“No! Jeez. I told him I was scared, too, but I wasn’t willing to let this chance pass us by without knowing where it could end up. At which point he stopped talking and kissed me with such passion I was left panting, so I kissed him back, and then we got back to the villa and spent the afternoon swimming and relaxing. Then I invited him to shower with me, and the rest is history.”
“Well, dear, I’m glad he jumped all over that. He’d be stupid if he didn’t. You’re beautiful, sexy, and a great catch.”
Jess chuckles. “Thanks, I love you, too. That’s all the detail you’re going to get until you get here Friday. I’m exhausted. Good night.”
“Good night, you little sexpot.” Bonnie replies, and they hang up the phone.
CHAPTER 9
KISS AND TELL
Sean and Jessica spend their few remaining alone days enjoying each other’s company, relaxing by the pool, and preparing plans and agendas for the grand opening. Jessica decides to ask the villa staff to prepare gift baskets and flower arrangements for the anticipated guests, as well as a flexible buffet of refreshing snacks and cocktails. She personally writes cards from both Sean and her, welcoming the guests and expressing gratitude for their support, not only of Hugo, but also of Beauty Boutique Clothing.
Bonnie and Wendy are the first to arrive at the villa.
“Mrs. and Ms. Stevens, welcome!” Eduardo greets them. He motions for the other staff to get their bags, but when they attempt to take the bags to Bonnie and Wendy’s respective rooms, Wendy objects.
“Thank you, but I’d like to stay in the master suite with Bonnie.”
“I’m sorry, señorita. Ms. Silva has instructed us to put you in the suite upstairs, and any change in room arrangements will have to be taken up with her,” Eduardo says suavely.
“Not to worry,” Bonnie chimes in. “We’ll talk to her about it. Thank you, Eduardo.” He nods, and Wendy follows him to her suite.
After appreciating the gift basket, flowers, and personalized notes in the room, Wendy heads out to the buffet by the pool. Bonnie is already there enjoying a mojito, and she lifts another to show Wendy she got two, one for each of them.
Wendy gets a plate from the buffet, and everyone settles for a bit of relaxing after a long day of travel.
Wendy asks, “Jessica, why did you put me in the upstairs suite instead of in the master bedroom with Bonnie? This place is large, but there are only so many bedrooms, and I don’t want to put anyone out.”
Jessica smiles. “There is absolutely no imposition here; I’m sharing Sean’s suite with him.”
Wendy’s eyebrows shoot up. “Really? When did all this happen? Explain yourselves!”
Bonnie sips her drink and chuckles. “It’s about damn time it happened.”
Jess shoots a look at Bonnie. “Well, a lot of this was because you prompted me to take a risk, and after both Mark and Ricardo passed, I realized just how short life can be, and how attracted I am to this man. It would be a shame never to know the outcome of any relationship with Sean simply because I couldn’t or wouldn’t let him know how I feel about him. So thank you, Wendy, for forcing me to face and overcome my relationship issues and fears. Your reverse psychology is killer.”
Wendy smiles. “You’re welcome. It appears things are working out for the best for the two of you, and I’m delighted I could help that process along.”
Sean, somewhat confused, asks, “What process are you girls talking about?”
“Never you mind,” Bonnie replies, stealing a chip from Wendy’s plate.
Wendy, holding her plate out so Bonnie has easier access, says, “Well, I figured out Jessica was interested in you, so I told her I was interested in you to get her off the dime and admit she was attracted to you. Once she’d admitted it, I told her she’d better let you know before someone else came along and drew your interest away from her.”
“Then,” Bonnie chimes in, “I was prepared to embarrass you both if one of you wasn’t going to pursue the other.”
“So was that the reason you called me for dinner and wouldn’t take no for an answer?” Sean asks Jess, looking incredulous.
Jess nods. “Mostly. Nate also applied a lot of pressure that night and made sure I was dressed appropriately for the date.”
Sean smiles, turns to Wendy, and gives her a big hug. “Thank you,” he says simply. “I’ll have to give Nate a hug as well.”
“Well, it looks like you’ll get your chance very soon.”
