# Chapter 13

Cory reluctantly released her hold on JJ and took a step back; she looked up at JJ’s face and felt the warmth of the smile fill her heart.

‘Okay Cory, you can do this, just act normal, put your brain into gear and let’s get the girl home before you say or do something you’ll regret.’ She turned to head towards the exit, when she felt a hand on her arm. She turned in her tracks and looked questioningly at JJ.

“I need the restroom Cory, I really have to pee, and those airplane cubicles aren’t big enough to swing a cat in.” JJ grinned at Cory and pointed to the nearest restrooms.

“Oh yeah, sorry, I’ll look after your bags as you can’t take them all in with you. Then I’d better go myself as it’s another hour and a half until we get home.” She took the bags out of JJ’s hands and leant against a nearby wall support. She was watching the retreating form of her new friend. She couldn’t help but stare; there was no other way to describe her but drop dead gorgeous. She knew she’d liked JJ from her mails but now she felt something stirring deep in her tummy, something she’d never felt before. She looked at her watch, it was getting late, she pulled out her mobile phone and dialed Sam’s, three rings later and Sam answered.

“Yep Cory I’m just coming into the drop off zone, where are you?” Sam asked rather brusquely.

Cory was always amazed at how the person knew who it was on the phone until she remembered caller ID. “We’re just using the ladies but we have to do it one at a time because of the luggage, we’re 5 minutes away, just pull in and wait, we won’t be long.”

“So, what she like? Has she got 2 heads? I bet she’s been beaten by the ugly stick and you can’t wait to get back to the car.” Sam chuckled as he said this.

“Well, she’s definitely very noticeable Sam, I’ll say that about her. You would most certainly stare if you saw her in a crowd. See you in 5.” Cory decided as Sam was going to be cruel she’d wind him up and then watch him fall. As she switched off the phone she looked up and a smile crept onto her face as JJ came sauntering towards her.

“Your turn Cory, I’ll be right here waiting. You okay?” JJ asked concern creeping in when she saw the inane smile on Cory’s face.

“Oh yeah, I’m fine I was just smiling at something Sam said, I’ll be back in a minute.”

At the mention of Sam’s name JJ’s thoughts sobered, she’d forgotten about Sam, she’d taken one look at Cory’s face as she came round the corner of the customs line and fallen for the blonde. She’d known she liked her a lot, well more than liked but until they had actually met it had seemed just a dream but to actually see her and touch her had blown JJ away and here she was falling madly in love with a straight woman, a married straight woman, would she never learn. She gazed at the door where her friend had disappeared through and sighed, it was going to be a very long week indeed.

They made small talk about the plane flight as they made their way through the small crowds to the arrivals door. Each was surprised at how easy it was to talk to the other, and each of them kept stealing tiny glances, at the other, when they thought they could without being noticed.

As they stepped out into the chilly night air Cory spotted Sam parked in the nearby drop off zone.

“JJ, about Sam, he’s not a man of many words so don’t feel bad if he doesn’t talk much.” Cory felt she owed JJ some sort explanation before the long journey; she didn’t want JJ to think it was anything to do with her.

“Cory, you don’t have to apologise for him, I’m not one for small talk myself although with you around I think people struggle to get a word in edge ways!” At this comment she received a nudge and a smile from Cory who then proceeded to take JJ by the arm and lead her to the car.

Sam got out of the car and Cory could see by the look on his face that he was astonished by JJ’s looks.

“Sam this is JJ, JJ this is Sam.” As she went past Sam to open the passenger door Cory whispered, “Pull your jaw up love you’re drooling.”

Sam shook JJ’s hand and then immediately set about putting the luggage in the boot of the car whilst JJ and Cory argued light heartedly about who should have the passenger seat.

“JJ you have the longest legs, it’s got the most leg room take the front seat.”

“But it’s your seat, it has all your stuff by it, I’ll be fine in the back I promise.” JJ said as she headed towards the rear of the car.

“When you two girls have quite finished I’d like to get home before Christmas.” Sam cut in and Cory opened the passenger door. She could hear JJ settling herself in the back seat and she turned to make sure she was comfortable. Their eyes met and a tingle began to travel all the way through Cory’s body, she blushed and then turned away hoping that JJ hadn’t seen the look of lust she felt was evident on her face.

