Chapter 27
TWENTY-SEVEN
Brooke
There was a lump in Brooke’s throat.
JJ kept saying words and the lump got bigger.
She swallowed, mouth dry.
Brooke ran her hand over the quilt, the other one still in JJ’s hand, the warm tether quietening her usual overwhelming thoughts to be something more. Like a rushing tap had been turned off.
She sat up on the bunk, mirroring JJ.
What do I want?
The question bounced from side to side in her brain. The same one JJ had asked her on top of the ridge.
She’d been mulling it over ever since.
“As much as I enjoy this—being away, on the road, I’m not sure I want to keep travelling like I used to.
At least not full time. And I want to stop long enough in one place to allow myself the time to come up with an answer to what I want.
If I’m able to fix things with Hayley, maybe staying around here wouldn’t be so bad. ”
Her hands were sweaty and clammy. She hoped JJ didn’t notice.
It was the first time she’d admitted it out loud: that maybe home could be a place to stay, to put down a root or two.
To stop running.
Talking to JJ made it seem like it could be possible, and that being just Brooke in the meantime was okay. Not a failure. Brooke’s shoulders shifted back as their conversation tamped down her negative thoughts. Maybe she could take control of her life and leave her past in the past?
“Well,” JJ said, “sounds like that path is starting to show itself to you. Just take it one step at a time.”
“That’s only as far as I can see at the moment anyway.” Brooke laughed, now fiddling with her bracelets.
“Well, sometimes all you need is that next step and just make the rest up along the way. Feel better?”
“Actually, yes. Thanks for listening to my midnight rambles.”
“Anytime.”
Brooke felt the pause between them, the only sound a slow squeak of a single spring as JJ shifted her weight to get off the bed.
Brooke grabbed her arm. “Wait.”
“What?” JJ stopped, turning around.
“It’s our last night.” Brooke bit her lip, heart picking up speed.
If she couldn't have JJ forever, she could at least have her tonight. One last time.
“It is. And?” JJ didn’t move.
Brooke kissed her.
If neat orderly perfection was a scent, this was it—all wrapped up in one big JJ-sized bow: minty-fresh breath, fruity shampoo and clean laundry.
JJ kissed her back, setting into action with a desperation that hadn’t been there before. Hands clawed at Brooke’s back and dove into her hair. Brooke slipped in her tongue, making them both groan. A low pulse ignited between Brooke’s legs.
JJ's hand moved to the side of Brooke’s shirt, brushing the edge of her breast, braless and sensitive.
Brooke hissed in response. JJ’s hand doubled back to brush past again, this time grazing underneath and around.
Brooke’s stomach swooped low, the sensations between their hot mouths and eager touch driving her crazier than she thought possible in the short amount of time.
The build up of all their time spent together.
JJ had never taken things this far before. Was she bending the rules for their last night?
Somehow they'd moved positions, and Brooke found herself straddling JJ, hands either side of her head. This wasn't Brooke’s usual position. On top. Hell, women weren't her usual. The last time she’d been with a French girl she’d—oh.
JJ brushed her breast again, fingers tracing across her nipple. Brooke shuddered.
JJ pulled away, just for a second. “Okay?”
Brooke nodded furiously, launching back into the kiss, happy to follow JJ’s lead.
There was nothing delicate about JJ’s next pass. This time JJ grabbed, kneaded, tweaked.
“Fuck,” Brooke uttered, deepening their kiss in retaliation.
Though it only turned her on further too, a double-edged sword.
A sound pulled from her, all need and—god, JJ was good with her hands.
The other one had found her arse, squeezing and clawing.
Everything in Brooke wanted to lower her hips, to push and grind against JJ…
but that wasn’t what this was. And so the space between stayed, a constant reminder of their fragile and brief connection before everything went back to the way it was.
Brooke would enjoy every moment. Every second etched into her brain. Every touch burned into her soul. This wasn’t fun and fleeting, the high of travel and riding the vibe of a holiday. This felt like something bigger, like it should mean something more.
Only it didn't, and it wasn't.
It was just for tonight. Right now.
This was all one big dare, and Brooke swallowed down the truth.
But if JJ wanted to touch her tonight, Brooke would be damned if she didn't return the favour.
Balancing on one hand, the other raked its way down JJ’s arm and back up to her chest. Braless as well, JJ’s shirt left little to the imagination.
Brooke cupped her over the fabric, the small breast fitting easily into her palm.
She squeezed, then rolled a nipple between her thumb and forefinger, pairing the action with a slide of her tongue into JJ’s mouth.
JJ groaned. Brooke smiled and repeated the motion.
JJ’s hips lifted off the bed.
Brooke did it again. And again. And again.
Each pinch, each lick in perfect sync, a dizzying harmony that was driving Brooke just as wild having JJ under her like this, writhing and completely under her control.
Control.
This was the furthest they’d explored. This wasn’t what JJ wanted.
She stopped, resting her forehead on JJ’s. Their breath was harsh. JJ let out a half-whimper.
“We need to stop.” It hurt her to say it, but she knew it was time.
“What, no it’s fine, we don’t have to—”
“No, JJ. I know what this is.” Brooke smiled but her chest ached. “I know who you are and what you stand for. Save that for your person.”
Not me. I'm just a mess. Just the friend. A bit of fun.
Not dating material.
She felt the lightest of nods against her head, the slow release of a breath.
“Yeah. Okay. You’re right.”
Brooke dipped down, placing a soft, lingering kiss on JJ’s lips, one last time.
If only she was different. The right fit.
Maybe in another lifetime.