Thursdays in Savannah

by Olivia Gaines

  Jesse broke the awkward silence. “I started coffee, but not breakfast. I think I’m going to bypass it this morning.”

  She turned as if she had been struck across the face with a hot a stick. “Seriously? You know it is the only way to start off the day.” Jesse raised his eyebrows, licked his bottom lip, and stretched high to the ceiling.

  Savannah understood his unspoken words. “You are lucky my brother is in this kitchen!”

  “And if he wasn’t?” Jesse asked as he moved closer to the center of the room. Savannah moved closer to him as well. They stood toe-to-toe in the center of the floor, as if they were in a Mexican standoff, “What would you do, Science Girl?”

  Savannah poked him in the belly with her index finger. “I would ride you so hard I would scramble your molecules.”

  Jerwane’s mouth opened, his lips curling downward as if he had just eaten some bad fish, as he silently mouthed the word, “Eeeewwwww!”

  “I love it when you talk that science talk, Baby, give me some more,” Jesse said as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips slowly mouthing the words, “Deoxyribonucleic acid!”

  Jesse shrugged his shoulders as though he were chilled. “Oohh, not the DNA!”

  Savannah wiggled her hips against Jesse’s, making suggestive bumps with each of the following words, “Polymerase chain reaction.”

  Jesse buckled at the knees. “Oh yeah, amplify that DNA, Baby!”

  She raised her leg and wrapped it around his waist. “Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.”

  “Oh hell, that did it, you are in trouble now.” He hoisted a giggling Savannah over his shoulder, swatting her on the ass, but as he turned he remembered her brother was standing there. Jerwane’s face was further contorted as if he had walked in on their parents going at it. The poor guy looked traumatized. Jesse lowered Savannah back to the floor, kissed her lightly on the lips, and excused himself to go and get dressed.

  “Ooooh, coffee’s ready, Jesse,” she yelled up the stairs at her maintenance man as she poured a cup for herself and offered her brother one as well. Jerwane refused. He wanted to say something, but was not sure what. His main concern was tamping down the bile that was creeping up his esophagus. Savannah reached for him and mushed his face, trying to reset his facial expression. When she could not straighten his face, she went for the leftovers to finish the lunch bags.

  Jesse returned a few minutes later, pants on and buttoning a long-sleeved Montgomery Construction shirt. The logo was not wasted on Jerwane. When he factored in Darwin’s new assignment, plus a half-naked white dude who worked at the same company, it was adding up to a hot mess. What was his sister doing?

  Savannah handed Jesse the cup of coffee and a kiss. “I will see you next week.”

  “Change of location I’m afraid, we are headed to a new facility next week,” Jesse told her as he looked over Savannah’s shoulder at her brother, while he accepted her help stuffing the tails of his shirt down his pants. He pulled a plane ticket out of his back pocket. “I’m leaving for the Builders’ Convention in Colorado Springs on Sunday. Here’s your ticket. You’re on the 6 pm Wednesday night.”

  Savannah accepted the ticket and began to think of the numerous vacation days she had yet to use. She was going away with Jesse! She glazed over during the remainder of his instructions. He said something about a cab to the hotel, then something about the folder he stuck in her hand, plus the envelope with a check. Do I need to pay his bills while he is gone?

  Hold on! I am going away with Jesse!

  “Savannah, I’m not sure if it is enough, my sister said it should be.” He was still saying something with that sexy mouth. It was too late for her; she was going all goo-goo.

  Wait! I am going away with Jesse!

  Jesse pinched her arm. “Science Girl, this is important. You will need a conservative crimson-colored cocktail dress for Thursday night, a conservative black cocktail dress for Friday night, and a tasteful swimsuit for the pool party on Saturday. It’ll be chilly, so you will need some kind of wrap thing. I think that’s what Mary Kate said.”

  She nodded and glanced at the envelope. “Whoa, there is a thousand dollar check in here.... Who is Mary Kate?”

  “My sister. She said it should be more than enough for two dresses and a swimsuit. Do you think you will need more?”

