The Lake by Peewee

"Jilly get your head out of your ass and watch where you're driving." Kerry said smacking me in the head with a towel.

I pulled back on the throttle and eased the boat around one of the shoal indicators that dotted the water. Having been raised on this lake I should have known better than to let my thoughts wander while driving. It was full of shoals and rocks that hid just under the surface. It was a massive lake, over 65 square miles with depths that reached ninety feet and shallow sand bars that topped out at three. Tourists flocked to stay in cabins or cottages that littered the shoreline and the many little islands, escaping the smog and hectic schedule of the city for a little clean air, clear water and relaxation. Unfortunately the slower pace of life on the lake often drove them crazy. To escape the tedium many bored teens got into trouble fighting or making time with the locals, while their parents would drink and fly down the lake at speeds that could break the sound barrier. Many ripped up their prized boats every year by going to fast to avoid the hazards. The marina repair shop was always busy place from May till October.

We worked at the marina. Not in the repair shop, but in the main store. I had gotten the job when I was fourteen and the next year I got Kerry hired on as well. For the past two years we have held the second most popular jobs in the area. The most desired job was lifeguard. Each year a hundred local kids would fight tooth and nail to get the five coveted lifeguard positions. And just like Kerry and I, once you had that position you usually kept it until you went away to college. We knew we had it good and we weren't about to give it up to flip burgers or dish out ice cream. We did all the odd jobs at the marina. We would deliver groceries to the tourists, fill up their boats with fuel, and check the shoal markers to make sure they were visible. It was grunt work but it was fun. We got to spend the whole summer in bathing suits and shorts, got to swim any time we wanted, and we saw the insides of some of the most beautiful homes around. Like I said we had it good.

One of the best parts of our job was delivering groceries. It doesn't sound like it would be thrilling but it was. Locals never had their groceries delivered; only the tourists did. Tourists who build half million-dollar homes that they only spend a few months a year in. They were also very intent on making sure that every moment of their time on the lake was spent doing something fun; nothing mundane like putting away their groceries. So we got to see first hand how the other half lives. We were often led to the kitchen and told to put stuff away. Sometimes all we got were directions to the kitchen. That was when it was the most fun. Walking around in these huge homes discretely taking in all the rooms as we tried to find the kitchen. That was my favourite part of the job.

Kerry had a different reason for liking this part of the job. Kerry was a flirt. She often found a few young men hanging around outside and she would chat them up while I put away the groceries. They would just stare at her and flirt right back. Kerry was a stunning girl. Seventeen with a body that made her seem older, she could definitely work a swimsuit. She had wavy long brown hair that got reddish highlights from the sun, and big beautiful brown eyes that men often got lost in. She always wore a red one piece that hugged all of her curves. She would on occasion throw on a pair of cargo shorts over it if she was trying to be coy. She would end up with more phone numbers and party invitations then she knew what to do with. She never called and rarely went to the parties. She had gone once and took off when she realized that she was the only girl there and all the guys were drunken teenage tourists. She said it scared the crap out of her. Since then she just flirts and leaves them hanging.

I was not a flirt. It wasn't my nature, and I didn't have the body for it. I was short and athletic, which is a nice way of saying I wasn't blessed in the boob department. I knew that I wasn't ugly but I was no knockout like Kerry. I had shaggy blond hair that was always messy and green eyes that got covered by Ray Bans most of the time. I always wore a yellow bikini and blue jean cut-offs. I was cute, but I was never the main attraction. Kerry always bitched that she couldn't wear a bikini because she was too top heavy. I think it was a good thing that she couldn't wear one otherwise I would be too distracted by her boobs to drive. Forget about the drooling men that would follow her around, having a drooling best friend staring at her would freak her out more. She was very cool with my sexuality but I think that would give her pause.

I had told Kerry I was gay at the beginning of the school year. She didn't take it very well. Unfortunately some other kids heard us arguing and soon everyone in town knew. My parents took it better than I thought they would. They were disappointed but they didn't throw me out, or anything dramatic like that. Mr. Lynch, my boss at the marina, didn't care. He just looked at me like I had two heads when I told him. I figured a lot of the locals would freak out and I didn't want his store to suffer for it. He politely told me the townspeople could climb it. He then said that the tourists were his bread and butter and if a bunch of homophobic morons wouldn't come into his store because of me; he wouldn't miss them. He was a cool old guy. Lots of people said rather mean things and I had some interesting graffiti on my locker but was generally left alone. Then in December some girls in the locker room jumped me. They said I was checking them out. That was a bold lie since I usually got changed in a bathroom stall and then left the room as quick as I could. It was pretty bad. I had a broken nose and cracked ribs from them kicking me. I had a big cut near my eye that was now a crescent shaped scar. My mom was really scared about that injury. I was too but it was rather funny when my mom actually said I could have lost an eye.

