Jesse's party was pretty much the same as all her other ones with the exception of Adam. More than once she had caught someone glaring at them or heard someone whisper about her being with Adam. She stifled a yawn, bored with the looks, the whispers and the party. She glanced at the time seeing it was only a little past midnight, yet she felt drained. That was until she looked at Adam. His very presence was enough to keep her awake.
"Adam, sweetheart, were you ready to go?" she asked having made her way to where he stood talking with a group of people.
"Any time you're ready," he replied on cue.
They said their goodbyes and she managed to find Richard to let him know she was leaving. Richard nodded and for the most part, no one seemed surprised by her departure. Adam put his hand on her shoulder, letting her lead him outside. He almost tripped over her when she suddenly stopped and looked at him rather puzzled.
"Forget something?" he asked a bit confused and somewhat concerned about her. "Where did you plan on going anyway? You live here, remember?" He waited a minute or two just watching her. "Is something wrong or has the wine finally reached your brain?"
"I'm not drunk or tipsy if that's what you mean. If you were paying any attention at all, I never retrieved my first glass of wine from the bar."
"Then what's wrong? Where were you planning on taking me?"
"I needed some air Adam!" she practically shouted before calming down. "I'm sorry, I just wanted out of there. We're going to my penthouse I just don't know which car to take. Sounds silly right!"
"Not at all, come on let's go." Adam couldn't help but notice the frustration in her voice, but had a good idea where that was coming from.
Without waiting for her reply, he took her hand and led her to the convertible she had given him the keys to. Like the gentleman he was, he opened the door for her to get in. Jesse did and waited patiently while he flipped the top down and got in himself. She closed her eyes and laid her head back against the headrest enjoying the fresh air across her face. Adam kept glancing at her and decided to take the long way back to her office.
"A good nights sleep wouldn't hurt you, you know." he finally said.
"That's exactly why we're going to my penthouse, office, whatever you want to call it. Home away from home."
"Where no one can bother you, whether I'm there or not." Adam had heard the exhaustion in her voice and was a bit disappointed. In fact, he was struggling to keep his erection from busting his zipper.
"Oh believe me Adam, it does matter..."
They drove around in silence until finally he couldn't stand it any longer.
"So was this party business or pleasure?"
"A little of both. Some of the board members were there with their wives. You would have remembered them from other parties if I had told you who they were." Jesse sat up having allowed the cool breeze to refresh her. "I want them to know that I'm not a threat, that I'm honestly interested in helping."
"But you're not sure where their loyalty is going to end up, is that it?"
"They have been very loyal to Gerald, although it probably was out of fear more so than anything else. I'm just not sure if me or my project can ease that fear. In fact I have no idea how to do that."
"What you're already doing will take care of that Jesse," he replied glancing in her direction. "You're being open, up front with them, bringing them in your home, your life, letting them be a part of this project. They'll eventually see the truth for what it is. I don't think you'll have any problem convincing them to cut the strings with Gerald."
"Damn, I really wish I would have talked to you before I started on this project. It sure would have saved me a lot of sleepless nights." Jesse cracked a smile. "So tell me, what is a man with your education and degree doing bartending?"
"Having fun, what else!!" he said all to quickly and saw Jesse was still waiting for an answer. "I have a real job if that's what you mean. You weren't around when I was hired but I'm sure you know I was hired in at a management position. I'm a business consultant and I go around to places, especially new business's and help them get set up starting with hiring the right people, getting them trained and even working with them for awhile." It wasn't all that much from the truth he thought trying to convince himself more than her.
'Well, you do have a way with people," she replied softly, again leaning her head back and gazing at the stars.
"Not all of them," he mumbled but caught the grin on her face and knew she had heard him. He wasn't sure she believed him, but apparently she was willing to accept his answer and that was enough for him. He realized this was the first time he had seen her so relaxed and sober with him. He had to admit, it was a nice change finally seeing her for herself, if in fact she was being herself. Previous experience had taught him to beware, especially with her. He glanced at her and felt himself grow stiff. Damn, he thought, if only....
When they reached the office building she showed him where her private parking spot was. She also told him that he could use one of the free spots around hers. She always had several reserved, just in case, she had told him. What a life, he kept thinking and all he really had to do was fuck her. Well, that wasn't all, but, damn, if he didn't have principals, the fun he could have.