Pierre leaned over the couch to plant a kiss on Victoria's lips, then turned to settle into the seat across from them.
“So how did last evening go, handsome? Did anyone miss me?” Victoria asked, having noted the interesting play between the two men.
Laughing, Pierre said, “They all missed you, mon amour, but not to worry, we managed to get through the evening without you.”
Jason and Victoria joined in his laughter.
After a moments pause Pierre looked straight into her eyes, “Victoria?”
“Pierre?” she replied, wondering why he was using her formal name. Her friends, family, and staff always call her Tori, although Pierre did have a couple of French pet names too. The only time he used her formal name was when he was introducing her to someone new, when there was something wrong, or if he was angry with her for some reason.
“Jason tells me you had a nightmare.”
Victoria moved quickly and neither man was expecting her to stand up and walk to the windows. With anger dripping from her voice, she demanded, “Why the fuck did you have to tell him about it?”
“It concerned me, angel. I wanted to make sure you were okay, so I spoke to Pierre.”
“You had no right to tell him about Matt. God dammit Pierre, it's no one’s fucking business, and I sure as hell don't want to talk about it now. It's been seven God damn years, why can't it just go away?”
“Victoria, listen to me.” Pierre's tone was soft, gentle. “I didn't tell him about Matt, but I think you should. I believe something special is happening between you two, and the past needs to be put to rest. You can't do that unless you tell him.”
Both men waited while she continued to stare out the windows. Her body tense, the minutes ticking by. Jason was just about ready to go to her, when her voice stopped him.
“We had just finished a late dinner at one of the clubs off the strip. It had been raining earlier in the day and some of the puddles still lingered. The sky was dark, with only a few stars shining through some brief breaks in the clouds. We had plans to leave for St. Martin on vacation, so we were discussing last minute details for running the club while we were gone. I remember the night was silent around us. It seemed we were the only people on the street, which if you think about it is strange in this city.
“The shot rang out of the darkness, shattering the quiet of a peaceful evening. I heard the impact and the rush of air as he sucked in his breath, glass crashing somewhere close by. He stood there, motionless, as if the force of the bullet hitting his chest had frozen his body in place. Then like a rag doll he fell to the ground.” Victoria paused to take a deep breath. “I knelt there beside him, silent tears running down my cheeks, as I begged God not to let him die.”
Her voice held no emotion. It was as if she were standing above the scene, telling it like a news reporter. “The sirens came screaming from every direction, and hands grabbed my waist pulling me away from the lifeless body which moments before had been my world. Voices rose above the sound of running feet, and people were shouting orders to an ambulance crew.”
*
Jason was astonished to find out Matt was dead and aghast that he had been shot to death in front of Victoria. He turned to glare accusingly at Pierre, his eyes questioned silently, why didn't you tell me? Should we stop her? With a shake of his head and the look in his eyes, Pierre let him know she needed to go on.
*
Victoria continued. “'Are you hit?' an urgent voice demanded in my ear. 'Miss, are you hit?' Again and again, the voice kept asking, as if I were capable of responding. My eyes are locked on his body, lying there on the cold pavement, so much blood, flowing in streams to the gutter. I felt myself being pulled away from death, unable to stop the arms holding me, still asking, no demanding to know if I was hit. Then thankfully the world went black.”
There was a change in her tone, her words coming out in a childish voice…
“Shattered dreams and broken glass, ever sharp the pain that lasts.
As the shards come crashing down, his lifeless body hit the ground.
Crimson blood in rivers flow, carrying away his very soul.”
“Those words played over and over in my unconscious brain. Repeating like a cruel joke, never ending. The sing-song voice was circling around me, like a child playing ring around the rosy. I'm trapped in the darkness, no light anywhere. 'Matt where are you?' I yelled into the black void surrounding me, as the sing-song repeated again.”
Shattered dreams and broken glass…
“'MATT!' I screamed with all the force of my voice, my body jolting as I came out of the deep faint which had engulfed me.”
*
Jason sat quietly, concerned by the total lack of emotion in her voice. Wondering how she ever recovered from such a terrible ordeal, then it hit him—her dream was a warning, she hadn't recovered, she'd just buried it very deep. Victoria stopped her toneless recital, as if she were waiting for one of them to speak. Neither man moved, both wanting to allow her to take a moment, but neither of them wanting her to stop. After a long pause her voice started again
*
“Standing over me was a middle-aged doctor, looking very worried, a frown etched on his forehead. Behind the doctor stood a familiar face, the pained look in his eyes bringing life to the words, which played without end in my head. I didn't want it to be true, please God don't let it be true.
Pierre folded me in his arms and held on tight as tears fell from my eyes; my body shaking as overwhelming grief spilled out into the room. It was three days before Pierre left my side. Like a small child I lay there, curled on the bed, my eyes fixed on the window, looking out as raindrops fell against the glass. I couldn't speak, didn't move, and had no desire to eat. I was willing myself to die, begging God to let me be with Matt. I heard a detective say Matt had died instantly, the bullet hitting him in the heart, but I knew it wasn't true. I had been there, I saw the instant between life and death, when he knew his life was ending. I felt the fear, the sorrow, and I felt him fall the moment life left him.”
