“That’s a good idea.” He signaled to the waitress for the check. After taking care of the bill he guided her outside.
“Look, Panzi,” he began. “I’m truly sorry for the way I behaved in there. That woman just rubs me the wrong way. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. I apologize,” he said again.
“I accept,” she replied softly, letting him help her into the car. When he got behind the wheel he turned to face her.
“I’d like to make it up to you. Do you have any plans for later this evening?”
“Not a thing,” she replied.
“How about if I test my cooking abilities on you? I’ll cook you a homemade meal that’s out of this world!” That is if that workaholic boss of yours will let you close up at a decent hour.”
She laughed lightly. “I can handle him. The question is, can you handle another evening of my company?”
“I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing.”
“I guess that will be fine. Should I bring anything?”
“Only yourself. Come around five thirty. You can prepare the salad, Miss Independent Woman,” he teased.
“Sounds good to me. I don’t remember the directions to your place. Will you write down the address for me?”
“Sure.” As they pulled up in front of L’ Fragrance he handed her his business card with his address written on the back.
“You’ll be in for a surprise,” he told her.
* * *
A surprise was exactly what Panzina got when she rang the doorbell and Marshayla Forbes answered as if she lived there. It was more like a shock, because she hadn’t expected to see the vicious woman that she’d met earlier. The fact that she felt comfortable enough to open Trevor’s door was not a good sign.
“Well, if it isn’t little Miss Thing,” Marshayla said with a snarl.
“Is Trevor home?” Panzina felt awkward and didn’t know what to say.
If Trevor had company, why did he invite me?
“Yes, I’m here and Marshayla is on her way out,” Trevor’s voice said from behind the model. He appeared in the doorway and gave Marshayla a cold stare.
“No need to get hostile. I’ll leave you two cozy, love doves to it.” She paused at the door.
“Oh, and don’t do anything that I wouldn’t do.” This came out as a warning as the door slammed behind her.
“What is going on between the two of you?” Panzina demanded to know.
“Nothing. I’ve told you, she’s one of the models who work for me. That’s all,” he insisted.
“Why does she act as though something more is going on?” She felt a stab of jealously slice through her.
“I don’t know. Wishful thinking on her part, I guess. Lord knows I have never given her any reason to think that I’m attracted to her in any way. Marshayla isn’t my type. Frankly, I can not stand the woman.” He stared into Panzina’s eyes, causing her heart to flutter. “Let’s not argue about Marshayla Forbes. Let’s just enjoy this evening. Okay?” Panzina nodded and followed him through his modern into the kitchen and out onto the expansive deck and grill area. From the moment she stepped onto the weathered limestone, she was overtaken by a breathless ocean view.
To her left stood wall of pale limestone with a large fireplace installed in the center. The rock work reminded her of a trip to San Antonio, Texas she took years before with its Spanish influences and curved archways.
Along the other stonewall was a built-in BBQ grill that would make any professional chef squeal with delight. As he put the finishing touches on the steaks he’d prepared, Panzina cut up the ingredients for the salad on the lime stone working surface. She had it all together and was tossing it with wooden tongs when he came to stand besides her.
“You’re pretty good at that.”
“Thanks. I used to cook quite a bit for my aunt when she still lived at home. I can do many things,” she told him. It was said in all innocence.
"Oh really?” His brow lifted and he stepped in closer, placing his hands on her hips. His face was only inches from hers. The only thing separating them was the bowl of tossed salad.
“Um-” she said and cleared her throat. “Are those steaks ready?”
“Yes. But I think they can wait,” he told her. He pulled her hips closer until their bodies were touching.
“Wait for what?” she whispered.
“For this.”
A heat rushed over her body as his lips claimed hers, and it wasn’t because they were standing only a few feet from the grill. This heat came from deep within and rushed over her skin like a dive into a hot tub. It throbbed. It pulsed. It very much seemed like it took on a life of its own.
When he broke the kiss moments later, Panzina felt as if her heart had been tossed in with the salad. It fluttered and bounced around more than a cherry tomato in a bowl of spinach greens. It took her three tries to lay the wooden tongs onto the lime stone working surface. But she didn’t want them to get too far away. If Trevor kissed her again, she just might need them to pick herself up off the deck. She felt weak as a piece of lettuce.
“Trevor I-“
“Shh!” His lips touched hers again. They were firm yet gentle, seeking out her very life blood. He pulled her body against his and she felt a stirring deep within. She parted her lips and drank of his sweetness. He was like a honeybee, suckling sweet, intoxicating nectar. He groaned.
“Oh, Panzi,” he breathed. “You are so lovely, so desirable.” Yet, he slowly backed out of their embrace.
“Trevor, what’s wrong?” she questioned feeling suddenly let down from such an unbelievable height. Had she done something wrong?
“Nothing, really. I just don’t want to burn the steaks. Why don’t you take the salad to the table.”
They spent a pleasant evening together despite these newfound feelings and their moment of passion that had left them both confused.
After dinner Trevor showed her around his home. Panzina hadn’t had time to see it in detail the first night she’d been there. Now, she took notice. So much could be revealed about a person by the details of their home and furnishings.
