Jennifer showed Jonathan through the offices, introducing him to key employees and giving him a general idea of how the foundation was run. She felt good about the tour. As long as she was focused on talking about the foundation, she was able avoid the annoying prickly sensations that ran over her skin when he looked at her.
"So, what do you think so far?" She asked when they returned to her office.
"I think you found your niche, Jennifer." He stood in front of her with his hands safely in his pocket.
Jennifer flinched. "Thank you." She went to sit behind her desk.
Jonathan noticed a frown or annoyance in her. "Did I say something wrong?"
Jennifer looked up from her desk. "No not at all."
Jonathan frowned. "I just meant that you run a very fine foundation here."
"I know what you meant. And thank you."
Jonathan couldn’t help but think something was wrong but let it go. "So what is next on the agenda?"
"The rest of the afternoon I have meetings with the hotel and caterers regarding the benefit on Friday. Certainly not something you want to waste your time with. I do have a meeting scheduled tomorrow to take a look at some of the grant proposals for the spring if you’d like to sit in and see how we dole out the money."
"Okay." Jonathan turned to go. "How about lunch?"
"What?"
"You need to eat. How about lunch, my treat."
Jennifer fought off the feelings of something clandestine happening. It was her job to get Jonathan Hart on the board and if he wanted lunch with her, she’d go. "Okay. Let me get my purse."
Jonathan watched as she got her purse and coat. It was only lunch he told himself. So why couldn’t he shake the feeling that it was wrong?
"So how did you get involved in philanthropy?" Jonathan asked hoping to learn what had caused a shadow to cross over Jennifer’s otherwise lively eyes when he’d suggested she was suited to it. They were at a small café waiting for their order of sandwiches.
"By marriage." She responded.
"Yes, Alexander Chancellor. You weren’t involved before?"
"Not in running a charity no although I used to help bring awareness to important causes."
"How’s that?"
Jennifer looked at Jonathan. What was he after? Did he interview everyone like this? "I was… am," she corrected herself. "A writer."
"Really?" Now he was intrigued. "What do you write."
"Not much anymore. The foundation has taken most of my time."
"So what did you write?"
"This and that. Whatever interested me at the moment."
"Sounds fascinating."
"Yes," Jennifer felt her bravado rising. "I once had this interesting lead on a story in London, something to do with Jonathan Hart and Kingsford motors."
Jonathan’s eye brows shot up in surprise. "That was over ten years ago."
"Yes. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the interview." Jennifer took a sip of her drink.
"Jennifer Chancellor." He mulled the name over in his mind.
"I wasn’t married then. It was Edwards. Jennifer Edwards."
"Of course." An amused smile spread over his face. "You were tenacious."
"Not nearly enough." She could feel frustration building as if it happened yesterday.
"You are not at all what we expected." Jonathan said easily.
"We?"
"Max and I. We though you were some old reporter broad." He smiled again at the thought of it. "Good old Max." He lifted his drink and sipped.
"Who’s Max?" Jennifer asked ignoring his comment.
"Max? Max found me as a teenager. He saved my life. We were never apart until he died a few years ago."
"Oh, I’m sorry."
"Yeah, they don’t make ‘em like Max anymore." He looked up at her. "I can give you that interview now if you like."
She smiled sarcastically. "Somehow I think its old news."
"I guess so." Jonathan found himself lost in her eyes again. Regret nipped at him, regret that he hadn’t returned Jennifer Edwards’ call.
"Is your wife in town with you? Will you be taking in the sights of New York during Christmas?" Jennifer asked once they were back at her office.
"She’ll be here for the benefit. She had work to do back in Los Angeles. So I guess I’m on my own to learn about New York." Of course he knew some about New York. He had an office there.
"I would be happy to show you the sites." Jennifer said surprised at her invitation considering how Jonathan made her insides quake. Well, he is here by himself and it is her job to be sure he joins the board.
"That sounds like fun. When should I pick you up?"
"Ah, I will be here until about 6."
"I’ll be by at 6. Thank you Jennifer." Jonathan left her office with a nagging feeling that he’d be better off not to spend so much time with her. Jonathan didn’t like feeling unsettled. As he rode the elevator down, he pondered what exactly he was feeling. He was happily married to a smart, attractive woman. And while he always appreciated other good-looking women, there was something more than just beauty drawing him to Jennifer. The eyes. Deep inside them there was fire waiting to ignite and burn brightly, out of control. Well, he’d let her show him the sites of New York and be sure to keep everything professional.
"Do you ice skate?" Jennifer asked after they’d seen the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Square.
"Not on purpose." Jonathan replied.
"Oh come on. It will be fun. Think of it as an adventure. You look like a man who could use a little adventure."
Jonathan turned towards her. Could she really see that in him? Of course, he thought the same of her. "Okay, I’m up for a little adventure."
They rented skates and headed to the ice. Jonathan wasn’t a complete novice at ice-skating but he definitely was not at ease. Jennifer on the other hand moved along the ice with the grace and skill of a dancer. Jonathan watched her as she slid along obviously taking in the sensation of the cold and wind in her face. She did a little spin and turned back to him. Her face was flush, her eyes twinkled. Jonathan felt like he was hit in the head with a two-by-four; she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
"You alright there Jonathan? You’re looking a little unstable."
