Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
JOEY
Vanessa and Joey sat on the beach at Barceloneta. The sun was going down and people were beginning to pack up their possessions and go home.
“I love the beach at this time of day,” said Vanessa. She leaned back on her hands, tipping her head back and closing her eyes. “It’s like it’s caught between two worlds – the day and the night.”
“Like you?”
Vanessa opened her eyes and looked at Joey, who continued. “Caught between here and your life in the UK.”
“Yes, I suppose so.” Vanessa relaxed her arms and let herself lie back on the sand. “But you are, too, right? Carefully balanced? And I feel like I’ve ruined the careful equilibrium you’ve built here.”
Joey leaned back and laid beside her, her heartbeat slowing.
Vanessa had clearly understood a lot from the few words they’d exchanged since they got to the beach.
“Oh yes, you’ve driven a cart and horses right through it.
I always promised myself I’d only ever be reliant on myself.
” Joey looked up at the sky, which was turning slowly darker, orange tingeing the clouds.
“Can anyone really do that, though?” Vanessa turned her head so she was looking directly into Joey’s eyes. Joey could feel her breath on her face. It made her long to kiss Vanessa, but she knew they needed to talk first.
“I’m beginning to think perhaps not. Look at Dani and Sergio – at you and Carl.” Joey put her hands under her head and sighed.
“And you and Carmen,” Vanessa added. “I don’t think you were alone for long when you arrived here.”
Joey reflected on the conversation she and Carmen hadn’t quite finished, earlier that day.
“Yes, perhaps you’re right. Although this is quite different.
At least for me. It’s been such a long time since I had a relationship with a woman, a romantic one, I mean.
I feel like I’m doomed to ruin it, or perhaps to be heartbroken. Either way it feels like a big risk.”
“But what about if it works out?” Vanessa shuffled closer to Joey and adjusted her position so she could run her fingers through Joey’s hair.
Feeling Vanessa’s hand stroking her awoke something in Joey.
Yes, partly it was something primal. But there was something else there, too, something that urged her to trust the woman beside her.
There was a tenderness to Vanessa’s touch that she didn’t recall experiencing before.
Joey smiled slowly. “Well yes, I suppose it could work out.”
“I think that may be the most optimistic thing I’ve ever heard you say!” Vanessa giggled.
“Excuse me!” said Joey, her eyes wide. “I feel like everything that happened the other night was pretty optimistic.”
“Well I suppose that’s one word for it,” teased Vanessa.
Joey smiled. “I didn’t run because I didn’t want you.”
“I know that now.” Vanessa leaned on her elbow and framed Joey’s face with her hand. “And I know it’s complicated.”
Joey felt herself willing Vanessa to kiss her. “Yes. You have Birmingham and your cafe.”
“I do, and a promise I made,” said Vanessa. “And you have your home here. I could never ask you to leave it.”
“And so it’s complicated.” Joey’s voice was no more than a murmur.
Vanessa leaned down and pressed her lips to Joey’s. Joey’s eyes fluttered shut. She couldn’t concentrate on the complications while Vanessa was so close.
Vanessa pulled away. “Could we just take it one day at a time?”
“I’d like that,” said Joey.
“And with that in mind, I’d quite like to take you back to your apartment.” Vanessa gave a wicked smile. Joey grinned and nodded.
“Won’t Carl mind you leaving him alone this evening?” Joey asked, just minutes later, as she put her key into her front door.
Vanessa shook her head. “I texted him. Told him he could have the bed. He’s fine.” She followed Joey inside. “That is, as long as you don’t mind me sleeping over?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Joey’s heart danced with a newfound optimism. She didn’t have all the answers, but for now, that seemed to matter less. She pulled Vanessa towards her and kissed her, running her hands down her back.
Vanessa gave an audible moan. “I’ve been having such vivid flashbacks to the other night. Honestly, you have no idea how hot you are.”
Joey felt a pulse of energy and attraction flow down her body and she held Vanessa tighter, deepening their kiss. She pulled away for a moment to look at Vanessa, whose pupils were wide, her cheeks red.
“This is no time for teasing,” said Vanessa, her voice lower than its usual register. “I need you.”
Joey closed her eyes for a second to gather her thoughts.
“Joey, I need you now,” said Vanessa, her voice insistent. Joey opened her eyes again and brought her hands to Vanessa’s hips. Gently, she pushed her the two or three steps towards the wall. Vanessa huffed as she made contact with the shabby yellow plaster.
Joey kissed her, harder this time. She brought her hands to Vanessa’s thighs. Vanessa moaned as Joey sucked her lower lip into her mouth. Joey quickly pulled up the flimsy fabric of Vanessa’s skirt and brought a hand between her legs.
Vanessa hissed and leaned her head back onto the wall. “Yes, more!” she said, simply.
Joey felt her own legs begin to wobble. Once again she was all turned on and fully clothed. She brought both her hands to Vanessa’s underwear and pulled them down. She could feel the heat coming off Vanessa’s body, and she needed to touch her.
Joey put one hand back onto Vanessa’s hip to steady her, then slowly pressed two fingers into the woman who seemed to be changing her life.