Summer Vows (Arabesque)

by Alers, Rochelle

  “Are you trying to seduce me, Mrs. Jones?”

  “Of course not, Mr. Jones. There’s never a need for me to seduce you because you’re always hard and ready.”

  Jacob’s unrestrained laughter filled the bedroom. “She’s back,” he crooned. “I love it when you talk dirty.”

  “That’s because you’re a dirty old man.”

  “Dirty I’ll cop to. But not old. At least not yet. When I’m not able to get it up, then I’ll have to acknowledge that I’m getting older. Thanks to modern medicine there’re pills to counter erectile dysfunction, so that means I can keep going like the Energizer Bunny until I’m at least ninety-five.”

  Turning over and facing Jacob, Ana pressed a kiss to his shoulder. “If you think I’m going to allow you to climb up on me when I’m ninety, then you’re as crazy as a loon.”

  Jacob sobered. “Are you saying we can expect to celebrate a sixtieth wedding anniversary?”

  She closed her eyes. “No, I’m not saying that. I told you before that I’m willing to give our marriage a chance. But there are a few things we need to talk about.”

  “What are they?”

  “Children.”

  “What about them?” he whispered.

  “Do you want children?” A swollen silence followed her query and Ana thought perhaps Jacob hadn’t heard her.

  “Of course I want us to have children,” he finally said. “Do you?”

  “Yes.” She’d noted he’d said children and not child. “Now that we’ve settled that, the next question is where are we going to live?”

  “I’d like you to move in with me. I know it’s not as luxurious as your Boca condo, but at least you’ll be able to keep out of the spotlight.”

  “Is your apartment large enough for the both of us?”

  “I have a bedroom, living/dining area, a serviceable kitchen and I don’t have to share the bathroom with other tenants.”

  A noticeable shudder shook Ana when he mentioned sharing a bathroom. “My condo has a manned gatehouse, semi-private elevators that serve only two residences per floor. I have a large bedroom with walk-in closets and en suite bath, gourmet kitchen, a living and formal dining room and another full bath. And because I have a corner residence there are gorgeous wraparound balconies with unobstructed ocean and city views.”

  “If I move in with you, then it would mean I would have to commute to Miami.”

  “And if I move to Miami, then I’d have to commute to Boca,” Ana countered. “What if we compromise?”

  “Compromise how?”

  “What if we move midpoint?”

  There was another pause. “What do you consider midpoint?” Jacob asked.

  “Fort Lauderdale. I’ll put my condo on the market and have my real estate agent look for something in Harbor Beach, Rio Vista Isles, Las Olas Isles or Bay Colony.”

  Jacob felt himself withdrawing from Ana even though he hadn’t and couldn’t move. It was apparent she’d planned their future without his input. “I can’t afford to live in the communities you just mentioned.”

  Placing a hand over his chest, Ana swirled the crisp hair around her finger. “Yes, we can, baby.”

  He caught her wrist. “No, we can’t. I’m not going to pimp my wife.”

  “You’re not pimping me, Jacob. We have enough money to live wherever we want.”

  Jacob’s hold on her wrist tightened. “Wrong, Ana. You have enough money to live wherever you want. I don’t. I work for the government, and that means I fall into the ninety-nine percent category. You on the other hand can count yourself among the one percent—”

  “Why are you turning this into a social debate? This is not about the haves and have-nots, Jacob. It’s about you and me and our future. And if we have to argue about money, then maybe we should live in separate residences.”

  “That’s not going to happen until after they catch the person or persons who want to kill you. Until then we’ll live together.”

  Ana’s temper rose quickly. “You may have the upper hand here in the Bahamas, but once I set foot on U.S. soil we’re done, Jacob.”

  “That’s not for you to determine.”

  “We’ll see.”

  Pulling her hand from his firm grasp, she turned over, presenting Jacob with her back. She’d had enough. From the moment that bullet hit Tyler her life hadn’t been her own. She’d been held captive at her parents’ home, then at Long Key and Key West. And now it was Cannamore Cay where she was married to a man not chosen by herself, but others. Ana had believed she and Jacob were able to make the best of a situation in which they’d no input; a situation that had and would change them forever.

