The Greener Field

Exposed

Having returned to the Clairidge Hotel in London, Sarah was trying her best to not blame Jess for the feelings she had back at Silkcrest. Though they both had just spent a marathon night of lovemaking, she could not exactly tell why she did not feel closer to him, and in fact, felt a coolness from him now which she tried to blame on their exhaustion and lack of sleep. As they got back into the opulent suite and tossed their things onto the sofa at ten-thirty that morning, both opted to try and recoup some of the rest they lost on Derek's estate.

Jess gave Sarah a warm hug and led her over to the inviting bed. She could tell by his sluggishness and silence that it was sleep he now craved instead of sex, and this was both to her relief and liking as well. Before she could even undress herself and slip on the another silk teddy she had brought for the trip, Jess had already drifted off into a deep sleep.

Having a powerful and uncharacteristic headache from the night before did not help her with her attempt to sleep herself. And when she did finally drift off, she felt Jess slipping out of bed quietly.

"Jess?   What time is it?

"Hey, princess, go back to sleep. It's around twelve . . . but you need your rest."

"And you?"

"I've got this damn business meeting today. Over lunch at one-thirty. I can't miss it baby. So just chill here until I get back."

"And if you don't?"

"Just stay in bed and get your beauty rest. Or . . . get out and shop until you drop."

"Come on, Jess . . . I didn't come to England to shop."

"OK. Listen. I've got more great plans for us this week. Just have to mix some business with pleasure these days. Got some pressing issues . . . really. Things pretty important, Sarah."

"Alright, but . . . "

"No., I promise. No more horses. No more creepy mansions. I could tell that wasn't really your thing out there."

"I think it was just . . . more about your friend. I don't know. Bad vibes, I guess. He was  just . . ."

"Eccentric, I know. But he's got a great heart, you know. . . and he's super . . . influential financially."

"Whatever, Jess. Just come back soon."

"Look. We've got the whole London clubbing scene to expose you too tonight, Angel."

Jess was dressing quickly now as he spoke, obviously in a hurry to make his meeting somewhere apparently across town. Sarah's nature—perpetually shy, did not like his phrase, 'expose you to.'

"Go checkout the underground spa here, Sarah. It will energize you."

"After last night . . . I could definitely use that." She smiled across the room at him, a little embarrassed

"You were great, sweetie. A real tiger."

"Oh my gosh. Be quiet!  Glad you remember that. I barely can."

"Just get your sleep and you'll be fine. Better  than fine in a couple of hours."

He walked up to the mirror and adjusted his collar, then grabbed his coat and left the bedroom in a rush. "See you soon, sleepy head!"  he shouted back at her.