Heart Matters

by tani shane

  Jessica’s mouth fell open. The woman had some audacity to talk like that! She wanted to lash out at her but forced herself to remain calm. “Hello, Ida. What are you doing in this part of the world?”

  Venomous green eyes hardened over her. Ida had lost her affected smile and easy manner. She went past Sean and Niki to stand before Jessica. “I’m not here to sweet talk with you, Jessi darling. I will never understand how you tricked Steven into marrying you. Why you even managed to get him out of the country before the wedding just so I couldn’t talk to him!”

  She reached into her purse for a lighter. She lit a cigarette that was already in her hand before drawing a deep puff from it. It seemed to calm her and she blew out the smoke leisurely. “It’s not your fault, Jessi darling. I know you were afraid I’d get him. But you haven’t won yet. He’s still mine. As soon as he knows I’ve come to him, you’re out the door.”

  With an effort, Jessica kept calm, telling herself not to listen to the other woman’s blabber. But she couldn’t help a shred of doubt from invading her insecure heart. What if Ida was right? What if Steven still loved her? What if they met and decided to start all over again? What if Steven…Steven left her for this woman? No! she screamed silently, he couldn’t leave her after what they had shared! What indeed had they shared? a treacherous voice mocked her. A few passionate moments in each other’s arms? That could never match up to a lifetime’s loving.

  “Ida, I think that’s enough!” Sean warned, coming between the two women.

  “This doesn’t concern you, little boy,” Ida drawled, her vehement manner dropping abruptly.

  “I know it doesn’t but Steven isn’t around right now, so why don’t you come back later.”

  His declaration clearly startled her. “His secretary told me he’d be here.”

  “He was but he’s back in L.A. right now.”

  Uncertain green eyes glared at him. “I know you’re trying to keep him away from me but I’m not going to be persuaded to leave so easily.” She tossed her gorgeous hair and turned to leave. “If Steven had been around, I’d be a very welcome guest here. Since he’s not, I’ll be staying at ‘Carlton’s’. And trust me when I say, I’ll know the moment he’s back.” She glided away gracefully without further talk, leaving three very agitated people behind.

  Sean threw a worried glance at Jessica. “You okay?”

  She nodded not trusting her voice. Okay? She was far from okay. She was frightened, confused and anxious. Ida was a very determined woman. She had left Steven once and hurt him deliberately so that he could never love again. Frankly, Jessica was alarmed. How could she ever match up to such a woman? She had nothing with which to hold on to Steven. Their relationship was on a purely physical basis. It could be broken easily especially given a choice like Ida.

  Jessica’s heart was heavy with dread when she retired to her room that night. The bed albeit with fresh sheets, was laced with the smells of her lovemaking with Steven. She clung desperately to pillows that carried his male fragrance. Why had she fallen in love with him? Perhaps if she hadn’t, it wouldn’t be difficult to let him go.

  Why were women so weak? A man just had to show them some attention and they readily made them the center of their lives. Self-pitying tears welled in her eyes, flowing freely onto the pillow. Why did she love Steven? What did she know about him as a person? For heaven’s sake, she didn’t even know how he liked his coffee! How could she love a man she knew so little about?

  Jessica wanted to be angry with herself for her weakness instead she was miserable. She wondered why she had not cried for Adam in this manner. Why had she not felt like her world was falling apart when they had parted ways? There was only one explanation. She had never loved him in the true sense. She had made herself to believe she did partially because of her defiance towards Jeff and partially because she wanted to be plain selfish. She had been so obsessed with the thought of saving her company that she had led herself to believe she loved Adam.

  And Ty, oh sweet Ty; part of her could never stop loving him. But what she felt for him was an infatuation from her youth; a reverence to her super hero. In comparison, her love for Steven had been like a slowly blossoming flower. Now, when she recalled the way she had slammed into his hard chest the night of Niki’s party, she knew she was almost in love with him then. When he had drawn her in his arms on the dance floor, she was falling hopelessly in love with him. And when he had kissed her and she had surrendered in his arms, she was already in love with him.

