Chapter 10

"Hi"

Beca was still gaping at him at the doorway and Jesse began to wonder whether coming over to her place was a good idea. It seemed like one at the restaurant just now. He couldn't get her out of his mind and Jesse knew he would toss and turn all night if he didn't see her again. He remembered where she lived. It wasn't that far from H&H and Jesse found himself automatically making his way there. But now standing here in the cold light of the corridor, with Beca Mitchell dressed in a bathrobe, staring up at him, Jesse wasn't so sure.

"What are you doing here?" Beca finally found her voice. She didn't sound hostile; more like incredulous. Jesse had one hand on the door frame and his fingers restlessly scratched its surface. What was he doing here? What was he thinking coming all the way here?

"I had to see you."

Beca frowned at his confession, thinking it over.

"You can see me at work on Monday."

Jesse merely shook his head.

"Not soon enough."

They were standing staring at each other, unsure what to do or say next. The impasse was broken by a loud meow. Snowball had bolted out and was now rubbing himself against Jesse's leg, purring. He made no move to pick the cat up, eyes still on Beca.

"May I come in?...umm...I thought you might be hungry..." Jesse continued, lifting the bag of food he had in his other hand. Please say something. Please say I can come in. Or not. Just say something. Please.

Beca's gaze fell to the sight of her cat being a turncoat, miaowing at Jesse's feet and then to the proffered food. It did smelled delicious. Then, embarrassingly, her tummy gave a loud rumble. Jesse was stifling his smile at the sound and Beca scowled even deeper.

"You've got egg rolls?" she asked, head cocked to one side.

"Yep." Jesse rustled through the bag. "Mushu pork, chicken chow mien, egg fried rice. I'm not sure where you are with vegetables so I got two. And fortune cookies. Extra fortune cookies. And a chilled bottle of white."

Beca nodded like he passed a test.

"Ok, you can come in," Beca said. Jesse was smiling now and Beca held up her hand imperiously stopping him in his tracks. "Just because you brought food, ok? And wine."

"Sure."

He picked up Snowball who was now on his hind legs, clawing at him and followed Beca into her apartment. She made a beeline into her bedroom, shutting the door behind her, leaving Jesse in the living room.

Beca hurriedly rifled through her drawers, pulled on her underwear, a pair of sweatpants, tshirt and hoodie. She switched on the hairdryer, drying her hair as quick as she could before brushing and braiding it. By the time she came back into the living room, Jesse had unpacked all the food and was now looking at her photographs with Snowball flopping contentedly over his shoulder.

Jesse turned round on hearing her.

"Hey, your pizza's here"

They both stared at the food on the coffee table.

"That is a LOT of food," Beca said. She made a move to her bag. "Let me get you the money for all this."

Jesse looked offended as he sat down on the sofa with Snowball snuggled up beside him. "Can you just sit down and eat? It's my treat."

"Dude, there's no need to do all this," Beca said.

"Do what?" Jesse answered distractedly. He was busy lifting the lids of the takeaway boxes and peering inside.

"We had sex already, " Beca said. "You don't have to wine and dine me."

Jesse stopped what he was doing and stared blankly at her. She was exasperating. Seriously. He was about to tear his hair out now.

"Can we just have a nice meal together?" Jesse shot back, glaring at her. "I just want to sit down and spend some time with you and talk. Is that so hard?"

She was still standing behind that armchair like it was a defensive fort. Beca chewed her lower lip, looking at him speculatively. Dressed in her sweats, freshly showered, face free of makeup and with that cute braid, she looked about seventeen.

Jesse just sighed in defeat. "Fine. It makes me feel better, ok? Like I am not just using you for sex. I have to buy you a meal. There. Now will you sit down and eat?"

Beca raised an eyebrow but at least she was now lowering herself into the armchair and reaching out for one of the boxes. Jesse offered her a pair of chopsticks which she took before digging into the noodles.

"I'm worth more than a poxy meal,"she mumbled in between mouthfuls of noodles. "And who says I'm not using YOU for sex?"

