Chapter Four
James's POV
I was enjoying my time with Ariah. The more I spent time with her then I find myself counting down the hours to when the next time was to meet up with her.
I did not want to rush her or what was going on with us. But she awakened an ache in me. I longing. To spend each night with her. To wake during the day beside her. To just be with her. Ariah had to work that day.
I was going out to look at another car that afternoon to get for my growing collection. Another car magazine had arrived in the mail that afternoon for me as well.
I was finishing books that I had been reading as well. I needed to run to the book store to get something new to read. Would Ariah like it if I bought her a few books?
We were going to be together for a whole week now. But I did not want to scare her by bringing up the one-week thing. Or did woman still find that to be romantic? Would she like that sort of thing? I decided to head to the book store before buying the car.
My phone rings.
I answer it.
♥☆♥
"Jimmy! Hello my dear friend. Any new movies will you be in these days? I had not heard from you" it was my chum, Natalie Woods.
"Hi hon" I answer. "I have been busy but no not in a new movie. I have gotten a few new offers. How have you been my dear girl?"
"Good, I miss you" she says.
"I miss you, we shall have to get coffee sometime and catch up" I tell her.
After we made a movie together, we remained good friends. She was a sweet charming girl.
"Word has it you have a date. And you are hiding her away? Tell me Jimmy is that true? Are the rumors true? Has someone stole the heart of the famous James?" she teases me.
"I cannot say yes or not. She likes her privacy" I warn her. "do not let this leak out please" I beg her. "we have a good thing going"
"So, she is not famous" laugh my friend.
"Yes, and she is not sure she wants to be yet" I add. "keep things that way"
"Oh, I see. I will never tell a soul. Someone was asking me about you and if I was seeing you!" laughs Natalie.
"I see the press is digging to find thing on me" I sigh. "I was worried they might" I grumble.
"I cannot wait to meet her when it is serious" she tells me. "as long as you are happy that is all that matters" she adds.
"I am very happy. Thank you" I explain. "can I ask you something before I have to go?" I wonder.
"You can ask me anything" she agrees.
"It is our one week. But we have no label's. Should I get her a gift anyway to be romantic. Show I care?" I ask. "I want it to be more. But I do not want to rush her" I explain to her.
"Woman always love a real gentleman. I say go for the gift Jimmy. You cannot go wrong" Natalie tells me.
"I will do that than" I say with a smile. "Thanks, we will catch up soon. I will be in touch" I promise her before we hang up.
I feel better about getting Ariah a present. Then I head over to the book store. I knew what she loved to read. We chatted away about what we read. And the authors that we enjoyed books by.
I noticed her favorite writer had a brand-new book out. I buy the book. Then get myself three books. I head over to the car dealer ship. I dig my books out leaving them on the seat. And leave hers in the book back there in my car.
I head on over to talk to the dealer. I buy the car from him there and then. I loved cars so much.
♥☆♥
"We can have your old one there driven back to your place" offers the dealer. Sam Wheeler was his name.
"Sure Sam! Than I can drive it to show my friends! "I add. Maybe I could talk Ariah into a drive in the new car. "Wait, I have to get my new books first" I tell him.
I run over to my car. Get the books. Then give my keys to Sam. He gives me the key to my new little sports car. It was a yellow one.
"Enjoy, your new toy" Sam chuckles.
"I will! It is a great day!" I add with a happy smile. I get in my new car. Toss the books in the car. And take off to go see Ariah at the diner.
I glance around first in the parking lot to make sure I was not being followed. I spot someone following my old blue car instead as it goes to go home. I sigh. I knew they were after me.
I head to the diner once they were off my tail. I park the car there at the diner. Grab Ariah's book. Then head in. It did not look busy right then like it had the other day I was there. I was glad. But it was a Thursday.
"James what a surprise!" her boss notices me. We shake hands. "Always a pleasure to have you" he brags.
