I greeted the people behind the desk, walked passed to the elevator and up to Jared's room.
"Be right there." I heard him call out after I knocked.
The door opened quickly a few seconds after. I noticed that he was only dressed in a pair of pajama pants and he looked frazzled.
"Hey. Come on in." He smiled and went back inside.
I stepped into the room and walked behind him.
"I'm sorry that I'm not ready to go. I've been so busy this morning." He started to pick up papers.
"No worries. It happens. You may want to get dressed though. Still too cold to go out half dressed." I kept things light.
"I get so wrapped up in things. My friends tend to pull me out of it."
"You're a busy man. The life of the famous is crazy." I exaggerated 'crazy'.
Jared smiled slightly and looked at me, away from the clutter. The look in his eyes made me self conscious.
"What?" I questioned.
"You look nice. I'm feeling very underdressed suddenly." He answered.
I took a deep breath. It was a nice compliment. Checking out the mess, I noticed that there weren't any dishes around and it was after lunch.
"Have you eaten?"
Running his fingers through his short hair, Jared shook his head. "No actually."
"Jared. How can you function without food?"
"Again. I've been busy."
I sighed. "Man. Okay, idea. You go make yourself pretty and I'll go down to the kitchen and scrounge you up something for you to eat."
"You're so good to me." He became silly. "Deal. But before you go, let me look at you once more."
I posed like an over exaggerated fashion model, making dorky faces. Pam and I had picked out a pair of shiny, black legging, a solid red v-neck tee and a blue and red flannel just buttoned at the waist. Knee length boots completed my look.
"I like this darling." He spoke like a fashion reviewer.
I laughed. "I'm going. You clean up. Be back soon."
I headed out the door and down to the kitchen.
"Hey Lisa. How've you been?" Tracey, the seating hostess, greeted me. She was a woman of average height, dark blond hair and a great outgoing personality.
"Good. It's been busy. Yourself?" I told her.
"Same."
"That's good. Listen who's cooking today?"
"Our favourite french chef." She smiled.
"Pascal? Great. I need to ask a favour."
"Good luck."
"Thanks." I walked to the kitchen door, but didn't go inside.
The kitchen wasn't too busy at that time. I noticed Pascal near the stove, watching over a simmering pot. He stood at 5'11", dark hair, just a little overweight but sometimes a chef must taste his own food. I liked him because of his care for detail.
"Pascal. My wonderful friend." I spoke sweetly.
He looked over, smiled and walked over. His arms surrounded me tight. "Ah ha. You come to see me, amour. You stay away too long."
"Sorry. I do need a favour if you could?" I laughed. He was so joyful.
"For you? Of course. You ask, I prepare."
"Those wonderful vegan pancakes you make. Would you make some for a friend? Maybe with some fresh berries?"
"Ah, you have a special friend. It is my pleasure. Crepes avec fraise ala creme." He bowed.
"Oh no. He's vegan, no cream please." I requested.
"Ah you people. No creme, no meat. How do you enjoy food?"
"One mouthful at a time."
Throwing his hands up, Pascal went to prepare the food. Of course it was amazing. The berries were wrapped in the thin buckwheat pancakes. The smell was mouth watering. Placing the plate and pure maple syrup on a tray, it was covered and given to me.
"You are the best." I praised.
"Mais out. I hope that your friend will enjoy them." He cleaned his hands.
"I'm sure he will. Thank you very much."
Carefully, I carried the tray out of the kitchen and back up to Jared's room. I knocked but received no answer. One of the housekeeping staff was nearby and I asked her to let me inside. Thanking her, I went into the room. Figuring Jared was showering, I carried the tray to the small table. That's when I notice the sound of soft breathing. I walked over to the sofa. He was laying down, eyes closed, fast asleep. I noticed that he had showered. His hair was still wet and he was only in a pair of jeans. He must have been tired from whatever he'd been doing earlier.
The pancakes could wait a few minutes. Obviously, he needed to rest. The clutter started to annoy me, so I began to organize the papers in stacks and wipe the table off. I put his devices on sleep modes and set them aside. When I finished, I wondered if I should leave. Jared took a deep breath, opened his eyes and focused on the room.
"You straightened ?" He was still drowsy.
"Yeah. I can't stand things thrown around." I shrugged. "Well workspace anyway."
"Thanks." He sat up. "What am I smelling? It's heavenly."
"Oh. I asked the chef to make a special plate. When I have dinner he'll make it for me." I went to get the tray. "They should be still warm."
When I revealed the food, I thought he would faint from hunger. I'm sure I saw his mouth water.
"Are you kidding me?" He smiled.
"I knew that you would enjoy them. The berries are fresh. He makes his own preserves." I explained.
"How did you know?"
