Amidst watery eyes and coughs, the lady uprighted herself, allowing Savannah to rejoin the attendant back at the counter. The young girl added, “Okay, Dr. Niden, you have been scheduled for a couple’s massage. I think yours is a Swedish massage.”
Savannah interrupted the young woman, “I am sorry, but did you say couple’s massage? There must be some misunderstanding.”
The dark haired woman with blue eyes stepped forward. “No, I am your partner for today.” Savannah and the woman both stared at her. “I am Mary Kate, Jesse’s sister.” She extended her hand.
Play it cool, girl. Play it cool. Instead of taking her hand for a shake, Savannah stepped forward and embraced his sister. “It is great to meet you.” She would not lie and say Jesse has told me so much about you, because he had only mentioned he had a brother and a sister, and that was Mary Kate’s suggestions for shopping, nothing more. “Forgive me for hugging you, but I figured the spa was your idea.”
“Actually, no, it was Jesse’s.” She took the robe the attendant handed her and both ladies followed the girl down the hall. “It appears he would like us to get to know each other better.”
An ice-cold chill coursed through Savannah’s veins as she realized Jesse had also not described her to his sister, leaving out a very important detail. She would fill in the holes and ease the awkwardness between them if she could. “I guess Jesse failed to mention an important detail about me,” she said as she tried to gauge the sister’s reaction. “Most people are really shocked when they find out that I am a doctor. Even more so when they find out I am a doctor of letters and a researcher.”
Mary Kate was now paying attention. “So you are an MD and a Ph.D.?” She asked as she secured her purse in the cabinet and Savannah did the same.
“No, just a Ph.D. and assistant professor at UAB,” she said as she removed her shoes.
“What do you research?” Mary Kate asked as she placed her shoes in the bottom of the locker.
Savannah was reluctant to say, but she wanted to make a good impression and break the ice. “High blood pressure as well as the metabolic disorders in the modulation of mitochondrial protein phosphorylation by soluble adenylyl cyclase that ameliorates cytochrome oxidase defects in African Americans.”
Mary Kate glazed over, but had to ask, “Who the hell is suffering from that? What the hell is that?”
She and Savannah both began to laugh. The icebreaker had worked. Mary Kate was a rather pretty woman, standing at five feet eight, with much of the same patrician features as Jesse and a full mouth and eyes that bore into a person’s soul. Savannah wasn’t bashful as she stripped down to her bra and panties and was grateful she had put on a matching set.
Mary Kate’s breath caught. “Dear Heavens, you have an amazing body!” Savannah looked down to see what she was talking about. “You must live in the gym.”
“On the contrary, I do Zumba on Monday and Wednesday nights on campus, and watch what I eat.” Mary Kate was moving uncomfortably close to her and pointed at her breasts.
“Do you mind?”
Do I mind what? Savannah was now really uncomfortable, but went with it. “No, go ahead.”
In the middle of the room, Mary Kate cupped her breast and began to squeeze the mounds. Their massage therapists chose that exact moment to walk into the room, only to beg forgiveness and back out. “Oh my goodness, they are real!” It got weirder from there as Mary Kate felt her skin, tested to see if her ass was real, then actually ran her hands through her hair.
Savannah had enough, “Mary Kate, I am a real girl, please stop checking for attachments and add-ons. If you continue to feel me up, you are at least going to have to ask me to dance or buy me a drink.” Jesse’s sister began to blush, feeling stupid, and apologized profusely. They laughed some more as they headed into the massage room to begin their pampering session.
They remained quiet and said little as the very large women rubbed, patted and massaged their tired, achy muscles and increased their blood circulation. It felt wonderful. An hour and ten minutes later, she and Mary Kate sat in the whirlpool, where she noticed the ring on Savannah’s finger. Savannah told her the same thing Jesse had shared. “It is an early birthday present.” She left it there and said no more.
