by C R Riley
Boldly, she questioned when he planned on making his move. Laughed at his reaction to her boldness. Then she laid her hand on his arm when he shut his eyes. He looked so taken back by her she couldn't help but touch him.
The instant she had done so, she realized her mistake. Felt him flinch. Then watched as he stared at her hand as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. She was even more shocked when he snagged her hand in his and dragged her down to the dance floor. The man was on a mission and practically mowed over anyone in his way. The entire way she was apologizing to those he all but shoved out of his path.
And then to realize he had never danced before.
Wow.
What must it be like to have a condition that kept you from doing the simplest of pleasures? It didn't take her long to grasp that it wasn't so much the crowd that bothered him, but the closeness of them.
Claustrophobic is what he had claimed was his issue upstairs. However, she wasn't so certain that was the case anymore. Perhaps he lived with some from that as well, but it was graver than that.
Haphephobia is what she believed he suffered from, an extreme case of it too. She's dealt with individuals like that before. Most of them had other disorders that brought it on. Such as autism or a mental illness, even medication sometimes affected how touch felt. None of those seemed to be issues Jaxon endured. Making her wonder if he'd ever tell her the real reason, or if he even knew himself.
Whatever the case may be, it seemed like she somehow didn't affect him like everyone else when she touched him. Not only did that surprise her, but him as well. It was as if once he appreciated that someone could touch him—her—he didn't want it to stop. He took it all in, cherished each embrace in such a way that made Johannah feel honored and special.
Because Jaxon was so fascinated by how her touch felt to him, she never got the chance to explain how he affected her. And it had affected her. Warmed her up from the inside out and even had her stomach full of butterflies. Had her wishing she didn't have such strict rules about dating. Rules she followed, so she didn't get caught up in a new relationship.
She never kissed a man on the first date, and what Jaxon and she had been doing wasn't even a date. So why she had thought about kissing him was surprising to her. She certainly didn't let a man she met in a club kiss her. And she rarely did what she had allowed him to do. She liked to keep a safe distance normally, but everything was different last night.
Johannah had allowed Jaxon to touch her as much as he dared to. It wasn't inappropriate. It wasn't something she let occur since she hardly knew the men she met at those types of places. Allowing a man to hold her hand, like he had done the rest of the night, was a rarity for her. Except something about him holding her hand had felt oddly right. Like he was meant to hold her hand like that.
A knock on the bathroom door reminds her she is supposed to be getting ready for the day. "Room service just brought up food."
"Okay. I'll be out in five." Johannah thought they were going to have breakfast in the restaurant downstairs. Maybe after Paige woke up Kendra, that plan changed.
When Johannah steps out into the room, she finds the two of them gather around the small table. Kendra always gets her room for reasons Johannah doesn't like to think about. She claims it's because she was an only child and hates sharing a room with anyone. Snoring from other people kept her up at night.
But they both know while that may be true it so she can do as she pleases. If she meets someone she'd like to entertain, then she wants to have the freedom to do so. It doesn't normally happen when they are on vacation together, but it has. Kendra doesn't do one-night stands because they mess her up later, but she's had her share when the impulse strikes.
Johannah approaches and is surprised by the amount of food she finds. "Hungry?"
Both women's expressions tell her she’s asked the right question. Of course, Kendra is the one who offers her an explanation. "Well, apparently, your boy toy didn't know what we liked, so he wanted to cover his bases. Here, this came with breakfast. And since it's sealed, we didn't get the chance to read it."
Johannah takes the sealed envelope from her as she plops down in one of the chairs. "First of all, he is not my boy toy."
"Well, he is certainly interested in something. I'd have implied you were a good lay, except we all know that didn't happen. Not only because you aren't that kind of girl. He wasn't even sure how to tell you goodbye last night when we went our separate ways." Kendra gestures for her to open the note.
That had been an awkward moment last night once the bar had closed. Johannah and her friends had worn themselves out. Her feet ached, and she couldn't hold back the yawn that overtook her around three this morning. Paige looked just as tired and acted as if she was about to pass out. Luckily, they only had to take an elevator ride up to the fifth floor.
The guys, however, were staying off property. They had a bungalow a few miles down the road. Since the hotel had been booked solid when they planned the trip, it was the best they could do. Apparently, Jaxon and Austin bought the resort a few months ago and were here for the week to check it out.
So, because they were going in two different directions, they had a more formal goodbye. Austin had dragged Paige off for a private sendoff. Geoff and Kendra's farewell was not so private. It had surprised Jaxon and her they were departing at all. Both had expected them to make some excuse and then do their thing.
And while the other couples had done all that, Jaxon observed them. Probably like he had done so many times before when he was out with his friends. When he took some time to regard Johannah, his grip on her hand had tightened. He never said a word to her, just stared into her eyes, and held that gaze long after he released her hand.
Once her friends were ready, they tugged on her other arm to get her feet moving. Their eyes never broke contact until the elevator door forced them to by closing.
Johannah jiggles her head as she opens the envelope. Inside is a handwritten note and three keys. She drops the keys on the table, not sure she wants to know what that is all about, and starts reading.