She turned to look at Pierre. “Did you know that handsome? Did I ever tell you he didn't die instantly?”
“No, I never knew, Belle. It was a terrible time for us all, and my heart was breaking at the thought of losing you as well.”
“But you wouldn't let me die, would you? No, you made me wake up, go on. You forced me back into the land of the living, and made me whole again.” Turning back to the windows Victoria continued…
“Pierre spent hours holding me, whispering, telling me life would go on, that he couldn't allow me to die. He pleaded. One moment softly, the next yelling, then demanding, you will eat Victoria; you will come back to me. And slowly I did, life has gone on without Matt, but never like it was before that night.”
Jason stood and walked to her side, taking her shoulders and turning her body to face his. All the emotions lacking in her voice were there written on her face, tears welling in her velvety eyes. A strong desire to protect her washed over him, as he moved to take her in his arms. Standing there in front of the windows, her heartbeat fast against his chest, he held her. Stroking her hair, he waited from her emotions to calm down and as he did, her body went limp and she fainted into his arms.
Pierre rushed to help as Jason lifted her easily, carrying her to the couch and laying her down gently. Kneeling beside her, he swept the hair from her face tracing his fingers down her cheek. “Victoria!” he spoke loudly. Nothing, no eye movement, no sound, nothing.
Jason growled at Pierre to get some water, and once it was handed to him, he lifted her head to press her lips against the cool liquid. Slowly her eyes fluttered and she looked into Jason's eyes.
“Jason?” She questioned, a look of confusion crossing her features.
“Victoria?”
“I'm so sorry.”
“Sorry for what, angel?”
“For falling in love with you,” she said as her eyes closed and she fell into a deep sle
ep.
Jason sat there, a stunned expression on his face.
* * * *
Jason carried Victoria to the bedroom and laid her on the bed. Carefully he removed her dress and pulled the sheet over her body. Moving slowly he backed from the room, his eyes never leaving her face until he reached the doorway. Turning, Jason rejoined Pierre in the living room. He returned to the couch and taking his seat, dropped his head into his hands. Running his fingers through strands of red hair, he mumbled under his breath something about deserving what this woman was doing to him.
Pierre sat silently watching Hunter as he dropped his hands and leaned back into the sofa with his eyes closed. Neither man spoke for several minutes, Jason still mumbling, and Pierre waiting.
“Okay,” Jason finally said, “now I want some answers. Actually I need some answers, I want the truth, and you better not leave anything out, got it?”
“I have no reason to lie to you, but remember at the moment I'm as confused as you are.”
“Fair enough. So tell me about after Matt died.”
“She told you most of it.”
“I'm talking about the months and years after he died Pierre. How many relationships has she had since that time?”
“None. You see after Matt, every man she's met has fallen short of her expectations, they either became too needy or were boring. As time went on she became less and less interested in a one-on-one relationship with anyone. Most of the time she engages in group activities, or threesomes, unless…”
“Unless?”
“Unless she is with either Tony or I.”
“I see.”
“No, I don't believe you do. First of all Tony is a staff member, responsible for entertaining single female members when necessary. Victoria believed Tony lacked experience, and therefore has basically trained him in the art of lovemaking.”
“So that explains her relationship with Tony, now let’s get to the heart of the matter shall we? What is her relationship with you?”
“That is not as easy to explain. Tori and I have been together for eighteen years, all but one of those working together here. It's natural in this line of work, we would find times when we became involved in sexual situations together. Over the years we have developed closeness and an enjoyment of each other's bodies. There is love, strong binding love, although we are not in love with each other. I hope that makes sense to you, Jason.”
“Yes, I believe I understand what you're getting at. So, for seven years now Victoria has been denied the love of a man who cherishes the ground she walks on. A man capable of reaching the inner woman. A man capable of making her complete.”
“She has been denied you!”
Jason dropped his head into his hands again, allowing Pierre's words to be absorbed into his mind. He was the man she'd been waiting for; he knew this, as well as knowing she was the woman he needed to make his life complete. “What about her apology, what did she mean by that?”
“I do not know,” Pierre said with all seriousness. “Perhaps it was over-wrought nerves, or maybe she doesn't realize yet you return her love. Maybe she doesn't want you to feel obligated to remain after hearing about her past. I just can't give you a definite answer as to her meaning.”
“You seem confident I love her.”
“Can you deny it?”
“No.” Jason stated with all seriousness. “Just give me your opinion on one thing Pierre. Is she in love with me? And can we get beyond the past?”
“That's two opinions, and I have the same answer to both—yes. Victoria's in love with you, and the past could be dealt with.”
“I wish you had told me about this before I met her.”
“Would it have changed how you feel or any of the things you have done so far, Jason?”
“No, but I might have taken more time to awaken her passion. Perhaps if I had gone slowly, allowed her to adjust first.” Jason's voice sounded strained.
Pierre was shocked by the tone of his voice, where was the self-assurance of a few hours ago? “Jason, as I told you earlier, I didn't expect this. She has not experienced nightmares for several years and neither of us can be certain of why she had this one.”
