Kim blew out a breath, which was echoed by Jess. She grinned and Jess laughed, banishing the last of the tension.
"Want a beer while we wait for the pizza?" Jess asked.
"Sure."
"Come on in the kitchen. I'll call for the pizza and you can grab us each one of the beers you brought."
Kim smiled. "Lead the way."
* * *
Slowly drifting to awareness, Jess sleepily blinked open her eyes as she tried to orientate herself. The first thing she became aware of was Kim's head resting on her shoulder. The TV mounted on the wall opposite the foot of the bed was displaying the screensaver. Guess we fell asleep. Too much pizza and beer.
Jess's thoughts went back to earlier in the evening. When she picked out some movies for them to watch before Kim arrived, she had been so nervous about Kim coming over, she had totally forgotten about the television being in her bedroom. Then, as soon as Kim had mentioned the movies, realization struck along with a swift surge of arousal at the thought of Kim in her bed. A resigned sigh escaped. It can never happen. Not like that. She would never respect you again.
Turning her attention back to Kim, Jess took the opportunity to study her face in repose. It just reinforced what she was already well aware of. God, she's beautiful. Resisting the temptation to stroke Kim's face, instead she gently shook her shoulder. "Kim. Time to wake up."
A sleepy little smile appeared. With an unintelligible murmur, Kim rolled closer and threw her arm across Jess's belly. She sighed deeply as she settled herself snuggly against Jess's body.
Jess bit back a groan. The feel of Kim's body intimately pressed to hers was exquisite torture. Without conscious intent, her hand moved up to stroke silky blond hair. Regret at what could never be darkened Jess's thoughts. She forcibly pushed the longing away.
"Kim. Time to wake up," Jess said again, putting a bit more force behind her words. Despite the situation, she couldn't bring herself to physically push Kim away.
With a protesting whimper, Kim tightened her hold on Jess. Her eyes fluttered open. Jess could see the confusion in them. "We fell asleep," Jess said.
That's when Kim seemed to realize just where she was lying. Her body stiffened against Jess's. "Shit!" she blurted as she rolled away.
Jess couldn't help but laugh. "It's no big deal."
Kim sat up on the side of the bed. Her head dropped into her hands with an embarrassed groan.
Shaking her head, Jess got off the bed. She moved around to the other side where Kim sat. "Hey," Jess said softly. When Kim finally looked up, Jess offered a warm smile.
"Sorry for falling asleep on you... literally," Kim said. A smile twisted her lips even as a blush colored her cheeks.
"No biggie. I fell asleep too." Jess was determined not to make Kim feel any more awkward than she already did. "Guess it's time to call it a night. Are you okay to drive?"
"I'm good." Kim stood and moved toward the bedroom door. "I'll get out of your hair and let you get some rest."
"Kim."
Kim turned back toward Jess.
Butterflies danced in Jess's belly. It was important to her that Kim know how much tonight meant. She didn't want any lingering awkwardness between them. "I had a great time tonight. I'm really glad you came over."
"I am too, Jess."
They made their way to the front door in companionable silence.
* * *
Kim followed Jess as she moved down the porch steps. Kim stopped on the middle step. Leaning down, she once again admired the jack-o'-lanterns. Jess had left the lights illuminating the pumpkins earlier when she extinguished the luminaries. "Did you carve these?"
A smile lit Jess's face. "Yeah. Sam and I usually do them, but she couldn't get away earlier in the week. So I was on my own this year."
"You did a great job. I especially like this one." Kim pointed to a pumpkin with an intricately carved face. "It looks like it could come alive at any moment. I always loved making jack-o'-lanterns with my dad when I was a kid." Painful memories swirled close to the surface. Kim pushed them away. She didn't know what had made her mention her father. She never talked about him.
"Thanks." Jess glanced at Kim through lowered lashes. "Maybe next year, if you wanted, you could help."
Next year! Kim's heart leaped in anticipation. Jess was coming to mean more to her with each passing day. "That would be great, Jess." Kim's heart was light as she walked with Jess toward her Jeep. However, that did not stop the part of her, deep down inside that yearned for more than friendship with Jess.
CHAPTER 19
"DO YOU WANT TO stop and get something to eat before we drop off the car or wait and eat at the hotel?" Sam asked. They were headed to San Francisco to spend the night before flying out the following morning for Los Angeles.
Silence reigned.
Sam took her eyes off the road long enough to glance at her sister.
The lights of a passing car splashed across her face. Her brow deeply furrowed, Jess stared morosely out the window. She had not done more than grunt in response to Sam's attempts at conversation since leaving their parents' house an hour ago.
"Earth to Jess," Sam said as she gently touched Jess's shoulder.
Jess's head swung around. "What?"
"No need to bite my head off."
"Sorry." Jess arched her back and stretched as best she could within the confines of the rental car. "I'm just tired. What were you saying?"
"Did you want to stop and get something to eat or wait until we get to the hotel?"
"Either way is fine with me." Jess resumed her contemplation of the windshield.
Reaching up to knead tight neck muscles, Sam sighed. Jess had been subdued during the visit home to celebrate Thanksgiving with the family. She had put on a happy face for the relatives, but her smile had never quite reached her eyes. With the crowd that had been at their folks' house, Sam had not been able to get Jess alone and find out what was bothering her. "What's going on with you?"
Jess shrugged.
"Come on. Talk to me, sis. Why are you so down all the sudden? I thought things were going well for you. You've seemed happier than you have been in a long time, especially these last few weeks." Sam had only seen Jess once since Halloween. Jess had been spending all her time off with Kim.
Raking her hands through her hair, Jess said, "I've got some things on my mind, that's all."
Like maybe a beautiful psychiatrist? Kim was all Jess talked about these days. Sam had never heard her talk so much or so enthusiastically about any woman. Even more unusual was the fact that Jess appeared totally unaware that she was doing it. That was what made it so strange that she had not mentioned Kim once since leaving Los Angeles three days ago. "So tell me what's bugging you and —"
"Look, there's our exit," Jess said. She opened the glove box and pulled out the rental papers. "We should go ahead and drop off the car. We can grab something to eat at the hotel."
Sam shot Jess a sharp look before taking the indicated exit. Jess was doing her best to appear totally engrossed in the rental car documents. This conversation is so not over!
* * *
Lying on one of the beds in their hotel room, Sam waited for Jess to finish her shower. She was bound and determined to get Jess to open up about what was bothering her. Keeping things bottled up inside was a trait they shared.
The bathroom door swung open and a cloud of steam wafted into the room. Jess stepped out, wearing scrub pants and a T-shirt.
"I thought we were going to go out and get something to eat?" Sam asked.
Jess walked over and picked up the room service menu. "Heads up." She tossed it toward Sam. "Order what you want. My treat." She flopped down on the empty bed. "And you can pick a pay-per-view movie too."
"Cool!" As Sam flipped open the menu, she caught a glimpse of the satisfied expression on Jess's face. That's when she recognized the offer for what it was — a subtle bribe. Or at the very least, an attempt to keep her mind off their earlier conversation. Nice try, Jess. "Great, if we're staying in, then we'll have lots of time and privacy to talk about what's been bothering you."