Page 17 of The Present

“Me too.” She cupped his face and pulled him back for another kiss that made his groin stir.

If he didn’t leave now, he was going to take her again and miss his flight. Reluctantly, he straightened. “Bye, Tess. See you when I get back Saturday. You’d better be ready for the New Year’s Eve party. Deck yourself out like it’s 1999.” He chuckled. “It’s going to be one hell of a celebration.”

Her face lit up and she smiled at him. “I’ll look forward to it.”

He had to have one more kiss. Just one. Swooping in, he kissed her hard and swift, then turned and sprinted from the room before his dick got the better of him. After Saturday he wouldn’t be leaving so often and that would be a very good thing.

* * *

Tess cracked an eye open, noting the light in the room had brightened. What time was it? It felt dreadfully late, but the warm bed and even warmer memories of last night made her want to linger and relive their love making in her mind. That might take a while, considering how many times they had done it. God, she wouldn’t have believed a man could get it up that many times in one night, but she could testify to it now. Hal had been magnificent and so generous. She’d had no idea what her other lovers had not been doing for her, and now she did she feared Hal had spoiled her for anyone else who thought only of his own pleasure.

Turning over in bed toward his empty place, she winced. Her nether parts were pretty sore and now she needed to pee. That might not be pleasant either. Perhaps she’d opt for a hot bath this morning rather than a shower to sooth the ache.

Hal’s bathroom proved as opulent as the rest of the apartment, done in cool colors of black, white, and gray. The tub was deep, the water blissfully scalding as she slid into its depths. The hot water stung her bottom, but only for a few minutes. After that her body adjusted and she began to create a To Do list in her head.

First, she needed to find the nearest train and make her way back to her apartment. After that, the most important thing on her agenda, other than waiting for Hal’s call tonight, was a vigorously renewed job search. She’d allowed herself to slack off a little because of the holidays, but now, without Janice’s income stream, she had only unemployment benefits that would run out by the end of next month. The only way she could manage to stay in her apartment after that money was depleted was to find a job. And today was the day to find one.

With new determination, she quickly washed, rinsed off, and left the all too tempting tub. Toweling dry with the fluffy white terrycloth bath sheet Hal had left her, Tess found she missed him more than she’d expected. They hadn’t known one another long at all, still she found herself thinking about him a lot. Even after last night she couldn’t allow herself to think this was heading into a serious relationship. That took time, so no getting her hopes up. Yeah, like that was going to happen.

She went into the bedroom and dressed in her clothes from last night, that Hal had thoughtfully gathered and laid over a chair for her. He had to be the most thoughtful man she’d ever met. They just didn’t make them like this anymore. And her idiot sister had given him up because he didn’t get a promotion? Thank God the stupidity gene seemed to have passed Tess by.

Remembering Hal had said something about leaving a note for her in the kitchen, she grabbed her phone from the nightstand and headed there. Sure enough, there, standing up against a clear vase holding a spray of red silk roses and holly berries, was a note. She plucked it up and sat down at the bar, unfolding the piece of paper with pleasant anticipation.

“Hi, Tess.

Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed our evening together. Can’t wait to get back into town Saturday for the New Year’s Eve celebration—and our own private one afterward.

There’s a K-cup in the Keurig, juice and milk and creamer in the fridge, croissants in the bread box and butter in a dish on the island. Feel free to rummage for anything else you need for breakfast. I took the liberty of ordering you an Uber for noon to take you back to your apartment. If you need to leave earlier, call this number 800-555-9435 and they will change the time. Will call you this evening!

Hal

The enthusiasm of his note made Tess’s smile grow as she read. He truly sounded as though something might very well come of their budding relationship. She wanted to believe that so much. Still smiling, she laid the note down on the island and went in search of a coffee cup.

She had just taken the first bite of a liberally buttered croissant, when she opened her phone to check for messages. She’d been too preoccupied to check them last night. Yep, there was one, a voicemail, dated this morning. Must have come in while she was in the bathtub. Clicking on the message, she slathered the croissant with more butter.

A deep male voice came on that she recognized, with a pang of alarm, as the manager of her apartment complex.

“Ms. Avery, this is Dillon Garrett, with the management team for Carrington, Inc. You have ignored my attempts to collect the delinquent rents owed Carrington for the past several months. As your lease is up for renewal on January first, if you do not bring your account current by December thirty-first, we will have no choice but to deny renewal of your lease and begin eviction proceedings. Please remit the rents owed in the amount of fifteen hundred dollars no later than December twenty-eighth as our office will be closed from December twenty-ninth through January second for the holiday. This notice has also been served via email and through USPS mail services. Should you have any question, please call…”

Tess sat stunned, all her happiness and hopeful plans draining away in an instant. How the hell was she supposed to come up with an entire month’s rent in two days?