by Every, Donna
Shari was delighted to find that her room had a mahogany four poster bed and a bench at the foot with bolster cushions. Her bathroom was pure luxury with a claw foot tub as well as a modern shower with multiple jets coming from the walls.
Leaving her room, she peered through Nick’s open door and found him enjoying the view of the pool and deck. She knocked to alert him that she was coming in.
“This is …”
“Amazing,” Nick finished for her. Shari stuck out her tongue childishly at him.
“But it is. Look at that pool deck. It’s perfect for your party.”
“Yes. That’s what made me choose this one, but there are so many other gorgeous properties and some can sleep up to seventeen people.”
“I’ll go and call my mother and then I think I’ll try out the pool. It looks wonderful.”
“I’ll join you. You look wonderful.”
Shari threw a flirty glance over her shoulder as she sauntered out of his room. Nick was very glad that she had decided to come. There wouldn’t be a dull moment.
Chapter 29
Nick decided that it would be easier to send a car for Shari’s mum and bring her to the villa rather than trying to find his way to where she was staying. He dressed in a pair of shorts and a light cotton shirt and pushed his feet into a pair of boat shoes. He was dressing for the weather rather than to impress her, although he hoped to impress her enough to win her to his side in his campaign to get Shari. He supposed he should define what that meant. OK, marry Shari. He wanted to marry her. Seeing her with his family had shown him what he really wanted. They said that the third time was lucky.
He was on his way downstairs when he heard excited laughter and talking. He guessed that Shari’s mum had arrived. He stood for a few moments watching them together and smiled as Shari excitedly pointed out the many wonderful features of the house.
“Welcome,” he said, entering the foyer which led off in three different directions.
Shari’s mum turned around and presented him with an older version of her daughter. If that’s what Shari looked like in twenty years he would have chosen well. Her mum looked like forty-five, although she was probably over fifty. She was wearing a floral summer dress and looked as elegant as her daughter did in her white sundress and sandals.
“Nick. So glad to meet you at last.” She folded him into a hug, not the least intimidated by who he was.
“I’m glad to meet the woman who has been praying for me. I’d like to tell you that your prayers are working.”
“Praise the Lord!” she exclaimed, smiling. Nick couldn’t help but smile back.
“Do you want a tour, Ma? After that we can chat. There’s so much to tell you.”
“Does that include me or will you be talking about me?”
Shari and her mother laughed.
“We’ll talk about you when we tour and then meet back up.” Shari compromised.
“Only the good things,” he cautioned Shari, giving her a quick hug. Her mother looked on with a smile.
“This is Nick’s room and mine is right next door, but, don’t worry, we’ve been very good.”
“You’re a grown woman, Shari, so I know that you will try to do the right thing, but try not to play with fire.”
Tell me about it, thought Shari.
“I know, Ma, but Nick’s been wonderful. He really seems to have changed so keep praying. He told me that he started walking with the Lord when he was a teenager, but he’s fallen away. I don’t think that he’s far from coming back, though. We just have to keep praying.”
“I will. I can see that things have changed between you and Nick. So much for ‘I would never fall for someone like Nick Badley! He’s not my type and I’m definitely not his.’ ” Her mother laughed, making Shari pull a face at her.
“You have my permission to say ‘never say never’. Ma, I think I love him, but I’m afraid to get hurt again and Nick doesn’t have the best track record. I don’t know if he’s really changed or if he thinks he has. Sometimes it seems impossible for a relationship to work between us. Our lives are just so different.”
“Don’t worry, dear. What’s impossible with man is possible with God.”
“Thanks, Ma. I guess I needed to hear that. My trust level is pretty shaky right now, even to the point where I’ve forgotten to trust God. If he’s brought us together, he’ll work it out.”
“Amen to that.”
They ended their tour of the house by the pool and joined Nick for glasses of blended fruit punch. Nick was reading a copy of the Ins and Outs of Barbados, a magazine which was a source of good information of all the things they could do on the island.
