“You’ll start now.” Leandro gathered the contract and got to his feet. Jourdanne and I were both watching him with wide eyes. “You two have unfinished business from the other day. I suggest you finish it.”
JOURDANNE
Leandro took the contract and left the room. My eyes drifted from the empty space where Leandro had stood to the table. Slowly, I found the flowers in the vase, the napkins, the salt and pepper shakers, then my glass of wine. It was half full, and I wasted no time grabbing it up and drinking it down.
“Jourdanne,” Matt spoke softly. His voice came to my ears in an echo. “Jourdanne?”
I looked over to him, my eyes snapping to his in an instant. He had placed his hand on my arm, but I was too occupied by the thoughts in my mind to realize.
“Yes?” I swallowed hard.
Matt’s brow wavered in curiosity. “If you’re uncomfortable…”
“No.” I shook my head and held up my chin. I was freaking out about losing my virginity, yeah, but not uncomfortable. Matt’s gaze alone put all my nerves to ease. He was the perfect person to experience such a meaningful moment with. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to it. I had done everything to prepare for the night. I knew it might happen soon enough anyway, and with signing the contract over a lovely dinner, why not this night?
I licked my lips and set the glass on the table. I gave Matt a brief smile, and then I stood up.
Matt copied, and as he got to his feet, he extended his hand for me to take hold. I slid my hand into his, and the warmth of his touch sent a relaxing ripple through my arm and up around my shoulders. There was something about the way he looked at me then that made me certain of my choice. It wasn’t just the money; it was also about a relationship. And even if it was only meant to last the summer, it would be one I would always cherish.
I walked at Matt’s side as he led me up the stairs. The house was quiet and dim then. I didn’t see Leandro, but my eyes were glued to the upstairs. I was wondering if Matt would take me into his room, or if he’d make use of one of the spare guest bedrooms. We had discussed me having my own room for the summer.
Down the open hallway that overlooked the entry, Matt walked me to a closed door. It was white and had golden scrolls around the edges. As Matt took hold of the handle, I felt my heart skip a beat. I let out a breath, and it caught his attention. Those deep brown eyes popped over to me with a sharpness that sent flutters down through my body and between my legs.
Matt pushed the door open revealing a darkened room with pastel pink and purple accents. Matt turned the dimmer switch and the perimeter of the room brightened just a bit. I stepped through to the middle of the room, leaving Matt to close the door. With my hands to myself, I twisted my fingers around at my waist unsure of what to do next. Of course, I’d had a few heated encounters with men before. Some very intense kissing and groping for sure, but nothing more. The other day felt right to me, which is why I didn’t hesitate to let Matt fondle me and touch me. But anything more was unchartered territory. Just the idea of it was giving me the shakes.
“Jourdanne?”
“Yes?” I twirled around to face him.
He started smiling.
“What?”
“You’re just…” He walked closer to me in the center of the room. “Adorable.”
I titled my head and softened my brow, and I couldn’t help but copy his smile.
“I know I look really nervous.” I laughed at my own words before I even finished saying them. “I probably look like a total mess.”
Matt’s smile eased into a more serious look as he slid his fingers up my bare arm. It gave me a brief shiver, to which I leaned into his touch with a moan.
“You look lovely,” he whispered.
Matt looked painfully gorgeous. He had worn a dark blue, button-down shirt without a tie. He’d left the top two buttons open, and it was tucked into his black slacks. I loved his body from the moment I first met him. That lean figure and confident stance was irresistible. On this night, Matt had cleaned up the stubble on his face and he’d styled his hair loosely. I wanted to run my fingers through his hair then, and so I did. Albeit a bit awkwardly.
I lifted my hands, then I put them down. Matt’s brow arched as his hand moved from my arm to my waist. The touches and movements were already feeling familiar with him, like a dance we both knew by heart. I lifted my hands again, and this time I placed one palm against his face and watched as he closed his eyes to the sensation. I put the other hand on the other side of his face and then ran my fingers back through his hair. He opened his eyes to me slowly and with a kindness I felt I had been missing for far too long.