Jesse didn't know whether he should laugh or be offended. It was quite funny though. And then he caught that smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"I really don't know what to do with you," he said, shaking his head, smiling. It was true. She was an enigma. He had never been so wrong footed by a woman this many times before.

They are in companionable silence. Jesse was polishing off the egg fried rice, suddenly feeling really hungry. Just watching Beca enjoying her food had made his appetite come back. She ate with glorious abandon, smiling and appreciating every morsel with every bite. Ever so often, the tip of her tongue will dart out, swiping across her lips. Jesse was fascinated. She looked like she really enjoyed her food. Most girls he went out with ate like birds; picking at everything with disdain, like that stupid, expensive salad was going to hurt them.

Beca was now moving on to the pizza and Jesse had to laugh at the almost orgasmic look on her face as she bit into a slice.

"What? Why are you laughing?" Beca scowled at him before taking another huge bite of that cheesy slice. She pulled the pizza so the cheese strung out and actually moaned as she chewed.

"Wow! Do you want me to give you two some privacy?" Jesse teased. "I swear that slice is giving you a better orgasm than I did."

"Eh. Just now wasn't that great," Beca scoffed. It was an obvious lie and Jesse hid his smile behind the takeaway box he was eating from. Beca was licking her grease-covered fingers slowly which he did not missed at all. She then gave Jesse a disparaging look.

"Dude, you're a noob so I'll forgive you," she said, eyes serious. "This is not just any other pizza. This is a handmade, all fresh Gino pizza. I challenge you to take a bite without groaning."

Jesse inspected the Hawaiian pizza. Really, it did not look anything special. He had many a pizza before. No way this ordinary looking pizza was THAT good.

"What are the stakes?" he asked, putting down his food and cracking his fingers. Oh, he was up for this.

"Take one bite without groaning and name your prize." Beca said, eyes bright.

"That confident, huh? You might not like what I want for a prize."

Beca shrugged.

"What if I did groan at first bite?" Jesse asked, reaching for a slice.

"You let me pay for this whole thing and go back to being uncomfortable."

Jesse rolled his eyes. She was a nightmare.

"Fine. Let's do this."

Jesse took a slice and looked at it carefully. Hmm, not bad. Good topping to base ratio. Nice wood-fired oven crust. Good cheese. It was now down to the tomato sauce. Jesse took a big bite. Beca was looking at him expectantly. As the flavours burst into his mouth, Jesse clamped his lips tight, seeming to struggle and Beca was grinning victoriously.

"Fuck. That's good," Jesse mumbled, mouth full of pizza. He chewed and swallowed, looking utterly gobsmacked. "That's the best pie I've ever eaten."

"Hah! What did I tell you?"Beca crowed, punching one fist into the air. She was grinning cheekily now. "I win! Now I'm going to pay for all these. And it's no longer your treat and..."

"Hang on. Hang on." Jesse raised his hand and halted Beca's triumphant speech. "I believe the deal was I had to groan at first bite. I did no such thing. So...technically I win."

Beca's mouth dropped open. She was about to protest when it hit her that he was right. That fucker! He tricked her! And here he was nonchalantly eating a second slice of the pizza , trying to stifle his smile yet again. Jesse seemed terribly unconcerned at the evil looks she was throwing him, looking every inch the winner, munching on her Hawaiian pizza damnit, with her traitor of a cat purring by his side.

"I hate you." Beca mumbled, crossly picking up her noodles and stabbing the slippery morsels with her chopsticks.

"So you were a flight attendant?"

Beca eyed Jesse a little hazily. They had made steady progress through that bottle of wine, nearly finishing it. The food now lay forgotten. She was still mad at him for tricking her but the wine was dulling that a little. He must be getting a little fuzzy too. What kind of question was that?

"What are you talking about? I was never a trolley dolly."