  Their marriage would’ve been a great success. He didn’t have to know that she loved him and they could’ve enjoyed their time together and had a couple of children. But Ida was suddenly into their lives and Jessica stood to lose the man she loved to her.

  The thought hurt but she couldn’t change her feelings. She loved Steven and ironically, if he left her she knew she could never love another man.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The pictures that slid out of the envelope had Steven narrowing his eyes. Even before he could properly see them, he knew it had something to do with Jessica. He picked up the first picture and sucked in his breath sharply.

  It showed Jessica sitting in a café with a handsome man who was probably in his late thirties or early forties. He was holding her hand in his and seemed to be kissing it.

  The next picture was of them sitting at the waterfront. The picture was taken from behind and it showed Jessica nestled against the man.

  The third showed her sitting in his lap, her head cradled under his chin.

  The fourth of them standing, her beautiful face titled towards him with a flirtatious smile while his hands held her waist.

  The last showed them of walking away hand in hand.

  Steven placed the pictures down, settling back in his seat, a vein working rapidly in his temple. Several questions raged through his restless mind. They all were related to the pangs of jealous rage he felt coursing through his blood. Jessica, his Jessica, his wife with some other man! What the hell was going on?

  He glanced at the man again, instantly annoyed with his familiarity with Jessica. How had Jessica left this part out? Who was he? How did she know him?

  He picked up the picture that showed her smiling up at the man and suddenly knew who he was. Ty! Mark ‘Ty’ Sebastian; her best friend, her confidante. Why was she meeting him? Were they having an affair?

  Steven stared out of his jet’s window, absently shaking his head. Jessica’s confession last night was genuine enough to let him know she wasn’t having an affair. Her sincere love-making was real enough. No, it was something else. Something she wasn’t telling him. Something she felt she could share only with Mark.

  Setting the jealous feelings aside, he addressed one very important question. Who had a bone to pick with Jessica? Who had taken the pictures and ensured it reach him? Who was this unseen enemy and what was his next step?

  One thing was for sure, this time around, Steven would ensure he would get Jessica to trust and turn to him and not Mark Sebastian. With that, he reached for his cellular and got in touch with Joe Strauss.

  ***

  The turmoil of the sea under the wrath of a storm reflected in Jessica’s relentless gaze at the tranquil waters of the Pacific Ocean. There were faint shadows under her eyes, evidence of the sleepless nights she had spent waiting for Steven to return. She could have called him easily over the phone but she did not fancy a long distance confrontation. Instead, she waited patiently for his return, spending her free hours on the beach either swimming or walking. Niki and Sean had tried to cheer her up but she had brushed aside all their efforts and chosen to remain aloof.

  Now she sat on the edge of her beach mat angry with herself for wallowing in self-pity. She deserved all she was going to get from Steven for falling for him. What had she expected from their arrangement? Everlasting fidelity? She shook her head rising to her feet. Her injury had almost healed in the four days that had passed by and she could now walk easily. Y
ou cry too much, she told herself, that’s your problem. Haven’t you heard, laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone?

  She headed for the surf with that last thought and dove into the welcoming waters. She floated about lazily, delighting in the feel of the salty spray. Overhead the early morning sun was already warm and she closed her eyes against its glare.

  A shadow fell across her and she opened her eyes squinting in reflex. She saw no one but turned upright frowning. She looked around in the clear water and gasped when she saw a dark shape underneath. It was heading for her! Good lord, was it a shark? She controlled the urge to make a lunge for the shore aware that she would only excite the fish. Her eyes closed on impulse and when she felt something bump against her, she almost screamed out aloud. But when a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist, she did scream.

  She was pulled forward to collide into a muscled wall and she found herself staring into determined blue eyes before her mouth was caught in a passionate kiss. Carried by the waves, her legs rammed against powerful ones, entangling of their own accord.

