What the ***** was she doing? Marina groaned as she threw back her tear-stained face – confessing her love to a machine! It was a cold way to tell someone you loved them. God, she was such a fool!She should be doing this face-to-face with Jenny. But it was relatively early in the night and Jenny was probably still on her date with Gene. Marina was crushed at how quickly Jenny had moved on – first with Robin, then Gene, and probably Tim in-betweenDid Jenny care that little for her?

She cringed at her juvenile attempt at winning Jenny back. Poor Robin – a pawn in the silly game she was playing. Marina collapsed into a chair – her brow furrowed from the swirl of If onlys in her head. It was a night of regrets and Marinas pile was swiftly mounting up.

As soon as Francesca left for Virginia, Marina should have just headed straight for Jenny, taken her in arms and confessed how deeply she loved her – none of the pathetic allusions like telling Jenny that she cared for her or how much Jenny meant to her

But she had always her taken her cue from Jenny – when Jenny told her she never wanted to see her again or to leave her alone, she had always respected that. Or did she vainly believe that it was only a matter of time before Jenny came to her again Like a lapsed recovering addict, unable to wean off the drug that was Marina.

Like when Tim had thrown Jenny out and she ended up at The Planet, seeking refuge.
Marina immediately brought her home for a much needed bath. Jenny had seemed almost catatonic, soaking in the bath long after the water had run cold that Marina had to help her out and into bed. Jenny looked so small and broken as she curled up in bed but Marina had to will herself from gathering Jenny in her arms and comforting her.
Sorry, but I have to get back to The Planet – were short-handed today. Youll be okay?
Yes, Ill be fine. You go ahead. Jenny said unconvincingly, looking up at Marina, tears starting to form in her eyes again.

Marina smiled comfortingly, Ill be back around eight.Fix you something to eat then?

Marina got home long before eight, unable to stay away, and headed straight upstairs to the guest room to check on Jenny, who still sound asleep.

Her heart ached with desire, her breathing shallow just gazing at Jenny. Marina reached down to brush Jennys hair away from her face. But Jenny stirred and Marina hastily back out of the room.

After a quick shower, she went down to prepare dinner for Jenny. Stirring the pasta sauce, Marina debated about what to do about Jenny. Clearly the girl was confused and Marina did not want to muddle the situation further. Perhaps she should send Jenny back to Tims or perhaps she could stay over at Alices.

Marina was bent over the stove, surveying her options when she felt Jennys arms encircle her, immediately feeling Jennys rock-hard nipples against her back.
Hmm, whats for dinner? Smells good and so do you, Jenny whispered into Marinas back.

Oh no, not now, Jenny, Marina thought, not when you are in such a vulnerable state.
Marina straightened up and as gently as she could, disentangled herself from Jennys arms. Turning around, she saw the questioning look in Jennys eyes.
Whats wrong?
Funny you should say that – just about everything, Id imagine…where youre concerned. Dont you think you need some time alone? To figure what you really want.
Hey, if you dont want me here, Ill go, Jenny said defiantly.
Where to?
Jenny hung her head down, unable to reply.
Its not that I dont want you here. Its because I cant. And I cant because
Jenny slapped her hand on the kitchen counter, Cantdontwont – whatever! Ill be out of your hair tomorrow morning, okay? Jenny almost shouted as she stormed off to her room.

Marina took off after her but only arrived in time to see Jenny slam the door in her face.
Oh great! Marina fumed. I dont need to put up with this *****, she thought. Despite her annoyance, Marina tried to coax Jenny out.
Cmon Jenny, dinners almost ready. You need to eat something.
No! Im leaving!
Dont go, Jenny. Please stay. I want you too.
Leave me alone! Jenny screeched on the other side.
Oh God, she was such a child sometimes, Marina thought. Throwing up her hands in exasperation, Marina turned on her heels and headed back down to a solitary and tantrum-free dinner.

Marina spent the rest of the evening going over The Planets books and the state of her finances.
Hmm, not good at all, she groaned. It was a long way off before she could buy Francesca out.

Marina headed up to bed. It was a balmy night so she decided to strip off her tank top and shorts.
She crawled in, wishing she was getting into bed in the next room and spooning Jenny.

Trailing her fingers along her lean body, Marina imagined it was Jenny that was touching her, as her fingers reached inside her.

Marina, she heard her name being called in Jennys fractured voice.

Yes, what do you want? Marina asked, a little too tersely. She sat up to see Jenny leaning against the door frame, her eyes puffy from crying.

Marina, I need

What is it with you, Jenny? Tim has thrown you out youve lost your safe harbor And you now think you can find it with me?

No, being safe is the last thing I feel when I am with you. ..When I am with you, its complete and utter chaos, Jenny cried out. But thats the only time I feel alive! Im sorry if I keep taking my confusion and insanity out on you. Its just that my life was heading in a direction I thought it should – you know, the husband, the house, the kidsand then, you came and unscrambled it alloh God, how you did!
Am I your downfall, Jenny?
Yes. Yes, you areYoure my downfall, Marina.and my salvation.

