35. Chapter 35

Hey guys, I am completely amazed by the response to the last chapter. Your feedback inspired me so much I was able to write and post this much faster than usual. I fear this chapter may be a let down but Jay and Erin both had to express their thoughts so I hope it's okay. Please read and review! Thank you!

P.S. Can't wait for crossover week! Yay!

Chapter 34

Erin sat on the bed in her pyjamas; her eyes focused on the bathroom door as she chewed her lower lip. The shower was running. Jay had been in there the last fifteen minutes. She desperately needed to talk to him; to apologise for taking things too far.

He had not uttered one word towards her since they had left the manor; the drive back to the apartment was completely silent. Every time she tried to speak he would either turn up the radio or begin singing along to the song.

In the elevator up to their floor; he had completely avoided eye contact and kept his eyes focused on the doors. As soon as he entered the apartment; he headed straight to the bathroom for a shower.

Erin's eyes widened as she noticed the shower was no longer running. She momentarily stopped breathing; the anxiety she was feeling almost becoming too much for her. She knelt up in the bed; her eyes never leaving the bathroom door; her hands gripped the sheets.

Jay stepped out of the bathroom and into the bedroom; dressed in his boxers and t-shirt. He didn't even glance at Erin as he headed towards the door leading to the sitting room.

Erin swallowed hard and finally opened her mouth. "Don't you think we should talk about what happened tonight?" She asked, her voice slightly squeaking as she began to speak.

He paused but did not look at her. "What happens in the manor stays in the manor." Jay shot back.

"Not when it affects us like this." Erin replied. "I'm sorry I took things so far...I just, I got caught up in the moment Jay and I don't know, I guess I thought because it was in the manor, and it wouldn't really count. I thought you would want it."

"You thought I would want it?" Jay barked, finally looking at her. "You thought I would want our first time to be in public with two other couples watching? What type of dog do you think I am?" He waved his arms as he spoke.

"I...do..don't!" Erin stuttered. "I just...I got caught up in the moment and I wanted you...I thought you were feeling the same."

"Erin...that's just it!" Jay exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. "You say you got caught up in the moment...that you wanted me but the truth is, you wanted Jay Kingston."

"No..." Erin began to protest, shaking her head.

"None of this is real Erin...we're just playing a role...especially when we step into that manor." Jay reasoned.

"No Jay..." Erin began; trying her best to relay her feelings for him.

"When that red haze of lust disappears, you'll see I'm right...and you'll be glad I stopped it." Jay continued. He turned to go out the door again.

"Where are you going?" She asked.

"I think it's best if I move back to the couch." He replied, not even bothering to look at her.

"If that's what you want." Erin softly replied.

"It's what we need." Jay stated before walking out the door.

When Erin exited the bedroom the following morning, she found Jay had already left; leaving a note on the fridge door. She unclipped the note from under the fridge magnet and quickly scanned it with her eyes.

"Had to head into the office early." She read aloud. "I'll be home by 5pm to get ready for the ball." She groaned. She had forgotten the ball was tonight. She had arranged to get her hair and nails done in the same salon as Amy but right now she couldn't face her; she knew Amy would want to know how last night went. She continued to ready the note. "We're okay."

A nervous laugh escaped her lips; if only she could believe they were okay. She scrunched up the note and tossed it in the trash before pouring herself a cup of coffee.

Erin stepped out of the black town car that had pulled up outside her building. Her nails were French manicured to perfection; her makeup had a wintery Hollywood glow to it; her golden highlighted brown hair was pinned up, with a few curls capturing her face.

She headed towards the building; a smile forced on her lips. She had survived the mid-morning trip to the salon with Amy without too much preying. Amy had apparently heard from the others at the manor that Erin had put on a performance that definitely left her husband hot under the collar.

Erin had not argued with Amy; she was happy to let her believe what she had heard. Just as she was about to approach the doors of the building, Amy's perfectly styled head popped out of the window of the car door. "Remember Mrs Kingston...no last minute quickies...we can't toss that hair." Amy called before giggling.

Erin spun around, forcing a laugh. "Not after all the time and money I spent!" She called back, waving goodbye to Amy. Amy returned the wave and the car drove off. Erin sighed with relief and turned towards the doors again. She paused briefly to allow Ben to pull open the door for her.

"Good afternoon Mrs King...Erin." He corrected himself. "Have you a big night planned?"

"Oh just a charity ball." Erin replied.

"I couldn't help but notice you were in the car with Amy Rollins." Ben stated.

