by Jeane Watier
Moreover, Sophia Langdon seemed as comfortable with people like Jace as she was with those of her own social standing—maybe more so. Having met Jace, Cassandra could understand why. She had to admit that many of the society people she knew were arrogant. Do I come across like that? she questioned silently. Does Jace see me that way? It was a definite possibility considering their first two meetings.
As she thought about the lies and the fact that he knew her true identity, her heart sank. I’ve given him so many reasons to hate me, she sighed, longing for a way to change his opinion of her. If he could see me for who I really am, maybe there’d be a chance for us.
JACE HAD ENJOYED himself at the parties he went to that weekend. He’d been able to relax and let loose and felt better than he had in months. He’d even met a girl he wanted to see again. Elise was a friend of Morry’s sister and a second-year journalism student. She had other similarities to Cassandra as well, but Jace tried not to read into it. There’s nothing wrong with that, he maintained. It just proves I’m over this twisted infatuation. I’m ready to move on.
With Sophie away all week, he let himself imagine that the Honda was his, and he took great pleasure from the sense of freedom the illusion evoked. He’d begun to think about the weekend ahead and the date he had planned with Elise, when he got a call from Sophie asking whether he’d mind picking her up on Saturday. He agreed without hesitation.
“I’ve spent the week at the beach with my nephew and his wife,” she remarked casually. “Their daughter Cassandra is here, too.”
At the mention of her name, Jace’s stomach tightened. Seeing her again certainly wasn’t on his agenda, but he couldn’t tell Sophie that. Maybe with luck I’ll avoid her, he inserted silently. Besides, after what she’s done, she should be the one avoiding me.
He got the address, and they agreed on a time. He didn’t need directions; he knew the area well. It was a popular resort town with a public beach and great camping. Jace had been there with his parents over the years. He and his friends had partied there as well. It was a pleasant drive up the coast, and Jace looked forward to being on the open road with the new car.
His date Friday night went better than expected, and he found himself cooking breakfast for Elise next morning before driving her home. He wasn’t totally honest with her. When she admired his car, he led her to believe it was his. He felt guilty, but it sounded lame telling her it belonged to the old lady in the apartment upstairs. He’d been looking for ways to impress. With a second date planned for that evening, he began to think about the best way to tell her.
As he drove to the beach resort, Jace considered the possibility of a future with Elise. Even though they partied in the same circles, even though she was willing to go out with him, he couldn’t help noting the differences in their circumstances. She owned a car, and he was borrowing one; she was going to school to pursue a career, and he worked in a factory. Her family certainly wasn’t rich, but from what she’d said, they were better off than some. It’s acceptable to be broke when you’re a student, he brooded. It’s expected. But if you’re broke and working in a dead-end job, you’re a loser.
He was beating up on himself, and it didn’t feel good. Sophie’s words came quickly to mind: Your thoughts are making you miserable, Jace. It’s your thoughts that determine how you feel, and how you feel is everything. He wanted to feel good, wanted to begin thinking about his desires in a more positive way, wanted to stop comparing himself to the rich and instead begin thinking like they did. Suddenly determination swept in to replace self-judgement. Focusing in a more deliberate way was a practical approach to his dilemma, a course of action. And Jace wanted to act; he wanted to do something to change his situation.
Jace contemplated his new plan as he pulled into the resort. Passing the public beach and camping area, he recalled with fondness the good times he’d had with his parents. His father had been a serious man, a studious type who spent his down time reading. At the beach, however, he’d taken time to play with his son. Jace was filled with appreciation as he thought about it. More than ever he cherished those memories of his father.
He looked around as he drove through town. The snug cottages that lined the streets offered enticing getaways for long weekends and summer holidays. He added owning one to his growing list of desires. Focusing on it in a positive way wouldn’t be difficult. He’d simply envision the shady street with its whitewashed homes and picket fences. He could see himself relaxing on a hammock in the front, listening to children playing happily in the distance.
