Chương 48: PDA Permissions

Pearl invited Jesse home at his request. He had asked her after the potluck on the drive home.

At first she'd been a little suspicious, but Jesse had assured her with a chuckle that he just wanted to show her something. She'd said 'okay' and they'd said good night normally.

As Jesse was getting home, he got a message on his phone. He waited until he was inside to read it. It was from Pearl, he knew, so he quickened his step and got into the house swiftly.

Pulling out his phone, he'd gotten an invitation to her place on Saturday. With calm he didn't actually feel, he called her back.

"Hello."

"Hey, I just got your message."

"Can you make it around four or five?"

"Yeah, I'll definitely be there. Thank you, honey."

"What for?"

"For trusting me."

He could hear the smile in her voice. "You're welcome. I realised my hesitation wasn't really necessary. We've shared space before."

"That we have," he said. "But I'm still glad. I just wanted to hear your voice but I'll let you get to bed."

"Haha, alright. Good night, then."

"Good night, honey."

"Hey, Jesse?"

"Yes, Pearl?"

Pause. "I like hearing you call me honey."

"So I won't stop," he told her softly.

"Good."

"Bye now."

"Bye."

The day came and Jesse called Pearl to tell her he was leaving his hometown. He'd be there just before five, if the traffic allowed. Pearl did a bit of work while she waited and before she knew it, her doorbell was ringing.

Dropping her stylus, she leapt off her bed and went to answer the door. She peeked through the eyehole before opening the door.

Jesse stood there with a beautiful bouquet of flowers in his hands. The moment he saw her face, a smile spread across his.

"Hey babe. I made it."

She hugged him careful not to crush the flowers. With a chuckle, "I don't think I've ever heard you say 'babe' before."

He grinned and followed her into her house. "I'm trying it on for size."

"How does it fit?" she wondered, taking the flowers. "Thank you."

He tilted his head to one side and looked at her. "Well, you totally look like a babe, today. I love the at-home attire."

She was wearing dark grey leggings, black Uggs and a loose white knit top.

"Yeah?"

"Oh yeah," he smiled naughtily.

She couldn't help laughing.

"It's just enough sexy to appeal to the man in me without sending my mind offside." He kissed her forehead. "You look great. Very comfortable."

"I am."

"I'll bet."

He said it simply but made it sound like something more. Turning away she busied herself with the flowers. Jesse followed a few steps behind, looking around as he moved past the living room.

"You have a lovely house, Pearl."

"Thank you, Jesse."

"You're welcome, babe," he chuckled.

She quickly put the flowers in a pretty glass vase and then, leaving the kitchen, set them on a table in her small foyer.

"Would you like something to drink?"

He shook his head. "I'm alright for now."

"Okay, come this way. This is where I'm hanging out today."

"What's this way?" he asked slowly.

"My bedroom," came the simple reply.

Jesse's steps halted and he swallowed. "God help me," he whispered to himself, before taking another step.

Pearl didn't notice him not following her, but she did notice how his eyes quickly travelled over the entire room. Relief was evident when he saw the plush arm chair off to one side. She bit her lip.

Her room was decorated in neutral colours with splashes of pastel. Jesse saw the papers on her large bed.

To collect himself, he asked if she'd been working.

"Yeah. Doing an assessment for one of our clients."

"You want to finish up? I can sit over here and wait. I don't mind."

"Really?"

"Yeah, no problem." He gestured to the bed. "Go ahead."

She grinned. "Thanks, babe."

As she climbed onto the bed, her backside was right in his line of sight. He looked away, making his way to the chair.

"You want to watch something or read?"

"Nah, I'll just sit and watch you."

She made a face but shrugged and went to work.

The minute her attention was off him and back on her work, Jesse closed his eyes.

The whole point of asking to be invited over counted on him being able to contain his desire for Pearl. He hadn't expected her to look so edible in leggings and an off the shoulder top. Of course, it was only natural, he reminded himself. The truth was she always looked sexy.

Secondly, he hadn't expected her to take him straight to her bedroom. That was the actual dilemma. One, the entire room smelled like her and it sent his blood racing. Two, she was on the most inviting bed he'd ever seen. Or maybe it only seemed like the most enticing because she was on it. Three, the way she climbed-

"Jesse, are you okay?"

Her concerned voice sounded quite close to him.

When he felt her hand touch his shoulder, he opened his eyes. Her face was very near his.

She was beautiful at this close proximity. With a sigh, he reached up to caress her cheek. "I'm fine, honey."

"You look-" she searched for the term, "-a little tortured."

That made him laugh. "I am, slightly but I'll be fine in a minute. Go back to work."

Her brow knit together momentarily. He knew she need more. Patiently, he explained. "It's your perfume, Pearl."

"My perfume?" she echoed confused.

"It fogs up my head a little."

Her expression cleared. "Do you want me to turn on the fan or open a window?"

He chuckled. "No, babe, I don't. Just go back to work. I'm okay. Really."

Her eyes met his. When she saw that he was telling the truth, she nodded and went back to her bed. Jesse closed his eyes again. This time he managed to clear his head. By the time she was done, fifteen minutes later, he was fine and he smiled across at her.

"Come here," he said softly.

She got off the bed, where she'd stacked her tablet and papers and walked over to him. Jesse pulled her down onto his lap.

"Hey," she said, smiling at him.

"Hey, yourself. Do you often work on Saturdays?"

"No, this was one of those exceptions because Monty is heading out early on Monday."

He nodded, putting his arm around her waist. "That's good to know. I wouldn't want to feel like I'm taking you away from your responsibilities with all the barbecues and do's I'll likely drag you to."

She smiled. "My weekends are yours for the taking." Pause. "Especially if you let me drag you to church."

"I'll go whenever I'm in Long Beach," he said after a moment. "That okay?"

"Yes." She kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

"Mmm, anything for you."

Pearl chuckled. "Anything?"

His eyes met hers, which seemed mischievously dark. "Ask me."

"Will you please kiss me? I know you want to…"

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