Jessica

I leave bed early. There are business items to attend to. Darkness still covers the world here. I work quietly. Looking at investments and paying bills are most of what I do. Where is my money at? How is it doing? Do I need to move it around? The one item I am truly grateful for. My home will soon be paid for.

It is a modest home with a small yard. But it's my home, my place, and my sanctuary. The years have been kind to me. I have amassed enough that I could retire in a few years. If I feel like it, however, I will continue to play and do gigs. Jessica is an addition. A very pleasant addition. We have yet to discuss her money situation. I have no desire to take over her life and money. My goal is to help her manage it and provide for later days. I want no part of her money.

Jessica sleeps late. She needed to; I think. I also understand that Jessica is not one to get up and get around in the morning. It isn't her way. That's alright. I check on her now and again. She looks so peaceful and gentle in my bed. Not a care for anything. The next activity for me is espresso and maybe a little listening. Quietly though. The sound of Cool Jazz gently floats through the morning air. The steaming espresso is warm in my hands. The foamy top beckons for me to taste. The warm liquid flows over my lips and tongue. It is not bitter or too hot. The caffeine will soon surge into my bloodstream and provide me with much needed energy. I love these peaceful moments. The caffeine begins to do its magic as I recline and contemplate my day.

There is a space of time when I am not certain if I am awake or asleep. Perhaps somewhere in-between. My reveries are interrupted by the touch of Jessica. She is straddling my lap and taking my second espresso. I can share. Jessica wears one of my old dress shirts. Her hair is messy, and her face still shows the imprints of the pillow and her slumber. I fold her body next to mine once her coffee is finished. The lingering scent of her fills my head. The warm softness of her body is exquisite. Jessica sits up and removes my shirt.

Then, she unbuttons her own and our bare flesh connects. Her breasts are next to mine. Jessica begins to kiss my neck and ears. Her tongue tracing its way around my head. My passion begins to rise. Jessica becomes aware of this and pushes her naked lower body in rhythm on me.

She speaks.

"Get up."

I moved from the sofa. The sweatpants fell to the floor, and I returned to my previous position. Jessica is quick to return to hers. Now we are flesh against flesh. The moisture from her seeps onto me.

It would be a simple matter to slide inside of her. But we don't. Jessica continues to rub against me. Her breasts are forced to my mouth one at a time. They desire my attention. Though I am not inside her, she keeps sliding up and down on me. Jessica is building to climax. I will not interrupt her, but only assist. Several minutes pass in this manner. Jessica buries her head in my shoulder as she reaches orgasm. Only then does she insert me into her. She pushes down around me hard and fast. It is all I can take, and I release deeply into her. We remain in a heap for some time. Breathing heavily and kissing in the afterglow.

It isn't even sunrise yet.

I have begun to realize how some parts of my life have been empty. Yes, I have had a successful career, traveled extensively, and played with thousands of other musicians in countless cities. And yes, there have been women. Nothing lasted as I was never in one place for long. That is until settling here in St. Louis. A home, a steady job, and a semblance of a "normal" life. Jessica is beginning to make me feel whole. Whole in a way I had not before. Her half naked body continues to lean on me here on the sofa. I held her tightly. As though she may slip away at any moment. Now that is a horrible thought. Tighter still. Jessica presses closer. Usually, I have things I do in the morning. Not today. Jessica has my complete attention, and she is all I want right now. We lounge together all morning. I'll practice later.

Around lunch time, it occurs to us that we haven't eaten. Too late for breakfast. The refrigerator is raided. Not much there I'm afraid. I never really learned to cook much. The few leftovers make a filling meal. Once we are done, it's off to the shower again. Both of us. The morning activities have us needing this. No fooling around today. We shower and then dress.

I spend some time at the piano. Jessica dresses and picks up the house. Since we have been somewhat messy, I stop and give her a hand. The dirty laundry is gathered up and put away. The kitchen is clean now. Jessica suggests that we make a grocery list and do some shopping. Eating takeout all the time isn't good for us, she says. So, I told her to make up a list and tomorrow morning we will go to the grocery. Whatever she wants, we will get. Grocery shopping, who knew?

Time to think about going to work. I have on one of the new shirts. It is a deep maroon color. Jessica emerges in the same color gown. Imagine that.