The journey was quiet, each person deep in their own thoughts. Cory felt she ought to do something to ease the atmosphere in the car, she turned to ask JJ a question and noticed that she was fast asleep, her face relaxed, she looked stunning. Knowing she ought to turn away before Sam noticed her drooling but she felt like a magnet being pulled towards iron, she had no control. She needed to drink in the beauty of this woman before she woke, she remembered the mirror in the sun visor and pulled it down. Feigning something in her eye she fiddled for a bit and then leant back in her seat, forgetting to put the visor back up. Perfect she had an excellent view of JJ. She noted the long ebony hair, tied loosely into a ponytail, the twitch in the corner of her mouth and the tanned skin. The woman was flawless, no marks, no spots she looked amazing. Cory trailed her eyes from the face down the broad shoulders; they looked muscular, firm and onto the breasts. She swallowed a lump forming in her throat. Her subconscious seemed to be yelling at her. ‘What are doing? You’re a married woman, your husband is sitting next to you and here you are admiring the body of a woman you’ll never possess. Snap out of it! Wake up and smell the coffee she’s practically married herself. Focus Cory before you drown!’ She shook her head to try and get rid of the voice that was taunting her.

“You okay?” Sam asked.

“Pardon?” Cory looked at Sam.

“You seem a bit distracted. You’ve been staring into space for the past ten minutes. What you thinking about?” Sam looked at Cory and then back at the road.

“I don’t know, I guess I’m tired. Haven’t really got anything on my mind. I was just making plans for the week ahead. I was going to take JJ to the castle tomorrow. You coming?” Cory answered; silently praying he’d say no.

“No, I’m too busy Cory, this week is my busiest time, the building business is just picking up and I’ve got clients to see. It’s only two months until bonus time. I still need a few more orders to meet my target. If you really want me to I could change my timetable around.”

“No, it’s okay, I figured we’d go to the castle, then pop in and introduce JJ to mum and granddad as we’ll be in the area. Mum didn’t sound too happy the other day; she’s worried about him, he’s not eating as well as he was. I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone. That’s if JJ is up to it, she seems out of it.” Cory glanced into the mirror and was met by a dazzling smile. She blushed at being caught looking. She turned and adjusted the seat belt. “How you feeling?” she asked.

JJ stretched and yawned, “I’ve been better but a few hours shut eye and I’ll be good to go. I didn’t sleep on the plane that well but as it’s no where near my bedtime I think I can manage, my body is still on US time so I’m 5 hours behind. All I need is something to eat and I’ll be peppy in no time.” She winked at Cory. She hadn’t been asleep all the time, just resting her eyes but she had heard the exchange between Cory and Sam and had been crossing her finger when she’d heard Sam offer to accompany them. She wanted quality time with Cory, she needed to know how Cory felt about her but she needed to do it at a slow pace, no need scaring the girl off.

She looked at Sam, for a guy he seemed cute enough but looked older with the grey speckled throughout his dark brown hair. She watched his interaction with Cory trying to see how affectionate he was. She knew quite a bit from their emails and she knew Sam wasn’t an emotional person, so far she’d seen nothing in the couple’s interaction to tell they were a couple, they acted like brother and sister.

An hour and a half after leaving the airport they pulled up in front of a decent sized house, the front garden was tidy from what JJ could see and barking could be heard from within. She assumed this was Holly.

“You do like dogs don’t you?” Sam asked, this was the first direct conversation JJ had received from Sam, she walked towards him.

“Never owned one but they don’t bother me. She’s a German Shepherd isn’t she?"

Sam’s face lit up as he opened the door and a huge fluffy bundle of fur leapt his way. “Yep, she’s a GS, and the biggest softie in England but she does get over excited and will probably lick you to death. Holly get down!” he shouted as the excited dog bounded over to JJ and stood full height to try and lick the new toy.

JJ bent down and stroked her, she was longhaired and her fur was soft to touch, she let the animal smell her and she stroked the side of her face as the dog calmed down. JJ turned to Sam who was taking the bags out of the boot of the car. “She’s beautiful and really friendly.” She giggled as the dog tried to see what Cory had in her bag, and whilst trying, seemed to almost knocking the blonde woman over.

