by Bella Juarez
“Where’s home, Irene?” JJ asked lowly.
“Texas. Victoria, Texas,” Irene said.
Holy crap on a cracker! It was Badass’s future mother-in-law! JJ was having severe mental conflict with this new piece of information. He’d been seriously considering cutting his losses with Gavin and taking up with Irene for the night. She was attractive, and with a little more wine she’d be good to go! He sat back and considered his options.
If Gavin “Badass” Walsh ever found out that JJ had picked up and screwed his mother-in-law, he was a dead man. He wasn’t known as Badass because he was a pussy! Gavin would not even let him utter a syllable in explanation. Badass would just shoot him and anyone else who tried to stop said massacre. He considered Gavin a moment. Badass never missed, even by a little. Fuck! It was JJ who taught him how to shoot. So he decided against plan A and went to plan B. He looked at Irene and smiled. Either he was getting drunk or Irene Ortiz was getting more attractive by the second. He needed to make an exit before he did something really stupid.
“Irene, if you get bored with the company you’re with, call me. I’d be glad to show you around San Diego,” JJ said, writing his cell phone number on a napkin.
Irene smiled and took the napkin. “Thank you, Mr. Jones. I may just do that.”
“Would you like me to walk you to your room?”
“No, thank you. I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“You’re a very attractive woman, Irene. Your husband was a lucky man,” JJ said. Irene didn’t reply as she looked down at the napkin. “I’m serious. Call me if you want to ditch the kids and hang out with someone your own age. Good night, Irene. It was a pleasure to meet you.” He paid the tab for both of them.
“Good night, Mr. Jones. It was a pleasure meeting you, as well,” Irene said.
JJ stood and left. The ball was in her court. If she wanted to see him again, she would make that move. He looked back and stared at the hotel bar before walking out of the lobby. Irene Ortiz was the most interesting lady JJ had ever met and not tried to get into bed. She was everything a lady, in his mind, ought to be. He understood there was a line of propriety that she’d silently drawn and wasn’t about to cross until they had become much better acquainted. She didn’t need to say a word. It was understood.
That line hadn’t been laid out for JJ in a very long time. He knew damn good and well he would’ve to get Irene Ortiz drunk out of her mind for her to invite him up to her room and sleep with him. He didn’t want this particular woman that way. As he turned and walked out the door he suddenly missed a time when women were raised to be ladies and proud of it.
Chapter Two
Orange Avenue Shop District
Coronado, California
August 13, 2008/1959 Zulu
Irene took out her wallet to pay for lunch and saw the folded napkin with James Jones’s phone number written on it. She started to take out money when Amy stopped her.
“No, Tía! I’m paying. I told you your money is no good here,” Amy said.
The napkin caught the sudden breeze and started to fly away. Luckily Irene caught it in time.
“What’s that?” Amy asked.
“A phone number,” Irene said.
“Oh? How come you didn’t put it in your iPhone?”
“I just got it last night.”
Irene hadn’t put the number in her phone yet because she wasn’t sure what she would do with it. When she went to her room last night, she felt like she was cheating on David and was so upset she had a hard time falling asleep. When she woke up this morning and saw the napkin next to her purse, she thought about how guilty she felt the night before and remembered…I’m a widow. David is gone, and he’s not coming back. She tucked the napkin in her wallet and decided to wait and see how she felt after Amy and Gavin turned in later tonight.
“Really? Whose phone number is it?” Amy asked.
“A man I met last night. I went down to the hotel lounge for a glass of wine after you and Gavin went into your room,” Irene said.
Irene saw alarm register on Amy’s face. “Tía, you’re not picking up men in bars are you?”
“Amy, I had a glass of wine. He had a drink. He was waiting for a friend. He and I had a conversation. He gave me his number and said if I wanted to see San Diego, he would be glad to show me around. That was it.”
“Tía!” Amy exclaimed, wide eyed.
