LOVE QUAKES: BOXED SET (BOOKS 1-4)

by J. S. Luxor

  “Historically, there are so many ceremonies linked to this event,” Tristan adds. We’ve both heard about the Native American rituals related to the angle of the sun at this time of year.

  “Juan’s party is the modern day equivalent of the rituals,” I joke. In the blink of an eye, we’ve arrived in La Mesa. Bailey waits for us outside on the porch.

  We enter the party but Juan’s not yet in sight. The faculty member who’s going to speak about the summer solstice greets us warmly and hands us each a brochure about the event. She gives us both a wink and directs us to a table filled with fruit, cheese and small glasses of pre-poured wine. We taste the wine. It’s tinny and cheap but not unexpected. A number of other guests are milling about and wandering through Juan’s apartment looking at the pictures with interest.

  I eat some cheddar cheese and apple slices then drink a full glass of white wine. Tristan avoids drinking altogether. As we walk arm in arm, he discusses the pictures that impress him the most. We see a few amazing pictures of stone burial sites called passage tombs that only get light at certain times of the year, like now.

  Tristan puts his arm around my shoulder and I smile up at him with pleasure. “You know, Joanna, there’s been no bribe about the yacht photos. Perhaps it wasn’t Juan who sent those pictures, after all.”

  “That’s just strange. I wonder who took and sent those intimate pictures then.”

  When we turn the corner to view Juan’s photos of the sun in the second room of the apartment, however, my chin nearly hits the floor. Much to my surprise, Juan’s displayed six small framed pictures of Tristan and me from the yacht last Sunday. They’re all so tasteful however. We look happy and content as we eat, drink, kiss and run around. Juan’s eliminated all references to our sexual foreplay. Some of the photos have been airbrushed to remove our intimate contact. Others are in color while a few are printed with a sepia tone to them.

  “I’d like to see you that way more often,” I pronounce as I point to a youthful and smiling shot of Tristan’s face. A few of the guests look at the two of us and then back to the photos as they make the connection. Those who get it, smile at us in recognition and nod when they catch our eye.

  Tristan merely huffs and then stomps out of the room. When I check to see where he’s gone, I note that he’s headed for the faculty member’s group. I gaze at Tristan across the room. He turns and looks back at me while fuming. As I’m standing there alone, Juan appears and greets me cautiously. Tristan grits his teeth and seethes from across the room.

  “Are you surprised, Joanna?” he gushes while gesturing toward the shots of us.

  “We had no idea you were there. So that’s what you were doing while we played on the deck of Tristan’s boat? How did you find us?”

  Juan blushes and stutters before beginning his story. “I drove to San Diego to confront you and Grant. I was determined to declare my love for you since I hadn’t heard a peep from you in weeks. I had nothing to lose. I was waiting outside your place when the two of you walked out of the condo and got into his car. I simply followed at a distance as Grant headed for the docks.”

  “Juan, that’s just a little stalkerish, don’t you think?”

  “Yeah, Joanna, I know it’s sounds like I’ve lost it. Well, I had lost it. I lost you after three years of pining. I was feeling desperate. I intended to confront your boyfriend and challenge him to a fight.”

  “Juan. I can’t believe you would do something so foolish. You have no idea what Tristan is capable of doing with his body and his resources.” I’m feeling nauseous as we talk.

  “I was in the throes of depression over losing you, Joanna. Believe me, being rational was not high on my priority list that day.”

  “Then, you somehow hid on board the boat and watched us while we played?”

  “When the two of you were getting the rigging uncovered and arranged, I slipped into his dinghy and hid. Tristan was so focused on you that he never noticed me.”

  “When did you begin taking pictures of us?” My stomach is in knots as we speak. This is just so wrong.

  “I peeked out when I heard the two of you laughing and clinking glasses. Believe me, I had no trouble snapping away with my lenses when you were otherwise engaged. I’m sorry, I took those photos of you topless. I thought Tristan might like them. I certainly enjoyed them.” I’m disgusted with the person before me.

  “I’m just so embarrassed that you took advantage of us that way. Believe me, Tristan loves those photos. And, I want to ask you to give me all of them.” I’m dealing with a madman I think. Therefore, I can’t alarm him in any way. Juan has gone over the edge.

  “Of course, I’ll give them all to you. I was mad with jealousy and hate that day. That’s why I sent that awful text to Tristan about you and Carmen. I know you’re not like her,” Juan says with a wistful expression on his face.

  “Why did you do it, then?” I ask with alarm.

