More and More

**II.

I rose to the sound of rain hitting my windows at 9:30am. It's quite funny, he gave me exactly what I wanted and needed. No need for a movie, bath or wine, as I was out soon as my head hit the pillow. I truly did want a relationship worth having with Michael. He relieved me of my stress alright. I sighed, because it seemed my issues weren't completely over. My divorce finalization wasn't complete, as Sam kept trying to prolong it, simply to make me as miserable as possible. And for what reason? I heard a knock on the door as I was preparing for my shower. After quickly brushing my teeth, I ran downstairs and of course, the Devil let himself in. "Excuse me, what do you want?" I snarled at him. "I realized I left some of my belongings and wanted to grab them? Is that alright or do I need permission?" "Well it is my house, so yes, permission's mandatory." I stared. He went over to grab a few of the suitcases that belonged to him; I had Michael help me with them. "When are you getting the rest of your shit out my house, Sam?" "When I feel like it. And the signing got pushed back again, I went into some things and decided it was worth looking into." I frowned at him, literally wanting to lay hands on that man. How did he become this way? "Things like what?" "Well, remember when you we're starting your company and I gave you the start up for the-" "No way! I gave you that back INCLUDING interest! Don't you fucking dare, Sam!" He smiled devilishly. "I'll see you in a hearing, in two weeks." He dropped a stack of paperwork on the coffee table and took his two suitcases and left. I slammed the door, wishing one of his fingers were in there. I sat down in a furry trying my hardest not to cry. Granted his name was on the company, it was only because I took his last before it opened. Why would he try and take my hopes and dreams from me? I cared not about that damn trunk he left nor his other possessions. I decided I needed Michael's help. I called him up, but he was taking forever to answer, so I went and showered.

After returning to my bedroom in my towel, I found 3 missed calls from Michael. I return one, and he answers quickly. "Hey, I'm sorry I missed you, I was in a meeting at UB." "Are you free? Can you come over? I need some help with something." He pauses a bit, as I hear the interference from his car as he's driving. "Yeah, I'm exiting off the highway as we speak. I'll be there in less than 15." "Alright, thanks so much," I tell him as we end our call. I quickly get dressed and throw my hair in a ponytail. I look through the house for as much of Sam's crap as I can find that he left. I find everything from gifts, more clothes of his, shoes, literally anything he hasn't grabbed. Putting it all in boxes and bags, I bring it downstairs for my disposal. He has sickened me for the last goddamn time. Eventually I hear another knock on the door and to my relief, it's Michael. "God, I'm glad you're here," I let him in, and to his surprise my living area is in disarray. "What's going on here?" "He came over...with some bullshit as usual..." "Sam?" he asked, watching me frantically packing up my soon to be 'was-band's' belongings. "Yeah! I want all his crap out of here. He won't have to come back for it; he'll have to replace it!" He looked through a few bags and found my wedding ring. "You could sell this," he held it up, "if you want. Does it hold any sentimental value to you at all?" I sat down flustered, trying not to cry in front of him. Showing him my sexual side was one thing, but my vulnerability due to my ex, my first, was a totally different tale. "He broke my heart; I don't want a thing from him," my voice cracked while I quickly tried to wipe my tears. He put the ring back and sat next to me. "I never expected any of this...and I don't understand. But I'm glad it's ending because after a while he just got cocky and didn't care about me at all." Michael gently stroked the back of my head, kissing my cheek. "I hate you have to see me this way." "It's alright, my last relationship wasn't all that glamourous either. So I understand. Eventually we will discuss this all once you're ready, ok? I won't budge." I look over at him, nodding softly. "Ok, you wanna get rid of all this stuff? We can. I'll help. Then we can spend the rest of the day together, just us, hm?" "Alright, that'll work." We got up and threw out all of his belongings, gifts to me, everything. There was no way I was keeping a single drop. Afterwards I was truly tired; I sprawled out on the couch. "I need a nap...and a change of scenery. I love my home but he's just ruined it." I glanced over at the paperwork on the table in disgust and he noticed. "What's that?" "I'll explain later; I want no more Sam talk." "Fair enough. We can go to my place if you'd like, just to hang out or something." I nodded and told him to wait a while for me to get dressed properly; afterwards we left and went over to his place.

