Jase (17 page)

“Get your hands off me
,” I snapped and turned around.

“Really, Carly it’s been
a year alright? You need to get over this…hatred you have for me. Stop being a pain in the ass and lay down,” he lead me to the couch and pointed, “On your stomach.”

I did as he asked and he went into my kitchen. I heard him open a drawer and then the fridge. He returned to the living room and knelt down beside the couch.

“I have ice, I am going to put it on your back,” Jase lifted my shirt and set it gently on me, “Better?”

I shook my head and continued trying to calm down. I turned towards him, “Thanks.”

“Look Carly, I am not trying to put the moves on you okay. You can relax,” Jase’s brows knitted together in a scowl for a moment.

“Sorry, that’s not…” I began to explain.

“It’s been almost a year. A lot has changed in my life so if you could just forget…” he started.

“Forget what Jase?” I wiped my nose, “Do you think this is about you? I
t’s not, a lot has happened. I’m overwhelmed, that’s it. Maybe you should get over yourself.”

“You want to talk about it?” he asked.

“No! Not with you,” I gasped.

“Alright, should I call Abe?” he asked softly.

“No, I’m fine thanks… it’s late you should go see Bella,” saying her name hurt, I had not expected that. I stood up and stepped around him and walked quickly to the kitchen to get a drink.

He walked out and pushed up his sleeves, “I should go.”

“Thanks again for the ride Jase,” I walked out and started to open the front door and he looked at me with hurt in his eyes.

Jase was standing too close for me to breathe. He lifted my chin gently and I looked up into his eyes. He very slowly moved towards me. I closed my eyes anticipating his lips on mine.
Oh, how I had craved that
.

Jase kissed my forehead, “Goodnight.”

I don’t know why I started crying again but I did. He paused and took a deep breath and closed his eyes, “Carly, I’m very sorry about your mother. She was a wonderful woman.”

That did it.

I lost it.

A
nd he held me, which made me cry harder. I missed her, I hated being here, I felt even farther away from her than ever before. I know I was not allowed to grieve anymore but it hurt. A perfect job and a perfect home meant nothing, I missed her. I wanted her back. And I knew no matter how many stars I wished on that would never, ever happen. I cried even harder and he rubbed my back and held me tightly.

“I’
m going to stay until you fall asleep,”

“You
can’t,” I pulled back and wiped my tears, “Bella.”

“Bella is already asleep, Mom
is there. You need …”

“Jase you
can’t, I don’t have her to fix it anymore,”
yeah I said that, note to self, no more drinking, unless it was alone
. “Sorry, I am so stupid and drunk, and…”

He smiled, “So you
won’t remember, come on I’m not leaving you here alone on your first night.”

“So
you’re trying to be my friend?” I felt my lips quiver, I was unsure if that’s what I wanted, or if I could even handle that.

“Yeah, come on show me your room,” I start
ed to object and he smiled, “I’m a Daddy now Carly, I really have grown up, besides I never took advantage of you before did I?”

“If we are going to try this friend thing
, I suggest you not bring up the past,” I looked at him and he smiled, “I’ll be fine.”

“Didn’t sound convincing,
let’s go, I will take the floor,” he grabbed my hand and started walking towards the stairs and yes I followed him.

“I haven
’t even been up here yet.”

“I am sure we will find it,” he smiled over his shoulder at me.

He was beautiful and very… very… addictive. Is that the right word? Or poison maybe poison, oh my stomach hurts and things are spinning and …

I looked up and he was looking at me with his lips turned up
slightly, “You done in there?”

“In where?” I looked around wondering what he was talking about.

“I don’t know wherever it is you go in that head of yours, come on. I bet this is it,” Jase opened the door at the end of the hall and turned on the light.

It was beautiful, light hard wood floors and
lavender walls, I noticed Jase stifle a smile,
yeah he likes this color
. The bed, it was huge, a deep purple duvet covered it, and pillows covered half of the bed. I walked into the bathroom and almost laughed out loud. It was just like the one at the Garden, I heard Jase walking towards me and quickly shut the door. I didn’t want him to see, which was kind of juvenile, like he would remember. Jase was going to be my friend.