“She’s the best looking dog for miles!” answered Sam as he led them into the lounge.

“He adores her JJ, she gets more attention than me, you’re on to a winner if you like his dog.” Cory yelled as she headed towards the kitchen.

JJ smiled to herself, she knew who she’d prefer if she had to choose. She couldn’t believe the change in Sam as he played with the dog. She looked around the lounge. Cory hadn’t lied when she’d said she liked blue. The carpet was dark blue; the sofas slightly lighter but still blue and the curtains were blue and cream. The walls were also cream and had framed pictures dotted in various places, she looked at them. There were a few of Holly, some of Cory’s wedding, a photo of Cory when she graduated and one of an older lady; she decided that was probably Cory’s grandma. She looked on the fireplace there was a large photo of what looked like Cory’s brother’s wedding where the whole of her immediate family were smiling back at her. There was definitely a family resemblance; her muses were interrupted by her hosts coming back into the room.

“Sorry about abandoning you, I just wanted to check the cats had been looked after and fed. Dad dropped Holly off earlier and the neighbors feed the cats for us. Let’s go and settle you in your room.” Cory picked up JJ’s hand luggage and proceeded to lead the way to the stairs. JJ followed; her eyes were taking in all her surroundings, the hallway was small with a door under the stairway, as they began to climb the stairs, she was greeted to the sight of Cory’s butt right in front of her face, her heart began a double beat and she held onto the banister for support. She looked down at her feet berating herself for looking, ‘If you’d fallen down and broken your neck it would have been your own fault!’ She smiled and continued to follow.

Cory gave her a guided tour, “This is Sam’s domain,” she said as she opened a door on her left and lead JJ inside. They were stood in Sam’s office; JJ could see a computer and piles of paperwork strewn on the floor and shelves. “As you can see filing isn’t his forte!” She grinned at JJ, “Not that I’m any better!” At that comment they both chuckled and went back onto the landing area.

“This next room is our third bedroom or granddad’s room. It’s the room he stays in at Christmas or when they do the wine run to France.” She turned wistfully to the bed, her mind on the happier times when her grandfather had been full of life. She came back to reality when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“I’m here for you Cory, if you want to talk. I know it’s going to be hard but you’ve told me so much about him in your emails I was hoping we’d be able to sit down one day and talk face to face.” JJ was stunned, she heard the words and they sounded like her voice but surely she wasn’t volunteering to have a heart to heart. She hated emotional talk, she had a heart of stone, she hadn’t even cried at her own mother’s funeral and here she was offering support to someone she’d just met.

Cory looked at JJ, she’d felt the hand tighten on her shoulder, and she could see the confused look behind the eyes. She moved her right hand up to touch JJ’s hand and squeezed it gently. “Thanks JJ, it means a lot that you offered.” She turned and headed to another door.

“This is your room, the door here goes into the bathroom, it’s all yours, we have our own toilet and shower in our room. Just make sure you lock the door leading to the landing as Sam uses this bathroom to do his pondering.” She pointed at the golf and Men’s Health

magazines and smiled at JJ. They placed the bags on the double bed and looked at each other. Neither moved, neither lowered their eyes they just looked straight into the others eyes. They seemed to hold the stare for what seemed like eternity and then the bond was broken by Holly bounding onto the bed and barking. Nothing was said by either woman but a contented smile was on each face.

The evening went smoothly. Sam and Cory had sat on one sofa and JJ and her new found friend, Holly, sat on the other. They’d had cheese and biscuits for supper and a few bottles of Bud. As the time had ticked on, Cory had noticed her friend yawning. “Hey there sleepyhead, want to call it a night?”

JJ looked over, she grinned as she saw a concerned look on Cory’s face. “I’m busted big time, and there I was thinking I was looking perky!”

Sam got up and muttered something JJ didn’t catch, he left the room and she looked over at Cory, “Something I said?”

“No he’s taken Holly out, mum and dad had her over the weekend, dad dropped her off earlier but they tend to feed her too many treats and it upsets her tummy. He’s just taken her down the field, more a precaution, we don’t want a surprise parcel on the floor in the morning!” she grinned and got to her feet. “So you ready to hit the sack?”

