It was amazing to wake up in Jack’s arms. I’d been dreaming of dancing with him. He held me in his arms confidently as we glided across the dance floor. Every eye was on us, but he only had eyes for me. As the song ended, he leaned down and pressed a line of kisses down my throat…
My eyes flew open as I realized the kisses were real. Jack was snuggling. Snuggling in a way that let me know it was morning. I quickly extricated myself from his embrace and sprang out of bed. I had much to accomplish and didn’t have time to lose myself in Jack. Not that I didn’t want to, but it was a bad idea all around.
I scurried towards the bathroom. As I reached the door, Jack said, in a rough, sleepy voice, “Good morning, Eve. Shall I order us up some breakfast?” I turned to look at him. Big mistake. He was propped up on one elbow, the sheet down around his waist, leaving that chest to sear my retinas.
“I’m not really hungry, but some coffee would be great, thanks,” I managed to say in an even voice. I slid into the bathroom and shut the door behind me. Breakfast? No thank you. Slide back into bed with you and stay a week? Yes, please! And possibly a defibrillator.
I sat on the toilet and tried to organize my thoughts. Today was pack and travel day. But first I’d need to shower. But I couldn’t hog the bathroom since I had an uninvited roommate. Sighing, I opened the door a crack and called out, “I need to shower. Would you like to use the bathroom first?”
He answered, from the other side of the door. “That’d be great. Thanks. Unless you want to share the shower….”
I huffed a breath of annoyance. Did he ever stop?
“I’m just suggesting it selflessly, as a way to make the best use of our time, you know.” I couldn’t see it, but I knew he was grinning.
I opened the door and gestured that the bathroom was all his. We passed in the doorway, and he was closer than he needed to be. I kept my eyes resolutely fixed up on his face, which was, indeed, sporting a big grin.
With my suitcase open on the bed, I started to pack. neatly folding my clothes and organizing my accessories and shoes. I laid out my travel outfit, leaving room for my sleepwear and toiletries. I heard the shower start running. The bathroom door opened a crack and Jack called through it, “Last chance to get in on this shower.”
“Go shower, Jack! Alone!”
He laughed, flung his plaid boxers out the door, and shut it behind him.
Oh no. Had he taken clean underwear in with him? I had been so focused on keeping my eyes up that I hadn’t seen. What if he came out in just a towel? Or worse yet, in nothing? I went weak in the knees at the thought. Worst of all was the thought of Jack in the shower, wearing only soap. I sank onto the bed, legs trembling.
“Stop!” I told myself sternly. There was no point in hyperventilating about this man. Today I was returning home. My time on Fantasy Island was over. Most likely I would never even see him again. I didn’t need some brief sweaty interlude between the sheets (stop it, Eve!) to derail my life. I would stay calm and poised. Not let him affect me. And then when we shook hands and said goodbye, it wouldn’t destroy me.
I picked up my phone and opened the app to check in for my flight and make sure it was going to be on time. Because technology isn’t always trustworthy, I took a screenshot of the confirmation. It’s always good to have backup.
Hearing the shower stop, I dropped my phone on the bed and grabbed my travel clothes and toiletry bag and waited by the door to the bathroom. Jack stepped out with a towel wrapped around his waist. “Eve, were you sneaking a peek while I was in the shower?” he asked with barely suppressed glee.
“No, I was waiting, hoping that you didn’t use all the hot water.”
“Hm, I might have. Cold showers aren’t really my thing.”
“Too bad, Jack. It seems you could use one,” I flung back at him with a withering look and went into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. I carefully laid out my clothes and dithered, looking at the door. Should I lock it? Jack wouldn’t come in while I was naked. Would he? I could trust him, right? Yes, for sure. No, no I couldn’t. Look how he’d wheedled his way into my room. I absolutely could not trust him.
I reached over and flipped the lock on the door. I heard a chuckle on the other side. “That took you a while to decide, Eve. I think you must want me to come in and do your back for you.”
“In your dreams, Jack.” The nerve of that man! He was without a doubt the most aggravating man I’d ever met. It was a good thing today was the last day I’d have to see him.
“Oh, were you peeking into my dreams, too? Cause you most definitely were in them.”
The only way out of this was to refuse to engage. I took off my sleep set and stepped into the shower. The water was plenty hot, so I took my time soaping up, then washing my hair. But when my thoughts strayed to Jack in a towel, I decided that maybe I was the one who needed the cold shower. I turned it all the way to arctic, and stood under it briefly, gasping with the shock, then turned it off, got out and got dressed.
I took my time drying my hair, applying makeup, and getting my toiletries all gathered. I wanted Jack to know I wasn’t going to rush for him. I was on my own schedule.
When I came out Jack was dressed, standing on the balcony overlooking the pool. He turned as he saw me emerge. His eyes softened as he looked at me. I expected more snark from him, but all he said was, “Still beautiful.”
I walked out to join him and saw that a breakfast tray was placed on the table between the chairs. Despite my assurance that I didn’t want breakfast, he’d ordered scrambled eggs. scones, and fruit to go with the coffee. Smelling it, I was suddenly starving.
“Come on, have some breakfast before it gets cold.” He gestured towards a chair. I sat and he handed me a plate. I helped myself to some of everything while he poured me a coffee. He sat in the other chair and took an appreciative gulp of his coffee.
“This is how every breakfast should be,” he said, looking out toward the golf course. “Good food, good company, and a lovely view.” When he said the last part, his glance lingered on me.
“Thank you for ordering. I didn’t realize how hungry I actually was.” I took a large bite of the eggs and chewed, gratefully.
“I know it’s the worst to be hungry when you’re flying. You’re trapped, looking forward to the paltry packet of peanuts, and they don’t even have peanuts anymore. Just a couple of pretzels. It’s terrible,” he said. I nodded agreement and ate a few grapes.