They chatted a bit more before heading to the aromatherapy room. It became obvious to Mary Kate that Savannah didn’t know her brother’s role at Montgomery Construction. She did share that she worked in the accounting department and handled most of Jesse’s accounts. Thoughts flooded Savannah’s mind about nepotism, but it worked for them, which reminded her. “Oh, thank you for the check for my supplies for this trip ...” she paused and looked at the sister. “... I have the receipts and can write you a check to return what I didn’t spend.”
Mary Kate was surprised that she had not spent it all and was willing to give back what she had not used. Jesse’s sister rose and walked over to Savannah and hugged her. “I like you, Doc. I can see why he does as well.”
“I like you, too, Mary Kate,” she added with some hesitation. “I always wondered what it would be like to have a sister. You seem like you are a really cool one.”
May Kate blushed a bit, “Yep, you can’t get much cooler than me.”
They were still laughing as they dressed and headed to the lobby a little bit before noon. Jesse looked up to see them coming, walking arm in arm like high school pals. He knew his sister was going to love Savannah as much as he did and he thought he would invite Mary Kate to join them for lunch, but she declined, insisting she had paperwork to process.
A quick hug and kiss and she was off. Savannah turned to see her hunky lover watching her and smiled, “I’m starving, where we are headed?”
After lunch, Savannah filled her afternoon with a walk around the property grounds. She ran into a nice gentleman with a deep Southern accent who asked her to join him for coffee. He said people called him Big Sam. Over sweet rolls and bad jokes, Savannah spent nearly three hours lost in conversation with the hazel eyed, gray haired gentleman, discussing everything from furniture making to baby raising. The loss of time was troubling as it lessened her time to get dressed for the gala. Big Sam had been so warm and cordial that she found herself giving him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek as she excused herself to prepare for the gala. She confessed her nervousness in her dress choice, adding, “I hope my guy likes what I’m wearing.”
Big Sam hugged her briefly. “I’m certain you’ll make very few choices that your young man would disagree with young lady.”
She patted his hands and took off to the suite. Jesse was already in the shower, so she stripped down and decided to join him for a quick wash. They both dressed quickly and Savannah’s breath caught when Jesse walked out in the black suit, crimson shirt, and black tie. “Wow, you clean up nice.”
Savannah didn’t look like a slouch herself in the asymmetrical, one sleeved rayon dress, which highlighted her toned arms and small waist and clung to her hips in all the right places. Jesse stood there for a minute transfixed. The loose curls that framed her face added a softness to her eyes that wer highlighted with just a touch of mascara, some body dust on her cheeks, and hint of color to her lips. She was flawless. Jesse found his body reacting and wanting her right now.
“Damn,” he said reaching for her.
Savannah held up her hand. “Don’t even think about it. I am not going to anyone’s function smelling like I have been ridden hard and put away wet. Literally. You are going to have to wait.”
Although he was pouting, he extended his arm and escorted her to the ballroom. There were so many people mixing and mingling. She immediately spotted Mary Kate and waved to her. She heard a boisterous laugh and noticed Big Sam, who turned to look at them. Savannah turned to Jesse, “Hey, I want to introduce you to someone I met today.” She drug him by the arm across the room.
It was genuine affection when she greeted Big Sam who complimented her on the dress choice before placing a kiss on her cheek. “Jess
e, this is Big Sam.” She beamed at Jesse, who stepped forward and embraced the man who was only a couple of inches taller than him.
“What time did you guys make it in?” Jesse asked him.
Big Sam hugged Jesse back. “We got here a few hours ago. I got lost looking for your ma and then I ran into Savannah. You are right son. She is quite a stunning young woman.”
Savannah tried to hide her surprise, even though her right eye had started to twitch. Then it began to jump and Savannah touched the corner of it, hoping to quell the twitching skin. Big Sam had known the whole time whom he was talking to which meant Jesse had brought her here to meet his family. She looked around the room for Mary Kate, trying to see if she was talking to his brother or mother. She didn’t like surprises and thus far, he had heaped several upon her. The ring, the spa day with his sister, the afternoon coffee with his dad were all calculated moves on his part. The grin had left her face and Jesse almost felt the resentment that was shooting at him through Savannah’s eyes.
