Page 13 of The Holiday

“Singer!” Monique called.And that’s the loudest I’ve ever heard her speak.

When Helen shook her head, everyone went back to the drawing board.

“Politician,” Etta said. “Dancing fucking monkeys.”

Of course, those two would be on the same wavelength. Jamie had a feeling that two separate lovers of Monique Grant wouldhave to think the same way. No wonder Helen and Etta were such close pals during dinner.

After nodding, Helen commenced holding up her fist and acting like she was going to punch herself.

“Oh man,” a half-drunk Ira said into their glass of cognac. “I can’t remember their fucking names. I’m… I’m too tipsy.”

“It’s on the tip of my tongue.” Kathleen slapped her partner’s thigh in excitement.

“That’s not all on the tip of her tongue.”

Kathleen smacked them so hard that Ira almost dropped their glass in surprise.

“Raymond Mitchell,” Etta said, on the verge of a yawn. “Next.”

Jamie patted her girlfriend’s leg.Someone’s getting sleepy. When it came close to Etta’s bedtime, she had a habit of growing an attitude that did not make her the life of the party. It made Jamie feel like she had to apologize for her every five minutes. Except they were with friends – or at least Helen and Monique were friends. And Natasha, Jamie supposed.

Natasha, who got up from the corner she was working in and approached her employer with trepidation. “What should I do about the charts due on Monday?” she whispered, kneeling next to Etta’s seat. “Do you want them done tonight or tomorrow?”

“Tonight would be better, but don’t tax yourself.”

“I think I’ll go up to my room and work on them.” Natasha went back to the desk she worked at, gathered her things, turned down a glass of cognac from Eve standing in the corner, and left the study.

Eve put the glass down with a huff. Even though she said nothing, everyone knew what she was thinking when she crossed her arms.Poor Natasha. Or is that poor Eve?No, it was definitely poor Natasha, who was working herself ragged with overtime. During dinner, Natasha confessed she took on this extra work so she could buy her parents a vacation forChristmas. Sex, even with a stunner like Eve, was probably the last thing on her mind. She could probably use it.

“You’re up, Coleman.” Helen tossed Etta the bowl of paper. “Time to be a thespian.”

Etta caught the bowl but handed it to Jamie without a second thought. “Think I’m going to pass.” She finished her glass of cognac and turned down the fresh drink Eve still had in her hand. “I’m tired. I’d rather turn in early and get an early start tomorrow.” She looked at Jamie. “We’re going for a walk in the woods bright and early.”

Jamie forced a smile.Fuck you, Etta. Mushroom hunting. Etta Coleman wanted to go mushroom hunting because she was a weirdo who liked plants a little too much.

Everyone else smiled politely, although Ira muttered something into their glass that made Kathleen hide a laugh in her hand. Monique intervened by saying, “Still learning about mushrooms, Etta?”

“Naturally.” Etta stood, straightening out her jacket and smoothing out her trousers. “Jamie’s become quite good at identifying the poisonous ones. Sometimes I wonder if she’s trying to get her inheritance a bit too early.”

Jamie laughed, uneasily, and Monique was the only other person to smile. Probably because they were the only people in that room who understood Etta’s dry humor.

“By the way, I would appreciate you coming with me for a moment.” Etta held her hand out to Jamie. “I need to speak with you about tomorrow. I won’t keep you from socializing too long.” Her wink was almost genuine.

Jamie took her hand and was helped up. She sent Monique an apologetic look before joining her girlfriend in the empty–and cold–hallway.I miss the fireplace already.She hoped their room had one and that it was stoked already.

“Yes?” Jamie asked as soon as they were alone. “I thought we already had our plans solidified for tomorrow…”

Etta took her hand and dragged her across the hall.Uh oh. Jamie recognized that brute strength. Her heart leaped in her throat as Etta made sure the coast was clear before opening a door and hauling Jamie inside.

It looked like an office. One with a locking door, if Jamie heard what her girlfriend was doing correctly. A single light turned on in the corner. “Etta… what is…”

She kissed Jamie with the strength of a woman with a point to prove. Jamie stumbled backward, against the wall, her body reacting in the only way it knew how–with instant arousal.Fuck that! Her brain wanted an explanation first!

“Excuse me.” She pushed Etta away. “Is there something I can help you with, ma’am?”

“Oh, right, sorry.” Etta opened her jacket pocket and pulled out her girlfriend’s sapphire collar. “I need you to put this on.”

“Hold up.” This was happening too fast, even for Etta Coleman, the woman who used to pay Jamie to be sexually available to her at all hours of the day. Now she collared her when she wanted to enact those scenarios. They weren’t a lifestyle BDSM couple, but they had the collar to dictate when they were having a scene. “First, what is going on, and second… did you go through my purse to get that? Because that’s where I last left it.”

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