Summer Vows (Arabesque)

by Alers, Rochelle

  Jacob shared a glance with Ana. “What’s on today’s menu?”

  “Brisket and ribs. Do you intend to stick around for dinner?”

  When Ana nodded, Jacob said, “Yes.”

  “Do you need any help in the kitchen?” Ana asked.

  Crossing her arms under her breasts, Mattie surveyed the woman who looked as if she could really use a home-cooked meal. She was more fragile-looking than skinny. “Do you eat what you cook?”

  Ana couldn’t stop the rush of heat suffusing her face and chest. “Yes, ma’am. I do eat. Tell her, Jacob,” she pleaded when Mattie shot her a skeptical stare.

  “She eats,” he said in agreement.

  Mattie smiled. “If that’s the case, then you can help me. I’m cooling some white potatoes for a salad. You do know how to make potato salad?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Enough of that ma’am business. Either you call me Mattie or Aunt Mattie. The choice is yours.”

  Ana felt properly chastised, and when she cut her eyes at Jacob she wanted to kick him for smirking. “Okay, Aunt Mattie.”

  Mattie inclined her head in acknowledgment. “Take your time settling in. If you don’t find me in the kitchen, then I’ll be out back.”

  Waiting until Mattie left, closing the door behind her, Ana turned to face Jacob. “When are you going to tell her?”

  “I’m not going to tell her,” he countered. “I’ll tell my uncle and he can explain everything to her.”

  Ana’s expression mirrored confusion. “Why not your aunt?”

  “My uncle will tell her what he feels she should know. It was that way when he worked undercover and it has continued to this day. They’ve been married for nearly forty years, and apparently whatever they’ve agreed to works.”

  “Do they have any children?”

  Jacob shook his head. “No. Years ago they’d talked about adoption, but once Uncle Ray went undercover they decided it was best they didn’t. Ray was afraid if anything had happened to him then Mattie would be left to raise a child or children alone. I’m going to warn you that they’re like a couple of newlyweds. They can’t keep their hands off each other.”

  Ana thought about her own parents who’d complained that they couldn’t wait until their children left home so they could run around the house stark naked. Gabriel was the first to leave, then Alexandra. She had been next.

  Only Jason remained. And it was good that he hadn’t given up his apartment in the house where he’d grown up. It was his home base and that made it easier for him to continue recording sessions using the studio set up in the Boca Raton mansion.

  Ana had always felt like the more dominant twin because of Jason’s low-key personality; but he’d risen to the challenge when he closed down the office, and was negotiating the purchase of a building that would prove conducive to maintaining maximum security.

  Any of the performers coming to her parents’ home in the gated community would have to go through a series of checkpoints before gaining access to the in-home recording studio. Her father had mentioned dismantling the studio and replacing it with an in-home health spa, but hadn’t as long Jason continued to live there. Whenever Jason hadn’t come into the office he could be found in the studio listening to and editing countless hours of recordings until they were able to meet his exacting standards.

  It had taken less than a week for Ana to grasp the enormity that Serenity Records could survive without her micromanaging every phase of its operation. Business would continue with video conferencing and the projected launch date of new music would be met. What she’d failed to realize, until now, was that the company continued with business as usual whenever she went on vacation, and now that she was exiled it would do the same.

  Reaching up, she took off the wig, fanning her face with it. “It’s hot enough without wearing this.”

  Jacob gave her a sidelong glance. “I guess you can go without it when we’re in the bedroom. But, I’d like you to wear it whenever you step outside this door.”

  “Copy that,” she quipped, using military jargon. “I’m certain hearing that takes you back to your days in the corps.”

  “Not back in the day, sweetheart. Once a marine always a marine.”

  “Were you special operations?”

  Bending from the knees, Jacob opened the duffel bag. “I was assigned to MSG. I’ll tell you about it later.”

  Ana joined him, unzipping her carry-on. “Does your aunt serve meals to her guests?”

