‘No.’
Not physically, anyway. But when this thing eventually runs its course, I fear I’ll encounter a more severe pain.
‘Jayden. I need to feel you.’ What I need is for him to distract me enough to take my pain away.
When we finish, he holds me like I’m the most precious jewel in the world.
And it’s precisely what I’ve been unintentionally searching for these last few years. And the reason no one was afforded a second date was because not one of them came close to making me feel like this.
When this thing between us is over, the only date I’m going on is one with myself to a therapist.
Three hours later, I’m in a much brighter place. The Hilton Jumeirah has a private beach with an à la carte restaurant. The cocktails are so colourful you need sunglasses to look at them, while huge swaying palm trees flank us in a man-made semi-circle offering guests that bit more privacy.
Jayden heads to the bar while I bag us two sunloungers under a huge cream parasol. His shirtless broad back and short-clad backside could have been sculpted by an artist. A mad rush of emotions floods my body. What is that?
Contentment?
Is that it?
It should hardly be a surprise. I’ve just experienced wave after wave of the most intense orgasms with the most gorgeous man I’ve ever clapped eyes on. And my business is thriving. I’m so close to going global, just like I dreamed. And if the end of tour party goes as well as the rest of the tour, I’ll get London too.
Why wouldn’t I be content?
I usually spend Saturdays by myself in the office, prepping for the week ahead. Ordering, checking, triple checking venues, prices, numbers. Or hung-over alone after a Friday brunch with Ruby.
This thing with Jayden is giving me the warm and fuzzies. Dare I admit it, but I think I’m enjoying dating again. I know it’s not real. We’re just fulfilling our respective sides of a bargain we made all those weeks ago. But, no, it’s more than that. This fling with Jayden has shown me enough time’s passed and that I’m finally ready to move on from Ethan’s cheating and trust someone enough to let them in. To put myself out there again.
Although, where will I ever find a man who’s able to compare to the pure perfection that’s strutting towards me?
Jayden carries two hot pink frozen daiquiris over. I’m blessed with a view of his rippling torso as he bends to place one in my hand before flopping onto the thick cream sunbed next to me.
‘You ok?’ He cocks his head to the side, checking on me for the hundredth time today. I think I might have weirded him out earlier. Almost crying during sex wasn’t on the bucket list.
‘I’m good. Thank you.’ He’s so attentive. Imagine what it would be like being married to a man like him?
Wow! Where did that come from?
What a ridiculous and dangerous thought to entertain.
But, oh, my god, what a fantasy to store for later. Imagine the wedding night.
Stop it, Chloe! You’re morphing into one of those women you hate!
‘What are you grinning about?’ Jayden lifts his Ray Bans and perches them on top of his head. His hair’s longer than normal. Shaggier. I like it. More to run my fingers through while he’s…
Chloe!
‘Nothing. Just another fantasy.’
His gaze narrows and sharpens, and those full lips lift into another crooked grin. ‘I think I like the sound of that. Enlighten me.’
‘I think this one might be a bit much, even for you.’ I snort at my private joke before taking a sip of my cocktail.
‘Now there’s a challenge, if ever I heard one.’ He inches closer, resting on his elbow to tower over me, and my core clenches.
‘Ah, come on! It’s a bit too late to pretend you’re shy now.’
‘Trust me. This is a step too far for both of us. It could only ever be a fantasy.’
