Free Beebo Brinker Chronicles 4 - Journey To A Woman by Ann Bannon

can't provoke her, you can't cross her. She comes unglued. You haven't seen that side of her yet. You keep after her, you will."
    "You've accused her of some pretty ugly things this afternoon, Cleve,” she said quietly.
    "I'm not accusing her of anything. I'm trying to show you what she's like. What she's capable of. I'm telling you not to let yourself get mixed up with a woman like that."
    "You don't think I can handle myself, do you?” she said.
    He shrugged. “I don't know. But Vega can't handle herself, that's certain. She leaves it up to me.” He laughed, looking at his drink, but the laugh was mirthless. “Maybe it's from being so spoiled all her life, from being a favorite child and a worshipped wife who kept two husbands out of her bedroom for years."
    Beth wondered, looking at him, his face dark and brooding, why he had really asked her there. Was he just trying to forewarn her of her potentially unhappy situation? Or was he threatening her? Beth eyed him suspiciously.
    "You're warned now, Beth, and that's all I can do,” he said. “Except, thank you for listening. And—ask you not to mention it to anyone."
    "Are you afraid Charlie'd think you're as daffy as I think you are?” she said.
    He laughed again, a short sad noise. “I'm afraid Charlie knew that years ago,” he said. He leaned across the table and took her hands. “Beth, why in hell do you suppose I went to all this trouble for you? Exposed myself and my shameful family to you? Because I want to get laughed at. because I want to hear you say how buggy I am?"
    "I don't know why you're doing it, Cleve. I really don't."
    "You don't need to freeze up,” he told her, his voice softening. “I just don't want to see you hurt, Beth. Jesus, I know you're normal. Don't get the idea I brought you down here to make you feel uncomfortable. You're as wholesome as cherry pie, you're no neurotic self-blinded Lessie. You're sweet and healthy. I guess I just like you that way. I guess I just don't want to see Vega change you.” But Beth had the uncanny feeling that what he really wanted was to keep them apart, keep her away from Vega. Why?
    "She won't change me, Cleve. I am what I am. It's too late for her to make me over, even if she tried."
    "Thanks,” he said, as if she had promised him she would never see his sister again. And then he let her go.
    Vega's lips met hers a half hour later and this time Beth felt none of the resentment she had the first time, no desire to scold her and run. Instead, it was Vega who was irritable, rushed and nervous. She was preparing for a fashion show that night at the Hollywood Knickerbocker Hotel, and there were clothes and girls all over the studio.
    Beth knew, without being told, that there was no time for her today, and it aroused a keen hunger in her for Vega's company. She watched the lovely woman glide smoothly about, her excitement showing only in her eyes, and Beth experienced an unwelcome qualm of jealousy for the second time that day. The girls, the young models, were so lithe and fresh. She found herself imagining their sweet young bodies full of tender untried places, and a sort of fever came over her.
    It came as a shock when Vega asked her to leave. She pulled Beth aside and said in a warm whisper, “Darling, really, I'm up to my ears in this. I forgot all about it Tuesday. I just forgot everything Tuesday, all I could think of was you.” And Beth wanted suddenly, urgently, in a sweat of fear and delight, to put her arms around Vega and kiss her indecently until her desire was satisfied.
    "I hate to ask you,” Vega said, “but—well, let's put it off till next week. I've got so much to do. Beth, don't look so disappointed!” She smiled like an angel of the devil and Beth said, almost humbly, “Don't kick me out, Vega. Can't I help? I'll do anything."
    "No, you don't know a damn thing about it. I've got to do if myself. Now go, darling. Be a good girl and go.” And she gave Beth a kiss on the cheek. Beth