Winter's Role, page 6
Surprised at Jessie’s appearance, Joanie was taken aback at first. Then, collecting herself, she said, “Jessie…I didn’t know you were here. I thought you went home last Sunday?”
“I did,” Jessie answered evenly, not allowing the woman’s attitude to ruin her sense of calm. “I came back into town Friday evening.”
“For Christ’s sake, Joanie,” Stephanie huffed. “What? Do you keep track of who comes and goes in and out of my bed now, too?”
“Of course not!” the woman answered, seemingly shocked by the very suggestion. “I do watch over you though, Stephanie. That is my job.” She turned to Jessie. “So, what brings you back into town so soon?”
“It’s none of your business, Joanie!” Stephanie yelled. Her face was turning red and her hands were balling into fists.
Jessie had never seen Stephanie so upset and angry. Well…with the exception of the argument they’d had right before Steph left to return to LA, she hadn’t. Stepping in front of her to block her view of Joanie, she said quietly, “Steph…it’s okay. I can handle her. Don’t let her get to you.”
Green eyes flashing, Stephanie looked at her. Through gritted teeth, she ground out, “You have no idea how often she’s interfered, Jessie. I’m sick and tired of this.”
“You’re right, I don’t. But there are ways to deal with this,” she reached out and placed her hands on Stephanie’s shoulders.
“So, Jessie,” Joanie’s sarcastic voice broke through their conversation. “Is it true that you told Nancy you would break up with Stephanie before you let her throw her career away for you?”
Jessie stiffened immediately at the question, Stephanie looking into her eyes. Blinking slowly, she didn’t turn away from the questioning gaze. “Don’t let her do this to us, Steph,” she whispered. Then, needing to explain, she said, “Your mom came to me that day at the house…after we’d talked about you staying? You were taking a nap, and I was down in the studio. She was worried about you.”
Stephanie clenched her jaw, but said nothing. She remembered that day very well. She’d woke up in the middle of the night, Jessie wrapped in her arms. It had been so comfortable in the bed. She couldn’t believe how happy and content she was, even with the attack only the week before. She’d been so overwhelmed by everything…It had been a spontaneous confession which prompted her to offer to leave everything and stay in Ohio, waking Jessie in the process. But Jessie had refused to ask her to stay. She’d told her she’d resent the decision, and her, eventually, and she’d been right. Still, she woke up that morning upset, and her mother had convinced her of the rightness of Jessie’s words.
Neither one of them had mentioned to her that they’d spoken about it, though. And that irritated her. Still, looking into Jessie’s eyes, she couldn’t be mad at her for it. She knew her mother well enough to know that Nancy had instigated the conversation. Her mother had simply been watching out for her.
When Stephanie only looked into her eyes, Jessie took a deep breath. Joanie had no business bringing that up. But, she didn’t seem like she was above something like that. Especially if she thought it had been a secret and it could break them up. Letting her hands slide down to Stephanie’s, she gripped them tightly and smiled sadly. When Stephanie squeezed her hands back in support, she turned to face the smaller woman.
“Yes, it’s true. She was concerned that Steph would give up everything to stay with me,” Jessie answered, looking Joanie right in the eye. “I made sure Nancy understood that I would do whatever I could to keep Steph from doing that. I know you don’t trust me, and that’s fine. But I swear to you…I have nothing but Steph’s best interests at heart.”
She stood looking at Joanie as the woman struggled for something to say. Before she could come up with anything however, Jessie went on. “I’ll tell you something else, too. I love Stephanie more than anything else in this world. And if you think, even for a minute, that you’re going to change that…Think again. To be honest, I don’t care if you like me or not. But Stephanie does. So, we can all try to get along, or you can continue to try and control every decision she makes. It’s up to you how you want to play this. Personally, I’ve found that she’s quite astute at making her own decisions.”
The room fell silent then, as Joanie stood stunned by Jessie’s speech. She’d never met anyone who had stood up to her like that before. Stephanie, on the other hand, after chewing on her lower lip for a moment, finally asked, “So, just why were you talking to my mother, anyway?”
