The Great Outdoors

The following Thursday I have Tristan's bill all completed. I leave a message on his voicemail asking him to call me before my office closes. He doesn't call. I'm assuming he's probably going to cancel altogether after I didn't accept his tasteless invitation. 

I'm now home preparing another presentation for a client I received yesterday. Of course, she doesn't own a newly built twenty thousand square foot mega mansion off the water, but it's a job. She wants to meet tomorrow evening so I'm up late trying to get the perfect ideas. 

It’s just after eleven at night and Tristan's calling. I don't answer. I want to see if he'll leave a message and to my surprise he does.

"Hi, Jade. Sorry, I missed our appointment. Please may I reschedule? I'm still excited about you doing my home. Please call me as soon as you get this message. Thanks."

He sounds winded as if he's been running. I don't want to return his call tonight, but this is a major monetary deal. I tell myself to call early in the morning, but curiosity gets the best of me. He must have more to say. There's no way he called this late just to discuss a business deal.

"Hey, Tristan. I'm glad to hear from you because I did fear you fired me." I chuckle.

"I'm not petty. I know how to separate the personal from business."

"I appreciate that. Well, are you exercising? You sound like you're running."

"I'm just enjoying the great outdoors."

"Where are you?"

"I'm at Deep Woods campsite."

"Did they find that maniac?"

"Not yet."

"Well, aren't you afraid to be out there this late?"

"The military's still here. ...Can you keep a secret?" He whispers.

"Yeah, ...uh sure!"

"I'm actually with the military. We've been tracking this person across the states. I may only be in Michigan a few months before I have to uproot and leave again."

"Wow, that's a fascinating story! How long has the government been chasing this person?"

"A few years. ...Jade, come see me early tomorrow, okay? Right now, I have to go. Bye."

Once our call ends, I think, now everything about Tristan makes sense. How he dressed and looked the first time I saw him, it's because he's a military man. The buzz cut and the rough but manicured hands are understandable now. The only thing that seems crazy is building this mansion. Why would he do this? Then to pay top dollar to completely furnish it if he might be leaving soon? I will ask him when I see him. Tonight, as I climb into bed, I'm just thankful and relieved I didn't lose his business.

I call Tristan at seven in the morning. He answers groggyly, telling me to come over. I drive up and the front door is wide open. As I enter, I'm calling out his name. Closing the door behind me, I continue calling for him. After no response, I go sit in the kitchen for about ten minutes before I search for him. Now creeping up the stairs, I softly call his name. Every room is empty except the master bedroom which has an inflatable king-sized mattress. Hesitant I walk into his room.

"Tristan, are you in here?" I ask.

He comes out of his bathroom butt naked, brushing his teeth. Immediately, I cover my eyes and hurry downstairs. Unable to get his naked image out of my mind, I sit at the table trying to remove that vision before he comes down. He walks up, pulls out a chair, and then sits but I'm too embarrassed to look him in his face.

"Hey, Jade. Do you want coffee? This coffee is from Lebanon. It's the best." He chuckles.

"No thank you," I say as I glance to see if he's dressed.

He's shirtless and he's wearing those same black shorts. He remains standing until his coffee's ready. Now sitting he says, "Sorry about that. How'd you get in here anyway?"

Still refusing to look at him I answer, "Your front door was open. I assumed you left it open for me."

"Okay, but why'd you come upstairs?"

"I had been waiting for a while, so I assumed you were asleep. Unfortunately, I was mistaken."

"Unfortunately? Ouch. Well, if you're embarrassed, how do you think I feel?"

Rolling my eyes towards him I answer, "I'd love to see anything embarrass you."

He laughs, "I am embarrassed! I don't just show women my body full frontal, especially if they don't like me! They might call it "unfortunate" and destroy my massive ego."

Sighing I slide my folder over to him. With a large sexy grin, he mouths, "Thank you."

Tristan is so fine. This licking of his lips every time he sips his coffee is driving me wild. He keeps biting his bottom lip as he reads through the pricing. It's enticing. His bare chest is begging for me to rub it. I'm examining every inch of him when he says, "You did good. So, when do you get started?" 

"Whenever you tell me to go, I'll inform my people."

"Your people? Aww others have to come?"

"Well yes! I can't install crown molding and window treatments on my own."

"Relax, these are jokes. You seem tense. What do you do to relieve tension?"

"Good day, Mr. Black."

"You're done?" He asks as I head to the door.

Grabbing my arm, he stops me. Now he's holding my hand. "Forgive me, Jade. I know I can be overbearing, but I like you. I'm trying to make you like me, but I see I'm failing. Let me take you out to dinner?"

"I teach Sunday."

"Huh?"

"We can go to dinner after church Sunday."

Frowning he says, "I want a night dinner date. I can't seduce you after church."

"Tristan--."

"Jokes Jade. Sunday is perfect. What time?"

"Ten sharp."

"I'll be there. See you Sunday."

We stand gazing into each other's eyes. I drop my head and try to walk past him, but he grabs my arm again and then whispers into my ear, "I'm so glad I met you."

Gently, he kisses the corner of my mouth, but I pull back shaking my head. With a sensuous lick of his lips, he says, "You taste sweet."

Odd, but he wasn't being silly. I stood there lost for words as he watched me with this undiscerning stare. I couldn't make out his motive or if he really thought I tasted sweet. Squinting, I walk away, get into my car without looking back, then head home.