Irene wondered what Amy’s reaction would be if she ever decided to try and start dating again. Amy had always been David’s little princess, and at times she was closer to David than she was to Irene. Irene was getting a little self-defensive with this conversation. She was fifty-eight, but she wasn’t dead, yet. She took a sip of her water and a deep breath. It was time to set Amy straight on Irene’s life.
“Mi hijita, I’ll never forget the thirty-three years I spent with your uncle and I love him. But he’s gone and he’s not coming back. I’m still a woman, and even though I’m much older, I like to feel attractive and wanted. This man made me feel that way. I have no intention of having a one-night stand with a stranger,” Irene said.
“I don’t want you to get hurt, Tía,” Amy said quietly.
“If I decide to go out with this guy, I’ll let you know,” Irene said, squeezing Amy’s hand.
“I think you should go,” Amy said with a shy smile.
Irene giggled and shook her head. She still wasn’t sure what she would do with Mr. Jones’s offer. She decided to wait to see how she felt by the end of the day to make a decision about Mr. Jones. Their time here was short and it was a Friday. She was sure James was working. She didn’t want to cut her time short with Amy because they were having fun sightseeing and shopping.
They reached the hotel in time for Gavin to tell them that he’d planned dinner for them at the Coronado Navy Base’s Non-Commissioned Officer’s Club Saturday evening. She excused herself, telling Amy and Gavin to go off and be alone for the evening. He started to insist and she told him she was staying put…for now.
* * * *
JJ’s cell phone vibrate in his front pocket as he sat with Dixie on the conference call they were having with the commander of Navy Special Warfare Group Two at Little Creek, Virginia. He took his cell phone out and frowned at the number. The area code wasn’t familiar to him. He put his cell phone back in his pocket and finished his meeting. He and Dixie talked for another hour before he walked out into the cool California evening.
JJ recalled the cell call and dug out his iPhone. 361…He looked up the area code in the Internet browser on his phone. Corpus Christi, Texas? I don’t know anybody in Corpus Christi…Oh Shit! Irene! Victoria was in the Corpus Christi area! Irene Ortiz had called and not left a message. He knew because he understood women his age that Irene was probably a little skittish and was uncomfortable calling him. He decided to work this slow and easy. He sent her a text message.
Irene? I was in a meeting at work…Did you want to go out tonight? I’m done now.
JJ waited for a response. It seemed like forever before his phone notified him that she had responded with another text. He smiled. He was glad to see she wasn’t afraid of technology.
It’s okay. I thought you were probably busy. It’s after 8:00 p.m. Do you have to work tomorrow? Is it too late for you?
I’ll be there in ten minutes. Wait for me in the bar. I’ll find you.
JJ hurried to his vehicle and made it to the Hotel del Coronado in less than six minutes. He fled his vehicle, but before he could reach the door stopped himself and shook his head. What the hell is wrong with you, boy? Slow down! He hadn’t been this excited to see someone in a long time. She didn’t call you over for the fuck of your life…in fact you won’t get laid! So slow the fuck down!
JJ slowed to a walk. He looked down at himself and realized he was still wearing his camouflaged uniform. In this uniform he wasn’t supposed to go to any of the places he had in mind for Irene. Fuck it! What will they do, kick me out of the Navy? He
had committed much bigger sins during his tenure in this man’s Navy.
JJ remembered he was the Command Master Chief of Headquarters Navy Special Warfare Command and no one would dare question his actions. Dixie would be the only one with balls enough to do that. Shit! Dixie ain’t no stickler for the regulations, either. He arrived at the bar and saw Irene instantly. She was sitting in the same place she’d been last night. She looked up and smiled when she saw him walking toward her. He took the seat next to her and set his hat on the bar.
“Decided to ditch the kids for someone your own age, huh? I’ll bet I’m more fun than they are,” JJ quipped.
Irene giggled and looked away. “I guess so,” she said shyly. “What did you have in mind, Mr. Jones?”