Nate and Phillip come strolling onto the veranda.
“Why am I getting a big hug from Sean?” Nate asks.
Sean stands and gets Nate in a bear hug.
“Well, then,” Nate says, straightening his jacket.
“Hello,” Sean says, shaking hands with Phillip. “I’m Sean. And that was for forcing Jess to ask me out. I really appreciate it, Nate.”
Nate nods. “So I take it everything is working fine between you two?”
“You have no idea,” Jess says, giving Sean a hot look, as he takes the chair next to her.
Phillip laughs, as he and Nate also take a seat. “Very intriguing. Jess, you know you can’t leave us hanging. Fess up.”
“Let’s just say things couldn’t be better,” she replies with a wink.
“Oh, girl, I told you it was going to be hot! It was, wasn’t it?” Nate exclaims, raising his eyebrows.
“Scorching! Earth-shattering, even.”
“You go, girl. Damn, I love it when I’m right,” Nate says, and he and Phillip share a knowing look.
“They are staying in the same room for the next week,” Bonnie announces, and Nate’s jaw drops.
“Well, shit. Let’s all toast to Jess and Sean. Phillip and I need mojitos.”
Wendy hands them each a drink. Nate offers the toast, raising his drink, and the others follow suit.
“To the two most hardheaded individuals I know, finally admitting their unlikely desire and passion for each other. May your lovemaking always be as hot as your first argument, and may your consideration for each other always be as kind as your expressions are right now.”
They all drink, and Phillip kisses Nate on the cheek. “You have such a way with words. That was beautiful.”
Jessica and Sean share a loving moment, and then Evelyn and her husband, Richard, interrupt. “It looks like the party has started without us. What did we just miss?” Evelyn asks, stooping to give Bonnie a hug.
Phillip hands them a couple of mojitos, as Bonnie replies, “Sean and Jessica have carnal knowledge of each other, and now they’re an item!”
“Oh my,” Evelyn says, giving Jessica a hug as well, and whispering in her ear, “Is he as good as you hoped he would be?”
“Better than I ever imagined,” she whispers back.
Evelyn breaks away from Jessica and turns to Sean. “Well, it’s about time!”
He tips his glass to her and smiles.
“OK, is everyone squared away with their room arrangements?” Bonnie asks, and everyone nods. “Great. Then I would like to offer my own toast. I’m sure it won’t be as eloquent as Nate’s, but here it goes. I’d like to welcome everyone to my home away from home. I wish it was solely for the purpose of Beauty Boutique Clothing’s grand opening, and that no darkness clouded our lives…but I’m grateful we’re facing it together, and I am delighted to see my best friend and Mark’s best friend in a budding relationship. May it grow into love and be as fulfilling as the love Mark and I shared.”
“Hear, hear!” Nate cheers, and they drink.
Jessica hugs Bonnie. “You are such a beautiful and amazing woman. Thank you so much. I am constantly awed by your grace and strength, and I love you more than you’ll ever imagine.”
“Enough,” Bonnie replies, shushing her. “Let’s all enjoy the evening and great company.” She takes another drink, and eve
ryone else does the same.
CHAPTER 10
DIGNIFIED DISGRACE
The church is filled with dignitaries of the Brazilian government. Hector Sosa, the United Nations ambassador for Brazil, is accompanying Charlotte Evans, interim CEO of Global Metal Refining, which seems strange to Bonnie and Sean, especially given their anticipated meeting later that day at the villa.
Jessica notices Sean staring at Hector and Charlotte and gives him a questioning look as Bonnie comes to stand beside them.
He explains who Hector is and then says, “I can’t think of any time or place where those two could have gotten together.”
“Don’t worry too much about it,” Bonnie says, “I have a few surprises for Ms. Evans myself.” She glances between Sean and Wendy. “Can I count on your support as major stockholders and board members?”
“Of course,” Sean says, and Wendy nods her assent as well.
“Wonderful,” Bonnie says, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “I’ve got a plan. Just follow my lead during the meeting, and I’ll explain everything afterward.”
Wendy suddenly walks away from everyone to look at the pictures of Ricardo placed around the church.