“Had a nice chat?”
“Absolutely! What are you planning for us to do?” Shari asked, sipping her cold drink.
“We don’t have a lot of time, but we can do Harrison’s Cave, or swim with the turtles, or go on a submarine. Or we could just vegetate here.”
“Maybe a bit of all.”
“I hear that you’re having a big party on New Year’s Eve, Nick.”
“Yes. It will be a paparazzi paradise. I don’t know who’s been invited, but I know it’s over a hundred people. Some are friends and others are acquaintances. I understand that Rihanna is home for Christmas so she’ll probably be here.”
“You’re kidding!” Shari’s mum exclaimed. “How exciting!”
Shari suddenly realized what the party would be like. A house full of celebrities! It would truly be baptism by fire and would show her whether or not she could really live in Nick’s world.
December 30
I’m in Barbados! I can hardly believe it. We’re staying in the most amazing villa. Nick would tease me if he saw what I just wrote because he says that “amazing” is my favorite word. He’s been so good. My mother came to visit yesterday and they got on as if they were old friends. She reminded me that although things seemed impossible, as if they could never work, nothing is impossible for God. So I’m clinging to that.
We went to St. Nicholas Abbey today. Wow! I felt as if I was transported back in time to another era. It was built in 1656 in the Jacobean style and is one of only three remaining in the western hemisphere. The second one is also in Barbados, that’s Drax Hall, and the last one is in Virginia.
There was an outdoor kitchen where the slaves used to prepare all the food and elaborate plantation feasts. Apparently, they had to have the kitchens separate from the house in case of fire. I could just picture the poor slaves over the boiling pots and stone ovens, sweating away as they worked.
They also have over 200 acres planted in sugar cane and a small processing factory which produces sugar and rum. We sampled the rum and it had me reeling. Nick was totally unaffected, of course; after all, he’s been known to drink five and more drinks in a night on the town. Or he used to. Alcohol is not a good idea for me, though; it causes me to want to throw caution to the wind and just let Nick have his way. Not that he’s tried to have his way. Not once! I’m wondering what on earth is going on.
Steve and Brad and their wives arrived this afternoon. It will be fun to have some other women around. We can go shopping together and do things that the men wouldn’t want to do.
Tomorrow is the party so we’re not going anywhere. I don’t know how I feel about it, to tell the truth. I think I would prefer if Nick wasn’t having it, but that’s ridiculous. I’ll be fine. It’s just that he’s had a break from that life for two weeks and he’s been wonderful. I guess I’m wondering if the party will cause the old Nick to show up again. I’ll know tomorrow night. Based on the newspaper this morning, several of the celebrities have already landed on the island and more are probably due in today and tomorrow. I may even get to meet Rihanna. What a groupie I’ve become.
Wow, I’ve written pages. More after the party.
Shari opened the door to Nick’s knock, pausing dramatically in the entrance and was rewarded by the flare of desire that lit his eyes. Her mother’s warning
not to play with fire flashed through her mind, but she didn’t allow it to take root. She was old enough to handle fire responsibly.
“Wow!” Nick was almost speechless. His gaze travelled from her wild, curly hair, dramatic eyebrows and deep red lipstick to her strapless satin dress in a matching red. It hugged her from breast to thighs at which point a split started, ending just above her five-inch black stilettos.
“Do you approve?” Her tone was flirtatious and she bent a wrist to show off the bracelet he had given her for Christmas. Red fingernails flashed at him.
“Definitely. Just one thing is missing.” He reached into the pocket of his black tuxedo and pulled out something in a small draw-string bag. Shari was distracted by how good he looked in his tux since she had never seen him formally dressed.
“What’s that?” She asked distractedly, straightening his bow tie. He poured something out of the bag and held it up. It was a stunning diamond necklace with each diamond nestled in a small leaf made of white gold. She couldn’t begin to imagine how much it had cost.
