Then & Now

by Kimberly Lowe

  “What?” He asked in a husky, satisfied voice.

  “That was amazing.” She whispered. “I think my heart is going to explode. I’ve never…” Swallowing hard she couldn’t finish her statement. The truth was that she had never felt so alive, so fulfilled, so loved. Her heart went from thunderous beating to soaring higher than the clouds at the realization. Loved. She felt truly loved. Covering her eyes, she hoped she wasn’t reading too much into it, because she didn’t know if her crazed heart could handle it. For she had fallen for him since the night at the dinner.

  Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her forehead. “Yeah, me too.”

  She sighed as she snuggled against his warm body. He couldn’t have used a more open statement, though she would take it anyway.

  Jace woke to a bright ray of sunlight that streamed in from the window at the far ended of the bedroom. Running his hand over his still tired face, he brought his attention to Alethea. She was still sleeping soundly. He found himself smiling like a love struck teen, as he watched the slow rise and fall of her chest. Rolling unto his side, he watched her sleep. His fingers twitched slightly while he pushed a single tendril way from her peaceful expression. The blanket kept her perfect naked breast lightly covered. But that didn’t matter, he remembered them vividly.

  It all suddenly made perfect sense. He now understood why Ty walked around with a stupid grin on his face. And why all those cheesy love songs and poems are written. It was because of this. It was for the moment when you realize the person you’ve been waiting for is suddenly right there in front of you, and life is unexpectedly worth a whole lot more than it had been only moments before. He could actually feel his heart swell with the realization that he was in love with this wonderful woman.

  She sighed lightly as she stretched, causing the sheet to slip away. His eyes drank in her soft curves, that he had felt only a few hours ago.

  She brought those beautiful eyes right up to his. “Hello.”

  “Hi.” He barely managed to reply. Her half-mass eyelids showed a well loved woman. A woman he would never let go.

  “Did you sleep at all?” She smiled, curling into him.

  “A little.” He ran his fingers down her bare back. His heart skipping random beats, at her low, raspy words.

  Moaning softly, she nuzzled her nose along his neck. She pushed her silky, smooth breast against his chest. “That feels nice.” She hummed.

  He had to agree. Her nipples teased the hair on his chest, making even the simplest thought blurry. Kissing her forehead, he rolled on top of her using his elbows to sport most of his weight. His lips brushed tender kisses long her face, making sure every inch was covered.

  “You’re spoiling me.” She giggled, leaving her eyes in two sexy slits. Parting her legs, she allowed him to nestle right against her center.

  “You deserve it.” He rumbled. Taking her lips with his own, he began to work her into the heated passion that he never wanted to stop. Unfortunately, his phone’s shrill ring screamed through the room disturbing them.

  “Do you have to answer?” She asked sounding adorably anxious.

  He chuckled at her expression. “Yes, but I’ll make it fast, then we’ll take it slow.” He winked.

  Releasing a deep breath, that pressed her gorgeous breast into his chest, she pouted out her bottom lip. “Okay.”

  She was so damn cute. Grabbing that full pouty lip, he sucked gently until the phone screamed again. He let out a discouraged groan while climbing off of her. “Quick, I promise.” Jace smiled. “But keep that pout, it’s damn sexy.”

  She laughed a genuine laugh that did ridiculous things to his insides. “I’ll go make some coffee and maybe some breakfast. You know my table is very sturdy.” She purred as she slipped on skimpy shorts—without panties—and a tank-top. “Just in case you want some morning recreational actives.”

  Pain shot right through his groin at her sultry words. “Oh! I’ve never hated my job until this very moment!” He overstated with an agonizing whimper. Lifting his phone, he silently cursed Tyler who was waiting on the other ended. He regrettably flipped open his phone while he watched her leave the room with a luscious sway of her hips.

  “This better be good.” He barked into the phone.

  “Nowhere near.” Tyler’s voice was tight, which was his signature trade mark for bad news.