The drive to the hotel is uneventful. We and I say "we" tinker with the tuning of the piano a bit. I think Jessica likes doing this. I played for a few minutes, and I am satisfied. I got up to find us some espresso. Jessica then does something she hasn't done before. She sits and plays the piano. I have not heard her play. Jessica plays well. I shouldn't be surprised.

So, I speak.

"Why didn't you tell me you played?"

She continues but speaks.

"Well, it's your thing and I didn't want to intrude. Besides, you seem protective of Doris."

I find I am a little miffed at this. So, I say to Jessica.

"Come with me please."

I take her by the hand and lead her to the green room.

The door is shut.

I speak.

"Look Jessica. I am not the least bit intimidated by other pianists. Yes, Doris is my baby. We live together now. My home is your home. It is our home. If you want to sit and play the piano, you can anytime you wish. Don't you dare hide your talents from me again. Do you understand?"

Jessica's eyes are huge, and she seems on the verge of tears. Okay, maybe I was too gruff?

She whimpers a little,

"yes."

Now I have done it. I made her cry. Stupid me.

I speak to her.

"I'm sorry for being harsh. I didn't want it to sound like that. It upset me that you hide this from me."

She falls against me.

I speak.

"Look at me."

She speaks.

"No, I don't want you to see me cry."

I say again.

"Look at me."

She does and I dry her tears and kiss her forehead.

I speak.

"Jessica, I have something I need to tell you."

She looks up at me with questions in her eyes and her mouth open to stutter.

"What? You want me to move out? Are you that angry with me?"

I must take a deep breath.

"No Jessica. I don't want you to move out and I am not angry with you. I want you to stay with me. I want you to stay with me because I love you."

Now her eyes are even larger.

She stammers.

"You love me?"

I speak.

"Yes, my dear. I love you and want you to stay with me always."

Then there is more crying. So, I just hold her close until she stops. Then I let her fix her face. I sat in a chair and beckoned her to me. My lap is occupied by Jessica. I touch her face and gently kiss her lips.

I speak.

"Always."

We are quiet for a time. Just being together. Then it is time to play. Well, I play and Jessica sings. Very seldom does she leave my side. When we do take a break, we go to the green room. Jessica sits in my lap, or I hold her. Not much in the way of conversation. She wears a very happy smile now.

It was a very emotional evening for us both. It is reflected in our music. We feel things deeper. Not a bad thing. This is not lost on the audience, and they respond to our music with enthusiasm. This in turn intensifies our performance even more. Connections are made all the way around. Then it is time to go home. As Jessica and I walk into the parking lot, she hangs on my arm.

She asks again.

"You really love me?"

So, I stop, take her in my arms, and twirl her around. Her heels fly from her feet as I spin her in circles.

I shouted.

"Yes Jessica!!!!! I love you!!"

She laughs and laughs. There are others in the parking lot. They smile and applaud. Time to go home.

Jessica is plastered next to me in the car. She holds my arm tightly and her head is on my shoulder. A smile of contentment on her face. The door to our home is shut and locked. It is nice to be here.

Jessica goes to the kitchen for something to drink. There isn't much around. A chilled bottle of Gewurztraminer. That will just have to do. Such a wonderful flavor this wine has. Now then, I turn my attention to Jessica. I place my goblet on the counter and take hers to do the same. She is looking at me with questions again.

Jessica is pushed against the wall, and I take her hair in my hand tightly. I kiss her hard. She makes little noise as I do this. After some time, tongues begin to explore and intertwine. My hands begin to explore her body through her gown.

I stop and speak.

"Jessica, lose the gown."

She unzips the side to let it fall to the floor. All that is left is a pair of maroon-colored panties.

"The panties too." I add.

Instead of waiting for her to take them off, I do it myself. They are pushed down and then I lift her to the counter. Her naked butt plopped down as I took her panties off. A chair is pulled over to be in front of her.

I speak.

"Spread your legs, let me see you."

She does as I ask. I start with soft kisses to her thighs and slowly work my way in further. The lightest of touches with my lips and tongue. Jessica knows where I am going. Her fingers laced into my hair. I drink deeply from her. She cums hard.

Her breathing is fast as she says OMG several times. But I am not finished with her yet. Jessica is picked up and taken to the bedroom. I put her on her back. Then I start to remove my own clothing.

