"I have a reservation at the Bonaventure Hotel," Jennifer informed Jonathan as they drove away from the airport in LA.
"Oh no. You didn't need to do that. Hart Industries has a corporate apartment. You can stay there."
"You’ve done enough already. Your penance is paid."
Jonathan smiled. "I’m glad to hear that but really, it's already arranged. It's been cleaned, stocked with food and it even has an electric typewriter."
"Well, since you have gone through so much trouble, I can't really refuse."
"No you can't," Jonathan smiled victoriously. "Do you have plans for tomorrow?"
"No. I think I’ll just work on writing the story."
"In that case, what would you say if I invited you to the inner sanctum? Come to the office with me in the morning and you can see how I work. I’ll even let you talk to some employees... if you think it will help your story."
Jennifer eyed Jonathan suspiciously. People usually weren't so open to journalists. "It couldn't hurt."
"Great! I'll pick you up at 7:30."
"She is amazing Max, don't you think?" Jonathan asked after dropping Jennifer off.
"She quite a lady," Max agreed.
"If I weren't too involved in this computer project right now, I think I would do whatever I could to sweep her off her feet."
"Seems like you are already doing that."
"You think so?" Jonathan asked, his voice concerned yet hopeful.
"She seems to have softened to you. And it is pretty clear that you are smitten."
"That obvious, eh."
"Oh yeah."
"Max, what am I going to do?"
"You know Mr. H. I have never in the past said any thing about the women you have dated..."
"I hear a ‘but’ coming."
"But, that Jennifer Edwards, when you are around her you are different... in a good way. If you ask me, she’s the one."
"The one what?"
"You know, the one," Max said emphasizing the ‘the one’.
Jonathan looked at Max, "How can you tell."
"Can’t you tell? For one, you gush. Mr. H you have never gushed in your whole life, even as a teenager. Second, that lost look is gone when you’re with her. Third, she keeps you guessing. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that she is beautiful and smart."
"You’re right, Max." Jonathan smiled. For the first time in his life, his heart felt full. Jennifer Edwards was the missing piece. He wondered if he’d fit as well with Jennifer as she did with him.
In bed, Jonathan's mind drifted off into a dream state. Once there, he was transported to a valley of grassland and wild animals, Africa. Across the open land he could see fire. He approached it to quash it but as he neared he found it wasn't fire. It was Jennifer. Her hair was loose, the curls flying around as the hot air blew through them. Her eyes shone and sparked like cats eyes, daring him to come closer. Jonathan tentatively stepped closer and closer until he was only inches from her. He could feel the heat of her body and the smell the sweet scent of her.
"So what's it going to be?" she asked seductively moving her face so close to his he could feel the energy from her lips. Unable to contain himself, Jonathan grabbed her, pulling her into him. Hungrily he took her soft lips to his. She responded by parting her lips and encouraging him to explore the depths of her mouth. As he did, he moved his hands over her body, taking in the feel of her soft but firm flesh. He grabbed her shirt, and pulling, ripped it open, buttons flying everywhere. She moaned as he ravaged her neck and breasts with kisses. He could feel her reaching for him. She was unbuttoning his pants. She pulled the zipper down. She reached in to ....
Jonathan bolted up from bed.
"Oh wow," he said to himself heading to the bathroom to take a cold shower.
At the office, Jonathan introduced Jennifer to Deann and a few other staff, letting them know she would be tagging along. After a few minutes of watching Jonathan sort through papers on his desk, Jennifer got bored and asked if he would mind her talking with some employees.
Jennifer left his office and went directly to Deann. Nobody knew more about offices than secretaries.
"So what's it like working for Mr. Hart?" Jennifer asked her.
"You couldn't ask for a better boss."
"Oh, now really. He can't hear you. What’s it really like?"
"I am not kidding. I didn't have a college degree when I came to work here. I was just out of high school. My dad had left us long before and my mom was sick, so I really needed to work. I lied on my application which Mr. Hart figured out right away. But he said that anyone who would go through so much effort and had so much motivation and need, deserved a chance."
"So you go the job."
"The job, the education, and the medical care for my mother. All from Mr. Hart."
"Really?" A warm feeling embraced her heart.
"I am not the only one either. Because of my experience, Mr. Hart has an educational program available to all employees. He has on-site day care, medical assistance programs...I think you will be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't like working for Mr. Hart."
"I see what you mean." Jennifer thought a moment, "So why isn't a wonderful, rich man like Mr. Hart married?"
"Well, some people thought he would marry Nikki Stephanos but I knew he wouldn’t."
