“You’re still married to James!” It was not a question. “After all this time and all that you’ve told me about him, you’re still his wife?”
Surprise and distaste registered on Storm’s face for a half-a-second before she cleverly seized the opportunity. Looking guilty and forlorn, she whispered, “Yes, I’m still married. Shane needed a father.” As the words left her mouth, she realized that she was officially making her acting debut. “The marriage had problems from the start.” She continued warming to the charade. “Things went wrong very early in the relationship, but that just goes to prove that marriages based on even the best intentions are destined to fail.” There was a message in that statement just for him.
The message went completely over Cairo’s head.
“Divorce him!” He ordered. “Divorce him and do it soon.” He said his mind already accommodating the new change in plans. “The longer I make my son wait for his wishes, the more ruthless I will be. I always get what I want, Jessica. You will learn that.”
At her shocked expression he said, “C’mon Jessica, did you really think I would let something as trivial as an abandoned husband stand in my way?” His short humorless laugh was chilling. “I underestimated you a second time, but I won’t do it again. Your revelation is simply a temporary setback. Maybe we won’t be married today, but we will be married, believe me.”
Storm did believe him; and that was what made her so afraid.
Cairo, who was unaware of her turmoil, surprised her by kissing her gently on the lips. “I’ll tell the preacher there will be no wedding, at least not today.”
With the touch of his mouth on hers, Storm had to control the urge to tell him she had changed her mind. Instead, she wrapped her right arm around her waist to stop her body from shaking.
“Call your lawyer and start the divorce proceedings. We are going to be together, James or no James.”
With the seemingly innocuous statement hanging in the air, Storm watched Cairo leave the room. All the time she had been in Jamaica she had pursued him. Now it seemed because of Shane’s innocent wish, she was now the one being pursued. What a dilemma, she thought. How did she go about sabotaging something that she desperately wanted?
“Tyrone you have to help me.” Storm rushed into his office as soon as it was daylight. The form flattering baby blue top and white shorts she wore against her golden skin helped to distract from her red-rimmed eyes. After Cairo had left her she’d spent the rest of the night crying. Her green eyes no longer sparkled; a dull sheen of apprehension had replaced it.
“Please Storm, don’t come in here and attempt to put me in the middle of your battle with Cairo.” He said before she even finished speaking. “What he found out yesterday nearly destroyed him; don’t ask me to do anything that will add to his pain. As much as I like you, I will not help you deceive him, again.”
Storm was dismayed at Tyrone’s words. If anyone could make Cairo see reason, it was his cousin. Yet he refused to help her. Storm couldn’t blame him; she knew exactly whom Tyrone was loyal to.
“So tell me, Ty. Do you hate me as well? I’m sure you’ve heard the whole story by now.”
Although Tyrone’s face was solemn, his gentle golden-brown eyes were warm as he looked at her.
“Yes, I’ve heard about the new addition to the family. If I was shocked, I can just imagine how Cairo must have felt. It’s not something he will easily get over.” He said without judgment.
“I know I can’t hope for his forgiveness, but believe me Ty, I never planned to keep Shane a secret.”
“No need to explain to me, Storm. I understand your position, but you have to understand Cairo’s. He has a son now and he’s not the type of man to take that lightly. One minute he was a bachelor with no responsibilities, and the next, he has a family. Believe me, it’s a lot to take in, and to take on, but Cairo is ready. He might not have asked you to marry him in the way you would have liked, but he was sincere. He wants a family with you. It’s killing him to know that you belong to someone else.”
“I want to believe you, Tyrone.” Storm said miserably. “But I was so close to having his heart before all this happened. I don’t think he’ll ever let me get close to him again.”
Tyrone walked from behind his desk and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Storm, I know Cairo better than he knows himself. Don’t lose faith in him. The shield he has put around his heart is fragile at best.”
Tyrone gave her a quick hug and then pushed her toward the door. “Cairo’s emotional defenses can’t survive a Storm. He’s on the beach with Shane. Go get him kid. I’m rooting for you.”
Shielding her eyes from the sun, Storm watched as Shane ran on the beach, his small sturdy legs flashing quickly beneath him. Frisbee in hand, he weaved and ducked squealing loudly as his father pursued him. Cairo dressed in white linen pants folded to the knees and an ivory shirt half unbuttoned down the front, was chasing Shane. His muscular calves contracted and clenched as he ran. Storm felt weak watching him. She wished he realized how much she wanted to be a part of his life, how much their passion had changed her. Until he made love to her on the summit, she hadn’t realized how much her life was missing without him; she hadn’t realized that she had been merely existing, and not really living. The realization that she couldn’t go back to her old life rocked her.
“Mommy, you’re awake!” Shane, who always had radar where she was concerned, abandoned the game with Cairo and ran to her. He made a flying leap into her arms. Storm caught him but landed on her back in the sand for her efforts.
Shane straddled her. “We thought you would sleep forever.” Her son chastised her.
“It’s only nine-thirty, Shane.” Storm laughed, realizing how much like Cairo her son actually was. “You couldn’t have been waiting that long.”
