Interview with Love

by Lisa Y. Watson

  Vaughn reached over and eased her hand into his. He kissed it. “Sweetheart, it wasn’t as bad as that. Your dad wants what’s best for you, and wanted to be sure I did, too.”

  “Of course you do,” Sienna sniffed. “It’s just my evil twin sister that wants to cause me harm.”

  “Do you really think that’s what she’s doing?”

  Sienna glanced out the window. “Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t trust that she’s being completely honest about her intentions. I know what I saw. The last thing I need is her to be painting me as some psychologist that can’t even have a healthy relationship with her own flesh and blood. I can tell companies all day long what’s on consumer’s minds, but when it comes to my own sister I’m clueless.”

  “You’ll get to the bottom of things. Of that I have no doubt,” Vaughn assured her.

  “I hope so. I’m going to be watching her every move. If she thinks I’m going to stand by and let her use me for target practice, she can think again.”

  It was silent for some time before Vaughn spoke up. “How about we invite Carlton and Angella out for breakfast tomorrow?” he asked, changing the subject.

  “I’m fine with it.”

  He waited until he got to a red light before he took his hand and tilted her face toward his. He regarded her. “Are you sure, Doc?”

  “Vaughn, I’m fine with it,” she said, smiling. “It’s just what I need to get my mind off of my sister. So, what time?”

  “Good question.”

  Vaughn dialed Carlton’s number and put him on speaker. When he answered, Vaughn invited the two of them to breakfast.

  “I think we can make it. Where are you going?”

  “I think we should let Angella choose.” Sienna concluded.

  “Angella, pick up the phone,” her father said, loudly.

  Seconds later she was on the telephone. Her dad filled her in on their impromptu breakfast plans.

  “It’s your choice honey,” Carlton informed her. “Where would you like to eat?”

  “Dad, I can’t believe you even have to ask,” Angella said, with excitement. “IHOP.”

  “IHOP it is,” Vaughn agreed. Do you want us to meet you both there Carl, or stop by your house first?”

  They decided to meet up at the restaurant since Carlton and Angella would be going shopping after breakfast. With their plans made Vaughn ended the call.

  “How about we invite Pierce?” Sienna asked.

  “That’s way too early for my brother to be out and about. Especially on a Sunday,” Vaughn snickered. “Besides, he may not have seen off his latest date by then.”

  “He’s a ladies’ man extraordinaire. Honestly I wonder how he finds time to market his new scents and endorsements with his busy schedule.”

  “Where there’s a libido there’s a way,” Vaughn chuckled.

  “Speaking from experience are you?”

  He took his right hand off the wheel, and rested it on her thigh. “Absolutely not. I was too busy with work to even think about having an entourage. Not my style, anyway,” his gaze swept over her. “What about you?”

  “I already told you my longest dating experience lasted two months. I wasn’t being facetious you know.”

  Vaughn recalled her sister’s words to that affect. There was a lull in the conversation for a while. As if she’d just remembered something, Sienna turned sharply toward Vaughn. “My dad,” she exclaimed.

  Vaughn looked confused. “What about him?”

  “Will you tell me what happened? Was it the Spanish Inquisition two thousand and nine, or did he decide to take it easy on the civilian?”

  He laughed heartily. His voice carried throughout the small space. Seconds later she joined in.

  “It wasn’t as bad as that, Doc. Your father was just trying to see where I’m coming from.”

  “You don’t have to try and spare me, Vaughn. I know my father is overzealous when it comes to protecting his family. Did he say you were one-of-a-kind?” she prodded.

  “I don’t know, why?”

  “That’s code for he’s going to be delving into your background. He doesn’t think Sasha and I know, but we overheard him talking on the phone to one of the guys from his troop. That means he’s going to have you investigated. I’m going to check with mom and—”

  “Hey,” he said, quietly. So quiet that she stopped rambling and turned a worried face toward him.

  “Yes?”

  “I wasn’t kidding, Sienna. Your father and I had a very good chat. He knows I’d never do anything to hurt you. I’m crazy happy that you’re in my life to begin with. Considering our rough start I don’t plan on doing anything to jeopardize that.”

