Read Online You Can't Run From Love by Kate Snowdon - Free Book Online Page B

do something other than work here. Meet new people, that sort of thing. Last year was my tenth anniversary.” Jess didn’t like to think it would be the last. And that wasn’t because she thought she would miss it.
    “Well, before I ask you another silly question, I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry. I’m going to go and get us some lunch. You’ll have to carry on without my valuable assistance.” Rachel grinned.
    “You really don’t have to do that.”
    “I know, but it seems a shame not to make the most of a beautiful day. There is still a lot of work to be done.”
    Jess looked at the timber still stacked. “We won’t finish that today.” She laughed at Rachel’s knowing look. “Sorry.”
    “I’ll be back shortly.”
    When Rachel returned they discussed the plan for the afternoon and then quietly tucked into their sandwiches. Jess glanced over at Rachel thinking how easy she was to talk to. This would be an ideal time to talk privately and stop any future problems arising, if they were ever going to. Suddenly she felt nervous.
    She coughed, attempting to clear the tightness that was taking control of her throat and then asked, “Rachel, have you ever married?”
    “No,” came a somewhat wary reply.
    “How about a partner then?”
    Rachel looked up, making eye contact, and nodded. “Yes.”
    Jess anxiously wiped the palms of her hands on her trousers before grasping her mug to steady them. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry, forget I asked.”
    Rachel gave her a faint smile. “We separated just over six years ago. We were together for thirteen years.”
    “Thirteen? That’s amazing.”
    “Yes it is.” Rachel couldn’t help sounding bitter and quickly reined herself in. “What about you, any partners or long-term relationships?”
    Jess began to fidget and bit her bottom lip. “Umm, no, not really.”
    “None?”
    “Well, I did have one relationship that lasted around five, maybe six months.”
    Rachel’s eyes widened. “Is that the only one?”
    “Um, yes.” Jess paused; the face looking at her showed light-hearted horror. She began to relax. “I might also be stretching the meaning of the word relationship a little.”
    “I see. So if your relationships have been limited, what about sexual liaisons then? If that isn’t too personal?” A mischievous grin suddenly appeared. “If I tell you how many I’ve had, will you tell me how many you’ve had?”
    Jess couldn’t help but laugh. “Go on then, how many?”
    “I could just about count them on one hand.”
    Jess feigned shock. “One hand?”
    “Yes, how about you?”
    Jess raised an eyebrow, inspecting her hand. “It would have to be an extremely deformed hand to count mine on the one.”
    Rachel chuckled. “I see. So how long do these sexual liaisons of yours last?”
    With a wicked smile she said, “All night, if the person I’m with has any stamina.”
    “Good grief, Jess. I meant the average number of days, weeks or months with the same—individual.”
    “Oh.” Jess quickly tried to judge how Rachel was taking this information. She didn’t appear too disgusted. Rachel was monogamous and from her experience they never really trusted those who had many lovers. “Well around twelve hours, tops.”
    “You weren’t joking then!”
    Jess thought maybe she had gone a little too far. She didn’t particularly want Rachel to think she was some sort of brazen hussy. “It could be the same person on different occasions.”
    Rachel just looked at her, mouth agape. She gave Rachel what she thought was a pleading look. “If it’s any consolation, I was a late starter and probably felt I had to make up for lost time.”
    “How late?”
    “Twenty-four. Actually not far off twenty-five.”
    “Well I’ll be. I thought I was late at nineteen. What took you so long?”
    She replied cautiously. “There isn’t a great deal of opportunity around here. How about you?”
    “There was much more opportunity when I went