Beside the deck and grill area, there was an expansive, in-ground pool. The blue, chloride treated water lapped against the sides. The far edge of the pool met the horizon line, giving the effect that the pool and ocean were one and the same. The beautiful built in Jacuzzi looked relaxing. It lay in a small alcove outside the master suite and was accessible from the deck. It was for this reason that Trevor decided to start the tour of the inside with the master suite. Beautiful French doors led into to it, which beckoned her to explore. Trevor had his own exercise room near the master suite, which he admitted he used only occasionally.
“I prefer swimming,” he told her. ““That’s why the pool is so large and can be heated during the colder months.” So it was swimming that kept him so fit. Panzina surveyed his toned body as she followed him out of the exercise room.
Once he’d shown her around the rest of his home, they settled down to watch a movie.
“You have a large collection of movies,” Panzina commented. “I guess you don’t have time to go to the theater much?”
“I prefer not to lead women on. That’s the only reason I’ve been seen around with so many women. Some say that I’m a player, but if there’s nothing there, why pretend? Dates are for getting to know one another. I’ve found that a man of my status must be careful. Women of today are out to get all that they can get. They don’t care about Trevor Grant, the man. They want Trevor Grant, the millionaire. I don’t want my woman to be a fake. I want someone who is sincere and honest. That is probably one of the reasons I’ll never marry.”
His words caught Panzina like a back handed slap. If he never planned to get married, then what was she? Did he consider her a careless, one-night stand? Surely he didn’t after just saying that he preferred not to lead women on. In his mind was she someone that he could play over? Well, she absolutely refused to be any man’s
toy. She’d been raised with values and no man would shatter them in one night, no matter how rich or good-looking he was. Not even if his kiss seared her heart like steak on a grill and cooked it to perfection.
Besides, she was still engaged to Telvin. It would be best if she started remembering that.
“Trevor, I think it’s time for me to leave.” She swallowed down her rising anger and guilt. “I had a nice time, but I really must go.” She stood up, feeling tears burning at the back of her eyes. She didn’t want him to see her cry, especially when she couldn’t explain what all these feelings inside her meant. Trevor was truly puzzled. “My sweater, please.”
“Panzi, what’s wrong? Have I offended you in some way?”
“I don’t know what you have planned for the rest of the evening, but I won’t be a part of it. Maybe Miss Forbes wouldn’t mind. Why don’t you give her a ring? I know it won’t be a diamond,” she said sarcastically. Without waiting for her sweater she marched out before he could say anything in response. She really didn’t want to get into a debate with him. He said he probably would never marry, but he had kissed her with such passion on the deck. That only added up to one thing, and it was the one thing she couldn’t give him.
Panzina was furious! How dare the man assume that she’d be his plaything! Was she good enough to bed but not to wed, was that it? How could he kiss her like that if he didn’t – if he didn’t what? Love her?
Love? Bitterness filled Panzina’s laugh. Trevor Grant probably didn’t know the meaning of the word. Suddenly, it hit her so hard that she gripped the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white.
She loved Trevor Grant. It was as simple as that. She loved a man who was entirely out of her league, a man who would never return her love even if she broke her engagement. How had she let that happen?
Panzina drove around trying to clear her head of the thoughts. It shocked her to realize that she had fallen in love with Trevor. She was twenty-one years old and had never felt the strange, yet exciting feelings before and it scared her.
What she felt for Telvin was mild in comparison. She had grown comfortable with him, assuming that she’d grow to love him in time. She had been wrong in thinking that their love would mature as they matured. Telvin didn’t have the power to make her melt like butter. Only Trevor had that capability.
How would she deal with this revelation? Her Aunt Gertie had always been there when she’d needed to talk, but they had never discussed affairs of the heart. She didn’t know anything about love. She definitely knew that she didn’t want to be in love with Trevor Grant knowing that he wouldn’t return that love.
Why had he kissed her like that? She hadn’t asked him to kiss her. She should have been offended, to say the least. Just because she’d accepted his dinner invitation, didn’t mean she’d agreed to be the dessert.
And what about Miss Model Forbes? Was she really just an employee of Trevor’s or was there more to the relationship?
Panzina felt certain that if she let on to Trevor how she truly felt, there would be trouble. Maybe hearing his opinion about marriage had been what she’d needed to snap her back to reality. She and Telvin had a commitment. Trevor didn’t fit anywhere into the equation. Period.
After about an hour and a half she finally went home. But her mind was no clearer. In fact, it was as clouded as the night sky with as many thoughts running through as there were stars shining bright. She felt dreary as she walked up the front steps. Her eyes rested on the note stuck on the door. She knew instinctively that it was from Trevor and didn’t bother to take it down. No doubt he jumped into one of his many vehicles and attempted to chase her down. But she hadn’t gone straight home, so he never found her. She wondered how long he waited on her stoop before attaching the note. Well, now the note could wait.
She felt tired and drained. Her emotions churned in turmoil and all she wanted to do was sleep. She crawled between the sheets and let her mind drift back to Trevor Grant. She never wanted to see that man again, but doubted if she’d be so fortunate.
