“Are you good?” Ana asked.
“I do all right.”
“That’s not what I asked you.”
“I can read music, and with a lot of practice I can memorize a piece.” He gave her a sidelong glance. “What are you hatching in that beautiful head?”
Ana knew what she was going to propose to Jacob would extend their friendship beyond her current predicament. “I’d like you to audition for Jason. He’s always looking for session players. You could come into the studio and he’ll record what you play, then he’ll integrate it into a number of tracks. Of course you’ll be paid and your name will be listed in the credits.”
“Whatever happened to synthesizers?”
“Jason’s an old-school dinosaur. He’s like my father. They believe in using the actual instruments.”
“No, Ana.”
Shifting on her seat, she gave him a pleading look. “Please don’t say no until you talk to Jason. He’ll set up a time that’s convenient for you to visit the studio. I know once you two start jamming together you’ll change your mind.”
“I’m not going to promise anything except that I’ll think about it.”
Ana felt as if she’d won a small victory. Serenity was always looking for new talent whether in front of the microphone or as backup singers and/or musicians.
“Idiot!” Jacob shouted when a driver cut in front of him. Instinctually his right arm went out to shield Ana when his foot slammed down on the brake to avoid rear-ending the sports car. “Are you all right?” Heat raced up his arm when his hand unintentionally cupped her breast. He pulled his hand away. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay,” she whispered.
Ana pressed her back against the leather seat, her heart pumping wildly in her chest. If Jacob’s reflexes were any slower there would’ve been an accident. She’d told him it was okay when she wasn’t okay. For a nanosecond her body had reacted not to the vehicle’s sudden stop but to the warmth of his hand on her chest. Her nipples had tightened and she prayed he wouldn’t notice them through the fabric of the tee.
An uncomfortable silence filled the interior of the truck as they passed Marathon and approached the Seven Mile Bridge. How, she mused, was she going to share a bed with Jacob and remain indifferent?
Whenever he touched her she felt like a pat of butter on a hot surface, melting under his caress. Then there was his kiss. Chaste kisses that were more to comfort than seduce; kisses and caresses that had triggered her erotic dream.
Why, she mused, couldn’t he be old with ill-fitting dentures and smelling of liniment instead of young and virile; and despite his occasional gruffness he was as slick and charming as a hustler smooth-talking an unsuspecting victim that a counterfeit designer handbag was authentic. Maybe, she prayed, a guest would check out earlier than planned and they wouldn’t have to not only share a room but also a bed.
Ana knew she wasn’t a prude, but there was no reason why temptation had to be so overtly delicious. She took a surreptitious glance at Jacob’s hands and the length of his fingers, recalling the time when she and her girlfriends had traveled to Jamaica on vacation; they’d sat around the pool looking at men in their swimsuits, while attempting to make the correlation that the size of man’s hand was indicative of the length of his penis. After too much sun and countless glasses of rum punch and incessant giggling they were incapable of arriving at a consensus.
She missed her girlfriends, their spontaneous laughter, and their unwavering support. There was never a time when they weren’t there for one another whether it was emotionally or financially.
* * *
Jacob maneuvered onto the driveway leading to a large two-story house with shuttered windows and a wraparound porch. Towering centuries-old trees shaded the structure from the brilliant summer sun. Shutting off the engine, he got out and came around to assist Ana at the same time the door to the house opened. His aunt stood on the porch, waving.
“That’s my aunt. Her name is Mathilda, but everyone calls her Mattie. Go inside and out of the heat. I’ll be in as soon as I get the bags.”
Ana wasn’t conscious of the heat until Jacob mentioned it. The humidity clung to her bared skin like a wet blanket. Sitting in the air-conditioned vehicle made her oblivious to the outside temperatures. The mouth-watering aroma of grilling meat wafted in the heavy air. She glanced up at the house. It was as if she’d stepped back in time when the Spaniards, and subsequently the English, built grand homes to showcase their status and wealth in the New World.
