Chapter Three

Jareth paced up and down the VIP lounge as he waited for Jerrica to arrive. He was nervous AF and he didn’t like it. He’s usually in control of the situation but after his shower last night, she’s all he could think about.

“Fuck this, she’s not going to be here for another twenty minutes,  I’m going outside to get some air,” he told Taylor. “Let me know when she gets here.” “Yes, sir,” Taylor replied.

He went our to the alley and paced some more. He was just calming down his nerves when Taylor appeared. “Miss Betton is here, sir,” he said. Jareth glanced at his Rolex. WTF! She’s early! Ok, ok, calm down. She’s just a girl. You’ve got this.

He gave himself a mental shake and asked Taylor if he looked ok. “You look presentable, sir,” Taylor replied. Not quite the answer he was hoping for but it will do. He straightened his tie and tugged his cuffs. Ok, let’s do this.

He opened the door and put on his game face. But as soon as he walked in, it crumbled almost instantly.

There she was, standing up from her seat to greet him. Her online photos didn’t do her justice. That blue dress hugged all of her curves and made her eyes pop. Nothing else in the room existed except for her. He made a beeline to her and outstretched his hand. He made his introduction with what he hoped was suave but professional. God, she smelled like strawberries.

She just stared at his hand. His smile was starting to fade just as she raised her hand and put it in his. Oh my fucking God! It fit perfectly in his and he couldn’t help but rub the area between her thumb and index finger. Sparks shot through him and he couldn’t move for a few seconds. Then she spoke. Oh. My. God. It was absolutely dripping with honey it was so sweet to his ears.

She tilted her head up to talk to him and he had the best view in the world. And that dimple! That’s going to be the death of him. He felt a stirring so he thought it best that they sit. He opened her chair for her and his fingers brushed her shoulder. He sucked in his breath and hoped she didn’t notice.

She was thinking that she was going to negotiate with his father so he gave her the correct information. She wanted to know more about him because she didn’t have a chance to do her homework, unlike him, who practically cyber-stalked her SM pages for the last few weeks.

She blushed when he mentioned her accomplishments. But the truth is, it’s justified. He glanced at her pendant around her neck and before he knew it, he’s complimenting her more. Then about her hair. She preened a little, that’s a good sign right? Ok, stop already, she’s getting nervous.

Ok, down to business. He's feeling confident on the proposal he’s been working on for months, but she wouldn’t be doing her due diligence if she didn’t get her legal team to look it over. They talked shop for the next hour then she did something that caught him off guard.

She stretched and showed him some of what he wants to make his. He damn near knocked over his water. Play it cool, he thought. Food, yes we need food. He had to get Jess to rescue him from this. He ordered the food and he wanted to see what her favorite wine is. He got the server to bring out a red and a white of the best wine Mario’s had. Instead, she threw him for a loop and wanted something sweet, as if she wasn’t sweet enough. Every time she murmured he wanted to get closer to her sweet voice.

They fell into a silence. Come on brain, think of something, anything. Oh! Gabby's party! Yes girls like parties. They both spoke at the same time and he let her speak first. He told her of his parents vineyard and before he knew what hit him, he’s inviting her there for Gabby's party. He mentally kicked himself. He tried to back pedal and told her she can bring a friend.

The food arrives and he’s pleased with her reaction to the dish. He got Mario to come up with something unique for this day and he did not disappoint. It was exquisite!

And then he made a toast to partnerships as if their partnership was a done deal. Nothing has been signed yet so it was a little premature on his part. But she made him smile when she didn’t object. And those sparks again when their fingers touched.

And he just blurts out he wants to take her out on a second date, or first? And she….accepted?! This negotiation just got interesting.

They continued their lunch and he was upset that it was winding down. He was enjoying her company immensely. She twirled her wine glass in her hand. Kind of seemed like she was stalling.

“Um, so about this party…I have a friend who I feel would be a great +1 for me. Her name is Geena. Are you going to give me the details or…” she trailed off. “Oh, of course! I can send a car to pick you ladies up if that works,” he said, over enthusiastically. “But I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other before then,” he said. She gave a gentle smile and her cheeks tinted a little pink. “What’s the dress code? Is something I’m wearing now appropriate?” As she gestured to her body which made him give her the once-over without hiding it. “What you’re wearing is perfect,” he said, with a little twinkle in his eye. Her cheeks burned at the compliment.

She cleared her throat and slowly stood up to gather her paperwork. “Well, it was very nice to meet you and I hope once we give the proposal a look-through, we’ll be able to get together to sign the paperwork. But I must say, I’m very impressed. It definitely shows that you worked hard on it,” she said in her sweet honey voice as she held out her hand. Now it was his turn to blush.

“It was my pleasure to finally meet Miss Jerrica Betton,” he said dramatically as he stood and accepted her outstretched hand. They shook briefly but reluctantly released.

She excused herself to call her driver. “Taylor will walk you to your car,” he said. Her expression changed a little at his suggestion. Damn, come on, be a gentleman and YOU walk her to her car, you idiot, he thought to himself. “Unless you’d like me to accompany you?” he asked. “Sure, if you don’t mind…” she murmured.

They gathered everything up and started walking to the door. Jess came into view and asked if everything was to their satisfaction. “Everything was perfect,” he says, not taking his eyes off Jerrica. “Wonderful!” Jess exclaimed. “Mario will be so happy!” “Don’t forget to keep me updated on your puppy, Jess,” he said in a polite voice. “I will, Mr. Steele,” she said, smiling.

“Puppy?” Jerrica asked. “Yes, Jess adopted a puppy a few weeks ago and she feels inclined to tell me of her puppy's bowel movements every Tuesday when I meet my parents here for dinner,” he said, smiling. “Good thing I don’t lose my appetite at the door,” he said, jokingly.

She gave a little giggle and it was the sweetest thing he’s ever heard. I have to make her laugh more, he thought to himself. He put his hand gently on her lower back as he guided her out of the room. Her giggles instantly stopped. She stopped walking and turned around to look at him.

“I just….I wanted…” he stumbled over his words. “I’m sorry,” he said sheepishly. “It’s ok, it just caught me off guard,” she said quietly.

They walked through the main dining area just as the lunch crowd was starting to pick up.

“Jareth! Jareth, over here!” he heard a familiar voice carry across the room. Oh God, please no, he thought to himself. He hustled her faster out of the restaurant. “Somebody is trying to get your attention,” Jerrica said. “That’s nobody,” he said through gritted teeth.

They made it out to the sidewalk just as her driver pulled up. He quickly opened her door and assisted her in as quickly as possible. Just as he closed the door Gwen came bursting out of the restaurant. 

“I’ll call you later with the details of the party,” he said, hurriedly through the window. And just as he turned around, Gwen wrapped her arms around him. Joshua pulled away but not before Jerrica saw Gwen plant a kiss on Jareth.

She turned her head so she wouldn’t have to see that. Tears threatened to come but she held them back. Who was that woman? Her perfect morning just got ruined by a bleach blonde in stilettos.