* * *
Panzina awoke to a sharp, insistent pounding. At first she thought that it was the throbbing in her head, but after a while she realized that it was someone knocking on the door. She rolled over, glanced at the clock on her nightstand and saw that it was ten thirty. Who would be knocking at that hour of the night? She got up, grabbed a robe, and slipped her arms through the sleeves as she made for the door.
“Who is it?” She couldn’t see the person clearly through the peephole even with the porch light on.
“It’s Trevor. Panzi, it’s important-” His voice held urgency. She opened the door.
“Yes?” Her eyes flew to his face, then away, as he entered.
“It’s about L’ Fragrance. Didn’t you get my note?”
“Well, no- y-yes. It’s still on the door. I didn’t read it, ” she admitted.
“Just great! This was important and you ignored it!” He went back out and snatched the letter from the door. “Read it!” he growled.
“Why should I? If you’re trying to apologize for this evening, I don’t want to hear it,” she snapped.
“It’s not about that. It’s about your flower shop. There was a fire. I’ve been down there for the last two hours waiting for you to show up,” he said angrily.
“Oh my God!” Panzina’s knees began to shake and she felt dizzy. “How much damage was done?”
“Not a great deal, but it’s not good. A large amount of plants were destroyed.”
“I had no idea,” Panzina whispered. She worried now that the tears really would fall in front of him “I’m sorry. I-”
“Don’t apologize to me,” he interrupted. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you back at my place. Believe me, it won’t happen again,” he stated. Panzina could only gaze at him. Her head swirled and she heard a ringing sound in her ears. She felt herself swoon and suddenly all went black. She hadn’t realized that she’d fainted until she felt Trevor’s fingers gently tapping her on the cheeks.
“Are you alright? Panzi, can you hear me?” She moaned and tried to sit up.
“Let me help you,” he insisted.
“What happened?”
“You passed out, that’s what. Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, I think so. I’ve never fainted before in my life,” she said softly.
“You’ve been under a lot of stress lately. I guess I didn’t help matters much,” he added quietly.
Panzina couldn’t look at him for fear that he’d read her soul. She wouldn’t be able to stand it if he didn’t want her. And why would he, when he thought of her as a foolish child?
“I’ll get you a glass of water. Just sit still,” he cautioned.
He left the room and she breathed a sigh of relief. How much longer would she be able to hide her feelings from Trevor? They kept rushing forth to consume her whenever he was around. She loved him but knew it was useless. He’d never return her feelings.
And why should he? She was a woman engaged to someone else. She shouldn’t be having these feelings at all. She now had a decision to make – end her relationship with Trevor or end her engagement to Telvin.
She felt her heart quake and snap like a burnt ember. If she weren’t careful, her own life could go up in flames from a fire that she herself set.
CHAPTER SIX
When Trevor returned with the glass of water, Panzi avoided his gaze. Her glassy eyes focused on a distant spot on the carpet.
“Panzi, I’m sorry I barged in here and burdened you with this news like this. I shouldn’t have done that,” he told her. It seemed like he was always apologizing. . “I should have waited until morning and used more tact.”
“It’s okay,” she replied. “W- will my shop cost a great deal to remodel what was damaged?” she wanted to know.
“That’s all going to be taken care of by the insurance company. Remember, I’m the owner of L’ Fragrance now. I have to worry a
bout things like that, so you just let me take care of it. OK?”
“I keep forgetting,” she said apologetically. It was so hard to let go. Her aunt’s spirit still lived in that shop. This was something that he might never understand. “Do you know how it happened?”
“It was some faulty wiring. The old buildings downtown are notorious for these problems. It wasn’t anything you could have known about, so don’t go blaming yourself,” he pointed out, wanting to set her mind at ease. “I’m afraid it’s going to take at least two, maybe three weeks for them to repair the damages, I’m guessing. I’ll call the fire cleanup service as soon as the insurance company makes its report. I hear they can erase any traces of a fire, at least that’s what they claim in their commercials. Are you going to be able to find something to do for that amount of time while you aren’t able to work? It looks as though you could use a vacation anyway,” he added.
The water level in her glass had diminished almost to the last sip, and he was grateful that she was so compliant in drinking it. Already the color had returned to her face. Her eyes, though glassy, seemed focused. She would make a quick, physical recovery from this spell, but he worried about the emotional effect it had on her. She was such a passionate woman that incidents like this could leave a permanent mark in her heart. She had drawn her knees up to her chest and rested her arms on her knees. After taking the last swig of water, she sat the glass down
As he gazed at her he tried to hide the way he felt. Fortunately for him, Panzina now stared down at her hands that were clasped together in her lap. He had to keep what he held in his heart a secret. He couldn’t just blurt it out even though that’s what his heart shouted at him to do. Now was not the time to burden her with anything else.
“The time will pass somehow. I guess I could volunteer at the nursing home. I’ve been intending to do that for a while now. The people and staff there were so nice to my aunt when she was a resident. I feel as though I should somehow repay them.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” he said in a vague tone of voice.
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