Mattie was a tall, slender woman with short straight silver hair; her complexion reminded Ana of aged parchment. Upon closer inspection she could see the older woman’s strong Native American features. Mattie looked refreshingly cool in a sleeveless blouse, cropped cotton pants and espadrilles.
“Come and let me get a good look at you,” Mattie crooned in a slow Southern drawl. “In all the years my nephew has come to visit he has never brought a girl with him.” Her warm brown eyes studied Ana, giving her a long, penetrating stare. “You’re kinda small, but still pretty as a picture. Now, give your Aunt Mattie a hug.”
Ana found herself in a comforting embrace, she returning it with one of her own. “Thank you for having me.”
“There’s no need to thank me, gal. If you’re Jacob’s girl, then you’re family.”
Help me out here, Jacob, her silent voice implored him. Ana chided him for not making the introductions first. Jacob must have heard her silent supplication because he appeared like a specter with their luggage: two garment bags, her carry-on and his duffel. Leaning down, he kissed his aunt’s cheek.
The warmth of Mattie’s smile reached her eyes. “Please come in and rest yourselves. She held the screen door for her nephew and his girlfriend. “You’re going to have to hold this door whenever you come in or leave, because it slams and makes enough noise to wake the dead. But whenever I ask Ray to fix it he acts like I’m speaking a foreign language. He’d rather blow on that darn horn than do anything around the house.”
Jacob smiled at his aunt over his shoulder. “If you get the toolbox I’ll fix it.”
Mattie let the door close slowly to avoid it slamming against the frame. “That’s all right. I’m going to call the handyman, and only after I give Ray the estimate will he actually pick up a hammer and do something. He hates giving away his money to folks when he can make the repairs himself.”
Ana glanced around the entryway in the house with ten-foot ceilings, gleaming parquet floors and a curving staircase leading to the second floor. A large crystal vase on a round mahogany table was filled with a profusion of colorful fresh flowers. Their footsteps were muffled on the carpeting covering the staircase as she stared down at chairs, loveseats and tables in the expansive living room. The furnishings were distinctly from a bygone era.
She followed Mattie and Jacob down the long hallway. Doors to most bedrooms were closed, but the ones that were opened revealed spaces with four-poster beds draped with mosquito netting, matching armoires and upholstered armchairs with matching footstools. Ana wondered if the furnishings were antiques or reproductions. Regardless of their authenticity they were exquisite.
An inaudible gasp escaped her when she walked into the bedroom suite she was to share with Jacob. A king-size decoratively carved four-poster mahogany bed was draped with sheer netting embroidered with minute sand-colored butterflies. The butterfly design was repeated in the tapestry-covered seat cushions on two pull-up chairs at the small round table in a corner, mahogany bench at the foot of the bed and the two facing club chairs in front of a fireplace. A cushioned window seat spanned the length of floor-to-ceiling windows, and shutters rather than curtains or drapes were installed to provide maximum privacy.
Mattie gestured to a door on her right. “There’s a full bath with a dressing room through that door. If I’d known you were coming three days ago I wouldn’t have rented out the guesthouse. You would’ve had a lot more privacy.”
Ana
wanted to tell her they didn’t need privacy. Jacob’s declaration “there will no plans of seduction from either one of us,” came back in vivid clarity, and she knew even if she pranced around butt-naked nothing sexual was going to go down between them.
Jacob set the luggage on the floor near the armoire with the same carvings etched into the bedposts. “That’s okay, Aunt Mattie. We’re going to be out most of the time.”
“I hope you save some time for me and your uncle before you go back. By the way, I’ve opened the windows to let in some fresh air. If it gets too hot for you, close them and turn on the air-conditioning. The thermostat is on the other side of the armoire.” She exhaled a sigh. “I guess I’ve talked enough. I’ll let you two settle in.”
“Where’s Uncle Ray?” Jacob asked his aunt.