“Nine-thirty in New York is not nine-thirty here, mommy.” He protested. “The sun is hot and the birds are singing. How can you sleep through that?”
“Very easily, son.” She pinched his plump cheeks.
Shane guffawed at the weak explanation and rolled off her. Instead of getting up to face Cairo, Storm remained lying on her back looking up into the clear azure blue sky. It wasn’t long before Cairo’s solemn face came into her line of vision.
“Can I help you up?” He offered his hand and Storm warily took it. She had no idea how his mood would be this morning. She stole a shy look at him from under her lashes. He was watching her intently, his face betraying no emotion. Storm would have preferred if he yelled at her, raged and called her names, at least then she would know what to expect. She was on new and uncharted territory. As he stared at her, Storm struggled to find something to say. In the end, he was the first to speak.
“How are you feeling?”
“Do you really want to know or are you just making conversation?” She asked holding his gaze.
Cairo shoved his hands in his pockets and turned his head in the direction of the water before he answered.
“I really want to know.” He said finally.
The way he had rejected her touch last night should have taught Storm prudence, but it hadn’t. She was a slow learner at best. Stepping closer to him, she picked up his large hand and cradled it in hers; she stroked the center of his palm before she placed his hand on her cheek.
“I had an awful night.” She admitted softly. “I missed having you beside me. I woke up this morning wishing that I could have had you there.”
“You want me in your bed, Jessica?” Cairo’s body stiffened. She was so selflessly candid with her feelings and emotions. Now, as in the past, it was what he found most appealing about her. He was not naive enough to think that Storm’s words came without a motive. She wanted her son back and she would do anything to make that happen, including seducing him. He was not opposed to playing her game; he wanted his son, this mean
t he had a motive of his own.
“Do you want me?” He whispered softly, his lips brushing her ear. Caught off-guard by the intimacy of his caress, Storm could only nod. Throwing her further off balance, he took both of her hands and placed them around his waist so that she held him close.
“You can have me in your bed this night and every night if that’s what you want. Divorce your husband and marry me and we will relive the summit whenever you want. What do you say?”
She was obviously reluctant but agreed nonetheless. Her compliance pleased Cairo but he wasn’t finished with her. Hugging her close, he rubbed his lips across her forehead.
“Call your lawyer, Jessica.” He liked telling her what to do. “Call him and tell him that you want to end your marriage immediately. After you’ve done that there will be no more sleepless nights for either of us. Will you make the call for me?”
“Yes,” Storm said breathlessly.
Over the top of her head, Cairo smiled. He’d done his job. The manipulation was complete. Shane was as good as his.
The phone shrilled endlessly. Storm clutched the receiver to her ear knowing that it was unlikely that anyone would answer. Yet she pretended, pretended for herself, pretended for Shane and pretended for Cairo. If getting her life back wasn’t enough to motivate her, then the three-carat diamond solitaire that sparkled on her left hand was. The minute she had agreed to divorce James, Cairo had presented her with the rock. She had wept in his arms and he had gently stroked her hair as she cried.
“Don’t cry, Jessica. This is a happy day. The day we start over. This is the ring I should have given you six-years ago. Now it’s yours. Call your lawyer. Call him so that our lives as a family can begin.”
So she called and started a deception of her own.
“Any reputable lawyer should have an answering machine or a secretary at the very least. Why is no one answering?” Cairo stared murderously at the phone before switching his attention to her.
Storm watched as he prowled her hotel room like a caged lion. He watched her suspiciously as she sat at the desk seemingly cool and calm in the face of his impatience. Under his glare, she offered him a sheepish smile of innocent apology. In return, Cairo forced an answering smile of indulgence to his lips. Neither of them was willing to concede defeat.
Cairo took the phone from her hand and placed it to his own ear. He didn’t completely trust her. He listened for a moment longer before he dropped the receiver back in its cradle. He then hauled her out of the chair and held her securely in his arms. “Your family lawyer has to return to the office sometime. Give me the number to his office and I’ll have one of my staff call him until they get him on the line.”
“No!” Even to her own ears the denial sounded too abrupt. She wasn’t calling her lawyer. The phone number she dialed rang the empty apartment of a school friend who was overseas. She couldn’t let Cairo find out about her trickery. So Storm forced herself to relax. Snuggling closer to him, she went all soft and womanly in his arms.
“No, Cairo. I’d rather call. This is my affair and I rather deal with it on my own. You understand don’t you?” She asked nuzzling his ear.
“Of course, I understand.” He said agreeably. “This is what we’ll do. I’ll take you and Shane out and then we’ll try again tomorrow. Okay?”
Storm’s bright smile was strained. “That sounds fine.”
“Great!” Cairo said happily. Despite her attempts to stall, it seemed he was determined to get his way. In the end, one of them would get exactly what they wanted.
Chapter Eight
“Come with me, I have something to show you and Shane?” Cairo said mysteriously as he breezed into their hotel room.
“What is it, daddy?” Shane asked curiously.
“It’s a surprise.” Cairo answered. “If I tell you now, you won’t be surprised later. Don’t worry. You’ll like what I have to show you. I promise.”