Jessica notices Wendy’s departure first. She touches Sean’s arm. “I’m going to go check on her.” He nods and watches her walk toward Wendy.
Bonnie sees him staring after her. “You’re a lucky man. You’d better treat her right, or I’ll cut your balls off.”
He chuckles. “I have no doubt you would. I know I’m a lucky guy. Jess is a magnificent woman.”
“Just think, you almost let her slip away because you were an asshole to her the first time you two met.”
“Oh, come on, she wasn’t prepared, and I was pissed at you, Mark, and Evelyn for setting me up the way you did. You all knew I would never have agreed to meet with her if I knew what her business was all about, and you pushed me into it anyway.”
“You were still an ass,” Bonnie muses, checking her nail polish.
Sean’s look is deadpan. “Because I was pissed.”
“Nevertheless, you could have been more gracious.”
“Yeah, OK, you’re right,” he says, holding up his hands in surrender, “and she impresses me every day now with her abilities, business knowledge, and progressive clothing designs.”
Bonnie grins. “The fact that she has a smoking-hot bod doesn’t hurt either, huh?”
He grins back and looks over at Jessica again. She has her arm around Wendy now, and they are talking quietly.
“She adores you, you know that?” Bonnie asks, searching Sean’s face, suddenly serious.
He returns his attention to her. “No, I didn’t. But, Bonnie, that is certainly great news, because I can’t imagine anyone else I would rather spend time with. She’s pretty amazing.”
Bonnie nods, looking satisfied, and Jessica looks back over her shoulder and motions for them to join Wendy and her. As they do, Bonnie notices a photograph of Ricardo that she finds slightly disturbing.
“Hey, did you guys know Ricardo had a tattoo?” Bonnie asks the others, pointing to a photo of Ricardo on the beach in only his swimming trunks. On display is a weird tattoo over his heart—a viper coiled and striking an exposed human heart, with blood dripping from the wound. Sean loses most of the color in his face, which goes unnoticed because the women are staring at the photo.
He places a hand on Wendy’s shoulder, gives a little squeeze, and removes it immediately. Wendy looks into Sean’s eyes, knowing they are the only two who understand the significance of this discovery.
As Jessica and Bonnie move to the next photograph, murmuring about Ricardo, Sean whispers in Wendy’s ear. “Jesus. Are you OK?”
Wendy quietly replies, “Yes. I’m fine.” She doesn’t reveal the intense rage streaming through her being, like an insidious fast-growing tumor. She is a bundle of mixed emotions, and she stands, staring at the photo, with her thoughts running wild. On one end of the spectrum, she’s exhilarated by the knowledge that she has exacted her revenge on the masked man who Mark had rape her so many years ago. At the other end is extreme disappointment at not having known who Ricardo really was and what his role in her life was. As she examines her emotions internally, she recognizes she is pissed all over again because once again those associated with her deranged brother, Mark, have cheated her of completeness. I’ll get there, Mark, don’t you worry, she silently vows.
“Please take your seats, ladies and gentlemen. We’re ready to start,” says a voice, interrupting Wendy’s thoughts. She turns away from the pictures of a man she didn’t even know she’d hated and joined the rest of the group.
As they head for their seats, Wendy leans in to Sean and whispers, “Thank you for your concern. This secret we share only seems to get darker with time, doesn’t it?”
He simply nods and continues to look straight ahead. His thoughts are screaming like the drag of fishing reel unwinding in a battle as the unknown beast on the other end continues to resist being exposed. He knew Ricardo and Mark had been very good friends, closer than Mark and Hugo, and he wonders how he could have known so little about the man he had so completely respected.
How much more is yet to be exposed? Will I be able to protect them? he wonders, and suddenly his attention is jolted back to the present by the whine of a microphone. Ricardo’s memorial service has begun, and Sean realizes he no longer knows how to feel about this dead man.
First are the priest’s benediction and homily, followed by Hugo’s eulogy. Then comes the endless praise from government officials and friends. Just as suddenly as it began, the service is over, and Sean realizes he hasn’t heard a single word of it.
As people are leaving, there are comments on what a lovely service it was, joined by hopes that this would be the last of its kind for a very long time.
