Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
“Help yourself,” I said as I replaced the lid on the glass bottle.
“They’re so cute,” she beamed as she leaned over the platter to see the little sandwiches cut into shapes of leaves and roses. The bistro was incredible at what they did, and I wanted nothing more than to wow Jourdanne with the finer things she deserved.
I met her at the sofa as we both sat down. I handed over her glass, and we both took a sip.
She hummed in delight. “Not peaches this time.”
“Nope.”
She took another, smaller sip. “Is it apricot?”
“Exactly,” I smiled. I couldn’t help but to mimic her every reaction. I don’t know what it was about Jourdanne, but I felt happier when in her presence.
She reached out to set her drink down, then her eyes caught sight of the papers on the coffee table. At first, she hesitated to move, and I could see there was still some apprehension. Then, she let out a breath, set down her glass, and faced me with a smile. That determination was commendable to say the least.
“I was hoping we could go over a few things in the contract.”
“Of course.”
“Most of it is fine how it is. I would like to remove the intimacy portions, however.”
“I understand.”
I took another sip, then set my glass down. I leaned back and folded my hands together as I looked her over. I didn’t mean to intimidate her, but she was starting to blush.
“How do you feel about this?”
Jourdanne put on a sweet smile, but I could tell it was somewhat forced. The reality of the contract before us took away the light and airy confidence she had had a moment ago.
She let out a breath, then faced me as she scooted into the corner of the sofa. We weren’t as close as we were the other night. The loveseat, on the opposite side of the coffee table, was a bit smaller than this sofa we now occupied. I wasn’t sure if she meant to choose it, or if it just happened. I was still having a hard time reading her to some degree, and it drove me nuts waiting for her to speak.
“Honestly, I have to do this.” Her smile slowly fell from her face, and it felt like the room had darkened. “My dad’s inn is going under. It won’t survive another six months if I don’t help with the repairs. He can’t pay me for any work done either.”
“I see.”
She laughed for a breath, sarcastically so, then shook her head. “That’s not even the best part. The café that I work at just had a fire this morning.”
“Oh no! Was anyone hurt?”
“No. It was empty, thankfully. But it’ll be closed for at least a month.”
“I’m sorry.” I reached over and touched her arm, and again, she welcomed me. She placed her hand over mine and gave me a little squeeze. It was so purely wholesome. I couldn’t believe someone like her existed.
“Thank you, Matt.”
And to hear her say my name with that strong, yet melodic voice of hers was too much. Staring back into her eyes, I almost couldn’t even remember what Leandro looked like.
She moved her hand aside and I copied, and again we were separated by too much space. I didn’t initially mean to include intimacy in this proposal, and I even told her I wanted nothing to do with it, but I couldn’t deny what I was feeling just then.
My heart beat heavier, and when she looked over at me, I just couldn’t resist any longer. I reached up to her face and caressed her cheek. I let her hair fall around my hand as my fingers wrapped her ear and travelled down her neck. She closed her eyes for the briefest of moments, and I could tell then that she wanted exactly what I had wanted all along. A connection. A touch. To feel complete.
I leaned closer, pulling her face to mine, and she didn’t hesitate to comply. Her soft lips met mine for a tender kiss. She slid next to me and placed her hands on my chest. Her fingers danced around at my buttons, gently opening the top two as I continued to caress her face with both hands. We kissed again, and then my left hand left her face and traced the soft skin on her neck. She leaned back and I kissed along her collarbone and down to the edge of her cleavage.
Part of me knew it was wrong to cheat on Leandro, but this wasn’t exactly cheating. It was what we had agreed upon. Leandro had insisted! And she was everything he and I were looking for. A female sugar baby who needed some help bettering her life. It was a win all the way around. I didn’t have to feel ashamed for finally having a real intimate moment with someone kind and compassionate. And hard working too! Jourdanne deserved the same.