“Yep, I hear I’m going castle visiting!” JJ followed Cory up the stairs, she was feeling a little awkward, she longed to take Cory in her arms and hold her forever, she remembered the hug at the airport and yearned for one more touch, one more hug.

As if she was reading her mind, Cory turned as she got to her bedroom door, she shuffled embarrassed and then look at JJ. “Umm, I’ve had a good evening I feel like we’ve known each other for ages, it seems so comfortable, err…” she paused here she had so many things she wanted to say but she had no idea really how JJ felt about her, common sense kicked in and she looked up at JJ and just said, “Night then, if you need anything I’m just in here.” She headed quickly towards her door, she couldn’t believe she’d nearly told JJ all her feelings, she could feel the heat from her cheeks and she was sure she’d scared the taller woman away, she knew JJ wasn’t one for emotions.

“No problem, I think I’ll be out like a light. See you tomorrow and Cory, I had a good night too, it feels like we’ve been friends for longer than we have.” She was disappointed, she’d wanted so much for Cory to hug her; when in reality it looked like Cory couldn’t wait to get away from her, she was definitely acting edgy. This worried JJ but maybe it was just nerves I mean, they had only just met. She turned and headed for her room.

As soon as Cory shut the door she threw herself onto her bed. How was she going to keep her hands off JJ? She’d been so close to falling into the taller woman’s arms, she had found it distracting having JJ in the same room as her all evening and not stare. Sam hadn’t seemed to have noticed, he’d been so into the film. She began to undress; her mind was a mess. She had known that there was something special about JJ but she’d never imagined it would be so intense and the girl was taken, and she, herself, was married. She kept saying this like a mantra as she got herself ready for bed. She crept under the covers as Sam came through the door.

“So that’s JJ then?” he asked, “She seems nice, a little quiet for my liking.”

Cory snorted, “That’s the pot calling the kettle black!”

“What do you mean, I talked tonight!” Sam replied put out that his innocent comment had caused Cory to react defensively.

“Sam you only ever speak when you want to and then it’s short and to the point. The only time you have verbal diarrhoea is when you have had a beer or two and then we can’t bloody shut you up!” she was riled now, she had no idea why but the thought of Sam criticizing JJ hurt.

“So, she’s definitely gay then?”

“Huh? Yes, why ask that question?” Cory looked at him; she’d never expected a question like that.

“No reason, well, she’s a bit of a stunner. I just thought it was a waste of a woman her being gay and all.”

Cory sat there stunned for a moment, she soon found her voice, “So, because she’s good looking she can’t be gay?”

“Well, she’s hardly your stereotypical lesbian is she?” Sam replied not realizing he was digging himself a bigger hole.

“So what exactly does a lesbian look like?” Cory was fuming; she hated it when people just assumed people were something they weren’t by their looks.

“You know, shaved hair, pierced noses, kind of butch, that sort of thing.” As he said this he noticed the look his wife was giving him.

“You are so narrow minded, I can’t believe you just said that. Sam, there is no typical lesbian; they come in all shapes, sizes and looks. That’s like saying every straight person looks like mum or dad and in reality you just don’t know but you shouldn’t assume things.” She turned over and pulled the covers up over her shoulders.

Sam got into his half of the bed, “You mad at me?”

“A little, you just don’t see the person for who they are, you see them for what you think they are. Remember the saying ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’ Maybe you should try that; some people are not who they appear to be. Sam, she’s here for a week, if you can’t get past the fact that she prefers women I suggest you stay away from her, she looks like she could do you some serious damage.” Cory knew the last remark was a low blow but it was true, JJ’s body looked firm and complete muscle, she stood a whole 5 inches above Sam.

“Whatever, but I suggest you don’t get too close to her, you never know, she might try it on.”

“For fucks sake Sam, she’s practically married. Just because she’s gay doesn’t mean she’s going to jump the bones of every woman she sees. If you can’t say something nice then don’t open your mouth at all!”

