I Do

“I know that everyone is looking to be relevant but I am worth what? Eight figures?” he had once said and Josie had corrected him. She probably knew him better than he knew himself.

“Nine,” she said.

“Well, if I start entertaining the blogs and muckrakers, then I would be giving credibility to them and that is why I don’t engage with them. Not at any level.”

Josie was very much aware of the eyes on them as they waited for the elevator and it was not until she and Ethan got into the elevator that she breathed her relief.

“Are you okay?” Ethan asked, looking at her.

“Yeah,” she nodded reluctantly. “I think I am just exhausted.”

“Did you drive here?” Ethan asked. “I could have someone drive you back.”

Josie smiled at him and shook her head.

“No, I didn’t. I didn’t trust myself behind the wheel… I might have dozed off at a traffic stop or something.”

Ethan looked at her and smiled.

“May I take you home?” he asked and she raised an eyebrow at him.

“Haven’t you grown tired of me?” she asked. “I mean, you and I have spent almost every single day together for the last few weeks.”

Ethan shrugged.

“Hardly,” he said in a low voice.

He waited for her to walk out of the elevator and then followed her out.

“You know, I have a better idea,” he said as they made their way to the parking lot. “How about you come with me to my place?”

She forced out a laugh.

“Your place?”

“Yes, but there is no hanky-panky here. This is an honest invite… you know, in case you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods.”

Josie stifled a laugh.

“And why would I find myself in your neck of the woods?” she asked.

“I don’t know…maybe you might be looking for a nice, quiet place to relax. Maybe sleep off that jet lag you are feeling.”

Josie bit her lip and shook her head.

“I have to be back at my place to get ready for the party… I mean, I am not missing my chance of meeting Angie Harmon.”

Ethan smiled.

“Of course, not. I would not want you to miss out on that but I can work out something… You can have hair, make-up, and wardrobe no later than five o’clock. Also, you must be more tired than you think because first comes the cruise and then the company party wraps it all up.”

She raised an eyebrow at him.

“Really?” she asked and he nodded.

“Yes really.”

“I could have sworn that…” Her voice trailed off and she let out an exasperated sigh.

“Should I be asking you who the president is?” he asked her and she shook her head.

“Okay, I am not that far gone but I do think that I need some help… strong pharmaceuticals if you have them. Sleep aids of course.”

Ethan smiled.

“I do but I would like to try something first if you allow me. If sleep still eludes you, then we can have some of Big Pharma’s goodies.” He smiled at her as she bit her lip. “What do you say?” he asked.

She did not know if he could tell but she was actually considering it.

“Come on, Josephine. Please say yes. After spending all that time with you, I am kind of feeling like I am missing something. Kind of like someone cut out my oxygen supply.”

She rolled her eyes and exhaled loudly before she finally gave in.

“Fine. And you promise that I am going to get some sleep?” she asked and he nodded.

She could hear a small voice screaming at the back of her head but it might have been the exhaustion that made her push that little voice to a place where she did not want to listen to it anymore. She did not know it at the moment but she did not want to step back into reality just yet. She still wanted to live in the blissful carefree world that the likes of Ethan Beckett did, even if it was just for a few more hours. As they sat in the back seat of his chauffeured town car, she began realizing what she had been denying for so long. She was attracted to him. That was what she was really after when she agreed to the request to go to his place. She wanted to spend more time with him in private. It had been great spending time with him in a place that was not the office. It had been even more wonderful sharing a meal that was not takeout. And when they got to his place, Josie just knew that she was going to relax. Ethan’s house was a perfect architectural marvel. Simple yet elegant. There were a beautiful pool and hot tub in the back yard but he still had enough room back there if he ever thought of erecting another building or something. The property was perfectly located to give it a perfect view of the city during the day and the lights during the nights. The interior of the property reminded her of Christian Grey’s penthouse in the Fifty Shades Of Grey film. His décor was all black, white and gray.

“Guess this is what the bachelors like,” she thought.

“Here, it’s chamomile tea,” he said as he handed her a cup of tea.

“Thanks,” she said as he sat next to her.

Ethan had lowered the blinds and put on some relaxing music. She could already feel relaxed as she sat there listening to the smooth music.

“Have that and then lie down. My housekeeper is gone for the day and I am not expecting anyone. That should give you a good solid five or six hours.”

“Someone has a lot of confidence in his system,” she said.

“Well, that’s because it works,” he said proudly.

“Okay.” She smiled at him. “If the last few weeks are anything to go by, then I think I can take that bet.”

Ethan smiled.

“Good. And then afterward, maybe we can have dinner,” he said and she shook her head.

“What? You cook too?” she asked and he shrugged.

“I had to learn how to make a few meals when I became an uncle. So, don’t be surprised if I make you mac and cheese.”

“What? No adult meals?” she asked and he shrugged.

“We can figure something out. I mean, as long as it is edible, right?”

Josie smiled and took a sip of her tea.

“Right,” she said, holding the cup in both hands.