Chapter 62: Fading Echoes

His hands landed on one of her breasts and he plumped it a little roughly, eager to give her more pleasure. She didn't seem to mind as she placed her hand on his.

When he felt the wave of orgasm, he balanced himself and pulled Jeanne's hips higher, her arse almost off the bed. He jammed furiously inside her, pinching her clitoris, hoping they will get off together.

"Come with me…," he pleaded, his voice heavy with inclination.

He let go only after he knew she let go too. He pumped his cream into her, groaning and grunting and still thrusting, milking both her culmination and his.

He laughed when they were done, satiated and happy. It was better than he envisaged.

He balanced Jeanne better on the bed and laid on her, putting his weight on his hands beside her head. Her breaths were still ragged, as the current of fervency was still lingering in her veins.

Ethan kissed her closed eyes, and she opened them to see the ridiculously handsome Adrian's substitute. Only he didn't feel like a substitute a couple of minutes ago.

He pressed his forehead to hers and laughed lightly. She joined in holding on to him.

"You're the sweetest girl in the world," he said.

"I bet you say that to all your…." she said, but he quickly covered her mouth before she could finish the sentence.

"No," Ethan said, staring intensely into her eyes. "I mean it, Jelly Bean…you…I…" he said, trailing off.

He was bound. By professional ethics, by status and reality. There was no way he could express himself.

Jeanne looked back at him confused. All she could decipher was that he was excellent at his job. Sending her false emotions with his gestures and speech. Even though they looked real.

She played along, hoping it will help her with what she was going through. And for that, she was appreciative.

He let go of her and rolled over beside her. She moved with him and placed her head on his chest.

"Thank you for saying that, Ethan." she said softly. "I really needed to hear it."

"It's the truth, Jelly Bean," he said, stroking her upper arm.

He felt her smile against his skin.

"Have you eaten?" she asked.

"I ate on the plane."

"Yuck, that's not food. Let's order something from the kitchen. I was actually waiting for you, so we could eat together." she said.

"Ok."

She got up from the bed and called the kitchen to order food.

"I need a quick shower before the food gets here," Ethan said, getting up.

"I'll join you," she said, her eyes dancing on his perfectly sculptured body.

"It's not going to be a quick shower then," he said, smiling.

"Ethan!" she said, closing up the distance between them and giving him a light slap on his biceps.

"I just came three times!"

"Just three times?" he joked.

She laughed, her heart leaping for joy for the first time in a long while.

They went into the shower and it was not a quick one. But they got out just in time their food arrived.

Seated at the dining table in the living area, they began their meal. Jeanne ate in silence, and Ethan could feel her drifting back into the turmoil within her heart.

"I got a modelling gig," he said, trying to lighten the mood.

"That's wonderful," she said, looked at him. "Which brand?"

"Elite."

"Get outta 'ere," she said aloud. "Ethan, that's huge!"

"Yep."

"Congratulations," she said, holding his hand on the table.

"Thank you," he said, squeezing her fingers.

"So thrilled for you," she said because she knew they paid well, being the most sort after brand in the country.

"Youre gonn' be seeing me all over the country. Newspapers, magazines, billboards. The whole nine yards."

"Good for you," she said.

He shared every detail with her, from how he landed the job to the entire process, including the photoshoot and other pertinent information.

After dinner, Ethan wheeled the food cart into the hallway.

Jeanne sat on the bed to lay down. Ethan knew how to wear her out.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Sleep," she said, looking at him confused.

"With clothes on?" he asked, walking over to where she was.

"We sleep naked, remember?"

"Oh, that right. I forgot."

He lifted her nightie up and pulled it over her raised hands.

They got into bed and cuddled.

"Ethan."

"Yeah, Jelly Bean."

"Thank you for coming when I needed you."

"Anytime, Jelly Bean."

***

The next morning, after breakfast and other shenanigans, Ethan sensed that Jeanne was holding back. It seemed she might not fully trust him to confide in him, perhaps viewing him merely as a source of pleasure.

Ethan didn't want to pressure her, but he genuinely wanted to support her. He led her to the spacious sofa in the living area of their suite, positioning himself beside her with one leg tucked beneath him to face her. She appeared restless, attempting to occupy herself with her phone.

"You said you needed me when you called," Ethan remarked, gently taking her phone from her.

In response, she made an attempt to retrieve her phone, but he held it just out of her reach. His other hand grasped hers, and their eyes locked.

He had established a sense of dominance during their first encounter, which she had accepted because she was in a vulnerable state.

Taking a deep breath, she leaned back against the sofa's backrest.

"Come on, Jelly Bean. Talk to me. Tell me what's bothering you."

"Adrian…" she started, throwing caution to the wind.

Ethan was no longer a stranger. She had felt his presence in every cell of her body.

"Adrian is my childhood friend…and my first love," she paused. "He loved me so much, too much, and I…I…" she said as the tears took over the sound of her voice.

"I took him for granted, and now he's gone…" she sobbed. "I was so stupid," she said, raising her head up to the ceiling.

Ethan gently held her hand and offered a soothing stroke, providing comfort.

"I cheated on him…" she said softly. "And he found out."

She hid her face behind her hands.

"I don't know what's wrong with me!" she said loudly and faced Ethan.

"Love was staring at me in the face and I couldn't see it, he was right there," she said, gesticulating with her hands.

Ethan was tongue-tied, unable to take his eyes off Jeanne. How could he make her see him? Where would he even begin?