  Savannah shook her head no, wondering where in the hell his sister liked to shop.

  “Great, I will see you on Wednesday night.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. “I love you so much, I wish you could leave with me.”

  When Savannah caught her breath, she huskily whispered, “I will see you in Colorado next week.”

  Jesse reached for his lunch and was surprised when Savannah handed him a new blue Igloo lunch cooler. “This is so much better than a brown bag. It’ll keep your coffee hot and food cool.”

  “This is nice, thank you, my Lovely.” Jesse accepted his lunch and stepped back. “Jerwane, it was nice to meet you.”

  Her brother, who was still in six levels of shock, in dire need of vomiting, and whose face was statically contorted, replied, “Nice to meet me? We were never introduced! I don’t even know your damn name, Man!”

  Jesse extended his hand. “Jesse.” Jerwane accepted it with some reluctance. One last look at Savannah and he wanted her to say it in front of her brother, “Send me off with a smile.”

  “Love me some of you, Jesse,” she said. It wasn’t good enough for him. He needed her brother to hear the words from her lips.

  He stepped back inside, gathered her in his arms again. “Savanah, I can never get tired of hearing you say it. Tell me again.”

  “I love you, Jesse.” She kissed him fully on the mouth.

  “I love you back, Science Girl.” As he released her beautiful body, he tilted his head to Jerwane. “If anything should change, you have the number.” And with that, he was gone.

  Savannah checked her watch. She was going to be late. She kissed Jerwane on the cheek once more. “Good seeing you.” Then she thought about it. “Wait a minute. Why are you here anyway?”

  “I came to talk to you about leaving your door open at night, Button Nose. If I walked in and saw what I saw, what is to stop Darwin?”

  Savannah stopped short. He always called her Button Nose when he was about to deliver bad news. She wasn’t sure what he had seen but really didn’t give a flying pail of fermented feces. This was her life.

  With a shrug of her shoulders, she replied, “Well, remember to lock it on your way out.” She grabbed her lunch and headed off to work. She was going away for a weekend with Jesse to Colorado Springs and she was going to get initiated into the mile high club, literally. It had been a long time since she was this happy. Her elation could barely be contained. It set so well into her soul that she wanted to start cursing at random people for no reason, like a crazy person.

  What the heck! “Hey, Jerwane, happy fucking Friday!”

  She burst into a maniacal laugh as she let herself out the front door and made her way to the car. She had so much to do and so little time that she started a mental list. First things first: this weekend she was shopping! Shucks, maybe there was something to this love stuff after all.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Wednesday

  Savannah was excited as she closed out the final experiments before leaving the lab. In the hall, two frantic students worried over grades stopped her. She referred them to the departmental secretary and told them to set up an appointment with her next week. Her mind was somewhere else. She had never been away with a man for a weekend trip before. Sure, there had been a surprise romantic night at the Holiday Inn one evening, but a plane ticket to a resort? This was different. It was very nice that Jesse also provided her with some pocket money to shop for the things she needed. The crimson dress and the black dress she found on sale at Burlington. The swimsuit she had gotten off a clearance rack at Par
isian’s as well as a few items for the cooler temps in October in the mountains.

  Last night, she could not hide her enthusiasm and the sheer glee in her spirit when she had dinner with Darwin, who sulked the whole night. First, there was something wrong with the project. The job was much more detailed than he initially thought. Then, he complained that the customers were very picky and driving him insane with their changes. “The difference between ecru and beige is so subtle, who gives a dancing paint bucket about the color of a single wall? Beige is not an accent color!” Even his griping and whelping wouldn’t bring her down.

  “Darwin,” she said as she sliced through the chops his housekeeper had overcooked. “You said this was your opportunity to move your career up a level, correct?” He nodded with some uncertainty, but she continued with a smile. “The powers that be at Montgomery Construction awarded the contract to Green & Associates, naming you as the Project Lead. They have confidence in your ability and so do I. You can do this. I know you can. Remember the bigger picture.”