  Ana was no different from her girlfriends who went on constantly about meeting Mr. Right. She wasn’t a serial dater, but she’d gone out with enough men to know what she expected from them and what she refused to accept. No permita que nadie le defina ni determine su destino. Never had her grandmother’s words rung more true than they did now. Her father had determined her destiny when he’d taken the keys to her condo and car; then Diego decided it was best she go into exile in the Florida Keys with a man who was more a stranger than family friend. Her exile was exacerbated when she and Jacob took up residence on a private island in the Bahamas as husband and wife.

  Like most normal women Ana had hoped to fall in love and marry, but not through a marriage of convenience. After all, it was the twenty-first century and they lived in a country where arranged marriages were peculiar to the culture.

  Annulment. The word was as stinging as a slap. Once married, no one in her family had ever had an annulment. Nor did they divorce. There was an unspoken adage that Coles marry for life.

  A wry smile twisted her mouth. Regardless of the circumstances that brought them together, the only thing standing in their way for a happily ever after was her wealth. It was something she’d accepted and couldn’t change. Either he dealt with it or they could say goodbye. Ana Juanita Jones née Cole intended to end her marriage to Jacob Stephen Jones.

  Jacob’s cell phone chimed Diego’s ring tone and he stared at it for several seconds before picking it up off the countertop. “What’s up, buddy?”

  “We’ll touch down at eight. Be ready.”

  “Copy that.”

  He ended the call and made his way to the bathroom. It hadn’t taken a week but three days for Diego to arrange their return. Leaning against the door frame, Jacob stared at his wife as she brushed her hair. He smiled. The chic hairstyle was missing, replaced with black curls that made her look like a fragile doll.

  “M’ija?” She turned on the stool in front of the dressing table. Her golden eyes appeared unusually large and haunted in her small face. It was good they were going home because Ana was disappearing before his eyes. “We’re leaving.”

  With wide eyes she continued to stare at him. “Now?”

  Jacob smiled. “Yes, now.”

  Ana sprang off the stool, launching herself at him. He caught her in midair. “Thank you, darling. Thank you, thank you,” she repeated over and over while kissing his face.

  “Slow down, baby. Let’s get ready to blow this nightclub.”

  It was Diego who descended the steps to the jet. Casually dressed in a pair of taupe slacks, a short-sleeved shirt and tan woven-leather sandals, he extended his arms to Ana. Smiling, she went into his embrace. “Hola primo,” she whispered.

  Holding her at arm’s length, he angled his head. “Beautiful tan. A little thin. But none the worse for wear.”

  She exhaled an audible sigh. “I have Jacob to thank for that.”

  “We have Jacob to thank for a lot of things. Somewhere along the way he’s become the Coles’ guardian angel.” Diego glanced over Ana’s head. Jacob and the limo driver were unloading bags from the trunk. “Let me help
with the luggage so we can lift off.” He kissed her forehead. “Go on up and get belted in.”

  Ana walked slowly up the stairs and entered the luxurious aircraft. She recognized the flight attendant. Linda Franklin was one of four ColeDiz flight attendants that were a part of the crew for the Gulfstream corporate jet. Linda was in the galley with an onboard chef.

  The flight attendant, carrying a travel mug emblazoned with the ColeDiz logo approached her. “Mr. Thomas told me you like your coffee light and sweet.”

  “Thank you, Linda.”

  The tall, slender redhead nodded. “Congratulations on your recent marriage.”

  Ana forced a smile she didn’t feel. “Thank you.” She took a sip of coffee, savoring the rich taste. She recognized the blend. It was Jamaican Blue Mountain, touted as the best coffee in the world. ColeDiz owned coffee plantations in Jamaica, Mexico, Belize and Puerto Rico. The flavor was also served at the Cannamore Cay resort. She’d drunk half when Jacob and Diego entered the aircraft. Light coming through the oval window reflected off the band on Jacob’s hand as he sat opposite, leaving Diego to sit in the adjacent row.

