Sam sashayed over to the window.
Jennifer shook her head in amusement. “Did you say you were here to visit me, or Jax?”
The reference snagged Sam’s attention and she glanced back over her bare shoulder, the light brown halter top blending auburn waves with tanned skin. “Jax?” She smirked. “There’s still hope for you, yet.” She returned her gaze to the back.
Surveying Sam’s short black shorts and long legs, smoothly shaved and golden from the sun, Jennifer felt a snippet of envy. Most assuredly she would parade her wares outside, certain to garner Jax’s full attention while she paled in comparison with her khaki Capris. “Well, he has been working here for nearly two weeks. You were on a first-name basis after two minutes.”
“I work faster than you do.”
Rolling her eyes, Jennifer set her pad down and joined Sam by the window. Jax and two other men were busy at work on the fountain wall. Pushing noon, they weren’t very far into the project. Must have started later than usual, because they weren’t here when she left to make rounds at eight.
“So why are you here?”
“I thought I’d swing by and see if you wanted to do lunch.”
“Are you sure you want to invite me?” she smiled, amazed by Sam’s one track mind currently running circles around Jax.
“He’s one helluva hunk I’ll give you that, but no Jen, I’m here for you.” She winked and brushed overgrown curls behind an ear. “Right after I have a short visit with him.”
With that, Sam disappeared through the patio door.
Jennifer followed.
“Hey Jax,” Sam called out, as one would do to an old friend. She trekked across dirt without second thought, her sneakers well up for the undertaking.
He turned to see who called his name. At the sight of Sam, he smiled. “Hey there, stranger.” When she drew near, he added quietly, “Hello Jennifer.”
Sam’s eyes moved between Jax and Jennifer. “How’s it coming?”
“Great,” he replied, then addressed Jennifer. “But you’re the one we need to please. What do you think?”
“Perfect.” Gaze touching upon the stone trim, she said, “I was skeptical about the travertine finish, but it blends so well with the ceramic, almost like they were made for each other.”
Jax smiled. “It was your choice. You have good taste.”
Sam raised a brow as if to say, what’s this? She shifted her weight from hip to hip and said, “Good work, good taste. Sounds like a combination for success brewing around here.”
Jennifer’s cheeks burned with embarrassment.
“Once we get the paint on, this area will be a knockout,” Jax said. “Especially when the arbor’s complete.”
“I agree,” Sam chimed in. “I’ll definitely be over to lounge by this pool. Skinny-dipping to the sound of splashing water—I’ll think I’ve lost myself in a Roman bath!” She threw up her arms and mimicked a titter of excitement. “What will the Gods do with me? Oh, Heaven have mercy!”
“Sam,” Jennifer admonished, her eyes singling out the workers, suggesting her comment was none too appropriate.
Jax let loose with a laugh. “Sorry Sam, but the chlorine’s a bit harsher than silky milk against your skin.”
“Better to kill those pesky STD’s.”
One of the workmen looked up with a grin, then quickly reverted back to task.
“They can be a bit of a nuisance,” Jax agreed in stride.
Jennifer remained mum, zipped tighter than a drum.
Sam looked at Jax. “Awesome work, Jax.”
“Yes, but don’t let us interrupt you,” Jennifer said. “We’ll leave you to your work.”
“Yeah, besides, you don’t need two supervisors breathing down your neck.”
“You’re welcome to supervise any time, Jennifer.”
“Thank you, Jax.
“We missed you yesterday.”
Sam perked at the comment. “Yesterday?”
Jennifer glanced between the two. “Yes, well,” she murmured, running hands down the backside of her Capris. “I was called over to St. Theresa’s. One of the kids there was asking for me.”
“Ah,” he replied, as though he understood.
Though he couldn’t. There was no possible way.
Unless Michael said something. The circle of conversation suddenly became too close. Jennifer hooked her elbow through Sam’s. “Yes, well, why don’t we stop bothering them and get to that lunch you came for in the first place.”
“You bet. This heat is obscene, anyway. Ta, ta, Jax!” Sam waved off easily.
“Bye,” he returned with a chuckle.
Sam kept a determined pace, clutching Jennifer’s arm more tightly than necessary. “So fess up. What’s going on with you two?”
“What?”
“You heard me. You and Jax. Is there something you forgot to tell me?”
“Don’t be absurd.” She stole a peek back at Jackson, only to find him staring at her. Whipping her attention back to the house, she picked up her speed.
Sam chuckled at her discomfort. “That man’s attention is trailing you just as clear as if he ripped the white cotton tank from your back.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Leaping up the steps together, Jennifer walked into the house ahead of Sam, hit first by the wave of cold.
“So you two have the hots for each other, huh?”
“Sam!”
“What’s the matter with you? You look like someone pinched your nipple.”
Jennifer planted hands on her hips and fired a warning glare.
“Okay, okay.” She held her hands up in defense. “Sorry. I’m just asking what’s up. Aren’t best friends entitled to the truth?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Nothing is up.”
“You two seemed awful cozy out there.”
