Take Me As I Am (3 page)

“I noticed. I told her to get herself a protector next time.” Jo sat on the stool that Thea had vacated.

John-Henry laughed, a deep belly laugh, and indicated the cooler. “What’s your pleasure?”

“I’ll have a Stella.”

He put the bottle down next to her. “She needs a keeper, too. She left without paying for her beer.”

Jo looked at the half-empty bottle of beer close to her left hand and smiled wryly at it. “That’s okay. I’ll pay. It seems like I got the job by accident this evening.”

The man looked at her with a deeply concentrated expression and then smiled. “Looks like it. She could do with someone like you to protect her around here.”

“Why would that be? He was only some drunk out for a good time. She probably won’t come back here.” Jo was interested, regardless of her usual
make no friends in strange places
attitude that she maintained.

“Tell you what, after we close up here, I’ll tell you a short story. Now, drink your beer and go slay’em, girl.”

Jo couldn’t help what she knew was a startled expression on her face. She wasn’t sure she’d heard right.

A story? Fucking hell, I haven’t had a bedtime story since I was eight years old.

Back then, she had never listened.

It had better be some story if it’s going to waste my sleep time.

Taking a long drink from the bottle, her lips twitched in a small smile as she placed it next to the mug the blonde left behind. She smirked, recalling the embarrassment as she’d left the bar. In one fluid movement, she slid gracefully off the stool and headed back toward the makeshift podium while the crowd cheered her name.

Chapter Five

Jo couldn’t be certain, but she felt sure she heard faint sobs coming from the room next to hers. One thing she’d always been grateful for was her acute hearing. It had proved excellent for, not only her chosen career path, but also, for when situations got a little crazy and she needed to bolt out of town.

Now that she was wide-awake and listening intently, she heard the muffled sounds of crying once again—she was positive this time around. With a quick motion, she pulled the pillow over her head, trying to shut out the sounds. They persisted and she thumped the pillow in annoyance. Jo had been staying in the motel for more than three weeks now and knew that the owner occupied the room next to hers. Although she’d seen her occasionally in those ensuing weeks, they had barely passed more than polite short sentences after the situation in the bar. The owner appeared to be avoiding her and it hadn’t been a problem. They had nothing in common.

Jo gave up any chance of sleeping until the woman stopped crying and crawled out of bed to make an instant coffee. It was easier than setting up the small percolator she’d bought the week before. Ten minutes later the crying had increased in volume.

She usually equated impulsive decisions only to when she landed herself with another partner but this time it was different. She picked up her shirt, partially buttoned it, and slipped on her boxer shorts that she had discarded earlier—sleeping in the nude was a given in her book. After silently opening her door, she moved to room seven, the one she knew Thea Danvers occupied. She knocked decisively. At first, she wasn’t sure if the woman heard her, but then she heard a shuffle within the confines of the four walls before she heard a small voice.

“Who is it?”

“Ms. Danvers, it’s Jo. I heard noises, just checking to make sure you’re okay.” Jo wasn’t sure what to say without causing the woman any embarrassment.

The door opened partially and it seemed to Jo that they were both uncomfortable.

“Thanks for asking, but I’m fine.”

Jo hadn’t missed the red swollen eyes, indicating that the woman had been crying for some time. The green eyes staring at her were welling with tears as they stood looking at one another. That woeful childish expression was Jo’s undoing. She moved a fraction closer, put out a finger, and gently lifted Thea’s chin and looked into her eyes.

“Pardon me for saying so, but you don’t look fine. Can I help? Sometimes talking to a stranger releases the tension.” Jo waited as she saw the expression on the face change to astonishment.

“I appreciate your concern, Ms. Lackerly, but there’s nothing you can do. Thank you for your offer.”

“Suit yourself, but can I ask you to keep the noise down, then. Some of us paying guests want to get some sleep.” Jo knew her words were harsh as she retreated to her room before slamming the door.

 
“So much for good intentions,” she grumbled. “Fucking great. Try to help someone and she throws it in my face. That’s the last time I’m going to come to the aid of that frigid bitch.”

Jo discarded her shirt, sank down on the bed, and looked up at the cream-colored ceiling.

The door to her room burst open and in marched a furious Thea Danvers striding quickly toward her. “What do you mean ‘keep the noise down’?”

