Chapter Four

Jessica avoided Seth for an entire week. It wasn't hard to do. She knew his schedule as well as her own. She would lock up her house before he got off work and retreated upstairs. She didn't turn on the lights when it got dark. She just crawled into bed and tried not to relive how embarrassed she was. She was sure Seth didn't mind but he did not know why and just her luck, most men would probably love the chance of sex without expectations or demands, not Seth. At least not with her. He wasn't trying to corner her because he didn't call during the day or at night when she would normally be in bed.

Seth put his pen down and rubbed his face. He was tired. He spent busy days seeing patients but his evenings were his own and he spent them worrying about Jessica. What was going on with her? Did she want to be a couple or did she just want sex from him? He felt bad that she was avoiding him but he understood. She was embarrassed and women had a harder time with that emotion than men.

Dammit, they were friends, good friends, and he had no right to question her motives. If she needed him, in any way, he should have acquiesced to her. It wasn't even dinner time but he went upstairs and showered and dressed carefully. New underwear, clean socks, and he spent a long time shaving. Standing in front of the mirror he wondered how she would see him. He had lost a few pounds but not enough for him to be comfortable with her seeing him.

He left and went over to her house. It was locked tight and her lights were off but he knew she was inside. He called out for her, tossed pebbles at her bedroom window, but didn't get a response. With a smile, he called Mort.

"Mort, I haven't seen Jessica all week and she's not responding to my knock. Have you heard from her?"

"Not at all, Doc," answered Mort. He was immediately worried. Did this have anything to do with the videos he lent her? Was there a man in her life after all? "I think I should do a wellness check to make sure she's okay."

Seth agreed and put his phone away. Within minutes he heard sirens and he couldn't help but smile. Jessica was going to hate this. Two squad cars, an ambulance with EMTs, and a fire engine arrived on the scene. All her neighbors had their lights on and were coming out of their houses. Jessica's head appeared at her window and her eyes widened at the sight. She disappeared and a moment later she opened her front door.

Mort was on the front step before he heard the lock disengage. "Mrs F, we were concerned because no one has seen you and you didn't tell anyone you were going away."

Jessica thanked him and told him she was fine, just not feeling great. This allowed Seth to bustle her in the house and the neighbors dispersed as soon as the emergency personnel left.

She walked into the kitchen and turned on the lights. "Was that really necessary?" she asked.

"I'm your doctor and you weren't responding when you should. Yes, it was necessary." He turned off the light and took her by the arm. Leading her upstairs, he turned to her. "I haven't been a good friend to you." He held up his hand as she was about to object. "You needed something that I'm capable of giving and you don't need to tell me why."

He turned on her bedroom light and sat on her bed. She stood in the doorway. He patted the bed beside him and motioned for her to come and sit. She only hesitated a moment before sitting down.

"You're my friend, my best friend, and I love you. I'm in love with you." Her eyes widened fractionally and a light blush formed on her cheeks. She lifted her head and looked at him when his hand caressed her cheek. Before her mind registered his actions, he kissed her. It was more than a peck but not a passion filled declaration. She automatically closed her eyes when he kissed her a second time.

She was wearing a pair of sweatpants and a turtleneck sweater, not exactly a sexy outfit but he didn't seem to mind. He deepened the kiss and she felt a warmth spread from her midsection. Their kisses continued, growing more passionate until she was breathing hard.

Seth was overjoyed. He was certain their chemistry would be compatible and it was. He was going to end things too quickly if he didn't slow down. He broke the kiss slowly and backed off a little. "I'd like to make love to you, Jess. If you'd have me."

Her eyes brightened and she nodded. Seth didn't waste much time trying to remove her shirt. It was comical and they both ended up laughing as he couldn't get her face out of the tight neck and she finally removed it herself. He traced the edges of her bra with his finger. Taking a breath, he removed his shirt and undershirt. She didn't look disappointed so he stood, helping her to stand as well, and kicked off his shoes before peeling off his socks. His pants and boxers quickly followed. She was looking at him and he was uncertain.

"Aren't you going to remove mine?" she asked.

"After that turtleneck I wasn't sure I should try," he quipped. He eagerly pulled down her sweatpants. He smiled when he saw her underwear. Her bra had given him a clue but now he knew. She didn't wear plain jane briefs. She had on a high cut sexy pair that matched her bra. He looked at her and could see she was nervous so he smiled and she smiled back.

Pulling back the comforter they got into bed. He reached for her, kissing her again but now he could touch her skin as well. Touching, caressing, and feeling her pressed to him made him want to cry. It was everything he dreamed about and more.

Holding her in his arms afterward, he was a little nervous she would tell him what it was about but she remained silent. "Are you okay, Jess? Was it okay?"