“See, I can’t win, if I don’t talk I get moaned at, if I do talk I get moaned at. I promise Cory, when JJ is around I’ll be as nice as pie; just think about what I said, I’ve seen the way she looks at you and I think she likes you. I still think it’s a bit weird that she just decided to visit. I mean usually you plan a trip like this for months, not just on the spur of the moment. Any ideas why she decided to come so suddenly?”

“Sam, she only got here a few hours ago, she’s hardly likely to divulge the information whilst you’re there. She’s kind of a private person, I’m sure if she has home problems and she wants to talk about them she’ll do them in her own time. Now if you’ve finished slagging her off, I’m tired.”

Sam turned and tried to give Cory a kiss but stopped himself when he felt the tapping of her foot on the mattress; this was a sure sign she was pissed off.

Cory felt Sam roll over, her mind was racing, ‘did JJ like her or was Sam just trying to wind her up? Why had she decided to visit so suddenly?’ Her heart had lurched as he’d said the words and her conscious kept whispering the words she’d said to herself earlier, ‘she’s practically married, she’s practically married.’

Across the hallway, JJ was having just as much trouble sleeping. When she closed her eyes, visions of the petite blonde came into her head, vivid, clear and very real. She’d watched Cory all evening, she liked her giggle, it was cute and quite infectious. She’d found herself smiling and making comments that would provoke Cory to laugh. She’d watched the younger woman’s brow furrow when the quiz program ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ had been on. Cory had loved trying to answer the questions and had got quite perturbed when Sam had answered questions too quickly and not given Cory time to consider the answers.

She also watched the couple’s interaction more closely; whilst they had sat on the same sofa, they’d kept their distance form each other. Sam had only hugged Cory once and that had been when he wanted her to get him a beer from the fridge. Cory had seemed particularly unwilling to touch Sam and had pulled away hastily from the hug, she was probably embarrassed JJ thought, not everyone was into public displays of affection but from how Cory had interacted with her, she had appeared to be a tactile person.

She lay in the bed listening to the sounds around her; she could hear the slight buzz of the alarm clock, which was on the bedside table, and from the next room she could hear conversation, she couldn’t hear the words just the muffled sound of voices. JJ wondered what they were talking about, she felt jealous, as she lay alone in the bed she wished it was her in the bed with Cory and if she had any choice they wouldn’t be talking. Cory had stirred something inside of her today, a tingling sensation had appeared down below every time Cory had touched her innocently and she knew it was her dormant libido surfacing. This week was going to be like Chinese torture, she had to find out how Cory felt about her but then what? She knew Cory had had a relationship with another woman but that hadn’t worked, Cory had admitted herself that most of the problem had been her unwillingness to be out and her confusion about her sexuality. Surely her choice to marry Sam had to confirm that she was straight and if Cory did have feelings for JJ did JJ want to go down a very familiar pathway.

Her mind began to replay painful memories, memories of Tina.

JJ should have been able to fall fast asleep, she was totally exhausted, mentally as well as physically she was drained. Her feelings for Cory brought her thoughts to Tina.

‘Tina,’ thought JJ, ‘I haven’t thought of Tina in a long time.’

JJ was now over Tina, but it had taken years because the breakup had been extremely painful. Tina had been the first person to break up with JJ, usually it had been JJ who did the finishing but Tina had left JJ, and to top it all for a man. If it had been a woman JJ could probably have understood, but a man. Was she that bad of a girlfriend? It was then that JJ had vowed to never let her heart open to another like she had with Tina. Yet, here she was falling for Cory and willing to let her heart go to her. The only similarity between Tina and Cory was their sexuality; Tina had never been with a woman before JJ, JJ had known the risks when she’d become involved with Tina and JJ had been willing to take the risk and thought that being with a woman was what Tina wanted, she never realized she would be Tina’s last.

JJ had met Tina what seemed like a lifetime ago in the summer of 1992. It had been during softball season. JJ played in a women’s softball league, and though they were a competitive team, the best and most important part of the game was going back to the local bar that sponsored the team for a few drinks. At one of the practices, Tina had just appeared and at the end of the practice she had introduced herself to JJ. They’d struck up a conversation, not really talking much about anything. Tina wasn’t drop dead gorgeous, but JJ was attracted to her androgynous looks. She was taller than JJ, short blond hair and blue eyes.