"But those pics. Of you and Stacie and Amy in that uniform. Is that how y'all meet up? At flight attendant training?" Jesse said, waving a hand at the direction of her photos. "Do people really have sex in the toilets? I think that's really uncomfortable. And unhygienic."

"Dude, stop talking," Beca said. "That was my Barden Bella uniform."

Something seemed to click in Jesse's mind. She was wearing a faded Barden University hoodie.

"You went to Barden?" Jesse said in surprise.

"My dad's a professor there. I got a free ride."

"Wait, you were a Barden Bella? As in Barden Bella acapella group?"

"You heard of us," Beca said smugly.

"Wow. I did not peg you as an acapella girl." Jesse said, raising his eyebrows. He then nodded like it all made sense. "But that explains it."

"Explain what?"

"Why you sing so well." Jesse replied, smiling so wide his dimples were showing. "Man, why don't you do that for a living? You are that good."

Beca shrugged her delicate shoulders before tipping the last dregs of wine into her mouth.

"I wanted to be a music producer but life happens, you know," Beca said. The wine was loosening her tongue. "My dad made me enrolled in journalism and mass communication. The rest is history. It's cool."

Jesse nodded. His eyes stopped at the piano.

"Do you play?" he asked, jerking his head at the piano.

Beca sighed. "No, it came with the apartment and we only used it to hide a hole in the wall. Of course I play, you idiot."

"Play me something?" Jesse asked, his brown eyes going all soft like a puppy.

"You want me to play you something?" Beca said, quirking an eyebrow. "Is that the prize you wanna claim for tricking me?"

"Whoa, let's not get hasty here," Jesse said, sitting up so suddenly he dislodged Snowball from his lap. "Firstly, I won fair and square. And secondly...nah, I don't think I want to squander my prize that way."

"Dude, just name it," Beca said impatiently. "Just as long as it's not world peace or something cheesy like that."

"Hmm. I have to think long and hard about this. I don't think a chance like this comes very often," Jesse scratched his stubbly jaw thoughtfully. His lips curved into a teasing smile. "Maybe I should ask for it when you least expect it."

Beca rolled her eyes. He was clearly milking it.

"Whatever dude."

She was giggling. Why she was giggling? Beca peered hazily through this wine-induced fog around her head to look into Jesse's face. Oh. It was fine. He was giggling too. What were they talking about? Gnomes? Something about gnomes? And London?

Whatever it was, it was funny.

Somehow they were on their second bottle of wine. She found one and they had talked and laughed and drank. The wine was making her feel a little warm and she had shrugged off her hoodie.

"Dude, you've been pumping me for info for the last hour," Beca said, waving her glass and nearly spilling her drink. "It's your turn now."

Jess laughed, settled back deeper into the sofa and gazed at her. He looked relaxed in just his jeans and tshirt, hair a bit mussed now. Beca liked the way he looked. He looked hot in a suit; that was true but she liked the way his tshirt clung on to his chest and arms.

"I'm not that interesting," Jesse said, lazily stroking Snowball who was parked on his chest.

"Seriously? You can say that?" Beca croaked out. "You just waltzed into H&H months ago. No one knows who you are. No one knows what you do. And you are everywhere. What is that?"

Jesse waved the question away. "It's nothing."

"And what have you done to my cat?" Beca was saying now. "He doesn't like people and look at him now. Are you sure you don't have catnip in your pockets?"

Jesse gave Snowball a chin rub and the cat purred appreciatively.

"He likes me. I am quite a likeable guy." Jesse shrugged. "Except when I had too much to drink. No, don't top up!"

Beca was about to pour the rest of the bottle when Jesse stopped her.

"Don't," he repeated, hand on her wrist. "I'm a dick when I'm drunk. And I don't want to be a dick around you right now."

"Too late." Beca said as she poured the wine into his glass with flourish.

"Why, Miss Mitchell, I think you are trying to get me drunk."

"Why would I do that?"

"I don't know. Maybe you want to take advantage of me?" Jesse laughed, running his hand up her arm, brushing softly against the side of her breast.