I s
plashed water on my face hoping that it would make me sober up, yeah I know not real smart. Note to self: next research project was going to be on, how to make the freaking room stop spinning…oh boy.

I covered my mouth and made it to the toilet in time. I don’t know how long or
how many times I threw up. I didn’t notice when Jase came in, sat behind me with one hand holding back my hair, the other hand taking turns handing me a towel and rubbing my back. When I finally leaned back he was what I leaned on. My back to his chest and both of his hands gently rubbing up and down my arms slowly, as I tried to catch my breath.

“You feel bette
r now?” I shook my head no, “I’m going to run you a bath, you soak for a bit and you’ll feel better.”

I wanted to say no but I couldn’t, he was right, “Sorry that you
had to experience all that repulsiveness.”

He smiled, “It wasn’t that bad.”

“It was nasty,” I started to stand and he grabbed my elbow and helped me up.

“
I have seen worse, you made it in the potty,” Jase smirked, “Like a big girl.”

I smiled, “Thank you.”

“Alright now the question is, can you climb up in the big old tub without hurting yourself?” I shook my head yes, “Good, now I’m going to get your bag, is it downstairs?”

“Yeah, Jase odd as it seems I feel
better. You can go if…”

“If what?” he smiled as he walked out of the room
and yelled over his shoulder, “I said until you fell asleep.”

I must have fallen asleep because I woke and Jase had
a towel, “You gotta get out, you’ll get all wrinkly like a prune.”

I smiled
slightly and took the towel, I looked up and didn’t move, “Oh yeah, sorry Ba…. Carly. There’s clothes and a toothbrush and paste…”

“Thanks, I see them,” he was be
ing sweet and I really liked it. Too much. I should probably be a bitch, fight with him so he leaves, and then I would be alone and I didn’t want to be.

I grabbed the tee shirt and felt my face burn and he wasn’t even in the room,
Forever Steel
, the hotel walk of shame shirt,
Dear God he must think I am such a freaking girl
. So I put it on inside out, seriously hoping he didn’t notice.

When I walked out he had turned the bed down, lavender satin sheets, I would have to get rid of them, I was a flannel sheet girl in the winter on the east coast, nice and warm.

“Hop up in here,” Jase smiled and patted the bed, just like a daddy would.

“Jase go home to,
” I couldn’t even say her name he looked at me and then pulled his thin black sweater off over his head. “She’ll be upset if she wakes up and you are...” He looked at me and pulled his gray tee off.
Damn, damn, damn
.

“I said I would leave when you fall asleep. I am really good at this whole night time thing.
I will have you tucked in and purring like a little kitten in ten minutes.”

Jase
unbuckled his black leather belt and unbuttoned his pants, they fell to the floor with a thud. Okay he was standing here in his white boxer briefs next to my bed, his skin was so-- I really did not like how it made me feel.

“Your shirt
’s on inside out,” he pointed out and smirked.

“Yeah, just didn’t want to give you the wrong idea,” Jase climbed into bed next to
me and my heart literally stopped, I knew it did.

He laid down and p
laced his arm across my pillow, “What idea did you think I may get?”

“I don’t
know, that I was hanging onto something, a long ago
something
.”

“Like that even though you and I
haven’t seen each other in almost a year, I thought you may still want me,” Jase chuckled. “You made it clear Carly, and I want to be your friend alright?” he cocked his head to the side and kind of pouted. “Now that we have cleared that up, your head has to go here,” he pointed to his bare, beautifully sculpted chest. “That’s the spot that will put you right into dream land”

So I did, just like that, no fight, no smart ass comeback I just laid there with my ear against
Jase’s heart. He rubbed my back and I guess I fell asleep.

I woke up when he was pulling his sweater over his head, “Sorry I woke you.”