The next week, Tina had made a habit of dropping by practices, games or even at JJ’s part time job, at the local sporting goods store. JJ didn’t mind, she enjoyed the conversation and the company, JJ had dated quite a few women but never lasting more than a few weeks, but Tina was different she’d broken down the barriers around JJ’s heart and it wasn’t long before she’d moved into her apartment. They got along well enjoying each other’s company but still maintaining their own identities.

Tina had shared JJ’s intense passion for the game of ice hockey. They both loved to watch it and they both played. They played in the same league, although on different teams, they’d discussed this one night after a heated game between the two teams and had decided that to abandon either team at that time in the season would not look good and so they’d agreed to wait until the next season and play on the same team. They had done just that and soon they were a dynamic duo, playing well together, feeding off of each other and scoring many goals. Their joint effort made the team champions of the league the following season. That had meant there was a lot of time spent in hockey arenas between a practice and a game each a week but they both loved it and it meant they were always together, the pair seemed invincible and JJ was totally in love for the first time in her life. With Tina she had the best of both worlds, a woman she adored and her favorite past time.

At the end of the season they had taken a trip with the team to Germany to watch and play in a women’s ice hockey tournament. Whilst there, Tina had met a man that ran the local women’s team. He had mentioned he was interested in having two American women play on his team, most expenses would be paid, but a part time job would be given to each woman. After watching the pair play in the tournament he had offered them both a place on his team. JJ and Tina had plenty of discussions about moving, as neither of them had glowing careers or any ties, they had decided to give it a try for at least one year.

The first month had gone well, but as time passed in Germany JJ had felt Tina pulling away. While Tina flourished in her new environment, JJ struggled. JJ found it difficult to make friends, she found the language a barrier, she had grasped the basic German needed to ask for things but beyond that she had found it difficult. The more isolated she became the more she lashed out at Tina, partly out of frustration and partly to make Tina as miserable as she was.

The final straw came when JJ had seen Tina flirting with one of their male co-workers. JJ had noticed that Tina had become friendly with Dirk, but put it down to the fact that Tina loved having many friends and enjoyed being the center of attention. They had recently been having more arguments over stupid things and after one of their particularly ridiculous arguments; Tina had just left without saying a word. JJ had no idea where Tina had disappeared to and had waited up most of the night worrying, when Tina had returned, JJ had cried herself to sleep.

When morning came, neither of them had mentioned the incident but during the day she had only talked to Dirk, deliberately avoiding JJ, and when their shift was done Tina had made a point to go out of her way to say goodbye to him.

The drive home had been unbearable, JJ had wanted to talk to Tina, apologise, but she hadn’t known what to say, apologies had always been hard for her and she’d sensed that things were never going to be the same. They’d spent a week tiptoeing around each other, barely speaking, rarely touching until JJ couldn’t stand it any longer she had to get things out in the open. That evening at dinner, JJ had taken a deep breath and asked, “You don’t want to be with me anymore do you?” She sat there staring at Tina, praying and hoping she was wrong.

Tina hesitated and finally looked at JJ and said “No.”

“You’ve fallen for Dirk haven’t you?”

“Yes”

With that one word, JJ’s world just fell apart. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She begged Tina for one more try; she promised she would try to be better with her words. But Tina had just looked at her and said the fateful words, “I’m sorry, it is over.”

She’d left the apartment the next day and JJ had been left in a foreign country, all alone and with a broken heart.

As JJ lay there, in a bed in another foreign country, remembering a time long ago a single tear tracked down her cheek. Was she willing to risk her heart again? Would the same thing happen? She had no idea what to think, all she knew was her feelings for Cory were strong and getting harder to ignore. She buried herself deeper under the covers and shut her eyes; sleep finally over came her and surrendered her to her dreams.

Cory woke to the alarm sounding, she turned and with an outstretched arm began to feel blindly for the button, after a few seconds the beeping stopped and she snuggled deeper into the comfy duvet. She could hear Sam breathing next to her, he was the one who had set the alarm and there he was sleeping like a baby. She nudged him gently at first; there was no movement from him so without mercy she elbowed him.

“Oww, what’d you do that for I was awake!” Sam spluttered surprised by the violent awakening.