I got a week off school and the girls who beat me up got suspended for a week. The day I returned they were waiting for me and taunted me as I walked in. They followed me around saying really awful things. I stopped at my locker and tried to open it but I was having trouble seeing with tears threatening to fall. The girls surrounded me and kept calling me names and trying to get me to react. Finally one of them snapped, grabbed my head and slammed it into the locker. My vision doubled and I started to see spots. It was at this point, Kerry has told me, that things went crazy. All I remember is slowly sliding down the locker until I hit the ground. Someone screamed and then everything went black. When I woke up I was in the nurses' office and Kerry was holding my hand. She later explained that she had been the one who screamed. She thought that they had killed me. That was when I got my best friend back. Since then we have been joined at the hip.

We were on our way to make a delivery to my favourite house. It was an amazing place. It sat on a bluff about twenty feet above the water and had a three tiered white concrete deck. The first level of the deck started at the house and it had a wrought iron patio set on it as well as a pair of stainless steel grills. The second level held a mini-bar, lounge chairs and a couple of umbrellas to escape from the sun. The third level was U shaped and met the water. Each side of the U housed a boathouse and the centre had steps that lowered into the water. All of the levels were attached by gently sloping ramps. The house itself was incredible. Two stories with the back half that faced the water being nothing but glass and beams. The glass was tinted so you couldn't see in but it was impressive anyway. The ramps that led to the deck went all the way up to the side door. Once inside the house had fourteen-foot ceilings and was very open concept. The kitchen was state of the art all stainless steel appliances and restaurant style stove. There was a butcher's block island in the centre of the kitchen that we usually set the groceries when we came in. It was my favourite kitchen on the lake.

We had delivered groceries there since I started. We knew some of the family, well Kerry knew the son, James 'Jamie' Keating. Jamie was easily six foot four and he was built. He had a washboard stomach, black curly hair and sky blue eyes. He was so handsome I think I even had a crush on him. He was twenty-one and going to university. He was a good guy. He had come with us a few times to townie parties. He didn't act like a stuck up rich kid. In fact he acted just like the rest of our friends. Of course it could have been because he wasn't rich. They were well off, but not rich. His father was a doctor and his mother was in banking, he was planning on following in his fathers' footsteps and was pre-med at U of T. The amazing lake house was his sisters'. Jamie adored his big sister and talked about her all the time. He would tell us stories about what a brat Jack was when she was a kid. How she would get into trouble all the time, until her parents were nearly driven insane by her antics. He would tell us about her travels all over Europe and things she did in Africa. He talked about her so much we thought we knew her, even though we had never seen her.

I cut the engine and angled our boat up to the dock. Kerry hopped out and tied us down. She waved at Jamie as he started down from the house to help us. He was the only tourist who did that.

"Hey guys." He grinned as he ran down the ramps.

We started unloading the bags onto the dock to make it easier to carry. He had ordered a lot of stuff, much more than usual.

"I've got great news." He said as he reached us. "Jack is here. I can't wait for you guys to meet her. I've told her all about you two. She is looking forward to meeting you."

He was so happy it was adorable. I looked over at Kerry and she was grinning like an idiot. I think her little crush on Jamie was getting bigger every time we saw him. We grabbed the groceries and headed up to the house. Once we got inside we sat it all down and Kerry and I started to put it away while Jamie went looking for his sister.

"Jack the girls are here." He yelled walking out of the room. "Jack."

I smirked. Perhaps she didn't want to meet us as badly as he had hoped.

"I'm coming." A smooth sexy voice filled the air.

I felt chills run down my spine. I recognized that voice. I had posters of the owner of that voice hanging in my bedroom.

"There you are." Jamie said walking back into the kitchen.

I looked over at Kerry she was staring behind me with her jaw hanging open. I slowly turned around and felt the world tilt. There she was, the perfect woman. The woman who made me realize I was gay. Six feet of leggy brunette with impossibly high cheekbones and black arching eyebrows crowning eyes like chipped ice. Jacqueline Keating. Jack. My god we are idiots for not picking up on that.

"Jack this is Kerry." Jamie said pointing at my friend. "And Jilly."

We both just stood there struck dumb.

"Guy's this is Jack." He said putting his arm around his sisters' shoulders.

"Nice to meet you." She said laughing.

Her eyes crinkled when she laughed.

"Nice to meet you too." Kerry managed to stammer out finally. I however was still mute.

"You didn't know, did you?" She said smiling.

I just shook my head.

"We had no clue." Kerry said fanning herself with a box of tissues she was about to put in the pantry before the introduction. "I guess we were pretty stupid not to put it together."

Jack just smiled. "I'm kind of glad you didn't know."

Kerry just cocked her head to the side a sign that usually meant she was pissed off. "Why is that?"

"No reason." Jack smirked. She was very amused by all of this.