“No don’t be, thank you Jase,” I stretched and he smiled.

“You going to
Abe’s thing tonight?” he asked buttoning his pants as I watched chewing on my lip,
so my reflexes were a bit slow
. He saw and leaned forward and pulled my lip out from between my teeth, gently with the pad of his thumb. “That’s not going to help this friend thing Baby.”

“What I…:”

He put his finger over my lips. “Please, you’ll screw up O.G.C.B.” He laughed and kissed the top of my head, “Some advice, drink two big cups of water and take these two pills,” he handed them both to me, “Then sleep, you’ll feel better. Gotta go,” Jase looked at his watch. “One hour and it’s breakfast, and school.” He stopped and looked like he wanted to say more and smiled, “See ya later.”

“Thank you so much,” I was going to cry again, but I would hold off.

“Anytime,” he left and I cried.

14

I walked into the house and closed my eyes, I had held her all night, in my fucking arms. I squatted down
, over run with emotions, ecstatic that I had seen her, and nervous as hell that she was not ready for all I had planned. I loved that girl, and I would stop at nothing to make sure that she would feel that way about me again. I was just not sure she was ready. I could not fuck this up.
Operation Get Carly Back
had to work.

I opened my eyes and Little Bell was standing in the hallway looking at me.

“Are you okay Daddy?” she looked worried and I didn’t want that.

“I’
m great. Let’s get you ready for school.”

We did our normal routine, I’
m pretty sure I pulled it off. Mom came down the stairs as we were getting our boots on.

“Before you leave I’
d like to talk to you,” she kissed Bella’s head and walked into the kitchen.

“Little Bell, you have pancakes stuck in your teeth, one more quick brush, keep the boots on,” she smiled and ran into the bathroom.

“What’s going on Mom?”

“Charlotte had a rough night last night, I just want you to think about preparing yourself and Bella.”

“Something will work out, it has to.”

“Jase, she is very sick. Bella will accept this if you do. But if you keep wishing for a miracle you may be disappointed.”

~

After I dropped off Bella I stopped at the new headquarters. It was fucking impressive. We had bought up an old factory and
within six months had made it into a very nice work environment. I took the elevator to the fourth floor, normally I would take the stairs but I was dog ass tired. I couldn’t sleep last night, I couldn’t stop watching her.

“Good morning Mr. Steel.”

“Cut the shit, Pam,” I smiled as I walked through the lobby into my office.

“Dominic, and Jules?” she had no clue who the
y were, “Will arrive at noon.”

“Thanks, as soon as they get here send them in,” I walked
into my office, turned on my computer, and grabbed a water out of the refrigerator behind the corner bar.

The morning wa
s spent on the phone with Ocean Resort, I wanted everything perfect and yes I was using my new position in life to make sure it happened. “Keep in mind if this isn’t over the top perfect we will take our business elsewhere. The food, the stage, the dance floor, the fucking flowers all better be perfect.”

Abe looked up at me and rolled his eyes and I realized what an ass I sounded like, “
They’re going to spit in the food man.”

“They better not or…”

“You will take your business elsewhere, I heard you, and they heard you. You’re a CEO and President now, when are you going to start acting it?” Abe laughed and I did too.

“You mean like Benny?”

“Fuck Benny,” Abe scowled.

“Soon enough man, soon enough.” We all hated the little bastard, “His wife is flying in with Dom.”

“No shit?”

“No, wonder
what’s going on a mile in the sky?”

We laughed, “Focus,” Abe laughed, “Z
andor is going to be pissed he’s in Venice.”

“It’s not Zandor we need to worry about,” I chuckled
, “Alright we are focusing right?”

“Yeah, Dom has a copy of the speech, I just wrapped up the video part of t
he presentation.”

“Carly needs a dress, call her and tell her you’ll have one delivered,” I looked up and Abe was looking at me oddly, “What?”

“She might have one,” Abe laughed.

