Deeply Personal

Chapter 36

Paul

When Jessica opened the door and stood before him, so beautiful, wearing a slinky blue dress that fit her curvy body, the scent of her perfume wrapping around him, Paul knew they weren’t going to go out to eat as planned. No. That wasn’t going to happen at all. In fact, dinner was now the last thing on his mind.

“There you are,” she said, smiling at him, her eyes aglow. “I’ve been waiting for this all day.”

“Me as well. I’m so glad you got the deal. You must be ecstatic, right?”

“I am. Totally. And if it hadn’t been for you . . .”

“No, Jess. It was you . Truly.”

It was a cold and clear Wednesday night on February 2nd, two days before Jessica’s celebration at the Prime House. Paul had worn a suit and tie since he’d made reservations at Studio Club, a high-priced restaurant downtown.

When he’d been in Tampa, he’d realized how much he’d missed her, wanted her, needed her. Now his heart felt like it was jumping on a trampoline, leaping with joy at just the sight of her.

He stepped into her house and closed the door behind him with a finality that sealed it all. He grabbed her, slanting his mouth over hers. Her sharp intake of breath sent a shiver through him.

“God, I missed you,” he said, his voice thick as he ran his fingers through her hair and felt the silkiness of it.

Her voice turned to a whisper. “I missed you too.”

His eyes raked over her face, then the kisses grew more intense, deeper, passionate. He’d never been so turned on. Jessica’s eyes were glowing like embers, but then became full of light and heat. Burning. She moaned, and Paul’s wants spiraled higher, hands touching her, feeding his desire.

His body tensed, fraught with a kind of want that seemed to emanate from the marrow of his bones. Paul placed one hand behind her head and stroked her hair, then caressed her cheek so tenderly, reverently. She was precious to him. A living, breathing gift.

“Where have you been all my life?” he asked.

“Right here,” she said with a smile. “Waiting for you.”

He guided her to the bedroom, mouths angling together as they fell on the bed. He embraced her, and Jessica stroked his jawline, the sides of his face.

“I guess we’re missing those reservations, then,” she said with a laugh.

“We are.”

He kissed that sweet spot on her neck. Their eyes met, and seemed to dwell soul-to-soul, causing an internal combustion inside Paul, and his need for her shot upward.

“You’re giving me goosebumps,” she said with a laugh.

“I’ll give you more than that.”

Jessica became serious. “Prove it.”

He proved it, all right. He kissed her deep and long, stroking her face, and then melted his way down to her breasts, unzipping her dress, slowly, luxuriously. He took his time. Their tongues fenced like swords. She undressed him, slowly removing his shirt, his pants. The kissing continued, and Paul rose on top of her, his hands all over her, proving it, yes, definitely, proving it thoroughly, kissing her breasts, her stomach. Then finally, he lay on top of her, allowing his passion to rise.