Chapter 23
When I have sex with other women, there is this post-orgasm clarity that makes me not want to have anything to do with them immediately after. But with Jessy, it’s different. I want to be with her even more after, and I want to cuddle with her until I fall asleep.
I feel content having her in my arms, just like I do right now. We are both lying naked on the couch with our clothes strewn around the floor of the cabin.
The storm outside is gradually slowing down, but we can’t leave now because it’s already nearing nightfall. I don’t want to leave yet. I just want to revel in this moment.
I know we should probably talk about what just happened between us, about the undeniable attraction that simmers between us like a smoldering ember. I hate that she’s always trying to fight it. But for now, I’m content to simply enjoy this moment of quiet intimacy.
“Where did you grow up?” I ask, making tiny circles on her bare back with my fingers.
She raises her head to look at me. With the storm outside and the fire now completely out, we can barely see each other’s faces.
“Why? Is this you trying to get to know me?”
I can hear the smile in her voice. I chuckle as I dip my head to kiss her, but I end up kissing her nose instead.
“Can’t you just answer the question?”
“I will, but be careful so you don’t end up falling in love with me,” she says, laughing.
If only she knew it was too late because I had already fallen in love with her.
“I’m from Bennington. I’m my parents’ only child. My dad died when I was in sixth grade, and it was just my mom and me for a while.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” I lean down and this time kiss her forehead.
She sighs. “Thanks. I think it hit my mom harder than she let on because she was always trying to put on a strong front for me, but most nights, I remember hearing her cry in her bedroom when she thought that I was sleeping. I cried most of the time, too, because I missed him. I still do, but it’s a hurt that I’ve come to learn to live with.”
I can hear the sadness in her voice, and I wish I could help take it away. I know what it feels like to lose a parent, so I totally understand what she’s going through.
“Yeah, with time, we just make peace with it and learn to live with it.”
Her head bobs on my chest as she nods. “Yeah, we do. Two years ago, my mom remarried. He is a widower too. She’s happy with him, so I’m happy for her.”
“What made you leave Bennington?”
“I have lived there all my life. I wanted a change. Right from when I was a little girl, I have always dreamed about coming to the Big Apple.” She sighs. “So, here I am.”
“I take it that you didn’t want to work as a concierge when you arrived in New York?”
“Nah, I studied Digital Marketing. I wanted to work in an advertising firm or something similar, but every one of the advertising firms I applied to always turned me down because I lacked experience.
“And I had bills to pay, so I took my friends’ advice and started applying for smaller jobs, and I’m glad that I did because now I don’t have to go out through the fire escape anymore because I’m running from my landlord.”
I can’t help but chuckle despite the seriousness of the matter. “You used to go out through the fire to escape your landlord? Tell me you’re joking?”
“I kid you not. I was tired of telling him that I was going to pay the rent soon, and he was threatening to lock me out of my apartment.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through all that. So, are you all paid up now?”
“Yeah, thanks to my new promotion, rent is the least of my worries for now.”
“Do you like your place?”
“Don’t even think about it. You are not getting me a new apartment.”
“A man can try,” I groan, bringing my hand to her hair and gently caressing it.
“Getting a new place isn’t in my plans right now, even though I can afford to now.”
“What’s on your plan?”
“I’m saving up so I can have enough money to fall back on, when I quit and try to pursue my career in advertising. No offense, Grand Princeton is a great place to work, but being a concierge is not a life goal I have for myself.”
“No offense taken. Everyone has a dream for their lives and should always go after them. Just let me know if you need my help. I would be glad to offer any assistance you need.
“Thanks, I will keep that in mind. So, what about you? Have you always wanted to manage a hotel?” She still doesn’t know that I’m the CEO of Reid Holdings, and for some reason, I don’t want to tell her.
“Yeah, I studied Hospitality Management in college, so I guess I’m following the path that I’ve always wanted.”
“Wow, that’s good. I’m a little envious of you.”
“Don’t be. I’m sure very soon you will be doing what you love to do too. You know we have an advertising department at the Grand Princeton. You could get transferred there, you can start off as an intern and…”
“Ethan…” she calls my name in a warning tone, causing me to stop. “We already talked about this. I don’t want people thinking I’m getting favors because I’m sleeping with the boss, even though I already feel bad about that.”
I look down at her face. “You feel bad about this? Are you sure? Because a few minutes ago, you were screaming about how much you love it.”
“Will you just stop?” she says, playfully hitting my chest.
“Fine, I won’t try to do anything for you anymore, but can I at least take you out to dinner when we get out of here?”
“No, the moment we step out through those doors, we are back to not having sex and being just friends.”
I let out a low groan. “Whatever you say.”
“Oh, don’t be like that. I’m sure there are several other women out there who would be willing to take my place and warm your bed.”