She looked over at me and flashed a killer grin. "Your friend looks like she might pass out."

I felt like an idiot. There I was in the presence of my idol and she was making fun of me. I closed my mouth and gave Kerry a warning look. I could see that she was fuming and I didn't want her to say or do anything to make this even more awkward. Kerry just looked at me. She wanted to tell the woman off I could sense it, but she wasn't going to.

"Jamie, you didn't tell me one of your little friends was a mute." She said staring at me still.

"Jack." Jamie said with a gentle warning in his voice.

I looked at my feet. I was blushing and I was so embarrassed I was almost crying.

"So, which one of you is the dyke?" She said giving me a sneer.

"Jack!" Jamie yelled.

I turned and ran out of the house. I raced down the ramps all the way to the boat. By the time I got there I was sobbing. I couldn't help it. People always say that when you meet an idol you are often disappointed. I wasn't. I was devastated. I don't know how long it was before Kerry came down. She just gave me a hug and told me to get in the boat. I did as she said. It was like I had no mind of my own. She cast the lines off and started the boat. I vaguely remember going back to work and having Kerry drive me home. She wouldn't let me drive my bike home. She was worried I would crash. Once home she stayed and explained what had happened to my parents while I ripped every poster and picture of Jacqueline Keating off my wall.

The next day at work Jamie came in to talk to me. He took me outside and we went for a walk down by the docks.

"I'm really sorry for what Jack said yesterday. She was being a total bitch. I've never seen her act like that." He said stopping and picking up a rock to toss it in the lake.

"When you left Kerry started to tell her off and she lost it. Jack told her to get out of the house and never come back. If she ever stepped foot on the property Jack would have her arrested for trespassing. Kerry told her that she wouldn't have to worry about that and took off."

I was listening but I couldn't look at him.

"When you both left we got into a huge fight. She told me she could do whatever she wanted it was her Goddamned house and that if I had a problem with it I could take by freeloading ass back to Toronto." He looked at me and gave me a hug. "So I came to say I'm sorry and goodbye."

"This sucks." I said giving him a hug back. "I'm sorry we ruined everything for you."

"You didn't. Jack did it all on her own." He assured me.

"You know all the times you talked about Jack I never imagined her being mean." I told him.

"I've never seen it until yesterday. I mean some of the gossip rags rip her a new one for being a bitch, but I just figured it was crap. My Jack was not like that. Now, I know she can be cold and cruel just for fun. It's not a nice thing to find out about your sister."

"That must be hard." I meant it. It was one thing to have a fantasy dashed but it was another thing altogether to become disillusioned with a family member. Especially when that person is your hero.

"I'm sorry kiddo." He smiled at me. "Listen I've got to go and talk to Kerry now. I have to tell her I'm leaving."

"She's really not going to like your sister after hearing that." I teased.

He smiled. "I was thinking about giving her my phone number. Do you think she would call me?"

"I think she would." I grinned at him knowing that she was going to love it.

"Alright I will then." He looked at me and sighed. "Listen I know she was a bitch to you but if she calls will you deliver stuff to her? I don't want Kerry to get into trouble. I know she really hurt your feelings so I would understand if you say no."

"I'll go. What's the worst that can happen? She'll embarrass me, or kick me out. I can live with that." I couldn't let Kerry get into trouble.

"Thanks Jilly. You're a class act."

"You know Jamie you're the real star of the Keating family even if you aren't famous."

The week flew by and everything returned to normal. Kerry mourned the loss of her crush, but soon was gushing about a new guy named Ray. Ray was no Jamie, but she was happy so I let it slide. The weekend saw us getting smashed at the beach and crawling into work looking like death. I had never felt so awful in my life, and Kerry was no better. The thought of getting into the boat made me nauseous, but it was our job. We made it through the day only getting sick over the rail a couple of times. It was almost quitting time when we got back from our last delivery. We cleaned out the boat and brought our stuff into the boathouse then we headed into the marina. There on the counter was another delivery. It was huge. And it was all booze. I looked at Kerry and rolled my eyes, just what we needed a backbreaking last delivery.

"Crap." I groaned.

"Oh yeah, right there with ya bud." Kerry said shaking her head.

"Not this time." Mr Lynch said walking up to us. "This one is a special request. Jilly alone is to deliver this order."

"What?" I couldn't believe it.

"It's for the bitch, isn't it?" Kerry asked. Jamie had come in and talked to Mr. Lynch about his sister.

"Yep. Sorry kiddo. We can help you load up but that's it." Mr. Lynch looked at me. "If she gives you a hard time you tell me."

I nodded.

"I'm serious Jilly. If that evil bitch so much as gives you a dirty look I want to know." He was angry.

"It's okay Mr. Lynch. I'll tell you." I told him.

We had help loading the order, even the mechanics helped out. When I pushed off from the dock they were all standing there watching me like I was heading to the gallows.

