"Won't it get in—" She stopped. This man could be infuriating, but she wasn't going to bring it up. "Sure thing."
Soon he was beside her, and they were off. "This is nice," Worth murmured, reaching up to play with her hair as she maneuvered out of the building's parking garage. "Just the two of us, talking together in person with no one watching."
Jessica drew her breath in at his touch. "More than talking, hopefully." She was disappointed when he said nothing. Second thoughts? Damn it. I may save a whole lot of money this afternoon, because I'll be damned if I go into debt at Victoria's Secret for Mr. Prim and Proper.
Eyes on traffic, she didn't realize she was scowling until she caught Worth eyeing her quizzically.
"Penny for your thoughts? You look…angry."
Jessica smiled and dropped her head for a moment. "No, I'm not angry, Worth." She was about to turn into the airport's long-term parking garage. Her heart started to pound. The garage wasn't crowded today, but she would head all the way to the top. When he saw they had privacy, surely, Bathroom Guy would make a reappearance.
"There's a space there," Worth pointed. An elderly couple was sitting in the car beside the vacant spot, apparently in no hurry to catch a plane.
Jessica's heart sank. He's changed his mind again? This just isn't going to work. Mom and Dad had it. Hopefully, Mom and Chet will. But Worth and I? Not looking good.
Taking a few deep breaths, she pulled into the space. "I could have just let you off at the curb," she said evenly. "It would have saved you walking."
"But I'd like you to walk with me inside," Worth said, taking off his seat belt.
Jessica's eyes widened, but she said nothing. The gall of this man! Like she had nothing better to do than keep him company while he waited in the security line to go see his divorcee. Vvvvvv. Vince. She'd use the time in the elevator to ask about the boy. "Sure," she said crisply, looking at her watch. "We'd better get moving, then."
He was her boss, after all. And she was on the clock. Had she really thought he was going to make mad monkey love in the car at the airport parking garage as he left on a business trip? Good grief. What an idiot I am. I think things are one way, and they never are. Maybe Donna was right to be offended on her behalf. Skip could have brought him—he was Worth's assistant! Yes, they had treasured what little alone time they'd been able to muster, and she did enjoy every second, storing each one up for a sort of emotional bank for the long nights alone. I assumed too much. Have to stop doing that. He is wonderful. He did nothing wrong here.
They walked to the elevator and waited silently as the door opened. Alone inside, Jessica pressed the correct button, but when she turned around, Worth pulled her to him and kissed her enthusiastically. She melted against him in spite of her thoughts and now, her confusion.
"What is going on, Worth?" She pulled away from him enough to look into his eyes. "I feel like I'm on a roller coaster that goes too fast, then too slow!" Jessica dropped her head and shook it a little. "My parents were always so open with one another. They communicated. I need that too, Worth." She looked back up with tears in her eyes. "If this is ever going to work."
Now it was Worth's turn to be confused. "What are you talking about?"
"The parking garage? Backseat? Mad monkey love?" Jessica pushed away from his embrace. "Does any of this sound familiar? Or do you have a twin somewhere who's actually interested in me and I keep getting the two of you mixed up?"
Worth threw his head back as laughter filled the elevator. "Oh, love. Love." He pulled her into his arms again. Lifting her chin, forcing her to show her face, his eyes softened. "Jessica. I'm so sorry. I wanted to surprise you, not hurt you."
"You sure did surprise me," she said, shaking her head. "I'm sorry. I just had a different picture in my head. You did nothing wrong, but honestly, I'm having a hard time keeping up with things emotionally. Maybe it's just snowballed. My dad, Eric, you, my mom and Chet—I guess I'm just not handling things as well as I'd like to."
Worth nodded and pulled her closer. "I know what's bothering you. You'd pictured a dark private corner higher up, not bright lights with Ma and Pa Kettle in the next car, watching."
Jessica giggled against his jacket in spite of herself. "When you put it that way, it does sound ridiculous."
"Maybe on the way back, we can move the car higher up, but I—"
"Back?" Jessica's confusion today seemed to know no limits.
Worth closed his eyes with a hint of exasperation. "I don't want the first time I make love to you to be in the back seat of a car, Jessica. You deserve better than that." He pulled two slips of paper out of his pocket. "I'm taking you to Boston with me. And then…but only if it is completely what you want…I'm taking you. In the finest room of the finest hotel I could find on short notice."
Jessica stood, mute, trying to comprehend what was happening. Worth's voice was husky as he continued. "I took the liberty of buying a few… things …you might need over the weekend but I'm hoping you won't want to wear much for the next few days."
Chapter 11
A Second Chance at Love
Looking beautiful in the new purple dress she'd bought just for the occasion, Carol looked at the man sitting across from her at the table. Chet had asked her out
