Several hours later, they sat on the couch looking over the papers she had first showed him. She wanted him to understand the project and her goals fully. She also was very open to suggestions and any ideas for improvement. Adam astounded her, easily understanding her diagrams, figures and costs. She was impressed how well he easily he comprehended everything she was showing him and found herself relaxing and opening up more and more with him.
Adam on the other hand was utterly perplexed by her and decided it had a lot to do with her looks and the way she had acted up until now. He was having a hard time believing anyone her age could put this all together. She might have the money, but this project took time and experience and every time he took a quick glance at her, what he saw just didn't fit with what she was planning. He finally had to force himself not to think on those lines and just actually enjoy working on something worth while with someone he was growing to care for. He also reminded himself that he needed to get a hold of his boss as soon as he had a chance.
"I know there's a lot of work here," she said practically reading his mind, "but I think it can be done within a year. That is if we find the right people for the job."
"And that's one of the hardest things to do," he hadn't looked at her until after he made the comment or he would have seen her smirk.
"Yes, it probably will be, after all, look how long it took me to find the right person for my bodyguard, bouncer and babysitter job." She could only hold a straight face for a minute before laughing. "I'm sorry Adam, I couldn't help myself, you just made it so easy."
"Obviously, but how do you know I'm the right one anyway? Huh, have an answer for that miss smarty pants?"
He all but tackled her, letting the papers fly into the air when the two of them collided and landed on the floor. He had only intended to tickle her a bit, but now he was finding it hard to get a grip even on her arm. Her squirming and giggling had her moving all over. He finally got hold of her ankle and held her while he regained his composure sitting back on the couch.
"Hey, that's not fair, you're stronger than I am," she finally said trying to catch her breath. She managed to sit up, but remained on the floor shaking her ankle trying to free it from his grasp.
"Exactly my point," Adam stated, grinning, lucky to have gotten this opportunity. He could almost see the thoughts spinning above her head and for a few moments, thought he was about to be canned.
"If Gerald or anyone gets a hold of me, yes I'm an easy target, but aren't we all in some way or another? Besides, what makes you think I'm going to get close enough for him to actually touch me?" She kept looking back and forth between her foot and him, completely disregarding his meaning. "Besides, isn't that why I have you?" she laughed until he finally released her. Jesse picked herself back up with a little help from his extended hand and planted her butt back on the couch. "If you spend as much time and energy on my project as you spend on trying to show me how compromised I might be by Gerald, then you are the right man for the job." She waited for his response but only got a dark stare from him. "And just to refresh your memory, you once told me you weren't as serious as Mark. Have you changed that cause it sure...."
"Hush!" he stated before kissing her long and hard.
Neither had heard the a door open but when their kiss broke, they were both startled by Marks presence. He was in his shorts, a towel over his shoulder with his arms folded in front of them. Seeing the expression on his face and the way he shook his head back and forth had them both laughing.
"Guess I don't have to ask if I'm interrupting. So much for continuing the party! Maybe you should have said private party on Sunday." Mark started to turn to leave when she quickly was up and at his side.
"Oh come on Mark, we were only having a little fun. And you really are way too serious sometimes." she said knowing they had hurt his feelings, then suddenly wondered how he had gotten in. "Wasn't someone at the front door letting you know to go to Richards house until this evening?"
"I'm use to those tricks, I came around back. And look, you're patio door is wide open. I bet you're electric bill is high." He was beaming.
"So, that doesn't give you the right to just walk in here," she quickly lashed back, her mood having changed rapidly.
"She has you there Mark," Adam said, getting up to collect all the papers on the floor, easing the tension that was building in the room. Something about Mark's attitude had him on edge. He wasn't sure it was the lack of disrespect for her privacy Mark showed or for the simple fact he had gotten over on her.
"Come on," Mark said, now looking at them innocently. "A weekend party, like the other ones, wasn't that the invitation?"
"Sorry guy," Adam said quickly before Jesse could respond. "She needed some rest and we needed some uh privacy, you know what I mean." He dropped the folder of papers on the table and put his arm around her. Jesse was glowing, actually enjoying how Adam had took control.
"Sorry, I should have known. I'll just be on my way, maybe find me a naked woman," he chuckled, but stopped at the front entrance. "Oh, in case I don't see you later, I won't be around for a few days, I leave late tonight. And Adam, Talley will be at the house with her new found friend, you just might plan on staying here awhile." He left not waiting for a response.
"Thanks, I just might do that," Adam called after him. He waited until he was sure Mark was gone before he approached Jesse. "How well do you know Mark?"