I speak.

"Move to the bed."

She does and I am ready for her. I move to be on top of her.

I speak.

"Put your feet on my shoulders."

She does. I am forceful and rhythmic with her. Jessica is very loud about what I am doing to her. She screams "Yes" a lot. Then I pushed all the way inside her to release.

Exhausted, I fell to the side of her. Both my arms were around her. That was as intense as I ever remember. The lights go out. We sleep. We have no choice.

The morning arrives too soon. The short time Jessica has been with me, and I have learned from her to be naked at home. I make espresso. Her panties and gown are still on the floor from last night. I am now the one wearing a contented smile.

I heard shouting from the bedroom.

"Bring me espresso!"

Jessica's coffee is then made. She is sitting up in the bed and waiting. The sheet covers her legs only, leaving her upper body exposed. A fine picture indeed. Jessica takes her espresso.

She speaks.

"Wow. You were a beast last night. You took me hard. It was exciting for me."

I speak.

"I am glad you enjoyed it." Would you like to try slow and easy?"

She speaks.

"What? Now?"

I nod.

Jessica smiles and answers.

"Yesssssssssssss."

As she falls back on the bed. We aren't going to make it to the grocery store at this rate. But maybe this afternoon?

Another shower and a quick dress. The grocery store is our destination. Jessica has composed a long list of things to look for. The cart begins to fill with fresh fruits and veggies. Everything is supposed to be organic according to her.

Next is the dairy aisle. Cottage cheese, yogurt, eggs, a variety of cheese and milk, all organic. The meat counter is an interesting stop. I saw hamburgers and steaks. Jessica sees chicken and fish. She says they are better for me than red meat. I find she is very knowledgeable about nutrition. I asked about steak. She speaks occasionally is okay.

But then she adds.

"I'm going to take care of you Roger. I want you around for a long, long time."

I speak.

"And why is that?"

She stops dead in the aisle, faces me and speaks.

"Because I love you too."

I kiss her right in the middle of the aisle. I don't care what people think. She loves me. Our food items are rung up and we depart for home. All is stored. I practice a little at Doris. Then it occurs to me.

I speak.

"Jessica, get in here and practice. That's an order."

She giggles and sits to run through scales and all that. I can see piano duets in our future.

I sit next to her on the bench and speak.

"Do know Blue Train? John Coltrane?"

Her answer is to begin playing it. What happens next is a four-hand piano version. This is going to be a thing for us.

Later, while dressing for work, Jessica asks if I play anything else, any other instruments. I told her I played the clarinet a long time ago.

She speaks.

"Do you still have it?"

I speak.

"It's somewhere around here."

"Tomorrow, you find it." She adds.

We go to work. If you want to call doing something, you love with someone you love work.

The next morning after espresso, I begin my search for my clarinet. It must be in this closet, I think. Fifteen minutes later, there it is. Jessica comes out for her espresso and sees I have found the instrument.

She speaks.

"Put it together and let's hear it."

It has been ages for me. Are these reeds any good?

Jessica goes to the piano.

She speaks.

"Clarinet is in B flat. Right? Okay Roger, Major, II V I VI chord progression, key of C for you."

She plays an intro and then waits for me to come in.

She speaks.

"Well?"

So I started playing. I am rusty as hell at this, but she won't let me stop. We play until my mouth can't anymore. That was fun for us both I think. If I am going to do this, I am going to have to practice. Also, I need some softer reeds. At least to begin with.

Tomorrow is Friday. We will meet with Gus and Nick and plan set lists. Jessica and I have been busy since we last saw them. They are interested to hear that Jessica is working with me through the week. They are also surprised to learn she plays keyboard as well. The group dynamics are changing, I think. I hope Gus and Nick aren't intimidated by what we do.

There is some talk about their families and jobs and how those things are going. The talk about the kids has Jessica quiet. I wonder what's up with that. Set lists are made and we run through some tunes. Then it's to the green room and pre playing rituals.

Jessica is in a black gown tonight. It shimmers on her body and reflects the light when she moves. She lets me wear a white shirt tonight. The lounge is already full. The suits want us to go on early. So, we do, and it is a fine time. Gus and Nick groove like always and it makes what Jessica and I do even better. They are great guys to play alongside. The regular pay plus the tip jar makes a very lucrative evening for us. Makes me think about investments for Jessica. Tomorrow morning I'll talk to her about it.

