by Debra Lee
“My God, you are lovely,” he told her, too transfixed to as much as blink.
And you take my breath away, Jackie thought as she took a closer look at the broad shoulders covered with the white shirt. The top buttons were open to expose his tanned chest. He was wearing the same gold medallion she remembered from all those years ago.
“I think I could use a glass of that champagne,” Jackie told him. But she had no idea how she managed the words or how she found her way to the sofa.
Marcus popped the cork on the bottle and filled two long stemmed glasses with the bubbly. He tried to cross the room without spilling the drinks, but the way his hands quivered it seemed inevitable for some to splash over the rim of each glass.
“I feel a little stupid,” he confessed as he handed Jackie her drink. “And I do want to apologize for attacking you the way I did. I really don’t know what came over me.”
“It’s okay,” Jackie said, in hope of relieving some of his nervousness as he sat on the edge of the sofa cushion next to her.
But for Marcus, it wasn’t nervousness responsible for the way he’d behaved. Eagerness to touch and taste her had taken hold of him. He had thoughts of hardly anything else on the plane as he and his family crossed the Atlantic. He visualized Jackie undressing for him before torturing him with her lips and tongue as she slowly undressed him.
He suddenly felt awkward. It was almost as if they had traveled back in time to that first night on the yacht anchored off Capri. And once again he felt like he needed to slow down. Just like before when he thought he had himself a virgin. Only now, he knew better. A woman sat next to him. But a woman he had to be careful not to frighten away. A woman he would pacify with conversation and dinner before making his move on her.
“So, Jackie Bertoni, how is the movie business doing?”
His question threw Jackie a curve. She hadn’t planned to discuss the movie industry with him. But since he seemed interested, she decided there was no reason not to tell him about her recent surprise.
“The movie making part couldn’t be better. But I’m having a bit of a problem with the ownership of Sinclair Productions.”
“What kind of problem?”
She exhaled heavily. “I inherited all of Desmond’s possessions. So I’m not complaining, but it seems the production company is not all mine. I have a silent partner who has a larger holding in the company.”
“Has this partner given you a problem?”
“No. But I almost wish he would. At least then I’d know who it is.”
“You have no idea?”
“Only that he’s tied to an Italian firm. But it really doesn’t matter.”
“Why is that?”
Jackie sipped her drink. “I’m going to buy him out.
Marcus hid his amusement well. But for a second he had a twinge of guilt for deceiving her again. “Would you care for some more champagne?” Was the first thing that came to mind to get off the subject he wished he hadn’t brought up.
“No thank you.” Silence prevailed for several seconds. Then Jackie’s question crashed into the silence. “Did you talk to your wife?”
Marcus became somber. “Yes. We discussed a divorce last night.”
Jackie waited for him to continue. When he didn’t, she prompted, “Well, what did she say?”
Marcus took her glass out of her hand and sat both glasses on the coffee table before cupping her hands in his. “She probably spent the day giving her attorney a list of what she wants out of the settlement.”
“Oh Marcus!” Her arms flew around him.
Marcus eagerly welcomed her generous hug. He went one step further by crushing his chest tighter against hers, bringing rise to a pleasurable ache in his groin.
Jackie’s body reacted to the closeness of their bodies as well. Her insides felt like someone had let loose a million fluttering butterflies that were taking flight to every part of her body. Jackie’s lips captured Marcus’s this time. The kiss began their sweet journey. A kiss that continued on when Marcus’s hands slid beneath her and brought her up in his powerful arms to carry her into the bedroom.
Ever so gently, he eased her down onto the satin bed cover where for the first time his lips slid from hers. But only for the brief moment he took to admire her beauty. They kissed and caressed each other steadily as each slowly discarded the other’s clothing, one piece at a time until they were naked. Their bodies quivered with passion. Then, when they had reached that point where it had come time to climb swiftly to that ultimate peak of the plateau, their bodies became one mass of fire that soared higher and higher in its quest to reach that majestic peak.
Chapter Eight
A satisfied smile rested on Jackie’s face as she stirred out of her sweet dream. She stretched, twisting and turning her long limbs as she slowly gained consciousness. Her eyelids flickered as she reached for him but couldn’t find him. Her eyelids flipped open. As she edged her way up to a sitting position, she pulled the sheet over her nakedness. She spotted the folded piece of paper on the pillow next to her. She hesitated before she let the tips of her fingers touch it. She spent a tense moment debating whether to unfold the paper. Had Marcus slipped out before she woke because it was easier? Easier to say, so long sucker in a note. Perhaps she was being paranoid. She slowly unfolded the paper. A lump formed in her throat as she read the scribbled words:
Last night was wonderful. I’ll call you later.
I love you, Marcus
She sighed. “He loves me.”
Holding the note to her heart and closing her eyes, she relived the more memorable events of the night before. Marcus hovered over her. The scent of intoxicating cologne and champagne swirled around her. His moans of pleasure were music to her ears and carried her to heights so high that she thought she might scream from the electricity that fired through her as their bodies became one.
She kissed the note. “I miss you, my love.”