Joanie recovered enough to answer. “Oh Stephanie, please! You didn’t really think I was just going to take your word about Jessie, now did you? I spoke to your mother and Mr. Mason. I also ran a background check on her.”
Jessie’s eyebrows rose hearing that, but she didn’t say anything. She couldn’t really fault the woman. If anything, she was extremely thorough. In the hallway, she heard the phone ringing but ignored it.
“You what? Who the Hell do you think you are? My mom! And Jessie’s boss? Mr. Mason wasn’t aware of our relationship, Joanie. If you’ve jeopardized her job in any way…”
“Relax, Stephanie…My God. I’m not that stupid. I actually checked on her before you went out there. Mr. Mason had already told me who would be training you. I got the impression that he likes and respects Jessie quite a bit, but I wasn’t about to trust you to some complete stranger. As for your mother,” she shrugged. “She understood my concerns, but didn’t share them. She seems to genuinely like and trust Jessie, too.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” Stephanie said sarcastically.
“Relax. I was only doing it because it’s my job.”
“Your job…is to look after my business interests and publicity. I thought we covered this a few weeks ago? And who the fuck keeps calling and letting the damn phone ring? It’s driving me crazy!”
“All right,” Joanie held up her hands. It was apparent that Stephanie had reached the end of her rope. “I’ve said all I’m going to.”
At the woman’s apparent surrender, Jessie turned back to Stephanie. “Well, I think I’ve done all the damage I can here. If you’re okay, I’m gonna go back upstairs. When you’re ready to talk, I’ll be there.” She really didn’t expect her any time soon, though. She was all too aware that despite her support, Stephanie was still irritated by the revelation of her conversation with Nancy all those weeks ago.
Stephanie reached over and caught her hand again, giving it a quick squeeze. “Thank you, Jess. I’ll be up shortly.” She watched as Jessie went back upstairs, stopping to check the answering machine first, before turning back to Joanie.
“Well…she told me, didn’t she?” Joanie was still standing in the middle of the room, lips pursed.
Stephanie quirked a brow. “Yes, she did.” Sitting back down on the couch, she sighed. “It doesn’t have to be like this, Joanie. You could just trust me. I’ve been around long enough that I really don’t think this is going to make a difference. And, if it does, well…I’m prepared for that, too. Other, less established actresses have come out, and they’re still working.”
Joanie finally sat down, huffing a little. “It just scares me, Stephanie. Those ‘other actresses’ don’t get the parts you do…playing the sexy roles. And, just for the record, I do trust you. But this thing with Jessie? It just seems like it happened so fast. I don’t want a repeat of the whole ‘Linda’ thing. Or Tracy, for that matter,” she said quietly, lowering her voice intentionally so as not to give away a secret.
Stephanie shook her head. “There won’t be. And you can say her name out loud. Jessie knows about Linda, Kate and Tommy. Tracy, I haven’t mentioned. She doesn’t matter, but it’s not a secret. If Jess were to ask, I’d tell her about my exes. As for Linda…That’s why she’s here this weekend, actually. Yesterday was Tommy’s birthday. She flew in and went with me to see him.”
Joanie’s jaw dropped open. “What! She flew all the way from Ohio just to go with you? How did she even find out about them?”
Shrugging, Stephanie explained. “Jessie was in the martial arts tournament last weekend. Kate was there with Tommy. She sat down and started talking to me and Jessie noticed that I seemed uncomfortable. She asked me about Kate later.”
“And you told her everything? Jesus Stephanie…” Joanie shook her head, amazed at how gutsy her client was. “How did she take it?”
Stephanie licked her lips and smiled. “We don’t keep secrets from each other, Joanie. Jessie’s so much more than you give her credit for. Not only did she not get upset about it, she encouraged me to go see him. Tommy really likes her, and so do Linda and Kate.”
Joanie was still shaking her head, stunned. “I can’t believe you finally went to see him. Did Tommy remember you?”
Stephanie nodded, her smile telling Joanie everything. “He did.”