Jonathan cleared is throat. "I’m smoother off the ice than on."
"Yes." Jennifer said mostly to herself. She watched as Jonathan carefully moved towards her. Despite his lack of grace, he still seemed smooth and very sexy. Jennifer frowned. How could this be happening? She was happily married to a handsome, kind man. She shouldn’t be thinking of another man in terms of ‘sexy’. She definitely would have to avoid him except on a professional level.
"Now you’re the one looking a little unstable." Jonathan said as he caught up to her.
"Just don’t want to lose my newest board member."
Jonathan smiled, a wide, sexy smile. "You are good."
If only I could show you just how good, she thought and then chastised herself for her lustful thoughts.
Jonathan lay back in bed as his discomfort was replaced by guilt. While he would never act on his attraction to Jennifer, he still felt he was betraying Catherine just for feeling the desire. He would have never thought it possible for his mind and body to respond so strongly to someone, someone he didn’t even know. While he’d felt immediate attraction towards other women before, it was never with the force or intensity he felt with Jennifer. He rubbed his hands over his eyes. He had friends and acquaintances that had left their wives for other women claiming to have fallen for someone else. Jonathan always thought they were weak cowards, not making a strong enough commitment to their wives. Now he wondered. Is it possible to love two women? Jonathan shook his head violently. Don’t go there Jonathan. But that was it. The problem with Jennifer wasn’t that she was beautiful and fiery, the problem was that he could love her. It won’t happen. He’d let things get complacent with Catherine. Well, he’d do something about that. He’d bring the life back to their marriage.
He headed to the phone and called home. "How’s my beautiful wife?"
"Jonathan? Are you okay? You don’t sound well."
"I’m fine. I guess I miss you. I feel bad about this morning."
"Oh, honey. So do I. In fact, I was able to get two weeks in January. And, I was going to surprise you but I went ahead and made reservations in Hawaii."
"That sounds great." Relief spread through Jonathan. Yes, he would be all right. "I can’t wait. When are you arriving on Friday?"
"It will be mid-afternoon sometime. I figured you’d be busy so I reserved a driver to take me to your hotel."
"I love you Cat."
"I love you too."
Jonathan lay back in bed feeling much better. He had just been feeling a little detached from Catherine that is why Jennifer got to him. But it was all right now. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
He was on a tropical beach, Hawaii. The beach was a paradise; palm trees and colorful exotic flowers surrounded the parameter. The sand was white and soft and fine as silk. The water was a clear blue as it moved in and out gently from the shore. Jonathan looked up and down the beach. Deserted. No one there except… ah there she is. The long graceful legs peaked out from under a beach umbrella. He walked towards her, the heat and humidity and the promise of something hot made his skin damp.
"I finally found you," he said as he reached her.
"I’d been wondering when you’d get here."
His eyes wandered up the long legs, over the smooth stomach, around the full breasts to the luscious lips. Lying beside her he pressed his lips to hers. She tasted of strawberries and champagne and he wanted more. She moaned under him as he pressed his lips harder devouring its sweetness.
Her hands slid up his back, under his shirt. They were soft yet demanding as they pulled and scratched. Flames threatened to consume him. He snapped as all control left. His hands roamed everywhere, grabbing, squeezing, and pinching. She writhed beneath him, spurring his assault. He ripped the bikini top from her, let her breasts fall in to his waiting mouth. He sucked, nipped, bit. He felt her grab him as the first wave of ecstasy overtook her. She was calling his name. Begging him to take her higher, faster, harder. He tore her bikini briefs to shreds. Spreading her legs, she pleaded for him to fill her. He settled between her legs and readied himself to enter her. As he began to press himself into her, he looked deeply into her eyes.
"Jennifer," he whispered. Jonathan bolted up from bed. Oh God! He flopped back down. What was happening?
Jonathan sat at the table with Jennifer and several other staff as they went through grant proposals. He forced himself not to look at her and focused on the documents.
"This school prevention program sounds good," Jennifer said as she flipped through the materials.
"Except they are asking us to fund 75% of the program. We don’t usually do that much," Tracy Alexanders reminded Jennifer.
"Yes but they seem to have few resources. Look here, it’s in Cloverdale California about two hours north of San Francisco. Jonathan do you know anything about his area?"
Jonathan looked up. "Its very rural. I imagine most people need to drive to Santa Rosa for resources."
"How far is that?" Jim Schneider asked.
"Probably 45 minutes."
"It looks like they have made some attempts at fundraising," Jennifer added. "But with only 3000 people in the town it’s got to be hard."
"It says here they have a lot of migrant children in the fall." Susan James added.
"I think we should consider it. Add another $1500 to have Dotty Maddix do her fundraising training with them. That way next year they’ll be able to ask for less." Everyone nodded to Jennifer’s suggestion. Jonathan couldn’t help but admire her dedication to help and yet still provide resources so that she wouldn’t have to help so much in the future.
