***Sunday Morning***
Jennifer and Jonathan slept all night holding each other. It was the best night's sleep they had both gotten in ages.
Jennifer woke up and eased off of him and headed for the bathroom.
He woke up just as she was climbing back in bed.
"Morning".
"Morning".
"Sleep well?"
"Absolutely. I hope I didn't hurt you sleeping on you all night".
"No, you didn't. I loved it".
They shared a few kisses and then he rolled on top of her.
He moved his kisses to her neck and sucked on her earlobe for a few minutes while she scratched his back.
"Oh, that feels amazing".
He reached down and squeezed and caressed her breasts, and moved her nightgown strap off her shoulder.
"Jonathan, wait".
He sat up and looked at her.
"What is it?"
"Are you sure we're ready for this?"
"Yeah, I think we are. But if you don't-"
"Do we have…you know…."
"Yes, we do".
He leaned down and crushed her lips with his, and parted her lips with his tongue. Her head started to spin, and she saw rocket ships and fireworks and falling stars. She never wanted the kiss to end.
He broke the kiss and stared deep into her eyes.
"Trust me. I won't hurt you, I promise".
She nodded.
He kissed her again and then moved his kisses to her chest. He tugged her nightgown down and took her breast into his mouth.
"Oh god….mmmm"
"You like that?"
"Oh yes…"
She ran her fingernails across his butt and up his back, while he suckled her taut nipples.
He climbed off her and grabbed a condom and put it on. She shimmied out of her panties while he did so and was waiting for him under the covers.
He climbed under the covers and climbed on top of her, and grabbed her face and kissed her.
She ran her fingers through his hair and then up and down his back.
He parted her legs with his knee and she eagerly opened them. He swiftly joined their bodies together, and buried himself inside of her.
His touch felt so good. She couldn't remember when she had been touched like this. They were like wild animals who couldn't control themselves.
He buried himself inside of her over and over again, causing her to cry out and dig her nails into his back.
A few minutes later, he took her over the edge, and then went over it himself. It was frantic, exhilarating, passionate, romantic, and incredibly satisfying.
He kissed her a few times as they calmed down.
They decided to order room service, so he called and placed their order.
After he hung up, she settled on his chest and he held her.
"Darling, I know we agreed to try being together, but what does that look like?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, are we only going to see each other on weekends? I realize that I live 3 hours away from you, but I don't see how we are going to make this work if we don't spend time together".
"I know what you mean. I say we spend weekends together, we can fly back and forth and have mid-week dinners together, we can make it work. We just have to be committed to it".
"What are we going to do on our weekends?"
"Here, let me show you".
He rolled on top of her and started making love to her again.
About 20 minutes in, there was a knock at the door.
"Oh crap. That's room service".
He quickly threw on his pajama shorts while she grabbed her robe and headed for the bathroom.
He signed for the cart and brought it in.
"Ok, it's safe".
She came out of the bathroom and threw her arms around him.
He kissed her a few times.
"I'll be right back. Pour us some coffee, would you?"
She got their plates and mugs all set up and then he came and joined her in bed.
They had a lovely romantic breakfast.
"What do you want to do today?"
"We could take a walk on the beach".
"I would love that".
"How much was your train ticket?"
"Forty dollars".
"Well, we can get you another train ticket, or I can call Jack and have him fly you home".
"I would love to fly home but I don't want to put him out".
"Oh, he won't mind. It's just an hour flight each way".
"If you're sure".
"I'm positive. We can fly you home, I can stay for a bit, and then take a cab back to the airport and fly back home".
"I'd like that".
As soon as they were finished eating, Jennifer headed to take a shower. Just before she was finished, Jonathan got in behind her.
He moved her hair out of the way and started kissing her neck as he wrapped an arm around her waist.
She tilted her head back and handed him the loofah.
He got her all soaped up, and then she turned around and soaped him up.
He sat on the bench at the end of the shower, and she straddled his lap.
She grabbed the shampoo and lathered his hair and scrubbed his scalp for him.
After she rinsed his hair, she put some conditioner in it, and worked it through really well. He was playing with her breasts and kept making her lose concentration.
They finished their shower and got out and dried off together.
They could barely keep their hands off each other.
After they were finally dressed, they headed down to the lobby and across the street to the beach.
They laced their fingers together and walked along the beach for a long time.
"So, what kinds of things are you writing at the magazine?"
"Articles about decorating".
"Are you enjoying it?"
"I liked my articles at the Times more, but these are easier to write in some ways."
"Who were you going to be working for in Los Angeles?"
"A newspaper-the Los Angeles Reporter."
"That's a nice paper".