She reread the part where he said he’d call her and a smile brought a special glow to her delicate features. If he is calling me… She sprang off the bed and dressed quickly. She drove home under an overcast sky. But she didn’t need the sunshine to bring rise to a smile. Thoughts of Marcus gave her all the sunshine she needed in her life to make her feel like the happiest person alive. Marcus DeMario loved her.
At home, she quickly changed into a more appropriate outfit for work before she had Charles drive her to Randal Alexander’s office building. When she stepped out of the sleek automobile, she did so with nothing but good thoughts. She felt confident the efficient attorney would by now have tracked down the investor in Sinclair Productions and possibly have him eager to accept her offer to buy him out.
It was precisely nine o’clock when Jackie glided into Randal Alexander’s office and took a seat across the desk from the man. She did so without noticing she was the only one smiling. But then why wouldn’t she be, Marcus loved her.
“I want to apologize for dropping in on you without an appointment, Mr. Alexander. But I had a…” She took a second to find the word. “I guess you could call it a premonition that you had some news for me.”
The man sitting across from her appeared to have trouble locating his voice. He cleared his throat out loud, gave Jackie a quick glance, then focused on his hands he had folded together on his desktop.
“You’re so called premonition was right. But it troubles me to tell you the news is not good.”
Jackie sat taller in an attempt to prepare herself. “Please proceed.”
A disgruntled sigh came before his words. “The production company investor refuses to sell.”
“What! But you were to make him an offer too good to resist.”
“I assure you, Miss Bertoni, the offer was more than generous.”
“Offer him more.”
Randal Alexander wet down his lips as he shifted in his seat. Almost as if he was stalling before the final blow. “Marcus DeMario refuses to sell at any price…”
Jackie instantly went numb. All the oxygen flushed from her lungs, making it impossible to move. She was an empty shell that would fall into pieces if touched.
“Miss Bertoni, is there something I can do?”
The distant sound of his voice finally penetrated the delicate wall she’d built around herself. The numbing sensation swiftly replaced with a stinging sensation that made her want to scream to free her pain, returning her to a state where she could function.
She glanced up and saw the concerned look Randal Alexander wore as he hovered next to her. Jackie reached up and patted the top of his hand that had found its way to her shoulder. “I’m all right. And to answer your question, there is something you can do.”
“I’m listening.”
“Prepare the necessary documents for the purchase of the sixty percent share of Sinclair Productions.”
“But—”
“Mr. DeMario will sign,” she assured with unswerving confidence.
When Jackie left the attorney’s office and stepped onto the elevator, she could think of nothing but Marcus. Over and over their conversation from the night before ran through her thoughts. She remembered telling him about her predicament.
Marcus let her go on and on about how she had learned Sinclair Productions did not solely belong to her and how she planned to buy out the investor with the controlling interest in the company.
Why? Why did he act like he was hearing it for the first time? Then it finally struck her. Maybe he was unaware that he was that investor. After all, Randal Alexander had told her before that an Italian firm owned the shares. Marcus’s firm had bought into the company. Because of its large size and the enormous number of investment holdings, it was near impossible for Marcus to keep tabs on everything he owned.
Once she made him aware, she was confident he’d sell her his shares without giving it a second thought.
By the time the elevator stopped, she’d solved her problem. The doors slid open and she triumphantly charged forward crashing into the chest of solid steel. A loud groan escaped her from the powerful impact.
“Sorry.”
Jackie would’ve recognized the husky voice without looking up into those sad blue eyes gazing down on her apologetically.
“We have to stop meeting like this,” she said before swiftly stepping backward, away from the strange stirring within from when their bodies touched.
“I don’t mind,” Andrew said, grinning.
Jackie forced a smile and started to move on. “Jackie.”
She stopped. Then standing with her back to him, she answered. “Yes.”
Now that he had regained her attention, he was temporarily at a loss for words. He wasn’t sure what had come over him. But something inside was telling him he didn’t want her to leave.
“You wouldn’t by chance be free for lunch, would you?” He had fumbled his way through the invitation forgetting about his scheduled luncheon appointment.
He took Jackie by surprise until it dawned on her what he was up to. She slowly turned back to him. “Did you want to treat me to lunch so you can pump me for information about that imaginary book again, Mr. District Attorney?”
He tried not to let her sarcasm rile him. Besides, she was dead wrong about why he wanted to have lunch with her. It had nothing to do with that damn book of Desmond Sinclair’s. But he didn’t really know why he wanted to put himself across the table from someone who obviously disliked him.
“I’ve come to accept the fact that there is no book, Jackie. So will you join me for lunch?”
“Yes.”
“You will? Great. Would it be okay to try Cresco’s again?”
“I can be there at one o’clock.”
“I’ll be there,” assured Andrew as he stood dumbfounded while he watched her go out the door and disappear from sight.
Jackie bid Peggy a cheery good morning before closing herself in her office. She plopped her attaché case on her desk before going to the oversized window and flipping open the burgundy colored blinds. The view of an overcrowded parking lot and the dismal light of the outside only added to her frustration.