She nodded her head. She didn't know how to tell him it was everything and more than she expected. "I hope you'll stay the night," she said softly.

"I'd love to stay, Jess." He kissed her forehead and pulled the covers over them. He began to talk about nothing much and her soft replies soothed him. He didn't know what was going on in her mind but he wanted to help as much as possible.

They fell asleep slowly.

Seth woke up early. Jessica was asleep next to him, still snuggled into his side. He loved the feeling and wished it would never end but he needed to get up and head home before the town woke up. He squeezed her awake and she stretched against him.

"I need to go home before everyone sees me leaving your house in the clothes I wore yesterday."

"No worries, Seth. I have your blue shirt that you gave me to sew on the missing button."

"Are we going to be okay, Jess? I mean, did I help?" He looked at her nervously. He wasn't worried about his performance, just her satisfaction.

"You were wonderful, Seth. Thank you." She sat up, taking the sheet with her to cover herself. She wasn't certain how to get out of bed. "Perhaps you could shower first?"

Seth felt a little awkward but he got out of bed. Her head was turned away to give him privacy. "I don't mind if you look, Jess."

Jessica turned to him in surprise. "I didn't want to make you feel insecure. I like to look at you." Her cheeks were red but she boldly looked him up and down.

"I like looking at you too." Seth gathered his clothing and sorted them out. He headed off to shower.

Jessica got up and pulled on her robe. Downstairs she pulled out eggs, bacon, bread, jelly, and her skillet. Seth could cook while she showered.

They ate heartily and Seth was content to watch her clean up after their meal.

"I feel like I owe you an explanation, Seth."

"I am concerned but you don't need to explain things to me if you'd rather not."

She took a seat at the table and looked down for a moment before looking him in the eye. "I haven't been with anyone, in that way, since Frank died. I haven't wanted to be with anyone. But over this past year, there were urges…" She turned red but shouldered on. "I wasn't feeling desirable and suddenly I knew I was old and no one wanted me. I mean yes, I could probably find someone for a romp but it would feel wrong. Then I felt alone. So alone. Like when Frank was first gone."

Seth picked up her hand and held it. "So you felt old and undesirable and lonely. You didn't think anyone could possibly want you and you weren't sure that you remembered what to do or how to do it. I guess it didn't help matters when I gave you that nightgown either. But I did it so you wouldn't be cold at night, in bed alone. If I can't be there to warm you up then…"

"I thought things might have changed…I mean I watched…I saw a video and I didn't dream of some things, to do I mean."

"What video?" he asked.

Here Jessica colored a brilliant red but she rose and went upstairs. She came back down and put one of the videos in the VCR. Seth joined her in the family room and sat down on the sofa. Within two minutes his eyes had widened and he stared at her.

"You watched porn?" he exclaimed. "Jessica, this isn't normal. Is this why you were dancing?"

She nodded her head. "Mort lent them to me."

Seth's eyes bugged out before he burst into laughter. "I would have loved to see you ask him for them."

"Seth, it was embarrassing but sweet of him to lend them to me. I think he wanted to spare me renting them."

"I should say so!" He looked at her slyly. "I wouldn't mind you dancing for me."

"Seth!" She colored brighter. "I don't know what this means for us. I mean, I practically demanded you…"

"Jessica, it was my pleasure, literally." He pulled her into his arms. "I'd do anything I could for you."

"Thank you, Seth. I feel the same way." She kissed his cheek. "I hope you don't think any less of me."

"Not at all. In fact I feel like you were very brave." He looked at her as she arched her eyebrows. "You tried to seduce me."

She groaned and put her head in her hands. "Oh no."

Seth smiled wickedly. "Jess, I have to admit, last night was everything I ever wanted. I hope you won't push me away now."

"Nope, I plan to wile you with my seductive powers and keep you enthralled." She rose and ejected the video. "I should return these to Mort."

"Oh, let me do it, Jess," Seth demanded. "I can't believe he would corrupt you with those movies. He ought to be ashamed of himself!"

"He meant well, Seth. He told me if I had any questions to ask my lady friends." Her peal of laughter delighted him.

"I can teach you anything you want to know and answer any question you might have, my dear." Seth took the videos from her. "Now what are we going to do today?"

"Why don't we drive to Kempton and do some antiquing?:"

"Good idea, I don't think we ever got to see that little brick shop at the end of the shopping center so let's go there first."

Plans made, Jessica went to grab her purse while Seth checked the windows and doors. He smiled thinking about Jessica. He knew he could never convince her she had no need to worry. She was a vibrant, sexy woman, five years younger than him. He would have to make sure she knew it.

Taking her arm, he guided her to his car and they drove off. He waved at her neighbor as they drove off, laughing at the puzzled look on her face. She was probably wondering when he got there this morning.