My Restless Billionaire

Midnight musings

James is startled by the sudden loud voice in the quiet cottage, turning around he finds her standing in the living room, hands out questioningly at her sides, eyes wide as she takes in his state. "James?" she questions, her voice uncertain, "Jess? what are you doing here?" he shakes his head to clear his thoughts, the look in his eyes so lost... " I came to check on you, Shirley called, she couldn't get a hold of you, she was worried" he grunts and walks into the kitchen, opening the cupboard he grabs a bottle of bourbon and pours a glass downing it before gesturing to Jess with the glass, asking if she wants a fill? Walking over she tentatively takes a glass and holds it out for him to fill. He pours another for himself, closing the bottle and setting it back in the cupboard. Jess looks at him, seeing him hurt and the struggle on his dirt-smeared face has her heart cringing. Stepping closer to him she reaches her hand to him, but he dodges her approach by walking out and heading for the bedroom. Jess pulls back and looks at his retreating back as he disappears into the bathroom.

She quickly sends a message to Shirley that he is safe, then switches off her phone, placing it on the table by the kettle together with her keys. Sipping her drink she walks out onto the porch and takes a seat. He didn't ask her to leave, so she decides to wait it out.

I need to get a grip, turning on the shower he strips and steps in, letting the warm water run over his shoulders, washing away the dust and the shame of the day. Lost in thought he stands under the water till the water runs cold before getting out. He dresses in sweatpants before walking out into the living room. No sign of Jess. I guess she left... reaching for his phone he remembers throwing it across the street, and he bursts out in a manic laugh. Jess rushes in when she hears the crazy laugh, her eyes wide as they meet his. He sobers when he sees her. "I thought you left," he says his tone cold and distant. " I wanted to make sure that you were ok," she says walking towards him. When he steps away she halts, her eyes narrowing, before she changes direction, heading to the kitchen she picks up her phone and keys, "well, since you are clearly "ok", she air quotes the ok, " I'll be leaving. Good night." she says and slams the door on her way out. Stunned he stares at the closed door and then hears her car door slam, as the engine starts he sighs. I definitely could have handled that better, he supposes.

He walks to the counter, switches on his laptop, pours himself another glass, and then settles down on the couch. The wind blowing outside brings a chill to the atmosphere so he doesn't wander out. Scrolling down the list of emails he finds the one from the assessor. Opening the report he has a quick scan over the information she shared earlier the day, and he ponders his next move. He will pay the development evaluation amount for the land, which was more in line with what he figured it was worth anyway. Switching to the real estate page he scrolls through looking for the advert for the property, locating it he sends a message to the agent to inform him that he wants to make an offer and will be returning to the city, and will need the documents sent to him as soon as possible. With a smug smile on his lips he checks his emails, finding a personal mail from Shirley, he erases it without reading it, knowing the tracking report will be sent directly to her inbox. serves you right he imagines as he closes the mail application and browses the news site. It's way past midnight when he shuts down and unplugs. Rinsing the glasses he puts them away, and heads to bed. With the stress of the day, he doesn't hold much hope for sleep, but he needs to try at least.

Jess is fuming as she drives off, such an arrogant douche she seethes at his rude dismissal. Her mind goes over everything that happened. She can pinpoint the moment in time their dynamic changed... it's her fault...she accused him without finding out the truth...how can she be so blind? His reputation is a complete opposite of what she experienced with him this week. He is attentive and kind, never once eluding to his status or playing it up so she would fall for him, the complete opposite actually, a total gentleman, never pushing her, letting her set the pace, his could she jump to such conclusions...ugh, "what have I done?" the hurt and loss in his eyes breaks her heart.

Turning over the clock on the nightstand reads 3 am and as he lays back he's thoughts drift to his night with Jess. That was spectacular, he thinks back to the way she responded to him, his hands caressing her curves, and the memory leaves him aroused and frustrated. Grunting his annoyance he turns his thoughts to the coffee shop, the look in her eyes, shaking his head to get the image out of his head. Turning over he forces his mind to go blank and wakes as the sunlight touches his skin through the open window. He lays there quietly listening to the waves outside as his mind fills with all the thoughts he suppressed last night. Tired he stumbles out of bed and into the kitchen for a cup of coffee. After a strong cuppa he starts packing, and loading the car up, he is off and on the road before 8 am. Stopping in town he tops up his tank, he stops at the coffee shop for a last indulgence, ordering a piece of pie and a fresh coffee to go. Bidding Mrs. Eliot goodbye, he heads out of town. Hoping to soon return to this little piece of heaven.

The drive back is uneventful and quiet considering he is cut off from civilization without his phone. It feels good to be without it, away from it all. Making great time he stops for lunch at a roadside diner along the backroads before heading back to the highway. As the sun lays low over the city he pulls into his parking spot and heads up into the penthouse. Stepping inside the emptiness and quiet is overwhelming. The chemical clean smell he used to love so much stings his nose and he misses the fresh air and the cottage. He requests his things to be brought up by the bellhop, opting to take a shower as he waits for his luggage to arrive. Making a quick sandwich he settles down behind his desk, connecting his laptop and checking for the documents from the agent.

Relief washes over him as he spots the mail, printing the Offer to Purchase he completes the required details, scans it back, and attaches the required supporting documents, never realizing the amount of admin that goes into a transaction it is well past 11 and the moon is high when he hits the send button, sending off his offer. He logs into his online shopping profile ordering a replacement phone with next-day delivery. Browsing the site he looks at some appliances that he would like for the cottage, booking everything for delivery. Before shutting down he checks his mail, finding another from Shirley he erases it again, sending it straight to the recycle bin, then emptying it. Answering all the emails that need his attention, he shuts down just past 1 am. Making his way to bed he grabs a book on country living, paging through it he finally falls asleep around 3. The rain on the window pane wakes him just before his alarm at 6. Staring at the water running down the glass he moans, wishing he was back at the cottage. Waking up to Jess...where the hell did that come from?.... I seriously need more sleep... and a good distraction to get those blue eyes out of my mind...the hurt in her eyes eats at his conscience even though he was not responsible for the hurt... Getting dressed he starts up his system in his home office and makes a quick breakfast. The morning went by in a haze. Not letting Shirley know that he is back giving him a little comfort, he is not ready to see her yet. She would be lucky if she still works for him by the end of the week. Crazy how quickly I fall back into the same old bad habits and even worse routines, sad actually, he thinks to himself. Life would be so much easier if you didn't have to live up to everybody's expectations and if you could just be yourself...