By Chance, No Choice (Stetson Series Book 1)

by Xyla Turner

  Holy shit.

  I kept my gaze away from everyone because just like that, the shit was still stirring causing a major stench in the room.

  “Well, I think that's my cue to go to the restroom,” I said and stood up.

  “Tess,” JD called.

  “I'm good. Just giving people time to breathe. Including me.” I smiled and patted his hand. He was already half standing but I didn't want to bother him.

  As I was leaving, I heard the man across from us say, “Don’t give her no more fucking drinks. She can't hold shit.”

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?” a man asked.

  That was JD but that was all I heard because I had heard enough.

  I ran through the facts in my head.

  We didn't know each other and we weren't in a relationship.

  We were just sleeping together during the conference and a couple of days after.

  We'd never see each other again.

  There was no reason to be mad or upset, just finish what you started and in two more nights, there would be no more JD.

  That fact hurt me but I didn't have time to process, nor would I. It was a reality and this was the real world, not some romance novel.

  When I returned, after taking my seat, JD leaned over and asked if I was okay. I smiled and told him yeah. His eyebrows were raised and he tried to smile but it didn't reach his eyes. I apparently didn't convince him either, but he said nothing else about it.

  When it was time for the awards, the entire room went quiet. They announced a few companies that I was familiar with and then the ultimate shock happened. JD won an award for the fastest growing company in the middle region. Our entire table stood and screamed when they called his name. He didn't give a speech or anything, just waved it towards the crowd and nodded. Cat calls and cheers followed him back to his seat, where he shook a few men's hands, then grabbed mine and kissed me on the cheek.

  Okay.

  “Congratulations! You definitely deserve that!” I know I was beaming.

  “Thanks, sweetheart.” He continued to hold my hand. “How shall we celebrate?”

  I could think of many ways, but after our little romp an hour ago, I was becoming a little sore.

  “I'm a little sore, but tomorrow night, whatever you have in mind.”

  He frowned and asked, “Where?”

  “Where else have you been sliding in and out for the past three days?” I smirked.

  “Well, there have been a couple of holes and I’d like to try a third.” His smile resembled a Chester cat.

  Sore and all, my panties went damp.

  “Tomorrow,” I said and leaned in, “I got you.”

  He raised an eyebrow and said, “Okay, New York.”

  They announced a few more awards and even when I heard, “Our next award goes to LIT Technologies for most sales posted,” I kept clapping until JD hit me on the leg and said, “That’s you.”

  “What?” My brows furrowed in confusion.

  “That’s you, sweetheart. LIT won for most sales posted last quarter.” He squeezed my hand for support.

  Oh my.

  I rose from my seat and made my way up to the stage. The guy handed me the award, so I tried to do what JD did and held it up, nod and leave. Except, JD stood up and started chanting, “Speech, speech, speech.”

  If looks could kill, he would have dropped dead on the spot. Everyone started to join in, to the point that the announcer came to give me the microphone.

  “Looks like they want to hear from you,” He said.

  I grabbed the microphone and said, “I’m sorry. I wasn’t prepared for this at all. I hadn’t even planned to stay for the awards ceremony, but I’m glad that I did. LIT Tech has been my life for the past ten years, but Michael Owens, the founder, and CEO has lived it for much longer. He birthed LIT from nothing and has brought on a dynamic team that has made it what it is today. I’m so ecstatic to be amongst them and I know Michael will appreciate that you have recognized his hard work. Thank you so much.”

  I nodded, smiled and almost flew off the stage. When I returned to my seat, JD was standing up and clapping for me along with the entire table. I could not help the smile that formed on my face at his gesture. Well, both gestures. And I really couldn’t help the embrace I accepted since he bear-hugged me like I just won an Oscar.

  He let me go and lightly kissed me on the mouth. It was such an intimate thing to do and it was so public. What we were doing was supposed to be semi-private. I know we came to the awards show together, but it wasn’t supposed to be like that.

  People continued to clap and during his kiss, the ohhh’s and ahhh’s started. Dammit. I awkwardly went to my seat that JD had pulled out for me and this time, Messy Betty was not smiling. Her head was tilted to the left, away from us, and her nose was up in the air.

  Well, that settled that.

  * * *

  After the ceremony, JD and I walked around the resort to see if we could watch the shooting stars. It had popped up on our phones that they were happening in the evening.

  “Tess?” JD called me as I was off to the side, with binoculars to my eyes, looking for the stars.

  “Huh? You see one?” I quickly turned, so I could see what he was doing.

  He was staring at me with a blank look and his binoculars were hanging from his wrist that was on the side of his leg.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  JD walked towards me, moved my hair from my face, and then asked, “You ever tried a long distance relationship?”

  I almost laughed, but the look on his face did not have a hint of humor upon it.

  “Not really,” I answered. “However, lately, I haven’t tried any relationship.”

  He nodded as his thumb caressed my cheek bone.

  “I’d try it,” he said with a faraway look, even as his hazel eyes bore into mine. “For you, I would.”

  Wait, what?

  I inhaled quickly; a little too quickly and started to choke. JD’s eyebrows pulled together as his facial features morphed into concern as he started patting me on my back.

