Chapter 14
Jessamine
This is why some women are absolute idiots over some men. I don’t think there is anything more rewarding than having sexual chemistry play out so beautifully. At the sake of being crass I must admit to myself that no one has ever fucked me the way Cole does.
Last night was spectacular and this morning was divine as well.
I didn’t expect for him to wake me up with sex but he got me off before we feasted on steak, eggs, and pancakes.
It made me wonder if that sex then food was his default setting.
Last night, I thought he was just leaving the tent to take care of the condom but he’d also washed his hands and started making the s’mores he promised.
We’d sat on a blanket completely naked eating s’mores and looking at the stars. I loved how I could see so many stars that I can’t see in the city. Especially not in New York. He was his jovial self as we ate our dessert like he hadn’t said and did dirty things to me not even thirty minutes prior.
It was the same with breakfast and our hike back to the hotel.
He regaled me with tales of his travels and the woes of being the youngest of three boys.
We were chuckling by the time he stopped in front of my room and just like that, he kissed me in the most panty melting way before saying he’d see me soon.
I love the two extremes from him. Women before me may have thought it was perplexing or dizzying but I welcome it. I want him to be my sweet, friendly man and my special freak. I don’t mind him turning the heat on and off as long as he’s not being cold.
Still high of his kiss, I unpack my backpack to separate the clean from the dirty.
After, I hum my way into the bathroom to take a high quality shower.
I’m still shook from the sex. I was shaking in my boot when I saw his erection.
It all made sense why he was so intent on getting me as wet as possible.
My concern quickly dissipated. I was so touched by his attention and carefulness that it only made me want him more. My goodness, the feeling of him inside of me rubbing everything all at once, is the stuff that inspires sonnets.
A long yawn has me ending my shower and grabbing a towel.
Between the exercise, the sex, and the shower, I feel like a new woman.
Well, a sleepy woman. I slip on underwear and a long shirt and slide into the fluffy bed.
The tent mattress was better than sleeping on the ground but it has nothing on this bed.
My eyes start to drift closed when my phone chimes.
Cole: Do you want to hang out or some space?
Cole: I won’t take either answer the wrong way.
Me: You’re adorable. I’m in my room. Dress comfortably. Let yourself in.
Cole: Let myself in?
Me: Let’s not act like you’re not the owner and therefore know how to access my room.
Cole: Guilty. I may or may not have a master key.
Me: I’ll see you when you get here.
My eyes start to drift closed not long after spending the text. I’d fallen asleep but not deep enough to sleep through him entering my room. I blink sleepily as he walks towards me.
“Aww. How cute.” He kisses me on the forehead. “Get some rest and we’ll hang out later.”
He turns to leave but I don’t want him to go. “No, get in bed.”
Cole laughs softly. “Are you putting me down for a nap?”
I smile although my eyes are closing. “Yes.”
“If you insist,” he teases.
“I do.”
I hear the rustling of him taking off his shoes and jeans.
Even with the brief look at him, the way his t-shirt clings to his body is already etching into memory.
The bed dipping from his weight shouldn’t make me as happy as it does but the warmth of his body near mine is welcomed.
He’s a big man all around, tall, broad, muscular but not in an overly bulky way, and warm.
“Cuddle?” I suggest so I don’t sound pushy.
“I’ll always want to touch you, Jessamine.”
Oh how my belly flutters when he says shit like that to me. I lace my fingers with the hand that just went around my waist.
“Good. I want you to have that same energy when I’m recharged.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll have that energy and then some.”
He drops a kiss on my temple as if it seals his promise. Ugh. He’s that kind of man who’d make a girl fall fast and hard. It amazes me how safe and comfortable he makes me feel in such a short time. It’s becoming hard to remember my life before I was able to speak to him.
I drift off only for my dreams to be about him.
Us. I don’t know how long I’ve been asleep but it’s dark once I open my eyes, I find that I’m alone.
The room is too still for him to be here.
Sadness I didn't expect lingers right at the edge of my conscience. Maybe I’m becoming too attached.
He has a hotel to run, I can’t expect him to be up under me at all times.
Sitting up, I take a sip of water from my bottle and go relieve myself. After washing my hands, I check my phone but there aren’t any texts. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I’m considering texting him when another news alert pops up in the corner. Giving in to curiosity, I click on it.
It’s some random influencer doing a thinkpiece on how I’m still hung up on Adam.
She lays out points that almost make me believe her when I know she’s full of shit.
Some of the instances she names are taken out of context and some of the clips are not of me looking or talking about him.
The comments are full of people bashing me although I’ve never given them a reason for this hate train.
There are only a few supporters who disagree with the video.
My mood drops instantly, all of the relaxation undone by one wannabe investigative journalist. Dropping the phone on the bed, I rest my elbows on my knees and my face in my hands. It’s so frustrating being so misunderstood.
The soft click of the door closing is followed by Cole’s voice. “What’s wrong?”
I move my hands to look at him. It’s too late to hide my tears. He puts down the pizza box he’s holding as his eyes land on my phone. Two steps bring him directly in front of me, he grabs my phone. The video plays again and him seeing it just increases my embarrassment.
“None of it is true.” I murmur.
Cole shakes his head and places the phone in his pocket.
“No more phone for the rest of the week.” His tone brooks no argument. “You’re here to relax and get away from the noise.”
He grabs a tissue and daps up my tears. “You’re too pretty to cry over bullshit.”
“I’d only picked it up to text you. It’s just so frustrating that I’m even a topic. I broke up with him and didn’t look back. Yet the lie is I’m pressed about his new relationship.”
“Agreed. I was there. I know the look a woman has when she’s done. You were done.”
He sits down next to me and puts his arm around my shoulder. “How about this, I will stay by your side the rest of the week. You won’t need to text me.”
“This is your project. Your baby. I can’t stop you from working just to babysit me.”
Cole kisses my forehead. “I’m not babysitting you. I’m supposed to be a guest this week so I’ll do just that. Tomorrow, we raid the spa.”
I look up at him with hopeful eyes. “It’s hard for a woman to turn down the spa.”
“That was my hope. Now, how about some dinner?” He gets up and grabs the pizza box and places it on the bed between us. “A very low key dinner.”
“Pizza in bed sounds like a plan to me.”
He gives me a sweet smile. “That’s the spirit. We can watch a movie or anything on streaming. I have all the services. No commercials.”
“Oh,” I tease. “That’s a sexy flex.”
I laugh when he repeats himself slower before placing a kiss on my nose. Just like that he’s managed to take away all of my troubles. I study him as we eat, wondering if he’s too good to be true.
I pray that he isn’t because I know without a doubt that I’m catching feelings.