They are conversing quietly with other mourners when Wendy speaks up. “I’m always fascinated by what funerals reveal about the deceased. The multiple facets of one’s being aren’t truly recognized until death separates one from this world.”
Bonnie gives her a look. “Um, that topic is somewhat morbid. Can we not?”
Wendy laughs. “What I mean is most individuals do things privately that very few people know about. Others only learn about them as a result of the stories told after we’re gone.”
“Why is that?” Sean asks, taking a sip of his watery church coffee.
“Well, for example, many individuals don’t want their good works revealed publicly. Death allows others the chance to speak out,” Wendy replies, leveling her gaze at him.
He swallows a bitter taste. “I suppose you’re right.”
Outside the church, Bonnie makes it a point to corner Charlotte Evans and Hector Sosa.
“Hector, so nice to see you,” she says, giving him a dignified hug. Then she turns to Charlotte. “Ms. Evans, I just wanted to confirm our meeting this afternoon.”
“Of course I’ll be there,” Charlotte replies.
Bonnie nods. “Oh, Hector, you should join us for dinner!”
He hesitates, and Bonnie frowns. “You simply must. You and Jessica can enjoy a cocktail by the pool, while the rest of us attend to the mundane business at hand. If you don’t come, Jessica will be left to fend for herself. Besides,” she reiterates, “I would love to have your company for dinner.”
Hector looks at Charlotte, who says, “Dinner is always so wonderful at the villa. Please join us.”
Hector smiles, looks back to Bonnie, and says, “Well, who could say no to an invitation of this magnitude? I’d be delighted to join you for dinner.”
“Wonderful! We will see you both in three hours. The chef has a fabulous six-course meal planned. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.”
Charlotte smiles tightly. “I have never been disappointed by your chef.”
“Terrif
ic. Dinner attire is business casual. See you both later,” Bonnie replies, and she strolls back to the limo waiting to take Jessica, Sean, Wendy, and her home.
Upon arriving back at the villa, Bonnie gets everyone’s attention. “I invited both Charlotte and Hector to dinner. They and Hugo will be here in three hours, and we’ll spend a couple of hours in our business meeting. The chef has an exquisite dinner planned, and this gives me a chance to figure out what Ms. Evans is up to.”
Everyone nods. “So we’ve got free time until then?” Nate asks sarcastically, and Bonnie chuckles.
“Sorry, yes. This isn’t Sunday school or anything, but I would like you all to join us for dinner.”
Jess shoots Nate a look, and he grins. “Of course we’ll be there for you, Bonnie.” Everyone agrees, and then they divide into preferred activities. Evelyn and Richard decide to do some quick shopping before returning to the villa for dinner, Nate and Phillip decide to lounge by the pool for a few hours, and Sean and Jessica disappear into Sean’s suite.
Jessica recognizes the afternoon is passing quickly when she and Sean are heading out to the veranda for drinks, and she sees Charlotte and Hector stepping out of their vehicle in the cobblestone driveway of the villa.
Charlotte is dressed comfortably in a multicolored tuxedo dress and dress sandals. Hector is classically dressed in dark slacks, dress shoes, and a white linen shirt.
Jessica pauses in the living area while Bonnie greets them at the door. Bonnie looks professional in a new design of Jessica’s—a blue skirt and gold top with a teardrop cutout. Wendy also appears in a new Beauty Boutique design, but still understated, in black yoga pants and a cowl-necked, sparkling top.
Bonnie quickly makes introductions. “Hector, this is Jessica and Wendy. Wendy, Jessica, you know Charlotte, and now Hector.”
Everyone shakes hands, and Hector says, “You ladies look very nice tonight.”
“Thank you very much. All the women staying at the villa are sporting Jessica’s new line of clothing, manufactured here in Brazil by Beauty Boutique,” Bonnie says. “Jess, why don’t you take Hector out to the veranda while Wendy, Sean, and I cover this business with Ms. Evans. We’ll join you shortly.”
Unmerited Favor: The Compassion and Peril of Mercy ( Un missable Series Book 2) Page 9