“Nick. I can’t wear that. It must have cost a fortune. What if I lose it?”
Nick laughed as he turned her around to fasten it around her neck. He couldn’t resist, and didn’t try, as he pulled her back against him and nibbled the curve where her neck met her shoulder. Shari would have collapsed on the floor in a pile of red satin if Nick was not holding her up. Desire immediately pooled in her belly.
Nick turned her around and their lips met wildly, as if they had been starving for each other. They had. They hadn’t kissed since…Shari couldn’t remember when. Nick held her head in place while he reacquainted himself with her mouth. Shari felt as if she was drowning in sensations and restlessly plunged her fingers through Nick’s immaculately combed hair. Nick urged her closer until Shari could feel the button of his tuxedo pressing against her tummy. Not even the slight discomfort deterred her from molding herself to him.
“Shari, are you read–?” Marie, Steve’s wife, halted on the threshold at the sight of Shari and Nick in a passionate embrace. “Sorry.” She backed away from the door.
Shari pulled out of Nick’s embrace, breathing as if she had just raced up the stairs. She was pleased to find that Nick was no more composed than she was. His hair had been totally mussed up by her marauding fingers and her lipstick was smeared all over his mouth. She figured that hers must look the same.
“Sorry, Shari. I didn’t mean to –”
Shari held up a hand to stop Nick’s words.
“I’d be a hypocrite if I let you apologize, Nick. I wanted you to kiss me. I was wondering why you weren’t kissing me or trying to come on to me.”
“Now you know why. What’s between us is too explosive and we’re only kissing. I can’t do this, Shari. It’s killing me. I can’t be this close to you and not touch you, not want to explore you and give you the fulfillment you say you never had.”
“Please, Nick. You’re not helping the situation here. It’s hard enough as it is.”
“Tell me about it,” agreed Nick. “I’m going to tidy up. I’ll see you downstairs, away from beds. You may need to put on some more lipstick.” And he was gone, closing the door behind him.
Shari collapsed on the bed, crossing her hands over her tummy as if in agony.
Help me, Lord. Deliver me from this temptation.
By the time Shari repaired the damages that had been done and got downstairs the first guests had already arrived. They were local celebrities that Lily thought it good to invite. Soon the pool deck was filled with rock stars, pop stars and movie stars, most of whom had bodyguards who lurked in the shadows conversing with one another and keeping an eye on their charges.
In Shari’s opinion, they were unnecessary in Barbados because she had found Barbadians to be quite reserved and unlikely to accost a celebrity. Nick held her hand and introduced her to people that she had seen only in the entertainment news or in movies and music videos. She found it surprisingly easy to talk to them, finding common topics to talk about. When Nick shared that she was making a documentary about him she suddenly became quite sought after. A documentary was, after all, great PR.
A bevy of waiters and waitresses passed out all manner of hors d’oeuvres which were a precursor to the meal that would be served later. A champagne fountain provided a constant flow of bubbly and waiters delivered drinks to those whose tastes didn’t run to champagne. Shari wasn’t really a lover of champagne, but it was easier to hold her glass under the fountain than to wait for a waiter to appear. There would be fireworks at midnight and breakfast at dawn for anyone who was still there.
She looked around for Nick and saw him talking to Rihanna who had recently arrived. He gestured her to come over and introduced them saying, “This is my friend Shari. She’s from the US, but she’s got Barbadian roots.” That started an interesting conversation about the history of Barbados and the preference that many of the plantation owners had for their colored mistresses and their slaves which resulted in a society of mixed races.
“That explains my attraction to you,” Nick murmured in her ear when they were alone again.
“Nick, that is in poor taste. Many of those women didn’t have any choice but to submit to their master and some became their mistresses so that they could improve their living conditions.”
“That’s still very present today,” he countered. Shari couldn’t deny it. She just hoped that Nick didn’t think that was what she was trying to do. Surely he should know her better than that.