Glancing at the address Sophie had given him, he saw that it was on the main drive. However, the numbers he was passing were not even close to the address he had written down, so he continued driving and was soon in new territory. The homes in this area were larger than the cottages in town, but still ones that middle income families could afford if they managed their money wisely.
Before long the scenery began to change again. Gated entrances heralded tree-lined drives curving up to large houses on expansive properties. This can’t be where Sophie’s relatives live. Jace was sure that he was in the wrong neighborhood—either that, or the road continued on to a less affluent area. He slowed the car as he caught sight of an address on one of the ornate wrought-iron gates. It was the number Sophie had given him. Tentatively, he turned into the driveway, and the gate opened before him. The ample property at the end of the drive boasted several buildings. Two houses were joined by a covered walkway. One was a large two-story, its shingled siding adding warmth to the stone turrets and marble pillars flanking the grand entrance. The other house was smaller in stature, yet similar in design.
Staring at the impressive spread, Jace still questioned whether he was in the right place. To be honest, he hoped he had the wrong address, the wrong neighborhood altogether. If Sophie was part of a family that could afford a summer home like that, then he’d misjudged her completely. His answer came as Cassandra walked out of the main house and headed straight toward the car. He didn’t move from the driver’s seat as he scrambled to think of what to say to the woman who by all rights should have been in hiding if she knew he was coming. His time was brief, and all that he could think to say as she walked up was, “Hi, Cassandra.”
Wearing short shorts and a bikini top, she looked sensational. The sun had turned her skin a rich, deep bronze. Her long hair was pulled back in a loose, casual style with tiny strands drifting down around her cheeks and forehead. She looked more beautiful than he’d remembered.
“Hi,” she said softly and then took a deep breath. “I guess I have some explaining to do.”
Jace nodded, but didn’t move. He sat back and crossed his arms.
“Do you want to go for a walk?” she asked.
He did. And yet he didn’t. Part of him wanted to put the car in reverse and get the hell out of there. Another part—the part that didn’t listen to logic—caused him to shrug his shoulders and mumble, “I…guess I could. I mean, if Sophie doesn’t mind waiting a bit.”
He followed her on a path that led between the two houses and down a wooden staircase. They descended to a private beach, which Jace was glad to see was deserted. He was uncomfortable enough being around Cassandra, let alone having her family see them together. They walked for several minutes before Cassandra turned to him.
“Jace…I’m sorry. I know what I did was wrong, but please let me explain.”
SHE’D REHEARSED it a hundred times and knew exactly what she wanted to say, yet words failed her. She stared at him helplessly, her mind desperately searching for the polished speech that she’d prepared.
Before she could gather her thoughts, he turned to her. “Which part do you want to explain,” he asked sharply. “The part where you acted like an arrogant bitch? Or maybe you want to explain the reason you happened to be in the same grocery store as me on a Sunday morning in a part of town you obviously don’t frequent. Or maybe,” he continued, his frustration evident, “you’d like to explai
n who Tanisha is.” He paused. “But you know what I’d really like to know? I’d like to know what that kiss was all about.”
She deserved his wrath and took it in stride. “Jace,” she began, “I judged you. I jumped to conclusions, and I’m sorry. I was a bitch…you’re right. I was arrogant. I treated you like dirt simply because of where you live.”
“Why did you have to lie?”
She told him everything—her Sunday morning surveillance in front of his apartment, her reasons for the interrogation in the coffee shop, and the convenient excuse to check out what she had rightly assumed was her aunt’s car.
“So why did you come on to me?” he asked again. “You had the information you wanted. You could have left it at that.”
Keenly knowing the reason but not how to tell him, she declined to answer right away.
“What did you learn about me, anyway?” he continued in a sarcastic tone. “Do you want me to tell you? Let’s see…I have an outstanding parking ticket. I was a month late paying my last phone bill. Oh, and here’s a biggie: when I was sixteen, some friends and I got caught smoking up. Lucky for me, the cops let us off with a warning.”