“Well, I guess maybe I have been a little too quick to judge things,” Joanie said, attempting to smooth things over. “I still don’t like what you’re planning to do. But if you’re both committed…then I’ll do whatever I can to keep things running smoothly. This isn’t going to be easy on Jessie, you know?”
“We know, Joanie. I warned her, and she’s prepared. If you’re on board, it will certainly make things easier on both of us.” Stephanie visibly relaxed. “Neither one of us expects this to be easy. We both know there’s going to be rumors, and we’re ready to deal with them.”
“As long as you’re both sure, Steph. I’ll do what I can,” Joanie said, standing up. “I should get going. I have a lot to do today.” She walked to the front door, Stephanie following.
“Oh, and about those phone calls…” She turned around, stopping before opening the door. “I really think you should consider getting rid of your landline. All those hang-ups and strange calls isn’t normal.”
“I’m thinking about it. I’ve started writing down the dates and times. I really think it’s nothing to worry about, though.”
“All right, then. I’ll talk to you in a few days. If I were you, I’d make sure that the two of you talk to Mr. Mason and let him know about this. He should know that Jessie might have to deal with the press there, too,” Joanie warned as she left.
“We’ll talk to him next week. Thank you,” Stephanie said as she closed and locked the front door.
Once Joanie was gone, she made her way upstairs to the bedroom, but Jessie wasn’t there. She heard the water running in the shower, and opened the bathroom door. Steam billowing out as the door opened, she smiled to herself. She’d never met anyone who loved a hot shower the way Jessie did. Making up her mind, she stripped out of the shorts, blouse and underwear she was wearing and opened the shower door.
Facing the wall, water flowing down over her closed eyes, Jessie turned at the sound of the shower door sliding open. She hadn’t really expected Steph to be upstairs so quickly. With a look of trepidation, she asked, “Everything okay?”
“Do you mind?” she asked quietly, nodding and waiting for Jessie’s answer before she stepped into the stall.
“You have to ask?” Her voice held a tinge of sadness to it, knowing that Steph was upset over what she’d said to Nancy.
“I didn’t want to intrude if you wanted some privacy.”
“Steph…” She held out a hand in invitation, and Stephanie caught it and smiled. Stepping fully into the stall, she shut the door behind her. As Jessie pulled her close, she whispered into her ear. “Are you sure? I thought you might be mad…”
Stephanie slid a hand up to push the wet, dark hair behind one ear. Grazing her lips across Jessie’s cheek, she said quietly, “Do you really think I’m going to waste our last few hours together being angry about something stupid?”
At the feel of Steph’s lips on her neck, Jessie shivered and swallowed. “I kinda hoped not,” she confessed, turning to kiss Steph lightly.
“I’m not mad, Jess. A little surprised, maybe…but not mad,” she said when they parted.
“It wasn’t a secret. I wasn’t trying to keep anything from you.”
“I know. I never thought you were,” she answered, nuzzling her nose against Jessie’s neck. “I wish I hadn’t heard it from Joanie, but I’m not mad.”
“You mom was just worried…” Jessie stopped talking when Stephanie’s fingers touched her lips, shushing her.
“You don’t have to explain. I can imagine,” Stephanie said. “I was a mess that morning, and I wasn’t thinking clearly. I do want to ask though…Would you have done it? Broke up with me if I’d decided to stay there with you?”
Jessie didn’t even hesitate. “No. I know what I told your mom…and I meant it at the time. But, when I thought I’d lost you after that argument…” she shook her head and sighed. “I don’t think I could live without you, and I don’t even want to try.”
“Oh, Jess…”
Jessie smiled and kissed her fingers, still caressing her cheek. “You know, I never told you that she heard us that night.”
“Heard us?” Stephanie asked, her brow wrinkling.
“Yeah, we were apparently louder than we realized when we were uh…”
Stephanie closed her eyes, her skin turning a slight shade of pink. “Oh God. Mom heard us having sex?”
Jessie laughed at her reaction and nodded. “Yeah. I never mentioned it because I didn’t want to embarrass you.”
“Well…good job,” she said sarcastically. “How am I supposed to face her now?”