  Linda, carrying a tray, handed each man a similar mug. “Breakfast will be served as soon as we’re airborne.”

  Ana stared out the window at the stretch of white sand and beyond the vibrant blue-green water. Even though she’d averted her gaze she could feel the intensity of Jacob’s stare. It was over. The make-believe and the fairy-tale marriage would end once they were back in the States.

  The fasten-seat-belt sign was illuminated and Ana placed her mug into a holder, then fastened the belt around her waist. Pressing her head against the back of the leather seat, she closed her eyes as the sleek jet taxied down the airstrip, picked up speed, and within minutes they were airborne. She opened her eyes, staring down at the rapidly fading island landscape as the jet increased its altitude. Once they obtained cruising speed, Diego turned his seat to face her and Jacob.

  “We’re going to touch down in Miami where Jake has to pick up a few things. Then Henri will drive you to Boca where the two of you will stay until—”

  “No, Diego—” Ana interrupted.

  Diego held up his hand. “Please let me finish, Ana.”

  She gave him a long, penetrating stare. One thing she didn’t want was for her and Jacob to continue cohabitating. With a great deal of reluctance, she said, “Okay.”

  “I’m bringing you back to Florida against my better judgment. But knowing you’ll be with Jake belies some of my apprehension. We still haven’t finished our investigation but we’re closer than we were a month ago. I’d like you and Jake to stay at your condo until this is over.”

  “Are you saying I can’t leave?”

  “Yes. You’re a newlywed, so you’re still on your honeymoon.”

  When she glanced at Jacob she was unable to read his expression. “What about visitors?”

  “I would limit visitors to members of the family.”

  “You bring me out of exile to make me a prisoner in my own home.” The familiar mask of brooding settled on

  Diego’s features. “I understand your concern for my wellbeing,” she continued, “but somehow you forget I’m not a child. You, my father, Uncle Martin and Joshua get together, make decisions, and then expect me to follow them without question. I would’ve liked to have known in advance that I was going to get a husband.”

  “You never would’ve gone along with it, Ana,” Diego argued softly. “But you have an out. You can annul it.” His gaze shifted from her to Jacob who shot him a lethal stare. “Why do I feel as if I’ve just come down with a case of foot in mouth? Lo siento,” he apologized softly.

  Ana and Jacob shared a glance. She wanted to tell her cousin that she had fallen in love with her husband, didn’t want to end her marriage, yet dissolution was inevitable. He was willing to share her life but not her wealth.

  The awkward moment was shattered when Linda approached with a serving cart. She pushed a button under the burl armrests of the saddle-tan chairs that converted to beds. Activating the retractable tray tables, the attendant covered the trays with damask tablecloths.

  Working quickly and efficiently, she set out plates of fluffy mushroom omelets with strips of crisp bacon, crystal goblets with freshly squeezed orange juice, freshly baked scones and cups of coffee. Prerecorded music flowed throughout the cabin during their mile-high breakfast.

  Ana managed to eat most of her omelet, while drinking two glasses of orange juice and a cup of coffee. The anxiety that had weighed on her like a lead shield lifted the closer they came to the U.S. coastline. The blue-green waters of the Caribbean Sea faded as the colder gray water of the Atlantic Ocean came into view. She recognized the island of Cuba and the Florida Keys as the jet began its descent.

  The fasten-seat-belt sign chimed, and Jacob moved across the aisle to sit with Diego, and within minutes all evidence of breakfast disappeared. “Ana and I have a few things we’re going to have to work out before deciding whether we want to stay together, so I’d appreciate it if you don’t get involved in what’s going on between me and my wife.” His voice was low, words cold and biting as needle pricks.

  Diego went still, his gaze meeting and fusing with Jacob’s. It was the first time in more than twenty years that he felt less than comfortable with his friend. He’d had to pull strings and make promises he hadn’t wanted to make in order to secure the valid marriage license, yet never in his wildest imagination would he have suspected that the two would’ve become that involved with each other.

