Summer Vows (Arabesque)

by Alers, Rochelle

  As if choreographed in advance, they turned and faced each other. A gentle smile lit up her eyes when she gazed into those of her husband. Even being addressed as Mrs. Jones didn’t sound as strange as it had three days ago. If given a choice she would’ve hyphenated her last name. But that was beyond her control, and she realized Diego had her listed as Ana Jones instead Ana Cole-Jones because the name Cole would’ve raised a red flag.

  Jacob ran a finger down the length of her nose. “You know this is going to change everything.”

  “The only thing that’s going to change is our having sex. Everything else will remain the same.”

  Unconsciously his brow furrowed. “What about our marriage?”

  A sweep of lashes concealed Ana’s innermost thoughts. “There will be no marriage once we go back. I’ve accepted why Diego wanted us married, but I refuse to let him or anyone else determine my destiny. I will marry whomever I want whenever I want, not because someone else deems it.”

  “Even if your life depends on it?”

  Ana’s eyelids fluttered. “Yes. As the youngest of four I spent years fighting to be my own person. It was never Jason and Ana, but always the twins. Do you have any idea how aggravating that can be?”

  “No, baby, I don’t. I’m not a twin.”

  She rested a leg over Jacob’s. “Please don’t get me wrong. I love Jason, but it gets a little tired when we’re lumped together in the same breath.”

  “Like peanut butter and jelly, ham and eggs, and mac and cheese?”

  “Exactly.”

  Jacob pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Don’t worry about it. You’ve proven you can roll with the best of them. A lot of men can’t do what you do and become successful.”

  “Why does it always come down to gender? If I were Clive Davis or David Foster no one would bat an eye, but because I’m a woman the spotlight is always there. As long as we’re in the kitchen or bedroom, barefoot and pregnant, all is right with the world. But, if we dare step out of place or get out of pocket we’re nothing more than a bitch.”

  Jacob’s mouth touched hers. “That’s enough beating up on yourself, baby. You’re an incredible woman and if a man doesn’t recognize that then he’s a fool.”

  Ana kissed him, the touch of her lips as light as the brush of a butterfly’s wing. “You’re so good for my ego, m’ijo.”

  “I don’t want to be good for your ego, but good to you.”

  She smiled. “You are. You turned out to be a much better husband than I would’ve imagined.”

  His eyebrows lifted. “You had your doubts?”

  “Initially I did. You were such a grouch.”

  “No!”

  Ana giggled like a little girl. “Yes. But you managed to redeem yourself once I became Mrs. Jones.”

  “I told you the Jones men make good husbands. We support our women, protect them and remain faithful.”

  “I suppose I couldn’t ask for more. We should—” Ana’s words died on her tongue when Jacob flipped her over on her back, straddling her.

  “No, you can’t.”

  The sunlight coming in through the specially made glass and the sheer netting draping the bed wouldn’t permit Ana to see Jacob’s eyes clearly when he stared down at her. He’d awakened her mind and body to a rushing, heated desire that intensified whenever they shared the same space. The reality that he was a stranger, a stranger with whom she’d shared a bed and married had kept her from opening her heart to him. Always the realist, she knew they were playing a game that would end the moment the person responsible for wanting her dead was apprehended. There would be just right now for her and Jacob rather than a happily ever after.

  She gasped again, this time when his erection brushed her inner thigh. At that very moment Ana wanted to surrender all she was and all she had to him. She clung to him, his touch warm and comforting. And when his mouth moved lower to her breasts she arched off the bed, swallowing the moans welling up in the back of her throat.

  Ana clutched Jacob’s shoulders tightly, pulling her lips between her teeth as he began his exploration. She tried but couldn’t stop the whimpers and breathless moans when his mouth staked its claim on the soft, wet folds of her sex. Her head thrashed back and forth on the pillow as his tongue swept over the tiny bud of flesh in a flicking motion. It sent explosive sensations throughout her body, rocking her womb.

  Jacob knew Ana was close to climaxing; he stopped and slipped on the condom. Spreading her legs with his knee, he penetrated her newly awakened body. Her moan of pleasure pounded the blood in his head, and he forgot everything. He forgot his marriage to Ana was one of convenience and why they were living on Cannamore Cay. There was only Ana Jones.

  He felt her tight flesh stretch to accommodate his tumescence, then it closed around his swollen penis, holding him fast. His groans matched hers when they moved together, quickening and slowing until they established a rhythm that made them one.

  Sliding his hands under her hips, Jacob pulled Ana even closer, she rising to meet his powerful thrusting, matching the fury of desire that threatened to devour them whole. Without warning, desire, passion, possession and need collided in a fireball of ecstasy that shattered them into infinite pieces and left them struggling to breathe.

  Tears leaked from Ana’s eyes, sliding down her face and into the pillow under her head. Her heart felt as if it was going to burst from the most exquisite lovemaking she’d ever experienced in her life. It was as if her body had been dormant, waiting for someone to awaken her to the pleasure poets waxed about since the beginning of time.

  She presented Jacob with her back to keep him from seeing her tears. Making love had changed her. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, Ana was falling in love with her husband.

