She leaves the room to go knock on his door with her towel on her head and the robe on with nothing underneath.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Brad. It’s me, Jane.”
Knock, knock, knock.
She has no idea what she’s going to say to him. She now feels nervous and wants to turn around and go back, but she can’t now. He knows it’s her.
He unlocks the door and opens it. He sees her looking like she would first thing in the morning. He loves it. No makeup, tired-looking eyes, and a grogginess that makes him want to cuddle her back to sleep. She’s so adorable.
“Oh… good morning, Jane. Would you like to come in?” he says, hoping she will, so he can unknot her bathrobe and feel her bare skin.
“No, that’s okay,” says Jane, feeling sheepish about facing him now that he is standing right in front of her. “I, umm, had to ask you something.”
“Yes, what is it?”
He reaches out his hand to comfort her. She feels the warmth of it go up her arm.
“Well, um, you see, I’m feeling a bit uncomfortable with how quickly everything is going. I mean, I was fine with last night,” she says, looking to the side and on the ground because she doesn't want him to see how much she is falling for him. “But the bikini, the vibrator, and now, well, this morning, the thong... it’s all, well, you know, making feel kinda…”
“…cheap?” Brad says, acknowledging her feelings.
“Yeah, that’s the right word. Cheap,” she affirms.
“Well, we can’t have that, now can we?” Brad says, pulling her a bit closer to him with the tie of her robe.
Jane looks up at him, seeking some kind of direction or answers and reassurance that he will take good care of her heart.
“Ms. Jane Bryden, I know you have so much to you that I’m yet to discover. You are a brave woman who follows her heart and has so much self-respect. I am so proud of you for standing up for yourself. It makes me admire you even more,” he says, looking deeply into her eyes.
Jane feels a shudder through her body at the intensity of his words, and his stare. She can feel his truth penetrate her, strengthening her and making her feel so loved and honored.
“You don’t have to wear the thong if you don’t want to. I just thought it would look quite appealing on you,” Brad says, expressing his true thoughts about her body. “A man can appreciate a beautiful woman, can’t he?” he adds.
Jane blushes and smiles, feeling like she just grew up by five years.
She looks at Brad and says, “Well, when you put it that way… but I can’t make any promises that I’ll be wearing it for breakfast, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he says.
“See you later,” she says, turning away and feeling proud of herself. She now knows she can tell him anything.
He watches her scuffle away in her robe, envisioning that sweet, tiny thong riding up her ass.
Chapter 26
When Brad wakes up in the morning, he feels groggy and unsettled. He’s feeling a bit off from the three scotches he had last night and what happened with that woman in the bar.
Part of him kicks himself for not just fucking her like he normally would do, but the other part of him is glad he didn’t. Not because of Jane finding out, but because he doesn’t want to ruin any feelings they share, even if they are fleeting and aren’t going to last.
He shut off his heart for many years, but always had a yearning to be with someone special. It would be so great to be with someone he loves.
Brad dreamed of a life so different than that of his own parents—affection, sleeping in, going on long walks together, and kisses… lots of kisses. He desperately wants that feeling of romance again, but it seems everyone has become so cynical these days.
He lays there in bed and looks over at the time—seven-thirty a.m. He wonders what Jane is doing over there in her room. Is she lying in bed playing with her vibrator? Or maybe she is in the shower fingering herself. What if she is trying on the red thong and looking at herself in the mirror with that cute, round ass.
The more Brad thinks about Jane and all the naughty things she could be doing, the more turned on he becomes. He reaches down to grab his cock and starts stroking it hard and fast. His ab muscles tighten and he imagines Jane riding on top of him with her cute, perky tits wiggling.
Brad goes faster and feels pre-come oozing out of him. His balls are pulsing, and he pushes his hand up to the headboard while his whole body tenses. His ass muscles tighten, and he keeps pulling harder the more he thinks about Jane’s sweet lips, her smile, her body, the pussy he longs to touch.
He comes all over himself, shooting his jizz into the air, to splatter all over him and the sheets. There is a puddle of come all over his stomach, and it keeps pumping out of him. Finally finished, he lays back and says out loud, “My God, Jane Bryden, you are the sexiest woman I’ve ever met.”
He can’t stop thinking about her and how he knows she will be far better in bed than that dark-haired escort woman last night.
“I can’t wait to make you all mine, Ms. Jane. You are going to be all mine,” Brad says, convincing himself.
Jumping up, he goes to the shower and starts whistling some of his favorite tunes. He can’t remember the last time he’s felt like doing that. He feels so refreshed and alive, more vibrant than he has in a very long time. Splashing on aftershave, he looks at himself in the mirror.
“Wow, you’re getting older, dude,” he says, seeing the smile lines around his eyes. “Life has a way of wearing you down, eh?”
To feel better, he goes over to his wardrobe and opens it up. Most of his outfits are black and business-like, except for one pair of jeans and some tan khakis. He sifts through everything and finds the linen shirt his personal assistant packed for him.
Thank God for Trish! What would I do without her?
