On the way home, Jennifer was silent, her head spinning.
"He seems awfully nice," Allison said, "and handsome too."
Jennifer smiled and nodded. She had never experienced feelings such as these in her life. When she was speaking to Jonathan, her emotions overwhelmed her. She didn't want to say goodbye, and she couldn't wait to see him in the morning. In the corner of her mind though, something did interrupt her thoughts, David.
Allison pulled into the driveway. Jennifer said goodnight and hurried to her room. What was she feeling - love, lust, infatuation, guilt? She spent the night tossing and turning, anxious for the morning to come, yet annoyed at herself for being unable to control her thoughts.
Jonathan hung around for a while chatting with Tom and some of the other guests. Tom kidded Jonathan about Jennifer, noticing that the two went off for a while alone.
"She is lovely," Tom said.
"Yes" Jonathan, said, "very."
Jonathan said goodnight to Tom, promising that he would call him before he went back to LA and maybe they could have lunch. He got into his car and drove back to the hotel, his thoughts only about Jennifer. When he got to the lobby, he checked for messages. There were two from Lisa. Lisa, he thought, I haven't thought about her once all night. It was then that he knew in his heart that his relationship with Lisa was over. Jonathan went up to his room, undressed and threw himself on the bed. He did not sleep all night.
Jennifer got out of bed at the first sign of daylight. She showered and dressed and went outside for a walk to clear her head. She walked around the stables, the place where she felt most at ease, talking to herself and sometimes outloud, wondering what this day would bring. Maybe it was fate. She would definitely have to tell Jonathan she was was involved with someone, but yet a voice inside her wanted to keep quiet. Never had a barrage of emotions overtaken her so.
By the time she got back, Allison was waiting for her at the breakfast table.
"Did you sleep well last night," Allison asked.
"Not really," Jennifer said.
"What's the problem dear?"
"I feel sort of guilty", Jennifer said.
"Because of David," Allison replied. Jennifer nodded her head. "Go with your emotions," Allison said. "You are the most level headed person I know. Obviously if you had true feelings for David, you probably wouldn't even be here away from him."
"What scares me, though," Jennifer said, " is that I hardly know Jonathan, yet I feel as though I've known him my whole life."
"Maybe, some of us feel that once in our lives, if we are lucky," Allison said.
They finished breakfast and Jennifer went upstairs to get ready.
Jonathan drove his car up to the front door of Allison's house and got out and rang the bell. Jennifer was waiting in the kitchen. She jumped up and raced to the door. There was Jonathan, with the biggest smile she had ever seen. She smiled back and called out to Allison that they were leaving, and they drove off.
As they pulled up to the ranch, the sight of it left Jennifer in awe. It was the most beautiful place she had ever seen, lush, green fields with magnificent stallions galloping across the open range. The house itself exuded a warm, welcome feeling, and the stables were impeccably kept.
"What do you think," Jonathan asked as they stood on the back porch of the house.
"I'm speechless," Jennifer said.
"So am I," Jonathan said.
Jennifer looked at him, somewhat confused, but she was not confused for much longer. Jonathan looked into her eyes and brought his hand up to her cheek. He pulled her closer, and their lips met in a soft, tender kiss. Jennifer felt herself trembling in a way she never had before. Jonathan, likewise could not remember ever feeling the shudders this kiss was sending through his body. Neither of them wanted to let go, but when they did, they both stood there for what seemed like an eternity, looking into each others' eyes, knowing in their hearts that they were meant to be together.
They spent the day together riding horses, taking walks, and talking. Jennifer told Jonathan about David, and he in turn told her about Lisa. Both admitted to each other that they knew these relationships were over, as their feelings for each other had overtaken any feelings they ever had for anyone else.
Night was drawing near and after dinner Jennifer mentioned that maybe it was time she headed back to Allison's house, all the while realizing that she did not want to be away from Jonathan for even one minute. After speaking to the ranch hands, Jonathan and Jennifer said their goodbyes and started their drive back. As they were approaching Allison's house, Jonathan pulled the car over to the side of the road.
"What's wrong," Jennifer asked.
" Do you really want to go back to Allison's tonight, " he replied.
She looked at him and said nothing. He knew what she meant.
Jonathan continued driving and they eventally arrived at the hotel where he was staying. They got out of the car, arms around eachother and slowly walked into the hotel suite. The hotel suite overlooked the ocean and they both walked over to the bay window and watched the surf pounding the shoreline. Jonathan turned and looked at Jennifer, the moonlight adding a glow to her skin and her hair. Jonathan put this arms around her looked into her eyes.
"I love you," Jonathan said.
"I love you too," Jennifer whispered.
Jonathan stroked Jennifer's hair, kissing her lips softly. Jennifer put her arms around Jonathan's shoulders, eagerly accepting his kisses. With each passing moment, however, their kisses became more intense and passions began to unleash. Soon their clothes were off and they were lost in intense lovemaking that continued throughtout the night. They awoke the late the next morning, their arms still around each other.
Jennifer and Jonathan spent the day and night together at the ranch in a state of total euphoria. They both knew, however, they had unpleasant tasks facing them at home.
Jennifer flew back to New York and told David what had happened. Jonathan likewise went back to LA and broke the news to Lisa. It was difficult for Jennifer, as she felt she was betraying David. He did not take the news well, especially after finding out who the man was who stole Jennifer's heart.
She returned to her apartment with pangs of guilt, yet knowing that she never really loved David.
Jonathan found it difficult to tell Lisa that he had met Jennifer, and in such a short time had such strong, passionate feelings for her.
Jonathan and Jennifer may have broken two hearts, but certainly found the true love that had eluded them until now. They met several days later in New York and began to make plans for the future. They were soul mates who shared adventure, passion and love. There could never be anyone else in their lives or in their hearts.
