Jason woke with the help of his alarm. He wasn't sure he was even going to wake up in the morning, having fallen asleep so late while replaying the boldness of the kiss in his mind.
Alicia had consumed his thoughts the entire night. He remembered the intoxicating mix of her hesitation and her surprising passion.
If he hadn't maintained his discipline and left her place, he knew he would have woken up in her bed. But he had to maintain control and respect the boundaries of their seven-day trial.
He didn't want the Security CEO's reputation for ruthlessness to taint this delicate courtship.
*****
"Rise and shine!" Alicia's dream of the previous night's encounter had to come to an end. She felt water—cold water—dripping down her back to her butt.
"Kristen, how could you?" She quickly sprang to her feet on her queen-size bed. She threw an angry look at Kristen, who stood there with a jar of water in her hand.
"You were dreaming of him, weren't you?" Kristen asked, an encouraging smile creeping onto her face.
"Come here," Kristen placed the jar on the centre table and stretched her hand toward her best friend. Alicia took it and followed her to the bathroom.
She looked at herself in her bathroom mirror, her anger fading into genuine happiness. Kristen stood behind her with her hands on her shoulders.
"Do you like him?" That was the first, direct question Kristen asked.
Alicia nodded her head, a silent admission that broke years of emotional discipline.
Kristen removed strands of hair from the back of Alicia's ears. "Get ready and come down," she told her.
.
.
.
Alicia came down after taking all the time she needed to get ready. She had a long-sleeved yellow dress on, signalling a brighter, more open mood.
"Finally, somebody decided to come down," Lucy—the 'Mummy' in this scenario—said, her tone feigning anger.
"I was taking my time," Alicia retorted, unapologetically.
"You sure did," Lucy welcomed her friend with a smile.
They served her breakfast, although it was passed the traditional breakfast time.
"What are you guys doing here?" Alicia asked after finishing the full bowl of oat cereal.
"How ungrateful," Kristen hissed dramatically, before settling down. She later joined them on the long couch.
"What's for day three?" Kristen asked, knowing arguing with Alicia about her ungratefulness would lead them nowhere.
"Alicia, have you two kissed?" Lucy—the 'Mummy'—asked again, getting straight to the crucial detail.
"I trust Alicia, she won't just jump into a guy she just met's arms," Lucy praised her, trying to maintain her composure.
"Actually yes, last night," Alicia revealed.
Lucy's face turned sour with surprise, and Kristen's jaw dropped. They both turned to face her.
"What?"
"How was it?"
"No,"
"Did you like it?"
"Why?"
"How long was it?"
Lucy and Kristen asked question after question, bombarding her with excited curiosity.
"In all, yeah, I liked it," Alicia finally summarised, blushing faintly.
Kristen threw herself onto Alicia, screaming with delight. Lucy sat there with widened eyes before pulling Kristen into a hug.
"Just be careful, okay," Lucy kissed her friend's forehead, her protective instincts overriding her excitement.
.
.
Alicia couldn't wait any longer after Jay sent her his address and told her he would be picking her up. She had called him for it right after Lucy and Kristen had left, telling her they were off to a party.
Jason went to get the door. He wasn't expecting anyone yet, as it was a little early.
Alicia stood there in her yellow-sleeved dress, waving at him.
He waved back at her.
Alicia had wanted to surprise him, but the sight she was seeing had startled her instead.
Jay had only a pair of brown shorts on, and sweat was all over his chest.
Oh, oh, dripping down into the shorts. She couldn't stop staring at that hot chest, down to his muscular core.
"Should I go and return later or..." she trailed off, trying to regain her professional composure.
"Come on in," he finally said, smiling at her obvious distraction.
Although Alicia had seen countless sculpted bodies in her military training, she couldn't take her eyes off his.
"I was doing a little workout," he explained.
He led her to the drink area and poured a glass of red wine for her.
"Please don't think of the other way..." Jason quickly started, misinterpreting her stare.
Alicia started to shake her head, cutting him off.
"Sorry, I didn't ask first? Do you... Do you even drink wine?" Jason asked.
"Yeah, but not often, occasionally," she confessed.
"Please feel free, I will go and freshen up a bit," he said and left, giving her some space.
Alicia left the drink to walk around the apartment. She found herself standing between his security memorabilia and staff photos. The place looked like a champion's home, filled with warmth.
He had his family photos all spank up the walls with his friends in between them. She touched one of the family photos, feeling a pang of longing.
She wished she had some at her place. The ones there were only her best friends and her.
Nothing of her childhood or her master.
The kitchen was very cozy. The cupboards were painted blue, matching with almost the couch in the living room. She returned to the counter for the drink and also not to stir up any evil thoughts about the man upstairs.
.
.
.
Jason was quite quick. He returned wearing a casual polo shirt and light slacks. He pulled a long wooden stool for her at the counter. He pulled another one for himself and sat beside her, a few feet away, respecting her space.
Jason poured a glass of red wine for himself.
"Do you mostly drink? You don't look like a fan of drinks," Alicia observed, noting the professional CEO vibe.
"Same as yours. Occasionally, sometimes too am forced to," he admitted, swirling the wine in his glass.
"By Chris," she guessed immediately. She began to laugh, knowing Lucy and Kristen usually force her to do the same.
"I think our friends are really alike," Jason said, amused.
"They didn't tell you. Kristen is seeing Jake," Jason revealed the detail Chris had told him.
"That girl, I'm gonna kill her," Alicia said, feigning extreme anger at Kristen's secrecy.
They sipped their drinks at the same time. Jason lowered his head onto the Irish counter, leaning toward her. He stared directly at her.
"What?" Alicia felt her cheeks hot. She quickly looked away.
"You look beautiful," he whispered.
She buried her face in her palms. The corners of her lips lit up with a shy smile.
She felt really uncomfortable with the direct praise. She got down and pushed the long wooden stool aside. She could only tap her fingers on the counter, a nervous tic.
Jason got up and did what she had done earlier. He closed the gap between them as he hugged her shoulders.
"Am I a monster?" He whispered into her left ear, referencing her earlier awkwardness.
Alicia felt ticklish over there.
He moved behind her, hugging her over her. His hands crossed on her lower abdomen. He lowered his head onto her shoulder. Although she was tall, he was taller.
"Alicia don't be. I want you to be yourself. We're both getting to know each other," he reassured her.
She agreed with him, silently. Alicia's hands moved to Jason's sides.
Jason stared at her long neck and was tempted. Pulling strands of hair behind her ear, he breathed in her scent.
She crooked her head to the other side, giving him a perfect view. A tingling sensation spread through her when Jason's nose was replaced with his lips.
He dropped kisses all over her nape. His hands could no longer stay where they were.
They traced her height starting from her legs. He sure had long hands.
Alicia moved her right hand upwards. She stopped when it reached his hair. She began massaging it there.
They both stopped when Jason's hands, tracing her form, brushed against something hard and unfamiliar on her hip.
"What is that?" Jason asked, his hands freezing instantly.