  Interest and instinct had him focusing on his boss and not what awaited him in the kitchen. “What?”

  Alethea hummed blissfully as she prepared their omelets. She hadn’t felt this good in—well, never. The sensation was completely new and exhilarating. Almost freeing. Amelia told her that being in love was like flying. She didn’t know if she was in love, but she did feel like she could fly.

  Smiling to herself she added the cheese without care where it landed. Hell she didn’t care if it even got cleaned up afterward. She wondered if they would even eat the omelets. The table should be used for other business.

  She heard him coming down the hall and quickly poured him some coffee. To her utter dismay he came around the corner fully clothed. She frowned while handing him the cup. “You’re leaving.” It wasn’t a question she could see it in his face.

  “I’m so sorry, beautiful.” He kissed her softly. “I have to. But if you’ll have me, I’ll come back and take you to dinner.”

  “Where?” She asked playfully pouting.

  He smiled as he set the mug down. “Anywhere. We can even go back to my house and I’ll make you something.”

  “You’ll make me something?” She lifted a brow skeptically.

  “Hey, I will have you know that I was put in the kitchen throughout the marine core. I learned a few things. Plus, I’ve recently taken some culinary classes.” He stated with a raise of his chin.

  She giggled at his defensive behavior. “Well, okay then. Your place. Is six too early?”

  “For you, Thea, it won’t be early enough.” Taking her mouth in a knee melting kiss, he held her to him as if he couldn’t let go. His fingers dipped below the elastic band of her shorts caressing the top of her bottom. A deep growl exploded from his chest. “You’re not wearing panties.”

  “Nope.” She whispered as she sucked on his earlobe.

  Another growl vibrated his chest making her suck a little harder. She immediately let go when he lifted her off of the ground and carried her to the couch. He gently laid her down, and then quickly began to remove his clothing.

  “I thought you had to leave?” She asked breathless.

  “I can be a little late.” He justified with a wicked grin.

  “Oh, good.” She smiled back lifting her arms to welcome him.

  An hour later, Thea laid on the couch utterly spent. Her body trembled with pleasure as she watched Jace dress yet again. “I don’t think I can move.” She giggled.

  He bent down and kissed her tenderly. “Honestly, I don’t know how I am. I would give anything to crawl beside you and stay there.”

  “But, you have to save the world.”

  “Something like that.” He chuckled. “I’ll see you at six?” Confirming their previous plans, he waited for her to nod before he gave her another lingering kiss, then he was out her front door.

  Laying there for a few minutes she stared at the front door. Amelia had been right; being in love was exactly like flying.

  Suddenly her phone began to ring disrupting her thoughts. Knowing it was the main home’s phone by its special ring that she had assigned for it, she jumped up to answer it. She held a quilt that she normally used as a decoration around her naked body as she lifted the receiver. “Hello?”

  “Holly shit, Thea!” Her younger brother Nickolas barked into over the phone. “Is it true?”

  “What true?” She asked trying to keep the blanket in place.

  “That you bought Jace at an auction. I thought you two knew each other in high school?” Her brother’s voice barely registered in her sudden panic.

  “Where did you hear that?�
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  “Some reporters asked me when I came home today. They’re all over the front yard.” He replied.

  Running to the window she saw the crowd in front of her parents’ house. “Ohmygod….” She breathed feeling her legs go numb.

  “Yeah, no kidding. Dad couldn’t even leave for work today.” Nickolas said with a slight chuckle. “So is it true? Did you get him at an auction? If you did you better tell Mytrice. She’s totally freaking out right now.”

  Thea bet she was. To her sister this would be humiliating. Having a sister not only buying a date but bringing him to a family party? Thea would never hear the end of it. She needed to do damage control and she needed to do it fast. “I’ll be right there.”

  Hanging up quickly she dashed into her room, found some cloths, took a fast shower, and then ran to her parents’ house hoping no reporters saw her.

