Jealousy

His hands are all over your body now and massaging all your muscles. He moves even closer to get to your thigh muscles and you feel his hardness pressing against you. Your breath catches and he suddenly jerks away.

"I'm so very sorry"

He jumps from your bed and stands far from your bed.

"It's really not a problem. I really enjoyed the massage. I feel so relaxed now"

(....also feel very hot!)

You hear the front door open.

"Honey, I'm home" It's your dad.

"Dad, up here"

"I'll be going now but please, please feel better. I care a lot about you"

"You can stay, really"

"No....I'd rather not. Goodbye Jennifer"

He opens your window and jumps down. You run to the window and he's gone.

"What are you doing out of bed?"

"Oh, I.....I was just getting fresh air..."

You go back to bed and feel a heat over your entire being just thinking about Jason.

"Did you drink your medicine? How are you feeling?"

"Yeah...yeah, I drank my medicine, feeling much better now..."

"Okay, will you be able to return to work tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I think so"

"Okay, I'm going to bed, I'm exhausted"

"Okay, Dad! Goodnight"

He goes to his room and you decide to take a warm bath. When you finished, you get a snack from the kitchen and get back to bed. You send a text to Jason.

"Thank you for today, I really loved the massage, you should consider a career being a masseuse..."

He doesn't reply and you fall back to sleep. The next morning you feel much better but your throat is still sore. You decide to go to work.

Lucy greets you. "Hey, how are you feeling?"

"Much better thanks, still sore throat"

"You should've stayed another day in bed. Don't get me wrong, we missed you but you need to rest"

"I can't do that, you need me"

As if on cue, the first rush walks in. You get your notepad and start taking orders. It's lunch and you're rethinking the whole idea of coming back to work. Your entire body is aching and your head is pounding. You lay on your arms.

"Hey" Mike touches your arm. You lift your head and look at him.

"Hey"

"Don't you think you should go home?"

"No, I'll be fine real-(cough)" He hands you a bottle of water and you drink from it.

"I really think you should go home"

You shake your head no. He turns around and walks away. Your phone beeps. It's Jason.

"Thank you for your text, it meant a lot. How are you feeling? Enjoying resting?"

"Actually, I'm not at home"

"Oh? Where are you?"

"I'm at work, can't leave my Dad dealing with the diner alone"

"What?? No, Jennifer, please....go home and rest" Mike walks up to you with his car keys in his hand.

"I spoke to your Dad, he agrees you should go home. Please come with me, I'll take you home"

Your phone beeps again. You look at the phone and then at Mike.

"It doesn't look like I have a choice"

You stand up slowly and Mike put his hand on your back and lead you to his car. "Thank you"

"Don't mention it. I just want you to feel better"

He drives you home and walks you to the door. "Thank you again"

"Sure-" You feel dizzy and fall against the wall. He catches you. "Where's your keys?"

"Hmm...in my purse" He opens your purse and gets the keys. He walks you up to your room and put you in bed.

"You really didn't have to, you know"

"I think, I really had to. Now, don't get up again until you at least slept a little while, okay?"

"Okay and thank you" He walks out and drives away. You're exhausted and sleeps right away. Your phone rings you awake.

"Uhm...hello?"

"Hello? Jennifer? Are you okay?"

"Jason? Yeah?"

"You sure??"

"Yeah? I'm sleeping...*cough*....just hold...*cough*" You drink a bit of water and return to your call. "Sorry about that. What's going on?"

"I'm just worried about you that's all"

"That's all? You sure?" Your six sense kicks in again.

"Uhm...well, I drove to the diner after our texting and you weren't there, so I drove to your house and well...."

"Yes?"

"Well, what were Mike's hands doing on you? You said that he wasn't your boyfriend..."

"Ooohhhh" You laugh causing a coughing fit.

"What's so funny?"

"He took me home and I was a bit dizzy so he helped me"

"Oh...okay, yeah. I have to go" He hangs up the phone. You look at your phone.

(What's going on with him?)

You decide to take a bath and watch some Netflix for a while. Suddenly there's a knock on the door. You stand up and open it.

"Jason?" He's breathing heavily as if he's been running. He's standing closer than usual and you can almost see his face. You see his stubble.

"What are you doing here?"

"I can't do it anymore....I....I feel very protective of you"

He shakes his head and looks down. Then suddenly, he looks you straight in your eyes and stares intensely. "I don't...I don't have the strength to....to stay away from you anymore..."

You feel the heat radiating from him and your entire being shivers.

"....then don't" Your breath catches with the words that come out of your mouth. You can't believe how forward you are.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes...but *sneeze* I don't want you to catch a cold"

"Bless you! and I don't want you to be alone, feeling sick"

"Okay but you keep your distance?"

He holds up his hands in surrender and walks inside. His hoodie isn't as probably adjusted to cover his face as usual, as if he wants you to see his face.

"I promise"

"I'm watching some Netflix. Would you like to join me?"

"Sure. Did you have something to eat yet?"

"No, not yet"

"Can I order something for us? My treat?"

"Yeah, that would actually be great"

"What are you in the mood for?"

"Uhmmm...pizza?"

"It's like you read my mind. I'll make a quick phone call" He walks to the far corner and orders some food on his phone. You quickly check your breath and straighten your clothes.

(I can't believe he's actually here...AGAIN)

You dim the lights so that he will feel more comfortable, not revealing his face. You walk to the couch and sit in the far corner. He watches you and sits in the other corner.

"Thank you, Jennifer"

"For?"

"For letting me stay" You smile. You feel butterflies in your stomach. You wish he could sit closer to you. You watch a movie and you chat more than actually watching the movie. You laugh and make fun of the characters, forgetting that you're sick There's a knock on the door.

You jump up but it was too fast and you grab your head in pain. Jason is there in a split second to comfort you.

"Ow!"

"You okay?" He wants to come closer but he's afraid you might see his face. Concern is stricken in his eyes."

"I'm fine really. Can you get the door?" He opens the door and it's the delivery of the food. He pays for the food and put it on the table. He's quickly as close as he can be by your side again.

"Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"

"Well..." You laugh. "...we can get something to eat?"

He chuckles. "I really like you..." He coughs and you realize he didn't want to say it out loud. You smile because he is just saying what your both thinking...