JJ marveled at how seductive Irene sounded when she asked that question. Sugar, don’t go there. You’re not ready for me…yet. He knew a lady like her didn’t mean to sound so sexy. Her golden eyes sparkled like rich topaz in the dim light when she smiled. Before saying anything, he looked off into the next room and considered his next move.
“How about the Gas Lamp Quarter?” JJ suggested.
“Gas Lamp Quarter? Where’s that?”
“It’s not too far from here. It’s on the mainland. Come on, Irene. I think you’ll like it.”
JJ and Irene were sitting in the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop sharing a sundae at midnight. He’d been feeling his knee start to swell way before they left the restaurant he’d taken her to for dinner. All the walking they’d done and the dance they shared earlier was aggravating his knee even more. He needed to ice it down the rest of the night and maybe even consider taking the prescription Motrin he had been given. He shifted and stretched his leg, closing his eyes at the flash of pain.
“Are you all right, James?” Irene asked.
“Oh yeah, just a little twinge.” JJ took a spoonful of ice cream.
JJ had told Irene about his recent knee surgery and how it had sidelined him from some of his activities. She looked happy. It seemed like the only thing they hadn’t talked about was her deceased husband and his two ex-wives. It was good manners not to talk about those things. He realized he hadn’t said a bad word all night, either. She seemed to bring out something better in him, something more genteel.
JJ had been alone for almost eighteen years now. Spending time with Irene tonight was relaxing and easy. She was easy to talk to and get along with. She was the first woman in a long time that made him realize how much he missed companionship.
They talked about so much and found they had a lot in common. Throughout most of dinner they’d both taken out their iPhones and discussed features and apps. JJ had learned a few things from Irene and he had been able to give her a few pointers as well. She was intelligent, independent, and adventurous. His woman had to have those qualities to keep up with him.
“My goodness, it’s after midnight. What time did you go into work today?” Irene asked.
“It was somewhere around six,” JJ said. Give or take an hour…or two.
“We’d better get back. I’m sure you’re tired and your knee probably needs some attention,” Irene said.
They walked out of the shop and the clerk locked the door behind them. JJ parked at the hotel and looked to Irene. She was uncertain and a little uncomfortable.
“Tonight, I’m walking you to your room. I want to make sure you’re safe inside,” JJ said.
“I’ll be all right,” Irene said.
“I’m not arguing with you, Irene. I’m walking you to your room.” JJ got out and walked around to open her door.
JJ and Irene walked into the Hotel del Coronado’s lavish lobby and found the elevators. They arrived at her floor and he followed her down the hall to her room. She turned to JJ and looked down.
“Can I see you tomorrow? Before you leave?” JJ asked.
“I wish I could, James. Gavin has arranged for us to have dinner at the base with him at a club,” Irene said.
JJ hadn’t mentioned to Irene that he knew Gavin. Because he hadn’t mentioned his relationship with Gavin to Irene, he felt something he hadn’t felt in a very long time. Guilt. For some reason he wanted to be honest and open with her about everything. He had a lifetime of secrets and was sick and tired of them. Not telling her about Gavin made him feel like he was doing something wrong.
“The NCO Club at Coronado or San Diego?” JJ asked.
“Coronado, I think that was it,” Irene said.
JJ nodded and looked down the hall.
“James, you need to get home. I’m sure that knee is killing you. I’m all right. Please go and take care of yourself,” Irene said.
Irene’s tenderness and concern touched something deep inside JJ. Without thinking, he attached his lips to hers. Her hands came up to his chest and stopped short of shoving him away. He pulled her closer, not giving her the option of pushing away. JJ kissed Irene with all the intense passion he’d been holding back for so long. He fucked women, he played with them, and when he was done he walked away.
JJ realized he had never loved a woman like he could love this one. He’d been calling her sugar on and off all night. It was a pet name he’d never used on any other woman. It was special to him and no woman until now had been deserving of it. He always knew saying it would be natural and the woman who could draw that name from his lips would be the one he’d been searching for all of his life. He broke away from Irene and they stared at each other in mute astonishment.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself,” JJ whispered.