"The hair threw me off the other day. I've seen you play and I enjoy your music. I gave your recipe to the chef a long time ago. I love them and he makes them for some of the guests that have food preferences. They're a hit."
"You're really great. Thanks for this."
"Just eat. Save the flattery for latter."
Jared dove into the food. I laughed when he moaned. He said that it tasted great and didn't realize how hungry he was. When he was finished, the tray was put in the hall, so no mess.
"I guess today's plan was a bust huh?" Jared questioned.
"It wasn't too bad. I really hadn't planned anything. I figured that I'd let you choose." I shrugged. "At least you didn't have to worry about getting dressed."
"Oh I caught you looking." He smiled like a Cheshire Cat.
"How can I not look? You're all out there." I laughed.
"Do I make you nervous with all my muscles?" He spoke like an Austrian bodybuilder.
"Don't think so."
"Do,you want to touch my muscles?" He continued.
I was laughing uncontrollably. Getting off the sofa, I tried to control myself. Jared jumped up and came after me.
"Oh no. You can't get away from me." He was being silly.
"Jared! Stop it! I can't catch my breath." I giggled.
"Ha. I gotcha." He grabbed me around the waist.
I threw my head back, still laughing hard.
"You're trapped now." He teased, grabbed my right hand and placed it on his chest. "Touch my big muscles. I worked hard to get this way."
"You're an ass." I said as I let my fingers move over his chest.
He really had changed his look. He'd been fit before (I'd seen pictures posted online), but he was preparing for a new movie and it was working. Absentminded, I watched as I touched his toned torso. His pecs were hard, his abs were defined and his shoulders were wide. He was amazing.
"I should go." I lifted my hands from his body.
Jared set his hands over mine and put them back. I looked up. His eyes watched me. His face was soft. "Please stay."
"Jared, I..."
"You made me feel better about being here. Everyone I know is back in LA. I don't like being along for so long."
"Is that why you keep busy?"
"Kind of. Is it because of your friend?"
"You mean James? No. He's actually one of my best friends and he's gay. I'm comfortable with him."
"So, no boyfriend?"
"Too busy with work for that."
Jared's hand moved to my back. He held me closer. Everything inside told me to leave but Jared was so tempting. Insanely slow, Jared placed his mouth over mine. His lips were soft but firm, massaging one. The spark was lit. I wrapped my fingers through his hair, holding him tight. I felt as he unbuttoned and removed my flannel shirt, pulled at the red shirt and slipped his hand underneath, touching my warm skin. With my free hand, I moved down his chest and stomach. His body felt beautiful.
"Keep going." He urged as he took hold of my breast.
Like it was a normal thing, I placed my fingers on to the front of his jeans and held his growing bulge underneath. He moaned as we kissed. Things went quickly from there. Jared lifted me off the floor, carried me to the bedroom and set me down on the bed. He peeled off my clothes and his jeans. Leaning down, he paced kisses over my stomach, breasts and neck. I was feeling an emotional and sexual surge. Climbing over me, Jared's hand found my warm core between my legs, and softly strokes me. I could hear how he started my juices flowing.
"Oh Jared." I moaned.
"You're so wet. So beautiful." He whispered.
"Please don't leave me like this."
He covered my lips again, moved himself over my body and adjusted his position. I felt him enter me slowly at first. Nothing else was said as we continued with the sex. Jared was a caring lover, taking the time for me to have an amazing experience. He was so big but it wasn't painful, touching places I'd never knew were there. He moaned and I cried out as I climaxed, feeling the heat from both of us. It was a feeling of fulfillment, something I'd never felt I needed.
Laying next to me, I listened as his breathing calmed. Jared's face was next to mine, his fingers holding onto the back of my neck. My arms were wrapped around his back, hands moving over his muscles. As good as I felt at that moment, a long suppressed memory surfaced.
"Jared. Jared I have to leave." I struggled to get out from under him.
What?" He fell to the side of the mattress.
I gathered my clothes and began to dress. A feeling of panic washed over me.
"What's wrong? I'm sorry if I did something I shouldn't have." He stood up.
"It's not.. Jared I have issues that shouldn't have let this go as far as it did." I pulled on my jacket.
"Stay. We can talk about it." He walked over.
"I really can't."
"You can't leave this way." He tried to put his arms around me.
"Please. Don't. I really have to go. I'm sorry."
Walking away, I got to the door, looked back and saw how hurt he was. It made me feel horrible but I had no choice. Once I left the hotel, I pulled out my cell phone, turned it on and went to my contacts. It rang twice before I heard the familiar voice.
"James. I need you. Would you meet me at home?" I tried to jeep calm.
"Be there when you get there." He didn't even question. "I'll bring reinforcements."
"Thanks." I shut it off and went to the subway.
I only knew one way to avoid letting things get out of hand. And my friends knew everything.
