“What wasthatall about?” Bella asked Jack.
“Nothing, just a little pilot to pilot talk.”
The song that was playing ended, and as the next song began, she heard the opening notes of her favorite Taylor Swift song, “Cowboy Like Me.”
“May I have this dance, Ms. Genovese?” Jack asked, holding his hand out.
Bella placed her hand in his without a word. Jack led her onto the dance floor, and took her into his arms, moving in time to the slow, sensual, and sultry song.
“This is my favorite Taylor song.”
“I know - I remembered from the concert, I could tell. It was like you were lost in another world while it played. I think that is the moment I realized I needed to know you better. I asked the DJ to play it.” She leaned into him, feeling his body sway against hers, as they moved in time to the music.Tonight. This is the night. I’m ready. Is he? Are we on the same page?she thought.Bella pulled back a little to stare up at Jack, searching his face for some kind of a sign he was ready too. Jack pulled her back to his chest - as if already missing the feel of her. He dipped his head to her neck, breathing her in — Tobacco Vanille again.
“Bella. The night is almost over, and I need to know: are we going to my room or yours?” he whispered in her ear.
“Whichever one is closest.”
The song ended, and Bella returned to the table to grab her evening clutch and say her goodbyes. Looking around, she noticed Carrie and Mike engrossed in conversation, and Jerome was nowhere to be seen.He’s a big boy, he’ll be fine.
Bella and Jack left the ballroom, and mindful of the code of conduct that came with his uniform, they walked briskly to the elevator and stepped in when it arrived. Doors closing, they both reached out to press the button for the 25th floor, eyes catching when they realized they were on the same floor, and as soon as the doors closed, they fell into a kiss.
“We shouldn’t, they have cameras in these things,” Bella said, reluctantly pulling her lips from his.
“Let ‘em watch, they might learn a thing or two. Captain Jack has moves.”
“I certainly hope so”, laughed Bella in reply.
Reaching their floor, they walked to Bella’s room, and as she went to swipe her key, she paused and turned to Jack.
“Jack. I haven’t been with another man for thirteen years, and no one since I lost Jasper. I’m afraid I might be a little rusty,” she said nervously.
“Bella”, Jack said, gently caressing her face, “I’ve not been with anyone either in the last five years, and I’d only been withSusan for the seventeen years before that. It’s okay. We’ve got all night to shake off any dust. I mean for us to do a lot of shaking.”
“And Bella?”
“Yes?”
“Leave the shoes on.”
He took the key card from her hand, opened the door, and pulled her inside.
Chapter 15
Bella awoke to Jack’s face on the pillow next to hers, smiling over at her.
“Good morning,” she said, returning his smile, reaching her hand out to brush the hair from his forehead, tousled from sleep. “Have you been awake long?”
“Not too long, I was just admiring the view, " he said, leaning over to kiss her - Bella squeaked and pulled the blankets up over her face.
“No, I haven’t brushed my teeth yet, I have morning breath!”
“I’ll kiss your morning breath mouth if I want to,” he replied, and proceeded to do just that.
“Mmm, what time is it now? And what time is checkout?” Bella asked in between the gentle kisses he was pressing to her lips.
“Not for several hours, and I plan to take advantage of all of them.”
A few hours later Jack left, glancing quickly left and right, before rushing down the hall to his room, in case anyone saw him still wearing last night’s uniform. Bella had ordered uproom service, and she was enjoying a cup of coffee when her phone pinged. It was Jackie.