“Cozy? Friendly is what you saw. Professional. There’s nothing wrong with being nice to the help. And aren’t you the one who insisted I shouldn’t hold Jackson’s position against him?” She looked past Sam and out into the yard, waving her arms about. “Bartender/landscaper—it should all be the same to me?”
“Yes,” she said. “But I didn’t realize you learned so quickly.”
Jennifer remained mute.
“Listen, what I saw out there was more than friendly.” She flipped a thumb toward the back. “At least on his part. That man is interested.”
“He is nothing of the sort.”
“Trust me. We’re traveling my territory of expertise, now.” Sam waved a hand toward the yard. “That man would like nothing less than to throw a saddle on you and take the ride of his life.”
“Would you stop with the euphemisms? You’re killing my appetite.”
“There’s nothing wrong with a ride on the wild side, Jen.”
“As I recall, playing with cowboys didn’t work for me quite like it does for you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Tony.”
The name pierced the mood like a spear.
“My father was less than pleased with my behavior.”
Sam winced at the implication. “Jen.”
She turned her back on her and walked into the kitchen.
Sam followed. “You were a kid. Your father was only being protective, it’s what dads do. It’s their job. That can’t be holding you back, now.” She stopped. “Can it?”
Jennifer whirled around.
“C’mon.” Sam suppressed a grin. “You can’t be serious.”
“Can’t I? And why not?”
“Fathers are supposed to be upset when they find their seventeen-year-old daughter with her top off and her boyfriend’s hand up her skirt!” Sam smiled, despite her best effort at brevity.
Jennifer refused to dignify her with a response.
“This is insane. You should worry if he didn’t hit the roof, not that he did.”
Jennifer fell heavy against the count
er. Supposed to or not, the experience didn’t help to encourage her appetite for adventure.
“My God Jen, you can’t tie your life to one instance of poor timing. You were a kid. A teenager. You act like you were out running the streets, selling your wares to strangers.”
Jennifer glowered.
“This is why you’ve been so reserved all these years? Cooling the jets of some of the hottest men I’ve laid eyes on, all because you were caught in one naughty no-no with your teenage boyfriend?”
Nothing.
“You’re being too hard on yourself. Your dad didn’t know how to handle the situation is all. He lost control. He was surprised.”
“Surprised?” Jennifer couldn’t believe how Sam was minimizing the event. “Surprise is an understatement, to say the least. My father nearly had a coronary followed by a stroke!”
“He’s your father. That’s what they do. You’ve got to whip the sheet off that old ghost and let it fly—see it for what it is.
“There’s nothing wrong with experimenting, Jen. All kids do it. You weren’t any different than anyone else your age. You just got caught, is all. And your dad shouldn’t have been so hard on you. He and your mom weren’t playing dominoes in the bedroom all those years... They were getting it on!”
Anger turned to disgust as Jennifer crossed both arms over her chest. “That’s revolting.”
“But it’s true, Jen.” Sam softened her plea. “Your mom and dad had passion, the kind you could see and feel, every time you were around them.”
“I never saw that.”
“Because you were too busy mislabeling your own desires as dirty instead of the budding lust they rightly should have been called.”
“When did psychiatrist Samantha pop in?”
“You know I’m right.”
Jennifer pushed away from the counter with a shove. About to walk to the breakfast room window, she abruptly turned toward the refrigerator instead. Opening the door, she retrieved a bottle of water and twisted the cap free.
“I’ve seen your hot temper,” Sam continued. “I know you’ve got the blood racing through your body. You’re no different than me. A man could turn you into juicy mincemeat in a matter of seconds. It only takes the right chef—a man who loves to eat and knows his way around the pantry.” Sam flashed a wicked grin.
“Aurelio and I have a wonderful sex life. We have buckets of passion.”
Sam glanced around herself.
Jennifer slapped the water bottle to the counter. “What?”
“Either you forgot who you were talking to, or I just disappeared.”
“Very funny.”
“Not really.” Sam’s amusement faded. “You need to snap out of it.” She poked a thumb in Jax’s direction. “Why not give him a chance? Seriously. He’s definitely interested, and you can tell he’s got the fire. It’s in the eyes.”
“Is this about the other night? At the gallery?”
“I’m sorry, my A.D.D. must have kicked in.”
“You don’t have A.D.D.”
“Yes, I do. I thought I was talking about Jax.”
“You were and it’s irrelevant. I’m engaged.”
“But not married.”
“For some of us, the promise is as good as the commitment.”
“As good as, but not the same—not legally. Trust me on this one,” she said with a straight face. “I’m a lawyer. I know the difference. It’s not too late. You can change your mind.”
“Life isn’t that easy, Sam. Not when other people depend on you.” Sure Tony had been fun. Lit up the nights like fireworks, packed her days with thrill, but he was the past. They were kids. Her life was different now.
“Listen, I only want what’s best for you. Marriage demands more than compatibility. It demands want. Desire. The hot and deep, I-want-you-so-bad-I-would-walk-across-nails-for-you kind of desire.”
Or travel to Africa for you.
The demand of reality halted her defense like a collision. She should be willing to travel to Africa. Should want to travel there. With Aurelio, her love.
But she didn’t.