  He seemed to be placated and Savannah was still cheerful. She didn’t understand Darwin sometimes. When the things he wanted and hoped for were awarded to him, he often complained or found fallacy with them. Savannah pondered the idea that maybe once they were married, their relationship would follow the same pattern.

  By the time Jerwane drove her to the airport on Wednesday night, she was over her self-doubts. She was on her way to Colorado Springs for some alone and away time with a man she found herself enjoying far more than she should. She wasn’t stupid. She fully understood that a cold beer always tasted better from someone else’s mug and Jesse had a big frosty tankard. She loved that tankard and she loved the man.

  Part of her excitement resided in the idea this would be the first time they could be out in the open, versus the few hours alone behind closed doors or a dinner and movie in a dark corner. It would also be the first time she had an opportunity to see Jesse in his element and for her, it was important to see how he interacted with other people. She knew how he treated her, but how was he with others?

  Jerwane interrupted her thoughts, “Savannah, you do realize in this scenario, you are the bad guy.”

  Brows furrowed and totally confused, she looked at her brother as if he had colored flatulence emanating from his ass. “What are you talking about, Jerwane?”

  “Most women would love to have a good man. You obviously have two and are playing them both. Button Nose, you are the bad guy.”

  As they stood on the sidewalk at the entrance to the airport terminal, Jerwane looked at his younger sibling with a bit of distaste in his mouth. Savannah was not going to allow him to control this moment of freedom for her. It seemed no matter what she did, no one wanted her to be happy. They just wanted to control her. The time had arrived for it all to stop.

  “How dare you judge me when you have had women going out the back door while another was coming in the front!” His eyebrows popped up. “Your nasty ass didn’t even bother to change the sheets before you plopped another young body in the wet mess from the first one.”

  “So, you changing the sheets in between dick rides makes it okay?”

  Savannah slapped his face. “Darwin does not stay at my place, only Jesse. I love them both in different ways, Jerwane. I am just making sure that when I get married next year that I have not missed out on something. If that makes me a whore or the bad guy in your eyes, then fine!”

  He dropped his head and rubbed his stinging cheek. “I am not saying you are a whore, Button Nose, I am just saying ...” he paused looking for the right words, his hands pointing up and down at her body “... this isn’t you.”

  Life was too short to be bridled and miserable. She was joyful and her big brother was not going to spoil it for her. It was time for him to see his little sister in a new light. “Well whoever is in this body is headed to Colorado Springs for four days of dick riding.” She threw up two fingers, yelled deuces, and disappeared through the terminal doors.

  It was a relaxed flight from Birmingham, changing planes in Dallas, then on to Colorado, arriving at 10 pm. She traveled light with a carry-on bag and reached the sidewalk in Colorado Springs at 10:20. Hailing a cab was easy. She arrived at the Broadmoor Hotel & Resort at almost 11 pm. She was weary, but not worn. A hot shower and something to nosh on would snap her back to a sexy mood. At the counter, she stated her name and said there was a package for her. The desk clerk handed it over, along with an envelope that held a room key. An attendant escorted her to the west tower patio suites where their room was located.

  Savannah slipped the key into the door, walked inside, and set her bag beside the entrance as she inhaled the fragrance of the room. Candles were burning, soft music was playing, and rose petals made a trail on the floor. Her toes sank into the deep pile of the luxurious carpet as she followed the petals to the main bedroom surprised when Jesse was not waiting for her in the bed, but the petals continued on into the bathroom. She removed her shoes at the door as she tiptoed around the corner to see a massive garden-size tub, filled with bubbles. Jesse stood at the side of the tub with a glass of wine wearing nothing but a towel and a large smile.. “I thought you would never get here.”

  Those were the last words he spoke as he helped her disrobe and climb into the tub of warm water. He dropped in a lemongrass bath seed from the Pilgrim Soap Company, making a point to show it off. Thoughtful. He scrubbed her back and the soles of her feet and massaged her shoulders. Savannah used the large bath sponge to wash every inch of his body as they relaxed in the quiet moments of togetherness before turning in for the night.

