Page 34 of The Relationship Mechanic

“I thought that was you,” one of the women said. She was a little taller than Vini with lightly tanned skin and almond-shaped eyes. Her hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail that hung over one of her shoulders. Vini tried not to let her eyes drift down at the woman’s barely there outfit. The bodysuit was almost painted on, and it had cutouts that showed off more skin than Vini was used to seeing. “Madeline said you were here, but I didn’t believe it. I thought you were headed to Italy.”

“Patricia.” Jessica didn’t let go of Vini’s hand as she addressed the woman. “I am in a week. Decided to hang out with a friend for a few weeks before shipping back out.”

“Oh?” The way Patricia said that had Vini’s hackles rising. Arousal warred with the need to just get away, and Vini squeezed Jessica’s hand. Patricia looked down at their hands and raised an eyebrow. “Seems like more than just friends. I didn’t realize we were getting serious about people after—”

“It’s great to see you, Pat, but Vini and I are kind of in the middle of something. I’ll reach out when I get back from Italy.” With another tug, Jessica guided Vini around the woman and her friend. When they finally found themselves outside, Vini took a deep breath in, enjoying the fresher air and lack of people encroaching on her space. Jessica dropped her hand and reached for her phone. “Fucking hell, some people just can’t take a hint.”

Thoughts whirled in Vini’s mind as she watched Jessica tap on her cell. Who was Patricia to Jessica? What was Madeline hinting about? Did it have anything to do with Ava saying Jessica wasn’t relationship material? Vini tried to think back to the conversation they’d had a few weeks ago. She knew there was some kind of scandal that had gone down involving Jessica, but Vini figured that was not her business. Ava had mentioned it didn’t have anything to do with cheating, and that was enough for Vini to dismiss it. But now, she was wondering if she should have asked more questions.

When Vini really thought about it, she had never heard about those two women in the entire time she and Jessica had been together. Jessica talked about her family easily enough, especially her brother, Jason. But rarely did she mention anything about friends outside of Grace. And definitely not by name.

“Okay, the Lyft should be here in a couple minutes,” Jessica said. She reached back down and threaded her fingers between Vini’s, and Vini let her. Her mind was still going a mile a minute, but she was also doing battle with the thought that it didn’t matter who those people were. Jessica had made it clear that this was just for fun. After a week, they wouldn’t even be on the same continent and the past few weeks would be like a wonderful dream that fades away at the first sign of consciousness. Did she really want to spend the last bit of time worrying herself into a migraine about people she would probably never see again?

“Good.” Vini didn’t waste time. She pulled Jessica to her, tilting her head up and pressing a firm kiss against Jessica’s lips. She didn’t want to regret squandering the time they had together.

Jessica’s lips moved against hers with no hesitation. Madeline. Patricia. None of those other people mattered. Not now when Jessica was firm and solid in Vini’s arms. The only thing that mattered was taking pleasure in the present. A vibration between them had Jessica leaning away. She lifted her phone.

“Car is here.” Her eyes crinkled on the sides at her wide smile. “Let’s take this to a more private location.”

Vini nodded, keeping their hands locked tight as she followed Jessica to the gray Honda that was apparently their ride for the night. She slid into the back seat not bothering to keep any space between them. The driver nodded but said nothing else as they made their way back to the hotel. Vini was almost vibrating with need by the time they pulled up to the entrance, and after getting out, it was her pulling a laughing Jessica along.

“Eager to get in my pants tonight?”

“Among other things,” Vini replied not wasting energy playing coy. She jabbed at the button in the elevator and was relieved when no one followed them in. As soon as the doors closed, she pressed Jessica back against the wall, covering her lips once again.

This kiss was desperate as she poured all her feelings into it. Seven days. That’s all she had left before her life went back to the once-familiar existence that was before Jessica. It should have been comforting to have no more ambiguity. No more questions. Instead, it was terrifying. Somehow it had only taken five weeks for Jessica to get so thoroughly embedded under Vini’s skin that she was no longer sure how to be without it. And worst of all, she couldn’t say anything.