  “Breathe,” he called while still patting my back.

  Once I regained my normal breathing rhythm, I pulled away from him, in an attempt to nod my thanks.

  “I, uh, think I’m going to retire now,” I moved towards the hotel side of the resort.

  “Tess,” JD called. “Don’t run away. Talk to me. All I said was I’d try it with you. I ain’t talking about jumping over brooms.”

  “JD, I’ve enjoyed our time together. It’s been a lot of fun, honestly. However, this started off as one night, now it’s a few and now you’re throwing in a relationship? We don’t know each other like that. We are both in conference mode. You may not like the bitch I become outside of the sunny resort life of Arizona.”

  He walked towards me and said, “That’s something I should decide, right?”

  “Not really.” I turned and started to walk away.

  We would not have that conversation on night three and had two more to go. Why would he even bring it up? Dammit.

  I stopped short because JD was now in my space and was holding my hand.

  “Sweetheart,” he said in a calm voice. “Look at me.”

  My head obeyed and turned to him, even though I wanted to keep walking.

  “Promise me, you’ll think about it. We’re not making decisions now,” he said. “Let’s go to bed. It’s been an exciting evening for both of us.”

  My hand was still in his, as he led the way to his suite. As soon as we crossed the threshold, he turned me around and began to unzip my dress.

  “JD, remember I’m still a little…” he cut me off.

  “Shh,” he kissed my neck. “I know.”

  I stepped out of my dress and he pulled off my slip, panties and bra. His hands caressed my legs as he descended to help me step out of my sandals. Moving me in the bathroom, JD lifted me onto the counter top, kissed my lips and whispered, “St
ay here.”

  I had no idea what he was doing but I waited patiently as he went in and out of the bathroom. Then he turned on the controls to the Jacuzzi and sprinkled some salts inside. JD did not say a word as he moved around the room, lighting candles, checking the water, or rubbing my legs. He just let the silence stay there.

  The water rushed out of the shiny faucets and the jets hummed as they created rippled waves in the tub. My mind wandered to what JD asked earlier.

  Long-distance relationships.

  I barely did short-distance relationships. I never did a work romance and I don’t ever go out to be seen by a man, so I’m left with online dating or the random folks I meet at conferences or in my travels. The last guy I was with was a fellow salesman and we met in the elevator as we both headed towards different meetings. We just so happened to stop at the same Starbucks after our meetings and he made me laugh, which let my guard down to give him my number. We dated for about seven months but between his job and mine, we were never together and I wasn’t feeling that.

  What would a long-distance relationship look like? We would travel to see each other when we could or try to rendezvous if we were in the same city. He had to be insanely busy because he was the CEO and founder of CAN-IT. I was also very busy, so if a relationship with a guy who lived fifteen minutes from my condo wouldn’t work, how would someone that lived on the other side of the states.

  JD held out his hand for me to take and led me to the bath. He was now naked and in all his glory. The man was beautifully created. Tall, long, fine hair on his chest and above his package. The facial hair wasn’t a lot but it suited him perfectly. I loved his mustache; especially when it grazed my lips.

  “Sit,” he instructed and breaking my daydream about him.

  I slowly sat in the extremely warm water and moved up so he could encase me from behind. JD placed his hand on my forehead and pulled it back against his chest. He still didn’t speak and I followed suit.

  Almost an hour had passed when we finally got out of the tub and rinsed off in the shower. JD toweled me dry and took us to the comfortable bed. After he had turned out lights, finished in the bathroom, he climbed in and wrapped his arm around me. My back was to his chest and his hand clutched mine as it rested on my thigh.

  “Night, sweetheart,” He murmured in my ear.

  “Night, JD.”

  Chapter 7

  JD

  I had been known to do some bonehead things in my day but this was by far the dumbest.

  Yup, it was official. Falling for a woman that lived in New York and also anti-relationship was indeed stupid. Inviting her to accompany me to an event that bitchy ass Betty would be at was dumber. Not only that, to top it off, telling her I wanted a relationship.

  What the fuck was wrong with me? I must have had chicken shit for brains.

  Goddamit.

  When we woke up the next morning, most of the conference attendees were gone, except the East Coast residents. Many of them were staying at the hotel for another day like Tess. Well, she was staying for two more nights and I already covered those charges but she didn’t know about that.

  During our stay, we explored Arizona, went hiking, and washed clothes together and that almost ended in a suds fight. The hotel staff didn’t think it was as funny as we did. We were so wet from throwing the bubbles on each other, we had to wash our clothes and take another shower, which we didn’t mind. Since it ended up with her facing the shower wall and me entering her from behind.

  Tess thought it was odd that we hadn’t had an abundance of sex after our discussion of a relationship. I told her it was because our days were packed and when we got back, we were tired. Well, I planned it that way because she had a point. I wanted to get to know her on a deeper level. What made her tick, her favorite food, what type of music she listened to. Her views on marriage, life, death, God, men, ties, horses, and even the country. I had a general sense but I wanted to know because I wanted more from her. Even after finding out her thoughts, views and even her curiosity of what she wanted to know from me, I wanted her even more. She cared whether I was family-oriented, if I wanted kids, my thoughts on the epidemic on urban youth, education, interracial relationships, and my family views. She seemed to be satisfied with my answers, or she didn’t get up and leave, but I had a sense, these things meant more to her than I really could understand.