  “No. She just offers rooms at daily or weekly rates. A lot of folks with large houses do the same. It’s an excellent way of earning extra income.”

  “I’m going to put away our clothes, then I’m going to take a shower and get into something cooler.” Her tee, jeans and running shoes were not conducive to the tropical temperatures.

  “Why don’t you go and take your shower first,” Jacob suggested. “I’ll hang up your stuff.”

  Ana smiled. “You don’t mind?”

  He made a sucking sound with his tongue and teeth. “Of course not.”

  She removed a set of underwear, and then took out a smaller bag with her grooming supplies. Kicking off her shoes, she placed them neatly in a corner. “I’ll see you later,” she said as she headed toward the bathroom.

  “Princess?”

  Ana stopped, but didn’t turn around. “What is it?”

  “Do you mind if we stay here tonight with my aunt and uncle? I’d like to do some catching up.”

  She turned slowly, her gaze taking in everything about the man she’d felt so comfortable with that they’d planned to not only live together for an undetermined length of time, but she would also sleep with. Ana wasn’t as indifferent to Jacob as she projected. In truth, she’d come to like him—a lot. Now that she understood his rationale for not using a phone or her credit cards she’d come to respect his somewhat dictatorial edicts. And it wasn’t as if he’d been paid to protect her, but had agreed to do it as a favor to her cousin. He’d given up his vacation and altered his life for her, and the least she could do for him was be obliging.

  She smiled sweetly. “Of course not, sweetheart. I don’t mind at all.”

  Jacob was still standing in the same spot, staring at the door to the bathroom when it closed behind Ana. He was trying to process her calling him sweetheart. Was it a slip of the tongue because on occasion he’d called her sweetheart? Or was she softening and finally willing to accept their unconventional relationship?

  What Jacob had to keep reminding himself was why Ana had come into his life. Why she was living with him. But then there were times when he wished they could’ve met under a different set of circumstances. That there was no threat on her life and instead of becoming her bodyguard he could date her in the conventional way.

  Although he called her Princess there was nothing about her indicating she was spoiled. It hadn’t been her choice when she was born into a wealthy family where there were certain tasks she didn’t have to concern herself with. Whether pampered or protected, she definitely wasn’t spoiled or lazy. She offering to help his aunt in the kitchen was a testament to that.

  He’d dated a woman who wouldn’t bend over to pick up a straw because she said she’d achieved diva status. He knew a few who wore rhinestone tiaras to demonstrate to the world that they were princesses. To him they were phony ill-mannered princesses with bad attitudes.

  There were times when he knew Ana wasn’t pleased with what he’d said, but she’d quickly diffused what could’ve become a volatile and hostile confrontation by walking away. It was probably the same strategy she used in business. Retreat, restrategize and prepare for the next battle.

  She and Basil Irvine had waged a war to sign Justine Glover. Irvine had won the first battle, but Ana had achieved the ultimate victory once she’d con
vinced the young singer to sign with her label. Oh, Jacob mused, to have been the proverbial fly on the wall when it was announced that Glover had signed with Serenity.

  The sound of running water came through the door and Jacob placed the garment bags on the bench at the foot of the bed, unzipped them and began hanging up garments in the armoire. Ana’s slacks, dresses and blouses hung from the rod next to his shirts, slacks and lightweight jackets. The carry-on bags were next. A knowing smile parted his lips when he held up a pair of bikini panties with a matching bra. There was hardly enough fabric to cover her private parts. Pretty—yes. Practical—definitely not.

  Ana finally emerged from the bathroom, a trail of perfume wafting behind her, wearing a white bra with matching panties. If Jacob had eaten he definitely would’ve lost the contents of his stomach when the muscles violently contracted. The triangle of silky fabric barely covered the area at the apex of her thighs and the swell of firm breasts were close to escaping the confines of the lacy cups. He turned away inasmuch as not to gape at her, but also as an attempt to conceal his growing erection.

