***Monday***
Jennifer and Jonathan had spent a nice weekend together. She could tell he was really trying to make things up to her, and that meant a lot to her. He had left things in the sex department up to her, but she never made a move. Neither of them felt like bringing it up.
She hated to see him go, but she understood that he had to get back to the company, and Max.
She was typing up her latest article when there was a flower delivery for her.
Pink gladiolus, white Gerber Daisies, and pink roses, plus Stargazer Lilies in a shimmery white vase.
She dug for the card and opened it.
Glad we spent a lovely weekend together. I love you. Get your snow gear ready-Jonathan
'Get my snow gear ready? What is he talking about?'
She picked up the phone and called him.
"Hello?"
"Hey handsome. What do you mean get my snow gear ready?"
"I mean, I booked our trip today. And we are headed to Aspen, for three days of skiing and whatever else we can get in to".
"I see".
"Have you ever skied before?"
"Yes, but it's been a long time".
"Do you think your boss listens to your phone calls?"
"No, I know she doesn't".
"Ok good. So, I'm going to call her and tell her that I want to hire you to write a story on how I decorated a lodge in Colorado. And in order to do that, you will have to be there bright and early Friday morning, which means we will have to leave Thursday afternoon. But darn, there will be an unforeseen complication and I won't end up buying a cabin after all".
She chuckled.
"You are so creative, darling. But you don't have to do all that. I have sick days. I can just tell her I have an appointment or something".
"Ok, if you're sure".
"I'm sure".
"Ok, so this place that I rented for us says bring your own sheets and towels. Beds and mattresses are provided, but sheets and towels aren't".
"I have an extra set of sheets. Do you know what size?"
"King. I'll bring the towels if you bring the sheets".
"Deal. Are you busy today?"
"I will be this afternoon. Light morning, though".
"I hated getting ready without you this morning".
"I hated going to bed without you last night".
"Just a few more days and you'll have me all to yourself for three whole nights".
"I can't wait".
"Thank you for the flowers, honey. They're gorgeous".
"You're welcome. I better let you get back to work. I love you, all my heart".
"I love you more".
"I'll call you tonight".
"I can't wait".
She blew him a kiss as she hung up the phone and got back to work.
She had just finished typing her article, and was about to submit it, when she heard a scream and a shriek come from the hall. She got up and headed to see what the fuss was about.
"What is it?"
"We've been bought out. And the new company is slashing our salaries".
"Who owned us before?"
"BayWood Press, Incorporated".
"And who did they sell us to?"
"Greenleaf Global. Everyone is making 1/3 of what they used to make, and they are eliminating health insurance and expense accounts and the assistant editor position".
"Well, they can hire another reporter. I quit".
"Why?"
"It's personal."
She immediately turned and headed to her office, and typed up her resignation.
After she had submitted it, she packed up her stuff, and headed home.
***Later that night***
Jennifer was paying bills and really regretting her decision to quit her job.
She started looking for a new one, but didn't find anything that she could get excited about.
She had just climbed in bed when Jonathan called.
"Hello?"
"Hey".
"Hi". She sniffled a few times.
"You don't sound good. You ok?"
"No. I quit my job today".
"What happened?"
"Well, remember how I quit when you sold the company to Greenleaf Global?"
"Yes".
"Well, now they are into architecture and design magazines. And they eliminated a few positions, and cut our salaries to shreds. So, I would have quit anyways even if I hadn't already decided to quit".
"When did you decide to quit?"
"As soon as I heard they bought us".
"I tell you what. Pack a bag for several days, plus your snow gear. I'll send Jack to fly you to me".
"No, that's ok. I'll drive up in the morning, though".
"You sure?"
"I'm positive".
"I'm sorry, baby. I know you enjoyed that job".
"It's ok. Like I said, no matter what the job was, I would have quit anyways. I refuse to work for him or be connected to him in any capacity".
"I don't blame you. What's the name of his company again?"
"Greenleaf Global".
"Got it".
"Well, I better go so you can rest. I promise you, it will be ok".
"I love you, darling. I'll see you tomorrow".
"I love you too".
They hung up and Jennifer turned on the tv and started watching. She was desperate to get her mind off things.
She was just about to drift off to sleep when she heard a knock at the door.
She cautiously went to open it and found Jonathan on the other side.
"Hi!"
"What are you doing here?"
He came in and she closed the door behind him.
"What kind of boyfriend would I be if I heard you upset on the phone and didn't come to make you feel better in person?"
She wrapped her arms around him and let him hold her for a minute.
"I brought wine, chocolate, some fuzzy socks and some bubble bath".