"Yeah, I've picked it up a few times. I'm sure I won't do this forever, but I want to do it as long as I can afford to".
"Baby, if you need something, tell me. I want to take care of you, whatever you need".
"I appreciate that. But I want to try and make it on my own, too".
They turned around and headed back to the hotel, and then Jonathan called Jack.
They agreed they would meet at the airport in 3 hours.
Jennifer changed out of her beach clothes and then packed her suitcase. Jonathan was laying on the bed watching tv while she did that.
They cuddled up and watched a movie until it was time to go.
He carried her bag for her and they headed down to the lobby.
Jonathan insisted on paying for her hotel and she finally let him.
They headed to the airport, holding hands the whole way.
They pulled up and parked next to his plane, and then got out.
Jack was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs.
"Hi".
"Hey Jack".
"Hey Jack".
"You just couldn't stay away from me, could you?"
Jennifer turned to Jonathan.
"Do you think you could give me and Jack a minute?"
"Sure".
Jonathan headed up the steps and into the cabin.
"Jack, I don't think things are going to work out between you and me. I realized I have feelings for Jonathan, and I want to do what's fair to both of us".
"Oh, that's ok. I knew I could never land a sophisticated gal like you. If he's the one that ends up with you, you'll be treated way better than I could ever treat you".
"Thank you for being so understanding".
She kissed his cheek and then headed up to the cabin.
He came up behind her and he and Jonathan discussed the takeoff.
"Can you call and get a rental car for us, please?"
"Sure".
Jennifer settled right next to Jonathan and leaned up against him.
"How did he take it?"
"Good. I just feel so bad. He was very diplomatic about it, and he was very kind. But he looked so sad".
"Darling, breaking up with you and losing you isn't easy".
"I realize that he was blindsided, but we haven't spoken in two months. What did he expect? And it's not fair to him to string him along when I know he and I aren't going anywhere".
"I promise you, he'll be fine".
She laid her head on his shoulder and pretty soon, they were taking off.
They had a very easy flight with a very easy landing.
There was a car waiting for them when they exited the plane.
"Thank you, Jack".
"Thanks, Jack. Here, go have dinner on me somewhere and meet me back here at 11".
Jonathan put some bills in his hand.
"Thanks".
They got in the rental car, and Jonathan looked at Jennifer.
"Is your car at the train station?"
"I don't have one. I took a cab to the train station".
"How do you get around?"
"Well, I bought a monthly pass for cabs, so I use that, or I walk".
She gave him directions to her house, and told him where to park.
He carried her bag for her while she unlocked the door.
She had the bottom unit, with a nice quiet patio on the back. She was right across from the pool, and she was right near the exit.
"Nice place".
"Thanks".
She opened the fridge, and was trying to figure out what to make him for dinner.
"Baby, let's order something and have it delivered. You don't have to cook for me".
"I'm glad you said that. I'll cook for you next time, I promise".
She kissed him and then opened the drawer with some menus.
"Pick what you want. I'm going to start some laundry".
After she got the laundry started and they got their order placed, they sat down on the couch and turned on the tv.
"So, do you want to spend a weekend in San Diego next weekend, or do you want me to spend a weekend in Los Angeles?"
"We can figure it out".
"Do you think Max will have a problem if I stay at your house with you?"
"No, why would he?"
"Well, I just don't want to make him uncomfortable".
"He's very go-with-the flow. He's Max. He adjusts. And if he doesn't like it, he'll find a way to tell me, but I doubt he'll have a problem with you being there. He's been telling me to go to New York and find you and resolve things. He knows how special you are to me".
"You're pretty special to me too".
They were in the middle of a long-ish kiss when the doorbell rang.
"Dinner".
"It can wait".
"Jonathan!"
"Ok, ok. I'll get it".
She went and got plates out while he answered the door, and paid for their dinner.
"Ok, we have one order of steak fajitas and one chicken taco salad, chicken on the side".
They ate at the table, and then Jennifer did the dishes.
They decided to watch a movie in bed, and climbed in.
He got a little handsy, and pretty soon, they weren't watching the movie at all.
They made love a few times in a row, and then before they were ready, it was time for Jonathan to head back to the airport.
"I'll call you tomorrow, I promise. Sweet dreams, baby".
He gave her several kisses.
She kissed him back and hugged him for a few minutes.
As he was leaving, she handed him a copy of the magazine she worked at.
She locked the door behind him, and then went and switched out the laundry and then climbed into bed.
***The next morning***
Jennifer was at her office, working on her article of the event when the phone rang.
"Hello, this is Jennifer Edwards".
"Hey".
"Hi handsome."
"I only have a few minutes, and the rest of the day is filled with meetings. I just wanted to hear your voice before I get tied up".