When I got to the Keating house I unloaded the boat onto the dock. Then I took one of the boxes up to the house and rang the bell. Jack opened the door, gave me a bored look and walked away. I put the box down and went to get another. It took me over half an hour to get it all into the kitchen by myself. I was covered in sweat. I had taken off my t-shirt on the fifth trip and tossed it into the boat. Now I was done and was dying of thirst. If Jamie had still been there I wouldn't have thought twice about getting a drink of water but I knew I couldn't now. I looked around trying to find her.

"Miss Keating." I called walking around the butchers' block. "Miss Keating?"

"What?" She said walking back into the room.

"I don't know where all of the liquor goes?"

"Really? Jamie gave me the impression you guys were close." She said giving me the once over.

"We are friends but we never really came into the house unless we were delivering something." I told her.

She raised an eyebrow. She didn't believe me. I almost laughed. She was a real jerk. "This way."

She led me to the back of the house where there was a games room. There was a large bar in one section.

"Most of it goes here. There is a box that has to go to the second terrace. I will show you which one." She said and headed back into the kitchen. "That one goes outside."

I went to go pick it up.

"No. Do the house bar first then you can fill the terrace up when you're leaving."

"Yes Miss Keating." I nodded, going to the other boxes.

It took a long time to get everything put away. The entire time I felt her watching me. I was nervous enough as it was without feeling her eyes on me the whole time. When I finished I looked over at her.

"Is that okay Miss Keating?" I asked.

She just smiled at me. It was a weird smile. "It's fine."

"Okay." I was a little unnerved by her.

"Don't forget the terrace." She reminded me.

"I won't." I said walking away.

I took the last box down to the terrace and filled that bar as well. The whole time I worked I felt like she was watching me though the window. When I was done I looked up but the tint blocked my view inside. I hopped back into the boat and cast off. It was definitely a weird day.

As the weeks went by Miss Keating kept me busy. She usually called late in the day so she was my last delivery. And every time she would watch me put the whole delivery away. Then one muggy day in late July she called for me to bring an order over. There was a big storm coming and I just wanted to be off the lake when it hit. I almost said no to Mr. Lynch when he asked. After groaning a bit I just loaded the order up and headed off to Miss Keating's. The rain hit as I approached the house. By the time I got the boat tied up and the order up to the house I was drenched. I rang the doorbell as a flash of lightening cracked the sky. Perfect.

Miss Keating opened the door and smirked at me. "My don't we look pathetic!"

I grit my teeth and walked into the kitchen and set the bags down on the counter.

"Sorry for dripping on your floor." I apologized.

"It's fine." She said waving a hand.

A brilliant flash of lightening streaked the sky, a booming clap of thunder shook the glass walled house and the lights went out.

"Crap."

"Indeed." She snarled. "It looks like you might be stranded here for a bit until this dies down."

I nodded. "Can I call Mr. Lynch to explain?"

She nodded, grabbed a cell phone off the counter and handed it to me. Mr. Lynch was glad I was safe but still concerned. He told me he would let my parents know where I was. He made it very clear that I was to wait out the storm and not leave until it was done. He even wanted to talk to Miss Keating to make sure she understood it as well. Thankfully I talked him out of that one. Once I was done talking to him I handed her back the phone.

She walked away and I was left standing there dripping on the rug in the entrance. I started to shiver as the wind picked up and a great crack of lightening illuminated the whole house. It looked so barren and empty. I had loved this house for so long I didn't even realize that it looked skeletal from the inside. That thought made me shiver even more. The whole house looked desolate and cavernous. I wished she would come back. As cold and mean as she could be she was at least someone else there.

I had my wish answered too soon. She walked back into the kitchen and set a large candle on the butchers' block. It was pretty dark because of the storm but not that dark. I guessed she just wanted to be prepared. She lit the candle then looked over at me. I was still standing on the mat dripping and shivering. She smirked and made a clucking noise with her tongue, as she looked over at me.

"Strip."

I just stared at her. There was no way she just said that. Even in my fantasy's she would never say that and I used to have some very vivid fantasies about her.

"Huh?"

"Unless you plan on standing there until the storm passes you had better take off those wet clothes. You are not dripping all over my house. I will get you a towel and hang those up to dry. When the power comes back on we can throw them in the dryer but for now?Strip!" She smiled and walked away.

I could feel myself turning red and was suddenly very glad it was so dark in the house. I pulled off my t-shirt and undid my shorts. I kicked off my sneakers and rolled my clothes up into a ball and set them on top of my shoes. I felt pretty exposed and cold standing there in just my bikini. I waited for her to come back with a towel.

She walked in looked at me and laughed. "Shy. How cute. I would have thought you would have jumped at the chance to be naked in my house. Don't you know I am a lesbian's wet dream?"

