Page 54 of Dirty Little Virgin
I can check my bank account once a week and see it increase all the time. Interest is the way to make money, in my opinion.
Classes are going better than they were before, and they were going pretty good before summer break. It seems my creative spark was another thing that was ignited by my vacation. My professors are full of questions about what the hell happened to me during the short break.
I only tell them I took a trip to the states and my old friend and I had a ton of fun in the Oregon woods. Quite a few of my teachers have asked where they can sign up for the trip I took. It makes me laugh every time.
The doorbell rings and I climb out of bed to go see who could be bothering me so early on a weekend morning. Rubbing my eyes, I make my way to the door and look out the peephole. I see a man with a brown paper bag and a white envelope in his hand.
“Hello, and you are?” I ask.
“A messenger with a delivery for Jade Thomas.”
“From?” I ask.
“A secret admirer.”
Opening the door, I get a rush of excitement.Maybe it’s from Pierce!
The man hands me the bag and the envelope. “Here ya are, miss.”
“Thank you. Wait here. I’ll get you a tip for your trouble,” I say as I step back to put the things down.
He tips his cap at me. “No, thank you. I’ve been generously compensated by the sender. Have a wonderful day, Miss Thomas.”
Closing the door behind him, I have high hopes this is from Pierce. I put the bag and envelope down on the small Queen Anne table by the front door and look inside.
“What the hell?” I reach in and pull out white paper, unwrapping it to find smoked salmon and cream cheese on a couple of bagels. Placing them on the table, I reach back in and pull out some more breakfast foods, and then open the envelope where I find a short note written on pale blue paper.
Jade,
I’m waiting in the hallway for you. I’d like for us to spend this lovely Saturday together, starting with breakfast. We can see where things go from there.
Charles!
“Damn,” I hiss. I was so sure it was from Pierce.
Dropping to my knees, I find it impossible not to cry from disappointment. I try hard to stop crying and gain control over my emotions but it’s of no use. At least once a week this happens to me. I let hope overcome me and when disappointment ensues, it tears me apart again.
Pierce never intended to break me. But he has. I’m doing well in everything, but the way I miss him is excruciating. Each time Charles sends me something, I get my hopes up that it’s from Pierce, only to be let down each and every time.
A knock comes at the door. “Jade, are you crying in there?” Charles asks.
“Shit!”
“Jade?”
Grabbing a tissue to wipe my tears away and blow my nose, I go to the door and open it. “Charles, I wasn’t expecting anyone. I’m afraid I don’t feel well this morning.”
“You seem to be ill often, Jade. It appears to hit you every time I ask for your company.” He gives me a charming grin. “I’m well aware of your lack of dating experience. Is that why you keep turning me down? I don’t mind that at all. I think it’s quite refreshing to find a woman who’s new to the dating game.”
In a quick move, he takes my hand and walks into my flat, without being asked to. Charles Gilman is a nice looking man. His dark hair is short and parted neatly on one side. He’s not anywhere near as built as Pierce, but he’s tall and has a broad chest. His suit isn’t Armani or anything near to that, but it’s nice and he looks sophisticated, well-off, and most women would like him, I think.
“Charles, are you after me for my money?” I ask with an abruptness that has him laughing.
“Jade, do you honestly take me for a money-grubbing man? You must be aware that I know many wealthy women. Most have more money than you do.” He leads me to sit on my sofa and I find myself pulling my pink robe tighter around me.
My nighty is skimpy, and my panties aren’t on. I wasn’t expecting male company at all. “Pierce, do you mind…” I stop as I realize what I’ve called him.
“Who’s that?” he asks me with a grin. “A secret lover, perhaps?”
