The Bentley's engine hummed quietly as they cut through the rain-slicked streets. Jessica sat close enough that her thigh pressed against his, her perfume filling the space between them. Her hand found its way to his knee, and Alex fought the instinct to pull away.
'Would Jason welcome this?' Alex wondered, watching her reflection in the tinted windows. The passing streetlights played across her features, making her familiar smile seem almost dangerous.
"I can hear you thinking," Jessica said softly, her fingers drawing slow circles on his leg. "You always did overthink everything. Sometimes you just need to..." she leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear, "let go."
The car rolled to a stop in front of the Rosewood Hotel. Rain scattered off the pavement in silver drops, catching the warm glow from the entrance. Jessica's driver stepped out smoothly, opening her door while a doorman appeared with an umbrella.
She stepped out with practiced grace, her red dress a stark contrast against the grey evening. Alex followed, adjusting his jacket and squaring his shoulders the way he imagined Jason would. The Rosewood stretched up into the misty sky, its glass and steel facade reflecting the city lights.
"Ready?" Jessica held out her hand, her green eyes holding his with an intensity that made his pulse quicken.
Alex took it, feeling the familiar way her fingers laced through his. 'We've done this before,' he thought. 'Probably countless times.'
The lobby stretched out before them in cream marble and polished brass. Their footsteps echoed as they crossed to the reception desk, where the manager appeared, greeting them with a slight bow.
"Miss Montgomery, Mr. Rivers. Your usual arrangements are complete."
Jessica moved closer to the manager, speaking quietly. Alex caught pieces of their conversation - "privacy protocols" and "special requirements" - before she returned with a satisfied smile.
The elevator carried them upward, its mirrored walls reflecting Jessica from every angle. Each version of her seemed to watch Alex, studying his every move.
'What happened in rooms like this?' he wondered, keeping his expression neutral. 'What memories am I supposed to have?'
They needed a special key card for the penthouse floor. As they climbed higher, the city lights spread out below them like scattered diamonds. Jessica pressed against his side, fitting herself against him with familiar ease.
"Just like old times," she murmured. "You and me, away from everyone else. Remember how we used to pretend the whole world disappeared up here?"
Alex's heart hammered against his ribs. Every word felt like a test, every touch a potential trap. One wrong response and his cover would shatter.
The elevator opened to a private foyer where a staff member waited. Jessica spoke to him briefly, her voice low and commanding. He nodded and led them down a hallway lined with artwork worth more than Alex could imagine.
The suite doors were heavy dark wood with gold inlays. They opened silently onto a space that seemed to touch the sky. Windows stretched from floor to ceiling, framing the glittering cityscape beyond.
Jessica turned to face him, the city lights creating a soft glow around her. Her smile held promises that made his skin tingle with equal parts anticipation and dread.
"Well," she said, reaching for his tie, "shall we make up for those months apart?"
She held out a hand, snapping her fingers and then saying, "Don't answer that," ..
"Drink?" Jessica moved to the bar with practiced familiarity, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. "I remember exactly how you like your scotch." She selected a crystal decanter, the amber liquid catching the city lights. "Three fingers, one ice cube, swirled exactly seven times."
'Of course she knows that,' Alex thought, watching her pour. 'She probably knows what brand of toothpaste Jason uses too.'
"I'll just slip into something more..." she handed him the glass, her fingers lingering against his, "comfortable. Make yourself at home, darling. You know where everything is."
Alex took a slow sip, savoring the burn. 'Do I though? Do I know where anything is in this mine field of a situation?'
Jessica disappeared into what he assumed was the bedroom. The sound of a zipper, the rustle of fabric. His imagination went wild with possibilities.
'Did Jason ever use his movie moves in real life?' Alex wondered, pacing by the windows. 'Did he ever quote that famous line from "Midnight in Madrid" when things got heated?' The thought made him snort into his drink. 'God, I hope not.'
"You're laughing," Jessica called out. "Should I be concerned?"
"Just remembering things," he replied carefully.
"Mmm, we do have quite the highlight reel, don't we?"
When she emerged, Alex nearly dropped his glass. She wore a black silk robe that skimmed her thighs, the material catching the light with every movement. Underneath, something red and lacy peeked through.
'Sweet Jesus,' he thought, gripping his drink tighter. 'No wonder Jason needed time to recover from this relationship.'
"You always did like this one," she said, running her hands down the silk. "Remember that weekend in Paris? When we never made it to any of our meetings?"
She moved closer, taking his drink and setting it aside. Her fingers traced up his chest, finding the knot of his tie. "We had such a good routine, didn't we? Dinner, drinks..." she worked the tie loose with practiced ease, "and then the best part of the evening."
'Think, think, think,' Alex's mind raced. 'What would Jason do? What would the guy who played James Bond's younger brother do?'
Jessica's hands slid inside his jacket. "I've missed this," she whispered against his neck. "Missed us. All those months apart, all I could think about was getting back here."
The city sparkled beyond the windows, but Alex barely noticed. Jessica's perfume filled his senses, her touch leaving trails of fire through his clothes. She worked his jacket off his shoulders, letting it fall.
"You know what I remember most?" Her lips brushed his ear. "That thing you used to do... right before..."
Alex's phone shattered the moment with the subtlety of a fire alarm. Sarah's customized ringtone - because of course she had her own ringtone - filled the suite.
Jessica froze. Her fingers dug slightly into his shoulders. "Your PA?" Her voice held an edge he hadn't heard before. "At this hour?"
'Thank god,' Alex thought, even as he said, "I should probably..."
"Let it go to voicemail." Jessica's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Whatever it is can wait until morning."
The phone kept ringing. One thing Alex had learned about Sarah - she didn't give up easily.
"It might be about the production," he said, already reaching for his phone. "With everything that's happened..."
Jessica stepped back, wrapping her robe tighter. The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees. "The great Jason Rivers," she said, her tone sharp enough to cut glass. "Always putting work first. Some things really don't change, do they?"
The phone continued its relentless chorus. Alex looked between it and Jessica, caught between the devil he knew and the one he was still trying to figure out.
"Take it," Jessica waved her hand dismissively, but her eyes flashed. "Clearly, Sarah has something vitally important to discuss at..." she glanced at a clock he hadn't noticed, "eleven forty-seven at night."
Alex answered the phone, mouthing 'sorry' to Jessica. She responded by pouring herself a generous glass of wine.
"Sarah?" he said, watching Jessica take a long drink. "This better be good."