Big Sam was the one to address Savannah in a low tone, “Montgomery Construction is a family business. Our families work together and sometimes we play together, but most of all, we do business with other families. Every member is critical to the team’s success.” His hand caressed her arm. “Today and tomorrow are critical to getting contracts for the next year. You are a part of our team, Savannah.”
He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “This is an important weekend for Jesse. He brought you here to be at his side to help him start something and build something new. Are you willing to lend him a hand, Savannah?”
Savannah softened the icy stare, adding a soft smirk aimed at Jesse. “In this dress, I am guaranteed to get you all the attention you need, Big Guy. Let’s go make some deals.” She linked her arm into Jesse’s as they headed off to work the room, with Big Sam watching them closely. There was no denying the two made a stunning couple.
Mary Kate came to stand beside Big Sam. “Whatcha thinking about, Daddy?”
“Really pretty grandbabies,” he muttered under his breath.
She had been played again, but she gave Jesse all smiles as he introduced her to his team. One gentleman even commented on her sweet potato pie, another on her apple pie, and one of the wives asked for her meatloaf recipe. He had told them all about her and shared what she had packed in his lunches. Touching.
There was so much pride in his eyes when he introduced her to his co-workers. Savannah thought about what he had said to her months ago, I am cared for and loved, and I finally belong to someone. I am at peace.
She was still pissed off, but now she understood. As she donned her warm trophy wife face, she cordially took the time to individually speak with every member of his team, their wives, and their girlfriends as if Jesse had told her about each and every one of them. At the end of the evening she was assimilated into the group and was accepted as a member of the team. Jesse said he finally belonged to someone and was at peace. Honestly, she was feeling the same.
Chapter Twenty- Five
It was 6:30 am Mountain Time when Savannah awoke. For the dumbest reason in the world, she attempted to hide her resentment of meet my family by going glass per glass with Big Sam. It was with a newfound respect that she realized that expensive wine or cheap wine had the same residual effects: a headache and an upset stomach. She had only had six glasses when Big Sam noticed her getting glassy-eyed. The first glass was consumed when he had snatched her away from Jesse and proceeded to parade her around the room like an affirmative action blue chip. The second and third glasses came when Mary Kate cornered her in the bathroom, suggesting her friends feel how firm and taut her butt cheeks were. Savannah stopped them all, gently explaining that it made her uncomfortable to be touched that way. Just to have fun, she added a sister girl neck roll, a lip smack, and put her hands on her hips in a defensive stance. The women loved it. Great! Now I am going to be listed by each of them as their ‘black friend.’
The fourth glass magically appeared in her hand as Jesse whispered sweet nothings in her ear, telling her how fabulous she looked, and how he couldn’t wait to get her back to the room. For the fifth glass, she had stepped behind the bar and poured it herself because she could not believe any of this shit. The sixth one was for good measure because Savannah liked even numbers.
She turned to her side and cracked open one eye to find Jesse lying there watching her. Nothing was said as he gazed at her with that quizzical look on his face, like a little monkey understanding if you pull the string, nuts will fall out of the hole in the wall. She knew that look. He had some random fucking question that he had been pondering for some time. May as well delve into the discussion. “Good morning to you as well,” she said as she covered her sour wine saturated morning breath with her hand. “What is your burgeoning question of the day?”
Jesse blinked several times as he brushed a wayward lock of her hair from her face and then leaned in to kiss the tip of her nose. “We were a hit last night.”
A hit of what? Insanity? She was drunker than Cooter Woods and had stood around looking like a deer in the headlights with a good dental plan. She was over all of it.
“What is the question, Jesse?”