Beca snorted, which turned into a giggle. She shook her head, squinting her eyes at him. "I should have known Aubrey's not your girlfriend," Beca said. "I spent a year working with her at RUNWAY. We shared some serious shit but she never mentioned a boyfriend before."

Jesse released her arm, all traces of his slight drunkenness gone.

"You worked with Aubrey? At RUNWAY?"

Beca frowned. "Yep. I told you before."

"I thought it was elsewhere."

"Nope. Just for a year at RUNWAY. I was Cassandra Harris' second PA. Aubrey does all her personal stuff and her diary. I do whatever's left."

Jesse was quiet for a moment, concentrating on rubbing Snowball's belly, but Beca did not miss the change in atmosphere. Jesse gave Snowball one last belly rub before gently putting him on the floor. The feline meowed loudly, asking to be picked up but Jesse was already piling up the empty cartons on the table.

"It's getting late. Let me help you clear up and I'll be on my way."

Jesse slowly pulled on his jacket and felt his pockets. Yep, he got everything. Keys, wallet, phone. Was there anything else he forget? Didn't think so. He drew out his phone, checking through his calls and messages. Did he missed any?

No, he did not. He was just stalling. He knew he was.

It did not take too long to clear all the boxes and bottles, bringing them to the bin in the kitchen. She had bossily told him where to throw them, where to put the empty bottles and where to wash his hands.

The kitchen was tiny. They were sidestepping each other and there was a moment when he had accidentally boxed her in against the sink. He was standing too close when she turned and their bodies brushed briefly. They both broke into embarrassed chuckles, feeling a little awkward.

Jesse pocketed his phone. It was late. He should go.

"Thanks for the food," Beca spoke up. She was just two feet away, crossing her arms over her chest. Her hands were rubbing her bare arms which were covered in goosebumps.

"Thanks for letting me come in," Jesse replied. "You could have easily slam the door in my face."

"Dude, you brought food," Beca said, a half smile tugging on the corner of her mouth. "Besides, I had a good time."

"You did?" His smile could lit up the room.

"Yeah. It wasn't half bad," she smiled up at him. "Although you did tricked me."

"You are such a sore loser." Jesse exclaimed. He narrowed his eyes at her and then laughed.

"What? I like winning," Beca bleated, frowning up at him.

"No. You got something on your mouth," Jesse said. "Do you always eat this sloppily?"

He didn't wait for an answer and reached down to wipe off that smear just under her bottom lip. His thumb skated across her soft lip and stopped a fraction too long at the corner. Jesse was staring at his thumb pressing lightly on her lip. Her mouth parted ever so slightly and she took his thumb in between her even white teeth, the tip of her tongue brushing softly against it.

He breathed in sharply, pressing his thumb further in, skin scraping against her teeth. Her hand flew up to hold his and her eyes gazing up at him were pure fire.

His mouth was on her the next second; his teeth now biting on that fetching bottom lip, hands cradling her face. That heady, heady taste of her mouth. He could not get enough. Her arms snaked round his waist, holding on to him tight and he was making her walk backwards. Both of them already knew where this was leading too.

"This is such a bad idea," Beca mumbled in between their sloppy kisses, hands busy pushing his jacket off.

"Mmm hmm," Jesse agreed, lips still on her, impatiently shrugging his jacket off and dropping it on the floor. Her hands were now underneath his tshirt. That followed his jacket in an instant. "Such a bad idea."

"We work in the same place." She moaned into his mouth as he tugged at her tshirt. He let go of her lips and Beca pulled off her shirt.

"Yeah, it's going to get messy, " he mumbled, drawing her closer, one hand feeling for the hook of her bra.

"So messy." Beca said, helping him unsnap her bra. He tore that piece of clothing away and pulled her flushed against him. The feel of her bare breasts against his chest made both of them groan out loud. He was holding her tight against him, cased in his arms, one hand gripping her hair at the nape as he kissed her deeply.

When he finally let her go, Beca was panting against him. "You think we shouldn't do this?"