Until you open your mouth and venom spews out I thought to myself. She threw the towel at me.

"Lose the bikini too. That towel is huge if you are still worried about keeping your modesty." She said picking up my clothes and putting them in a laundry basket she brought with her.

With a quickness born from fear of locker room beatings I was naked and wrapped in a towel before she even looked back at me. When I handed her the bikini she looked at me and winked. Man she unnerved me. She was having way too much fun at my expense. I didn't know what to do next, so I just stood there looking at her.

"Are you gonna dry off or do you want me to do that for you too?" She teased as she walked away with my clothes.

I was glad she left; her teasing had a very profound effect on my libido. The image of her drying me off sent lots of warm tingling sensations through my body. I took a deep breath and tried to think of anything else but that. I started to dry off while she was gone. I was so lost in my thoughts that I never noticed that she had come back into the room. When I finished drying myself off I wrapped the towel around me again and looked up. She was leaning against the wall staring at me with a weird look on her face. I know I turned red because I felt my face get hot.

She just smiled and walked over to me. "So you planning on standing there all night or would you like a tour?"

She knew how to keep me guessing. I didn't know what to think of her, but I could never turn down a tour of my favourite house on the lake. I followed her around the house I had always adored. Walking out of the kitchen we walked up to a railing with beams that stretched to the ceiling below was a view to the bottom floor of the house. I remember Kerry asked Jamie what was down there one time and he just shrugged. He said that was Jack's private area and she never let anyone down there, not even him. We made a right and walked towards the glass wall there was a small area with a desk, computer fax machine and a bunch of other things you would commonly find in an office. She looked at me and smiled as if to say 'if you don't understand the function of that area you're an idiot'. I just smirked and nodded back. She led me further to the right and there was a nice bathroom, fancy but not too crazy. There were no sunken tubs, mirrors on the ceiling, or floating bar. I looked at her and nodded, we crossed the hall and opened the only door on that side of the house so far. It was a small and neat bedroom. From the frown she wore and the sadness in her eyes I guessed it was Jamie's room. She walked away leaving me to close the door. We walked past the kitchen and the hole in the floor again. I decided against asking her about the practicality of having a giant hole in the floor that's only purpose was to look down at an area that was off limits to everyone else.

The games room was on the same side as the kitchen. It housed a full bar, pool table, dartboard, a sofa, a couple of comfy chairs and a LCD television hanging on the wall. There was a satellite feed to the television that was inside the bar as well as a complete sound system and DVD player. She had to have had the whole thing custom made for the house. It was kick ass. Across from the games room were two doors. The first one she opened led to a large room with a king-sized bed, large walk-in closets and an en suite bathroom that was decidedly fancier then the other one. There was a framed picture of an older couple on top of the dressing table. It was easy to figure out who they were. Both Jamie and Jacqueline looked like their father. I looked back at her and she was smiling at me. I smiled back hoping it was the right thing to do. She was not a very talkative woman. She led me out of the room to what I assumed was a linen closet. I stepped back as she opened the door.

"You are one of very few people who ever get to see this area of the house." She told me as she led me down the stairs.

I was stunned. Kerry was never going to believe this. Even Jamie wasn't allowed down there. We got to the bottom of the stairs and I looked around. We were in a small dark room with absolutely no outside light in it. I could barely see anything until she opened another door. That was when I realized we were in the laundry room and the door she opened led to her private quarters. I was suddenly glad I didn't ask how Jamie did his laundry when I noticed there was no washer and dryer upstairs.

Once inside her sanctuary she looked nervous. Like she was scared of what I thought of it. She had little to be nervous about. It was lovely. Very open concept. One side of the room was a large living area, with couches and lamps and a wall mounted TV. There was a bookcase filled with DVD and CD's. The back wall on the other side of the room was a huge library of books and scripts with a pair of over stuffed chairs and an ottoman. Closer to the glass wall near the living area was another set of couches set up to just look out at the lake and the terraces. Opposite it was a small work out area, complete with free weights and a treadmill. The beams that extended down from the first level were apparent on this level as well. The hole in the ceiling and the beams appeared to be load-bearing walls that were removed. In front of that area were doors out to the second terrace. I had never noticed them from the outside. There was a door next to the laundry room door she never moved to show me what was inside, so I guessed it was just storage. She pointed towards the other side of the room. There was a set of French doors there.

"My room." She said and shrugged.

I just nodded. I didn't think I would get to see her room. I wasn't a complete idiot.

"Sorry?" She seemed nervous again. "It's just?kinda private."

I smiled. "Thank you for the tour. I have loved this house from the outside for so long I am glad to see it's as beautiful on the inside as well."

I was stunned. Where the hell did that come from? That was articulate and almost eloquent. I am not usually known for grace under pressure. While what I said was the absolute truth I normally would have said 'Sweet, this place rocks' or something inane like that. I guess my face must have shown my surprise because she started to laugh.