  Wrapped in a fluffy hotel bathrobe, Savannah sat on the patio staring at the mountains. The view of the lake was equally as breathtaking as she listened to Jesse direct the room service assistant to where she sat. Breakfast looked delicious and it was nice to be on a mini vacation. Savannah had never been on a real vacation before. Of course, there had been some travel in her life, mostly to conferences, but to get away to a magnificent place like this was a blessing. The suite was luxurious, the overstuffed furniture was grand, and her roommate was a sexual dynamo. In her mind, the nagging thought of the hour window between agreeing to be Mrs. Finney and meeting Jesse was bugging her a bit. If she had met Jesse two hours before she got engaged, versus two hours after, maybe she would not be a cheating dick rider in her brother’s eyes.

  A feathery light kiss landed on her lips as Jesse slipped into the chair beside her to be served his breakfast. He tipped the waiter and then handed his companion a Montgomery Construction folder. “Inside, you will find your itinerary and all relevant info about the conference including the evening events and scheduled activities if you wish to take part.”

  Over her coffee mug, wide eyes stared at him. “I have an itinerary?”

  “Yes, after breakfast, you have an appointment at the spa and then I would love for you to meet me for lunch.” He told her of a local hot spot he really wanted to take her to. “Then you are free for a few hours to read, golf, or do whatever you want.” He loaded in a mouthful of eggs. “Tonight is the Crimson and Black Gala.”

  The only thing Savannah heard was spa. She had never been to one and was excited. One of the first things Jesse had noticed when she walked into the bathroom was her hands. They were blissfully ring-free, as per their agreement. He needed to change that. “Oh, I almost forgot.” He stood and disappeared into the bathroom, returning minutes later.

  A small velvet box was placed on the table, next to her coffee cup. Savannah was almost afraid to open it. “I know your birthday is in two weeks, but I wanted to give this to you now.”

  Her hands were shaking as she reached for the container. Tentative fingers opened the case to reveal the most stunning topaz ring she ever laid eyes upon. It wasn’t too big, it wasn’t too flashy, and it was subtly grand. “Here,” he said. “Allow me.” He removed the emerald cut, two-carat ring from the box and slipped it on her left ring finger. A perfect fit. T
he ceremonious move was followed by a passionate kiss and words that knotted her stomach. “I could spend the rest of my life waking up with you, Savannah Niden.”

  He quickly checked his watch. “Ooh, I can’t be late. I’m teaching this morning. Enjoy your day, Science Girl.” As she sat on the patio, twirling with raw emotion, Jesse was dressed and headed out the door in less than five minutes. Another brief kiss, and then, “I will meet you at the front desk at noon,” before he was gone.

  Savannah had been played.

  She was now engaged to two men and Jesse had made his move to make her choose.

  Chapter Twenty- Four

  The Broadmoor Hotel was beautiful. There were amenities and features at this hotel that Savannah had heard of, but never actually experienced. This was a whole new world to her. She began to think of ways she could save money to afford some weekend getaways with the girls. It would be nice to hang out here with Traci and Sheryl. She stopped. Was it a Freudian mind hump that I did not think about bringing Darwin to a place like this?

  Her private tour of a new mental future ended when she arrived at the spa doors. Today, she had chosen to wear simple khakis with a soft pink long-sleeved sweater set and some loafers. A delicate strand of freshwater pearls was hanging from her neck along with matching teardrop pearl earrings. Inside the spa, the lavender scents immediately brought her to a relaxed mental frame of mind and she was anxious to see what Jesse had picked out for her pampering session.

  The foyer was empty sans one lady who appeared to be the same age as Savannah, with long, deep black hair and equally intense blue eyes. Savannah smiled at her and said good morning. The lady didn’t smile back, but looked toward the door as if she was waiting, very impatiently, for someone to join her.

  The pretty blond behind the counter asked Savannah, “Good Morning, may I help you?”

  “Yes. I am Dr. Savannah Niden. I have a 9:30 appointment I believe.” She heard the black haired woman sputter whatever she was drinking and begin to choke. Savannah and the associate both rushed to the woman’s side, with Savannah being the first to speak. “Are you okay?”