“No I checked last night…”

“You went over there and rifled through her things!”

“I spent the night,” I knew I was pissing him off, so I smirked on purpose and leaned back and put my hands behind my head, “The whole night.”

“Way to take things slow fucker, she is dealing with…”

I sat up, “Nothing happened
. She cried, she threw up, I gave her a bath…”

“Nothing happened and you gave her a bath?”

“What size do you think she is?” I was ignoring him on purpose, and definitely provoking him on purpose, that son of a bitch thrives on this shit. Productive as hell when he is pissed.

“I don’t fucking know, you think your bad ass
but I am putting you on notice. Fuck her up and I am going to kick your ass up and down the shore,” Abe was pissed.

“Five, six?
Seriously Abe help me out,” I looked up at him, he had veins popping out of his neck.

“Fuck you,” he stood up, “You got your tux there smart ass?”

“No but I will order it as soon as I get done picking out what lingerie I am going to peel off your cousin tonight,” Abe slammed the door when he left the office and I laughed.

He popped his head back in, “Eight
o’clock fucktard!”

“Love you Bro,” I chuckled.

I Googled high end clothing stores in the city.
Maison Martin Margiela
popped up. I had never been there but the website was like nothing else I had ever experienced in the little bit of online shopping I had done for Little Bell. I loved it immediately. The pictures of the store looked amazing and I would be taking her there someday. It was art, not just a building that housed clothes. I spent way too much time admiring it than I would ever admit too.

I
grabbed my phone to call the store directly. I told them the item, size, and color I wanted. The salesperson asked the occasion and I was kind of was taken aback, seriously why did they want to know. By the end of my conversation, the salesman (if you could call him that, I felt like he was now a friend, I swear I came real close to inviting him to the event tonight) he knew the occasion and even why it was important. I was adamant on sparing no expense and he seriously could have sold me anything, but the shit kicker was he didn’t push. When he asked her shoe size I was lost momentarily, he didn’t make me feel like a dick he helped me figure it out and mention that if they were wrong I could return them. I even asked that he just pick something out for me that kind of flattered her evening wear but didn’t shout
, I want to nail this girl so bad that I am buying matching clothes
. He laughed, asked my size, and I gave it to him with strict instructions that I did not want flashy. He would be sure her things were delivered to her address within a few hours and that mine were delivered to the office. I even tried to tip him and he refused. I felt like a douche at that point, but hey he probably just saved my ass, I would definitely be sending a gift of some sort.

~

I was pacing in my dark gray suit when Abe walked into the banquet hall with Carly. She was fucking stunning and I am not gonna lie I could feel myself chub up a bit especially knowing what was under that amazing dress, and even a bit more picturing what was under that. I licked my dry lips and she looked at me at the same damn time. Her eyes widened a bit and she looked to Abe immediately. Her hair was styled perfectly, it was pinned back on the sides and laid down her shoulder covering her left tit.
Holy shit, I need to get laid soon before I explode
. I wonder if once I have her it won’t be one of the first thoughts that crosses my mind when I see her. I doubt it, I’m probably doomed to a lifetime of wanting to be buried inside that sweet little…

“Jase,” Abe stuck out his hand to shake mine but my eyes never left hers.

“You look stunning Carly,” I am sure my face turned as red as hers did. She was rubbing off on me, the whole thinking before you speak thing.

“Thanks,” she
looked around lost for a moment. “They certainly don’t spare any expense do they?” she asked looking at Abe.

“No they don’t, but I can
guarantee I’ll be asking for a raise after I am settled in here. Jase, you mind hanging out with Carly for a few minutes? I see someone I need to talk to,” Abe didn’t wait for a reply, he walked away leaving her by my side.

“You don’t have to entertain me,” she smiled the smile that said she didn’t want to be a bother.

“Please you’ll be doing me a favor,” I wanted to take her hand but knew that would be too pushy, what would Mimi say. I chuckled and she looked at me and again and looked incredibly self-conscious, “Would you like a drink?”