He sensed the hostility that was still simmering under the surface, but he had been dealt this hand and he was going to play it. Systematically, step by step, he would move them toward a future, and some things needed to be discussed, so he asked, “Are you on birth control?”
Heavens to Betsy! “Is there a reason why we are discussing my reproductive choices before I have had my first cup of coffee?”
“I was just wondering. We have been seeing each other for nine months and I am still wearing condoms. I mean really, I have ingested enough of you at this point, that I feel like we are one.”
Ingested? Well that was unexpected. Her real reason, although not scientifically documented because no one ever discussed such matters, was that mixing his DNA with hers would change her perfume. The quickest way for a man to know that a woman is cheating is by the smell. Adding another man’s seed to an already tilled garden changes the taste of the fruit, thereby altering the chemistry of the nectar. She still managed to stay honest. “It is messy. I don’t like messy.”
“Love is messy, Savannah,” he said as his fingers pushed away her hand so he could un the appendages across her lips. “I would like to get messy with you.”
She wasn’t in the mood. She smelled like sour wine, plus she was still angry about the Big Sam thing. “Well ...” she started, then changed her mind to pull one of his tactics. “... while we are on the subject of birth control, how soon do you think a couple should start planning a family after they marry?”
Without hesitation, he said, “Two years minimum, five years max.” Her eyebrows arched. Jesse explained that a new couple needed time to understand how to live together, which takes about a year. The second year, the shine is off the new nickels and that time should be spent clarifying roles. Savannah questioned his word choice.
“Yes, roles. Understanding what is expected of me as your husband and what I would expect of you as my wife. Then we determine what your long term dream or goal is, as well as mine, and then we decide on our long term goals as a family.” He smiled as he ran his thumb across her bottom lip.
Jesse kissed her lightly before he added, “You said you wanted at least three children, but you need at least a year in your new job role to make alliances, learn some tricks of the trade, and hold your position. At least a another year is needed to get really great at the business, so I figure we can begin our family at the start of our third year of marriage.”
Suddenly, she wasn’t so mad any more. She also found comfort in the way he spoke of them as one. “Savannah,” he said as he pulled her closer to him. “I am out of condoms. I can get some more by tonight. If you wish to wait, I am okay with that....” He paused, waiting for her to say something. He didn’t want to be crass and rub his throbbing body part against he
r, but he was about to lose his mind.
She asked, “And if I don’t want to wait?”
He whispered in her ear, sending goose bumps down the right side of her entire body. “Then things are about to get really messy.”
He knew her body well and she was ready within minutes to receive him. His movements were tentative and he pressed himself into her and froze. The look on his face was intense, as if he had inadvertently bumped his funny bone and the pain was just beginning to register in his brain and then on his face.
“Jesse, is something wrong?”
“It feels so magical, like I just stuck my dick in a fairy or something.” His face was contorted like he was trying to process a complex algorithm.
Savannah only made it worse. “So, have you done that often, to a fairy, I mean?”
He moved slowly, still trying to find a distraction so he didn’t embarrass himself like it was his first time. “Shhhh, I’m concentrating here, Tinkerbell, I don’t want to make a premature mess.” He frowned deeper as he was still having trouble focusing. “Savannah, damn, damn, damn,” was all he said as he withdrew and thrust into her again and again.
Her fingers ran across his chest as she whispered words of encouragement. Without the condom, she could feel the veins, the power, and the heat of him. Her hips matched his rhythm as she thrust upward to meet his movements. It felt so good; she rolled upward on her back to the higher part of her shoulders, throwing a leg over his right shoulder while using her left foot for leverage on his hip. She rolled her hip down, then upward and his eyes grew wide. He brought her left leg up on his shoulder, forcing her name out through gritted teeth as he pumped everything he had into her when he felt the start of her climax. He yelled out her name as it tingled all the way to his toes, every nerve in his body lit, humming, singing her praises.
Thursdays in Savannah Page 12
