Continuing Story - Please read other chapters.
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It had only been an hour or so when he felt Jesse stir, and he was awakened by her soft cry. Adam could tell instantly that she was dreaming. She had moved away from him and she had her hands in front of her as if trying to stop someone.
"Stop. " She cried so softly he could barely hear her and saw that she was dreaming.
"Honey, it's just a dream. You're okay. " He held her tightly to him and brushed her hair with his hand trying to comfort her. Within a minute or two, he felt her relax. She looked up at him for just a second and although she was awake, he saw the pain in her eyes that was left by the dream. She turned away from him and lay on her side, the back of her body against him. When he put his arm around her, she took his hand and clutched it tightly to her body. Within seconds she was fast asleep.
Several hours later Adam woke up to find himself alone. He saw that a pair of jeans had been thrown on the bed so he put them on quickly and went to look for Jesse. He was astounded when he walked into the living room. Everything had been cleaned up; there were no traces of the party that took place. The house seemed to be empty. He looked all over and he began to wonder where she was. He finally found her outside, cleaning up the pool area.
"I've been looking all over for you. Don't scare me like that."
"Sorry, I hadn't realized that my cleaning up would scare you. " She said confused.
"No, I mean, I just thought. Oh hell, when I didn't find you, I just immediately got worried. " He said, frustrated. " And why are you cleaning up? Don't you have hired help for that? "
"My, sounds like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Are you always this grouchy in the morning? " Jesse giggled.
"I'm never grouchy in the morning. " He said, regaining his composure. " It must be the environment. Maybe even looking at you like that, it's got me out of sorts. " He now smiled teasingly. She was picking up trash and collecting empty glasses. She had her hair pulled back and was wearing very short shorts with a tube top on and barefooted. Without thinking, he started helping her clean up. " So am I to believe you do the actual cleaning around here? "
"Who else? " She smiled.
"Well, since I know it's not for lack of funds, tell me why you don't hire help for this? "
"I don't know why you seem surprised. I couldn't possibly trust anyone to come into my home and clean."
He burst with laughter. " Jesse darlin, you have tons of people in your home everyday. And we know it's not because you trust them, why not hire people to clean up after them? " He could see he had actually hurt her feelings somehow and was sorry he laughed. " Okay, tell me why."
She carried a tray full of glasses into the house. She began putting them in the dishwasher. He followed her, carrying another tray full.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. " He said, trying to make up with her.
Without thinking, he went to her and gently took hold of her arm wanting just to turn her to face him. She immediately backed up and he quickly released her arm. He saw the distrust on her face and instantly held his arms up in the air and backed off.
"Hey, I wasn't going to hurt you. " He said now realizing how vulnerable she was today. " Jesse this is never going to work if you don't even trust me a little. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise. " He could tell there was still distrust in her eyes. He stood quiet for a minute or so and just looked at her. When she was through putting the dishes in the washer, she finally looked at him, laughed and then hugged him tightly. He could feel her body trembling and he was becoming very concerned. He held her for several minutes until she finally let go of him.
"How about if I help you finish cleaning up? " Adam said, treading lightly.
"Okay, there isn't much more to do. " She said, and he saw her relax some.
Damn, he swore to himself, he really wished she would tell him what was wrong. As they began to finish cleaning, he found out that she had only slept for a little while. She had got up and started cleaning up. It amazed him how she could be so alert and energetic with such little sleep. She had relieved his mind letting him know that she didn't do drugs. She had a problem sleeping any length of time. She also explained that she rarely slept in bed, in fact the only times recently were when she had been with him. She told him she usually slept on the couch or the chair. He would have liked to question her about this, but decided not to push it.
"Well, I think you accomplished your task, how about a cup of coffee? " Adam asked when they were through cleaning. Without hesitation, she made fresh coffee and poured them each a cup. She sat at the table, and he sat next to her.
"So, did you sleep okay? " She said, once again flirting with him.
"I slept wonderful, the bed is very comfortable. So was the company."