“No, way,” she giggled, “I mean
, no thank you.”

“Water,
ginger ale, tonic, Vodka and Cranberry,” I joked and she laughed, “Water it is… come on, the bar is this way.”

Carly walked beside me looking around. She spotted Abe standing with Dom and Jules. Dom was smirking at us and winked.
I noticed that her shoulders slumped in slightly and she looked around nervously, insecure as hell and it pissed me off. I grabbed her hand and walked to the mirror wall beside the bar. I took her shoulders and faced her towards it standing behind her.

“Look in the mirror Carly
, and tell me what you see.”

“Jase
, please don’t…”

“You are the most beautiful woma
n in this room, yet some dick winks at you, and you want to hide.” She started to step away and I held her waist, bringing her back, “Your eyes are as blue as the ocean on the calmest clear day, your hair naturally frames that fucking face, the one I swear to God I could look at everyday for the rest of my life, your body clothed or not would make any man on the planet give their left nut to have just one night with you. Your mind is constantly working, taking in everything around you. Your heart …”

“Stop, just stop, I
can’t…”

“Okay Carly, just please don’t hide inside yourself, wh
at you have to offer is amazing.” I needed to shut my fucking mouth but I was burning inside, I didn’t know how much more I could take, I needed her to know that I never stopped loving her.

I looked over at Abe and he must have known I needed him to come save my ass, again.

“Come dance with me?” he took Carly’s hand and they went to the dance floor.

I ordered a shot and a beer, something to take the edge off.
I looked over at Dom and the fucker was grinning at me, he nodded towards Carly and winked. I would fucking cut him. I knew the look I was giving him did not go unnoticed.

I walked out of the
banquet hall and walked outside, I paced back and forth for what seemed like an eternity trying to keep myself from grabbing her, throwing her over my shoulder, and leaving this party.

When I walked in Dom was dancing with my girl
, and she was smiling her polite smile. He looked at me and winked and I gave the Italian asshole the Bronx salute. He smiled and I shook my head and looked away. Two songs later he was still dancing with her and I had enough.

“Mind if I cut in?” I tapped Dom on the shoulder.

“Are you a waiter?” Dom was such a dick. When I told him she had no idea what had happened, he told me I should use my new power to impress her.

“No but you’re an…”

“Jase this is Dominic, he will be Abe’s boss, and mine as well,” Carly was playing defense.

“I will let this common…whatever he is
, dance with you
amore mio
. But if he bores you or steps on your little feet I will come save you.”

“Have you ever heard of sexual
harassment? Sei uno stronzo,” I took Carly in my arms rather forcefully.

“Oh you speak some Italian?” Dom laughed.

“Yes, Dom was it? I would apologize for being rude but…”

“Carly is
a beautiful woman, all is fair, isn’t it?” Dom laughed and walked away.

“Jase what are you doing?” Carly looked upset, “I could lose my job.”

“Sorry, I just... It won’t happen again. I just thought you were dancing with him to be polite and I didn’t want him to upset you.”

“Well actually
, the woman he is with is very interested in the research Thomas and I have been working on. She read all the findings on her trip here from Italy and Dominic was just saying how he would like to learn more as well. Apparently I’ll see him often at work Jase. I need this job, Thomas needs this job--you have no idea what it means to us. Please don’t do that again.”

She was calm, but I knew she was pissed, “Alright
, I will even apologize to him…”

“No please just leave it alone. I am going to find Abe, thanks for the dance,” she walked away and left me
standing there.

“Hello
, Jase,” I turned to see Jules standing next to me.

“Jules,” I nodded and looked at Carly standing
next to Abe.

“Dance?”

“One,” I thought this may be a good idea, Carly would be happy to not have to deal with me for a few minutes.

“She is lovely,” Jules smiled and pulled me a little closer than I felt comfortable with.

I stepped back, “Personal space, please.”

“Awe I see,” she smiled, “I went over her work.”