Chapter Seven

The next morning was packed with business meetings and when Jerrica went to her usual lunch spot a couple blocks away from her building, she could have sworn she saw the silver Audi from the other night down the street. Maybe I’m imagining things, she thought to herself.

She finished up her lunch and made her way back to her office. Jareth will be there in twenty minutes to talk about the open position at Steele Logistics. Geena would be so happy and would love the employee ‘perks'. She’ll be meeting her after work for coffee. She was walking through the courtyard when she heard a heated argument between a man and a woman.

“I told you to fucking stay away!”

That sounded like Jareth! What the hell? She picked up her pace and made her way closer to the voices. She came into view of Jareth backing away from Gwen but she stayed hidden behind a tree.

“But baby, I know we can make it work,” Gwen said in her most seductive voice. “I’ve told you NO three times already and I mean it,” he said firmly. “Leave me alone and leave Jerrica alone. I knew it was you last night outside the restaurant. Your reckless driving could have hurt somebody. But you don’t care about anybody but yourself. What did I ever see in you?” he spat. 

“You loved me once,” she said as she crossed her arms over her chest. “That wasn’t love. I’m beginning to know what love actually is!” 

Jerrica gasped. Both of them looked her way. “YOU! You’re the reason he doesn’t love me anymore!” Gwen seethed as she started stomping her way. Jerrica came out from behind the tree. “I don’t think so! You left him in such a callous way! That’s why he doesn’t love you. Why the hell would he want to take someone back with a cold heart?” Gwen let out a gasp.

Jareth wedged himself between them when things were getting heated otherwise he’d have a catfight on his hands. “I think it’s time you leave and move on with your life, Gwen. Find someone you’re compatible with. That someone is not me.” Jareth said to try and diffuse the situation. “If you continue to cause problems, you’ll be hearing from my lawyers.”

With that final statement, it finally clicked for Gwen that things were over. She adjusted her bag over her shoulder and said, “Fine! You’ll never hear from me again! Have a happy fucking life!” and stomped off back to her car.

Jareth watched her pull out of the parking spot and veer off. He let out a sigh of relief. “I’m so sorry to put you through this,” he said as he put his arm around her shoulder. “Well, at least you know I don’t have any crazy exes,” she said with a hint of humor. He let out a chuckle at that. “Indeed,” he said.

“Shall we head to your office to discuss the job offer for Geena?” he said as they made their way through the courtyard. “Yes, let’s do that now that all the excitement is over,” she said with relief in her voice.

They entered the building, hand in hand, and the doorman and security guards smiled at them. “I don’t think ‘us' is a secret.” He whispered close to her ear. “Nope,” she said with a giggle as he nuzzled her neck.

They entered her office and as soon as she closed the door behind them, he immediately grasped her around the waist and pulled her close. “Being a ‘gentleman’ is driving me crazy! I want you so bad. And it turned me on so much when you stood up to Gwen.” He pressed her close to him and she could feel his firmness against her stomach. “This is what you do to me,” he whispered hoarsely.

She gasped and mustered all the bravery she had to reach down and rub him through the fabric. He groaned against her forehead and clenched her waist. “I know I said I’ll give you all the time you need but this waiting is so fucking hard,” he said into her hair. “Well, maybe you won’t have to wait too much longer,” she whispered in a thick voice.

He pulled back and searched her eyes. She wasn’t teasing, she was dead serious. “You…you’d let me be your first?” he breathed out hoarsely. She slowly nodded, nervously biting her lip. “You just made me the happiest man in Castle Rock!” he said as he lifted her up and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist as he pressed her against the wall.

She let out a giggle. “Simmer down or the whole office will hear!” “I’ll never simmer down around you,” he said in that deep velvety voice as he planted kisses on her neck and collarbone.

“Okay, okay, uh, let’s get the job offer for Geena finalized and save this for later,” she said, feeling herself getting warm. “Fine,” he let out a dramatic sigh. “Business first then we move onto the pleasure.” He reluctantly set her down.

They sat on the lounger and went over his offer. “I think she’ll be very pleased with this offer. We’re meeting for coffee after work today,” she said. “It’s nice to see that she gets along well with Taylor. She needs someone in her life that will treat her as she deserves to be treated,” she said. “Oh, was she not treated well in the past?” he asked. Damn, I gave too much information, she thought to herself. “Um, that’s something she’ll need to explain herself. It’s not my place to talk about it,” she said quietly. “Okay, I understand,” he replied.

“I got Gabby a gift I hope she’ll like, after all, what do you get someone who has everything?” she said, smiling. “Wonderful, she’s looking forward to meeting you,” he said. Oh? He’s mentioned me to his sister already? I guess I must be a hot topic, she thought.

“I want to see you again soon,” he said. “Well, tonight I’m with Geena and tomorrow with my parents. Would you and your parents care to join us? I’m sure my parents won’t mind,” she said. “Let me call the right now,” he said as he pulled out his phone and walked to the window to have his conversation. 

Jerrica went over to her desk and texted Geena.

Jerrica: “Guess who’s in my office right now?”

Geena: “Your CEO in shining Armani!”

Jerrica: “LOL Good guess! I was just looking over the job offer and I really think you should accept it. Plus it has some employee ‘perks' ;)”

Geena: “You are the best friend a girl could ever hope for! I think I will take accept and take advantage of those ‘perks'!”

Jerrica: “Wonderful! I will let Jareth know and maybe he’ll get Taylor to bring the paperwork to you.”

Geena: “I’ll be so happy to not have to work at Fyre anymore. Though I must say that Taylor enjoyed my performance. ;)”

Jerrica: “Omg! TMI!!! See you this afternoon chicky!”

Geena: “Ta ta chicky!”

She brought her attention back to Jareth. “Well, she likes the sound of the offer, so-" she started but then saw the look on his face. “What’s wrong?” she asked with concern in her voice. “My Dad, he was in an accident and…” he broke off. Oh no! Her heart immediately went out to him. “I have to go to the hospital. They say his injuries are serious,” he said through choked breaths. “Yes of course! Go!” she said emphatically. “He needs you by his side.” “I’ll call you later,” he said and gave her a brief kiss.