"Would you like a drink?" She asked.

"Beer?" I smiled.

"How old are you?"

I winced. "Nineteen?"

"Cute. Now really how old are you?"

"Seventeen." I shrugged and smiled half-heartedly.

She just shook her head laughed and walked away. I stood in front of the terrace doors looking out at the lightening illuminating the lake and waited for her to return. It was so beautiful. You could see the lake light up and then fall dark under the cloud cover every few minutes. It was breathtaking. The forks of electricity arced and sizzled across the sky ripping the darkness into pieces. I was mesmerized by the light show and never heard Miss Keating come up behind me.

"It's lovely isn't it?" She said breaking the quiet.

I jumped and turned nearly losing my towel. Once I got it done up again I looked at her. She just smirked and handed me a beer.

"I called your boss back and told him to let your parents know you were staying here. The storm isn't supposed to let up and as evil as you and your friend think I am, I don't want to see you get electrocuted in that damn boat." She explained walking over to the couches overlooking the lake.

"Is that why I rate a beer?" I smirked.

"Well you aren't going anywhere and I really doubt it's your first beer?"

I just laughed. That was very true. I had never had a beer with a movie star before though. Of course by now I had gotten over being star struck by her. Mostly.

I walked over and sat down watching the storm attack the lake.

After a few beers we started talking. We talked about her brother, her movies, my coming out and Kerry. They were really the only topics we knew about each other so they were pretty safe. After a few more beers I was pretty tipsy. She had gone upstairs to get us refills so I got up and walked over to the terrace doors and leaned my head against the glass. I couldn't believe my luck. I was sitting in Jacqueline Keating's house drinking beer and gossiping. No one would ever believe me. Not even Kerry. I heard her put the beers on the end table and walk over towards me. I kept staring outside. I could feel her stand behind me. The tint on the glass stopped me from being able to see her reflection very well, but I could make out some of it. I heard her take a deep breath and then wrap her arms around my waist.

I froze. This was not actually happening. There was no way this was happening. I must have passed out and was dreaming this.

I felt her lips on my neck as her hands unwrapped the towel. It fluttered to the floor at my feet. I felt my own breathing pick up. One hand covered my breast while the other moved in a more southerly direction.

"So Jilly when you 'sort of' lost your virginity to your softball coach did she do this to you?" She asked as her hand slipped between my legs.

I gasped at her touch and spread my legs a little wider. Somewhere in my foggy mind I thanked whoever invented beer for its inhibition lowering effects. Her fingers slid through my folds sending tiny shocks to my core. This had to be a dream, a really good frigging dream. Her other hand caressed my breast making the nipple rigid before moving to the other one. I kept my head against the glass wall and my hands soon joined it. I tried to hold onto anything as I started to realize this was actually happening.

She kept a slow pace as if she was trying to see what I liked. When I gasped and bucked she bit into my neck. She sped up her movements and each time she got near my clit she added pressure. I was shaking and could feel my desire rising. She was so intense and focused. It felt so good. Pretty soon the only coherent sounds I could make were gasps and moans. One of her fingers dipped inside me. When she realized there was still a barrier there she moaned into my neck and quickened her hand. Each time she neared my clit she added a pinch. I thought I was going to die. It felt so good. I banged my head on the glass and gasped. Realizing I liked it made her do it more often. I could feel my climax rising. I needed to warn her, but I couldn't speak. The next pinch sent me over the edge. A strange guttural sound came out of me as I exploded all over her hand. I felt it running down my legs as she made the strangest growling noise I ever heard. The hand that had been on my breast was now undoing her pants. The other hand was keeping busy. With another pass and pinch I felt liquid spurt out of me. Her growl was louder this time. She kicked her pants aside and I felt the wiry hairs of her sex on my backside.

She ground into me with a ferociousness I had never imagined. She kept one hand on my hip and the other busy hand sped up. I could feel her slickness coating my behind and that brought on my third climax. That seemed to spur her on more. Her hand kept rubbing my clit as she ground against my ass. I think I came two more times before she finally stiffened and got her own release. I was glad I had moved my hands to the glass when she let her weight fall on me. I held us both up as she caught her breath. Once she had regained her composure she started to laugh a deep rumbling sexy laugh. She pulled me close and gently kissed my ear.

"Looks like you did drip all over my floor." She quipped.

"Ah, yeah, sorry about that. I would have warned you but?" I stammered.

"I am awfully glad you got caught out in the storm kiddo." She turned me around and kissed me.

It seems kinda funny to have your first kiss after you have had sex with someone, but the whole night was a series of weird events so I decided not to question it. And after her tongue entered my mouth, I had no thoughts at all. When she pulled away she led me towards her bedroom.

"Care to get rid of your little technicality?" She winked.