"Great food I cannot help but come back. And fantastic service" I add when I see Ariah at the counter with her back faced to me. Wearing that cute little dress. Her form fitting in it perfectly I feel my groin tighten in my jeans. I bite my lip then ignore my urges. I head to the counter.
"Hey stranger!" I speak up to her as I sit down.
She whirls around to see me there.
♥☆♥
"JAMES!" she looks thrilled to see me. "we did not have plans today" she says. She noticed my new car in the parking lot. "Oh, you got a new toy!" she tells me. "I love it."
"Thanks, want to go for a spin after work in it?" I ask her.
She nods. "I would love to"
"Happy one week together Ariah" I speak up before I lost all courage to.
I hand her the book in the bag.
"James...." she breaths out with pleasure and flushed cheeks that were now blushing.
"Open it. Go on" I order her.
She smiles then opens the bag.
"Her new book! I had no idea she even wrote a new one! Thank you so much for thinking of me!" she squeals with joy.
"Any time" I add.
She rushes over to hold me close. "Thank you, sweet James," she says near my ear.
"You're welcome" I say as I close my eyes and hold her in my arms.
"I did not get you anything but we were not labeling this I thought" she points out.
"I did not want to make you mad that I forgot, you know how woman can be" I joke.
"James!" she laughs. "this is the best thoughtful thing anyone has done for me in such a long time" she says looking pleased. "what can I get for you? On me!" she tells me. She kisses me. Then hands me a menu.
"That is a great bargain anything huh?" I say.
"Yes anything" she nods with a grin.
♥☆♥
I order a dinner then we chat away. She reads the back of the book to me. Showing off the book to her boss. Her boss is thrilled we have gotten to know each other.
He promises not to tell we are seeing each other. He allows her off work early so I can take her for a spin in the car. I open the door for her to get inside.
"This car is as nice if not better than the blue one" gushes Ariah.
"Hop in" I tell her.
We get in the car. Take a spin. Then I stop by a private beach. We take a little walk as the sunset for us. She rests her head on my shoulder as we walk together arm in arm.
"I am glad I stopped by today" I tell her. "unplanned"
"Me to. I am so glad what a great surprise" she brags on me.
"Seeing as we brought up what is between us, think we can talk about us?" I softly say.
"Sure" she says with a nod.
"My friends know something is going on. I told them I am not ready to tell and you are not yet they respect that" I explain to her.
"That is great of them" she answers.
"Do you think you would go public with me? So we can be a proper couple? Are you ready for that?" I softly ask. "I think I am. I would not mind seeing only you. Seeing where this is going. So others know I am spoken for" I blurt out.
"James....."
"Are you ready for more?" I softly say.
I hoped she was at a place I was at right now.
"James no sorry" she stammers.
My heart sinks.
"You want to back down then? Not see someone who is famous. I get that" I say. My heart is breaking inside. I can't let her see.
"James, you misunderstand. I do not want us to end. I do not want others to know" she tells me. "Not yet okay?" she says. "I need more time. Can I count on that?"
I nod. I am a little sad. Most woman would brag to the world they were with me. Was she ashamed to? She must know my family history to. She knew me well now. Maybe she did not want the world to know she was with me. At my side. It hurt a little.
"James" she says to me. She pulls me in her arms and kisses me. "I care for you so much. I am not sure I want to be famous yet. But if I do decide it is all alright you will know it. I love being by your side. I am proud to be with you and have you want to be with me. More than you will know. And one day when I am ready, I will be the one to brag" she declares.
"Please, just wait on me" she softly says.
She kisses me. I close my eyes enjoying her sweet lips on mine.
"I will wait as long as it takes" I promise her after the kiss is over. "I better take you back to your car" I say.
"Thank you, James. I have had the best night please call me tonight" she begs me.
"I will" I promise her.
I walk her back to my car then drive her back to the diner. I hoped she would let me know soon. I wanted to tell the world I was spoken for. I wanted things to go deeper with her. They were for me. I had to slow it down. I did not want to ruin what we had now.
•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~~•~•~•~•~•~•~•