Hours later, the sun was rising. Zee slipped on her robe and swallowed the last mouthful of cold tea. Her back ached, but looking at the canvas before her, it was worth an aching back and a crick in her neck.
The Zee she painted was the new Zee, the happy, sexy Zee; the “He loves my butt” Zee.
She’d painted a full-length nude of herself from behind. Her dark curls clipped loosely to the top of her head, allowing a few stray curls to frame a face that looked back over one shoulder. Bending one knee had caused a sassy little tip to her bottom. Even critical Zee smiled. It was good. She’d surprise him with it the night of the show.
Now where could she hide it?
Chapter Thirty-Two
Jagger followed her home the next day, and Zee caught him searching the parking area.
“Ed’s making you paranoid. Don’t worry. I’ve made George armed and dangerous. I’m changing his name to Bond, George Bond, triple O-6, License to shrill.”
“Very funny.” He smirked. “I’m not paranoid. I’m cautious. I’m not convinced Zeigler’s given up so easily.”
“You said he was a coward. You were right. Let’s just be thankful he’s stopped harassing me.” Zee slipped her arms around his neck, wriggled her body against his, and feigned a thick southern accent. “You are my hero, Mr. Jones.” The corner of Jagger’s mouth twitched. Zee fanned herself with a hand. “My, my, when you look at me like that, I get a serious case of the vapors.” She brushed his lips with her own. “Can I interest you in a long, cool mint julep?” Pulling away from his kiss, she sashayed toward her building. “I may even let you kiss me on the veranda.”
He caught her, tugging her back against him. “Just where on this sassy little body is the veranda?” His hands got bold.
Zee gave a dramatic gasp and slapped at his hands. “Why sir,” she drawled in her best Scarlet O’Hara. “You are a cad! If Daddy catches you, he’ll tan your hide.”
“I’d like to see him try.” Jagger growled against her mouth. “Why don’t we go upstairs and work on tanning your hide? I bet your sweet little veranda has never seen the sun.”
“Blessed be, no! My poor veranda would fry like a chip.” Jagger still hadn’t convinced her to join him in his bare-assed escapades on her roof. He kept trying. She reminded him of the panty parade, but he said that didn’t count.
“Then I’ll have to shade your hot veranda with my own body.”
“You’d do that? For little ’ole me?” She fanned herself and batted her eyes. “Perhaps you are a gentlemen.” The heat of the sun had nothing to do with the heat that sliced through her as his eyes devoured her. “Want to race?” Zee slipped a hand over the hard ridge of his trapped erection. “Or do you need a moment?”
By the time they reached the fifth floor, the debating was over. Breathless, they never made it the roof or even the bedroom. Jagger pinned her to the couch and began teasing and kissing every inch as he stripped her clothing from her asking, “Veranda? No? Is it here? No? Here?” Zee was laughing one minute, gasping the next. Clothes scattered like leaves in the wind.
His mouth burned a path along her skin as he climbed between her thighs. She was on fire. If he didn’t take her now, she would surely burst into flame. Her nails bit into his back. His skin was slick and hot. They panted with urgent need as he positioned himself against her wet heat. He pushed her knee higher. Zee hooked one leg over the back of the sofa. She wrapped her other about his waist. “Please, Jagger,” She whimpered. “Please, now.”
“Do you know how long I’ve been stuck in that damn elevator! A person could die…”
“Mother!”
“Bloody hell!”
“Oh, thank God you’re having sex! You know, there was a time when you were in high school I was certain you were gay. I always thought having a lesbian in the family would be very cool—”
“Mother!”
Zee scrambled for their clothing, but her mother stood on most of it. Jagger gallantly shielded her while he stood with a throw pillow strategically placed. “Were you expecting your mother?”
“No! Mother, could you wait in the hall for two minutes?”
Helen Lambert straightened the long pink gauze vest she wore over a flowy floral skirt. A purple feather was clipped to the left side of her hair, and she smelled like she’d been marinated in patchouli. “I certainly could not. I’ll go make myself a cup of tea. You two can finish up what you were doing. When I get back, you will be good enough to introduce me properly to this delectable man, won’t you?” She breezed out.