I just laughed and followed her.

She disrobed quickly and I just stared at her in awe. She was the perfect woman full breasts, rounded ass, and legs that went on for days. I don't know how I managed to get so lucky but I was not going to question it. I walked up and reached for her breasts. I caressed them with my hands then with my lips. I looked up at her and she was smiling down at me. A little surprised by my forwardness. I wiggled my eyebrows and kissed down her flat belly until I was on my knees. I nuzzled her sex with my nose and then ran my tongue through her folds as my hands grabbed onto her hips. She tangled her hands in my hair and urged me forward. She tasted so good; I couldn't get enough, and had to be everywhere. I could hear her moans and cries but I was lost in heaven. I wanted to make her scream out my name. When I sucked her into my mouth and flicked her with my tongue. I felt her stiffen first then I heard the scream. I was grinning to myself as I lapped up her release.

Finally she pulled my hair and stepped away from me. She looked down at me with hooded eyes and practically growled.

"You. Bed. Now."

I laughed and did as I was told. She stared at me for a moment and then went to her nightstand. She pulled out a harness and a small dildo. I had only ever seen one on my old coach. She had a more shall we say 'backwards' approach to using it on me. I was surprised I wasn't frightened or even nervous about this. For some reason it just seemed, right. The fact that I had found out all about my explosive abilities while dreaming of her may have had something to do with it.

She climbed up beside me and kissed me while her hands made the familiar journey south. Soon she had me gasping again. Then with a searing kiss I felt her enter me first with one finger then a second, Slowly she pushed in, breaking my last claim on innocence. It hurt but it soon disappeared. She was using both hands on me trying to get me to loosen up. I was burning up. I was trying not to peak. I wanted to wait until she was getting some enjoyment out of it too. She looked down at me and gave me a gentle kiss as she removed her hands and settled her body over mine. She moved the head of the dildo to my entrance.

"You ready?" She asked.

I just nodded.

With one hard thrust it was inside. That hurt, but it was an amazing hurt. She must have known from my breathing that I was in pain because she immediately stopped and gave me comforting kisses. When I relaxed, she started to move. I was in ecstasy. She pumped gently at first letting me get used to the feeling then she sped up. I really wanted to do more to make it enjoyable for her but it just felt so good I got lost in sensation. I felt the pressure building I knew it was coming quickly. I looked up at her and mouthed 'soon'. She sped up her movements and my hips rose to meet each thrust. I was thrashing on the bed then I froze a scream tore out of me as I crested. She grunted and sped up her pace. I could see the strain on her beautiful face as she tried to find her release. She grabbed my hips and started to thrust harder and deeper than she had before. It was starting to hurt. I was holding on to the sheets as she desperately attempted to climax. Each thrust was pushing my whole body forward. I could hear the slap of skin on skin. I was no longer aroused and I was starting to fear she would rip me apart when she stilled and her face softened. I felt her whole body quake before she collapsed. I wrapped my arms around her and held her as tightly as I could. After her breathing became normal I released my hold on her. She pulled away set the strap-on down and cuddled into me. I snuggled as close as I could get and fell asleep.

The next morning I woke up alone. I was disoriented for a moment and then the whole night came rushing back. I started to laugh. It was insane. I couldn't believe it happened there was no way anyone else ever would. Jack walked in at that moment and raised her eyebrows in question.

"Sorry, I just can't believe last night really happened." I smiled at her.

She paused and looked really uncomfortable. "You can't say anything."

"Who the hell would believe me?" I laughed.

"You'd be surprised." She said as she handed me my clothes freshly washed and dried.

"Don't worry. I won't say anything to anyone." I promised.

She just snorted and walked out of the bedroom.

I got out of bed and dressed as fast as I could. I didn't want her to think I would rat her out to the press. I wouldn't do that. She was my hero, and anything that hurt Jack hurt Jamie and he was my friend. I walked to the living area of her sanctuary and called her name.

"What?" she asked from the corner of the room.

"Sorry. I didn't see you." I said slowly making my way over to her.

"Sore?" She asked.

I smirked. "Yeah but in a good way."

She smiled faintly and looked away.

"I won't tell anyone about last night Jack. You have my word." I promised her.

She looked up at me and laughed. "You think that makes any difference. How dumb do you think I am? How much do you want to keep your mouth shut?"

I was stunned speechless.

"Tell me how much I have to pay you to keep quiet?" Jack yelled at me.

"I don't want anything?" I said as tears began to form in my eyes.

"Bullshit!" She spat.

She rose and advanced on me barely controlled rage visible in her icy eyes. "No one has ever fucked me without wanting something for it in return."

In spite of the anger and humiliation overwhelming me I felt bad for her. She was a gorgeous woman who was actually kind and funny once you got past the ice princess exterior.

"I don't want anything from you." I said as evenly as I could.

