Chapter Twenty Two
Cruise Day Six: Curaçao
Jennie had been staring at Lisa's empty pillow for the past fifteen or so minutes, trying to wake up but also trying to hold on to the memories of last night. Not that that was going to be hard, since she was delightfully sore from their play. But last night had felt like a dream, and a part of her didn't quite believe it had happened at all.
She rolled to her back and pulled the covers up to her chin. The sheets smelled like Lisa's perfume and shampoo. And sex. Since there had been a fair share of that last night as well. And a little this morning, though she might have been dreaming that bit. Lisa had slipped out that morning when it was still dark out, but she'd made sure to kiss Jennie good-bye and hold her close. That's where it got a little hazy, because Jennie's memory told her they'd shared more than a quick hug, and her body buzzed when she thought about it. But could she really still have been horny after last night? Yes. Yes, she could be. Because Lisa had flicked a switch in her that seemed to make her insatiable. In regard to Lisa, at least.
A soft breeze from the open porch door caused something to flutter near the bed. She looked over toward it and smiled-it was the skirt of her dress. Through the open closet door, Jennie could see that Lisa had hung up her non-wedding dress, with the fancy and elegant skirt, on a hanger. Even from her vantage point on the bed, she could see that Lisa had zipped it and used the garment straps to ensure it would stay in place. She'd taken care to handle it with a gentleness that seemed unnecessary.
Previously, the dress represented a failure and loss in Jennie's life, but after last night, it held a new meaning. Last night, when Jennie succumbed to the power of her emotions and trembled with shame and sadness over the extravagant material reminder of her failed relationship, Lisa looked at her and told her she was beautiful. She told her she was worthy of love and respect and kindness, and Jennie believed every word because she could see the sincerity on Lisa's face. She could feel it in the loving way she touched her. And in her kiss.
And just like that, something that had brought her great pain was transformed into something that brought her great joy. And love. A feeling of true, unconditional love and affection. That was what she'd felt last night, between the sensual touches and soul-shattering climaxes. She'd felt loved. And it was the first time she'd felt that in well over a year. Longer, if she was honest with herself. It was the first time she'd felt that whole and complete since, well, Lisa.
"I'm going to fall head over heels for you all over again, Lisa," she said to no one. But she knew that wasn't true-she was already there. It had happened somewhere over the last few days, like an accelerated courtship that also turned back the clock a decade or so. Her heart raced now when she saw her like it had when they were sneaking kisses in the back of her grandfather's classic car. All the time and no time had passed all at once.
She climbed out of bed and retrieved her phone from the desk. Her battery was nearly dead-it had been long forgotten once Lisa entered the room last night. Before she had entered her. The memory made Jennie tingly all over again. Oh, no, don't start that. She shrugged off the feeling, deciding if she fell down that rabbit hole, she'd never get off this ship. Which didn't seem like all that bad an idea since Lisa was here, but still.
She plugged in her phone. She had a few messages on the texting app from Lisa. There was a sweet good morning text and some updates about her schedule. To accommodate for their planned rendezvous in Curaçao today, Lisa was working the very early and late shifts on the boat. Jennie was going to depart from the boat midmorning and meet up with Lisa at one of her favorite local restaurants before they started their day together. Or resumed their day, together. Whatever. All she knew was that she was going to be seeing Lisa again and what day or time or universe didn't matter as long as it was soon.