"How about this one," Susan asked. "It’s a private adoption agency seeking funds for its special needs program."
"What is ‘special needs’?" Jim asked.
"Kids who are over four, of minority race, with siblings or with some sort of disability." Jonathan explained.
Jennifer lifted a brow. "You are an expert in adoption?"
"In being an orphan." He smiled. "Adoption is an important part of my philanthropy."
"I imagine. Well, let see this program is asking for moneys that will allow them to network better with other agencies in the matching and placing of children." Jennifer said going through the grant.
"It looks like a one time request." Tracey said going over the money figures.
"The network allows children and families to be matched anywhere in the country. For a long time, agencies were limited to finding homes for kids in their area or even the state. Now, kids have more opportunities to find a permanent home." Jonathan shared.
"I like the sound of that." Jennifer said. Everyone agreed. The meeting continued as they weeded out definite no’s and set aside the possibilities until the close date of the grant period. When the meeting ended, everyone filed out of the room except Jennifer who refilled the grants. She snuck a peak at Jonathan out of the corner of her eye. He seemed bothered and distant.
"You alright Jonathan? You seem a little out of sorts."
He looked up at her. "Bad night." He responded as the image of her naked and writhing beneath him came to mind.
"I guess for some people, it’s hard to sleep any where but in your own bed."
"For some, but not you?"
"No. I love it. I love traveling especially to exotic places. One of the best nights I ever spent was on safari in Africa."
Oh, God, she was doing it again. Being alluring, fascinating, exciting. "Africa?"
"Yes. Unfortunately I don’t get to travel much anymore."
"Your husband travels doesn’t he?"
"Yes, in fact he’s in Europe right now. But the foundation keeps me here." Jonathan could hear the disappointment with a tinge of resentment in her voice.
"My wife’s work keeps her pretty busy too." Jonathan said. Although he realized the situations were completely different. Catherine liked her work, preferred it to travel. Jennifer on the other hand, she would quit in a minute to go on an adventure.
"Yes, well at least my father isn’t far from here. I visit whenever I can and horseback ride. "
"You horseback ride?"
"Yes I love it. All that power between your legs," Jennifer’s brows lifted at the connotation. Jonathan laughed. "Ah, there we go, Jonathan. I though perhaps I lost you to the boring world of corporate life."
"I guess I can count on you to keep life interesting."
"How about you? Do you horseback ride."
"Not really but I would love to. I was thinking of buying a ranch but our lives are really too busy."
Jennifer nodded. She sat near him as a serious look came over her face. "Do you ever wonder if you’re living the life you were meant to?"
Her perfume swirled its way into Jonathan’s mind making it difficult to think. He looked at her. Her eyes were dark but her lips… oh yes; they looked like they would taste of strawberries and champagne.
Jennifer sensed that maybe she had asked something too personal. "I’m sorry, I’m being too…."
"No." Jonathan reached out and touched her hand. "The answer is yes, lately I have wondered if I’m living the life I was supposed to live." Jennifer’s eyes went wide at his touch. The heat from his hand was searing, sending flames through her body, to her core.
Jonathan pulled his hand away as the touch felt much too intimate, much too … right. He ran his fingers through his hair and stood up. "I was always a man who believed I made my own destiny but I wonder if somewhere I made a wrong a choice…."
"Yes." Jennifer stood, thrilled that he seemed to understand. "I wonder though if there really is a ‘perfect’ life. Not perfect but satisfying. Alexander always complains that I’m never content. I always want more, different, new."
"You shouldn’t change that." Jonathan stood away from Jennifer with his hands in his pockets. If he were closer, if his hands were free, he might just take her in his arms and taste those tantalizing lips.
Jennifer looked up at him. His eyes seemed cloudy, dark, brooding. It made him look dangerous and Jennifer liked danger. "I’m sorry for going on like that. It really is unprofessional of me." Why did I go on like that? She thought. How is it that he is so easy to talk to?
"You shouldn’t ever apologize for your feelings."
"I’m not apologizing for feeling them. I’m apologizing for subjecting you to them."
"I didn’t mind being subjected to." Jonathan knew he needed to leave because the desire was just too overwhelming. In fact, he should pack the whole thing in and go home, to his wife. Catherine. God what is going on?
Jennifer watched Jonathan and wondered if he was reeling from heat in the room as she was. This is bad. She thought to herself. It just wasn’t right to lust … no it wasn’t just lust it was something more. She realized at that moment she could love him. But still, it wasn’t right. How could it be possible to have such intense feelings with a man she didn’t know? She wanted to run from the room before she did something foolish like throw herself at him. Still, she couldn’t be rude.
"I appreciate that." Jennifer got up and took his hand in a friendly gesture. "You’re a good man Jonathan Hart."
Jonathan’s heart thundered against his chest. He was certain she could see it through his shirt. His hand slowly raised as if to cup her face. What are you doing? A voice screamed at him. He dropped her hand. "You aren’t so bad yourself, Jennifer Chancellor."