He is tired of acting serious and having to have it together. When he puts on his outfit, he looks at himself and sees a man who is relaxed, at least more than he’s been in a while. Kind of like those men who go to spas or retreats.
He leaves the room earlier than planned, wanting to be sure to get to the meeting place first. Grabbing his wallet, he makes his way over to the door and leaves. He looks down the hall, hoping Jane will be right there to greet him, but she’s not.
Walking down to the lobby, the hotel manager comes up to him.
“Sir, I have a message for you from a man named Brian,” says the hotel manager. Brad’s face instantly turns red, as he wonders why Brian would have the nerve to contact him.
“Ah, yes, where can I get the message?” says Brad in a cool tone.
“Over there at the front desk, sir.”
“Thanks, Mr. Connor.”
“Of course.”
Brad walks over to the front desk and asks for his message. The front desk attendant hands him a note. Brad opens it right away.
‘Well, Mr. Halliwell, I didn’t think you had it in you to refuse my gift. Not many men can refuse the likes of Carla. I must say, I respect you more than most— Brian.’
Brad looks up to the front desk attendant and thanks her for the message. He picks up the paper from the front desk, as if to send the message that it’s just another day of business as usual. Crumpling the note, he throws it into the garbage.
“Bastard,” says Brad under his breath.
Chapter 27
After her third and last orgasm of the morning, Jane has completed her assignment. She gets dressed, putting on the red thong underneath her jeans and throwing on a white, cotton t-shirt. Her trepidation about the thong had somehow vanished. She leaves the hotel room and goes down to the patio for breakfast, anxious to see Brad again.
There are a few more people there, the sun is out, and it looks like an amazing day. Jane feels a bit different this morning, refreshed. but also stronger within herself.
She had no idea she needed to get away from the people who want to put her in boxes or expect h
er to always be the sweet or innocent one, in order to really figure out who she really is.
She starts to realize she has her own desires and there is nothing wrong with that. For so long, she was told not to be selfish, to not be bad like the other girls in high school. She did her homework diligently, got straight A’s, and pretended to be fine with that.
Yes, she had feelings for boys in high school, but they honestly scared her. She wasn’t sure how to be with them, and she heard stories from the other girls about what was expected when going on a date. She was terrified of being in a position where she had to perform.
But ever since last night, when she got closer to Brad and knew how turned on he was, yet he still respected her wishes, she feels safer and more trusting that she can open up to him. Maybe he could be the one she gives herself to.
Her mom always told her to wait until marriage, but Jane feels differently now. She isn’t sure if she can wait until then.
Sitting at the breakfast table, she twiddles her napkin, waiting for Brad. She is nervous and unsure of how he is going to be with her when he comes down. Will they kiss? Hold hands? Pretend like there is nothing there? Should she act aloof or excited?
She always does what is expected of her, but for the first time, she wants to follow her heart. He’s the one footing the bill, though, and she doesn’t want to embarrass him either.
She sees Brad walking through the lobby. He’s wearing a loose style linen dress shirt, tan pants, and sandals. He looks relaxed and at ease for the first time on the trip. He holds a newspaper under his arm.
Wow, even when he’s away, he just can’t let go of the world, Jane thinks to herself.
Brad looks out at the patio and sees Jane. He’s surprised that she’s there before him and hopes it means she’s eager to see him, too. She looks gorgeous, natural. He loves how she’s put her hair up in a ponytail and is wearing jeans. He remembers the red thong and wonders what she decided. It’s such a turn on to know that no one else but the two of them knows about it.
He walks up to her and leans over to kiss her cheek.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
Jane is smitten and feeling surprised at how open he is with public displays of affection.
“Did you sleep well?” he asks.
Jane smiles and grabs his hand lightly.
“I did, thank you. You?”
“Well, I tossed and turned, but eventually I fell asleep,” he replied, reflecting on the inner turmoil he felt last night. His mixed feelings about Kelly, Jane, and Carla, and the doubts in his mind that he eventually settled.
Jane feels at ease now and her shoulders relax. The waiter brings over freshly squeezed orange juice and organic espressos, then asks them for their order.
A fruit plate with granola and yogurt, please,” requests Jane.
“The same for me,” responds Brad. They smile at each other. “I guess we have the same tastes.”
“I guess so,” Jane responds. “Except I don’t take on the world’s problems so early in the morning,” comments Jane, referring to his paper.
“Ah yes, it is a bad habit of mine, among many,” Brad says, with a bit of embarrassment.
“Well, I’m the girl that’s learned only good habits,” counters Jane, trying to make him feel more comfortable.
“Speaking of bad things, are you wearing a certain red number?” asks Brad.
Jane smiles, imagining him having x-ray vision through the table cloth and her jeans.
“Why, yes, actually I am. I am a good girl, you know, generally obedient and a people pleaser. I do what people ask of me,” she says, showing a bit more sass than usual.
“Well, that’s my kinda gal,” says Brad, rubbing her leg.
Jane feels tingles at his touch and isn’t as defensive or scared as she was the night before. She can’t believe she’s becoming more outspoken and seductive with Brad.
