Chapter Eight
Later that night, Jessica lay in her bed and stared up at the ceiling.
After Gideon had dropped her off, her mind was circling about why she just didn’t go to him.
Jessica knew they’d just met, but the emotions and the sensations that he’d talked about were true.
She’d never felt this depth of feeling for anyone in her life.
She knew she would eventually give in to him, but she wanted to make sure this was what she wanted because once she left the house and went with him, her father and sister would hate her and most likely disown her.
It’s not like they treated her like family now, but there was a sliver of hope she still held that they would come to understand her better and want to spend time with her.
She snorted and smiled. That would never happen, so she needed to come to terms with the fact that she’d lose her family, but she had to think of what she’d be gaining. A man who cared for her and wanted to take care of her.
She loved that he accepted her for who she was and didn’t want to change her or seemed embarrassed by being associated with her, as her family did.
The only thing she could think of, beside her family holding her back, was the way her body felt when he was near, and God forbid he actually touched her.
Then, it felt like her body was getting encased by an inferno that threatened to burn her.
Although her body craved it, there was still something that held her back.
She knew Gideon wouldn’t wait long, and frankly, she didn’t want to spend any time away from him either.
Tomorrow, she planned to go around the house and get any pictures or trinkets that she wanted because she knew she’d never be allowed back in.
The only thing she would miss was the memories of her mother in certain rooms, but she knew she could take her spirit with her.
Jessica closed her eyes and sighed. The next time she opened them, the sun was coming in the window, brightening her room.
She slid out of bed, energized because she now had a plan. After a shower, she went to the kitchen to grab some toast and juice. She’d need all the energy she could get.
“Good morning, Lucie,” she said as she walked through the door.
“Good morning,” the cook said. “My, look at you. I haven’t seen you this excited in... God, I don’t know how long.”
Jessica snorted, slipped a piece of bread into the toaster, and opened the fridge to pull out the container of juice.
“You know it’s my job to feed you, right?” Lucie said.
Jessica chuckled. “But I’m also capable of making toast and pouring juice, so why bother you when I see you busy?”
“I don’t think your sister has ever opened the fridge, much less poured her own drink, and God, the thought of her with the toaster scares me because she’d be the one who would start a fire.”
Jessica laughed as she spread jam on her toast. “I’m going to take this upstairs. I’ll bring down the dishes.”
Lucie rolled her eyes. “Dear, that’s why we have Addy.”
Jessica bit her lip to keep from laughing. “I’ll do better.”
Lucie snorted and mumbled under her breath.
“What did you say?” Jessica asked.
“Nothing.”
Jessica had to bite her tongue until she got to the second floor to chuckle. She stopped abruptly when she realized she’d not be able to see Lucie or Addy again, and her chipper mood faded. They’d been more of a family for her than her real one.
Those people she wanted with her, but Gideon might already have a cook and maid. She’d ask him when she called him in a bit.
Jessica picked up the house phone and called down to the kitchen.
“Yes, miss,” Addy said.
“Is my father or sister here?”
“Not your father, miss. He’s golfing all day, and your sister is leaving shortly on a shopping trip and will be gone the rest of the day. Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Yes, I’ll explain everything to you and Lucie later, but I need some boxes and tape brought to my room, and I don’t want my family seeing them.”
“I can wait until Miss Bambi leaves.”
Jessica smiled. “Perfect. I’ll see you in a little bit.”
She picked up the phone Gideon had sent her and called him.
“Hello, mate,” Gideon said.
She almost snorted. “Good morning. I have a few questions I’d like to ask you.”
“You can ask me anything.”
“Do you have a cook and maid?”
“No. I’ve thought about it, but I’m not home a lot, and I have a few high school girls come in every two weeks to clean the areas I live in. I usually take my meals at one of the restaurants, or someone will drop off food, too.”
“I have two people on staff here that I’d like to bring with me.”
“Okay. Are they willing to leave?”
“I’m not sure yet. I wanted to ask you before I said anything,” she said.
“This will be your house, too, mate, so you can do whatever you want to it.”
“I’d like to start a garden right away.”
“You could dig a humongous hole for all I care. I only go out to the swimming pool...”
“You have a swimming pool?”
