Page 9 of The Relationship Mechanic

“That’s fine.”

“Or,” Jessica said leather creaking again until a soft touch landed on Vini’s upper thigh. She glanced down and swallowed hard at the sight of Jessica’s hand cupping her leg loosely. “We could grab a bottle and share it somewhere a little more private.”

Was she saying what Vini thought she was saying? It sounded like an offer to join her in her room. Was Vini really about to spend the evening with someone her sister had warned her against getting involved with? That last thought annoyed her. She didn’t need Ava’s approval to spend time with someone, and she certainly didn’t need her approval to have sex. If that was where this was leading. No, it was exactly where things were leading, and Vini was more than a little excited. Just because there was attraction, that didn’t mean she would get attached. People hooked up all the time, and sure, maybe Vini hadn’t after being so busy with getting the shop up and running as it should, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t now.

Jessica was interested, and so was she. They were grown-ass adults. They didn’t need anyone else’s approval. Decision made: she placed a hand over Jessica’s and squeezed it gently.

“Sounds like the perfect plan to me.”

Six

The streets were quiet as Vini steered them through town. Jessica had been surprised how quickly Vini agreed to moving things to a more intimate location given how hot and cold she had blown before. They had stopped at a small package store to grab a bottle of wine, though if she had her way, not much would be consumed. Jessica had no desire to get sloppy. She liked her partners fully ready to sayYes. OrNo, don’t stop, depending on what they enjoyed.

Jessica opened the door to her room and took a few steps in before pausing. The room was softly lit by a lamp on the table by the door making it warmer and more inviting. The room was large with a door to the right leading to the quaintest bathroom Jessica had ever seen, right down to the claw-foot tub that she would be taking advantage of. The walls were a muted green that normally would have Jessica gagging, but with the gold-plated bedframe and neutral bedspread, it surprisingly worked. It was old-school for sure, yet in a way that tugged at nostalgia rather than looking tacky.

“Wow. If you put this anywhere else, it would probably have me running in the other direction. But it’s actually really cute.”

“Yeah. Diana has an eye for decorating.”

Jessica turned and watched Vini glance around the room. Her lips were turned up in a soft smile that had Jessica smiling with her. There was still a thrum of tension just below the surface, but it was easy enough to let it simmer. They didn’t need to rush things. As much as Jessica wanted to see just what Vini had been hiding underneath her overalls, she didn’t feel the need to push.

“Do you know everyone in town by name?” Jessica asked as she walked over to the bed. She dropped her bag on the floor before plopping down on the bed and looking up at Vini. “Am I in an old-school TV show where people smile and wave every time you walk by?”

Vini chuckled. She closed the door behind her, throwing the lock. The click of it sounded so final, but all Jessica could feel was anticipation. She leaned back on her hands and crossed her legs. She knew how the position lengthened her torso. When Vini’s gaze shifted traveling the length of her until their gazes met, Jessica felt the air in the room warm a few degrees. She was hot now like she had been as they glanced at one another over the crowd of people at the bowling alley. It had been hard to keep from going to Vini’s side then, if only just to ask her more questions.

“I don’t know everyone by name. The town isn’t that small, otherwise we would all be inbred,” she answered, finally walking closer to Jessica. She stopped close enough that if Jessica reached out, she could pull Vini to her side. As tempting as that was, Jessica decided to let Vini come to her instead. She had made her interest clear, and if Vini didn’t want to do anything more than have a glass of wine and talk, Jessica would oblige her.

When Jessica opened her mouth to suggest opening the bottle, her words were stolen by lips pressing against hers. The aborted sound was loud to her ears until the pressure pulled away and Jessica saw Vini’s shocked expression from inches away.

“Well, that was certainly...surprising.”

Vini straightened jerkily. “Shit. Sorry.”

“Oh, no, don’t misunderstand me,” Jessica said standing and reaching out to rest a hand on Vini’s hip. “It was a good surprise, but maybe we can try it again when we’re both ready for it.”

Vini’s eyes widened, but she didn’t move as Jessica moved in. This time, the press of their lips was smoother, and a thrill ran down Jessica’s spine when she finally had those plush lips under hers. Vini’s mouth moved in aborted gestures as if she were trying to figure out the best way to get closer. Jessica brought her free hand up to cup Vini’s cheek and angle her head. The movement had their mouths sliding together more fully, and Jessica felt more than heard Vini sigh.

Hands came up and clutched at Jessica’s shoulders. There was a deceptive strength in that grip that had her mind cycling through all the possibilities—possibilities that flew from her mind when a tongue parted her lips, sinking between them with unerring accuracy. Jessica groaned softly, thrilled at Vini taking the initiative. With how standoffish the other woman had initially seemed, she worried that it would have taken days if not weeks to get her to realize Jessica was interested, but with her being Ava’s sister and Ava dating Grace, they had the perfect reason to be around one another. Jessica would play her cards right this time. Everything would be laid on the table so that feelings never came into play. Sex was fun, and with the right attitude, no one had to get hurt with unmet expectations.

“Jesus,” Vini panted out when their lips briefly separated. One of her hands was clutching the fabric of Jessica’s blouse while the other had slipped around to cup the back of her neck. “If Ava knew I was here doing this with you, she would freak out.”

Jessica cocked an eyebrow but didn’t draw away. “Your sister?”

Vini nodded. “She said you were trouble.”

“She’s not totally wrong,” Jessica conceded with an amused snort. It rankled that not even a full week in and already she was being put on blast. Still, Vini didn’t seem to share the same thoughts, so she could let it go. “But only the good kind of trouble.”

“The good kind?”

Jessica let her smile go wicked as she leaned back in brushing her lips teasingly against Vini’s. “The best kind. The kind of trouble that keeps you coming back for more.” She gripped the loops of Vini’s pants and pulled her along with her until Jessica could sit back down on the bed. The height difference put her perfectly where she wanted to be, and Jessica shifted to grip Vini’s shirt.

“Do you mind if we take this off?”

Vini hesitated for only a moment before she let go of Jessica and took a step back. A bolt of disappointment lanced through Jessica for only a moment before she realized Vini was only giving herself space. She gripped the bottom of her shirt and pulled it up over her head. She looked around for a moment before flinging the shirt toward the small dining table and chair in front of the curtained window.

She was exquisite. Her skin was rich and drew Jessica in like the sun. When she nuzzled Vini’s stomach, the skin there jumped slightly. Jessica brought her hands back up before looking up at Vini from beneath her lashes. She knew from experience that it was a look that got people going, and Vini seemed to be no different. When she reached for the button of her jeans, Jessica stopped her.

“You don’t want me to get these off?”

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