The high-pitched sound of a machine-saw cut through the silence. She glanced out the window to see Jax sliding a piece of tile through, white dust flying around his hands, his movement brisk but steady. She crossed arms over chest. Her mind tumbled between the stab of nails poking beneath her feet and the hot desert sand of Africa. Neither was appealing.
Sam broke the quiet. “You ready for that lunch?”
Chapter Twenty
“Good morning, love,” Aurelio greeted softly as she opened the front door.
Jennifer tipped her cheek up for a kiss delivered with precise formality, and stepped aside as he entered.
“Are we ready for a fabulous cruise?”
Aurelio had hired a boat for the two of them to get away. He insisted stress was coming between them and they needed time alone. Together. To discuss their future.
Ambivalence zipped through her belly. “I can’t wait.”
He perused her attire. “You look ravishing.”
“Thank you.” Simple white skirt and navy striped halter, she had chosen navy topsiders to match. She was going for the nautical look by day, a silk tank dress and heels packed away in her bag for the evening.
“It’s going to be incredible. The captain assures me we will be sailing across the clearest blue water you would ever want to lay eyes on.”
“I’m sure it will be.”
“And it’s right off the bay,” he said, his smile growing, “so we won’t waste precious hours before our return home for a sunset cruise along the city lights.”
Aurelio was clearly excited by the prospect. He had secured a yacht for hire and the two were set to enjoy a catered lunch on the open sea, followed by a return portside for a candlelight dinner cruise along the coast of Miami. He promised champagne and caviar, and lots and lots of coveted alone time.
She inhaled deep and full.
He took her hand and linked his fingers through hers, leading her to the back terrace. “I want to see the progress. It seems the landscaper has been making great time.”
“Yes,” she murmured faintly, slightly unnerved by his choice of words. “He has.”
“I love the bird of paradise out front.”
She nodded.
In his enthusiasm, Aurelio breezed through her home and out the back door, pulling Jennifer alongside. “Wow.” He stopped briefly at the top of the stairs. “That wall is outstanding.”
It drew the first real smile on her lips.
Descending hastily, he carefully made his way through the dirt until he was feet from the fountain. Scrutinizing the backdrop of tile, seemingly scouring the mosaic for some hint of error in pattern or placement, he stepped back. Crossing one arm over his chest, he brought the other to his chin. Curling a finger around his jaw, his brow rose. “The tile work is exquisite.”
A mix of blues and terra-cotta with hints of yellow against a background of creamy white, the array was intricate without being busy. Forming an arc over the top it sloped down into yet another, wider arc as it created a graceful frame around the fountain and basin. She had been pleased with the result.
Turning his attention to her, he asked, “Did you say you created that design?”
Pride swelled. “I did indeed.”
“It’s absolutely perfect.” He leaned over and kissed her full on the lips. Eyes hovering inches from hers, he said, “I couldn’t have done better myself.”
Her momentary gratification subsided.
Aurelio zeroed in on the back wall again. “The golden yellow of the house and this wall blend seamlessly with the tile. Striking yet subtle, the texture it adds to the area is sublime. What color bloom have you decided on for the vines over the arbor?”
Spotlights could have been burning hot upon her face, for the pointed inquiry felt the same. “Red,” she responded without thinking.
“Perfect.”
Funny, but his approval should have been more heartening.
Aurelio reached for her other hand and bringing the two together, he lifted them to his lips. His dark brown eyes were intent on hers, his focus complete. “The wedding will be a most enchanting scene, my darling.” His lips pressed against her fingers in a light kiss. “Your mother will be pleased. She will rest in peace knowing that her one and only daughter is marrying the man who adores her, will keep her in sickness and in health, and never stray until death do they part.”
If only she could share his vision so fully.
Aurelio drew her to him, enveloped her within his embrace, and kissed her. Overwhelmed by a sense of melancholy, Jennifer was torn. Caught between his tender advance and her own doubt, she sought reassurance where she should have returned affection.
Quiet and seeking, she slid her arms around his waist and yearned to feel desire. His hands brushed through her hair, increasing their pressure as they pulled her closer, his tongue delving inside. Moving her hands up his back, she felt the slender curve of his muscles, the narrow angle of his shoulders.
Hooking her hands over the tops of his shoulders, she took in the difference between his build and Jax’s.
Aurelio pulled away, but kept her securely in his embrace.
Jennifer’s cheeks felt hot.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she blurted, praying she didn’t look as embarrassed as she felt.
He kissed her again, lingering over her lips, rubbing his softly against hers. “Are you ready?”
No! She had a distinct need to collect herself. A need to dodge these distractions and concentrate on Aurelio—their afternoon. But she duly nodded, and followed his lead back through the yard, the house and into his awaiting Jaguar.
They were going on a cruise. A lovely, seafaring adventure that was incredibly romantic of him to plan and one that she was going to enjoy. A voyage to which Jax was uninvited.
And Jennifer had done well. Her thoughts had only diverted to Jax when they passed near Vizcaya and certainly because it was a Mediterranean-inspired mansion surrounded by lush gardens, much like he had depicted in his proposal. The second was out on the open water, when thoughts of his future drifted across her mind.
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