“He should be back soon. He went to the store to pick up some more wood chips for the smoker. Ray bought a smoker a couple of months back and he smokes everything from brisket to ribs, fresh ham, chicken and sausage.” Mattie flashed a wide grin. “I must admit I’ve gotten used to eating smoked meat. Cooking outdoors is preferable to heating up the kitchen, where it takes hours to cool down.”
Jacob shared a glance with Ana. “What’s on today’s menu?”
“Brisket and ribs. Do you intend to stick around for dinner?”
When Ana nodded, Jacob said, “Yes.”
“Do you need any help in the kitchen?” Ana asked.
Crossing her arms under her breasts, Mattie surveyed the woman who looked as if she could really use a home-cooked meal. She was more fragile-looking than skinny. “Do you eat what you cook?”
Ana couldn’t stop the rush of heat suffusing her face and chest. “Yes, ma’am. I do eat. Tell her, Jacob,” she pleaded when Mattie shot her a skeptical stare.
“She eats,” he said in agreement.
Mattie smiled. “If that’s the case, then you can help me. I’m cooling some white potatoes for a salad. You do know how to make potato salad?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Enough of that ma’am business. Either you call me Mattie or Aunt Mattie. The choice is yours.”
Ana felt properly chastised, and when she cut her eyes at Jacob she wanted to kick him for smirking. “Okay, Aunt Mattie.”
Mattie inclined her head in acknowledgment. “Take your time settling in. If you don’t find me in the kitchen, then I’ll be out back.”
Waiting until Mattie left, closing the door behind her, Ana turned to face Jacob. “When are you going to tell her?”
“I’m not going to tell her,” he countered. “I’ll tell my uncle and he can explain everything to her.”
Ana’s expression mirrored confusion. “Why not your aunt?”
“My uncle will tell her what he feels she should know. It was that way when he worked undercover and it has continued to this day. They’ve been married for nearly forty years, and apparently whatever they’ve agreed to works.”
“Do they have any children?”
Jacob shook his head. “No. Years ago they’d talked about adoption, but once Uncle Ray went undercover they decided it was best they didn’t. Ray was afraid if anything had happened to him then Mattie would be left to raise a child or children alone. I’m going to warn you that they’re like a couple of newlyweds. They can’t keep their hands off each other.”
Ana thought about her own parents who’d complained that they couldn’t wait until their children left home so they could run around the house stark naked. Gabriel was the first to leave, then Alexandra. She had been next.
Only Jason remained. And it was good that he hadn’t given up his apartment in the house where he’d grown up. It was his home base and that made it easier for him to continue recording sessions using the studio set up in the Boca Raton mansion.
Ana had always felt like the more dominant twin because of Jason’s low-key personality; but he’d risen to the challenge when he closed down the office, and was negotiating the purchase of a building that would prove conducive to maintaining maximum security.
Any of the performers coming to her parents’ home in the gated community would have to go through a series of checkpoints before gaining access to the in-home recording studio. Her father had mentioned dismantling the studio and replacing it with an in-home health spa, but hadn’t as long Jason continued to live there. Whenever Jason hadn’t come into the office he could be found in the studio listening to and editing countless hours of recordings until they were able to meet his exacting standards.
It had taken less than a week for Ana to grasp the enormity that Serenity Records could survive without her micromanaging every phase of its operation. Business would continue with video conferencing and the projected launch date of new music would be met. What she’d failed to realize, until now, was that the company continued with business as usual whenever she went on vacation, and now that she was exiled it would do the same.
Reaching up, she took off the wig, fanning her face with it. “It’s hot enough without wearing this.”
Jacob gave her a sidelong glance. “I guess you can go without it when we’re in the bedroom. But, I’d like you to wear it whenever you step outside this door.”
“Copy that,” she quipped, using military jargon. “I’m certain hearing that takes you back to your days in the corps.”
“Not back in the day, sweetheart. Once a marine always a marine.”
“Were you special operations?”
Bending from the knees, Jacob opened the duffel bag. “I was assigned to MSG. I’ll tell you about it later.”