When the elevator dinged announcing their floor, Vini pulled back but kept Jessica close with a hand cupping the back of her head. Walking down the hallway was difficult when Vini could hardly make it a few steps before pulling Jessica’s lips against hers again. She was surprised Jessica didn’t ask about the change. This was not how Vini usually was. She was not this needy, desperate thing, and yet here she was unable to stand the thought of not having Jessica’s skin against hers.

“Jesus, Vini.” The soft utterance of her name in that heated tone had Vini smiling wickedly. She wanted more of that, over and over, until they fell together exhausted and unable to do anything but sink into the arms of sleep. How they managed to finally get into the room was anyone’s guess, but when the door closed behind them, sealing them away from any potential prying eyes, Vini felt the last chains holding back her desire fall away. She surged forward, pressing Jessica against the door and taking control of the kiss again.

Hands wandered, both sets tangling in fabric and causing the occasional strain of a seam or two. When Vini felt nothing but warm skin beneath her fingertips, she knew it was time to get horizontal.

“Come on,” she groaned against Jessica’s neck her tongue darting out to get another hint of salty skin. She felt the rumble of Jessica’s agreement, and they slowly weaved a tangled jumble of limbs to the bed.

The sheets were initially cool to the touch, and Vini smiled when Jessica arched her back away from them. They quickly warmed, though, soaking in the heat pouring off their bodies. Vini bore down, trapping Jessica’s writhing form between her and the bed. It was thrilling to be on top of her, thighs between hers with the molten presence of Jessica’s pussy lips smearing fragrant slick over her skin. Jessica hadn’t been able to keep her hands off Vini when they were getting dressed earlier, but now it was Vini who was in charge.

Jessica’s head was tilted back, inviting Vini to press more sucking kisses against the exposed skin. Each one had fingers digging into the skin of Vini’s back, and she marveled in being able to affect Jessica so much that she seemingly forgot herself. When Jessica opened her eyes again, Vini raised an eyebrow in challenge.

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer.”

Vini chuckled at Jessica’s snark, now seeing it for the foreplay that it was. She skimmed her hand up Jessica’s side. The skin pebbled in the wake of her touch, driving Vini higher with the need to push for more. She wanted Jessica to lose herself to the pleasure so much she forgot her own name. Vini’s hand finished its journey at Jessica’s flushed cheek. Her skin was silky soft, and Vini couldn’t help running her thumb across lush lips that just begged to be plundered again.

“I just might,” Vini replied finally. “Don’t tempt me.”

She wasn’t lying. Taking a snapshot of Jessica like this—laid out with her cheeks stained with red, her lips slick and swollen from their kisses and her chest heaving with each breath was an image Vini wanted to burn into her brain.

“If I could,” Vini continued, “I would.”

Jessica smirked before wrapping a leg around Vini’s waist. “Sounds kinky. I’ll think about it.”

Vini chuckled and shook her head. She paused for a moment as she stared down at Jessica. When Jessica noticed her attention, she turned her head, an inquisitive expression sliding over her features. Vini knew she should say something, but she was caught in the admiration of where she was, how she got here and who she was with. The weekend was almost over, and yet she never wanted it to end. Reality meant going back to the norm, and the norm was not having Jessica with her.

“Vin?” Jessica said softly. Her hand cupped Vini’s cheek, and Vini closed her eyes before leaning into that touch. The frenetic energy from before had somehow shifted and morphed into this soft thing that covered Vini like the most comfortable blanket. It made her sigh in contentment. When she opened her eyes, Jessica was still watching her, lips now turned up in a sweet smile that made Vini’s fingers itch to trace. She had been joking about taking a picture earlier, but she was even more tempted now just so she could capture the look on Jessica’s face.

“Thank you.”

“For what?” Jessica tilted her head, her eyes falling half-closed when Vini nipped at her thumb before drawing it into her mouth. Vini hummed at the taste that was all Jessica. She shivered when the thumb brushed softly over her bottom lip.

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