Chapter 17
Cole
I open my eyes and the sun flirts with my skin and withhold a sigh.
It’s the last day of our little bubble. Last night was spectacular and early this morning, Jess chose to entertain me with a morning ride.
I’ll take that over yoga any day. She looked so sexy on top of me working for her pleasure but we fell back asleep almost immediately afterwards.
It was supposed to be a recharging week for her but damn if I don’t feel different.
I look over to find her sleeping on her side with her back to me. She’s beautiful even when I can’t fully see her. My phone rings and it instantly brings a smile to my face. With the custom ringtone, I know exactly who it is and I can’t wait to pretend like I don’t know why she’s calling.
“How’s my favorite lady?” I say, by way of answering.
Violet giggles despite herself. I love her quirky personality. She tries to be the serious buttoned up lawyer but she’s such a loving softie.
“Who has you giggling like that?” Timothy inquires from the background.
I chuckle although I’m aware that some very pretty brown eyes are on me.
“My new man,” she teases. “I’m going to run off with, baby brother, and I won’t even have to change my last name.”
“Just say the word, Vi. We’ll run off together.”
“You two would have to do more than run. And you’re right, you won’t have to change your last name baby because you’d need an entirely new identity if you think you’re leaving me.”
“Ewwwah, Timmy. You’re so aggressive.”
I can tell by Vi’s voice that she’s loving every minute of my brother’s jealousy.
“It’s too early to play with me, Vi. Get to the point with my brother before the kids wake up.”
I forgot that California is two hours behind. Violet definitely has a one track mind.”
“And you’re calling me from bed? You must really want it.”
“Your donation to the Plucking Ladies Foundation? Absolutely. You told me to remind your ADHD and that’s what I’m doing.”
It cracks me up that she talks about my diagnosis like it’s another entity. It makes me feel like Bruce Banner.
“Isn’t your husband rich? He can fund the entire benefit.”
“Mind your business, Cole.” Timothy grouses in the background.
“Of course, I’ll help my favorite.”
“I’m going to tell Leilani,” Vi teases, bringing up my other sister-in-law.
“Well, when I’m on the phone with her, she’s my favorite.”
I place my phone on speaker before Jessamine’s eyes grow out of her head.
“Cole! I can’t believe you’re cheating on me with your other sister-in-law.”
“To be fair, she was my first…” I leave the pregnant pause to scandalize Vi. “Sister-in-law.”
She’s giggling hard now. “I can’t conference her in since it’s early and she has a million children but expect me to have my messy boots on later, baby brother. Make sure you send the donation Tuh-day.”
“Oh course, Vi. I’m texting Kacy as we speak. The Plucking Ladies will live to pluck another day.”
“Speaking of which, I’ve gotten a lot of interest from Texas, please tell me you’ll start the Dallas chapter.”
“I like to pluck ladies but I’m not a plucking lady, Vi.”
“It’s a gardening club for people with plant names.”
“Women with plant names. Don’t allow my pushy brother to dilute your vision.”
“We’re fighting on sight, Cole,” Tim grumbles already half-way asleep.
“I need a resident of Dallas with a plant name to bring the ladies together. I can provide meeting places and everything. Oh, I even found an abandoned community garden that they can revitalize.”
I’m shaking my head but Jessamine perks up. “I’m a Dallas resident with a plant name.”
“Oh, Cole. You have a lady caller.”
Jessamine and I chuckle. “Vi, you sound like an 80 year old.”
“Yeah, yeah, Cole. What’s your name, ma’am?”
“Jessamine. I’m a southeastern climbing vine with yellow flowers.”
“Wait, are you THE Jessamine?”
Jessamine quirks an eyebrow. “Meaning?”
“The host of that love show. The one Cole has made me watch walk in slow motion.”
Jessamine giggles. “Then yes, that’s me.”
“You killed it by the way. You’re absolutely gorgeous.”
Jessamine is so cute when she blushes. “Thank you. And I am an intermediate gardener.”
“Girl, you’re better than me. I started the Plucking Ladies because I kept killing my house plants.”
“Hang up, Vi.”
“Sorry, Mr. Grumpy wants my attention. I’ll be in touch. Thank you for volunteering!”
Violet is gone before either of us can respond.
“Looks like you’re a Plucking Lady now,” I point out as I pull her into a cuddle.
“Sounds like fun. I was wondering what I was gonna do with my free time.”
“So you moved here for good?”
She nods sadly. “Yeah, less paparazzi.”
“I’m sorry you’re going through this but know I’ll fight them for you.”
She sighs as she hugs me tighter. “You’re such a sweetheart.”
I kiss her forehead. “I didn’t move to Dallas but I will be out here for a long time overseeing this project. I’m glad you moved here. I don’t know why but there is something about you that makes me always want to be close.”
Jessamine is quiet but her grip on me hasn’t changed. “It’s crazy. I know what you mean. I’m glad you’ll be here as well.”
This is what people mean when they say that their heart smiled. I’m confident in the direction we are going.
“I know you have to travel to some events so if you ever need a plus one for anything just let me know. I’d definitely rearrange my schedule for you.”
“I’d like that, Cole. More than you know.
∞∞∞
I can’t believe it’s been almost two weeks since Jessamine left my resort.
Opening week was a beast that kept me occupied most of the day and through the nights.
I’d left Kacy and Jessamine to iron out the partnership contract while I focused on being in charge.
My family will be coming here for Thanksgiving so they can check out the resort.
A few nights, I’ve managed to spend the night at Jessamine’s house and we have small slices of moments to pretend that we’re still in our bubble. I both miss her and am happy that she’s local.
I can still taste her on my lips. I did a driveby quickie before heading back to the resort for the evening activities. I’ve invited her to spend the night with me at the resort when our schedules align. She’s taken to the Plucking Ladies quickly and is so excited that she already has members.