“Jace,” she interrupted. “What I learned is that you’re a really nice guy and that I should have trusted you. My aunt does.”
He looked at her curiously, but she continued. “And I kissed you because…well…because you dared me to.” She wanted to say more, yet she wasn’t sure how much to say or how to say it.
“Do you kiss all the low-life, would-be felons that you interrogate?” This time, something close to a smile appeared on his face.
“No,” she smiled back. “Only the really cute ones.”
He laughed, and she breathed easier. At least he wasn’t as angry. He still hadn’t forgiven her, and there may be no hope for a relationship, but she felt better having confessed.
JACE WAS TEMPTED to pinch himself to see if what was happening was real. Here he was on a private beach with a gorgeous rich chick, and she was flirting with him again. He didn’t understand why, when she most likely had men falling at her feet, she would pay him any attention. Nevertheless, he couldn’t deny what was taking place. Since he had nothing to lose, he decided to test it. “I keep thinking about that kiss, you know. It was really…great.”
“I thought so, too.”
He searched her face, trying to read her. She smiled and he saw sincerity in her eyes. His icy determination to remain unaffected by her charm began to melt.
She reached for his hand and murmured softly, almost apologetically, “I like you, Jace.”
He wasn’t sure which one of them made the first move, but suddenly their lips met, and they reenacted the kiss that had been on his mind for the past couple of weeks. The kiss deepened and she melted into his embrace, her lithe body pressing against his. His hands explored her smooth, sexy back, while hers moved up to his neck and the back of his head, drawing him closer as her tongue searched the recesses of his mouth.
The passion mounted rapidly, and Jace was increasingly aware that they needed to stop before the situation got out of control. He pulled away first, explaining, “Cassandra, I…like you too…but I’m not sure this is a good idea.”
“Why?” Her sexy eyes were inviting; her crimson lips, irresistible.
Suddenly he couldn’t remember the reason. Cassandra kissed him again and stood gazing into his eyes, a playful grin on her face. He grasped at one fleeting moment of clarity to inquire, “What about your parents, your aunt?”
“My parents are at a neighbor’s party, and Aunt Sophia is resting.”
It was enough for Jace. He might question it later, but for now, the beautiful temptress in his arms was all that he could think of. He found her mouth and tasted, again, the deliciousness it had to offer. After a few minutes, she took him by the hand and led him to a clump of bushes that offered privacy should anyone be walking on the terrace above. Cassandra knelt down on the soft sand, took off her bikini top, and looked up at him with a smile. Jace quickly joined her and no more words were needed as they let their desire have its way.
CHAPTER 11
SHE WAVED to Jace and her aunt as they drove away. Her father’s Aston Martin pulled in the yard moments later. Realizing she had some explaining to do, Cassandra approached him as he opened the car door. “Where’s Mother?” she asked casually.
“You know your mother,” he shrugged. “She has to catch up on every last bit of gossip before she can leave.”
Cassandra smiled knowingly. Her parents were very different, and she had become a blend of both. Her father was a quiet unassuming type who liked his hobbies and intimate family time. Her mother was a social butterfly, not complete without people around her at all times. Nevertheless, they seemed happy together. As different as they were, they complimented each other.
“Whose black car was that?”
“It was Aunt Sophia’s. Jace just picked her up.”
He gave his daughter a questioning look. “So it’s Jace, is it? What have you learned about him?”
She wasn’t sure where to begin. She’d learned plenty, including that he was an exceptional lover, but that wasn’t a detail she was willing to reveal to her father. “I’ve met him a few times now. I was wrong, Daddy.” She tucked her arm in his as they walked to the house. “He’s a nice guy. Aunt Sophia really can read people. I should have trusted her judgement.”