Zee dropped on the couch. She had Jagger’s shirt on, inside out and backwards. Her thong was in one hand. “Oh. My. God!” Zee’s body shook with shock, fury, and unsatisfied need. Jagger laughed. “This isn’t funny,” she hissed.
Jagger slipped into his jeans and handed Zee hers. Her thong was nothing but a knot and she stuffed it under a couch cushion. She pulled on her pants and zipped them up. Jagger stood in front of her with her blouse in his hand. “Trade?”
It took a moment to register. “Dammit.” She started to pull off his shirt when her mother returned.
“The water’s on. Would anyone else like a cup of tea?”
“Mother, what the hell are you doing here?”
“Z. Z. Don’t talk to your mother like that.” Her eyes did a slow, deliberate sweep of Jagger. “Now, who is this fine-looking man?”
“This is Jagger, Mother. Jagger Jones. Jagger, this is my mother, Helen Lambert.”
“Mrs. Lambert.” Jagger gave her his most dazzling smile.
“It’s not Mrs.” She cooed at Jagger. “And it’s not Helen.” She glared at Zee.
“Oh, right. She changed her name.”
“I’ve never been married.” She returned her attention to Jagger, eyeing him boldly. “My name is Star Shine, you know that song, “Good Morning, Star Shine. The earth says hello”? It was written for me.” She held out her hand. Rings glittered from every finger.
Jagger looked at Zee, who shook her head. “Don’t tell him stories, Mother.”
“Well, it’s a pleasure meeting every one of you.” Jagger smirked and shook her hand.
Zee’s mother twittered like a bird and refused to release his hand. “I’d heard there was a new man in my Zee’s life. I never expected someone with your… outstanding qualifications,” she practically purred.
“Mother, why are you here?”
“Darling, do I need a reason to visit my only child?”
“Yes.”
“She’s such a character, don’t you agree, Jagger?”
“Really, Mom, what do you want?”
Helen “Star Shine” finally released Jagger’s hand and began rooting through an enormous tapestry bag that looked like something Mary Poppins would carry. Around its handle hung two chiffon scarves in clashing shades of kiwi green and purple. “I received this in the mail, and it mentioned you. I didn’t know if it was some school activity or what.” Zee recognized the invitation from the Bruce Gallery. “I have a very busy social calendar, you know. I can’t be expected to come to every little event.”
“This isn’t a little event, Mother. It has nothing to do with the school. I’m having a private showing at the Bruce Gallery in Boston. It’s a very big deal.”
Her mother squinted at the invitation. “It says Black Tie. I’m not wearing some ridiculous outfit.”
Zee bit her tongue. Her mother didn’t own an outfit that wasn’t ridiculous. “I’m sure whatever you wear will be fine.”
“I refuse to be black tied like some Botox-filled socialite.”
“I understand, Mother. You know, you could just skip it.” The kettle in the kitchen began to whistle. “I’ll get your tea, unless you have to run? I know how busy you are. Wouldn’t want to keep you from anything.”
“I have time for a quick cup.” She smiled at Jagger. “I wouldn’t want to be rude.”
Zee’s teeth were in danger of crumbling by the time she reached the kitchen. She quickly
changed out of Jagger’s shirt, switched off the stove, and threw a tea bag into a cup, all the while grumbling to herself. “No, Mother, rude would have been to have let me know you were coming so you didn’t find me shagging Jagger on the couch. Rude would be congratulating me on the show and being supportive for once in my life. Rude would be to stop drooling on Jagger every time you looked in his direction.” Aaaagh!
“Are you all right in here?” Jagger slipped through the swinging door.
Zee closed her eyes and hung her head. Deep breaths, deep breaths. “I’m sorry, Jagger. I had no idea she’d just show up here.”
“It’s okay. That’s how it is with families sometimes. She’s harmless.”
“You’d like to think so, wouldn’t you?” She handed him back his shirt. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll survive. Why don’t I head out?”