Hours had passed while we sat on the couch, eating and talking. This was certainly my speed, even though many terrible thoughts went thru my head. "Michael, how old are you?" I asked curiously, finishing my food. "32. You? Forgive me for asking but now I'm curious." "It's okay; 25. I know it's insane with my company and all." "I had no idea you were that young. You've certainly made quite a bit of yourself. I'm impressed," he smiled. Funny, all I got from Sam was jealously that I was a CEO before 30 and he was simply a junior partner at his company. Everything from my home, to my career was established before our marriage. I suppose he expected less of me. "Thanks," I replied, curling up on the couch. "If you want to nap, feel free to take my room. It's no problem." "No, I don't wanna put you out." He laughed. "You aren't, I insist. It's not a big deal. In fact, I'll probably join you." I gave him a wide eyed look; as much as I would've yearned for him to make some sort of move on me, I didn't want to give in so quick. "I won't try anything, I swear. We're taking a nap; that is all." I gave him another look and agreed. After disposing our containers, we went upstairs to his room. After getting into his bed, he followed suit, spooning me. Much of me was nervous, while the rest of me was aroused. However, I was way too tired to focus on either one, so I resorted to falling asleep.

I awoke two hours later to an empty bed. I was concerned about his disappearance as if I were his spouse already. I sat up, wondering where he went. This was my first time in his home, so I didn't want to walk around unannounced. Once again, the rain fell with a swiftness of peace and tranquility. Maybe it was a sign; maybe it proved that I was being washed away of my issues with Sam, with a renewal of growth with Michael. I watched it peacefully fall, still wondering where he disappeared to. I noticed the shower was running, and assumed he was there. I sat back in the pillows, admiring his simple yet elegant room. He had very good taste. I allowed my mind to wander a bit into a place that would incite deep conversation: why was someone of his caliber single? He seemed charming enough. And he was obviously extremely experienced. What was going on? What did he endure with his last relationship? I was very curious, and honestly couldn't wait to find out more about him. I decided to rise and walk around his room, glancing at photos of loved ones and other mementos he held dear. I stopped and found a photo where he seemed to be at his best: grin wide, eyes bright, and quite honestly, very sexy. It was hard to take my eyes off it. I was so engrained in my own thoughts that I never heard him enter the room. It wasn't until he spoke me out of my trance that I was startled.

"Enjoying what ya see?" he spoke with a chuckle. I turned around quickly watching him dry his hair with a hand towel, and nothing on but another towel around his hips. Part of me grew hot, embarrassed and flustered for staring so long. "Um, yeah, just looking at some photos," I tried focusing my attention somewhere else. I walked over to a chair to sit while looking over at the window again with the rain steadily falling. He sat over on the bed still drying his hair, and I desperately hoped I wouldn't see anything on him that I had already seen before...and handled. He finished drying his hair, which sat curly atop his head, making him even more irresistible. I simply stared out the window, looking right past him. "You alright, Boss?" he smirked. "I'm not your boss around here...I'm just Jasmine." I told him. He shrugged, "I still wouldn't mind you running things...it's pretty attractive." "I feel like you're using this power trip as a turn on." He nodded boyishly, with a light smile. It seems he took an extreme liking to my being in control. When in actuality, I was only doing my job. Outside of my work, I was a normal girl. I hardly hung out, I often stayed in. I had love and lost love, but that was it. There was this appetite, however, that Michael just brought out of me. He arose from his seat, walking to the other side of his room. "You gonna get dressed anytime soon? Parading around here like that isn't good for either of us," I expressed to him. He stood facing his dresser, laughing softly to himself. "I will be getting dressed don't worry; you don't have to watch me parade around here any longer...is it bothering you?" He knew good and damn well it was, so I simply gave him a look, to which he laughed louder. "Okay, I hear you loud and clear. Tell you what? We're gonna go out. Just us. No strings, no commitments, nothing. Just a nice, innocent time. Ok?" He looked at me sincerely. He was truly very sweet. "Alright. I'm taking you up on your offer."