The Fidelity World: Devious (Kindle Worlds Novella)

by Solease M Barner

  “How are you doing? Are you getting out of the house?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

  “Jax, I like sitting in my garden and relaxing. I’ve lived my life, now I want to relax.”

  “I want you to travel, Nana. Plus, I think you would love a senior cruise.”

  “I’m not going. You’re wasting your breath and your money. I want to see you. When are you coming to see me?”

  I cringe, knowing I should have already made the trip to see her. “I’m sorry, Nana. I’ll come see you in a few days. I promise.”

  “You bringing a lady with you? You know those swimmers in your wiener are going to dry up.”

  “Nana, stop!”

  “I want great grands, Jax. You need to start dating, find the right girl, get serious, and get the show on the road. And speaking of shows, I have to go because my favorite show is about to come on.”

  “Okay, Nana. I love you.”

  “I love you too, baby, but I still want some great grands, and you need a woman to make that happen.”

  “See you soon, Nana, and please be kind to the employees,” I say as I disconnect the phone.

  I laugh at how blunt she can be. I miss my father and mother, but more than likely, they’d be telling me the same thing Nana has been telling me for the last several years – she wants grands. Damn, perish the thought!

  As I start planning my day with Silvia, I try to remember all the things she likes to do. Maybe she’d like to try something new. And I know just the thing.

  I look at my watch. It’s already close to 11a.m. Maybe we should eat before we leave.

  Randal is waiting downstairs but as I start out the door, my cell rings again. I look at the display and ‘Fixer’ flashes on the screen. I have certain calls routed through a special number and delivered to my cell phone using the identifier tag of Fixer. It may sound a little pompous or self-important, but unfortunately, it’s necessary.

  “Yes?”

  “We need you to handle something in 24 hours.”

  “It must be after midnight. I have plans through the day.” I grind my teeth and take a deep breath. It would have to be today, of all days.

  “The money will be transferred to your account in an hour.”

  I look up at my ceiling and wish, sometimes, I could be just a normal guy living a normal life. Then I think, what the hell is normal, anyway? Even men I thought were happy have shoved a gun in their mouth and blown their brains out. So, maybe this is the life I was meant to have.

  Shaking off those morbid thoughts and making a mental note of the call I received, I leave to pick up Silvia. As soon as I’m in the car, Randal lowers the partition. Randal has been my driver for many years, and the only time he does this is when he has something to say, which isn’t often.

  “Mr. Montgomery, I think Ms. Silvia is a nice lady.” As I said, Randal has worked for me for years and during that time, he’s seen me with a lot of women, and he’s never said anything about any of the ones I’ve dated in the past.

  He looks at me in the mirror, and I look back at him frowning. “Yes, she is nice, and what’s your point?”

  “She doesn’t deserve to be treated like the others.”

  Oh, I totally misjudged this conversation. He’s not concerned about me, he’s concerned about Silvia. This is new, and he works for me. What kind of shit is this?

  “What I do with Silvia is my business. However this plays out is between Silvia and me, and no one else. But I appreciate your concern, Randal. Let’s not discuss this again. Do you understand?” Randal nods, signaling the end of the conversation.

  When we pull up to front of Silvia building’s, she’s outside talking and laughing with the doorman She looks carefree and happy. She’s wearing a cute, purple, knee-length summer dress and flats.

  “You look lovely,” I interrupt.

  She glances over her shoulder, her long brunette hair flowing down her back, gently blowing in the breeze.

  “I thought you were going to stand me up, Mr. Montgomery. Andrew has offered to introduce me to his nephew,” she teases.

  “I’m sorry for not being on time, but I was talking with my grandmother,” I say, knowing it’s only partly true. “She wants to see me and said I should hurry and get her some great grandbabies.”

  I hold out my hand, and she takes it instantly, with no hesitation at all. Silvia is not really into public displays of affection, but I pull her close and give her a passionate kiss.

