Chapter Three

Seth slowly left the bed. He began gathering his things to shower while thinking about what just happened. To say he was shocked was an understatement. In his wildest dreams he never would have imagined Jessica engaging in that type of activity and with him! What did it mean?

The bathroom door opened and Jessica emerged. He started to speak but Jessica interrupted him. "We'll talk tonight, Seth. You need to be downstairs in forty minutes." She walked by him and crawled into bed. "I need a nap."

He went into the bathroom and began his morning ablutions. When he was finally dressed, she was asleep and he left without speaking with her.

She was on his mind the entire day. He could barely focus on what the speakers were saying and he struggled through the workshops. There were tables set up with authors that had written books and you were allowed to speak and ask questions but Seth remained an observer. He didn't stay for the final hour, which were demonstrations he had seen before. Heading upstairs to his room, he hoped Jessica was back from wherever she was going today.

He entered the room and heard the shower going. It's a little early for dinner but maybe she wanted to take a walk or something so he removed his suit jacket and tie and loosened the collar on his shirt. He sat on the bed to take off his shoes and Jessica came out of the bathroom dressed in a towel.

"Seth! You're early." Seth stared at her. She held onto the towel as she opened a drawer and pulled out something lacy then turned and went back into the bathroom. His eyes followed her. The towel covered her to mid-thigh but she had long legs and he could appreciate a nice pair of legs.

A few minutes later she came back wearing a dress and her hair was combed. "There's an oyster bar on the next block if you'd like to try it," suggested Jessica.

"Could we talk first?" asked Seth. He really wanted to feel settled again.

"Of course, dear." She patted the space beside her on the bed. She looked up at him and smiled. "I won't bite."

"Yes, well. I'm not sure you won't." He cleared his throat and took her hand. "What's going on with us?" He found it hard to look her in the eye so he looked out the window. "We've been friends for years and I'm not sure what's happening between us. You've been kissing me and now this morning…" he trailed off.

"I didn't plan this morning, Seth." She placed her hand on top of his. "Do you regret this morning?"

"What? No! I mean it was nice," he finished lamely.

"Nice? I suppose I need to practice then." She looked at him. Seth had to work hard to keep his eyes on hers. "Did you not like my kisses? Is that what's wrong?"

"What I mean is, why now?" he glanced at her and looked away again.

"I didn't analyze it, Seth. It just happened." She arched a brow at him. "Do you want me to apologize?"

"No, of course not. I just don't know what's going to happen next." he replied.

"What do you want to happen next?" she asked with a small smile.

Seth stood up. "I don't know, Jess." He began to walk back and forth in front of the bed. "This isn't like you."

Jessica stood up and blocked his pathway. "What isn't like me?"

"Well, you know," he motioned to the bed and back to her. "You don't sleep with men or do uh that."

"How do you know, Seth? You've never discussed my sex life with me." She sat back down on the bed. "Do you sleep with other women?"

"Jessica!"

"What? It's a simple question, Seth."

"I don't think you ought to be doing things er you should wait." Seth felt like he was digging himself in a hole but he couldn't stop himself. "You were raised to wait, fall in love, get married, then make love." Satisfied that he stated things correctly he stopped pacing.

"Did you wait?" She asked.

"It was different for men at that time, Jess. You know this."

"Then who were the men doing it with? Seth, I applaud those that wish to wait and actually do it but I don't judge others who decide not to wait. Consensual sex is fine with me."

"So where are we going from here, Jess?"

"I don't have a road map, Seth. I thought we were enjoying ourselves." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Would you like to kiss me, Seth?"

Seth removed her arms. "Jessica, I'm serious. What's going on?"

"I think you're trying to tell me you don't want me." She frowned.

"We can talk about having a relationship, Jess. I'd like to talk about it."

"I thought we already had a relationship, Seth. Aren't we very good friends? We do things together. I love you. Don't you love me?" She was very serious now, all playfulness was gone.

"Of course I love you. I just don't want you to cheapen it."

The color drained from Jessica's face. "Cheapen it?" she whispered. She turned and nearly ran into the bathroom, locking the door.

Seth went to the door and knocked. "I didn't mean to imply that you were cheap, Jess. Jess?" He knocked a little longer but she wasn't responding. Thinking it over he knew he had insulted her. "I didn't mean it the way it sounded."

Jessica opened the door and stood there. Her blue eyes were bright and watery. "What exactly did you mean?"

"I just meant that there's a way to do things and I mean if we're dating then it's proper but we haven't talked about it."