Dear Johannah,
I am still experiencing your touch from last night. Everything inside me feels alive this morning. It has been so long since I have felt like this. Honestly, I'm not sure I have ever felt like this. The guys think you put some kind of curse on me. I am not so sure about that. I believe you lifted one from me.
Austin told me that the three of you would be staying at the resort for the entire week. I'd like to offer you all better rooms. Okay, maybe not a room. It's more of a secluded place away from the craziness surrounding the hotel right now. It has a private beach and is fully stocked. I know it seems like a lot to offer since we have just met, but really, it's not. The place is sitting vacant and might as well get some use. At least check it out before you turn it down.
Johannah, I want to get to know you. I can't do that around the hotel in the way I'd like. I'm a private man, and there are too many eyes there to keep things between us private. Even if you don't accept my offer, I'd like to figure out how we might steal a few hours each day. Just keep in mind I've never done this before.
So, tell me, Johannah Kohl. What are you doing for the rest of your life?
Jaxon
Chapter Five
Under the sundresses they threw on after breakfast, the women were dressed for the beach. The three decided to at least check out the place Jaxon had offered them.
There was a car already waiting downstairs before they ever got the chance to request one at the front desk. Courtesy of Mr. Cristiano, they were told. In fact, they were informed it was available to them for the entire week. All they needed to do was let the desk know when they planned on going anywhere on the island. The hotel would take care of the rest. Not that there were very many places to go. The only other establishment on the island was a five-star restaurant located on the opposite side. Although the resort also owned it, it gave their guests a chance to feel as
if they were getting away for a few hours.
As soon as they step outside, a man dressed in black dress pants and a crisp white shirt greets them immediately. "Miss Kohl. Miss McGraw. Miss Garris. Good morning, ladies. I'm Martin, Mr. Cristiano's driver. I have been asked to drive you to the property if that is where you'd like to go."
Johannah addresses him since he seems to be speaking to her directly. "Yes, Martin, that is where we'd like to go. Please call me Jo and these are my friends Paige and Kendra."
"Yes ma'am," Martin opens the door for them.
The three women climb into the black Mercedes and try not to giggle. It isn't like they have never been called ma'am before, or even witnessed this type of treatment. With the jobs they hold, they are often the ones acting like Martin. It is kind of nice being on the receiving end for once.
The drive to the property takes about ten minutes, and the three of them talk the entire way. They quickly stop all conversation when Martin pulls up to a gated driveway surrounded by palm trees. And they gasp when they spot the house on the property. It is most definitely secluded and undeniably gorgeous.
"This can't be right," Johannah expresses.
"That's Mr. Cristiano's place. He purchased the residence so he wouldn't take away from the hotel business when he visited. It will be used as an executive suite when he isn't around, or so I've been informed. The home he has suggested you ladies take advantage of is on the property as well."
"Bungalow? I don't believe my idea of a bungalow and their idea of one is the same." Paige spits out.
"Well, maybe when you have as much money as those three do, this seems like one. But I agree, that is more like a house. A very large house." Kendra gives her opinion.
Martin chuckles. "It has five bedrooms. It is also one of the smallest private homes on the island. Known as the Bungalow to those who live and work here."
All three of them burst into a fit of laughter. Okay, so the joke was on them and they could accept that. Guess they had a lot to learn about the men they found themselves involved with this week.
Martin stops the car in front of a much smaller house. "This is the guesthouse. It has three bedrooms, all with separate baths. A fully stocked kitchen, a dining room, and living space. It also has access to the beach and a private pool." He informs them before he gets out to open the door. Once they are all out, he motions for them to check the place out on their own.
Kendra leads the way. "Well Jo, I'd say we should at least see what the fuss is all about."
The place is beautiful, yet simple. It has a Spanish ambiance to it except with a beach house theme. All the bedrooms have a nice view of the ocean. Two are on one side, while the third is upstairs. That bedroom also has a balcony and is slightly larger. There is a small pool right outside the backdoor. It's connected to a boardwalk that leads to the beach only a short distance away. The main house is to the right, several hundred feet away, with a stone path that connects the two.
The women are now making their way back up from the beach. That is when they spot two out of the three men staying on the property wandering their way. The third is standing on a balcony, watching closely with a phone attached to his ear.
"Jaxon didn't want to pressure you," Austin explains. "Plus, the man has a hard time not conducting business. He's on a call that he swears required his attention."
"This is too much." Johannah motions with her arms. "And for the record, that is not a bungalow. This however is. I thought we should clear that little misunderstanding up."
Geoff chuckles. "Glad you did that. So, does that mean you are passing on his offer then? You should know, Jaxon has never once done anything like this before. He doesn't invite people to stay with him."
"You two are staying with him." Johannah points out.
"But we aren't people. We are like brothers. And trust me, it took us years to get invited to stay with him on his personal property. Or at least it took me years." Geoff informs her. "Austin and Jax, have been close since teenagers. I didn't hook up with them until college."
A grin spreads across Kendra's face. "So, it's like that, is it?"