  Randal opens the door and we both get in.

  “What are we doing first?” she asks excitedly, almost like an eager toddler on Christmas morning.

  “I’m glad you asked. But it’s a surprise and I have an entire day planned for us.”

  “Okay, but what’s first, Jaxson? I don’t like surprises, and I don’t like to wait.”

  “I thought we could get some lunch first, and then we’ll be off on our adventures.”

  “Adventures? Jaxson, I’m not doing anything that could kill me.”

  I smile and kiss her forehead gently. “Silvia, I would never hurt you. You need to trust me.”

  We stop and pick up several salads, but this time I add steak to mine. We laugh and talk about our jobs. The conversation goes from light and carefree, to deep and introspective. Silvia tells me about her concerns for becoming involved with me, and that’s she’s been hurt in the past but claims it wasn’t by a lover, which is good to know since my files show nothing about her ever being seriously involved with anyone. I try to get her to open up, but she refuses to reveal any more about her comment. She simply says she doesn’t need any distractions in her life right now.

  I know exactly how she feels, but there’s something about this woman that draws me in and makes me want to know all the details of her life, every little bump and bruise. And even more surprisingly, I want to make them all go away.

  I can no longer deny that I feel something for Silvia. She makes me laugh and I want to please her, and not just sexually. Sure, I want her body; I’m only human. I’ve never wanted anyone as much I desire Silvia, but it’s more than that. I want to make her happy, in every way. I want to see her laugh, and never be unhappy again.

  Suddenly the mood changes and Silvia becomes somber, quietly looking out the window.

  “Why the silence, baby?” I ask.

  “Oh, don’t mind me Jaxson. Sometimes I like quiet. Tell me, where are we going?”

  “We’re not far, but it’s still a surprise. More importantly, have I told you how beautiful you look today?”

  She turns toward me and I see that she’s blushing...

  “Jaxson, why are you interested in me? I mean you met me at the coffee shop and didn’t know anything about me.”

  Shit, why is she asking this question?

  “Silvia, I’m not sure why you’re so suspicious of a man who simply enjoys your company. I saw you. You were beautiful. We met, and something clicked. And then we talked and I discovered you were even more beautiful on the inside. You have such a big heart. You’re also kind, good and care about others. I have no ulterior motive. Look, I’m 37 years old. I don’t have kids or a family except my Nana, and she won’t live forever. I’m lonely and want to have a companion. Just give me a chance.” I feel a twinge in my chest as I say the words but surprisingly, I mean every single one. I’m so fucked.

  She moves closer and places her hands on my checks, then turns my face to hers and places her forehead against mine. “That’s the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me. I will give you a chance, Jaxson Montgomery. But if you betray me, you will lose my trust, and there will be no second chances. And if that happens, it will be no one’s fault but your own,” Silvia says with conviction.

  We pull up to Central Park and she looks out with a huge smile. “I love the outdoors,” she exclaims.

  “I love that I can make you happy, baby, and this is only the beginning of our day together.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  SILVIA
<
br />   This day is too perfect. I love coming to the city, and one of my favorite things in the whole world has always been walking through Central Park. This is the first trip in a very long time that I haven’t had time to take, at least, one stroll through the park. I have no idea how Jaxson always seems to know the perfect thing to make me smile, but he does. This is the perfect day and I’m with the perfect man.

  When we climb out of the car, I’m beaming from ear to ear. At first, I thought Jaxson was too good to be true, but I’ve decided to give him a chance, or I should say, give love a chance. Although I don’t love Jaxson, or at least I don’t think I do, if things continue going as well as they have been, I can see myself falling for him, and hard. But I don’t want to be hurt. I can only hope and pray Jaxson is being truthful when he says he only wants to make me happy, and that I can trust him. I may not be completely in love yet, but I’m very close, and I think it might actually kill me if he breaks my heart.