"Why?"
"Don't get me wrong, Nikki is great. It’s just, I don’t think the relationship had the intensity and depth that Mr. Hart wants and needs." Deann seemed to relish in some girl talk.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Mr. Hart is terribly romantic and passionate. But, with Nikki it was all fun and games. It was like an affair when they were together. I think that when Mr. Hart really finds the right woman it will be more than playfulness. There will be a passion and devotion not usually experienced." Deanne looked at Jennifer, "I really hope he finds someone, he is such a wonderful man and really deserves true love."
"You are very insightful, Deann," Jennifer remarked. "Mr. Hart is lucky to have you on his side."
"Thank you." Just then the phone rang. "Jonathan Hart's office."
Back in his office Jonathan sat down at his couch and motioned for Jennifer to do the same.
"I was hoping to take you to La Scala for lunch but it looks like I have some things I need to take care of."
"That’s fine. Really, you have been more than gracious. I thought I would work on the article this afternoon anyway. And I should probably start making plans to go back."
A panicked feeling raced through Jonathan. He wanted more time to get to know her, to convince her to open up to him. Unfortunately he couldn’t think of an excuse to keep here. "Let me know what would be good for you and I’ll have my plane take you back."
"That’s not necessary, really."
Jonathan smiled. "You don’t like to be given things do you?"
"Not if I don’t think I can return the gesture, no. I don’t like to be indebted to people."
"You don’t owe me anything. I want to do this." Jonathan took a chance and reached for her hand. He felt her flinch but she didn’t pull away.
"I would prefer to make my own flying arrangements, if you don’t mind." Jennifer’s mind was in a whirl. His hand was warm and embracing. It excited and terrified her.
"Suit your self," Jonathan responded. "Let me take you back to the apartment, so you can start on that Pulitzer article about me."
"Oh, no. I can take a cab."
"You’re going to fight me on this too?"
"You have work to do. I’ll be perfectly all right. Besides I may want to visit the famous Rodeo Drive." She began to pull her hand away as she realized that his touch was totally unnerving her. But Jonathan held on tighter, reaching with his other hand to stop her escape.
"Ah, shopping."
"Yes."
"Well, can I invite you dinner tonight? Max is an excellent cook. I know he would enjoy seeing you again."
"I guess that would be alright." Jennifer couldn’t think straight. She had to get away, the sooner the better.
"Finally, no argument!" Jonathan pulled her hand to his lips. He looked to her eyes and for a moment thought he saw terror. The thought broke his heart. Smiling he dropped her hand.
"Let me show you out." He said as he stood to escort her out.
"Deann, can you arrange for transportation for Ms. Edwards to where ever she wants to go for how ever long?"
"Yes, Mr. Hart."
"I don’t need a chauffeur." Jennifer argued.
"I’ll be by the apartment at 6 to pick you up." Jonathan said, ignoring her.
Jennifer nodded.
Jennifer decided to forego the tour and went straight to the apartment to work on the article. She thought it would be one of the easiest ones to write but she found herself using way too many adjectives. Her thoughts lingered back to the feel of his lips on her hand. She had never had the surge of energy that swept through her body like it did at his touch.
"Jennifer, stop it!" she chided herself. But, she knew it was too late. She had come to realize that not only was Jonathan indeed a great man, he was the type of man she had always hoped to find but believed she never would.
"Doesn’t matter. He is not the type of man to settle on just one woman. He was a man women had affairs with."
"An affair?" Jennifer mulled the word over in her mind. She never considered herself the type of person to have an affair. But something in Jonathan moved her deeply. She wondered what it would be like to kiss him even make love to him even for just one time.
"God, Jennifer, you are pathetic." One night with Jonathan would never be enough so better just not even go there.
"Max, we are back," Jonathan called as he entered his apartment after picking Jennifer up.
"In the kitchen, Mr. H." Just then the phone rang. "Can you get that Mr. H? I am knee deep in French Onion Soup."
"Got it. Hello?"
"Jonathan? It's Nick. Listen can you talk just a minute about this situation with Winthorp Corp and Compnet?"
"I need to take this. Do you mind?" Jonathan said to Jennifer while covering the receiver.
"Not at all." Jennifer said. Jonathan picked up the phone and carried it into a bedroom. Jennifer headed to the kitchen.
"What can I do to help Max?"
"It’s all taken care of Ms. Edwards. Would you like a glass of wine or something."
"Wine would be great. Are you sure I can’t help? I’m really not much of a cook but I make a pretty good salad."
"Well you could break up the lettuce." Max handed her a glass of white wine.