  We had sex on our last night and I made sure it was something she would not forget. I knew her answer about the relationship and she never did give me one. Still, I tried to tattoo myself on every part of her body that last night. Inside and out. The crazy part about that shit was that she felt like mine. Like she was a part of me. I had no idea if that was because I wanted her so badly or if it was because on some level, she was. I had her contact information but her parting words at the airport killed it for me.

  “JD, I’d be lying if I said I’m not going to miss you or I didn’t have a good time. This was by far the best time I’ve had in a long time, so thank you for persuading me to stay.” She exhaled. “But, I’ve thought about what you said and…”

  “And your answer is no, right?”

  She nodded and I swore her eyes went glassy, but she turned and looked upward. I let her because I wasn’t sure if I could handle her tears, her words or this entire goodbye.

  I pulled her towards me and she buried her head in my chest. It felt like forever that we stayed like that. Her arms holding tightly around my waist and mine engulfing her entire body.

  “Flight 241 to New York is boarding now.” The announcer’s voice piped through the microphone.

  Tess pulled back and said, “That’s me. So, I better go, because I’m not good at saying bye.”

  She tried to laugh.

  “Tess, this doesn’t have to be…”

  She cut me off by putting her finger to my mouth and shaking her head.

  “Don’t. Let’s not set up ourselves with these high expectations because it won’t work. I’d rather have this awesome memory than broken promises later. Please, JD. Don’t reach out. Let us have this. Please.”

  She stood on her toes and kissed the corner of my mouth. Her smiled didn’t reach her eyes, then she said, “Please.”

  Then she walked to the steward and placed her phone on the scanner. Her body disappeared inside the tunnel before her carry on and she was gone.

  * * *

  Life had not really been the same after I came back home from the conference. I kept tabs on Tess, but I didn’t reach out to her at all. As much as I didn’t want it and my heart ached, she was right. It has happened to the best of us. We’d have well-intentions, then we’d get back to our lives and we would no longer be a priority. Hell, that happened with people in the same town.

  A few of my previous lady friends either weren’t on the same page as me, didn’t understand I was building an empire or wanted me for other reasons. Including getting to one or a couple of my brothers. There was nobody that was really permanent, but I was with Sara for almost two years. For some reason, she kept talking about kids, marriage and me coming home at a reasonable hour. She didn’t care what I was trying to build and that was where we deferred. She still lived in town and since she was the sheriff’s daughter, I ran into her more than I’d liked.

  “So, who done broke your heart?” Knox asked.

  “Broke my heart?” I asked. “How ya figure?”

  “You’ve been moping around here for a month or so.” He put his hand on his hip. “Well, since that conference. And ya stayed a lil’ later than expected. Just figured ya found a gal and she dumped ya sorry ass.”

  I threw my softball at him but the bastard ducked.

  “Hey,” he snapped. “Why are you attacking me?”

  “Cause you’re a twat.” I opened my desk drawer to grab another softball, just in case, he said something else that I didn’t like.

  “You go find love and I’m the twat.”

  “Brother, dearest. Are you here to bust my ba
lls or are you here for business.”

  “Well, you’re moping around and since the family has designated me to come reel your ass back in.” He sat down across from my desk. “This is what you get.”

  Goodness. They must have had a family meeting about this shit and if they sent Knox, it must be bad. He was a straight shooter like me, but he didn’t spare feelings. I tried when I cared to try, that is. It never crossed my mind that my mood was that bad, but if he was in my office, I must have been a pisser.

  “It’s nothing,” I leveled with him. “Well, nothing I can’t handle.”

  “Apparently, it is. What’s her name?”

  “Tess.”

  “Met her at the conference?” he asked.

  “Yup.”

  “It’s more than a fuck?”

  I didn’t answer right away as my mind thought about the night I held her when we talked about our aspirations, when we ate dinner and she held my hand, and when she started to tear up at the airport.

  “Yeah,” I admitted to myself and Knox. “It’s more.”

  “Well, what the fuck are you going to do about it.” He folded his arms.

  “Nothing, I can do.” I thought about what she said. “She was right.”

  “Don’t sound like the brother I know.” Knox adjusted his Stetson and put it over his knee.

  “Nothing I can do, man.”

  “Like I said.” He raised his eyebrow and repeated. “Don’t sound like the brother I know.”

  I sighed loudly. He had a point but I did not have a plan to make it work. Even if I could convince her, I had no idea on how we could do it.

  “She lives in New York, Knox. She’s not moving. My job is here. I’m not moving there.” I raised my hand up so he could see my frustration. “There’s nothing to do.”

  He wasn’t moved by anything I said, as he barely nodded that he heard me. “Well, my older brother has built a business from the ground up. We started in the barn taking the disfigured vegetables and bagging them to give away.” Aww, shit. He was going into this spiel. “He started selling them by the time he was nineteen and had a small business at twenty-five. Then…”