Deeply Personal

Chapter 41

Jessica

“Open your eyes,” Jessica said, her hands wet. She couldn’t believe she was this nervous to show him what she’d done.

Paul’s remodel had taken a little longer than four weeks, but Jessica had wanted to make sure everything had been done right. He’d been staying at Tony’s in the interim and couldn’t wait to get back into his place. Jessica led a blindfolded Paul to the center of his newly upgraded condo, but now she was having second thoughts. What if he didn’t like it? Maybe she’d missed the mark. It had happened before.

She pulled down his blindfold. She studied the expression on his face. He opened his eyes, their gazes meeting before he stepped back and glanced around.

“It’s amazing, Jessica.” He spoke with awe. “Just plain amazing.” She led him around. She’d gone for a bold, manly, contemporary look, all of it fresh and new. There was a gray sectional sofa, charcoal-colored swivel chairs, and abstract art on the walls—canvases splashed with grays and greens and bright yellows. It popped. Gone was the picture of the beer can and the dog. The old, lonely-looking, wobbly kitchen table had been replaced by one of clear glass and brushed stainless steel, surrounded by four, white-leatherette chairs.

The bedroom had contemporary art on the walls and was painted Aleutian dark blue. She’d added new hardwood flooring and fashionable rugs, modern lamps and fixtures. A white seashell pendant hung from the ceiling of the great room. Jessica had had a photo taken of Paul’s favorite spot at Radnor Lake. It hung on the wall in the great room. Overall, the whole apartment sang in a well-thought-out harmony, all the pieces properly placed for comfort, practicality and visual appeal.

“This is so cool!” Paul said. “I love it.” He threw his arms around her.

“I was hoping you’d like it,” she said. “It’s easy to design a space for the one you love.”

“It’s perfect,” he told her, and they kissed. “Just like you.”

Their bodies grew closer, his chest against hers. Paul. Jessica swooned at the feel of him, his body, so strong against hers. She took a deep, satisfying breath, her lungs expanding to their fullest.

“Shall we try out the new bed?” she asked. “It’s a Stearns and Foster king-size. One of the best. Fit for a king.”

Jessica had the bed outfitted with linen sheets and a light-blue duvet, with big fluffy pillows. Should it have been a darker blue? For a second, she thought about the Smithsons and smiled inwardly. Interior design could at times bring you to the edge of insanity.

Paul nodded as his lips turned upward in a gracious smile. “A king. And his queen.”

Jessica’s blood ran hot. She felt entirely queenly. She succumbed to him as they fell onto the bed, clothes coming off slowly but surely, taking their time. Naked at last, they moaned, fingers exploring, his mouth on hers, his body making her rise to a climax that felt like fireworks, exploding all over her emotional sky.

“Wow,” Jessica said with a relaxed laugh when they were done at last, both of them breathing hard. “How many calories do you think we burned just then, Mr. Personal Trainer?”

Paul raised himself up on one elbow, faced her, and grinned. “Actually, the sex act burns about 350 calories on average, but it can vary depending on the time spent, the amount of passion, and such things as adding cunnilingual activities, and . . .”

She laughed, exhausted now. “Oh, hush.”