She dropped her eyes seeming to search for words. "Because Jared, you've helped me in so many ways and you've helped so many others. You do so much, you deserve someone to take the weight for you."
She was right. I never stopped long enough to see everything I do. "Thank you for that." I wrapped her in a hug then proceeded to wash myself.
"When do you leave for Africa?"
"Monday after I'm done in New York."
"New York?"
I forgot, I never told her about the movie. She distracted me... slightly, "Oh yeah, I never told you did I? I took your advice and umm...I took the part, and I'm going to sign the contract Monday."
She was completely confused. "Huh?...OH! Oh shit! No way. Seriously? That's wonderful! My favorite person is playing my favorite villain!" She threw her arms around my neck. I think she was more excited then I was. Wait. Favorite person?
"Favorite person, huh?" She sat back and blushed. I tilted her head up to look at me, "You're my favorite too." I guess that's telling her I love her without freaking her out.
She smiled and kissed me, "So does that mean you leave the day after tomorrow?"
Shit was it that soon? "Yeah, I'm afraid so. I'm Going to have Babu stay with you while I'm gone to help you with Shan."
"Ok. You should get some rest so you can pack tomorrow. I assume you're staying here tonight?" I nodded. "I'll be back in the morning so you can go pack." She pushed my hair out of my face and twirled it around her finger. I could see the start of tears in her eyes but she hid it well. She stood before kissing me and leaving.
After she left I laid down on the spare bed in the room and watched Shannon with his tubes and I.V.s. I hope he wakes up before I leave.
The next morning I awoke to fingernails softly grazing my back. I could hear my mom talking to the doctor somewhere in the room. I rolled over to be met with a very tired Rhiannon. She smiled at me and continued to run her fingertips over my chest. My eyes drifted shut, enjoying the soft touch.
"Morning sweetheart." I stretched he'd and sat up taking the hair tie from my wrist. She smiled and handed me a cup of tea. I glanced at Shannon, still out. My heart sunk. I didn't want to leave him like this.
The doctor left and mom updated us. They're going to do a CT scan and some other tests. She told Rhi that she'd stay so we could spend the day together before I leave.
Rhiannon and I headed outside to our cars, but when we stepped into the parking lot I didn't see her car. "How'd you get here?" She pointed at a black Ducati. I eyed her up and down. I hadn't realized she was wearing leathers. So sexy. She threw her leg over the bike and reached for her helmet. "You'll meet me at the lab?" She nodded and reached up to kiss me. She was acting weird today.
When I got to the lab she was waiting. She was laying back on her bike looking at the sky. I parked my car and walked to her. Running my hand across the leather on her thigh, and letting my hand drift between her legs, "I like you covered in leather." She smiled and let out an airy laugh.I continued to run my hand over her body, her eyelids fell and her body responded to my touch. I stopped and cupped her cheek in my hand. With her eyes still closed I studied her face taking in her features. Her long lashes, cute little nose, and those lips, Jesus, and the little freckle on the bottom lip. She wasn't the kind of woman I usually went for. She's not blonde, or tall with long legs. She wasn't a size zero nor did she have any desire to be walking a runway. She's unbelievably smart, and musically inclined. She did have an ego, but who am I to talk? It was weird how similar we are.
She opened one eye and looked up at me, "Are you going to stand there and look at me all day? You can if you want, but you do have packing to do, just saying."
I smiled slyly, "Come on then, so I can look at you whilst I pack."
Once inside I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her in a deep kiss while I carried her to my bedroom. When we got there I threw her on the bed then turned back into the hallway to get my suitcase.
"You're such a tease Jared! It's not very nice. Where are you staying in New York?"
"Soho, maybe, I don't know. That's why I pay Emma."
"Well you can stay in my flat if you want to. The paps aren't allowed to be anywhere near the building."
"Where is it?"
"North end of the Bowery on Lafayette and Houston."
"Really? Not where I expected."
"What'd you expect? I spend a lot of my time in the East Village when I'm there."
"I don't know somewhere like the Dakota maybe. Something fancier."
I could hear her laughing behind me. "What?"
"Oh its fucking fancy, love. Don't let the location fool you."
"What kind of fancy?"
"Sixty seven million kinda fancy." Did I just hear you right? Holy fuck!
"That's more money then I've made in my entire life! How the hell...?"
She smiled at me, "Price doesn't matter to me. What does matter is if I like it. Beside I make more money than I'll ever be able to spend in my entire life."
By the time I finished packing my clothes. Rhiannon was asleep. I crawled up beside her and followed her lead of a much needed nap.
