A Stranger In A Strange Land

Part 8: If you're looking for Jesus

Jean's POV:

I stood in front of my big mirror in my closet doors in my bedroom, checking the result: hair straightened and natural, smokey eye-makeup, bright red lipgloss, a thin, natural layer of light powder on my face. A jade green silk top with a halter neck that was tied in a small bow below the back of my head and bare shoulders, which made my boobs look perky without a bra. A black skirt that ended just below my knees. Both from Donna Karan. Jade green Manolo Blahnik's. Bright red nail polish and a little black Prada clutch. Tiny black diamond earstuds and a matching bracelet on my right wrist and my steal DKNY watch on my left wrist. Those were the very few haute coture items I had splurged myself with this far, and not many occations to wear them. I was very happy with myself as I admired the classy and sexy woman in my reflection. I notice how the green blouse made my green eyes stand out and my blonde main being a contrast to this. I turned away from the mirror and grabbed my shal from my bed and let it hang loosely over my shoulders. Then I checked my watch: 0530. Shit, I gotta go, I'm supposed to be there in 30 minutes. I left my bedroom and walked to my kitchen where I picked up my overnight bag. Yes, I decided to sleep over if things turned out alright and packed a change of clothes, some toiletries and a pair of sneakers. I texted Jared and headed out the door, closed it and got in my little red Audi. Once inside I saw he had texted back:"Can't wait. XO" I smiled at his eagerness. As I buckled up before turning on the engine and backed out of my driveway, I was glad I had plenty of time to take a nap, eat a sandwich, take a shower and get ready. Because this could turn into a long and exciting night!

Jared's POV:

Good, she texted right on time. I placed the lasagna in the oven, sat the timer on for 30 minutes, and got in my bedroom to change. I got out my Hugo Boss leisure suit: black pants and white shirt. I decided to skip the jacket, since we probably would sit inside anyways. After I had dropped her off, delivered my guitar and done some last minute grocery shopping, I had taken a short nap, then a shower before I went through some emails and paperwork. I have a meeting with Emma on Monday, so why not kill some time and prepare that meeting? Once I was dressed and straightened things up in my bedroom, I made sure that everything's in place. My maid had done a good job, cleaning both bathrooms, changing sheets in both bedrooms and cleaning them yesterday. Downstairs again I sat the table in my diningroom: black table cloth, white china, steel cutlery, red napkins, my crystal glasses and a big vase of red roses and white lillies plucked from my garden. The salad bowl and bread basket was in place. The only thing missing was the red wine. I pulled out a bottle from my winecooler: my favorite Spanish Radio Boca. I hope she likes red wine? Oh well, if one should be taught to like it, this'll be the one to start with anyways. Once everything was set, all I had to do was wait for the lasagne to finish baking in the oven, and Jean's arrival. My stomache made flipflops at the thought, as I couldn't wait to see her again. I hoped she was well rested after our hike, and ready for a long evening with me...

Jean's POV:

As I pulled up into Jared's driveway, the butterflies in my tummy went on a frenzy and I felt my pulse raise. I had never been this excited about a man before after knowing him such a short time. I made the drive here in 17 minutes, probably speeding most of the way, but the traffic was very low and the police was nowhere to be seen in the hills. Not bad by me, since Jared uses about 20 minutes. I only hope he doesn't think I'm reckless! To know he lives this close to me is also good to know. I sighed as I turned off the ignition, grabbed my clutch and my overnight bag, got out of the car and locked the door. I took slow steps towards his front door trying to compse myself and get some control over my nerves before I rang the doorbell. When he opened the door I was met by a huge grin upon his face:"Hey! You made it early! Come on in. May I take that?" pointing at my bag. Me"Sure! Traffic was light. Thank your for inviting me. It smells amazing!" I replied, letting the aroma from the kitchen fill my nose and I followed him inside, closing the door behind me. He dropped my bag at the lowest step on the stairs and turned to me. "Welcome to my humble Hollywood home. Want the grand tour before we eat?" Me"I'd love to!" J"upstairs first" then he grabbed my bag and went up the stairs, with me behind. I studied his firm, little ass as we climbed upwards, imagining how it would be to squeeze and scratch it with my fingernails. I smiled and shook my head, glad he couldn't see me. At the top, he turned left. Jared pointed to three doors:"bathroom, guestroom, my bedroom. Where do you want your bag?" Me"bathroom if it's ok. I have my toiletries in there." J"ok" and opened the door. It was quite big with tiles all over, a big shower cabinette and a large bathtub as well as the toilet, sink and a long shelf-bench with lots of drawers underneath and a high towel-closet in the only vacant corner. Me"Wow, I love your bathroom! Mine's so small in comparison. And I have my washing machine in mine as well." J"thank you! That's one of the reasons why I bought this house. I love big bathrooms." Me"So this onsuite means sharing with you then?" J"yeah, otherwise you have to use the one at the other end. But I don't use that, unless this is occupied. Do you mind sharing?" Me"I guess not. Depends on how this night ends though" I winked at him. He grinned at me:"then I better play my cards right?" And winked back at me. He turned back into the hallway and opened up the door to the guestroom and I followed. J"it's not much, and hardly in use. Sometimes my brother stays in here if he needs to. Or any other friend who needs a place to crash. The bed is comfy though" I saw a queen size bed with nightstands and lamps on either side, a closet and dresser, a small desk and a chair. All the colors were light: white, beige and soft or light grey. Very cozy. Me"looks nice. And good to know you have a guest room." Jared shrugged and continued to the door across from his bathroom and opened the door as I closed the other one. I was stunned by the size of it. It looked like a small living room, with an old, small oven in the left corner, a huge king size bed - four poster with a headbord with steel railings and cherry wood at the posters and around the edges of the bed. Nightstands and chairs matched the dark wood. All then linon was in soft colors, except from the curtains: they were charcoal grey and went from ceiling to floor. The floor was covered in a creamy, soft carpet from wall-to-wall. The wall from the door to the corner window was covered in closet walls in full height. There was a big dresser underneath the window and a chair in front of a desk on the other side. I liked the room at once and he looked at me nervously. I grinned at him:"no need to be nervous. I love your room. The bed looks very comfy. I bet you sleep well here?" J"very much so. But I might sleep better with you next to me?" He bit his lower lip and looked at me with hope in his eyes. Me"Will we just be sleeping then?" blushing at the thought what can happen, almost holding my breath. J"not if you let me!" I noticed he swallowed hard and I exhaled. We both backed up into the hallway and he closed the door. J"just go downstairs. I have to check on dinner" We arrived the kitchen and the timer read 8 more minutes. Jared grabbed my hand so I followed him into his living room. The walls were in cream white, covered with different art. The furniture was dark and the windows was big with a view to his garden and swimming pool. Me"nice house! Big, but not huge. Just perfect!" J"thank you! My brother helped me decorate, since he's very into domestic style. I'm at loss for things like this. I know what I like. but I don't know how to put it together correctly. Sorry" he shrugged his shoulders. I stroke his back and replied:"well then it's s good thing he could help you with that." He leaned in and kissed my temple. "Red wine? He asked. Me"sure. I'd love some!" J"good!" Then he lead us back to the kitchen and poured wine in our glasses. No matter how thick the sexual tension was between us, we kept conversation and gestures light and easy. As if he was determent to make this a perfect evening. He looked at me as I sniffed in the aroma in my glass and said as he lifted his:"let's toast for new beginnings and experiences" Me"hear, hear!" Then we clinked our glasses together and took a sip. Me"mmm this is so good: so smooth and sweetly. Perfect!" J"it's my favorite. It's Spanish. Thanks, by the way" he smiled at me and sat the glass down and said:"please, sit down. I'll wait on you tonight. You don't have to do anything!" before he walked around the table and pulled out the chair besides me. I sat down as I answered:"thank you Jared. Such a gentleman!" J"oh I know how to be one every now and then!" He took my hand and kissed it before he placed it on the table. Then he sat down in the chair besides me and we sipped wine and chatted until the timer 'dinged' its signal that dinner was ready. When he got up, I studied him: he moves around with such ease and grace. He whistled as he took the the large heat proof glass container out if the oven with the oven mittens and placed on the table. Me"Mmm it smells divine! What's in it?" J"tomato sauce, pasta, vegetables and herbes, with vegan white sauce and cheese on top. I hope you like it! It has to set a few minutes before I cut into it though." Me"I know. I make this too. Only with minced meat." J"I'd like to taste your cooking one day. As long as it's vegetarian that is." Me"sure, I can whip up something, as I know a few good veggie dishes" My stomache growled loudly at this time, causing us both to laugh embarrased, since I heard noices from his stomache too. It was so heartfelt and real and I knew I fell in love with him right there and then. That's it, we laughed together over mutual hunger and stupid body sunds. I love his laughter, his smile, his voice, the mischief twinkle in his eyes, how he smelled and how he made me feel when we kissed. I blushed at the thought and withdrew my gaze from him and let my eyes wander over his modern kitchen: it was white with grey cupboards and steel surface on fridge and stove. Counter tops was made of dark grey tiles. All of the floors down here was of dark cherry wood, very clean and homey. J"hey, since we're both so hungry, I say we just dig in. So just help yourself" I got startled from him talking to me, lost in my daydream. J"Sorry to drag you out of your scrutiny of my kitchen and starteled you!" he grinned and winked at me. I just scoffed:"sorry, I was just still admiring your home and got lost in a daydream" I smiled at him, narrowing my eyes just a tad. J"oh yeah, what did you daydream about?" Looking very curious at me. I shook my head and said:"Mabye I'll explain that later. Right now I need to eat!" Then I smiled shyly at him, grabbed the spoon and cut the first piece from the lasagna, and grabbed some salad from its bowl, sprinkled some vinaigrette over it and pulled off a piece of bread, chugged down half of glass of water, got a piece on my fork, blew on it to cool it down and took the first bite from the dish. After swallowing I exclaimed:"Mmm oh my god! This is so good! You are an excellent chef! I might keep you, so you can cook for me!" I grinned at winked playful at him. J grinned back and I noticed pride in his eyes as he replied:"I'm glad you liked it. And I'd love to cook for you anytime. It's my mum's recepie in fact. She has made this for years, and one if my favorites" That made me lift my wineglass to him and say:"Compliments to your mother then, for teaching you how to cook!" He raised his glass and we both drank. We continued our meal, talking about this and that, smiling, laughing, stealing glances at each other, blushing, telling good stories. Him mostly from touring, me from my photo shoots and travels. We got more and more relaxed, and I felt we grew closer as the conversation proceeded.