Page 28 of All Fall Down

Chapter Eleven

We fall asleep, tangled together, as dawn bursts into view outside our windows. When I blink dreamily a few hours later, the orange glow of sunrise has been replaced by late morning sunlight. I’m alone in the bed, so I roll over and stare at the ceiling.

Everything has changed and nothing has changed.

Except that I’m in a better mood then I can remember having been in for weeks. I giggle as I draw the sheet over my body. Then I yank it off the bed.

Tucking it around myself, I go exploring. When I reach the living room, Jameson grins at me over a cup of coffee.

“I thought you might be hungry.” He gestures to the dining room table. It’s been laden with silver platters and pitchers. I take the lid off a plate and then another.

“Did you order everything on the menu?” I ask.

“I thought the Duchess might have an appetite this morning,” he teases.

I shove a piece of bacon in my mouth “The Duchess does.”

I could stay like this forever, but I am in New York City.

“What are our plans today?” I ask as I pluck a promising looking croissant from a platter of pastries.

“I thought we could go out and see the city.”

“Or we could stay in?” I suggest mischievously, my carnal side getting the better of me. “Neither of us are dressed after all.”

Jameson abandons his coffee and prowls toward me, “What are you suggesting Miss Southerly?”

There’s no resistance from me when he throws me over his shoulder and carries me back to bed.

It’s nearlynoon by the time either of us manage to get dressed. Jameson suggests another round of room service but I shake my head. “We’ll never leave this suite if we do that.”

“Tired of me already?” he asks.

“Never,” I promise. I don’t have to say more, he understands.

I’ve never been to New York and while I know the laundry list of tourist spots that I’m supposed to see, I defer to his wisdom.

We barely make it into the lobby before Mr. White accosts us.

“Mr. West, I was wondering if I might have a word with you?” he begins, but Jameson cuts him off.

“It’s Saturday, Mr. White,” he reminds him, “and I need to show my girl the town.”

My girl, I think to myself. Everything sounds a little sexier coming out of his mouth this morning. Then again he’d given me a few demonstrations last night that showed just how sexy that mouth could be.

“Of course, of course!” Mr. White steps away and waves cheerfully, “Have a lovely day!”

“Unbelievable,” Jameson mutters through clenched teeth.

“Give him a break.” I can’t help feeling benevolent today.

“If it was up to that man, I’d spend the entire weekend with his lips attached to my ass.”

“No you wouldn’t, I’d fight him for you,” I promise.

“Oh yes?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.

“Definitely, that ass is mine.”