Thea had obviously lost touch with reality during her angry outburst and Jo felt a wicked streak rear as she looked at the woman standing inches from her. “Ms. Danvers, didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s polite to knock?”

Jo watched the realization of her actions cross Danvers’ face and she smirked in satisfaction. She noted the woman’s eyes grow large as she stared at her semi-nakedness.

“I usually invite people to my bedroom when I’m in this state of undress. Not have them forced on me,” Jo added.

She watched in fascination as the pink shade she’d seen in the bar now turned a beetroot red.

“I’m…I’m sorry…truly, I’m sorry. I…I don’t know what could have possibly gotten into me.” Thea put a hand to her mouth, as if trying to stifle a sob that threatened to engulf her.

Jo watched once again, the multitude of emotions that passed across the other woman’s face, and knew now was not the time to push the younger woman. “Hey, sit down, Ms. Danvers. I’ll make you coffee. How do you take it?”

Thea sank gratefully onto the side of the bed and gave her a watery smile of thanks. “White, no sugar.”

“Coming up.”

Jo set to work on providing the coffee and once she handed the woman a cup filled with the hot liquid she sank down opposite her on the bed and drank from her own cup. She realized that the woman opposite her wouldn’t look her straight in the eye before recalling her state of undress and a grin replaced the smile.

†

Thea kept her eyes averted. The ample breasts of her guest sent a shiver down her back. The woman didn’t seem to be embarrassed that a virtual stranger was seeing her half undressed.

Silence descended on them as they sipped from their respective coffee for a few minutes. Thea finally broke the silence. “I received some bad news, I’m sorry if my…my crying woke you up. I apologize.” Thea continued to avert her eyes.

“I’m a light sleeper. If the cat was crying outside the window, I’d be awake. It’s the curse of having acute hearing.”

“Thank you. I’m sincerely sorry for breaking into your room.”

Thea couldn’t believe she had actually done it, but she had, obviously, for it wasn’t a dream. She was sitting on the edge of Jo’s bed, and that proved it was reality. Thea felt a tug at her heart but didn’t want to open it up to her. There was something about her that she knew was familiar, but she didn’t know if it was good or bad. It was disconcerting to say the least.

“Well, I wouldn’t call it breaking into the room. Let us say you thought there was a fire that needed to be taken care of.” The singer moved closer and smiled. “What do you say? Shall we call it that?”

Thea was breathless and couldn’t take her eyes from the ones that had captured hers. Her heart raced within the confines of her chest, feeling the heat of the woman so close to her. “Why are you being nice to me?”

“Let’s say until you find another protector, looks like I’m still on the payroll and it’s part of the contract to be nice.”

The engaging smile from the woman astounded Thea with its intensity and she returned the smile with a dazzling one of her own.

“Who says I need a protector?” Thea challenged half-heartedly.

“I do.”

 
“I can’t afford to pay you,” Thea tentatively answered.

“Who says I want payment?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. Most would, and do,” Thea said bitterly.

“Not this time. It’s free, Ms. Danvers, so take it while you can.” She shrugged. “Why look a gift horse in the mouth?”

“In that case you better call me Thea.” She held out her hand.

The singer looked at her outstretched hand and smiled. “Beautiful name, is there a story behind it?”

“Do you mind if I call you Joanna? It’s a beautiful name too.” Thea felt the heat stain her cheeks again. Joanna certainly did have a strange effect on her and it definitely wasn’t unwelcome. Joanna seemed perplexed. This time Thea couldn’t help but watch the well-formed breasts move, with nipples that had grown in their smooth brown background due to the coolness of the room. It made her mouth salivate at the thought of her lips sucking them in. Her body was going out of control and she panicked, needing to leave the room immediately. She hadn’t had thoughts like this since her crush on Jennifer Coulson in high school.

“My mother is the only one who calls me Joanna. I haven’t heard it in a while,” Joanna said finally.

“Okay, I will leave you now and…and perhaps tomorrow you would maybe join me for breakfast? I will tell you about my name then,” Thea asked. She moved away from the bed and placed the coffee cup next to the small machine.

“I guess…what time is breakfast? I don’t usually…well, I work late…” Joanna was looking at her quizzically as she trailed off.

Thea, who had partially opened the door, heard the hesitation from the usually confident woman. “As I’ve disturbed you, how about I say ten-thirty?” Thea said quietly without turning back.