JJ was mesmerized by her sparkling golden-brown eyes. He wasn’t sure what she was thinking, but she wasn’t pushing him away.
“Goodnight, sugar. If you’re ever in San Diego again, call me. I’ll be waiting for you,” JJ said as he released Irene and stepped back.
“Goodnight, James,” Irene whispered.
Irene slid her card through the door lock and closed the door behind her. JJ turned and limped down the hallway.
* * * *
Irene leaned up against the door after she closed it behind her. Oh…My…God! What the hell just happened? The kiss James had given her seemed to steal the very breath from her body. She took a swallow of precious air for the first time since he’d kissed her. No one had ever kissed her like that. She closed her eyes and took another deep breath. Her heart was racing. She walked further into her room and sat down on the bed, staring at the wall, knowing she would never see James Jones again.
That realization left Irene empty. She had to see him again. Irene had to find out if what she felt was a fluke. The scientist in her demanded an explanation for her reaction and the abandonment of her senses. When she put her hands on his chest she’d meant to push him away. Instead she was caught up feeling his firm, muscular chest through his uniform. And that uniform! How she wanted to melt when she saw him walk into the lounge. Instead of pushing him away, she’d been rendered motionless as he gripped her and pulled her closer. It was the surprise of the kiss…Irene thought with cold logic.
There was no explaining Irene’s irrational behavior during this trip. What had she been thinking when she called him and decided to take off with a total stranger in a strange town until after midnight? Had she lost her mind? She had lost her mind, and that kiss had completely dissolved any sense she had where James Jones was concerned. It was a good thing this trip was coming to an end soon. She stood and dressed for bed. She turned off the lights and lay staring at the darkness for a very long time.
* * * *
“Badass!” Irene heard a familiar voice call out as they were leaving the NCO Club at Coronado.
Gavin, Amy, and Irene had just finished dinner at the club. Gavin had given them a tour of the base. Irene was fascinated by the workings of the base and how it seemed like a small contained city. He explained that there was a bigger Navy base in San Diego proper and there was a large Marine Corps base here as well.
Irene turned at the sound of the voice and froze. James! He was here!
And he knows Gavin? They were leaving when James caught them at the entrance. Gavin stepped away from the ladies and gave James his full attention. Irene’s heart started to race and her face warmed as she turned away from James. She was confused at the unexpected surprise.
“Tía? Are you okay?” Amy asked.
“It’s him…” Irene whispered.
“Who?” Amy asked.
“You remember the man I was telling you about? The one whose number I had at lunch yesterday?” Irene said lowly.
“Yes…” Amy said slowly.
“That’s the man. The one Gavin is talking to,” Irene said.
Amy glanced in Gavin’s direction.
“I know him! That’s JJ. He came to visit Gavin a lot when he was in the hospital. He’s a really nice man and so funny. Why don’t you go and say hi?” Amy asked brightly.
Amy started to walk toward the men. Irene was horrified as she grabbed Amy and pulled her back. “Amy, I went out with him last night. We went to the Gas Lamp Quarter and didn’t get in until after midnight,” Irene confessed.
“What?” Amy asked in astonishment.
“That wasn’t all…”
“Tía!” Amy exclaimed in wide-eyed shock.
“Shush! Not so loud!” Irene whispered harshly.
“Should I ask what happened after you snuck out, again?” Amy demanded.
“Amy! I’m almost sixty years old. I don’t sneak out anymore,” Irene snapped as she glanced at Gavin and James. “Nothing happened. I wasn’t expecting to see him, here. I didn’t know he and Gavin were acquainted.”
“Yes, they’ve known each other a long time, and they’re very close. JJ would come from California every two weeks to see Gavin when he was in the hospital and even after he got home,” Amy said, watching Irene closely.