"Oh, that was Amy Stimson...she's organising the ball." Erin corrected, her eyes questioning Ben. "Mr Kingston works for her fiancée Tony Wiltshire."

"Oh sorry...I must have been mistaken." Ben apologised. "She just looked like a girl I used to know."

"Used to?" Erin asked, her gut was beginning to twist.

"I was mistaken Erin...the girl I knew was bad news." Ben retorted, desperate to change the subject. "She would not be riding in a town car with you."

"Okay." Erin muttered, not convinced.

"Is there anything else I can get you to complete your preparations for tonight Erin?" Ben asked, ushering her towards the elevator. He pressed the button to call the elevator. It arrived; the doors sliding open.

"No, thank you Ben." Erin replied as she stepped into the elevator; her mind whirling at Ben's case of mistaken identity as the doors slid closed and began to ride up to her floor. Was it really a case of mistaken identity? The feeling in her gut would not go away; she knew what she had to do; she'd have to ask Burgess to look into this 'Amy Rollins'.

Erin stood in front of the full length mirror, placing a diamante droplet earring in each ear. She seriously hoped the society wives would not guess they were fakes. She was wearing the silver ball gown she had tried on with Kim; including the incredibly comfortable 4 inch pumps the sales girl had supplied.

Erin smiled as she thought about the sales girl and wondered if Atwater had taken her out yet and if she had, did she go for the surf and turf? She had forgotten to ask Kim when she had phoned her to ask her to check out Amy Rollins.

Erin heard the door of the apartment open. She glanced over her shoulder at the clock on her bedside table; it was 5:47pm. Jay was over 45 minutes late. They still had time; the event didn't start until 6:30pm.

She heard a gentle tap against the bedroom door. She looked up and found Jay leaning against the doorframe, dressed in his tux. She hadn't even noticed that he had taken it out of the closet this morning. He must have took it with him and dressed in the office.

"Wow! Cinderella is definitely going to the ball." He stated, his eyes admiring her.

Erin awkwardly smiled; he looked amazing in a tux. "And it looks like James Bond is going to accompany her." She simply teased before returning her attention back to the mirror. From the corner of her eyes she could see a small smile on Jay's lips. She lifted the diamante drop pendant that matched her earrings off the dresser.

She unclasped the pendant and placed it around her neck but her fingers struggled to re-clasp the pendant as she bit her lower lip. She could hear Jay's footsteps walking towards her before he appeared behind her in the mirror. She reluctantly released the pendant into his hold.

She momentarily caught her breath as his finger delicately grazed the nape of her neck; his slow but steady breath breezing against her ear. She looked to the floor; wanting to avoid the reflection of his gaze.

"Did you get my note this morning?" He asked as he completed the clasp on the pendant. As soon as the pendant was safely on, he removed his hands and shoved them into his packets.

"Yeah." Erin muttered.

"And we're okay?" Jay asked, looking at Erin's reflection in the mirror but her own eyes were still focused on the floor.

"Well it's what you said." She retorted bluntly. She heard him sigh. She finally looked up at her own reflection, meeting Jay's own reflection.

"Erin, I think I owe you an apology..." He started to say.

"Why do you owe me an apology?" Erin quickly interrupted, spinning around to face him.

"My behaviour..." He began to explain, momentarily focusing on the floor.

"Jay I was the one who was out of order." Erin interrupted again. "I got caught up in the moment and you were right...I would have regretted it. You were being a great partner and an even greater gentleman. Even if your response hurt me at the time..."

"That's just it Erin, I didn't want you to get hurt." Jay stated, finally looking up to meet her gaze. "You need to know I wasn't rejecting you...I mean I was but I wasn't...I mean, you know I am attracted to you and if it was different circumstances..."

Erin could tell he was getting flustered. "Maybe one day, huh?" She teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, maybe." Jay quietly laughed, looking at the floor again.

Erin nodded her head, forcing a smile. She hadn't expected that response. She had expected him to say "Oh definitely" without hesitation. Now he seemed to be questioning whether their one day would ever come.

Jay finally looked up again. "Well um, I'll let you finish getting ready." He said. "The town car Tony arranged for us should be here soon."

Erin nodded. "Thanks." She muttered and returned to study her reflection as Jay left the room. She silently prayed her reflection would not be a reflection of how she felt; thankfully, it didn't reflect the tears she clearly felt within her. She didn't want Jay to see her upset and lost.

To be continued...