" You want something. Everyone always does." Jack towered over me, her face inches from mine. "Name yours."

I was dumbstruck. I didn't know what to say. I didn't come there with the intentions of anything happening. Hell, I would have been crazy to think anything could have happened. But here I was cowering in fear of the woman who 'technically' took my virginity. I said the only thing I could think of.

"Let Jamie come back and stay here." I said finally.

She just looked at me with surprise. "What?"

"Jamie. Let him come back. Let up on Kerry, she really likes him." I said as plainly as I could. "I don't want anything else."

She just looked at me for a moment and then she started to laugh. At least I think it was laughter I couldn't tell because she was crying at the same time. I just waited for her to compose herself. Finally after a couple of minutes she straightened up and gave me that killer grin of hers.

"I gotta hand it to James. He really knows how to pick his friends. I wish I had his clarity." She smiled as she extended her hand. "Deal. Jamie comes back."

Not knowing what else to do I shook her hand.

"You should head back to the marina. I don't want people thinking I kidnapped you." She grinned but the sadness in her eyes was visible.

"O?Okay." I was so confused getting back to the marina sounded like a fantastic idea.

She didn't follow me upstairs and as I cast off I had the distinct feeling that this was a one shot thing. My head was spinning so badly all I wanted to do was get back to the marina and reality. I vaguely wondered how I would ever be able to deliver groceries to her again without thinking about the night we shared. I shook that thought away and worried myself with navigating the rocky lake.

A week later Kerry and I were both asked to deliver groceries to the Keating house. It was the first purchase since the night of the storm. Kerry knew something had happened but I wouldn't tell her what. She just assumed that Jack had been her normal bitchy self to me the whole time I was there. I let her believe it not wanting tell anyone about the confusion I was feeling.

When we pulled up Jamie was waiting at the dock. I smiled as I pulled in. Kerry jumped out of the boat and hugged Jamie like a soldier home from war. I just grinned and tied us off as Kerry leaned in and gave him a very friendly kiss. I guess Ray was really no competition for the guy who had already won her heart. When they broke apart Jamie came over and gave me a hug.

"Hey Jilly." He smiled.

His eyes reminded me so much of hers I had trouble speaking at first.

"Hey. Jamie." I said finally.

"C'mon up. I'll help you guys with this stuff." He was so excited it was hard not to be caught up in his enthusiasm.

I was happy to see him. I guess Jack took my advice. I was anxious to see her though and somehow prove to her that I deserved her trust. I grabbed a couple of bags and followed the happy couple up to the house.

Once inside Jamie gave Kerry the tour I was given only a week before - minus the downstairs. Somehow I knew Jack would still never share that part of her. I busied myself with putting the groceries away. I never even heard Jamie come up behind me.

"Thanks Jilly. I don't know what you said to her, but thanks." He smiled.

"No problem." I smiled.

"She gave me this to give to you before she left." He said handing me an envelope.

I took it and stared at it for a minute letting what he said sink in.

"When did she leave?" I asked with my heart racing.

"Yesterday. She got the lead in the new Mercosi film. She's headed to Istanbul." He grinned and shrugged his shoulders. "She wanted you to have this."

"Thanks." I said looking at the envelope.

Jamie left to go find Kerry and I was left staring at the last thing my hero left me. I folded the envelope and put it in my back pocket. I would deal with it later. Right now I had to do my job since it was obvious Kerry had no intention on doing hers. I didn't really care. I was happy for her. Jamie Keating was a class act.

Later that night when I was home tucked up tight in my bedroom I pulled the envelope out and opened it. There was a letter with a cheque attached to it. I stared at the cheque. It was for $1000. My eyes filled with tears and I felt my heart break. I felt dirty and used and I had to know why she did this to me. I opened the letter.

Jilly,

I wish I could trust you like James does but I can't afford to.
Just know you are the first person I have ever written a cheque out to with the hopes that they don't cash it. You see the cheque is a payoff really - one I have given a number of times to hide my secret 'gay' face from the world. It means that I never have to worry about my secret hitting the tabloids. With you it's doubly important, since you are only seventeen. However I really hope you don't cash the cheque. I need to believe in something, in someone. Jamie believes in you but I guess I have been burned to many times. I hope you never know what it feels like to be betrayed by someone you gave yourself to.

Jack

I stared at that letter for a long time and then I ripped up the cheque. I went into the bathroom and threw up then I had a scalding shower and crawled back into bed.

The last line of Jack's letter haunted me. I was just a kid but still I knew that she had betrayed me by writing that cheque. I wasn't one of her Hollywood sycophants I was just a teenager who delivered her groceries and fell into her path. She might be a privileged player who got burned by too many people and could no longer see the good in anyone. But to me she was the woman who tried to turn me into a whore. I was seduced and used by a star.

And no one would ever know about it.

The End