  She sighed in relief when she made into the kitchen without being noticed. Unfortunately it was short lived. As she turned into the dining room she saw something her brain didn’t want to take in at first. It wasn’t until she heard her mother’s gasp that her mind clicked into gear.

  Instantly Jace pulled away from Mytrice’s lips and first looked at her mother then her. His eyes widened as his swollen lips tried to say something. He pulled Mytrice’s arms from his neck. Taking a step toward her he stopped when she jumped back into the china cabinet almost knocking it over.

  “Mytrice! What have you done?” Their mother asked sounding appalled.

  Without waiting for an answer, Thea turned and ran for her the safety of her home.

  “Thea!” Jace yelled after her, only making her run that much faster.

  Once she came to her tiny home she threw her door open and slammed it in his face when he came running after her. Snapping the dead bolt in place she angrily swiped at her fallen tears.

  How stupid can one person be? Was she that hard up to find someone to like her over her perfect sister that she would keeping falling for the wrong man? What was worse was that she could at least see it coming, but not with Jace. She actually believed him.

  With a shattered heart she slid the chain into place for extra protection, as he called to her through the thick door. She didn’t want to hear any of it. Even if he didn’t want her to find out that way, she didn’t want the excuse.

  Running to her room she shut and locked that door as well, before sliding down the cool wood. There at the base of her bedroom door she cried. She couldn’t do it in the bed. In fact she would have to buy a new one. There would be no way she would be able to sleep in it. And the couch. That would have to go to.

  “Thea! Please open your door, baby! Let me explain.”

  Covering her ears, she let her sobs be the only sound to hear.

  This could not be happening. Jace thought as he pounded on Thea’s door again. He could not believe that he had finally found someone he could spend the rest of his life with and he just royally screwed it over. Good what in the hell had he been thinking?

  He was thinking that he hated seeing a woman cry. But that had been no excuse. Knowing Mytrice was up to something the minute he walked into the main home, he still allowed it to happen. Even if he had seen it coming.

  “Thea, please….” He pleaded quieter now. Half expecting her brother’s to come charging with fist raised, Jace rested his head on her front door. He would let them take their pound of flesh off of him. No one deserved it more.

  When Tyler had called him earlier he had news about the ex-boyfriend, who they had in custody. Apparently he was claiming that Mytrice had set her own home on fire and had an alibi for the night of the fire. Which meant everything she had told them was a lie.

  Wanting nothing more than to protect Alethea for what might be a potential crime whirl wind involving her only sister, he asked Tyler to hold off the cops until he got the full story. Obviously his first mistake.

  When Jace went to ask her, she broke down claiming that it wasn’t intentional. Tears had streamed down her face as she explained the conversation she had with her ex over the phone, about the other woman he had been seeing, and how that finally sent her over the edge. Without thinking she threw her light cigarette into her trash.

  At that point she wrapped her arms around his neck, weeping uncontrollably she begged him to help her. She didn’t want her family hurt over her the stupid blunder. Her foolish thoughts of salvaging her career had been her own undoing, not her families.

  He explained to her that it would get messy, but all in all it would still make some great headlines. Trying to calm her down, he talked lower as he advised her to get an attorney. Thinking she was sincere, he hugged her back and told her not to worry. His second mistake.

  Before he knew what happened her lips were on his. He told himself she was upset and that she acted—again—without thinking. But when he heard her mother’s gasp, he knew that he had been played. She hadn’t cared one once about her family. She was using him and his power to help herself.

  Alethea’s face twisted in agony flashed recklessly behind his closed eyes. How was he going to make this up to her? He had to make this up to her. Or die trying.

  Alethea stood in the middle of what seemed like a jungle of roses. For the past week Jace had sent her a dozen roses every hour on the hour. She had no more room for the new vase in her hand.

  Every card had only three words on it “I am sorry”. Jace was clearly remorseful but so was every other guy who left her for her sister. Although they had never went this extreme before.

  Smelling one of the beautiful roses in her hand she wondered if she should call him. God, she was pathetic. He was no different than the rest and she should just except that now. So what if he got in deeper than the rest. It only made it worse.

