Chapter 11
Jamie
Waking up with Aubrey in my arms feels natural, comfortable…
right. One could argue I’m touch-starved from years of being a workaholic, but this is different.
She’s authentic, not putting on a show. It’s refreshing.
For the first time in what might be ever, I don’t feel like I’m playing a game and I’m not worried about coming off as being too much.
I want her, she knows I want her, and now neither of us is playing hard to get.
Isaac
Please confirm receipt of the email I sent. We need to adjust the schedule until power is restored.
Fuck.
I frantically switch over to my email app, and his message says basically the same thing but includes more specifics—cancelling the morning events, keeping the afternoon on schedule until we know more.
As I press a soft kiss to Aubrey’s shoulder, she turns in my arms, murmuring, “Hey. What time is it?”
“Early. Since the power is still out, I’m supposed to cancel the panels and roundtables for the morning.”
“Good. I’m still sore from last night.” She snuggles closer, and when she’s soft like this, it makes my heart ache with how much I want to keep her after this week.
I shift onto my back, keeping her tucked in my side as I call the on-site coordinator. It rings three times before she answers, “Events, this is Marjorie.”
“Hey, Marjorie, this is James Wilson.”
“James, what can I do for you?”
“I received information from Prime Minister Banks that he’d like to cancel the morning panels, keeping the afternoon ones tentative until power is back up.”
“Of course. I’ll take care of it.”
After walking through how we can fit the panels in later in the week, we hang up.
I toss my phone aside and slide my hand up Aubrey’s thigh which is now slung over me.
I’m also sore from the past two nights, but my minor muscle aches are worth it.
She’s insatiable and I’m more than happy to win her over with orgasms if that’s what it takes.
In a perfect world, she’ll return to California and crave me, then when I head out there in a few months we can pick up where we left off.
A man can dream.
We doze off, and a few hours later, there’s a knock at the door, startling both of us. The click of the door opening has me pulling the covers over us to conceal our naked bodies.
“Hello?” a woman calls out, and once she’s in view, her hands cover her eyes. “Everyone decent?”
“Tracy,” Aubrey squeaks.
“Who else would it be? I’m going to take a quick shower, then I need a power nap before the afternoon panel.” She feels around for the door. “Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to post on socials before I pass out.”
Once she’s inside, Aubrey grumbles, “I was looking forward to having you all to myself this morning.”
“I thought you were sore.”
“I am, it’s just…”
I tilt her chin to look at me. “What?”
“You’re a good cuddler.”
“Is that so?” I can’t help my smile. It’s only been a day and I’m wearing her down.
“Don’t let it go to your head,” she playfully huffs. “See you later?”
“Of course.”
I kiss her forehead, my lips lingering for an extra second before I slide out of bed.
Making quick work of getting dressed, I’m able to get out of the room before Tracy is done with her shower.
After I clean up and change, I head down to the lobby to see about the current power situation.
The storm is still in full force, blocking all entrances.
Rooms have limited power—only key card access and hallway lighting—so everyone is still forced to use their mobile phone flashlights or open their drapes.
I’m truly lucky I didn’t slip and fall in the bathroom for a second time.
In the lobby, they’ve been able to restore internet access and limited lighting, as well as power to the restaurants to ensure everyone is able to eat.
We couldn’t have asked for a worse week to host the summit, but no one could’ve predicted we’d have this freak storm when we scheduled it back in November.
If nothing else, with some of the meetings being cancelled, it’ll give me more time with Aubrey.
It’s selfish, but if I only get a week with her—for now—I’m not going to waste a minute of it.