Page 48 of OneTime Lovers
When it’s obvious she isn’t going to say anything, I continue to plead my case, “I want my place to feel casual and comfortable, somewhere I can chill out and relax. Not a cold show home like the hotel rooms, I’m trying to get away from.”
Clearing her throat, she says, “But I don’t know you well enough to choose furniture, or other personal items. I’ve no idea what you’d like.”
“Yes, you do. I like you.” Reaching out I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, gently gliding my fingers across her cheek as I force my hand back to my glass of whiskey.
A few moments of silence follows before she finally says, “Okay–– I’ll do it.” Not wanting to look me in the eye, she continues, “I get what you mean, your home is important. I hate those places that look like nobody lives there too. It’s a beautiful apartment and it deserves beautiful furniture.” I’m grinning so wide my cheeks hurt. I was so worried she wouldn’t agree, and she has. I like the idea of Jas selecting furniture for me but mostly I hope it will make her want to spend some time with me, in my new place.
“Great, I really appreciate you helping.” I open my wallet and pull out an AMEX black card, sliding it across the bar to her. “Please use this for everything.” With the business done, now comes the tough talk.
Placing my glass back on the table, I link my fingers together to stop me from fidgeting. “Why did you run away?”
Silently she looks down into her glass as if she’ll find the answer swirling in the ruby red liquid, then with a slight shrug of her shoulders, she begins, “Scott, it’s hard to say why I ran in that moment. It was more instinct than a coherent thought.” Her voice is barely above a whisper, and I have to lean down close to catch the words. “I’ve tried to work out why every night since and all I can come up with is, I’m scared. Scared of being lied to again. Scared of being hurt again.”
Placing my hand over hers, I give it a slight squeeze. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Turning her head to look at me, her eyes are watery green pools. “I know you don’t. It’s just … I feel so much with you. It’s almost too intense. I don’t know what to do with all those feelings.”
“I feel it too. It’s special, which is why I’d like to spend more time with you.”
“This week has been a whirlwind. I thought it would be months before I saw you again, then out of nowhere you were here. I need some time to think … while you’re away.” Her frown deepens. “Scott, just to be clear, I don’t want to be your sex buddy, available whenever you fly into town. It’s not my thing.”
“That’s not what I was suggesting,” I’m quick to protest. I should shut up as I don’t want to ruin the remainder of our evening together.
The atmosphere shifts. And Jasmine in her usual way, changes the subject unexpectedly.
“I just thought, do you cook or are you a takeout only person,” she asks as we order another drink and settle into a chat about what type of things I’d like in my home.
It surprises us both when next we look at our phones, nearly two hours have passed with us chatting comfortably about anything and everything.
I ask her if she’d like to do dinner with me, but unfortunately, she has plans with Lily. This time I believe her and don’t think she’s brushing me off, given the last couple of hours we’ve spent together.
I stand up to say goodbye and feel comfortable enough lingering over the hug as I drop a brief kiss on the corner of her still bright red lips.
She doesn’t pull away as I continue to hold her loosely. “I’ll see you in about six weeks then––aah hang on, I nearly forgot.” Reaching into my jacket pocket I pull out the small, folded gift bag I have for her, saying, “This is for you.”
She looks down at the bag and when I hand it to her, she tries to pass it back to me saying, “No, Scott––I don’t want a gift.”
“Just, look in the bag, Jas,” I tell her, refusing to take the gift bag back.
As she peers inside a blush suffuses her cheeks, the bag contains her freshly laundered panties and shirt button.
Still giggling along with me, Jas manages to gasp out, “Nicely played.”
Finally composing herself she says, “Let’s keep in touch through email and text and don’t forget to send me the photos of your condo in Florida so I can get an idea of your style.”
Then surprisingly she reaches up to kiss me hard on the lips before quickly saying goodbye and walking away.
Leaving me standing stunned and again in need of an adjustment of my jeans.
Seven Weeks Later
It’s been seven weeks since I last saw Jas. Longer than I originally thought or wanted it to be, but finally I’m back in Manhattan and looking forward to seeing her again in my new apartment.
The town car pulls up outside my new building, and as I jump out, I notice there is a chill to the air, which wasn’t here last visit. It’s the start of Autumn now, so it may be a while before I can use the new grill Jas promised has been installed on my terrace.
Walking through the doors of the lobby, I say hello to the doorman, introducing myself as the new owner. He smiles then tells me Jasmine is waiting upstairs for me. Thanking him, I hoist my Gucci black leather bag to my shoulder and make my way to the bank of elevators.
Pressing the button for the twelfth floor, I wonder what sort of reception I’m going to get from Jas this time. Our texts and emails have all been friendly, but I guess that’s the problem, they have all been friendly and nothing more. The more time I’ve been away from Jas, the more I’ve been thinking I want more than only friends with her.