"Dating? You mean going out to eat, watch movies, spend time together? We've done all those things including traveling together, beach bonfires, hugs and kisses. What have I missed?"

"I didn't ask you," he answered.

Her eyes narrowed and he thought about stepping back. "You asked me to have breakfast, lunch, dinner, camping, fishing, and antiquing. YOU asked ME!" She was poking her finger on his chest with each word.

"That was as friends, Jess. We can start dating and getting closer without being slutty."

SLAP!

Closing the door and locking it she turned on the water. He heard water running in the sink then the thud of something hitting the door. Seth pinched the bridge of his nose. The sting of her slap was brutal. That was not what he meant to say at all. Knocking again he called her name but she didn't answer. He could hear her crying, sobbing really.

Why was he always blurting out the wrong thing? He felt horrible for hurting her feelings again. Knocking on the door he called out to her. "Jess, I need to make use of the facilities."

She opened the door and walked by him without a word. As he was inside the bathroom, he could hear the drawers opening and closing and knew she was packing to leave. He hurriedly finished, washed his hands, and left the bathroom.

"Jess, we need to talk." Seth reached for her suitcase and moved it out of the walkway. He guided Jess back to the bed.

"I don't want to talk, Seth." She sounded weary. "I just want to go home."

"Let's get a good night's sleep and tomorrow we'll go home," he promised her. "I ordered you a lobster salad for dinner. It's in the fridge."

She shook her head. "I'm not hungry." She went to her suitcase and opened it. She took out a comfortable pair of slacks and a blouse for tomorrow along with underwear and set them on top of the dresser. She removed the dress she was wearing along with her slip. Reaching behind her, she unhooked her bra then grabbed ahold of her pajamas and slipped them on.

"Jess, what are you doing?" whispered Seth.

"I'm going to bed, that's what sluts do." She walked over to the bed and slipped inside.

Seth stood there in shock. The bedcovers were pulled up to her brow and only the top of her head was uncovered. He wasn't sure what to do. He couldn't get in bed with her, not after what happened but he needed to sleep if they were driving back tomorrow. Deciding to sleep on top of the covers, he put on his pajama bottoms and t-shirt and went to bed as well. He tried reading the pamphlets from the convention that he picked up that day but he couldn't focus. He had watched her undress and she wasn't shy with showing off her body. He always assumed she would dress or undress in private but he kept thinking about the images imprinted on his brain. It wasn't eight o'clock but he had an exhausting day and was tired.

The softest skin was caressing his brow, soft lips kissed his shoulder, and silken legs ran up and down his legs. He felt a weight settle on him and he leaned into the hand touching his face. Suddenly he was awake. "Jessie?"

She responded by kissing his lips, seeking entry. Seth's arms came up and stroked her bare back. "Jess, mmm Jess, oooh," She was kissing him, touching him, and loving him so gently. She sat up on him and gave him access to her most intimate areas. How come he couldn't control himself with her? He began peppering her with kisses. He wanted her to reach the same pinnacle he had climbed. She found her release with a cry and he settled her in his arms. He fell asleep, content and tired.

Morning came early and Seth opened his eyes to find Jessica staring at him. "Good morning, Jess," he murmured. He wasn't sure how she was feeling and was nervous about asking. "Are you okay?"

She didn't answer him. She sat up slightly so the sheet fell to her waist and exposed her chest. He couldn't help staring. She was so lovely. He reached out to touch her.

An hour later he felt the need for a nap although it was only seven A.M.

"I love you, Jess." He had her tucked next to him, spooning, and she had a smile on her face.

"Do you have the recordings?"

"I haven't retrieved them yet, they're still in use."

"For how long? I need it to happen this week."

"It will happen. We haven't missed yet."

Thomas Stephens drove his 13 year old Cadillac to the bank. Even being conservative, he only had enough to live on for another few months. He couldn't find a job anywhere now that he had a felony record. His attorney was able to hide a few of his assets from the courts but not enough to retire.

Twenty years ago he was riding high. He was turning patients away. He had begun slowly by hypnotizing certain patients that were susceptible to him influencing them slowly over didn't take long to perfect certain aspects of his skill, reminders to patients not to remember what he instructed. It came crashing down when one patient's wife overheard him. He didn't allow anyone but the patient in his office but she had crept outside his door to listen. She didn't hear everything but she heard enough to go running to Seth Hazlitt with her concerns. The bastard then went to the State Medical Board, he was investigated unknowingly and soon arrested. Those crooks went after everything, his practice, his home. Everything he had built was gone. Even his cars and collectibles were sold to pay back his victims. He was going to get his revenge though.