  She stared at him dumfounded. “Oh,” was all she could manage to say.

  “At first he was a little concerned about an issue in my past, but once I showed him the paternity test results he relaxed.”

  “What!?” she screeched.

  Vaughn couldn’t continue the joke. He dissolved into non-stop laughter. Annoyed at his not-so-funny hoax she took great pleasure in punching him in the leg.

  “Very funny,” she said, wryly. “Don’t quit your day job you’re not that good.”

  His hand come over and rested on her leg. He gave it an affectionate squeeze. “Come on, we both know my humor is one of the many things you love about me.”

  Her facial expression grew serious. Her response wasn’t immediate and when she did speak up her voice sounded odd even to her. “Yeah,” she answered quietly, “one of the many things.”

  When they got back to his house Vaughn parked the car and escorted Sienna in. Before she could ask what they were going to do, he said, “I’d like to show you something.”

  “Okay.”

  Taking her hand Vaughn guided her to a part of the house she’d never seen. He went up a staircase at the back of the house. At the top was a wide glass door. “I call this the observatory,” he said, opening the door and stepping outside.

  The space was big enough to hold what Sienna thought looked like a large bed or extra wide futon-type structure that sat in the middle of the wooden floor. There was a canopy around it with netting cascading down like drapes secured with tie backs. Multiple pillows and a thick mattress beckoned her to try it out. The decking extended out past the house to take full advantage of the unencumbered view of the sky. Guard rails went around the perimeter, but other than that the outdoor space gave you a sense of being one with nature.

  “Vaughn,” she breathed, turning toward him. “This is amazing.”

  “Not yet,” he told her. He took a lighter off a nearby shelf and lit the candles that were strategically placed around the area.

  Sienna stood there watching him. With his task completed, Vaughn came over and crouched down in front of her. He removed her sandals and ran his hands gently up her legs. They didn’t stop until they were encircling her waist. “I’ve wanted to get my hands on you all evening,” he admitted.

  Her arms snaked around his neck. “Me too. You always know what I need.”

  When they kissed, it was unhurried and full of promise.

  “You look beautiful, Doc,” he kissed her neck. “Though I hope we’ve seen the last of that bun,” he mocked. His fingers looped around the straps of her sundress and eased them down her shoulders.

  Sienna was finding it difficult to form coherent thoughts. “With you—or at all?”

  His hands continued to coerce the dress down her body. “I would be thrilled to never see it again,” his voice caressed her like warm butter sliding down a hot piece of bread.

  “Consider it gone,” she said, huskily.

  He stopped. “Sienna, are you sure? I know you—”

  She silenced him with her finger across his lips. “I’m sure. It’s gone.”

  Vaughn knew how significant that gesture was for her. “Kind of like this dress,” his voice was thick with emotion. He waved it in front of her before laying it on a nearby bench. His eyes scanned
appreciatively over her candlelit body. He watched in fascination as the muted shadows danced across her body. Vaughn’s hand stroked her skin over and around her satin bra and matching panties.

  Unable to remain a spectator, Sienna unbuttoned his shirt and helped him out of it. Next she went to work removing his pants.

  They faced each other in their underwear.

  Vaughn caressed her cheek. “Are you cold?”

  “Are you kidding? Right now I feel like you could melt candle wax on me.”

  She saw a gleam in his eyes. “Theoretically,” she clarified.

  He picked her up. “Tease.”

  Vaughn lowered her onto the bed. When he lay down beside her he gathered her in his arms. Her head rested on his chest. Silently, they observed the stars above them. They took turns pointing out constellations to each other. “Doc?” Vaughn said, softly.

  She didn’t look up when she spoke, “Yes?”

  “Now this is amazing.”

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Girls Night Out

  Vaughn and Sienna were sitting inside the restaurant when Carlton and Angella arrived. When she spotted Vaughn she ran toward him. He was waiting for her with outstretched arms. “How’s my Angel?”

  “Uncle Vaughn,” she said, gleefully. “It’s been forever since I’ve seen you.”