“Sure, I’ll see you at breakfast. Do you have any particular place in mind?”

“How about I meet you in the lobby and we take it from there?” Thea said as she exited the room and turned so that the door effectively shielded her from the woman’s half-naked form.

“Works for me. Thea, will you be able to sleep now?”

Thea looked back into the room and gave Joanna a bright smile. “Yes.”

“I’m glad.” Joanna said quietly.

“Goodnight, Joanna.” Thea closed the door to the room and went to her own room. Emotions were crashing like waves within her mind and body and she didn’t know what to make of it.

“Goodnight, Thea.”

†

Jo sank down onto the bed and contemplated the ceiling once again. This time her mind was full of the woman, as it was previously, but the thoughts this time were remarkably different. When she was close to Thea, she felt as though she was burning and that feeling was disconcerting. She’d noted the heightened color that stained Thea’s cheeks when she looked pointedly at Jo’s breast. It gave Thea a cute look and made something in Jo feel even more protective of her. It was a feeling that she was not familiar with, but it was oddly soothing to her. She grinned, remembering seeing the same look on the faces of other women who had looked openly at her, wanting to know her better. At times she let them.

Jo chuckled as Thea had looked like she was being chased by a raging bull when she made her hasty exit. It was amusing that she refused to look at her once she got to the door except to look back and say goodbye. Jo looked down at her breasts and grinned.

Perhaps I will tease her about that in the morning at breakfast.

She nixed the idea. Thea seemed fragile and probably hadn’t ever seen another woman’s breasts before. Perhaps she’d open up a bit more at breakfast.

“A protector? Who the hell would see me as a protector?” she mused. Now, I’m having breakfast—more like brunch—with her. I wonder if my hormones are telling me to settle down at last.”

Jo chuckled at the thought of the alien concept. Staying in one place was definitely not her style. As sleep gradually claimed her, her mind drifted to a scene, comprising a figure waiting for her. “I wonder what it must be like to come home to someone who loves me, every day for the rest of my life,” she mumbled as sleep took her.

†

Thea paced up and down the lobby. It was nearly eleven. She wasn’t sure if Joanna had overslept, forgotten her, or decided against the invitation. What should she do? Should she go and knock on the door and ask? Maybe she should go out and work in the garden?

She stopped pacing and stared at the empty corridor that housed her guest’s room, shaking her head. She gave a bitter laugh to the empty lobby. “Why would she want to spend any time with me anyway? She is obviously popular with the men in town and that isn’t surprising. After all she is a very beautiful woman.”

Her stomach was grumbling and Thea felt a little sick. Normally she had eaten by eight in the morning, but she’d been far too nervous about this breakfast date that she had been unable to eat anything and had only managed one cup of coffee.

Finally making a decision, she retrieved a coffee from the lobby’s coffee urn and went to a door marked
private
, which led to her office and the outer door to the yard. After putting the coffee cup on the small table close by a wrought iron chair, she sat down with a heavy sigh and looked around the yard. It was full of blooming flowers and the sounds of birds singing. It created an area for her to relax and enjoy some peace in a place away from her problems. Closing her eyes, she tried to rid herself of the hurt she felt at the rejection, for that was exactly how it felt.

Jo skidded to a halt in the lobby and was disappointed that Thea wasn’t around.

“Shit, I’m too late,” she murmured.

She couldn’t help but feel angry with herself. She had awakened around ten and decided to snooze ten minutes more. That ten minutes had turned out to be forty-five and a quick shower and dragging on clothes still hadn’t made up any time, for it was now eleven fifteen.

The enticing aroma of the always freshly brewed coffee in the lobby made her wonder why Thea would provide the service. To the best of her knowledge, she was the only person staying at the motel. There had been less than five overnighters in the place in the three weeks she’d been a resident there. Coffee appeared to be a luxury that Thea could well do without if the circumstances that John-Henry had briefly explained to her the first night she performed at the bar were anything to go by. She moved to the coffee machine and poured coffee into a cup and added sugar.

While sipping from the cup and relishing the taste of her first drink of the day, her eyes caught the blonde head of Thea sitting outside in the yard. It looked like she was also drinking coffee. Jo looked around for the door that led to the yard and became frustrated not seeing one. She decided that her only option was to knock on the glass pane that overlooked the yard. Jo rapped sharply on the pane of glass, hoping that Thea would hear her. No luck.