She’d given it serious thought on the drive to the studio. And was giving the matter even more of her time now, but had no answer. Why had she told the notorious district attorney she’d have lunch with him? Why would she have lunch with a man intent on destroying the man she loved, the man who loved her?
She should call Marcus. She desperately needed to hear his voice. To hear him say he had no idea he owned part of her company. That he’d be happy to sell her his share. Peggy knocked once before letting herself inside. “Delivery for Miss Jackie Bertoni,” she announced with a smile once she had Jackie’s attention.
“For me?” Jackie asked, accepting the long white box from her secretary.
Relief to her frustration had arrived. A grateful smile found its way into her expression as she undid the red bow and removed the lid.
“They’re beautiful,” gasped Peggy, eyeing the long stemmed red roses.
Peggy had said what Jackie thought as she reached for the card that read, I miss you. Love Marcus.
Chapter Nine
Jackie had grown into a woman with principles. And one who faithfully showed up for her appointments on time.
It was precisely twelve fifty nine when Charles wheeled the limousine into the empty parking space at the curb in front of Cresco’s. Upon his employer’s instructions, Charles did not step out into the drizzly rain to open the car door for her.
Through tinted glass, Jackie saw Andrew Michaels huddling under an umbrella near the door. The sight chased away the dampness that had chilled her to the bone when she stepped out beneath his umbrella.
Andy pushed the door open for her to dodge inside before following her lead. “You really didn’t have to wait outside for me.”
“I didn’t mind,” he said as he closed the umbrella.
“Well, I hope you weren’t waiting long.”
“No.” He was too embarrassed to tell her how long he’d been standing in the rain.
He’d arrived early because he was unable to concentrate on his work all morning. So he left his office and walked across town in the rain with hopes of clearing his head. Or at least setting aside the puzzling thoughts and sensations he’d been experiencing ever since Jackie Bertoni crashed into him earlier.
Franklin greeted them with a good afternoon and asked them to follow him. Jackie stepped in line behind the maitre de as he led the way to the table. Only Jackie didn’t take more than a few steps before she froze. Andy stopped a hair away from ramming into the back of her.
“Is something wrong?” he asked, then stepped up alongside her, his gaze following hers to the far corner of the room. “I’ll be the first to admit, the man plays the role of family man perfectly. Don’t you agree?”
Jackie was still unable to move. What was happening? She saw the attractive, but plainly clothed brunette blush when Marcus leaned over and whispered something in her ear before planting a kiss on her cheek. She moved her gaze to the children sitting across from the happy couple. The boy looked so much like Marcus, while Jackie saw a little bit of him and Talia in the girl’s features.
Jackie’s insides screamed with pain. An excruciating sensation stabbed into the center of her heart. The blood coursing through her veins came close to a boil. At the same time every inch of her body felt like she had been thrown to the ground, then kicked and trampled by an entire platoon of soldiers.
Unexpectedly, she wheeled around and raced for the door. Andy went after her. She made it outside and a short distance down the street before he was able to reach out and latch onto the sleeve of her suit jacket. But it did not stop her, only slow her down until he was able to step up and dodge in front of her.
Her tears mingled with raindrops as they washed over her cheeks and dropped off her chin. Andy pulled his handkerchief from his back trouser pocket and held it out to her. By the time Jackie reached for it,
it was already rain soaked.
She peered up into his eyes and offered a thank you. At least that’s what Andy took the look to mean when he said, “You’re welcome,” then latched onto her arm around the elbow and guided her inside the door of the little coffee shop. He helped her out of her wet jacket. “We’ll be lucky if we don’t end up with pneumonia.”
They sat down at one of the vacant round tables. Andy ordered two coffees. Jackie still hadn’t spoken a word. He thought it a good sign that the tears had stopped. If only she would say something. A clue of some kind to let him know what was wrong.
The waitress brought their coffee then left them. Andy peered over the rim of his coffee mug to Jackie as he sipped the black brew. But she wasn’t aware of his eyes. Or if she was, she showed no sign. It was as if she had traveled off to a far away place where only she was permitted entry.
Then her voice came to him out of nowhere. “Tell me what you know about Marcus DeMario’s family, Mr. District Attorney.”
His insides burned each time she addressed him by his work title, but he decided this wasn’t the time to remind her he preferred Andy.
“Only that he moved them here with him from Italy yesterday.”
“His family is here permanently then? I mean they will be taking up citizenship here in LA?”
“I assume so.”
She finally looked into his eyes. “You want to know something, this morning I wouldn’t have traded places with another living soul.”
“You’re the same person you were then,” Andy told her with hopes of bringing some kind of comfort to her and easing his own discomfort at seeing her upset.
“Wrong. I’m much wiser. Empty inside, but wiser.”
Andy watched her sip her coffee and found himself growing more fascinated with the woman. He liked a complex personality. It kept him on his toes. With Jackie around, his brain would get plenty of exercise. He knew it wasn’t just the complexity of the woman’s personality that attracted him to her. She was beautiful.
“Would you like another coffee? How about a sandwich?”