"Jonathan, I quit my job. We didn't break up".
He chuckled at her.
"I just figured it would make you happy".
"Thank you, I love it".
They headed to the bedroom and she put on the fuzzy socks and then climbed back in to bed.
After he had changed into his pajamas, he climbed into bed and joined her.
She handed him the remote and then snuggled up to him.
"When are we going to Aspen?"
"Well, I took Friday off, so we can leave after lunch on Thursday if you want".
"That sounds great".
"And then I was thinking the next weekend, we can go to my cabin if you want".
"I want to. But I'm not sure I can afford it".
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I paid my bills today and there's not a lot left. if I don't find a job soon, it's going to be Ramen noodles and ice soup for a lot of my meals".
"Jennifer, I'm happy to help you out with whatever you need".
"I appreciate that. But if there's one thing I'm not, it's a needy girlfriend."
"Of course, you're not. But if you need help, I can definitely help you".
The news ended, so she reached up and turned out the light.
They got comfy, and he wrapped his arms around her.
They were just about to drift off to sleep when he kissed her forehead.
"Baby, I love you, you know that. But your feet feel so weird".
"Jonathan, I'm wearing the socks you brought me tonight".
"What a relief. I thought you were barefoot".
"You did not!"
"I did too. I kept thinking why aren't her feet soft and smooth like they normally are?"
"Because you brought me fuzzy socks, darling. And I love them, and I put them on as soon as we came in here".
She started rubbing her fuzzy sock feet up and down his leg.
"Would you cut that out? It feels like you have tentacles".
She started laughing and scooted over away from him.
"Now, you didn't have to take it that far".
He rolled over to her and pulled her back towards him.
"Darling, you know what I've always wanted?"
"What?"
"Some fuzzy gloves. And then I could rub my hands all over you, just like this".
"Ha ha. Very funny".
She pulled him closer to her and he tightened his hold on her.
"Do you really not like the feel of the fuzzy socks?"
"As long as I have you, I can get used to anything".
He kissed her with more passion than she could ever recall them having and used one hand to smooth a stray curl out of her face.
He settled on top of her and moved his kisses to a particular spot behind her ear.
She gripped his shoulders and drew in a shaky breath when he hit the perfect spot with his tongue.
He reached down and started massaging her breast with his hand. He moved his kisses to her chest, and then down to her cleavage and then popped one of her breasts out of her nightgown and ran his thumb over her nipple. He loved the way it instantly hardened at his touch.
He nibbled on her breast for a few minutes, making her gasp and moan.
"You like that?"
"Oh god…yes".
She ran her fingers through his hair and ran her fingernails across his shoulders.
He seductively pulled her nightgown off over her head.
He kissed her and then moved to the edge of the bed to grab a condom, while she shimmied out of her panties and got the blankets situated.
After he was protected, he climbed on top of her again.
She ran her hands up and down his back while he kissed her passionately.
He murmured against her lips as he kissed her.
"I want you".
"I want you too".
He quickly joined their bodies together, filling her with as much of him as she could handle.
"Oh…..Jonathan…..Ohhhh", she cried out as he buried himself inside of her over and over again.
He let out a visceral moan as he continued thrusting in and out of her, trying to please her as much as himself.
When he found his release, it was quick and satisfying. Feeling him shudder inside of her triggered a release of her own.
He kissed her as they calmed down together.
"That was incredible".
"Yeah, it was".
He kissed her a few times and wrapped his arms around her.
They curled up together and fell asleep.
***The next morning***
Jennifer woke up and reached for Jonathan and found a cold, empty bed.
She got up and grabbed her robe and went to look for him and found him in her kitchen, cooking eggs in his boxer briefs.
"Morning".
"Morning". He leaned over to kiss her.
"Breakfast is almost ready".
She leaned up behind him and kissed his shoulder blades while he continued to cook their eggs.
"All I found in the fridge was stuff for omelets, and fruit."
"That's what I normally eat".
"Well, I promise, the next time we are at my house on the weekend, I'll make you a Jonathan Hart Extravaganza".
"What is that?"
"The best waffles and bacon you'll eat in your life".
"I can't wait".
She loved on him while he finished their omelets, and then poured each of them some juice.
"Breakfast in bed?"
"You read my mind, darling".
She got out two breakfast trays and they headed back to bed.
They could hear thunder outside as they climbed back in bed.
"Darling, did you put the top on the jeep up?"
"Yes, I did".
"Good".
They watched the morning news while they ate their breakfast, and then Jennifer nestled onto Jonathan's shoulder and wrapped her arms around him.
