Not long after those reporters left, Rita was completely wasted. Jefferson, realizing it was time to head back, suggested they leave.
He glanced at Rita, slumped in her seat, and turned to Ester.
"Maybe we should call it a night," Jefferson suggested, his voice tinged with concern.
Ester, who was also quite tipsy, nodded in agreement as she fumbled with her seatbelt.
Jefferson drove her back to her house first.
As Ester stumbled out of the car, she playfully teased Jefferson, "Take good care of our Rita, okay?"
With a chuckle, Jefferson replied, "Of course, Ester. Don't worry!"
He watched until Ester safely entered her house, then turned his attention back to Rita, who was now the only other person in the car.
Jefferson glanced over at her, asleep and peaceful.
Tonight, she had shown a side of herself that reminded him of when they first met-carefree and bold.
That memory had lingered in his mind, never quite fading away.
"Rita, you always surprise me," he murmured to himself, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
As he looked at her, his gaze unintentionally fell on her cleavage, making him a bit nervous.
Quickly, he shifted his eyes away and focused on the road, deciding to drive to a nearby motel.
Upon arrival, only a room with one bed was available.
Jefferson chuckled to himself, thinking, "She's already your wife, and you've slept with her several times before, right? No big deal."
Comforting himself with these thoughts, he gently lifted Rita from the car.
"Alright, let's get you to bed," he whispered, as if she could hear him in her sleep.
Jefferson gently helped Rita out of her coat, laying it carefully on the chair beside the motel bed. As he turned back to her, he noticed that her makeup was smeared, likely from the combination of the evening's festivities and her nap in the car. Despite the disarray, there was something undeniably attractive about her relaxed state. He swallowed hard, feeling a sudden rush of warmth as he watched her.
"Let's get you comfortable, okay?" Jefferson suggested softly, trying to keep the situation light and caring.
Rita mumbled a response, her words slurring slightly. He gently guided her to the bed, where she flopped down ungracefully, a giggle escaping her lips. Jefferson couldn't help but smile at her carefree demeanor, a stark contrast to her usual composed self. He sat down beside her on the bed, cautiously laying next to her while keeping a respectful distance.
However, Rita's behavior suddenly shifted. She started fidgeting, pulling at her clothes as she exclaimed, "It's so hot in here, I can't stand it!"
Jefferson, trying to maintain a calm demeanor, placed his hands on hers to stop her from tearing at her shirt. "Hey, hey, relax Rita. Let me turn up the AC, alright? You'll feel cooler in no time," he said, his voice a mixture of concern and calm.
But Rita seemed not to hear him. Her movements grew more frantic, and she continued to mumble about the heat. Jefferson, realizing that she might not be fully aware of her actions, decided it was best to keep her safe from potentially hurting herself.
"Rita, listen to me. You need to calm down," Jefferson insisted, his tone firm yet gentle. He managed to pull her hands away from her clothes and held them in his own. "Just try to relax."
After a few tense moments, Rita's energy seemed to wane. She lay back down, her breathing heavy.
Jefferson watched her closely, ensuring she was okay.
He noticed her body was unusually warm when he accidentally brushed against her arm.
As he sat next to her, monitoring her condition, Rita suddenly turned towards him.
Without warning, she threw her arms around him, hugging him from behind.
Her actions were unexpected, and Jefferson froze for a moment, unsure of how to respond.
"Jeff... it's still so hot," Rita whispered into his ear, her voice weak but insistent.
Jefferson's heart raced as he felt her heated body press against his.
He knew he needed to remain composed, for both their sakes.
"Okay, Rita, let's try to get some sleep. You'll feel better, I promise," he said, his voice soothing.
He adjusted their positions slightly so Rita could lay more comfortably while still feeling the security of his presence.
As he lay there, with Rita's arms still draped around him.
As Jefferson lay beside Rita, the faint scent of her perfume wafted through the air, making his heart race even faster. He admitted to himself that there was something irresistibly attractive about Rita tonight, a side of her he rarely saw. This vulnerability, combined with the closeness of their bodies, was stirring a desire within him that was becoming increasingly difficult to control.
He was acutely aware of every contact point between them, especially the warmth of Rita's hand resting gently on his arm. He knew he should probably move her hand away to maintain some boundaries, but just as he reached to do so, Rita's grip tightened. With a surprising amount of strength, she pulled him closer to her.
Startled by her action, Jefferson's first instinct was to pull back, but the look in Rita's eyes stopped him. They were deep and searching, reflecting a mix of emotions that he couldn't immediately decipher. His nervousness spiked, not just from the physical proximity but from the sudden depth of the moment they were sharing.
"Rita?" he started, his voice barely above a whisper as he navigated the tension.
However, Rita just closed her eyes, her body relaxing slightly as she nestled closer to him.
As he contemplated his next words, Rita looked up at him with an intensity that took his breath away.
Her hand moved from his arm to his cheek, gently pulling him down towards her. Her breath was warm against his skin, her eyes locked onto his with an earnestness that made his decision even harder.
With a gentle but firm resolve, he turned to her and asked, "Do you really want this?"