  “Hi, sweetheart,” Steven murmured against her wet ear, nibbling at her sensitive lobe. “Missed me?”

  “Steven! You almost gave me a heart attack!”

  He grinned at her, holding her close. “You thought I was a shark, didn’t you?”

  “Yes,” she admitted weakly, conscious of the way the waves kept slamming her body into his. An unspoken message passed between them and he lifted her to mould her more intimately to him. Her legs wrapped behind his waist feeling the length of his desire and their lips clung hungrily.

  He kept her straddled around his waist and walked out of the water to the edge where the wet sand began. The deep blue of his eyes spoke of his urgent desire for her. He was away from her for only four days but he felt like a man starving for centuries. His need to touch her, to bury himself deep in her was so strong that he could hardly contain his excitement.

  He spread her sarong on the sand before laying her on it. He was upon her in an instant, kissing her urgently even as his fingers drew away her flimsy bikini bottom. Parting her willing legs, he sought her warm entrance and plunged in with a cry. She reached for him with a similar frenzy, matching his wild thrusts with her own desperate ones.

  Steven lost himself into his wife with one last thrust, wanting to claim her somehow forever. He remained joined with her, nuzzling her neck with small kisses. “Mine, all mine,” he whispered against her salty skin.

  She stared up at his guileless depths, wondering at the desperation in his voice. “Steven, what is it?”

  His eyes reflected untold emotions as they gazed down into hers. “Say it.”

  “Say what?”

  “That you’re mine forever. That you won’t leave me for another man.”

  Jessica blinked in surprise. What had overcome this handsome husband of hers that he was suddenly so insecure about her? She touched his cheek gently, a smile playing at her lips. “You already know I’m all yours Steven.” She hugged him to her, her heart all at once heavy. Steven wanted her. Really wanted her! Now she didn’t have to worry about Ida any more. “I’ll never leave you, my darling.”

  She felt him sigh and giggled. “Thank god this is a private beach!”

  The sun shone off his honey blond hair as he chuckled and rolled off her. “Yea, affluence has its perks, doesn’t it?”

  She watched him sideways with a sly smile. “You sure we’re completely unseen here?”

  “Yes, hon.” He caught her smile. “What’s on your mind?”

  “This.” She rose and straddled him much to his surprise, grinding her bottom over his limp state. He went hard immediately and she guided him deep within her. Her head fell back as she began riding him, his hands holding her bottom.

  A deep groan escaped Steven’s lips as he bucked under her, striving to give her all that she wanted. “God, Jessica! I’m never going to have enough of you.”

  For an answer, she rode him with frenzied passion till they both exploded around each other and she collapsed on his chest thoroughly spent. His heart thudded under her ear and she felt the heavens were a witness to their love. Love, yes, this was love.

  Steven kissed her hair, his arms around her in a tight embrace. “Come on, let’s get out of here. I told Keon to serve breakfast for us. I don’t want to stand him up a second time.” He dropped a gentle kiss on her lips. “Don’t think the day’s over, darling.” She shivered in the sunlight, savoring the unspoken promise.

  ***

  At the villa, Keon was waiting for Steven with a call on the phone and Jessica went ahead for a quick bath and returned downstairs, glowing with happiness. She wore a cotton wrap around floral skirt with a cool blouse that she knotted over her waist. She tied her wild hair back with a tight string and kept her face free of makeup. When she entered the dining room, she found him seated on a chair drinking coffee from a large cup. He had taken a shower in one of the spare bathrooms and was dressed in khaki trousers and a white tennis shirt. His casual attire made him look even more devastatingly handsome and Jessica felt her heart go out to him. She knew she would always cherish this picture and wished then she could love him openly.

  He noticed her and smiled holding out his hand. “Come here.” She went to him and he sat her on his lap. “What are you thinking?” She couldn’t answer him for she was afraid the truth might break the magical moment. Instead, she lifted the towel that hung about his shoulders and used it to rub the excess moisture off his hair.