  “Forever has lasted a week,” he teased. “How’s my favorite short stop?”

  “Great,” Angella enthused. She turned her attention toward Sienna. “Hi Ms. Sienna.”

  Extending her hand, Sienna squeezed Angella’s. “It’s a pleasure to finally be able to meet you. The last time doesn’t count since we were in the middle of some drama.”

  “Total drama,” Angella agreed.

  Carlton stepped over to his daughter’s side. He leaned in to hug Sienna. “Nice to see you again,” he smiled.

  “I’m glad it’s under better circumstances this time,” Sienna countered.

  “I hope you brought an appetite, Angel.”

  “Uncle Vaughn, this is IHOP. Since when haven’t I been in the mood for their pancakes?”

  They enjoyed each other’s company throughout breakfast. Angella discussed her last soccer game with Vaughn while Carlton discussed migraines and ways to alleviate the effects with Sienna. After Vaughn paid the bill, they all walked to the parking lot. Angella and Sienna were animatedly discussing Cassandra’s dance studio.

  Carlton pulled his friend aside. “She’s a great woman, Vaughn. Seriously, I’m glad everything is working out for you.”

  “Thanks, man. At least now we know she has a sister,” he said, dryly.

  “True, though she’s not exactly my type,” Carlton said, heaving a sigh of relief. “And honestly, it would be too weird for you and I to be dating twins.”

  “From what Sasha said, she’s already taken anyway.”

  “Back to the drawing board then,” his friend joked.

  Vaughn gave Carlton a quick pat on the back. “It looks that way.”

  Six days later…

  Vivian rolled a small suitcase into Sienna’s office. She took a quick peek at her watch. “Girl, will you please hurry up so we can get going? Fooling around with you we’re going to be late.”

  “Almost finished,” Sienna said, calmly. “Viv, I’ve got some news.”

  Vivian arched an eyebrow. “Uh-oh. What’s going on? Every time you use that tone something happens that I don’t like.”

  “Sasha is coming along.”

  Vivian’s eyes grew huge. “What? How the hell did that happen? After what you told me I thought you all were on the outs. More so than usual that is.”

  “Cassie happened. She let it slip in front of my dad that you and I were going away for our girl’s weekend. Before she could stop him he’d invited Sasha along.”

  “Well he can just un-invite her. Besides, she said no, right?”

  Sienna shook her head. “We’re not that lucky. She agreed to go. I’m sure it was to placate my dad.”

  “Oh, this is just great,” Vivian moaned flopping into a nearby chair. “Talk about buzz kill. We’re going to be stuck an entire weekend with your twin from a parallel universe. Splendid.”

  Sienna tried to put a good spin on it. “Look at it this way, if she’s with us, she can’t be here trying to probe my parents for stuff to write in her book. This way we can keep our eye on her.”

  “I thought she told you she wasn’t using you for it?”

  Sienna looked skeptical. “That’s what she said, but I don’t trust her, Viv.”

  “Fine,” Vivian acquiesced. “Is she coming here or meeting us at the airport?”

  “At the airport.”

  Suddenly Sienna looked up. “I wish you’d tell me where we are going.”

  “Not a chance. After that big bombshell you just dropped I need to have some fun. You’ll have to wait until we get to the airport. You picked the place last year and we agreed remember? No telling where we’re going until we’re practically on the plane.”

  “You do realize that makes it hard to pack don’t you?”

  Vivian pondered that predicament. “You’re right. Okay, if the destination will be a climate change for us then we can give hints.”

  “So you’re saying I packed satisfactorily for where we’re going?”

  “Yes, Crazy, now let’s go.”

  Despite finding out last minute that Sasha was tagging along, by the time they made it through into RDU, Sienna was getting excited. Work had kept her busy up until the moment they walked out the door and Vaughn had been on deadlines and travel so they hadn’t seen each other but once that whole week. They’d conversed on the phone, but it wasn’t enough for either of them. Just remembering that night they had spent together caused her to sigh in delight at the memory. Her stomach flip-flopped just thinking about their passionate encounter.