“None of them are like you. There is only one you, and you are the one I want.”
She chuckles like I just said something really funny. “Does that line always work for you?”
I decide to play along, even though I am hurt that she doesn’t believe me. “Isn’t it working?”
“No, it isn’t.”
“I need to work on my game then,” I groan.
“Yes, you do. So tell me, how did you grow up?”
“Like a normal kid, I lost my dad when I finished college, and so I had to step up as the man of the house.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“Thanks,” I reply with a nod. “It was tough, but we managed.”
We fall into a comfortable silence; the only sound filling the cabin is the gentle patter of rain against the windows. Despite the circumstances that brought us here, I feel a sense of peace wash over me, knowing that I have Jessy here with me.
“What about your mom? Are you two close?”
I take a deep breath, deciding to open up a little more to her. “My mom is still around, but I rarely visit her, and whenever I do, I don’t stay for long,” I confess, feeling a pang of guilt as I speak. “We have a complicated relationship.”
“Complicated how?” I can hear the curiosity in her voice.
I run a hand through my hair, trying to find the right words to explain. “Well, she’s always been... overbearing, I guess you could say. Ever since my dad passed away, she’s been on my case about settling down, getting married, all that stuff.”
“Really? But you’re...you know…I would think you’d have women lining up to marry you.”
I chuckle softly, though there’s a hint of bitterness in my tone. “Now you sound like my mom. She’s constantly setting me up on blind dates, nagging me about finding ‘the one’ and settling down. It gets exhausting after a while.”
Jessy nods sympathetically. “That sounds tough. But why don’t you just tell her to back off?”
I shrug, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders as I share my concerns with her. “I’ve tried, believe me. But she’s...persistent, to say the least. And I don’t want to hurt her feelings.”
“I get that,” she replies, reaching out to place a comforting hand on my arm. “But you shouldn’t avoid her because of that, Ethan,” she says, her tone soft but resolute. “She’s still your mom, and no matter what, she’ll always be there for you. You can’t let something like this come between you.”
“You’re right,” I admit. “I shouldn’t avoid her just because of that. She’s still my mom, after all.”
“Exactly,” she agrees, her eyes meeting mine with a reassuring gaze. “And you never know how much time you have left with her. You don’t want to have any regrets.”
“Yeah, you are right. I will go and visit her after this trip. It’s not that I don’t visit her, but I don’t spend much time with her because I’m trying to avoid the marriage conversation with her.”
“Our parents can be a little overbearing at times, but they mean the best.”
We both fall silent for a while. Then, breaking the quiet, Jessy speaks up, her voice carrying a reflective tone.
“You know, when I first met you, I thought you were one of the most arrogant people I’d ever encountered,” she admits, her gaze thoughtful as she looks at me.
I can’t help but chuckle at her candid remark, a wry smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “Really? And what changed your mind?” I ask, genuinely curious to hear her perspective.
She pauses as if considering her words carefully before responding. “I guess...getting to know you better,” she says, her expression softening with sincerity. “I realized there’s more to you than meets the eye. You’re not just some cold, unapproachable boss. You’re...human.”
Her words catch me off guard, a warmth spreading through me at her unexpected admission. “Well, I’m glad to hear that,” I reply, unable to hide the amusement in my voice. “I suppose I’m not as intimidating as I thought.”
She laughs softly; the sound fills the small space between us with a sense of ease. “No, you’re not,” she agrees, her eyes meeting mine with a warmth that sends a flutter through my chest.
I furrow my brow in concern, a hint of worry flickering across my features. “Do the rest of the employees see me the same way?” I inquire.
Jessy hesitates for a moment before responding, her expression thoughtful. “Well, to be honest, some of them think even worse,” she admits, her tone laced with a bit of regret.
“Worse?” I echo, unable to hide the note of concern in my voice.
“Yeah,” she confirms, she shifts against me, her gaze meeting mine with empathy. “There’s this perception that you’re...distant, unapproachable. That you’re only interested in the bottom line, not the people working to achieve it.”
“As long as I’m not treating them unfairly and the job gets done, I suppose I’m not too bothered by their perceptions,” I admit.
“It’s important to strike a balance,” she remarks thoughtfully. “Between being an effective leader and fostering a positive work environment.”
“I guess I will have to take that into consideration.”
“Will you, though? Something tells me all that I just said fell on deaf ears.”
“I will try,” I say with a chuckle.
“Hmm…” she sighs softly, “It will be nice for you to try.” Her voice sounds drowsy.
When I hear her light snoring sounds, I close my eyes to get some sleep too. By tomorrow, we will be out of here, but we have tonight, so I am embracing the tranquility of the moment of now as I drift off into a peaceful slumber with her in my arms.