Jessica is quiet during the ride home. I don't ask her or press. We shower and fall into bed. We have much to do this weekend at the lounge. When morning rolls around, I make espresso and Jessica joins me at the table.

I speak.

"Jessica, what do you do with your money?"

She frowns and speaks.

"I don't know, spend it? Put it in the bank? Why?"

I begin.

"You know I have investments and other places for my money to grow for when I retire. I just wanted to know if you did. I would like to see you do as I have done. Put some of it aside for when you retire. I will help you if you like. But I don't want to take any of your cash. Just help. It will always be your money and in your control."

She ponders this for a time and answers.

"Okay, I'd like to look at what you have in mind. But I don't want to talk about it today. Sometime next week maybe."

I say that's fine.

I speak.

"What would you like to do this morning?"

Jessica smiles and speaks.

"Well............... maybe sit in your lap and kiss your face?"

That works for me. We do nap and rest a little. Saturday is a very long day and night at the lounge.

Sunday night is here, and we are all four of us, very tired. The place was busy all weekend and we made quite a lot of money. The tip jar is split evenly between us. It's only fair. With families, Gus and Nick are glad for the cash. Jessica and I crashed as soon as we got home. No shower, no sex, just something to drink and sleep. She has me thinking about things. Things with the band. Jessica playing piano, me playing clarinet, (I must get better) and the variety that it will offer. Yeah, I need to think.

We sleep late Monday. I wake and then roll over to go back to sleep. My butt is tired. It is one of the things about aging I don't like. It takes longer to recover. Jessica sleeps because she isn't a morning person. Something else I have been thinking about. Time off. I haven't had a vacation in years. It seems that I got into the groove of work every day and never anything else. I think I would like to have a vacation. A vacation with Jessica. I wonder where we will go. I'll have to ask her if there is anywhere, she would like to see. Someplace we have both never been to. But also in my thinking, it doesn't matter where we go, if we are together.

I do get out of bed. Not because I want to, but because I need espresso. I stand at the counter, prepare it, watch it brew and then consume it. It isn't enough, so I begin the process again. Jessica zombies out and crashes into me. She mumbles something that sounds vaguely like "espresso." I make hers and then put one arm around her.

Jessica purrs.

Her hair is a jumbled mess and goes all directions at once. I don't think she can focus her eyes yet. She is so cute when she is like this in the morning. Jessica finishes her coffee, grabs my hand, and pulls me back to bed. I lie down and she snuggles. I have never been with a woman that acts this way. Jessica can be independent. I know this. But she does this because it's what she wants. Jessica wants me. So, I am very happy to let her cling to me and to hold her as often as she wants. We'll get up later.

My eyes open. I don't know why. They find Jessica looking at me.

I speak.

"What?"

She smiles broadly and answers.

"Oh nothing. We need to get up. I'm hungry. Let's have a fruit salad for lunch."

Off to the kitchen we go. A variety of fruits come out to be washed, cut up and mixed. I confess, it is very tasty. It isn't a doughnut, but it is good. More espresso is made as well.

That being done, we each spend some practice time at Doris.

Jessica has a different style of playing than I. I think it's a timing issue. She has just the right amount of hesitation and it catches my ear.

The first notes of "The Way You Look Tonight" drift from her fingers.

This time, our roles are reversed. I do my best Tony Bennett as Jessica plays. She sits there and grins at me for the entire song.

Once we finish, Jessica speaks.

"That does it. Your ass is going to get up and sing tonight."

My voice is nothing special. But it's a Monday. What can happen?

Jessica speaks then.

"Try this one."

The piano and Jessica play "I'll String Along with You." I do my best to make it sexy and slow. Jessica follows my lead. This is fun.

We dress for work. Pretty low key for Monday. Jessica wears jeans, a tank, and heels. I opt for a golf shirt, slacks, and loafers. Yes, I said loafers. We begin as always. I play, she sings. Then, and I am somewhat nervous about it, we change roles. Those that come here often are surprised by this. They commented later they had no idea I could sing. They are also very lavish with their praise of Jessica's playing. It is decided we make a good team.