  Chapter 12

  Ana slipped her feet into a pair of strappy black patent-leather stilettos. It was Friday—date night at the couples-only resort. She’d chosen to wear a body-hugging, sleeveless sheath dress with alternating bands of black and white with an asymmetrical neckline.

  Peering into the full-length mirror on the door of the armoire, she checked her face. A dusting of bronzer, a coat of mascara and cherry-red lipstick highlighted her eyes and mouth. Using her fingers, she fluffed up her short curly hair. The day before, she’d utilized the services at the on-site spa for an exfoliating facial, mani/pedi and full-body massage. Jacob had made his own appointment for a haircut, shave, manicure and pedicure. Instead of joining the other couples for dinner, they’d elected to call room service. After a sumptuous assorted cold fish entrée with marinated veggies and mineral water, they retired to bed and made love as if it would be the last time.

  Ana still couldn’t believe how easily she’d fallen into the role as Jacob’s wife. They could not have been better suited if they’d had countless rehearsals. His reflection appeared in the mirror behind her. Jacob had selected a pair of black dress slacks, black shirt and pale gray jacket. She smiled; he’d exchanged his predictable sandals and running shoes for a pair of black imported slip-ons.

  “My, don’t you look handsome.”

  He moved closer, circling her waist with his arms. “And you look delicious. Would you mind giving me a little sample of your goodies before we leave?”

  “No!”

  Jacob tightened his hold around her waist when she attempted to twist out of his embrace. “Why are you being so stingy?”

  “I know you, Jacob. A sample will end up with us spending the night in bed and missing date night.”

  He pressed a kiss to her ear. “Don’t tell me you’re going to deny your husband his conjugal rights.”

  He loosened his hold and she turned around, meeting his eyes. Nearly four inches of heels put the top of her head at his nose. There was something about his cropped hair and clean-shaven face where he appeared younger, alm
ost boyish. But Ana knew there was no boy in a man who was licensed to carry and discharge a firearm in the line of duty.

  “If Diego hadn’t bribed some court clerk to make up that license you would have no conjugal rights.”

  Jacob’s impassive expression did not change. “Are you that certain he bribed someone?”

  Ana sucked her teeth. “I wouldn’t put it past him. I told you he isn’t that far removed from my grandfather when it comes to getting what he wants.”

  Jacob’s hands moved up, cradling her face. “Whatever he did is something we will not speak of again. Do I make myself clear?”

  Her eyes grew wider when she realized he was chastising her. “Do not speak to me as if I were a child.”

  “I know you’re not a child,” he retorted between clenched teeth.

  “Then don’t treat me like one.”

  Jacob opened his mouth to read Ana the riot act, and then thought better of it. He didn’t want to cause a rift in their fragile relationship by trading barbs. He doubted whether Diego would risk bribing a court official for his own benefit. It wouldn’t be the first time people had married in absentia, and it definitely wouldn’t be the last. It would be similar to Ana giving another person power of attorney to make decisions on her behalf.

  He’d been just as surprised as Ana when Henri handed him the license and rings. What he did know about his godson’s father was he would do anything within his power to protect his family. And Jacob knew it had exceeded the bounds of friendship when Diego had entrusted him with Ana.

  “If you were a child I never would’ve made love to you,” he said instead. Ana’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Smiling, he cupped her buttocks, pulling her close, her breasts touching his chest. “Are you finished primping, m’ija?”

  For a reason she couldn’t fathom, Ana knew she couldn’t stay angry with Jacob. Just when she thought she was going to verbally spar with him he switched gears, shutting her down. And it was impossible to argue with herself.

  Resting her hand on his shoulder, she leaned in even closer. A smile played at the corners of Jacob’s mouth, bringing her gaze to linger there. Choking sounds came from his throat when she cupped his groin, increasing the slightest pressure until he grew heavy in her hand. “Play with fire, m’ijo, and you’ll get burned,” she hissed.

  Jacob didn’t know whether to laugh or yell at Ana for giving him a hard-on. He picked her up instead and swung her around and around until she pleaded with him to stop. If he’d acted on impulse he would’ve stripped her naked and made love to her until she pleaded with him to stop.

  “I warned you about teasing me,” he said, glaring at her.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Jacob slowly let her down until her feet touched the floor. “No, you’re not.”

  “Yes, I am, mi amor.”

  “Am I your love, Ana?”

  She picked up her small evening bag off the nightstand. “Of course you are,” she said glibly, winking at him over her shoulder. “I married you, didn’t I?” She walked out of the bedroom, leaving Jacob staring at the seductive sway of her hips and sexy legs in the heels.

  He caught up with her, resting his hand at the small of Ana’s back and escorting her out of the cottage to the main building, through the lobby and into the restaurant that had been magically transformed into a nightclub setting with subdued lighting. Tables arranged with seating for two or four were covered with white linen tablecloths, bone china, crystal, silver, lighted candles and fragrant gardenias floating in bowls of rosewater. A live band with a male and female vocalist performed on a portable stage, while waiters moved quietly and efficiently around the room seeing to the needs of the guests.

  Jacob escorted Ana over to a table for two, seating her. He lingered over her head longer than necessary inhaling the subtly sensual fragrance of her perfume. He pressed his mouth to her ear. “You smell as delicious as you look.”