  There was no use standing around hoping for nothing. She needed to get back to packing. Her plane left in two hours and she wasn’t getting anything done with all these disturbances.

  “Holy, crap.” Her sister’s soft gasp came from the front door. “Alethea? Are you in this rose garden?”

  Ignoring her, she set the vase on the floor, and moved into the kitchen. She placed several coffee mugs wrapped in news paper into one of the moving boxes before Mytrice joined her.

  “Thea?” When she got no response her sister continued. “Is it true? Are you really moving to Greece with grandma?”

  Still ignoring her, Thea closed the box, labeled it, and then carried it into the other room.

  “Thea, don’t be like this. Please talk to me.” Her sister pleaded.

  “No, Mytrice. There is nothing for us to talk about and there never will be. You have other things to deal with. So go away.” She had no idea she could sound so vicious. What was worse she had no guilt for it. Too many years had built this moment. Now she was too tired and unaffected to care anymore.

  “I don’t want to go away, Thea. I want you to know how sorry I am. I’ve been so caught up in my career and my looks that I have forgotten what’s most important to me. This trial has put me into prospective. Even though my attorney said I won’t do time, I feel like I already have.” She waited for a moment, but when Thea said nothing she went on.

  “I never wanted to hurt you, Thea. Not with Jace. With your ex it was because I knew he didn’t love you. But with Jace…I kissed him and he didn’t want me to.” She explained stuffing her hands into her pockets.

  Shaking her head, Thea crossed her arms over her chest. “Why? Why would you do that?”

  “Jealousy.” She answered honestly. “He really likes you. I mean really likes you. When he found out the truth about the fire, he came to me to protect you.” She laughed without humor. “Men don’t like me like that. They like the way I look, but that’s where it stops. I don’t have anything to offer them and they know it.”

  Dropping her arms to her sides, Thea released a breath. “Mytrice—”

  “No, Thea. I know it’s true. And that’s why I have envied you for so long.” Her sister admitted with
a tone that lined the sincerity of her words. “I wish I had your stamina. It’s worth more than my looks could ever hold.”

  Stunned. That was the only expression Thea could register at that moment. “You think I have stamina?”

  Her sister laughed wholeheartedly. “By the truck loads! And you know if you saw one of my stylist men would go crazy for you.”

  “Not next to you.”

  “Please! Next to me, we knock them all over.” Her sister smiled. “Thea, don’t leave. Not like this. You’re the only real friend I have.”

  A lump the size of a golf ball formed in the back of her throat. She could feel the tears well up behind her eyes. Yet, she couldn’t move. “Mytrice, I can’t live as your second any more. I’ve lost too much already.” Her thoughts went to Jace making the lump that much larger.

  Her sister ran up to her taking her hands in her own. “Don’t you see? You were never my second, I was yours. And from the look of things you haven’t lost anything.” She stated as she gestured toward the mound of roses that lined her home.

  She eyed the flowers carefully. “I don’t know…”

  “Thea, I know I’ve been a horrible sister to you. I’ve wronged you in so many ways, but please don’t let me ruin this. He likes you, sis. I think he might actually love you.” Her sister’s bold statement had her blanching.

  “Love? We hardly know each other.”

  “So?”

  So. Out of everything that could’ve been said that one little word seemed to fit perfectly.

  “Come on, Thea. Don’t torture the poor guy any longer.” Raising both eyebrows her sister pulled out a set of keys. “I’ll drive?”

  She had to smile. “Okay.”

  Jace sat at his large desk staring blankly at the stack of papers piled on his desk. It had been a week and he hadn’t heard anything yet. He should back off. Maybe he should send flowers only once a day now.

  Dropping his head forward he let out a tired grown. She had got into his veins and refused to get out. Only two days and his heart belonged to her and only her. Although if he was truthful with himself he knew this was years in the making. She had been in his vanes since the moment he saw her standing by her locker in high school.