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“It’s downstairs.”
I sniff again. “How long ago did you wake up?”
“Don’t worry about that. Come on.”
He crosses over, takes my hand, and leads me to the kitchen where two cups are beside two plates with buttered toast on each.
“I wasn’t feeling adventurous enough to use the stove without any clothes on, so I’m afraid this is the best I can do.”
“And I was just thinking to myself as you leaned against my doorframe that you’re very comfortable, almost too comfortable, walking around in the buff.”
He smirks, and I burst out laughing.
I never had the chance to put on clothes myself.
“You’ve never eaten a meal naked before?” he asks me.
“Food, no. Wine, yes.”
He laughs. “Oh, yes. That was one wild night.”
“It was indeed.” I shake my head. “Let’s eat, and then I have phone calls to make.”
“What do you need me to do?” he asks.
“For now, to stop being distracting.”
Jesse grins at me.
I sip my coffee. It’s perfect, made with my hazelnut creamer. He never liked hazelnut or any other flavor.
I lower my mug and realize Jesse’s staring at me.
“What?” I ask.
“What about you distracting me?”
I just shake my head.
CHAPTER 14
After we eat and get dressed, I text Alex and Xavier and give them coordinates to an isolated cabin I own that’s registered under a fake name outside of the city.
Before driving there, Jesse and I pick up pizzas. It’s a long drive, but it’s scenic, and Jesse tells me a few of his PI tales. He doesn’t offer any stories from his time as a police officer, and I don’t pry.
The isolated cabin, nestled in the embrace of nature, stands as a discreet sanctuary far removed from the urban pulse. Its rustic facade blends seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness, and the air is scented with the crisp fragrance of pine. As the three of us approach, the only sounds are the hushed whispers of leaves in the gentle breeze and the distant murmur of a secluded stream.
The cabin itself is a modest structure, its exterior weathered by time and concealed beneath a canopy of overhanging branches. The windows, framed by simple wooden shutters, reveal a faint glow within as the soft light spills into the evening darkness. A single stone pathway leads to the entrance, flanked by a scattering of wildflowers, their colors muted in the twilight.
Upon crossing the threshold, the interior unfolds with an unpretentious charm. The main room is adorned with aged wooden beams, and a stone fireplace takes center stage, promising warmth and respite from the cool outdoor air. Simple yet comfortable furnishings complete the scene, and the air is infused with the faint scent of cedar.
The secluded cabin, a hidden refuge in the heart of nature, becomes the canvas for our clandestine discussions. Its isolation promises privacy, offering a haven where the echoes of our whispered plans can dissipate into the untamed landscape that surrounds us.
As Jesse and I step over the threshold of the cabin, the subdued ambiance within welcomes us like a secret haven, shielded from prying eyes. Jesse takes it upon himself to get a fire going in the fireplace, and it soon casts a warm glow across the room, creating an intimate setting for our conversation.
“This place is cozy,” he comments.
“It’s nice to have a place to come to when you want to escape it all.”