The traditional countdown began shortly after that and Nick pulled her to him and kissed her chastely on the lips as “Auld Lang Syne” blared from the speakers. Fireworks shot into the heavens in a glorious array of colors, each one more amazing than the next, ushering in the New Year. Shari wondered what it would have in store.
By four o’clock Shari was dying for her bed. The party had been great; not at all as intimidating as she had thought it might be. She had danced more than she had in recent times and she would take pleasure in telling some of her girlfriends about the celebrities she had danced and chatted with. It was surreal. Of course she’d also danced with Nick who made sure that he grabbed her only when an up-tempo song was playing. They’d had enough temptation for the night.
He had been very attentive all evening, constantly checking to make sure that she was OK and having a good time. He talked to several women, but she didn’t notice him having any particular interest in them and he didn’t seem to have drunk very much either.
When the last guest had left around five, Shari staggered to one of the lounge chairs in the pool house and collapsed on it, relieved to be off her feet. Steve and Marie and Brad and Michele had gone to bed around four and, although Nick had assured Shari that she didn’t have to stay up, she felt that she was acting as the hostess and therefore should stick around until the last person left.
Nick sat near the end of the lounge chair and put Shari’s feet on his lap. He slipped off her shoes and began to gently massage her aching feet. Shari could barely restrain groans of pleasure as he rubbed each toe and then her arches.
“I think you missed your calling,” she purred. Nick laughed. “Great party, by the way. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, it wasn’t bad at all. I had a good time and I wasn’t at all intimidated by the who’s who.”
“I didn’t expect you to be, Shari. After all, if I couldn’t impress you, who could?” She laughed tiredly in agreement. “So I know that you could easily flow in my world and I can flow in yours. I love you, Shari. Every day I find something else to love about you. Marry me. Take a chance on me.”
Shari did not see that coming. She knew that Nick was attracted to her and seemed to enjoy her company, but she hadn’t been sure where it was all leading to. She loved Nick and was very tempted to just say “yes”, but in her heart she knew that she couldn’t commit to marrying Nick while he was still living according to his own ways rather than God’s.
> “Nick, I love you too.” She sat up and leaned towards him in her desire to make him understand her heart. “It’s been growing on me a long time, but I knew for sure from the time Jessie crawled onto your lap and you hugged her. And definitely when you called her and Haley over and hugged them after Haley dropped her bombshell.” They laughed reminiscently. “But you know about being unevenly yoked and all that.” Nick nodded. “Then I don’t have to say any more.”
Her heart felt heavy and she desperately wanted Nick to say that he would turn his life over to God again, but he wasn’t at that place yet and she knew that she couldn’t force him.
“So is that a ‘no’?” He sounded as heavy as she felt.
“I’m afraid it has to be,” she confirmed sadly.
January 2
Miami Herald
The place to be for New Year’s Eve was the beautiful island of Barbados where our sources informed us that Nick Badley rented a villa and had a party that rocked the island. The guest list read like the Who’s Who of music and film and local girl Rihanna also rang out the old and rang in the new there.
Nick Badley was apparently very close to beautiful journalist Shari Goodwin who is working on a documentary about the bad boy rock star. Or should we say ‘former bad boy’? Does the song “I’m Not the Same” that he sang at the Garden and the fact that he has not been seen on the town recently mean that the relationship is serious? Could Nick Badley be going for marriage number three?
Tim carefully folded up the paper. He didn’t want Sarah to see that he’d been reading the article about Nick. It seemed that the b--- was still around. He knew that Nick had been sampling it even though he denied it. Well, it was time to stir up the pot. Ms. Shari Goodwin would not be wife number three and Nick would not be enjoying fame and fortune while he was struggling to pick up the pieces of his life. Nick would soon be too busy trying to extricate himself from some perfectly concocted dirt to be thinking about marriage. In fact, if all went according to plan, he’d be trying to figure out how to get out of jail in less than ten or so years.