"Technically we're not at work," he reasoned, hands cupping her breasts and squeezing them. Beca hummed in agreement, closing her eyes at the feel of his fingers on her nipples. Her hand stroke his hard on through his jeans. He moaned briefly before saying unsteadily. "And it's the weekend."

"But you said it's complicated," Beca breathed out, fingers unbuckling his belt. Jesse toed off his shoes and she pushed his jeans down.

"Yes, it is." Jesse stepped out of his jeans, swept her up into his arms and headed towards her bedroom. He pressed her against her bedroom door, kissing her hungrily. Her hand scrambled round behind her for the doorknob and they stumbled inside.

"So you're down for this?" Beca whispered as he lowered her onto the side of the bed and dropped to his knees.

"Only thing I thought of all night," he murmured thickly, kissing and sucking at her neck, hands now tugging at her sweatpants. He wrapped an arm round her waist, raised her up easily and yanked the pants down.

"Me too." Beca confessed.

Jesse stopped for a moment to look at the perfection before him. She was leaning back on her bed, resting on her elbows, in just her lacy black panties, heavy breasts hanging bare, nipples hard and dark pink, her brown hair in a braid over one shoulder. She was looking at him, her blues eyes dark, her lips beestung from all the kisses he had showered on her.

He had never seen anything so sensual, so voluptuous.

She was a carnal masterpiece in the flesh.

Jesse leant forward, pulling lightly on her braid, bringing her mouth mere milimetres from him. "God, you look so sexy," he whispered against her lips. "I've wanted to fuck you since the first time I saw you."

"What took you so long?" she purred back against his.

"Because I'm not supposed to." He pulled a little harder on her braid and she gasped a little, head jerked back, exposing her white throat. His mouth skimmed against that white column, teeth biting into the sensitive flesh. He let go of her hair, hands now working on her breasts.

"So we can't really do this?" Beca gasped out when his hand moved down between them and cupped against her. His fingers and thumb were just so unbearably slow it was maddening.

"No," he whispered huskily into her ear as his fingers delved deep into her. Beca thought the earth shifted as she jerked against his intrusion. His fingers were moving round in shallow circles inside her, hitting her nerves.

"Stop whenever you want," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. She could feel his smile on her heated skin.

"Maybe a while.. longer," he murmured, curling his fingers a little and she came so hard, jolting against his body. His body pressed down on her, his eyes watching her face as she rode her orgasm. She was panting so hard, wiping the back of her hand across her face as the waves of her orgasm receded. Before Beca could completely recover, he was already kissing her hard, his erection pressing into her thigh.

"Condom. Drawer." was all she could managed. He rose up, opened the drawer and smiled at the contents.

"Nice collection you got there," Jesse smirked. Beca forgot she had her vibrators in there. She pulled him down onto the bed and shook her head, smirking back. "Sorry, no show tonight. Too bad."

He laughed, falling onto the bed. She knew what he was thinking of. That was so hot. His boxers were off and his erection sprang free. She was stroking him and was about to lean down when he stopped her.

"No. Your mouth's dangerous," Jesse groaned hard, stilling her. "Please. I need to be inside you now."

Beca nodded, rolled on the condom and she straddled him in the next second. Jesse looked up at the goddess kneeling astride him, one hand guided him against her. She rubbed herself so deliciously against him that he nearly thrust up into her. It took all his control to stay still as she continued to tease him.

"Still a bad idea?" she questioned, slipping him ever so slightly into her. His hands were clenching hard against her thighs. And she sank all the way down, hard. Jesse threw back his head, cursing.

His fingers were digging into her ass. He was so deep inside her, so unbearably deep and tight and sweet. Jesse took a deep gulp of air and opened his eyes.

"So bad." he answered her question, his voice like gravel. "You are so bad for me, baby."

"Hmm." Beca hummed. She raised herself up and sank down on him again almost nonchalantly and he tensed up underneath her. Slowly she rocked against him, a teasing rhythm before stopping.