  Steven gazed at her perturbed by the emotions that rose within him. Why did he feel as though he could never let her go? Why did he feel a special bond with her that he had never felt with any other woman? Why? Why was she so special? “Jessica, darling?” he called out to her and when she looked at him with her smoky eyes, he felt a stab of pain in his heart. “What are you doing to me?”

  She smiled wryly, tracing his mouth with her finger. “The same I hope that you have done to me.”

  The blue eyes widened, surprised. “And what’s that?”

  She wanted to say ‘love’ but instead kissed him tenderly. He kissed her back, drawing her in the secure world of his arms.

  “Why, isn’t this pretty!” a familiar voice interrupted them and Jessica felt Steven tense. He lifted his mouth from hers to find Ida’s venomous eyes staring at them. “Hello, Steve.”

  Steven’s face wore a harsh look as he faced Ida. “What are you doing here?” he hissed through his clenched teeth.

  She pouted beautifully, coming into the room with a provocative gait. “I know you said we could meet later but I couldn’t wait, darling.”

  Jessica searched Steven’s face, a sudden empty feeling passing over her. He avoided her eyes and instead nudged her aside to go and stand before Ida. “What is it?” he growled roughly.

  She snaked her arms around his neck. “Aw! Is this the way to greet old friends?” She raised her lips to him. “Don’t I get a kiss?”

  “Sure,” he returned, placing a chaste kiss on her cheek. He reached to release himself from her arms. “Now, why don’t you get back to your hotel? I’ll see you there later.”

  “Is that a promise,” she drawled seductively.

  “Yes, now go!”

  She made to move closer to him but he held her back. “Steve, please kiss me!”

  He scowled furiously, his blue eyes hard as stones. “What the hell is the matter with you, Ida?”

  She clung to him desperately. “I want you, Steve. I know you still love me!”

  His lips hardened in a dangerous line. “Ida, I don’t want to discuss anything with you right now.”

  She was relentless. “Oh, I know all about your so called marriage! It’s a sham!” She scoffed at Jessica with her eyes. “You don’t love her, I know that! You can’t love anyone but me.”

  He glared at her getting impatient. “I have not asked you to analyze my feelings for anyone, Ida.”

  A p
ained look shone in her eyes. “What has happened to you, Steve? You love me! I told Davie you did and he was so jealous! He begged me to stay but I came to you! And now you’re telling me, you don’t want me?”

  “Call for you, Steve, long distance,” Niki announced coming into the dining room and he strode away looking furious.

  Left alone with the cousins, Ida glowered threateningly. “I see you’ve got under his skin,” she accused Jessica, “But it won’t last for long. He still loves me! Why do you think he agreed to meet me at my hotel? I just spoke with him and he said he would come to me as soon as he could. He’s here for me, you hear? He’s just playing up to you because of the marriage condition you have with him. You see I happen to know Steve is very ambitious!”

  “Oh, shut up!” Niki exploded, failing to keep her cool, “You’re living in a dream world, Ida. Life moves on, you know?”

  Steven returned slowly and Jessica caught the exasperated look on his face before it was replaced by a lighthearted smile. “Well, ladies, how about lunch? Niki, where’s Sean?”

  “Left for the beach a while ago, he’s starting a new painting,” Niki replied exchanging a quick look with Jessica. She too had noticed the sudden change in his attitude. He was behaving as though some great burden was thrust upon him and he didn’t quite know how to handle it.

  Steven looked like he was about to explode but kept smiling till Jessica felt the urge to go and slap him. He looked around agitatedly. “Where’s Keon?” he asked as if expecting the butler to be hiding behind some furniture in the room.

  “Out sight-seeing,” Niki offered sarcastically, folding her arms.

  “All right then,” he said absently, shoving his hands in his trousers pockets. “Care for a drink anyone? Come on, Ida, you’re invited to stay.” Ida was only too willing to take the offer and shot a meaningful glance at Jessica. She put her arm through Steven’s eying him longingly. He raised his brows at the cousins. “Well? Aren’t you joining us for a drink?”