“That’s not a message, sir. I’m very generous.”
“You didn’t say anything to dispel the possessive rumors.”
“Well,” she starts with her voice going up an octave. “I can have my moments but nothing crazy. I want my man to be my man.”
“I guess that’s where the loving and affectionate comes into play.”
“I am a lover girl, what can I say? Before all of the bullshit with Adam’s relationship announcement, I was thinking about getting out there again and finding my husband.”
Her statement warms my chest. I never wanted a title so badly and it surprises me. While I wouldn’t mind being in a relationship, I didn’t know I was ready for marriage. I guess I am.
“What changed?”
Jessamine sighs and leans back in her chair. She looked out at the green fields and the lake just beyond them.
“I try not to care what people say but I’d hate for anyone to believe that I got a boyfriend just to look less ‘desperate’” she makes the quotations with her finger then scoffs. “I was literally thinking about getting back out into the dating world the night Dessa got booted off.”
Irritation pulls a frown out of me so fast that Jessamine chuckles. “I felt so bad for her,” I admit. “He played her badly just to break up with Jenny after the reunion.”
Jessamine taps the table in agreement. “I was so mad. I needed a moment. She was blindsided. It’s worse than what you saw. The audience only sees a fraction of their day. As an insider, I know the extent of how he lied to her.”
“I chose to shoot straight in my relationships. I never want to lead anyone on or be deceitful. It really showed his age.”
“That’s what I thought,” she exclaimed while jumping up to stand animatedly. “I had to constantly remind myself they were all under twenty-five.”
“They’re still developing their frontal lobes.”
“And I don’t know how much we can excuse because of it.”
“I agree. I’ve always remembered wanting to treat my woman the right way.”
Jessamine lowers herself back into her chair without breaking eye contact with me.
“And that, Mr. Heywood, is a very sexy stance on relationships.”
Chapter 9
Jessamine
As I near the end of my second day at the resort, I somehow feel closer to Cole. He has a special place here and I think his vision is coming to life. Now that I think of it, I got so distracted earlier by bothering him about being a scorpio that I didn’t get to his mission for this place. I keep slipping out of business mode in front of him and I’m not sure if it’s exciting or scary. Although we just wrapped up the paint therapy a few hours ago, I feel like I miss him and am happy that we’ll be meeting for dinner soon.
I have the giddy type of nerves in my belly as I think about seeing him tonight. Us at a resort together for 24 hours with no one else around makes me feel like I’m a member on my show. I’m happy that this is a no wifi environment. My troubles still exist but at least I don’t have to see them.
After a few touches to my makeup, I admire the work in the mirror. I went with a top knot for my hairstyle with dangling earrings to add some drama to the look. I have on a simple white tank and short blue jean shorts BeyonceCrazy in lovestyle. I accented it with red pumps, a red belt, and the earrings are, of course, red. I left a few tendrils of my hair out so they frame my face.
Once satisfied with my look, I spray myself with my favorite scent and grab the red clutch. It’s only purpose is to hold my phone in the most accessorized way possible. Cole so far hasbeen a pleasant surprise and I look forward to spending more time with him.
When I leave the room just before the seven and he’s waiting for me as promised. His waves still look damp and are combed out of his face. His polo shirt looks like a solid soft green but as I get closer, I notice navy specks that match his chinos. As usual he looks like he’d be a great surface to clean with my tongue. Cole smiles at me while he extends his arm for me to take.
I wrap my arm around his bicep, noting the woodsy scent of his cologne. I’m getting first-date-jitters although this is supposed to be a business dinner. The soft lights that trace our path is a nice touch to the ambience. Night time gives it a different kind of energy. I feel flirty and romantic.
Once we make it to the on-site restaurant, he guides me outside where our table is set up for dinner. If this was a real date, I’d kiss him and gush about the gesture. It’s just a reminder that he isn’t mine.
He pulls out my chair again. I never realized that such a simple gesture would feel so sweet. Guys have done it before but never as consistently as Cole.
Our server gives us fruit infused water and hands us our menus.
“Oh, menus!” I say somewhat surprised.