"You didn't sleep very long, did you need to go home and get some more sleep before work tonight? " Jesse asked, looking at him with a teasing smile.
"Sleep really isn't what I had in mind."
"Now you sound like me! " Jesse giggled.
"Shit! You're a bad influence on me. " He laughed, and got more serious. " So now will you tell me why you don't have hired help to clean? "
" That is really bothering you, isn't it? When people come here and party, they aren't really here paying much attention to my life or me. They are wrapped up in having fun. Cleaning people see whatever went on, go through your things, and no matter what someone else does, it's you they're going to think about. It's your house, your guests, your life, I don't trust that. They'd only assume what they wanted to and talk about those thoughts. I only want people to talk about what I want them to, not what they assume."
" Okay, was that so hard? "
" Yes, it was, because I know how stupid it sounds, but I can't help it."
" It's not stupid, you just have a real problem with trusting people. I wish you would trust me and tell me what's bothering you. I get the feeling you're afraid of something, is that true? "
" I don't know what you mean. " Jesse said, now looking away.
He gently placed his hand under her chin. " Look at me Jesse, you do know what I mean. We both know there's a lot you're not telling me. I'm not blind. You're afraid of something, I can tell. Hell you almost fainted when you heard about Tim Douglas. Why is that? "
"I already told you about that."
" No, come on now. Hell Jesse, you let me make love to you, but you don't trust me enough to tell me what's bothering you."
" That's different. " She finally said, pulling away from him. She got up and poured them each more coffee, before sitting back down.
"Jesse, I am very attracted to you. " He could see this made her uncomfortable. " But as much as I want you, I would rather have you trust me, than sleep with you. I would never do anything that you wouldn't want me to do. Don't you believe me? "
"I believe you."
"Then tell me what are you're afraid of? Maybe I can help. " He said. She finally looked back at him, her eyes wary. He wanted to just wrap his arms around her and take away whatever it was that was making her feel this way. This feeling surprised him, seeing as he knew her for only a short time and knew very little about her. Yet the feeling was very strong.
"I don't want you involved with my business. I thought you understood. " She gave him her special smile. " I just want to have fun and see if I can drive you crazy."
"Honey, you already have succeeded in doing that. But I'm relieved to know it hasn't been as obvious as I thought it was. " He said, shaking his head smiling.
" Well, not that obvious. " She teased.
"Okay, so now that we have that straightened out, would you mind explaining a few things? "
" You need explaining. " She continued to tease.
"Stop now, and be serious. I know that's not in your nature, but will you talk to me now? "
" Are you sure you can concentrate on other things. I mean it's rather hard for me to concentrate with you sitting here so close, your chest looking so damn good. " She gently traced her fingers up one side of his arm, then lightly across his chest.
"What is it that you want me to do right now? " He said seriously and looked at her letting her see the desire in his eyes.
The phone rang, startling both of them. Jesse hesitated, and he could tell she wasn't sure what to do, but she got up to answer it.
"Hello. " Jesse said and listened to the person on the other end for several minutes. " I see. Well thank you very much. I will be in tomorrow to take care of that and while I'm there I want the balance on the outstanding loans. " She said slightly impatient. She now stood behind him and was running her hand through his hair. He knew her well enough to see that she was trying to stall him once again. What he wasn't sure of was his own strength to resist her. " Read over my proposal and give me your answer tomorrow. I'm busy right now. Good-bye. " Jesse said and hung up.
"Is everything okay? " He asked, and he felt her hands running down his back. She leaned against him and softly kissed his neck, her hands now caressing his chest.
"Just business. " She whispered in his ear, nibbling at it as she did.
"It seems everything is business with you. " He said leaning his head back against her and having a very hard time concentrating.
"Not everything, sweetheart. Not you. " She lightly kissed the side of his neck.
"I still want to know what's bothering you. " Adam whispered, his strength weakening.
"You'll just have to wait, there are more important things to do. " She said, and slowly started to walk away from him.