  “Jaxson, this day is perfect.” I look over at Jaxson with a big smile. The sky is blue and the sun is shining as brightly as my feeling for this man.

  “I’ve always loved coming to Central Park, but coming here with you, makes it a hundred times better. I can only hope you feel the same, Silvia,” he says, gazing at me with those gorgeous eyes.

  He reaches for my hand and with joy in my heart, I place it in his. Then, Jaxson leads me over to the horse and carriage rides and asks, “Will you ride with me, Silvia?”

  “Yes, I would love to ride with you, Jaxson...”

  I’ve been on horse and carriage rides before, but never in my life have I been on one with someone who’s interested in me romantically.

  We climb into the carriage as the driver waits for Jaxson to give him permission to begin our ride. Jaxson nods and the driver signals the horse to begin our trip around the park.

  “Are you enjoying yourself, baby?” Jaxson asks.

  “Yes, more than you know. How about you?”

  “Just being in your presence gives me pleasure beyond measure, baby.”

  We hold hands and Jaxson leans over occasionally to give me a kiss. I wish this moment could be frozen in time and never end, but I’m a realist. I know this kind of perfection must always end. Roslyn is always telling me to try to be more positive, but how can I, knowing that from my first breath of life, I was neither wanted nor loved. I was nothing more than property that could be sold.

  I became a Demetri because I was sold into servitude as a child to pay a debt owed by my father. I’m so thankful God took pity on me and that Angelina took me in as her own, raising me as her own daughter. I was only ten-years-old when I was thrust into another family, another life, and another world, none of which I knew anything about. My only consolation was having a woman willing to love me and a little brother who was willing to accept me and want to play with me. I look at Jax, and he gives me another kiss.

  “Are you okay, baby? You look so sad, like you’re somewhere else, and not here with me,” he says with concern.

  “Oh Jaxson, I’m more than okay. It’s just… I’m not a very positive person. I think my mind is wired to think negatively. I always think people are only being nice to me because they want something from me. I’m not sure if it’s because of being a Demetri, or the fact my biological parents gave up me when I was only a small child. They didn’t want me Jaxson. And they didn’t just give me up, they sold me.”

  His mouth drops open like he’s seen a ghost, but he recovers quickly.

  ‘You’re adopted? I didn’t know Silvia. I’m so sorry, but I’ve always thought adopting a child is an honorable thing to do.”

  “Yes, and sometimes adoption isn’t the only outcome. Some alternatives can be so much worse. My life could have turned out very differently. But let’s not talk about the past. I know you told me your parents and sister are deceased, but do you have any other siblings?”

  “As I told you, I had a sister but she was taken away by an unfortunate situation. And I have no other siblings.” The look on his face becomes cold and strangely cruel.

  “I’m sorry, Jaxson. I don’t want to make things unpleasant with painful memories and spoil our beautiful day together. Please tell me about your Nana.” I didn’t mean to make him sad, although he doesn’t really look sad, he looks angry. But his strange mood fades quickly and his face lights up in a smile.

  “My Nana is somewhat different, to say the least. She has no boundaries and no filter. I plan on going to see her this coming weekend.”

  “She sounds fun. As a matter of fact, she sounds a lot like my friend Roslyn. I don’t have any grandparents still living but if I did, I would want to spend as much time as possible talking with them about the old days. That’s another thing about me; I’m a history buff and love to do research.”

  “Have you done research on me?”

  “No, if I do research on you I may find you’re married with three kids, and then this will all end.” I try to laugh it off but truth be told, I’m being completely serious.

  “I’m not married, sweetheart, and I have no children. I haven’t been blessed with any, but there’s still hope.”

  “Jax, you’re being too smooth again. But let’s make a pact. I won’t research you, if you don’t research me. He frowns, but I continue, “Let’s just get to know each other the old-fashioned way and without any outside influence.”

  “You’re not a black widow or anything, killing rich men and taking their money, are you?”