"You're sweet. Maybe your meetings won't be as long and as boring as you think they will".
"If that's the case, it will be a miracle".
"Darling, I was thinking. How long does it take to drive from San Diego to Los Angeles?"
"Almost three hours".
"So, what if we met in the middle? We can both reserve Wednesday afternoons and evenings, and drive halfway and spend time together and then drive back".
"I'm ok with that, but baby, you don't have a car. And the cab fare will kill you".
"Good point. I guess I need to work on finding a car and getting my license".
Just then, Deanne opened the door and signaled to Jonathan his meeting was there.
"Ok, baby. My meeting is here. I'm sorry, I have to go. I promise I'll call you tonight when I get home".
"Bye honey". She blew him a kiss as they hung up.
Jennifer worked the rest of the day and then headed to her townhouse.
She had just gotten out of the bathtub when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi".
"Hi…how were your meetings?"
"Long, boring, productive, and thankfully, over".
"That's wonderful".
"Did you eat yet, baby?"
"Yes. I actually just got out of the bathtub".
"I wish I was there with you. It's so lonely here without you".
"Yeah, I feel the same. I miss you too".
"So, I heard some rumblings today. Apparently, Greenleaf Global is attempting to come out to the west coast".
"Ugh. They better stay away from Coastal Inspired. I'm nowhere near ready to deal with that again".
"Well, if I hear anything else, I'll let you know".
"Are you doing business with them?"
"No, I'm not".
"Good. I wish I was there with you so I could make you something to eat".
"Oh, that's ok. I mean, I wish you were here too, but Max got me fixed up with something".
"Good. I'm thankful you have him".
"Yeah, me too. He saved me from myself all those years ago. I can never repay him for what he did".
"Darling, you sound exhausted. I should let you go so you can get some rest".
"That's the plan. I'm going to take a shower, that won't be anywhere near as exhilarating as the one I took with you yesterday, and then I'm going to hit the sack and dream of you all night long".
"Well, I just might dream of you all night long too".
"So, Wednesday, if you can leave the office at 2, and be at the airport by 3, Jack will fly down, pick you up, and fly you back to me. I'll meet you at the airport, and then you can fly back the next night or the next morning early".
"I can do that".
"Pack an overnight bag just in case".
"Got it."
He started yawning, so she decided to let him rest.
"Go take your shower, honey. We can talk tomorrow".
"Ok, night baby".
"Night honey".
She blew him a kiss and hung up and then climbed in bed.
She was just about to drift off to sleep when Lindsey called.
"How are you?"
"Wonderful. I got the job in Sedona".
"That's great!"
"Anything new with you?"
"Well, yes, actually. I covered an event for the magazine last weekend. And I ran into him".
"Who?"
"HIM. Jonathan".
"Oh my gosh, how did you handle that?"
"Well, I decided to leave since the event was over and I had what I needed. But he caught up with me, and asked me if we could go somewhere and talk. So, I said yes, so he took me to his house, and then after we settled things, he took me back to my hotel and stayed with me there and then flew me back to my place yesterday".
"So, I take it things went well?"
"Yes, they did. He asked me for a chance to let him prove himself, and he asked me to forgive him. So, nothing was really holding me back".
"Well, I hope he makes you happy".
"I'm positive he will. He already has".
"Ok, so I'll be there a few weeks after I move to Sedona and get settled."
"That sounds great. We can also meet in the middle somewhere".
"Oh, great idea".
"Well, I'll talk to you in a couple of days".
"Sounds good. If you don't get me, I'm with Jonathan".
"Got it".
They said goodbye and hung up.
Jennifer was so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open any longer.
***Wednesday***
Jennifer left the office at 2, and went home and changed clothes, and then took a cab to the airport.
Jack was there waiting on her. She had a very quick and smooth flight to Los Angeles.
Max was waiting to pick her up from the airport.
"Hi Max!"
"Hi Miss Edwards. Mr. H. got hung up at the office, and asked me to take you to the house".
"Oh, that's fine. Did he say how long he will be?"
"No, he didn't".
They drove to the house and she made herself comfortable while she waited for Jonathan.
About an hour later, the phone rang.
Max stepped into the living room.
"Miss Edwards, Mr. H. is on the phone for you".
"Thanks, Max".
She reached over and picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Hey baby. Listen, we're in the middle of a crisis and we're going to be here all night. So, I told Max to call Jack and then take you back to the airport. I'm sorry".
"You mean I don't get to see you at all? I don't mind waiting".
"No, no. Just have Max take you back to the airport and have Jack fly you back to San Diego. I'm sorry".