They chatted and snuggled and made love a few times and then Jennifer got up and took a shower.
Jonathan joined her about halfway through.
They were drying off when he turned to her.
"Why don't you and I drive back to LA together, and you can stay with me for a few days before we go to Aspen and then afterwards if you want?"
"Sure, if you're sure Max won't mind".
"Mind? Darling, there's a contest happening between me and Max over who loves you more. And it's measured in different ways for both of us, but believe me when I tell you, he and I are neck and neck".
She giggled and kissed him.
"I believe anything you tell me. And anything you show me".
"He would box my ears if I came home without you".
"I love him too. He's so genuine and unique".
"That he is".
He sat with her while she packed a few bags and then he helped her load them into the car.
"Darling, let's take the soft top off, and I'll help you put the hard top on. I don't want you to leave the hard top here on your patio where someone can get it".
"Ok".
They were fortunate enough to have a few minutes without rain so they could switch the tops out.
After it was all settled, they headed out. She handed him the keys and let him drive.
They were making their way through town to the interstate, and got stopped by a red light.
Jennifer looked over and saw a billboard.
Greenleaf Global-your newest global business empire. Come see us at the old Westlake building.
She immediately felt sick to her stomach.
"So he bought the old Westlake building? Well, he's in for a surprise".
"What do you mean?"
"Darling, about 8 months ago, I looked into Hart Industries purchasing the Westlake building and maybe opening up an office here in San Diego. And we had about 8 meetings about it and he kept raising the price. And I kept agreeing to the raised price. And then he finally told me that he couldn't sell me the building in good conscience, because it needed too many repairs. It needs a new roof, all new plumbing, all new electrical wiring, and all new floors, just for starters. The parking garage will have to be torn down and rebuilt, as it's not structurally safe. And it will also need 4 brand new elevators and the shafts rewired and balanced, which takes a lot of time, money, and patience".
"If he's like I remember, he won't want to put that much money into remodeling. And darling, you have about 100 times more patience in one of your eyelashes than he has in his whole body".
He chuckled and grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it.
They had an easy drive back to LA, and pulled up to the house just before dinner.
He carried her bags inside as they went in and found Max in the kitchen.
"Miss Edwards, what a surprise! Great to see you!"
"Hi Max".
She went to him and hugged him and kissed his cheek.
"How long are you with us this time?"
"Till Jonathan throws me out".
"She's here forever, Max".
She turned to him and gave him a shocked look.
"What, I would never throw you out".
"You better not".
She kissed him.
"Not forever yet, Max. Just for a bit".
"Glad to hear it, Miss Edwards. Dinner's almost ready, you two. Just has to bake in the oven".
The phone rang, so Jonathan walked over and got it, while Jennifer set the table.
He talked for a few minutes, and then hung up.
"Darling, that was Susan. She wants us to come to dinner tomorrow night".
"Fine with me".
They went and had a cocktail while they waited on dinner.
They were cuddled up on the couch enjoying their cocktails when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it".
Jonathan got up and answered the door and found several packages waiting on the doorstep.
He brought them all in, and set them on the coffee table.
He began to open them, and quickly realized they were all from Fallon.
Pictures of her in a bubble bath with ample cleavage showing. Packages of bikini brief underwear for men, with bananas all over them. The final box had about 16 pill bottles filled with stimulants that were designed to enhance someone's sexual experience.
"I think you need to have another conversation with her, again".
"I'm going to do better than that."
He picked up the phone and called Susan.
"Hey, it's Jonathan. Can you come over to my house? It's important".
"Yeah, I can do that. I'll be right over".
"Thank you".
He hung up the phone and took a long sip of his cocktail.
"Darling, what are you going to say?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, it's not Susan's fault".
"No, it's not. But talking to Fallon hasn't worked. And Susan and Fallon are friends. So, I'm hoping that Susan can get through to her because my next step is to involve the authorities".
"Darling, it's past time to involve the authorities".
"Jennifer, the last thing I want is to begin a court battle with this woman".
"I understand that. But talking to her hasn't worked so far, and if she's not going to listen to you, what makes you think she will listen to Susan?"
"I don't know that she'll listen to Susan, I'm hoping she will."
"Perhaps I should have a chat with her".
"If she won't listen to me, she's for sure not going to listen to you".
Jonathan went and told Max to hold dinner and that Susan was on her way.
Susan arrived about 20 minutes later.
"Hi, thanks for coming".
She walked over to the living room.
"Jennifer! Hi!"
They shared a warm hug and then sat down.
"Susan, we need your help".