  “I prayed that Grant would fall for it. He’s obviously crazy for you. I’d hoped to plant a seed of doubt about you and thought maybe he’d believe it and break it off with you. I’ve heard that Grant is a bit eccentric. I just wanted to know where your relationship was at.”

  “Thank goodness Tristan knows me well enough to brush off those ridiculous claims.”

  “Don’t worry, you’ll get all these pictures and more back from me. People at the party just love the pics of the two of you having such a good time together. You know, young love and all that.” Juan explains while grinning like a fool. Has he no sense of propriety?

  “Why did you decide to show pictures of Tristan and me at a summer solstice party? It’s an invasion of our privacy. You should have asked our permission.” I’m getting a bit angry now.

  “Hey, I needed to fill up more wall space. They’re summer fun pics and you two were the unwitting victims.” He jokes to hide his discomfort. He’s not fully aware of the gravity of his offense.

  “I’m so glad we inspired you, Juan,” I hiss with sarcasm while pulling back from our conversation. He spins me around and thanks me for coming to his party. I’m stunned at Juan’s lack of judgment and disregard for our privacy.

  Then Juan spots Tristan heading back toward us and states, “Looks like your lover boy may be a bit pissed off about my pictures for the summer solstice party.”

  I turn to see a thermonuclear Tristan approaching. Juan plants a kiss on my cheek. I’m stunned at his brazen move.

  “Well, if it isn’t Tristan Grant to the rescue!” Juan snarls with sarcasm.

  “Fuck off, dude,” Tristan hisses. He stands next to me and puffs out his chest. “Get your hands off her.”

  “Joanna’s a cold-hearted little thing,” Juan spits out with venom. “You must be getting a lot more than I did from her, to go toe to toe with me.”

  The contest then begins as Tristan growls. “You’re damn right I am. She’s in my bed every night Juan. She’s mine, asshole.”

  I cringe when I think of how enraged Juan must feel at the news that Tristan has been sleeping with me on a regular basis. If Juan thinks he can fight Tristan and win, I know he’s losing it. I also know that he’s trying to bate Tristan with any absurd thought that he can insert into his brain.

  “Stop it, Juan. I’m in love with Tristan Grant. He’s the only man I want. Got that?” I declare loud enough for everyone present to hear. Tristan looks at me with joy.

  Juan’s face registers shock when he realizes how close Tristan and I have become in such a short period of time. He scowls at me with fury and finally turns to Tristan.

  Juan scoffs at what I’ve just said, “She won’t be yours for long. Can’t you see that Joanna will get bored with you and your money.” That statement sends Tristan over the edge. It speaks to his deepest fears. I hope he doesn’t believe Juan’s ridiculous logic.

  He inserts himself between Juan and me. Tristan assumes his martial arts stance and quickly delivers two blows with his feet. Juan’s gut and shoulder take the brunt
of his moves. He falls backward on the wood floor of the living room. Juan’s head hits the floor then and blood spurts from the wound.

  Bailey enters the room when he hears the commotion inside Juan’s home. However, their confrontation continues when Juan attempts to rise. Bailey restrains Tristan since he appears poised to throw himself into action once again.

  “Move, Joanna,” Tristan commands. He’s glaring at Juan who’s now groaning on the floor.

  “That’s enough, Tristan. It’s over!” I try to point out. I run to my man and cradle his face between my hands. I’ve never seen him behave in such an aggressive way before. It’s a bit scary to see him so violent. I hope he realizes that Juan’s comments about me were a psychological ploy to stoke Tristan’s insecurities.

  Bailey gives a hand up to Juan and walks him away from me and Tristan. He pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and presses it to Juan’s head wound.

  I smile like a prom queen at Tristan. That seems to calm him down a bit.

  “Are you alright, baby?” I inquire. He’s breathing like someone who’s just run a mile.

  “No, I’m furious, Joanna. His pictures of us were taken without our permission and while he was breaking and entering on my personal property. I wanted to make that point clear to the faculty member who’s speaking tonight. Juan’s going to hear from my attorney.” Tristan announces with a hostile look on his face. I’m not sure the word hostile captures his look. It’s more devilish than that.

  “Then what happens with the shots on display here?” I ask with concern.

  “I’m having all of them removed. I don’t want anyone else ogling our private encounter.” So that’s what his devilish expression entailed. It’s the public exposure that Tristan’s concerned about.

  “Thank you,” I exclaim. “What are you going to do about Juan?”

  “We’ll think about that later. Right now, it’s time for us to eat and head back to San Diego. We’re going to leave, now!” he hisses and grabs my hand possessively. Tristan’s scaring me a bit. And, Juan’s hardly a person I recognize anymore.

  THE END

  FOR NOW.

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