Page 50 of Idle

He closes me out by shutting his eyelids. “They’re in the next rooms.”

I grasp his hands and tug them off my face. “They’re not here. And I don’t care.” I fuse our lips together again.

Beneath me, Jesse’s legs move and his hands drop to my waist. When I pull back, he says, “I can’t.”

With a deliberate movement, he lifts me off his lap and stands. Turning on his bare feet, he leaves me in the living room.

Alone.

16

Jesse

Lying in Frank’s stripped bunk—because my sheets remain in the living room—tonight’s unexpected events replay.

The way Paige kissed me.

The way our tongues tangled.

The way she rubbed her body against mine.

“Get your career in order before you look for love.” Homer’s words repeat. I couldn’t be further from being settled in my career, despite his wishes. True, I did follow in his footsteps like Diana was going to do. Also true, my boss told me the promotion was mine next month. But when I think about what I’ve accomplished here over the past weeks, all I want to do is more of this.

Which means I have no idea where my professional life is going. How can I take on a woman like Paige now? Especially since I have a sinking feeling she’s more than my usual random hook ups.

Her creativity is intoxicating. Even though she doesn’t recognize her talent, I do. The fact she came out to the living room to work on our show notes proves my point. She’s fantastic. She’s about to shine in front of the entire world.

Plus, her wrapping doesn’t suck. Tall and lanky, with legs that go on forever. While I usually prefer long hair, her pixie cut rocks. And those eyes. Damn. I want to get lost in them for days.

The fact she’s Theo’s little sister, which makes her Xander’s little “cousin,” is one more stumbling block. I have to respect their wishes. Although, this has the potential of being much more than a fling.

If I let it.

Which I won’t.

My erection throbs between my legs, but I refuse to go into the shower and jack off. Thinking about awful things like the last Mets game loss or an old sewer break causes it to deflate somewhat. Bo’s snores finish the job. No. I’m not ready for Paige.

I manage to fall asleep, only to be awakened by the shower turning on. Guess it’s time to get up. Our last first day of shooting. I manage to pick out my clothes—I can’t bring myself to choose another bank t-shirt—and take a shower after Bo exits. Neither of us acknowledges the other, which suits me fine.

We’re all in the kitchen, trying our best to ignore one another, when Quinn arrives. “Are you ready for your final challenge?”

We all mumble versions of yes, causing her to frown. “Everyone okay? Aren’t you excited to find out who’s going to win?”

“I am.” Bo volunteers.

The three of us glance at each other, then try to make more of an effort to respond to the director. “Slightly better.” She claps. “Let’s see how you do with the primary suite challenge. The camera crews are in your apartments so go get ‘em.”

Grabbing my tools, I follow everyone down the hallway to the elevators. In silence, we shuffle into the cab and go down, down, down. Bo and Mary Ellen get off on seventeen and I wishherwell. As does Paige.

When the elevator dings at our floor, I allow Paige to precede me to the front door, where she stands waiting for me to open it for her. Reaching into my pocket, I produce my key and open it. “After you.”

She walks in without a word and goes straight to the primary suite. This is going to be a long week. As I follow her, I decide we’re going to have to talk this out. On a sigh, I enter the bedroom, which has a couple of cameras set up. Great. No talking in here.

I join Paige in the bathroom. Since no cameras are in here yet, I jump on this opportunity to clear the air between us. As much as I can. “About last night—”

She rubs her arm. “Yes?”

I need to come clean. “I was shocked and honored you wanted to do that with me.” When she doesn’t respond, I add, “I liked it. A lot.”

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