  “No, I’m completely harmless. But if you can do that one thing for me, it will make this, whatever this is between us, go more smoothly.”

  “Okay, no research. But now you have to do something for me,” he declares, giving me a sneaky grin.

  “What are you up too, Jaxson?” I ask, sliding a little closer to him.

  “I won’t have you investigated, if you promise to work on having a more positive attitude about everything.”

  I lean in and give him another kiss, then whisper in his ear, “I promise every time I have a bad thought, I will push it away and think positive thoughts about you and me.”

  He throws back his head and laughs loudly, causing me to burst into a fit of giggles. We come to the end of our carriage ride, and though I’m sad it’s over, I’m excited to see what’s next on Jaxson’s agenda for today!

  Are you ready for what’s next?” he asks.

  “Jaxson, you have to tell me what it is. I can’t wait,” I plead, clasping my hands together in front of my face, as if I’m a starving child begging for crumbs.

  “Silvia, I can’t take you begging. I don’t have the strength to deny you anything.” I clap my hands together, waiting for him to reveal our next adventure. I haven’t had this much fun since I was a kid playing hide and seek with Nox.

  “We’re going indoor sky diving, baby,” he exclaims with a big grin.

  Oh shit. All the joy I felt just left as quickly as it came. Dear god, I’m afraid of heights. I never even go out on the balcony at my penthouse, because I’m afraid I will fall. I get dizzy just looking at the doors leading outside.

  “That’s not going to happen, Jaxson.”

  “What? Don’t worry, baby. It’s completely safe. Nothing will happen.”

  “Jaxson, I’m not doing it. I’m afraid of heights, and even though I know it’s only the feeling of sky diving, I’m not doing it.

  We stand there for several minutes while he cajoles and tries to convince me to change my mind. But I hold my ground and Jaxson finally realizes I’m not giving in. We make new plans. Jaxson says he’s going to find a way to get me over my fear of heights, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

  Our day still turns out great, despite Jaxson’s constant reminders of how much he wanted to fly with me. We may have had a perfect day, but I’m still determined to take things slow and not rush into a relationship with Jaxson Montgomery.

  ***

  3 WEEKS LATER

  I’m in a relationship with Jaxs
on Montgomery. Yes, I know what I said about taking things slow, but we still haven’t had sex yet, though I think it may be time. I told him I wanted to do the no sex thing until we’ve been in a committed relationship for several months, giving us both a chance to see if this is what we want, but I’m so horny all the time now.

  He’s been spending the night at my home almost every night for the past several weeks. He says he won’t allow me to stay the night at his home unless he gets to be buried deep inside of me.

  Jaxson still meets me every morning for coffee, and now I can’t picture getting coffee without him waiting for me outside the shop.

  The thing I enjoy most is I don’t have to share Jaxson with anyone. I’ve told Roslyn about him, but they’ve never met. It’s killing Roslyn, but she said she respects my decision.

  I’m sitting in my office thinking about how much I really like Jaxson when it hits me, I want to give him my body, as it seems he already has my heart.

  He said he would be in meetings most of the day but I decide to send a message to his phone.

  Silvia: Hey you, I was thinking… maybe I could come to your place tonight. It’s Friday and we could play this weekend, if you catch my meaning.

  I can see him responding right away. For some reason, I’m really nervous, even though I know he’s been waiting for me.

  Jaxson: Baby, if you’re sure, I’m FUCKING over the moon excited! Are you sure you’re ready? There’s no rush. You know I’ll follow your rules.

  I laugh because I can picture the look on his face after reading my text.

  Silvia: I want you badly and to be blunt… I want you! I’m not as good at this sex talk as you are, so please be patient with me

  His typing is instant. I giggle to myself, waiting for him to respond.

  Jaxson: Don’t worry, baby. I’ll always be patient with you, and I like you just the way you are. I’ll be waiting for you at my penthouse. Yes, I GET TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU TONIGHT! JM