“You were not you lying toad, I heard the snores. The alarms gone off, you need to get to work.”

“5 more minutes won’t hurt me and I’m comfy, want a cuddle?” he moved closer towards Cory.

As Cory felt Sam’s arm snake around her middle, she froze it didn’t feel right. For months she’d wanted him to touch her, show her how much she meant to him and he hadn’t wanted to and now when her feelings for him were changing he decided to play mushy. He began to move closer and his breath on her ear made her realise his true intentions.

“Sam I need the loo desperately. Let me out.” Cory moved towards the edge of the bed but Sam held on tighter.

“Oh, come on Cory five minutes isn’t going to hurt, we never cuddle any more. It’s not like you have to check your email as JJ’s here so there won’t be an American mail waiting for you.” Sam began to nibble her neck. Instead of desire Cory felt panic. She didn’t want this, she didn’t want Sam and especially with JJ in the next room. She began to wriggle and forcefully remove his arm.

“Sam, I need to wee and if you don’t let go you’ll be lying in a puddle. Come on, Holly needs her walk, the cats need feeding and you have a meeting.” Cory was finally released and clambered to her feet.

“I can’t win, I try to be amorous I get pushed away, when I’m not I get nagged. You should make your mind up!”

Cory could tell he was sulking big time, “You know I hate doing it in the morning, we haven’t cleaned our teeth, and you didn’t clean yours last night either so that doesn’t help. I’m just not a morning person. You know that, let’s not fight. Plus we have a guest, I wouldn’t feel comfortable.”

Sam stood up, “The guest thing never stopped you before!” He walked towards the door and grabbed his dressing gown and opened the door. “I’m off to make a cup of tea, shall I make one for JJ?”

“I don’t think she drinks tea, maybe a cup of coffee. What time is it anyway?”

“Coming up to quarter past seven. Maybe it’s a bit early to be waking her. I’ll get the cups ready and you can finish making it when you get up.”

He left the room, taking Holly with him and Cory went into the ensuite. She sat on the toilet and put her head in her hands. Her mind in a jumble, a few months ago she’d been desperate for Sam to initiate love making now here she was rebuffing him. It was true she wasn’t a morning person, she hated the smell of morning on a person and morning breath completely turned her off. But it was more than that when Sam had touched her she’d felt uncomfortable as if it was wrong, it felt wrong.

After finishing in the bathroom, she jumped back into bed and pulled the covers around her, the room was slightly chilly and there was frost on the bedroom window. She hoped it would be a nice day today, she didn’t mind the cold but she hoped it didn’t rain as that always made a day more miserable. She put the radio on and closed her eyes, listening to song after song as her thoughts wandered from JJ to her grandfather. She needed to see him today, she hadn’t seen him since the previous weekend and her mum had sounded a little down on the phone. She had made her mind up to go and visit after the castle trip; she just hoped JJ wouldn’t mind. Her thoughts were interrupted by the door being opened and Holly bounding on the bed followed by Sam bringing a cup of tea.

“Hey lazybones, I thought you had plans today?” Sam enquired as he placed the tea on the bedside table.

“I do but I thought JJ might need a lie in.” Cory explained.

“Well I think she’s up, I heard movement when I was in the kitchen. I’m off for a shower.”

Cory got out of bed and put on her robe, she opened the door to the bedroom and walked the short way to the spare bedroom. Her heart was pounding and her tummy was churning. She tapped gently on the door and waited until she heard a quiet yes. She opened the door slowly and poked her head through. “Hey there.” Her tummy had stopped churning and was now somersaulting as she took in the sight before her. JJ lay curled on her side, one arm tucked under her and her hair loose and falling over her shoulder and she had a smile on her face.

“Good morning, did you sleep well?” Cory asked as she stepped further into the room. She thought JJ looked so cute all sleepy looking; she had to restrain herself from leaping into the bed next to her.

JJ was fighting her own battle of wills, Cory looked adorable, her hair was sticking up in places and she had the cutest bath robe on that showed hints of skin down the neck line. She moved up towards the head of the bed and stretched, “I slept great, and the bed is really comfortable. Hey come sit down, you don’t have to stand on ceremony.” She patted the bed in front of her and watched the uncertainty flash in Cory’s eyes.