  “Okay, new rule,” Vivian announced. “What number are you on? Anyway, no thinking about your man to the point that you’re eyes glaze over, and you’re sweating in front of me. Unless I have a man, and then it’s okay. Since I don’t right now—cut that crap out.”

  Sienna ignored Vivian’s protests. She opened her cell phone and dialed Vaughn’s number. When she got his voicemail she left a message. “I’m missing you like crazy. This week has been intolerable. I can’t begin to tell you how lonely it’s been without you—especially at night,” she whispered.

  Vivian rolled her eyes so Sienna turned and faced the other direction. “I still don’t know where we’re going. We’ve had a hiccup in the program, too. Sasha’s coming along. Don’t ask, I’ll call you later tonight with those sordid details,” she promised. “I hope you’re having fun being in Las Vegas without me. We will have to plan these excursions better in the future. Anyway, have a safe trip and I’ll talk to you soon.” After she hung up she turned back around. Vivian was shaking her head at her. “I don’t know why you didn’t tell the man you loved him.”

  Sienna blushed profusely. “Who says I love him?”

  “Anybody that has a brain in their head or eyeballs or—”

  “I get it,” she interrupted. Thoughts of Vaughn and how she felt about him rocketed to the forefront. Sienna knew Vivian wasn’t telling her anything that she hadn’t asked herself already. Are you in love with Vaughn Deveraux? she pondered. Her hand went to the necklace he’d given her. She wore it more times than not. His sentiments when he’d presented it to her made her almost blurt out how she felt about him right then and there.

  “Earth to Sienna?” Vivian waved a hand in front of her face. “You’re sister’s coming.”

  Sienna pushed her thoughts aside and watched Sasha come into view.

  When she reached them, Sasha smiled. “Hello, ladies.”

  “Sasha, what an…unexpected surprise.” Vivian smiled overly brightly.

  “I hope you won’t mind me tagging along. Dad sort of insisted, and you know how he gets when you try to disagree with him. He went straight to ‘Colonel Mode.
’”

  “Don’t I know it,” Sienna chimed in despite herself.”

  A few seconds of awkward silence passed. Eventually, Sienna spoke up. “Enough of the mystery, Vivian. Where are we going?”

  “Okay, okay I’ll tell you,” she replied, ceremoniously putting her hand into her bag and pulling out their tickets. “We’re going to New York.”

  “New York?” Sasha repeated with minute enthusiasm.

  “Don’t give me that bored look. We are having the time of our lives this weekend. If you’d rather not participate—”

  “I’m here, aren’t I?”

  Vivian turned to Sienna. “I’ve got all sorts of excitement planned so get your game face on and let’s get to partying.”

  The plane ride was uneventful. On the taxi ride to the hotel Vivian finally gave them a few details.

  “We’re staying at the Plaza, ladies.”

  “Vivian, are you insane? The Plaza?” Sienna’s eyes bugged out of her head. “Do you know how much a night there costs? And you’ve booked us for two?”

  “Yes, I do and yes I have,” Vivian informed her in her not-too-be-messed-with voice. “Sienna, relax. We’ve earned this. It’s been a fantastic year thus far and we have a girl’s weekend every year. We spent more than this last year on a cruise.”

  “Yeah, but that was a cruise…for five days…to the Caribbean.”

  “I was there, remember?”

  “Vivian, this will cost a fortune,” Sienna groused.

  “Only half a fortune and sometimes you just have to go with the flow. Besides, if you meet with at least one client, we can write the hotel room off.”

  Sienna looked thoughtful.

  “I’m kidding. You will do nothing of the sort. This weekend is about having a good time. We’ve got reservations tomorrow night for dinner at Le Cirque, and after breakfast we’ve got spa appointments. Not once this entire weekend do I want to hear or see you worrying about money. It’s all about those hour long massages, which I hope will be given by some incredibly gorgeous, virile men—accents optional.”

  Before Sienna could say anything, Sasha spoke up, “Now this trip sounds like fun. Don’t worry sis, neither one of us will tell Vaughn about Sven.”