One Perfect Moment

by A. C. Arthur

  “Oh, are you leaving?” Harper asked when Gage was headed to the front door.

  There was noise, as always here, with work being done on some part of the house every day. So he hadn’t heard her approach.

  “Hey, Harper. I thought you’d already be out on some other job by now,” Gage said as he set his bag on the floor and faced his soon-to-be sister-in-law.

  “I’m working here today,” she told him. “Have to find some time to put into my own house. Especially if I want to have it finished by the time Garrek comes home.”

  “He’s anxious to return,” Gage said. He’d spoken to Garrek a couple days ago when his brother had called to ask why he was in Temptation.

  His sisters had also called him because nothing was ever a secret between the Taylor siblings. What one knew, they all knew.

  Harper beamed at his words. “But you’re leaving? Your vacation is over.”

  “Actually, I’m not leaving Temptation just yet. I’ve decided to stay here awhile longer to help Gray at the hospital.”

  “Yes, with the generational wing. That’s fabulous. So why are you packed like you’re leaving town?”

  “Since I drove my car down, I had to have my yacht shipped here. It’s arrived, and I’m just going to stay there for the duration of the trip. As I’m sure you’re aware, it gets kind of loud here sometimes, and it’s easier for me to work where it’s quiet.”

  Harper chuckled. “That’s putting it politely. I know it’s loud all the time, and I apologize.”

  “No need for an apology. It was generous of you to let me stay here, and this was better than intruding on Gray and Morgan with the kids and their schedules. I’ll just be down at the dock, but still in town for family dinners and things like that.”

  “Good, I know that Gray seems really happy you’re here. And Garrek is, too. He only wishes he could be here with all of us.”

  Gage wished that, too. Quite a few times this week, he’d wondered how it would feel for all of them to be back here in Temptation.

  “In due time,” he told Harper. “We’ll all be together in due time.”

  The words had reminded him of his mother. Once the siblings had entered high school, they’d often asked Olivia when she was going to do something for herself. They’d all agreed they wanted to see their mother happy, even if they couldn’t agree on who or what would get her to that point. Olivia had only smiled and told them, “All in due time.”

  * * *

  Now, hours later, Gage was on the luxury super yacht he was currently leasing. The Seraphine looked big and a bit ostentatious anchored along Temptation’s weathered dock, but Gage didn’t care. He loved nice things. They were the one indulgence he afforded himself as a reward for all his hard work. His condo, car and the yacht were like Gage’s children, he thought dismally.

  It was just about five thirty, and he’d already showered and changed into smoke-gray slacks and a lighter gray button-front shirt. He kept clothes on the yacht, so his decision to stay here longer wouldn’t call for a trip to the mall.

  “Helloooo down there! I say helloooo!”

  Gage smiled at the sound of her voice. Ms. Pearl Brimley was a lovely woman with a wide, friendly smile and deep dimples in each mocha-hued cheek. Gage had stopped at Ms. Pearl’s Diner on his way to the yacht and put in an order for dinner to be delivered here for tonight.

  “Hellooooo!”

  “Coming, Ms. Pearl,” Gage answered as he stepped up onto the deck.

  Ms. Pearl was standing on the dock, a large square-shaped warming bag in each hand. She wore a blue-and-white-striped skirt that stopped at her ankles and swayed in the breeze.

  “Here, let me help you down,” he told her as he went to the edge of the deck.

  He unhitched the latch that kept the swinging door closed and reached up to take the bags from Ms. Pearl’s hands.

  “Gail and Meg are right behind me with the rest of the stuff. We’ll get you all set up here,” she said when Gage turned back to offer her a hand down.

  “You said six o’clock, so we’ll have to move quickly. But we’ll get it all done.”

  In seconds Ms. Pearl’s daughter, Gail, and her niece, Meg, came on board carrying more packages.

  “This is so nice,” Meg crooned. “I’ve never seen a boat like this before.”

  “That’s because it’s a yacht,” Gail replied with a shake of her head.

  “Just like the one in the pictures of Jay-Z and Beyoncé on vacation,” Meg continued as she unpacked utensils and napkins from the bags she’d carried on deck.

  Gage smiled and explained to Meg what type of yacht this was, and that, no, he was not as rich as Jay-Z and Beyoncé. Ms. Pearl beckoned them both back to work, and by five minutes to six, the three ladies were gone and the small bronze pedestal table at the far end of the boat was decorated beautifully.

  At three minutes after six, Gage was standing at the door of the deck once more, smiling up at Ava as she stepped slowly onto the yacht.

  “You look beautiful,” he said, taking her hand to help her on board. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  And he was, Gage thought as he looked down into her deep brown eyes. He was glad to see her in the short blue dress that might have seemed plain on anyone else but her. She wore a blue-and-beige scarf draped around her neck and black boots to her calf. Her hair was free and flowing so that she had a fresh and innocently enticing look. Yes, he was glad she was here.