Cory watched as JJ’s hand patted the bed, she didn’t know if she’d be able to control herself, the woman looked gorgeous and her body was doing things she’d never thought possible by someone just smiling at her. Could she sit on the bed and not pounce on the woman. She wasn’t sure; she didn’t want to make a fool of herself.

“So what great adventures have you planned for today?” JJ asked trying to add humour but disappointed that Cory obviously felt uncomfortable in her presence.

Cory sat down, a little further away from JJ so that she wouldn’t be tempted by the forbidden fruit. “Well I thought we’d shower, then have a little breakfast and then drive over to Warwick before the big rush starts. As it’s half term, there will be lots of tourists even in February, school kids etc. then I need to go and see my granddad if it’s okay with you?”

“Hey that sounds cool, I would love to meet your grandfather, he sounds a very special person, you’ve told me so much about him and I want to meet your mum too. So we should get up and dressed then?” JJ was desperate to get out of the bed, she’d noticed Cory’s robe had slipped and their was a very firm thigh taunting her, calling her name, her body was throbbing with need and as she’d already scared the girl to death with the mere mention of sitting on the bed, if she took her here and now it would probably kill her. She could feel herself growing wet as the robe continued to reveal more and more of the supple thigh. She had to tear her eyes away, thankful that Cory hadn’t noticed. She was busy stroking one of the cats that had decided that the bed was indeed a nice place to hang out, a pity it’s owner hadn’t felt the same.

“Yes, I just have to wait for Sam to finish in the shower and then we can. Do you want a drink or something?” Cory asked, getting off the bed, she’d also noticed that JJ was having trouble meeting her eyes.

‘Don’t look at her, don’t look her’ was all JJ was thinking, ‘if you look at her you’re gonna have to kiss her.’ “Yeah I’ll have whatever you’re making, err I need to pee so we’ll meet downstairs in about 20 if that’s okay.” She jumped up and practically ran into the bathroom leaving a rather bemused Cory behind her.

Cory just stood there, she had no idea what she’d said to cause the sudden vanishing act so she assumed when JJ needed to pee JJ obviously did! She went back into her room to find Sam all dressed ready to go.

“So how was sleeping beauty?” Sam asked.

“Okay, she looked okay to me.” Cory smiled; she’d looked more than okay to Cory, and the sight of JJ’s long, tanned athletic legs as she’d headed into the bathroom were definitely a sight Cory wanted to see more of.

“Well I’m off, I don’t know when I’ll be back but I’ll ring your mobile if it’s going to be late. You have a good day, the cash card is on the side in the kitchen.” He went past Cory, pecking her on the cheek as he passed.

Meanwhile across the hallway, JJ was having a serious conversation with herself, ‘She’s married, she’s married and she’s straight. She has no interest in you but as a very good friend. Get your mind out of the gutter Matthews and play it as it is. She does not fancy you, she is not in love with you and she is your friend. Don’t blow that by your stupid libido, now take a nice cold shower and get your butt downstairs.’

As she thought of Cory’s legs, the white smooth skin, JJ felt the pulse down below become stronger, there was no way she was going to make it through the day if she didn’t satisfy her hunger. She checked the doors were locked, and settled herself on the edge of the bath, her legs wide apart and she moved her right hand down her body, as she reached the mass of dark curly hair she felt the liquid, her hand moved lower and she rubbed her fingers over her swollen bud, she couldn’t believe how wet she was, her fingers moved slowly, her eyes shut tight and her mind full of the woman who now captured her waking dreams as well as her sleeping ones. She increased the tempo of her rubbing and covered herself with her own juices, she placed a finger inside herself and whispered Cory’s name over and over, she continued to apply pressure and to her surprise she came suddenly, spasms rocking her body. After the last spasm shook her body, she slid down the edge of the bath to the floor and sat there panting slightly, perspiration on her forehead and behind her knees. Her head was dizzy; she breathed deeply the smell of her own sex filling her nostrils. When her breathing had returned to normal, she stood on shaky legs and stepped into the bath ready to take that much needed cold shower.

Part 14

Mail Jules

Back to the Academy