Zee groaned and reached for him. “No. We were supposed to have the whole afternoon together. We have got to start locking the damn door!”
He chuckled and stroked her arms. “I’ll come back. I promise. This will give you some time with your mum.”
She blinked up at him and tried her best pout. “I’d rather juggle chainsaws.”
He laughed. “Are you working later?” Zee nodded. “How about I bring back dinner? How does Chinese sound?” His forehead touched hers. “Or maybe grits and cornbread to go with those mint juleps you promised me?”
Zee groaned. She wanted to turn the clock back fifteen minutes. “Chinese sounds fine.” He gave her a quick kiss and left. She heard him telling her mother good-bye. It was nice to meet her. No, he didn’t have an older brother. Run, Jagger, run!
She returned to the living room with their tea. “Wow. Very impressive, Mother. Chased him out in under five minutes. Nice work.”
“He’s gorgeous! How did you end up with him?”
Don’t take the bait. Drink tea. Breathe. “We met at school.”
“Well, I can see why Ed Ziegler’s knickers are in such a twist.”
“I told you to stop talking to Ed. Do you know he slashed my tires?”
“I haven’t spoken to Ed since you told me not to.”
That took some of her bluster. “Good. We’ve put a high sensor alarm on my car. I haven’t had any problems since, but Ed’s been nuts.”
“He’s an intense young man.” Helen sipped her tea.
“I know I’ll regret asking, but why did you think he was right for me?”
“He was single. You were single.” She flipped her hand. Her bracelets clattered.
“That was your only prerequisite?”
“No, of course not. He was always so polite, had a steady job. Future prospects. Your astrological charts aligned perfectly.” She shrugged and played with the rainbow of crystals hung at her throat. “I sensed you’d be good together. What else do you want me to say?” She took another sip of tea. “You’ve nicely sidestepped my question. Tell me about Jagger. That was some tête-a-tête I walked in on.”
“Thanks for reminding me. How did you get into the building? No, I already know.” Mrs. Oglethorpe. “Did you forget how to knock?”
“He just oozes sex appeal, doesn’t he? That body. And his accent. Mmm. Do you think they put ‘shrimp on the barbie’ for everyone who visits Australia?”
Zee groaned. Trying to follow her mother’s train of thought was like herding fleas.
“So are you just having a fling, or are things serious?”
That stopped Zee. What was she doing with Jagger? Things were serious, but there wouldn’t be any happily ever after. So what was this? She didn’t “fling.” How could she describe what they were doing exactly?
“I don’t know.”
That stopped her mother. “You don’t know?”
“No. I don’t, and I don’t want to examine it with you.” Zee stood. “I have work to do. You should go. Please don’t use the elevator again. I’ve warned you about it.” Zee handed over her purse and with it, her invitation. “Take this and do what you want. Come. Don’t come. It doesn’t matter to me either way.”
Zee’s mother set down her teacup and dabbed at the corners of her mouth. “Fine, I’ll leave. I think I will come to your little party. It might be fun to ruffle a few black ties.” She stood and kissed Zee on both cheeks. “Ta-ta, my Z. Z. You hang on to that Jagger.”
Hang on to Jagger? That was impossible. He was the wind. The lump in Zee’s throat was back. It threatened to strangle her.
After her mother left, Zee tried painting, but with her nerves on edge and her head pounding, it was hopeless. Picking up her sketchbook, she stared at the white page, lost in the maze of her mind. Isabella curled up next to her as if sensing her need for comfort.
The afternoon grew dark and rainy. Zee turned on the lights to see. The drawing she’d done was powerful. It was all her love. It was Jagger, and yet she’d drawn what lay beneath the bone and muscle. Zee drew his dream, his soul. She drew his heart, but it lay open like a gate and beyond was the whole expanse of the world. The mountains to the sea, as if his heart were following the sun.
She added one more thing. It was barely visible, but it became all she could see when she looked at the piece. There, within the reflection of his eyes, was her image. She was waving good-bye.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Jagger let himself into the apartment. “Zee?” The living room was empty, but a light burned. “I hope you’re hungry, darlin’. I’ve enough food to feed an army.” He met her coming out of the bedroom and moved to kiss her. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m starving. I hope you got eggrolls.”