  Diego was also more than aware of Ana’s proclivity for dismissing men from her life for the slightest provocation. Although he counted Jacob as his closest friend and confidant they’d usually avoided talking about the women in their lives. He owed Jacob his life, that of his wife’s and now his cousin’s. Jake was his son’s godfather and legally married to Ana. That made him family.

  “I respect you telling me how you feel, and I promise not to interfere. I’m going to say one more thing, then the subject’s moot.”

  “What is it?”

  “Ana’s father. He was totally opposed to you marrying her, because he wanted that choice to be hers. I managed to convince the others to overrule him when I took that choice away from her. My uncle’s still not talking to me. David can be laid-back and cool, but if you mess with his kids he will take you out.”

  It was Jacob’s turn to go completely still. Nothing moved. Not even his eyes. “I fear no man.”

  At that moment Diego found himself unable to respond to Jacob’s declaration. Again, this was another side of his friend that was totally foreign to him. He’d always found him to be no-nonsense, honest, loyal and extremely private. “I didn’t tell you about your father-in-law to frighten you but to let you know what you’re going to have to deal with.”

  Jacob blinked. “Like I said, Ana and I have a few things to work out. Whatever the outcome it will involve only the two of us.”

  Chapter 15

  The G550 Gulfstream jet landed smoothly on a private airstrip in Miami long enough for Jacob and Ana to deplane, then they would continue on to West Palm Beach. By the time they were cleared by customs, Ana wore one of the stylish straw hats she’d purchased at the gift shop on Cannamore Cay. She doubted if anyone would recognize her with the hat and a pair of cutoffs, baggy tee and flip-flops. A redcap followed them, pushing a cart piled high with their luggage.

  Henri was waiting for them along with another man who wore a lightweight black suit, white shirt and black Western-style ostrich-skin boots. With his shaved pate and dark glasses he was Henri’s lighter-hued counterpart.

  Diego’s driver and bodyguard nodded to Jacob. “Welcome home, Mr. Jones.”

  Jacob shook his hand. “Thanks, Henri. It’s good to be back.”

  Henri nodded to Ana. “Wel
come back, Mrs. Jones.”

  She forced a plastic smile. He was the first one to call her by her married name. “Thank you, Henri. It’s good to be back.”

  He motioned to the man standing a short distance away. “This is Caleb. He will be your driver to Boca Raton.” Henri smiled at Ana. “I have to leave now. Mr. Thomas is waiting for me.”

  Henri was there, then he was gone. Caleb took over when he said, “I’ll bring the car curbside, then we’ll be on our way.”

  Ana felt as if she were in suspended animation after their luggage was loaded into the cargo area of a shiny black Suburban with tinted windows. Jacob assisted her as she sat on the second row of seats, him sitting next to the driver. Knowing her life was not her own to control or dictate, she mentally resigned herself to go along with whatever the men in her family had concocted. None of that mattered because she was home. Closing her eyes, she refused to think about Jacob and their tenuous future.

  Ana hadn’t realized she’d dozed off until the SUV stopped. Blinking, she peered through the glass. They were parked outside Jacob’s apartment building. She watched as he disappeared into the salmon-colored stucco building.

  Twenty minutes later Jacob reappeared carrying a black duffel bag. He’d exchanged his T-shirt, walking shorts and sandals for one of his favorite Hawaiian shirts, jeans, low-heel boots and a black windbreaker. He motioned to Caleb to open the hatch. After securing the duffel Jacob slipped into the passenger seat and secured his seat belt. He exchanged a knowing glance with the hired bodyguard. “Let’s go,” he ordered softly.

  Ana had fallen asleep within minutes of them leaving Miami International and during the drive from the airport to his apartment building while Jacob and Caleb had carried on a whispered conversation. Caleb was similar to Henri where they introduced themselves using only their first names, and worked for an investigative agency that utilized the unique services of former military and law enforcement personnel. Caleb had revealed to Jacob that he was a former active-duty navy SEAL during the Gulf War, and had been recruited by a man known only as Simon after he’d retired from the military.