“Umm, not to point out the obvious, but you already have.” Trying to make her feel better, Jessie said, “She didn’t make a big deal out of it or anything. She understood and didn’t really seem to be bothered by it.” She hugged Steph close and rubbed her back. “Your mom’s really cool. She just wants you to be happy.”
Stephanie sighed, relaxing into Jessie’s embrace. “I know. I just…Oh God.” Was it possible to die of embarrassment? She’d always shared everything with Nancy, but hearing about it after the fact and actually hearing it while it was happening, were two different things. Curious, she asked, “Weren’t you embarrassed? I mean…when she mentioned it?”
Jessie chuckled and continued to rub Steph’s back, letting the hot water relax them both. “I was a little. At first, I thought that’s what she’d come downstairs to talk about. But that kind of stuff doesn’t usually bother me. I mean…I’ve never talked to my partners’ mother before, but…She was cool about it.”
Satisfied with Jessie’s answer, Stephanie didn’t feel the need to keep discussing it. It was in the past, and they couldn’t change things now. She’d have to face her mother sooner or later though, and that wasn’t something she was looking forward to. Eventually, the water began to turn cold, and Stephanie backed away from Jessie slightly. Never letting go completely, she said, “Why don’t we move back to the bedroom? We still have a few hours before your plane leaves.”
Jessie reached over and turned off the water, kissing her. “I can’t think of a better way to spend the next few hours of our time.”
Chapter 6
Stephanie was wide awake and ready to go by the time they arrived at Jessie’s Friday evening for the holiday weekend. As Jessie finished closing the front door and setting the alarm, Stephanie caught her around the waist and pressed up against her from behind. One hand firmly planted against Jessie’s stomach, she used her other hand to move her hair from her neck. When she suddenly began kissing and nipping at Jessie’s neck, she felt the vibration of Jessie’s moan to her core. Moaning herself, she pressed harder against Jessie, and moved both hands up to begin kneading her breasts.
Biting her lower lip and breathing heavily, Jessie’s eyes went wide when one of the hands on her breast moved down and suddenly began unbuttoning her jeans. “Steph?”
“Shh…I missed you,” Stephanie hissed out, her breath ghosting over Jessie’s ear. “I’ve been thinking about doing this all week.”
“Oh God…” It was the only response Jessie was capable of as Stephanie’s hand found its’ way inside her underwear. Her other hand had somehow managed to makes its’ way under her shirt and reassert itself on her right breast, squeezing and tweaking her nipple. Reaching around with her own left hand, Jessie was able to wrap it in Steph’s hair, holding her head in place as she kissed her neck.
Within minutes, Jessie found herself succumbing to Stephanie’s hands and mouth. Leaning against the wall for support, she moved with her for what seemed an eternity. Shoving down her ingrained tendency to be in control, she allowed Stephanie to guide their movements and she wasn’t disappointed. As her knees finally gave out, Stephanie held her until she found herself sitting on the floor, wrapped in deceptively strong arms.
Catching her breath, she could only say, “Jesus, Steph…Oh, my God. That was incredible.”
Stephanie kissed her on the neck again. “I’m sorry I couldn’t wait. I just had to touch you.”
Jessie smirked. “I know how ya feel.” She closed her eyes and blew out a breath. “You do realize we’re gonna have to take a shower now?”
“I’m right there with ya, baby,” Stephanie said, her hot breath tickling Jessie’s ear.
* * * *
Theresa and Brian arrived at Jessie’s around two and they waited in the living room while Jessie and Stephanie finished getting ready. Brian had flipped on the TV, but Theresa had noticed some new pictures on one of the bookshelves and had gotten up to look at them. She recognized some of them as having been taken over the last few months. There was a new picture of Jessie with JD that included Stephanie, obviously taken on her visit to LA. A picture of Jessie and Stephanie in Aspen, and a few others of the two of them together sat on the shelf as well. Next to those, were two pictures of people Theresa didn’t recognize, though. She turned around when she heard Jessie come into the room and toss her shoes on the floor. “Hey Jess, I was just looking at your pictures. You’ve added some.”