“Forget the eggrolls. You’ve been crying. What happened?”
“Nothing. It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m just being silly. Please.” She kissed him. “I just want to have a wonderful night with you and forget the rest, okay? Don’t worry. Let’s eat and enjoy each other and…and…” He watched her eyes fill. It tore at his heart.
“Zee.” He dropped the food onto the hall table and wrapped his arms around her.
“Please.”
“I thought you wanted to work.”
“I’m calling in sick.” She laid her head on his chest.
He tightened his hold. “Did something happen with your mother? Did Ed come back here?”
She pulled back enough to look up at him and give him a watery smile. “No. I told you, I’m just being silly. I-I’m just a little freaked out about the show.”
Jagger tried to tip her chin, but she wouldn’t meet his eyes. She was a rotten liar. He didn’t know what was going on, but he doubted it had anything to do with the show.
“What can I do?”
She laid her head back on his chest. “You’re doing it. Just hold me. Tell me everything will be all right.”
“Everything is going to be great. You’ll see. It’s going to be one of the best nights of your life.” She nodded silently. He whispered into her hair. “Trust me. Everything will be perfect.
****
Jagger took a drink of his wine. The clock said 2:52 a.m., but he was wide awake. After dinner, Zee had been quiet. Too quiet. It was only in the last hour had he begun to understand. He’d found her sketchbook.
Zee came out of the bedroom, her hair tousled and wild. She sat down across the table from him.
Jagger spoke in little more than a whisper. “I’ve met a lot of people in my travels. Spent time getting to know them, learning about their lives. But I’ve never met anyone like you, Zee. I’ve told you things that I’ve never told anyone. You get me. You see me. You push aside all the bullshit and see who I really am.” She was silent. It felt like the air stood still. Like time stopped in that second. He had no right to ask, but he asked anyway. “Come with me?”
She looked like his words had struck her. His heart dropped in his chest.
“I need you, Zee. I want you with me. Come with me and I’ll show you the world. You’re the one. You’re the woman I want to make love to in Paris.
”
He heard the air leave her lungs. “I can’t.”
“Why not? We’d be together. I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
“I would love to run away with you, Jagger, but…”
“But, what?”
“My life is here. I can’t walk away from school or my work. Things are just starting to happen for me here. I can’t leave. I wish I could go wherever and whenever I wanted. Life just isn’t that simple.”
“It could be.” He reached for her hand across the table.
Zee shook her head slowly. “Not for me. Not now.”
“What about us?”
“Us.” The word slipped between her lips in a whisper.
His hand still reached for her. “I love you, Zee.”
Zee stood and came around to his side. She sat on his lap and wound her arms about his neck, laying a gentle kiss on his mouth. “That’s enough for me. It’s all I need. It’s everything. I couldn’t ask for anything more.” Her eyes searched his. “You have to know that no matter how this ends, my life was as empty as that roof out there before you came along. I had no idea I could feel like this. I’m hanging onto the fact that we’re here together now. If that’s all I get, if that’s all the us we can afford, then I’m going cherish each minute and not think about the day when I’ll have to say good-bye to you.”
Jagger pointed to the sketchpad, to her tiny reflection in his eyes. “You’re already thinking about it.” He tipped her face so he was looking deep into her eyes. “That’s why you were so upset earlier. You drew this today, didn’t you?”
Zee didn’t answer him. Her lip quivered. She stroked his face.
Jagger’s forehead touched hers. His word came out as a ragged whisper. “If you can’t come with me, then ask me to stay.”
He felt her sob. Saw her tears fall unchecked. “I-I can’t do that either.” She pointed to the pad, to his heart open to the world. She tried to smile. “I know you, remember? I can’t ask you to abandon your promise.”
“If it means I have to leave you, then to hell with it.”
She shook her head at him. “But you gave your word.”
Picture Me Naked (Stoddard Art School Series) Page 21