"Great." Jennifer headed to the sink to wash and pull apart the lettuce. "So Max, if you raised Jonathan, why do you call him Mr. Hart, even in private?"
"Well, I call him Mr. H. It started when he was hustling backers for Hart Industries. I would pretend to be his chauffeur, assistant, butler, whatever to make it look like he was already successful. After that, I switched from Mr. Hart to Mr. H. Its more of a nickname now I guess."
Jennifer smiled. "That’s really nice."
"You know Ms. Edwards, Mr. H. said he got off on the wrong foot with you. I hope you can see now what a good man he is."
"Yes, Max, I do see that."
"I know it’s important to him that you do."
"Really. I’d think Mr. Hart wouldn’t care what anybody thought of him."
"He’s like any other guy, sometimes he cares and sometimes he doesn’t. With you he cares."
"What are you getting at, Max?" Jennifer asked not sure if she wanted to know.
"It’s just that you have renewed an energy in him."
"Oh, Max. Aren’t you sweet, helping your boss seduce a woman. But really, I have no room in my life for romance. I travel way too much."
"Mr. H travel’s a lot."
"I’m way too independent." Jennifer knew from experience that she was way too outgoing, stubborn and opinionated to be in a lasting relationship.
"Mr. H likes independent women. Better to be a partner with someone than a crutch."
Jennifer thought how true Max’s words were. "Jonathan can have any woman in the world, all women in the world..."
"Except maybe the one he wants?" Max said looking over at Jennifer. He began to regret bringing up the subject but he loved Jonathan like a son. In all the time he’d known Jonathan, he’d never seen such a vibrancy and life to him. "Well, at least I hope you will print something nice."
"I will, Max." Jennifer said relieved to be off the hook.
Jonathan opened the swinging door to the kitchen to find Max and Jennifer preparing the dinner. For a moment, Jonathan watched Max and Jennifer chatter while cooking. At that moment, life was perfect.
"What’s going on in here?" he asked.
"Just talking," Jennifer said.
"Do you always work?" Jonathan asked.
"Who said I was working?" Jennifer said raising a glass of wine in salud.
"What we need is champagne," Jonathan said. "I hear it has quite an effect on you." Jonathan headed to a pantry where he produced a bottle of Dom Perignon.
"Very fancy," Jennifer said.
"Dinner is served," Max called carrying plates to the patio where he had set up a place for the two of them.
"Aren’t you eating with us Max?" Jennifer asked. She hadn’t considered that she’d be dining alone with Jonathan and the thought worried her.
"There’s baseball on tonight."
"You don’t eat when there is baseball on?"
"Max, invests a lot into sports. He likes to keep a close eye on his investments." Jonathan said pulling out a chair for Jennifer to sit.
"A dog and beer is all I need tonight. I’ll be in the other room if you need me."
Jennifer managed a smile but unease filled her.
She wasn’t sure how, but Jennifer managed to get through a lovely dinner with Jonathan. It wasn’t until after dinner, when Jonathan led her to the corner of the patio to show her the view of landmarks in the LA area that the panic set in.
"On a clear day, which is really never, you can see the ocean from here."
"It’s quite a view. Very different from New York." Jonathan watched Jennifer as she took in the view.
"You are staring," she said when she caught him.
"I was wondering why no man has won your heart."
"Ah yes." Jennifer turned back to look at the view. "I think men are attracted to my free spiritedness but then when they can’t tame me it falls apart."
"Why would anyone want to tame you? You are amazing the way you are. If I..." Jonathan, for the first time, didn’t know what to say to her that wouldn’t sound like a pick-up line. He was definitely in new territory. And while it terrified him it also excited him. He thrived on challenges but he was uncertain how to proceed.
Jennifer looked back at Jonathan curious as to what he would say. This time he turned to look out over the view. Sensing she was waiting for him to finish, he turned back to her. Their eyes locked conveying all the desire they each had for each other. Jonathan put his hands on her arms and pulled her close. He bent his head down close to her lips. He watched as Jennifer’s eyes fluttered closed in anticipation. He moved closer, their lips just millimeters apart. Just as in his dream, Jonathan could feel the energy radiating between their lips and bodies.
"I can’t do this," Jennifer said pulling away from him.
Jonathan waited and watched for a minute, not quite sure what spooked her. "Why not?" he finally asked.
Jennifer took a deep breath and stepped away from him. For some reason his closeness always made her cease breathing and thinking. "I am not interested in being a notch on your bedpost."