"Ok. Bye Jonathan".
"Bye baby".
She hung up and went and found Max.
"Jonathan says he's stuck at the office, so he said to call Jack and then to please take me to the airport".
"You got it".
She went and got her bag from Jonathan's room, and then headed to the car.
They had a quiet ride back to the airport.
"Thanks Max".
"Have a safe flight Miss Edwards".
"Thanks".
She bounded up the steps and barely said two words to Jack.
She had a quick and easy flight and then took a cab back to her house.
She ordered herself a salad and small pizza, and ate it in bed.
Around 11, her phone started ringing.
She decided to let the answering machine pick it up.
Hi, you've reached Jennifer. I can't get to the phone right now, so please leave me a message. Thank you.
The machine beeped and then Jonathan started speaking.
I'm sorry baby. I promise I'll make it up to you. I'll call you tomorrow. Sweet Dreams.
She fell asleep as the answering machine clicked off.
***Thursday***
Jennifer was at the magazine, typing up her latest piece.
Maggie, the receptionist stuck her head in the door.
"Hey-call for you, line 4".
"Thanks".
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me".
"Hello".
"I'm sorry about last night".
"Thank you".
"What time do you think you can fly up here tomorrow?"
"That depends. Do you plan on actually leaving the office this time?"
"Oh, come on. That's not fair".
"Yes, actually it is. You are the head of the company, you could have very easily put someone in charge. Or perhaps you could have said "We're taking a dinner break, and at least made an effort to see me. But instead, you flew me up there, and then flew me back like I didn't matter to you at all. I think I have the right to be disappointed about it".
"I realize that, and I said I would make it up to you".
"I know that. But what you are missing is that my time is valuable too, Jonathan. I left work early to spend time with you and didn't get to even see you. I don't want to waste a weekend I could be at my townhouse doing things I need to do while you work overtime trying to prove something".
"I'm not trying to prove anything, Jennifer. I own the company. It's my responsibility and it's important to me".
"I understand that. And I thought I was important to you as well. Are you saying that there's not room for me in your life?"
"No, I'm not saying that. You're very important to me".
"Just not when there's a crisis, is that it?"
"Jennifer, come on."
"Answer the question, Jonathan. Am I still important to you in a crisis?"
"I don't want to get into this now".
"Then maybe you shouldn't have called".
"Fine. Just forget it."
"Fine, I will!"
She slammed the phone down, and tried to get back to work, but found it hard to concentrate.
She finally left at 4, and headed home.
She took a long bubble bath, had a nice dinner, and even took a short nap.
She was relaxing on the couch, enjoying a glass of wine, when there was a knock at the door.
"Flower delivery for Jennifer Edwards".
"That's me".
"Sign here, please, and I'll bring them in".
He brought in a very large box that held 5 dozen long-stemmed hot pink roses.
She finally found the card in the bottom of the box, and pulled it out and read it.
Vase coming soon. I'm sorry-Jonathan.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
She went and answered it and found Jonathan standing on the other side with a vase.
"Hi".
"Hi. Can I come in?"
"Sure".
She let him in and then closed and locked the door behind him.
She took the vase from him and started arranging the flowers in the vase.
He wrapped his arms around her from behind and hugged her.
"Come on, Jennifer. Let's put this behind us".
She put the flowers and the scissors down and turned around.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you on the phone. But you have to realize that it was pretty disrespectful to fly me up to LA and not even see me and then dismiss me and send me home like I don't matter to you".
"I realize that, and I've apologized for it at least 5 times now. I promise you, it couldn't be helped."
"Level with me. Is this why you've never had a for-real, committed relationship? Because your first love is the office?"
"That's part of it".
"What's the other part?"
"I never found anyone that held my interest".
"I want to be with you, and I respect the fact that your company is your job and your passion. But I can't compete with it".
"I promise, you won't have to. I'm going to put someone in charge on weekends and I'm going to make delegating a priority".
"I appreciate that".
He picked her up and set her on the counter.
"I started with 5 dozen roses. Do I have to slaughter anymore poor, defenseless flowers that just want to grow and soak up the rain before you forgive me?"
She chuckled.
"No, 5 dozen should do it".
He grabbed her face and smashed his lips against hers, and let his fingers play with her hair while he kissed her. She nibbled on his bottom lip some, and did that thing with her tongue that he liked.
As soon as one of them broke the kiss, the other one started a new one.
She let her fingertips graze his cheeks while she kissed him. She simply couldn't get enough of him.
She finally broke the kiss, and rested her forehead against his.
"How long can you stay?"
"I told Jack I would be at the airport at 11".
"Jonathan…maybe the long distance thing isn't going to work for us".