  Reaching up, Ana placed her hand over his resting on the back of her chair. “Thank you, mi amor.”

  Sitting opposite her, Jacob wondered if he was really her love, or was it just an affectation like baby or darling. Words that were bantered about all too often and much too loosely.

  A waiter with a white napkin draped over the arm of his black jacket approached their table. He placed a menu on the table in front of Jacob, then Ana. “Evening, sir. Madam. I’m Lemuel and I will be your server tonight. The sommelier will be along shortly to help you with your wine selection. Meanwhile, you may look over the menu. If there’s something you’d like that’s not on the menu the chef will definitely be able to accommodate you.”

  Jacob nodded. “Thank you, Lemuel.”

  Waiting until the waiter walked away, he stared across the table at Ana. The light from the candle reflected off the diamonds in her ears. She looked nothing like the petulant woman who’d deliberately ignored her date at the baptism celebration that now seemed so long ago. She even looked different than she had more than a week before. Jacob had thought of her as a girl in a woman’s body, but now she exuded a womanliness that was palpable, and he hoped it had come from being made love to.

  He didn’t know why their paths had crossed or their lives were intertwined, but Jacob didn’t want to think about the time when what he had with her would end. In another six weeks he would have to return to Miami. Once there he would morph into the role as federal police officer responsible for the oversight of detention centers housing federal prisoners awaiting trial or deportation.

  Pulling his thoughts away from the inevitable, Jacob studied the menu. One of the many perks at the resort was the staff’s diversity, most of whom were multilingual, which helped bring a prompt resolution to any issues. Also, the various menus were never the same from day to day. Breakfasts were continental, American or the ubiquitous buffet with an omelet station. Lunch was usually buffet with offerings ranging from cold fish, meat, vegetable and fruit salads and a variety of miniature pastries. Dinner was less relaxed, requiring men to wear jackets and shoes, while their female counterpart usually displayed their tanned and toned bodies to their best advantage with revealing dresses and designer shoes.

  His head popped up. “Are you hungry?” he asked Ana, staring at her bowed head as she studied the menu. They’d foregone lunch in lieu of making love.

  She peered up at him through her lashes. “A little. I think I’m going to have steak tonight.”

  Jacob smiled. “What if we share the porterhouse for two?”

  Ana scrunched up her nose. “Thirty-six ounces is a lot of meat.”

  “Not for this carnivore.”

  “I’ve noticed you haven’t eaten a lot of meat.”

  “I go through phases when I swear off red meat for a month or two, then there’re times when I really crave it.”

  “Well, right now I’m craving some moo,” Ana joked. “But, then again the perñil looks as if it would be delicious.”

  “Why don’t we order both?” Jacob suggested.

  “No, Jacob. There’s no way I’ll be able to eat steak and pork and get a restful night’s sleep.”

  “I’ll order a smaller steak and that way you can order the perñil.”

  Ana angled her head at the same time she lifted her eyebrows. “Are you still going to share your steak with me?”

  The seconds ticked. Jacob stared at Ana as if she’d suddenly taken leave of her senses. “I’ve given you my name, and I’m sharing my life with you. Why wouldn’t I share something as basic as food with you, Mrs. Jones?” He’d stressed the last two words.

  Pinpoints of heat and embarrassment stung Ana’s face. Why whenever Jacob chastised her did she find herself at a loss for words? She knew the answer as soon as the question formed in her mind. It was because he always told her the truth. Wherein she continued to think of their marriage as pretend,
he didn’t.

  She knew if she’d met Jacob under another set of circumstances she doubted whether she would’ve slept with him so quickly. However, living with him had changed all that. He hadn’t lied when he’d professed that the men in his family made good husbands, because within days of their marriage he’d become the attentive, loving husband. It wasn’t what he wanted but what she wanted to do, eat or see. It was the same with making love. There hadn’t been a time when he hadn’t made certain she was fulfilled before he sought out his own. Jacob had gone from protector to friend, confidant, and now husband and lover.

  “Thank you for reminding me.”

  Jacob reached across the table and held her hands, his thumb caressing the ring on her slender finger. “It’s not about me having to remind you. It’s about you remembering who we are.”

  Dimples kissed her tanned cheeks. “Sí, mi amor.”

  He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Now that we’ve settled that. How do you like your steak?”

  “Medium-well.”

  The sommelier approached the table, listening intently when Jacob told him he wanted to order a wine that complemented wine and pork. The elderly gentlemen nodded and then walked away.

  “Would you like to dance?” he asked Ana when he noticed her swaying along with a familiar love song. Other couples were already up dancing.

  Ana flashed a smile. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Pushing back his chair, he rounded the table and helped her stand. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he led her out onto the dance floor. She came into his embrace, her curves molding to his length.

  Pressing his mouth to her ear, he kissed her. “I love this song.”

  “‘Piano in the Dark,’” Ana whispered. “My dad played this song so much that my mother threatened to burn the CD. I think she was a little jealous of Brenda Russell even though she professed she was in love with Joe Esposito’s voice when he collaborated with her on this record.”