"Fuck, baby. Move, please," he begged.

And she started riding him, excruciatingly slow at first, building and building that rhythm, that speed until he was crying out. It was not enough. Jesse flipped her over, wanting more now. He drove so hard into her, pining her arms down at the sides of her head, that she gasped out loud. He could not stop any more; that primal beast within him driving him on and on. He didn't want this to end yet he was racing, dying to get to the finish.

Then she cried out his name.

His name.

And Jesse stiffened.

He was at the very edge, that delicious second just before. And then he fell; tumbling, falling, plunging headlong into a mind shattering orgasm. Yet her insides still gripped him tight, pumping him out, demanding everything from him and Jesse yelled out her name.

The morning after

It was Snowball who woke her up. Her cat caterwauling and scratching on her door woke her up. Beca opened one eye, looking at her door and she saw Snowball's paw darting inside. He must be hungry.

"Alright, sweetie. Mommy's coming," Beca called out and the cat was temporarily mollified at the sound of her voice. Beca tried to get up and found she couldn't. She lifted her duvet and found that firstly, she was naked and secondly, Jesse Swanson's arm was lying heavily on top of her. She turned slowly, not wanting to wake him up.

She had to smile.

He looked really peaceful sleeping and that messy locks and morning stubble on him? Totally hot. He must have sensed that she moved because he was slowly waking up, opening his eyes. They gradually focused on her and a lazy smile spread on his face.

"Hey, good morning." he murmured, voice deep and husky. Beca quirked an eyebrow – that sounded sexy as hell.

"Hey," she answered back, trailing a hand up his chest.

He was squinting against the light. "What time is it?"

"Around nine?" Beca answered.

Jesse just hummed, pulling her up against him and nuzzling into her hair. His body clock had woken him up as usual at six a.m. His eyes had flew opened and he was aware where he was. But somehow he did not want to leave. She was curled up, naked beside him and Jesse had pulled her closer. He felt content; satiated and he definitely did not want to leave this warm bed and this amazingly sexy woman who had made his night. Wrapping his arms more securely round her, Jesse had drifted back to sleep.

"Do you need to be somewhere?" Beca mumbled into his neck and Jesse blinked.

"Do you want me to go?" Jesse countered still in that sexy voice of his. His fingers were making lazy trails up and down her back. She was nipping his neck and his dick, already semi hard with morning erection was stirring underneath her.

"Is it still the weekend?" Beca said naughtily sucking on his skin now.

"Sunday." Jesse answered, his hands now massaging her ass. She raised herself up, looking down at him, her breasts hanging enticing in front of him.

"You are so naughty," Jesse said, reaching out to tweak a nipple. He stretched up to take one breast in his mouth, quickly sucking her nipple into a hardened nub before finding her lips and kissing her hard. They broke apart panting and he was already hard.

"One more?" he asked, pulling her legs on either side of his hips, rubbing ever so slightly into her.

She was about to answer when Snowball meowed loudly from the other side of the door. They both laughed at the interruption. Beca got up speedily, throwing on her bathrobe and opening the door. Jesse heard Snowball meowing a little accusingly before the door was shut. He chuckled and was about to pull the duvet over his head when he saw the clock on the side table.

10.45 a.m.

He bolted up. Fuck. It was that late?

Beca came back to her bedroom after feeding Snowball to find Jesse standing by her bed in his boxers. He was frantically looking around for the rest of his clothes. Beca gulped a little; forcing that little sliver of disappointment down.

"Umm.. your clothes are in the living room," she said. Jesse looked at her at her gratefully. He remembered now. She turned away, stepped outside and walked back to the kitchen, giving him some privacy to get dressed. Nothing was more awkward than standing around, watching your hook-up desperate to get away.

She busied herself with mixing some pancake batter. She had intended to do a little later. Breakfast in bed after.. you know.. round three but she might as well do them now.

"Beca."

He was at the doorway to the kitchen already dressed. Not even a quick face wash.

