell you. It wasn’t supposed to hurt anyone.”

  Brooke was drained. “Well it has.”

  Danni opened her mouth to speak but before she could Brooke said, “Do you know what? Just save it. I don’t want to know. I have had it with being made a fool out of. What is wrong with people and their games, stupid bloody games!”

  She opened the door, stepped outside and headed down the hallway.

  Danni stood at the doorway in a towel, calling after her. “Please Brooke, believe me when I say this had nothing to do with how I feel about you. It’s not a game. I really care about you. I’m falling in love with you.”

  Brooke stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around. “Love? Don’t make me laugh. Do you even know the meaning of the word? If you did, you’d know how important trust is.”

  Before Danni could respond, Brooke turned to the fire escape and disappeared through the door.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Danni staggered around the hotel room in a daze, attempting to get dressed.

  What the hell had just happened? How had Brooke found out about her and Josh? Pangs of regret tore at her heart.

  She chastised herself. Why hadn’t she told her the truth last night? This morning? Because you’re a bloody idiot that’s why. Always putting things off, thinking they could get done another day. Why oh why hadn’t she gone with her gut instinct? She knew no good could come from lying. Her good intentions to help a friend had gone horrifically wrong.

  This was a mess of her own making.

  She slipped into her jeans, tied her wet hair into a ponytail and left the room.