I threw the strap of my purse over my shoulder and fiddled with my dress before I stood up. The minute I looked up, Jett was at my side, holding his hand out for me.
I gripped his hand with mine, not knowing what to say or how to react as he pulled me up next to his body. I raised my hand to his cheek and said, “I’m sorry if I offended you…”
“You didn’t. I’m sorry I freaked out for a second. You were right, I was showing my inner snob to you and it was the last thing I wanted to do, to make you feel less than me because that is not even close to the truth. You are so far above me in so many ways; it’s not right for me to make you feel less.”
I snorted, not meaning to offend him. “I am, by no means, above you. Hell, I used to have sex for money.”
The side of Jett’s cheek clenched as he took in my words. “I am aware and that won’t be happening again, especially now that you are mine.”
We were walking out of the restaurant when he casually said I was his. I pulled on his hand that was holding mine and looked him in the eyes. “Jett, what is this?”
“What is what?” he asked, seriously perplexed.
His car pulled up to the curb and the man who met us at the beginning of our date now opened the door for me and shut it for me as Jett got in the driver side.
I thought about dropping the subject, but the inner annoying girl in me was starting to come out, thanks to a couple of drinks…so I asked again, “What is going on between us?”
Smoothly, Jett pulled out into the streets and started working his way toward the Garden District, indicating that our night was over.
“I still don’t understand? Do you want a definition of our relationship?”
“Well, I guess so…”
“That was made clear when you signed the papers to be a Jett Girl in training. Do you need to go over them again?”
The cold Jett Colby had reappeared, putting me in my place. It was foolish of me to think that there was a possibility of something else going on between us, even though at times it felt like Jett wanted more, like he wanted me, needed me for more than just a booty call at night. I guess I was reading him wrong.
“No, that’s okay,” I responded, as I looked out the side of the car, watching the dim lights of the city pass by. We rode in silence for the rest of our date and what felt like forever was only minutes until we pulled into the driveway of the house.
I opened my door, not waiting for Jett to open it, not wanting him to open it. Why would I, if we were only bound by a contract? I walked toward the house as Jett called out my name.
“Goldie, where do you think you’re going?”
“To my room,” I replied, not turning back around.
I heard him walking toward me and my brain was telling me to keep going, but my treacherous body didn’t move.
“We’re not done here. I have something else planned for us,” he said right next to my ear, sending a chill up my body.
“I’m not in the mood for the Bourbon Room, Jett,” I lied.
“I’m not talking about the Bourbon Room.” His hands ran up my arms and he gently turned me around. His eyes were laced with insecurity as he said, “Come with me.”
Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t say no. There was no way of denying him what he wanted when he looked at me like that. His soulful eyes had a power over me that was unmistakable; he owned me.
I nodded my head as he led me up a back set of stairs that ran up the outside of the house. Once we got to the top, there was an old Crosley record player set up next to a picnic basket, a mini telescope, and an assorted mountain of blankets.
He turned to me and said, “Will you join me?”
I couldn’t help but smile as I nodded my head. “I never took you for a star gazer.”
“I’m not,” he said matter-of-factly as he helped me down onto one of the cushioned blankets. “You’d be surprised at the things people do, not thinking they’re being watched.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “You’re a peeping Tom, a Pervy McPerv-ee-son, you are a total creeper.”
He shrugged nonchalantly and said, “Guilty,” with no hint of embarrassment.
He sat down on the blanket after he turned on the music to some classic New Orleans jazz. Once he settled, he said, “This won’t do.”
“What won’t do?”
He dragged me over in front of him so I was nestled between his legs and leaned against his chest.
“Much better,” he said into my ear. “Are you cold?”
Ha! More like my pussy was on fire from the way he kept whispering seductively into my ear, but I didn’t say that. Instead, I just shook my head no.
“If you get cold, let me know. There are plenty of blankets. I don’t need my little one freezing her nipples off.”
I laughed as he grabbed the picnic basket and pulled out a bottle of wine and two glasses.
“Now listen, I have seen you drink and the effect it has on you, so I am limiting you to one glass, I don’t need you making out with any girls or speaking into your shoe, calling me vagina face.”
I whipped my head around and said, “Vagina face? What are you talking about?”
He laughed to himself and said, “Remind me to show you some security footage later.”
“Oh Jesus. Can’t wait to see how big of an ass I made of myself that night.”
“I got a good laugh out of it.”
“Glad I could entertain.” He handed me a glass and I took it, making sure to take small sips, unlike the normal gulps I was accustomed to. “So, who are we going to spy on first?”
Jett picked up his telescope and popped off the lens cover. “Let’s see if the Mastersons are up right now.” He looked straight ahead and I could feel the vibration of his chuckle against my back as he studied what was in front of us.
“What?” I asked, completely curious.
“Looks like Mr. Masterson is practicing his scarf dancing again. Damn, you are going to get a good show.”
“Ooo, let me see.”
He handed me the telescope and pointed me in the right direction. It took me a couple of seconds to focus because, once he let go of the telescope, he wrapped his arms around my body and rested his chin on my shoulder. I tried not to think about the intimate position we were in, but it was hard not to when I had his strong body wrapped around me.
“Do you see him?” he asked, as he snapped me out of my haze.
Pushing back my thoughts, I focused on what was coming through the telescope. There was a balding man, who was significantly overweight, with man-fupa and titties almost bigger than mine prancing around a classically decorated living room, flinging scarves around like a damn belly dancer.
I pulled away and said, “That is so wrong on so many levels and, frankly, it disturbs me that you watch this.”
“Just keep watching,” Jett said, as he tickled my side.
“Knock that off,” I said, as I tried to focus.
My eye caught something that kept reflecting light, but I couldn’t tell what it was.
“What is that…?”
“Keep looking,” Jett encouraged, while placing light kisses around my neck.
“If you are trying to turn me on by me watching Mr. Tubby over there make it rain with his dance moves, then you have the completely wrong idea.”
Laughing, Jett said, “Just keep watching.”
I rolled my eyes and returned to my post. I kept seeing the glimmer of something reflect off of the lights in his place, but for the life of me I couldn’t figure it out until I saw who I assumed was Mrs. Masterson walk into the room. She was also a well-fed lady with a sizeable bush that, frankly, it looked like she was proud of. I guess I would be proud of that forest too if I let it spread to the sides of my thighs.