Jenny looked as though she was about to collapse and hugged the doorframe for support, before continuing, Youre right – my life is spinning all kinds of directions but each time, it comes to rest, even if only for a second, it points back to you. I cant ignore what we have, Marina. What we can have Jenny paused, waiting for Marina to respond but she kept silent.
I dont blame you for keeping your distance especially after Ive put you through the wringer more than a few times. But I need a friend right now. PleaseHold me?

Marina stared at Jenny, not answering but her heart crumbled at the neediness in Jennys voice. Slowly, she lifted the covers, inviting Jenny into her bed. Marina groaned inwardly when Jenny crossed the threshold, discarding her dressing gown as she made her way towards Marina.
Marina tried to comfort Jenny as a friend, not a lover. But it was more than little difficult especially since they were both naked. She kept Jennys arms securely around her waist – any lower or higher would be the danger zones and she wasnt certain she could maintain her resolve not to make love to Jenny.

They stayed entwined in each others arms till the morning, the contentment clearly displayed across their faces. If only they could stay like this forever, Marina mused. But this was no parallel universe and Francesca would be home soon. Sooner or later, she would have to tell Jenny about Francescayes, at some point but not now
The shrill ring of the phone broke into her thoughts. It was Tina..Hey, Marina – sorry to bother you so early on your day offbut was wondering if youve seen Jenny.Tim was worried and I thought maybe she .
Ya, shes okay.shes here Marina replied, keeping the conversation short so as not to wake Jenny. Marina returned the phone to its cradle and sat on the edge of bed, contemplating the Jenny-Francesca situation, when she felt Jennys fingers caressing her back.

Jenny, dont, Marina pleaded but Jenny ignored her, easing herself up to kneel behind Marina. Wrapping her arms around Marinas neck, she slowly sank her soft lips onto Marinas neck.
No, please, Marina cried softly but her ragged breathing betrayed her desire as Jenny started to nibble on her earlobe.
Oh god, my body just cannot say no to this womanMarina thought, her hands-off Jenny policy quickly dissolving as she pulled Jenny onto her lap so Jenny could straddle her. Jenny moved in to kiss Marina but Marina held her back.
Ignoring the thwarted look on Jennys face, Marina said, Wait, I want to see myself in your eyes.
What they did not say in words was clearly reflected in each others eyes. Marinas heart almost broke from the weight of her love for Jenny. They stayed like that for several moments before Marina hungrily pressed her lips against Jennys as she savoured the taste of Jenny.
And what do you see in my eyes, Jenny?, Marina asked, as she broke away from the kiss to catch her breath.
I see one very horny *****.
That you are, moi cherie, that you are!, Marina laughed as she bend down to mouth Jennys already erect nipples and slowly slipped her fingers into the soft, warm spot between Jennys thighs.

Marina was always amazed at how easily their bodies moulded to each other – even on that first night they made love. There wasnt any of the awkwardness of entangled limbs or the tentativeness of first-time lovers. She had never experienced such an easy fusion with her other lovers, not even with Francesca. It was as if she and Jenny had mated in a previous life and each knew instinctively how to pleasure the other. It was a sexual dance only the two of them knew the steps to.

With her other conquests, as Jenny had called them, it was the thrill of the chase, the sexual mating rituals that excited her. In fact, with many of them, by the time the flirtation culminated in *****, Marinas interest had already waned. Was it a self-preservation mechanism on her part, Marina wondered, or did these women really not fire her up at all – not like the way Jenny did.

That kiss at Tinas and Bettes party.that one kiss was all it took…for Jenny to consume her life.

Marina left the bathroom, hoping to speak further to Jenny but only caught a glimpse of her back as she dragged Tim out the door. She just had to find out more about Jenny.
Tina would be her best bet but she and Bette were busy interviewing potential sperm donors. Alice would definitely know a thing or two, but then with her, Marina feared that she would be at the receiving end of Alices queries. Hmm, perhaps Shane, she thought. Shane usually knew more than she let on and was shades more discreet than Alice. She saw Shane break away from her conversation with a blonde to refill her wine glass and Marina quickly headed in her direction.

Sounding as casual as possible, Marina first talked about the sperm donor situation and then veered the conversation to cover other guests like Jenny and Tim, pouring herself a glass of red. But Shane wasnt fooled. Hmm, on the prowl again, are you Marina? Shane teased. Cmon, shes not your type – for one thing, shes straight.
Its not like that, Marina said as she brushed her fingers across her lips, still feeling the warmth of Jennys lips on hers. This is not going to be some one night stand.
Ya, right, Marina! Shane teased, rolling her eyes. Like me, youre the love-them-and-leave- them type – and you usually leave them lusting for more too, she laughed, lifting her glass for a sip of wine. But she left it hanging in mid-air, bewilderment spreading across her face when Marina whispered, I think Ive just fallen in love.