"I'm running a little late. I'm so sorry."

He did looked apologetic and Beca nodded. It was just so much easier if she was not a total girl about this. Besides, it was just sex. Good sex but still sex.

"It's fine." Beca said.

He paused like he was about to say something else but Beca quickly cut him off. "You'd better go. Chloe might be home soon and I don't want to explain this."

He looked a little hurt but it was gone in a flash. Jesse just nodded and walked towards the door with Beca following behind. He was about to open the door when Snowball bounded up to him, meowing loudly. Jesse stooped down to stroke the cat.

"Nice meeting you again, Snowball," he mumbled, scratching the cat underneath his chin. Jesse straightened up, facing Beca again. He wanted to kiss her but she had already stepped back. And he felt like a heel, rushing out like this.

"So I see you Monday?"

"Yep."

He wanted to say something else. Something that would tell her how wonderful last night was. That it was the best sex he had. That she was beautiful and sexy and downright amazing. Jesse's eyes searched the room for some inspiration. Beca just caught him staring at the various photos of her girls.

"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone," she groused.

"What?"

Beca waved her hand at the photos. "I won't tell the girls. They don't approve, anyway. I don't think I want anyone to know."

Seriously? She thought he was worried about that? Jesse felt a stab of anger at that but what could he say? He definitely would not want anyone to know about this.

"Ok. Thanks for that." Jesse said uncomfortably. "So. I'm going. Thank you. Last night was..."

"Dude, just go."

Her hand was already on the door, her face a little bored. Jesse nodded and smiled regretfully at her before stepping outside. Both of them gave each other a curt nod and as soon as he turned away, he heard the door shut behind him. Jesse took a second to breathe deeply before making his way out. Beca was hugging Snowball tight behind the door, thinking she definitely need a huge stack of pancakes right about now.

12 noon

The sleek black Bentley whispered to a halt at the side of the pavement. The chauffeur was about to hop out when Jesse bent over to the passenger side and called out, "No need for that, Jose. I can open my own door." He moved to the back and opened the door, sliding in. As soon as he was in, the car glided away from the pavement.

"Hey beautiful! How's my favourite girl?" Jesse said, leaning to the brunette on the back seat. Cassandra Harris looked up at him, eyes shining.

"Charmer," she said.

"What? Don't I get a kiss?" Jesse said. "You were away in Paris and left me behind and I don't even get a kiss when you're back?"

She laughed, leaning forward now and kissed him on his lips. She took a moment to look at him. He just showered. She could smell that expensive bodywash off him and his brown locks were slightly wet where he didn't dry it out properly, like he was in a hurry. He had shaved too, looking sharp in that dressy trousers and dark green turtleneck. Cassandra frowned a little at his jacket. There was some white hair on the arm and she picked one up.

"Did you get a dog?" she asked.

Jesse took a look and shrugged. "No. Just petted some cat on the street. He was the cutest thing."

Cassandra nodded, tugged him closer and linking her fingers through his. "I didn't know you wanted to come to Paris. I thought you were busy."

"Yeah. Work." Jesse said breezily, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles.

"Is that what you called it?" Cassandra said, eyes twinkling.

"What?" Jesse frowned, more guarded now.

Cassandra was laughing. "I heard you got trapped in that stupid basement. Aubrey told me all about it. She was in a panic."

Jesse breathed a little easier.

"Aubrey worries too much," he said dismissively. "Now, are we having lunch first or do you want to go shopping?"

AN : Happy Sunday peeps! Thank you for all your wonderful reviews and follows. I am truly humbled. This chapter is not as sizzling at the previous one. Sorry! but maybe a little warm?

Wheresmywings your review came after I was well into this chapter! Now I wish I wrote something about sex and pizza.

Shoutout to Bssmile : welcome back, babe! This is not exactly Tainted Love so I am glad you've come for the ride.

So what do you think? Vote please.

(A) More illicit sexy times for J and B?

or

(B) Move on with the plot already! What is J doing with Cassandra Harris?