Ana joined him, unzipping her carry-on. “Does your aunt serve meals to her guests?”
“No. She just offers rooms at daily or weekly rates. A lot of folks with large houses do the same. It’s an excellent way of earning extra income.”
“I’m going to put away our clothes, then I’m going to take a shower and get into something cooler.” Her tee, jeans and running shoes were not conducive to the tropical temperatures.
“Why don’t you go and take your shower first,” Jacob suggested. “I’ll hang up your stuff.”
Ana smiled. “You don’t mind?”
He made a sucking sound with his tongue and teeth. “Of course not.”
She removed a set of underwear, and then took out a smaller bag with her grooming supplies. Kicking off her shoes, she placed them neatly in a corner. “I’ll see you later,” she said as she headed toward the bathroom.
“Princess?”
Ana stopped, but didn’t turn around. “What is it?”
“Do you mind if we stay here tonight with my aunt and uncle? I’d like to do some catching up.”
She turned slowly, her gaze taking in everything about the man she’d felt so comfortable with that they’d planned to not only live together for an undetermined length of time, but she would also sleep with. Ana wasn’t as indifferent to Jacob as she projected. In truth, she’d come to like him—a lot. Now that she understood his rationale for not using a phone or her credit cards she’d come to respect his somewhat dictatorial edicts. And it wasn’t as if he’d been paid to protect her, but had agreed to do it as a favor to her cousin. He’d given up his vacation and altered his life for her, and the least she could do for him was be obliging.
She smiled sweetly. “Of course not, sweetheart. I don’t mind at all.”
Jacob was still standing in the same spot, staring at the door to the bathroom when it closed behind Ana. He was trying to process her calling him sweetheart. Was it a slip of the tongue because on occasion he’d called her sweetheart? Or was she softening and finally willing to accept their unconventional relationship?
What Jacob had to keep reminding himself was why Ana had come into his life. Why she was living with him. But then there were times when he wished they could’ve met under a different set of circumstances. That there was no threat on her life and instead of becoming her bodyguard he could date her in the conventional way.
Although he called h
er Princess there was nothing about her indicating she was spoiled. It hadn’t been her choice when she was born into a wealthy family where there were certain tasks she didn’t have to concern herself with. Whether pampered or protected, she definitely wasn’t spoiled or lazy. She offering to help his aunt in the kitchen was a testament to that.
He’d dated a woman who wouldn’t bend over to pick up a straw because she said she’d achieved diva status. He knew a few who wore rhinestone tiaras to demonstrate to the world that they were princesses. To him they were phony ill-mannered princesses with bad attitudes.
There were times when he knew Ana wasn’t pleased with what he’d said, but she’d quickly diffused what could’ve become a volatile and hostile confrontation by walking away. It was probably the same strategy she used in business. Retreat, restrategize and prepare for the next battle.
She and Basil Irvine had waged a war to sign Justine Glover. Irvine had won the first battle, but Ana had achieved the ultimate victory once she’d convinced the young singer to sign with her label. Oh, Jacob mused, to have been the proverbial fly on the wall when it was announced that Glover had signed with Serenity.
The sound of running water came through the door and Jacob placed the garment bags on the bench at the foot of the bed, unzipped them and began hanging up garments in the armoire. Ana’s slacks, dresses and blouses hung from the rod next to his shirts, slacks and lightweight jackets. The carry-on bags were next. A knowing smile parted his lips when he held up a pair of bikini panties with a matching bra. There was hardly enough fabric to cover her private parts. Pretty—yes. Practical—definitely not.
Ana finally emerged from the bathroom, a trail of perfume wafting behind her, wearing a white bra with matching panties. If Jacob had eaten he definitely would’ve lost the contents of his stomach when the muscles violently contracted. The triangle of silky fabric barely covered the area at the apex of her thighs and the swell of firm breasts were close to escaping the confines of the lacy cups. He turned away inasmuch as not to gape at her, but also as an attempt to conceal his growing erection.
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