Branch Eighty Four
“I would love to” Jessica standing up. “I think I should take a shower first before we go. I’m feeling very sticky” she added going to her suitcase to pull out a dress.
She was glad she brought something that could be likened to a sundress at least she could wear that on the beach.
“Take your time, we aren’t in a hurry” Xavier responded to her.This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.
Jessica entered the shower and turned in the water. As the water hit her body she began to wonder about the attitude of Xavier since they got there. He had held her hand even though they couldn’t see Ethan again and he only let go when she pulled away. And then now what he displayed just a moment ago.
‘Was it possible that he is falling for me? Or is he pretending?’ she asked herself as the cool water penetrated her skin.
After a nice warm shower, she changed up and came out to stand in front of him. He looked her up and down before standing up.
“Let’s go,” he said grabbing her hand.
“Are you not going to take a shower too?” she asked him concerned. “It would help you relax after the long flight” she added.
“I’m fine,” he said pulling her out.
When they stepped to the deck of the house a grill which Jessica had not seen before was sitting pretty there.
“Maybe we can have barbecue when we get back, I saw some high-premium beef in the freezer,” Jessica said looking behind her to the grill.
“And who would grill it?” Xavier asked.
“I would do it. I can do it” she said convincing him that she was capable. Having barbecue while overlooking such beautiful scenery would be therapeutic.
“So you mean to say you can operate a grill? No way am I allowing you to do that. I can call Ethan and have him send someone to operate it” Xavier said all at once.
“What do you mean? It’s not that difficult to operate and moreover, I am a chef” she replied wondering why he was blowing the situation out of proportion.
“Even if you are a chef how can I allow you to do something so risky?” he asked.
“Okay then I would not grill it and we would not have barbeque tonight. Well just have something else” Jessica said giving in.
She felt like if she refused to give in then both of them might go back and forth almost all night.
“Good” Xavier murmured as they for to the deck of the beach.
“So beautiful and peaceful,” Jessica said closing her eyes and taking a deep breath of fresh air. “Being here makes me want to choose to come here after the divorce” she said turning to face Xavier with a cute expression on her face.
Xavier did not like that in the moment she remembered and brought up the divorce but he was at fault. He was the one who said they should get one after a year. Thinking about it made his stomach turn in annoyance.
“Would you consider moving here?” Xavier asked with all sincerity. What he wanted to ask was if she would consider not divorcing him in the long run.
She turned to him and nodded.
“So peaceful”
Jessica and Xavier spent a little more time at the beach having little conversations with no depth whatsoever.
“It’s getting dark and the biting insects are coming out already,” Xavier said standing up from the sand and stretching his hand to her.
She did it and he pulled her up. When she was up on her feet she was so close to him that their noses almost touched. She had the urge to hold his face in her hands and plant a kiss on his lips.
She shook her head to clear the thoughts and took a step back. He held her so she doesn’t get far from him.
“Shall we?” she asked clearing her throat and shaking her head again.
Why was he doing this to her? It was like it was on purpose but he still looked innocent as ever. When she was with Burke she always had self-control over things like this but with Xavier, it seemed like she wouldn’t be able to trust herself with the decisions she made.
“Yes we shall,” he said taking her hands to walk her back to the mini condo.
“Why do you keep holding my hands?” she asked out of curiosity.
“In case anyone sees” Xavier lied. He just wanted to hold her hands and it did not matter if people were out there watching them or not. Her hands were warm and he wanted to hold them.
Jessica looked around her to try and detect a soul but not a single soul was in sight.
“I don’t think anyone would be here to monitor us,” she said.
It was not as if she hated the hand holding but she wanted to know the reasons so she didn’t get her hopes too high up. Now that she knows it’s all for a show she can know when to withdraw.
She tried to pull her hand away gently but Xavier held firmly to it.
“What are you doing?” she whispered when he intertwined their hands.
“Okay, I lied it’s not for show. I want to hold your hands. They are warm” he confessed.
Jessica felt an unhealthy amount of blush creep to her cheeks and she cleared her throat multiple times hoping that the hotness and rushing of blood to her cheeks would subside.
“So can I hold them?” he asked politely.
“Yes,” Jessica said. She also loved the feeling of their hands pressed together gave her. She smiled and dropped her hair with one hand to conceal her face which was now burning crimson red.
As they entered the room Xavier closed the door behind them and pressed Jessica’s back to the door. He bent his head and whispered.
“What are you doing to me?”