  He smothered a savage curse. How was he going to sleep in the same bed with a woman so uninhibited that she thought nothing of flaunting her body? It can’t happen. It’s not going to work. The traitorous thoughts pelleted him like sharp needles. Jacob had told himself that he wouldn’t make love to Ana, and he’d reassured Diego that his cousin would be safe with him. He’d promised his friend that he would protect Ana from whoever wanted her dead, but who would protect her from her protector?

  Resisting the urge to grab his crotch, Jacob managed to sit down, cross his legs, while praying his hard-on would go down before Ana noticed it. “Is this what I can look forward to everyday?”

  Ana looked at him, but was unable to see his expression in the shadows because he’d partially closed the shutters. “What are you talking about?”

  “Watching you model your underwear.”

  She sucked her teeth. “Please, Jacob. I’m certain you see a lot more skin on the beach. It’s not as if I’m wearing a thong.”

  “What did I tell you about having urges?”

  Ana opened the armoire, reaching for a loose-fitting white linen sundress. She peered around the door. “If you have urges, then you should do something about it. And I shouldn’t have to tell you how to relieve your sexual frustration.”

  Jacob leaned forward, glaring at her. “I don’t like to do that.”

  Stepping in the dress, she adjusted the bodice. Bending slightly, she picked up a pair of black patent leather sandals, pushing her feet into them.

  “Since we’re not going to have sex, I’m willing to help you with your dilemma.”

  “How’s that?”

  “I’ll help you do the deed. And I’ll close my eyes when I do it so as not to embarrass you.” Ana clapped a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing aloud. She knew she’d shocked Jacob when she’d offered to masturbate him when she heard gurgling noises. It served him right for insulting her. “Come now, sweetheart. We’re both adults who’re definitely not new at this, so what you do say?”

  Somewhere, somehow Jacob recovered his voice. “I’m not going to let you jerk me off.”

  Ana closed the door, moved closer, seeing his pained expression and clenched fists. “It’s up to you. I’m just willing to help you out.”

  “I don’t need your help,” he said between clenched teeth.

  Fluffing up her damp hair, Ana walked over to where she’d left the wig, shaking it out. “I think it would be cooler if I didn’t wear the stocking cap.” She put on the wig, adjusting it. “I’m going downstairs.” Wiggling her fingers, she crooned, “See you later, sweetheart.”

  It was much later after Ana left the bedroom that Jacob wanted to shout at the top of his lungs that she was a tease. A beautiful, uninhibited tease that had him close to ejaculating when he’d fantasied about her hand between his thighs.

  She had the face of an angel, the body of a goddess and never in his wildest imagination would he have believed she was a sexy irritant that had him thinking about pleasuring himself. It was something he hadn’t done in a very long time.

  Pushing off the chair, he crossed the room, closed the door and walked in the direction of the bathroom to hopefully exorcise the image of the woman whose very presence had become mental torment.

  Jacob was back in control when he went downstairs and found his uncle in the backyard adding seasoned wood chips to the smoker. The two men exchanged strong hugs, with Ray kissing his nephew’s cheek. The resemblance between them was remarkable, and Jacob knew what he would look like in his sixties. Ray’s once dark hair was now salt-and-pepper, matching his cropped beard.

  He thumped Jacob’s back. “You look good. It can’t be work, so it must be that little girl in the kitchen with Mattie.”

  “It’s not like that, Uncle Ray.”

  “What aren’t you telling me, son?”

  Jacob gestured to the chairs positioned around a table under a copse of palm trees. “Please sit and I’ll tell you everything.”

  “Something tells me I’m going to need something stronger than water. I’m going to get a beer. Do you want one?”

  “Sure.”