It's Sunday morning and I have to teach bible study. I expected Tristan to be a no-show or call with a classic non-churchgoer excuse, but he was there bright and early. He wore a very nice gray suit. As I taught, he took notes and seemed to be very engaged. All the teen girls were crushing on him. He must've been asked who invited him by every member present, but he remained friendly and polite to everyone. Once I finished teaching, I sat in the row behind the pulpit. Tristan looked at me and shrugged as if to say, Really Jade? I chuckle as I head to his row.

"Your message was very informative. Excellent teaching." He whispers into my ear. I tap his thigh gesturing for him not to be so cozy then I text him letting him know petting and seductive whispering is unacceptable in church.

"Focus on the Lord!" I mouth. He mouths okay then he focuses on the pastor.

By far Tristan was the best church guest I ever invited. He interacted with the people and my pastor very well. He wasn't all anxious to leave and he genuinely listened to the message. Janay was even kinder to him. 

We go out to brunch and have a really good time. He then suggests we go out on his boat, but we stop at my condo first.

"Make yourself at home!" I yell from my bedroom.

"I have a $40 box of nasty coffee I purchased if you want some!"

My hair is now in a bun, I change into my favorite white sundress along with a little glittering lotion. I just feel special today with Tristan. As I walk downstairs, he's sitting in the chair watching me. Now standing in front of him I say, "I'm ready."

He stands examining me from head to toe. He then says into my ear, "You're so beautiful, Jade."

"Thank you."

Blushing, I move away, but I'm so turned on I can't stand that close to him any longer. Now I'm thinking hanging out with him isn't such a wise idea. If I'm this aroused at three o'clock in the afternoon, I'll be out of control by six. Although I moved away, he moved closer asking, "May I please kiss you?" 

"Tristan--"

Now we're standing in the middle of my living room having this passionate kiss. He feels and tastes so good that I'm tempted to tell him he tastes sweet too. In a few moments, he may need air because I feel myself swallowing his face.  I pant out, "Please stop Tristan! I'm so sorry but I can't do this."

Nodding he says, "Okay, I understand. C'mon, let's go."

"Tristan, I think I better stay home. We had a perfect day--"

"I'll keep my hands to myself, I promise. I just don't want this day to end."

I know I shouldn't, but I continue my day with Tristan. He changes into his army green t-shirt with camouflage shorts, looking militant. He has a very nice boat. He's acquainted with some of the other boat owners so he's conversing with them as we passed by in the water. Finally, we're just floating away from everyone. He comes and lies in my lounger with me. 

"Tristan I'm falling off!" I scream as we crash to the floor.

"Aww baby I'm so sorry!" He laughs.

He helps me up and then sits me on his lap. For a moment, I gaze into his hypnotic eyes. Hand now covering my face, I attempt to get up, but he pleads, "C'mon baby." 

"You promised."

"C'mon. Sit down."

He sits me across his lap as opposed to having me straddle him this time. Now we're kissing again. I allow him to kiss me until he's content, but I refuse to let myself get tricked into making love with him.

"You're frustrating me, Jade."

"I told you to leave me home."

Lifting me he goes and stands in the back of the boat. Trying to be firm in my convictions is making me feel so useless. Now standing next to him I say. "We're acting like a couple. Where's Alex?"

With a sigh he answers, "Alex is dead."

"Dead! How? ...When?"

"She committed suicide after the banquet."

"What? Tristan, are you serious?"

"Why would I play about something like this?"

"Why!?"

"Jade, you know why. She knew I wanted you and she couldn't accept it."

My hands now covering my mouth I ask, "How can you move on so fast after such a tragedy? She hasn't been gone a week?"

"Because I want you."

"Tristan that's not a good answer."

"But it's the truth. I feared you wouldn't be with me if she were still around, so in a way she did us a favor."

"Are you being serious right now? Do you hear yourself?"

"Loud and clear." He shrugs.

I'm looking for a way of escape because he sounds insane right now. We stand in awkward silence for a few seconds more before he bursts into laughter.

"You're joking?" I huff.

"Of course! I want to leave her alone, but I'll go insane dealing with you exclusively." He chuckles.

"That's not funny either Tristan. You need some women's skills. You sound like a borderline misogynist."

Rolling his eyes he says, "Let's dock this before it's too dark."

Before the night ends, he returns to his silly egotistical self. He kisses me goodnight then leaves, and I sleep well.

Early the next morning I'm up finding the finishing touches for my Friday client when Blake calls.

"Hey early bird." I tease.

"Hey, turn on channel two news! Hurry!!"

Supermodel Alexandria Cluze is the headline. She was a model just as I suspected. Last week during her New York photo shoot for a major fashion magazine she committed suicide. It was the day after Tristan's party. Her peers stated how she cried and ranted about how she sacrificed her very soul to protect Tristan.

One model says, "She kept repeating, 'I saw what you did Tristan. I saw you! And I should tell! I'm going to tell!' We kept asking her to tell us, then she just shouted I can't, then shot herself in the head in front of the entire staff!"

After the news story goes off Blake asks, "After church did Tristan mention anything?"

From utter shock, I sit speechless for a moment, but I answer, "Yes! He told me, but then he said he was only joking!"

"What?"

"He has a sordid sense of humor. Is he mental!"

"He took a leave of absence. He hadn't told anyone why, but I'd assume this is why." Blake sighs.

"My first appointment to start decorating his home is Wednesday. I'll see him then."

"Oh yeah! Well keep me posted and tell him if he needs anything don't hesitate to call. Love you."

"Love you too, bye."