“Well I know there is no turning back, so perhaps it's best to let her sleep tonight and we will see what the dawn brings.”
“That is likely for the best,” Pierre agreed. “I will leave you for now. If you need anything you can reach me on the intercom, line seven.”
“You live here at the mansion?”
“No, I have a separate house here on the estate. You and Tori have the place to yourselves until Friday morning at eleven.”
“Then I will say good evening to you and we'll call if we need anything,” Jason stated. “And Pierre, thank you.”
“You're welcome, Jason,” Pierre said as he stood to leave the residence.
* * * *
Jason moved into the bedroom. He lit one candle and opened the sliding door leading out onto the balcony. The evening air was hot and heavy. Moving to sit in a chair, he stopped first to put a CD on to play. Victoria opened her eyes and found him stretched comfortably in the chair, his eyes closed as he listened to music. The CD he had chosen, one of her favorites, Jon Secada's sexy voice crooning out the words to Angel. As the song came to an end, she moved slightly, “A wonderful choice of music, Jase” she said.
He turned at the sound of her voice. Standing, he moved to lie down on the bed next to her, pulling her body close to his. “I did not mean to awaken you, Victoria.”
“I wasn't really sleeping Jase, I've been listening to the music and watching you,” her voice held a hint of a smile.
“Do you like what you see, angel?”
“Hmm yes. You really can make my heart flutter you know?”
“I enjoy making your heart flutter, your body sing, and your passion flow,” he said as he turned her body into his. Nestling her close to his chest, he cupped her face in his hands and brought his lips to hers. Kissing her deeply, he allowed her body to mold into his. As he ended the kiss he looked into her eyes, “We need to talk, you and I.”
“Yes, I think we should get it out in the open.” Victoria agreed. “Where do you want to start?”
“Tell me more about Matt.”
Victoria moved away from his body, her head on the pillow so she could see his face and he could see hers, she knew this conversation needed to be done while they could see each other's eyes. “We don't need to talk about Matt or the past Jase, it is over, done. It has no bearing on today or the future.”
“But I want to know everything about you, angel. I believe that you never allowed yourself to recover from the loss. I'd like to think that you can share anything with me.”
Victoria sat up, turning her face away from Jason, her knees drawn up under her, a look of sorrow in her eyes. “Don't you see? This is not about Matt, it's about you. It's funny really, I haven't thought about this in a long time, Jase.” Victoria looked into Jason's eyes. “It seems I am destined to fall in love quickly. This is the second time in my life I've found myself in the arms of a man who touches deeply within my being. First Matt and now you.”
Jason smiled; taking her hand he pulled her back down onto the bed, her back resting against his chest. Laying his chin on top of her head he replied, “I too feel the connection between us Victoria, it's a new experience for me. I have never felt this way before, and I find myself being truly complete for the first time in my life.”
“You're wrong about one thing though.”
“And that is?”
“I did grieve for Matt, and I did recover from the loss. It wasn't a lack of recovery that caused my nightmare.”
“Then what was the cause, angel?”
“You,” she said. Waiting to see if his body would tense Victoria held her breath. Seconds later his voice washed over her.
“Because I awakened the sleeping passion. The passion you have kept buried since that night.” Jason's voice was soft, conte
mplative, almost asking, yet really stating.
“I didn't realize it was buried Jase, I truly believed it was dead. Then you. I'm not even sure I can explain this. From the first second our eyes met, you captured the essence of my being. Then we danced that magical, exquisite dance. It was that moment in time when you captured my heart and awakened the spirit of my passion. I don't believe my feet have touched the ground since.”
“That doesn't explain the nightmare, Victoria.”
“I know that, Jase. And to be truthful, I don't think I will ever be able to explain it. You will just have to understand it happened, maybe because it allowed for the conversation that followed, or maybe just because. You must believe and accept that my passion and my spirit now belong to you. And in accepting this truth, you need to let the past stay buried.”
“The past can stay wherever you want it to be, Victoria. I'm interested in the future, our future.”
Victoria snuggled closer into Jason's body. “Which we can discuss more tomorrow, because right now what I want most in life is to sleep cuddled in your arms.”
“Then sleep is what we shall do angel.” Jason wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her body close in the curve of his. With a cool breeze starting to move the sheer drape covering the windows, the sound of love songs playing in the background, and the gentle sound of their breathing, Victoria and Jason drifted into peaceful slumber.
Chapter 8
Victoria awakened slowly, feeling a little lost at first, like she was unsure of where she was or what time it might be. Looking around the room, she could not tell what was amiss. Something did not feel right. She closed her eyes, trying to shake the dust from her brain, when she heard the door open, and the strong smell of coffee filled the room.
“Morning Yvette” she said, opening her eyes, “What time is…” Her voice trailed off as she realized it was not Yvette standing in the doorway holding the tray. Again she was struck by his looks, tall and elegant. He was wearing black silk pajama bottoms and no shirt. His chest was firm, finely chiseled muscles obvious, stomach tight, his skin smooth and deeply tanned. A jaunty smile sat comfortably on his lips.
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