Shane threw on his sneakers and was ready in the blink of an eye. Storm moved more slowly. She was wary of any surprise Cairo had in store for them. Her brow crinkled in confusion when they emerged from the hotel to see a jeep idling at the curb waiting for them. Cairo jumped into the vehicle and as soon as they were all strapped in, he gunned the engine and took off.
They traveled for about twenty minutes and no matter how much Shane plied him with questions about their destination, Cairo remained mute on the topic. Storm traveled the entire trip in silence, her confusion mounting as they traveled further and further away from the hotel. Soon the landscape changed and became populated more with lush trees and less with people. They were still in the parish of St. Thomas, but the homes were more spread out and secluded. The jeep turned onto a driveway paved with rocks instead of tar. The area seemed deserted as if the last visitor had decided never to return. Both she and Shane craned their necks to see what in this remote area could possibly be a surprise for them. Cairo threw them a look of amusement. As the jeep continued to climb higher, it seemed to Storm that their destination was the mountains seen on the horizon.
The house rose up out of nowhere. Emerging from a cocoon of trees, hills and greenery, the house startled Shane and Storm just by being there. Alone and regal, the house sat on the hilltop with a panoramic view of the beautiful turquoise sea and the lush Jamaican countryside.
“Wow, look at that.” Shane said awed by the view.
Storm was beyond words. She couldn’t speak, she just looked at the sweeping countryside. She could see for miles beyond the valley of the sea out toward the Blue Mountains.
Cairo hauled Shane into his arms and held out a hand to assist her from the jeep. Her hand closed over his, and with all of them within his grasp, he walked up the driveway and flung open the doors.
“Who lives here?” Shane asked wiggling down from his father’s embrace. He ran across the marble tiled foyer to the back of the house that faced the lush greenery and mountainous splendor for as far as the eye could see.
Before Cairo even spoke, Storm was afraid she already knew the answer.
“I live here. Well, I don’t actually live here, but the house is mine.” He explained. “It’s the house I built for my grandfather, but when your mother finally marries me, this will be our new home, if you want it to be.”
“Whoopee!” Shane yelled clapping his hands. “This is great isn’t, mommy?” He shouted running from room to room, taking her silence for agreement.
“Which one is my room?” Shane asked his mind already moving far ahead.
Cairo threw her a look of amusement over his shoulder and walked down the hall. He stopped in front of a door and threw it open. Storm, who reluctantly followed behind the pair, gasped. It was breathtaking. Huge was not the word for the room’s dimensions. It had enough room to hold three boys instead of one and it was double the size of his room back in New York. Storm’s eyes narrowed on Cairo as Shane ran around and around in the space that would be his. The fact that Cairo was showing them the home he built was no coincidence. He was reeling them in. He wasn’t finished. Gasping her hand, he dragged her down the hall and flung open another door.
“This is the master suite.” He announced giving her a light shove into the room. She was impressed against her will. It was double the size of Shane’s room, which meant it was immense. The bay windows let in the stunning Caribbean light and provided the same breathtaking view as when they first drove up. The sparkling wood floors bounced the light around the room. On one side of the room was a his-and-her bathroom suite along with a his-and-her walk in closet. It was a house built for every woman’s dream.
Behind her, Cairo kissed her shoulder then slowly made his way up to her neck. “What do you think?” He asked pressing his advantage.
Storm stepped away from the subtle persuasion of his lips before she chanced speaking. “It’s absolutely beautiful, but then you k
now that. Did you have a motive in mind when you brought us here?”
He didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “Of course I had a motive.” He admitted. “I wanted to show you that this marriage will not be like the first. I have the means to take care of you and Shane. I want you to have and enjoy everything that money can offer. I didn’t have it to offer you before, but I have it now. Everything I have is yours.”
Storm sighed heavily her resistance crumbling. Cairo was bringing out the big guns for her seduction. A part of her knew he was manipulating her but looking once again around the magnificent room and the sweeping view, she couldn’t bring herself to care. Throwing her cares to the wind, she stepped back into his arms.
“We’ll need a king-size bed. I want something big enough for us to play in.”
Cairo held her tightly and caressed her hair, reveling in its silky softness. “Your wish is my command. Stay here, my surprise isn’t over yet.” He left them to run out to the jeep. He came back bearing a huge wicker basket and a blanket he’d stowed in the trunk. He spread the blanket in the center of the empty living room and walked around the room to open the windows. Flowing white curtains, the room’s only adornment, fluttered from the slight tropical breeze and the smell of the sea drifted up from below. With a flourish Cairo opened the basket and pulled out a cooler with a bottle of Dom Perignon Rose and bottles of Ting grapefruit soda. From another thermal container he removed still warm beef and chicken patties and freshly baked cocoa bread for Shane, and spicy jerked chicken and fried dumplings for the adults. Two chilled crystal champagne flutes followed along with a plastic cup. The pièce de résistance was a homemade carrot cake with vanilla icing. Storm and Shane’s mouths were already watering.
“You really didn’t have to do this, Cairo.” Storm protested weakly staring at the basket. “You have already done so much for us.” Her gaze fastened on the warm crispy dumplings.
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