Chapter Nineteen
A beautiful and balmy summer day had basked the campus grounds. The sprawling Tercentenary Theatre was filled with seniors, graduate students, alumni, faculty, parents, and guests. Caroline sat in the sea of graduating seniors on the right side of the stage. From where she was sitting, she could see her parents, relatives, and Alex on her back, and guest speakers on the platform up front. Both were about the same distance from each other. The three days of activities commemorating commencement was coming to an end.
Everything in Caroline’s mind was building up to this moment. In principle, there had been many exciting moments, orations, speeches, advices, meet and greets in the days leading up to this day. She had received her diploma. Took pictures with classmates and family. Shed tears of joy and excitement. It was all there. All that paled in comparison to sitting and waiting to hear Jack Reiner give his address as the official commencement speaker.
To distract herself from the tragedy of losing Alyson and all that had happened since then, Caroline had been trying to keep busy. Being busy has always been a reliable source of comfort. In the rocky years before her parents divorced, she had immersed herself more into her running and extracurricular activities. Anything that could keep her away from home was the best remedy. Away from trouble.
The trouble, as she sat in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun, was there was no getting away this time. She let herself get dragged into a situation with Alex, and she now doesn’t have the heart to tell him it meant nothing. Instead, she had continued with her pretend smiles and younger sister act.
Then, there is Jack. Jack the mysterious unknown who surprised her more than she was prepared to accept. It was as if she was getting reintroduced to him every single time. He invited her to Ritz to sit and talk and kiss her using every excuse of celebration of first kisses. When she thought the night might turn into one boiling steamy affair, he had scooped her off the couch and set her on the bed proceeding to kiss her in painstakingly slow manner. Resisting her repeated urge to push him to do more. One kissing after another.
When she thought he might rip her clothes off her body and ravage her on the spot, he had tenderly caressed her and told her how beautiful she was and how much he appreciated this chance to be with her. Such bewildering experience of contradictions.
It had taken Caroline many long moments to realize he wasn’t going to do anything. She had known guys who had touched her in places the soonest opportunity they got to be near her. Here she was giving herself to him completely, and all Jack Reiner wanted to do was talk to her and kiss her as if she was a molten chocolate.
It was the strangest experience of her adult life. Where was the man who apparently had swept through the land pillaging every woman in his wake? She could see there was plenty of promise in him. He had done everything he did with expert attention to detail. Almost obsessively so. The little she could feel his body beneath the layers of clothing, she could tell he had the body of a professional athlete. Sculpted and cared for with targeted exercises.
“Is this a trick or what?” Caroline had asked him to clear her confusion.
“What?” He had answered back, not showing any hint and surprise.
Jack knew fully well she had expected him to do what he willed. He had restrained himself in part to surprise her in a good way. To defy her expectation and charm her even more. From the moment he saw her picture, he had known he wanted her. So, he took his time to make sure she wanted him just as much. Not for the sex or hook up, but as a good companion and friend he could spend time with.
“Seriously?” She asked, wondering if she was going to have to explain everything to him.
“Let me ask you this. Are you having a good time?”
“Yes, of course. I mean I am lying in bed with you. At Ritz Carlton. With the chosen graduate speaker all to myself.”
“You make me sound so old.”
“I am sorry. Totally didn’t mean that. I mean all this is great. But not what I expected.”
“What did you expect?”
“Do you enjoy putting me in uncomfortable positions?”
“That is yet to be seen, isn’t it? We will see how much you will enjoy uncomfortable positions.” He smiled, pecking her on her lips.
“It is just so strange. From the morning until now. And we are here talking.”
“What’s wrong with talking?”
“I swear to God you must be addicted to asking questions.”
“Not necessarily. I am only asking clarifying questions. Is that not allowed?”
“Of course, it is. It is adorable, and thank you so much.”
“For what?”
“For talking and spending time here with me... For not rushing me…”
“Do you wanna know what it feels like to be in my position?” He asked lying on his back. With her head resting on his broad chest, Caroline could hear his heart beat. Regular and steady. Calm under pressure. Unlike hers. Or maybe she was the only one experiencing pressure here…
“Like you are on top of the world?”
“Not quite. Do you know about Dressage?”