Jaxon can hear the laugh that escapes Geoff, it's so loud. "Not exactly."
Austin leans against the arbor next to him. "Honestly, I'm a little concerned about all this. No offense Jo, but this is so unlike Jaxon. He rarely lets others in so easily. Even in a business deal, he takes his time to fully vet what he is getting. It took us months to close this deal, and he has known the previous owner his entire life."
Johannah turns her sunglass gaze on the man staring at them from above. He is gripping the metal railing with both hands, as he talks into the hands-free device attached to his ear. His mask is back in place, although there are a few cracks visible to her in it. Without removing her eyes from him, she addresses his friends. "So maybe it would be best if we stayed where we are then."
"Maybe it would be," Austin nods. "But I get the impression that will not be how this all plays out. He wants you to talk with him before you turn it down. Give him a chance to convince you on why this is so important to him."
"And why is that?" Johannah lifts her sunglasses and rests them on the top of her head.
"Why he wants to explain or why it's important?" Austin arches his eyebrows. "Well, I suppose the answer to that is obvious. You're the first woman he has ever truly been attracted to."
"Surely not the first." Kendra blurts out. "The man is what, in his thirties? There is no way he has never been attracted to a woman before."
Johannah would have agreed with her if she hadn't experienced last night herself. She can detect the blush traveling up her cheeks. To be the first for any man is exciting, but to be the first for a man like Jaxon is rather flattering. Knowing that the man has never been allowed to experience so much because of what he suffers from.
Austin frowns while he does his best to explain. "I don't know all the details surrounding my friend. But what I do know is that the man has lived most of his life in solitude. His father and he aren't close and never have been. There are aspects about Jaxon that have kept him from getting close to others. It's been a very lonely life, filled with business mostly, and us." He motions between Geoff and himself. "He doesn't trust others to understand his short fallings. And when you live an isolated life the way he has, because of those short fallings, you avoid certain types of relationships. It's not that other women haven't attempted to secure his attention; they most definitely have. When you suffer the way he does, it's impossible to expect a woman to understand why he shows no physical affection for her. He tried a few times when we were in college, but they ended up only marring him more with each rejection."
Johannah turns to her friends. "He suffers from Haphephobia."
Kendra is the first to react. "Fear of being touched. That usually happens when…" She stops herself, before blurting something out that can't be taken back.
"Colton suffers from that, doesn't he?" Paige asks before she chastises herself. Realizing she shouldn't have mentioned that in mixed company. "Never mind."
"Who's Colton?" Geoff asked.
Johannah closes her eyes and answers him the best she can. "A client Kendra and I work with. And yes, he does Paige, although it is brought on by his autism, along with the medications he takes."
"Plus, the older he gets, the more tolerable he has become." Kendra points out. "He can now tolerate touch from certain… from a few of us. But it took several months of guidance to get him to that point. Jo and I were the only ones who could even touch him at first. Which, as you know, can make it difficult when attempting to do certain parts of our job. There were times we had to restrain him the best we could until we came up with better techniques on how to deal with him. And frankly, if we had a crisis that required us to act quickly, I'm not sure he would be prepared. That is why we carry sedatives with us."
Austin nods. "I can understand that if he suffers like Jaxon does. I have had to request sedatives after a few very
bad incidents. How old is Colton?"
Johannah lifts her hand to stop Kendra from explaining more than she already has. "Sorry. We aren't at liberty to discuss Colton. She has already said more than she should have."
"You ladies must have some kind of real important job. That's twice now you've told us you can't disclose details to us. Like it's top secret or something." Geoff gets this gleam in his eyes, "What a minute? Isn't the President's son named Colton?"
"Is it?" Kendra gives nothing away by her question. "I'm sure there are a lot of young boys out there named Colton."
"But not ones who suffer from autism and would need to be protected." Geoff points out. "Whatever. I get it. You aren't at liberty to discuss it even if I'm right."
Johannah adjusts her sunglasses again and starts to walk past the guys. "I guess it's time for me to have that discussion with Jaxon before we head back."
Geoff reaches out and snags her arm. "Don't insult him. He couldn't take that. Rejection is his biggest fear. If you are going to turn down his offer, do it in a way that makes him aware you aren't rejecting him, just the offer. And if you are rejecting him, please at least give him this week before you do so. I'd like to enjoy my vacation. Plus, the guy hasn't shut up since we got in the car last night. Are you sure you didn't Roofie him?" The wink he offers Johannah lets her know he is teasing about the last part.
"I don't plan on rejecting him. I'm not sure I can stay here, but I believe I may be just as attracted to him as he is me." Johannah admits before she continues up the stone pathway.
As she walks, her eyes move to where Jaxon is standing on the balcony. She throws him a wave when she gets closer and he motions for her to use the backdoor. She can hear him telling the person he is talking to goodbye, while he imparts a few orders and disappears inside the house.
Right before she reaches the end of the walkway, she stops when he strolls around the corner to meet her. He is dressed in a pair of black board shorts, a striped red-white-and-blue tank, and flip-flops. Looking like any other man, with one exception.