“Yes. It’s in a solarium. I think you’ll love it. Plants surround it, so it always reminds me of a jungle. We also have a hot tub that’s by the pool but hidden from sight.”
She heard the tone of his voice deepen, telling her where his thoughts were going. “I’d like to see it.”
“Oh, you’ll be seeing it,” he said.
“So, the backyard. I’d like to start with a few decorative trees...”
Her bedroom door opened abruptly, and her sister walked in.
“Hold on a second,” she said, looking at her sister. “Bambi, if you walk into my room again without knocking, I will put a toad in your bed.”
The horrified look on her sister’s face almost made her smile. Jessica had to cover the phone when Gideon started laughing hysterically.
“Who are you talking to?” Bambi asked.
“The garden center. I’m going to do some things in the garden. Why are you asking?”
Bambi shrugged. “You just look happy.”
Jessica almost rolled her eyes. “I’m always happy. We’re just not around each other very much.”
“Because we have nothing in common,” Bambi pointed out.
“That’s true. Now, tell me why you barged into my room?” Jessica asked.
“I just wanted to tell you that I’ll be gone the rest of the day. My fiancé is taking me shopping and out for a nice dinner.”
Julie’s teeth snapped together because she wanted in the worst way to bring her sister down a notch.
“Oh, that sounds fun. Have you and Gideon set a date for the wedding?”
Jessica bit her tongue when she heard Gideon growl.
Her sister stuttered. “Oh, well. We’re thinking of next year sometime. It’s going to take me that long to plan the event.”
“Well, if you need any help, just let me know,” Jessica said.
“Oh, well, I’ll hire a professional wedding planner.”
Jessica nodded. “Have fun today,” she said cheerfully.
Her sister stood and stared at her.
“Is there a problem?” Jessica asked when her sister hadn’t moved.
“No.”
“Tell Gideon hi for me.” Jessica was having way too much fun.
Bambi inhaled, turned, and walked out, closing the door behind her.
Jessica waited for a moment for the shadows under the door to leave. She knew her sister was eavesdropping. For an airhead, it was amazing that her sister knew something was going on but couldn’t figure it out.
“Mate?” Gideon said.
“I’m here. I’m sorry. She was trying to eavesdrop, but she’s not very good at it.”
Gideon laughed. “That’s funny. What I don’t find funny is the fact that you egg her on.”
Jessica rolled her eyes. “What was I supposed to say? ‘You’re not going anywhere with Gideon because I have him here on the phone?’” God, her sister would freak out.
“What are you going to do for the rest of the day?” Gideon asked.
“I’m going to pack the things I want to take with me because I know I won’t be allowed back in after I leave.”
“Does that bother you?” he asked.
Jessica thought about it for a moment. “Maybe a little. This is the only place I’ve ever lived, and every room I step in, I remember my mother.”
“I’m sorry, baby.”
She glanced out the window. “I knew I’d have to leave eventually.”
“If you bring your staff with you, it might help you feel less homesick.”
“I’d like to, but I’ll have to talk to them. Do you have places they can live?”
“Yes. There is a whole wing just for the help. I can’t remember the last time anyone other than family lived here,” Gideon said.
“I can’t remember how many rooms there are in that wing, but they are very nice.
They are more like small apartments, and the bathrooms have tubs with Jacuzzis.
My grandfather always said if you treat a person right, they won’t ever want to leave. ”
“That’s a good philosophy. Our people have nice rooms here, but nothing like what you’re describing. There is one thing I’m worried about.”
“What, mate?”
“I’m not sure how they are going to take you being a shifter,” she told him.
“That’s a tough one. They are very loyal to you?”
“Yes. I’ve always treated them well and not acted like they were furniture like the rest of my family.”
“Feel them out. Maybe they could visit and check out the house and their quarters,” he suggested.
“I’ll feel them out as I pack up.”
“Will I be able to come get you tonight?”
“No. Give me one more day. I’ll be ready to leave by late morning.” She heard his frustration, but he agreed.
“Get some sleep. Tomorrow, you start a new chapter, and I can guarantee I’ll make you happier than you’ve ever been before.”
Jessica smiled as she set the phone down. Just talking to him made her feel lighter.