The remark stabbed Jonathan and he physically shuddered. "How is it that I can be a recluse and a Casanova at the same time? What gave you the idea that I was such a Don Juan in the first place?"
"Look at you!"
"What?" Jonathan said totally confused.
"You have looks and charm and money. And they’re nice but I have never been someone’s one night stand and I won’t start now."
"You think that is why I brought you here? To prove to you that I can win any and all women especially the chaste and principled Jennifer Edwards?" Jonathan tried to show amusement in Jennifer’s opinion of him but actually, he was hurt by it. "If that is the case, why did you come? To prove you could resist me?"
"I am not chaste. And I came her because....well...." Jennifer felt trapped. She didn’t want to admit to him that she felt like putty whenever he was around. That she was powerless to resist him. That she desperately wanted him to hold her, kiss her, make love to her.
"Yes, I am waiting." Jonathan shoved his hands in his pockets.
"I’ll admit I find you....."
"Yes...."
"Interesting," Jennifer said lifting her chin in defiance. "But I don’t know you, I only know what you want me to know. I don’t give myself on whim, Jonathan. You are a deeper person that you let on. If I knew you better then maybe...." Jennifer snapped her mouth shut as she realized she was about say.
"What? Finish your statement."
"It doesn’t matter."
This time it was Jonathan who took a deep breath. "I didn’t realize you thought so little of me... at least still." A twinge of guilt sprang up in Jennifer. "I didn’t bring you here to sleep with you although I’d be a liar if I said I hadn’t thought of it. I am being as genuine as I know how to be. And maybe its not enough but I am entering new territory here with you."
"New territory?" Jennifer scoffed. "How many women have you been with? 50, 100?"
"I didn’t sleep with every woman I took somewhere! In fact," Jonathan’s voice rose, "I didn’t sleep with most of them. You know I have had long term relationships with women. I’m not the womanizer you make me out to be."
"So you want a relationship with me?" Jennifer said sarcastically.
Jonathan gazed at her. That was exactly what he wanted but he couldn’t get the words out to tell her.
She raised her eyebrows. "Well?"
Jonathan licked his lips. His heart ached for her so why couldn’t he say it. He began to think back on the other relationships, the important ones anyway, with Irene, and Nikki. He had never told them he loved them, although at the time he thought he did.
"That is what I want." Jennifer poked a finger into Jonathan’s chest. "When you can tell me what is going on in there, then we can talk about this." She said gesturing with her hand between the two of them.
He took Jennifer’s hand. A devastating smile spread across his face. "You’re beautiful when you’re mad."
"What?" Jennifer was taken off guard.
"I only wanted a kiss." His voice was soft, caressing. He pressed his lips to her hand sending a raging fire through her body. He was so close she could smell his sexy, manly scent. Her heart filled until she thought it would explode. "Only a kiss. Tell me you don’t want it too." He moved closer to her.
Jennifer cleared her throat. "I don’t want it." Her voice cracked.
Jonathan smiled and moved closer, his lips only a whisper away from hers. "Say it like you mean it."
Jennifer could feel the heat from him, she could practically taste the champagne on his lips. Her senses overwhelmed her, confused her, thrilled her.
Jonathan watched Jennifer carefully trying to determine the extent of her resolve. If he went ahead and kissed her, she might slap him. On the other hand, the look on her face wasn’t defiance or anger. In fact, it seemed like she was waiting for him to kiss her. What to do? Tell her. He should tell her.... what? He wasn’t sure what he felt. Was it love? After only 2 days? He knew he thought about her all the time. He knew there was desperation in his desire and it wasn’t just lustful desire. When she was near he felt whole. It was the first and only time he ever felt like a complete person.
"Jennifer." His whisper was like a caress. She gasped as the sound of his husky voice saying her name caused all hope of resistance to slip away until all that was left was longing.
"What the hell." She whispered back. Putting her arms around his neck she pulled his lips to hers.
Her lips were sweeter and more luscious than he’d imagined and he felt himself wanting more. He pulled her closer and pressed his lips harder wanting to take all that she could give him. His kiss was forceful, seeking, demanding her response.
Jennifer felt herself melt into him and then her own desire surged. She met his kiss with the same hunger and intensity. When she parted her lips, he plundered her mouth, his tongue fiercely exploring the warm, sweetness of her. He felt a surge of emotion like none other before.
"That wasn’t so bad was it?" he asked as he slowly pulled away.
Jennifer stood stunned as she tried to re-orient herself to the world. "No, not bad at all."
"But not nearly enough…?"
"Not enough," Jennifer, still in a daze, agreed as Jonathan took her mouth to his again.