It’s good to hear her passionate about something but I also hope she doesn’t shy away from the limelight because of the bullshit with her ex.
While I’m willing to protect her at all costs, I cannot realistically keep her phone or other devices.
Instead, I put another plan into motion last week and I’m waiting to see if it will pan out.
A news alert grabs my attention. Shira has released a statement. I tap on the notification, expecting to read a statement but it appears she posted a video instead. It looks like she’s in a dressing room, probably gearing up to release another music video.
It’s either before or after production because she is free of make up and her hair is in a messy bun.
Shira is just as beautiful as one would expect from an international pop star.
She is the product of a Black mom and Mexican dad.
The mix makes her an interesting shade of brown.
I’ve always admired how she never shied away from either side of her racial make up.
She has spoken up for both sides on multiple occasions and she releases songs in both languages.
I was disappointed to know that she aligned herself with such a terrible person but I don’t think she’d have time to know that he is selfish.
I press play to see what she has to say.
“Hello lovelies.” She blows a kiss at the camera.
“Your girl has been very busy lately and unfortunately some things have transpired without my notice, but I have time today. I do not condone or will ever condone tearing down another woman. There is absolutely no need to bother or heckle the ex of anyone associated with me.” She gives the camera a stern look.
“You know I prefer to speak plainly so let me be clear. Leave Jessamine Roe alone. She hasn’t done anything to me and even if she had, I’ll never want anyone bullied on my behalf.
She ended their relationship almost a year prior. Be kind.”
She makes a heart with her fingers then kisses her fingertips and signs off with a flirty wave.
She is exactly who I hoped she’d be. I respect her even more. While I may not be the guy blasting pop music, I’ll always be a fan of who she is as a person if she stays solid like she has been.
I smile when my phone rings.
“Hey, baby.”
Jessamine giggles from the other end like I’ve just read her a romantic poem.
“Hi,” she says almost shyly, like she wasn’t riding my face earlier today.
I’m not clueless, I know why I make her bashful. While I agreed to one day at a time, I’ve been treating her like she’s the only woman in the world because I already know she’s the one for me. I’ll wait for her to catch up as long as she knows that she will catch up.
“I just saw the statement.”
“Does it make you feel better?”
“It does,” she confirms.
My smile grows. “I’m glad to have been of service then.”
I chuckle when she requests a video call. I switch to my computer because I don’t want to hold my phone, I wave when we connect.
She’s still wearing the outfit that got her fucked earlier. Her perky, barely covered breasts with the side boob have fully mesmerized me yet again.
“Damn, baby you’re still wearing that while I can still taste you on my lips.”
Her eyes glaze over with lust but she shakes her head to get back on subject.
“FOCUS COLE.”
“I am. Come ride me in that outfit while I suck on your nipples.”
Jessamine groans but gives me a stern look. “That is not the topic.” She smirks a little. “Right now. What do you mean?” She does the quotation marks with her finger. “‘Of service.’ and the answer better not be sexual.”
I fake pout because I had a wonderful answer. “One of the perks of being wealthy is that you always know someone who knows someone.”
“And?” She prompts as my eyes move back to her breasts. She moves the phone and leans in so I can only see her face. “You’re getting really close to being put in time out.”
My smile is wicked because I doubt it’ll last long, she’s just as horny as I am. “I may have collected evidence of fan bullying and sent it to Shira’s team along with the video I took of you and Adam breaking up.”
Jessamine looks perplexed. “There’s a video?”
I nod. “I was filming the party for content and you two argued when I was about to talk. I flipped the camera to record it since he was on the rise and people lie. Seeing how he was that night, I thought he just may be enjoying the hate you’re receiving since he hasn’t lifted a damn finger to stop it.
I considered leaking the video so his fans could see how he is but then I thought it was best to go to the source.
What better audience than his current girlfriend? ”
The laughter I expected doesn’t come; I get tears instead.
“What’s wrong, Princess?”
Jessamine daps at her tears. “You’re unreal.”
“Is that a good thing?”
She nods. “It’s great. You’re like a genie with a magical dick.”
The comment is so unexpected that I begin to laugh but the realization that Kacy entered my office in time to hear that last statement but quickly retreated, makes it hilarious.
Kacy was not surprised that Jessamine and I were a thing after our week alone.
According to her, I looked thirsty every time I looked at Jessamine.
Besides, she was one of the women who couldn’t handle my size so the mention of my dick probably gave her a flashback.
“I’m serious, Cole. Outside of my parents no one has ever worked so hard to solve my problems without me asking. You didn’t have to go through all of this trouble but I appreciate it so much that I’d happily come and fulfill your request.”
Her statement makes me groan. “First, anything for my woman. Second, as much as I’d love that, I have to get a raincheck. We already had a quickie today and you know how I feel about those.”
Jessamine nods. “Just text me when you’re done tonight and I’ll let you in.”
The double meaning isn’t lost on me. “Deal.”
“And wash your beard like I told you earlier, nasty man.”
I wink at her and lick my lips. “I’m savoring the scent and taste of you.”
She tries to scowl but she loves it. She snaps her fingers as she remembers something. “Will you be able to go to New York with me the Saturday after Thanksgiving? I have to attend an event.”
“I’ll book a jet.”
She tilts her head. “Cole…”
“I insist,” I tell her before she protests. “I would rather spend my in air time between your thighs instead of watching an inflight movie.”
The visual has her hand flying to her chest. “I can’t argue with that logic.”
“Good. I have to go.” I kiss at the screen and she waves sadly.
Immediately, I book the jet and start crafting outfits and plans for that weekend. My only goal is to make sure she knows that I’m all hers and hopefully she feels the same.