  “I almost didn’t come,” she said and then shook her head as if trying to dismiss the words. “I meant to say, thank you. I’m looking forward to a great evening.”

  He heard the words and saw the small smile she offered, but Gage wasn’t buying it. Her eyes and the slight slump in her shoulders said differently.

  “Is something wrong, Ava? Did something happen to you today?”

  “No,” she said and waved her hand over her face like she needed to wipe away whatever was bothering her. “I’m fine. It’s nothing. Let’s just have dinner.”

  “Sure. Everything’s ready,” Gage told her.

  He led her to the table and pulled out the matching bronzed iron chair, all the while thinking that she was a horrible liar. Something was definitely wrong with her, and he was determined to find out what.

  So he could fix it. Gage knew in that instant that he would do anything to take that look off her face. Anything at all.

  * * *

  She was being ridiculous.

  It was unlike her and she hated it.

  No, it was just like her after speaking to her mother. That’s what she hated more.

  Ava took a deep breath, smelled the crisp evening air and looked out to the glistening surface of the water.

  “It’s nice here,” she said quietly. “Who goes on vacation and has their yacht shipped to them?”

  The last was said with a wry chuckle as she tried to shake the anger and sadness she’d carried with her for the last hour since her mother’s call.

  “I wanted to be comfortable since I plan to stay a little longer.”

  He had just slid onto the chair across from her. For too many torturous moments, he’d stood staring at her, waiting for her to tell him what was going on. Or waiting to figure it out for himself.

  Ava turned slightly, hanging her purse on the side of the chair, and then turned back to face him. “How long are you staying now?”

  “Through the holidays.”

  She folded her hands in her lap. “So you’ll be here for Morgan’s big Christmas dinner. Are the rest of your siblings coming?”

  “Yes,” he replied. “Morgan, apparently, is very persuasive.”

  “That should be nice. A family holiday.” Ava couldn’t help it.

  She had decided that she wanted to be in Temptation for Christmas, as well. She wanted to attend the Harvest Brun
ch and then the Thanksgiving parade in November. And Morgan had told her about her annual class play at the community center. They hadn’t chosen which Christmas story they would do this year yet, but Lily and Jack had been so animated last night, when they’d reenacted parts of last year’s A Christmas Carol, that Ava knew she wanted to see anything those two acted in this year. And all of the Taylors had agreed to come back to Temptation for Christmas. Ava did not want to miss that.

  She looked out to the water then and sighed heavily, recalling the earlier conversation with her mother.

  “I mean, really, Ava, how long are you going to continue playing at this? May I remind you that you are not getting any younger? When I was your age, I was already married to your father and trying to get pregnant.”

  “I’m not thinking about marriage and children right now, Mother,” she’d said through clenched teeth.

  The fact that she’d thought of nothing else but the sweet smell of Emma and Ryan in her arms last night was something she’d keep to herself.

  “That’s my point exactly. You should be. It’s time to stop wasting time with this writing thing and get on with your life.”

  “This writing thing has resulted in the number one rated procedural drama last season. It’s making a name for me within the industry and opening new doors for my career.” At least she hoped what she was doing here in Temptation would do just that.

  “Richard is preparing for a third run to keep his Senate seat. He needs your help on the campaign. Now, how soon can you get back to LA? I’ve already set up some meetings with my committees. They’ll support as always, but I need you to get to the young people.”

  Richard McClain had been the Cannon family lawyer for as long as Ava could remember. Five years ago he had decided to run for Congress and had been elected in a surprise landslide. After Ava’s father’s death, Richard had been there offering his support to the family, which Ava had appreciated, so she did feel a bit of loyalty to him.

  “I’m working and will not be finished with this until at least the first of the year,” Ava had said.

  “That’s just not acceptable, Ava. Not at all. I want you to stop this foolishness right now. I’ve put too much time and energy into raising you right for you to wander off into some la-la land now.”

  Ava hadn’t been aware that a successful producing career was considered la-la land.

  “Look, Mom, I have to go. I have a da...I mean, a meeting tonight. So I’m going to have to call you in the morning.”

  “Ava, you will not keep putting me off. Now, I told Richard you would be back to help him, and I expect you to honor that agreement.”

  “I didn’t agree to that,” she’d replied.

  “Do not disrespect me!” Eleanor had yelled.

  The sound of her mother taking a deep breath and releasing it very slowly had echoed through the phone, and Ava rolled her eyes. Her mother had perfected the wounded woman act over the years, but this time Ava was prepared.

  “I would never disrespect you, Mother. But I really do have to get to this meeting. We can talk more in the morning, I promise. Have a good night,” she’d said before clicking off the call.

  It wasn’t hanging up if she said goodbye, or good-night. Her father had told her that. It was a long time before Ava suspected it was because he’d hung up on Eleanor plenty of times in his life.

  “Ava?”

  It was his hand resting on her shoulder more so than the sound of his voice that jolted Ava from her memory and almost out of the chair.

  “Are you all right?” Gage asked as he stooped down beside her.