“Are you okay with people knowing we are together? I mean, people here seem to know you really well, and they may get ideas about us being together,” Jane asks.
Brad gives her a side smile.
“Well, around here, people know not to get into my business. I’m sure they can see how lucky I am to be with such a pretty young lady.”
Brad lifts her hand and kisses it.
Jane looks around the room and sees that no one is watching anyway. There is a freedom in not feeling self-conscious like she usually does. For her not to worry about what anyone thinks is huge—her mother, the ballet teacher, the girls at school, and Brad’s community. It provides a real sense of freedom from all these illusions and expectations she has created for herself.
Everyone else’s rules all seem so petty and fabricated now, designed to force her into being someone she’s truly not. They never ask her what she wants, how she feels, or what she dreams of. They just want her to perform and look pretty for their own purposes.
Is that what Brad is doing to her, too, making her perform for him? The thought of this makes her feel sick. Is she just a puppet to him and everyone else?
“Excuse me, I need to use the washroom,” she says, removing the napkin from her lap.
“Are you okay?” Brad asks, concerned.
“I’m fine, just feeling a bit queasy. I’ll be right back.”
Chapter 28
Jane is in the bathroom, looking at herself in the mirror. She sees a woman who is ready to take off the mask she has been hiding behind. The good Jane, the easy-going Jane, the one who always says yes and feels shy. The Jane that everyone knows will do as she is told.
She hates this side of herself. She despises it, really. She wishes she had more something—strength is it? Courage? The ability to say what is really on her mind?
Her mother never taught her a thing about life, boys, or how to take care of herself, at least what she needed to know in the big city. No one told her what it was like, and now, she is left having to hold her own, on her own.
She is confused and not sure if she is sending herself down a rabbit hole by meeting with this strange man and having to do everything he tells her to do. No one else would make her wear a red thong and orgasm five times in a 12-hour period. No one else has ever asked her to do anything remotely like this before.
Jane decides she doesn’t want to play this game anymore. Being Brad’s obedient sex kitten doesn’t feel right. She needs to take a stand and see if he’ll put his money where his mouth is. Will he still pay her even if she doesn’t follow his instructions? She doubts it, but this whole thing is making her feel sick to her stomach.
Jane goes into the bathroom stall and proceeds to undress, taking off the red thong. She pulls her jeans back up and puts the thong in her pocket as an act of protest.
I’m not this kind of girl, she tells herself. I’m from Utah. I have dreams of being a ballerina. And I don’t sleep with random strangers. I have self-respect.
She repeats this in her mind as she washes up and leaves to go back to the table to sit with Brad.
“Oh good. Are you feeling okay?” Brad asks.
“Yes, just a bit queasy. I think it will pass,” she says.
“Excellent. I took the liberty of ordering something a little extra for you—smoked salmon with chevre cheese salad.”
Jane bubbles up with upset.
“Actually, that’s okay. I just want yogurt with granola and fruit. Okay?”
Brad is taken aback by Jane’s sudden abruptness.
“Um, yes, fine. I’m sorry, I just thought you might like it before we start our day,” Brad says sheepishly.
Jane is surprised how easily Brad recoils.
“Thanks for respecting that,” she says unapologetically.
“Is there something I said that’s upset you, Jane?” Brad asks, feeling confused.
“I don’t really want to talk about it,” she replies.
Brad is worried that Jane saw something happening with the call girl, or maybe somebody told her. Has she found something out about
him, or perhaps she has this other side of her personality that is a bit crazy?
“Okay, well, whenever you want to let me know, I’m here,” he says, motioning to the waiter to cancel the order of salmon.
They eat most of their breakfast in relative silence. It’s awkward now and all the energy and tenderness that was there first thing in the morning is gone. Everything feels very bleak and empty between them, to say the least.
Then Jane speaks up.
“Well, if you must know,” Jane says firmly, “I no longer want to be your sex kitten.”
She pulls out the red thong and tosses it on Brad’s plate. A few people look at them, then look away when Brad stares at them.
“Jane, I think we need to talk about this privately, okay?” he says.
“Why, so you can tell me that it’s all over and our deal is off? I get it, Brad. That’s fine, but at least I’ll have my dignity,” she says.
“No, because I want you to stay, no matter what. No more games or instructions if you don’t want. This should be as much fun for you as it is for me,” he says, reaching out his hand and wanting to make a connection.
Jane looks back, a bit stunned that he’s responding this way in front of everyone. She looks around the room. Others are watching to see how she will react.
She reaches her hand back, a bit limp and hesitant. He holds it gently and warmly connects to her. “I mean it, okay? I told you at the beginning, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. This is fun for me, but it needs to be for you, too, okay? I never want you to feel uncomfortable.”
He looks deeply into her eyes and she can feel his sincerity. Her shield is melting.
“And honestly, I’m proud of you for taking a stand for yourself, for not letting yourself just go along and do what I tell you. That makes you a strong and true woman, Jane. It makes me want to be around you more, you know.”
A strong and true woman, Jane repeats to herself, taking in Brad’s perspective of her. I’m a strong and true woman.
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