  He waited for his late father’s brother to open a cooler and take out two bottles of ice-cold beer. Jacob didn’t know why, but for the first time in his life he envied his uncle’s lifestyle. Raymond Jones had married a woman he claimed to have fallen in love with on sight. Ray had returned from his second tour of duty in Vietnam and had driven down to the Keys to blow off steam. Mattie, who’d worked in her father’s restaurant, apparently hadn’t been able to take her eyes off the young soldier in his uniform. He explained what each of the medals pinned on his shirt represented, and before he walked out he left Mattie a generous tip and his Purple Heart with a promise he would come back to pick it up once he received his official discharge papers. Six months later he was back, asking for his medal and her hand in marriage.

  Ray enrolled in college, and after graduating he joined the DEA, working undercover for more than a decade until he finally was assigned a desk position. The day he celebrated twenty-five years with the agency, he filed for retirement. Mattie, who’d continued to run her father’s restaurant after he passed away, sold it and bought the large dilapidated house in Old Town. It took more than a year to renovate it, and to earn extra income they rented out rooms during the tourist season.

  Jacob gave his uncle a half salute, then put the bottle to his mouth and took a long swallow. He studied the label. “This is really good.”

  Ray nodded. “It’s a little more expensive than some of the more popular brands, but I always say you get what you pay for. Now what’s up with your girlfriend?”

  Jacob stared at a tiny brown lizard sunning itself on a rock. “Did you hear about the sniper shooting in Boca Raton?” Ray nodded again. Pulling his chair closer, Jacob rested his elbows on the top of the table and told his uncle everything, while watching the gamut of emotions crossing the elder Jones’s face.

  “She’s looks so different from the photographs of her they show on television.”

  “That’s because she’s wearing a wig.”

  Ray shook his head. “Damn! I just can’t believe someone would want to kill her for what amounts to her closing a deal. What the hell is wrong with these so-called music moguls? The artists they sign are no better. The list goes on and on with hip-hop artists who die much too young. There’s not only Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G, but Freaky Tah, Big L and Scott LaRock. I don’t believe any of them were thirty when they died.”

  “I see you still keep up with everything and everyone in the music industry.”

  Attractive lines fanned out around Ray’s dark eyes when he smiled. “What can I say. I’m still a frustrated wannabe musician. Not a day goes by when I d
on’t blow a few tunes on Sally. If it hadn’t been for Mattie and playing my sax I would’ve lost my mind a long time ago.” He took another swallow of his beer. “I would tell any special agent considering going undercover to really think about it.”

  “That’s because you stayed under too long,” Jacob remarked, deadpan.

  “That’s true,” Ray agreed. “Now, back to Ana. What’s going to happen if they don’t find the shooter before you go back to work?”

  That was something Jacob didn’t want to think about. The longer it took to apprehend the shooter the more danger it posed to Ana. “Her father’s going to send her to Brazil.”

  A frown creased Ray’s forehead. “Who or what’s in Brazil?”

  “She has a cousin who lives there with her husband. Ana says they have a coffee plantation somewhere in the mountains.”

  There came a pause as Ray stared at his nephew. “Do you know what I can’t understand is how someone knew she would be at that restaurant on that particular day.”

  “It’s common knowledge that it’s her favorite restaurant and with vanity plates reading SERENITY she was an easy enough target.”

  “All of that will have to change, Jake.”

  He nodded in agreement. “A lot of things will change once this is over.”

  “What’s your stake in this other than you’re doing a friend a favor?”

  Jacob sat up straight. “I’m not following you.”

  “The girl is living with you. And you bring her here and I have to assume you’ll both sleep in the same bed. What’s up with that?”

  “It’s not like that.”

  Leaning back against the chair, Ray affected a half smile. “Do you have ED?”

  “Hell, no!”

  Ray sobered. “Your daddy’s gone, so I’m going to talk to you as if you were my son. Be careful, Jacob. Promises and the best intentions are forgotten once a man’s sap starts rising. And, if you do get involved with Ana you have to remember who her people are. You hurt that girl and they will come after you and it’s going to be all she wrote.”