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CHAPTER 48 It was obscenely late. Even Geneveve was probably in bed, all partied out for the night. Jessie had been sleeping quite calmly, dreaming a softly erotic dream with hair dye and ribbons, which whoever was now pounding on her door had seen fit to cut to a premature end. She moaned, putting her arm over her face. Maybe the intruder would go away or someone would call hotel security. But the pounding just kept on, and after another futile moan, she stretched and got out of bed. Muttering to herself about indecent American hotel staff, she somehow found her way to the door and opened it. Jessie found herself face to face with a flushed Kim Kissably, her hand still held up, knuckles a bit red from the knocking. Kim grabbed Jessie and spun them both into the room, letting the door fall shut behind her. “Jess!” Kim hugged her, then let go and threw herself across Jessie’s bed, swinging a small backpack over herself. “S’ guess what’s in here?” “What the hell are you doing up so late?” Kim let out an exasperated breath and sat up, crossing her legs. “I--” she drew it out “--am getting my hair dyed.” She opened the backpack and showed Jessie the container of blue, which was good for one more dyeing before they had to start searching American stores to see if they carried any good brands. “Do you have any clue what time it is?” “No, not especially. Should I?” Kim grinned up at Jessie. “C’mon, grrly, dye my hair.” She bounced. “Please? Pretty, pretty please? Pretty, pretty, pretty please with a cherry on top? C’mon, luv...” Jessie couldn’t help but smile a little as she eased herself onto the bed beside Kim. “You’re perky tonight.” “It’s that obvious, huh?” “Truth to be told, Ms. Kissably, I don’t like cherries.” Looking mortally wounded, Kim drew the backpack up to herself and cradled it, whispering reassuring things like she wouldn’t let the evil cherry-hating lady at it. This made Jessie start laughing, so Kim grinned. “There, you aren’t so frigid anymore. Dye my hair?” “Tell me what you are doing up so late.” “Don’t you mean who?” Kim giggled, then put her finger up to her lips. “Ssh.” She looked around sneakily, still giggling. “Don’t tell Elvyn.” Jessie took a breath then let it out. She attempted again, somehow not finding any words she could use to respond to this. The best she could manage was a name. “Dave.” “Dye my hair, lovely-grrl. It’s getting all yuck. Please. Don’t make me beg, because you know I will.” Jessie got off the bed, not looking at her. “Aw, Jess...” Kim got on her knees, a bit unsteady as the mattress settled under her. She clasped her hands together. “I pray thee, m’lady, dye my hair.” She giggled. “God, I sound like Acwellen, stop me! Grrl... Jessie-grrl... C’mon. If you don’t dye my hair, I’ll just stay here all night taunting you with obscene images. Please?” She pouted. “Okay, fine, in ten seconds, I’m going to start stripping naked and not letting you join me if you don’t dye my hair. In ten, nine, eight, seven, six--” “Fine.” Jessie grabbed the backpack and stalked into the bathroom, leaving Kim behind and a bit bewildered. Kim gathered herself and jumped off the bed. “You’re quick t’night, Jess-luv.” She set herself down on the edge of the bathtub. Jessie didn’t even glance at Kim’s face once as she found a brush, then opened the container of hair dye. “Hm.” Kim was staring up at Jessie with childish, playful eyes. She brushed the hair back from Jessie’s face. “I’m sure y’ remember how to do this. My Jessie grrl. Pick up the streak, rub it all in, leave it to sit, wash it out, play time! Right?” Jessie said nothing as she carefully separated the two fading blue streaks, then began to apply the dye. As she worked, never speaking or meeting Kim’s eyes, Kim kept trying to catch hers. She pouted and simpered, stared at Jessie with heat and need and wonder. She touched her as though every move was an experiment, then only pouted and started again when she got brushed aside. It took until her hair had been rinsed out for her to actually get mad at Jessie. “Am I not good enough for you to play back, or what? You’re never the hesitant one, remember?” Jessie walked out of the bathroom, still silent. Kim went after her. “We never agreed to be exclusive.” That made Jessie flinch. “Hell, we never once admitted that we were real, even though everyone’s known for the longest time! So don’t get all bloody upset when the game doesn’t go your way!” Jessie whirled around to face Kim. “Is that all this is to you? A game?” “Well, a relationship isn’t something to be afraid of and hide from!” Not even giving Jessie the chance to respond this time, Kim stalked out. Jessie sank down on her bed, crying. She covered her face with her hands, reminding herself that Kim was impulsive. Kim was a free spirit. Kim couldn’t be held down. Not even for her. Only minutes passed before the doorknob was rattling. Jessie got up, wiping at her tears, and opened the door. Kim was in her arms, sobbing. “I’m sorry, Jessie. I’m sorry. I need you. Please. Take me back.” Jessie kissed Kim’s hair. “Always.” She shut the door and led Kim to her bed. |
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Talk to LL,
the author. |