“A nice guy,” her father repeated, a hint of suspicion clouding his voice. “Well, that’s good to hear.”
Cassandra decided that her new policy on honesty was serving her well, so she told her father about her little fact-finding mission.
“Whatever possessed you to do a thing like that?” he demanded, sounding alarmed. “What if your suspicions had been correct? You might have put yourself in danger.”
“Daddy,” she rubbed his arm with a soothing caress. “I trusted my instincts, and I think deep down I wanted to trust Aunt Sophia’s opinion of him as well. He’s really nice.”
“Yes,” he responded warily. “You mentioned that.”
“Daddy…” She decided not to hold back. If she knew her father, he’d support her. “I think I’m falling in love with him.”
“What?” He pulled his arm free and turned to look her in the eye.
“I’ve never met anyone like him.”
Her father took a deep breath and sat down on the porch swing, inviting his daughter to join him. “I’ve always trusted your judgement in these matters, kitten. But I’m having trouble here,” he admitted. “Tell me more about him.”
Cassandra curled up beside her father and began to tell him about Jace’s admirable qualities. When she finished, he let out an uneasy sigh, but remained quiet.
“How can you be sure he isn’t after your money?” he asked after a few minutes.
“The same way I knew he wasn’t after Aunt Sophia’s. He isn’t like that, Daddy,” she implored. “Just wait till you meet him.”
“And when might that be?”
“Well,” she hesitated. “It’s complicated. “There’s one other little detail I didn’t mention.”
“What’s that?”
“Your new housekeeper, Sarah…She’s Jace’s mom.”
LOST IN A daydream, Jace tapped his fingers to the tune on the radio as he drove. He draped the other arm out the window, enjoying the breeze.
“You seem to be in a good mood,” Sophie noted. “I assume you talked with Cassandra.”
“Yeah, we talked,” he affirmed, not liking the direction of the conversation. Sophie had a way of knowing things, and he hoped she didn’t suspect what had gone on between them.
“She’s a lovely girl,” Sophie smiled.
“Yes, she is.” Jace was still frowning at the old woman’s words when a light went on in his mind. “You knew what she was going to say to me, didn’t you?”
“More or less,” she replied.
“Were you talking about Cassandra when you told me that peop
le aren’t always what they appear to be?”
“That statement can apply to everyone, Jace.”
“Yeah,” he persisted, “but you knew something would happen between us, didn’t you?”
“It seemed like a nice idea.” She smiled again.
Jace pondered the “nice idea” for a moment. “It is,” he admitted reluctantly. “But it’s complicated. I’m not sure it can work.”
“Do you like her?”
“Of course,” he shrugged. “But it takes more than that. Our lives are so different. I can’t imagine what we’d have in common.”
“The differences you talk about are out there.” She waved her arm. “What you both have in here…,” she said, tapping her finger on her chest, “it’s the same.”
Jace didn’t know what Sophie meant. How are we the same inside? he questioned. And is she suggesting that the outward differences don’t matter? As pumped as he was over what had taken place between Cassandra and him, doubts were growing at an accelerating rate. Elise was in his life now, too, and Jace felt more than a little guilty that he hadn’t given her a single thought all day. After all, he had a date with her that evening. He wasn’t the type to date two girls at once; he had to make a decision. At the moment he had no idea what that decision would be.
“MAYBE WE SHOULD keep this to ourselves for now, kitten,” her father advised. “Your mother might not be as open minded about it.”
Cassandra hadn’t stopped to consider what her mother might think of Jace. It would no doubt be a touchy issue. Helen Van Broden had high expectations of her children, especially when it came to marriage. Cassandra’s older brother, Trevor, had given in to the expectations and married the daughter of a wealthy family in Port Hayden. The marriage had only lasted a year, and now he lived abroad enjoying his freedom. Tension still lingered between Trevor and their parents, especially their mother, and he didn’t come home as often as he used to. It had been a year since Cassandra had seen him.