  He took her hands then, holding them between his as he stared up at her.

  “Whatever it is, you can tell me, Ava. Tell me, so I can help.”

  She tilted her head, the corner of her mouth moving upward slightly. “You would try, wouldn’t you? For as much as you like to give the impression that you’re all about your professional life, there’s a softer side to you, Gage. A side that wants to make things right for everybody.”

  “I just don’t like the look in your eyes or the tone of your voice right now. Whatever I can do to help, I will.”

  “You came to work on the set of my show to help,” she said. “Even when you wanted nothing more to do with TV networks. And you came back here to help your brother at the hospital. You’re always helping.”

  “Fine. I’m always helping. So let me help you.”

  She shook her head. “It’s nothing,” Ava said.

  “You’re a terrible liar.”

  Those words were like icicles gliding over her skin. Gage had no idea how good a liar she actually was.

  “It’s childish and pointless,” she said and then sighed because her head was starting to throb. “Just a silly argument with my mother. You know, like everyone has with their parents at some point.”

  His gaze remained steady. “Not me.”

  Great, now she really felt like an idiot. Here she was complaining about her mother when both Gage’s parents were gone.

  “I’m sorry. Let’s just forget I even said anything.” She tried for a genuine smile. “Guess I’m ruining our date. Is this a date?”

  He grinned. “Let’s dance.”

  “What? There’s no music.”

  Gage was already tugging her from the chair. He slipped his arm around her waist and stepped closer, until their bodies were touching. Ava lifted her arms to lock around his neck and joined him when he began to sway. He smelled so good, like very expensive cologne and sexy man. And even though he wasn’t holding her too tightly, she felt safe in his arms. Protected. Comforted.

  Guilty.

  “My mother used to say that dancing cures everything. The movement chases away old ghosts and prevents worries from piling up in your mind.”

  Ava sighed and let herself focus solely on moving.

  “I’m just trying to do my job,” she said softly. “All I’ve ever wanted to do is write. Not be some twenty-first-century debutante in search of a rich husband to continue some society circle nonsense.”

  His fingers splayed over her lower back, rubbing lightly as he stepped and moved, turning them in a small circle.

  “She hates everything about me. Always has,” Ava continued. She didn’t know why. The words just tumbled free. “Nothing I’ve ever done has been good enough for her. Probably because I’m not like her. I prefer to drive an economical hybrid car instead of the expensive vehicles she travels in. I live in a reasonably priced condo and not a mansion, which, thanks to my inheritance from my father, I could absolutely afford. I’m not really into flashy things or people with titles and prestige. I just want to write my stories and live a normal life. Is that so much to ask?”

  He kissed the top of her head and then waited until she lifted her chin to stare up at him.

  “No. It’s not,” he told her. “You should be able to be whoever and whatever you want to be. That’s what my mother used to tell us. It’s why she wanted out of the television show. Because she thought it was creating a persona for us that we had no say in. We were stars before we even knew what that meant, or if it was something we wanted in our lives.”

  “You were doing what they wanted you to do because at the time you didn’t have a choice,” she said.

  She wanted Gage and his siblings to have a choice this time. The same way she had made a choice to write instead of following her mother’s plans for her life.

  “Your mother did the right thing,” she said.

  “And your mother thinks she’s doing the right thing, too,” he replied. “You just have to stand your ground so that she knows her idea of what’s right for you is not in your plan.”

  “I did,” she told him. “I have so many times before. She just refuses to listen.”

  “Then that’s her problem, Ava. It’s not yours, so don’t beat yo
urself up about it. You have a right to try this your way.”

  He looked so good staring back at her with his neatly trimmed goatee, thick brows and mesmerizing gaze. She couldn’t have written a better scene where a declaration of love would come and happy-ever-after would ensue. Her heart tripped at the thought.

  “If this were a date, I’d suggest we skip the meal and head straight to the bedroom,” she said nervously.

  Yes, she was nervous. Which was ridiculous, because she’d had sex with Gage before.

  “Or it might be the part where I whisk you into my arms and carry you to the bed. I’d lay you down and peel your clothes from you slowly, taking the time to touch every part of your naked body, watching your reaction as I did.”

  She licked her lips and swallowed hard. “Oh, really? And then what would you do? If this were a date, I mean?”

  They were still dancing, swaying in the cool evening breeze on the deck of his yacht. That’s why she felt dizzy. No other reason.

  “After touching every part of your body with my fingers, I would switch places. Using my tongue to taste you.” His voice had lowered to a deep timbre.

  “I would watch you ride high on the wave of pleasure, then crest and fall with your climax.”

  Her body tingled all over, her breasts swelling as she pressed closer to him. He was hard. She could feel his erection as surely as she felt the rise and fall of his chest.

  “And...then,” she whispered, the words trailing off as he’d begun to lower his face to hers.

  “Then I would slip inside you, filling you, taking you,” he said before brushing his lips over hers.

  “Yes,” she replied and kissed him back, dragging her tongue over his bottom lip.